What Mid-Size (or Almost Any Size) Gals Need From H&M Right Now

With the change of seasons I often feel a little anxiety about what I'm going to wear. Thanks to age and quarantine I've added a few more pounds to my frame. Every time I put on weight I try to take things in stride and challenge myself with finding new pieces to add to the mix and build off of what I already own in my closet. As I moved into the mid-size & plus-size space I had a harder time finding affordable pieces that looked luxe. While most of H&M's pieces run XXS-XXL (and I typically take a large), they do have more and more plus pieces which runs up to a 4XL. Just know that stuff sells out fast (and no guarantee of restock) so if you see something you like—grab it! 

This post is not sponsored by H&M but they did gift me several of these pieces—thanks guys! And I'll try to link up what I can with affiliate links, which basically means I get a few pennies when you click on and purchase from my links. 

First let's start with my "shacket." I'm still not clear on exactly what a shacket is but it translates to a shirt-jacket. And frankly I like saying the word. Shacket, shacket, shacket. I actually spotted this one in a photo display in their store window over the summer and I think I may have screamed a little. I stalked the site until it finally dropped online. It was love at first sight and I knew it was going to be my go-to jacket for fall/winter. Don't get me wrong, it's not for everyone. Going to back what we discussed in my last post, it may not be something traditionally "flattering" but that shouldn't matter if it's something you love. It may not work for you because it is a lot of material and can overwhelm you, but there was something so chic about it so I just had to try. Note that most of their shackets size up to XXL with a only a couple shorter versions in the larger sized. Mixed it up with my Miu Miu velvet platform booties that I scored for almost 90% off at the end of season last year. 

From top to bottom:

Hat: Zara, sale rack $5.99

Sunglasses: Mulberry & Grand c/o

Shacket: H&M (sold out but check back for restock and they have other patterns available) c/o

Belt bag: H&M c/o

Dress: H&M sale rack $4 (I grab their basic tee dresses by the handful)

Boots: Miu Miu, $148 (RV $990), The Outnet

Nails: Popsockets Mani-Phoni (press-on nails have a matching Popsocket for your phone!) c/o

For my next look, it was all about this dress. As a dress girl, I usually focus my shopping on dresses (and coats) in shapes that will work for my curves. Because I'm short-waisted, I would have preferred a higher waistline but this one was workable. I know that my friend Greivy has this dress in blue and she belted hers. I also love a voluminous sleeve to cover the little extra I'm carrying on my upper arms. And if you were looking for a Bottega dupe, this quilted vegan bag from House of Want for under 100 bucks may be just what you need.

Hat: Zara, sale rack $5.99 (hey, I'm a repeater)

Sunglasses: Valentino, Sunglass Hut c/o

Necklace: Sequin NYC, c/o

Dress: H&M c/o

Bag: House of Want c/o

Sandals: Nicholas Kirkwood, sample sale (90% off—a few years old already)

Shop these styles (and some inexpensive versions too) here:

They also sent over a few looks for the kids for back to school. I decided to try to do more coordinating than matching to showcase their own personal style. 

A few of my secrets to shopping H&M:

1. Create an account and heart your favorites. I check my hearts daily to see if any of my out of stock faves were restocked. Not to mention your favorites may come back in another color. 

2. When shopping online, you can stack 2 codes. 

3. If you have very thin teen or tween girls, be sure to check out women's not kids. Ella can fit the XXS & XS women's (especially their younger Divided line) perfectly yet the size 12 girls may fall right off of her.     

4. In-store sale racks at the end of season will often have tons for $3, $4 or $5, so always be sure to take a peek when you pop by the store. 

Is H&M one of your go-to stores? What's on your fall wishlist?

XOXO

M

Gimmie All the Stars.

I took the girls into the City for our annual New Years Day at the American Girl Doll Store in Rockefeller Center. I'm super excited to share that American Girl just sent us Luciana Vega, their 2018 Girl of the Year doll so we'll talk about her and our experience in a future post. I do have to share that Ella was just reposted on the American Girl Insta - check out her feature here. For today, we're just gonna share our mother-daughter street style. Recently I've been obsessing over stars so when I saw these Stella McCartney Elyse platform shoes at the sample sale for over 80% off I kinda really needed them. Plus they matched the girls' Nina Kids Demi boots perfectly.

I've been killing it at the H&M sale and picked up this Gucci-esque cargo jacket for $10 (from $69.99) and this dotted dress for just $15. I really wanted to wear the jacket but my fitted coats didn't fit over it - so I pulled out my vintage thrifted cape and added the hat for a pop of color. I confess that I knew I wouldn't be outside long or I would have added several more layers for me and the girls. My 12-year-old son (and photographer) was a total pro and didn't complain once while he shot us in 9 degree weather - with windchill it was even lower.

Right now H&M is offering an extra 20% off and free shipping (with orders $100+) with code 5944 thru the 15th. Hurry!!

Head to toe:

• Hat: Classic Prep Monograms, c/o
• Sunglasses: Jason Wu, sample sale, $20
• Cape: Gloverall, thrifted, $20
• Jacket: H&M, $10 (linked below!)
• Dress: H&M, $15
• Gloves: Carolina Amato, sample sale, $10
• Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim, Nordstrom Rack, $245 (RV $775)
• Tights: Spanx, Burlington Coat Factory, $13
• Socks: Smartwool, Nordstrom Rack, $0.01
• Shoes: Stella McCartney, sample sale, $200 (RV $1,100)

Shop my look here:

Girls and I coordinated with our star shoes (theirs are from Nina Kids) and we took several pics, but this was the only one that came out. We'll have to try again soon. In this weather I always layer with wool socks so I don't freeze my feet - ergo those hot pink socks peeking out. Ella was actually wearing a pair as well. Did I mention they were a penny at Nordstrom Rack? :)

Ella has been loving her new Sophia Webster butterfly backpack (we are slowly building her designer collection) and Ava is just as happy with her Old Navy unicorn purse. I found their hats for 70% off at Target ($1.50 each). Score!

For some reason Ava loves to Dab. Don't ask me why...

As for sample sales, there are a couple on my radar for this week. I just noticed Zadig & Voltaire is having a warehouse sale but I'm not sure if it will be as epic as the last one in their showroom where I scored my favorite glitter heeled boots for $75 and my sample fringed belt for $40. Jason Wu will be at 260 - and they will have samples. That said, I'm heading to Miami this week and I'm not sure I have time to run into the City before I leave. Ugh. They will either be amazing or a waste and I'm not sure if I can take the gamble. If you hit those sales be sure to let me know what you score!

Zadig & Voltaire
January 15-21
M-Sat 11-7, Sun 12-6
153 Mercer Street

Jason Wu
January 16-21
T 9-8, W-F 11-8, Sat 10-8, Sun 10-5
150 Greene Street

This week I kept is short and sweet because things have been crazy. If anyone has any recommendations for Miami please do share! I wanted to do the Museum of Ice Cream but for a family of five it's about $200 which seems insane to me. Personally, I think kids under 12 should have a discounted rate. I also heard great things about Jungle Island (the place with the parrots) but they are closed for renovations. Boo. Any ideas?

Happy Shopping!

XO
Michelle

Confessions of a Sample Sale-aholic.

My name is Michelle and I'm addicted to sample sales. I've been sample sale-ing for over 20 years now. Once you've shopped a designer sample sale, it's pretty much impossible to shop at retail. Last week, my blogger bestie, Belle, launched her editorial site, Little Fashion Stylist. I wrote this article for her about the sample sale life, but I confess it's an updated compilation of several posts that have appeared here over the past couple years.

I have a few half-written articles that I planned to share first, but I couldn't finish because life got in the way. Besides the craziness of the Bomb-Cyclone that hit us last week, my boiler decided to crack and die, leaving us without heat since last Wednesday. It dropped to 32 degrees (Fahrenheit) inside my home so we sent the kids to live with my BIL, and ran out and purchased several space heaters so the pipes wouldn't freeze and burst. Right now it's 39 degrees in my house. It's so cold I can see my breath, and it hurts my fingers to type - even with gloves on. Thankfully, tomorrow they're coming and putting in a new one for a whopping $12,000. Ouch. Mine wasn't even that old. Plus I was told it would last for 20 years. Guess not. 

But I digress...

Over the years I've scored everything from $25 Sergio Rossi heels, $100 Choos (that retailed for over $2,000!), countless designer dresses and coats for under $50, even my first Chanel bag for 75% off.  The Chanel actually wasn't from their sample sale - just a crazy end of season deal. But the principals of bargain shopping still apply. Even my $20,000 Badgley Mischka wedding dress was a sample sale score for about $1,000. Name any designer -  they probably have a sample sale.

There are a few caveats as bargain hunting is not an exact science. So much of it is luck, and being in the right place at the right time. If you're looking for a deal you have to be open. If you're looking for current season merchandise and you can't deal with lines, crowds, and digging through countless bins and racks, the sample sale life is not for you. But if you can stomach it, there are amazing deals to be found.

You gotta understand, not all sales are created equal. People always ask me how do I know which ones are the "good" ones. After a while you develop an instinct for where to shop and when the deals are gonna be epic. But you still have to get lucky. At this point I have a network of sample sale friends who share intel and invites. Not all sales are open to the public, but over the years I've talked my way into many a private one.

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 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 - some of which were never manufactured for retail) are often the best deals at any sample sale. It drives me nuts when a sale consists of stock merchandise for moderate discounts -  you can often find better deals at end of season department store sales. I always look for pieces that nobody else has for killer prices. My favorite sales are almost 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. When discounts hit 90% or better, you're speaking my language.

Head to toe:

• Hat: H&M, $1
• Coat: Zara, $29.99 (sale find from last year!)
• Dress: Trendsend/Evereve c/o
• Bag Strap: Rebecca Minkoff, sample sale, $15
• Bag: Chanel, Neiman Marcus, 75% off 
• Gloves: Carolina Amato, Century 21, $5 (Back when end of season sales were good...) 
• Boots: LF/Life c/o

When I hit a sale, I come prepared. Getting ready for a sample sale is like preparing for battle. I love dressing up but I always keep things simple for New York City sample sales. And now I'm gonna break down my five simple rules for sample sale success.

1. Always be first in line.

I can't stress the importance of this rule enough. Waking up an hour earlier can make all the difference at some of these sales. For less popular sales getting there a half hour early is usually enough but when it's a big name you want to be there 1-2 hours early. The first hour of the sale is when all the best/cheap stuff gets snapped up.

2. Be prepared.

I always have a giant blue IKEA tote bag stuffed in my purse to lug home my spoils of war. For $0.99 it's one of the best deals ever. If it's going to rain I have a tiny umbrella and a couple plastic garbage bags to protect the goods. I also do my due diligence. When a sale is announced I immediately Google past sale reports so get an idea of pricing and selection. Then I look online at lookbooks for current and past season collections to create a wishlist. I also check to see if they've had markdowns historically and show up for those days too. It also can't hurt to ask if they'll be replenishing.

3. Don't overdress.

I have a uniform. I like slip dresses because I can pop a dress on top of it or try on pants or skirts under it. I'm just not one of those girls who strips down to her panties publicly. Some gals wear the leggings and tank top ensemble but I'm more of a dress girl. In the winter I'll wear Spanx tights under my dress which will help suck me in as needed. This also means no makeup - it's just gonna shmear all over the clothing when you're trying it on in a hurry. If I'm wearing lipstick I wipe it off before I go in. No jewelry either. It can get caught and snag the clothing you're trying on, or fall off and get lost. Shoes should slide on and off easily as well.

4. Check and double check!

Sample sales are final sale so look everything over carefully. Sometimes a small damage or unfinished product isn't isn't a big deal if it's an easy fix or insanely cheap. It's also easy to get caught up in the moment and come home with something stupid. Made many a mistake back in the day. Now I'm a master editor and only buy what I love or can be passed along if I change my mind. OK, maybe that's not true - I still make mistakes from time to time...

5. Bring a buddy.

Some sales don't have mirrors or dressing rooms. You're gonna need someone whose opinion you trust to be your eyes. Plus a buddy can help you snap up all the cheap samples and then you can edit together. I have my sample sale crew at this point - we pass along the pieces that don't work for us and make sure nobody makes any huge fashion mistakes. If I'm solo at a sale I usually make friends in line or the dressing room. Shopping is always better with friends.

Photos by Belle Bakst

Be sure to follow my shopping adventures on LeHoarder.com and/or my Instagram from real time updates. Like I said, once you start sample sale shopping, you can never go back. And be sure to say hello if you see me about town - because like I said, shopping is always better with friends.

XO
Michelle

P.S. Sample sales have started popping up on the schedule again but IMHO there is no must-shop for this week. Keep your eyes focused on the retail sales. Zara just got another markdown but I'm waiting for one or two more before I shop. Designer sales are at second markdown at department stores and a few have an extra percentage off. You should be checking Barneys, Bergdorf, Bloomies, Neiman Marcus and Saks about now. And FYI, deals are always better in store vs online. Happy shopping!

Making Lemonade.

Like most people, I get a little introspective pre-New Years Eve and I thought I should take a moment to focus on all the good in my life and share just how grateful I am. 2017 was full of so many firsts and I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone and tell you all how appreciative I am. This year I had my first legit front row at New York Fashion Week, got several amazing collaboration opportunities, connected with a bunch of PR agencies who hooked me up with endless boxes of swag, had my first BFA photo taken, and broke 100k on Instagram. For all my successes, I'm just a regular gal who loves designer clothing and shoes - and has a knack for finding them on the cheap. I can't even tell you how much I'm looking forward to all 2018 will bring.

Overall, I'd consider myself a pretty positive person but there are some definite points of regret that have held me back. Over the years many dreams have come and gone and I've learned to adapt. I've had a whole lifetime before I started blogging 4 years ago that so many of you don't know about. Growing up, pouring over my Vogues, I dreamed of being a fashion designer. All my notebooks were filled with more sketches than math equations or essays. I went on to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology but I studied buying and marketing because I was afraid to put together a portfolio and apply for design. It was in college that I first discovered my voice and started to write little newsletters to my friends full of real and fictional stories. It was my way of dealing with growing up and leaving of the sheltered bubble of my youth. I lived at home in NJ during college but often escaped to my friends apartments in NYC or to their out-of-state college campuses.

During those summers I worked as an art teacher, bridal consultant and even stepped in as an assistant piece goods buyer at a fashion house during someone's maternity leave. Then the summer of senior year I sublet an apartment in the City with a friend who had a connection at a temp agency. We got jobs all over NYC at music and publishing companies for $18-25 an hour and were living the dream. This was back in the 90's so it was a lot of money for a college student. It was about then I decided I belonged in publishing and wanted to be a fashion editor. I was young, thin, pretty, energetic and had a killer wardrobe all scored for next to nothing. People would look for me at events just to see what I was wearing. Though I was fearless with my fashion, I was not as fearless with my personal and professional life.

At that point it was too late to get an internship at a fashion magazine and I was in such a rush to graduate and make money that I took a job as a production coordinator at a small garment trade magazine. That was when I got my first and only NYC studio apartment where I ended up living for 15 years. When I first signed my lease it was just $350 a month. Mind you it was literally 20 years ago but when I gave it up a few years back it was just over $1,100. I've always been the queen of the deal. Back then nobody lived above 96th street so it was a gamble to move uptown. But it was on Central Park West and I had the world's biggest front yard and a subway at the foot of the building. Life was good. I stayed on at my first job for a couple years and worked my way up to managing editor. It was an undeserved job title with a good paycheck for someone in their mid 20's. I was a naive young kid from a sheltered home and had a hard time dealing with some of the craziness of the Garmentos, the male owners and employees of the garment district. Many of them had a backwards way of thinking and treated women as objects. In hindsight I probably should have sucked it up for a little longer because the money was good, and most people are mistreated on their first few jobs (especially back then when sexual harassment was not such a buzzword). So I went back to my temp agency and the job center at FIT and hustled for several years. I could probably write of a book about some of those insane jobs and interviews back in the day. I had so many 'almosts' before finally settling at a marketing job at a major publishing house - not fashion related.

It was when I hit 30 when I realized I was not doing what I was supposed to do. I had just gotten married so I "retired" to have kids and be a stay at home mom. Don't get me wrong, those first few years of spending day in and out with my littles was fulfilling. It was about creating and molding these small children into people. I got a kick out of talking to them like adults, dressing them to the nines, and endless days of wandering the City with them in their tandem double stroller. But then I woke up. I woke up mid-thirties and looked at myself for the first time in years. I totally lost myself in my children and didn't recognize the person staring back at me in the mirror. So I started to work out, stopped wearing shapeless mommy clothing, joined Facebook and online message forums to connect with people again...until starting LeHoarder.com at 38. I'd been using the nickname and handle Shoppinggal for years but decided I needed something to take me to the next level. And so LeHoarder was born. Le means the in French - and Michelle is a French name. You can tell I don't speak French because I should have used La (female) instead of Le (male). And if you've seen my closet, the Hoarder part is pretty obvious.  I started with couponing deals and glitches and shared endless Target 90% off hauls and penny finds at Nordstrom Rack. And then one day I decided to be brave a put myself in front of the camera - wearing all my killer finds. And that's when everything started to really take off.

The theme that has been on repeat for most of my life is fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of success, but at this point in my life my only real fear is not trying. The way I see it, your twenties are full of self-discovery and angst, your thirties are more peaceful and about self-realization, and by the time you hit your forties, you stop giving a F what people think of you.

Your takeaway from this post should be a few things:

1. Internship, internship, internship! 

Do as many college internships as you can - even if they don't pay. Because if you don't have connections it's the best way to make them in your field of interest. And there is no need to rush "real life." It's gonna happen weather you like it or not.

2. Be fearless. 

There's never gonna be a right time. Just do it already. Seriously, what have you got to lose? I wish I wasn't such a chicken back in the day. More often than not you regret what you didn't do, not what you did. Just say yes to EVERY opportunity because you never know where it will take you.

3. It's never too late. 

At 43 I'm finally getting paid to do what I love with this job that I created for myself. When life gives you lemons...you make lemonade. Make your own opportunities! When I got started I hadn't a clue what I was doing. On so many levels I still don't. I didn't grow up texting or with social media so it's all something I had to figure out as an adult. I combined my love of fashion, shopping and writing with the HTML I learned from when I was working in web production for an online publication, the photo editing I learned when I worked in a art department, etc... And now I Google what I don't know, joined a bunch of Facebook groups for online creators, and ask a lot of questions. A lot of bloggers will ignore you or even lie to you when your numbers are small, but eventually you'll find your crew and your niche and that's when the magic happens. And I still stumble and struggle all the time. But I choose to get back up and keep pushing.

4. Forgive yourself. 

In truth, I've put back the weight I lost since I started my journey. I'm the heaviest I've ever weighed in my life. I've weighed less 9 months pregnant. Yet I refuse to make another weight loss resolution like I've made in years past and set myself up to fail. I'm also not gonna point my fingers at others and be accountable for my choices. In 2018 I'm hoping to reclaim my bravado with my fashion regardless of my weight or size. While I'd really like to fit my clothing again, I'm going to resolve to wear what I love regardless if I'm a size 2 or 12. And most importantly, I'm going to resolve to make better choices. Instead of beating myself up, I'm going to try to forgive myself and move forward.

Does all this mean I've given hope of ever being a fashion designer or magazine editor? Yes and no. Like I said, dreams change. I'd still love to have a collection one day, and if I had the opportunity to be a guest editor at any fashion publication I'd jump at the chance. And I want to be on TV. I'm just gonna put it out there in the universe and see what happens. Do I wish I had these opportunities 20 years ago? Sure. But for now I'm gonna try to stop stressing over what hasn't happened yet and focus on all I have right in front of me - and enjoy the ride.

Head to toe:

• Hat: H&M, $3
• Sunglasses: Fendi, Nordstrom Rack, $13
• Coat: H&M, $30 (still full price online - gotta love that sale rack!)
• Gloves: Amato New York, sample sale, $29
• Dress: H&M, $24.99
• Leggings: Spanx, Kohls (c/o)
• Bag: Rebecca Minkoff, sample sale, $75
• Boots: Zadig & Voltare, sample sale, $75 (RV $498)

Photos are by my friend Andrew who took me on a post-Christmas shopping spree. We totally failed at Woodbury Common but I should have realized that outlets are not your best bet post holiday. (Go hit retail sales ASAP!!! Just scored this H&M coat on the cheap on their stellar sale racks.) Plus it was freezing AF and I totally regretted not wearing wool socks - so I actually linked a few pairs of my faves (as well as the rest of my look) below for you to shop. Although we did score at Nordstrom Rack that day -  he and his brother found me these $600+ Fendis for just $15 less 25% Clear the Rack discount. Almost as good as all my penny Pradas from a couple years ago. Plus we even saw them at the Fendi outlet for over $300 LOL. 

Andrew now lives out of town for grad school but we always try to meet up when he comes home. We met through my blog a few years back and he was the one who saved me all the $25 Sergio Rossi shoes at the sample sale a few years back. Sadly there hasn't been a sale like it since. 

So peace out 2017! Wishing us all a year filled with joy and success! What are your goals for 2018?

XO
Michelle

90's Vibes & Glitter Combat Boots

I'm not sure what's going on this year but it's cold AF here in NYC this fall. It's not even winter yet and we've had several rounds of snow and sub-freezing temperatures. This is when it's not even about what I'm wearing under my coat, it's all about my coats, hats, gloves, and shoes. I've been feeling lots of 90's vibes of late, which is funny because I lived it 20 years ago. I'm thinking my inspo has been from my new combat glitter boots which have quickly become seasonal favorites. Piling it on for the bitter cold it's so easy to look like Yeti - which is why I went for a little sparkle on my feet. For me, it's all about balance and proportion - and tons of fun, colorful pieces to make you stand out in the icy streets of New York City.

Rule #1: Don't be stupid. 

When it's cold out make sure you are fully covered. No matter how stupid you look. This H&M oversized coat is huge so I wanted to balance it with leggings and a bit of skin so you could see there was a person under all that material. Big mistake. Next time I'll be wearing taller socks or longer leggings. And don't worry, I only took my gloves off for the pic.

Rule #2: Invest in lots of cute coats and accessories. 

You don't have to look stupid to dress warm. The second you move to a colder climate make sure you fill your closet with colorful wool socks and hats, cashmere lined leather gloves, and lots of fur. I have some nieces and a nephew who just moved to NY for college that are learning that the hard way. I know some people consider fur a dirty word but repeat after me - faux fur is not warm. I typically buy thrifted second-hand fur or sample sale steals so I don't feel like I'm supporting the fur industry directly. I'm just giving it another life. Oh, and UGGs are your best friend when it's zero degrees out. I typically just wear mine as slippers around my house but when the temps drop, the UGGS go on. I found a metallic gold pair a few seasons back on sale at Neiman Marcus and they're actually pretty cute. As for coats, I always thrift mine or shop end of season, Last year I found a $100 camel coat for $3 at H&M on the sale rack and you wouldn't believe all the $20 coats I grabbed at Zara. Don't worry, those sales are coming soon...

Rule #3: Layers are your friend. 

Don't be afraid to pile it on. The other day I wore 2 coats layered and I almost wish I had a third. If you don't have a heavy duty down coat you can easily layer up a light puffer under a pretty wool coat. This season's oversized coats totally accommodate several layers. Plus layering is good because while it's freezing outside, it's usually super hot inside. Like tank-top hot. Seriously, what's up with that?

From head to toe:

• Hat: H&M, $1 (sale rack!)
• Sunglasses: Jason Wu, sample sale, $20
• Coat: H&M, $30 (on sale from $199!)
• Dress: Zara, $22.90
• Bag: Balenciaga, Nordstrom Rack (75% off)
• Leggings: Spanx, Kohls c/o
• Shoes: LF/ Life, c/o

Last week I had the craziest day in NYC. It was the morning that a bomb went off in the Port Authority bus terminal - and of course I was headed to 42nd street for a little sample sale action. Luckily the photo shoot on the Upper West Side that I was styling (scroll down to read more about it!) got moved up so I hitched a ride into the City with them and by the time I headed down most of the mess downtown had cleared up. After a few sales (including Stella McCartney!) I got to meet Drew Barrymore at her Dear Drew pop up. She actually asked me what was on my shirt and I hadn't a clue LOL. I honestly picked up this sweatshirt dress in Zara because I liked the shape. I already have a similar Zara one in black (seen here) that I wore to Fashion Week that gets me so many complements. I'm actually exhausted because I've been so busy, but I realize it's a blessing and just keep pushing.

You can shop my style - and some fun colorful (and warm!) winter accessories here:

Photos this week are by the amazing Eitan Bernath. Eitan is celeb chef that I've been styling for red carpets and events and he just got featured by Instagram on their page TODAY. And did I mention he's just 15 years old??!! Check out his Instagram feature here and his page here. A couple weeks back I got an excited phone call that Instagram called him to interview him and feature him on their page and stories. We had just a couple days to pull together a few looks to shoot for his feature, so one quick shopping trip and a couple hours in his closet (which I've been building with him) and we were ready. Here's a quick behinds the scenes of his NYC shoot. These were taken with my Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. I love my phone and can't wait to upgrade - I hear the 9 is coming out soon! FYI, with this phone you really have to buy the phone specific to your carrier or you could have issues.

The tee shirt is his own but all the jackets and sweater are Zara and the jeans are Forever 21, Sneakers are of course $50 Jimmy Choo sample sale finds. I stocked him up big time on Choos. Check out these loafers he wore to an event not too long ago. That was actually the first look we worked on together. I wish my shoe closet was that good at 15.

Post shoot he took a few pics of me and then I turned the camera around and took a few of him in front of a graffitied truck that was parked right next to us.

You can actually see that truck driving away from us in this one. And don't let his smile fool you. It was insanely cold out.

Be sure to head to his Insta and/or his Insta feature to show him some love!

I have another busy weeks ahead - lots of holiday events that I can't wait to share - and a few more sample sales on my radar. Last week I stocked up on my favorite gloves at the Carolina Amato sample sale. Her sale is the only one worth mentioning right now and is on thru Tuesday so you can still pop by and see what's left. This time of year the pre-holiday sample sales sales are mostly giftables (think cashmere, candles, makeup and jewelry) but every so often something good pops up out of nowhere. When that happens I always share on my Insta stories so be sure you are following along so you don't miss a sale!

Amato New York
December 18-19, 9-5:30
270 West 38th Street, Suite 902

Happy shopping!

XO
Michelle

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

Urban Camouflage

I had randomly dropped into H&M the day before these pictures were taken and found this super cute oversized camouflage parka on sale for $30 from $69.99. It's actually still full price on-line. And better yet my tank dress was marked down to just $3! Score! I decided to pair it up with my 85% off Altuzarra bag that I picked up at their NYC sample sale and my new $30 Rebecca Minkoff sample boots. I can't find them online anywhere so it's possible they were never produced. If you don't already live the sample sale life, you don't know what you're missing. I'm totally spoiled by one of a kind designer pieces that I pick up for next to nothing.

I've actually wanted a pair of white booties for a while - they just freshen everything up. Plus they are so unexpected for fall. These are crazy comfortable and I figure if they ever get really dirty I can easily dye them black - just like my $50 Jimmy Choo sample sale bag.

What you don't know about these pictures is that I was probably running a fever and breaking out in sweats - but I didn't want to miss the Glow Recipe preview at Henri Bendel that morning and I was going stir crazy in my house after being under the weather for days. But the swag was so good - I shared on my stories a little while back and some of it appeared in this Insta post as well. I just couldn't say no to amazing K-Beauty products and a personalized makeup case. #yesplease

My look from head to toe:

• Sunglasses: Dolce & Gabbana, Nordstrom Rack, $0.01
• Coat: H&M, $30
• Dress: H&M, $3
• Bag: Altuzarra, sample sale, 85% off (Retailed for $3,000+)
• Boots: Rebecca Minkoff, sample sale, $30

You can shop my style here:

Thank you to Esther Santer for these photos. I ran into her at the event that day and we used her camera to shoot these. I did have my camera (we just popped in my SD card) but I wanted to experiment with using different cameras and lenses. I'm due for an upgrade so I'm doing my research. I'm torn between a new lens or a whole new camera altogether. I typically use my Canon T5 with a 40mm lens and it's super lightweight and takes decent pics - even on auto LOL. If anyone has a setup that they love please do share!

And now to my NYC sample sale picks! Lots going on - but you really don't need to hit them all!

I was going to preview this sale the day I took my girls to check out the new American Girl Doll store in Rock Center but never had the chance. I usually grab some cute hair accessories and boutique-y pieces on the cheap.

The Best Kids Sample Sale
November 13-17, 10-5
34 West 33rd Street, Floors 3, 9 & 12

This stylists showroom sale has had some gems in the past. If you go PLMK what you find!

Mahna Mahna Showroom

November 15-17 & 20-21, 11-6
134 Spring St, #304

I heard that the preview wasn't all that impressive. No shoes and bags were eh. 

Marc Jacobs
November 15-19
W-Sat 9-8, Sun 10-5
150 Greene Street

I'm a HUGE Teri Jon fan and their dresses are my go-to when I need to be fancy. Sample dresses usually start at $75 which is a great deal considering they retail for $500-1,000 easy. You can read a past sale report here.

Teri Jon
November 19-20, 9:30-5
241 West 37th St, 2nd Fl

Happy shopping!

XO
Michelle