Pretty Floral Gifts

Have you heard of Olive and Cocoa? I received their catalog the other day, and now want everything they sell. This is what I want the most:

Snow arrangement, $108 right here.

In addition to some lovely floral prettiness, they also offer an amazing array of gift ideas. I'm somewhat averse to the idea of sending food (it seems a bit overdone, no?) but their packaging is so pretty and if you're a business owner you can have it customized with your logo. Swoon.

PS - Olive and Cocoa has not paid me for this post. They just put out a lovely catalog and I felt the need to share.

Sequin Love

There is no better time than the Holidays to break out the sequins, am I right? Check out these fabulous sequined finds; perfect for weddings, parties and other holiday revelry:

Scarf, $12.95 at H&M, Dress, $225 at Bluefly, Ornament, $5.95 at Crate and Barrel, Cardigan, $68 at Urban Outfitters, Shoes, $395 at Kate Spade, Clutch, $49.50 at JCrew

I saw the Scarf pictured above at our brand new H&M about a week ago. I gazed at it lovingly. The price tag was even lovelier. But I had no idea how to wear it. Any ideas?

Jewelry Storage That I Want

I have been on the hunt for a spectacular jewelry receptacle for more than a year. A year. Why the reluctance to commit, you ask? Three words. Too many options. Just when I think I've found it, I happen upon a new stylish find that makes me second guess myself. Take a look at some of the contenders:

Option #1 is actually a cake stand. A rather fabulous cake stand. But it would work perfectly as jewelry storage. It's modern and white and shiny. And cheap. $20 right here.

Option #2 is also not necessarily intended for jewelry, but is also fabulous. Also shiny, modern and white. And even cheaper at $12.50 right here.

Option #3 is a jewelry holder! It's the exact opposite of what I'd imagine I'd like -- girly, vintage and dainty. But I like it nonetheless. Actually, I like it a lot. $59 right here.

Option #4 appealed to me because it's very similar in style to my own bedroom furniture. I thought it would be cool to have a miniature dresser sitting on my dresser. But my dresser is from IKEA and this jewelry box costs almost as much as the big girl dresser. I don't think I can justify this expense. $139 right here.

What would you do? Do you have some fabulous jewelry storage I should know about? My Target earring collection will thank you for sharing.

Great gifts for Honeymooners

Having just returned from vacation myself, I have decided to devote this week to all things travel related. Today let's focus on the bride and groom, shall we? 

The honeymoon is often overlooked with all of the hullabaloo that goes into the wedding itself, but a carefully planned gift for the honeymooners will definitely win you brownie points. You can stick with a few basic items if you're footing the bill, or go all out if you have a group contributing. Here's what I'd do:

Start here: a stylish, sturdy beach tote. This one if from LL Bean and also comes in a crab motif. Starts at $30 right here. (*Note - I believe LL Bean has discontinued the Lobster and Crab totes -- you can find a great selection of other totes right here.)

Then move on to beach towels. These coordinate perfectly with the tote! Even if the bride and groom are not traveling to a beach locale, beach towels can be used to plump up wimpy hotel pillows when folded. And who doesn't need beach towels, I ask? These are on special at Pottery Barn for $29 each right here.

Adapters are easily the most important accessory for overseas travel, and often the most forgotten. You can buy them in your vacation destination, however they are often overpriced because the locals know how desperate you'll be to use your hair dryer or plug in your laptop. I found these at Amazon for $12.88 right here. 

Luggage tags need not be boring. Supply the bride and groom with these cheeky tags from Pamela Barsky, $14 right here. 

In addition to the staples above, you can finish the bag with a selection of magazines and DVD's. iTunes gift cards are also great so the couple can download their favorite music or movies before they leave. If the bride and groom are traveling internationally, an international calling card is also a super thoughtful gift. You can find these at Costco for around $30.

Resist the temptation to include sunscreen or any other liquids. But aspirin or antacid medicine are both inspired choices. To complete the gift, you might offer to drop off and pick up the couple from the airport. (Parking costs have skyrocketed at most airports.)

I collaborated with a few other couples a few years back to supply a similar honeymoon gift for my sister-in-law and her new husband, and they absolutely loved it. 

What items are you lost without on vacation? Consider these things when putting together your own "honeymooner kit." 

Mother's Day Gift Ideas, Pt. 3

You can do chocolate for Mother's Day or you can do Vosges Chocolate. This is not sickeningly sweet maraschino cherries wrapped in pseudo chocolate, folks. This is gourmet. Exotic. Deeelish. Here's a taste:

Platanos y Orchidus: Sweet platanos, or bananas, are puréed, caramelized and joined by Jamaican rum, dipped in a pool of deep milk chocolate and crowned with a purple orchid bloom.

I would show you more, but my whole mouth just filled with saliva. So go find your own. Right here.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas, Pt.2

More fun ideas for mom, this time focusing on jewelry. Specifically jewelry that can be worn after Mother's Day (secret code for jewelry that does not contain hearts or cheesy "I love Mom" messages). Take a look at these three beauties. Your mom will thank you. And then you can thank me.

{Forget Me Not Ring, $50 - $720, right here. }

{Nesting Necklace, $70 -$79, right here. }

{Stacking Birthstone Rings, $39.95 - $239.85, right here.}

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Have you heard? Mother's Day is this Sunday. Today I have the perfect gift suggestion for new moms. Behold:

{Porn for New Moms, $10.15 right here. }

And no, it's not real porn. As I've said before, this is a family site, folks. Inside you'll find "full color photographs of hunky dads doing what new mothers really want them to - getting up for 3 a.m. feedings, skipping golf to bond with the wee one, stocking the freezer with homemade baby food", etc. Every new mom's fantasy, right? 

All I want for Christmas (the abridged version)

This year my family decided to forgo exchanging gifts for the holidays since everyone traveled home for Thanksgiving. And while it's nice on the pocketbook, I'll admit I miss the shopping. I love to seek out the perfect gift and watch with satisfaction as the recipient falls to the floor and faints with gratitude. OK, maybe it doesn't happen quite like that. But I miss it all the same.

In case you're still on the hunt for some fabulous gift ideas, I thought I'd share my personal wish list. In no specific order or category. Just stuff I want that might be fitting for the people on your shopping lists.  

a) Finial ornaments (OMG, check out the prices) $.95 – $2.95 right here.

I would use these suckers all year long. For what, I'm not sure of yet. 

b) Utopia Teapot, $95.00 right here.

For Jonathan Adler fans or teapot collectors.

c) iPod Nano, starting at $149.00 right here.

Hi, Steve Jobs? Everything you make, I want. So cut it out. I could have just made an "Apple Gift Guide", but you're not paying me. So there.

d) Magno Radio, $178.00 right here. 

Small and stylish with an iPod adapter. Boys will like this, too.

e) Tenjin Shrine Puzzle, $148.00 at Anthropologie stores

The individual pieces are insane and I heart Japanese Woodblock prints. Good alternative to a Sudoku book.

f) The Office Trivia Board Game, $24.99 right here. 

What, you thought my personal wish list wouldn't include something from The Office?

g) Mad Men, Season One, $27.49 right here. 

Everyone keeps telling me I have to watch this. I get the feeling this would be a good gift for just about anyone. With the exception of a three year old.

h) Sprig Market Tote, $39.00 right here. 

So flipping cute. I want one of each in her shop.

i) Domino: The Book of Decorating, $21.12 right here.

I can't wait to get my hands on this decorating bible. Perfect as a housewarming gift or those looking for some design inspiration.

j) Vintage Iron Jewelry Holder, $49.00 right here. 

I have wanted this forever and just haven't gotten around to ordering it. Great for girls, big and small. 

k) Large NYC Print, $60.00 right here.

I would literally take anything from Matte Stephens' Etsy shop. 

Happy Hunting!

Survival of the geekiest

Remember in Napoleon Dynamite when Uncle Rico is trying to sell the 24 piece set of Tupperware and the lady sees the "incentive prize" and leans over to her husband and says, "I want that." That's exactly what I did when I saw this:

Now when I'm out being outdoorsy somewhere, I can also carry my plans for world domination in the nifty USB port. What could be better, I ask?

From $49.99 right here. 

Gifts for the Deserving Hostess, Pt. 5

Welcome to the wonderful world of tea towels! Your hostess will appreciate the fact that these are anything but the plain jane variety found at your local superstore. And you can rest easy knowing that you didn't break the bank on a spiffy gift.

{ at left: $9.99 here, top right: $18 for 2 here, bottom right: $14 here. } 

{ at left: $18 here, top right: $16 here, bottom right: $9.95 here. } 

Gifts for the Deserving Hostess, Pt. 4

Lots of lovely picture frame options out there, folks. If you've got an embarrassing photo of the hostess, all the better. Just kidding. 

Keep it classy when someone is feeding you and providing you with intoxicating beverages. Here are six ways to do it:

{ at left: from $7.99 to $44.00 here, top right: $50 here, bottom right: $50 here. }

{ at left: $19.95 here, top right: from $15.95 here, bottom right: from $30 here. }

Gifts for the Deserving Hostess, Pt. 3

You can't go wrong with candle holders. Another great inexpensive gift that can easily be matched to your hostess' decor. And do her a favor -- bring the matching candles so she won't have to make a special trip to complete your gift. But avoid the smelly stuff. A vanilla factory may be heaven to you, but may make your hostess yack. I'm just saying. 

{ at left: $9.95 each here, top right: $3.99 each here, bottom right: $5.95 each here. }

{ at left: $32 a pair here, top right: $24 right here, bottom right: $49 a pair here. }

Gifts for the Deserving Hostess, Pt. 2

I've always considered aprons to be a tad on the dowdy side, but it tends to be a popular choice for hostess gifts. A quick web search has completely proven me wrong – there are so many cool aprons out there! I would even wear some of these out of doors if it were socially acceptable. Perhaps I can start a new trend. In the meantime, check out these cuties:

{ at left: $42 right here, top right: $40 right here, bottom right: $24 right here. }

{ at left: $39.95 right here, top right: $19.99 right here, bottom right: $19.99 right here. }

Gifts for the Deserving Hostess, Pt.1

I'm always on the lookout for a cool and unique gift idea, so this week I'm devoting my posts to gift ideas for the deserving hostess. Today I'm presenting some great finds from the world of salt and pepper shakers. Everyone needs them, they're cheap and, as I've found, they come in a wide variety of options to match the personality of your gracious host. 

{ at left: $3.95 each here, top right: $12 here, bottom right: $30 here. }

{ at left: $22.95 here, top right: $24 here, bottom right: $48 here. }