UPDATE: Shoes (and we’re talking Balenciaga, Pierre Hardy, Christian Louboutin, Mui Mui & more) have been marked down an additional 40% off at the Barneys Warehouse Sale.

You should go.
I’m going to go again and plan on having a very good time.

The ridiculously enviable Jimmy Choo sandals above have been screaming my name for awhile now…and this Wednesday, I might just have to answer that call. Yes ladies, this is one sample sale you’ll want to take the day off for:

Jimmy Choo Sample Sale
Sky-High Heels Up To 70% off
One Day Only!!! Wednesday, Aug. 26, 09 | 1-6pm
Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St., at Sixth Ave.

Trust me, with a new pair of Choos, you’ll be running this town tonight.

Not only did I score an incredible Pierre Cardin dress (that I am absolutely rocking during NY Fashion Week), but also a ton of great little pins and brooches (paid a whopping $8 for 5 of them). I’ll definitely be heading back out to the Brooklyn Flea for some of those fabulous home decor pieces as well – there was one small table that I was this-close to buying.

Also spotted: Vintage Escada, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, old skeleton keys (which I’m obsessed with), antique door knobs, tons of jewelry, great beaded clutches, and even a DIY beer kit.

And while not quite the same as shopping in the also DUMBO-based, ultra chic boutique Zoe, the flea market has a wonderful charm to it. Its fun to bargain with people for a few bucks (if I save even $2, it’ll pay for another cup of coffee!), try on clothing that your grandmother probably threw out, and re-imagining your space filled with vintage posters from the 50s. I left with my head simply swimming in new ideas.

The Brooklyn Flea takes place every weekend in two locations and you really should bother to get out there: Every Saturday in Fort Greene (10am-5pm), and every Sunday under the Brooklyn Bridge on the waterfront in DUMBO (11am-6pm). See here for directions and much more.

• had my hair colored by the fabulous Joel Warren at his salon (Warren-Tricomi) at the Plaza Hotel – I am now a hot blond
• had silver mirrored Minx Nails applied at ‘Cure Beauty Bar and for eight whole days my nails were as fabulous as Lady Gaga’s, Beyonce’s, and Rihanna’s
• went to the Invader opening at the Jonathan LeVine Gallery [rubix cube + album covers = art]
• fell in love with The High Line
• saw the hoppin’ frog exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History
• found a great bikini top at Victoria’s Secret for just $14
• discovered new addictive apps for my iPhone (while getting a lovely sunburn)
• came up with a great idea that will make me rich enough to wear Lanvin every day

What have you been up to? Oh right. You all stopped reading my blog by now. Boo.

Everything from Rihanna’s tuxedo suit in the Umbrella -ella, -ella video to the little mod dress Jessica Simpson wore on The View are on sale and can be yours if the price is right.

In addition to the celeb favorites are a bunch of amazing dresses (including the one shown on the left, which I am getting), tops, blazers, pants, skirts, and the most fabulous retro-inspired swim suits that you can find. There are even pieces available from the hauntingly beautiful fall ‘09 collection for purchase.

Abaeté Sample Sale
117 Crosby Street (between Prince / Houston in SoHo)
12 pm noon – 6pm

Tell Anly I said ‘Hi’ and buy as much as you possibly can – trust me, boys love Abaeté. Xx

Delivering maximum sex appeal, Brian Atwood’s sky-high heels are to-die-for. And for one day only (this Wednesday, 6/10, from 8am-8pm), you can get them at rock-bottom prices. Trust me ladies, is one sample sale you probably won’t want to miss…

While my other bikinis are all still in fine condition, I’m not sure they are as flattering as they maybe could be – especially since the last bikini I bought was about 4 years ago.

So now, in addition to all of the other things I’ve got to juggle in my life, I begin the ever dangerous (and sometimes depressing) bikini hunt…wish me luck!

Speaking of swimwear: For 2 days only, save 30% at Neiman Marcus on all women’s swim styles from sexy little bikinis to one-piece maillots

Love the Missoni suit I have posted here? Me too. $365 at Net-a-porter and its yours.

I’ve always had a major soft spot for Vivienne Westwood’s designs. So flattering, so powerful, so sexy. And now is the perfect time to begin or add to your wardrobe:

Vivienne Westwood Sample Sale
What: At Vivienne Westwood, draw raffle tix ($5-$1,000) before shopping the collection — now up to 70 percent off.
Why: Because if Carrie Bradshaw can wear Vivienne, so can we!
When: Thurs. & Fri., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Where: Scatola Showroom, 544 W. 27th St., b/t Tenth & Eleventh Aves., 6th flr. (a trek sure, but probably worth it)

…and if you want to jump on the bandwagon early, shop Rebecca Mikoff’s studded selection alongside the best dresses and swimwear from Abaeté and a selection of Torn by Ronny Kobo at a big, fabulous, joint sample sale:

Wednesday, May 6th – Sunday, May 10th
10am – 8pm
33 W. 17th St. (btwn 5th/6th ave.) NY

Shop the sale early for the best selection and please, no fighting this time around ladies. Xx

Shop Ted Rossi’s semi-annual sample sale this Thursday and Friday to take advantage of huge savings on their ultra-addictive python, leather & crystal pieces. And with bangles and cuffs starting at $20, and leather clutches from $80, how could you afford not to go?

What: Ted Rossi Sample Sale
Why: Python, Leather, and Swarovski Crystal Jewelry & Handbags up to 75% off
When: Thursday April 30th & Friday May 1st, 10am-7pm
Where: 15 East 30th Street, Suite 300, NYC between 5th & Madison Avenues (212.683.1726)

Bindya offers some of the most beautiful scarves around in countless colors and prints. Into sequined styles? She’s got those too.

Her styles are usually available through retailers including Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, Anthropologie, Owl’s Lab and more retailing upward from $80, but during the sample sale you’ll be able to get your hands on pieces starting at just $10, which is certainly worth the trip to 38th street. See below for details…

What: Bindya New York Sample Sale
Why: Shop a wide variety of gorgeous scarves starting at just $10
When: Apr. 16 & 17. Thurs. & Fri., 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Where: 49 W. 38th St., b/t Fifth & Sixth Aves., 9th flr.

I’ll be there stocking up on goodies for myself as well as gifts for others! Xx

Wait just a second…Erickson Beamon created a collection for Target?! How did I miss this?!

Anyway, back in the days of my first and only fashion internship, I spent hour upon hour identifying, writing up, checking back, re-labeling and assisting with the merchandising of Erickson Beamon jewelry at Showroom Seven/Seventh House PR. Twisted Sister and Chain Reaction were two of the groups I can still remember and I now own several EB brooches (yes, I’m just like Michelle Obama) and I think perhaps a bracelet.

Erickson Beamon is known for taking things over-the-top – way over the top. Think mounds of pearls, cascading crystals, bling bling bling as far as the eye can see. Definitely fun to wear on a wild night out!

The collection will be available online at Target.com beginning February 15th, but is apparently out in some stores already!

Want the “real” stuff? Shop the Seventh House Showroom Sample Sale now through Friday, Feb 20th from 10am-7pm (excluding Sundays) at 263 11th Avenue, 3rd floor, between 27th & 28th Streets. EB will be available as wholesale costs or less, as will Orla Kiely, Issa, Charlotte Ronson, and more!

True friends listen to you whine about the same boy or pair of perfect Prada pumps season after season. They’ll walk into Bergdorf’s and peruse the racks with you even though they know you shouldn’t be shopping at all.

True Friends also call you when they hear of an amazing deal that they know you’d want to take advantage of (this is also called sharing).

I have many true friends and today one called me to tell me about the absolutely bananas sale that is happening at Madewell 1937.

Ring, ring!
Me: Hello gorgeous! What’s up?
Anly: Are you size 24 or 25? I bought a pair of Madewell jeans for just $12 yesterday and am back for more! They’re super long (totally go over your heels) and are so dark! Black! Want me to pick you up a pair?
Me, slightly squealing: Are you kidding? Buy me at least 2 pairs!!

Now it’s your turn to be a good friend – spread the love. Your friends will thank you for it and look better the next time you meet then for coffee in the west village.

Today during work, Shauna spun suddenly around in her chair and said something along the lines of “OMG – Did you see this? Jimmy Choo for Hunter! You have to blog about this!” And so I am.

The croc-embossing on these wellies looks gorgeous (although I wonder what it will actually look like) and these babies even feature leopard print lining. Love them? The boot will be available in June at Jimmy Choo boutiques and in select retailers for $395

To be honest with you – I don’t really know how I feel about these. Perhaps it’s simply because I’m still so very happy with my original Hunters. Anyway…this has been a post for Shauna.

P.S. You don’t to wait until June to get a pair of Jimmy Choo’s for under $400 – because Jimmy Choo is having a online sale right now! Shop it here…

Well people – it is still 2008 for a few more days! Before we all make New Year’s Resolutions that we probably won’t keep, indulge in a few last-minute spectacular savings thanks to this year’s lovely recession. Click below to shop some of my top sale picks from Alexander McQueen, Prada, Rick Owens, Helmut Lang and more…

UPDATE: Of course I ended up going out shopping yesterday and just wanted to let you know that at least half of Bloomingdales is 40% off – even my precious Earnest Sewn Harlan jeans were on sale. Also, H&M is also having a huge blow-out sale with a ton of great pieces at 70% off causing me to invest in a duplicate floor length Halston-esque black dress (which I’m obsessed with) that I bought earlier, but this time paid only $15 for. Anyway, happy shopping!

Shop, Shop, Shop

Alexander McQueen Elvie Bag | On Sale for $969 from $2,435 | Now thru 12/30/08

Amazing Shoes You’ve Wanted All Season | On Sale Now (like for $200-300) at Barneys

Helmut Lang White Shearling Jacket | One Sale for $629 from $1,325 at Intermix

Rick Owens Draped Silk Dress | On Sale for $1,092 from $1,455 at Net-a-porter.com

Koi Suwannagate Verde Metallic Skirt | On Sale for $299 from $598 | Now thru 12/30/08

Patricia Underwood Cashmere Gloves | On Sale for $138 from $230 at Bergdorf Goodman

VPL Heavy Gauge Cashmere Wrap | On Sale for $416.50 from $595 at La Garconne

Proenza Schouler Purple Origami Dress | On Sale for $328.50 from $1,095 at Kirna Zabete

.

Another sale worth checking out…

Agent Provacateur Sale | 50% Off Fun and Flirty Styles | Now thru 01/10/09

Now thru Friday | 10am to 7pm | 260 Fifth Ave between 28th & 29th Streets

They are from BCBG and are on sale now from $378 to just $189. The site lists them as ‘black’ but they seem to have a black-brown-black ombre going on, which I love.

Now with boots, just as with little black dresses, it is all about the fit – I refuse to own boots that float around my calves like little boats, so I guess I’ll just have to go to one of the boutiques and give them a try.

UPDATE: As I suspected, they are way too big in the calf for me.

They are holding three shopping events on Tuesday, December 2nd, Tuesday, December 9th, and Tuesday, December 16th from 7pm – 9pm during which you can get 40% off Earnest Sewn goods (and 20% off everything else) while you enjoy the free refreshments being served. And (if you can believe there’s more), they’re holding a canned food drive in conjunction with the Food Bank for New York City and New York City Cares, so you get an extra 1% off third-party merchandise for every can you bring in (up to 20% off) – so bring in 20 cans because it’s worth it!

Calling it Recession Proof is a little retarded (not pc, I know), but whatever – I’m addicted to their Harlan jean (and am currently wearing through a pair), so you can count on seeing me there at least once.

Click below for just a few of my top sale picks…

James Perse Double-Breasted Cotton Blazer | Was $225, NOW $157.50

Miu Miu Paillette Pumps | Were $650, NOW $390

Alexander McQueen Elvie Python Tote | Was $5,380, NOW $3,228

Giuseppe Zanotti Tri-color Pumps | Were $695, NOW $347.50

Jimmy Choo Leather Boots | Were $1,145, NOW $801.50

Nina Ricci Bow Shoulder Cardigan | Was $1,890, NOW $945

If you don’t receive their emails, do sign up already: theirs are one of the few I actually open.

• Barneys lures (effectively, in my case) with ‘PRIVATE SALE STARTS TODAY! + Complimentary Shipping’
• The Discover Store tries to put immediate pressure to buy with time-sensitive subjects like: ‘20% Off Site-wide Secret Sale Ends Soon!’
• BCBG begs customers with ‘50% Off Winter Sale Continues – Plus Free Shipping Offer!

And the list goes on and on and on and on…and will continue to (so make a mental note in case you haven’t already – DO NOT buy anything at full price right now because in a day it will be discounted). But what really takes the cake are the messages sent out to anyone a marketing team can get an email for that are meant to be tender, heartfelt personal letters directly from big company CEOs, founders, whatevers, to us (the little people) that practically beg for our business but mask it with unending inspiration (Don’t know what I’m talking about? Click the link below for a recent example). Needless to say, I find these incredibly annoying and insulting – I mean, even the design on these emails is usually very poor. Like I’m seriously going to shop more at some store because some poor copywriter was made to stay an extra 3 hours one night drafting this bullshit that some poor graphic designer clearly didn’t care about either. No, not at all.

If these business really want my business then they should offer better product selection, control their marketing people so we are sent a reasonable amount of communicative messages, check their own egos, and think about what consumers what – honestly the “75% off New Styles Hand Delivered Right to Your Door!” emails are a million times more inspirational than the ones that try too hard to be ‘real’ and personal.

I’m more than slightly obsessed with my email and check it constantly from the moment I wake up around 7:45 am until I fall asleep somewhere around 2 am. All I can say is that I’ve been opting out of a lot of email programs lately.