Attention shoppers :-) New stuff on **Fashion Finds-BK** (my ebay store), including a sweet pewter ring, some sterling silver rings, summer sandals, amusing t-shirts (buy me ice cream!) and the like. Take a look! http://www.ebay.com/usr/fashionfinds-bk

Lots of stuff is sold out, so check out these new treasures, just posted on my Ebay Store. Some very nice for Holiday. Some very nice for Spring/Summer!

Find more treasures online:
http://www.ebay.com/usr/fashionfinds-bk

When you go to elaineperlov.com these days, you will see two clickable options. My Ebay Store which has lots of fashion finds (by-products of shopping too much) and my Etsy Store (at last!), which features my designs. On Etsy right now, there are lots of deals and steals from the archives, and new treasures added weekly, so keep checking back. Spread the word!

I think I have all these elements in my closet, albeit in different colors and textures. Close enough. I like shopping in my closet best. I feel like that last sentence should have been a hashtag. [images via JCrew]

Fryday Tee, $24.50 from delia*s [image via delias.com]

They just played that "Friday Friday" song on the radio. Yup, I bought the shirt. But I'm waiting until Fall to wear it more ironically with a suit jacket. :-)

Birthday shoes I bought for myself a few years ago match perfectly with my
brand new gingham button-down.

New outfit today! Feeling good!!! Also note: pants are grey (and also brand new)! I am not even wearing any black at all today. My mom would be amazed.

I love checked shirts. I love how they look on everyone. Yet I have been shopping for one that is flattering on me (and not too boyish) for a good 5 years. Excited to have found this macro gingham check print yesterday at Anthropologie.


photo take at Broadway beach, newly repainted at the 39th Street block

Foil Pocket T in gunmetal, $25 on sale from the Gap

I don't know. This top looks very "designer" on the hanger, even though it's only from the Gap. Very drapey. Potentially flattering. Or not so very. I'll have to try it on.

***
Update, 5.10.11
Fabric, really good. Cut, really bad. Pocket, very strange.

In my opinion, you have to have good basics.
These Express tanks fit so well. Body hugging. Long. Beautiful shades.
I am deaccessioning some older tanks to make room for these.
Buy one, get one half off at $19.50 per tank. I got these 4 yesterday.

Since it suddenly became SUMMER! with temps in the eighties in NYC, I have been studying colorful outfits walking down the street. And making notes on Twitter with the hashtag, #colorpalette. I will do this everyday, because there are so many great ideas to be noted and remembered.

I think all this noting has paid off. I have shed my black. Well not totally. Let's be real here. I mean I do rely heavily on black and silver. But I have actually purchased color! And plan to wear actual color-on-color with no black to set it off. Can I do it? Or is this all lip service? Who can tell. I will let you know when I do it.

Express, as I noted in the previous post has the kind of jewel tones that I love. I don't really like off-shades as it turns out. But then again, I did buy some olive-colored cargos from Esprit yesterday (not pictured on their site, too bad). Olive counts as an off-shade. I have plans to wear the olive with magenta and royal blue. Yum. I am even going to try to work in some tan with blue and magenta. Crazy. Well if you know me, it's crazy. My mom would be shocked, I'll tell you that much.

I have so many colored shoes (that I have been stockpiling, don't ask why, it's just what I do), and I can't wait to wear the perfect shoe with these outfits. At last, all my random purchases are coming together. In my defense, if I may, they are not random. I shop by item, just as I design. If an item is ideal in itself, I buy it. Or if it is totally versatile and will set off my other pieces in a new and exciting way, I buy it. Sometimes it takes a year for these items to be tied together, and yes, I feel like a nut owning all these great items that don't come together. I console myself with the thought that someday soon I am going to have a bunch of amazing outfits with all the details coordinated in a creative mix-match way. Yes I do get disgusted with myself at times for owning too much, and then I promote the values of minimalism to myself, hoping I will hear it. Please read this post from February if you want to learn more.

Now the weather is warm, and I'm feeling expansive. And colorful. And hopeful. Tomorrow I am planning a color-on-color ensemble with no black for miles. I think it's going to rain though. I might just wear it anyway. We shall see!


P.S.
Do you write your outfit combos on index cards? (like every piece -- top, tank, pants, tights, barette, bangle, shoe, etc.) I do! Saves time in the AM. I am thinking of switching to photos. Just photographing the good outfit combos (elements arranged on a white background). I might judge myself too harshly as a nut half way through the project and abandon it. But really, it's a good time-saving idea. It would force me to wear more of my wardrobe, rather than going to default black-with-black.

You can never have too many Chinese figurines from the 50s. Right?
I can't figure out if these are supposed to be Chinese or Japanese.
I love them already. Here's the shopping link, price: $16.55

Etsy is addictive. But what isn't these days. Some time ago, I discovered that Etsy has vintage, and have been holding myself back from a shopping spree. But seeing as it is my birth month and things of that nature, I might be in the market for the items contained in this post.

This is way cool. $9.98
Sure would make breakfasts fun, don't
you think so hubby?


This pin might be cute with a cardigan and a scarf...
$20, atomic chyrsanthemum. hmmm

My favorite hidden gem: Lovin' Eat artisan sandwich cookies.
No I haven't tried one yet, but I am pretty certain they are delicious.
Pictured l-r, carrot cheesecake, chocolate white choco chip with peanut butter filling (!!!),
and cookie sandwich filled with creamy strawberry mousse

Prices, fyi

Just in case you've worked up an appetite after skating at the Pond at Bryant Park, you can check out some treats at the Holiday Shops. There are certainly more food vendors than ever before, which is of course a good thing. Pictured here are just a few food highlights. There are more than what I photographed, so do stroll around yourself.

Jewelry and smelly soap highlights to follow. I love smelly soaps.

Very fluffy cookies from Choco Loco


Turkish Spinach crepe-like Gözleme from Eat-n-Go, $6
a great lunch or take-home treat




Eat-n-Go's price list


Japanese Tako Yaki (octopus!)
6 pieces/$5 from Yummy Bites
I don't think they are authentic Japanese like
the ones in the East Village (Otafuku), but perhaps worth a try.


The chocolate king, Max Brenner, with a very slick booth.
Lots of ideal gifty-type things. And thankfully, they do
have the Chocolate Syringe. 4 bucks.


And the other good news is the Southwest Porch has
been winterized with heat lamps. So you can stop by for
a drink and comfy seat.

Lucky Boutique Crawl 2009! Juicy Couture, one of the participating shops.


Don't you wish you were here? Colorful cupcakes were everywhere.
At Juicy Couture, $50 off with LUCKY BUCK$, Style Spotter photo set, sips, sweets.

Even if you attended the Lucky Magazine Boutique Crawl 2009 in the West Village last night, you simply couldn't be everywhere at once. It was so much fun! Lucky, you have so many great shopping ideas, and this time, I think you topped yourself. Cynthia Rowley was my favorite location, with an elegant festive atmosphere and a great product mix. Olive & Bette was my second-favorite. They went all-out with the fashion festivities and created an exciting atmosphere. Everyone was in fine form last night, and I think I got some fun shots. Hope you enjoy.

Cynthia Rowley. My favorite location.
10% off, Sebastian hair styling station, cocktails, sweets


Cupcakes!!! At Cynthia Rowley.


Cynthia Rowley covered all bases with a mobile shop
outside her (stabile?) shop.


Cynthia Rowley


Yes, this was delcious. Selzer and fresh grapefruit. At Cynthia Rowley.


Accessory mix at Cynthia Rowley. I think I want this necklace.
Still deciding.


Intermix! Always great accessories and great clothes. 10% off last night.
New York Area Manager, Salvatore Malleo was extremely charming
and organized this staff photo for me. Thanks Sal!
Pictured [l-r] Renee Santallo, Salvatore Malleo, Rebecca Foss, Carlos Franqui


Salvatore [r] shows beauty expert Ja'Maal Buster [l] where to set up
for the complimentary eyelash application at Intermix.


Lucky Gift Bags at Intermix included the September issue, a Lucky tote,
some lip glosses other other goodies.


Very important stop for me: Ice cream break!!!
at Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream Truck. Yum!! Yum.


Free! And oh-so delicious. Hazelnut! I took the L home, got off at Bedford,
and there they were again. Van Leeuwen is everywhere.


The scene at Olive & Bette's
She mastered the signature Lucky Style Spotter pigeon-toed cute stance.


And continued to mug for the camera.


And she had fans too.


Surprise, it's cheese popcorn! Yum.
I had lots of fun taking pics at Olive & Bette's.


Dark & sexy folky mellow vibe at Tommy Hilfiger
20% off, $20 off with LUCKY BUCK$, very nice.


The folk singer, Rene Lopez, at Tommy, nestled in the dressing room.

Two gals with Olive & Bette cheese popcorn in hand,
plotting their next move.


Dyptique. 15% off & cocktails. Very sultry. Great decor.


Fresh was so packed I couldn't get in.
They offered 25% off, sips & sweets, beauty tips.
I must note here, in contrast, stores who didn't participate were totally empty.
What were they thinking? Or not thinking.
I'll bet they will reconsider for next year.

An exhibition postcard from San Francisco design store and gallery, Rare Device

Did you know that Rare Device moved to San Francisco and started doing gallery shows? Where have I been? By the way, this invitation is also pretty fontastic.

The newest Bird, on Grand Street in Williamsburg.


Spacious and incredible Bird

Bird interior. March 2009, when I visited.

If you are already a devotee of the Brooklyn-based women's and men's clothing boutique, Bird, then you have already delighted in their well-edited selection of designer clothing and accessories for some years now. When you step into the brand new loft-style floor-though space, opened February 2009 in Williamsburg, you realize that the newest Bird (location #3!) is not just about the clothes. Did I gasp out loud? Yes. The space is gorgeous. Light-filled, minimal and warm. Textured. Very textured.

The architect for the project is Norwegian-born, Ole Sondreson. This Bird is LEED certified, (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) which means that it has met standards for environmentally friendly construction, more fully explained here. Look at Mr. Sondreson's Website and drool. That doesn't sound dignified. Admire him in a more dignified manner, because his work is beautifully understated. He not only designed the space, he also designed the store fixtures (which are all modular, by the way.)

The dressing room is wood-paneled like a sauna. Not necessarily in cedar, I am told after making a call to the store, but definitely in reclaimed wood. Of course. The cushion is upholstered in a rare fabric by Scandanavian textile designer, Josef Frank, which after you read this, you will again be reminded how much I love this designer. This was one of my favorite spots in the store... Visit Bird soon! It will please all your senses.


Bird
203 Grand Street (Bedford and Driggs Avenues)
Williamsburg, Brooklyn

T: 718.388.1655

The Dressing Room.
With the Josef Frank upholstered seat cushion.


Bird has a good sense of humor about its name.
I love all the soft sculpture birds they carry.
Birdhouses.


Plus this peacock.


Ah, beautiful reclaimed texture


Yes, I did say "floor-through"