December 19, 2011 - Odessa Bargain

 On the 10th Day of Shopping - I have made a list of all the shops I want to see in Downtown Tampa next year:  An Ulta or Sephora, a Sur La Table, an artisan's shop, and dang good shoe store, a place to buy a luscious blouse or some sweats.  The word is in - Downtown Tampa residents and workers want racks of merchandise for shoppers to browse, buy, and brag about. 

This blog shows that downtown is a shopping venue.  It also proves that it is not a major one.  We have Duckweed, One World, Old Tampa Book Company, The Ray's Pro Shop, Hayman's Jewelers, 201 Twiggs Salon, Ahead Salon, the wonderful museum and hotel gift shops, and all the retail in Channelside.  But there's no place to buy makeup or cologne.  This can make for a DESPERATE SITUATION!!!  Sure, you can get some in a pinch at the CVS and Walgreens (thank GOODNESS FOR THEM).  Mac and Estee this is not.  Clinique, not so much.  Bobbie Brown doesn't live here.

Enough.  So I saw an interesting sight today - a standard poodle "working."  I mean he had a vest on - and was laying quietly next to some outdoor diners.  I have had standard poodles for many years who have lived by the mantra, "laissez-moi tranquille."  Thus, this good chap of a dog was an aberration to me.  I should have snapped his picture. 

Speaking of good chaps, I am on my way over to Greiner's Fine Men's Clothing, open Monday - Friday: 10am - 6pm and on Saturday, Christmas Eve: 12noon - 5pm.  What a great store for Tampa's professional gents - if only I could open the counterpart next door for professional women, but I digress.

Greiner's has a wide assortment of high-end clothings in both business and casual styles.  The suits are custom hand-crafted and the shop is well known for its expert tailoring.  I gravitated to more casual wear, and was told about the MAC-JEANS for men - better fit, better look. The top quality jeans at Greiner's range between $125 to $195. 

This award-winning store is very well stocked in a wide variety of woven and knit shirts, as well as handsome sweaters. 

I was looking for men's accessorie items and found everything I was looking for - including shaving gear, ties, belts, socks, suspenders, and cufflinks. 

The suspenders (a/k/a braces) are made by Trafalgar and priced less than on-line merchants.  All silk and beautifully packaged, I pick up a stylish pair for $75.00.

I'm so happy I walked into Greiner's - been walking by it for years.  It's another of Downtown Tampa's treasures, and we should support it.  For me, it's a store for a very special gift - for others this is a store for staples - business suits, shirts, and proper clothing for business casual. 

Oh, and did I mention that I saw a few pirates in the place?

When I left the store, I found what appeared to be a refugee from the Tampa Bay - walking down Tampa Street, by the Hyatt - he appeared to be a heron; he was alone and I truly felt sorry for him.  Hope the little guy got home okay....  (Well he just looked like a guy to me - he was sorta blue, and he wouldn't ask for directions.)

As I walked to my car, I remembered that I was supposed to (somehow) get Outback Tickets.  Yikes.  It's always something.

Happy Shopping....

December 20, 2011 -  Ima Shoppinhere

On the 11th Day of Holiday Shopping - I thought about all we have accomplished in shopping so far, not only in the material goods, but in giving back to our community.  I hear much buzz about the social entrepreneur model of Tom's Shoes.  You buy them (at Surf Down Under in Tampa), they make your feet and heart feel good.  You can also have that Tom's warm and fuzzy whenever you shop at a museum store - the profits from your purchase support the cultural arts where you live and work.  If you can't find anything you like in the shop, buy someone a membership - it's a gift that lasts for an entire year, and makes your heart feel good too. 

As I walk over to the Tampa Theatre I see it as living history - a Back to the Future type of feeling when you enter.  I bought tickets to The Artist that is opening on Christmas Day.  It's a critically acclaimed movie about the silent film era - how appropriate for our Franklin Street treasure. 

I had history on my mind when I left, and headed over The Tampa Bay History Center in hopes of finding locally crafted baskets.  St. Pete has an artisan store in its downtown - let's see if we do too.  Left the car where it was and jumped on the streetcar (50% off for Downtown residents and workers), and jumped off to walk - a much more scenic walk than the parking lot to the car. 

I asked for local artisan items and I was shown beautiful pine needle hand-made baskets that are made locally and patterned after Native American art.  A variety of sizes and prices - all natural and crafted expertly by Teri Johnson.  I am told that the selection has been pared down by many recent purchases, but am able to find just the right one for a special gift. 

On the bottom shelf, I discovered some artisan made bread knives - these could be heirloom pieces for someone's kitchen history.  The bread knives are $29.00 and made of mahogany.  The young lady tells me how her mother still has hers after many years - for cutting bagels!

Artwork is abundant at the Tampa History Center shop - the original works of Dr. Ferdie Pacheco grace some of the walls.  Prints of the originals are available from $50.00 to $250.00.  If you go, take time to linger throughout the shop and you will find tremendous works of art by a variety of artists!  Look for the chickens...

I loved the before and after photographs of Bryan Weinstein whose re-photographs of historic Tampa make a wonderful gift!  On the left is the historic Kress Building - and there are so many more photographs available.  You will also find note cards of these photographs.  Where else can these be found? A better question might be - where else would you get to KNOW about these?  In any event, not at the mall.

An upcoming exhibit at the Tampa History Center is to be the Spies Traitors and Saboteurs: Fear and Freedom in America Exhibit starting February 4th.  The store is getting populated by toys for kids based on SPIES  - some of these toys are like the FBI starter kit for kids!  I also loved looking at the posters (inexpensive)  - and imagine decorating my kids' rooms with an American History themes - not now but a project for post-holidays!   I am inspired enough to stop at the front desk and purchase a family membership so that the History will become a a bigger part of our lives - the extra benefit is the discount next time I shop!

Clang Clang Clang - back on the streetcar with my treasures. 

I think I'm done, I think I'm done, I think I'm done - shopping that is.  Stay tuned to see if we forgot anything because tomorrow it the 12th Day of Holiday Shopping!