WINDFALLS

ON THE ROAD



The romance of the road, in its more modern form, has become inextricably intertwined with the automobile. Automobile mascots, which capped car radiators in the Twenties and Thirties when motoring was more of an adventure than simply transport, represent that romanticism elegantly and explicitly. The subjects depicted usually had something with the name of the car: a stylized Indian for Pontiac, a sleek sailing ship for Plymouth, the swift Roman god for Mercury. Animals, too, made their appearance: graceful swans, ducks, jaguars. And the female figure graced many radiator tops. The winged female at bottom right is from a ’29 Packard, the bird is from a ’33 Cadillac, and the Indian once adorned a ’34 Pontiac. The Automotive Emporium, a store that caters to those who are enamored of the great automobiles, has a limited selection of radiator mascots. Also available are books, clothing, model cars, patches and various other items that have to do with the automobile, both vintage and modern. Automotive Emporium, Turtle Creek Village. Open Mon-Sat 10-6. 521-1930.



PERSONAL NOTES

The diary, or journal, too, represents romance. And what better way to keep your personal private thoughts than in a handmade book by Linda Finnel. The journals feature handmade papers, bindings and designs and come in sizes that vary from full-journal to greeting-card. Some come with uncut pages, making them perfect for pressing flowers or leaves, or for preserving other keepsakes from special occasions. The Old Moon, 3016 Greenville. Open Mon-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-6. 827-9921.

HOT TUBBING, BY THE HOUR

Need to escape for an hour or so? Want a place for quiet relaxation? How about a private suite with a whirlpool bath, fireplace, wet bar, video recorder, private phone and color TV? The Tub Club can provide an hour with all that in their VIP suite for $35 or $50 for two adults. Each additional adult is $15. (The rate depends on the time of day.) If you are just interested in the whirlpool without all the extras, the regular suites rent for $15 and $20 an hour. If you want to join as a VIP Charter Member, for special privileges, that option is available, too. The Tub Club. 5708 Lovers Lane. Open Sun-Thurs 10 a.m.-4 a.m., Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-6 a.m. 368-8827.

LOBSTERS AND GEAR

If you’re a lobster lover (and who isn’t) then check out the plates by Brian Overby. Three of your favorite crustaceans are featured on a dark-glaze background and set off by a complementary basket-weave design. What better way to serve up your favorite seafood? Overby designs and makes pieces without lobsters, too. His glazes are all vibrant, his designs innovative. If you’re a real lobster man, you will need a S’wester and hat for weather protection, or just for looking good. The jacket is made of something called polyvinyl-coated nylon tricot and has a double fastening system up the front and at the cuffs. The wind and sea spray – or rain here in Dallas – are thwarted by a zipper, then a Vel-cro strip; the sleeves are held tight at the wrists with Velcro and elastic. The washable hat is a nylon twill. Both are in highly visible yellow. Brian Overby’s plates are available at The Artifactory, 3014 Greenville. Mon 10-6, Tue-Fri 10-9, Sat 10-6, 823-4422; and 1122 Preston Royal Plaza, Mon-Sat 10-6, 363-7360. You can get the raingear at Sail ’N Gear, 712 N. Buckner. Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 9-5. 324-5368.



PAMPERED SHAVING

The daily lopping off of hirsute growth from the face doesn’t have to be a tiresome chore. Make a production of it. Turn it into a luxurious daily experience. With the correct’ equipment, shaving can be as relaxing as it was when men spent every morning in the care of an expert barber. You will need high-quality straight razor and English shaving soap, brought up to a rich lather with a genuine bristle brush. Top it all off with a soothing splash of one of Caswell-Massey’s famous aftershaves – perhaps Number 6, the scent used by George Washington. The New York perfumer has been around since America’s Revolutionary days, and through the years they’ve developed some classic scents. They handle soaps from around the world, Italian “macaroni” soap to Scottish oatmeal sudsers to soap made in China from beeswax. Also, shampoos, toothpastes and other personal items, both exotic and mundane. Caswell-Massey, 313 Preston Royal East. Mon-Sat 10-6. 369-0025.