Caitlin Colford

Happy New Year stylish readers! By now you’ve nursed your hangovers and have lunged head first into your New Year’s resolution, therefor now it’s time to embark on a new mission — the wonderfully gratifying task of redecoration. As you tear down the holiday décor, take a peak around your home and pick out the rooms or corners that could use a pick me up. Need a collection of tchotchkes for your shelves, or perhaps an area rug to make your living room pop? Well this week you’re in luck with sales from Brika, Bloomingdale’s Rug Warehouse Sale, Shoe-Inn, and Circle Showroom.

Brika Sample Sale

I’ll be honest; I didn’t know a whole lot about Brika before today, but after getting lost browsing their website, which is chock full of crafty décor and artisanal finds, I immediately fell in love. The newly launched Toronto based marketplace has a community feel in the same vein as popular sites as Etsy. Beginning Saturday, Brika will host a pop up sample sale inside Free & the Brave at the Paramount Hotel on 46^th Street, where they’ll offer 30% off handmade goodies, clothing, jewelry and home goods. If that’s not reason enough to visit, The Couveteur has collaborated on this sale to create six different closets including her, him, little ones, the foodie, the home and a zodiac themed closet.

WHEN: 1/4 – 1/5; Sat-Sun (noon-5)
WHERE: Free & the Brave at the Paramount Hotel, 235 West 46th Street
(between Seventh and Eighth Avenues)

Bloomingdale’s Rug Warehouse Sale

Hoorah! Finally, Bloomingdale’s hops on the bandwagon this year and joins in on hocking their designer rugs for a fraction of the price. The Bloomingdale’s Rug Warehouse Sale is currently underway at The Metropolitan Pavilion, but hurry down as the sale wraps up on Sunday at 7PM.  Within the sale expect to find 75% off original prices on over 8,000 rugs including classic, contemporary, Persian, and Tufenkian rugs.

WHEN: 12/26 – 1/5; M-Sat (10-7), Sun (11-7)
WHERE:Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street
(between Sixth and Seventh Avenues)

Shoe-Inn Footwear Warehouse Sale

With over 7,000 pairs of designer shoes the Shoe-Inn Warehouse Sale becomes a real shoe-inn to your shopping agenda this week. Taking place at Broadway’s Gotham Hall, the Shoe-Inn Warehouse Sale features an abundance of great designers from Sam Edelman to Michael Kors and Tory Burch to Stuart Weitzman. Still looking for your winter boot staple? Frye boots will be on hand, with no price reaching over $200.

WHEN: 1/2 – 1/7; M-F (9-7), Sat-Sun (10-5)
WHERE: Gotham Hall, 1356 Broadway at 36th & Broadway

Circle Showroom Maternity Clothing Sample Sale

For those lucky enough to be bringing in a new bundle of joy in 2014, check out the Circle Showroom Maternity Clothing Sample Sale beginning on Monday. At this cash only sale, expect to find up to 90% off maternity clothes, with a special deal offering two free items of equal or lesser value when your purchase five.

WHEN: 1/6 – 1/10; M-W (9:30-5), Th (9:30-noon and 3-5), F (9:30-3)
WHERE: 347 West 36th Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues, Suite 601

By Caitlin Colford

Image credit: ToryBurch.com

Shoppers! Only a few days to go before the world’s biggest gift giving holiday joyously greets us mid-week. You know what that means: it’s shopping crunch time! The dreadful Christmas Eve mall visit is inevitable, but try to reduce the stressful shopping visit by hitting up the amazing holiday markets New York City has to offer. The best part of all is that they are outside, meaning no hot department stores due to overcrowding. From the Columbus Circle Holiday Market to the Holiday Shops at Bryant Park, there are plenty of options dotted throughout the island. Looking for original and edgy jewelry? Pop down to the Union Square Holiday Market and check out tables from Brooklyn Charm and Milly and Earl.

If you’re looking for designer goodies for your loved ones then don’t miss the last round of sample sales this year.

Botkier Holiday Sample Sale

Here’s your chance to wow someone special in your life with a gorgeous designer handbag. Lasting through the weekend, the Botkier Holiday Sample Sale will feature the brand’s popular designs such as their Capri Satchel for $125 (orig. $495) and their Wanderlust mini for $55 (orig. $195).

WHEN: 12/19 – 12/22; Th-Sun (10-7)
WHERE: 225 Fifth Avenue, between 26th & 27th Street

Earnest Sewn Sample Sale

Perfect for the loved one that marked down a new pair of denim on their wish list, Earnest Sewn is holding a sample sale through New Years Eve within both of their locations, where they are offering all denim for under $100. Since that purchase clearly won’t break the bank, pair the denim gift with a sweater for $50 or t-shirt for $25.

WHEN: 12/19 – 12/31; M-Sat (11-7), Sun (noon-6)
WHERE: 821 Washington Street, at Gansevoort Street &
90 Orchard Street, between Delancey and Broome Streets

Bess Sample Sale

Hit up this sale for the rock stars in your life. Bess, the typically expensive SoHo boutique, is holding a sample sale with slashed prices featuring store favorites such as Studded Converse for $99 (orig. $220) and Studded Combat Boots $99 (orig. $240). If you’re lucky, there may be a ripped and stained t-shirt or two on sale as well. A required taste, sure, but those with said taste will love everything Bess has to offer – holes and all.

WHEN: 12/18 – 12/24; daily (noon-7)
WHERE: 292 Lafayette Street, between Crosby and Houston Streets

Prive Holiday Warehouse Sale

For those who received crumby gifts this year, treat yourself to a little something at Prive’s Holiday Warehouse Sale beginning at 2PM on December 26^th.  Sort through contemporary apparel and accessories at the beautiful Chelsea Market

WHEN: WHEN: 12/26 – 12/31; Th (2-7), F-Mon (11-7), Tue(11-3)
WHERE: Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Avenue, between 15th & 16th Streets

By Caitlin Colford

Image credit: Botkier.com

This wonderfully mild and sunny weather is the perfect treat for mid-August, a time when we’re usually whining about humidity and suffering from heatstroke. Enjoy the cool temperatures, and soak up your last days of summer. Begin mapping out your ultimate city escape for Labor Day — don’t wait until the last minute! Once your bed + breakfast is reserved and rental car booked, jet on over to the hottest sample sales this week from Alexander Wang, Barneys, Bird and Michael C. Fina to scoop up your wardrobe for your final vacation of summer.

Michael C. Fina Ring Sample Sale

If you like her then you should put a ring on it. Blast those wise words from the pop princess Beyoncé this week, and put the idea in your man’s head to attend the Michael C. Fina Ring Sample Sale for the ultimate gift. Engagement rings and wedding bands will be on sale for up to 70% off beginning Tuesday, August 20^th, in addition to the diamonds that will be on hand for personal customization. Last August during their annual sale, we found more than simply a fabulous selection of rings. Diamond encrusted tennis bracelets were on sale ($1,404, orig. $2,340), as were cute anchor pendants ($339, orig. $565) and more traditional pieces for up to 40% off.

Alexander Wang Sample Sale

To all the downtown fashionistas out there: Tuesday is a day of celebration, and should be considered a holiday. If there’s one day to go in late to work this week, it’s Tuesday, in order to be among the first in line for the Alexander Wang Sample Sale on Greene Street. Beginning at 9AM, and just in time for chillier weather, Alexander Wang will slash the prices of his Pre-Fall 2012, Fall 2012 and Resort 2013. We’re talking up to 70% off for apparel and accessories. Expect to find Wang’s signature leather satchels for $350 and chiffon tops for $275. Last August we found T by Alexander Wang shirt dresses for $35, $160 chunky patterned sweaters and $180 statement dresses. Sky-high boots were also on hand for as low as $170. Most racks are broken up by price, allowing you to jump right to your personal price limit in order to commence sorting. Due note that although credit cards are accepted at this sale, last year required a $200 minimum for charging.

Barneys New York Warehouse Sale

It’s back! Making a first time appearance at the Metropolitan Pavilion on Thursday, the Barneys New York Warehouse Sale re-debuts a block away from their original location, for up to 75% off designer clothes. Although the Barneys Warehouse Sales are not what they used to be, they are still worth a trip or two to dig for those diamonds in the rough. This past February during the final Barneys Warehouse Sale at their 255 W 17^th Street location, we snooped around to unveil treasures such as Proenza Schouler Wood Wedges ($629, orig. $1,580) and $250 Manolos. At this August’s sale that lasts through Labor Day, expect to be beat out by the boys. While womenswear will be available and on sale, most merchandise will consist of menswear.

Bird Annual Warehouse Sale

If you crave cute aesthetic in your ambience and a great selection of designer wear in your shopping, then make sure you include a trip to Bird’s Annual Warehouse Sale in your weekly itinerary.  Up to 70% off will be deducted from the retail prices of women’s merchandise at the Bird Sample Sale beginning Friday. Expect to find APC color denim biker jeans for $59 (orig. $250) and Demylee cashmere Rory striped boatneck sweater for $79 (orig. $270).

By Caitlin Colford

Image credit: Alexander Wang

Sales that are hawking their final batch of summer goods are everywhere we turn these days, even in the bright aisles of Duane Reade, where whiffle balls and high SPF’s are marked down to an all time low. By now we’ve accumulated heaps of tanks, sandals, and bathing suits, making us well prepared for a summertime apocalypse. This week, get it all out of your system before Fall clothing cloud our vision, by visiting sales from Scoop, In God We Trust, ABC Carpet & Home, No. 6 and Lauren Merkin.

ABC Carpet & Home Bronx Warehouse Sale

The ABC Carpet & Home Warehouse Sale is currently underway, drawing Manhattanites and Brooklyn dwellers to the Bronx for up to 70% off furniture, rugs, lighting, linens and accessories. In the past, shoppers have claimed that the relatively easy drive to the Bronx is well worth the deep discounts for top tier merchandise, including 60% off Calvin Klein and up to 75% off hand painted Turkish rugs.

Lauren Merkin Sample Sale

Wake up feeling alive and revived Tuesday, thanks to Monday evening’s gorgeous Perseid meteor shower and celestial light show and pop over to the Lauren Merkin Sample Sale on 29^th street for up to 70% off retail prices. Upon entering, be sure to rush over to the $20 bargain bins to secure some incredible deals, followed by the section featuring small leather goods for $15. After you’ve had your fill, keep your eyes peeled for the mini Marlos denim and camel clutches for $175 (orig. $325) and Vivi Coral Shimmer Croco clutch for $125 (orig. $295).

No. 6 Clothing & Accessories Clean Out Sale

Everyone seems to be personalizing their sales this week. We have everything from your average sample sale, to a warehouse sale, followed by a group sale, and now the No. 6 Clean Out Sale. Designed by Vintage collector Morgan Yakus and stylist Karin Bereson, No. 6 has been growing in popularity thanks to their famous clogs and floral clothing. Beginning at noon on Thursday, No. 6 will slash up to 70% off their clothing and accessories to bring shoppers boots for $225, clogs for $150 and collar necklaces for $375, all within their Nolita shop.

Scoop Warehouse Sale

Last season when I visited the Scoop sale, I scored a T by Alexander Wang sweater for $40 and his famous Slub Classic T-shirt for $17. With that being said, be sure not to miss Scoop’s Warehouse sale beginning Thursday in their Meatpacking District location. Clothing will be up to 85% off retail prices, and will feature designers Helmut Lang, Alive and Olivia, Rag & Bone, Current Elliot, and of course Alexander Wang, among others.

Swords-Smith + In God We Trust Massive Group Sale

In God We Trust, among one of the cutest and most original shops in town that mixes vintage styles with feminine edge, is teaming up with Swords-Smith for a Massive Group Sale in Williamsburg. Beginning Friday and lasting through the weekend, the Swords-Smith and In God We Trust Sale will feature clothing from over 80 designers, including Lauren Moffatt, Samantha Pleet, Chromat, Creatures of Comfort, M. Carter, and Nomia.  Expect to find clearance items, pieces from past collections and true samples, in addition to designer experiments.

By Caitlin Colford

Image credit: Lauren Merkin