My Hair Secret: Helik at Dop Dop Salon (in Soho)

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Your hair is not a place to cut corners! (no pun intended) You may have to spend more money than you want to, or than your husband/significant other wants you to. Tough. Do it. It will make you look better, feel better and give you something to look forward to every 6 weeks or so...8 weeks at the longest. This is where you can spend the money that you've saved after utilizing effective Guerilla Shopping technique!

OK, now that I've scolded you, I will offer an olive branch and let you in on my hair secret. His name is Helik (pictured above) and you can catch him at Dop Dop Salon in Soho on Fridays and Saturdays. I'm only telling you this because he promised that if I wrote about him, he would always make sure that I get an appointment no matter how popular he becomes. And I shall hold him to this!

Not only is he a great hairstylist and colorist who also does hair for photoshoots all over the world, but he's a cool, friendly guy who removes the tedium that can sometimes come along with getting one's hair colored. I often spend more than three hours with him! Additionally, Dop Dop Salon provides a laid back atmosphere with some decent people-watching opportunity as well as free candy and soda (they always get me with that!). So don't fear the trendier-than-thou neighborhood - this place is something of an oasis for the down-to-earthlings among us.

Most imporantly, remember: Friends Don't Let Friends Go to Supercuts!

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!

Lillet...Hooray!

OK, enough of this low-budget speak! Let's dance and get fancy!

Have you drank Lillet? It's a French aperitif made from local wine. I drink white Lillet with club soda and a slice of orange, but it's available in red too. I learned about it in a wine class that I took at The New School in an effort to become cultured. I don't know if that happened, but I did get introduced to Lillet, which made it worthwhile (even though we were stuffed into the basement of some historical house in the East 20s).

Oh, I also learned that I don't really like Chardonnay, even though I have been drinking it for a decade or more. Anyway, you can't find Lillet everywhere, but I have gotten it at various liquor stores in NYC and NJ for $15-$19 a bottle, which usually requires the owner, stockboy and cashier to help me hunt it down - I just purchased a bottle at Buy Rite Discount Liquors on Third Ave. & 28th St. (they usually have decent prices in there, relatively speaking) for $15.99. I have also found it in more upscale bars, or bars that make fancy drinks for the ladies. THE LADIES!!!

I think I shall find it to be a lite and refreshing imbibement as I drink it from a fancy glass this Thanksgiving weekend. Drinking from a fancy glass makes all drinks a bit better - try it, you'll like it.

Portolano sample sale - This Week

Portolano's sample sale is going on now - today, tomorrow and Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Located on the 11th floor of 15 West 37th St., this sale offers gloves, knits, small leather goods, handmade Italian silk ties, cashmere coordinates and Emilio Cavallini hosiery. Be prepared to hand over your coat, purse, and first born at the door.

Now, I love leather gloves. I happily wear them for five or six months straight every year. And this sale has hundreds, maybe thousands of styles and colors. But I didn't buy any. Why? Well, I'm hoping I can subtly hint that I need a few pair for Christmas - nice ones - in black, red and "surprise me." But I was also not impressed with the prices. I guess I was recently spoiled by the $1,500 worth of stuff for $100 Calypso sample sale, but a $50 pair of leather gloves that I will likely lose doesn't ring of true sample sale pricing to me.

Pearl River - an explosion of Chinese goodnesses

Isaac Mizrahi's guilty pleasure, or so I've read, is the store called Pearl River on Broadway in Soho. It's a bazaar of imported Chinese/Asian goods - from clothes to bags to food to dishes to incense to fancy pens to pretty much whatever you want. I was so enamored with the selection that I bought a full related yet unrelated stash of goods for my friend for Christmas. I would show you what I got, but then I would wreck the miracle of surprise gifts, so instead I provide you with a photo of the bag, which is pretty cool too. Look, there's like fish and stuff.

This large two-story facility makes it seem like the Chinese New Year is every day. By shopping here, you will surely be able to outfit your family, furnish your living room, decorate for a party and then cook a meal -- all for a reasonable price! Who ever said the Chinese wouldn't make good capitalists? They are kung-fu-ing asses and taking names in this joint!

UNIQLO Soho NY - Mob Scene

I went to UNIQLO yesterday as part of a three-stop shop excursion. It just opened on Broadway in Soho and snagged me with its advertising campaign touting $39.50 cashmere sweaters. Apparently, according to the undeniable truth of a November 10 press release:

"UNIQLO, Japan’s most popular apparel retailer and a worldwide leader in casual wear, opened its first global flagship store and the world’s largest UNIQLO in New York City, the fashion capital of the world. Located at 546 Broadway, the 36,000 square foot UNIQLO SoHo NY features the very best of UNIQLO - stylish, high-quality and affordable clothing and accessories, complemented by an unparalleled modern Japanese shopping experience in a stunning architectural landmark."

New York City? "The fashion capital of the world?" I just had to go see what this was all about.

Now I know:

1. It's mobbed

2. Sizes run from zero - 6, with the occasional 8 and less occasional 10 (for women, obviously - they also have clothing for men and children)

3. The styles are basic with an edge; materials basic with less of an edge

4. Did I mention it was mobbed?

OK, so the mobbed part is a given and I can't really bitch. If you go shopping downtown on Broadway on a weekend you are going to be run down by waves of tourists from all over the galaxy. A family of martians even knocked my sunglasses off of my head on the way in! As you probably know by now, the G.S. enjoys a bit calmer retail experience, which may indicate that she is over the hill, which also leads me to my next point...

I am too old and too American (read: I am not petite) to wear most of these clothes. Now that I know it is a Japanese company I feel a bit better about my hulking presence. I need to be coddled by American designers who slap a size 8 label on a size 10 pair of pants to make me feel better.

So UNIQLO is basically the Japanese answer to H&M; a near-department-store-sized facility that pumps out massive quantities of reasonably priced and somewhat trendy but safe fashions. OK, good great fine, carry on then.

Versani - HFM Jewelry

I am not the world's biggest jewelry fan, but I am learning. For a few years I have been visiting Versani downtown on Mercer St. I love the pictured ring that I bought for myself for around $75, because the red raised stones set in solid metal remind me of Darth Maul, which proves that I really am a dorky 12-year old boy. I also have a pair of blue some-kind-of-stone stud earrings that I love.

Darth Maul? Yes, he's a fabulous villian from Star Wars and there's no doubt that if he were to get married, this would have been his wedding ring.

But I digress. Well not really. Anyway, check this place out because they have all kinds of jewelry and what strikes me the most is the boldness of the metal and the stones. It's very clean, and yet fairly individualistic and in-your-face. They have almost as much for men as for women. Then men's selection is pretty rock and roll, but in a relatively defined and refined manner. Chains, rings...the kinds of things that every aspiring rocker needs to complete his (or her) look.

If you asked "what does 'HFM' mean?," you will have to write to me personally to get an answer for this is a family blog and most of my readers hail from the great state of Michigan for goodness sake!

p.s. Go Blue!

Gift Cards: Cop Out or Not?

I guess it's my Ms. Manners mother who has influenced me to think that gift certificates and the like do not make particularly good gifts. They are impersonal, cause the recipient to then have to go out and get something for themselves, show exactly how much you spent, and don't require much thought. I tend to agree with this line of reasoning. She also likes to wrap presents and awe the public with her skills. A gift card doesn't really allow for wrapping so much.

However, I think that they serve a purpose in some instances.

If you know that your friend is an avid reader, but you are not so savvy in the literary arts, a gift certificate from Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble or Borders is suitable (OK, yes, I admit it, I'm talking about myself here!). Or if you feel that your friend is in dire need of new shoes, but don't really know what style or size she would be happiest with, a gift card from DSW would be a semi-thoughtful gesture. Which leads me to my next point...

Sign up to become a DSW Rewards Member TODAY because starting this Sunday, November 19, if you buy a $50 gift card, you get a $10 bonus card redeemable between January 14 - February 3. What could be better? Buy a gift for someone else and get a gift for yourself!

Remember, you can only make others happy if YOU are happy.

Black Friday - Just Say No

I do not recommend shopping on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving). It's kind of like the New Year's Eve of shopping when all the amateurs come out en masse. If you don't like shopping to begin with, you will HATE it, and if you do like shopping, you will begin to seriously question your sanity.

While it's true that the stores offer all kinds of discounts and deals on this special day, realize that it is merely a marketing ploy to instill panic and fear in the hearts of those who don't know better or have not read my extremely informative blog. G.S. insights to consider, and act upon include:

• Retailers want your money any day of the week. Meaning, there will be other sales and promotions up until Christmas Day, and probably better as Christmas draws closer.
• Buy early what you can online to avoid crowds and malls and ensure timely delivery. If you wait too long, problems with availability and delievery can arise. However, I almost never buy clothes or shoes online because I really need to see and inspect apparel first hand and I hate having to return things in the mail.
• Don't buy anything for yourself until after Christmas. First, you never know what you might get as a gift. Second, the sales after Christmas are even better than on Black Friday.
• If you can, take a day or two off of work in December to go Xmas shopping (a Monday or Tuesday, let's say). If you can't, go as early in the day as possible on a weekend. Except if you live in Bergen County, NJ where the stores are CLOSED on Sunday because of some 3,000 year-old "blue law" that was surely inspired by religion.
• Avoid shopping until after Nov. 20 because Mercury is in retrograde. OK, I read this somewhere, that you shouldn't buy electronics because of this crazy astrology stuff that I don't believe in. Except that I'm not going to buy anything until after early next week. Call me superstitious.
• Buy gifts at stores with good return policies. This unfortunately usually means going to the big department/chain stores, however, it's worth it in the end because your loved ones can get what they really want, or what fits them...and don't you want to spend your money effectively? One year I decided to only shop at independent stores and it was a huge debacle where nothing was returnable, or only for store credit good for a week.
• Downsize the list of people you buy gifts for, if only to reduce your stress during the holidays. Can you buy one big gift for your uncle's entire family, instead of one gift each for your uncle, aunt and three cousins? Can you arrange a dinner out with all of your friends instead of buying each of them a present? All of this rabid gift-giving can really get overwhelming and I believe that there are better ways to enjoy the holiday (food, drink) and each other than via a new green pullover fleece!
• URGENT NOTE: BOYFRIENDS/HUSBANDS MUST BUY GIRLFRIENDS/WIVES NICE GIFTS AND VICE VERSA. Cost isn't necessarily the issue, it is really the (serious and creative) thought that counts, I swear. And if you don't do it, you suck and will be in the dog house, possibly for eternity.

I will provide more holiday shopping insight and experiences during the festive season! Stay tuned.

H&M...Maybe I'm too Old?

H&Mmmmm...Would I like H&M more if I were 20 years old? Possibly. No doubt that their marketing strategy is spot-on, whereby they commission the likes of Stella McCartney and Viktor & Rolf (a wedding dress for $349!?) to provide cutting-edge fashions that are pretty much affordable to the masses. And they're wisely opening a new store on 5th Avenue in the 20s where the sucky Daffy's used to be. But am I going to wait on line for hours to fight over clothes and spend my dosh among scores of tourists? Apparently not, since I have never done so.

I have certainly perused a few H&M stores and bought some items here and there -- but not to any great degree. It's never my true destination, but usually a "why not?" kind of visit. I guess I feel that the stores are great big giant messes and the apparel is not top-notch. In fact, the two pair of pants that I own are cast-offs acquired at a clothing swap and some other tops I bought have since worn out. I guess the best-looking piece I have is the red tuxedo-like shirt pictured here, but it's not long for this world I can assure you. I had to sew up a seam about 10 minutes after I bought it. If I'm going to buy disposable clothing, they need to cost a dollar.

Changing topics, I just heard about a new site called greenfinds.com, where you can go green with a free daily ecomail that provides you with one eco tip or organic product. Find out how you can charge your phone or iPod with a solar backpack and where to find soap with a package that turns into a basil plant. Or what about getting paid to recycle? Or how about organic CLOTHES (roll 'em up and smoke 'em)?