Get what you REALLY wanted for Christmas at online sample sales

Get yourself the gifts you really wanted on sale this week at Gilt, Gilt Fuse, ideeli, Row Nine, Rue La La, Billion Dollar Babes, Editor’s Closet, Beyond the Rack, HauteLook, Jetsetter, Gilt Man, The Top Secret, The Skinny, and Rent the Runway. Just click on the links to sign up to these exclusive, invite-only sample sales and start shopping!

Rent the Runway is invitation-only. In order to join, please email me at editor (at) whatshaute (dot) com.

Gilt Groupe
Monday, 12/28/09: Arunashi Jewelry, James Jeans, SurEvolution
Tuesday, 12/29/09: Women’s Final Sale, Final Jewelry and Watches Sale, Jardins en Fleur
Wednesday, 12/30/09: Sony Music, Art of Elysium Designer Masquerade, Calvin Klein Collection Shoes, Bugaboo Accessories
Thursday, 12/31/09: Jewelry by Anna Beck, Ralph Lauren Shoes
Friday, 1/1/10: nuLOOM, Michael Kors
Saturday, 1/2/10: Baby James Jeans, Tai Jewelry, Juma

Gilt Fuse
Monday, 12/28/09: Women’s Final Sale, Final Sale: Jewelry & Accessories
Tuesday, 12/29/09: Super Sunglasses
Wednesday, 12/30/09: Nicholas K, Orion London & 6126 Leggings, G-Shock Mini
Thursday, 12/31/09: Cara Couture Jewelry
Friday, 1/1/10: Steven by Steve Madden
Saturday, 1/2/10: Juma, Tai Jewelry, Ash

ideeli
Sign up to enter ideeli’s Linea Pelle Dylan Zip Tote giveaway!
Monday, 12/28/09: Marc New York outerwear, handbags and dresses, Ben-Amun, Miss Sixty
Tuesday, 12/29/09: Heartloom, Kenneth Cole New York watches
Wednesday, 12/30/09: Kay Unger, Phoebe Couture, Contemporary handbag
sale featuring Linea Pelle, Kate Spade, and Hype, Designer outerwear
sale featuring Jessica Simpson, Lola, and Cole Haan, Essential boots
sale featuring Muks, Gwyneth, and Modern Vintage
Thursday, 12/31/09: ideeli red sale

HauteLook
Monday, 12/28/09: VaVa by Joy Han, Kevyn Aucoin Beauty, Prince, Maurice Lacroix, Radcliffe London
Tuesday, 12/29/09: Michael Stars, Year-end watch blowout, Radiance Pearl
Wednesday, 12/30/09: Kelly Killoren Bensimon, Becca, Statements by J., Imps & Elfs
Thursday, 12/31/09: Primp, Porridge Home
Friday, 1/1/10: ecoSkin, Isabel Lu, aMENity

Rue La La
Monday, 12/28/09: Theory, Corneliani, Raymond Weil Geneve
Tuesday, 12/29/09: Betsey Johnson, Buffalo David Bitton, Born
Wednesday, 12/30/09: Calvin Klein, Vitamin A, Kelly Wearstler for Sferra
Thursday, 12/31/09: Genetic Denim, Spanx, Arthur Court Designs
Friday, 1/1/10:The Gifts You Didn’t Get

Beyond the Rack (Personal invitation code NEH7308F05D)
Monday, 12/28/09: Holiday blowout sale: ladies apparel, mens apparel, outerwear, denim, kids apparel, swimwear, undergarments, watches, scarves, sunglasses, Armani
Tuesday, 12/29/09: Holiday blowout sale: handbags, footwear, ladies apparel

Billion Dollar Babes
Monday, 12/28/09: Amrita Singh, Current Elliott, Saint Grace
Wednesday, 12/30/09: 7 A.M. Enfant, Local Celebrity, Rebel Yell, Seneca Rising

Editor’s Closet is a free, highly exclusive and invitation-only sample sale site. In order to join, please email me at editor (at) whatshaute (dot) com
Monday, 12/28/09: Bajra Cashmere & Silk
Tuesday, 12/29/09: Designer handbag blowout sale

Gilt Man
Monday, 12/28/09: Cycling and Running Gear, The Arrabelle at Vail Square, SurEvolution, Calvin Klein Collection, Grenson, Jean Shop, Juma
Tuesday, 12/29/09: La Samanna, Luciano Barbera, Jardins en Fleur, Woolrich, Ogio, Super Sunglasses, Property Of
Wednesday, 12/30/09: Sony Music, Kidrobot, The ProportionofBlu, Arnold Zimberg, RRL Accessories, LnA
Friday, 1/1/10: nuLOOM

RowNine
Monday, 12/28/09: Perrelet watches, Wolf Designs
Tuesday, 12/29/09: Gaia & Gino featuring Karim Rashid
Thursday, 12/31/09: Marc Jacobs eyewear

The Top Secret
Monday, 12/28/09: Versace & Rosenthal
Wednesday, 12/30/09: Blowout sale

Gilt Jetsetter
Tuesday, 12/29/09: City Club Hotel – Manhattan: Midtown Masterpiece in the Heart of the Big Apple, La Samanna – St. Martin: An Orient Express Resort on the French Side
Wednesday, 12/30/09: Resort at Paws Up – Montana: A Rustic-Chic Retreat in the Wild West
Sunday, 1/3/10: Evason Ma’In & Six Senses Spa: A Jordanian Oasis Outside of Amman

The Skinny
Wednesday, 12/30/09: Mbeze

Investments in High-End Watches Offer Hope to Luxury Market

It’s no secret that the luxury industry is hurting; however, people should look beyond a luxury piece of jewelry as a fashion statement only. Even being an owner of online diamond boutique, Whiteflash.com, is difficult because people view jewelry as fashion only. Jewelry can also be viewed as an “investment”, especially luxury timepieces. Luxury timepieces are viewed as something to keep in the family. From personal experiences, I know men usually pass down their watch to their son, and then he passes it on to his son, and so on. Try not only view timepieces as fashion item, but as investment piece that may stay with you and your family for a while.

Francois Thiébaud, president of the Swiss Exhibitors Committee and president of Tissot watch worldwide, said one good thing coming out of the financial crisis is “the return to traditional values” in watch making and selling, by both consumers and watchmakers. “There’s less extravagance, less emphasis on price and more on craftsmanship,” he said in an interview in JCK Online.

In addition, brands spend a lot of time investing their in labor and finding the right materials to make their watches desirable to consumers and retailers. The best raw materials are used and some of the most durable metals are fined tune to ensure the piece’s durability from generation to generation. Also – it takes time to find that one “unique” factor to make watches stand out in the luxury market. However, few achieve this uniqueness. Here are some great pieces that I have come across:

Perrelet’s Tourbillon watch (above) is a true example of fine watch-making. A masterpiece as an exceptional article. Remaining true to the aesthetic lines that characterize the brand, the Tourbillon presented by Perrelet pushes back technical limitations to their extremes, translating the mastery and creativity of the brand into reality.

One watch on the market that I have noticed, and definitely admired is Christian Tse’s digital watch covered in shimmering diamonds. While the white diamond watch with the white stingray strap is stunning and elegant, I find myself drawn to the python print watch, covered in natural color diamonds. The shades of champagne colored natural color diamonds are a refreshing visual on the python print watch. In addition, the champagne diamond encrusted watch is so unique, yet still very versatile. With the digital time glowing through a blanket of diamonds, this watch is definitely one of the ultimate luxuries I have come across!

Not quite a luxury timepiece, but I am a woman and this story is about investing in jewelry. Plus it just caught my eye. It’s a bracelet designed and created by Yael Sonia and made of 18K yellow karat gold. I wanted to show this off as it would compliment any outfit and look great next to a small wrist watch. And I would definitely pass this down to my daughter. It’s that beautiful.

So whether you’re a fashionista trying to be more budget conscious, a watch connoisseur or just a luxury fan, spend your money wisely. Don’t only buy something because its an “it” item, but think about your purchase. Inspect the quality and the timeless appeal. You’re spending big bucks on an accessory, make sure it something that you want to keep “in the family.”

Source: Perrelet’s Official Web Site/Christian Tse associated with Natural Colored Diamond Association/Yael Sonia