New York City Summer 2012 Street Fairs

Tracy's Pop & Shop loves street fairs and that's were you'll find me on most seasonal Saturdays browsing for bargain bracelets and noshing on $3 Vegetable Pad Thai. So you can join me, here's a listing from NYCTourist.com of weekend street fairs in New York City this summer.

Scene from the Dance Africa street fair in Brooklyn./Photo by Tracy E. Hopkins

Sat. June 23	Sixth Avenue SummerFest - 6th Ave. from 34th St. to 42nd St. 10am-6pm
Sun. June 24	Times Square Block Party - 46th St. from Broadway to 8th Ave. 10am-6pm
Sat. June 30	Avenue of the Americas SummerFest - 6th Ave. from 42nd St. to 56th St. 10am-6pm
Sun. July 1	Central Park Precinct Community Block Party - 60th St. from Madison to 5th Ave. 10am-5pm
Wed. July 4	The Great 4th of July Festival - Water St. from Fulton St. to Broad St. 11am-6pm
Sat. July 7	NYC Unfolds Street Fair - Broadway from Houston St. to Grand St. 10am-6pm
Sun. July 8	Celebration of Nations Festival - Madison Avenue from 42nd to 57th Sts. 10am-6pm
Fri. July 13	Bowling Green Park Fair - Broadway and Wenthall St. 9am-6pm
Sat. July 14	Times Square Summer Fair - Broadway from 47th to 57th Sts. 10am-6pm
Sat. July 15	Lexington Ave. Summer Spectacular - Lexington Ave from 23rd to 24th Sts. 10am-6pm
Sat. July 21	Herald Square Earth Awareness Fair - Broadway from 25th to 29th Sts. 10am-6pm
Sun. July 22	Tribeca Fair - West Broadway from Barclay to Chambers St.
Fri. July 27	Grand Central Carnival - 41st Street from Lexington to 3rd Ave.
Sat. July 28	Festival of the Americas - 6th Ave. from 42nd to 56th Sts.
Sun. July 29	Madison Avenue Summer Fair - Madison Ave. from 42nd to 57th Sts.

Celebrate Earth Day Every Day at Kaight

Every day is Earth Day at Kaight, a pioneering eco-fashion retailer with outposts in Manhattan and Brooklyn.  If you're in Brooklyn, pop in the Atlantic Avenue store to browse the thoughtfully curated racks of conscience clothing and neatly stacked tables of jewelry and accessories.  If you're lucky, you'll get to chat with friendly shop gal and Texas transplant, Katrina; I haven't been by in a while, so hopefully she's still there. 

On Fridays, the store hosts a happy hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with free bubbly and a 20% off discount on all merchandise.

Photos by Tracy E. Hopkins

Hester Street Fair Presents "Hester Nights" at the Eventi Hotel

Foodies and street fair goers should flock to the acclaimed Hester Street Fair's "Hester Nights," a weekly event that brings popular food vendors and New York City’s biggest culinary influencers and tastemakers to the outdoor space behind Eventi, A Kimpton Hotel. 

Every Thursday evening, the Hester Street Fair makes its way from the Lower East Side to Eventi’s Plaza from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. through October 25th.

Tracy's Pop & Shop checked out the scene one Thursday and we enjoyed the eclectic assortment of predominantly female food vendors. To indulge our sweet tooth, we sampled gluten-free treats from Kitty Lee Thomas Sweets, gourmet Mexican ice pops from La Newyorkina and Peruvian cookies (alfajores) from Jessy's Pastries. We were also pleased to find plenty of vegetarian options including kale, sweet potato and quoinoa and chickpea sandwiches at Bombay Sandwich Co.

Other foodie favorites include Mimi & Coco's Teriyaki balls, Williamsburg’s Pies ‘n’ Thighs' American comfort food, La Sonrisa’s savory empanadas and Little Muenster’s fancy grilled cheese sandwiches. More savory sweets include  Macaron Parlour's wide range of traditional and inventive macaroons (a bestselling flavor is candied bacon with maple cream cheese); Prohibition Bakery's "boozy cupcakes"; and Melt Bakery's creative, ice cream cookie sandwiches.

Photos by Tracy E. Hopkins

LOFT Now Style Event May 19th, Save 30% Off Everything!

Cheap Chic Swimsuits at H&M for only $4.95!

When it comes to swimsuits, it's good to have a few options.  And at only $4.95 per piece, H&M is the place to pick up an extra suit ... or two.

The Summer 2012 swimwear styles are admittedly not for the modest or full-figured gal, but they come in fun, colorful Hawaiian, floral and paisley prints, and a mix of bright, block colors like hot pink and acid green.  For more conservative classic ladies like myself, there are also neutral black and metallic shades, and I picked out a padded, bra-reminiscent top and string bikini bottoms in black.

From $12.95, H&M also has sexy halter neck swimsuits, feminine strapless one-pieces and scuba-inspired one-piece suits for a sporty feel.  And to make your vacation look complete, the stores are stocked with stylish kimono and wrap cover-ups, as well as funky accessories and sunglasses.

Photos by Tracy E. Hopkins

So run, don't walk to an H&M near you to pick up a cheap chic swimsuit.

Elie Tahari Spring 2012 Sample Sale April 17-21!

WHO:                   ELIE TAHARI

WHAT:                 SPRING 2012 SAMPLE SALE

WHEN:                 Tuesday April 17, 2012 through Saturday April 21, 2012

WHERE:               501 5^th AVENUE (Between 41^st and 42^nd Street)  2^nd Floor

PHONE:                212.398.2622

PAYMENT:          All major credit cards, cash, NO checks

Deals and Steals... 70% off Women’s, Men’s, Shoes and Handbags!

WOMEN’S                                              WAS:                                                       NOW:

Leather Jackets                                       $998                                                        $279

Wool Dress Coats                                   $728                                                        $199

Luxury Fur / Shearling Jackets                $1498                                                      $499

Evening Dresses                                      $498                                                        $129

Day Dresses                                            $398-$498                                               $99

Classic Knit Sweaters                             $298-$398                                               $49

Tailored Pants                                         $178-$198                                               $59

Skirts                                                       $248-$298                                               $59

Knits                                                        $98-$198                                                 $19-$29

Blouses                                                   $168-$298                                               $59

MEN’S                                                     WAS:                                                       NOW:

Leather Jackets                                       $1298                                                      $279

Cashmere Jackets                                   $398                                                        $199

Long Coats                                              $328                                                        $199

Short Coats                                             $648                                                        $149

Woven Jackets                                        $398                                                        $99

Pants                                                       $198-$248                                               $49

Sweaters                                                 $248                                                        $69

Knit Shirts                                               $168                                                        $39-$19

SHOES                                                     WAS:                                                       NOW:

Ballet Flats                                             $198                                                        $79

Leather Pumps                                        $398                                                        $99

Spring Sandals                                        $598                                                        $199

HANDBAGS                                            WAS:                                                       NOW:

Clutches                                                  $448                                                        $79

Small Handbags                                     $398                                                        $139

Luxury Handbags                                    $598                                                        $199

Sizes will be available

Join TOMS 2012 One Day Without Shoes NYC Walk

WkShp T-Shirt Giveaway! Winner Picked April 6th

New Brooklyn Vegan Restaurant, Maimonide of Brooklyn

Gourmet vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free restaurants are scarce, even in New York City where healthy cuisine is often relegated to crunchy cafes and take-out buffets.  So Maimonide of Brooklyn (525 Atlantic Avenue), is a welcome addition to downtown Brooklyn's food scene.

Called M.O.B. for short, the hip eatery with a live DJ, communal tables, vintage light fixtures, wall art featuring fruits and vegetables used in the menu and poetry by local scribes is the brainchild of Cyril Aouizerate.  The cuisine --  affectionately known as avant-garde vegetarian food for carnivores -- is an inviting and as eclectic as the light-filled space.  Dishes include hearty veggie burgers with kickass homemade ketchup, dried fruit saucissons, vegan chicken nuggets, and open-faced sandwiches that are topped with wholesome ingredients called MOBs.

Scenes from the opening party at Maimonide of Brooklyn./Photos by John Carluccio

M.O.B. founder, Cyril.

Aouizerate, the co-founder of Urbantech and Mama Shelter in France, has combined his love for urban planning, architecture and philosophy in the creative process behind M.O.B. Legendary French chef, Alain Senderens, contributed to the menu with Executive Chef Neal Harden, formerly of Pure Food & Wine.

M.O.B’s design is an homage to '90s hip-hop culture (Afrika Bambaataa was a special guest at the opening party and t-shirts for sale feature the Notorious B.I.G. and She's Gotta Have It-era Spike Lee), Brooklyn and the healthy-living beliefs of the famous Jewish philosopher Maimonides. The arches of the Brooklyn Bridge lend their shape to the doorways and the MOB sandwiches.

Soon the restaurant will expand to include poetry readings, live music and dancing. 

Shop Spring Styles on Atlanta's Chic Boutique Tour, April 7, 2012!

Photo by RobinLori Photography Spring is in the air, so it's time to shake off the winter doldrums. While sorting through your warmer weather threads you quickly realize that your spring wardrobe needs a little pick-me-up. Before you embark on a day of crowded mall hopping, get your BFFs together and join Chic Boutique Tour for their Spring Indulgence Shopping Soirée on Saturday, April 7. But what's a Chic Boutique Tour? Minus the cat fights, imagine stepping into the life of one of the "Real Housewives of Atlanta" -- being chauffeured from boutique to boutique, reclining in the comfort of a luxury motor coach, socializing with other women, while being catered to with a delectable lunch and unlimited cocktails. The Spring Indulgence Chic Boutique Tour will begin with a Pink Carpet Social at 11a.m. at Redefined Home, 887 Howell Mill Road, suite 200, Atlanta GA 30318. Guests are escorted to the pink carpet where fashion photographers await their arrival.  “It’s so much fun, very paparazzi style,” offers Rosalynn Wilson, CEO and Founder. “As they exit the carpet, they’re served their first cocktail of the day." Typically the tour visits 4-5 boutiques and guests are constantly catered to while on board. "I've spent all winter exploring the boutiques in the city and can't wait to introduce our guests to some very new boutiques in the Atlanta Metro area. For the Spring Indulgence Tour, we're taking guests to London loves MarLo, Pink Sky Boutique, Bombay Gal Butik, Happy Feet Boutique, and Bouchic Boutique." Chic Boutique Tour guests will receive discounts on their fashion finds from participating boutiques. Cost: $55 per ticket and $45 per ticket if purchasing two.  Purchase tickets online or by calling 678-719-CHIC.  The Chic Boutique Tour also offers group rates. If you’d like to get a group of friends or a community group/organization together, contact Rosalynn Wilson directly at 678-719-CHIC.

Save 30% at LOFT Spring Style Event on March 10

Tulle Mystery Grab Bag for $20!

Before the goodies are gone, go to Tulle's website to get your grab bag!

Spa Week Spring 2012: $50 Spa Week Treatments To Look Forward To

7 Awesome $50 Spa Week Treatments To Look Forward To

S.I.C. Couture Valentine's Day Sale, Save 20%

Marmalade Vintage Sale New York City, Feb. 16th

Free Fashion Week Sketches at the W Union Square

Image from Paris College of Art.

This season, the W Hotels in New York (including W Union Square, W Times Square, W New York, and W Downtown) remain the epicenter of style, fashion, and “cocktail culture” during New York Fashion Week. From sipping a designer cocktail at the bar to live fashion sketch artists on site at W Union Square, W Hotels of New York show their passion for fashion at every turn.

Fashion Sketch Artists from Parsons The New School for Design

February 9-15 / 1:30 – 6:30pm daily

Where: W New York – Union Square, The Living Room FREE and Open To The Public

W Union Square has partnered with the BFA Illustration Program at Parsons The New School for Design to host one in-residence fashion illustrator in the hotel’s Living Room throughout Fashion Week from 1:30 – 6:30pm each day, capturing the inner fashionista of the hotel’s guests and fashionable locals.

For more information visit For more information on W Hotels Fashion Next please visit www.whotels.com/fashion

Follow W Hotels in New York on Twitter @WHotelsNYC  #WFASHION

Enter to Win a $50,000 Judith Ripka Gift Card!

Judith Ripka is offering the chance to win a $50,000 gift card through April 3^rd.  And everyone who enters will automatically receives a $100 Judith Ripka gift card!

Jellypop Shoes Fall Flash Sale Event thru Feb. 12

Scoop NYC Ultimate Closet Clean-Out Sale!