Philly is for foodies, Part 2

Philly is for foodies, Part 2

I love Philly and have written about the city several time.  Click the above link to read about my latest excursion to the city of brotherly love on my NY Getaways Examiner column.  Hint, it's all about food!

Everything is 50% Off at Conway in Brooklyn's Fulton Mall!

Attention all Brooklyn/NYC bargain shoppers: The Conway department store in the Fulton Mall is closing and moving a few blocks closer to Court Street.  Until mid-next week everything is 50% off!

The 505 Fulton Street store is a complete mess, but if you enjoy digging for half-price treasure like I do, you will find something.  I scored five items for $12, and there is plenty of merchandise left including trendy tees for men and women; plus-size dresses; casual tops; pajama sets; and summer sandals.


Me and Conway go way back.  I've been following the store's trademark pink bags since I visited New York City on shopping trips.  Since I've lived here, my love affair with the mini-chain has continued (we took a break after a security guard at the Fulton Mall store decided he needed to search each female customer's purse).


Conway's new space was formerly occupied by ABC Discount store and is a sign of things to come.  Plans are underway to make the Fulton Mall a more upscale shopping destination. The local Macy's sure could use a makeover and some restocking, so hopefully things will improve there.  And I sure hope the rumors of an H&M in 2012 are true.


But until then, I'll happily continue bargain hunting.  To get you in the budget fashionista mood, I'm offering $5 off coupons for Conway's new store to the first five local readers.


Here's how to win:


1) Respond to this post with your first name and type, "I want my Conway coupon."


2) Subscribe to Tracy's Pop & Shop.  


The coupon is good for $5 off any purchase of $20 or more during Conway's Grand Opening at 427 Fulton Street btwn Jay Street and Pearl Street.  It's valid through September 15, 2010.  


So don't delay.  Respond to this post ("I want my Conway coupon") and subscribe to Tracy's Pop & Shop.

Get Ready for Season 8 of "Project Runway"

Get Ready for Season 8 of "Project Runway"

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Relocates to Lincoln Center September 9-16

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Relocates to Lincoln Center September 9-16

A Beautiful Brooklyn Afternoon with Bilal

Today the neo-soul gods were smiling. Bilal Oliver baptized a bohemian standing-room crowd in a downtown Brooklyn park with his anointed, soul-stirring musings.  It was a scene straight out of a Howard University Homecoming gathering on the Yard.  Natural hairstyles bobbed to the gospel-delic soul, blues and jazz that came shrieking from Bilal's diminutive frame. Tyra tells top models to model from head-to-toe. Bilal sings from head-to -toe.

I've been a fan of the Philly kid since his cult classic debut, 1st Born Second, dropped in 2001.  Since then he's been a fixture on stage and in the studio with Common and Erykah Badu.  Bilal has the silver-tongued swagger of a revival tent preacher, the quirky cool of Miles, and the falsetto-blessed sex appeal of Prince. He slowly wooed the predominantly brown and beautiful female audience with new and old material.

The afternoon hit a crescendo during his live rendition of the self-deprecating and self-affirming testament "Sometimes." By the time he and his confident band grooved their way into "Soul Sista," Bilal's soul-stirring spell had been cast.  It's a wonder no one threw their panties on stage.  He was called back for an encore and still left us wanting more.

Bilal's highly-anticipated new album, Airtight's Revenge, will drop on September 14. The release will be celebrated that same date with a performance at B.B. King's in Times Square.

A Weekend Getaway at Long Beach's Allegria Hotel

A Weekend Getaway at Long Beach's Allegria Hotel

Image courtesy of Allegria Hotel.

Check out the article I wrote on the luxe Allegria Hotel in Long Beach, L.I.

Brooklyn Events for July 4th Weekend

Tip Sheet: Jun. 30-Jul. 6

Ben-Amun One Week Online Jewelry Sale!

Printable Coupons....: Red Mango Printable Coupon

Printable Coupons....: Red Mango Printable Coupon

Mo'Nique Wins Based on Performance, Not Grooming

Mo'Nique didn't hold her tongue when she won her much-deserved Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of an abusive mother in "Precious." After causing quite a stir during the pre-Oscar "Push" for "Precious" by allegedly demanding more money and refusing to attend key film festivals to promote the film, Mo"Nique defiantly stated in her acceptance speech she was happy Hollywood honored her performance, and overlooked the politics.

If anyone else saw the comedian's interview on Barbara Walter's final Academy Award special, however, you know she also defiantly refuses to shave her legs. The Baltimore native explained to a visibly repulsed Babs that shaving is painful and that the one time she used a razor, her hair grew back thicker. Actually, I thought that was a myth and I have a nifty Gillette Venus razor she can borrow. But hey, whatever you say Mo'Nique. I'm just glad she wore that tasteful, gam-covering blue gown on Oscar night.

Looking For Splendicity and Hot Mama Daily?

As a friend once said to me, "it was fun while it lasted." On Friday, March 5th I received the unexpected news that Hot Mama Daily and the entire Splendicity beauty and style channel would no longer be published....um, effective immediately. Lovely. Like it couldn't wait until after I added my two cents about tonight's Oscar fashion?

Since I wasn't given the opportunity to say goodbye on Hot Mama Daily, I'm hoping that a Google search will help some of my faithful readers find me here on my personal blog, Tracy's Pop & Shop. I had a blast writing and editing the blog for a year and a half, and I'm grateful for the experience. I'll miss all of your comments, contest entries, and constructive criticism.

But this isn't actually goodbye; it's simply see ya later. Stay tuned for the launch of my very own beauty/style/pop culture blog later this month. In the meantime, I will rant here on Tracy's Pop and Shop whenever I get the urge to dish on what's hot in bargain shopping and pop culture.

Interview with Sheree Whitfield from the Real Housewives of Atlanta

Go to Hot Mama Daily to read my exclusive interview with Sheree from the Real Housewives of Atlanta. She talks about her blow-up with the party planner, her divorce, her She by Sheree fashion line and more!

Get Totally Fit with Mel B!

Spring is coming and I need to get my rear in gear. So I plan to try Mel B's "Totally Fit" workout DVD this week. That is if I can keep up with the Brit dynamo also known as Scary Spice.

Read my interview with the former Spice Girl on Hot Mama Daily.

I'm So Ready for "The Hills!"

The Hills - MTV Shows

Pretty in Pink: Adorable Betsey Johnson Dresses for V-Day

Here are my V-Day picks 4, 5, and 6. Adorable pink dresses from mop-top designer Betsey Johnson. Get free shipping on all orders over $200!

More Valentine's Day Gift Ideas 1, 2 & 3

Valentine's Day is next Saturday, but there's still time to pick up a few last minute items to make your heart holiday even sweeter.

Here are a few sweet and sexy items I found on Bebe.com that will surely spice up your love-in weekend:

Today is National Wear Red Day for Women's Heart Disease Awareness

According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease is the leading killer of women over age 25, and African-American women are more prone to stroke and heart disease than other women.

So show your support today by wearing red. Also, wear red today and save 20 percent off all purchases at Macy's or buy a Red Dress Pin for $2 at Macy's and get the same savings until Sunday, Feb. 8!
To inspire you, here are a couple cute red items I found at Dollhouse.com.

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

With Valentine's Day and Fashion Week (more on that soon) approaching, February is going to be a rockin' month. Next week, I will post my Gift Picks for Valentine's Day and post an even more comprehensive V-Day Gift Guide over at Hot Mama Daily. To tide you over until then, here's a sneak peak at romantic gift ideas at Barnes & Noble.com.



I love these candles. Who knew B&N.com sold such cute home and gift wares?

Will the Real New York City Please Stand Up?

I hate to admit it, but I actually like "The Hills." So I was looking forward to Whitney Port's spinoff "The City," especially since I'm a New Yorker. So I watched the premiere episode this week on MTV. Ummm...and I didn't recognize New York City at all. Sure, the landmarks and hipster spots were there. But from watching "The City," you would think perhaps the most racially diverse city in the world had no people of color living in it. And the forced divide between "downtown hipsters" and "Uptown socialites" feels like a contrived story line cribbed from the pages of S.E. Hinton's "The Outsiders." You know, re-imagined as the Upper East Side Socs and the Lower East Side Greasers, without the grit and despair and all with interest earning savings accounts. Or perhaps it's just a lame Gen Y version of "Sex and the City," without the sex and the real city.

So, dear Whit, I cannot bear to watch "The City," because it reduces New York -- one of the realest, most multi-faceted cities in the world-- to a superficial playground for bratty trust fund babies and vapid fashionistas. I'd rather watch Lauren pout her way through expectedly fake L.A. on "The Hills." But maybe Cali folks feel the same way about that show.

Awwwww...This Kitten Loves Broccoli!

I want this broccoli lovin' kitten for Christmas. So cute.