Elbows are furiously thrown; people are knocked to the ground by a herd of charging bodies; children can be heard crying in the distant background. No, this is not a battle scene from Apocalypse Now; it is Black Friday and for true shoppers it’s war! If you think your local department store is the place to be on this post-turkey shopping celebration, then you missed these huge Black Friday sale announcements taking place across the country. How can you thank us for this master list of shopping euphoria? Let’s just say that when we are both tugging at the same half-its-price cashmere sweater this weekend, we will be expecting you to take your claws off that sleeve.

Check out our list of Black Friday sales around the country. Many continue through next week. We’ll be adding to it regularly.

NEW YORK:

Shop

At Shop on the Lower East Side, all clothing is 40 to 75 percent off and boots, bags and jewelry are 20 percent off. Find lines like Splended, Velvet and Inhabit cashmere, plus a big selection of gifts for under $50.

I HEART

At I HEART in Nolita, find markdowns on almost everything, including Isabel Marant (save 25% on the entire line), Lover, Rachel Comey, Emma Cook and more

Plum and Pear

At sister clothing and shoe storesPlum and Pear, save 30 to 50 percent on all clothing and shoes. There’s also a big selection available on sale on the e-shop. These stores may be tiny, but the savings are huge.

BROOKLYN:

The Clay Pot

At Park Slope-based jewelry The Clay Pot, save 15 percent on any purchase over $100 (either online or in-store) through December 15th. Just bring a copy of this page or use code “15by15″ online. Find beloved and familiar lines like Becky Kelso, Alexis Bittar, and Jeanine Payer.

BOSTON AREA:

Lekker Home

At chic Scandinavian home store Lekker Home in the South End, Black Friday is Orange Friday. Save 15 to 50 percent on everything in store and 10% online using code “orange08.”

The Studio

This Boston wonderland of jewelry and accessories is slashing prices for one weekend only, and while we believe in the spirit of giving, it will be impossible to leave The Studio without a trinket for yours truly. This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, stop by The Studio and take 10 percent off of Prairie Underground Hoodies, 20 percent off Foley and Corinna items, 30 percent off Sublet and Re:Sound NY dresses, 20 percent off Jonesy’s Jewels, and many more style steals! The Studio hasn’t forgotten all of you shoppers who are far from Beantown this season- this North Shore gem has a slew of Cyber Monday specials as well!

Lekker Home

At the South End’s chic Scandinavian home store Lekker Home, Black Friday is Orange Friday.

Queen Bee

The discounts at this Boston prep-proprietor are getting better by the day! Everything is now 50-70% off! Swing by this Newbury Street classic or shop online and receive free ground shipping when you snag Alice + Oliva, Dolce Vita, LaRok, and many more of your favorite names for a fraction of the original price.

PHILADELPHIA:

Third Street Habit

Known for the relaxed vibe, and a collection of merch perfect for a lazy Sunday in, Third Street Habit manages to thrown in a few show stopping numbers and work-appropriate pieces too. As if the blend of on-my-couch and out-on-the-town wasn’t fantastic enough, now this store’s fabulous Fall items are 40-50 percent off! Hurry in from November 26th to the 30th (closed on Thanksgiving) for a changing season charge to your wardrobe.

Topstitch

Topstitch in Old City is open ’til 10pm with a major sale on jewelry, select vintage and baby clothing. There will be complimentary beverages all day long.

Sugarcube

At Sugarcube, save 25% on everything on Thanksgiving Day until 3pm, and 25% on everything on Friday from 10am to 7pm. The offer excludes jewelry and accessories.

CHICAGO:

Strut

At Strut in Wicker Park, take 30 percent of all full-priced merchandise from 8am to 3pm. From 3pm through Sunday at 7, take 20 percent off everything, including rock n roll style boots, tees, and coats.

LOS ANGELES

Tres Jolie

Tres Jolie in Beverly Hills is offering 30 percent off everything through Saturday. Shop at the store or enter “jolie” online for your discount on beautiful jewelry and accessories you won’t find elsewhere.

WASHINGTON, DC

Dekka

From 9am to 9pm at Dekka on U Street, find great deals (up to 50 percent off) on jewelry, clothing, artwork and accessories made primarily by local designers. Te and cookies will be served in the morning, and margaritas will be on tap through the afternoon. On Sunday, the fun continues with a Sunday Triple Players event featuring three designers whose work will be on sale for 20 percent off.

ONLINE

Kep Designs

Preppy jewelry line Kep Designs is offering 20 percent off online through Monday, December 1st. Enter “Turkey2008″ at checkout and save on bangles and oversized baubles galore.

Hayden Harnett

At Hayden Harnett’s Thankful Sale, find prices reduced from 30 to 70 percent through Monday. Throughout the day, certain items will be reduced even further for just a few hours. This mini clutch is reduced to $66 from $220 and comes in a bunch of sweet colors. Plus, enter code “STOREADORE1″ at checkout for free shipping on orders over $100.

Replace the pitchfork with an iPhone, the modest mini-print frock with Cheap Monday jeans, and the carpenter-style ranch with a luxury loft in Center City, and you’ve got yourself a decidedly different vibe than Grant Wood’s iconic painting.

Philadelphia outfitter Matthew Izzo redefines the modern working couple with Generation Y style.  Covering everything from head (the store has its own hair salon) to toe (watches, gloves, and shoes for him), Matthew Izzo even makes sure that your space is stylish enough to be featured in a high-profile glossy.

Now great design is attainable, with 20-50% off in-store floor samples.  Internet customers can shop online or call to order (215-829-0606).

It’s not hard to see why the boutique-simply-referred-to-as-”Izzo” is a Philadelphia landmark.  Here’s what you’ll find on sale:

We Adore: This futuristic Orbit Chair continued to haunt us long after we’ve stacked away the design magazines.  At $1487 (formerly $1750), it finally finds its place atop our graphic area rug.

We Adore: The Bon Ton extendable dining table is perfect for surprise visits from the in-laws.  If you ask us, we’d rather keep it compact.  Either way, this elegant structure of sculpted wood and frosted glass is marked down to $986 (formerly $1305).

Oh, and while we’re on the subject, we think it’s time to replace that American Gothic desktop on your Mac Book. (Izzo’s an artist, too - now how cool is that?)

Grasshopper Fall Backwards Sale

James Dean.  Lauren Hutton.  Short films.  Tall boots.  Photo booths.  Polaroids.  Now you can add retro Philadelphia boutique Grasshopper to your “cool” list.

While everyone’s falling backwards this weekend, you can stay fashion forward with keen indie threads and designer denim from Grasshopper.  Pulling together a look that’s stylish without trying is even easier with 20% all new styles.

The sale will be ongoing until Sunday, November 1st, and missing it would be totally un-cool.

Bus Stop Boutique Harvest Sidewalk Sale

Nearly every culture and region around the globe celebrates the autumn harvest season, but Bus Stop Boutique is celebrating more than just the biggest holiday in fresh produce - it’s the arrival of their new fall stock!

Drop by on Saturday, November 1st from 11am - 5pm for savings on chic seasonal wear, plus 15% OFF any non-sale item.

Old City Light Festival

Everything Old City is new again with glowing lights decorating this Philadelphia neighborhood.  The festival gets a head start on Friday, November 7th at 7:00pm.  In addition to a live jazz band and a raffle to win an Old City Collective gift basket worth $1000, there will be food and drinks to keep the party going.

Escape the cold and duck in to one of the area’s “hot spots” for hot apple cider, or revel in the winter chill with pumpkin ice cream from Franklin fountain.  And while you’re walking the beatuiful streets of Old City, stop by some of our favorite shopping destinations, like Foster’s Homeware, J. Karma, and Scarlett Alley!

Celebrate a World Series win in style - GO PHILLIES!

What crashed in Roswell, New Mexico?  Who assassinated President John F. Kennedy?  Was the moon landing a hoax?  And where can you find exquisite handmade items from the best local designers in the City of Brotherly Love?

It’s no conspiracy: Conspiracy Showroom is celebrating two years of original design as well as consignment items that create an overall aesthetic that is wearable and affordable.  Join the Northern Liberties shop at their 2nd street location on Thursday, November 13th for  cocktails, snacks, and gift bags for the first 15 customers full of locally-grown goodies.  Plus—Conspiracy shoppers get to enjoy a storewide sale all weekend!

What better way to celebrate a World Series win (!!!) than by sporting some chic local design duds?

Police officers, sailors, ghouls, and devils…while everyone’s gushing about who they’re dressing up as for Halloween, Philadelphia boutique Sugarcube proposes an alternative for the less-enthusiastic-but-being-dragged-to-a-costume-party-anyway: why not be an even more stylish version of yourself?

It’s easy: just stop by Sugarcube on 124 North Third Street on October 30th-31st for exclusive styles from French line A.P.C., marked up to 40 percent off. With European sensibility in timeless shapes, you’ll thank Sugarcube for being the only boutique in Philly to carry the favorite European line.

Both men’s and women’s wear is on sale, so you can pick up some chic duds for him too.

What’s a first birthday party without snot-nosed children, terrifyingly hideous clowns, disappointing goodie bags, and a bat to the knee for Uncle Al (that totally would have broken the pinata, by the way)? It’s probably the birthday party you’ll find yourself at next Friday, October 17th!

Celebrate with Philadelphia’s Vintage Connection as the one-year-old store hosts an open house in its picturesque Bella Vista store from 5pm to 8pm. You’ll get 20 percent off all vintage purchases, champagne cocktails and sweet treats from an assorted candy bar. Plus, for every hundred dollars you spend, your name will be entered in a drawing to win one of two gift bags, containing $150 each in cosmetics!

Champagne versus juice boxes…

Decisions, decisions.

The newly-opened Memphis Taproom in Philadelphia has been looking good all summer–if the colorful avocado-lettuce-tomato club is your idea of an expertly dressed companion. The neighborhood pub has been hopping with new events and flea markets since its beginning, with this Saturday’s Arts & Crafts Summer Show to continue the sweltering countdown of summer ’08’s final days.

Traveling Wares is a roaming craft sale that switches venues and offers an ever-changing stock of handbags, jewelry, and clothing from local artisans. From noon to 6pm, the side yard of the Tap will be packed with vendors and artists like Skylure Templeton, with a variety of one-of-a-kind pieces that’ll go down just right with a pint of Rowhouse Red ale. Gastro-pubs and craft fairs make a perfect pair.

While you’re outwardly bound this weekend, make a stop at Vintage Connection for your Friday evening quick change. This to-die-for pink Vera Wang frock is speaking to me…in French. This teaser and more are in Vintage Connection’s online lookbook, which is full of 80’s short shorts, teal velour top hats and bags galore. The sassy shoot passes through all eras and was taken on 9th Street in Bella Vista, in and outside of the shop. Meanwhile, I was probably on my laptop at Chapterhouse Cafe across the street, tapping out this post and oblivious to the fashion happenings near and dear to me. Maybe I’ll catch the next one?

With all the amazing sales that are going on right now, it feels like Christmas in July here in Philly–and last night’s weird hailstorm can attest to it. So can Wilbur, a vintage store-within-a-store in the basement of Antiquarian’s Delight, with its “Summer Xmas Sale” from July 25th-27th. Take 20% off all clothing and treat the $5-10 rack like your holiday tree: you know there’s something for you there, and if not, there’s always the free wine…

TONY is celebrating with a one-day sale at its Old City swankroom on Friday from 5-8pm with 50 percent off all tops, 30 percent off dresses, 25 percent off handbags and 10 percent off lingerie. Pick up a pair of yoga jeans (TONY is one of the few places in the area that carries these!), tolerate your fill of seasonal music, and downward dog a rum cocktail. ‘Tis the season!

Pedestrian’s Stampede Sample Sale from July 25-27th kicks off with a party at Marathon Grill. Knock back a few shots and then help me find a dope King Stampede sweatshirt with a K applique.

Nothing looks better with a sweatshirt than heels. Really. Hit Bus Stop’s Midsummer Sale on July 25th from 5:30-8:30pm, and find footwear for up to 35% off–and plenty of drinks and snacks, too. Or try on a few pairs at J. Karma, with its 75% off sale running through September 1.

From July 25-27, peep a trunk show at Knit Wit with Duna and Peter Cohen for cute summer and early fall gear. Hey, you can’t spend your weekend bargaining in a ratty tank that you bought three summers ago.

Tell me that you’re into metal-working and I’ll exhale dismissively and point you in the nearest direction of a craft fair. But the jewelry at West Philly’s Vix Emporium is forever neat—there’s always a stand-out choker or ace pair of danglies to be found.

Vix Emporium’s next showcase features jewelry artist Keith King with his works crafted from wire and sheet metal. King’s “wearable art” collection is made up of edgy one-of-a-kind pieces in copper and brass. His pieces are not pretty or delicate, which is precisely why I like them. Who better to flaunt the sculptured wire earrings than a tough-as-nails city girl?

This Saturday, July 19, from 6-9 p.m., Keith King will be awaiting the arrival of iron-loving maidens at Handwrought, his debut at Vix Emporium. After you’ve admired the metal-working master and your new brass cuff bracelet, stick around for tunes from solo artist Birdie Busch.

So what if there’s a heat wave in Philadelphia…I’ll be inside where the temperatures are crisp and the sales are even crisper!

Old City’s trusty Vagabond has marked their summer dresses 30% off. And by trusty, I mean you can guarantee I’ll sashay out of the boutique with one of their breathable tunics. The sale extends through the rest of summer.

Over in Rittenhouse Square, Stiletto is practically giving away their seasonal stock with 50-75% off. Suddenly those Missoni espadrilles don’t seem so out of your budget.

You don’t want to miss Nicole Miller’s (4249 Main St.) semi-annual sale through July 31st. The 75% savings will relieve your mid-summer wardrobe, which has already put you through enough BBQs and vacations so far. Tomorrow night’s Ethiopian dinner date? Got it covered.