Love Me Some Rachel Pally

I've blogged about designer Rachel Pally numerous times, but it's hard not to when a) I adore her and her dreamy clothes and b) we go way back. Case in point, I first became enamored with her fresh designs when she first launched several years ago and I was an editor at InStyle.com, keeping my pulse on new talent.

When I moved out to LA, I discreetly trekked downtown to her warehouse sale and nabbed some fab finds for myself on the cheap. The sale was a bit out of control, with clothes piling up everywhere and her parents actually bribed me (totally unaware that I was an editor) to stay late and help them clean up the sale in exchange for a free dress. Never too proud, I totally obliged and got to know the hard-working, super sweet Pally family firsthand. Fast forward several years later, and we've laughed about that rough sample sale, and I've supported the brand at countless events (far more glamorous than that first downtown warehouse sale!) Rachel is a doll and deserves every ounce of success.

This week I drove straight in from Vegas and went directly to her VIP press event, where I scored a few new favorite items to add to my wardrobe. Ultra-wearable, flattering and versatile, Rachel's pieces are always in heavy rotation in my closet, no matter the season. For those of you in the LA area, book it to her warehouse sale this weekend:


RACHEL PALLY WAREHOUSE SALE featuring HOLIDAY '11
2301 E. 7th Street. C-100, Los Angeles, CA
Thursday 10am-6pm
Friday 10am-6pm
Saturday 10am-5pm
Sunday 11am-4pm

See some fun snapshots of us below, plus a few examples of my new fashion finds from her line:

Ariel Gordon Jewelry & Tucker Sample Sale!

Looks pretty fab, darlings!

FYI, Lovers.

No surprise that Rebecca Minkoff holds a special place in my heart. I'll be attending her fashion show at New York Fashion Week in a few weeks, but until then, lovelies, check out her summer sale online here:

Rebecca Minkoff Sample Sales!

Rebecca Minkoff, queen of chic leather handbags in functional yet uber-fashionable styles, is now a household name among savvy stylish girls from coast to coast. Minkoff actually has quite a special place in my heart because I'm proud to say that she was my very first 'Deal & Steals' promotion back in 2006 when I launched the section at InStyle.com.

At the time she was just starting out and not even a blip on most people's radars. I distinctly remember reviewing her line sheets and thinking it was incredibly impressive (I snagged a few bags for myself without any hesitation) and knew she would fast track her way to success in no time. Why? Because she filled a niche of everyday styles at an affordable price point--and yes, her stuff was much more affordable back then!










I quickly put her on blast, proudly carried a few of her bags about town and have really enjoyed watching her rise to the top in a short amount of time.

And with every fashion success story comes a treat for her loyal fans: a sample sale!
That's right, RM Sample Sale season is upon us, Cali girls. Here's the info:


L.A. sample sale

REBECCA MINKOFF / CONFEDERACY

4661 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles CA

VIP night Thursday, 6/2 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Friday 6/3 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday 6/4 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday 6/5 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.



S.F. sample sale

Madrone Studios

1417 15th street San Francisco, CA

Saturday, 6/4 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.


Prices:
The Boyfriend cross-body

Retail price $295 / Sample Sale price $178



Studded Rocker

Retail price $330 / Sample Sale price $182



Beloved Mini cross-body

Retail price $395 / Sample Sale price $217



Laptop case

Retail price $195 / Sample Sale price $107



Matinee

Retail price $595 / Sample Sale price $327

FYI

Mark Your Calendars: Rachel Pally Sample Sale

One of my absolute favorite LA-based designers (and sweet friend), Rachel Pally, is having her cult-favorite sample sale starting next week. Trust me when I say her sales are not to be missed--I've actually picked up several of my favorite year-round pieces from her sales over the years and they are all on heavy rotation. When does that ever happen with sample sale stuff you scored on major discount?





(Rachel on right, with Shana H. and myself.)

And in case you aren't familiar, Rachel is the queen of jersey, and has countless of ridiculously cute styles that will fit and flatter anyone and everyone.

Don't miss this.

Walking on a Cloud

Does anyone own a pair of Cole Haan Air shoes?

I haven't actually tried their ingenius shoe collection myself, but I've been tempted to snap up a pair on several occasions. A truly comfortable high heel sounds too good to be true, so I always have my doubts--plus at around $250 a pair, I'd rather take home a really sexy pair of heels that get my heart racing and heads turning...rather than a fairly cute pair that will probably save my soles. Makes sense, right?

Anyway, a friend of mine swears by her Cole Haan Air heels for work, which has me rethinking things. Even better? Gilt Group is running an online sale on a bunch of Cole Haan Air shoes starting today, where most run for just over $100. See for yourself!

Dream Come True!

I've been waiting and waiting and waiting for summer to roll around to pick out a new pair of sunglasses (considering all of my favorite pairs were stolen from my car a few months back.) I've had my eye on a few styles from Oliver Peoples, so imagine my delight when I found out that Billion Dollar Babes is hosting an online sample sale of the line right now.






Prices range from $130-156 per pair. Score!

Cha-Ching!

I hit up the Charles David warehouse sale this weekend in LA, and I'm glad I did! The parking lot was packed with discounted designer shoes, and there was no shortage of serious (i.e. aggressive) shoppers intent on scoring some serious deals on Saturday. Not to be outdone, I duked it out with the best of them, and made out like a bandit with some seriously CUTE shoes!

The prices were on point ($25 for Charles by Charles David, $40 for Charles David collection)--considering his shoes average around $160+ retail; but, they took it up a notch by offering size 10 shoes (only) at just $10 on Saturday! Ridiculous, right?! I've never been so thrilled to wear a size 10 before in my life.






Don't ask me how pairs I snapped up...lets just say I should be set for a few years from now...

FYI: Oscar on Sale!

GiltGroup.com is holding an exclusive Oscar de la Renta online sample sale TODAY.





Favorite designer of all time at a deep discount?

Hold me back.

Currently Obsessed With...

High-Waisted Skirts and Maxi Dresses

I haven't missed a single Rachel Pally sample sale since I've moved back to L.A., and boy, am I thankful. New York trumps in all areas of major sample sales (how I miss the major savings and thrill of the chase at Manolo, DvF and more), for sure; but one thing the Big Apple doesn't have, is the Rachel Pally Warehouse!

I bravely went on the first day this time (usually I race in on the last day and pray that everything's gone so I won't be tempted) and I found myself shoulder to shoulder with dozens of jersey-lovin' casual California girls in downtown L.A.--and no wonder! The offerings at RP's sale are always plentiful--tons of colors, tons of styles, tons of sizes.

It's always a bit of a maddening frenzy, but I consistently walk away with an armful of wearable styles in the most luxe, stylish, comfy jersey knitwear you can find. L.A. is the capital of casual dressing, so Rachel Pally's pieces fit the bill all year round.

My sister found a ton of great new basics for the school year, and she even came back later in the weekend with a friend and picked up a few more finds.

I am actually now pals with Rachel and her adorable parents (who work just as hard stocking and selling as Miss Pally does designing the clothes); and am forever impressed with how many fantastic, ultra-flattering (yes, really!) looks she has come up with over the years.

This time around, I nabbed a few high-waisted skirts (pencil and bubble), versatile maxi dresses and strapless tops to mix and match.




A surefire sign that I shopped wisely? I've already worn nearly every new Rachel Pally piece at least once; and the sale was a mere three days ago.

Hurrah.

Adventures in Shopping...

When I lived in New York, my part-time job could have been a sample sale shopper. Luckily, as a fashion editor, I had the good fortune of being invited to the city's best sample sales (editor VIP days rock my world) usually before they were open to the public, and could easily scoot out of work during the day to hit them up.

Sample sales aren't for the weak-spirited, that's for sure, and there's definitely a method to the madness so that you can emerge victorious (i.e. nab the best designer goods for less than retail.)

Needless to say, I miss those days, but the good news is that I've found my way through L.A.'s jungle of sample sales and cleaned up at yesterday's Velvet sale! Tons (and tons and tons) of really cute, comfy basics in a rainbow of colors--all for about 50% off what they usually retail.


Yay!