I love the tradition of New Year's Eve gifts, just something small to mark a milestone, to set the tone. If it sparkles, how wonderful! If it is quietly elegiac, how wonderful! I'd tell you what I'm giving my loved ones tonight, but then they might know. But really, if their reading comprehension is up to speed, they already know.
As the talking heads were droning on about the biggest media story of 2010 (Joe Scarborough: The iPad!), Williams went on a sardonic tear about the New York Times' "discovery" of Brooklyn. "Once a day, there’s a story about all the riches offered in that borough," Williams japed. "There are young men and women wearing ironic glass frames on the streets. There are open air markets, like trading posts in the early Chippewa tribe, where you can make beads at home and then trade them for someone to come over and start a small fire in your apartment that you share with nine others."
A blizzard is as good a time as any to dust up on mythology.Arachne filled her web with subjects designedly chosen to exhibit the failings and errors of the Gods. One scene represented caressing the swan, under which form Zeus had disguised himself; and another in the brazen tower in which her father had imprisoned her, but where the God effected his entrance in the form of a golden shower. Still another depicted Europa deceived by Zeus under the disguise of a bull. Encouraged by the tameness of the animal Europa ventured to mount his back, whereupon Zeus advanced into the sea and swam with her to Crete, You would have thought it was a real bull, so naturally was it wrought, and so natural the water in which it swam. She seemed to look with longing eyes back upon the shore she was leaving, and to call to her companions for help. She appeared to shudder with terror at the sight of the heaving waves, and to draw back her feel, from the water.
real spiderwebs pressed in glass by Rocky Fiore, $36-132, online and in store
God bless the boy who, the day before Christmas, brought a stack of soft as lamb's wool handkerchiefs up to the counter and asked us, "Are these the sorts of things that they wear in New Wave movies to hold their hair back in convertibles? You know, like Brigitte Bardot?" Yes, fine sir, yes they are! And so it went, and so Christmas has gone.
I haven't had enough coffee yet this morning to eloquently sing the praises of coffee, which might actually be all the praise coffee needs. In lieu of an ode from me, an ode printed on the back of these new tins we've got. I l-o-v-e these tins and I'm bringing some home with me today. Last minute gift idea: one, or some of these guys, then dart over to the Oslo or Verb or Blue Bottle or Gimme! Coffee or Variety or Porto Rico Importing Co. or El Beit or another of our fine town's fine purveyors for a pound of coffee beans. Someone is going to love you.
We've been listening to the same Radiohead songs on repeat for about a week while we pack web orders. Important to maintain aural consistency to keep in the groove of ribbon-tying & note-writing (always a particular thrill to send out a pair of Father Panik "hell yeah" gloves with a note that simply reads "hell yeah!"). We've also been hatching new home pages ideas (hilarious, if I do say so myself) and cooking up wish lists of what we're going to bring to the site and the store when we go shopping (professional-style) in January. Personally, I'm crazy excited about bringing more beauty and skincare to the site. This might be fueled by my time spent prowling Into the Gloss, the expertly designed, warm and inviting beauty blog. I've never been a huge product person, but I feel myself falling, and quick.
A little whisper of spring in your ear. Is spring even the season for pussy willows? I'm not sure, but it sure sounds good.
Thanks to Gem Gossip for including our wacko little cave explorers in her gift guide. We've only got 4 of these little dudes, and I'm fairly certain we won't be able to get more, though it's hard to say why they aren't in mass production. So beautiful, practical, and easy to use.
A perfect receptacle for your pens, your juice, your juice. Also works real nice as a gift to take home for your folks. Pair it with some Saipua soaps for a true taste of the place of New York.
We've added options online for larger diamonds in Satomi Kawakita's Hexagon ring, cause really, who are we to deny you. Shine on you crazy diamond.
We've gone and figured out your dreaded Secret Santa gift for you. Divine hand lotions, perfect packaging, and a nice, cool $18 price tag. One for home, one for work, one for bag. Done and done.
Months ago, one of my favorite customers came in, searching for a piece that would fill the lust for gold inspired by "I Am Love." She left with one of my favorite pieces we've ever had, a 22K signet ring set with a pale green ancient intaglio (c. 1st or 2nd century C.E.) by Elisa Solomon. I wish we had a photo of the ring, but we don't, so Leah, if you're reading, please send one our way! Leah urged me to watch "I Am Love" and because I Am a Procrastinator, I've only just now done so. And, because I Am Bossy, I urge you all to do the same.
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| I am just crazy about this guy. Ice Climber in Stone, $48 |
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| Our new, extra sparkly conflict free eternity band, made in Brooklyn! $1200 |
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| Jezebel's new Evil Eye Ring. Mysterious, eh? $288 |
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| A great selection of holiday cards. |
