I went to New York city last year with my sister, a trip she would only make if forced. I was a crazy person and would not allow us to travel in taxis, because I was afraid we would be busted as tourists and be dragged all over the city. So instead we got lost on the subway and managed to lose our passes after every stop. We were easy targets for pickpockets, as we knelt down on the ground hauling everything but the kitchen sink out of bottomless bags trying to find them.
We couldn't find the subway to get to the John Derian shop, so I begged my sister to take the bus with me-still refusing to take a taxi at this point. Let me just say that after riding a bus, then giving off on the wrong stop and having to walk about 2 miles to get there was enough to put anyone over the edge, so I was ready for my sister to bolt.
Imagine our delight as we arrive disheveled and frozen from walking that the salesman treated us so lovely. We walked into the first store, only to my dismay to realize this wasn't where all the beautiful decoupage items were. The salesperson quickly assured us that just a few more steps away was the adjoining shop, where the salesmen were just as nice. This was the end of our trip unfortunately and I had spent a bit more on fashion than I had planned. After considering one of the smaller paperweights or trays, I decided I would wait and buy one of the large pieces. I've had my eye on the whale for a while now. I did pick up some vintage flash cards and this great canvas bag:
