Greetings, friends! And welcome to Caroline Finds It: my weekly newsletter where I reply to submissions from YOU for objects and products you need recommendations for.
I love this week’s request because it’s something I’ve accidentally spent a lot of time and money on in the past few years: NYC momentos. Be it a collection of vintage Milton Glaser ads, an original city planning map of my neighborhood, 10 years of stolen restaurant pens, a set of iconic Fish's Eddy cups and saucers, a small but edited collection of merch from businesses and sports teams I love (well, just the Mets), framed drawings of my storefront — my home has become a little museum of my New York life and I'm more than okay with that, I'm comforted by it.
From Ellen in NYC: “My friend is celebrating a decade of living and working in NYC, and I’m looking for a small gift to mark the occasion. She’s into all things design, urbanism, and NYC nostalgia.”
Dear Ellen,
What a thoughtful reason for a gift! Making it to 10 years in this crazy city is no small feat, and is certainly something to celebrate. There are so many highly personal gifts you could consider, like a framed menu from a restaurant with a specific memory, or a special edition of her favorite NYC novel. Think about her favorite moments and places and you might just arrive at a great idea! Or maybe the best idea lies in her aspirations for the future of her life here. How can you help her get off on the right foot on her next 10 years? Perhaps you’ll find a little inspiration in some of my tried and true favorites:
Since 2023 is also the last year of the Metrocard, I’m planning on adding this darling little Metrocard charm (starting at $68 for silver) to my charm bracelet to mark my 10 year anniversary, and my fraught relationship with the dumb piece of plastic. Any New Yorker who appreciates tiny relics would love one, too.
Did you know that between 1939 and 1941, the WPA took a photo of every single building in NYC? A couple of years ago, a software engineer named Julian Boilen completed the painstaking task of putting all of them on a map for easy finding and made it available online. If you click into a building, you’re offered a link that takes you to the NYC Municipal Archive website where you can purchase a print for $45. I was blown away when a friend gifted me the print of my beloved apartment building and think this would make the most extraordinary gift for someone who has a fondness for a particular old building. Go to 1940s.nyc to find your favorite.
It’s a very specific choice, but in the event that your friend will recognize it from Jean Luc Goddard’s 1960 cult classic Breathless, this sweater is a replica of the one that Jean Seberg wears in the film for her job selling the now extinct newspaper. The quality is remarkable and the details are painstakingly accurate. You’ll be shocked that it’s not vintage. I own few garments that garner more comments from strangers, who are delighted to spot such a well-executed niche reference! Get it via the New York Times for $95.
Louis Sherry Chocolates are the most New York-y chocolates around. They’ve been made right here since 1881 and sold in the same signature style of jewelry box-esque tin for nearly as long. The classic tins are lovely, but you also have scores of designer edition ones to choose from like this one by Eric Anderson ($40):
How about tracking down a copy of New York Magazine’s Reasons to Love New York from the year she moved here? It’ll be a little trip down memory lane for her, and something to revisit in later years. Though the 2013 cover (below) isn’t as compelling as this year’s blockbuster, magazines make the best time capsules.
Have you ever encountered the fabulous Tina Piña (a.k.a. Mother Pigeon) at Union Square? If you’re lucky, you’ll catch her on the west side of of the park dressed in her signature High Priestess attire, presiding over her array of wonderfully unique felt pigeons, which are available for “adoption”. Though she appears irregularly, you can follow her on Instagram for information on when she’ll be out with her flock.
Still stumped? Pay a visit to the shop at the NYPL main branch on 5th Ave, the Museum of the City of New York shop, or the New York Historical Society shop for a surprising selection of thoughtful NYC items. Or, you could always just get her a NY State license plate keychain with her name on it and wrap it in a fancy lil box. The best version can be found in the shop at the top of the Empire State Building (trust me).
QUICK ANSWER
Shaza in Ambler, PA: “I recently moved away from San Francisco (moving back to Brooklyn by way of Pennsylvania for a few months). During my last two weeks in SF, I met one of the most incredible people. I don't always believe in "love at first sight," but there was a deep connection we didn't want to lose through distance. As two typewriter owners, naturally, we're embarking on a letter writing journey together. He sent me his first letter, on beautiful paper. I could tell he picked it out thoughtfully. I want to be as thoughtful about the paper I choose for my first letter to him... thick enough to withstand time (imagine relatives in the future finding these in decades to come), but thin enough to work well with my Olivetti Lettera. And beautiful enough to feel special (understated, classic, classy). Even if you have a favorite paper supplier (vs a specific paper recco) I would be over the moon <3 “
Shaza, this is exactly the story I needed to hear to start off the new year!! Look no further than Rivoli Letter Paper, which is thoughtfully made in the Netherlands, heavy enough to stand the test of time but not so heavy it’s bulky to fold. I love this paper the most because its smooth finish is versatile for all mediums, and it comes in colors that aren’t just white and cream. As luck would have it, my partner regularly uses this exact paper on a Lettera, so I can recommend it confidently as a very good option for your particular machine. Carta Pura, the brand that makes Rivoli paper, has strict rules about online sales, so it can be tricky to find. Choosing Keeping in London and Shorthand in LA are your only options to buy online, or ask your favorite local stationer about it! They might stock it in-store, as it;s . For those local to NYC, you can find it at East Village Postal.
FAVORITE PRODUCT OF THE WEEK
In the winter, I swap gardening for knitting and the most indispensable tool in my kit is the Clover Knitting Counter Kacha-Kacha ($8.95). For the record, I’m not an advanced knitter, and I have trouble keeping track of things, so having a cute button I can whack every time I complete a row is the perfect solution for helping me remember where I am in the pattern sequence. You can use it for other activities that require counting, too, so long as it’s not a number greater than 99.
Is there a product you’re looking for? Submit your request here. See you next week for fresh recommendations! xo Caroline
Wonderful issue of your newsletter.
Thank you for all the great suggestions for gifts!
nice