Rocket Mom Shops New York City

It was over-the-top, being treated to four days inreupholster and yada yada yada) that an
New York City at Christmastime by theexpensive handbag was a little bit too
generosity of a Fortune 100 company. Its beautyover-the-top right now. Ernie and I opted instead
was breath-taking, with a heavy snow precedingto buy a gorgeous Italian handbag, the "Kelly Bag"
our trip blanketing Central Park; and lights, garlands(think Grace Kelly) at a wonderful handbag store
and trees accenting everything from doorways tothat is losing its building and combining two stores
ceilings (Saks' twinkling white lights strung along itsinto one and therefore discounting all of its
ceilings and through tree limbs arching over everymerchandise by 80%. Yes. As in 80% OFF. Their
aisle is nothing short of glorious) to rooftops; andgorgeous $650 bags have been discounted to
the temperatures, while nippy, were hardlyabout $130. At that price, you can perhaps think
bone-chilling. From Rockefeller Center to Timesabout buying one in a color you wouldn't normally
Square to The Met to The Park: New York wasentertain...and if you accidentally ruin one, you
magical.won't be crying all the way back to the city to
My promise to bring to you New York Cityget a replacement. And you might even be able
bargains was ever-present in my mind as Ito justify buying two. Call Michel's Bags (510
pounded the pavements throughout mid-townMadison Avenue between 52nd and 53rd Sts;
Manhattan and much of the lower West Side. Duephone 212 355-8309). Ask for Kathy and tell her
to the nature of our trip, I confess to spendingbag-to-
much more time on Madison and Fifth Avenuessent you. She's lovely. And hurry up! The sale
than I did in Chelsea, Greenwich Village, SoHo andends December 31 and they're quickly running out
Chinatown, where bargains abound and whereof stock.
shops carry everything from the edgy to thePearl River Mart (477 Broadway, between Grand
kitschy to the fake to the cheap. So I'm going toand Broome Sts.; phone 212-431-4770; has not
share a little of both worlds with you. I alsoonly cheap stuff with which to decorate-china
observed that in our corporate-and global-group,bowls, tea services and placemats-but fun little
travelers from different parts of the world veryno-nothings for stocking stuffers. I found-though
much wanted to buy very different stuff. Whiledid not buy-the cutest paper lanterns on the
this will seem overly-simplified and perhaps a bitplanet, and if I needed yet one more thing to put
stereotypical, the Western and Eastern Europeansinto my daughter's bedroom, they would quite
desired American clothing (especially blue jeans),probably be it. I did, however, make my only
Clinique make-up, iPods and digital cameras, whileafternoon purchase, because I hadn't seen them
folks from the Asia-Pacific rim shopped forelsewhere: pretty glycerine soaps for children with
expensive (Italian and French) handbags. Almostembedded "cute-isms" like "smile," "joy," "laugh,"
everyone was in search of some type of"love," etc. I bought a half-dozen to give to a
electronic device, with iPods and digital camerasfamily with four young daughters, along with silk
being in the highest demand. The non-New Yorkerdraw-string bags in orange-with-white-polka-dots
Americans shopped for the run-of-the-mill, A-to-Zfor festive packaging. All for something like $18.
type bargain, looking for anything and everythingKate's Paperie (phone 800-809-9880; is still the
that was either less expensive or more availablebest shop in NYC for stationery and super-pretty
than it is back home. As this Newsletter spinspapers. Hands down. No contest. With four
'round the globe, I'll try to give everyonelocations on NYC (its SoHo shop at 561 Broadway
something to check out. Here goes:is incredible) it is a must-see if you are a paper
If you travel to New York City during thelover or simply need some eye candy. Call to
Holidays, be prepared to pay dearly-or in blood-fororder, but if you're in the city, do not miss the
a hotel room. They are simply not to be had;Kate's Paperie experience.
ones that have availability are in extremely highDean & Deluca in SoHo (560 Broadway; phone
demand with prices out the roof. Our room at212-226-6800 or toll-free 800-221-7714; is the
The Essex House overlooked Central Park andplace to find all food-related things that you
was absolutely glorious, but my pockets wouldn'tcannot find elsewhere. Glorious olive oil "brick"
be deep enough if I had to pay for it with mysoaps, pots and pans, and gourmet candies are
own MasterCard this time of year. One of NYC'samongst my favorites there. See if they can
best-kept secrets is the Riverside Tower Hotel atspecial order you some chocolate-covered
80 Riverside Drive (corner of Riverside Drive andgummy bears. The best.
West 80th Street; phone 212-877-5200.) CheckBaking a lot for Christmas? Need cookie cutters?
them out first before calling hotels at moreBaking pans? Icing tips? Try New York Cake at
popular locations.56 West 22nd Street between 5th and 6th
Dining in NYC is a sport. Be prepared to play withAvenue. Incredible selection. Phone or FAX orders:
the professionals. We enjoyed dinner at Michael800-942-2539; FAX 212-675-7099.
Jordan's in Grand Central Terminal, lunch at the 21Lee's Art Shop (220 W. 57th Street, between 7th
Club and a dinner party in the Rainbow Room atAvenue and Broadway; phone 212-247-0110) has
Rockefeller Center, among many other specialfantastic kids' art supplies, stuff for adult artists,
dining treats. (I can hardly mention our privatecreative stocking stuffers and the best art tools
dinner party atop the ABC Studios in Timesin the city. If your area lacks a great art supply
Square as it was one of the most incrediblestore, this is it.
views...as well as one of the most incredibleMuseum gift shops cannot be ruled out as
experiences I've ever had and one which I'm sureamongst the best outlets for creative gift ideas. I
I'll never have again). When my feet landed onhad a wonderful time-after a two-hour guided
NYC soil and I had to pay for things with my owntour of The Metropolitan Museum of Art -in their
nickel, I enjoyed a pressed sandwich at Europalarge gift shop (1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd St;
Café. Also check out Cosi for cheap eats inphone 212-570-3894), which is a destination in and
the Big Apple. You would do just fine for a longof itself. If you can't find that art book you've
weekend eating at either one of these places forbeen looking for, give them a call. Beautiful silk
breakfast, lunch and dinner...and they're scatteredscarves and ties. Jewelry, too.
throughout the city.Also check out The Museum of American Folk
Want something somewhere between MichaelArt Shop for wonderful gifts, most made by
Jordan's and Cosi? Try Cafe Saks Fifth AvenueAmerican artisans: 45 W 53rd St between 5th
(611 5th Avenue); Bloomingdale's Le Train Bleuand 6th; phone 212-265-1040.
(1000 3rd Avenue); Bergdorf Goodman -The Holiday Gift Shops at St. Bartholomew's have
Goodman's Cafe for Women (2 West 58thsome unusual gifts that you won't find elsewhere,
Street); Bergdorf Goodman - Goodman's Cafebut you've got to be in the city to access them.
745 for Men (745 5th Avenue) or Fred's atIf you're in the city, check them out at Park
Barneys (660 Madison Avenue). I also haveAvenue between 50th and 51st Streets.
always had good luck at little bakeries strungIf you do get into the city, do not-and I repeat,
along the Upper East Side on Madison. There'sdo not-rule out the fabulous pashmina and
nothing wrong with coffee and a bran muffin forcashmere shawls that you can pick up from the
lunch after all. Or hot roasted chestnuts from thestreet vendors for $5 or $10. OK. I haven't
street vendors. Yum!exactly checked out the fiber content with a
Allen Edmonds (551 Madison Ave. around 55th St.;magnifying glass, but hey, for ten bucks, how can
phone 212-308-8305) is having a sale on men'syou go too wrong? I pick one up each trip into
shoes right now. Men I spoke with found this tothe city and have found some real beauties. The
be irresistible. As most of their shoes are in thecolor range is quite wonderful. Yum. The latest
$200-300 price range, it's nice to think that onehave a gorgeous jacquard weave and I find one
might save a little by buying now, if treads arewrapped around my neck at every venture out
wearing thin. And one of the best reasons forof doors. Particularly good locations? Try just
buying their stuff: you can send your shoes backwest of Fifth Avenue around 50th or 51st
to Allen Edmonds for re-soling....at least onceStreets.
before buying again.Gotta hit the large department stores? OK. So do
Loehmann's (101 7th Avenue between 16th andI, but not for bargains. They remain, I admit, a
17th Streets; phone 212-352-0856) remains onefeast for the eyes and a veritable New York
of my longest-running favorites and is, by allexperience. You've got to get the salespeople
counts, the grand dame of discount stores. Ispritzing you with the latest perfumes and
bought a fabulous pair of beaded flats by Kennethschmearing you with the latest anti-wrinkle
Cole for less than $30. With black and red beadscreams upon arrival. No one does this better than
on a black satin background, they're perfect forthe good folks at Saks Fifth Avenue (50th St. and
Holiday parties (with longish black-sequined peasantFifth Avenue) Very elegant. Very expensive.
skirts and glittery tops). Loehmann's stuff changesReally, no bargains to be found except after
daily, so it's hit or miss. Keep checking. And getChristmas, when discounts of 50% will be
into "shopping mode" before you head over there;commonplace. I love their contemporary
lines will be long, the building is on the hot-ish sidesportswear and their private label. Beautiful night
and you may have to spend an inordinate amountshow of dancing snowflakes in the windows timed
of time searching for something wonderful in yourto Christmas music. Magical. Bloomingdale's (Third
size. But it's worth it.Avenue and 59th Street or in SoHo at 504
Century 21(22 Cortlandt Street-- Between ChurchBroadway; phone 212-729-5900) is trendy,
and Broadway in Chinatown; phone 212-227-9092;bustling and exciting. Their tagline it's like "no other
has been billed by native New Yorkers as thestore in the world" is true. They carry some
best discount place in the city and Zagat haspretty cool stuff that you just won't find
given it top billing as well. Our guide dropped us offanywhere else. Watch for deep discounts...but not
there for an hour's worth of shopping and Iuntil after Christmas. Some bargains can actually
walked out with nothing. Nadda. Zero. Truthfully, itbe found at Lord & Taylor (38th St. and Fifth
didn't grab me. Too much stuff. Poorly displayed.Avenue) as they are continually bringing in new
Not enough variety to make me want to pull outmerchandise. Granted: most of the NYC stores
my wallet. But the Europeans on-board wereare doing the same, but Lord & Taylor does this
thrilled. Great boots and shoes, apparently. Andconsistently and does it well. One of my favorites.
lots of Ralph Lauren fashion jewelry at ridiculouslyBergdorf Goodman (754 Fifth Avenue at 57th St.;
low prices. Handbags, too. Also spotted: trendoidthe men's store is located across the street.
Oliver Peoples sunglasses at rock-bottom prices.Phone: 800-558-1855) is not a store that you
And if you're shopping for Clinique cosmetics, younecessarily shop in, and is certainly not a place in
can find it here at really decent prices.which to behold a bargain. It is simply a place to
Almost next door, check out J&R for great dealstrain your eye. To look at beauty (and the
on electronics of all types (Park Row across frombeautiful). Their windows are the best-dressed and
City Hall Park; phone 212-238-9000; Faxthe same could be said for their (real) customers.
212-238-9191; Travelers on my tour found iPods,Lines of gawkers outside their blue-and-white
digital cameras and video cameras there thatchina window were five deep. I could hardly take
made their hearts sing.my eyes off it. If you make the trip in to the
DSW is theeeee place for designer women'scity, you must make a quick stop here. 'Nough
shoes. (102 N. End Ave in Chinatown; phonesaid.
212-945-7419) Very hit or miss. TheCrate&Barrel (650 Madison Avenue at 60th
stuff-because it is so wonderful-moves outStreet; phone 212-308-0011) is beautifully
extremely quickly. I once eyed a pair of Lillydecorated for Christmas and contains enough
Pulitzer's at a DSW store in Miami, hesitated, wentlow-priced stuff that it's certainly worth a visit. If
back the next day and found that the entireyou're looking for a small kitchen appliance,
stock of Lilly's was gone. If you gotta have it, getespecially, it beats the prices at Williams-Sonoma.
it as soon as you find out it fits.This should be part of your Madison Avenue
While you're in the lower west side, check out theexperience; a phone call is also worth it if you
deals on Canal Street. Cheap. Fake. Fun...if youknow what you're looking for.
must. Everything from fake designer handbags toFor stuff for the home, I have two favorites:
cheap jewelry to hats and scarves to t-shirts.ABC Carpet and Home (888 Broadway at 19th
If you gotta have a drop-dead gorgeous ItalianSt; phone 212 473-3000) is filled to the brim with
leather handbag for Christmas, call the good folkstreasures-and rugs-from around the world. Not to
at Suarez on Park Avenue at around 56th St.be missed, you'll find things in all price ranges,
(450 Park Ave; phone 212-753-3758). Aincluding arguably the best baby department in the
family-owned business for something like threecity. Pierre Deux (625 Madison Ave at around
generations, their staff is courteous and their56th St; phone 212-521-8012) is not only for the
stuff is super-pretty. Their bags come in fourteenFrancophiles amongst us; it is a jewel box in the
colors, including an absolutely incredibleheart of Madison Avenue. Roosters lurk in every
Tiffany-blue. But your pockets better be deep:corner; gorgeous French fabrics fill every square
prices start at $300 and rocket on up from there.inch; expensive furniture lines the downstairs
They're having somewhat of a sale, with theirfootage; and reproduction paintings and lamps and
$550-on-up bags currently at 20% off.shades and china take center stage through this
After sleeping on a Suarez purchase by mylarge retail space. Ahhh....A little retreat into
husband (for my Christmas gift) not one, notwonderful.
two, but three nights...I decided that with four kidsThat oughta do it. Happy shopping!
to put through college (and two sofas to