Don’t miss this week

You have a little less than a week to find Mom the perfect gift. This is her day to shine and your day to show her how much she means to you by showering her with love, treating her to a yummy meal and spoiling her with the perfect gift. The best gift comes from the heart, sure, but it’s also nice to get Mom something she wouldn’t otherwise purchase for herself. Lucky for you, she doesn’t have to know how little you paid for those lavish designer goods!

Furla Sample Sale

Are you ready for this dreamy discount? Prices start at $19 at the Furla Sample Sale! You better be sure to get there soon because deals started on Sunday and only last until Wednesday. The best part is if you buy 3 or more items you get an additional 20% discount! That will land you a full accessory ensemble for Mom for a fraction of the price!

Sferra Fine Linen Sample Sale

At the Sferra Fine Linen Sample Sale you’ll find down comforters, pillows, blankets, sheets, duvet covers and the whole nine for up to 70% off. Why not surprise Mom by making over her out dated bedroom set? She’ll go nuts for Sferra’s floral patterns, bright colors and heavenly sheets.

Nanette Lepore Clothing New York Sample Sale

Take some time out for you and treat yourself to a divine collection of warm weather clothing at the Nanette Lepore Spring Sample Sale. Don’t let the title fool you, aside from those must have lightweight cardigans, you’re also sure to find a swimsuit or two plus gorgeous summer dresses.

Lafayette 148 New York Warehouse Sale

Load up on sophisticated designer wear at the Lafayette 148 Warehouse Sale. Chic printed and pleated dresses starting at $65 are just the start of what you’ll find at Lafayette 148 sale starting Thursday. With sections for all sizes (petites, plus and women’s) you’ll be able to get yourself and Mom something in one place!

Paz Collective Sterling Silver Jewelry Sample Sale

Oh no! You still can’t find the perfect gift for Mom? Well, we know one thing: No woman in her right mind ever turns down jewelry. Make a pit stop at the Paz Collective Sterling Silver Sample Sale before heading to the ‘rents place and pick her out something beautiful from Paz’s various collections.

Doesn’t it feel nice to know you have something special for the woman who brought you into this world and put up with you for all these years? She’ll appreciate the lavish gift and assume you spent a pretty penny on her. There’s no harm in subtle deceit but just don’t forget to cut the price tag.

By Caitlin Colford

With May comes all of our favorite S words: Spring Sample Sale Shopping! Discount shopping is overwhelming our agendas this week, seven days chock full of sales with something in it for everyone! It is heaven for us shopping junkies out there, just be sure not to overdose (scratch that idea, have at it!) at the best sales this week has to offer from Botkier, Vivienne Westwood, Inhabit, Just Cavalli, Chloe, Be & D and Butter, Bettye Muller & Something Bleu.

Botkier Sample Sale

Myself, and many New Yorkers alike, are simply lusting over this season’s Botkier Valentina Mint Green Satchel. Sold out nearly everywhere, many can’t help but dream that prototypes or similar styles will be available at the Botkier Sample Sale come Tuesday at 11AM when they open their doors to unveil discount handbag heaven. Satchels will be sold for as low as $180 and 50-70% will be taken off many other gorgeous handbags.

Inhabit Clothing Sample Sale

Now that you landed yourself an amazing new spring bag, let’s revolve your new outfits around it! On Wednesday, be sure to head to 37^th Street for Inhabit Clothing’s Sample Sale. Their dreamy cashmere selections will be marked down to $80 and their soft casual cotton apparel will be priced at $50.

Just Cavalli, GF Ferre, Galliano Clothing, Footwear & Accessories Sample Sale

A private sale of designer goods from Just Cavalli, GF Ferre, and Galliano will be hosted by CP Fashion Group, Inc. Land an “in” to score yourself top of the line clothing and accessories from past seasons for 60% off.

Vivienne Westwood Clothing, Footwear & Accessories Sample Sale

Shop in order to gear up for summer concerts and outdoor festivals at the Vivienne Westwood Sample Sale. Her funky designs and edgy patterns are the perfect fit for a little rock and roll!

Chloe, Gucci, Pucci, & Blumarine Sample Sale

Beginning Wednesday at 10AM, Boutique on 57 will unveil its latest collection of savings (up to 80% off!) from designer brands Chloe, Gucci, Pucci, and Blumarine.

Be & D Handbags, Footwear & Accessories Sample Sale

You’ll need a clutch or a small bag option for those warm weather nights out (you don’t want to risk someone spilling on that fabulous new Botkier of yours!) so check out Be & D’s Sample Sale for their amazing clutches starting at only $40! You may even be so lucky as to discover a matching pair of shoes for as low as $75.

Butter, Bettye Muller & Something Bleu Stock/Sample Sale

Speaking of shoes, who doesn’t have piles of warm weather sandals in their closet? They get beaten half to death during the summer and I’m sure your favorite flops and sandals from last year are on their last round. It’s hard to part with them but see if you can’t find a replacement pair or two at Butter, Bettye Muller & Something Bleu Stock/Sample Sale where sandals, espadrilles, chic skimmers, flats, gorgeous peep-toes and platforms will be ranging from $60-$100!

The sun is out, your sandals are out and ready to go and everyone is drooling over your new spring bag. Retail therapy at its finest, nothing puts pep in your step like a little sunshine and a lot of shopping.

By Caitlin Colford

April shower bring May…sample sales! As we make our way into the final full week of April, saturated by rain and gloomed by clouds, we’ll do a little shopping to get us through and gear ourselves up for the month of May: The busiest month for sample sales! Since landing yourself a cab may prove like a true life challenge this week, be sure to put on those cute Hunter boots and open your Louis Vuitton umbrella as you splash through puddles to get your discount shopping on at sales from Olive and Bette, AEFFE and Jennifer Tyler!

OLIVE AND BETTE’S SAMPLE SALE

Splash on over to 72^nd to Olive and Bette’s Sample Sale today, April 23^rd from 8AM-8PM, for a one day only sale! The store that claims it contains your very next fashion “OBsession,” and they may be right. Olive and Bette’s carries everything from luxury designers, cashmere, to popular trends. Rebecca Taylor dresses are $90, Splendid tees are only $12.50 and Autumn Cashmere sweaters are just $74.50! So what are you waiting for?

AEFFE USA SPRING/SUMMER SAMPLE SALE

Luxury designs pour from the ceiling at the AEFFE USA Spring/Summer Sample Sale beginning Wednesday, April 25^th at 10AM. Current trends from luscious designer brand names such as Alberta Ferretti, Cacharel, Fuzzi, Jean Paul Gaultier, Moschino, and Pollini will all be available for at least 60% off. Given these are current trends, be sure to stock up on all styles (perhaps some hot new beachwear to don under your suit during this rainy week).

JENNIFER TYLER CASHMERE SAMPLE SALE

Ah, cashmere, how we love thee! A shopping week is never complete without an opportunity to nabyourself some discounted buttery soft cardigans and heavenly lightweight sweaters. The Jennifer Tyler Cashmere Sample Sale, beginning Wednesday, April 25^th at 4PM, will provide you with her new line of silk and cotton knits perfect for the spring and of course, summer weight cashmere cardigans and tunics in a variety of seasonal colors, all up to 60% off. Be sure to cover up your new favorite silk and cashmere tops with a raincoat! Don’t want those pesky drops of water to ruin a good deal.

No one likes this dreary weather, we long for a full week of sun, especially those of us who long for dining al fresco every evening in our fabulous new spring outfits. But I digress, chins up ladies! Power through this week of rain and cheer up because just think, summer is just around the corner!

By Caitlin Colford

Once spring hits, we passionate shoppers are overwhelmed by all of the colorfully cute warm weather clothing and accessories that come out, and become too preoccupied with maxing out our credit cards while purchasing beachwear, flowing weekend skirts, and sandals to remember to update our workday wardrobe. Luckily sample sales come to the rescue this week, proving you a healthy serving of discount shopping in New York that will liven up your boring office flare.

When those air conditioners are fired up this week and cranked to the max for the next few months, temperatures can become quite frigid in your non-insulated cubicle. Therefor, you’re going to need a fashionable option to keep at your desk when your bare arms can no longer bear the freezing conditions. Look no further than the White + Warren Sample Sale on Thursday, April 19^th for up to 80% off buttery soft cashmere sweaters that will never go out of style.

For a fashionable warmer weather tote to lug around your lunch, water bottle, and gym clothes, head to the Lauren Merkin Sample Sale beginning this Tuesday, April 17^th and check out her handbags, clutches and accessories for up to 70% off.

Now it’s time for the main event: The clothing!  Starting Tuesday, April 17^th the Elie Tahari 2012 Spring Sample Sale will take place on 5^th Avenue. The be all end all fashion designer of well cut and made women’s suiting and office wear, you are sure to nab some great finds here. Tailored pants and blouses are promised at $59, while classic knit sweaters are $49 and day dresses are $99.

Got your staples at Elie but still need some more pizazz? Saturday has you covered with the Christian Siriano & Lyn Devon Sample Sale. Last season, this sale was a hit amongst shoppers, namely wowed by the styles of newcomer Lyn Devon. Her sale pieces were from her current collection but at rock bottom prices. The quality and freshness of her designs are definitely worth a peek. Have your workweek closet updated and ready to go? Treat yourself to a red carpet worth dress at Project Runway’s Christian Siriano section of this sale.

Everyone dreads Monday mornings, but if you have a successful shopping week behind you, a closet full of new clothing and a bright, trendy new outfit to wear to the office in the morning, things can become a bit more tolerable.

By Caitlin Colford