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    Inside the Christian Louboutin Sample Sale

    By ManhattanMataHari

    This year, the organizers of the Christian Louboutin sample sale shook things up a bit, changing the access hierarchy for the sale. Friends and family got first dibs starting today –after all the ultra VIPs on Monday. Press access begins on Wednesday and we are told that the public may get their chance to shop on Friday.

    This counter-spy arrived at the sale just before 5pm and there was no line to get in. As expected, an Louboutin employee was checking names in the building lobby.  Once we were cleared, our right wrist was marked with a blue stamp. After, it was straight to the fourth floor. A coat check stripped us of everything except our wallet. Cell phones are absolutely forbidden. That means, no texting your friends outside the sale and no pictures. As a matter of fact, there are signs that say, no tweeting or posting to social media.

    The shopping scene was far less hectic than anticipated, although there were only a handful of chairs for try-ons.  As always, the shoe selection is best for ladies size 36.5 and below and 40 and up. Already, there are no size 38.5 shoes (Blake Lively’s size, perhaps?) and size 37.5s were dwindling quickly. However, the selection of 37 and 39 shoes was still decent, although it may not last very long since those are more popular sizes. Prices for this sale start at $100 although we had no luck finding any shoes for so little. Unlike years past, it seemed like even some of the wedges were $225 instead of the expected $150, and most of the desirable styles were $350 and above. Boots are $500 and up, while the exotic skin styles are priced upon request. There are also a number of handbags marked down about 50%, although we couldn’t focus on much besides the shoes.

    If you are a larger or smaller shoe size and do not have an invite it may be worth your while to stop by the sale. Staff informed us that they may be opening the sale to the public on Thursday and Friday. If you don’t have a invite, Friday is your best bet.  If you have a more common shoe size, however, it may not be even worth the trip since they will probably sell out by Wednesday afternoon.

    Christian Louboutin Sample Sale
    306 West 38th St, 4th floor (at 8th Avenue)
    Wednesday, May 16th: 8am to 5:30pm (Press)
    Thursday, May 17th: 9am to 5pm
    Friday, May 18th: 9am to 3pm
    Credit Cards ONLY

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    Rimowa Luggage Sale

    Attention dads, grads and anniversary-types. Ramowa, the jet-set’s favorite luggage brand,  is marked 20% off at Venture. Several styles including Salsa and Salsa Airs are included in the markdown.

    The Madison Avenue store, which has transformed from a Vera Bradely-populated stationary store to a chic variety gift shop, also has a nice variety of Rimowa colors. Our favorite is always purple but silver and red are always lovable classics.

    Rimowa luggage is partly popular because of the high-tech light-weight Polycarbonate and it’s sleek shine and fresh design. Rimowa was honored with the Innovation Award by the Travel Goods Association and named Best Luggage by Travel + Leisure Design Awards. Retail prices normally range from $400 to $900 depending on size and style.

    Venture Stationers
    1156 Madison Ave (between 85th St & 86th St)

    (212) 288-7235

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    Alain Mikli Sample Sale

    This time of year always inspires us to revamp our eyewear. After all, last year’s sunnies seem so boring. There’s no better way to make your eyes dance for joy than with a discount pair of Alain Mikli glasses.

    This week, Alain Mikli is hosting a sample sale, which will also include a selection of glasses from Starck Eyes and Vuarnet. The sale will run from Wednesday through Friday. Most styles retail between $200 and $800 and will be discounted between $45 and $150.

    Alain Mikli is known for their handmade eyewear. The iconic styles are very square shape but we tend to like the more punk-rock styles and colors. This is a great sale to hit you’re looking to deviate from the stayed designs of licensed glasses.

    Alain Mikli Sample Sale
    Wednesday, May 16 to Friday, May 19
    Wed to Friday 9am to6:45pm
    242 Elizabeth St. (btwn Prince & Houston St)

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    It-it: Eyelashes

    We’ve been thinking an awful lot about eyelashes and that was even before last week’s article in The New York Times. We all know that the aging process could include sagging cheeks, droopy eyelids, a falling butt and deflated boobs but nobody ever mentioned eyelash thinning.

    Anyone under 30 can consider this post a public service announcement. In addition to all the aforementioned signs of aging you can plan on your luscious, think lashes going the way of your size 22 waist.

    One friend says, “I thought that Lancome’s mascara formula had changed.” Another friend says, “I thought I just kept buying old mascara that was too dried up to accomplish the desired results.” I personally hadn’t even noticed the change until other’s started talking.

    We sincerely regret spending our 20s avoiding mascara because of the messy removal process. Hell, who needs mascara when your lashes already reach your lids? Now, we spend our days trying to make up for the lashy loss.

    We did a bit experimenting and have a few suggestions:

    Sephora
    For $8 a makeup artist at Sephora will apply falsies (eyelashes, not boobs!). The look is as awesome as the price. If you go for the full makeup application, we suggest answering no when asked if you would like to be made up like Kim Kardashian. (Who says yes to this anyway? This is New York!)

    Illegal Length by Maybelline $10
    As far as drug store brands go, Illegal Length wins Mad-Spy’s top honors. The mascara uses fiber technology to lengthen the lashes. The brush has a jagged bristle, which seems do quite well at avoiding the clump factor. We also love how easy it is to remove the washable version. Our everyday cleansing soap seems to do the job just fine.

    Lancôme Hypnôse Doll Lashes$26
    Once you go to the beauty level you can easily be overwhelmed with the variety of mascara choices. The most popular, and our personal favorite, is Lancome’s Doll Lashes.The brush does a great job separating lashes and catching the little one’s that you can easily miss. Application is easy and your lashes eyes look bright and flirty with just one swipe.

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    Correction: Barney’s

    Yesterday we posted about several great sales and included information about a designer markdown at Barney’s. Unfortunately, we were given misinformation and the sale is not as we reported. There are some items discounted at the department store but the sale does to include any premier designer clothing or shoes.

    We apologies for the inaccurate information and any inconvenience it could have caused. On the brighter side, Barney’s pre-sale should begin in the next few weeks.

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    Department Stores First Markdown, and more

    By ManhattanMataHari

    A thoughtful gift of flowers is always a go-to for treating Mom on her big day, but this year why not treat her to a day of shopping. That’s at markdown-style, of course. Gifting procrastinators will be happy to know there are several sales going on throughout the weekend. Take mom along and impress her with your shopping prowess.

    D&G One Day Final Sale
    Whenever we are reminded that D&G is coming to a close we get a bit sad. It’s an end of an era! The So-hos would not have been anything without D&G. Our inside sources tell is this weekend will be the final D&G sale. Going forward, the diffusion line from Dolce & Gabbana will no longer exist. This sale is one of your last chances to scoop up D&G apparel and accessories at the boutique for 40% off retail. Real die-hards will be happy to know that the D&G will still be available at outlets– while supplies last.
    D&G One Day Final Sale
    Saturday, May 12th
    Soho Store: 212-965 – 8000

    Bloomingdale’s Private Designer Sale
    Bloomie’s is quietly hosting an  “unadvertised” private designer sale. (I know, unheard of!) This is their first markdown on resort and spring designers like Yigal Azroel, Burberry London, Zac Posen, Vera Wang and Jean Paul Gaultier. For 40% off retail and loads of loyalist points, a brown bagged gift for Mom is like a gift for you too.
    Bloomingdale’s Private Designer Sale
    May 9th through May 10th
    59th St: 212-705 – 2000

    Barney’s Spring Sale
    Barney’s spring 40% off sale has officially begun. The online sale selection is plentiful, but historically we always suggest going to their Madison Avenue brick and mortar. There you will find the best selection of apparel and accessories. Not to mention the Barney’s website is notorious for overselling sales items and disappointing customers with orders canceled e-mails. Hit up the shoe salon first since popular shoe styles and sizes tend to go first. Also Saks and Bergdorf shoe markdowns normally start at a 30% cut, so this is the best discount in town.
    Barneys Frist Markdown
    Madison Avenue: 212-826 – 8900


    Saks Fifth Avenue
    Saks has just announced a “sneak preview” of their first markdown. The discount is 40% and an assortment of designer cloths and shoes are included.  It seems, however, if the higher-end designer duds are not yet included. We suggest waiting a little longer before shopping or speaking to a sales associate about future purchases.
    Saks
    Fifth Avenue: 212-753-4000


    POSH Fashion Sale at The Pierre
    Even if your Mom isn’t a big fan of shopping, play to her philanthropic side by taking her to shop for a cause. The POSH sale has setup shop in the Wedgewood room at the elegant Pierre hotel. While the sale normally costs $10 for admission per person, in honor of Mother’s Day they are doing a two-for-one admission deal. (Seniors and students are always half price). Once inside you can expect to find over 10,000 new and gently used designer items with the proceeds to benefit Lighthouse International’s charity for the blind and visually impaired. Celebrities, socialites, and designers like Diane von Furstenberg, Badgley and Mischka, Joan Rivers, and Ivanka Trump have all donated items for the event. There is a great selection of vintage and designer furs, mostly ranging from $400 to $4000. (If you can find Suzette or Kay they may negotiate on the price). Since the seemingly endless racks of ready-to-wear were a bit overwhelming, the accessories will likely be the first to go. $195 Hermes scarves and unique $100 Oscar de la Renta snakeskin corset belts caught our eye, as well as the $195 to $250 Judith Leiber belts in the glass display next to a plentiful selection of fashion and costume jewelry. The shoe department was dominated by $150 Manolo Blahniks, and many boxes of new Krizia wedges for $100, with some Christian Louboutins in the mix as well.
    POSH Sale
    The Pierre Hotel
    2 East 63rd Street
    Friday and Saturday, May 11th and 12th: 11am to 7pm
    Sunday and Monday, May 13th and 14th: 11am to

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    Spring Louboutin Sample Sale

    The Christian Louboutin sample sale is legend among sample sale fanatics. It’s closed to the public and invitations are as covetted as West Wing access. We are not sure where the security is tougher but you can always count on a flurry of excitement when word leaks of the Louboutin sample sale.

    We just confirmed with the Louboutin press office that the sample sale will begin Monday, May 14th and run all week. Press invitations are scheduled to begin Wednesday, May 16th. Each press invitation includes a guest. So if you’re looking to score a moment to shop your best bet would be with a media contact.

    Prices are highly discounted but still generally start at $225 and go up to $550 for boots. Espadrille wedges may be found for $150 but that would be the bottom of the barrel.

    For the record, this Spy has had her invitation privileges revoked. Nonetheless, we will bring you Louboutin sample sale coverage throughout the sale. Please feel free to email and tweet us info and pictures.

    (On a side note, anyone who can stomach reading through the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy will get a chuckle from the miss-spelling lot Louboutin at the end of the third book.)

    Christian Louboutin Sample Sale
    Monday, May 14 through Friday, May 18
    Daily 9am to 5pm, Fri. 9am to 3pm
    306 W. 38th St. (bet. 8th & 9th Ave.)

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    Contemporary Designer Sample Sale

    Several “contemporary” designers, including Hunter Dixon and Twinkle by Wenlan, are co-hosting a sample sale that will begin Thursday, May 10. The two-day sample sale will also include clothing from By Smith and Pinkyotto.

    We are told that prices will be less than half of retail. A silk printed dresses will be $120 from $326, a color-blocking maxi dresses will be $80 from $154, black and white eyelet cut out dress will be $130 from $295 and a weekend dresses will be $98 from $278.

    It appears to be a decent place to pick up flirty summer dresses. If you can’t make it, you can be assured you will find similar markdowns in department stores by mid-July.

    Sample Sale
    Thursday, May 10 and Friday, May 11th
    10am- 6pm
    545 8th Avenue, 17th Floor
    between 37th and 38th Street
    Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Amex

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