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    The It-it: The Mini Bag

    Our unseasonably warm weather could easily be a cruel pre-April fools joke. Nonetheless, we can’t help wanting to shed winter bulk. The first item that needs to lighten up is our handbag.

    We are really enjoying the high fashion take on the mini-bag.  Below we have a Celine Nano Luggage Tote, a Chanel Wallet on a Chain, a bright pink Prada Mini, a small Chloe Sally, Proenza Schouler’s small PS11 and Hermes small Constance bag. Most styles double as cross-body versions of larger iconic purses.

    If you’re worried about how to downsize from your over sized handbag we suggest taking it down to the bare minimum and working up. After all, what more do you need than a lipstick, keys, phone and a credit card?mini bags

    Loehmann’s European Designer Markdowns

    By ManhattanMataHari

    Last month, When Loehmann’s started their semi-annual Italian designer event we knew it would only be a matter of time until the markdowns started. Now through the 13th Loehmann’s Gold Card members can enjoy an additional 20% off sale and full priced items. Don’t worry, becoming a Gold Card member is as complicated as getting a coupon card from Duane Reade. Just ask any cashier for a form and they will give you the card on the spot.

    Once you’re part of “the club,” head straight to the copious selection of Italian ready-to-wear and shoes. Downstairs, in the Back Room, you will find racks of Valentino Roma, M Missoni, Moschino and Moschino Cheap and Chic. With the Gold Card discount, woven M Missoni dresses are $280 while a metallic Valentino Roma trench is $320.

    At the back of the Back Room you can apply your Gold Card discount to get an additional 20% off goodies that are on 20% racks. For those who are math advise that’s the total is about 45% off. For example, there are lots of Piazza Sempione office appropriate separates are now $240 to $320. Don’t miss the clearance section where there is a rack of Theyskens’ Theory that has buttery soft black leather jackets for $400.

    The shoe section also has lots of designer shoes still in their original boxes. There is an abundance of Giuseppe Zanotti, Costume National and Dolce and Gabbana shoes. There are also a limited selection of Lanvin, Alexander McQueen, Chloe, Miu Miu, Prada, Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Casadei and Brunello Cucinelli. Our favorite picks were Lanvin flower sandals ($264), Alexander McQueen’s platform peep-toe stilettos ($320) and Jimmy Choo rhinestone embellished wedges ($340).

    Loehmann’s Upper West Side
    74th Street and Broadway

    Shoe Box Blowout Sale

    Popular high-end shoe boutique, The Shoe Box is hosting a four day blowout sale where prices will be up to 90% off. The sale will start on Thursday and run through the weekend.

    We are told that the sale will include a selection of shoes and handbags from Guiseppe Zanotti, Kate Spade, Casadei, Kors, Vince Camuto, Frye and Juicy. Handbag collections include Rebecca Minkoff, Kooba and Botkier. All items will be priced at $39, $79, $99 and $129.

    This sale is only taking place at the brand’s midtown location. We suggest browsing through the online store to get an idea of what you might find at the sale. Online now, shoppers can find Alice & Olivia booties for $129 from $595, Juicy flats for $99 from $250 and Shoe Box brand pumps for $39 from $175.

    Shoe Box Sale
    Thursday, March 8 through Sunday, March 11
    10am to 6pm
    537 Third Avenue (35th Street)

    David Yurman Sample Sale

    We hope you’ve been stashing cash because the David Yurman sample sale is set to start this Thursday. Discounts are set to range from 30% to 70% off retail and 10% of all proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

    Last season, we scouted the sale and found the discounts to run 30% off silver, 40% off gold and a few cases of assorted items, were discounted 60% and 70% off. The sample sale does contain some sunglasses and children’s jewelry at a 50% discount, but not very much. Sunglasses were priced between $150 and $250 from a retail price of $295 to $450. Watches were 60% off and a diamond bezel watch with an gator strap strap was $2,700 from $6,750.

    Leave plenty of shopping time because it can take about  an hour to check out. If you’re looking for a similar discount without the wait or hectic sample sale hubbub you can call David Yurman outlet at Woodbury Common. Sample sale purists can feel free to wait until later in the sale as items are usually restocked throughout the sale.

    David Yurman Sample Sale
    Thursday, March 8 to Sunday, March 11
    Thurs 3pm to 8pm, Fri & Sat 10am to 7pm, Sun 11am to 5pm
    The Altman Building, 135 West 18th Street

    5 Designer Collabs to Watch

    It seems as if a new designer collaboration is announced almost every day. This month, in particular seems to be popular for designer partnerships. We’ve counted five worthy designer collaborations just in the month of March. Of course, many more will bloom as spring approaches but here are just a few worthy mash-ups to start your early season shopping.

    Marni for H&M— March 8

    This season’s biggest collab is most definitely Marni & H&M. The collection is already available to view online here and we are already betting the $149 leather front sweater, the $99 fitted silk dress and the $20 plastic bracelets are going to be a big hit with the Madison Avenue crowed. We have a feeling that a majority of the most coveted pieces will be grabbed by the resellers. Good thing the Marni boutique is not too far.

    DVF for Gap Kids— March 15

    It’s never too early to teach your kids to marry well and then conquer the world. Diane von Furstenberg is offering a kick-start to the facts of life so your tots can at least look the part. DVF’s empowering prints and effortless style, including her famous wrap dresses, will be available to the pint-sized set online and at Gap stores everywhere. Mini-wrap dresses will retail for $68 but you can always count on a Gap markdowns for extra value. That’s what we call a rapper’s delight.

    UU Uniqlo Undercover–March 16

    While we’ve just started to explore Uniqlo, we’ve always felt that the Japanese superstore was missing a huge market without a children’s department. In less than two weeks that hole will be filled amid a collection designed to fill the needs of the entire family. Undercover designer Jun Takahashi has collaborated with the mega-fashion emporium to deliver a style that is “family avant-garde.” The collection will include items for men, women, kids and babies ranging in price from $10 to $100. Now, we just hope that Uniqlo will start to produce those kitchy tees for kids too.

    DKNY for Bauble Bar–March 1

    We love when a well known brand introduces us to a new place to shop. This is exactly the case with DKNY’s collection for Bauble Bar. The online boutique offers fashion forward jewelry at fashionably reasonable prices. This month, Bauble Bar teamed up with DKNY to create a collection that is stylish but playful. Prices range from $92 for adorable poppy resin earrings to $320 for a multi-textured enamel and chain necklace. We hate that you have to sign up to view the goods but in this case we say the browse might be worth your email address.

    Kanye West x Giuseppe Zanotti @ Colette–March 1

    If DVF can make wrap dresses for kids why can’t Kanye West rap women’s feet into Zanotti shoes? In this mash-up there’s no singing but the result is lyrical. The knit stilettos are a knock-out but cost about $5,800. (No, that’s not a typo.) The shoes are made of calf leather and adorned with embroidered pearls. Gals on a “budget” might be relieved to find a scaled back version for about $780. Both styles are available at Colette’s online store.

    The It-it: Barry’s Boot Camp

    By ManhattanMataHari

    With springtime here and swimsuit season around the corner, we need to lose our winter insulation and tone up, stat. Luckily, increasingly popular Barry’s Bootcamp opened their Manhattan outpost in Chelsea, last June. When Upper East Side driver-driven Escalades start migrating to alternative Manhattan locations for a workout, you know something is going on. We had to check it out ourselves.

    While certainly not for the fitness novice, Barry’s Bootcamp is the perfect way to kick your exercise routine up a notch and really watch the pounds melt off. For $32 (or less with their package deals) you get multiple class options, like full body workouts, routines that targeting specific problem-areas, cardio, toning, and strength training. Just make sure you don’t need to climb any stairs after taking the famous “Butt & Legs” class. The result is not a pretty picture.

    Travel lightly or leave your belongings in your car because the lockers are small and don’t fit more than a large bag. On the positive side, you can feel comfortable taking a shower at Barry’s as the locker room accommodations are quite pleasant and maintained very well. Bonus points are given for the Malin + Goetz bath products.

    Barry’s Boot Camp
    135 W. 20th St
    646-559-2721

     Photo credit: iseefitpeople.com

    Slane Jewelry Sample Sale

    By ManhattanMataHari

    There’s nothing quite like a piece of statement jewelry to put the final polish on your perfect outfit. Sometimes fashion jewelry can run into real jewelry prices. That’s whey we were excited to hear about the Slane sample sale.

     While Slake is not as well-known as Judith Ripka or Ippolita, they effectively combine silver and 18 karat gold with diamonds, freshwater pearls and colored gemstones to create elegant and classy pieces that blurs the line between fine and costume jewelry.

    Slane offers a variety of retail price points starting as low as $90 for their sterling collection to $9300 for a set of 18 karat gold bangles. With a50% to 70% discount everyone can find a bauble of their liking. Plus, we can’t help but feel good for supporting a company that proudly makes all their lines in the USA with an eco-friendly focus. Yes, they use sustainable metals with 100% recycled silver and 80% recycled gold. Now that’s a recycling program that Madison Avenue shoppers can readily buy into!

    Slane Sample Sale
    Thursday, March 1 to Saturday, March 3
    Thurs & Fri. 10am to 7pm, Sat. 11am to 6pm
    260 5th Avenue, Mezzanine (between 28-29 st)

    Diptyque Sample Sale

    Madison Avenue’s favorite home fragrance brand is hosting it’s annual sample sale from Thursday, March 1st and Friday, March 2nd. At the last sale, prices ranged from 40% to 90% off, according to Racked. The company’s popular candles were $30 from $60, table sprays were $25 from $60 and colognes and eau de toilettes were $35 from $88.

    Diptyque candles have become increasingly popular with the lux crowed. The most popular product are the candles, which are special waxes that can fill a room with scent in under 30 min. The most popular scents are Tuberose, Baies and Feu De Bois.

    The lines can be very long when this sale opens. We suggest waiting for the second day if you’re looking to shop without aggravation. Unless you’re planning on buying in bulk we would recommend shopping at a full price boutique and making sure your desired scent is available.

    Diptyque Sale
    Thursday, March 1 & Friday, March 2
    9am to 5pm
    11 East 26th St between Fifth and Madison Ave
    Credit Cards Only