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    Valentine’s Day Sweets for Your Sweetheart

    Valentine’s Day always feels like a hugely manufactured holiday that is maintained by the restaurant and flower lobby. Truth be told it is a welcomed ray of sunlight admist the gray gloom and slush of February.

    Valentine’s Day doesn’t always require a huge grand gesture but rather something sweet and thoughtful. However, we don’t know a girl who would turn down anything from Paul Morelli. Below are some of our favorite gift ideas for him and her (and even the kids).

    Lanvin clutch | Tom Dixon Charcoal Scent Diffuser | CDC Tee | Thom Browne Polished-Leather Holdall | Diptyque candle | CDC Canvas Sneakers | Catbird ring | Uniqlo Ultralight Down | Heart glasses | Kate Spade emoji earrings| Smoking slippers | Girl’s Pizzasauras outfit | Czech & Speake manicure set | Del Toro Bee Happy smoking slippers | CDC Sweatshirt (on sale)| Optic socks | Fendi monster belt

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    Madison Avenue’s SHI Cashmere Sale

    If you have a crush on cashmere then quickly grab a hot coffee from St. Ambrose and head over to SHI Cashmere. The Madison Avenue boutique is hosting a very rare sale where their top quality Scottish cashmeres and linens will be discounted 30% to 70% off. The sale is slated to start on Saturday but friends and family have been invited to come in for a sneak peak.

    For the uninitiated, SHI is a British brand that is best known for their fine traditional knits and linens that come in a variety of contemporary designs, ranging from body-con to more relaxed silhouettes. The cult insider brand started in 1980, out of an abandoned Scottish farmhouse and has grown into what is known as one of the finest privately owned Scottish cashmere mills in the world. Our spies tell us the mill only uses the best yarns such as Loro Piana and Todd & Duncan. That’s the same yarn Chanel uses for all there knits.

    The sale will include discounts on the current season collection and an arrangement of samples and prototypes that have been shipped directly from the factory in Scotland. Two ply cashmere turtlenecks, in an assortment of colors will be priced at $125 from $850, fine gage tunics that are perfect for spring will be $95 from $650 and a hand intarsia moon tunic is $860 from $1650. Discounts hot off the loom are almost more heart warming than coffee.

    SHI Cashmere Friend & Family Sample Sale
    Friends & Family: Friday, February 5 from 10am-5pm
    Public Sale: Saturday, February 6 through Sunday, February 7
    10am to 6pm
    944 Madison Ave @ 75th Street
    (212) 717-7115

    Sponsored Post
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    Inside the Final Sale at Saks

    The discounts have been good for some time but this is likely the final week to snag what’s left of the winter collections at department stores. Today we checked in at Saks Fifth Avenue to take stock of what merchandise is left and their prices.

    We started off at the top, in the shoe mega-floor. The discounted shoes now make up less than 25% of the sales floor space. Actually, there are probably only 10 racks of sale shoes. Right now, the discount is an extra 20% off the sticker price. That brings the final discount to about 70% on most shoe styles. Shoppers will find lots of Manolo Blahniks, Jimmy Choo, Balenciaga and Stuart Weitzman.

    A gold Manolo BB is now $180 from $595 and sparkling satin pumps $562 and $1875. We found a lone pair of platform Chanel pumps that come to $290 from $950, and Fendi sandals are $225 from $750 and Aquazzura leafy fringed ankle boots are $300 from $995. Online we found Fendi fur monster boots for $570 from $1900 and Lanvin hightop sneakers for $255 from $850.

    If you’re looking for discounted clothing you should head to the second floor. Most of the sale merchandise is discounted 75% off. To get an accurate price you might need to find a sales person. The stickers and markdowns seem to be all over the place. It’s generally safe to just calculate 75% off the original price but it’s not foolproof.

    While browsing, we found one Valentino floral dress that comes to about $1500 from $4600, Aquilano Rimondi cream sweater dress that came to $150 from almost $600 and Alexander McQueen body con stretchy dress for $260 from $1161. Online we found Christopher Kane shift dresses $343 from $1430, a Fendi dress for $540 from $2250 and Yigal Azroual leather leggings for $676 from $1690.

    You can check out lots of photos of what we found during our shopping trip inside the jump. Take note, all sales are final. You really can’t blame Saks for not wanting to see the merchandise come back when they are selling it so highly discounted.

    Orrig. $595

    Orrig. $1200

    Orrig $2925

    Orig. $950

    Orrig $995

    Orrig $750

    Orig. $1875

    Orig $2045

    Orig $795

    Valentino Orig. $4690

    Peter Pilotto Orig $2340

    Peter Philotto 

    $150 from $590 Aquilano Rimon

    Alexander MeQueen Orig. $1161

    Agnona Orig. $3476

    Giamba Orig. $1750

    Ralph Lauren Orig. $1395

    Yigal Azrouel Orig $990

    Pucci Orig $7970

    Stella McCartney Orig $3100

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    Scoop Closet Cleanup 85% Off

    The Scoop Closet Cleanup has started online and the Soho store. Prices are discounted an extra 60%, which brings the total savings of some items up to 85%. We couldn’t find anything actually reduced 85% but we did find some compelling pieces.

    Usually by this time of the season we only find private label merchandise, but this sale has plenty of designer merchandise that’s worth taking home. This IRO leather jacket comes to $400 from about $600, Frame Denim bell bottoms are $80 from $230 and a Sea sweater with a poplin back is about $100 from $390.

    As usual, the section for men is even better. These AG jeans are $50 from $225, a Stutterheim raincoat is $110 from $388 and a Rodd & Gunn sweater is $40 from $150.

    Scoop Soho
    473 Broadway
    212-925-3539
    Mon – Sat: 11am – 8pm, Sun: 11am – 7pm

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    Inside: Alice & Olivia Sample Sale

    It’s been a long time since we’ve seen the inside of a sample sale. With discounts at department stores tipping 80%, it’s hard to argue the purpose. As a Stacey Bendet fan, however, we just couldn’t resist checking out the VIP preview of the Alice & Olivia sample sale.

    Inside the private event space– at the downtown Century 21 store– is a small collection of some of the  designer’s more ornate gowns, dresses and accessories. Prices are reduced 65% to 70% off retail. Much of the selection is from Spring 2015 and some of the best pieces (and most highly discounted) are from the CFDA Fashion is Art collection. Take note that the length of the longer dresses and skirts are highly exaggerated and even at 5’9″ you’re going to need to factor in the price for hemming.

    Among the items reduced 70% are exaggerated long skirts and ball gown length dresses. One skirt with an iridescent floral print comes to about $540 from $1800, a more impressionist art print is $180 from almost $600, a fully embroidered jacket is $160 from $550 and a red and white dress with cap sleeves is $430 from $1600. The sale also includes some less expensive items that are not as ornate but those resemble the special gowns that hang in the windows of garment district retailers.

    The sample sale also includes a selection of evening bags and clutches that range from fully embellished box bags to more quirky shapes and styles. A bag with a hand silhouette and flashy ‘diamond’ is discounted to about $140 from $400 and a fan bag is $70 from $200.

    You can head this way to see pictures of the sample sale selection. The sale runs through Friday. We suggest you wait for further markdowns before heading over unless you desire one of the more artful items.

    Alice & Olivia Sample Sale
    Tuesday, February 2 through Friday, February 5
    Tues to Thurs 8am-9pm, Fri 8am-6pm
    21 Dey Street (@Century 21)

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    Inspiring Your Next Vacation (Part 3)

    Congratulations, you’ve survived the season’s first blizzard. Even though all the snow almost gone it’s never too soon to start making getaway plans. While we love watching the new season’s fashion emerge, few things are more thrilling than visiting a brand new luxury hotel.

    The fresh linens, plush towels, eager staff and bragging rights are just a few aspects that make visiting a new hotel extra special. Good thing that the luxury boom has lead to a great crop of properties that just opened or are slated to open in 2016.

    In a multi-part series we are highlighting some of the most exciting new destinations in the world. Click your mouse this way to read part one and part part two. For more information about these properties or any other travel related assistance email info@steeletravel.com


    Amanera (Dominican Republic)


    In November, Aman opened their second resort in North America. Amanda overlooks the beautiful Playa Grande beach. It is the first golf-integrated Aman property and is distinguished by having the highest number of oceanside holes in the Western hemisphere.

    The resort sits atop 60-foot cliffs and is set between the beach and golf course. It offers dining, spa and recreational facilities and 25 Casitas. Each of the one-bedroomed casitas enjoys unobstructed ocean vistas from an expansive terrace, outdoor seating and lounging area and a private garden. More than half of the Casitas feature their own 32-foot private swimming pools.

    I specifically have my eyes set on the two-bedroomed ‘Bay View Casa,’ which has panoramic views of the ocean, Playa Grande beach and a 65-foot infinity swimming pool that stretches across a large terrace. The Casa has a spectacular glass-walled living and dining room that allows for seamless indoor-outdoor living. The common areas overlook the ocean, pool, a lush private garden and twin reflection pools. Rates start at $1400 a night.

    Amanemu (Japan)


    The Aman group is opening their second hotel in Japen this March. Amanemu is located in Honshu’s Mie Prefecture, which is a two hour high-speed train ride or a 25-minute helicopter ride from Nagoya. The property is on the picturesque shores of Ago Bay that’s also known as the ‘Bay of Pearls.’

    There will be 24 suites and four two-bedroomed villas –all of which have their own onsen (hot spring). Guests have access to an extensive Aman Spa, a lap pool, restaurant and lounge.

    IAmanemu will offer bespoke Aman Journeys, for those looking to seek out the cultural nuances and the finest experiences of the region, such as the UNESCO-protected pilgrimage routes of Kumano Kodō and Ise-Jingū, Japan’s most sacred Shintō shrine. Rates start at $750 a night.

    Six Senses Zil Pasyon (Seychelles)


    If you’re looking for something a little more secluded, you can direct your attention towards the Six Senses Zil Pasyon. This Summer, the luxury hotel group, Six Senses plans to open their newest resort on the one-square-mile private island of Felcite. The property will include 28 one-bedroom and two two-bedroom villas, all with private pools.

    Getting to the private island is no less extravagant than the resort itself. Visitors can choose between a 20-minute flight which arrives at the resort’s own jetty helipad or a short boat trip from nearby La Digue and Praslin islands. I’m a always a sucker for a heli.

    The spa is a resort highlight: It faces the ocean surrounded by massive granite rock formations and has an extensive menu of treatments and programs. Forget about massages with pre-recorded waves sounds. Here the sounds are live 24/7. Nightly rates from $1,200.

    The Ritz (Paris)

    Switching gears to another type of paradise– Paris. After four years of restoration and renovation, The Ritz, Paris is slated to open in March 2016. The €200 million refurbishment includes a top-to-bottom update of rooms, suites, gardens, Bar Hemingway, Ritz Escoffier cooking school and L’Espadon restaurant.

    Meeting the modern expectation of luxury is not easy. Each room has reemerged from its neoclassical setting enlarged, updated with the latest technologies and dressed in subtle silks. Some rooms even offer shaded private terraces overlooking the hotel’s magnificent French garden. Each room also has an en-suite bathroom with heated floors.

    The most exciting addition is The Ritz Club, which will house a neoclassical swimming pool, sauna, Turkish bath and the world’s first – and only – Chanel spa. The brand’s luxurious line of skin-care and beauty products will take center stage inside the palace of beauty..

    Coco Chanel declared: “The Ritz is my home.” Now it can be yours too. Despite a reported fire earlier this week, reservations are being accepted starting March 14. Rates start at €900 or $1100 per night.

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    The IT-It: Cheering on the Pom-Pom

    Pom-Poms aren’t just for cheerleaders anymore. For Winter, a pom-pom movement quietly started warming up. We found little Fendi monster puffs for our bag and topped our beanie hats with fur balls. That was just the beginning. For Spring, the pom-pom exploding with momentum.

    Pom-poms aren’t furry for Spring but they are no less cheery and youthful. The trends are shown on a variety of categories ranging from shoes, hats, bags, shoes and clothing. Some of our favorite items are Dolce & Gabbana’s pom-pom wrap around sandals, a cream Opening Ceremony sweater, a T-Bags pom-pom dress and the JadeTribe beach bag. You can even get your girls in on the fun with this beach cover-up and swim suit.

    You can see all of our top puff-ball items below. Notice that some are already selling out. We suggest you join the team and start cheering with us. Two, four, six, eight, who do we appreciate? Pom-poms, Pom-poms… Yay… Pom-poms!

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    Manolo Blahnik Second Markdown 50% Off

    The snow from the big storm is almost completely melted. It’s time to kick off those snow boots and head over to Manolo Blahnik boutique’s second markdown. The sale starts Monday and we are sure that the snow has kept the store quite and the inventory running practically at full stock.

    This most recent markdown follows the 33% discount but proceeds the final and best shopping opportunity of the season. The final markdown is always one of our favorite sales and normally occurs in early February. Prices range from $195 to $350. Most shoes and low boots– even highly ornate styles– are priced at $250.

    Expect to find a full assortment of shoes from the winter collection. If you’re not in New York, you can scroll below to see an variety of Manolos that are reduced 50% or more at various stores. Personally, we are waiting make our major purchases at the boutique in February! After all, it is the month of love.

    Manolo Blahnik
    31 West 54th Street (b/w 5th and 6th)
    Monday to Friday 10:30 to 6pm
    Saturday 10:30 to 5:30
    Sunday 12pm to 5pm
    Store will close from 2pm to 3pm for restocking (lunch)

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