I found these super awesome slippers in my Christmas stocking this year. I'd been ogling them in the Garnet Hill catalog for a few months. Santa is pretty observant! Or Santa was tired of seeing a barefoot me walking around all winter complaining about how cold our apartment is. *cough*
I hadn't seen any slippers I'd liked in months of idly looking around while we were out and about. Then in one issue of this catalog, I saw several that I would happily wear. The ability to find something fun and different is exactly why I don't automatically trash all the fun catalogs that hit my mailbox during the holiday season. Typically, I flip through the paper catalog, then order online. I like avoiding the mobs of shoppers downtown, and the ability to more readily surprise someone with something they haven't seen before.
As I sit here typing this post, I've been doing a quick tally in my head. And I can say that I purchased almost all my holiday gifts -- except for a few foodie items from the Ferry plaza Farmers market -- online. With the bulk of those purchases, from folks who put out catalogs.
I blame my catalog shopping impulses on J. Crew. I am pretty sure they're the ones who got me hooked on it, back in high school. Now, if I can order it online or via a toll free # instead of traipsing out to purchase it, I do.
Here's a short list of my favorite places for procuring unexpected presents:
- Boden. Girly clothes that are casual, but nice enough to wear to work.
- Giant Robot. Pop culture toys and t-shirts.
- Anthropologie. More girlie clothes and interesting housewares. Pretty much all of my favorite pieces I wear to work are from here.
- CB2. Crate & Barrel's hipper and more affordable sibling. Lots of great housewares.
- MoMA Store. The Museum of Modern Art in NYC is a great source for all sorts of fun accessories, housewears and prints.
- DeYoung Museum shop. This is our local museum, and one of my favorite places for looking at (and taking home) jewelry.
- Dean and Deluca. I don't think I've ever made a trip to NYC -- no matter how quick -- without stopping by one of their shops. I use the catalog and online store to get my fix of their coffee and treats.
- Muji. I seek out these shops whenever I travel in Europe. Love their plain, non-branded housewares and stationary items.
- Think Geek. T-shirts, desk accessories, and technonerd items all in one place.
This is how I got all my holiday shopping done well before the holidays, and without leaving my comfy chair. RAWR!
