Weddingbee Blog

I think it’s important to really consider the person rather than the thing when giving a gift. Most of the time, my favorite gifts weren’t things that could be bought– they were either experiential or handmade. With that being said, there are a few places that I frequent for my gifts. I’ll probably end up at one of these shops for all the bridesmaids and groomsmen gifts.

* MoMA store *
This is definitely a store where I blow a lot of money because I used to work at MoMA and got a sweeeet discount. Now I have to rely on the charity of my former MoMA friends. The reading room and the main gift/book store at the museum at 53rd street has the best art & design book collection, while the Spring Street store is the best place to shop for housewares and accessories. There are fewer tourists at Spring Street and if you come midday there are fewer people. If you’re shopping for jewelry, you’ll also get much more attention here than at the design store on 53rd Street.

I just picked up an alexis bittar piece a few weeks ago for Mr. C’s aunt as a birthday gift. I love them! They’re mostly lucite in these bright & milky colors. I got Mr. C’s aunt a pair of dew drop earrings, but a good idea for bridesmaids may be the pendants since they come in different colors and sizes. I don’t plan on buying the girls jewelry or items they have to wear the day of the wedding. It’d be nice if they wanted to, but I would rather get them things that are more catered to their individual tastes. For some reason, the MoMA shop online isn’t showing any of the Alexis Bittar pieces, but here are some of my faves and you can definitely see them in the store.

images from alexbittar.com

MoMA also carries great housewarming and shower gifts, also great for out of town gift bags or just for fun.

images from momastore.org
TOP: spectrum photo album, leather piggy bank, lumen oil lamp
BOTTOM: NY coffee cup, racing car paper clip holder, hug salt&pepper shaker

* pylones *
Another really fun shop right by the Spring Street MoMA store is the French import, pylones. It’s one of the most colorful places in the world, full of bright kitschy items and useful little housewares. I was hoping to make little bridesmaid packages, and a few of these would make nice little stuffers.

images from pylones-usa.com
TOP: thermos, sugar bowl, bottleopener
BOTTOM: paper fan, hairbrush

* zanisa *
This is not an actual shop, but an e-retailer.  You’ll find simple but thoughtful gifts here as well. I love how they have a category labeled “fun.” One of my favorites is the artists’ box.

images from zanisa.com
TOP: artist pencil box, water photo stand, honey flutes
BOTTOM: art nouveau glasses, big sky wallet, lavender gift set

Since I’m a total lover of cute things… be on the look out for more shopping posts.