ROCKIN' GIFT GUIDE, PART 1 π
STUFF TO GIVE/STUFF TO WANT
Please excuse this Black Friday interruption for a few gift ideas! Below are some things that I want for myself and/or plan to give to others (who hopefully aren't reading this newsletter).
Stay tuned for more ideas, and I hope something here strikes your fancy!
1. If you're counting minutes until Patti Smith's livestream today, you may be interested in buying a signed copy of YEAR OF THE MONKEY from McNally Jackson Books.
2. Speaking of signed books, I love The Alabama Booksmith, a small shop in Birmingham where every single book is signed. They've temporarily closed the physical store, but you can choose from hundreds of signed books online.
3. One more for book lovers: Another favorite shop of mine is Faulkner House Books in New Orleans. This dreamy spot also had to temporarily shut its doors, but the owner is doing personalized book subscriptions, where she'll hand-pick books suited to your taste and send them your way. The shop specializes in used/rare books--and the works of William Faulkner, of course--but it has a little bit of everything.Β
4. Every celebrity and their cousin is on Cameo now, if you're looking for an "experience" gift. A personalized message from Paul Reubens would knock me out cold, but maybe Alice Cooper orΒ Lola the Sloth is more your speed.
5. My friend Staci owns Sugaree's Boutique, a fantastic women's clothing shop in Murfreesboro, Tenn. On top of being affordable, her clothes always prompt people to ask me where I got 'em. Shop online and help keep her business thriving.
6. Diana Kane is a Brooklyn-based women's boutique that, sadly, had to permanently close its store after 18 years. Diana is still selling her wares online, though, including her trademark Feminist T-shirt that comes in youth and adult sizes. (True story: Once I was in this store and a saleswoman suddenly appeared next to me, slipped me a pair of black pants and whispered, "This is a great pant." I wear them all the time.)
7. SmartLab Toys makes a Tiny Baking Kit that I want for myself and my kid. It comes with teeny-tiny baking supplies that you use to make teeny-tiny treats. What could be better?
8. The Hero Initiative is one of my favorite charities and helps comic creators who need urgent medical care and/or financial support. Their online store is full of signed merch, experiences and other stuff that would make any comics lover salivate--including PANDEMIX, the digital comics anthology I co-edited.
9. One of my favorite spots in the Midwest is the Mars Cheese Castle, a Wisconsin paradise that'll make all your cheese fantasies come true. They have all kinds of gift boxes and items online, including a T-shirt that says "EAT CHEESE OR DIE."
10. My former dermatologist (based in Nashville) has her own line of natural skincare products that I use every day called BuffRX. They ship pretty quickly and last a long time.
And a Q for you: Got a rad gift idea? Are you an artist who can ship your wares in time for virtual holiday parties? Drop me a line at whitmath@gmail.com. Let's help each other out this holiday season.
Please join our friend Jill Sobule tonight at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT for a special livestream performance.Β She's gonna have special guests that'll knock your socks off--and yes, she's preparing for "deep brain stimulation" surgery, so let's send some positive and healing vibes her way.
Love ya, Jill!Β
Have a holly jolly week, and I'll see you soon. Holler anytime at whitmath@gmail.com. Take a deep breath, let it out.
Your genius of love,
Foghorn Leghorn
"I don't like fashion. I don't like art. I do like smashing up expensive things."
- Wendy O. Williams
Check out REALLY WEIRD MYSTERIES: LOCH NESS MONSTER, a book I wrote that'sΒ available on Epic.Β (Most kids have Epic accounts through school, but parents can also subscribe.) Thanks for reading!
Reach out! Find me on Twitter, Instagram and at whitmath@gmail.com.