At Q Boutique in World Chess Hall of Fame:
It will come as no surprise that there are many chess sets available at Q Boutique in the World Chess Hall of Fame, but when I asked general manager Brian Flowers which was the most unusual, he pointed to the Star Trek Tri-Dimensional Chess Set, $279, shown above…unusual indeed.
For kids: clockwise from left: Move & Grove Dance Game (18 mos. +), $22; “super hot” Super Mario Chess Set, $55; an assortment of Smarty Pants Brain Building Games, $15 each (from pre-K to Grade 5); WordARound card game (10 years -Adult), $15; in front: “Pink Panther” Music Box, $9, one of 12 musical themes (Happy Birthday and more).
2nd photo: St. Louis-made K Hall designs: clockwise from left: Moss-scented Shea butter hand cream, $22, liquid soap, $20, Shea hand & body cream, $22, Moss candle, $22. Peeking through the products are copies of Guidebook to St. Louis, by and for St. Louisans by Amanda Doyle, $19.95.
Q Boutique at World Chess Hall of Fame, Mon., Tues., Sat. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wed. to Fri., 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., 4652 Maryland Ave., (314) 367-9243 x109.
Stop traffic in this shimmery light-as-a-feather “immortal” silk stunner by Brooklyn-based designer Samantha Pleet, $438. The back is gorgeous too!
1st photo: Keep warm and stylish too in Native Youth’s Flurry Crew Sweater, $80.
2nd photo: from right: Matter Matters Tilt Necklace, $48; Donut Kill My Vibe camper mug by Pyknic, $12; Be Your Own Crush lapel pin, $10; and glass Mountain Earrings, $46.
And while at living-collective, I was delighted to discover Potion 23’s hand-embroidered art-to-wear pieces created by local designer Victoria Cates. Clockwise from top left: embroidered purse, $380; jacket with elaborately-embroidered pocket, $275; beret, $350; and in glass case: embroidered pins, $75 to $130.
living-collective, 4701 McPherson Avenue, Tues. to Sat., 11-7, open Sun. 12/18 too.
At The Vino Gallery: Before I present proprietor Alex Head’s suggestions for the holidays, I want to publicly thank him for being one of my first advertisers (see sidebar). View offer of $2 off a glass of wine when you mention the blog.
Front: all-in-one bamboo cheeseboard with 4 cheese knives, $40; from top left: an “easy drinking” Italian G.D.Vajra Langhe Rossa 2013, $15; Willamette Valley’s Big Table Farm red wine is described as a “really special gift,” $45; Colorado’s Ska Brewing Co.’s True Blonde Dubbel, two-for-1 bomber size, $14; and Nicolas Feuillatte French Champagne, $30 (real champagne at a great price because the Euro is so low right now).
The Vino Gallery, 4701 McPherson Avenue, Tues.-Sat. 11 till closing, open this Sunday 12/18.
At east + west:
Clockwise from top left: Market Bag by L.A.-based Apolis, a “living and breathing social enterprise that equips and empowers people through opportunity rather than charity,”$68; Filson waxed-canvas, water-repellant, wind-resistant jacket with lifetime guarantee, $395; Ebbets STL hat, $48; Norse Project merino wool gloves, $60; Japanese-made Chup socks enjoy a cult following because a) they don’t have a toe seam, b) they don’t shift around, and c) look at those great-looking patterns. The newest pattern is the Native American design, $28; Baxter Hair Pomades for 3 hair types: clay, hard cream, & hard water, $20.
east + west, 387 N. Euclid Avenue, during December: Mon. – Sat. 11 to 7, Sun. 12 t0 5.
At Left Bank Books:
The first book Wintaye Gehru, manager of LBB, grabbed for this post is the magical The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben, middle, $24.95 (read review in NYT here). Other picks chosen by bookseller Randy Schiller include They All Saw A Cat by Brendan Wenzel, $16.99; Ten Restaurants That Changed America (with introduction by Danny Meyer) by Paul Freedman, $35; autographed copies of Joe Buck’s Lucky Bastard are available for $28; and Zadie Smith’s autographed Swing Time is $27 (you didn’t miss a book signing by the British author, instead her publisher sent autographed copies…Smith apparently isn’t keen on book tours); MOMA holiday cards, 8 for $22; and in front, Out of Print socks, “Where the Wild Things Are” and “Library Card,” $10.
Left Bank Books, 399 N. Euclid, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. everyday.
Next up: Holiday Gift Picks III
Nicki I woke up thinking about a book for my daughter and your post on Left Bank suggested that the Hidden Life of Trees just might fit the bill–thanks for your great holiday shopping suggestions the past few weeks. Love shopping locally!
I have that picked out for a couple of people too. Yes shop local. More on that topic soon.