Jun
1
Anthropologie sale
I’ve discussed in the past my concerns regarding the anthropologie sale rack. I neglected to mention the variety of sales however. The traditional racks in the basement are filled with leftovers and schmutz for the most part. But when the racks switch positions, you know you’re in business. A couple times a year, they have a real sale– as in stuff you actually want to own. They open up the racks so that they are perpendicular to the staircase as you descend the stairs at the 16th st store (and a similar set-up in the other shops as well) and you know you’re in business. This means a variety of sizes and colors that are actually in style. Go there now— it’s happening. And I scored big time. I hope you do as well. And in case there’s nothing for you on sale, I’ve accepted that it’s the best spot for cute summer dresses- even at annoyingly inflated prices.
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Filed Under: in the store
May
15
C21 Alert
Run, don’t walk…to Century 21 this week. And please allow a brief anecdote to help capture the moment.
A few years back, when I was an impoverished graduate student, every dollar counted. So, while shopping at Bloomingdale’s (I know, I know, why is a poor grad student at Bloomies? But come on now, one still needs to look good after all, even when one is subsisting on canned tuna, doesn’t one?) for a strapless bra (I was desperate as I had a wedding to attend just days later) it became a toss-up between a Wacaol and a Chantelle. As a Chantelle girl, I opted for the latter but given my budget constraints I decided to be practical and save myself about $15-$20 and go with the Wacaol.
But let me tell you, that Chantelle bra looked slammin’ in the dressing room and I tortured myself over the decision. You know the shopping demons that perch themselves on your shoulder: “What’s a few extra dollars?! come on!” “Well, a few extra dollars is a night of sushi take-out, it means Citeralla not Gristede’s”, “Yes, but who wants to go to Gristede’s or Citeralla in a less than sexy bra?” And the argument goes on; if you’re anything like I am, it can go on for a long, long time.
Needless to say, I bought the Wacaol bra, made peace with the choice and moved on. Well, almost moved on. A year or so later, finished with school and shedding some of my shopping guilt, I cruised up to Bloomie’s to pick up that great Chantelle bra that I never did truly forget about. After all, how many great strapless bras does one girl find in lifetime?
So there I am, frantically searching the Chantelle nook, rummaging through racks, peeking behind hanger after useless plastic hanger but to no avail. In total denial, I assume they must have sold out. Finally, a woman asks if she can help me find something (we all know the service there is hit or miss). I describe the bra, right down to the rubberized interior at the top of the cup and the scalloped detailing along the edges.
“Oh, they discontinued that.” Why do people have to say things so nonchalantly these days? And before I’ve even had the chance to internalize this news, she proceeds to ask if I’d like to check out some of the other strapless bras. Of course I don’t want to try on other strapless bras! If I wanted another strapless bra, I would go home and dig out the black Wacaol and throw myself a party! So I left Bloomie’s that afternoon without a bra but with the curious question of why companies do away with great merchandise.
Fast forward to this afternoon. Still shopping too much. Still teaching and driving my students crazy. And to be honest, I’d all but forgotten about this bra. And then, after work today, I just happen to be in the Century 21 neighborhood, and took a sunny stroll through lingerie. I think we all know where this story is going so I won’t even cheapen it with words. Needless to say, I bought more than one, the price was right and I’m wearing it as I type this.
Even if your own story is less dramatic than this one, still visit C21 lingerie. They have tons of On Gossamer undies that are just like Hanky Panky but come in sizes. I love the navy blue. And speaking of Hanky Panky, some of last year’s colors of our favorite one size fits all thong are showing up there as well. Go early and go often; merchandise moves fast.
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Filed Under: in the store
Apr
27
Spankin panty?
I’m not a thong girl. The invention of the “boy short” was really a blessed excuse to continue wearing a grandma pant. As a teacher by day and yogi by night, I believed that thongs had little business in my life. But the increasingly lower cut denim coupled with VPL fears, has forced me to make a few investments. Plus, even a plain ol’ gal like myself can feel a little sexier in scantily clad undies.
Recently, two girlfriends, on two separate occasions, mentioned the hanky panky. one size fits all? Is that even possible? $18.00 per pair? Is that even reconcilable on a teacher’s salary? These, of course, are rhetorical questions, because there i was, front and center, in bloomingdale’s lingerie department, lining up to make the purchase.
I must confess that I like them. I do. They’re comfy, they show no lines and i do feel nice in them. still, they are a bit pricey. For a cheaper, and equally good version, hit GapBody. They don’t wash quite as well, but in all other ways are a wonderful substitute. Make sure to get the ultra low rise lace thong, not the cotton and lace ultra low rise thong- which are kind of thick in the crotch area and not half as much fun.
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Filed Under: in the store
Apr
14
J. Crew
Ah, there’s so many things I need to say about J. Crew that they were a staple of my high school years, that it’s rumored their cashmere is milled by Loro Piana, that when they began opening retail stores I was only 16 and bought a green, cotton roll neck sweater on a school trip in Washington D.C. We had some free time in Georgetown; my friend gave money to a homeless person and I gave mine to J. Crew.
Perhaps this mention of a retail store is a nice segue into my recent concerns of my high school shopping sweetheart. J. Crew is a store few of us grow out of; their casual wear is suitable for any summer road trip, their suiting is classic and affordable and except for their recent foray into wedding attire, J. Crew’s design choices usually seem smart and practical. Why, then, must the bottom line always have to ruin everything?
As many of us know, their website is the place to find bargains. At any time in the season, there’s bound to be pages of clothing rife with hearty discounts. But the fine print is there as well: All sales final. No exchanges. No returns. Now, I’m no financial analyst, but I think I get it. Goal: unload merchandise. But when the big sales happen, I notice the sizes aren’t running out quite as quickly as they did before this new returns policy went into effect. While I’m sure they have plenty of people analyzing their data who believe this to be good business, my data tells me not to shop the sale rack. Unless you already own something, and want a few more for good measure (cashmere is probably the best bet here; sometimes the sweaters, including turtlenecks, get as low as $40.00), why bother? Jeans? No return? No exchange? If I wanted to burn money, I would simply avoid alternate side parking.
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Filed Under: in the store
Apr
9
Target
Fine, I’ve said it. And whether you pronounce it in the original French as Tar-jhay or you’ve anglicized it back to its bull’s eye pronunciation given at inception, the reality is this: many of us are sneaking out to buy some cute, cheap finds at the same place where we stock up on toilet paper and batteries. I hate conglomerates as much as the next girl, but if the proverbial shoe fits, sometimes we just have to wear it.When designers like Isaac Mizrahi and Shabby Chic are joining in, there must be something going on. I recently bought three pairs of black pants for $40.00. (Did I mention $40.00 total? Not $40.00 each). Do they really look any different than the others in my closet? As for quality, only time will tell. But one of my dearest friends, who has a bag collection that could easily pay off my graduate school loans, recently called to rave about a dress she bought there. “When you pair it with a Prada bag and Manolos, who can tell the difference?” More importantly, it looks FABULOUS on her.
Also check out:
Yoga clothes. It’s not Lulu Lemon but some of it is infinitely wearable.
Men’s Hanes undershirts. Size small is nice and long but fits through the body really well. Not as soft as James Pearse but the 3-pack for 6 bucks makes them virtually disposable.
The best part is that you can tell yourself you’re going there to do productive shopping, like picking up bulk toothpaste and family size diet coke cases. Then, when you sneak in a few good finds, it doesn’t feel quite as bad.
Right now, they’re only in Brooklyn (or the suburbs-check out the Edgewater store just over the GW bridge in NJ) but they’re due to open shop at 119th and FDR in that long awaited new mall.
Brooklyn location:
139 Flatbush Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11217
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Filed Under: in the store
Apr
9
Sabon
The good news and the bad
I’ve never been the trendsetter amongst my friends. I’m never the first one to find the great new jeans or the hot new restaurant. Although I’m no lemming, I’m no leader of the pack either. So when I landed in Sabon by accident, and quickly became obsessed with their products, I liked to think that I ‘discovered’ them. That was about five years ago, when, I believe, they were only on 6th avenue in the West Village and in the hinterlands of Tel Aviv. I consider myself a Sabon veteran after hiking down Shenken Street in the boiling Israeli summer heat to find their exact location. In my younger years, the hebrew packaging was enough to keep me moving but now I just pop into one of their many Manhattan outposts around town.
I still love Sabon and rarely stray from lavender, vanilla, patchouli (which i believe makes men melt) though I recently ventured into the orange ginger territory. While I could write on about all their products that make me feel pretty even on a chilly bloated Monday I actually must be a little critical of my Israeli brethren.
Do these people work on commission? As I mentioned, I run into any of their stores that are convenient when I need to re-stock. And by run, I wish I meant that I simply grab necessary product from shelf, remove credit card from wallet and execute transaction. Impossible. why? Because one is bombarded by cute, Israeli girls prostituting their products. Hounding. Begging customers to wash their hands in lovely hand soaps, inquiring as to customer familiarity with their products, drowning our senses in jars of deliciously smelling salt scrubs and luxurious lotions. Yes, it’s all very lovely, very exotic, very romantic in there. But sometimes, I just want to go home at the end of the day. Most recently, I found myself cutting a visit short so as to avoid the barrage. This routine may work for boyfriends buying gifts, but as for me, I’m thinking about shopping online.
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Filed Under: in the store
Mar
2
Anthropologie
If you’re like me, you know the feeling of watching an item like a hawk (a terrible metaphor for someone who knows very little about birds) until it hits the price you like. While I’ve begun to do this less as my income has increased and my time has become more precious, I still love to saunter through the sale rack in hopes of uncovering that one sacred find. because the 5th and 16th location is conveniently near my work, i enjoy a stroll through on my way to the F train.
I do like Anthroplogie. If for no other reason, the environs are angelic and smart, whimsical and worldly, all at the same time. And i have found some items there that have been truly enjoyable and fun to own. But i must be honest on a few levels: first, their clothes look better in their stunningly decorated surroundings than they ever look on the body. The fabrics are delicate and even flimsy and don’t really stand the test of time. But even that is okay sometimes if you find the piece de resistance.
The problem is this: if you’re hoping for that particular piece to go on sale…chances are, it never will. A long time ago, when I had just finished college, and $70.00 felt like a prohibitive amount of money to spend on a pair of pants, I recall asking a saleswoman when they would perhaps be marked down. it was then that she revealed something her boss would probably not be too happy about: sale items are completely random and arbitrary. The garments on the sale rack are shipped from their other stores around the country and may indeed be from past seasons rather than from last month. I felt like I was being tricked. like i was being robbed of my fundamental right to prey on an item until it met my buying standards.
Yes, I still pop in. and yes, there is, on occasion, something to be found in this “sale” area. But still, I can’t help but feel that there’s something unconscionable about this. I recently inquired again as to whether or not my “insider” information was accurate. Another saleswoman, though more obliquely, confirmed that indeed sale stuff is random and not necessarily pulled from their floor. In all my years of shopping there, i have never seen an item at regular price re-appear in the sale area. It makes me angry; I feel cheated. Still, if you want to hit the sale rack, I’ve found that the one on West Broadway in Soho is the best. Maybe their merchandise is coming from…uptown?!
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Filed Under: in the store
Jan
16
Bloomingdale’s
It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to know about this old standby. Still, it seems there are a few things to note:
- Don’t bother with the downtown store, unless you’re in a pinch. It’s more of a boutique than a department store and only their makeup counters seem truly comprehensive.
- The uptown original is the place to go for jeans. While Barney’s may have a denim specialist, and Loehmann’s may have a few discounts, nobody but nobody can match the sheer selection of Bloomies’ 2nd floor. The employees vacillate between disinterested louses and overly gregarious advice givers. I’m still trying to figure out what their commission situation is there. Does anyone know? Regardless, I wouldn’t go there for the camaraderie; take as many as your little paws can hold and do the dreaded deed: try ‘em on. Although some suggest trying on no more than five at a time, I’m a girl who thrives on overwhelming choice. Pick your poison. NB: As of January, Joe’s has a whole bunch of new styles out for all different body shapes and they’re still fairly priced at under $200.00 (who thought the world would come to this?)
- Sales. Don’t believe the hype that Bloomie’s is a less expensive stepsister to Bergdorf’s and Bendel’s. Yes, they have their couture corners but they also have lots of good deals. Last month, I bought a fantastic black Theory skirt in a fabulous tiking, marked down and down and down… I paid $20.00 for it.
- Bras. Get yourself fitted at The Town Shop on the UWS, give the little guy some business (the first store opened its doors in 1888 and it is still family run by the Koch’s) and then stock up at Bloomingdale’s where the selection is 2nd only to their denim array. For the well-endowed ladies, may I suggest the Chantelle Volupte Smooth Minimizer? Gorgeous shape, a little sexy and gives contour rather than just shrinkage. There are bra sales; look in The New York Times for info. I’ve been unsuccessful at finding their lingerie sale information anywhere else. Please let us know if you are in on any secrets!
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Filed Under: in the store
S’nice
Although I’ve detected the faintest of unpleasant smells (twice) while walking into this Hudson St café and have not entirely fallen in love with their iced soy lattes, it’s not an entirely bad place to grab a salad or sandwich. I’d try something with goat cheese and try to score a seat near the window. If you’re cool enough to own an apple laptop, then spread out on the giant, wooden tables and feel like you’re in a Vermont farmhouse as the city scoots by. It’s…s’nice.
The Chocolate Bar
A student once bought me a box of chocolate from this yummy chocolate shoebox of shop. It melted by the time I carried it home but was still totally delicious. I was sold. Try something lavender when you pop in.
Li-Lac
The Chocolate Bar’s new neighbor since moving from their run-down digs on Bleecker St. The chocolate is the same though.
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Filed Under: at the table
Oct
9
NJB
I recently discovered that this store has been in business for over 20 years. This is very impressive given the Village turnover. Although their sales rack is meager and quite lame, their recent fall finds were delightful; They had a velvet coat that I haven’t seen anywhere else and gorgeous cashmere from avita. The sales help is lovely and although it’s a little spartan, the shopping experience is peaceful and inviting.
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Filed Under: in the store
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