Must-haves for the season.
Juniper Schmuniper
***image1******image2***Since we've managed to skip winter this year, the allergy season has a jump-start on pollen production and has locals suffering allergy shiners and sticky eyes on windy days. Help keep the sneezing and itchy, runny noses at bay with the herbal remedy Allertonic ($10.98-$39.98). Formulated by medical herbalist Daniel Gagnon, this alternative to conventional antihistamines is made locally using a variety of herbs and is taken as a supplement throughout the day. Pop some extras on days with a high pollen count. Available as a tincture and softgels at Herbs, Etc. (1345 Cerrillos Road, 982-1265). It is safe for use by children and pets.
Dusting Delights
***image3***Cleaning can be such a drag unless your tools include the colorful Sweep Dreams brooms and dustpan ($15-$28) made in Thailand with renewable sorghum and bamboo. Tropic of Capricorn (86 Old Las Vegas Hwy., 983-2700) carries this unique assortment along with Caldrea household cleaners and soaps. Colorful bristles adorn the brooms, which are available as a whisk broom and 25-inch and 52-inch-handled broom. They're too pretty to keep tucked away in the utility room and legend has it that the seeds and buds found on the bristles bring good luck to the sweeper!
Kite Right
***image4***Kites haven't changed much over the years, except that some genius finally figured out that it's difficult to hang onto a 4-inch roll of string while 80-mph winds are attempting to fly off with your offspring. Modern kite-flying now consists of plastic reels of 30-pound test flight line and kites like the "Storm Series" that come with their own zippered Cordura storage cases ($29.95). For old-school flyers, Horizon's (328 S. Guadalupe St., 983-1554) has a slew of rainbow-colored butterflies, dragonflies, birds and box kites ($9.95 and up) to delight flyers of all ages. Remember, April is National Kite Flying Month.
Stick it to the Weatherman
***image5***Maine Woodsman's Weather Sticks ($8.50) predict the weather better than most meteorologists, according to the woodsman. Hung on an outside wall that gets a fair amount of exposure, the 12-inch to 16-inch-long stick bends down to forecast foul weather. If the weather is fair, the stick bends up. If the stick is on fire, a volcano has erupted nearby. If the stick is missing entirely, it was probably stolen by the local weatherman. The Children's Museum (1050 Old Pecos Trail, 989-8359) sells each stick complete with instructions and cute illustrations.
Waterless Blooms
***image6***Instead of clipping your neighbor's tulips again this season, get your mitts on some handmade Paper Tulips ($4.95-$19.95) in a variety of bright, non-fading colors with polka dots and stripes. Custom arrangements include a large-scale chandelier bursting with color and texture. Swedish Accents (145 Lincoln Ave., 989-7900) describes each tulip as hand-painted or screen-printed, which makes a lasting display for a sunny window.
Foot Loose
***image7***Take your toes out of hiding, get a bangin' pedicure and pick up these colorful sandals ($145) at Maya (108 Galisteo St., 989-7590). These peep toe leather cuties come in solid yellow, red, green and black leather with small cutout on the side and double straps with a shiny buckle. The low heel is flirty, yet manageable and adds a little spring to every step.
Shine On
***image8***Karim Rashid's Tulip Candlestick/Bud Vases ($100 a pair) at Nambé (104 W. San Francisco St., 988-3574; 924 Paseo de Peralta, 988-5528) pack in design, beauty and dual functions for their 6-inch stature, but that's the nature of the well-known metal whose roster also includes design goddess Eva Zeisel. Famous for their shine and design, these candlestick/bud vases are milled to hold a standard taper or filled with water to nourish a favorite springtime posy.
Sacred Art
***image9***New Mexico Santero Bobby Garcia turns old tin from the Santuario de Chimayo's roof into crosses ($25-$65) adorned with turquoise or images of la virgen de Guadalupe and el santo niño de Atocha using Penitente-style tinwork. Garcia's tin is all that is left of the 1922 roof that was replaced in 1999. He even uses scraps of tiny pieces and mixes them with the sacred dirt to seal in small decorative canisters ($6). Make a stop at Blondie's (839 Paseo de Peralta, 986-9200) and get a piece of history as you make your pilgrimage this Easter.
