Calvin Klein Friends and Family 30% off

We're just at the tip of the Friends and Family bubble! Soon there will be Thanksgiving sale so I'm sure retailers are trying to sell their stock at near full price before they have to discount heavily.

I think I have to prioritize my spending... Stay away from seasonal stuff unless you love it!

Who: Calvin Klein
When: 22nd to 25th of October, 2009

Use code FF1009 - make most of the 50% off Fall Sale online!

LeSportsac Friends and Family 25% off

Jen, I think you're the only one reading this so I'm dedicating all sales and coupons to you!

Who: LeSportsac
When: 22nd to 25th of October, 2009

Use FRIENDSFAMILY and get 25% off.

Saks Friends and Family 25% off

Who: Saks
When: 14th to 18th of October, 2009

We're approaching Fall/Winter season here in NY so what could we ask more than Saks Friends and Family weekend! 25% off clothes, shoes and bags. 20% off jewellery - check out Alexis Bittar collection - and 10% off cosmetics and fragrances.

Use the code FRIENDS3 at checkout.

Sephora Friends and Family 20% off

Save the date! Sephora Friends and Family is early this year!!!
Save 20% on all your purchases using the code FF2009. Free shipping for purchases over US50 and don't forget Ebates for 4% cashback.

Who: Sephora
When: October 19th to 22nd, 2009

Ralph Lauren's Friends and Family 25% off

Who: Ralph Lauren
When: October 1st to 12th, 2009

It was fate to wait to shop at Ralph Lauren, Jen! Enter code PINK or RLCCP to get 25% off.

Urban Decay 30% off

This is for you Peggy, my Urban Decay junkie, Urban Decay is having their Friends and Family for 30% off merchandise from Aug 10-20th.

Use code FNFF1 and free shipping for purchases over US50.

L'Occitane Friends and Family

Who: L'Occitane
When: June 11th to 14th, 2009

Use code fnf25 online to get 25% off (only available in the US). Shipping is free for purchases over US80.

Bloomingdale's Friends and Family

Bloomingdale's Friends and Family is next week!

Who: Bloomingdale's
When: April 22nd to 26th, 2009

Its not as good as Saks Friends and Family – discount is only 20% and does not include cosmetics/fragrances – but Bloomingdales is great for homewares. Especially if you have to pick something up from a wedding registry. Alessi is usually too expensive for me but these bottle stopper's by Alessi is only US29 after the discount!


Online promotional code is FANDF. Free shipping for orders over US300 or US150 with Bloomingdale's card. Use Ebates and get 2% back.

Ralph Lauren Friends and Family

Sorry this is a little late but there is still one week left!
 
Who: Ralph Lauren
When: March 31st to April 14th, 2009

If you spend over US150, shipping is free. If you don’t want to spend that much, create an account and you’ll receive an email with a free shipping code. 

Saks Friends and Family

Saks Friends and Family is here! Well almost here!!!

Who: Saks
When: ONLINE April 14th to 19th, 2009
             IN-STORE April 16th to 19th, 2009

Enjoy 25% off your purchases (20% off jewelry and 15% of cosmetics and fragrances).

For online purchases, please use code SFAFAM8 at checkout.

To receive your discount in-store, please click here, and print this invitation.

The inclusions/exclusions list is long and it reads more like my wishlist than anything else, but Saks Friends and Family is the only event where you can get cosmetics and fragrances at a discount. So instead of spending US130 for the 1oz jar of Crème de La Mer, it will be a steal at US110.

For those of you in Australia that wants to take advantage of this event, use Saks Live Chat service and shipping charge to Australia should be about US50.

Exclusions Include: David Yurman, men's John Hardy, Chanel, Gucci, men's Prada, Bvlgari and Cartier women's and men's jewelry and watches, Jay Strongwater, Prada men's and women's shoes, handbags, apparel and accessories, Gucci men's and women's shoes, handbags, apparel and accessories, Mui Mui shoes, handbags, apparel and accessories, Chanel shoes, handbags, apparel and accessories, Balenciaga shoes, handbags, apparel and accessories, Marni shoes, handbags, apparel and accessories, Azzedine Alaia shoes, handbags, apparel and accessories, Loro Piana men's and women's shoes, handbags, apparel and accessories, Dries Van Noten apparel, Akris and Akris Punto apparel, Oscar De La Renta apparel, Jil Sander apparel, Givenchy apparel, Christian Louboutin shoes and handbags, Manolo Blahnik shoes, Fendi shoes and handbags, Jimmy Choo shoes and handbags, Lanvin apparel, Cartier sunglasses, Charvet, Zegna, men's Ralph Lauren Black and Purple Label, Comme Des Gracon apparel, Comme shirts, Junya Watanabe apparel, Vilebrequin apparel, Breuer apparel, Maison Martin Margiela and MM6 apparel, shoes and handbags, Dior handbags, Bugaboo merchandise, Quinny merchandise, and Stokke merchandise. Additional in store exclusions may apply."

L'Occitane Friends and Family

Just as I wrote about Friends and Family, here's one that is coming up!

Who: L'Occitane
When: March 12th to 15th, 2009

Use code FNF20 online or print out the attachment and bring it to your store to get 20% off (only available in the US). Shipping is free for purchases over US80. 

I highly recommend the Shea Butter Hand Cream as it is the best hand cream I’ve ever used. This product has been highly reviewed by beauty magazine editors and has a long list of awards. Also if you’re looking for a great shower gel, I love the Verbena scented products. Refreshing citrus scent is the perfect pick me up in the morning!

Thats what friends are for

I used to work at Mooks during uni and looking back now, that might have been the root of my shopping addiction. 8 hours a day, 5 days a week I was constantly looking and handling clothes and sneakers. I was basically shopping all those hours! For three years!!!

Apart from making minimum wage, I worked with lots of fun people, we listened to hip hop all day long and even got to mingle with celebrities – I was practically trampled by Macy Gray’s entourage. But most of all, I bought my clothes and sneakers at a discount. Under the employees’ discount I got 30% off full priced items and 50% off sale stuff. Of course I spent all my money on the day I got paid. And then some.

So when I shop in the US, I often wonder about the perks offered to the employees of retail companies. Actually, that’s a lie. I’ve gone as far as seeing a recruiter to switch my profession, but for some reason they weren’t convinced when I said my retail experience from 11 years ago is still relevant today. Just imagine! I would have shared the perks with all of you! But until then, I’ll share with you something almost as good. Its called ‘Friends and Family’.


Major department stores and companies run this promotion twice a year where ‘Friends and Family’ of the employees are blessed with 15-30% discount on almost everything at the store. Even skincare, cosmetics and fragrances. Stores usually send the coupons to bring in-store or an email with a promotional code. Its usually a 4 day event and the stores are packed with shoppers. Not to mention that the sites can be really slow, like that annoying dial up speed.

Here is the list of stores I frequent during this event:

• Saks
• Bloomingdales
• Lots of make up brands such as MAC, Shu Uemura and Nars
• Sephora
• Ralph Lauren
• American apparel

I usually make the most of this event by stocking up on things that never go on sale like skincare, cosmetics and fragrances. Last year, I bought staple wardrobe items like Burberry trench coats and Jimmy Choo pumps. Jewellery is also included in this event but I’m pretty sure I don’t have enough money to buy the flawless 2 carat diamond earrings from Graff. Sigh.