Caitlin Colford

The kids are out of school and summer has officially kicked off. We’re ready for the vacation we’ve been dreaming of and anxious to indulge in outdoor friend and family gatherings. Father’s Day starts us off this Sunday, celebrating the first man to steal our hearts: Our Daddy. While you’re celebrating Dad, why not treat yourself like the princess he made you feel like all these years by indulging in sales from Nicholas K, J.Crew, and Ippolita Jewelry.

NICHOLAS K SAMPLE SALE

Before meeting up with Dad on Sunday, make an early pit stop at the Nicholas K Sample Sale on Gansevoort Street. During the sale’s final day, discover retail merchandise for up to 60% off, as well as samples that will run you between $40-$180, from this edgy designer who lives for layering. Nicholas K’s spring collection boasts a clean look with asymmetrical jackets and earth-toned blouses, which, I’m certain, will be plentiful at the sale. Tip: Nicholas K is frequently featured on Gilt and Beyond the Rack so even if you don’t find something at the sale, check out his fabrics, sizes, and styles in order to determine if you’ll be interested in the next sale.

FATHER’S DAY IN NYC Finding something for you and Dad to do isn’t exactly easy. He doesn’t want you to fuss, in fact, he would much rather prefer to sit on the couch and veg all day. But you want to treat him to a day out on the town! Show him some fun! Unfortunately, your definition of fun (i.e. Going to a museum, Broadway Show, walking the Highline, shopping!) is gravely different from his. The ultimate solution is just ahead. This Sunday, treat your Dad to his two true loves: Beer and Baseball! Dad’s not going to want to venture into the downtown, hip neighborhoods of Manhattan, so settle on a spot within his comfort zone. A hidden gem lays within Midtown, a treasure that will cure your conflicting Father’s Day scheduling issues. Rattle ‘N’ Hum on 33rd Street and Madison Ave, is a Zagat rated Craft Beer Bar. The unassuming establishment holds the holy grail of fresh and ready to pour IPAs and Ales from independent breweries. The line-up rotates frequently, but this Sunday the massive brew list will feature popular indie hits like Troegs Nugget Nectar, Flying Dog Snake Dog IPA, and Ayinger Celebrator Dopplebock.

First pitch of the Yankees vs. Nationals game is at 1:35PM so settle in and order your Pop a Bronx Brewery Pale Ale to appropriately sip as he cheers on his favorite team. During the game he’s of course going to get hungry (it’s lunch time – hello!) so be sure to introduce him to some beer inspired fare that he’ll go mad for. Rattle ‘N’ Hum popularly serves IPA fries, made with a spiced IPA brine and finished with a hop salt. Get Dad and order of those alongside a Rattle ‘N’ Hum Burger that utilizes a bacon beer reduction, and you’ll receive the Daughter of the Century Award.

J.CREW SAMPLE SALE

Too bad this sale wasn’t earlier as it would have been the perfect one stop spot for Father’s Day (and daughter) shopping! If you’re in the market for a belated gift for Dad, the J.Crew Sample Sale’s men’s section is notably amazing. Quickly grab him some button downs then head off to douse yourself in some top-notch prep wear! The traditionally crowded J.Crew Sample Sale kicks off on Tuesday to offer shoppers up to 65% off clothing, shoes, and accessories from J.Crew, Crewcuts for kids, and a limited assortment from Madewell. Be sure to get there early!

IPPOLITA JEWELRY SAMPLE SALE

Close out your weak with a plethora of discounted bangles, earrings, necklaces, and rings at the Ippolita Sample Sale.  Artist and designer Ippolita utilizes both artistic sculpting techniques and hand made craftsmanship to produce his signature pieces.

Dad’s happy with his perfect day chock full of burgers, baseball, and beer and you’re pleased with your latest wardrobe pieces from J.Crew. All in all: A winning week for everyone. (And hopefully the Yankees too!)

By Caitlin Colford

Tattered denim shorts and ripped vintage tees adorned the hip shoppers in line, patiently waiting for first day of the Rag & Bone Sample Sale at Chelsea Market to commence. Two girls behind me were gossiping about the semi annual sale Rag & Bone notably puts on, stating that their winter sale prices were not exactly wallet friendly, but their selection of clothing, shoes, and accessories was “really, really, really good.” Yes, three really’s.

Before I say much more allow me to properly urge you to race over to Chelsea Market on your lunch break, grab yourself a lobster roll, and get to shopping because, like winter, the Rag & Bone Summer Sample Sale is really, really, really good. The bi-level sale is neatly arranged with tees and dresses up front, with a table for knit blouses and sweaters, and jeans within the men’s section down a few steps in the rear.

Now, back to the front. Once you enter hook a hard right and get to browsing the gorgeous array of Rag & Bone dresses. Mind you, these are all available in most sizes (I saw from 0-12) and there are many employees fluttering about offering to seek out unavailable sizes in their storage area. The stand-outs of the dress racks included the Lemon Yellow Chelsea Dress ($195), the Carmine Parachute Dress in Midnight Blue ($195), the Midnight Cholo Dress ($195), Bluebird Leonard Dress, and towards the back of the area I discovered the ultimate summer dress: the Ecru Bridget Dress ($195, pictured).

Two tables in the center of the room held knit tees, tanks, tee-shirt dresses and sweaters with employees furiously trying to refold every tossed around item in order to keep it all uniform and organized for incoming shoppers. Here, I discovered a luscious Pocket Knit Tank ($40 – this standard design is available in a wide selection of colors and in a tee-shirt and long sleeve cut as well) as well as a wonderfully soft Dark Grey Eugina Skirt ($125).

On your way to the denim area take a peak at the small shoe selection near the steps. Shoppers crowded the area, examining the few boots, flats, oxfords, and wedges that were on hand and shouted size requests at a busy employee. For the price, (Lux Shoes $350, Shoes $195, and Flats $125) I wouldn’t waste too much time here, but do sneak a peak at the Newport Wedge ($195) and Ivory Hamlet Ballet Flat ($125), they may be worth the price.

The denim section was buzzing. There are plenty of sizes and colors available in their standard legging-skinny jean, such as yellow, blue, textured black, and green, all for $95. Perfect for summer is the Coated White Zipper Capri ($95, pictured).

If you’re a hat lover like myself, get ready for a massive wall of fedoras and floppy hats, perfect for days on the beach or mornings where you don’t feel like spending time fixing your hair. For $65 the best of the bunch was the Serpent Dunaway Hat (pictured), the ultimate bohemian accessory.

Some random, non-dress or denim finds worth mentioning are the Raw Edge Sung Shirt in Ivory ($115, pictured), the Dakota Hoodie ($250), and the many Maxi Skirts in colors like Biscay Green ($175, pictured).

If you’ve saved up your pennies then I advise you to go crazy at the Rag & Bone Sample Sale, going on until Sunday. Make sure to try the clothing on in the designated dressing room in the back of the women’s section, as they do not accept exchanges or returns. With not a damaged, mismarked, or stained item in sight, there won’t be a quality sample sale like this one for some time to come.

WHEN: 6/14 – 6/17; Th-F (10:30-8), Sat (noon-7), Sun (noon-5).

WHERE: Chelsea Market
75 Ninth Avenue
between 15th & 16th Streets

By Caitlin Colford

We’re armed with our floral dresses and ready for beach vacations, backyard barbeques, Hamptons getaways, and picnics in the park. Now all we need are the perfect accessories to go compliment our gorgeous array of summer wear. This week with sales from Tory Burch, YSL, Stephen Dweck, Pono, nOir, and Ben Amun you are certain to find the perfect statement piece or subtle accent in order to add the ultimate finishing touch.

Tory Burch Sample Sale It is almost guaranteed that you will be able to find the perfect (and most comfortable) summer flat at the Tory Burch Sample Sale on Tuesday. Aside from her variety of popular shoes being sold for wholesale prices and below, Tory Burch will also offer her practical metallic tote bags for $195. Yves Saint Laurent Friends and Family Sale Tuesday kicks off the three-day YSL Yves Saint Laurent Friends and Family Sale with everything from clothing to handbags, and of course or pursuit of the week: jewelry and accessories! Stephen Dweck Sample Sale Stephen Dweck’s jewelry is sure to spice up any plain old maxi skirt. The Stephen Dweck Sample Sale will bring shoppers rare, semi precious stones, like red agate, as well as classic turquoise pieces for 50%-80% off. Pono Sample Sale Starting Monday, Pono, appropriately dubbed after the Hawaiian word for righteous, will sell their Italian crafted bangles, bracelets, necklaces, and chokers pieces, which are notably made with lightweight resin, for as low as $25 at the Pono Sample Sale in Midtown.

nOir Sample Sale

What other sample sale besides the nOir Jewelry Sample Sale can you purchase neon jewelry with cubic-zirconias for 50-70% off? The trendy and fabulous brand, nOir, is sure to provide you with the perfect casual pieces to funkify your average t-shirt and jean ensemble and spruce up your average sun dress.

Ben Amun Sample Sale

We all know this season’s look is all about the layered bracelets. The Ben Amun Sample Sale will be selling their bright and bold bracelets with wild designs, as well as their tribal cuffs and wooden bangles all at wholesale prices and below in order for your wallet to afford a growing stack of wrist candy.

Now that you’ve successfully made room in your closet for your new warm weather wardrobe, it is time to clear some room for your incoming jewelry and statement pieces.  The overabundance of bracelets that are needed to appropriately decorate your wrist and arm may offer a stowing challenge. After visiting the Ben Amun sale this week, I think we’re going to need a bigger boat.

By Caitlin Colford

C. Ronson, “Play” by Charlotte Ronson, I ‘Heart’ Ronson, are all of the popular lines and offshoots that rest comfortably under the insanely popular brand, Charlotte Ronson. The Charlotte Ronson Sample Sale started today within the designer’s Bryan Park studio, offering samples and Spring and early Summer designs for a sliver of the price. Her famously feminine dresses were the hit of the sale, in a pleasant sorting order despite the tight quarters of her studio’s hallway.

If you’re planning on attending one of the many outdoor music festivals this summer (Bonnarroo, Firefly, Governor’s Ball, etc) then this is the perfect sale to hit up for essential wardrobe options. Start with the box of printed scarves ($10) to tie around the strap of your purse, or in order to keep your hair off your face, and then move to the accessory table, where there is an awesome beaded turquoise bracelet with hanging gold charm ($30) and plenty of stackable handmade colorful bracelets ($30) to decorate your wrists. I also loved the gorgeous beaded chandelier earrings ($30), which would look perfect under your straw fedora.

Now, on to the clothing. A small room holds three racks of $60 and $40 odds and ends. The hallway should be your main focus, but while you’re here take a peak at the Light Blue Knee Length Skirt ($60, Orig. $255, Size 2), a lovely Gardinia Lace Top w/ Black Bowtie ($60, orig. $235, pictured) and matching Gardenia Lace Shorts ($60, orig. $195), a Snow White Linen Dress w/ Brown Braided Belt ($60, orig. $235, pictured), and for the festival goers be sure to try on the midriff showing Two Piece Estate Blue Floral Top and Skirt ($60, pictured). If you’re a fan of the insy weensy belly baring tops then the Gardenia Mini Crop Ivory Top ($40) is calling your name.

The hallway holds the prized possessions and the cutest selection of dresses. For a backyard summer barbeque, look out for the Denim and Polkadot Dress ($80, pictured), the sleeveless Blue Floral Dress w/ Lace Trim ($80, pictured), and gorgeous Collared Lace Button Down Dress ($80, pictured). In the same hall on the opposite side is the Clay Open Back Denim Dress ($60), which is to die for.

If you have some spare time there is a box of damaged clothing ($15 a piece) as well as a box of damaged shoes ($20 a pair) that is waiting to be sorted through. I didn’t have much luck finding anything worthwhile, but perhaps as the merchandise in the box depletes, hidden gems will be revealed.

I was expecting more as far as merchandise goes at the Charlotte Ronson Sample Sale, but the few racks that displayed her to-die-for dresses certainly will tide you over until her mid-summer dresses, skirts, and tops go on sale in a month or so.

WHEN: 6/6 – 6/8

WHERE: 1071 Sixth Avenue
between 40th and 41st Streets
Suite 301

By Caitlin Colford