My Adidas Walk Through Concert Doors

I have a little bit of a problem, in that when I see retro-looking sneakers on sale...I MUST BUY THEM.  In this case, I bought a pair of men's size 8 Adidas Neos (I didn't realize Justin Beiber was the brand spokesperson, which may be why they were on sale) at DSW on Broadway & 79th St., where the Filenes Basement used to be.  They were on sale for $38.50, and I had a $10 off coupon -- so if you do the math...that makes them: REALLY CHEAP.

DSW to open in old Filene's Basement space on 79th & B'way

DSW to open in old Filene's Basement space on 79th & B'way.  I just noticed this as I traversed the expanse of my new 'hood yesterday.  Stay tuned for an Upper West Side survival guide as my eons-long renovations come to a conclusion.

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.

DSW: Doesn't Suck alWays

At first, I loved DSW.  But like all good things, that came to an end.  The quality of brands and styles plummeted swiftly; the service questionable.  But this is what happens when a discount outlet grows - there's no way to maintain such high and interesting levels of product and personnel.

HOWEVER!

I stopped in the Union Square outlet the other sweating hot day and managed to save $230, merely by spending $80 on this pair of kickin' boots from Biviel.  They came in both black and brown patent leather - I chose the brown since I have about 12 pairs of black boots.  And they simply screamed "FALL WEATHER" to me, something I am very much looking forward to right now. 

So between the sale price and my coupon, I scored large, and felt like it was 2006 all over again.

I love Nike

Of all the sneakers out there, I have decided that I like Nike the best. They are comfy and stylish - in the gym or just walking around the mean streets of NYC. Especially these bad boys that I picked up at DSW this weekend. DSW doesn't mark down sneakers much - and they rarely even carry Nike's. However, I had a $20 off coupon so it was a sound economic decision. And besides, I love them. Yay.

DSW SUCKS

Yes, I am on a tear today. I went to DSW this weekend, and perhaps it's down to a weird fashion time of year, but the inventory SUCKED. But the last time I went there I thought it sucked too. So I am wondering if they have turned into DSucksW. Half the shoes are Blowfish...Blowfish? What the hell kind of shoes are those? Well just go look at them, and you will see they are crap. What happened to the Cole Haans and Kenneth Coles? Not that they are the height of shoe fashion, but at least they are in the ball park. OH! And even better, I did spy a pair of Frye boots in black and brown and the price was NOT MARKED DOWN AT ALL. They cost $345 -- Retail! And their sneaker selection stinks too. I will go back one more time in the new season, and if they don't impress me, I think I will have to banish them to Marty's Shoe Warehouse land.

DSW (Shoes) Online Sale Feb 3-8

Click here for details.

DSW: Become a Rewards Member

What do you have to lose? I implore you to become a DSW Rewards member. You will get money off on shoes. Simple as that!

DSW: I saved $345 on Donna Karan Collection Shoes

I haven't purchased much in the way of apparel recently, but because I am a rewards member, I had a $40 off reward from DSW burning a hole in my wallet. So yesterday, I trucked to Union Square to change it from paper into "shoe gold." Well, not only did I score a pair of Donna Karan Collection black satin flats, but I did so at a savings of $345! (I paid just a touch under $50.) Yes, that means that these "slippers" originally cost (or so they say) $395, which is totally nuts. Even at DSW's "original" price they were like $299 - also insane. But then they were on sale at 70% off. Combine that with my $40 reward and voila - $49.98! There was one other pair - size 9 if you are so inclined to join the anti-retail revolution with me!

DSW Shoe Sale: Starts Oct. 18

DSW is offering up to 50 percent off select styles starting on Thursday, October 18. And for those of you foresightful enough to be a DSW Rewards Member, you will receive 500 bonus points on every purchase, during the first four days of the sale.

Tahari at DSW

I just visited my favorite discount shoe store in Union Square: DSW. I had a $20 DSW "premier rewards certificate" as well as $20 left over on a gift card burning a hole in my pocket. After perusing the cheaper-yet-still-frighteningly expensive designer shoe area, I came upon some groovy Tahari shoes in black, gunmetal and the plumaliscious pair you see pictured above.

I love these shoes because they actually look better on AND they have a low yet alluring heel. Following years of wearing 3" spikes, my feet have HAD IT and will be so pleased with my new approach.

After utilizing the coupon and gift card, they ended up costing me a whopping $27. I WIN!

Sales Galore! + early returns on iPhone

Wow, I don't think I've ever seen more sales going on in one weeknd in my life! From Lord & Taylor to Bloomingdales, Saks, Macy's, Club Monaco, DSW, TeCasan...and on and on. THIS is a great weekend to go out and renew your wardrobe and possibly your entire home!

And the early word on the street from a Pacific Northwest stringer is that the iPhone lives up to the hype.

Guerilla's Hell

I say this with a laughing tone, I swear, because what else can I do? But I was unexpectedly called into my apartment today because all of my stuff was being carted out by a cleaning/warehousing service. Basically my version of hell - people going through my things and packing them away to be stored for an undetermined length of time in New Jersey. So I grabbed some key makeup and shoes and finally relented, "sigh...take the rest away..."

I am sure for the next 2-6 months I will be in a state of confusion.

So in an effort to alleviate this agg and help make me a happy gorilla, my oldest and dearest friends gave me gift cards from DSW, H&M and Lady Foot Locker. I am also looking at a couple of temp. apartments this week, and may end up living in places far better than the one I have temporarily left behind!

This is all too funny and I am actually enjoying the "unknown" at this stage, because I figure it shall lead me to something better. Particularly some new and better clothes, shoes, makeup and furniture.

Stay tuned. I HAVE to!

Filene's Basement in Union Squuuyawn...

Realizing that I write ad nauseum about DSW in Union Square, I thought I'd change things up a bit and scribe on Filene's Basement, which is located in the same building. Except first I need to admit that while at DSW, and in between taking calls from Guerilla Shopper groupies, I bought New Balance all-terrains to replace my current ugly-ass sneakers. I need to play the part if I am to achieve fitness zen at Equinox.

OK, so anyway I scoured the second floor of Filene's, which is actually the third floor of the building, which isn't really a "basement" at all, and came up with...

NOTHING!

I tried about 10 items on, and they did nothing for me, except make me look drowned out. Now, had I been looking for a semi-conservative suit, I'd have to admit that they have some decent options from Tahari and Calvin Klein (reg. $320 reduced to $130), but alas, I was not.

What I was looking for was simply not present and accounted for. There were lots of non-structured, picked over, fancy T-shirts and pants that don't seem to go to one's ankle. What is it with all of these knickers and shorts these days? I mean having a couple of pairs is fine, but why is the whole store full of this crap?

I really need to put the pedal to the metal on hooking up the spring into summer wardrobe...but where do I go now that Aaron's is gone?! I am going to have to recreate my approach. Wish me well. I'll be back.

Tahari - RED PATENT LEATHAAAAAH

Red Patent Leather Shoes - an obvious necessity. I needed to replace ye olde red Jones New York shoes of yore.

I've been looking and looking for 'the new' for a looooong time but the good shoe designers of the world had not been making much in the way of RED - maroon, yes; pink, sure...but not red in a "Look at me I'm hot hot hot..." kind of way.

So yesterday I took one of my regular jaunts to DSW in Union Square and found the pictured Tahari pair for - get this - $58. Granted I had $10 off and a credit for almost $12, but it almost made my day...

Shoe Letter from a Guerilla Shopper Devotee

Dear Guerilla Shopper,

The infamous Jimmy Choo boots I referenced in my last letter finally die the shoe equivalent of Art Buchwald's death - they were shoe "hospice" for about a year, knew they were going, and went out in style. By breaking a heel on the show floor of CES, to be precise. I left them right where they came off, for the last time, in a bathroom in a house in Vegas. Tragic, but inevitable. So, the quest for a similar (but of course not identical) pair started last week. I took your advice and went to DSW, where for $150 I got a pair of Kenneth Cole high ankle boots with buckles. They are in no way REPLACEMENTS for said dead Choos, but I must admit, a very affordable and nicely crafted addition to my shoe arsenal. Photo to follow.

Thanks Guerilla Shopper!

Union Square: Growing Shopping Oasis

Ah yes, Union Square as photographed by me from inside DSW. What used to be a marginal wasteland dotted with a few good restaurants is now feeling comfortable in its new retail skin. Barnes & Noble, Sephora, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's (nearby), Virgin, DSW, Filene's Basement, Diesel, Puma, Shoe Mania...the list goes on. And situated between 5th Avenue and the East Village, you really can't go wrong by taking one of the many trains that empties into the Square for hours of shopping until you are dropping.

Granted, the turning of New York City into a big huge giant-ass mall hasn't really thrilled me during the last several years that I've seen it happening. But if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. What choice do we have if we continue to choose to live in this teflon town where money continues to pour in no matter what happens? It's quite awesome, in the sense that it instills awe.

I will surely be driven out of dodge in the near future as there is no way that a barely middle class lass such as myself can continue to afford the spiraling prices of...everything... That is, unless I find myself a sugar daddy. Perhaps I should start wearing that Banana Republic outfit my mother bought me (see post from a few days ago) after all.

DSW: March of the Shoes

Yes, yes I know - another store that I write about all of the time: DSW Shoes. But I am so excited to finally be able to share with you the glorious gift of shoe that I bestowed upon Mother Guerilla this fine holiday season.

Mother G. was in desperate need of shoes...so desperate was her situation that I don't believe she realized how critical it actually was. So I took her foot matters into my own hands and did what I do best.

The pictured shoes - Michael Kors, Circa by Joan and David, Nicole Miller, and corso como cost me a sum total of about $260, which was a savings of about $230. The best deal were the Michael Kors (the first pair on the left) which cost a mere $32!

DSW: Post-Xmas Sale! Starts Dec. 26

REPORT: First Day of Xmas Shopping

Today the Guerilla Shopper ventured out into the overpopulated island on which she dwells in search of good gifts at reasonable prices. This is tough to do since many of the people I buy for also read my blog, but I will do my best not to give anything away, or at least keep everyone guessin'.

First, I couldn't help but buy myself a present - this pretty purple sweater. I know I told you not to buy anything for yourself this close to Christmas because you never know what someone else might be giving you, but I am the Guerilla Shopper and this is all in the name of research for you. YES I HAVE TO BUY MYSELF THINGS TO HELP OTHERS! I've really come up with a grand idea here, 'aven't I?

So anyway, I bought the sweater at the downtown location of a store I recently blogged about called pa or personal affairs. I am happy to report that the downtown location is as welcoming and the saleswoman as friendly and helpful as the uptown store. You really need to visit and check out the clothes and other fun things that have been imported from Germany. I learned that the owner's sister designs the clothes in Germany and he brings them into the U.S. They really have a good thing going here and I support their efforts!

Moving on:

• If you are interested in buying top-notch skin care, body, and makeup products, you need to go to Origins. The one in the Flatiron Building is nice -- if you go here, you will be visiting a landmark building, thus killing two birds with one stone. Shopping and architectural culture all mixed together! How intellectual!
• The Gap has decent men's and baby clothes (I've decided not to make a joke here). Decent quality, "current" design, good return policy for the holidays (merchandise can be returned with an original and/or gift receipt up until 180 days after the purchase date), and acceptable prices further supported by constant sales. I also think their women's underwear/sleepwear is cute. I am less a fan of their women's clothing except for the occasional "staple." Call me a snob. You won't be the first.
• Union Square's outdoor Christmas market - full of tents featuring all kinds of unique gifts for the holidays. This is a great place for out-of-towners to pick up fun, cute and cool stuff for the family back in Ohio or Newcastle (England). If you are seeking really interesting jewelry, go find the reBel Designs booth. I bought my mother a necklace from "them" at an outdoor summer street fair this past spring. It's nice. She liked it.

Something of a bummer:

• My favorite discount shoe warehouse a.k.a. DSW does not have a return policy for the holidays (it remains 30 days from the date of purchase), so I didn't buy anything from there today, although I was going to! Perhaps I shall return the week before Christmas if I am still in need. Not wise DSW, you just lost a decent-sized sale!