ANNA Moves on Up...Still on the East Side

Storefront

Store left

Store right

Store counter

ANNA Store window: ALL RIGHT!!

My favorite store in all the land has relocated 8 blocks north and 1.26 blocks west.  I visited last week and bought a great dress while visiting with Heather who assured me that I didn't look as "Rubenesque" as I thought I appeared in the mirror (I do, but thank you for being nice).

But I digress...With double the dressing room space, you and your alter ego can try on everything in the store in half the time!  There's also more floor space covered by a freshly lacquered wood floor that will come in handy when you need to check out how the dress you're trying on will look while you are dancing - preferably BREAK dancing, although you should probably buy the dress before you go and do that. 

With the finishing touches almost complete, the apparel is as fresh as always! (Although there is no expiration date on ANNA-gear).

And if that doesn't convince you to visit: the neighbors are not unworthy either: Pas de Deux and Veniero's, in particular.

ANNA
330 E. 11th St.
www.annanyc.com
http://twitter.com/annastorenyc

June 21-23, 2010: Catherine Malandrino Sample Sale

I am so excited, I may actually GO to this!

CATHERINE MALANDRINO SAMPLE SALE EVENT
HOSTED BY SAVVY & CO.
JUNE 21 - 23

The Catherine Malandrino sample sale will feature the designer’s Spring Summer 2010 collection. The sale takes place Monday, June 21 through Wednesday, June 23 at the Metropolitan Pavilion, 123 West 18th Street (btw 6th & 7th Aves).

When:
Monday, June 21: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Tuesday, June 22 – Wednesday, June 23: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
 
Prices include:
Yellow dress: Regular Retail $495, Savvy Price $145
Print dress: Regular Retail $695, Savvy Price $145

Lingo: The Blue Dress Chronicles

I've written about Lingo (Chelsea, W. 19th St.) on these e-pages before.  And I will again. 
This time I have to share the wealth regarding this blue dress (which also comes in a reddish-pink hue), with black hand-crocheted detail.  I spied a sample of it a couple of weeks ago, and upon hearing that my size had arrived, booked back there yesterday to try it on.  OK, so it ended up not being the right thing for me, but it is a great summer frock for perhaps someone of smaller stature, and with some actual melanin in their skin, which accounts for about everybody except for me and albinos.

But don't cry for me Argentina, for I picked up two tops and a skirt and booked happily home again.

Uniqlo Collaborates with Costello Tagliapietra for Spring/Summer 2010

UNIQLO has announced their latest collaboration of fun and flirty dresses for the Spring / Summer 2010 season with Costello Tagliapietra hitting stores in May. This women’s collection will consist of dresses in 14 styles in a range of spring colors including grey, rose, mustard yellow and cornflower blue and will feature soft, draped fabrics including silk and slub jersey at prices ranging from $29.50-$39.50.

The Dress to Match Yesterday's Heinous Shoes?

This is one of those times when a picture indeed speaks 1,000 words.  As my friend who first came upon this asked, "Body Glove, anyone?"

ANNA: The Beetle Dress & the Excellent Jacket

I loved the groovy beetle print dress at ANNA but felt like I needed to ensure that it could be worn any day or night...how to make it day-job appropriate? Well, I figured it out! By putting this short dark navy jacket on over it and tying the belt loosely around its collar I managed to create a bit of a retro office outfit, but with bugs! Funny when people see you from a distance and then change their expressions when they get a closer look at the dress pattern. This is how I entertain myself on the job.

Then I also snagged myself the fab tweed jacket, which is form-fitting in a Ducati leather motorcycle jacket kind of way. It rocks, looks good with anything, anywhere, anytime...and also comes in a red and black pattern (although they are so fantastico that I wouldn't be surprised if they are almost all gone!). Oh, and the big collar can be worn up and closed with a little secret hook-and-eye for those windy fall days.

June 17-18: CATHERINE MALANDRINO Sample Sale

Savings from 75%-90% below retail on ready-to-wear pieces featuring dresses and tops that showcase the classic Catherine Malandrino style aesthetic as well as rare vintage pieces from the Malandrino Runway Collection.

Where: Metropolitan Pavilion, 123 West 18th Street (6th – 7th Aves), New York, NY

When: Wednesday, June 17th 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Thursday, June 18th - Friday, June 19th 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

ANNA: The Lady In Red...

So wedding season is upon us, and as per usual, I am invited to one. So I trotted down to the store I can't seem to get away from these days (ANNA) and tried on about 12 dresses. Narrowed it down to 5. Bought 3. Will be debuting this red number, which is much more saucy and sophisticated when it is on an actual human. I just need to hunt down the right slip like the ladies did back in the day. Yes, it's going to be THAT kind of outfit. Mizz Kemp says that more of these numbers in some additional colors will be making their way into the store in the coming weeks.

Oscars Fashion: Regular, Unfamous Women

Amidst the celebs were hundreds of regular people, all traipsing down the red carpet. Here are three examples of such private citizens, donning their Sunday best...or worst?

On top you will note the lady with the oven mitts for sleeves. Or perhaps she's a modern-day Alice in Wonderland. Actually, she looked quite nice, it was just those sleeves that I couldn't turn away from, like a car accident.

I'm not sure who the girl in the next two photos was, she was obviously there working for someone, but I noticed that she looked better than all the other laypeople on the carpet. I really liked her dress, twas my kind of get-up. I wonder who she was wearing.

Then, for the grand finale, the final three photos of the lady with the dress of unknown description. Like an 80's collage umbrella...and that's all I have to say about that.

Jan. 29: Housing Works’ Brooklyn Thrift Shop Turns Two

Brooklynites are invited to celebrate the second anniversary of Housing Works Thrift Shop's thriving Brooklyn location at a free and open-to-the-public in-store party on Thursday, January 29 from 7pm to 9pm. (Housing Works members get in at 6pm, a full hour early! Join Housing Works—you’ll do good and save big).

Housing Works' Brooklyn Thrift Shop is located at 122 Montague Street. To mark the occasion of two successful years in Brooklyn, Housing Works is giving party goers first crack at a treasure trove of designer clothing and jazzy house wares, furniture and books. Don’t miss specially discounted items such as:

Michael Kors leather blazer, $145

Tadashi silk and chiffon dress, $140 (see photo)

Vintage mink and leather jacket, $450

Diane von Furstenberg dress, $120

Oscar de la Renta jacket, $110

Brand-new Roberto Cavalli dress, $115

Fenton vintage glass bowl, $45

International Silver Company silver-plated ice bucket, $20

Fred Press Mid-Century Glass Set, including carafe, petite glasses, wood-handled tray, $40

Case Study: Guerilla Shopper Works!

See the note from an avid GSNYC reader, regarding how my guerilla shopping tips helped her to achieve 'maximum sexy' at a reduced price on the pictured RL dress from Bloomingdale's:

"Got a great deal online 20% off, then another 20%, then another 10%...now I just hope it fits!!! Do you think it will make me look like the girl in the picture??
Originally $144.00 got it for $93.00 and free shipping...
Thank you oh wise and wonderful guerilla!!!"

Marc by Marc Sale on Gilt.com: Tomorrow at Noon

OK so apparently the Chloe sale on Gilt.com that I mentioned before was already over by the time I mentioned it. So, to make it up to you I had the following link created for you so that you can become Gilt Groupe members and get some Marc by Marc action at noon tomorrow (Sept. 24, 2008): www.gilt.com/guerillashopper.

The above Broderie Anglaise Dress, for example, retails for $368 and sells on Gilt for $138.

Orla Kiely High Summer Sale

Orla Kiely's High Summer Sale is on at ww.orlakiely.com/usa.

Not exactly a ton of sale merch, but if you look under "clothing" "bags" and "accessories" you will find a few items for up to 50% off. The pictured 'multi flower check dress' was $311, now $155.50, for example.

SALE ENDS - Sunday 21st September

http://www.orlakiely.com/

Anna: Call Me Late to the Party, But Please Call!

I'm not exactly sure how I missed out on this store all these years, but located on E. 3rd St. in the 10009, Anna is the front runner to become my new favorite store.

Upon entry, I spent about 15 minutes rummaging through the sale bin. I found the coolest pair of blue cords that had a 'sailor'-button up front and a naughty little lace-up in the back. I have not bought them (yet), for a reason (of my own doing) that I will get into later.

After emerging from the bin-pile, I began surveying the rest of the apparel hanging along the perimeter of the store. At first glance I almost decided that it was merely another one of those little dime-a-dozen stores full of delicate pretty little dresses for delicate pretty little girls. I was quickly derailed from that notion by the saleswoman who swooped in and really made the apparel come to life with her styling expertise. I realized that this is no lightweight outfit (pun intended).

In fact, I was suddenly trying on a suit, tops, dresses and the like that I thought would never ever fit or look good on me and my solid - nay - "athletic" frame. So while I did have to try on the largest sizes available (which was why I haven't yet bought the naughty cords, which were a smallish size 8), everything I tried on somehow fit perfectly, or hid my mid-section flaws, or accented my best features. I'm not really sure how these clothes achieved this illusion, but they did. I was torn between the pants, suit and four dresses that magically transformed me into a hot chick.

So since I am on a mission to dress like a respectable grown-up whenever possible, I went with the grey pinstriped suit, which was on major sale for $181, and a dress that was form-fitting but not in a cheap or too young kind of way (see photos, pizza not included). I am on the verge of purchasing at least one of the other dresses - but perhaps only if it's made in a different color or pattern - only because I have so many black/grey colored dresses that I want my new fab dress to stand out. Perhaps a burgundy or even an off-white?

So my only concern is that if I gain another ounce and a half, I shall be sized right out of these exquisite clothes. But I suppose that is my problem, not Anna's. Maybe I'll jog downtown to the East Village as part of my new dual exercise/shopping regimen.

Diane von Furstenberg Sample Sale: Pause

As many of you may know, the Diane von Furstenberg sample sale starts today and runs through June 7 at 260 Fifth Ave., near 29th Street. And since this was announced in Urban Eye today, you can rest assured that every woman in town will be there. Except me. Why? OK, well two main reasons:

1. I work for a living. I can't really get there, and don't have the urge to fight tooth and nail right now.

2. If you haven't noticed I haven't been buying much in the way of clothing recently. I've bought jewelry, shoes, furniture...but actual clothing? Not so much. Oh and FOOD, I've been buying lots of that. Which has really assisted me in filling out quite nicely just in time for the summer season. So I'm trying to snap back into some reasonable level of shape furst. If you are in the same situation, with cravings along the lines of Haagen-Dasz Caramel Cone - perhaps the greatest ice cream of all time- read this as a bit of a jumpstarter: http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/outsmart-your-cravings?ecd=wnl_wlw_053108

Olga Kapustina Sample Sale: April 30 - May 2

I think I will have to try to check this sale out if I can. Now that I have made it through one whole week without drinking any kind of soda or eating any ice cream (even of the froyo variety), perhaps I can bear to wear summer clothes in a couple of months...PERHAPS.

Olga Kapustina
Annual Sample Sale
Wednesday, APRIL 30th & Thursday, MAY 1ST, 9AM- 8PM
Friday, MAY 2nd, 9AM- 7PM
161 W 22nd Street, Between 6th/7th Avenues, 3rd Floor
50-70% off summer and spring dresses! Silk "party dresses" and cotton office looks. Sizes 0-10.

Tinkerbell Dress at Jill Anderson

I purchased the pictured Tinkerbell dress at Jill Anderson last week for 25% off (I paid $187.50 instead of the original $250.) As Jill herself explains on the label, "Whimsical and sophisticated, wear it forward or backward, layer over a longundie or a vintage mistress miriam slip..." I plan to rock it with fishnets and the also pictured velvet/studded choker (for about $56), also purchased at Jill Anderson. Did you know that she makes all of her clothes right there in the East Village? Talk about thinking local!

Oh, and the dress - it's hand washable! Yay.

Jill Anderson - I Bought Stuff

I did I did! I still need to take photos and such, but I bought a dress and a choker. The dress is being altered slightly...so hold onto your horses. And get down there (E. 9th St.) yourself before all the goods are gones!

http://www.jillanderson.com/

Jill Anderson Sample Sale Feb. 8, 9, 10

Hollywould Sale this weekend (Jan. 11-13)

From New York magazine's Best Bets: FRIDAY, I thought this was a sale worth highlighting, since this Guerilla finds this particular store interesting, but out of her price range under normal circumstances:

ENDING SUNDAY
Hollywould's cocktail dresses (now $99), satin pumps (now $99), and leather ballet flats (now $79) are on the cheap to make room for spring stock. When: 1/10–1/12 (11:30–7); 1/13 (noon–5). Where: 198 Elizabeth St., nr. Prince St. (212-219-1905).