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    Retail Therapy: Jill Zarin

    Jill Zarin hardly needs an introduction. She is a star of Bravo’s Real Housewives of New York. As the other J.Z, she knows the ins and outs of New York and knows where to cop a great deal. Jill isn’t afraid to admit her affinity for sample sales but is never willing to spend above her means.

    Her book, Secrets of a Jewish Mother was co-wrotten with her sister and mother and goes on sale April 15th. The book is filled with bits of feel-good wisdom like, “Always bring a sweater,” “If you don’t feel good in your clothing, you will radiate insecurity and others will notice” and our favorite, “Make sure that you love something before you buy it.”

    We are just hoping the sequel will be Secrets of an Upper East Side Shopper. For now, you can read on for Jill Zarin’s unpublished shopping wisdom:

    What’s your most prized “deal?”
    Wow…I am the queen of a good “deal.” I love my sample sales just like the next girl. I can’t pick just one though. My most recent was a fabulous Dolce dress that retailed for $3,600. I bought for 70% off.

    Biggest regret that you didn’t purchase?
    I am the queen of shoulda, coulda, woulda. A chanel bag in Las Vegas. I loved it, went back the next day and it was sold.

    This season you are looking for…
    Anything that makes me look skinny.

    What’s your number one shopping tip?
    Don’t buy on credit. If you can’t afford it, you don’t need it. It will probably go on sale. 70% of goods sold are sold on sale.

    What’s your biggest weakness?
    Bags and shoes. I am hunting for a white patent leather BIG Chanel bag. I saw one in Vegas and can’t find it. (Someone was walking around with it). If you find one…I want it!

    Is there an item for which a shopper should never mind paying full price?
    Louis Vuitton luggage and bags never go on sale. If you want it… be ready to pay full price.

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    On Sale: Michelle Obama’s Election Night Dress

    We happened to be trolling around the Bergdorf Goodman website and happened upon the sale section. Imagine that?!

    We couldn’t believe what we found: Michelle Obama’s election night Narcisco Rodriguez dress for 65% off. The now famous red and black ombre dress was $4,400 but is now $1,540. Talk about owning a piece of fashion history and it’s even more beautiful in person.

    In addition to the iconic Rodriquez, we also found a few great Alexander McQueen pieces for 65% off. This stretch poplin dress, which is perfect for Spring in the city, was $995 but is now $348. A citron draped dress was $1,495 but is reduced to $523. Over at Neiman Marcus– which owns Bergdof Goodman– there is a black trench coat was $3,275 but is now $1146,

    As of now, all these items are in stock. If you’re seriously considering one of these sale pieces we suggest that you buy now and decide later. Politics aside, they are all an amazing deal.

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    Ralph Lauren Discount

    Ralph Lauren usually throws a friends and family sale right about now but the company is hosting a cause related marketing promotion instead. From Tuesday, April 6th to Monday, April 12th you can get 25% off your Ralph Lauren purchase and the company will donate 10% of your bill to the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund.

    We don’t know if this incentive is taking the place of friend’s and family, which is usually a 30% discount. Unless you’re buying a croc Ricky bag the price difference is negligible.

    Unfortunately, there isn’t much left from the Olympic collection but you can customize this USA track jacket with your own name. We also love the men’s big pony polos for Spring/Summer. It’s a Hampton necessity.

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    Rachel Roy x Macy’s

    Collaborations are becoming a bit of a snooze these days. Madness ensues and then you take home your haul to realize it’s just like a Monet. (“It’s like a painting, see? From far away, it’s OK, but up close, it’s a big old mess.” Name that quote!)

    Check out this video from the H&M launch of Sonia Rykiel. Grown women reduced to a combination of swine and locusts. For the Liberty of London pop-up collaboration with Target, shoppers waited for hours to get floral print umbrellas, bikes and dresses. (FYI Target is completely restocked with Liberty and it doesn’t seem to be moving. We bet it goes down to 70% off. Keep your receipts!) Charlotte Ronson and Urban Outfitters?! Ugh.

    We are pretty close to shutting out any label that includes an “x” separating a designer and retailer. Before we completely close the book, we thought it might be fun to shop at a distant, far off and exotic store for economic designer interpretations. Road trip: Macy’s!

    Yes, we went to Herald Square in search of Rachel Roy’s collection for Macy’s. Finding the collection was not easy. The store is huge and we aren’t even sure if the sales people there are familiar with their surrounding 10-square-feet, never mind other sections of the store. Four sales associates swore that they never heard of Rachel Roy and that the collection didn’t exist. Finally we ran into a personal shopper who knew her way around the modern granary. (The collection is on 2.)

    Rachel Roy’s line for Macy’s is a bit trendy but falls right in line with her trademark uptown chic /downtown cool aesthetic. We found a great (real) leather jacket with peaked shoulders that looks a bit Rick Owens rocker with a splash of Rachel Roy polish ($249.) A (real) silk, water color, sun dress is $119, a tweed jacket with the sophistication of Chanel but shoulder emulets that make us think Balmain is $149, a hot pink trench with a cool print lining is $139and hot pink cocktail dress with a lace back is $119.

    Although the collection is more of a diffusion line than a collaboration, the collection is just proof that a high end designer can create a line of clothing that is afforadable but better constructed than a GM car.

    What’s even better, is that Macy’s is always throwing one day sales and sending out coupons. An Easter sale is running from April 1 to April 4th and the entire Rachel Roy collection is 15% off. Wait a bit longer and the disounts will even get better. But we must say, that biker jacket alone is worth the trip discount or not.
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    Retail Therapy: Janie Schoenborn

    Janie Schoenborn grew up loving Lilly Pulitzer’s designs. She adored the bright prints and the bold patterns. Years later her love turned into passion as she is now the design director for Palm Beach’s most preppy institution.

    Janie’s biggest design challenge is trying to turn the very familiar brand into something that still looks new and fresh while maintaining the Lily look. This season, the company is launching the Kenlyn pant, which uses high-tech Dow XLA stretch fabric. For Spring 2010 Turquoise was selected as the season’s hottest color, which is perfect for the Lily Pulitzer brand because of its universal appeal. “It puts everyone in the same state of mind — on vacation,” she Janie.

    Today, Janie lives by her mother’s fashion rules: be confident, have your own style, wear pink and a dash of Opium perfume. Read on for more shopping and style advice from Janie Schoenborn.

    What’s your most prized “deal?”
    I love and collect and obsess over jewelry. Real, faux, vintage, the bigger the better. No matter what statement piece I am wearing, I always wear a large carved jade ring on the middle finger of my right hand. It is set in gold, goes with all my pink, and I know it brings me good luck. It is my signature piece and I adore it.

    Biggest regret that you didn’t purchase?
    I didn’t keep the Lily Sophia metallic jacquard dress from last season! Not only is it stunning with its subtle sparkle and ornate beading, but it is also the perfect go-to dress for just about any event.

    This season you are looking for…
    I have been traveling so much lately that I am super tempted to get that gold roller suitcase from Prada. Is that over the top?

    What’s your number one shopping tip?
    My mom always wore these flowing silk outfits from the ‘70s – hot pinks with a gold braided belt, long gold earrings. She wore Opium perfume and I thought she was the most glamorous woman alive (she now lives in Fairfield). My mom was always herself and that is the best advice ever… be confident, have your own style, wear pink and a dash of Opium perfume – it is absolutely irresistible.

    What’s your biggest weakness?
    I love old-lady makeup colors: old-lady coral lipstick and vintage red nail polish on trimmed nails. I just found the best new color – Cajun Shrimp from OPI – the new gel mani. It is that ‘40s chic red that isn’t too dark and has a bit of coral in it. I think deep down I have a lot of eccentric-old-lady in me and I fully embrace it!

    Is there an item for which a shopper should never mind paying full price?
    A good bra. Without it, you are sunk. Literally. Get measured and spend whatever they ask.

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    Ambrosi Abrianna Sale

    Ambrosi Abrianna brings the meaning of luxury exotic handbags to an entirely new level. First, the exotic skins are collected from around the world and shipped to a tannery in Paris. After the skin is “died to perfection” it is shipped to Italy to be constructed by old-world specialists. The last stop is the Ambrosi Abrianna retail space on Madison Avenue. Talk about establishing a deep carbon footprint. No worries, George and Leo can help us balance that out.

    Like other high-end exotic bags, Ambrosi Abrianna uses only one piece of skin to create each bag. In addition, the owner’s name, an inscription and serial number are engraved on a 24K plate that’s located discreetly on the inside of the bag. Purchasers also receive a climate controlled “infinity box” for storage, an owners manual, a travel treatment kit and an invitation to join the Ambrosi Abrianna Collectors Society. Hell, who needs a country club when you can be a member of a handbag society.

    Membership does have its price: crocodile belts can be had for about $1,000, business card holders in ostrich or croc are about $500, but the bulk of the Ambrosi Abrianna bags retail for between $8,000 to $25,000.

    This may all sound very 2008 and it is. However, Ambrosi Abrianna knows how to play it very 2010 too. The store is currently hosting a sale where several handbag styles are being discounted 40% off and custom exotic orders are up to 25% off. All joking aside, these bags are quite exquisite and a discount only makes them more appealing.

    Contact: Jonathan 212-582-2506, Madison @ 70th Street

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    7’s Private Sale

    Buying jeans is never easy, no matter what your size. For this reason, we always suggest that denim shoppers forgo the sale rack and strictly buy what looks great. The problem often is that the jeans that look the best are predictably the most expensive pair on the rack.

    The upshot is that once you have identified your perfect pair of jeans you can keep track of the brand and style and be on the lookout for a discount. 7 for All Mankind’s private sale is the perfect oppertunity to pick up a back-up pair of your favorite jeans. Prices on the website are up to 60% off but you must use the private sale link to see all the discounted products.

    We found Roxanne skinny jeans for $113 from $180, the flared leg Charlize in white is $107 from $215 and the cropped Flaming is $104 from $209. Shoes, handbags and kid’s clothing are also heavily discounted.

    Clothing, shoes and handbags are also included in the sale section. We particularly like this cashmere sweater. It’s perfect for a cool spring day.

    If you’re worried about size or fit, we already checked through the small print and sale items are returnable for a full refund or exchange. Happy shopping.

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    Retail Therapy: Abbe Held

    Kooba founder, Abbe Held’s personal style is very much like the bags she creates: always colorful and inspired by a vintage tradition that’s juxtaposed with a twist of big city luxury.

    Abbe often draws inspiration from the vendors she finds on the street in her native New York and is always looking to make a personal statement with her fashion.

    Like most vintage shoppers, Abbe is always looking for a great deal and is adept at spotting an accessory that will provide an inexpensive thrill. Today, she shares her shopping pains and accomplishments and offers a few key words of advice. Let us know what you think!

    What’s your most prized “deal?”
    I’m crazy for my gold beaded hoop earrings that I bought from a street vendor for $10. I never take them off!

    Biggest regret that you didn’t purchase?
    I’m still thinking about the black silk YSL jumpsuit that I tried on and loved but still went home to think about. When I went back it was gone.

    This season you are looking for…
    I live in jeans so I’m always looking for great blouses and jackets that make a statement.

    What’s your number one shopping tip?
    Buy pieces that speak to you and look good on YOU not just on your friends or in a magazine.

    What’s your biggest weakness?
    Aside from handbags of course, I’d have to say I have a big weakness for sunglasses.

    Is there an item for which a shopper should never mind paying full price?
    I don’t think it’s about one item in particular. If you truly love it and feel good in it, then you will always get your money’s worth.

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