December 19, 2008

Gift List: The Foodie.


1. good karmal
From our very first batch, we believed that it was not enough to create delicious, buttery caramels to delight the senses — we wanted to spark imaginations and inspire our customers and ourselves to, as Mahatma Gandhi said, “be the change we wish to see in the world.” So we wrapped each handcrafted caramel with words of wisdom, and sent them out into the world.

2. TSP spices
Our spices are organic, always fresh, great tasting and very, very convenient.

3. belgian chocolate-covered oreos
Our gorgeous glass canister is filled with decadent chocolate-covered Oreos®, made with an exclusive blend of Belgian chocolate. Each cookie is individually wrapped for freshness in stunning autumn-colored foils. Whether displayed on the counter, sideboard or dinner table, they make for a visual feast and delicious treat.

4. Chalmers ganache
Spoon, melt, spread, or dip it, it’s up to you. This thick, rich chocolate ganache will satisfy even the most demanding and knowledgeable chocolate connoisseur.

5. bee raw 9 varietal honey flight
Every honey is as unique as its floral source, and can be compared to wine, tea and coffee in its variety and complexity. A detailed description of each flavor and origin is enclosed with your gift.

6. Food & Wine magazine subscription

7. O olive oil
O OLIVE OIL is the original maker of specialty organic citrus-crushed olive oils since 1995 and premium barrel-aged wine vinegars since 1997.

8. we love jam
We make more than jam – always have and always will.

9. theo chocolate
We follow our passion for excellence to bring you chocolate that will delight your palate, ignite your imagination and inspire you to think and act sustainably!

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December 18, 2008

Gift List: The Hipster.


1. thaw
Freeze your own ice candle with Thaw. Fill the mould with water and freeze overnight, and then watch as your ice shade melts away, right back into the mould.

2. Citizen eco-drive watch
The Eco-Drive timepiece is powered by light, so it never needs a battery. The sleek, black timepiece will surely catch your eye with its’ simple design.

3. KAYU bamboo sunglasses
Handcrafted by artisans, our sunglasses feature oversized lenses framed elegantly with bamboo. Crafted in Rawa style, the frames measure just 5.75 inches wide. For every pair of glasses purchased, KAYU sponsors one sight-restoring surgery in the developing world.

4. ABC of men’s fashion book
From the etiquette of dressing for all occasions to the meaning of technical terms, Hardy Amies’s skillful eye guides you safely through style decisions on everything from blazers and brogues to skiing and sandals. No man can afford to be without this classic style bible.

5. MUJI cardboard speakers
These Lightweight, collapsible speakers are portable and can be folded away and placed in the included pouch when not in use. Plug them into your personal stereo’s headphone jack to enjoy quality sound.

6. remote control pocket pillow

7. concrete rings
Hand-made rings made from concrete and stainless steel.

8. secret suppers book
Whether it’s enjoying sophisticated fare in a funky Des Moines B&B or savoring bacon-wrapped-bacon on a deck in Seattle, chefs and food lovers are circumventing the restaurant altogether, unconstrained by a written menu or a million-dollar remodeling budget. In short, they’re reinventing the dining experience. Author Jenn Garbee profiles 10 of these outlaw eateries, offering up great storytelling, opinionated tastings, and fascinating profiles of rogue chefs and intrepid eaters.

9. wooden matches block of 100
Created out of one piece of wood. To use, just break a match off the block and scratch it along the block to light.

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December 17, 2008

Gift List: The Office Folk.


1. 2009 bubble calendar
A poster-sized calendar with a bubble to pop every day, it puts our love of popping sheets of plastic bubbles to a useful purpose. The calendar is fully functional, with days of the week and all major U.S. holidays marked and weekends bolded for easy reference. The calendars make a big statement at 48″ tall x 18″ wide.

2. hedgehog pad
A fun piece to ensure that note paper is always handy – just reach in and tear one out when needed.

3. alphabet bag
Lovely letters printed on super thick cotton tote bags.

4. write on mug
“Can I take a message? Hang on, just gotta grab something to write on… okay, this mug will do!” Yeah, that’s write, er, right, you can write on this mug! Take notes, jot down your meeting schedule, make to-do lists and hydrate yourself, all with the same cup. Just wash it to erase it. Includes a pencil and a printed reminder to take a coffee break at 3:45.

5. vitra uten.silo
With its differently-shaped and sized pockets, metal hooks, and clips, Uten.Silo organizes offices, kitchens, bathrooms and children’s rooms. The tension between industrial precision and playful variety between logical organization and humorous design makes Uten.Silo a highly functional design which also allows plastic to be put to a sensible use.

6. Fisher chrome bullet space pen
Writes at any angle, underwater, over grease, in extreme temperatures, even upside down

7. come in / go away doormat
On one side, this doormat reads “come in,” but when it is rotated, it then reads “go away.” when you have finished marvelling at this remarkable feat of graphic design, you can wipe the mud from your boots too!

8. pen pen
Clear your desk by arranging your pens, pencils and scissors with this quirky pen holder.

9. Thomas Paul mouse pad notepad
The pretty and practical Mouse Pad Notepad does double duty keeping your mouse on track and keeping you on track with printed month and date.

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December 16, 2008

Gift List: The Animal Lover.


1. itch square cat habitat
Itch’s modern design and eco-friendliness is wall mountable for secure vertical cat scratching or place it on the floor for those smaller horizontal scratchers. Catnip can be placed behind the insert to further entice scratching.

2. ASPCA donation
For as little as 60 cents a day, you can directly impact the lives of needy animals.

3. dog hat + scarf set
Keep that puppy warm this winter! This set includes both the adjustable hat and the skull scarf.

4. wine crate pet feeders
Our raised double bowl pet feeders are hand-crafted out of authentic wooden wine boxes from prestigious vineyards. Choose a color to match your décor, and a size to accommodate your pampered pet.

5. good dog i.d. tag
(In case there was any doubt.) Made of lightweight die-cast zinc with complimentary engraving on the reverse side.

6. RecycleBone
The RecycleBone is made from rubbery scraps left over from the manufacture of other chew toys. Your dog will will love that it’s super-strong and fun to gnaw.

7. ‘pleasure’ organic catnip toy
Textured, tough cotton canvas filled with organically grown catnip (Nepeta cataria) is especially satisfying for cats to clutch, toss, and kick madly with their rear paws. Pleasure principle is illustrated on one side; conversing birds on the other. 4 inches square.

8. bauer pottery pet bowls
Created in Los Angeles when the city was mostly orange groves, the colours of Bauer Potter y are inspired by nature. With a bit of smog thrown in.

9. cat’s in style
Most pet products out there seem to imply that, if you’re a cat-lover, you automatically have no taste in design. Thankfully, Marly Gommans has created a series of products that suit both your modern decor… and your cat’s elitist attitude.

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December 15, 2008

Gift List: The Little Ones.


1. Flyer little miss flyer scooter Radio
Your child will ride trouble-free with the uniquely designed ergonomic grip handle. With just the push of a button, the fold-down handle will hug the base making storage and portability easy. This adorable and practical scooter is the perfect first scooter for your child.

2. sock monkey slippers
Slip on these snuggly monkey slippers, reminiscent of the sock monkeys from the 1940’s. Classic, nostalgic and trendy in one!

3. name poster
give us the name (or any word!) and we’ll make it magically appear from a sea of monochome letters. choose from 4 color ways, in 2 different sizes.

4. crayon rocks
Specially shaped to allow small fingers to color in large, wide strokes, promoting confidence in creating kids’ art.

5. organic cotton giraffe blanket
Sweet and classic, this organic cotton giraffe is all-natural and chemical-free, with no chemical dyes that might irritate baby’s skin.

6. animals 5-piece children’s utensil set
This flatware set re-imagines the most familiar pieces of cutlery as exotic animals. A dessert spoon becomes a giraffe, the soup spoon is a smiling hippo, the knife is a toothy crocodile, and the fork is a playful shark. The set even includes a unique French fry fork in the shape of a baby alligator.

7. moon in my room
Detailed light-up moon hangs on wall and shines just like the real thing!

8. slide whistle
Play it like a slide trombone, imitate bird calls or make wonderful “cartoon” sound effects!

9. les Deglingos
A unique species of quirky animals!

Posted In gifts, kids
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December 12, 2008

Gift List: The Minimalist.


1. cube tube vases
This unique glass vase features a moveable tube in each cube that holds a single flower. Two or three are a nice idea for a simple table setting. Or cover a table with ten or twenty or more for a more magnificent display.

2. stainless steel bar & wine bottle opener

3. Hargreave carafe with glass

4. Queue 2-tone stick lighter

5. Dirt Devil kone vacuum
This cordless handheld vacuum is so beautiful—yes, beautiful—you can stand it on a table as a piece of art. Twist off the top and—voila!—you hold vacuum in hand.

6. water pitcher
Using Iouseki stones and Binchotan charcoal, the Charcoal Water Pitcher creates filtered, mineral-rich water. In addition to being an eco-friendly solution, this elegant Water Pitcher can go from fridge to table, rather than having to pour the water into a suitable serving vessel.

7. IronKey 1GB flash drive
Your IronKey gives you military-grade security in the palm of your hand, allowing you to protect your data, passwords and web surfing with hardware-based encryption.

8. under-an-hour glass
Finishes up in 45-minutes, flat!

9. Persona business card holder
Persona, the Latin word for character, is designed to look after you and your business wherever new opportunities occur. Just run your thumb along the front to present your business card.

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December 11, 2008

Gift List: The Girly Girl.


1. Bonour mon coussin nougats pillow

2. marimekko stick umbrellas

3. carrie bicycle basket
This bicycle basket has a shoulder strap, is removable and also comes in white and black.

4. hand sculpture
Alluring. Elongated, sleek aluminum hand grasps for, and holds precious items. An exquisite modern sculpture that is great for holding jewelry or scarves.

5. For Like Ever poster
It was designed in 2004 as a part of Tracy’s MFA thesis project in the Graphic Design program at Yale University. It is a simple phrase she has always loved, and magnifying it on paper seems to change its meaning from a sometimes throwaway saying to a larger hopeful statement.

6. silver garland lamp
Charming, romantic and unforgettable, this garland light is made of silver satin-plated steel that mesmerizes with its delicately etched floral patterns. The continuous metal strand attaches to the base with a simple clip, and multiple strands may be attached to create larger shades. Gentle taps turn the base on and off.

7. the little letters collection by Alex Woo
Little Letters are an innovative take on the classic initial pendant with the unique option of combining and layering in personalized sets. From white gold teamed with rich diamonds to two initials bound in symbolic union, the polished letters can be placed in distinctive pairings to express a truly individualized statement.

8. olivina body butter
We are devoted to this uncommon blend of olive, grapeseed, and sweet almond oils. With its creamy consistency and exquisite scent, our Olivina Body Butter provokes splendid feelings of decadence.

9. nested printed boxes
Three paper-covered boxes feature coordinating pink prints and a metal clasp to keep your favorite things secure.

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December 10, 2008

Gift List: The Music Whore.


1. do re mi glasses

2. CD packaging kit: vintage vinyl
Now you can “cut” your own lil’ records with this CD packaging kit! Burn your fave mixes or photos on a disk and then use this kit to transform them into giftable vintage vinyl.

3. vers 1.5r sound system
We’ve created the ideal compact AM/FM sound system for iPod with the full, rich sound you’ve come to expect from Vers. The 1.5R is a true ‘hybrid’: great as a bedside alarm, even better in the kitchen, den or office… anywhere great sound belongs.

4. play and display frame set
Make a feature of your favorite vinyl record covers with these clever frames. The front of the frame flips open with the touch of a finger to let you change your display at whim, while the cushioned back ensures both single and double albums can be accommodated.

5. vintage record coasters
The discs are sealed so moisture won’t seep through to the surface. Comes in a set of six assorted labels packed in a clear, round case.

6. never mind your Ps and Qs – here’s the punk alphabet book
“M is for mohawk, a silly hairdo / It has lots of points, but it has no point, too”

7. sterling silver guitar pick
Personalized with a name and/or message of your choice!

8. LP frame
Frame all of your number one moments with designer Jeff Davis’ photo frames made from a vintage LP (33 rpm) record.

9. felt media pocket
pouch to protect your media device from the bumps and scratches of everyday life. Designed to fit the iPhone, iPod, and other smaller PDAs, phones, and media players.

Posted In gifts, music
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December 9, 2008

Gift List: The Cook.


1. well-portioned dish towel
Can’t find that measuring cup you were looking for? No worries, this helpful dishtowel is printed with its very own off-beat measuring tape.

2. pasta bowl and server
This pasta serving dish is a classical Italian plate styled in bone china with a wide plateau ideal for pasta dishes prepared in the oven. The spoon itself is an amazing object of multi-functional design. Use one way and the three leaves will grab the spaghetti or other long-hair noodles. Unfold the leaves and it becomes a spoon for smaller pasta or sauce.

3. bamboo box knife holders
Hundreds of slender bamboo skewers fill the interior of these stable bamboo rectangles, providing a safe, secure cushion for knives without dulling their blades.

4. pick-up big wood serving tongs
These chopsticks, designed by Stig Ahlstrom, can be used anywhere in the kitchen; for cooking, eating and serving salads and noodle dishes.

5. spin cake plate
You can’t go wrong. It expresses functionality, quality and wit all in one nice presentation.

6. messy tablecloth

7. the no-cookbook recipe stand
This handy page-flip recipe stand means you can easily keep all your loose recipe pages protected and organized and super easy to read. When not in use this stand folds down like a binder, and can slip into a shelf.

8. napkin catch placemats
With this clever placemat designed by Josh Jakus, you will never lose those napkin rings again because each mat features a built-in holder. Pop the attached ring out of the mat and interlock around the napkin, then tuck safely back in for easy storage.

9. pasta and parmesan tool
irst, the handle end of the tool can be used for measuring out portions pasts, secondly the “fork” end of the tool is used to pick up your pasta and sauce, and finally you can grate your parmesan using the built-in grater.

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December 8, 2008

Gift List: The Paper Lover.


1. yellow owl to do list
This sunny, useful owl is perched atop a pencil, ready to help you do (or neglect doing) your most important tasks.

2. craft scissors
A great all-purpose scissor to have around the house for precision cutting of paper, fabric and other materials, these Craft Scissors are forged from high-grade carbon steel with tungsten. Called a “grip scissor,” the centuries-old design has been discovered in several ancient cultures, including Greece, Egypt and China.

3. fancy scrap paper

4. x-shaped rubber bands
These X-shaped rubber bands are great for organizing papers and cards or sealing small boxes.

5. Miquelrius notebooks

6. monogrammed sticky notes
Let there be no doubt as to who left the notes, “Pick up milk,” and “Dinner at 7:30.” With your initial emblazoned on ruled pages, page markers and unlined squares, there is a perfectly sized note for every reminder.

7. daily color planner
Open the serene covers to reveal colours for daily planning!

8. notepaper roll dispenser
This sleek stainless-steel notepad uses standard calculator paper and can be wall-mounted or used on a desk top. Includes a built-in pencil rest and comes with one roll of paper.

9. monthly journal box set
Journal writing is a pleasure with this set of 12 beautifully crafted volumes, designed to preserve a full year’s worth of memories and reflections. Bound with embossed faux leather in two exotic textures and six vibrant colors, the books have silver-embossed spines, lined pages, and come in a red snake-embossed case.

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