'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!

birthday camping

{ photos by Elise Bergman (plus a few by Collin Moore) }

Collin's single request for his birthday every year is that we go camping for the weekend. Unfortunately, busy work schedules and testy midwest weather usually prevent us from taking a trip. Since his most recent birthday was his thirtieth, we decided that no matter what—rain, shine, looming presentations or the like—we were going to make it happen. I'm so glad we did because it was the perfect way to bid adieu to his twenties. We loaded up our packs with far more goodies than a seasoned hiker should (enough food and snacks for about five people, a full bottle of bourbon, extra layers to keep cozy, travel Scrabble, a couple different cameras, et cetera) and headed to the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. We picked a trail that went along Kinkaid Lake and hiked until we found the most inviting spot to pitch our tent. Despite a damp couple hours on our first day and a few startling encounters with critters in the woods, the weather and the weekend were flawless. A delightful birthday celebration!

a day of love

{ one: via The Cherry Blossom Girl | two: J. Crew heart throb blouse and skirt | three: via Pinterest | four: Neapolitan note set via Suitor }

Happy Valentine's Day!

happy holidays

Happy Holidays! Wishing everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Grateful for a wonderful 2011 and looking
forward to what's to come in 2012. Signing off until January!

gift guide | molly each

          MOLLY EACH

               CHICAGO, IL // WRITER, EDITOR, STORYTELLER, AND LOVER OF ALL THINGS LITERARY

               BUYING // GIFTS FOR BOOK NERDS

{ one } A First Edition

Scoring a first edition or rare copy of a beloved book is the quickest way to a bibliophile's

heart. Sure, some are priced far, far out of any normal person's budget, but you can often score

more reasonable copies on ebay or at a brick-and-mortar book dealer who is willing to negotiate.

My husband has been a Roald Dahl fanatic since he was a kid. A first edition "Charlie and the Chocolate

Factory" is something that will tug at the ol' heartstrings and hold a sacred place on our bookshelf.  

---

 { two } Quote Tote ($15)

I love a chic handbag, but when it comes to strolling the farmers' market, heading to the grocery store,

or even meeting friends for brunch, I'm usually spotted with a simple canvas tote bag. I'm partial to

this one, which bears a hilarious Louisa May Alcott quote. 

---

{three } A book, of course.

"The Marriage Plot" by Jeffrey Eugenides was one of my favorites of 2011. A beautifully written novel

from one of my most admired authors, it's the tale of three college students embarking on their first

year out of school. I couldn't get enough.

--- 
{ four } Novel Tea ($12.50)

My very favorite way to end the day is curled up with a good book and a cup of tea. Novel Tea gets

me in a literary state of mind, thanks to quotes from and about books. It's the perfect companion

to a beloved reading-centric mug.

---

 { five } Kate Spade Book Clutch ($325)

Proudly wear your literary love on your arm, and guarantee bookish conversation wherever you go. I

love how fellow nerds always spot the book cover from across the room, and before long we're geeking

out together over Emma Woodhouse's meddling ways. And options aren't limited to just Austen-- fans of

Dickens, Shakespeare, Wilde and more will find their favorites among Kate Spade's adorable collection.

---

{ six } Knock Knock Personal Library Kit ($20)

Okay, perhaps this makes me a mega-nerd, but secretly wish I was a librarian. Now, thanks to this delightful

kit from Fred Flare, I can turn my entire floor-to-ceiling bookshelf into my own personal library-- and never

lose a loaned out book again. Now I just need cute glasses.

---

{ seven } E-Reader Vintage Book Cover

So you've given in to the modern ways of the e-reader. (And why not? Trying to read a 562-page Jonathan

Franzen novel while standing on the train is impossible to do gracefully.) But that doesn't mean you're not

a traditional bookworm at heart. Tuck your Kindle, Nook, or iPad into this repurposed Nancy Drew

book cover and keep fellow bibliophiles guessing as to what really lies inside.

---

{ eight } Trivial Pursuit Book Lover's Edition

When I play Trivial Pursuit, I spend the entire game crossing my fingers that I land on brown, the Arts

and Literature category. But thanks to their Book Lover's Edition, I can skip right over Science and

Nature or History and get right to my favorite questions-- and hopefully win. 

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!

another peek

{ instagram photos by Elise Bergman and Elise Pescheret }

A quick look at a few more of the styles that will be available at Dose on Sunday.

leatherworking

I recruited Collin to help finish up the leather accessories I've been working on for the holiday season. The belts and bracelets are made from reclaimed and/or locally tanned leather and they're making their debut this Sunday at Dose Market. Many of the pieces are one-of-a-kind, so stop by early to see the full selection.

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.