The Paz Collective

I visited the Paz Collective this weekend and was happy to find all of these because...

it's hard for me to resist silver heart charms;










or colorful, mismatched beads; buy and wear both of these necklaces.


















As The Paz Collective was humming on Saturday and I didn't want to interrupt the buying flow, I grabbed some more pictures off their website. Here's a lovely representation of their three jewelry designers:

Agnes Seebass, Annabel Humber, & Teresa Camino, the artisans behind The Paz Collective's gorgeous, handcrafted sterling silver jewelry. All 3 are based in Taxco, Mexico, home to 200+ silver shops.
















And here's what I'd like in my stocking: all of the below. Geometrics + silver jewelry = stunning.















The Paz Collective, A04 on the venue guide (the fountain terrace down 40th Street way in Bryant Park)

The Aromatic Splash!

Best smelling booth in The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park? Splash! Organics has to be a big contender for #1. While at the shops with my sister today, she dragged me to Splash and raved about their aromatic soaps. Last year I'd given her a bar for Christmas, and she not only liked the soap on her skin, she also loved how it kept her whole bathroom smelling fresh. And compared to other handmade soaps, she claimed the Splash bar lasted the longest. So, little holiday gifts for her friends this year? Yes, great smelling, colorful soaps:












But Splash soaps don't just smell wonderful and look good, they are also handmade with certified organic and vegan ingredients. Don't forget that your skin is highly absorbent, so you don't want animal by-products in any of your skin care. And Splash! Organics also carries body scrubs, deodorant, and other products for all skin types (right). They even have soaps gentle enough for your infant or pet. So drop by Splash on the fountain terrace and stock up on some good smelling, good-for-your-body skincare for the year.

1 bar - $7 2 bars - $12 5 bars - $25 - great deal for long-lasting, high quality handmade soaps!

Splash! Organics, B23 on the venue guide (the fountain terrace in Bryant Park at 41st & 6th Avenue)

Give a Gift that Spins

Spinners is a real eye-catching kiosk in The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park. And all thanks to these:

The solarisel ($79), for indoors and out, the spiral rotates and the crystal ball looks like it's moving up and down. Illusions are cool;




















The spinners ($25 - $40). Powered by the wind, they'll spin and the design will look like it's growing and radiating.




















You can't get a more perfect gift for the very obsessed gardener in your life. I know a few of those green thumb types, and they are REALLY into yard decorations (hi, mom). But if you're intrigued with this very original decoration (once you see them in action you will be mesmerized), and you don't have a yard, get one of the indoor spinners. Powered by a small motor, you won't need any wind and it will brighten up any room in your home. I'm planning on buying at least one so I can torture/entertain my cats. They can't stare at pigeons on the fire escape all day, right?


Spinners, B11 on the venue guide (fountain terrace in Bryant Park, 41st & 6th Avenue)

United in Bags

Can a girl ever have enough bags? A safe answer is "No." And United Leather has a great selection of sleek, attractive, and functional handbags. Here's a great one for a family member or a stocking stuffer for your favorite gal:

the mini-purse, perfect for subway cards;













if she's always forgetting her keys, the mini-wallet with key ring;












college-age and up, a sleek and modern hobo;













to keep your on-the-run working girl organized;














add a little color to her collection with the two-toned clutch, adorable;













Gentlemen, no worries, there's plenty of wallets for you, too. And the prices are right on: wallets run from $10 - $100, and handbags $50 - $250. So there's a little something for everyone at United Leather in The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park.


United Leather, G02 on the vendor guide (south side of Bryant Park along 40th Street)

Good Scents

Holiday shopping can be a little trying. Carrying all those bags, elbowing your way through crowds, yanking sweaters out of fellow shopper's hands: all these things make for quite the workout. I enjoy the calorie burn, the rush of the score, and the satisfaction of fabulous gifts bought, but at the end of the day I need a little pampering.

Bring your bruises, your aching muscles, and your sore upper arms to Country Herbs at The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park. Country Herbs, a family owned business, sells aromatherapy herbal heat packs in different shapes to fit every part of your aching body:

Slippers, warm and cozy. And the shoulder wrap, a great gift for your hard-working loved ones.











Made with cotton fabric and terrycloth, these soothing packs are filled with rice, flax seeds and a mixture of 12 different herbs including chamomile, lavender, and cinnamon. Mmmmm, I'm feeling loose and relaxed already. Just heat and serve. Or you can freeze them to use as an ice pack. These are some versatile packs, yes? And they'll get you right back in shape for more holiday shopping in no time.

Price range: $12 - $37

Country Herbs, F05 on the venue guide (upper terrace of Bryant Park)

It's Dy-no-mighty

I am unable to say "Dynomighty" without thinking of Jimmie Walker as JJ on Good Times. My many apologies to artist and designer Terrance Kelleman, the man behind Dynomighty Design, a new vendor at the holiday shops. I'm sure he's going to be very happy when all us old Good Times fans die off and he will no longer hear "Dy-no-mite!" every time we walk into his kiosk. That is, unless we teach our offspring, mwahaha!

But seriously, it is apt as Dynomighty products are JJ-yelling "dy-no-mite"-worthy. Here's what I'm obsessed with:

Recyclable luggage tags, $10. Travelers, these aren't just cute but good for the environment;
















Mighty desk dots, $20. I need lots of these! Although I may just end up playing with them all day and doing no work (see the hand);





















Attention, fashion bloggers! You need this bottle cap tripod to take pictures of your cute outfits! Ridiculous clever, these fit standard bottle tops and universal camera mounts. A mere $10.












The mighty wallet, made with recycled products, $15. A co-worker just bought a leather-looking wallet inspired by the designer's grandfather's old wallet. Very, very...dy-no-mite.











OK, I'm obsessed with all of Dynomighty's clever and ecologically conscious goodness. Welcome to The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park, Dynomighty!

Dynomighty Design, B14 on the venue guide (on the fountain terrace of Bryant Park)

Siam NYC

You know how you walk into a store and, after browsing a bit, find that one thing you absolutely cannot leave without? At Siam NYC I had that moment more than once:

These look good enough to eat. Please don't taste, as these candle & incense sets are for the other senses.









Coolest wine holder ever ($15)! So distracting, I may forget to drink my wine;

Pretty Japanese style lanterns ($15 - $50);









Enchanting candle holders. I want these all over my apartment ($6 - $45);











And possibly my favorite Siam NYC, must-have: holiday light covers. Below is a shot of them in the Siam NYC kiosk. Buy and cover those old holiday lights for a lovely new effect. They look like flowers from afar, and little lanterns up close.

I know, the only problem with Siam NYC is choosing which, or how many, to buy. Designed by one of the owners, Offer Gimpel, and made in Thailand, Siam NYC's products are the perfect gift for the holidays. But who am I fooling, I'm not giving any of these away!



Siam NYC, F07 on the vendor guide and on the upper terrace in Bryant Park