In which we shop online

I spend a lot of time online, and sometimes I do it with my American Express card in hand. (I now have enough miles to fly to San Francisco--see you in July, Sherri!) Retail changed drastically for me when we moved to Virginia. I went from a city of a million people (that decided to add Tiffany and Nordstrom AFTER I left--thanks, y'all!) to a town of 12,000 that, oddly enough, has a Williams-Sonoma but only one Blockbuster. So I can buy pastry bags until the cows come home, but GOD FORBID I should want to rent "The Holiday" on a weekend. There are lovely malls, REALLY lovely malls about an hour's drive away in either direction--and sometimes I do make the effort. There are also GRANDADDY malls up in northern Virginia, but my laziness usually prevents me from striking off that far afield unless I have another reason to head to DC. (We do have good outlet shopping here, but beyond BCBG and Banana Republic and Elie Tahari, nothing I really wear. I would harm kittens for a Last Call or Beyond 5th outlet here.)

That leaves the wonderful world wide web. I spend a fair bit of time pootling around the White House/Black Market site--although we now have an actual brick and mortar store here, and NOTHING beats being able to try things on in person. But there are other sites that I will only ever be able to enjoy as an online experience, and I am devoted to them:

*Alabama Chanin Gorgeous, gorgeous things. Sustainability and lovely design all in one place. Don't miss the blog as well.

*Etsy Crafty peeps already know and worship Etsy. It is like a virtual mall where handcrafters come and sell their wares, but do NOT think it's all toilet doilies and ruffled skirts for teddy bears. There is a lot of really exquisite design, and the prices are astonishingly low. The jewelry is particularly interesting, and so much of what is sold on Etsy is one-of-a-kind.

*Junk Gypsies Gypsyville is a unique site, and the clothes and jewelry appeal to a very specific taste. When I feel like stepping out of the cocktail dresses and getting back to the boots in my roots, I call on the Junk Gypsies. They are fabulous, fabulous women, and the customer service is not to be believed.

*Perpetual Kid I hesitate to post this link for two reasons: first, the site is moving very slowly due to holiday traffic, and secondly, if you go there you will figure out that sometimes I have the sense of humor of a 7th grade boy. I CRAVE the cocktail monkey necklace because I have an unholy love of cocktail monkeys. I attribute it entirely to the years when Sonic would bring your drink garnished with a tiny plastic animal. I ALWAYS got the monkey, which is entirely fitting. It's my Chinese zodiac sign, you know.

*Archie McPhee This is where my Jane Austen action figure AND my boxing nun, whom I christened Sister Mary Pugnacious, both came from.

*Peruvian Connection Don't let the name mislead you. It might evoke images of ponchos and fuzzy hats, but the clothes are beautiful and elegant, and I want to order lots of them and pose against crumbling walls just like their models. (I am currently waiting on a back order from them, but I am hoping for the best.)

And if you are just too, too lazy to even manage your own online shopping, check out Awesome! the shopping blog or sign up for the Daily Candy e-mail newsletter. Both will scour the net for the best of the best and bring it directly TO YOU. Doesn't get more indolent than that.

(EXCELLENT news! I talked to my editor and I know which book I'm doing next. So now I can relax and completely enjoy my holiday...)

Comments

[Kelly O]

My love for Archie McPhee is completely unhealthy. I can't tell you how many people walk by my desk and comment on the Jane Austen "doll." I immediately correct them with "she's an action figure."

[EricK]

Happy Holidays Deanna,

You're amazing in a way very similar to my sister. She has an uncanny knack for finding excellent, out of the way, hole-in-the-wall restaurants that serve the best food of their particular genre. Every place she has turned me on to has been excellent.
Likewise, every shopping link you've turned us on to has been excellent. I'm fixin' (I speak Texan but with an Okie accent*sorry*) to spend way too much time perusing the Etsy site. Being a crafter from way back, I love to see the way other crafters use found items and imagination to create neat little treasures.

[Kim]

Alabama Chanin is up the road from here and even though I must have passed it countless times, I've never know it existed till now. Thanks!

[Lara]

I just bought Kyle the Benjamen Franklin action figure this year. But Jane will always be #1.

[kristen]

please don't harm any kittens!
I love the Etsy site & always try to buy from local boutiques & especially love handmade/unusual things. BTW did you see the SOCK MONKEYS on Etsy??? (and other sock animals?)

[Rachel]

Hi Deanna,
You being the shopping DIVA that you are, should check out this amazing site / artist, Robin Brown @ www.magnoliapearl.com Check out the pictures on her "awesome" blog!!!!! you are going to love it!
Ciao,
Rachel

[Deanna]

Beautiful, Rachel! Thanks for passing that along.