I went to an Alexia Crawford sample sale in Manhattan last December, and to say I got some great deals would be an understatement.

I’m now on the mailing list and just heard about one this weekend. Read more of this entry »

The Oasis Day Spa in Dobbs Ferry continues to offer special events and programs.

The latest is geared toward teens, including free skin analysis, free gifts with purchase and more.

Check it out: Read more of this entry »

A book arrived in my mail recently, and a glance at the name of the author made me smile.

It was Kathleen Eagen Johnson, the curator for Historic Hudson Valley.

I have worked with Johnson a number of times over the years, perhaps most memorably back in 2004 when I visited Philipsburg Manor with her.

At that time, she shared a fascinating story — which I featured in my Collector’s Notes column — about a set of 18th-century cups and saucers that had come to call the old mill site in Sleepy Hollow home.

When I saw this new book, “The Hudson-Fulton Celebration: New York’s River Festival of 1909 and the Making of a Metropolis,” (Fordham University Press and Historic Hudson Valley, $39.95), I knew it would be quite a travel through history.

There’s something special about a handmade gift.

You don’t even have to make it yourself.

Just giving somebody an item that they know was made by an artist or artisan adds to the thoughtfulness of a gift… at least I think so.

And that extends to things you buy for yourself or your home.

That’s why I was pleased to hear about the summer sale at the Clay Art Center in Port Chester. Read more of this entry »

Holbrook Cottage in Briarcliff Manor is always having special sales, events and promotions.

I just got a mailing from the charming shop, which features a couple of next month’s activities. (If you’ve not been before, click here for a profile I wrote on the shop last year).

One that immediately caught my eye from this “June in the Cottage” postcard was Read more of this entry »

Hope you enjoyed the holiday weekend.

Did you do any shopping? I did… just a bit.

I went up to the Stormville Airport Antique Show & Flea Market on Saturday.

It’s hard to believe it’s already Memorial Day weekend.

There are plenty of shopping opportunities this weekend (I’ve been mentioning them all week), but I’m putting in a bid for you to keep July 5 open.

Believe me, the Fourth of July weekend will be here before we know it.

That’s when the inaugural Cold Spring River Festival will be held.

Some 75 exhibitors — selling antiques, art and crafts — will be on hand.

It’s all happening in Mayor’s Park on Fair Street (the same place as the Cold Spring Antiques Show on June 14).

Sounds like a fun event.

For more details, visit the river festival’s site.

I’m decidedly old-school when it comes to mail… so much that I hate the term “snail mail.”

There’s just an elegance, a romance to good, old-fashioned letters.

I love writing them. I love receiving them.

Same goes for things like magazines and postcards… Read more of this entry »

I’ve been keeping a close check on the weather reports.

I’m all set to make my first trek up to the Stormville Airport Antique Show & Flea Market on Saturday.

Have you ever been?

It’s billed as a “private” sale, but Lynn Puro of March tells me I can let you know about the special savings lined up for shoppers at her Briarcliff Manor boutique this weekend.