mr softee debuts

The Mister Softee truck is parked outside 1407 Broadway! That means it must be warm out, right? Or it means Mister Softee got bored with his winter job, and is eager to serve you.

sidewalk catwalk unveiled!

Sidewalk Catwalk! Debuted this morning, June 24, 2010.

Way-cool parachute dress by Victor Alfaro


Yes I really liked this one.

This morning at 10am in a secret ceremony in front of Macy's Herald Square, the fashion-fabulous gathered to unveil Sidewalk Catwalk. Why organizers of the event, The Fashion Center Business Improvement District, did not make that fact more known to the public is a mystery. And a bit of a disappointment. I certainly would have been there, camera-in-hand. Well that's fashion for you. Exclusive.

The Fashion Center BID, according to Executive Director Barbara Randall, “[...] wanted to celebrate the Fashion District and express what this neighborhood is all about and its creative talent that is the home of American fashion.” In this blogger's opinion, the FCBID might have publicized this event to those who work in the Garment District to good effect. As I said before, we could use a party. Say around 3pm? With cupcakes?

I did catch the tail-end of the procession up Broadway (purely by accident), when I saw and shook hands with designer, John Bartlett. That was pretty cool. If you're in the neighborhood, check out Sidewalk Catwalk. And, if you simply MUST HAVE one of the creations, you can bid on them in an auction that lasts all summer long. It is not clear from the brochure or Website how you exactly bid, but go here to start.

Wow Yeohlee, what is your statement here?

Marc Jacobs?


The installers arrive! (My favorite shot)




This look by Rachel Roy


All excited I walked to the tents in front of Macy's only to find out the secret
event had already taken place. I must find some video, so we can all see it.

Oh well, it must have been cool to see all the designers.
Kenneth Cole [L] and Tommy Hilfiger [R]

sidewalk catwalk

Okay, I'll bite. What's under the pink drop cloth?

Something's brewing on Broadway. Again. What is it this time? I'll give you a hint. It has to do with fashion. Duh, we're in the Garment District. And it has to do with Macy's. These pink-draped mystery mannequins are currently lining "Broadway Beach"* from Macy's on 34th all the way up to 42nd. Well, at least NYC constantly provides something new and exciting to gawk at. And gawk, I will. With camera.

The mannequins will be unveiled on June 24, as part of Sidewalk Catwalk, sponsored by Macy's and The New York Times. The program will feature top designers like Donna Karan, Jason Wu, Michael Kors, John Bartlett, Tommy Hillfiger, Carmen Marc Valvo (and more), and will run through September 3. Stay tuned... Maybe there will be snacks? Maybe it will be a fun street party for all the garment workers to join?

Dear Macy's,
Please read this blog post and throw us a big block party starting at say, 3pm? It's nice and shady on Broadway then, and we are at our low-energy point, seeking cupcakes and iced coffee. I hope you do it. We need a party.



*as I lovingly refer to the Mayor's plan to improve traffic and give something back to the pedestrians. I guess I could also call it Pebble Row. Remember when it was actually clean on that first day? I have a picture to prove it. I'll show you some time.

The bride? No that would be the finale.
How will this white dress fare after a few days?
Rain, dirty truck fumes, people's sticky fingers.
Just sayin'.




Broadway between 39th and 40th Streets

Someone got creative with some shells...

afternoon fashion treat

French macarons have nothing to do with coconut. Read on.

If you work in the Garment District in NYC, chances are you have heard about Macaron, and particularly about their lightly sweet and delicate macarons made with almond paste (not coconut) that crumble when you take a bite. Yum! Macaron is a very French little lunch place that opened last summer to rave reviews among those in-the-know. The place is tucked unassumingly into a narrow walk-in space on 36th Street between 7th Avenue and Broadway. If you have lunched in the Garment District with any frequency, you know that Macaron is quite unique. Homemade food. Not a chain or chain-let. Served by the owners themselves. And they smile at you! It's the little things that make life sweet. N'est pas?

Well anyway, we recommend treating yourself to a macaron or two. They have so many exotic flavors (like poppy, lavender, jasmine tea, white chocolate, praline...), many of which rotate daily, that you will continually be satisfied. And by all means, don't miss the iced tea. Two macarons and an iced tea will set you back about $7. But hey, it's worth it every once in a while.

The lunch crowd at Macaron. A line out the door as usual.




There's always a crowd.


These macarons can be yours for a mere $1.95 each.
Tempting. Very tempting.

bryant park summer movies!

The movie screen is up at Bryant Park!

Bryant Park, June 2009. Yes a bit gloomy.

The Bryant Park Summer Film Series crowds last year.
[image from Guest of a Guest]

It's that time again! Although the weather is more Winter-like than Summer-like these days (what is up with June this year??), it's time for the Bryant Park Summer movies on the lawn! The screen is installed. All you need is a blanket, a picnic, and a good book to read until the movie starts. By the way, although they quote 5pm as the start time, that's just for blankets and picnicking. The movies start at dusk (8-9pm). And the place gets crowded, so arrive early to score a great seat.

How many movies have you seen on this list? I have seen 5/10.

June

Mon 15
The Sting
5:00pm | The Lawn

Mon 22
Breaking Away
5:00pm | The Lawn

Mon 29
Gold Diggers of 1933
5:00pm | The Lawn

July

Mon 6
Dog Day Afternoon
5:00pm | The Lawn

Mon 13
How Green Was My Valley
5:00pm | The Lawn

Mon 20
Harold and Maude
5:00pm | The Lawn

Mon 27
The Defiant Ones
5:00pm | The Lawn

August

Mon 3
Kramer vs. Kramer
5:00pm | The Lawn

Mon 10
The Magnificent Seven
5:00pm | The Lawn

Mon 17
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
5:00pm | The Lawn

spring into spring (tomorrow)

photo of the actual lawn at Bryant Park, taken this morning


You should have seen how hard the crews worked to install this
lawn. The moment Fashion Week was over, they were rolling out the dirt,
leveling it off, and laying the sod. I think they worked for 8 solid days,
just on the lawn! Amazing.


"spontaneous nature" in Bryant Park. Anything blooming
or about to bloom is very exciting to a city dweller.


This looks like a perfect spot for lunch. You should have seen the
park yesterday! Everyone was so happy, sitting in the sun,
munching on sandwiches. Things of that nature.

One more day 'til Spring! And look, they "installed" the lawn in Bryant Park. Just in time!

I should have titled this post, "Let there be Lawn."

fashion dish: 39th & broadway

I love this blog, 39th & Broadway, the insider scoop on the fashion industry. As they put it, the "blog is devoted to fashion insiders who work in the industry and need a place to gossip, vent and network." Hmm, sounds good. I think I will follow it regularly.

If you want to get started with their recommendations for good fashion reads, check out Links à la Mode, a weekly round-up from fellow fashion bloggers. Partial list below.

• A Few Goody GumDrops - A Few Goody Gumdrops can’t decide if the latest Pierre Hardy is a pet or a shoe!
• Add Bubbles To Taste - How To Shop: A Sale!
• Capitola Girl Jewelry Blog - A couture-inspired jewelry collection from a San Francisco artist that is filled with fanciful fun–and made out of LEGOs
• Diary of a Style Addict - sharing beauty secrets by giving away a free copy of Cosmopolitan’s new book
• Dirty Laundry - The elusive and other-worldly effect of unraveling a t-shirt and why t-shirt deconstruction is amazing.
• Dogmom’s Dish - Five Fab Books For Your Favorite Fashionista Be a haute holiday heroine with these picks!
• Dress Me Up Dollie - Mini loves plaid. A lot!
• eye4style - eye4style reports back on the fab LuckyShops event in NYC - Botkier, Foley & Corinna, Rebecca Minkoff and more…

the broadway beach

Broadway, yes "The" Broadway, now converted to an outdoor parkland of sorts.
Photographed from 40th Street, looking uptown towards Times Square.

If you have not been to NYC in awhile, you may be surprised to find that Broadway, between 18th and 42nd Streets, has been converted to an outdoor cafe of sorts. I can't explain it. People seem to really enjoy relaxing at the cafe tables, amongst the potted plants, despite the truck fumes. Hmm.

ice cream on every street corner

Great graphics.

I think this truck dates back to the 50s. So great!

The Ice Cream Man! On 39th and Broadway in the Garment District.
Photographed today!

The most amazing thing about Midtown in the summer is that there is an ice cream truck (Mister Softee!), it seems, on every street corner. Ice cream everywhere. It seems like heaven to me. And a cone with sprinkles is only $2! People say New York is expensive. Hah.

Although it is not summer today, the Ice Cream Men are back. Check out two trucks in the Garment District: 39th and Broadway is $2 for a cone; 41st St and 6th Avenue is $3 for a cone. It pays to comparison shop...