Columbus Day Sale at L.A.'s The Address Boutique

Like a child coveting a new toy at Christmas, I often press my face up to the windows of Gucci, Chanel, and Versace, to stare at the glittering treasures inside.

If you’re like me and want to dress like a diva but have the budget of a church mouse get thee to The AdDress Boutique this weekend. For every $100 you spend at the designer resale store in Santa Monica, you get a $25 gift certificate (expires on U.S. Thanksgiving).

The AdDress Boutique is where stylists for celebs like Lindsay Lohan, Heather Graham, and Sharon Stone go to sell designer duds when the star has worn them once too many. Which is to say they’ve worn an outfit twice. And sometimes not at all.

I wandered in there today and was gob-smacked to see reasonable prices on an entire shelf of designer handbags. Gucci, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton all murmured suggestively “Buy me.” A black suede ruffle bag by YSL was $185 (USD). A gorgeous purple patent Salvatore Ferragamo was $395.

In the back were racks of pretty shoes. Golden Christian Louboutin slides for $175. Manolo Blahnik pumps for $135. An Herve Leger rainbow bandage dress that retails for $2250 at Nieman Marcus was priced at $695.

Unable to wait for the weekend sale, I hankered after a pair of oversized Dolce Gabbana sunglasses ($160 down from $395). Salesperson Crissy Madden convinced me they looked fabulous on me, even more so than the $190 Chanel cat-eye glasses. That's salemanship! It’s not Christmas…but, hey it was my birthday last week.

The AdDress Boutique (www.theaddressboutique.com) is at 1116 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica