American Two Shot has got spunk. That's probably because the store's owners Steph Krasnoff and Olivia Wolfe are two rad, rad girls. I describe their store as "Opening Ceremony 8 years ago", when it was truly unique, more humble and had a good sense of humor. 

Visually, ATS (for short) is a feast for the eyes. The merchandising is constantly changing to tell a little story that represents a subculture:

delinquency

sex

voodoo

90s

trailer park

The girls built ATS as an expression of who they are and the things they're interested in, but specifically they built it for the people that inhabit the space, their friends…artists, musicians, fashiony people, skateboarders, writers, the like. They showcase art, have a platform in the middle of their store that doubles as a stage and have a dj alcove. With lines from Timo Weiland, Thomas Sires and a solid curation of vintage, their clothing and accessories can outfit any of these 'types' and anyone who wants to be one of them.

American Two Shot even comes equipped with a comprehensive coffee bar Cafè Integral, served by Cesar, a friend of the girls' who is serious about his coffee…seriously he talked to me about beans  for 20 minutes once.

I am obsessed with this illustrated choking sign by Juliette Seydoux. It was a gift from her to Cafe Integral.

You'll see the girls' personality and talent in some really subtle personal touches throughout like their self-produced and shot lookbooks.

Their existence is not limited to the physical store itself, American Two Shot rolls out daily posts, illustrations and invites to their awesome tumblelog entitled "City of Friends". Follow them.

When you package all this good taste and inventory into a pretty cavernous space downtown, American Two Shot becomes a place you want to be in and pass time. And considering you can drink there, shop there, sit there, laugh there and listen to music there… there's not many other places you really need to be.

I end on the very fitting neon sign that hovers above the store

"the places we'll meet". I'll see you there dog.

If you want to take novelty to the next level, come visit the MakerBot store!

What is a MakerBot you ask?

In short, MakerBot is a 3-d printer.

What's a 3-d printer? 

You can take a 2 dimensional image, like the White House (or any other template from the MakerBot design library) and MakerBot can build a 3 dimensional plastic replica of that White House.

The store is the first of its' kind, showcasing MakerBots that are for sale (specifically the Replicator 2 around $2,500) and the process by which the machines are creating the plastic objects. It's like FAO Schwartz 10.0, entertaining for a glance and the opportunity to play around with some of the objects.

In addition to the machines themselves, the store sells the MakerBot output, small plastic toys that are kind of expensive.

A really cool draw is the store's 3D Photo booth that allows visitors to buy 3D-printed models of their own faces. It's the ultimate in narcissistic gift giving/receiving since custom American Girl Dolls.

The photo-taking process, which takes roughly five minutes, creates the sort of models shown in the picture above. Once you take your photo they place their orders with MakerBot and receive their plastic head replicas in 4-6 weeks.

Albright Downstairs is a 7,000 square foot showroom stocked with the most important pieces of fashion from the past 20 years. It is anything but ordinary, a bursting catacomb of dresses and shoes, both formal and cocktail, of varying colors, textures, origins and labels. The best of everywhere from everytime- it's equal parts humbling and exciting to be there. 

Having said all that, they're not open for public consumption. Albright Downstairs is only open for stylists, set dressers and art directors looking to outfit an editorial shoot, campaign, movie…etc with both women's AND men's clothing.

Albright Downstairs sits discreetly behind floral-pulled curtains. 

This place can literally be Carrie Bradshaw's closet, showcasing items that are timeless, forever covetable. 

They're in the process of amassing the largest collection of men's Trickers - a British heritage shoe who has been outfitting the feet of princes and royalty for 180 years. 

(not to mention, I am now obsessed with these Tricker's for women) 

Albright Downstairs is the more accessible relative of the Albright Fashion Library- the appointment-only older sister that houses current runway and couture pieces you would gladly kill someone for.

Former stylist Irene Albright opened the ­Albright Fashion Library in 1990 after she found herself with piles of designer items used on photo shoots which couldn’t be returned.

Albright Downstairs continues to breathe life into beautiful clothing. 

The staff is friendly, gracious and extremely informed- they can pull pieces from the organized, color-coded chaos.

Good friend and manrepeller....Leandra, the....Manrepeller (MR) revealed some new window dressing at the Maje store in Soho last night. The windows showcase their Fall/Winter items, making the display an homage to this fleeting, boiling, sparkly summer.

Maje is a French women's contemporary brand that's relatively accessible and lively (I would position it as France's answer to Theory).