Tomte. Modern Craft
Last weekend a good gal pal and I went for a little bike ride… I know. Truth be told, it was more of a booze cruise on two wheels. Wine is not a great substitute for water by the way and it has the opposite effect of Gatorade. However, it tastes a hell of a lot better. Before things got boozy we dropped by an adorable little shop called Tomte, located at 1644 Platte Street. It was an unexpected surprise… and an amazing find.
Tomte: small, but strong.
I did a little research. A tomte is a mythical creature of Scandinavian folklore. It’s believed that they watched over a farmer’s home, as well as his children, protecting them from misfortune, especially at night, when everyone was asleep. Cute little guy.
Tomte features lots of great handmade products, many of them made locally: sewn goods, tea towels, shirts, and glassware. Some of the products that stood out to us were some amazing little terrariums incorporating tiny, beautiful ceramic deer. I can’t recall that last time I saw a terrarium, let alone one that I would want to display in my own home. Other highlights included a collection of rather uniquely hand crafted mushroom-shaped birdhouses that hung from a tree branch suspended from the ceiling; graphic tees printed on what has to be one of the best made shirts out there these days; a noteworthy selection of screen-printed tea towels, coasters, and placemats; and a collection of buttons employing recycled security envelope patterns.
Birdhouses by Denver’s own Michael McDowell
I could have easily dropped more than the ten-spot on the handmade tote bag I picked up for myself. And, before we headed off to grape filled pastures, I quickly made a few notes to myself for my gal pal’s upcoming birthday. If you have the chance to stop by Tomte. Modern Craft, I highly suggest it… not only are you supporting locally made products, but showing Denver that talented local designers are worth investing in.
The Displeasure of la Garcia. And the Vindication of Blake.
Nina Garcia looking sour
I knew it, I knew it, I knew it! Nina Garcia, god bless her, is not on board with this Seth Aaron adulation. My evidence, you ask?
1. While she liked some parts of his jacket last night, she also clearly thought that it was dated and overworked. I could not agree more, Nina. Too many bells and whistles. And buttons and zippers and flaps and asymmetrical nastiness. It may be well fitted, I’ll give him that much, but it looks like it emerged from a K-Mart circa 1989.
2. In the final moments of deliberation when Heidi asked the other judges (this time Garcia, the irritating Molly Sims, and Francisco Costa of Calvin Klein [sitting in for Michael Kors]) if they had reached a decision, Nina gave a grimace but nodded her assent. And who should win? Seth Aaron and Emilio. In other words, Nina had been outvoted, and by that silly Sims!
Needless to say, I was as displeased as la Garcia. To my mind the winners should have been Anthony (sporting that adorable ladies’ cardigan from Talbots, complete with brooch) and Maya. I was also ready to see Jay Nicolas Sario head home. His outfit had nary a fan amongst the judges and it was completely ill fitting. Yes, Amy’s shirtdress looked like a kindergarten teacher’s painting smock, but at least she designed something and executed it well.
The other great tragedy of the evening, however, was the elimination of Holly on MotR, largely because Emilio, cocky from his win, decided to go with the judges’ favorite, Lorena, instead of remaining loyal to Holly. I thought Holly was great, not as wonderful as my favorite, Cerri, but still pretty good. And I loved that Cerri, throughout the process, gave Holly enormous props, talking about her beauty and her “ridiculous” (in a good way) body. Oh, Emilio, what were you thinking? Bad choices all around.
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