(W)Hole Foods

It may be a crime, particularly for someone who lives in NYC, but I had never stepped foot in a Whole Foods until yesterday. And now I'm not sure that I ever will again. Well, not in the Time Warner Center on a Sunday, anyway.

Yes, yes they have great, fun, organic and impressive foods. A sit-down sushi bar. The works. It is a marketing wonder and obviously a place to see and be seen. However, it is amazingly expensive and crowded. To the point of inertia. Stores like this are the reason why I don't go to malls. And the reason why I left New Jersey when I had my first chance. But now with the mallification of NYC, I suppose I shall have to suck it up or use Fresh Direct with increasing frequency (I wonder...do they deliver to my current new address?).

Anyway, I actually picked a few things up and then ended up putting them back and leaving. I went to Morton Williams supermarket a few blocks away. Much tamer, less expensive. But kind of depressing after the rock show I had just endured. Apparently I need my own personal food shopper...and chef...

Puma at Lady Foot Locker

OK, so I may literally had to have a fire lit under me to get me to buy a new gym/boxing bag (have I mentioned that I have been boxing for 9 years?).

Yesterday, before I got my hair colored by the fabulous Helik at Dop Dop Salon in Soho, I stopped in the nearby Lady Foot Locker (a store that I don't believe I have ever stepped foot in before) to utilize one of the gift cards that the old school crew gave me to cheer me up and help me buy emergency replacement items.

I picked up the stately black-and-gold Puma bag (poorly) depicted in the camera phone photo you see here. I also bought a purple MasterLock today at Paragon Sports so my whole current gym vibe is leaning towards "royal." And I am feeling like a queen in my new digs, so it all makes perfect sense.

The Guerilla House

I wanted to let everyone know that I have gotten a new, incredible, temporary home for an excellent price. I won't say exactly where, but let's just say it's a great neighborhood with a HUGE front yard. Then when that fun opportunity comes to a conclusion, I have another great set up waiting for me for the summer.

So hopefully I shall soon be back in real shopping mode, especially because I just took inventory of what clothing I managed to save and buy during the last 2 weeks: 19 tank tops from Old Navy and two pairs of work-appropriate pants isn't going to work well for the next 6 months...

Graffiti Guerilla

My graffiti artist friend Greg Jerome was part of an art show in Chelsea this past weekend, and I thought it was more than appropriate and perhaps not coincidental that his main piece was that of a gorilla head. A suitable mascot during this time of life...

Guerilla's Hell

I say this with a laughing tone, I swear, because what else can I do? But I was unexpectedly called into my apartment today because all of my stuff was being carted out by a cleaning/warehousing service. Basically my version of hell - people going through my things and packing them away to be stored for an undetermined length of time in New Jersey. So I grabbed some key makeup and shoes and finally relented, "sigh...take the rest away..."

I am sure for the next 2-6 months I will be in a state of confusion.

So in an effort to alleviate this agg and help make me a happy gorilla, my oldest and dearest friends gave me gift cards from DSW, H&M and Lady Foot Locker. I am also looking at a couple of temp. apartments this week, and may end up living in places far better than the one I have temporarily left behind!

This is all too funny and I am actually enjoying the "unknown" at this stage, because I figure it shall lead me to something better. Particularly some new and better clothes, shoes, makeup and furniture.

Stay tuned. I HAVE to!

Earnest Sewn Sale (denim)

From today's New York Times' "Urban Eye" - it almost seems like this should be kept secret! And in other news, the GS continues to search for temporary furnished month-to-month housing. Don't be shy, let me know if you hear of anything available!

SHOPPING
Sit on Your Principles
Our long weekend of short pants was a treat, but don’t get too comfortable: cooler temperatures are on the way, so take a moment to evaluate your denim collection. Those who like designer quality but not designer logos should head to the sample sale at the hipster denim label Earnest Sewn, about which Alex Kuczynski says, “there are no expensive jeans better.” Regular prices often top $200, but here everything is $22 to $75, including sweater vests for men and women ($60) and jeans for the little ones ($55).
Today and tomorrow, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Earnest Sewn, 829 Washington Street (Gansevoort Street), West Village, (212) 242-3414.

Exclusive Mother's Day Jewelry Discount!

Just in time for Mother's Day (Sunday, May 13), Dori O'Dea (jewerly designer) and Guerilla Shopper (me) are offering a 20% discount on Ike Designs - the exquisite jewelry meticulously hand crafted by Dori herself. She has created intricate necklaces and earrings using beautifully colored gems that will thrill any mother in your life including -- but not limited to -- your: mother, wife, sister, daughter, niece, cousin, mistress, girlfriend, acupuncturist, beer wench...

Visit http://www.ikedesigns.net/catalog.html to peruse Dori's inventory and make your selections. To receive your 20% discount on online orders made between today and Tuesday, May 8, follow these steps:

1. Place your order online - http://www.ikedesigns.net/catalog.html

2. Then, send an email to dori@ikedesigns.com with "Guerilla Shopper" in the subject line and your order number in the body.

3. Dori will then discount the charge when she processes the card (it won't show at checkout, but will be reflected in the receipt she emails back to you as confirmation upon Credit Card Authorization).

4. Alternatively, there is a space for comments on the cart page, where you can write "Guerilla Shopper" and get the 20% discount, as per step #3., above.

Also, on Saturday, May 5, stop by Actorcrafts at 332 W. 43rd St. where Dori will be selling her good works at half the Web site price to promote a great cause and a great day. The show benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Dori offers her whole collection at half of its retail price on that day only (no combination with any other discounts). In addition, other great artists will be there selling their creations thereby making Mother's Day shopping a snap!

Be nice to the mothers,

Ike & Guerilla Shopper
. . .

About Ike Designs

Pictured above: Antiqued silver filigree earrings with faceted quartz briolet and ivory freshwater pearls.

Dori also works in gold and other gems - labradorite, pearl, solmonite, smokey quartz, rose quartz, quartz, goldstone, hematite, calcite, andalusite, malachite, jade, sapphire, diamond, and whatever else she can get her hands on! Dori's online collection includes necklaces and earrings, but she also does bracelets and is developing a line of rings. Dori does custom work and specializes in bridal parties, with all kinds of budgets.

About Guerilla Shopper NYC

Launched in October 2006, the Guerilla Shopper is your feet on the street in New York, telling you where to get great stuff at a good deal. Follow her as she treks through the stores of New York (and upstate, New Jersey and online) on your behalf...relaying sample sales, interesting shopping tidbits, retail warnings, restaurant recommendations and more. Listed on and quoted by other reputable shopping Web sites including Racked and A Girl Must Shop, the Guerilla Shopper is helping the non-socialite set to own tons of great stuff while having fun and not breaking the bank.

Men's Undies

Thank goodness for my dedicated stringers who continue to feed me bits and pieces while I try to piece my life back together. This came to me this morning and seems like a worthwhile read:

Did I dream this or did you or your blog say that you are going to dabble in writing about men's wear? Well here is an interesting article about men's underwear - although not sure if it fits within the guerilla scope.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/19/fashion/19UNDERWEAR.html?em&ex=1177214400&en=75922f4b1a68469e&ei=5087%0A

In the meantime the Guerilla's dishes (from Target.com) and glasses (from my aunt) have been carted out to be cleaned and stored until I am allowed to return to my beloved apartment. Still unclear as to when that will be, but I visit her almost every day. And did I mention what a phenomenal group of people live in my building? I will have to write something separate and more detailed later, but seriously...I Love New York!

Old Clothes, New Clothes 1-2-3

Hi all. Whew! My post-apartment-fire life is in turmoil of unknown outcome and I am trying to get everything back in order. It is certainly not boring.

On Wednesday two fine gents from Fabric Renewal in Bloomingdale, NJ came in and took all of my precious beloved clothing (as well as rugs, bedding, curtains, pillows, etc.) to be Ozone treated and then cleaned. They were confident that all could be saved! Phew - my biggest concern alleviated. Seriously, nobody wants to see a gorilla have a nervous breakdown. I am expecting a delivery of my "emergency clothes" today at my temporary living quarters. Let's be hopeful!

In the meantime I have managed to stay somewhat fashionable because I decided if I wasn't at least happy with what I looked like in public, I really would have nothing at this point! My sad camera phone photo shows my new striped tank top and hot pink silk cardigan. Happy...with a bit of 80s rock 'n' roll thrown in. I guess I have to thank H&M for this, even though I haven't spoken so well of them in the past. They definitely hooked me up on a budget in a crunch!

I am now working on finding furnished living quarters for a month, or two...or possibly up to six! These furnished apartment deals are NOT CHEAP. Any ideas? Send them my way!

Next project: clean/save/chuck all housewares, electronics and furniture. Magic 8-ball says: "ask again later..."