Merkin Me Happy

There are some sample sales that you go to where you wait for hours, bump into everyone like its a game of bumper cars and you leave empty handed. So why would you want to go to the Lauren Merkin sale starting next Tuesday. Well because its Lauren Merkin. You have been coveting her bags for years and have tried to save up for one of those Louise Clutches.  So starting Tuesday head down to the Lauren Merkin showroom which is at 231 W 29th Street where  bags, clutches and accessories are 70% off.  Doors open at 11 AM and the sale runs through Saturday the 14th.  You will not be able to find one of her bags for $90 anywhere else.  Known for her clutches, Merkin constantly produces some of the sleekest hand bags that go from day to night, jeans to black tie.    Like any sample sale come during the begining of the week and go with a game plan.  If you don't know exactly what you want chances are you will come out with 3 bags you don't even love.  If you are no where near the city, check Gilt, Haute Look, or one of the 30 other sample sale sites out there, because I am sure that Lauren Merkin bags will be featured very soon.

Billion Dollar Babes Have Got It Going On

You know I love a sample sale. Billion Dollar Babes has some great sales coming up this week. Check them out:

Starting Monday 1/25– Blake Standard, Baby Star, PAIGELAUREN baby
Starting Wednesday 1/27– Kalorik, Porridge Home, Orly Beauty, Pangea OrganicsFriday 1/29 – Starting Saturday 1/30 – Cocobelle, Kasil, Women’s Designer Fragrances

Not a member? Click the link on the right hand of the page and beging your free membership.

Real Live Samples

With all the online samples sales, you miss the madness. Waiting in line for hours, clawing for the it bag, stuffing your body in a blouse 3 sizes to small. Well then sign up for Clothingline email updates. Located in the heart of New York City's garment district, Clothingline holds and hosts sample sales from today's hottest designers from Tory Burch to Theory. Running sample sales 40 out of 52 weeks a year, you should plan your schedule around what designers they are currently featuring. Currently J. Crew is flying off the shelves. Like any sample sale, prices are slashed; you are not going to find these on sale racks in the stores. Most styles are current, but past seasons have been sold before. So if you missed out on those jeans from seasons past, they may just pop up at Clothingline. Head to the site, and join their mailing list, tell your friends. You are going to need a buddy when you line up at 6 AM to score cashmere at t-shirt prices

Bag It

So your wallet fell out of that gaping hole in your purse this morning. Hello, time to invest in a bag that will put up and stay up with everything you schlep around. If you are in the NYC area this weekend you should check out Sample Sale Productions handbag event. Starting this Thursday check out a HUGE selection of new and mint vintage purses from Chanel, Prada, Fendi, Dior, Marc Jacobs, Hermes, and so many other designers. You can save up to 70% while rocking the latest tote. There will also be a selection of sunglasses, jewelery, accessories, and ready to wear. This event is only 3 days long. Here are the hours and location to grab a hot bag before the fashionista down the block does it.

Thursday April 30 10 - 7

Friday May 01 10 - 7

Saturday May 02 10 - 5

Address: FLATOTEL HOTEL - 5th floor 135 West 52nd Street (between 6th & 7th Avenue)
917 - 453 - 6687

More Sample Sales to Fawn Over...NYC

Thanks to Daily Candy:

What: Aloha Rag

Why: Celebrate Hawaiians in the White House with 40 percent off Balenciaga, Chloé, Linda Farrow, and Tom Ford.

When: Nov. 18. Tues., noon-9 p.m.

Where: 505 Greenwich St., at Spring St. (212-925-0882).

What: Bindya New York

Why: Scarves, handbags, and tunics are 65 percent off. Free gift with every $50 spent.

When: Nov. 19-21. Wed.-Fri., 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Where: 49 W. 38th St., b/t Fifth & Sixth Ave., 9th flr. (212-730-8852).

What: Cardigan by Lynne Hiriak

Why: French stripe sweaters are $88. Other layers start at 50 percent off retail.

When: Nov. 20 & 21. Thurs. & Fri., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Where: 594 Broadway, b/t Houston & Prince Sts., ste. 305 (212-431-8900).

What: Filippa K

Why: Modern Swedish coats for men and women at $250 or $300.

When: Nov. 19 & 20. Wed. & Thurs., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Where: 33 W. 26th St., b/t Broadway & Sixth Ave., 5th flr. Cash only.

What: Frette

Why: Italian linens good enough for The Ritz are 70 percent off.

When: Nov. 17-20. Mon.-Thurs., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Where: 4 W. 58th St., b/t Fifth & Sixth Aves., 4th flr.

What: Gucci Group Watches

Why: Comb out that Gucci mane and save 90 percent. Save 70 percent on Bedat & Co. bling.

When: Nov. 20 & 21. Thurs. & Fri., 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Where: 125 W. 18th St., b/t Sixth & Seventh Aves.

What: Heikejarick

Why: Voluminous and tailored coats in cashmere and alpaca. Diffusion line is 30 percent off wholesale

When: Nov. 19-26. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Where: 262 W. 38th St., b/t Seventh & Eighth Aves., 5th flr. (212-764-0878).

What: John Robshaw Textiles

Why: Sheets, duvets, curtain panels, kaftans, and decorative pillows marked down at least 60 percent.

When: Nov. 20-22. Thurs., 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (cocktails, 6-8 p.m.); Fri., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where: 245 W. 29th St., b/t Seventh & Eighth Ave., 11th flr. (212-594-6006).

What: La Perla

Why: Naughty bras were $268, now $67. Satin slips were $346, now $85. Men’s tees were $65, now $16.

When: Nov. 24-28. Mon.-Wed., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thanksgiving Thurs., 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Fri., 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Where: 260 Fifth Ave., b/t 28th & 29th Sts. (212-725-5400).

What: Noir

Why: Giant cocktail rings are $20-$60; bracelets and bangles are $5-$45.

When: Nov. 19-21. Wed.-Fri., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Where: 350 W. 38th St., b/t Eighth & Ninth Aves. (212-244-4846).

What: Obedient Sons & Daughters

Why: Get into woodsy mode for autumn/winter duds at sample sale prices.

When: Nov. 22 & 23. Sat. & Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Where: 237 Lafayette St., b/t Prince & Spring Sts.

What: Rebecca Minkoff and Nicholas K

Why: Get your hands on Morning After bags and other cult favorites. Dresses, tops, pants, and accessories are 50 percent off.

When: Nov. 20-23. Thurs. & Fri., 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Where: 33 W. 17th St., b/t Fifth & Sixth Aves.

What: Rogan and Loomstate

Why: Past-season overstock, rare samples, and one-offs are up to 75 percent off.

When: Nov. 29-Dec. 7. Mon.-Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Where: 91 Franklin St., b/t Broadway & Church St., behind the Rogan shop (646-827-7554).

What: Sari Gueron

Why: Ridiculously priced cocktail attire ($2,950) now somewhat less obscene ($590).

When: Nov. 19 & 20. Wed. & Thurs., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Where: 133 W. 25th St., b/t Sixth & Seventh Aves., 4th flr. west.

What: Steven Alan

Why: Eponymous label at up to 75 percent off. Some Odd Rubies, The Generic Man, Demy Lee, and more for cheap.

When: Nov. 20-23. Thurs. & Fri., 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat., noon-7 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m.

Where: 87 Franklin St., b/t Church & Broadway (212-219-3305).

What: Té Casan

Why: Fancy flats for $75, pumps for $95, booties for $125, and boots for $175. When: Nov. 18-22. Tues.-Fri., 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Where: 260 Fifth Ave., at 28th St.

What: Three as Four

Why: Denim from the past three seasons ranges $4.44-$44.44. Very special archival pieces range $77-$666. Really

When: Nov. 20-24. Thurs.-Mon., noon-8 p.m.

Where: 77 Delancey St., at Allen St.

What: Tocca

Why: Take at least 45 percent off candles, fragrances, and other treats from the Italian beauty brand.

When: Nov. 19-21. Wed.-Fri., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Where: 542 W. 22nd St., b/t Tenth & Eleventh Aves.

What: Yigal Azrouël

Why: Merch from past and current seasons is 60-80 percent off.

When: Nov. 19-21. Wed. & Thurs., 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: 225 W. 39th St., b/t Seventh & Eighth Aves., 7th flr. (212-302-1194).

Sample This

Sample sales were once reserved for the urbanites who could take a day off work to rummage through racks of clothes to find the one coveted item in their size. Thanks to the internet you no longer have to move into NYC or out to LA to be close enough to the great designer sample sales. There are 2 great websites that bring fabulous sample sales into your homes. Both sites Gilt Groupe and Haute Look have sample sales occurring at all times. Onsite are brands and designers you can find in luxury boutiques and high end department stores. The selection and quality are not to be beat. You now have the luxury to shop in the privacy of your own home for the one dress you have been dying for but cannot bare to spend $500 on. There is no sorting through racks and racks of tiny tops to find the one shirt that is your size. Everything is neatly organized on a grid to find exactly what you are looking for in your size. On both sites you can narrow down the clothes by size to see if they actually have those wide leg trousers in your size.
Currently Gilt Group is holding 5 sample sales from women’s clothes to accessories for your baby’s nursery. Choose from items by Costello Tagliapietra, Twelfth Street By Cynthia Vincent, DweelStudio, Diesel Men’s, and M Missoni. Haute Look has 3 sales currently running: Alex and Ani, Sass & Bide and Minnie Rose. Don’t like what is on the menu today? Both sites will tell you what sales are coming up in the next few days. Oh and I forgot to mention, prices are ridiculously reduced, well over 50%. That’s reason enough to shop. Go ahead, make your friends think you indulged at Bloomingdales.