Novelas de Amor

I've been meaning to get these vintage Mexican novela covers up on our blog for a while now and since there's no time like the present, here we have it. These are the original, handmade and mostly anonymous collages using ads and other printed materials of the time (50's and 60's) highlighted and transformed by the artists painting. One of them even blatantly uses an old movie poster featuring Gina Lollobrigida in Solomon and Sheba. On the back of many of them is the information that would be printed on the cover of the small format books, such as the title, series number, and price.

We think they make great Valentine's Day presents - they're one of a kind and all seem to capture a moment right before someone's life changes forever: sideways glances, a confession wrapped up in a joke, one hand gently landing on another all delivered in the unintentionally hilarious language of mid-century advertisements.

These are just a few samples, it was hard to choose which ones to feature here and everyone finds a different favorite. And I realize now I didn't even scan Gina, guess you'll have to come in and see for yourself. Or email us if you can't make it here and we'll be glad to provide more images for you.


What does that cat know?


Girl has Valentine's Day locked down...


Girl with anime eyes...


A toast to us...

Wool Socks

Here's a great photo of Cassandra looking luminous and radiant as she sits on a bus in New York City on her way to the Javits Center for the New York Gift Show.

She tells us in New York there is a phenomenon known as "cold weather" and it is not possible to wear open toe shoes when this occurs. She has purchased wool socks (wool! socks!) as a means of coping and loves them, though wishes they were a little longer so she could pull them up to her chin.

Back to business. Cassandra is a Libra, and thus her taste is impeccable (as the man she chose to marry, I love to point this out) so we're in good hands as she wades her way through the endless miles of offerings.

The range of products on display truly runs the gamut. Think of the last yard sale you stopped at - the dolphin sculptures, the blacklight accoutrements, the unidentifiable mound of itchy looking fake fur with blinking lights attached. All that stuff probably started out at the NY gift show where it was purchased in earnest.

BUT. There is also true beauty and craftsmanship to be discovered and Cassandra is excited about many of the new things she's seen - especially some new jewelry lines she's picked up. Check back here soon where we'll be revealing these treasures.

New Word of the Day: Cardening

I invented this word cardening to describe the relaxed, meditative state I can slip into as I re-arrange the greeting cards near the front door whenever a new shipment arrives. Fitting all the cards together can be a satisfying exercise in aesthetics and mathematics, a harmless problem to be solved. And, if I can stretch the metaphor a wee bit, cards, like plants, can be both ornamental and nourishing.

This week, in a stroke of fortune, all this came together most brilliantly when I opened up a box from Pup & Pony Press, a letterpress and design company based in Long Beach, CA. These three designs are just a taste, come on in and see what else is sprouting up!

Fair Trade Rainbow

We were all blown away by the rainbows arching over Los Angeles last week and now we have our own spectacular woolen version here at Uncle Jer's

Handmade in Nepal under fair trade conditions these big cozy shawls come in wide variety of colors, some even two tone. They just arrived today so the whole rainbow is still available for the taking!

Do You Dosa?

What do you get when you dip a taco truck in chutney? The Dosa truck! Dosas are a staple of South Indian cuisine - a giant crepe stuffed with veggies, spices (or whatever you want really) and rolled into a super fun meal. And now they're on wheels...

Every Friday night, the dosa truck will be parked next to Uncle Jer's from 4 to 9 pm. I sampled the slumdog dosa last week and it was delicious. Fresh spinach, spiced potatoes, and the best paneer I think I've ever had.

How's this sound for Friday night? Do a little Christmas shopping at Uncle Jer's, then grab a dosa right out back for dinner. Best of all, flash your Uncle Jer's receipt and they'll take a dollar off your dosa!

Now if someone brings a mimosa truck on Sunday morning, then my weekend will be nearly planned.

P.S. - We're open late for the holidays - Mon-Sat 10 to 8 pm and Sunday 11 to 7.

Friends and Family Night 2009!!

This Thursday, December 10 is our annual Friends and Family Holiday shopping event - from 6 pm until 9 pm we'll have food, beverages (yes, there will be booze) and 20% off all the merchandise in our store. And to sweeten the pot, local jewelry designer Ronni Kappos will be here with a selection of her one of a kind pieces crafted from vintage European glass beads and she'll be offering the same 20% deal as well. So two amazing events in one.

Grab your friends and family and make Uncle Jer's the first stop of your night! Hope to see you here!

Celebration Sale!!

October 15 is an auspicious day around here. First, it's the anniversary of the day Cassandra and I took stewardship of Uncle Jer's. It's an incredible feeling to be a part of this neighborhood and this city in such a palpable way. And, second, it's also our wedding anniversary. So nice and tidy for us, right? To celebrate we'll be frolicking about the city for the day but we're also having a sale here at the store.

Swing by the store on Thursday, October 15 where you'll be welcomed by the delighful and entertaining Anna and save 20% off any and everything!!

Thanks for all your support the last 8 years and we're looking forward to many more to come!!