If you want something more unique than the Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale (which is going on right now, by the way), here are some other options for you deal-seekers and clothes lovers:

Italmost is holding a sale, with Prada, Chloe, and Gucci Handbags at 35% off. Another 70% and I’ll be able to afford one! For those who can, visit the Beverly Hills store (apparently there for 10 years) and snatch up a new bag. Or, if you’re like me and not quite able to purchase one of these, turn right to their sale rack, where purses are 85% off! That sounds just FINE to me. Nothing wrong with used if you can keep your home and car after buying it.

Some pluses: They offer exchanges, and they also buy and trade bags - in “great condition.” Another plus, there’s free public parking next door, but only for two hours - so don’t spend the day trying to decide what purse you want, or you’ll be making up for that discount with a ticket!

• When: This weekend! Hurry! 9:30am - 5pm.

• Where: 331 N. Beverly Dr., Suite #1, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Call (310) 247-0887 for details.

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There’s a new boutique in Atwater Village. Well, 8 months new but, you know, new to me. It’s called Amelia Fitzwater and it’s pretty darn adorable.

I happened upon this place by mistake. Lured in by the chic brown and blue sign and the cutesy window display, I immediately knew I’d have to buy something when I saw the huge display of kitchy greeting cards and the shelves of quirky books. Upon further perusing, I discovered fun cotton totes and colorful wallets, stationary, perfume and retro knickknacks for the home. There’s a salt and pepper set I had my eye on the whole time and I’m now regretting my decision to leave without it.

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• Cocktails, Fashion & Shopping | Saturday, May 17, 2008 | 12 p.m. | $5, general admission, $15 VIP | Pacific Design Center - Map | Fashion Elements presents “Spring Glam,” a event where you can have a drink, while you shop and check out runway shows featuring designs from a plethora of designers. Those die-hard fashion fans who pay $10 extra to the regular admission price will have full access to designer goods, cocktails and gift bags two hours before regulars.

• Science Matters : The Science and Policy of Obesity | Saturday, May 17, 2008 | 1 p.m. | Free | California Science Center - Map | Obesity has been a growing problem in the United States for quite a time now. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is an obesity ‘epidemic’ in the U.S that is threatening the health of millions of Americans. Join panelists James A. Levine (Physiology and Bioengineering, Richard Emslander Chair of Nutrition and Metabolism, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota), Antronette K. Yancey (Professor, Department of Health Services, School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles) and more for a discussion on this topic that affects many today.

• Robyn | Saturday, May 17, 2008 | 8 p.m. | $20 | Wiltern Theatre - Map | Swedish pop star Robyn has a new single out entitled “Who’s That Girl” off her self-titled album. She will be concluding her US tour at the Wiltern. Get your tickets here.

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Andddddd it’s sale time! Well, next week. The sale radar has been low for me on this search. But the quality of these sales? Four star, my friends!

Some quite glorious-sounding events are coming our way. And, guess what? Next weekend is Mother’s Day. So for those of you who reconcile fights with your mother by engaging in joint retail therapy (like yours truly), then these might be for you! For those who think buying stuff is too superficial for a Mother’s Day celebration, well, that’s okay, there will always be next weekend. But really, shopping can do wonders for any rocky relationships.

Happy shopping, and, most importantly,

Happy Early Mother’s Day!

1. Ellie Schwimmer Handbags and Paula Carlotto Jewelry sale

• Where: 7122 Beverly Blvd., Second Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90036. Enter at Detroit St.
• When: Next Saturday, May 10 (my birthday-perfect timing everyone.)
• What: Okay, this, I don’t fully support, but this isn’t about my opinion: Deer, snake, and leather bags (but imported from Italy! I support that!). Discounted up to half-off.

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The new shopping center Americana opens up on Brand Blvd. in Glendale this weekend. The place is huge and is brought to us by the same people who opened The Grove so it’s probably not going to suck. Will it beat the competition? With so many good shopping areas in Los Angeles, do we really need another? Yeah, I think we do too.

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Zoe and Sage is located on Glendale Blvd. in Atwater Village.  The boutique moved to its new location around a year ago and it seems to have gone downhill since then.

When Zoe & Sage was on Hillhurst in Los Feliz, it was admittedly messy and haphazard but at least you could always find an inexpensive bauble or a cute shirt to buy.  My friend and I used to walk down every once in a while when we needed a necklace to wear that night or just wanted to buy something.  It was easy, guilt-free shopping.

Recently, I trekked over to Atwater Village to check out the new location.  The outside seemed nice enough.  Zoe & Sage is located in a strip of shops along Glendale Blvd.  I found parking easily and walked inside the boutique.  The first thing I noticed was that the place is now bigger but somehow messier.  It looks as if someone last straightened right after the move.   The second thing I noticed was that there was no one there.  Seriously, no one.  While I waited for someone to appear, I walked around looking at merchandise, some of it cheaply-made and way overpriced and some of it a good deal.  (Note:  If you’re going to shop here, you need to be willing to dig to find the steals.)

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Okay, I cannot contain my excitement. I did not even know that make-up warehouse sales EXISTED. On earth. Let alone make-up warehouse sales from STILA. And there is one actually occurring (like, in reality), THIS weekend. Located not on a cloud in dream land, but in North Hollywood. I know, I know, too good to be true. Like I said, if overly excited bursts of shock and surprise might annoy you, feel free to skim quickly and move on. Because the excitement level of yours truly is off the charts.

Okay, rant over, excitement contained momentarily, time to actually provide something informative about shopping this weekend.

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1. stila cosmetics Warehouse Sale.

• When: This Saturday, April 26. 8am - 4pm.
• Where: 11128 Gault St., between Fair and Case Ave North Hollywood, CA 91605
• Discounted 60 to 80 percent.

Simple as pie: amazing make-up products, in equally adorable and whimsical (and recyclable, I believe) packaging, with even cuter names.

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Lonesome George (to the right) is the very last Pinta Tortoise in the world.  He’s lonely.  Kind-of like Will Smith in I Am Legend, only George doesn’t even have a German Shepherd.  To help George, shop at your local Buffalo Exchange this Saturday.  The proceeds will bring George’s closest relatives, the Espanola tortoises, to live with George on Pinta Island in the Galapagos Islands.  It’ll be a tortoise party.  And you can help make it happen and get some cool threads while you’re at it!

Saturday, Buffalo Exchange will have a ton of sale items for $1 each, the proceeds of which will benefit good old George.  Go get some hip used clothing for less than an In & Out burger.  You’ll feel good about yourself and George will be a happy tortoise.

• In LA:  SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2008
• In COSTA MESA:  SUNDAY, APRIL 20, 2008
• www.buffaloexchange.com
• 1-866-235-8255
• www.galapagos.org to find out more.

*photo by mike weston via flickr.

Hopefully some of these sales will have some HOT WEATHER clothing, and if not, a pretty huge price cut for anything other than. Because I cannot imagine buying a jacket, sweatshirt, pants, socks, or frankly anything other than a personal fan and spray bottle right now. Or in the next six months. It is sweltering outside, and I have a feeling it will be for more than just a day. So let’s get out of the heat and shop from now until the winter sales.

Here are some places of refuge, my poor souls. So next weekend, when you’re dripping in sweat as you sit in your car on Highway 10, you can remember those sales you wrote down from Nicola’s post, find the nearest sale to you, pull off the freeway and rescue yourself!

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I’m in a shopping mood this weekend. I figure, if I’m down to spend, I may as well save some money while I’m at it, right? Think of how much money I’m saving by going to the sales this weekend. Hooray for me and my spendthrift ways. Check ‘em out:
Harmony Lane

• This Beverly Hills Boutique is Offering half-off everything in the store because it’s their 2nd birthday and they like to party!
• Plenty, Vita, and CC Skye….half-off!
• Today - Sun., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
• 189 S. Beverly Dr., b/t Wilshire & Charleville Blvds. map
• 310-777-8888

DSW

• 20 Percent off a pair of regularly priced shoes when you sign up for the rewards program.
• Now - Apr. 13.
• store locations.

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Two wondrous ways to welcome sunny spring, with some new spring clothes and fresh fragrances.

1. Charles David sample sale: This sounds huge. Twenty THOUSAND pairs of shoes, boots, and handbags (not in pairs), up to 80 % off. Wait, twenty thousand? I’m confused. This sounds out of control. I must go.

• When: April 24 and 26. Thursday and Friday, the sale runs from 9am - 6pm. Saturday, it’s 9am - 5 pm.
• Where: 5731 Buckingham Parkway, Culver City, CA 90230
• Call (310) 348 - 5050 for details.
• To see if Charles David clothing’s your thing, visit the designer’s site.

2. Le Labo Fragrances. (Exotic sounding, no??) A new fragrance store! With candles too, which I’ve learned are actually cool. I used to think candles were stupid and tacky, but my gosh they can make your room smell good, yes they can! (Am I capturing Ms. Martha Stewart successfully?)

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Dust off your credit card and get ready to shop this weekend. Here are the sales and openings you don’t want to miss:

Lily McNeal Spring Sample Sale - Up To 85% Off

• 3/27/2008 through 3/29/2008
• Event Times: Thu & Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-3pm
• Location: 860 S. Los Angeles St. The Cooper Design Space, Suite 415 (Map)
• (213) 614-7924

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