Spring Cleaning Sale at Les Nanas de Gramercy

Les Nanas are having a crazy sale - RIGHT NOW!
Skirts, pants and tops for $20 a piece.....spring cleaning don't you know!

And if you don't know, all merchandise is direct from Paris.

Third Ave and 21st St. (aka Gramercy Park).

Whipped by the Wind? Seeking a mink or seal or faux fur?

Instead of fighting Fifth Avenue tourists for picked over selections at retail store sales, check out Vintage Thrift Shop for one-of-a-kind fur finds featuring designs from destinations across the globe. Also, vintage YSL pieces and designer threads at a fraction of their original prices could become your "statement piece" dress for the New Year. Plus, a small group of interesting jewelry, matchbox covers and pins at the counter.

Stop by at 286 Third Avenue between 22nd - 23rd St. or one the many other thrifts in the area including Guerilla fave Housing Works.

~Nancy Brenner

Sale & New Stuff at Les Nanas de Gramercy

I just got word that Les Nanas (de Gramercy) got a new shipment of winter clothes in from Paris and that all the apparel in the basement is 70% off (if you pay in CA$H!). On Third Ave. near 21st St.

Oct 21: Housing Works Wedding Stuff Big Sale

Housing Works' Bride on a Buck Wedding Dress Sale and Vendor Extravaganza returns on Wednesday, October 21.

Are you getting hitched anytime soon? Yes? Congrats! OK, so then check all this out:

$300,000 in discounted high-end bridal merchandise; on-site vendors and Giovanni Ravello in person.

Deeply discounted designer wedding dresses and other bridal goodies, including dresses from:

• Peter Langner (valued at $7,300)
• Monique Lhuillier (valued at $6,200)
• Ulla Maier (valued at $4,900)
• Jenny Yoo Collections (30-plus gowns)…and veils valued at $1,000 slashed to $250.

Event sponsors Starbright Floral Design (http://www.starflor.com/) and Elaine DeLuca of Exquisite Events (exquisiteevents.com) will provide on-site matrimonial advice, as well as Giovanni Ravello himself.

Other vendors:

Adorn Brides (http://www.adornbrides.com/)

The Works Catering (theworkscatering.com)

The Housing Works Bookstore Café (housingworksbookstore.org)

The Cake Diva (cakediva.com)

Dramatics NYC (dramaticsnyc.com)

Robert Griffin, calligraphy artist (robertgriffindesign.com)

Event Details:

WHAT: Housing Works Gramercy Thrift Shop Bride on a Buck 2

WHEN: October 21, 10am - 7pm

COST : FREE

WHERE: Housing Works Gramercy Thrift Shop; 157 East 23rd St. between 3rd and Lexington Aves.

Gramercy's Vintage Thrift Shop

Where do New Yorkers spend a humid August afternoon? At the Zagat rated Vintage Thrift Shop - where traffic was so congested, that I had to wait until several frugalistas exited before I could get in. It's not as busy as Trader Joe's where the line for the privilege of paying at one of the 22 cash registers is 45 minutes, but busier than let's say Saks shoe salon, so big it has its own zip code, where a major 70% consolidation sale started last Thursday. Usually I just pop by and drop off my donations, but I had to investigate what all the buzz was about. The last time I was there, someone sauntered off with a pair of Prada shoes with soles that had never touched the ground - and a hard to find size 5 too. A vintage one-of-a-kind Lanvin belt was being priced and put out for sale while I was donating. Among the real finds - the costume jewelry - why pay more for less at a retail shop for fake 70s and 80s when you can find Debbie Harry, Madonna heyday studded cuffs here? Tired of the same old Drew Carey eyeglasses found at every optical shop? Discover an original stand-out pair here. Check out the shoes too - while many are worn, think of it as a treasure hunt to see if you can unearth brand new ones. The best time to go? Transitional periods - such as Fall and Spring when closets are cleaned, although new merchandise arrives daily. When everyone is tweeting at the tents in Bryant Park, try out Vintage's window auctions - no stilettos necessary shopping - but bidding can be fierce. Vintage has so many donations, they even have stuff in storage. Also look out for the "blue tag" fifty percent off sales when the goods are marked down even further after a few weeks on the floor. Find furnishings, hats, vintage gloves, housewares, matchbook covers, etc. Talk to the salespeople - they are fashion curators! Friday afternoons are busy, as are Sundays. Go shopping for back-to-school items, or a new armoire. Apparently recessionistas everywhere are shopping the thrifts. According to a report by the The National Association of Resale & Thrift Shops (NARTS), issued this month, nearly 80 percent of their survey respondents experienced an increase in new customers. And the quality of incoming merchandise was either higher (28.2 percent) or the same (59.1 percent), with only 12.8 percent feeling a decrease in quality.

Peruse in-person in Gramercy Park thrift-shopper heaven or online at vintagethriftshop.org. Or donate, and get a tax deduction!

~Nancy Brenner

PERSONAL NOTE FROM GSNYC: This is in my hood and is definitely one of the better thrifts around. I got a rhinestone "V" pin here...

July 23: Housing Works Editor's Choice event, hosted by Paper Mag

Housing Works and Paper and Papermag.com have teamed up to launch the summer edition of their “Editors’ Picks” shopping event series—the fashion-savvy editors at Paper have hand-picked Housing Works fashions, plus they’re styling the windows and throwing a cocktail party featuring DJs Andrew Andrew.

Where: Housing Works Gramercy Thrift Shop, 157 E. 23rd St. between Lexington and Third Avenues (subway: 6 to 23rd St.)
When: Thursday, July 23 from 6 to 9pm
RSVP: www.papermag.com/editorspicks
Cost: FREE
Benefits: Housing Works, the largest community-based AIDS service organization in the United States. Since 1990, we have provided lifesaving services to more than 20,000 homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with HIV and AIDS.

Can’t make it to the party? You can still shop some of Paper’s picks online at www.shophousingworks.com/editorspicks

AHHH!!! Teriyaki Boy to become Noodle Boy?

I am not happy about this. At all. I have come to rely on "The Boy" for the cheap tuna bowl and salad on many a night on my way home from the gym. And while I enjoy a noodle now and again, I would rather have a fast food sushi option, because there's no way the new noodle shop will be better than Republic -- which is also near my gym -- anyway.

According to the JapanEASE, it looks like some Boyz will remain in tact, like the one on E. 10th St. But that is not helping me, spur-of-the-moment. I blame the students of Baruch. Damn kids and their noodles.

Defonte's: Finally Something Cool in My 'Hood

Form of a meat sandwich.
Shape of macaroni salad.

It's...Defonte's of Brooklyn (in Gramercy Park) - 261 3rd Ave @21st St.

Les Nanas - Update

Les Nanas - One of my favorite stores where everything is direct from Paris IS NOT GOING OUT OF BUSINESS. Apparently the owners have found buyers and are planning to keep it running the way it has been run for the 20+ years it's been there - this is great news. And although I am sad to see the original owners skip town for greener pastures (literally), I am very happy that they are leaving their unique mark behind. So happy I spent some moola in there today - major sale action!

Rouge Tomate & Cavatappo Wine Bar: Food & Drink

Yours truly had the great opportunity to have dinner and lunch at soon-to-open (October 28) Rouge Tomate before it opened to the public. Located on E. 60th across from Barney's, Rouge Tomate "provides a harmonious alignment of balanced cuisine, well-being, and social and environmental consciousness. This nutritional approach demonstrates a genuine respect for the integrity of ingredients used in crafting balanced, healthful and flavorful dishes."

Bottom line? The space is amazing, beautiful, airy, and I'm not sure exactly what I mean by this, but...harmonious. If a restaurant could look healthy and delicious, this is the spot. And the food presentation is artistic and beautiful -- I might even say breathtaking if I wasn't afraid that it'd sound a bit too gushy. I have to say that of everything I ate the lobster and beet salad (lunch) was my favorite as was the chocolate/peanut butter dessert (dinner).

And last night I made it into Cavatappo Wine Bar on Third Ave. and 26th St. (other location on Second and 89th). With a substantial selection of wines, a bit of food, decent music and a mature atmosphere, this place may be one of the saviors of a neighborhood on the brink of turning into Hoboken. If you are in the hood and not interested in football or jello shots, I strongly suggest this as a top option.

Housing Works on 23rd St. Has Good Jeans

Hi girls - I spied lots of goodness at Housing Works 23rd St. today - 2 pairs of Paper Denim & Cloth Jeans and 1 pair of Marc Jacobs pinstriped jeans - all about size 6 for $30-$35 a pair - and in grand condition. I would run over there now and wait until they open in the a.m. to make a score of epic proportions.

Death of A(nother) Neighborhood?

I've been living in "Grey Box" since 1997 - that's the area between Gramercy Park and Murray Hill with no name. When I moved in it was pretty much a shite-hole. People sleeping in the foyer, by-the-hour hotels down the block, drug fronts, goat meat wholesalers, ladies of the night, The Sunflower was a greasy spoon dive diner, and all the bars were either Irish pubs or completely non-descript (aside from The Rodeo). It was pretty dire, but I thought it was swell. I'm not going to romanticize and tell you it was great, but it was what it was. And slowly over the years, and seemingly in hyper speed the past year it has turned into...

THE UPPER EAST SIDE (insert shrieks and screams of terror here)

There are now 10 "Sex and the City"/frat bars within the three blocks North of my street, not counting an 11th - a wine bar opening in the very near future (Cavatappo). Here are photos of the offenders, and some of my least favorite public houses in town. And I live among them all. Sigh...

Cheap Roses on E. 23rd & 3rd (SE Corner)

heh heh heh...

Les Nanas: Magic Sweater

I am the luckiest girl in the world. So lucky in fact, that I got this magic sweater at Les Nanas for half price. But unlucky for you, it was the last one. It literally turns any outfit into a stunner. Dresses, pants, skirts, a paper bag - whatever - they are all transformed into a statement of fashion when worn with this loosely-knit, short-sleeved sweater with a tie around the waist. And there's even a touch of a metallic thread running through it, making it stand out in the crowd of black tops - but not too much. How to be hot even if it's cool this summer.

Legacy Cleaners uses REAL detergent

If you're like me, you haven't done your own laundry since the early 90s. Instead, you've entrusted complete strangers to wash your goods, oftentimes your intimates. Woo Woo! Anyway, dropping your laundry off on the way to work and picking up a brick of clean, dry and folded clothes, sheets and towels, is one of the greatest conveniences of modern New York City society. Except for a few minor issues: your clothes don't ever really get clean, your whites quickly turn to grays and everything feels kinda rough and doesn't smell exactly fresh. But what are we to do? Actually do our OWN laundry? No. If you live anywhere near Third Avenue in the 20s, might I suggest you try using Legacy Cleaners, where they perform the standard service in addition to using real detergent a la Wisk, Tide and Downy. They also provide you with your own laundry bag that has a shoulder strap for easier carting about. They have a few stores in Manhattan and the Bronx and have their own facility where only their own customers laundry is done. It might cost a little bit more than your standard laundry service, but you will be reminded of what it used to be like when your clothes were truly clean...and smelled that way!

p.s. It's right next to Pinkberry! Location, location, location...

My Latest NYC/Eating/Shopping Perspectives

Perhaps stereotypical of a New Yorker, I don't find myself at many typical tourist attractions. I've never been to the top of the Empire State Building, never to the Statue of Liberty, I'm not a big fan of Broadway, etc. But, I do love my annual jaunt to Coney Island/Brighton Beach, which will continue to become more of a tourist attraction for years to come.

The best neighborhood joint in my neighborhood is the Rodeo Bar & Grill, hands down. Good food, drink and free live music. The best late night joint in town? Well, I don't do late nights like I used to, but I guess I'd have to say L'Express on PAS - they serve food until all hours and you can get quite a "show" in there, depending on what time you arrive. The last cultural thing I did was attend an art auction in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, at which I didn't buy anything, except a couple of drinks. I don't get to go to enough fancy schmancy restaurants, and now that my dad is retired, I can't even rely on him to take me anymore. However, we did recently go to the Gramercy Tavern and the food and atmosphere - and the hooker in the bright yellow mini dress from the 80s - were excellent. My friend is going to kill me for letting the cat out of the bag on this one, but the best bar to meet members of the opposite sex is Marshall Stack on Rivington St. Seems like men over the age of 28 are in there actually looking to talk to women in the same age group. Not exactly a fashion trend, but something that I have been most pleased with during the past couple of years is that shoes and boots have really upped the ante. There was a phase there in the 90s where I could hardly find a pair I liked, but now I am overwhelmed with the selection that not only suits my tastes, but also encourages me to take some fashion risks that I might not have taken before. Oh, and one request to the footwear designers who are reading this: please keep making tall leather boots that fit around normal sized calves. Thank you. My favorite brand? Well I find myself in Club Monaco's sale section all too often, but on a more elite scale, I can't believe the genius behind Marc Jacobs. And while I can't afford to buy even a T-shirt, I am blown away by his style sensitivities, and perhaps more than that, his marketing approach! Other brands large and small should take note.

p.s. Howdja like my new logo? I have another one to unveil tomorrow. I think this one is my favorite though.

Best Shopping in Grey Box

You know those maps posted inside New York City cabs - on the back of the front seats? Have you ever noticed that amidst the colorful neighborhood coding for such favorites as the Upper West Side, Chelsea and the East Village lies a grey box situated in the middle of the east-20s? Well, this is where I live, and have lived since 1997. I belovedly call it "Grey Box." If you're from out-of-town and look at this map, you'll probably figure that it's some industrial wasteland - and back in the 90s that may have been somewhat accurate. Kidding. However, there are some shopping and eating spots that are more than notable. And definitely not grey. Here are some of the best:

Les Nanas de Gramercy - This small Parisian boutique caters to the ladies of Gramercy Park, but offers clothing, jewelry and accessories for all ages, shapes and sizes. All personally selected by the owner, Natalie, shoppers are guaranteed a wide selection of intriguing items. She visits Paris several times a year and literally shops for her customers and then ensures her staff are thoroughly familiar with the goods so that they can act as personal stylists. I have picked up some of the most stellar knitwear and skirts here. Things that are literally not sold anywhere else in town. They also now have a permanent 50-percent-(or more) off sale in the downstairs section. 70% on some off-season items if you pay cash!

Housing Works - This is one high-end thrift store that auctions the most interesting and valuable items in the City via magnificently styled windows including antique and designer furniture, apparel, shoes and art. Housing Works strives to ensure that homeless and low-income people living with HIV/AIDS and their families have adequate housing, food, social support, drug treatment, health care, and employment. They've raised millions for that cause through their thrift stores, of which there are several in NYC.

Ricky's - This beauty extravaganza just moved from the low 20s into the old Jennifer Convertible store. Anything you need in make up and hair, adult "toys" - they have it. Except they don't have as good a candy selection as they did in their former space. WHERE IS THE PEZ!?

Rodeo Bar & Grill - Frozen Margaritas. I would end my tale there, because these are the best and most lethal on all of the island formerly known as New Amsterdam, however they also dish out really good Tex-Mex food and free music until 2 a.m. And there's a daily happy hour with $5 margaritas and $3 draft beer (Monday -- Saturday 4p.m. - 8 p.m.; Sundays 6p.m. - 9 p.m.) So it's the perfect storm for a neighborhood haunt, a mere one block from my house. And yes, I am a snob too and it does kind of look like a Bennigan's. But trust me, it is not. Go.

Curry in a Hurry - In a hurry? Fancy a curry? Well here you go. Get enough food for two for less than $10, including a bit of salad and various sauces. I love this place so much they even gave me a free mug one Christmas. Drawback: You Will Get Fat.

Recent notable closings: Sacco - A shoe store I like that offers some unique jewelry and accessories. I think that the salesperson who worked here drove customers away. At least that was the case for me. Don't worry though, there are other locations still sprinkled around town. Rodeo apparel (or whatever it's called) - What was once a vacuum sales and repair shop, recently turned into a rockabilly country-and-western store connected to the Rodeo. I didn't get a chance to go in and now it looks like it is closed indefinitely. Remains to be seen...

Pinkberry & The Empire State Building?

AT LONG LAST. The Pinkberry on 3rd Ave. and 26th St. is open!! I wasn't sure at first, because there was no Grand Opening or line wrapped around the block...but a few people were working inside with customers drifting in and out. Is it too cold outside for The Berry? Does nobody know it's opened? Is this 'hood not full of yogurt eating throngs of 20-somethings akin to those on the Upper East Side? This may be a good sign for my neighborhood, however I fear that the masses will descend soon enough. I am trying to figure out how to get a vacuum tube constructed so that the swirly goodness can be delivered through some kind of suction apparatus from the store and into my hands in a "beam me up" instant.

I also noticed that the Empire State Building was illuminated in a similar green color tonight - see the similarity in the following video? Is the ESB lit up in Pinkberry green in honor of the opening? Probably not, a fun coincidence, perhaps.

Les Nanas: New Year's Eve Dresses

OK, let's make no mistake about it. Black is the new and old black. It makes life much easier because there are so many matchable options in terms of shoes, bags and other accessories. And you can make a wicked dramatic statement if you so choose.

SO! What the heck are you going to wear this New Year's Eve? I have a thought: why don't you try on one of (or all of) the above pictured dresses at Les Nanas de Gramercy? They are all tres cool (to speak French) and will certainly turn heads or at least encourage curious questions from admirers of all genders. Les Nanas also carries a wide variety of jewelry, bags, scarves, belts and so on...so you really may be able to make a whole outfit as a result of one shopping excursion.

I tried on each of the above pictured garments. The black ruffly skirt and its much shorter sister are cause for celebration alone. They are not for the wallflower type, however. Put one of these things on and you better be ready to shake it into 2008.

The other dresses are all uniquely beautiful, using a semi-shiny material that in some ways imitates leather, and then in others, metallic-esque silks. Interesting, and not a trend I have necessarily seen around otherwise. Leave it to Paris (which is where all of the apparel in the store originates).

MC & HNY!

Les Nanas: The Parisian Invasion

This weekend was one of those times that I wished I had some kind of wedding-banquet-charity ball to attend because I found a killer dress that should be on the cover of French Vogue, if not on my body. However, lucky for you gals it's still available at Les Nanas de Gramercy. I found out that there are only four "Balerine" by Nana Baila available - one in each size (1, 2, 3, 4) for about $325+. This slate-coloured dress is made from a polyester/viscose blend and features intricate leather trim. It must be seen and tried on to be thoroughly respected as the work of art that it is.

I was also taken by the red uber-stylish sweater jacket from Maillili you see pictured here, as well as the turquoise-iridescent jacket styled for whomever is up to the task of wearing and pairing them with the right skirt/dress/pants, because that's the kind of respect these pieces demand!