OOOOH, nothing makes the Czarina happier than designer labels at discount prices. For this reason, she simply could not resist joining Billion Dollar Babes, a sample sale held in San Francisco, LA, Chicago, and New York, along with London and Dublin. A gold or platinum membership buys you a first look (which is all important if you wish to have the largest selection) as well as admission to sales in any city. During this past fall sale here in Chicago, there was a great rack of Dolce and Gabbana – and because the Czarina only has a gold membership, she probably missed out on D&G items that had a realistic chance of fitting.

More importantly, membership buys you something priceless:

Follow up:

Free booze, baby!

A membership to this particular traveling sample sale buys you early admissions for two or more friends, which is essential for power shopping. As every Citizen knows, friends are the failsafe way to defray your significant other’s anger at how much was spent.

For instance, which conversation sounds more likely?

You: (walk in the door with arms filled with purchases from BBB sale)

Significant Other: “Um, WTF? I thought we agreed you wouldn’t spend so much money?!”

You: *chastised and looks downtrodden* Yes, you’re right, I take full ownership of my irresponsibility with money.

SO: Hmpf. Don’t do it again – I hope you don’t think you’re going to buy those Louboutins now. We can’t afford them.

You: Uhhh…Yes, you’re right. *mourns loss of Louboutins*

Or:

You: (walk in the door with arms filled with purchases from BBB sale)

SO: Um, WTF? I thought we agreed you wouldn’t spend so much money!?”

You: It wasn’t my fault! [Friend 1] made me do it! I didn’t even want to try these things on! She made me! [Friend 2] said I looked so awesome everyone would be jealous of you and think you were so lucky to have me! I’ll wear this to your company party and everyone will tell you how good I look, especially your boss.

SO: Uh…*wrestles with self*…okay. You have to wear the Louboutins too, though. *feels pervy*

The clothing for this sale seemed very West Coast in nature – it was very floaty and hippie-like (not in a bad way). The Czarina’s favorite designer this go-round was Meghan. Let’s overlook the fact that Meghan has a picture of Paris Hilton on their website under “Celebrities.” I don’t care that useless celebs wear Meghan. What made the clothing so interesting were the ethnic prints, especially the silk kimono-inspired print dresses. The Czarina would have bought one except they were slit down to the bellybutton and she didn’t have anything interesting to wear it with. Not that that stops Paris, apparently, from the photo.

The shoes were interesting; they were smaller designers in lots of fabulous colors. The jewelry, however, was eh. The Czarina thinks that accessories is an area that could be improved substantially…maybe with the addition of some fabulous, colorful, and textured wraps and scarves.

All in all though, it’s definitely worth a trip to a Billion Dollar Babes sale, and if you like the smaller designers, a membership is probably also worth it. As the Czarina was leaving, the masses were starting to come…and you know what they say about the masses:

Let them all share a dressing room.

BILLION DOLLAR BABES
www.billiondollarbabes.com
You will need to register and RSVP for sales in your area.