'tis the season

{ holiday window display at Roslyn }

I just finished installing the window at Roslyn with winter whites, presents-a-plenty, and a recycled paper tree.

Hope you can join us next Saturday, December 15th for our annual holiday shopping party!

moroccan treasures

Roslyn recently returned from her honeymoon in Morocco and brought these beauties back for me. Just lovely!

gift guide | max wastler

     MAX WASTLER

         CHICAGO, IL // BLOGGER AT ALL PLAIDOUT AND CO-OWNER OF BUCKSHOT SONNY'S SPORTING GOODS

         BUYING // NEW THINGS FOR MY LITTLE BROTHER, WHO STILL CLAIMS 80% OF HIS CLOTHES ARE

                         HAND-ME-DOWNS FROM HIS BIG BROTHER AND HIS DAD

{ one } Alden Shell Cordovan Tassel Moccasin ($634)
"Yes, they are worth it. Yes, you'll wear them all the time. Yes, trust me, not only are they're nice
now but they get infinitely better with age." Ben takes some convincing when it comes to footwear,
particularly $600 footwear. But I say this: look at your dad's shoes, if not your grandfather's.
What did they wear every day? If it worked for them, it will likely work for you.  Alden makes the
original (and still the best) tassel moc with horsehide leather from Chicago's own Horween, whose
leather is considered some of the finest in the world and tanned right here in my backyard. 

---
{ two } Brooks Brothers Extra-Slim Fit Oxford ($79.50)
I'm a shirt guy. I know everything there is to know about shirts. At least, I thought I did.
This Thanksgiving, my brother showed me how his extra-slim fit oxford cloth button 
down fits just as well as the fancy custom shirt I gave him for Christmas last year.
---
{ three } Buckshot Sonny's Buckwheat Griddle Cakes ($10)
Ben was the pancake fan in our family. He's always loved them. When he was a chubby
little kid, his favorite thing to order was a big stack of silver dollar pancakes. I've never
liked pancakes. That is, until my friend Matt sent me one of his parents' Great
American Pancake Company mixes. The buckwheat griddle cakes they made for
Buckshot Sonny's are a great tasting, perfectly balanced pancake.
---
{ four } Solmate Socks ($20)
Ben has a few trademarks. One of them is crazy socks. Our mom sells these in the little gift  shop
where she works and he and I love to go in and pick out our favorite pairs.  These suckers are
great. Thick cotton, made in Vermont, and a nice little pop of nutty in an otherwise staid closet.
---
{ five } K. Hall Designs Milk Milled Shea Soap ($12)
Our father swears by his Dove bar. He even travels with a thumb-sized version. On a recent
trip, I took his advice that "You can never have too much Dove," and asked him for a few of his
travel-sized bars. I used them. And he was right: they beat the heck out of the cheap, plasticky
Hampton Inn soap every time. On another trip, I discovered my very own Dove alternative.
Now, if only they could make a travel size for our dad.
---
{ six } Uniqlo Cashmere Sweater ($99.90)
Last Thanksgiving, while giving hugs at our neighbors' house, all the women made note
of my soft sweater. I love my Uniqlo cashmere sweater. The quality and fit cannot be beat.
My mother took note of the gushing neighbor ladies, called the shop in New York, and
ordered two mediums. Lucky guys that we are, Ben and I will have a little something soft
waiting for us under the tannenbaum come Christmas Day.

gift guide | jessica murnane

          JESSICA MURNANE

               CHICAGO, IL // DESIGNER, OWNER OF SUITOR, AND ON THE LOW LOVER OF HIP HOP

               BUYING // GIFTS THAT GET PERSONAL

{ one } Sarah Drake Belgian Linen Cocktail Napkin Set ($96) for your momma, who rivals Martha when it comes to entertaining

{ two } Ralph Lauren Classic Cotton Pajama Set ($95) for your hard-workin' pops, who has never had fancy jammies and should

{ three } Jack and Lulu Wall Art ($50) for your recently married sister, who cannot seem to get enough of her new monogram

{ four } West Elm End Grain Cutting Board ($34) for your beau, who is really the best chef you know

{ five } Gardening Gloves from Red Envelope ($29.95) for your brother, whose green thumb makes you green with envy

{ six } Moyna Beaded Fold-Over Clutch from All She Wrote ($124) for your best girlfriend, who loves a good sparkle

gift guide | julia felsenthal

     JULIA FELSENTHAL

         BROOKLYN, NY // WRITER FOR SLATE MAGAZINE AND LIFELONG TOMBOY

         BUYING // GIFTS FOR MY BOYFRIEND THAT I FULLY INTEND TO STEAL

 { one } Stetson La Mesa Hat in Khaki ($75) 

The only thing I like better than a boy in a Stetson hat is a girl in a Stetson hat.

If only I could figure out what to do about the huge disparity in our head size...

---

{ two } Comme des Garcon Distressed Leather Wallet from Opening Ceremony ($185)

Ah, Commes des Garcon: you are completely mysterious and inaccessible in almost all ways, but

you do make an adorable line of leather accessories. I love that this distressed leather wallet appears

to be on its last legs.  Perhaps when it's really on it's last legs my boyfriend will give it back to me.

---

{ three } Duluth Scout Pack ($95)

I dig the saturated colors of these very simple day packs from this ages-old Minnesota

outfitter, but I already have one in a practical, neutral waxed canvas.  Perhaps my boyfriend

would appreciate one in spruce, or even orange, and perhaps he'd let me use it too.

---

{ four } Studded Converse from What Goes Around Comes Around ($175)

Long before I knew him, my boyfriend was a punky teenager who liked to bleach his hair

and go to hardcore shows at CBGBs.  These punked-out converse may make him feel young

again, but they also may make him think: these would look better on my girlfriend.

 ---

{ five } Ardbeg Supernova ($130)

Ardbeg was already making some of the peatiest scotches in the peatiest region of Scotland,

but Supernova is what happened when Ardbeg got into an arms race with equally-peaty

Bruichladdich over which distiller could out-do the other. The result is weird and delicious, 

and best enjoyed in the company of one's girlfriend.

 ---

{ six } Rugby Patterned Cape Workshirt ($248)

All I want to wear these days is nineties retro Ralph Lauren, particularly the Little

House on the Prarie and Navajo-esque designs. I don't think I could bear to pay hundreds

of dollars for a fake-vintage Ralph shirt for myself: but for my boyfriend, anything.

 ---

{ seven } North Sea Clothing Expedition Sweater from J. Crew ($218)

J.Crew's M.O. for women lately seems to be "put a ruffle on it." But the store's menswear

collection (and its curation of other brands), is remarkably spot on. I think we'd both look 

cool in this cozy-looking, vaguely nautical, shawl collar sweater.

holiday shopping party

'Tis the season and our annual holiday party is almost here! Please join us on Saturday, December 10th for a festive afternoon of shopping, music, and holiday cheer. Whether you're shopping for gifts or treating yourself, we will have jewelry, accessories, and party-worthy dresses galore. In honor of Roslyn's 5 year anniversary, Natalie Bergman and Erik Hall will be in-store performing some celebratory tunes (including a carol or two). We look forward to seeing you this weekend!

gift guide | dose edition

The holiday season is upon us! Over the next few weeks, we'll be posting a handful of fun gift ideas. We thought we would
highlight some local talent and launch the series with a guide to gifts you can find at Dose Market. Check back soon for more
wish lists and creative ideas from some of our super stylish friends. Happy shopping!

{ one } Cole Convertible Cap from Lara Miller ($110) for your BFF, the chameleon
{ two } Unison Sailor Pillow from Post 27 ($56) for your parents, whose couch could use a refresh
 { three } Vintage Brownie 8mm Camera from Post 27 ($20) for your little brother, just out of college
{ four } Mess Hall & Co. Bar Cherries paired with Bittercube Bitters for your gracious party host, who loves the perfect Manhattan
{ five } Nokona Baseball Glove from Buckshot Sonny's Sporting Goods ($200) for your husband, the baseball fanatic
{ six } Happy Holidays letterpress cards from Suitor ($14) for your seasonal correspondence with your pen-pal, who always has the right thing to say (and the most impeccable handwriting)
{ seven } Trestle Bracelet from Elmidae ($25) for your co-worker and happy-hour confidant
{ eight } Herkimer Diamond Ring from Mineralogy ($100) for your sister, who likes making a statement
{ nine } Silk Dress from Frei Designs for treating yourself and looking glamorous at next weekend's holiday soiree

When we're not busy manning our own booth, we'll also be visiting Alaskan Salmon and Old Town Social charcuterie for supplies for a holiday brunch; Floriole and Lottie + Doof for satisfying a sweet tooth; Rare Bird Preserves for getting all the fixings for a breakfast visit with the in-laws; and Ariane Prewitt, C/FAN, Cities in Dust, and Shades of Grey for some holiday wardrobe and jewelry inspiration. We're also excited to scope out what all the other talented vendors have to offer. Hope you'll join us tomorrow!

december dose

Stop by Dose Market this Sunday, December 4th for your holiday fix of food and fashion. I will be there alongside a handful of friends and vendors that I am very excited to check out. The blog has been mighty quiet lately because we've been buried in fabric, beads, leather, and all sorts of sewing apparatuses while we work away to stock up on one-of-a-kind accessories (perfect for gift giving) and select pieces from our Fall Winter 2011 collection. Hope you can make it!

lavender salt scrub

A closer look at the lavender salt scrub favors we gave away at Rosie's bridal shower. We're currently working on preparing a big batch for the holiday season.

birthday bounty

My older brother and I happen to have birthdays that are two days apart. Last weekend he turned 30 and I turned 27 and it was one of our best joint celebrations yet. I felt that big 3-0 deserved some recognition and used his birthday as an excuse to throw a fun summer soirée at the house where we grew up a little outside of Chicago. Since I love to cook and entertain, preparing a bunch of good food and hanging out with family and friends was the perfect way to spend my birthday weekend.

My actual birthday was a pretty low-key day full of some work and visits with friends. I made a skirt, met with one of my seamstresses and a friend working on an exciting new sewing project, ate a few too many cookies (some delicious homemade fig and walnut cookies from my sister and an extra large  frosted one from Sweet Mandy B's), jumpstarted a car, and got locked out of my house (which was followed by borrowing a ladder from the neighbor and climbing in one of my windows). Thankfully, my plans for the day didn't involve too much other than spending time around the house, so the unexpected adventures made the day a little more exciting and enjoyable.

I feel so touched by the love, generosity, and creativity of my family and friends. In addition to being incredibly grateful for the wonderful people in my life, I am totally excited about all of my sweet presents! A girl could not ask for a better birthday.

---

{ one } A lovely diamond wedding band that belonged to Collin's great-great-aunt and was passed down to his mom and now to me. I cried when I opened this. It is such a special gift. The design is timeless and the box it came in is super cool. This ring has been very well cared for and I plan to do the same.

{ two } A wood block for printing. It is so pretty that I almost don't want to get it dirty with ink. Alas, my curiosity about how the design looks on fabric will most likely lead to some printing experiments.

{ three } A hand-embroidered vintage pillow case.

{ four } Some new tunes for my Califone record player.

{ five } Handmade ginger soap and lavender essential oil.

{ six } A porcelain bowl from Michael del Piero that dates back to the Song Dynasty.

{ seven } A book about Sonia Delaunay, a painter and textile designer from the early-1900's whose work was recently on exhibition at the Cooper-Hewitt Museum.