Happy Birthday America!

The 4th of July says summer to me more than almost anything! I love it! I have to admit that I'm a big kid at heart....I absolutely MUST go see fireworks on the 4th or the day is a total bust for me. We're going to take the day off here at Max's and hope that you are too...time with family and friends, time to just unwind and relax with a tall glass of lemonade (and maybe some chocolate?!?!?), time to begin writing the next great American novel....whatever it is you choose the do, we hope you have a great holiday. While we're closed tomorrow, we will re-open on Sunday, so if you're out and about, please stop in and see us! Happy 4th!

Chocolate Overload!

I attended the Fancy Food Show in NYC earlier this week and I think I'm still in chocolate overdrive mode! Is there a limit to how much chocolate one can eat in a day? I ask that question every year when I go to the show and I still don't know the answer. Everyone always says that they think the show must be really fun to attend....which it is....but no one wants to believe me when I say that it's a really hard show to do! Really, it is. Seriously. Keep in mind that all I'm looking for is chocolate and that starts at 10:00 a.m. You go from booth to booth tasting fabulous creations....toffees, caramels, bars, truffles....and by about 12:30 are pretty close to your sugar maximum. Oh, but wait. We're only in row 900 out of 5700....must keep going. Do all of these toffees really taste different? Yes, yes they do. Perhaps it's time to sample some of the coffees to clear the senses (especially the tastebuds) before we start over again. Maybe a little bit of bread and olive oil or some pasta with pesto. Ok, those were good, but we don't carry those things at Max's. More chocolate. But don't forget that we kind of "stretch" our definition of chocolates for our holiday gift baskets to include chocolate cookies and/or brownies. Must taste those too. I mean, not all brownies are created equal...right? How about some hot chocolate? So, after it's all over at 5:00, I always find myself in search of the biggest green salad I can find in New York! And then it's on to day 2 of the show! It's kind of funny....the Fancy Food Show is the only show that I shop that my husband wants to attend with me....what, he doesn't want to go jewelry shopping? I can't figure that one out!

In terms of trends, sea salt and hot chili pepper continue to be strong. I also saw a lot of chocolates with different herbs and spices. I loved the chocolate covered mustard seeds, as well as the spiced mendiants. Once all of the chocolatiers return home and get re-settled, we'll be talking with them about some orders for the store, so stay tuned for some new products at Max's!

Congrats to Max's Friend Nelle Handbags

A big yippee to our friend Laura Nelli, the owner of Nelle Handbags, as she was featured in Daily Candy a couple of weeks ago. Laura is making good on her dream of becoming a nationally-known handbag designer, and her collection can be found around the country. You can see her pretty clutches (and new items too, including a great fabric neckpiece (her "floral bib necklaces) at nellehandbags.com and read what Daily Candy had to say! We're proud of you Laura!

Rebecca Myers is Returning to Max's for a Trunk Show!

We're so happy to announce an addition to our 2009 trunk show schedule! Our friend (and jewelry designer extraordinaire!) Rebecca Myers is returning to Max's next month for a one-day trunk show. We had so much fun last year when she was here and loved that we could showcase her full collection. Rebecca will be at Max's for one day only this year....a full day!....and she will have her collection which includes some fabulous new pieces. Rebecca's work runs the gamut from highly contemporary to the more traditional, and we just love it! We hope you can stop in....the hours of the show are 11am - 7pm. You can see a bit more of her work by clicking here.

Congratulations to Pamela Froman on Her Couture Award

A big congratulations to Pamela Froman, one of Max's newest jewelry artists (see post dated May 19) as she continues to rack up the awards! Earlier this month, Pamela was honored with the Best of Bridal designation at the Couture Design Awards during the Couture Show, one of the jewelry industry's premier markets. In addition, one of Pamela's pendants was a finalist in the Best of Gold category. This picture is of one of Pamela's ring sets that we currently have in the store right now. What do you think?

What a Way to Spend a Sunday

Have you been to ReJoovMe yet? Oh my, my, my. The floatation spa is right across the greenway from Max's, yet it has taken me over a year to get in there to float for the first time. Well, I made it yesterday and can tell you with complete certainty that it won't be the last time. I loved it! It really was relaxing and I felt great when I was done (I slept like a baby last night too!). I'm not sure how the people who float and then have a massage make it home....I think I'd be a complete jellyfish and would have to call a cab! Anyway, I'm now a believer and a big fan and would suggest to anyone that they give it a try. Check it out at www.rejooveme.com.

Can't Wait for This Weekend's Trunk Show with Jamie Cassavoy

We're here unpacking all of Jamie's great work for this weekend's trunk show and having so much fun! She has been busy and hard at work in her studio and has made a number of one-of-a-kind pieces especially for the show that are so beautiful! I hope that you'll stop by...Friday, June 12; 11am-7pm and Saturday, June 13; 10am-6pm.