Mick Margo

Mick Margo is my new favorite store. It’s located at 19 Commerce Street, a little street off of 7th Avenue near Barrow (which is a little out of the way for almost everyone.) Nevertheless, it’s totally worth looking for. It embodies for me everything I love about the West Village, where I grew up. The store itself is incredibly charming: light and airy, with a wrought iron bench outside, and a mirror shaped like a huge cream picture frame.

Mick Margo is named after the owner’s dapper London grandfather, and the website writes that “The store embodies a British sensibility drawing from different elements of the Margo style brought to life by a modern New York City woman.” I like it! The website seems to have many more brands than I saw in the store, but I loved the bit that I saw there. Included were: Alexander Wang, Isabel Marant (including some delicious sweats),  Wren, Clu, Catherine Holstein, Rachel Comey, Sissi Rossi bags, and Bensimon sneakers. Anyway, it won me over entirely. 

MICK MARGO 

19 Commerce St

(212) 463-0515

Mon-Wed,Fri-Sat 12pm-7pm; Thu 12pm-8pm; Sun 12pm-6pm

Subway Stop‎: 1 at Christopher St.-Sheridan Sq., A, B, C, D, E, F, V at W. 4th St.-Washington Sq.

Pas de Deux

The other day, I went to check out Pas de Deux (for the blog bien sur, strictly business!) in the East Village, which is the new womenswear counterpart to Odin, the menswear favorite of the East Village. (Get it–Pas de Deux?) I liked Pas de Deux…the design is clean and chic with a checkered gray floor and pretty chandeliers, very Parisienne. But I wasn’t blown away. The brands are admittedly great, but the selection is pretty standard: Alexander Wang, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Rag and Bone (the three of which I’m beginning to think of as the troika), Clu, and Vena Cava. There are also Repetto shoes and accessories (including some cute sunglasses.) Anyway, what I’m trying to say is, its worth a visit if you’re in the East Village. 

PAS DE DEUX:

328 E. 11th St., between First and Second Avenues

212-475-0666

3.1 Phillip Lim

I am absolutely head-over-heels nutso about Phillip Lim. I think it is perhaps likely that he follows me around New York City, taking note of my style and personality, and then designs his clothes accordingly. In my fantasy, one day I turn around and notice him stalking me, and then our eyes meet…and the rest is history (I become his muse and he becomes my bestie.)

Okay, enough of that. I’m not so keen on blogging about designers that one can find all over the place, but Phillip Lim had to be an exception. His designs are full of classic grace and ease, full of craft and beautiful details. Vogue described his designs as “pretty-but-cool clothes” that “don’t try too hard” which I think is spot on, really. Here is what his designs are NOT:

• over the top
• costumey
• insanely expensive
• rock and roll
• super trendy

Here is a great article about him: http://nymag.com/fashion/features/34973/

His store is great too. Not too big, simple, lined with racks on each side. They have been having lots of sales recently, 40% off a lot. See you there.

3.1 PHILLIP LIM

115 Mercer St (between Spring Street and Prince Street)
New York, NY 10012

(212) 334-1160

Mon-Sat 11am-7pm, Sun 12pm-6pm

A little more boat shoes, indeed!

http://themoment.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/22/chicks-ahoy/

OTTE

Who is the buyer for OTTE? I feel that they are a true kindred spirit. Every piece in the store seems so in place, so thoughtfully chosen…It feels like walking into someone’s amazing closet (they even have a small lingerie rack.)

Carries girlish but sophisticated brands, think: T by Alexander Wang, See by Chloe, Claudie Pierlot, Catherine Holstein, Pencey, Sonia Rykiel, and Vanessa Bruno. They also have a lot of jeans by JBrand and Current/ Elliott, bags by Lauren Merkin and others, and shoes by Loeffler Randall, etc. In their own words, “OTTE offers casual to dressy looks with a sexy, urbane twist.”

I haven’t really done a very good job explaining why Otte is special…All I can say is that it is really quite lovely, filled with soft cottons and fluttering pattered silks, and worth a visit. There is one store in the West Village, one in Brooklyn, and one on the Upper East Side (across the street from my high school, although it wasn’t there when I was.)

(note: they don’t hold items, which is sort of annoying, and some of their items, like the Love Quotes scarves, are non-returnable or even exchangeable!)

WEST VILLAGE

121 Greenwich Ave
New York, NY 10014
T. 212 229 9424

WILLIAMSBURG

132 N 5th St
Brooklyn, NY 11211
T. 718 302 3007

STORE HOURS WV + BK

Mon to Sat: 12pm – 8pm
Sunday: 12pm – 6pm

UPPER EAST SIDE

1281 Madison Ave
New York, NY 10128
T. 212 289 2644

Mon to Sat: 11am – 7pm
Sunday: 11am – 6pm

Bergdorf Goodman

Bergdorfs has a bit of a reputation as being stuffy, but I like it there too. What’s the difference between Barneys and Bergdorfs? It’s tempting to make a Carrie/ Charlotte analogy, but I’ll resist.

Bergdorfs is more classic, more old-world/ old-money than Barneys, but it has its strong suits. Namely:

-Bigger departments, including beauty, and accessories.

-5F, Bergdorfs’ answer to Co-op, seems geared towards a slightly JAP-ier, slightly less edgy client, HOWEVER: they definitely carry brands that Co-op does not, like Y-Yigal, Elizabeth & James, See by Chloe, and Rebecca Taylor. Also, 5F has its own cafe (although to be honest I think it’s a little silly.)

-Apparently there is also a hair salon on the 9th floor? I did not know that.

It’s hard for me to weigh in on 5 of the 6 clothing floors in Bergdorfs because I can’t afford to buy designer wear, and thus (admittedly) don’t really know the difference between the two Big Bs, but…in terms of 5F and Co-op, what I like about 5F is that it has a bit of a timeless quality to it. Whereas Co-op sometime agressively pushes edgy styles, 5F is more likely to have a range of classics, like good summertime sundresses. Also, Bergdorfs has truly amazing windows (sorry, Simon Doonan.)

Like Barney’s, Bergdorfs if fully equipped with its own bridal salon, enormous shoe salon, home decoration section, and overpriced restaurant.

Bergdorf Goodman:
754 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
1.800.558.1855

Monday–Friday 10–8. Saturday 10–7. Sunday 12–6.

Barneys New York

I don’t really need to tell you to go to Barneys but I will anyway.

Everybody loves Barneys, I love Barneys. If shopping was like iTunes, it would probably be my most played…But I don’t get tired of it, because nothing about Barneys is tired (yet.)

I guess what makes Barneys special is the amazing effort they put into staying (not just up to date but) modern and au courant and forward thinking. You can find everything from Chanel and Louis Vuitton to Proenza Schouler and Rodarte. Far from being stuffy, Barneys manages to be simultaneously sharp and whimsical…Amazing! Even if you can’t afford any of the clothes here, its worth walking around (don’t skip a floor.) Contrary to popular opinion, I think the sales people are really nice and helpful, and also basically leave you alone, which is sort of a relief when you’re browsing through clothing you clearly can’t afford. I’m talking about myself here.

On the seventh and eighth floors of Barneys’ flagship store on Madison Avenue is Barneys Co-op, which is sort of Barneys delightfully younger, cheaper sister. Self-described as “courageous! outrageous! contagious!” which is pretty legit, especially the “contagious” bit–I need my Co-op addiction like i need Ebola. Only maybe a little more, cause I get wonderful clothes in the bargain and no blood loss! Co-op is always changing up its brands, but some they have right now are: ALC, Alexander Wang, 5th Avenue Shoe Repair, Helmut Lang, VPL, and Vena Cava. There are also three freestanding Co-ops around the city which is very convenient when you want to keep your trip cheaper and to-the-point. Also, if you live downtown like me.

In Barneys, there is a restaurant if you get tired of shopping (well, never tired of shopping, but tired shopping). It’s tasty, but definitely overpriced. My coca cola was like $23.oo ( I exaggerate.)

Here is the info:

MADISON AVE
660 Madison Avenue
New York NY 10065
Mon – Fri: 10am – 8pm
Sat: 10am – 7pm
Sun: 11am – 6pm
TEL: 212.826.8900

CO-OP CHELSEA
236 West 18th Street
New York, NY 10011
Mon – Fri: 11am – 8pm
Sat: 11am – 7pm
Sun: 12pm – 6pm
TEL: 212.593.7800

CO-OP UPPER WEST SIDE
2151 Broadway
New York, NY 10023
Mon – Fri: 10am – 8pm
Sat: 10am – 7pm
Sun: 11am – 6pm
TEL: 646.335.0978

CO-OP SOHO
116 Wooster Street
New York, NY 10012
Mon – Fri: 11am – 7pm
Sat: 11am – 7pm
Sun: 12pm – 6pm
TEL: 212.965.9964

ps I can’t believe I just wrote a blog post reviewing Barneys! (as if…) I ALWAYS miss Barneys when I travel. Enough said.

Does anyone know where I can get the perfect thin oxford shirt/ button-up blouse?? Soooo important.

If I had a picture of what i wanted, i would just go and buy that.

I am a City Child.

Hello! I am on a short hiatus at home before I set out for Tokyo, so it makes sense to write about New York now while I’m still here, even though the idea of profiling New York shopping is ooobviously sort of impossible. I won’t try to be comprehensive, I’ll just list some of my favorite places to go. You shop where I shop!

I like to go to Barney’s just to see whats up and make sure everything is moving along smoothly. Today there was a massive shoe sale (it started a while ago so I got the tail end, which is okay cause I was just looking anyway.) I tried on:

One pair orange Manolo sandals

One pair Stella McCartney sandals

One pair chunky Lanvin pumps

One pair purple Prada gladiators

I walked out with:

Zero pair anything. (But my favorites were the Stellas if you have some extra cash and are interested.) More to come.

p.s. I absolutely love love love how Nanny looks  here.

Drinking in Montreal

I know this is supposed to be a shopping blog, but the drinking in Montreal is way better than the shopping, so here are some recommendations, since you’ll be there anyway:

Suite 701: Located in Old Montreal at the Hotel Place D’Armes (which also holds the very nice Rain spa, where I got my best massage to date, ever). Best as a rooftop bar, so it’s really only worth going to in the summer. The view is deceptively beautiful and Mediterranean. Also, 701 is one of the few bars in town that pours liberally and doesn’t use one of those shot-stoppers thingys. My Recommendation: The mojitos are amaaazing! Also, passion-fruit martini.

Distillerie: Definitely my favorite bar in Montreal. Before 8, you are allowed to bring in food. Distillerie only allows in about 50 patrons at a time, so after 8 (seriously, I mean it) there is guaranteed to be a line, which is no big deal in the summer, but truly miserable in the winter when its ten degrees below and windy. The cap is annoying until you’re inside, where its refreshingly uncrowded. But the best part of Distillerie is the drinks, which are served in mason jars filled to the brim with five shots of whatever you want. OMG, you’ll be wasted before you know it!! My recommendation: the Hurricane or the Lime-Gingermbre. Located at 300 Rue Ontario Est near Sanguinet.

Whiskey Cafe: A million kinds of scotch in a sophisticated space. They even have a cigar menu. Deep booths and warm lighting. Located at 5800 Boulevard St-Laurent at Rue St. Bernard.

Dieu de Ciel: Montreal has a lot of good breweries, and people seem to like this one. Located at 29 Laurier West, near S. Laurent. You could also go to Brutopia on Rue Crescent, filled with first year McGill students.

Wunderbar: Located inside Montreal’s W Hotel, Wunderbar is basically the indoor answer to Suite 701. Drinks are girly and expensive. Unfortunately, people definitely do things like “pop bottles” and dance. One dumb review calls it a “sexy temple of cool.” Creepy men are an occupational hazard. My Recommendation: A La Rose. Located at 901 Victoria Square, at Rue McGill.

Biftek: If you just want to drink some beer and eat some popcorn, go here. My Recommendation: Beer and Popcorn. Located at 3702 bd. St-Laurent, near Prince Arthur.

Sky: If you’re gay and going out in Montreal, skip Unity, skip Parking, and go to Sky. It’s more fun. My Recommendation: Don’t have sex in the bathroom. Located at 1474 rue Ste-Catherine est, near Rue Amherst.

But really, there are a million bars in Montreal you could go to. Most are open till 3 am.