nykeiko shops: Rag and Bone Sample Sale [February 2015 NYC Sample Sale]

Rag & Bone x Coogi collab

Here's my spotcheck report on Racked NY for the Rag and Bone sample sale which I checked out last night.

I remember going to my first Rag and Bone sample sale back in 2012 where I purchased a new pair of Newbury flats and R&B denim shorts and thought I scored. Since then, I have attended most of the bi-annual sales just because I like the brand but always came out empty handed. Maybe I was a more frivolous spender back then (I was) but also, the prices just aren't that affordable. The cheapest pieces are $40 tees which I can get similar ones for $15 on Everlane. I also like to think that I'm a smarter shopper now and can hold out for better deals to come around.

It's good to be back in New York! New earrings and a haircut [Alexis Bittar sample sale]

Alexis Bittar 'Miss Havisham' earrings - nykeiko.com

A good day today. I'm quickly back into my New York state of body. I had a jewelry making class (made cluster earrings and a chunky necklace) in the afternoon from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and then quickly slipping out to make a hair appointment at 3 pm at Arrojo studio! I actually saw Nick Arrojo himself cutting hair and marveled at what a $500 haircut would look like as I was getting my hair cut by my perky level 1 stylist. I am a total fan of Nick Arrojo when I used to watch TLC's 'What not to wear'. He made everyone's hair look totally amazing which helped make the transformation for the lucky victims of the makeover totally shocking!

My haircut lasted 2 hours and since the Rag and Bone sample sale was on my way home, I decided to check that out. However, on my way to the Rag and Bone sample sale, I spotted the Alexis Bittar sale going on 14th street and 8th avenue. It was the last day of the sale and there was a sign outside the door stating an additional 20% off all sale items which caught my attention. There was a crowd inside the small space and a short line of 5 people so I thought it might be worth a look. I was there anyway!

Pieces lingered between $50-$100 but I saw some wood bangles at $3, cheap white plastic bangles at $5-$15-$30 varying by size, pins at $30, earrings between $50-100, lots of Swarowski encrusted bangles, precious stone necklaces and then some chunky necklaces going for 50% off. I was looking for big earrings for future cocktail party nights that I do not know when I would be attending. I finally picked these rhodium metal Swarowski crystal-encrusted loop earrings. I had seen them before this ONE time I actually entered an 'Alexis Bittar' store on Madison Avenue maybe two years ago? and liked them. They normally retail for $175 (currently 50% off on Nordstrom) and they were $60 at the sample sale ($75 plus an additional 20% off). Not a super bargain. I like the encrusted spikes along with the crystal. I like that they are made of rhodium which makes the earrings extra shiny. I think I will wear them for a New Year's Eve party which I momentarily have no plans for. They are really sparkly which would look so nice with my hair down. Oh and I picked up a $3 +20% off wood bangle because, why not? I can use it for a DIY or something!

Alexis Bittar wood bangle - nykeiko.com

So I was never a big fan of Alexis Bittar's jewelry but from time to time, there will be a piece or two that will catch my eye. He creates many styles of chunky rings or big statement necklaces with unconventional shapes and adorns them with all types of semi precious stones. Alexis Bittar's jewelry was first recognized by New York's Guggenheim Museum and the Museum of Modern Art and is now sold to many major retailers. To me, most of the jewelries remind me of costume jewelry but with better material and shinier material used of course.

I then went to the Rag and Bone sample sale going on at Chelsea Market and bought...nothing! The sample sale is notoriously not cheap anyway. I always wanted a blazer of theirs but at $250, it is not a bargain at all. I had my eyes on the men's Italian wool scarves but decided not to buy anything. I left the sale and picked up a bottle of $12.99 Riesling at the market and came home to cook dinner. I was actually starving and had no patience to shop. I had eaten nothing at all day except a bowl of cereal and expired eggs before stepping out.

Ah, it is good to be back in New York.

x

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nykeiko wears: Night stroll [Rag and Bone Newbury booties]

After a little rain, the city became a little bit cooler and more tolerable.

After being cooped up at home most of the day, we decided to grab a late night bite and take a little stroll in the Lower East Side.

This is the second time I'm wearing my booties and still breaking them in. I could have not lasted more than 3 hours in them with 30 minutes of consistent walking. They are not particularly high but I think the leather needs to soften up a little bit more before they become comfy. Or at least I hope they will!


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Break in your shoes without or, with much less pain...

Breaking in new shoes is a tricky and painful procedure.

I am breaking in my new Rag and Bone Newbury ballet flats and it's ouchie!

A colleague of mine showed me a trick which is going to "save" me so many band-aids or bonding tape. Instead of placing band-aids on both heels and toes everytime I wear them new shoes, I am going to wear sheer knee lenght nylons or panty hose from now on. I laughed at her when she showed me her 'uncool' knee lenght stockings which actually helps her keep her feet dry and prevents blisters. The only person I have ever known wear nylons was my loving grandmother. Maybe there is a lot of women that wears them and I just had no clue since they are almost invisible.  I didn't even know where to buy them! However, when I tried on my new flats, I immediately felt the pinch and heel rubbing and had to break them in so I decided to try the nylons this time. I easily got a pair from CVS at 99 cents and they are fantastic! It prevented rubbing of the shoes against my heels and thus no pain! My feet was also kept dry and thus, no smell! The side of my feet was still pinched which is something I can't seem to avoid with any shoes due to my ginormous wide feet!

What are your tricks for breaking into new shoes? Lots of blood, blisters and limping until your shoes soften or do you use a shoe stretcher prior to wearing them? Or ever try with rubbing alcohol?

You can barely see the stockings

The sheer hose cannot even hide the tan I got over the weekend

These 100% leather babies are made with rigib nubuck leather and I think they are going to take more time to mold to my feet.
Made in Taiwan.
Upper: German nubuck cow leather.
Stacked flat Belgian cow leather sole


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In pictures: Rag and Bone Sample sale June 2012 [NY sample sale]..

Let me start by mentioning that this was not one of the cheapest sample sales I have been too. Rackedny covers the prices here.

The site before the storm...

Rag and Bone sample sale at Chelsea Market

The selection was great in general although a 'Friends and Family' event the day before wiped out a lot of the smaller sizes in all the t-shirts, jeans and shoes! Most were restocked but not all. The shoes section was the first thing most girls raced to. I needed flats so I picked up the Newbury flats in Ivory in size 7. Many of the girls couldn't get the smaller sizes in the shoes so I was happy to find a pair I liked! I found out later that the Newbury flats were not $125* as advertised but $195. They are originally $295 and on the R and B website, they are currently on sale for $150 for sizes 38 and 41 only. * I went back and they gave me $70 back so make sure you check your receipt before leaving!

 I also found many cute items but I let them be but I picked up a pair of "Tuxedo" navy shorts with orange stripe. You're lucky if you got jeans in your size. Even though they said they fit true to size, some styles are made tighter and smaller so some size 28 shorts fit my 27 butt! I now own skinny jeans in size 27 and shorts in size 28.

There was a wait for the dressing room and cashier...make sure you got everything before you commit to those lines.

Rag and bone Heels

Rag and Bone Newbury flat

Newbury boots were sold fast

$195 for tiered blue dress (orig $495)

Maxi dresses were plentiful in colors and sizes

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Everyone can relate to this one...

I wore my new jeans for the very first time today and I spill coffee on it this morning while walking to work...drips of coffee ran from my thighs down to my heels..I was walking so I used what I could find in my bag to wipe off excess which was a receipt from CVS. As soon as I got into work, I dab the spots with water and then for the heck of it, sprinkled half a packet of salt to rest on the stain just because I had a packet of salt.

Googling "How to remove coffee stains"....and sighing and imagining my bf sighing too and saying "that is so you".

Rag and bone..chic looking bummin'

Lake Bell in the Skinny in Bright Orange and the Newbury Boot in Burgundy, and Cameron Diaz in the Newbury Boot 

Look familiar?

Me in my Newbury boots here and my Newbury flats here!

Photo from Rag and bone on FB



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Oh hello. I want you. .

I wonder if you're comfortable to walk in.
They said you were made for NY girls to walk in NY. 
Will you stand true?
Will I complain about you after an hour of walking?
Will you make my feet stink?
Are you worth all the hype?

Rag and Bone Classic Newbury boots in camel

Keiko wears...@ In Williamsburg

I actually entered this picture for a contest. I'll only tell you what the contest is if I win though.

I didn't wear this particular outfit out anywhere that day. I only threw it on to take this picture. In fact, this was my first time wearing my new jeans for a happy 10 minutes. Now they are being washed so I can wear them fresh!

What a cute Community garden in Williamsburg

Jeans: Rag and Bone
Top: Stylemint's Lincoln top
Heels: Terra Plana
Sunglasses: Burberry

Guess what I got in the mail today...

The 20% site wide discount on Piperlime didn't apply to Rag & Bone but I still got the discount anyway because they have awesome customer service ;) I was also able to get them in my size. They look much better with heels so that means I gotta suffer a little wearing these...

I've concluded that fashionistas/socialites in New York are able to spend a day in their heels because they cab it everywhere which I don't! So.there!

I like these Rag and Bone orange skinny jeans!

These are the skinny jeans I have been contemplating to buy. I tried them on twice now and liked them both times. They are $176 USD each and I just can't get myself to spend that money now on jeans. However, on Piperlime, theres a 20% off sale going on but my size is gone and it hasn't been there for the past week. I also have this 15% discount for first time buyers which I would like to use for these jeans but can't!! They are super stretchy and comfy, super bright and original, and for the first time, I'd own a pair of jeans that are neither in variations of blue or black! Should I spend full price on seasonal colored jeans? I can see myself wear this until Fall paired with white tee and black blazer.

Update 5/8/12: They are now $122.50 on Piperlime!