My Clothes are SAVED!

POST-FIRE UPDATE:
I just heard from Fabric Renewal, the dry cleaning, restoration, drapery/shade cleaning company in Bloomingdale, New Jersey that took all of my clothes, shoes, bags, belts, rugs, curtains, sheets, towels, pillows, etc. to be saved, cleaned and refreshed. It worked!

The cost?
$5,694.82

Believe it or not, I am thrilled! Not only that they have billed my insurance company directly, but because I had this sinking feeling that it was going to cost $10k more than that. I thank New Jersey for being cheaper than New York.

White Hot Chocolate: $8.64

I couldn't help myself. I had to have the White Hot Chocolate last night in the lobby lounge in The Essex House. It was a toss up between that and the Mint Hot Chocolate. Now I wish I took a photo of it, but anyway...It seemed so ridiculously expensive, and it was, but it came in a double-layered tall glass covered in whipped cream and milk chocolate shavings, as well as a tray of different kinds of sweeteners and 2 cookies! I allowed my friend to enjoy the cookies while I drank the hot sweet goodness like the Agustus Gloop and we agreed that it was practically worth the absurd price. Especially from our point of view on the white leather banquettes next to the beaded lamps. You have to check this out for yourself.

Delman (shoes) Sample Sale: May 16-18

I know I have trashed it before, but it has moved to a new location and may be worth checking out...the Delman sample sale.

Wednesday - Friday, May 16-18
10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Metropolitan Pavillion
123 W. 18th St. (btwn 6th-7th Aves.)

Check it out for spring/summer and special pre-fall styles. Major credit cards and cash accepted.

No strollers or large bags. All items must be checked before entering sale venue, so leave the dog and kids at home.

The Necklace

Since I continue bragging about my excellent new necklace from Dori of Ike Designs, I thought I'd show it to you up close and personal, while it was taking a break from some of its office duties at work today.

As an aside, you may have noticed that I have added a couple of new links today - one to Ike Designs and the other to Konstant Kontact, a blog on DJ Stretch Armstrong in the 80s and 90s. Perhaps this seems like an odd link to include on Guerilla Shopper, but as we know I am rooted in the 80s AND I used to listen to Mr. Armstrong, so it really makes for a nice synergy, doesn't it?

Ike Designs Live and in Person

I visited the proprietor of Ike Designs at the Actorcrafts market on W. 43rd St. this weekend and got the coolest necklace as created by Dori herself.

See the Guerilla alongside the esteemed artisan and her beautiful works here. She continues to add new gems and stones to her collection, as well as new creative designs that truly inspire!

Hell's Closet

This living in multiple neighborhoods thing is really enabling -- even encouraging -- me to find new shopping pardisos in places I would not have otherwise checked out. Such as Hell's kitchen in the 40s between 9th and 10th Aves. where I came upon Seffens Studio at 405 West 44th Street - a half art studio-half shop selling other artists craft works such as jewelry, scarves, paintings, pottery and more. Another similar, however more housewares-heavy, called Domus is right down the block at 413 W. 44th St.

And then I found an excellent little fun gem called Kifka + Heller where the designer, Scott, displays sample sizes of his great designs - primarily dresses, but also skirts and tops - that he fits for you and then customizes to size, color and other detail. I am going to stop there because I am sure to get at least two more bloggings out of the fantastic "piece" that Scott is whipping up for me. A fashion cliffhanger, indeed.

Dynamints & Bottle Caps

I love candy from the 80s. Not chocolate, but the sugary, bright, sweet stuff including Volcano Rocks, Spree, Tart'n'Tinys, Pez, Bottle Caps and Dynamints (pictured here)!

Most of these fantastic candies are discontinued or don't exist in their original configuration any more...except you can still get a big ol' box of Bottle Caps at the Target on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. Yes, I make up other excuses to go there, but what I'm really after are my Bottle Caps. You can take the subway and everything.

However, seeing how I was chauferred in a Benz to work this morning from my current temporary home, perhaps I can get them to motor me on over there this weekend. Why not? I'm living up the absurd anyway...

Ike Designs Jewelry - Live Sale This Weekend

Ike Designs Jewelry Wholesale prices for one day only at ActorCrafts

Saturday, May 5 - 10 am to 6pm

332 West 43rd St., between 8th and 9th Aves.

Free Admission

Mention Guerilla Shopper and Dori will also absorb your sales tax.

~Visa and Mastercard accepted~

Visit www.ikedesigns.com for gems and jewels by Dori

Temporary Bedroom

Well I finally have a king-sized bed with a chandelier hanging above it - however temporary...

Word is that nobody knows when I will be able to move back into my building. Waiting for official fire reports and other red tape to get resolved. So I shall continue roaming the city from place-to-place...continuing to seek new stores and shopping opportunities in each new locale.

H&M Supports Me

OK, so although I have not been particularly kind to H&M in the past, I found myself at the Fifth Avenue/midtown location with my gift card in hand. Yes it was a total zoo, but I managed to buy a pair of pants, a necklace, a metallic leather belt and - perhaps the most shocking-yet-pleasing purchase - two bras. I would have never thought that H&M would provide me with that kind of support, but I have to say they fit me as good as, if not better than, most any bras I have ever purchased before. And for a mere $16.70 a piece, I intend to return and replenish the bra stock with regularity.

I wish I could provide you with photos of me wearing them, but I am shy.