Yeah, I’m taking a little break from shopping, due largely to the fact that my idyllic Brooklyn neighborhood that I’ve been bragging about so much is lousy with thieves who snatch packages off stoops after the Fedex guy has delivered them. In fact, this coat was recently swiped, and my heart still hurts when I think about that. But here are several items I might buy if I were shopping, starting with this perfect Nili Lotan blouse.
I love this chic quilted puffer bag from Claire V—you could use it for everything from greenmarket runs to packing for a weekend away.
Once the weather turns warm, I plan on wearing nothing but shirtdresses—or at least I plan on wearing a whole lot of them. This royal blue number from Universal Standard is awfully spiff, and it comes in black and navy and white stripes too. And because it’s Universal Standard, it comes in just about every size imaginable.
I’m always looking for black camis to wear under my tops this time of year, and this one has a nice bit of embroidery.
I am such a Pisces—emotional, creative, moody—and it’s my birthday next week, something I’m trying very hard to remain positive about. So I might go for this adorable Baggu reusable bag, which reminds me of something Peter Max might have designed.
I continue to try and make higher-waisted jeans work for me, and while I’ve had very little success on this front, hope springs eternal. These jeans from Paige have a great faded-out wash (I dislike pitch-black jeans) and a raw hem, which I know not all of you like, but which I’m a fan of.
The lace details on this Sezane tee are really quite fetching. It also comes in black, but I surprise myself by preferring this rusty hue, as I typically never go for earth tones.
In celebration of the return of the podcast, I’m considering this cute tee, which reads “everything is fine,” in French.
Just a really adorable ruffle-neck denim shirt at a decent price.
And finally: I think this cashmere hoodie looks like the kind of piece that would get thrown on constantly.
Oh no! The coat?!
I marvel when I see packages left right out on the stoops (not even the vestibule) in the west village.
I made accounts with UPS,USPS,FedEx, etc so I get alerts the minute anything is dropped off. Can you tell my packages have been stolen before? Sending you good mail karma.
PS just saw this https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/19/nyregion/package-theft-east-village.html
I read that and… wow. Did someone seriously send a $25,000 Rolex THROUGH THE MAIL???? Thieves or no, that’s taking a huge chance.
Ah! I’m so sorry about the coat. I’m in Prospect Heights as well and have recently had some packages go missing too. It’s so frustrating and disappointing.
That absolutely STINKS about having things stolen off of your steps! And my biggest problem is that FedEx can’t seem to figure out which house is mine (Numbers by the road, numbers on the house, numbers on the mailbox…🤔)
Hey, also – Happy pre-Birthday!!! It’s never too soon to celebrate, imo. We’ve got to grab every excuse we get. Birthdays last at least a month. And with the virus, we can add to that.
Happy early birthday! My heart breaks for you about that beautiful coat – do you have the Shop app? It shows you in real time on a map exactly where your package is – at least you could see when it was getting close to your apartment and you could avoid having it sit for too long.
That’s such a bummer about your gorgeous coat 🙁
I too live in Brooklyn and have had a few package thefts, including pre-pandemic. I have become diligent about tracking and alerts, plus I’ve become friendly with our mail carrier (USPS) and UPS delivery guy. Both of them always buzz and wait. FedEx is a different story. I was expecting a package via FedEx today with alerts set. I happened to see the FedEx truck drive off out the window, so I ran down to see the package left in the rain. It’s frustrating but I also know that delivery people are under tremendous time pressure. And there are so many people hurting right now, I’m not surprised by all the thefts.
Depending on the value and carrier of the package, some I will have redirected and others I will take a chance.
Sadly, FEdEx’s problems are not entirely due to Covid. I have had many problems with them through the years, and try not to use them whenever possible. Kim, I am so sorry about your beautiful coat.
Agreed, Mary Alice! I never seem to have the same issues with UPS or DSL.
Fellow birthday-next-week Pisces here– yay!! Chicago has the stoop stealing problem too. Like others, I’ve signed up for direct delivery to a UPS /FedEx location, rather than having a package sit outside for any amount of time. Good luck!
🙁 Sorry this happened to you.
We use Flex Delivery from Canada Post, which allows us to pick up parcels at the pharmacy post office by showing ID and an e-mailed confirmation barcode when the parcel is ready for pickup. Also, we use an Amazon drop box at another local pharmacy. It worked well until recently, when the codes they gave us opened empty boxes, necessitating hours of phone calls. Also, some stores allow the ship-to-store for pickup option. Certain things are only available by courier, though. 🙁
I was surprised to read (NY Times, 2/19) that a whopping 90,000 packages are stolen in NYC every single day. That’s a lot of loot! Sad to hear about your coat… But it is so distinctive that it may yet turn up. I wonder if the NY AG’s office would be willing to do a public service campaign reminding people that mail theft is in fact a federal crime with real consequences…
Oh I am sorry about your coat. I so understand. Parkdale, our Toronto neighbourhood, is also plagued by porch pirates. It’s exhausting and frustrating. I hope you can get a replacement. Love your blog, by the way.
If you sign in to Fed Ex, you can have them deliver your packages to a local Walgreens or Duane Reade store. So sorry about your coat. 😩
Same here in my Brooklyn neighborhood. Our block google group shares videos of the thieves but no luck so far in apprehending them. Now that I’m working from home, I scurry down to retrieve packages as soon as I get the alerts-very nerve-wracking! Bad enough, but one of a kind finds? That’s just too much. Looking forward to the podcast later–thanks for the spoiler alert lol!
Oh no!! Your stunning coat…I’m so sorry! I’m in Prospect Heights via East Village. Fortunately, my biggest issue so far has been finding decent bodega flowers. P.S. The line at the UPS store on Flatbush has gone (pretty) quickly for me.
The hoodie does look yummy but I find Theory’s sizing so off the rails tiny that don’t think I’d even try it on. That was one of mainstay labels way back when, then they completely changed the way they cut clothes and nothing ever fit me again. It was such a BUMMER.
I cannot abide these high waist jeans. I feel I have to go two sizes bigger and my 55 year old self hates that. The packages being stolen is so wrong. Maybe it’s a result of so many people home during the day versus being in an office?
I’ve tried high waisted too. It’s a no go. When your short waisted high waist just doesn’t work. Here recently that eliminates most pants\jeans. I hope the fashion industry realizes one rise fits all just doesn’t work. In our area we can pick up fedex at the Dollar General.
Also 55, also cant deal w the high waist. Youre not alone!
So sorry to hear about your beautiful coat!
I’m so sorry about your coat especially because you were so excited about it. I can feel your heartbreak. I’m looking forward to hearing you and Tally again. It’s been so long!
Egad, so sorry about that coat, Kim! Also, I just listened to the latest and HILARIOUS new podcast. So glad have it back!!!! I am at this moment wearing a pair of Gap faded black jeans that look exactly like the Paige jeans (only truly midrise). When I first purchased mine they were baggy, but I just kept wearing them and putting them in the dryer and now they fit perfectly. Occasionally the Gap comes through!
CW, if you see this, can you contort yourself and look at the tag and let me know what style your gap jeans are? I remember us being the same height! (Chances are you bought them eons ago and I’m &*^% out of luck, but….)
Hey Eloise, I DID contort myself and they are “best girlfriend” jeans. they are also a size smaller than I normally wear––they were that big when I tried them on in the store. And, yes, purchased two years ago when one could go into a store and try on clothes sans masks and sanitizers. (sigh)
THANK YOU! They’ve got something called “Mid Rise Girlfriend” jeans that I’m gonna wager are pretty much the same. Fingers crossed!
If you create an account with UPS, you can get emails when your packages are delivered. That’s what I do, and then I run down and pick them up right away. Haven’t had anything stolen yet in Park Slope.
Oh, no, not THE COAT. So sorry to hear that!
I’m with you on the quixotic quest for high waisted pants despite none of the MANY I’ve tried having even remotely worked for me. I think I could have afforded to splurge on that drool-worthy hoodie if I hadn’t spent so much money on return postage! Wanna bet I try the Paige ones? (I’m also a raw hem fan.) Pro tip: I signed up for PayPal’s return postage service — not what they call it but I’m too lazy to look it up – under which PayPal they will reimburse you for otherwise lost return postage for up to 12 purchases a year. You have to send proof that the return was received and the postage wasn’t “free,” but it’s worth the hassle if they are still offering it.
The thievery is alive and well here in your neighboring boro of Staten Island. Except it seems like those of us with cameras or ring doorbells on our homes like to try to catch the thieves by posting the photo/video on FB and sending to the Staten Island Advance. So there is that kind of fun to keep us busy. As far as high waisted jeans go – I reluctantly gave the Levi’s Wedgie a go. Reluctant because I am 5’1″ and curvy. And I have to say, I’m loving them. They don’t go with every single outfit but right now they are doing really well with half tucked blouses or cashmere sweaters and boots and I can definitely see them working well with a cute sandal and a t shirt in the spring. Said as I stare out at the snow. Again.
Ah Kim, that fabulous coat. Sob.
Kim, I feel your pain about the coat loss! As someone who has lived in a lot of neighborhoods/buildings with similar issues, I’ve used things like Amazon Locker or having things delivered to a local UPS Store – they generally charge a small fee but at least the packages are safe.
Ditto. Giant bummer. I’ve had it happen too, inside a locked lobby. (I think it could’ve been a neighbor in my case.) I wonder who fences all this stolen stuff.
I’m sure a lot of it ends up on Ebay or even Craigslist (much less regulation).
I wonder if the stolen packages are the items on Ebay you often see “new in box” or “new with tags”. I have wondered about all of that stuff and have bought some things, but now I’m wondering if I am purchasing other people’s stolen stuff. That bums me out so much.
That’s a little heartbreak nobody needed. I am SO sorry, and hope TRR will make it right… or renter’s insurance… or at least karma?!!
Yes, Heather, I think I’m going to go the UPS store route—despite the fact that there is ALWAYS a line out the door when I walk by.
I’m in Gowanus in a building that’s staffed 24/7. If you ever want to get a package sent there and pick it up from me, you’re welcome to. Package theft is a huge problem in the area right now.
And I’m so sorry about that coat!
Kim, how has your experience with RealReal customer service gone on this issue? I just had the exact same thing happen (in Carroll Gardens), and they told me 10 business days for UPS to “investigate” and then I’ll get a refund for the (annoyingly irreplaceable) items.
Has it been that long for you yet? Has anyone gotten their money back?
OMG. YOUF COAT! I am so sad for you. Is there someone in your neighborhood who is home during the day that could get your packages? what about shipping them to your office? just a thought.
I’m not sure exactly where you are in Brooklyn, but Woods Grove on Court Street has a great collection of Baggu if you want to shop live instead of online (and there’s a Real Real now in Cobble Hill too).
And for what it’s worth my local RealReal told me you can call and ask them to ship something to the store, and pick it up there, plus save the cost of shipping.
Oh noo not THAT coat. I feel heartbroken too
Did they have to take that coat? I weep for you, Kim. If you ever do a post on The One That Got Away I’ll relate the sad tale of a Valentino gown that an erstwhile boyfriend accidentally threw in the trash. It was never to be seen again. Really. Happy birthday to all Pisces. Mine is tomorrow.
Hope you have a happy birthday!
Distracted by the porch pirates, I should have said there is so much goodness in this post: the delicate blouse that would get so much wear, the always-excellent shirt dress, the Baggu for everyday happiness (was it really almost a year ago that reusable bags were banned from many stores due to Covid?), black jeans and a frayed hem (two in one, and BTW black jeans fade and become their best over time with wear and washings; patience, friends, patience). I found a puffer bag locally, but alas, it’s handles were too tight to fit over a wrist…what were they thinking?
Carry on, Kim.
Sorry ur pkg was swiped that would send me over the edge especially if fedex actually managed to deliver timely and at the right door – fedex is the worst. I have to say I did do a lol when I followed the link – sorry but it reminds me of big foot.
YES to this! “When it absolutely, positively has to get there overnight”….but won’t.
Ugh, not the gorgeous coat. That sucks!
Hopefully this means your next coat will be even better.
I bet it pops up on therealreal.
Oh the beautiful coat….two years ago i sent along all of my sons xmas presents so he wouldnt have to carry them traveling…all stolen. And does the crook really want a mug my nephew made? No. Hideous. I am so sorry