Too Cool

I like being scared.  And I regularly seek it out. 

Whether it's watching The Strangers while I'm home alone and being totally freaked.

 

Or paragliding off the side of a mountain in Maui (i'm afraid of heights). 

Or snorkeling in the Caribbean Sea while hanging onto the leg of a very nice local gentleman and hyperventilating into my mask (i can't swim). 

Sometimes it's more of a personal challenge type of scare.  Like what I did this past Friday.  I went to the Henri Bendel Open See.  This is where designers of various clothing, accessories, beauty items, etc...have the opportunity to show their goods to the Bendel's buyers.  I'm not exactly a Bendel's type of girl but I knew I had to try.   

I claimed my spot on line on 5th Avenue at about 6am.  It was 37 degrees.  Not terrible, but when you're standing on the cold cement for 3 hours in the dark it starts to hurt.

 Most of us came prepared for the cold in cute but warm outfits.  And then there were the people who just came cute.  They were miserable in stilettos with no jackets for hours and hours on the cold NYC sidewalk.  But I gotta say, they looked good!
When they opened the doors at 9am the line moved pretty quickly.  I was lead into the basement of Bendel's and ushered into a waiting room.  When my time to see a buyer came I wasn't the least bit nervous.  I kind of had an idea of how it was going to go down anyway.  She quickly scanned my bio and line sheet, took a look at a few pieces and said..."It's very well made and edgy.  But you have this cool factor.  And that's just not us." 
So that's that.  I'm too cool for Henri Bendel's :)

And for all my loyal customers who are like way cool too, use coupon code cool15 for 15% off your entire order from now until Sunday 11.06.11.
 http://www.autumnbradley.com/

Holiday Shopping Guide For People Who Hate The Mall (aka men)

If you're reading this and you're a dude, you're thinking that it's waaay too soon to be talking about the holidays. But seriously man, if you just get it over with, you won't have to scramble around at the last minute and pay for expedited shipping and all that.  The other thing you're thinking is that you don't have the slightest clue what to buy anyone. 
I'm here to help.

Your list should include your significant other, mom, sister, grandma and any other ladies in your life that will make things miserable for you if you don't get them a gift, or if you get them a crappy gift like a toaster.  You could get them something like...





A beautiful hand-dyed scarf



A glittering gemstone bracelet

 



or a lovely handmade box

Your list may also include another dude.  Maybe your dad, brother, grandpa, or some other manly man.  There's plenty of gift options to make it seem like you didn't try, but that don't suck.  Like...



A portable speaker for the music lover



or a hat for the outdoorsy type



And you may need a kid gift.  There are endless options for kids but these will insure your "cool" status with them.



A one of a kind Monster Doll

Their very own crayon tote







Or a killer tutu



And it never fails that you find yourself in one of those stupid Secret Santa gift exchanges at the office because you didn't want to be the only one who didn't participate and look like a cold-hearted grinchy asshat.  So here's a couple of under $20 options... 

 







Everyone loves a candle

      

 

Or be different and give a crazy little lovebot



No doubt there will be others on your list but this will get you started and help you avoid the dreaded mall.  So when your buddy tries to convince you to go to the mall with him the weekend before Christmas you can say, "Nah man, I'm good".  And he will be soooo jealous. 

All of these amazing products were designed and handmade by the super talented members of The Artisan Group.   Click here or on the gift guide button below to see tons of other options from The Artisan Group members.