Keeping it all Warm

Did you ever own a beater car with a disconnected heating coil? Well, I did, and for many a winter I froze through several drives upstate, wrapped in a quilt and wishing I could plug an electric heater into my cigarette lighter. Well, now there's a much safer invention: go to Wonder Warmers in the shops and stock up on these ingenious pads of warmth. They can be reused over 100 times and come in different sizes. I like the small handwarmers:


These are $15 for a pair or get a six pack for $45 and get one free. That will get you through lots of winter drives, and you'll stay warm without the risk of lighting your car on fire. Wonder Warmers can also be used therapeutically for aches and pains. Get the medium ($14.99) and large ($19.99) rectangle sizes, or the neck and shoulder warmer ($29.99). And what a great gift for hikers, skiers and other outdoor types, like those crazy ice fishermen. Sure, it's lots of fun sitting on a frozen lake waiting for hibernating fish to bite.

Wonder Warmers, E3 in the venue guide

Dazzling

Wouldn't you like to wear your flowers, and take them with you wherever you go? Look at Dazzle Studio's necklaces ($58 - $68) made of real flowers pressed into mother-of-pearl:









These are so lovely, and age appropriate for all the special girls in your life. You should buy a pair for your wife and daughter, or get a set for your sisters. And ladies, buy them for your bridesmaids and all your other girlfriends.

This belt buckle ($70, $90 with belt) also caught my eye, and these gorgeous necklaces. You've got to have a big pendant in your jewelry box this winter, so pick up a handblown glass piece from Dazzle's designer Susan Manley.









And before you go be sure to browse through the charming glass link bracelets ($38, so many colors to choose from) and earrings ($22-$24). If only it were this easy to shop for men.


Dazzle Studios, E12 in the venue guide

Pillows for Everyone

I was recently forced by a person very close to me to throw out all of the pillows decorating my bed, my couch, and my floor. I'm really glad, because now I can buy these:

They are so much prettier than my old pillows. And everyone looking to buy their pillow-loving friends a holiday gift can visit Asian Designs in the shops and fulfill some of their handmade, chinoiserie-pillow needs.

Oh, and pillow people also like wine bottle and tissue box covers:

And table runners. Trust me, not only do pillow people know what a table runner is, but they also understand its importance in the whole complex home decorating food chain.

Asian Designs, E9 in the venue guide

Cleaning Up

Just the other day I was contemplating the pile of dirty clothes on my bedroom floor and wondered, How do organized people do it, keep all their mess neatly hidden away? I suspect such paragons of neatness visit Max Company in The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park where they stock up on these:

Containers that tell you what to put inside. Finally, an assertive hamper, so much better than those wussy hampers that just sit there and say nothing while you throw clothes yonder and nigh.

Max Co. can also help you dress up the cook with a variety of aprons, many wine-themed, which is the preferred theme for all the chefs I know. And the hats will remind you to give that cook a big kiss of gratitude or something. But maybe I'm the only one who finds those goofy chef hats kind of sexy.

laundry bags, $20

aprons, $24

chef hats, $24

Max Company, B6 on the venue guide

Qiviuk Who?

You're probably not familiar with the Canadian Arctic Muskox. Cute, right? Don't let those horns scare you, he's a big softy. For real, his "qiviuk," or the inner down of his coat, is softer and lighter than cashmere. It's also 8 times warmer than wool. The muskox sheds his qiviuk once a year and it's used to make wonderful things like these:




Thank the nice muskox, who is one of the Arctic's most valuable resources. Of course, because this qiviuk is rare it's going to cost more than your everyday cashmere, but it gets softer with wear and will literally last forever. Ask the ox, he's been toting it around since prehistoric times. Or you can take a cue from better known qiviuk wearers like Anna Wintour and Sarah Jessica Parker. Visit Qiviuk Boutique in the holiday shops and buy a sweater, wrap, or that great hat that looks very Proenza Schouler cloche-y. Happy warm and soft holidays.

Qiviuk Boutique, F21 in the venue guide

Pretty Things

Look at this trio of necklaces from MeeHee. And this one below,

and more pretty things...

I would fight you for any of them, especially that pretty flower choker (above,) and the gold ring on the black ribbon (top) that is just begging for a Donna Karan dress. Not to mention these elegant sterling silver earrings:

MeeHee makes your holiday shopping so easy. The prices (around $39 - $159) are shockingly reasonable for this jewelry hand made with either sterling silver or 14k gold, and maybe fresh water pearls or semi-precious stones. And none of this Black Friday 4am madness; just leisurally stroll into Bryant Park sometime this lovely holiday weekend.

MeeHee, F16 on the venue guide

The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park are open tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 24, 10am-9pm, and Sunday, Nov. 25, 10am-6pm.

Cuff Them

Market shopping is for the great, unusual find. At Taara, the wrist cuffs ($25) are one of these delights. Buy these for a trendy niece (they could have walked off a Gaulthier runway) or any crunchy punk rocker with whom you may be acquainted. They will think you are so cool.

(red cuffs below left, green cuffs below right, with flower pins, $15)

Taara's products are handmade Estonian, and the scarves, too, are so cool. There are heavy, organic ones (below left, $40) which will look fantastic with black anything and jeans, and the dressier, delicate thin-as-silk ones (below right, $60). These are thin because traditionally, in Estonia, they were worn pulled through a ring. Hmm, I see Estonian scarf rings in Taara's future...

Taara, B8 on the venue guide

Splash It All Over

Go to splash!organics for all your soap and lotion needs. Their products are all organic and all vegan. Besides the whole organic, plant and no animal by-product thing, you'll want to visit for the aromatherapy. This place smells divine and it's no wonder as everything is fresh and looks good enough to eat. Prices for soaps (below) are from $7 - $25, the shea butters are $15 and the scrubs are $20. They’ll be opening their first NYC store on Bleeker Street in February, so hurry and buy at the holiday shops so you can tell everyone you found them first.

1 for $7, 2 for $12, 5 for $25

Splash! will also inspire you to cut all paraben ties. Educated consumers don't want animal by-products in their beauty products. And it's not just about the paraben: Plant products are more moisturizing and work better on your skin. So start a pro-plant holiday at splash!organics and enjoy all the benefits of organic skincare.

lip balm is $3, deodorant is $8

splash!organics, A7 on the venue guide

Mmmm, Chocolate Dog

Dog models needed! Because I defy you to find anything cuter than The Chocolate Dog's line of canine tuxedos (below, $150). If a friend was getting married and she had a dog I would, without hesitation, buy her (or him) a puppy tuxedo for a shower gift. Dogs are like a staple at weddings these days; let's not embarrass them by just throwing on a bowtie and calling it a day.

The Chocolate Dog also has T-shirts ($20-$25), cute little chew toys, and a wide selection of homemade doggie treats ($1-$4). They've even got gluten-free treats. Did you know 10% of all dogs have a gluten allergy? Dogs, they're just like us!

And these incredibly soft, handmade guayabera shirts (below, $75) make me want to piss off my cat and bring home a puppy. Or maybe I'm going to have to convince The Chocolate Dog to expand their line to accomodate all those fashion-challenged Chocolate Cats.

The Chocolate Dog, A3 on the venue guide

To Hat, or Not to Hat

Luckily, my hat gene was inherited from my father's side. Even Philip Treacy couldn't make a hat look good on my otherwise perfect mom. But I'm going to buy her a headwrap from Volang because she's always looking for something that not only keeps her warm, but also holds her hair back. And it's not, thank god for mom, a full-on hat. These wraps also eradicate the worst part of bed head: the flat, back-of-head hair, thus reducing the need for excessive hair fluffing and the ensuing static electricity-making. Oh, the horrors of winter.




I love the style and colors. Headwraps with the flower are $46, and those without are $36, but the flowers are tough to resist. Kristel Delevante, Volang's designer, also has other great hat designs and pretty wraps. Best, as with many of the holiday shops in Bryant Park, you get the bonus of buying direct from the artisan herself.

Volang, B2 on the venue guide

What a Nut

Don’t you love it when you can accessorize brilliantly, help save the rainforest, and promote the development of artisan communities in the coastal region of Ecuador all with one fabulous bracelet? Welcome to Mure Design, a must-visit during your Holiday Shops tour. Pick up something special from this table:















It's a tough choice. Most of these are made from the tagua nut, aka "vegetable ivory." Definitely buy a bracelet ($35) as they're not just pretty, but feel soft on your skin too. The chess set is $100, and the ornaments (below), a graceful addition to your tree, run $5 and up. I love the hummingbirds.

Visit http://www.propueblo.com/ to read more about the Pro Pueblo Foundation and support a group that not only works to save the environment, but also assists the people who live in it. What could be more in the holiday spirit?

Mure Design, B21 on the venue guide

Opening Day

Tomorrow is Day One for The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park. Here they are being built in the park:

Wow, hanging from the ceiling and all. Late at night all week long, these guys were working to bring us fabulous holiday shopping.

Let me tempt you with a few previews. Get your pretty, modern jewelry at The Firehouse Studio from the personable guys who design the pieces.

The big necklace is $175 and the smaller one is $80. They also have rings from $40-$60 and these great perfume flasks, also $40 - $60.

And check out these great original T-shirts from Parable Ink. Their lovely and innovative shop display is inspired by the New York Public Library, and the shirts each have their own story. I love the V-neck style. Buy one for a bookish buddy, or someone who could use a little literary inspiration.

Then get a book and write it all down. Luscious Paper has gorgeous handbound leather journals and sketchbooks (below). Need something for the guy who has it all? He'll be impressed by these.Return to our blog this weekend and every day till the end of December for more info & pricing on these shops and all the rest. Hours tomorrow are 10am - 9pm.

Where to find the shops on the venue guide:

The Firehouse Studio, D20

Parable Ink, B12

Luscious Paper, B18