December 17, 2011 - Ima Shoppinhere and Drew Koncklooshuns

On the eighth Day of Shopping - my friend Drew who first thought this was a hairbrained idea - shopping in Downtown Tampa, is not only a true believer in Downtown, but a scout.  She has suggested we visit the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts (FMoPA).

We headed over FMoPA.  Don't try to say that.  Drew was looking for an extra gift for a niece, while I was looking for some perfect little gifts for my husband who has become a big fan of the museum's recent exhibits.  (Ansel Adams, Bud Lee, etc. etc.)

The catalog entitled Bud Lee's America is $25.00, and we each grabbed a copy.  The Bud Lee exhibit is up right now at the museum, and Drew was sneaking peaks while we shopped.  But we agreed that when our shopping was done, we'd come in and really enjoy the exhibit the way that it should be enjoyed.  Bud Lee who first enjoyed success for a 1967 civil rights photograph that became the cover of Life Magazine.  He has free-lanced for many major publications including the New York Times Magazine, The Rolling Stone, Town & Country, Vogue, and the list goes on and on.  Joyce at the museum also reminds us of the great contributions Bud Lee made to the Tampa arts community, having founded the Artists and Writers Trust and the Florida Photographer's Workshop.  $6.00 to see the exhibit.  Yeah, we'll be back. 

But first we have to shop!  Drew found A WONDERFUL BOOK FOR KIDS entitled P is for Peanut, a photographic ABC.  Trust me when I say that this is a wonderful book for kids - filled with whimsy and intelligent humor through photography and phonics.  And it's only $10.00.  You'll be proud to give this gift to a child, and you may inspire a future photographer!  Parents will love this book just as much as kids too (Drew wanted to buy it for ME!)

Ansel Adams fan in the family?  The Ansel Adams exhibit earlier this year brought some great pieces of merchandise into the Museum store.  We found calendars, books, posters, and note cards.  All very affordable, and all perfect gifts for anyone who has visited the National Parks.  

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!  This museum's focus on photography makes for a very interesting museum store.  Check out the photoclip spider that can turn your best photographs into a work of art - under $15.00.  And there's even more - the camera art key chains and pens are great stocking stuffers, as well as the "digital camera" page magnifier ($2.50).  My best love is the "Instant Masterpiece" which can turn anyone's piece of art into a museum piece in an instant!  It's an inflatable frame that looks real from a step or two back, and it's quite affordable too! 

Here to the left is the "Instant Masterpiece" - Doesn't it look ridiculously real?  Under this text are the pens and keychains.  They look better in the store - you'll see if you go.  The other item that we photographed was the "digital camera" page magnifier/ bookmark.  Great stocking stuffer for the far sighted!

Drew and I found out that the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts will be moving to Rivergate Tower located at 400 North Ashley Drive in Downtown Tampa.   

 The museum will occupy the 2nd and 3rd floors in Rivergate's architecturally significant Cube - the soaring, six-story atrium recognized as one of the most impressive interior spaces in Tampa. The museum is scheduled to open its first exhibition in the building in March 2012. This highly visible location puts the museum in the core of the Downtown Tampa Arts District.

We left with great pride in Downtown Tampa, and the museums we care for so much. 

Tomorrow, Odessa, downtown Tampa's newest cheerleader, will send her dispatch from another place of great shopping - The Henry B. Plant Museum Shop!

December 18, 2011 - Odessa Bargain

On the 9th Day of Holiday Shopping, I am filled with urban shame.  I have come to CONFESS. 

I fell off the wagon and went to the MALL.  While there I looked ALL OVER for something that I found in two minutes today in DOWNTOWN TAMPA.   You see, I have a VERY old aunt - my mother's sister. I wanted to do something I learned to do when I was a girl and was sending holiday cards to my grandmother.  I would tuck a lovely handkerchief in the card. SUCH THINGS CANNOT BE   FOUND AT THE MALL.   What I know now is that the MOST LOVELY HANDKERCHIEFS IN TOWN ARE AT THE HENRY B. PLANT MUSEUM GIFT SHOP! 

Many are heirloom pieces ($6.00 and up); they are laundered, starched, and ready for the proper lady's handbag.  The mineret handkerchieves (new) caught my eye and I invested in one of these ($18.00) and an heirloom piece ($7.00).

How lovely an ensemble I found in silk!  This look was inspired by the fabric and cut of the Victorian era, but they work as modern pieces - kind of a combo of Banana Republic and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Nearby, I find a beautiful lace evening clutch - a lovely gift for any stylish woman; I couldn't help but stop and admire all of the glittery things I saw, especially the jewelry!

Besides personal items, this store is filled with historical treasures for your home or office.  I found several books and other Tampa Bay memorabilia.

Selling the Sunshine State  is all about the people and events that transformed a swampy, humid frontier into an American  paradise.  Bought it for my dad.

After passing thorugh the mid-section of the shop where many interesting books can be found, I entered the back room and found what I had been looking for - gifts for children and babies.  Fun toys, baby blankets, creative kits, baby socks, and lots more.  I picked up the cutest jewelry kit - something I know a little 7 year old girl in my life does not have.

Loved the decor items for sale - dishes replicated from Victorian patterns in serving pieces at the Plant Hotel ($18.00 each), and lovely Plant Hotel teas and cups.  The table linens are items you would be proud to have in your home- not imported by the millions and distributed to chain stores - yet they hold a very competitive price.  I purchased some lovely napkins for my mother-in-law.  I looked at the time and wished I could stay even longer. 

Go there yourself - it will be a real treat!  No admission fee for shopping in the museum shop!

 Tomorrow - It's DAY 10  of shopping.  We're almost done, but not until we do some MANLY shopping....

Check in with you soon....