Alexis Russell Design

I admit it.  I have an obsession with beautiful, one of a kind jewelry and shoes.  I love getting things in other countries that I can't get anywhere else.  It makes those pieces so much more special.  Shopping at the holiday markets in New York City is sort of like that for me even though I live here.  It is like having the best little boutiques all in one place.   If you are a tourist in New York go!  If you live here, go!! The artists that come to the holiday markets are really special.

So my last "favorite booth at the Columbus Circle Holiday Markets" is actually a new discovery this year. Alexis Russsell Design.  Her jewelry is so beautiful, you will most certainly be asked on the street where you got it.  Warning:  Be prepared to fall in love!  I have.

I haven't yet decided which piece I am going to get (but don't worry, next week I am buying myself something beautiful).  Her designs are a mixture of silver and gold, so there is something for everyone.  She uses a lot of black diamonds which are absolutely stunning.  I had never seen them before.  Her stuff just stands out in the crowd.  My eye (even without my glasses) was immediately drawn to her booth.

Her pieces are truly unique and can be worn with jeans or with your most decadent outfits.  If you need a gift for someone who has everything, or you just need to add a lift to your day, go to Alexis Russell Design at The Columbus Circle Holiday Markets.  It might just be the best purchase you make this year.

Columbus Circle Holiday Markets - Central Park West at 60th
Open Daily 10-8, The week of Christmas 10-9
Closes on Christmas Eve

Riverstone Jewelry

Riverstone is one of my favorite jewelry booths in the markets.  I love silver and Jill (the artist) has a ton of great silver pieces.   She has gold as well, but I am partial to the silver.   She has travelled wide and far and has brought her travel experience to her artwork.   She uses a mixture of talismans, beads and amulets from different cultures from all over the world.  Thus, all of her jewelry is truly unique and one of a kind.  

Each custom jewelry piece is made of pure or fine silver, not sterling. The difference is that sterling is 92.5% silver and copper is added. Pure silver is 99.1% silver with almost no copper, thus it doesn't tarnish.  (I didn’t know that until Jill told me).  She also has just gotten into the Sundance catalogue with four of her pieces.

Ok, so at this point you have probably guess that I have an obsession with unique pieces of jewelry from everywhere I travel.  So if you are travelling to New York, you should make this one of your places to look for that piece that will remind you of your trip.  If you live here then all I can say is get yourself something nice while you are out shopping.  Or get something for someone else in the spirit of Christmas (I guess that we are really supposed to be shopping for others, but I always manage to get something for myself).  Whichever the case, you will be glad you found Riverstone Jewelry.
Columbus Circle Holiday Markets
Central Park West at 60th
Open 10-8 daily, 10-9 during Christmas Week

Nirvanna Designs

So after an incredibly mild fall here in New York City, winter has descended and it is COLD!  I have terrible circulation in my fingers, so when it is really cold my fingers turn blue.  I have had to give up wearing gloves when it gets really cold.  (I found it was warmer to wear mittens) But until I found Nirvanna, I hadn’t found a pair of mittens that were up to snuff.  

They make mittens that are of the thickest wool and are lined with fleece.  They are so warm that my hands almost never get cold anymore.  Bring it on Mr. Snow Miser because now I have my own personal Mr. Heat Miser.  

In addition they sell hats and scarves, kids hats and mittens, you name it, they have it.  And it is all amazingly warm.  

The company is based in Asia.  Their designers work with designers and craftsmen from Nepal, Indonesia, India and Thailand.  Their philosphy is this:   by helping the local population, using their natural resources and giving the local people work (especially women) they are creating a circle of Karma.  So your purchasing is also going to help less fortunate people make money. If you don’t like being cold and want something that will guarantee the maximum amount of warmth you can get, go to Nirvanna.  Baby it’s cold outside, but it is just a little warmer with Nirvanna.
Columbus Circle Holiday Markets
Central Park West at 60th
Open 10-8 Daily, 10-9 Christmas Week

nio - made with love

I love good skin products.  What woman doesn’t?  So I am always on the lookout for new and exciting things.  I found the nio booth at Christmas about 6 years ago.  

I was looking for a good facial exfoliator (the one I loved had been replaced by a new and not so improved version.  Isn’t that always the case?) and happened upon nio when I was Christmas shopping.  She offered to test a little on my hand and I thought, this seems great, I am going to try some.  Well that was 6 years ago and I go back every year.  The facial exfoliator last me almost a year and I love it.  I have since started using their body scrubs and moisturizers along with a mud mask that is unbelievable. 

The company is based in Israel and all the products contain salts and minerals from the Dead Sea, that for centuries have been used for their healing and beautifying properties.  They do not test on animals.  They do have a website so if you become addicted like I have, you can order from them when you run out, without having to wait until next year.   I think the products are fantastic, so don’t miss out on this!  Go get some gifts for you and all the women in your life that like to look and feel great.  And with nio, it won’t cost you a fortune to look like a million bucks.

At Columbus Circle and Union Square Markets till Christmas Eve 10 -8 daily

Holiday Markets in New York City

Traveling during the holidays to any city that celebrates Christmas, I think, is a real treat.  Everything is decorated all pretty with the lights and the decorations and no matter how cold it is out everything seems a little more magical.  Well New York City is truly spectacular during the Christmas season.  There are Huge trees at Rockerfeller Center Bryant Park and Lincoln Center, Ice Skating rinks at Bryant Park, Central Park and Rockerfeller Center,the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes and a host of many other festive things to enjoy.

Of my favorite things to see during the season are the holiday markets that are set up in Columbus Circle, Union Square and Bryant Park.  

Every year artisans from all over the world come and set up booths with hand made things that will be sure set you back if you don’t have some will power.  I don’t have a lot, so I usually end up with some great things for myself.  Usually I get one for me and one for someone else.  (I mean they are only there once a year!)  The markets include jewelry makers, clothing, artwork, chocolates, body products, handbags, wallets and more.  

I am partial to Columbus Circle (mostly because it is closest to my house) and over the next few days I am going to tell you about a few of my favorites that are not be missed.  Whether you are visiting New York or live here, you should Get Ye to the Market!  You will be certain to fulfill all your Christmas shopping needs and I guarantee you walk away with a few nice things for yourself.  

Local Jewelry designers

The South End of Boston has got some fantastic shops.  Turtle on Tremont Street is no exception.  The store is filled with women's clothing that comes from emerging designers from around the world.  My favorite thing in the store is the hand made jewelry made mostly by local Boston artists.  As you have probably figured out, I love interesting and unique pieces of jewelry that people stare at and want to talk to you about.  The stuff there would definitely get other women begging you to tell them where you got it.

The clothing lines in the store are also unique and really cool.  All of the clothes come from people who are "emerging", or coming out of their shell (hence the name Turtle).  Each piece is different and something that you would definitely not find anywhere else.  So whether you are looking to take home a one of a kind piece of clothing or jewelry, you should go to Turtle in Boston's South End.  I bet you will emerge with something beautiful.
619A Tremont Street
617-266-2610

Living Social's vacation coupons

We are now living in the world where we get coupons on line.  We get coupons to Barnes and Noble, Bed, Bath and Beyond and every other major chain around.    But I a big fan of coupons for social activities like Groupon and livingsocial.  

If you don’t know what these sites are you should check them out.  They are fantastic because you can get spa deals, restaurant deals, classes and many other things at sometimes majorly discounted prices and it’s free to join.  You can sign up for any city that they offer.  So that is great if you are going on vacation or a weekend getaway.  You can get a coupon to get a massage in Boston when you are there for the weekend or 50% off at a restaurant in London that you heard about. 

Well, livingsocial.com is now offering weekly “Escapes”.  I have been watching over the last several weeks and some of the deals are great.  They have deals for places that are within driving distance as well as those that would require you to fly.  They just had one for a Mexican resort (Mayan Riveiera) for 5 nights, 2 people for $900.  The resort looked amazing (they have lots of pictures) and you can usually get a cheap flight to Mexico.  This week they have resort deals in the Dominican Republic, Florida and California as well as some other great places like Vail and Virginia.  I haven’t committed to anything yet because I have my next off-the-beaten-track vacation planned for February.  (The hint:  it is a South American Country with no time change and a travel time of about 5 hours.  I will share after the holidays) But, if you are looking for a discounted getaway, check out livingsocial.com.  You might just find a bargain that gives you the much needed break you deserve.

They currently have discounts for the US, UK, Ireland, Australia and Canada.