July 28: CHANGE OF SEASON HOSTS AMERICO 1919 TRUNK SHOW

Change of Season, a boutique outlet
341 East 9th St. NYC

Proenza Packed sample sale line

If you are not already at 495 Broadway, it's unlikely it will be worthy of your Metrocard swipe or cab fare.  Friends and family who had a head start on Monday are back for more and shoppers were stocking up on dresses in the $400-$500 range, and bags were going, going.... and they were checking the list at the door, so no sneaking or peeking. There is always the Bloomingdale's across the street for the 100 or so fans on the queue to get in. 

/nancy brenner

Ralph's Ice Cream & Italian Ices on E. 24th St.

I'm not entirely sure why this place isn't the most mobbed spot in town, but for now I am happy that it's not.  Located out a window right across from Baruch, Ralph's offers tons of flavors of ices, as well as ice cream, smoothies, something called an "iceberg," and sundaes (how about a toasted marshmallow crunch?). 

I had a medium passion fruit water ice (as opposed to a 'cream ice,' e.g. cannoli or banana), and it was super awesomely delicious and didn't cost both arms and a leg (it was $3.50). 

I just dig how this place is set up, what they offer, and the fact that it seems to be still flying under the radar.  The only issue I have is that they sometimes use Styrofoam cups. 

Follow @ralphsicesnyc on Twitter.

Shooting for suede? Leather lovers lap up samples

If you can perish thoughts of humidity, and imagine a sweat-free future, swing over to In Suede for suede samples ($25-35) or perhaps a leather trench for fall or white lambskin leather jacket for air-conditioned environs. Today through the 29th. 10a-6p.

The Botkier store is running yet another bags-in-bin sample sale, this time with more hot house hues. Beware scratches on bags, particularly brights - priced particularly well as compared to their online offerings.

/nancy brenner

Jul 30-31: Butter by Nadia's Sample Sale Spectacular

Sample Sale at House Of Butter July 30-31 in Bkly'n
CASH MONEY ONLY
...it's like butter it's like butter baby

http://www.butterbynadia.com/contact.html

Culture Object - New York Spaces - June 2011 - New York, NY

Culture Object - New York Spaces - June 2011 - New York, NY

Norma Kamali's "Bill" Swimsuit Giveaway

The Bill swimsuit, with style influenced by classic films of the 1930s and 40s, debuted in 1976 and remains true to its design today—"a classic American movie star style" with a sweetheart halter neckline, feminine skirted silhouette and flattering ruching and seams. Last summer, Norma Kamali introduced a $98 version of the Bill, which is now available in a range of colors exclusively through her flagship store in New York and online.

Throughout the month of July, to celebrate the one year anniversary of the $98 Bill style, Norma Kamali will be giving away four of the iconic swimsuits on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Foursquare:

Facebook: http://facebook.com/normakamali
Twitter: http://twitter.com/normakamali
Tumblr: http://normakamali.tumblr.com/
Foursquare: https://foursquare.com/venue/993472

Summer Sales Start Today at My 2 Favorite Stores

Summer Markdowns have begun:
LINGO
257 W. 19TH STREET
212-929-4676
TUES-SAT 1-8 PM
SUNDAY 1-7 PM
CLOSED MONDAYS
Say hi to Shin, she owns the joint!

30% off (today thru Sun.):
Anna
150 E. 3rd St. b/t Aves. A&B
212.358.0195
Open, like, all the time.  Except in the morning.  GOD NOT IN THE MORNING!

Congrats Derek Jeter!

New Mantra: SHOP DURING THE WEEK!

OK, I can't ever shop during the week either.  But I took advantage of my staycation (sorry for using that overused term...I haven't yet come up with an alternate) and shopped like it was my job. Well, at least the one I get paid for.  The stores are empty!  The salespeople are nice(r)!  And during the summer you get to take advantage of free A/C!

So between gift cards, coupons, and sales, I was able to get almost everything I need.  I'm still looking for that perfect khaki-colored summer pencil skirt, but in the meantime was able to score the following:

-Narrow, stretch, longish black shorts at Anthropologie (see pic). Yes, I buy the only thing that is black in that entire store. And on sale for $40!  I also picked up a sweet smelling candle-in-a-tin.  And this all cost me $3.02 because I had a $50 gift card.

-Carmen MarcValvo swimsuits at Paragon Sports? And 30% off! I have tons of trouble finding bathing suits that fit and don't make me look like a corpse. But this suit fits, is comfortable, makes me look fancy, and is in a color I never thought I would ever buy (but is the perfect anti-corpser, see pic). At $101, this suit is still pricey...but when you find a suit that doesn't make you cry, you buy it.

-Quality tank-tops, 2 for $25 at Madewell...white, grey, black. They snap back into shape!  I can't stand when my tank tops stretch out in the humid summer heat and then suddenly, I'm schlumpy.  I bought two white ones, for layering purposes (see pic).

-Flats, sneakers, socks...isn't this what DSW is really for?  I had a $10 off coupon, and somehow ended up spending $90+.  But I have already worn everything that I bought, so t'was well-worth it.  I spied a pair of black suede stretch Stuart Weitzman boots with very low heel. WOW. THE ultimate find. Unfortunately, these booties, even at DSW, cost two legs, and therefore you can't ever wear them ($450, on sale from $650).  But if you're not mega-rich, just really damn rich, you might think this is well worth it.  And as of Tuesday, there several pairs - including a 9.5 and an 8.5.

-Urban Zen. I have been trying to get into this place for years, but it's closed on Sundays, which seems to be the only day I find myself in the West Village.  So, today, I got inside and learned that it's affiliated with a Donna Karan foundation and anywhere from 10%-100% of the proceeds go to worthy causes, such as to artisans from Haiti. Interesting.  So after they gave me some samples of magical eye and face lotions from Morocco, I felt obliged to buy a heart-shaped rock to benefit Haiti for $15...which actually ended up being $16.33 with sales tax, which struck me as odd, but I have put it next to my bed and decided it will bring me great good fortune.

-Who knew there was a Ted Baker in the Meatpacking district?  Probably lots of people.  But I didn't - I always go to the one in Soho. Anyway, I like the store, though nothing really fits me. But if the brand fits you, run in there because they are having a 50% off sale right now.

-And in closing I finally got to the Alexander McQueen store on 14th St., which reminded me of a museum and also reminded me of the stores of yore in Soho. I'm pretty sure the salespeople in there hated me in my over sized army pants and canvas Nikes, but it kind of makes it all the more fun, frankly. 

Those are the highlights as I rode the urban retail heatwave...burning in my heart.

Starting Sat. July 23: Housing Works' BUY THE BAG is Back!

Housing Works wants you to BUY THE BAG! You give them, $25 and they will give you a bag to fill up with clothes, accessories and everything in between from their warehouse in Long Island City. Shopping starts at 11:00 am, but if you want first dibs, join for Power Hour from 10:00-11:00 am for just an additional $5 donation per person. NOTE: Power Hour availability is limited.
Free General Admission begins at 11:00 am.

WHAT: Buy the Bag

WHEN: Saturdays, 7/23, 8/6, 8/13, 9/10, 9/17
11:00am-2:00pm

WHERE: Thrift Shops Warehouse
4849 35th St., Long Island City

BENEFITS: Housing Works provides lifesaving services, including housing and medical care, to low-income people living with HIV/AIDS. Proceeds from this sale go to those services.

New STUFF at Change of Season

Clinton at Change of Season has been away procuring more pieces for the shop in London & Italy...here's the update from the fabulous horse's mouth:


THEY SHOULD BE IN-STORE THURSDAY JULY 7th, Fed Ex willing.

RICK OWENS: JACKETS, MEN'S PANTS, DRESSES, AND AN ASSORTMENT OF OTHER FINDS.

WOMEN'S SHOES WILL ARRIVE IN A FEW WEEKS!

GARETH PUGH: TOPS, DRESSES, AND ONE STYLE OF WEDGE (LATER WITH THE OWENS SHOES)

NEW ONE-OF-A-KIND NECKLACES FROM MARIA ZURETA, LONDON

AND AN ASSORTMENT OF PIECES FROM DIOR, BALENCIAGA, SEE BY CHLOE, & COMME DES GARCONS, & the original rubber TABI BOOT from MARGIELA.

MoMA Design Store Summer Promotion

MoMA Design Store Summer Promotion


Starting Thursday, July 7, the MoMA Design Store will offer 10% off already reduced prices. Featured items include kitchenware, electronics, personal accessories, home decorative accessories and furniture

The sale will take place at the MoMA Design Store in midtown (44 West 53 Street) as well as the MoMA Design Store in Soho (81 Spring Street). A wide selection will also be available online at MoMAstore.org.

MoMA Design Store, http://www.momastore.org/

EVERY PURCHASE SUPPORTS THE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART

While you're waiting...

...for me to post something one of these days, you can follow me on Twitter at @GuerillaShops!

I haven't been shopping that much, really...but I did buy a great "watermelon" colored dress at ANNA (my favorite store) yesterday....