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    Holiday Edition: Obsessions & Impulses

    It’s undeniable that this year is like none other in our lifetime. The differences are even more palatable as the holiday season rolls in. Fifth Avenue is usually packed with revelers and this week I found Rockefeller center to be only sparsely attended. 

    Saks Fifth Avenue felt like a Summer Tuesday morning– meaning it was essentially void of customers. The block of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral was only occupied by me, multiple security guards, and a few security dogs. If ever there was a year to take stock, this would be the one.

    Even as this year has provided horrible suffering and insurmountable obstacles, I have always held to the philosophy that any opportunity to celebrate should be embraced.  Some of the most special moments of celebration are quiet and intimate. It is an opportune time to be more thoughtful, more caring, and giving. 
    This week, we started a series of gift guides. Over this way, you will find some inspiration if you need to buy a corporate or client gift. If you’re a long-time blog fan, you might know something about the woman who has everything. Here is a gift guide for a few items she might like.  
    Those who are sale-shopping can check out the new items added to the private sale of Ssense. There are some second markdowns too. Here is a YSL Matelasse Envelop bag for $1826 from $2350 and Opyum heels are $677 from $995. This Moncler puffer is $895 from $1210. The sale also has a great assortment of Comme Des Garcon Play items, which make great gifts.
    Dolce & Gabbana fans should check out this private sale link. You can use the code FW20FORYOU. to save 40% off. This minibag comes to $1050 from $1750, sneakers are $405 from $675, and a logo belt is $285 from $475. 
    Missoni lovers can fill the loss of Century 21 by heading over to Saks Off Fifth. The discounts top 80%. This Missoni hat is $50 from $250 and this scarf is the same price. 
    Remember, the Chanel sale starts this week. You can get all the details in this post. I just added more pictures and will continue to add more. I can’t share contacts but you can search through past posts or use the general department store contacts that I frequently mention. 
    Coming back to where we started, Saks started is amidst its first markdown. We have pictures from inside the sale in the post. This Saint Laurent studded camera bag is $1365 from $1950,  Tribute sandals in khaki green are $416 from $595, Stuart Weitzman high boots are $500 from $800. There is also 10% off lots of beauty brands.

    Remember to head to  Instagram stories for some Saturday night fun. 
    Stay tuned. Until next time… same time, same place?


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    Saks: First Big Markdowns

    There have been lots of sales this season. There have been a lot of promotions this season. If you’re following real hard cold markdowns, however, the season has been very slow. That’s all about to change. Saks Fifth Avenue started its first big designer markdown this morning. Most designer merchandise is now discounted 40% off. 

    The biggest sale highlight is the large assortment of Saint Laurent bags. This Saint Laurent studded camera bag is $1365 from $1950, and this leopard mini Lou is $735 from $1050. The shoe options are just as good. These Tribute sandals in khaki green are $416 from $595, sneakers are $350 from $600 and Opyum sandals are $700 from $1000.  You can see pictures from inside the store right here. 

    There are also a lot of new Manolo Blahnik sale options. These leather slides are $387 from $645 and slingbacks are $453 from $755. There is also lots of Balmain. This tweed dress is $1560 from $2600 and this tweed blazer is $1650 from $2750. This Balenciaga parka for $995 from $2500 is a very good find and these Alexander Berman glitter ankle boots are $450 from $750. 

    Prior markdowns are an additional 10% off with the code GIFTINGSF. This headband from Lele Sadoughi is $90 from $150 and  Stuart Weitzman high boots are $500 from $800. The 10% off extends to lots of beauty brands too. Here are in-store pictures. 

    Even though it’s already December, this is just the start of the sale season. Expect a lot more fun markdowns to come.  

    Contact: Jaime Saks Private Shopping

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    Chanel Private Sale Details

    Chanel is one of the hardest brands to track during the markdown season. The company is secretive and riddled with rules that are always changing. We have come to learn that this season, Chanel will host a private sale beginning December 4 and open at department stores on December 9. 

    The sale will be comprised of past season merchandise with a discount of 40% on most items. The sale does not generally include any bags or leather goods. Shoppers can expect to find discounts on shoes, jewelry, scarves, and various small accessories. 

    Below are some of our past contacts. We will continue to update this post with pictures and contacts as more information becomes available. You can click here to see posts from last season.
     

    I removed the identities of salespeople to protect those supplying information. Click here to view pictures of the sale selection at each store. 


    Bloomingdales



    Saks



    Neiman Marcus




    Chanel Costa Mesa Boutique




     Undisclosed Various Saks Stores



    Bloomingdales, NYC



    Saks Fifth Avenue, NYC



    Saks, Philly



    Saks: Scottsdale, AZ



    Bergdorf Goodman (more BG below if you scroll down)



    Neiman Marcus, Roosevelt Field (Garden City, NY)





    Saks Fifth Avenue (Not NYC)




    Chanel Boutique:  Short Hills, Nj

     


    Nordstrom Portland 





    Nordstrom San Diego




    Saks Fifth Avenue 





    Bergdorf Goodman




    Bloomingdales

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    Gift Guide: Ideas for the Woman Who Shops (a Lot)

    The old adage is that it’s better to give than to receive but who says you can’t enjoy both? A gift is exponentially better when it is accompanied by thoughtfulness. A considerate gift gives the recipient permission to relax, feel joy and indulge in the experience of being doted upon.

    Before we jump right in, I hope you don’t mind if I offer a little bit of relationship advice. Whatever he buys you– don’t return it! Once you return enough gifts he will feel defeated and stop buying them. Keep it– even if it’s too expensive, not the right color or completely not your taste. If it’s actually that bad, secretly return it but never let him know.

    The same rule goes for your children. Give them the opportunity to enjoy the experience of giving even if it means wearing it just once and hiding it for the rest of your days.

    So, now, we present the definitive gift guide on getting it right so that she wears it often, loves it, and cherishes it forever. (As if that actually exists.) Just in case, always shop where purchases can be returned for a full refund and never throw out the receipt.



    Blaze Milano blazer ($780 from $1560)



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    Biossance: Clean and Pure Winter Beauty

    Sponsored by Biossance and ShopStyle

    Beauty has taken an entirely new perspective now that I have teenage daughters. It’s up to me to teach them that true beauty starts on the inside and needs to be preserved through self-care and kindness. Now, more than ever, it’s important to choose beauty products that are deeply nourishing without any harmful chemicals.

    Biossance offers mega moisturizing products that eliminate dehydrated skin and enhance a healthy complexion. Biossance’s key ingredient of 100% plant-based squalane, which allows their products to work harder to deeply nourish and support skin’s moisture barrier while giving your complexation a healthy glow.

    Now is the perfect time to try out Biossance’s acclaimed products. For Black Friday through Cyber week, you can save 30% off site-wide. In addition, for Giving Tuesday 50% of all proceeds from products sold today (12/1) will be donated to Oceana. The discount offer ends December 4, so really don’t procrastinate. 

    For the holidays Biossance is offering a fantastic assortment of beauty kits. Over the course of the past few weeks, I’ve used assorted items and have come to love each product individually and even more so when they are combined. The Squaline + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer  ($36 from $52) feels light and fluffy on the skin but has the strength to do the heavy lifting to keep my skin nourished and hydrated even as the days increasingly become cold and dry. 

    When paired with the Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil ($50 from $72) from the results are dynamite. Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil adds a glow and radiance that is superb. Just remember that oil is the last product applied to the face before cosmetics. They lock all the moisture into the skin and anything that’s applied over it won’t be absorbed. 
    The Squaline + Lactic Acid Reserfucaing Night Serum ($43 from $62) is a phenom of its own. The first night it was applied, I woke up feeling the difference in my skin. In the morning, my skin felt hydrated and alive as opposed to the usual stiffness and dryness. It’s been a nightly ritual from day one.  
    Check out the Uplifted & Bright Kit Set ($50 from $127 value), which contains a full-size Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil, a travel size version of the Squalane + Omega Repair Cream, and a travel-size Squalane + Phyto Retinol Serum. The Let it Go gift set ($18 from $63 value) contains the powerful combo of a travel size Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil and a travel-size Squaline + Lactic Acid Reserfucaing Night Serum. 
    Check out all the amazing gift sets here. Any option you choose will be sure to have a lasting effect and add a beautiful holiday glow. Remember, the Cyber deals end December 4.
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    Gift Guide: Corporate Gifting

    It’s time to get serious about holiday gifting. Thanking your business partners is one of the most complicated giftings of the season. Your presents need to represent the ethos of your company and appropriately show gratitude to those who support you throughout the year.

    It’s also important not to go overboard, you don’t want your gift to seem like a bribe. On the flip side, you don’t want to send a gift a fruit basket to someone who entrusts you with a mega-size portfolio or trusted you to list their $30-million brownstone.

    Below are a few ideas to thank your customers and business partners. As for employees, everyone appreciates cash.

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    The Best of Cyber Week

    Chances are that you’ve been shopping or browsing online all weekend. Nonetheless, marketers still insist that the shopping continues full force through Cyber Monday. This season, most shopping will be done online. 

    Many of the discounts pick up where we left on Thanksgiving. You can click over to our Thanksgiving week cheat sheet. Below are the retailers we plan to stalk for Cyber Monday. Just be careful, the impulse to buy anything can easily overcome Monday morning shoppers.

    If you need Gucci shoes fast you should be stalking DSW  The site continually adds new styles to the assortment. Prices run 30% to 50% off retail. Here are Gucci Zumi kitten heels for $500 from $980, Marmont sandals are $500 from $690, and Ace sneakers are $450 from $650.  Princetown velvet slides are $650 from $790 or a version with embroidered cats is $550 from $890. There are also some kid’s Gucci shoes too. 
    Black Friday continues with a private Balenciaga sale where you can save 30% off with the code PS30. The women’s selection is here and men can click here. This herringbone handbag is $840 from $1200, this quilted leather bag is $805 from $1150, and mirrored slides are $420 from $600.
    You can save 20% off sitewide with most purchases over $250 with the code BLACKFRIDAY20 or 25% off when you spend over $500 with the code BLACKFRIDAY25. The big designers are excluded but there is still a lot from which to choose. Alexander McQueen sneakers are $400 from $540, Chloe boots are $427 from $570 and this Valentino Rockstud micro bag is $1100 from $1476. 
    For Cyber Monday, Mr. Porter is offering up to 50% off. An Off-White hoodie is $225 from $550, a cashmere sweater from The Row is $1000 from $1500 and Nike Airforce 1 sneakers are $84 from $120. This Cyber Monday sale seems like an early first markdown. We would suggest taking a scroll and getting a jump on men’s sales. 
    It takes a real insider to understand all of the promotions that are available for Cyber Monday at Saks. For starters, you can receive $50 off every $200 you spend on qualifying purchases with the code CYBER20SF and clearance items are an additional 20% off.  There is also 15% off beauty with the code CBTY20SF. Last, but not least, you can save 20% off Canada Goose with the code CG20OFF. 
    Tap over to Nordstrom to save an additional 25% off clearance items. This Isabel Marant sweater $100 from $400, RtA leather leggings are $500 from $1100 and this Victoria Beckham coat is $1500 from $2500. There are also plenty of beauty deals. This La Mer set is $255 from $500, this T3 curling iron is $130 from $160 and Tom Ford Illuminator is $35 from $70. 
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    Holiday Edition: Obsessions & Impulses

    When I first started MadSpy the idea was to direct shoppers to find the best deals. It was assumed that fashion girls already had a great sense of what they wanted and sometimes just needed to be pointed in the right direction. 

    As online shopping has exploded it seems that even the most accomplished shoppers are confused by the volume of options. Years ago, the bulk of my time would be spent toiling over the right words. These days, it can take hours sorting and filtering the best sale items to compile a post. I can’t imagine how it feels to be a novice shopper.

    This week, I’m lending a helping hand. Head to Instagram stories and tell me what you need to buy and I’ll do my best to point you to the right item or at least the right direction. The more details you include the more accurate I can be. 

    There are a lot of sites to browse for those diving into holiday sales. We hashed out the best Black Friday sales over in this previous post. An honorable mention should be made to the sale sections at Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman. Enter at your own risk, it might cost you a few Benjamins before clicking away from either. 
    If you’re still not satisfied, we have a pretty complete list of all the best promotions this way. Special attention should be paid to MyTheresa and Ssense. Both are offering great discounts on current season designer merchandise. 
    Speaking of current season markdowns, we are still waiting for local department stores to take a good markdown. Thursday will be a big day for designer shoppers. Keep your eyes on Neiman Marcus. We have our bets on Saks for the best deals on Cyber Monday. 
    Taking a downshift from super-expensive designer merchandise,  Shopbop is offering 20% off purchases of $200 or more with the code SHOP20. This Jacquemous bag is $400 from $500, this JW Anderson chain bag is $425 from $895, and a Saks Potts puffer is $700 from $880.
    You might also want to consider digging into the Yoox Black Friday sale where discounts top at 90% off. Here is a Prada skirt for $382 from $850 and Prada slides are $228 from $570.  There is so much merchandise that I suggest you just do searches based on your favorite designer and cross filter by size. 
    That’s it for me today. Remember to head to  Instagram stories for some Saturday night fun. 
    Stay tuned. Until next time… same time, same place?

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