Author Archive: Crystal Chow
Crystal Chow is an inveterate shopper with a weakness for gift stores and vintage collectibles. She has been an editor and writer at the San Jose Mercury News for almost two decades.
The butter paddle
The Butter Paddle in Los Gatos is filled with delightful gift items. Inventory changes daily, so each visit yields new finds. And the best part: All proceeds go to the nonprofit EMQ FamiliesFirst, serving children and families in need. 33 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos 408.395.1678, butterpaddle.com Shopping to help others [...]
The rear view
Want a shapely backside? Here’s how to get it By Crystal Chow The bottom line: Not only do women want to look fabulous from the front, we also want to appear fine from behind. We long for a divine derrière, one that makes men’s – and women’s – necks do a sharp swivel. Blame it [...]
Scotts Valley artisans
For the love of art. To talk with Dawn Teall about her business, Scotts Valley Artisans, is to witness passion in action. The boutique owner helps craftspeople and artists sell their work, but for her the goal is not about making money…
Do me a favor
Wedding keepsakes your guests will love By Crystal Chow The custom of bestowing wedding favors has been around at least five centuries, a delightful way to thank guests for sharing a couple’s most cherished day. Like every aspect of the modern nuptials, the keepsake choice is limited only by budget and imagination. The real standouts [...]
Souvenir
Lafayette’s Parisian flat By Crystal Chow; photos by Nikki Ritcher Owner Donna Johnson, right in center photo, and manager Meredith Bartoletti like to surprise their guests with one-of-a-kind jewelry, hats and clothes. Owner Donna Johnson, right in center photo, and manager Meredith Bartoletti like to surprise their guests with one-of-a-kind jewelry, hats and clothes. Souvenir [...]
Place Bellecour
Vintage décor for the connoisseur By Crystal Chow; photos by Nikki Ritcher Chantal Couturier, proprietor of Place Bellecour, has but one criterion for what she sells in this 6,400-square-foot showroom: It must be well-balanced and easy on the eye. In other words, if your taste runs to exquisite vintage home décor, you will get an [...]
The entertainers
Holiday helpers to make spirits bright By Crystal Chow Company’s coming, and you know what that means at this time of year. The vintage china, silver cutlery and crystal stemware get pulled from their hiding places for a few rounds of dining glory. No matter how brilliant your tablescape looks with all its familiar pieces [...]
Filoli garden shop
A seasonal treasure By Crystal Chow; photos by Kerry Hiroshi Paul With its acres of formal gardens and a stately mansion built almost 100 years ago, Filoli in Woodside on the Peninsula represents the epitome of privileged living. TV viewers, in fact, saw Filoli in “Dynasty’s” opening credits. The estate is accessible to the public [...]
