Shop Small and Support the Garment District on 11/26

Forget Black Friday and think Small Business Saturday on November 26. Sponsored by American Express, the 2nd annual Small Business Saturday® is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. There are enough stores open in NYC's Garment District to make shopping here on Small Business Saturday worthwhile to you and the small businesses located here. These are some of the merchants I know are open on Saturdays, in no particular order:

• Prime Fabrics (W. 35th)
• Mood Fabrics (W. 37th)
• Most of the stores on W. 39th
• NY Elegant Fabrics (W. 40th)
• Paron Fabrics (W. 40th)
• Rosen & Chadick Fabrics (W. 40th)
• B&J Fabrics (W. 38th at Seventh)
• Spandex House (W. 38th)
• Pacific Trimming and the other trim stores on W. 38th
• SIL Thread and Panda Zipper on W. 38th
• Daytona Braids and Trims (W. 39th)
• M&J Trims (Sixth Ave. at W. 38th)

Now seriously, wouldn't you rather spend a morning shopping in New York City's historic Garment District than at the mall? When you're done you can walk over to Bryant Park for some hot chocolate and a visit to the holiday shops of Bryant Park (more small businesses needing your support). Make your plans today!

West 34th Street is My New Favorite Shopping Hub

Uniqlo opens on W. 34th Street this Friday. Yay! (photo from Uniqlo)

Ok, so you already know this part of New York City is the best place in the world to shop for fabrics, notions and trims. But did you know the perimeter of the Garment District also features some of the best clothes shopping around? West 34th Street is the destination if you're looking up-to-the-minute fashions at wallet-friendly prices. Cool Japanese retailer Uniqlo opens this Friday at 31 W. 34th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, and I'll be picking up some of their fantastic cashmere sweaters. If you're looking for chic but affordable clothes that look great on women of all ages, try Mango, Zara, H&M and Macy's Impulse (second floor). And a DSW shoe store is currently under construction at Seventh and 34th. Be still my heart.

My itinerary for a great day of shopping: Spend the morning buying fabric and trim in the Garment District. Break for lunch; indulge yourself in some macarons or mini cupcakes. Devote the afternoon to shopping on W. 34th Street, buying stylish pieces to go with the clothes you're planning to sew.

For the very latest news on sales, trends and great deals in the 200+ stores in the 34th Street District, check out the fun and clever blog Fashion Herald.

Things to Do in the Area: Holiday Shopping and Ice Skating at Bryant Park

 The ice skating rink at Bryant Park is NYC's only free admission ice skating rink.

If you're in the Garment District area between now and the end of December, take a walk over to Bryant Park at 40th and Sixth Avenue. The holiday shops are open, and browsing the unique items in this festive setting is a welcome break from pawing through bolts of fabric. I was there last week and bought a funky Japanese calendar for my daughter in college and two black-and-white photos of Yankee Stadium for my 15-year-old son. Plus I had a major celebrity sighting.