The week in shopping
Sale of the week: Girlshop, one of my favorite websites, is having its spring sample sale this week, with everything 40%-70% off--and the sale usually has items currently for sale for full price on the website. Expect Von Dutch hats, Havianas flip-flops, Circle by Mara Hoffman, Priorities, T-Bags, and more. 3/30-4/3; noon-8 Tue., 10-6 Wed.-Fri.; noon-6 Sat.; 154 W. 14th St. (6th & 7th Aves.), 9th fl.

Bloomingdale's is having a "private" sale Tuesday and Wednesday, details of which can be found here. (Not so private, eh?) Being a store-charge-card-holder, I got a plethora of coupons in the mail, which I fully plan to use (they're along the lines of "spend $100, get $15 off").

This sale was mega-crazy last time (i.e., lines out the door and into the street), so go at your own risk: Mella’s ubiquitous terry flip-flops are up to 70% off. 3/31-4/1; noon-7:30; 25 W. 36th St. (5th & 6th Aves.), 6th fl.

J. Rosen Showroom has swimwear and more from Vix, Bella Brazil, Lisa Curran, and others for up to 60% off; suits are $35-$65 (originally $125-$150); Havianas flip-flops are $8. Through 4/2; 8-7; 250 W. 39th St., Ste. 510.

Working girls, take note: Elie Tahari's office-friendly clothes are up to 80% off. 4/1-4/4; 11-8 weekdays, 10-8 Sat., 11-4 Sun.; Metropolitan Pavilion, 123 W. 18th St. (6th & 7th Aves.), 4th fl.

Bra Tenders, an excellent place to buy, well, a bra, is having a hosiery sale, featuring Wolford, Gerbe, and Donna Karan for $2-$30 (up to 50% off). 4/1-4/15; noon-6 weekdays; 630 9th Ave., near 44th St., room 601.

Gracious Home? Bah! Other Upper East Side institution S. Feldman Housewares has All-Clad, Calphalon, Miele, and more all for 20%-30% off. 3/31-4/30; 9-6, 11-5 Sun.; 1304 Madison Ave. (near 92nd St.).

Or, if you're a downtowner, try Broadway Panhandler’s knife sale, featuring Wüsthof, Chroma, Furi, and others, for $34.95 to $79.95 (usually $48 to $135). 3/31-4/4; 10:30-7 weekdays, 11-7 Sat., 11-6 Sun.; 477 Broome St.

While you're in the neighborhood, check out the Donghia Warehouse Sale, featuring all manner of contemporary furniture for 50%-80% off. Through 4/1; 9-6, 9-8 Tue., 9-3 Thurs.; Puck Building, 295 Lafayette St., (at Houston).

Back uptown, hip boutique Nellie M. is hosting a trunk show featuring Tom Nguyen and Nanette Lepore. Get 10% off, plus wine & cheese while you shop! 4/1; 6-9; 1309 Lexington Ave. (at 88th St.).

Finally, it pains me to mention this, but Saturday is the semi-annual Billion Dollar Babes sale. Because this is run by a bunch of idiots from Los Angeles, you have to RSVP in order to attend. Still, the lines are usually ridiculously long, and the good stuff gets snapped up right away. (Of course, you can pay for--yes, that's right, pay for--a platinum membership and get first dibs on the stuff on Friday night. However, this goes against the very ideals upon which sample sales were founded, so I strongly advise against it.)