Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Tell Me About It, Strawberry

While walking through Strawberry on 34th Street yesterday, I was reminded of a few 2008 phrases I'd be pleased to hear less of in 2009:

"Color Block." Although, if there were any 9's, I would have totally bought these color block boots for $10 (1/2 off of the reduced price of $19.99). Which goes to prove one can tire of the phrase but still be a sucker to the trend.

I prefer to call these "Mondrian Chic."


















"Body Con." Yuk. I was privileged to wear Leger back when it was Herve-made, and shoved a leg or two into an Alaia in my heyday. I appreciate the incredible things those dresses do for one's figure. But I wouldn't be sad to never hear "body con" in '09.

Not seeing another bad Leger knockoff would also not make me sad.














"Boho Chic." No one was happier than I was to embrace boho chic. I love boho chic. I want to look boho chic for the rest of my life. But if I have to read about one more boho chic designer, dress or handbag, I may turn into a button-down pumpkin.

Boho chic? Honestly I hardly know anymore.















But I can't end 2008 on such a negative note! As much as I can't wait to kick her to the curb and embrace '09, The Berry reminded me that "Yes, we can still find Obama bling caps, and for 25% off."

What a great country.















Happy New Year to all!



Strawberry, in the Empire State Building on 34th Street between 5th & 6th

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Dumb & Spacey @ Daffy's

The below are on hold at Daffy's Herald Square, 6th floor registers, till the end of the day under Tricia. That's me. Go and pick it up if you like. I was seriously so brain dead today that I couldn't think of a fake name fast enough. And sorry these Daffy's photos are so crapola, but I had to use my cell phone as numbskull's camera battery was left charging in her office. Is anyone else really tired and spacey today? The four-day weekend can't come fast enough.

I was also too lazy to take off my jeans, but I couldn't resist the shiny tulle on the bottom of this dress ($24.99, size 8):














This Flavio Castellani capelet ($33.32, size 6) is satin and so adorable in person. The Patrizia Pepe top ($79.99, size 8) is very caftan-ish so of course I love it. And it's way more yellow than my cell could capture. It's even called "Super Yellow." Comes with super yellow sash.














Pretty, pretty Tracy Reece top ($29.99, size 4), and I could keep my pants on.













This is the one that got away, because I bought it for $26.66. I promised myself I'd get this silk re:sound dress if it went on sale back in October, so I had to keep my promise, right? Go find your own in the sale rack on the 6th floor! I promise you won't look chubster in it, it's actually very flattering. This is just a camera phone issue and has nothing to do with how much I ate last week.














Daffy's Herald Square, 34th Street & Broadway

Monday, December 29, 2008

O Happy Monday

Reasons for my post-holiday happiness today, Monday December 29th:

Because I'm back at work. Yes, really, because as much as I love The Holiday Shops in Bryant Park, the last day was yesterday and my blogging focus can return once more to the FH. And let's face it, when you have a disappointing year as a vendor because the economy has tanked, it is definitely the blogger's fault. Stupid, dumb, blogger! Let's send her hate email!

Because I finally watched Sex and the City: The Movie on Saturday night (yes, I know, I'm really behind) and I was delighted with a good middle of the film. I yawned at the annoying beginning, found the ending meh and sappy, but damn, parts of this movie were great. As I watched, I remembered my 20-ish girlfriend's review of the movie: "They looked old." The 41 year-old review? They looked chic, healthy, and over 40. Especially inspiring was the scene in which post-heartbreak Carrie stares at herself in the bathroom mirror as the camera lingers, pans, and lovingly caresses every inch of her tired, distraught, 40+ face. I was so moved. My husband, too, said "wow" and called the film's depiction of aging as "almost Bergmanesque"-! Yes, I am married to a member of the male sex. And yes, I'll send my girlfriend a copy of the movie when she turns 40.

Old ladies sitting in the sun, horrors! Photo from CasaSugar.

Because My favorite ex-Jet Chad Pennington beat my team, the NY Jets, for a spot in the playoffs after they dumped him 5 months ago for Brett Favre. Chad led a losing team (1-15 last year) to 11-5 and a division title. Does he gloat to his old Jets fans, who, in his last season in NY, cheered as he lay injured on the field? No, he merely says: "The only way fate would have it." So I'd like to say a big "Ha, ha!" for Mr. Pennington, the humble and overlooked player who is finally getting his due.

Why I fell in love with football. Where's the Laveranues hug, photogs & cameramen? I was waiting for the #87/#10 hug, and then CBS cut away, GRRRRR! Hello, they are best friends! Do I have to tell CBS everything?

And because this is supposed to be a shopping blog about 34th Street & not a sports blog: Tough as the economy is, we'll be getting some new stores on 34th Street this year. There's JCPenney opening in Manhattan Mall (Spring '09, hopefully), a new Geox store, and a possible big jeans store moving in. I don't think I'm allowed to say, so think classic American, like the kind I've worn since I was a kid. And, of course, there's the now-empty Kira Plastinina store and a few other spaces as yet unannounced. I will, as always, be conjuring up Topshop for the district all year. Maybe I should fire SwamiLeon and hire an exorcist to rid the street of bad, Plastinina vibes? Will that make Sir Philip Green happy?

No, I can't do it. He's my hero, and how could anyone fire a beturbaned man?
Back on 34th Street later today. Ahhhh, it's good to be home! I hope everyone else is running high this Monday on post-holiday bliss.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Coats in Winter

A few coats to gaze upon this holiday season. Perhaps you can return a gift or two and buy yourself one of these?

Ben Sherman and Miss Sixty, all found on level 2 of Macy's Herald Square;
































Lacoste, North Face, and Spyder, all on level two also in the activewear section:





Happy Holidays to all!

Macy's Herald Square, 151 W. 34th between 7th & Broadway

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Footaction & Foot Locker For the Holidays

Being released in two stores on 34th Street today:















Picture courtesy of the Foot Locker blog, where you can see more pictures of the black/red Jordan 23. Today 23 pairs are being released in 23 stores, including Foot Locker on 34th Street and Footaction on 7th & 34th Street. We are sneakerhead central down here. Personally, I'm not a Jordan sneakerhead but I'm really partial to this black/red combo.

And don't forget Foot Locker for your last minute holiday shopping. The store on 34th Street has the Lady FL and Kids FL too, so you can do some serious one-stop shopping. I highly recommend these for the little ones this holiday season:













OMG, do you see the new, Reebok Mr. Potato Head shoe? And Mrs. Potato Head? Yes, please! Adorable, and just as cute are the Reebok Looney Tunes and the New Balance Sesame Street.

And please, girls, if you're at a loss for his gift and he's a sports fan, don't forget these:


Trust me, they'll be beholden to you for his team's jersey. Just try and find out his favorite player, because sports fans can be real particular about their numbers. For instance, I was one of the few New Yorkers who was sad to see this jersey go to Miami:


My #10 Pennington jersey has a place of honor in my dresser drawer. I even wore it to fashion week last Superbowl Sunday morning, which could possibly be a first in Mercedes Benz Fashion Week style history.








Foot Locker, 120 W. 34th Street between Broadway & 7th
Footaction, 7th Avenue @ 34th Street

Monday, December 22, 2008

Herald Square's Day at the Races

This came up on my news alerts last week (from New York Daily News):


Herald Square won at $14.80 baby! I have no idea what that means. I've never previously attended the races, nor bet on them, but obviously this is a sign. I need to hie on over to Queens, visit the Aqueduct racetrack and place a little green on Herald Square. But it's too cold for the usual big hat, Gold Cup/Belmont attire, so I'm bundling up instead. (Is there even such a thing as an indoor horse racing track?)

Here's my fantasy outdoor sports jacket to be found at Macy's Herald Square:

By Spyder, and perfect for the racetrack or the day someone surprises me with Jets tickets. In store I couldn't figure exactly how much it cost because none of the tags were priced, which set off $$$ alarms. Correct! A little online hunt reveals this jacket is part of Spyder's "Platinum" collection, and is listed for $700. Go to Macy's after Christmas when it should be on sale. It's freaking awesome, and this from a girl who's never really fallen for an outdoor, performance type of jacket before.



Macy's Herald Square, 151 W. 34th between Broadway & 7th Avenue

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Oh, Kira

Oh, Kira Plastinina, why did you have to shut all your US stores during a snow/rain/and briefly hail storm? I guess that made it a little more dramatic, yes? And sort of depressing yet funny, just like my favorite Russian books.

Walking down 6th Avenue yesterday toward 34th Street and the last hours of Kira Plastinina.


Big fluffy white hat, not very Lara/Dr. Zhivago on me. A pink slicker I would have bought if there was a large.


And just like me in your clothes: a little depressing (I'll never be 16 again, praise all the lords), and yet funny (did I dress like this at 16? No, I looked much worse). Oh, Kira, I'm REALLY going to miss you.

The store, on closing day, empty except for me and the courteous salesgirl who, in between assisting me, was shredding paper way back there in the corner. Hmmm....






Kira Plastinina, closed yesterday at 6pm on 34th Street. Visit the website for 75% off.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Staff Support, Day 2

These walked into my office yesterday to brag:
















Black buckle boots from Daffy's Herald Square for $40. And check out the whole ensemble:


Lindsey in her vintage 80's Valentino dress with her Daffy's boots. I love how she matched up the boots with this very feminine, 80's dress. Lindsey, too, works outside a lot, and these boots are, in her words, perfect to run around the city in. Exactly. Thanks for doing my work for me guys! I have such great co-workers. Just don't ask me to paint any trash cans or nothing in return, kay?

Daffy's Herald Square, 1311 Broadway @ 34th Street

1909 Victorinox Show Info

Click to enlarge and read.

Staff Support

Here I sat at my desk, all wondering "What to blog?" when I looked over and saw this:

Martin, aka officemate, in his Nike Airmax boots. Colorful and waterproof, really good for Martin as he works outside. Bought last year at Shoe Mania on 34th Street but you can still find similarly colorful ones there now, and everything is 50% off (restrictions apply, etc.). I also saw a black pair at Foot Locker on 34th Street if color is not your thing.

What I really love about these is they are men's outdoor boots that don't look like hiking boots and aren't super dull. They don't even really look like boots.

Yeah, my officemate and his boots are #1.

Shoe Mania, 11 W. 34th between 5th & 6th
Foot Locker,
120 W. 34th between Broadway & 7th

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Shop The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park

It's cross-promotion day! I'm going to show off some of my favorite product from The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park this month, as the holiday shops will be leaving Bryant Park by the end of the month. And I really want to support all of these great and mostly local artisans. New Yorkers, drop by, shop, and email me if you have any specific needs or questions. I can give you a pretty good idea of where you can find what.

Today's sampling:

Hand painted trays, plates and bowls from Black Beans & Rice, made by the owners, a husband/wife team based in New York;


Wallets made from recycled materials, recyclable luggage tags, magnetic desk dots, and, hello fashion bloggers, a bottle cap tripod (!!!) are just a few of the clever products to be found at Dynomighty Design:

There are several cool wallet & luggage tag designs, and that tripod screws onto standard bottle caps.



















These stunning candles from Jacks & Pearls are handmade and designed by the owner/artisan Jessica Lauber. Jessica works with mosaic tiles in her design, and even mixes her own colors for the candles. The results are striking. Get them at Bryant Park where they are priced for a great deal (these will be more expensive if you can find them in certain high-end catalogs).

The candles with her signature tiles: that cube is 6 pounds and will burn forever; tall ones all in a row; and elegant tapers.












More to come this weekend.

The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park, between 40th & 42nd and 5th & 6th