How to Skate For Free: Part 1

I enjoyed a little shopping excursion with Jeffrey last week as he needed skates for some free Bryant Park skating. First stop, Modell's in Herald Center just south of 34th Street.

Jeff trying on hockey skates, and lacing hockey skates.

He's already burning calories.

Jeff shows me his skates. And his cute Zara boots.

Why did I think skates were so expensive? At Modell's you can get a pair of hockey skates for $49.99. Jeffrey bought the CCM's, and I drooled over roller skates ($69.99, upper right). Ah, memories! Roller skating on the front porch, racing my sister around the driveway, and stories of Moms roller skating to school. Yes, she was that cool. She also tossed a baton around and was a lifeguard who could barely swim, but that's for another day.

Modell's did not have this important lacing tool (below) Jeffrey was looking for, and he said it's a must-have to lace your skates tight. So we went to Cosby's on 31st & 7th and found one:

Even hockey skates have accessories. Skate lacing tool: $1.99. Skating at The Pond at Bryant Park? Free. Admission is free, skate rental is $12, lockers are free (bring your own lock, or buy one for $9), medium bag check $7, and large bag check is $10. And while in Bryant Park visit The Holiday Shops and check out Bluet New York for the gals, and Annie's Dog Bakery and Boutique for the pet owners. Both are great resources for some special holiday gifting.


Modell's Herald Center, Broadway between 33rd & 34th
Gerry Cosby & Co. Sporting Goods, on 31st just east of 7th Avenue

B&H for BTS

Former colleague Jeffrey is back in town after a pleasant beach summer and is BTS'ing a higher education. Translate: he had a lot of fun but now needs to stock up for grad school. So the other day we strolled down to 34th Street's B&H for some last minute BTS computer supplies.

First, thank-you, B&H, for the fabulous air conditioning. The temporary Halloween store on 34th Street could learn a lot from your perfectly chilled shopping environment. Second, Jeff would like to thank you for the great price on his printer, the Canon PIXMA MX340:


Jeff did his homework, and said it was the cheapest in town. He's correct, as this printer is $30-$40 less at B&H than other electronics stores:

• J&R - $89.99
• Best Buy - $79.99
• B&H - $49.95

But this is B&H, so probably it is the lowest price on this printer in the universe. And it's B&H, so hyperbole is allowed, because you will get the best price every time and always find what you need. Now go tell me in comments how duh, you already know this.

Fashion photogs take note: B&H will be closed during Rosh Hashana, from 1pm on September 8th until September 12th, when the store will reopen.


B&H Photo & Video, "The Professional's Source" (this is so true, photo-journalist types are all over this place) 420 9th Avenue at 34th Street

Da Winner!

Sister Wolf from Godammit, I'm Mad! Sister Wolf gets these Current/Elliott boyfriend jeans from ChickDowntown.com, which should make her a little less mad for the upcoming weekend. Congrats, Sister Wolf!

Many thanks to ChickDowntown for the great giveaway. And no, that's not Kati's hand up there as she was out today, so Jeff stood in as The Official Fashion Herald Giveaway Name Drawer. If you didn't win you can blame it on Jeff's name drawing.

I think I can rustle together another little giveaway in the next couple weeks, so keep an eye out. A good weekend to all and next week it's back to 34th Street and trying on clothes. Let me know in comments if there's any particular trend or style you'd like to see, maybe I'll do a comparison/contrast from different stores on 34th Street. But warning, be careful what you ask for....

Update: Congratulations to Sister Wolf from chickdowntown.com, who would love you all to visit and check out the new spring looks from Nanette Lepore, Elizabeth James, and Diane von Furstenberg.

Thanksgiving Poll

As I'm out of town, and I left all my 34th Street pictures back in Brooklyn, I'd like to take this opportunity to not show you pictures of me in a dressing room, but to say "Thank-you." I'm very thankful this time of year for a lot of things, but am particularly thankful this year for all the blogs I've found through Fashion Herald, and all the information and entertainment I've received from them. I am regularly amazed and gratified by the very talented writers and artisans out there in the blogosphere. You rock! Thanks for the inspiration, the big belly laughs, and the many "damn straight" moments I have while reading your posts.

And thanks for taking the time to visit and post comments on Fashion Herald. I know how busy everyone is, and I really appreciate the time and thoughtfulness you all have in staying a moment and telling me how it is.

Ok, and now, for fun, I'm putting up the first Fashion Herald poll. This is a VERY important poll, and requires your deep contemplation and reflection, because we've got some varying opinions running through the office on this one:

Does Jeffrey's grey puffy jacket look like a kid's coat?

Or do you like it on him?

Please vote above. Your input is appreciated, because this debate is raging fierce through the 34th Street/Bryant Park offices. And Jeffrey needs some fashionable opinions to back him up.

Happy, happy Thanksgiving to all.

Update: poll's done, and it was a split decision, same as at the office. I think that means Jeff's coat is fabulous.
Update #2: Imelda's put Jeff over the hump, he's officially fabulous!

Party with Models

Thanks to the fabulousness that is Armed and Akimbo, I was able to drag my mustachioed husband to the Next Models Anniversary Party at Marquee Friday night. We met Jeffrey outside and were soon inside drinking anything but the green drinks being passed around, and taking pictures.

Jeff, me and the mustache, all in plaid. I swear we didn't plan this, but I guess this means we really are mountain men. That's my mom's old vest from a 70's pantsuit.











Due to bags being left home (me) and all-plaid wardrobes (Jeff & Stache), we were dressed down, but who cares when you can look at models. I have no idea who she is, sorry, I'm a bad model stalker.










Then my man had a boy conversation with some Alabama modeling cuties in the men's room, which unfortunately I wasn't personally privy to and so don't have a picture. I think the mustache induced some kind of country boy talk, like "where you from down south?" And then the usual boy talk about bodies/working out ensued. Sigh.

Unfortunately, we couldn't stay late enough to witness the supermodel arrival, which should have included Karlie Kloss, Molly Sims, Abbey Lee and the like. But really, after a few runway shows, I'm kind of more interested in looking at fabulous boys:










Many thanks to AnA. All should visit Armed and Akimbo for the best fashion week reviews, party postings, and advanced ability to name all models and their stats. And who knows, if you comment enough you may be invited to big model parties next season. Bon appetit!

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

Studs and Mamas

Jeff picked up this shirt ($29.95) last week at H&M, and I love it. If red plaid doesn't say "studly" I'll eat his shirt. Well, I won't eat it but I may at least pick one up for myself. I'm a big fan of plaid, especially as my husband's plaid shirts were my go-to comfort shirts during pregnancy. FH readers know my favorite maternity wear was H&M Mama, so it's not surprising that I still visit the Mama section at the Herald Square store on occasion. For old (huge belly) time's sake.


Get it at H&M Mama Herald Square (H&M Mama is now on the 3rd floor next to the baby & kid's section)

If you've got a pregger pal, this is a brilliant starter gift ($29.95). I'll admit that I still now, yes six months post-delivery, pull out the H&M Mama leggings. And to have the long tank and the band to cover the belly is key. H&M Mama prices also make it possible to buy several maternity pieces, trendy and classic, without worrying about the cost for what is, essentially, temporary clothing. Unless, of course, you can't retire the leggings.

Trendy Mama, classic Mama.
















H&M Herald Square, 34th & 6th Avenue
H&M 34th & 7th Avenue

How to Skate For Free: Part II (Not Really About Skating)

After hunting for ice skates, Jeffrey also wanted to get some inexpensive H&M jeans. He had some dirty work to do in Greeley Square and didn't want to ruin his Marc Jacobs jeans. Understood, it's not exactly pretty under Mr. Horace Greeley down at the Square. So after a successful Modell's trip, we headed to H&M.

We both thought the jeans were too expensive and had too much going on: too baggy, too much pocket detail, scary color denim. By too expensive we mean $39.90, which is not what we want to pay for beater jeans. Instead, Jeff bought navy cords for $19.90. We forgot to take a picture of them because we were distracted by these:

Oh, baby. He is looking f-i-n-e in some seriously fake fur for the mens.














Mountain man twins. I'm so buying a set.


Matching paws, I mean mittens, and, in a pinch, oven mitts.









Can you blame us? Bear paw oven mitts, mountain man hats and the pimp daddy fake fur? I love you, H&M. And thanks for keeping the mountainmen warm at the lake house this winter:

Jeffrey's not just a cute model, he's also a great photoshopper.












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