Calypso 30% off Sale Oct 30 - Nov. 4

Click here for your coupon (works in-store as well as online):

http://www.calypso-celle.com/campaigns/2008/friendsfamily/friendsandfamily.pdf

Ike Designs Jewelry: I just can't get enough

So sue me. OK, please don't. But seriously I cannot get enough of Ike Designs Jewelry by Dori O'Dea. I went to a private showing on Sunday and flipped over the pieces you see pictured here. I have ordered earrings, which I will unveil once I receive them. But in the meantime, I debate over whether or not I should get the necklace with the 2 silver discs -- and what design I should get. She was showing the "D for Dori" sample. AH HA! Perhaps I should get a "G" on top and an "S" on the bottom.

Thank you for helping me work through this.

Otherwise, check out the chain on the one necklace with the stone pendant, and the design of the other necklace. She is planning to make earrings out of the series of discs, thus creating a set.

And the earrings pictured on top - especially the ones to the far left? Amazing. I want those too.

Rouge Tomate & Cavatappo Wine Bar: Food & Drink

Yours truly had the great opportunity to have dinner and lunch at soon-to-open (October 28) Rouge Tomate before it opened to the public. Located on E. 60th across from Barney's, Rouge Tomate "provides a harmonious alignment of balanced cuisine, well-being, and social and environmental consciousness. This nutritional approach demonstrates a genuine respect for the integrity of ingredients used in crafting balanced, healthful and flavorful dishes."

Bottom line? The space is amazing, beautiful, airy, and I'm not sure exactly what I mean by this, but...harmonious. If a restaurant could look healthy and delicious, this is the spot. And the food presentation is artistic and beautiful -- I might even say breathtaking if I wasn't afraid that it'd sound a bit too gushy. I have to say that of everything I ate the lobster and beet salad (lunch) was my favorite as was the chocolate/peanut butter dessert (dinner).

And last night I made it into Cavatappo Wine Bar on Third Ave. and 26th St. (other location on Second and 89th). With a substantial selection of wines, a bit of food, decent music and a mature atmosphere, this place may be one of the saviors of a neighborhood on the brink of turning into Hoboken. If you are in the hood and not interested in football or jello shots, I strongly suggest this as a top option.

Schmap to it!

Since a photo taken by yours truly has been included on Schmap, I have both added a Schmap widget to my right-hand side bar and decided to write a bit about it.

Schmap is a leading publisher of digital travel guides for 200 destinations throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The innovative technology behind Schmap Guides also lets end users publish their own ‘schmaps’ (to share trip itineraries, local reviews and more), and powers a popular range of Schmap Widgets, displaying maps with content and event schedules for travel, sports, concert tours and more on a fast-growing network of websites and blogs. Founded in 2004, Schmap is privately owned and based in Carrboro, North Carolina.

So as you will see, you can use the widget to map SHOPPING locations throughout the city and get a bit of info about hundreds of retail locations. Although I have noticed a few stores that are still listed, but no longer in business (think Princeton Ski Shop).

Check it out!

Portolano Sample Sale: Oct 27-31, 2008

Portolano Sample Sale
October 27-31
10 AM to 6 PM
(Closed on Saturday & Sunday)
15 West 37th St. (11th Fl.)
NYC

designer gloves . knits . small leather goods . handmade italian silk . emilio cavallini hosiery

No Refunds or Exchanges
Major Credit Cards Accepted

Kooba Sample Sale: Oct 28-30

I am not the world's foremost handbag expert, but these bags look super nice and come in great colors and materials. They are not cheap, which is why this sample sale is really worth checking out--

Kooba Sample Sale

Tuesday October 28th – Thursday October 30th
Hours: 10am – 8pm (Closed 2 – 3pm)
141 W. 36th Street
Between Broadway & 7th Ave.

Cash, Visa, MasterCard & Amex Accepted

City Opera Thrift Shop Annual Fall Event: 10/23

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

Mother of the Groom Picks Anne & Alex

The only thing that may be worse than bridesmaids dresses are mother-of-the-bride (or groom) outfits. So what did a savvy little lady from Madonna's hometown do to resolve this age-old problem?

She went SEPARATES!

Here's how it went down straight from the mermaid's mouth: "The top is Anne Klein, the bottom is Alex Evenings. Both were purchased at Macy's after long hours of trying on the most atrocious 'Mother of the Bride or Groom' dresses...a sea of pastels with beads, sequins and frou-frou."

And as luck would have it, this mother is out of children to marry off, so both items are on sale - a guerilla shopper exclusive! If any mothers would like to purchase said items, she'll give them a deal!

viv&ingrid stuff

I just lost one of my favorite earrings ever. I got them at Anna on E. 3rd. St. and in less than a week, POOF! Gone. Shit.

Well I found out that it was a viv&ingrid earring and that they still sell the lost earrings online! Yay! In three sizes! Yay! In silver and gold! Yay! For at least twice what I paid for them at Anna. BOO! These aren't even a photo of them, but I thought they were cool looking too.

And did you know that Paul Smith just opened a discount store in Williamsburg where prices are reduced by 30 percent. @80 Grand Street near Havermayer. Closed Monday.

Clinton Kelly's New Book is Freakin' Fabulous.

Literally.

Yes, that Clinton Kelly, the one from "What Not To Wear."

His new book called Freakin' Fabulous teaches you how to dress, speak, behave, eat, drink, entertain, decorate, and generally be better than everyone else and only costs $24.99. And it was designed by my talented friend Jane Archer.

AND! If you purchase Freakin’ Fabulous in October, Clinton will personalize and autograph your book—or books—no matter where you live. Best of all there’s no need to send the actual book! He will sign a “book plate” that you can adhere to the inside front cover of the book. It will look like he signed the book without all the shipping back and forth. That saves jet fuel—and money!

Here’s how to take advantage of this special offer:

1. Send a copy of your receipt (NOT the book) to:

Clinton Kelly

Freakin’ Fabulous

Prince Station

PO BOX 683

New York, NY 10012

2. Include the NAME of the person receiving the book, along with YOUR shipping ADDRESS.

3. Wait by the mailbox for a letter from him.