Housing Works Design on a Dime 2012

It's that time of year again.  Time to get out your wallet and do some shopping for an amazing cause.  The Housing Works Design on a Dime event begins Thursday, April 26 with the Opening Night Benefit.  It then opens to the public on Friday, April 27 and will be open until Saturday, April 28.  The early bird gets the worm though so I suggest you shop early for the best selection.  Over the years, I've bought a small sofa from Ernest de la Torre, a Blue Willow plate from High Falls Mercantile for only $10, and much more. The list of participants this year is long and I can't wait to see what I come home with this time. The best part is that it benefits the homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. If you can make it to Design on a Dime event at all, I highly suggest you stop by their thrift stores when you are visiting New York.  They too are chock full of amazing clothes, housewares and furniture.  Happy Shopping!

Design on a Dime

Metropolitan Pavilion

125 West 18th Street

bet. 6th and 7th Avenues

New York, NY 10011

Opening Night Benefit April 26, 2012 

5:30-6:30pm VIP Designer Meet and Greet 

6:30-9:30pm Opening Night Benefit 

tickets required

Open to the Public April 27-28, 2012 

10:00am - 6:00pm 

free

Support Small Business Saturday

Try not to shop till you drop on Black Friday and please save some stamina to support Small Business Saturday on November 26th.  I am very lucky to live in New York where shopping is almost an Olympic event but it's the small businesses and unique little stores that make it special.  Bleecker Street used to be one of my favorite places to shop when it was full of quaint antique stores and Biography Book Store.  They've since been replaced by well known retailers and it's just not the same.  That's why I will definitely be supporting Small Business Saturday myself.  Lexington Avenue near where I live has also seen many stores close so it's the first place I will be shopping. 

I will begin at Bunny William's lovely shop Treillage where I'll look for presents for friends and family and maybe a little something for myself.

I might also pick up some ornaments to decorate the full size tree I am getting this year.

Next door to Treillage is Lexington Gardens, another store filled with decorations and as the name suggests, flowers and garden accoutrements.

I love this painted backdrop in their window.

Since I'm working on my own book, I have to support small bookstores like Archivia.  I love perusing their front table full of all the newest releases.

William Wayne farther down on Lexington Avenue can be a bit expensive but they always have great hostess gift ideas.

They also have a wide array of blue and white porcelain. 

After all that shopping, I will definitely need a pick me up. I'm not sure if Laduree is considered a small business since they are big in Paris but they only have one store in New York. I have also seen the owners helping out behind the counter so I am including them.  When I need a gift for a person who has everything, I always pick up a box of macarons.  And a few for myself of course.  They are the perfect present.

Happy Holidays and Happy Small Business Shopping!

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic