New York is filled with unique Fall traditions. There’s the downtown Halloween parade, the New York Marathon and the Thanksgiving floats. Maybe fall sample sales aren’t as renowned worldwide, but us New Yorkers, celebrate sample sale shopping as a national pastime.

The Andrew Marc sample sale is one of the most universally anticipated sales of the season. This weekend, the designer will kick off the sale in style and shoppers won’t be disappointed. The sale features deep discounts on men’s and women’s, leather, fur, wool, down and rain outerwear. This year, the sale will also include Andrew Marc’s footwear, which includes shoes, sneakers and boots.

The sale starts Sunday and features savings up to 80% off retail prices. An Italian wool coat with detachable silver fox fur trim will be $249 from $995, a diamond quilted 80/20 down coat with removable coyote fur trimmed hood will be $299 from $695, a down jacket with a detachable coyote fur trimmed hood will be $129 from $410 and a men’s rabbit fur trimmed parka with a removable hood will be $99 from $415.

The sale runs the entire week but we suggest attending soon. Like always, the best merchandise tends to go quickly and the good stuff will be cleaned out as fast as First Avenue after the marathon

Andrew Marc Sample Sale
Sunday, November 5 through Sunday, November 13
Mon-Fri 8am-7pm, Sat& Sun 10am-6pm
401 Seventh Ave @33rd St. (Penn Plaza Pavilion)

Tans have faded but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be beach ready at a moment’s notice. Get vacation ready at the Vilebrequin sample sale where you will find a selection for men, women and children. The collection includes swimwear, cover-ups, shorts, tees, polos, button down shirts, hats and beach bags. Prices are discounted up to 80% off retail with items starting at just $20.

Sunday, November 5 through Sunday, November 13
Mon-Fri 8am-7pm, Sat& Sun 10am-6pm
401 Seventh Ave @33rd St. (Penn Plaza Pavilion)

It’s still very early in the sale cycle but Neiman Marcus is getting a jump on the action. The luxury department store started it’s first round of discounts. Many woman’s clearance items are discounted up to 70% off, other collections are reduced 40% off as part of First Call and even newer merchandise is reduced 30%, until Friday, as part of the Spree Sale.

The sale is perfect timing for those take advantage of stocking up on new style denim and items from more trendy contemporary designers. Almost all of Frame Denim’s new styles are included in the markdown. We’ve been waiting to get a pair of their Le Skinny de Jeanne Stagger Raw-Hem Jeans that has a hi-low hem. We love the high rise at the waist and the fact that the hem allows us to show off a cool ankle boot. Speaking of boots, these SJP gold ankle boots need to be shown off and are currently discounted 30%.

We also suggest taking advantage of this sale to grab some chunky oversized sweaters. I always think that everyone should own a Missoni knit cardigan coat. It’s an outfit maker. This one right here is the first time we’ve seen it discounted and is currently 30% off. Over here is a new style Markus Lupfer sequined sweater that’s now $270 from $385.

We couldn’t wait a moment longer to get this Alice & Olivia sweater that goes from sunglasses-on to sunglasses-off with just a swipe of the hand. If only one of my loving family members would  would show enough appreciation to get this ‘Always Right’ embroidered leather jacket. It would be just too conceited to get it for myself.

If these discounts aren’t enough, head to the clearance section where markdowns top 70% off. Here is a Mary Katrantzou sequined dress that’s reduced to $1500 from over $4000. We love this Marc Jacobs embroidered tweed midi-skirt that’s now $960 from $3200 and this bright orange Proenza Schouler open back sweater that’s $236 from almost $600.

Online shoppers can take advantage of the great customer service at Neiman Marcus, which features free shipping and free returns. If only more things in life were so satisfying.

It might sound sentimental but catching up with friends and family through holiday cards is one of our favorite parts of the season. The overly posed family pics are always a sure way to add warmth and spread love. Sure, it’s a hassle to coordinate the photographer, the squiggly babies and the not-so-enthusiastic teens but the effort is does not go unappreciated.

This season, we are heading straight to Nordstom.com to punctuate our family photos with Burberry check. The style happens to look great on all of us and it couldn’t be easier to size and fit everyone perfectly.  Burberry is evan momma Beckham approved.

What’s best is that Nordstrom always offers free shipping and free returns. If only ever other holiday task were as easy as shopping at Nordstrom.

Michael Jorden tried his hand at baseball, The Rock successfully crossed over to acting from pro-wrestling and J. Lo started out as a fly dancer on In Living Color. Sometimes the crossover works and other times it’s a epic fail. Trying something new is scary and exhilarating.

For this reason we are so excited to see the amazing success of Leandra Madine’s debut collection for Net-A-Porter. The famous blogger’s shoe line — which ranges from $350 for lace-up flats to $795 for velvet over-the-knee boots — went live on Friday. Already, several styles are nearly sold out.

The collection consists of only 10 shoe styles but the designs and names make them nearly irresistible. The ‘Lol If You Think I’m Walking‘ sandals are plush velvet platforms embellished with gold stars and studs. The ‘I’m Here To Party‘ are bubble gum ankle high boots that embossed velvet and offset by metallic navy leather trims.

Our favorite style, and not cooinsidentally, the most popular are the ‘The Alternative to Bare Feet‘ loafers that are made of crusted pink velvet. They are both masculine but girly, which is true to the Man Repeller’s personal style.

We celebrate Leandra for stepping into new shoes. We don’t expect that any of these styles will make it to sale season but you can be sure we will buy more if they do. We can’t wait to see what’s to follow.