Urban Elements - Another fantastic shopping option in Salem

Urban Elements, located on the corner of Essex and Washington Streets in Salem at 230 Essex Street, has a great collection of stylish and affordable gifts. And it smells great. (Between Roost and Urban Elements, Salem has cultivated fantastic smelling retail!)

If you are looking for a large-ticket item that is an investment more than a gift, Kim has beautiful furniture. Urban Elements also has great jewelry, home decor, candles, and belts (see below).
The vases above are made of recycled magazines. Very cool.

The candles above are the source of the fantastic scent. Urban Elements also carries room and body sprays.


Above are a selection of customizable belts. They are very cool, and on sale. You buy the belt (left) and the buckle (right) and both are reversible - so it's like having four belts! And, they're on sale for $35. These are way cool. I won't lie to you. I want one.

Urban Elements also carries some cool owls (yes, I said owls), rice bowls, salt-and-pepper shakers (the glass birds were my favorite), and handbags.

If you haven't been in to Urban Elements in a while - I hadn't - check it out again. The store has expanded and changed quite a bit.

Last Minute Christmas Shopping

Treasures Over Time at 139 Washington Street, Salem MA, has some great ornaments, jewelry, vases, men's ties (there's a great constellation tie, witches balls, and prints.

These adorable cards (the picture of which is loading sideways. I can't figure out why - something to do with my phone, I'm sure) are $2.95. A perfect gift-topper.


I'm a huge fan of the National Parks and block prints. These are individually done, and cost less than $50 each.

There are gifts for every budget at Treasures - including these great items for less than $50. The square candle holders are under $10! Buy a few!

Cinema Salem showtimes for this week

Cinema Salem has four great films to complement your holiday celebrations, so here goes!

SHERLOCK HOLMES opens on Christmas Day, and The New Yorker can't wait: "Downey and Law are terrific together. For me, watching them act is the movie's principal pleasure." CinemaBlend concurs: "Guy Ritchie combines his kinetic direction with the limitless charms of Downey Jr and Jude Law to come up with terrific entertainment that's equal parts brains and brawn."

SHERLOCK HOLMES opens Friday at (1:45), (4:30) and 7:15; Saturday at (11:00 AM), (1:45), (4:30), 7:15 and 9:50; and Sunday-Thursday at (11:00 AM), (1:45), (4:30) and 7:15.

Also new this week is Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin in IT'S COMPLICATED, which AO Scott of "At the Movies" loves: "Streep and Baldwin are terrific, and if you like your romance bittersweet you won't want to miss this one." But how does Urban Cinefile feel? "Divorce has never been so much fun in this smart and funny romantic comedy about getting back together (or not) long after the happily ever after scenario has dried up." And Rex Reed pulls up the rear: "A silly but mostly delectable holiday confection guaranteed to put a smile on your face and keep it there."

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, which Roger Ebert loves with a vengeance: "This is what classic animation once was like! No 3-D! No glasses! No extra ticket charge! No frantic frenzies of meaningless action! And...good gravy! A story! Characters! A plot!"

TP&TF will screen on Friday at (2:00), (4:15) and 6:45; Saturday at (11:45 AM), (2:00), (4:15), 6:45 and 9:00; and Sunday-Thursday at (11:45 AM), (2:00), (4:15) and 6:45.

In the Screening Room is ONG BAK 2: THE BEGINNING, a startlingly beautiful martial arts film with exhilarating action. Sky Movies writes: "Some of the most exhilarating martial arts action to hit screens in recent years. Ong Bak: The Beginning is a showcase for Tony Jaa's abilities." The Stranger is mesmerized: "Head-thumping nirvana ... By the time a dude in a bird suit starts fighting on top of a moving elephant, it seems like a logical, completely awesome progression."

ONG BAK 2 will screen Friday at (2:10), (5:15) and 7:40; Saturday at (12:00), (2:10), (5:15), 7:40 and 9:45; Sunday and Monday at (12:00), (2:10), (5:15) and 7:40; Tuesday at (12:00), (2:10) and 7:40; and Wednesday and Thursday at (12:00), (2:10), (5:15) and 7:40.

If you need one more holiday gift, don't forget about CinemaSalem Movie Cards, which can be purchased at our Box Office today from 4-8pm and tomorrow from 11 am-4 pm

Winter Images of Salem

Here are some wonderful images of Salem in winter that were submitted to Destination Salem's photo contest. Happy winter! Happy Solstice! Happy holidays!

The Gazebo in Salem Common, photographed by Richard Wise.

The "Samantha Statue," photographed by Sara Lodi.

A snow-covered path in Salem Common, photographed by Richard Wise.

Tall ship Friendship at Derby Wharf, Salem Maritime National Historic Site, photographed by Mark Wade.

The House of the Seven Gables, photographed by Kate Burgess.

Wicked Good Ways to Ring in the New Year

From romantic hotel packages to celebratory menus, Salem is offering a full plate to celebrate the New Year by night and by day.

The restaurants and accommodations of Salem, Massachusetts plan to ring in the new year with style, and hope you will join them. Depending on the party you choose, festivities include champagne, chocolate-dipped strawberries, masquerade balls, lobster and lots of live music. If you prefer to usher in 2010 quietly, hibernation fireside is encouraged at some of Salem’s historic accommodations.

Here are some ideas to inspire your plans to end this year and begin the next. Please make advanced reservations, because many of the parties and packages will sell out.

Get your Glam On

Whether your celebration will be intimate or en masse, make sure you look fabulous with a make-over at the award-winning Rouge Cosmetics. Appointments for New Year’s Eve day are limited, so book yours today. A complete makeup application costs $50, Lashes and Lash Application costs $20. Book your appointment at 978-740-1044 or info@rouge.com.

End 2009 with Lobster and Wine

Lobster is on the menu and Julie Dougherty will be on stage Capt.’s Waterfront Grill & Pub on Pickering Wharf. Celebrate the evening with water views and yacht club ambiance. There will be a balloon drop, prizes, and complimentary champagne. Make your reservations for the 5pm or 9pm seating at 978.741.0555 or capts.com.

The chef at Finz on Pickering Wharf is preparing a celebratory menu that will be fresh and delicious, and The Mystics will be performing from 9:30 pm – 12:30 am. There’s no cover charge for the evening, but reservations are recommended. Hipfinz.com

If you thought costumes were only for October, you will be pleasantly surprised by the Gulu Gulu New Years Eve Masquerade Ball, which will feature music by Big Blue Octopus, appetizers, and a midnight champagne toast. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 the day of the party, and they will sell out, so don’t wait to book this hot date. gulu-gulu.com

Sit down for an elegant, four-course, pre-fixed dinner at the Hawthorne Hotel, from 6:00 pm -10:00 pm. There will be live Jazz music (don’t panic, no dancing!) in Nathaniel's and Sophia's. Call 978-825-4311 for your reservation. hawthornehotel.com

Chef Tony Bettencourt at Sixty2 on Wharf will be serving a four course dinner with paired wines, as well as Sixty2’s regular menu. There will be two seatings, and reservations are a must. Stay for midnight and enjoy a champagne toast at midnight! Make reservations at (978) 744-0062. 62onwharf.com

Bobby Vee will be spinning tunes at Victoria Station, where there will be dancing, free party favors, and a free champagne toast at midnight. There is no cover charge. Make your reservation at Victoria’s Station by calling 978-745-3400 or visiting VictoriaStationInc.com.

Make an Overnight of It

Book your New Year’s Eve at the Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites and you could wake up in 2010 in luxury! Rates start at $159 for two and include breakfast, chocolate covered strawberries, a bottle of champagne and a complimentary appetizer in the Regatta Pub in the hotel. Book your reservation at 978-740-8788. salemwaterfronthotel.com

Stay at the Salem Inn on New Year’s Eve and they will take care of your cover charge at Rockafellas Restaurant. Make a reservation to enjoy Rockafellas’ four-course dinner, party favors, live music, and a champagne toast. After you dance the year away, you are a one-block walk from a cozy room with a working fireplace or Jacuzzi (your choice!) at the Salem Inn. A hearty continental breakfast awaits you on January 1^st, as does a kinder, gentler check-out time of 1:00 PM. $179.00, plus tax. saleminnma.com

2010 Begins with Brunch

If you didn’t spend New Year’s Eve at the Hawthorne Hotel, plan to start the New Year with them. The Hawthorne will be serving a glorious a la carte brunch from 12pm - 3pm. Chef Ken O'Keefe's creative New Year's Day Brunch menu will start your new year off right, with course after course cooked to order. For reservations call 978-825-4311. hawthornehotel.com

Make your resolution to spend more time in historic, hip Salem, Massachusetts, where there is magic, culture, and history to discover around every corner. For complete information on visiting and exploring Salem, visit Salem.org.

Historic Federal Street Image Wins Destination Salem Photography Contest!

More than 170 images were submitted and nearly 200 people voted in the first annual competition for the cover of the Salem Visitor Guide

An image of the historic brick sidewalk and fencing along Federal Street taken by Jane Stauffer of Salem, Massachusetts, has won Destination Salem’s first annual photography contest. The image will be featured on the cover of the 2010 Salem Visitor Guide, which is distributed internationally to promote travel and tourism to Salem.

More than 160 images were submitted to the contest, which ran from July until December 2009. Destination Salem’s marketing committee selected seven images that were posted on Salem.org and on Destination Salem’s Facebook page for a public vote. Nearly 200 people voted, and Stauffer’s image won with 36% of the vote.

An image of The House of the Seven Gables taken by Lisa Poehler of Springfield, Massachusetts, took second place with 32% of the vote. 24% of the vote and third place went to an image of the Tall Ship Friendship of Salem, which was taken by Len Burgess of Danvers, MA.

Destination Salem plans to use many of the images submitted to the contest in its visitor guide and on Salem.org in 2010. "The caliber of images submitted was excellent,” says Destination Salem executive director Kate Fox, “We really wanted to see Salem through our visitors’ perspective, and the contest has allowed us to do just that. We will now share that perspective with future visitors through our 2010 publications.”

Destination Salem will produce 300,000 visitor guides in 2010. They will be distributed to domestic and international consumers through direct mail, visitor centers, hotels, trade shows, and conferences. An electronic version of the guide will be downloadable on Salem.org, the official tourism web site for the City of Salem.

Your Giving Guide to Salem

The heat is on. There are eight shopping days until Christmas, and even fewer if you are shopping for Solstice or Hanukkah gifts. Yesterday I found three great gifts for three "people who have everything" right here in Salem. No mall traffic. No searching for parking in the outer realm of the mall lots. And the gifts I found are unique and rather awesome.

I'd tell you what I got, but at least one of the recipients read this blog. Ask me in January.

Here's some inspiration for you and your perennial gift hunt. Where's your favorite spot to shop in Salem?

For the historian
National Park Service Regional Visitor Center Book Store
Salem Witch Museum (especially if your historian is interested in the 17th century history of Salem or modern witchcraft)

For the Romantic - Getaway with a package!
The Hawthorne Hotel
The Salem Waterfront Hotel
The Salem Inn

For the Explorer
Discover Salem Passport - explore the House of the Seven Gables, Peabody Essex Museum, and the Salem Witch Museum.

For the Gift that Gives All Year
The House of the Seven Gables membership
Peabody Essex Museum membership

For the Sweet Tooth
Ye Olde Pepper Companie
Coffee Time Bake Shop
Ben & Jerry's
Maria's Sweet Somethings

For the Foodie
Asahi
Cilantro
Finz
Nathaniel's in the Hawthorne Hotel
Sixty2 on Wharf

For the home
Landry & Arcari Oriental Rugs
roost urban country design

For her
J. Mode
Rouge Cosmetics
Sophia's

For the family
Crunchy Granola Baby
Reds Sandwich Shop
Caffe Graziani

For the dog and the cat
Penelope's Pet Boutique

For Health
Artemisia Botanicals
Body & Soul Massage & Wellness Center
Living Well
Salem Cycle

For the Boss, the Host, the Secret Santa
Salem Wine Imports
Pamplemousse

For the Teacher
Cornerstone Books
Pyramid Books

For the Witch in Everyone
Awakening Guild
Crow Haven Corner
Hex: Old World Witchery
Nu Aeon

For the Collector
Glass & Etc. antiques in Museum Place Mall
Witch City Consignment

For the Future - A reading at...
The Broom Closet
Angelica's of the Angels

For Stuffing Stockings and more
Salemdipity on Pickering Wharf
Trolley Depot
Witch Tee's

For Wrapping it all Up
Coon's Card & Gift Shop, 226 Essex Street

And, for relaxing after you've crossed everyone off your list:
Capt.'s
Gulu-Gulu Cafe
The Lobster Shanty
Rockafellas
Victoria Station

For more information on shopping, dining, and exploring in Salem, Massachusetts, visit Salem.org.