The Hierarchy of Sample Sales and Black Friday 101

Not all sales are created equal. People always ask me how do I know which ones are the "good" ones but you have to understand - I've been sample sale-ing for over 20 years now. I probably hit my first NYC sample sale back when I was studying at F.I.T. After a while you develop an instinct for where to shop and when the deals are gonna be epic.

When you first discover sample sales, it can be overwhelming. You have to fight the urge to shop every sale and you can get yourself into real financial trouble. Luckily over the years I've honed my editing skills and while I still make a mistake or two, these days I tend to under-buy and error in the side of caution. I'm still kicking myself for not buying more $50 Tamara Mellon heels or clothing at her first couple NYC sales (read about them here and here) or more $99 furs from Elizabeth and James - they haven't had another sale like that one since.

These days the term sample sale is often misused. A true sample sale is when a brand or manufacturer sells off their previous season's samples. Real samples (often one of a kind pieces made for the runway or garments made to show to buyers) are often the best deals at any sample sale. It drives me nuts when a sale consists of stock merchandise for moderate discounts - and you can often find better deals at end of season department store sales. I always look for pieces that nobody else has (as they were never produced - like these white Rebecca Minkoff booties) for killer prices.

My favorite sales are almost always always run by the brand themselves in their showroom or a rented space. When you cut out the middle man you often get the best deals. One of my all time favorites is Jimmy Choo. The brand runs their own sale in Metropolitan Pavilion 1-2x a year and on the last day they slash prices and you can walk away with $2,000 heels for $100, $50 men's shoes, and bags and wallets for as little as $30. When discounts hit 90% or better, you're speaking my language. I know I picked up a Lockett bag at the last sale but when I saw this lil white stunner for $150 I couldn't resist.

From head to toe:

• Sunglasses: Wildfox, gifted in Fashion Week swag bag
• Dress: H&M, $29.99 - get it now for 20% off and free shipping with code 1662 - click here
• Bag: Jimmy Choo, sample sale, $150 (over 90% off!)
• Socks: Forever 21, $2.90
• Boots: Rebecca Minkoff, sample sale $30 (not sure if these were ever produced) 

This round of pics is by my amazing 12 year old son, Akiva. He's getting pretty good, right?

You can shop my style here:

Other sales are run by companies that buy end of season goods and samples and sell them at discounted prices. Some of these companies work directly with the brands to sell - so they don't have to do it themselves. These are the middle men. They can often be hit or miss. Companies like Clothingline (look for their blowout sales!), 260 Sample Sale (not as good as they used to be), Jen X (on the expensive side but their Balenciaga sale makes it all worth it!), Shelly and Renee (I always skip because they aren't cheap enough for me) and Global Fashions (mostly slightly damaged and not well priced) all fall into this category.

And then there are the sample sale sites. Always check to see if a listing is sponsored because if they were paid to list it. you don't know how authentic their review is. At this point I'm lucky enough to  have a crew of bloggers and readers who share when something amazing happens. IMHO the site Chicmi has the most comprehensive listings right now - and they don't just cover NYC sales. Before I hit the City I'll check in there - plus I check a few of my fellow bargainistas' Instagram feeds (and stories) for updates and a peek inside the sales. Shout out to my girls Lakeisha, Dinara and Mushkie!

And now on to Black Friday/Cyber Monday!

I have to confess that I don't really do too much for Black Friday anymore. Back in the day I used to wait for hours in the middle of the night (in the freezing cold!) to get the best deals. These days thank goodness so much of it is online! Typically when I shop I'm not much of an online girl (better deals are almost always in-store unless we are talking about a rare online glitch) but for the next few days I'm happy to shop in my PJs.

Nordstrom Rack is the on only sale that will get me out of bed in the morning. Take 30% off all red tag clearance and in past years they have had 50% off clearance dresses. Fingers crossed for some refurbished Louboutins!*

*ETA no extra discounts on dresses this year and not a single Loub in sight. Booo.

Kohls always offers extra Kohls cash this weekend ($15 for every $50 you spend) so stacked with deals and rebates it's always a win. For this and the rest of my picks you can just shop online and skip the in-store madness.

I'm always on the hunt for cheap Crocs Sexi Flips. Crocs.com is offering 40% off sitewide (plus some doorbusters with additional discounts) and free shipping on orders over $24.99.

Amazon will be chock full of deals this weekend! I spotted some cute Aldo bags on sale for around $50 or less that are very Gucci inspired. Click here, here and here. I also love this little glittery cutie. When buying inexpensive bags the trick is to look for texture and embroidery to make it look luxe. For example the velvet or fabric bags will always look more expensive than the pleather verisons.

More Amazon finds from this year include my air fryer and Firestick. My husband got one for me and I've been using it nonstop. I saw several on sale for under $100 and I would highly recommend grabbing one. Even my kids throw in fresh cut potatoes and make their own healthy fries. And thanks to my Firestick I don't really watch cable anymore.

I always check Canon.com for refurbished deals for this sale. My T5 camera is currently on sale (but out of stock) but you can still snag a T6 for a little over $200! And I have my eye on a 24mm lens. I have the 40mm (you get crisper images with a prime lens) and I love it but I hate stepping so far back to take a shot.

You've all heard me rave about Kidpik basics before - now take 50% off sitewide plus free shipping on orders over $50. Time to stock up on inexpensive basics for your girls!

My list could go on and on but basically anywhere you want to shop - pretty much has a deal right now. Needless to say, I'll be checking slickdeals.net all week! This is definitely the best time to shop electronics. Clothing sales are always better at the end of December/early January.

As for sample sale picks for the week, there are a few new ones that have popped up! Golden Goose will be having a one day sale with discounts up to 75%. I know it's not as inexpensive as I'd like but I really want a pair of their sneakers. They have limited quantities so get there early. A.V. Max also announced their holiday sale which is where I always stock up on jewelry gifts for $5-25! Alice and Olivia usually has great samples if you can fit a 0-6, but for stock wait for the end for discounts.

Golden Goose
November 28, 12-5
ESP Showroom, 231 W 39th St, #715*

*ETA I was informed that they are limiting purchases to 1 per customer until 4pm.

A.V. Max
December 4-8, 10-4 (open till 7 on the 5th)
39 W 38th St, 10th Fl

Alice and Olivia
December 5-10
Tues 8-8, Wed 9-8, Th 10-8, Fri 9-8, Sat 10-7, Sun 10-4
260 5th Ave

Happy shopping! Hope you had a great Turkey Day!

XO
Michelle

Ombre Walls and Too Much Pink?

How much pink is too much pink? In my opinion, there's no such thing. Gimmie all the pink! My latest pink obsession started with this Johnny Was cover-up that I picked up at TJ Maxx for $70. I was on a caftan hunt and was hoping for cute ones for about 20 bucks and of course I had to stop in the designer department and spot this pink perfection. Belle and I have been hunting down colorful walls so we headed to Brooklyn to shoot this amazing ombre one. I'm not sure why we haven't headed to DUMBO before - it's gorgeous over there!

It was love at first sight for this dress. The cut is insanely flattering because it's cut a little longer and narrower than most caftans. I hate when they are super short and boxy and turn you into a square. Once I tried it on I felt a whole lot better about the price - plus it was selling online at Neiman Marcus for way more. Plus with cost per wear this summer - it came out to pennies a day LOL.

Because of the cut-outs (and the fact that it's a sheer-ish beach cover-up) I added my new favorite Victoria's Secret slip. It's knee length and bias cut - so good. I haven't shopped VS in years but I needed a slip for my new Teri Jon dress that I wore for my niece's wedding seen here. It came with a nude slip and I really wanted a black one. I tore through dozens of stores until I found it. It was $50 (though I used a $50 Visa giftcard that I won) but if it ever goes on sale I'll grab more.

The pouch was also a TJ Maxx score but at $12.99 it was a no-brainer. With all the color going on I decided to wear with my favorite black and white Sophia Webster Lacey heels that I scored at the sample sale for $95. I'm starting to wear them down so they are getting a little unbalanced. It's gonna really hurt when I  have to retire them.

From head to toe:

• Sunglasses: Posey bifocal sun reader, Readers.com, C/O (RV $17.95)
• Earrings: AV Max, sample sale, $4 (RV $55)
• Caftan: Johnny Was, TJ Maxx, $70 (RV $279) - I'm wearing an XS so they run big
• Slip: Victoria's Secret satin midi slip, $50 - I'm wearing a M
• Bracelet: AV Max, sample sale, $10
• Bag: TJ Maxx, $12.99
• Shoes: Sophia Webster Lacey heels, sample sale, $95 - read about that epic sale here.

You can shop my style here:

After Belle shot me, I snapped a few of her as well :) I actually typically shoot her first because I like to test the lighting and see if the shot will work for me. I really need to go back to shoot the blue part of the wall with a different look. I just liked how my pink dress popped against the yellow and orange. I'm learning that where you shoot is almost as important as what you shoot. I love the contrast of a beach-y look in a more urban setting. And color is always good. A lot of the walls I find are pretty busy so I can't always shoot them because my looks tend to be pretty busy too.

I've taken a mini break from sample sales but not much is going on anyway. With Fashion Week around the bend I need to take a breather to start setting up my schedule. Kids have about a week left before they start school so I'm also scrambling to pick up all the odds and ends we are missing from their school supply list. Seriously, why do my kids need 20 glue sticks each? Good grief.

The Zara clearance sale is pretty much over and I didn't really get much this year. TJ Maxx and Marshalls have been yellow stickering for a couple weeks but I didn't find the designer steals like my $99 Rockrunners that I scored last year. I did find a slightly beat up Rag and Bone straw hat for $5 and a bunch of kid things for $0.50-$3. I popped in my Century in NJ but never made it to the downtown location. From my intel it was better downtown, as it always is, but I miss the days of 90% off when you could take home a huge bag of designer stuff for less than $100.

My only sample sale pick for the week is the Clothingline blowout. Can be a hit or miss but you usually walk always with something. If you go, get there early and watch out for the hoarders - they can get pretty aggressive.

Clothingline Blowout Sale
September 6, 11-7
261 West 36th Street, 2nd Fl

Also heads up, Clear the Rack at Nordstrom Rack starts tomorrow and runs September 1-5. I peeked in this week but didn't really see anything I need to go back for, even with the extra 25% off. But you never know so I'll probably pop in...

There is still one more day left for my Tory Burch bag, Apple watch and Kate Spade sunglasses giveaway - click here and scroll down to enter!

Good luck and happy shopping!

Check out the Baci Outlet + $100 Giftcard Giveaway!

In Brooklyn, tucked under the bridge is a little known secret called Baci Outlet where everything is priced $50 or less! It's like a year round sample sale always stocked full of goodies. Baci is an affordable Italian fashion brand with lots of cozy knits and soft colors. They restock every few weeks so you never know what you're gonna find.

Even more exciting, I'm partnering with Baci Outlet for a $100 giftcard giveaway on Instagram! All you have to do is follow us, like the photo and tag a couple friends. Easy peasy! Head to my Insta for more details!

Their styles have a very relaxed vibe - lots of comfortable fabrics! And how cute is their festive display?

I'm a coat girl so naturally I started there...

More coats - so much texture!

How cute are these preppy jackets? Love that they have a layered look with denim. So unexpected! I decided to choose between the blue and black and two guesses which way I went...

In the end I choose these adorable red booties and the coat in navy!

Baci Outlet
55 Anchorage Place, Brooklyn, NY
Open daily 10-5

I strongly recommend heading to Baci to see what you can score! With code LeHoarder10 you get 10% off your purchase now thru 12/31. Be sure to tell them I sent you!

I realized I do not spend enough time in DUMBO. They are so many Instagram-able walls and gorgeous views that you better believe I'll be back there soon!

Me and my Baci swag!

After shopping at Baci I met up with Shira of A Sequin Love Affair and chowed down at byChloe (again LOL) and then she dragged me to the Colette Miller wings just a few blocks away. I have been dying to take some wing pics, and Shira is the queen of NYC walls and knew just where to find some. We took turns shooting each other :)

Just wanted to note that I got Shira those flats for a penny at the Rack LOL - got myself the same pair too. And yes she's wearing my sunglasses and lipstick. She was bare-faced post workout but still managed to look super cute :)

My look from head to toe:

• Sunglasses: Moschino, Century21, free with rewards
• Jacket: Make Me Chic, gifted (RV $36)
• Dress: H&M, $20
• Bracelets: Rebecca Minkoff, sample sale, $10 each (RV $78)
• Bag: Balenciaga, Nordstrom Rack, 75% off
• Sneakers: Valentino, TJ Maxx, $99 (RV $745)

You can shop my look here:

This was the first time I wore my Valentino Rockrunners that I scored for $99 at TJ Maxx last yellow sticker markdown. They are actually insanely comfortable - I can't believe I didn't pull them out sooner.

I can't even begin to tell you how good things have been in sample sale land. Be sure you are following my Insta stories to see my daily adventures and deals! I have a family affair this weekend and my parents are visiting from out of the country so it's insanity over here. I'll have to have an epic haul post soon. I keep thinking about heading to YouTube to reveal my hauls - what are your thoughts?

Other than popping into Baci check out Racked's listings for all the NYC sample sales right now. This week I went to A.V. Max, Carolina Amato and Alice + Olivia 2x LOL. All the deets are listed in a previous post here. I also started uploading some of the pics to my Facebook page, ShoppinggalNYC in case you miss my Insta stories.

Thank you to Baci Outlet for sponsoring this post and giveaway! Check out their Instagram and Facebook pages for their latest deals and updates. Good luck to everyone entering!

XO
Shoppinggal

It's all about the swag!

Last week I went to the grand opening of both Nordstrom Rack and TJ Maxx at the Fulton Mall in Brooklyn. I left my house at 6 A.M. in the pouring rain dreaming of cheap designer goods in my Peter Pilotto for Target blazer and my brand new Balenciaga in tow (after I sprayed it 2x the night before with Collonil Waterstop to protect it).

I had a REALLY bad hair day (rain/humidity) so I cropped it out :)

If you saw my Instagram you saw that I shlepped out to the Rack in Brooklyn just for these Laura Mercier glosses. Turns out there was a VIP party the night before and I'm guessing anything good went then.

I actually snapped this pic while I was waiting for 3 hours at the Manolo Blahnik sample sale later that day. And no, I didn't get anything there either :( I would have taken pics but my phone was almost dead and there were more women in that tiny room than shoes. I heard almost everything went at the VIP preview that morning anyway.

Bottom line - it sucks to not be VIP. 

All three together cost less than the retail of one!

I took this shot when I got home so you could see the colors. From L-R I got Wildflower, Daiquiri & Black Cherry. I haven't tried Black Cherry yet but so far my fave is the Wildflower - it's a pretty vibrant rose-y pink. The Daiquiri is too sheer and is a barely there coral on my lips.

I did collect a bunch of fun freebies in Brooklyn. Not sure if it made it worth the trip but here is my stash. TJ Maxx had better swag. They gave out free totes, water, umbrellas and Jelly Bellys (my favorite LOL) in the cutest container. Come to think of it I think that noisemaker was from Nordstrom Rack. TJ Maxx also had red fortune cookies (I passed - they scared me a little) and red T-shirts but I don't need another crappy men's T - and neither does my husband...

Freebies!

How cute?

That's all that made it home LOL.

TJ Maxx was pretty disappointing - I could not believe that I walked out empty handed. Seriously, who walks out of TJ Maxx empty handed? I did spy these beautiful Valentino and Celine bags but they were pretty pricey at $1500 and $2000 respectively. I need another 70% off of those prices for me to even bother. Sadly these two were the only things worth looking at in the entire store.

Nordstrom Rack did have raffles for free gift cards but of course, I didn't win any. They also had a food cart and they passed out some cute water & pastries on-line. I did have a free coffee inside to warm me up.

They were supposed to give out free totes with purchase but for some reason they didn't give me one with my glosses :(

Later that week at my mall, Desigual gave out these much nicer colorful totes for free, so I figure the universe has a way of balancing itself.

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Exciting news - Rebecca Minkoff is having her sample sale this week in NYC, LA and San Fran. I love her but I decided to stop going to the sales as I already have so many and I tend to get better deals on RM at the Rack. I'm heading into the City on Thursday so I may pop in just to see...

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This wouldn't be much of a fashion blog if I didn't share my favorite dress from the Met Gala last night. I think Suki Waterhouse's Burberry gown was amazing. It's so strange to me that I'm drawn to this dress because even when I got married I didn't go for the princess dress. But I want to wear this dress. Maybe I just want to be Suki in that moment, wearing that dress. Probably doesn't hurt that she was escorted by her boyfriend Bradley Cooper. Either way, Suki takes the cake as far as I'm concerned.

Suki Waterhouse in Burberry

After choosing my dream gown I decided to play another game, which outfit would I actually wear (based on my body) had someone magically given me a free ticket...

While it's not my favorite, it would probably have to be Charlize Theron in Dior. It has nice clean tailored lines and I really need that jacket she's sporting to help cover up my upper arms.

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FREEBIE ALERT!
I usually don't bother with the subscription boxes but this one is totally free! I saw on Slickdeals that Beauty Box 5 is giving away a free box (nothing out of your pocket but you do have to put in your credit card info) with the code FREEBOX6 - just be sure to cancel your subscription after your free box arrives. Click here to sign up!

Stay tuned for my City adventures later this week! As always, wishing you happy shopping :)
Shoppinggal