The Novelty of Nordstrom

I've always said that there are 4 places I can walk into, anywhere in the world, and immediately feel like I'm home: Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, Walgreens, and Nordstrom. The reasons are namely, the familiarity, the repetition... the way each and every branch is laid out in the same fashion. The service never wavers, and the selection is akin - no matter where on the globe you may find yourself. Nordstrom is a world all its own, it stands out from every other department store, and never seems to change its goodness. A recent run-in with their fabulous customer service has compelled me to share the shopping-joy!

Nordstrom has an official policy that they do not deal with consumer's Bugaboo issues, rather customers must contact Bugaboo offices directly with problems. Now, after months and months of Bugaboo back-and-forth-ing me without so much as an ounce of actual physical problem-solving, I headed back to Nordstrom. I brought with me a file of printed e-mails (the complete and ongoing dialogue), and stated that this is only item I've ever purchased from Nordstrom that I feel fully dissatisfied with the lack of service to back up their product. The manager (thank you, Kathrine!!) leafed through the e-mails, apologized for my inconvenience, and provided me with an even exchange right then and there. Retail simply just doesn't get any better than Nordstrom!

(Oh, did I mention Freida received her first hand-written post-card in the mail? Nordstrom shoe department checking in if her shoes still fit!)

Keep in mind, as a customer you retain the right to be satisfied. Shop happy, dear friends. : )

Some Like it Hot

So much for fall in the sukkah; our temp. spiked past 100° this weekend! Good ol' Daddyfroo took Freida out for a Sunday at the shore - ironically, it was daddy-time at Mother's Beach... thanks again, love! (Don't you just love getting mobile video updates of your kids day-out?)

http://vimeo.com/15315574

This heat is unbearable!!! While we swelter (and I can't even believe I'm posting a winter coat now!), I couldn't help but share this totally awesome boys jacket by Patagonia. Outerwear for little boys tends to be on the boring side of the fashion sense, but the graphics on this little number are so hip, and to boot, it is reversible when something calls for a more subtle look (say, shul?). Best part, it's on sale.

Patagonia Reversible Winter Jacket, $63.96

Sukkah City: NYC 2010

Oh my!! I will not even attempt to describe the mind-blowing awesomeness of one of the most incredible exhibits of all time: Sukkah City: NYC 2010.

Wishing I was in NY right now - would love to see this in person!!! Here's a little glimpse into how truly unbelievable this exhibition is...

Some of the rules: The roof must be made from something that grew in the earth and is no longer attached to the ground, the sukkah must be at least 10 handbreadths tall but not more than 20 cubits, in day; one must have more shade than sunshine, the 3rd wall doesn't need to be complete, at night; one must see the stars from inside the sukkah through the roof.

Some of the Partners: AIA NY, Béhance™, Dwell, Architizer, Core77 etc. (!!!)

Here are a few photos of the winners, but my favorite is that one pictured above (Single Thread, by Matter Practice).

Calling: Little Pirates and Pixies

Fairy jewels and golden nuggets are just a few of the whimsical trinkets you will find among the goodness at Pixie Toys; a unique toy shop right in the heart of Bixby Knolls in Long Beach. The owner, Heather, moved her toy boutique to this location (down my block!) just when little Freida was born. We've been getting her toy-fix there ever since. My mother-in-law took 2 month old Freida for a walk one afternoon (so this tired mama could sneak in a nap), and she came home gift-laden with all sorts of fantastic goodies (an oball, USA teething rings, a Corolle Minireves...)   from "the new toy store down the block". So it began...

Pixie Toys is chock-full of all those fabulous toy companies (that you won't find in Target or ToysRus), specializing in greener and more sustainable play things. Some of my favorite lines there are: Green Toys, Corolle, Crocodile Creek, Rubbabu, Trumpette, Wikki Stix, Alex,  and Papo. The older girls will go gaga over the abundant collection of Japenese erasers, and the boys will go nuts for the Papo fantasy action figures (a much, much hotter version than playmobile)! And on the way out they can't forget to select a little trinket for good measure from the pirate-booty treasure chest!

Heather is fantastically friendly and always goes out of her way to help me find the prefect baby gift, get down and play tea-party with Freida, and is the most super gift-wrapper I've ever met (thanks, Heather!!). There is just something so gratifying about walking into one store for a unique baby gift, finding the perfect one, having it beautifully gift-wrapped, and writing a card --- all in under 10 minutes! : )

Check out this magical toy boutique next time you're in the neighborhood! Your little one/s are bound to love it as much as Freida does...

Landline Lovlies

Mid-century lovers can now get their favorite-era-fix with this home goods basic: the landline telephone. Fresh from Sweet Bella (an inconspicuous shop in Brooklyn's Bronx) comes these rotary beauties - original, and unused from the British General Post Office, circa 1950. Now matter how far along technology has come, it is still considered a serious safety precaution to have a working landline telephone in your home. Why not get one that spruces up that bookshelf or entryway with a bit of awesome Mad Men style?