My Better Half

Today I give a love post to my man, who sat (almost) quietly through fluctuating hormone levels on my birthday. Let's just say at the new and fabulous age of 42, impending motherhood is freaking me out a little. You'd think by now I'd have reconciled myself to not being a carefree gal about 34th Street anymore, but according to last June 6th, nope, that is not the case.

At least I had a new dress on.

Me lurking in a corner: H&M Mama dress ($24.90), Bitten jacket, Gap shoes, wooden rooster from the streets of DC. And the dress, in store, where you can see the cute shoulder ties.



















Normally I would have spent my birthday the usual way: with the love of my life, talking, eating, and drinking until I get in the mood to walk down the street yelling: "I'm 42 b*$#*es!" I highly recommend it, especially as you near your 40's.

But when pregnant, one is more restricted on their birthday. So here's to the guy who finds it amusing both when his birthday girl is yelling out the window of the cab, or is crying into her non-alcoholic beverage. You were well worth the wait, baby.

All of my boys, hanging out in the opposite corner singing "It's her birthday, she can cry if she wants to."

To celebrate my man's endearing patience, Old Navy is having a "Better Half Event." Customers can take 50% off everything in the men's department. OK, it's not really for my better half specifically, but after last Saturday he deserves it.

I'd get him this because it matches his eyes and he needs gym gear. As you can see from the photo on the left, he also needs shoes. We're taking him to Foot Locker later this week.










H&M Mama at H&M Herald Square, 34th & 6th
Old Navy, 150 W. 34th St between Broadway & 7th

Wonderwall: The Last Chance?

As Steve & Barry's is now completely kaput, liquidation sales are in progress, eg: 60% or more off of everything. You know I couldn't resist buying the man some more Wonderwall:

I even got another pair of board shorts for him - they were $3. And I know West Coasters must find those surf T's kind of silly ($2), but everytime he wears one the young, Wmsbrg. hipster types go nuts. Kills me!









Laird Hamilton, where are you and your wonderwall going? I will track you down, watch out Gabrielle. At least now the husband has enough board shorts & T-shirts to last him a lifetime.

As for me, I didn't see much in the way of clothes, although I may go back for a spring Bitten tunic top. But I've had my eye on these Bitten wallet things for a while, so I picked up two of the brightest for under $3.

And I couldn't resist the grey scarf hair thing, or the gold headband (Both around $1.50). Do not get the too-ridiculous-tight elastic hairbands(not shown) or you may do permanent brain damage. Or maybe it's just my ginormous head. I did buy the elastics, but for my cat who is obsessed and plays fetch with them for hours.

In other fascinating, discount store news, I just noticed on my Strawberry receipt that these:


are categorized as "Gym Active." I may have to go back for these (I bought the black) now that I know they are gym-appropriate. Brooklyn YMCA weightlifters, beware.

Steve & Barry's Manhattan Mall, (but not for long) 33rd & 6th Avenue

Cheapo, Even For Pleather

I dropped by the Steve & Barry's in Manhattan Mall yesterday to see if it was still open and selling everything for $8.98. Yes, and yes. There is even some fall merchandise I hadn't seen before, like this Bitten pleather jacket:

Note I again was put in the big handicapped dressing room. Hmm.




















The photos don't really do it justice as I was working with borrowed equipment. But I tested it on my co-workers later back at the office. They said "cute" "it looks vintage" "that cost how much?" and "get me one tomorrow!" It also got a pass from Jeffrey (office's toughest critic), but with a disclaimer "Cheap fabric on cheap fabric means lots of pills." True, unfortunately, the sweater part on the arms will hit the sweater part on the body, and pilling will ensue. And I don't really like it zipped up as the neck strangles me, but I prefer it open anyway. Buy this a little small. Of course, as it's Steve & Barry's, there are lots of XL's, but luckily there were several XS's also.

Any buying hesitation you may experience it mitigated by the $8.98 price. Another plus is how the sleeves are all wrinkled. It is now sitting in my closet in a little ball, as I'm hoping to get that wrinkled effect all over.

Steve & Barry's, Manhattan Mall, level 2, 6th & 33rd

Steve & Barry's Files Chapter 11

According to a Crain's story, Steve & Barry's has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy:

"But now Steve & Barry's is the latest victim of a sluggish economy that's been especially tough on retailers. The Port Washington, L.I.-based apparel company, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Wednesday, is still operating its 276 retail locations, but many, if not all, are expected to close if the firm does not find a buyer soon."

Sad to hear they "...axed 172 corporate and field staff jobs immediately." This story says they started closing offices Wednesday. When I was in the store last Thursday I overheard a couple shoppers talking about "free clothes." And then a gentleman greeted a manager-type, who advised "Hey, ____, get everything you want because this is going to be it." Besides inducing a panic response (I immediately grabbed 4 Wonderwall shirts for my husband), that comment made me surmise that laid-off staff was given a shopping free-for-all. Good for them, if true. I sent an email to PR, asking them to confirm, but most likely the PR department is part of the corporate axing.

Guess this makes the opening of the downtown store highly unlikely. Oh, and if there's a Steve & Barry's near you, or you're in midtown, go to Manhattan Mall soon and pick up those Wonderwall* shirts. They're made surprisingly well and even my husband was impressed upon trying them on and complimented the fit.

*From Crains: "Sears Holding Corp. is said to be negotiating with Steve & Barry's for the rights to sell some of the brands in its bargain stores, Kmart and Sears." So SJP could end up at Sears?


Steve & Barry's, Manhattan Mall, level 2, 33rd & 6th

Your Friendly Manhattan Mall Update

Manhattan Mall, the mall of midtown and home to Steve & Barry's and Strawberry, is going through some changes:










The bottom floor is what used to be the food court. A loss, yes (no more food samples), but all this construction will bring JCPenney to midtown Manhattan. I haven't stepped foot inside a JCPenney since I was a kid. And back then we had more family ties to Sears as my sister was a top seller in automotive (employee discount, baby!). So send me some JCPenney comments, I'm curious as to what you all think.

And some Manhattan Mall windows:










At Steve & Barry's, the Sex and the City T-shirts by Bitten. Umm, "I'm with Mr. Big," not really interested but perhaps it's my age/marital status. You?

Also at Steve & Barry's, the Wonderwall line by Laird Hamilton. "We are all equal before a wave." Maybe if one is a world-class surfer, yes. Me, not so much as I discovered on my honeymoon after a bit of a tropical storm. But Laird's line looks pretty good. I eyeballed the collection today and am buying some later this week (the lunchtime line was too long). There are some decent looking striped shirts and also plaid shorts for the guys. And it's all $8.98 or less. Will try to get Husband (a much more "equal before the wave" type) to model.

And I was inexplicably drawn to this Victoria's Secret window:

then it hit me: this was exactly what I had needed for my own wedding gown. Something reasonable to pouf up Mom's dress. She and I had some gut-busting fun shopping for a crinoline (the original had been lost). The only ones we could find were huge, as in "bigger than the church aisle" huge. So I hope this helps someone out there who is also overwhelmed by too-too poufy wedding undergarments.

The rest of the Victoria's Secret wedding collection looks vintage, pretty and sexy. Has anyone tried it on? Lingerie trying-on was not happening today as I haven't been to the gym in over a week.

Steve & Barry's, Manhattan Mall level 2, 33rd @ 6th
Victoria's Secret, Manhattan Mall level 2

I Bought The Dress

Would you buy something that's been prominently displayed in The New York Times as possibly one of the world's cheapest dresses? Well, I did. I also bought its less infamous yellow sister seen below. Both from Sarah Jessica Parker's Bitten line, and both cost $8.98. So for under $18 I got two colorful summer dresses.

Do I care it had its 15 minutes in The New York Times? Nah. Perhaps I'll wear my blue dress like a flag? Look, here it is, and I'm damn proud! Not a penny more than $8.98!

pretty yellow dress front, full-skirted, & backwards (couldn't resist, felt very Westwood) - pretty blue dress front, back and front again - and you can wear chunky heels or flats















Steve & Barry's, Manhattan Mall level 2, 33rd @ 6th

So Much To Do...

Fuel up, kids, because there's a lot of new shopping on 34th Street today. First up, the Gap Artist Editions T-shirts in celebration of the 2008 Whitney Biennial debut in stores:


I spotted these in The New Yorker, and have my eye on the Hanna Liden big bird (bottom right). And Stephanie Seymour in the Jeff Koons? Sexy. Looks like they are all $28.



Next, get thee to Footaction on 7th & 34th at 3pm for an old school, bad-ass celebrity sighting: the Rev Run will be dropping by to promote the release of the "Icon Sneaker." Ladies, I may have to stalk him a little because Run-DMC is, well, remember the video for "Walk this Way?" Aerosmith has never been so cool.

Last, Steve & Barry's Laird Hamilton Wonderwall collection, a surf and skate apparel line for men, debuts today. Everything is $9.98 or less. Not familiar with Laird Hamilton? Girls, he's the hot blond surfer dude married to Gabrielle Reece and famous for mastering those crazy, 70 ft. waves. Take a cue from Laird's collection and plan a guy-centric night at home for the man. Rent Riding Giants, a seminal surfing movie starring Laird, surprise your guy with a new pair of Wonderwall board shorts (above), and dress yourself down with SJP's Bitten loungewear (this should include boy shorts). Works every time.

Gap, 60 W. 34th at 6th Avenue
Footaction, 430 7th at 34th
Steve & Barry's, Manhattan Mall level 2, 33rd @ 6th

Steve & Barry's = $8.98

Everything in Steve & Barry's in Manhattan Mall is $8.98. Space is limited in the store (looks like big renovations), so I'd recommend shopping during off hours. During lunch and peak hours it will be crowded. Still, those checkout kids are fast.

Here's what you should pick up:













Bitten goods. Dresses and denim jackets for $8.98 is a bargain. That disco pink bodysuit is the most Carrie item I think I've seen SJP do for Steve & Barry's. It fits surprisingly well, although yes, it rides up. But show me a bodysuit that doesn't. The black and white dress are the same style, very cute and nice feminine details (pleated, swingy bottom). And buy that denim jacket small and tight (you can take the girl out of the heavy metal club....)

Also get the EleVen sweatpants. They are soft, long (remember, Venus is tall) and wash well (I bought these months ago). And they are $8.98! There are also lots of T's and long sleeved shirts, but it looks like most of the pretty sweatjackets are gone.

Then pick up a pair of Steve & Barry's cargo shorts for your man. Because it's going to get warm and they're $8.98.

Steve & Barry's, Manhattan Mall level 2, 33rd @ 6th

Free Dress Proves Nothing is Free

Remember the Project Runway Bitten dress sold at Steve & Barry's? Remember, ages ago, when Fashion Herald gave 5 away? So much has happened since then: Victorya was auf'd and Christian won; Fashion Herald attended (and was underwhelmed by) Victorya's New York fashion week debut; and Melissa, a dress winner, was game enough to model the Bitten dress for her friends' amusement. Following are her pictures and her review:

Your officemates look so much better in it! Maybe I am not thin and/or curvy enough to make it work. As a representative of the boyish-but-not-waifish figured-women, I would like to submit this dress review:

Pros:

1. The dress is very easy to put on & take off. There are no zippers or snaps or anything.
2. I could probably gain 50 lbs & still wear it.
3. The bow is fun to play with.

Cons:

1. Your friends will laugh at you. (See pictures 1, 2, & 3 above -- do the heels make it worse?)

Below are some attempts to not look like a weeblewobble with limbs:

Picture 4: the ties are twisted down the back & then tied around the waist.

Pictures 5&6: the ties are wrapped under the arms and across the back & then tied around torso, kinda like an empire-waist dress (see dots in picture 5).

Pictures 7&8: the bow is tied around the head to draw the eye away from the large tent that is my body. (The wig is just for contrast.)

Thanks for the dress!

Really? Because that last shot proves Melissa had quite a challenge of her own. And she looks as good as my officemates, if not more so; certainly the pink, bewigged, "Bitten bunny" shot is an A+. Melissa, not only do you have a perfect costume if Halloween and Easter ever land on the same day, but you've also proved your insane styling chops. She achieves the impossible and makes this dress wearable. Thank-you Melissa, you are so cool to send us all this. And please check out her band, Last Year's Model, at their myspace page. Yes, she is the keyboardist for the best band EVER! Enjoy.

Steve & Barry's, Manhattan Mall level 2, 33rd @ 6th Ave

Forgiving Gap

It makes sense that losing weight is the big New Year's resolution, because after holiday food and holiday drinking we usually suffer from holiday gut. Not only is January for getting back to work, but it's also about getting back into work clothes. Some will diet, but Erica, after the ritualistic joining-of-a-gym, went shopping and bought new work gear at Gap. And her look is GOOD:

on the subway.........off the subway.........the art shot (aka "moving train")

I'm really feeling this '70's working woman look. Nice job, Gap (blouse, $44.50 and pants, $49.50). And Erica, as usual, puts it together great: the print shirt, the schoolboy blazer, and the patent pumps is all perfection. And the soft, winter white pants look so January modern, it's refreshing. Why else should we shop Gap in the new year? It's all about the size. At Gap 6 is a 6, not an 8 or 10.

Get a further jump on the upcoming '70's trend with this Bitten jean vest, right, at Steve and Barry's. What's hipper than a denim vest, man? This is $14.98 and fits pretty well. The color is perfect for the retro feel. It's very Sears Toughskins.

Gap, 60 W. 34th at Broadway
Steve & Barry's, Manhattan Mall level 2, 33rd and 6th Ave.

Bitten Blues

Sigh. My 4 remaining, lonely Bitten dresses are like the Charlie Brown Christmas tree of the blogosphere. Free dress, anyone? Honestly, the vote is still out in the office. Many like the shape, the pockets (dresses with pockets are DESIRABLE) and the long tie. Everyone wishes the fabric was nicer, and some suspect the fabric of the dress on the show was higher quality. It appears to drape better in the Project Runway picture. Let's review:

Project Runway model, left, and real time, right. Hmm, maybe it just needs a good steam. We have few styling tools in office, but I love how Sarah looks in this with the tie in the back, and without the vest.






More office pictures: Bitten Twins prove all heights can wear the dress and check out Lindsey's shoes, it's cute with flats, too.

Racquel loves the dress. No wonder as it suits her even when she throws it on over work clothes.

Everyone (in the office and online) is disappointed the dress comes only in black and burgundy. I did see one gray on the mannequin in the Manhattan Mall store. Obviously I should have torn if off and sold it where? On Ebay, where prices go for $39.99 for the black. People not in the know, please remember Steve & Barry's sells this for $19.98 (thus the fabric dissatisfaction, so potential winners keep those expectations low).

Generally, side comments from the men in the office mean you're pushing the fashion boundary. Give yourself a little pat on the back if you're a recipient. Bitten Dress got:
"It's the Witches of Eastwick."
"What time's the graduation?"
Perfect, right?

Steve and Barry's, Manhattan Mall level 2, 6th Ave & 33rd St, 877-762-9444