panties + vodka

let's be more accurate: it's really "Jesse in NYLON mag"

featured in 2009, feb issue

part of an article titled "what lies beneath: these nyc lingerie shop girls have seen and heard absolutely everything."

among 4 new york lingerie shops (calvin klein, kiki de montparnasse, agent provacateur were the other 3), we put forth jesse for the fashion sharks and she swam just fine.

we have heard it all from all sorts of people. being in the east village and just for being a lingerie shop, we get all sorts of crank calls (and scarier: not really prank calls) from all sorts of weirdos and crazy people. but here's jesse's take:

Posted by cindy at 05:38 PM | Permalink

cleaning out my desk today and found some cards for random goodies.

like this "re-surface" microphone pendant light.

the rest of their stuff is not really my taste but check out the site: http://re-surface.net/
i found them at some craft show.

Posted by cindy at 02:43 PM | Permalink

sometimes there are just some stores i have to go into everytime i pass by. even though i KNOW i'm not going to buy anything mostly because i'm too cheap and can't justify the purchase. nonetheless, these stores are inspirational and always feel like you've stepped into a different world.

and i always take friends visiting from out-of-town so they can envy my nyc lifestyle.

some of these stores include pat field (glitz and glamour), some odd rubies (reworked vintage beauts), and john derrian (odd home accents)

on frances b's last visit, i took her to john derian's 2 shops downtown and she ended up picking up these hand painted rubber duckies. told you you couldn't justify the purchase!

i store this photo and discovered a fun new blog along the way:

http://rubypr.com/

Posted by cindy at 07:43 PM | Permalink

since it's too cold to hang out in the city these days, i've been cooped up in my apt watching a bunch good bad tv shows.

such as...

bad girls club - 3rd season: they previewed that tanisha is back starting next week. will they be able to recreate the drama from last season? let's hope so.

the city - so creatively titled. but that's about as much creativity that goes into the show any way. i rag on this show but can't help but watch it, just to see where these people hang out in the city. so far, none really where i'd go. but i guess that's why they live in "reality"

tool academy - b-e-s-t show EVER; catch it on vh1 for realz

confessions of a teen idol - eric nies used to live above azaleas and skateboard shirtless in front of us all the time. sweet...?

true beauty - this is pretty bad. nonetheless, i have nothing better to do. vanessa minnillo actually has a personality. just not sure if i'm digging it yet. some people are just not meant to host reality shows.

i'm open to suggestions on other crap to watch on tv.

and don't forget to catch the inauguration tomorrow.

Posted by cindy at 04:31 PM | Permalink

SHOP THE AZALEAS SALE in its last days...

30-70% off select clothing, loungewear, swimwear and winter accessories

don't miss out on the 50 dollars and under rack

Posted by cindy at 04:23 PM | Permalink

it's brutally cold out there, and i can't be more thankful for living and working in the east village than i am right now.

i can eat, sleep, play and work all in a 8 block radius. it's amazing. and i'm not just settling for something, i'm getting the best of what the city can offer. this is not in any particular order.

1. porchetta - this isn't a food blog, so i won't go into detail. all i have to say is crispy pork crackle between buns.

2. finally went to prune after like 5 reservation cancellations in the past. this place had a great vibe, lots of people on first dates, and darn good (my first time so can't compare) sweetbreads. ever tried those or even know what they are? if ignorant, it may sound like some dessert but it's actually some glands found in the necks of pork, lamb or beef. sorry vegetarians! crispy and salty, and weirdly mushy. below is a photo of the steak for two we shared.

3. abraco - need i go there again? make sure to try the cortado served in a shot glass.

4. village yokocho - i've been going here since my college day. at first, i was a little apprehensive that the tentacles on these squid legs were too prominent, but i got over it pretty quickly.

5. momofuku milk bar - man, i stopped by here to say hello (their office people are our neighbors) and was given some free cookies. maybe free tastes better, but those were the best darnedest cookies i've ever had! stay tuned for a momofuku-azaleas valentine's special!

i didn't get to take a pic, so here's one from flickr

6. bonchon - the influx of korean restaurants to the east village is insane and we're all but loving it.
this korean fried chicken joint just opened an outpost on st. mark's place and i'm so happy i only need to go 2 blocks to get New York Magazine's #1 rated fried chicken!

7. seoul station - another korean joint. bimibim bop place for those on the go for some fresh, not fatty fast food. don't know bibimbop?
it's a rice bowl mixed with all sorts of veggies (and meat optional) mixed with spicy red pepper paste and sometimes eggs.

8. back forty - delish. i'm so glad i finally tried this place out. i'll be going back very soon and will take pics next time.

9. udon west - how else can you get two meals for 8.99? curry + udon set.

10. and finally, one not food related reason i love the east village? joe's pub (actually, they also serve food but have never tried it). just went to go see "hynotic brass ensemble". how cute are these boys in their fly suits and poses? they were amazing. currently on tour in paris. go check them out, mes amis!

Posted by cindy at 02:03 PM | Permalink

So I'm currently on vacation in Seoul, Korea, where super spicy food and metric system coexist. (Yes, I'm 154.5 cm and it's -15'C today!) Apart from those listed above, there's something I found particularly interesting, and maybe a little bit scary: matching underwear sets for both you AND your certain someone!

Popular Korean intimate apparel brands like YES Underwear offer personalized monogram services, which means you can engrave your name across your lover's...bum.

Now, I'm not sure how New Yorkers would feel about hot pink boxers with hearts all over them, but believe me, these are insanely popular here in Korea, especially around Valentine's Day. Even a major American intimate apparel brand like Calvin Klein Underwear offers a couple's underwear collection.

Who knows, maybe these hilarious undies will make it to New York one day! Keep your eyes peeled, ladies and gents!

Posted by shop gals at 08:19 AM | Permalink

so every year around my birthday, i treat myself to some guilt-free shopping. it's january, so usually everything's on sale and it just feels nice to start the year off with some new things...

my new goodies...
the hipster lace-up boots from dolce vita.

click here to buy. it comes in a bunch of colors. note: these are on sale in the store, but not online

and mama got a brand new bag. rachel nasvik hobo. the key is a bag that can be worn cross body so your hands are free to drink and dance, or shop freely.

my copycat friend, jenny, is threatening to buy the same bag. sorry, sold out!

and just when you think i should be cooling it with all this shopping, i walked through soho yesterday and dropped in tretorn. found these fab wool sneakers for a mere $32 bucks, no tax! i mean, how could i resist?

Posted by cindy at 07:32 PM | Permalink

and i'm not just talking about the weather. it's been snowing all day in nyc and i actually braved it to walk around the East Village a little today.

a couple of my stops included:

girly nyc - another lingerie shop in the east village that's bidding farewell as of tomorrow. good luck! while azaleas may be holding on through this tough time, it's really sad to see all the little boutiques in the neighborhood going bye-bye. i must've passed by 20-30 shops with "store for rent" signs today. these are some sad times, my friends.

meanwhile, why are there like 30+ hair salons in the east village and counting? are we just a bunch of vain peeps in this hood that will still pay $50-80 for a hair cut?

abraco - while i'll remain loyal to my daily cup at tarallucci e vino on our corner, i have to say that i dropped by here twice (yesterday and today) and am hooked. once you walk in, you can feel the love and warmth that goes into that tiny shot of espresso. today? cortado which is an espresso shot (literally served in a shot glass) with some steamed milk.

the view today: lazy saturday abraco is bustling

the view yesterday: one of the best lattes i've ever had served in a real nyc greek coffee cup finished off with a foam heart

giant robot - i just stopped into this nerdy shop because my feet were freezing and i needed to defrost for a sec. they were having a little exhibition going on. considering some artwork for azaleas these days and i really liked this artist: dan-ah kim's "Misadventures"

and last, had to get a little bite to take the edge off that make-me-crazy espresso with some mexican goodness.
a chicken chipotle tostada and 2 pork tacos for like 8 bucks. this mexican deli, zaragoza, on avenue a serves it up to old mexican dudes watching "football" and drinking 40s on their day off.

Posted by cindy at 07:07 PM | Permalink