My Hat is Dead! Long Live My Hat!

I recently learned that my two favorite hats in the world were lost amongst all of the post-fire craziness. They made it to Fabric Renewal for cleaning, and were - in theory - delivered to me with my initial "RUSH" items...but I never got them and didn't know it until last week.

So I did what any normal clothes-freak would do. I freaked. And I searched. I called everyone. I even sent emails to the stores where I bought them hoping that I could get replacements. But no dice...

Well not exactly. This weekend I visited Barbara Feinman where I purchased two hats. The pictured lid may arguably best the one that was lost in transit. Although the photo does little to depict that. I am slowly coming out of my lost-hat-depression. Rejoice!

Mi Ropa; PDT: Hot Dogs & Cocktails

This past weekend my friends at Fabric Renewal in Bloomingdale, NJ delivered my spring and summer apparel. Except after they left, I realized: NO PANTS! Or suits, or jackets...I guess they took my direction on the phone regarding seasonal clothing a bit too literally.
So I called back and explained the dire situation: I need pants. In fact, I love them. They kindly came back yesterday morning, and on clothing racks displayed in the middle of E. 80th St. I went through everything, picking and choosing what I needed for this time of year, and sending the rest back with them to be stored for the season.

People were oggling the literal display at 8 a.m. in the middle of the street with sheer wonderment. I am now seriously upset that I didn't catch it on film because it was something to be seen. "Who is that? What the hell is she doing?" Too funny.
And in other [food and drink] news, I am appealing to my friend to take me here, or at least go with me (see photo)...

From the New York Times' "Urban Eye"
One Hot Dog, Heavy on the Secret Sauce
By MELENA RYZIK
Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Three great tastes that taste great together: lowbrow food, highbrow cocktails, and secret bars. PDT is a surprisingly classy lounge tucked inside an East Village hot dog shop. You want in? Approach the phone booth, find the hidden camera and hope the guy who’s manning it likes your smile. Once inside, you can order a deep-fried, bacon-wrapped hot dog and a "precisely calibrated, classically inclined" drink, like a mean mint julep or pisco sour. The name stands for Please Don’t Tell. You won’t, right?

PDT, inside Crif Dogs, 113 St. Marks Place (Avenue A), East Village, (212) 614-2728.

My Clothes are SAVED!

POST-FIRE UPDATE:
I just heard from Fabric Renewal, the dry cleaning, restoration, drapery/shade cleaning company in Bloomingdale, New Jersey that took all of my clothes, shoes, bags, belts, rugs, curtains, sheets, towels, pillows, etc. to be saved, cleaned and refreshed. It worked!

The cost?
$5,694.82

Believe it or not, I am thrilled! Not only that they have billed my insurance company directly, but because I had this sinking feeling that it was going to cost $10k more than that. I thank New Jersey for being cheaper than New York.

Old Clothes, New Clothes 1-2-3

Hi all. Whew! My post-apartment-fire life is in turmoil of unknown outcome and I am trying to get everything back in order. It is certainly not boring.

On Wednesday two fine gents from Fabric Renewal in Bloomingdale, NJ came in and took all of my precious beloved clothing (as well as rugs, bedding, curtains, pillows, etc.) to be Ozone treated and then cleaned. They were confident that all could be saved! Phew - my biggest concern alleviated. Seriously, nobody wants to see a gorilla have a nervous breakdown. I am expecting a delivery of my "emergency clothes" today at my temporary living quarters. Let's be hopeful!

In the meantime I have managed to stay somewhat fashionable because I decided if I wasn't at least happy with what I looked like in public, I really would have nothing at this point! My sad camera phone photo shows my new striped tank top and hot pink silk cardigan. Happy...with a bit of 80s rock 'n' roll thrown in. I guess I have to thank H&M for this, even though I haven't spoken so well of them in the past. They definitely hooked me up on a budget in a crunch!

I am now working on finding furnished living quarters for a month, or two...or possibly up to six! These furnished apartment deals are NOT CHEAP. Any ideas? Send them my way!

Next project: clean/save/chuck all housewares, electronics and furniture. Magic 8-ball says: "ask again later..."