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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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    Judith Ripka Sample Sale

    We know it’s a bit early but thought you might want to plan accordingly for the Judith Ripka sample sale. The sale, which runs October 8 through October 12, will include the silver and the 18k couture collections.

    The inventory, we are told, is pretty extensive. It’s so large, in fact, that you could consider this a sample sale road show. The jewelry brand just wrapped up five sale days in Southern Florida and will continue on to California for four days, after the New York. That’s a lot of jewelry!

    Prices are said to be between 50% to 70% off and will start at just $250. What’s better, is that we have a $50 coupon that can be used towards any purchase!

    Judith Ripka Sample Sale
    Friday, October 8th to Monday, October 11th
    Fri-Sun 10am to 6:00 pm, Mon 10am to 5pm
    The Carlton Hotel, 88 Madison Avenue (b/w 28th and 29th St)

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    Beauty Promotions Guide

    We’ve never been able to understand why all the surrounding department stores offer beauty incentives at the same time. And what’s the deal with those gifts with purchase. Are they ever actually usable?!

    For anyone in the beauty market, we have put together a handy promotions guide. It appears as if the best deals are at Bergdorfs but let us know if you’re able to find a better incentive.

    Barneys
    Spend over $175 and get a bag full of “goodies.” Woopie! This deal runs until Saturday, September 25th.

    Nordstrom
    From now until September 26, you can select from a series of products online and get a gift. It’s not such an attractive incentive but they do have the new YSL Opium, Belle D’Opium, which doesn’t officially launch for a week. We had a sneak preview and promise the sent is intoxicating.

    The code BEAUTY is required at checkout.

    Bergdorf Goodman
    From now until Sunday, Bergdorf Goodman is offering customers a $25 beauty gift card, which is good towards a purchase of $100 or more. In addition, customers can receive additional gift cards when spending above $500.

    Saks Fifth Avenue
    From September 30 to October 9, dozens of beauty counters at Saks will be offering gifts with purchase. In addition, Saks will be give customers a tote bag with the purchase of $100 or more.

    Simotanously, S5A is running an electronic gift card event, which ends October 1. The gift card breakdown is below.

    Spend->Get
    $250-$499-> $25
    $500-$999-> $50
    $1000-$1999-> $100
    $2000-$2999-> $300
    $3000 & up-> 450

    (Yes, there are dozens of restrictions — Chanel, Prada, Louboutin, Miu Miu etc.)

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    Bloomies Friends & Family

    It’s time to scan your most wanted list because Bloomingdales started their pre-sale for friends and family today. The sale, which will officially start on Thursday, September 30th and run until Sunday, October 4th, will offer customers the first chance to shop for discounts.

    The f&f markdown will be 20% off. These days, “friends and family” translates to all customers. So don’t be shy about asking for the f&f discount to be applied to your purchases. No, Chanel is not included, cosmetics are not included, and other certain designer exclusions may apply.

    You can always wait until the Saks friends & family sale in early October if the 20% at Bloomingdales isn’t enough to get you shopping. The Saks discount is usually 25% and includes more designers, but still, not Chanel.

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    Hermes Sample Sale Disappoints

    We hate to pat ourselves on the back, but it just feels so good to be right. Last month, we reported that the Hermes sample sale was being moved to Soiffer Haskin and predicted higher prices and a smaller assortment.

    We were right on both accounts. We had spies at both the press sale (that’s the 10:00am entry) and the VIP sale (after 2:00pm) and everyone was disappointed. The sale officially opens to the public on Wednesday.

    Before you stand on line for three or four hours, we have all the details of what you can expect. Forget about finding your dream Kelly at a discount. You would be lucky to find a Garden Party. This sample sale is usually amply stocked with these preppy canvas totes, but our spies spotted only just two. And get this, usually the sample sale price for a Garden Party is about $800, this season they are above $1,000.

    There are no home furnishings or home accessories, the assortment of shoes is quite limited and there wasn’t even a large variety of ties, which is usually our go-to product. One attendee did find some towels marked $430. They retail for $450 and are $364 on Bluefly.

    Even fragrances were priced between $15 and $35 at the last sale, but are now $50 to $75 at Soiffer Haskin. Silky Pops –the Hermes version of an eco friendly shopper– was 70% off last season, this season they are now only 50% off.

    So what will you find? A smaller assortment of scarves, for the same price as past sales ($225 from $372, in stores). There’s lots of jewelry (yawn). The best deal are the skinny enamel bracelets, which are $184 from $460. There’s lots of ready-to-wear, but most of it is at least two seasons old.

    The best part is the line to pay was non-existant, where is it usually about an hour wait. Want to know why? “There’s nothing to buy,” said one of our spies. That about sums it up. Our advice is wait until next season when Hermes will again take control of its own sale. If you want to take a gander for yourself, go in the afternoon after the second day of the sale.

    Hermes Sample Sale
    Soiffer Haskin, 317 W. 33rd St. (bet. 8th & 9th Ave.)
    Public Shopping: Wednesday, September 22nd to Sunday, September 26
    Wed, Fri and Sat 9am-6pm, Thurs, 9am-8pm, Sun. 1pm-5pm

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