Best Bets

Photo: Davies + Starr

The Best Bet
When choosing luminaries to grace its stamps, the U.S. Postal Service tends to favor historical achievement over beauty—like Buckminster Fuller and Cesar Chavez, to name two recent, not exactly sexy, examples. The sultry new Greta Garbo stamp, however, is the hottest thing to hit envelopes since Elvis and Marilyn. Created by engraver Piotr Naszarkowski and based on a 1932 photograph taken during the filming of As You Desire Me, the stamp has been issued to commemorate the legendary movie star’s 100th birthday. Bills aren’t worthy. Save it for more meaningful correspondence—a handwritten letter, even (at post offices nationwide).

Photo: Davies + Starr

A Blanket for In-Between Days
One minute it’s 70 degrees, the next 40. Not quite chilly enough for a full-on down comforter, but a lightweight goose-down blanket covered in gorgeous cotton sateen? Definitely ($350 to $500 at Nancy Koltes at Home, 31 Spring St., nr. Mott St.; 212-219-2271).








Photo: Davies + Starr

Cheaper, Prettier Fuel
Here’s a way to keep down the heating bill: NYC Firewood delivers fragrant cherrywood logs, split and sunbaked for easy burning ($125 for a month’s supply; $80 for regular hardwoods; 631-789-0226 or nycfirewood.com).








Photo: Davies + Starr

Sun Protection in Winter
As long as the sun is out, skin is in danger. Neutrogena makes a good lightweight, unisex, non-smelly SPF-30 sunscreen for year-round use ($11.99 at CVS).








Photo: Courtesy of Artemide

A Multipurpose Lamp
The Tolomeo comes in table, floor, wall, and sconce versions and takes an incandescent bulb ($145 to $510 at Artemide, 46 Greene St., nr. Broome St.; 212-925-1588).








Photo: Davies + Starr

Boots Made for Walking—Out the Store
Run for the last shipment of this pull-on, low-heeled, must-have, always-sold-out Loeffler Randall calfskin boot ($595 at Bergdorf Goodman, 754 Fifth Ave., at 57th St.;212-753-7300).








Best Bets