NY Life

As you all know, there are some 50-60 sample sales taking place in New York this week. Not an easy task to keep up with. As the week was winding down, we  started to breath easier, when we noticed a huge event we’ve almost missed: the Capsule Neighborhood Network  feting the Lower East Side, the East Village, and Nolita. During the shopping event that starts today, 100 boutiques will entice us with discounts to start shopping early for the holidays, and all these showrooms will hold sample sales:

Archetype Showroom
676 Broadway, 2nd Fl
212 529 1407

-VEDA
-Won Hundred
-LNA
-Porter Grey
-COMUNE

Claw Money and MadeMe
54 Clinton St

International Playground
13 Stanton St
212 228 2323

-Chromat
-Daniel Palillo
-H. Fredriksson
-Mary Meyer
-Osborn
-Uniforms for the Dedicated

Medium Concepts Showroom
9 St Marks Place Ste 2
646 684 4525

-ISAORA
-Quality Peoples
-Sidian, Ersatz and Vanes
-Warriors of Radness

Timothy Heenan Showroom
247 Centre St 7th Fl, Rear Unit
646 596 9768

-BillyKirk
-Crate
-General Assembly
-Loup
-Raen Optics
-Stones
-Vanishing Elephant
-Velour

WANT Agency
70 Wooster St
212 414 5814

-Want Les Essentiels De La Vie
-Maison Kitsune
-Nudie Jeans Co
-Arc’teryx Veilance
-Swims

Westerlind Showroom
194 Elizabeth St
212 219 1020

-Armor Lux
-Jungmaven
-Wool and the Gang

Neighborhood Network
November 16-17

For the complete list of participants, check out the Capsule Neighborhood Network [Official Site]

It’s that time of the year again! The Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week is back and bigger than ever. For the forth year in a row, on Thursday, September 5th, from 6PM – 11PM, Fashion’s Night Out (FNO) will act as the kick off to a week of runway shows, as well as several other events set to take place throughout the week that are geared toward fashion industry insiders. There is a sense of anticipation wafting through Manhattan this week and heightened style everywhere you look, not to mention anxiety ridden fashion industry employees, decorated with high fashion apparel, buzzing about the island in order to assure all runs smoothly.

Few debate the use of New York Fashion Week, but FNO continues to get mixed reviews. While the now global event proves fun for shoppers, namely the young crowd, FNO as a whole seems to become a burden for retailers. There are no real numbers to back up its efficiency in terms of increasing sales, but we all know Ms. Wintour benefits from her brainchild after launching FNO back in 2009, as we have recently learned about her Ambassadorship dreams.

Regardless of the negative reviews, or questions of purpose, we consumers and forever lovers of all things fashion, will celebrate Thursday’s Fashion Night Out as our one day to bask in the industry that makes us squeal with glee and gladly accept the free drinks, gifts with purchase, limited edition products, fun events, and celebrity appearances.

FashionsNightOut.com is an uber informative and organized website, not to mention The Stylish City’s recommended source of information and inspiration. This official website will help to make you make an efficient decision on how to spend your evening, customized by what (or who) you want to see. Your choice of venue should certainly be made with care in order to get the most of FNO, which is made for you, the consumer!

Although FNO events are scattered throughout the city, there are two major hubs, holding numerous destinations: SoHo and the Upper East Side. Apart from the locations, the many events seem to fall into one of the following categories: Celebrity and designer appearances, free drinks, music, contests. quirky attractions, and spa-like services that include everything from makeovers to massages. Numerous shops and boutiques are also offering a free gift with a minimum purchase, so be sure to check FashionNightOut.com in order to get the best bang for your buck!

If your inner paparazzo is ready and waiting to shine, opt for venues that feature celebrity appearances. Kim Kardashian is set to make an exclusive appearance at Lord and Taylor, 424 5th Avenue, in honor of her fragrance True Reflection, while Diane von Furstenberg, Solange Knowles, and Girls co-star Allison Williams will be on hand at DVF Meatpacking, 874 Washington Street, as MAC provides complimentary make-overs and fortunetellers determine your fashion future.

For some more fun, quirky events, combined with celebrity appearances do not miss Kate Upton and Nikki Reed judging a karaoke contest at Michael Kors’ Upper East Side location, 667 Madison Avenue, and the Olsen Twins doing the very same at Barneys, Madison and 61st Street. Down in SoHo a heated game of Pictionary will be in full swing as Brad Goreski and Kate Spade’s president, Deborah Lloyd, face off with there best doodles while we play along and sip on milkshakes – Kate Spade, 454 Broome Street.

Apart from DVF’s MAC set up, many other venues will be offering free make-overs that are sure to draw some of the biggest crowds. In honor of their 111th anniversary, Bergdorf Goodman, 754 Fifth Avenue, will feature on hand professionals in the area of brow, last and nails, while Maybelline parks their Mobile Color Studio in Times Square, Broadway at 41st/42nd, and Union Square, Union Square West at 14th/15th, and invites you to pop in for daytime touch-ups and mini-manicures. Free goodies will be distributed at Matt Bernson, 20 Harrison Street, to the first 100 customers, in addition to their endless complimentary cocktails from Given Liqueur, fashion manicures by NailEZEE and a braid bar by Joico.

Tired yet? Tough! Head to Scoop NY’s Meatpacking District Block Party, 875 Washington Street, and grab yourself a complimentary cocktail from Tequila Avion as you shop and groove to Brooklyn-based band St. Lucia and DJ Mick Boogie. Still haven’t had your fill? Opt for one last round of karaoke (arguably the most popular attraction this year) to end your fashion forward evening at Opening Ceremony, 20 West 29th Street, as you harmonize with your closest friends in their noraebang, a Korean karaoke room in the Ace Hotel.

Just think, all of this is just the kick off to the Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week, leaving New Yorkers no time for a fashion hang over. But, come next Thursday, September 13th, you’ll be left with a full 51 weeks to recover, allowing you to be fresh as a daisy and ready for another round of fashion mania.

By Caitlin Colford

The Annual Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island took place this year on Saturday August 18, 2012 and Sunday August 19, 2012. It was lots of fun, much more than we expected in fact. It was music, food, cocktails and Jay Gatsbys everywhere you looked, what’s not to like? If you recognize yourself in the picture, send us and email and we’ll send you a copy.

Even though NYC is a major tourist destination, many locals find themselves eager to skip town and explore the rest of the world instead of hanging out in the city. There’s no shame in that, of course — the world is a place to be seen! With that said, though, it’s easy to forget — or ignore the fact that — the big apple is a culture mecca loaded with enough hotspots, events and must-sees to keep you busy year round.

Summer, naturally, is an ideal time to get out and do things in the city with best friends, lovers, family members or even by yourself. We’ve rounded up a list of our favorite, Manhattan-based summer 2012 activities that are all absolutely free.

New York Philharmonic Concerts in The Parks Gorgeous music amidst the greenery? It doesn’t get any more perfect than that. Haul yourself out of your abode and take advantage of the New York Philharmonic’s 47th season of Concerts in the Park. The Philharmonic will perform in Manhattan at Central Park on Friday, July 13 and Monday, July 16 at 8 p.m.
River to River Festival The River to River Festival is an annual event that boasts over 25 indoor and outdoor productions throughout Lower Manhattan and Governor’s Island. From theater to dance to visual art to film and music, there’s a little something for everyone. One of this summer’s most anticipated and talked about events for the River to River Festival is composer Julian Wachner’s “Inverted Sky,” a kite show that takes place in Rockefeller Park on July 2. Events, locations and times vary, so check the events schedule.
Metropolitan Opera’s Five Borough Recital Series One of NYC’s most treasured summer traditions is the Met’s Summer Recital Series, free to the public. This year’s series includes six performances that’ll take place in parks across all five of the city’s boroughs. It all kicks off with the Wednesday, July 25 concert in Central Park at 8 p.m., which features soprano Danielle de Niese, bass-baritone John Del Carlo and tenor Dimitri Pittas. The second Manhattan performance will take place at Jackie Robinson Park on Tuesday, August 7 at 7 p.m.
Oval Lawn Series and Mad. Sq. Kids at Madison Square Park Celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Madison’s Square Park Conservancy’s free outdoor concerts this year by attending at least one of them. Great for both children and adults, this year’s series includes jazz, blue grass and soul performances featuring acclaimed artists. The Oval Lawn Series events take place every Wednesday evening now through August 8 (times vary) and the Mad. Sq. Kids series occur Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 10:30 a.m. through August 9.
Weekend Walks The Department of Transportation has joined forces with various community ensembles to host a variety of family-friendly activities that include everything from music performances to arts/crafts, classes to youth programming and beyond. The goal is to promote healthy, safe and fun recreation for families. This year, 18 community groups have planned their respective weekends that’ll take place now through October. Visit NYC.Gov or call 311 for more information.
NYC Parks Summer Movie Series Pop some popcorn, a partner and saunter over to one of your local parks to partake in an outdoor viewing of film favorites. The Summer Movie Series will host events in various boroughs. Manhattan viewings include: – The Wizard of Oz: July 2,  5 p.m. @ Bryant Park – On The Waterfront: July 9, 5 p.m. @ Bryant Park – Hoodwinked Too: July 11, 8 p.m. @ Alfred E. Smith Park – Cinema Paradiso: July 11, 8:30 p.m. @ Pier I in Riverside Park South – Kung Fu Panda 2: July 13, 8:30 p.m. @ Pier 46 – Persepolis: July 13, 8:30 p.m. @ Pier I in Riverside Park South – Roman Holiday: July 16, 5 p.m. @ Bryant Park
– Flying Scotsman: July 18, 8:30 p.m. @ Pier I in Riverside Park South – The Muppets (2011): July 20, 8 p.m. @ Bellevue South Park – Superman, The Movie: July 20, 8:30 p.m. @ Pier 46 – The Maltese Falcon: July 23, 5 p.m. @ Bryant Park – Quicksilver: July 25, 8:30 p.m. @ Pier I in Riverside Park South – Hop: July 25, 8 p.m. @ J. Hood Wright Park – Hugo: July 27, 8:30 p.m. @ Pier 46 – Rebel Without A Cause: July 30, 5 p.m. @ Bryant Park – Amelie: August 1, 8:30 p.m. @ Pier I in Riverside Park South – Puss in Boots: August 3, 8:30 p.m. @ Pier 46 – The Adventures of Robinhood: August 6, 5 p.m. @ Bryant Park – The Smurfs: August 8, 8 p.m. @ Hamilton Fish Recreation Center – Pee Wee’s Big Adventure: August 8, 8:30 p.m. @ Pier I in Riverside Park South – Dolphin Tale: August 10, 8 p.m. @ Bellevue South Park – Rango: August 10, 8:30 p.m. @ Pier 46 – All About Even: August 13, 5 p.m. @ Bryant Park – Triplets of Bellville: August 15, 8 p.m. @ Pier I in Riverside Park South – Back to the Future: August 17, 8:30 p.m. @ Pier 46 – Hoodwinked Too: August 18, 8 p.m. @ J. Hood Wright Park – Raiders of the Lost Ark: August 20, 5 p.m. @ Bryant Park – The Smurfs: August 24, 8:30 p.m. @ Pier 46 – Jules and Jim: September 6, 8:30 p.m. @ Low Memorial Library, Columbia University

By Wendy Rose Gould