Monday night is always such a big party night. And it takes you by surprise. Just when you’ve recovered from the weekend…BAM! Hier soir, the Shop Tart skipped out of the house as soon as she had served dinner and waved hello to her husband to go to the Sustainable Holiday Celebration at 701 Whaley Street, hosted by Sustainable Midlands. No, it doesn’t sound like a party. (In fact - may the Shop Tart make one small suggestion? - perhaps they should let some young whippersnapper come up with a cooler name for next year. She hates to make any suggestion at all, because the event was perfect and very well-attended. But still. Just a thought.)

The first thing the Shop Tart noticed - even before she made a beeline for the bar - were these fab paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling. Bruce Lawrence of CVSC told her they had been provided by Becca Howser (of Rebecca Howser Interiors, naturellement).

Speaking of Bruce, he graciously shared one of the last ham biscuits with pumpkin butter from Spotted Salamander Catering with the Shop Tart. Yum!

After waiting briefly in a fast-moving line for wine, the Shop Tart spotted her friend Tracie, a volunteer for 701 Center for Contemporary Art, and asked for a quick tour. Farmer Emile DeFelice was there peddling pastured pork. He included some excellent gift suggestions.

Sally Peek was there with her fab Nana Bags.

Tracie scored this sweet change purse. (And the Shop Tart hopes Sally doesn’t mind that she stole this photo from her website. Upon request, it will be removed immediately!)

Donna Mills of Floral & Hardy Farm was there with gorgeous wreaths. Alas, the Shop Tart had run out of cash and had no checkbook. But! Donna will be at the All-Local Market this Saturday with more wreaths. Hooray!

Loved these fabric bins by another designer. (The Shop Tart is no journalist. She just likes to party. Sometimes, she fails to get details. If you are interested in these, please let her know and she will find out the information and put it in the comments section.)

The eighteen foot tree did not disappoint. In fact, the Shop Tart is wondering how her husband might feel about cutting a hole in their (sadly, only nine and a third foot) ceiling. She is sorry she didn’t get a close-up of the beautiful garlands on the stair rails. You will have to go see for yourself.

The Shop Tart spent quite a while trying on big, sparkly rings at Dana Bruce’s mother’s booth. Like stylish mother, like stylish daughter, n’est-ce pas? Dana always looks fab. (We’ve seen her rock the Mad Men look without appearing the least bit costume-y.) Her mother Jeri Rogers had beautiful antique pieces which she normally shows at Inman Antique Mall. Road trip, anyone? She had loads of fab cocktail rings, including this one ($45) which you can’t have because it is on the Shop Tart’s finger. But you can totally borrow it.

They also saw fab jewelry in all price ranges by the multi-talented Elizabeth Nkuo of One of Seven jewelry. Alas, the Shop Tart did not get any decent pictures. Wonder if she’s showing at Mingle and Jingle on Main Thursday or Crafty Feast December 12th. Will have to find out, because her work was lovely.

701 Center for Contemporary Art had a fabulously decorated booth, staffed by Anna Redwine and Cerelle Centeno looking all glowy and pretty.

The aforementioned Tracie was responsible for the booth’s decorations, including this arrangement. Love the bell jars. May have to add them to the holiday decor chez Shop Tart.

Also love this tree in a cement “trunk.”

A close-up of the trunk, on the table where anyone was welcome to create art.

For a mere ten dollar donation, the Shop Tart received this book, which would make an excellent holiday gift. She already gave this copy to her children, but may have to go back for more.

Last, but most certainly not least, the Shop Tart stopped to chat with Jen Ray, a great photographer recently returned to Columbia from New York City, where she worked for Etsy.com. Like artistic mother, like artistic daughter: Jen’s mother Laura makes and sells the abso-freakin-lutely adorable Pogos. She sells them - where else? - on Etsy. They would make excellent stocking stuffers or baby gifts or holiday decorations. And they are so cute!

After the party, Tracie and the Shop Tart were a bit hungry and a lot chatty, so they decided to go to Camon on Assembly Street for a little sushi. The Shop Tart used to be a regular there. (She also used to occasionally indulge in something involving a shot of sake balanced on a glass of beer with chopsticks, a napkin wrapped around one’s forehead to cushion the blow when said forehead made contact with the sushi bar to bring about the tumbling of the sake into the beer glass, and subsequent chugging of the cocktail by the head banger. Actually, maybe she just watched.) Since the crazy years, she has remained a fan. One New Year’s Eve, she and her husband took their two children (the third was not on the radar yet) to a USC basketball game followed by a very sober dinner at Camon. Truly, one of the most fun New Year’s Eves she has ever experienced.

Last night at Camon was pretty excellent, too. The Shop Tart started with seaweed salad. (Check out Tracie’s fab ring - also purchased from Jeri Rogers - behind it.)

Tracie had Sunomono, a seafood salad over cucumber and wakame and a new Shop Tart favorite.

Next, they enjoyed spicy tuna hand rolls. O.M.Goodness! They were yummy.

The next course consisted of spicy asparagus rolls and a Crunchy Roll. The crunchy roll had salmon, cucumber and a light tempura-like coating, all drizzled with Japanese mayonnaise. Hungry yet?

As is often the case, the ladies didn’t feel quite ready to be finished with such a divine meal, so they asked for just one more. Tracie made a special request: Salmon skin hand roll with cucumber, avocado and fish roe. Good call, very good call.

Camon can be hard to find. It’s on Assembly Street, between Washington and Lady. The facade is unassuming. In the photo below, the sliding rice paper door is slightly ajar. If you go, the Shop Tart hopes you will take a moment after entering the glass door and before sliding back the second door. Opening the second door into the restaurant is such a lovely surprise. (Imagine the Shop Tart’s children when they first went. They thought it was way cool.)

Happy Shopping and don’t forget to tell them you read it on the Shop Tart!

P.S. Looking for some art from up and coming, verrah chic artists? Today is the second and last day of the USC Art Department’s annual holiday sale. It’s held in McMaster Gallery at 1615 Senate Street and features a broad selection of handmade artworks by students and faculty that will include ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, and prints. Money raised from the sale will be used to fund visiting artists and purchase equipment. 9 to 6 pm. Go!

P.P.S. Speaking of New Year’s Eve, a reader recently asked what was going on around town that night. If you have any fab suggestions, do let the Shop Tart know. She’ll keep her eyes and ears open, too. Last New Year’s Eve she went to Dianne’s with a big group. And wore a jumpsuit.

P.P.P.S. Valet US is officially open! Call them at 803-528-6559 for a safe ride home in your very own car.

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