Black Friday isn’t what it used to be. More people are shopping earlier and spending more money online. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t attractive incentives to lure customers. Below are our top picks for what is known as the ‘biggest shopping day of the year.’ Rest assured, the deals are almost identical if you are shopping online.

Nordstrom
Designer discounts are an extra 20% off through Sunday. We found lots of samples that you don’t often  find reduced. These Hunter rain boots are $80 from $150 and Stuart Weitzman ankle booties are $350 from $600. Most items from the ‘cutting edge‘ designers are not discounted, yet, but there are a few standouts. This lace Adam Lippes dress is $800 from nearly $1700 and this Comme des Garçons sweater is $277 from $460.

Neiman Marcus
For a limited time, you can save an extra 33% off select items for a total savings of up to 60% off. A Nanette Lepore print blouse is $140 from $350, Alice & Olivia leather leggings are $370 from $950 and Current Elliott jeans are $83 from $208. As an added incentive you can save an extra $50 off non-sale items over $200 with the code THANKFUL. The best part is that this discount code can be applied to fragrance and beauty items.

Saks Fifth Avenue
Prices for the shopping extravaganza will be reduced up to 60% off if you can get to the store or log in before noon on Friday. An Alice & Olivia print dress is $118 from $300 and Frame high waist jeans are just $66 from $250. Just a warning, the early Saks crowd can be overwhelming. This is one of these days where shopping online can avoid lots of aggravation.

The unofficial kick-off to Black Friday has already started. There are so many tempting places to spend your money it’s hard to choose.

One sale we are determined not to miss is the Black Friday promotion at Luxury 9. The discount store, with locations near Grand Central and the Bowery, will be offering customers an extra 30% off all apparel, including already reduced men’s, women’s and children’s Versace samples. They will also be offering an additional 15% to 30% off already reduced handbags, shoes and accessories.

Included in the extra discounts are Celine, Gucci, Valentino and Alaia handbags and shoes. Gucci Marmont pumps are an extra 15% off and come to about $460 from $750, Celine two-tone phantom bags are $1768 from $3400 and a Gucci GG Marmont bag is $1955 from $2300. (We have lots of pictures in the jump.)

If you’re looking for the best deals, direct your attention towards the Versace samples. An ornate coat is priced at just $455 from something like $4000. We also spotted a Versus dress with a link collar that’s reduced to $159 and a classic Versace suit jacket is $420.

Luxury 9 also an attractive assortment of accessories. McQueen scarves are just $165 and make great office gifts.  Chanel jewelry and sunglasses are other optimum gift ideas.

While most people are shopping first markdowns, we’ll be snagging top in-season designer items at Luxury 9. After all, discounts on top of high discounts, is what sale-ing is all about.

Luxury 9 Grand Central
375 Lexington Avenue @ 41st Street
Friday 11am – 4pm
Sunday 11am – 7pm
Closed Saturday
luxury9popup@gmail.com

Luxury 9 Bowery
352 Bowery (off Great Jones)
Friday 11am – 4pm
Saturday 7pm-10pm
Sunday 11am – 7pm
luxury9popup@gmail.com

The Saks Fifth Avenue presale for Black Friday is officially underway. The discounts are up to 40% off. The big news is that women’s clothing and shoes markdowns are live online but no handbags have been marked down on the site… yet. Lucky that we have spies everywhere.

We are told that Valentino bags will be 40% off. Included in the markdown are this Rocklock lasercut bag that comes to $2400 from over $4000, a Guitar-Strap Rockstud reversible leather tote is $2900 from $4945 and a Rocklock medium shoulder bag is $1677 from $2795.

Among the Prada presale bags, which will also be 40% off, is a grommeted canvas tote that’s $730 from $1260, a Saffiano Lux double-zip tote in various colors is about $1300 from $2230 and Baiadera frame bag in is $1800 from $2950.

Heading over to the houses of Gucci and Saint Laurent the stock lists aren’t as extensive and the discounts are just 30%. Included in the Gucci markdown is the Dionysus Arabesque, Dionysus Blooms and a Jackie hobo. Among the Saint Laurent options are a silver Sunset Sparkle on a chain wallet, the heart shape Love bag and the Monogram Matelasse.

Take note, designer clothing is on sale for 40% off. Customers can begin taking home their pre-sales Wednesday.

It’s not even Thanksgiving and I have already bought the same people three sets of gifts. I first purchased beautiful fragrant candles but then realized they would need to be boxed and taken to the post office. Too much trouble. Then I got cosmetic gift sets. I realized they were too personal for business associates. Lastly, I purchased a bunch of business card holders but then realized they require the packing, boxing and post office commitment– again!

Clearly, I have a problem that needs to be fixed. From now on I am making the commitment to buy all gifts online and have them shipped directly to the recipient. Nordstrom is particularly a great place to shop online. Their merchandise is great and customer service is terrific.

We especially love Nordstrom’s assortment of holiday gifts. Here is a holiday gift set from Nest ($72). It includes a candle and a diffuser. The best part is that boxing and post are already included! Then here is a cosmetic gift set from MAC ($50). It’s a combination of neutral colors, which are sure to look great on everyone. That’s much better than the wild metallic I impulsively purchased. And here is a Dior combo of mascara and eyeshadow for just ($30). I might just need to get them for myself. The mascara alone is usually $30.

For the kids, we found this 500-piece lego set that’s just $35. If you’ve have experience buying legos, then you know what a terrific price it is. Metallic silver Converse are perfect for tiny feet ($35) or Supra Skytop sneakers in gold ($70).

Guys are all about utility and toys. Bose SoundSport Bluetooth headphones ($150) fit the bill perfectly. The best part is that they don’t take up a lot of space, unlike that bike he buys himself. Comme des Garsons x Chuck Taylors ($120) are irresistible and really make us happy to see them worn. Whether or not they admit it, guys get cold too. Keep him warm in this Canada Goose packable jacket $500. He will really love how light it feels.

If you’re shopping for a picky woman we picked three foolproof gift ideas: the Gucci Marmot pumps ($750), a mini Chloe Faye bag ($795) or a glittery picture frame ($40) with an image of those she loves.

The Andrew Marc – Vilebrequin sample sales have been extended through Sunday. Anticipating extra markdowns, we couldn’t help from shopping for ourselves (and everyone else we know). Now, our wallet is empty but our closets are fully stocked for winter and vacation.

You could imagine how my phone started blowing up when I sent a group text alerting friends and family that Vilebrequin’s print and solid boy’s swimsuits were priced between $20 (size 2s) and $35 (size 12s). Men’s swimsuits with an elastic waist are now $65 and flat waist versions are $50.  Vilebrequin’s retail prices usually range from $250 to nearly $300 for men’s print shorts. For children, prices normally range from $120 to $140. The sale also includes nice polos for men at $40 and tees for $25.

We highly suggest you stock up for cruise now!!

Over on the Andrew Marc side, there are some really beautiful quality jackets and coats for men and women. A men’s leather 3/4 jacket with a fur collar is $199 from $630, a woman’s shearling jacket is further reduced to $699 from nearly $3000 and a woman’s faux fur lined parka vest with patches is $99 from $250.

Be sure to look out for the woman’s samples. A woman’s leather moto jacket lined with shearling is magnificent and priced at just $400, a brown moto jacket is $199 and a classic puffer is $249.

The sale is still pretty quiet because word of the extension hasn’t spread… yet! We suggest you hurry over right away, especially for the Vilebrequin selection. We are told that there won’t be any further reductions and there isn’t much back stock.

Enjoy!!!

Vilebrequin / Andrew Marc Sample Sale
Extended through Sunday, November 20
Thrus-Fri 8am-7pm, Sat& Sun 10am-6pm
401 Seventh Ave @33rd St. (Penn Plaza Pavilion)