34th Street Weekend Sale Picks: The New Year's Edition

#1.  Macy's Herald Square
Because you need some sparkle for New Year's Eve, and Impulse on two has all the pretty, sequined, and shiny things you could want for the big party night.  151 W. 34th St

All Bar III on sale. Those are sequin harem pants, btw.

French Connection vest, 40% off, and DKNY dress, on sale, about $79.

#2.  Old Navy
Because they are having a big, end-of-year sale (up to 75% off), and it may be time for you to get wide-leg sailor jeans for spring.  150 W. 34th Street

Jeans are 30% off.

Coats are 60% off.

#3.  Skechers

Because they are having a buy one, get the second one half off sale in store.  140 W. 34th Street

I'm not saying one word about New Year's resolutions, I swear. Just go stock up on shoes.

Happy New Year! 

It's That Gap Time of Year

I love this time of year at Gap Herald Square. I get a good preview of their cuteness for spring:

Soft lace-up oxfords: while navy is perfect for spring nautical stripes, I would not pass on that fuchsia, no way no how.

 But I can still bask in the savings of their winter sales.

Sale items today were an extra 40% off: cuff boots were $35.99, patent heels were $23.99.

When I first saw those soft, lace-up oxfords in store, I thought about how often I get compliments on my Gap boots. I know it's in the press these days about Gap losing its way, but this doesn't translate to me when I shop their shoes. Also, my sister just stole my wide-leg 1969 jeans from me. Don't let all the press fool you: Gap designers hit home runs on a regular basis.

Gap Herald Square 34th Street and Broadway

Since I'm still off work today for the holidays, I'm just showing a shot of my new favorite must-have: the H&M Divided one-piece jumpsuit. This may also be known as a playsuit, bodysuit, or pajamas. Hopefully I am, right now, wearing this on the couch as Grandma entertains Baby Herald. As there is another 3-day holiday winter weekend on the near horizon, I recommend going now to H&M as I bought this just last Thursday. Happy lounging.

H&M 34th Street Seventh Avenue at 34th Street

Happy Holidays!

A few inspiring photos to sustain you and keep you going if you'll be out shopping 34th Street on Christmas Eve. And if you are out on the day after Christmas, H&M has $5 deals and scratch-offs to the first 100 people worth up to $300.

Swarovski ornaments and holiday themed accessories

Men's cashmere on sale at Macy's Herald Square.

Pantone accessories for your designer gift at Macy's Herald Square.

Cardis on sale at the Joe Fresh pop-up.

As you can see, the Joe Fresh pop-up on 34th and Seventh is open till 11pm tonight. But most other stores are closing at 6 or 7pm, so don't procrastinate much longer :)

Happy holidays to all!

34th Street Weekend Sale Picks: The Last-Minute Super Saturday Edition

#1.  Esprit
Because there's 50-70% off reduced styles, and many other sales, including 50% off select cold-weather accessories and 50% off select outerwear. Esprit is a perfect stocking stuffer/gift resource. In addition to deals on their clothing, I love and recommend Esprit's accessories, scarves, and bags (note: photos below are my website pictures as my iPhone photos were awful. These may not be reduced, they are just a representation of all the good Esprit has to offer).

#2. Desigual
Because select items are up to 70% off. Unfortunately, this does not include the Desigual by Lacroix, but I'm holding out to the end for this Lacroix dress:

#3.  Levi's
Because you can get 40% off select sweaters, jackets and jeans, including a high-waisted, wide-leg style.

In addition, as you can imagine, there will be sales all over 34th Street. Banana Republic has up to 50% off select items, Bebe is having a similar sale, and Gap will be following suit. So don't panic, just get out there before 10am if you can! Check here for store holiday hours, and Happy Holidays!

The Best Gaming Resource in Midtown: The Compleat Strategist

Instead of a big list of best, last-minute holiday shopping on 34th Street, I'm mentioning just one awesome gift resource: The Compleat Strategist.

The Compleat Strategist is, on first glance, a hardcore gaming shop for the Dungeons & Dragons set. Do not let the dragons fool you.

There is a huge selection of the classics, and big set ups for chess and poker sets. Now, that's not to say you won't find a lot of stuff like "Gale Force Nine hobby tools" and fantasy role playing board games, but that's the beauty of it. Shopping The Compleat Strategist is a total adventure, because it's packed full of fascinating games you've never seen before. A lot of them seem to come from Germany.

A lot of unusual board games...

And a lot of classics.

Here's what I did, and you should too: tell the clerk exactly who you are shopping for. "I need a game for three boys, 9 and under, who love Legos, Star Wars, and Legos. Their basement is one big Lego set, and they have Star Wars wallpaper in their bathroom."

The clerk took me immediately to this:

"Carcassonne." It's a board game involving tiles, "meeples," and yes, it's German. I don't get it yet but I'm totally going to geek out on it with my nephews after Christmas. And I'm really excited to introduce them to something new and challenging, a game of strategy on a whole different level.

Excellent service, crazy-whack product you're not going to see in your massive toy store, and really ugly carpeting: this is one authentic game store. A perfect stop during your last-minute, holiday shopping rush.


The Compleat Strategist 11 W. 33rd Street

Shopping the Season: The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park

Visit me over at the Bryant Park blog today and on Saturday for my contribution to the "Shop the Season" posts featuring The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park. I work on the holiday shops for Bryant Park during the year, so I'm biased, but I'll throw down with anyone who thinks we don't have one of the best holiday markets in New York City. Don't miss it! The shops, the skating rink, Bryant Park, it's the perfect, festive, all-in-one holiday outing.

You'll miss out on body lotion candles and rubber band shooters if you don't shop The Holiday Shops!

The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park

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

*Extended hours run December 15-30. Some shops may be open on Christmas Day.

Dragon Tattoo Collection by Trish Summerville: What's Left

There's not much of the Dragon Tattoo Collection left at H&M on 34th and Seventh, but it doesn't matter. Go get what you can, the leftovers are freaking cute. The collection is in Divided on the first floor.

Moto jacket and jeans.

Top and denim skirt.

Yeah, I'm kicking myself for not trying on the entire collection sooner. Stick to the H&M on Seventh for the above, as the Herald Square store just has two tops. The leather motorcycle jacket pictured is the last one on the floor as of today. It's a size 9 and it's badass. Also, the jeans with holes are made of the softest cotton I've felt in jeans perhaps EVER. I would buy them if I didn't already have 5 pairs of black jeans.

updated to add: below is a shot of the Dragon Tattoo tops available at H&M Herald Square:

H&M Seventh Avenue at 34th Street

The Elusive Ugly Holiday Sweater (and How to Win a Pair of Southwest Airline Tickets)

Our 34th Street correspondent Sarah stalks the city's vintage stores for ugly holiday sweaters after striking out on 34th Street. The ugly holiday sweater is now hard-to-find and is going for a premium in vintage stores. I blame all the Ugly Holiday Sweater Parties, like the one our sister company, Bryant Park, is having tomorrow night: Show up in your ugly holiday sweater at Southwest Porch, pose for a photo, and beg all your friends to vote for you on the Bryant Park Facebook page. The photo with the most votes wins a pair of tickets on Southwest Airlines.

Kmart and JCPenney had a few options online, but none on 34th Street (and this awesome godawful vest is sold out). Obviously, we're a little too high-brow for holiday ugliness. But designers should start thinking now about a line of ugly holiday sweaters for next year, as they are getting harder and harder to come by. I'll let Sarah take it from here...

In anticipation for our Ugly Holiday Sweater Party tomorrow night at Southwest Porch, I trekked across hipster fashion central of Manhattan, the East Village, after striking out in 34th Street. Only afterwards did I realize thrift shopping in EV is a Catch-22. The East Village has the best concentration of thrift stores because of its vintage-loving inhabitants, so unfortunately most of them are sold out of those elusive sweaters. 

My first stop was No Relations Vintage. The selection is slightly better for men than women, but the prices are extremely reasonable all around. I managed to find a delightful “ugly” hat with the fullest pompom I’ve ever seen! I tucked it away in my basket right away even if it doesn’t fit my head. I didn’t have much luck with the sweater rack, but found a monstrous holiday-jacket on the coat rack.  

Buffalo Exchange on 11th Street was the next stop. This is one of the busiest thrift stores I’ve been in, rivaling H&M crowds on 34th street. Thus, as expected, I did not manage to find any ugly holiday sweaters. I got distracted from my mission and scored an American Apparel nude blouse and a silk jumpsuit for a total of $50 bucks.  

I headed back east to Second Avenue thrift store, where they had a huge selection of clothing; alas they were also sold out of ugly holiday sweaters. At Salvation Army I finally scored some festive scarves and a cheap holiday sweater that had a decent amount of ugly. 

Back in the office, my colleague Kati showed me her loot, which includes hideous snowman sweater and a gloves sweater both with sequins! She snagged those at Monk Thrift Shop, where ugly sweaters are going for up to $100 dollars! 

We’ve ended up with a pretty great selection of sweaters for the party, but I’ve definitely learned my lesson here. Ugly sweater parties are definitely the most popular party concept in Manhattan this year, and next year I will start shopping for hideous holiday sweaters in July.

Be sure to drop by the party tomorrow night from 6-8pm! There will be holiday drinks for $5 and a lot of ridiculous holiday props.

LOVE Express Giveaway Winners!

Here's what I'd be putting my $25 towards down on 34th Street if I had won a gift certificate from Express:

A little something from the sequin shop and the shoe department. These lucky six can chose for themselves:

• Que Pasa NYC
• Kate @ Manhattan Actress
• Sally McGraw
• Daphney
• Megan
• Hanah

Thanks so much for playing! If you won and don't hear from me today via email or Twitter, please email your mailing address to: fashionherald(@)urbanmgt.com. I'll have your gift certificate and gloss/fragrance duo to you today or tomorrow!

Express 34th Street 7 West 34th just west of Fifth Avenue

Express Manhattan Mall level 1, 33rd Street and Sixth Avenue

34th Street Weekend Sale Picks: A Super Saturday Edition

#1. Macy's Herald Square
Because we visited Santaland and got an iconic crying-with-Santa photo, because everyone is watching Miracle on 34th Street, and because Macy's is having a big Wrap It Up sale. I'm thinking this is your weekend to really experience Macy's in December. Print up this coupon for extra savings on sale items, and this one for holiday dollars. 34th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue

As Santa said to me "We're going to get a great picture together next year." I don't know, Santa, what can top this?

#2. JCPenney
Because there are Gift Busters starting 3pm Friday and on Saturday morning. That means 60% off select items including women's coats, boots, and sleepwear, toys, and men's outerwear. Also, because JCPenney has WRAPT, the seriously adorable gift boutique where you'll find something for everyone. And the Dylan's Candy Bar treat tower for $24 (Sunday - Wednesday only). Manhattan Mall, lower levels 1 & 2

#3.  Daffy's Herald Square
Because if you print up the below pass and bring it to the store, you get 20% off your entire purchase. Daffy's is already super discounted people, so this is big extra holiday savings! Also, 30% off ladies and kids outerwear, and 20% off all sleepwear. Herald Center, 34th & Broadway

Naturally, there are lots of honorable mentions this week as many stores view this Saturday as the last big push before the holiday weekend. Gap, Old Navy, and Express are all having big sales, and some have big extended holiday hours, too (see Old Navy here). This is your weekend to finish up your holiday shopping on 34th Street!

Happy Holiday Hours on 34th Street

It's crunch time: below is holiday hours for most of our stores in the 34th Street district for your last-minute, holiday shopping needs.*

                  

Aeropostale, 15 W. 34th Street
12/17-23: 9am-midnight;
Christmas Eve: 9am-8pm
Christmas Day: closed

Aeropostale, Manhattan Mall

12/12-12/15: 8am-11pm
12/16-12/17: 8am-midnight
12/18: 8am-11pm
12/19-23: 8am-midnight
Christmas Eve: 8am-6pm
Christmas Day: closed

Aerosoles, 36 W. 34th Street
Regular hours 

M-F: 8am-9pm 

Sat: 10am-9pm 

Sun: 11am-7pm
Christmas Day: closed

Afaze, Manhattan Mall
12/15-17: 8:30am-10pm
12/18: 8:30am-9:30pm
12/19-Christmas Eve: 7:30am-10pm
Christmas Day: closed


Aldo Shoes, 27 W. 34th Street

Regular hours
M-Th: 10am-9pm
F-Sat: 10am-10pm
Sun: 11am-8pm
Christmas Day: closed

American Eagle Outfitters, 40 W. 34th Street

Regular hours
M-Sat: 9am-10pm (may stay open 1 hour later next week)
Sun: 9am-9pm
Christmas Eve: 9am-6pm
Christmas Day: closed

Banana Republic, 17 W. 34th Street

M-Sat: 9am-10pm
Sun: 10am-9pm
Christmas Eve: TBD
Christmas Day: closed

B&H Photo and Video
Regular hours
M-Th: 9am-7pm
F: 9am-1pm
Sun: 10am-6pm
Christmas Day: closed


Bare Escentuals, 44 W. 34th Street

M-Sat: 10am-9pm
Sun: 11am-7pm
12/23: 10am-10pm
Christmas Eve: 8am-6pm
Christmas Day: closed

Bebe, 1 W. 34th Street

M-Sat: 9am-10pm
Sun: 10am-9pm
Christmas Day: closed

Billabong, 112 W. 34th Street

9am-10pm through the month of December, including all holidays

Brookstone, 142 W. 34th Street
TBD

Charlotte Russe, Manhattan Mall
M-Sat: 9am-11pm
Sun: open till 10pm
Christmas Eve: 9am-6pm
New Year's Eve: 9am-7pm


Call It Spring, Manhattan Mall
M-Th: 9am-10pm
Fri-Sat: 8am-11pm
Sun: 10am-9pm
Christmas Eve: 8am-6pm
Christmas Day: closed
New Year's Eve: 8am-6pm


Daffy’s, 1311 Broadway

M-Sat: 10am-9pm
Sun: 11am-7pm
Christmas Eve: 10am-6pm
Christmas Day: closed
New Year's Eve: 10am-6pm

Desigual, 358 Fifth Avenue
TBD


Desigual, 958 Avenue of the Americas
M-Sat: 9am-9pm
Su: 10am-9pm
Christmas Eve: 8am-6pm

Dr. Jays, 33 W. 34th Street

M-Sun: 9am-10pm
Christmas Eve: 9am-10pm
Christmas Day: 9am-7pm
New Year's Eve: TBD

Esprit, 21 W. 34th Street

Starting the 19th, open 8am-10pm
Christmas Eve: 8am-6pm
Christmas Day: closed

Express, Manhattan Mall
M-Sat: 9am-11pm
Sun: 9am-9pm
Christmas Eve: 9am-7pm
Christmas Day: closed
New Year's Eve: 9am-7pm


Express, 7 W. 34th Street

TBD

Famous Footwear, 250 W. 34th Street
Regular hours; store will close early on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve
Christmas Day: closed

Foot Locker, 120 W. 34th Street
Starting the 19th, open 9am-11pm
Christmas Eve: 7am-7pm
Christmas Day: closed
New Year's Eve: 9am-7pm

Foot Locker, Manhattan Mall
Starting the 19th, open 9am-10pm
Christmas Eve: 7am-6:30pm
Christmas Day: closed  
New Year's Eve: 9am-6:30pm

Footaction USA, 430 Seventh Avenue at 34th Street

Starting the 19th: 8am-10pm (may stay open till 11pm)
Christmas Eve: 8am-7pm
Christmas Day: closed
New Year's Eve: 9am-7pm

Forever 21, 50 W. 34th Street

Regular hours, but closed at 8pm on Christmas Eve
Christmas Day: closed

Fossil, 38 W. 34th Street

9am-10pm until Christmas Day
Christmas Day: closed
New Year's Eve: 9am-10pm

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

12/15-12/18: 8:30am-10pm
12/19-12/23: 8am-10pm
Christmas Eve: 8am-6pm
Christmas Day: closed

Gap, 1282 Broadway at 34th Street

Dec 15th: 9am-10pm
Dec. 16th-17th: 9am-11pm
Dec. 18th-22nd: 8am-11pm
Open 7am Dec. 23rd until 11pm on Dec. 24th
Christmas Day: closed
Dec. 26th-30th: 9am-10pm
Dec. 31st: 9am-8pm 

Geox, 29 W. 34th Street

12/24: 9am-6pm
Christmas Day: closed

H&M, 47 W. 34th Street

TBD

H&M, 435 Seventh Avenue at 34th Street

Dec. 18th-23rd: 9am-midnight
Christmas Eve: 9am-7pm
Christmas Day: closed

JCPenney, Manhattan Mall, 33rd & Broadway
Dec. 16-17: 7am-midnight

Dec 18: 8am-11pm
Dec. 19-22: 8am-midnight
Dec 23: 7am-midnight
Dec 24: 7am-6pm
Christmas Day: closed

Joe Fresh Pop-up, 215 W. 34th Street
TBD

Journeys, 1293 Broadway at 34th Street

9am-11pm everyday
Christmas Eve: 9am-10pm
Christmas Day: closed

Kay Jewelers, 136 W. 34th Street
Dec. 19-24th: 10am-11pm
Christmas Day: closed

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

6am-11:45pm until Christmas Eve
Fri. Dec 24th: 6am-9pm
Christmas Day: closed

Koryo Books, 35 W. 32nd Street
9:30am-9:30pm daily
Christmas Day: 10am-8pm

KT Wireless, 460 Seventh Avenue

8am-10pm daily through the holidays

Levi's,  45 W. 34th Street
Dec 16-20: 8am-11pm
Dec  21-23: 8am-midnight
Christmas Eve: 8am-7pm

Christmas Day: closed

Macy's, 151 W. 34th Street

Dec. 15th: 8am-11pm
Dec. 16th: 8am-midnight
Dec. 17th: 7am-midnight
Dec. 18th: 7am-11pm
Dec 19th-20th: 7am-midnight
Dec. 21st: Open 7am and is open 24 hours until 6pm on Christmas Eve
Christmas Day: closed
Dec 26th: 7am-11pm
Dec.27th-Dec. 30th: 10am-11pm
New Year's Eve: 10am-7pm

Mango, 7 W. 34th Street
10am-9pm daily
Christmas Day: closed

Manhattan Mall Stores, 100 W. 33rd Street 
TBD

Men's Warehouse, 10 W. 34th Street

Regular hours
9am-9pm daily
Christmas Day: closed

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

8am-11pm daily
Christmas Eve: 8am-8pm
Christmas Day: closed

New York Golf Center, 31 W. 35th Street
Regular hours

M-Fri: 10am-8pm

Sat: 10am-7pm

Sun: 11am-6pm

Christmas Day: closed

Old Navy, 150 W. 34th Street

Dec. 15th-16th: 9am-midnight
Dec. 17th: Open 7am and is open 24 hours until 7pm on Christmas Eve
Christmas Day: closed
Dec. 26: 6am-11pm
Dec. 27th-30th: regular hours
Fri. Dec 31st: 10am-7pm

Orva Shoes, 34 W. 34th Street

8am-11pm daily
Christmas Eve: 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

Dec. 18th: 11am-7pm
Dec. 19th-23rd: 9am-9:30pm
Christmas Eve: 10am-8:30pm
Christmas Day: closed

Rock and Soul Electronics, 462 Seventh Avenue
9am-7pm daily
Christmas Day: closed

Sephora, 130 W. 34th Street

Dec. 15th-18th: 8am-10pm
Dec. 19th-23rd: 8am-11pm
Dec 24th: 7am-9pm
Christmas Day: closed

Skechers, 140 W. 34th Street

9am-midnight week before Christmas
Christmas Eve: TBD
Christmas Day: closed

Steve Madden Shoes, 41 W. 34th Street

12/23: 8am-10pm
Christmas Eve: 8am-7pm
Christmas Day: closed

Strawberry, 14 W. 34th Street

regular store hours
Christmas Day: closed

Sunglass Hut, 1313 Broadway

Dec. 19th-23rd: 9am-11pm
Dec 24th: 6am-7pm
Christmas Day: closed

Swarovski, 200 W. 34th Street

Dec.15th-17th: 9am-10pm
Dec 18th: 10am-9pm
Dec.19th-23rd: 8am-11pm
Fri. Dec 24th: 9am-8pm
Christmas Day: closed
Dec. 26th-30th: 9am-9:30pm
New Year's Eve: 9am-8pm

Timberland, 28 W. 34th Street
Dec. 17th: 9:30am-9:30pm
Dec. 18th: 9:30am-7pm
Dec. 19th-23rd: 9:30am-9:30pm
Christmas Eve: 9:30am-6pm
Christmas Day: closed

Victoria's Secret, 1328 Broadway at 6th Avenue

Open 9am-10pm daily
Christmas Eve: TBD
Christmas Day: closed

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

Christmas Eve: 11am-9pm
Christmas Day: closed

Zara, 39 W. 34th Street 
Dec 23rd: 7am-10pm
Christmas Eve: 8am-7pm
Christmas Day: closed

*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.

From the Archives: Crosswalk in the Sky

In this post, 34SP's archivist Anne Kumer shares some 34th Street history. This post also appears on NYC Circa, Anne's history blog about New York City and its public spaces and buildings.

West 32nd Street is hectic to say the least. Since it isn't on my daily commute, I usually only go to buy some inexpensive stuff that I "need" at Jacks, eat something amazing in Koreatown, and also to stare at the Gimbels Traverse, sometimes also referred to as the Gimbels Skybridge, a relic of retail history and architecture that focused on aesthetics and function.

Photo: 34SP, A. Kumer

This Art Deco bridge, with its oxidized copper cladding makes me happy as I try to navigate the insane pedestrian traffic on 32nd Street. In 1925 the retailer Gimbels bought the Cuyler building at 116 West 32nd Street to use primarily for their administrative offices. Built by the Cuyler Realty Co. in 1911, it sat across the street from the Gimbels flagship store (now Manhattan Mall) at 1275 Broadway. I've posted this picture before, but here is the Cuyler building a year after completion, and thirteen years before the Traverse.

Photo: MCNY

Right after the purchase, Gimbels hired architects Richard Harold (R.H.) Shreve and William Lamb (later to become 2/3 of the Firm Shreve, Lamb & Harmon) to design the three-story passageway with copper cladding to connect the two buildings. (For 34th Street district enthusiasts, this firm also designed the Empire State Building, built in 1930-1931, and 1250 Broadway, built in 1967-1968; in our sister BID, Bryant Park, they designed 500 Fifth Avenue, built in 1931.)

The photo below shows West 32nd Street in 1977, including the traverse, the vertical Willoughby's sign (now Jack's), a vertical Gimbels sign, and at the southwest corner The Donald, now The Continental.

Photo: 1977, Whiskeygonebad flickr

Here it is now from half a block further east.

Photo: 34SP, A. Kumer

Other sources:
NYT. "Cuyler Building Sold for $2,000,000 . . . " December 16, 1921
Bowery Boys

See It: Newlyweds

Last night my husband and I attended a private screening of Edward Burns new film Newlyweds, and in Edward Burns fashion it was a total character driven, dead-on depiction of marriage, family, and all that relationship interaction stuff. I gave my husband the knowing eye about 50 times during the film. This movie is greatly entertaining, laugh out loud funny, and gets two thumbs up from me. I give myself four thumbs up for not asking Edward Burns about Christy Turlington during the Q&A.

After the film Mr. Burns himself showed up to talk about the film and the making of with his co-star, Caitlin FitzGerald. Now it's easy to think that writers always write about their own lives, but in truth I think that quickly gets old and they then write about everyone else's lives. Edward Burns confirmed this when I asked him if, like his hero Woody Allen, he was constantly writing down ideas for films even when not working on one. He basically answered yes, then told a story about taking the train to DC and pulling out his laptop to document the conversation of the couple sitting next to him.

Still, Ed Burns is married to Christy Turlington, the world's most amazing supermodel (yes, I came of fashion age in the early '90s). So instead of the Woody Allen question, I really wanted to ask: Does Christy's skin need exfoliating in the morning? Do you have any room in the closet or is Christy taking up all the space? Does she use your razor when her disposable is crapped out? Does the most awesome supermodel living kick you in the shins when you're talking too much at the dinner table?

Oh, the burning, burning desire to know if Christy is just like me us. But I stuck to the topic, because Edward Burns is one of the country's best screenwriters and actors, and I was soon so engrossed in his work and discussion thereof that I hardly indulged in fantasies of me and Christy hanging out, drinking lots of wine, and enjoying a bitchfest about our husbands and sisters. Check out the movie and you'll totally get the reference. Newlyweds is available nationwide On Demand and via Digital Download beginning December 26, 2011, with a select theatrical showing starting in January 2012.

The Real Simple Holiday Store in Bryant Park

L'Oreal Paris boutique in the Real Simple Holiday Store.

Last week I dropped by the press preview of the Real Simple pop-up in Bryant Park with my co-worker, Kati, who wrote this awesome and thorough blog post on all you can get and do at the store. The last day is tomorrow, so read her post and drop by soon. Moms, there are some really cute stocking stuffer items for kids, including this very clever pencil case:

Totally ship-shape!

Also, go ahead and get some ketchup. That's a gift for the entire family.

There's books, Sprinkles cupcakes, gorgeous UGG Australia gloves (above, right) and so much more, including free hair and makeup at the L'Oreal boutique tonight till 8pm! Shopping-wise, you'll be leaving with a lot marked off your list. But don't expect the mascara-sized electric toothbrush to be there, a fan told me it sold out the first day. Don't panic, you can go get one here at the Violight website (I just ordered six for my sisters and mom).

Happy holiday shopping!

Real Simple Holiday Pop-Up

NW corner of the Pond at Bryant Park
December 8 - December 13
Daily, 11am-8pm

34th Street Weekend Sale Picks: The Friends & Family Holiday Edition

#1. Esprit
Because their Friends & Family sale is 50% off, Esprit wins the F&F race. Esprit is good to their friends and family, especially the ones who print the coupon below and shop in store (you only get 40% off online).  21 W. 34th Street

#2. Bare Escentuals
Because a sale on cosmetics is pretty awesome, especially when it's Bare Escentuals. Their mascara and Buxom lip gloss is on the top of my recommendation list.  44 West 34th Street

#3. Dr. Jay's
Because you can take 20% off the lowest ticketed price on everything in store (with some exclusions, see store for details) and they have a great selection of winter coats. This isn't technically a friends and family, but I still like it!  17 West 34th Street

Updated to add: if you are a member of the Love, Daffy's club, check your email for a Friends & Family pass for an extra 20% off your entire purchase. Not a member? Go to www.daffys.com and sign up today, as the offer is only good through Tuesday. Daffy's Herald Square is in Herald Center at 34th & Broadway.