I love little books. Little books that slip into your back pocket. Little books that guide you to undiscovered treasures in faraway places. Big secrets hidden in a tiny gem of a tome.
The smaller the book, the more I take note. I love things yet discovered, not yet adored by the masses. So when I found The Little Bookroom, I was hooked into an Alice-like world of petite paperbacks that specialize in guiding you into a city’s underbelly.
Markets of New York City: A Guide to the Best Artisan, Farmer, Food and Flea Markets by Karen E. Seiger (The Little Bookroom, $16.95) is just such a treasure. If you and your family wish to truly immerse yourself in a city, its markets are rich and diverse places to soak it all up.
“Whenever I travel, the first places I seek out are the local markets,” writes Seiger. “To me, markets are the most fascinating and accessible places to learn about a culture and connect with its people.”
New York City’s markets are numerous – with more than 50 markets each week in five boroughs, they can be daunting for a visitor. Seiger highlights only the best worth your while – the most established, and also some new and exciting markets that have popped up in the city. She shares her favorite vendors and artists, and includes a list of markets etiquette, bargaining, and do’s and don’ts when exploring NYC. This is one guide I won’t be leaving home without!
Coming Up: America Crafts Festival, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, June 19, 20, 26 & 27
Farmer’s pick: 77th Street Greenmarket, Columbus Ave at West 77th St, Sunday 8am-4pm
Best kept secret: Brooklyn Indie Market, Smith and Union, Carroll Gardens, Saturday 11am-7pm, Sunday 11am-6pm, April-December
MARKET TOTE ON TREND
A good friend once gave me a straw and leather market tote as a gift. At the time I wondered whether I would ever really use it – and did I? Absolutely! In fact it’s up there with one of the best gifts I ever received. (Along with a kite as a wedding present, but that’s another story…) Perhaps it’s the onset of spring, and the abundance of farmers’ markets that have opened their tents for the season, that has major designers launching raffia and straw market totes as part of their spring collections.
Whatever your budget, there’s a straw tote for you. So find an antique, flea, farmers’ or artisan market and unlock the secrets of the city. But don’t forget your bag…
RAFFIA ROYALE
Left to right: Top to bottom: Yves Saint Laurent Large Downtown Raffia and Leather Tote, $790, queenbeeofbeverlyhills.com; Anya Hindmarch Straw Basket Tote, $745, islandhomepalmbeach.com; Fendi Natural Straw and Canvas Medium Shopping Tote, $2048, bluefly.com; Jimmy Choo Bazli Basket Bag in Straw and Leather, $697, footcandyshoes.com; Bottega Veneta Marble Orange Basket in Woven Leather, $3360, bluefly.com; Lanvin Raffia Cabas Large Tote, $1340, net-a-porter.com; Prada Natural Raffia and Leather Trim Large Tote, $1080, bluefly.com; Balenciaga Classic Bunch Bag in Leather and Raffia, $945, balenciega.com for stores; Jimmy Choo Diego Straw Tote, $975, saksfifthavenue.com
MIDDLE OF THE MARKET ROAD
Left to right, top to bottom: Antik Batik Cerena Tote, $300, shopbop.com; MICHAEL Michael Kors Santorini Shopper in Sun, $278, nordstrom.com; Serpui Marie #13 Tote in Gunmetal, $180, amazon.com; D&G Fuxia Tote, $359, zappos.com; MICHAEL Michael Kors Hamilton Extra Large Tote, $348, endless.com; Serpui Marie #11 Cher Tote, $126, endless.com; Tory Burch Straw Tory Tote, $250, shopbop.com; Helen Kaminski Straw Tote, $305, ebags.com; Tory Burch Slouchy Straw Tote, $350, neimanmarcus.com
BIG BAG FOR YOUR BUCK
Left to right, top to bottom: All You Woven Seagrass Bag with Wooden Handle, $36, sandiegohat.com; Straw Studios Caroline Tote, $28, ebags.com; Thatch Large Straw Basket, $100, timberland.com; Ted Baker Print Basket Tote in Bright Blue Floral, $110, nordstrom.com; Magid Metallic Stripe Tote, $86, endless.com; Magid Straw Shopper, $78, nordstrom.com; Market Basket, $40, brookfarmgeneralstore.com; Sea Urchin Straw Tote, $58, jcrew.com; Market Backpack, $65, available for reserve for July delivery, brookfarmgeneralstore.com
–Hip Travel Mama contributor and Luxe Style Editor, Sophie Vander, sharing her passion for fashion and luxe style tips each week.
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by Luxe Style: Amsterdam: Made By Hand « Hip Travel Mama
12 Jul 2010 at 09:57
[...] know how I love little books? Well here’s another to add to my ever-growing collection, and one you might consider for your [...]
by Authentic Designer Bag
20 Jul 2010 at 01:03
Fabulous handbags, where can i find this? I like all the bags. I most like RAFFIA ROYALE collection.