Gifts for all occasions
When in ROAM…
There’s a gem of a boutique just steps off Greenwich Avenue, and it’s well worth the short hop down Elm Street. ROAM, the fashion-forward style emporium of Babe Rizzuto and her daughters, Sophia and Tatiana Wojczak, is a year-round destination for fashions and accessories with flair – and plenty of personality. Rizzuto shared a few cold-weather suggestions with WAG, including the chalet-chic, goat-fur Regina boots from Italy, available in onyx or winter white, featuring shearling lining and lug sole ($499). Accessorize with Adrienne Landau raccoon earmuffs in “new silver grey” ($154) and We Are Owls cashmere-and-silk scarf with lace pattern ($182). ROAM is at 19 W. Elm St. Call (203) 625-0200 or visit wheninroam.com.
VICE, TEMPERED BY VIRTUE
Marquis Vodka is in the midst of its launch in the New York metropolitan area, being poured at fine restaurants, nightclubs, bars and hotels, along with a retail presence. And when you sample the ultra-premium brand this holiday season, don’t feel as if you’re partaking in a vice… completely. See, its maker “believes in a world where a vice should be tempered by a virtue.” And that means the brand is proudly donating 20 percent of its retail revenue to its charitable partners. What does that exactly mean? Buy a bottle and follow the instructions and you can designate where Marquis sends the funds generated by your purchase. For example, one bottle will provide one hot meal delivered to a senior citizen through Meals on Wheels. As they say, hit me again. $40. For more, visit marquisvodka.com.
TRUFFLES NOT MERE TRIFLES
You’ve got to love the slogan for this sweet treat from Godiva: “Every Truffle Tells a Story.” The newest selections are said to sum up both the legend and evolution of Godiva, hence the name Legacy Truffle Collection. This season, sample the 1946 Original Dark Truffle, the Gingerbread Cookie Truffle, the Black Pearl Tahitian Vanilla Truffle and the Honey Vanilla Mousse Truffle. All truffles ($2.25 each) are imported from Belgium and available exclusively at Godiva chocolate cases. For more, visit godiva.com.
NEW YORK’S (HIDDEN) GEMS
Want to take a trip to those destinations that make New York a truly singular place? Well, thanks to award-winning journalist Mitch Broder – a longtime Westchester resident with a clear devotion to the city – it’s easier than ever. Pick up his new book, “Discovering Vintage New York: A Guide to the City’s Timeless Shops, Bars, Delis & More” (Globe Pequot Press, $16.95). The handy volume is artfully jam-packed with details of Broder’s visits to Manhattan classics such as Café Carlyle, Sardi’s and McSorley’s Old Ale House, but it also takes you along to those perhaps lesser known, from the Nom Wah Tea Parlor to Marchi’s Restaurant to The Silversmith. Broder’s onto something; all these places have lasted some 50 years each and he shares their stories, their charm and their enduring appeal. For more, visit Broder’s blog (which sparked the book) at mbvintagenewyork.blogspot.com.
SOME VERY SWEET GIFTS
If you’re wearing one of Danielle Gori-Montanelli’s best-selling designs, be warned – someone might want to take a nibble. And they can’t be blamed, as the felt jewelry-and-accessories artist’s signature pieces carry a licorice allsorts motif. Gori-Montanelli, a Sarah Lawrence College graduate who’s a veteran of national and international craft shows as both a silver-jewelry artist and more recently felt, sells her work online and in galleries and museum shops across the country. The licorice is just the sweet start, with designs ranging from fruits to flowers and plenty more. From $48. For more, visit studiodgm.com.
A GREENWICH GEM
Alexis Bittar, the Brooklyn-born jewelry designer long featured in fashion magazines and on many a red-carpet celebrity, opened his first East Coast store outside Manhattan back in the spring. Those who know the Greenwich boutique’s dazzling inventory will agree it’s quite the destination for daydreaming. WAG is happy to showcase a few Bittar designs to get that holiday shopping under way. For more, visit Alexis Bittar at 371 Greenwich Ave. or alexisbittar.com.
HAIR DO
When it comes to personal grooming, Stamford-based Conair is a most-popular choice. Options for stylish gifts this season include InfinitiPro by Conair AC Motor Styler ($35); the Curl Secret ($99.99) and for the gentlemen, the Conair For Men 2-Blade Cutting System ($25). For more, visit Conair.com.
SCENT-SATIONAL IDEA
WAG’s November cover boy Eli Manning has long supported the work of Guiding Eyes for the Blind, the Yorktown Heights nonprofit that provides free guide dogs to visually impaired and autistic individuals. This holiday season you can do something for the organization by purchasing a special scent. Pour Le Monde, a perfume company that creates 100-percent natural fine fragrances to benefit and increase awareness for charities around the world, has this year dedicated its Empower scent to the local organization. The crisp, sparkling citrus perfume – described as having “top notes of grapefruit, lemon and mandarin interspersed with an herbaceous mix of spearmint, lemongrass and basil” – sells for $95 for the 1.7 ounce natural spray bottle. For each purchase, 10 percent of the net sale goes back to the charity. For more, visit pourlemondeparfums or guidingeyes.org.
MAGICAL MISTLETOE
This season, you won’t need a bit of greenery dangling from an arch in your home to steal a kiss. Thanks to Tiffany & Co., you’ll be kissable every time you wear its mistletoe brooch. The piece – which echoes the mistletoe chandelier that decorates select Tiffany stores like the one at The Westchester in White Plains – continues the silver and jewelry emporium’s love affair with nature. The leaves are made of tsavorite, a vivid green gem discovered in Africa and introduced by Tiffany, with the stems fashioned from 18-karat white gold. Diamonds and South Sea cultured pearls add a bit of ice and snow to make you shiver. Still, this is one piece to warm the heart. $53,000. For more, visit Tiffany & Co.
EXTRA SPARKLE
BaubleBar, the by-appointment-only boutique on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, has unveiled a new “guest bartender” for this holiday season. Shopping in person or online, be sure to check out Sparkling Essentials made with Swarovski elements, the perfect way to glam up the basic LBD for that holiday party – or New Year’s Eve. Selections include a Crystal Medallion Bib ($74), an Emerald Cut Gem Necklace ($68) and Crystal Boho Drops ($48), clockwise from top left. For more, visit baublebar.com.
A CHARMING STORY
Auburn Jewelry – WAG introduced you to Mount Kisco jewelry designer Samantha Levine’s company back in October – has unveiled Charming, its newest line of custom jewelry. The charms come in 18 colors with the ability to customize with ease. As Levine says, “Our unique design lets you easily add and exchange charms in seconds, enabling your bracelet to evolve as quickly as your outfit.” Current designs include initials, states, zodiac signs and numbers, with Levine at the ready to help you create a custom design. Levine details two holiday promotions under way. Purchase your first charm ($66 to $85), as well as the sterling silver toggle bracelet and use the coupon code “Charming” to receive the bracelet for $10. If you buy five or more charms or pendants (which can include the first charm), use the code “Holiday” to receive 10 percent off your whole order. In addition, the Elle line features pendants, keychains, earrings and cuff links in 14k gold and sterling silver, with customization also available. For more, visit auburn-jewelry.com/charming.
