Loose and Breezy at bebe

The other day I was complaining on Twitter about the change in seasons. Every year, when the heat suddenly hits and all one wants are loose, breezy tops, I always feel like I have nothing to wear.

This bebe top is a good start. Loose, breezy, but not too breezy for work. The orange is also lovely.

bebe
1 West 34th Street at Fifth Avenue

For Your Bed: barIII at Macy's Herald Square

Did you know? You can now get the awesomeness of barIII in your bedroom, like the Orion Collection, digital skull prints and all.

The Orion Collection, available at Macy's now.

These two will be available in the next couple months. Above is the Fusion Collection...

...and voilà: The Moto Collection.

I've got my eye on them all. Which would you like to be sleeping with this fall?



Macy's Herald Square
151 West 34th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue

Legs, Legs, Legs

Although I'd been at the beach all weekend, I threw on some of my old Clarins self-tanner this morning. I was baring my legs for the first time this spring/summer, and I HATE baring my legs.

Above is my self-tanner, which still works great. This is amazing considering it's older than my  toddler and is now discontinued. So get this at Sephora instead...

The combination of a little sun and self-tanner made my legs the most perfect, bare-able color yet. I can't stay in the sun long as my skin hates it and I get heat rash every time. I'm actually dying to scratch the hell out of my back right now. So when I go to the beach, which I love, I sit in the sun for about ten minutes, and then it's under the umbrella for me. If you're like me, I highly recommend using a little self-tanner after avoiding the sun at the beach for most of the day. It's a perfect combo.

Also, I'm picking these up at Duane Reade next time I'm in their beauty section, so in like an hour. I found them on Cat Marnell's post on xojane.com, who not only gives the best product advice, but is also a protege of a world-class expert on self tanning. (I'm pretty sure I've said this before on this blog, but get Jean Godfrey June's book Free Gift with Purchase, it's not only very entertaining but is full of useful beauty tips.)




Sephora
130 West 34th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue
Duane Reade
1350 Broadway at 35th Street, north side of Herald Square

34th Street Memorial Day Weekend Sale Picks

#1. Gap
Because there’s an online & in stores weekend sale up to 40% off! Big bonus for the early bird? The first 50 customers at Gap Herald Square and other stores in the city get a FREE T-shirt . 60 West 34th Street

#2. H&M
Because they've got great summer deals starting at $4.95!  435 Seventh Avenue

#3. Forever 21

Because they've got a 2 tanks for $8 deal, and they're having a 4-day, 80% off sale online!  50 West 34th Street

#4. Daffy'sBecause they've got inexpensive accessories, swimsuits, dresses and more! If you're looking to get your summer shopping done without visiting multiple stores, this is the place to do it.  Herald Center, 34th Street and Broadway

Enjoy the long holiday weekend!

Macy's Fall '12 Preview, And My Big Surprise

I almost cropped this photo but then noticed the floating ghost rack. Haunted preview, scary! 

A lot of the clothes are still haunting me from this Macy's fall preview, in a good way, of course. I'll start with my obvious favorites.

Bar III. I know, I'm a broken record, but look at that sweater! I'm never disappointed. Always the trendiest.

I've always liked INC International Concepts brand, despite the really long name. But this lace and black and white thing they've got going on for fall? Very, very, good. Very. The jeans I'm going to need.

American Rag! I know nothing about this brand (juniors) but I love the heart blouse with the stripes. Dare I say, nice pattern mix? Very on trend? Look for it in Herald Square.

I'm glad my early support of Material Girl has paid off for the brand. Yeah, I'm an early adopter. Anyway, Madonna and Lourdes, you can thank me later. Just keep on with your super cute, really affordable and very successful line. 

 RACEL Rachel Roy. Pretty much impeccable, the whole thing. I'm long overdue for a big Rachel Roy Macy's post.


And my big surprise? Tommy Hilfiger!

There's nothing I love more than a little grandpa chic.

 How good does this look? I was kind of bowled over by the Tommy Hilfiger. And since the preview I've been checking out the boutique in Macy's Herald Square, which is temporarily on the third floor during construction.


Macy's Herald Square
151 West 34th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue

Mango Fall '12 Preview

 As I'm sure you can relate, I was doing lots of "I need that" at the Mango Fall Preview a few weeks ago. Like, I really need these jeans. And that sweater. And the bag.

Mango has this magical way of doing classic and hip at once. 

And their Fall '12 collection is no exception.

 This might be one of my favorite images from the lookbook. I am such a sucker for wearing things backwards, like it's so genius! But seriously, it is.

And this, my friends, might be how every blogger in North America wants to look right now, forget about fall. The hat, the fringed boots, the bucket bag? Dead on blogger chic.

Visit Mango on 34th Street this weekend for fabulous dresses. You know I have a thing for their dresses. They will tide you over nicely until you can buy all of the above come August and September.



Mango
7 West 34th Street just west of Fifth Avenue

Identifying with Dooney & Bourke at Macy's Herald Square

I'm currently in the throes of an identity crisis.

I am not a bag girl, I don't care about designer bags, but I do care about spending money on something that will last me forever. Or a really long time. Which is what I thought I was getting four years ago from a then-hot Brooklyn brand, but sadly, things didn't work out so well. Meaning, it fell apart. This has left me very gun-shy.

I figured it would take me forever to find a bag that I could adore, afford, and wouldn't soon despise as poseur hipster crap, but then on the ground floor of Macy's Herald Square I saw these Dooney & Bourkes. What? I know! Dooney & Bourke is preppy and very conservative, right? But they felt and looked solid, are kind of interesting in a classic way, and the prices are under $400. I keep returning to visit them when I'm at Macy's. Am I nuts? Turning to country club chic in my old age? Or is this like when you get burned by too many rock star types and suddenly you just want to date lawyers?



Macy's Herald Square 
151 West 34th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue

You're Worth Billions of Dollars!

Your company's gone public, you just got married, your billions increased (for a while), and the fashionable powers-that-be are still bitching about your hoodie.

From WWD. Forget the hoodie, the denim wash and shoes totally make it a D+.

Would you care if you were worth that much? Me, I'd be laughing all the way to the hoodie bank. Although for real if I could wield that many dollars I'd have Nicolas Ghesquière on my speed dial and it would be the Balenciaga/Chalayan/Demeulemeester bank.

Hoodies from Alternative Apparel.

While Fashionista and most likely others have gone the designer route with a Zuckerberg hoodie-free makeover, I'd go with the "he doesn't care" thing and assume his new bride will force him into suits on occasion while he stays in hoodies and T's at all other times.

From Levi's: A premium T and skinny monochrome pant.

Shopping for your own Zuckerberg, but minus the billions? Let me recommend 34th Street. Kicks, T's and hoodies are our bread-and butter. See: Alternative Apparel boutique in Macy's Herald Square for stellar hoodies and super-hip sweats; WHO.A.U for great weekend plaids; and our Levi's boutique for classic, stylish denim and well-made basic T's. Trust me, I've got a Zuckerberg-dresser at home, and all of the former do wonders for honing his über-casual, college-boy inclinations.

Also, it's time to get your Mark out of the ugly trainers and into some cool kicks. This is an easy trip to either House of Hoops by Foot Locker, or the big and beautiful Foot Locker across from Macy's Herald Square.



Macy's Herald Square
151 West 34th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue
Levi's
45 West 34th Street
House of Hoops by Foot Locker
11 West 34th Street

34th Street Weekend Sale Picks: Suits, Shoes, and Joe Fresh

Intern "LCogs" is taking over the weekend sale picks for summer '12. Welcome, Laura!

#1. Steve Madden
Because a bunch of their shoes are 40% off. Chic and yeah, too much fun to wear!  41 West 34th Street

#2. KMart
Because you'll save up to 40% on select bathing suits. Vibrant, adorable and full of color, just what you need to stand out at the beach!  250 West 34th Street

#3. Joe Fresh

Becaus they're having a 40%-60% off sale, which includes those really cute yoga pants, bottom left, for $9!  215 West 34th Street

Victoria's Secret Manhattan Mall: Now Open. And Closed.

Don't be confused. As of today, a gorgeous new Victoria's Secret is open in the old Charlotte Russe space on the first floor of Manhattan Mall. It's a great space, which you can't really tell from my crap iPhone shot:

It's really a pretty store, stop by for a visit!

The Victoria's Secret on the second floor in Manhattan Mall is now closed. The flagship store on Herald Square is still open, but don't forget, they'll be closing soon for renovations. Luckily, Victoria's Secret has provided us with a nice sign at the old Manhattan Mall space, telling us what's up:

Which is a lot more helpful than, say, no sign:

Ack, Zara! Shoppers are freaking out! Now everyone thinks the store is gone! Or never existed. But seriously, what do they care? We love Zara so much that as soon as that wooden thing is gone and the store's renovations are complete, we'll be packing into the 34th Street store, cash and credit card in hand. Yes, the store will reopen. I got the scoop from a friendly security guy in the building next door. That is the most reliable information I can currently get on Zara, who should be tipping him big bills for Christmas 2012.

And now that I think of it, there's tons of construction going on at 35th Street behind Zara. Wild speculation: they are expanding! Oh, I love starting a good retail rumor.


Victoria's Secret
Manhattan Mall level one, 33rd Street and Sixth Avenue
Zara
Currently closed for renovations at 39 West 34th Street

Fashion Star Episode #10: The Winner's Collection

Spoiler alert: if you haven't watched the Fashion Star finale yet, don't read!! Also, this is a massive post.

I'm happy to say I did not jinx my number one pick, Kara Laricks. And her collections? My personal favorites are below, but I really wish H&M had made those major pants she showed on the runway, the drop-crotch ones that my husband heckled just before I kicked him out of the living room.

My favorite Kara Laricks H&M piece? The black romper. It's totally Kara and the cut is stylish and comfortable. No weird romper-pulling happening here. The only romper dilemma is yanking down that really cute white shirt underneath. I recommend first tucking it into your underwear, then pulling on the romper. Go get some hipsters in the lingerie department.

Dress, skirt, lots of Angelina-leg opportunity.

In addition to the romper, I highly recommend the long black skirt and dress. I adore these pieces. The skirt has very little hangar appeal, but put it on and do a little runway walk in front of the mirror. Beautiful. The fabric is silky rayon and both pieces have slits on each side that gracefully fall open as you walk, very subtly sexy.

My favorite Kara Laricks Macy's piece? Her dresses. Try them all and good luck choosing, as they are all going to impress. Perfect for work, great for after-work, and good even for more formal occasions (see tuxedo shift), they are beautifully cut, classic pieces. This is one of my favorite things about Kara Laricks: her work is interesting and chic but not trendy. If you hung her dress in your closet and didn't touch it until 20 years later, I bet you could pull it on and go.

Jumpsuit, pants, cameo T.

In addition to the dresses, I highly recommend the lightweight, cropped black pants (above, right, with cameo T). These are a wonderful work pant for spring and summer. I wish the sleeveless jumpsuit (above, left) was made of the same material, but it's a heavier polyester that feels hot for summer. Too bad, because I loved the calf-length button cuff.

I hate to say it, but the suit was sloppy on me. Not my favorite look, although better with the jacket open and with the vanilla blouse.

I didn't like the Macy's romper. I far preferred the runway version as the "shorts" were longer. The above version looks too pedestrian, as if it could be from any mall store.

Macy's Herald Square had a better selection, but to be fair it was a much bigger collection than H&M's. Although I was overall impressed with Kara's capsule collections, I was disappointed that many styles seen on the TV runway were either significantly altered or not found in stores. I guess that makes the show even more like a real runway-to-store experience, right? Often very little of what one sees on the runway is exactly what shoppers get in stores.

Adieu till next time, Fashion Star. You had a rough start but a stellar finish! Soon I'm going to need a Fashion Star Second Season Update, like will the buyer and designer panels remain the same? BURNING QUESTION!



H&M Herald Square and H&M Penn Station
34th Street and Sixth Avenue
34th Street and Seventh Avenue

Macy's Herald Square
151 West 34th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue