Zipcar: Modern Car Rental, sorta, kinda...not really

OK, so I just signed up for Zipcars, making me a full-fledged Zipster. This is harmonious with my life-long style, because I sported red and white Zips (sneakers, remember?) when I was about 5 or 6 years old. I was sure that they made me run faster, and I used to prove my Carl Lewis-like speed by running around the house. I have since learned that this was how my parents and/or babysitter would try to wear me out so that I'd go to bed earlier.

Anyway, a couple of envirionmentally-conscious friends told me that they use Zipcar, so I thought I'd check it out. I don't really drive, and in fact moved to New York City so that I wouldn't have to, but see that from time to time it would be nice to have fast access to a car, if even for a couple of hours.

It depends on what service you sign up for, but I paid a $50 annual fee, a $25 application fee and then prices start at like $10-12 an hour, or $69 per day. Oh and you get free gas. And free milage up to 125 miles. It's basically for quick trips or jaunts in the tri-state area.

Now, I haven't used the service yet, but it sounds pretty cool, so I thought I'd give it a chance. It's like a modern-day car rental for urban dwellers. With cool cars. And one of the Zipcar garages is one block from my apartment. Zip Zip Hooray.

Here's their marketing speak on the matter:

Today, tens of thousands of smiling drivers use Zipcars. In many neighborhoods, Zipcars are as ubiquitous as ATMs. Z2B (business) and personal drivers alike are loving the freedom and cost savings a Zipcar brings to their life - many have even achieved transportation nirvana. That's why over 30% of our customers have either sold their car or have stopped their purchasing decision. The revolution is underway, at least in the minds of members who no longer give a second thought to how they will get where they need to go. With a Zipcard in your pocket, a car is only a wireless signal away. Viva la revolution!

Good Sale at BOC on UWS

From New York Magazine's BEST BETS:

STARTING TODAY
Fashion-hungry Upper West Siders should swing by BOC for Cacharel, Vivienne Westwood, and Nicole Farhi, discounted by 60 to 80 percent (normally $50 to $900). When: 3/29–3/31 (noon–8); 4/1 (noon–6). Where: 491 Columbus Ave., nr. 83rd St. (212-362-5405).

I Got Racked

Racked is a blog about shopping, neighborhood stores and the retail scene of New York City. If they'll take your money, Racked will tell you about it.

So how cool is it that Racked has listed the Guerilla Shopper under their "Clickage: Fashion Set" list of links, along with the Sartorialist, which I have blogged about, as well as about 20 other cool related sites?

If anyone knows how this connection was made, please let me know - I am quite curious. And thank you! It has given me a new burst of motivation...speaking of which, I am working on providing continued bloggery once I work my way out of this hotel in New Jersey.
Don't ask. Just anticipate.

Chi Hair Straightener

The mighty Chi.

My hairdresser (Helik at Dop Dop Salon in Soho) spent months, nay YEARS trying to convince me to buy the Chi hair straightener. But I didn't. Because my hair isn't curly. OK, it's really because I am cheap.

But as I was growing my hair out I realized I could no longer afford NOT to have one of these things. It literally saved my hair-do at its most awkward point, and therefore saved my life by association. I actually bought it at Dop Dop for about $80-$90, which was oddly cheaper than buying it at a drug store or related venue.

Lots o' shopping

I have been running errands and attaching all kinds of shopping opportunities into the mix. Here's the rundown:

1. I quit NYSC (New York Sports Club). It kind of stinks. There's a lot of them, and several in my neighborhood...but just because there are lots of McDonald's around doesn't mean you should eat dinner there every night.

2. I joined Equinox. Yeah, hells yeah, it costs more. But! I got a good deal through my company's corporate rate and therefore escaped paying any initiation fee. It will cost me $118/month and I had to sign a year contract. But, dude, it is SO MUCH NICER. I want to move in. I haven't worked out there much yet, so I can't comment on the class/trainers yet, but I have a feeling it will be better than average. I have a personal training session set up for next week. Will let you know how that goes.

3. So! I had to buy some new work out clothes, obviously. So I went to Paragon Sports, arguably the world's most expensive sporting goods store. But I was in the 'hood, they have lots of stuff, and I did get one thing on sale. Not a great sale, but a sale nevertheless. Everyone always makes fun of my pajama bottoms and huge T-shirts, so I'm trying to mix it up and look MILF-ish (except for the part where I am not a mother).

4. And since I was in the general neighborhood, I had to make my bi-monthly stop in at Club Monaco. I got a skirt for $19 and top for $29...well worth it. That sale section is really something else!

5. I also stopped in at Barnes & Noble, sat on the floor, and read almost an entire book - for free! Now THAT'S a bargain.

Cha cha cha...

Gil Carvalho shoes

I really don't know what else to say, except that somebody needs to buy me a few pairs of these bad boys...Gil Carvalho. He hails from London and I have heard his shoes are sold in New York at Bergdorf's...although I cannot confirm or deny that rumor. Regardless, I don't really care where they are sold because I want somebody to hook a sister up! Neither affordable nor practical, these things are something to be seen.

Les Pants

Pants glorious pants. I picked up this pair at my fave palace de clothing: Les Nanas de Gramercy, specializing in clothes directly from gay Paris.

So, no...these were not on sale. And no, they were not cheap. But yes! They are fun and fab and make me feel like Marilyn Monroe or Madonna in the "Open Your Heart" video or something equally as cheesy and American - maybe even Olivia Newton John in the last few scenes of Grease! Funny how I have to go to Paris to feel quintessentially American.

This horrendous picture does them no favor. But trust me on this one. They were worth thousands of pennies I spent on them.

MyShape: The Perfect Fit?

I got this tip from my West Coast stringer...It comes via Springwise, which scans the globe for the most promising business ventures, ideas and concepts ready for regional or international adaptation, expansion, partnering, investments or cooperation.

On March 20, they posted about MyShape, which started around a kitchen table in September 2004. The idea germinated in response to a problem shared by women of all ages and sizes: finding clothes that both fit well and flatter our body shapes. We all deserve great clothing in wonderful, exquisite textiles and designs that celebrate our body shapes. The idea has transformed into myShape.com, an online retail store created for you. Your store (called myShop) is where you'll find clothing matched to your measurements, your body shape and your preferences.

I'm not sure that I'm really "down" with their list of designers...but read on, might be worth checking out:

Every body is different, and just five or six percent of bodies fit the model that most designers use as their standard. Which is why a women's apparel retailer is using proprietary technology to customize selections to a customer's individual shape. When signing up for their personal myShop, customers enter their measurements and MyShape's patent pending ShapeMatch software determines their body shape. MyShape has defined seven basic body shapes, based on proportions and sizes of waist, shoulders, hips, etc.

The customer is then shown outfits that flatter their shape and fit their body measurements. And, of course, that match their style preferences. MyShape works with 100 designers, most of whom handle shipping.

MyShape launched in September and is targeting professional women who spend more than $1,000 on clothing per year. Related: Zafu, which focuses solely on jeans. Customers enter their measurements and preferences, and Zafu recommends the pairs that are most likely to fit.

Shake Shack Open Today

From the New York Times' Urban Eye...(I'm mostly concerned with Shake Shack...)

DINING
Crab Is a Many-Splendored Thing
By MELENA RYZIK
Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Yes, yes, Shake Shack is open again, and they’ve even got a nifty way to ease the webcam-worthy wait. (You get a beeper to let you know when your order’s ready.) But why wait at all? Head to Pacificana, a new Cantonese palace in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and gorge on pork dumplings, sesame rice balls, clams with scallions, taro cakes and the best congee Peter Meehan ever tasted straight from the dim sum cart. If you’re feeling patient, splurge on the by-the-pound king crab: “a brilliant succession of four dishes,” from an elegant soup to crispy fried legs. “It was an impressive conclusion to a meal at Pacificana, which may have opened only a few months ago, but already feels like an institution,” Mr. Meehan says. Coming soon: the crabcam?

Pacificana, 813 55th Street (Eighth Avenue), Second Floor, Sunset Park, Brooklyn; (718) 871-2880.

RUB BBQ: W. 23rd St.

RUB (as in: Righteous Urban Barbeque) BBQ, is brought to the good people of NYC, and specifically the lucky neighborhood dwellers of Chelsea, by Paul Kirk the "K.C. Baron of BBQ."
Now, I have to admit that I am in no way an expert, or even a novice for that matter, on the ins and outs of BBQ. So I will comment on the restaurant itself before getting into the food.

The space is where the former La Nouvelle Justine was housed in the late 90s - everyone's favorite S&M bar that featured a "Wheel of Fortune" where volunteers would be straped on, spun around and whipped by a dominatrix or two. So right off the bat, you know the place has got to have lots of good karma.

And as you can see from the photo (left side), RUB is rather casual. But with the bar and visible kitchen, it's casual in a good way, like "come on in and eat, drink, b.s. until you feel like leaving." I visited on Sunday for brunch with Brian Perrone, who was recently named the Conquistador of BBQ by...well, by me, but anyway he's that as well as the Chef at Slows BBQ in Detroit (which you should also visit when you take the family on that much needed two-week vacation to...DETROIT?). So we had a grand time avoiding the typical New York City Sunday Brunch Crowd, eating meat and babbling with the staff.

As you can see by the pictured Plate of Meat we noshed on brisket, ham, ribs, chicken and sausage to our hearts cholesterol-filled content. It was certainly high in protein, however the DEEP FRIED OREOS that we subsequently devoured were probably not. Needless to say I didn't eat one single thing for the rest of the day.

I shall return, at least once, as I am now dying for their BLFGT (Bacon, Lettuce, Fried Green Tomato sandwich), which they were out of at the time.