Boy Smells has been a cult favorite for their divine candles since 2016, and the LA-based brand just released their first line of personal fragrances. The five scents are intended for all genders (or are “genderful,” to use the brand’s term) and calling them Cologne de Parfums reflects that intention. The diverse scents range from woody to fresh and zesty. Our pick is VIOLET ENDS, which exudes a dazzling and puzzling blend of top notes including bergamot, black pepper and violet; a base of white birch, leather and smoked papyrus; and a heart of black tea, tobacco leaf and orris. This scent will please incense enthusiasts immediately, but it evolves and softens throughout the day. For those unsure about which of the five Boy Smells fragrances to choose, the Exploratory Set ($20) contains a 1.5ml pump-spray bottle of each scent to test before committing to one—or two.
Love and Other Poems, the third collection from award-winning poet Alex Dimitrov, provides readers moments of reflection and wit, weakness and joy. Through his intimate, thoughtful and emotive lines, Dimitrov explores loneliness and hope, the sensations of time and longing for place—with repeat references to NYC and the power of presence it wields. Though Dimitrov’s paperback book is finite, one of the poems within is not; the title poem “Love” continues within a Twitter handle, @apoemcalledlove, where the poet adds one tweet each day.
Whether you’re sitting around the house in a snowstorm or walking down the beach in a light breeze, these colorful board shorts, hand-crocheted in Brooklyn, will set a playful mood. They’re made using 87% merino wool and 13% polyester, with both types of yarn made in Italy. Artwork by Gordon Flores is hand-embroidered over the knit, creating multiple layers of color, pattern and texture to admire.
Composed of seven-thread knit 100% Sopravisso Loro Piana virgin wool, this limited edition winter sweater—from a first-of-its-kind capsule collection at French active-tailoring atelier éclectic—maintains warmth but thermoregulates when necessary. Comfy, dense and dynamic, the turtleneck comes in a tailored fit with reinforced rib-cuffs.
Tom of Finland’s playful, erotic and celebratory illustrations of handsome gentlemen grace the pages of this 2021 calendar. Whether dressed as cowboys, clad in leather or entirely naked, each character exudes self-assurance and sensuality, and the scenes range from suggestive to salacious.
From Dallas, Texas-based Slice of Life Gardens, the Indoor Microgreens Garden Box allows you to select two sets of non-GMO heirloom seeds (from broccoli, red acre cabbage and purple kohlrabi options)—which arrive with a compostable grow tray, cover card, coconut coir soil pack and self-care cards (for a bit of extra personal positivity). All one needs is water and light to bring these greens to life.
Best known for printing high-resolution images on the highest quality natural Italian silks, Slow Factory blends old-world luxury with new technology. Each collection they release explores stories about human rights and environmental awareness and everything the brand makes is fair trade. We’ve been fans of the label for some time, and were naturally excited to work with them for CH Omakase. The “Moon Selfie” image from the NASA archive speaks to our obsession with capturing ourselves in the moment. Hand-screened on Italian silk, this bandana (15 by 15 inches) was made in an edition of 48 especially for Omakase.
From future-forward, fashion-defining and inclusive bodywear brand Chromat, the one-piece Quartz Suit in rose-colored velvet and lycra imparts glamour to anyone wearing it poolside (or in the water). Ethically crafted from luscious Italian-made velvet in Sofia, Bulgaria, the swimsuit (which links a triangle top with a high-cut bottom) runs from sizes XS to XXL.
Bushwick’s smallshop—a queer-owned, “gentle space” for tattooing—has a few pieces of merchandise available for those who can’t travel to Brooklyn for tattoos right now. This long-sleeve T-shirt, made for all genders, comes in size small to 5XL, and features the shop’s information. It’s made from 100% cotton.
Recreation Center is Brooklyn-based artist Josephine Noel’s ceramic practice. Under that moniker, Noel produces an array of playful objects with speckled patterns and vibrant splashes of color. This Daisy Hook—available in blue, pink, sage, speckle or yellow—is shaped like the cheerful flower, features two holes for securing it to a wall and a hook to hang light objects on.
With they/them, ze/zir, she/her and he/him options, Gamut has made preferred pronoun pins that look more sophisticated than many we’ve seen. These black and gold pins politely request which pronouns the wearer identifies as, and $1 from each purchase is donated to Camp Aranu’tiq, which is a not-for-profit organization that transgender, gender-nonconforming and gender-variant kids and their families through camp experiences.
From Fluide—a Brooklyn-based brand that makes vegan, cruelty-free and paraben-free beauty products for people of all genders and skin shades—this lip gloss creates a high-shine look that can be applied to natural lips or over layered colors. With vitamin E and jojoba oil, it traps in moisture to keep lips nourished and supple.
Santa Monica-based bakery Broadway Baker offers dozens of sweet treats for delivery or pick-up. And while there are plenty of one-time purchases to choose from, it’s the shop’s Cookie of the Month Club that’s perhaps most rewarding. Each month, subscribers will receive 12 cookies or 16 “‘Lil Bites,” including plenty of off-menu items. There is a wheat-free iteration available, but for all other allergies, you’re advised to check the ingredients listings. Typically, one-off orders can be picked up 24 hours after placing them. Monthly deliveries are subject to changes month-to-month.
One of queer-owned, NYC-based fine jewelry designer Automic Gold’s various chain rings, the two-millimeter Butch Ring is available in reclaimed, SCS-certified 14k gold in rose, white or yellow. Made in numerous sizes (from two to 17), each ring is crafted in midtown Manhattan and ships for free.
Latinx- and Black-owned CBD brand Xula produces a tincture meant to provide a sense of focus and relaxation all at once. Aptly called Ah!, the blend aids in bodily relaxation through a careful concoction of herbs, hemp, oils, and dried flowers. There’s 1000mg of CBD and 150mg of CBG present in the entire bottle, and doses includes 33mg and 5mg of each, respectively. Together, they tackle anxiety and muscle tension, while coconut-derived MCT oil helps with clarity. All of the included ingredients can also be studied in Xula’s ever-growing herbal index, a hub for medicinal research. To use, simply ingest half a dropper one to three times daily.
All through December, Cartography (a jewelry brand helmed by Mark Armstrong Peddigrew) will be donating 25% of proceeds from sales to Rainbow Railroad, an organization that helps LGBTQ individuals who are facing discrimination and violence in their home countries. With various pieces available for all genders, Cartography’s “grace” necklace is particularly appealing. Featuring a bulbous half-inch brass mushroom pendant on 24-inch silver chain, it’s a sweet ode to nature—and psilocybin.
