I always feel like...The New York Times is watching me...

No, I swear - check out the posting from Wednesday's "Urban Eye" and then look at my posting from last week on Fette Sau in Williamsburg. Photos look familar??? I would say so. Sue everyone.

Jill Anderson: Wearable Wedding Wear

It's wedding season gals (or so I've heard)! Are you getting hitched this summer? Are you the David's Bridal or Vera Wang type? If you answered "yes" and "no" - in that order - you may want to check out Jill Anderson on E. 9th St.

Ms. Anderson is offering "Wearable Wedding Wear" to those women who would probably be a bit more low key than perhaps the typical image of a bridezilla. One of the theories behind the customizable "Parachute Dress" (pictured here), is not so much that you should breakdance or skydive while wearing it, but more that you can and will wear it again. And maybe even again and again. Make it longer, shorter, fuller, lined, red, green, blueindigoviolet. It's your big day damnit!

Ms. Anderson's shop also features the handcrafted leather sandal designs from Jutta Neumann as well as Joan Max Reinmuth jewelry. I was really intrigued by this jewelry, which was politely hard core using bike chains and other kinds of industrial materials, but not in a St. Mark's-I-am-going-to-kill-you kind of way.

However, I think the jewelry from Ike Designs would be more appropriate for brides-to-be looking for something special to wear with their Wearable Wedding Wear. My advice would to be contact Dori O'Dea, the designer behind Ike, as her Web site only reveals a small portion of her delicately lovely wares.

I do. Do you?

Fruitful Shopping Weekend: Hair & Coat

This was a most fruitful shopping weekend - I managed to get my hair done on the major cheap, while also doing some significant research of great consequence, for you, my readers...(as well as for me, myself, and I).

Stop #1: My usual fantastic hair man, about whom you have read on these e-pages before (Helik at Dop Dop Salon), was unavailable to attend to my shouting roots. Yes, I may look like a natural blonde, and indeed I feel like one, but I have finally accepted the fact that it takes a lot of hard work to feel like a natural woman. So I was referred by a friend to Sam at Head Quarter Hair Colour Group on 2nd Ave. between 12th-13th Sts. Not only was it a successful outing (hair in photo was taken a mere hour afterwards), but it was CHEAP CHEAP CHEAPedity cheap cheap. Single process, eye brow tinting, cutting and blow out/styling for...$88. I will spell that out, in case you think it may be a typo: EIGHTY EIGHT DOLLARS. I was so thrilled that I tipped in excess of 20%.

So not only was it cheap and good, but it was one of those real "only in New York" experiences. Sam and all but one of the stylists and assistants are group of incredibly hip Japanese boys. Hair, clothes, tattoos - the whole nine. These guys are on point and it worked for me. Is Japanese the new black? Anyway, the salon is completely non descript and un-trendy - white Formica and fluorescent lighting. Quite horrible, in fact. But one way they keep a low overhead, I am sure.

And if that isn't enough, there was another "heeuuuhh?" scenario. There was one middle-aged female stylist in the back corner - I couldn't catch the accent exactly, but she may be Eastern European - and ALL of her clientele were "mature" white women, seemingly from Stuy Town...cruising solid into the East Village on their canes and walkers.

While my explanation may be completely edging on offensive and non-PC, I couldn't keep it to myself. Cheap+Hip Japanese+Old Ladies+white Formica+fluorescent lighting=New York just has to be the greatest place in the Western World.

Stop #2: I have written good and bad words about An Ren - at 315 East 9th Street - on this blog before. But ultimately, she has incredibly unique styles, fabrics and designs...and she did not disappoint me on that front this weekend either. I just can't get enough of her coats and jackets, and might be more inclined to buy them and her other wares - but I am a giant American with the shoulders and back of a swimmer. This seems to limit what I can fit into when it comes to the downtown indie designer set.

However! I managed to fit into the coat pictured here - and I love it. It is a bit more cash than I am interested in spending (about $325), but the material, colors and design is really like nothing I have ever seen. It could arguably be worn as a dress in a bit cooler weather.

Stay tuned for more shopping triumphs from the weekend...

New York Magazine publicist

I am now on the list of a New York magazine publicist. I know this is like ripping open the curtain on the Wizard of Oz, but I just had to tell you as evidence of my moving up in the world.

Additionally, I met with Lindsay, the Editor in Chief of SpreeNewYork to discuss my being a semi-regular contributor to the site. More on that exciting development shortly. Consider this the pre-announcement.

Buy my stock while you still can. It's GSNYC on the Amex.

And here's a fun Father's Day gift, from a male stringer who I will spare by not mentioning his name. Although, let's just say he's appeared within these pages before...
THE MANGROOMER

Broadway Panhandler: Annual In-Store Yard Sale

Broadway Panhandler, where I bought my dad an expensive cooking knife for Christmas, is having their annual sale, where you too can purchase expensive cutlery for less. They are located at 65 E. 8th Street (Between Broadway and University)...

From: http://kitchen.apartmenttherapy.com
The Panhandler doesn't have a yard in their new location, but that's not going to stop New York City's leading kitchen store from holding their annual summer sale. The sale starts tomorrow and runs through June 11.

There will be special deals from All Clad, Wusthof, Le Creuset, Cuisinart, Braun, Krups, OXO, Zyliss, Peugeot, AMCO, and more.

Share Your Soles

I just heard about this organization through my "day job" and thought that it sounded like a worthy endeavor - Share Your Soles - read on regarding their mission and how you can get involved:

The shoes we give to needy children may be the only pair they ever receive in their lives. Please be sure that the shoes you share are gently worn or new, clean and can withstand heavy wear. When selecting shoes to donate, please follow our requirements:
Children’s shoes: boy’s, girl’s and infant’s -- must be new or gently worn
Adult Shoes: Men/Women, dress shoes, and casual shoes are needed -- must be new or gently worn
Shoe types: Winter boots, Cowboy, athletic shoes, canvas shoes, sandals, school shoes, Roller Blades, Slippers, Boots, ice skates, spiked shoes, wrestling shoes.

Remember -- Go For Quality Shoe donations (in good repair) can be dropped off at any of the Share Your Soles Drop Sites or collection centers.

If there is not a drop site in your area, you can ship them directly to our Processing Center at: Share Your Soles, 11701 S. Central Alsip, IL 60803

If you have 10+ pairs of shoes, please send them directly to our Processing Center.
Used shoes and shipping costs are tax deductible ($2-$3 for each pair of shoes).

Monetary donations are also needed -Mail your contribution to:
Share Your Soles, 11701 S. Central Alsip, IL 60803-3422 (make checks payable to Share Your Soles) OR make an online donation via Paypal

Drop Sites: Shoes coming from drop sites ultimately arrive at the Share Your Soles processing center. As our foundation is expanding, we will be updating our drop site locations. Please check back to see if one is going to be in your area, or if you would like information about becoming a drop site location please feel free to contact us at info@shareyoursoles.org

NOTE: IF YOU ARE CONDUCTING A SHOE DRIVE - CONTACT US FIRST
Take a minute to give us a call at (708) 448-4469 and learn about the best way to conduct a successful shoe drive.

Share Your Soles Processing Center: 11701 S. Central, Alsip, Illinois 60803, e-mail info@shareyoursoles.org
(708) 448-4469 Fax - (708) 489-0317

Hours: Tues 10-3 & 4-8, Wed & Thurs 10-3, Sat 10-3
(708) 448-4469
Drop bin located at rear of building

Mi Ropa; PDT: Hot Dogs & Cocktails

This past weekend my friends at Fabric Renewal in Bloomingdale, NJ delivered my spring and summer apparel. Except after they left, I realized: NO PANTS! Or suits, or jackets...I guess they took my direction on the phone regarding seasonal clothing a bit too literally.
So I called back and explained the dire situation: I need pants. In fact, I love them. They kindly came back yesterday morning, and on clothing racks displayed in the middle of E. 80th St. I went through everything, picking and choosing what I needed for this time of year, and sending the rest back with them to be stored for the season.

People were oggling the literal display at 8 a.m. in the middle of the street with sheer wonderment. I am now seriously upset that I didn't catch it on film because it was something to be seen. "Who is that? What the hell is she doing?" Too funny.
And in other [food and drink] news, I am appealing to my friend to take me here, or at least go with me (see photo)...

From the New York Times' "Urban Eye"
One Hot Dog, Heavy on the Secret Sauce
By MELENA RYZIK
Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Three great tastes that taste great together: lowbrow food, highbrow cocktails, and secret bars. PDT is a surprisingly classy lounge tucked inside an East Village hot dog shop. You want in? Approach the phone booth, find the hidden camera and hope the guy who’s manning it likes your smile. Once inside, you can order a deep-fried, bacon-wrapped hot dog and a "precisely calibrated, classically inclined" drink, like a mean mint julep or pisco sour. The name stands for Please Don’t Tell. You won’t, right?

PDT, inside Crif Dogs, 113 St. Marks Place (Avenue A), East Village, (212) 614-2728.

H&H Bagels/Sale: Diane Von Furstenberg

I think I had the best bagel ever, or at least in 8 years, when I visited the H&H bagel shop on the Upper East Side this weekend. I think it's in the 80s on 2nd or 3rd Ave. I'll have to revisit and give you the specifics so that you too can enjoy it as much as I did. I have been to the one way over on the West Side Highway and that place is really like a wholesale factory, without the wholesale prices. But this...THIS was a real bagel store and they toasted my bagel and applied light plain cream cheese and everything. It changed my life.

I also noticed that there is a Pinkberry up there as well - again, somewhere in the area of the 80s and 2nd Avenue. I just made a special trip to the one in the 30s, not having any idea there was more than one. There is always a line out the door, so I have yet to return to the frozen crack that it is. I guess this means I am truly not addicted. Yet...

...in other news...
From New York Magazine's Best Bets
STARTING TOMORROW
Diane Von Furstenberg's signature wrap dresses will be on sale (from $150), as will trenches (starting at $350, down from $570), swimsuits (from $64), and caftans perfect for summer cocktails (starting at $90).
When: 6/6 (9–6); 6/7 and 6/8 (10–7); 6/9 (9–3).
Where: 260 Fifth Ave., nr. 28th St. (212-725-5400).

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.

Movin' on Up

OK, so I have finally landed in my third temporary living spot since April 16. This one on the Upper East Side. The good news on this is:

a. I should be able to stay here until I am able to move back into my apartment (fingers crossed).
b. Although I don't have a computer, joining Equinox was a wise move because they provide free I-net access (how do you think I am writing this?) - and there's one close by.
c. There are lots of stores, particularly thrift shops, that I will check out for you. There are also a ton of restaurants - an obscene ton, in fact. Hopefully I will be able to control my eating habits in this habitat.

Next move: getting a computer/lap top and high-speed access at home...

Carry on...