I wanted to create a wintry scene for my jewelry display at the shopping event last week. So I hit the dollar stores for interesting display items. I found the gold frame, the glittery clear plastic Christmas trees, and the gold mini pine cones all at my favorite dollar store on Manhattan Avenue in Greenpoint. I had to alter each item to get it looking like I wanted it to, but I have tools. No problem.

The pine cones were originally attached to some rather unattractive giant ribbons. The Christmas trees were ornaments. (As you can see, I've been getting a lot of mileage out of those.) The frame was perfect as it was. I loved how the texture of the wood complemented each necklace. I removed the glass, cut some cardboard slightly smaller, wrapped it in "Stuf & Fluf' poly batting, and sewed on the silk dupioni. Crafty and fun.

You can ask my husband. I am very thrilled to find graphically-pleasing tissue boxes at the Dollar Store, to the point of buying them in quantity. Why not. They are only 99 cents each.

My local Dollar Store on Manhattan Avenue just received this delightful shipment from 'Petals' this week. I love the fluffy white marigolds; and I especially love that the flowers are divorced from their context. No stems. No garden scene. Just marigold pom-poms floating in the ether. They almost take on an abstract Duchampian quality.

I bought a box in lavender [pictured above] and a few in royal blue. As I write this, I am thinking that I should have also bought the dark brown, to match my bath towels. Excuse me while I quickly run to the Dollar Store.

Now where else could you find kiwi socks, and micro-fiber yet, for a mere dollar? At my local dollar store, of course. I hadn't hit the dollar stores 'just to browse' along Manhattan Avenue in Greenpoint in a long while, so I took some moments to do just that last week. I picked up some great notepads. On my way out, I saw these statement-making socks by Chatties Legwear. Alas, I had run out of dollars.

You will have to bear with me: I am launching a new series on the blog about neon signs, using the premise, "Who doesn't love a good neon sign?" If you do not share my enthusiasm for neon, try browsing my series about The Greek Cup. Or Fire Call Boxes that look like Kannon. That's a really good one. Who doesn't love a fire call box that looks like the Goddess of Mercy.


99 cents, glass tubing, inert gas and clear plastic, Manhattan Avenue, Brooklyn, NY

Being from Greenpoint, we have a natural proclivity for Dollar Stores. And what should we find in our travels along Imperial Highway in Orange County, but a 99 Cents Store! (Yes we walked. No, no one else was walking. Yes we had access to a car, but we were worried that our legs would go all gamy on us. When I say 'highway' I don't mean freeway with cloverleaf turns and left lane exits. I mean a road less traveled by foot. A road densely dotted by strip malls and massive parking lagoons, is 6 lanes wide, has crosswalks, but you have to run at top speed to get across. It is rather terrifying.)

Inside we serpentined the aisles. It was heaven. As it turns out, the California 99 Cents stores are similar to the ones depicted in Andreas Gursky's photographs, that we both love and want to acquire, but alas, go for millions and we can't afford exactly just yet. So I took these reference shots. I hope Mr. Gursky reads my post.

Do you know this photographer? Andreas Gursky. We saw his 99 Cent II Diptychon [2001] on display at Phillips de Pury a few days before the big Contemporary Art Part I auction that took place on November 16. Here is a bit more information about the pieces, including provenance.

My husband and I were discussing his 99 cent store diptych last night, saying we wish we could own it. I love it because it has such a warm, homey feeling. It gives me the warm feeling of "hearth." He said, "What? Really? I love it because it is so cold and impersonal. Row upon row of endless products on so many shelves." I said, yes products! That is precisely what comforts me. Endless discounted products. I love the 99 cent stores. So we both love it for exactly the opposite reasons.

Well apparently, the piece broke the record for the sale of a contemporary photo. Here is the news I read. I guess we couldn't have touched it. Alas.

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.