THE WOODEN MIDSHIPMAN

Season's Greetings

2011-12-23T13:16:00.004-05:00

Just an update on what to expect from us going into the New Year...

Tomorrow (Christmas Eve), open 10 to ?

Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day (Sunday and Monday)

Open Tuesday, December 27th --> New Year's Eve
11am to 5pm

Closed January 1st --> January 5th for some much needed R&R

Winter Hours:

Tuesday through Saturday, 11 to 5
Sunday 12 to 4
Closed Monday

Thanks for a lovely year, and all the best to you and yours.

xo

-- Katie and Brian

some people

2011-12-20T12:27:00.001-05:00

"Some people" have recently asked me for sweater bags in different colors and patterns.
"Some people" aren't gonna know what hit them.

100% cotton + eco-friendly "leather" sweater bags, $92.

Holiday Hours

2011-12-18T15:18:00.000-05:00

open at 10am every morning this week, 'til 6pm or later.

open Friday 12.23 until 8pm (with beer!)

open Saturday 12.24 at 10am until everyone goes home.

xo and Happy Christmas and thank you.

Katie

stocking stuffers

2011-12-16T11:44:00.000-05:00

A guide to that most elusive (and most charming) gift: the stocking stuffer.

Perfume oils handmade in Maine by Long Winter Farm ($12) (my favorite is Campfire)

Handmade Little Books by Warren artist Will Schaff ($1-10) (be sure to check out the one about his adventures on the East Bay Bike Path)

Trigger mittens ($18), overstock from the Swedish army.

Wooden spoons, assorted sizes ($1)

Eco-friendly sustainable wooden rulers. Too cute. ($6)

Adorable notebooks with the same sustainable wood covers ($9)

Matchbook sticky notes (post-its in a matchbook cover) ($0.50)

Artisan chocolates from Jamaica Plain! Gourmet flavors like peanut butter with a kick, lemon, dark chocolate, ginger, chamomile... and more. (from Vianne Chocolat) ($11 for a box of 4, $6.50 for two bars)

Stockings are the best, don't you think?

-- Katie

rustic, masculine gift wrap.

2011-12-08T17:07:00.001-05:00

simple is best.

Mystery!

2011-11-10T15:49:00.002-05:00

I can't get enough of mystery lately. Noir. Gritty, coal-black alleys. Picking locks and learning languages. Disguises and secret identities. Knives with dull blades (and those with deadly sharp edges). And, of course, that undercurrent of all good mysteries: ... romance.

Not your garden variety romance, not the usual boy-meets-girl, but the the compelling, tortured kind, romance anchored in uncomfortable realism while its victims struggle with demons both real and imagined, ghosts of their own making.

{shiver}

I recently picked up an Edward Gorey mug at a thrift shop in Bristol for $1 and brought it home to discover it was actually a Mystery! mug that changes colors when you pour hot water in it. It's somewhat ridiculous.

But really, this post is about books. And I've been neck-deep in mystery and romance lately, although of two entirely different persuasions.

Check out The Black Hawk, newest in a series by the fabulously talented Joanna Bourne. Don't let the cover scare you off; the guy on the front must have wandered in from another story, since Adrian "the Hawker" Hawkhurst, the book's protagonist, looks nothing like that beefcake. And not to poke too much fun at the art department at Penguin (Berkeley), but the step back (the illustration just inside the cover) is of the Tour Eiffel... which didn't get built until 1889. These books are set before, during, and after the Napoleonic Wars. (For those who slept during Western Civ, that was before 1889. By a bit.)

Although I try to be a realist when it comes to the romance genre, I can't help but get a little peeved at how they (meaning the romantic equivalent of The Man, I guess) handle the marketing. If Joanna Bourne were a man, you can bet her books would have gritty, bad-ass covers and be sold as highly entertaining (and highly erotic) mystery/thriller/adventure stories. But she's a woman, the romance market is where it's at, and so these are the covers we get.

Her series--The Spymaster's Lady, My Lord and Spymaster, The Forbidden Rose, and now The Black Hawk--centers around the masters of espionage who spy for England and France (and sometimes both). Meeks Street, the headquarters of the British Service (the MI-6 of the early 19th century), is the civilized face of a highly uncivilized business. Bloody murder, child abuse, violence of every kind, betrayals and misguided loyalty... you name it, these guys have lived it. The dialogue is sharp and clever; the narrative tight and focused; the characters rich and vividly imagined. Bourne is a master storyteller. Back when I dabbled in fiction, Joanna and I belonged to same online writer's forum, and she'd run the weekly writers exercises with generosity and wisdom (and an iron grip on good craft). I can't be more delighted that she's found success with these books, but more than that, these books are awesome and I mean awesome and if you like a good romance and a good mystery and aren't afraid of a little sex and uncomfortable violence, get thee to your bookstore and order these.

(Memo to HBO or Showtime: these books would make alarmingly good television. Bourne's already done all the hard work; get in touch with her agent, and fast.)

Another series of mysteries I've thrown myself into (again--I do this every few years) are the Sally Lockhart mysteries by Phillip Pullman. Yes, that Phillip Pullman, of ~~Narnia~~ I mean, Golden Compass fame. I admit I haven't read his fantasy series, but he's a widely known figure, and so I'm shocked when I discover that his fans haven't read his back list. Yes, the dude who wrote His Dark Materials also wrote a trilogy (a quartet, actually) about a strong and capable blonde CPA in Victorian England who shoots guns, solves mysteries, and has a baby out of wedlock. It's fierce.

Pullman's writing is cinematic and sweeping; he starts with a wide-angle lens and then swoops in, focusing on the underbelly of turn-of-the-century society and the critters who scamper around in it--thieves and gang leaders, slumlords, revolutionaries, immigrants, whores. And Sally Lockhart, of course.

The books are perfect for young adults (just the right amount of sensuality and violence to keep 'em interested) but don't loose a speck of appeal for grownups. As Sally grows up, so do her stories; by the third book, The Tiger in the Well, Sally is raising a child on her own, for all intents and purposes a widow, running a small business and doing her best. Pullman mercilessly destroys her carefully constructed world of middle class comfort and throws her into seedy London where everything she's known and believed turns upside down. The Tiger in the Well is about second chances and compromise and growth, but it's also about capitalism. Daniel Goldberg, a journalist for socialist newspapers and a Jew on the lam, is Sally's foil; she's English and blonde, a capitalist and a business owner, a modern woman; he's dark, stays up until all hours making revolutionary speeches, smokes cigars. He's shadows and grit to her light and steel and while neither of them are wrong, they're not right without each other, either. It's a story about the other 99%--Occupy Wall Street could learn a thing or two from The Tiger in the Well.

Look for both of these series in boxed sets for the holidays. I'll be enthusiastically recommending them (and gift wrapping them) as easy presents for mystery lovers.

I also just discovered that Masterpiece Theater did a version of the Sally Lockhart mysteries... just checked them out of the library. Time for a big bowl of buttered popcorn and some Mystery!

Guide to Entertaining

2011-11-05T12:09:00.000-04:00

There's pretty much nothing I like better than having a house full of people, any time of year. But around the holidays--and by "holidays" I mean anytime between Halloween and New Year's, since in my family a bunch of birthdays and other excuses to feast fall in those autumn months--it's especially fun. Pie baking. Cider mulling.

On Apartment Therapy, they've posted about some fall entertaining trends here.

I'll admit it: I like being on-trend. When I see something cool in a magazine, my next step is pretty much always to see if I can get it in the shop. Usually, I can.

Striped paper straws, here.

Mulling spices, here.

Throw a party, why don't you? With letterpress coasters, cocktail accessories, specialty bitters, and a full dozen or more cookbooks, it's kind of what we do here.

closed 10.16

2011-10-15T12:34:00.000-04:00

Just a heads up folks: we'll be closed tomorrow, 10.16.2011, for a little family get-together.
Imagine how much fun next Sunday will be! The Warren Walkabout! We can't wait.

-- Katie

Wish List

2011-10-05T15:10:00.000-04:00

Check out a few of my new favorite things. Hopefully some of these will make their way into the shop, one of these days...

New cards!

2011-09-23T12:30:00.000-04:00

Lots of lovely letterpress cards are rolling in this week, and our first shipment is from DEE & LALA, a super eco-friendly card line that's simply, fun, and gorgeous. They are 100% cotton with a great weighty feel to them and made in a solar-powered studio by unicorns.

Okay, I made that last part up (unicorns don't have opposable thumbs, that should have been your tip off. Crafts with hooves is hard, man.)

Our next shipment is from Hammerpress, which I've been wanting to get my hands on for a while. A preview...

Closed Sunday

2011-07-30T11:59:00.000-04:00

Hi folks, just a reminder we'll be closed this Sunday so we can go catch our neighbors and good friends Brown Bird at the Newport Folk Fest! It's our first time at the Fest and we're so excited... then again, any day when we both have the whole day off, and get to listen to great music, and get to go to Newport, and get to lie in the sun is a rare event and should be celebrated. Maybe with margaritas and Mexican food at Perro Salado, where I've been dying to go ever since Chloe (who makes the awesome leather leaf earrings we have in the shop, and also bartends there) told me all about it.

Our sale continues next week until Monday, August 8th, with 20% off pillows, bags, and throws, and 10% off all books and jewelry.

Happy Weekend!

-- Katie & Brian

New blog!

2011-07-05T13:25:00.000-04:00

Check out Discover Warren's blog for promotions, info, sales, events, etc. Go to www.discoverwarren.com and click on "news."

Just posted: a cocktail contest sponsored by yours truly. Check it out and win some swag.

-- Katie

Holiday Hours

2011-07-01T13:56:00.000-04:00

We're taking Monday off to grill things, make sangria, and think patriotic thoughts. Happy Birthday, America!

Our normal hours apply the rest of the weekend, and we'll be open Tuesday at 11am sharp just like usual. Well, actually, "just like usual" is usually around 11:15 when I take the "gone to get coffee!" sign off the door. But you know what I mean.

Have a lovely, relaxing 4th. Be careful with the fireworks.

-- Katie

Introducing...

2011-06-30T13:07:00.000-04:00

...DiscoverWarren.com!

I've been MIA most of June as we put the finishing touches on www.DiscoverWarren.com, a new website devoted to showing off what our tiny, awesome town has to offer.

Also be sure to like us on faceboook.com/DiscoverWarren and follow us on Twitter @DiscoverWarren.

Spread the word!

Wanna join? Email me at info@discoverwarren.com for details.

Love the site and need one of your own? Check out our lovely website designer, Laura Sorensen, at www.atelierlks.com.

Free Books!

2011-06-03T12:04:00.000-04:00

I have 4 free copies left of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander, the addicting first book in a long, satisfying series (she's still writing, it's not over yet!).

Spend $50 in the shop this weekend (today, Saturday, or Sunday) and get a free book to kick off your summer reading.

(Or, be more focused and spend $16 and buy the book -- we have lots of copies for sale. Whatever floats your boat.)

Outlander makes a great gift for those about to take a long plane ride, by the way.

Memorial Day Plan

2011-05-27T15:25:00.000-04:00

Take one of these...

mermaid bottle opener, six bucks

And one (or more) of these...

...and have a happy Memorial Day weekend, folks.

-- Katie

Flash Sale!

2011-05-25T13:01:00.000-04:00

Today only, stop by for 20% off everything (including sale items already marked down, like our stack of kids books, Nora Roberts beach reads, and hardcovers). This sunshine has put me in a great mood, and what better way to celebrate than with a sale?

Hope to see you!

-- Katie

Life as it Should Be

2011-05-07T12:06:00.000-04:00

Stop by on Friday, May 13th (starting at 5:30pm) for an opening reception of Kelly Phillips's "Life as it Should Be."

Check out what AS220 has to say about the show here.

"Life as it Should Be: Images from Bakersfield, CA"

Bakersfield, California is a suburban city, population 400,000, with no downtown high rises. A series of 1000 postcards has been printed to document the city as seen by a Bakersfield native. The three major oil refineries located within its borders paired with several abandoned developments (results of the recent housing bubble burst) creates a unique tension between residential and industrial zones.

Should be a really fun and interesting show -- see you Friday!

-- Katie

The Hieroglyphics

2011-04-28T13:56:00.001-04:00

Join us Sunday, May 1st at 6pm for a reading of Michael Stewart's new novel(la), The Hieroglyphics. Come early, stay late for cocktails + conversation. What could be better?

Visit our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/WoodenMidshipman and enter to win an inscribed copy of the book! Michael will scribble a small story in the prize copy which will be awarded to the most popular completion of this sentence:

"...................... and because of that her toes have grown into the ground."

Complete the sentence, post it here, and get your friends to "like" it -- the sentence with the most likes, wins!

Yankee Mag's Best of New England

2011-04-23T13:02:00.000-04:00

Woah, dudes! Big news. Yankee Magazine just came out with their Best of New England 2011 issue and, get this, we are Best Local Shopping in Rhode Island! Click here to read the full feature.

I'm kind of beside myself to be listed along with Heir Antiques (Providence) and all the other fun things the magazine rounded up. As I love nothing better than day tripping (or long-weekending) around New England, I am definitely going to save this issue to check out the best of the other states, too.

I can't think of a better first anniversary present. Well, except for those bottles of prosecco everyone keeps bringing. Those are good, too.

-- Katie

Introducing...

2011-04-01T15:11:00.000-04:00

Just in time for our real one-year anniversary (April 17th, baby!), we're launching a new project: an online shop.

You can now visit http://woodenmidshipman.myshopify.com and shop securely online (click the "Shop" tab up top). Right now we just have a few of our favorite goods, but we'll be constantly updating until we have a bountiful selection of books, gifts, home decor, and all kinds of lovely things....

And as a thank you, the first 10 online shoppers will get a free treat with their order. No, it's not a puppy. You'll have to click and buy to find out!

(Please note that the current shipping charges are a little wonky; for large items we may need to charge extra shipping, but for smaller stuff you may actually get a refund!)

Need Supply

2011-03-25T13:23:00.001-04:00

Sometimes (a lot of times) I find great things for the shop and can't buy them. It's a money thing, it's a space thing, but mostly it's just a new thing: it'll take time for our little store to grow into a big, grown up store that stock any damn thing it wants.

You can check out what I'm into at Pinterest, a site that lets you tag images as you browse the 'net and share them. Most of my finds are products that I would love, love, love to carry in the shop and hopefully will, some day.

In the meantime, here a few wonderful things I've been dying to grab for the shop, as curated by the lovely online store Need Supply. There's a permanent link to Need Supply on the right hand side of the this blog, as I'm an affiliate (you can click on any of these images to follow them to Need Supply). Enjoy!

This color just kills me. Love it. ($68)

What an awesome bag for a night out. ($38)

D.S. & Durga makes small batch perfumes,

and each one tells a story. ($85)

As Promised: Ice Cream!

2011-03-16T12:40:00.000-04:00

To go with the delicious Guinness Cake from Sunday Suppers at Lucques that we featured last time, as promised, some boozy ice cream from the master of desserts, David Lebovitz (his blog is so fun). The Perfect Scoop is indeed the perfect way to welcome spring/summer (or any season, because really, who eats ice cream only during the warm months?) with plenty of classic, alcoholic, off-beat, multi-national ice cream and sorbet recipes. It's recently in paperback at $18.99 here at the shop!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Guinness/Milk Chocolate Ice Cream adapted from David Lebovitz's The Perfect Scoop.

Browse David Lebovitz's blog for more unusual recipes for the Irish holiday, including brown bread ice cream and a bunch of delicious treats David picked up on a recent vacation to the Emerald Isle. Ah, vacation. Yes, please!

Guiness Cake!

2011-03-10T12:36:00.001-05:00

Something about spring gets me excited to cook; maybe it's our awesome CSA from Simmons Farm (I can hardly wait til it starts at the end of May) or maybe it's the wonderful cookbooks I go to for seasonal inspiration. I'm going to start sharing some of my favorite recipes from the cookbooks here at the shop.

Sunday Suppers At Lucques by Suzanne Goin ($35)

This cookbook is not only beautiful and well written, but handily functional--organized by season with menus already written out, from starters to mains and sides to desserts. I've made a few of the dishes, like her Cranberry-Walnut Clafoutis with Bourbon Whipped Cream (oh, that was a good one); Warm Wild Mushroom Salad with Soft Herbs, Pecorino, and Hazelnuts (heaven); Olive Oil Cake (I used the version found on Smitten Kitchen); Devil's Chicken Thighs with Braised Leeks and Dijon Mustard (Brian ate these two nights in a row without complaint). But with St. Patrick's a week away, I figured I'd try some of the spring recipes that I haven't gotten around to you. Buttered cockles, anyone?

(continued after the jump)

chocolate stout cake.

adapted from Sunday Suppers at Lucques. "Only on St. Patrick's Day is it imperative that both your ice cream and your cake contain beer."

2 c. all purpose flour / 1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder / 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder / 1/2 tsp. ground cloves / 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg / 1 c. Guinness stout / 1 c. molasses / 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda / 3 xl eggs / 1/2 c dark brown sugar / 1/2 c granulated sugar / 1 c. vegetable oil / 1 tsp. unsalted butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg together.

Pour the beer and molasses into a medium pot, whisk together, and bring to a boil over medium/high heat. Remove from the heat and whisk in the baking soda. Don't be surprised when it foams up.

In another bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugars; whisk in the oil, then the beer mixture.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the liquid, whisking slowly until just mixed. Don't overmix!

Pour the batter into a lightly buttered Bundt pan and bake 30 minutes. The cake is done when it begins to pull away from the sides of the pan and top surface is just starting to crack, and a skewer inserted in the middle comes out mostly clean. After 30 minutes of cooling, invert onto a platter.

Suzanna Goin recommends this cake with Guinness ice cream; we'll tackle that tomorrow using one of (ice cream master) David Lebovitz's recipes from A Perfect Scoop. Booze + ice cream = wait, why would you make ice cream any other way?

Happy Saturday!

2011-03-05T11:54:00.001-05:00

Some new items at the shop! Cozy upcycled mittens made from sweaters (it's still pretty cold out, you might need 'em); new art from Linda DiFrenna of Imago Gallery (gorgeous photography from Venice, Rome, and Santorini); a few new cookbooks; and more on the way. Oh, and we're now open until 5pm every day but Monday!

Have a lovely weekend.

...too warm? too cold? Just right!

2011-02-19T10:28:00.002-05:00

Like Goldilocks, I find myself acting quite reactionary this time of year. Warm spring day? Break out the sandals! Cold end-of-winter day? Overcoat, boots, 8' long scarf.

Luckily, a lovely handmade artist sent me a box full of gorgeous springtime scarves. Just the thing to take us from yesterday (a balmy, 60° spring-ish day) to today (30°, not including the windchill). These scarves are reversible with two funky/cute patterns, handstitched from soft jersey, and only $24. She sent me a bunch of colors and patterns; stop by to see for yourself!

A Happy Victim

2011-02-15T16:38:00.000-05:00

Open for Valentine's Day!

2011-02-13T15:14:00.002-05:00

We'll be open for last-minute gifts tomorrow from 12 to 4pm.

And we still have a few goodies left! Romantic novels, local sweets, handcrafted jewelry...

A Spoonful of Sugar...

2011-02-10T12:31:00.000-05:00

Okay, making that a heaping ton of sugar.

Today, MUSE (the lovely jewelry store on Main Street in Warren featuring handcrafted American pieces) is featuring the "cupcake art" of local artists, plus 10% off all their new gifts. Party starts at 5pm! In a funny coincidence I recieved a platter of delicous cupcakes from Cup n Rol, the darling cafe on Federal Hill. I have sampled one and let me tell you: yum. They'll be available here at the shop today and tomorrow, free for shoppers!

We're having our own sweet event on Saturday, February 12th: a pre-Valentine's Day bash featuring lots of local treats from the likes of Garrison Confections, Purple Pear of Providence (those addictive pecans!), The Smallest Bite (vegan truffles!), and Moondust Macarons, which I picked up yesterday at the farmers market:

In addition, we'll be offering really cool artisan treats from Liddabit, a confectioner from Brooklyn. Their products include Beer & Pretzel Caramels and Bourbon-Bacon-Coffee-Caramel Popcorn, so if you were wondering what to get your guy for Valentine's Day... wonder no more.

Come by Saturday, 2/12 from 5pm to 7pm (or later!) to have a little bubbly and sample the new sweets. We can all begin our detox diets AFTER February 14th.

A Cold, Rainy Day

2011-02-08T15:07:00.001-05:00

Sometimes things just come together. Just as I was thinking what a cold, horrible, drippy, rainy day it was, I got a delivery of beautiful home goods to brighten up the space. Now it looks all cozy and warm in here (or maybe it was the much-needed adjustment to my mood).


Hanging tea light holder wtith hook, $20

Burlap bucket lantern. $26

Valentine's Day Gift Guide

2011-02-04T12:20:00.001-05:00

I have always been one of those awkward Valentine's Day people. I love any excuse to go out to dinner, hang out with my guy, and exchange presents -- but the typical Valentine's Day fare is always somewhat yawn, and so I end up avoiding the holiday entirely. Stuffed bear? Stale chocolates? Shmaltzy card? No, thank you.

Behold the solution...

Cheeky cards from Pinkerton Designs ($3.50)

For dudes: Bourbon/Coffee/Bacon/Caramel Popcorn from artisan confectioners Liddabit (Brooklyn). $12/bag.

Also from Liddabit: fiery heart lollipops, $2 each.

Gorgeous cloth-bound hardcovers of romantic classics. Pride & Prejudice,

Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre... sigh. ($20)

Local musicians Brown Bird present 13 songs, mostly about love in some form or fashion--not always pretty, mind you. You can sample them this Saturday at The Narrows! ($12 CD)

For other sweet treats for your sweet treat, check out our selection of repurposed vintage jewelry, romantic novels, yummy local snacks like Moondust Macarons, mulling spices, and Garrison's Chocolates, plus letterpress cards and stuff for guys. And with The Greenery down the street offering fresh, fair-trade flowers, we are like your Valentine's Day ninjas.

New website design!

2011-01-29T15:25:00.000-05:00

I spent most of today fiddling around with the blog, so please let me know if anything doesn't work or looks wonky on your browser... thanks!

...and a Happy New Year to you, too!

2011-01-03T11:34:00.000-05:00

We're welcoming 2011 by doing a little housekeeping, and so we will be
CLOSED this week and will reopen on Saturday, 1.08.11.

Stop by Saturday to see what's new and to take 20% off any one item (that includes art, jewelry, books... anything!) in honor of the new year and my clean floors. Hoorah!

Four more days to go!

2010-12-21T11:24:00.000-05:00

Thank you for making our first Christmas pretty awesome so far. We still have four days to go, though, so there's plenty of time for last minute gifts: we have new jewelry from Vintage Fuss, more Brown Bird CDs, and great stocking stuffers from local artists, not to mention a beautiful letterpress 2011 calendar and cards.

We'll be open at 10am this week and staying open late. Thursday is Warren's last Holiday Night, and shops and studios will be open til 8pm.

Here's our holiday schedule:

Friday 12.24 (Christmas Eve) 10 to 4

Christmas Day Closed

Sunday 12.26 Closed

Monday 12.27 Closed

Back to our regular hours the week of 12.27. Following New Year's, we'll be closed for a bit to revamp the shop and do some much needed housekeeping, reopening Saturday January 8th, 2011.

A very Merry Christmas to all, and Happy New Year.

Kate & Brian

Warren Holiday Night + 10% Off Art

2010-12-09T10:54:00.000-05:00

We'll be celebrating til 8pm up in here, with the help of hot drinks and Sufjan Stevens's Christmas albums. Lots of other shops and studios are open late, too, so put on your scarf and go for a stroll to take advantage of the free on-street parking and total lack of crowds.

And as if that weren't enough to get you over here, it's 10% off all art today: pottery, photography, all of it. Looking for an excuse to take home Rod O'Connor's gorgeous large format print of the Mt. Hope Bridge? It's 10% off today. Problem solved.

Holiday Nights & A Vintage Gift Guide

2010-12-02T13:34:00.000-05:00

Warren Holiday Nights begin tonight! Shops will be open til 8pm every Thursday between now and Christmas.

Stop by tonight from 5pm to 8pm for 10% off all CDs. Great stocking stuffers, from local storyteller Mark Binder's holiday tales (for Hanukkah, Christmas, and any other wintry occasion you celebrate) to the "Classical Kids" series that I adored as a kid -- drama, fun, and incredible music that's presented especially for children.
I'll be doing some kind of deal for every Holiday night, and of course as always you can get gift wrap, boxes, or shipping, too (anytime). See something you like on my blog or Facebook? Send me an e-mail at kate(at)woodenmidshipman.com or call me at the store at 401.245.3431. I'm happy to take orders over the phone and ship anywhere you like.

And now, without further ado:

our Vintage Gift Guide,

in honor of our Dickensian spirit and love all things old fashioned.

Antique prints from 1839-59. $2o each.

Handmade brass clock, $86.

Reclaimed wood from old bars and homes

on Martha's Vineyard make awesome frames.

Many sizes, prices, colors.

Antique brass button watch.

$100.

Back in the good old days, if your house caught

fire you'd be screwed. Unless, of course,

you had bribed the local fire department

by buying this plaque for your house!

"Birmingham" fire department plaque,

$20.

(A great, semi-morbid housewarming gift.)

English ceramic teapots in classic brown,

blue, black, and bright yellow.

$18.

Blog Love

2010-12-01T11:52:00.000-05:00

You like me! You really like me!

When I'm not mocking Sally Fields, I'm very grateful for all the community support for the great local shops in Warren. Check out the new blog This is Warren at http://warrenri.wordpress.com/ for a funny and eloquent inside look at the smallest town in the smallest state in the Union.

"My 20-Something Sister" Gift Guide

2010-11-19T13:03:00.000-05:00

Thank you, Annie, my real-life twenty-something sister, for being a good sport and looking adorable in our Ts and knits.

Annie's wearing the limited edition Ruski Bot tee ($26, on Alternative Apparel),

fingerless gloves ($16.50), and a cute hand knit beanie ($23).

A lovely, comprehensive guide to spirits for when

another Twisted Tea just won't do.
$14.

Why do you look so sad, Annie? You are wearing an awesome scarf!

Handknit, 8' long. $32.

Oh man, I wish I had a bathtub.
All-natural, handmade beauty soak with buttermilk,

honey, roses, and everything nice. $18.

Another hand crocheted scarf in Harry Potter-esque stripes.

$32.

Chloe makes these lovely leaves out of soft leather in Portsmouth, RI.
On gold chain. $25.

Diana Gabaldon's Outlander is the first in an addictive series.
Since we opened in April, I've had to re-order it more times than I can count.

Get a beautiful jewel-toned trade paperback as a gift ($16)

and a free mass market copy for yourself. You'll be hooked.

The original whale t from Super Maggie! ($28, on Alternative Apparel).
Annie's also rocking a handmade bohemian scarf you can wear

a zillion different ways ($26).

Vintage Fuss (from a designer in Boston) birdie necklace, $48.
Vintage enamel pendant.

The infamous sweater bags.
On the left: slouchy bag, $48.
On the right: cable-knit sweater bag with faux-leather handle, $72.

Manly Gift Guide

2010-11-17T12:48:00.000-05:00

Much thanks to our model Thom, who just got back from a Bike & Build trip in which he biked from Providence to San Francisco, stopping along the way to build affordable housing and wrestle bears.

Thom reads Michael Chabon's Manhood for Amateurs,

a collection of nonfiction essays about being a

father, son, and husband. $25.99.

The Bourdain Collection: Medium Raw ($26.99),
Kitchen Confidential ($15.99), and A Cook's Tour ($14.99).
Manly hedonism in the form of big, sharp knives,

sex with strangers, travel to exotic lands, and lots of drugs.

Local "dark Americana" band Brown Bird.
CDs $12, LPs $15 + t-shirts coming soon!

Leave your number on a letterpressed calling card.
Vintage grinning skull in a red felt enclosure,

printed on an antique press on Swans Island, Maine.
$5/pack.

The Ultimate Book of Card Games, $19.95.

A collection of fiction + nonfiction musings

by Ernest Hemingway, on that most manly of sports:

hunting. Hemingway on Hunting, $15.

iPod dock by Vers Audio. Sustainably sourced walnut finish,

powered speakers with a great warm sound. $198.

Decorative model plane, $22.

After a long day chopping wood, fighting enemies, running through forests,

or whatever else it is manly men do, relax with a handmade,

all-natural muscle soak. Smells like salts and sage, not flowers.

$22.

Thom contemplates the inner workings of things

in David Macaulay's classic, The New Way Things Work.

$35.
(Fun fact: The Wooden Midshipman used to be Macaulay's artist studio!)

Free Books!

2010-11-10T15:51:00.000-05:00

Random House just made my dreary Wednesday bright and magical by sending me a box full of free books.

Stop by the shop to grab a FREE copy of Outlander, the crazy wonderful first novel by Diana Gabaldon that spawned an addictive series. You don't have to buy anything, but be honest as this promotion is just for new readers! Although, you might want to do yourself a favor and grab a copy of the second book in the series, since you'll want it in your hot little hands the moment you finish up Outlander... I promise.

From the cover: "History, warfare, medicine, sex, violence, spirituality, honor, betrayal, vengeance, hope and despair, relationships, the building and destruction of families and societies, time travel, moral ambiguity, swords, herbs, horses, gambling (with cards, dice, and lives), voyages of daring, journeys of both body and soul... you know, the usual stuff of literature." -- Diana Gabaldon

Holiday Fest + New Holiday Hours

2010-11-09T13:40:00.000-05:00

What are your Thanksgiving plans? On Black Friday, venture to Warren for a magical evening kicking off the annual Warren Holiday Festival. Festivities start at 5pm and many local shops will be open and serving warm treats to keep the revelers fueled. The next day's activities take place 12 to 4.

I'm also very pleased to announce our new holiday hours, effective November 26th:

Friday, November 26th we'll be open until 8pm. Then our weekly schedule will extend to...

Tues... 10 to 6

Wed... 10 to 6

Thurs... 10 to 8*

Fri... 10 to 6

Sat... 10 to 6

Sun... 12 to 4

Mon... 12 to 4

*On Thursdays in December, many Warren shops are staying open for a night of relaxing holiday shopping until 8pm. Look for announcements online and on Facebook, and posters in shop windows advertising these extended hours. We'll have refreshments and gift wrap!

As always, if you need to shop earlier or later than our regular holiday hours, just give us a call and we can usually make it happen. Keep in mind we also take orders over the phone, via e-mail, and we are happy to gift wrap and ship.

Holiday Gift Guides

2010-11-07T14:52:00.000-05:00

Ah, the holidays. While I privately ponder my own "first holiday" questions (should I play Christmas music and sacrifice my sanity, or risk being a Grinch? Yield to the allure of brightly colored, sparkly holiday gift wrap or stick to my Dickensian-sophistocate look of dark browns and nautical blues?), I'm sure you have questions of your own.

Such as, "What do I get for my sensitive, trendy thirty-something Providence hipster friend? He already has a fixed gear, and another gift certificate to E&O just seems too... impersonal."

Or, "I'm at the end of my rope! My wife put her exciting career on hold to raise our kids and is starting to get that manic, burgeoning-alcoholic look in her eye. What can I get her this Christmas to cheer her up and reaffirm her value as an independent woman? It better be good, since I couldn't buy her that big house she wanted in Barrington and now our kids will NEVER get into a good college."

Fear not. From the impossible-to-buy-for angsty urban hipster siblings, to the new babies, tweens, and Desperate Housewives of Warren, we've got a gift guide for that. Check out this blog (or follow us at facebook.com/WoodenMidshipman) every week from now until Christmas (or the Solstice, or whatever) for a dozen colorful gift guides to please everyone on your list.

Coming this week: The Manly Gift Guide. For Manly, Manly Men.

Spooky Stories Oct. 30th

2010-10-02T14:30:00.000-04:00

On Saturday, October 30th, we're celebrating the local illustrators, authors, and storytellers who make Halloween such a fantastically fun tradition. The Wooden Midshipman will be transformed into a haunted house and play host to Providence artist Liz McGrath as she celebrates the release of her new book, The Ghouls Come Haunting One by One.

Then at 6pm, we'll be treated to the award-winning storytelling of Mark Binder. Admission is free for adults and babies, and it's only $6 for kids (and $1 off if they come in costume!). There will be complimentary refreshments and plenty of spooky fun to be had. Bring a blanket to enjoy the stories under the stars (weather permitting).

For more information, give us a call or shoot us an e-mail. The event is great for all ages.

Spooky Stories: Saturday, October 30th

5pm to 8pm (Mark Binder begins his storytelling at 6pm)

Admission $6 / $1 off with costume

Adults + Kids Under 3 Free!

401.245.3431

kate@woodenmidshipman.com

Warren Walkabout

2010-10-02T14:20:00.000-04:00

The Warren Walkabout is a great way to get to know our little town. On October 17th, our shop is participating in our first Walkabout, and from what I've seen it's going to be the best one yet. Pick up a free copy of The Bay magazine to see the map of all the great shops, restaurants, and artisans you can visit... there'll be a Taste of Warren, free trolley rides around town, sidewalk sales, and much more. Plus, Warren gets more beautiful every day as we inch closer into autumn--a great place to spend the day.

We're sure to do something fun on the day of. A sidewalk sale? Hot cider? Some sort of giveaway? You'll have to visit to find out. See you then!

Warren Walkabout

October 17th

12 to 5pm

For more info, search for Discover Warren on Facebook or pick up a copy of The Bay.

new in shop: Mark Binder's storytelling CDs and books!

2010-09-24T13:34:00.000-04:00

We are thrilled and delighted to carry the books and storytelling CDs of local award-winnning storyteller Mark Binder!

It Was a Dark and Stormy Night ($15, CD)

Tall Tales, Whoppers, and Lies

($10, CD)

It Ate My Sister ($$9.95)

The Bed Time Story Book ($9.95)

 
Pssst... grab one of Mark's books or CDs to get a preview of the show he'll be doing LIVE and IN PERSON here at the shop on October 30th! Details to follow, stay tuned!

t-shirts from the land to the north

2010-09-23T18:04:00.000-04:00

check out the Facebook page for more photos of our new T-shirts!
handprinted by New Hampshire artist Marcia Wood on Alternative Apparel, $26.

it's a hurricane!

2010-09-03T12:50:00.000-04:00

...of exciting, quirky, affordable gifts. Come check out the new jewelry from Vintage Fuss, new letterpress cards, handmade local pottery, and wonderful prints and original artwork. Plus: new graphic Ts for fall coming soon! I'm too excited to sleep!

my wine drinking habit...

2010-08-19T13:07:00.000-04:00

...supports beautiful, sustainable home decor!

Well, not my wine drinking habit, per se. But all of us collectively. Behold these handcrafted tea light holders made from recycled wine barrels. 3 tea lights are $22, and 5 (with cool metal strapping still attached from the barrels) are $34. Each one is a little different... a great hostess gift or housewarming present. I plan to steal one to put out in the backyard. I wonder if anyone makes Citronella tea lights? I'd drink to that.

Sebastian Release Party 8.27

2010-08-12T17:48:00.000-04:00

Join your hostesses Kate & Kate
(Eshbaugh, bookbinder of Hello Martha Press, and Dickson, proprietor of The Wooden Midshipman)
as we celebrate the release of Sebastian by Providence's own Michael Stewart.
With gorgeous illustrations by RISD grad Wen Hsu for sale and a reading at 8pm. Party starts August 27th at 6pm.

www.hellomarthapress.com
www.strangesympathies.com
http://wenhsu.blogspot.com/

Happy August.

2010-08-11T16:06:00.000-04:00

First of all, a head's up: we'll be closing at 5pm on Friday, August 13th.

And now just a little preview of the month to come...

New candle holders arriving soon! Gorgeous tea light holders made from old wine barrels, handcrafted in Texas and --gasp!-- affordable, as in under $30. Great hostess/housewarming gift, and perfect for our all-natural, bee pollen-scented tea lights ($1.50 each).

Sock animals are back in stock ($18-20), now featuring a psychedelic chicken to compliment the monkeys and barnyard animals and penguins with little hats.

August 27th is the long-awaited release of Sebastian, a children's book for adults written by Providence resident (and RISCA award winner) Michael Stewart, illustrated beautifully by RISD alum Wen Hsu, and hand set and bound by Brown graduate Kathryn Eshbaugh of Hello Martha Press. It don't get more local than that. Join us for cocktails and refreshments and a reading at 8pm. Originals and prints of the gorgeous illustrations will also be avilable for sale (tax free, of course). August 27th, 6pm - 10 pm.

August 29th does double duty as a kick-off party for the 2010/11 season of Fusionworks Dance Company, RI's only modern dance company for over 20 years, as well as a neighborhood bash celebrating our first summer here in Warren. Meet local merchants, politicos, and neighbors, and rub elbows with the talented dancers and staff of Fusionworks. This nonprofit company operates on a shoe-string budget to bring the best in regional, national, and international dance to our communties and schools. There is no "suggested donation," but contributions are greatly appreciated (and tax-deductible!). Each donation enters you in a raffle to win a 4-pack of tickets to the Fusionworks fall concert and a gift certificate to a Providence restaurant. Also check out one of Rod O'Connor's beautiful photographs up for auction, with proceeds to benefit Fusionworks. Please RSVP by calling the shop at 401.245.3431 or e-mailing me, as space is limited. August 29th, 5pm-9pm (or later!).

Happy August.

-- Kate and Brian

Va-hoo!

2010-07-30T13:15:00.000-04:00

This little shop was picked by the editors of Rhode Island Monthly as this year's Best New Gift Shop. No kidding! We are mightily delighted, as you may imagine. We'll post a link just as soon as rimonthly.com posts this month's content. The East Bay is well represented in August's "Best Of" issue, and I highly recommend you check it out. Lots of fun stuff to do, great places to shop, and delicious stuff to eat.

New cookery books... and non-cookery books...

2010-07-28T14:17:00.000-04:00

We have some truly bangin' new books at the shop this week.

Pictured ~~above~~ to my left is David Chang's Momofuku, which came out in 2009. In the section on ramen noodles, he suggests adding a pinch of citric acid to your alkaline noodles, "like the amount of cocaine a movie cop would taste off the tip of his switchblade to confirm that the bust was going to stick".

We've also added Ruth Reichl (former Gourmet [may it rest in peace] editor) to our cooking section with Tender at the Bone, and Bill Buford's now-classic Heat. I just saw some new DVDs of what Buford's been up to lately (living in Lyon, learning crazy French cooking) and can't wait for the next book.

In the fiction "section" (if a 600 square foot store can be said to have "sections") we've got the new Ayelet Waldman (the redhaired wife of Michael Chabon) novel Red Hook Road, as well as the new Diana Gabaldon (An Echo in the Bone) in paperback (it's lime green, which is odd, but has a sneak preview of her upcoming graphic novel The Exile, which I've pre-ordered, so don't worry). Not to mention John Irving, Christopher Moore, and the bestselling Swedish craziness that is The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

But I had you at Momofuku, didn't I?

Rod O'Connor's "Water Street Warren" tonight!

2010-07-16T17:11:00.000-04:00

You could be here, sipping a glass of cold vinho verde and enjoying the pleasant splendor that is the Warren waterfront... a waterfront, coincidentally, that has been captured by Rod O'Connor in the "Water Street Warren" series of fine photographs on display here, now.

The reception begins at 7pm! Come on by.

UPDATE: The opening reception was a blast! Thanks to everyone who came out. O'Connor's photographs remain on display and for sale until next month, August 16th.

new totes + local pottery

2010-06-29T12:32:00.000-04:00

Starting the week off with some much-anticipated cool new stuff...

organic grocery totes by RISD alum Lindsey Traficante ($15)
and
local, affordable pottery by Barrington resident Jordan Sheff (starting at $20).

T-shirt ordering time...

2010-06-24T14:21:00.000-04:00

We're placing a new order for those great SuperMaggie t-shirts, all screen printed by hand on lovely organic cotton. $32 in women's sizes small to extra large, in midnight or cream. Send an e-mail to kate@woodenmidshipman.com or call us at 401.245.3431 and let us know your size so I can order one just for you. They sell out fast! (And yes, we do ship.)

Local Photography by Rod O'Connor

2010-06-24T13:32:00.000-04:00

I'm so pleased to announce there will soon be some local fine photography gracing our walls! Rod O'Connor takes interesting, often abstract snaps inspired by the quirky architecture and natural landscape of Rhode Island. You can visit his work at www.circle-graphics.com.

The show will run through July and August, with an opening reception (sure to be tons of fun) on July 16th at 7pm. Come by for wine, lemonade, nibbles, and a first look at some of the large-format photographs for sale. These prints were created specifcally for our shop and with Warren in mind and are sales tax free, of course.

goings on

2010-06-17T12:36:00.000-04:00

I neglected to mention that the sale that started June 13th actually lasts until this Sunday, June 20th (Father's Day!). So paperbacks will continue to be 20% off, and gardening supplies will be 25% off until there is nothing left!

Drop in over the next few days to check out our manly wares in honor of Father's Day:

Today (06/17) we'll be closing a wee bit early so I can check out Brown Bird, the 'Mericans, and Route 44 at the Narrows Center for the Arts (www.ncfta.org). Show starts at 8pm! And tomorrow, our Water Street neighborhood welcomes another new shop: Swish Boutique (www.swish-boutique.com) on the corner of Miller St. and Water St. They open at 11am, just like us. For those of you planning an evening trip to Warren, also be sure to stop by the Blount Clam Shack on Water Street, where they have live music Sundays and a new, totally charming nautical gift shop called River Art & Gifts (which is open the same hours as the clam shack).

See you around!

Spring Cleaning Sale!

2010-06-11T15:09:00.000-04:00

Come by this Sunday (June 13th) to take advantage of my irresponsible love for my red ballpoint pen (read: sales)! We're open 11am to 5pm, as usual, and will be serving coffee and pastries to encourage wild, hedonistic shopping.

All gardening goods will be 25% off (including all herb sets, organic grow pots, watering cans in the shape of cute little teapots, etc).

Books are on sale! Used books are $1 and paperbacks are 20% off. That means you can guiltlessly stock up on your Nora Roberts, buy the new paperback cookbook you've had your eye on, or finally have a good reason to read some classics like On the Road and Twain's ultimate summer adventure yarn, Roughing It, or Garrison Keillor's collection of Good Poems.

Plus, we've got a young adult section full of classics at least as exciting as the school summer reading lists. If not more so.

New Cards!

2010-06-04T18:35:00.000-04:00

We've got some new letterpress cards for Father's Day, graduations, new homes, new babies, weddings... all that great stuff that comes with early summer. And they are awesome.

Around the Shop

2010-05-22T14:54:00.000-04:00

Matte black teapot ($18)
A Homemade Life (hardcover) ($25)
Yellow ceramic teapot ($18)
Butter pecans from Purple Pear of Providence ($9)
The Elements of Cooking (hardcover) ($24)
Iron mermaid bottle openers ($6)
"Plate 291" Skeleton of the Giraffe print from 1830 ($25)

Support Fusionworks & Win a Warren Shopping Spree!

2010-05-16T15:01:00.000-04:00

Join us for a Garden Party!

Fusionworks Dance Company, Rhode Island's only modern dance troupe, has been an arts scene staple for 23 years. This year, our annual spring fundraiser takes place at the beautiful Roger Williams Botanical Park. Support a local non profit while feasting on treats from Warren's own The Sunnyside (and Aspire, The Little Inn, India, and others) while browsing a truly fantastic silent auction that includes a Warren shopping spree.

The package includes gift certificates to The Wooden Midshipman, Muse, DISH, Finder's Keepers, plus a full one hour massage from Hillary Adams of Glow.

Tickets are $45 each, and everything is included: food, wine and beer tastings from Wines & More and Union Station Brewery, and the warm sense of fulfullment that comes from attending a great party that benefits a fantastic organization. Contact me at kate (at) woodenmidshipman.com for tickets or visit www.fusionworksdance.org.

Hope to see you there!

Opening Party!

2010-05-08T18:38:00.000-04:00

A big, big thanks to everyone who came out to support us at our grand opening bash last Friday! It was a great time and a beautiful night. Emily Smith & Synergy (http://www.myspace.com/emilysmithsynergy) entertained everyone in the backyard, and Andre Blais (http://www.riphotographer.com) showed up to snap some incredible photos. Can't wait for the next party! Check out our Facebook page for more pictures of the event.

Mother's Day...

2010-05-02T13:27:00.000-04:00

is Sunday, May 9th. Overcooked eggs served buffet-style at the local country club are not enough. Instead, how about a blood orange mimosa at The Sunnyside (www.thesunnysideri.com) followed by a killer gift?

Handmade Letterpress Cards ($4-4.75)

Funky Hardware Necklace $20 (handmade in Coventry)

Rhode Island Beach Stone Earrings $32 (handmade in Coventry)

Culinary Herbs $9 / Bamboo Pots of Lavender or Basil $20 / Garden Sprinkles $3.50 each

We're open May 8th from 11am to 7pm and Mother's Day from Noon to 4pm.

Indian Textiles

2010-04-21T17:34:00.000-04:00

Just got in a shipment from a new hosiery mill in India. Lots and lots of bags... all under $100 and made of knit cotton. They're like sweaters, but with handles. Cue a Keanu Reeves "woah."

Lovely shawls, throws, and scarves in light cotton and lambs wool for spring.
Most in 50" x 60".

Grand Opening

2010-04-21T16:49:00.000-04:00

Our grand opening party will take place Friday, April 30th, at 7pm.

Come by for a little food and drink, lively conversation, and the funky/folky musical stylings of local band Emily Smith & Synergy (http://www.myspace.com/emilysmithsynergy).

Photographer Andre Blais (riphotographer.com) will also be there, so dress to impress and bring all your celebrity friends.

Hours

2010-04-21T16:46:00.000-04:00

Regular hours...

Tuesday to Friday, 11-5 (or later)
Saturday 10-6
Sundays 12-4
Closed Mondays (usually. give us a call, you never know!)

If you are looking to shop after (or before) our normal hours, please do call us at 401.245.3431. We can usually make it happen if appropriately bribed or excessively flattered.

Our Story

2010-04-17T16:23:00.000-04:00

In April 2010, The Wooden Midshipman opened its doors on Water Street, Warren's historic waterfront arts district. We sell gifts of all kinds, a carefully edited selection of books, and affordable local art.

The Wooden Midwhatsthatnow?

Dombey & Son

We get our name from Dickens, that old rascal. In one of his first serious novels, Dombey & Son, evil, soulless corporations are threatening the little guy. The foil to these baddies is "The Wooden Midshipman," a quant nautical shop by the water owned and operated by the novel's heroes. Thus named because of the cute little wooden statue of a midshipman that stood outside the shop (kind of like a cigar store Indian). (And speaking of that, if you do any wood carving and want to make us a little wooden midshipman of our very own, contact me!). We're not heroes, of course, and our store doesn't do a brisk trade in compasses, sextants, and sailcloth, but we do like to keep things local and independent.

Check out some cool stuff about the history of the Wooden Midshipman:

"The Little Navigator" at the New Bedford Whaling Museum.

"The Wooden Midshipman" at the Dickens Museum.

One of the last Wooden Midshipmen, as reported by the New York Times.

Come Play. The shop is available for after-hours events, like fundraisers, book signings or readings, art shows, club meetings, musical performances, tastings, or classes. While the shop itself is small, it opens up into a foyer and backyard that can hold a respectable number of folks, and there is ample street parking. Send us your ideas and let's see if we can make it happen.

Contact: Kate and Brian. kate@woodenmidshipman.com, or 401.245.3431.

Open for Business.

2010-04-17T11:41:00.000-04:00

Our shop finally opened its doors today! We'll be open until 7pm, so stop on by if you get the chance (although this dreary weather makes me want to crawl back under the covers, or move to Bali). This week, we'll start our regular hours:

Tuesday through Saturday, 11am to 7pm
Sundays, Noon to 4pm
Closed Mondays

Please save the date for our grand opening party: Friday, April 30th, from 7pm until... well, until everyone gets too tired to stand and has to leave. Local band Emily Smith & Synergy has generously agreed to come grace us with their funky, folky musical stylings, so that is not to be missed!
RSVP to kate@woodenmidshipman.com.

Happy Spring.

2010-04-03T12:34:00.000-04:00

A lovely warm day here in Warren, and we still can't see the sun for all that New York Times pasted up on the windows.

But not to worry. Soon--perhaps even next week--the doors will be open. We are planning a grand opening party for late April, plus a fun Sunday open house, so stay tuned. (Any previous announcements on Facebook or otherwise about opening parties should be ignored. Some foolish person got waaaaay ahead of herself.)

Enjoy the spring day and start planning your outfit for our grand opening bash. This party is really the only reason we're opening a shop. There will be drinks with bubbles and I might even wear heels.

The Wooden Midshipman Facebook Page (now with pictures!)