Don’t miss this week

Two weeks off from sample sale shopping allowed us to pack up our holiday decorations, work off those extra pounds, and replenish our rainy day fund, AKA our shopping allowance. Now that we are well into January, stores and brands are trying to force their winter wear on us, in order to make room for their bright and cheery spring lines. Ah, spring clothing and warm weather, doesn’t that sound heavenly? So this week, let’s assist stores and brands such as Journelle, Mikimoto, Calvin Klein, Theory & Helmut Lang, and Zutto Yellow, in cleaning house. It will provide us with a silver lining and help us to see clearly into our warm weather future.

SAMPLE SALE ALERT: YELLOW

Calvin Klein Clothing & Accessories Sample Sale

Start your shopping week early on Sunday with Calvin Klein. Beginning at 9AM Soiffer Haskin will host the Calvin Klein Sample Sale, which will offer up to 75% off retail prices. The sale, which has in the past been occupied mainly by men’s suiting, will also offer women’s clothing, accessories and handbags.

Theory & Helmut Lang Sample Sale

I’m sorry, but isn’t there a Helmut Lang Sample Sale going on as we speak? Why, yes, yes there is. Until Sunday, Helmut Lang is holding their bi-annual Sample Sale within their usual sale home, 93 Mercer Street. If you plan on visiting the sale this weekend, be sure to “retweet” Helmut Lang’s tweet found here to receive an additional 10% off. For fans of the brand who can’t make the tail end of the sale this weekend, Clothingline will be hosting a Theory & Helmut Lang Sample Sale beginning Monday. Although the sale may simply feature left overs and scraps from sales in the past, there is hope that prices will be more reasonable than what we found at the Theory & Helmut Lang Sample Sale this past summer.

Journelle Designer Lingerie Warehouse Sale

Va-va-voom!  Tuesday brings us Journelle’s Designer Lingerie Warehouse Sale within the spacious 260 5^th Avenue showroom. Featured designers such as Stella McCartney, Lascivious, La Perla, and Elle Macpherson will bring us 50-70% off high-fashion lingerie we won’t mind showing off. Hopefully 260 will allow dressing rooms at this sale otherwise it may be advised to bring an eye shield along.

Zutto Yellow Showroom Jewelry & Accessories Sample Sale

Zutto Yellow’s funky and bohemian collection of jewelry, accessories, and home goodies will be on sale in their West Village showroom. The Zutto Yellow Sample Sale boasts sale items from indie designers such as Necks Tuesday and Prariefunk, assuring from their names alone that this will be the hottest place to pick up some original pieces for you and your home in one shot. Like them on Facebook and receive an additional 5% off.

Mikimoto Jewelry Sample Sale

Close out the week with 50-70% off Mikimoto jewelry at their Sample Sale on 680 Fifth Avenue, between 53^rd and 54^th Streets. Mikimoto offers fine quality cultured pearl jewelry, from classic strands to pearls in motion. Various pearls are featured within Mikimoto’s pieces, such as conch, baroque and akoya.

A calm week in sample sale shopping will help you to get your sea legs, after having been out of the game for what feels like forever. Picking up a piece or two during this week’s roster sample sales will provide you with your shopping dosage, and keep your pockets full and purses heavy in preparation for the continued inundation of stock up sales ahead.

By Caitlin Colford

We’re in the home stretch of Holiday madness. 2013 is knocking on our door and some will welcome the New Year with open arms, while others will shoo it away. Regardless of your feelings on the 13^th year of the millennium, be sure to start to new year fresh: Allow positive thoughts to wash over you like a salted ocean on a warm day and think up the ultimate resolution to achieve in 2013. It’s a new year, a new start, so do away with regrets and fears and make this one count.

Get What You Really Wanted

According to the National Retail Federation, an estimated $62.7 billion dollars worth of unwanted gifts will be returned this year. To avoid battling the crowds and waiting in that long, pesky return line, only to discover you failed to achieve the store’s return policy, be sure to do your research first.

Many stores will issue you a store credit so as long as your merchandise is unused and the tags are in tact, but some outlets are upping their policies this year due to a spike in return fraud, which will cost retailers $2.9 billion this season. The National Retail Federation reports that criminals will return stolen merchandise with fraudulent tags and receipts, making it difficult for employees to be generous with their understanding of receipt-less-returns.

Phoning your relatives and friends to request a receipt for their generous gift doesn’t sound fun or ideal, but at the end of the day they’d rather see you using something their money purchased for your rather than knowing that far-too-big sweater is sitting in the back of your closet. To smooth things over, after your exchange is complete, be sure to send your loved ones a picture message of the goodies their returned gift landed you.

New Year’s Day Sales

Many of us are suffering from shopping exhaustion and over indulgence, but those of us who are still hanging on and ready for more, Tuesday is your time to shine. As the partied-out nurse their champagne hangover on New Year’s Day, be the first in line for up to 70% off sales from department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Barney’s, who boast notoriously good New Year’s Day deals.

For those discount-seeking shoppers who can’t quite bare the light of day on New Year’s, there are plenty of online sales set to take place. Check Macys.com for price slashing coupon codes, as well as the sale section on Bloomingdales.com and Nordstrom.com, for additional markdowns.

Sample Sale Code: Light Yellow

There are no important sample sales to report during this holiday week, but if you are looking to get your fashion fix then get your discount shoe shopping on come Tuesday.

Located at 537 3^rd Avenue, Shoebox will play host to a Designer Warehouse Sale through January 7^th with footwear from Frye, Kate Spade, KORS, and many more for up to 80% off, in addition to handbag collections from Rebecca Minkoff, Kooba, and Botkier, among others.

A similar sale of sorts is going on nearby in Gotham Hall at 1356 Broadway. Starting Wednesday at 9AM, the Shoe-Inn Footwear Warehouse Sale will unleash a price set sale, with boots from Ralph Lauren, Elizabeth and James, Sam Edelman, Frye, and more marked at either $50, $75, $100 and $150 and designer shoes from Diane von Furstenberg, Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch, marked at $25, $50 or $75.

With so many parties and far too much shopping taking place early on in the week, you’re going to have to make next Saturday and Sunday the ultimate recovery weekend. Did someone say spa day? Happy New Year shopping lovers!

By Caitlin Colford

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, tis the season to be jolly, and shop this week to don your new apparel come the big day, during the last official shopping week before Christmas! For those procrastinating New Yorkers out there, this is your time to show those credit cards whose boss and get on out there to shop, shop, shop, because you can’t expect the elves to do all the work, can you?

Your “savings” grace comes in the form of sample sales this week from Alice + Olivia, Bitta, Hugo Boss, Kimberly Ovitz, et al., and Rena Lange.

Sample Sale Alert: Yellow

After a crazy month jam packed with sample sales, Rena Lange starts off the last official week of hectic holiday shopping with their annual sample sale in the Meatpacking District. Start your week off early on Sunday and be among the first bunch of shoppers to browse Lange’s signature apparel from both her Fall and Winter 2012 seasons. True samples will be on hand at this sale as well!

Tuesday brings the crowd pleasing Alice + Olivia Sample Sale at 260 Fifth Avenue. Alice + Olivia is noted for their pixie-like designs and black and white boldness, with a pop of color. Get the ultimate Christmas Day dress here for as low as $199 beginning at 9AM. With jackets starting at $149, this may be the perfect stop for some last minute gift options as well.

Post-dress shopping at Alice + Olivia, jet across town to the Huge Boss Sample Sale at Soiffer Haskin for some casual pick me ups. Still haven’t found a special something for the man in your life? Don’t fret! At the Hugo Boss Sample Sale 70% off will be slashed from the original retail price of tailored clothing, sportswear, and accessories. It’s a Christmas miracle!

Considering Silver and Gold are the official colors of the holiday season, why not mark yourself with these dazzling hues by purchasing yourself a bold new piece of jewelry at the Bitta Design Group Sample Sale? From delicate gold and diamonds to trendy statement pieces for up to 80% off, this sale has all you’re are seeking in one place. If you fret the taste of your significant other, why not pick a gift out here for yourself? Take a snap with your cell phone and it along with a wink. It’s a win/win!

Last up on the shopping list is a visit to the Kimberly Ovitz, Sachin +Babi & Nili Lotan Sample Sale on Fifth Avenue. Pick up some designer treats for the babes in toyland of your life. For up to 80% off, look to score some fabulous sweater dresses, funky vests, and last minute casual delights during your final sample sale trip before Christmas. Ah!

Reward yourself and drink some spiked eggnog by the fire as you sip and savor the moment when all your shopping is complete. The mounds of packages await, just don’t have too many egg nogs before you start wrapping!

By Caitlin Colford

The month chock full of holiday cheer and tireless shopping is in full swing, with a ticking clock growing louder and louder while it counts down to the ultimate gift giving day we are all looking forward to. This week, with sales from Charlotte Ronson, DVF, Frette Fine Italian Linens, Haute Hippie, Alain Mikli and Tory Burch, you’ll have ample opportunity to find the perfect gifts for your fashionable friends and family members, as well as take a special time out to browse for yourself. It may be the time of year to think about purchasing thoughtful gifts for others, but that’s no reason to pass up a good bargain for you!

This Week’s Sample Sale Alert: ORANGE

Start off the week right with the Haute Hippie Sample Sale on Monday. Their luxurious bohemian clothing would make the perfect gift for the free spirits in your life. April’s Haute Hippie Sample Sale was a hit, which provides great potential for this winter sample sale with up to 75% off.

Rest up Monday evening, because there is a lot of shopping to be done come Tuesday! Begin your day right at the strike of 9AM and be first in line for the DVF Diane von Furstenberg Sample Sale at 260 Fifth Avenue. This four-day sale will provide up to 70% off DVF ready-to-wear, bags, and accessories with actual samples on hand.

Next up on Tuesday, tote your beautiful new DVF wrap dress uptown and arrive right on time for the 11AM opening of the Tory Burch Sample Sale on West 36^th. Be sure to get your sister’s and girlfriends’ sizes in advance, and load up on buttery soft flats from among the most comfortable brand on the block.

End your day in SoHo with the last official Alain Mikli Sample Sale. Consider purchasing a pair of Alain Mikli’s bold frames in order to bespeckle the sophisticated men and fashionable women in your life with high end eyewear.

After a hectic month of shopping, you’re going to need a nice cozy bed to rest in. Transform your bedroom into a luxurious living space with fine Italian linens from the Frette Sample Sale, opening Wednesday. With bed, bath, and table linens also available, this sale could be the perfect stop for special gifts for your loved ones.

Uptown on Wednesday, the Charlotte Ronson Sample Sale kicks off, with up to 70% off her popular clothing from Ronson’s fall collection. From tweed jackets with leather trim, to floral print flocks, this is the ultimate sale for the downtown style maven in your life.

With next week being shopping crunch time, this week may be the last chance for sane shopping without the added stress, pressure, and crowds. To reward yourself for shopping ahead of time, saving with great bargains, and purchasing thoughtful presents, be sure to gift yourself something special from your favorite sale.

By Caitlin Colford