TribeTokes – Downtown Magazine

As we head into the last weekend before Santa makes his masked and socially distanced midnight ride, it’s time to make sure everyone on your list is taken care of. Here are some of my favorite NYC gifts to give and receive.

NYC Gifts Gem Spa Tote Bag — Gem Spa Tote Bag

Gem Spa streetwear

The legendary Lower East Side newsstand and purveyor of the world’s best egg creams may not be with us in the physical realm anymore, but they live on in their collection of hoodies, tee shirts, joggers, hats, totes, and of course, face masks! Give the gift of rock and roll and literary New York history. Gemspanyc.com

Fire Escapes of New York

NYC Gifts tenement museum ornament — Tenement Museum Fire Escape ornament

The Tenement Museum tells the story of the immigrant communities that came to our shores looking for a better life and helped create the New York City we all know and love today. While the museum is closed due to COVID, you can still sign up for a walking tour of the Lower East Side, or shop in what I consider to be the greatest New York gift shop in all of the five boroughs. Their newest ornament pays homage to that classic feature of New York life, the fire escape. Tenement.org

Cheers!

Hudson Whiskey is New York attitude, distilled. These fine spirits are handcrafted in Gardiner, New York, using grain from local, family farms. My personal favorite is Short Stack, a full-bodied New York Rye finished in maple syrup barrels. For stockists: hudsonwhiskey.com

Zen Holiday

Embrace the CBD lifestyle with TribeTokes, a woman-owned business located right here in the Meatpacking District, NYC. They have everything from tinctures and beauty products (try the green, superfood mask!), to vape pens. And the gummies, with 15mg of CBD each, make the perfect stocking stuffers. tribetokes.com

NYC Gifts CW Pencils Charm — CW Pencils Charm

Write Stuff

It’s no secret that I am obsessed with pencils so when I discovered CW Pencil Enterprise on Orchard Street, naturally I became a regular customer. Their website is packed with great gift ideas, but I particularly love this little 14k gold pencil charm, designed by Cass Lilien, an NYC-based jewelry designer. Perfect for the creative people in your life. cwpencils.com

NYC Gifts Russ & Daughters — Russ & Daughters

Appetizing

Russ & Daughters is a 106-year-old appetizing shop that is part of the rich culinary history of the New York Jewish community. It is also the BEST place to buy smoked salmon, pickled herring, whitefish, as well as bagels, bialys, halvah, dried fruits, and more. Create your own spread to nosh on, or have the team put together a stellar platter or gift box for the ultimate in NYC gifts. shop.russanddaughters.com

Splendid Decor

John Derian is known for his decoupage work, which appears on everything from plates to coasters, and it’s all produced right here in NYC. But his East Village shop is also filled with all kinds of sweet and cheerful items, including Steiff animals, ornaments, home décor, textiles, art, and vintage and antique finds. These jigsaw puzzles are perfect for stay-at-home days. This one is a 19^th century print of the Manhattan island. johnderian.com

NYC Gifts Arielle Sustainable Fashion — Arielle Medea Coat

Fashionista

Texas-born Arielle launched her eponymous brand in 2018, after over 10 years in the fashion industry. The fully sustainable label is committed to zero-waste, ethical sourcing, and elegant, lasting style. The Medea Coat is made from vegetarian shearling using Responsible Wool Standard American merino wool backed with Repreve®, made from recycled water bottles. Oversized lapels and welt pockets highlight a clean, straight cut with open front. Fully lined in organic cotton. Made in NYC. shop.arielle.com

Busy Bee

Bee Raw champions American family-run farms and apiaries and produces a collection of honey-based goods packaged in post-consumer paper, glass, and metal. Butchwax is a moisturizing balm that softens skin, made from beeswax, jojoba, rosemary, peppermint, and tea tree oils, and made right here in Industry City, Brooklyn, NYC. Beeraw.com

Give Give Give

The season of giving is also a great time to remember our neighbors in need, especially during this pandemic. Some of my favorite organizations with local roots are: Lower East Side Girls Club, Project Renewal, Girl Be Heard, Bowery Mission, DIFFA

DEGELIS TUFTS AND KYM BYRNES The founders of Tribe Tokes, they are cannabis activists dedicated to changing the perception of cannabis use.

1. Name three women that inspire you, and tell us why.

Degelis Tufts:
- Sarah Blakely: Building a billion-dollar business (Spanx) from your home with no advertising? Women like Sarah get me out of bed in the morning.
- Tina Fey: Anyone who can make people laugh commands my respect, but Tina holds a special place in my heart—she is not only hilarious but a total boss. We also have some similarities (both went to UVA, work with our significant others, and have an amazing girl tribe in our industries.) She is an inspiration to do what you love and with the people you love.
- My godmother, Judi: Part of the reason why cannabis has been destigmatized for me is that I grew up knowing that my godmother, one of the best humans I know, used to make her famous pot brownies for people as Christmas presents. I knew that good, smart, and kind people enjoy the plant—it wasn’t just for stoners and criminals.
Kym Byrnes:
- My Mom: She had 5 children, went to school full time, worked parttime, and had cancer. I know I can achieve anything because of her strength. She passed in 1994, but she still inspires me every day.
- Arthur and Speaker Gabrielle Bernstein: Her books are my go-to when I am in need of self-care and self-love
- My sisters (I can’t choose): One has overcome so many challenges, including losing her daughter, and she still persevered. The other who took 16 years to get her PHD, but she never gave up. They are my biggest fans and I’m theirs.

2. What has been the secret to your success?

DT: Relentless pursuit of what is working or making you the happiest, and relentless abandonment of what is not working for your business or making you miserable. Decisiveness around what to push forward on and what to shut down has helped me to make my ideas a reality.
KB: The hustle is real. Work smart, and work hard! I don’t care what anybody says.

3. If you were going to pass on one piece of advice to a young woman, what would it be?

DT: Find good people to work with. My framework for business partners is that they are smart and capable; hungry and ambitious; and kind and compassionate. So many businesses fail, not because of product or financials, but because of interpersonal issues. Find your tribe, and love them hard.
KB: If you want to be part of the industry, you have to show up. When you show up for yourself and others, the universe will notice.

4. In the fight for equality, what area do you think needs the most attention?

DT: Maternity! Women should not have to choose between being rockstar moms and their careers. There is a massive opportunity for child-friendly workspaces and other services or solutions for working moms.
KB: The Gender Pay Gap needs to be addressed. Women and men absolutely should be paid equally. Men are great, but not better or smarter.

5. What are you most proud of in your career?

DT: I worked really hard bootstrapping our business to the size where I could afford our own private office and product showroom. This was a dream of mine, and I ended up finding a space in the Meatpacking district on one of my favorite blocks in the city that now serves as home base for our wonderful little work family at TribeTokes. This is somewhere we can host our partners, friends, and customers in the growing CBD community in New York.
KB: When Degelis asked me to be a Co-Founder and the Director of Distribution at TribeTokes. It’s been a dream come true to have a woman-owned business in the cannabis industry.

6. Where do you get your confidence?

DT: From my resourcefulness. People can take any material from you, but they can’t take away their brains, determination, or problem-solving skills. Releasing yourself from dependence on others can be liberating.
KB: Before she passed, my mom told me I was destined for something amazing. She believed in me and would always be with me. I honor her every day by being confident and living a purpose-driven life.

7. What makes a woman beautiful?

DT: Owning it—owning it all, unapologetically.
KB: Her uniqueness.

8. What gives you joy?

DT: Snuggling with my french bulldog, Archer, and my fiancé, Greg, every night. Family snuggle time. We call Archer “the oxytocin generator” because he generates happiness and warmth everywhere he goes
KB: Teaching pilates and fitness.