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    Tessabit Takes 50% Off Special Selection

    The sale season in Italy is getting heated. The Italian boutique, Tessabit is taking its sale section and reducing designer merchandise to half-off. Mad-Spy readers can access the sale early through this link with the code: MADISONAVENUE50XT.

    Remember, the 50% off code can only be applied to the items in this edit. You can save 20% on all other items with the code: TSB25.

    Some 50%-off highlights include these Fendi logo sandals that are $425 from $850 and Balenciaga loafers are $350 from nearly $700. This Balmain blazer comes to $1000 from $3200 US retail and a Dolce & Gabbana floral print skirt is $670 from $1345. This pink Fendi scarf is a great gift at $375 from $750 and these Alexander McQueen biker scarves are great for covering the face at $130 from $260.

    The selection for men is as good, if not, better than the options for women. So don’t be shy forwarding the code to your male counterparts.

    The best part of the Tessabit promotion is that the merchandise is coming from Italy and many of the items retail for less money when compared to our retail prices. Shipping costs are nominal, all duties are covered and even returns are free. You won’t do any better than this (right now.)

    Net-A-Poter Shipping from Hong Kong

    In 2018, Net-A-Porter and Alibaba entered into a joint venture, which allowed NAP tap into the Chinese company’s sprawling logistics network and affiliated payment platform, Alipay. Now, Net-A-Porter is taking advantage of that platform and allowing worldwide shoppers to purchase from the Hong Kong-based site.

    US Shoppers can tap into the Chinese platform with this link. Prices are slightly less than the US on most items. Shipping is free on purchases over $322-ish. Duties are not covered but it appears as if the additional fees are slightly less than NYC sales tax. We suggest tapping into this resource if you’re having a hard time locating an item state-side.

    Some good options are the Bottega Veneta mini Jodie bag that is $1781 (or $60 more than the US). The simple Bottega leather mules are mostly sold here but are still available here for $735 (or $50 less). Some other hard-to-find highlights include the Hermes and Cartier watches. The medium Tank Française is about $200 less.

    We spotted some very cool Golden Goose. This pair with silver detailing is than the US at $371. These sneakers hit the magic balance of being over the shipping minimum but under the duty maximum before taxes. It’s a triple win!

    We suggest staying away from Gucci unless there is something you really haven’t been able to find. It appears as if prices are about 10% more than they are here. It’s just further proof that you always need to do your research.

    Intermix: Extra 50% Off Sale Items

    NOTE: Click on the first Intermix link to engage this VIP access and to see the extra 50% off. 

    It’s time to start sale-ing! Intermix just started an incredible promotion where sale merchandise is an additional 50% off. The discount on many items translates to a total discount of nearly 80%.

    Jumping right in, we suggest you quickly run through a Zimmerman edit because the good pieces tend to go very quickly. This white embroidered dress comes to $315 from $900 and this floral print halter dress comes to $230 from $650. Other highlights include this Ulla Johnson floral print dress that’s a steal at $175 from $445.

    Here is a tweed Veronica Beard blazer that’s $195 from $650, this pretty seafoam green dress from Sea is $90 from $300, and heart shape Saint Laurent sunglasses is $130 from $420.

    There is also a great assortment of denim. My personal favorite brand is GRLFRND and here is a pair of classic Karolina jeans in a light wash for just $40 from $250 and this denim skirt is just $30 from $188. Here are Rag & Bone boyfriend jeans that are $85 from $275 and Frame high flared jeans that are $60 from $230.

    This sale will last through May 1. These extreme sale-on-sale events usually don’t happen until the end of the season. We suggest you start scrolling fast because the best merchandise tends to go fast.

    Weekend Shopping: Impulses & Obsessions

    This is officially our seventh episode of quarantine weekend shopping. Mother’s Day is right around the corner. It’s May 10 to be exact. I can’t stress enough how important it is to make a plan. Shipping is taking a long longer than usual and those taking a more creative approach should use the extra time to plan a perfect execution.

    I updated our gift guide with a few more options. Including, quarantine friendly house slippers from Mini Rose. Anyone lucky enough to have shorted the market on February 20th can relish in an indulgence from Takat, which is cracking open the safe and offering great values on gems and jewels. Click here to see our full Mother’s Day gift guide.

    We are also extending our deep wealth of knowledge and connections to help track down hard-to-find items. We’ll consider the task a gift — mothers-helping-mothers. Email us here if there is something you need help sourcing.

    Some of the best sales of the week included Tessabit’s promotion for MadSpy friends. Use the code MADISONAVENUE40XT and receive 40% off any item within this link. I just found one more of these Saint Laurent totes that are discounted to $690 from $1150 and this Fendi logo bag is $774 from $1300.  Click here to see more of our best finds.

    This week, Bergdorf Goodman added an additional 30% off sale items.  The site continually adds more items to the sale selection. Usually, sizes are limited and quantities are scarce. You have to move quickly and you only have through Sunday to take advantage. Look out for the plentiful assortment of Veronica Beard blazers for under $200 from $700 and these Paris Texas boots are $170 from $610.

    Saks Fifth Avenue started it’s big Spring sale this week. There are lots of contemporary and designer deals at 40% off. In addition, there is a promotion where you can save $50 off every $200 you spend. The deal highlights are Manolo Blahnik shoes and Saint Laurent bags and shoes. Enter the code HAPPYSF to engage the savings. Check back to our earlier post to see other finds.

    Beauty addicts still have a few more days to take advantage of Sephora’s Spring Savings. You can save up to 20% off everything on the site. Dyson Hair products are a sure thing and are difficult to find on sale or go for a gift set and experience some new products. Click over to the original story for all the details.

    Coming up this week, Intermix will be having an explosive sale-on-sale promotion and Neiman Marcus will have an extra clearance discount promotion.

    Until next week… same time, same place? Cheers!

    Great Options for Mother’s Day Gifts

    I don’t recall there ever being a time when mothers were more deserving of heroic recognition. Days in quarantine, especially with young ones, bring the definition to a whole new level. We are teachers, chefs, housekeepers, mental health counselors, friends,  physical trainers, activity directors, and that doesn’t even include our professional obligations.

    I appreciate that times are hard but this is not the year to slight the woman who runs the roost. No matter your budget, it’s incumbent upon partners and children to make sure your madre feels appreciated.

    Make it big or don’t come home. Make a giant ode to mom in the form of a sidewalk chalk card or cook her favorite restaurant dinner and clean it up. Be sure to top it off with lots of hugs and kisses.  Even better, if you’re in the position to do so, buy her something she would love.

    Remember, deliveries are delayed at most stores. Don’t wait until the last minute.

    Below is a list of a few of my favorite things:

    Bottega Veneta mini Jodi bag ($1720)

    Minnie Rose house slippers ($154)


    Bea Bongiasca Baby Vine Tendril Ring 
     ($675)

    Chanel sunglasses with a chain ($525 from $700)

    Solange Hotlips ring ($230)

    Bottega Veneta padded Cassette bag ($2800)

    Manolo Hangisi heels ($750 from $1025)

    Gucci hair clip ($400)

    Hermes Lipstick ($67 to $72)

    Sea lace blouse ($157 from $225)

    111Skin Celestial Black Diamond Lifting Mask – Face, neck & décolletage  ($180 from $230)

    Tessabit: 40% Off Designer Merchandise

    We’ve been waiting for some heated sales and this one will definitely set off some sparks. The Italian boutique, Tessabit is hosting a 40% off sale that is only open to Mad-Spy readers can access the sale early through this link with the code: MADISONAVENUE40XT.

    Some of the sale highlights include this new style Valentino bag that’s $867 from $1445, a Balmain sweatshirt is $370 from $525, Saint Laurent tote is $690 from $1150 and a new style Balenciaga tee is $300 from $500. The sale even includes some very good Gucci items.  Here is a Gucci belt-bag that’s just $690 from $1150 and a Marmont belt bag is $1190 from $1980.

    The selection for men is as good, if not, better than the options for women. So don’t be shy forwarding the code to your male counterparts.

    The best part of the Tessabit promotion is that the merchandise is coming from Italy and many of the items retail for less money when compared to our retail prices. All duties are covered and even returns are free. You really can’t do any better than this right now. The code is valid until May 14.

    Saks Spring Sale: 40% Off

    Online bargain shoppers are anticipating explosive sales but we will probably have to wait until stores open before seeing the full impact of Covid-19 on the retail market. For now, there isn’t much restocking on websites. Until stores open and new merchandise is received and uploaded, the sales will probably remain pretty tame.

    This week is normally time for sales on Spring merchandise. Right now at Saks Fifth Avenue, you can save 40% off Spring merchandise. The big differentiator from prior seasons is that a few luxury designers are included in this markdown. Usually, this type of early Spring sale doesn’t include designers like Chloe and Khaite.

    Some of the standout items we spotted include a LoveShackFancy skirt for $180 from $260, Chloe wedge sandals for $390 from $650, and a Khaite puff sleeve blouse for $528 from $880.  If you can bear to look at Winter merchandise there are several nice items from Moncler. There are even doggie winter jackets and a raincoat for dogs. Someone in the family should look good on walks!

    The sale just started today and we wouldn’t be surprised if additional designer merchandise is added. We suggest you continue to check back.

    Neiman Marcus Bankruptcy and Extra Savings Now

    The luxury fashion retail sector is getting hit with another big blow. The Dallas-based retailer, Neiman Marcus is expected to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection later this week. The iconic store missed a $5.7 million interest payment, which is triggering an immediate need for a lifeline.

    Neiman Marcus is said to be holding $4.3 million in debt and operates 43 retail stores, along with Last Call and two Bergdorf Goodman locations in Manhattan. All stores have been temporarily closed since March because of COVID-19 but the retailer’s problems started well before the worldwide pandemic. Store closings only hastened bankruptcy, which was rumored for about a year.

    Filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection allows Neiman Marcus to default on some debt, remain open, close underperforming stores, restructure its operation, and secure additional capital that’s structured in a way that’s less challenging to pay back.

    Gary Wassner, CEO of Hilldun Corp, a financial services company specializing in fashion and retail said that the Neiman Marcus bankruptcy should not be compared to Barneys as it’s unlikely that Neiman Marcus will close its doors for good.

    “Barneys was worth less than $1 billion and Neiman Marcus is a $5 billion company that has real value. It is a very valuable asset. They own a lot of their real estate and have a very strong CEO,” Wassner said.

    Wassner believes that part of retail’s struggles has to do with the current promotional mindset. He believes deliveries come in too early and by the time customers are interested in shopping the merchandise is already on sale. “We are a buy now, wear now country. It’s how people think,” Wassner says.

    Shoppers can expect a windfall of sales once stores open.”Shoppers haven’t even seen the Spring and Summer merchandise and it’s going to have to get moving fast,” Wassner says. “Nobody wants to ship into a discounted market.” Retailers will have to speed up the Summer season and push Fall back.

    Those looking for Neiman Marcus savings now can hit the sale section where reduced merchandise is an additional 25% off, which brings the total saving to 70% to 80% off on many items. There is also a beauty promotion where you can save 25% off most cosmetics and fragrances.  Bergdorf Goodman will begin offering an extra 30% off sale merchandise on Tuesday.

    Be mindful of how you shop now. If our expectations are correct, you might want to save your cash for when stores open again.