Sample sales are the fashion insiders shopping secret. Its the perfect way to get guaranteed, authentic designer goods without paying full retail prices.

Stars will never talk about this secret since they are often given designer pieces for free its good publicity for the designer. This is the insider shopping secret of the true New York fashion elite.

Ive outlined the money-saving reasons to try sample sales below.

Great Savings

Samples sales commonly average a discount of 40-80 percent off retail prices. Here are some examples of the typical savings (these samples are actual postings):

1.Over 12,000 pairs of women’s designer shoes featuring current collections by Stuart Weitzman, Marc Jacobs, Kate Spade, Burberry, Michael Kors, Pucci, DKNY, Ralph Lauren, Anne Klein, Puma, Cynthia Rowley, Donald J. Pliner, Calvin Klein, Beverly Feldman, Miss Sixty, Frye, Lilly Pulitzer Hush Puppies, Minnetonka, Betsy Johnson, New Balance, Uggs, and many others. All shoes are $25-$110. All boots are $50-$165.

2.Armani Casa’s sleek home furnishings are reduced by up to 70 percent.

3.Jill Stuarts Fall/Winter 2005 collection of wool coats, Victorian tops, flirty skirts, evening dresses, shoes and accessories will be marked down by up to 75 percent.

4.Save up to 80 percent off retail prices on their lines of womens and kids clothing and accessories Examples: Hollywood sexy high heel shoes, originally $450, now $95, a chocolate mink fur coat, originally $1,700, now $350, Calypso Paloma wrap around chiffon skirt was $200, now $40, leather and natural pearl embellished Buba bags (made in India) were $745, now $150.

Extra Savings

One example of the opportunities for extra savings is New Yorks tax-free week (usually twice each year). The discount, for purchases under $110, covers clothing, footwear, fabric, thread, yarn, buttons, zippers, neckties, scarves, hats, uniforms, athletic clothing, and diapers. The next tax-free week is January 30 February 5, 2006.

More than Clothing

Sample sales include much more than just designer clothes and accessories. You can also find furniture, home accent pieces, rugs, and costume and fine jewelry. Ive even know of a prop sample sale selling furniture and dcor pieces used in movies and television shows.

Emerging Designers

Sample sales are a great opportunity to check out the wares from new, not-yet-popular designers. The added advantage is getting discounted, unique pieces form designers before they become popular and more expensive.

Wholesale/Import Sales

These special sales often discount pieces below the wholesale prices (the prices retailers pay). The possible savings definitely justify a visit.

Never-Ending Savings

There are at least six sample sales going on in any given week. The free sales listings are good resources, but the best, listings that cover the most sales and provide the most sale information, have subscription fees. They can range from $40 to $124/year.

Exploring sample sales is a win-win opportunity. Its a good way to find beautiful, authentic pieces at great prices.

Yolanda Keil is an image consultant and confessed shopaholic. She produces two style news blogs and just finished her eBook, The New York Fashion Insiders Shopping Secret: Sample Sales. This guide includes the most comprehensive review of sample sale resources, plus insider tips on navigating the sales and getting the most bang for your buck: http://www.polished-images.com/book.html

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Each year, on fashion runways from New York to Paris, Milan, and Toyko, sterling silver is new again as designers interpret it in new and exciting ways. What makes sterling silver a fashion perennial? The answer is clear: when it comes to beauty, versatility, durability, and affordability, sterling silver jewelry is unsurpassed.

In the hands of talented artists and designers, sterling silver is constantly reinvented to suit the evolving tastes of the women who wear it. But whether as a ring, a necklace, or bracelet, standing alone or presented in combination with gemstones and other precious metalssterling silver is always in fashion.

Here’s a look at what’s hot this year:

Peace of Silver

In 2004, many Oscar presenters and recipients wore gracefully and simply designed Dove of Peace. pin. Embraced by such Hollywood luminaries as Meryl Streep, Susan Sarandon, Drew Barrymore, and Leonardo DiCaprio, it has also been seen on the Dali Lama and Nobel Peace Laureates Oscar Aria Sanchez, Betty Williams, Mairead Corrigan Maguire, and former UN Assistant Secretary-General Gillian Sorrensom.

Now non-celebrities may purchase the pin in sterling silver pin to demonstrate both their commitment to peace and their fashion sense. The 2005 sterling silver interpretation was designed by award-winning American jewelry artist Henry Dunay to resonate the energy of Picasso’s Dove Of Peace.

Silver Screen

With the enormous popularity of the Lord of the Rings series, it comes as no surprise that designers have created jewelry based on the elaborately crafted pieces in the films. Based on the actual pendant worn in the Lord of the Rings film, the Arwen Evenstar Pendant is crafted in sterling silver and comes in a wooden gift box. Measuring 2-1/2 inches in length with a 18 sterling silver chain and a Swarovski crystal stone, each piece is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, adding long-term value to its other charms.

Works Like A Charm

Charm bracelets are both wonderfully retro and extremely cutting edge. Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Avril Levigne, Hilary Duff, and other high-visibility high-fashion celebrities are wrapping their wrists in silver bracelets with the hip L.A. brand Eldorado Club.

The Girlie Charm Bracelet is adorned with charming femme-friendly charms including a cat, a cocktail glass, and a kitty.

Sterling Silver - Always In Style for Your 25th Anniversary No matter what list you consult — traditional, modern or the now popular ultra-modern (which includes items like clocks and appliances) — silver is the 21st Century gift of choice for a 25th wedding anniversary. Whether it’s silver’s durability, its strength, its flexibility or its unparalleled beauty, sterling silver is an exquisite memento of 25 years of loving commitment between a couple.

Topping the list of this year’s What’s Hot in silver wedding anniversary gifts, women say they want charm bracelets, hoop earrings, and hair ornaments. For wives who would like to present their husbands with sterling silver tokens, the top of the charts picks are cufflinks, tie clips, money clips, neck chains, and I.D. bracelets.

But #1 for him AND her — a classic sterling silver Tiffany keyring.

For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit http://www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick-up your FREE copy of How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped-Off. This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at http://www.morninglightjewelry.com

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