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    Retail Therapy: Nicole Miller

    One can’t deny that Nicole Miller knows a thing or two about fashion. Not many designers have the opportunity to enjoy a brand that is able to stay relevant for several decades. Nicole Miller currently has 15 free standing retail locations but her label is sold at more than 1,200 retail outlets. Could you imagine?

    We love how Nicole varies her use of fabric and textures. Some seasons, the collection is stiff and super form-fitting, while other seasons the silhouette could be based on sheer opalescent fabrics. As her collections, Nicole’s personal style varies greatly from the likes of South American designer, Marcia Ganem to the gothic-centric Rick Owens. One thing remains the same, however, just like you and me, Nicole appreciates a great discount.

    What’s your most prized deal?
    A Marcia Ganem garnet and silver hade-made Brazilian top – marked down from $14,000 to $800 – or my black leather Alexander McQueen coat purchased at a friends and family sale.

    Biggest regret that you didn’t purchase?
    A Rick Owens shearling coat last year

    This season you are looking for …
    A great shearling coat!

    What is your number-one shopping tip?
    Look in the rear view mirror before you buy!

    What is your biggest weakness?
    Givenchy shoes this year!

    Is there an item for which a shopper should never mind paying full price?
    Something that is perfect …

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    Nanette Lepore Friends & Family

    Starting Thursday, Nanette Lepore is offering friends and family 20% off regularly priced merchandise. The discount runs through Monday and is available both in stores and online with the code FFF10.

    If you haven’t already done so, this is a great opportunity to check out the Nanette Lepore boutique that opened on Madison Avenue and 75th Street, in May. Of course, the dresses are great but we particularly like the jackets and coats in this winter collection.

    Nanette Lepore Friends & Family
    Thursday, October 7 to Monday, October 11
    958 Madison Avenue or 423 Broome Street

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    Pink Pony Celebration Discount

    In celebration of the 10th of the Pink Pony Fund, Ralph Lauren boutiques are offering customers a 25% discount on their purchases. In addition, 10% purchases will be donated to the Pink Pony Fund, which is a foundation with the worldwide mission to help fight cancer.

    The promotion runs until October 11 and can be used at RRL & Rugby stores, RalphLauren.com (code: RLGIVE2010) and Rugby.com. Unfortunately, the small print excludes Made to Measure or women’s Collection apparel and men’s Purple Label.

    Simotanously, Ralph Lauren is running one of the most extravegant online charity auctions we’ve ever seen. Up for auction are meetings with Lebron James, Jerry Seinfeld, Anna Wintour, Martha Stewart and Diane von Furstenberg. You can shop with Simon Doonan, escape to Donna Karan’s house in Turks and Caicos or have your child’s birthday at the Ralph Lauren kid’s store in London.

    Just browsing the auction is fun. I know what I’m bidding for, how abut you?

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    Last Call Goes Online

    We’ve always wondered why traditional discount stores like, Saks Off Fifth, Lohmann’s, The Rack and Last Call allowed online discounters–Guilt, Rue La La and HauteLook– to take a big bite out of their off-price luxury market share. Well the time of traditional discounters has come and Neiman Marcus has launched LastCall.com.

    The website comes with all the bells and whistles of other online discounters, including flash sales, which they uniquely call Fashion Dash. The designer line-up seems quite respectable. There’s Oscar de la Renta, YSL, Proenza Schouler, Chloe and Fendi. Prices range from 50% to 75% off, which is great, except that the options within each designer section are limited to two or three pieces. Did we mention that there is a men’s section too?!

    Like all good discount stores — online and offline — you’re going to have to dig for treasures. At least this excavation can take place from the comfort of your favorite chair. Just like off-line, you can return merchandise within 30 days of receipt for a full refund or credit.

    In honor of their launch, LastCall.com is offering customers a $50 gift card when they spend over $100. Seems like a pretty good incentive to us. And shipping is free on all purchases.

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    Now Open: Sur La Table

    There are few things we love more than shopping and cooking is a close contender for second. Unfortunatly, there are not many places to shop for kitchenware on the Upper East Side. There’s William’s Sonoma and, um, Bloomingdales.

    The mid-town based JB Prince, which specializes in chefs’ tools and equipment, has been our normal go-to destination for everything in the kitchen. That’s why we were so excited to find a new culinary hardware store right in our neighborhood. Sur La Table, which opened on Friday, is located on Third Avenue and 75th Street.

    The Seattle-based corporation has more than 72 locations throughout the country and carries literally thousands of items, including books, cutlery, gadgets, glassware, serving pieces and hard to find items. On our first walk-though, we were delighted to find everything from small ramekins ($3 each), a traditional Moroccan tagine ($124), a machine for sous vide ($425), stainless steel mixing bowls ($20) and dozens and dozens of knives. We were in culinary heaven.

    As far as prices go, Sur La Table is quite reasonable even when items are put side by side with JB Prince. Think of all the money we are going to save cabs. A wonderful addition to the neighborhood!

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    Luca Luca Sample Sale

    When a designer sample sale occurs too often it causes us to become skeptical. This was the case when we got word of an upcoming Luca Luca sample sale. It only takes one not-so-great-markdown to keep us doubtful of future sales.

    Last week, a trusted source asked us to post about the latest Luca Luca sample sale. We were doubtful and pushed for details. The official word is that “the majority of merchandise is 75% off.” In addition, new summer merchandise will be marked 75% to 80% off and older season merchandise will be 90% off.

    That sounds like a great deal to us. Let us know if you hit the sale and we’ll post your comments.

    Luca Luca Sample Sale
    Thursday, September 30 to Sunday, October 3
    Turs & Fri 9am to 6:30pm, Sat & Sun 11am to 5pm
    19 West 36th Street, 4th Floor

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    Scoring Luxury for 90% Off

    Scouring the globe for the chance to spend more than $1000 on a sold out Louis Vuitton Alma kind of seems absurd. But how about if you can score this hard-to-get bag for 90% off? Oh yes, you read correctly!

    No, we’re not talking about eBay, where you’re lucky to spend full price and not get a fake. Penny auctions are where the real deals are found today. Take ScoreLuxe.com as a prime example. ScoreLuxe.com is a high-end penny auction, which allows you to buy bids and score great luxury items for a fraction of their retail price.

    What’s even better is that all the items on the site are purchased directly from the retailer and are guaranteed authentic and brand new. Last week, for example, a $1000 gift certificate to Tiffany sold for just $19.88 and a $2400 Gucci bag sold for just 84-cents! Could you believe?

    Yes, it may cost $99 to buy 100 bids, but you’re ahead over $600 if you win the Chanel wallet for $200. A Chanel wallet for a total of $300 is a score in our book. How about yours?

    Check out ScoreLuxe.com to find great deals on amazing luxury items.


    Sponsored Post
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    The Plaza Shops On Sale

    Today, we took advantage of the rain and spent time exploring the Shops at The Plaza Hotel. The whole ambiance is a bit hard to describe– lots of lovely things with very large price tags along with a dash of pretence.

    It’s almost as if the Plaza shopping area was created for a scene from Pretty Woman. “Oh my, I’m staying at the Plaza but failed to pack a single item. I must go downstairs and shop.” Or this could be where Cinderella’s godmother hides her gowns. “A ball tonight? We have gowns galore!”

    We didn’t encounter another shopper during our entire tour, which lasted a good two hours. The economics just don’t make sense. We knew it was only a matter of time until we found some good discounts.

    The first was Emanuel Ungaro, where spring/summer 2010 merchandise is still occupying half the retail space. At 50% off, prices were still a bit high. We found a very chic day-dress reduced to $1400 from $2800. When we didn’t see what we wanted, a sales lady was able to dig up gowns from two years ago. Isn’t that considered vintage?

    Next on sale was Francesco Fino, which seems to be the resident bridal store. You know, when you plan your wedding at the Plaza, you need to buy your gown there too?! All jests aside, the gowns in this boutique were exquisite. The fabrics and tailoring are not easily found these days.

    The discount on these true couture gowns ranged from 50% to 80% off. A magnificently draped gown in a green and red print was 80% off, $2240 from $11,200. A less ornate strapless cocktail dress was 60% off or $3600 from $9000. A more basic but very stylish gown was 50% off or $1780 from $3500.

    There were no sales to be found at the Eloise store, but we must admit that the experience was priceless. We couldn’t imagine a more enjoyable morning spent trying on costumes, playing tea party and relaxing in the music room. Everyone, including the tiniest Spy agreed that this is one of New York’s top children’s destinations. At the very least, it was the perfect rainy day activity!

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