Shopping with less Gilt

Gilt.com has been around for over a year now and most of you are probably members. If not, it's time to join--in addition to the fantastic sales for men and women, Gilt has added a kids section, where you can get up to 70% off on designer apparel from Tea, Burberry and smaller cache-filled labels like Marie Chantal and Eliza Gran. If you haven't heard of Gilt before, the idea is simple: it's an invitation-only online sample sale of luxury brands. In the beginning of each week, Gilt sends you an email announcing that week's sales--this week, for instance is Marc Jacobs, Chloe, Oscar de la Renta, to name a few. Then, on the day of the sale, Gilt sends an email (usually around 9:00 a.m.) announcing that the particular sale is starting. Gilt veterans know the pitfalls of the site (things sell out very quickly; you pay for returns; and you can only get store credit, no actual refunds) but there are also rewards, not the least of which are the up-and-down-your-spine thrills of getting a $1000 Notte by Marchesa frock for $199.

Gilt has something for everyone. Satisfy your inner fashionista, dress your kids in that aspirational French countryside way, and appease the Indian aunty bargain-hunter within. If you aren't a member, send your email to deepasood@gmail.com and I will snag you an invite.