See mom? These flowers never die!

My mom always tells my dad not to get her flowers because "flowers only die." However, I've always suspected that she secretly likes getting flowers, and in fact, wants people (especially my dad) to buy them for her. Then again, my mom is pretty determined in her wishes, so maybe not.

Anyhoo, after a tip-off from Apartment Therapy, I spotted these gorgeous crepe paper flower kits from Martha Stewart. Not only will they last longer, maintain their vibrant colors, and never need watering (in fact, watering would be bad), but they're less expensive (kits start at $12.99) and make a great rainy-day weekend project. All that's needed is the addition of a chic vase.

Royally yours

Two posts in one day! I guess I'm just spilling over with gifts I love.

And speaking of love, anyone who remembers my love of all things British will understand why I must post about the great designs over at Pintuck (via Print & Pattern). Check out their "Made in England" tea towels, aprons and bags. Perfect gift for your favorite Brit host/hostess!

I also love their "It's a Beautiful Day" print --- great for spring.

Now Starring....

...your baby! I ran across these adorable baby posters yesterday at 5starbaby.com. When I saw these, ideas for movie-themed birthday parties and showers for all my expectant friends danced through my head.

And they just don't restrict their posters to babies, you can order posters for engagements, weddings, and child-adult birthday parties. 5starbaby makes announcements and posters for just about any theme.

Prices are reasonable, a 7.5 x 12 poster will only set you back $25.oo and 5 x 8 announcements start at $3.50 per card.

The Owl's Have It

Looking for an unconventional stuffed animal for a child? (Although I think many adults would love this too.) I spotted this Wooly Night Owl at Viva Terra. It's hand-spun and knitted by women in Kenya and dyed with plants grown in their gardens. Great gift for a great cause! ($79.00)

Super-size me

There's a great interview with Jessica, co-creator of Slaughterhead over at IndieFixx. They make tons of cool vinyl bags a wallets with unexpected designs. I think I'm at my bag buying capacity, but wallets are another story. I've owned many wallets, but they never seem big enough, especially the one I own now. It definitely doesn't hold all of my credit cards, and my bag is so darn big anyway that I can never find it when I need it. Then I saw this jumbo wallet. Nothing like killing two birds with one stone... ($60.00)

Terry Graziano Transforms Your Style

I just ran across Terry Graziano's Esty Shop and fell in love with her chic, innovative hat designs with a vintage feel! Check out the Sweetheart Candy Box hat, I think it would flatter any head shape (and hair style for that matter). The Sweetheart Style comes in many color combinations and you can wear the hat 4 different ways! This would make a great addition to any hat/accessory addicts' closet. The style shown here costs $95.00, gift certificates are also available so you can let your giftee select her own.

Will you write me a song, Valentine?

Happy Valentine's Day! Always wanted someone to write a love song for you for a special gift between you and your loved ones? Brian Alex will do it---and it'll only cost you anywhere from $2,000-$25,000! What do you get for the price? Depends on the cost, of course. But he generally records it with musicians and delivers two CDs---one framed and the other for playing. Check out the story here. As noted on his website, it's "the perfect gift."

Important notice from the Bureau of Communications

I just found my favorite new way to send e-greetings thanks to How About Orange's blog. Bureau of Communications allows you to send most-official looking documents when you just have to get something off your chest. The site is provided by Magnetism, who makes all kinds of cool widgets like the Idea Generator. They even have a "Declaration of Romantic Intent"---be sure to send one to your sweetie on Thurs!

Read my Declaration of Gratitude below. I mean every word of it!

lunch-time genius

I had to post about Delight's find of the day---a portable dish set. The set includes a plate, bowl, cup, utensils, that all wrap together in a placemat. Pure genius and conveniency can be yours for $25.08.

Gifting Chocolates: The next generation

Okay, so you're set on gifting chocolates this Valentine's Day? That's okay, because there are some great products out this season that are far from your run-of-the-mill Russell Stover's. Here are a few of my favs from around the web.

Dylan's chocolates are getting a lot of buzz lately, and rightly so. Their colorful labels and simply delicious combinations have skyrocketed them to success! This 18-piece truffle box is packed with flavors such as Milk Rocky Praline, Caramel Mousse, and Passion Fruit Ganache. $42.00

MarieBelle is also taking chocolates to the next level. Her boxed chocolates are literally tiny works of art. Pick up the 25-piece set for $48.00.

Another product she makes that I'm totally wild about is the Pin-up girl chocolate bars. Pick some up and hand them out to your favorite single gal-pals ($15.00).

Finally, I love these little "love bugs" from John and Kira's. They come in a little wooden box and are filled with dark chocolate ganache. Yum! ($34.00 for a box of 12)

Sew cute

Looking for an unconventional way to surprise your loved ones this Valentine's Day? Nab a piece of their clothing and sew in one of these: "the best" label from the Curiosity Shoppe. Although they may not realize it right away, it's sure to bring a smile to their faces when they do! $16 (found via Design Sponge)

Sharon Gill NYC: New Twists on Old Favorites

Have you discovered Sharon Gill NYC yet? I recently did, and the more I check out her site, the more I love what she's doing. Sharon has a new take on tunics, and she just came out with a line including vibrant colors for Spring 08! I'm picturing wearing her Algiers tunic in light morning on vacation, sipping my morning coffee, white sand squished in between my toes...

And dare I say it, I think her St Bart's dresses would look totally chic on bridesmaids for spring weddings or even for the bride at her rehearsal dinner.

The best part? Buying a Sharon Gill original also means supporting a great cause. A portion of her earnings benefits the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

You can find out where to buy Sharon Gill designs here. Tunics and dresses run around $150. Pick one up for a friend or loved one and show them how "with it" you are! Or, if you're planning to gift a romantic vacation for your girlfriend/wife this Valentine's day, surprise her with a suitcase carrying one of these tunics and the airplane tickets/itinerary.

V-Day: The anti-gift

Tired of gifting/getting candy hearts with sweet sayings, boxes of chocolates, and flowers that are way overpriced and die within days? Why not give an anti-valentine gift this year instead? The Inventorspot posted a list of the 10 hottest anti-valentine's day gifts. My favorite? Duh! the Sarcastic Candy Hearts, available at ThinkGeek.com ($9.99). "He fit, u fat." 'Nuff said.

A little box

Need a small package for that little something you just picked up for Valentine's Day? Patricia at A Little Hut has got you covered! Pick up the template for her little boxes and gift cards here for $3.99 each. Cheaper than Hallmark! (via Poppytalk)

V-day

I don't usually like to post about gifts I'm getting for friends and fam because you never know who might be snooping around these pages, but in this case I just couldn't contain myself.

This year to celebrate the big "V," Josh and I decided we would create mixed cds for each other instead of spending a lot of money. I thought it was a really cute idea until I saw...

the USB Mixed Tape Kit. This deceiving cassette holds a USB inside --- more than perfect for what I had in mind! So now he'll get the feeling of having an old-school mixed tape, with the convenience of modern technology. How simple! $20, available at Alpha-Man.

Flower Power

Love it a lot just posted this sweet little lidded jar from Whitney Smith. Perfect for your best friend's wedding shower or even as a gift for grandma. $44.00

Sexy, Classy, Comfy

Delight's deal of the day completes my idea of a fun night at home --- BBC Jane Austen Movie Marathon, Pint of Ben & Jerry's, and a slinky cashmere robe. This robe definitely outdoes those cheesy 3/4's that you can get over at Vicky's, but is still sexy enough that it'll leave your man wondering what's underneath (even if that man is only Mr. Darcy [sigh]). $113.57 if you pick it up today!

Take me back

Do you have a giftee who always says, "high school was the best time of my life" or "I wish I were a kid again"? Here's a uber-cool way to remind them---with school house chairs listed in the classifieds on Apartment Therapy-NY. The best part? Besides being "adult sized," they are also going for just $50! Remember how your legs used to stick to them in the summer when you were wearing shorts and then you'd walk around with red splotches down the back of your legs in between classes? Yep, those were the days....

How do?

While browsing through one of my favorite decorating blogs, Design*Sponge, I came across a post about Berkley Illustration and fell in love. These awesome illustrations of animals in portrait-style poses and superhero-inspired situations would look great hanging up in a home office or library. Pick one up at his Etsy shop for $7.00.

Etsy Round Up --- Calendars

Ah ... there's no better way to begin a New Year at your office than by unwrapping a new calendar and starting off on Day 1 (or 2 or 3, depending on when you went back to work and/or remembered to bring in your new calendar, like myself). And nothing says New Year like these calendars from Etsy --- get 'em while there's still time!


I love this hand-drawn calendar from Laundrypop, specifically the hand-writted Months and dates. It's very playful. $12.00





The calendar that looks like a calendar but reads like a post card --- the 2008 happify calendar! This set of 12 note cards can be posted on your cube wall or sent out with a note to friends. Vomit enducing idea! Send your significant other a note card every month with the reasons why you love him or her...I can feel the chunks rising already. $12.00 at Happify.



Of course, if you are tired of running out to purchase a calendar every year, you could always pick up this perpetual wooden block calendar from Queenvanna Creations. There are three month blocks and two date blocks, plus the wooden base.