Suzy in the City
Soho Shopping Trip
Monday, May 25, 2009
Suzy simply loves to shop. We ventured to the Soho section of Manhattan last week for an afternoon of galpal bonding and more importantly, shopping, in advance of the summer season.
Head to Soho ... Broadway to be exact for an intense 3-block shopping mecca that will satisfy any shopper's cravings for items fashionable and unique. Here is the suggested itinerary:
Stop #1: Uniqlo - the Japanese export that's a cross between H&M and J Crew. The bargain cashmere is always on Suzy's list in the fall/winter. In the summer, the colorful jeans and capris are gorgeous. Don't forget the basement has comfy-cute workout clothes and pajamas.
Suzy's Shopping Bag: Zero, didn't want to peak too early.
Stop #2: Bloomies - Why Bloomie's, you ask? This Bloomingdale's is a manageable size and concentrates on the items that a fashionista is looking for -- no tablecloths here, simply designer goods.
Suzy's Shopping Cart: Still empty, watching single friend Becky charge up her card.
Stop #3: Madewell 1937 - We had only heard about J Crew's "other" outpost. Since Madewell has yet to launch its online store, we had not seen the merchandise. We went insane inside this boho-chic boutique. Madewell concentrates on dressed-down casual, including tons of denim looks. Head upstairs for the greatest assortment of scarves and fun tees anywhere in NY. If you love the 'Crew, Madwell is your store. They say the prices are lower than its cousin but we didn't see that much of a price point difference.
Suzy's Shopping Bag: a $198 orange leather purse -- getting crazy with the color palette; we think it's a 4-season bag so we'll get our money's worth...and other b.s. rationales -- and a $52 scarf.
Stop #4: Jewelry Street Vendors - usually we don't stop for the cheap stuff. But check out the artisan's handmade articles plus there's quality Bulgari necklace knock-offs that Suzy covets.
Suzy's Shopping Bag: Nada, still worried about impulsive purse purchase.
Stop #5: TOPSHOPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP - We finally got to see in person what our British galpals have been raving about. While we were there, the sales associates whispered about a certain Madge in the house on the VIP floor. Was she shopping with little Lourdes??. We didn't see Madonna but we did find tons of fun, unique, well-priced clothing. Suzy's Tip: Make sure you carry your potential purchases from floor to floor or you'll never find your way back to them. Prices are particularly good on the costume jewelry (think ahead to Halloween while you're there...) and the flat shoes on the top floor are incredibly comfy and different in design from anything you'd find on this side of the ocean.
Suzy's Shopping Bags: Oversized turquoise necklace $22, Mongo costume pearl necklace $25, Bow-tie leather flats $55, Navajo-Indian style tube skirt -- sounds wierd, huh? got lots of compliments on it! -- $36. We're trying to keep the AmEx charges reasonable.
Don't forget to stop by Dean & Deluca for a cappuccino. We also love Club Monaco ... or a quick fly-buy at H&M which also resides on the same block of Broadway.
Head to Soho ... Broadway to be exact for an intense 3-block shopping mecca that will satisfy any shopper's cravings for items fashionable and unique. Here is the suggested itinerary:
Stop #1: Uniqlo - the Japanese export that's a cross between H&M and J Crew. The bargain cashmere is always on Suzy's list in the fall/winter. In the summer, the colorful jeans and capris are gorgeous. Don't forget the basement has comfy-cute workout clothes and pajamas.
Suzy's Shopping Bag: Zero, didn't want to peak too early.
Stop #2: Bloomies - Why Bloomie's, you ask? This Bloomingdale's is a manageable size and concentrates on the items that a fashionista is looking for -- no tablecloths here, simply designer goods.
Suzy's Shopping Cart: Still empty, watching single friend Becky charge up her card.
Stop #3: Madewell 1937 - We had only heard about J Crew's "other" outpost. Since Madewell has yet to launch its online store, we had not seen the merchandise. We went insane inside this boho-chic boutique. Madewell concentrates on dressed-down casual, including tons of denim looks. Head upstairs for the greatest assortment of scarves and fun tees anywhere in NY. If you love the 'Crew, Madwell is your store. They say the prices are lower than its cousin but we didn't see that much of a price point difference.
Suzy's Shopping Bag: a $198 orange leather purse -- getting crazy with the color palette; we think it's a 4-season bag so we'll get our money's worth...and other b.s. rationales -- and a $52 scarf.
Stop #4: Jewelry Street Vendors - usually we don't stop for the cheap stuff. But check out the artisan's handmade articles plus there's quality Bulgari necklace knock-offs that Suzy covets.
Suzy's Shopping Bag: Nada, still worried about impulsive purse purchase.
Stop #5: TOPSHOPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP - We finally got to see in person what our British galpals have been raving about. While we were there, the sales associates whispered about a certain Madge in the house on the VIP floor. Was she shopping with little Lourdes??. We didn't see Madonna but we did find tons of fun, unique, well-priced clothing. Suzy's Tip: Make sure you carry your potential purchases from floor to floor or you'll never find your way back to them. Prices are particularly good on the costume jewelry (think ahead to Halloween while you're there...) and the flat shoes on the top floor are incredibly comfy and different in design from anything you'd find on this side of the ocean.
Suzy's Shopping Bags: Oversized turquoise necklace $22, Mongo costume pearl necklace $25, Bow-tie leather flats $55, Navajo-Indian style tube skirt -- sounds wierd, huh? got lots of compliments on it! -- $36. We're trying to keep the AmEx charges reasonable.
Don't forget to stop by Dean & Deluca for a cappuccino. We also love Club Monaco ... or a quick fly-buy at H&M which also resides on the same block of Broadway.
