Workin' it at ANNA in the East Village

Hi all.  Realized I hadn't posted one thing all year, and well, this year is almost over. Good Riddance!

Anyway, this Guerilla Shopper doesn't shop as much as she did "back in the day." Retail has changed tremendously since I started this blog, with online shopping taking over and so many off-price stores declining in quality or going out of business entirely. I was particularly sad when Loehmann's shut down, as I had recently moved to the Upper West Side and found it to be a great go-to spot for many of my needs. Apparently it still exists online, which I just only found out when I looked up the URL!

Now I primarily shop at three stores...and I even help out at one of them from time to time!  ANNA, 330 E. 11th St., East Village, NYC; meg, with locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn (I go to the ones in the East Village or the newest location in the West Village); and Lingo, 257 W. 19th St., Chelsea, NYC.

So why do I still shop like it's 1999?
I rarely shop online, especially if it's for clothing and shoes, because even the thought of having to ship stuff back and forth annoys me. I spend HOURS trying stuff on in stores, there's little chance something I pick from a web site is going to fit or look like I want it to the first, second or nineteenth time. Additionally, the environmental impact of packing and shipping seems (is) massively wasteful.

But the real reason I have honed in on these three stores is definitely something the Internet cannot provide: a community of LIVE HUMANS that I interact with IN PERSON. I realize this is an old fashioned notion, but I suspect it will be making a comeback.  It HAS to.

I can't tell you the number of awesome women I have met and interacted with at these stores - employees and customers alike. Comedians, authors, filmmakers, musicians -- one woman I talked to a few months ago I soon noticed is on NY1 every other week with Neil Rosen talking about films (I KNEW she looked familiar!). It inspires creativity, discussion, hope, happiness. Better than a book club; better than Starbucks!

And yes, granted, I spend more money than I might if I shopped at H&M or hunted down every last online discount.  'Cuz I'm Worth It.  Aren't you?

xoxo GS

Catherine Angiel Winter Sale, Jan 14-21

Fall Sale at Catherine Angiel (Jewelry)

Catherine Angiel...may be affordable between Sept. 29- Oct. 7!

Intermission: Tom Binns Jewelry is Ruling My World Today

My funky fresh friend just sent me several links to the Tom Binns website, and I am an immediate convert.  It is taking me back to all that was holy in the 80s.  Some of the pieces are out of the range of what a 99 percenter would consider affordable (such as the one pictured above), but there are other items in the more down-to-earth area ($200+).

Located at 41 Perry Street in our fair city's West Village, I shall make my next best attempt to visit...once I have time and money again.

And now...back to your regularly scheduled e-program.

West Village Memory Lane

I remember when this corner housed Banana Republic, back when they were known for selling "safari clothes!"  Ha, who else remembers that?  OK, that's all for now.

Earnest Sewn Sale (denim)

From today's New York Times' "Urban Eye" - it almost seems like this should be kept secret! And in other news, the GS continues to search for temporary furnished month-to-month housing. Don't be shy, let me know if you hear of anything available!

SHOPPING
Sit on Your Principles
Our long weekend of short pants was a treat, but don’t get too comfortable: cooler temperatures are on the way, so take a moment to evaluate your denim collection. Those who like designer quality but not designer logos should head to the sample sale at the hipster denim label Earnest Sewn, about which Alex Kuczynski says, “there are no expensive jeans better.” Regular prices often top $200, but here everything is $22 to $75, including sweater vests for men and women ($60) and jeans for the little ones ($55).
Today and tomorrow, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Earnest Sewn, 829 Washington Street (Gansevoort Street), West Village, (212) 242-3414.

Eating Weekend: Schiller's, Flor's Kitchen

I spent a good portion of my weekend eating. Eating at Schiller's Liquor Bar on Rivington and at Flor's Kitchen on Mercer St. (their East Village location has closed). Oh I guess I drank a bit of Sangria too.

I have to say, I've only eaten at Schiller's twice, and godamn is the food good! I mean really really good. I was a bit suspect of its trendy vibe and such, but now that all of the cool kids have moved onto fresher pastures, you can actually get into this place (especially if you go very early or very late) and enjoy the grub. It is well worth it!

The food at Flor's isn't as great, but I had a hilarious time with friends old and new and now wish that I remembered to take a photo. Alas, what lacked in cuisine was made up for by free flowing trash talk and sarcasm contests.

Camp on Perry - Dual-Purpose storefronts

Are you aware of the phenomenon of two completely unrelated kinds of businesses sharing a storefront? You may have come across a hair salon/jewelry counter or a cell phone/mini mart now and again, but how about a women's clothing boutique/real estate agency? Well, it exists at 177 Perry Street in the West Village where Holly Waterfield holds court at Camp on Perry.

For the sake of sensationalism, I will call this sharing of space a new phenomenon overtaking New York, but truth be told I'm not sure when it started. However, with skyrocketing rents overtaking every inch of this little island, it only makes sense that small business owners join forces and lower their overhead, whether or not they are in similar industries.

At Camp on Perry, Ms. Waterfield, pictured above in her own maternity creation, sells refurbished vintage wear, designs from new up-and-coming local designers, as well as her own creations, which she works on at her sewing machine right before your very eyes. The eye-catching green sequined dress in the photo comes from a Brooklyn designer and is something to be seen - and tried on - in person. The filing cabinet and chair off to the right is the real estate business run by her friend and "location associate" to coin a new term.

So as we all know, the three most important things in succeeding in retail is "location, location, location" and if you have two-businesses-in-one, that's practically six locations! Here's to creative solutions amidst financial obstacles. Go check it out!