By day Miss Babs demonstrates cookware, but at night and on the weekends she takes to the stage with her country-and-blues band. At Broadway Panhandler’s annual yard sale, she’ll be entertaining while shoppers comb through more than 6,000 items. Five-piece Le Creuset cookware set, was $200, now $89.95; Braun immersion blender, was $29.99, now $14.95; Berndes nonstick seven-piece set, was $272, now $99.95; table linens, were $3-$32, now $1-$12.95. Broadway Panhandler, 477 Broome St. (966-3434); A.E., M.C., V., checks; Sat. 11-5; 6/6.
Softly, Softly
Scotland continues to be king of the world’s cashmere, and Ballantyne is one of its reigning producers. At Berk, Ballantyne twin sets, were $685, now $411, women’s crewnecks, were $350, now $210; men’s V-necks and crewnecks, were $495, now $297. Berk, 781 Madison Ave., near 66th St. (570-0285); A.E., M.C., V.; Mon.-Fri. 10-6, Sat. till 5; 6/1-6/30.
Brotherly Love
Doug Jones and his partner, Nicolle Littrell, get a lot of their premier local organic produce from his brother’s farm (which also supplies veggies to restaurants like Gramercy Tavern and Union Square Cafe). For twenty weeks starting June 1, they’ll deliver a big bag right to your home every Wednesday, with at least four kinds of vegetables and one of fruit, mesclun, fresh herbs, bread from Sullivan Street Bakery, cheese from Egg Farm Dairy, a couple of recipes, and a newsletter. You can also receive a large bunch of seasonal flowers for an extra $10. Subscription prices are $700 for twenty weeks and $350 for ten; you can pay in three installments and cancel anytime. My Brother’s Farm (call 615-6733 to place orders or for information); A.E., M.C., V.; 6/1 through Thanksgiving.
You’re Invited
Cozy’s – a unique children’s hair salon and toy boutique – is offering a free haircut (a $23 value) when you purchase $100 worth of party favors. (If that sounds high, remember that a party of fifteen kidscan easily run you that much.) Itemsinclude a personalized beach pail, shovel and rake set, animal squirters, and sidewalk chalk and crayons. Cozy’s Cuts for Kids, 1125 Madison Ave., at 84th St. (744-1716), 448 Amsterdam Ave., at 81st St. (579-2600); A.E., M.C., V.; Mon.-Sat. 10-6; 6/1-6/15.
Under the Gavel
While estimates of $10,000 and below (some as modest as $800) aren’t exactly small, Christie’s avant-garde contemporary-art auction will give “collectors on a budget” a chance to pick up the work of comparatively affordable artists. The day sales, on Thursday, have particularly good bargains – and hey, the next time these works go on the block, the prices may not be nearly as modest. Artists will include David Salle, Andres Serrano, Jake and Dinos Chapman, John Baldessari, and Cindy Sherman. Christie’s, 502 Park Ave., at 59th St. (546-1168); A.E., M.C., V., checks; Wed. 7 p.m., Thurs. 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; 6/3-6/4.
Pixie’s Picks
Pixie Yates – one of the hippest of the hip designers on the downtown scene – is once again holding her sample sale. Her signature handbags (and her remaining spring and summer clothes) will be priced at wholesale and below. She’ll also have her famous bargain bins. Pixie Yates, 225 Lafayette St., Room 707 (431-3150); cash only; Thurs. 10-7; 6/4.
Stretch Your Budget
An alternative to some of the bigger yoga schools in town, Om opened five months ago. The studio offers open and basic classes; a three-month unlimited membership (you can go every day of the week if you’re inspired), was $325, now $200. Om, 135 W. 14th St., second floor (229-0267); A.E., M.C., V., checks; call for schedule; 6/1-6/15.
Tuxedo Junction
Though its inventory is immense, Gilcrest Clothes is so organized that it puts most showrooms to shame. Ungaro, Perry Ellis, and Louis Feraud – and Armani tuxedos, for that June wedding – will be among the designers featured at its annual summer sale. Among the offerings, designer suits, retail $699-$1,900, regularly $499-$799, now $299-$599; sport jackets, retail $299-$599, regularly $239-$399, here $169-$299. Gilcrest Clothing, 900 Broadway, near 20th St., third floor (254-8933); Mon.-Fri. 7:30-5:30, Sat. 8:30-5, Sun. 9:30-4:30; A.E., M.C., V., checks; 6/1-6/30.