The Montecito Journal 2020 Holiday Gift Guide

Montecito’s legacy shops have stood the test of time, braving the lightest of lulls to the meanest of bear markets. And in a year that has cratered traditional retail, the village’s small businesses have stood tall again. In the midst of yet another crippling lockdown, we feature a few of the area’s celebrated boutiques for our annual compendium of holiday shopping suggestions.

Silverhorn

For nearly half a century, Silverhorn has been handcrafting exquisite pieces of jewelry of the finest materials and enduring quality. Traveling the world seeking out rare and unique gemstones, the Silverhorn designers win awards for creativity and craftsmanship year after year. Each piece, created with the gemstone in mind, is crafted using artisan methods in the Coast Village Road Design Studio. This year a diamond and 18-karat yellow gold bracelet, featuring 15 diamonds, of various shapes adds just the sparkle for this holiday season and a 24-carat Chrysoprase cabochon ring in 18-karat yellow gold will be a lasting memory of this holiday season for years to come. Complimentary holiday giftwrapping in the Silverhorn signature style adds the finishing touch to your special purchase. Offering in-store festive shopping or curbside pickup.

Silverhorn Design Studio is located at 1235 Coast Village Road. Call (805) 969-0442 or visit www.Silverhorn.com.

Occhiali Eyewear

Voted as “Santa Barbara’s Best Optical Store and Sunglass Selection” for more than 30 years, Occhiali Eyewear is Santa Barbara’s exclusive distributor for top international eyewear designers. Comprehensive in scope, Occhiali Eyewear combines high-fashion awareness with prescriptive expertise and offers an unparalleled selection of couture eyewear from the most innovative designers in Europe and America. On Santa’s List this year are the Sospiri “Michela” ($1,120) featuring Swarovski crystals, Italian acetates, and unique artistic embellishments and Jacques Marie Mage “Dealan” ($610), handcrafted in Japan. These hip sunglasses pay homage to Bob Dylan touring the world in the mid ‘60s with his iconic black cat-eye spectacles.

Occhiali Eyewear is located at 1046 Coast Village Road. Call (805) 565-3415 or visit occhi
alieyewear.com.

Maison K

Maison K specializes in distinct clothing and unique home decor sourced from around the world, including France, Italy, Turkey, India, Morocco, and beyond. This season’s best sellers include: Mantes-la -jolie candle by Astier de Villatte ($85), a fragrance designed by Françoise Caron blends mint, fresh herbs, and citrus transporting you to a village market, made in France. An embroidered wool shawl ($295) with a floral motif in ice blue and slate is the perfect piece to complete your ensemble. Wear as a shawl or scarf (made in India). The setsuko pedestal bowl by Astier de Villatte ($495), a glazed ceramic bowl, is festooned with lemons, pomegranates, pears and leaves (handmade in Paris).

Maison K is located at 1253 Coast Village Road. Call (805) 969-1676 or visit maisonkstyle.com, Instagram: @maisonkstyle.

Imagine Artful Things

Imagine Artful Things offers a curated collection ranging from clothing to furnishings, with an emphasis on contemporary crafts and design. This holiday season is all about peace, love, and joy. Give your loved one a peace sign ($330) or a brass peace colander ($160). Looking for some quarantining fun? Try this vintage Chinese checker table ($1,100).

Imagine Artful Things is located at 1470 East Valley Road, Suite X. Call (805) 695-0220 or visit imagineartfulthings.com.

BASKE California

A Montecito boutique with wanderlust spirit offers handmade leather shoes and curated women’s and men’s clothing and accessories for the California lifestyle. The boutique’s owners curate a stylish selection of footwear. Dragon Diffusion resort slides made with handcrafted leather that are made to fit well and age beautifully ($120) and Porter calf leather wallets made in Japan with the highest quality standard and thoughtful design sensibility ($166-$220) are a few ideas for gifting a well-heeled loved one.

BASKE California is located at 1268 Coast Village Road. Call (805) 324-4194 or visit baskecalifornia.com.

Clare Swan Boutique

Clare Swan is a men’s and women’s clothing and travel boutique in Montecito’s Upper Village. The women’s collection features sportswear and contemporary fashion, outerwear, and accessories. The men’s shop includes classic shirts, sweaters, and vests in cashmere, merino, and cotton. Traveling? Don’t worry about packing, the boutique’s luggage department will cover your every need. Free holiday gift wrapping, personalized services, shipping anywhere, and curbside pickup is available.

Clare Swan Boutique is located at 1485 East Valley Road, Suite 12. Call (805) 969-1746 or visit clareswan.com.

Glamour House

Established in 1965, Glamour House is the oldest and most trusted intimate apparel boutique in Montecito. The boutique offers a fine selection of the world’s most sophisticated lingerie, loungewear, and slippers from everyday basics to specialty collections. Top holiday selections such as an elegant stretch velvet wrap and zip front robe by Diamond Tea of Canada ($295); fine couture nightwear by Ritratti of Italy ($295); Swiss cotton and lace nightgowns, robes, and bed jackets by Celestine of Germany ($210-$395); and comfy Ugg slippers ($85-$135) are perfect gift items for those who made the “nice” list. Concierge bra fittings and customized holiday giftwrapping is available.

Glamour House Intimate Apparel is located at 1470 East Valley Road. Call (805) 969-5285 or visit shopglamourhouse.com.

George Pet Shop

George, a dog and cat specialty shop with proprietary goods including beds, collars, bowls, treats, apparel, and essentials, has a full range of holiday goods. Rainproof on the outside and warm and fleecy on the inside, your canine companion will look stylish and stay dry in George’s black and white glen plaid jacket ($240), available in sizes from Teacup Poodle to Goldendoodle. A cute Santa’s Little Helper hedgehog ($8.50) will satisfy your pup’s need to chew on Christmas morning. Perfectly sized for jaws ranging from Chihuahua to Great Dane.

George is located at 1026 Coast Village Road. Call (805) 565-4777 or visit georgesf.com.

The Nurture Cottage

The Nurture Cottage is a ‘unique’ nonprofit lifestyle boutique specializing in local and international merchandise for children, home, and gift giving. All profits go directly to the support of local organizations chosen each year by the Nurture Foundation. Bring the School of Rock home this holiday with the Loog Pro acoustic guitar ($129). Your little one will get some good mileage out of the Lil’ Roadster ($299).

The Nurture Cottage is located at 1213 Coast Village Road. Call (805) 722-0334 or visit nurturecottagemontecito.com.

Mate Gallery

Mate Gallery is a vintage curiosity shop and popular destination for coastal nostalgia, consisting of nautical and seaside finds culled from the New England coast and brought into a little gem of a space at the Montecito Country Mart. The gallery’s owner takes vintage and unused surfboards, and creates rope-wrapped works of art ($1,400). Those who are looking for the perfect beach house hostess gift or add magical glow to your room look no further than the signature candle of the shop, Sun Burn ($45), a warm and beachy combination of sandalwood, violet, cedar, and jasmine notes.

Mate Gallery is located at 1024 Coast Village Road in the Montecito Country Mart. Call (805) 895-6283 or visit mate
gallery.com.

Eider Studio

Nestled in the Upper Village of Montecito, Eider Studio has been continuing the legacy of Baroncelli Fine Linens since 2018. A thoughtfully curated design and home accessories shop, Eider Studio offers an array of elegant bed and bath linens, European down bedding, decorative accents, and unique gifts. A Welsh Slate Star Throw Blanket ($275), based on a design from the 1950s, was crafted by a Welsh weaving company that has been in operation since the 17th century. This reversible throw is sure to impart coziness and charm for many years to come. Finished with a handsome hem so either side can be displayed. Dimensions: 47” W x 79” L; hand-poured red and white striped dinner candles ($32) come in a set of four will bring a festive glow to weeknight dinners and special occasions alike.

Eider Studio is located at 1485 East Valley Road, Suite 8. Call (805) 969-2617 or visit eiderstudio.com.

Louis John Boutique

Newly opened Louis John Boutique is a whimsical consignment pop-up store that consists of fashion, art, home goods, books, costume jewelry, specialty items, design, and more. One featured gift idea is a sterling silver turquoise “Feather Necklace” ($4,200) designed and created by Native American artist Clarence Chama for his wife. Born in 1906 in Shiprock, New Mexico, Chama was taught silver making by his grandfather. His designs are made with the highest grades of turquoise and silver, and identified by his well-known feather motif, which was patented in the 1970s. Each piece is one of a kind and a perfect gift for that special person in your life. 

Louis John is located at 4441 Hollister Avenue in Santa Barbara. For more information, please call (805) 770-7715 or visit louisjohnboutique.com.

William Laman Furniture Garden Antiques

Internationally recognized interior designer Bruce Gregga and William Laman established William Laman Furniture Garden Antiques in 1995. Gregga and Laman provide a unique shopping experience from hand-selected antiques, home furnishings, garden elements, and great accessories for entertaining and gift giving. Favorite gift items include a green Portuguese talavera plate ($65) with palm tree motif in five assorted patterns and a myrtle topiary ($99 to $150), featuring tiny green foliage with small white flowers that are lovingly hand trimmed and shaped. Available in store only.

William Laman Furniture Garden Antiques is located at 1496 East Valley Road. Call (805) 969-2840 or visit william
laman.com.

Hudson Grace

Hudson Grace is a purveyor of timeless décor for those who love to entertain. The shop offers modern serveware, dinnerware, glassware, flatware, linens, candles, and entertaining essentials, everything you need for holiday entertaining and gift giving. Add a pop of color to your holiday tablescape with a Henry Glass ($14 each) collection of mouth-blown glassware. The vibrant-hued glass, available in eight colors, uniquely boasts the imperfections, asymmetry, and small air bubbles that we cherish as hallmarks of glass blowing. Tartan tear-off napkins ($28) are perfect for entertaining or hostess gift-giving. Available in a roll of 50, each tear-off cotton napkin is compostable, washable, and reusable up to five times. Add a touch of British tradition this holiday season with these festive Christmas crackers ($48). Stuff them in stockings or set them around the table to delight guests of all ages.

Hudson Grace is located at the Montecito Country Mart, 1014 F Coast Village Road. Call (805) 565-9600 or visit hudsongracesf.com.

Wendy Foster Sportswear

Wendy Foster Sportswear, part of a portfolio of Santa Barbara boutiques under the name Wendy Foster, offers relaxed, casual staples for the Santa Barbara lifestyle, including pieces from coveted contemporary designers such as Ulla Johnson, The Great, CP Shades, White + Warren among others. The staff recommends a Bella Dahl top ($194) and bottom ($278) set made with super soft 100% cashmere in a casual silhouette and Chan Luu 14-kt baroque pearl earrings ($398) for holiday gift giving.

Wendy Foster Sportswear is located at 516 San Ysidro Road. Call (805) 565-1505 or visit wendyfoster.com.

K. Frank

K. Frank specializes in men’s and women’s designer and luxury clothing, shoes, accessories and jewelry from emerging and established collections from the US, Europe and Japan. Featuring designer labels such as Herno, Veronica Beard, Stone Island, Golden Goose, Common Projects, Moussy, John Elliot, Harris Wharf and more. Give your special guy the gift of style with the ultimate waterproof cashmere jacket from Herno. Ultra-light down lining with detachable down bib. Entirely crafted in Italy and available in heather grey, navy and black. Add some sparkle to your gift giving with a delicate and exquisite 14 karat gold and white diamond chain link toggle bracelet.

Open daily for in store shopping and private appointments available.

K. Frank is located at 1150 Coast Village Road in Montecito. For more information, please call (805) 560-7424 or visit www.kfrankstyle.com

Montecito’s legacy shops have stood the test of time, braving the lightest lulls to the meanest of bear markets. And in a year that has cratered traditional retail, the village’s small businesses have stood tall again. In the midst of yet another crippling lockdown, we feature a few of the areas celebrated boutiques in Part 2 of our annual compendium of holiday shopping suggestions.

Daniel Gibbings Jewelry 

Daniel Gibbings is a fine luxury jewelry brand known for its sophistication, boldness, and authenticity. For your holiday pleasure the jeweler has handcrafted works of art such as The Flora Hoops ($950) is an everyday hoop earring made with 18K royal yellow gold with one 0.04pt white diamond in each. The Morganite Aurora Ring ($5,150) is exquisitely made with 18K royal yellow gold with 12 x 10mm center morganite, surrounded by white diamonds and accent pink sapphires.

Daniel Gibbings is located at 1143 Coast Village Road. Call (805) 565-1284 or visit Danielgibbings.com. 

Whistle Club

Whistle Club showcases a tightly curated assortment of women’s apparel, accessories, and gifts from a thoughtful selection of emerging designers and industry favorites.

CA Makes features a classic brass hairpin, which is lightweight with a slightly flexible quality for ease of use and a secure hold ($40). You can also choose from the Lizzie Fortunato Deep Dive Earrings, amazonite rectangle earrings set with garnet cabochons and hanging mother-of-pearl tooth charms ($345) or a Proenza Schouler white label cashmere turtleneck, a cashmere and wool-blend sweater with ribbed detailing at the elbow ($595), or a Henne Organics lip exfoliator, a moisturizing Nordic berry lip scrub made with organic ingredients ($24).

Whistle Club is located at 1235 Coast Village Road, Suite C in Montecito. Call (805) 565-2800 or visit whistleclub.com.

Nelly’s Tailoring

Nelly’s Tailoring is a Montecito favorite for custom fits. Owner and head seamstress Nelly Bondarenko was the chief tailor for Saks Fifth Avenue and she worked with the Cuban-born fashion designer Luis Estevez. In 2018 Nelly made her studio permanent at Mandana Montecito Boutique. She provides the perfect fit in apparel and eveningwear for men, women, and children. 

 Nelly’s Tailoring is located in Mandana Boutique at 1485 East Valley Road, #3, in Upper Village. Call (805) 698-8205.

Letter Perfect

Letter Perfect Santa Barbara is a specialty design studio and store specializing in one-of-a-kind design, products, branding, and etiquette advice. The shop offers custom designs for wedding invitations, party invitations, business branding and monograms with more than 30 years of experience providing premium quality design. Add to your holiday list a hand-initialed embroidered sachet ($24.95) with locally grown lavender, perfect for a special someone and each initial has a unique design; a delicate hand-crafted hibiscus bud vase ($8 for clear or $54 for colored) is offered in pink, clear, white, cobalt, green, seafoam blue, and amber. If you’re looking for the perfect stocking stuffers, check out the hand-embroidered initials ($24.95) made in Mexico with natural dyes, vibrant colors, and unique designs for each initials; a chic and stylish leather journal ($79) or a Lamy Calligraphy Gift Set ($75.95) for practicing the art of writing. 

Letter Perfect is located at 1150 Coast Village Road. Call (805) 969-7998 or visit letterper
fectsantabarbara.com. 

Wendy Foster

Wendy Foster Sportswear, part of a portfolio of Santa Barbara boutiques, offers relaxed, casual staples for the Santa Barbara lifestyle including pieces from coveted contemporary designers such as Ulla Johnson, The Great, CP Shades, White + Warren, among others. The staff recommends a silk and cashmere cardigan by Care by Me ($384), a silk blend embroidered tree scarf by Falierio Sarti ($468), and a natural blush baroque pearl necklace by Lena Skadegard ($1,104). 

Wendy Foster Sportswear is located at 516 San Ysidro Road, in Upper Village. Call (805) 565-1505 or visit wendyfoster.com.

Legacy

Legacy celebrates your personal style with a curated collection of home décor and women’s and children’s apparel. The shop staff recommends a bijoux necklace made by Angela Caputi in Florence, Italy ($110). Caputi’s bijoux are considered both fashion and art. Her designs are recognized for their creativity and for their constant evolution. Each detail is heavily researched, from the geometrical or smooth lines, to the marvelous nuance of colors, created using “simple” materials as synthetic resins. Other holiday must-haves include a super soft cashmere turtleneck ($185) and cashmere scarf ($245) and a crystal vase ($105) with a dozen tulips ($40). 

Legacy is located at 1137 Coast Village Road. Call (805) 845-3300 or visit lega
cy-montecito.com.

Upstairs at Pierre Lafond

Upstairs at Pierre Lafond offers beautiful collections of gifts for men, women, and children, as well as home furnishings and decor. Top staff picks include Laguiole French Olivewood Steak Knife Set ($160) and Liz Brady handmade and hand-painted one-of-a kind ceramic bowls ($58).

Upstairs at Pierre Lafond is located at 516 San Ysidro Road in Upper Village. Call (805) 565-1503 or visit www.shopupstairs.com.

Hogue & Co.

Hogue & Co., is a locally owned and operated florist owned by Kristi Meland and designer Jerry Peddicord, longtime friends and business partners who have assembled a talented team of designers and production coordinators. This holiday season offers elegantly designed and arranged florals, such as a boutique of poinsettias ($125) and an assortment of seasonal florals ($85 to $285). 

Hogue & Co., is located at 525 San Ysidro Road in Upper Village. Call (805) 969-1343 or visit hoguefloral.com. 

Mandana Boutique

Previously known as Giuliana Haute Couture, Mandana Boutique is a women’s designer boutique offering ready-to-wear fashion brands from Paris, Italy, Australia, U.S., and Canada. Mandana also offers in-house tailoring by Nelly’s Tailoring and complimentary styling. Top holiday styles include a timeless swing coat made of 100 percent cashmere and silk lining by Armenian designer Regina Oswald ($1,250); a holiday shimmer wrap dress by Josa Tulum ($450) and a hot pink 100 percent Italian wool jacket by Bessie Italy ($1,600-$1,900). Nostalgic for rabbit fur jackets from the 1970s? Check out this statement piece by Regina Oswald ($1,200), worn over the shoulders or closed for a more structured fit. A portion of all holiday sales will benefit Lotusland through December 31.  

Mandana Boutique is located at 1485 East Valley Road, #3, in the Upper Village. 

Call (805)-969-5956 or visit mandanamontecito.com.