Last minute presents

I'm struggling to get all my presents picked and bought and wrapped in the few days until Christmas. For anyone else needing last minute presents, AI Friedman is having a 50% off sale on all of their frames. They run the gammit from cheapo Plexiglas frames to nice silver plated and enamel frames. The silver plated frames are something like $80 now, so if you have anyone you want to impress with a thoughtful present but only have 3 days, head over there. And you can always run across the street to the Container Store for some creative wrapping...

It's at 44 W18th St, at 6th ave

Even MORE Sample Sales

Maybe I'll finally get around to going and spending all the money I've yet to make on Christmas presents and outfits. Until I do, someone should be buying up these amazing deals.

Opening Ceremony

Today (12/11) and tomorrow 12/12 11am-8pm

Sunday 12pm-7pm

201 Mulberry Street

Catherine Malandrino

December 14-16, Monday-10am-9pm, Tuesday-Wednesday-8am-8pm

Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th St

Rachel Comey

December 16, 5-9pm

335 West 35th St

I think I may have to hit up Opening Ceremony after work today. They always have amazing clothes, and getting them on sale makes going there all the more fun. (Also, it's a good place to spot celebrities--Jason Schwartzman anyone?)

Quaaludes and Uppers

Jonathan Adler has great home things. Needlepointed zebra rugs, enamel trays, witty pillows... While pretty much everything in the store would look great in a modern NY apartment, I'm always drawn to the black and white striped cookie jars. I supposed they don't have to be for cookies, but that's what I want one for. These striped ceramic jars have sculpted signs on them reading, "Eyelashes", "Quaaludes", "Uppers", "Downers", "Prozac", "Peroxide", "Glitter", and "Dolls." My personal favorite is the "Eyelashes" which is party of his Jonathan Adler for Barbie collecetion. (Yes, you can also get a Barbie with miniature Jonathan Adler furniture to furnish her dream house.) These can get a little pricey, but are a fun Christmas present for a friend with a new apartment, or a wacky relative. If the druggy cookie jars aren't your thing, they also have great enamel frames and other fun home items. You can check out the website or go to the store on Greenwich Ave, or Greene Street.

Fred Flare Stocking Stuffers

I came across a pretty amusing website a while back and just rediscovered it yesterday. Fred Flare is a shop in Brooklyn, but luckily for me because I rarely make it under the river/across the bridge, they also have a website. On here you can find cheeseburger phones, bacon scented soap, and books dedicated to "geeky dreamboats" (George Michael Bluth, anyone?) Despite their wacky and ironic hodgepodge, they also have some cute jewelry and bags thrown in. If you're looking for that perfect, where-ever-did-you-find-this? present, or gag gift, or just want to browse a fun website, check out fredflare.com. I actually really like the forget me knot ring, so if anyone out there wants to get me a present...

More Sample Sales!

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, it's acceptable to start listening to Christmas songs and eating cookies in excess. It's also time for some serious shopping. Here are some sample sales to start filling up your present quota, or to fill up your wardrobe for the coming Christmas parties...

Colette Malouf
594 Broadway
Wednesday and Thursday, 9am-7pm

Charlotte Ronson
1071 6th Ave
Wednesday-Friday, 10am-7pm

Tocca
542 West 22nd
Wednesday-Friday, 11:30am-7:30pm

Derek Lam
601 West 26th St, suite 1730
Thursday and Friday, 10am-6pm

Tuleste Market
3 Steps, 322 Second Ave
Thursday and Friday, 1pm-7pm

Botkier
195 Lafayette
Thursday and Friday, 11-7
Saturday, 11-6
Sunday, 12-5

Theory
261 West 36th st
Friday, 11-7
Monday-Wednesday (December 7th-9th) 11-7
Saturday and Sunday, 11-5

Dolce Vita
156 Ludlow
Saturday and Sunday, 12-7

Hayden-Hartnett and The Collective Showroom
16 West 36th st
December 8th-10th, Tuesday-Thursday, 11-7

James Jeans
500 Greenwich St
December 8th-11th, Tuesday-Thursday, 9:30-7:30
Friday, 9:30

So run out and get your sister some shiny accessory from Colette Malouf, get your mom a Theory sweater, and get yourself some awesome statement jewelry at Tuleste Market as a pre-Christmas present to wear to all the parties. Happy shopping!

Winter Stories

For those of us who get our daily dose of culture just from walking the streets of New York, it's nice to occasionally expand your horizons. Al and I went to an opening at my friend Kara's gallery a few weeks ago and had a great time. There are so many interesting artists exhibiting in New York, and it made me realize that I really need to get out and go to more openings--if you need more convincing, there is also usually free wine and great people watching. She's agreed to keep me posted on new openings and she just told me about one next Thursday for Winter Stories by Paolo Ventura at Hasted Hunt Kraeutler. (537 West 24th)
Check out the website for other pictures. It's also fun to make a night out of it--our last gallery opening, we hopped in a cab over to Korea Town and got Korean BBQ, but Chelsea is also full of great places like Co. and Red Cat and Cafeteria etc to grab a bite post-opening.