A happy member of the small specialty-shop community that seems so at home in the tree-lined West Village, Papivore sells the kind of colorful books and papers that make journal-keeping or letter-writing a special pleasure. Its sale includes: blank books, were $35 and $24, now $26.25 and $18; ribbon closure portfolios, were $32, now $24; notepads, were $14 and $10, now $7 and $5. Papivore/Marie-Papier, 117 Perry St. (627-6055); A.E., M.C., V.; Tues.-Sat. 11-7, Sun. 12-6; 1/13 until supplies run out.
Dukes Down
Halston – the label of choice for the fabulous at Studio 54 – has enjoyed a serious comeback in the capable hands of designer Randolph Duke. But since Halston’s prices haven’t remained at their Carter-administration levels, this sample sale makes purchasing a body-clinging number much more feasible. Beaded gown, retail $2,800, here $800; short cocktail number, was $1,300, here $300; beaded cashmere gown, retail $2,800, here $550. Halston Couture, 530 Seventh Ave., near 38th St., seventeenth floor (282-1278); A.E., M.C., V.; Mon.-Fri. 10-4; 1/12-1/16.
Solid Cole
In addition to having a staff adept at figuring out what measurements and styles work for your spaces at home and office, RV Cole has an extensive inventory of furniture at very good prices. Solid-oak desk, was $880, now $599; Italian walnut armoire, was $1,475, now $850; solid maple chest of drawers, was $1,400, now $790; solid-oak dining or conference table (which opens to eight feet), was $1,625, now $900. RV Cole, 114 E. 32nd St. (481-5566); M.C., V., checks; Mon.-Sat. 10-6, Thurs. until 8, Sun. 12-5; 1/18-1/31.
Bax Rub
By the time the masseur at Dorit Baxter was finished with us, we were so relaxed and happy we really didn’t want to move. Try it yourself with Baxter’s “Winter Warm-up” package, in which three treatments (full-body massage, herbal wrap, and aromatherapy holistic facial) usually costing $175 are now $99 for the trio. Dorit Baxter, 47 W. 57th St., third floor (371-4542); A.E., M.C., V.; Mon.-Sat. 9-7; 1/12-2/28.
Bedding Down
At Pratesi, the idea of luxury bedding reaches an entirely new sphere. Sky-blue cutwork-lace-pattern king top sheet and two shams, was $1,500 for the set, now $750; queen-size Matlasse blanket cover, was $950, now $665. Pratesi, 829 Madison Ave., at 69th St. (288-2315); A.E., M.C., V., checks; Mon.-Sat. 10-6; 1/12-1/31.
Ora’s Originals
Ora Feder – an upscale lingerie shop tucked away on the second floor of a small Upper East Side building – is packed with sumptuous chemises, slips, bras, and underwear. Ora is having a post-holiday sale both on her designs and on the merchandise she imports; for example, long silk nightgown, was $300, now $210; Vogue bra, was $32, now $19.20; silk print chemise, was $185, now $92.50. Ora Feder, 20 E. 69th St., second floor (517-7125); A.E., M.C., V.; Wed.- Sat. 10-6, Sun. 12-5; 1/14-1/18.
Shì’s the One
Shì sells some of the best minimalist housewares in town. If you haven’t already checked the store out, its sale is the perfect time. For example, aluminum clip-on light, was $125, now $100; porcelain clip-on night-lights with motif bulbs, were $55, now $44; hand-blown wall mirror, was $225, now $180. Shì, 233 Elizabeth St. (334-4330); A.E., M.C., V.; Tues.-Sat. 12-7, Sun. till 6; 1/13 till supplies run out.
Riflessi’s More
The Italian men’s-wear store Riflessi’s clientele keeps returning because of the store’s wide array of high-quality merch. Canali suit, was $1,300, now $495; Ermenegildo Zegna suit, was $1,200, now $495; Cerruti 1881 suit, was $960, now $395; dress shirt, was $165, now $49. Free alterations. Riflessi, 260 Madison Ave., near 38th St. (679-4875); A.E., M.C., V.; Mon.- Fri. 9-8, Sat. 10-7, Sun. 11-6; 1/12-1/31.