THE REAL “DISH” ON HOLIDAY DECORATING

November 1, 2016 By girlintheyellowtaxi Leave a Comment

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Fishs Eddy is one of those shops that I can’t walk past without going inside. The sign in front reads “We Do Dishes” – do they ever!

In this 30-year-old Union Square emporium, sky-high piles of dishes and glasses compete for your attention. As far as I’m concerned, if you can’t find what you’re looking for here, it just doesn’t exist! What makes this store so unique is the sheer delight of wandering around this whimsically museum-like repository of all things dishes. The variety is unparalleled, ranging from traditional, novelty, collectables to my personal favorite (naturally!) the “New York Skyline” Collection.

FISHS EDDY 889 Broadway @ 19th Street http://www.fishseddy.com

LITTLE SHOPS OF WONDER…NEW YORK’S MUSEUM BOUTIQUES

November 1, 2016 By girlintheyellowtaxi

With the holidays fast approaching, I’m always trying to figure where to find a truly unique gift. Among my most reliable destination(s) are the cadre of museum shops scattered throughout the city. Ok, so while many of these shops do indeed offer the standard souvenir totes, pencils and posters, many of them actually feature exclusive or hard-to-find items from around the world. I especially love the fact that by patronizing these shops you are contributing to various philanthropic efforts in that sales often support the individual institutions’ cultural work.

THE RUBIN MUSEUM GIFT SHOP

The Rubin Museum gift shop carries the finest artisanal goods from the Himalayas and Asia-many of which are unavailable elsewhere in the United States. Favorite items include textiles, jewelry, home goods, children’s gifts, spices, oils and incense. The shop also carries the full line of Rubin Museum of Art publications.

The Rubin Museum, 150 W. 17th St. http://www.rubinmuseum.org

NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDENS SHOP

This shop’s beautiful airy space is packed to the rafters with gracious ideas for gift giving, displayed in vignettes that will delight and inspire, featuring a mix of living plants, custom-designed Garden goods, a fabulous collection of books and beautiful one-of-a-kind gifts.

New York Botanical Gardens, 2900 Southern Blvd, The Bronx http://www.nybg.org/home/

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY GIFT SHOP

For the best in all book-related products, this is your shop. There are literally thousands of items including classic and modern books for adults and children, desk items, toys, quirky gifts, fun souvenirs, a wide selection of fashion accessories and an exclusive collection of New York Public Library famous quote-inspired designs.

The New York Public Library, 5th Ave. @ 42nd St. https://www.nypl.org

THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART

This is one of the best shops to browse art books. Discover hundreds of unique gifts that are inspired by works in and around the museum. With this special season you’ll also find a vast selection of ornaments, Christmas cards and Advent calendars.

Metroplitan Museum of Art,

THE MORGAN GIFT SHOP

With a wide selection of books, reproductions, cards and decorative items related to the Morgan’s collections you are sure to find a unique gift here.

The Morgan Library, 225 Madison Ave. (at 36th Street) http://morganlibrary.org

GET YOUR HOLIDAY SHOP ON

November 1, 2016 By girlintheyellowtaxi

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Whenever I see the red and white-stiped tents being erected throughout the city, I know that the holiday season has kicked off in earnest. Here’s where to go:

BRYANT PARK

November 1st through January 2nd

Shop the 125 holiday kiosk shops and finish off your excursion with some ice skating at the Winter Village at Bryant Park. Very old-world, European market vibe!

GRAND CENTRAL

November 14th through December 24th

This is one of the longest-running indoor holiday markets in NYC. Over 40 vendors offer a range of products and price points where locals, commuters and tourists alike can find interesting gift items or just “window shop” in the extrarodinary ediface that is Grand Central Station.

UNION SQUARE

November 17th through December 24th

Located in the heart of Union Square Park, this market is a destination for unique gifts created by local craftsmen and artists. There will be additional, exciting new vendors this year along with a most welcome warming station (all the better to do more shopping!)

COLUMBUS CIRCLE

November 29th through December 24th

Located at the 59th St/ Central Park West entrance to Central Park, visitors lose themselves in glittering isles of art, jewelry, home goods and delicious eats from local artisans and designers.

CHELSEA, NYC – A SHOPPER’S DREAM

November 1, 2016 By girlintheyellowtaxi

MAISON 140

Harkening back to its historic roots, enter this charming shop through a wrought iron fence into the ground level of a historic Chelsea townhouse. Maison 140 is that kind of place you just get completely lost in for hours. Every inch of space is overflowing with charming gifts including brightly colored throws, candles, pillows, dishes, soaps and oh-so-much more!

Maison 140, 140 9th Ave. http://maison140nyc.com

PIPPIN VINTAGE JEWELRY

The other day I happened upon a precious “jewel” of a shop named Pippin Vintage Jewelry. I was immediately transported to the seemingly cavernous, wondrous closet that belonged to my beautiful and elegant grandmother. Besides the plentitude of exquisitely curated jewelry (no reproductions here-only original vintage authentically and lovingly collected from estate sales and auctions), they also sell belts, buckles and time-honored watches. The only thing missing here is the distinctly synthesized essence of lavender and Chanel no. 5 that was my nana.

Pippin Vintage Jewelry, 112 West 17th Street http://pippinvintage.com

STORY

A 2,000 sq. ft. shop located on Manhattan’s 10th Ave. retail corridor, STORY is a retail concept that takes the point of view of a magazine, changes merchandise similar to an art gallery yet sells their wares in similar fashion to a traditional retailer. Every 4-8 weeks, STORY completely reinvents itself from the design to the merchandise with the goal of bringing to light a new theme, trend or issue. The current theme is Home For the Holidays, a great place for one stop holiday shopping!

STORY, 144 10th Ave. at 19th Street http://thisisstory.com

PRINTED MATTER, INC.

Combining the concept of retail store, living archive, artist resource and performance space, Printed Matter is the world’s leading non-profit organization dedicated to the understanding and appreciation of all books art-related. This gem of a shop is a dream world of rare publications that you will never want to wake up from!

Printed Matter, Inc. 231 11th Avenue http://printedmatter.org

NEW YORK VINTAGE

Stylist to the stars, film, television and theatrical productions and anyone looking for something unique and fabulous to wear at their next black tie event will descend upon this shop to browse racks of the finest in Vintage Couture and Designer clothing and Accessories. Everything is high-end so don’t expect any bargains.

New York Vintage, 117 West 25th Street http://www.newyorkvintage.com

CHELSEA MARKET

This sprawling space (an entire City block) houses a food hall, shopping mall, office building and television production facility inside what was once the National Biscuit Company complex (this is where the Oreo cookie was created and produced). As you wander through the building you get a sense of the former factory’s feel from the original floors and exposed brick walls. For foodies and tourists, it is possible to enter the market at one end in the morning and not exit the other until lunchtime, without ever growing bored-and certainly without going hungry.

Chelsea Market, 9th Avenue between 15th and 16th Streets http://www.chelseamarket.com