Pocket-size phone, remember those days? Now its time for phone-size pockets! Welcome iPhone 5.
American Made My Day
The South End neighborhood, Boston, MA housed a menswear-focused retail event yesterday– American Field. Thirty+ booths of high-end goods, exclusively made in the USA — shoes, bags, shirts, sweaters, wallets, shave straps, iPhone cases, accessories for your bicycle . . . you name it! Whatever it takes to be lookin’ like a gentleman outside of your home. . . Many, such as Randolph Sunglasses, based right here in Massachusetts. Event hosted by local menswear sensation Ball and Buck. It’s the kind of place that makes all us ladies wish they had goods designed for women too.
Bison Made, handmade leather goods takes deliberate design right down to the box (all the best places do). I picked up one of their iPhone cases. It happened to be the same one used by the delightful gals running the booth! Rustic and elegant, of course it was speaking to me. They wrapped it up in the most stunning cardboard box/rubbery sleeve combo. Complete with little product pouch with their brand mark (the bison) embroidered right on it!
Shave straps, wallets and care goods (above). My new case (below). Gorgeous, right? Feels great too.
Nothing goes wasted. The negative — which frames up their box-front logo — creates a positive for an info card.
560 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA (below). Cop guards what will be the stage.
Black Magic Coffee Co Amazing! Yes, the beans did come from USA, (Oregon) The coffee was so smooth. Don’t let my obviously poor hand-eye-photo-taking methods fool you. I ‘d like to conclude, my iPhone could use a cappuccino too. And, preferably one from Black Magic. These fellows run a wonderful little cafe — and it’s designed to be wherever you need it.
Randolph Sunglasses
Polarized aviators (above). 
Engraving machine doin’ it’s thing (below).
Paul (below), grandson of a Randolph founder (1972) gave us a great overview of the product and the brand. Watch this factory tour. It truly is a work of beauty.
And it all ends with a walk down the street for my first peek at Bobby from Boston.
Followed by my first meal at The Gallows! Wish I got more pics. The vegetarian sandwich was a score. Super healthy, but not too healthy (just the right portion of cheese and baguette). Rounded out with sweetness from pears, tartness from cranberry sauce and earthy bitterness from the brussel sprouts.
Jewelry Organizer from The Davis Flea
Shopping at The Davis Flea, I found this practical beauty from the I Want A Pony booth. Jen Kniff, a Flea founder, was kind enough to snap my pic. This piece, is not only homemade, it’s an upcycle by a local crafts woman! Pretty important Shiz, right?
Nicely coordinates with my “vintage” paneling.
Added some string ties to the rails, just to have more places to hang. More I Want A Pony finds on Etsy.
The Davis Flea
The Davis Flea. It’s how I got my shopping back!
After weeks of not posting I’m finally moved to shop again. (I guess I’ve just been loving my new job that much, so back off retail therapy). Premier The Davis Flea last Sunday and with a pocket of cash, there I am. This Sunday I return with a camera. Are you near Somerville? Check it out. It’s very cool. It’s well curated so the ratio of cool stuff is quite high. It brings the discovery of the rural fleas to the urban realm. Convenient. Alluring. Brilliant idea! Glad it’s here. Hope it stays.
Other event treasures include live music and fresh apple-cider donuts.
The Davis Flea, founded by Greg Ghazil, Jennifer Kniff and Maureen Nuccitelli
Flea finds from last week:
Blue Velvet Shoes: Are they greener than suede?
These shoes are vegan. Other than being made with no animal products, I have no idea what that means, politically speaking. Were more toxins generated with the man-made materials than would be with leather processing? How will they age? Do they breath? I guess this varies by brand. There are plenty creating vegan footwear. In fact, there is a store full of gorgeous pieces in Cambridge! Sudo Shoes, on Mass Ave, just a few blocks from the Porter Sq T station. This place has such a nice collection of bags, purses, shoes and accessories that I only realized on my third visit there was no leather. I guess that’s a testament to the lac of plastic outgassing too! Anyhow, I picked these out because the color! It is a gorgeous shade of royal blue. They are cute, practical and comfy.
New Clothes
I got a new job! I start next week. When I told my Mom she asked “does this mean you’re gonna get all new clothes?”. Great idea Mom. “Yes.” I said. I went to Helena’s in Arlington (MA). It was a jacket day! Two jersey blazers and a summery summer-dress shrug. These are each examples of what the right cut can do for you. I’ve tried stuff like this before and the result was instant shrunken shoulders, droopy chest and emphasized tummy. Not the case today! Everything feels soft and cozy like sleepwear, yet looks flattering and structured like casual business wear. Three cheers for lunchtime naps in the car!
Leather, beads & snaps!
A cuff fit for an office job . . . Soft, not too loose, doesn’t clank on the desk and drive your neighbors crazy! From Nomad. Comfy, cool, pretty. Plus it’s got a braided section. Braids are cool.
Pi Day (for good little kittens)
What a terrible cat momma am I! My girl, she’s just so sweet to hold still and model this beautiful Bali Charm Necklace. It showed up in the mail yesterday (did I have something to do with that?). It’s round and here just in time for 3.14, Pi Day. The gold color is a purrrfect compliment to charcoal gray fur. It’s a happy household of stylish girls tonight!
Bali Charm Necklace by Gorjana. Her work is as pretty as her name.
Silver Chunks on Parade
Another sweet delivery. Fab takes just long enough from excitement to fulfillment. You know something is on its way, yet depending on how busy your days get, you might not recall just what you ordered. These showed up tonight! Understated with a slight twist and oh oh yeah!–so elegant!
Nomad
One of my longtime favorites. It’s like the original Anthropologie.
Nomad 1741 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA
Blackout
Polka, Polka!
When it comes to buying shiz, I’m a big fan of perusing the racks at Forever 21. Their stuff is cute, affordable and, best of all, usually patterned. Like this dress I picked up today for under $25. My favorite part? The tie details on the back. ::squeal::
Images: Forever 21
Necklace: Cute and elegant
Fab.com could sell me a set of encyclopedias! I can’t resist their merchandising skills. I ordered this today. 63% off! Final cost, $26. Can’t wait for when it shows up.
ShizIBoughtToday 