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. Continue reading “My Christmas Wish List” »
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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
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If you buy your groceries from the neighborhood co-op, mourn the disappearance of farmers markets in the winter, and think small-batch craft beer is the only booze worth drinking, then the Access card’s for you.
The discount card — from Amanda Knorr, founder of online Boston boutique guide Spreedia, and Liana Krupp, founder of New Brahmin — launched in November and rewards you for choosing local shops over chains.
The purple card costs $40 and is good for one year. You’ll get 10 percent off full-priced merchandise at participating retailers, as well as inside news on area events and new products and members-only discounts. Clothing boutiques like Artifaktori, Wish, Sault, and Flock, and home decor spots like Acquire and J.E.M. are all on the growing roster.
—Ashley Wood
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 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. Continue reading “Carhartt Hosts Grand Opening Celebration” »
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 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. Continue reading “Etsy Crush: Nerdy Dirty” »
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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: Continue reading “Giftly: Gift Cards, Sans Card” »
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 Charlotte Ronson, left, with Liz Sells. Photograph by Lisa Richov Liz Sells, of Winchester-based Sells & Co., teamed up with New York fashion designer Charlotte Ronson Monday night for an evening of fashion, food, and music at Red Lantern Restaurant in the Back Bay.
Boston-based models were decked out in Ronson’s latest spring looks from her namesake line, which incorporated diverse textures from white lace to patchwork denim to earthy suede. Overall, the pieces were feminine and subdued and seem like the perfect pieces for transitioning into a sticky East Coast summer.
Showing her support and tag-teaming the fashion show was twin sister and DJ Samantha Ronson, who performed a live set to guests at the Lolita after-party and provided attendees with a runway mixtape to take home. Continue reading “Q+A: Designer Charlotte Ronson” »
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 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. Continue reading “Project Accessory: Brian Burkhardht’s Jewels” »
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 Courtesy of J. Crew We know it’s only November. We know you haven’t even started to contemplate your holiday shopping. So why not let a professional fashion designer do it for you? In celebration of the holiday collection, J.Crew at Copley Place will hold a cocktail and shopping event with the company’s new vice president of women’s design, Tom Mora. Mora will meet with shoppers and offer style advice — not to mention that all merchandise will be 15 percent off. After all, it’s the early bird that always gets the worm. Or in this case, the perfect pair of glitzy ballet flats.
And in case you miss out on Mora’s advice first-hand, we spoke with the J.Crew fashion maverick about how he got started with J.Crew, his favorite trends for the holidays, and the best way to stay warm and chic this winter. Continue reading “J.Crew Holiday Event Today” »
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The horrors of holiday shopping are approaching: Shoving, trampling, and the occasional game of tug-of-war aren’t enough to keep most Bostonians from shopping on Black Friday and the days following. This year, Wrentham Village Premium Outlets is hosting a “Fashionista’s Field Trip” on a not-so-black Saturday, November 5, offering discounts at Tahari, Theory, and Vince Camuto, plus a complimentary cupcake from Sweet.
Shoppers will be picked up by Boston Common Coach at one of two Sweet Cupcakes locations (Harvard Square or Mass. Ave.) and shuttled to Wrentham where they can leisurely spend the afternoon browsing the goods at Burberry, Barney’s New York, Michael Kors, and the recently opened Bloomingdale’s outlet. Continue reading “A Fashionista Field Trip” »
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