Vitra Booth Display (All Photos By Gail)

Do you like shopping? I sure do. Imagine that you own a store, maybe one that sells neat things like those you find on this blog, and you had to shop for cool inventory to sell in your store. Where would you go to find those neat things? Well, one place you can go for your one-stop shop shopping is the Retail Renaissance NY Now wholesale gift trade show, which features thousands of handmade, home, and lifestyle gift items  all under one roof. NY Now takes place at the Javits Center twice annually, in the winter and summer, and it gets exponentially better with each passing seasonal edition. I always have a fun time at NY Now, but the Summer show that just happened in August was mind-blowingly great. Really. Wow.

I tend not to recap my visits to NY Now because it’s massive, and I just end up blogging about a handful of the coolest items spotted on the show floor. But because I had so many great photos this time, I feel compelled to share them with you. Don’t expect much commentary, because this post is mainly about taking you on a little visual journey, but if you have questions about anything in this piece please speak up in the comments and I’ll be sure to address your inquiries!

Glazed ceramic Pink Venus Demilo Statue. Yes, Please!

Exhibitors flaunting their Humorous-Saying Coffee Mugs can be found around the show floor in abundance.

Or maybe, rather than a snarky-saying-emblazoned mug, you prefer a mug with the mug of a famous person on it? Well, here you go then: check out these awesome designs by The Found, Gifts and More!

The Cat Pals Collection by Miya Japanese Tableware features assorted Cat-Shaped Dishes with cats on them. These make the purrfect gift for the cat fancier who has other cat-shaped stuff with cats on it, but not this exact stuff.

Who else besides me can totally relate to this funny greeting card from Pretty Alright Goods?  #SleepingRules!

“Speaker of The House” — HAHA! Check out this hilarious Baby Onesie by Love Bubby, a brand that is unique because everything they design is unisex and is available only in the colors Black, White and Gray. Clothes for the modern baby! Yay!

This is no mere six-feet high Illuminated Bunny Lamp:  Meet Miffy, the Dutch storybook-character-turned-pop-culture-icon, created by Dick Bruna. You know you want to own him.

Do you enjoy being bilingual? Then you might want to own these fun and colorful Tea Towels by Valentine Viannay that help to augment your Spanish vocabulary while you wipe your hands or dry your dishes! #Multitasking!

If you dig the late Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, you can find her lovely image on everything including jewelry, bags, pouches, scarves, ornaments, mugs and so much more.The products above are by fair trade accessories company Lumily.  Frida Lives!

These fabulous beaded Flamngoes, Palm Tree and Penguin are from Beadworx by Extol Accessories, Ltd. I wanted to use the photo, because it’s cool., but their representative was rude to me when I was in their booth, so I am not hyperlinking them. #SorryNotSorry!

Tissue UP Girl tissue box cover by Spextrum — for the girl who has everything!

Rite Lite is a Wholesale Judaica company with a great sense of humor!

Do the holidays remind you of Bacon? No matter what type of crazy and obscure ornaments you wish hang on your Christmas Tree, you will no doubt discover that the things you love are all made by Cody Foster & Co..

Ornament From World Treasure Trading

I love these Letter-Shaped Candy Dishes by Inspired Generations.

This colorful lucite Jumbling Tower (Jenga knock-off) game and lucite Chess Set are by Sunny Life Lucite Collection of puzzles and games!

Graziani is a very well-known Italian luxury candlemaker looking to expand their business in the US. Aren’t they simply gorgeous? Available in the full spectrum of colors, these long-burning, lacquered orbs — called Meloria — are white on the inside and they burn hollow (rather than melting downward) to cast a warm, colorful glow in your home. Graziani candles are always hand-finished, for a bespoke touch. The Meloria line is currently available only in Italy, but thanks to the exposure garnered at NY Now I am sure we will be seeing them in stores stateside by the end of the year.

Before I wrap this up, I really want to give a shout out to a selection of my favorite displays at the show, because visual marketing is everything!

Favreau Design by Steven Favreau (aka Favreaulous Factory) went all out for their booth, incorporating a vintage Carousel Seat into their whimsically-themed display! Simply Favreaulous!

Artist and Designer Jason Naylor live-panted this Passion mural onsite to promote his public and site-specific artwork, which you can see all over the country, including NYC’s Pier 17 at South Street Seaport.

What’s in here? OMG! Two’s Company Home Design recreated an entire store with multiple storefronts right on the show floor.

Too glam to give a damn, indeed!

Who wouldn’t want to shop there? I want to live there!

Thanks For The Inspiration, NY Now! See You Next Year!