Charming Compatible Beads

I finally made my way into 24k-Mon Jewelers & Art Gallery today, and the first thing I thought of, is “Why did I wait so long?!” This lovely jewelry store and art gallery has a wealth of truly unique treasures, many of them produced locally, with a wide variety of price ranges to suit every budget. It’s really like two stores in one. Most retail establishments that try the dual approach can’t pull this off, but 24k-Mon is the exception; the jewelry offerings and the artwork are seamlessly displayed. Much of the handcrafted, locally made jewelry is unique enough to be labeled artwork!

There is fine artwork worthy of the Ritz-Carlton, and are priced accordingly. But there are tons of stunning pieces that look just as expensive, priced at just a few hundred dollars, and some are priced less. Owner Gale Tibbetts has a very wide range of original paintings and prints by local artists such as April Bending, Lorna Griggs, Debbie Tibbetts-Husted, Sue Widmer, Steve Warren, Hollace Katay, Guy Harvey, Jayne Ford, and Lois Brezinski. There are paintings and prints, and painted sculptures made of brass, bronze, porcelain, acrylic and glass. Choose from collectible items such as painted and etched wine glasses, tiles, teapots, vases, paperweights, hand painted hand bags, and porcelain dolls. There are lots of whimsical hand painted plaques for a lighthearted and inexpensive gifts.

Right now, there is a fantastic sale going at 24k-Mon Jewelers and Art Gallery! Most of the framed art prints are 40% off, and many other items in the Gallery such as sculptures and other art pieces are 50% off! Hurry in to get a special piece for your home. Or shop now for birthdays, the holidays, or other special occasions.

Sea Animal Charms

Do take a peek at the jewelry while you are there! The “Compatible Component” Beads, in Sterling Silver, are interchangeable with Pandora, but with a Cayman twist! Your bracelet can have a flavor that belongs only to you. Check out the Turtle, Ray, Mermaid and Conch pieces (also available in 14kt.) The beads can go onto earrrings, cords, bracelets, chains, and others accessories to create your own special jewelry. I fell madly in love with “Bee Line Designs”, a fresh and ravishing line designed by local, on-staff designers with bold, semi precious materials. The pieces started at $60.00 and could easily go higher but have a very expensive look that could fit in on any runway in NYC or Paris. It’s a timeless, sexy line that I am going to invest in. I haven’t seen anything that unique in a quite some time. Sophisticated and good looking! Patricia Ebanks, one of the designers, told me that a portion of each sale go to breast cancer awareness. So you can feel great about looking great!

14kt Yellow Gold Charm

24k-Mon Jewelers & Art Gallery

Located at Buckingham Square, Seven Mile Beach on West Bay Road

Telephone: 345-949-1499  www.24k-monjewelers.com

Open Monday through Saturday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

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arteccentrix gallery

If you are feeling blah lately, stop in to arteccentrix gallery in Governors Square to lift your spirits. Even if you aren’t in the market for fine art at this exact moment, you’ll find yourself feeling refreshed and inspired by the beautiful array of fine artwork. It’s like going to a mini-museum! The gallery is full of bright colors, and there is some stunning three dimensional artwork. I fell in love with some ravishing sculptures made from solid Caymanite; a rare semi precious stone. ( I am still scheming about how to fit the sculpture into my budget; it is fabulous.)

Artist Al Ebanks

If you can find your way in before April 22nd, it’s worth seeing Cayman artist Al Ebanks’ ”Beyond” Exhibition. Al is a local Caymanian artist who has gained immense popularity and respect in Cayman and abroad. His work is on display in galleries in Chicago and Miami as well as many private collections in Cayman and in the US. Al’s style has been described “a fresh twist of Abstract and Impressionist Art”. His work is powerful, complex and delightful to behold in person, and it’s worth a trip to arteccentrix this week to have a look at the collection.

It’s worth stopping in arteccentrix anytime. Owners Nickola McKoy-Snell and Maurice Snell keep an ever-changing variety of exciting local artwork in the gallery. They plan on expanding the inventory to include more international artists as the gallery matures. Nickola is a talented artist herself, and feels fulfilled now that she is immersed in the art world full time. (With a laugh, she recalled recently that she found herself doodling and drawing in her previous career, since being an artist has always been her true calling.) The couple have a passion for highlighting local artists, and making beautiful fine art available for all of us here in Cayman. Make sure you pop in soon. It’s not a stuffy place at all; the owners are friendly and you’ll learn a lot about art. And you’ll feel cheered up-I sure did!

arteccentrix gallery is open Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00, and Saturday 10:00-4:00PM.

Telephone 345-927-2076    nickola@arteccentrixgallery.com

www.arteccentrixgallery.com

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My New Couch

Recently, I went on the the hunt for the perfect leather sectional couch. I couldn’t locate one in Cayman, although Tara Parker, owner of Beyond The Horizon, assured me that the couch of my dreams was on its way to the store and would be in April 1st. (Anyone who lives here is familiar with Beyond The Horizon, Grand Cayman’s fabulous home goods store & number one source for unique Asian furniture.) I was a little skeptical, but it turns out the BTH gets their leathers from an amazing Italian leather company that recently relocated to Thailand-resulting in top quality couches with very good pricing.

Brown Couch

I made the trip up to Miami and shopped for sectionals ’till I dropped. I sat on manly couches, modern couches, distressed leather, buttery leather, and saw every color leather from bright white to coral. At the end of the weekend, I found “the couch”, at a good price-great news! The bad news was, it was a 12 week special order process, it needed to be shipped internationally, and would be assessed a 22% duty when it arrived in Cayman. While I was in the store in Miami,  Tara called. “Hi! Our new leather sectionals have arrived!” she said, ”Stop by and check them out!”. The call stuck in my mind for the rest of the trip.

As soon as I arrived back in Cayman, I went to Beyond the Horizon. All the sectionals were indeed gorgeous. Tucked in the back, was the most beautiful, perfect, comfortable, stylish sectional couch I could imagine. And the price was exactly what I would have paid if I got it in Miami. SOLD! I now have my perfect leather sectional, and also had the pleasure of supporting a local Cayman business. They do have another one just like my couch, if anyone is interested!

Navy Couch

The new leather collection is Analine Leather. It’s dyed all the way through the leather. So when there is a scratch, it won’t show. The construction on the couch is solid. And trust me, all the sectionals are extremely comfortable. My new couch passed ”the husband test”-he loved it! Stop by soon to check it out for yourself!

Beyond The Horizon has a ton of other beautiful inventory at the moment.  (I also bought a solid wood classic dining room table for an excellent price; ask about sale items!) Step into Beyond the Horizon and fall in love with something special for your home. It’s rare to walk out of this beautiful store empty-handed. It’s like being inside of a precious Oriental jewel box; everything in the store is as lovely as jewelry. Beyond the Horizon carries:

• Leather sectional sofas and chairs
• Bedroom, Living Room, Dining Room Collections
• Unique Soft Furnishings
• Funky Clothing & Accessories
• Mirrors
• Baskets, Giftware & More

Beyond the Horizon

Galleria Plaza, West Bay Road
Telephone:    (345) 946-1498      
Open: Mon thru Sat, 9am to 5pm

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Tee Shirt

We don’t have a Walmart, a Target, or any other mega retailer in Cayman. So where’s a girl to go to shop for stocking stuffers? Sure, we have a few larger stores to get the predictable items, but we all get a little desperate at this point in December for unique gifts for the special people in our lives. I’ve got an idea for you: The Pirates Week Store. I can almost hear my readers asking “What? Where?” and it’s true! I didn’t know this little gem of store existed until today either! The Pirates Week Store is a treasure chest of goodies at GREAT prices, and there are lots of things that are just perfect for stocking stuffers or for that buddy at the office, a teacher, or anyone you’d like to give a little something to around the holidays. They have playing cards, treasure boxes, piggy banks, adorable and unique souvenirs, and many fun Cayman items.

The store is the biggest retailer of the beautiful Cayman Islands flag, and they stock it in three different sizes, at the best prices in town! Grab a few of these for visiting in family-they make lovely going away gifts and they pack well. Everyone wants to take away a bit of Cayman magic when they leave our islands, and our flag is a terrific gift idea.

The best affordable gift I’ve seen this season at a SHOCKING price is the official Pirates Week T-Shirt, priced at only $2.00! What can you buy in the Cayman Islands for $2.00, except a cup of coffee? Grab these while ya can! Get ‘em for gardening, the gym, car-washing, sleeping, whatever! These are a steal!

The Pirates Week store is on Shedden Road, right next to KFC upstairs. Telephone; 345-949-5078

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Jewelry Collection

If you are looking to accessorize your holiday outfits this season, there’s a gorgeous new store to visit: Topaz. You can grab something sparkly without breaking the bank! It’s a very unique store, and different than anything in Cayman. All the jewelry is set with genuine semi-precious stones, straight from the mines of Sri Lanka. The jewelry is handmade, and the difference is subtle and noticeable in the way it wears and feels. Some of the pieces are chunky and bold, and some pieces are as delicate as lace; but it’s all got an exotic feel and look that is just lovely. What I just adored is that since the pieces are handcrafted, no two are identical, so you will own your own little unique masterpiece when you purchase from Topaz.

Garnet and Sterling

This all sounds pricey, doesn’t it? It’s not! The owners buy and import directly, so the prices are amazing! I picked up a stunning pair of Peridot and 14k yellow gold earrings (OK, they were supposed to be a Christmas gift but I kept them for myself) that are were just $75.00 US! That is what a decent pair of branded costume earrings cost these days, so why not spend your money on semi-precious gemstones and jewelry that will stand the test of time? They have a wide selection of chains, necklaces, bangles, bracelets and rings with Blue Topaz, Garnet, Citrine, Peridot and Amethyst set in sterling, as well as a limited selection in 14k Gold. There is a also a beautiful collection in Agate, Onyx, Lapis, freshwater pearls, Pink Coral and crystal, as well as a lighthearted collection in glass beads. Prices start at $30.00 US.

Everything has a sexy, special look to it, and the staff will help you select something that works for your face shape and hair, etc. The store is elegantly appointed and cozy; it’s not the “cruise ship” shopping experience. Take your time and try on some of the larger pieces-I fell madly in love with a mesh necklace like you see Beyonce and other stars wearing: 14k and loaded with shimmering Peridot for only $320.00 US. (Hint,hint, Santa, if you are reading this!)

Pop in to this elegant store soon and get something for yourself, or a gift for someone special. You’ll be thrilled with the selection, quality and value at Topaz. At the 4-way stop across from George Town Hospital, in the Serendipity Building, 78 Hospital Road.

Telephone: 345-949-7661

Monday-Saturday, 10:00AM-7:00PM

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Funky Monkey

Wishes do come true: my favorite boutique in Cayman, Funky Monkey just added 600 square feet of shopping heaven! YES! Funky Monkey blasted into the Cayman Islands last year and has been blowing breath after breath of fresh fashion air at us ever since. They have the hippest, hottest fashion trends in both men’s and women’s apparel and they constantly introduce new lines and designers. The new space showcases an expanded men’s section with several red hot new lines like Archaic (an Affliction Brand), Stone Rose & Havana 9, added to the super trendy Ed Hardy & True Religion brands.

Prices are good, as usual. Archaic has mens jeans & tees, with men’s jeans starting at CI $99.00. Sinful has ladies jeans and beautiful bejeweled tees, with ladies jeans starting at CI $128.00. (I just shopped designer jeans in the US and $128.00 is not a bad price!) Body Language has ladies dresses and tops for the holidays made of silk or chiffon and embellished with stones and other pretties, all starting at CI $82.00.  Banana Moon sunwear from Monaco has two piece bathing suits starting at CI $70.00 (again, a good price if you compare to other Seven Mile Beach shops for quality swimwear) and men’s dress shirts for CI $120.00. The best part is, the styles are unique. Time & again, I find myself shopping at Funky Monkey and getting compliments off-island about my cool cothes-imagine that!

Added Space

With more retail space, new brands, and room for even more sexy and fun inventory, Funky Monkey continues to influence the face of fashion in Cayman. Funky Monkey is located in the lower level of Governor’s Square across the parking lot from Cost U Less. If you can’t find something to try on, ask chic owner Jodi for some assistance. She always helps her clients to find something just right to wear-to the beach, the gym, the cocktail party, or the big night out. She’s got the best stuff! Tell her the goddess sent ya!

Jeans

Funky Monkey
Governors Square

Telephone:    (345)-943-8659 

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Barcelona Set

The most fabulous home furnishings store in the Cayman Islands is having a sale this weekend: Sticks & Stones! (If you haven’t seen their amazing new store, you simply must venture out and visit. Both of their previous locations were groovy, but their permanent digs are a zen paradise.) The sale going on now on is on ALL in stock outdoor teak and rattan furniture. If you’ve ever seen the Sticks and Stones outdoor collection, you’ll run over and hit this sale tomorrow, cuz the stuff is the kind of primo furniture you see celebs lounging around on in Vanity Fair Magazine. It’s HOT! Super chic, stylish, and long lasting. Many pieces are nice enough to go inside the house! There are outdoor rattan furniture sets that have a loveseat, 2 arm chairs and a coffee table. They also have stunning teak dining tables and chairs on sale. If you need a huge teak table, check out the one on sale for $1900.00 on the front porch-it’s simply grand and it’s a steal! I would have already snatched it up if I had the space for it.

Sticks & Stones is an uber-cool, one-of-kind place you would expect to find in San Fran or London, filled with wondrous eco-friendly & recycled wood furniture, stunning teak creations, magnificent stone pieces, garden delights, and beautiful original artwork. The furniture ranges from wonderfully oversized (huge masculine sleigh beds and enormous sprawling desks) to just right (tiny hand-honed benches that would be perfect for a studio apartment or a child’s room). The quality is excellent. Everything looks like it costs a fortune, but don’t panic..the prices are terrific!

The owners purchased the property and carefully renovated the building as well as the grounds. It is worth the visit just to see the gorgeous doors they installed! Make sure you wander outside to see the gazebo, the garden creations and the recently installed nature pond.

Hit the sale tomorrow if you need outdoor stuff, or even if you don’t need a thing. There is always something cool to spiff up your place; even if it’s just a new set of earth-toned drapes or a funky new wall hanging. They have the most sensational lamps in the universe too-guaranteed to perk up the gloomiest rental condo!

Getting there might sound a little tricky, but it’s closer than you think: take North Sound Road just past the Butterfield roundabout towards CUC. Once you pass the CUC main office on your left and the Conch Shell House on your right, take a right hand turn onto Kingbird Drive. Follow Kingbird Drive all the way down past the warehouses and look for the Sticks & Stones flags.

Sticks & Stones      114 Kingbird Drive    947-8663

sticksandstones@candw.ky

Monday-Saturday 10AM-5PM

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Jack Kenner

On Tuesday, November 17th, 2009, at 7:00 PM, gifted international wildlife photographer Jack Kenner will visit Books & Books to give a visual presentation on the basics of wildlife and pet photography. Kenner will also sign copies of his books Dogs I’ve Nosed and Dogs I’ve Nosed II.

Book Cover

Jack Kenner is an extremely talented photographer, comfortable in the confines of the studio or the unpredictable outdoors. His international reputation comes from his incredible eye for detail, his compositional talents, his use of dark backgrounds, vivid colors, and a shallow depth of field. For Kenner, 2004 was a year of transformation. After spending 35 years in film, he became totally immersed in digital fine art: black and white, and color photography.

On May 2nd, 2004, Kenner woke up, unable to utter a word. Thinking he had a sinus infection, he worked as usual, but found that his inability to communicate behind the camera limited him more than he had expected. After 5 days with no improvement, he consulted with specialists, who found that his laryngeal nerve had disconnected from his vocal cord, and he was unable to speak above a faint whisper. He was told his nerve would take up to a year to heal. Instead of putting his career on hold, Jack decided to teach himself digital photography. He began bringing dogs into the studio to to practice lighting ratios and giclees printing.

Kenner has since taken hundreds of portraits of dogs. including Steven Segal’s Great Dane, and Cybill Shepard’s two German Shepards. Kenner has compiled many of these  stirring images into his books “Dogs I’ve Nosed” and “Dogs I’ve Nosed II”.

Please join Jack Kenner On Tuesday, November 17th, 2009, at 7:00 PM, at Books & Books in Camana Bay, to meet him in person, and learn more about his special talents.

Dogs

Books and Books

Camana Bay
45 Market Street
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
345.640.BOOK (2665)

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Are you in need of fine wines or spirits for your home liquor cabinet? The time to buy is Wild & Wacky Wednesdays in October at any Tortuga Rum retail location, because the folks at Tortuga are offering an unheard of 15% off of any wine or spirits purchase! Stock up now for the holidays, hostess gifts, parties, or for your own personal enjoyment! Tortuga has a fantastic selection of wines and spirits at every location. I don’t know a gosh-darn thing about wines, and the helpful staff is always terrific when I’m shopping for a party or a gift. They know their products, can help with food & wine pairings and can assist even the most clueless wine buyer (like me) with making an intelligent wine purchase. The selection of spirits and wine is excellent. My picky houseguests always make a stop at Tortuga to get a bottle of their favorite top-shelf indulgence when they stay with us, since they know Tortuga has everything from the basics to top of the line spirits and wines.

Stop in at any of the five Tortuga locations (see flyer) and pick up your favorite libations for 15% off, this Wednesday or any Wednesday in October.

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Welcome Home

Are you redoing a rental condo? Moving into a new home? Or simply in need of a fresh new look for a tired room in your home? Or how about that apartment you’re renting; does it need a few things that belong to you, so it looks like “your place”? Well, Cayman people, the most fabulous store has opened at Governor’s Square- “Welcome Home”. Walk in the door and you’ll swear you’re in San Fran, DC or Miami; the store is extremely chic and beautiful. The shocking surprise is the price of the merchandise:very, very reasonable. I had to actually look twice at some of the price tags because I could not believe my eyes. The Welcome Home concept is “High Style at Affordable Prices”. The good news is, the inventory changes constantly, and the store is already very popular, so you won’t be seeing the same things over and over again.  The art and decor items are purchased in very small quantities, so chances are you won’t be seeing something you purchased for your home in the home of someone else.  There will be elegant and stylish events like ‘Black Tie Christmas”, where the store will be decorated in Black, Silver and Red.

Chairs

The inventory is an appealing mixture of casual-chic and elegance. Lots gleaming polished aluminum candlesticks, unusual mirrors, picture frames, and no-tarnish serving pieces. There are lovely silk orchids and other silk plants. The furniture is beautiful: chairs and tables that fuse traditional style with contemporary finishes and upholstery. There are exceptionally pretty toss pillows, super gorgeous glass candle holders, and a trio of over-sized pillar candle holders in polished aluminum that you might want to rush in and buy soon, because I have my eye on them!

Decor

Welcome Home is the place to go for gifts. There are many small items that would make anyone feel better, so if someone needs a lift during this gloomy rainy season, pop over to Welcome Home and pick up a treasure to cheer them up. Anne Roberts or Susan Abbott might be around to help, these two helpful gals are the sisters who brought “Welcome Home” to Cayman. (Susan is the well known marketing & retail person who owns the boutique “Just Add Water” here in Cayman.”)

Silks

I am getting ready to put a condo on the market, and I’m going to box up all our outdated kick-knacks and sweep in with some chic Welcome Home accessories. So you’d better get in there before my big shopping spree!

Welcome Home   10:00 AM-6:00 PM Monday-Saturday

345-949-4663

Governors Square

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