The holidays aren’t all about presents. But … they do play a big part. Here’s my wish list of what I’d like to see under the proverbial tree* come Christmas morning. (*There’s no actual tannenbaum gracing my living room, as I don’t have a car, axe, or the motivation to make that happen at this point in my life.)
Ibex Shak Freestar Zip Up
I’m a carless commuter, which means that there are times during the winter when I have to just hop on the trusty, old bike and suck it up. So, having good gear is a must. This (soft!) wool zip-up from Vermont-based Ibex is a perfect mid layer: it’s thin, warm, has thumb holes, and is machine washable. I want it! $155, Ibex, 303 Newbury St., Boston, 857-277-1932, ibexwear.com. READ MORE
|
Arts at the Armory will be hosting SnowMall this Sunday, a holiday marketplace filled with unique holiday gifts from local vendors. Get a preview on the Facebook page, where organizers have gathered profiles and pics from some of the craftsy folk who will be selling their goods. And in case you need a little more motivation to brave the winter weather, we’ve put together a list of five of our favorite vendors, whose covetable items will be available for purchase this weekend.
 Image via Albertine Press Flowerfolk
The herbal-based body products are made from natural ingredients and come in crafty packaging.
Abby Berkson
Abby’s handmade ceramics incorporate whimsical designs that are reminiscent of children’s book illustrations and vintage textiles.
Camla Jewelry
These nature-inspired, silver and gold baubles are feminine and elegant.
Albertine Press
Snap up eco-friendly holiday cards, note sets, and greeting cards from this Somerville letterpress company.
Well Suited Design
Try on one of these scarves made from old suit material for an urban, mix-matchy feel that works for both men and women.
12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville
—Ashley Wood
|
 Image courtesy of Carhartt This Thursday is the day for some manly fun — work wear brand Carhartt will be hosting a “Wicked Tough” celebration in honor of the opening of its first Boston retail store at Legacy Place in Dedham. The rough-and-tumble clothing brand specializes in everything from flame resistant jackets to insulated cover-alls … perfect for anyone with a nitty gritty job or hobby.
Expect appearances from NHL legend Cam Neely and Carhartt CEO Mark Valade, as well as a ceremonial drywall knock-down event replete with sledgehammers. And not to worry, guests will have a chance to take a crack at it — as well as a “Wicked, Worn, and Torn” jacket contest, where contestants compare their most beaten work wear for a chance to win new Carhartt duds. READ MORE
|
 Image courtesy of Nerdy Dirty Graphic designer Nicole Martinez makes boldly colored prints that I can’t help but swoon over. The Miami, Florida native moved to Boston for her job as an art director for a local ad agency. “It’s nice to do side projects that are the furthest thing away from corporate,” says Martinez of her Etsy creations. “[It's] just fun design that makes people laugh … strangers from around the world buying your art simply because they dig it is the greatest compliment.” Martinez humored some of my questions about her quirky creations.
How did you end up with a career in graphic art?
I was gonna go to law school, and my best friend told me I would be miserable if I weren’t doing something creative, and she was right. I enrolled at Miami Ad School for art direction, and the rest is history. READ MORE
|
San Francisco-based Giftly, which launched last month, is a new way to give gift certificates. The web-based company allows buyers to give gift certificates redeemable at up to three separate locations. The best part? No cards, paper scraps, or e-mails to keep track of. Put simply, after a receiver is notified of their Giftly, they choose where they prefer to redeem it, spend the amount gifted, then log into Giftly’s website and with the click of a button the company puts the amount directly into the recipient’s bank account.
So what does that mean for us here in Boston? A Giftly can essentially be used at any retail location in town of the gifter’s choosing — without the need to purchase a gift card directly from that business. Which means that once the snow storms hit, as they most certainly will, you can do all your Christmas gift certificate shopping this year without even leaving the house. Plus, they never expire — unlike “real” gift cards.
Tim Bentley, CEO and Founder of Giftly answered a few of our pressing questions: READ MORE
|
 Photograph courtesy of Triian On the Oct. 27 pilot of Lifetime’s new fashion show, Project Accessory, Brian Burkhardt grabs a handful of stuffed teddy bears and tells the camera that the idea for his first look will be “post-apocalyptic Mad Max meets runaway.” After adding other materials like old ice skates and furniture blankets to create a necklace, belt, and hair accessory, Burkhardht earned the one of the highest scores in the first round of the competition. READ MORE
|
 Image courtesy of Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project We understand it’s not always easy to get into the holiday spirit. Temperatures are dropping, snow is preemptively falling, and your bank account will soon be dwindling. Luckily, Boston-based stationers Kate Saliba and Deb Bastien, of Smudge Ink, are providing a way to ease you into the shopping season. The Charlestown company, whose products can be found at Boston shops like Wink and Trident Booksellers, will host a Holiday Sip + Shop event this Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. inside their letterpress studio. READ MORE
|
 Photograph courtesy of Round House Jewelry A photographer by trade and training, Lisa Sachs now spends her time making jewelry at her home studio in Newton. The Massachusetts native makes rugged yet feminine leather wrap bracelets and hammered metal necklaces in silver and bronze — and in straightforward designs that make us swoon. Sachs answered a few of our questions about her handiwork.
How did you get into jewelry making?
I trained as a photographer and spent years making and showing my work around the world. But I came to find working in three dimensions more satisfying, somehow, than the flat, two-dimensional world of photos. So after much debate, I put my life as an artistic photographer on hold and threw myself into the craft of designing jewelry. I love working in three dimensions. And honestly, I love knowing that people are wearing my art. That’s something no photographer can say — it matters to me that people take my creations and make them part of their everyday lives. READ MORE
|
 Photo courtesy of Succarra Boston, as GQ so graciously pointed out this summer, is not always known for its cutting-edge fashion. Between college kids schlepping books to class and business folks hauling their lives to the office, practicality occasionally wins out over stylishness. Luckily, we now have the best of both worlds in the form of handbag designer Alexandra Satine’s fall collection.
Venezuelan-raised Satine launched her line two years ago, and it’s a mix of minimalist cuts and versatile design. Her fall 2011 collection, for instance, includes the “Brickel” ($490), a satchel that can morph into a surprisingly un-fanny-pack-esque belt bag; the “Michigan Ave” ($280), a clutch that includes a wristlet and shoulder chain straps; and the Optimus Prime of the collection, the “Love My Bag” ($495, pictured), which can be carried as a tote, slung across the body (it includes a leather strap and a chain), and a simple clutch.
At those prices, these bags are an investment, but bargain hunters can assuage their guilt with the knowledge that they’re getting more bag for their buck.While local shops aren’t yet stocking the line, Newton’s All About Shoes will host a trunk show on September 24 to showcase Satine’s designs. Maybe with her help, we won’t even place in GQ‘s top five next year. –Hannah Sheinberg
Alexandra Satine trunk show, 12–5 p.m., Saturday, September 24, All About Shoes, 333 Walnut St., Newton, 617-527-2330; alexandrasatine.com.
|
 Photo courtesy of Blinc I have exciting news to share, Bostonistas: I will never use a regular eyelash curler again.
Gone are the days of affixing that Clockwork Orange-style metal contraption to my delicate, barely visible lid hairs, thanks to Blinc’s Heated Eyelash Curler. How the deuce did I not discover one of these until now?
The long, slender silver tube holds one AAA battery, and a flip of the switch on the side creates a current that heats up a coil filament in the tip, which is covered with a plastic comb. The back of the tip has a wee indicator that turns from red to yellow to let you know when it’s fully heated, which takes about 30 seconds.
Using it is a snap: All I had to do was brush my lashes in segments (I worked from the inner to outer corner; the website recommends beginning in the middle then moving to each side), starting at the base and then lightly bending the tips back and holding for about 3 seconds. The result? Perfectly curled lashes in half the time — minus the tugging and inadvertent pulled lashes I usually suffer from. And as long as you don’t stab yourself in the eye with it, burning your peepers is a non-issue. The curler itself is only slightly longer than a tube of mascara, which means this bad boy is easily stored, super portable, and totally worth 25 bucks.
What do you think, gals? Would you throw down the loot for my new favorite beauty gadget?
$25, available at Sephora, Prudential Center, Boston, 617-262-4200, sephora.com or blincinc.com.
|
