SHOPPING

With the holiday season upon us, festive markets are springing up all over NYC. It’s one of the best things about spending time in the city. You can go to a holiday market, pick up hot chocolate and cookies, then walk to the next shop and buy a scarf for your aunt. Bundle up and check out some of the best holiday markets in NYC.

Best Overall: The Union Square Holiday Market

Each year, over 1 million visitors attend The Union Square Holiday Market, and it’s no surprise considering how much they have to offer. From jewelry to food and art to kid’s toys, there’s something for everyone on your list, and the best part is that you’re helping to support local artisans. It’s where you go when you want a unique gift that you just can’t find anywhere else. The market runs until December 24 – perfect for all those last, last minute shoppers – and is open on weekdays from 11am to 8pm, Saturdays from 10am to 8pm, and on Sundays from 11am to 7pm.

Best for Arts and Crafts Lovers: The Degenerate Craft Fair

Started in 2009, the Degenerate Craft Fair features fabulous items by more than 50 artists. What makes this fair even more incredible is that the majority of the items cost $50 or less. Who doesn’t love a good deal? The Degenerate Craft Fair is two days only – December 14 and 15 – so make sure you check them out before they’re gone.

Best for Foodies: The Columbus Circle Holiday Market

Just short of the entrance to Central Park sits The Columbus Circle Holiday Market, a great collection of shops where you can find everything from gourmet chocolates and jewelry to pottery and accessories. You’re undoubtedly going to work up an appetite walking around this large market, so make sure to stop off and get some food at one of the many food areas including Red Thai Basil, Macaron Parlour, Wafels & Dinges, and La Sonrisa Empanadas amongst many others. The Columbus Circle Holiday Market is open until December 24, and runs Monday through Saturday from 10am to 8pm, and on Sundays from 10am to 7pm.

Best Outdoor Experience: The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park

A favorite amongst shoppers, The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park are beloved not only for the shopping experience, but because the ice skating rink is right there and provides easy access to people watching, gliding gracefully across the ice, or falling on your derriere depending on how skilled you are. There’s plenty of shops to stop at and copious amounts of hot chocolate to consume, so get on it! The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park are running until January 5, and are open Monday through Friday from 11am to 8pm, Saturday from 10am to 9pm, and Sunday from 10am to 6pm.

By Lauren Romano

Union Square Holiday Market photo credit: Erin Kestenbaum

Cyber Monday is like the cooler, more laid back sister to Black Friday. It requires no elbows to flap in order to move your way through a boisterous crowd. And it does not call for a pre-shopping makeup sesh, as there’s no chance of running into so-and-so in front of your computer.

Cyber Monday gives you the killer deals on all those goodies you may not have purchased at retail price without sacrificing your ego or sanity. So grab a cup of tea, pull out your wallet and shop, dear Stylish City readers. Consider it shopping yoga — a way to realign your chi after a busy Thanksgiving weekend.

Cyber Monday Deals

Armani Exchange: Get 45% off all styles, including sale items. Online only.

BaubleBar: Get 20% off anything on the site when you enter CYBER20 at checkout. Shoppers can also play their “Cyber Savings Game” for a chance to win $100 off their order.

Betsey Johnson: Use code SHOP40 to get an additional 40% off your order, plus free shipping.

Calvin Klein: Get 40% off select merchandise and free shipping with the code FFDEC2013.

Cynthia Rowley: Get up to 65% off fall merchandise markdowns and 20% off full-priced clothes. Plus save 50% off angora sweaters.

Dorothy Perkins: Up to 30% off storewide. Discount applies at checkout.

Eileen Fisher: Get an extra 15% off all sale items both in store and online.

Elizabeth Cole Jewelry: Get 40% off select items on when you enter BEJEWELED at checkout.

Fab.com: Entire store is marked down 30%. You’ll earn a $30 credit to your account for orders over $200. If you shop via mobile device, you’ll also receive a free pair of touch screen gloves with your order.

FragranceNet.com: FragranceNet sells celebrity and designer fragrances. Get 15% off your order of $50 or more, plus get free lip glosses. Free shipping.

French Connection: Receive 30% off all purchases, plus get free shipping if your order’s over $150. Use code W13COUPON.

Hautelook: They’re unlocking enticing mystery deals every hour on the hour. You’ll find super steep discounts here. Follow them on their Twitter feed to get in on the action.

House of Harlow 1960: Nicole Richie’s brand, which is chock-full of luxe apparel and accessories. Everything in the online store is 25% off with the code BLACKHOH.

J.Crew: Everything is reduced 50%. Get free shipping on orders over $50 with the code HOLIDAY50.

Kiehl’s: Use code CHEER to get $20 off your purchase of $65 or more. Equates to 30% off!

Lancome: Take 25% off your entire order (no code required). When you spend more than $49, receive free shipping and a sample of your choice.

Laura Geller: Get 20% off your entire Laura Geller cosmetic purchase, plus free shipping. No code.

Lisa Hoffman Beauty: All products are marked down 50% when you use code LHCYBER at checkout. If you spend more than $100, you’ll get a free 4-vial pulse-point perfume set.

Maggy London: The entire store is marked down 40%.

Natori: Get 20% off any order over $250 with code HOLIDAY20.  through

Rebecca Taylor: Receive 25% off anything in the store, including sale items, with the code RTMONDAY25.

RueLaLa: You’ll find 24 “Today’s Fix” items heavily discounted. They’re advertising Missoni scarves, Kenneth Jay Lane bangles and other goodies.

Stila: 50 different products have been marked down up to 80% in their Online Warehouse Sale.

Ted Baker: Get 30% off your entire order both online and in stores.

Tracy Reese: Get 30% off your entire purchase, including regular priced, sale and clearance merchandise. Use online code CYBER30 at checkout.

Trina Turk: They’ve selected four different styles of black dresses, each marked down 25% off. Both online and in stores.

UGG Australia: Enter code U1DAYTHRUCYBERMONDAY at checkout to receive 30% off select women’s, men’s and children’s footwear. Code also gives you free overnight shipping with no minimum purchase required.

Vichy: Get $15, $25 or $35 dollars off your purchase of $60, $90 or $125+.

By Wendy Rose Gould

Obviously winter calls for clothing that keeps you warm, makeup that makes your skin glow and travel tickets to visit family (or leave family…). Today, though, we’re dishing on the best shopping deals throughout the winter months — buys that make financial sense in the long run.

Boots

While flip flops and strappy sandals reign supreme during the hot and humid months, boots take over the feet of women across the globe once temperatures turn. No matter the style, boots keep your tootsies warm and toasty, making them the no-brainer choice when putting together your cold weather ensembles.

You’d think they’d be most expensive now, but that’s not the case. Designers are already thinking about spring and summer shoes again, which means fall and winter kicks are on sale. Whether you’re shopping for classic riding boots, dressy ankle booties or furry, cozy Uggs, buy during the winter.

Winter Apparel

The same rule that applies to boots also applies to winter clothing. In the same way designers are thinking about spring and summer shoes, they’re also thinking ahead to warm-weather apparel. Look for deals on layer-able clothing (e.g., cardigans, blazers, scarves and vests) and outerwear (e.g., coats and jackets).

Tip: The later into winter you go, the lower prices will become. Keep in mind, though, that merchandise dwindles and the selection becomes sparse as spring approaches.

Jewelry and Accessories

Post-Christmas through mid-January is considered a “non gift giving” period, making it an ideal time to snag hot deal on jewelry and accessories. Post-Valentine’s Day through March is also a good time to buy jewelry. This goes for fine jewelry (e.g., diamonds, gems, gold and silver) and less expensive, costume jewelry.

Keep an eye out for fliers in the mail or email updates from retailers during these short weeks. It’s also a wise move to subscribe to their social media feeds, where consumers have access to exclusive deals.

Electronics

January and February are some of the best months to buy electronics. This is true for several reasons. First, the holiday shopping rush has come to a quiet lull, inciting retailers to knock a few percentage points off their merch. Secondly, January is when the world famous Consumer Electronics Show (CES) occurs.

During CES, new electronic models are debuted and, consequently, the “old” merchandise gets put on sale to make way for the new goods’ imminent presence. If you’re in the market for a new smart phone, a fancy camera or even a TV, buy during winter.

Champagne

This December, celebrate your good deals on champagne with…champagne! Because New Year’s Eve is fast approaching — and because retailers are elbowing each other out of the way to make the sale — you’ll find that champagne, on the whole, is cheaper than normal. Why not stock up for the next few months?

Keep an eye out for coupons or store specials. Also sign up for email newsletters, where you’ll find some of the best deals, and social media blasts. Another tip for saving money: buy in bulk. Many retailers give a nice discount off your entire purchase when you buy six or more bottles of the same product. A discount on top of the discount? This calls for more champagne…

By Wendy Rose Gould

Compulsive Shopping. Buyer’s remorse. Shopper’s guilt.

These are terms, and feelings, that many consumer are all too familiar with. Raise your hand if you’ve ever walked out of a store — or clicked the “commit to buy” button — not quite sure why you bought every item in your bag.  Or if, days or weeks later, you regretted a purchase and kicked yourself for spending all that money on an item you didn’t really need or want in the first place.

The truth is that we live in a culture that tells us to buy, buy, buy. A culture in which competing with or impressing your “neighbor” is high on the priority list. And when I say neighbor, I’m not just talking about the person who lives down the hall or on your cul de sac. I’m referring to coworkers, friends, family members and basically everyone who passes you on the street.

Over shopping and the resulting guilt is a real issue. Here are three ways to shop smarter and prevent any post-spree remorse.

3 Ways to Avoid Buyer’s Remorse

Don’t Get Swept Up in the Clearance Rack Frenzy

As shoppers, we often fall prey to clearance racks and big sales events. It’s why Black Friday is such a success year in and year out. “Clearance merchandise isn’t called ‘an irresistible bargain’ for nothing. Giant reductions and the way they’re presented in stores and online tap into some primal psychological impulses,” writes Kit Yarrow, Ph.D., on Psychology Today.

Dr. Yarrow says we subconsciously experience several things when we see a “big sale” sign go up. First, we fear we may miss out on something. Second, we have an innate desire to compete with others and missing out on a deal makes us feel like we’re “losing” in our minds.

Before you get wrapped up in the clearance rack, ask yourself these questions:

1. Would I buy this even if it weren’t on sale? (In other words, is this something you really need?)

2. When and where will I wear this item? (Basically, do you have a place to wear the item? And do you already own pieces that the item will go with, or will you have to buy more?

3. What is my true desire for wanting this item and is my reason valid?

Save Receipts, Tags and Know the Return Policy

It’s in your best interest to only shop at retailers who allow returns. Should you decide to return something, you’ll be able to get your money back and no financial harm has been done. Plus, the guilt associated with unworn/unused items hanging in your closet is immediately replaced with a sense of self control and glee.

My husband finds my shopping habits bizarre, as I tend to return a decent chunk of the items I buy. I simply let the item set for a few weeks in the original shopping bag and, if I find myself not loving it as much as I did at the store, I’ll return it. This has saved me lots of money in the long run. And if I don’t want to keep it in the bag and decide to wear it right away? That’s a good purchase and one I don’t regret.

Trust me. You may think that running back to the store to return an item is a hassle, but that extra errand is completely worth your time.

Tally Up How Much You’ve Spent Over the Years

Debbie Roes from the “Recovering Shopaholic” blog tallied up how much she’s spent on clothes and accessories over the last 10 years. Her figure? Close to 50k. Then she asked herself: “If I had that money in my hands right now, would I spend it on clothes and the like?”

Her answer?: “Absolutely not! I don’t even need a split second to consider my response.  I feel that I have very little to show for my exorbitant expenditures of the past ten years.  One might think I’d have an amazing wardrobe by this point and be one of the best dressed people around, but I don’t think so.  My wardrobe isn’t awful by any means, but it’s not exactly extraordinary, either.”

To prevent the sort of buyer’s remorse that bubbles up months and years down the road, evaluate your purchases right now. Roes has some great advice, which includes setting and sticking to a clothing budget, only buying for your current body and lifestyle, wait several hours or even days before actually purchasing the item and return anything you haven’t worn in a month since buying. My most favorite piece of advice she offers, though?

“Wear your favorite clothes when shopping and don’t buy anything you don’t like at least as much as what you’re wearing.”

By Wendy Rose Gould