The lovely team from Duane Reade asked me to take a spin around a store this weekend guided by the latest issue of The Duane Reader. I already had a few things on my list, and since I love any adventure that requires me to shop, I wholeheartedly agreed.

Not familiar with The Duane Reader? Neither was I. I'd seen plenty of signs for it in any of the 20+ Duane Reade locations I've visited in the city, but I've never picked up a copy. It's reminiscent of a circular that you might pick up on your way into the supermarket, but with a tabloid flair. Described as "For New Yorkers In The Know", it's a blending of content & commerce, if you will.

Inside The Duane Reader, the products highlighted are on sale (like the Cheddar Penguins, which are so clearly better than goldfish, are $1.99), but what I loved even more than discovering products on sale was discovering that products that I need were on sale.

For example, there were a couple of big themes throughout the issue, but the two most relevant to me were the latest nail trends and getting outside with your pup. There are plenty of nail-related products on sale, including Red Carpet LED Gel Polish, Prevail lacquers and at-home manicure products, plus leashes and treats for my beloved Lola Belle - but I won't give away the good deals. You'll have to check The Duane Reader for that.

Looking for the closest Duane Reade store near you to check these deals out for yourself? Don't forget to read The Duane Reader before you shop. You can also connect with Duane Reade on Twitter and Facebook for more inside scoop. Want to see how I shop Duane Reade? I've got a photo album that gives you the play-by-play, plus an up close look at the items I picked up.

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. My opinions and product selection are entirely my own.  #DReade, #CBias, #DReadeVIP

In celebration of International Women's Day 2012, celebrate with Compass Box Whisky and LUPEC-NYC (Ladies for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails, natch) to benefit Bottomless Closet. Cocktails mixed up by some of NYC's best lady bartenders including Meaghan Dorman of Raines Law Room, Abigail Gullo of Fort Defiance, Karin Stanley of Dutch Kills and Little Branch, plus the event's hostess Julie Reiner of Lani Kai.

Cocktails will be specially priced at $8 each, with $2 from every drink being donated to Bottomless Closet.

When: March 8 from 6-8 pm

Where: Lani Kai, 525 Broome Street, between Thompson and Sullivan

Over the past month, I've struggled a lot with the balance of my time between professional and personal. At the end of the work day, I'm exhausted and by Friday, I can't seem to stay awake past 8pm. On weekends, I've been staying in, sleeping and generally hiding away from the world just to re-up for the week ahead. Sometimes, even the most normal of activities seems to take so much out of me.

They say that transitioning into a new full time job can be quite taxing, but if you're reading this (and bless you if you are), you'll notice that my updates are becoming less and less frequent. It's certainly not for a lack of desire or content. I simply can't muster the energy to write a post most days, and frankly it's breaking my heart. Over this three day weekend, I've thought about my time, how to reclaim it and who to share it with. After a very relaxing lunch with friends, I came to an epiphany - I struggle with control.

Perhaps that element of control is what draws me to fashion and beauty, since it allows me to control how I am perceived and to an extent, how I perceive myself. If there was ever an opportunity for me to reclaim control over my time and all the other aspects of my life that are slipping out of reach, it is certainly now.

For months, I've neglected my friends, my site and most importantly my personal goals in an attempt to be everywhere and everything to everyone. The more I think about who I want to be and where I see myself in the future, the more I realize that I don't need to be super girl or an over-achiever. I just simply need to be myself.

Sometimes it's easy to get the wool pulled over your eyes online. So-and-so has more money than I do, a better job, a better wardrobe or is a harder worker than I am. We're consuming perfectly polished content while sitting at home in our underwear eating fried chicken and feeling sorry for ourselves. What may have started as a platform for personal expression has now evolved into an ego driven, all consuming space where people (politely) make demands and believe that they know every aspect of your life. In the end, you can end up giving everything away and leaving nothing left for yourself.

After all this thinking, I have decided to embark on a personal journey. I want to provide my body with the fuel it needs to sustain demanding work days and have the opportunity to catch up with the relationships I've neglected. I want to explore paths to achieve my personal and professional goals without the constant feeling that I owe someone something. Most of all, I just want a little room to breathe.

I'd love to know if any of you have felt this way and how you've reclaimed control of the things that are most important to you. Please leave your thoughts in the comments below.

xo

What happens when Lady Gaga creates a line of products for Polaroid and then Polaroid taps to create pieces exclusively with said printer (the GL10, for all you tech chics out there)? A public and digital showcase of over 60 pieces, culminating in a public auction on September 14th. Artists like James Franco, Cynthia Rowley, Patrick Demarchelier, Tory Burch, Nicola Formichetti and Michael Bernard, who the above photo is by.

Check out all 60 works at Polaroid.com or if you're in the city, stop by Phillips de Pury and Company at Milk Studios. If you should be feeling extra art-y, visit Phillips de Pury and Company's larger gallery on Park Avenue.

PS - aren't you glad Polaroid's making a comeback?

LAUREN MERKIN 2011 SUMMER SAMPLE SALE!

TUESDAY - FRIDAY, AUG. 9TH - 12TH

11AM- 7PM

&

SATURDAY, AUG. 13TH

11AM - 4PM

Handbags, clutches and accessories up to 70% off!!!

Bargain boxes from $25

Top Picks!

Iris Leopard Calf Hair- was $395, now $150

Sylvie Speckled Grey/Cream- was $495, now $250

Ava Navy/Black Shiny Bricks Fabric-  was $250, now $100

Eve Zebra Charcoal and Brown- were $180, now $90

Diana Creased White/Gold- was $195, now $125

Caroline Shiny Baby Croc Red- was $250, now $125

LOCATION:

LAUREN MERKIN SHOWROOM

231 W. 29TH ST. SUITE 201

BETWEEN 7TH & 8TH AVE

212-239-2459

PAYMENT ACCEPTED:

CASH, AMEX, VISA, MASTER CARD, DISCOVER

No checks or phone orders please.

 

Looking for an excuse to spend an evening with a long list of the fashion industry's latest and greatest? Join the Fashion Delivers Charitable Foundation at Pay It Fashion Forward tomorrow night, where designer Steven Alan, Paper Magazine's Mickey Boardman, supermodel Coco Rocha, designer Rachel Roy and stylist Mary Alice Stephenson are being honored for positive work within their communities.

Fashion Delivers is an amazing organization that in just 5 years has raised over $75 million in product donations for those in need and is supported by over 500 of today's biggest retail companies.

Want to party the night away for a great cause? There are two ticket options still available:

General Admission: $80 (includes 3 hour open bar provided by Asahi, Honest Tea, The Patron Spirits and Perrier; snacks provided by popchips; option to Make Your Own Havaianas and create a customized electronic postcard via the Keshot internet photobooth; $30 is tax deductible)

VIP: $200 (includes General Admission items plus bottle service, passed hors d'oeuvres, red carpet access, VIP entrance at 190 Allen Street , VIP giftbag while supplies last; $150 is tax deductible)

If you aren't able to attend the event, donations are greatly appreciated.

For more information and to get your ticket, please visit the event page at Fashion Delivers. Hope to see you there!

Nicholas K SPRING 2011 SAMPLE SALE INFO:

 

Dates and time:

June 16th (Thursday) 5-9pm

June 17th (Friday) 5-9pm

June 18th (Saturday) 1-7pm

June 19th (Sunday) 1-7pm

June 20th (Monday) 5-9pm

 

Location:

150 Varick Street 6th Floor (Between Vandam and Spring)

 

Some items that will be offered:

 

Men’s:

Devi Vest - retail: $916, sample sale price: $360

Kiefer Jacket - retail: $389, sample sale price: $150

Lowell Zipfront – retail: $299, sample sale price: $120

Women’s:

Talon Sweater- retail: $288, sample sale price: $120

Slade Jacket - retail: $419, sample sale price: $160

Anthro Jacket - retail: $419, sample sale price: $160

Kip Dress - retail: $299, sample sale price: $120

 

***Samples under $100 / Overstock 50-60% off / Vintage clothing***

Throughout the sale: - DJ sets curated by Fool’s Gold Records - Food by Eddie Huang (Baohaus)

What:

MELISSA Shoes Summer Sample Sale

 

When:

Wednesday June 15 through Saturday June 18

 

Where:

520 W 27th St. Between 10th and 11th Ave Suite 702

Subway: A,C,E to 23 Street / 8 Avenue

 

Time:

12pm – 8pm

 

Phone 646.478.8967

 

Cash & credit cards are accepted. No checks. Prices begin at $25.

All the shoes are of course environmentally friendly and made of 100% recyclable plastic.They are also as comfortable as can be as they are made out of a special plastic calledMelflex.