“These handmade men’s shoes will launch thousands of conversations,” promises the husband-and-wife duo behind J. Wilder, whose son once suggested the couple turn a lifelong passion in finding treasures abroad into an online import business. The pair also sells belts, bags, and dog collars made by artisans in Turkey and Argentina from hand-dyed silk ikat, premium leathers, and all-cotton threads. But if you’re tired of wearing your same old pair of black oxfords, opt for the Kilim Loafers—a masterful upgrade to the smoking slipper. You won’t be able to escape a cocktail party without receiving a compliment first. (from $245, jwilderimports.com) —Jeanne Malle

In January, life should assume a new structure, but that logic does not apply to evening bags. This is not the time for a prim minaudière—instead, try the Power Pouch, a sufficiently relaxed style from Angie Power, a designer based in London and Venice. Made from deadstock upholstery fabrics—in this case, a Venetian brocade—it fastens with a tassel and includes a long shoulder strap that can be knotted, for underarm carriage, or left long, for crossbody purposes. Worn with either velvet pajamas or even jeans and a long silk blouse, it brings a bit of festivity to a month that is not really known for such things. Exactly why we love it! ($142, angiepower.co.uk) —Ashley Baker

Between the Ludwig Bemelmans murals, the jazz standards, and the delightfully lethal martinis, the Carlyle’s Bemelmans Bar is a New York institution for good reason. But sometimes the scene there—especially post-pandemic, as the tourists have returned en masse—can be a bit much. As if on cue, the hotel has turned its Versailles Suite, on the second floor, into a miniature version that will surprise and delight small groups of around 20 music- and cocktail-lovers. No need to contend with a line or the hoi polloi—just reserve it in advance and enjoy your own private piano player and red-jacketed bartender. The Instagrammable backdrop—Bemelmans-inspired wallpaper designed by painter Carly Beck for Wallshoppe—is yet another reason it would make an appealing venue for a birthday or engagement party. Or any celebration at all, really. (from $5,000; rosewoodhotels.com) —Ashley Baker

New year, new you, new hobbies. For those already having their 2024 identity crises, make haste to NY Togei Kyoshitsu and take advantage of a unique opportunity to practice the traditional Japanese techniques of pottery. Run by Risa Nishimori, whose parents opened the studio in 1994 after emigrating from Japan, the studio offers classes on both hand-building and wheel throwing. The classes, taught by instructors trained in Japan, are customized according to the participants’ experience level. If you want to kill two birds with one stone, bring a loved one to the two-hour class for two. You’ll both get an unforgettable afternoon of fun and quality time, not to mention a handmade vase that will absolutely kill with your mom. ($300, nytogei.com) —Paulina Prosnitz

It’s hard to escape nostalgia. Even I miss the simpler times of indoor smoking, power lunches, and Studio 54, and I was born in 2001. NINM Lab empathizes, evoking the pre-Spotify world with a 90s-inspired Bluetooth CD player, aptly called the Long Time No See. A clear cover allows users to see their CD spin as it plays, and if you prefer to bypass the built-in speaker,the device can be paired with both wireless and wired headphones. Maybe skip the digital playlist and have a CD engraved for a loved one. For old times’ sake. ($140, store.moma.org) —Jeanne Malle

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy died nearly 25 years ago, but like her fellow 90s style icon Princess Diana, she is having a moment yet again. (Perhaps due in part to a new book about her fashion?) Our closets are already spilling over with slip dresses, low-key knitwear, and the occasional beige pencil skirt, but we’ve been suffering without the sunglasses—until now. Selima Optique has reissued the Aldo, which Bessette Kennedy wore religiously, alongside a slightly enlarged version of the style, the Carolyn. They come in four different colors—black, olive, and two varieties of tortoise—but in all likelihood we’ll be going with the original black. Why mess with perfection? ($475, selimaoptique.com) —Ashley Baker