I was in New York last Sunday for a meeting with a potential manager. It didn't work out, but I got to enjoy a nice 5 hour shopping spree and was able to hit all the stores I wanted.
I started at Bigelow because they open early on Sunday. I picked up some cool toothpaste and Mentha products (like the handwash that Bath and Bodyworks discontinued.) They have quite a fragrance section - including ALL the Nasomatto on diplay so you can spray freely. I was kind of rushed so I didn't go through the whole wall but I noticed a lone bottle of Egoiste Cologne Concentree. I didn't buy it then but I called the next day to order as it it is something that I have wanted for a long time.
Then I went to upper west side to go to Malin & Goetz - a new skin care company that has received a lot of buzz for their amazing deodorant. I bought one and they also have scents (tonics) and candles. The tonics smelled clean but distinct. My favorite candle was Cannabis (go figure - since even though I don't do 420, Black Afgano is one of my faves.) I came close to buying but didnt. He gave me a mess of skin care samples to try.
I started at the high end of Madison where Frederic Malle, Bond, Creed and Etro are on the same block. I was planning to purchase at FM so I started there. I've noticed that when you have a bag of something high end you've already bought, it makes the other stores take you a little more seriously.
The sales associate at Frederic Malle was AMAZING. I told her what I wanted and asked for other things that are similar. I like things dark, evil, intense and heavy - that make a statement. I bought a full bottle of Musc Ravageur which I have been sampling for a while but was on the fence. I mentioned that Katie Puckrick helped pushed me over the edge and the SA laughed, saying that she knows Katie. She fired up the scent columns and I liked Noir Epices and Dans Tes Bras of the ones she showed me. She gave me samples of those and a sample of Iris Poudre to try. I also really liked one of the candles - Coffee Society. It doesn't smell like coffee but the atmosphere of what a coffee society should smell like. I might end up mail ordering that for holiday parties.
I walked across the street to Bond. It was supposed to open at 12noon. At 12:30 they were closed. I had wanted to smell the forthcoming Cooper Square. I left a voice mail and never heard back.
Then was Creed. I love Bois du Portugal, and Virgin Island Water was the first expensive frag that I had ever tried. There were several people in the store so I patiently waited with a smile on my face (which denizens of NY just don't do.) I had heard that the Creed Boutique was a little snooty and stingy with samples and since I wasn't about to buy a Creed today - I wasn't sure what kind of reception I would get. I am guessing either the the debonair (and attractive sales associate) was either in a good mood - or my smile and the FM bag/Tumi luggage swayed him to be generous with his time. I smelled the new Aventus and liked it a lot - it was fruity to me but not as much as VIW. (My nose isnt as attuned to notes as the rest of y'all are - but I am working on it.) I liked it but wanted a sample to try at my leisure - he suggested a few others. He told me the full story on Windsor and sprayed my arm with it (a bit surprising that he did that but he was passionate about it so I let him go for it.) The story is rebellious and interesting but on me the fragrance didn't work so well. After a few hours, it didn't move me like a $600 bottle should. Those who like that kind of thing will love it - it's not for me. Then he suggested Tabarome Millesime and Original Santal - both of which I liked. I asked him for his card for mail order. He gave me a carded sample of Aventus and made me small vials of Tabarome Millesime and Original Santal -- both of which I look forward to testing furher.
Then I went to Etro - which has drained me of much of my dj income with their amazingly vibrant sprint/summer line. I was in NY every Sunday DJing for six weeks and ended up buying 4 long sleeve shirts, 4 polo shirts and a tshirt. Foolishly, I asked the sexy SA J.R. to check out what they had left from last season on sale, and I bought another polo shirt. I asked for samples of two of their frags that I liked - and I got 2 each (samples) of Anice and Messe de Minuit.
Next I walked up Madison to Saks Fifth Avenue. At the Guerlain counter, I asked about the Arsene Lupin frags and the SA said that they come out in Septmeber. I went up to Mens on Sixth and I was going to buy the full sized kit on Art of Shaving for $100 - since I had a $25 gift card. I ended up buying just the shaving cream and Preshave - since that is what I really use (I don't use after shave balm because I do a moisturizer with an SPF and I already have a shaving brush). I noticed that they had a lot of Bond so I asked the sixth floor guy about Cooper Square. He said he didn't have up there but called downstairs. They had a tester bottle. I went down and they gave me a sprayed card. I dont own any Bond - but if I were to buy one - it might be Cooper Square.. kinda fruity for me - but I liked there it was going. I will have to get a sample for testing.
I took a break from frag shopping and hit Diesel (didn't have the belt in the size I wanted but I got a cool striped vest for half off.) Then I walked all the way up to 34th (past this obnoxiously loud Spanish language parade for a 2012 campaign) and found Mecca - the BIG Desigual store. They just got in their Fall/Winter and I went to town. I was asking about stuff from the website and they pulled things for me out of the back - I got an amazing vest, shirt and and sweater from fall winter. A shirt that I Really wanted, they didnt have in my size - so they called over to the Soho shop and put it on hold for me. I also got a pair of shorts which were marked at 69 Euros. It was on sale and it rang up as $53 - nice. If you like vibrant patterns and clothing which helps you make a statement go to desigual.com and look at their stuff. They fall/winter is a little more subdued than Spring/summer .. but its still amazing stuff. It's funny I used to be so into Custo Barcelona and then I realized what they send down the runway never ends up in the stores so I gave up. Desigual sells in their stores (at a reasonable price point) just about EVERYTHING that is on their runways.
Then I caught the subway into Soho -- $2.25 and much quicker than cab. I had a whole list and had gridded the streets so that I would be organized.
I hit Paul Smith (tried on this gorgeous toweling robe that I have been drooling over.. must wait for sale - though if I was rich, skinny and wore suits - they would all be Paul Smith), Adidas Original (nothing exciting), Custo Barcelona (yawn, lame - see above), Nespresso (tried to stop in to the cafe but the people inside wouldn't let me in - boo), Swatch (my other obsession - bought two of the new full blooded and three of the another model to give as gift to the site writers on dancemusic.about.com), Puma (saw the kicks I liked when I was in Philly but they didnt have my size -argh.)
I ended at Bloomingdales. Time to experience Bang. After the Marc Jacobs ads - hot sexy man done up a la Tom Ford with the bottle covering his jewels - I was expecting that it would fit me - loud, brash, statement. Unfortunately, what I got was a whiff of vetiver (or so I thought - its supposed to be pepper - again my untrained nose). I let it settle and it quickly went generic sweet musk on me. A year ago, I would have probably bought it anyway - since its exclusive to Bloomies and MJ outlets - none of the other gay boys in Nashville would have it .. and the GWP bag was cool. I thought about it and realized, why should I waste $75 on something that I will only like for a few months when I can hold off and get something really special that I will love. I asked for a sample to take with me and they didn't have any. I figured that was a good sign to just walk away.
It was 6pm and my flight was at 8:30pm so with the traffic, I figured I should just jump in the cab and go directly to the airport. I had hit all 15 stores I had planned ( and a few more) in 5 hours.. not bad, eh?
I started at Bigelow because they open early on Sunday. I picked up some cool toothpaste and Mentha products (like the handwash that Bath and Bodyworks discontinued.) They have quite a fragrance section - including ALL the Nasomatto on diplay so you can spray freely. I was kind of rushed so I didn't go through the whole wall but I noticed a lone bottle of Egoiste Cologne Concentree. I didn't buy it then but I called the next day to order as it it is something that I have wanted for a long time.
Then I went to upper west side to go to Malin & Goetz - a new skin care company that has received a lot of buzz for their amazing deodorant. I bought one and they also have scents (tonics) and candles. The tonics smelled clean but distinct. My favorite candle was Cannabis (go figure - since even though I don't do 420, Black Afgano is one of my faves.) I came close to buying but didnt. He gave me a mess of skin care samples to try.
I started at the high end of Madison where Frederic Malle, Bond, Creed and Etro are on the same block. I was planning to purchase at FM so I started there. I've noticed that when you have a bag of something high end you've already bought, it makes the other stores take you a little more seriously.
The sales associate at Frederic Malle was AMAZING. I told her what I wanted and asked for other things that are similar. I like things dark, evil, intense and heavy - that make a statement. I bought a full bottle of Musc Ravageur which I have been sampling for a while but was on the fence. I mentioned that Katie Puckrick helped pushed me over the edge and the SA laughed, saying that she knows Katie. She fired up the scent columns and I liked Noir Epices and Dans Tes Bras of the ones she showed me. She gave me samples of those and a sample of Iris Poudre to try. I also really liked one of the candles - Coffee Society. It doesn't smell like coffee but the atmosphere of what a coffee society should smell like. I might end up mail ordering that for holiday parties.
I walked across the street to Bond. It was supposed to open at 12noon. At 12:30 they were closed. I had wanted to smell the forthcoming Cooper Square. I left a voice mail and never heard back.
Then was Creed. I love Bois du Portugal, and Virgin Island Water was the first expensive frag that I had ever tried. There were several people in the store so I patiently waited with a smile on my face (which denizens of NY just don't do.) I had heard that the Creed Boutique was a little snooty and stingy with samples and since I wasn't about to buy a Creed today - I wasn't sure what kind of reception I would get. I am guessing either the the debonair (and attractive sales associate) was either in a good mood - or my smile and the FM bag/Tumi luggage swayed him to be generous with his time. I smelled the new Aventus and liked it a lot - it was fruity to me but not as much as VIW. (My nose isnt as attuned to notes as the rest of y'all are - but I am working on it.) I liked it but wanted a sample to try at my leisure - he suggested a few others. He told me the full story on Windsor and sprayed my arm with it (a bit surprising that he did that but he was passionate about it so I let him go for it.) The story is rebellious and interesting but on me the fragrance didn't work so well. After a few hours, it didn't move me like a $600 bottle should. Those who like that kind of thing will love it - it's not for me. Then he suggested Tabarome Millesime and Original Santal - both of which I liked. I asked him for his card for mail order. He gave me a carded sample of Aventus and made me small vials of Tabarome Millesime and Original Santal -- both of which I look forward to testing furher.
Then I went to Etro - which has drained me of much of my dj income with their amazingly vibrant sprint/summer line. I was in NY every Sunday DJing for six weeks and ended up buying 4 long sleeve shirts, 4 polo shirts and a tshirt. Foolishly, I asked the sexy SA J.R. to check out what they had left from last season on sale, and I bought another polo shirt. I asked for samples of two of their frags that I liked - and I got 2 each (samples) of Anice and Messe de Minuit.
Next I walked up Madison to Saks Fifth Avenue. At the Guerlain counter, I asked about the Arsene Lupin frags and the SA said that they come out in Septmeber. I went up to Mens on Sixth and I was going to buy the full sized kit on Art of Shaving for $100 - since I had a $25 gift card. I ended up buying just the shaving cream and Preshave - since that is what I really use (I don't use after shave balm because I do a moisturizer with an SPF and I already have a shaving brush). I noticed that they had a lot of Bond so I asked the sixth floor guy about Cooper Square. He said he didn't have up there but called downstairs. They had a tester bottle. I went down and they gave me a sprayed card. I dont own any Bond - but if I were to buy one - it might be Cooper Square.. kinda fruity for me - but I liked there it was going. I will have to get a sample for testing.
I took a break from frag shopping and hit Diesel (didn't have the belt in the size I wanted but I got a cool striped vest for half off.) Then I walked all the way up to 34th (past this obnoxiously loud Spanish language parade for a 2012 campaign) and found Mecca - the BIG Desigual store. They just got in their Fall/Winter and I went to town. I was asking about stuff from the website and they pulled things for me out of the back - I got an amazing vest, shirt and and sweater from fall winter. A shirt that I Really wanted, they didnt have in my size - so they called over to the Soho shop and put it on hold for me. I also got a pair of shorts which were marked at 69 Euros. It was on sale and it rang up as $53 - nice. If you like vibrant patterns and clothing which helps you make a statement go to desigual.com and look at their stuff. They fall/winter is a little more subdued than Spring/summer .. but its still amazing stuff. It's funny I used to be so into Custo Barcelona and then I realized what they send down the runway never ends up in the stores so I gave up. Desigual sells in their stores (at a reasonable price point) just about EVERYTHING that is on their runways.
Then I caught the subway into Soho -- $2.25 and much quicker than cab. I had a whole list and had gridded the streets so that I would be organized.
I hit Paul Smith (tried on this gorgeous toweling robe that I have been drooling over.. must wait for sale - though if I was rich, skinny and wore suits - they would all be Paul Smith), Adidas Original (nothing exciting), Custo Barcelona (yawn, lame - see above), Nespresso (tried to stop in to the cafe but the people inside wouldn't let me in - boo), Swatch (my other obsession - bought two of the new full blooded and three of the another model to give as gift to the site writers on dancemusic.about.com), Puma (saw the kicks I liked when I was in Philly but they didnt have my size -argh.)
I ended at Bloomingdales. Time to experience Bang. After the Marc Jacobs ads - hot sexy man done up a la Tom Ford with the bottle covering his jewels - I was expecting that it would fit me - loud, brash, statement. Unfortunately, what I got was a whiff of vetiver (or so I thought - its supposed to be pepper - again my untrained nose). I let it settle and it quickly went generic sweet musk on me. A year ago, I would have probably bought it anyway - since its exclusive to Bloomies and MJ outlets - none of the other gay boys in Nashville would have it .. and the GWP bag was cool. I thought about it and realized, why should I waste $75 on something that I will only like for a few months when I can hold off and get something really special that I will love. I asked for a sample to take with me and they didn't have any. I figured that was a good sign to just walk away.
It was 6pm and my flight was at 8:30pm so with the traffic, I figured I should just jump in the cab and go directly to the airport. I had hit all 15 stores I had planned ( and a few more) in 5 hours.. not bad, eh?
Do you DJ at Tribe? I get there occasionally.
