December 8
...serving up your daily dish.
Sometimes, holiday gifts hide out in unsuspecting places. Piazza Della Sole, Watchung Plaza's shoe boutique extraordinaire, actually offers a lot more than snazzy shoes and boots. 
The store is stocked with accessories galore, including gorgeous boucle, chenille, silk, cashmere and wool scarves, men's Italian leather accessories (passport covers, wallets, money clips, essentials travel bag) from Lodis (priced between $35-$75), sleek leather or toasty warm shearling gloves for women ($70-$95), and a handbag selection to rival any bag store. Judy Tylpados and Camille Kessler always leave out goodies to nibble on (allowing moms to actually try on shoes in peace). 
Check out the store to score some great gifts sure to make a big impression. And for one lucky reader, Piazza Della Sole wants to give you a pair of those leather or shearling gloves (your choice), just for answering these questions correctly:
How many pairs of shoes did officials find when a popular revolt forced Imelda Marcos and late dictator Ferdinand Marcos into exile in 1986?
When the shoes were found, what was Marcos' shoe size?
What style shoe can be found on a street in Montclair?
I believe there were about 3,000 pairs of shoes, size 8.5. As for a shoe on Montclair streets, might it be a parking 'boot'?
Posted by: MadBrian | Dec 8, 2005 12:50:27 PM
Yes, 3000 pais, size 8 and a half. And the street is--Oxford!!
Posted by: latebloomer | Dec 8, 2005 1:11:13 PM
1,220 pairs of shoes.
Size 8/12.
Oxford Street, although there are quite a few pumps at gas stations on other streets.
Posted by: Winnersbest | Dec 8, 2005 1:49:24 PM
I'll just second that this is a fabulous store. Not for the bargain minded but everything is lovely and the ladies are great. I have purchased way too many pairs of shoes there. I love that I can walk into a local store and get great style and a level of service you won't get at a mall.
Posted by: girl | Dec 8, 2005 4:08:10 PM
Winnersbest actually nailed it -- but he/she needs to send me a real name via email to claim the prize. (liz - at - baristanet - dot - com)
Posted by: Liz | Dec 8, 2005 4:15:04 PM
See second graph:
http://www.geocities.com/filipinoculture/shoes.html
Posted by: Liz | Dec 8, 2005 6:20:17 PM
