Gift Show 2010

Our trip to the New York International Gift Show started at

Grand Central Station....one of the 7th wonder of world....well not really but compared to
what it looked like

years ago. It is a miracle!

The place is magnificent now. We arrived early Sunday morning. A quiet day....off peak. You should see this place at peak time. The people remind me of little ants running around. Maybe the sea of black coats help the image:)). It's winter when we go but I often wonder how different it would look in the Spring or Summer?

I'm not sure why I think of this every time we're there. Maybe it sooths me to break it down in simple terms. It seems less intimidating.

It's an exciting place....much like an airport can be. People all going in different directions. It fills me with all sorts of ideas swirling around my head. I feel like a different person when I'm there. A small part of the bigger picture.

On Sunday unfortunately many of the shops in Grand Central are not opened til late morning.

But it's always fun to window shop

I remember the last time I was in Papyrus. The place was packed. It was right before Valentine's Day and everyone was trying to find the perfect card that would say what they themselves could not on their own. Don't you just love a blank card when someone has written their own words?

You don't have to be a poet.....just write from your heart!!!

What also speaks to my heart is fresh fruit.....haha! well food in general!!!

This is The Central Market at the station. Of course this was closed too. This is where busy commuters on their was home come to pick up dinner. There's everything to make a meal and more....fresh fruit,meats,seafood,cheeses,bakery, gourmet jarred sauces and even flowers to pretty up the table.

The NYIGF conveniently has buses that shuttle you from many locations around the city.

One of course comes right to Grand Central. On the day we arrived we got to the Javits Center in record time. The plus of coming on Sunday.

We had a 1/2 hour before we were let into the showrooms. There are over 2700 exhibitors.

We woke up at 4 am and with 3 hours sleep I was surprisingly awake. Shopping has a way of invigorating me. haha

How could you not be invigorated by the site of this building. The Javits Center is mind boggling to a small town girl like me.

As I was waiting for opening time I snapped pictures of some booths over head. Sorry about the glare from the glass. This is Pine Cone Hill the company that makes wonderful bed linens among other things.

SedaFrance.. what a beautiful booth. Candles and scents in amazing graphic packaging.

This is a booth I did buy a few goodies in. You know how much I love silver and this booth sure had it.

The company is called Sherri's Designs

and these are Sherri's angels wearing some of her creations.

They could be wearing bowl on their heads and still look good:))

but the headbands sure are cute!

Adore the white fur wreath around the deers necks.

One of my favorite stops is the Tinsel Trading booth.

All decorated for Spring! Bunnies everywhere and beautifully decorated eggs.

Wendy Addison originals of bunnies hopping across the grass.

They are known for their vintage trims and tassels but Marcia Ceppos has taken her grandfathers business and dream and taken it to a whole new level. An over 70 yr old company that is a treasure of the NY garment district.

I loved this mushroom ornament. Mushrooms are suppose to represent something in German Christmas decorations. Do you know what it represents? I vowed I was going to look it up but maybe one of you knows.

(Anna, Wendy Addison, and Marcia Ceppos)

They kindly stopped to let me take their picture. Anna on the left is Marcia's store manager....very sweet and very knowledgeable. The wonderful owner Marcia Ceppos on the right. Of course many of you will recognize the famous Wendy Addison who came to help promote her new line at Tinsel Trading.

I had met Wendy before at Tinsel Trading retail store but when she asked me if I had any questions I looked up and said " Oh no I'm fine" then I thought......

was that who I think it is???

Sometimes the lights are so bright that I think I was blinded when she came up to me....so I thought do I go back and talk to her? What if I say something stupid? so I decided it was better not to take the chance of embarrassing myself...... acting like a giddy groupie or worse.

So I chilled and just kept smiling at her.

So that's me...... COOL Cat!!!:))

I have plenty more pictures to share.

Will do more in the next few days!

xo

Carole