I am a bad Guerilla Blogger

I know, I know.  I have been neglecting the beloved GSNYC.  However, I am enmeshed in potentially the biggest purchase of my life (think: real estate), so I:

a.  Have been busy as hell.
b.  Am not spending money

However!  I hope to have some great Guerilla Real Estate stories and pointers to relate in the near future. 

Hang in there with me...gsnyc

Now thru Dec. 12: Sample Sale at Wendy Mink

Gift givers packed this gem of a jewelry store for a preview of the sample sale at 72 Orchard St., which runs today through Sunday, December 12th. Tip - hustle your tray to the back room for treasures. Say hi to Cerena and tell them the Guerilla sent you.

~nancy brenner

Teri Jon Sample Sale: Oct 21, 22, 24

Teri Jon fans: Head over to the sample sale today at 241 W. 37th Street. Also Friday and SUNDAY! Call 212-398-0480 for hours and tell them the Guerilla sent you. If you haven't scored a black tie, wedding, or major opening invite yet - this collection will inspire you to find one.
Report from the Front to Follow...
~nancyBrenner

Elie Tahari Sample Sale Starts Oct. 19

And this Guerilla Shopper will tragically not be able to make it!  I bought some of my favorite sample sale items at this one a couple of years ago.  Weep.

70% Off Elie Tahari

Oct 19-24
510 5th Ave
212-398-2622

I've been Tweeting...

More than blogging, that is for sure.  So follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/GuerillaShops

GS Asks: "Anyone Know What These Are?"

Mother Guerilla and I were going through some family heirlooms, of which we have about six, and came across these, in the original JL Hudson's box. Anyone know what they are? Some guesses have included shoe buckles/adornments or a shoulder/scarfy holder thingy. I know, very specific descriptions. If you know or have any ideas, please tell me! I am ready to take on the Antiques Roadshow with this stuff!

Tidbit du Jour: Join ideeli...through me!

You may have read my recent post on ideeli (the green bag)...Well as a result I have been granted the encouragement from the kind people over there to in turn encourage you fine people to join ideeli using a special Guerilla Shopper URL: http://www.ideeli.com/invite/guerillashopper

Just click the link and you will be taken to a page where you can sign up for ideeli, which means that you will have privileged access to the most sought-after fashion, home and beauty products. Also, ideeli members enjoy privileged access to luxury lifestyle experiences such as fashion shows and sold-out concerts.

Give it a shot!

BGSNYC

Look! It's my blog, only better. BGSNYC, if you will: click here.

Real Estate NYC: A Guerilla's Assessment

The Guerilla Shopper has temporarily stopped buying herself consumer goods as she has begun to look at real estate all over New Amsterdam...

And I've discovered that while prices are definitely coming down, buying in this here City is still next to impossible. The math just doesn't work. High prices. Minimum 20% down. Monthly maintenance fees often north of $1,000. Small spaces. Co-op boards. And on it goes. I finally did see several places this week that were at least inspiring and livable, but hard to give up my large, rent stabilized one bedroom in a decent 'hood.

So why am I looking to dump my apartment?

Well first, I ALWAYS miss the real estate or stock market, or pretty much every financial "party" - so I decided that I needed to get out there now in this down economy, so that even if I don't buy anything, I won't have to kick my own ass later and exclaim "WHY DIDN'T YOU LOOK WHEN PRICES WERE LOWER!?" Also, while I live in a rent stabilized building, my rent is not super crazy cheap. If it were, we wouldn't even be having this one-sided conversation. So since my rent is going to increase yet again starting in May, I am also thinking that I may as well put my money to work.

So, no, I am not going to give a detailed look into what I have seen and my assessment of each. At least not until I buy something...real estate is serious business!

But I will tell you about an apartment that I am not going to buy, which was extremely enticing...except for the location for most people. In Washington Heights at 790 Riverside Drive stands "The Riviera," an extremely impressive monument to apartment buildings built pre pre war (as in before WWI). Right near the 1 train at 157th St., apartment 4K offers 5 real rooms - 2 bedrooms, a living room, dining room and kitchen for $599k ($1,168 mtc). Do a google search for more details - or look for it on Corcoran's site. If you work at Columbia or just crave a real old-school building with vast living space for less than $1.4 million, this could be the spot for you.

F-Off Sarah Palin T-Shirts!

While Guerilla Shopper NYC is a family blog, sometimes you have to throw caution to the wind. This is one of those times. The GS is ever so fortunate to have cool and industrious friends, such as the talented lady behind the T-shirt you see pictured above.

Here's the genesis of this brand new business. My friend couldn't have put it better herself:

the story: this palin bitch just pissed me off so i made myself a shirt-- just me, some transfer paper and a hot iron. i wore it out and the rest is history; never intended to sell them!

the shirts are natural-colored, 100% organic cotton (yes, i know global warming is not our fault-HA! but i thought it would be a good idea to take the enviro route nonetheless) with black ink. they're being printed locally (perhaps even some by me).

i plan to offer girlie and unisex tees, and even onesies for the littlest activists among us. buttons too. sizes will be the usual s,m,l,xl in both girlie and unisex.

they're $25 each, including shipping. buttons will be $2.

to order, email: iwantapalintshirt@gmail.com

taking cash & checks right now, but plan to get some ordering capabilities up on the site asap.

www.fuckoffsarahpalin.com

Get them while they still exist! I have a feeling they are going to be flying off the e-shelves.

Always looking out for your fashion interests,
GSNYC

Yours Truly on Cool In Your Code

Have you ever watched Cool in Your Code? OK, have you ever even heard of it? Well you have now and it's important that you watch it, because I have made my debut on the show's associated Web site:

http://www.coolinyourcode.com/code-words-guerilla-shopper/
http://www.coolinyourcode.com/guerilla-shopper-2/
http://www.coolinyourcode.com/

Cool in Your Code is an “infotainment” TV show that breaks down what’s cool, new, and undiscovered throughout New York City’s 200+ zip codes. CiNYC has won 4 NY Emmy Awards, and has received more Emmy nominations (18) than any other New York entertainment series. Every code offers its own distinct flavor and this show unzips the hidden treasures and intriguing destinations that are found in each one. Our hosts cover everything from fashion and beauty, shopping, eating, culture, nightlife, celebrity, and entertainment. CiNYC helps you get hip to your zip! The show premieres Tuesday at 9 pm on NYC TV (TWC Channel 25/Cablevision Channel 22).

Cool in Your Code also explores London’s 120+ postcodes through a partnership with TimesOnline, check it out at www.timesonline.co.uk/coolinyourcode.

The Other New GSNYC Logo

I think I like the first one I posted a couple of days ago better, but the colors in this logo are nifty. Tell me what you think. I am interested in the court of public opinion. Oh, and these logos are courtesy of a wee beast of Guerilla.

I MET A FASHION GOD

Sure, I went to the Oscars. But the real excitement happened before I even stepped foot outside of LAX on Friday! I was awaiting my suitcase at the baggage carousel when I looked over my left shoulder to see TIM GUNN standing 2 people away! How much better of a sighting than this could a Guerilla Shopper get?

So while I didn't want to bug him, I knew that I would simply have to say something or I'd be kicking myself for eternity. I quickly saw my way in-- the guy I was sitting next to on the plane was now right next to the FASHION GOD. I would have to use him to reach my destination. Here's how the whole exchange went:

Me to guy I sat next to: Bye, have a good time seeing Bette Midler in Vegas.
Guy: Oh thanks.
Me (now standing perpendicular to Tim Gunn) to Tim Gunn [touching the sleeve of his impeccable suit]: "It's my favorite show."
TIM GUNN: "Oh why thank you so much. It's a GREAT season, isn't it?"
Me (realize I am wearing glasses and have my hair in two ponytails, by the way): "The BEST!!"
TIM GUNN: "Yes, it's great it's a lot of fun."

So I could have basically turned around and gone home right then and there. He was the real deal - his Project Runway persona is...him!

Carry on...

Seth Godin on What People Want

Thought this blog entry from Seth Godin back in August of 2006 was relevant to the shopping experience of today...and I do think it's true -- for most people, but not for you, the devoted Guerilla Shoppers. You want more than this:

What people want
The same thing everyone else is having, but different.
A menu where the prices aren't all the same.
More attention than the person sitting next to them.
A slightly lower price than anyone else.
A new model, just moments before anyone else, but only if everyone else is really going to like it.
A seat at a sold out movie.
Access to the best customer service person in the shop, preferably the owner.
Being treated better, but not too much better.
Being noticed, but not too noticed.
Being right.

When is Pinkberry opening on 3rd Ave?

Who will make it to the neighborhood first - the Guerilla Shopper or Pinkberry? The race is on.

Kenneth Cole Kicks

So on my travels southward last week I encountered a younger (not by much!) male version of yours truly, the Guerilla Shopper.

I first noticed his shoes in the airport (it's the shoes money, it's gotta be the shoes) and didn't yet know that he and I were going to the same place! When I ran into him later on, I took the opportunity to admit my shoe admiration at which time I learned there was another pair that would make its debut the following day (brown/tan). Don't they look lovely against the puke-carpet that covered the entire hotel? I haven't seen a worse floor covering since I was in Reno in the 80s.

Anyway, he explained that he made his "kicks score" at an 80% off sale at Kenneth Cole store at the Chestnut Hill Mall in Mass. A man after my own wallet saving initiative, indeed!

Closet Envy

OK, not only do I still not have my own apartment, but the apartment I am living in is about as big as my friend's sister's closet, pictured here. I almost fainted. Or moved in. I NEED THIS CLOSET. Look at the shoe racks! And the amount of clothes this woman has (many with the tags still on them)? Far more than me, the Guerilla Shopper! I think it is only fair that I am allowed to set up my own closet/clothing charity for the benefit of ME. Who else is more deserving?

Guerilla Shopper Turns One

And I didn't mention (but now I will) that Monday, October 1 was this blog's 1st birthday! Thanks to everyone who continues to click on the Google ad! Yay!

Robert Polet's 5 Tips on How to be Stylish

...and the Guerilla Shopper's italicized commentary.

Do you know who Robert Polet is? He is the CEO of Gucci who used to be the head of ice cream and frozen food at Unilever. Read the Wall Street Journal for Bob's sake (page B2)! Drumroll...

1. Splurge on high-quality fabric and leather. "Two years ago, I put all my sweaters away in a cupboard and went out and bought myself 10 cashmere sweaters in the same colors I'd had before." (Yo, Bob, so then can I get those sweaters you stashed in the cupboard? My elderly father is cold.)
2. Match your watch to your mood. (I guess I'm always pissed off.)
3. Stay up to speed with technology. His most recent gadget: a BlackBerry 8800. (My most recent gadget is one of those new-fangled "cordless" phones.)
4. Feel at ease in fashion. "I had a pair of flashy leopard-print loafers from Yves Saint Laurent--in fact they're so flashy, I don't wear them today." (Nor would I. Most of my Yves wardrobe is relatively conservative.)
5. Dress down on vacation. On his sailboat this summer, "I didn't put on socks for three-and-a-half weeks." (This guy is zany. Is Gucci sure they want someone so off-the-wall in charge?)

GS is "Featured Blog" on SpreeNewYork!

From the geniuses at SpreeNewYork, who are obviously on the bleeding edge of blogging:

http://www.spreeny.com/spree/content/view/194/?ads=false

Scroll down a little bit to: Jill Anderson Wearable Wedding Wear and voila!