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Saada

November 19, 2008 at 4:30 PM | 0 Comments

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]

Brooklyn's Dalaga: In Its Prime

November 5, 2008 at 4:45 PM | 0 Comments

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]

Surviving Paris' Rue De Rivoli: What's Worth a Look

October 16, 2008 at 2:29 PM | 0 Comments

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.

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The Sneaker-Restaurant Trend Marches On

October 6, 2008 at 11:00 AM | 1 Comment

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]

Fashionable Travel: Gaultier's Paris

October 2, 2008 at 12:30 PM | 0 Comments

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:

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Shopping Travel: Slave to Fashion in San Francisco

October 1, 2008 at 9:45 AM | 0 Comments

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.

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Secret Sneaker Shopping: The New Speakeasy

September 22, 2008 at 1:05 PM | 0 Comments

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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Fashion Travel: Florence Dominates Pre-Season Runway Shows

June 20, 2008 at 1:00 PM | 0 Comments

Twice a year, the world's best dressed descend on New York, London, Milan and other world couture centers to check out what they can buy--and what we will pick up in knockoff form at H&M. But some rogue organizations are changing the game by assembling "pre-season" shows that give fashionistas an early peek at the fall collections.

Right now, designers like Diane Von Furstenberg, Tarina Tarantino and Yigal Azrouel have their wares on display at the Pitti W_Woman Precollection trade show in Florence.

Just like with spring training, pre-season allows die-hard fashion fans to get a jump on what their favorite designers are planning to unroll--and hey, if a trip to Italy is involved, that's just a bonus.

Related Stories:
· Pitti W_Woman Precollection [Official Site]
· Florence Cashes in on "Pre-Season Fashion Wave [AP, via Yahoo]
· Fashion Travel: YSL Exhibit Cheaper than Ready-to-Wear [Jaunted]

[Photo: charis8803]

Fashion Travel: Celebs say RIP to YSL

June 5, 2008 at 12:02 PM | 0 Comments

Paris' famed Rue Saint-Honore will be a catwalk of condolences today as fashion's elite gather at the Église Saint-Roch to pay tribute to the late Yves Saint Laurent. Christian Lacroix, Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano and Valentino have RSVP'd to the invite-only funeral service along with celeb friends Claudia Schiffer and model-turned-first-lady, Carla Bruni.

Notably absent will be Karl Lagerfeld who is conveniently "away on business," presumably still underlining the errors in Alice Drake's recent joint biography of Lagerfeld and YSL.

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Geeky Philly: Sneaker Shopping on Walnut

February 12, 2008 at 12:48 PM | 0 Comments

Geeky Philly: What to do once you've seen the lightsabers and droids at the Star Wars show.

True, the reason we skipped down to Philly was for Star Wars. But sneaker junkies and sci-fi shows go hand in hand. Just ask Pharrell and Lupe Fiasco.

So we had to stop at Ubiq on Walnut Street. The spot's in a Victorian townhouse that's been refurbished into a spaceship-sleek footwear boutique. Downstairs, limited edition Nikes and house label kicks line the shelves. Upstairs, an entire room is stocked with Vans. Ubiq also has cool accessories and a selection of street-savvy hipster magazines. (And, yep, the staff to match.)

If all that makes it sound like Ubiq is too hip to be geeky, know this: The shop has a blog.

Related Stories:
· Philly for Geeks Map [Jaunted]
· Ubiq Blog [Official Site]

Fashion Week Crashing: A Heartstopping Show

February 1, 2008 at 12:17 PM | 0 Comments

Our very own Lost Girl Amanda is crashing the tents and sent us this up-to-the-second report.

Shame on us for believing that Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is nothing more than a big sparkly circus of superficial air-kissing, over-inflated editoral egos, psudeo-celebrity photo ops and eating disorders on parade.

As we learned this morning, the organizers of Fashion Week are totally all about raising awareness for women's health issues. That's why they graciously permitted the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute to commandeer precious tent space and a prime time catwalking slot to present their The Heart Truth Red Dress Collection Fashion Show.

We managed to nab a decent pair of seats and pretended to look unimpressed by supermodel and "Project Runway" host Heidi Klum as she strutted past us in a custom-made Marc Jacobs shift dress with red and black block panels.

Also walking, among others, were Joss Stone in Max Azaria, Allison Janney in Donna Karan, Ana Ortiz in Badgley Mischka, Ashanti in Tracy Reese, and Cheryl Hines in Catherine Malandrino. Liza Minelli even made an appearance!

Sadly, only Heidi's dress will be making its way around the country in the The Heart Truth Road Show. Unfortunately for the rest of America, she won't be traveling with it.

Related Stories:
· The Heart Truth Red Dress Project [Official Site]
· Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week [Official Site]
· Fashion Week coverage [Jaunted]

Fashion Week Travel: Posh Hits Paris

January 25, 2008 at 9:20 AM | 0 Comments

Who wants to go shopping? Victoria Beckham, Claudia Schiffer and Dita Von Teese peep the looks presented by designer Roland Mouret at Paris' Fall 2008 Fashion Week. Mouret has dressed Scarlett Johansson, Rachel Weisz and Angelina Jolie for runway shows in the past.

American fashionistas, don't fret--New York's Mercedes Benz Fashion Week starts February 1st! The tents will take over Bryant Park like they always do, so be ready to stake out some real estate on Avenue of the Americas if you're looking for your own celeb sighting.

Related Stories:
· Rihanna Models (Not Umbrellas) [Jaunted]
· Model Hunting during Fashion Week [HotelChatter]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Just Jared]