As Thanksgiving inches ever closer, we are immediately reminded of all the holiday shopping we have yet to tackle--and the budget we are lacking to tackle it with! Not to worry, we're back with this week's recession shopping stop in NYC: Saada, perched cutely on the corner of Second Avenue and 61st Street.

Saada means "happiness" in Arabic, and we have to admit that we feel pretty damn good after shopping here. There's almost always something fun in the window, and the store features tons of stuff for the best girlfriend/sister/co-worker in your life. One of the best parts about Saada is its reasonable prices: Rarely are items over $100 and they often have little-known designer sample sales and will sometimes slash prices if you ask... (You didn't hear it from us!)

Recently we scored two long sweaters, leggings, an offbeat necklace and bag for under $200. If you want to splurge, Saada also carries high-end lines like Sass & Bide, True Religion and Mackage. The two tables in front are usually covered with the items selling out the quickest, so be sure to triple check there before moving to the long racks down the wall.

The shop's salespeople are also very friendly and honest about sizes and fits. We just bought a long skinny sweater which we had an inkling would be snug and Saada called us back in a day to tell us the larger size was in and we could exchange it, no questions asked. That spells true recession retail happiness to us in any language.

Related Stories:
· Saada [NYM]
· Shopping coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Google Maps]]]> sedona 2008-11-19T16:30:16-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/11/4/22834/5733

Once the weather turns chillier, we inevitably turn from our closets in despair: Where did all the cool clothes we bought last winter disappear to? Hm. Time for some seasonal shopping, although this year's budget is, um, a little bit tighter than last year's. So we're delighted to offer you some Recession Shopping spots to check out worldwide.

If you're sick of shopping for new fall and winter clothes in giant department stores or chains with canned-response sales clerks who tell you everything looks good on you, take a break from them all and head to Greenpoint in Brooklyn to the mecca that is Dalaga. Located "on the sunny side of Franklin Street" Dalaga is what we imagined mom and pop shops were like decades ago.

The staff is friendly, honest and actually helpful. The lighting is just right and the interior, assembled with bits of a Victorian bedroom set found by the owner and friends in the neighborhood, makes you feel as though you've stumbled on an amazing closet of finds. Opened in 2006 by designer Michelle Mangilian, "Dalaga" is a Tagalog word that Michelle interprets as "quintessential woman in her prime." Guys, don't feel left out, there's awesome men's clothing too.

And the racks of clothes? Excellent both in style and in price. We found a very cool Sherlock Holmes-y style fall cape for under $100. Dalaga seems to have something for every day too, from formal dresses and suits, to more casual sweaters, boots, hats and fun tights. The best part? We were eager to step out of the dressing room each time because the staff straight up told us what worked and what didn't. We never felt like they were just trying to make a sale. Dalaga's open from noon-9, Tuesday-Sunday.

Related Stories:
· Dalaga [Official Site]
· Shopping Travel coverage [Jaunted]]]> sedona 2008-11-05T16:45:08-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/10/16/134047/94

Yesterday, we told you that Rue de Rivoli was a tourist trap, what with the Mona Lisa condoms and other schlock, but the street does have a few things worth peeking into.

For starters, there's the cool as ice Hotel Le Meurice which has a restaurant and a sexy bar designed by Philippe Starck. There's also the Westin Paris which might seem too "American" but it did host some Paris Fashion Week events earlier this month.

Yet those who are unabashedly missing the States or Great Britain can pop into a McDonald's which has a special emporter entrance, like a drive-through for pedestrians. Additionally, there's a H.W. Smith English book store which celebrates Fashion Week by standing mannequinns on book stacks decked in the latest gear--this may have been the giddiest we got all trip.]]> juliana 2008-10-16T14:29:30-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/10/6/94424/6027

Two is a trend when it's this random. What's up with faux-restaurant sneaker shops? First, Philly starts selling sneakers from an undercover Chinese joint, and now New York's latest sneaker shop is disguised as a soul food counter.

At SoleFood NYC, you can check out rare Nikes or bring in your own sneaks to be customized by local graffiti artists. The sneakers are stored in deli-style display cases, and you can try them on while hanging out at diner-style booths.

SoleFood NYC does one-up the Philly joint: On Sundays, they even operate as a bit of a real restaurant, too. You can take your new kicks home along with a takeout container full of collard greens, candied yams, and other soul food goodies.

Related Stories:
· SoleFood NYC [Official Site]
· Secret Sneaker Shopping: The New Speakeasy [Jaunted]
· Sneakers coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Jonathan Sloan]]]> BS 2008-10-06T11:00:40-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/9/30/10368/0436

This week in Paris, women bearing little resemblance to, uh, women have been strapping on their heels and climbing onto long elevated platforms as top designers unveil their spring 2009 collections at Paris Fashion Week.

Earlier this week, an amalgam of actresses and singers took front from at Christian Dior's Ready to Wear show. The group included one-hit wonders Lily Allen and Katy Perry and Marilyn Manson's ex.

The International Herald Tribune's Henry Alford used his time in Paris a bit more wisely, skipping out on some of the shows to let Jean-Paul Gaultier guide him through his favorite Parisian haunts. Check out a summarized version of what the guy who invented Madonna's cone bra considers Paris' crème de la crème:]]> ced138 2008-10-02T12:30:37-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/9/30/215055/317

It's always a perk to visit a city and have a close friend to show you the best spots to shop. You know, nowhere near the mega-chains, but full of local flavor and artistry. The result is usually a new closetful of pieces (and an empty wallet) that beg the question 'Where did you get that?' and the satisfaction of knowing your look can't be replicated by anyone back home.]]> sedona 2008-10-01T09:45:37-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/9/21/145450/185

We've heard plenty about secret bars hidden behind restaurants and down dark alleys, but secret sneaker shops has got to be a new one.

That's the case with Abakus Takeout, a new footwear mecca in Philadelphia's Chinatown that comes complete with an imitation Chinese takeout joint atmosphere.

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