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    Milly Sale

    The Madison Avenue Milly boutique has reduced select items from their fall and winter collection. The markdown ranges from 30% to 50% off, depending on the item. While browsing, I found a peacoat with fur trim for $696 from $995, a delicate pink merino cardigan is $206 from $295 and an enamel cuff is $110 from $225.

    I must admit though, our trip to Milly was not strictly to spy on sale prices. In fact, I was invited with other bloggers to style my very own holiday Milly look. In keeping true to the Madison Avenue tradition I started with a great purple coat. (Sometimes your coat is all others see of your outfit throughout the winter season.) After, I added a huge jeweled necklace, a great sparkly patterned dress and heels.

    Kat, who works on the Milly sales floor, is wearing a very festive sequined skirt with a classic silk print top. Her jewels include a simple long necklace and a big bold cuff. (Truth, I have a cuff addiction.) Doesn’t’ she look cute?

    So now, I need a bit of your help. This styling thing is a contest and the blogger with the most “Likes” wins a prize. Truth, I’m not worried about the prize but I am fiercely competitive. Now I’m asking readers to go to Facebook and “Like” my styling job. I promise that I will keep my day-job of finding great sales but who doesn’t want to win… even if it is a kitschy contest.

    Kat 212-395-9100

    Bottega Veneta Private Sale

    Sometimes we just don’t understand how certain brands handle markdowns. For example, most of the Gucci sales people would still deny there is a sale. Over at Tom Ford, the associates say there is never a sale. The icon of logo-less luxury, Bottaga Veneta doesn’t host sales either…

    Lets try that again. Bottaga Veneta doesn’t host sales on bags except for two hours twice a year. That’s right. On Thursday, December 1, Bottaga will be offering their fall and winter collection to customers at discount prices between the hours of 5pm and 7pm.

    Okay, the classic bags, like the Cabat, will not be included in that markdown but that doesn’t mean that the sale doesn’t exist. We expect that bags like the $4850 Nero Patchwork Intrecciato Nappa Lido Bag will be eligible. In addition, there will be shoes and clothing for both men and woman from the fall and winter collections.

    In past seasons, the markdown has been 50% off but we haven’t been told the discount for this sale. If you’re wary about crashing the private sale, we suggest keeping an eye on the Bottega website, as the brand often puts their online store items on sale a few weeks later.

    Angeline 212-371-5511

    Miracle on Madison

    Despite the (often) cool weather, this happens to be our favorite time of year in Manhattan. There is a buzz and energy that rivals any other place — and it’s not just because of the sales. As matter of fact, Miracle on Madison is a prime example of the wonderful activities that make this season shine even brighter.

    Miracle on Madison Avenue is a 25-year-old philanthropic holiday shopping tradition. Over 80 luxury and jewelry retailers on Madison Avenue participate by donating 20% of sales that day to the Children’s Aid Society. (Click here to see a full list of participating retailers.)

    The year, the celebration will take place on Sunday, December 4. A variety of activities are scheduled in stores and businesses located on Madison between 57th and 86th streets. We suggest, heading to 63rd and Madison between 12pm and 3:30 to enjoy a full lineup of holiday entertainment, including the Labor of Love Ensemble Gospel Choir.

    The event is presented by the Children’s Aid Society and the Madison Avenue Business Improvement District. This year, being the 25th anniversary of the event, the Silver Institute: Silver Promotion Service and American Express are co-sponsoring the festivities.

    Shopping, entertainment and a good cause? Now, that’s a holiday cocktail worth caroling about.

    Half-Off Chanels & Louboutins

    If you’re waiting for the official markdown on Chanel and Louboutin shoes you might need to wait a few more weeks. That is unless, you take a trip town to Gabay’s Outlet…

    The discounter has received a large shipment of designer shoes, which includes Chanel classics, Louboutin fantastics, Valentino lovelies and pretty Pradas. The discount on most pairs are more than 50% off. You can see a full gallery of pictures by clicking here. There’s one just one catch. There is only one size of each style.







    In addition to a fantastic shoe assortment, we found a wonderful selection of kid’s Diesel clothing that should not be missed. Boy moms/aunts/ grandmothers will not want to miss the Brums down jackets starting at just $69!

    Whether you prefer a sparkly Jimmy Choo or a natural nude Louboutin Gabay’s is the perfect spot to get your holiday shopping started on the right foot.




    Gabay’s Outlet
    225 First Avenue (between 13th and 14th)
    212-254-3180
    contactus@gabaysoutlet.com

    Sponsored Post

    Prada Sale to Begin

    Prada eliminated their presale policy a few seasons ago but that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to get top pick ahead of sale season. We’ve been told that the official sale will begin December 1 but… but… you can let a sales person know if there’s something you really want.

    The markdown sheets had not been released at the time we received our top-secret information but rumors we suspect that the discount on shoes and clothing will be 40%. We feel confident betting that bi-color Mary-Jane boots will be included in the markdown along with more traditional boots and booties.

    We believe that the braded style bags will be part of the discount merchandise but don’t count on much else. As a matter of fact, we were told the prices were increased on most of the classic Prada handbag selection. For example, the Saffiano Lux tote was $1560 but is now $1630. That’s $130 difference or about 10%, which would have normally covered the tax.

    Just one more reason to make friends with those who live in Jersey…

    Contact Betty: 212-327-4200

    Slim Pickings at Filene’s Basement

    By ManhattanMataHari

    Following the news of Filene’s Basement going out of business, we anticipated some serious liquidation prices on the designer merchandise. As is the case with many going out of business sales, we found the Filene’s merchandise to be sparse and even more expensive than a normal markdown.

    The European “Vault” merchandise was an additional 20% off, but there was hardly anything to choose from. At Union square we saw a couple racks of Missoni (mostly horrible corduroy pants), and a few racks of Valentino ready-to-wear separates and dresses. Most of the items were still in the $400 to $500 range so the 20% discount wasn’t all that helpful. (If you look at our past stories, you will see a range of better merchandise that is expensive.)

    The most organized and well-stocked section was designer accessories, which can be found in glass cases. A Gucci monogram tote with their signature red and green stripe detailing was still $1389, although the pricing for the belts were much better. Celine and Prada belts were around $200, and there were lots of different styles of Dolce & Gabbana belts for $89. Ferragamo and Pucci scarf fans will fare best, with many silk scarves available between $59 and $119. These accessories were also an additional 20% off.

    A trip uptown, to the store’s Broadway location, fared no better. There were hardly any designer duds left over except for an unattractive Missoni jacket that was still $600. If you are willing to sift through the racks we would suggest trying the Union Square location. The store’s last email blast announced an additional markdown but we would suggest saving your cab fare and allocation the funds towards some more meaningful shopping.

    Huge Cartier Sale

    Just in time for the holiday season, Divorce Your Jewels has acquired a huge lot of preowned Cartier jewelry. The bounty consists of necklaces, bracelets and rings filled with diamonds, gold and gems.



    You might want to consider the Cartier Trinity Rolling ring if you’re looking to score a gift that is more sentimental than ostentatious. This “large model” ring usually retails for $2300 but this secondhand piece can be yours from Divorce Your Jewels for only $1650. The ring comes with its original box and papers. It has also been polished to its fresh-from-the-boutique condition.


    If you’re looking for something with a little more dazzle you can check out the Divorce Your Jewels online store. There you will find a knock-out all diamond Cartier necklace, a pave Cartier diamond ring and, of course, plenty of Cartier watches.


    Then again, if you’re in the market to divorce your jewels you know the right person to call…

    DivorceYourJewels.com
    Missy Schorr
    917-846-9999

    Sposnored Post

    Our Top 10 Black Friday Shopping Picks

    Our turkey is almost ready for the oven, which means that the
    biggest shopping season of the year is about to begin. Before you start your post-Thanksgiving
    shopping, it’s important to have a plan because nobody wants to be trampled from
    a doorbuster that’s not a winning score. 
    So here are our top post-Thanksgiving shopping picks.
    If you have a thing for high-end shoes, then Barney’s is the
    destination for you. The store carries an extensive selection of high-end names
    and the most must-have styles. Most department stores usually start their shoe
    markdowns at 30% off but Barney’s usually cuts their prices by 40%.  
    In honor of cyber Monday, EVERYTHING on the site will be discounted an additional 10% to 20% off. This includes items that have already been marked down 75%. You do the math on this one! Hello Givenchy stingray bag!

    Yes, we all love luxury boutiques but a girl also needs her
    basics. We are longstanding fans of the Gap’s jeans and tees. If you haven’t
    checked out their winter warm leggings, then you really should. For their doorbuster,
    Gap is offering 50% off everything in the store until 10am Friday. Online
    shoppers can save 40% during the Thanksgiving weekend and through cyber Monday.
    If you have a taste for fine luxury Italian tailoring, this
    is the place to go. We suggest bypassing the handbag collection and going
    straight to the ready-to-wear department. Starting December 2, the markdown on
    clothing will go to 50% off. You can use our private sale link. 
    It would be impossible to talk about Madison Avenue stores and not include Milly. The uptown flagship will be offering customers 20% off everything in the store, including sale merchandise. That brings the total saving of some items up to 50% off. Online shoppers can rejoice from free shipping.

    Quick. Go to Facebook and “Like” Net-a-Porter. Afterwards you will be given a link to their secret sale. When you’re done selecting all your purchases, enter the word FACEBOOK and your items will be discounted 50%. Now that’s a hard secret to keep.

    If you are looking for some one-stop-shopping, you might
    consider tapping your fingers over to Piperlime. From Black Friday through
    Cyber Monday, the online retailer will be offering customers 20% off everything on the site. If you’re not sure where to look first, we suggest
    browsing the stylist’s picks. Rachel Zoe is always a good launching point.
    An extra 50% off all reduced items always draws a big crowed to Saks. Just be mindful that the extra 50% is only on items with a “hard markdown,” meaning the sticker price has been changed. Items that are currently 40% off, for example, will not be included in the promotion. This doorbuster is only available until noon on Friday but  shoppers can save up to 70% off at the swanky department store. I
    suggest sorting through the contemporary designers and waiting for further
    markdowns on the higher end brands, which will come later in the season.
    Who isn’t into a little Thanksgiving adventure after eating all that Turkey? The crowds could be a little maddening but Racked has a super survival guide to lead you through the experience. We love the note about getting there between the 3am and 5am lull. Now that’s what we call commitment to retail, or should we say commitment to discounts?
    Zara is always a great destination when you love the styling of top designers but don’t want to make the cash commitment. Starting Friday, the international fashion chain icon will be offering customers a 50% savings on select items. In addition, the West 34th Street location will be serving up coffee.  Well now, isn’t that nice?