Say it like it is

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Scosha "thou shall not talk shit necklace", 14k & oxidized silver, $194

This is not normally the sort of thing that I would go in for, but the scale of the text is exactly right- teeny, tiny, and really just there to burn a warm patch of love to the heart that sometimes goes off the righteous tracks. I'm a firm believer that there is idle shit-talkin' gossip, and there's another sort of talking that we do about each other which is a constructive means to understanding ourselves and our place in this wild world. Let's all try and walk the straight and narrow and honor the 11th, uninscribed commandment. Thank you, Scosha NYC, for keeping us in line.

Rob Ryan

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Three of our favorite cards from the maestro of all things cut paper, now available on line.

Mesmerizing.

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I lost my morning to dreams of Cuba and Desiree Dolron's absolutely mesmerizing work.

(Originally discovered through Hollister Hovey. Rediscovered today through Silent Storyteller.)

The Dogs of Catbird, part 2.

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A friend of Robin's (of Bittersweets NY fame) found 5 pups in a bag by the side of the road. The rage civilized human beings feel towards animal abusers is countered by the divinity of Robin's friend who took these 5 wk old love babies into his home, and is taking care of all medical bills until they find happy homes. My happy home is already at capacity with a cat and a dog, but if you or someone you know is in the market for a new best friend, leave a comment here and we'll put you in touch with the litter's guardian angel.

Booty

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I spent Sunday with Rony buying all sorts of new wonderfuls for the store. Think rose gold moons, black garnet studs, the most elegant clear quartz point necklaces, vintage Dior sunglasses, Missoni-inspired beaded pouches, nude leather driving gloves, and you've skimmed the tip of the jewel-encrusted iceberg. We even had the chance to walk along the Hudson River and chat about Very Exciting future plans. It was a rather grand way to spend a Sunday.

STAFF PICKS: Joanie

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Digby and Iona Fighting Bear Ring
Hundreds of years ago in England, when people didn't have the first notion about animal rights, they'd herd and capture bears for sport and force them into battle at London's Bear Garden. I'm not kidding. Elizabeth I was a huge fan. Spectator Robert Laneham described the pastime as "goodly relief." No, history does not smile upon bears. There's the poaching, the humiliation at the hands of Eastern and Western circuses alike and enough taxidermy to fill dozens of stadiums. Can't we just leave poor bears alone? Digby & Iona has concocted a brilliant way to enjoy the power, form and ferocity of Friend Bear without all the bloodshed, degradation and fuss. And I could stare at it for hours. This regally intricate vermeil ring boasts two ursine beasts going head to head in the ultimate battle for life. Or quite possibly, they're just trying to hug.

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Pade Vavra Drusy Studs
Let me start with a confession: my ears aren't pierced. They'll probably never be pierced. Sometimes I like to play a game with myself and daydream of the conditions under which I'd give in to the siren call of the punctured lobe. Now, picture time travel. Picture a magical conflation between real life and a certain made-for-TV movie in 1987. A rewriting of scientific history. Jeff Goldblum as Jim Watson (of DNA pioneer duo Watson and Crick) somehow finds himself in modern-day Williamsburg. I am the reincarnated Rosalind Franklin (who passed away before she could receive a Nobel prize for her trailblazing moves in molecular biology).  Watson/Goldblum  approaches me in supernatural infatuation and a courtship-beyond-the-laws-of-time ensues.  What sort of gift would this maverick man of science bring me? How does the genius nerd with style reveal his heart's truest affections?  Pade Vavra Drusy Studs, that's how. These little ovals of light tickle the minerologist and the vixen in me, all at once. Once my fantasy science love has presented me Vavra's golden encrustations, we meld in a double helix of eternal passion. And that's what'd get me to consider piercing my ears.

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Digby and Iona Fighting Bear Ring
Hundreds of years ago in England, when people didn't have the first notion about animal rights, they'd herd and capture bears for sport and force them into battle at London's Bear Garden. I'm not kidding. Elizabeth I was a huge fan. Spectator Robert Laneham described the pastime as "goodly relief." No, history does not smile upon bears. There's the poaching, the humiliation at the hands of Eastern and Western circuses alike and enough taxidermy to fill dozens of stadiums. Can't we just leave poor bears alone? Digby & Iona has concocted a brilliant way to enjoy the power, form and ferocity of Friend Bear without all the bloodshed, degradation and fuss. And I could stare at it for hours. This regally intricate vermeil ring boasts two ursine beasts going head to head in the ultimate battle for life. Or quite possibly, they're just trying to hug.





Bittersweets Monkey Paw Keychain (in store)
How do you keep track of your keys? It reveals more than you might think.  Picture them jingling on a sportive lanyard around some sweaty, hulking man's neck.  Now recall the bejeweled astrological charm dangled between your cousin's mauve claws as she unlocks her Camaro.  Why, in this neck of the woods, you can't even throw a rock without hitting one of those springloaded carabiners chock full of keys, answering the call of mountain and forest alike. Are you an urban athlete? A Jersey Shore aristocrat? Stalwart utilitarian? Or a morbid late Edwardian with kismet on the brain?  Bittersweets proposes a piece very near to my heart here at Catbird: the brass Monkey's Paw keychain. A spine tingling short story was written in 1902 chronicling this creepy talisman's life-altering powers. Brought back from India by a member of the British Armed Forces, the paw serves as a hideous reminder not to stand in fate's way.  In spite of all that's changed in the last century, people remain identical in their willingness to put everything on the line for the sake of greed. Rather than spoil the plot, I leave you with this thought: isn't it a great idea to arm yourself with the daily reminder to be careful what you wish for? It's not just a keychain, it's a lesson in destiny!

Paris pics.

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Sacre bleu! Is it even possible to go to Paris without fantasizing about moving there? We were in heaven (albeit a grey and snowy one), hosted by my most gracious uncles, in their most graceful home. I wish I took more pictures. Ah well. Nous retournerons.

Lyell, past & present.

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Despite some prepubescent-type casting, Lyell's lookbooks are inspiring. And the model in the top image looks a lot like Joanie, our newest Catbird,

When you're craving the sounds of silence

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As a rule, I like my music aged and time-tested. We've all given our music collections a real healthy workout in the store so these days, we love Lala, a website that allows you to listen (once) to albums in full.

You And Me, the Royal We.

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Aaron from Digby & Iona, as well as two of his consorts - (including one Oliver Jeffers, who is extremely popular with my littles, having written one of their, and mine, favorite books) - has a new project which is tickling my fancy. The Exploded Diagram Print above is making me laugh out loud, and it's only $46!

Don't you wish you were part of this Royal We?

Cute customer alert.

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A new way to rock one of our favorite pieces. As I mentioned earlier, Clarissa loves taking pictures.

Hat's off

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Thanks again to one of our most favorite bloggers, Lisa of A Bloomsbury Life, for including Catbird in her guest posts at the W Magazine blog. We're hatching a crazy crackpot never to be realized plan of converting our stash of horseshoes into a bench just like Lisa's.

Body parts.




Beart Tee
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Happy Earring
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Moustache Necklace // Eyelash Necklace // Funny Face // Bearded Man Tee // French Cahier // Smiley Earring

Fans & foes of Love Story

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Either which way, you need to know more about Ali McGraw.

When MacGraw complimented Dalí on his “incredible cloisonné walking stick,” he invited her to the King Cole Bar, in the St. Regis hotel, where he held lecherous court over a coterie of ingénues. MacGraw beat a hasty exit, but Dalí later sent her a gift-boxed, imitation-pearl-encrusted live iguana.

Staff picks: LEIGH

Leigh, our stalwart catbird, resident style-maven and magpie, who also is the creator of the Jezebel line and the Jezebel blog, has shared with us some of her store favorites:



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Draugsvold Baron Munchausen Earrings

An absolutely maddening mélange of all things I love in one pair of madcap earrings: lunar landings, wild adventures, 18th century etchings, bound together by a touch of antiquity. I long for these to swing gently alongside my cheeks, made rosy by a night of cold vodka in an opulent St. Petersburg hotel.


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Stephanie Simek Eyelash Necklace - catbird exclusive
A necklace that looks as if it walked straight from a Man Ray photograph is the necklace for me.


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Bittersweets NY Rose Gold Lily Necklace
One dares not gild this perfect lily. I love the modest containment of a necklace that lays horizontal; everything that springs from Bittersweets NY definitively whispers a fierce and fragile beauty.



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Demitasse Diamond Eternity Band
Straight from the icy detritus of Edward Scissorhands, or the shattered mirror in H.C. Andersen’s The Snow Queen, this slenderest of eternity bands calls my name loud, and louder yet.


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Yayoi Forest Happy Face Single Earring
Completely goofy and utterly delicious. I’ve got one pointy ear that I’m rather attached to- think I’ll wear Mr. Diamond Eyes in that one.

Ce n'est pas mois.

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I stole this image since I forgot the cable to upload pictures. D'oh! I type like a dumb chimp on these Frenchy keyboards <this has taken me about 20 minutes, no exaggeration> so stories from Paris will have to wait. À dieu.

image from The Cherry Blossom Girl

Metalhead

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There's still time! These are actual, real, honest to goodness copper postcards. We swear that the USPS will accept them for regular mail delivery. Just 2 of the many quips from the mind of Princess Fancypants. You got a genius phrase? Fancypants will totally make you a custom postcard.

For him.

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Ladies, we've solved your Valentine's conundrum. The Love & Victory his, hers, ours decanter set is the perfect gift for you and yours. What to fill the one decanter with? Ah, the true test of love. In my house, Bushmill's is the answer. We suggest adding a bottle of whatever you two tipplers enjoy the most, for a complete gift.

Hot tip! If you're local, you can order online for in-store pickup!

Creature of mystery and delight

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Hi, good morning. I'm starting out my day kinda grumpy, but I'm really looking forward to working with our newest Catbird, Joanie, and I might also splurge for some sort of special breakfast. Well, I'm glad that I shared that with you. This morning I'd also like to share these giant hunks of amethyst accented by a pouf of air plantage. They will be in the store shortly and I suspect that they will make a big splash. I mean, what's not to love? Rest assured, one of these will be sitting on my kitchen table and one will be given to my friend for her wedding shower. It's exactly what I never knew I needed.

Happy customer.

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The adorable Taylor came in on her birthday and got the catbird letter earrings, which she rocks quite nicely. She was so happy Clarissa had to take her picture. Clarissa REALLY likes to take pictures.

Valentine's Day Cards.

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Four of our favorite Valentine's Day. Clockwise from top left: La Familia Green Card (i don't know why I love this card so much, but I do), Pearl & Marmalade, Foxy & Winston, Jezebel.





Come Sail Away.

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Quick! Quick! Get thee to Leigh, a.k.a. Jezebel's, blog to enter to win a pair of these earrings. In the very unlikely event that you DON'T win -you can buy them here.

PSA

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Dear fellas, word on the street is that a certain day near approaching is a popular day to ask your old ladies to get hitched. Have you shelled out all your clams at Main Drag Music or at Clem's?  Or do you just intend to wait til February 13th to think about a ring?  Either which way, Team Catbird is on your side.  We'll figure out a quick fix in a pinch.

Ruthie Sayles.

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Look at these beautiful, feather hair clips using really special vintage jewelry. They are all lovingly hand made by Nashville (that's right -not Brooklyn!) designer (and Catbird customer) Ruthie Sayles. She also has a lovely home that was featured on design*sponge.

She sent me one in December and I wore it endlessly, and to much acclaim - and not only when I was trying to be fancy.

dace. (oh canada.)

DACE Spring 2010 from Dace on Vimeo.



Back when I had a clothing store I carried this beautiful, hard-to-find Canadian clothing line called Dace. They were always so nice (Canadians. What do you expect?) and their clothes...their clothes. Deceptively simple, beautiful fabrics and construction, and an effortless cool that is hard to achieve and therefore not seen too often.

I really love this video they created for their look book.

Hello, my name is Leigh, and I like little.

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Exhibit A: my 6 pound shrimp, Teepee, taking time to smell the flowers on the counter at Catbird.
Exhibit B: The amazing haul of teeny perfection we scooped up at the gift show yesterday. Rony and I went cuckoo for the littlest of little studs in shapes from snakes to kittens, itsy bitsy pale and glitzy notecards, flower presses for the world's most lilliputian blooms, and piles of diminutive notebooks. Spring is coming up tiny at Catbird.

The Giving Ring

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For those of us not living in a place where one could actually engrave their initials in a tree, Jack & Diane style, here is the next best thing. Or really, I would venture to say it's better.
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