Rainbow Brightest

Decided to kick-off 2019 with a little rainbow style. After my InStyle Magazine feature in my rainbow dress I've decided to embrace a whole lotta color. I took the minis to NYC for our annual outing to American Girl for New Year's Day and luckily we were blessed with a mild 50-degree day—otherwise there is no way we could have shot our street style. Compared to the single digits we've been having recently, we considered ourselves lucky. And yes, my pics were taken by my super talented 11-year-old daughter, Ella.

From head to toe:

Sunglasses: Shein, $4
Earrings: Sarara Couture, c/o (RV $145)
Sweater: 525 America, purchased with a gifted gift card (RV $98)
Jacket: Missguided, $52, c/o
Skirt: Tory Burch, Rent the Runway (RV $398)
Bracelets: Hermes, sample sale, $300 (RV $600) and A.V. Max NYC, sample sale, c/o
Nails: Impress Manicure x Alice and Olivia, c/o (RV $7.99)
Bag: Bill Blass, c/o (RV $488)
Shoes: Modern Vice, sample sale, $50 (RV $398)

Exciting news! Both Modern Vice and Bill Blass are having sample sales this week. You too will have the chance so score my amazing Becky bag and Bolt boots for super cheap prices—see below for full sale deets. Even more exciting, I will be going live on Instagram and posting an IGTV from the VIP preview (this Thursday) for Bill Blass. If you don't live in NYC you will have the chance to watch and shop the sale from home—watch my IG stories for updates!

My girls are twinning in their Habitual Kid looks and Nina Kids boots. At this point they style themselves so Ella decided to show her personality with my Marc Jacobs headband (several seasons old) and a mini Rebecca Minkoff Love bag. I did get her some smaller straps at the sample sale that she mixes and matches with her bags—just like her mama. Ava's belt bag is a $13 score from Shein. My girls often raid my closet for accessories. I'm gonna be in serious trouble when they start fitting my shoes.

As for shopping this week, it's the tail end of department store discounts and the NYC Manolo Blahnik store just had another markdown. Century 21 has started markdowns but it's just not like the good ole days. Personally I'm sitting out for now but if things change I'll be sure to share. Wondering if anyone has seen any yellow sticker markdowns at TJ Maxx or Marshalls—I feel like it's that time of year...

Current sample sales of note are Bill Blass and Modern Vice. Bill Blass will have bags, shoes and ready to wear for up to 90% off. Modern Vice has boots from $49-249. They have an online sale as well but in my experience you can negotiate better deals in person, especially if you are buying a couple pairs. I'll probably be heading back there this week for round two.


Modern Vice
January 14-25 (but they may extend...)
M-F, 11-7
247 W 38th St, 3rd Fl

Bill Blass
January 25-26
F 11-6, Sat 11-4
236 5th Avenue, 2nd Fl
(FYI—I believe both Chicmi and Shopdrop are offering VIP access for the 24th if you are on their lists.)


What sales are on your radar for this week? Be sure to comment your best recent deals below!

Happy shopping!

XO

Michelle

November 2018 NYC Sample Sale Picks & Jimmy Choo Haul!

I usually just add my New York City sample sale picks to the end of my blog posts but I decided to share a dedicated post that I'll be updating throughout the month. My formula for a great sample sale is super-designer and/or super-cheap. Half off last season's old bags is not a legit sample sale. I look for one of a kind runway samples, shoes worn once down the runway by a giant footed model (my size too!) or crazy cheap bins. The best sales are often in a designer's showroom—once the sale gets taken over by a sample sale company the prices tend to get inflated.

In case you missed all my latest IGTV videos, I've been sharing a peek inside my favorite sales as well as videos of my sale hauls. I've recently shared Jimmy Choo, Balenciaga, Rebecca Minkoff, Paul Andrew... Head to my Instagram and click on the little button of a TV on the left that reads IGTV to watch. Here is a pic of most of my Jimmy Choo sample sale haul (only one pair of $50 shoes are missing). This time I almost got kicked out of the sale AGAIN but I still managed to walk away with some amazing pretty current finds! Head to my IGTV to hear the full story and watch the full reveal and prices :)

As of now these are the sales that are on my radar for the month of November:

This sale is my go-to for kids inexpensive boutique-y hair accessories and baby gifts. 

The Best Kids Sample Sale
11/12-16, 10-5
34 W. 33rd Street, Floors 3, 5, 9, 12

Not the cheapest of sales but I'm a Eugenia Kim fan so I usually just pop by to take a peek—be sure to check at the end for markdowns. 

Eugenia Kim
11/13-16, 10-7
347 W 36th Street, Suite 505

I've personally never been but I've heard a few gals raving about this one. 
*ETA 11/14 I heard this one may not worth be the trip. 

LoveShackFancy 
11/13-16
T 10-7, W-Th 10-6, F 10-4
210 11th Avenue, Suite 500

I stumbled upon this sale last season and her kimonos became my summer staples. Check out my last sales scores here and here. Cute + inexpensive = #yesplease 

Elizabeth Gillett
11/14-16, 10-5
260 West 36th Street, Suite #802

Cheap undies and bras sounds like a no-brainer!

Samantha Chang
11/14-16, W 11-8, Th 11-7, F 11-6
171 Madison Avenue, Suite 307

I'm not exactly sample size right now but if you are be sure to check out their sample rack!

Cushnie
11/15-16, 10-7
251 West 39th Street, 8th Fl

What a sample sale should be—lots of cheap beauty stuff. Think holiday gifts!

Peter Thomas Roth & June Jacobs
11/5-15, 11-7:30
460 Park Avenue, 22nd Fl

The pop pom earrings that everyone raves about. Some cheap things (I've picked up stuff under $10 before) but the better stuff is gonna cost you $$$.

Tuleste
11/15-17, Th-F 10-8, Sat 12-5
191 7th Avenue, Suite 2R

My go-to for modest dressier dresses and gowns. Get there early to have fun with their one of a kind samples. You can see me wearing a never produced $75 sample dress here. And see a previous sale review here. 

Teri Jon
11/18-19, 9:30-5
241 West 37th Street, 2nd Fl

I always grab a bunch of Derek Lam sunnies from this sale! FYI it's usually cash only. Check out a past review here. 

Modo Eyewear
11/27-29, 11-7
594 Broadway, Suite 801

I've actually never went to this one but I've always wanted to. I've heard the sample rack is the way to go—otherwise prices are not so budget friendly. But her dresses are oh-so pretty...

Lela Rose
11/28-30, W 8-8, Th 9-7, F 9-3
260 West 36th Street, 2nd Fl

As for other updates, I'll be sharing a giveaway for a Gucci bag with Ebay Fashion on my Insta. Be sure to enter to win! Also, look for me in the December Issue of InStyle Magazine and I've also been selected by 11 Honore as a favorite plus sized influencer to follow. I had a few people comment that I'm not plus sized but what you should know is that 11 Honore starts their sizing at size 10. Right now I'm anywhere from a 10-14 depending on the designer. So many high end designers stop cutting at a size 8 which is insane because the average size of an American woman is probably closer to a 16. So I'm honored to be featured by a company that gives women designer options in sizes often overlooked.

Happy Shopping! Which sales are on your radar for November? Comment below!

Life Is Short. Buy the Choos.

Sample sale land has been very good to me of late. Tis the season, I suppose. Typically the best NYC sample sales are around May/June and November/December. With discounts of 70-90% off it's pretty hard to resist all them designer deals. For a while I stopped sharing hauls and just shared bits and pieces as I wore them, but I kept getting haul requests. Here are all my Jimmy Choo, Charlotte Olympia, Rebecca Minkoff (part 2) and Modo Eyewear sale finds. You're welcome.

So let's start with the sample sale of all sample sales, Jimmy Choo. This was probably my worst haul to date because I was supposed to film a video for a collab that morning that ended up falling thru. So not only did I not get paid, I lost out on all the killer deals. By the time I got there (about 2pm) all the $50 men's shoes were cleared and bags were nothing special. Boo. They did have some boots marked $100 so I grabbed these two pairs and I plan to dye at least one black. See my $50 Jimmy Choo bag dyeing tutorial here. I actually already picked up the platform boots a while back in nude for $250 so it was a no-brainer. I love their wedges so I grabbed a basic pair which I'm kinda regretting. They are comfortable but a little too basic for my taste. We'll see. As an impulse buy I grabbed these shoe clips for $25 per pair. While most people would be happy with this haul, in comparison to previous hauls (here, here, here, and here ) it was pretty darn disappointing.

Rebecca Minkoff is hands down one of my all time faves. Her stuff is fun, colorful, and most importantly — super cheap! Everything pictured was $15-30 with the exception of the velvet Love crossbody bag. The only reason I "splurged" was because it was the bag I reeeeeealy wanted last sale and after seeing someone walk away from the sample table with it, I was slightly devastated. I probably didn't need it after finding the smaller pink satin one for only $15 but it's NWT so I can always flip it should I ever change my mind.

Note, this round was after some markdowns. Check out my round one here. From top center; guitar straps were $15 each, straw clutch was $30, pink satin Love was $15, glitter crossbody was $30, leather sample jacket was $30, white Jumbo Love was $30, black small Love was $30 and velvet Love was $50. I hit that sample table hard! Personally I love her mini bags because the chains are heavy so as they get larger, they get even heavier.

Then on to Charlotte Olympia. For some reason I just couldn't find any cute shoes in size 40. From Charlotte I look for crazy statement heels and for some reason that sale was lacking in that department — at least in my size. At the sale all shoes were around $150 which is pretty darn good for the higher end shoes. But when CO ran their own sales they always had some flats for $100 which was more palatable because at least you didn't have to pay tax (in NYC you have to pay tax on clothing and shoes over $110). They did mark down to $120 at the end but not much was left and it still wasn't cheap enough IMO.

Bags on the other hand were a really good deal — and much cheaper than when CO ran the sale. (This year's sale was run by 260 Sample Sale). Wallets were just $60 — and that red lips one retails for over $1,000! And I just couldn't resist her signature kitty wallet. Not to mention I love the internal organization - it's the best wallet I've purchased in years!! I'll be sure to share an Insta story soon so you can take a peek inside :) My rainbow clutch was just $175 from about $1,500 and my piece de resistance was my Lauren Atkinson patent leather crossbody bag (yes it has a strap too!) that retailed for $2,785 — and I scored it for $250. They had matching boots but of course they were not my size. And sadly they didn't have the matching rainbow shoes at the sale at all — they are currently on her website for 50% off (30% at most other places) but you know that's not good enough for me LOL.

Finally are my Modo scores — these Derek Lam sunnies were priced $30 each, and they retail for over $300. I got there on the last day so there wasn't much left.

You can shop some of my finds online (for more, sorry) below:

So that's my latest roundup! The good news is that even if you missed those sales, there are a few good ones coming up! Here are my picks for the next few weeks:

My favorite jewelry sale is back! Be sure to tell Amy (the designer) I sent you! With everything under $20 it's a great place to stock up on gifts! You can read a past sale report here. 

A.V. Max
June 4-8
M 10-4, T 10-8, W & Th 10-4, F 10-2
39 West 38th St., 10th Fl

I always find the cutest dresses for my girls at this sale! Last sale I scored the navy butterfly dresses my girls wore to my son's Bar Mitzvah at the kotel —  seen here. 

Halabaloo
June 6-8, 9:30-6:30
423 West 43rd Street, Ground Floor

If you have a black tie event and you're sample size you can find some killer deals here. They do have stock sizing (and all her other styles) for waaaay less then you'd find at Neiman Marcus :) If you go, get there early because lines are insane. Check out a past sale report here. 

Teri Jon
June 10-11, 9:30-5
241 West 37th Street, 2nd Fl

I have a love/hate relationship with the Alice and Olivia sales. Those resellers are out for blood at this one. But I've scored $99 leathers and my favorite lace dress for not much more. Get there early and come often for replens. Read a past sale report here. 

Alice and Olivia
June 11-16
M 12-8, T 9-8, W-Sat 10-8
260 5th Ave

I've only ever once gone to this one but I got there late and missed everything. Go early. 

Sachin & Babi 
June 11-14, 11-8
140 West 42 St, 2nd Fl

Happy shopping! If you hit those sales, I'd love to hear about your favorite scores!

XO
Michelle

My $15-30 Rebecca Minkoff Sample Sale Scores!

The Rebecca Minkoff New York City sample sale is back and it's no joke. I attended the sale at the VIP opening and it was the best it's been in years. $15-30 samples made a comeback and there are killer deals to be found. Sale is on thru Sunday so I suggest to take a trip and see what you can find!

Everything above was $15 other than the sample boots (this year they had size 6 thru 10!) and the pink mini Love and the satin embroidered Love - which were all $30. Not bad considering the satin Love retailed for $345!!! Love me some 90% off Loves!

Don't worry, I clearly didn't take everything. I tried to edit down and I'm thinking maybe I over edited. I thought I would return but this week has been cray and I'm not sure I'll have the chance. Sample bags have been $50-75 at opening for a while (with discounts on beat up leftovers at the end) so I was thrilled to spot tons of cute cheap bags as well as $30 leather pieces on the clothing sample rack. For samples, green tags are $15, yellow is $30. They had a round of markdowns today (no more $50-75 for samples!) and I'm sure at least one more round will happen before it's over. Right now everything at the sale is $175 or less with exceptions of the furs for $425.

Everything in the picture below was just $15. Insanity!

The leather jacket is tiny so Ella stole it - she actually stole the vest as well and decided to wear it inside out. I swear my daughter is a fashion prodigy. Both of these yellow tags were just $30 :)

I'm linking up some of my finds that I found online too (not as cheap, sorry!) should you need them too!

And now on to sample sale land. Tis the season, baby! There are tons but these are my favorite picks...


Last day of Choo is tomorrow! You know the drill! (For more tips see my previous post.)

Jimmy Choo
May 11, 8-8
Metropolitan Pavilion 
123 W 18TH ST, 2nd Fl


Minkoff is on thru Sunday - plenty of time to pick up lots of cheap gifts!

Rebecca Minkoff
May 11-13
F 10-8, Sat 10-7, Sun 10-4
260 5th Ave


If you watched my Insta stories this week you saw that they had cheap samples! Not sure of they are restocking any more but if you're in the hood it's worth a pop in. 

Elizabeth and James 
May 11-13
F-Sat 10:30-7, Sun 10:30-5
Chelsea Market, 75 9th Ave (Prive Sales)


This is the first time 260 is getting CO so it's hard to say what the prices will be like. When the brand ran the sale it wasn't all that cheap so I'm worried it's gonna be even more now. That said, I plan on checking out the preview so stay tuned...

Charlotte Olympia
May 22-27
T 9-8,W-Th 10-7, F-Sat 10-8, Sun 10-5
150 Greene Street


Always worth checking out the Modo sale for designer sunnies on the cheap :)

Modo Eyewear 
May 22-24, 11-7
594 Broadway, Suite 801

Not sure what pricing will be like on this one but I saw a pair of their sandals at Bloomies that I have my eye on so finger crossed! 


Sensi Studio x Avec Modération 
May 15-17, 10-5:30
611 Broadway, Suite 321

Any other sales on your radar? Please do share! 

Happy Shopping and Happy Mother's Day to all! I just did a Mother's Day Collab with the beauty brand Amaranthum - you can see the short version here. I'll link up the whole video soon. 

XO
Michelle

Pink on Pink on Pink.

I've had this Club Monaco sample sale pink coat sitting in my closet since the summer just waiting to make an appearance. Once I dyed my hair pink I was inspired to pull it out. When I found these furry pink Zara shoes and scarf (both $10 - on sale!) it all came together for NYFW. Fashion Week in February is all about coats and accessories for me. Until the day I'm a car to door girl, I'll be bundling up in frigid temps. It always drives me nuts when I see girls running around bare legged or coatless in 30 degree weather. Initially I wanted to do head to toe pink but I didn't find tights and a dress in time so I just mixed in some not-so-basic black (dress has dots and tights are patterned too) for contrast. I do have a few pink hats, but this purple double pom cap was just so much fun - and matched my almost 90% off Jimmy Choo sample sale Lockett bag.

These were shot on Valentines day and I had just come from an event that offered free balloons. I probably could have chosen better because the wind was not cooperating. A bunch of hearts probably would have photographed better then the X and O.

Head to toe:

• Hat: RK Hats & Knits, c/o
• Sunglasses: Dolce & Gabbana, Nordstrom Rack, $0.01
• Scarf: Zara, $9.99
• Pin: Chanel, borrowed from my Grandmother
• Coat: Club Monaco, sample sale, $40
• Gloves: Amato NY, sample sale, $10
• Bag: Jimmy Choo, sample sale, $350 (RV $2,895)
• Dress: H&M, $15
• Tights: Spanx, Burlington, $12.99
• Shoes: Zara, $9.99

These top photos were taken by Candace Hampton in the morning after a PR event and the bottom by my girl Belle post shows that day. Thank you guys!

Of all my Fashion Week looks this was probably my most photographed one. I actually had my second ever BFA photo front row in this look. Honestly so many people came over just to shoot my furry shoes. Best $10 at Zara I ever spent. They are a cross between Celine and Isabel Marant and look so designer. And unlike most of my other Zara sale shoes, they didn't fall apart after one wear.

My Jimmy Choo Lockett Bag was probably my best sample sale find last year. So much so that I actually picked up two last year LOL.

As for sample sales - there are quite a few on my radar for the week:

I'm a huge K-Beauty fan so I jump at the chance to stock-up on the cheap. 

JKNLEE K-Beauty
March 12-17, 10-7
9 Christopher Street

Of course I just ordered a bunch off Bauble Bar off the sale section on their website. Hoping to snap up some more for even less...

Parker X Bauble Bar
March 13-18
T 10-8, W-Sat 10-7, Sun 10-5
260 5th Avenue

I love Kate Spade's new kitchy, colorful line - last time I scored several pairs of $50 sample shoes and everyone went gaga over my $25 sample one of a kind bag that made an appearance here at Fashion Week. 

Frances Valentine
March 14-15, 8-6
80 West 40th Street, Suite 80, 8th Floor

It's the first Chloé sample sale at 260 - I'll be hitting the preview on the 13th at night so check out my stories for my thoughts post shop (no pics allowed inside the sale though).

Chloé
March 14-18
W-F 9-8, Sat 10-8. Sun 10-5
151 Wooster Street

I'll be doing an exclusive preview with ShopDrop App the night before - be sure to check out my stories! I'll try to go live on Insta and give you a peek inside! 

Paul Andrew
March 15-16, 12-7
41 West 58th Street, Suite 2A

Looks like it's gonna be a great week in sample sale land! Happy Shopping!

XO
Michelle

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!