Best 34th Street Gifts, Day One: B&H Trolley Lust

For the week before Christmas I'll post fabulous 34th Street gift sources.Today features B&H, the world-famous photo & video store.

It's not that I don't love the electronics and the cameras at B&H (I want this one, get $100 off this camera until 1/08/2011):

And it's not that I don't love the knowledgeable and efficient B&H customer service (last visit George and I waited under five minutes after joining a really long line).

What I really love about B&H is their mesmerizing trolley system. Today's post is an homage to B&H's trolley and why it needs to be installed in my home. Hey, Christmas is coming, and my husband might need some help.

B&H, perfect at almost everything! But to be honest, the actual bins are lacking in sex appeal.

Never seen it? Go visit the store and look up. There you will see green bins traveling around the store with shoppers' items. This system enables one to shop unimpeded, sans sore arms carrying unwieldy boxes that knock into others. Shoppers can check out and then pick up their items right before walking out of the store. These magical bins also have special coding so they pop out at the proper department.

I really need specially coded bins for my apartment, where lots of junk has come to live. I could put our (aka "my") junk on the overhead trolley and watch it do laps. I would code my bins "kitchen" "bathroom" or "bedroom." Imagine, no more running out of toilet paper at inopportune moments! No more rummaging for chip clips and twist ties, or frantic searching for purple opaque leggings! But the best thing about an overhead trolley system? It is above my head. It isn't lying on the ground, sitting draped on my chairs, or hiding with my lost keys in the folds of the couch. Trolleys can save my marriage, keep my apartment clutter free, and make for good conversation starters at dinner parties. "Wow, nice overhead trolley!" "Thanks! It keeps all my junk on the move!" What can't an overhead trolley do?

George bought this lens. He always shops B&H, but not just for the great prices. He's into the really easy shopping experience, the 5-10 minutes guy-shopping cliche.

George also recommends this camera for a very good point and shoot digital.

I now challenge you to visit B&H and deny Trolley Lust. Impossible!


B&H New York Superstore, 9th Avenue at 34th Street

It's Always Foot Locker 34th Street for Kicks

Baby Converse kicks.

With my husband's birthday just days away, and him all desperate for new shoes (see how he abuses his shoes here), I knew it was time for a Foot Locker gift. Also, Melissa had kindly hooked me up with gift cards after the birth of Baby Herald, so it was past due time to cash one in, especially as Baby Herald insists on trying to walk everywhere, now, so she needs some real kicks.

Daddy Converse kicks. This is about as close to matching Daddy/daughter as I'll ever be allowed to get.

This photo really cracks me up because of the inadvertent Brooklyn parent tableau I didn't create, I swear. The guitars, the copy of Kaddish lying on top of the baby book, the baby toys tucked here and there, and the Converse sneaks. But let's focus on the shoes: the man kicks are leather Converse, $65, a grey-ish blue, and the 12s fit him perfect. Normally he's between 12-13, and Converse run big. Same for the baby shoes. Seems like she received tons of size 5 shoes as gifts, but they still fall off her. So the size 4 Baby Converse fit her perfect right now. Hers are canvas, not leather, but the soles are solid and good for those first walking attempts.The black and white baby kicks were around $30.

Selection at our Foot Locker on 34th Street really can't be beat, there are walls of kicks, and the Kids section is equally impressive. Visit soon to give your special someone a very Merry Kicksmas!

Foot Locker & Kids' Foot Locker, 120 W. 34th Street btwn Broadway & 7th

Help Raise a Roof, Buy a Little Woolf

I have a hard time pronouncing "wolf" and "roof" and I'm not sure why. Is it my Midwest upbringing, or just me being stubborn? Instead of "wolf" I always say "woof," but hey, I'm not so far off. I mean wolves do bark/howl like dogs but in a much more impressive manner, them being the masters of the dog universe and all. I have the same problem pronouncing Virginia Woolf's last name, and my "roof" usually sounds like "ruff," which is also a lot like a barking dog. Hmm, I need to ask La Belette if my subconscious needs a puppy for Christmas. In the meantime, I'm going to be mispronouncing this entire Sister Wolf fundraiser.

Please support your fellow blogger in her time of need, and get a really fabulous little necklace at the same time. $35 of the $50 purchase price goes to help Sister Wolf repair her roof. I have a Little Woolf and I'm getting another for Arm Baby, aka Baby Herald (one must always call her Arm Baby in the presence of WendyB). I get compliments on my Little Woolf all the time.

To loosely quote KOS, Sister Wolf has been having a dreadful time of it, and now her roof is falling in. So please go to Wendy's jewelry site, buy a Little "Woof" and help out one of our own this holiday season. And thanks to gorgeous bloggers WendyB, Kate at MakeDoStyle, and Kingdom of Style for organizing this fundraiser.

Polka Dots and Sweaters at H&M Herald Square

I'm home today with Baby Herald, and while she screams in her crib, delaying nap time a few more loud, precious minutes, I'm posting some favorite H&M polka dots. This is perfectly apt while spending time with Baby Herald as she is obsessed with dots, circles, pretty much anything round. I'm thinking later in life she's gonna love her some Rei Kawakubo.



H&M is not where I usually go for sweaters, but when I saw the above on the first floor weeks ago, I had to try them on. I was so enamored, I now look for the polka dot sweaters at every H&M visit, and each time the grouping is a little smaller. Keep an eye out for them the next time you're at H&M Herald Square. I think they're worth one of those H&M rolls of the dice, where you hope you get lucky and the quality is miraculously good and the sweater doesn't pill.and doesn't get those little holes after several wears. All you H&M shoppers know what I'm talking about: sometimes that favorite H&M piece lasts a season, and sometimes, inexplicably, for years.

More H&M sweaters, love the design and length.

Retro! Really tight pants also H&M.

H&M Herald Square, 34th Street and 6th Avenue

Festive Subway Cards From JCPenney

Photo courtesy of Barbara

Festive photo, right? That's JCPenney Manhattan Mall, as seen through one of our holiday arches at Greeley Square. Also festive? JCPenney is stocking subway ticket machines with 500,000 Merry Metrocard tickets from December 10th to December 25th. If you get one of the cards, you can use it as many times as you want for $10 off every $50 purchase at JCPenney before January 2nd, 2011.

Look for the subway card above if you buy from one of the following subway stations, as these are the only stations stocking the cards with the JCPenney discount. 34th Street is well represented, of course. 

• Herald Square
• 34th & 7th Avenue
• 34th & 8th Avenue
• Grand Central Station
• Time Square
• 42nd & 8th Avenue
• 42nd & Bryant Park
• 59th &Columbus Circle
• 14th St./Union Square
• Lexington Avenue & 59th
• Rockefeller Center Station

So starting on the 10th, look for the festive red and green subway card from JCPenney, and happy holiday shopping!

Update: According to the MTA and Anonymous, the cards are now stocked in the above stations.The perfect combination: riding the subway to JCPenney Manhattan Mall and getting a discount for it, that's my kind of promotion.
More exciting Merry Metrocard Insider Updates: The cards are also available in the booths. Both the booths and the machines have been fully stocked, so supplies are available while they last.


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

Intern Craig's Picks: Moisturizers

As the temperature drops, I always manage to ensure that I have 537 different cardigans and scarves to take me through the season. But what about the parts of our body that still have to brave the elements, like our faces? As Fashion Herald's resident beauty junkie, I am bestowing my beauty wisdom on you this holiday season.

Philosophy's Hope in a Jar is probably best known as Oprah's favorite facial moisturizer. If it lives up to Ms. Winfrey's expectations, you can certainly expect it to live up to yours. The scent is a little interesting at first but the moisturizer is just fantastic for all skin types. For those of you with oily skin, it might be a little richer than you're used to, but if you're worried about extra shine, just dab a sheer pressed powder on top.

My skin is horrifyingly dry especially in the winter. The only way I can prevent my elbows and knees from cracking is Korres Body Butter. It's made mostly of Shea Butter which is fantastic because it melts right into the skin without leaving you greasy. Korres gives you a nice selection of scents in its body care like Fig and Japanese Rose. My favorite is the classic Guava.

I could write volumes of my love for Rosebud Salve for the lips. I'm a long time user of the original scent but thanks to a lovely gift from my boss, I recently switched to strawberry. The huge container might be a little too much for some people. Luckily, Rosebud Salve just came out with a tube form of its original scent so there's something for everyone.

As always, all of these products can be found at Sephora on 34th Street or Sephora in JCPenney. Any of these will make great gifts but don't be afraid to pamper yourself. Enjoy!

Sephora, 130 W. 34th Street between Broadway & 7th
Sephora JCPenney Manhattan Mall, lower level 1, 33rd & 6th Avenue

Call It Pretty: JCPenney's New Shoes for Spring

I'm a fan of Aldo and their new Call It Spring store in Manhattan Mall. So I was curious about the Call It Spring for JCPenney collaboration. A few weeks ago, at a spring preview for JCPenney's new shoe line, I anticipated seeing more of what is in the store in the mall: Aldo styles for less. This was so not the case at the Trump Soho penthouse. Note to anyone doing a preview in the near future: try to get one of the penthouses in Trump Soho. I wanted to look at shoes and the panoramic views of Lower Manhattan all night. 

The Call It Spring shoes for JCPenney smack more of class than sex. So, instead of table adorned with towering Aldo heels, there were tables adorned with pretty wedges, charming flats, and more delicate than aggressive heels. There a matching gold flat to the heel above that is somehow not too teen, but instead is festive and elegant. I toured the room twice, staring at shoes and wishing I could try them on. Soon I should be receiving one of the wedges courtesy of JCPenney, so I’ll update after some wear and tear. These shoes are very affordable, ranging in price from $29.99-$59.99. I’m curious to test the quality compared to a Payless designer collab. But mostly I’m pleased that I was greeted not with a roomful of Aldo-Lite, but instead a well-conceived and original collection of, forgive me, more ladylike shoes! That, I think, makes for a good JCPenney fit.

JCPenney Manhattan Mall, lower levels 1&2, 33rd Street & Broadway