Fantastic Finds: Brian Atwood Sample Sale

On a blustery Sunday afternoon, nothing hits the spot quite like a good brunch and an even better sample sale.  After a scrumptious meal of Poached Eggs ($12) with buttermilk biscuits, grilled ham, and hollandaise at Market Table, Donna and I made our way through the West Village and into Chelsea for the Brian Atwood Friends & Family Sample Sale.

As a Trend Contributor for Racked.com, Style Editor at PoshGlam.com, Digital Media Assistant to Shape’s Jacqui Stafford, Columbia University graduate student, and founder of DonnaDaily.com, Donna brings a whole new meaning to the concept of multi-tasking.  It’s a miracle that this Jenn-Falik-in-the-making manages to eat and sleep, let alone find any free time, but somehow she does and was able to score these amazing heels (in an even more wearable black hue) for 70% off:

Perfect with black tights and a gold metallic dress for New Year’s Eve or an oversize black blazer and sundress dress for the summer months, these shoes, despite the mesh and peep toe, can actually be worn all year round.  

Donna, a 5’6” glamazon, of course had no trouble fitting into the sample size Atwood shoes, usually reserved for models gracing the covers of Vogue and Harper’s.  I, a vertically challenged, 5’1” little runt, had a bit more trouble finding a steal in my size.  However, much to my eyes’ delight and my bank account’s dismay, I found a pair of the much coveted (this season!) Rosita Suede Boots (mine, also in black instead of the brown pictured below) for a fraction of the cost!  

As I watched my bank account take a dip, I told the cashier that I would like to wear the boots out of the store.  While Donna walked Captain Hook’s plank of the monetary demise, a chatty Brian Atwood employee said to me, “Honey, you better be taking your birth control, because with shoes that fierce, you are getting LAID.”

For more information on the top sample sales in Manhattan, check out the listings below or read through the complete list at DailyCandy.com:

What: Diane von Furstenberg
Why: Signature printed wrap dresses are $150 (reg. $325), embellished cardigans are $80 (reg. $495), and coats are $350 (reg. $625).
When: Dec. 7-10. Tues., 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Wed., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Thurs., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 260 Fifth Ave., b/t 28th & 29th Sts.

What: Helmut Lang
Why: Women’s clothing and accessories are up to 70 percent off. Blazers are $199, leather pants are $199, skirts are $79, etc.
When: Dec. 10-12. Fri., 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: 139 Fifth Ave., b/t 20th & 21st Sts., 2nd flr.

What: Lee Angel
Why: Deck the wrists (and necks, fingers, and lobes) of loved ones with gorgeous baubles. They’ll never know they were 30-75 percent off.
When: Dec. 8-10. Wed. & Thurs., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 524 Broadway, at Spring St., 6th flr.

What: Thread Social
Why: Flirty, fun, and deeply discounted (up to 80 percent off) frocks for your holiday needs. Plus, spring and summer clothing on the cheap.
When: Dec. 7 & 8. Tues. & Wed., 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Where: 26 W. 17th St., b/t Fifth & Sixth Aves., ste. 301.

Fantastic Finds: Blue Ribbon Cookbook

Ears still ringing from the night before, M and I bared the cold for some brunch at Blue Ribbon Bakery.  An old favorite, I’ve been to this cozy café at closing after one too many drinks at Kingswood, the next morning for their to die for Blue Benedict (essentially Eggs Benedict with Serrano ham, Jarlsberg cheese, and tomato on toasted challah), and their wine bar across the street for delectable appetizers and perfectly concocted cocktails for a handful of first dates.  It’s the kind of place you can imagine cool, over-size sweater wearing writers frequenting during the week and preppy bankers or stylish PR girls dropping by on the weekends.

Not only is the food delicious, the staff could not be friendlier.  Whether pondering over a wine selection or ordering Profiteroles for breakfast (yes, a friend of mine did this once), they are always as nice as can be and do everything with a genuine, Buddy the Elf-size smile. 

Today before diving into my Warm Goat Cheese Salad ($16.25), I noticed that they now have a cookbook, which can be purchased at Blue Ribbon or online.

A perfect holiday gift for M (or one of my other food-loving friends), I may need to buy two—I’d hate to be without a copy myself!

Blue Ribbon Bakery & Café
http://www.blueribbonrestaurants.com/
http://twitter.com/#!/@blueribbonNYC

35 Downing St.

(212) 337-0404