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.

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!

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

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!

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.

Get a gift for. . .the GIRLFRIEND

Here's some ideas for your other half...

Instead of heading over to Vicki's for lingerie this year (if that's your style), check out Free People's slips and jammys. The Flower Patch Slip is pretty enough to make her feel sexy, but comfortable enough that she'll want to wear it again and again. Sounds like a win-win to me. ($78.00)

A girl can never have too many jackets (just ask my closet). This year the jacket of my affections is this Cropped Tartan Trench from J. Crew. The pattern is absolutely brilliant and it passes my two rules of thumb: must have pockets and a liner. ($350.00)

I love the idea of gifting a journal. And if you can make it somehow more personal and private - all the better. There are a few Etsy sellers who are currently selling journals made from vintage books, which I think is really unique. Check out Nightjar Books - they have great styles to choose from (some pictured above). Bonus: write a romantic "entry" on the first page. (Prices start around $25.00)

And if she can't have a new coat, then how about a new tote? QueenBee Creations are all handmade and totally unique. The Vine Tote is a perfect carryall for books, weekend clothes, or whatever else her heart desires. ($86.00)

Do you and your significant other enjoy cuddling up on the couch and watching many, many hours of Food Network? If Iron Chef is one that you regularly watch, then consider picking her up this Iron Chef Gift Set. It includes a wok, stir fry tea oil, Kishibori Shoyu, an AUTOGRAPHED cookbook by none other than Chef Morimoto, and a kitchen timer to perform your own version of the show at home. No pressure! ($99.95, available at Sur La Table)

Finally, if all she really wants is jewelry, here are a couple of options that will stand out from all the rest.


Hollie Ten makes really cool pieces that may appear subtle, but they definitely make a statement. You can pick up some of her stuff through her website, but I found that Tobi has some awesome stuff of hers, too. Prices range around the $100.00 mark.

Wanna give your girlfriend some bling? Get her a mini silhouette ring pendant from Carrie Weston. Available in silver for $90.00.