Thundercla​p Worthy: Only Hearts Preview

Five and ten dollar bins for lingerie will lure shoppers despite downpours and armagedon-like weather warnings.  Vintage dresses, layering camis and a selection of shoes will be available at the Only Hearts sample sale at the 230 Mott Street store starting at noon this Thursday (like, as in tomorrow).

/nancy brenner

Narnia: An Oldie But Goodie Vintage / Resale

At 161 Rivington St. resides Narnia, a vintage/resale shop of utmost quality that I had not visited for eons.  While there's something earthy and almost Southwestern about it, it works in the big City.  They're having a super mega sale at 129 Rivington right now, but I'd skip it if I were you and go to the mothership, (with your bank account healthy and strong).

Also, on a sidenote, the guys at Change of Season in the East Village have closed up shop, gone to Italy and will be back in action on January 22 with a whole new monster load of last quarter's high-end couture for less.  Mark your calendars!

Anti-Black Friday: Roundabout Resale

Big Box Not Your Style? Skip the line-cutting, smack-downs and requisite pre-dawn wakeups.  Try Roundabout at 113 Mercer St. (between Spring St and Prince St) this Friday. High-end boots straight from boutiques, excellent condition clothes and select vintage typically 1/3 of retail. A group of  women came in with their driver from Connecticut for discounted designers includin Prada, Ferretti, Chanel, and Balenciagia - one of them left wearing her brand new boots.  Check the lower level for contemporary lines like Nanette Lepore, Cynthia Steffe - the Bergdorf 5F brands.
This Roundabout store is one of four in the area (two in Greenwich and one on the UES). Don't be a turkey this Thanksgiving - check for an eclectic selection.

~Nancy Brenner

Hidden Treasures at Hester Street Fair: Report From the Front

I cruised through this spot a couple of weeks ago and was completely unmoved.  But leave it to Nancy Brenner to unearth that which should be treasured:

Open Saturdays and Sundays at Hester Street off of Essex Street, lots of booths looked like discarded junk drawers tossed on a  table and priced at whim.  Which is why one potential buyer mistook the price of a collectible Kenneth Jay Lane frog from the 70s at a $1plus change at Treasures & Pleasures.  Educated consumers and converts to collectibles will discern a fetching couture Jean Patou 1940s blue clutch from the 70s, a 50s lucite Koret handbag that evokes Fontainbleau poolside with cosmo in hand.  There was a 50s bronze beaded beauty with the original Saks tag still attached. Also spotted, Judith Lieber.  Vintage handbags and jewelry mainly from 40s through 70s.

Be prepared to splurge, as most items are $50 and up, but talk to Rafael, and mention you read the Guerilla Shopper... If you are in the market for an original Mother's Day gift, this is the spot. Prices are
lower than their uptown store at 1050 2nd Avenue (near 56th St.), Gallery 20. Check out their website at tpleasures.com.

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

Dec. 26-Jan. 24: ABC Carpet & Home Winter Tag Sale

ABC Carpet & Home Winter Tag Sale

END OF SEASON CLEARANCE EVENT
ALL STORES, ALL FLOORS

December 26- January 24

Save up to 75% off original prices at all store locations. Save on select home accessories, jewelry, lighting, tabletop & decorative accessories, bedding & bath and modern, grounded & antique furniture, upholstery, sofas, chairs and sectionals, handmade oriental rugs, antique & vintage carpets, contemporary rugs and more.

ABC Carpet & Home

888 & 881 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
212 473 3000
Mon, Tues, Weds, Thurs, Fri 10-7, Sat 10-7:30, Sun: 11-7

Bronx Outlet
1055 Bronx River Avenue
Bronx, NY 10472
718 842 8770
M-S: 10-7 Sun: 11-6

Hackensack
400 Huyler Street
South Hackensack, NJ 07606
201 641 3400
M-Sat: 10-7, Closed Sundays

Delray Beach
777 South Congress Avenue
Delray Beach, FL 33445
561.279.7777
M-S: 10-6, Sun: 12-5

City Opera Thrift Shop Annual Fall Event: 10/23

Click on image to view details on the City Opera Thrift Shop annual fall event!

Stock and other fashion tidbits

Stock - This store seems more than worth checking out. On E. 13th St., Urban Daddy describes it as something of an ultimate Vintage store.

Also, I pour out a little bit of champagne onto the marble floor for Yves Saint Laurent. I actually did a report in 7th grade claiming I would be a fashion designer, using YSL as my inspiration. Ha! Well that didn't happen, but at least I get the opportunity to write about him.

I still have not seen the Sex and the City movie, but plan to on Friday. I have heard terrible reviews and then great reviews. I think it depends on your point of view - kind of like Las Vegas. I do have to say I'm not a huge fan of the throngs of "Carries" marching intently to the theatre, however.

And by the way, did you know that Chris Noth (Mr. Big) owns the Cutting Room on W. 24th St?

Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show: April 25 & 26

It's that time again - the Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show is on at the Metropolitan Pavilion on W. 18th St. between 6th & 7th Aves. on Friday, April 25 (1-8 p.m.) and Saturday, April 26 (11 a.m. - 6 p.m.). There's a $20 admission fee, but if you visit the Web site you can join the VIP list to get $5 off.

The Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show is the ultimate vintage showcase bringing together more than 75 of the country’s top vintage clothing and antique textile dealers under one roof. This upcoming show has been expanded to encompass the entirety of Metropolitan Pavilion where you will find tailored, timeless and beautifully constructed clothing & antique textiles.

Housing Works - At Auction

I love the display windows at Housing Works on E. 23rd St. I think because they convey the message of demented domesticity, which is really the truth of the matter when it comes right down to it. Incidentally, they also often have some really great stuff - clothing and furniture - that is not available for sale, but is available for silent auction.

While I have never partaken (partook?) in said silent auction activity, I did look into it briefly one time...and have considered doing so again. You need to go into the store and put your name on a list with the amount of money you are willing to spend on the particular item(s) that you are interested in. Then, after the auction closes, I believe they determine the "winner" by looking to see who was willing to pay the most.

I know that this may not be exactly accurate and some of you may be thinking to yourselves, "this is common knowledge, what is this ditz talking about?" but humor me as I am just finding my way through life and this big scary town one day at a time. That, and I suppose I should have done a bit more reasearch on this before I decided to write about it.

Anyway, I think I decided to not pursue the silent auction approach with much fervor as people are willing to spend absurd amounts of money on other people's trash in this town. Go to Michigan with a van and get some real deals on antique furniture - prices that would make even the Salvation Army in NYC laugh.

But when all is said and done, remember Housing Works mission: "to ensure that adequate housing, food, social services, harm reduction and other drug treatment services, medical and mental health care, and employment opportunities are available to homeless persons living with AIDS and HIV and to their families as they define them."

So it is most certainly money well-spent.

Camp on Perry - Dual-Purpose storefronts

Are you aware of the phenomenon of two completely unrelated kinds of businesses sharing a storefront? You may have come across a hair salon/jewelry counter or a cell phone/mini mart now and again, but how about a women's clothing boutique/real estate agency? Well, it exists at 177 Perry Street in the West Village where Holly Waterfield holds court at Camp on Perry.

For the sake of sensationalism, I will call this sharing of space a new phenomenon overtaking New York, but truth be told I'm not sure when it started. However, with skyrocketing rents overtaking every inch of this little island, it only makes sense that small business owners join forces and lower their overhead, whether or not they are in similar industries.

At Camp on Perry, Ms. Waterfield, pictured above in her own maternity creation, sells refurbished vintage wear, designs from new up-and-coming local designers, as well as her own creations, which she works on at her sewing machine right before your very eyes. The eye-catching green sequined dress in the photo comes from a Brooklyn designer and is something to be seen - and tried on - in person. The filing cabinet and chair off to the right is the real estate business run by her friend and "location associate" to coin a new term.

So as we all know, the three most important things in succeeding in retail is "location, location, location" and if you have two-businesses-in-one, that's practically six locations! Here's to creative solutions amidst financial obstacles. Go check it out!

Vintage Jewelry

Have you been to the Candy Store on Lafayette near Houston? If not, you should go. It's a great little vintage accessories shop offering shoes, jewelry, PURSES, belts, gloves, hats and more. The kinds of things that I have happily acquired from relatives over the years.

I went down there earlier this year on a quest for the perfect earrings to go with the perfect dress for the Oscars. Yes, those Oscars. Except I wasn't a nominee, I was a seat-filler. Kind of like Kramer in that episode of Seinfeld. Anyway, the helpful gents assisted me in honing down my choices from a gaggle of options. Better yet, they allowed me to take two pairs home to determine which went better with the dress and then return one the next day. This was very accommodating of them, as returns are normally against their policy (I think they might do store credit, however). So I ended up with a fantastic pair of German vintage earrings for about $70-$80 that are among my favorites ever. And if I knew how to take a picture you would believe it. I guess you'll have to trust me on this one.