True shopping mavens know the secret to life: ask for cash for Christmas, then make it go twice as far during all the January sales.

The sales this week are nothing short of major—my inbox has been inundated with offers from locals like Top Drawer Lingerie (30 percent off), Elaine Turner (Semi-Annual Handbag Sale, up to 65 percent off), Elizabeth Anthony (up to 70 percent off), Biscuit (up to 40 percent off) and on and on. All are worthy of our attention and money, but please, allow me to stunt on behalf of one of my favorites: the Winter Sale at à bientôt. 

Though less heralded than the shop's line-forms-around-the-building sale in June, the Winter Sale debuts on Jan. 14 with the same kinds of deals—everything is at least 20 percent off, and some goods are as much as 75 percent off. And since I just finished wrapping and handing out several stylish bargains I snapped up during the last à bientôt sale—I'm talking seriously lovely scarves and sunglasses for under $10, making me the Queen of White Elephants—I now have room in my gift cabinet to restock with more awesomeness that looks like I spent wayyyyy more than I did.

(Obviously the moment I created a "gift cabinet" was the moment I could no longer deny I've turned into my mother. But I'll be damned if my mother doesn't always have a candle or the like ready and waiting for an unexpected gift occasion. My mother is polite AF.)

So, mavens, I suggest grabbing a handbag and a new bra this week (or anything else with a sale tag that Santa missed), and spending your leftover scratch at à bientôt.