Welcome to the T List
Welcome to the T List, a curated newsletter from the editors of T Magazine. In this edition, we’ve transformed our usual format into a thoughtful engagement gift guide, offering delightful suggestions for what to present to your soon-to-be-married friends. These gifts can also serve as unique wedding presents, especially if you’re feeling adventurous enough to go off the registry. Sign up here to receive our newsletter in your inbox every Wednesday, featuring monthly travel and beauty insights, along with the latest stories from our print issues. As always, we welcome your feedback at tmagazine@nytimes.com.
Raise the Bar
Artisanal Glassware to Put on Display
- Prunted Beaker II, $160, prounisjewelry.com
- Maison Balzac Every Cocktail Set, currently on sale for $380, comingsoonnewyork.com
- Pièce No.634, $375, verredonge.com
- Astrological Lowball Glasses, $25 per glass, sprezznyc.com
Credit…Courtesy of the brands
By Mackenzie Oster
Help your friends celebrate their love with the Maison Balzac Every Cocktail Set, which features six beautifully crafted cocktail glasses, each tailored for a specific drink, from an invigorating Aperol spritz to a classic dirty martini or Manhattan. Each glass is adorned with a permanent glass garnish, making the art of bartending a breeze. For those who enjoy a cosmic touch, Sprezz, a New York-based glassware designer, has teamed up with the interior design firm Charlap Hyman to create a set of astrological sign glasses. This personalized gift allows you to select the couple’s zodiac signs, serving as a charming reminder of their celestial compatibility.
For a versatile and artistic option, consider the new line of glasses and vases from jewelry designer Jean Prounis, which features prunts—decorative glass dollops. These items are crafted from Waldglas, or forest glass, characterized by its light green hue, resulting from a chemical reaction in the materials used during production. If you’re looking for a piece with deeper, more concentrated color, the elegant burnt sienna vases from Verre d’Onge, handblown in the Montreal studio of designer Jérémie St-Onge, offer a stunning option that doubles as functional art.
Game Night
Playing Cards and Tarot Decks From a 176-Year-Old Parisian Company
- Grimaud tarot cards, $300, grimaudparis.com
- Grimaud oracle cards, $270, grimaudparis.com
- Grimaud playing cards in coral red, $140, grimaudparis.com
Credit…Courtesy of the brand
By Jinnie Lee
A luxurious set of playing cards makes for a delightful and whimsical gift for newlyweds-to-be, whether your friends are competitive game night enthusiasts or prefer to display them as elegant décor. Established in 1848, the French company Grimaud revolutionized the card-making process, introducing innovative design elements such as rounded corners and the use of heavyweight, opaque paper. In 1900, Grimaud was honored with the Grand Prix at the Exposition Universelle. Recently, the company paused its operations to refresh its product lineup and re-emphasize the classic design features that its founder, Baptiste Paul Grimaud, pioneered over 150 years ago.
“We aimed to create the Tiffany of playing cards,” explains Guillaume Reslou, the current vice president of the company. During this break, Reslou and his team delved into the Grimaud archives at the National Library of France, connected with collectors, and collaborated with playing-card historian Christian Rouleau to reimagine the brand. This month, Grimaud unveiled its new collection featuring illustrations by French artist Julie Serre. Additionally, two divination decks—tarot cards reinterpreted by French illustrator Margot Reverdy and an oracle deck—are set to launch on November 4. Each deck showcases Grimaud’s historical influences, complete with gilded corners and artisanal printing on “casino-quality but thicker” card stock. To enhance the gaming experience, a line of accessories including display trays, sleeves, and a playing mat adds flair to your shuffle.
Intricate Trinket
Jewelry That Tells a Story
- A ring by Dyne, dedyne.com
- Two rings by Cece Jewellery, cecejewellery.com
- A pendant by Millie & Noah, millieandnoah.com, price on request
Credit…Courtesy of the brands
By Angela Koh
Jewelry has always transcended mere ornamentation; it often carries profound stories, whether it’s an heirloom passed down through generations or a unique piece acquired during travels. Many designers now offer innovative ways to encapsulate entire narratives into a single trinket. Sarah Ysabel Narici, the visionary behind the jewelry brand Dyne, introduced her Loverglyphs collection in 2022, inspired by the wedding bands she designed for herself and her husband. Each piece is crafted after in-depth conversations with clients, drawing on symbols inspired by Egyptian hieroglyphs and stones that narrate the wearer’s unique story and significant life events.
The British brand Cece Jewellery blends myth, nature, and personal narratives into exquisite 18-karat pendants and rings adorned with miniature paintings and engraved motifs. A recent commission beautifully illustrated an oak tree to symbolize strength and deep roots, a rose to embody love, and lavender to represent grace. Similarly, Jen Tran, the founder of Millie & Noah, ventured into jewelry-making after experiencing personal losses, leaving her career in biotech to find healing in creating pieces that honor individual stories. Named in tribute to her father and son, her brand offers custom engraved cameos and intaglios that celebrate her clients’ most cherished connections.
