Mark Your Calendar: Modern Economy Sale

This Saturday, April 12, is the day for Modern Economy's highly anticipated yearly sample sale in San Francisco.

So if you're in the area, take a break from doing your taxes and go spend some of that anticipated refund. A few of the indie-designed goods you'll find there, at up to 70 percent off retail:

Allymoon prints

Dwell Studio bedding

Harry Allen objets

Perch ceramics

Petite Collage artwork

Sharon Spain pillows

Simrin textiles

Variegated pillows

The sale is in Fort Mason Center's Building A from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Pssst to my Stumptown homies -- Modern Economy is having another sale at Portland's Ace Hotel on July 19.)

Based on my experience at a previous Modern Economy sale, a few words of advice:

* Get there early -- as in, join the queue before the doors open. The place gets picked clean fast.

* Install your partner, friend, mother, etc. in the checkout line before it snakes all the way around the room. Otherwise, you'll be cooling your heels there for a good long time.

* Have fun and score some great deals!

Click here for more info on the sale.

Mark Your Calendar: Modern Economy Mini Sale

If you missed the big Modern Economy Sale at San Francisco's Fort Mason Center a few months ago (or simply sneaked out, overwhelmed and empty handed, like I did), then here's a second chance to grab some of those great bargains: Modern Economy is having a "Mini Sale" this Sunday, December 2, in Berkeley.

During the even, part of the Wish List Holiday Sale, samples and overstock from indie designers -- including Henry Road, Deadly Squire, Good on Paper, dwellbaby, and Atelier LZC -- will be discounted up to 70 percent. Perfect for crossing some of those holiday gifts off your list.

And this time, I'll have a better plan of action: Getting there early (right after we hit the monthly Alameda Antiques and Collectibles Faire), and installing my ever-so-patient and indulgent hubby in the checkout line before it snakes out the door.

The sale, which runs from noon to 5 p.m., is located at 2473 Ninth St. in Berkeley.

See you there!

Mark Your Calendar: Modern Economy Sample Sale

If you're in the Bay Area, don't miss the Modern Economy Sample Sale this Saturday, July 28, at San Francisco's Fort Mason Center. (Modern Economy organizes regular West Coast events where indie designers and shops sell samples, post-season items, and overstock at up to 70 percent off retail prices.)

A sampling of the incredible designers who'll be hawking their wares at this Saturday's sale:

Balanced Design

Deadly Squire

Dwell

Emma Gardner

Henry Road

Inhabit

Perch Ceramics

Plush Living

Rae Dunn Ceramics

Relish at Home

Thomas Paul

Tikoli

Variegated

I am so there. (Thanks to Anh-Minh for the heads' up!)