Have you ever heard this? “Wow, thank you, I love it. It is just the right color and size, I’m sure I will use it all of the time, really it is just perfect — really perfect….did you save the receipt?” Well that is what you get for shopping at Crap-Mart. Now, if you are going tell me downtown Montclair is not beautiful or that nothing is affordable, I will tell you that is simply not true. South Fullerton is full of gorgeous little shops with lovely, friendly, knowledgeable owners with all kinds of QUALITY gift items for around $30 and I have done the legwork for you ( after visiting these stores half of my holiday shopping is done). All I ask for is one box of THE BEST TRUFFLES IN THE WORLD and you don’t even have to wrap them for me.
My first stop was Color, Story, Home a mix of modern and whimsical home decor. Clean lines, bright, fresh colors mixed with black and white. Owner Barbra Lemley is one of the most creative and lovely store owners I have ever worked with. To quote Eddie from Ab Fab, ” It is just filled with gorgeous little things…just gorgeous things darling”. WIN SOME GORGEOUS THINGS IN COMMENTS
Here are my favorite things from Color, Story, Home (shown in order in the slide-show below):
- “Miss U/Miss U 2″ Text Glasses-set of 4 $39
- Mr and Me Guest Towels ( Mr. & Mrs., Mr. & Mr., Mrs. & Mrs.)- $8-$12
- Coasters Made From Old Recycled NJ Billboards-set of 4 for $25-$30
- Momiji Message Dolls-$13
- Jeweled Tape Measure -$13
- Gourmet Food Items-$6-$15
- Gift cards in any amount
Next stop…next-door-to Open Dorz- A fun unique shop carrying boutique style women’s clothing and accessories at reasonable prices, fair trade and Eco friendly accessories, scarves and jewelry made by local artisans. Have a tween/teenage girl to shop for? Need a dress for that holiday party? Done and done.
Open Dorz Favs:
- Alex and Ani(+) Energy Bracelets-Zodiac signs, initials and energy symbols-$24
- Big Dipper Candles-$12-16
 Let’s meander across the street to Bangz…shall we? Yes, we shall. Bangz is a full service salon and spa located in Montclair’s Mason’s Hall built in 1889 by Joseph Ireland ( if nothing else just step inside to take a peek).  As you step in the door to your left you will see what I call “Wall-full’o-products-I- want.”  Personally, I love receiving gifts that are luxury items I use but won’t spend the extra money on myself. Most women I know feel the same (hint, hint men). Click here for the full product line
 Bangz Favs:
- Tautou Holiday Make-up Kits (see slide show for  selection/colors)-Regularly $46 now on sale for $36 MENTION BARISTANET AND PAY $30!
- Little Green Kids and Baby Products-$4.99-$16.99
- Moroccan Oil (one of the best products around for curly or frizzy hair)- $16.99-$22.99
- Wella Products- all under $30
- OPI Crackle Nail Polish ( wear one color over the other and the top color crackles )-$8.50
Now, walk a few paces down So. Fullerton into Nest and Company a fantastic store full of beautiful Arts and Craft movement styled home goods. If you have a Frank Lloyd Wright lover in your life, this is the place to shop! There is also a basket of goodies for small children to play with while you shop.
Nest & Company Favs:
- Frank Lloyd Wright Ornaments-$30
- Morel, Pine-cone and Acorn Ornaments-$10
- Empire State Building Lego Set- $23.99 (check the slide show below to see what my 4 year old reccomends)
A few steps away is my new favorite store in Baristaville is O Soleil french home decor, jewelry, clothing, children’s toys  but most of all THE BEST TRUFFLES IN THE WORLD!!! I fell in love with this store in less than a minute and it does not hurt that the stores site plays one of my favorite songs “Jardin d’Hiver”. Owner Isabelle Lesniak has wonderful taste and is fun and energetic (another reason to shop local).
O Soleil Favs:
- No Chewing Allowed Truffles ( one word: orgasmic)- 24 for $16
- French Soaps and Lotions-$11-$24
- Kusmi Teas-$15
- Red and White Bowls, Forks and Spoons-$20
- Les Jolie Pas Beaux ( ugly pretty things)-$18
Just at the end of So. Fullerton(ish) and across Bloomfield Ave. Â Is Edge Mid-Century Designs. Do you love Kit-Teek? Â Never heard of it? Well I just made up the word to describe the super-cool, kitsch-sleek home store Edge. Imagine sets and sets of fantastic glassware put together in stunning displays. I personally loved all of the vintage Christmas decorations, elves, light up Santas and fun glassware that brings me back…..way back.
Edge Favs:
- Ceramic “Noel” Star Letters- $32
- Elves and Santa ceramics- All different prices some under $30 some over
- Vintage Glass Ornaments-$8 eachÂ
Do you have a eco-lover or vegan in your life that you never know quite what to get? That is because you have never been to Go Lightly. Now we walk back across Bloomfield to the West side of So. Fullerton  and in the door to this small fun store that also serves vegan ice cream and vegan/raw sandwiches. Owner Jen Chalky is a vegan superwoman who carries some of the most fun Eco-friendly products on this side of the Mason-Dixon Line.
- Go-Lightly Favs:
- Glass Water Bottles-$15
- Produce Bag Kits- $17
- Play  Mineral Make-up Kits -$19.99
- Warm, Colorful, Solmate Socks (made from recycled cotton)-$20
- Vegan Cookbooks-$16-$25
Now how easy was that shopping trip?
Name your favorite color combination in comments and win a $25 Gift Certificate to Color, Story, Home (the winner will be chosen at random).
Nest and Company has such lovely things, and I love those glass water bottles from Go Lightly. Very cool.
My favorite color combination is orange and green. I used to have a fisherman’s hat that I dyed in that combo – and I wore it everywhere my freshman year in college. I later found out that a close friend hated me that entire year and refused to speak to me because she found it so offensive. I still like orange and green together. So there.
Light blue and brown!
Also plenty of gifts for under $30 at the Fairtrade Holiday Sale at the Terra cafe in the Montclair Library
http://terramontclair.com/
Liz,
We’re soul sistas. I love light blue and brown too. Throw in some orange and you have my home.
I haven’t been in Color Story Home yet, but drive by it daily at school pick up. I will get in there this week, because everything I see in the window I love.
Thanks Kayak I missed that one!
Windsor blue and truffle brown
Jade green and bakelite red
Georgette —
I have an orange hallway, too!
I will take 12 pounds of your finest truffles, thank you very much. Please, make haste!
Avocado and eggplant.
see, soul sistas!
Different shades of gray with white highlights (does that mean I’m really boring….)
Black and white–a classic color combo.
I like this article–it reminded me about some shops I already know and introduced me to ones I didn’t. Thanks for keeping the price point reasonable.
Don’t forget to go across Blfd. Ave. to the Montclair Book Center, where you could pick up at least a couple of gifts in this price range!
I like green and purple.
this is so helpful. I love the glass water bottles.
favorite color combo:
turquoise/coral red
yellow, grey and white
Twilight and Autumn sunset.
No, thislittlepiggy, gray and white is definitely not boring! It’s so pleasing to the eye and easy to accent with whatever is my color of the moment. It’s my favorite. I’m obsessed.
I’ve been meaning to check out Color Story Home…
Purple and grey!
love color story and love lots of colors but my favorite combo is bright green and black
Lime and eggplant.
There are so many sweet places to shop in Montclair. And I intend to shop locally to keep it that way!
I adore blue and white.
purple and green
Been dying to repaint my bedroom grey with white moldings
Black and white
I like to keep it subtle with a lime green/hot pink combo.
The pinkish, purplish, blue of the sky during certain sunsets!
How about Essex Fine Arts Gallery? I’ve been here for 25 years and I have lots of stuff for under $30. Please stop by and I’ll show you my collections of fair trade jewelry, art gifts and even miniature art for under $30. Please don’t leave me out of list of beautiful stores on South Fullerton! Stop by this Friday and Saturday to celebrate 25 years of Holiday Open Houses!
Flesh and Burnt Sienna
Black and blue. Bah hamburg
Orange and brown. I love Go Lightly! Jenn is definitely a vegan superwoman, and the food she serves is amazing. Her green juice starts my day faster and better than a venti latte.
Maybe Baristanet can do a feature on her juices, delicious raw food and yummy ice-creams?
I love Go Lightly! Jen’s raw sandwiches are delicious and my daughter loves the vegan ice cream.
As for color combos…I’m really into yellow and grey.
Terra I.R.Cafe, Essex Gallery and Tory Janes will be featured Sunday/Monday so stay tuned. Have a favorite local store for gifts? Please e-mail me at holly@baristanet.com.
blue and gray