dollar store delights

When I read on decor8 that guest writer Anh-Minh Le was researching a piece on dollar store shopping, I had to chime in. Greenpoint in Brooklyn (my neighborhood) is dollar store haven! When we first moved in, it was so great to get needed supplies for mere dollars: fancy bathmats, decorative tissue boxes, plush hand towels, over-the-door hooks, a full length mirror and ironing board (not a dollar, but cheap I'll tell you), bamboo placemats, candles, batteries, Pringles, Goya beans (2 for $1), Polish cookies, tennis socks, etc. Not to mention all the things I pass up because I don't want to be carting stuff home all the time and ruining my minimalist decor... I like the browsing. And I do buy my black beans and chick peas exclusively at the dollar stores. And Poland Spring bottled water is 3 for $1!

Anh-Minh just sent me an email today, letting me know that the San Francisco Chronicle bought her piece, and my quotes were included. Way to go Anh-Minh! Here' s a link to the full piece.

Dollar-store devotees know that it is important to shop around (not all stores are created equal) and shop often (inventory is always changing). Fashion designer Elaine Perlov's Brooklyn neighborhood boasts more than 10 dollar stores, so she shops at them "every few days," she says. Perlov is a regular at three major dollar stores, "getting lots of goodies to mix with other more fancy items."

And here is a link to Anh-Minh's own site.

I love the photo above from the article. I would love to find those tea cannisters at my local. I love her kitchen! Cute top too.