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.

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.

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)

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

Make your own cookbook

Know anyone who's ever wanted their own cookbook? My friend Paola sent me over this link from the New York Times about a new venture from Conde Nast and Kamran Mohsenin - Tastebook.com. Through this site, users can create their very own cookbooks, using up to 100 recipes from Bon Appetit, Gourmet, Epicurious, and other chefs. You can even add your own personal recipes - which is why I really like this concept. The book comes in a hardcover binder (you choose the front image and the title) and allows you to add chapters that are tabbed for easy access.

How much does all this cost? $34.95!

For gift-giving purposes, I suggest gathering up the family's favorite recipes and creating a cookbook using the family name (ie, The Smith Family Recipes) and gifting to all the chefs in your clan. This would also be great for showers, weddings, and office parties.

Thanks for the tip P!

Get a gift for . . . MOM

I decided to start off the gift giving extravaganza with the person who knows you best - Mom. Moms give so much of themselves, which is why we always stress out when we have to get her a gift. What do you get for a person who can do it all without even breaking a sweat?

How about...

Hearthside Slippers from L.L. Bean? I love the contrast in the stitching. These slippers come in a variety of colors, and for $29.95, they're great for gift givers on a budget. The best part? L.L. Bean offers free shipping through the holiday season!

If you have a little more to spend, you might pair the slippers with...

A chic set of flannel pajamas from Garnet Hill. Leopard print? 'Nuff said. ($68.00)

If your mom is more of an outdoor's type, you might want to try...

The Women's Fernvale Jacket from Woolrich. The sherpa lining is sure to keep her warm and it's machine washable! ($135.00)

To complete the look, pair it with the Women's Malila Hat ($15.00) and mittens ($15.00), also available at Woolrich.

If you want to give her a gift that reminds her you love her all year, get her...

A year of seeds from Red Envelope. For $70.00, your mom will grow petunias, marigolds, poppies, and impatiens, just to name a few.

And finally, if your mom would like something to put on display, she'll love...

These glass houses from Gardener's Supply. Order a set of three for $75.00, and maybe gift them as one from each grandchild?

or...
The "Wild Wings Literary Lodgings Field Guide Birdhouse" (whoo, that's a mouthful!) from Art Effect. The birdhouse is made from books that were discarded from libraries. ($150.00)

or...

This photo frame from Winterthur. Put in pics of the entire family. ($32.00)

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).

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!

New Orleans Baby!

In case anyone was wondering, the gift giver went to New Orleans on a three-day excursion. If you've never been, or if you haven't been post-Katrina, I highly recommend it. The city is really getting back on it's feet and the people there are all about having a great time. If you're in the area and looking for possible souvenirs/gifts here are some hot spots I found.

The New Orleans School of Cooking and Louisiana General Store in the French Quarter offers daily cooking classes, plus a store where you can get traditional New Orleans seasonings. I picked up some Joe's seasoning for stocking stuffers (also available in their online shop). The staff there is very friendly and willing to help with whatever you are looking for.

I'm not necessarily a sweet person, but it's had to go to New Orleans without passing a praline shop. Many claim to be the "original," and while that is an argument I wouldn't want to touch, I had a chance to sample Aunt Sally's at the French Market, and they are delish! Pick up a box for grandma.

If you head over to Magazine Street, you must hit up Pied Nu. It is a cute little boutique with all sorts of gifts, I especially love their jewelry (warning...they aren't cheap)! You may also want to check out Hazelnut, which has the "exclusive" New Orleans Toile. When I first moved to CT, I turned into a toile freak, and although I have since calmed down, my heart went pitter-patter at the thought of a New Orleans toile accordion file.

So, there you have it! Anyone else have good gift recommendations for the NOLA area?

Scrapbooking kits

I saw this scrapbooking kit from Scrapfu over at funkyfinds yesterday and thought, "What a great gift idea!" The kit is $20. Add in a few select pics of you and your giftee and TADA! You've just made the perfect gift.









Good for:

• Moms (and sentimental dads)
• Friends
• Artsy-craftsy folks
• That person who is always taking pictures of you and posting them on their MySpace page.
• The rabid scrapbooker who has a whole room devoted to hole punches and caption box stickers.

Also good if you want to make a scrapbook to give as a gift to remind someone of a great trip, party, how thin you looked 5 years ago, or maybe even a montage of all the above.

Other kits I found surfing the Web.

Who doesn't love Amy Butler fabrics?! I found some great scrapbooking kits for $10 with Belle and Sola patterns over at HSN (I know, who would've thunk it?).

If you really want to go overboard (and who wouldn't with a cute kit like this), here's a link to a scrapbook of the month club at Little Red Scrapbook. Prices start at $27.50 for one month.