Archive for the ‘Gift Ideas’ Category

celebrations galore: gifts for dads & grads

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012
with father’s day and graduations just around the corner, i figured it was time i started looking for unique gifts to give on those special days. i know that many of you were probably thinking the same thing. to make both of our lives a bit easier, i went ahead and did some research and carefully selected the perfect gifts for dads and grads. cheers!

~ irin

(1) henri’s tasting sampler, $160

whether dad or grad, i know they’ll love this handpicked henri’s reserve sampler kit that comes with 3 bottles of classy champagne from the premier boutique vineyards of france and easily delivered straight to the doorstep. for your loved ones who enjoy indulging themselves with the finer things in life, give them the gift that they’ll absolutely fall in love with. looks like you’ve got some competition for their affections. you’d be ok with that though, right?

 

(2) vosges haut-chocolat toucan guinness® truffles collection, $28

brand new from vosges and perfect for dads or grads is the toucan guinness® truffles collection, a twist on the classic vosges haut-chocolat truffle collections. these limited edition 9 piece toucan guinness® truffles are made with guinness® beer for astout + chocolate indulgence. presented in a purple box tied with a kelly green ribbon, these truffles are both festive and delicious! toucan guinness® truffle parfums include: guinness beer + 62% cacao dark chocolate + cocoa powder. perfect for those who want the best of both worlds!

 

(3) linnea’s lights vetiver candle

linnea’s lights first foray into the men’s candle arena with the incredible vetiver scent. earthy, rugged and altogether masculine with notes of vetiver, light musk andozone. linnea’s lights candles combine all natural soy wax, lead-free cotton candle wicks, pure essences and fine fragrances to create clean burning, perfectly scented and highly aromatic candles. these 9oz candles last approximately 60 hours. all of linnea’s lights natural soy candles are meticulously hand-poured in small batches and tested for quality assurance in their indiana studio. perfect for dads in need of some serious relaxation!

 

(4) stylish leather accessories from hester van eeghen, prices vary

great for grads and dads alike, amsterdam-based designer hester van eeghen has a striking line of men’s and women’s leather accessories from wallets to briefcases. for grads, what better way to welcome them into their next adventure and set them off into the work force in style with a thoughtful gift like these colorful leather business cards holders. dads will love the briefcases, computer cases and sleek wallets on offer as well. there’s something for everyone and every price point in the mix.

 

a color story: featuring hester van eeghen

Tuesday, March 27th, 2012

according to rachel schechtman, founder of fabulous new shop story, the landscape of retail is ripe for change. ”one of my beliefs is that the future of retail is going to be less about consumption and more about content and community,” she says. and that’s precisely why rachel created the concept of story. story is a 2000 square foot store located on 10th avenue in chelsea, overlooking the gorgeous highline, that has the point of view of a magazine. its offerings change every 4 to 6 weeks like a gallery, and it sells products just like a normal store. what sets story apart, however, is that story will change out all its merchandise, design, and fixtures and completely reinvent the entire theme every couple of weeks around a new idea. story debuted with the theme of love when it first opened in february. this month’s theme? color!

this month is extra exciting for us here at the markoff group because story will also be featuring one of our own beloved clients, hester van eeghen, a natural fit when it comes to to color. don’t you agree? we highly recommend stopping by this bright, colorful space. and if you have yet to get your hands on hester van eeghen’s vibrant designs, you must stop by for a unique opportunity to see, feel and try the pieces on for yourself. we just know you’ll fall in love.

here are some photos we took on our most recent visit to story.

let’s take a look inside, shall we? (location: 144 10th avenue at 19th street)

this month’s theme: color

hester van eeghen’s confetti clutch dipped in brown, orange, pink, and green – what a burst of color!

hester van eeghen’s confetti clutch in black, grey, and cream – perfect for anytime of day!

on the right: hester’s fishy ray in deep red
on the left: hester’s amazon clutch in red and orange

 

here’s another fishy ray in a mesmerizing turquoise. i absolutely love the sparkle. this is one of my absolute favorites and always a great conversation starter at parties.

as you can see, each section of story is sectioned off into different vibrant colors – oranges, pinks, greens, and hester van eeghen fits right in. i love the concept, and can’t wait to go back to pick up some lovely trinkets for myself. what’s your story?

~ irin

 

 

christmas: the most wonderful time of the year

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

image courtesy of 39thandbroadway.com

“it’s the most wonderful time of the year
with the kids jingle belling
and everyone telling you “be of good cheer”
it’s the most wonderful time of the year
it’s  the hap-happiest season of all”
~andy williams

christmas is definitely one of my favorite holidays. just something about it is completely magical, and everyone around you is in good cheer. it’s as if fairies stopped by and sprinkled enchanted pixie dust across the town, making all things seem a little rosier, cozier, and simply just delightful.  even in new york, when things are bustling and hustling most of the time, things seem to slow down. people stroll the streets enjoying the city’s night skyline or slowly peruse through outdoor farmer’s markets in union square, stopping to, literally, smell the roses, lovely inspiring scented-candles, and perhaps the occasional whiff of hot chocolate brewing in a nearby stand.

one of the things i love to do during the holiday season is to go to a nearby cafe or bakery and sit by the window with a toasty latte in my hands and people watch. the perfect place to do this? bryant park. located between 40th and 42nd streets & fifth and sixth avenues, bryant park is an amazing place to catch up with friends over a cup of coffee, do some last minute holiday shopping at one of over 100 cute boutiques and gift shops, or even ice skate (for free!). there’s also plenty of benches and places to sit and take in the oasis-like winter wonderland curiously situated in the middle of a large and busy city. where will you be enjoying the holidays?

~irin

celebrating christmas, the sinterklaas way!

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

courtesy of hveus.com

everyone in the united states knows all about christmas and santa claus, the jolly elderly man who “ho ho ho’s”, arrives via reindeer and sleigh, and gives gifts to well-behaved children every 25th of december.  but how do people outside of the states celebrate christmas?  while working with one of our amazing clients hester van eeghen, a talented dutch designer of colorful leather goods and accessories, i had the opportunity to learn about a dutch holiday called sinterklaas.

what is sinterklaas?  sinterklaas is a dutch celebration that commences when st. nicholas (also known as sinterklauss) arrives by sea on a white horse to celebrate good spirits and holiday cheer.  in amsterdam, sinterklaas is known as the patron saint of not only children, but also of seamen, merchants, and even pharmacists!  during his stay in amsterdam, the whole town celebrates with parades, public appearances, and televised programs as the children eagerly await the 5th of december, the day when sinterklaas will go around knocking door to door to leave sacks of exciting presents for all children.  however, what i find really cool about this holiday is that adults and children alike can participate in the festivities through a secret gift-exchanging activity, similar to what we know as secret santa, that includes creative poems loaded with hints as to who the secret gift-giver is.

in honor of sinterklaas and the holiday season, hester is offering specials discounts and promotions on some of her most popular items.  enter code sinterklaasmen15 for 15% off on men’s accessories including tastefully-designed messenger bags, architectural office bags, and trendy wallets, all of which are bursting with bright colors and shades.  sign up here today to be in the know for all the upcoming promotions!   how will you and your friends and family be celebrating this holiday season?

~irin