Cheers! Its The New Year!

The presents have all been opened, the goose has been cooked, eaten, and turned into broth, and now it's time for champers! How and where will you be having yours?

Mrs. Birch Store will be entertaining the usual suspects in her home, where everyone is asked to share a poem with their toast.

I'll be bopping from a super bonfire/sledding party (if there is any snow left – it's downright balmy out there!) to a braised bison (yes, BISON!) short ribs dinner whipped up by my nearest and dearest at Greenpoint foods.

We'll all be toasting champagne, (or more likely the prosecco recovered form my wedding) in these etched glasses.

I am slightly obsessed with these glasses. I have been for years. Here's the thing, I'm not craaaaazy about stemware. It's fine, but I'm clumsy, so we're not always a good match. These flutes (the slender pretties in the back) ditch the stem without ditching the elegance. Even more exciting for me, (Calamity Jane posing as Audrey Hepburn) is the fact that they are all delicate and light feeling and looking, but are made from the same glass as chemistry beakers, so in fact they are super durable. (As someone who has literally smashed a glass in the act of cheers, this is a quality I look for.)

Flutes: $9.50; Medium glass: $8.50; Small Glass: $8.00; Bowl: $14.00

Happy Happy New Year to all of you! See you next year!

The Holiday Lottery Winners!

Here it is folks, the moment we've all been waiting for! presented by my husband, the ham!

The winners are....

Congratulations to the winners! Thanks to all of you who read the new Birch Blog! We're having a great time and hope you enjoy it as much as we do! Happiest of holidays to all of you!

The last Day of Chrismukah: Keeping it Cozy

Super Soft 95% Merino Wool, 5% Cashmere Throw
54" x 71" $230 $184

Hello, Friends. This is it. The last day of our 20% off Chrismukah sales. Tomorrow we will draw and post the three lucky winners of the Holiday lottery! Every time you purchase a promoted sale item your name is automatically entered into the Holiday Lottery. This is your last chance to enter to win a $50, $100, or $150 gift certificate to The Birch Store. Happy Holidays! Woot woot!


We have been doing our best to keep you and your loved ones warm and cozy for the holidays, and today's post is no exception. These exquisite throws are absolutely dreamy. We discovered them last year at the New York gift show, and fell in love immediately. We met the designer, Sarah, a lovely Irish ex-pat who is all about the quality, beauty, and functionality of native Irish textiles. She has done an amazing job of combining the tradition of fine Celtic craftsmanship with fresh new colors and elegant patterns; the blankets feel both nostalgic and modern all at once. What first drew us into her booth were the unique colors on display, and as soon as we touched the blankets, we began writing an order: the appeal of these throws is that impressive. The blankets are all meticulously crafted in Ireland using the highest-quality wools. My husband and I received the bright red merino/cashmere one as a wedding gift; an evening at home doesn't pass without it being put to good cozy use. Just ask Dorothy.

100% Lambswool Throw $215 $172

100% Lambswool Throw $215 $172

100% Lambswool Throw $215 $172

Our Resident Cozy Specialist

One More for Keeping Warm: Cashmiracle on Main St

It's the weekend! Today's Chismukah 20% off sale is good for today and tomorrow!

No new post tomorrow.

Every year I have to relearn the same lesson. I come back from Thanksgiving vacation, and there he is: Old Man Winter breathing his nasty frosty breath on me, and every year I turn my head and try to ignore him and continue wearing cotton ankle socks. Then around Christmas time my cranky, cold, clammy (eeeeew) feet speak up. LOUDLY. They're all, "Hellew! Remember how much we all love cashmere? Remember warm, cozy, moisture-wicking goodness? Can you wise up and take care of us a little better? Do you think it's cute to abuse us while we carry you around all day? (BTW, maybe lay off the holiday cookies, jeez.)" I tell them to pipe down, and to take their cookie complaints to the taste bud department, but I know they're right. The battle against winter is won simply; all it takes is the right clothes (and at least one vacation). Et voila! Cashmere (for soft warmth), wool (for moisture-wicking wamth) and nylon (for durability) blend socks. Treat the feet; they deserve it.

Men's and women's socks (ankle and knee-high)

$18.95 - $23.95, $15.16 - $19.16

Baby socks: $13.50 $10.80

Call or email for complete selection of colors and sizes.

Women's

Men's

Women's

Women's

Baby

Baby

It's truly a Chrismukah cashmiracle! Why should the feet get all the glory? Your ears had to listen to all their whining! YOU GUYS! 100% Cashmere hats! The softest, warmest, coziest dream. Hooray for cashmere!

Don't forget: All Chrismukah 20% off sale purchases automatically enter your name into the Holiday Lottery. On December 21st we will draw three lucky names to receive a $50, $100 or $150 gift certificate to The Birch Store. Happy Holidays!

100% CASHMERE Hats $62 $49.60

The 8th Day of Chrismukah: Psychadelic Pigs

I found this cookbook at my mom's and immediately stole it. I was attracted to the magical hues of fluorescent pink and orange. Whats up psychedelic pig? What kind of cooking do you teach? Turns out it's sort of a cult classic: The Art of Charcuterie by Jane Grigson (the original 1968 edition). Jane is pretty hilarious in a dry, condescending sort of a way, "Chop all of the other meat finely. Put it through a grinder if you must, but the ideal is very small dice." She is not particularly instructive, making claims that seasoning is a personal affair and includes "etc." in her list of unmeasured suggested spices.

The pate before going in the oven.

Needles to say, I was so taken with this book I decided to spend my birthday (and a few days before it) devoted to making the classic Pâté de Campagne. It turns out pâté sans liver is a glorified porkityporkporky meatloaf, and it's amazingly delicious. Like, seriously amazing. (Why yes, that IS a lattice of fresh cut smoky bacon covering the top.)

pâté spreaders $22 $17.60

What does this have to do with the 8th Day of Chrismukah?!? Well, for one it reaffirms my love for color in the kitchen and secondly it highlights the absence of a pate spreader in my kitchen, both of which bring me to the ever important introduction of Claude Dozorme to you. See that? It's all about YOU. I care about you people and trust me, your lives are incomplete if you remain with out these pops of color delivered by the highest-quality traditional French knives. Laguiole knives, named for the small village in Aveyron, France in which they are made, are traditionally these particular pocket knives. They have however expanded the style to steak knives, corkscrews, cheese knives, pâté spreaders, etc., all with the signature insect emblem. (Is it a bee or a fly? There is much debate)The style has in fact expanded worldwide, leading to many manufacturers around the world creating inferior products. We, of course, present to you the real thing, manufactured entirely in their traditional factory in France and finished individually by hand. These darlings last for generations. Hostess gift? Cheese knife. Stocking stuffer? Pâté spreader. Personal list? The set of six steak knives.

P.S. Don't forget (my mom taught me this): any time you give someone a knife they need to give you a coin (A penny is typical, but any coin will do) so as as not to sever your relationship. Often, the giver includes the penny – taped to the blade – for the giftee to give back as "payment" for the gift. Superstitions, folks, they're important.

Cheese Knives $22 $17.60

Set of 6 Steak Knives in Wooden Box
$144 $115.20
Currently available in: Bordeaux, Orange, Mixed Wood, Natural, Pink, Turquoise, Red, Tortoise, Beech, and Olive

Buy any one of these items at 20% off and your name will automatically be entered into our Holiday Lottery. On December 21st We will draw three lucky names to receive a $50, $100, or $150 gift certificate to the BIrch Store. Happy Holidays!

The 7th Day: Drink Up, It's The Holidays!

$24 $19.20

Wine. Nearly all of the growns on your list love it, and a few of them may even consider themselves aficionados. These two nifty little gadgets are great stocking-stuffers. The Vinoglobe does the job of the decanter (unveils the full flavor by aerating the wine) with the advantage of taking up about one tenth of the storage space. (Anyone living in New York City on your list?) Plus, it looks – let me quote Prince (who I saw last night, along with a lot of New Jersey fans dressed in purple, yes, it was ah-MAY-zing) Cee-Oh-Oh-eL and is hard to find.

One Fish, Two Fish, Wood and Brushed Forged Steel Fish. Many wine keys in this world are lousy and annoying, this one works! I have one. 5 easy turns and the cork is out. What more do you want from a corkscrew? Oh, for it to look nice? Special? Well, here you go. You're welcome, enjoy!

$16.95 $13.56

The same 20% Chrismukah rules apply: By one or both of these items and automatically have your name entered (multiple purchases, mean multiple entries) into the Holiday Lottery. On December 21st we will draw three lucky winners who will receive a $50, $100, or $150 gift certificate.

6th Day of Chrismukah Sale is Warm and Fuzzy Inside and Out: WE WILL DONATE 150% OF TODAY'S BLOG PROMOTED SALES TO DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS

Original Unisex Red/Black Plaid
 $36 $28.80

Original Unisex Red $36 $28.80

It is outrageously cold out there, both upstate and down. My ears nearly froze and cracked off while walking Dorothy to the wine store last night. It's time to break out the winter gear for real: the hats, the gloves, the scarves, the boots, the socks, all of it. It's here. (Eek) This is one of my favorite hats. I have it in navy. (Which I guess they don't do any more. Sorry. Don't be mad. Your coat is black anyway, right?) This original wool cap with fold-down ear flaps is legitimately timeless (it's been around since 1903) which makes it legitimately fashionable. It's lined with 100% soft cotton: extra warmth no itchiness. The band can be tied to make minor size adjustments and pulled down for extra ear protection. (Note to self and ears: move this hat from the winter storage box down to the mudroom rotation.)

Unisex Charcoal $36 $28.80

Lady Cap: Winter White $36 $28.80

The lady cap is basically the same, sans fold-down earflaps. The band still pulls down for ear reinforcements, has a comfy ribbed knit insert, and it comes in the dreamy winter-white. There are also original caps for the kiddos in red! Imagine the super cuteness of what I just said. Take a second. Let it soak in. Got it? Good. Cute pie.

Lady Cap: Chocolate $36 $28.80

Lady Cap: Eggplant $36 $28.80

Now that our ears are warm, let's get warm and fuzzy. The Birch Store will donate 150% of the proceeds from today's hat sales to Doctors Without Borders (wait, 150%? yep you read it correctly). So, please buy one for everyone you know with ears. Sizing reference is below, or as always, call or email us and we'll happily walk you through the division of π.

Same rules apply. Every purchase of a Chrismukah Sale item automatically enters you into the Holiday Lottery. On December 21 we will draw 3 lucky winners to receive a $50, $100 or $150 gift certificate to The Birch Store. Happy Holidays and stay warm!