Cheryl Shops

Once upon a time, I used to list every single sample sale in NYC every week. It was, to put it mildly, time consuming. Then I started to dread Mondays about 5,000 times more than I normally dreaded Mondays, so I stopped. (And, anyway, sites like Racked NY started to cover them way better than I could.) But every so often, sales so great come along, I can't help but share them. Here are five must-hit sample sales this week.

I hit the Friends & Family preview of the Thakoon sale this morning, and all I have to say is OMG. Everything is $200 or less; there's a room full of samples, mostly priced in the $50-$150 range, and a room of stock mostly in the $100-$200 range. Both Thakoon and Addition are in heavy supply; if you are a size 4, you will hit the sample jackpot. Through 5/3; 8:30-6:30: 225 Varick (at Houston), ste. 300.

Pretty much every girl I know loves Elizabeth and James (myself included), so all I really need to say is that clothes, shoes, jewelry, and accessories are up to 80% off. 5/2-5/3; 11-7; 233 Spring St. (6th Ave. & Varick), 10th fl.

Yigal Azrouel became famous for making sexy, draped dresses and perfectly cut leather jackets, but in recent years, he's taken a more refined, sophisticated turn. And because I love a designer who can age with me (and who starts a secondary line, in this case Cut 25, for those of us who never want to grow up), I highly recommend this sale, which tends to have a fantastic selection of actual samples. It runs 5/2-5/5; 10-7; 129 Grand Street (Broadway & Crosby St.).

Because I think one's apartment should look as good as one's closet, hit Madeline Weinrib's sample sale benefitting the Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. You can score her lovely printed pillows, rugs, fabrics, and furniture for 40-70% off and, yes, you will help cure cancer. Really! 5/3-5/5; 10-6; MSKCC Thrift Shop, 1440 3rd Ave. (81st & 82nd Sts.).

And if you've ever experienced the hair-pulling frustration of attempting to shop Gilt Groupe's end-of-season clearance sales online, I have a treat for you: The Gilt City Warehouse Sale. Ok, it's $10 to get in, but there will be drinks, snacks, Uber gift certificates, and, yes, clothing and accessories for men, women, children, and the home for up to 90% off. You must be a Gilt member to attend, so join now if you haven't already! 5/4; 11-9; the Altman Building, 135 W. 18th St. (6th & 7th Aves.).