Sticker Shock

I’m in Boston this weekend, and yesterday I found myself right next door to the ICA with a few spare minutes. Not enough time to look at art, but just enough, to case the gift shop.

I immediately zeroed in on a bag, which I was pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to resist. It was printed with overlapping price stickers of all kinds. How well I know those encrustations of stickers, the ones that accumulate on assorted kitchen surfaces, or seem to grow on various notebook pages. And those big neon orange ones emblazoned with 99¢--I always have to save those. Well, restraining myself was not the least bit difficult (and it’s a good thing that I am not at a loss for bags) because the price of this “shopper” was $99.99! The sign next to the bag said “$hopping Bag” Created by ICA exhibited artist Rachel Perry Welty. Edition of 999. Signed and numbered by the artist."

I’m seeing a DIY project in my future …

Shop till you ...

Herbert Matter’s "Surreal Shopper" appeared in a 1939 Harper's Bazaar cautioning shopper's not to lose their heads to fashion. (Via bits&bites, via The Eclectic Eye)

Face it; nothing says President’s Day like a good sale. It used to be that Washington’s Birthday was when stores made final markdowns on Winter’s leftovers, in order to make room for the Spring line. Alas, the holiday is now called President’s Day, Winter merchandise went on sale before Christmas, and gauzy florals have been hanging in stores for at least a month or two. And even though, the mere act of shopping, in itself, is downright American, gone is that reverential moment of handing over presidential portraits in exchange for our purchases. Somehow, swiping a credit card just doesn’t make me think of George.


Lacoste windows, Rockefeller center, the first week of January.

Take Mom Shopping!

Assuming that Mom is a woman of extraordinary taste, who delights in discovering things she hasn’t seen anywhere else, show her how in-the-know you are. Take her to Pastec on E. 12th St. The store, which had been a Soho destination for over 20 years, moved to the East Village about a year ago.

An eclectic range of accessories for yourself and your home, come from all over the world, to occupy the calmly hued, sunlit space. Each item is strictly filtered through the discerning lens of owner, Sara Spinelli, who is known for her intolerance of the ordinary, and aversion to boredom. I think Mom will approve.

Pastec, 437 E. 12th St., nr. Ave. A - Phone: 212-219-3922
Read/see more in New York Magazine.

One of the few places you will find jewelry by Monica Castiglioni.

Pillows silk-screened with the top ten google searches of different years.