I hope you had a chance to read my story today in the paper and on LoHud.com about Elaine’s.

It’s a great shop in Mahopac that I featured here.

Well, we’re going to start doing a little “shop of the week” feature on Thursdays — and Elaine’s seemed like a great way to kick the series off.

In touching base with owner Elaine Vivalo for the story, she mentioned that a major sale is planned.

Shoppers can expect between 30 and 50 percent off most items, as she makes way for new merchandise set to arrive in coming weeks.

The savings will continue throughout February, so plan to stop by.

Elaine’s is at 441 Route 6.

Call 845-621-0993.

A handful of Nyack shops are combining forces for a special event, passing on savings to customers starting today.

The Shops at 92 Main, also known as Woolworth Way, are holding an “Indoor Sidewalk Sale� from noon to 6 p.m. today through Sunday.

These stores — including The M Shoppe, Angelika’s Books, Isabel’s Lingerie, Evie’s Handbags, Great Dames Boutique and Color Swirl Boutique — are inviting customers to “come in out of the cold� to find sales, markdowns, clearance items and liquidations.

Sure, it’s not that cold out, but these things have to be planned in advance, you know.

In addition, Glenn of Great Dames also sent an e-mail to say he’s offering “final markdown� of 75 percent off his original prices for a “winter blowout,� with his savings to continue throughout February.

I got a couple of really great sweaters at the shop awhile ago — definitely worth checking out. Call the shop at 845-358-4909 for more details.

One of my sisters called me yesterday afternoon to say she had heard an early forecast for this coming weekend.

Of course, it could certainly change, but they are predicting a dry Saturday — and temperatures in the low 40s.

That’s a good thing, since we (and hopefully a third sister) are planning to attend “The heART of Winter,� a show of original art, to be held in Warwick, N.Y., Saturday and Sunday.

The show and sale is sponsored by Earth Angels, an online gallery that features the coolest hand-crafted goods. Earth Angels represents these artists through its Web site and at special events and shows across the country.

The creations are what make the work stand out — these are the type of things that inspire you to try your hand at art or crafts (even if you’re a spaz like me).

I’ve actually been following the Earth Angels’ story for awhile now, having seen a profile of the gallery’s owner, Jen O’Connor, and the shopping events in Country Living magazine some time ago.

Every so often, I stop by the site and tool around, checking out the new work.

I guess it was in my last issue of Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion that I saw a full-page ad for this weekend’s show:

Work of more than 20 artists – some 2,000 pieces — is going to be showcased from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Country Life Gallery, at 40 Main St. in Warwick. Admission is free.

I’m looking forward to the show. Since one of my sisters lives in Orange County, Warwick is a frequent day trip for us (a great shopping destination when I go up to visit).

This show, of course, is prompting the return there.

The creations will include folk art, paintings, soft sculpture, jewelry, holiday “follies,� decorative items, heirloom teddy bears and other toys, pottery and more.

I contacted O’Connor to see if she could give me a bit of a glimpse.

Here are the images she sent, which give you a good feel for what the show will be all about:

Not sure about ticket availability, but I know there were even some special events (teas, luncheons, workshops) also planned in conjunction with the show.

Visit the Earth Angels site for full details, or call 845-986-8720 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Consider a trip up — maybe I’ll see you there on Saturday.

Anyone starting to worry about what to buy their beloved this Valentine’s Day might want to consider a book that I’ve just had the chance to preview.

“To My Sweetheart� (White Star Publishers, $9.95) is really pretty fun.

Edited by Valeria Manferto De Fabianis with graphic design by Clara Zanotti, “To My Sweetheart” seems a bit more sophisticated than the usual schmaltzy releases designed for this particular holiday.

It’s divided into sections — “To my Valentine,� which pairs up vintage cards with some really fitting quotes, followed by “Famous Kisses.�

This section is devoted to stills from movies ranging from 1925’s “The Charmerâ€? to “La dolce vitaâ€? to “Ghostâ€? (um, they all can’t be winners…).

“Hearts of All Sorts� shows various interpretations of the heart image, whether on a tattoo or drawn in the snow on a windshield.

Finally, it all ends with a laugh in “Cartoons in Love,� with scenes from “Lady and the Tramp,� “The Aristocats� and even “Shrek 2.�

The book, released earlier this month, should be available at or through most local book stores. Otherwise, find it online at sites such as Amazon.com.

It has happened to me so many times that I should not be surprised when it does yet again.

See, I often find that long after I don’t buy something, I keep thinking about it.

I have two examples from within the last week, though the circumstances were quite different.

It was, come to think of it, a week ago today when I was again dazzled by the collection featured by the Macklowe Gallery booth at the 54th annual Winter Antiques Show , which continues through this Sunday in the city.

The Manhattan gallery specializes in 20th century decorative arts, from French Art Nouveau vases to Tiffany lamps to the most unique estate jewelry.

Each year at the show, I spend time daydreaming about these lovely treasures, though I tend to think they’re “a bit” beyond my budget.

This year, I was captivated by pieces such as these:

That’s a Tiffany Studios New York glass-and-bronze “Elaborate Grape” table lamp. The circa-1900 piece features a leaded glass shade over a patinated bronze “tree-trunk” base. This rare work has quite a provenance, having once been in the collection of Frank Stanton, the former television executive who long headed up CBS. (All Macklowe pictures courtesy the gallery).

This was another lovely work, a French Art Nouveau glass-and-bronze “Snail” table lamp by Daum. It features polychrome glass in shades of green, yellow, red and blue. Etched grapes and applied snails (look closely) add depth to the circa-1900 piece.

And then there was a collection of French Art Nouveau acid-etched and enameled glass vases, also by Daum, depicting winter scenes. Here are just two of them:

These, of course, are museum-quality works of art.

I was happy to be able to look at them so closely — and know they’ll remain in my memory for a long time.

Think I have to leave it at that.

On the other end of the spectrum, I made a run to Piermont on Sunday afternoon.

When working on a story about jewelry for our sister publication, Rockland Magazine, this past month, I was charmed by a necklace at Gee, Ginger!

Mercedes Kent Ross’ sweet little boutique is one of three sharing space at 535 Piermont Ave. (stay tuned; there are plans to expand in coming weeks).

The necklace that caught my eye, Kent Ross had told me, was a piece of “retrolite� jewelry. A company, Classic Hardware, makes contemporary pieces based on that vintage favorite, Bakelite.

Now, I’m not normally a Bakelite fan — but I just fell in love with the hue and shape of this little necklace:

So much that weeks after seeing it, I was back at Gee, Ginger! hoping that it would still be there.

It was, so I paid my $32 — and tried not to look at all the rest of the merchandise on hand.

After all, I wanted to enjoy this lovely necklace and prevent something else from catching my eye.

After I visited Creative Seams in Millwood this morning, which I featured in my last posting, I stopped in at The Chocolate Chalet in Briarcliff Manor.

I’m starting to do my research (and no, I didn’t have any samples!) for a story about shopping for chocolates for Valentine’s Day.

I don’t think I’d ever been inside this great little shop. I know I’d have remembered the heady scent that grabs you the minute you’re inside.

I met owner John Macko, who told me the shop is going into its 33rd year (how come I’ve not been in…?).

I’ll save most of what he told me — what Valentine’s shoppers are looking for and what’s selling well, etc. — for the story.

One thing he mentioned, though, really grabbed my attention even though it was not related to Feb. 14.

You can buy a chocolate football:

He’s been featuring this item for a few years, as it’s perfect for the centerpiece of any Super Bowl buffet, right?

You can even have your sentiments written on the piece.

“Go Giants,” anyone?

It’s $18.99$17.95 (heard back from Macko that he had quoted the wrong price) and orders are accepted.

And for a look ahead to Valentine’s Day, here’s a little walk through the shop’s holiday treats. Most of the chocolates are made on the premises, with a wide variety of imported truffles also on hand. You can even buy a “chocolate heart” and have it filled with your choice:

Wow. Looking back at all these pictures, I’m thinking I may have to get back there.

Soon.

Visit The Chocolate Chalet, open daily, at 74 N. State Road. Call 914-941-4607.

I finally had the chance to pop up and see Cindy Winter’s new shop in Millwood.

I realized I’ve been meaning to go for awhile, so made a point of starting my work day with a morning visit to Creative Seams.

The shop has been in its new home since September, with Winter moving from her three-year-old spot on Main Street in Ossining.

The big difference? Here, she has a storefront. A window to decorate. A place along the sidewalk. A bench out front. A (free) parking lot alongside the building.

See, over in Ossining, the shop — while spacious and filled with goods — was found at the end of a long hallway, sharing a common entrance with some other shops and businesses.

Now, Winter has a lovely window (sorry, the sun’s glare made it hard to shoot), but you get the idea:

Inside, she continues her business of custom sewing. Bring a favorite fabric, pick and trim and she’ll turn it into a pillow. She also fills the shop with examples of her work, from table runners to wine bottle bags. Window treatments have become a very popular segment of late, she notes. She also is known for her work for weddings, proms and other formal events.

Then, there are the gifts. She’s putting a focus on fashion and accessories. During the holiday season, she sold out of most all of the scarves she hand-picked in Manhattan. She carries some clothing; soon it will be her own designs (drawing on her time when she was in the fashion industry).

Take a quick look at the shop, then plan to visit:

Creative Seams, at 78 Millwood Road, is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays (Mondays by appointment).

Call 914-923-3230.

I subscribe to a lot of magazines, I suppose.

Each one reflects a particular interest, whether it be Country Living or Country Home, the Columbia Journalism Review or my British fave, the NME.

Sometimes I get home and find the mail has brought a new issue — and that’s when I know I have a bit of escape for an evening.

No magazine fits the bill for such a little retreat better than Romantic Homes.

I’ve been told it’s “frilly� and “girly� — a lot of fluff and all that.

I don’t think so!

For those who dream of living in rooms decked out in cottage style, who imagine entertaining with Victorian splendor and like nothing more than a gorgeous vintage find — this is the magazine to delve into.

That’s why when I saw that a new book, “Vintage Vavoom: Romantic Decorating with One-of-a-Kind Findsâ€? from the editors of Romantic Homes magazine (Clarkson Potter, $35) was released a couple of weeks ago… well, you can imagine I was pretty excited.

I was sent a review copy:

Romantic Homes editor Jacqueline deMontravel and her fellow editors have done quite a job.

The book is designed as a home-decorating guide for those who want to add “warmth, style and beauty� to their surroundings. Romantic Homes is from APG Media; the company’s other shelter magazines include Victorian Homes, Cottages & Bungalows, Lofts and Lodges.

For those, like me, who like to moon over beautiful vignettes — this book is full of them.

Here’s a quick glimpse at some of what’s featured:

The book really talks about combining heirloom pieces with newer things. It delves into ways to evaluate something for quality or how you can connect a scene using elements such as scale or color.

Finally, it allows for personality. Who wants to copy exactly what’s already been done, right?

Though I have to admit, I plan to draw on this particular picture to create a little vignette of my own:

Check the book out — for a gift or for yourself.

I know I’m going to spend some more time with the copy I have.

After all, its pages just keep inspiring me to get out and shop a little more.

She just never stops. And that’s hardly a complaint.

Instead, it seems Liora Manné and her “lifestyle” collections simply grow more and more each year.

The noted rug designer — who’s expanded into all kinds of home decorating and fashion accessories — works out of a Manhattan studio/showroom/factory. When she’s not there or at home in the city, she’s often traveling the world — or hitting her Katonah retreat.

I’ve enjoyed watching her creations evolve in the past couple of years, having first written about her in 2004, and have just heard that the line has now expanded to include a collection of journals to join the latest lines of rugs and placemats.

It’s all for Spring 2008, so be on the lookout in local shops (I’ve seen her creations in Whimsies in Tarrytown and Shades of Green in Peekskill, for starters), visit the Web site or stop by the showroom, which has a retail component, in Manhattan.

As I was saying earlier today, I spent a good part of yesterday at the 54th annual Winter Antiques Show, which is running through Jan. 27 at the Seventh Regiment Armory (also known as the Park Avenue Armory) in Manhattan.

My last posting was devoted to the afternoon press preview.

Now, I’m going to fill you in on the evening’s festivities, since I was invited to cover the opening-night party.

If you read my last entry, I admit to a bit of a tease.

Yes, I said I had a George Clooney “sighting.”

I did… kind of:

Ha!

He was “spotted” in this Japanesque silverplate and copper frame (American, circa 1885), on offer for $2,500 by Associated Artists. (More on them in a bit).

Actually, the only celebrity I spotted was New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who was touring the show.

I wondered what he might collect, but his security politely told me that he wasn’t “taking questions.”

Oh well.

The party, which draws top collectors and museum representatives from around the world, is a big deal.

One of the publicists told me they were expecting some 2,000 attendees, and it did get pretty crowded:

Aren’t these flowers, which were dotted throughout the show in giant displays, just beautiful?

There was a real sense of excitement throughout the show, with items in many of the booths already sporting red dots (or sold stickers).

Around 6:20 p.m., I asked Guy Bush of G.K.S. Bush from Miami Beach, Fla., how things were going.

“I haven’t stopped talking,” he said.

I had admired one of his pieces earlier in the day:

It’s an electrified Union Pacific Railroad trade sign, circa 1920.

“It’s such a great bit of Americana,” Bush said.

I got to meet Warren Adelson, president of Adelson Galleries and a Scarborough resident, having interviewed him by phone a few times. His booth, of course, was highlighted by works from N.C. Wyeth and Robert Henri.

I asked him how his evening was going.

“It’s terrific,” he said. “It’s been great — great crowd, great enthusiasm.”

I checked in with Katonah’s Barbara Israel, too, where she took a quick picture in the Barbara Israel Garden Antiques booth..

I asked her where she’d like it — “This is just a fabulous pair of carved artichokes,” she said, standing beside one half of a circa 1880 English duo.

She’d had a lot of visitors, “Regulars so far.”

Putting together her booth hadn’t been tough, she said.

“I had a lot to choose from.”

The booth of David A. Schorsch- Eileen M. Smiles noted that a painting by Ammi Phillips was a “masterpiece of American folk art.”

The 1836 portrait is of Augusta Maria Foster at age 16, depicting her in Southeast (near Brewster).

A Putnam gal was making a splash in the city:

Schorsch, when asked if it was the highlight of his display, said it was “certainly one of them.”

And what made him buy it at auction? “The beauty of her.”

Throughout, you saw people really admiring the work, asking questions and seeming to appreciate what they were having the chance to view.

Leigh Keno of Leigh Keno American Antiques, for example, had a booth filled with clients.

I swung back to catch up with him a bit later to hear him describe the treasures in his booth.

First, he told me, was a circa 1710 chest from Massachusetts, which had already sold for $435,000. The piece, as authenticated by the lab at Winterthur in Delaware, still has its original paint:

There was also a weathervane, picked up at Sotheby’s.

and a charming little trinket box by Edward Hicks,

complete, as Keno said, with aardvark detail:

A New York chair from 1720 had also sold already.

“It has just that great look, that great feel,” Keno said.

His evening was moving along quite nicely, it seemed.

“We’ve had a great sale,” he said.

Oh, and the booth where I saw Clooney?

Well, it was Associated Artists, out of Southport, Conn.

I just loved what they were showing:

David Scott Parker of the gallery was saying how the Aesthetic period was all about “lightening the ominous feelings” of the Victorian period. Dark woods gave way to light; new designs were explored.

Parker is also involved in the restoration of the armory itself. He says there is “no more significant and intact” display of the period than the rooms that survive in the armory.

“This place, when it’s done, is going to open eyes,” he says.

For those attending the show, that broadening of awareness has already begun.

So, that’s my report. Hope you enjoyed it.

The show, as I mentioned, continues daily through Jan. 27. It’s open from noon to 8 p.m., closing at 6 p.m. this Sunday, Jan. 24 (“Young Collectors’ Night”) and the final day.

Admission is $20, which includes the show catalog. The armory is on Park Avenue, at 67th Street.

For more details, visit the show Web site.