I travel frequently to NYC and although I love hitting up all the new and delicious restaurants around the city, there are times when a man just wants a quick snack or to make his own meal affordably. Trader Joe’s manages to make these times a possibility with their delicious food which is priced reasonably and now there is a new location in NYC! Located at 6th Ave. and West 21st Street, it’s a frugal foodie’s dream come true right in the neighborhood (Chelsea) I’m in the most.

To give a little background, Trader Joe’s has become a kind of cult-like experience for the many people who flock to their cheerful, well-lit stores. It’s kind of the anti-Whole Foods in some ways. There is no pretension served with your produce and everything is relatively inexpensive at T.J.’s (though I love Whole Foods as well). The people who work there sport Hawaiian type shirts and are usually helpful and friendly and the biggest difference between the two grocery chains is the price point, of course.

Trader Joe’s was started in California as a quirky, neighborhood kind of store awhile back until the Albrecht family of Germany (who already owned successful supermarket chains) bought it and gradually expanded it, keeping the homey, fun vibe of the original store intact as their popularity increased, perhaps the key to their success.

Although NYC has other Trader Joe’s locations, this one was met with great fanfare. It is situated in a foodie neighborhood and will relieve some of the packed crowds at the other locations in the city. Customers who have been there are already raving about the new place’s wide aisles and great selection. I can’t wait to check it out!

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People often complain that eating nutritiously, deliciously and on a budget is near impossible. With this economy, everyone is looking to save money but wants to stay healthy as well. I’ve picked up a few tips and tricks from my health-conscious pals about eating well on a dime and thought I’d share them with you… Some might seem disarmingly simple or obvious, but you’d be surprised about how much of a difference they actually make.

- Buy a combination of fresh and frozen fruits and veggies. Only buy what is in season because it is often cheaper and tastes better when buying fresh, and opt for frozen veggies during the winter months that are flash frozen (frozen at their peak of ripeness), thereby maintaining their nutrients and low cost.

-Go veggie. As I’ve discussed in other posts, not only is dining sans meat healthy for your body and mind, it’s also easier on your wallet. Delicious, easy to prepare dried and canned bean as well as whole grains, like brown rice and whole wheat pasta are inexpensive and delicious.

-Drink water. This seems like an obvious one, but those alcoholic drinks, sodas and juices add up to a good chunk of change. Not only will substituting tap water refresh your body, it’s obviously free (duh). Invest in an inexpensive Brita pitcher for safer water.

-Stay away from the processed stuff. Items that are prepared are laden with preservatives, added sugar and salt, and artifical ingredients as well as being pricey.

-Use coupons. If you don’t feel like spending your free time clipping them, sign up for a site like Shortcuts.com, which emails you coupons you would be interested in that you can print out and use at your local supermarket. Simple, thrifty and oh so easy!

-Start a garden. If you don’t exactly have a green thumb, start with growing herbs and progress onto veggies. You’ll eventually save a bundle when cooking.

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We all love designer goods, even if we say we’re not label snobs. There’s something luxurious about an item that’s carefully produced and indulgent or being treated like a V.I.P., even if it’s just for a few fleeting moments. Unfortunately, we don’t all have the means to treat ourselves to decadent things all the time . This is where smart shopping comes in, especially if you have a taste for the finer things in life.

I personally am a big fan of invitation only luxury shopping sites like Gilt and Ideeli. Many of you may have heard of these popular sites but may not have tried them out. Trust me, they are worth the time it takes to fill out the free invite-only registration. Not only will you get discounts on big tickets items like Marc Jacobs bags and Vivienne Westwood heels, they both sell lovely home goods and sometimes even nice, hardcover coffee table books. Gilt, in particular, occasionally offers discounted vacation stays. On Gilt today, are sales including items from Lutz and Patmos, Thread Social, Moschino Cheap & Chic and the lovely Kendra Scott’s jewelry. Upcoming sales will have pieces by Splendid, Tracey Reese, Cynthia Rowley, Dolce and Gabbana and Vera Wang Lavender Label. But act quick because these sales function sort of like live sample sales! Once the allotted number of items is sold in a select category, they’re completely out of it. In other words, if you like it, buy it immediately. There is even a small countdown clock on every section’s page, letting you know when each sale ends to add to the frenzied feel of it all.

Ideeli is also a good option, but showcases lesser known and not as high-priced, but still good, products. Both are definitely worth a look and occasionally carry men’s as well as children’s clothing and accessories.

I will post an invite from my Twitter for membership to Gilt. Follow this link to be invited to Ideeli and let the shopping begin!

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Consigning your old or never worn clothes is one of the best ways to make a little extra money and ensure that your lovingly picked out things live on with some other stylish soul. For those who don’t know, consigning your clothes refers to a process where things of yours are possibly accepted (if they like your stuff) upfront by a store, which does not pay you a fee unless your items sell. When your things are bought, the store will get a cut of the profit and you will get the other part of it (it’s usually split 50/50 between yourself and storeowner or sometimes, you can opt for store credit for more value). It differs from buying and selling vintage in that consigned clothes don’t have to 20+ years old, nessecarily designer, etc (though some consignment store are also vintage stores and vice versa). Sounds like a fashionista’s dream, right? Not so fast. Although, as I’ve said, consignment has it’s positives, there is also a shady side of it. Very often, newbies to consignment will get a raw deal. As a frequent consigner myself, I know a bit about it. Below are some tips to make sure your consignment experience is just peachy.

-Research, research, research!

So you’ve decided to consign your little heart out and you’re dreaming of riches and beautiful new clothes. That’s all well and good, but first comes selecting the consignment shop you will approach with your goods first. This one is pretty obvious but can prevent a lot of drama with dealing with sketchy characters. Simply ask around with people you know and trust for a reputable store in which to sell your stuff. No one you know buys or sells consigned stuff? Google consignment shops in your area/nearest city and read their reviews on Yelp and Citysearch! People are often brutally honest about their experience with businesses on these sites and you’ll come to realize which ones to avoid for fear of being jipped out of money and treated unfarily or rudely. Also, make sure you find out what types of clothes ghe shop sells. Designer or vintage only? High end? More affordable stuff? Also, find out what styles the shop gravitates towards. Which leads us to our next tip…

-Check out the store in person.

Once you’ve settled on a shop that seems to be a good fit, take a visit there. If you feel welcomed, valued and comfortable with the salespeople there, chances are good you will have a pleasant experiece consigning with them. Also, it gives you an even better look at what kinds of clothes they will accept and in what condition. If you like what you see, come back with your things…

-Inspect all clothing, etc. before having the shopowner sort through it.

Make sure all the things you bring to have looked at are in good to great condition, are not wrinkled, have no stains/tears, fit the style and price range of said shop, and, most importantly, are packed well and attractively. No garbage or old duffel bags to tote your items! If you take the time to make an attractive presentation of it, the clothes seem nicer as well and the person will be more likely to accept them. Hang up dresses and coats and cover them, if possible as well. Remember, neatly folded and clean in nicer bags always works.

-Make sure you get a good cut.

Don’t accept anything under 30% of the selling price! Otherwise, you are getting the wool pulled over your eyes. Also, get a dated contract which stipulates all terms and items and don’t hesitate to ask questions. These ar eyour posessions, after all. Look over it carefully before signing. Make sure the salesperson marks the same date on both contracts, so they don’t claim you didn’t pick up your clothes on time so they “donated” your clothes to charity.

-Lastly, be on time, courteous and helpful when dealing with the store’s staff.

Usually, you have to make an appointment to show or pick up your leftover clothes/money/credit  so don’t just pop in. It is also understood that you may have to wait awhile once you’re there, if the store is busy. Also, make sure you are picking up your clothes on time otherwise the contract is usually voided.

Good luck!

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The web site Etsy, around for 5 years now, has become something of a global phenomenon with buyers and sellers from over 150 countries and hundreds of thousands of virtual store fronts. For the unitiated, it is a site that’s both a community and company, with sellers setting up shop online and connecting, through the site, with buyers interested in their wares. The only rules for being a seller (it’s free to have an online store and item listing fees are dirt cheap) is that you hawk vintage, homemade or crafting supply things. Etsy’s main mission is to enable people to make a living making things, and to reconnect makers with buyers, build a new economy and present a better choice for consumers, which is something I wholeheartedly support. Not to mention most of the sellers price their things fairly and you can find something really unique.

Although it has kind of a folksy, crafty reputation, the stores on Etsy have become increasingly professional with more polished goods and styling. Each item seems to be made with love and attention to detail even if it isn’t totally your scene. Mainstream mags like Lucky have featured Etsy in their pages and the categories of merchandise available range from artwork to clothing to accessories to needlepoint and home goods. All in all, it is a wildly interesting site to explore, if a little daunting to navigate for newbies. Search options, aside from searching by general keyword, include searching by color, curated lists from other members, editors’ picks, suggested sellers, shops that are based locally, by listing time, or even sorting through the newest stores. You can also request custom items from certain sellers, which is a godsend for those who are difficult to fit or are very particular in general. Sorting through Etsy is kind of like going around your favorite flea market, with quirky treasures going for $1 and under to hundreds of dollars apiece and more. There is something for everyone on Etsy, so it is definitely worth a look! Here, my favorite pieces in a range of prices.

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Lots of amazing and classic things came out of the 1950s… Prim sweater sets, classic Elvis and…. great eyewear? Yup, it’s true. The sunglasses of the summer are the nostalgic cat eye frames of yesteryear made popular by Hollywood luminaries at the time like Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly who sported non-tinted versions. The specs of the past were often decorated with rhinestones and kept in a fairly neutral color palette of black and, brown, but the current craze for the cat eye look is interpreted in bolder, more pronounced shapes, thicker frames and occasionally, bright colors. Cat eye sunnies were trotted out on spring/summer runways as diverse as Giles Deacon, Sonia Rykiel and perhaps most tellingly, on design wunderkind Alexander Wang (seen in the collage) and quirky mainstay Prada.  Soon, hip models were parading the shades off-duty and faster than you could blink an eye, so were starlets like Jessica Alba, Nicole Richie and the Olsen twins.

Many designers have come out with their own style of the cat eye and the result is mostly positive. Dior’s subtle (also in the collage) take is perfect for the more subdued stylista while Betsey Johnson sticks to her rock n’ roll take on fashion and goes for fab and outlandish shades. There are also more affordable styles out there such as British retailer Aso’s cool pair and Fossil’s gentler take on the trend.

The cat eye phenomenon is not only completely of the moment, it’s also wildly flattering. The high, pointed edges of the frames visually lift the face making you look younger, higher cheek boned and, of course, more glamorous. I’m a big proponent of cat eye specs also because they look new and fresh despite their storied history and add that fashionable je ne sais quoi to any ensemble. Wang’s futuristic glasses and Prada’s colorful pairs paired with pigtails, on the runway and in eye-catching ads like the one posted here, are the perfect contemporary twist on a classic trend. I suggest wearing the look while attired in timeless looks in plain neutral colors, leaving the glasses to take center stage. Just take a look at Scarlett Johanssen recently all dolled up at an event for inspiration. I made a collage of my favorite different types of cat eyes available in all price and style ranges, below, that’ll make you purr (get it?) with satisfaction, including one non-tinted pair for those who rock specs appeal even when they’re not in the sun. Picks include shades from the aforementioned Alexander Wang, Tom Ford, Marc by Marc Jacobs, popular online retailer net-a-porter and colorful and irreverent Brooklyn-based retailer Fred Flare that are so cute they more than justify their mere $11 price tag (they actually have several cute pairs of cat eye sunglasses for peanuts).

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I was kind of on the fence about flat oxfords. I know they’ve been cool, and even mainstream, for a while but I couldn’t help but feel that they might be hard to pull off and frumpy or unflattering for the majority of women. The trend keeps charging ahead, full steam, and after seeing the latest offerings from some of favorite shoe sources, I’ve completely changed my tune.

The trick to making the flat oxford work is to buy a pair that have some feminine appeal or flair in the first place. Oxfords with shiny patent lather, different textures, interesting cutouts, and bright or pastel colors all make the grade. These are much easier to sport than the plain, old-school style oxfords that Diane Keaton wore in Annie Hall (but if you’re going for that sort of look, by all means, go right ahead). If you are going for the classic brogue, I suggest pairing it with something frilly like a short ruffled mini skirt or dress. This will even out the masculinity of the shoe and be more forgiving on the figure than a pair of pants would be and feels more “now”. If you choose to wear a girlier oxford, I suggest getting a pair that show some skin on your foot or one with cutouts because it’s infinitely easier on your shape and will make legs look miles longer. I love these kinds of oxfords with rolled up boyfriend jeans and a femme top, black/grey skinny jeans or even a more subdued mini. If you’re going to wear a dress or skirt with this style of shoe, make sure it is above the knee. Flat oxfords with a knee length or longer frock visually breaks up your figure instead of creating one long, lean silhouette. I created the collage at the bottom to give you some idea of an outfit that I think works.

I especially like this trend since cute oxfords are an affordable look that jazz up an outfit easily. They add a not trying too hard, quirky, tomboy appeal to most everything you pair them with, just be sure to not go too literal with the menswear  theme. As I’ve said, I believe they work best when paired with something frothy and light to balance the heaviness of the shoe. In that spirit, I’ve selected my favorite under $150 picks that can be bought online. The top two are by Jeffrey Campbell from Need Supply (you must check out this site if you haven’t done so). The next pair are Alice + Olivia for Payless and the stylish girl in the picture is wearing Kimchi Blue tan oxfords, available at Urban Outfitters. It’s official. I’m an oxford believer now.

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You are probably already familiar with Urban Outfitters, the emporium of hipster cool and kitschy home goods for the masses.  While you may not have perused the home decor section in awhile, a visit to the apartment section on their website will surely change that. Reasonably priced but not necessarily cheaply made, their pieces are mostly sleek, design savvy steals (just avoid all the knick knacks). A recent collaboration with Pendleton, maker of interesting textiles such as the navajo print below, and a featured international artist community called Spcoety6, whose pretty and quirky artwork is being sold at an affordable price, has upped the style ante (which is, surprisingly, similar to that of their more sophisticated and expensive sister store Anthropologie).

I am particularly a fan of their furniture, especially the antique vibe of the sofas. Some of their decor pieces might still seem outlandish but sparsely placed, could proved a needed dose of whimsy to any plain room. After all, style isn’t just about clothes and hair, so add some spice to your home as well!

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Heading to Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Glastonbury, or Sasquatch this summer? H&M’s got you covered, literally. The massive Swedish retailer is once again launching their third annual Fashion Against AIDS collection, on May 20th, and this time they’re focusing on clothing for warm weather music festivals while giving back. One quarter of the proceeds will go to youth HIV/AIDS awareness projects around the world.

Stylish celebrities and regular folks alike are usually photographed at these music festivals and concerts for magazines and street style blogs in eclectic and cool ensembles, often vintage-inspired. As Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M’s design head says, “For me, festivals are unique and inspirational places as they join both music and fashion. To see your favorite bands, to see creative people gathered, all from different nations and with different looks really inspires me.”

Taking a cue from this sentiment, both the men’s and women’s line are young, fun, and perfect for a romp in the mud. For the ladies, there are bohemian fringed tunics, maxi and mini dresses, leopard print galore, patterned leggings, big ethnic jewelry, gladiator sandals, chunky belts, loads of denim, and sparkly accents. My favorite pieces, pictured above, are the pink, animal print dress and all the bold accessories. Rest assured aspiring faux-groupies will be  a vision in the music-inspired looks and the amazing ads for this collection star none other than rock progeny Lou Doillon and Lizzie Jagger as well as Josh Beech of British band Snish.

For the men, the emphasis is also on denim, but with very skinny silhouettes, and there is a hip and modern overall feel to the line. It includes slim blazers, jackets, faded and patched jeans, cropped shorts, embellished waistcoats, paisley vests, and hats.

If fringe and paisley aren’t your thing, H&M also has printed tents, folding chairs, and sleeping bags for those long, music-filled nights. The collection will only be featured at 200 H&M stores internationally, so make sure you head to a participating location. Scoop up some terrific togs, donate to a great cause, and head for the festival!

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