Sorry this is coming out a day late. I'm in Philly for my company's holiday party.

Turtle, the boutique in the South End featuring "emerging urban design" is offering you the chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree.

This weekend, participate in the annual South End Stroll by picking up a map at any one of 18 participating retailers. Then earn points by stopping in and checking out each store, and earn bonus points by doing some shopping - which you have to do this time of year anyway, don't you? Collect 15 points and you can be entered to win that shopping spree!

*Turtle's sweetening the deal by offering 25% off nearly everything in the store.

Also, check out local jewelry designer Louise Douglas at Turtle next weekend, December 9 & 10. "Her holiday collection is a sparkly combination of freshwater pearls, gold, fiber optic beads and velvet. Hors d'ouevres will be served."

I love Design Public. They offer some of the best new designs available, and offer probably the best customer service around. For the holidays, they have set up a Gift Center, letting you look through gift ideas by either category (Kids & Baby, Holiday Quick Shop, Sustainable, etc.) or price range. Some of my favorite picks include the three sheets 2 the wind Color Wall Prints ($26-125 in sizes from 12" to 30"x40") and the zid zid kids Mini Poofs ($78).

Also, from now until 12/7, enter code 0212062ee72 (case-sensitive) at checkout and save %5 off your order. Great design, excellent customer service, and discounted prices? Fantastic!

I previously blogged about Adam Leiveille because his house made AT's second annual Color Contest. Unfortunately, he didn't win, but he's gotten past it, and is now onto bigger and better things.

All this month, "Limitations", a collection of Adam's art, will be showing at the Diesel Cafe in Davis Square, Somerville.

Diesel Cafe
257 Elm St.
Somerville, MA 02144
617-629-8717

Gary at Uniform is sacrificing his personal time this holiday season to allow you more time to find just the right thing for that special someone. Here is what he wrote me in an email:

Cuz I know all of us are last minute shoppers and need every minute we can get, Uniform will be open additional hours on Mondays in December! For exact times and dates, please check out the little list below:

4th: 1-7 pm
11th: 1-7pm
18th: 12-7pm

As always, we’re here for you…if you need gift ideas or an awesome shirt to wear to that special holiday party, don’t hesitate to ask. Best wishes for good humor and health

Cheers,
g and the gang

Uniform
511 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02116
617-247-2360

ps - I don't know what's up with Blogger right now, but I will go back and edit in a photo and some links once everything is up and running again.

DWR seems to be bombarding my inbox lately. Today, I learn about the Herman Miller Serious Sale. For two weeks, from tomorrow to December 16, you can save on items from such designers as Charles and Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi, and George Nelson.

One highlight of the sale is the 2006 Limited Edition Eames Lounge and Ottoman (above), in a Santos Palisander Veneer. "Santos Palisander has a highly varied grain pattern, ensuring that each chair made will be completely unique. Also to celebrate its 50th, each chair made in 2006 will have a medallion set underneath the seat, and will ship with a commemorative book that details the history of the design."

How much can you save? They're not saying. At least not until tomorrow. And, unfortunately, expect the above average shipping prices to apply.

DWR South End
519 Tremont St.
Boston, MA 02116
617-451-7801

or

DWR Cambridge
1030 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02138
617-576-3690