Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with newyork and shopping

No! I wanted a sharp card, not a card sharp

shothotbot — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:23:34 -0800

I am looking for a super-cool card store in NYC. Mrs. HotBot has not wised up lo these ten years and she loves cool and cards. Where can I get her a cool card in NYC? I need to get it the same day - no special orders. And I am not thinking Papyrus - I am thinking albino monks with a small tea salon/cool card emporium on some street I have never heard of.

Beach balls are too small. I need bigger spheres.

abirae — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 06:34:27 -0800

GiantSphereFilter: Help needed creating a 4 foot wide tennis ball. Details inside A friend of mine was hired to make props for a tv show in New York. The next one he has to make is a 4 foot wide tennis ball. He has been looking all over New York and the internet for four foot spheres to use as armature. It is trickier than you would think.

Here are some armature ideas that haven't worked so far:
- Yoga Balls - seem to max out at about 3 feet in diamater.
- Beach balls - Even when advertised as huge, have been too small when inflated.
- Hoberman Spheres, tents and umbrellas - too tricky to build on

My friend is good at this sort of thing, and may just build the sphere out of rings of pink industrial foam, but I thought the hive mind might have some good ideas for easier ways.

Where to Buy Fish in Downtown NYC?

toomuchkatherine — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:29:27 -0800

Can anyone recommend a good place to buy fish in lower Manhattan or North Brooklyn? I live in Greenpoint, and I've done a little research already but everyone seems to suggest places that are in Park Slope/South Brooklyn, and as such, inconvenient for me.

I just want to get more into eating fish. I'm trying to do it in a responsible way, so feel a little sketched out by Chinatown, even though it's an obvious choice (have no way of telling whether those fish were sustainably harvested or not). Anybody know a place that has decent fresh fish, below 23rd Street? Extra points if it doesn't break the bank.

Where can I find some beady jewelery for mom?

lunasol — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 05:24:02 -0800

Where in New York can I buy some of that nice-but-inexpensive non-blingy street stall jewelery? Today, that is. I have a few necklaces that I've bought on the street in Manhattan that my mom really loves, and she's hinted that she would like something similar for Christmas this year. I don't live in NYC, just visit often.

The necklaces I'm talking about are of the chunky-bead variety, brightly colored. I've usually found them just while walking along, always on weekends.
However, now it's a weekday and I'm short on time! Any suggestions for where I might find such stands on a Monday, or of course, a store that sells stuff like that? I'm also looking for something under $30. Obviously I know this isn't some obscure type of item and I'm sure there are a million places I could look, I just don't know where!

I'm currently in Greenpoint, will be traveling to Flushing and the Upper West Side today, but could make a side trip if necessary.

Candle shopping in NY

flashboy — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:00:34 -0800

Somewhere to buy nice candles in Manhattan? I had to miss a good friend's birthday because I'm in New York. She loves candles. I'd like to get her some nice candles as a gift. Where should I be going for the best (reasonably-priced) candle experience Manhattan has to offer?

Sleeping, shopping, and, err, safety in New York

elisabethjw — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:24:50 -0800

I'm a 19-year-old female going to New York, alone, for a night. I would like to shop, have fun but preferably not get injured/mugged/killed. I'm heading to NYC for a few days at the end of the week. While I will be with friends for most of the trip, on Thursday (the 17th) I'll be staying alone in a hostel. (I'm uncomfortable giving out the exact name, but its very close to the Empire State Building.) Questions I have:

* So I'm 19 and female. The hostel I'm staying in is a co-ed dorm style. Should I be worried? What should I do to keep myself/my possessions safe? I plan to be in the hotel (it has a restaurant and internet access) by dark because I'm not comfortable alone in NYC at night (sorry, small town Midwest girl here). Any other tips?

* Are there any under-21 friendly events, festivals, etc. going on Thursday, either during the day or in that area?

* Shopping-wise: I need a new pair (or two, or three) of jeans. Where can I find quality denim (I'm a fan of Sevens, but anything of that caliber works) for reasonably cheap? At the very least, not full-price. Last time I was there I really enjoyed Strawberry -- anything more like that?

Help me be a warm, fashionable vegan in NYC.

Ash3000 — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 15:32:43 -0800

I need help getting dressed - but it's a little more complicated than that. If you're a vegetarian/vegan in NYC, especially with one with fashion sense, please read on. For the vast majority of my life, I've had no interest in dressing myself well. At all. The reasons for this is a whole story in and of itself. But I'm trying to change that now.

I live in New York City as a full-time resident now, in my first year out of college. I'm trying to find winterwear in particular. And I'm an vegan for ethical/health reasons.

I'm having a particularly hard time with vegan winterwear. MooShoes is great for shirts/belts/shoes, not so much on coats/jackets - and I have NO idea where to start, what is nice winter clothing, etc.

So, to review - if you are a vegan in NYC, or know any vegans in NYC, or know what you would do if you were a vegan in NYC - what the heck should I wear? ESPECIALLY for the winter, now that it's getting cold as anything.

If it makes any difference, I'm 5'11, male, 23 years old, 225 pounds, black hair, blue eyes, big frame, broad-shouldered, really need to lose 30 pounds. I currently wear lots of hoodies, early 80's punk t-shirts, and old jeans. I'm happy to answer/explain anything in further detail below.

Recommendations for places to try on wedding dresses in NYC.

ml98tu — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 07:48:39 -0800

Need recommendations for places to try on wedding dresses this weekend in NYC. One of my friends is coming to NYC this weekend and wants to go shopping. I just got engaged and she thought it would be a fun/girly adventure to go wedding dress shopping. I'm looking for recommendations of places to go try on some dresses and maybe have a little champagne and fun in the NYC area. I just moved here and don't have any idea which places are good/bad and haven't started doing any real wedding research yet either. There are like 40 listings on TheKnot/WeddingChannel so I would prefer to get recommendations from locals/trusted MeFites. I won't be buying, but just trying on to get a feel for what looks good, as mentioned in this thread. There are a few other considerations that may impact this, please lend me your advice.

- We haven't started planning yet. That means I don't know the season, the location (beach, house of worship, etc), or even the budget. Does that render this useless?
- Am I supposed to do this with a certain person/people? She won't be the maid of honor - is this something I'm supposed to do with my mom, my fiance's mom, or my maid of honor etc? Will I offend anyone if we go? She will probably be a bridesmaid if that matters.
- Is there enough time to get an appointment for Saturday/Sunday? How does this work?

I'd love to hear store recommendations even if we don't go this weekend, since I obviously will be going at some point. We're subway-bound and would prefer Manhattan but are willing to go to other boroughs if there's a place worth visiting.

Thanks!

Best savings in New York?

idledebonair — Wed, 23 May 2007 09:29:40 -0800

Recently in the New York Times, there was an article here about where to buy no-frills kitchen equipment in New York. What are some other stores/types of stores like this in New York for bulk/no-frills/cheap essentials? Specifically does anyone know of a place to get cheap and generic computer parts and cables? Or Audio/Video cables?

Seeking pretty, Hello Kitty-free hair accessories

Alison — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 08:26:30 -0800

Where can I find pretty things for my hair? I'm looking for online shops and stores in DC, New York and Pittsburgh. No tiaras, please. Where can I find hair combs, barrettes, clips and other fun accessories for my hair, both for my upcoming wedding and for everyday wear? I like what I see at longhairgirl.com and I'm in love with this Tacori piece. I would like to avoid tiaras, mini-crowns, plastic or anything that would look silly on an adult woman.

I'm also looking for plain metal combs and clips that I can embellish myself.

Help me focus my shopping efforts?

ersatzkat — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 07:33:43 -0800

Can you please offer your personal recommendations for shopping Indian/Turkish/Tibetan/Moroccan "stuff" in New York City? Spending this weekend in New York, but mostly following the "group" agenda, so I don't have a lot of time to wander on my own. I'm interested in recommendations for shops that carry beautiful, worldly, "global bazaar"-type stuff (hopefully without spending the earth!). Housewares, decorative personal and home accessories, other "stuff". I adore jewelry, and make my own, so shopping for inspiration or for supplies is always fun. Food markets are good, too, because I know some typically carry kitchen items. I've been to Do Kham, and I love to browse the main floor of ABC Carpet and Home for inspiration (but the prices! oh dear!). Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

How can I cheapen my already cheap MacBook upgrade?

armoured-ant — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 15:10:16 -0800

Tax Free Shopping in NYC. I'm visiting New York for ten days starting Boxing Day (woo!), and I'm wondering if it's a good time to sell my black MacBook here (in the UK) and pick up a 15" MacBook Pro in the Big Apple. Whatwith the dollar being so weak against the pound right now, and my MacBook still having a fairly strong resale value over here (I've upped the RAM to 2gb, and there's a 100gb 7200rpm hard disk in there now), I figured it might be wise to use the opportunity to upgrade.

I can get around £900 for my MacBook. A new 15" 2.33GHz MacBook retails at $2,499 (~£1,265), but that's still a good £365 difference. Then I wondered if I'm able to claim back sales tax as I'm a foreign visitor (as non-EU citizens can in British Apple Stores). I know it's only 8.375% - but that's still £105! If I'm eligable (and presuming I forget to declare it on the way back into Heathrow...) do I get it rebated at the airport, at the store, or by mail from back home?

Additionally, any of you have any ideas about how to get this even cheaper?

Oh, and I know there's an NYC meetup this week, but how about a lil one sometime between Boxing Day and my flight back on the 6th?

Looking for unique New York shopping experiences

Alison — Wed, 03 May 2006 10:57:50 -0800

Where are your favorite places to shop in New York City, specifically interesting, unique shops and fabric stores? I will be in NYC for a conference in early June and I plan on blowing off a day for a shopping trip. I've been to New York before so I'm not looking to hit FAO Schwartz. Instead, I want to visit the coolest boutiques unique to New York. They can sell books, bags, fossils, robots, shoes, it doesn't matter. However, I am looking for personal recommendations. I've found plenty of guides, but they are either too overwhelming or lacking in detail. Sample sale suggestions are also welcome.

Also, I will be making a special trip to the Garment District for fabric shopping. Does anyone know about anything I shouldn't miss? Does anyone have a favorite fabric store? I'm always looking for good graphic prints, vinyl and sweater knit fabric.

Thanks in advance!

Mattresses in New York?

nyterrant — Wed, 13 Jul 2005 20:12:02 -0800

Help me find a new mattress and box spring in New York! Does anyone have a good lead on a non-sleazy, non-ripoff company that sells mattresses and box springs (new, not used) that can deliver to Brooklyn?

I've been to Sleepy's, "1-800-Mattress The Store", JC Penney and Macy's, and right now it seems like I may be forced to choose based on which seems the least evil of the bunch. They all suck! Is there a Shangri-la of New York mattress shopping I haven't heard of? A warehouse in the Bronx, overflowing with cheap mattresses, or something like that?

Extra credit: Why the hell are beds so overpriced? And why are mattress stores so sleazy? It's worse than shopping for a used car, and possibly more expensive too.

Interesting jewelry shops in Miami Beach and NYC

yankeefog — Thu, 19 May 2005 14:42:37 -0800

I'm looking for shops in either Miami Beach or New York City where I could find interesting handmade jewelry. (A slightly random combination of cities, I know--it's just that I'll be in both places on an upcoming trip.) I'm looking for jewelry that is well made but not ultra expensive--which, in my mind, would probably put the price range somewhere between $20 and $100. Any tips for shops in either location?

What must I see/do in NYC?

rfordh — Tue, 22 Mar 2005 09:06:44 -0800

I'm in New York City until Sunday. I've been exploring mostly without direction so far, but I thought I'd throw it out to you guys. What should I see or do before I leave? Details: I'm 20 years old, staying in Brooklyn Heights. If you know a good restaurant or two around that area, that would be great. The same goes for great bagel places, cafes, or restaurants in Manhattan, as I'll be around there a lot during the day. I've been following some advice from this thread, and any location-specific advice for clothes shopping would be great.

The Mefi archives proved to be a little too specific when I checked them, so I'd like to leave this as broad as possible. Any suggestions or advice would be much appreciated, so throw it out there even if you don't think it's right for me. Thanks.

Where to find acetate packaging material in NYC?

Sun, 05 Dec 2004 23:49:11 -0800

does anyone in the nyc area know where i might acquire retail quality acetate packaging or material to produce packaging? (more inside) googling is yielding confusing and unsatisfactory data.

im comping up some barbie doll type doll boxes for a designer of doll clothes and she wants full acetate packaging in a certain size for her doll. think a barbie or bratz doll box all acetate with tabs and scored or melted folds and creases.

in googling for things like "acetate boxes" "clear boxes" "plastic boxes" ive yet to find anything close to a larger box. i only need to make 6 boxes and cant buy in bulk. anyone know of any places specializing in materials for packaging design or where and how packaging designers buy supplies for comps?

with all else failing does anyone know where to acquire heavy pliable acetate for my own custom formation??