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.

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)

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

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.

Chill out

Ahhhhh. Last night was the first night that I could actually feel fall. And then I thought, "Jesus, it's cold! I can't wait for spring!" If you know someone who likes to stay warm and fuzzy, but wants to look cool while doing it, the shawls and scarfs from Kelgwo might do the trick! I love their organic blends - the perfect colors for fall! Pick one up at their Etsy shop (found via Modish).

Paper Dolls with a Twist

Paper Forest posted about Amy Earles' Paper Dolls and I am thoroughly enchanted. Her delicate creations would have created hours of puppet theatre fun when I was a kid. Oh, who am I kidding? I would still play puppet theatre with them! The dolls are available at her Etsy store Wool & Water for anywhere from $6.00 - $15.00

Gift Debate: Milk Mumu: Appropriate or scary?

I think the Milk mumu ($27.99, found via IndieShopping) over at Etsy is a great concept - not only does it keep all of your bits from prying eyes, it eliminates any uncomfortableness that you or others might feel you while you are "taking care of business." I think this is an awesome idea and a lot of moms would be all over it...but do you think it would be appreciated as a gift (say, for a baby shower) or could it be interpreted by the giftee as the equivalent of you saying, "Keep your you know what's out of my face"? Also, how do you explain what it is to that person? Maybe it's the kind of gift that you should only give to yourself? I'm torn. Does anyone else have thoughts?

At any rate, Milk Mumu has lots of fabrics to choose from, and I think the idea is pure genius!

Good on Paper's at it again!

I'm loving the new "goods" that Good on Paper e-mailed over. The wall calendar is perfect for the new year - the designs are really fresh, which makes a great way to start each month. The new notecards are also flawless, the petals note card is really beautiful, and I think I just picked out my new holiday cards. Head on over to her site today!

Etsy Highlights

Okay, I know this whole subject is kind of tired out, but I just wanted to highlight some great Etsy shops that caught my eye this morning. . .and besides, Esty really is one of the best sites around to get one-of-a-kind gifts in one-stop shopping, so why shouldn't I give a shout out every now and then?

Pearl & Marmalade

This stationary is totally my style. The designers behind this shop really have an eye for detail and each card is like it's own piece of art. Personal favorites are the "I'm Sorry" card, the "Peek-a-boo Gnome" noteset (gnomes rock!), and the "Foxy Salutations" card (all pictured above).

something's hiding in here

Nothing's cooler than a crazy mustache - and these gals know it. If you've ever been envious of someone else's stache - they might be able to help you out. Oh, and they also have other cool stuff too.

Matthew Mead: Style Genius?

Black.White.Bliss reminded me of one of my favorite party inspiration sites - Matthew Mead Style. His ideas are genius and I know for a fact he could out dress any table in the New England area (sorry Martha). His fall site is up, and some of his amazing downloads include jack-o-lantern inspired wine glasses, with an orange cocktail recipe; Halloween treat boxes and Halloween giftwrap; and thanksgiving place holders and favor boxes. Perfection!

Charming

Design*Sponge posted a link to Bethan Lloyd Worthington's creations. Her one-of-a-kind works are equally as impressive as her name (or is that just my transference of an early high school obsession with Oscar Wilde?). Commission one of these charming bracelets for £20-£25.

Oh you Jezebel!

Did I mention my obsession lately with silhouettes? Or did I just mention it out loud to myself? Thought so...

These lovely letterpress cards from Jezebel are perfect for any occasion, and, in my case, would make good refrigerator/mantle art (where all good cards go). (starting at $3.50, found via Domino Mag's blog.)

Jezebel also has an awesome etsy store with t-shirts, etc.

Gift-list

For those of us who find inspiration for gift giving everywhere, here is the Little Gift Giving Book at Good on Paper. Now you can write down what your thinking whenever you have those light bulb gift moments, instead of wandering around the mall aimlessly the night before your mom's birthday. ($7.00, via Poppytalk)