Our first day of Gowanus Girls Indie Design + Food Mart was great — we got great press, a wonderful turnout and people shop, shop, shopped — and we can’t wait for our second market day this Saturday, October 27, noon to sunset at Gowanus Grove!
(400 Carroll Street, between Bond + Nevins.)
More vendors, delicious food and snacks, beer and mulled wine to sip, free crafts for kids, a tarot card reader — plus fun finds in a fab setting! Jewelry, handbags, scarves, cards + stationary, and more, all beautifully displayed.
Come, join us — it will be a festive way to kick off the holiday shopping season!
Yep, it’s on. Two fine fall Saturdays in October — a new market featuring talented, mostly Brooklyn-based female designers and food makers. Sangria to sip, treats to taste, fun finds in a magical setting and a giving-back element to support the area around the Gowanus Canal.
Join us, noon-sunset, Gowanus Grove, October 13 + 27!
‘Tis the season to shop for others. But, you know, sometimes while you’re out there searching for the just-right something or browsing online for the best deal you can find, it just happens — through no fault of your own — that you stumble on something that YOU want or need.
Like Joe’s Jeans in 55 Colors. You probably need at least one pair, right? (Judging by how many of you clicked on my link to their site in a post last week, I’m guessing a few of you are thinking: YES.)
I’m eyeing cerise and purple passion. What about you?
I’ll totally tell Santa!
(Find Joe’s Jeans in all of their rainbow fabulous-ness at their pop-up shop at 77 Mercer Street bet Broome and Spring in Soho, at Bloomie’s, or online.)
Vintage Shiny Brite Christmas ornaments, pinned on Pinterest via Megduerksen.typepad
Countdown to Christmas, peeps — I could do with a little or a lot of the following:
* The FREE Curious Jane art-book-making event for girls at 61 Local in Carroll Gardens this weekend, Sunday from 11am – 1pm. You can totally drop your daughter and then go Christmas shopping — !!!.
* Pretty delicates from Journelle. (Can someone say “gift for mom?”)
* The Pioneer Woman’s Christmas Rum Cake. Chrissy made this last year and, dang, it’s good. Hello, spiked holiday cake! Yes, it involves a cake mix and instant pudding. Trust me — you won’t care.
So I was super-psyched to find these boots at 50% OFF the sale price (!) at the store on Black Friday. Apparently, some online shoppers were loving them, too, ’cause now they’re sold out. Take heart, though — other Schuler & Sons styles can still be found (although not all of them are on sale.) Keep your eyes peeled, though — prices could plummet the closer we get to Christmas. Here’s a cute pair:
I’m a bit slow getting Christmas together this year, but I was inspired a bit by helping my mom pick out her cards on Etsy. Every time I browse the site, I’m amazed at the things people are making and selling.
Which got me thinking about the Christmas tree skirt. Still haven’t found one. They are usually too formal or preppy for me. I like color, and I like a touch of modern or whimsy in my skirt.
You can’t go wrong with this simple, red felt tree skirt from West Elm, with the sweet monogram. The price is right at $65!
And like Magnolia, I prefer a little sparkle in my life. Especially at Christmas. So this glitter-y, silky tree skirt from Target (can you see the snowflakes?) could be just the thing. Did I read that right? Thirty dollars? In store only!
Still not sure I’ve found THE ONE. But this is a start!
***
Related — But use this as additional inspiration only, you know, to get in the mood; many of last year’s finds are no longer available.
Last weekend I spent some long-overdue kid-free time in Austin with my BFF (thanks, Chrissy, for letting me jet off!) and, oh, but it was nice…. Can I get a repeat? In addition to long, uninterrupted chats with someone who’s known me for 20+ years, here’s the short version of what was on the agenda — I hope it inspires you to plan a little “me” time, too:
* Mexican martinis at Dos Salsas in Georgetown (mmm, see above. And here’s a recipe — I’d tweak the Sprite to a splash.)
* Patricia Clarkson on 7 Minutes in Heaven with Mike O’Brien. Do yourself a favor and watch this. It is highly enjoyable not only because Clarkson is super-appealing and slightly tipsy during the in-the-closet interview, but also because it introduced me to new lipstick shade Cherries in the Snow (which now resides in my handbag.)
* !It Jeans from Adelante — they hug, they’re snug, and they won’t set you back $200. (You’re welcome.) I snagged the My New Boy style, pictured below.
If fall has to come, at least I can be wearing these.
Vintage bowling lanes, transported to Austin from New Orleans.
* Big-time cheesy fun at Austin Karaoke. Thanks to my friend Debra, I no longer have to wonder what my karaoke songs would be — let’s just say Sheryl Crow, Journey, and the fine ladies of Heart were all paid tribute to. Surprisingly cathartic. They had to pry the mike out of my hands.
It’s no secret that Bensimon sneakers are a popular accessory — but that doesn’t mean I don’t love the French tennis shoes anyway. I adored my purpley-taupe slip-ons last summer, but I walk a ton with the kids and they wore out quickly.
So when we were in France in July, I was happy to see that this year’s version has a much sturdier sole. (And they were less expensive than they are at home. Score!)
I picked up the dark-plum pair of canvas lace-ups above. Wearing them in the sunshine this morning, I felt a teeny bit better about being back home. (But just a teeny bit.)
They come in every color under the sun, including many neutrals, but the brights are really grabbing me. You can buy them online from Bensimon USA ($55) or snag a pair locally at Eric Shoes on Seventh Avenue in Park Slope.
Melisa
