Love Sole-Killing Heels? Then Carry A Spare!

Every woman has been there. The totally fabulous three-inch heels seemed like a good idea when you left the house, but now your pretty little pedicured feet have become swollen, aching hooves just dying to break free from their miniature torture chambers. If you never again want to walk barefoot on a dirty sidewalk, parking lot, or other germ-laden surface while carrying a once-wonderful pair of overpriced stilettos, then you need to peep these peep-toe-pain saviors. Spare Soles are travel-friendly ballerina flats that come in a variety of colors and sizes and are designed to be a rescue tool for situations just like this. The rollable, bendable flats come with a handy pouch that should fit nicely in most purses. Buy online, or head over to J. Renee Shoes and More in Preston Royal Village (214-368-8030). Right now Spare Soles are on sale there for $12.95.

A Holly Jolly Gypsy Wagon Christmas

This Thursday, The Gypsy Wagon is staying open late to give holiday shoppers an extra chance to tackle their gift lists. Shop owner Carley says that in addition to the special 8 pm closing time, there will also be wine. I’m in! Other deals you can expect to find include 40 percent off handmade Christmas stockings, 50 percent off leather handbags, and 25 percent off rain boots. (Photo credit: Elizabeth Lavin)

Stanley Korshak Fine Jewelry Sale

If you’re like me, you like to have a Christmas list, just so people get you exactly what you want. So I suggest sending your man a link to this blog–just as a little hint to say, hey, honey, I’d like some bling and you can buy me some at Stanley Korshak this week only for 25% off. We love the designs of Rachelle Dauphinee, which you can see in our 10 Most Beautiful Women in Dallas feature, and they’re also a favorite of designer Abi Ferrin. This will show that not only do you have good taste, but you’re also interested in saving him some cash. You know, because you’re thoughtful like that.

Hello, Botox! Let’s Party!

The New You Aesthetic Medicine med-spa wants you to be line-free this holiday season. Our no-wrinkle-having intern Christine Sracic has the goods:

I truly had to do a double take when I was informed of the following: The New You Aesthetic Medicine med-spa is hosting an all-day Botox and filler party December 23—and the Botox is only $10 per unit! Now, I’m still a ripe 23 years old, but one of my sisters (the dermatologist) insists that I have expression lines that could use a filling or two. (I agree. She’s nuts.) Even if I’m not ready just yet, this deal is just too good for you to pass up. Aside from the $10 Botox, it’s $100 off all Juvederm and Restylane as well. Deposits of $100 are required. Reserve your spot early—it lasts from 9:30 am to 8 pm. Now there’s no need to fret over all those Christmas-morning photos.

Thanks for the tip, Christine! Now, if only I could remember 23…

Beretta Gallery Trunk Show This Weekend

From Friday through Sunday, get 20 percent off exotic leather handbags and accessories at the Beretta Gallery holiday trunk show. Firearms aren’t included in the deal, but you can get this purple crocodile purse, for example, as well as other high-end ostrich and lizard goods such as belts, briefcases, and more. If you need a few more animal skins in your life, be sure and swing by Highland Park Village this weekend, but don’t tell Natalie Portman. It might not sit well right about now.

Celebrate the Season With Abi Ferrin

On Friday from 10 am-8 pm, stop by the Abi Ferrin studio at 1409 S. Lamar St. for some holiday festivities and a meet-and-greet with the team. Everything will be 40 percent off, and drinks and appetizers will be served at 4 pm. If you want to learn more about the Dallas designer, check out the current issue of D Beauty, in which Ferrin tells us about 10 of her favorite things. Not surprisingly, this in-the-know fashionista has lots of cool tips.

Everything Is Half Off at Haven

That’s what a discount-loving friend of ShopTalk says, anyway. She just got back from the store and was pleased as punch to find candles, ornaments, coffee table books, and more all priced at 50 percent off. And Stephanie’s been raving about some great Champagne flutes she picked up the other day (before the sale started, sadly). Apparently the owners of the Best of Big D winner want to make room for new merchandise. So, shoppers, get thee to Haven—before somebody else gets the good stuff!

Shoe Shopping at Barneys

Head to Barneys at NorthPark Center right NOW! They have a huge selection of fall/winter styles on sale right now. From Fendi and Lanvin ankle boots to Louboutin and Prada pumps, you’re sure to find something you’ll love and now they are 60% off! I was pulling some things for a photo shoot and got distracted by the display of covetable shoes on the sale racks. I walked away with these Prada booties for only $280.

Sample Sale at RSVP Soiree

If you’re planning a holiday party at your place this year and you’re in need of dinnerware, linens, and such, you might want to check out the RSVP Soiree sample sale taking place right now. To make room for its new inventory, the event rental company is selling off some of its older goods, and it looks like there’s lots of good stuff to choose from. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, and everything must go. Check out the RSVP Soiree blog for more info.

Boutique Clearance Sale at Bend Yoga Studio

All you yoga lovers out there need to stop by Bend Studio this Saturday for the winter clearance sale. From noon to 4 pm, everything is 25 to 50 percent off. Get yoga mats, blankets, blocks, belts, books, and more. And expect lines such as American Apparel, Kai, and Ashkari.

More Friday Fun

This weekend (starting tomorrow) is a good time to get out and shop if you can. Stock up on great gifts and treat yourself to something chic but cheap while you’re at it. Here are a few we have on our radar. Feel free to let us know about others Talkers shouldn’t miss out on!

What: Designer Sample Sale
What you’ll find: Clearance items from local designers Abi Ferrin, Courtney Warren, Sarah Briggs, Eddie Jo Jewelry, and Nest Jewelry. Tons of items only $10-$25!
When/Where: Friday December 5th, 10-8 and Saturday December 6th 10-6 at West Village, 3839 McKinney suite 160 (the old Lucy space at the NW corner of McKinney and Blackburn).

What: The Warehouse Sale
What you’ll find: 80% off premium denim (Frankie B, William Rast, AG Jeans, Rock & Republic, Diesel, and more), tops, dresses, and pants.
When/Where: Friday December 5th, 2-8 and Saturday December 6th, 10-4 at The Dallas Market Center, Freeway Hall, 2200 N Stemmons Fwy.

What: MaryGold jewelry Trunk Show
What you’ll find: 14k gold-filled bracelets, necklaces and earrings that are dripping with colorful precious and semi-precious stones. Full line priced 30-40% below retail for this event.
When/Where: Friday December 5th, 11-6 at Betty Cupcake in Snider Plaza.

Sartel Revealed & LFT Final Sale Continues

Designer and boutique owner, Matthew Earnest will debut his 1930’s-inspired spring 2009 women’s line, Sartel at a trunk show tomorrow from 4PM- 7PM at V.O.D. Get there early and then hop over to LFT for some great deals, as the store closing (we’re still really bitter about this) sale continues, with 40%-80% off everything (but happy about this) in the store.

DKNY & Levi’s Jeans

DKNY is teaming up with Levi’s Jeans for their 20th Anniversary. Together they have designed 3 styles: a wide leg jean, a skinny jean, and a boyfriend jean (made popular by stars like Katie Holmes). The jeans come in several washes such as rivington blue, white, black, and dark schiller. Pick up a pair for $225 at Neiman Marcus or Macy’s this January.

HD’s Annual Canned Food Drive

The homegrown retailer, established in 1981 (I bought my first pair of Diesel jeans there when I was in high school) by husband and wife team, Harry and Vicki DeMarco is holding their 21st annual Canned Food Drive now through December 31. Receive 1% off your purchase for each can you donate (up to 25%). Cans are distributed between West Dallas Multi-Purpose Center and AIDS Resource Pantry. If you don’t have time or don’t want to lug the cans over there yourself, you can simply donate $25, and they will buy the cans on your behalf. As an added bonus this year, you will receive an additional 25% off your first purchase in 2009 (valid from January 2 - 10). We love when we can give back and receive at the same time!

Cyber Monday: Fact or Fiction?

Maybe I’m out of touch, but I just heard the phrase Cyber Monday for the first time last week. Apparently today kicks off the online holiday shopping season. I had no idea. Am I the only person not shopping online today? I also refuse to shop on Black Friday, so maybe I just have a mental block about theme shopping. If I had to choose, however, I’d definitely go with Cyber Monday. It sounds nicer, and it sure is safer.

Deep Discounts at Merge This Weekend

The Merge boutique in Preston Royal Shopping Center is slashing prices this weekend, and it looks like there’s some good stuff up for grabs. The end-of-season sale, which is already in progress, includes up to 50 percent off on select items. But come Friday and Saturday, shoppers will receive an additional 25 percent discount on already-reduced merchandise. Discounted lines include Loeffler Randall, Mike & Chris, Rock & Republic, Seven, and many more.

Online Shopping and Coupon Stalking

Friend of ShopTalk Bethany just alerted me to a good-deal-having web site called RetailMeNot.com, and now I’m spreading the news to you. This online coupon source could make the year’s holiday shopping a whole lot easier on the old pocketbook, especially since that pocketbook might be looking a little leaner these days. Here’s how it works: you go to the site, you enter a store you like, and RetailMeNot spits out a list of deals. Free shipping, printable coupons, and discounts seem to be the most popular. For example, the site just let me know that now through Wednesday, November 26, you can get 25 percent off any one item if you shop online at Victoria’s Secret. Just enter offer code GET25. Pretty nifty, I say. Thanks, Bethany!

70 Percent Off Sale at Betsey Johnson

Black Friday at Betsey Johnson means mucho savings. On November 28, the Galleria Dallas store is having a 70 percent off sale. With the terrible economic conditions we’re experiencing right now, every little bit helps on the holiday shopping front. But a 70 percent savings helps big. Early-bird shoppers can expect coffee and doughnuts. Personally, I’d prefer a mimosa, but caffeine sounds good, too. Thanks, Betsey!

Shoe sales and more

My Mom often likes to refer to me as Imelda Marcos because of my adoration and slight obsession with shoes. So you can imagine how pleased I am when this time of year rolls around and I hear about sales like these. Linus Lounge, has teamed up with Stylebymail to offer 50% off shoes and handbags today (10 A.M.-7 P.M.) and tomorrow (10 A.M.-5 P.M.) Find shoes by designers such as Barbara Bui, Beatrix Ong, Banfi Zambrelli, Rupert Sanderson, and more. Handbags by Fendi, Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu, Elaine Turner, Longchamp, Lodis, Donald Pliner, and more. Don’t miss out on the incredible deals at Gregory’s. Their fall sale started last week: buy 1 pair get another pair at 90% off! Selection includes shoes by Alaia, Sonia Rykiel, Luciano Padovan, Lesilla, Gianmarco Lorenz, and more coveted designers.

F.I.G. Sample Sale

Tomorrow from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. F.I.G. will hold a tenant sample sale. Thirteen showrooms will be selling fall/winter samples at 50%-70% of retail. Lines include Poleci, Puma, Garfield Marks, Nancy Rose, White + Warren, Prairie New York, Three Dot, Tommy Bahama, Hanky Panky, Melissa Shoes, Sweet Pea, and more. Admission is free!

Save Big at Unique Samples

Four times a year, Unique Samples in Bedford throws a wingding of a sample sale. The last one of 2008 is going on right now, and you don’t want to miss it. All merchandise, including brands such as White & Warren, Roxy, Arianne, and Alberto Makali, is priced wholesale, which means you’ll pay at least half of what you would at retail prices. The sale runs through December 5, and the store is open every day—Monday through Saturday from 10 am-8 pm and Sunday from noon to 6 pm, with new merchandise arriving every Monday through Friday. Unique Samples is located at 2816 S. Central Dr., Ste. 152, Bedford. For more information, call 817-267-1617 or e-mail uniquesamples@hotmail.com.

Sale at Barneys New York

Save up to 40% at the Barneys New York private shopping event. It started Wednesday, November 12, and lasts for a week, so you’ve got five days left to shop. Among the goods to be had are designs by 3.1 Phillip Lim, Alexander Wang, Botkier, Helmut Lang, and Marc Jacobs. We love this Marc Jacobs bag–marked down to $699 from $1,295 (you know, if you have that sort of cash lying around). Oh, and if you order online, you get free ground shipping.

Who Doesn’t Love Stila?

Not me. I love Stila products. And even though the economy stinks, I love Stila even more for helping us to get our cosmetic fix by offering free shipping and a 20% discount on any web site orders of $30 or more from now until December 16. It’s the perfect time to get some holiday shopping done without breaking the bank. Just go to www.stilacosmetics.com and use code ECYX12 when checking out.

Biggest Dallas Sample Sale in a Decade

Or so says the Dallas Market Center about their upcoming annual Sample Sale (yes, it’s open to the public) which takes place at the Market Hall tomorrow through Sunday. Admission is free! Scour women’s, men’s and children’s apparel and accessories, furniture, gifts, toys, home decor, gourmet foods, collectibles, rugs, jewelry, fine art, books and more. Special drawings and product giveaways as well as free photos with Santa will be available during the Sample Sale. Great place to get your holiday shopping started! Go here for more details.

Big Sale at LFT

Never one to pay retail myself, this is good news: fall merchandise for men and women is 45% off at LFT in Victory Park. Among the many, many labels to be found: Ella Moss, Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, James Perse, Diane Von Furstenberg, Sass & Bide, Rag & Bone, and Loeffler Randall. Get it while the gettin’s good.