When we're looking for quirky, unique stuff for our teeny apartment, we could drop mega-bucks at Anthropologie, or we could take an amazing trip to London instead and hit up some of the city's best, secret housewares spots.]]>
When we're looking for quirky, unique stuff for our teeny apartment, we could drop mega-bucks at Anthropologie, or we could take an amazing trip to London instead and hit up some of the city's best, secret housewares spots.]]>
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]]]>
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.]]>
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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Setting foot into J. Crew's new Tribeca Mens Shop, you might feel like you just walked into a Wes Anderson movie. Housed in the former Liquor Bar space, the store does the preppy, Americana, boarding school style to a tee.
Mixing fantasy and reality, shopping and hanging out, the store envelops shoppers in a secret world of club ties, loafers and booze. The store is J. Crew's first men's only location, and mixes J. Crew products and a selection of partner items. Store designer Andy Spade was inspired by the White Horse Tavern in New York City's West Village and kept as much of the bar vibe as possible. You can even pour yourself a drink while browsing.
The Mens Shop opens this weekend. Future plans include seminars on wine, chess and figure drawing based on Andy Spade's forthcoming book What a Man Should Know.
Related Stories:
· Back to School [men.style.com]
· Now Serving: The J. Crew Mens Shop [ACL]
· Guide to NYC Shopping for Brits [Jaunted]]]>
There aren't many lot of street vendors in New York that we can really get excited about, as they're usually split down the middle between knockoff handbag peddlers and bootleg DVD sellers. Where's the design conscious person supposed to shop on the streets of New York?
Head across the East River to Williamsburg, and you'll find the fantastic Airstream Books. The sidewalk shop specializes in architecture, design, fashion books and, yes, vintage porn. The furniture selection is amazing as well. Good looking modern chairs, desks, couches and shelving are arranged in a sidewalk showroom--weather permitting of course.
The "store" is open weekends and evenings, and some furniture is also listed on Craigslist during the week. If you want to view the full collection of available furniture, the owner will also open up a 1,000-foot warehouse by appointment only.
Related Stories:
· Airstream Books [Official Site]
· Airstream Books (and Furniture Too!) [Apartment Therapy]
· Shopping in Brooklyn Map [Jaunted]
· Brooklyn Travel coverage [Jaunted]]]>
Any Italy travel guide will advise you not to linger in the dodgier section of Naples near the Napoli Centrale train station. But we decided to ignore that suggestion, and after last night's stroll through the littered area, we did find some redeeming qualities. Like Carmine's fireworks bazaar in Piazza Mercato, your one-stop-shop for pyrotechnics and... kiddie tricycles?]]>