Beauty Bar

J. Lingnau snake + anchor necklace, $880-$990

These two beauties are hanging out with us in the store today, waiting to be shot by our photographer, as part of the online exclusives of our new site which is so so so so close to launching.

Mix-masters

I meant to share this ages ago, but it was filed away in a nether region of the computer. An inspection of said electronic nether regions upturned the photo this morning, and I am so very pleased. I bring you back to months and months ago: an assemblage of some of our finest. Doug bought the grey Katrina LaPenne ring last week (she's making us another! congratulations Doug!) and the vintage rings that Rony brought back found new homes rawther quickly- one of them being on this hand above, nestled next to a glowing opal number that had me singin', a delicate gold band, and a deep funereal garnet. The art is in the mix, and our beautiful ladies of Brooklyn know how to mix like none others.

Dear Kwannam,
Thank you for visiting Catbird. Thank you for taking this photo of the Narwhal card you purchased from Catbird. Thank you for We Could Grow Up Together. I am quite disappointed to have been in absentia the day of your visit. Perhaps one day we'll meet in Central Park or at Joseph Leonard.

signed,
Jezebel

In the very best way...

Candace Ang feather necklace $62

The 'stache necklace, unintentionally reinterpreted in a wonderful new Seussian way.

The triumphant return of the belt bag

belt bags, $42-54

Good lord, last week was a doozy. Our wee store is packed to the rafters- don't be surprised if you see merchandise hanging from the ceiling soon. Amonst the bazillion boxes were the belt bags that so many of you have been waiting for. We got three styles, in black and brown, and this time we wised up and only order them with clasps, rather than buckles. You'll be quicker on the draw when it comes time to pay for your friend's coffee, or tip the stripper. Hey, we just sell them. What you do with them is totally your business.

laundry wash $15

Raise your hands if you hand-wash at home! Raise your hands if you'd like your hand-washables to smell insanely amazing! Raise your hands if you're always at a loss for a pretty, inexpensive gift for a hostess, a pal's birthday, Secret Santa! Problem solved, friends. Please meet Tocca's Laundry Delicate wash. Beautiful-looking, fantastic-smelling, wallet-loving.

Forward Looking

calendars, $30

The Wild Unknown's 2010 calendars arrived in the store yesterday afternoon. Mine is already hanging in my apartment. Such a perfect perfect gift - they are both intimate and anonymous in a way I find completely fascinating. I bought my first calendar from them a few years ago at a holiday sale we both participated in, and I'm so pleased to be able to press them into hot, waiting hands at Catbird.

Making do

Austin Press card, $7.70

Really taken with the idea of framing this one for my powder room. Otherwise known as master bathroom and guest bathroom. Brooklyn's a one bathroom kinda town.

Halloween on Bedford Ave.

and the winner is...

M.J.!!!

All photos by the beeeyootiful and talented Clarissa Steed.

hand-knit animal scarves, $75

It is the true pleasure of the pachyderm to be jauntily tossed round your neck through these chillier months. I know it, he told me so. The cat and the zebra agree, but you'll have to come see for yourself.

Welcome to Brooklyn

"three is the new two" card by la familia green, $4.50

Let him know it's time to get married- or time to buy another litter box.

Serge le Pew

I had a very important revelation last night. Serge Gainsbourg and Pepe le Pew are one and the same. If you don't know what I'm talking about, watch THIS.

Fly, girl

Cloven Hoof beetle wing (for real!) earrings, $172

Draugsvold insect earrings, $155

Whether you like your earrings insect-inspired, or straight up made from insects, we've got you covered.

The Two State Solution.

A warm welcome to the newest addition to the catbird line. Wee little NYs and NJs in super shiny silver and gold. Starts at $112.

Nice duds, kids

bunny him, bunny her $18 each

Been spending some time getting to know Iris Apfel lately (via the internet, of course) and she is a teddy bear nut. She might go in for these sartorially-inclined little Mr. and Miss. They are so damned sweet- I smile whenever I catch their eye.

Time as virtue

Modern Alchemy solid perfumes, $40

It's particularly nice out today, and I don't mean to be a Cassandra, but a little beast called winter is brewing. I find fragrance to be one of the easiest ways to beat the dirty winter blues. These little lockets fit in a pocket and avoid the uncouthness that is spraying yourself and your neighbor on the subway. Nobody likes that, even if its some Chanel no 5 you're spraying. I'm partial to the jasmine sambac- we've also got lily of the valley and tuberose.

Best of NYC!

Best of NYC, Village Voice, 2009

Best of NYC, The Village Voice, 2003

A huge hats off to The Village Voice for A - not just looking at my outdated website and writing about the same old same olds and B - knowin' what's what for, like, ever. Seriously. I'm honored.

This is how some water spilled on my kitchen floor today.

I swear.

Communal property rights

Shinzi Katoh trekking bottles, $12

Do you have a cat and a dog who insist on drinking out of your bedside water glass? I sure know I do. Here is the solution to my shared water glass situation!

pom pom pom.

pom-pom garlands, $15

Back in stock! Looking charmingly weird with the bats, doncha think?

On repeat.

huy-yah!

Elisa Solomon tomahawk necklace, $130

Just wanted to let you that Rony is tearing through the new website, writing copy, checking and double-checkin' chain lengths. Do not get in her way. She is on an intergalactic mission to bring more Catbird to one and all.

his grandmother's perfect Christmas card sent to me by JWC

The first of the Christmas cards arrived the other day. They are all fantastically awesome, though sadly none feature the head-as-bell motif.

Sloth, tis I!

Grindstaff prize ribbon, $130

I win this weekend's prize for the laziest, and I couldn't be happier. I'd like to thank my couch, my lounge-wear...

Mad Pen.

gold plated secretary pens, $22

I inherited a strong love of pens from my dear dad. I have many many. They are all over my house and in every bag I own. But where are they when I most need them? Full of betrayal, those pens. No more. Hanging around my neck on a nice long chain, it is close to my heart (to remind me of my dad), as well as at my finger tips, to meet all my pen-related needs, which are great. (Great in quantity, not so much in quality.)

Soooooon they will be available on line as well. The world needs to know about this.

imPRESSed

It's a fine day when a stationer is induced to buy stationery from another stationer. Austin Press, today is that fine day. I want one of everything we just got in the shop.

State INSECTS!

Assuming the very talented Amy Ruppel has done her research, the people in charge of state insects could use a little help in the imagination department. Why do New York, Ohio and Delaware (DELAWARE??) all have the ladybug representing them in this extremely important category? And no less than 14 of our 50 states have the honeybee as their state insect. Pretty much every other state has a variety of butterfly, with a few praying mantises scattered in there. Come on people. Maybe you actually do need some six year olds to help you out.

Personally, I would like to offer the mosquito as New York's state insect.

via Unruly Things

on repeat.

L-O-V-E

Screen grab of a super-awesome web order. I want to see a photo of that ear!

i can't stop laughing at this.

(There's a kid's book called "Everyone Poops".)