Gratuitous Fashion

Flipping through April Marie Claire....

Regrets: Kate Bosworth is beyond lovely, but I can't read her quote on the cover of Marie Claire, "I turned 25 and had a quarter-life crisis," without thinking oh no, when you're 45 some asshole is going to shove this old cover in your face and you're so going to hate yourself. Ach, the perils of fame.


Advice: Kate should never take this off.


Bad news: "Katie Holmes Finds Her Style." Katie, please keep looking or you'll turn 45 and think, shit! Why didn't I tart it up in my twenties instead of dressing like an Anna Wintour/soccer mom hybrid?


Stop the noise: No more mineral makeup people! I'm getting confused! There's too many options, my head's going to explode!



Buyable editorial: $78 for these cute Armani Exchange shorts. Katie needs these.



Sorry, but no: "Painterly styles." I've tried to like these, but this shoot has finally turned me almost completely against them. And they've barely hit the stores. It's going to be a long spring.




What I want to see more of on 34th Street: Cute eco clothes.

The Benefits of Guest Blogging

Tricia Lewis, our Fashion Herald blogger, is out on maternity leave. Following is a post from her co-worker Catherine who is kindly filling in as guest blogger.

Writing guest posts on Fashion Herald during Tricia's maternity leave has had its perks. It gets us out of the office, and we get to stroll around stores sampling everything you see here on the blog. Despite best efforts to look, not buy, there's always the chance of falling in love with something you've tried on. It happens.

This week Katie and I both ended up wearing things we found while scouting 34th Street for Fashion Herald. Katie explored Gap's plaids last week and ended up purchasing a red & black plaid top the next day, and I waited until the sweater I tried on at Banana Republic a few months ago went on sale, then snatched it up.

Thanks for having a baby, Tricia. Without you and Hazel, we may not have made these great new additions to our wardrobes.

Banana Republic, 19 W. 34th Street
Gap, 60 W. 34th Street

It's Payless for Springtime

Katie always reminds me that I need to hit up one of our two 34th Street Paylesses for spring shoes. Around this time every year, she'll come by and show me the new Payless flats that get her through months of summer work in Bryant Park. But yesterday we had an exciting development: she bought these Fioni booties, now on sale for $24.99.

After she purchased them, Katie spotted the Fionis on one of her favorite fashion bloggers, Kendi (below, and here). These are really adorable booties, but you won't find them online and you won't find very many sizes at Payless on 34th Street, as they are almost completely gone. In the Broadway & 34th store I spotted 6 1/2's and 7's.

Photo from Kendi Everyday

You can find the fabulous Dexter Marina Boat Moc Boot (below) online but not in store, unless Payless ships some more. The manager told me this morning that they only received one per size as a test. Hopefully soon more will be flying in, because this is one crazy boat moc boot that I've got to see in person.

 

Payless 110 W. 34th Street at Broadway

&

Payless 484 Eighth Avenue at 34th Street

Bare Escentuals Review: Pretty Delicious Collection

Tricia Lewis, our Fashion Herald blogger, is out on maternity leave. Following is a post from her co-worker Catherine who is graciously filling in as guest blogger.

After weeks of writing about Bare Escentuals Get Started Kits, Katie, Kati, and I (yes, those are our real names) found ourselves wanting to visit the store and see what all these fantastic giveaways have really been about. Before I begin, you should know something: we were not compensated (monetarily or with products) for the following reviews or participation in giveaways. We just like trying things out. In fact, you can wander down to the store yourself and ask for a demonstration! If you haven't been to the Bare Escentuals boutique on 34th Street, put it on your list. The store is beautiful, and you'll find all sorts of products in every shade of the rainbow.

Are you ready for the "before" shot? Here I am, looking up for some unknown reason. I asked store manager (and makeup artist) Cynthia for help with a few specific items: my eyebrows are light and sparse, and I feel like I have a little darkness under my eyes. Like most things, however, eyes and eyebrows do not operate in a vacuum. Cynthia started with the bareMinerals SPF15 Foundation, applying to one side of my face while I finished the other. I learned the famed "swirl, buff, tap" method of application. As someone who doesn't usually wear foundation, I do have to say that I was pleased with the level of coverage. One round left me still feeling like myself, just with a slightly smoother complexion and more evened tone.

"Before" (left), and buffing (right)

For a little pick-up in the eye area, Cynthia used Eye Rever Upper, a cooling cream with light diffusing particles. I was curious to see it up close, so I tried it on my hand. I could actually see the faint shimmer of pearls. Don't expect the effect of an eye-lift, but this is a good daily moisturizing vitamin cream.

After foundation, Cynthia tackled my brows with Brow Color for noticeably, but naturally, darker brows. Then she pulled out a fun set called Pretty Delicious. She used all three eye products on me: the beautiful deep purple Sugar Plum liner and shadows in Cupcake and Iced Coffee. I loved the color combination. As she said, these colors work well on most complexions, making it perfect to keep around for that inevitable "I know we said we weren't exchanging gifts, but I got you something" moment.

Cynthia skillfully lined my eyes (so quickly that her hand is blurry)

Not surprisingly, this non-foundation-wearer doesn't like lip color either. In fact, I think I look silly with anything on my lips other than Chapstick, which is why you won't see a picture of it. However, I'm happy to report that the Pretty Delicious collection comes with three lip glosses in Cupcake, Iced Coffee and Sugar Plum.

That's all for now! I hope you enjoyed the virtual trip to Bare Escentuals. Make sure to come back Monday, because Katie explored a completely different look for you.

Bare Escentuals, 44 W. 34th St. between 5th and 6th

Fashion Herald Models Bryant Park Resort Wear

Katie from the Bryant Park Blog stops by to cover the latest apparel available at the Bryant Park Shop. Click here and here for a refresher on the link between the Bryant Park Corporation and 34th Street Partnership business improvement districts.

BPC does it all! Tricia models with two custom Bryant Park designs: trash cans and t-shirts

Since stores are filling up with what I believe the fashion professionals refer to as 'resort wear', I thought it would be apropos to do a fashion-themed crossover between 34th Street and Bryant Park. Especially since we have our own line of resort wear available over at the Bryant Park Shop...well, sort of.

(Plus, when you share an office with a model-turned-fashion-blogger and you have new Bryant Park t-shirts to show off, it only seems natural to request a photo shoot and guest post.)

The scene on the front of the Illustration tee mirrors the view from our office windows

Created by Bryant Park Corporation's Graphic Designer, Jamie Song, our first-edition Bryant Park t-shirts are made of super soft jersey cotton from American Apparel, come in men's and women's sizes small to extra large, and are perfect for throwing over a bathing suit on your exotic spring beach vacation.

Conveniently, the tees do double duty as lounge wear for those of us who aren't jetting off to Acapulco any time soon.

Click on the photos to see more images of each shirt and details of the front and back designs. The t-shirts are $19.99 each and on sale exclusively at the Bryant Park Shop.

And here's a fact that may make your t-shirt shopping easier: The Bryant Park Corporation is a not-for-profit organization, so all income from the shop goes right back into the maintenance of everyone's favorite midtown park. Isn't that a great deal?

http://shop.bryantpark.org

Subtle Ruffles at Meridian

Today's guest post is by Katie, who stopped by Meridian on 6th Avenue between 35th and 36th Street.

I escaped the rain yesterday afternoon by ducking into Meridian. As Fashion Herald has mentioned before, Meridian is a great little boutique in the district with very enticing window displays. Unfortunately, I was so focused on getting inside to dry territory that I forgot to snap a photo from the street. Whoops!

(ed. note: I took a picture a couple weeks ago! I love both these looks)
If you're looking for spring or summer clothes adorned with good, subtle ruffles (as opposed to over the top, clown ruffles) Meridian has a number of dresses and tank tops you should check out. Inspired by a coral dress in the window, I grabbed this slightly different style for the fitting room ($44):

I'm a sucker for the two-tone dresses that you see everywhere right now, and the ruffles on the lower half give this one a fun edge ($74):

For those who have been working out all winter and can't wait to show off their toned backs, these floaty racerback tanks with ruffle details in the rear ($38) should do the trick to stir up envy in lazies like me who spent the winter eating chocolate to keep warm:

The grey one has a pretty bead/ruffle combo detail around the neckline. The pink top was also spotted in grey and blue.

And my last be-ruffled Meridian pick: another racerback tank with a thicker back panel and ruffles concentrated around the neckline. I tend to gravitate towards navy blue and would definitely wear this under a cardigan to the office when warm weather finally arrives.

Meridian Ladies Clothing, 977 6th Ave. between 35th & 36th St.

Lofty Sales

Another week, another weekly Wednesday guest post, this time with coworker Katie, who visited the recently rebranded Ann Taylor Loft, now known as LOFT.

LOFT on 34th Street has a huge sale section at the back of the store and right now all sale items are an additional 50% off!


The promotion is for a limited time only (though none of the salespeople were able to tell me when it would end) so go now for the cardigans, chunky knit sweaters, long sleeve tees in a variety of colors, lots of pants, skirts, and sweater dresses to spruce up your winter wardrobe.

I'm still lusting after this black jacket, originally $89.50, on sale for $49.99, and now a whopping $24.99 with the extra 50% reduction. Although I already own too much black, it would be the perfect throw-on-to-look-effortlessly-put-together piece. I love the three quarter sleeves and the nice balance between structure and frill.

Alas, I decided there was no point in buying the jacket, regardless of the incredibly tempting sale price, if I couldn't actually move my arms while wearing it. [Insert sad face here.] If you're petite you may be in luck. I saw a lot more petite sizes left on the rack than regulars.

LOFT, 35th W. 34th between 5th & 6th

Dreaming of a Desigual Maxi Dress

Today's guest post features Katie, who pines over a Desigual maxi dress and seeks out a substitute at the new store on 34th Street

Ever since this post appeared on Fashion Herald, circa May 2009, I've had the Desigual maxi dress Kati modeled stuck in the back of my mind.

A few weeks after the dress was posted, Fashion Herald and I went back to Macy's so I could try it on too (this was in the pre-Desigual-stand-alone-store-on-34th-Street days). To my dismay, only one dress remained, on the mannequin, no less, and it wasn't my size. What a sad and disappointing day that was.

Almost a full year later, with a fully stocked Desigual store on 34th Street, I went in search of a maxi dress that could live up to "the one that got away." I came close, but even at 30% off, this dress didn't hold a candle to "the one".

I prefer the decorative neckline of "the one", as well as the more articulated pattern. Click in for the close up and see if it reminds you of weather radar maps too. The new maxi's pattern reminds me of graffiti. I even found this graffiti-like tag hidden on the side of the dress after I took it off. Not that I prefer weather radars maps over graffiti or anything.

The bottom line: for $100 (reduced price), I want my dream maxi dress, not the runner up. Perhaps Desigual will hear my plea and create a similar dress or even - gasp!- a revival of "the one." We can only hope. In the meantime, if you're into graffiti-esque patterns on dresses, head to Desigual 'cause this one's on sale.


Desigual, 385 Fifth Avenue at 34th Street

Seeing Purple

Tricia Lewis, our Fashion Herald blogger, is out on maternity leave. Following is a post from her co-worker Katie, who is graciously filling in as guest blogger.

There’s no shortage of shine right now at Bebe on 34th Street. When you walk in, head to the right side of the store for a large selection of blouses and funky tops. I was immediately attracted to everything in the most vibrant shade of purple and grabbed two asymmetrical tops for the fitting room.

The flowing fabric on the first one gave me a Studio 54 vibe, $69.

The second had pretty flower details on the shoulder for $10 more at $79.

Another purple number near the back of the store caught my eye. In my opinion, this ruched dress is a little pricey at $149 considering the quality level at Bebe (I feel like it should line up with Express’ price points).

I used to be scared of ruching, until I found out that when it’s placed correctly it can be really flattering. Alternatively, the wrong fabric gathering in the wrong places can lead to something that ends up looking more like this:

On a side note, I just added “capturing a clear shot of your own back, in a mirror, dim lighting, and five inch heels” to my list of “things that are not easy to do”. Innocently handed to me by the friendly salesgirl to try on with the purple dress, these shoes almost took me down in the dressing room. Look at those heels! And the platform!

Bebe also has a lot of fun, “on-trend” accessories ranging from $20 to $30 on a table at the center of the store. Think big chunky rings, metallic and rhinestone cuffs, and lots of multiple strand chain necklaces in silver and gold. Look closely and you’ll find a few items at half price.

Bebe, 1 W. 34th St. between 5th & 6th Ave.

Green and BOGO'd at Payless 34th Street

Yes, I do wait for the ever-impending BOGO 1/2 off Payless sale to pick up basic flats and pumps to beat up for the summer. The very green pump will be BOGO'd along with the alice+olivia sparkle-overload flat. The blue and yellow are quite the colors, too, but the green caught my eye first. BOGO'ing should bring my total to around $36.47.






Katie BOGO'd the other day, also, when she did her annual spring flat shopping. These are by American Eagle also. Right is me in the green flats.
















I'm also wearing my old red Abaete flats, which are sadly too small post-pregnancy and really hurt. No sign of Abaete in Payless this season. Has the collab ended? And how about Patricia Field for Payless? I've got inquiries in regarding both. Although the Abaete's were disappointing the last few seasons, the Patricia Field's were always fun.

Payless, 34th Street & Broadway & 34th Street & 8th Avenue