Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Sample Sale Madness!

So if you're like me, you love a good sample sale... but hate the madness associated with it!

My first experience with sample sales was in the form of Kate Spade in 2003... my friend Leah had several Kate Spade bags and promised to take me with her to the next big (and secret!) sample sale in NYC. I eagerly awaited what I thought would be a "swanky" private... and sufficiently bougie event. I imagined waiters carrying glasses of lemonade to parched shoppers... and a sea of bags in different shapes, sizes and colors!

Clearly I was dead wrong in my imagining... arriving at the sale, we found throngs of New York women huddled in a long line circling the block. We were given dirty stares by determined women and resigned glances by men hoping to buy a nice bag for a female companion at a cheap price. The line was so awful, that by the time we got into the actual store... all of the bags were gone. What a disappointment! I quickly learned my lesson - if you're not first at a sample sale... you're last! (thank you ricky bobby!)

But in this modern day and age, sample sales have gone "le digital"... perfect for the smart and savvy shopping enthusiast. Kate Spade (and Jack Spade... for the men) still has a regular sample sale, but now you just have to click a button! Presto - no line, no cold, no bitterness!

There's an art to "online sample saling" and I've been fortune to meet some individuals extremely skilled at doing it.
Ekei, a bougie blogger in her own right, put me on to several sites that are wonderful, fascinating, and budget-friendly.

Ekei highly recommends the following sites and I wholeheartedly agree:

Gilt Groupe (invite only)
Koodos(invite only)
Haute Look (public)

Brand name designers like Tracy Reese, Vivian Tam, Alice & Olivia, Gucci (men & women), and Burberry (men & women) all participate in the sample sale arena... a perfect way for you to get that luxury item for a fraction of the price (and an affordable fraction). The sites also offer various financial incentives designed to provide even bigger discounts.

For more information leave a comment, visit Ekei's Blog, or e-mail me!

Also check up Ekei's write up on sample sales - she's much more eloquent in the art of fashion writing than I am, and provides detailed information about each one of the websites.

The Art of Sample Sales pt I
The Art of Sample Sales pt II

So happy "sample saling" everyone! I keep an eye out for the multitude of sample sales, so I'll be sure to post whenever the goodies hit. Be sure to check back for future updates!



ETA: Pratima was kind enough to remind me of the website Top Button which has links to online and in-person sales. Readers Plume and Rachelle gave some interesting feedback on Girl's Night Out at Shecky's which sounds like a ton of fun! Check the info page to find out more details about when Girl's Night is being held in your city, and to receive a group discount rate!

And for the men... I haven't forgotten about you. I spoke with a representative from The Gilt Group and they mentioned that they will be carrying menswear very soon...!

ETA 2: This just in...

"Chuckies New York - End of the Season Sample Sale!" Designers include Prada, Miu Miu Runway, Christian Dior, Marni, Jimmy Choo, and more. For more information, click here!

Cheers,
The Bougie Baller

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Bargain Shopping, NYC Style

Folks... what a week. No comment on the long gap between postings... just know that I'm finally back to 100% health-wise :)

Onto other bougie news... I finally scored a big fashion "investment" for myself... I'll keep it a secret until it debuts, but know that there are some things that simply cannot be bargain-hunted down... *smile*

Anyway, this leads me to the subject of this post... High-End Winter Clearance Sales... hooray!

Right around now, most high-end designer stores desperately need to get rid of their merchandise. I don't pretend to know anything about the retail business, so I won't offer reasons as to WHY they do this... just know that they do this... and the loot is GOOD.

On Sunday, my mother and I took a jaunt on down to Bergdorf Goodman and Saks in NYC (5th Avenue/Madison Ave). It was phenomenal... amazing! And not just for the ladies... my father managed to score a few goodies from the men's section as well.

Shopping in person can be well worth the time and effort... If you've been saving your pennies for some designer gear... now is the time to dive in (fyi, both stores will be having further markdowns starting Thursday 1/24/2008). If you can make the trip to your local luxury department store, do it. Oftentimes there will be items on the racks that don't show up in online searches. Ditto on local boutiques - they often have higher discounts than what the offer online. If you can't make it out to the actual store - a phone call is a worthwhile endeavor.

Keeping this post short and sweet, I've picked out a few of my favorite "discount" items for men and women... great way to start your collection... or add to a fabulous closet. Remember to *call* the department store and/or boutique directly... you might save yourself a considerable amount of money!

Men: Dolce & Gabbana Flecked Sweater (original $625; reduced to $281, available at Berdorf Goodman)


Women: Kenneth Cole Reaction Camel Military Coat (originally $280; reduced to $129.99; be sure to check for further markdowns, available at bluefly.com)


Men: Salvatore Ferragamo Sunday Leather Loafer, Black (originally $450; reduced to $224.90, available at Saks)


Women: Manolo Blahnik Mary-Jane Shoe, Gold (originally $550; reduced to $250, available at Neiman Marcus)


Enjoy! And remember... this is just a sampling, real finds take a good eye and a willingness to search! I have tons of other links and finds... so if you have something specific in mind, just let me know in the comments section or via e-mail :-)

The Bougie Baller

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Three Course Meals, Spaghetti, Fettucini, and Veal...

No your eyes aren't deceiving you... yes, I'm quoting Sean "P.Diddy Combs," and no, I don't approve of his interpretation of Fine Dining a la "All About the Benjamins" circa 1997...



Getting back to the "Bougie Budget Ballin' Series," - I have a few for you this week... YES, a few! So without further ado... I present the first, "The Bougie Budget Baller's Guide to Fine Dining"

*Ahem*

I'm a self-confessed foodie. I love to eat... my nickname might as well be "Mikey" since I'll try just about anything. I'm generally none too discriminating in my tastes as part of my ability to budget stems from a willingness to eat at "Old Country Buffet" or "IHOP" when times get rough (or after a late night of socializing... whatever!). I blame my this on my father, who is known for making midnight runs to the infamous "Ranch House" in Hartford, or eating fried pigeon off of those suspect NYC vending carts (those things are delicious... don't deny it my bougies)!

My mother of course, is HORRIFIED by this behavior and for years has attempted to counteract this it by enrolling me in various etiquette classes, and taking me to "fine dining establishments." "Remember" she'd demand, "When in doubt, start with out!" Or another favorite, "It's pronounced FILET MEN-YON," not "FILEGT MIG-NOG!" Surprisingly, her lessons took hold and the pleasure I get from food is not limited to "greasy bar-dives."

In fact, since moving to the NYC area, I've become somewhat of a "Fine Dining" Junkie, using every available opportunity to eat at some of New York's/New Jersey/Philadelphia/Chicago/Las Vegas... etc. etc. most "intimidating" food locations... Gramercy Tavern, Nobu, Asia de Cuba, Buddaken, Tangerine's, Tavern on the Green, the Four Seasons... the list goes on... and on... and on. At one point, my addiction was so bad, that I contemplating trying "French Laundry" while on a trip to the Bay Area where pre-fix prices (per person!) start at $210. *smh*

Clearly fine dining can be an expensive foray... and if you're going to do it, do it big or go home. There's no sense in going to a place like Megu and spending $25 for a glass of water and a bowl of Miso Soup just so you can stay on your budget and say you ate there. But, fine dining doesn't need to be an insane adventure where you drop $1000 on one meal. Instead, use it as an opportunity to explore various avenues and paths... here are some of my suggestions on how to get your "bougie grub on" without dipping too deep in your pockets:

1) Restaurant Week

Restaurant Week is one of those brilliant creations that allow local restaurants (fine and otherwise) and bougie purveyors on a budget to mutually benefit one another. During restaurant week, participating restaurants offer pre-fixe meals at set prices... for most restaurants, the prices are set much lower than average (i.e. $25 for three course lunch, $35 for three course dinner). This is a perfect way for you to eat at all of the restaurants you WISH you could eat at, and stay on a fixed budget. Check your local listings, most cities offer some type of restaurant week:

Washington, DC: http://www.washington.org/restaurantwk/ (1/14-1/20)
NYC: http://www.nycvisit.com/restaurantweek/ (1/21-25; 1/28-2/1)
Philadelphia: http://www.centercityphila.org/restaurantweek/ (1/27-2/1)
Boston: http://www.restaurantweekboston.com/ (3/9-3/14-3/16-3/21)

Also check out regions/boroughs for specials - for example, Brooklyn has a fabulous restaurant week - http://nymag.com/restaurants/articles/restaurantweek/brooklyn/

Hurry and make a reservation, restaurant weeks get booked rapidly!

2) Taste of [Insert City Name Here]
Don't turn your nose up at city-wide tastings! This is a great opportunity to "sample" fine dining and decide if a certain restaurant is for you (or not). There's nothing worse than shelling out a good amount of money for what you "think" would be an excellent food experience... and you find the food bland, the water tepid, and the service sour. A Taste of [City] easily solves that problem buy bringing the meal to you in bite sized morzels... no fuss, no muss, and easy decision making! A Taste of [City] can also offer you alternatives or new restaurants that may not have made your initial list, but now pique your curiosity!

Arguably the most famous "A Taste of [City]" is the Taste of Chicago ... I've known people to fly out to Chicago, simply for the festival (http://www.tasteofchicago.us)! Other cities also hold their own tasting festivals and they're relitively easy to find; for example:

New York (http://nymag.com/taste/)
Hartford (http://www.tasteofhartford.com/)
Atlanta (http://tasteofatlanta.net/)

Again, check your local listings - definitely a enjoyable as a solo or as part of a group experience!

3) Sampling menus - While nowhere near as reasonably priced as Restaurant Week, most high-end restaurants offer pre-fixe meals/prices available in 3 course, 5 course, and 7 course options. For example, Mediterra (Princeton, NJ) offers $50, $100, and $150 options which occasionally include a free wine pairing. Check your local restaurants for such options, it may save you a considerable amount of money. Local restaurants will sometimes do "tasting parties" where you can pick and choose multiple "tapa" type entrees.

4) My fourth and final suggestion is a "common sense" suggestion. Don't assume that a famous name, a high rating, and a pricey menu indicate fine dining! If you do, you'll lose on on some wonderful establishments that exist under the radar. My best advice is to talk to friends, and colleagues - they often have suggestions that are mind-boggling!

For example, although I pop in and out of Brooklyn on occasion, I'd never tried Sugarcane Restaurant, until last Winter when a few friends put me on: http://www.sugarcanerestaurant.com. While the service was "questionable," the overall food and drink experience was delightful. Deliciously priced and artfully named mojitos, savory caribbean and southern entrees, and of course gorgeous and mouthwatering desserts (on which we had to pass... too full)! Everyone's experience *will* be different, so make sure you amass multiple opinions before you dive into fine dining.

Another suggestion would be to start a "dining club" where you and some of your friends do lunch/brunch/dinner at a different upscale eatery once or twice a month (again remembering... upscale doesn't have to equal expensive). I'm a huge fan of lunch at the Bergdorf Goodman Cafe, first because it's nice to relax after a hard day of (window) shopping, and second, the food is yummy, reasonably priced, the couches and chairs are comfortable, and the service is excellent. Try experimenting with your options - different types of food, different price range, different location. You'll be bougie eating (on a budget of course) in no time!

I hope you enjoy Part I of The Bougie Baller's Series on Fine Dining. What's to come? Affordable wine tastings, fabulous dinner parties on a budget, and gourmet/healthy cooking for low prices (and yes... there will be outside insight)!

Cheers,
The Bougie Baller

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Thank You!

So while this is not a *real* post by any means... I wanted to offer my sincere thanks for all of the wonderful comments, suggestions, questions, compliments, etc. It all means a lot and I really look forward to incorporating everything into future commentary and posts!

Remember to spread the word... the more people at the party... the merrier!

Cheers,
The Bougie Baller

**Edit**

Sorry for the delay folks... the bougie baller has been SICK. I'm about to take my budget behind to the Health Health Center for real!

Anyway, I wanted to shed light on a few things today. One of the things I'd like to do on this website, is offer you a on-going series of suggestions, hints, and tips... almost like an "online seminar" (but a lot cooler).

I've gotten tons of amazing suggestions from you guys including:

*graduate school on a budget
*bargain dinner parties
*luxury accessories shopping
*expanding musical libraries
*fine dining
*Gift shopping for the man/woman who has everything
*bougie budget living in expensive cities
*bougie budget reading to live by

Absolutely wonderful! Please keep the commentary and suggestions coming since this is an interactive venture and I want to write about what excites YOU!

I also appreciate the advice and insight in the commentary section - if you haven't already done so, please check the comments regularly for other "bougie budget" suggestions shared by multiple readers... eventually I'll have guest writers who will also share their expertise in a particular area.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

"But books are for nerds..."

But not really...



Since early childhood, I've been a voracious reader. I'm a nerd in the classical sense - I was that kid on the playground in 2nd grade reading treasure island while everyone else was playing kickball... by 4th grade I had graduated to Toni Morrison and George Orwell. Sickening, I know.

Whatever the case may be, reading books is now my occupation and I really can't be mad at that. For every "non-pleasure" book I read, I try to read one of my own choosing. Unsurprisingly, my personal library is massive (and right now completely contained to storage...womp womp)...

Recently, I've noticed an increase in the amount of "big readers"... and by "big readers," I mean people that read constantly... whether it be "52 books in 52 weeks" or something as simple as sporadic interest in the New York Times Book Review...

But along with this increased desire to read comes an overwhelmingly loud complaint: "It's too expensive to read everything I want to read!" My first instinct would be to tell you to take yourself to the library and "rent" a book! However, my second (kinder... gentler) instinct would tell you that there are many alternatives to starting/expanding your personal library!

I've always been aware of the "expensiveness" surrounding books (especially new ones) but I ignored it given my interest. However, when my generals exams forced me to ponder the purchase of approximately 600 books...at...the...same...time... I was forced to come up with a solution that wouldn't hurt my pockets, but would allow me to expand my database.

My solution (and the secret that 90% of graduate students in the humanities and social sciences share)?




Alibris (www.alibris.com) - a website that allows the buyer to purchase books at a fraction of the price... while maintaining quality. I've purchased books for as low as 35 cents...! Even better, for every purchase, Alibris will apply a discount for your future purchases. Yes, many of the books are second-hand, but second-hand doesn't necessarily mean second-rate. Merchants describe the condition and usability of the book, so that you can determine how much you are/aren't willing to pay. Amazon offers a similar service (which I encourage you to check out) but on the average, Alibris' books are better quality, lower prices, and arrive faster.

So next time you go to buy that $50 biography on [insert presidential hopeful here]... check out Alibris first. You might find something special... and satisfyingly affordable!

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Jungle Julia: A Very Brief Note

Did anyone see the movie Death Proof starring Syndey T. Poiter as "Jungle Julia?" One of the things that puzzled me about the movie was how in the hell they could call her character "Jungle Julia" and have no real references to anything... Jungle-like (racial overtones ignored and dismissed) - shouldn't she have at least rocked ONE pair of cheetah print heels?

If Tarantino and I were dialoguing right now (ha!), I'd suggest the following shoe, available at www.saks.com:



Fashion OGs should be shaking their head right now and recognizing the shoe in question... for you bougie budget novices out there, this is a Stuart Weitzman delectable stiletto pump - "Beacon Pinch Toe." Cheetah print shoes are a wardrobe staple, and when done right they glam up even the most mundane outfit. Weitzman is notorious for having narrow (and expensive!) shoes... but his heels make your legs look dynamic and inspired.

This pair's on sale for $101.90 (with free shipping) ... so for all you size 10 shoe wearers... grab it while you still can! I promise, you'll turn heads in these heels!

EDIT:

Some more examples of a nice subtle cheetah print by high-end designers for ridiculously bargain prices - all available at www.footcandyshoes.com:

Luciano Padovan - Cheetah Print d'Orsay Pump ($150... reduced from $385)


Casadei - Leopard Slingback ($150... reduced from $420)

"These are a few of my favorite things..."

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things...


As cheesy as it might sound, I've always loved this song from The Sound of Music... it invites all kinds of excitements into the listener and inspires you to think of your *own* favorite things...

And considering that January is the traditional month for "list-making," I'd figured I'd share a few of my January "favorite things" with you... if Oprah can do it... well then why can't I? *smile*

1. http://www.shopstyle.com



If Eluxury.com and Bluefly.com are the fashionable budget shoppers online lodestones... well then Shop Style must be the holy grail of high-end online bargain shopping! It is one of the most comprehensive shopping websites currently available and allows you to type in your item of interest... and pull up every location, price, sale, and option for that one item. While technically this isn't a "thing" it will get you plenty closer to find those items that you dream about... mesmerizing!

2. Brian Atwood "Cleo" Lizard Pump in Plum (available at www.footcandyshoes.com)


I just received these in the mail today and I must say - kudos Brian Atwood... kudos! I am quickly becoming a fan of Atwood's sleek lines and flattering silhouettes... not to mention the shoe is enormously comfy and versatile. Best of all - Atwood's shoes tend to go on super sale! These shoes were purchased for $160 (shipping/handling and tax included)... a significant drop from the original $865 price tag!

3. http://www.scentiments.com


I'm not a huge perfume fan (and yes you may quote me on that)... my favorite scents are limited to Prada... and that's about it (please note that I am open to perfume advice... feel free to send suggestions!). My boyfriend however... is a smell-a-holic. He lives and breathes colognes and probably has 80 bottles at his disposal. Such a habit might seem monstrously expensive but with a website like scentiments, it doesn't have to be. Scents like Burberry Touch or Vera Wang Men's Cologne are sold for as low as $12.99 (retailing in major stores for double and triple those prices). Remember that Prada perfume I adore? Well I love it because I have to... I paid almost $80 for it and I felt I needed to get my money's worth... I checked on scentiments.com and guess the price? $40. Yikes, what a difference a discount makes!

4. Sephora Brand Metallic Pocket Brush Set (available at www.sephora.com)



I received this brush set from one of my best friends for Christmas... I think she must be psychic because I recently (accidentally) threw away about $300 worth of makeup and tools, including half of my professional NARS brush set (ugh, don't ask!).

It's compactness is quite a boon in a pinch and it's affordable to even the thriftiest of budget bougies at $15. If you are not aware, you can easily re-use brush sets, simply by washing them with mild detergeant and letting them air dry for a day or two. I plan on beefing up my brush supply and buying another set... from CVS... yes! CVS! Out of all of the many brush sets I've owned (and I've owned quite a few), CVS makes the best liner brushes... for about $2! Try it out!

5. The Macbook Pro (13-inch, available at www.apple.com)


My Father, brother, and I purchased a 13 inch Macbook (edit: thanks for being a stickler Frank!) in white for my mother for Christmas. I'm a mac-nerd and I love everything by, for, and about macs. Sleek, elegant, and efficient, I have yet to have another computer to compare to my apples. I've tried Dell and Sony Vaio and both made me run screaming for the hills *shudder* For those of you looking for a computer, I strongly urge you to consider one in the Mac Family, especially if you're limited to basic technological phenomenon (I mean if you're a gamer, you really do need a separate console for all of that nerdiness).

At $1,099 retail the Macbook might seem a bit pricey but there are ways to score the computer for significantly cheaper or on a budget. Some examples: find a friend in college, graduate, or law school... and buy through them (this goes for anything software or hardware related). Discounts range from as low as 5% to as high as 50% on the software/hardware front. Plus your computer will come loaded with tons of goodies otherwise unavailable to you, like endnote. Another budget solution is to finance your purchase and at $30 a month, Apple has a great credit plan. **warning** do not undertake credit endeavors if you are BAD with credit (fyi, I plan on doing a blog about establishing strong credit or repairing damaged credit!)!! If the Macbook is not your style, try the mac-mini. At $599, the mac mini is a stylish and affordable alternative to the macbook...


6. (Bonus Item) The Wire - Box DVD Sets
Why is this a bonus? Well because I'm almost *not willing* to bargain on the Wire DVDs... the show is so crucial to me (and most) that if available at full price... we will snatch it up, no questions asked. However, I've noticed that the prices listed in stores radically differ from the prices available on your friendly online store.


You can buy seasons 1-3 for the insanely low price of $96 from www.bargainvideo.com (versus $150 in Best Buy)... if you're willing to go second-hand (which in many cases, is as good as new) Amazon offers some fairly interesting deals. Better yet... if you're willing to wait (I know many of you are not), the prices for the DVDs will drop in approximately two months. I bought all 4 seasons for $121 in November from Amazon... they've since risen as high as $223. So if you're willing to wait or to hunt... you'll definitely be able to afford one of the hottest shows on television right now!

Welcome, Salutations, and Cheers!



Hello my beautiful bougie folks,

If you've just discovered this website (perhaps by accident... perhaps on purpose... perhaps through gentle persuasion at the hands of a friend *hint hint*) welcome... and a large welcome to everyone in general since this is officially my first post to what I hope will be a fabulous (and fashionable) endeavor.

A little about myself:
I'm a 26 (soon to be 27) year old academic and closet fashionista. Stylish budget shopping is my sport of choice and I'm quite good at it *pats self on the back*... years of training by my "original shopping gangsta" mother have instilled in me a nose for sophisticated bargains, steals, and deals! My full time job is an advanced degree PhD candidate at a well-known university.

A little about this site:
For years, my friends and I have been helping each other find fabulous finds at discounted prices. Why pay $700 for a pair of Jimmy Choos when you can pay $200? $220 for a pair of Rock & Republic Jeans? Try $75! $1500 for a week-long trip to Jamaica? Never that - I'll stick to $500 all inclusive vacations in the Dominican Republic.

This website is meant to entertain, enrich, and open the viewers up to a world of stylishing findings at a 50% discount rate. I firmly believe that it is possible to have the things you need, want, and desire as long as you are smart and savvy about your purchases and you recognize that everything is best when done in moderation!

With that being said... this site is a hodgepodge of my favorite finds, bargains, budgets, and steals. I'm an interactive person so I hope this will also be a forum for dialogue, contributions, and your stories about being a budget consumer in a bougie world!

Cheers,
The Bougie Budget Baller