Make it a Happy, Sequinned 2011

Herald Square during the December 2010 snowstorm. Photo courtesy of the 34th Street Partnership.

Happy Snow Year! Although I'm missing all of this NYC snow as we're out of town, our staff is out and about shooting snowy street scenes like the Bennett Memorial in Herald Square, above. While you're trudging through the snow, looking for last minute additions to your New Year's Eve look, stop by JCPenney in Manhattan Mall for sequinned extras, like these Olsenboye booties, below. JCPenney has also got some adorable sequinned clutches and sparkly accessories. Enjoy celebrating the beginning of 2011, and let it be a peaceful and joyous new year for us all.



Photo courtesy of Jan Danczak blog


JCPenney Manhattan Mall, lower levels 1&2, 33rd & Broadway

Craig's Last Beauty Post: All About Eyes

It's his last day, and he can rant if he wants to. Adieu, glorious Intern Craig! I miss you already.

Ladies, we need to have a discussion. Stop wearing scary eyeshadows! Today I'm breaking away from my usual love of Sephora and heading across the street to the MAC kiosk in Macy's Herald Square. MAC's reputation obviously precedes it and for good reason: amazing makeup and great prices for the quality of the product. It's no surprise that most makeup artists rely strictly on MAC.

I'm in awe of the new tartan collection just because the shadows are just too much fun to look at. My favorite color is definitely the Golden Crown. This light taupe is a color that every woman (or drag queen) should have in her makeup bag. You can sweep this all over the lid if you're in a hurry or use it as a highlighter along the brow bone if you'll be using other colors for a more dramatic look.











If you like to rock the boat with your eye color, then take a look at the mineralize eye shadow duo in Fresh Green. You can mix the colors together for an awesome mix of greens, golds, blues, and browns, or you can use them separately to create some depth on the lid. Combine with a gold or sheer shimmer to complete the look.

If you're constantly on the go and don't have time to apply and blend, then perhaps you should opt for the shadestick in Shimmersand. It's a light shimmery brown and can be applied directly to the lid and blended with your finger as you ride the train to work. It's not the most ideal makeup situation, but for the woman on the go one must make compromises.

MAC kiosk in Macy's Herald Square
First Floor on 34th Street between Broadway & 7th Avenue

Intern Craig's Picks: Men's Jeans Extravaganza

I will always be on the hunt for the perfect pair of jeans, and until I'm rich enough to afford custom made jeans, I make do with what I find on 34th Street. Join me on this journey for the perfect pant.

A nice screen cap from the site because I refuse to let you watch me shop for jeans

Gap and I have had a very up and down relationship, as I have noted in the past. While I love Gap's shirts, sweaters, and essentially anything else they make for the waist up, I am not in love with their jeans. I find that their pants are either too tight or too baggy for me. I can never find the perfect fit. The 1969 collection is sadly no exception. The skinny is too skinny all over for me, but the straight is too loose in the leg.

At Old Navy everything was far too loose for me, including the regular cut jeans which are supposed to be body hugging. I don't like these for a designer jeans substitute. If you're looking for a cheap pair of jeans to roll around in, Old Navy is your place. If you're looking for a decent pair to wear out, keep looking.

But do not fear, this post isn't all bad news. I found my holy grail at American Eagle! The slim cut jeans are fantastic; snug but not too tight and they last quite a while in between washes. The following is a little disgusting but useful advice: jeans shouldn't be washed after every use. It fades the dye and deteriorates the denim. Only wash once they've become too stretched out to be skinny jeans anymore!

So, there you have it. I will shout my love of American Eagle jeans from the rooftops for all of 34th Street to hear. I hope you'll partake.

Some Borders Lovin'

Update: Below is an Intern Craig Borders review. Thank-you, Intern Craig!

I don't think we give Borders the love and affection it deserves. I'm sure there are plenty of people that hate the chain bookstore but I, for one, am a huge advocate for the mega bookstore. They discount their new releases and I can get a good cup of coffee under the same roof. While I wish there was more sitting space at this Borders so I can relax (and read books for free), I still make it over a couple of times a month just to wander the literature section and see what's on the B2GO free table.

I'm sure you're brimming with extra Christmas money so why not spend it on something productive like a new book for your winter break? If you're one of those lucky folks that are in the work force and don't have a winter break, then why not buy a book to entertain yourself on those days that you're stuck inside because of the treacherous snow?

If you see yourself having a plethora of time to fill, enjoy this fine Russian classic by the master of Russian literature. I first read Crime and Punishment during my senior year in high school and I've been in love with it ever since. If you aren't a strong reader, you may want to get the Spark Notes to fill in any gaps. Russian literature can be incredibly tedious and confusing, but totally worth it at the end.

If you want to pick up some skills this winter, I suggest reading any of Alton Brown's cookbooks. If you aren't a Good Eats fan, I suggest you watch his show immediately. He is a culinary genius and he scares me with the depth of his food knowledge. I can vouch for many of his recipes including his turkey recipe for Thanksgiving, which stands to be the most popular recipe on Foodnetwork.com ever.




If you'd like to take this time to learn about a true American legend, then perhaps you should read...

Justin Bieber's autobiography! Just reading the title "First Step 2 Forever: My Story" lets you know that this is going to be a piece of groundbreaking literature. Just look at the compositional risk Mr Bieber took by substituting the word "to" with the number 2. Truly the J.D. Salinger of our time. I couldn't bring myself to actually open the book but I trust that there are plenty of blogs run by 13-year old girls that contain countless raves on this fine novel.

Don't be fooled by my suggestions. Borders has a great collection of movies and music upstairs, as well as countless other book departments. Stop in soon and check it out for yourself. And sign up for Borders Rewards to get perks like free coffee and extra discounts.

Borders, 2 Penn Plaza at 32nd St & 7th Ave

And Esprit, Of Course!

My poor Esprit post got lost in the cracks of the holiday gift posts last week, but we're all probably still out shopping this week, returning gifts, checking out sales, and finally buying for ourselves again and keeping the economy going. So be sure to drop by Esprit on 34th Street because it's full of great winter items and the sales there lately have been fantastic.

Esprit, 21 W. 34th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues

Best 34th Street Gifts, The Last Day: Lanvin for H&M Giveaway!

Win this Lanvin for H&M t-shirt!

Happy Holidays means Happy Giveaway, and this holiday season on Fashion Herald we're giving away this fabulous Lanvin for H&M "Sexy legs" T-shirt seen I tried on here:

Sadly, we have no fabulous Lanvin for H&M skirt to give away with the T-shirt...

...but I'll throw in the wardrobe bag!

It's a medium, and it's long, and it's so much more cute in person than I could have ever imagined. So here's the deal: Leave a comment on the blog saying "I'm going to miss Intern Craig," and you are entered to win (US and Canada only).* Yes, Intern Craig is leaving me the end of this year so I'm in mourning.

For extra entries, one must jump through hoops and do the following:

• Follow me on Twitter and tweet "I'm going to miss Intern Craig" (be sure to @fashionherald)
• Like me on Facebook and comment on the page "I'm going to miss Intern Craig"
• Follow me on bloglovin' and tell me about it
• Follow me on Blogger and tell me about it
• Go to our home page and submit your vote in our poll and tell me about it

Good luck and happy, happy holidays!


*Contest is up through January 2nd, 2011, and winner will be announced on the 3rd. Please check back if your contact information is not readily available, and email me if you've won. I'll give the winner until the end of the day on Wednesday, January 5th, to contact me. If the winner does not contact me by the 5th, the T-shirt goes to the runner-up (and so on, and so on...).

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

H&M 34th Street, 7th Avenue and 34th Street

Best 34th Street Gifts Day 8: Last-Minute Swarovski Bling

Today Intern Craig visits the gorgeous Swarovski boutique on 34th & 7th for some last-minut gift shopping.

In your rush to evacuate the city before Christmas, be sure to stop by the Swarovski store at the entrance to Penn Station on 7th Avenue. While this isn't the most frugal place to grab gifts, the giftee will surely remember it forever.

I think jewelry can be somewhat impersonal unless you absolutely know the person's taste. Yet, Swarovski will certainly have you covered. Enjoy this great wall of rings. There is an assortment from the subtle but classic, to the big and bright. Take your pick.

If you're scared to rock the boat with something as particular as a ring, you can opt for a set like the above, which is perfectly priced at $100. Both pieces are timeless so this is a great present for mom, girlfriend, aunt, and any other female on your list.

I've left the best for last and to say that I squealed like that pig on the right is an understatement: SWAROVSKI ANIMAL FLASH DRIVES. I'm always losing my flash drives but you better believe that I will attach it to my body if I had a Swarovski one. How can you resist that turtle?

Don't be afraid to check out Swarovski even if you're done with your shopping. Sometimes it's nice to just look at something pretty for a while. Enjoy!

Swarovski, 200 W. 34th Street at 7th Avenue

Weekend Sales: Posted Early for Holiday Deals on 34th Street

Sales are posted every Friday for the upcoming weekend. early this week due to holiday sales. Please note that many of these offers will expire on the following Monday before/after the holiday!*


Aeropostale, 15 W. 34th & Manhattan Mall, 33rd & 6th Avenues

• Holiday blowout sale, up to 70%off
• $10 off every time you spend $50, $25 off when you spend $100 go here for coupon
• After Christmas prices Now: Stocking stuffers for $5, tops for $9, PJ pants for $0, hoodies for $12, sweaters for $15

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

• BOGO 50% off all AE tops
• Select cold weather gear is $10 off

B&H Photo & Video, Ninth Avenue at 34th Street

• Click for holiday offers 

Banana Republic, 17 W. 34th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues

• 30% off all sale items until Christmas Day

 
Bebe, 1 W. 34th Street just west of 5th Avenue

• BOGO 30% off select items (see store for details)

Borders, 2 Penn Plaza at 32nd St & 7th Ave

• Borders Rewards members get 33% off any one item through Dec. 24th

Esprit, 21 W. 34th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues

• 40% off entire store, 50% off sale items: does not include shoes (except rain boots), handbags, watches, or perfume. Sale will probably go till Christmas, call store for details: 212-904-1996

Express, 7 W. 34th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues
Express, Manhattan Mall level 1, 33rd Street & 6th Avenues 

• For her: 50% off all military shirts and select party dresses; For him: 50% off all graphic T's and sweaters.
• 40% off all outerwear for him and her
• For her: 40% off select sweaters, select pants, and all bra camis
• For him: 40% off all dress shirts, all waffle T's, all ties

Famous Footwear, 250 W. 34th between 7th & 8th Avenues

• BOGO 50% off, plus, shop this week's ad and get an extra 15% off your entire purchase

Gap, 60 W. 34th Street at Broadway

• 12/21: Take an extra 40% off everything (see store for details for all sales)
• 12/22: Take an extra 30% off
• 12/23: Take an extra 25% off

Geox, 29 W. 34th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues

• 30% off select boots
• 40% off select mocassins
• 49% off select sneakers
• 30% off coats

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

H&M, 34th Street & 7th Avenue

• Kids dresses from $5
• Dresses and knitwear from $10
• Select jackets 50% off, and more!

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

• Check the store ad for up-to-date holiday sales

Kmart, 1 Penn Plaza at 7th Avenue

• Great Gifts Just in Time for Christmas!

Lane Bryant, 7 W. 34th Street between 5th & 6th

• Cacique Semi-Annual Sale: all bras are Buy Two Get Two Free, + more deals
• Jewelry is BOGO 1/2 off

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

• The Last One-Day Sale Before Christmas

Men's Wearhouse, Empire State Building, 350 Fifth Avenue (entrance on 34th Street)

• Year End Sale: BOGO free on everything

Old Navy, 150 W. 34th Street between Broadway & 7th Avenue

• Check out store ad for everything on sale

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

• 20% off all men's and women's boots (excluding Hunter and Uggs)

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

& 

Strawberry, 14 W. 34th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues

• Holiday Sale!
• Take an extra 20% off all XOXO handbags

Who.A.U. , 22 W. 34th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues

• 30% off all outerwear, including sale items
• Sign up for the WHO.A.U Pioneer Pass and get an extra 10% off

Zara, 39 W. 34th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues

• Store-wide sale begins on December 24th

*All sale information is subject to change. Please contact stores for more information.

Best 34th Street Gifts, Day Six: The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park

Because I also work for Bryant Park, and every year help chose vendors and write about The Holiday Shops for Bryant Park, I'm cross-posting one of our Shop the Season video posts today. You've got less than four shopping days left before Christmas, but no worries, you can knock a lot off your list in one stop at Bryant Park. And if there's a fashion addict you'd like to please, I recommend a visit to Sandra Baquero Designs. Here's why:



ADORE. Sandra has an Etsy shop you can visit through the year, but there's a great and varied selection to try on IRL in her Bryant Park holiday shop. Visit our Bryant Park blog Shop the Season posts for tons more information on the varied and fabulous vendors in The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park.

Sandra Baquero Designs

Booth K06 in the Upper Terrace of the park (map)

The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park 

Open through January 2, 2011

Official hours*

Monday – Friday: 11am – 8pm
Saturday: 10am – 9pm
Sunday: 10am – 6pm

*Look for special extended hours during the holidays. Some shops may be open on Christmas Day.

Best 34th Street Gifts, Day Five: Desigual for the Family

Don't forget about Desigual on 34th Street and Fifth Avenue for great holiday gifts. Desigual is a natural holiday fit, considering the colorful clothes themselves are like wrapping paper. And if you need a cute gift for a kid, please, I'm begging you, go to the back of the store and check out the kid's section. Desigual colors and patterns are the perfect fit for kid wear:



The first sweater above I shot back in November, but the wall and the heart T-shirt are now in store. Irresistible.

And if you're looking for a winter coat while holiday shopping, be sure to keep an eye out for Desigual's promotion: $100 off items that have the Santa hat tag. There were lots of tags on coats:

 And don't forget about the little things for her (or his) holiday stocking. I love the patterned tights, and the accessories by the register are charming:

Love the men's cap, denim mini, and messenger bags...

 Crappy iPhone photo, great undies + scarf!

This is just adorable. All-in-one no-brainer!

And there's another great promotion currently in store: 20% off everything, and if you buy a second item that item is 30% off (please see store for details, promotion runs until the 26th). Happy 34th Street holiday shopping!



Desigual, 358 Fifth Avenue at 34th Street

Best 34th Street Gifts, Day Four: Stirrings for Your Host

Stirrings mixers are served on 34th Street at Uncle Jack's Steakhouse, 440 Ninth Avenue, but you can buy Stirrings gift sets online here. Also, check with your local spirits outlet and request some Stirrings if they don't already carry it, because these mixers are delicious and the sets make for a great hostess gift. Stirrings is made with natural ingredients and cane sugar as opposed to corn syrup, which I really like, and which means you can easily make great non-alcoholic drinks for the holidays (have you ever made a virgin margarita with the usual, too-sweet margarita mix? Yugh.). Click here for the Apple-Teany recipe.

Me and Midtown Girl! Click here to see I Spy DIY's great pics. I'm giving my sister the Cocktail Connoisseur set we received as she's hosting Christmas this year.

Amy from Midtown Girl invited me to the Stirrings Naked Bartender Preview Party in the Empire State Building, which is where? 34th Street! Was he really naked? No worries, I immediately confirmed that the bartender was wearing pants. But you don't have to tell your friend that when you send them a Stirrings Naked Cocktail Greeting via Facebook or email. I sent one to Intern Craig as he's finishing up his tenure here at Fashion Herald :( Boohoohoo! I know, I'm still mourning. I thought the photo below would be perfect for his Stirrings Greeting:

Suddenly I want to sing "O, Holy Night."

Chose a photo of your friend and it sits on the Naked Bartender's bar and he talks to you and shows you how to prepare a lovely little something. Craig's enormous snood up there is from Gap Herald Square, and we both snatched them up for $25 back in October. I've been meaning to blog about them since, as they're perfect in this windy, cold weather, while still maintaining one's diva-chic winter look.

Best thing to remember about Stirrings is they make things very easy for your host or hostess, so that means they'll never forget how you helped them out this fabulously busy holiday season.

Best 34th Street Gifts, Day Three: Smart Toys

The old LOFT space is now a toy pop-up.

This one's a no-brainer. If you've got kids on your list, Smart Toys is your 34th Street toy, game, lego, and Elmo destination. And really, that's just the short list.

A shopping cart, good training ground.

Barbie is going to make her smarter, right?!

I like some Japanese animation in my toy store.

Lace-up practice, I love it!

There's a huge selection of Melissa and Doug, especially the classics.

I'm so getting this for the next office nerf war.

There's a huge selection of trucks!

Disney princesses are also well-represented.

Brilliant! Get two to save your parking space next snowstorm.

I hear Santa shops Smart Toys, too.

Will all these toys make the kid smarter? Probably as much as banging on a pot with a wooden spoon. But you're not putting pots and spoons under the Christmas tree from Santa, are you? All that banging will just interrupt your Christmas Day nap. And who can resist all those cute Melissa and Doug toys? Or a wall of trucks? Smart Toys also has a huge selection of board games, sporting balls, PlayMobils, a wall of Star Wars legos, and plenty of Fisher Price. There's a Toys-R-Us in Manhattan Mall, but Smart Toys has a lot more square footage, so I think you'll find just about everything here.

Smart Toys, 35 W. 34th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues

Happy Extended Hours Holiday on 34th Street!

So, for all those that didn't go absolutely nuts buying gifts on Black Friday, we've put together a list of stores on 34th Street that have special hours this holiday season.

                  

Aeropostale, 15 W. 34th Street
Open from 9am-9am until December 23rd
Christmas Eve and Day are TBD 

Aldo Shoes, 27 W. 34th Street

Sat. Dec 18th: 10am-10pm
Sun. Dec. 19th: 10am-8pm
Dec. 20th-23rd: 9:30am-9pm
Fri. Dec. 24th: 8am-7pm
Christmas Day: closed
Fri. Dec. 31st: 8am-6pm
Sat. Jan. 1st: 10am-6pm

American Eagle Outfitters, 40 W. 34th Street

Fri. Dec 17th: 9am-11pm

Sat. Dec 18th: 9am-midnight

Dec 19th-23rd: 9am-midnight

Fri. Dec 24th: 9am-7pm

Christmas Day: closed

Fri. Dec 31st & Sat. Jan 1st: 10am-7pm

Banana Republic, 17 W. 34th Street

Through Sat. Dec 18th: 9am-10pm
Sun. Dec 19th: 10am-9pm
Dec 20th-23rd: 9am-10pm
Fri. Dec 24th & Sun. Dec 26th: 8am-9pm
Christmas Day: closed

Bare Escentuals, 44 W. 34th Street

Through Sat. Dec 18th: 9am-11pm
Sun. Dec 19th: 9am-8pm
Dec. 20th-23rd: 9am-11pm
Fri. Dec 24th: 9am-7pm
Christmas Day: closed

Bebe, 1 W. 34th Street

Open 9am-10pm through Dec. 23rd, except Sun. Dec 19th: 11am-9pm
Christmas Day: closed

Billabong, 112 W. 34th Street

Dec. 17th & 18th: 9am-11pm
Sun. Dec 19th: 9am-10pm
Fri. Dec 24th: 12am-possibly 10pm
Christmas Day: open noon-6 or 7pm

Borders, 2 Penn Plaza at 32nd St & 7th Ave
Sat. Dec 18th: 9am-11pm
Sun. Dec 19th: 9am-10pm
Mon-Thu. Dec 20th-23rd: 8am-11pm
Fri. Dec 24th: 8am-6pm
Christmas Day: closed
Sun. Dec 26th: 9am-9pm
Mon-Thu. Dec 27th-30th: 8am-10pm
Fri. Dec 31st: 8am-7pm
Sat. Jan 1st: 9am-10pm

Daffy’s, 1311 Broadway

10am-10pm until Christmas Eve
Fri. Dec 24th: 9am-7pm
Christmas Day: closed

Dr. Jays, 33 W. 34th Street

Fri. Dec 17th: 9am-11pm
Sat. Dec 18th: 7am-11pm
Dec. 20th-23rd: 9am-10pm
Fri. Dec 24th: 7am-11pm
Christmas Day: 9am-??

Esprit, 21 W. 34th Street

8am-11pm until Christmas Eve
Fri. Dec 24th: 8am-9pm
Christmas Day: closed
Sun. Dec 26th: open till 9pm

Express, 7 W. 34th Street

9am-9pm until Christmas Day

Christmas Day: TBD

Famous Footwear, 250 W. 34th Street
Dec. 17th-18th: 8am-11pm
Sun. Dec 19th: 8am-10pm
Dec. 20th-23rd: 9am-9:30pm
Fri. Dec 24th: open till 7pm
Christmas Day: closed

Foot Locker, 120 W. 34th Street
Dec. 19th-23rd: 8am-11pm
Fri. Dec 24th: 7am-7pm
Christmas Day: closed
Sun. Dec 26th: 8am-11pm

Foot Locker, 45 W. 34th Street
Dec. 17th-19th: 9am-11pm
Dec. 20th-23rd: 9am-10pm
Fri. Dec 24th: 9am-7pm
Christmas Day: closed  

Footaction USA, 430 Seventh Avenue at 34th Street

Dec. 17th-18th: 8am-11pm
Sun. Dec 19th: 9am-10pm
Dec. 20th-23rd: 8am-midnight
Fri. Dec 24th: 7am-midnight
Christmas Day: closed

Forever 21, 50 W. 34th Street

Regular hours, but close at 7pm on Christmas Eve
Christmas Day: closed

Fossil, 38 W. 34th Street

9am-10pm until Christmas Eve
Fri. Dec 24th: 8am-7pm
Christmas Day: closed

Game Stop, 1282 Broadway between 33rd & 34th Streets

8:30am-10pm until ChristmasDay
Christmas Day: closed

Gap, 1282 Broadway at 34th Street

Wed. Dec 15th: 9am-10pm
Dec. 16th-17th: 8am-10pm
Dec. 18th-19th: 9am-1pm
Dec. 20th-22nd: 8am-11pm
Open 7am Dec. 23rd until 11pm on Dec. 24th
Christmas Day: closed
Sun. Dec 26th: 8am-9pm

Geox, 29 W. 34th Street

9am-10pm until Christmas Eve
Fri. 12/24: 9am-7pm
Christmas Day: closed

H&M, 47 W. 34th Street

8am-midnight until Christmas Eve
Fri. 12/24: 8am-7pm
Christmas Day: closed

H&M, 435 Seventh Avenue at 34th Street

8am-midnight until Christmas Eve
Fri. 12/24: 5am-9pm
Christmas Day: closed

JCPenney, Manhattan Mall, 33rd & Broadway

Fri: Dec 17: 8am-midnight
Sat. Dec 18: 6am-midnight
Sun. Dec 19: 8am-11pm
Mon. Dec 20-Dec 23: 7am-midnight
Fri. Dec 24: 7am-6pm
Christmas Day: closed
Sun. Dec 26: 7am-10pm
Fri. Dec 31: 9am-8pm
Sat. Jan 1: 9am-10pm

Journeys, 1293 Broadway at 34th Street

7am-11pm until Christmas Day
Christmas Day: closed

Kmart, 1Penn Plaza (34th west of Seventh Avenue)

6am-midnight until Christmas Eve
Fri. Dec 24th: 6am-9pm
Christmas Day: closed

Lane Bryant, 7 W. 34th Street

8am-9pm until Sun. Dec 19th
Sun. Dec 19th: 10am-7pm
Dec. 20th-24th: TBD, call 212-594-2115 for details
Christmas Day: closed

Macy's, 151 W. 34th Street

8am-midnight until Dec. 18th
Sat. Dec 18th: 7am-midnight
Sun. Dec 19th: 7am-11pm
Mon. Dec 20th: 7am-midnight
Open round the clock starting Tuesday Dec 21st at 7am until Thursday Dec 23rd at midnight
Fri. Dec 24th: 7am-6pm
Christmas Day: closed
Sun. Dec 26th: 7am-9pm
Dec.27th-Dec. 30th: 10am-10pm
Fri. Dec 31st: 10am-7pm
Sat. Jan 1st: 10am-10pm

Manhattan Mall Stores

Fri. 12/17 & Sat. 12/18: 9am-10pm
Sun. 12/19: 9am-9pm
Mon. 12/20-12/23: 9am-10pm
Fri. 12/24: 7am-6pm
Christmas Day: closed
Sun. 12/26: 11am-7pm
Fri. 12/31-1/1: 10am-6pm

Men's Warehouse, 10 W. 34th Street

Fri. Dec 24th: 11am-6pm
Christmas Day: closed

Modell's Sporting Goods, 1293 Broadway at 34th Street

5am-11pm: Check out ad here 

Old Navy, 150 W. 34th Street

Open 24 hours Dec. 17th-Dec. 24th, closing at 7pm on Dec. 24th
Christmas Day: closed
Sun. 12/26: 5am-11pm
Dec. 27th-30th: 9:30am-10pm
Fri. Dec 31st: 10am-7pm
Sat. Jan 1st: 9am-10pm

Orva Shoes, 34 W. 34th Street

Dec. 17th-18th: 9am-10pm
Dec. 19th-24th: 9am-9pm
Christmas Day: closed

Payless Shoe Source, 110 W. 34th Street

Regular hours
Christmas Day: closed

Payless Shoe Source, 484 Eighth Avenue

Regular hours
Christmas Day: closed

Perfumania, 20 W. 34th Street

9am-9pm Dec. 20th-23rd
Fri. Dec 24th: 9am-8pm
Christmas Day: closed

Sephora, 130 W. 34th Street

8am-10pm until Sun. Dec. 19th
7am-11pm until Dec. 24th
Fri. Dec 24th: 7am-9pm
Christmas Day: closed

Skechers, 140 W. 34th Street

Closing at 8pm on Christmas Eve
Christmas Day: closed

Smart Toys, 35 W. 34th Street
Dec. 17th-23rd: 9am-10pm

Fri. Dec. 24th: 8am-8pm

Steve Madden Shoes, 41 W. 34th Street

TBD, please call 212-736-3283 for more details
Christmas Day: closed

Strawberry, 14 W. 34th Street

Dec. 17th & 18th: 8am-10pm
Following days TBD, call 22-279-8696 for more details

Sunglass Hut, 1313 Broadway

Dec. 17th-19th: 9am-10pm
Dec. 20th-23rd: 9am-11pm
Fri. Dec 24th: 7an-6pm
Christmas Day: noon-5pm

Swarovski, 200 W. 34th Street

Dec.15th-17th: 8am-10pm
Sat. Dec 18th: 9am-11pm
Sun. Dec 19th: 9am-9pm
Dec.20th-23rd: 8am-11pm
Fri. Dec 24th: 8am-6pm
Christmas Day: closed

Victoria's Secret, 1328 Broadway at 6th Avenue

Open 8am-10pm through Sun. Dec 19th
Following days TBD, call 212-356-8380 for more details
Christmas Day: closed

WHO.A.U, 22 W. 34th Street

TBD, call 212-594-5632 for more details
Christmas Day: closed

Zales, 142 W. 34th Street

Regular hours
Christmas Day: closed

Zara, 39 W. 34th Street 
Th. Dec 23rd: 7am-11pm
Fri. Dec 24th: 7am-7pm
Christmas Day: closed
Sun. Dec 26th: 8am-9pm
Dec. 27th-30th: 10am-9pm
Fri. Dec 31st: 9am-7pm
Sat. Jan 1st: 11am-7:30pm

*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 holiday hours information. We do our best and double check, but cannot claim 100% accuracy.

Best 34th Street Gifts, Day Two: Macy's Herald Square

Call me commercial, but there is nothing like being in a busy department store the week before Christmas. And while there are endless gift possibilities to be found in Macy's Herald Square, today I'm focusing on one particular department: the new Alternative Apparel boutique on my beloved 2nd floor.

Wrap! I wore this upside down all day yesterday and that was cute too.

I want a stocking full of rolled up Alternative burnout T-tunics. They are long, they are soft, sexy (it's the cut and fit), and they are the perfect for layering. And did I say they are long? I can't abide a T that rides up when I sit down. I also can't abide yanking my T-shirt down all day long. Below are more perfectly cut, soft-cottoned, well-cut Alternative items: a cowl neck top, striped shirt, and the striated wrap.

Did I mention the sleeves in these are long? Love a long sleeve.Yes, I'm into long.

Look closely at the rings....

This dress, above, is fantastic. I've been wearing just about anything on top of it with leggings and boots. And in the summer I'll let it all hang. No, not really because the top of the dress is sheer, so do one of Alternative's really soft tank tops underneath. That are, yes, really long.

But definitely get her (or him, or yourself) one of Alternative's zip-up sweatshirts, because they're so comfortable you're going to want to loll around in one all Christmas Day. I consider mine "dressy" gym gear, but I'd wear it to the office with a dress, too.

And click! Don't hate on me, just go get some of your own. NYC is not currently available, (Update:  NYC is currently available! Email wendy at wbjewelry at hotmail.com for more info) but you can get the F@#! or OMG rings, and donate to a good cause, too.

And a perfect Alternative accessory? The Wendy Brandes NYC rings bought during her Kickstarter campaign. I tried really hard to pose sans "fist in face," but I'll have to work on that. When one's husband begrudgingly takes photos for you while watching football on the couch and the lighting sucks, one must be happy with the above.

Many thanks to Jarod from Alternative who sent me along these items after I worked with them at their Macy's boutique opening. Really, he has just made an Alternative fan for life.


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