Grace + Kate

Who: Lee Angel
Why: $5 Jewelry – brands like Ann Taylor, J. Crew & Banana Republic
Where: 524 Broadway, 6th Floor (between Broom & Spring Street)
When: December 16 (11am – 8pm)
December 17, 2009 (11am – 7pm)
December 18, 2009 (11am – 7pm)

Just like the last sale, everything in the main section is $5!!!! That’s cheaper than street vendor prices!!! Lee Angel branded pieces range from $10 – $100. You will find some amazing treasures at the Lee Angel Sample Sale. They are open late so it’s best to go straight after work. There are literally hundreds of different styles to look through. You need at least an hour and a half to look through everything. In addition to having it’s own line, Lee Angel also designs for retailers like J. Crew. Some other familiar names I saw were Banana Republic, BCBG MAXAZRIA, Ann Taylor and Kohls. Everything is organized into plastic bins. There was plenty of inventory when I left at 7pm on Wednesday. There were also dozens of boxes of inventory waiting to be opened. Everyone was buying 5-15 items. I overheard two women deciding what to give to their mother and other sister. $5 sounds like a perfect amount to spend on stocking stuffers. If you’re a bride-to-be, take this opportunity to pick up some gifts for your bridesmaids and jewelry pieces for the big day. There were signs everywhere saying “NO PHOTOGRAPHY” and a girl was also going around reminding people not to take photos. I respected their request and waited till I got home to take a photo of my winnings instead. Everything in the photo except the double stranded pearl necklace was $5. The ribbon bead necklace was from Lee Angel and set me back $20. Both rings are from Banana Republic – org. $38. The charm bracelet is from J. Crew – they usually go for about $90 retail. The chandelier earrings are from BCBG – org. $68.

This is fashion-unrelated. They say there are two things people can’t avoid – death and taxes. Sad but true, even fashionistas have to worry about taxes. In addition to bags, shoes and clothes, you might have been shopping for a car, house, job or college education this past year. The 2009 tax filing deadline is not until April 15, 2010 but the end of 2009 is quickly approaching.

Top 10 new tax-saving opportunities for 2009 via Ameriprise

In a major effort to stimulate the economy, the federal government enacted — and expanded — a number of tax-saving laws during 2009. Don’t miss the chance to save on your taxes. Read more…

My Daily Regimen

It has gotten sharply cold here in New York City over the last few days and my skin is not happy about it. My skin has gotten super dry and feels itchy so I know it’s time to start my winter moisturizing regimen. Read more…

Who: J.Crew
Why: 30% off outerwear
Where: Online and brick + mortar stores
When: December 7 – December 9, 2009
BONUS: Free Shipping on orders of $150 or more

Who: DIANE vonFURSTENBERG
Why: Up to 75% off samples and new attire
Where: 260 5th Avenue (Between 28th and 29th Street)
When: December 8 – December 11, 2009
Monday 11am to 6pm
Tuesday 9am to 6:30pm
Wednesday 10am to 8pm
Thursday 10am to 7pm
Friday 9am to 3pm

BONUS: Preview day for friends, family & fans is today. They are not checking names at the door.  Door closes at 6pm today.

I dropped by the sale at noon today and there’s a constant line of about 20 people. They are slowly letting people in so it takes a good 15 minutes wait to get inside. It was a bit of a frenzy inside but not unmanageable. There’s about 25-30 people on line for the communal fitting room. You have to check your coat and bag but the five coat check guys help move that along  very fast. And besides, you need your hands for all the wrap dresses and silk blouses. Like last year, there’s boxes of sweaters right outside the dressing room. There’s even a bunch of 100% cashmere sweaters for $80!! I saw a lot of print wrap dresses but not as much this year. However, there are plenty of winter style dresses – sweater, thicker wool, 3/4 – long sleeve. I also saw a ton of Ayla silk sleeveless blouses in poppy purple and mustard yellow. There are also three racks of samples for $50 but it was quickly dwindling down. Girls were leaving the store with 1-3 full large bags of goodies. There’s a good chance your BFF is at the sale right now getting you a DVF sweater for the Holidays. Prices this way-> Read more…

I’m just going to come out and say it… J. Crew is prejudiced against small feet. The Holiday 09 J. Crew catalog  just arrived in the mail. Every time I get the catalog it always makes me sad because it reminds me that I won’t be able to buy any of the gorgeous shoes that are featured. J. Crew only sells a handful of shoes in size 5 and are usually limited to nothing-to-write-home-about styles like flip flops. Most of the styles that I’m lusting over start at size 5.5 and many skip 5 altogether and start at size 6. It’s not like their sizes run small so 5.5 will not fit someone who wears 5. They sell size 11 and 12 in most styles for goodness sake!! Why not 5!! I’m not asking for a size 4 or 4.5 here, JUST A SIZE 5!  S O  N O T  F A I R!

***UPDATE 2:07PM, EST: WOW! I broke a story before TMZ??

I saw this promotional email from Spirit Airlines in my inbox today and I did a double take. Every media outlet from TMZ and the Huffington Post to CNN and the New York Times is covering Tiger Wood’s car accident last Friday which then unraveled a bigger story that he has been involved in multiple extra-marital affairs. Cheating celebrities are great for headlines and the bottom line for these news organizations but I didn’t know they were beneficial to the airlines also. I found it interesting that Spirit Airlines is now also riding on this Tiger scandal.

What do you think? Does the ad make you want to buy your next ticket from Spirit Airlines?

Still looking for holiday gifts for your nearest and dearest? Check out the Tag Heuer F&F Sale:

Who: Thread Social
Why: 50% -75% off samples and new attire
Where: 26 West 17th Street Suite 301, between 5th and 6th Avenues
When: December 3 – December 4, 2009

I wonder if Michelle Obama shops at Thread Social. Anyone that follows Mrs. O’s fashion style knows she loves bows. And Thread Social’s all about the bows. Kidding aside, I really do love Thread Social. You can always find a great cocktail dress for whatever event you will be attending. The styles are feminine, unique, well-made and intricate.