Thursday, December 30, 2010

Report From the Front: Prince Raspberry Beret

Only Prince could rock a silk purple ruffled shirt with rhinestone (Ed.: I'm guessing they were the real thing) cufflinks THIS BIG plus a rhinestone bib, and whip up a crowd of snow-slushed New Yorkers into singing "Purple Rain" as if it was the national anthem at the "Welcome 2 America" tour at Madison Square Garden last night. While a few concert goers were obsessing over capturing their auteur Android or IPod images, many were swathed in purple or gold lame moving and squealing in rapture - maybe the Mayor should pipe in "Let's Go Crazy," "Little Red Corvette" and skip the bike lines.  For $40 you can party like it's 1999 in a Raspberry Beret (song circa 1985) sold at MSG.
~Nancy Brenner

Note from GSNYC: I, too, attended the Prince show and through extreme proximity also took note of the diamond-encrusted "ear cuff" that scrolled up the edge of his right ear.  And hair glitter.  And who could forget the second act's outfit, which consisted of a bright red glitter turtleneck with matching ice skater's pants, size 00?  Unfortunately, had I taken a photo I would have been vaporized Star Trek-style.  Mr. Prince will be re-gracing NYC with his presence on January 18, again at MSG.

Dec. 30-Jan. 30: ABC Carpet Annual Winter Sale

ABC Carpet & Home
Annual Winter Sale
December 30, 2010-January 30, 2011
Monday-Saturday: 10-7
Thursday: 10-8
Sunday: 11-6:30

All stores:
Manhattan
Delray Beach, Fl
Warehouse outlets Bronx and S. Hackensack

http://www.abchome.com/
follow abc home on twitter: http://twitter.com/abchome

Pictured: *8x9 wool silk Nepal, was $9,999, now $5,499

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Dumpling House Gone: That was Fast

Wow, that was fast - Sushi Dumpling House (E. 26th St.) in business, four months, tops.  I got the sign change in action today!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

What I am Grateful for this last week of 2010...by GSNYC

I am grateful that there is a new 7-Eleven on Third Ave. and 28th St. (or is it 29th?)
I am grateful that my friend turned me onto Press on E. 23rd St.  The whole wheat wrap has insanely low Weight Watchers points!
I am grateful I decided not to go away the day or two after Christmas for I would still be waiting in the airport.
I am grateful that I got a couple of great deals when buying Christmas gifts this year - especially the men's shirts at Lord & Taylor (two Ralph Lauren dress shirts for under $80) and the best stationery ever at Kate's Paperie [I think the location in the Village is going out of business, however].
And as always, I am grateful for the number seven.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Men, Stripping, Sample Fatigue, Sticker Shock: Sample Sales 2010 in Review

The Men - are they all out of work, or turned into jobbers? They are running amuck at sales - Vivienne Tam - so many it felt like a construction site, and at Cynthia Steffe - men appeared, like apparitions hoarding with abandon. Would you like us to storm your sales while you are down to your skivvies or Man Spanx?

Most Improved Sale - Thanks to Cynthia Steffe for installing guards.  Boo to women who had no dignity and insisted on stripping as it was against the rules and the pleas of male security who begged women not to display their Victoria's Secrets.

Pushing and Shoving - More women MUST be working out. Wouldn't sample sales be a better place if it was a little bit more "Glee," Gwynnie Paltro guest appearance and a little less "Jersey Shore"?

Sample Prices? - Just so we're clear, a 60% off retail reduction is simply not an old-school sample sale (off of wholesale), especially when Fifth Avenue stores were already offering the same.
Leifsdotter was the swankiest sample sale setting, but not deepest discount!

Professional Place Holders - Everyone has a thousand friends on Facebook, but at a sample sale, 1-3 max.
Are people setting saving spots for cash like Merchant of Venice tickets at Central Park?
Beware the angry shoppers behind you.

Bragging Bloggers - Stop the line blogging about how you clocked the sample sale at a preview before the die-hard devotees! And how they won't be restocking.

Best Insider Access - Kudos to Gilt City for offering early access for $5 to Catherine Malandrino and others. It’s worth the investment.

True discounts - The $20 for anything and everything Cynthia Steffe and the Lafayette 148 with $40 skirts along (props for plus size finds) with the $50 Shoshanna samples, $5 intimates at Natori are just about the deepest discounts.

A-List Designer Treatment - Rebecca Minkoff, Isaac Manevitz, Kokin, Colette Malouf, Vivienne Tam treated discount-divers like full-price customers.

Indie designers - No not the ones plastered in Vogue.
Patronize smaller ones that sell in boutiques like Anni Kuan that are well-made and priced.

Consignment shops - Sample sale-aholics worked themselves and their credit cards into a frenzy will be probably be dumping their sample sale slip-ups in the consignment shop after-market.

Soon we'll need a clock keeping track of the number of samples sales, like the one for National Debt... hmm any correlation? The unofficial count was 200 sample sales in the last week causing sample sale fatigue to set in. Stock, but fewer real samples.

Women feeling pressure to buy after they've waited in line in extreme weather, fought off opponents, defended their finds and held in their bladders. Even if a friend tries talk you out of buying a La Perla bra with feathers at a “steal" of $80, it can be easy to make rash decisions on a post-Starbucks bladder, an empty stomach and exit waving a “V” sign to the nearest blogger interviewing you for her VLOG.

~Nancy Brenner

From PopSugar Daily: Anthropologie 25% Off Sale

Save


Shop fast! Today only, Anthropologie will take 25 percent off all of your in-store purchases. If you'd prefer to shop fireside, orders of $75 or more made before tomorrow at 10 a.m. EST will earn complimentary free shipping. Now who's in need of a new party dress?
 
http://daily.popsugar.com/

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Fur From the Front: Kokin


You may need an armed guard escort for this plush peacock-colored fur monster hat on sale at Kokin's showroom. Alas, the designer Kokin says this rich-looking hat is sold without protection. Styles include fur trappers, aviators in a choice of mink, fox and rabbit in colors such as purple, pink or black. Prices for "stop and stare at me" pieces will set you back $250 -$300. Want to be mistaken for a model, magazine editor, or someone who has landed a contract with the NFL?  Stop by this sample sale where Kokin will style you and select a suitable cloche, cap, bucket hat, or beret in a range of materials like leather, felt, and bedecked with treatments such as Swarovski crystals. Alicia Keys, Julia Roberts, Britney Spears, Queen Latifah, Cher and Sarah Jessica Parker have all donned Kokin. Women were stocking up by the armloads, but hats and scarves will be replenished. http://www.kokinnewyork.com/

247 West 38th Street
Sun -Tue 9am-6pm
Payment Type:   Cash ONLY
 
~nancy brennfur

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Dec 20: From Wendy Mink Jewelry

Men only shopping night on Monday, December 20, 6-8pm:
"We will have personal shoppers, whiskey and many fabulous gift opportunities for the ladies in your life! In our boutique, visit our website for location details."
...this sounds like a good opportunity for women to shop for:  men...
 
Wendy Mink Jewelry

65 N. Moore St
2nd Floor
NY NY 10013

~nancy brenner

Monday, December 13, 2010

Ben-Amun Sample Sale Today

Five dollar earrings and stop-traffic trinkets at Ben-Amun sample sale where shoppers as eager to see the affable designer Issac Manevitz and his wife Regina as the art deco collection which was selling quickly.  Issac has his tool kit ready to shorten bracelets and necklaces. Get the same service as Ben-Amun fan Kate Moss today at 246 W. 38th Street 12A.
www.ben-amun.com

~nancy brenner

Friday, December 10, 2010

Rants & Tidbits of a Guerilla Shopper

Jupiter Hotel in Portland, Oregon - What used to be an old-school motor inn, is now where they would probably film Almost Famous. Average guest age?  24, at a stretch. Refurbished rooms and an impressive-looking bar and restaurant (and venue, which I didn't see) called "The Doug Fir" where you can order yourself a "Fir Burger" kick this joint up a few notches. As do the required ear plugs that are supplied in each room - along with a brightly-colored condom.  But perhaps my favorite feature are the chalkboard guest room doors (see pic. for my inspiration).  Oh and if you are a band, let them know and you'll get the "band rate," which on a Saturday night amounted to $88.88.  Get a room!

Ben & Jerry's - Did anyone notice that the scoop shop in the E. Village is gone?  As is the one over near Times Square.  There are only three left on the Island of Manhattan - and one of them is in Macy's (ugh).

Downtown Dive Bars - Upcoming DOAs include Mars Bar, Max Fish, and Pink Pony.  I realize that downtown was stolen from downtowners years ago, but these casulaties pretty much put the final nail in.  Is there any truly groovy neighborhood left in Manhattan?  Even one block?  I gladly accept your thoughts.

Thursday, December 09, 2010

Now thru Dec. 12: Sample Sale at Wendy Mink

Gift givers packed this gem of a jewelry store for a preview of the sample sale at 72 Orchard St., which runs today through Sunday, December 12th. Tip - hustle your tray to the back room for treasures. Say hi to Cerena and tell them the Guerilla sent you.

~nancy brenner

Dec. 9-11: Jutta Neumann Anniversary Sale

For those of you who know:

Jutta Neumann Anniversary Sale
20% off on all stock items
355 E. 4th St., 212-982-7048
Dec. 9-11, 12 noon - 7 p.m.

meow.

REPORT From the Front: Cassin Fur For Ladies Who Lunch

If you've married money, or want to splurge, this is the place to do so. If you frequent black-tie events and have the requisite bucks to finance fur fashions worthy of paparazzi pics, seek this sale. Worthy just for the people watching - best dressed, poised sample sale attendees ever.

CassinCollections.com
December 9, 10
Thurs. 9:30 to 7:00, Fri 9:30am to 6:30pm
150 West 30th Street (@ 7th Ave), 5th Floor
 
~nancy brenner

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Cynthia Steffe: Survivor Edition report From the Front

This year there were two gangs of women line-cutting and fighting for the narrow space in the vestibule of the narrow, cramped rented sample sale space for Cynthia Steffe where everything was $20 - except for leathers.

Original tags are $195, $225, $295. Last year's group of hoarders in contention for space in small cramped hallway arguing with a ring leader of another group - who cut the line by at least 7 people. Lobby chaos by 9:30 a.m. By 10 a.m. people were allowed to enter the elevator - only 10 at a time - so be prepared to wait. "Ladies put your clothes on," was the funniest line ever at a sample sale as the Cynthia Steffe male security guards and female salespeople were trying to keep women from disrobing. One woman kept begging a security guard to look - he seemed as if he was standing before curdled milk.

It is a mini-battle zone with happy warriors, so good luck:
Tuesday Dec. 7 - Friday Dec. 10 (I doubt anything will be left)
10am-6pm all days
218 W. 37th St (between 7th & 8th ave), 7th Floor
Cash and major credit cards accepted

~nancy brenner

Report From the Front: In Suede: Did you dislocate your shoulder

at your last sample sale? Try In Suede where Joann will treat you like a shopper at an upscale boutique (Runway in SoHo) and where luscious leathers in colors from peacock to camel are sold. Did I mention the $45 sample rack? Most shoppers skip over sample sales that last no longer than a snow flurry, but this one is worth your perusal, especially if you're going to attempt the Cynthia Steffe sale nearby.

463 Seventh Avenue

Through December 17

~nancy brenner