District L

Today is Tuesday, but we are still feeling the ache from weekend separation pains. There is nothing like waking up without an alarm and heading to brunch for bottomless mimosas at 2pm, hunting around for designer mesh at the Gilt Warehouse Sale and stomping around the East Village late at night in faux fur.

The weekend began at White Noise for “The Wild Ones” party. Hosted by Samuel Valentine, the party attracted the most eclectic, irreverent crowd found south of 14^th Street. Every Friday, the wild ones of Lower Manhattan are lured to this quasi-hidden location with nostalgic music, glamrock décor and about a half-a-dozen photographers.

Saturday arrived in the blink of an eye. Nicolas spent the better part of his day revisiting the long-lost Altman building for the Gilt Warehouse Sale. While he sifted through rare, discounted designer merchandise amongst cocktails and Vita Coco, I spent the morning shopping around the West Village. But when the January doldrums rendered regular retail hopeless, I shared an afternoon of gluten-free goodness at two Lower East Side establishments, Pala and Babycakes.

The sun went down and it was time to plan the night’s festivities once more: Bedlam was the first stop on the itinerary. Anderson Cooper’s boyfriend, Benjamin Maisani, opened Bedlam in September 2010 and the bar has since welcomed bold-faces names like Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Alan Cumming. Full of large taxidermy projects, vintage anatomy graphs, and yellowed photo wallpaper, the bar also attracts an anonymous mix of stylish PYTs.

When Sunday morning rolled around, it was time to make the last make-or-break decision: Where to brunch?

Nicolas, Rachel, and I decided to venture away from the norm and head uptown to Zucchero E Pomodori. While the crowd was more “B&T state school sorority reunion” than “pre-fashion week urbanite,” the three of us wholeheartedly enjoyed our delicious dishes and unlimited mimosas. After our brunchtastic rendezvous, we made our way to Rachel’s abode to check out some of her newest projects.

To ease the pain of having our weekend ripped away like a sticky band-aid, I aimlessly sifted through Saturday’s neglected mail. And what do I find, but a certain unmistakable plexi-glass Fashion Week invite? Withdrawals, be gone: With Fashion Week just around the corner, we have no time to fret the hours between 9-and-5!

Post by Amanda LaMela

After a long and excessive Thanksgiving holiday, I took to the streets for some retail-induced cardio. Even in this crisp autumn weather, I find it’s easier to maintain my energy level when fashion is on the agenda, and isn’t it always?

Yesterday began with some velvet appreciation at Lois Eastlund, as I snapped some photos in her newest arrivals, met her new mascots, and browsed her dress archives. Mini Lois was sitting pretty among the freshly-placed Christmas decorations, enjoying her new plastic man-friend... But that story is to be continued.

After another blissful visit to 153 Ludlow, I made my way over to Mint Julep to peruse their array of unique accessories. Trend right and playful, this Ludlow Street boutique tapped into the sailor theme we enjoyed this past NYFW.

While my DL counterparts often take successful trips to Beacon's Closet, I rarely try my hand at second-hand. Keeping this in mind, I took baby steps right into Foley + Corinna. They tastefully mix top-quality vintage accessories with their own partygirl collection, so I wasn’t immediately compelled to scrub my hands after leaving. Although I didn’t score any merchandise, I did overhear the sales associate gushing about how lucky they’ve been with acquiring luxe furs. ::Hint::Hint::

Post F + C, I had worked up quite an appetite. I decided to visit my friends at BisousCiao Macrons. (Don’t worry, their delicious treats are gluten-free.) As I picked a few of my favorite flavors, the smiling French man behind the counter warned that my beloved fall recipes would soon be so-last-season. So if you have not yet tasted their pumpkin spice macron, you’d better hurry.

Last but not least, I headed down to The Young Designers Market on 268 Mulberry Street to visit Sarah from Box 185 and check out her fun assortment of accessories. With liberal use of feathers, leather, and fringe, Box 185 offered an exciting collection that’s just too cool to miss.

Unfortunately, my fun took a brief intermission when Chase AutoAlerts reminded me that I have rent to pay. Luckily, there is a place on the Lower East Side to relieve oneself of such pain. Aptly named Painkiller, the “60s-punk-tiki-bar” on Essex Street serves creative drinks beneath flames and inside seashells, meant to be shared among friends.

Who says there’s no cure for the Sunday blues?

Post by Amanda LaMela

Oh, it’s the most wonderful time of the year: sample sale season. It’s the joyous time of year that makes us truly grateful for the teeny bodies that can utilize these wonderful sales. Luckily, there is a trend sweeping the nation that is making staying in shape that much easier; gluten free – the newest fashionable food trend (essentially, no wheat.)

Many celebrities have jumped on this diet band-wagon loosing baby weight and spreading the glutton-less gospel that has convinced many-a-restaurant to offer a wheat-free portion of their menu. The District L staff made its way to Pala on this tragically hung-over morning to get some tasty gluten-free goodies ...and offend the majority of patrons at this quant little Italian LES restaurant.

To learn more about the gluten-free lifestyle: www.celiacs.com, or find out “mouth first” at restaurants like Pala at 198 Allen St.

To quote Rachel Ray, “Yummo.”

Post by Madisen Walker