All I want for Christmas (under $30)

To make life easier for my friends, I've compiled a list of things I want for Christmas and posted it here (and on Facebook). Hopefully people read it.

1. Travel books on Belgium

• The Rough Guide to Belgium and Luxembourg
• Good Beer Guide Belgium
• Rick Steves' Amsterdam, Bruges, and Brussels

2. Travel books on New Zealand

3. Chanel Nail Polish - Shade: Riva or Jade Rose

4. Gift Certificates/Cards: Williams Sonoma, Crate and Barrel, or Pottery Barn

5. Magazine subscription:

• Conde Nast Traveller
• Budget Travel
• Real Simple

Madison Avenue Spy: Louboutin Sample Sale, NEXT WEEK

According to Madison Avenue Spy: Louboutin Sample Sale, NEXT WEEK: "We have received official confirmation that the Christian Louboutin sample sale will be next week, Wednesday, November 17 to Friday, Novembe..."

Let's rewind and let me share my experience of the last Christian Louboutin sample sale last May.

1. A line of 20 ladies = a 2 hour wait time

2. If you're not on the guest/RSVP list, don't even bother to wait. They are very strict and will not let you in. UNLESS, you manage to ask everyone on the line if they RSVP'ed a +1 and their +1 is a no show.

3. If you're on the list, bring ID - yeah, they check.

4. Inspect the shoes. They set a time limit on the floor so everyone is scouring through boxes of shoes. Don't let the rush make you forget to inspect the shoe you're about to purchase. You waited 2 hours, might as well make sure you are purchasing the right item, at good quality.

Pictured right is the cute pair of shoes I purchased for $150. Not a shoe you can wear everyday, but I bought it for my wedding. I did find other shoes, but nothing amazing that I had to have 'em.


I don't think the sale is worth the 2 hour wait, unless you really have nothing else to do. Just bring a good book or make sure your iPhone/iPad has enough battery life to keep you occupied as you stand on line.

Now, who's going to the November 17th sale?

Taken by James Rubio Photography

Barneys Private Sale - Starting November 18th

I just got a postcard in the mail promoting the Private Winter Sale at Barneys New York. The sale starts November 18 and runs for a week. And of course, if you open a Barneys credit card, you save an additional 10% off the day's purchases.

Neiman Marcus First Call Sale

I just got a postcard from Neiman Marcus:

First Call® begins Wednesday, November 10.
On November 10th, there will a one day sale, where there will be designer deals throughout the store that are not part of the First Call, but they'll go back to the original prices on the 11th. I wonder what they'll have.

The regular sale will run from Wednesday, November 10 to Tuesday, November 16th.

Looking forward to it.

Restoration Hardware: Friends and Family event- November 2010

Last week I was told that Restoration Hardware is also holding a “Friends and Family Event” offering 20 percent off everything from Nov 13-16. Just a week away, I'm already thinking about what to purchase. I've already taken advantage of purchasing their bedding collection last month during their $100 of $400 promotion.

So what do I want... a wall clock. Either one of these will do. I think they would make a fine accent to my dining room, which was recently painted the Restoration Hardware Charcoal color:

Timeworks Chateau-Thierry clock
Image credit: Restoration Hardware

London Rail Clock
Image credit: Restoration Hardware

I've also seen Newgate clocks at Lilian August showrooms.

Any ideas where I can find similar clocks? Please share.

Madison Avenue Spy: Louboutin Sample Sale Rumors

Madison Avenue Spy: Louboutin Sample Sale Rumors: "We have received information about the upcoming Louboutin sample sale but the dates have not been officially conformed. Our spies say that t..."

Gap Free Jeans Giveaway - Friday, Nov 5, 2010

Today, the Gap will be giving away 10,000 pairs of jeans nationwide. All Gap stores are participating and have a certain number of jeans to give away, so from east coast to west coast and every store in between you can get in on the action!

I already snagged my own free pair this morning, so now it's your turn - view the info on Gap's Facebook event page.

What's the catch? 
You've gotta check in to Facebook places via your web-enabled devices, iPhone or Droid.

How to access Facebook Places on web-enabled devices, iPhones, and Android devices: http://www.facebook.com/help/?faq=17390

Weleda's Natural Beauty Quiz and a coupon

I just took Weleda's Natural Beauty quiz. I thought I could easily tell the difference between natural and conventional ingredients, apparently not. Test your knowledge by taking their Facebook quiz, and get a $2 coupon towards Weleda products at the end.