Layers to keep you warm

These beautiful arm warmers from Erica Tanov arrived in the store last week, and I immediately bought two pairs. It had never occurred to me that I might want arm warmers until the moment I first saw these, but I love them and think that maybe I actually need one more pair-- especially since one of the pairs I bought is a gift for my mother. Now she can wear her 3/4 sleeve coat when it is actually cold outside! I like the way they can peek out from under a sweater and make it seem like you are wearing a second awesome sweater underneath without adding any bulk. Also, this picture doesn't do the sparkle justice... So come in and see for yourself!

Another new arrival: great tights and leggings from French Curve...

Congratulations...

to Bayh and Matt on their engagement! These rings make me want to get engaged, too...

sterling silver ring with rose cut diamonds

14kt gold with one rose cut diamond

top: 14kt gold band with scattered diamonds

bottom: platinum band

Hard to pick a favorite... (but it's the silver/diamond ring for me!)

Grown up and sophisticated

A customer came in today and fell in love with Jitterbug Perfume. It is one of the staples among our collection of fragrances (which also includes Kai and Sage Oils). When she asked me how I would describe it, I said that it is grown up and sophisticated, that it has the gravitas of Chanel No. 5 without feeling old fashioned or too heavy: a modern interpretation of smells that conjure vintage photographs, french movies, and first dates.

Since that was a pretty qualitative description, I also looked it up to discover the following:

Those are scents that remind me of sitting at my grandmother's dressing table, just tall enough to see the glimmer of crystal bottles, the glint of metal lipstick cylinders, the luscious lure of her gilded compact, and the irresistible pot of delectable cold cream that lived in the far corner.

Every year, my grandparents drove to our house for Thanksgiving. My grandmother would pack all of her oils and potions—the things that I thought made her quintessentially grown up and sophisticated—into an avocado green cosmetics case that matched her luggage. I ALWAYS carried that case in from the car, and she always let me pop it open and poke through it. As a result, classic perfume and the smells of autumn combine to conjure many of my favorite memories.

When that customer held out her wrist for my opinion, it was as if I was sitting at my grandmother's vanity with the atomizer poised before me. After she purchased the Jitterbug Perfume, I picked up the tester, dabbed a bit on the back of my hand, and have been engrossed in lovely memories ever since.

Blue

These cashmere pop-top gloves from Carolina Amato arrived in the store a couple of days ago, and it reminded me of this gorgeous car:

I love the car's exterior, but I also love the tones and textures of the interior. Also in that family:

Prairie Underground's Long Cloak Hoodie

Shabd's stormy silk scarf

Let me introduce you

to some of the new designers in the store this fall:

The lovely and delightful, and very local, Megan Noonan dropped off pieces from her inaugural collection for Marijn Bennet. I'm particularly taken by the braided scarves in alpaca and wool. Warm necklaces in fetching colors are an original take on a winter staple.

Hikaru Noguchi, is a new gem for us. Japanese by origin, she produces her collection of knit accessories in the UK from the finest Scottish, English and Australian wool. The styles reference vintage knitwear, while updating colors to a thoroughly modern mix. I call it friendly, soft, warm... and definitely cool.



Another new find is Mercy Studio, by a design duo out of Toronto. The rich fabrics, attention to detail and romantic silhouettes drew me in immediately. In the end, though, there is something unique and artful about the collection that I haven't come across before, and that won me over. The digitally printed silk charmeuse, in deep navy with bronzy gold, blue, white and brown is pure luxury, and the washed stars on woven wool are sophisticated delight. Not to mention the gold brocade coat...

This is just a tease, come see what else is on the racks and on the shelves.

Fall weather, Fall fashion

For the past week I've been reveling in the chilly morning weather and in the pleasure of pulling up the blankets instead of reaching for the ac. While I normally can't stand to look at sweaters in August, I was thrilled to get to work this morning and see the first of our fall orders had arrived to the store! Majestic, Velvet and Hartford are a few of my favorites. Take a peek!

Cooling off on Pier 6

Last week my cousin Meghan invited me to take a walk down to the water park over at Pier 6 together with her daughter Quinn. There are rocks to climb on and around, sprinklers in open areas and little rivers to meander through while getting your feet wet. It was the perfect way to cool off. I wish there was a park like that for adults, because I would go there all the time.

I gave Quinn this Yoshii towel from the store shortly after she was born, and Meghan used it to dry her off when we were ready to leave the park. It also came in handy for lining a too-hot swing seat. I want to order more for the store, so I will keep you all posted...

Oh yeah, and on the walk home we passed this lovely flower shop and saw artichoke flowers. Sooooo cool.

Meanwhile, back in Park Slope...

Witness the work of George The Great:

The lights are embedded in wooden dowls- fantastic.

George Awad, truly George the Great, has been transforming the lighting in the store this summer.

It started with an offhand comment from my friend Christine, about her father's mini obsession with LED lighting. LEDs are something I have long championed, but had disappointing experience with. 

They are magical: very energy efficient, long lived and bright, but until recently the color spectrum available to the general public was limited to very white/ blue light- not the best for my warm store.

George's interest has led him to explore the options now available, including warmer tones, and the results are remarkable, as you can see in the before and after photos above.

I'm completely thrilled. 

And, among things that may thrill you: there are lots of good things on SALE in the store now. 

Come in, experience George's magic, and find something magic of your own.

Stackables

I gave in!!!! These Mali bracelets have been among our best selling items all summer, and I have watched tons of fabulous, stylish women walk out with their perfectly customized stack of colorful rubber bangles. Yesterday I gave in to the lure of these recycled accessories and took home a stack of my own. I had dinner with a couple friends in Prospect Park last night, and they were the first thing that we talked about.

At only $2/bracelet, they are a steal. And you can keep them on at the beach or wear them straight into the deep end of the pool. I don't plan on taking mine off until the weather necessitates long sleeves, and at 97 degrees today, it's hard to imagine that will ever happen!

Summer days

Two weekends ago I had the pleasure of visiting with a friend in a very tiny town in Pennsylvania, where I spent most of the Fourth of July lying in a hammock with my book... Then, this last Thursday, I went to the first of the outdoor movies in Brooklyn Bridge Park, which is my favorite summertime thing to do. You see a beautiful view of the river and of Manhattan while you wait for it to get dark enough for them to show the movie:

Hans and I biked to the park last week, which is great because they have a bike valet so there's no need to carry a heavy lock. Tomorrow's movie is Ghostbusters, and I can't wait! I would love to wear this airy Hartford top with my shorts, bring the Matta Dupatta for when it gets chilly (which is impossible to imagine before the sun goes down, but then it happens), and of course those Coup d'Etat espadrilles that I couldn't resist:

Vintage photo

I submitted this "vintage" photo of my mother to The Sartorialist a couple of weeks ago, but I'm too impatient to wait to see if he will post it so I am beating him to the punch. This was taken at her first job in publishing. Doesn't she look so glamorous?

Prints I Have Loved

Anyone who knows me knows that I love taking pictures of food. What you might not know, however, is I also love taking pictures of beautiful prints and fabrics. I have taken home many a blouse or dress simply because I am in love with the print.

Here are some pictures I took of beautiful prints at the V&A Museum during my last trip to London:





There are many pieces in the store right now that use beautiful prints on beautiful fabrics, but the Firefly Shirtdress by Only Hearts really takes the cake. I saw it and immediately fell in love with the print:




The dress is pretty cute as well:


This dress is perfection for many summer occasions, but would be especially noteworthy (and timely) at a Fourth of July party this weekend.

Did I mention that the Firefly Shirtdress pattern is the background on my phone? I think it really complements the picture of french macarons I have as my screen saver.

Summer treats

Last week, Susannah brought me a homemade mini rhubarb tart. I still had hot coffee left in my thermos and it made the best afternoon snack of all time. I have learned that Susannah is a consummate chef, and this little delight was perfect proof of her culinary skill.

Then today, a gentleman stopped in to leave postcards advertising the new service, Feast Upon: "We’ve chosen top local chefs who have recommended unique seasonal entrées and sides perfect for cooking at home. We then source the best organic ingredients from sustainable regional farms and deliver everything, including detailed cooking instructions, right to your door."

How tempting is that?? It makes me hope that I might someday produce a meal that would live up to the impeccable standards of Anna Klinger.

Due to Susannah's capacity in the kitchen, the discovery of Feast Upon and the proximity of Al Di La, I am most glad to have the Three Stripe Sundress by Only Hearts in the store at the moment. The pattern is universally slimming, the material hugs you comfortably, and with the natural waist, you can have as many gourmet treats as you like and still look like a 1950s movie star.

(And please don't take my pictures as evidence—my Evo and I try our best, but we've hardly done this dress justice. Come in and see for yourself!)

Espadrilles!

I have been waiting for the arrival of Coup D'Etat Espadrilles since we were in the depths of winter, so imagine my JOY at seeing them in this basket when I got to the store today! I may have to take a ruby red pair home with me right now.