BLACK FOREST

When I was about 7 years old, my brother Wil and I would terrorize my mother. We were bad kids. She sometimes would try and frighten us in hopes that we would behave. She made us some story about the "black forest" and said she was going take us there if we continued to be bad. We didn't believe her and would just fight and scream and not eat. One night my mom had a meltdown because we wouldn't go to bed and she put us in the car and drove a few miles from where we lived...she told us to get out, which we did, and she drove off. Black Forest. It was real. Needless to say about 5 minutes later, she came back and we were crying and promised to be good. Since that night, if were were being bad again, two words would shut us up... When I saw these plates, made me laugh...and also, I have to confirm that the Black Forest does exist.
This Black Forest line was designed by Bodo Sperlein for Dibbern. I like the dinnerplates which cost about $82 on lilleashop.com.

DAVERO

Whether you are a educated foodie or a starving artist or student who cooks at home, these products are worth the splurge. If you have some last minute shopping, this is great gift for that one person or boss, who have everything. This company is special...Davero is family owned business in Sonoma County who imported trees from Tuscany and planted them on their farm. Good stuff. It doesn't hurt that a pack of celebrity chefs have also fallen in love with the oils, and use them in their trendy restaurants... Mario Batali of Babbo, David Silverman of Tao, Loretta Keller of Coco500 and Charlie Palmer of Dry Creek Kitchen. This three pack sells for $72 on www.davero.com.

WOODY

These are Roost designed shelves that have been recycled, and are made of teak or hardwood. They are waxed and what's cool about them is that no two pieces are alike. Comes in small, medium, and large. $36, $54, $96 on www.velocityartanddesign.com.

DOG HOUSE

The designer bow haus has killed two birds with one side table...this is a dog crate and side table in one...
It can be fully dismantled with an allen key (provided) for easy cleaning and transport. It comes in two sizes,
Studio Bow Haus for Small Dogs (up to 20 lbs) Measurements: H 15.5" x Dia 21" and then the larger one, Loft Bow Haus for Large Dogs (up to 50 lbs) Measurements: H 23" x Dia 30" Top. Pad come In Reversible Orange/Charcoal or Green/Mocha. How cool is this!...I think this is such a stylish way to crate your dog.
Price is around $389 for the smaller one, and $499 for the larger one on www.velocityartanddesign.com.

ARNOLD NEWMAN

Arnold Newman. For all you photo geeks out there, or any of you trying to impress sophisticated editorial friends, I have to educate you on one of the American photo legends of our time. He was a real photographer...not a computer wiz that knows how to put two photos together an similate an fake image like most photographers these days. He was a true artist, that caught a moment or made it happen organically. Its sad...it seems like the last few years some of my favorite photographers have passed away...Helmut Newton, Avedon, Herb Ritts and Arnold Newman. He is most famous for his jumping series that was hip in the 50's and 60's, but since then alot of photographers have knocked off his studio style of animated faces and stylish dressed subjects. Check out this book...he is genius.Check it out on on this website,
www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/books/photography/all/facts/01377.htm.

M WARD

I know alot of you may be sick of the indie rock that just won't go way, but I have to tell you about one more guy who is worth the $12. M (short for Matt) Ward, is one of my favorites these days. He grew up in San Luis Obispo, Calif., and his lyrics and his slow and self important music makes me think that just one more won't kill me. He had a fantastic CD that came out in 2005 called, "Transistor Radio," which got rave reviews from ALL thereputable critics, and you can check out his website to see the long list.
Some great songs...You Still Believe in Me, One Life Away and Big Boat. For his new CD "Post War", you can listen to a few of the songs on MySpace.com. He will be touring, and is due to perform in NY on Jan 26, Chicago on Jan 29, LA on Feb 2 and San Francisco on Feb 4th. He is definitely one to watch. www.mwardmusic.com.

BABY ROCKER

I don't have a baby but if I did, he/she would be wearing this. This website for babies and young kids has everything to hip up the little one.
$20 for a onepiece on ktrix.com.

WALK ME

It seems as if everyone I know has a dog. A friend of mine, Lizzie who is the mastermind behind DesignWatcher.com just rescued a dog with a friend while on the freeway, another friend rescued a dog from Ace of Hearts in Beverly Hills. I found this cool Glow in the Dark Dog Leash which comes in handy in the dark so that cars can see you from a distance. Its extends 13 feet and its really cute. This posting if for you guys!
$34.00 on www.hapaculture.com.

IPOD OUTFIT

I really love this ipod case...its sold out,but if you check back in a week, it will probably be available. There are two others, but this one is my favorite. Will not fit a mini or nano. $15.00 on www.plumparty.com.

HIP TUPPERWARE

I found some great storage container sets perfect to keep leftovers, bake cookies and give as a gift and make food storage more visually interesting. Each set come with 3 melamine containers and it a comes in a few other patterns. Great gift...$32.00 on www.plumparty.com.

DOORS

This colorful silicone tube doorstop is a great way to keep the doors open. Bad news...if you have a dog, it probably won't stay a doorstop that long. $12 on www.uncommongoods.com

PUNK BABY

For some reason or other, most of my friend are pregnant. I know the right thing to do is go into their registry at the fancy baby places, but I found a cool gift that I think most moms would love... Check out www.mypunkbaby.com. There are some cool rock tee-shirts made for infants and kids. My favorite...the Ramones, $20 for a one piece tee.
You should also check out www.babywit.com...they have Jimmy Hendrix and Sonic Youth.

SURFS UP

Winter is in full swing and as much as I love getting bundled up in my hats and warm duds, I do miss the sun, sand and surf. If you need to break out of town for a few days, check out www.cabosurfhotel.com. Kevin took me there in August, and in one word...its just RAD. It is a secluded and affordable beachfront boutique resort in Los Cabos, about 20 minutes from Cabo San Lucas. There are only 19 air-conditioned rooms, all ocean front with all the amenities that any high powered person on his or her, could appreciate.

Cabo Surf Hotel is located on Playa Acapulquito, which is a fantastic beach to catch waves. I went and caught the best wave of my life. Nearby, there is a little town that you can go to at night and get some tasty taquerias.
For the yuppies out there, the hotel is across from one of Los Cabos newest golf courses,Querencia, and just past the Palmilla Hotel & Golf Course. The hotel is family owned, and the gentleman that runs the place is Mauricio Balderama. He is this friendly tall,hand some man, that really loves his property and makes himself available to everyone...he even surfs with the guests. This would be a great place for a wedding, or just a quick getaway with your partner to learn to surf, golf, and tan during the day, and then go into Cabo at night. Room rates are reasonable, during a promotion, you can get a room for $225.

BEER GLASSES

I like these beer glasses a lot. They are made in the USA, out of the recycled Mexican "Sol" beer bottles. What's great about them is that they are extremely durable for drunkards or people like me who break a lot of dished on accident.
$25.00 for a set of 4 on www.elsewares.com.

KAJ WATCH

I love this colorful Karim Rachid watch, I wish someone would get it for me for Christmas. He designed it for Alessi, and it can be purchased on the moma store online. It also comes in brown,and its costs about $85.

EVELINE'S ENCORE

I just got my 3 original illustrations that I purchased from Eveline. Is there such a thing as a blog encore? I had too...she is amazing. Eveline Tarunadjaja is a young illustrator that I discovered on a blog in Australia. She resides in Melborne, and takes comissioned work. I LOVE THIS GIRLS WORK!
www.lovexevol.com

COFFEE FOR 1

COFFEE FOR ONE
This is a colorful French press for singles or those traveling abroad. The body is ceramic and the press mechanism is stainless steel and what's cool is that it comes in four colors: aqua, blue, orange or red. I love the aqua one. $30 each.

Designer: For Life, Japan

website. raredevice.com

VINYL WALL ART

This supercool ring of animal silhouettes makes a statement! It's part of the vinyl line by a French publishing house called Domestic.
website. website. raredevice.net


Designer: Studio Job, France
Dimensions: 20 x 20"

FOR HIM

I love this Bike Chain Bottle Opener. Its made out of recycled bike chain and the handle is anodized aluminum head. This item is a recyled product and Made in the USA. Great gift! $12.00

website. website. elsewares.com

CAMPISE STUD EARRINGS

These gun stud earrings from CAMPISE are available at Ron Herman. Campise also makes skull, feather and spider studs, but I think the guns are different and a lot of fun.
They are sold Individually or as a pair, and come in a white or yellow 14k gold. Gun is approximately 1/2" x 1/4". $88.

website. website. ronherman.com

LOTTE HANSEN IN NY

My friend Arthur and I were walking down SOHO just after having lunch one day, and LOTTE HANSEN was on Spring street taking Polaroid images that were reversed, so that the effect would be a positive photo on linen. Its was $6 per photo, and I was thinking... this is so amazing! She said that she was for hire, and that she loved doing this a few weekend every month.
What a a great holiday gift...a portrait by a talented photographer.

Lotte Hansen was born in Copenhagen, Denmark. She started her photography career in 1995, when she worked as an assistant photographer. Lotte's first position in New York was as an assistant photographer for Bruce Weber. Now, many moons later, she has now taken thousands of portraits of locals, voyeurs and tourists on the New York streets.
She continues to work on her many creative photography projects including portrait and advertising work.
You can inquire about her services for a portrait sitting, parties, and small social events through her website.
website. lottehansen.com

FAIR

For fans of Poor Old Lu, Aaron Sprinkle, The World Inside, Mae, Travis, Elliott Smith, All Things Bright & Beautiful this is going to be right up your alley.

Fans of Aaron Sprinkle take note. This album, the debut by Sprinkle's most recent moniker, Fair (a band made up of Sprinkle on vocals/guitars/keys/programming/percussion, old time friend and bandmate Nick Barber on bass/vocals, Eric Newbill on guitars/vocals/keys/programming, and Joey Sanchez on drums/vocals) is the best piece of music Sprinkle has done in his entire career say some critics.

The range of dynamics Fair accomplishes with subtle keyboard use and clever song structures and breakdowns are overwhelming. "Carelessness" is the album's first single. I like this song alot...and Songs like "Monday", "Bide My Time" the chilling and orchestral "Blurry Eyed", and the driving, melodic, "Unglued" soothes and comforts.You can listen to the their website fairforever.com or on my space.

website. myspace.com

BON APPETIT

The Bon Appetit cookbook edited by Barbara Fairchild is quite an amazing collection of delicious recipes. I have to credit the Photo Editor, Liz Mathews, and the designers of this book...its an easy read with its bold headlines and the photography is just downright food porn.
I have tabbed about 20 recipes! This would be a fantastic gift for anyone.
YOu can purchase this book on amazon.com or on bonappetit.com.
website. amazon.com

ROCK HORNS

This rock horn candle from urban outfitter is a fun gift and makes a statement
without saying a word. There are three styles,each candle is making a different gesture: the bird, peace sign or rock horns. Imported. * 5"l, 3"w, 8.5"h. $16.00
website. urbanoutfitter.com

BED BATH AND BEYOND

Kevin and I went to a store called Bed Bath and Beyond the other day cause he needed some kitchen goods. To my surprise, I found some amazing and affordable items designed by some high profile designers like Kate Spade, Jonathan Adler, Eisch, Bormioli, and Karim Rachid. Here are a few picks.

Kate Spade Porcelain Dish Sets
Kate Spade brings her sense of style and whimsy to the playful 3-piece Pippin Park set for kids, Crafted of fine porcelain.There is another set in pick for the gals. Dishwasher safe. $74.99

Dirt Devil Kone Vacuum
Lizzie Garrett, mastermind behind designwathcer.com, picked this for a home section for a magazine we both work for. I bought the blue one, but the black one is the best looking. This handheld vaccum weighs less than 2-lbs,designed by Karim Rashid. Its an easy to use and its bagless. $39.99

Eisch Crystal Decanter Set
This big bellied decanter ensures the maximum contact between the wine and oxygen allowing it to breathe and fully develop. $129.99.

Jonathan Adler Terry Towels
Add a lively and modern look to your bathroom with these fun towels. 100% cotton. Washcloth measures 12" x 12". Hand is 28" x 16". Bath towel measures 52" x 27". $12.99 for bath towels.

website. bedbathandbeyond.com

TAKUMI SHIMAMURA

This is the Maru calculator made of Yanese cedar veneer sandwhiched around cork spacer. Its is a great gift, and an object that most people don't think purchase. Designed by Takumi Shimamura in 2005 it is made in Japan and sold at Mossonline.com. for $85.oo.
dimensions:
6.5" diameter

website. mossonline.com

EDISON LAMP

This sleek hand blown glass light is modern art. I would imagine that it does not belong in a home with young children or an active dog. Made in France, $798, 20.5"h, 8"w. It can be purchased online:

website. anthropologie.com

ZUNE FROM MICROSOFT

Zune, the new WiFi-enabled, bigger-screened iPod competitor from Microsoft was just launched. Its non-scratch rubberized case, FM tuner, wireless song and picture sharing (from up to 30 feeet away), DJ/broadcast mode, richer animation from screen to screen is pretty amazing. They have alot of the same features as the IPOD...playlists, capability to download to a library, and its small shape.
Though the main navigation looks like a scroll wheel, it is a "donut" that clicks in four directions as well as in the center.

Videos are not yet available from the Zune site, but it will be launched shortly.

The 30 gig Zune players retail for $249 and are available from Amazon. A range of accessories are also available.

website. http://www.zune.net/en-US/

MAP

Map is one of those great obscure little bands that has not had their 15 minutes.
HOWEVER, with the talen this band has, like Jet or SPoon, will catch on and once they do, it will spread like wildfire.
This band has close ties with a band called the Starflyer 59 (they have toured with the band, plus Jason Martin produced this EP). Map consists of Josh Dooley (guitar, vocals), Trevor Monks (drums), and Paul Akers (keyboards).

What I like about this band is that it is definitely pop...but its intelligent pop. YOu can hear the influences of THe REd House Painters, Smith or should I say, Jim MOrrisey type lyrics. The music digest easily, and some of the tunes, are just simply cool.
Three strong tracks on this album, including "Breakfast at Ikea," "Au Bord de la Mer," and "Rachel Dreams." You can purchase their CD's which their latest, only costing $7.49 on
velvetbluemusic.com


NOTE: My favorite song by them is called VIXEN, on a record called THINK LIKE AN OWNER. YOU can hear this song and, a song called Rachel Dream from this CD on:

http://www.myspace.com/thebandmap

JOHN DERIAN

John Derian. I know that he is all over the place, but come on...his items are hot. His designs are handmade in his studio in New York, where he employs a small staff of artists to assist with production. He is an avid collector of antique fruit, flower and animal prints and combines all these elements into this series...eccentric collages, which are reprinted and pieced together in layers under glass accessories.
These accent trays are $180.00 (SKU JD247) on lilleashop.com.
I looked at my friend Shane McCoy's website which leads you to lileashop.com, as store in Chicago, and she leads you to his lovely items. check out her website, sacredcity.blogspot.com


website. lilleashop.com

MICHAEL ARAM

Since the holidays are coming, I have two things in mind...finding unique and affordable gifts AND throwing or attending small dinner parties. This was an item that I thought would be interesting to have out on my dining table.
Its a Coral Reef Tray, made of Stainless steel with red lacquered aluminum and brushed highlights. Designed by Michael Aram, an internationally renowned designer who has lived and worked in India since 1989, his his work is a celebration of craft and age-old handworking traditions. Interesting goods. I found this on lileashop.com.
small 9.75"x14.5" $115.00 (SKU MA142)
medium 12.75"x17.5" $195.00 (SKU MA157)
large 15.5"x21.5" $290.00 (SKU MA158)

website:website. lilleashop.com

THOMAS PAUL

I was checking out my friend Lizzie Garrett's website, designwatcher.com, and saw an amazing item that she featured, so I went to purchase it at elsewares.com. (Its a coat hanger and its so brilliant!)
While on the site, I saw this item, and that what a great way to have some cool black and white goth dessert plates and use it as wall art too! They are affordable, and are made from high quality, durable melamine. The pattern is an exclusive Thomas Paul design that references traditional motifs used in fine china and adds a modern gothic spin. Both, are new item and will be available to ship after November 22.

Gothic Side Plates: Measures 9" in diameter.: Dishwasher safe, not microwavable. Ships 11/22
Price $28.00 for a set of 4
Gift Box this item ($5)


Website: website. elsewares.com
www.elsewares.com

JOSEPH AND JOSEPH

I was surfing the web this morning before work, and noticed an item that Karin Erikkson featured in her blog and LOVED it. I hate to knock off another person, but I feel the responsibility of not hiding good affordable finds for those few of you reading this blog!
There are fantastic colorful wall clocks by Joseph and Joseph and whether you are a student in a dorm room, to a celebrity with a case study home, you will find his clocks a hipper way to go than the typical herman miller clocks.
I have been in a black and white phase, I am featuring the all black which is my favorite...but there is teal blue, off white, and fuschia!
These are toughened glass wall clocks that utilize quality German quartz movements and guaranteed for 1 year against defects. These stylish time pieces, require a single AA battery (not supplied). Manufactured from toughened glass it is 39 cm (15¼ inches approx) in diameter. The website is based out of England, and depending on the clocks will range from about $50 to $85.

These can be purchasd on the Corvus Corone Mail Order.
Website: corvusweb.co.uk

http://corvusweb.co.uk

JAMES OWEN DESIGN

James Owen designs out of Portland Orgeon. I was quite impressed with his innovative and simple design. He had created and developed products for clientgs such as Fed Ex, Whirlpool, Starbucks, Colgate, Intel and Sharp.
For all of you interior designers or shopaholics, you will be quite impressed.

website.jamesowendesign.com

INSECTS AT MOSS

I was cooking last night and burned another plastic cutting board. Its getting quite expensive cooking...I keep ruining great pans and cutting boards! Last night, I was on a mission to fix this problem and I did! This a a graphic tile available at Moss in NY or Mossonline.com. Its and Insect tile made of glazed porcelain, designed by Job Smeets. Its manufactured in The Netherlands. Tiles come in four patterns, and can be arranged as well.
dimensions:
5.25" square
price:
$20.00

Website.website. mossonline.com

HOT AND COLD

This is a tumbler that has been around for while, but it is truely a fantastic item. Its called the ASSAM by Bodum. Its a double walled glass that can you can use year round. Keeps your ice teas cool during the summer and hot chocolates steamy in the winter. (Great for elderly or people that have problems with their wrists...since its so light.) They are made of very strong but weightless glass (borosilicate glass) and can safely go in the dishwasher or microwave.
The price is right too! for a set of two, $14.95.

website. bodumusa.com

GOODS FOR A GOOD CAUSE

My friend Shane McCoy has a cool blog, sacredcity.blogspot.com. There is one item, which made me want to knock her off, so here I am doing it shamelessly. Not only were the products cool, but the money goes to a very good cause. I love these pillow covers that you can buy on their website...they are only $27.95.

The company is called HABA NA HABA.
They provide innovative and sustainable educational and business opportunities to AIDS orphans in Tanzania. Beth Peterson is the rock of this company and in 2001 when she visited Tanzania for the first time while she was volonteering for Habitat for Humanity, she was captivated and felt she needed to do something...get involved.
Its a small company that nurtures local initiatives and empowers young adults, most of them AIDS orphans. Their goal is to build thriving businesses that provide on-the-job training and jobs with fair wages that enable these young men and women to support themselves and create a hopeful future.

website. habanahaba

BLUEGRASS

This is a fantastic new CD BOX SET that came out two weeks ago (Nov 1,2007). Its a compilation of DOLLY PARTON's Acoustic Bluegrass music from 1999 to 2002. I know what some of you might be thinking,but Dolly's Bluegrass music is pretty amazing. If not for you, a great gift for someone that you may know. Its only $25.97.

Website: amazon.com