Cheryl Shops

In terms of shopping, I've been a very, very good girl for the last two months, refraining (for the most part) from all the clearances and sales. But my birthday is Saturday, and I'm itching to spend some money, so here are three events that are tempting me.

I've always wanted one of his rings, so it may be time finally to treat myself to one at the David Yurman Friends & Family Sale. No word on discounts (according to Madison Avenue Spy, they're usually around 30-60% below retail), but on the first day of the sale, 10% of proceeds will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. You'll find me there right after work, hopefully with a sparkly blue stone on my right-hand ring finger. 2/28-3/3; 3-8 Th, 10-7 F-Sat, 11-5 Sun; the Altman Building, 135 W. 18th St. (6th & 7th Aves.).

I'll admit, I'm a huge sucker for beauty gifts with purchase, so I will also head over to Saks for their  Beauty Week event. Spend $100 and you'll receive a sample-filled tote; if shopping online, use code BEAUTY5C and get free shipping too (through 3/4).

Not to be outdone, Neiman Marcus is also hosting a Beauty Event online and in stores through 3/3; unlike Saks, they're more forthcoming about their tote and samples, free with a $125 purchase:

• Clé de Peau Beauté Le Coton, 5 sheets 
• Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, .14fl oz/4mL 
• Kiehl’s Since 1851 Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream, .25fl oz/7mL 
• Molton Brown Patchouli & Saffron Body Wash, 1 fl oz/30mL 
• Oribe Shampoo & Conditioner for Beautiful Color, .3fl oz/9mL each 
• Robert Piguet Mademoiselle Piguet Eau de Parfum, .034fl oz/1mL 
• Tom Ford Beauty Black Orchid Eau de Parfum, .05fl oz/1.5mL 
• Valentino Valentina Assoluto Eau de Parfum Intense, .05fl oz/1.5mL

Friends & Family sales used to be reserved specifically for just that--friends and family of a label or store's workers. In many cases, they remain as such, but with the proliferation of (ahem) shopping blogs and coupon websites, Friends & Family sales have increasingly become marketing tools. Not that I'm complaining. There are generally two types of Friends & Family sales: the first tend to involve coupons or discount codes for 20 or 25% off your purchase; the second are warehouse sales in which a designer clears out old inventory, often at ridiculously low prices. This week's Yves Saint Laurent sale falls into the latter category--but it's open to the public and promises prices up to 75% off retail. Lilah Delilah at Madison Avenue Spy has some helpful tips (note to self: watch out for big men hoarding bags), and having been to this sale before, I can attest that prices definitely fall on the last day, if you can manage to wait that long. 10/28-10/30; 8-8 Th & F, 9-4 S; Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St. (6th & 7th Aves.).

If shopping from the comfort of your own computer is more your speed, some stores have already started on fall markdowns, notably Shopbop, where prices are up to 70% off, and Saks Fifth Avenue, where they're 40-60% off.

Chances are, you work in an office. If not, you might someday. Either way, you need appropriate clothes--classic but interesting, conservative yet inspiring. For work-friendly wardrobe staples, hit the Elie Tahari sample sale, where corporate-appropriate clothes and accessories for men and women are up to 70% off. Go with your coworkers, if only to make sure you aren't all buying the same stuff. 10/19-10/23; 8:30-7:30, 10-5 Sat.; 510 5th Ave. (enter on 43rd St.).

And now begins the season of Friends & Family sales, those wonderful times when you can take 20% or 25% nearly everything (a few weeks before everything gets marked down by 30%, that is). This week, two major department stores get in on the action. Use code FRIEND7 for 20% off (15% off jewelry, 10% off beauty and fragrance) at Saks Fifth Avenue 10/19-10/24; take 25% off at Lord & Taylor with code FRIENDS through 10/24, plus free shipping too.