Best Of Jersey: Shopping

Get your money's worth.

Name Dropping
Hoboken’s Down To Earth has fashionistas (male and female) rejoicing at designer duds from Ella Moss, Puella, Free People, Scotch and Soda, and Penguin, all without crossing the Hudson
(dtehoboken.com).

Jewelry Makeover
If Grandma’s old-fashioned brooch is not your style, Yanina’s in Cedar Grove will restyle it to your preferred degree of hipness. Designs also created from scratch.

ECLEC-Trician
Mike Buess wanted his store to be like corner bodegas in NYC, except with eclectic furnishings instead of food. And that’s what he delivers at Bodega in Red Bank—vintage and contemporary furnishings, skincare products, glassware, handmade dolls, even paint-by-numbers wallpaper for kids.

One-Stop Antiquing
Mullica Hill: This quaint hamlet in Gloucester County is an antiquer’s paradise. Old books, vintage jewelry, furniture, lamps, shawls—it’s all here. And if you want to get up to speed cardiovascularly, duck into the well-equipped South Jersey Running and Triathlon Company on Main Street.
Iron Carriage Antique Center, Dover: About 30 dealers under one roof. A mind-boggling range, from vintage pinball machines to old coins, pewterware, vintage clothing, and more. Bonus: Dover has a flea market every Sunday from April to December.

Contempo Crafts

A Mano Galleries in Lambertville presents unique furniture, kaleidoscopes, handmade jewelry, and more for real shopping adventure.

Eat, Pray, Love-fest 
Fans of Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love may not know that the author and her husband, Jose, settled in Frenchtown and opened Two Buttons, a shop in a former ceramics factory where they sell what she calls “the beautiful objects” they’ve brought back from their wide-ranging travels. Hours vary widely, so check twobuttons.com for updates.

Do Good, Do Well
When you buy a handbag, bead necklace, exotic candle, or anything else at The Orange Tree in South Orange, a portion of the proceeds goes to Jespy House, a neighborhood independent-living center for adults with learning and developmental disabilities. Store manager Carol Dranove also teaches Jespy House residents to work in the store, preparing them for other real-world jobs. “The more they learn here,” she says, “the more they can take with them.” What you can take with you are lovely craft items at attractive prices.

BOUTIQUES

Antoinette Gabrielle, Collingswood:High style dresses from designers such as Trina Turk, Kay Unger, Cynthia Steffe, and Eileen Fisher. Also casual but cool jeans and tees.

Semplice, Montclair: Funky little shop with irresistible bath and body lotions, textiles, home accessories, greeting cards, and jewelry. A sensory experience.

Furbish, Maplewood: High-end furniture, lighting, and accessories from top manufacturers such as Michael Thomas, Oly, and Arteriors. Owner and interior designer Uma Pimplaskar also offers design services.

CoCo Pari, Red Bank: A multi-level extravaganza of top-flight designer clothing. Open late on weekends (very dangerous for unwitting husbands and boyfriends out to dinner with you.)

Perla, Westfield: Small, family-owned, a paean to the dress, whether for work, cocktails, or partying till all hours.

Gito, Millburn and Englewood: Sophisticated selection of dressy suits and casual clothing. Extensive Diane Furstenburg collection.

Lime, Lambertville: Trendy handbags, casual but chic clothing, not the frilly-frumpy stuff you might expect in a country town.

Anna, Pier Village, Long Branch: Owner Danielle Taglianetti-Guli named the shop for her grandmother, a gentle but independent soul with good taste. Diverse collection of handbags, shoes, jewelry, and gifts. Customers with children in tow can let the little ones color and watch videos in the kids’ lounge while they shop.

Zoe, Princeton: A fashionista’s dream, be the dreamer male or female—6,000 square feet of top designer clothing for men and women selected by discriminating owner Lisa Brock.

BARGAIN HUNTING

Theory Warehouse, Lyndhurst: At this store, hidden next to the Medieval Times Castle, you’ll find great buys on cashmere, Theory suits for women and men, tee shirts.
 
Nifty Thrifties, Haddonfield: Second-hand shop with great designer labels at thrift prices. Plenty of designer jeans, furs, and brand name handbags.

Duet, Livingston: An amazing collection of gently used designer handbags from Louis Vuitton, Hermés, and Chanel, among others. Also second-hand designer clothing from top labels.

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