Thursday, December 9, 2010

Uncommongoods

It is all in the name, isn't it??  When you come across a site or catalog that exactly describes what something is, don't you have a first thought of, "Wow, that is exactly it!?!"

When you are in search of an out-of-the-ordinary, unique gift your first stop should be:


One of my favorite things about Uncommongoods is it is focused on Eco-friendly, unique, creative and fun gifts.  They offer something for everyone on your list! 
From a hostess gift to children's gifts.

Most of the items Uncommongoods offers are created from recycled items.   I love the recycled wine barrel items.  Who would have thought you could create a child's swing from a wine barrel? 

What is better than jumping in a swing in the middle of the summer just like you used to do when you were 8?  We built Alec his own swing from wood and heavy duty manila rope - it is fun sharing silly, kid-like moments with him on his swing!

I love the hostess gifts Uncommongoods offers - from the reclaimed slate cheese board,  to the ceramic tasting plate, to the reclaimed wine barrel cheese board! 


But, Uncommongoods isn't just for the hostess - they offer great items for everyone on your list!  They offer baby items such as the Mary Jane Infant Socks to The Silver Rattle.  The silver rattle is made from German silver and has a lovely chiming sound.  We were given a chiming rattle similar to this one when Alec was a baby - I still love to hear that soft chiming sound - it brings back such fond memories!

They also offer unique children's gifts ranging from Sock Monkey slippers to wooden building blocks.  Alec absolutely loves his building blocks - he will sit quietly, alone, for hours creating castles out of blocks!  I love so see his creative and imaginative brain work!  I love the good, old-fashioned toys that challenge the mind rather than sitting in front of an electronic device!


And then there are the hard to buy for, have-everything-they-want people on your list!  I bet the man on your list doesn't have some of these items!  I love the Mustang cuff links!  It seems like every man I know loves the vintage '69-esque Mustang.  If you can't give him the Mustang, how about Mustang Cuff Links - taken from the body of a '69/'70 Mustang.  They are cherry red, of course, and have the Mustang logo on the back.  Every time he wears them he may have a little sheepish grin knowing he is toting on his wrist!
I also love the "geek" pocket watch - there is just a certain something about a man that carries a pocket watch!  I don't know what it is that I find so sexy and sophisticated!  Uncommongoods pocket watch is a little out of the ordinary!  It has math formulas at each hour - not only is he sexy but smart too!


Maybe it is the fact that I am a Hoosier, but I love the Notre Dame pen, bottle opener and cuff links!  The wood was salvaged from the old seating in the stadium!  How cool for the man that loves the Fighting Irish!
Uncommongoods also offers a few unique gifts I love - the Infinite Love paperweight.  I'm sure he needs a paperweight for all of the love notes you write him!

And last but not least, am organic toss pillow, inscribed with some poignant words from Winnie The Pooh,
"if you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, so i never have to live without you"

I hope you enjoy Uncommongoods as much as I do!  They also offer a gift registry - so don't forget that on your next special occasion!
   

                                       
                              

 Happy Holidays!          

All images courtesy www.uncommongoods.com






Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Cath Kidston

Yet, another great catalog found its way to my mailbox.  It was a charming cover with a lady holding a tray of Christmas napkins wearing a Merry Christmas apron; of course, I had to take the invitation and open the catalog! 

What I found inside was a charming and warm catalog filled with a variety of floral and dotted accessories, bags and personal items.  Cath Kidston has a wonderful selection of gifts for everyone on your list.

After I looked through the catalog, admiring all Cath Kidston had to offer, I took a few minutes to read the introduction.  What I found is . . . Cath Kidston is one of Britian's best-loved designers.  The business began in 1993 in a small shop in Holland Park, West London.  It all started with market finds and vintage fabric - then it grew into designing her own prints and designs; offering a variety of goods from handbags to nightwear to kitchen items to sewing boxes.

Once you behold the items Cath Kidston offers, I think you'll see why I was so smitten with the lovely llittle catalog that resided in my mailbox.



If you know me well, you know I have an absolute love for Polka Dots - they are one of my favorites!  Cath Kidston offers I-Phone cases and Laptop cases in out-of-the-ordinary Polka Dots!  It is so girly - I love it!


Cath Kidston also offers great items for the kitchen  . . . from tumblers (polka dots, of course) to mugs as well as a child size apron!  And when you are all done, some fun rubber gloves to make clean up seem like it isn't so bad!



If only I could sew (I'm lucky to be able to sew my own button back on!) - I'd have to have the House Sewing Box - it just makes you want to learn to be creative and whip up your own one-of-a-kind original!


And last but not least, a few personal Christmas favorites of mine!  Every year, our family tradition is to place a Christmas cracker at each place setting.  We "pop" our crackers at the start of our Christmas meal!  Alec loved them, so we started the tradition when he was very young and have made it part of our Christmas tradition every year!

In honour of our toy poodle Coco, everyone needs a poodle ornament on their tree!


I hope you find you enjoy searching through all Cath Kidston has to offer - the site has a huge variety of great finds!  Take some time and explore the world of Cath Kidston - I think you'll be glad you did!

All images courtesy www.cathkidston.com

Saturday, November 20, 2010

RSH Catalog


RSH Catalog offers an eclectic collection of designer pieces that range from children's items to furniture and everything in between!

RSH Catalog offers so many unique items that are not found many other places!  I love their children's items!  They have sweet baby gifts . . . and one of my favorites, their moses basket.  When I created my baby registry, I decided not to register for a moses basket because it was so expensive.  Then as my pregnant months passed, I decided I truly wanted one, so my parents surprised me with Alec's welcome home gift of a moses basket!  It was one of the best baby gifts I received; he slept it in all the time!  It was his little space that travelled with us - whether we were at home, at my parents or at a friend's house - he had his own little place!  We loved it so much, we passed it to our friend to use for her daughters - I think she got as much use and love from that basket as we did! 


Alec also had a cow similar to this lamb - another favorite of his.  When he had "tummy time" or as he got older he would snuggle with his lamb on the sofa or floor.  In fact, eight years later, we still have "Milkshake The Cow" who hangs on Alec's headboard!


RSH also offers unique gifts for kids - from the marshmallow shooters, to the Poodle Hopper Ball - something as unique as the children in your life!




It is not easy to find a unique gift for the adult who has everything, but RSH offers a few items that just may foot the bill!  We have this solitaire game, it is a fun challenge when you need a non-electronic brain teaser!  The fun part, it is only played by one player so you have the challenge to beat your personal best!

Or for the grown-kid in your life, an "Executive Marshmallow Shooter" . . .


RSH also offers many items for the women in your life including many different types of totes.  You know, we women, we always have lots of stuff to carry!  Whether for our kids or our husbands, somehow, we end up the one toting it all!




And last but, least, for your home, RSH offers many unique items . . . a few personal favorites of mine!




I think you'll find RSH offers many unique items you won't find everywhere and it just may be the exact thing you are looking for!


 All images courtesy www.rshcatalog.com

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Bluewick

To celebrate my 40th birthday a few years ago, Matt and I travelled to New York City.  Being that it was my birthday, I chose where we stayed, where we ate and what sites we took in.  I wanted to stay at The W Hotel to have the complete New York experience . . .

On a lovely autumn afternoon, we entered the W Hotel . . . we were greeted by the most amazing smell that filled the entire lobby.  I couldn't get the smell out of my head! I went to the lobby restroom - there they were lined up on the vanity like glowing soldiers!  This was the most amazing scent I have ever encountered.  I was hooked, now all I had to do was find out how to purchase them.

We visited the W Shop in the hotel, there they were - three of the most amazingly scented candles I have ever found!  I was still hooked on the scent that greeted me at the door . . . I purchased a couple and brought them home.  Every time I lit one, I was taken back to my first visit to NYC and the fabulous smell that greeted me at the W Hotel door.

Once I burned both candles I brought home, I became a W Hotel candle junky - I had to have more!  I then started ordering them from the W Store online until one day the impossible happened - they no longer carried my world favorite candles.  What was a girl to do?  Check the bottom of the last candle for a clue . . . and there it was the name of the company that makes these heavenly candles.  Behold . . .


I know a picture does not do a candle justice - it is like trying to explain perfume by showing you the bottle!  

All of Bluewick's candles are natural soy wax with organic wicks and hand poured at the time of order to maximize their wonderful scents.  The containers and packaging are from recycled materials and are made to be recycled upon use - I love how earth friendly they are . . . besides being truly amazing!


 I love these candles so much, I contacted Bluewick to be a representative in the Naples area.  If you are in the Naples area, please contact me if you are interested in hosting a party.  Otherwise, if you'd like a solo experience, contact me and I'll set up an appointment with you.

Don't forget to visit the Bluewick site, you can even create your very own wishlist!

All images courtesy www.bluewick.com

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