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    The Best Sample Sales: Jill Stuart, J. Adler, Choo & Sandro

    Sample sale season is about to get very busy. There are 100’s of sales scheduled for May and figuring out which ones are worthy of inspection takes a critical eye. To help you sort through the madness, we put together a list of the most deserving sales. Let us know if you think we missed anything spectacular.



    Jill Stuart/ Jill Jill Stuart
    Jill Stuart may not be as well known as Donna Karan but she ranks up there with some of America’s great female designers. Grab a bit of classic Americana fashion at her sample sale which takes place in her actual showroom– which is always a good sign. Prices for the designer’s main line starts at $35 and top out at $240 for evening dresses. Most of assortment is sample sizes 2/4s but there are some other options for non-models. Be sure to check out the boots that are priced $125 to $225. There is a lot more options from the contemporary line, Jill Jill Stuart. Skirts are all $100 and day dresses are $120.
    Through Friday, April 29
    10am-7pm daily
    201 West 39th Street (btwn 7th & 8th)

    Jonathan Adler
    Lifestyle guru, Jonathan Adler was just named the creative director of Fisher-Price Baby and we can’t wait to see what playful ideas he has to bring to the playroom. Those of us looking to channel our inner child through design should check out the designer’s two-day warehouse sale. The inventory will include brand-new merchandise including furniture, rugs, lighting, pillows, and accessories at discounts of up to 70% off retail prices. We are told that the Capri table lamp will be $200 from $350, the Electra vase will be $50 from $150 and letter pillows will be $25 from $145. Parking is free and delivery is available at an additional price.
    Friday, April 29 & Saturday, April 30
    9am-5pm daily
    The Bronx: 885 E 138th St Btwn (Walnut & Locust Aves)

    Jimmy Choo
    The Jimmy Choo sample sale is somewhat of a nightmare. There are lines, waits, hoarding, chaos– everything we despise about sample sales. The one redeeming quality is the great pricing. At the last sale, shoes started at $200 and topped out at $375 for boots. We suggest avoiding the sale all together on Tuesday and taking a peak around on Wednesday afternoon if you’re really that curious.
    Tuesday, May 3 though Thursday, May 5
    Tues 11am-7pm, Wed 8am-7pm, Thurs 8am-4pm
    Metropolitan Pavilion, 123 W. 18th St. (bet. 6th & 7th Ave.)


    Sandro & Maje
    Sandro & Maje are always a favorite for those who want a mid-priced fashion option with French flair. It’s chic and casual at the same time. At past sales, the discounts weren’t great but the assortment was quite nice. We suggest holding out until the last days to snag the best prices.
    Tuesday, May 3rd through Sunday, May 8th
    Tue—Sat 10am—8pm, Sun 10am—5pm
    Sample Sale 260: 260 Fifth Ave btwn 28th & 29th st.

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    Get Your Waiting Shoes On: Manolo Sample Sale

    Ladies get your waiting shoes on. The Manolo Blahnik spring sample sale is Wednesday, April 27 and is open to the public, according to a tipster. As is tradition, the second floor salon of the Warwick Hotel will be the site of the event.

    This sample sale is a bi-annual highlight for shoe lovers. As you can imagine, the wait time can be worse than a passport agency. Personally, we prefer the boutique sales even if prices are a bit more expensive. Those who are up for the Manolo sample sale challenge should read our survival guide.

    We expect that prices will run along the same lines as last season. Plain shoes, including leather, suede satin, and printed fabric start at $125 and go up to $150. Shoes with embellishments like glitter and studs were priced $175. Boots started at $200 for basic versions and went up to $400 for over-the-knee styles.

    Over the past few seasons the assortment has been dwindling. Manolo Blahnik & Co. recently added a fundraising component to their overstock strategy. A sale to benefit Arethusa Farm Scholarship Fund for University of Connecticut Agricultural Studies. A good amount of stock that would show up at the bi-annual sample sale has gone to the, so called, farm.

    Remember, the sale is only one day. That’s a good indication that there will not be much merchandise. If you attend the sale, please keep us all posted in the comment section below.

    Manolo Sale Sample Sale
    Wednesday, April 27
    Sale opens: 11am
    The Warwick Hotel
    54th Street and 6th Avenue, 2nd Floor
    Cash only!

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    50+ Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

    Flowers and chocolates are the most classic way to celebrate Mother’s Day. This year, celebrations of moms occur on Sunday, May 8 and we couldn’t be more excited to be the beneficiary of pampering and praise. The first thing you have to know about Mother’s Day is that moms don’t want you breaking the bank to say, “I love you.” They also don’t want a thoughtless card with a scribbled signature.

    Finding the perfect gift can take a bit of determination and thought. In order to get a jump start on the task (and give some hint to loved ones) we compiled a Mother’s Day guide of over 50 items that are sure to inspire even the most impaired of gift givers.

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    Grand Opening: Flying Tiger (the Almost $1 Store)

    We’ve been saying for years that the Upper East Side needs an old-fashioned dollar store. Sometimes you get what you wish for and other times your dreams are answered with interest.

    This week, Flying Tiger opened at 1282 Third Avenue (@ 73rd Street) and we are officially addicted. Flying Tiger is a Danish concept store that’s focused on offering customers useful items that are also beautifully designed. The best part, is the prices. Nothing in the store is priced over $20 and most everything we saw was under $10.

    Flying Tiger is set up in a maze configuration of themes. This layout coupled with the low displays, allows customers to easily explore the gardening center, office supplies or arts and crafts projects without going up and down traditional aisles. For instance, among the youthful desk supplies are pencils with wooden clown heads ($1), folders with a strawberry print cover ($2) and giant mushroom shape erasers ($1).

    Stocking up in the art supply section will make you the number one playdate in the neighborhood. Large blank canvases are just $4, brightly colored no-spill paint cups are $4 (for a set of 4) and a rainbow pack of acrylic paint is also $4. There are glow-in-the-dark paints ($3) and create your own puzzle kits ($1). Along the same theme but in a different section are DIY string cards ($3), packages of mini markers ($2) and sets of blow markers ($3).

    Shoppers will be tantalized by the dress-up section were colorful wigs are $5 and funky party glasses are $4. There is a wall of brightly colored greeting cards that are 2-for-$1, gift bags ($1) and wrapping paper. In one of the kitchen set-ups there are brightly colored silicone colanders for $2, cheeky cheese graters are $2, and an apple shape scrubbing sponge is also $2. Stoneware salad plates, coffee mugs and bowls are all $2 each. There are about six different themes and prints. It’s going to be hard to have a party and not buy real serving ware to match the theme.

    You can click here to browse through lots more pictures of what Flying Tiger has to offer: electronics, bathroom accessories, organizing necessities, party supplies, exercise equipment and everything else you need and didn’t know you needed. State News and Gracious Home better take note because when you spend $100 in Flying Tiger, you will have more than one bag to show for it.

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    The IT-It: Aerin’s Rose de Grasse

    The world is generally divided into two types of people: those who love fragrance and those who get a migraine from walking through a beauty department. Those who fall into the latter category can click away, swipe left or do whatever the kids do when they are done reading. If smell ignites a spark into your inner soul then Aerin Lauder’s Rose de Grasse is a direct connection to heaven.

    Launched in Spring 2015 at this fragrance has slowly caught the attention of perfume lovers. Rose de Grasse continues to sell out almost as quickly as it comes into stores. The scent is a beautifully blended rose fusion that results in the perfect balance of fruit and musk.

    We can list all the ingredients but it’s more important to know that it makes men (and woman) stop in their tracks. Wearers are often stopped in the street and one expert fragrance reviewer said, “This beautifully blended floral is the kind of scent worn by a complex woman who inspires men to create great works.”

    If we didn’t already own this perfume, it would be on the top of our wish list. Shoppers should be sure not to confuse Rose de Grasse ($185) with Aerin’s other fragrances. This premium product comes in a white opaque bottle and is currently only available locally at Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman.

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    Breaking News: Bloomingdales to Undergo Major Changes

    The retail environment is forever changing and luxury stores are increasingly challenged to reinvent themselves and titillate shoppers. We’ve recently learned that Bloomingdale’s is the latest department store to revamp its flagship in order to keep up with the competition.

    According to insiders, the recharged store will include a gourmet food market, a full floor mega-shoe department and several categories swapping spaces. The first phase of the changes are already complete as the children’s department was recently moved from the eighth and ninth floors to the fifth floor. A Mario Batali mini-Eataly concept will soon occupy the former children’s department, on the ninth floor.

    The new plans call for merging the two separate shoe departments and creating a giant shoe experience on the fifth floor. Currently, shoppers can purchase designer shoes, like Chanel, Dior and Stuart Weitzman, from the fourth floor and contemporary brand shoes, like SJP, Ivanka Trump and Ugg from the second floor.

    The home department, which currently shares floor space with the new children’s department on the fifth floor, will be moved to the eighth floor.

    This isn’t the first major renovation in the Bloomingdales timeline. In 2011, the flagship store completed a $50 million renovation that involved rebuilt shops and overhauled departments. The updates included a revamped contemporary sportswear department, additional designers on its fourth floor, an upgraded the bedding department and overall modernized decor to include more open spaces and natural light.

    It’s not surprising that Bloomingdale’s is shifting departments and updating its concept. The luxury retail environment is reaching competitive levels the city has never seen. Bergdorf Goodman, which is only three avenues away, is in the middle of a five year renovation plan that includes a completely revamped first floor and the expansion to the sixth floor to includes modern luxury brands, like The Row, Preen and Tomas Maier. Bergdorfs also recently built out a shoe emporium that spans the majority of the second floor of the luxury store.

    Further west, Nordstrom will open a 285,000 square-foot, seven-level flagship store in Columbus Circle, in 2018. There is also increasing competition from downtown retailers like the new-again Chelsea Barneys, Brookfield Place and company owned stand alone boutiques that span the five mile stretch of Madison Avenue.

    We are sure that Bloomingdale’s new design will be wonderful but wish the store would put more emphasis on customer service. Unfortunately, there always seems to be a lot of employees available but none capable of or willing to assist customers. This, my friends, must be updated too.

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    Worthy Sample Sales: Nest, Suno, Westwood

    It appears as if Winter has finally hit the road. The skies are blue and warmer weather is here. We couldn’t think of a more inviting environment to hit the sample sale track. This week, there are several sales occurring. Below are some of our favorites:



    Hanro of Switzerland
    We always love a true sample sale. The only pitfall is the sizing. Expect to find discounts of about 75% off retail at this Hanro sale. The selection includes loungewear, sleepwear, and underpinnings for men and women. Unfortunately, most everything is a sample size, which is a woman’s waif (small) and a men’s skinny (medium).
    Through Wednesday, April 20th
    Tue 8am—6pm, Wed 8am—5pm
    358 Fifth Ave (btwn 34th and 35th), 6th fl

    Suno
    Here’s another great opportunity to shop direct from the designer’s showroom. At the last sale everything was priced under $200. Shoppers should expect to have to mine through cardboard boxes and disorderly racks but these types of shopping conditions make finding a diamond even more rewarding.
    Wednesday, April 20th through Friday, April 22nd
    Daily 10am—6pm
    260 W 39th St (btwn 7th & 8th Ave), 4th floor

    Nest Fragrances
    The last Nest sample sale was at 260’s SoHo sample sale space. Prior to the sale closing we were able to stock up on standard size candles and fragrant liquid soaps for just $15 each. The West Side Highway is bit of a journey from the Upper East Side but we suggest recruiting someone who already works in the building. (It’s so big, you must know someone!)
    Wednesday, April 20th through Thursday, April 21st
    Daily 9am—6pm
    601 W 26th St (btwn 11th & 12th Ave), Suite 1340

    Vivienne Westwood
    We are told that this four-day Westwood sale will include clothing, shoes, bags, small leather accessories, scarves, jewelry, and sunglasses. We anticipate that more recent collections (last year’s) will be discounted 60% and older collections could be reduced up to 90%. Expect to find assorted merchandise from the Anglomania, Red Label, and Gold Label lines.
    Thursday, April 21st through Friday, April 24th
    Daily 10am—6pm
    20 W 36th St (btwn 5th & 6th Ave), 6th floor

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    Saks Friends & Family Sale Creates Enemies

    The Saks Fifth Avenue Friends & Family sale started online today and loyal customers are irate. Over the past several years, the bi-annual discount promotion has been plagued by a growing number of designer exclusions. Last year we counted over 200 designers who didn’t participate. This season, Saks threw out the designer list and discount code and has opted to designate opt-in on an item-by-item basis.

    Online shoppers must shop a designated section on the site to find all the discounted items. Customers shopping in the store need to ask for sales assistant help to see which items are included in promotion. After digging in, we found some very interesting findings: Iro is out, Adam Lippes is in. All Burberry is out, Coach (clothing) is in. Yigal Azrouel’s designer collection is in but many Derek Lam 10 Crosby items are out.

    Saks might be able to make up for all these inclusion and exclusion irregularities. We were sent the code SAKSAPR where you can save an extra 10% off the ‘Special Event Pricing.‘

    Remember, this isn’t a bad time to plan ahead for Mother’s Day. If you’re looking for savings on designer brands you are going to have to sit on your hands until the end of May.

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