Shopping in Harlem | Paola… Lost in New York City

Shopping in Harlem: Trunk Show Designer Consignment

February 26, 2013 by findingpaola

A chic Harlem consignment boutique with a hip Parisian flair? Does such a thing exist? Oh yes. Yes, it does. Trunk Show Designer Consignment (or TSDC) occupies a small but significant piece of 113th street at Frederick Douglas Boulevard. Just like its website describes, it truly is a luxury haven in Harlem. Owned by two women in their early twenties, the small shop caters to the fashionable crowd (both men and women) with expensive taste who likes to save a […]

Categories: Shopping in Harlem • Tags: chanel purses, clothing, consignment, designer clothing, fashion, frederick douglas boulevard, Harlem, nyc, shopping, style, trunk show designer consignment, tsdc, yves saint laurent

Hair braiding adventure in Harlem: Oumou Hair design

January 17, 2013 by findingpaola

I’ve had my fair share of terrible experiences at hair braiding salons. The truth is I find them mostly scary, unprofessional, and sometimes just downright depressing. There’s nothing relaxing, or remotely welcoming about them like other salons. I’m not asking for luxury here, just a little bit of decency. I’m not asking to be greeted with a smile by a receptionist, someone to take my coat, and or to ask me if I would like a glass of water as […]

Categories: Hair, MY HARLEM, Shopping in Harlem

A day with Gessica Geneus in Harlem

December 4, 2012 by findingpaola

This past Saturday, I walked up to 125th and Lenox to meet with Haitian actress, Gessica Geneus. I thought it would be a great idea to hang out in my favorite New York neighborhood since I’m sure she had already been to Soho and all of the other intriguing districts. She stopped in New York City for a week on her way to Haiti from Paris, and I was really excited when she messaged me to meet up with her. We […]

Categories: MY HARLEM, My NYC Adventures, Personal Style, Shopping in Harlem • Tags: day, friends, fun, Gessica Geneus, Haitian actress, Harlem, nyc, shopping, style

Art in Harlem: “Le Retour” by Ousmane Gueye

November 27, 2012 by findingpaola

As I was taking a stroll through Harlem on a sunny Saturday afternoon, I stumbled upon an art gallery. I remember thinking that I’ve walked this intersection of Harlem many times and have never noticed it. I stopped to admire the artwork when I noticed a figure inside the gallery waving at me from a distance. Naturally, I waved back, then heard the sound of a buzzer, which led me to open the door. A blank wall featured the words: […]

Categories: MY HARLEM, Shopping in Harlem • Tags: "le retour", art, art gallery, art scene, Harlem, nyc, ousmane gueye

Shopping in Harlem: JB B.O.R.N. Vintage Clothing

November 19, 2012 by findingpaola

Tucked away on one of the busiest streets in Harlem, this chic and stunningly decorated boutique offers a variety of modern and vintage designer goods for the fashionable and thrifty New Yorker. At JB B.O.R.N. (borrowed, old, refurbished, new), each item is carefully selected by the charming and interesting store owner, Jonathan Bodrick. At the entrance, a group of mannequins stand stylishly clad in designer and vintage frocks. Chairs are lined to welcome patrons to relax and try on items of […]

Categories: Shopping in Harlem • Tags: clothing, designer, fashion, Harlem, jb b.o.r.n vintage fashion boutique, nyc, style, thrift store shopping, vintage, vintage hats

Harlem Shopping: Harlem Underground

September 17, 2012 by findingpaola

I’ve been looking for the right spot to get a Harlem t-shirt for a while. I’ve seen some on 125th on some vendors’ booths, but they didn’t really do it for me. I was looking for style, subtlety, and quality. I wanted to something I can wear with both skirts and shorts- not something that would sit in my closet, and only be worn when I was cleaning my apartment. I went to Harlem Underground on 119th and Frederick Douglas, and had […]

Categories: MY HARLEM, Personal Style, Shopping in Harlem • Tags: Afro shirts, clothing, cool shirts, Harlem, Harlem shirts, Harlem shopping, Harlem Underground, jimmy hendrix, nyc, t-shirts

Harlem shopping: Kaarta Imports African Fabrics

September 9, 2012 by findingpaola

I was walking in Harlem the other day when this girl stopped me. She asked, “Miss, where do you get these kinds of scarves?’ My response was, “Here in Harlem, every African store has them. Ask for one yard of the fabric of your choice, and voilà!” That’s the secret. Go to the African store, buy the fabric. It’s cheap, and you can have fun learning different ways to wrap the fabrics. It might be pretty obvious now that I am […]

Categories: Personal Style, Shopping in Harlem • Tags: African accessories, AFRICAN FABRICS, African Store, African tailors, fashion, Harlem, head scarves, headwraps, Kaarta, style, texture patterns

Discovering Harlem: Franz James Floral Boutique

February 6, 2012 by findingpaola

I walked up to the flower shop on my block on Sunday and introduced myself to one of the owners. I’ve always admired that shop, it always caught my attention every time I walk by. I find it aesthetically pleasing and a real asset to the neighborhood so I stopped by to say hello. Franz James Floral Boutique is owned by two gentlemen. Jimmy is the designer and takes care of all of the flowers, and Franz handles the business […]

Categories: MY HARLEM, Shopping in Harlem • Tags: franz james floral boutique, Harlem, nyc

Paola… Lost in New York City

A girl from a small town in Haiti leaving her mark in the big city.

Category Archives: Shopping in Harlem