Shop Local. Holiday Wrap-Up In The #Roc .

Sara Silvio Earrings from Trunk Show at Peppermint.
Momsly loves them & they are one-of-a-kind gorgeous!!

Where did I shop this holiday season?? I shopped #Roc . I shopped local, & I shopped the specialty shops, boutiques, & bizarres of Rochester, NY. I found gifts for my brothers, pets, roommate, Aunt, Momsly, & even Da' Moe. I found gifts that are unique, affordable, memorable, and that support our local Rochester community & economy. I bought 0 gifts from the mall, though--I admit--I did buy Orly nail polish c/o Marshall's, an Amazon gift card for my Kindle-loving big bro, & American Eagle jeans for my stylish (though he'd never admit it) younger bro. But mall? Nope. Not even at all. Want to know how much I spent?? See below. ...

Craft Co. No. 6's Handcrafted "2nds" Vase.
Flawless to us & seriously discounted by the artists.

#ShopLocal 

#ThinkGlobal

I know it's tacky to shop & tell. But look how little I spent
for incredibly unique (and thoughtful) gifts from our local #Roc shops.

Sara Silvio Jewelry c/o Peppermint                                                                                $65

     *handmade earrings

Peppermint                                                                                                                    $15

     *handmade journal

Craft Co No 6 (all handcrafted American Artisan items)                                               $48

     *3 ornaments

     *doggie treats

     *vase (2nds)

Archimage                                                                                                                     $23

     *men's wool socks

     *bandana

Abundance Co-Op                                                                                                         $10

     *1 lb. Equal Exchange Fair Trade Organic Coffee

Peter Lazarski Comics                                                                                                   $25

     *"Imaginary Monsters" vol. 1 & 2

     *"Imaginary Monsters: Eat World 2"

Little Bleu Cheese Shop                                                                                                 $38

     *1 lb of VT & NY made gouda & cheddar

     *Finger Lakes pre-packaged cheddar

     *Brooklyn made dill pickles

Heifer International (Feeds & funds families/businesses in developing nations)              $31

     *as-needed donation for in-need-livestock such as chickens, rabbits, goats!

Total: 6 adults & 1 dog at                                                                                                $255

Tips & Tricks

It's hard to say best deals & even harder to call favorites, 

but if you're at all worried about finding a diverse array of quality gifts 

at absolutely affordable prices, check out these 

Tips & Tricks.

Full View of Handcrafted "2nds" Vase.
(Cost the same as a pair of wool socks at Archimage!)

Diverse-Array-of-Gifts Tips:

*Archimage: Diverse selection of clothing, jewelry, & home goods. I am in love.

*Parkleigh: Best of Rochester Gift Shop 2012. From high-end lines, such as the eclectic McKenzie Childs, luxurious Crabtree & Evelyn, and iconic Vera Bradley, to affordable gift cards, home goods, & trinkets: a holiday favorite and year-round mecca for so many of your shopping needs.

Top-Quality-Gifts Tricks:

*Craft Co No 6 2nds: Craft Co. also spans the price range gamut. Best kept secret? Artisans handmade "2nds," with "imperfections" on pottery pieces like vases and bowls almost invisible to the eye. Frequently marked over 50% off. 

*Local Artisans: Go to your local markets like First Friday. Shop at boutiques when they feature artists who have trunk shows. Check out bizarres like Last Minute Market by reading their blogs & following their vendors on Facebook. When you find emerging artists who handcraft items like jewelry or comic books or beads, you find high-quality gifts, brimming with character, at more affordable prices than you'd ever find retail.

Peter Lazarski Original Comics.
www.peterlazarski.com . www.imaginarymonsters.com .

Let's 

#ShopLocal

& 

#ThinkGlobal

this

Happy New Year.

#2013 .

♥.