bienvenue, violette.

Violette Van Parys necklaces & brooches, $68 - 133

Yesterday turned out to be Frenchy Day at catbird. First Leigh & I met with the extremely lovely Violette Van Parys (has a name ever been more French?). We were captivated by her slightly lascivious brooches and necklaces. Hand made porcelain "biscuits" hand painted and dipped in gold, platinum or bronze. They have a certain je ne sais quois, non?

Her work is sold in Europe, Japan, Lebanon, TopshopUK...and now at catbird. That's right, we're the only ones in the US.

(Oh we also accidentally, and embarrassingly, listened to novelty French pop while she was there and then proceeded to have more than the usual amount of French tourists. And met a lovely French girl selling Caron, the ne plus ultra of Parisian luxury fragrance.)

pearl says: it's only a paper moon

Yayoi Forest baroque pearl earrings $200

Any jewelry that looks like it has been cobbled together from detritus from the sea is the jewelry for me.  I especially love a pearl that is gnarled, twisted, and lustrous.  Perfect for summer and slightly subversively unexpected in the dark days of winter.  

ain't no mountain high enough.

hand-painted landscape necklace by Species by the Thousands, $88

These diminutive, hand painted landscape necklaces are newly in and are newly loved by me. The teeny, vintage brass pendants are great on their own but add a magical mountain to it and you have a show-stopper. A great gift for someone after a milestone - whether it be a birthday, a baby or a new stove.

We could grow up together (and remember to bring hostess gifts to soirees)

Right, so I've been rabidly devouring We could grow up together all morning, along with toast and coffee, and I came across this photo of matches that we carry at the store (it was from a montage that I cropped- hope that's okay, Kwannam!). Along with the New York set, which is quite obviously the most perfect souvenir ever, we've got some old world fruit, clovers, and a sacred heart number. All are only $3.50 each! And we will happily wrap them up with our floral tissue paper from Japan and some silk ribbon.

the brooklyn flea.

This weekend we loaded the kids into our new, used station wagon and drove on over to the Brooklyn Flea. We got some great finds.

This set of glasses will be PERFECT for drinking Turkish coffee on my completely imaginary roof deck. (The holder is made from recycled bicycle spokes.)

A weird dentist's (or denture) ad from Pakistan. (Anyone know what it says? We forgot to ask.)

And, best of all, a tea party with some new friends.

Shopgirl stationer

for louise moon, fragile as fingernails

they lay moon faced, deep in clover, for lily the liar

I couldn't be more excited to have my stationery line, Jezebel, for sale at Catbird. Perfect for your mums, pups, and the object of your affection, imaginary or real. We judge not at Jezebel. After all, it is correspondence for the vagabond heart.

we are SO nice.

No strangers to saving, we created this showcase in the window featuring some of our favorite items under $150. It's hard to photograph through many layers of glass, but you get the idea. The options are plentiful.

bicycle love.

This cute couple was parked outside the store last week.

Their action seemed to have caused Yellow Rose to perspire some.

knitta, please.

Please do this in Williamsburg. Pretty, pretty please.

pic from the brooklyn paper

The Light in the Basement

Rony just met with Blanca Monros Gomez and I've never had such a greedy urge to pile gold on my fingers willy-nilly.  I am normally prudent and thoughtful about my purchases, but I can't wait for Blanca's beauties to arrive in the store, so I can play dress up.  Not only are the pieces precious in the very best way, they are so well-priced and made locally, from reclaimed gold.  My heart's racing- can you tell?

Holy, holy, holi

triple rose cut diamond ring, 2 carats - certified conflict free $1800

Even if you didn't happen to write your undergraduate thesis on pickling as a metaphor for history and sexuality in The God of Small Things and Midnight's Children while dabbling in Sanskrit classes and all things subcontinent based, I challenge you not to weep a little at the beauty of this diamond ring by Katrina La Penne, set with certified conflict free diamonds from India.  And if you did happen to write your thesis on the aforementioned subject while dabbling in Sanskrit and all things subcontinental, well, we have a lot in common, you and I, and should probably get a drink.

Great, pondering, lingering, consuming mystery solved

one day blanche birthed a mad, bad bibliophile $4

We've got these motherly love cards from my stationery line, Jezebel, in the store. I'm sure you've been itching to know- Blanche is my mother, and I am the bibliophile. Those compass keychains that we sell are great for navigating the non-linear reaches of the old, old Manhattan, but a good and great mother is the best compass you'll ever have.

p.s. Congratulations Tali! She's beautiful!

yo momma.

stefanie simek gold-lined quail egg necklace, $175

pewter flip-top flask, $60

good luck horse shoe, $8

joanna lingnau star-set diamond studs, $242

No matter how you roll, we have something for your mom, your wife or your BFF who just had a baby. Dudes - don't be shy. We will help you.

Yum, delish!

hand knit food set, $92

Well, actually, maybe a little stringy and undercooked.  But that is in adult world, only!  In munchkin land this spread rivals anything cooked up at let's say, Per Se.  Try it again!  See?  Yum, delish (and ethically manufactured, too!) 

Neither Cat, nor Bird

My sweet Teepee spent the day at Catbird yesterday, ringing up customers, wrapping gifts, smelling the flowers.  

springtime in brooklyn.

Wind-strewn petals on my block.

Bittersweet, indeed

Robin just shuttered her gorgeous retail space on Broadway, but fear not, Williamsburgers! We've got Bittersweets in the store- everything from her $75 14k letter rings (my absolute favorite gift to give) to her $650 totally mad kitty skull ring.

letter rings!

kitty skull ring, perfect for either the cat fancier or cat loather