Weep: Personal Affairs in East Village Closing; Huge Sale

Bad: After 11 years, pa is leaving New York City for good.
Silver Lining: They are running a radical going-away SALE.

EVERYTHING MUST GO INCLUDING ALL NEWLY-ARRIVED NEW SPRING~SUMMER SEASON ITEMS.
Everything is at least 70% off. Spend $100.00 or more and get an additional 10% off.
They also have the following clearance items:
$10.00 cash (pants, tops)
$30.00 (coats, dress, tunics)

I got the pictured pieces for $135, total!  The long sleeved T-shirts are the coolest, btw.

Personal Affairs
102 E. 7th St.(A & 1st Ave.)
NY, NY 10009
1-212-420-7778

open Monday: late afternoon
(pls make appointment)
Tue-Friday: 2:00-9:00p.m.
Saturday: 1:00-9:00
Sunday: 1:00-8:00

http://www.pa212.com/
http://personalaffairs.de/index.php?en_company
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/both-in-New-York-NY/personal-affairs/48251061293?ref=ts

p.s. I just noticed today that Madewell is opening a second location in the city on Fifth Ave. around 19th St.

The Best Black Pants: It's Personal

I'm not sure which is better - the perfect pair of black boots, or the perfect pair of black pants.  This week, I will go with the second option: PANTS.  I went to Personal Affairs, aka "pa" in the East Village on Sunday and tried about everything on until I landed on this fine specimen.  Interesting tactile material, low-waisted/hip hugger (but not too low), and somehow make me look much narrower.  They also come in a putty grey and have jackets to match!  They are being shortened right now and then I'm off to the (rat) races!  Yippee!

Anna & PA: My Early Season Purchases

I was so happy when I awoke this past Saturday to discover that it was finally nice outside! So I took advantage of my great good fortune and practically ran down to Momofuku noodle bar to prepare myself for an afternoon of shopping. Yum, by the way.

So after meandering around I was sucked in by the tractor beam at Anna on E. 3rd St., where I scored the striped turtleneckish tunic* for half price and the short-sleeved top* with elastic on the sleeves and a drawstring around the waist for 20% off.

Then Sunday arrived, and while it was a little bit rainy, it was still warm enough to continue on my downtown death march. I travelled through Chelsea, the West Village, Soho, the Lower East Side and then, surprise!, back to the East Village. Specifically, pa (personal affairs) on E. 7th St. After spending a couple of hours here, I emerged with the interestingly embellished black jacket* you see above for half price. And although I feel like their website does not depict the relaxed-but-sophisticated vibe of the store or the nature of its unique apparel (hint: revise it!!), I found a special-offer coupon for first time customers: here.

*Photographs do not sufficiently depict each unique work of apparel very well. In fact, they are terrible. Blame the photographer (me), not the subjects!

Fall/Winter Arrivals at Personal Affairs

Personal Affairs
102 E. 7th St.(A & 1st Ave.)

NY, NY 10009

1-212-420-7778

open Monday: late afternoon (appointment only)

Tue-Friday: 2:00-9:00p.m.

Saturday: 1:00-9:00

Sunday: 1:00-8:00

236 E. 80th St. (2 & 3 Ave.)

NY, NY 100121-212-288-0192

open Mon-Friday: 1:00-8:00p.m.

Sat & Sunday: 12:00a.m.-7:00p.m.

http://personalaffairs.de/index.php?en_company

http://www.pa212.com/

Memorial Day sale: Personal Affairs

Personal Affairs
20% off of current collection
Sunday, May 25th and Monday, May 26th.

Locations:
102 E. 7th St.(Ave. A & 1st Ave.)
NY, NY 10009
1-212-420-7778
open Monday: late afternoon (pls make appointment) Tue-Sunday: 1:00-8:00p.m.

236 E. 80th St. (2nd & 3rd Ave.)
NY, NY 10075
1-212-288-0192
open Mon-Friday: 1:00-8:00p.m. Sat & Sunday: 12:00a.m.-7:00p.m.

http://personalaffairs.de/index.php?en_company
http://www.pa212.com/

p.s. Lord & Taylor and Bloomingdale's are having big Memorial Day sales too!

Spring Gear at Personal Affairs

I haven't been able to get up or down to "pa" yet this season, but I am told that they have many new colors, prints and designs. They have cool stuff and good sales.

Personal Affairs:

• 236 E. 80th St. (2 & 3 Ave.) NY, NY 10012 1-212-288-0192; open Mon-Friday: 1:00-8:00p.m. Sat & Sunday: 12:00-7:00p.m.
• 102 E. 7th St.(A & 1st Ave.) NY, NY 10009 1-212-420-7778; open Monday: late afternoon (pls make appointment) Tue-Sunday: 1:00-8:00p.m.

http://personalaffairs.de/index.php?en_company

http://www.pa212.com/

Personal Affairs (E. 80th St.): Everything Must Go

Everything must go sale at Personal Affairs

select tops 2 for $30

pants $40 skirt $30

blazer $50

knit sweater & tunic, $30

dress $30

coat $80

vest $30

jacket $80

schedule: until end of March (THAT'S TODAY)

Personal Affairs

236 E. 80th St. (2 & 3 Ave.)

NY, NY 10012 1-212-288-0192

open Mon-Friday: 1:00-8:00p.m. Sat & Sunday: 12:00a.m.-7:00p.m.

Personal Affairs: E. 80th St.

I have written about Personal Affairs before (aka "pa"), and am now almost overwhelmed with the fashion coincidence - I am a personal neighbor of this store that I enjoy so much. Our first meeting a few months ago in a word?: Kismet.

So anyway, this German designer dishes up a number of interesting styles - I find that my large American frame makes it difficult for me to wear many of their structured tops and jackets (many of which I love), but I am seemingly able to find my way into some of their pants - which, incidentally are on sale. Some 30% off, some 40% and some for just $35. I purchased two pair of the $35 version yesterday and may be up for one more later today if they fit my lower half appropriately.

I also tried on the pictured dress (left side), which actually fit me and I almost bought, but just couldn't think of a good enough reason. The color and the material is great. You should go buy it. Then I will self-flagellate for not getting it when I had the chance.

Eyelashes Galore: Shu Uemura

My eyelashes leave something to be desired. They are slight and unimpressive. Alas, aside from affixing "falsies," which aren't exactly appropriate for office and daytime wear, I found most drug store eyelash curlers inadequate. And then I heard about the Rolls Royce of all eyelash curlers brought to the public by Shu Uemura. Although it looks like a run-of-the-mill curler, it is not. In fact, it is so effective that I recommend using it with a light touch. I don't know what is different about it, but trust me when I tell you that it is worth buying.

And in other shopping news, I continue to persevere to find pants and other fun items of apparel on sale. Yesterday I visited one of my favorites that I've written about before: pa (personal affairs). They are having a significant sale on most all items in the store. And I tried on almost all of it. Most of the pants didn't fit me correctly, and the pair that did (really well, might I add), were navy blue. Meaning I didn't buy them because I had just purchased similar ones from Theory (that I blogged about a couple of weeks ago).

Well, I shall keep on trucking. Truck truck truck.

REPORT: First Day of Xmas Shopping

Today the Guerilla Shopper ventured out into the overpopulated island on which she dwells in search of good gifts at reasonable prices. This is tough to do since many of the people I buy for also read my blog, but I will do my best not to give anything away, or at least keep everyone guessin'.

First, I couldn't help but buy myself a present - this pretty purple sweater. I know I told you not to buy anything for yourself this close to Christmas because you never know what someone else might be giving you, but I am the Guerilla Shopper and this is all in the name of research for you. YES I HAVE TO BUY MYSELF THINGS TO HELP OTHERS! I've really come up with a grand idea here, 'aven't I?

So anyway, I bought the sweater at the downtown location of a store I recently blogged about called pa or personal affairs. I am happy to report that the downtown location is as welcoming and the saleswoman as friendly and helpful as the uptown store. You really need to visit and check out the clothes and other fun things that have been imported from Germany. I learned that the owner's sister designs the clothes in Germany and he brings them into the U.S. They really have a good thing going here and I support their efforts!

Moving on:

• If you are interested in buying top-notch skin care, body, and makeup products, you need to go to Origins. The one in the Flatiron Building is nice -- if you go here, you will be visiting a landmark building, thus killing two birds with one stone. Shopping and architectural culture all mixed together! How intellectual!
• The Gap has decent men's and baby clothes (I've decided not to make a joke here). Decent quality, "current" design, good return policy for the holidays (merchandise can be returned with an original and/or gift receipt up until 180 days after the purchase date), and acceptable prices further supported by constant sales. I also think their women's underwear/sleepwear is cute. I am less a fan of their women's clothing except for the occasional "staple." Call me a snob. You won't be the first.
• Union Square's outdoor Christmas market - full of tents featuring all kinds of unique gifts for the holidays. This is a great place for out-of-towners to pick up fun, cute and cool stuff for the family back in Ohio or Newcastle (England). If you are seeking really interesting jewelry, go find the reBel Designs booth. I bought my mother a necklace from "them" at an outdoor summer street fair this past spring. It's nice. She liked it.

Something of a bummer:

• My favorite discount shoe warehouse a.k.a. DSW does not have a return policy for the holidays (it remains 30 days from the date of purchase), so I didn't buy anything from there today, although I was going to! Perhaps I shall return the week before Christmas if I am still in need. Not wise DSW, you just lost a decent-sized sale!

New Store on G.S.' Radar - pa: personal affairs

This weekend I travelled up to the great white north: The Upper East Side. I was on a quest for a designer outlet that I used to stumble upon, but instead I came across a great new find -- a small store called pa (personal affairs) on E. 80th St. There's also a downtown location on E. 7th St. that I haven't visted yet.

A very comfortable setting and a friendly, encouraging saleswoman creates a stellar shopping experience. The clothing designs are structured, yet feminine; wearable, but fashion-forward. I especially loved the jackets and coats: fall and winter; wool and quilted; black, brown and khaki. Unfortunately, they didn't have my size in the things I liked best. However, by the time I came home, the saleswoman had already called their downtown store and left me a message letting me know what sizes were available there. This is not only "old-fashioned" service, it's just plain old good business!

Additionally, a sales rack featured some fun purple and reddish cords for just $35 a pair! They didn't fit me properly either - I think my body type falls in some "in-between" size - but I will certainly make a trip back soon. Good service + fun clothes + sale rack = a G.S. recommended shopping stop.

Aside: I also ventured into a couple of resale shops that featured top designers such as Gucci and Chanel. I do not recommend these shops for anyone truly seeking a bargain, nor anyone trying to avoid major salesperson attitude, but I found myself particularly taken with the jewelry in Tamaras on E. 81st St.