There’s a concept store in Paris called Colette and her taste in music is superb. My new little secret for a step ahead on some different sounds. Check out their everchanging playlist:
http://www.colette.fr/#/eshop/article/30793021/the-shimmering-stars-violent-hearts/45/
The day after Christmas, I decided to walk around Lincoln by myself. Not in a depressing way but to just enjoy Lincoln. (That’s a whole another post on its own) Its kind of like those “movies you should watch by yourself” days.
So while walking I decided to give every corner a chance. Usually when going to Lincoln, I go with a friend and waste time in Victoria’s Secret and get sushi crying about the last guy and “the guy that got away”. Today I decided to be an explorer. Went down every alley and to every store I passed over before.
I found some pretty cool places.
#16 Babalú
Pretty much before Lincoln ends, heading west, is a hidden gem. What drew me in was the neon sign. From afar it just looked like a little tourist shop that would have mementos like “My girlfriend went to Miami and all she got me was herpes”. Only in Miami. But it ended up to be quite the opposite. Amazingly cool trinkets, notebooks, home decor, and jewelery. I was initially attracted to a necklace that had a little gold J on it with a turquoise beaded necklace. J for Jessica! It’s perfect! I obviously had to buy it! Until I asked the girl who worked there how much it was. She picked it up and turned the tag around to let me know it was $1420!!!! When I was growing up I always cringed when my dad would say “damn that’s expensive!” in the store. In moments like this, I completely understand where he was coming from. Seeing that it was 14k Gold now I understand why it was.
The Symbol ended up being a #17 Maori symbol.
According to Wiki…
They represent strength, good luck and safe travel across water.
The fish-hook shape of the hei matau finds its origins in Māori legend, which holds that the North Island of New Zealand was once a huge fish that was caught by the great mariner Maui using only a woven line and a hook made from the jawbone of his grandmother.Legend holds that the shape of Hawke Bay is that of the hei matau, which caught in the fish’s side on the beach. The Māori name for the North island, Te Ika a Maui (“The fish of Maui”) reflects this legend.
For the Māori, the hei matau is taonga (a cultural treasure). It represents not only their land, but also prosperity, fertility and safe passage over water. They also denote the importance of fishing to Māori, and their relationship to Tangaroa god of the sea.
I ended up grabbing a Nelson Mandela journal and a Ganesh notebook for friends. One day I will return for the necklace but for now I will Google the Forever 21 version.
#18 Elemental
From the outsides the store looks like it would be one of those make shift store that sell only hemp clothes and filter their toilet water to make waterfalls for your home office. Going in, I still didn’t know what it was. I was looking for a really cool candle holder. When I told the eccentric shopkeeper what I wanted he exclaimed “I know just what you need!” He brought me to four hands sprouted out of the wall. I kinda of darted around them before because it creeped me out and reminded me of Willy Wonka. He let me know the artist Harry Allen made them out of a cast of his own hands. Pretty rad. I look forward to telling people the schnoz berries taste like schnoz berries.
#19 Base World
This place I’ve walked by a million times. What always drew me was the listening station to the side of the store with albums from indie artists. It reminded me of favorite job working at a Music store in Atlanta. This time I walked in and was delighted by what I found. The music selection was great because it was a bunch of stuff I’ve never heard of. I always like finding a new sound. There were great editorials I’ve never seen like the Man About Town magazine which had Pharrell posted up on the front. It’s pretty obvious what drew me there. The jewelry was cool too. I found a necklace that had scissors hanging from it which I thought would be a perfect gift for my friend the aspiring fashion designer. Also I grabbed a roll on perfume simply named Sea. Sold. There was also the cutest little cocker spaniel sitting o the counter named Jack.
Pretty much I’m glad I went where I usually didn’t and found things that I loved which were always there. I hope to do the same with myself on this journey.
BnLightened 