Thursday, October 09, 2008

Project Runway: Quick thoughts

OK, two quick things on last night's episode of Project Runway:

1. The greatest TV moment ever EVER is Tim Gunn riding a tandem bike in a suit and helmet with contestant Leann. It was the most fantastic visual shown on my flat screen and you can't tell me that the producers, cameramen, etc. weren't DYING laughing the whole time they were filming it.

2. I don't understand why they ask the final four contestants to create a whole line just to eliminate one of them before anyone even sees it. If I was Jerell, I'd be PISSED. I mean, what is he supposed to do with all of this stuff now sight unseen? Seems a little bit unfair. But such is life I suppose.

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Gal Pal

I am watching the Today show, which I never do, but I think I just may have gotten the answer to a question I've been asking for decades: How do you get rid of white deodorant streaks on your clothes? I have literally had to change my clothes five minutes before running out the door to work because deodorant ruined my top.

I haven't tried it yet, but plan to: Gal Pal: "If you're looking for a solution to recover from a fashion faux pas like white streaks on your clothes we have the Original Gal Pal ($10) and The Travel Gal Pal ($12.50). They're great for so many reasons - from getting rid of pet fur on your clothes to cleaning up that deodorant streak on your dress."

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Store Closings Floating Around the Internet

STORE CLOSINGS AND LAYOFFS (emailed to me yesterday, so who knows how accurate...)
If you have gift cards, hurry up and use them!

Ann Taylor closing 117 stores nationwide A company spokeswoman said the company hasn't revealed which stores will be shuttered. It will let the stores that will close this fiscal year know over the next month.

Eddie Bauer to close more stores Eddie Bauer has already closed 27 shops in the first quarter and plans to close up to two more outlet stores by the end of the year.

Cache closing stores Women's retailer Cache announced that it is closing 20 to 23 stores this year.

Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Catherines closing 150 stores nationwide. The owner of retailers Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Catherines Plus Sizes will close about 150 under-performing stores this year. The company hasn't provided a list of specific store closures and can't say when it will offer that info, spokeswoman Brooke Perry said today.

Talbots, J. Jill closing stores About a month ago, Talbots announced that it will be shuttering all 78 of its kids and men's stores. Now the company says it will close another 22 under-performing stores. The 22 stores will be a mix of Talbots women's and J. Jill , another chain it owns. The closures will occur this fiscal year, according to a company press release.

Gap Inc. closing 85 stores In addition to its namesake chain, Gap also owns Old Navy and Banana Republic . The company said the closures - all planned for fiscal 2008 - will be weighted toward the Gap brand.

Foot Locker to close 140 stores. In the company press release and during its conference call with analysts today, it did not specify where the future store closures - all planned in fiscal 2008 - will be. The company could not be immediately reached for comment

Wickes is going out of business. Wickes Furniture is going out of business and closing all of its stores, Wickes, a 37-year-old retailer that targets middle-income customers, filed for bankruptcy protection last month.

Goodbye Levitz / BOMBAY - closed already The furniture retailer, which is going out of business. Levitz first announced it was going out of business and closing all 76 of its stores in December. The retailer dates back to 1910 when Richard Levitz opened his first furniture store in Lebanon , PA. In the 1960s, the warehouse/showroom concept brought Levitz to the forefront of the furniture industry. The local Levitz closures will follow the shutdown of Bombay.

Zales, Piercing Pagoda closing stores The owner of Zales and Piercing Pagoda previously said it plans to close 82 stores by July 31. Today, it announced that it is closing another 23 under-performing stores. The company said it's not providing a list of specific store closures. Of the 105 locations planned for closure, 50 are kiosks and 55 are stores.

Disney Store owner has the right to close 98 stores The Walt Disney Company announced it acquired about 220 Disney Stores from subsidiaries of The Children's Place Retail Stores. The exact number of stores acquired will depend on negotiations with landlords. Those subsidiaries of Children's Place filed for bankruptcy protection in late March. Walt Disney in the news release said it has also obtained the right to close about 98 Disney Stores in the U.S. The press release didn't list those stores.

Home Depot store closings (E. Brunswick, Rt 18 just put up their closing sign) ATLANTA - Nearly 7+ months after its chief executive said there were no plans to cut the number of its core retail stores, The Home Depot Inc. announced Thursday that it is shuttering 15 of them amid a slumping U.S. economy and housing market. The move will affect 1,300 employees. It is the first time the world's largest home improvement store chain has ever closed a flagship store for performance reasons. Its shares rose almost 5 percent. The Atlanta-based company said the under-performing U.S.stores being closed represent less than 1 percent of its existing stores. They will be shuttered within the next two months.

CompUSA (CLOSED) clarifies details on store closings Any extended warranties purchased for products through CompUSA will be honored by a third-party provider, Assurant Solutions. Gift cards, rain checks, and rebates purchased prior to December 12 can be redeemed at any time during the final sale. For those who have a gadget currently in for service with CompUSA, the repair will be completed and the gadget will be returned to owners.

Macy's - 9 stores Movie Gallery - 160 stores as part of reorganization plan to exit bankruptcy

The video rental company plans to close 400 of 3,500 Movie Galleryand Hollywood Video stores in addition to the 520 locations the video rental chain closed last fall.

Pacific Sunwear - 153 Demo stores Pep Boys - 33 stores Sprint Nextel-125 retail locations

New Sprint Nextel CEO Dan Hesse appears to have inherited a company bleeding subscribers by the thousands, and will now officially be dropping the ax on4,000 employees and 125 retail locations. Amid the loss of 639,000 postpaid customers in the fourth quarter, Sprint will be cutting a total of 6.7% of its work force (following the 5,000 layoffs last year) and 8% of company-owned brick-and-mortar stores, while remaining mute on other rumors that it will consolidate its headquarters in Kansas. Sprint Nextel shares a re down $2.89, or nearly 25%, at the time of this writing.

J. C. Penney, Lowe's and Office Depot are scaling back Ethan Allen Interiors : The company announced plans to close 12 of 300+stores in an effort to cut costs.

Wilsons the Leather Experts -158 stores

Sharper Image : The company recently filed for bankruptcy protection and announced that 90 of its 184 stores are closing. The retailer will still operate 94 stores to pay off debts, but 90 of these stores have performed poorly and also may close.

Bombay Company: (Freehold Mall store closed) The company unveiled plans to close all 384 U.S.-based Bombay Company stores. The company's online storefront has discontinued operations.

KB Toys posted a list of 356 stores that it is closing around the United States as part of its bankruptcy reorganization. To see the list of store closings, go to the KB Toys Information web site.

Dillard's to Close More Stores Dillard's Inc. said it will continue to focus on closing under-performing stores, reducing expenses and improving its merchandise in 2008. At the company's annual shareholder meeting, CEO William Dillard II said the company will close another six under-performing stores this year.

Monday, October 06, 2008

Private Show: Ike Designs Jewelry, Oct. 26

Ike Designs Jewelry
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26
3-6 pm
666 Greenwich Street, PH 21.

Dori will be showing her latest collection of rose gold, rose quartz, and rosy pendants at
EVERYTHING'S COMING UP ROSES hosted by COCKEYED OPTIMIST actor Jolie Curtsinger.

In addition, Jennifer Van Santvoord will be presenting her beautiful rose and floral photographs as well as many other lovely photos.

There will be light refreshments.

Pick a Christmas gift, dream up a piece of jewelry you want Dori to make, or just stop to smell the roses.

Saturday, October 04, 2008

Kule for Kids


So as the zany "aunt" to countless of my friends' children, I have countless baby gifts to buy. Today's present was for a young lad who turned the triumphant age of one. In keeping with my life's work, I try to ensure that our youth remain well dressed, and I have to say that I have scored in that department several times at Daffy's. This time I got the pictured Kule vest, lined with army fatigue-print fleece. Originally about $138, I picked it up for about $36. I have since learned about Kule (by Nikki Kule), and in case you didn't know either, it's a high-end clothing line for kids. Go to the Web site for more information about the clothes, sale items and upcoming trunk shows. Very Kule indeed...

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

BoConcept Warehouse Sale, Oct. 18

Even though - years ago - they screwed a guy I used to work with by promising him that his new furniture would be delivered in a month, which caused him to get rid of his old furniture, by which time they called him back to tell him that his new furniture would not actually be ready for three months, which then caused him to cancel the whole order, which resulted in his having to live in an empty apartment for weeks until he could get furniture elsewhere, I can't ignore a good sale:

WHO: BoConcept
WHAT: Warehouse Furniture Sale
WHEN: Saturday, October 18, 2008
Hours: 10am – 3pm
WHERE: 180 Pulaski Street
Bayonne, NJ 07002

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Rug Sale at Stickley Audi & Co: Oct 2-5

This week Stickley Audi is having a 5-day rug sale in Manhattan (207 W. 25th St.) and White Plains (50 Tarrytown Rd.), 50-70% off retail. This may mean that they are $10,000 instead of $20,000, but come on now! Wall Street bankers need a break! :)~

Monday, September 29, 2008

Here Comes Your Man: Eisenberg & Eisenberg


You know, the boys want to look nice at their wedding too, even if it is only to cruise chicks all decked out James Bond-style.

So where does a dude who doesn't happen to own a tuxedo but needs to rent one for his nuptials go? Besides the thrift store? Well he can check out Eisenberg & Eisenberg on W. 17th St. between 5th and 6th Avenues, where perhaps a Joseph Abboud tuxedo, with shoes even, can be had for around $140.
As the photos of our featured groom reveal, you can stand and sit (almost) in this fine bevested penguin suit that stands up splendidly from day-to-night.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Gotta Go to Mo's

OK, it's neither fancy nor fabulous but I have decided that when it comes down to buying sneakers in NYC, Modell's is the joint. Mainly because they have the best deals and you can join their rewards club to get money off and special deals, etc. And today I bought this pair of Nike Edge for $39.99, so zipadeedooda.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Bloomingdale's Private Sale Sept. 23-25, 2008

Yes, it's that time of year. Not as good as Lord & Taylor's sales I don't think, and too many people go to Bloomingdale's, but not a bad score if you are needing to buy stuff:

Take $25.00 off any purchase of $100.00 or more.

You need the coupons though, which I received in the mail.

"Certificate valid for one-time use only and must be presented at time of purchase. Limit four certificates per customer, please. Exclusions apply."