Posts by Dara

Manhattan Mania: Canteloup

  • Cantaloup
  • trendy togs to die for
  • 1036 Lexington Avenue (@ 74th Street)
  • 212-249-3566
  • Mon-Sat 11-7, Sun 12-6
  • $36-$1000
  • 10 days for store credit. Sale items are final sale.
  • 6 to 77th Street
  • Click here for a store map!

A mix of downtown cool with uptown sophistication, Canteloup is a super chic boutique stocked with cutting-edge designer labels from around the world. Fashion editors, celebs and the A-List crowd flock here for hipster Australian labels like Sass & Bide and Willow, Diego Binetti, La Cosa and re-worked vintage T’s from Burn ‘n Violet. As if that’s not reason enough to sprint on over, they also carry a dynamite denim selection, sexy lingerie, funky tees, cool carryalls and to-die-for jewelry by the cash. Need we say more?

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Filed: New York City, Shopping Safaris

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Stocks & Frocks

Wall Street is suddenly rallying again… but not because of the stock market. In the last month alone, haute fashion houses like Hermés and Thomas Pink have popped-up on the southern tip of the city, bringing some much-needed flare back to the financial district. No longer a spot solely for discount electronics and tacky tourist tchotchkes like “I Love NY” tees, Wall Street has suddenly gone chic. And with another wave of retail big wigs moving in on the turf this fall including Gucci, Tiffany and Canali, why bother rummaging through racks at Century 21?  Cruise around the narrow, cobblestone streets and you’ll also find a smattering of ritzy, residential buildings. And with Whole Foods coming to the neighborhood soon, a slew of additional stores are expected to follow suit. Finally, some primo places for traders to blow their bonuses.


Tiffany & Co. Wall Street Mural


Thomas Pink, 63 Wall Street Sign


Thomas Pink, 63 Wall Street Entrance


Hermés, 15 Broad Street Entrance

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Filed: Shop Talk

Cocktail Couture

imageThe Orchard Street I remember as a tyke was jam-packed with vendors selling cheap shmattas like leather motorcycle jackets, nylon duffle bags and knock-off designer purses. Of course that was before I had any fashion sense and when my parents paid for my wardrobe. Now that I’m grown up and in command of everything hanging in my closet, I’ve become completely obsessed with a new breed of hipster clothing boutiques that has since popped-up on the block, including The Dressing Room – a trendy Lower East Side spot where I can shop, schmooze and sip martinis all under one roof, even after midnight.

Co-founder Nicole Fontanella (Cyndi Lauper’s former stylist) opened The Dressing Room earlier this month as a one-stop shopping destination with three diverse rooms including an indie clothing and accessories boutique, a thrift store and full-service bar/café that officially opens July 18th.  Peruse the first floor co-op for cutting-edge frocks from dozens of local designers like Paperdolls NYC (sweet baby doll cherry print dresses), New York Couture (Hanes underwear converted into micro minis), Voudoo (chic camis with lace trim) and Motormontenegro and Submission (funky button-leg jeans), each of whose wares are on display a four-month rotation, in order to make room for the next wave of talent. Should you find your head spinning from the overwhelming selection, try chilling out at the adjacent bar for a free movie screening and a Cosmo. Once you’ve recharged your batteries, venture downstairs to the clothing exchange for a first-rate collection of vintage and slightly-worn threads ranging from Fedoras, fringed leather bags, cocktail dresses to cowboy boots. In keeping with the hoods’ historic garment district vibe, the thrift store also doubles as a designers’ workshop complete with antique sewing machines and a cutting table, just like the ones used by old-world tailors like my Grandma Eva and Grandpa Yael.

  • The Dressing Room
  • 75a Orchard Street (between Broome and Grand)
  • 212-966-7330
  • Sunday-Wednesday, 1pm-12am; Thursday-Saturday, 1pm-2am
  • thedressingroomnyc.com
  • $28-$350 (designer coop); $4-$40 (clothing exchange)
  • clothing exchange items are final sale and coop items are exchange only within 5 days of purchase
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Filed: Shop Talk

Shady Disposition

It’s summer in the city and I’m proud to say that I’m pasty white for the first time ever. Sure I’d look better with a subtle J. Lo glow (dark under-eye circles and spider veins always disappear with a tan), but after years of basking on the beach with a reflector and baby oil (I kid you not), tanorexia has gradually taken its toll. Premature chest wrinkles, crow’s feet and displastic moles sliced off my back keep me in a constant state of panic. At the ripe old age of 35, my dermatologist’s number is already programmed on speed dial… not exactly normal. While you can’t turn back the clock, it’s never too late to shield yourself from the damaging effects of the sun. Do yourself a favor and consider stocking-up on these derm-approved skin saviors.

imageYou no longer need to smuggle contraband sunscreen in from Canada to get broad-spectrum protection. After only 18 years, Anthelios, a super-charged sun block, was recently approved by the FDA. Why all the fuss? It’s packed with Mexoryl SX – the first organic filter to offer high-level protection against short UVA rays… the number one cause of aging. Anthelios SX Sunscreen • anthelios.com • $29 • 1-800-560-1803

Never mind stormy weather. Parasols have suddenly become the accessory du jour during sunny skies. Perfect for protecting your face and décolleté from damaging rays, this chic SunBlok number even features built-in UV protection, keeping you up to 10 degrees cooler in the strongest sunlight. GustBuster SunBlok Parasol •

amazon.com • $32.49 • 1-888-487-8287

Keep suntans at bay with a stunning, wide-brimmed straw hat designed by Anne Depasquale. Hand-painted accents, silky ribbon bows and buckle embellishments add that extra bit of oomph. These haute toppers are made-to-measure in Anne’s Manhattan studio and take up to 6 weeks to make, so you’d be wise to place your order pronto. Anne Depasquale • annedepasquale.com • prices upon request • 646-263-5458

Throw on these stylish over-sized shades to protect your peepers from “blinde-ing” light and unwanted lines. Made by Blinde, the cutting-edge company that created the signature style for the lead cast of The Matrix, this sought-after shape is so cool, you’ll even want to wear ‘em at night. Blinde Perfectly Panicked Sunglasses • amazon.com • $209 • 800-647-2345

Don’t even think about diving into a pool ‘til you’ve spritzed your strands with Kerastase Voile Protecteur, a magical mist with UV filters to prevent your hair from being singed in the sun. Spray it all over your head before heading-out-the-door to keep your locks shiny and silky all summer long.
Kerastaste – Voile Protecteur • kerastase-usa.com • $34 • 877-254-9949

If you’re dying for that back-from-the-beach-vacation bronzage, play it safe by going faux. Fake ‘n bake on the fly with Benefit Cosmetics’ Jiffy Tan – a lightweight, tinted body lotion that glides on evenly, won’t streak and stays put for instant tanification. Benefit Cosmetics Jiffy Tan • benefitcosmetics.com • $24.00 • 800-781-2336

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Filed: Beauti-Fixation

Shoe Beginnings

imageTo say I take care of my stuff is an understatement. Peek into my cramped New York closet and you’ll discover a whole world of obsession you wish you never knew existed. Each of my beloved soles (113 pairs at last count) are individually wrapped in its own plastic bin to distinguish my Michael Kors from my Marc Jacobs. In fact, even after multiple moves, every pair still looks brand-spanking-new thanks to Shoebby, the practical and affordable alternative to pricey, custom-made shoe racks.

No more snapping Polaroids or rummaging through flimsy cardboard boxes, Shoebby saves me time and tantrums. A savior for shoe addicts who lack closet space, this space-age shoebox keeps floors clutter-free, while safely storing your prized pumps from dust, dirt and other damaging debris. With Shoebby, you can say goodbye to misplaced, scuffed, dog-chewed designer soles or unnecessary trips to the shoemaker. Constructed from recycled plastic with open-air vents (a must for mold-free footwear), this clear, coffin-like container lets you instantly grab your stilettos and go. Thanks to the sturdy handle, transporting your shoes (just as you would your precious Trixie) is a small feat. And with a range of pastel containers coming soon, color-coding your inventory and separating your slingbacks from your sandals will be a cinch. Now, if only I could find a Shoebby to organize life’s other little details.

  • Shoebby
  • 1-888-6-SHOEBOX
  • shoebby.com
  • $7.99 per box ($5.99 introductory price)
  • within 14 days of purchase, less shipping fees
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Filed: Clothes Encounters