I spent the whole day Friday criss-crossing Rockland County for a story.

I’m working on the “Gotta Have It” feature for the March issue of one of our sister publications, Rockland Magazine.

And this time around the “gotta have” is … jewelry.

I know, it’s a hard job… driving from store to store, looking at jewelry and gathering the prettiest pieces so the editors can decide what to spotlight.

My first stop of the day was a shop that I’d never been to before — and I’m so glad I know about it now.

It’s called Stardust Gift Boutique in Monsey.

Its owners, Radi and Malky, had called awhile ago, to let me know about them — and since I knew jewelry was part of their offerings, decided to stop in.

They do have some beautiful jewelry, much of it one-of-a-kind.

But —they have so much more, from pillows to cake servers, vases to frames, travel accessories to children’s gifts.

The shop, which opened three years ago, grew out of a home-based business, with the owners showcasing, what Radi says, is “whatever we like, whatever we see.”

That makes it a great destination for wedding or engagement gifts, housewarming presents and even just a place for accessories.

Prices start at less than $10 and go up to around $1,500, for some of the finest crystal pieces or elaborate frames.

Napkin rings, for example, might cost $40 for a dozen or $125 for a set of four, depending on the style.

Check out this serving set, which features semi-precious stones. It was made for the shop, selling at $85:

There are also items designed for the Jewish community, such as these towels and cups used to wash hands before eating bread:

There are also some fun accessories, for travel:

or use at home:

Here is just a walk through the shop, highlighting some of the items ideal for gifts:

And then, there are the gifts that are wrapped and ready to go. Radi told me that their customers love the idea of “open presentation” — isn’t it eye-catching?

I have to say, I was amazed at the variety on offer.

But as Radi told me, “You can walk around the store 45 times and still not see everything.”

Stardust Gift Boutique is at 421 Route 59. Call 845-425-5030.
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P.S. — Happy New Year!

Yesterday, I capped my day by doing a bit more shopping, to again take advantage of the post-Christmas sales.

I had started off the morning at The Container Store, as I wrote here.

And when I left the office close to 6, traffic on 287 was rotten, so I decided to stay “local” before joining the crawl toward the bridge.

So, I drove first to Rye to stop by Papyrus. Last year, a friend and colleague told me about the great after-Christmas sale there. I did so well that I still had that “score” in the back of my mind.

This time, I still did OK — got one box of Christmas cards and a notebook, both at 50 percent off. (And picked up the birthday card that I really needed to get).

Still, like I experienced earlier in the day with the buys from The Container Store, I didn’t feel like I made the “big score.”

Then, I headed to A.I. Friedman in Port Chester. They — gotta love it — have all their holiday items already marked down 75 percent.

Well, I went to town.

I got another box of Christmas cards.

Lately, I like to buy a few boxes and pick and choose from them, depending on the recipient, instead of having one card for everyone.

Here, the sale allowed me to snag a great box that I’d not have spent the money on otherwise. I loved it, but it wouldn’t “fit” for more than a few people.

At $15, I couldn’t justify it. At $3.75, though, it was not to be passed up.

Similar savings on some garland, a bunch of ornaments, some cute little angel pins (just $1.25!)… have to say, it was a pretty worthwhile trip.

And to top it off, the cashier took the time to carefully wrap each item in tissue paper. It made it seem like I had bought some treasures, not just “leftovers” that had suddenly lost their value.

I walked to my car, two bags in hand, and didn’t even mind the wet snow that had started to fall.

Now comes the hard part — putting them all away and waiting another year before I can use them all.

Did you also like to do this kind of shopping — or do you think holding onto things for the next Christmas is a bit much?

Believe me, I’ve heard from both camps.

That sure went fast.

Another Christmas all wrapped up, which means that today was my annual Dec. 26 trek to The Container Store.

Every year the shop slashes the prices on items in its Gift Wrap Wonderland by 50 percent, so I take it as the start of my post-Christmas stocking up season and usually swing on by on the way to work.

I was there this morning, arriving at the White Plains store at 9:07 a.m. (not in time for the 9 a.m. opening but still early minutes).

Well, for some reason, I didn’t quite get into it this year. Sure, I picked up a few rolls of wrapping paper — and found some of their always-gorgeous ribbons.

But I don’t know. I didn’t feel that same giddy excitement at having snagged some great deals.

Maybe I’m just not ready to let Christmas go yet …

The first person I spoke to when I got in to work this morning had an interesting question for me about Christmas shopping.

He knew I was had written a story — to run tomorrow in the paper and here on LoHud.com — about places that are ideal stops for last-minute Christmas shopping.

It’s a sampling of 10 shops in our three counties of coverage, places where you can go in — through Monday, Christmas Eve — and come out with something for most anyone on your list. They are not in malls. You have a wealth of choices. And best yet, those offerings are so unique that the recipient could never guess it was anything less than a well-planned purchase.

So, admitting he was a last-minute shopper, my friend and colleague wanted to know — simply — “How do you know when it’s enough?�

Wow.

I have to admit that the only answer I came up with is “You just know.� I even tried the old routine about it’s not what you buy but the thought behind it, so don’t feel the need to get “more and more and more.�

No help, right?

This year, I picked up my last item on Tuesday night. Whew. Done. And truly, I haven’t felt the need to rush out for more “extras.�

In years past, I have had that sense that I didn’t do “enough.� I needed to add on, pick up a few more things to round out the presentations, especially when it came to family and closest friends.

This year, I think maybe I just shopped a bit more carefully. I thought more about what I wanted for each person instead of having no clear idea and just grabbing item after item that caught my eye.

And yes, since I’m a year-round shopper (as you well know), I was picking up gifts months ago, things I saw in shops I didn’t expect to get back to — when I was on vacation, for example, or at a fair or an antiques show.

I know there’s that excitement and adrenaline rush of doing things on deadline. I was talking someone else the other night who said he hadn’t even started his shopping, that he indeed needed that “pressure.�

I guess these last-minute guys will have plenty of company out there this weekend.

Check out tomorrow’s story if you need to pick some things up.

I’m taking Monday off, so I’ll be back here on Wednesday morning, right after my traditional Dec. 26 stop at The Container Store to snag some great “after-Christmas� buys from the Gift Wrap Wonderland.

I just love it when you see something so pretty, so different that it really makes you stop.

That happened to me this morning when I was in Scarsdale for an interview at La Dentelliere at Home.

I got there a few minutes early, which gave me time to check out their window displays.

This just caught my eye:

It’s so simple — but so very beautiful, don’t you think?

The windows had some other pretty vignettes:

Anyway, I was at there for a story I’m working on for our Real Estate/Home section (and LoHud.com… and RNN, come to think of it.).

It’s a decorating story, focusing on bedding and linens, that we hope to run Dec. 29.

I had worked with Michelle Anderson, owner of La Dentelliere, a few years ago and this time around, got to meet her daughter Charelle who heads up La Dentelliere at Home, just around the corner from the original.

In addition to getting a tour of all kinds of European linens, I had the chance to see what else the shop carries — and there is quite a bit.

What a great resource for gifts of total luxury, from bathrobes to jewelry boxes, mirrors to pillows. There is also a selection of antiques, from figurines to 19th-century fashion illustrations, dotted throughout.

Here’s a quick look around:

And then there was something that I’ve never seen before — have you? — these great little gifts are part of a line called Le Patissier, creations of a Japanese company.

No, these are not edible — they are towels packaged to look like the finest bakery treats:

Quite an impact for the price (the ones I saw were $14 to $34).

La Dentelliere at Home is at 35 Popham Road. Call 914-725-2800. La Dentelliere is at 20 East Parkway. Call 914-723-2902.

I hate when things get away from me, particularly when I hear about a great shop and then suddenly realize weeks (months?) later that I’ve still not been.

Earlier this year, I was working with a lovely woman named Daniela Rosen, for a story about fragrance diffusers.

During the interview at her Cortlandt Manor home, I was admiring how she had decorated. I noticed she had some really great antiques, and we got to talking about favorite shops.

She told me about Elaine’s in Mahopac, one of her favorite haunts.

Well, I kept meaning to go, meaning to go — and Rosen obliged with a few gentle reminders.

And I’m so glad she did. I finally made time to get up there earlier this afternoon — and wish I hadn’t waited for so long.

What a great collection of antiques, collectibles and new material.

The shop is part of a small strip along Route 6, which today was a decidedly dreary scene:

But the shop’s welcome begins even before you get inside:

I met with owner Elaine Vivalo, who told me she’s been in this spot for 13 years.

“It’s a mix of antiques and new stuff — hot new stuff, because I decorate,” she told me.

Indeed, Vivalo also offers decorating services, to encompass paint, wallpaper, draperies, furniture, woodwork, art work and decorative accessories.

Of course, she said, when working with a client she will address their needs and taste.

The shop, though, has a strong look, which is interpreted in countless vignettes.

Take a short tour:

More than enough to keep me poking around a bit — can’t wait to go back and really shop.

Elaine’s, at 441 Route 6, is open from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays (to 6 p.m. Fridays).

Call 845-621-0993.

I got an e-mail from Lisa Miller-Pozniak filled with photos that I just want to share.

She’s the owner of Cottage Antiques, a great shop housed within Gossett Brothers Nursery in South Salem.

I’ve written about her before — and love what she sells and how she displays it all — so was happy to get this holiday update.

She says her shop’s seasonal look is getting raves — can you see why?

Let me know if you make it up there — and which of these treasures you buy.

Cottage Antiques is open daily until Christmas, at 1202 Route 35. Call 914-763-1310.

As I was checking in with some stores for my Saturday story on last-minute Christmas shopping, I got an update from Stacy Higgins.

I’ve worked with the owner of Soho East in Dobbs Ferry a few times over the years, most memorably when she created some really lovely holiday tabletops for us a few years ago.

Anyway, she had expanded into a second shop in Irvington a little over a year ago but told me she had to close up.

Turns out the cozy shop that was carved out of the rooms of a Victorian house had to end its run when the owner reclaimed the space for its original use.

Oh well.

Higgins, though, didn’t abandon Irvington — she’s now offering “Soho East Gifts To Go,” a selection of pre-wrapped gifts at the new Black Cat Cafe.

I gave a quick call there, and they tell me they were happy to carry Higgins’ line, as she’s so well-known in the community.

So, if you’re in Irvington, you can still shop (think platters, baskets, candles and other home-themed goods) from Higgins — and enjoy a bite at the cafe, at 45 Main St., at the same time.

Of course, you can always stop by the original Soho East, at 63 Main St. in Dobbs Ferry. Call 914-693-7296.

I ran into Eric Ramirez at the Stormville Airport Antiques Show & Flea Market a few months ago.

Ramirez and Juan Rosado own and operate Decades Antiques & Collectibles — and Ramirez told me the shop had relocated just a few doors down from its longtime home on Main Street in Cold Spring.

I’d been meaning to get up there and check it out but didn’t have the chance until Friday, when I made a point of visiting.

See, not only did I want to see what was up — but I’m working on a story for this Saturday’s paper (and LoHud.com) on last-minute Christmas shopping and knew this shop was one I surely wanted to include.

The story is a quick look at places where those with little time can pick up some gifts that look like… well, like a lot of thought went into picking them out. We’re not talking gift-certificates to Target or a Whitman’s sampler (though those gifts have their fans, to be sure).

Usually filled with glass and pottery, jewelry, textiles and home accessories from the 1920s through the ‘70s, Decades has long been a favorite hunting ground.

And as I expected, the new Decades is pretty amazing. Ramirez and Rosado have great taste — and find some really unique pieces. I’ve bought vases and figurines, framed art and jewelry from them over the years.

The mix here is pretty much the same as what was found in the original shop. The bigger space just allows for more wares – and is lots easier to navigate.

Rosado told me that he’s finally settling in, after the August move.

At first, it was a bit of adjusting, he said: “It’s like when you move to a new house and cannot find the switches.”

Now, all is clearly in place, ready to welcome Christmas shoppers daily through Dec. 24 (before resuming its regular winter schedule).

Here’s just some of what I saw:

Stop by — you’ll be glad you did.

Decades Antiques & Collectibles is at 93 Main St. in Cold Spring. Call 845-265-9515.

I wrote a story for today about the Soap & Paper Factory, which I visited in Nyack last week.

Just wanted to let you know that the shop is having trouble with its phone line.

In the mean time, check things out on their Web site or contact the company through its Garnerville studio at 845-353-4566.