Cheryl Maday started Cheryl Shops in 2003 as a way to channel her fever for fashion into an outlet where others could benefit from her style savoir faire. Thus was born one very thorough destination site for all things designer…and discount.

Tell us about your blog. My friends were always asking me about sample sales and where to shop in New York, and I’ve always loved fashion, so that’s what I decided to focus on. Sample sales are my most popular feature, but I also write about everything from designer-mass market collaborations, store reviews, seasonal trend guides, and general fashion news, and I’ve gone to the last five Fashion Weeks in Bryant Park.

What brought you to New York?

Back in college, I came to visit a few friends who were going to school here, and I completely fell in love with the city – the energy, the pace, the whole nine yards. I also majored in magazine journalism, so New York seemed like a pretty logical place to move.

What do you love about living in New York?

I love that everything happens here first – whether it’s a restaurant or a band or a fashion designer, there’s always something new and exciting happening. I love that you can walk through a neighborhood you haven’t been to in a few months, and it can be completely different than the last time you were there. I also love not needing to own a car.

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

You definitely need a certain level of resilience to live here – a combination of ambition and persistence wrapped in a tough skin. Kind of like a weed!

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?

New Yorkers definitely have the reputation of being rude, and I don’t think that’s necessarily true. We’re just really efficient, and maybe that comes across as brusque. And we love to give directions – I’ve had other New Yorkers stop and interrupt and correct me while giving directions!

Best tips, tricks or insider info?

Since New York City is the fashion capital of the country, there is really no reason for you to pay full retail for anything. Between sample sales, end-of-season sales, amazing resale boutiques, and all of the discount stores, plus the Woodbury Commons outlet mall upstate, there are endless off-price options. For assistance in this endeavor, read Cheryl Shops-I list the week’s sales every Monday night.

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?

I love toy stores-both F.A.O. Schwarz and Toys R Us-and am more than happy to accompany visitors with small children there. When my boyfriend’s brother and his family were in town, we spent several hours playing around at F.A.O. Schwarz, like Tom Hanks in Big. I had a blast.

Best place to dine late night?

Had I responded to this several months ago, I would’ve recommended Florent in the Meatpacking District; the food was great and the clientele was ultra-fabulously downtown, but, sadly, it’s now closed. As a slightly more mellow replacement, I suggest my favorite neighborhood restaurant, Bar Tabac, which is open till 3 a.m. on the weekends. The goat cheese salad is heavenly.

Best live music venue?

Radio City Music Hall. The Art Deco lobby makes you feel totally swanky, the sound quality is amazing, and-this is important because I’m an old lady-you get to sit down the whole time.

Best kept secret in neighborhood fashion boutiques?

I don’t know if there’s such a thing as a best-kept secret in media-saturated New York, but Gabay’s in the East Village is fairly under the radar in terms of discount shopping. They get overstock from stores like Bergdorf Goodman and Henri Bendel, so you can usually find designer clothes and accessories-think Chloé, Marc Jacobs, Manolo Blahnik-for pretty good prices.

Best area or neighborhood for fashion steals?

Chelsea has Filene’s Basement, TJ Maxx, and Loehmann’s, plus the Barneys Warehouse Sale twice a year, and there are frequently sample sales at the Metropolitan Pavilion. I also love the designer resale shop Fisch for the Hip on 18th Street. If you’ve got time to dig, go dig there.

Best way to spot a trend?

For a refined experience, walk around Soho on a weekday – between the shopgirls, showrooms, and various artsy people who work down there, everyone is devastatingly stylish.

Best high end shop? Best place to find reasonable knock offs?

For high end, count me among those who worship at the altar of Jeffrey. The shoes are to die for (and somewhat more affordable during the twice-yearly sales), they have a great mix of big-name designer and cutting-edge labels, and the salespeople are lovely. Of all the fast-fashion chains in the city, I still think H&M is the best. Zara has better quality and Forever 21 has better prices, but H&M has a stronger, on-trend runway influence. Of course, once Topshop opens later this year, I’m bound to change my mind!

www.cherylshops.blogspot.com

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Want to look like a million bucks without spending anywhere near that? Who doesn’t? The Guerilla Shopper has mastered the fine art of finding a great deal. Her Code Word column will decode where to shop, eat, and spend your hard earned dough – while keeping you out of debt. This Guerilla Shopper is in the trenches of New York City, now you can join her!

By the Pound
Housing Works just announced the opening of its new bulk clothing store, By the Pound, at 330 W.38th St. between 8th and 9th Avenues in Manhattan. By the Pound will be open on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 5pm. All profits go to Housing Works, the nation’s largest grassroots AIDS service organization. Housing Works’ mission is to end the twin crises of AIDS and homelessness.

330 W.38th St.
BTN 8th and 9th Avenues

www.housingworks.org

Te Casan
Tuesday May 6, 6-8 p.m. Meet designers Francesco & Laurence Saldarini. Guests get 20% off the Saldarini Black Label 1892 Handbag Collection.

382 W. Broadway
BTN Spring & Broome
rsvp@tecasan.com
www.tecasan.com

Ike Designs
The Black Diamond Necklace: Local Williamsburg jewelry designer, Dori O’Dea (aka Ike Designs Jewelry), is offering a limited supply of sterling silver black diamond necklaces online only for $95.00 + $8.00 S&H.

www.ikedesignsjewelry.com

Did you know that black diamonds originated in dying stars, when shock waves from exploding red giant stars crushed carbon into dense aggregations of black diamond and sent them hurtling into deep space? Eons later, the Sun’s gravity lured some of this material into our solar system, where blocks of it slammed into our atmosphere, shattering into the fragments we find strewn over select areas today, perhaps billions of years after they formed!
Interested in wearing the ancient solar system around your neck?

Visit www.etsy.com and buy it online.

Century 21
Just in Time for Mother’s Day! Famous American & European Designers, 40-70% off.

22 Cortlandt St.
BTN Church & Broadway
www.c21stores.com

Housing Works’ Fourth-Annual Design on a Dime Presented by Real Simple Magazine
VIP event: Thursday, May 8, from 6pm to 9pm. The VIP benefit will offer exclusive preview shopping, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and live entertainment.
Sale (open to the public): Friday, May 9, from 10am to 6pm and Saturday, May 10, from 10am to 5pm.
LOCATION (VIP EVENT AND SALE): The Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th St.
TICKETS FOR VIP EVENT: 212-645-8111 x 164 or http://housingworks.org/thrifts/
VIP BENEFIT PRICES: Tickets start at $200.
Reminder: the two-day sale Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10 is free and open to the public.

Nancy Gonzalez
Exotic Skins Handbag SAMPLE SALE, hosted by SHELLY & RENEE
Wednesday, May 7th: 10am-6pm
Thursday, May 8th: 10am-6pm

75 Madison Avenue
BTN 56th & 57th St
8th floor
www.shellyandrenee.com

http://guerillashopper.blogspot.com

Where do you shop to get the best bargains in New York? Post a comment below and tell us!