It's Gift Fair time again! If you are around, pop in, come see us at booth 3813 and see a bunch of brand spanking new products. If not, be patient, they will come to you very soon! Hope to see you there!
Pucker up. Fresh-squeezed pink grapefruit is good for you, brimming with Vitamin C, lycopene, limonoids and naringin. These potent antioxidants are present in 100% Pure’s Fresh Squeezed Pink Grapefruit Juicy Shower Gel, a real treat for the skin. The formula refreshes and purifies, so your body is glowing and invigorated; vitamins C and E offer an extra antioxidant boost. The clean, crisp scent of pink grapefruit essential oil revitalizes and uplifts a dropping spirit in the morning.
It’s the details that matter, and if you ever had a doubt, simply check out the stunning, intricate work of artist Jill Platner. Her Fishtail belt is an instant classic inspired by her life-long of nature. Its concept fuses organic form with decidedly modern design. The result? A luxe piece that you can love for a lifetime. Her jewelry, handmade in NYC, is just as fetching, fashioned from sterling silver and 19 karat gold.
Salon Teas makes a slightly sweet, caffeine-free tea with chamomile flowers and lavender buds to promote a restful night (we suspect you deserve it). The scent is strong and fresh with plenty of body. You see, chamomile was used by the Egyptians for its power to cure a variety of ailments, to induce sleep and to aid digestion. Sip it before you slip into a hot bath and get the winks you crave.
A basic but stunning piece for showcasing your Louboutins—or perhaps objets d’art or office supplies. Available in walnut, white ash or vg fir, these shelves by 659 Design can be mounted to hollow sheet rock walls or wood framing (which means you can use it almost anywhere). Shelves are made from coated aluminum or near-transparent acrylic and you can order a sample of each material to see which goes best with your existing décor.
Almost too pretty to burn, this Indian Jasmine petal -topped candle prettifies your bathroom or bedroom and sets a most romantic mood, encouraging hot bubble baths or lengthy love-making. The scent, of course, is fitting for summer: slow, wet, velvety and generous. Burns 45 to 50 hours.
Coco Luxe sounds like the name of a fledgling Hollywood burlesque star, but it’s actually a company that turns out sublime slow-roasted nuts that are delicately seasoned with palate-pleasing spices, rolled in choco and dusted with cocoa powder. On our epicurean radar? Block Party Almonds, which are essentially slow-roasted cinnamon-candied almonds that have been rolled in dark chocolate and dusted with the aforementioned cocoa powder. They certainly put us in the mood for a block party so that we may share them with our neighbors (we’ve been feeling mighty generous lately).
Think chocolates cause breakouts? Think again. Sugar-free Frutels harness the skin-clearing properties of antioxidant, polypheonol-packed dark chocolate (which have 300 times the antioxidant capacity of blueberries). Turns out the premium, all-natural variety helps the body ward off the effects of oxidative stress, and we can’t say that we’re totally surprised. How many times have we turned to a rich chocolate brownie on a bad day, and felt one millions times better as we let the crumbs tumble from the corners of our mouths? Polyphenols help to reduce inflammation in the body, which translates as calm, clearer skin. Chocolate candies that beautify? A winning invention.
We generally shy away from mainstream stores, but it looks like Nine West’s Cedargrove ankle bootie, cut in one of fall’s hottest trends, is a relatively affordable way to look oh-so-chic and cop the edgy style of cult-favorite Costume National. With neutral palette, ruched leather and sturdy build, this patent platform-stiletto hybrid does faintly look the part of one of Ennio Capasa’s designs, no?
In terms of rice pudding, we tend to favor the ultra creamy and exotic. That’s why we like Rice Cream Puddings. They’re mixed with natural fruits, nuts and spices from around the world. Flavors run the gamut from dulce de leche, chocolate or cheese to pineapple, mango, strawberry, raspberry and coconut. Coming soon? Brandy-plum, tiramisu, blueberry-star anise, peach-passion fruit, tangerine-orange, pumpkin, and spices such as ginger, mint and clove. Stay tuned.
Devilishly adorable, She’s So Creative turns out clever greeting cards in original pen-and-ink drawings by San Francisco Bay Area artist and graphic designer Stephanie Orma (the term “so” actually stands for her initials). Orma is a wordsmith with a cheeky sense of humor, as you’ll see when you browse her collection, which spans just-for-fun note cards and holiday cards, as well wildly popular new puppy greetings. Awwww.
Muesli is a tricky snack. We like to consume it by the handful, but it’s rare when we find a recipe that’s just right (rock hard raisins and stale oats have no place in our mix). Luckily, we’ve discovered a way to customize the combinations online from organic nuts, slowly dried fruits, seeds, premium grains and other yummy bits. Simply pick your favorites and name your mix, and London-based Muddy Cook will send it to you in a personalized pack.
Toby Pomeroy’s nature-inspired Prism Earrings are forged from one piece of solid 18 karat EcoGold, and the artisan methods used to create the jewelry hark back to an ancient era. Living in the foothills of the Himalayas, a young boy by the name of Toby Pomeroy was captivated by native artisans creating stunning woodcarvings, furniture, jewelry and brass vessels using only simple tools, bare hands and plenty of imagination. Today, his eponymous studio stands for a handful of young artists influenced by the beauty and simplicity of nature, just like him.
BLÅ STATION is a family business, established in 1986 and based in the little seaside town of Åhus on the Swedish south-east coast, where the sea is forever restless. The new stool Bimbo from Blå Station stackable made in sober Scandinavian design. Made of natural or stained compression moulded layerglued birch. You can buy it overseas from Scandinaviandesigncenter.com
The wall lamp Moo is a full-scaled, wall mounted moose head that can be used both indoors and outdoors. A post-modern kitch trophy that makes you smile! A perfect souverir from Scandinavia. You can buy it overseas from Scandinaviandesigncenter.com
Some of our favorite trends right now are those that rekindle a bygone era. Victor Osbourne chapeaus (created by Victor Osborne and Zachary Barnett) take their inspiration from traditional headwear and the decidedly streetwise vibe that pervades New York City. The result? A uniquely vintage-cool sensibility. Visit the duo’s open storefront in Brooklyn for fierce fedoras to set you apart from the crowds.
Drakkar and Eternity aren’t exactly fragrances you want to proudly display on your bathroom counter. Instead, reach for French architect Jean Nouvel’s bottle for L’Homme Yves Saint Laurent. The silhouette calls to mind, among other things, a laboratory test tube, which is fitting for a men’s fragrance that connotes pure physical chemistry with hints of bergamot, ginger and vetiver. A YSL monogram floats inside, putting the brand at the heart of the fragrance.
Brace your bank book. Mobiado has rolled out the ultimate gilded pleasure, The Professional 105 GCB cell phone featuring 24-karat gold plating and sapphire crystals. But what good is frippery without functionality? This super model comes with a two megapixel camera, video camera and music player that supports AAC, eAAC+ and MP3 audio formats.
Set your alarm fifteen minutes early to partake of 7 Sister Coffee Cake Danish, named for the star cluster Pleiades and Greek mythology of the 7 Sisters of Pleiades. You see, Denmark is a peninsula in northern Europe that is surrounded by the North Sea. Back in the day, navigation by stars was the method used by sailors and explorers to find their way. You’ve got your Danish pastry dough, your creamed almond filling, your custard and your seven spiraled rolls. If that doesn’t make your day bright, who knows what will?
Ace Wasabi’s Rock n’ Roll Sushi in San Francisco’s Marina draws a neighborhood crowd (and some occasional headliners like the Giants run-out-of-luck pitcher Barry Zito). Traditional sushi is the draw. So are simple yet impeccably fresh appetizers. We like to make an entire meal of several small plates, such as the refreshing cucumbers, chicken teriyaki skewers, rice and shrimp pot stickers, not to mention oodles of hot sake. If only they had green tea ice cream to complete the experience. If only Zito would shake that slump.
Band logos are plenty powerful. The mere glimpse of the tongue-and-lips trademark recalls many Rolling Stones concerts of our youth (those were the days). This design book captures 1,000 of the coolest, most influential rock, hip hop, metal, pop, reggae, and country music graphics spanning the 1960s to today. Bonus features include interviews with artists and presenting the extra large graphics over extended gatefolds. It makes a great gift for your music-loving peers.
Technorati Tags: books, Charles & Marie, design, music, Tragically Hip
Our friends at Insound have launched a sleek new website offering some new items that are great for summer. We’re digging this totally retro monster portable iPod Boombox. Go old school by sliding your iPod, iPod Nano or iPod Mini into the so-called cassette deck. It will take you back to the good old days of Thriller and Digital Underground.
Technorati Tags: Charles & Marie, gadget hip, ipod, Tragically Hip
Pucker up. Fresh-squeezed pink grapefruit is good for you, brimming with Vitamin C, lycopene, limonoids and naringin. These potent antioxidants are present in 100% Pure’s Fresh Squeezed Pink Grapefruit Juicy Shower Gel, a real treat for the skin. The formula refreshes and purifies, so your body is glowing and invigorated; vitamins C and E offer an extra antioxidant boost. The clean, crisp scent of pink grapefruit essential oil revitalizes and uplifts a dropping spirit in the morning.