Top Ten Cool Gift Ideas: Part I December 8, 2008

I recently got this email from my son in New York…”Hello queen of cool gifts…. Have you seen this little toy? “

The Netflix Player by Roku: http://www.roku.com/netflixplayer/?utm_source=nflx&utm_medium=nrd&utm_campaign=v2

My reply: “Not only have I seen it, I blogged it about 6 or 8 months ago.” Good try though. I have somehow gotten the reputation in family as the finder of cool and unusual gifts.

Last year's find....but still cool...

I think it all began with the Lego Ipod docks I found last year before they were everywhere. And maybe the enchanting Tea Forte creamer and suger set…it is sooooo sweet, even though my creamer is broken-sniff. Oh, and I found a place where you can try out squash rackets, kind of like Netflix, only you’re getting squash rackets in the mail, at Squashgear.com.

OK, ready for the list..part one? Here we go!

1. For my hair stylist whose husband is always losing her tools…and she’s handy…a pretty tool set by the V & A(Victoria and Albert Museum…found it on sale(a little bit) at Zanadia. Clever, and a limited edition item…get it quick. Zanadia, btw, has lots of cute gift ideas and free shipping over $55. I love free shipping.

 

Great market bag....

2. If you want to go green this year(or want your family members to, like I do)…think about giving reuseable bags…it is very chic these days. At resueablebags.com you will find a dizzying array of bags at all price ranges. I really like the one in the picture…it’s very popular in Europe, and it collapses for storage, as well as having a zipper pouch for your keys and wallet. I sent a few “more basic” less expensive bags to my younger sis in ‘bama, for her birthday this week…she called me and said in her southern accent,” I just went to Walmart and used my bags….I felt so green!!” It’s a start….it’s a start. Can recycling be far behind? UPDATE: FLAT $4.95 SHIPPING, AND ENTER CODE FRIEND10 TO GET 10% OFF!! (ends the 15th) 

Yummo-crab cake sliders!

3.For the foodie on your list, how about some cute little crab cake sliders, from Chesapeake Bay Crab Cakes? A new, Maryland twist on the popular slider hamburger that you can send mail order. This is a great website if you want to send some Maryland style food to your family in California, or even Alabama, or Hagerstown! Who wouldn’t like getting some crabcakes delivered…and the company is right here in Maryland…they even have a stand in the Annapolis market.(Their cream of crab soup is sooooo decadent.)update: Just got an email that their standard shipping for $75 or more is $10.95…enter code CB10 at checkout-expires 12/12!

 

A space age airmail wallet??

 

3. A website called CuffArt.com has just tons of cool, really different gift ideas(including an amazing variety of cufflinks, like some made from certified Memorial Stadium seat wood or the 8-ball ones below), for all wallets. And speaking of wallets, Cuffart has them made from a micro fiber material called Tyvek….lighter than water, yet incredibly strong.

8-ball cufflinks...$22.50-fun!

It expands and contracts depending how much(or how little these days) you put in it. $18.50(what’s not to like)….and they also come in other patterns like 3-ring binder paper, graffiti, and comic book. I might get one for myself. Pretty cool. And 25% off right now.

Need to do some window shopping??

Oh, and if you want to spend more, Cuffart also has actual windows from a Pan Am Boeing 707….seriously. Sure, it’s $1500, but how many other people will have one?

Time for a change watches.....

4. If you’re looking for something unusual, like the blingy, Obama “Time for a change” watch above…visit the American Visionary Art Museum , like I did yesterday…the place was packed.

Remember these? $2.50 sticking stuffer...

Ohmigoodness, such fun, offbeat things at their Sideshow Gift Shop…
from fun little stocking suffers, to actual artwork! And they told me they have sold over a thousand of the Obama watches . Not everyone will want to wear their vote on their wrist, but for those of you so inclined…they have all sorts of them….and here’s the best part. They’re $12.

I said, "Baby Girl!!"

5. Some people say don’t get a pet for Christmas, but if my sweet daughter had not insisted we get a rescue cat last December, we would not have Baby Girl(about whom many, many songs have been written) providing much furry love in our house. Baby came from Charles County Humane Society, but the S.P.C.A. also has so many dogs and cats who need a good home. (Baby just jumped up by me…to provide her support for this idea). Obviously, you need to choose wisely, and make sure someone wants a pet, and can provide proper care, but don’t go buying an animal, when there are so many that need homes, at shelters. And if you don’t need a pet, think about giving a donation to the S.P.C.A. in someone’s name…now, that’s a great gift, especially for the person who already has everything. And they need your help. Baby has been such a blessing. Love that cat!

Wow…that’s enough for today….the rest of my list tomorrow!! I have much, much more….

 

Lipton enters the upscale tea market…. September 11, 2008

Lipton goes for the upscale market!

Whahhhhh? Lipton with a silken tea bag? Yup…it’s true. I blogged last December I think about Tea Forte…they don’t even call their stuff tea bags…they’re “silken-tea-infusers”…”Pour boiling water in and exquisite tea starts to brew, the infuser maintains its elegant form, and the upward lifted leaf and cotton stem creates a handle. A feast for all the senses, Tea Forte is quite possibly the finest, most elegant cup of tea of all time.” Oooh-la-la. A small tin of two tea bags, I’m sorry…silken infusers… is 5 bucks. (FIVE BUCKS!)

So, I’m thinking someone at good old Lipton tea…my Mom and Grandmom used it…so did yours probably…and said, “why can’t we have some fancy tea bags and call them infusers. Oh, yeah, and make ‘em silky, and put some fancy tea inside…pyramid shaped, natch, oh…and charge more but not more than Forte. Got it ?”

It's still a box...

Lipton calls theirs Premium Pyramid tea and I am assured that the pyramid shape will enable much better brewing. Maybe it does. I tried a box of the White Tea with Island Mango(couldn’t have that when my daughter is around with her weird poison ivy/mango allergy)….the box says its made with real orange leaves and lemongrass…Sweet. Now, let’s get real…it is good. Very good, but even with the silky tea bag/infuser, it still wouldn’t do as a gift  like the elegant Tea Forte will. Hey, here’s box of Lipton Tea…happy birthday! But for regular tea drinking with a little upscale twist..not bad, Lipton…not bad. And it’s not five bucks.

The Ultimate Tea Diet??? July 29, 2008

Have a cuppa tea, luv...

OK, before we begin, lets get rid of all the negativity in your system. Don’t lie and tell me don’t have any…..puhleeze. Take a deep cleansing breath. Breathe in…..ok, let it out. One more time, breathe in…..release….feel all that negativity  going , going,  gone… Whew, I feel better.  Okie dokie, are you trying to diet but craving apple pie, a Mars or a Snickers bar? Hmmm?  Well, maybe tea is the answer. Specifically, “Dr. Tea” Ukra.  He sent me his book, The Ultimate Tea Diet and samples of his tea some time ago….this is all I have left of them, I scarfed the rest of them before I thought about sharing it with you!

Dr. Tea in action...

I have checked out his 3 minute podcasts that talk about all the different teas (as you see here, he is quite animated), what they do, and  he prepares  some recipes (chicken cooked in tea!) and on the podcast #11, you’ll see why I say… get rid of the negativity, baby, or your food will taste bad!  The Ultimate Tea Diet says you can quell your food cravings with tea. Just tea. And I have to tell you, they do smell fabulous….I  made a cup of Caramel Rooibos earlier this morning….ummmm, the smell of caramel, with none of the calories. Does it feel like you’re having something you shouldn’t?  Not really, but it is very good.

How does it work? They say this: “The diet works because tea contains caffeine, L-Theanine, and the antioxidant EGCG which together:

 

• stimulate your body’s metabolism
• lower the levels of triglycerides in the blood
• reduce your cravings for sweets
• increase insulin’s effectiveness
• lower cholesterol
• stimulate thermogenesis- which helps the body burn fat for energy.” 

And don’t ask me what thermogenesis is(oooh, a good crossword word?)….I don’t know! If you visit L.A., Dr. Tea’s store is in West Hollywood on trendy Melrose Avenue, complete with a tea garden….(yes celebrities like Courteney Cox, Ellen Pompeo, Jeremy Piven, and Amy Smart reportedly use the tea diet) and you can enjoy a capa-teano!! In the meantime, his sampler pack of luscious teas are 5 bucks…they’re fun to try…I’m having a glass of iced orange sherbet green tea right now. Ummmmmm.