nyc and new jersey local shopping cures a bad day!

on a recent visit to my favorite store in the west village, greenwich letterpress, to pick up birthday cards and mother's day cards, i indulged and bought a beautiful crafty necklace... it was a bad work week and i needed a pick me up... (see my friend sus shopping in this pix at greenwich.)after asking greenwich letterpress owner beth salvini about the necklace's creator, rebecca purcell, i checked out her bio and discovered that she makes clothes and has written books about "modern nostalgia" and "interior alchemy."

here are some necklace pix (mine is similar to this style).

and in light of recent independent store closings in hoboken (good kleen fun, wee beasties, mola, rue du jardin), more than ever we need to support local artists, designers, entrepreneurs and shop owners.

so take a stroll down christopher street to greenwich letterpress, tell beth i sent ya, and find your own local treasure. a sure remedy for any kind of bad day!

spotlight on hoboken style

when strolling down washington street in hoboken, you will certainly see enough banks, nail salons, bars and non-descript chain stores, but... if you walk down the quieter, tree lined streets you will find the real hoboken style:

on first street, between grand and adams, check out solid threads, a clever store "created by a t-shirt connoisseur who slowly honed his craft of creating random, funny, vintage shirts by drinking heavily at least three to four days a week, sleeping no less than 12 hours a day, and getting to as many 'two for Tuesday' sales at the local Salvation Army as he could." see the full collection of completely original t-shirts (many jersey styles), hoodies, hats, baby clothes and accessories. solid threads' new project is communitee service which will link a local charity or cause with a custom-designed tee-shirt that will be marketed to promote the non-profit organization. to apply for CommuniTEE Service, e-mail brian@solidthreads.com with a brief description of the cause.

then, amble up to the corner of seventh and willow streets where you will find a cozy boutique and studio of m avery, where you can buy a variety of handmade bags, laptop carriers, yoga duffles, specialty bags, belts, and more. you can also request a custom made bag or take classes to make your own.

and, if you are in the nyc area this weekend (june 16 & 17), check out brooklyn's renegade craft fair at the mccarren park pool with over 200 vendors, including one of my favorites, bossanovababy. go get yourself or someone you love a one of a kind gift and be part of the burgeoning (anti-mall) DIY craft community!