gifts for her

a jaded rat

Elfster — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 05:30:37 +0000

Jade is a well-regarded gemstone in Asian culture. During Chinese New Year, one can find at many businesses jade money trees to ensure wealth (tree) and luck (jade).

Jade has lived a very long and prosperous life. This gemstone existed through many Chinese empires and was once so valued, artisans were only able to supply to the demands of emperors and their family members. Jade's significance in Asia can be compared to the Western view of gold and diamonds. Today, Jade is still respected, though not as difficult to obtain (unless it is an antique, which can auction for enormous amounts of money).

Jade symbolizes good and beauty. It was also described from ancient Chinese text to encompass benevolence, loyalty, wisdom, courage and integrity. This jade pendant necklace has the traditional pendant but nicely modernized with a silk cord. A no-brainer gift for someone born in the Year of the Rat (click here for zodiac sign chart).

Check this out. It's only $18. Unbelievable deal or what?

she wants... a room made of chocolate

Sarah — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 23:29:56 +0000

Oh My Godiva is right. Not quite Mr. Wonka's chocolate factory, but a good try by Godiva. During Valentine's Day, one Godiva Chocolate Gift Box at $23 or higher will contain a "congratulations" ticket for a New York weekend-get-away in this very, very sinful place.

message magic bean

Sarah — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 17:12:59 +0000

A great way to send a Thank You note... A message on a bean. This kit contains one Magic Bean that will grow with a pre-embossed message on a leaf. $15

Italian Rounds

kristine — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 21:25:49 +0000

I'm a paper clip snob. My snobbishness actually hinders my ability to get organized. It's pathetic how I've suffered without paper clips after running out of these round ones, and because I couldn't find these particular ones at Office Depot, I didn't replace them. That's so, so silly. Don't you think?

Paper clips are a much sustainable way to go as compared to staples, because somehow, we've been trained to automatically reuse them. Do you remember ever throwing away a paper clip? I recently purchased the staple-less stapler, and it's great. However, it works with few sheets only. More than 4-5 sheets will require a paper clip instead.

These also make great small office gifts or hostess gifts. Fancy paper clips are something I love receiving as gifts, because they're just pricey enough ($7.99 for the tin) for me to hesitate buying while at the art supply store.

New Year Resolution: Get Organized

Reader Comments (1)

Jan 7, 2008 | Staci Rose

Actually, it might be fun to make these with a thin gauge wire. Just wrap the wire around an object the dimentions you want. :)

Treetop Vacation

kristine — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 23:34:07 +0000

My wish list vacation. One week (or two) at Teniqua Treetop Resort. Not any ordinary resort, this eco-friendly destination offers tented tree houses built amongst huge trees, amidst an indigenous forest and out towards the Outeniqua Mountains.

Yes, tree houses.

The tree house featured here is a multi-level structure with two separate bedrooms, multiple decks on two levels and a fully functional bathroom with a glassed shower facing into the forest. Built on a steep slope, the main bedroom is positioned high, with a private deck that looks out at forest views that stretch on forever.

Wow.

Accommodation cost is surprisingly reasonable at around $180 a night. The trip getting there, however, will cost a tad more. Teniqua Treetop Resort is positioned high on the foothills of the ancient Outeniqua mountain range, along the magical Garden Route, and close to the magnificent sea shores of the Western Cape, South Africa.

In Case of Emergency

Elfster — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 00:08:26 +0000

No need to break glass, instead, fiercely tear open this bar of Emergency Chocolate, $5.

Indoor Herb Garden

Elfster — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 22:39:25 +0000

They love to cook, and any lovers of cooking love fresh herbs. The Aerogarden Growing Kit is an easy solution for those who do not have a garden or does not have a green thumb. It's easy to use with a welf-watering, self-feeding, and auto-grow system. The big plus is there is no season. Herbs will grow all year long. $150

Keep Herbs Fresh

Elfster — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 12:56:24 +0000

Maybe growing their own herbs is a bit too much. How about an ingenious little device to keep the herbs they buy fresh? This is a beautifully designed pot to store their herbs, but the cool part is the watering hole on the side (brilliant). Ceramic Herb Pot is $17.

Swarovski Heart USB Memory Key

Elfster — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 15:18:54 +0000

Taking 'key to my heart" to Geek Goddess level, this Swarovski heart pendant hides a 1 GB USB memory key that can hold 250 songs or 1,000 photos. $178.

Buddha Board

kristine — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 15:01:47 +0000

The Buddha Board ($30) is a modern version of the Etch-A-Sketch, but with much more artistic flexibility. It uses water and a bamboo paint brush to sketch water-color style renderings and dries clear for repainting. Great for daily self-expression. What is your mood today? This hour?

Mini Disco Balls [on sale]

kristine — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 17:36:09 +0000

$0.95-$9.95 (Orig. $1.95-$9.95) These are actually Disco Ball Ornaments, in sizes ranging from 2" to 8". Now, 8" is the size of a handball, which is quite large. I don't know about you, but I think these will work fabulous in any party environment, not just for Christmas. If you display a grand amount clustered together, it'll look like a disco ball chandelier, which would be so much fun! You know? I think I'm going to have to try that.

Squeeze Bottle [on sale]

kristine — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 17:10:51 +0000

$28 (Orig $35) I love the design of this highly functional item - the squeeze bottle. You get the look of stainless steel, but the functionality of plastic. Only with well-executed design could the combination of stainless and plastic look so harmonious together. It could have gone the other way. Cheap looking. This item won the prestigious Red Dot award and deservingly so.

ribbon organizer + dispenser

Elfster — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 14:01:37 +0000

If you're like me, it isn't until you have a pile of something (in this case ribbon) on the floor when you realize you need help - like a Ribbon Dispenser ($11). This one selected because it does not require mounting, which is a plus if you wrap your gifts in different places of the house. It has an attached catcher tray for odd-sized ribbon and scissors. Kinda like a tackle box for giftwrapping.

Rakku Shoe Rack

Elfster — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 13:47:44 +0000

I want to send this to mum, but I wonder if she will think it is a fan that's missing the electrical part. $65 at Rakku Designs.

It's a shoe wheel on four wheels. I think the design is ingenious, though I can confirm if it works well or not. I am willing to try, though. I think it's interesting enough to keep outside the closet. I was raised with the family tradition of no shoes in the house, and although I did not keep up with this, many of my siblings did. This is a great gift for them to keep at the door, maybe? It's a good Wish List item (don't need just yet, but would love to get as a gift).

Staple-less Stapler

kristine — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:41:48 +0000

Earth-friendly. Child-friendly. Design-friendly too. Staple-free Stapler are available in numerous colors for $7-$9.

There is very little need for staples, if any at all. It is one of those easily neglected bad waste contributors because their size seem so small and insignificant . Paper clips are much more sustainable, because they are reusable, and people naturally do. Imagine 99% of households in the U.S. throwing their staples into a single pile. Sstaples. What do you think that pile would look like? It be an ugly pile...