In my job writing about home, design, antiques and collectibles, I often find myself at stores, in boutiques or at flea markets. They make the perfect setting for some heavy-duty browsing.

After all, just how much can one person have? I could shop every day, but that would serve no one (but the shop owners).

Of course, there’s that eternal debate — quality vs. quantity. A friend and I always went back and forth on this one. Is it better to have four pairs of hip-though-disposable shoes from a discount chain or one pair of a classic that will last for years to come?

We never did come up with a definitive answer.

This blog, ideally, will be a place to continue the debate. I’ll share stories of my travels through the retail venues of the region. Where do I go for the perfect hostess or wedding gift? What place has the most distinctive earrings? Which shops just stand out with a flair all their own?

I hope to hear from you, as well. Shoppers, what are your favorite places? Shopkeepers, what do you want me to know about you? Of course, we can’t feature everyone and everything (it’s not free advertising). Instead, I’m hoping for Just Browsing to be the place where a map of the area’s wealth of shopping treasures starts to form.
Because the bottom line is, sometimes you want the practical, and sometimes you really just want to satisfy the want.

I wrestled again with this dilemma just the other night, when I hit the Palisades Center in West Nyack with a pair of $20 gift certificates in my bag.

I held onto these prizes for a few weeks, staving off the desire to rush right out and splurge.

I thought of things I could use, things I actually need, like a stronger bedside lamp or maybe a book.

Soon, I found myself trying on sunglasses for fun. The pair, from Relic, was just $25 — and then 50 percent off. Sure, I already have sunglasses but not ones in a tortoise-pattern with glittery rose stenciling on the sides.

Suddenly, my first gift card was being used. A debit of $13.50 (including tax) had started the mini-spree in JC Penney. Next, an H&M ring, a silvertone band with faux mother-of-pearl at $5.90 (plus tax), was irresistible.

So… I now have $20.13 left to spend.

Maybe on something practical.

Maybe not.