Fall Coats and Friendly Security Guys

He kind of looks like he's waving his arms and is about to tackle me, but JCPenney's staff is so friendly, this security guy in the background of this shot was smiling and downright jovial when he finally reached me and said "Please, ma'am, no pictures in the store!" (I'm resigned to "ma'am." It started a LONG time ago.)

Also, please note his size. I'm 5'10 1/2 and, of course, wearing heels. He is a ways behind me and still towering. Don't think because he's nice to stealth bloggers enamored of pleather coats with ruffles along the bottom hem that he's not going to take care of scumbags. Moms can deal with scumbags, too, but I would also look out for one of the guys pictured above if I had any scumbag problems. Scumbags, unfortunately, can surface anywhere. Which brings me to:

One of our fabulous 34th Street Partnership security guys, walking around Greeley Square. If you're in the neighborhood and you need some help, even if it's directions to JCPenney because you need a fall coat, look for one of our guys. They are friendly, and they have radios. I'm always impressed by the radio on the belt. And speaking of fall coats...

















Thanks to Intern Craig (gratuitous intern shot below), we stopped to browse coats after shopping MNG by Mango. The blue military jacket caught his eye (Decree and on sale). We were impressed with the styles and fit. Find them all on the first floor by the escalators and the Sephora boutique.







JCPenney Manhattan Mall, lower levels 1 & 2
33rd Street and 6th Avenue

Seeing in Triplicate at MNG JCPenney

Here's my final MNG at JCPenney Word for August: Shop. These days you can almost always get an extra $10-$20 off coupon when you visit JCPenney Manhattan Mall (or sign up for mobile coupons here), and yes, the MNG has been marked down (thanks for the heads-up, Anonymous). This is making me see in triplicate.

I think all this MNG on sale is making me dizzy....

Whooo, I'm about to spin...Now I'm feeling a little green...

Seriously, Mango's MNG at JCPenney is a deal. Here's a closer look at the above and more:

Blue dress was $129.90, it's now $103.92.* It's not a dress these days if there's no exposed zipper. The jacket fit is lovely, and many are now $79.92.














My new favorite flat boot, on sale for $87.92, and the back of the green dress w/pretty tie (usually worn in front but I like it in back w/hair up), now $79.92.



















* Prices listed are from online listings, but often I get things for less in store. Again, keep an eye out for coupon flyers and weekend sales, especially Saturday doorbusters.


JCPenney Manhattan Mall, lower levels 1 & 2
33rd Street & 6th Avenue

On Board: Nautica's Blogger Cruise

The other night I was graciously invited to join Nautica on a little cruise around the New York harbor, and it was a blast. On board from bow to stern were gorgeous New York fashion bloggers looking, naturally, fabulous (see WendyB, and StyleIt). I, unfortunately, suffered from windblown hair.

The perfect hair cut for boat rides: My husband had just visited Fade to Famous in Greenpoint. Me, not so much. All our iphone photos were blurry so here's my tough girl shot: Don't mess with me, I'm on a rocking boat with heels.













The Statue of Liberty was looking very good. We've never cruised the New York harbor before and I highly recommend it.



Also looking really good was the Nautica holiday 2010 lookbook. I want the men's anchor sweater:





















And here's why Macy's Herald Square should carry the full Nautica women's line (the men's is available at Macy's Herald Square):















































Impressive, right? Classic with a twist, just the way I like my classic.

Updated to add: Kati complained that I'm not smiling in my picture above. So here are my blurry smiling shots with windblown hair:


















Macy's Herald Square, 34th Street btwn Broadway & 7th Ave

It's Glammy Time at Bare Escentuals 34th Street

Stop by the boutique on 34th Street tonight from 5pm - 9pm for a little celebration: once again, Bare Escentual's has won Glamour magazine's Glammy award for Best Prestige Foundation. The boutique is celebrating by giving you 20% off all purchases, and they'll throw in free makeunders and samples, of course! And, like any good celebration, refreshments will be served. Click on the flyer below or go here for more details.Bare Escentuals Boutique, 44 W. 34th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues

Give and Get is Back

And just in time to shop guilt-free and cause-heavy for Fashion's Night Out gear, Fashion Week gear, or "It's September and I need new boots and sweaters" gear. You can save 30% and donate 5% to a favorite cause at three stores on 34th Street: Gap Herald Square, Old Navy, and Banana Republic. You'll need a coupon, so go here to print one (and get more details) or visit any of the links listed below.


(RED) to benefit the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

Feeding America

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Teach for America

World Wildlife Fund

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Or:

Pick Any Non-Profit

And what fabulous timing as the new black pants are in Gap, and Old Navy's got some cute new jeans. And 30% off Banana Republic jeans? A total steal, all while helping out a favored charity. It's totally win-win on 34th Street this weekend.


Gap Herald Square, 34th & Broadway
Banana Republic, 17 W. 34th between 5th & 6th Avenues
Old Navy, 150 W. 34th between Broadway & 7th Avenue

Toreador Fabulous

My new favorite Payless designer collab shoes, maybe ever (for this season):


















These are gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. It's not really fair to compare these to the Siriano talon heels that are practically a collectible and a completely different kind of shoe, but these Toledos, the Toreador, really set the bar high. The slightly architectural construction + very sexy red bow wrap + perfect heel + didn't hurt factor = new favorite. And all that for $44.99.

Intern Craig lovingly displays Toreador, and has anointed them "classic."














As soon as I put this shoe on, Intern Craig said "Buy!" However, he scorned my growing love for this Toledo...


















When I first saw it in store, and tried it on, I was disappointed as they looked much nicer on Isabel in Colette. But a few walks on the carpeted Payless runway in the size 10 aisle quickly changed my mind. These are ugly-pretty and I think I'm going to have to BOGO them with Toreador, Intern Craig be damned! Really, I see them as a perfectly stylish, rainy day shoe, or something a little odd to pair with jeans. I like a little odd in my shoes.


(Be sure to call your local Payless and see if they carry the designer lines, or go online, as several new styles of Toledo boots are now on the website.)


Payless, 34th Street & Broadway
& Payless, 34th Street & 8th Avenue

Really Great Black Pants

It's been a long time since I've thought about buying a new pair of black pants, mostly thanks to Theory (bought 10 years ago and still going strong) and Daffy's Herald Square (Patrizia Pepe, bought almost 3 years ago).

How many black pants does a girl need? Before Gap redesigned them, my answer was "2." Now, after visiting Gap Herald Square, I'm thinking "4 or 5."

#1: Really Skinny skinnies. For black pants, these are really skinny. Really. I think the picture below & above says "Really Skinny Pants." It also says, as all good skinny pants should, "Really long legs." Of course I'm cheating here a little because I do have long legs and these are "L's" (petites available online). Cut of these is Really Awesome.

Green utility jacket is $89.50. I like it very much but my torso is long for it. Is pigeon-toed the new awkward blogger pose, or am I late to the party?

#2. Slim Crop. I think my ideal slim crop is Cher's clam diggers in Mermaids. These are a close second.

I would actually spend $24.50 on this grey tank because it's long and soft as silk.
#3. True Straight. These are true-blue straight black pants, and the perfect basic for office work. I'm trying to show the waistband as they don't sit too low or high. They also don't hug the body as you can see the slightly baggy fall over the knees. True straight are no-brainer, comfortable blacks.

Other new, black Gap pants:

Boy Fit: No one likes a boy fit more than me, and these do the job nicely. But right now I'm looking for super skinny or super wide. Purple sweater is $59.50.
























Modern boot: less thrilling for me. I was hoping the boot cut would be a little more exaggerated. Shawl collar sweater is $49.50.


I'm usually a 6-8 at Gap, and the 8's all fit me perfect. Before you go yelling "vanity-sizing," understand that pre-Baby Herald I was a 6, and post-BH I'm an 8. I think Patrick Robinson is guiding the fit of his pants in the right direction (away from vanity sizing), but you size 0-4's may strongly disagree. I'd love to hear what you small sizes think about the fit of these new black pants.

All black pants are $59.50 except for the slim crop & true straight, which are $49.50.




Gap Herald Square, 34th Street & Broadway

MNG at JCPenney Manhattan Mall

Here are some of Intern Craig's picks from his visit yesterday to JCPenney's MNG by Mango in-store boutique.

Craig loved this trench, but the $159.90 price tag not so much. The sales associate said prices were dropping soon.I think Craig knew I would adore these booties ($150): a perfect basic with an elegant line.
Ditto to the blouse ($49.90): Craig did not like this, but I love it! Luckily the sales associate told him it was her favorite so Craig humored her and took this picture.
Black shirtdress with a spin: slightly bigger shoulders and cut slim through the torso, $49.90.
This is a nice start, but I'm investigating further in the dressing room this week. Craig's complaint? He felt the collection skewed conservative and wanted to see more trendy, Mango-strong pieces (the MNG on the JCPenney website looks very tempting). Try this: when you stop by MNG at JCPenney Manhattan Mall and don't see what you want, tell the sales associates. I do this all the time at my neighborhood grocery store, and now they stock French cider, organic baby cereal, and Santa Cruz strawberry lemonade.


MNG by Mango at JCPenney Manhattan Mall
Lower levels 1 & 2, 33rd Street & 6th Avenue

Isabel Toledo for Payless Paris Launch

Isabel and Ruben Toledo in the Paris boutique Colette, launching the Isabel Toledo for Payless collection.

I had to pass this news along from a Payless PR release I received today, especially as Fashion Herald is far away from 34th Street, roaming the Heartland, finding Botkier bags in second-hand stores in Des Moines, Iowa, and checking out the Iowa State Fair's biggest bull. It's ridiculous big.

But this collaboration is pretty big, too, and it took just a few pictures to win me over. Soon as I'm home I'm running to 34th Street and snatching up those yellow-heeled shoes (after running to JCPenney and snatching up some MNG). These shoes may not be in store yet, but if they are I'll post some IRL pics ASAP.

Payless, 34th Street & Broadway

Payless, 34th Street & 8th Avenue

More pictures from the Colette launch. This is the first time a Payless collab is being sold at Colette.

Bryant Park T's: Vote!

Nothing says "hipster retro" like a rainbow! Guess I'm a sucker for rainbows, or retro hipster chic, because this is my favorite Bryant Park t-shirt design. You can vote for your top three, just visit the Bryant Park blog and check your favorites. Keep in mind these are just initial renderings, but feel free to leave comments after you vote. The winners will be available in the near future at the Bryant Park online shop. (Go here if you're wondering why Fashion Herald is writing about Bryant Park T-shirts)

I'm rather fond of these two also, but especially as Baby Herald has the onesie version of the first.

Mark Wednesday In Your Book

The MNG by Mango shop opens up in JCPenney Manhattan Mall next Wednesday and Intern Craig will be there to check it out. I will be in Middle America visiting family, but as soon as I'm home I'm running to JCPenney to shop MNG. I'll post MNG images of the line here as soon as I get them from PR. Because I have nothing to show you now, the below are from Mango's site and are their main fall collection. Don't forget, MNG at JCPenney is not a collaboration, it's actual MNG pieces sold in a boutique within the store.













Also, for those of you who know kids, or friends with kids, be sure to tell them all about this contest:

Go here for details and to enter to win tickets to a special concert, “InTune Rocks,” featuring performances by Cody Simpson, Comic Book Heroes, & headliner Vita Chambers on August 26th at Hard Rock Café NYC in Times Square. Please don't ask me if I'm familiar with any of the above, that won't happen for another 10 years or so. Meanwhile, the rest of you with young kids should check out the new Uproar collection at JCPenney Manhattan Mall for back-to-school.


JCPenney Manhattan Mall, lower levels 1 & 2
33rd Street & 6th Avenue