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