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    Gift Ideas: Hostess & Corporate Gifts Under $200

    Buying a gift for a corporate client or a hostess gift can be a tremendous amount of work. The key is hitting the right note without getting too personal. Chocolates, candles and wine are often the standard but we found items with a twist on the traditional and added a few of our personal favorites. The best part is that all of our picks are under $200.

    From Top to Bottom: Nespresso Pixie $180, Brics Foldable & Packable Tote $120, Luxe City Guides Box Set $60, Cashmere Travel Set $179, Fornasetti Scented Candle $165,  Hermes Lock Perfume Spray $90

    Chanel & Louboutin PreSale w/ Pics

    Most stores have already started their first markdowns on contemporary and luxury lines but there are always a few brands that strong-arm all retail outlets to hold off on discounts. Starting now, you will be able to presale seasonal merchandise from brands like Chanel, Louboutin and Alaia at  40% . The official sale markdown date is December 16.

    If you have something particular in mind, we suggest contacting a reliable sales person to keep an eye out for your anticipated purchase. Last season was exceptionally difficult for Chanel lovers. Very few bags styles went on sale. We are told that this season’s sale stock list fsmall and only include exotic styles and some older shapes. (We bet this changes as the season progresses.) Head right this way to browse the an array of Chanel flats that are on sale and available from Neiman Marcus.

    Those looking for some new Chanel threads would benefit for waiting until the end of the season to make their purchases. Most seasons Chanel clothing gets slashed up to 70% off, which in many cases is less than vintage or pre-owned prices.

    Christian Louboutin shoppers can also begin shopping the markdowns at most boutiques and department stores now. The discount is 40% off. Louboutins are not discounted online, yet. You can click your way over here to see an assortment of shoe styles included in the sale and available at Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys.

    Chanel Soho boutique” Nicole, 212-334-0055
    Saks Shoes: Antionette 917-806-6579
    Bergdorf Handbags: Bruce 212-872-8796
    Bergdorf Shoes: Bill 212-872-8940
    Louboutin Uptown: Marina 212-396-1884

    Jay Strongwater Sample Sale

    Jay Strongwater is known for his colorful enamel and 18-karat gold home accessories. His collections include an arrange of frames, perfume bottles, trays and figurines and are often adorned with Swarovski crystals. These magical confections were collected by Elizabeth Taylor and were often commissioned by Oscar de la Renta.

    You can find these works of art at exclusive designer department stores. For a short time, this week, they will also be available for a deep discount at the Jay Strongwater sample sale. Expect to find a full range of the designer’s merchandise for 50% to 70% off retail. For example, a Washington Grand Eagle Figurine will be priced at $3250 from $6500, a 5″ x7″ Colette Pagoda from will be $735 from $2450 and a Mabel Cow Mini Figurine will be $58.50 from $195.

    The sample sale starts this Tuesday and will run for four days. This is the perfect opportunity to purchase a fine gift for a great price. We suggest you don’t wait to long. Obviously, the most collectible items will go fast.

    Jay Strongwater
    Tuesday, December 9 through Friday, December 12
    Tues 6pm-8pm, Wed & Thurs 10am-6pm, Fri 10am-3pm
    Lighthouse International: 111 East 59 Street (Park & Lexington)

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    Ralph Lauren Goes to 60% Off

    We are nearing the height of the holiday season and Ralph Lauren isn’t wasting a moment luring customers. The designer just took a second markdown on many of his collections bringing the total discount to 60%.

    We took a look inside and found riding boots reduced to $900 from $1350, a suede hobo bag with a horse bit is $900 from $1500 and a marino wool polo sweater is $54 from $145. Over in the men’s department, we found a quilted down jacket for $350 from nearly $500, a cashmere sweater from Purple Label for $650 from $1295 and a custom fit long sleeve polo is $70 from $93.

    For some reason, many of the prices are priced better online then they are in the store. You can always price compare from the inside the Mansion and ask a manager to make an adjustment  but it’s probably easier to just come home and shop. Below are more of our favorite items:

    Nancy Gonzalez & Luxe Fur VIP Sale

    Just in time for the holidays,
    Nancy Gonzalez
    is hosting a sample sale where her famous exotic skin bags will be significantly reduced. In addition, the sale will also include an unbelievable selection of furs from a large assortment of top name department store brands.The sale doesn’t open to the public until Monday, December 8 but Madison Avenue Spy readers have been invited a day early to shop the Sunday VIP pre-sale.

    Shoppers can attend the Sunday pre-sale early by giving a $36 donation (or more), which will go to New York Cancer Center. All contributions are matched by Shelly & Renee. Please
    email us here
    if you would like to attend. Space is limited. There will be a guest list at the door on Sunday but the remaining dates are open to the general public without giving a donation.

    The public days of this sale are always very popular and can be quite chaotic. As a matter of fact, every season the sale completely sells out. We suggest that serious Nancy Gonzalez shoppers should take advantage of this
    pre-shopping opportunity
    . With prices like these you can get a bag for for a loved one and yourself.

    Nancy Gonzalez Sample Sale
    VIP Fundraiser Sunday, December 7 from 1pm-5pm
    RSVP Here
    Public Sale: Monday, December 8 & Wednesday, December 9
    Mon 9am-7pm, Tues & Wed 10am to 4pm
    Lighthouse International
    111 East 59th Street (bet. Park & Lexington Ave.)
    Cash & Credit Card. No Strollers


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    The Best Upcoming Sample Sales

    There are so many sample sales scheduled that shopping starts to feel like a big decision rather than a leisurely activity. To help you sort through the madness, we put together a list of this week’s sales that we think are worthy of your holiday season effort. Let us know if you think we missed anything spectacular.

    DL & Co.
    Through Holiday Season
    Mon—Fri 10am—6pm
    231 W 39th St btwn 7th & 8th Ave, Suite 605

    Details: Forget Diptyque madness, we actually prefer the assortment of scents and designs from DL &Co. The sale includes home goods including candles, diffusers, skull candles and various accessories, all priced up to 90% off.

    Sophia Webster
    Saturday, December 6th through Sunday, December 7th
    10am—7pm daily
    91 Horatio St btwn Washington St & 10th Ave

    Details: We haven’t heard much about this upcoming sale but rumor has it that prices will start at $70.

    Alexander Wang
    Tuesday, December 9th through Saturday, December 13th
    9am-8pm daily
    151 Wooster St. (btwn Houston & Prince)

    Details: It’s been ages since Alexander Wang has hosted a public sample sale. Actually, it was August 2013! You can click over here to see full details from the last go-round. Back then Roccos were priced between $300 and $400, shoes were $175 and leather clothing items were $500.

    Alice and Olivia
    Tuesday, December 9th through Sunday, December 14th
    Tues 9am—8pm, Wed 9am—7pm, Thurs 10am—8pm, Fri 9am—7pm, Sat 10am—7pm, Sun 10am—4pm
    260 Fifth Ave

    Details: The sale will include merchandise will include fall and winter clothing priced at about 60% off (to start). A checkered drop waist dress is $159 from $348, a Hand with Ring sweater is $159 from $368, a brown fur vest is $279 from $898 and a sequin tulle ballerina skirt is $199 from $440.

    Gift Ideas: Black and Gold Watches

    Watches are fantastic gifts. Although you can access the time on their phone, a flick of the wrist is a lot most smooth than an iPhone fumble. This season, we are finding a deep attraction to the black and gold combination.

    It doesn’t matter if the watch is dressy, sporty or geeky– the contrast of black and gold adds warmth to the the sleekness of black. This season, Nordstom.com to furnish all of our watch gifts. The style happens to look great on both men and women. What’s best is that Nordstrom always offers free shipping and free returns. If only other holiday tasks were as easy as shopping at Nordstrom.

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    Century 21 has Lots of Prada and Extra Discounts

    The Century 21 flagship is stepping up its game in a major way. The discount department store and downtown institution just completed a renovation that includes an incredible in-store boutique called C21 edition. The concept has been furnished with luxury bags and accessories by vintage retailer LXR&CO.

    Within the luxury boutique there is a variety of pre-“loved” Hermes bags and accessories (not discounted), Louis Vuitton rare and not so vintage pieces discounted 30% to 70% and Prada 30% to 40% off. There’s also an assortments of other luxury designers ranging from Celine to Ferregamo to Belenciaga and Chloe. LXR&Co will be in the space until December and then another concept, still TBD, is moving in.

    Afterwards we headed into our normal Century 21 shopping territory, starting in shoes– of course. Among the selection you will find a very good assortment of Givenchy, mostly priced in the $200 range from retail prices of $900 and up. A pair of Prada patent pumps don’t seam to be priced as attractivey but are still highly discounted at $389 from $600. Among the high-end shoes we found one lone pair of Christian Louboutin “So Kate” priced at $470.

    Upstairs, within the European designer clothing, there is still a diverse selection of Prada clothing. You can click back here to see the details from our last C21 shopping trip. The puffers are all gone but much of the gingham merchandise and wool coats are still available. Mary Katrantzou dresses are an amazing deal at 80% off. One style was priced at $370 from $1570. There is also a small rack of Alaia clothing. One skirt is priced at $880 from $2245. (Click to see item detail pics.)

    If you head to the back you can find dozens of designer brands discounted an additional 30% off. Among the additional discounts are eligible for Lanvin, where a breathtaking floral dress and a strapless red cocktail dress come to about $600 from almost $3000. An Antonio Berardi rack has dresses too at an additional 30% off. One such item rings out at about $500 from $2400. The same goes for Emilio Pucci, where you can walk home with a mink collar coat for under $800 from a retail price of $4000. Other extra markdowns can be applied to Jil Sander, Gaultier, Chalayah, MSGM and Acne. Pictures of all the aforementioned items and more can be found if you tap here.

    We are still waiting for another Prada markdown but we were sufficiently satiated with the extra 30% off merchandise. That’s not to say we won’t go back again when the markdown hits 70%. Stay tuned…

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