As far as tech goes, I love my GPS and how it gets me from here to there. Thank you, GPS. That said, while it gets me there, it doesn't give me much perspective on where I am or where I've been. In the last year, as you know, I released an online guidebook to the Catskills. Why online? Well, it's a work in progress. It currently covers some back story -- how to get to the Catskills and some Inside Scoop on why it's so cool and who makes it that way -- plus over 150 destinatio

I resist the urge to think about the holidays until Thanksgiving, but the other day I found myself singing along to Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" in the grocery store. Really? Well, I guess it's apropos because Berlin penned that iconic song in the Catskills hamlet of Lew Beach. If you're ever driving through there on a snowy day, you can see just how it happened. Following the release of Farm Girl's Guide in early November, I am giving you a little gift: a shopping guide

Narrowsburg Proper 44 Main Street Narrowsburg, NY 845-252-3242 @narrowsburgproper The shelves in the front are stacked to the rafters with foodie treats good for a gift box or basket for the discerning eater. Caviar. Chocolates. French honey. Pastas and sauces. Cheeses and olives. Tidbits of all ilks. The back lures you in with proper items for the men in your life -- cocktail shakers, bitters and simple syrups, exclusive beard oil, clothes, humidors and other manly accessori

Buck Brook Alpacas 99 Bestenheider Road Roscoe, NY 12776 (845) 807-3104 www.buckbrookalpacas.com @buckbrookalpacas Buck Brook Alpacas is a family run farm located in Sullivan County. The farm raises 150 alpacas, along with angora rabbits. Oh my! They strive to raise these adorable animals in a warm, clean and loving environment.  Buck Brook harvests the alpacas' luxury fiber once yearly to create beautiful yarn and products for the home, family and crafters, which are availab

Catskill Carriage Dry Goods Store catskillcarriage.com Back in the day (1920s to the 1970s), the Catskills were known as the Borscht Belt, a nickname that references the traditional beet soup made in Jewish communities. Mmmm! What better way to celebrate history than with your very own Borscht Belt buckle?! Raised antique brass with a sandblasted finish (2.5" x 3.5"). $25 plus shipping. Available on line only. XOXO Farm Girl #farmgirlsshoppingguide #holidayshopping #shoplocal

River Gallery 8 Main Street Narrowsburg, NY (845) 252-3238 rivergalleryny.com @therivergallery Leave it to Tony and Barry. Barry, a very busy real estate agent (on IG as @catskillhomes), can find you the country house of your dreams. And then you can just pop over and visit Tony who presides over the River Gallery to suit up your new home with just the right touch. Whether that special someone has a country house or not, the River Gallery has the perfect gift to accentuate a

Catskill Distilling Company at the Dancing Cat Saloon 2037 State Road 17B, Bethel, NY (845) 583-3141 catskilldistilling.com dancingcatsaloon.com @catskilldistill As a matter of fact, you can celebrate a White Christmas with a set of New York State white spirits from Catskill Distilling Company. But Peace Vodka is a good place to start. If your tastes run more toward whiskey, you are in the right place. Try Fearless Wheat Whiskey or Most Righteous Bourbon. Can't make up your m

Duke Pottery 855 County Road 93 Roscoe, NY (607) 498-5207 dukepottery.com @dukepottery Take a trip into Roscoe to find Carolyn Duke's ceramic studio and shop one flight up. This low-fired stoneware is hand-built and draws its inspiration from the surrounding natural beauty. All of her work is one-of-a-kind. Prices range from $20 to several hundred for her specialty pieces, especially her Raku work. Come get lost and found in the serenity of Carolyn Duke's creativity. Other ar

Red Rose Motel & Tavern State Park Vintage 21677 County Highway 17 Roscoe, NY theredrosemotel.com @theredrosemotel @stateparkvintage A great choice for history buffs or fans of Americana decor, State Park Vintage stocks a broad selection of historic American flags ($75 to $450) as well as vintage travel pennants ($5 to $50). Antique flags range from 1896-1952 and can be found throughout each of the guest rooms at The Red Rose Motel. State Park is a small vintage and antiques

Willow + Brown 36 Main Street Livingston Manor, NY (845) 439-1088 willowandbrown.com @willowandbrown Stylish Carolin Brown features a delicious sweater gift this holiday season! This West End Knitwear three-button cardigan was made in Ireland from luxurious, soft 100% merino wool. It’s warm and soft and hardy for the winter. Great for layering. Natural, organic and easy to care for. Plenty more in store for you at Willow + Brown. XOXO Farm Girl #farmgirlsshoppingguide #holida

Upstream Wine & Spirits 34 Main Street Livingston Manor, NY (845) 439-1328 upstreamwine.com @drinkingupstream 'Tis the season for celebration, and Upstream Wines has a sparkling wine for every occasion -- about 30 of them, in fact! Whether you're hosting or party hopping, be sure to have some special bubbles on ice (or in a snow bank)! Prices start at $14 for Upstream's house Prosecco, and skooch that up to $120 for a Magnum of grower Champagne. Mmmmm at any price! If you men

MayerWasner 55 Main Street Narrowsburg, NY (845) 252-3828 mayerwasner.com @mayerwasner MayerWasner presents its very favorite skirt, which they made especially for the holiday season. It's got it all -- a bit of sleek leather, some essential sparkle, a sustainable ethos and it's fun to wear. Swish! It's signature MayerWasner perfection for $345. It's available both in-store and online. And guess what, let them know that Farm Girl sent you and you get 15% off of anything, in-s

Morgan Outdoors 46 Main Street Livingston Manor, NY (845) 439-5507 morgan-outdoors.com @morgan.outdoors These solar-powered wonders -- the Luci EMRG Lamp -- need just a few hours in the sun to power up and softly brighten your indoor or outdoor space. The red light is great for preserving night vision or for emergencies; the white for brightening tougher jobs. Super-cool lamp that inflates easily. Small enough to carry as a flashlight. The Luci EMRG Lamp is $14.95 at Morgan O

Nest 34 Main Street Livingston Manor, NY (845) 588-5316 Nest-Store.com @nestcatskills Made of cowhide and cozy wool, these unique Norwegian boots will warm someone's tootsies this holiday. $280. Nest also offers a finely curated selection of gifts for the home, as well as clothing and jewelry. XOXO Farm Girl #farmgirlsshoppingguide #holidayshopping #shoplocal #shopcatskills #farmgirlsguide #gettinglostandfound #catskillsrenaissance #townofrockland #livingstonmanor #sullivanco

The Farmhouse Project Pop-up Shop 43 Lower Main St Callicoon, NY thefarmhouseproject.com/shop The Farmhouse Project will host a pop-up shop to kick off the 2018 holiday season! You can find them poppin' in Callicoon for three weekends this December (12/8 - 12/23) with beautiful, locally handmade goods from their new collection, perfect for gift giving. Beautiful items include linen napkins, tote bags, wine bags, candles, butterfly vitrines and Catskills pennants. Gift prices

The Callicoon Theater 30 Upper Main Street Callicoon, NY 12723 (845) 887-4460 www.thecallicoontheater.com hello@thecallicoontheater.com rentals@thecallicoontheater.com @callicoontheater Pick up some gift certificates at the box office! They make the perfect gift and can be used for brand new releases or toward any retro screenings. The theater is also available to rent for private events! Movie tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for kids. Mondays and matinees are $8 for adults

Henning's Local 6 Old County Road Cochecton Center, NY (845) 252-3008 henningslocal.com @henningslocal Cheryl Perry is a former restaurant and bakery owner who has been a culinary instructor on and off for 20+ years. She's a ceramicist and lead educator at Red Barn Studio. Cheryl and Henning go way back and have teamed up to offer a wide range of cooking and other culinary related classes at Henning's Local. A gift certificate here is a great idea for either the best cook you

Domesticities & The Cutting Garden 4055 State Route 52 Youngsville, NY (845) 482-3333 thecuttinggarden.org @domesticities.thecuttinggarden Artist Alexis Siroc's silk and wool scarves -- offered exclusively at Domesticities for the holidays -- are crafted through the contemporary application of a natural dying process. Siroc collects flora from her gardens and creates a one-of-a-kind print -- using the tannins from the organics -- her luxurious scarves. They range in price fr

Stray Cat Gallery 2032 State Route 17B Bethel, NY (845) 583-3141 ext. 101 straycatgallery.com Visit the Stray Cat Gallery on Sunday, November 25 for a little wine and cheese (starting at noon, because it's 5 o'clock somewhere!) and peruse a private collection of Menorahs. Menorahs and other items from Judaica artist, David Klass will be on sale. The gallery is open throughout the holidays and features something for everyone: art, books, Woodstock memorabilia and jewelry. $5 o

Nest 15 Main Street Narrowsburg NY (845) 252-3424 @nestcatskills Nest-Store.com The blanket-stitched edge on this comfy pouf highlights its bold stripe and iconic embroidered white Swiss Army insignia. Nest also offers a finely curated selection of gifts for the home, as well as clothing and jewelry. XOXO Farm Girl #farmgirlsshoppingguide #holidayshopping #shoplocal #shopcatskills #farmgirlsguide #gettinglostandfound #catskillsrenaissance #townoftusten #narrowsburg #sullivanc