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."

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.

Get a gift for. . .the Boyfriend

Is your boyfriend tired of getting the Sports Illustrated Football Phone/Subscription combo every year? (For the record, I checked, and they are no longer giving them as the "free gift.") Try mixing it up with one of these gifts.

Let me guess. Your man's wallet is brown, leather, and completely falling apart. Give him a stylish upgrade with one of these wallets designed by Hlaska. ($48.00, available at Chocosho)


Album covers have been gracing urban apartment walls for years. Take your boyfriend's love of vinyl to the next level with a Vintage 45 Clock by Vinylux. The numbers are laser cut and it comes ready to hang or place on a stand (which is included). ($28.00, available at Elsewares)




And while we're on the subject of vinyl, if your boy-toy has tons of old records and bootleg tapes just piling up, why not hook him up with an Instant Music Ripper? It converts records and cassettes into MP3, WAV, WMA, AAC, and CDs. In fact, he can capture audio from the TV, radio, or a DVD player too. Just think of the hours of fun he'll have...($59.95, available for Macs and PCs, at Firebox.com)

The long winter months are just around the bend, so warm your boyfriend up with a new coat this season. I love the Military Duffle Jacket from Lucky. It has a removable lining and a faux-fur lined hood. That's toasty! ($228.00)






It goes without saying, beer gear will always be a hit with the old ball and chain. And if your boyfriend's got his own make-shift bar, consider getting him a spiffy beer tap. Ebay has a huge selection of vintage and new beer taps. One thing's for sure, it's bound to get lots of use!



We all know the saying, so I'm not even going to mention it. Feed your man's heart with the gift that keeps on giving - 12 months of Omaha Gourmet Entrees! But you better make sure he invites you over to share - this gift will set you back $49.99 a month!


And finally, if your guy's heart is as big as his stomach (I promise, last cliche), buy him a La Concha Restoration t-shirt from Unica Home. The shirts cost $25.00, and 100% of the profits are donated to restoring this icon to a Neon Museum.

Mixed Tapes: The Next Generation

One of my favorite things to give and receive has got to be the CD mix. The CD can be themed with titles like "X-mas", "Winter" or "Let it Snow"; or they can be themed to a particular type of music or upcoming event. Zeichen press gets this, and has come up with an array of awesome CD sleeves that would be the perfect compliment to any CD mix. Some favorites are below...pick them up, along with their other fabulous stationary, at the shops listed here. (Found via Indie Fixx.)

Clapton is God

Although the early teen version of myself would kick my butt for saying this (c'mon, I know I'm not the only George Harrison fan with irrational hatred toward Clapton for stealing away Pattie Boyd), Eric Clapton ranks up there as one of the best guitarists around. And I guess I got over my irrationally hurt feelings because I can't get enough of Clapton lately - I even went to his concert last year ("Blaspheme!" says 13-year-old Cortney).

Clapton recently released an autobiography (read an article on his appearance on the Today Show here) and a cd, "Complete Clapton." It's gift-giving 101 people: book + cd = awesome gift.