Huuuuuurrmmsss!

It's the first week of fall and that means it is the official start of sample sale season. The best sales lead up to the holidays so companies can make their last big push in the 4th quarter (in addition to the regular price merchandise in the stores) and it helps clean up the inventory for the start of the new year. And that is your fashion retail lesson for this, week one of fall.

My first sample sale stop on the tour... Hermes. A luxury brand with history, clout and sophistication. One that I have admired from afar... until now. I could not go alone. My first 'supervisor' got stuck at work so I was escorted by an experienced luxury customer with more knowledge of the Hermes brand and the product assortment than anyone I know. Good choice! My co-worker Marcus and I waited on a well attended line for about 15 mintues before being shuttled in groups of 10 up to the 5th floor of a familiar sample sale venue in Manhattan (details below). I felt that this level of organization was appropriate for this brand, however things were not as well organized once we arrived upstairs. Nevertheless, I was there for one thing and one thing only... a classic Hermes scarf for my mother and myself. Mission accomplished! If they had the most of anything, it was scarves. Nothing says sophistication like an Hermes scarf. My mother would never buy this little treat for herself, so I am thrilled to be able to give her this for her birthday next week. I did not make it out the door that easy, but I felt like I had shopped victoriously and made some smart purchases for the upcoming holiday season. 

In my opinion, which is why we are here after all... the best venue for sample sales in Manhattan is at the Metropolitan Pavilion on 18th St. between 6th Ave. and 7th Ave. on the north side of the street. They have a website that you can subscribe to for notices on upcoming sales and other events. It's a brilliant location. I think you can get married there too... go figure. Past sales that I have been to there include Kate Spade, J.Crew, LeSportSac and the list goes on.

website link: www.metropolitanevents.com

Happy Fall Shopping! 

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! The Best Buy Ever!

It's September and I have an IOU from my in-laws on a Nintendo Wii from Christmas of 2007. Over the weekend I was thinking that I was not careful, I would be looking at another IOU on this thing again this year with the holidays drawing near. Over the past 9 months there were a few attempts at making an online purchase, but there were none available... anywhere at anytime. Today, I stopped into Best Buy on 23rd Street and 6th Ave. A nice man there let me know that the Houston St. location had 17 in-stock (they had none at 23rd St.). After dance class and on my way home, I stopped at Best Buy on Broadway and Houston and picked up the Wii AND the Wii Fit! I will call my mother-in-law tomorrow to let her know that I have cashed in the IOU and thank her again for her generous gift. 

Let's talk about Best Buy for one quick minute. In short... amazing. Rasheem and Samantha at the Broadway location could not have been more helpful, knowledgeable and pleasant. Quick service with a smile. I'm going back for all of my electronics!

How much is too much for a onesie?

As I had mentoned, it's baby season. So I am busy buying gifts to prepare for the arrival of the little angels. 

Side note: There are more children's specialty stores in Brooklyn than Starbucks in Manhattan... which is weird. We have a 1 to 3 Starbucks to kids store ratio here in Dumbo. This is interesting I think, considering the number of square blocks that makes up the Dumbo area. 

Anyhow, I set out to purchase the handy 'Brooklyn' logoed bibs for a few of the expected peanuts. The little store that I had previously purchased these at was out of them the last time I visited, so I had purchased a t-shirt instead. I felt like enough time had passed since my last visit, so there must have been a replenishment shipment by now. Nope. All out. The fall colors were not ideal, but the onesies were cute enough. With that being said, I grabbed two '3 to 6 month' onesies and headed for checkout. $53.00!!!!! What the? Who decided that was an appropriate price? I was kind of caught off guard, so I just paid and split. Not at all comfortable with my purchase. If memory serves me correctly... the bib was $8.00, the t-shirt $12.00 and the onesie is what? 

Just about two months ago, my friend Jenny and I were on a road trip together comparing gift list notes. She mentioned the $50.00 onesies that were draining her bank account. I gave her the business about that being way too much to spend on a onesie that was going to be covered in all sorts of baby juices and there were more efficient ways to spend $50.00 on a baby gift. (Examples to follow). Well Miss Jenny, they got me! Hook line and sinker! There is a reason for gift registries. I have only recently stopped trying to think outside the box for wedding gifts and just get what the couple ordered. Maybe I should use the same tactic for baby gifts.

My go to baby gift:

The hooded towel wrap- characters or monogramed, can be found at Pottery Barn Kids, The Land of Nod and other fine baby stores! The prices should be no more that $22-$24 before monograming, shipping, etc. Totally useful and a great price value relationship. Throw in a washcloth or two if you want to spend a little more. 

Baby gifts for college friends: 

The school store has everything you need to outfit the babes for their first homecoming! The bibs and socks are my favorite. The clothing tend to not have a great hand, but check out the fabric content before purchasing. The shrinking can be pretty severe if they use cheap goods.

Your best girlfriend or your sister is having a little girl gift:

There is only one book... "This little piggy goes to Prada!". Pair (no pun intended) with a box of Trumpette Maryjane socks! The Trumpette socks are sold all over the place and they are made for boys and girls in sneaks, cowboy boots, ballet slippers, polka dots, etc. They even make tights! 

www.tumpette.com

A gift I have not yet sent, but love:

The personalized baby block. www.memoriesandmilestones.net.

If you want more ideas, just ask!

No ruling on today yet

I have lost count on the number of weddings that my husband and I have attended over the past 9 years. The number is well over 60. We are 'The Perfect Guests'. This will be the title of a book someone will have to write about our wedding seasons. We have seen it all, danced to it, eaten it, drank it, worn it and have the pictures to prove it. I have bought a lot of engagement gifts, shower gifts, wedding gifts and now... baby gifts! It is now the way of the baby. This fall we are not expecting, but our friends and family are planning to welcome 8 babies (there are some twins coming) into the world. We have not by any means completed out wedding commitments. There are still plenty of close friends and family that are yet to walk the aisle. With that being said... I am off to purchase two baby shower gifts and two 1st birthday gifts today. I shop online and in-stores. There are good stores and there are great stores. There is customer service and there is a store with stuff in it and a person. I am here to share my experiences with them all. 

Stay tuned for the joys of shopping and the perils of retail.