nykeiko shops: The Alexander Wang for H&M collab [What went down and my haul]

Alexander Wang for H&M keychain

This morning, I got up at around 5:40 a.m. to leave the door by 6 a.m. With a bit of jetlag left in me, daylight saving and urgency to pee, 5:40 a.m. was not as bad as I thought it would be. Dave does not support my shopping but he came out with me. Not to wait in line though. He insisted on coming out with me so that I would be safe leaving the door in the dark (aw!). It also makes him look really good showing up at work so early in the morning :) I got to H&M (on 86th street) at around 6:40 a.m. and was ready to report for Racked. Here's my line blog bit. The wait compared to last year's Isabel Marant wait, was a piece of cake (actually, last year I actually got a piece of cake!) The rain had today was tolerable. Windy freezing temperature is not. A little before 8 a.m., they started letting the first three groups of 30 inside the store. I was in the third group which is the 8:45-9:00 a.m. time slot. The next 45 minutes was enjoyable. Chatting up with new line friends about what they were going to buy and if the Wang outfit on Rihanna was hot or not.

Since I was there reporting, I might as well shop which is what I did. I finished shopping a bit before 9 a.m., tried on some of the clothes I snatched up like; the strappy yellow sports top (small around the torso, loose where my fake boobs are not present) and the strappy fitted dress (couldn't even pull it pass by hip). I left those behind and checked out with the boxing gloves keychain ($12.95), a water bottle ($12.95) maybe for someone's holiday gift?; a sports bra medium support ($39.95) for a friend in Montreal (She was in line early in the morning too for launch in Montreal but there's only one H&M in the whole city that stocked the collection and hundreds of people already lined up. I offered to pick up her top item because the chance of me getting it was higher.) and the gray cropped scuba sweater ($59.95) that looked ridiculous on me but since it's a highly-coveted item, I snatched it up. It's better to grab it then to regret later. So in all, I basically got nothing worthy! I didn't even miss work for this and actually got to work before most of my coworkers. Win!

More pics after the jump...

Marimekko Sample Sale [March 2014 NYC Sample Sale]

Marimekko Vellamo pattern

I was really looking forward to shop the first-ever Marimekko sample sale in New York but ended up buying nada! I was looking for more things in this particular pattern-Vellamo- but only found one clutch and I do not need more clutches. I also wanted to get this Fatboy x Marimekko doggie lounge bag which was only $40 (was $179) but we do not own a dog. What else? See the review here on Racked NY.

The BCBG group sample sale was all about Hervé Léger [January 2014 NYC sample sale]

I haven't been to a sample sale since last year...in December! Sample sales are steadily revving back up again in New York City and the first one for me in 2014 is the BCBG group sample sale with labels from BCBG, Max Azria and Hervé Léger. Here's my review for Racked NY.

My sister purchased her first Hervé Léger last year and has put it on high rotation during the holiday season and got many compliments. She wanted another one and asked me to find something for her at the sale. Unfortunately, I didn't find anything that would suit her but I did end up getting a high-waisted skirt for myself. I brought the piece in size small to the dressing room and had so much trouble fitting into it. Another shopper actually helped me zip up as I did for her. It's like a Spanx/skirt-in-one and I can easily pair it up with any tops I own. I would need to shed some of my winter blubber to fit comfortably and make breathing slightly easier. It's suppose to stretch and mold to my body as well so getting it tight should be okay.

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Lauren Merkin sample sale [November 2013 NYC sample sale]

Need a purse or clutch to match with your holiday outfits? The Lauren Merkin sample sale could be a good place for you to pick up a shimmery clutch or a wardrobe staple. Here's my review on Racked.

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Lulu Frost sample sale [May 2013 NYC sample sale]

Here's my review of the sale for RackedNY.

This is a piece that caught my eye right away but thought I won't have a chance to wear it with anything but what was I thinking?! It could match with anything dressy! It's too late to get it now however, I was suppose to look for a statement necklace anyway which I didn't even get at the sale because I was too distracted by other shiny things... I did get some bridal jewelry...well, jewelry that can be fit for a bride which I hope I'll still want to wear when wedding day approaches. I already picked up a pair of Judith Leiber baguette crystal drop earrings which I was also hoping to wear too...hmm.. should I make an earring change with every dress change?

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Comptoir des Contonniers sample sale [ny Sample Sale] haul

Hola
The boy is out hangin' with his boys on a Tuesday night which gives me the time to look over my purchases from the Comptoir des Cotonniers sample sale.

I have never heard of this French brand before I moved to NY but there are a couple of stores in New York and inside Bloomingdale's. Their stuff is clean, well-designed, wearable all around and perfect for the casual earthy classic loving ladies. This is their first ever sample sale in NY and it promised to be full of merchandise but not super cheap therefore I was not too interested because I know the prices are not low to begin with. At first, I wasn't interested in checking out the sale because Comptoir des contonniers carries alot of these really earthy tones (green, mocha, taupe, brown, beige etc.) which I don't really like on me. Although sometimes they have these pieces that I love (especially the accessories and bags) but the prices are not to my liking even with in-store sales.

But when I read from Rackedny blog about the additional 30% off sale items at the sale, and most things were under $65, I decided to take a look and maybe find a couple of brighter colors for Spring and Summer.

Here is what I got and I think they are not so bad at all. I put back on the rack all the black and gray pieces as I have promised myself NOT to buy anymore black or gray for the rest of the year. Boy there were some nice dark blazers and dress shorts at the sale.

Cobalt blue tights for $7 (originally at $25). Floral short/skirt at $25 (Originally marked at $125) and a shimmery 100% linen top for $11 (originally $95). Not bad right?

These were taken from my phone so the color is a little bit distorted.

I think they made a mistake with the price for the top. They should have charged $46 as $11 was only for basic cotton tops. Oh well!

I'm excited to add floral pattern to my closet as I never wore floral in my life!

After thinking I got an amazing deal and spending only $53 on three items of clothing, I end up spending $23 on 12 pieces of studs from a store next door selling wholesale studs, buttons, chains and accessories. Hopefully, this will be enough to complete my DIY clutch for once and for all and debut it for Summer 2012!

My Diptyque sample sale shopping haul...not too interesting!

[Update: My 2013 haul here!]

My phone which also serves as my alarm clock died overnight because I didn't close the apps and my phone was half charged before going to bed therefore, my alarm did not go off and I woke up an hour past the beginning of the Diptyque sale. That's how the day started. I was contemplating going because I was late for work and also knew that all the good stuff were probably already picked through. So I quickly scan RackedNY blog and lineblogging mentioned a long wait and line. I still wanted to go and take my chance of showing up with low stock. My mind was set that the crowd will be gone soon because of the rain and there will be plenty of stock left so I should definitely go. All I wanted was ONE candle! I arrive almost two hours past start of the sale and saw a line outside. Dread.

Diptyque sample sale

When i entered the little sale space and at a glance, I knew the good stuff were taken ....empty space were candles were stacked high were empty and only two scent of candles no one wanted were left along with holiday candles which were the Spruce and vanilla plum fig whatever. Those were overstocked (on multiple tables) so plenty to pick from. But I'm happy that Baies and the other good stuff weren't there or else I would regret not coming earlier (stupid battery draining smart phones)..what was I thinking anyway, those were best sellers and would probably never end up at samples sale right? Right?!

They lied. They did do some restocking but only of the holiday candles from what I saw. What ran out were the mini coffrets which I got my hand on of the last two on the table (yay or else it would have been a disapointing morning), the body lotions were all gone and a couple of the colognes. There were plenty of perfume, body gels, roll on perfumes etc. all at more than 50% off.

Many people had box full of stuff...mini candles were $14 so this guy bought probably 20 of them on top of pretty much everything else that was at the sale.

This lady had a large box full..so did other people (ebay sellers?)

This was my box. Disappointing I know. I added Spruce candle right before checking out because I thought I MUST get at least one standard size candle while here!

There were actual men there. Running errands for their wives/gf or genuinely Diptyque loving fans?

My haul:

The mini gift coffret was $42 at the sale originally $88.

I wanted Feu de Bois but I really like the Pomander. These are holiday winter scents.

I am not sure why I got this.  I can carry this around and use it in case I smell bad. $24 (retail $48)

Last minute purchase because I wasn't going to walk out without a large candle

I love it!

Apparently the sale closed due to the large amount of crowd that were drawn to the sale so they shut down the rest of the afternoon and will re-open tomorrow. Can you believe how many people love Diptyque? Are they all like me? Never bought Diptyque before but still crazy enough to stand in line in the rain and cold for the sale?

{update, on the last day, i got me 2 for $30 candles}

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