Gardens of Paradise Inside & Out: Brasil at Macy's Flower Show

The Flower Show at Macy's Herald Square is an event not to be missed, but this year there's a whole new angle: the flower show will be inside and outside the iconic store.

Looking south down Broadway, the tent under construction...

The tent is going up now in what we call Broadway Plaza, the public space that runs in front of Macy's at Herald Square. Fantastic, right?! The show will open Sunday, March 25th, and goes through April 7th, all during regular store hours.

Looking north up Broadway.

Inspired by the vibrant plants and flowers of Brasil, expect a showstopper this year. There will still be gardens inside the store, including a special Gucci garden and interactive kid's garden, and don't miss the Carnaval celebration in the store windows or the Bouquet of the Day in the 34th Street windows. Click here for store events and more.

Why outside this year? Because the store has begun it's multi-million dollar renovations. And by multi I mean 400. This is going to be huge, and by the time it's all done (scheduled to go through Fall of 2015) Macy's Herald Square will boast the world's biggest shoe department. Trust me, they need it. The shoe department gets crazy business. And yes, us midtown shoppers do need to browse 300,000 pairs of shoes on any given day. We are New Yorkers.


Macy's Herald Square 2012 Flower Show 
March 25th - April 7 during store hours

34th Street Weekend Sale Picks: Color it up for Spring

#1. Joe Fresh
Because not only can you bask in their perfect pastel spring colors (below), but you can find racks of last season in the back for $5 and $9.  215 W. 34th Street

#2.  H&M Herald Square
Because on your way to picking up a cute denim jacket for spring in Divided, you can stop at the back of the first floor and grab terrific deals on discounted items.Their mid-season sale has begun, and it starts at $10 for select knits.  34th Street at Sixth Avenue

#3.  American Eagle Outfitters
Because nothing says spring like colorful shorts and cut-offs. And if you can wear them, AEO has them on sale.  40 W. 34th Street

Spring Loveliness at UGG Australia

The spring UGG Australia collection. Photo courtesy of UGG Australia

Last week UGG Australia showed off their spring collection at the Gramercy Park Hotel, where we sipped wine and gawked at gorgeous shoes. I took along a born-and-raised California girl who grew up surfing and wearing classic UGG boots, and she was impressed upon seeing the UGG Collection shoes for the first time. She's got her eye on the snake skin pumps. This UGG girl is going full circle, and who can blame her?

Gorgeous. Personally, I'm in dire need of the woven, open-toe booties.

But lace insets are hot for spring, too.

You won't find the Collection shoes on 34th Street, but you can find classic UGGs and spring shoes at Journey's in Herald Center. 

Photo courtesy of UGG Australia.

Journey's Herald Center 34th Street and Broadway

Fashion Star Episode #1: Sarah's Dress

This post is all about the new TV show Fashion Star. If you didn't see it and want to learn more, click here and here.

Did you watch Fashion Star last night? I did, and am now addicted. Here's what I loved:

• YOU CAN BUY THE CLOTHES ONLINE RIGHT AFTER THE SHOW! Yes, I'm screaming. It's brilliant.
• H&M and Macy's, two of our biggest retailers on 34th Street, are sponsors and have reps on the buyer judging panel. Which brings me to...
• YOU CAN BUY THE CLOTHES AT MACY'S AND H&M THE NEXT DAY! .
• This show is about the big seller, not the runway piece. Which brings me to...
• The designer panel is perfect, even though there are two celebrity designers. And speaking of...
• Nicole Richie has the best stone face ever. I got scared just looking at her non-reactions
• Jessica Simpson is smart about fashion. Seriously. Telling Sarah to go with the teal was smart. Also, she has a billion dollar apparel and accessories business. That's super smart.
• Can we do an Olsen twin next season? 
• The buyer panel is equally well-balanced and diverse, but I was most taken with Nicole, the H&M buyer. Her choices were dead-on, and Sarah's dress sold out online immediately after the show. Speaking of the dress...

Sarah's dress is lined, constructed beautifully, cost $19.95, and is most likely already sold out at our two H&Ms on 34th Street. Talk about fast fashion! The jacket on the right is new at H&M and fabulous.

My only complaint? The cut is small. Two women trying on the same dress in a dressing room next to mine were raving about the dress, but complaining about the sizing. One said to the other "I'm going to go get a size up, do you want me to get you an 8?" Her response? "I don't want the 8, I want the 6! Do you think I could get it altered so it's bigger?" I was laughing but then realized that I had on a ten, it was a little snug, and there was no way in hell I was trying on a 12. Retailers must have psychologists on staff as consultants, don't you think? I must ask La Belette.

Soon I'll be stopping by Macy's to check out their Fashion Star selections. And natch I'll be doing a weekly Fashion Star post, how can I not? Now please enjoy my slapdash photoshopping:

At the Macy's Herald Square Fashion Star premiere party last night before the show with Midtown Girl. Go here for her gorgeous shot of Elle McPherson, the Fashion Star host.

H&M Herald Square 34th Street & Sixth Avenue
H&M Penn Station 34th Street & Seventh Avenue
Macy's Herald Square 34th Street between Broadway & Seventh Avenue

Gap Herald Square Gets a Makeover

Have you noticed? There's a lot of changes going on at Gap Herald Square. Forever 21 will expand into what used to be GapKids, BabyGap, and GapMaternity on the second floor. The F21 signage has been owning the outside of that second floor for as long as I can remember, so this seems like a natural migration.

Change often = growing pains, and Gap's floor shuffling is one of them. Above is a shot of the first floor, formerly men's, which has basically been halved, while the lower level, formerly women's, is being completely redone. The second floor is now men's, the first floor is women's, and the lower level is closed.

I'm happy to report that, although the selling floor is smaller, the selection is perfectly Gap. It's so right when Gap has pretty basics everywhere a girl turns. Is it because the selection is limited due to space constraints? Gap is doing some major renovations company-wide and is closing stores, so I'm relieved that the Herald Square store, which has always been rumored to be a top producer country-wide, is sticking around.


Gap Herald Square 60 W. 34th Street at Broadway

Dance, Facebook, Win!

There's a new fitness brand in town called Ideology, and Macy's is celebrating with a contest.

Turn up the volume, guys, and get dancing: Macy's is hosting a Facebook contest called "It's Your Move!" The best mover and shaker wins a $1,000 shopping spree and a trip to L.A. to attend a taping of Dancing with the Stars.

Follow these four easy steps to victory:

1. Click here -> http://www.facebook.com/Macys?sk=app_100480853407798.
2. Pick from the selection of songs.
3. Upload yourself dancing to the song (all types of dance are welcome!)
4. Submit

Deadline for entries is 3/15 so get out those tap shoes. Seriously, I need an excuse to buy some as my toddler got a pair for dance class. Mommy/daughter duo, ha, beat that!

Why, you ask, all the dancing contest stuff, Macy's? Because Dancing With the Stars' Cheryl Burke is the face of Macy's new fitness brand, Ideology, and she'll be picking the winner of "It's Your Move." How cute is this fitness line? I don't usually think that about an entire line of workout clothing, but I can with this one. Be sure to click on the blue top and check out the detail. Also, it's $34, totally well-priced. I'm so tired of trying on $125 yoga pants and matching $75 tops.


Macy's Herald Square 151 W. 34th Street

34th Street Weekend Sale Picks: The Warmer Weather Edition

#1.  Daffy's
Because they are having a Friends & Family event this weekend, which means you get an extra 20% off your entire purchase. Click below for more details and to print coupon.  Herald Center, 34th & Broadway

 

#2. Billabong
Because they are having a 50% off sale and you might find some cute winter Element stuff like this.  112 W. 34th Street

#3.  Macy's
Because there's racks of sale items, and some are perfect for warmer weather, including these silky barIII pants.  151 W. 34th Street

#4.  Payless
Because you can check out the super cute new designer sandals while buying booties, etc, for up to 50% off.  110 W. 34th Street