shopping

Have you noticed lately that stores are open one week and closed the following week? Often with nothing left to show but newspaper covered windows. You aren't going crazy! Yes the economy is in the trenches but luckily stores have used this misfortune in a positive way. In a traditional business plan, staying in business for just a few weeks would conclude as a flop. However, many brands are choosing this outcome on purpose. Pop-up stores have become a growing trend in and around New York City. Pop-up stores or stations, showcase merchandise for a limited amount of time to create buzz. Considering the bone-chilling cost of retail space and the state of the economy, this is the perfect solution to desperate landlords and brands. Pop-up stores provide brands with an alternative way to connect with customers without the burden of monthly rent.

Gap has recognized this trend and isn't missing the boat. Now through February 7th, customer's can keep their New Year's resolution at the pop-up store next to the Fifth Avenue flagship store. The pop-up store houses Gap's newest line of activewear. In addition, the space offers sessions, demonstrations, and tips from Crunch personal trainers and instructors. Shoppers can receive free Crunch guest passes or exclusive membership offers with a purchase.

Check out the latest shopping & activewear trends at the Gap Flagship store before next week's newspaper takes over the store front. 

Source: ny.racked.com

eBay

And now for the finale! Everyone knows I am an eBay lover. I’ve been a proud member since 2001 and nearly every fashion favorite in my closet is from eBay—silver tweed Couture Couture winter coat, black patent Furla bag, vintage rhinestone collar, 80s enamel Hermes cuff—the list goes on…and on.  The good news is that I save an average of $200 to $300 off of retail prices when I shop eBay. And I’ve come back to my Mecca this year full force. So to satisfy the multitudes of you people who ask me to share my sellers, here all of my secrets (well, some of them :) )

http://stores.ebay.com/Celebrity-Owned?_rdc=1

• Straight from the wardrobes of some of your favorite TV and film sets. Get the white cashmere shawl Gwyneth wore for ¾ of the price.

http://stores.ebay.com/DOLLFACE-VINTAGE-clothing?_rdc=1

• Actual super cool vintage finds that look modern and well kept at super low prices. Your friends will think Pat Field is hiding in your closet.

http://stores.ebay.com/thepaisleypetunia

• I love J. Crew. So sue me, I’m from Connecticut. But I’m not so jazzed at the fact that their price points now hit the $1000 mark. Thanks to The Paisley Petunia, I can load up on all my J. Crew wish list items for at least $100 below the original retail price. And the merch is literally only a catalogue behind if that.

Now, go forth and save. But don’t you dare look any less cute, people!

Sephora Brand Cosmetics

I allowed a Sephora employee to attack me this weekend. And by attack, I mean move aggressively at my face with a wand covered in some kind of pink glittery substance. Luckily for her, I am a sucker for anything pink, glittery and/or cosmetic. Nameless-Aggressive-Makeup-Lady ended up being my cosmetic savior (if you will). I am now a devoted follower of Sephora Colorful Mono Eyeshadow. It lasts all day (and many of my days are 20 hours at a time) without creasing!!!!! WHAT?! It’s $12 of magic. I am sporting Hawaiian Beach 52 for up to 20 hours of style right now. 

 Endless.com

Whenever my roommate has a date, work event, family holiday, trip to the grocery store, she declares: “I need a new outfit.” I, on the other hand, declare that I need new shoes. We all have our thing (or in my case things…lippies and shoes). If you relate to this, click as fast as you can to Endless.com. EVERYTHING is here from Dolce & Gabbana to Dolce Vita. Free overnight shipping and the best prices around. Trust, I’ve looked.

Old Navy

We ladies always try to present a veneer of perfection. Women don’t sweat, grow hair in any other place beside their eyebrows and top of their head, and certainly don’t pass flatulence. Ahem. Just like we don’t pit out our white shirts. Riiiiight. Well, instead of resupplying at Theory this year, I was pleasantly surprised to find adequately classic, tailored white button downs, henleys and t-shirts at Old Navy. I loaded up and didn’t break the $50 mark. For clothing I replace seasonally, the price is right, Bob Barker.
 

Source: sarajofrieden.com

You can now own a legendary piece of Hollywood glam that nobody else will have. Film Biz Recycling opened PROPS to the public as a means of recycling TV, film and commercial props. PROPS is a not-for-profit boutique and the entire inventory is donated. Most of what you will find is brand new and has been worn or used by celebrities on set. Rare gems include a collection of mirrors, lamps, clothing, jewelry, etc.  VIP status is not needed to shop. Everything in the house of PROPS is negotiable, no price tags included. New pieces are donated and delivered twice a week. At this rate, you can decorate your home or apartment in half the time at half the price.

Location: 43-26 12th St, second floor, Long Island City, Queens.

I’ve been feeling cash poor lately—like most of my countrymen.  And I’ve definitely gotten a lot feistier about my purchases. Luckily, I am quite the savvy spender so I really feel that I haven’t been looking or dressing less cute than the standard I have always held myself to…cute wise.  So I thought I’d share a few of the smarter alternatives I’ve been turning to in these times that try men’s souls. Stay tuned for the next week, friendly readers.

Wet N’ Wild Lipstick in Hot Read

I have been lusting after Nars Semi-Matte Lipstick in Jungle Red for years now. BUT I already have one in Manhunt and cannot justify another $24 spend for such a similar hue. (Have I mentioned I have a lippy addiction?) Thus, Visual Therapy’s resident maven Sarah Davidzuk showed me the way, the truth and the light by recommending Wet N’ Wild’s Lipstick in 519A. It is a movie star pinup, Rita ‘Hay-worthy’ matte red lipstick. And it’s $1.29, people!!!!
 

Source: nyshirt.com

I find myself working out of our scrumptious little LA office every couple of months. What I lose in the time difference between here and New York, I gain back in the sunshine, shopping and plethora of In-N-Out Burgers (about 10 pounds to be specific in this case). And while I like LA a lot, it is certainly a different playing field than New York City.

For one, publicists rather than PR firms rule Los Angeles. We just took a meeting with a young eco-conscious accessories designer who is looking to take her business to the next level. She seemed incredulous when I explained that as her PR firm we would not only develop meaningful stories around her brand, but also help her form strategic brand alliances and secure editorial product placement in fashion magazines and on celebrities. We’re a full service PR firm; it’s what we do. The concept seemed foreign to this young native Californian who admitted that she had never been to the Big Apple. She explained that she had only ever worked with a single publicist before who essentially slotted her in when opportunities came her way. By comparison, I think our team seemed like a pack of hungry bulldogs. Let’s hope in the best way possible.

Another point of difference is the workday structure. In our field, there are an awful lot of after work drinks that happen—and after work usually means 8 or 9 pm EST.  A New Yorker’s working lunch is usually shoveling tossed salad into one’s mouth with one hand as we type with the other and the phone dangles precariously from the crook of one’s neck—chic visual I know. However in LA, the working lunch takes on a whole new meaning. We met a client at Craft in Century City for a “working lunch” and were surrounded by agent and publicist types that seemed to be doing the same. Even more amazingly, we actually got a lot of work done AND I was able to eat an amazing meal of Hawaiian Blue Prawns. Magical.

So while I think it’s great that we bring that good old New York up an' at 'em sensibility to a market that may be lacking a certain degree of gumption, I also think Lala Land can teach us New Yorkers a thing or two about the whole work-life balance.

Source: images.businessweek.com, dailypress.com