Big Sale at Catherine Malandrino

Holy Moly!  60% at Catherine Malandrino in the Meatpacking.  A day of surprises ended with this one. Hint: If your size isn't on the floor, they might just have it in back.  My $260 bill was whittled down to $104. 

Tory Burch Greeted Revelers at Fashion's Night Out

The MePa district was mobbed with freebie hunting fashionistas following fellow goodie bag holders. Lucky Loubutin boutique fans scored free Frederic Fekkai updos or Lady Gaga like lashes. Tory Burch was game for greeting guests at her boutique. Were budgets blown in the carnival-like atmosphere in the Meat Packing District while the stock market was gyrating?

/nancy brenner

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.

Earbuds & Apple

I went to the new Apple store in the Meatpacking last week, and while I've determined that I am truly not an earbud fan (Maybe my ears are malformed?  Maybe I am really Vulcan?  Whatever the issue, they never stay put), but I am a fan of the Apple store.  I am sure this has been written about several thousand times, but not only is Apple ahead of the curve on consumer tech goods and gadgets, they are also ahead on retail/POS.  A staff member rushed over to me, took my credit card on the spot, and emailed me my receipt.  I didn't need to wait on line, or deal with cash registers, or a paper receipt - a truly modern take on perhaps what every store should strive for.  On the spot help.  This could certainly help reduce defecting customers, or customers who come into your store, find a product, and then buy it from a competitor's website FROM INSIDE YOUR STORE like a retail horror film.
Don't give them a chance - give them stellar and immediate service!

Boucher Jewelry is Closing, Ergo SALE

After 11 years, Boucher Jewelry is closing. Starting today (thru Saturday, August 1) they'll be having their final store sale with all items 40-50% off: CASH ONLY.

Boucher Jewelry
9 Ninth Ave, between Little W 12 st & W 13 st (next to Pastis)
noon-7 pm

Beauty Pros Team Up: Free Pre-Valentine’s Primp and Pamper Event

Valentine's Day is easily one of the more depressing days of the year for most of us. And to add insult to injury, it falls on a Saturday this year. But don't let that get you down! Take the world by storm, Bridget Jones-style!! Or at least get some free beauty advice and cocktails:

To get women looking their sexiest before Valentine’s Day, Three Custom Color Specialists, pioneers in custom-blended makeup, are teaming up with Juara Skin Care and Red Market Salon for a free evening of cocktails, consultations, and one-night-only deep discounts on makeup and skin care products.

The first 150 attendees will score a free goodie bag, including full-sized products from Juara, Three Custom Color Specialists, and a certificate for a free blow-out at Red Market Salon.

WHEN: Wednesday, February 4th, 6PM – 8:30PM

WHERE: Red Market Salon, 32 Gansevoort, 4th Floor

HOW: RSVP’s are recommended. E-mail appt@threecustom.com with your and your guests’ names. Walk-ins welcome as space permits; cash only.

Juara Skin Care Founders will be on-hand pampering each guest with winter skin treatments featuring their line of Indonesian-inspired botanical products. One-night-only deep discounts will be offered. Red Market Salon Pro stylists will meet with guests to discuss the best styles for their hair texture, face shape, and lifestyle. Three Custom Color Specialists will offer makeup-touch ups, applications tips and provide one-night-only deep discounts on picks from their coveted Ready-To-Wear line.

December Sales at Rebecca & Drew

The extremely detailed sale is taking place at the Rebecca & Drew store in the meatpacking district on 342 West 13th Street.

DDCLAB May 20

Jeffrey: The Store

So in keeping track of the comings and goings on my blog, I noticed that lots of people landed on my site when searching for "Jeffrey" - the store in the Meatpacking District. Perhaps to their chagrin, they found my entries on Jeffrey Sebelia - the guy who won Project Runway. Alas, I decided I had better go check Jeffrey (the store) out.

So I did.

Way at the west end of 14th St., past Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen, I met Jeffrey, who turned out to be something of a mini-department store. It reminded me of the stores in Soho, back in the day before Soho became Mall of America.

I tried on a few items that I would probably never have bought, seeing how everything in this place costs about $900 and more. Additionally, while I am currently on the low end of my typical size, apparently I have 25 more pounds and 3 ribs to lose before I can fit into anything in this store.

Nevertheless, the guy who helped me - Charles - was very nice and complementary towards me, a good salesman indeed.

Overall I would say it is worth scoping out for kicks and a New York experience.

Lisa Perry

So through some connection with my dad I have learned about Lisa Perry whose styles are available at Jeffrey on W. 14th St. I haven't been to the store or seen the clothing in person, however, the photos of the clothing on the Web site are quite interesting and eye-catching. However, however, I wonder who is wearing these styles with any regularity...I had an orange "mod" dress and let me tell you, I could only wear it but so many times before I was teetering on the brink of wearing it one too many times...

Also, I keep reading that "mod is back," but seeing how I KEEP reading it, I wonder if, in fact, it is ever coming back...

Shoe are You? Shoe Shoe. Shoe Shoe?

Yesterday marked the launch of Ms. Megan's (the New York City shoe guru) new column, Shoe are You?©. This scintillating little column will get deep into the hearts, minds and soles of fascinating people every Wednesday, so be sure to tune in.

This week’s interview features New York fashion designer Shelly Steffee:

SHOE ARE YOU?©: SHELLY STEFFEE
Sitting at her seamstress grandmothers’ knees, Shelly Steffee has been designing clothes since she was 12 years old. A native Pennsylvanian, she now calls New York home, where her boutique and studio in the Meatpacking district are regular destinations for celebs from Lindsay Lohan to Natalie Maines. . . (click the Shoe are You? link for the rest!)

The photo is of a saucy Ms. Meghan in her West Village apartment, taken by Tanya Braganti