Prabal Garung for Target

I haven't seen this line yet in person, but it came out this weekend to much fanfare. Or at least to much marketing.

I am looking through the items online now and I am not super attracted to any of them.
Are you going to get any?
I hear they are sold out in Manhattan but some pieces are left in Brooklyn.

Here is a report about the status at the Atlantic terminal Target.

These are my picks, I like the prints most.


$34.99 drop waist shirt dress 
Would be a fun beach cover up in the summer


$29.99 Printed skirt with lace bottom
I like the colors and pleating but the lace looks a little underwear-ish to me


$34.99 Lace hard sided clutch
The shape and color reminds me of a shell. Very ladylike. It's 3x6x2 so it should be able to fit your phone and credit cards and cash and lipstick.
 
 $34.99 Rectangle clutch
A more standard shape



 
$29.99 Wedge sandal
The tilt is a good angle, and not too steep. I think these would only work on people with pretty toes and narrow feet because wide feet and bunions or weird toes would look weird with a little safety belt trying to hold them in.


$39.99 Nolita print pump
I love these fun colors! I think this is my favorite piece out of everything.


$39.99 Lace up gladiator pump
Lots going on here. I think you have to have skinny calves to wear these which counts me out, but they would look great on toothpick legs.

 
$12.99 Crystal stud earrings
The crystals are piled together like they just fell that way.

 
$12.99 Silver diamond earrings
These are embedded and cool looking. They also come in black.

Word to the Wise: Kai D. Sample Sale

Men of NYC: Kai D. is a MUST visit!!!

I went today with E and we got a ton of stuff. Seriously. It felt like a ton. I had to carry it all home by myself.

Anyway, Kai D. is a Korean designer whose Chelsea shop is moving to Williamsburg.
Before the move, they are lightening their load of merch and we get awesome deals.

When I was there, Kai himself came out to talk to me and tell me about his clothes.
They are all so impeccably made, with cool linings and details.
He said that they are going to narrow the focus of the line and concentrate more on shirts, jackets, and ties.

That means this might be the last chance to get his super soft tee shirts and fine wool pants.

Here is Racked's info on it:

Deal: Deep discounts on men's clothing. Tees are $5 and $10, design archive samples and dress shirts are up to $20, work shirts are $20 to $30, knit shirts are $20, and jackets are $50 to $75. There will also be two bins of miscellaneous garments that are free.

When/Where: Wednesday, February 6 through Friday, February 22. Mon—Fri 9am—6pm, Sat—Sun 12pm—5pm. 161 W. 22nd St between Sixth and Seventh Aves. Ring buzzer for ThinCtank 3F to be let in (646-861-2878)

Here were the prices at the sale:

$30 button down shirts
$20 knits
$10 tees
$50 blazers
$75 short coats
$150 long coats

Some of the items which are full price on the website right now are marked down at the sample sale.

I saw these:


Kai D. Crombie coat was $495, sale $150


 
Kai D. New Bond St coat was $250, sale $75




Kai D. Euston jacket was $205, sale $50
E got this one! He loves the plaid and the asymmetric pockets and the leather elbow patches.



Kai D, Utility shirt was $255, sale $30


Kai D. Morris work shirt was $155, sale $30



Kai D. Lawrence fine wool cardigan was $105, sale $20
I almost bought this for myself, but the sleeves were just a little too long.

They were also selling vintage pieces that they use as inspiration like an old military canvas coat and a vintage Schott leather jacket ($50!), as well as some tees and button downs.

GET YOUR BUTT OVER THERE!!

Valentines Day from the Drugstore and Supermarket

OH CRAP! It's valentine's day.
Did you prepare?
Me neither.

The best thing to do at this point is give up on reservations and fancy gifts and get a plan in place.
On your way home tonight, you will make one or two stops at the grocery store and at the drug store.

Dinner
SUPERMARKET:
A special dinner doesn't have to be out. Make a picnic on your floor with a fancy cheese plate.

Here is what you need:
3 cheeses (one soft like goat or brie, one medium like cheddar or gouda, and one hard like gruyere or parmesan or asiago)
2 kinds of crackers (a table water cracker like Carrs and a more substantial one with seeds or nuts in it)
Dried fruit like apricots, dates, cranberries
Nuts like almonds or walnuts or pistachios

Arrange these all on the biggest plate you have, or a wooden cutting board and you will be good to go.

Now on to the Gifts:
Go to the drug store.
1. DO NOT BUY the heart shaped box of chocolates. They are cheap and gross.


NOOOOO!

2. DO NOT BUY the stupid teddy bear. It is tacky and thoughtless.

DON'T DO IT !

3. DO BUY a card and make sure it isn't for a grandparent or a christening.

4. DO BUY your date's favorite candy bar. Actually, buy 5. This is way more thoughtful than a red box of shitty chocolates they won't like.


If you don't know their favorite, buy a sampler of your favorites. Worst case scenario, they won't like one and you get to eat it. Score!

5. DO BUY a spool of red ribbon and wrap those candy bars up together.

6. DO BUY a pretty lotion or lipstick or nail polish if she likes makeup. Or shaving cream in a nice bottle if he shaves. Make sure you DO NOT BUY anything like acne lotion. Even if he or she is a total pizza-face. It's not the time to suggest self-improvements.


7. That's it!
Now you have a cute picnic and a nice little gift and card.

GOOD PLANNING
see you next year.

Word to the Wise: Mai Cashmere sample sale

Mai Cashmere is having a sample sale and it would be a great place to go for a last-minute Valentine's day gift for a nice lady in your life or for yourself.

Sample Sally has the score:

You’ll find deals on women’s spring cashmere, cotton, linen, scarves and more… The label’s signature scarves (cashmere, linen blends) will start at $35 for actual samples and $65 for stock.  Basic cotton and linen knitwear pieces will be $20 as will  short-sleeved cashmere tops. Long-sleeved cashmere basics will be tagged at $30, cardigans are at $50.  Plus, the $10 bins will return with past season and irregular items.

 Here is an example of the long sleeved cashmere basics that will be $30:

$30 Wide V neck long sleeved cashmere top (originally $355)

 
These pants would be my pick if I saw them:

 
$385 Cashmere Yoga Pants

Or maybe this dress:


 $495 Cashmere V neck sweater dress

Or this robe:
 
$1,850 Shawl collar robe

Ahhh I love cashmere so much. I want to just live in silk and cashmere.

Mai Cashmere Showroom
49 West 38^th Street (b/w 6^th & 5^th Aves), Floor 12A 
Feb 12-14 (11am-6pm).

I went to the Limited sample sale and all I got was... Ok I got a bunch

Remember that Limited Sample Sale last week?
Well this one was not as enormous as in the past and even though I got there around lunchtime on the first day, things were mostly gone!

And, like I predicted in that post, I had to battle it out with a bunch of middle aged Asian ladies for the remainders.

In sales past, as I call them "the glory days," there were tops and dresses and pants and skirts galore. Mostly in size 6 and 8. It was amazing. There were even some wedding dresses!
And tons of work staples.

This time, I mostly saw Eloquii stuff (their plus size label) and lots of damaged pieces.

I hung around the bins, waiting for cast-offs from the ladies deciding what they were not going to take.
It did pay off, I snagged a few fun pieces, but I had to toss back most for being cut/damaged.

Here is what I ended up with all folded on my bed

From left to right:
-white lace dress $5
-gold and brown drapey sweater $5
-light blue skinny jeans $5
-red velvet wide leg pants $5
-cobalt blue work pants $5
-orange printed maxi dress $5

And some things for my sister:
-white lacey 3/4 sleeve top $5
-dark skinny jeans with orange racing stripe $5
-black jumpsuit $5
-striped blue and white tee $5
-black sequin tee $5

Total $55
Not bad!

DIY Sitting and Standing Desk

 Materials: 2x Lack Wall Shelf (191cm), 2x Expedit Shelving Units (2x2) , 1x Expedit Desk, 6x Lack Shelf (26cm)

I saw this great post on Ikea Hackers and thought you guys would want to see it.

Standing desks are the new hot thing, but it's hard to justify spending a thousand dollars replacing your current desk just to see if you like it.
The benefits of standing desks are that they're supposed to help you feel more energized, burn more calories, prevent heart disease, and generally be better than sitting in one position all day.

But you can't stand the whole time. Your feet get tired and you need a rest.
Or you are concentrating really hard and need to sit.

So most people with standing desks also have a table or a chair or somewhere they can sit for a while during the day.

Right now, there are a bunch of adjustable desks on the market that you can raise and lower, but as easy and light as they make it, I would not want to do that. I like things in their places and I would probably forget to adjust it ever.

I'd be much happier with a dual sitting and standing desk, but I don't see many on the market.

Luckily I work from home where I have a bar height counter I can stand at, and my regular desk to sit at, but I bet I'd switch more often if they were right next to each other and convenient.

That's why this Ikea hack really appealed to me.
You get both desks, right next to each other, and it looks like one unit instead of two shoved together.

Read the original poster's take on it here.

Stimulating hair wash

Ok so this stimulating hair wash recipe comes from a Victorian beauty quiz (which I knew way too many answers to for some reason, btw).

It is a hair rinse, but I'd also probably drink it.
Is that the point? Was it a "hair rinse?" wink wink nudge nudge slash excuse for women to get drunk?

Who knows.

One recipe for stimulating hair wash: A handful each of rosemary leaves and box (eucalyptus) leaves, boiled in a quart of water until it becomes a pint; strain, and, when cold, add a gill (4 oz.) of rum. Pour into bottles and cork them down.

Where can I get some eucalyptus to try this out?

I already have rosemary from the food coop.

Word to the wise: Limited $5 sample sale is back! Feb 7-8

LIMITED  STORES  SAMPLE  SALE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7TH

9AM – 7 PM

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH

9AM – 4PM

400 LAFAYETTE STREET

(AT EAST 4^TH STREET)

3^RD FLOOR

PICTURE I.D.REQUIRED

TO ENTER BUILDING

CHECKS OR CASH ONLY

 

As you might remember, this sale is awesome and always super packed.
You will have to wait on line behind a lot of Chinese women (I have no idea why they love this sale in particular but it's like 96% Chinese women who go), but the wait will be worth it.
Because you can get your whole new wardrobe for the next year there for $100.

Some things I buy at the sale I don't end up wearing a ton, like a blue scuba-inspired dress, but others I wear all the time, like the 4 pencil skirts in different fabrics that were an awesome choice. It all evens out I think. Plus I got my sister some fun colored jeans at the last one.

There are clothes and some shoes and bags, but I think the dresses, pants and tops are the best offerings.

Last time I was there, I even saw wedding dresses, which was kind of crazy.

Also they have some samples from other designers that I guess they are taking inspiration from? Or something? I got a Massimo Dutti floral dress last time which was a great find.

Good luck!

Urban Outfitters Apartment section Sale surfing

$7.99 Hippo toothbrush holder (was $12)
A great accessory for a kids bathroom (or my bathroom) and much cuter than a random metal thing from Target.



$39.99 Zig Zag duvet cover (was $89)
This is a very on-trend look now. And in 8 years when chevrons are dated, you can get a new one knowing you only spent 40 bucks on it.
The review says it is not soft, but since it is 100% cotton, it should soften up with a few washings.



$1.99 Spider Byte cord holder (was $8)
 You unscrew its body and wind your cord around it, then pop the top back on to keep everything from getting tangled. $2 is the right amount to pay for this.



$5.99 Disco ball ear buds (was $12)
Party in your ears! I wonder if they only play disco music.



$14.99 Geometric rug (was $59)
I contend that Urban Outfitters has the best cheap rugs you can find. I have one I really like from there and the patterns and prices are continually surprisingly good.
This one is 3' x 5'.


OK this one isn't on sale but I like it:

$24 Functional Art Bunny
Why didn't they call this "Money Bunny"?!
That is clearly the best name for a piggy bank in the shape of a rabbit. Duh
I want this!

Dolce Vita Flat black leather riding boots for $80

If you are on the hunt for reasonably priced flat black leather riding boots (and let's face it, who isn't?), these are for you.

They are on sale for $80 and are currently available in sizes: 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9.5, 10.

My flat black boots from Lands End are good but a little tight on the calf. I am tempted to get these and see if they fit better.
Maybe I should just try to bring my existing boots to the dude to have them stretched though.
Sigh.

Anyway, these are a steal at this price, so get them:


$79.95 Dolce Vita Banded riding boots (was $299)

Casual white dresses from ASOS

Right now at ASOS there are a ton of cute casual white dresses.
They make me think of Spring and look forward to warmer weather and fresh green grass.

These would be great weekend or party dresses, or even a casual wedding dress to change into for the reception.



$73.67 Ginger Fizz Lace dress with insert



$55 A Wear sweetheart neckline dress


$32 River Island lace midi dress with 3/4 sleeves



$66 Asos spot lace skater dress with sleeves


$66 Asos Tulip dress with lace top



$63 Asos diamond back midi dress




$50 Gestuz banded evening dress



$21 Asos embellished strapless skater dress




$44 Revive silk and mesh dress



$22 Asos lace and mesh skater dress



$18 Asos Swing dress with drape lace back



$21 Asos high low lace top dress

Shoe sale surfing at Anthropologie

Anthro has some great booties and shoes now on sale, and I am having to remind myself not to buy any.

Maybe you can buy them instead and then they will be sold out and I won't be tempted anymore:

$99.95 Cable knit booties
I tried these on and they were sooo comfortable. I love that they pull on and you don't have to mess with zippers or anything. They would be great to travel in, too because of the low heel, the neutral color, and the slip on-ability.



$49.95 Bow back booties (was $178)
On the back, behind the bow is a glittery gold heel. Jazzes it up!



$49.95 Petal scalloped pumps (was $178)
Cool design with the cutouts, and a sturdy wood block heel



$39.95 Morna bow pumps (was $168)
These would look great with a pencil skirt for the office.



$79.99 Two tone ankle boots (was $150)
These are great every day boots under pants, over leggings, whatever. You don't notice the two tones at first, but then the heel is kind of a fun surprise as you walk by.



$119.95 Champagne heeled loafers (was $168)
These are cuter on than in this picture, and would look great with skinny jeans

Two slouchy cashmere sweaters on sale

I want these!!!




$125.40 Inhabit weekend pullover sweater (was $418)
This has an asymmetric hem in the front and back and looks relaxed and soft.
Best worn at home because probably everyone would want to come up and hug you all the time if they saw you in something cozy like this.



$109.60 Inhabit cashmere cardigan with leather belt (was $548)
I don't think the belt goes well with this, but you can just take it off and wear it with another outfit.
This would be the sweater that your family fights over borrowing.

Anyone want to buy me some fancy loungewear?
I deserve it. I promise.

Word to the Wise: Kiki de Montparnasse sample sale

The Kiki de Montparnasse sample sale offers deals of up to 70% off its naughty and not-so-naughty underthings.  Where/When:  79 Greene St (b/t Spring & Broome Sts), NY, NY; (212-965-8150), Thru Jan 27, 2013; Thurs-Sat (11am-8pm), Sun (11am-5pm)


Kiki de Montparnasse is a lingerie store that has all sorts of crazy things, and now they are on sale. When impractical becomes cheap, it gets a little more fun.
The bras usually run about $300 so 70% off would be about $90 which is slightly more reasonable.

If I'm in the city this weekend, I might check it out.