X


    May 10, 2011

    TJ Maxx Runway: Prada, Pucci and Gucci!

    By ManhattanMataHari

    After dissatisfaction with the high prices and chaotic crowds at Century 21, our attention turned to discount staple TJ Maxx and their designer friendly Runway section. We surveyed Manhattan’s four TJ Maxx stores and bringing you the highlights.

    Before we start our overview and you begin to shop you should keep in mind a couple of pointers. Always go straight to the Runway and clearance sections. If you see blue tickets, those are the Runway designer pieces. Red clearance stickers are the first reductions, while yellow stickers are the final markdowns. If you find something you like at one store, chances are one of the other stores may have it as well --and in different sizes. Lastly, as with all discount shopping, check your items for damage prior to purchase. Even though they have customer-friendly return policies, there is nothing worse than the disappointment of your designer treasure being damaged when you go home.

    UES TJ Maxx: 59th Street and 1st Ave.
    The Runway section is located conveniently at the bottom of the stairs ad Emilio Pucci’s colorful designs and bold print immediately stood out. Silk dresses and skirts ranged from $399.99 to $149.99. In addition, we spotted a red Prada trench coat for $599.99, black blazers by McQueen ($169.99) and Emporio Armani ($199.99) and Bruno Cucinelli beige blazers in suede and fabric for $299.99. There was a gorgeous beige satin silk Prada dress for $499.99, and a good mix of Gucci, and Dolce & Gabbana, although the Gucci was a bit too pricey for our liking. This location happened to have a great selection of contemporary designers (think 5F) like Soft Joie, Theory, Elie Tahari, and See by Chloe, but their shoe and jewelry selections left much to be desired.



    Chelsea TJ Maxx: Avenue of the Americas & 18th St.
    This location had a stellar selection of Judith Ripka jewelry, most under $400. This downtown TJ Maxx had a similar selection as the one located on the UES but there was a larger assortment of sizes. If you are looking for summer white pants and jeans, they have a great selection of Valentino and Versace ($129.99), Dolce & Gabbana ($199.99) and Gucci ($249.99). We also found great Dolce & Gabbana corset tops for $149.99 (less than Century 21). They also had Runway items on clearance. (This spy couldn’t resist a slinky Halston Heritage dress for just $34.99). Many of the clearance designer shoes were mixed in throughout the racks. We found Giuseppe Zanotti and Gucci pumps for $199.99 and $289.99, respectively and Dolce & Gabbana and Valentino strappy sandals for $229.99 and $399.99..

    Mid-town TJ Maxx: 57th Street and 8th
    Unlike the other stores, this location has a Runway shoes on prime display. Giuseppe Zanotti formal and casual evening styles dominated the racks and various styles ranged from $199.99 to $359.99. Miu Miu, Sergio Rossi and Hogan had a number of sandal styles available from $199.99 to $399.99. With black suede and a buckle detail, there were dozens of pointed Dolce & Gabbana flats in various sizes for $199.99.

    The Runway apparel was our favorite. We found white McQueen and Ferragamo skorts that were on clearance for $39.99 and $79.99. A Love Moschino dress was on sale for $34. A beautiful floral Dolce & Gabbana dress was $399.99 while a fuchsia satin Versace was on sale for $249.99. This location had the best prices for Runway clearance, but it did take an effort to find them.



    TJ Maxx UWS: 98th Street and Columbus Avenue
    This location was most organized and pleasant shopping experience. Their Runway section is spacious and neatly organized. While they have a good variety of designers they did not have a good range of sizes. We found a very wide selection of Miu Miu, including a gorgeous violet and black chiffon dress for $499.99. Ralph Lauren Black label button up tops were $139, Fendi cotton tee shirts in black and white were $149.99 and few Chloe jeans were $179.99. All the designer shoes were in the clearance isle, but the best pricing and selection goes to the Judith Ripka and Charriol jewelry....
    May 9, 2011

    Comme des Garcons Prices Slashed

    By: TJ Kennedy

    Word has certainly gotten out about the Comme des Garcons midtown sale, and everyone from New Jersey to Queens (along with their mothers) were willing to wait in line. After over an hour waiting, we finally got into the sale and were not surprised to find that there wasn’t a whole lot of merchandise left and people were relentlessly scrambling for the remaining cool pieces.

    The good news is that many prices have been cut in half! A pair of shoes that were marked at $300 Friday is now down to $150, as are most of the remaining shoes in limited sizes. All sneakers are only $50, but shoe selections were running low (we’re talking 1 or two pairs left), especially popular styles and sizes.



    As far as clothes go, there were only one or two of each style and mostly eccentric, out-there pieces were left; tons of plaid, sequins, and prints. Although prices were more affordable than usual for these vintage pieces, they were still pretty steep. Skirts, jeans, and sweaters were around $100, while tailored jackets and blazers ranged from $200 to $500 depending on style and material.

    There wasn’t much for less than $100 besides the remaining vinyl bags and t-shirts and a few men’s collared shirts. Men’s button downs and slacks were just over $100 and selections were plentiful. If you can get your man to wait through the long lines for a day of shopping, it may be well worth revamping his wardrobe. Same goes for those who have yet to attend the sale; tomorrow is the last day and if you’ve got the time, and missed your Sunday worship, visit the church of fashion for this iconic sale celebrating a decade of Japanese design genius.

    Comme des Garçons Sale
    Monday, May 9th
    Mon 10am to 7pm
    The Croatian Church, 504 West 41st Street (@ 11th Ave)
    Cash and Credit Cards...
    May 6, 2011

    Mother’s Day Jewels of Wisdom

    In New York everyone is looking for the best; the best doctors, the best private schools and even the best hair stylist. Finding the right names usually isn’t a problem but “getting in” is a whole different story. When it comes to selling your old jewelry and diamonds the go-to woman is undoubtedly "Missy Schorr," from DivoriceYourJewels.com.

    When one socialite was ready to convert the jewels from her mother into a sizable charitable donation, she discreetly tapped Missy on the shoulder at a cocktail party. Both women didn’t say a word but understood a private meeting would be in order. When a Wall Street powerhouse was ready to liquidate an unworn 14-carat diamond that she had tucked in her safe for decades, she went directly to Missy. And when a hurt wife wanted to rid herself of the betrayal jewels from her cheating ex, she called Missy too.

    Cartier Trinity Ring: Mother's Day Special $7200

    Are you ready to start fresh? Lucky, you already have the name of who to call.
    DivorceYourJewels.com is a full service company with a personal touch. Missy, the company’s founder, meets with every client personally to review their needs.

    If you’re not in the market to sell, you can always browse the
    DivorceYourJewels.com online store. It's almost and Missy always has a revolving cast of wonderful jewels that can be purchased at a steep discount.

    DivorceYourJewels.com
    Missy Schorr
    917-846-9999


    ...
    May 6, 2011

    Comme des Garçons 70% Off

    Hey Jersey folk! Yes, we're talking you J Woww, Snooki, Teresa and Caroline...

    You know that little Church on at the mouth of the Jersey bound entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel? Well, it's about to become a huge fashion destination. From Friday, May 6th through Monday, May 9th the Croatian Church will be home to the Comme des Garcons sample sale/ shopping festival.



    All merchandise will be marked 70% off and include inventory spanning many years of overstock and samples. In addition to the continuous replenishment of merchandise, there will also be food and beverages catered by a variety of street vendors. Did we mention that there will also be entertainment?

    Sounds like a worthy destination to us and that's not even taking the fashion and discount into account. We just hope that Pauly D and The Situation stay under control. After all, this is still our side of the Hudson.

    Comme des Garçons Sale
    Friday, May 6th through Monday, May 9th
    Fri, Sat & Mon 10am to 7pm, Sun 12pm to 8pm
    The Croatian Church, 504 West 41st Street (@ 11th Ave)
    Cash and Credit Cards...
    May 6, 2011

    Untitled Post


    It still boggles our mind how a simple pair of Chanel ballet flats can cost over $600. How nice would it be to have a $500 gift card to put towards your favorite spring shoe? Well, this Friday ScoreLuxe.com is auctioning off a $500 gift card to Bloomies.

    What are you waiting for? Bid at Scoreluxe.com and send your taxi straight to 59th and Lex.

    ...
    May 5, 2011

    Crowed Pleasers: Devi Kroell and Thakoon

    It's hard to have a day when there are two wonderful simultaneous sample sales. We spent the morning sifting through the past collections of one of our favorite Madison Avenue designers, Devi Kroell and our friends at Racked NYC headed to Soho to scope out the Thakoon sale.

    Devi Kroell
    All the brand's iconic hobo bags were snatched up first thing this morning. Prices ranged from $150 for a simple and plain bag (retail $900) to $800 for a metallic exotic skin style (normally $3100). Smaller bags and clutches ranged in price from $100 to $250. At about noon, all the bags were gone but we are told the sale is expecting a shipment from their Vegas store sometime Thursday afternoon.

    Sample size shoes were $50 and $100 for boots. Most of the samples were a size 37 or 40. If you're not a sample size you may need to cough up a bit more for overstock, which were $100 for shoes and $250 for high boots. That's still an amazing deal considering that retail prices run from about $650 to $2000.

    The prices for ready-to-wear were equally as attractive. Samples were marked $50 and overstock was priced up to $250. We found the sculptured blouse from this season for $50 down from $740. We were surprised that the dramatic mink hats were entirely ignored by customers. The retail price was $990 but they were discounted to just $250. Maybe everyone is still trying to forget about old man winter.

    Devi Kroell Sample Sale
    Wednesday, May 4th and Friday, May 6th
    Wed & Thurs, 8:30am to 7:30pm, Fri. 8:30am to 5pm
    55 Fifth Avenue @ 13th Street, 17th Floor
    Cash and Credit Cards Accepted

    Thakoon
    Our friends at Racked were equally satisfied with their shopping trip at Thakoon's showroom. Most of the sample merchandise fell between the $125 to the $275 range and the majority of overstock ran from $150 for a simple black dress to $465 for a more iconic frock.



    Giuseppe Zanotti for Thakoon heels are $250 from a retail price of $990 but there are mainly size 39's. Runway samples in size 39 are just $75. Sales people say there will be no restocking and no price reductions. So attending this sale sooner will earn you a better selection.

    Thakoon Sample Sale
    Wednesday, May 4 to Friday, May 6
    8:30am to 6:30pm
    270 Lafayette Street, suite 1005
    Cash & Checks Only...
    May 4, 2011

    Manolo Sample Sale Dates Confirmed

    We are told that this season's Manolo Blahnik sample sale will take place on Thursday, May 12. Vogue editor, André Leon Talley will again preside as Prince Charming and help women choose the right shoe.



    Shoppers usually begin to arrive at the sale at 5am but the browsing and buying is limited only to press until about 11am. Shoes range in price from $100 in leather, suede or satin to $300 for lizard boots. Hey, there's a reason why people wait hours. We suggest you go early if you want have a popular shoe size or just wait for the boutique end-of-season sale, which we prefer.

    Keep your eyes posted to the site for details about the Christian Louboutin sale. These shoe masters usually schedule their sales within days of each other.

    Manolo Blahnik Sample Sale
    Thursday, May 12
    9am to 3pm
    Warwick Hotel 65 W. 54th St @ 6th Ave
    Cash only...
    May 4, 2011

    Devi Kroell Sample Sale

    While all your fashion friends are fighting there way into the Thakoon sample sale, we are going to suggest you take a detour to the Devi Kroell sale. This was one of our favorite sales of 2010 and we expect it to deliver similar results.



    Last year, we found $3000 metallic python hobos marked down to $800 and shoes that normally cost from $500 to $1200 ranged in price for just $50 to $200. Most of the shoe and boot selection fell in the $150 category. The best deals were in the ready-to-wear section where most items were discounted 90%. Whatever you do, don't miss the production rack where sample were all priced at just $50.

    There are not a lot of sales we get excited for but this is one. See ya at 8:30am!

    Devi Kroell Sample Sale
    Wednesday, May 4th and Friday, May 6th
    Wed & Thurs, 8:30am to 7:30pm, Fri. 8:30am to 5pm
    55 Fifth Avenue @ 13th Street, 17th Floor
    Cash and Credit Cards Accepted

    Thakoon Sample Sale
    Wednesday, May 4 to Friday, May 6
    8:30am to 6:30pm
    270 Lafayette Street, suite 1005
    Cash & Checks Only...