Your Unemployed Daughter

Currently, I’m sitting in my apartment while two men work on my leaking toilet (lest you worry, it’s been leaking inside the tank, which is quite conscientious of it, but the noise has begun to drive me crazy).

Now I hear water flowing and the men laughing and am moderately concerned about the shape my bathroom will be in when they depart, yet…at least I don’t have to go to work.

Something like “waiting for the guy to come and fix my toilet,” would be a huge pain in the ass if I were employed at my previous job. I’d be impatient, cranky, and ready to go. I’d have promised to get there asap—it is, of course, a Monday. I’d already be late. Yet, one must repair one’s leaky toilet, no? If only for posterity?

As it is, waiting is but a minor worry, and I’m more concerned with writing this post and whether I’ll go to Fast Blast at 10:30 or Upper Body Blast at 1 (leaning toward 1, now that it’s 10:27 and all). And, of course, how soon I’m going to need to actually use the bathroom, what with all the coffee I am drinking.

Last night I had dinner with the lovely Erin Whelan, soon-to-be-former owner of Clarabella, a shop that’s been bringing gorgeous, affordable bags, shoes, jewelry, and art (it functioned as a sometime gallery) to the Lower East Side and its environs for the past couple of years.

I met Erin something like 5 or 6 years ago, when we were both dating guys named Mike who worked at the same magazine (at least one of those Mikes would likely have been able to fix my toilet). We became friends, and when the Mikes went their separate ways (as Mikes will), we stayed friends. I saw her open the shop, and now she’s closing up and moving back to Maine, from whence she came.

Obviously, the recession has been a factor in Clarabella’s closing (take heart as the site will remain functional for your ordering needs!) but I think for Erin it’s more of a lifestyle choice. There comes a time when things need to change, and, as oft discussed, change is good. It makes you think. It gets you out of ruts. We hate ruts.

Still, it’s sad that the store will close. I loved having it available for my present-buying needs (for self and others)—Erin has impeccable taste. But my loss is your gain. If you’re unemployed, or just saving money, get there quick, because Clarabella’s last day is August 28, this Friday, and Erin still has some amazingly priced finds.

I know, because I went there last night and scored an armful of bracelets, a pair of shocking pink shoes, a belt, a birthday card, and a free bag to put it in, all for less than $150. And, yes, I’ve been on a shopping moratorium and all, but passing up a bargain like that would just be financially irresponsible. Ya know?

Clarabella is on Houston between Clinton and Suffolk. Along with her remaining inventory, Erin is also selling display cases and dress forms, so if you’re in the market for anything you might need to start your own shop, check it out. And check back with YUD, as Erin will be blogging about her experience once she lands in Maine.

Clarabella, we’ll miss you!

Oh dear, and now the pounding begins.