Shopping
Once upon a time and for many years I was a retailer, specializing in off-beat gifts.
So it seemed to me that I was honor bound to present you with a swell, carefully edited gift list for the holidays. (Don't forget to double click on images for better viewing.)
A slick magazine slid across my desk recently with a selection of sixty three holiday watches to choose from! Glitzy watches such as those are simply not my thing and I hope not yours either. Ugly is bad enough but indulging ones entitled nature so blatantly leaves me breathless. Most of these were in the 4 and 5 figure range. There was even one for $234,000 described as a "Bugatti Type". (wouldn't you rather have a small house in the woods somewhere or become a hero to your favorite charity?) I also noted that although mentioned editorially, all sources were also advertisers!
My particular watch buying rules, just so you have them:
No diamonds. Black or white dial face preferable. Design as minimal as possible. Skagen makes many good designs, although not absolutely all are minimal. Swiss Army ok but some styles have too much to look at. If you keep these rules in mind you're less likely to tire of your watch and it won't be stolen if you're in a bank or jewelry store during an armed robbery.
So, here's my holiday list including some decent watches!
Glamorous but low key, this women's watch is irresistible and at $55 it certainly won't break the 
bank. It's a Swatch and you can get it at the Swatch Shop in the North Bridge (Nordstrom's) Shop building at 520 N. Michigan. Swatch watches aren't all over as they once were and they keep changing styles, so grab this while you can. Donna, the super competent manager at this store can tell you all you need to know. 312.321.9670 There are other Swatch stores in the malls at Old Orchard and at Oakbrook.
The gift store at the MCA has some interesting watch styles. I like this one 
from Alessi, a straightforward unisex design at $99.
Easily one of the coolest watches in town can be found at The Alley at 3228 N. Clark. As you can see from the photo below right, all you see is the digital numerals on a plain grey strap which is adjustable. $125. Call 773.883.1800 x219 for hours.
Admittedly this is adventurous shopping since you must wander into a world you no doubt never frequent, complete with unusual looking salespeople who may resemble disfigured African tribesmen or ghoulish fanged creatures from I'm not sure where. For me, it's the mission that's important and if there's a new experience 
along your path that merely adds to the general excitement of the season.
Further research indicates that this watch is designed by Philippe Starck, the French designer of boutique hotel interiors, products for the home, etc. The style also comes in black or orange but the black one is only available at the website, www.fossil.com which provides an 11 year warranty and free shipping. There's a Fossil store at Water Tower but no black there to date.
Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art has an interesting gift shop and proceeds support the work of this non-profit group. Susann Craig designed these great 
looking necklaces made from akoya shell buttons. The one pictured at left is an assortment of button sizes and the overall effect is an iridescent pearlized quality. Perfect for travel or with almost any wardrobe. Price range $40 to $60. Call 312.243.9088 for hours.
Men. Yup, it's a bit tricky to find gifts for these creatures but here are some suggestions. Go to Levinger, the leased department at Marshall Field's either in the loop or at Water Tower Place. 
Their leather items are high quality and fairly priced. Many have unisex appeal.
I really like their tri-fold wallet (right) which has a window for your ID so you don't need to remove it to enter your office building or others. Plenty of room for credit cards and bills in handsome textured black or smooth tan leather. Brown expected soon too. $48.
It's useful to have a card holster (below, left) for your business cards to keep them 
separate from other things. I'm told that presentation counts when you offer your card and this one is definitely good looking. Thick tan or black leather ensures that they will remain pristine. $28.
Here's an unusual and handsome address book with a 
cool coil binding. $18. Refill with 50 additional pages is $4.
The elastic bungee bookmark, below left, also from Levinger is a fine invention since you can simultaneously mark your place and keep the book's pages from flopping around using the elastic band. A perfect stocking stuffer. No longer will I smash my books in my hand luggage or handbag. A number of colors and just 
$6. The book shown, with the bungee pressed into service is 
"Oddball Illinois", available along with its cousins, from Indiana, Wisconsin, Colorado, Florida and Minnesota at the Intuit store (see above for info). These travel books which specialize in weird stuff to do in the states of the titles receive rave reviews from all who see them.
Other things I liked at Levinger were large handbag/totes for women and a variety of both brief and laptop cases for men and women...a lot of leather and workmanship for a decent price. Check out the jewelry boxes and many other gift ideas here. As an added bonus you get a $25 gift certificate during the holidays if your purchase exceeds $100.
Then there's Uncle Fun at 1338 W. Belmont, 
phone 773.477.8223. If you don't know this place you're not a real shopper. Or, you assume shopping isn't fun, an impossiblity at this emporium. Yes, there are lots of gag gifts, vintage and otherwise but some serious and irresistible items are bound to grab your attention also. Recently I purchased a vintage WWII child's gas mask (see photo at right above for adult version.) I plan to squeeze it onto the wall of my already crowded 
powder room. There are some wonderful art books at very reasonable prices, that classic "Whoopie" cushion for $1 (ask if you don't know what I mean) and thousands of other 
items. Pictured previously at left is an unusual digital alarm clock with the numbers encased in glass tubes at $5.
I particularly liked the Raggedy Ann and Andy hand puppets (previous photo), which are good sized and $9 each or you might try the sock monkey (above) which is also a classic at $16. A family of "bendable" Simpsons (above) is $20.
Robin Richman who owns a store of the same name at 2108 N. Damen has a superb eye so a trip to her newly remodeled emporium is bound to include some special finds. There's wonderful, imaginative clothing and accessories for both women and men. I thought a fine gift would be the Japanese-made intricately patterned socks at $25. 
The same manufacturer also makes knee socks and 
other items. Check out the long sleeved t shirts by a Chicago artist with scapulae images silk screened on the back to indicate shoulder bones.
My favorite holiday party hostess gift is this box of thin chocolate squares from Dolfin in Belgium where they really know how to make chocolate. A box of 48 weighing a total of 7.6 oz is $13.99 at Trotter's To Go, 1337 W. Fullerton, 773.868.6510. Flavors include Noir Anis, Noir 88%, Orange, Au Lait and more. There's a smaller box of 24 pieces too and eating such tiny amounts is hardly sinful.
The MCA gift shop always has tantalizing choices. My favorite of all is an artist-made shadow
box with a peaceful looking Buddha ensconced inside. It's riveting and just singing with color. Marcelo Fernandez of Sao Paulo, Brazil has fashioned a whole collection of such boxes spotlighting other religious figures you may know well.
Don't forget the terrific Chicago book, "Revealing Chicago, An Aerial Portrait" by Terry Evans and Charles Wheelan. The photos of Chicago and surrounding areas taken by Evans from hot air balloons and helicopter are breathtaking and will make you see your city anew, There are 100 photos in all by Evans, one of the country's finest landscape photographers whose work is in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum in New York. The book is available for $40 at all Borders stores and for 34% off of the list price (special rate for books over $25.) at Amazon.
Be sure to stop by the wonderful places I've mentioned heretofore; Sister's Studio on Wrightwood (especially for children), Hazel, and R.R.#1 Chicago as well as Filene's for cashmere scarves and gloves and fine leather gloves reasonably priced. The Oriental Institute gift shop has some good gifts and the store of the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum gift shop is worth a visit as is the shop at the Field Museum. The gifts at the Art Institute store are pretty tedious, although they do have some good children's items.
