Sample Sale Site Review

Currently almost all the bargain hunting fashionistas are probably well aware of the online sample sale sites. Everyday or so they feature amazing bargains on brand name items. I myself have bought several items from them. Some sites provided better service than others. Here is what I have found. Before getting any further here's a little 411 on what is a sample sale site. This is pretty self explainatory, they sell sample items often in limited quantity at a certain time of the day to the public. It has been going on for years in major cities like New York and in Los Angles where the big designers often host it. The items are usually floor samples, last seasons or overstock. They are sold at a fraction of the retail price. Online sample sale sites provide just that, except you don't have to be physically present at the location. I've discovered that online sample sale sites have several characteristics. They are:

- You have to be well aware of what will be the next event to keep track of your desire brand.
- If you invite your friends, usually you get a credit for their first purchase
- Items are at limited quantity / sizes
- You have to login quickly in order to beat the crowd and to get a hold of your desired item before everyone does
- After placing an order with the site, it may take you more than a month to get the item at your door
- Be sure to check for other bargains online before thinking you are getting a good bargain at the sample sale site (most cases you will be getting a good deal)
- Also be sure to check their return policy. Some items may not be returnable

The sites that I have had experience are:

Rue La La: This is my favorite site. They have had really good sale on top brand names like Valentino and Vera Wang. By far the best customer service I've experience online. Every time I placed an item, I received it within 3 days. It could be due to the fact of my location being in the Midwest. But unlike other sites they have their merchant on hand most of the time. During the catastrophe of Haiti they even haulted their sale event for a day in order to show mourning and encouraged buyers to donate money with Red Cross instead.

Hautelook: I've bought several items from them. Mostly cosmetics, skincare products. They have a wide range of sale items. You will get your chance on a Decades Two sale here (Gucci purses are often 70% off). However I've found Hautelook's picture's/image's color to be misleading. If you want to buy apparel, please be sure you are getting the right color by researching the item online. It takes about 15 to 25 days to get an item, since they don't directly store the item at their warehouse at the time of the sale. I like their seasonal / yearly blowout sale (usually in March). It gives the best bargain I've seen.

Gilt: They too have a wide selection of item. From home to travel deals. I've seen the most amazing Reem Acra and Carolina Herrera sale here. The customer service is good. They once mistakenly sent me an email offering an apology gift for an item that wasn't shipped in the past (mind that they refunded those buyers right away). I had to right them back correcting the mistake but I was happy to see a company taking such measures to satisfy customers. Note that unlike other sites where sale starts at 11:00AM EST, their sale starts at 12:00PM EST.

Billion Dollar Babes: What is so unique about this site is that, they often host Gucci and Chanel vintage items sale. As a vintage lover, I feel like a little kid in candy land. They also offer free shipping for orders over $250. Items usually take about 20 days to arrive but they give you option to cancel your order before they ship the item to you on your account page. That means no hassle of calling or mailing customer service.

Beyond the Rack: I've seen them hosting Gucci, Prada and Burberry sale often. The only Prada sale I've seen in an online sample sale site. However, they take FOREVER to send your item, even when they charge your credit card right away. The customer service is very lacking. For an item that I have placed an order for, I had to cancel the order after about a month later because the item was a no show (and the status wasn't updated). I had to email them couple of times to get it canceled. Therefore, only place order with them when you know you can wait and have the patience.

Ideeli: It's probably more well known than the other sites. Unlike other sites, they have a paid option for you to have an earlier access to their sale. Normally their sale is open from 12:00pm EST to the public but for paid or "first row" members it starts from 11:00am EST. Most cases, I don't see much differences between memberships. However there are some exceptional cases, like when they hosted a Gusto sale, some of the good purses were sold out before it was open to the free public.

Other Sample Sale Sites:

Editor's Closet

RowNine

TheTopSale

OneKing'sLane (interior decorator's haven)

Trial and error: Cherries

Twitpic - Trial and Error: Cherries

My first attempt on pro food photography. Series: Trial and error, subject: Cherries

Tarty fruit achar (sauce)

grapes and plums with brown sugar in the pot

Today my mom made Biriyani and one of my favorite thing to eat with biriyani or just plain rice is grape achar. I even use it as a substitute for wine. This recipe is so versatile that you don't have to have sour grapes to make it. You can make it almost any soury / tarty fruit. You can use apples, plums, mangoes etc. just not solely citrus fruits. Anyway here's the recipe.

Note: I didn't use a measurement so the entire thing is aproximate. This is what's so great about the recipe, you can tailor made it to your taste.

- 1 1/2 cups of sour grapes or any other fruits cut into smaller pieces, if large.

- 2 table spoon of brown sugar (more or less depending on your taste)

- 1 table spoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice, optional (if the fruits aren't sour enough)

- 1 teaspoon of grated ginger

- 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon. You can use stick

- 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (I use more, since I like things spicy. I also have it toasted)

- Pinch of salt

All the ingredients tossed in together. Ran out of a ginger, substituted w/cloves (bad idea)

Direction: Toss everything together in a stainless steel pot. Note don't use aluminium because it will ruin your pot. In a low heat let it simmer checking on it occasionally. Most cases you won't need extra water since the fruit will release its juice. When it's done, you will see everything is soft and melted forming a thick sauce in about 20 minutes. Then have it with your rice, dinner roll or whatever you want to use it for.

Simmering in it's juice

Almost done but ran out of patience. Squashed all the fruits

I've tried to use it with ice cream the result wasn't good. So it's safe to assume, this sauce is only suitable for savory dishes not for sweets.

Finished product with Biriyani (couldn't wait for it to thicken)