Modell's: 20% off Coupon

Go buy yourself something nice, sport.

So You Think You Can Dance

OK, this is totally not about shopping (and I can't believe I'm admitting this), but So You Think You Can Dance is one of the few TV shows I make a point to watch and I cannot believe how good Joshua is. He's definitely not someone you would expect to be in the top finalists of a dance competition if you just saw him on the street, but my goodness can this guy do whatever it is they ask of him. We shall learn tonight if he gets voted off or not. Oh the anticipation!

Helik Hair Hero

I have mentioned Helik-the-hair-genius on these pages before. He currently works at Mario Diab on Crosby St. The only reason I dare mention him is he promised that no matter how popular he gets, he will always have an appointment for me.

I asked him this weekend to give me an "Asian Rocker Chick" hair do. And after attempting to heed my wishes, we both agreed that it was not to be. So he really went to work and created this artistic but not too over-the-top up-do the likes of which I have never seen. It was a first for me - getting an actual "do" like girls do, and it was a big hit at the wedding I attended that night. Had it not been for the bride, my hair might have ended up getting married.

He also colored my hair (single process + highlights). And while the whole experience was not what I would call "inexpensive," it was worth every penny. And likely less cashish than if I had gone uptown (read: Madison Ave.)

Daily Candy: Hair Party 24 Hours Beauty Salon

OK, so I am a slacker this week. I am borrowing another one from Daily Candy. But I couldn't pass it up, it's so good.

Wax Around the Clock
Hair Party 24 Hours Beauty Salon

Notice how most places open 24 hours a day 365 days a year — casinos, brothels, precincts, McDonald’s — are the kind that get you in trouble.
The one to get you out of it? Hair Party 24 Hours, a new Murray Hill Korean spa and salon where you can make the most of your preening hours — be they in the still of the night or break of day.
We tried a 5 a.m. pedicure for an 8 a.m. flight, a 9 a.m. blowout for a 1 p.m. meeting, and a 2 a.m. wax for a 3 a.m. booty call. Even tested an eyebrow shaping.
It’s not a total steal (what is?), but service is swift, efficient, and skilled. Wine and champagne get you in the mood for whatever’s next.
Like getting into trouble.
Hair Party 24 Hours, 76 Madison Avenue, at 28th Street (212-213-0056 or hair24hours.com).

Sample Sales from Daily Candy

OK I'm totally copying all of this straight from Daily Candy. So sue me (actually please don't)...



What: Daryl K and Kerrigan
Why: Current spring and summer collections, one-of-a-kind pieces, and more, starting at $50.
When: Aug. 2 & 3. Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: 21 Bond St., b/t Lafayette St. & Bowery (212-529-8790).

What: Proenza Schouler
Why: Unsold stock from spring/summer ’08 (tops, dresses, bottoms, shoes) $80-$1,125 (reg. $325-$4,500).
When: July 30 & 31. Wed. & Thurs., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: 120 Walker St., b/t Centre & Baxter Sts.

What: Zero + Maria Cornejo
Why: Cashmere tops, charmeuse blouses, linen dresses, and cotton pants start at $65.
When: July 28-30. Mon., noon-7:30 p.m.; Tues. & Wed., 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Where: 225 Mott St., b/t Prince & Spring Sts. (212-925-3849).

What: La Perla
Why: Take 75 percent off lingerie, swimsuits, and things you can wear in public.
When: July 29-31. Daily, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Where: 93 Greene St., b/t Prince & Spring Sts.; 803 Madison Ave., b/t 67th & 68th Sts.; 425 W. 14th St., b/t Ninth & Tenth Aves.

What: Rebecca & Drew Manufacturing
Why: Classic button-down shirts (sized by bra size and height) are $20-$50 (reg. $165-$255).When: July 28-Aug. 3, online. Aug. 5-16, in-store. Daily, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: 344 W. 13th St., b/t Eighth Ave. & Hudson St. (212-647-8901).

What: Diptyque Paris
Why: First-ever sample sale with discontinued candles, room sprays, burning essences, eaux de toilette, soaps, gels, and more for 50-90 percent off.
When: July 30-Aug. 1. Wed. & Thurs., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: 11 E. 26th St., b/t Madison & Fifth Aves., ste. 600.

What: Christopher Deane and Sophia Eugene
Why: Sweet, femme designs at up to 80 percent off. Plus save up to 75 percent on Melanie Dizon clutches.When: July 28-Aug.4. Daily, noon-8 p.m.
Where: Sophia Eugene Boutique, 37 Cornelia St., b/t Bleecker & W. 4th Sts. (212-488-2124).

What: Dempsey & Carroll
Why: The fancy stationer offers box sets for $10, as well as note sheets and correspondence cards at up to 75 percent off.
When: July 28-Aug. 1. Mon.-Thurs., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: 136 E. 57th St., at Lexington Ave., ste. 401.

Small Smalto Shoes

I just attended my friend Rob and Donna's wedding at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers. These were the award-winning shoes of the night, as worn by my friend Cathy. She gave me the inside scoop: they are Smalto, size 36, originally $195 and she got them at Daffy's for $29.99.

July 30: Art Opening at Atlantic Gallery, W. 29th St.

As my neighbor/artist friend whose opening reception is taking place on Weds. July 30 from 6-9 p.m. said:
"Honey, Bring ALL those messy little STUD MUFFINS in your red hott rolodex!"
So consider yourselves my messy little stud muffins and join me if you can for his art opening:

Wednesday, July 30
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Steven Broadway (artiste and FIT/Parson's school professor) + The Sunday Seven
Atlantic Gallery
135 W. 29th St.
Suite 601
http://www.atlanticgallery.org/
212-219-3183

(Exhibit July 30-Aug 2, 2-6 p.m.)

Christian Siriano's line is LIVE on Bluefly

Christian Siriano, that dastardly little fashion wizard from Project Runway, has launched his line on Bluefly - where prices are 20% off. There aren't tons of pieces, but I very much like what I see! However, it appears to be selling out fast...items that were there yesterday are no longer posted.

So get going!

Yours Truly on Cool In Your Code

Have you ever watched Cool in Your Code? OK, have you ever even heard of it? Well you have now and it's important that you watch it, because I have made my debut on the show's associated Web site:

http://www.coolinyourcode.com/code-words-guerilla-shopper/
http://www.coolinyourcode.com/guerilla-shopper-2/
http://www.coolinyourcode.com/

Cool in Your Code is an “infotainment” TV show that breaks down what’s cool, new, and undiscovered throughout New York City’s 200+ zip codes. CiNYC has won 4 NY Emmy Awards, and has received more Emmy nominations (18) than any other New York entertainment series. Every code offers its own distinct flavor and this show unzips the hidden treasures and intriguing destinations that are found in each one. Our hosts cover everything from fashion and beauty, shopping, eating, culture, nightlife, celebrity, and entertainment. CiNYC helps you get hip to your zip! The show premieres Tuesday at 9 pm on NYC TV (TWC Channel 25/Cablevision Channel 22).

Cool in Your Code also explores London’s 120+ postcodes through a partnership with TimesOnline, check it out at www.timesonline.co.uk/coolinyourcode.

Calypso Warehouse Outlet: Opens July 24

I may have to go to LIC for this. Weekly!

John Varvatos: 70% off Men's Sale Collection

Death of A(nother) Neighborhood?

I've been living in "Grey Box" since 1997 - that's the area between Gramercy Park and Murray Hill with no name. When I moved in it was pretty much a shite-hole. People sleeping in the foyer, by-the-hour hotels down the block, drug fronts, goat meat wholesalers, ladies of the night, The Sunflower was a greasy spoon dive diner, and all the bars were either Irish pubs or completely non-descript (aside from The Rodeo). It was pretty dire, but I thought it was swell. I'm not going to romanticize and tell you it was great, but it was what it was. And slowly over the years, and seemingly in hyper speed the past year it has turned into...

THE UPPER EAST SIDE (insert shrieks and screams of terror here)

There are now 10 "Sex and the City"/frat bars within the three blocks North of my street, not counting an 11th - a wine bar opening in the very near future (Cavatappo). Here are photos of the offenders, and some of my least favorite public houses in town. And I live among them all. Sigh...

Origins.com: More Free Stuff

Order from Origins.com and receive a full size Smileage Plus™ Liptint - select your shade at checkout.

Good Shopping Advice from Teri Agins (WSJ)

Style: Ask Teri
By Teri Agins
17 July 2008
The Wall Street Journal
(Copyright (c) 2008, Dow Jones & Company, Inc.)

[Fashion reporter Teri Agins answers readers' questions]
Q: Before the weather even got warm this spring, a lot of department stores were already putting spring clothes on sale for 40% off. I just went to the mall and saw signs for prefall sales. Summer clothes just went on sale. What is going on?
-- M.J., Evanston, Ill.

A: Retailers today work to turn over their inventory as often as possible. Long gone is the era when stores received only a couple of big seasonal deliveries. Now, most stores get fresh merchandise monthly -- or as often as weekly at some fast-fashion chains. Frequent deliveries keep the stores looking fresh and inspire shoppers -- led by the trendiest -- to get into the habit of shopping early and often for the latest novelties.
Compounding the seasonal confusion, high-end designers now aggressively market "pre-collections," such as the fall items that are now in stores, well in advance of each season. In addition, stores may offer "special purchase" and "special value" items that are depicted as deals but were never really marked down.
Retailers typically start marking down goods after nine weeks on the sales floor -- or sooner when retail traffic is sluggish or when they have very unpopular items to clear out. Now that sales are slow, vigilant, frequent shoppers can find better bargains earlier than usual.
To navigate the store floors, develop a deft strategy. Wait it out for the markdowns, if you must, but make exceptions for exceptional finds. Right after July 4, I bit the bullet and paid full price for a distinctive fall dress that fit perfectly.
Contrary to myth, the best-dressed people typically don't have closets bursting with clothes; they have smaller, exquisite wardrobes of carefully picked items. After years of buying too many middling markdowns that I never wore, I now buy far less. Most of the time, I walk away from the markdown rack empty-handed. I buy only what I adore, no matter how cheap it is.
To temper your impulses, don't remove tags on new clothes until you've given them another audition in front of the mirror at home. If the merchandise doesn't pass muster, take it back.
---
Email questions to askteri@wsj.com

Glarkware T-Shirts, hahaha

These T-shirts from Glarkware are funny. As is the way they encourage your purchase: "Let this year be the year you don't get arrested for public lewdness: buy a t-shirt and hide your shame. All shirts include two sleeves and a neck hole." I figured it must be a British company, but in fact they hail from the great state of Canada. Toronto, that is.

Chicago: Robin Richman

Funny, but the first store I visited during my Chicago shopping mission was also the most interesting. Sadly, I was forbidden from taking any photos inside the store and the salespeople behaved as though they were protecting the world's most valuable works of art at MOMA. But to be somewhat fair, this store does offer much more than the standard clothing-and-accessories that we plebeians are accustomed to.


While considering some of the delicate clothing and jewelry masterpieces, created by designers such as Istanbul's Umit Unal, I had to ask, for example, "how do you wash this dress?" I was sternly advised to wear the dress a couple of times until it was unwearable and then hang it on my wall...I assume by a curator. And no I am not even being my usual sarcastic self. This is literally what a salesperson said to me.


Oh, the name of the store you ask? I shouldn't say, but since you can kind of see it in the photo above anyway, guess I will relent: Robin Richman on N. Damen.

Chicago: Clothes I Bought at noir & michelle tan

So in addition to scoring a pair of the arguably best-fitting jeans (Levi's) ever at new'd (it's a resale shop with truly amazingly new-looking apparel) for about $34, I also got the above skirt-that-doubles-as-a-cape (for when you are needed as a stand-in superhero in a crunch) at michelle tan, and the fun fluorescent greenish yellow off-the-shoulder scoop neck top at noir.

The skirt is by ming, a Hong-Kong based design outfit that offers some interesting pieces. This one has dual functions and includes some interesting styling and details (e.g. red thread). Since it's made of poly+wool, I got it at the decent price of $87 (it is the off-season after all).

The top, by Rubber Ducky was basically the only thing that fit my body in this store better suited for a 23 year old. However, the salesgirl was fun, interested and helpful...so I bought something. See how effective real customer service can be?

Rag Nation Moving Sale, July 18-21

Rag Nation is closing its Park Ave S. showroom as of July 30th and will be having a moving sale on the following dates:

Friday July 18, 11-7pm

Saturday July 19, 11-7pm

Sunday July 20, 1-7pm

Monday July 21, 11-7pm

Sale merchandise includes a mix of new and used, men's & women's designer clothing, shoes and accessories:

Gucci men's leather jacket (New) was $1000. Now $500.

Manolo Blahnik pumps (Used) Were $150. Now $75.

Assorted Lily Pulitzer print dresses (Used). Now $25.

Assorted pants & skirts from Prada & Gucci (used). Now $25. - $45.

Assorted dresses from Moschino, McQueen, Prada, And Gucci (New & Used). Now $45. - $125.

Assorted T-shirts (New & used) from D&G, Juicy, Custo Barcelona, etc. Now $25. - $45.

They accept American Express, Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club and traveler’s checks.

Any leftover stock will continue for sale during the following weekend (Fri. July 25 - Mon. July 28).

Chicago: Porte Rouge Table & Home

Porte Rouge on W. Division in Chicago was one of the most exciting stores I encountered during my Wicker Park/Bucktown shopping tour. If I lived in Chicago I fear that I would spend all of my hard earned cash in here, for it is not cheap, but it is full of beautiful, quality housewares, cookware, teas and the like. If you have a wedding or shower present to buy, I highly recommend taking a look in here (even online). I'm actually lusting for the tableware again as I write this. Oh! and the antique old-style colored glass seltzer water bottles are divine (I think they cost about $95).

One of the most interesting items are the teas from Mariage Freres in France, which apparently is sought after from individuals and restaurants from all over the country.

I may become a grown up yet. Stay tuned.

Chicago Shopping: Bucktown & Wicker Park

The other headline I was considering was: CHICAGO TAX RATE IS 10.25% (and you thought NYC was bad!). But more on that later.

Chicago is my second favorite city in the U.S., so when I had the recent chance to go there and stay for free (in my parents' hotel room, like a 12 year old), I took it! I was directed by my Midwestern friends to seek out Bucktown and Wicker Park for fun and shopping. They equated it to the East Village, which is mostly accurate. Except there's a little bit of Fifth Ave.-in-the-teens-vibe at some points as well. And I don't know if it was due to the holiday weekend or that I was shopping on a Sunday and a Monday, but it was ghost-townish by comparison.

Anyway, I spend my days on N. Damen (see photo of empty store front for any of you entrepreneurs), N. Milwaukee and W. Division and found some pretty good spots, including:

bazar apparel, beadniks, daniels antiques, hejfina, michelle tan, noir, new'd, p.45, porte rouge, pump, robin richman, saffron inc., the silver room

So let's go back to this tax issue and compare and contrast NY vs. Illinois, shall we?

New York has a 4% state sales tax. There is no New York City sales tax imposed on the purchase of clothing and footwear regardless of the amount. As of September 1, 2007, New York State has eliminated sales tax on all clothing and shoes if the single item is priced under $110. Most counties and cities have not eliminated their local sales taxes on clothing and shoes. There are however, 11 counties and 5 cities (most notably New York City) that have done so. So this means when you buy clothes and shoes that cost more than $110 in New York City, you only pay the 4% New York State sales tax.

Much to my shock, the combined tax rate in Illinois therefore varies from the State minimum of 6.25% to a current high of 10.25% in Cook County.

This means that everything I bought in Chicago had a ten-point-two-five percent tax tacked on! This is outrageous! And possibly the only thing in Chicago that is not cheaper than New York...

Anyway, I will be providing more in-depth insight into some of the stores I visited, so stay tuned for forthcoming Chicago postings.

Lord & Taylor Sumer Sale & Clearance Thru July 22

Click here for savings pass!

Tory Burch Sample Sale July 8-13

Sample Sale Today (July 9)

Chicago...Chicago...

Hi all, sorry I have been MIA for a while, but I was shopping in Chicago! I will have several tales for you shortly. but in the meantime, enjoy the puppetbike.com, which entertained me outside of the Hopleaf on N. Clark.

Rebecca & Drew: 2nd Sale July 7

Rebecca & Drew's second sale will take place on July 7th with markdowns from 30-65% on Spring merchandise. Examples of great summer fashions offered at tremendous discounts include:

Bebe Tank Dress with Convertible Color Blocking
Original Retail Price: $350
Sale Price: $245
Abby Empire-Waist Dress with Pleat detail (see photo)
Original Retail Price: $335
Sale Price: $235
Annie Boat-Neck Pleated Top with Empire Waist
Original Retail Price: $215
Sale Price: $150

Rebecca & Drew
344 West 13th Street
New York, NY 10014

Naoyo Tareda Jewelry at Kifka + Heller

How great is all of this jewelry, custom made by Naoyo Tareda and available at Kifka + Heller on W. 49th St? I am in love love love with the hoop earrings with the dangling rubies (yes, real live rubies) for $225.

My friend bought his wife a different pair of earrings and a necklace, which she adores. And the better part is, the artist makes tons of other things made to order.

I really like the "not too girly" nature of the designs and materials. I like my jewels to be a little bit rock and roll and not at all country (sorry Marie).

Gilt-y Pleasure.com...

Have you heard of Gilt.com yet? I just did. Here's the deal:

Gilt Groupe is a private online community, which is dedicated to providing its members with access to coveted fashion and luxury lifestyle brands at sample sale prices. You must be invited by an existing member to join, and there is no cost to join Gilt Groupe. For additional information or questions about our membership policies, please send us an email at membership@gilt.com.

Here's the current sale info:

Tuesday, 07.01 - Jill Stuart (pictured) + Elie Tahari

Wednesday, 07.02 - Final Sale day 1

Thursday, 07.03 - Final Sale day 2