Tuesday, November 30, 2010

What I'm Wearing Everyday: Extreme, Freaky Jeggings



Why didn't I buy this jacket? I could be wearing it every day too, grrr.
I'm hardly joking. Ever since just before last Fashion Week, when I dropped by American Eagle Outfitters, tried on their jeggings, and BOGO'd a blue and a green cargo, I've worn these jeggings practically every day. If I don't wear them to work, I pull them on for post-work bodega runs. And every Saturday and Sunday I wear a pair to push Baby Herald on the swings, do laundry, shop, or participate in big baby-pile meetups. I know, *sigh,* I'm now totally domesticated.


 These are really, really comfortable. And I'm impressed with how they've held up to my extreme, daily wear-and-tear. First they were my "Fashion Week uniform" pants, then they became "crawling on the floor" pants, and "puked-on" pants, and "wipe off the puke and wear them to work" pants. Today I'd still wear these to almost any event with the mandatory sky-high heels or boots. My only complaint is the jeggings in store are short for me, so I usually roll a cuff. I would buy them in long online, but only select styles of jeans, not the jeggings, are available in "Extended Sizes." Oh how I love politically correct sizing vocabulary. Let me un-PC translate: plus size, petite, tall, and really tall, aka all us freaks. When I have a clothing line, after I become famous and don't go to design school, I'm going to call my extended sizes "Freaky Sizes." Anyway, buy the AEO jeggings, they are incredibly comfortable and now even more chic, as I see they've added a zipper up the calf of the cargo jegging.

Too tight , wrong size! But cord jeggings are also adorable.
Zipper cargo.
 

American Eagle Outfitters, 40 W. 34th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues

Monday, November 29, 2010

Pants + Bling: 34th Street's Lane Bryant

Today I'm lucky enough to have a 34th Street Lane Bryant post from my co-worker, Barbara. She's always on 34th Street on the weekends inspecting the streets, and this past weekend she dropped by Lane Bryant for a look. Thanks, Barbara!

Being of an unfashionable size, I have been looking, for weeks, for a classic pant that would fit over my belly, where the legs don’t flair out like bell bottoms. I wear a size 18 or 18W, and more often than not, if I can actually zip up the pants over my rolls of fat, then the crotch hangs mid-thigh, or the waist hits at the bra-line. I was on 34th Street this past weekend, and decided to check out Lane Bryant, and was elated to find 2 pair of pants that actually fit! And the second pair was free.*


As I was standing in line to pay, I found the bling rack, which was also buy one, get the second pair free.* I got to check off several names from my Christmas list. I bought a great 72” black-onyx rope necklace for my sister-in-law, two colorful bracelets to give friends, and I am going to keep the silver ball earrings for myself. I was impressed by the quality, selection of styles, and value. I paid over $30 for a similar Ralph Lauren earring, and Lane Bryant’s version was $12. I know where I am buying my jewelry from now on.

Be sure to check out Barbara's fantastic blog, Carroll Gardens Brooklyn History.

Lane Bryant, 7 West 34th Street, 212-594-2115

*Please note that the BOGO free sale may have ended after this past weekend. Please call the store for more details about this and other Lane Bryant sales.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Black Friday as Busy as Ever on 34th Street

Corner of 34th & 6th at 6am

Black Friday morning demands: Standing in line at the registers at Toys"R"Us at 5:15am, a woman in front of me finally broke and loudly exclaimed "I am not carrying these bags! I need a cigarette and a ginger ale NOW." Well, it's a trying time for shoppers, and every year the stores open a littler earlier, with some throwing open the doors at 12:01am. Soon we'll all just eat our turkey then grab the credit cards and go.

While thinking I'd prefer coffee for the ginger ale and a bagel for the cigarette, I headed to my last stop of the morning, Gap Herald Square. Honestly, I'm not a Black Friday shopper. Every year I head to 34th Street to check out the early morning crowds, but this year I had to do some Baby Herald shopping, too. At Macy's Herald Square (4am) I picked up pink StrideRite boots almost half off, and at Toys"R"Us in Manhattan Mall I got a couple of Imaginarium balls. I stopped by JCPenney (4:45am) for a snowsuit but didn't see the right size and color, so after Manhattan Mall I headed to Gap Herald Square for snow gear and socks. Naive me. By 5:30am the lines were wrapped around the registers for the 50% off everything sale. I had to leave behind the white snowsuit with attached mittens and slippers and the pile of socks because I didn't have it in me to wait in those lines. Amateur!

34th & Broadway, 6am

And the state of shopping on 34th Street this holiday season? Well, the morning kickoff was certainly healthy. The stores weren't just packed early, but also packed full of people carrying multiple bags. JCPenney was handing out tiny Mickey Mouse snow globes at the entrance (enthralled by hers, BabyHerald managed to break it by 1pm), and staffers were everywhere with bags on wheels for shoppers' selections. Victoria's Secret had a line down the block at 6am, and Macy's at 4am was full of shoppers and press crews everywhere. There was even a line at the elevator to get to the upper floors, and that's where I spotted Terry Lundgren, CEO of Macy's, toughing it out with the rest of his staff for the very early morning start. Happy holiday shopping to everyone, and if you were out and about like me, I hope you all got a great deal this rainy Black Friday morning.
Macy's elevator line, 4am

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Black Friday Sales on 34th Street

Here are your annual Black Friday store hours and deals for the 34th Street area.*

Each year, we call the stores in the district so you don't have to. Check back until the day itself (click on the Black Friday icon on the right) as we'll continue to update specials this week. To get the best deals, be sure to plan an early trip to your favorite stores for one of the biggest shopping days of the year, as most doorbusters end by 1pm or earlier.


Aeropostale, Manhattan Mall
4am-11pm: 50%-70% off entire store, free fragrance to first 100 customers, free teddy bear with purchase of $100 (see store for details)
                    
Aeropostale, 15 W. 34th Street
12am-12am: same as above

Aerosoles, 36 W. 34th Street
5am-9pm: TBD

Afaze, Manhattan Mall
4am-11pm: No special sale

Aldo Shoes, 27 W. 34th Street
6am-11pm: Specials TBA on Black Friday

American Eagle Outfitters, 40 W. 34th Street
Midnight-Midnight: Early morning doorbusters: select hats, gloves, and scarves for $5, & 20% off entire purchase, select a.m. hours only. 20% coupons being given out now

B&H Photo & Video, 420 9th Avenue
9am-1pm: Click here for holiday offers.

Banana Republic, 17 W. 34th Street
5am-11pm: Doorbuster: 40% off entire store until noon, then afternoon sale

Bare Escentuals, 44 W. 34th Street
8am-9:30pm: All skincare 30% off, first 100 customers to spend over $60 dollars receive a free brush roll, gift with purchase over $60 throughout the day

Bebe, 1 W. 34th Street
5am-10pm: Doorbuster: 20% off entire purchase until noon; spend $125 & get $25 card

Billabong, 112 W. 34th Street
7am-11pm: Buy two items get the third of equal or lesser value free (select items)

Borders, 2 Penn Plaza at 32nd St & 7th Ave
8am-11pm: Borders Rewards members should look for their 50% off Black Friday coupon

Charlotte Russe, Manhattan Mall, 33rd & 6th Ave
4am-11pm: 25% or 50% off the entire store all day

The Compleat Strategist, 11 E. 33rd Street
10:30am-6pm: No special sales.

Daffy’s, 1311 Broadway
7am-10pm: 20% off cashmere sweaters

Dr. Jays, 33 W. 34th Street
5am-11pm: TBD

Esprit, 21 W. 34th Street
4am-midnight: 50% off the entire store from 4am-12pm, 40% off from 12pm-12am

Express, Manhattan Mall, level one
4am-10pm: 40% off everything before noon, 30% off after, special promos all day

Express, 7 W. 34th Street
5am-midnight: 40% off everything before noon, 30% off after, special promos all day

Famous Footwear, 250 W. 34th Street
6am-11pm: BOGO 1/2 sale continues, see store for details

Foot Locker, 120 W. 34th Street and 45 W. 34th Street
4am-midnight: Sales not disclosed until Black Friday

Foot Locker, Manhattan Mall
4am-11pm:Sales not disclosed until Black Friday

Footaction USA, 430 7th Avenue
4am-10pm: TBD

Footco, 249 W. 34th Street
6am-8:30pm: Polo boots on sale, and other sales TBA on Black Friday

Forever 21, 50 W. 34th Street
5am-7pm: Doorbusters TBA

Fossil, 38 W. 34th Street
8am-10pm: No special sale

Game Stop, 1282 Broadway
Midnight-midnight: Check flyer here for doorbusters

Game Stop, Manhattan Mall
TBD, but most likely will open with the mall at 4am. Check flyer here for doorbusters

Gap, 1282 Broadway
midnight to midnight: Doorbuster: 50% off almost everything from midnight to10am

Geox, 29 W. 34th Street
7am-11pm: Doorbuster: BOGO 1/2 off select items until noon

H&M, 47 W. 34th Street
5am-11pm: Select items on sale starting at $5, plus 30%-70% off store wide

H&M, 435 7th Avenue
5am-11pm: Select items on sale starting at $5, plus 30%-70% off store wide

JCPenney, Manhattan Mall
4am-midnight, doorbusters from 4am-1pm, check in on Foursquare or Facebook for extra deals: Check store ad for sale details

Jim Hanley's Universe, 4 West 33rd Street
7am-11pm: 30% off everything for those enrolled in customer appreciation program

Journeys, 1293 Broadway
midnight-midnight: Spend $75 or more, get $10 off ($ off increases w/more you spend, see store for details)

Kay Jewelers, 136 W. 34th Street
8am-10pm: Everything in the catalog is 10% off; if it's not in the catalog it's 25% off 

Kmart, 1 Penn Plaza
5am-11pm: Doorbusters 5am-11am. Go here for the flyer scan

Lane Bryant, 7 W. 34th Street
Midnight-10pm: BOGO free everything

LensCrafters, Manhattan Mall
8am-9pm: 50% off clearance frames, 30% off other frames

Lids, Manhattan Mall
6am-10pm: BOGO 1/2 off everything in store continues

Lush, 1293 Broadway
8am-11pm: No special sale

Macy's
, 151 W. 34th Street
4am-11pm: Doorbusters from 4am-1pm, and Saturday 8am-1pm. Check the store ad for sale details

Men's Warehouse, 10 W. 34th Street
9am-9pm: BOGO free everything in store

Modell's Sporting Goods, 1293 Broadway
5am-11pm: Check out ad here 

Old Navy,
150 W. 34th Street
Midnight-11:00pm: The first 200 customers will receive a free Dance Central game for Xbox w/ a $25 purchase. All customers will receive a free pair of cozy socks w/ a $25 purchase. All denim and sweaters for adults are $15. All pj bottoms are $5 and tank tops are $5. Customers can come in all weekend to sample out the dance central game in the store. Check out Black Friday ad here.
 
Orva Shoes,
34 W. 34th Street
9am-9pm: TBA on Black Friday

Payless Shoe Source, 110 W. 34th Street
7am-10pm: Up to 50% off select items

Payless Shoe Source, 484 8th Avenue

8am-8pm: Up to 50% off select items

Perfumania, 20 W. 34th Street
8am-9pm: Buy two get one free

P.S. from Aeropostale, Manhattan Mall
4am-10pm: Free teddy bear w/purchase of $75 or more, hoodies+pants sets are $10, & 50% off entire store

Radio Shack, Manhattan Mall
5am-10pm: Go early for the best deals, check store ad for details

Rock and Soul Electronics, 462 7th Avenue
9:30am-7pm: Vinyl Day and specials 

Sephora, 130 W. 34th Street
5am-9pm: Free tote with purchase

Skechers, 140 W. 34th Street
6am-10pm: TBA on Black Friday

Sprint PCS, 126 W. 34th Street
9am-9pm: Optimus free after rebates, Blackerry is BOGO free


Square One, Manhattan Mall
5am-11pm: TBD

Steve Madden Shoes, 41 W. 34th Street
6am-11pm: Scratch off cards w/ up to 50% off most styles in the store

Strawberry, 14 W. 34th Street
7am-8pm: 20% off everything before 11am. Go here for a weekend coupon.

Strawberry
, Manhattan Mall
6am-11pm: 20% off everything before 11am. Go here for a weekend coupon.

Sunglass Hut, 1313 Broadway
7am-11pm: TBA on Black Friday

Sunglass Hut, Manhattan Mall
6am-10pm: 30% off select items

Swarovski, 200 W. 34th Street
8am-9:30pm: Free hair brooch with purchase before noon, see store for details

T-Mobile, 124 W. 34th Street
9am-8pm: Every phone is an additional 50% off 

Toys R Us, Manhattan Mall
4am-11pm: Doorbusters till 1pm. See flyer for sale details

Verizon Wireless, 134 W. 34th Street
 8:30am-9pm: TBD 

Victoria's Secret, 1328 Broadway at 6th Avenue
6am-midnight: BOGO 1/2 off bras, select gift sets on sale

Victoria's Secret
, Manhattan Mall
6am-10pm: BOGO 1/2 off bras, select gift sets on sale

WHO.A.U, 22 W. 34th Street
7am-11pm: Doorbuster: BOGO free on everything from 7am-8am, & first 50 people in line get a $30 gift card. If you spend $75 or more you get a free holiday blanket, and other specials will be rolled out through the day hourly.

Zales
, 142 W. 34th Street
6:30am-9pm: Entire stock of jewelry and watches 15% off before 2pm

Zara,
6am-10pm: 50% off half the store's collection, see store for details
39 W. 34th Street


*Please check with stores for more details; the 34th Street Partnership, our stores listed, and the Fashion Herald blog cannot be held responsible for incorrect sale information. We do our best and double check, but cannot claim 100% accuracy.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Intern Craig's picks for Black Friday

After proving to myself that I could camp out overnight outside of a store last week, I think I'm going to be one of those crazies that stalks the door busters this Black Friday. A lot of stores are being really hush-hush this year but I utilized my Nancy Drew skills and found my favorite sales this year.


40% off everything until noon

Express and I have an odd relationship. We were best friends in high school. After graduation, Express changed and started acting like an Ed Hardy wannabe. I was heartbroken and shacked up with J. Crew, who is now my true love. Today, Express and I have managed to slowly become friends again. I salivated on all of the men's cardigans this past season. While I will never be 100% comfortable wearing a huge lion on my chest, Express is typically reasonably priced and perfectly sized.

50% off almost everything, midnight to 10am!

Like Express, Gap and I were caught in a tumultuous relationship for most of my adolescent life. Once Patrick Robinson took over, I've been in love. I think he's totally updated the brand without losing its values. And OMG I WANT GAP SWEATERS. If you knew me in real life, you would know that I have a terrible addiction to sweaters. In fact, if the Betty Ford Center offered a program for sweater addiction, I'd check myself in and room with Lindsay Lohan so we can both work on ourselves. I own many Gap sweaters including a fantastic gray striped cowl-necked cardigan from last year that is so unbelievably soft and comfortable. I could live in it but I don't want to neglect my 10,000 other sweaters.


Buy Two, Get One Free

As someone who feels the need to change scents every season (if cologne was cheaper, I'd change it every month), I am a regular at the 34th Street Perfumania. I love their back catalog of fragrances, including those not commonly found in stores. Laugh if you will, but it's incredibly difficult to find Paris Hilton for Men anywhere today! Perfumania is also the only store where you can find all of Britney Spears' perfumes including the special edition ones like Curious in Control and Curious Heart.

As you can tell, I'm probably not going to be staking out for high-priced ticket items like televisions but I am tempted by Kmart's promise of a trampoline that lights up for $225. Do you think my landlord would mind?

Monday, November 22, 2010

Lanvin for H&M: All Lanvin In Front...

...and a little too H&M in back for me. Meaning, when I turned to the side in the mirror, I saw too much fabric bulging in the back. But the front view? Gorgeous and all Lanvin. The skirt was so close to flawless, it was torture to not take it home. I put it on while I was wearing the Leg T and it was hysterically adorable together. But I couldn't reconcile myself to the excess fabric that bagged not just in the back of the skirt, but also a little in front.

The front view of the long-sleeved dress is all high-fashion and is the bargain in the collection at $99. Those puffy high shoulders are alone worth a long wait in line. But the back fit me ill, puckered and didn't lay flat. I grabbed an 8, so perhaps a 10 would have fit better? Also the one-shouldered dresses were tough for me to zip up in my size. I didn't think the entire collection was cut small as other items seemed true to size. The size 8 fur vest fit just right and the leggy T tunic was a roomy medium (in person this T is freaking fabulous, and this from a girl who isn't overly fond of tulle).

Love these furry beasts.
All of you in Europe wondering whether or not to go wait in line, if you're on the fence, go. I was thinking of skipping the release, but when my alarm went off at 5:50am, I checked my phone to see what Intern Craig was up to. When I saw on Twitter that he'd been toughing it out for hours on 34th and 7th, I knew I had to go. And now I thank him, as it was well worth it. Although I couldn't shop until 9:45am, I went up to men's at the 8am opening and picked up a trench, a hat, and a tote. The bright blue brogues looked a little cheap so I passed, and there were several black pairs leftover when I left. Coveted men's jackets were snatched up in seconds. The line bracelet'ing and 15 minute time slot for the ladies was fairly civilized, and the Herald Square staff had things well under control. Once you were in the pen and shopping, staff was everywhere helping with sizes. I did hear some complaints from shoppers who didn't realize once you left the pen, there was no going back.

If you are a masochist and feeling nostalgic for the true H&M collab crush, visit the men's at opening and shove your way around to a sequin tie. It's going to be a scramble. And as for sleeping out? In the US, getting there before 7am for an 8am opening got you a confirmed time slot for shopping. Good luck and happy Lanvin.

H&M Herald Square, 34th & 6th
H&M 34th & 7th

Serious Pushkart Deals

*Ed. note: This post has been updated since it was first published to amend one of the pushkart deals. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our readers.


Pushkart, the mobile shopping app that has deals for your neighborhood stores and more, is rolling out some tempting offers this week to celebrate the impending Black Friday shopping holiday. How to cash in? Download the Pushkart app on your smartphone, walk into one of the below establishments, scan the QR code, and redeem. The deal then gets pushed out to the social network you signed up on Pushkart.

Here's a list of some special, pre-Black Friday Pushkart deals. Free waffles? $30 worth of Bedford cheese for free? Free lobster rolls? Free highlights?! Get that app on your phone pronto!

  • Waffels & Dinges: The first 60 consumers get a free waffle (Union Square)
  • Johnny Rockets: Consumers get a free shake w/ any entrée, or a free entrée w/ the purchase of any entrée, or a free kids meal w/ the purchase of any entrée
  • Aroma Cafe is giving away 3 free cookies when you use Pushkart
  • Daffy’s: Special Pushkart deal on Black Friday in the Soho store
  • Bedford Cheese Shop: The first 10 consumers get a free $30 shopping spree
  • Luke’s Lobster: The first 25 consumers get a free lobster roll
  • Dramatics: Get a free Rock ‘N Roll Highlight ($100 value)

Please visit Pushkart's website for more details.
Giveaway Reminder: Win a free bottle of Purr, Katy Perry's new perfume! Go here to enter.
 

    Sunday, November 21, 2010

    Intern Craig Conquers Lanvin for H&M

    I did it. I stayed up all night all for the love of Alber Elbaz. I started my evening by comparing both of our H&M stores, Herald Square and Penn Station. The Herald Square line was shorter but the people at Penn Station were so much more fun.


    At 3 a.m, I decided to hop on line which was already 30 people long at that point. I quickly made friends with my partners in crime around me as we decided what we were getting. Some wise soul printed out every piece so we could make absolutely sure what to make a bee line for once inside.


    The line started to pick up around 4:30 and went all the way around 7th. The next three hours were the worst as the anticipation started to build up. It was at this point that I started asking all our Twitter followers about wearing a bow tie. Clearly the fatigue had gotten to me because you couldn't pay me to wear a bow tie on a good day.



    Luckily around 7, we were treated with coffee and croissants. I declined the coffee because it would just get in the way of my main focus, the leopard print tee.

    We all got cute tote bags with our wristbands. Enjoy this picture of the fabulous LaDivaSosa, number 1 in line with her tote!
    I headed down to the women's section first to investigate the scene but I couldn't get any pictures because I was so overwhelmed. By the time I got to men's, it had been decimated. I was lucky enough to grab the tee and bolt before collapsing into a Lanvin coma for the better part of a day.

    If you didn't have a chance to stop by the stores today, keep your eyes peeled around the city. Many shoppers are going to be returning the pieces they don't want, which means you'll have a second chance at Lanvin. Good luck!

    H&M Herald Square, 34th & 6th Avenue
    H&M 34th & 7th Avenue

    Thursday, November 18, 2010

    LeBron and Lanvin

    Brooding...
    and brooding.

    Are you over LeBron James going to Miami, yet? Resolved to do anything for a Lanvin H&M dress? Or wondering what the hell I'm talking about? Well, it's line waiting week on 34th Street for two well-known and highly coveted brands: Lebron and Lanvin.



    Visit Footaction on 34th and 7th Avenue this evening for the midnight release party of LeBron's Nike Air Max LeBron 8 "South Beach" shoe. Yeah, "South Beach," not "Midtown" or "34th Street" or "The Garden," all of which, IMHO, sound a lot more basketball than "South Beach." Oh, well, at least tonight Footaction is throwing a party with a raffle, DJ, and prizes; click on the flyer above for more details. But if you're a serious sneakerhead, you're probably at Footaction on 34th & 7th right now waiting in line.

    And don't forget that both H&Ms on 34th Street are carrying the Lanvin for H&M and are opening early at 8am on Saturday. Intern Craig and I reviewed strategy yesterday. The drag king in me wants to run with him to mens and get the bright blue brogues. But I really, really need the above black dress for $99. Below are several other things I'd like. If you want any Lanvin, you're going to have to act like a sneakerhead and get in line early Saturday morning, because the first 320 at each store get a color-coded bracelet that enables them to shop for 15 minutes, starting at 8am, before the collection is opened to the public. Also, bring supplies, because this also means you could be in line until noon on Saturday. Check Racked NY for more details.



    Footaction 34th Street and 7th Avenue
    H&M Herald Square, 34th Street just east of 6th Avenue
    H&M 34th Street and 7th Avenue

    Wednesday, November 17, 2010

    Tough Holiday List? Visit the One of a Kind Show


    Tomorrow through Sunday, the One of a Kind Show starts its final weekend at 7 West 34th Street. If you've got some challenges on your holiday shopping list this year, you should stop by and let One of a Kind help you out. This market has a select group of artisans selling their handmade goods, including gorgeous cutting boards, wooden bowls, jewelry, and even shoes. The show opened last weekend, and I dropped by with my family to check it out. We were immediately distracted by this:
























    Bring a newspaper and take a break in between shopping, because this cafe in the middle of the market is irresistible. And there's chalk on the tables so everyone can write on the wall. When you're feeling rested and rejuvenated after coffee and a snack, you can then go shopping for some of this:
    P.Gaddi's truly special bags, E10

    Rogue Confections edible cupcake papers, Booth D9

    Cordwainer Shop's handmade shoes, C9

    Grey 56 leather belts and bags, C5


    Entrance to the show is $15, but we have an extra pass at the Partnership, so if you live in New York City or are in town this weekend, email me at fashionherald@gmail.com and I'll try and get it to you in time to shop this weekend. And fyi, this is not an inexpensive street market, so expect to pay a little more for beautiful, handmade, and yes, one-of-a-kind gifts.


    One of a Kind Show, 7 W. 34th Street just west of 5th Avenue

    Tuesday, November 16, 2010

    The Fabulous Empire Room



    The perfect complement to the Empire State Building.

    Last night we got some friends together at The Empire Room, had some too-too delicious Mistletoe Martinis garnished with cranberries and mint, scarfed tons of truffle popcorn, and met some gorgeous new blogger friends. Needless to say, today things are slightly fuzzy and we're wondering how many calories is in one of these glass containers full of truffle popcorn?

    This must have been after I said OK everyone, tweet!

    You've got to go to the Empire State Building's new lounge and treat yourself to some cocktails while reclining glamorously on one of their beautiful couches. This is also the perfect room to socialize with a group, as the above couches were made for easy conversing with multiple friends, there are no TVs to distract, and no blaring music till the appropriate 8pm start time of possible witching hours. And, ladies and gentlemen, this atmosphere is all Mad Men chic so feel free to dress it up as much as you please.

    Intern Craig & gorgeous Sara. Craig's in all the shots!
    Posing on the couch.
    Me and Lindsey at the start of the night. Where's Intern Craig?
    Got him!
     
    Me, I needed a new dress for the evening because sadly, all my LBDs are a little too little for me. I'd like to continue blaming this on Baby Herald, but now that she's more than one year old I need a new excuse. I rarely need an excuse, however, to drop by the MNG by Mango at JCPenney in Manhattan Mall:

    Shiny shoulders, shiny belt, and a flattering cut for a knit.

    Cute, and although it's a knit it's not a clingy knit. Still, even sans cling, I'm not quite ready for knits yet. So I checked out my reliable go-to store, Daffy's Herald Square. I was going to go short and tight with a darling Theory dress, but I'm not quite ready for short and tight again so I did something loose and romantic from Transit. I don't have a good full-length shot of the dress yet, stay tuned for more pictures. The above are almost all from the beginning of the evening, after which I abandoned my camera on the table full of drinks and popcorn.

    Thanks to Bliss for providing gift bags, and @ShopDaffys for surprising us with very generous gift cards. And be sure to add The Empire Room to your list of where to go when you're out shopping with your girls, or going to a show, or needing a glamorous drink spot. And don't forget that truffle popcorn.

    The Empire Room
    ground floor of the Empire State Building, entrance on 33rd west of 5th Avenue
    Daffy's Herald Square, Herald Center at 34th Street & Broadway
    JCPenney Manhattan Mall, lower levels 1 & 2, 33rd Street & Broadway

    Monday, November 15, 2010

    The New Shoe Store on 34th Street


    Le Chateau is gone, and Orva Shoes has moved in to 34th Street. Expect a lot of outdoor and comfort shoes, like Merrell, Hunter boots (including a wall full of the fleece liners), and Sperry Topsider duck boots. There's also a lot of Ralph by Ralph Lauren, a lot of Clarks, and a lot of Minnetonka mocs by the door, including a pair of ankle moccasin boots I've got my eyes on. I consider this addition to 34th Street to be a replacement of the Florsheim Shoes we lost to the Sovereign Bank at the northern tip of Herald Square, and kind of the staple fill-in for the old Shoe Mania that used to be across the street. Except Orva Shoes is nice and big and easy to shop.













     Dark grey or the more typical moc color? So hard to choose...



    Orva Shoes, 34 W. 34th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues

    Friday, November 12, 2010

    Shopping for Charity: Give and Get is Back at Gap

    Choose a charity below, print up your coupon, bring into Gap, Banana Republic, or Old Navy this weekend, and get 30% off. And here's the feel-good angle: 5% of what you spend goes to the charity you chose. So go do some good and get down to Herald Square and shop!

     






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