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

TORDS BOONTJE

I just purchased a set of these Tords Boontje dinner plates at Anthropologie.com. I have to say, even though they were $85 for a set of two dinner plates, its worth it. I don't like sets so I just ordered two, but if you like sets...they are purchaseable on their website... As Sophia Coppola said in a Domino Magazine interview, dinner plates make ever dinner special, especially when you order alot of pizza, chinese and take out.

Target has a cool line of very inexpensive holiday plates designed by Dutch Designer, Tords Boontje. Four of them for $16.99. If you scroll below to Target Items, you can see them.

Anthropologie website: website:anthropologie.com

Target website: website:target.com

BINTH

This is a company based out of Chicago with three contributors. Linnea Gits the artist, Suzanna Bierwirth a creative director at a global marketing company and Peter Dunham a furniture designer. I found this company on a blog in Austraila, but its a US company!
Binth does quite a variety of jobs...amazing graphic murals and custom installation for the furniture and design company, Herman Miller down to smaller jobs like making wedding and baby announcements. Check out their website, where you can purchase affordabe art on notecards, holiday cards, or order custom announcements cards. They are also carried in stores throughout the US. In LA, you can find them at OK in HOllywood, A&R crafts in Silverlake, or Firefly in Venice.

website:binth.com

FERRABY LIONHEART

Ferraby Lionheart is a solo artist who resides in LA. I saw Ferraby live with Kevin, my boyfriend and Dan Long (a friend of Kevin's) that is collaborating with this muscian on his new record. Considering that it was a 11pm show at the Troubadour on a Tuesday night, I remember thinking...I hope this guy keeps it brief so that I could cut out of there at a decent hour. To my surprise, I found myself wanting more songs, and wanting the people in the crowd to shut up so that I Could hear the lyrics better.
He is an musical talent that is VERY rare and I know that one day soon, I will be saying to myself, I remember when I saw him locally in LA.
His voice reminds me of Paul McCartney and a little bit of Ben Folds (I agree with Chip Adams review from Wire Magazazine on May 6,2006). His self titled CD, which I purchased for $6.99 on My Space, was worth every penny. After purchasing his CD,
I find myself singing along to his songs when I am alone in the car or shower, which I never do, and there is one song that I keep repeating called "Crack in Time". This guys is going to be a star...he just needs someone to help him get one of his songs into a movie score! SIMPLY MARVELOUS.

Ferrably's Website: ferrabylionheart.com

ALEX WOO

Alex is friend of mine in New York who I first met when I was the photo editor at Instyle. I remember her calling me up before she became a very successful jewelry designer and asking me if she could come show us some of her new designs. I took that appointment and to this day, I love and still wear the items that I have purchased.
We have became friends over the years, and it amazing to me each season, the designs she comes up with, and the growing popularity of her designs. American celebrities love her...and she is quite a talent. The best things about her is she is involved in many charities, to help the community...particulary, ovarian cancer.
Check out her website. I love so many items, I didn't know which image to post!

Website: alexwoo.com

JAZZLIFE

This is an amazing book and CD package due to come out in Jan 07. It is a reissue from William Claxton's book called Jazzlife. Taschen began reassembling this collection in 2003, with never-been-seen color images from those trips.

There will only be 1,000 copies, each of the individually signed by the photographer William Claxton. In the 60's, legendary photographer William Claxton and noted German Musicologist Jochim Berendt travelled the US together. The result...a fantastic collection of photographs and recordings of artists, some legends and some musicians that are unknown.
If you loved what Claxton did with Steve McQueen, then you will love this book. His photographs of Chet Baker are much like the way he did McQueen, like a close personal friend.

This book is $1250, but it comes with four ultrachrome prints that have been signed...not bad for William Claxton original prints. You can purchase this on taschen.com.

Website: taschen.com

MARIMEKKO

This is fantastic Marimekko shower curtain that I found at Anthropologie. Its another one of the large stores that carry home goods, as well as clothing and really cool random stuff. I found my Tords Boontje dinner places here as well. This shower curtain is only $48.99 which isn't bad considering its a Marimekko item, and can be purchased on line.

anthropologie.com

TARGET ITEMS

I had about 2 hours to kill this past weekend in between errands, so I went to the Target store...to my surprise there was an amazing selection of VERY cool items designed by some fantastic designers.
Tords Boontje dishes, Behnaz Sarafpour clothing, Michael Graves kitchen and home goods, Liz Lange Maternity Wear, Karim Rachid's Method items, Zyliss items...lot of random stuff but very well designed at an affordable price.
If you live abroad, lucky for you they have a website.

These are a few items that I really liked.
1. The siliconeZone set of four picto Cutting Boards. Four for $12.99...great holiday gift!
2. Zyliss cook-n-serve tong in green. $14.99
3. Clothing collection by Behnaz Sarafpour...lots of great silk shirts, blazers and pants for under $50
4. Boston Warehouse Black Shark Bottle Opener-8' for $9.99...a bit teenage boy, but I love it.
5. Tords Boontje Dessert plates (four) -$16.99
check out their website.target.com

QUENTIN CURRY IN NY

Quentin Curry is a young New York Artist. In 2006, his series of paintings were images of the aftermath of everyday disasters. Using sentimental image, his paintings provide a deeply layered, apocalyptic vision of a not too distant future (or past). The paintings face are often dominated by a thick and grainy texture made by applying pigment to the painting through the weave of various fabrics. His use of the weave can also be seen in his compositions, which bring together often-dispart scenes and characters to create his subjects.

He will be featured in upcoming group shows at Stellan Holm Gallery and Stephen Stux in New York as well as Kavi Gupta in Chicago. He also has a scheduled solo show in 2007 with Stellan Holm Gallery. Curry lives and works in New York and happens to be my brother in law! You can see his work on his website at quentincurry.com or email him at qcurry@aol.com
http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/quentin_curry.htm/


He recently exhibited in LA at the Kantor/Feuer gallery on Melrose. He can be reached through Kantor/Feuer gallery.
702 Melrose Ave, LA CA 90038 email. info@kantorfeuer.com