Danielle Guercio

Imagine a world where you can find a monogrammed delight in every letter in the alphabet.  That world opened in SoHo in 2011 to an eager shopping public, and this week you can experience it on sale!

C. Wonder Sample Sale is locked, loaded, and ready for you to bust down the doors and scoop up some goodies.  Though priced lower than normal retail, the items aren’t terribly cheap, but neither is the quality.  From children’s toys to dog collars and handbags, this was a variety sale.

The entire left side of the store was stocked with women’s clothing, mostly shirts and sweaters, and plenty of it was the very on trend sheer polyester print.  These shirts were $40 and came in many prints, such as leopard, polka dot, and solid color.  Striped blouses, cable knit sweaters, and faux fur vests mingled with floral print and camo jeans for $45.  Vests and sweaters were a bit more, but if you are a fan scooping these up is smart at $80 for faux fur or cashmere.

Housewares were definitely the star of this sale, with monogrammed goods in many varieties, as well as tasteful vintage inspired items such as decorative drink trays, teapots, wine openers, trivets, pillow coverings, and even tech accessories.  Monogrammed plates and pillows in many different color schemes were unique to each letter.  Every letter was accounted for, with love for even the lonely letters X and Z.  Large plates, monogrammed storage boxes, decorative sculptures, and stationary can all be found in the long central aisles.

Towards the back, shoes, handbags, and belts were all the talk as people scanned the rows of loafers, flats, and boots.  Shoes were decently priced from $65 to $80, and there seemed to be many styles stocked.  Leather and vinyl totes were piled high as were smaller saddle type bags with decorative gold animal amulets.

Jewelry was a smaller area, costume type stuff, but sunglasses and regular glasses frames were actually adorable and decently priced at $45.  As usual with 260, checkout is a breeze and you even get a shopping bag to go.

C.Wonder is a great place to pop into if you need a gift for nearly anyone for any reason.  October may be a bit early to attract the ire of the ghosts of Christmas past, but getting a few discount gifts in October never hurt anyone!  Grab a plate or 20 and serve up a beautiful meal tonight for those close to you, you can even give them their own initialed plates.

WHEN: 10/14 – 10/19; Tue (9-8), W (9-7), Th-Sat (10-7), Sun (10-5)

WHERE: 260 Fifth Avenue
between 28th and 29th Streets
New York, NY 10001
212.725.5400
N/R/6 Trains to 28th Street

By Danielle Guercio

Lord & Taylor decided to take advantage of the hullabaloo that is New York Fashion Week and coordinate their new shoe salon opening.  This was a big and shiny affair, with DJ’s designers, bartenders, and an array of New York’s stylish.

Lord & Taylor knew just when to pop the cork with this one, the fall styles are overflowing.  Fifth Avenue is a shopping mecca for tourists and locals alike, and every noteworthy department store has some form of representation on this street.  Lord & Taylor was one of the first department stores in New York City, so it is fitting that they would make such an entrance.

Dance music, mixologist cocktails and a fashionable scene were all at hand to witness the new look of the store’s 5th avenue and 38th street store.  Shoes upon shoes upon shoes filled tables, shelves and all manner of displays.  Designs from Ivanka Trump, Vince Camuto, Steve Madden, Michael Kors, Frye, Hunter, Converse, Sam Edelman and loads more!  A huge portion of this floor in the store was mapped out with the path to all of your new favorite shoes.

The atmosphere was great for a little buttered up shopping.  Nothing gets people to buy more stuff during a sale than alcohol.  Champagne flutes and heels clicked while girls went gaga over the selection of boots.  Fall is around the corner and you don’t want to get caught in the first cold rain with your sandals on.

The most important part of this new shoe wing, Shoe Obsession, is the color selection.  All important colors are present, and trending styles such as pony, camo, and red and olive suede.  Hunter boots in the most colors we have seen yet were a distraction.  Having good wellies is a survival must in this city.  Converse and Sam Edelman slides tempted right at the escalator.  Stiletto anklets from Michael Kors in camouflage pony were a hot item, as were Coach tan knee high boots.

Lord & Taylor knows fashion, and shopping at one of New York’s original department stores is so simple when it is right in the heart of midtown and surrounded by glitz and glamor.  Snag a great pair of fallsies for under 200 dollars, there are so many great styles to choose from!

Lord & Taylor
424 5th Avenue
(between 38th and 39th Streets)
Shoe Floor
New York, NY 10018

By Danielle Guercio

This fashion week, people from all walks of life and with all tiers of access are zipping around this fair city to set their eyes on the most important stage of the year, the Spring/Summer ’15 New York Fashion Week.

New York is arguably the most important city in the world when it comes to fashion, and getting your show noticed can be hard. One way to ensure standing out is to have a presentation in SoHo, where there are far less gawkers and stalkers to crowd the area and a larger percentage of guests are media. Cynthia Rowley’s presentation launched her take on activewear. Cynthia Rowley came to NYC direct from Chicago where she attended school, and was lucky to be selling collections out of the gate.

Activewear and comfort forward fashions have always been important to this designer, as leggings and wetsuits have always had their place in Cynthia’s collections. Widely known also for the iconic first few Target collaborations, Cynthia Rowley is an accessible brand whose vision of active does not translate to boring.

The collection was full of pieces that are interpreting this year’s huge resurgence of sportswear, with a feminine and fantasy element to keep it grounded. The models were clothed in pants, dresses and tops that could pass for just a regular collection, but all with comfort in mind. There was a very organic feel to the collection with a backdrop of tree branches, sun, and creatures behind all of the happenings.

One of the more interesting things to us were the interpretations of the T-shirt. Rather than screen-print something and call it a day, Rowley’s team came up with some really stylish versions of a tee involving a ‘normal’ front and a stylized back. We for one can truly appreciate the desire to stand out and push the boundaries of what we are used to seeing.

Overall the collection had a warm palette and appeared to be comfortable, though with catwalk footwear on I never know how these models can stand still for so long in any outfit. Keep your eyes open for this stuff in stores, and run from the gym to a cocktail hour with the same look for a change!

By Danielle Guercio

The signature woven intrecciato technique is synonymous with the brand Bottega Veneta. Referred to as a heritage brand, Bottega Veneta’s timeless and quality luxury goods keep artisan industries alive in a time of downsizing and penny pinching.  On 18th street between 6th and 7th avenues you can find a steep, fleeting discount on some ‘heritage’ goods.

Most known for their handbags, a center table held a selection of bags, most in the woven style.  Bags were in the $200-$1500 range, and depending on the construction or type, well worth the price.  All of Bottega Veneta’s bags are renowned for the quality of their construction, and are meant to last for generations.  There were totes, clutches, satchels, and a small collection of luggage.  One of the most exciting prospects, the area with crocodile and alligator leather.  Any crocodile or alligator priced less that $2000 is worth a peek.

Checkout line was pretty long, and we heard a rumor that this sale will not be restocking, so we really suggest getting there ASAP if you know what is good for your wardrobe.

Small leather accessories were plentiful, next to a limited costume jewelry selection. Belts and luggage tags were mingling in different sizes and colors.  Across the room, the shoe selection was truly awesome, with pairs going for $100-$300 and for both men and women.  Woven styles looked expertly made, and you know that they are, making them truly worth the price.  We saw on trend menswear details on women’s boots and raffia pumps that are still a viable purchase with one month left of summer.

Men’s clothing had coats, leather pants, cargo pants, fitted canvas pants, and a few pairs of suit pants.  We saw one or two sweaters and coats, but the three racks of men’s items were absolutely swarmed with gentlemen callers.  The pieces are well tailored and their suitors appear the same, meaning this sale is one for those truly in the know and with the extra cash to invest.

Womenswear was a bit more adventurous, with this season’s favorite leather accent trend permeating even the top brands such as this. Earthy colored gowns hung next to oscar worthy organza gowns, and for around $300 to $500, you could grab your gala dress for a fraction of it’s normal price.  Coats were raw textured and brightly colored, but again only a few left and in smaller sizes.

Most attendees seemed very much in the know about what they were purchasing, and were headed for the dressing room with piles of items that they were likely to walk out with and into their waiting sedan.  If you have the big bucks, this is a must see, if you are looking for a few higher priced faithful pieces, again you must visit.  If you are a browser, you might want to skip this one, especially if the line is long.

WHEN: 7/30 – 7/31; W (11-7), Th (9-6)

WHERE: Metropolitan Pavilion
125 West 18th Street
between Sixth and Seventh Avenues
New York, NY

By Danielle Guercio