I am looking for unique gifts to give my female friends & daughter. Something special that reflects the Argentine woman.
Any suggestions & where to buy them would be greatly appreciated.

There's some interesting design items at MALBA (Museum of Latin American Art): handbags, wallets and jewellery. They have gift packs of Havanna alfajores at the airport which are nicely packed (for women with a sweet tooth--yum).

Design sponge has a good shopping guide for Buenos Aires:
http://www.designspongeonline.com/20...nos-aires.html

Hi Condu. Hope you and your DH are having a terrific time in beautiful BsAs.

My suggestion would be for a piece of jewelry set with Rodocrosita, Argentina's national stone. It's a pretty pink color and looks well in both silver and gold settings. Figurines and many other things are also made of it, but since you want gifts for women, jewelry came to mind. I got a lovely pendanton this visit and admired some beautiful bracelets and rings. Don't know if it would reflect the Argentine woman, but it certainly would be an appropriate gift from Argentina.

Hi Condu,

In the San Telmo Sunday market I found a stall that exclusively sold old wooden molds for tango shoes. You can buy one or a pair. I bought a pair as I am a dancer (not tango - yet) so they called out to me. They are heavier and larger than jewellery however, but I felt they were so unique and not at all expensive. I am going to place them on a shelf as sculpture or hang them up as 'object d'art'.

where is a good place to buy rodocrosita jewelry?

Thank you all for your suggestions.

I bought a lovely hand-painted halter neck sun dress (very Marilyn Monroe) for my daughter. A top with Medieval style neck lacing, draped shoulders, and snug arms for one of my friends back home. Both these items were bought at the Recoleta Sunday Market.

I will probably, do as Giovanna suggested & buy some jewelry for my daughter in law at the same market.

I found the Recoleta Sunday Market be be a dichotomy of very well executed artistic pieces and also, endless tourists crap.
It is really fun to talk to the local artisans. They are very proud
of their work. Rightly so!

Your purchases sound great. Wish I was "one of your friends back home." LOL

Heard from Ms. Lizzy and would enjoy hearing from you and your DH, what you're doing/seeing, etc. My e-mail: [email protected]

<<where is a good place to buy rodocrosita jewelry?>>

I don't think you'll have any trouble finding it. I bought my pendant at a kiosk at Gallerias Pacifico. We've also seen pieces made by artisans at flea markets, Feria de Artesenias, etc. I'm sure jewelry stores have some pieces as well. The piece I bought on our last visit is looking like it isn't set in sterling silver, as I can't polish away the tarnish. We bought it in LaBoca at one of the shops. Guess I should have known better!

There are lots of good handicrafts to be bought at the Sunday flea markets. Interesting items, not expensive. Also, carpincho is a completely Argentine product. You could buy carpincho belts, assuming you know their waist size. Some are nicely embroidered and you can find those at the markets too, for under $30 each.

I received this lovely note with many gifts suggestions through TA private message service:

"I did all my souvenier shopping in Palermo Viejo/Soho and at the Recoleta Feria on a Sunday.
You can get beautiful things at the Feria and good good prices.
In Palermo Soho, you can go to the outdoor market and you can go to the many boutiques.
I got a great little summer bag that is fabric, a cream crochet lace over cream fabric with a tan leather/suede strap. So nice for these hot days when you don't want to be lugging around a big leather bag.
They come in all fabrics, colors etc.
Then there are jewelers and all sorts of goodies.
Picture frames and bags and small paintings... all can be found at the feria or in shops around town , Palermo etc.
I also went to music shops and bought CDs that were interesting for the kids.. my daughter enjoyed the Tango CDs from Otros Airs and then there is the Gotan Project, they were the music you listened to at the Evita Museum.

Gotan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ4zO...eature=related

Otros Aires http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsPr_...eature=related

Scarves also .. I get those at the ferias because you can get them from ladies who are knitting as they sit there."

Aren't these great suggestions?