Without Walls: Urban Outfitters Answer to Fashionable Activewear

I was taking an innocent pass through Urban Outfitters on 35th Street, checking out all the extras that this particular store has compared to its counterparts on 14th Street, Broadway, etc, when I happened upon something new and very intriguing. It is a store within a store, boasting an Intelligentsia coffee shop, a skincare shop and, much to my delight, the newest addition to the Urban Outfitters/Anthropologie/Free People family: Without Walls.

This athletic/outdoor boutique is hard to miss, boasting brilliant patterns in magnetic colors and alluring fabrics. The display's focal point is an open caravan with thick wool vintage blankets slung over and out of its windows, colorful canteens, lanterns and carabiners artfully showcased along with hip outdoor coffee table books and psychedelic backpacks. On top of the caravan is a tent, but not your run-of-the mill army green or navy blue tent. This tent's nylon shell is a burst of floral designs on a white motif. Almost immediately you want to go camping, you think I'll hike the Appalachian trail, I'll white water raft through the Grand Canyon, hell! I'll even make it to the top of Mount Everest, and I will look so cool while doing it. Outdoorsy is hip.

The recent trend in outdoor and athletic clothing has been to modify what already works to be something fashionable, an item of clothing you would want to wear to your Saturday afternoon brunch. Athletic clothing is now about fashion. What?!

Without Walls is hitting the market with a vast inventory of super cool, boldly printed leggings and similarly bold sports bras, fleeces from Patagonia, updated army jackets, men's windbreakers with neon green drawstrings, and sleeping bags that are as bright as a Lily Pulitzer dress. The whole aesthetic is playing with the "I don't care if my stripes clash with my plaids" and it's working.

Some of the brands you'll find in Without Walls are tried and true such as Columbia, Patagonia and Tyvek, but as one store clerk pointed out to me "we are helping startups while starting up ourselves." There were names that I didn't recognize such as Katin, Blue Life and Teeki. Some of these might be familiar to you, dear reader, but for me they were a discovery.

There is also this inspirational aspect to the store, I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but felt it was about creating your own style or inspiring creation by unplugging, improving, and expanding your world through being outdoors. After all, the store's mantra is get moving, have fun. Life is an adventure, might as well look good while exploring it.


Urban Outfitters Herald Square
1333 Broadway at 35th Street

34th Street Weekend Sale Picks: Winter Won't Be On Sale Forever

#1.  Joe Fresh   
Because they are having a 40%-60% off sale on winter items, including shoes like these and sequin leggings like these.  215 W. 34th Street

#2. Brookstone  
Because yes, that personal massager is on sale.  142 W. 34th Street

#3. Old Navy 
Because you can earn some Super Cash this weekend, and all the fitness wear is on sale. What was your New Year's resolution again?!   150 W. 34th Street

Daffy's Herald Square for Accessories

I'm really annoyed with my Hayden Harnett bag for falling apart after three years, but I guess I should have known when the hardware on an outside pocket fell off the first week I wore it.

So I've been looking a little closer at bags these days, wondering what the heck I'm going to carry for New York Fashion Week. Daffy's had a few impressive choices that I'm considering, as my Birkin bag most likely won't be making it from Paris in time (joking, joking, and *wish*).

This might be the best casual "sporty" bag I've seen yet. Gym clothes, overnighter, love this.

Polka dot clutch. What's more adorable?

A few more typical, everyday choices. Not bad, right?!

I had to throw in the suede and leather jackets. They are such a typical awesome Daffy's find.



Daffy's Herald Square 34th Street and Broadway

34th Street Weekend Sale Picks: Still Almost Everything

#1.  Levi's
Because there's 50% off already reduced items, including this really cute khaki jacket for about $30 and this even cuter cropped denim jacket with elbow pads for around $40. Bargain.  45 W. 34th Street

#2.  Gap
Because they're having a 30% off jeans sale. You know how I love Gap jeans. Also, you can get a pair of their GapFit workout pants on sale, starting at $25.  60 West 34th Street

#3.  Steve Madden
Because they've got up to 50% off select items. And if you haven't been to their recently renovated 34th Street store, you're missing out on a greatly improved shoe shopping experience. 41 West 34th Street

#4.  H&M
Because they've got tons of items on sale for $10, $15, and $20. I saw sweaters, skirts, and jackets, so go stock up for end-of-season.  47 West 34th Street

Power Lunch Today at Banana Republic

Banana Republic is having a Power Lunch sale today, which means you can power through their sale items and get another 50% off. But it's only today, only in their stores, and only for three hours. Which means this ends at 2pm, so hurry and go exercise your shopping power!

Pretty, yes?! From September 2011, so you may get lucky and find some of these on the sale racks...

Banana Republic 17 West 34th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues

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! 

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.