New York had its first snow this week,  which makes me think of one of my favorite gifts to get and give: a beautiful umbrella.

Umbrellas are, of course, meant to be lost. Which is why I love that quote:

“We never really own umbrellas, we just borrow them from the universe.”

When I lose a really beautiful umbrella, I feel that I haven’t so much lost something as returned a gift to the universe that someone else will find and treasure.

Years ago Sheila Bridges designed this iconic Harlem Toile print, which features among other things: couples jumping the broom, kids playing hoops and girls jumping double dutch. Half of colors are still available.

Her Harlem Toile umbrella, at $40, is a truly wonderful gift.