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