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    Saks Friends and Family

    Rumor has it that the Fall Saks Friends and Family event will be from October 16th to October 19th. I’m still waiting on conformation but the last friends and family was in April and most items throughout the store were 20% to 30% off. Even cosmetics, which NEVER go on sale, were 15% off. So check your makeup bag and start making a list of what you need because this sale only comes around twice a year.

    Don’t fret too much if you miss the F&F. In past seasons the store hosts a “public” sale right after. However, lots of times the best of the good stuff is gone already. We won’t let that happen though. I’ll keep you posted and make sure you get into the friends and family pre-sale!

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    Ralph Lauren Friends and Family 30% Off

    This afternoon Ralph Lauren sent out a 30% off discount to friends and family. Turns out that someone on the RL team forgot to read the fine print. Upon trying to purchase the $17,000 purple croc Ricky Bag –I promise it was only research– the code wouldn’t work.

    Turns out the Ralph Lauren folks made a mistake with the fine print. Purple Label and collection items, including crocodile Ricky bags were not supposed to be included in the sale. When I called to point out that the code wasn’t working I was first told, too bad. Later a manager came on the phone and said that they would honor the the promo because a correction is warranted.

    To get 30% off most items on RalphLauren.com and Rugby.com use the code RFLA2008. If the code doesn’t work for the item you desire call the assistance hotline and say that you spoke to Maya and manager, Jaime. Whomever you speak to should be able to extend the discount.

    Below is the faulty fine print that can save you $5,100:

    *Friends & Family will receive a 30% discount at RalphLauren.com and Rugby.com only. Enter promotional code RLFA2008 at checkout to receive the discount. Order must be confirmed by 11:59 p.m. PT on Monday, October 6, 2008. This discount is not valid at Ralph Lauren, RRL, Rugby or Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Stores, department stores of the privately owned Ralph Lauren store in Sacramento. Previous purchases are not eligible for adjustments. Discount does not apply to previously purchased merchandise or sale items and may not be combined with any other offers. Shipping and tax are subject to an additional charge. Items that are out of stock during the event cannot be purchased with this discount. Applicable state sales tax and shipping charges will be added to each order. The offer does not include gift certificates and gift cards, fragrance, antiques / vintage product, Pink Pony or any philanthropic product and coffee table books. Because of the exclusive nature of this event, we ask that you return purchases from RalphLauren.com by mail using the postage-paid return label provided with your order rather than at Ralph Lauren stores.

    **Free Shipping offer valid on orders shipped in the continental United States and applies to standard ground shipping orders only. Gift cards and online gift certificates, taxes, and additional shipping and handling do not count toward the qualifying amount. Not valid for cash. The $195 threshold applies to merchandise only. Previous purchases are not eligible for adjustments.

    If you choose to ship standard ground and are shipping to multiple addresses, you will receive free shipping on all shipping destinations if more than $195 in merchandise is shipped to an address. If you choose 3-business-day or 2-business-day, regular charges will apply. Shipments to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Marshall Islands, Samoa and any P.O. boxes are shipped via U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail. Expedited and express delivery options are not available for these destinations. Please allow 5 to 10 business days for delivery to these destinations. RalphLauren.com is proud to offer shipping to APO addresses. The delivery time for APO shipments may vary.

    $10 Flat Rate Shipping offer valid on all orders under $195 shipped in the continental United States and applies to Standard Ground shipping orders only. Gift cards are shipped separately at an additional flat rate of $5 per gift card. Not valid for cash. Previous purchases are not eligible for adjustments. If you choose to ship Standard Ground and are shipping to multiple addresses, you will be charged $10 per address. If you choose 3-Business-Day, a $17 flat rate will be charged. If you choose 2-Business-Day, a $24 flat rate will be charged. Shipments to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, Marshal Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Samoa and any P.O. boxes are shipped via U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail and will be shipped at the $10 Flat Rate. 3-Business-Day and 2-Business-Day delivery options are not available for these destinations. Please allow 5 to 10 business days for delivery to the destinations. RalphLauren.com is proud to offer shipping to APO addresses. The delivery time for APO shipments may vary. To participate, simply add merchandise to your shopping cart and select your shipping method. The appropriate flat rate charge will be applied automatically.

    If you have any questions, please contact Customer Assistance at 888-475-7674

    RalphLauren.com is a trademark of PRL USA Holdings, Inc.

    Please address questions regarding our privacy policy to our Chief Privacy Officer, 625 Madison Avenue, Floor 8, New York, NY

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    True Love: ITO EN

    In this hectic world we live in it’s so easy to forget to take care of yourself. However, I believe that you should take as much time to consider your insides as you do your outsides. That’s why I make a concerted effort to ingest as many antioxidants as possible. Green tea is one of my favorites.

    Studies report hard evidence that green tea prevents cancer, keeps down cholesterol levels, keeps cardiovascular disease in check and helps repair impaired immune function. That’s a lot of punch for a little leaf.

    My favorite green tea is Ito En, on Madison at 69th Street. The purveyors of this little tea shop happen to be the largest green tea distributor in the world. The store has been voted NYC’s best tea emporium by Zagat’s for several years in a row. In addition to the company’s line of bottled teas, the store carries Japanese, Chinese and Indian tea leaves both traditional and exotic. Everything is packaged and handled as if it were a precious jewels.

    So give air kisses to Cono at Dolce & Gabbana and refresh with some green tea from across the street at Ito En. You can also find Ito En teas at many grocers and bodegas across the city (country & world). It’s definitely worth the $1.49.

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    Luca Luca Private Sample Sale

    You know how much I dislike sample sales, right? The real reason is because of how sample sales are defined these days. All types of sales, which include previous collections, are called sample sales. In fact, a real sample sale is when the designer sells the “samples” used for showing buyers. These sales usually take place in a showroom rather than an empty warehouse or holed out party venue (read: Metropolitan Pavilion).

    One of our favorite design houses, Luca Luca, is having a REAL sample sale and we have an invite to check out the goods two days prior to the general public. The Private sale takes place on Tues. 9/23 and Wed. 9/24. You need to RSVP to gain early admission. The email address is RSVP@LucaLuca.com or you can call 212-644-5568.

    If you are unable to get a reservation time you can always join the public Thurs. 9/25 to Sun 9/28. The sale is up to 90% off so I expect that there will be a long line to get into the showroom. Full time details for all sale days are available below.

    Luca Luca: Up to 90% off
    19 West 36th Street, 4th Floor

    Private Sale
    Tues. 9/23 and Wed. 9/24
    8:30am to 6:30pm

    Public Sale
    Thurs. 9/25 and Fri. 9/26
    8:30am to 6:30pm

    Sat 9/27 and Sund 9/28
    11am to 6pm

    Thank you for the invite– Sexy Momma from Shag Harbor!

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    Hermes Sample Sale 9/23

    I really hesitate to write about sample sales. I find them to be chaotic, expensive and a waste of time. Hermes, however, has an exception. Once (or twice) a year hosts a doozy of a sample sale. It’s orderly and the merchandise is sublime.

    I am very excited to announce that the Hermes Private Sale starts Tuesday, September 23, 2008 from 2pm to 6pm. The private sale is by invitation only but the public is invited to join in on the fun on the following day. It all goes down at the Metropolitan Pavilion (123 West 18th street, 4th floor Gallery). Big spenders bring leave your cash at home because only credit cards are accepted.

    No, don’t expect to find any Birkins or Bolides hanging around. You can, however, expect to see lots of scarves, ties and Garden Parties (canvas totes) and ready-to-wear. This past March, Racked.com offered a very helpful and insightful play-by-play of the sale. I think we can expect to see the same process and 2 hour wait.

    At the last sale the cloths were eh, the bags were eh and the shoes were in all the wrong sizes. The best finds were the ties that were marked down to $96 from $160 and scarves $213 from $355. The only things missing were the orange boxes and brown ribbons. Otherwise this is a two thumbs up sample sale– just keep your expectations in check!

    P.S. Thank you for the tip Laura!

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    Fashion Week For VIPs

    Fashion Week became a bit of a circus around the time they “tested” doing the shows at Chelsea Piers. (Remember that?) Now there are more TV crews, reality “stars” and celeb-types than ever before. And you don’t want to get me started on the Amex sky box. Call me a bit of a purist.

    In the meantime, however, there are a few off-the-radar invitations that only real fashion insiders (read: editors and stars) get to enjoy. For example, Victoria’s Secret is hosting a by-appointment-only fashion and beauty event at the nearby Bryant Park Hotel. Invited guests (again, read: top editors and celebs) are treated to neck and shoulder massages, as well as, make-up applications. This is all while previewing Viki’s new fall lingerie collection, aptly titled, Supermodel Obsessions. The best part is that guests get to take home their favorite pieces from the Supermodel Obsession collection along with wide-range of cosmetics.

    Then on the Upper West Side, super duper “nutritionist to the stars,” Oz Garcia, is not only suggesting pointers on how to stay healthy through fashion week but is also offering editors an energy boost in the form of B12 shots.

    Oz says, “B12 creates a significant energy boost for the body. Patients who take it feel like moving around more and tend to burn more calories through increased movement.” Guests were also treated to a copy of Oz’s newest book and his super-charged and Himalayan-salt-infused H2O called, Oz Water.

    Even back at the tents there is an invitation only escape from the American Express crowd. The by-appointment/invite only Mercedes Benz Star Lounge proved to be the place to go for fashion designers themselves to take a quick on-location meeting. Nicole Miller and Betsey Johnson (separately) booked time to enjoy a bit of privacy among the chaos.

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    Fashion Week: Luca Luca

    If there’s one brand that represents Upper East Side society it would be Luca Luca. You will never find a crude or unflattering idea float down the runway and their show is always packed with celebs and Park Avenue royalty. The first time I attended a Luca Luca show I was seated behind two stunning blonds who were swarmed by photographers: Paris and Niki Hilton. And that was two years prior to any sex video!

    Today’s show was not much different. In attendance where Ivana Trump, Tinsley Mortimer and Gigi Mortimer, Carol Alt, Serena Williams, a cast member from the reality show The Real New York [Desperate] Housewives, and Howard Stern’s bombshell fiancee, Beth Ostrosky. Before I continue on to the fashion I want to mention how fabulous Beth was. First, I always knew she was beautiful but she is even more stunning in person. Second, she is as sweet as can be. I don’t think she turned down a single interview or photo request and there were more than a few. It was just very unexpected.

    Now on to the fashion: Lots of white. Asymmetrical. Finely tailored. Very Luca Luca!

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    No Guilt Shopping

    I never anticipated becoming a blogger or undercover secret shopper but it somehow just started. Along the way I feel like i’ve made a few friends and am having a great time with my readers. Danny Daily is just one. Check out his site. His fashion is spot on and he just posted a Q&A with yours truly.

    Q& A with Madison Avenue Spy: Ticket to Valentino Family and Friend and More

    Thank you Danny. It’s been a pleasure!

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