2017 NYC Gift Guide

This is not a sponsored post 

This is the second gift guide for 2017 for all things non-food. If you missed my 2017 NYC Foodie Gift guide, you can still check that out on the site. I thought it would be a fun idea to do some gift guides this year. I really love giving gifts, I like to really surprise people with unique items. I really feel with the internet, there is no reason for a boring gift. It shouldn't exist! The big reminder is to order early enough if it is being shipped so you have it in time for the holidays. New York City has some of the best shopping on the planet, and I love  to help support the small businesses as well. I don't think you will go wrong with any of these gift items! 

My most favorite holiday shops in the city are located in Bryant Park. You have such an amazing selection of products that you will not find anywhere else. I LOVE the lights above, maybe this year I will break down and purchase one, PLUS - chocolate truffles, unique jewelry, gourmet food items, private owned bookstore, gourmet chocolates, handmade soaps, purses and MORE! It is a MUST stop for you during the holidays, and you will find amazing gift ideas for everyone on your list! 

Our friends at On Location Tours offer gift certificates for their New York City or Boston tours.  I love this kind of a memorable gift because it is something the receiver will always have in their mind. The New York City tours offered are: Holiday Sites and Movie Lights Tour, NYC TV and Movie Tour, Sex and the City Hotspots Tour, Gossip Girl Sites Tour, The Super Tour of NYC, Sopranos Site Tour, When Harry Met Seinfeld Tour, and the TCM Classic Film Tour. You can read about each tour on their website  and then click on each for even more details. There are 2 tours available in Boston as well, you can check those out HERE. I would say giving a tour of NYC or Boston is a wonderful, unique and thoughtful gift. 

Pearl River Mart was an amazing store in Soho that has just re-opened in Chelsea Market. Founded in 1971, Pearl River Mart is an eclectic emporium where you can find one-of-a-kind Asian-inspired home furnishings, fashion and everything in between. A beloved destination for people from all over the globe, Pearl River has become symbolic of the uniqueness, authenticity and multi-culturalism of New York City. Lucky for you, they also sell items on their website, and ships right to your door. 

The Strand Bookstore has been in business since 1927, and is a most fabulous place to shop for the book lover in your life. They offer shopping on their website as well, for rare, out of print and new arrivals. It is nice to patronize the non-chain bookstore, plus you find things you will not find at a Barnes and Noble. There is also a Greenlight Books  which has 2 locations in Brooklyn as well as sells online. The independent stores are really a wealth of unique items, and that is what we are all looking for this time of year. Both bookstores offer gift certificates as well. 

The Grand Bazaar located in the Upper West Side is a fabulous place for gift shopping. Artisan folks showing their new merchandise as well as vintage items. You can find things here for men, women and children - a very big variety. In the colder weather they operate inside, away from the elements. They operate only on Sundays, but it is so worth the trip! 

Another fave of mine is the Artists and Fleas located in many spots within the city, one being Chelsea Market. The other locations are in Williamsburg Brooklyn, Soho, online and Los Angeles. The jewelry above is just so darn fun! This is the type of items you will find here, mostly artisan made, some very vintage handbags. The items here will be good for men, women and children. I love shopping at this type of a shop because I know what I find here will not be found anywhere else! 

The New York Transit Museum offers fantastic subway token jewelry for men and women. They also offer fantastic train sets, apparel, accessories and collectibles.  Any gift from this shop would be very unique and something for the receiver to treasure for a lifetime! 

For the make-up lover, how cool would it be to make your own lipstick color? Bite Beauty Lip Lab offers this cool service, one lipstick for $55 or two for $80, this being a memorable experience as well. I love the idea of playing make-up artist and creating something unique to you.

Uncommon Goods is one of my most favorite catalogs and they hail from Brooklyn, New York. This place has some of the coolest gift ideas for any gender, made by wonderful artisans. My personal favorite is the vintage We Are Happy To Serve You coffee cup shown above, $12.00 takes this home! 

Last, but not least, ANY museum shop in the city is a fabulous source for gift shopping. The above photo was taken in the Morgan Library's gift shop. You can check out my list for the best museum gift shops in the city to give you many ideas. Many if not all of them ship from their websites, and you will be guaranteed a hit with whomever the receiver of the gift may be.


I hope I have helped with what can be a daunting task of shopping for the holidays. Feel free to email me if you have any questions about shopping in the city, I will be more than glad to help!

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10 of the Best Unique Shopping in New York City

Pylones Shop

One of the most popular pastimes in New York City is shopping. I find I do a bit less now that I am there at least 2 to 3 times a month, but they have so many unique stores, it is hard to not shop a little. I think my biggest suggestion to you would be to go in stores you never heard of before. It is always fun to take a peek into a world you are not familiar with as you never know what you will find. I tried to think of a nice list of some original, unique shops. The kind you can bring some fabulous gifts home to family and friends, and of course, yourself. I am sure I missed a few, please feel free to comment with some of your favorites. 

In no particular order, here we go : 

• Pylones - Founded in France in 1985, pronounced pea-lone, is a really fun shop. They are known for their whimsical designs of everyday objects. The items range from use in home, office, kitchen, personal grooming and even pets. Be prepared to be in here for a bit. 
• Faberge' Boutique - The name Faberge is synonymous with eggs. Eggs jeweled in design for the Russian royalty such as Nicholas II and  Alexander II . They opened their first store in the USA in New York City on Madison Avenue May 23, 2012. The most expensive Faberge' egg sold by Christie's for 14 million in November 2007. This shop would be just an eye dropping experience, and even if you do not buy a thing, enjoy the beauty of these jewels right before your eyes!! 
• Museum of Modern Art Gift Shop -  I tend to feel all the museum shops have really great unique items. The MOMA gift shop is one of my top favorites. They have such exclusive products that you will not find anywhere else. Wonderful jewelry, holiday ornaments, dining, toys and office items are what you will see here. 
• Mxyplyzyx - I have wanted to check out this place for years, and when I finally did, I had a smile on my face the whole time. Opened in August 1992 in Greenwich Village, it has become a huge favorite with locals and tourists alike. Quirky, whimsy, yet affordable products from all around the world. A takeout menu organizer, a grass pillow, confetti mixing bowls are a few of their items available. 

• Topshop - The British retailer with funky clothes and accessories is a great stop in Soho. With US stores only in New York, Las Vegas and Chicago, this is a fun place for fashionable, yet affordable, treats. 
• Patricia Field - Known for designing the girls on Sex and the City as well as the movie The Devil Wears Prada, Pat Field is one totally original lady. Her shop is no different. Sequin shorts, studded bras, the famous Carrie necklace can be purchased here. Prices range from low to high, something for everyone. 

• Pearl River Mart - Another great place in Soho, this is really quite a store! Herbal products, beauty items, kitchen stuff, Chinese dolls, hand fans, arts and crafts are a few of the departments here. It is a few floors of really some quite cool products and prices are very reasonable. You can spend hours in here very easy and find things you need you didn't even know was made!! 

• Green Flea Market - Flea markets in New York City are always fun as you find some of the most cool items, great vintage and also products made by artists. I really love the Green Flea, on the Upper West Side, only runs on Sundays, but so worth the trip. They have items indoors and outdoors, ranging from vintage, food, artwork, gemstone jewelry and whatever else you can think of. I also found the vendors themselves here to be the nicest people. I visited solo but had conversations with so many people, I felt right at home!! 
• Fish's Eddy - This is the most unique of all kitchen item shop. Dinnerware, Glassware, Linens and seasonal gifts will be found here. Prices reasonable and you will enjoy yourself at the fun items for sale here. 

Dry Cleaning Ticket Tray at Fish's Eddy's 

• Pippen Vintage - Vintage is pretty big business these days, in case you were unaware. I have been in many vintage shops in the city, and I have to say, this is one of my favorites. It is like a boutique shop, everything is displayed just beautifully. I find it a fun day going through this little shop to see what I can find to take home. Prices range from low to high, so everyone can find a little something no matter your price range. They also have a home goods shop right next door, and I highly suggest you pop in there as well. 

“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it”. Inspired by an original Fabergé jewel and by the spectacle of Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes that brought Russian art, music and culture to the West, this white gold Egg is composed of diamond circles shimmering with rubies, with an invisibly-set diamond drawer in the centre that opens at the push of a gemstone, to reveal a matching pendant. The Diaghilev Egg is set with 2012 stones, with a total of 24.14 carats of rubies. 

This piece is set in 18 carat white gold and features 2,012 diamonds, rubies, sapphires and moonstones totalling 58.53 carats. 

Today's Words of Wisdom: Every day can be Extraordinary 

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Soho - South of Houston (pronounced "How-Stun")

Since not everyone may be familiar with why Soho is called Soho I decided to title the post to explain. Soho is a great area to walk around in NYC and is easy to get to via subway or cab. It is a very different pace from midtown and has some great shops and cafes as well as art galleries. It is north of Canal Street, South of Houston and west of Crosby Street. Here are some of the great sites within the area of Soho ..........

this was taken in the Bloomingdales located on Broadway and Broome Street, thought it was a great display since I love to take photos...this is a nice smaller size than the original on Lexington Avenue and a fun place to check out

this is TopShop and TopMan ...a great store from London with some shoes,clothes and jewelry to die for !! This is a definate must try when in Soho and it's very near Bloomies so easy to get to .......

I wasn't supposed to take photos in the store but sneaked in this great chair....I would definately pay for this in my home ....great for a bedroom in my opinion.......

Swarovski Crystallized Store ....the only one in NYC and a very neat concept. They carry different beads and designs - you create your own earrings and necklaces - you have all price ranges and is a really cool idea, very personal way to purchase jewelry for yourself or a gift

these were in the window and I thought just fabulous!! They would be great layered all together .....

So Good Jewelry near Bloomies on Broadway as well, great inexpensive jewelry and nice for the younger crowd to buy some things that won't break the bank ( I loove the stuff as well - tonz of selections)

Pearl River Mart across from Bloomies on Broadway is a great place to check out.....a Chinese department store , it has a few floors and just really neat items you will not find anywhere else ....cookware, lamps, chinese tea, clothes,birdcages....I could go on and on but you get the picture!!

How great is this? This was in the morning so it was very empty but looks like we stepped back in time....

Antique Garage restaurant...Mercer Street near Grand Street, Mediterranean, Turkish cuisine, open 11am till midnight.. .such a fun place ...... many A-listers frequent the place ......

the International Culinary Center .......L'Ecole, is a restaurant with students making the classic and contemporary French cuisine. It is always highly rated and serve lunch/dinner. Reservations are suggested via their website.

saw this Vespa parked near a great white building....looked soo comfy !!!!

I hope you enjoyed your small visit thru Soho and it will encourage you to visit next time you are in NYC !!