I’m back in the office after once again going on one of my favorite assignments of each year.

I hope you had the chance to read my story yesterday about the 54th annual Winter Antiques Show, which is basically the most prestigious antiques show in America.

It’s held each January at the Seventh Regiment Armory, also known as the Park Avenue Armory, in Manhattan.

It’s an event that brings together 75 of the world’s top dealers and a loan exhibition. This year’s is “An Eye Toward Perfection: The Shaker Museum and Library” featuring some 100 works from the Old Chatham, N.Y., museum. Proceeds from the whole event benefit the East Side House Settlement, a not-for-profit organization that provides social services to residents in the South Bronx.

There’s always a nice connection to our readership area, which adds some extra depth to the show. This year, both Adelson Galleries (whose president Warren Adelson is a Scarborough resident) and Barbara Israel of Barbara Israel Garden Antiques in Katonah were again exhibiting. (More on them shortly).

I’ve now been covering the show for the last seven or eight years, and it’s always guaranteed to spark some serious daydreaming for anyone interested in antiques, art — or shopping.

I mean within steps you can see everything from a letter written by Jesse James to a Lalique brooch, a piece of ancient Greek pottery to a chair from 19th-century America.

As Ben Macklowe of the Macklowe Gallery  — think gorgeous Art Nouveau lighting, ceramics and jewelry — told me, you basically have some 5,000 years of history on display.

“It’s like going to the Metropolitan Museum, with price tags,” he said.

I met Macklowe during the show’s  press preview, held yesterday afternoon and giving reporters the chance to get a “first look” at the event officially opening today and continuing through Jan. 27.

This year, for the first time, I was also invited to cover the opening festivities last night — where the top collectors in the country come to get their own sneak peek — so, I did a bit of a “split-shift” day.

I’ll  give you the run-down of the afternoon first and save the excitement of the evening event for a second post. (Stay tuned).

Ok, so, as I was saying the show is held in the armory, itself a treasure.

And here’s just a hint of the ambiance, found in the lobby:

Once inside, I started my tour. First thing that caught my eye? This millinery trade figure, circa 1880, offered by Giampietro American Folk Art, from New Haven, Conn.:

Then, there was this 1549 North German armor, offered for $2.4 million by Peter Finer of London. (Yes, I said $2.4 million).

Here’s a bit of a walk-through, to give a feel for what else I saw.

This was one of a pair of 1820s dresses being sold by Jan Whitlock of Malvern, Penn.:

I loved the look of this booth belonging to Frank and Barbara Pollack of Highland Park, Ill.:

This is one of two armchairs, 1820-25, attributed to Duncan Phyfe and shown by Hirschl & Adler Galleries in Manhattan:

In the mood for fine art? How about a trio of works by Mary Cassatt, which draw attention to The Old Print Shop, Inc.. also in New York:

Mix it up with the treasures of the Morning Star Gallery of Santa Fe, N.M.:

Just around the corner was this 1760s “Robe a la Francaise,” a silk-satin gown offered for $40,000 by Cora Ginsburg, also of Manhattan:

Ginsburg, associate Leigh Wishner told me, is a textile and costume specialist dealing mainly in 18th- and 19th-century European and American works.

The gown was a special display.

“We don’t often bring ‘costume’ to the exhibition, but we decided to be a little fancy,” Wishner said.

The buyer, she said, would likely be a museum since “there are very few private collectors of costumes” because of concerns such as maintenance, etc.

She was looking forward to the evening’s activities.

“It’s a lot of fun,” she said. “It’s great people-watching for one thing, but it’s an opening attended by avid collectors.”

Here is Ben Macklowe, mentioned above, who I visited next.

“I’m so proud of so many things we’ve brought to the show,” he said. “What we try to do is have an encyclopedia of the Art Nouveau period, focusing mainly on France and America.”

The booth was filled with Daum Nancy cameo glass, Tiffany lamps… and by evening, some show-stopping jewelry.

A treat was checking out the booth of Elle Shushan, who specializes in portrait miniatures. The Philadelphia, Penn., exhibitor is known for the fanciful way it displays its tiny treasures:

About halfway through my tour, we were summoned to the front, where the show’s organizers offer a few comments.

What’s so fun about the afternoon is the “behind-the-scenes” feel.

You can still see things in progress:

And you can hear Catherine Sweeney Singer, the show’s executive director, on the microphone saying “Excuse me for yelling over the garbage trucks.”

Sweeney Singer, once all had assembled, told us again that this show has the lowest attrition rate in the world.

“It’s actually a good problem,” she said. “It means we can focus on other things.”

So, instead of scrambling to find dealers, the show works on keeping it fresh, cutting-edge and as always, strongly vetted (each item is authenticated by committee). She mentioned, as well, that the show has consistently raised more than $1 million each year for the East Side House Settlement.

Sweeney Singer also introduced Arie L. Kopelman, the show’s chairman.

“Every year we try to take it up another notch,” he said. “We tweak it. We tweak it and tweak it.”

This year, he said, it’s the best yet.

Soon, I was back to catch more booths, including my first visit to Adelson Galleries, where the highlights included, from left, “Spanish Dancer with Cigarette” by Robert Henri and “The Throwback” by N.C. Wyeth:

I was next nabbed by publicist Sue Bond, who offered a quick tour of the works offered by Rupert Wace Ancient Art, which supplied the following two images.

“This is one of our stars,” Bond said about the London gallery’s attic terracotta red-figure squat lekythos (430-410 BC):

Bond said the Winter show is ” a very important marketplace for us.” In fact, she just e-mailed me today to say that piece sold to a private collector in New York for more than $200,000, and he intends to lend the piece to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Buyers, she said, are taking a fresh look at ancient art.

“Some of the objects just look stunning in an interior, by itself,” she said of this Roman bronze lion-skin from 1st-2nd century AD:

Ancient jewelry, she added, is also getting a lot of attention, pointing to a pair of early Roman gold-and-garnet earrings ($8,500).

“These are 2nd century AD, and believe me, everyone’s going to ask you what you’re wearing.”

I swung back by the Barbara Israel booth — when I went earlier, they were having a soup break and I didn’t want to interrupt.

Here’s an overview of the lovely things she brought:

But what was she doing? Checking on how diffusers were adding a scent of roses to the air.

“It’s a new sales technique,” she said with a laugh.

Again, just a glimpse of the diversity — here’s the booth of Olde Hope Antiques from New Hope, Penn.

across the aisle from this Ming Dynasty buddha from Ralph M. Chait Galleries in Manhattan:

As I headed toward the exit, I glimpsed Ron Keno hard at work in his son Leigh’s booth.

Having interviewed two of his sons — Leigh Keno of Leigh Keno American Antiques and Leslie Keno of Sotheby’s — over the years, in their roles as appraisers for “Antiques Roadshow” and for other stories, I decided to introduce myself.

What a sweet man, who gave a broad smile when I teased him that Leigh had left him to do all the work.

But it was in good hands, since Ron and his late wife, Norma, were antiques dealers in upstate New York and clearly passed along their passion to their boys.

It was almost time for a break, he said.

“I’m just getting to a point where I say ‘Hey, Keno, should I let it alone now?’”

With everything pretty much done, he had time for a quick picture:

Then, I headed out— only to return, in fancier dress, to catch the evening’s activities.

Check back later today to hear about all the glitz— including my George Clooney “sighting.”

(That should get your attention).

I saw a sign last night, posted in the window of a shop on Bleecker Street in the city.

It read it quickly and continued on — then realized how profound it was and went back to jot it down (yes, I am that much of a geek).

Well, it said: “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten.�

Right away, I thought of this pair of earrings I bought a week or two ago, snatched up quickly at a going-out-of-business sale at a shop in the Palisades Center.

Well, I took them home, tried them on and noticed they were a bit crooked. Easy to fix, right? Well, a simple twist turned into a “snap� and a tossing of the earrings right in the garbage.

They were hardly expensive, a couple of dollars, but still, that’s money totally wasted

And while I know the quote I saw last night is used by a lot of businesses, it hit me like new.

And I had to laugh at how it was being used this time — the shop it was posted in was a tattoo parlor!

Earlier this month, I had the chance to visit The Outside In Piermont for the first time.

Do you remember the posting I did about this fun shop?

When I was there, the owners were telling me about an upcoming wine tasting that they were about to confirm.

Well, the details have now been set.

A wine tasting event hosted by Joe Printz of Grape D’Vine in Tappan will be held at 3 p.m. Jan. 27. The event will also include food catered by Mimi’s Plate.

The cost is $30, with reservations required — by this Saturday.

For more details, or to make reservations, stop by the shop or call 845-398-0706.

A new program that teams up teen-oriented retailer Aeropostale with the not-for-profit organization Do Something is about to kick off.

“Teens for Jeans� — designed to address teen homelessness — is encouraging young shoppers to drop off their gently used jeans at Aeropostale shops (there are several in our region) between Jan. 22 and Feb. 10.

They will then receive 20 percent off a new pair of jeans, with their old ones being donated to a local shelter or charity.

The initiative is getting some Hollywood attention, with actors such as Rachel Bilson and Chad Michael Murray (below) signing jeans in support and doing public-service announcements.

For more details, visit the Web sites for both Aeropostale and Do Something.

The holidays have come and gone — but the sales keep coming.

I just got an e-mail from Debbie Zapakin of Wishes.

I first visited the Yorktown Heights gift boutique last February, then again in the summer.

It’s a great little find.

And now, Zapakin tells me, the shop is having a “storewide sale� that continues until Jan. 24.

Nearly all the merchandise is now discounted 20 percent (15 percent for the jewelry). The exceptions include just two of the jewelry lines for children and some Hannah Montana items.

The shop, after all, has to make room for the spring merchandise, as new lines are being ordered right now.

Wishes is at 315 Kear St. Call 914-962-9474.

One of the shops I’ve mentioned here before is about to get a new home.

Contact, which I first visited in Briarcliff Manor back in April, will soon be joining the Rye Ridge Shopping Center in Rye Brook.

Owners Denise Zaccheo-Ozeri and Marcie Kesten are expected in their new digs in early March.

Until then, there are savings to be had at the current location.

After all, “everything must go.” Clothing and accessories are selling at up to 70 percent off, with all sales final.

The shop is at 549 N. State Road.

Call 914- 941-7760.

If you know me, you know my favorite decade.

I’ve written about it before — when looking for the perfect pair of slouch boots, for example, that would take me back to 1987.

Well, I stopped by Kohl’s in Port Chester this morning. I was looking to see if they had this little dove-shaped photo holder left over from the holidays.

I know, it’s already Jan. 9, but I had one in my hands in the Nanuet store this past Friday. It was something like 70 percent off… but as often happens there, the lines were NOT moving — and I had to be somewhere and just could not wait for what would probably have been a $2 item.

Today, as I went in the store with that photo holder as my goal, I was quickly sidetracked by the jewelry department, beckoned in by the countless sale signs.

And, there was when I had another flashback to the 1980s. I’m sorry, but sometimes I see something, and it just brings me back. To me – don’t laugh — it’s a good feeling.

It happened when I saw these earrings:

And for $3?

Oh yeah, I could worn something just like this when I was singing along to New Order at an outdoor show at the Pier (anyone remember the Pier?).

Of course, I picked up something else that was more contemporary (at least I think they are):

These cool-shaped “hoops” from the Daisy Fuentes collection, $14 down to $9.80.

So, once again, I’m lured to something that reminds me of my past… does that happen to you a lot?

(And by the way, there was one of those little dove photo holders left — but it was pretty banged up, so I had to be happy with just my earrings. And I’m sure I will be).

I just wanted to put up a few words about an event set for this weekend — the White Plains Winter Antiques Show.

We may have some technical issues with getting images up onto our blogs over the next few days (as we switch over to a bigger-and-better system), so I didn’t want to miss out on the chance to post these.

I’ve written a story for Thursday’s paper (and LoHud.com) about the show but also wanted to pass along the details here.

Martin Greenstein has gathered a group of 40-plus dealers, who will be showing their wares at White Plains High School. Expect all kinds of furniture and lighting, oriental rugs, plenty of jewelry, paintings, decorative objects… you get the idea.

This show is a nice opener for the year, offering items for all budgets.

Greenstein has given me a few pictures, so you can get a feel for the exhibitors.

They include Carole Ann Hart of Westport, Conn.:

D & D Antiques of Newtown, Conn.:

and Greenwich Oriental Antiques of Greenwich, Conn.:

The show will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The high school is at 550 North St. Admission is $10. For more details, call The Last Detail Antiques Shows at 914-572-4132.

One of the fun things about buying antiques and collectibles, as I’ve often said, is imagining that something you discover turns out to be worth much more than you paid.

Of course, that’s a big part of what makes programs like “Antiques Roadshow� such a big hit.

I was lucky enough to cover the fun when the PBS show last came to New York, filming for a summer day back in 2001 at the Javits center in Manhattan.

It was as exciting as it seems on TV, watching all the things people brought in, following some of them as they heard what their items were worth, etc.

Today, the show has announced details of its next summer tour — they film throughout the country each summer, taping episodes for the following year.

Well, there won’t be a New York stop this time around.

The closest is Hartford, Conn., where the show will be filming Aug. 23.

Maybe you’d like to trek up there and see what your potential treasures are worth?

Or perhaps you’re traveling this summer and will be in another of the cities where filming for the 13th season is scheduled — Palm Springs, Calif., June 7; Dallas, June 28; Wichita, Kan., July 12; Chattanooga, Tenn., July 19; and Grand Rapids, Mich., Aug. 9.

Admission is free. However, tickets are required and are distributed at random from all eligible entries.

Complete details on how to get tickets (and all the rules for participation) will be available starting Jan. 21 on the show’s Web site or by calling 888-762-3749.

And whet your appetite tonight by tuning in to the premiere of the 12th season, as the experts give their opinions of items brought to a tour stop in Baltimore.

Tune in at 8 p.m. to WNET-Channel 13.

When I heard about a new shop in Piermont, I had a hard time placing it.

I’d been on the “main drag” quite a few times in the last month or two — between stories and my own Christmas shopping — but didn’t remember seeing The Outside in Piermont.

And I wouldn’t have, since it’s carving out a niche outside the main business district, just a short hop from Piermont Avenue over on Ferdon.

When I first spoke to Joe Serra, who owns the shop with Bill Walsh, I asked him what they carried.

I wasn’t prepared for just how much was part of this “locally focused” store — a garden center, fine arts and crafts, furniture, pottery, stained glass, birdhouses, tables, sculptures, paintings, a greenhouse, organic garden supplies…”

I was definitely intrigued, so stopped by late yesterday.

I have to say, I was charmed from the outset, with those twinkling lights setting a festive mood as I pulled up:

And I got a sense of the style inside from this Arts and Crafts-inspired sign:

Inside, I was… impressed.

Some shops are just like that. There’s an immediate feeling that comes across, though it’s hard to strictly categorize it. Here, it’s somewhat rustic, vaguely vintage, slightly whimsical… all at the same time.

Your eye will dart from nature-inspired wind chimes to photographs of local scenes, to birdhouses and animals fashioned out of driftwood to ceramic bowls and plates in varied hues.

There’s an emphasis on showcasing the art and crafts of local artists and artisans. The owners have a strong representation of some of the area’s best, culled from those who work in their own studios, at places like the Rockland Center for the Arts or the Garnerville Arts and Industrial Center.

Take a look around:

There is also a “second” room, where there’s more of an art-gallery feel. Here, Serra and Walsh display bigger pieces, from furniture to sculpture (including works by Eric Laxman).

Overall, it simply works.

“The whole idea was to bring in art that goes with the outside… Mother Nature, sanctuary, beauty,” Walsh told me.

The shop is in the midst of its “soft” opening, having been slowly growing the past few months. A more formal opening celebration is set for February, though the shop is certainly ready to go — as you’ll see when you stop by yourself.

The Outside in Piermont is at 249 Ferdon Ave. Its hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, extended for special events (A wine tasting is being planned for later this month; I’ll post an update when I hear).

Call 845-398-0706.