Category — NYC (Manhattan, bien sur!)

Looking for that unique, quality gift that can’t be found in every mall or catalogue? Need a great holiday activity for you and your BFFs to share? Just want to shop in one place without running all over town? Look no further:

I’ve been lucky to attend the annual One-Of -A-Kind Sale in Chicago. I had never heard of it until sr L invited me to accompany her to the Chicago show…she attends every December and had a complimentary pass to admit 2. We cabbed to the Merchandise Mart, (it’s huge: MM has it own zipcode!) and took the elevator to the 8th floor. We checked our coats and accepted some complimentary champagne and cookies, then got to the serious business of shopping.

Shopping with a friend (or family) can be tricky: you can’t both buy the same things, you need to shop at the same pace or not be easily insulted if the other one wanders off.

I’m a wanderer…I like to float from aisle to booth and back again. With over 500 booths, plan to wander all day. Each piece sold at the One of a Kind Sale is hand-made by independent artists who are sharing their talents and wares with you. Every type of artisinal craft can be found there: from paintings to ceramics to jewelry to holiday decorations to clothing to gourmet foods. Sr L found a cool placque made from an old door knob and keys to hang buy her front door and hold her keys! She also bought gifts galore, like clever boot cuffs that change the style of any boot in seconds. Moi bought a reversible pleated silk jacket (for Moi, bien sur!) and some Cub-themed dog leashes, one for all the dogs in the extended family. All price points are represented: the presentation and dazzling displays and creative ideas alone are worth the admission price!

And not to worry: there are plenty of gourment cafés, lounge areas and even a big-screen television so you (or your husband) can rest-up between shopping spurts. Chicago amenities  include a licensed child care center, coat check, complimentary bag check, gift-wrapping and curbside package carryout: everything to make your shopping as convenient and hassle-free as possible: they want you to be happy!

One Of A Kind Show and Sale: Chicago

• Dec 3-6
  • Thursday, Dec 3: 12 – 9pm
  • Friday, Dec 4: 11am – 9pm
  • Saturday, Dec 5: 10am – 7pm
  • Sunday, Dec 6: 10am – 5pm
• Merchandise Mart, Kinzie and Wells Streets, Chicago 60654
• Tickets: (a ticket is good for all 4 days)
  • Adults: $12
  • Senior and Students: $9
  • Children 12 and Under: free

This year, Moi is really lucky: I can’t attend the Chicago show, but for the first time, the One of a Kind Show and Sale is coming to NYC! Offering the same high quality artisans and products that have made the show such a success in Chicago, the NYC show is sure to become an annual event.

One of a Kind Show and Sale: NYC

• Dec 10-13
  • Thursday, December 10: 5 – 9pm
  • Friday, December 11: 11am – 8pm
  • Saturday, December 12: 10am – 7pm
  • Sunday, December 13: 10am – 5pm
• Pier 94, 12th Ave at 55th St
• Tickets: (a ticket is good for all 4 days)
  • Adults: $15 (it’s NYC: everything is more $$)
  • Seniors and Students: $12
  • Children 12 & under: Free

NYC show promises to offer quality amenities, including a food and break lounge, coat check, free shopping package check, package and shipping service, and transportation and shuttle services.

She’ll be shopping soon at the NYC show!

Type the words “black friday” into google or bing  or twitter and see how many millions of hits you get. Which are the best? I prefer a few major sites:

• blackfriday.info
• blackfriday.com
• bf.net
• theblackfriday.com

Unless you’re in some sort of a media-blocking coma (in which case you’re not reading this) you’re being TMI’d with Black Friday promos:

• Amazon.com has announced this is deals week
• Apple’s ad has been leaked (hasn’t everyone’s ad been leaked? Who’s doing the leaking?)
• iPhone has new apps to help with Black Friday shopping
• Kohl’s is allowing customers to make a pre-BF shopping list and 4am opening
• QVC is promising deals to keep viewers locked to their television screens (Moi likes this idea: the deals come to Moi!)
• Target is promoting a two-day BF sale with 5am door-buster deals
• every national and local paper and news broadcast is providing shopping tips, websites, deal-breaking news to keep viewers on edge and frenzied
• stores are announcing new security strategies to prevent tragedies like that in 2008

What does Moi plan for Black Friday? Maybe a stroll down to Columbus Circle with a Starbucks chai tea latte to see what’s on sale at Williams-Sonoma after Thanksgiving. Wander across the street to Best Buy to check out whether iPhone has finally invented a retractable headset. Drift on down to Bed Bath and Beyond to check on a few items on Santa’s list.

But if there’s a crowd, I’m not going in. I’ll drift on home (with another Starbucks tall skim chai, extra-hot, extra-water latte to sustain me), haul out the turkey left-overs, maybe a glass of champage, and become best buds with my DVR. Maybe drag my laptop over to the couch. Cuddle up with the pup while TBG works (sorry, TBG!) I’m shopping smart this year… I’m waiting for Cyber Monday!

Lucky Moi can combine her passions for antiquing, shopping and gift-giving this weekend in NYC… and so can you! With over 500 dealers, two days may not be enough time to lose yourself in the fun, outrageous and unique vintage stuff being displayed and offered for sale. Jewelry, furniture, artwork, collectibles, toys, books: you can shop for everyone from Grandpa to baby K to your BFF and not worry about giving duplicates. And very possibly get a great bargain while you’re at it!

At this type of show I can easily entertain myself for hours: I can go down the same row but from the opposite direction and find all new wonders to admire and inquire about. And TBG was totally engrossed in a booth specializing in vintage college sports gear: who knew?

Need a hostess gift? Maybe the set of 6 bronze metal napkin rings I saw last year. Nephew is a sci fi fan? How about a Star Trek poster or figurine. Mom is a great cook? What about that out-of-print cookbook. Your daughter is addicted to Mad Men? Check out that Bakelite bracelet. Just be sure to bring your gift list…and credit cards.

If you’re searching for a special gift for someone, this is where to start. And the show’s promoters have come up with another angle to entice you to buy:

Be Green – Buy Vintage

The Pier Antiques Show is Saturday and Sunday, November 14 and 15, at Pier 94 in NYC (near the cruise ship docks on the Hudson). Admission $15: but check online and in the paper for reduced admission coupons.

While you’re at the show, don’t miss Fashion Alley, a vintage fashion market that boasts Hot Shopping: Unique, Fabulous and Affordable. Also at Pier 94 this show features clothes, jewelry, handbags and accessories. My visit last year hand me torn between Hermès scarves and Chanel bags, while TBG spent his time searching out classic cufflinks and moneyclips.

But don’t worry, there’s plenty that’s very affordable, and dealers negotiate: they need to make sales! But maybe bring your checkbook and credit cards, just in case!

See you at Pier 94!

Ever since there was a blurb about it in O Magazine a few months ago, I’ve been trying to track down the Tweezerman Zip File, without success. Why? O touted that this would solve all my nail-file-lost-at-the-bottom-of-my-purse problems: Small but easy to find, no more covered in gunky purse stuff (don’t ask) and not snagging everything in sight, including my good nails. It’s a small nail file enclosed in a plastic shell with a little button you “zip” up and down to move the file in and out of its protective case. Sound too good to be true? It was: I couldn’t find it.

O Mag didn’t give any buying hints, so I checked the area drug and beauty stores, no luck.

So I’ve shopped and searched the manicure departments until SCORE! Today Moi found it, right around the corner at my neighborhood RickysNYC. $5.00. I love me some Rickys.

I asked: it’s only been in stock about 2 weeks, so I haven’t been walking right past the display. There were several colors to choose from, I picked baby blue with smiley-faced stars, because blue is Moi favorite color. And added bonus: this was a special promotion, and $1 from every sale is donated to The SmileTrain Foundation, which provides free surgeries to children with cleft-lip and palate. Go Tweezerman!

Give a girl a hand, nicely manicured, bien sur. And give a smile to a good cause.

Moi tip: If you don’t live in NYC and you can’t find the Zip File near you, get it online at drugstore.com

On my fast-paced walk down Columbus Ave, Moi once again stopped to admire a gorgeously arranged display window: sexy and chic and very feminine, I’d often admired Only Hearts, but never ventured inside. Somehow, the skeptical back of my brain told me that this store must sell coffee cups and key chains emblazoned with heart logos, but my eyes finally convinced me to enter.

First several vintage kimonos caught my eye…then a display case filled with vintage and faux vintage jewels…and bits of silky and ribbony lingerie…shoes and boots…dresses and blouses…candles and perfume, and bien sur, coffee mugs with heart logos. All organized like a somewhat messy but very chic walk-in closet: a closet Moi needed to investigate.

I was enchanted: why hadn’t I stopped at this new store already! To my complete surprise I was told Only Hearts had been on Columbus Ave over 20 years, originally just down the street. And now there were locations not only on the Upper West Side and in SoHo, but in California and Rome…as in Italy! They even have an internet salesroom! Yes, its a very American store, but its sexy, romantic casual under-and-outer clothes has appeal beyond NYC.

On my first visit, I left with a new strapless bra to wear for an upcoming black tie night at the Waldorf Astoria (I’m excited, very old New York!) and a card filled with scribblings of items I want to check on my next visit, and maybe give TBG for his shopping list. Their website even boasts never-worn vintage lingerie: I need to check that out! More than eye candy, Only Hearts is affordable luxury.

Once I returned chez moi and checked out the Only Hearts website, I learned more about the store creator and lingerie designer Helena Stuart. I love her philosophy: I don’t want my clothes to age after one season. I believe in building a wardrobe, and I want my customer to be able to wear my clothes for years and not feel dated. I want her to look appealing, without giving too much away. As a woman I understand what fits a woman’s body, and I understand how to capture the male gaze.

Slow down, smell the roses: don’t just look at the windows, go on in and touch the hearts!

Only 45 days left until Christmas.

What! You haven’t been checking the blog every day for tips to get your Christmas shopping started? So you missed days 60-45? Not to worry, Moi is saving every Christmas shopping tip just for you. Check  Shes Shopping Now every day to see what Moi found that is perfect for someone on your Christmas list…It won’t be in your mail box, just like Santa, I’ve made a list, and you have to check the blog twice (or 60 times!) for Moi Catalogue Countdown to Christmas: 60 Gifts in 60 Days.

And today, just for you, Moi is adding a bonus Christmas shopping gift, perfect for someone, maybe even several someones, on your list.

I saw this great little picture hanging system at the NY Historical Society Museum Gift Shop, and tracked down the best online price of $10 at Amazon. I’ve purchased several different types of photo mobile displays, but I really liked this one because it takes up so little space: you can hang it from the ceiling, and display postcards, photos, notecards, recipes, memos, or up to 8 different items.

Called the Mighty Mini Magnet Cable Photo Frame Set, it’s perfect for the dorm room, the bathroom, kitchen, baby’s room or office, great for guys or gals: but its not a toy, so don’t give it to the Little Bits.  It’s also the perfect gift to keep on hand in your goodie gift drawer for those emergency gift situations. [Read more →]

Bloomies at 57th and Lex just gave their cosmetics department a face-lift, and this gave me the perfect excuse to run over there and pick-up one of life’s little necessities. To be honest, if I hadn’t read incessantly about Bloomingdale’s cosmetic’s department’s rehab in the NYTimes, I probably wouldn’t have noticed; I tend to be a bit myopic and focused on what I’m doing. I do remember when I was at the Clinique counter a few weeks back I was trying to make my normal cut through to 59th Street and the passage I took was completely closed and I got lost on the main floor of Bloomies: construction was going on!

According to the NYTimes, Bloomies cosmetics had an extreme make-over that’s been in the works for the last 11 years, and gives the area a more spacious, welcoming feel with more helpful, less intrusive salespeople. Hmmm…I’ll let you know….

conveniently purse sized

I was there because I was dangerously low on one of my make-up essentials, my YSL Touche Éclat. Commonly called a concealer, I knew and believed what YSL claims: Touch Éclat is 8 hours of sleep in a pen. I have migraines. I don’t sleep well. I have brown spots that no laser or dermatolgist’s cream has been able to erase. I need serious concealer. And Touch Éclat provides serious coverage. [Read more →]

Are you afraid of auctions because you’ve seen it happen in a movie: some poor woman in the 2nd row at a high-price auction scratches her nose and the next thing you know she’s writing a check for a silver-plated bed pan.

don't be afraid to raise that paddle

Most of us are familiar with ebay online auctions, where you can search and bid on everything new and used from clothes to books to doorknobs to dustpans to electronics to wine to cars and houses in the privacy of your own home. But there’s another way to bid on auction items: in person.

I first got the auction bug years ago when we lived in Connecticut. TBG and I loved taking long back road drives through the countryside, often stopping at antiques shops, country stores, tag sales, and eventually, country auctions. Fairly soon we understood how things worked, and although we never needed to bid on a tractor or a bakers’ dozen of chicken coops, we got the hang of it and enjoyed the show. Then we moved to Paris, and I began to spend alot of time at Drouot.

Not familiar? Drouot is a large auction house, over 150 years old, in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, with auctions of everything from entire households of

Drouot auction house in Paris

furnishings to a single strand of pearls. I’ve been lucky enough to accompany friends who have successfully bid on a suite of wicker furniture, rings, antique linens, paintings, and tableware. Even more fun is to visit Drouot in the days prior to an auction and inspect the items up for sale: who knows what treasures might be in that locked trunk being auctioned “as is” or that 6 inch pile of sketches? Wandering from room to room listening to dealers, decorators, and doyennes is a real education in antiques (as well as a mini-French lesson!) [Read more →]

This weekend we drove up to Vermont to join the throngs of leaf peepers…TBG is a rabid photographer, and this was a by week for ND…and I scored a good last-minute deal at the Equinox Resort in Manchester…loved the cuddly Frette terry robes.

We spent most of the weekend parked on the side of picturesque country roads, each setting looking like a calendar photo or postcard, while TBG shifted between his 3 cameras and happily found each perfect photo op…tumbling down barns, covered bridges, pumpkin fields, fabulous fall folliage.

my fave pic...but not TBG's

We stopped at pretty much any place with the word sugar: sugar house, sugar shak, sugar n spice. We bought maple syrup, fresh hot sugared cider donuts, hot spiced cider, spiced cookies, pumpkins, gourds, mums, indian corn and lots of Christmas gifts…sorry, can’t reveal any secrets yet!

We did not stop at the dozens of outlet stores or antiques shops lining route 7a in Manchester and heading up route 100 to Killington…except one. For TBG. We stopped at his country gentleman fashion mecca: Orvis.

We stopped at the Orvis flagship store. We shopped the Orvis outlet store. We scoured the Orvis tent sale. If you’re not familiar with Orvis, let me explain TBG is very familiar with the stores on 5th Ave in NYC and Michigan Ave in Chicago: this should give you a clue that this store is aspirational. For the guy who aspires to the gracious country lifestyle…and is willing to pay for it. btw… they do have ladies and home and doggie fashions also, not my style; I curled up on the huge leather couch by a crackling fire and checked my emails and twitter and facebook while TBG filled his shopping sac. If you like to browse, fly fishing rods, hunting rifles and knives, canoes and paddles…and all the clothes and accessories to go with them. For a price.

Orvis rhinohide canvas khakis

TBG’s shopping recommendation:
I’m told they’re very comfy, very rugged, and improve with age. They have faux-leather trim, are pre-washed, and come in neutral colors like cement and olive. And are on sale now for $59.

Who knew?

I’m suuuuuurrrrrrrre they want you to have a little more cover up, but Yummy Mummy on Lexington in NYC is showing it can be REALLY convenient to breast feed your Little Bit.

These peek-a-boos make it really easy to breast feed!