Cheryl Shops

Random notes
1. Get psyched, ladies. The Daryl K sample sale is this weekend. They've got summer, fall, and resort merchandise from 2007; tunics are $150, coats are $175, and tops are $80. Normally I don't get out of bed before noon on the weekend, but you can bet your skinny pants I'll be there (fairly) early on Saturday. 1/26-1/27; 9:30-7; 21 Bond St. (Lafayette & Bowery).

2. Get psyched for Fashion Week! Today I got my hair colored next to British model Lily Donaldson, who was getting her roots touched up (yes, we have the same colorist, apparently). She looked lovely, she was text-messaging the entire time, and her thighs are roughly the size of my upper arms. That is all.

Bags: to buy or to rent?
The final post of a three-part series on designer handbags.

As I've mentioned before, bags are expensive. When I graduated from college nearly eight years ago, my present to myself was a Gucci Jackie O bag, which was $500 and at the time seemed like a ridiculous amount of money. Now I have to talk myself out of buying a Marc Jacobs bag that's on sale for $900. Of course, most bags nowadays don't even make it to the sale table; if I had to guess an average price, I'd put it at $1,300. But even if you settle for a "contemporary" designer bag, it will still set you back at least $500--most Marc by Marc Jacobs bags are in the $400 range, and Botkier and Kooba bags run even more than that. So what happens when you want a new bag? You can save up for one (although if you save up like I do, bags will be double their original price by the time you come up with the cash); you can charge it and put yourself further into debt; or, nowadays, you can rent one.

A number of handbag-rental websites have sprung up in recent years, but the most widely recognized one is Bag Borrow or Steal (full disclosure: Bag Borrow or Steal is a Cheryl Shops supporter, but this is a purely editorial post). If you think about it, it's kind of a genius idea: You can rent a bag for a week, a month, or as long as you want; when you're tired of it, send it back and get a new one. If you're fickle, it's a godsend. If you're a bag addict, it's like crack. BBOS has everything from Coach and Rafe to Chloe and Balenciaga, plus jewelery too. If the bag you want it being borrowed by someone else, add it to your wait list, and they'll send it when it's available. It's like Netflix, but with handbags.

Unlike Netflix, however, the rental fees vary widely. You can either pay a membership fee ($60/year) and take a generous discount on rental fees, or you can choose to stay a "guest" and pay a bit more. The prices start at $30 a month for lower-end bags (think Perlina and BCBG) and skyrocket up to $385 a month ($491 for non-members--yikes!) for a bag like the Louis Vuitton Cabby GM. Which is made out of denim. You're also charged $10 for round-trip shipping on a bag, and it's suggested you shell out for insurance at $19 a week. So if you're a guest and you want that Cabby, it will set you back nearly $600 for a month's use; three months of renting is nearly equal to the cost of buying it on eLuxury.com (four and a half if you're a member). Double yikes.

Renting a handbag, to me, seems akin to leasing a car, a practice that infuriates my dad, who was an accountant. New cars dramatically decrease in value within their first two or three years, and I think the same thing can be said for handbags. So why not do what smart people do with cars: Buy used! New York City is rife with consignment shops, from 7th Street in the East Village and the Ina empire in Soho to the snooty Upper East Side shops on Madison and Lexington where society gals and mistresses dump their unwanted stuff. eBay also has a lot of pre-owned bags for sale, but if you're an eBay neophyte, beware of any sellers with less than 100 positive feedbacks. For new bags at not-so-steep discounts, there's always Bluefly, but, more tellingly, Bag Borrow or Steal also has an outlet, featuring new and gently used bags for sale (not for rent) at up to 70% off. And if you ask me, that's where the real deals are.

Not so much: the daytime clutch
The second post of a three-part series on designer handbags.

There is no question that bags have become ridiculously expensive in the last year or two. Part of this increase in price can be attributed to the weak dollar (as well, as I explained the other day, as the fact that luxury conglomerates are all about the bottom line), but I think on some level, designers make their bags expensive just because they can. Also, they're becoming more and more impractical. Sure, it's big enough for your extra shoes, the Collected Works of William Shakespeare, a gallon of milk, and a small dog, but good luck finding your wallet or cell phone in the YSL Downtown bag. All of the latest Marc Jacobs bags have so much hardware, they're too heavy even before you put all of your stuff in them. And have you seen pictures of Katie Holmes and her giant Birkin? (Um, okay, if not, here it is, to the right.)

But the worst offender, if you ask me, is the daytime clutch. They might be smaller and more lightweight than the Monster Bags I mentioned above, but they're missing one key component: straps. In this day and age, a woman puts so much in her purse, carrying it like a football is just not a practical option. Not to mention the fact that loosely holding a clutch makes your more susceptible to a purse-snatching. Can you imagine riding the subway to work, trying to read a book with one hand, holding the subway pole with the other, and then trying to keep your clutch tucked under your arm? Or what about a day of shopping, both arms loaded up with shopping bags--where does your clutch go then? To me, it's obvious: in one of your shopping bags!

C'mon, handbag designers. Surely you can come up with a better way for us to spend $1,500 (which, by the way, is what the Marc Jacobs Hutton Clutch, pictured above, costs).

The death of the It Bag?
For the rest of this week, I'll be posting a three-part series on designer handbags. This is the first part.

I recently read Dana Thomas' excellent book Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster, and can't recommend it enough. The book doesn't exactly expose any groundbreaking information, but for me at least, it was arranged in a way that made me look at the whole picture...and seriously ponder my fashion addictions. Basically, luxury companies started in the 1800s and 1900s as small, family-owned businesses dedicated to providing the ultra-wealthy with luggage, jewelry, and, later, clothing. Starting in the 1980s, however, savvy businessmen like LVMH's Bernard Arnault began buying up these companies, forming global luxury conglomerates. And, like most large corporations, especially ones that are traded publicly, the focus gradually shifted from making high-quality products to boosting the bottom line. Enter marketing departments, charged with creating a desirable brand personality; mass-market-targeted merchandise, like business-card holders and key chains; and the ultimate in entry-level product, perfume and makeup. (Thomas touches upon this briefly, but, generally, most fashion houses either lose money or break even on clothing; it's accessories and, if applicable, fragrance and cosmetics that are the big moneymakers.) And, in most cases, production has shifted away from France and Italy; brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton of course still have factories in Italy and France, respectively, but many of their items are now manufactured in India, Croatia, and Serbia. And while Coach is the only company that freely admits to manufacturing its bags in China, Thomas all but calls Burberry, Vuitton, and Gucci on it--since Europe's labeling laws are a little less stringent than America's, 95% of a bag can be manufactured in say, China, but if the handles are added at the last minute back home, made in Italy it is! In other words, just because a handbag costs $1,200 doesn't mean ol' Gepetto stitched it by hand in Florence.

The strange thing is that none of this information really diminished my desire for a handbag; to the contrary, I began thinking about them more and more, and I even spent one frenzied morning searching for Hermes on eBay (lesson learned: I cannot afford an Hermes bag, even in canvas). Am I brainwashed from years of reading Vogue? Or am I an unapologetic conspicuous consumer? My stock answer is that I like beautiful things--it just so happens that fashion is more affordable than, say, fine art. I also like to say that, especially to New Yorkers, your handbag is like your car in that you use it to schlepp all your stuff, but it also has the habit of defining your personal style, whether you intend it to or not. Remember that episode of Sex & the City where Samantha goes ballistic over the Birkin? You can be dressed like a total slob, but it doesn't matter as long as you're carrying a $5,000 bag.

But while the Birkin will undoubtedly always remain a classic (Hermes, Chanel, and Christian Louboutin are about the only three companies that come off looking good in Deluxe, which might have something to do with the fact that the latter two are privately held), the It Bag's days might be numbered. Beginning with the Fendi Baguette in the mid-'90s and spanning through the Vuitton Murakami, the Gucci horsebit hobo, the Balenciaga motorcycle bag, the Marc Jacobs Stam, and countless others, the must-have bag of the season has drained countless wallets, all in the name of keeping up with the Joneses. And I think everyone is getting tired. The L.A. Times' Monica Corcoran wrote an obituary for the It Bag last week on her excellent blog, All the Rage; the New York Times' Eric Wilson sounded the death knell back in November of last year. Between rampant knockoffs and counterfeits, the increasingly devalued dollar, and a looming recession, it's almost like the perfect storm.

Of course, now that we know that luxury conglomerates are just out to make money, the It Bag has to be supplanted by some other equally lucrative item. So what's next? Why, the It Shoe!

The Week in Shopping
If you missed Clothingline's Theory sample sale last month, you're in luck--pants are $70 and tops are $50-ish (see more details on the website). Through 1/26; 10-6, 10-7 Tues. & Thurs., 10-4 Sat.; 261 W. 36th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), 2nd fl.

My favorite Brooklyn boutique, Bird, has such an exquisite selection of merch, it's like shopping there requires no thought at all. Earnest Sewn jeans are $49, 3.1 Phillip Lim sweaters are $119, and other awesome deals abound. 1/25-2/10; noon-8, noon-7 Sun.; 220 Smith St. (at Butler St.), Cobble Hill, 430 7th Ave. (at 14th St.), Park Slope, Brooklyn.

LES boutique Shop is taking 40% off Sass & Bide, L.A.M.B., and a bunch of other downtown-girl favorites. Through 1/31; noon-7; 105 Stanton St. (at Ludlow).

If you look closely, there are some major deals to be had at the Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams sale; last weekend, MW and I found a gorgeous bed for 60% off. Through 1/27; 210 Lafayette St. (Spring & Broome Sts.), ABC Carpet & Home, 888 Broadway (at 19th St.).

A range of clothing and accessories for men and women (everything from Blue Marlin to Vivienne Westwood) is on major sale at Caravan. Through 1/31; 2 Great Jones St. (Broadway & Lafayette), 128 E. 91st St. (Park & Lex).

Gorgeous shoes and clothes are up to 75% off at Zero+ Maria Cornejo. Through 1/27; 225 Mott St. (Prince & Spring Sts.), 807 Greenwich St. (at Jane St.).

Diane T, the pride of Court Street, has Marc by Marc Jacobs, Milly, and other hot contemporary designers for 30%-60% off. Through 2/20; 11-7:30, 11-6:30 Sat., 1-5:30 Sun. (closed Mon.); 174 Court St. (Bergen & Amity Sts.), Cobble Hill, Brooklyn.

Fancy trinkets from Judith Ripka are 50%-70% off. 1/23-1/26; 10-6 Wed., 10-8 Thurs., 10-4 Fri., 10-3 Sat.; Carlton Hotel, 88 MAdison Ave. (at 28th St.), Seville Room.

Home accessories and furniture worthy of jetsetters are 20%-65% off at Armani Casa. Through 2/24; 11-7, noon-6 Sun., Monday by appointment only; 97 Greene St. (Prince & Spring Sts.).

Reality TV roundup
I am a sucker for the dramatic, headline-grabbing antics of high fashion, so of course I loved last night's Project Runway, one of the few episodes in the series' history in which the contestants were encouraged to go avant garde. (I know they're a sponsor of the show, but I could've done without the gratuitous Tres Semme namedropping however.) This is not going to be a popular statement, but I totally love Christian. He cracks me up, and the dress he and Chris created was exquisite; crazy hair and bratty attitude aside, he really is quite talented. I also loved Jilian and Victorya's ensemble--very Alexander McQueen. Rami used to be one of my favorites, but after the last two weeks--and especially after he unfairly, and undeservedly, ragged on Sweet Pea--I'm starting to rethink that. And while Ricky and Kit Pistol's dress was a hot mess, I think Kit unfairly took the fall. Ricky is good at crying and shaping bodices; can he do anything else? Don't cry for Kit, though--you can buy her accessories on her website, Shop Kit Pistol.

And because I love Bravo so much--well, and because of the writers' strike, there's nothing else on TV--I'm also watching Make Me A Supermodel. Hosted by Niki Taylor and Tyson Beckford, the show features both male and female contestants competing to become a supermodel, but the twist is that viewers get to vote via text message who gets kicked off each week, a la American Idol. Yes, it sounds gimmicky, but after two episodes, I think I can vouch that it's far superior to America's Next Top Model. First of all, it's shot on film (as opposed to ANTM's video), which just makes it look classier. Secondly, the format is pretty staightforward: Every week, there's a photo shoot, a runway walk, and a body assessment (more on that later)--no "acting," no b.s. psychobabble, no nepotism. Okay, Tyson is a bit of a diva, but nowhere near as bad as Tyra Banks, and Niki balances him out in a good-cop-bad-cop way. And instead of washed-up old supermodels and "noted fashion photographers," the judges include the head of New York models and a top casting agent. As for the weekly measurements, yes, it's harsh, but so is the modeling industry--clients are way more outspoken and judgmental, and it's something models deal with on a daily basis; I'm actually surprised Tyra doesn't make more of a fuss about this on ANTM, but then again, it's not like any of the winners are actual working models. Which is a fate that hopefully won't fail the winner of Make Me A Supermodel--and at this point, I'm betting it's Jacki. Anyone else care to weigh in?

MasstigeWatch!
This week's big, big masstige news is that Isaac Mizrahi is leaving Target to become the designer for Liz Claiborne. This is good news for the fortysomething Claiborne customer--the formidable company has been lacking direction in recent years and was dropped from Macy's, which was a huge blow--but marks the end of an era for Target, since Mizrahi was the first designer to really kick off Target's mass-market/designer collaborations. Also, Mizrahi's line generates $300 million a year for Target; apparently Claiborne, having recently sold off C&C California and a lot of its other labels, has deeper pockets. But fret not, Target fans--the Isaac Mizrahi line will be in stores through the end of this year.

In other Target news, the latest rumored Go International designer is Scot Jonathan Saunders, who apparently recently had an outstanding line for Topshop. Target has yet to confirm, but these rumors are usually pretty accurate, so one would assume his collection would hit sometime in late summer, after Jovovich-Hawk and Rogan Gregory.

And speaking of Jovovich-Hawk, the latest word is that their Go International collection will hit Target stores on March 2 (my birthday!). Sally Jane Vintage posted a scan from this month's Harper's Bazaar with a little preview; as soon as more images are available, I'll post them here.

And, finally, in celebrity masstige news, Natalie Portman has designed a limited-edition collection of vegan shoes for Te Casan; they're now available for pre-order. I can commiserate with her plight--when it comes to ethical footwear, there's the frumpy MooShoes and the pricey Stella McCartney and not much in between. My opinon? You can get more stylish vegan shoes from the Abaete for Payless line--for much less.

Cheryl Shops at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
I am happy to report that I will once again be covering the Fall 2008 shows next month in Bryant Park. For longtime readers who are familiar with my coverage, I will be altering my review format to a shorter and more reader-friendly; hopefully this means I will be able to write up even more shows without going totally nuts. If you're a press representative and would like to send me an invite, please e-mail me. In the meantime, I need to start planning my Fashion Week wardrobe...

Website of the Week: The Moment
I've decided to resurrect my Website of the Week feature, and so 2008's first entry is The Moment, a new blog from T Magazine, the fashion/food/design/travel magazine that appears every so often in the Sunday New York Times. The fellow Times fashion blog, On the Runway, is written by the esteemed Cathy Horyn but is updated woefully infrequently, so The Moment is, I believe, aiming to supplement the gaps with multiple daily posts. It also helps that more than one staffer works on it--everyone from fashion writer Horacio Silva to nose Chandler Burr, and there's also a rotating cast of guest bloggers; this week, it's Milan artist Francisco Vezzoli. Topics range from the practical--daily blog roundups, fashion show reports--to the totally irreverent, like this hilarious post on how to ask for butt implants in Portuguese. I'm definitely interested to see how they'll cover the upcoming women's fall fashion shows; I'm guessing it will be with a little snark, a bit of whimsy, and a unique point of view, all of which makes The Moment definitely worth a daily read.

The week in shopping
Three days of pure bliss: the Big Drop warehouse sale has Development, Citizens of Humanity, Rebecca Taylor, and other stuff you're sure to love for ridiculous prices--think $49-$59 for jeans, $99 for dresses, and so on. 1/18-1/20; 10-8; 201 Mulberry St. (Kenmare & Spring Sts.).

Opening Ceremony's end-of-season sale has downtown-cool labels like Mayle, Alexander Herchcovitch, Acne Jeans, and Topshop. Hurry! Through 1/31; 11-8, noon-7 Sunday; 35 Howard St. (Broadway & Lafayette).

Fan-cee art books are up to 75% off at Taschen's warehouse sale. 1/18-1/20; 11-8, noon-7 Sun.; 107 Greene St. (Prince & Spring Sts.).

Krizia clothing for men and women and Stuart Weitzman shoes are up to 80% off retail prices--boots are $149 and shoes are $70-$85. 1/20-1/22; 9-6:30; 317 W. 33rd St (8th & 9th Aves.).

Tracy Reese's girlie-riffic dresses, tops, andmore are 40%-60% off. Through 1/27; 11-7, 11-8 Thurs., noon-6 Sun.; 641 Hudson St. (Gansevoort & Horatio Sts.).

Soho boutiques Key and Poppy are holding a joint sale, with Mint, Mike & Chris, and Lauren Moffatt, plus vintage for $10 and up. Cash only. 1/17-1/21; noon-7; 41 Grand St. (at West Broadway).

Norma Kamali's '80s-revival looks ae half price. Through 2/1; 10-6 (closed Sun.); 11 W. 56th St. (5th & 6th Aves.).

Designer loungewear--think Primp, Juicy, etc.--is 20%-50% off at Schvitz. Through 1/31; 11-8; 128 Thompson St. (Houston & Prince Sts.).

Stock up for Valentine's Day or replenish your wardrobe--Lingerie on Lex has Aubade, La Perla, and other fancy lingerie lines for up to 75% off. Through 11/31; 10-7 weekdays, 11-6 Sat., noon-5 Sun.; 831 Lexington Ave. (63rd & 64th Sts.).

The Art of Shopping has trendy denim and tees for men and women--think Seven, Citizens, and the usual suspects. Through 1/20; 10:30-7; 75 9th Ave. (15th & 16th Sts.).

eLuxury is offering a smattering of high-end samples, or, as they call it, a Beauty Bundle, yours with an $85 beauty purchase through 1/18.

Bergdorf's also has a fancy-filled sample collection, yours with a $200 beauty purchase.

MasstigeWatch!
While I was on my much-needed blogging break, the Loeffler Randall capsule collection hit Target's shelves (and their website). The stuff is pretty cute--chances are you've seen this woven bag everywhere, but I like the tote the best. The ballet flats aren't bad either. However, as awesome as the designs are, there's one problem, which I fretted about back in November: Everything is made of polyurethane and thus looks a bit cheap. There's also the problem of seeing every other girl on the street carrying the same bag, which is what I ran into with my Devi Kroell hobo.

My recommendation is to hit the sale section at, say, shopbop.com instead and score some real Loeffler Randall on markdown (like the Isadora pumps, pictured at left). True, you will pay up to ten times Target's prices, but it will be for actual leather, which will last a lot longer. And there's something to be said for not having sweaty feet.

Nominate me, please!
When asking you to click on my sponsor ads, I often invoke the Liz Phair lyric, "It's nice to be liked, but it's better by far to get paid." But I will admit that it is nice to be liked, so if you do, indeed, like me, please nominate Cheryl Shops for a 2008 Bloggy in the brand-new fashion category! You can nominate up to three blogs per category (everything from food to best writing), so go to town for all your favorites. Thanks for your support; in return, I will continue to post infinite ways for you to spend your hard-earned money. (Like by clicking on my ads!)

The week in shopping
Virtually every sotre in the city (and online) is currently having a sale, but here are some noteworthy ones.

You might have to do some digging, but at the 11th Annual Shoe-Inn, you can score shoes from Marc Jacobs, Chloe, Frye, Kate Spade, and other coveted designers for $19-$149 (boots are $50-$199). Good luck and godspeed. Through 1/11; 9-7; 311 W. 34th St. (8th & 9th Aves.).

Don't miss Clothingline's two-day blowout sale, featuring Free People, AKA, Tocca, Mischen, Gustto, and others for super-cheap (see clothingline.com for details). 1/8-1/9; 10-7 Tue., 10-6 Wed.; 261 W. 36th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), 2nd fl.

If jeans are your thing, hit National Jean Company for denim and cute tops to wear with them for up to 75% off. 1/10-1/13; 10-9, 10-8 Sat., 11-7 Sun.; 1375 3rd Ave. (at 78th St.).

When I was there last week, much of the good stuff was already gone, but A.P.C.'s fall/winter line is currently 50% off. Through 1/16; 11-7, noon-6 Sun.; 131 Mercer St. (Prince & Spring Sts.).

While you're there, might as well go next door to Agent Provocateur, where sexy, sexy lingerie is up to 70% off. Through 1/24; 11-7, noon-6 Sun.; 133 Mercer St. (Prince & Spring Sts.).

Party-friendly frocks and footwear are $99 and under (and maybe over) at Hollywould's blowout sale. 1/10-1/13; 11:30-7, noon-5 Sun.; 198 Elizabeth St. (Prince & Spring Sts.).

If I were infinitely wealthy, I'd furnish my apartment at ABC Carpet & Home; hit the sale for savings of up to 75%, which still keeps most items out of my reach, but a girl can dream. Through 1/21; 888 and 881 Broadway (at 19th St.), 1055 Bronx River Ave. (at Bruckner Blvd., Bronx, and 400 Huyler St. (at Bruce Ct.), South Hackensack, NJ.

More up my alley is BoConcept, where all beds and mattresses are 20% off this month. Select bedroom accessories are up to 50% off. Through 1/27; see website for store hours and locations.

If you're the anti-Blackberry type, hand-pressed correspondence cards are on sale for $195 (normally $350 for 100) at Dempsey & Carroll. Through 1/31; 9-6 weekdays only; 136 E. 57th St. (Park & Lex), 4th fl.

Wink's fun selection of clothes and accessories from Alice + Olivia, Madison Marcus, Twinkle, and other contemporary designers is up to 50% off. Through 1/31; 11-7 Mon.-Tues., 11-8 Wed.-Sat., noon-7 Sun.; 155 Spring St. (Wooster & W. Broadway).

Big Drop has the brands you want: 3.1 Phillip Lim, True Religion, LaRok..oh, and most items are under $100. Need I say more? Through 1/31; 11-6; 1031 6th Ave. (at 38th St.).

Chuckies will help you satisfy your designer-shoe fix, with half-price footwear from Jimmy Choo, Miu Miu, Dior, and other coveted brands. Through 1/15; 10-7 weekdays, 10:30-7:30 Sat., noon-6:30 Sun.; 1169 Madison Ave (at 86th St.).

If you have something in common with Nicole Kidman and Jamie-Lynn Spears, hit Destination Maternity and save up to 75% on maternity wear. Through 1/31; 10-8 weekdays, 10-7 Sat., noon-6 Sun.; 575 Madison Ave. (at 57th St.).

Joseph's famous pants (and jackets and separates too) are a whopping 70%-90% off at this sale. Through 1/31; 11-7, noon-6 Sun.; 106 Greene St. (Prince & Spring Sts.).

Master of the white blouse Anne Fontaine has knitwear, jackets, and, yes, blouses for 30%-50% off. 1/9-1/23; 687 Madison Ave. (at 62nd St.), 610 5th Ave. (at 49th St.), 93 Greene St. (at Prince St.).

Apartment 48 is moving to the West Village, so until then they're selling items by John Robshaw, John Derian, and other designers for 50%-60% off. Through 1/31; 11-7, noon-7 Sun.; 48 W. 17th St. (5th & 6th Aves.).

Fan-cee wedding dresses from Monique Lhuillier, Carolina Herrera, Angel Sanchez, and the like are up to 70% off at Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier. 1/8-1/9; 11-8 Tue., 10-3 Wed.; call 212-319-6778 for an appointment; 110 E. 55th St. (Park & Lex).

Happy Holidays from Cheryl Shops!
I don't know about you, but the holidays make me a little crazy. Maybe it's all the alcohol and rich food, maybe it's having to shop for people other than myself (I kid! That's the most fun part!), maybe it's the expectation that you be full of mirth and merriment when all you really want to do is put on your pajamas, have a glass of wine (or, um, a bottle), and curl up on the couch and watch The Notebook. So I can kind of empathize with what's happening in the Spears family right now. Oh, what's that? You haven't heard? Jamie-Lynn Spears is pregnant. That would be Britney's 16-year-old sister. And, yep, to paraphrase Madonna, she's keeping the baby.

Ladies, consider this my public-service announcement to you. Now, I know you are all smart, capable women--you're lawyers, investment bankers, writers, nonprofit administrators, doctors--but maybe you have a little sister or even a friend who needs a little guidance. If so, please refer them to this page that explains their birth-control options. Or, if you have some last-minute gift shopping to do for your girlfriends, perhaps you'd consider making a donation to Planned Parenthood in their name instead. 'Cause this abstinence-only thing that the Bush administration has been pushing for the last seven years? It's clearly not working!

Okay, now that I've aired my politics, it's time for me to take a little break from Cheryl Shops. I am headed out to Chicago soon for the holidays, but I will be back in the new year, so please come visit me soon. And in the meantime, this year's post-Christmas sales are supposed to kick ass, and, in fact, retailers are already marking stuff down like crazy. So go, shop, and be merry, but if you need a break, don't be afraid to bust out the pajamas and the wine and the schmaltzy DVDs. Happy holidays, everyone!

Worst. Finale. Ever.
In spite of her fabulous photographs and endearingly odd general behavior, I knew Heather was not going to win America's Next Top Model, but even so, I completely lost interest once she was gone (and I have a feeling other viewers did too, because Heather, who was voted "Cover Girl of the week" in every episode except the first, was even the winner the week after she left). But even before she left, it was pretty obvious to me that Saleisha was going to win, all because of one comment Tyra made, which was that she wasn't going to go easy on Saleisha just because she went to Tyra's T-Zone camp. Which, of course, meant exactly the opposite. So the episodes leading up to the finale were just as slow, drawn-out, and unsurprising as the finale itself. Bianca was obviously too bitchy to win and Jenah was too sarcastic (god forbid ANTM's winner should not be Mary Sunshine!); and while Chantal put up a good fight, she as well as everyone else knew it was curtains for her when she took out that poor dude on stilts.

Speaking of which, I know most of the finale fashion shows in the past have been staged especially for the show, but this one was particularly cheese-tastic. "Tyra Banks has arrived!" Um, because the 1,000 Chinese extras couldn't tell? Also, did anyone notice that during the final call, there were like 8 models in the entire show? Including Jaslene? I cringed the entire time.

I will allow that Saleisha's walk was better than Chantal's, but that could actually be due to the fact that Saleisha was a professional model even before the show--she's appeared on a different season of ANTM, Tyra's talk show, and a Wendy's commercial. Because there's nothing more High Fashion than a Frosty and a Double with Cheese.

So here's my question--we all have known for a while that while the winner of the show becomes America's Next Top Model, she doesn't exactly become America's next top model. She basically needs to be congenial, accessible, and somewhat photogenic. So, knowing this, why hasn't a plus-size model won yet? I know what usually happens is that the one plus-size girl realizes she can't compete with a bunch of size 2's and then subsequently gives up, but don't you think that Tyra could go a little easier on them? On second thought, I think I might have just answered my own question.

ANTM will be back in February. Thankfully, we have Project Runway to entertain us in the meantime...

The week in shopping
One. Last. Week. That is, before the after-Christmas sales start!

Going on vacation soon? Stock up on swimsuits for $80 (one-piece) or $50 (bikinis) from Malia Mills. 12/18-12/20; 10-7; 263 W. 38th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), 16th fl.

Lewis Cho makes feminine but low-key pieces; at this sale, they're mostly under $100. 12/19-12/20; noon-7; 225 W. 36th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), ste. 701.

Hit Vivienne Westwood, Lauren Felton, and Iodice for major markdowns; prices start at $50. 12/18-12/21; 10-8; 33 Little West 12th St. (9th Ave. & Washington St.), ste. 213.

Clothingline still has Iisli knits, separates from AKA and Mischen, Gusto and Kooba bags, and more season-end stuff. 12/18-12/21; 10-6 Wed. & Fri., 10-7 Tue. & Thurs.; 261 W. 36th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), 2nd fl.

Semiprecious jewelry from Slane & Slane is now 50%-60% off. 12/19-12/20; 10-6; 48 W. 25th St. (5th & 6th Aves.), 11th fl.

Sunner's cute separates, coats, and more (normally found at Barneys Co-op) are up to 85% off (think $25 and up). 12/18-12/20; 8:30-7; 265 W. 37th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), 9th fl.

Argento Vivo's generally pleasing sterling-silver gewelry is $5-$100. Through 12/21; 9:30-5:30; 15 W. 37th St. (5th & 6th Aves.), 7th fl.

You can reportedly score bags and accessories from Gucci, Dior, and Balenciaga for 60% off at this sale; no word as to how legit it is. 12/18-12/19; 9:30-6; 275 W. 39th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), 10th fl.

Find last-minute gifts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Store for 20%-50% off. 12/20-1/31; call 800-468-7386 for store hours & locations.

For luxe but not-so-flashy Italian clothing and accessories, hit Ferragamo and save 35%-40%. Through 1/6; 10-8, noon-6 Sun.; 665 Fifth Ave. (at 52nd St.).

The recent freezing weather in NYC is enough to make you want to wear fur; if that's the case, hit Adrienne Landau for major savings. 12/18-12/19; 9:30-6;519 8th Ave. (at 36th St.), 21st fl.

Prairie New York's sweet tops and separates are 70% off; dresses start at $65. Cash only. Through 12/21; noon-7, noon-5 Fri.; 250 W. 39th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), ste. 406.

Treat yourself to a New Year's Eve look from Pilar Rossi; prices are 40%-60% off (note: still in the mid three figures). Through 1/31; 10:30-6:30 (closed Sundays); 784 Madison Ave. (at 67th St.).

Armand Diradourian has a funny name but awesome gifty cashmeres. Through 12/21; noon-6; 19 W. 21st St. (5th & 6th Aves.), ste. 1001.

Objects of Desire: party dresses
I hate New Year's Eve. There's always so much pressure to have a great time, and maybe that pressure gets to people, because everyone always seems to get shitfaced. And unless you like paying a ridiculous cover charge at a bar/club (or shelling out for a five-course meal), if you're like me, you tend to end up at a house party, which can be totally fun--MW and I threw an impromptu bash last year that I thought was going to be awful up until 7 p.m., but once I stopped worrying, it ended up being a pretty good party. Or, the opposite can happen, which was the case my senior year in college (the millennial new year, so there was even more pressure than usual), when I ended up in the apartment of a girl who totally hated me--there's nothing like ringing in the new year with a girl who thinks you're a bitch because you were the editor of a magazine that ran a story on the star of her musical, not the whole musical itself. Ahem. Anyway, at least there's one thing you can control on New Year's Eve, and that would be how fabulous you look. Here are some of my favorite party dresses, most of which are out of my price range, but, hey, a girl can dream.

The little black dress is always a smart choice for New Year's, especially because you can always wear an LBD again. This Foley + Corinna rhinestone-trim dress has a retro look that's on the trendy side right now, but my inner lazy girl likes the fact that due to the rhinestones, you don't have to worry about wearing jewelry with it.


I wore my Erin Fetherston bunny dress to my company's holiday party last week, and while I was worried that the dress was too girly for me, all of my coworkers assured me that I am, in fact, girly. I had no idea; I always considered myself more gamine. But I guess that explains why I like this ultra-feminine Notte By Marchesa lace babydoll dress.


If you are single and looking to, well, mingle, I don't know that I'd recommend a 3.1 Phillip Lim dress such as this one--women love them, but men tend to find them a bit shapeless. Then again, this strapless dress is hot and the flyaway panel will draw attention to your boobs. Sounds like a win-win situation to me.


This M Missoni swing dress is totally me--in fact, I own something very similar. The knit fabric is comfy and will allow you to drink and eat to your heart's content, but there's enough sparkle to still be festive. Add black tights and heels and you're good to go.


Alice + Olivia's sequined minidresses are ubiquitous for a reason--they're simple, they're flattering, and they're accessible. I like this pink one especially, because its color is a nice change from basic black and the warm tone will look good with a range of skin tones.


Of course, all of these dresses are way out of my New Year's budget, so I'll probably end up doing what I usually do, which is buy something at Forever 21. This beaded dress is chic, simple, roomy, a little girly, and, most importantly, $35, so if I spill red wine on it, I won't be heartbroken. Sold!

The week in shopping
Sorry I went AWOL toward the end of last week--holiday parties were calling my name. But here I am, back to guide you through the last two weeks of shopping before Christmas. Brace yourselves!

Proenza Schouler's clothes and accessories were $325-$3,500; they're $80-$875 at this markdown-tastic sale. 12/13-12/14; 9-6; 120 Walker St. (Centre & Baxter Sts.), 6th fl.

Diane von Furstenberg. Need I say more? Okay, how about up to 75% off? Through 12/15; 9-6 Tue., 10-7 Wed. & Thurs., 9-5 Fri., 10-3 Sat.; 260 5th Ave. (28th & 29th Sts.).

Not dirt-cheap but always full of unique pieces, Showroom Seven has Sue Stemp, Issa London, and other super-hip labels at wholesale and below. Through 12/15; 9-7; 498 7th Ave. (36th & 37th Sts.), 24th fl.

California-cool Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent and Oprah fave Adampluseve are up to 80% off. 12/13-12/15; 8-8 Thurs., 10-8 Fri., 11-7 Sat.; 145 W. 18th St. (6th & 7th Aves.).

Mulberry's well-made, non-flashy bags and clothes are up to 70% off. 12/12-12/13; 10-7; Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St. (6th & 7th Aves.), 5th fl.

Get gussied up for the holidays with Carolina Herrera, Nina Ricci, Judith Leiber, and Rena Lange for up to 85% off. 12/14-12/16; 9-6:30; 317 W. 33rd St. (8th & 9th Aves.).

Girly Eberjey lingerie and swimwear is 50%-75% off. 12/11-12/12; 9-7 Tue., 9-5 Wed.; 183 Madison Ave. (at 34th St.), ste. 610.

One of my favorite jewelers (and a CFDA Fashion Fund winner), Philip Crangi's jewelry is about 75% off. Ahem, MW. 12/13-12/15; 11-7, noon-7 Sat.; 147 W. 29th St. (6th & 7th Aves.), 5th fl.

Iisli and Tory Burch are 60% off (yes, including the flats) at Clothingline. 12/12-12/15; 10-6 Wed. & Fri., 10-7 Thurs., 10-4 Sat.; 261 W. 36th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), 2nd fl.

Colette Malouf's mega-chic hair accessories are at least 50% off. 12/12-12/13; 9-7; 594 Broadway (Houston & Prince Sts.), ste. 305.

Chic wares from Cass Guy and Burwell are 50%-75% off. 12/12-12/13; 9-7; 265 W. 37th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), 21st fl.

Trendy Yaya Aflalo and Love Yaya separates are at below-wholesale prices. Through 12/14; 10-6; 80 W. 40th St. (at 6th Ave.), 7th fl.

Castle Starr's current collection is 50% off. 12/12-12/13; 9-6; 275 W. 39th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), 10th fl.

Elijah and James Coviello are up to 50% off wholesale. 12/11-12/13; 11-8; 213 W. 35th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), ste. 903.

Fresh Ink's men's and women's denim is up to 80% off. 12/12-12/14; 10-6, 10-5 Fri.; 264 W. 40th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), 3rd fl.

Lola Hats are $45-$140 at this cash-only sale. 12/11-12/13; 10-7; 535 8th Ave. (36th & 37th Sts.), 20th fl.

You know the Vera Wang drill: Wedding gowns for 30%-70% off; crazy brides abound. 12/15; 8-5; New Yorker Hotel, 481 8th Ave. (34th & 35th Sts.).

Bargains abound at the Calypso outlet store, like Tufi Duek dresses for $50! Through 12/23; 11-7, noon-6 Sun.; 426 Broome St. (Lafayette & Crosby Sts.).

Eugenia Kim's funky chapeaux are up to 70% off. 12/12-12/15; 10-8, noon-6 Sat.; 347 W. 36th St. (8th & 9th Aves.), ste. 502.

Wendy Mink's precious and semiprecious jewelry is up to 80% off. Hello, gifts! 12/13-12/15; 4-7, noon-5 Sat.; 65 N. Moore St. (Greenwich & Hudson Sts.), 2nd fl.

Men's and women's fall/winter clothes are 30%-50% off at Diesel. Through 12/21; 1 Union Square West (at 14th St.), 135 Spring St. (at Wooster), 770 Lex (at 60th St.).

Blumarine's resort line is roughly 70% off (still in the mid three figures) at this one-day-only sale. 12/17; 10-6; 37 W. 57th St. (5th & 6th Aves.), 9th fl.

Outerwear from Kenneth Cole Reaction and Chaus is mostly under $100. 12/11-12/14; 10-6; 519 8th Ave. (at 36th St.), 6th fl.

Hit Project Runway alum Emmett McCarthy's EMc2 store for 20% off dresses, 30% off coats, and 40% off shoes. 12/14-12/16; 11-7, noon-6 Sun.; 240 Elizabeth St. (Prince & Houston).

Take mom to St. John: Signature knits are more than 50% off for her; free cocktails for you! 12/13; 10-8; 665 5th Ave. (at 53rd St.).

For the streetwear enthusiasts out there, Ecko, Cut & Sew, and Zoo York are up to 75% off. Through 12/31; 9-9, 11-7 Sun.; 655 6th Ave. (at 21st St.).

Chloe & Reese dresses are 30% off. Through 12/13; 4-8; 330 W. 38th St. (8th & 9th Aves.), loft 1004.

Gerard Yosca's designer jewelry is 50%-70% off. 12/11-12/13; 10-6, 10-1 Thurs.; 39 W. 38th St. (5th & 6th Aves.), 7th fl.

Buddhist Punk, Religion, and Emilio Cavallini are $150 and under at this sale. Through 10/14; 10-6; 230 W. 39th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), 13th fl.

Pomegranate Gallery's fancy jewelry is 50% off. 12/13-12/16; noon-8 Thurs., noon-6 Fri.-Sun.; 133 Greene St. (Houston & Prince Sts.).

Dorian Webb's semiprecious jewelry is 60%-70% off. 12/12-12/14; 10-6; 259 W. 30th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), ste. 801.

Perlina's leather handbags are now under $100. Through 12/14; 9-6, 9-3 Fri.; 10 W. 33rd St. (5th & Broadway).

Cheryl Shops...new Soho stores
Four notable new stores have recently opened their doors in Soho, just in time for holiday shopping. Here's what's worth your time...and what's not.

MNG by Mango
In the former Kate's Paperie at Broadway and Prince is Spanish retailer Mango's long-overdue (if you ask me) first NYC store--for some reason, they started rolling out stores in California and the Midwest before finally coming east. Regardless, this is a very exciting development, because I love Mango. Their prices and quality both fall somewhere in between H&M and Zara, and the clothes are trendy without being fashion-victimy. I am also a big fan of their shoes, which are made in Spain, although I was a bit sad to see a pair that I bought while on vacation in Europe this fall--hopefully I won't be seeing them all over the city. The store itself is all black lacquer and mirrors--very 70s disco revival--and, thankfully, way more spacious than its fast-fashion neighbors. When I was there last week, Mango had a lot of sparkly dresses, tops, and accessories, all perfect for the holiday party season.

Madewell
Madewell's actual two-level store at Broadway and Broome ran into construction delays, but until it opens early next year, you can score the line in a temporary shop in the old Scoop store at Broadway and Spring. An offshoot of J.Crew, Madewell is aimed at a younger, more fashionable customer--think J.Crew meets American Eagle with a little Urban Outfitters thrown in. And while prices are mostly under $100, quality is definitely up to J.Crew's standards. There are some great tissue-weight wool sweaters, gorgeous riding boots that give Frye a run for their money, and simply cut jeans in nice-looking washes. The store is a little densely packed, but in a cozy way. Stop by this Saturday between 3 and 7--Ultragrrrl will be spinning songs to get you in a shopping mood. Of course, the clothes are so cute, you probably won't need much arm-twisting.

CB2
You know how they say brand loyalty no longer exists for people of my generation? I beg to differ--this might be a condition of being raised in Chicago, but I am a loyal Crate & Barrel customer. So I was extremely excited for the arrival of CB2, C&B's younger, more modern sibling, and I was not disappointed. Everything is fun and colorful, and unlike its big sister a few blocks north, housewares and furniture are fully mixed together throughout the store. Prices are a bit more expensive than, say, West Elm, but the quality is much better. And unlike West Elm, CB2's employees are engaging and helpful (must be the Midwestern roots). I have my eye on the white leather bed; let's hope Santa is extra-good to me this year.

Muji
Muji, the "Japanese IKEA," arrived last month with a healthy dollop of hype--too much hype, if you ask me. I know I'm not a fan of the whole Japanese-minimalism thing, but the store is incredibly drab and dull. Like IKEA, Muji sells all manner of household items, although I didn't see much in the way of furniture; unlike IKEA, however, the prices are not cheap. Like, you're better off taking the bus to Jersey or waiting for the Red Hook store to open. In fact, they had a lot of acrylic organizing-type things that I think might even be cheaper at the Container Store. There are also clothes at Muji; I found them to be kind of boring, on the small side, and, yes, expensive. In fact, according to my coworker, all the price tags have the prices in yen--and apparently there's quite a markup. So I don't think I'll be going back to Muji anytime soon, but thankfully there are enough new stores in Soho to hold my attention!

The week in shopping
With so many great sales recently, I've been doing a lot of shopping for myself and not so much for other people. This week is not going to be much of an improvement.

One of my favorite designers, Derek Lam, is roughly 75% off. Need I say more? 12/6-12/7; 10-6; 601 W. 26th St. (11th & 12th Aves.), ste. 1750.

Another one of my favorites, Alexander Wang, has jackets, dresses, and knits for low-to-mid three figures. 12/6-12/9; 307 Thurs., 10-7 Fri.-Sun.; 210 5th Ave. (25th & 26th Sts.), 2nd fl.

Anna Sui's dresses are $130-$164 and tops are $84 at this sale; my coworker JL went today and got three dresses! 12/4-12/14; 8-9:30 a.m., 11:30-2:30 p.m., 4:30-7 p.m. (yeah, I don't get it either); 250 W. 39th St. (7th & 8th Aves.).

Prepare for long lines at the Theory sale at Clothingline. Fall clothes, shoes, outerwear, and accessories are up to 60% off. 12/3-12/8; 10-6, 10-7 Tues. & Thurs.; 261 W. 36th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), 2nd fl.

Simply luxe lingerie and loungewear from Araks is heavily discounted; keep an eye out for $10 and $15 bins too. 12/6-12/7; 8:30-7:30 Thurs., 9--6:30 Fri.; 137 Grand St., 5th fl.

Lambertson Truex shoes, bags, and accessories are up to 80% off. Yowza! Credit cards only. 12/5-12/7; 9-6:30; Metropolitan Pavilion, 123 W. 18th St. (6th & 7th Aves.).

Hanky Panky, my thongs of choice, are $10; sleepwear is $18 and boy shorts are $14. I'm there. 12/4-12/7; 9:30-7, 9:30-1 Fri.; 260 5th Ave. (28th & 29th Sts.).

Botkier's Harley, Cairo, and Sophie bags, plus one-of-a-kind samples are up to 70% off. 12/6-12/9; 10-7, 11-6 weekend; 70 Greene St. (Broome & Spring Sts.).

Cheryl Shops fave Nanette Lepore has feminine dresses, pants, and shoes for $75-$355 (were $165-$825). Through 12/7; 9-6; 225 W. 35th St. (7th & 8th Aves.).

Catherine Malandrino's ultra-chic coats, sweaters, dresses, and more are about 60% off (think low three-figures). 12/5-12/7; 8-8 Wed., 10-8 Thurs. & Fri.; 145 W. 18th St. (6th & 7th Aves.).

You can't go wrong with Alice + Olivia's streamlined pieces, which are now about 60% off. 12/4-12/8; 10-7; 80 W. 40th St. (at 6th Ave.).

Score bags from Jill Stuart, L.A.M.B., Love Collection, and others for 50% off. 12/4-12/5; 8-8 Tues., 8-6 Wed.; 123 W. 18th St. (6th & 7th Aves.).

Fall Generra clothes for men and women are 50% off. 12/5-12/7 and 12/10-12/14; 9-7 (closed Sat. & Sun.); 275 W. 39th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), 5th fl.

Nieves Lavi's pretty prints and silky frocks are mostly under $100 at this incredibly well-priced sale. 12/4-12/7; 9:30-5:30; 234 W. 39th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), 9th fl.

Cheap Monday is even cheaper: jeans are now $30-$70 and jackets are $100. 12/5-12/7; 10-7; 495 Broadway (Spring & Broome Sts.), 5th fl.

Tevrow + Chase makes work-friendly clothes that are now in the low hundreds (at least 50% off). 12/5-12/7; 9:30-5:30; 416 W. 13th St. (9th Ave. & Washington St.), ste. 313.

Feminine Tocca coats, dresses, candles, and more are up to 80% off--worth the schlepp west. 12/6-12/7; noon-7; 542 W. 22nd St. (10th & 11th Aves.), 3rd fl.

Rafe’s Bleecker Street store is no more, but his handbags remain, and now they're up to 70% off. 12/5-12/7; 10-7; 85 5th Ave. (at 16th St.), 12th fl.

Alexis Bittar is a man, and he makes groovy jewelry, which is now 70% off. Cash only. 12/7-12/9; 10-7 Fri., 11-6 Sat., 11-2 Sun.; 147 W. 15th St. (6th & 7th Aves.).

If you look like Giselle Bundchen, hit Rosa Chá for tiny swimsuits at $40 and under. Cash only. 12/6-12/7; 10-7; 52 Walker St. (at Broadway), 5th fl. (212-966-5110); cash only; 12/6 and 12/7 (10–7).

Because it's apparently never a bad time to buy a bridal gown, Saks has Vera Wang, Reem Acra, Monique Lhuillier, and other tony labels for 50%-70% off. Through 12/5; 10-8:30; Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 5th Ave. (49th & 50th Sts.), 3rd fl.

James Jeans are $90 (cords are $75 and minis are $25) at this sale. 12/4-12/6; 10-7, 10-2 Fri.; 500 Greenwich St. (at Spring St.), #202.

Going on vacay soon? Hit J Rosen for Vix Swimwear, Lisa Curran, and beachy accessories. Cash only. Through 12/14; 9-8 (closed weekends); 250 W. 39th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), ste. 510.

Cute women's shoes are under $50 at the Matt Bernson sample sale. 12/5-12/7; noon-8; 434 Greenwich St. (at Vestry St.).

Frette's ultra-plush linens are up to 70% off. 12/8-12/12; 9-6:30, 9-5 Wed.; 317 W. 33rd St. (8th & 9th Aves.).

Lauren Merkin's cute bags are up to 70% off. 12/4-12/6; 11-7; 231 W. 29th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), ste. 201.

Hats by Tracy Watts are 60% off. 12/6-12/7; 11-7; 305 W. 20th St.(8th & 9th Aves.).

Gift-friendly Italian cashmere from Portolano at wholesale prices (plus leather and silk too). Fab. Through 12/21; 10-6 (closed weekends); 15 W. 37th St. (5th & 6th Aves.), 11th fl.

Linda Derector's stock of vintage eyewear is 50% off. 12/4-12/9; noon-7 (closed Mon.); 211 Mott St. (at Prince St.).

Yaya Aflalo and Love Yaya's luxe knitwear are wholesale and below. Through 12/7; 10-6; 80 W. 40th St. (at 6th Ave.).

Hollywould's fall collection is up to 40% off. Through 12/15; 11:30-7, noon-5 Sun.; 198 Elizabeth St. (Prince & Spring Sts.).

Hayden-Harnett clothes, bags, accessories, and outerwear are 30%-80% off. 12/4-12/6; 11-7; 16 W. 36th St. (5th & 6th Aves.), ste. 501.

Have a drink and buy some shoes from Eileen Shields for 65% off. 12/5; 5-7 p.m.; Grape & Grain, 620 E. 6th St.

Nolita boutique GirlCat is hosting a multi-designer sale, with Ananas handbags for 7-% off, plus Delman shoes, Yoanna Baraschi tops, and Belabumbum lingerie. 12/6-12/9; 9-8, 10-7 Sat.; 167 Elizabeth St. (near Prince St.).

New store Blue & Cream is already having a sale with Jenni Kayne, Twelfth Street, and other hot designers for 50% off. 12/3-12/9; 11-7, 11-8 Fri., 10-8 Sat. & Sun.; 1 E. 1st St. (at Bowery).

All manner of fur and accessories from Adrienne Landau is about 65% off. 12/4-12/5; 9:30-6:30 Tue., 9:30-6 Wed.; 519 8th Ave. (35th & 36th St.), 21st St.

Fall Kooba handbags are 50%-60% off. 12/4; 11-2; 141 W. 36th St. (7th Ave. & Broadway), 6th fl.

Alain Mikli's designer eyewear is $45-$95. 12/4-12/7; 9-5:45, 9-5 Fri.; 264 W. 40th St. (7th & 8th Aves.).

Downtown-gal handbags are 50% off at Felix Rey's sale. 12/6-12/7; 11-7; 611 Broadway (Houston & Bleecker Sts.), ste. 838.

Autumn Cashmere has gifts galore for under $200. 12/4-12/7, 12/10-12/14; 9-7 this week, 10-6 next week; 231 W. 39th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), ste. 924.

Current- and past-season dresses and tops from Mara Hoffman are about 65% off. 12/6-12/8; 10-6, 11-6 Sat.; 120 W. 28th St. (6th & 7th Aves.), 2nd fl.

Resurrection rarely has sales, but you can take 15% off their entire stock (including Katy Rodriguez's line). Through 12/24; 11-7, noon-7 Sun.; 217 Mott St. (Prince & Spring Sts.).

Qi Cashmere has knits for about 60% off ($200 and under). Through 12/7; 10-7; 224 W. 35th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), ste. 1008A.

Glam Pilar Rossi gowns are 40%-60% off (still $600 and up). Through 12/10; 10:30-6:30 (closed Sun.).; 784 Madison Ave. (at 67th St.).

LAI animal-skin bags are roughly 50% off--and go up to four figures. 12/4-12/6; 10-6; 12 W. 57th St. (5th & 6th Aves.), ste. 403.

Bags from Adrienne Vittadini, Hype, and Rampage are under $100 at this sale. 12/5-12/6; 8:30-6:30; 320 5th Ave. (32nd & 33rd Sts.), 9th fl.