clarabellanyc.com

Thank you so much to everyone that came out in support of Andrea Peterson and Clarabella last night! We had a fantastic crowd and as far as I could tell, everyone had a great time! If you weren’t able to make it and are interested in Andrea’s work, check out her website, or her page here on my site. All pieces are currently for sale and will remain up at least through August. For a limited time, we’re also giving away stickers of Andrea’s original art and are selling prints for $10. Come on down!!

If you’re not, you should be! I’m not necessarily advocating spending every last cent of your hard earned money on fashion (though it’s been done before!). I am suggesting that you subscribe to the wisdom of Dara Fleischer, AKA Fashion Junkie.

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Dara a few weeks back. She’d heard about the shop and came to check it out. She stayed to chat for a while and honestly couldn’t be a nicer woman. On top of that, she really knows her stuff! She was checking out all the local shops in the Lower East Side but her shopping knowledge runs far deeper than one neighborhood. Learn more about Dara and read about her Shopping Safaris.

As the voice of Clarabella, I’m VERY happy to share the content of today’s Fashion Junkie mailer with you. Please note that as a Fashion Junkie subscriber, you’ll receive a 20% discount on ALL shop merchandise from today though Friday, Aug. 3, so if you’re not already a subscriber, better get cracking and sign up!

Closet Chameleon (for full online view with pictures, links and all, click on the article title)
July 20, 2007

Peek inside my packed New York closet and you’ll discover the true meaning of multiple personality disorder. On the top shelf sits a stack of trendy, off-the-shoulder tops, skinny jeans with studs and reconstructed vintage tees in a kaleidoscope of colors. The double-hanging metal rods directly beneath are reserved for business-y blazers, sequined gipsy skirts, frilly, French-cuffed blouses and fancy, floor-grazing dresses. So when it comes to buying accessories, I need a boutique that carries an equally eclectic selection of accoutrements to suit my many changing moods. Thankfully, I found Clarabella, a cozy store-cum-gallery space that sells a jaw-dropping assortment of handcrafted shoes, bags, belts, jewelry and even art.

Founded by Erin Whelan, a 30-year-old music industry marketing whiz who grew tiresome of the daily corporate grind, Clarabella has become the coveted accessories shrine she had always dreamt of creating. Named in honor of her Great-Grandmother, Clara, a serious shoe maven, Clarabella’s shelves are lined with a cherry-picked selection of edgy, hard-to-find brands including Tashkent by Cheyenne (killer leather kicks), Mariana (budget-conscious Brazilian shoes), Andrea Brueckner (Hamptons-inspired travel totes), Judith Haas (Gaudi-inspired gold-cuffed bracelets) and Crystalyn Kae (glaze-coated vegan handbags). In keeping with her artistic background, Whelan, promotes up-and-coming painters and photographers by displaying their artworks on the walls during ongoing, bi-monthly exhibits. You can also sign-up for on-site jewelry making classes led by Nicole Gagne of Leoworks, one of the dozens of talented designers whose baubles are sold at the space. Also be sure to RSVP for the regular rotation of trunk shows - a fun way to shop ‘n schmooze with the designers themselves. And thanks to the boutique’s friendly vibe, inviting jazz tunes and informative descriptions detailing how each design was made, a visit to Clarabella makes it tempting to stay the entire day.

Exclusive FashionJunkie Deal Just for YOU! Clarabella is giving subscribers 20% off any items of your choice from Friday, July 20th through Friday, August 3rd. Present a printout of this email at the cash to redeem your discount. Happy shopping!

[text and logo courtesy of Fashion Junkie]

I’ve been a delinquent blogger as of late - I’m so sorry to abandon you, my friends;). I can only attribute it to summer and the seasonal need to get out and about. Let’s hope you’re still reading!!

Coming up next week is another very special Clarabella event. I’m hosting a reception for New York based artist, Andrea Peterson. Raised along the U.S. east coast, from Florida to Baltimore, Andrea Peterson attended the School of Art East Carolina University where she graduated in 2002. After working as a graphic designer for one year in Washington D.C. and continuing to paint, she moved up to NYC to pursue her interest and growing involvement in the art world. Locally, Andrea has shown at various venues, including DOMA cafe, Starbucks, and the David Allen Gallery. The fantastical nature of her work is typically veiled with aquatic and feminine overtones, beckoning the viewer to look closer and become intrigued with the subtle juxtapositions within the subject matter.

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Artist Reception
ANDREA PETERSON
Thursday, July 26 - 7 to 9pm
Wine and snacks will be served

You might have seen my post from Wednesday about Teddy:). Well, I had the pleasure of seeing him perform at Barnes and Noble yesterday. I’m not typically a big country music gal, but this would be the exception. Teddy’s voice is fantastic and worth a listen. He played live at Bryant Park today and it just happens to be up for your listening pleasure on NPR - check it out here.

again, here is Teddy:

Attention fashion gals: This post has nothing to do with fashion;). It DOES, however, have everything to do with some great music and two very charming and handsome fellows. I had the pleasure of meeting and working with them both during my years at Verve. Jesse Harris was first - I worked on two of his releases (Secret Sun and While the Music Lasts). Teddy Thompson was next and I was thrilled to be one of those at the helm of his Verve Forecast debut, Separate Ways.

Jesse Harris’s “Feel” hit stores yesterday. I got a sneak preview from Filter a few weeks back and the album has been in regular rotation at the shop ever since. Jesse is a phenomenal songwriter. But don’t just take my word for it, listen to Norah Jones, Madeleine Peyroux or Lizz Wright, all of whom have recorded his tunes. Or maybe Ethan Hawke… The soundtrack for his upcoming film, “The Hottest State” features a stunning lineup of artists (including Willie Nelson, Bright Eyes, Feist, The Black Keys and more) all performing Jesse’s tunes. “Feel” is Jesse’s 7th solo release and he continues to grow as an artist. This album is unlike anything of his that I’ve heard before. It takes his natural ability for a pleasing melody and entracing lyrics to a new level. I really just can’t get enough. To get yourself hooked, go here and sample a few of the tunes. Or you can come sit in my big comfy store chair and chill out to the tunes at Clarabella;). Jesse is at Joe’s Pub tonight - if you read this in time, head on over!!

Teddy Thompson’s new release, “Up Front and Down Low” hits stores on Tuesday, July 17. If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you’ve heard me gush about Teddy before. His first release with Verve Forecast, “Separate Ways”, was a heart wrencher. If you’ve ever been through a serious heartache, you’ll feel an instant bond with the title track, trust me. And his version of Leonard Cohen’s “Tonight Will Be Fine” from the 2005 release “I’m Your Man” gets me every time. His latest effort finds him a little further from the typical singer/songwriter role and a little closer to the old school country. It’s an album that Teddy’s been wanting to make for a while and it shows. You can hear the passion in his voice and even if you’re not a country fan, I’d be willing to bet this one will speak to you just as it does to me. Plus, he’s got one of those charming British accents, blushes every once in a while and is mighty handsome to boot. Teddy plays at Barnes & Noble/Union Square tomorrow night at 7pm and his CD release party is at Mo Pitkin’s on July 17th. Join me tomorrow at B&N, I’ll be the one trying to pretend like I’m not swooning in front of all of my old colleagues;). Check out his myspace page for a sneak preview.

Now Listening: to Teddy and Jesse, of course!

I hope you all had a great holiday yesterday! I spent the day BBQ-ing with friends, drinking mojitos at a fantastic east village spot and watching the fireworks from Avenue C. It was just lovely;). I don’t know if it’s the 3 days off (unheard of in my current world!) or the fact that it’s summer and that makes me smile, but I feel like sharing the love - ha. Today through Sunday, everything at Clarabella is 15% off. EVERYTHING. Those fabulous shoes you’ve been eyeing, that great handbag that was maybe just a little too pricey. Now is the time to come on down. Don’t miss it!

See you soon -

Erin

Hello faithful readers and generally lovely people;)

I hope that you’re enjoying your Sunday. If you’re in NY, you’re enjoying blue skies, puffy white clouds and nice breeze kind of day. I know this from my walk down to the shop this morning. Now I’m just looking longingly at it through the front door. I can only hope that we also get this type of day on Wednesday, the big ol 4th of July. Now would be a good time to tell you that Clarabella will be closed on Tuesday July 3rd and Wednesday July 4th for the holiday. This is the first time I’m closing for a holiday since opening, and rest assured, it won’t be happening often, it’s just… who shops on the 4th of July anyway?;) I decided it would be a lovely few days to head out for a little barbeque and some sunshine. Clarabella will reopen as usual on Thursday the 5th. It won’t just be any reopening… It will be a reopening with a storewide 15% off SALE in honor of the holiday. Can’t beat that!!

So, see you today Thursday and gosh darn-it, enjoy your holiday.