Thursday, March 31, 2011

Stacy Lomman Fall 2011Show

Here's a sample of my quickly jotted, post-show notes from Stacy Lomman's collection yesterday:


"short shorts"
"bullet belt-yes please"
"leathers, yums"
"love Stacy's cut and fabrics"


 What I thought was leather (see gorgeous olive pants above) was really "coated nylon." Which I find pretty fabulous. Following are more favorites, all of which I think perfectly represent Stacy's attention to detail and love for rich, tactile fabrics.


Yes to all of the bullet accessories and trim.



I love it when I get the seat with a view of the action backstage.I also need this dress.


I'll admit it, this is my show favorite. Tough yet feminine, just the way I like it done.
The designer!
This show kept the momentum going from Stacy's success last season, and with a totally different collection featuring separates and suiting that are so not your typical separates and suiting. Well done, Stacy, or, as I noted yesterday, "Gorgeous and love"

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Anchors & Bags at Billabong

I wish I had better shots of the perfect, big straw hats available at Billabong on 34th Street. I'll have to go back for another shot at them next week.



These iPhone photos still leave a lot to be desired, but trust me, Billabong is a store you should visit while on 34th Street. If there isn't a cute anchor clutch lying around, there's an adorable sweater or a great hat. It's certainly not just for surfing anymore. And the clothing always impresses me, although the sizing can leave a girl cursing in the dressing room. Don't believe it's a size 6, it's juniors, so it's really like an adult 2. At least that's what I like to tell myself!

Billabong 112 W. 34th Street at Broadway

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Foot Locker Owns 34th Street

Just like Amar'e owns the court...
Hyperbole in titles, yes, and fitting as this Saturday, in the new House of Hoops by Foot Locker on 34th Street, New York Knicks savior Amar'e Stoudemire will be in attendance to celebrate the opening of this gorgeous new store:


My little family celebrated Foot Locker on 34th Street by visiting yesterday evening. We had a stack of gift cards burning holes in our pockets, thanks to Christmas gifts and Melissa of Foot Locker (thanks, Melissa!). And while House of Hoops was on our agenda, we first visited the flagship store down the street because we needed baby kicks. 120 W. 34th has a Kids Foot Locker. Unfortunately, by the time I got running shoes and my husband got running shoes, Baby Herald was screaming, tearing rows of baby kicks off the wall, and screaming. Did I mention she was screaming? She has a very high-pitched scream. It's quite impressive, especially when you're on a plane or in a store or any public space anywhere.
 
His (my male model refused to pose)
Hers

So we never made it to the new House of Hoops. And we didn't get any baby kicks. But the husband got a lightweight Saucony Kinarva running shoe ($90), and I got the Asics GT-2160 ($100) at Lady Foot Locker. I love how Asics fit my foot, and I think this is his first Saucony. It's a lightweight shoe, so I'm curious to see how they stand up to his abuse. And the screaming baby? I'll leave her home on Saturday when I visit Amar'e at the HOH grand opening. Be sure to go here for more information on all the opening day festivities.


House of Hoops by Foot Locker 11 W. 34th Street between 5th & 6th
Lady Foot Locker, Foot Locker, & Kids Foot Locker  
120 W. 34th between Broadway & 7th

Monday, March 28, 2011

The Hunt for Red Pants on 34th Street

I was planning a red pant search on 34th Street after reading about the red-legged blogger trend hitting the internet waves on Wendy B's blog, but then I got this request on Twitter from our friends at FashionCenterNYC, aka The Big Button:

FashionCenterNY Mar 18, 12:18pm via Web

Hey @fashionherald ! Say a woman was trying to find a pair of red skinny pants around @34thStNYC. Any suggestions on where to look?

I hit a lot of stores on 34th Street between 5th & 6th last week, and found shockingly few examples of red pants. Below is my sole red pant discovery from H&M, plus a pair of irresistible yellow pants. I still have to hit Macy's Herald Square, Manhattan Mall including JCPenney, and Zara, but honestly I was shocked! No red pants at Esprit or Desigual? That seems so very, very wrong.
Cropped red pants, $34.95 at H&M Herald Square.
$99-ish at Desigual 34th & 5th.

H&M Herald Square 34th Street and 6th Avenue
Desigual 34th Street at 5th Avenue

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Sweet and Tough for Spring

Selena Gomez has a lot of the sweet covered for spring in her Kmart junior's line.


Adorable! And it's on sale, marked down from $16. This blouse says a lot about her Dream Out Loud line: trendy, flirty, but not too racy for juniors.


The tough denim vest (and the shorts in both photos) is by Route 66, marked down from $19.99. I would look no further for a denim vest, although the buttons are a little too decorative for me. But for that price I can live with it, especially as the cut is perfect for this spring.

Kmart 1 Penn Plaza (34th Street just west of 7th Avenue)

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Borrowing From the Boys: H&M Caps

I like to browse the men's accessories at H&M as I always find stylish hats and scarves. And yesterday at H&M Herald Square in the men's department on 3, the caps did not disappoint.


I know some boys who wouldn't mind borrowing these. Go, kitty ($49.99).



H&M Herald Square 34th Street and 6th Avenue

Monday, March 21, 2011

Old-School Beauty Tricks

This is my husband's Windex cureall:

About $8.29 at Walgreen's.

I'm embarrassed to tell you how many times this past week he told me to "put Bag Balm on it." He even put it on Baby Herald to my great consternation, then went to Grandma for approval. Because Grandma is a farmer's daughter, she is an old school Bag Balm user who actually used it on cow udders, not red baby skin. Unfortunately, it did seem to cure many ailments, but I'm still not promoting it for toddler use.

$2.08 on sale at CVS. Seriously.

He also can't be found anywhere without his Murray's hair pomade. I dip into it on occasion, and it works great if used sparingly. I use it now before flat-ironing because my hair's so damaged. I also like the Super Light version for daily usage.


Walgreen's 350 Fifth Avenue at 33rd Street
CVS 320 Fifth Avenue at 32nd Street

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Fresh-Squeezed Juice for Your Morning Commute

While Tricia is away, guest blogger Rebecca shares some of her favorite kitchenware finds in the district.

I've recently become more concerned with nutrition. Does my diet, littered with dollar slices, falafel, and diet soda, get me anything close to the RDA of vitamins and nutrients? One morning before getting on a train, I hand-squeezed three grapefruits into a travel bottle to bring for the ride. It was delicious and I realized juice can be incredibly convenient, healthy, and tasty. And you know what accessorizes well with all spring fashions? A trim waistline and a radiant, glowing skin, both of which are benefits of fresh juice in your diet.

 Jack La Lanne Power Juicer (left) and Cuisinart Citrus Juicer (right)

I dove headfirst into the world of “juicing” (it is a world, and a high class one at that), purchasing two books and a high-end masticating juicer within a week. I haven’t looked back.

I scoured 34th Street's department stores for the best juicers in town and found some great options at each of them. Here's the quick-and-dirty juicer roundup:

Macy's
  • Sharper Image Super Juicer, $72 on sale (regularly $120)
  • Jack La Lanne Power Juicer, $84 on sale (regularly $140)
Kmart
  • Proctor Silex Durable "Juice It", $23
  • Hamilton Beach Health Smart, $46
JCPenney
  • Bella Cucina Juice Extractor, $50
  • Cuisinart Citrus Juicer, $30
My picks? The best deals on juicers this week are at Macy’s, where some highly-rated models are on sale for 33% off.

Macy's Herald Square, 151 W. 34th Street btwn Broadway & 7th Avenue
Kmart, 1 Penn Plaza at 7th Avenue
JCPenney, Manhattan Mall, lower levels 1 & 2, 33rd & 6th Avenue  

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Looking Forward to Spring at H&M

Lindsey is moonlighting as a fashion blogger while Tricia is out of town.

I’m in my wellies, I’ve got the rain-hair fro, and I’m layered up for cold weather days. In my head, I am planning for those gorgeous April days where I can bike to work and school. I went over to H&M wanting to find a few “refresher tops” for just this Spring Awakening. I need things that can handle movement on my cruiser bike, but translate over to the office, etc.

The magic number of the day was $24.95. All three top combos were at that same going rate…a steal for everything I could do with them! I watched Pretty in Pink last night and perhaps the peaches, paisleys and prints had an influence on today’s choices:

First, a lovely little throw over button-down sweater that can be dressed up with a little dress, down with some shorts and boat shoes, and just plain comfy with my yoga pants. It's casual with a tee, and would look great tied with a little dress under it.


Second, a nice little print top in navy that I have seen more expensive variations of just about everywhere recently. Dress it down with jeans, khakis, or shorts. Dress it up for work with that navy blazer we all have sitting in our closet.


Finally, I came across a little white blouse with lovely ladylike detail. It’s in, and I am happy. This can also be done in a number of ways, a true wardrobe essential. 




H&M Herald Square, 34th Street and 6th Avenue

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Old Navy for Workout Apparel

Kati here, posting while Ms. Fashion Herald is away.

Spring is coming, which means warm weather, beach vacations and swimsuits. It's time to get to the gym, and I know I need new clothes for this! As an infrequent gym goer, I tend to go thrifty with my workout wear, and Old Navy fits the bill perfectly. Head upstairs at their 34th Street location to their huge GOGA section.

Go out! Get active!


There's a wide variety of style and color in tops, pants, shorts, and jackets here. They even come in a breathable moisture-wicking material, something I usually associate with higher end brands.

Sports bras and tank tops are only $12.50


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

Monday, March 14, 2011

It's Feeling Pre-Springtime

One morning last week I caught the changing of the guards at Aldo on 34th Street. Pretty wedge platform, don't you think? And those men's boots are looking ready for the mud. Bring it on, spring.


Aldo, 27 W. 34th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Are You Rugby's Next Great Poet?

Initially I was partial to Allen Ginsberg, one of the featured poets of The Rugby Poets Club, mainly because of my mother-in-law's story of going out with him and Jack Kerouac on New Year's Eve. She loved Kerouac, but couldn't stand Ginsberg. Oh, to have lived in NYC in the 40's and 50's...

But Joshua Bennet has the whole performance thing down.

The Rugby Poets Club Presents: "Chariot" by Joshua Bennett from Ralph Lauren on Vimeo.

I applaud Rugby Ralph Lauren for raising awareness of American poets. I'll never forget the day in my college poetry class when a classmate asked the professor how to copyright her poems. The look on his face...let's just say the good news for poets is they don't have to worry about paying for a good copyright lawyer. The bad news is there isn't a big market for stolen poetry. Or not stolen poetry.

So Ralph Lauren's search for the next great poet is a boon for wordsmiths everywhere. Have you got a muse? Write her/him up and submit it to Rugby's Facebook page to win a $1,000 Rugby wardrobe* and to be crowned Rugby's Next Great Poet. And no, you don't have to worry about copyrighting anything.


* four runners-up will receive $500 Rugby Gift Cards - enter on the Facebook page till the end of May 4th, see page for details

Visit Macy's Herald Square on 34th Street for plenty of Ralph Lauren, the men's and the women's.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Levi's on 34th Street

Future site of Levi's on 34th between 5th & 6th.

Change is all afoot on 34th Street again, which warrants a big round-up post of retail news on the block. But till I muster the energy, today Levi's will suffice. Foot Locker is leaving their store at 45 W. 34th, but don't panic, sneakerheads. There is still the mammoth, gorgeous Foot Locker down the block at 120 W. 34th, which is home not only to Foot Locker but also Lady Foot Locker and Kids Foot Locker. Also, there is still a Foot Locker in Manhattan Mall on the first floor of 33rd & Broadway.

From the Levi's store in Times Square.I'm just gonna call these football pants. I need.

I have to admit that when I first heard Levi's was coming to the block, I was all "ok, I'll get my husband's jeans there." He's a 501 man. But then I attended the IFB Evolving Influence Conference in February, and was fit by one of the sponsors, Levi's, for their new Curve ID jeans. I took my measurements and my card to the Levi's store in Times Square, and left with a new pair of jeans (love) and a whole new level of Levi's understanding. The service was fantastic, and the styles impressive. And I'm not just talking jeans (see above). Although these denim overalls are also on my list.

I need these, too.
The mini-me version for BabyHerald.

Now I'm pretty stoked about shopping Levi's for more than my husband. Welcome, Levi's, to 34th Street, and open up your store soon, please, I want to buy those overalls, et al. down on 34th.


Levi's, coming soon to 45 W. 34th Street
Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, 
all in 120 W. 34th btwn Broadway & 7th
Foot Locker, Manhattan Mall level 1, 33rd & Broadway

Monday, March 7, 2011

BIBHU.

The beautiful, smoky tableau of Bibhu.

Bibhu Mohapatra Fall 2011 was easily one of my favorite shows of #NYFW. Immediately, when walking into his presentation at the Box in Lincoln Center, the World of Bibhu engulfed the viewer. And I'm not just talking about the smoke machine. Of course, smoky does not make for great photos, so thanks to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week for the official photos.





You see a lot of pretty gowns at fashion week. But what I love about Bibhu gowns is that they aren't just pretty, they have an almost cinematic drama in their design. Seriously, they are old-school, movie star quality with a sharp modern edge. These aren't just the usual pretty, flowing evening wear.





His proportions are arresting, and the lush fabrics and the dreamy tableau propel one into a world of glam. This show evoked my old modeling days, when we would show the rare designer whose entire collection was so perfect and aspirational that all the models were honored to be wearing the clothes. And no one was backstage bitching about what they were wearing. What, are you surprised? A roomful of girls wearing different designs, do you really think they aren't pining away for the truly fabulous dress someone else is wearing?! I wouldn't bitch about a single one up there, or down below.

The dramatic entrance: what one saw upon entering The Box. These girls are not to be ignored.