More graphic novel suggestions from Kendrick:
If he likes the movie: On The Waterfront/The Departed
Sin City or Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. Written and illustrated by Frank Miller. The Sin City books have an old noir feel. They’re tough and timeless, and they’re better than the movie. Way better. The art is heavy and foreboding, and the characters go miles deeper than the frames. Or, if you’re skeptical, everyone loves Batman.
If your fella isn’t particularly into movies, try this one:
I asked my husband to recommend some graphic novels for my gift guide, and he very happily obliged.
KENDRICK’S GUEST POST: GRAPHIC NOVELS FOR YOUR GUY
Why care about picture books? Well, I’ll tell you. If you get a guy a comic book or a graphic novel, he will probably stare at you, jaw unhinged, as if you just brought home two 40s and invited him to an IFC cage match. He will then probably take you in his arms, sweep you off your feet, and be much more amenable to movies involving Sandra Bullock.
So how do you pick a dance partner at this particular soiree? You probably know what kind of movies your guy likes, right? Here’s my suggestion: pick which movie he likes best from the list below, and choose from the selection of comic books tailored to his tastes.
A Special Offer for NS Readers…
Since the holidays are drawing ever-nearer, I asked reader Mary Clare, whose family owns Viewville.com (I’ve written about it here before) to give me some suggestions for prints for everyone on your list. Here’s what she came up with:
Parents/Friends:
Book Worm: Flower Type
Books always make great presents. Here are some of my favorite picks for gifting purposes:
The Mists of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley: I’ve read it perhaps five times, starting in tenth grade, and it’s one of the most extraordinary books I’ve ever encountered.
Much to Your Chagrin, by Suzanne Guillette: Read my review here.
My friend Jennifer and her husband Jim Bob make the absolute coolest pendants around (above is “The Sh*t,” as you can see). They’re only $40 ($45 for 24K gold-dipped), and you can literally cover every single person on your gift list with these things - there is an incredible variety of styles in categories such as “Garden,” “Retro,” and “Feel-Good.”
Some of my favorites: Hooked, Let’s Fly Away on a Paper Airplane, and, of course, Saute Lady.
Place your order at www.jennyandjimbob.com by December 19th and receive 20% off!
Sequin Legging ($98)
Zebra Lace Tights ($16.50)
At Selfridges, I discovered the (slightly unfortunately named) Vom Fass stand, which I thought was an inspired gift idea.
First, you sample their extensive collection of oils, vinegars, wines, and spirits, which includes unusual options like porcino oil and blueberry liqueur with grappa (that’s what I’m sampling above). Next, you select a bottle (which can be personalized) from a wide range of styles and sizes, which is filled with your selection. You’re welcome to keep the bottle and come back to have it refilled for a moderate price.
While Vom Fass products are only currently available in the U.K., I love the idea of bottling house-made oils and liqueurs. Why not try bottling up some pineapple vodka infusions for your loved ones this Christmas?
My aunt Trudy (who my mom was visiting in Canada this past weekend) runs an online store called New Moon Creations, specializing in pendants with unique healing properties (she hand-crafts each and every item that gets shipped out). My favorite items are these beautiful - and wallet-friendly, at $18 - gemstone pendants (above), which make perfect gifts. You can tailor them to each person’s birthstone, or give them a pendant featuring a stone with properties that will enhance their life (rose quartz, for example, mends a broken heart, while jade brings peace and obsidian offers protection). I also really love her Sweetgrass and Buffalo Sage pendants.
Look for Trudy’s pendants in my Holiday Gift Guide, which will go live in early November (gift-buying stresses me out to no end, so I try to get a jump-start on the season).
On Tuesday night, Francesca and I headed over to the exceptionally elegant (so elegant that I thought it was a very fancy apartment building until the doorman, noticing our confusion, beckoned us over) Bruno Jamais Restaurant on 81st between Madison and 5th for the Girls’ Night Out event. We learned about a bunch of amazing beauty and lifestyle brands including Votre Vu, Honeycat Cosmetics, and Belli, a few of which I think would be perfect additions to my Holiday Gift Guide (look for it around mid-November).
So I’m wondering: what would you like to see included in my very first gift guide? Best friend gifts? Vintage buys? Budget-friendly picks? DIY gifts? Holiday gift-giving can be unbelievably stressful, so I’d like to make it easier for you this year. Tell me what you want to see!
Event attendance was uncompensated, but product samples were generously provided.
I know you’ve been on the edge of your seat about this, but please, take a deep sigh of relief…The Glasses have been found. Turning your couch cushions over yields miraculous results.
They’re Kador Occhialeria, BTW, for those of you who have written me to ask what brand they are.
Above, they’re pictured on George, who was a gift from Kendrick before he left on tour for two months. Yes, I’m 28, and yes, I begged for this stuffed animal - it’s sort of like an enormous body pillow that wraps around you and hugs you back, and is quite wonderful on cold nights when your husband is in Minneapolis (or wherever).
Kendrick bought it at Domus around Christmastime; I stopped in the store recently and didn’t see any in stock, but they’re a popular Xmas item and I imagine they’ll be getting more in soon.
