Feel the Ocean Spray with Waves Postcard Book

I love the sound of crashing waves and the feel of being near water. In fact, nothing relaxes me more.

So just looking at the Waves Postcard Book with photographs by Rob Gilley brings an inner calm that I rarely experience in daily life.

I think a lot of people feel this way about water, so sharing that feeling of serenity by sending out these gorgeous postcards (there's 30 in full colour to choose from ) is a wonderful way to spread the joy.

Whether its the big orange waves in Ventura County, California, the clear water or Newport Beach or deep indigo of outside the Pipeline in Oahu, Hawaii, you'll find something here for everyone.

And if you're anything like me, you'll keep a couple to frame and put on your desk to try and bring that feeling of quiet and peace to your workday.

Get your own copy of Waves Postcard Book and revel in the bliss of water and waves.

Indulge Your Love of Making Lists with Curious Lists: A Creative Journal for List-Lovers

I have been making lists since I was a young girl.

I don't know why it brings me such joy, but anytime I'm stuck in any problem that needs solving, a list always brings me peace - and usually a solution not long after.

I know I'm not alone in this. There are a ton of folks who loved to make lists. Like Ashley of the awesome blog After Nive to Five with her "Life List," and Meredith of Penelope Loves Lists.

Curious Lists: A Creative Journal for List-Lovers is a fantastic gift for those of us that love to write things one after another, that like to come up with ways to be more productive or intensify our creativity.

Twenty-six chapters of orderly, fun lists offers hours of fun and merriment for list-makers. And the best part? You simply fill in the blanks! There is something here for everyone - Lists for Rainy Days, Lists for Vacations, Lists for When You're on the Bus...

Ooh, get your pens and pencils out, folks - it's time to list Rural Areas Mentioned in Hemingway Stories, Best-Selling Salt-Water Taffy Flavours and Albums to be Played on a Sunday Afternoon.

Stock up on Curious Lists for all the creative and type A folks on your gift-giving lists. They will love you forever.

Oh Egg Press - How I Love Thee!

I have been writing about Egg Press for years because their cards are always sweet, charming and hit just the right note. It is one of the few lines that I always get a "What a great card!" compliment.

So I'm beyond thrilled to share their new products with you - so innovative, so fun! Check 'em out:

- Charm cards (pictured above) are a present and card all in one! The recipient gets all the tools to make earrings, bracelets and necklaces all in a flat package that is easily mailed. And at such an affordable price, you can get them for everyone on your gift list!

- Letterpressed recipe cards are the only folded ones I've ever seen - and what a fabulous idea! You send your sentiments and a recipe. How cool is that? They are sized to fit in a traditional recipe box, and the name of the dish can be seen through a sweet little die-cut window. Sold in a set of 6 (jars, yum, food, veggie, sand dollar, cook), just try not to buy out the entire stock. These are going to go quickly.

-   The new line of letterpressed cards with Angela Adams have the bold, colourful, sunny graphics that are so right now and that you have come to know and love over the years (I've had Angela Adams stationery and notebooks for what seems like decades now).  They may just have you wanting to redo your whole place in this fashion. Just watch!

Check out Egg Press' brand new website and stock up on these amazing cards.

Egg Press, I will love you until the end of time.

British Library and art lust

The British Library is a beautiful building and the grounds outside are lovely as well. There's also a science fiction exhibit going on that I was too tired Friday to properly appreciate but I did peek inside. And it was lovely to nap in front of. So much to do in London, I am clearly only going to scratch the surface. My reading went fabulously; so inspiring on so many levels. And Sh! has so many gorgeous sex toys, plus I got to see a certain lucky audience member get a few (okay, more than a few) flicks of a very loud whip, not to mention erotic art and sexy lingerie and they treated me better than I think I've ever been treated at a reading, giving everyone bubbly (champagne) and cupcakes and me a harness and dildo and lube and, even better, a bag! A bag is clearly the way to my heart.

Many other amazing things about the reading another time. There was much cupcaking which I will post about at Cupcakes Take the Cake, but of course. I got to see Lena Chen and Rachel Hills for a very brief moment, and Lena helped me fix my phone so I can actually use GPS. Had one of those "I'm proud of myself" travel moments when waited for trains at Piccadilly Circus that put a crowded L train to utter shame, having shoved on what looked like twice the amount my hipster neighbors manage to squeeze in. I was there with 2 grocery bags of a dozen cupcakes each and my 3 bags waiting and waiting (we were right near a very touristy area and where Pride had let out) and then I decided to just go a different route and 3 trains later I was at Old Street and found Sh! and Hoxton Square. Fabulous!

Off to visit friends in the country today and plot out final two days of art-going. I did manage to get to Soho Square but finding Kirsty MacColl's bench would've taken quite a lot of waiting as a huge Pride party was going on inside. The three art exhibits I most want to see are A Girl and Her Room by Rania Matar at Mosaic Rooms (info below), the Jamie Reid exhibit at Isis Gallery and the Tracey Emin exhibit, Love Is What You Want, at Hayward Gallery. More on A Girl and Her Room:

The Arab-American photographer brings her award-winning series of images, A Girl and her Room, to the UK for the first time. This series features intimate photographic portraits of teenage girls in their most personal space, their bedroom.

This project began by Matar photographing her teenage daughter with her friends. She soon realised the girls were very conscious of each other in the way they behaved and represented themselves when together. From there emerged the idea of photographing each girl alone in her personal space, where she would give a more honest representation of her personality.

Matar took as her subjects teenage girls from the two worlds she experienced herself as a teenager and a young twenty year old, making this project very personal: the Middle and the United States. She became fascinated by how girls face similar issues at that age, regardless of culture, religion and background.

Matar comments: “In my images I hope to portray the chasm between childhood and adulthood and the young women straddling it, sometimes as rebels, sometimes as young ladies aware of their newfound sexuality and very often still as children. Being with those young women in the privacy of their world gave me a unique peek into their private lives and their real selves.


it wasn't just out of cupcake duty that I visited my third Johnny Cupcakes store...or bought an overpriced but fun t-shirt as a souvenir of my trip (not a Hello Kitty one, which they sell at home, but a special JC London one that's only sold in the store here)

Show Your Gratitude with Gorgeous, Inexpensive Cards from Thank You Cards Shop

One of the greatest joys in my life is stationery. And in particular, thank you cards.

There is something about being able to write my sincere thanks and gratitude to someone for their kindness and generosity or friendship.

So thank you cards are a very big deal to me. I don't send just anything. It's got to be darn special.

So when I found Amy Lowry's Thank You Cards Shop, I was absolutely elated. Someone that specializes in thank you's? How amazing is that?! Amy writes about how she came to have the shop: 

"[Thank You Cards Shop] is an expression of my love for stationery and for living the creative life. I cannot tell you how much fun I had designing each card for the shop. I got my start designing stationery for my own wedding, almost 6 years ago and from there I was hooked. Almost everything about our wedding was DIY! When it came time to design the thank you cards for the wedding I found myself short on time – and ended up shopping for cards, but wasn’t totally happy with the selection available and the lack of customized options. Years later, I remembered this and realized that designing stationery would allow me to explore so many different styles – and to design for so many different types of people. I knew it was a perfect fit for me, and I’m excited to be embarking on a new chapter in my career as a stationery designer."

All of the cards are digitally printed on high quality white cardstock and professionally printed and packaged in the TYCS studio. The paper is manufactured in the United States, either from FSC certified forests (ensuring responsible harvesting techniques are used) or from paper recycled from cotton remnants, with 90% of packaging materials made from recycled paper.

When is the last time you had so many thanks you card designs to choose from?

-Flowerburst Patterned Cards are sweet and summery - perfect for sending after this season's events. 

- And I love the bird themed cards - Bird Thank You Cards and Crowned Bird Thanks (pictured above). I can think of a bunch of folks that will really appreciate the beautiful illustration and colour palette of these.

- But I think I love The Birds - Stationery the most. These rendition of a happy l'il forest just makes me smile, so I can only imagine how delighted the recipient will feel.

I don't know how Amy is able to offer such affordable cards! And the more you buy, they more they go down in price. My advice is to get a bunch of your favourites and stock up. I like to have them on hand so that as soon as I want to thank someone, I can send it off in the mail as soon as possible. This week, I'll be sending Amy's lovely thank you cards and thank you notes all around the globe - to a friend in London, to a friend who just got married this weekend, to colleagues in Michigan who opened up my eyes and my world, and assorted family and friends for just being in my life.

Now I just have one problem - how do you send one to a person who makes thank you cards for a living? I'll have to think on this one...

Shop the entire Thank You Cards Shop Collection now.

My New Life Guide Is Lotta Jansdotter's Handmade Living: A Fresh Take on Scandinavian Living

I have loved Lotta Jansdotter for years and have written about her products at every opportunity. I wrote about her sewing book back in 2007 and her notecard book, labels and stickers back in 2010.

There is such a clean simplicity to everything that she does that I find so calming and simultaneously appealing.So when I discovered her new book, Handmade Living: A Fresh Take on Scandinavian Style, I knew I'd found my new life guide.

What I mean by that is adapted her philosophies and looks into my own life. While there are many similarities to our looks and homes, I am always looking for ways to improve, simplify, declutter and spend more time on the things that truly matter.

Lotta graciously lets us in on her home and office and shows us fantastic ways to decorate, design and entertain. But really, it is more a lesson about a way of life. In the introduction, she writes, "It's my aim to show you that living a stylish life does not require a lot of money. It simply takes some interest, patience, and a touch of creativity."

I really believe that  you can live a full life without spending a lot. It's like a lot of organizing books say - keep only what really matters and you will enjoy those few things so much more. So I am already on board with her on this one. I think I just need a little honing and maybe a little more Scandinavian touches throughout the place.

Lotta also says that for her, "home is not really home unless there is a bit of cooking involved," so she she not only shares some of her beloved recipes, but includes recipe cards at the back.

I think what I find so fascinating is that she lives in bustling New York doing all of these wildly creative, energetic things and yet, her home is a haven of serenity, calm and beauty. This, while she has a husband, 2 year-old son and a cat. It's not a pristine white on white penthouse where things don't get touched and/or moved. This is like our home - where people live their lives and get dirty and have laundry to do and garbage to take out. What a relief to find someone like us (because we all know that people like Martha Stewart has staff and is prickly about mess). Just look at her kitchen - things are stacked and stacked. It feels just like home, doesn't it?

She gives great advice about everything from covering your windows so they still let in light to using up wasted space with baskets and shelves. And now I want "tray slings" and to instill "Fika" and "Smorgastarta" in my life! - you're just going to have to get the book to find out what they are.My favourite part of the book is about her office. She loves it so much that she decorates and reorganizes it all the time. A woman after my own heart.

I know about 20 people that could really use this book and about 50 that would love it just for the beautiful wisdom and ideas within it, not to mention the photos. What a gorgeous gift this makes - both for yourself and for others. 

And really, giving yourself the life you deserve is the best gift of all. Which is why this is going on my permanent holiday and birthday gift list. Because this kind of joy should be spread all around!

Buy your copies of Handmade Living now.

Cake Vintage Kitchen Papers Turns Your Dinner Party Into the Event of the Season

I love to entertain, but truthfully I'd rather spend my money on ingredients instead of the decorations. But I do like to spruce the place up a bit. It really needs a lift when company's coming by.

That's why my new favourite dinner party accessory is Cake Vintage Kitchen Papers.

This line of beautifully-styled vintage looking papers dresses up your table quickly and without a lot of expense. And you can choose to reuse or recycle them, meaning they'll take up less space than your Grandmother's linens.

Perfect Serving Placemats elevate your food so that everything has the feel of a fine French meal. Whether your tableware is handmade in Portugal or from Ikea, your guest will at least know where which fork goes where. And there's 50 of 'em, so that oughta get you through the summer.

And since doilies are so passe, update your look with 8" Serving Papers (pictured above).  This pad of 25 tear-off sheets means that you can use them under everything from your leek and cheese souffle appetizer to your homemade rhubarb crumble dessert.

For the food lover who's always dabbling in the kitchen, the Cook's Journal is a phenomenal gift. It has a table of contents and each recipe is numbered (space for 40-hand written dishes), with room for the ingredients and directions. With vintage images throughout, it is the most beautiful journal and an instant cookbook - just fill in the blanks and you've got your best-seller completed!

Using soy based inks & 30% recycled content, these are treasured items that make not only wonderful entertaining accompaniments, but incredibly memorable gifts too. 

Shop the entire Cake Vintage Kitchen Papers collection now. A portion of all of proceeds are donated to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Fund at Vanderbilt.

The New Sharpie Gel Highlighters Will Outlast Your Taxes, Notetaking, Etc.

Whoever invented the highlighter really should be commended because sometimes underlining or bolding just isn't enough.

The problem with most highlighters is that they run out or dry out just as you're getting your calendar in order or marking the important lines of a text. And if they don't run out, they smear, which means your whole page gets highlighted, and that's kind of beside the point.

But the new Sharpie Gel Highlighter has this clear, wide, crayon-like tip that goes on the page dry. So no need to worry about messy smears. Not even with a page fresh outta the printer.

And you can write on slick surfaces for once, so whether you're highlighting a quote from a magazine or a title you want to change on photo paper, it will keep up with you. Oh, and if you forget to put the cap on (I'm sorry, but what kind of person would do that?), it won't dry out, because it's gel, not ink. Which means it just glides over everything beautifully. It feels so good to use.

To advance the gel stick, just twist the bottom. It's like having a fresh highlighter each time you use it.

You should see my calendar now!  Available in three colours – pink, yellow and orange - at Walmart, Staples and Grand & Toy. 

Babalar günü zaman?

Babalar günü zaman?

Celebrate William & Kate's Royal Visit with The Coaster Company!

The  Royal Couple: William & Catherine - Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are visiting Canada. How will you celebrate and commemorate this epic event?

No one has better mementos than England's The Coaster Company!

These UK-made Royal Wedding Commemorative Products give you a wide range of photos and products to choose from.  

I think coasters are the way to go, because you get to not only see and enjoy the images, but they come in handy if you like to have a cuppa while you're at your desk or while you're watching the telly (writing about the UK has definitely brought out my English side, as you can see!).  But all of their designs are also available in placemats and mousemats as well.

And because they are so affordable, you can get a bunch for yourself and give the rest as gifts. Such a handsome couple should be displayed, shouldn't they?

The Balcony Kiss on Union Jack Background (pictured above) or without the background preserves that moment in time beautifully. Or perhaps you prefer them waving on the Palace Balcony. Leaving Westminster Abbey is a lovely shot, as is the close up of William & Kate in the Wedding Carriage.And the inclusion of the Crest on this Wedding Commemorative Coaster makes is a wonderful souvenir for Royal's fans.

For those of you who are history buffs, you'll know that according to history files, Keep Calm and Carry On was a poster produced by the British government in 1939 during the beginning of World War II.   It was intended to raise the morale of the British public in the event of invasion, but it never really caught on until its rediscovery in 2000. Since then, it's become a popular catch phrase that actually resonates well in our technologically-laden world.  So I recommend getting a Set of Six Keep Calm and Carry On Coasters  (I love that they come in a variety of colours) for yourself and then a bunch to keep on hand for gifts. You know your friends are going to love 'em as much as you do!

And for a fun take on that, be sure to get these amazing coasters: Calm Down You Can Still Marry Harry, Don't Panic There's Still One Prince Left, Don't Panic You Can Still Marry Pippa and I'm Just Wild About Harry.

Shop The Coaster Comapny's entire collection and commemorate the Royal Visit with something that you'll actually use and you can actually afford (take that, overpriced coins or plates). 

Give the Gift of the Seashore with Beach: A Book of Treasure

Some books draw you in right away.

Josie Iselin's Beach: A Book of Treasure got me right away.

Although I've never lived near the sea's edge, I feel the power that water delivers. All that life in there, how could it not?

But it's Iselin's striking images that make them come off the page. Perhaps it's her method of using a flatbed scanner to make her photographic images that makes them so lifelike.

What I like most about the book is that it's snippets, a deconstruction if you will, of the contents of the beach - water worn glass and stones, seaweed and various creatures along the way. I also appreciate that she writes in a very personal fashion about her beach experiences as well as informing the reader to the more scientific nature of the beach:

"When on the beach of her beloved Pawleys Island, South Carolina, my grandmother preferred to build a sand mermaid instead of the traditional sandcastle. It was a yearly project and we cousins all assisted."

The images and stories will stay with you long after you've finished the last page. Beach: A Book of Treasure is going to be one of my go-to gifts because there is nothing like being at the beach. And if you can't be near one, the next best thing is having it brought to you.

Buy your copy of Beach: A Book of Treasure by the extremely talented Josei Iselin now.

Rock Your Style & Help Japan & New Orleans With what'Surbag - The Most Comfy Tote EVER!

It all started with just one bag.

what’Surbag now thankfully has whole new lines of specially designed reusable tote bags.They are made in New Orleans.

But these are unlike any other tote you've had before - they are super stretchy, uber comfy, completely weightless and extremely fashionable. They come in different sizes so whether you want to head to the beach, the mall, the office or the bookstore, they will keep all your stuff together - medium, large, backpack, pouch, tech tote, travel laundry, travel shoe, travel lingerie, travel toiletry and cosmetic bag.  And all these different looks - metallics, patterns and solids. You won't be able to choose just one!

After you've used a what’Surbag, it's hard to go back to a regular cotton or nylon one. Because the ‘its-laS-tik’ line uses a special flexible nylon and lycra fabric blend, your bag bounces along your side. It is the most awesome feeling in the world. And because it boings along, you feel the weight of your stuff less!

And don't worry, the bag will spring back to its original shape when you remove your items from it. You can wash it, roll it, fold it, scrunch it. It really doesn't take up any room at all!

You can also support and amazing cause while having the coolest tote on the block.  To support efforts to help the Japanese dealing with the multiple disasters in their time of need, what’Surbag created special tote bags to convey a message of HOPE and STRENGTH.

As a member of the Ganbare Nippon Project (Ganbare means “persevere during challenging times” in Japanese),This special charity project has been voluntarily launched at participating retail stores throughout Japan and the United States.

100% of profits from the Hope and Strength Japan effort will be donated to the American Red Cross “Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Fund.”

I'm rocking the silver Hope Japan Tote (pictured above) and I couldn't love it more. It goes everywhere I go and so does the message.

Get your what'Surbag totes  and help Japan and New Orleans now.

It's more than just a bag.

Bring the Gallery to You - And Your Friends - with David Choe: 30 Postcards

David Choe: 30 Postcards is a collection of "hyperkinetic illustration, pop portraits, and raw, graffiti-fueled paintings" featured on 30 different postcards.

This fascinating street and gallery artist is one of the best illustrators of our time. Using everything from oil paint, watercolours, spray paint, collage, blood and body parts and often mixing them together, David Choe gets under you skin and right into your soul.

In fact, you'll be so moved by David's images that you might not send all of the postcards to friends, family and colleagues. If you're like me, you'll be keeping a bunch, framing them and putting them up at home and the office. I love how provocative they are. Some are fierce while other images are heartbreaking. A few of the postcards made me laugh, where others are so thought-provoking, many minutes passed before I looked away.

One of my favourites is "Bangs" (pictured above). There is so much mood and emotion here, you don't need to see her eyes to feel it.

Send David Choe: 30 Postcards out into the world. And keep a few for yourself. 

Win-win.

Want a Truly Fun & Original Case for Your iPhone 4? Get the Arkhippo from ARKWHAT

Many iPhone 4 cases look the same.

Don't you want something that stands out, that says "I am not just a follower?" Don't you want something that rocks as hard as you do? I've got to say, that's extremely hard to find.

But then I found Arkwhat's ArtHippo I and it was like when you meet someone that likes the same band out of Utrecht or read your favourite book more times than you ever did.

It was love at first sight.

There is something so freakin' amazing about this design. Arkwhat's ballsy, inventive move to make something this big, with  this much impact... it's like no other case in the world.

Using a material called EVA, it is firm, yet a little squishy, making is super comfortable to talk on the phone. And because it's got such a wide back (think of old televisions), you can use it as a stand - either vertically or horizontally - so watching videos or your favourite shows is now a helluva lot more fun.

And while this is one of the most incredibly unique cases I've ever seen, it's still got all the protective power you want and need for your phone. There's a speaker and mic opening at the bottom and to adjust the volume? You push on the case. Now that's fun.

 

There are 7 colours to choose from. I got the hot pink, which isn't girly in the least. In fact, it looks more Andy Warhol than Legally Blonde.

 

This is going in my pick of best gifts and designs of 2011.

If you want to get an amazingly original gift for someone, I recommend the Arkwhat ArkHippo I. They'll think of you every time they use it.

Shop the ArkHippo I Collection now.

Slice - For When You Want to Just Cut to the Chase, or the Paper!

Have you ever gone to use your scissors to only be shocked by how dull they are? And aren't they just so bulky and uncomfortable to grip onto and use?

Slice has created a line of innovative household items such as Stainless Steel Scissors that are so beautifully designed, you'll wonder why you were stuck with those ugly black ones for all those years! They have paired with world-renowned designers to create objects of not only beauty, but function.

Designed by Karim Rashid, the Japanese stainless steel scissors (pictured above) are a work of art, but no so much that you can't use them. In fact, the hand-polished finger-grips are quite comfortable (whether you use your left or right hand!), despite the flat shape. The blades are sharp, so you can cut your way through stuff without having to use your hand for strength.

It's hard to find a good Letter Opener, but this one just zips through your envelopes, no matter how thin or thick. The zirconium oxide ceramic blade works on the envelope, not on your hand, so no more paper cuts or slicing your hand open. And because it's magnetized, you can always keep it within reach. And I know, just because you can open your bills faster, doesn't mean they'll necessarily get paid any sooner!

If you're at artist or tend to need to cut and open a lot of materials, you're going to love the Safety & Precision Cutters! The Slice Safety Cutter is not only a life-saver, but an immense time-saver. Opening and removing the shrink wrap from CDs and DVDs suddenly takes just one sec. Cut pictures and recipes out from magazines or articles from the paper smoothly and quickly! And there's that magnet again, so you won't lose it, or use the key-ring hole so that you can have it with you on the go.

The Precision Cutter is another Karim Rashid design. He's made this one safe and sharp, thanks the zirconium oxide blade and comfortable handle, so you can work your heart out without worry of it slipping. It also gives you great control so don't be surprised if you start doing intricate paper cutouts amidst the projects you're working on!

And for those of use, forever trying to find a vegetable peeler that actually:

- works

- and feels good in the hand

Slice and Karim Rashid have come up with a superb Vegetable Peeler - the Y-Peeler - that will have you eating more fruit and veggies than ever because it's so much fun and easy to use! The super-sharp ceramic blade gets through both soft and tough skins, and the handle is so comfortable, you'll want all of your kitchen utensils to come with the same comfy grip! That's neat is that the ceramic blade is "non-allergenic, chemically neutral, and impervious to acid, fat and salt. Won't brown food, transfer smells, or leave a metallic taste." I'd never even thought about those things before! No wonder it's recommended by the Cooking Club of America! 

Slice is really onto something here - making our everyday tools work in today's environments with our needs in mind. And despite using famous designers, Slice has managed to keep the tools at affordable prices, so you can have chic items without having to cough up a week's paycheck! 

And it's all for a good cause to boot: Slice was founded in 2008 by TJ Scimone as a way to help fund long-term care for his son, Alex, who is autistic. A minimum of 1% of all Slice product sales is donated to help fund autism research. By purchasing their products, you’re helping to find a cure for the millions of children and their families who live with autism every day.

Shop the entire Slice collection and get tools that fit in with your modern lifestyle. Isn't it about time?

Mini Goals Notepad Helps You Get Stuff Done - In the Most Fun Way Possible!

I have always loved making lists. I love writing things down and then crossing them off when they're done. It's such an amazing feeling to see things you never thought you could accomplish get completed and struck through or checked off!

Lists are something that I think a lot of women cling to to try and get order in our chaotic lives. It helps grounds us and sort through all the various parts of our lives in just a few minutes.

But a problem I run into all the time is my lists get so long and there's so much to do - where to start?!

There's where the genius and delightful Mini Goals Notepad by Mary Kate McDevitt comes in.

There are 100 tear-out to-do lists in this awesome l'il 200 page pad, with 15 different designs to help get you motivated and keep things simple enough that you'll actually get stuff done.

I love the "I will get 2 things done" sheets where there are 2 huge spaces that take up most of the page for you to write down your tasks. After completing those, you'll feel on top of the world!  And the "Today I will kick ass and take names" sheets have got to make you want to shout from the rooftops, "I accomplished some stuff today!" If you need a little kickstart, the "After coffee, I will..." sheets are the perfect solution. And if you like to focus on just a few things at once, then you'll be using up the "Today's about quality not quantity" sheets like nobody's business!

The Mini Goals Notepad makes a wonderful gift. Even if it's just for yourself.

Get yours now. Or maybe 10.

Chic Gift-Giving is a Snap, Thanks to Hammerpress Mix & Match Gift Bags

When did getting a present get so difficult and time-consuming?

First, you've got the find the perfect gift. Then, the worst part - you've got to wrap it. Actually, I don't mind wrapping all that much except for the fact that you've got to clear off a surface so that you can roll out the paper and then you've got to find scissors and tape. And then there's the fact that I'm actually not very good at it, so no matter how great the present and wrap, it always kind of looks... crappy.

That's why I am over the moon with Hammerpress Mix & Match Gift Bags!

The cool graphic designs are bright, colourful and completely unique. Whether you're gifting your friend or boss, with 12 bags to choose from - 4 large, 4 medium and 4 small in 2 different patterns each , there is something for everyone. And the best part is, you don't have to spend precious time wrapping! Just slip your gift in, seal it with one of the cool stickers that comes with the bags and whomp! You're done!

Get yourself Hammerpress Mix & Match Gift Bags and make wrapping your gift the best part for once!

Illumienate - The Most Stylish Way to Light Up a Room

Sometimes someone just gets it right on.

Danielle Ericsson's creation - Illumienate - takes candle holders that are covered in beautiful papers and images.  She makes them into wedding luminary table numbers, luminaria centerpieces, favors, votive place cards, votive wrap name cards, and lumie menus.

The best part is that she personalizes them, so whether you're doing a bridal shower, reception, baby shower, birthday, christening, or any kind of celebration, she will create a look that is completely customized to you and your event.

She even made me my own candle lumie with the knack logo and background!  And Danielle showed me ones that used photos of Tarzan and Jane, which made for memorable event, I'm sure!! 

I can't think of a better way of making an event really look and feel like your own - just look at all of the possibilities:

- these gorgeous deep Damask Love Lumies are classic and yet have a decidedly modern feel (perfect for a wedding or anniversary, don't you think?)

- the Perfect Centerpiece will make your wedding stand out from the crowd

- why use standard name/place cards when you can use these gorgeous Votive Wraps

You get the dramatic feel of the candle light and the customized look to match your special day. All beautifully - and carefully - wrapped. 

Sigh.

Illumienate's Luminaries are one of most beautiful, best finds I've ever come across and I don't think I'll ever want to have an event without them.

Yep, they are most definitely a must.

Shop now and forever be the envy of your friends, family and colleagues.

"Your Face Here" at Pop tART Gallery in LA January 29-March 6

I'm so excited that I'll be in LA for this opening! I was supposed to go to a one-woman show called Sugar Daddy last time I was in town and we got calls that it was canceled due to illness, so I feel like I missed out on my LA artistic moment. Must email and hope I can get my portrait done! Last time, it was getting my ass photographed (maybe even for a book) by Dave Naz. This time I want to see art and hang with my friends and their kids. And eat grilled cheese and maybe get some sun and that's really, really it. Via Jillian Lauren.

YOUR FACE HERE

by Austin Young

January 29th - March 5th, 2011

opening reception: January 29th, 7-10p

closing reception: March 5th

Pop tART Gallery

3023 W. 6th St.


Los Angeles, CA 90020

Los Angeles, CA - National news-making curator Lenora Claire and popular

drag performer Phyliss Navidad are proud to present both the launch of

their new gallery Pop tART, as well as a solo exhibition - part

portrait, part participatory, part performative - by Los Angeles based

artist, Austin Young.

YOUR FACE HERE is a solo exhibition by artist Austin Young that

challenges the normative conditions in which portraits are produced and

exhibited. Young, for over 25 years, has been a celebrated portrait

photographer and artist, whose works blurs the lines, and transcends the

distinctions, between fashion, portraiture, and gender. This exhibition

marks a rare and glamorous moment when Young will generously open his lens onto the public.

For the duration of the exhibition, Young will establish his art studio

for a 5 week residency at Pop tART Gallery. The artist will be present

during gallery hours for portrait sittings, which will eventually fill the


walls of the gallery. The public is invited to participate as the subject

of the exhibition through the purchase of the pop cultural real estate

of the gallery walls. Participation extends beyond simply sitting for a

portrait - it will be a collaborative process where the participants

determine the portrait’s size and placement. Following the legacy of

Warhol’s Factory, Young will transform each participant into an art

celebrity. Or, just impress your high school chums by having the man who

just broke attendance records at LACMA with his co-collaborator’s of


Fallen Fruit take your Facebook profile pic. Bring your face!

Opening reception will be on January 29th, from 7-10pm. Celebrity

make-up artists will be on site for beautification as well as a fabulous

performance by Killsonic, a 50 piece ensemble band. Floral arrangements

and landscaping on patio by Tenley Young, 1st place winner of “The

Arrangement” on LOGO. Makeup provided by Urban Decay. Accessories by

Skingraft. Refreshments by Customized Celebrations. The closing reception


will be your reception! Come see you face in lights.

Contact Lenora Claire at Pop tART Gallery for more details and to reserve

your portrait. Lenora@LenoraClaire.com or poptartgallery@gmail.com

My Top Perfume Picks of 2010: Part 2 - Go Get 'Em Now, Stores Close Early Today!

I have had a ton of fun testing so many perfumes this year. Here are the rest of my picks for Best Perfumes of 2010!

Don't forget to check out my past fragrance posts as well.

Enjoy!

**Lola Marc Jacobs Velvet Edition**

I chose Marc Jacobs BANG this week for top cologne and his fragrances for women also make it onto my faves list, including Lola, the Velvet Edition.

This limited edition bottle, marking Lola's first anniversary, is so stunning, the bottle is as much the present as the fragrance - frosted violet glass is topped with a thick gold band and a velvety, soft flower cap with vibrantly coloured petals.

The scent is intriguing and completely original. I've never experienced anything like it. It develops over time so the different ingredients and components come out one after another - fuchsia peony, pink peppercorn, pear d'anjou, ruby red grapefruit, rose, geranium, vanilla, tonka bean adn creamy musk.

It is decidedly feminine and exudes strength without being potent. It is creamy, floral, modern and playful. In other words, everything you want.

Get the Lola Gift Set now and be sure to pick up the Lola Limited-Edition Perfume Bracelet as well. With the Lola scent in a solid inside the flower and the bracelet's heavy gold chain, you will  be the belle of the ball with this awesome accessory.

Explore the Lola universe here.

**Daisy Pop Art Edition**

This Jeffrey Koons-like bottle makes for such a fun and memorable gift. 

The fragrance is described as "a sparkling floral bouquet," but for me, it's deeper than that. It has a woodsy feel. That must be the musk and jasmine, but the essences of grapefruit, strawberries and violet give it a fresh, unique scent that is all at once intoxicating and youthful. It makes you want to shorten your skirt, get up and dance and do all those things you said you'd do this year.

It's the scent of possibility.

And the Daisy Solid Perfume Ring will make choosing your New Year's Eve accessories a snap! This modern, chic, over-sized ring is a great way to make a statement and keep your scent close.

You can explore the whole Daisy world here.