Brooklyn Charm / Gifts for any Occasion

To say I am obsessed with Brooklyn Charm would be an understatement. Since I discovered them a few years ago, I have purchased many gifts for both my loved ones and for myself (obvs). 

The amount of charms they have and combinations is absolutely endless. Not only can you stop in and get a custom piece, you can take home supplies and craft up something on your own or shop online at their Etsy Shop!

If you're in the NY area, you can find them on Williamsburg and spend an entire day choosing charms and having them custom engraved. They pop up at many markets, especially during the holiday season, including the Union Square Market and Columbus Circle Shops. 

Want to make a necklace for your bestie who just moved out of town, you've got it. A bracelet for a friend that happens to love cats, guns AND The New Kids on the Block - you're in luck!

Although they are fun for gifts of all kinds, my favorite project I worked on with them was this pin for my mom.

As I mentioned, my Mom got married in October of this year. What do you get for your mom, who is a bride, who has been with my step dad for over 13 years, and has EVERYTHING you could possibly think of? Its a tough one, I know! 

So I got to thinking, something custom was what was needed. Then I remembered the Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed and Something Blue tradition for weddings. Perfect.

So here is what I came up with, with some clever thinking and help from the great staff at Brooklyn Charm.

Something Old - Vintage Pin, New York (They moved a while back)

Something New - Georgia, the green crystal and their wedding date

Something Borrowed - The diamond heart is a charm from a piece I inherited from my Aunt and she HAS to give it back eventually

Something Blue - The blue charm

She was so happy when I gave this to her. She wore it pinned to her shoulder the entire wedding. I can't believe I came up with something this perfect, but you can too! Stop by Brooklyn Charm and get someone you love (or you, I won't tell anyone) something special for the holidays. 

AltSummit NYC / Pt. 1

If you follow me in Instagram. you know that I attended AltSummit last week.  

From beginning to end, I could not have asked for a better experience. 

The first night we had dinner with Flipboard at Fig & Olive where I met some amazing ladies, that I am beyond grateful to have gotten to know over dinner and the next day.

My head is still spinning, and I am still smiling thinking about everything that I learned, the laughs I had and the fantastic people that I hope to continue to grow relationships with.

I'll put together a better recap for you and tell you some of the amazing information I learned as soon as I get off cloud-nine, information that doesn't only apply to blogging, but life as a whole. 

From Grace of Design*Sponge to Garance Doré Alt pulled out all the stops to get some great keynote speakers. Kathleen King, founder of Tates Bakeshop was amazing and let us know "It's just cookies." I HAVE SO MUCH MORE TO TELL YOU...

but for now, enjoy some snapshots of the day. xo- JS

The JcPenny Martha Celebrations photobooth was adorable!  (Heather and Nina pictured above!- Miss you ladies already!)

 MailChip was printing out the pictures with #altnyc and giving away some sweet swag.

<3 Yes, yes THAT IS MARTHA STEWART. OMGEEEEEEEE IS RIGHT. SHE WAS FEEEEEET FROM ME. <3

Full recap coming soon. Can't wait to show you my Alt business cards later in the week too! 

No Chewing Allowed!

This past weekend I worked the New York Chocolate Show . This was my second year, so I knew the types of goodies I was in store for, but one in particular always keeps me coming back for more, No Chewing Allowed. Oh-mah-lawd they knock my socks off every time! 

Yes, this is a design post, but isn't it great that not only is it well designed, but also a FRENCH TRUFFLE that melts in your mouth (literally!).

Since 1934, No Chewing Allowed has been creating these edible works of art. Made in France, these truffles have a deeply rooted French recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation. Why no chewing allowed you ask?... These truffles literally melt in your mouth, so if you chew, you are totes missing out. Just press the truffle between your tongue and upper palette and they begin to melt, just like that! Smooth. Creamy. Chocolate. Heavenly. The taste builds beautifully & will blow your mind!

Image / sssourabh.com

Whilst peeking around the internets for the designers name (which I can unfortunately not find) I discovered that No Chewing Allowed  did a brand redesign in the last few years, and I am sure glad they did. New font choices have been made, and the message is easier communicated to the consumer, but also stays playful and true to the brand. The iconic image of a young boy with a big smile and chocolate schmeared all over his face is truly adorable & unforgettable & feels vintage, which is obviously intentional to pay note to the history of the brand. Just a bit of simple melting chocolate is a perfect detail on the tin cover. A simple vintage inspired color palette allows the boy to pop off the surface and communicate a perfect message, YUM.

From tins to resealable bags, the variety of packages is just as adorable (well maybe almost as adorable) as the boy on the package. The yellow tins contain their original flavor, the white has a variety of flavors, including Candied Orange Peel, Raspberry Nuggets and Toasted Almond. 

My fav package was the yellow tin, which is why I bought it! Approx. 28 truffles in this bad boy at a price of $18.95 and worth every penny. My roommate just told me she was going to eat them when I'm not home, so I think I'm going to have to sleep with them under my pillow!

Visit Now Chewing Allowed in Bryant Park in NYC from now until January 6th to get what will probably be the best hot chocolate to hit your lips, so go there NOW!

There are so many amazing types of chocolate out there, many with some exquisite packaging.... What is your favorite chocolate to indulge with?

Dear New Yorkers, a little perspective please /

Reuters/Adrees Latif via TheAtlantic.com

Dear New Yorkers,

I understand you are annoyed. I get that things are difficult. I am with you that its inconvenient, but a little perspective please.

Early last week, mother nature ripped through NY and NJ in a fit of rage leaving a trail of destruction. The subways were switched off, the city went dark, and the coast line demolished. People lost their homes. Their dignity. Their lives. Things will never be the same for many, but many of us will go back to our lives. We will rise to the sound of the alarm clock, suds up in a hot shower, commute to our jobs, work, arrive back home, have a delicious dinner (maybe a glass of wine) and cuddle up under the blankets for a warm dreamy slumber, but many are not as fortunate. 

Gas lines are miles long, subways are beyond crowded, maybe your train is not running, maybe it takes forever to get to work, but you get there. The subways are not a given right, they are a privilege. Gas is not a need, its a luxury. 

I was one of the lucky ones. My apartment in Brooklyn unscathed. My electricity stayed on. The spider that lives outside unharmed (we named him Herman and tried to shoot him with water guns- he is resilient!).  It will get below 30˚F overnight and I don't have to worry about freezing, but many do. Today I am thankful for the comfy chair I sit in a I write this. The warm water in my pipes. My friends and family being safe. My heart goes out to those not as fortunate. 

Long Beach, Long Island was hit hard. The beautiful beach I have spent a many summer afternoons working on 'mah tan rose into the streets like an angry ex-girlfriend. My brother, the best guy around, lost his house. His belongings, but not his life. After he watched the water rise and take everything he has worked for, his couch floating around the living room & after he put out fires sparking from the outlets while standing in knee deep water & after he slept in his cold attic with wife and dog & after he threw away everything Sandy decided she wanted, he told me he was just glad he had friends and family and somewhere to go...

Reuters/Steve Nesius via TheAtlantic.com

and you... yes you are complaining the L isn't running or that your subway isn't back on schedule. Flabbergasted that theres no gas for your car. Floored that the electricity isn't on yet. You're not alone, millions were without electricity, thousand are in the same boat as you now, but for some, that boat is in their house. Everyone is doing the best they can. The president declared this a "major disaster" and another storm is coming through to kick us while we're down. Things cannot be fixed overnight. Have a little patience.

I just ask that you put it in perspective. Normalcy will be restored soon enough for many, and never for others. Just look here & here & here.

Perspective.

Gala Darling taught me to smile while writing, but as I write this, my eyes fill with tears. I felt, and still feel helpless. I am fine. My things are fine. The bars were open, people inside laughing, having a great time. The neighborhood was bustling. Kids were trick-or-treating. I could do whatever I wanted, except what I really wanted to do, help. No trains. No cars. I was trapped.

But every little bit helps.

I went through my closet and pulled some winter clothes I knew could keep someone else warm. I took the money I would have just pissed away on clothes or shoes or drinks (or or or anything) and I bought a cart of items that were needed by those tossed out onto the street by the Frankenstorm. I found a donation site. I walked, yes, in the cold, because you know what?... there are thousands out there that will be cold for days, weeks, months... and they need our help. Toothbrushes. Dry socks. Food. Things that we take for granted.

There are soooo many people that need our help, and instead, we are complaining that we have to walk a few blocks further for a train & wait a few nights longer for the lights & drive a little bit less to save gas.

So, My Dear New Yorkers, a little perspective please. Let us not fight over getting fuel, argue over making a train, loot from the abandoned homes, we are New Yorkers, we will get through this, but only by being there for one another. We have seen the good, the bad and the ugly in the aftermath of the storm, I just ask that you try to be the good.

helpink.com / by Jon Contino

So what can you do? Not wait on a line for a new ipad for starters. Beyonce (yes, I said Beyonce) put together a short list including simply sending a text to donate (type "REDCROSS" TO 90999). NY1 has a more extensive list. Donate through itunes. Visit rockawayhelp.com or Long Beach, NY Hurricane Information on Facebook. How about you just go out to eat at the right place?

You don't have to live in NY/NJ to lend a hand. If the misplaced marathoners can run supplies through Staten Island, you can pitch in too. 

Here are some other ideas that would only take a few clicks of a mouse (and you could get yourself some swag too):

 • Pick up some Sandy Relief Prints here, 90% of the profits will go to All Hand Volunteers.

• Grab a special edition print of Blue Marble at 20x200, all proceeds will benefit the American Red Cross’s efforts to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy.

• Shop at Amazon and have it sent right to the Occupy Sandy donation center.

• Wear your NY Pride with this t-shirt Sebastian Errazuriz, 100% of proceeds go to Sandy Relief Programs.

I still love you NY. Even though the cabbies bitch about taking me over the bridge, the homeless guy out my window plays that damn penny-whistle for hours (and not well I may add) and you never call me on my birthday, you're just the best... and New Yorkers you're pretty awesome too.

xo / JS

Thanksgiving is just a bit away, what are you thankful for today?