Shopgirl: November Picks

Where exactly did October go? And for that matter, where is November going? Before we go full Yuletide in just a few weeks, we're keeping the moody spirit of the fall season for a little while longer. 

Lately Sarah has been wearing one of my favorite jewelry motifs, the serpent. I love the Yayoi Forest Serpentine Necklace particularly for its coiled form and twinkling diamond eye. It can also be layered with something more delicate like the Chained To My Heart for an unexpected balance.

And almost all of us Catbirdettes have a few of these mini velvet pumpkins sprinkled around our homes. They serve no functional purpose but are entirely delightful in a sort of dark-oddity way that makes me think Tim Burton might own a few. Each is unique, with real pumpkin and squash stems. 

Of course, these pumpkins do best in a Tarot Deck scented environment. 

xo,
Sriya

Happy Back to School.

Gorgeous, right? I love summer but right this second I am looking forward to boots and jackets.

Via Even Cleveland.

The September Issue

Zooey Deschanel, looking ravishing, decked out in our Pavé Moon Necklace and in Bittersweet's Feather Bracelet (not on line).

Luckyday Kitchen!

The beautiful Francina chopping shallots in her tiny Luckyday kitchen.

We made mulled cider soda with a cardamom & sugar rim - holy cow was this fantastic.

The makings of an delicious salad: apples & celery root (which makes me think of Pan's Labyrinth).

There's me in a Utility Canvas apron, contemplating watercress. 

This past Sunday I was lucky enough to go to a supper club/cooking class at Francina Stewart's tiny and adorable Fort Greene apartment. We watched and helped and gaped as she whipped up an amazing meal from scratch. Quail stuffed with Hen of the Woods mushrooms are WAAAY out this girl's comfort zone, but today I found myself eyeing them in the market with a new confidence.

You should get on Francina's website, get on her email list, and go!! Stumped on what to get your friend for her birthday? Take her!! See more pics of the dinner here.

Here is the All About Apples menu that we cooked and ate. Lucky day indeed!

• Mulled cider fizz with cardamom spiced raw sugar rim
• Russ & Daughters smoked trout on honeycrisp apple chip with crême fraiche and watercress
• Herb and Hen of the Woods stuffed quail with cider vinegar spiked apple glaze
• Roasted mixed taters and cauliflower with garlic rosemary paprika butter.
• Cortland apple and celery root salad with toasty spiced walnuts and a lemon tarragon homemade mayonnaise vinaigrette.
• Norther spy apple pie with a cornmeal thyme crust and baked in a just-for-one jar
• Vanilla bean creme fraiche ice cream *this seriously almost made me die of deliciousness*
• Honeycrisp sorbet

What We Love Today: Saipua Basil Soap

Fall is coming so, farewell coconut! See you in 10 months. Welcome fall with a new bar of Saipua's basil soap, a deeply sexy autumnal blend of Hungarian basil topped with a touch of lime for levity.

Kiss of a Spider-Bejeweled woman

Old Hollywood, $128

I'm a big fan of subtle nods to other seasons- shell necklaces in the winter?  Why not?  Noirish, deep autumn spiders in the summer? Please do!  I'm also a big fan of Old Hollywood, and if someone doesn't buy this necklace, expertly constructed from vintage pieces, soon, it might have to come home with me.  And, seeing as how I am accidentally responsible for having my brother's car towed this week, I don't think he'd appreciate me leaving it in hock, while I tool around town glittering with new, old jewels.  

halloweenies.

Williamsburg gets pretty festive for All Hallow's Eve. Here are some of the cute trick or treaters that came a'knockin. Thanks to Leigh for the pics.

I have an out-of-porportion fear of sharks, but i could totes hang with this guy.

fanny packs.

It's kind of hard to explain how great this new find is. Little leather pouches (about 4" x 5") with loops in the back to attach to your belt, (or your bike as Deirdre astutely pointed out). These babies are not messin' around. The brass hardware is old-timey, the leather is Grade A, the stitching top notch. Excellent when going for an intrepid explorer look.

A gorgeous assortment of styles and colors arrived at the Bedford location today. Along with more cozy, cashmere, cold-weather gear you could possibly imagine.

feathers at bryant park.

Word on the street has it that the headband that this lovely is wearing was bought at catbird.

We cannot keep them in stock and have new deliveries of them coming in every week. Well-priced and gorgeously made in the burg of William.

Via The (very very great) Sartorialist.

this just in.

Lorick, designed by Abigail Lorick. The line is jaw dropping. It has a timeless, elegant, sophisticated feel but with an unmistakable edge. (The line has something to do with Gossip Girl but I am not sure what, as I am over the age of 30. I think I am actually not allowed to watch it.) My favorite dress makes me think of Mad Men. Maybe something Betty Draper would wear to a cocktail party.

(The Internerd tells me this: Blair's mother's fashion line, Waldorf Designs, is in fact a real collection called Lorick designed by Abigail Lorick. So there ya go.)

this just in.

So much new stuff just came in to both stores. So much. Of note, and perfectly timed for this dark month, is my favorite new find, Cloven Hoof, by Eminé Avanessian. Gilded scarabs, real human teeth (bought from a Medical School supplier), grouse feet (left overs from a farm in Indiana where they eat them), all rendered into beautifully creepy jewelry. Has the word "macabre" ever been more fitting?

itsy bitsies.

Feel your spidey senses tingling? Must be this necklace that just came in from the reliably great Iwona Ludyga. (From Brooklyn, of course.) Spidey stud earrings and ring also in. Perfect for October. Or anytime.

brown shoes.

These three styles from Giraudon are on their way to catbird right now. I suppose it goes without saying, but I love them. Think how great they will look with tights and wool skirts. Sort of a cool, WWII style.

new fall looks.

Level 99 Vest
MinkPink white blouse with black bow

Dace hanky blouse
Kyumi navy wool high waist A-line skirt

Ali Ra green scooter dress
Lily+Jae Navy Bedford Coat

Kyumi silk blouse with tie
Lily+Jae Suspender dress

Fall clothes are just irresistible.
We also have some great new knee socks to ratchet it up a notch or two. Come see.

shhhh.

One of our absolutely favorite designers, Stephanie Simek (the creator of the quail egg necklace), has created another piece of wearable art. What could be better than actual, soft, little, pussy willows gently brushing your neck every time you move? Um, someone walking behind you scratching your back all day and telling you how awesome you are?

Stephanie calls them "silent wind chimes". They are perfect for this Falliest of Falls we're having here in New York. The first one sold after it had been in the store for a hot minute.

svens are here.

Best. Boots. Ever. The rest of your shoes are gonna wonder where you disappeared to. And we have the ones with the most comfy, bendy sole. You will wonder what you ever did before them. Trust. For real.

dru shoes

Dru shoes are perfection. The toes are always exactly right and the styling is cool and easy to wear. They hit the nail on the head every time. (There's a gross toenail joke in there somewhere.) These two beauties just came in. The bottom, patent ones have a mirror-shiny silver wedge. It's like if Audrey Hepburn starred in Barberella.

hats off.

(the pics below and above are of the same, reversible hat.)

I love hats. A hat done right, makes everything better. Hides bad hair, frames the face, snazzes up a boring outfit. I am positively certain that hats are magical and can make you feel better. In fact, I like to wear a hat right after I wash my hair - we call this "cookin' it in a hat" - to ensure a fine, matted look, straight outta the shower. So, all that translates into me buying LOTS of hats for the store. Many styles, purposes and price ranges.

One of my favorites is Tsuyumi hats. They are all made by hand and each hat displays "a flair for controlled exuberance". (yes, that line is stolen from her bio.) They are just too great. We started Spring trade shows yesterday and placed a big order with her for spring (very Gatsby). Above are some favorites from her that are in the store right now. (The fur one is my favorite, and it is reversible.) (note: it is FAKE FUR. should have specified this earlier.)

Also in the store right now are beautiful, simple, undyed cashmere winter hats that we could not keep in stock last year. (We also have them in black this year.) They are in and we sold a bunch this 90º weekend. And Christy's of London (who have been around since 1773!) is in too. Super styley, amazing quality, old world fedoras at prices that seem to have stayed the same since 1773.

Coming very soon, the huge, great Mischa Lampert hats - available at Barneys for three times the price. Sheesh Barneys. Try not to be so greedy!

Q is for Quail.

More new stuff on the way from Quail. Take a gander. Really great, interesting constructions, Easy flattering style. Cool and very affordable. (Everything falls well under $200.)

fall. oh how i lurv thee.

New fall merchandise has been streaming in and it is oh so great. (I am really resisting using lots of caps and exclamation points here.)

Our favorite new line right now is Mink Pink. It's from Australia, where apparently they know a little sumpin sumpin. Oh and you thought it was all koalas and dingos eating babies. The prices are friendly as can be (under $100) and it is just irresistible. (So irresistible, in fact, that we sold some stuff to a smart and discerning cookie before we had finished unpacking the box.)

More pics to come! Please come by and check out the new wares in person. We did all the work for you and edited like crazy. There is a really wide price range and the styles are fun, flattering, easy and exciting to wear. Set yourself apart this fall by not wearing what everyone else is lazily picking up at Urban and H&M. We just got in lots of awesome new designers that will soon get scooped up by all the Big Names - get in on the action early. You'll be happy you did.