Friday, December 21, 2007

This Weekend: Last Minute Shopping Ideas


from JChocolatier.Com

Chocolates: For real. Can you go wrong ? D.C. seems to be on the up and up when it comes to the sweets offerings. Here are two local places that have addictive selections of artisanal chocolates, both local and international. Godiva is history.
Biagio Fine Chocolate 1904 18th St NW (18th and T, old Sticky Fingers space), recommend J Chocolatier box of chocolate caramels dotted with sea salt, box of 8 for $14.
Artfully Chocolate Kingsbury Confections 1529C 14tH Street NW (14th and Q), highly chompable choco bar selection between $6-7 (you cannot go wrong with sea salt and chocolate). Also, I am told they have an amazing hot chocolate bar!
Truffles by You Check out this nytimes recipe. So easy, so satisfying. And yeah, drip some earl grey tea into it.

Beautify man, woman, child, doggy: Kiehl's M Street Georgetown. Luxurious products.

Gift for that big 'ole brain: Red Onion Records & Books gift certificate 18th and T , across from Biagio.

Feeling Lucky: Eastern Market Flea Market 10-5pm Sunday. Treasures abound.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Object Lust

Christian Louboutin Simple 85 Pumps


pic from Saks

Damn, these are classic.

Monday, December 17, 2007

This Week

Monday: Finish your shopping!

Tuesday: Famous French comedy films at Maison Francaise, 6pm

Wednesday: This Ain't No Disco, disco DJ night at Saint-Ex, 10pm

Thursday: Modernist Society presents "Christmas in Darfur" at Bourbon, 8pm

Heya


Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Hand-made cards are better!





They are better than store-bought cards. We all know that. But if yours look like the work of a pre-schooler, take a look at Cam Cruz's lovely holiday cards at her store on Esty.com.

If you dilly-dally and don't get your holiday cards out on time, don't worry because Cam's Thank You notes will come in handy this time of year too! In fact, the Brooklyn-based artist does cards for practically all seasons and celebrations, and even does custom orders.

New Year New Calendar

Noa's Calendar from Kiosk



A calendar as a gift can be creative one. Check out this offering from Kiosk's finds from Finland. You can skip the calendar of pugs or Spongebob, this well-sized option will be much keener way to watch the days pass. Other functional yet attractive gift ideas on this site from all over the world. As for your 2007's, check out some excellent recycling ideas for ye ole calendar here.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Holiday Giving



Really, the only website you need for all your holiday gifts: Humans.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Thank You

Heya, we had a great time at Rock N Shop last night! Thanks to the Black Cat staff and everyone that came out--the house was packed. As was our booth....we'll need a bigger one next time ;)

Friday, December 7, 2007

This Weekend

Tonight: Terrance Blanchard at AFI...introducing Inside Man and Talk to Me

Tomorrow: Ted Leo at 9:30; Vincent Gallo at Rock N Roll Hotel

Sunday: ROCK N SHOP!!!--say hello to Listopad at the Black Cat

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Sneak Preview of Rock 'n Shop

Guys, this is the first time I've blogged from home...shhh don't tell my boss. I wanted to give you a tiny preview of some of the stuff we'll be selling, but please excuse the really bad photos/photo quality. We've got jackets for guys and girls, great winter dresses, lots of shoes and accessories and some beautiful jewelry too.



Ebay Lust

Law and Order: SVU mousepad


pic from ebay seller

Yes! I love the ghost of Stephanie March on this.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Object Lust

Gold Banana Fruit Bowl


pic from Velocity site

Bling Bling

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Winter Beauty

Now that a wintry breeze is a-blowin' you'll be intermittently battling the elements and spending more time indoors. Is it time to indulge in some cheap, easy beauty treatments at home! I'll share with you a few of my favorite ways to relax, look good, and seal in all the moisture that the wind will soon try to whip from your skin.

First of all, its amazing how many natural laxatives can double as beauty products! I have heard that you can make a mask out of milk of magnesia but haven't tried it yet. But here are two products that will make your skin very happy (I can't say what they will do to your digestive system, but take a wild guess.)


Epsom Salts
Dump about half of a small carton of epsom salts into a big bath, swirl it around to dissolve, and hop in. Epsom salts melt the tension from your muscles. However, don't soak longer than 15-20 minutes. Did you know that long hot baths and showers can leech nutrients from your body?
Available at any drugstore, about $2.


Swiss Kriss (flake form)
This herbal laxative looks like green tea mixed with moss and does quite well as a facial steam. Put a tablespoon in a bowl and pour boiled water over it. Cover your head with a towel and steam--careful not to burn yourself!
Whole Foods, about $4.


Since dry indoor heat and icy winds can sap the moisture from your face, you may need a heavier moisturizer for winter. I recommend Jason Vitamin E Moisturizing Creme, which comes with either 5,000 or 10,000 IUs of E. A little dab will do.
Buy at Yes! about $6 for the 5,000 IU version.


If you overdid it with your moisturizing and wake up with an oil slick on your face, act swiftly to correct the problem with Humphrey's Maravilla Lotion.
It's really just Witch Hazel in beautiful packaging that is well worth the trip to the Botanica on 18th Street, where you can pick up some machetes and other voodoo items while you're at it. Also available in any store that sells wigs. $5.


Winter brings on holiday parties, and holiday parties bring on excess. After a night of excess, I like to spray Heritage Orange Flower Water all over my face and hair. It has a subtle scent and has been said to help depression, insomnia and nervous tension. I say it is a hangover helper. It also has slightly astringent properties and smooths the skin, which makes it a good preparation for facials. I like to keep mine in the refrigerator to provide an extra-bracing wake-up effect as I reach for my soy milk.
$4 at Yes! or Whole Foods

Don't forget your lips!
Babies know best:

Kielhs baby lip balm, $5 at Blue Mercury


Last but not least, LADIES, cleansing from the inside out is easy with Woman's Moon Cycle. If you get PMS you may suffer more in the winter, when there's less light and things are generally more yin. You could single-handedly keep Yogi Tea in business by drinking their recommended 4-5 cups a day of this nice herbal blend, which features Dong Quai, Chaste Tree Berry, Raspberry Leaf, Parsely Leaf, and Chamomile, among others. Or you could simply enjoy a steaming mug before bed-time when you are feeling your "moon days" hardest. This relaxing concoction is sure to put you to sleep.
$3 or $4 at health food stores.

Monday, December 3, 2007

When Designers Blog

FYI, the Proenza Schouler boyz are blogging for T Magazine's new blog (which is as deliciously bougie as its print counterpart).

This Week


film still from AFI website

Monday: The Life of Reilly co-Director introduces the film, 7:40 pm at Landmark

Tuesday: Goodwill Holiday Trunk Show

Wednesday: Jewish Luck, with live score, at AFI, 7pm--part of the Jewish Film Fest

Thursday: GWAR at 9:30 Club; U-Care shopping event on U street

Special Announcement!

Cathy and I are proud to announce that we will be selling at Black Cat's Rock 'n Shop this year. Yay! It's going to be a blast, so come by and say hey. I'll be posting preview pics of our stock throughout the week, so get ready to spend on some awesome vintage--for gifting, of course!

Rock n Shop at the Black Cat
Sunday, Dec. 9th at 8pm
1811 14th Street NW WDC