Tuesday, May 31, 2011

John Frieda Foam Love

I've been going gray for a long time now (hello, late 20's) but even in my teens I was coloring my hair. I usually go professional for my dye, but these days it's often easier for me to do it at home. Especially when one's schedule leaves a girl with very little down time for hair chairs and her stylist lives two subway trains away. One transfer on a weekend is one transfer too many.

3N is my color. Find yours with the John Fried Shade Selector.

I picked up the John Frieda foam at the Herald Square Duane Reade for the first time about 15 weeks ago and have used it twice since. It's not messy (no dye on your bathroom sink and a lot less on your towel), the foam is incredibly easy to apply, and the color and grey coverage last much longer than any other hair dye I've ever used. Also, my stylist didn't make funny noises when she inspected my roots during my latest visit. All of this means I've got a new hair color lover, and he's being very good to me. Yes, I'll be back in my stylist's chair soon for a professional touch up, but for in-between I'm all John Frieda's.

Duane Reade 1350 Broadway on the northern tip of Herald Square

Friday, May 27, 2011

34th Street Memorial Day Weekend Sales Picks

#1. Banana Republic For their Ready For Take?Off sale. Upon entering the store you will be handed a choice of cards with either 25%, 30% or 50% off your purchase (some exclusions apply). Get yourself the elephant print tank, pink shorts, blue maxi, or fabulous nylon vest for less. Or the hat, or the jeans, but not the shoes because those are Miz Mooz.   17 W. 34th Street between 5th & 6th



#2. Gap  Because you get 40% off in store all weekend, on select items. That's a woo-hoo. As much as I want to say use it on the new Design Edition shoes...   60 W. 34th Street at Broadway




I doubt those will qualify. So look for these really cute espadrille wedges I saw IRL on a co-worker today who said they are very comfortable.




#3. Daffy's Herald Square  Because they've got new Deha (Italian activewear) highly discounted in store, and I live in Deha sweats I got at Daffy's. So comfortable.   1311 Broadway at 34th Street



Pictures are from Daffy's Facebook page. The jumpsuit is mine! And tell me you couldn't live in the grey.




Enjoy the long holiday weekend!



Timberland 34th Street Now Open!

Timberland Herald Square: brand-new and open on 34th Street this morning.
 The store is lovely and a great new addition to the street. There's a big collection of men's clothing and shoes, as you can see in the pictures below.

Photo courtesy of Timberland

Photo courtesy of Timberland
The women's and kid's offerings are not so vast, pretty much what I expected, but the selection is really, really good. I'm not so interested in the popular Earthkeepers collection, but the Timberland Boot Company collection is a different story (I would also buy the kid's sandals for $27). All of the photos below are from the Timberland's site, and can be found in the new 34th Street store.

Holy crap, I have finally found my perfect men's boot, but it's a girl boot that fulfills all of my men's boot needs. I know, I don't get it either, but I'm always trolling men's boots wanting to buy a pair. This Lucille tall boot is $300. I will salivate and charge if it goes on sale.
Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Yes, I'm scratching my head but I really, really need them ($270).
Pretty, and they come in bone with a white racing stripe up the back ($190).

Pleated fabric heel! The Timberland Boot Company shoes are inspired by the Industrial Age of the early 20th Century. I'm a sucker for the whole story.


Timberland 28 W. 34th Street between Fifth & Sixth Avenues

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Timberland Opening on 34th Street

Here's the Timberland store last week during one of the multiple rain storms that seemed to occur just as I stepped outside the dry environs of our office building:



The store was wrapping up construction for its opening tomorrow, Friday, May 27th. Note also the new little restaurant to the left of Timberland that quietly opened a few weeks ago: Hole in da Wall Fine Food. I have not yet reviewed this fine dining establishment, but Friday when I visit the new Timberland store, I will reveal how fine the food is in Hole in da Wall. 

But back to our exciting new 34th Street store. Here are Timberland details: a 4,400 sq. foot space (built with lots of recycled materials including reclaimed wood and recycled stoneware) stocked with outdoor apparel, accessories and footwear for men, women and kids including the Earthkeepers, Timberland Boot Company, and Abington collections. Even better, Timberland is designing New York-inspired footwear and t-shirts exclusively for the Herald Square store. Ahh, they are playing right into my greedy Herald Square hands! Bless the Timberland, and welcome them to 34th Street.


Timberland opening Friday at 28 W. 34th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Summer Tote Solves Work Problem. Kind Of.

Last evening, while stuffing WWDs, a Harper's Bazaar, and a small stack of papers into my purse,  I briefly thought "I need a briefcase." Of course, I don't mean an actual briefcase, but a pretty tote to carry all of my important papers home on the subway. This will more stylishly perpetuate my delusion that I am actually diligently reading everything instead of just lugging pounds of paper around for a daily commute. Yes, before I curse at them and throw them into recycling, I would like my work papers to ride in a chic bag. I think this could be a nice summer option:


I spotted this at the 34th Street Esprit flagship last week. Now, it's nothing exciting, but it's a lovely, simple, big-ass tote. I don't want the usual, LL Bean type big-ass tote and its nylon cousin you see all over the subway in the summer. I'd like something a little different, but just as big. The weave is nice for a change, and the shoulder bag is awfully cute, too.


Esprit 21 W. 34th Street between Fifth & Sixth Avenues

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

The Zara Shoe Gallery

Yes, I get embarrassed when I visit Zara on 34th Street and start shooting iPhone pictures of shoes, as my fellow shoppers look at me like I'm Freaky Shoe Voyeur Lady. And really I kind of am, because I could look all day at the endless parade of adorable shoes lined up under clothes and lolling around on shelves.








Go, have no shame, visit the 34th Street store and enjoy the view.


Zara 39 W. 34th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues (but closer to Sixth)

Monday, May 23, 2011

Nicole by Nicole Miller Fall Lookbook

I love the Nicole by Nicole Miller line because it never disappoints and it always looks like Nicole Miller. Of course, I'm biased because I think JCPenney's diffusion lines are consistently some of the best, and this year's fall preview just cemented my bias. The Nicole boots really help, too.



Also, this line is incredibly affordable. Tunic tops start around $25, dresses around $30, and boots around $50. Look for most of the above this August and September in stores.

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

Friday, May 20, 2011

34th Street Weekend Sales Picks

We're streamlining the weekend sales post from a list of major stores' sales to my top 3-5 picks.If you really miss the big sales listing, let me know in comments. Here's this week's top 3 weekend sales:

#1. Esprit  For their Friends & Family Sale. Get 40% off all full-price and clearance merchandise and buy yourself a dress and a classic Esprit jean jacket for a lot less. Print voucher from here and bring into store.

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


#2. Zara  Because there are discounted items spread throughout the store, including this fabulous black dress, below, for $79.90.

39 W. 34th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues (closer to 6th)

 

#3. Macy's Herald Square  Because it's their Ultimate Girl Weekend and they are doing gifts with purchases, plus sales, plus 25% off with purchase over $100 and savings pass. Look for the really cute Bar III maxi dresses (left).

151 34th Street between Broadway & 7th Avenue


Thursday, May 19, 2011

Secondary Colors at Zara 34th Street

This color combination was the first thing I saw when I walked into Zara 34th Street yesterday.
If you're really paying attention, and I hope you're not because my pedicure is in dire need of an update, you'll see that my toes are painted the exact same blue and green as the above skirt ($79.90) and top ($39.90). I totally did not do this on purpose. But I totally on purpose painted my left toenails green, and my right blue. I think this only works if you use some crazy bright colors.



 The above jacket ($129) is not leather, but a heavy canvas that looks leather from afar. The pants are $39.90, and I don't care if the magazines are saying the drop crotch is out, I'm buying. I'm visualizing all this with some high, platform sandals, preferably a neutral color.

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

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Tallia Orange at Macy's Herald Square

When I read about Tallia Orange and its playful suit linings with unique patterns for each style, I had to drop by Macy's Herald Square and check it out. Tallia is in a new home at Macy's on the second floor in designer sportswear (it used to be in the suit section).


Note Tallia's signature orange lining on each collar, visible when turned up. The ties are pictured below not just because I find them adorable, but also to emphasize the mix-n-match fun you can have with this line. And the pricing is impressively low for the quality. Tallia is a brand of Peerless International, a big player in manufacturing, so they've got the resources to bring its customer a quality line for great prices.




I want to call it all "preppy with a twist." How sick are you of reading "preppy with a twist?" Let's ask The Princess herself!

Tallia Orange at Macy's Herald Square
2nd floor, 34th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Beer Garden Opens for Thirsty Shoppers

Because shopping on 34th Street is often an afternoon long jaunt that can leave a girl awfully parched, we would like to let you know about the newest addition joining our 34th Street restaurant offerings: a beer garden. Yes, right across from Madison Square Garden, down the street from Macy's Herald Square, H&M, Footaction, and Swarovski (and perhaps soon DSW), there will be a new, 6,000 square-foot beer garden.

Rendering of the beer garden from Local West. The big building is Duane Reade, Local West is to the left, and on the right is Lucy's Cantina Royale.

Pretty, yes? The good people at Local are bringing us shady trees, picnic-style communal tables (as well as cozy 2-tops), 16 different craft beers, a menu of handcrafted soft pretzels, kettle corn, and sausages, all in close proximity to Madison Square Garden and the best of 34th Street shopping. Meet your friends for a nosh, meet the guys before heading to a game, or meet your friends and then meet some guys. It's all good, and it should be opening in early June.


The Beer Garden (name is TBD) enter on 33rd or 34th Streets just off of Eighth Avenue

Monday, May 16, 2011

Swarovski's New Pirates of the Caribbean Collection

There's a very limited amount of each piece, so if you're a fan, go buy soon.

May 20th is the official release date of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. But you can get your Pirates Swarovski jewelry on 34th Street now. See those skull charms and swords up there? Yes, those are shots from the store at 34th and 7th Avenue.

It's these lovelies, below, you'll have to wait for till Friday the 20th, the film release date. They are replicas of the cross pendant worn by Penelope Cruz and the ring worn by Johnny Depp in the film.





I'm actually a little scared that I would buy both of these. I usually don't go in for Disney-themed jewelry, even if it is all about pirates and Johnny Depp and Penelope. But that gold cross is pretty damn perfect. I'm seriously tempted.


Swarovski Penn Plaza 34th Street and Seventh Avenue

Friday, May 13, 2011

Weekend Sales

Sales are posted every Friday for the upcoming weekend. Please note that many of these offers will expire on the following Monday!*

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

  • Bulldog Sale: up to 70% off

    American Eagle Outfitters, 40 W. 34th btwn 5th & 6th Avenue
    • T's and tanks only $10
    • Shorts are $24.95 and up

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

        Bebe, 34th Street at Fifth Avenue
        • 15% off purchases of $125 or more
        • 20% off purchases of $250 or more 

         Charlotte Russe Manhattan Mall, 33rd and 6th Avenue
        • BOGO 50% off clearance
        • Hot dresses starting at $20

         Daffy's Herald Square, 34th and Broadway

        Desigual, 358 Fifth Avenue at 34th Street
        &
        Desigual Herald Square, 958 Avenue of the Americas at 35th Street
        • Catch It Sale! Select items on sale for 30% off

        Esprit, 21 W. 34th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues
          • All T's, shorts and crops are 30% off when you buy two, 40% off when you buy three or more 
          • Beach Bound: hats, bags, sunglasses, flip flops are buy one save 20%, buy two or more save 30%

          Express, 7 W. 34th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues
          & 
          Express, Manhattan Mall level 1, 33rd Street & 6th Avenues 
          • T's and tanks for her are buy one get one free
          • Graphic T's for him are buy 1 get one for $19.90
          • Casual dresses for her are 30% off
          • Shorts for him are buy 1 get one for $29.90

          Famous Footwear, 250 W. 34th between 7th & 8th Avenues
          • Save up to 50% off select styles

          Forever 21, 50 W. 34th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues
          •  Sale racks!

          Gap, 60 W. 34th Street at Broadway
          • Swim separates from $20
          • Select styles of shorts from $25

          Geox, 29 W. 34th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues
          • Select full-priced shoes are 30% off
          • Last season shoes are up to 50% off

          H&M Herald Square, 34th Street & 6th Avenue
          & 
          H&M, Seventh Avenue & 34th Street 
          • Bikini tops from $4.95 
          • Select shirts for him from $9.95 
          • Select dresses are 30% off


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

            Kmart, 1 Penn Plaza at 7th Avenue

            Lane Bryant, 7 W. 34th Street between 5th & 6th
              • All crops are BOGO for 50% off
              • Jewelry and Cacique bras are BOGO for 50% off

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

              Men's Wearhouse, Empire State Building, 350 Fifth Avenue (entrance on 34th Street)
              • BOGO free on everything in the store

              Old Navy, 150 W. 34th Street between Broadway & 7th Avenue
              • All shorts on sale, kids and baby from $9, adults from $15

              Orva Shoes, 34 W. 34th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues
              • Winter boots 30% off (excludes some brands) 

              Payless, 34th Street at Broadway
              &
              Payless, 34th Street & 8th Avenue
              • Last weekend to BOGO 50% off entire store

              Perfumania, 20 W. 34th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues
              • 20% off Christian Audiger LA and Ed Hardy perfumes
              • Take an extra 50% off clearance items 

              Steve Madden Shoes, 41 W. 34th Street
              • Boots for under $100
              • Select styles on sale

              Strawberry Manhattan Mall, levels 1 & 2, 33rd Street & 6th Avenue
              Strawberry, 14 W. 34th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues
              • Spring Sale
              • Go here to sign up for special Strawberry savings


              Who.A.U. , 22 W. 34th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues
              • Bear logo polos are two for $39.50
              • Graphic T's are $19.50



              *All sale information is subject to change. Please contact stores for more information. Most sales are for select items only.

              Wednesday, May 11, 2011

              Earthies at Orva

              Oh these Earthies are pretty shoes.


              Spotted at Orva Shoes on 34th Street. Click here for better pictures of the above, because my iPhone pics do not do justice to the gorgeous reds. I pick the Monaco, the Riviera, the Tropez, and the Veria. I haven't tried these on yet, but they should be beyond comfortable because that's the whole thing about Earth shoes, the Earthies mother brand. "Earthy," "earthies," I know, I think granola shoes too but Birkenstocks these are not. Earthies just work hard to keep you elevated and your feet well.


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

              Tuesday, May 10, 2011

              Old Navy Hits


              It's kind of crazy that this is the first time I've tried on Old Navy jeans on 34th Street. Horrors, I know, but I'm a bit of a jeans snob. If you have a long inseam you are born a jeans snob. You just don't know it until you try on that first pair of designer jeans that fall beautifully down to your heels and sometimes a little beyond.
              I love the primary colors in the dressing rooms, but next time I'm bringing my own Windex

              The Old Navy jeans weren't bad, but I can't say I'd buy them as they aren't quite long enough. I would, however, buy their summer shirts ($24.94), which were pleasantly adorable, and the really great dresses ($34.94). The ON dresses kind of blew me away, and the green romper, too. Also, try on the clogs, they were a good-with-everything shoe.

              Loose and flapper-ish.
              Tied up at the waist.




              And if you're thinking, Hey, that purple dress looks baggy, it's because I grabbed a medium hangar but got an XL dress. Upon trying it on I thought, Cute, a flapper style! But no, it's just big. Try going up in size for this one because although I wouldn't buy the XL, I think I'd get the L for how it's all hanging.



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