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.

Balmain’s ridiculously chic (and expensive (and sold-out)) Leather Motorcycle Jacket

Prada’s practically perfect Over-the-Knee Boots

Mr. Wiggles Sculpture | Black Edition, 2008, Tara McPherson at KidRobot (of course)

Barneys’ Rhino Bookends – although there isn’t enough room on my shelves for the actual books themselves, so I don’t know how this would ever work…

West Villiage Loft by Daniel Frisch. High ceilings, a suspended library above the kitchen… just needs some good artwork and huge walk-in closets.

The very violet quilted Amalia Bag by Lanvin (although I’m really crushing on Lanvin’s entire handbag collection a ton right now)

• 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.

Drawing on their innovative excellence and international trend-setting competence, Swarovski has created an inspirational design environment in which you are free to imagine, invent and create. In fact, you are invited to explore different style worlds, spanning jewelery, fashion, accessories and interior decoration, as well as events, runway shows and design exhibitions.

Walk in and chose your favorite of 2,000 gorgeous stones, which can be purchased individually for $8–$22, pick up a setting for $2–$12 and some tools  for $3–$30 – and then get busy putting it all together in the lounge downstairs (where a killer pair of Nicholas Kirkwood heels are also on display).

The space also features a cafe in the back of the first floor perfect for having a relaxing lunch with a girlfriend. And because the décor is so sparkly, it is the perfect place to wear all of those pretty Abaeté dresses you surely picked up at their past sample sale. See below for more images of the store and then go DIY…

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

I tried on quite a few pieces from the collection and as predicted, Alexander Wang’s Motorcycle Jacket was my fave. The material is much softer than I expected and all of the hardware looked good as well. The entire collection actually runs a bit small too – the Vena Cava dresses seem as if they have been graded for the petite customer. Nothing is over $88 and I have to admit that even the hats are pretty adorable.

Instead of reading this review, you should really go to your local store and shop the collection early before all of the sizes vanish for good – oh, everything is available online as well. Happy hunting!

The latest GAP|CFDA Designer Collection hits stores tomorrow and I’m hoping to score at least one of Vena Cava’s easy dresses along with Alexander Wang’s motocycle jacket - well, wish me luck because all pieces are retailing for under $100, which means they’ll go quickly.

And FYI: GAP creative director Patrick Robinson and guest designers Alexander Wang, Albertus Swanepoel and Vena Cava’s Lisa Maycock and Sophie Buhai will all be appearing at the Manhattan 5th Avenue flagship store (at 54th Street) for the official launch of the collection at 10:30 am. Not in New York? Don’t worry – the collection hits other stores on June 17th.

I love that it doesn’t look like a watch at all & that it has a dangerously sexy slouchy fit, hanging loosely around the wrist in layer upon layer of delicate gunmetal pyramid studs. Chic, tough and totally refined, this is my kind of accessory all the way. And after all, what could be a better accessory than a bunch of studs hanging off your wrist?

Now I’m sure I’ll always depend on my iPhone to keep/manage my time, but at this exact moment I would definitely prefer to peer into the clean face of this timepiece 24/7. Then again, I suppose that would be happy to be dripping in all things Burberry, studded or not.

$1,175 at Net-a-porter.com

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…

About a year ago, I bought the perfect nude patent pumps from Aldo. They had a nice high heel and a great coloring to them – not a pasty nude, but one painted with a thin veil of mocha. I’m sure they were modeled after a Brian Atwood pair, but whatever. Whenever I would wear them my legs looked longer, more toned, and even a bit more tan. For a while I wore them almost every day.

They are the type of shoe that everyone asked about and was shocked to hear that I bought them at Aldo and for around $80. Well, after a really fun night out and waaay too much dancing, my shoes were pretty much destroyed. Destroyed not beyond repair, but there is a significant amount of repair work that needs to be done, which will probably cost more than the shoes themselves.

I wore them out yesterday (despite the fact that one side is worn down to the metal post) and I was reminded of just how much I really enjoy the look and how perfect they are for the summer. Browsing online today I’ve found quite a few possible replacements and even found that a pair nearly identical to my old one that still exists on Aldo’s website…see below for my finds although right now, I’m crushing on the pair pictured above by Guiseppe Zanotti.

Arnoldoa Pump | $80 at Aldo

Guiseppe Zanotti Sandal | $654 at Zappos

Prada Degrade Mary Janes | On Sale for $369 at Barneys

Miss Dior Patent Pump | $590 at Neiman Marcus

Christian Louboutin Satin Very Prive | $795 at Barneys

Charles by Charles David Pump | $145 at Piperlime

Today I received an email from Neiman Marcus with a subject line that read: What would fashion be without vision? Introducing INSITE. Not the best subject line in the world (too long), but still I took the bait and increased their open rate by 1. The email was also very typical for NM, and while I doubt that many people, at first glance, would see that this email has a lot more to do with that simply sunglasses (as the image suggests), the text promised a new way to look at style, a premier issue, an interview with Jason Wu, and unusual gifts for the newlyweds. Well, I’m all for new ways of looking at style (or at least was curious as to what they would say), so I clicked.

(As I’ve mentioned before, my first real blush with luxury came by way of Neiman Marcus and I will always hold a special place for the retailer in my heart. A superior organization through and through, NM evokes luxury like many other retailers can, especially outside of New York.)

But back to INSITE: The click from my email led me to a video-based issue that did not really offer a new way to look at style, but did offer great over-the-knee boots (which I am dying for), a non-informative Q&A with Wu, and an absolutely adorable video for Father’s Day, Of Mice and Man. The video Of Mice and Man features a small white mouse, a great little jingle, and lots of men’s ties. The fact that NM used a mouse, especially during a recession, is brilliant. What animal could be more humble, sweet, and innocent? Anyway, I’m not exactly going to buy my father an Hermes tie becuase of the video, but it did raise my spirits and now the song is stuck in my head…

Check out the premier issue of Neiman Marucs’ INSITE here and let me know what you think about it, if anything. Also, do you receive a lot of retail marketing emails? If so, do you open them and do they ever lead you to making a purchase?

Opening tomorrow at noon, this new H&M in the Lucida (at 86th & 3rd) will be the first location to open above 60th street on the east side and I can’t wait to have one closer to home. They’ve already rolled out the red carpet and there were girls on the street today passing out magazines and cheerfully reminding people to come to the grand opening tomorrow.

Since upper east siders are a little more prudish with their fashion choices than the downtown kids, I’m hoping that maybe this one will be the place where I’ll be able to snag the highly prized pieces from those always hard to get designer collections…Anyway, I’ll be there tomorrow – right after visiting 1 of the 4 local Starbucks.

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.

While I’ve slowly begun adding in this year’s style must-haves, there are still a few things I’m looking for – which has inspired a short shopping series I’m currently working on. Stay tuned for my top picks of the season and gorgeous pieces you’ll simply have to have. Xx

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)

I can’t wait for the Alexander Wang motorcycle jacket (really love this one) and plan on wearing it with my ever-favorite Earnest Sewn Harlans, a longer, slightly loose tank, and a great pair of flats. The two dresses by Vena Cava featuring their signature print are also ones to try – I just hope that this year the collections are sized more correctly.

What do you think? Like this latest drop of designer duds for the Gap? Are you still into designer collaborations in general or are they starting to lose their luster?

…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)

While I hate the design of the site - did they have to make it look like we’re shopping on a discount site? - navigating it is like taking a trip down my net-a-porter wish list memory lane. See below for a few of the items I loved for what seems like ages now, including some of my faves from Alexander McQueen…

1. Moschino Trench | Was $2,695 Now $1,347.50 | Buy It
2. Alexander McQueen Corsage Sandal | Was $1,605 Now $321 | Buy It
3. Alexander McQueen Elvie Python Tote | Was $5,380 Now $2,690 | Buy It
4. Vivienne Westwood Red Label Blouse | Was $470 Now $94 | Buy It

The collection is set to hit stores on April 23rd and will be followed by more summer pieces for both men and women in mid-May – but after the 2 whole seconds I saw it on display, I’m now wondering if it might have hit early (although I really can’t image this is so).

The collection, which seems a melange of Williamson’s previous collections, is filled with gorgeous vivid colors, graphic prints, some studs, and of course, peacock feathers. “I wanted to create an urban collection with my brand’s typical patterns and forms. It has been fascinating to search through the archives and select the most iconic garments, and then recast them for H & M,” says Matthew Williamson. I say, “Here’s my debit card – let’s shop!”

I can’t wait to see the collection in full and think it might even warrant an actual visit during a lunch break one day this week. For more of a preview, check out images on nitro:licious