Cute? Yes. Cuddly? Yes. A little bizarre and screwy looking? Yes.
That's how I describe these stuffed animals from Donna Wilson, the collection being called simply "Donna Wilson Creatures." And 'creatures' is really the only way to describe this eclectic mix of plush creations which includes a snail named Stick, a dog named Oscar, and several mystery creatures named things like Stripey Head, Peeping Tom, and Angry Ginger. They look hand-drawn and unique, which I love, but most of them also have eyes that sit way too far apart, which I don't like (makes them look like they're missing a chromosome or something). Prices range from $84 to $164 each.
It's red, white and blue ... and pigskin leather. It's a Watch and Accessory Cabinet that's coming out this fall (next month) as part of the latest men's collection from Smythson. It features compartments of all shapes and sizes, perfect for storing watches and all kinds of other goodies, plus a perpetual motion watch rocker/winder that pulls out to reveal a secret storage space in the back. The interior is decorated in bright blocks of white alternating with primary colors, while the exterior is simple and classic in black pigskin leather. Get yours (or start your Christmas shopping early) next month for $6,475.
Leslie Saleson, the designer behind Luxury Basics, has been making fine jewelry for years and finally took her work full time in December 2007.
At right is her elegant Triple Gold Drape of Peach Pearl and Andulusite necklace with 14k gold ($2,850.00). She also has pieces for men, including neck and wrist talismans.
The news at Luxury Basics today is that Saleson's designs are going to be appearing on Cinemax's new TV show, Zane's Sex Chronicles. Click here to watch a video of Saleson and the costume designer, Moonglow.
A gallery of some of our favorite men's and women's jewelry from Luxury Basics follows. You can count on Luxury Basics for elegance and originality.
The name might not be particularly sophisticated but the idea is a fun one: portable espresso whenever and wherever you want it. No need to rough it the next time you go camping! Well, not in the hot beverage department anyway.
The Handpresso works by using your own personal manpower to create the necessary pressure by pumping the handle, after which the machine produces one shot of espresso. And according to our sister site Slashfood's product review, the espresso isn't half bad.
For me part of the fun of camping is drinking something different, like coffee made in a steel pan over the fire, and laughing about how bad it is. But then I can't remember the last time I actually went camping so maybe there's something to bringing a little bit of home out with you to the wilds. $155
The blog Jewelry Insider hit upon a great item that combines jewels and chocolate -- perfection! A Swiss chocolate company, Cocoa Gourmet, has created what its calls its "Royal Collection," which features 12 chocolates made with safe-to-eat gold or silver, or sprinkled with diamonds. Priced at $1,250, the collection has four 22-carat gold chocolates, four pure silver chocolates and four sweet diamond pieces. There's also a $520Gemstone Collection. Lovely, and an unusual gift idea, but I'm not convinced that ingesting metal is such a hot idea, though I guess if you have dental work you're ingesting it all the time ... Order here, if you're braver than I. Free worldwide shipping!
The Animal Rescue Site has harnessed the immense power of the Internet and put it to use for a good cause. The site features a button that visitors can click as many times as they want to provide much needed food to the millions of animals in shelters across the US. The food is payed for by sponsors that advertise on the site, and it's distributed by volunteers. So, next time you're bored at work... click away! Like most charities The Animal Rescue Site has an online gift store, except this one is more like and online gift mall, I was blown away by how much cool stuff they have (jewelry, cute clothing, home and garden supplies and pet accessories and much more), I put the shopping link in my favorites, I will definitely check back next time I'm buying a gift! If you're going to be shopping online it feels good to know you aren't just fueling the mass consumerism lifestyle, when a portion of the money goes to a good cause it makes shopping so much more enjoyable! Plus I can justify spending more knowing the proceeds go to animals!
Isabelle Fields was inspired by the story of a little girl named Alex from Philadelphia who successfully raised a staggering 6 million dollars for cancer research through sales from her lemonade stand! Isabelle vowed to do the same, she began making scented soaps and candles, sales took off instantly... and every penny goes straight to cancer research programs and children's hospitals. Her cause is getting quite a bit of press, I first heard about her products in Us Magazine. Check out this little girls charming products, prices range from $14-$24, and help her realize her dream of helping others! Isabellehelpingthechildren.com
Jo Malone is famous for their luxurious skin care products and delicious fragrances. Products are always presented exquisitely, the signature cream packaging evokes a similar response as the little blue Tiffany & Co. box! This mothers day, Jo Malone has designed the perfect luxury mothers day gift. Candle Trousseau offers a collection of the most popular scented candles (Pomegranate Noir, Grapefruit, Wild Fig & Cassis) and Jo Malone matches, along with a sterling silver candle snuffer and a key, all presented in a timeless leather box. This is a stylish and stunning gift that will be remembered for a long time. Available on BergdorfGoodman.com for $575.
Popular catalog and online gift company RedEnvelope has fallen on hard times. On Friday the company reported that it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on April 17 with the US Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California, San Francisco. The company will also be sold. They have entered into an agreement with Creative Catalogs Corp. to purchase RedEnvelope's assets and assume some of the company's liabilities for $5.7 million. RedEnvelope has also gotten a $4.5 million debtor-in-possession credit facility and loan from Creative Catalogs and Granite Creek FlexCap so that the business does not have to shut down during the transition process (guess that explains why their catalog is still showing up in my mailbox). The final sale price will be will be less the outstanding amount from that loan.
The nine-year-old company was one of the few e-commerce sites with a successful catalog business but the recent tough economic climate and the bank's stricter lending policy for retailers found the company in trouble this year. The company catered mainly to the middle class and upper middle class brackets which are now cutting back on spending due to economic concerns. Order shipments had dropped 20% during the third quarter compared to last year. DM News says that in February, RedEnvelope reported a loss of $4.3 million versus a net income of $5.3 million during the same time last year. The RedEnvelope sale must be completed by May 30 and during that time RedEnvelope can accept other bids.
Reversible and detachable elements highlight this designer's beautiful work but truly her entire line currently at Neiman Marcus is stunning. Whether you prefer the Day & Night earrings and necklace, the feminine flower ring or the necessary gold hoops with a splash of sapphire or tsavorite, Nam Cho's work will bring the beauty out in you. Personally, I love the idea of jewelry that translates well from the work day to an evening out with just the flip of pendent...more likely I won't miss Happy Hour by fumbling for that other pair of earrings in the depths of my handbag.
A Valentine's Box for your dog. It does strike me as a little over the top, but then what's life without the simple pleasure of indulging others? And if there was ever anybody worth indulging it's that little (or big) companion that sticks by you no matter what -- ignoring your bad moods and loving you unconditionally. The box contains an assortment of dog-friendly chocolate-looking treats made of organic ingredients (not chocolate) and a big bouncy strawberry chew toy that's made of recycled materials. It's so pretty it looks almost as fun to give as it will be for Fido to get! $29.95
Martha Stewart says that the wrapping of a gift is just as important as the present itself. It is the first impression someone receives and denotes a sense of effort from the one giving the gift. Sure there are beautiful gift bags, ribbons and tiny accessories to spruce-up any package but personalized gift paper from Erin Condren is the icing on the cake. Choose your own personal message to be printed on the paper in wrap-around stripes and receive cards and envelopes to put that finishing touch on. You have to wait two weeks for your $95 order but the impression it leaves will be worth it, surely. Put who it is from, a special message for that occasion or just a silly quote! I'm thinking "Luxury awaits inside..." sounds like a reason to tear into a package right away.
What does a billionaire want for Christmas? And what does he or she buy for billionaire friends and family? Obviously anybody with that much money already has pretty much everything that can be bought with said money, so it should be no surprise that on the top of the list is one of the few things that can't: time spent with family. Yacht charters, ski trips, and other family vacations are some of the hottest items this holiday season, but other popular gifts for the uber-wealthy include commissioned biographies and personalized gifts to unique or meaningful charities.
There is something magical about a fresh pine tree in your home during the holidays. But consider where that tree came from and what our world would be like without the millions of trees the speckle the landscape. This season you can give a gift to a friend and the world all in one small step. The Arbor Day Foundation has "Give-A-Tree" cards for sale and with a donation of $5.95 they will plant a tree in a national forest in the name of your special someone. Trees die each year because of insect infestation, wildfires and disease. Share your giving nature with the ones you love and ensure a greener world for all to enjoy in the future.
Seaton Surf, surveyors of casual beach chic clothing, have come up with a new candle collection to put you in a seaside mood. The candles , which were featured in December's Vogue magazine, come in scents named for exotic locales such as Bali and the Maldives. Unfortunately the website, doesn't give us any info on scent but the candles sell for $45.
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It's red, white and blue ... and pigskin leather. It's a 
Leslie Saleson, the designer behind 
Popular catalog and online gift company 
