All About Barbie

Who wasn't inspired by Barbie as a young girl? Me. I was more impressed with Ken and Barbie's gymnast cousin Trixie. But doesn't it make sense that Patricia Field has created a Barbie-inspired line for Macy's? Have you seen Sex in the City? Only Patricia Field could convince America that it's perfectly de riguer for Sarah Jessica Parker to be running around Manhattan in little more than a men's shirt or booty shorts and 5 inch heels in the middle of the day. And only Barbie or SJP could pull it off.

The inimitable and talented Ms. Field will be appearing today at Macy's Herald Square to launch her new line of casual wear, accessories, and handbags, all inspired by the blondest she-bot doll in the history of dolldom. Visit the Impulse department on 2 (it's a conspiracy, I swear) today at 6pm, nosh a little and listen to Mickey Boardman of Paper Magazine interview Patricia Field.

Enjoy great people watching at this event, because Patricia Field has a strong New York following and her fans are colorful and bold trendsetters. Proof of this is at the Payless store on 34th Street, where Ms. Field's 5 1/2 inch platform sandals ("Tempura," $40) and boots ("Sushi," $55) are currently almost sold out. Hurry and you may be able to find your size, but PLEASE practice a little platform walking before you take them on the street. Channel drag queen.

And while there look at the Abaete holiday collection. I love the black evening flats named "Betty," $30. They don't look special in the box but are beautiful on the foot. And as usual, her designs never look like anyone else's.

Macy's Herald Square, 151 W. 34th between Broadway & 7th, 212-695-4400
Payless, 110 W. 34th between Broadway & 7th, 212-947-0306

Pushing Faux Fur

Lindsey wanted to check out the Rebecca Beeson dress at Macy's so we braved the holiday crowds to try it on. If you haven't been to Macy's Herald Square since the decorations have gone up, you have to go. Nothing will put you a festive mood more, and holiday headrush is good stuff, it helps fuel the urge to buy. Can't stand holiday crowds? Shop before noon. And go to the dressing room next to the North Face coats on 2 (that's where the Beeson dress is, I had no choice), there always seems to be a room open there.

And that dress? Too short. So short that we can't show you. Tall girls, please stay away from this dress and its perfect shiny-ness. But Lindsey (tall girl) found lots of other lovely items that are safe to be viewed by all:

First up, To the Max, left, $138. This is sweet, a sort of hip farmer's daughter look. But not really Lindsey.

Nor is this Romeo & Juliet Couture dress just what Lindsey's looking for, although it's very cute ($98). It shines, too, but the stripes balance out the glow.

Ah, my personal favorite. I forced Lindsey to try on this faux animal print Miss Sixty, left, $399. It's not her style at all, but I wanted to see it on her. Suddenly she's looking all movie star glam, perfect with her blond hair and tall good looks. But it's pricey so we're thinking about it. The belt and the gathered cap sleeves make this coat.

And what did she buy? This shirt from Ben Sherman, left, $89. The vest was well-received (Ben Sherman, $89 also), but it too must wait for another day. Lindsey is looking for good work clothes and this shirt is a perfect call. Please click on the photo for its full, windowpane-patterned brilliance.



Macy's Herald Square, 151 W. 34th btwn. Broadway & 7th, 212-695-4400

It's My Lucky Day

Lucky for me, I'm not the only one in the office who shops in the district. Here's Racquel working Old Navy and H&M:

Racquel's professional look is modern with clean lines. And she doesn't have to spend a lot to maintain it. She bought the pants at Old Navy. Originally they were $29.50, but Racquel got them for $20. The top is from H&M and costs $15.90. I've also coveted Racquel's stylish hair piece for months.
Click on the photo on the right and check out that flower. Guess where she gets them? The pet store! It's an aquarium piece. Who'd have thought the pet store was a gold mine for accessories? I'm so keeping my eyes open next time I pick up cat food. Quick, someone tell Karl for spring 2009 Chanel.

Yet another jackpot when Sarah wore this to the office:

Obviously great minds think alike, as I had just photographed this the other day at the Gap. I love how this sweater ($34.50) can be a multi-season piece. Layer it as Sarah has here, for winter, and wear it with a dress or tank in the spring.


Old Navy, 150 W. 34th between Broadway & 7th Ave, 212-594-0049
Gap, 60 W. 34th at 6th Ave, 212-760-1268
H&M, 435 7th Avenue @ 34th St, 212-643-6955

Great Coats

I know there are shoppers out there who have yet to purchase a new winter coat. You're waiting because it was a warm November and who wants to drop money for a coat during a warm November? And maybe global warming is a lot further along than Al Gore's charts show, and you'll never, ever need a warm winter coat again? But then December arrives, and snow happens, and you've got to go to Zara and get yourself a really cute wool coat. See, it's not so bad.
Sporty and snug, left, $189. Admittedly, this will not be the warmest coat you'll own, but it may be your cutest.


Short and swingy,$149, this trapeze is heavier than it looks. I love the cut, the collar, and the huge pockets. Watch out for wind going up and under.

Wait, and this cut, I really love this cut, also $149. And the collar, wow. It's a sleeker version of the previous trapeze, but with 3/4 sleeves and terribly chic cuffs.

Here's the one I really wanted to buy ($129) because I have nothing like this. I call it the not-so-secret agent coat, because everyone's looking when you wear it. I love the pretty neutral color, and its short, sexy trench-ness. It's not a heavy wool, but it's solid and feels waterproof. Could it be?


Ok, all Zara's wool coats have great cuffs. And I love the soft, rounded shoulder of this striped coat, it looks very 50's.

nb: I have to go up a size with Zara. Damn those skinny Spanish girls. Also, these are all from the Zara Women line.


Zara, 39 W. 34th St. between 5th & 6th, 212-868-6551

Shine On and On and On...

For more shiny somethings, visit Strawberry on 34th Street. I love stores like Forever 21 and Strawberry for items like these, because you won't spend a lot of money for a fleeting trend. Mark my shiny words, next winter you'll have to call out reconnaissance troops to find a sequined tank top in the district.





Very shiny top, left, $17.99, so pair it up with something low-key. Purple tank, $9.99, also comes in black, which might be cuter. And two shiny dresses, dark grey, left, and black, right, both for $24.99. Do these with a heavy stocking.

Bonus Shine:

I loved this Zara Women top (left, $35) so much more on; the fit is great. The beading, again, could work in a hip manner with a skirt or wait, cropped legging and ankle boot! This top (right, $64) is on sale at Macy's (um, sheepishly I must admit on floor 2) and it is my favorite shine: rubbery looking shine. Very cool. The skirt is on sale also, a great Paper Denim Cloth number for $24.50, but I may have bought the last one. Sorry, its retro metal look was irresistible.


Strawberry, 14 W. 34th between 5th & 6th, 212-279-8696
Forever 21, 50 W. 34th between 5th & 6th, 212-564-2346
Zara, 39 W. 34th between 5th & 6th, 212-868-6551
Macy's, 151 W. 34th between Broadway & 7th, 212-695-4400

Shoe Sales

Post Black Friday discounts on 34th Street to shod your lovely feet:

Bakers Shoes - save $25 on every $75 you spend. Fulfill your tall, suede boot needs with styles like "Hayden," right, $79.95.

Shoe Mania - buy one get one half off (of equal or lesser value, of course). Look for these on 34th: left to right, Franco Sarto's "Miss," but it's a prettier lighter grey in the store, $109.95; Taryn Rose's "Yadira," $594.95; and Jeffrey Campbell's "Smlatte," best named shoe ever, $129.95.

Strawberry - up to 50% off selected items. I want the Sacha Too tall boot with laces up the back, $49.95. Sorry, no picture, but they're on 34.

And if you can make it to Make 10 in the next couple hours, you get $10 off any purchase of $30 or more.

Bakers Shoes, 358 Fifth Avenue (on 34th between 5th & 6th), 212-279-7016

Shoe Mania, 11 W. 34th between 5th & 6th, 212-564-7319

Strawberry, 14 W. 34th between 5th & 6th, 212-279-8696

Make 10, 366 Fifth Avenue between 34th & 35th, 212-868-1202

Something Shiny

Walking up 6th Avenue: "Is it going to rain today? Hmm, maybe I should get a salad for lunch...why did I wear suede boots if I knew it might rain...do I need a new dress? I wonder if I'm the only girl in midtown who's obsessed with The Game...am I getting stupider in my old age? Why do all newscasters look alike, they must use the same hair and makeup person...Oh, good god, no:"

And bam, your walking inner stream of consciousness has been needlessly interrupted by a sequin dress. Take this as a strong suggestion while you're shopping for party gear this season: don't be so shiny that you abruptly halt everyone's train of thought and they become rendered immediately speechless and blind from the glare of sequins reflecting off candlelight. Try something like this from Forever 21 instead:

Dressy tops with just a few shiny things. Can you see them? Hardly? Good. A little sparkle on the neckline, nice and subtle gold dolman-sleeved shine, and a total St. John-looking silver shiny thing. I don't like it, but it serves a cleavage purpose for you who've got some:

And my exception to the rule:

Argh, I can't help it I love this super shiny object, it's so wanna-be Oscar de la Renta gone wild. I just know some hipster girl can rock this whole granny society jacket thing.

Because it's Forever 21, prices run from $19.80 to $38.90. And because it's Forever 21, please don't get distracted by the really shiny things. Focus on a nice little holiday glow, not a conversation-stopping glare.



Forever 21, 50 W. 34th between 5th & 6th, 212-564-2346