Randolph Engineering

They're BACK!!

Randolph Engineering sunglasses - supplier of sunglasses for the US Military, Air Force and NASA -and to the gentlefolk of Williamsburg. When I was placing my order and asking my sales rep, Rick, about different styles, he made sure to tell me which styles astronauts preferred. (The Crew Chief)

Randolph Engineering products are famed for their quality and durability. Each pair of our sunglasses goes through more than 200 production stages – mostly by hand. We even make our own solder flux. As a result, our frames provide unequaled strength and solder joint integrity.

We feel so strongly about the quality of our products that we will repair or replace any broken solder joint for the lifetime of the frame (assuming normal use). That is one of the many reasons we call ourselves “serious equipment”.

I love when people take their work seriously.


Did I mention the maintenance kit that comes with every pair?

(From $99-$113)

Do like Diane done did

Diane Keaton, age 18 & Kerry Cassill scarves, $18

Great ladies wear kerchiefs. Its a rule I learned in the early 80s via many Sound of Music viewings, and its a rule that was reinforced during my teenage years in the later part of the grunge era. I am proud to say: I love a lady in a kerchief, and I love a lady in a dress over denim. Well, sometimes on that second part. Dresses over denim live in the land of terrible, with occasional trips down the block to the country of sublime. Kerchiefs, though? All for one and one for all.

Ruthie Sayles.

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.

Insane in the membrane?

gift wrap, $4

Do some expert self-diagnosis with this phrenology chart/gift wrap.

french lieutenant's woman.

Former catbird employee, Melanie Cohen, is doing some fine work with glamorous headgear. Now that winter is upon us, she is showing us her chops again - this time in glamour AND coziness. Assorted options are now at the Bedford store. (Arden Wohl, known for putting a thing or two on her head, picked one up this weekend at Catbird.)

Also great for Meryl Streep fans, such as myself.

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.

fur real.

I got a bunch of emails this week from angry customers saying they would boycott catbird unless I stopped selling fur. The cuplrit? This awesome, locally handmade, reversible hat by Tsuyumi, made from wool and high quality FAKE fur. I think an employee may have told someone it was "faux rabbit" and that's where the confusion began. Anyway, just a note to all you concerned citizens, it is indeed fake fur. Thanks for your emails.

NOTE: I am still getting vitriolic emails about catbird selling fur. (Again - we do not sell fur.) We even put a note next to this hat in the window saying that it is fake. Can anyone fill me in on the source of the info?

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!

rainy day women.

Plastic gramma rain bonnets! Coming soon. Too bad we didn't have these in today.

glamorous turbans.

One of the best things about having employees, aside from being able to sit home and eat bon-bons all the ding dong day, is getting the chance to provide amazingly talented people with extra opportunities. Whether that means showcasing new jewelry lines (to wit: the lovely and talented Leigh Batnick's new line), enabling styling insanity all day and every day or creating new allegiances of BFFs. Melanie Cohen, a former catbird, started making these amazing silk head wraps. Very Mrs. Robinson. Or Babe Paley. Or Joan Crawford. Very, oh I dont know, languishing on the divan and sipping Whiskey Sours mid day. They are FLYING off the shelves. Apparently more people are living the glamorous life than I thought.

note: I just spent way too much time googling images of people wearing turbans and other glamorous headgear. I couldn't really come up with the right pic (as much as I swoon over Peter O'Toole dressed as T.E. Lawrence). However, my extensive and scientific research has shown that this turban can be worn in many styles. With a cigarette holder and red lips for a languid, glamorous look. With jeans and a wife beater for a rockabilly vibe. Or just on a bad, frizzola hair day (such as today).

feathered friends.

I am on the fence when it comes to feathered headgear. I see it on people and think it looks amazing. When I put it on I look like I'm trying too hard. Or like a showgirl who has lost her way. That said, I still think I fall on the plus side. Done right they are just too great. You? (see poll)