Lamar Park Blog

Hi everyone!

Apologies for not posting yesterday, I haven’t mentioned this yet, but I’m actually in Peru!  I’ve been here for two weeks and on Monday I am off to Cusco to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, to say I am nervous is a bit of an understatement, but any nerves are trumped ten-fold by excitement.  My home base has been in Lima, but I have traveled to Casma and I just got back from Ica and Huacachina yesterday.   I will be back in Texas soon enough, don’t you worry.  Anyway, as much as I’m sure you all want to hear about my trip, I’ll spare you the details and cut to the chase.  What do my travels have to do with Lamar Park you ask?  Allow me to enlighten you; meet two of my travel companions: my Peruvian Amulet and Chilean Chanchito from Pilar.

Chanchitos are made in a small village in Chile; it is thought that these little pigs, the three-legged sort in particular, bring good luck.   Traditionally they are given to friends as a token of love and good will.  Lucky for me Terry gave me my chanchito a few years back on a regular visit The Park, and I have since made a little home for him in whatever bag or purse I happen to be carrying.

I also acquired an amulet around the same time.  I had to do a little research on the story of amulets, as being on another continent doesn’t allow me to get in touch with Terry, Pilar’s incredibly sweet and knowledgeable owner, very easily.  Here’s what I found, and I think this is pretty spot on for my little vial of wonderfulness… (Info via http://www.luckymojo.com/charmvial.html#4) In this small vial is oil and small chunks of tree bark dyed bright green, yellow, and pink for health, a piece of vuelve vine and a carved and painted soapstone statue of St. Anthony for the return of a lost lover, a piece of pyrite (Fool’s Gold) for wealth, and a miniature horseshoe for luck.  There are a few other things in there, but I just keep my fingers crossed that they’re all for good luck.

Anyway, like I said earlier my amulet and chanchito have always had a place in my bag of choice and they always, always, accompany me on trips.  Superstitious I may be, but I have had pretty good fortune while traveling with these little guys, and traveling they have done.  Together we have lived in Argentina, visited friends in Scotland and London, hiked the Great Wall of China, explored the desserts of Dubai, discovered the jungles of Panama, and on Wednesday we will hike the Inca Trail.  I know it may seem silly, but these two little charms have given me a great deal of comfort over the years (oh, did I mention I have a slight fear of both heights and flying, yikes).  Now, I’m not suggesting that you all run over to Pilar and buy Terry out of these good luck charms (oh wait, yes I am… ), but I have enjoyed having mine around and I look forward to the adventures I will continue to have with them in my back pocket (err, purse).

*Editor’s Note:  Terry has a few of each of these trinkets in stock, but is expecting a larger shipment in September – first come first served!

Well, the United States might be out of the World Cup, but that doesn’t mean there isnt PLENTY to celebrate here in the good ol’ US of A!  4th of July is the one of the best holidays of the year – summer bbq’s, the beach, family, friends – what more could you ask for!?  Great sales!  There is a TON going on over at Lamar Park, and if I were you, I would forgo that sunburn and grab a new outfit instead!

Market is having a 15-50% off sale through Saturday, and you know there are plenty of options for a great summer BBQ – I LOVE, love, love these earrings and this adorable white tunic, so breezy and perfect for an afternoon of fun.

Market’s not the only sale around town, Goosefeathers is having a great sale too – and lots of great summer gear to boot!

These Independence Day staples from Julian Gold are sure to be a hit at any 4th of July festivities.  This red Maristella Citelli dress is perfect for an afternoon BBQ followed by a little fireworks watching, and I love these Elaine Turner handbags – so cute and so versatile!

I know everyone has their own special plans for the 4th, but whatever they might be, I hope you are all happy and safe – and decked head to toe in red, white, and blue!

Happy Friday! I should be saying Happy-Almost-Sunday though, because really, is there a better day than the one dedicated to the wonderfulness of our fathers? That’s right, I think Father’s Day is a fabulous holiday, and not just because my daddio is the coolest, most wonderful, amazing person in the world, but because think about how much DAD’s do that goes unnoticed? Something broken? Ask Dad. Need a few bucks? Dad can help. No one to dance with at a party? Who could be a better partner than good ol’ Dad? They deserve a day dedicated to their heroics, and I can’t wait to wish my Dad a Happy Father’s Day. I also can’t wait to get him a few presents, because let’s face it, the tables are usually turned (NOT that I’m complaining, Dad, I’m just saying)! Men are hard to shop for you say? Not at Lamar Park!

Gourmet and Gadgets has extended its store hours all week just for this special holiday and is also offering free gift wrap – need there be more incentive to get a present than that right there? Anything Georgia has in stock would be a fantastic Father’s Day gift, but I particularly love these Wusthof knives, the Proteak cutting board (they go hand-in-hand!) and the William Bounds peppermills. Who says cooking isn’t manly? With any of these your Dad will be itchin’ to get in the kitchen.

Julian Gold also has some wonderful Father’s Day gift ideas. Bond and Creed Colognes are sold exclusively at this Corpus gem and both smell divine…a unique (and well scented) gift indeed. Most men I know would be hard pressed to buy themselves hand cream, which makes Father’s Day an ideal time to go ahead and pruchase some for them. This Ahava Hand Cream set is a perfect gift for a hardworking Dad, and you’ll never have to worry about rough hands ever again.

What would Father’s Day be without a huge Jos. A. Bank sale? June 10-13 enjoy 50% off all traveler polos, sport shirts, and shorts AND 60% off an enormous selection of suits and sport coats. Perfection!  And how could I forget Small Planet?  Surely Steve and Alyssa have a few specialties up their sleeves – why don’t you take your dad to a nice outdoor lunch on the patio we all know I love so much?

Father’s Day is made easy with Lamar Park, I guess your toughest decision will be what on earth to choose! I wish all of you the most wonderful of Father’s Days, and weekends in general. I hope you are as lucky as I am to have such a wonderful father in your life whose love you cherish more than anything in the world (I mean I had to get sappy…what can I say!?) Until next week!

Ahh graduation.  I remember those days.  (I’ve done two now, hope to add one more to my repertoire.)  I remember high school graduation especially vividly…gearing up for college, devastated to leave my friends, planning road trips and beach weekends, discussing how we’re never, ever going to lose touch ever.  Another thing I remember quite well?  The gifts!  Yep, high school graduation is the end-all-be-all of graduation present receiving.  When you graduate from college people start to care a little bit less – you get things like portfolios and pens…to help you in “the real world”.  Take it from me; it only goes down hill from here.

What do you get a graduate?  Or even better, what do you wear to graduation?  Well funny you should ask, I’ve been mulling over the same question myself…my conclusion?  Consider Julian Gold your Graduation Headquarters.  From the perfect graduation dress, shoes, or jewelry to a gift anyone would want to receive they have you covered.  This Majorica pearl necklace and bracelet are beautiful and would look marvelous on any graduate – or MOG (mother of the grad)!  What a perfect and truly meaningful gift.  The Gillian Julias bracelets are also a wonderful way to spice up a cap and gown – who wants to look like everyone else receiving their diploma when you could have adorable statement-making bracelets on your arm?
After the ceremony the graduate will certainly need somewhere to put that hard-earned piece of paper, and these Rebecca Minkoff bags are to die for.  They’re so sassy and fun and literally fit everything in them.  If you’re looking for something super unique, though, check out this gorgeous Valentino rosette bag – a statement maker for sure – and Audrina from The Hills has it too, which doesn’t hurt!

What goes better with a graduation dress – or gown – than a pair of Jack Rogers?  Classic and versatile, these shoes will take you through the summer and work with everything from dresses to shorts, jeans to skirts.  I have a few pairs and I cannot get enough – they’re all I wear in the summertime!  So cute.

If you can’t quite find what you’re looking for here, don’t forget there are plenty of places to shop in Lamar Park – The Loft, Goosefeathers, Market and Four Chicks all have wonderful graduation-appropriate wear and cute gifts to boot, so check those out too on your way to or from Julian Gold!  Congratulations Class of 2010, you certainly earned it!

I love my mama.  There are few people in this world who can make me happy when I’m sad, give me the best and most honest advice, and always want to snuggle.  No wonder there’s a day dedicated solely to celebrating our wonderful mothers!  Few things say I love you like the perfect gift, and there is no place like Lamar Park to find just that.

If you’ve been following Facebook then you know Market is having a fantastic sale – 15% off through tomorrow on all new merchandise – where else could you find the perfect oufit for Mother’s Day?  While you’re at it, stop by Goosefeathers to check out their fabulous Mother’s Day gift selection.  Speaking of gifts, Julian Gold has Mother’s Day covered – from pajamas and perfume to pearls, you’re sure to find something beautiful for the most important woman in your life (because let’s be honest, who tops your mom?!).  Over at Pilar, they just received a shipment of  2000 year old Roman Glass jewelry from Israelii designer Angie Olami.  What a creative gift idea!  Terry and the gang also received a huge shipment of Jane Yoo hand painted leather handbags and skirts as well as scarves from Nepal and wonderful gauze clothing by Dunes from Guadalajara.  Talk about worldly finds!

As if I need to mention Belly & Baby and Hopscotch – of COURSE they have wonderful Mother’s Day gifts – particularly for the expectant mama.  It’s never too early to get started!  Stephanie and Sarah have had amazing sales over there all week, don’t miss out on rest of the weekend!

Perhaps you’d like to treat your mother to a nice lunch on Mother’s Day – I mentioned Small Planet’s redone patio last week, what could be better?  Dreams of an Arnold Palmer and chicken salad sandwiches are already running through my head…But, if you’re looking for something a bit more homemade stop by Gourmet and Gadgets for some fantastic new cookware to help with your culinary masterpiece.  Personally I like to leave the cooking to my mom because you can’t get any better, but to each her own!

Update: Apologies, I know I dropped the ball on photos – the end of the semester was SO busy for me!  (But just because it’s not Mother’s Day anymore certainly doen’t mean you can’t go pick a little something up!)