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    Mother’s Day Gift Idea: Flower Pot Cake

    When it comes to Mother’s Day the most universally accepted gifts are flowers or something sweet. Brooklyn-based Made From Heaven Cakes has created the most unique love-child of our classic favorites. The Flower Pot Cake is one of the most fashionable and delicious statement pieces you can buy mom.

    We were recently gifted with one of these botanical treats and displayed the cake where we would normally leave a vase of flowers. Every guest –including a troupe of 4-year-olds– was tricked and amazed by the creativity and beauty of this confectious creation. Part of the magic is created from the sugar flowers and the “dirt” is crumbled cake.

    It was hard to cut open but we are glad we did because the inside was almost as good as the outside. The chocolate cake was light and not overly rich and the buttercream was sweet but not too thick. Lots of other cake and filling options are available.

    In addition to their flower cakes, Made From Heave Cakes is well known for their wedding cakes. They have also earned major fashion props with their construction of a Christian Louboutin fashioned cake for Barneys, a cake replica of a Sephora shopping bag for the beauty brand and a Mansur Gavriel bucket back for Elle magazine, among others.

    The Mother’s Day flower pot cake is $125 and can be shipped anywhere in the country or hand delivered in the New York area. The only remaining question is which gym membership goes best with the cake.

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    I Spy: A Manolo Blahnik Sample Sale (Kirkwood Intel.)

    Once upon a time the Manolo Blahnik sample sale was a no-brainer. There were clear rules, there was order, there was a great assortment and the prices were absolutely amazing. As time has gone on, the assortment has become hit-or-miss and the crowds have become insane and the event has become shrouded with inconsistent by-laws.

    This season, we hear that the bi-annual event is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. Unfortunately, a spokesperson for the company would only say, “We can’t comment because the sale is private.” One can only speculate that the company is not planning on opening the sale to the public.

    Friends don’t lose all hope. There have been other seasons when Manolo said that the sale would be closed to the public. Later, when there was too much remaining stock they welcomed one and all. We can’t predict the future but we will be sure to keep you posted. Check here for information on last season’s sale and here’s our Manolo Blahnik sample sale survival guide.

    If you’re looking to get some new shoes now, we suggest you hit the Nicholas Kirkwood sale at Century 21. Friday is the final day and all shoes are 80% off. Click here to see photos and prices.

    Manolo Blahnik
    Wednesday, May 6 and Thursday, May 7
    Wed 12pm-4pm, Thurs 9am-4pm
    Warwick Hotel, 65 W 54th St. (off 6th Ave.), 2nd Floor

    Red & tan pump: $122, Mule wedge $150,
    Pumps: $180
    Lizzard: $240, Zig-zag $130
    Bow t-strap $175,  platform pump $140, 
    Sling-back $250, Bootie $260
    Short boot $180, Embroidered $220, Studded $300
    $130 Sandals
    $280
    $160
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    The Best Upcoming Sample Sales

    Sample sale season is about to get very busy. There are 100s of sales scheduled for May and figuring out which ones are worthy of inspection takes a critical eye. To help you sort through the madness, we put together a list of the most deserving sales. Let us know if you think we missed anything spectacular.



    Jonathan Adler
    Thursday, April 30th through Saturday, May 2nd
    Thu 11am—6pm, Fri 10am—5pm, Sat 10am—4pm
    The Bronx: 885 E 138th St Btwn (Walnut & Locust Aves)
    Last year, the Jonathan Adler sale was held in a traditional fashion venue that didn’t work so well for home furnishings. If you’re in the market for mid-century quark we suggest you go North, way North. To the Bronx. Prices will be up to 75% off and the assortment will include furniture, lighting, decorative accessories, rugs and fashion accessories. On site delivery will be available for an additional charge.

    Jimmy Choo
    Tuesday, May 5 though Wednesday, May 6
    Tues 11am-6pm, Wed 8am-4pm
    Metropolitan Pavilion, 123 W. 18th St. (bet. 6th & 7th Ave.)
    The Jimmy Choo sample sale is somewhat of a nightmare. There are lines, waits, hoarding, chaos– everything we despise about sample sales. The one redeeming quality is the great pricing. We suggest avoiding the sale all together on Tuesday and taking a peak around on Wednesday if you’re really that curious. 

    Sandro
    Tuesday, May 5th through Sunday, May 10th
    Tues 9am—8pm, Wed—Thu 9am—7pm, Fri—Sat 10am—7pm, Sun 10am—4pm
    260
    Sample Sale 260: 260 Fifth Ave btwn 28th & 29th st.
    Sandro has quickly become one of our favorite mid-priced fashion lines. It’s chic and casual at the same time. We are very much looking forward to the brand’s inaugural sample sale. We don’t expect discounts to be dramatic but the selection should be very good.


    Adam Lippes
    Wednesday, May 6th through Thursday, May 7th
    9am-7pm daily
    32 Bank St btwn Waverly Pl & W 4th St, parlor level
    We are told that prices at the Adam Lippes sale will be up to 75% off. A wrap gown will be $500 from $1750, leather drop-crotch culottes will be $700 from $2650 and a more basic shift dress will be $300 from $1090.

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    Theory Friends and Family Sale

    Theory is hosting a friends and family sale where shoppers can save 25% off at boutiques and online. The savings goes up to 30% when you spend $600 or more. Internet shoppers can use the code FRIENDS to access the discounts at checkout.

    Theory isn’t known for the most exciting pieces of fashion but they may provide the most wearable items. This classic shirt dress comes to about $300 from $385. Here’s a tailored shirt that comes to about $180 from $225. This jumpsuit is the perfect blank canvas to a super accessorized summer outfit and is about $400 from $475. Normally we love to stack a friends and family discount on to sale items but unfortunately there is no sale section.

    The Theory friends and family sale runs till April 30. The only exclusions are third party denim and Mansur Gavriel bags — but we’re pretty over them anyway.

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    The Yigal Azrouel Sale is Back With Great Pricing

    Yigal Azrouel has been a longtime favorite sample sale. His clothing is edgy and the price for price-quality ratio was always spot on. This season, you’ll be happier than you’ve been in a long time because the prices are truly good and the samples are plentiful.

    The sale started Monday morning when VIPs swarmed the sample sale racks. Once the sale opened to the public in the afternoon the sample racks were running lean but there were abandoned piles of great deals scattered throughout the space. This season, Yigal samples are $60, Cut25 samples are $40 and leather items are $125. Among the coveted samples was a cobalt leather jacket, lots of black sheath dresses, plenty of knits and a few flouncy tops.

    A majority of the inventory is from past Winter seasons but there are still some items that will reasonable translate to Spring and Summer. The full price list is below. Among the open stock, which contains a full size range of many items, we found leather jackets, dresses and some gowns. The most popular items were the leather jackets that are priced at $500 from a retail price of $1900. A simple LBD with jeweled short sleeves is $275 from $1390 and a black dress with white netting is also priced at $275 from $960. A navy and white blazer was $225 from $990.

    From the Cut25 open stock racks we found a blouse with beaded fringe on the front that is $125, a neoprene crop top is $65 from $225 and an iconic red dress with leather patches and zippers is $125 from $790. There are also lots of tops and casual tees. Pictures of all the aforementioned items can be found right here.

    If you haven’t been to a Yigal Azrouel sale we would suggest you give it a shot. The fit and texture of the collection is always great. Veterans will be happy that it’s a lot of the same favorites that have made appearances at past sales.

    Yigal Azrouel Sample Sale
    Through Friday, May 1st
    Mon 1pm—7pm, Tue—Fri 9am—7pm
    225 W 39th St btwn 7th & 8th Ave, 7th floor

    $125 Sample 
    Sample Cut24 $40
    Yigal $275
    $500 from $1990
    $275 Yigal
    Yigal Sweaters $175, Cut25 $75
    Cut 25 Open Stock
    Yigal Novelty Tops $125
    Yoga Leather $500
    Cut25 $65
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    Lilly Pulitzer Trickles Back Into Stores

    It was just last week that Lilly-Pulcalypse ensued in Target stores. The backlash from the lack of inventory even reached the Washington Post where  Robin Givhan angrily wrote, “The classic Lilly Pulitzer dress comes in shrill shades of yellow and pink that are vaguely infantilizing.”

    If you’re not sipping from the sour grapes of the Washington Post, we can help. We’ve already explored alternative avenues to secure your pop-of-Pulitzer for Summer right here. Then today we scoured two New Jersey Target stores and found a limited amount of merchandise.

    Anyone stalking for the designer’s sunny-colored merchandise should begin their hunt at the customer services area. That’s where returns are made and the merchandise collects until employees can bring it back to the sales floor.

    At one suburban Target, we found a pile of returned clothing sitting on the counter. Among the “bounty” was a green and white kid’s jumpsuit, a wristlet pouch and a shift dress. On the sales floor there were home items like dessert plates, votive candles and strung lights. More pictures are right here.

    At the second stop there were several of items of clothing in the changing room, a tote bag at customer services and stoneware stool, candle lanterns and nail files could be found near the registers.  There were also other random items scattered throughout the store.

    Merchandise hasn’t really been re-released online. As of now, the only available items are the hammock stand and the umbrella stand. We wouldn’t get your hopes up too high if you expect to find popular items of clothing back on the site. Seems like it would be a bigger headache to replenish stock when inventory may remain quite limited. Nonetheless, we’ll keep stalking.
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    50+ Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

    Mother’s Day is celebrating its 101st anniversary on Sunday, May 10 and we couldn’t be more excited to be the beneficiary of pampering and praise. The first thing you have to know about Mother’s Day is that moms don’t want you breaking the bank to say, “I love you.” They also don’t want a thoughtless card with a scribbled signature.

    Finding the perfect gift can take a bit of determination and thought. In order to get a jump start on the task (and give some hint to loved ones) we compiled a Mother’s Day guide of over 50 items that are sure to inspire even the most impaired of gift givers.

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    New Givenchy, Gucci Balmain for 70% to 80% off

    Looking to spice up Spring with a super purchase without wiping out your Summer travel budget? We have just the right sale. Linda’s Stuff is hosting one of her most luxurious designer eBay sales ever. The best part is that everything is brand new and still has the tags.

    The sale includes the best high-end designer clothing, shoes, jewelry and bags for men and women. Notable names include Givenchy, Gucci, Erdem, Bottega Veneta, Balmain and more. All of the merchandise is listed at deeply slashed prices. Check out these Givenchy shark bit low boots that are $539 from $1700 and here is the high moto-version for $479 from $1600. Over here is a men’s military style double-breasted Balmain coat for $1700 from $6200. Right here is a one-sleeve Gucci gown for $1179 from almost $4000. Always wanted an Alaia belt? Here’s your chance to have your belt and your dress too.

    We don’t blame you if you’re feeling overwhelmed by all of the choices. These are some serious brand new designer pieces for major discounts. Just don’t be surprised if you start obsessing about this sale. We are afraid to tally how much time we’ve spent sorting and stalking our favorite items. Better to buy and walk away… if you can!

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