'Tis the season of massive purging on behalf of local shops and designers. Out with the old, to make room for the new. And with deals this massive, it is certainly beginning to feel a bit like Christmas...albeit a personal Christmas, where all the presents and bills come directly to me.

Jonathan + Olivia is throwing a massive warehouse sale this weekend. The sale stock list is extensive, as are the discounts. Read on for all the deets.

No, I'm not talking cheap synthetic wigs here. Connie posted not too long ago about her ongoing quest for quality, cheap hairstylists, and I informed her in the comments that the apprentices at Rain Boutique and Salon are constantly looking for models.

Despite this, my girl Stacey is still on the hunt for more guinea pigs to style, and pleaded that I write a proper post on the issue. If me telling you how fabulous she is (and the other apprentices too!) isn't enough to entice you down there, how about the price tag? $10 for a cut, $20 for a color.

I don't have much this week - but what I did round up is pretty darn titillating, because one of my most anticipated sales is coming up this weekend...

Chulo Pony sample sale!
All sizes for women. If you don't already know how good this is, I won't convince you to go - the teeny tiny space at SYNC on W. 2nd gets crammed enough as it is! Zero privacy in the curtained off changing area, with clothes literally flung to every corner of the space. Oh and PS, the lineup often starts early. You have to have some serious dedication to brave this one, be forewarned...
July 14, 10am-6pm at 1650 W. 2nd.

Kickin' it old school, grandma styles. to&co. shoe available at Gravity Pope.

I got shoes, bargains on Robson, sample sales, and one helluva secret sale you won't want to miss...

I'll start of with the whopper:

Gravity Pope's birthday sale starts Friday. Everything in the store will be at least 10% off for a week, after which some items will stay on sale and some will go back to regular price. If there were ever a time for me to splurge hundreds of dollars on an exquisite pair of t-strap heels, this sale would be it. However, I don't have hundreds of dollars to spend on shoes, so if anyone is feeling philanthropic I'm a size 9.
Go early, stay calm, and try to keep your elbows to your sides ladies...(and men!)...
2205 W. 4th
mon-fri: 10-9, sat: 10-7, sun and holidays: 11-6

Billabong "back to school" sample sale - jumping the gun a bit, but when you say sample sale, I jump. That's just the way I roll.
Up to 70% off the full 2007 winter line - jackets, pants, t-shirts, hoodies and accessories! Ladies, mens, kids and teens.
friday: 5-8, saturday: 11-3
Westcoast Cheer Gym
785 49th street, Delta

Of all the fashion schools in Vancouver, Helen Lefeaux School of Fashion Design in Gastown is often regarded as the most 'arty' or experimental of them all. This I've heard through anecdotes of personal experience from the students themselves. Helen Lefeaux has been playing the education game for decades, and this years' fashion show will be the 26th annual - that's a lotta years of experience to gloat about.

Read on for all the deets you need to know to be at one of the hottest student fashion shows - sure to feature some of the most cutting edge new designs in the city - this year...

Photo courtesy of Juliainc in the Beyond Robson photo pool

When I was in university and partying (or complete lack of comprehension...ahem...math) got in the way of exams and studying, I used that old faithful trick: stack your notes beneath your pillow before bedtime and hope for the best. This splendid process of osmosis is one thing I did retain from biology class, although the scientific validity of stuffing a textbook under your pillow to enhance intelligence is certainly up for scrutiny.

I've continued this trend well past my university career, although with much better intentions. I love buying books. I think I've got at least a dozen waiting to be read, and it's not unusual for me to have 5 books on the go at any one time. When I feel like my brain needs a boost, I go and buy books. Just walking through the bookstore or library makes me feel smarter, although if I had learned anything in math class I would know that paying full price for books that simply wait their turn on my bookshelf doesn't really add up in the favor of my finances.

So it's a good thing the Vancouver Public Library Summer Sale goes down this week, with prices ranging from $0.55 to $2.25. Now those are numbers I understand!