wonders never cease

Wednesday, May 16th, 2012new + cool: fun in the {almost} sun.

proptop — Wed, 16 May 2012 21:17:48 +0000

The weather still might be touch-and-go, but let’s think positively and imagine ourselves in something…sunnier. Shall we?

Wednesday, May 9th, 2012 playlist: a bakers dozen for two guys who changed our minds

proptop — Thu, 10 May 2012 00:20:20 +0000

As some of you may have noticed, our weekly play lists have been on hiatus. However, we are roused from our slumber by the passing of Adam Yauch and Maurice Sendak. These two men were so groundbreaking in their approach to their respective crafts that they left an indelible influence on all who came behind them. The creativity they harnessed had a ripple effect and spread like wildfire across artistic endeavors.

Adam Yauch, better known as Beastie Boy MCA, exploded on the scene like an atom bomb, the rawest, rudest rapper of the rawest, rudest group in hip hop. The gravel-voiced punk kid who embodied the wannabe-gangster ethos managed to evolve into one of the most charitable and modest megastars in the music business, devoting himself to helping countless others.

Maurice Sendak opened up a world of imagination where it was acceptable to come to terms with your inner fears and even find beauty in them. His successful children’s literature refrained from dumbing-down his ideas or making everything fuzzy and nice. He embraced darkness and childhood mischief and made it a character in his stories and artwork.

They will both be missed, and we offer this play list to honor them:

1. Sure Shot – Beastie Boys with Sesame Street
Mr. Sendak, meet Mr. Yauch. Maurice Sendak worked as an advisor for Children’s Television Workshop while Sesame Street was being developed. These muppets rock.

2. Igloo – Karen O and the Kids
An early song from the feature film adaptation of Where The Wild Things Are.

3. Intergalactic – Beastie Boys
A worldwide hit for the Beasties.

4. Where the Wild Things Are – Maurice Sendak
Video presentation of Sendak’s best known book, done by John Kelin.

5. So What’cha Want – Beastie Boys
Classic Beasties from 1992′s Check Your Head.

6. Where The Wild Things Are – Steve Vai
Legendary guitar virtuoso performs his Sendak-inspired rocker.

7. Fight For Your Right To Party – Coldplay
A tribute to Adam Yauch from Gwyneth Paltrow’s husband and his mates.

8. Pierrre – Dresden Dolls
Sendak’s cautionary tale from his tiny nutshell library.

9. Triple Trouble – Beastie Boys
From 2004 love letter to NYC, To The 5 Boroughs.

10. In the Night Kitchen – Maurice Sendak
Like many of Sendak’s brilliant works, this book generated controversy upon publication, with some school librarians drawing a diaper over hero Mickey’s bare bottom.

11. Alive – Beastie Boys
Yes, MCA, it would be nice if you were alive.

12. Wild Things Medley – Karen O and The Kids
A sampling of Wild Things songs from Karen O and her friends.

12. Sabotage – Beastie Boys
A sign off from the Beastie Boys befitting Adam Yauch.

TUESDAY, May 8th, 2012in case you missed it…

proptop — Tue, 08 May 2012 20:07:58 +0000

Yes, the Kentucky Derby and the Gold Cup have come and gone, but we still have Preakness, Belmont Stakes, graduations, summer weddings, and garden luncheons to look forward to. Never fear! Our supply of hats is ever-wondrous, with fresh crops of fascinators, fancy wide brims, and kicky fedoras arriving daily. And for a summer hat tutorial, view Proper Topper’s owner, Anna Fuhrman, in a segment on NBC4! {And don’t you love her dress? Find it here…}

MONDAY, May 7th, 2012bookish monday: for mom.

proptop — Mon, 07 May 2012 20:51:19 +0000

A book: always the perfect gift.

THURSDAY, May 3rd, 2012to the races!

proptop — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:33:10 +0000

The Kentucky Derby and Gold Cup are merely two days away—have you planned accordingly? Even if you’re not going, there are dozens of places that will be screening the races and celebrating with fancy cocktails and big hats {of course}. Where will we be? Well. Proper Topper has been invited to judge University Row’s best-dressed contest, so we’ll be at the Gold Cup in all of our finery. A few suggestions for the ticket-less can be found over at The Washington Post, and we’ve created a mix-and-match to inspire your Derby day!

WEDNESDAY, April 25th, 2012pinnin’ (or lack thereof).

proptop — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 21:06:16 +0000

Some of you may have noticed that we now have an account on Pinterest, but that we are woefully lacking in pins. Here’s why: we’re excited to announce that in a month or so, we’ll have a brand new website with a fresh design and oodles of neat features. Until then, we don’t want to pin our lovely products to a page that won’t exist when we make the changeover, so please be patient! Feel free to get a head start and follow us now, of course. And that new website? It will be designed by local design firm Anemone, who just happens to be nominated for a Webby. Take a peek at their work, and send a vote their way!

TUESDAY, April 24th, 2012new + cool: sweet scents.

proptop — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:43:23 +0000

Just in: summery-scented soy candles, made in America by a family-owned business in Kentucky. Delicious.