The Monocle Order Opens in Williamsburg

The Monocle Order http://www.monocleorder.com/, an online member's club for eyewear lovers,  has officially opened their flagship showroom in Williamsburg.

The Monocle Order curate and hand pick the world’s finest and best independent designer frames from around the globe including Illesteva, Retro Super Future, Thierry Lasry, L.G.R, Waiting for the Sun, Andy Wolf, RVS by V, Blood and Tears and many more. 

The showroom is located at 5 Devoe Street, Brooklyn, NY

Beco - Williamsburg - New York Magazine Restaurant Guide

This place is cool, just don't tell anyone I said so: Beco - Williamsburg - New York Magazine Restaurant Guide

Loreley Williamsburg: Good World Cup Watching

It is rare that I am one of the first people to try a new and extremely hyped restaurant, but seeing how it is the World Cup and my friend is a real live German, I agreed to go to the new Loreley in Williamsburg on Sunday. We were on a quest to get a seat for the Germany/Australia game, and indeed we did.  We were the first people there at 11:50 a.m. and got the best table in the haus.  Unfortunately, our friends were not so prompt, and we were forced to give up our empty chairs to others before they arrived.  But it was a great time nevertheless.  The food was just as good as the Manhattan location as was the service (I don't envy the waitstaff at all).  And while it's not a huge place, the layout is more open than the Manhattan location. There's also a great outdoor patio with tables and umbrellas, and the bar opens up right onto it.

So if you are going during the next few weeks to watch the World Cup, here are some tips:
1. Show up 2-2.5 hours before the game starts if you want a seat.  Bring your whole crew or else they probably will be ass-out (literally).
2. Get ready for someone in your party to hand over a credit card, so that you can't dine-and-ditch.  Apparently after the US/England game they got majorly stiffed, and so now this is a requirement.
3. Get your haircut like the guy in the picture.

Rachel Flotard of Visqueen Sings Her Teeth Out at The Kennel in Williamsburg

May 8, 2010: Ike & Court Trunk Sale at Barking Lizards

This Saturday, May 8 (2 - 5 p.m.), swing by BARKING LIZARDS in Williamsburg for a Mother's Day trunk show featuring Ike & Court jewelry.  Mom's day gifts range from $38 and upwards.

Take the L train to Bedford and walk along Bedford Avenue to North 4th.

Sales This Weekend: Oak and A.P.C.

From Urban Daddy:
SALE-ING II
Oak Sale 60% off
We approach the term "bargain basement" with a tinge of trepidation. Not so when that basement belongs to Oak, and the bargains include apparel and shoes from Opening Ceremony, Diesel and Acne. It's like your parents' basement without the Ping-Pong table but with better denim.
411: Through Sunday, Nov. 1
Oak, 28 Bond St, 212-677-1293

From Paper magazine's VIP Newsletter:
SUNDAY, NOV. 1
A.P.C. OVERSTOCK SALE
Here is some exciting news to soothe your post-Halloween hangover: Chic, French fashion line A.P.C. is having an overstock sale. Save up to 80 percent on womenswear, menswear and accessories. Though today is the last day of the sale, we hear that stock will be replenished daily -- so it's all good!
33 Grand St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn, (212) 966-9885.
Oct. 30-Nov. 1. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Starting Sept. 25: Built by Wendy Sample Sale

From PAPER magazine's VIP Newsletter:

FRIDAY, SEPT. 25 - SUNDAY, SEPT. 27
BUILT BY WENDY FALL SAMPLE SALE
Built by Wendy, the fashion line catering to every side-parted hipsterella worth her WNYC tote bag, is having a three-day-long fall sample sale. Oversized wool felt coats are $180 (originally $405), wool drop-waist button-front jumpers are $85 (originally $279), canvas fishtail parkas are $100 (originally $326), and men's herringbone sport jackets are $100 (originally $280).
Built by Wendy, 46 N. 6th St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718) 384-2882.
Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday, 12-6 p.m.

Paul Smith Sale Shop in Brooklyn?

As I was cruising the dim calles of Williamsburg last night, my friend noticed what you see pictured here. And what you probably can't read is what it says on the folded-up awning: "Paul Smith Sale Shop." So, wait, is there a Paul Smith outlet store on Grand St. in Williamsburg? We discussed this grand (pun intended) notion for a few minutes, but then had to carry on to Clem's. However, upon further inquiry this morning, I have found out that yes indeed, this outlet collects items from the other U.S.-based PS stores and sells them here for cheaper (but apparently not that much cheaper). So go check it out - 280 Grand St.

Peachfrog: Lots of Cool Stuff for Cheap

The New York Times Urban Eye just wrote about Peachfrog in Williamsburg:

"A trip to Peachfrog, a new emporium of liquidated and overstocked merchandise... The store carries men’s and women’s clothing, accessories and home furnishings guaranteed to be 70 to 90 percent off the original price."

It sounds like a fun shopping trip to take, albeit perhaps not a very sophisticated one. I shall check it out eventually and report back.

Eat Me: Bacon Brittle

First, T-Shirts, and now...the real thing! Pig Whiskey Bacon Brittle brought to you by some zany creative types who dwell in Williamsburg, BK.

It's peanut brittle! It's bacon! Nope....It's both! Two great tastes that taste great together and you too can be eating bacon brittle for the low low price of ten dollarinos per bag (pictured). Just click here and you are well on your way to pig-like bliss...

p.s. I have eaten it and I agree, it truly is Porktastic.

Pig Whiskey Bacon Brittle T-Shirt

I may have an inside track on how you can get one of these very limited edition T-Shirts all the way from Brooklyn...Williamsburg that is...if you're interested.

OK you convinced me. You too can have one (or more!) of these T-shirts, just click your clicky thing on this http://www.cafepress.com/pigwhiskey and you will be well on your way. You can even get a sexy version for THE LADIES - in short sleeve and long.

And yes this Bacon Brittle really exists, and yes it is Porktastic. I will soon have more info on when and where you can get it. It's good and it's good for ya!

And how hot is this model's torso by the way?

viv&ingrid stuff

I just lost one of my favorite earrings ever. I got them at Anna on E. 3rd. St. and in less than a week, POOF! Gone. Shit.

Well I found out that it was a viv&ingrid earring and that they still sell the lost earrings online! Yay! In three sizes! Yay! In silver and gold! Yay! For at least twice what I paid for them at Anna. BOO! These aren't even a photo of them, but I thought they were cool looking too.

And did you know that Paul Smith just opened a discount store in Williamsburg where prices are reduced by 30 percent. @80 Grand Street near Havermayer. Closed Monday.

New-ish Bar I Dig

I'm not going to tell you what it's called yet, or exactly where it is, because I hate people like me with a pen who ruin new places. Not that it's that new or unknown - indeed not, for there is always a healthy crowd on the weekends. It's just that I think I am going to have some sort of gathering here one day soon and want to keep the spot as low-key as possible, at least for a little while longer. Oh, and the bartender spotted me a drink this Saturday too - so I am being a bit selfish. So I'll give you this much for now: It's in Williamsburg, this is a photo of it and it is a little bit more suitable for the older set who wants to drink and chat in interesting olde-style surroundings. And the bartenders wear vests. Cute.

If you are dying for the name and address, either be patient or drop me an email and I will consider letting the Lillet out of the bottle.

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.

Ike Designs: Black Diamond Necklace

Ike Designs: The Black Diamond Necklace

Local Williamsburg jewelry designer, Dori O'Dea (aka Ike Designs Jewelry), is offering a limited supply of sterling silver black diamond necklaces online only for $95.00 + $8.00 S&H.

Did you know that black diamonds originated in dying stars, when shock waves from exploding red giant stars crushed carbon into dense aggregations of black diamond and sent them hurtling into deep space? Eons later, the Sun's gravity lured some of this material into our solar system, where blocks of it slammed into our atmosphere, shattering into the fragments we find strewn over select areas today, perhaps billions of years after they formed! Interested in wearing the ancient solar system around your neck?

Visit http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9066648 and buy it online.

Guerilla Goer-Outer

The GS hasn't been a devoted shopper lately; she seems to have become a Guerilla goer-outer. While this has been fun and social, it's not doing much for her waistline. Alas, here is an incomplete list of where I have tread lately:

M Shanghai (Williamsburg) - interesting hipster Chinese restaurant with private cavern in basement, where friend had bday party.
Bar Great Harry (Smith St., BK) - Basic Brooklyn bar with tons of beer.
Louise & Jerry's (Hoboken) - Bar on Washington with great jukebox. A dying breed. Get there while you can.
Astoria (as in Queens) - Friend's party...
Blind Tiger Ale House - West Village pub with lots o' beers (used to be on Hudson St., now on Bleecker) and some good bar food.

I also did a little looking around for the chandelier I aspire to own - including checking out what few things are left at Domain furniture on Broadway. They had a cute little chandi for half price ($250), but I didn't LOVE it, so I let it go. I also checked out ABC Carpet, for price comparison - and while I did LOVE their lighting inventory, I wasn't so willing to fork over a minimum of $675. It also makes me kind of ill that had I known Domain was going out of business I would have saved about $800 on the wardrobe I bought 2 weeks before the Chapter 11 news broke. Yargh!

The Doralina Collection: Launches Tonight in NYC!

Go to tonight's event at Blvd, 199 Bowery (corner of Spring St.) to try and buy apparel from the brand new Doralina Collection by Elsa D. Pina.

After tonight's launch, you can shop online (bydoralina.com) or you can visit the showroom at 321 Grand Street, (Williamsburg) Brooklyn, NY (inside Velvet Roses).

Feb. 8: Inexpensive Art in Williamsburg for Good Cause!

The Third Annual WAGMAG Benefit Art Show
Admission is free
Tickets for artwork drawing are $150
Tickets can be purchased at the gallery or online at:www.frontroom.org or www.wagmag.org
Advanced Viewing: February 1st-February 8th
Reception and Raffle of work Friday February 8th, 7-9
Viewing hours: Fri-Sun 1-6

WAGMAG (Williamsburg and Greenpoint Monthly Art Guide) is pleased to present its Third annual benefit to support its mission to promote the over fifty galleries throughout Williamsburg and Greenpoint, to enlighten gallery goers as to art events and give recognition to the exhibiting artists through current listings and reviews. All galleries included in WAGMAG are have been invited to participate in this exhibition, as well as some prominent artists from the neighborhood. The resulting show will not only generate funding for WAGMAG but also reflect the spirit and personality of the Williamsburg art community. Works will be on view from Friday, February 1st through Friday February 8th.

Tickets available during viewing and on the benefit evening. A ticket for $150 guarantees a work of art, a drawing decides the order in which ticketholders select an artwork. Benefit evening, Friday, February 8th 7-9, drawing begins at 8:00.

Galleries Included:3rd Ward, A.M. Richard, AdHoc, Art 101, ArticleProjects, Artmoving, Capla Kesting, Ch'I, Cinders, Dam Stuhltrager, English Kills, Figureworks, Front Room, Janet Kurnatowski, Hogar Collection, HQ, Jack the Pelican, Klaus Von Nichtssagend, Like the Spice, LMAK, McCaig-Welles, Momenta, Nurture Art, Parker's Box, Pierogi, Pocket Utopia, Secret Project Robot, Sideshow, Slate, Stripeman, Vertexlist, Williamsburg Art & Historical Center

Works by:Amanda Alic, Sarah Barker, Kris Benedict, John Breiner, Steven Brower, Ken Butler, Nayda Collazo-Llorens, Lincoln Capla, Andrea Cote, Ethan Crenson, Greg Curry, Joy Curtis, Peggy Cyphers, Lisa Dilillo, Hubert Dobler, George Ferrundi, Andrew Garn, P.S. Gordon, Erik Guzman, Steven Harding, Sean Hemmerle, Amy Hill, Eric Hollander, Mary Hrbecek, Richard Humann, Alessandro's Keegan, David Kesting, David Kramer, Brian LaRossa, Ben La Rocco, Yulia Lanina, Brian Leo, Terrance Lindell, Stephen Maine, Stephen Mallon, Sasha Mallan, Karen Marston, Patrick Martinez, Mark Masyga, James Austin Murrey, Mike Norkin, Ian Pedego, William Powhida, Cathy Nan Quinlin, Ross Racine, Ellen E. Rand, James Reeder, Carlos Roque, Nickolas Roundané, Emily Roz, Tom Rosenthal, Sante Scardillo, Jimmy Serkoch, Philip Simmons, Jeremy Slater, Skewville, George Spenser, Rodger Stevens, Mary Ann Strandell, Miho Suzuki, Richard Timperio, Chris Twomey, Joanne Ungar, Kathleen Vance, Jason Van Anden, Susan's Wanklyn, Chadwick Whitehead, Alun Williams, David Wells, Don Voisine, Mika Yokobori The Front Room is at 147 Roebling St.(the corner of Roebling & Metropolitan, Brooklyn).

For more information please contact: Daniel Aycock Director(718) 782-2556 daniel@frontroom.org

Top Shop - Coming to Soho

Hi all and Happy Halloween. First, please enjoy some great costumes I encountered at a party in Williamsburg this past weekend. Nothing like a late-night taco and PBR.

Second, excuse my continued laziness. I am sicker today than I was yesterday, so I am allowing my friends at Racked.com do the talking for me today:

Thought you might be interested in the news that British retailer Topshop, long rumored to be planning an NYC store, has decided to open in Soho at 278 Broadway. http://racked.com/archives/2007/10/31/exclusive_topshop_coming_to.php

Woodley & Bunny

I didn't go in this store (yet) in Williamsburg. I just like the name, mostly. And the logo looks nice too.

Woodley & Bunny: Salon, apothecary, boutique....