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!
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Tuesday | Aug 19 | 2008
Charming Candles
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.Tuesday | Aug 19 | 2008
Luxe Nuts
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).Tuesday | Aug 19 | 2008
Skin-Clearing Chocolates
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.
Monday | Aug 18 | 2008
Ankle Booties On A Budget
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?Monday | Aug 18 | 2008
Rice Pudding
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.Monday | Aug 18 | 2008
Oh So Creative Cards
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.Sunday | Aug 17 | 2008
Mix Your Own Museli
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.Friday | Aug 15 | 2008
EcoGold Goodies
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.Wednesday | Aug 13 | 2008
Bimbo
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.comWednesday | Aug 13 | 2008
Moo Wall Lamp
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.comWednesday | Aug 06 | 2008
Finnish Textiles
Finland’s Hau Hauz is the brainchild of Finnish designer Satu Makkonen, noted for using natural linen fabrics of the utmost quality. Makkonen debuted a collection of organic bags, purses and cushions this season, but the line also spans table linens, kitchen accessories, candles and girtware. Oh, and there’s more news: A new and more extensive Hau Hauz designer fabric collection—for furnishings and curtains—will launch in the fall. Look forward to gorgeous organic cottons, hemps and linens to make your living space pop.Wednesday | Aug 06 | 2008
Victor Osborne Chapeaus
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.Tuesday | Aug 05 | 2008
“Scentsual” Prowess
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.Monday | Aug 04 | 2008
Gilt Tripping
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.Friday | Aug 01 | 2008
Cake With Your Coffee?
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?Friday | Aug 01 | 2008
Bags to Envy
Few bags fit all of our requirements. Enter the EnV Bag out of Los Gatos, California. It’s strong enough to hold up to three bags full of groceries, pretty enough to wear to the mall, and durable enough to withstand machine washing. Five funky, flashy prints coordinate with each other and are available in various storage pack sizes to fit in your purse. Each bag is printed on both sides and made of water-resistant nylon.Friday | Aug 01 | 2008
This Restaurant’s Ace
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.Thursday | Jul 31 | 2008
Mix Things Up
Life’s a peach (always sweet, sometimes fuzzy): embrace it with something cold and tangy. Fuzzy Peach Gourmet Lemonade is made for those of us who love to lounge poolside. For each glass of lemonade you crave, add 8 ounces of chilled water to two tablespoons of this mix, then stir with gusto. You’ll get five utterly satisfying glasses of gourmet lemonade out of one tiny box. The stuff is more invigorating that Gatorade.Thursday | Jul 24 | 2008
Marie’s Got a Brand New Bag
Marie is always on the go, jet-setting at lightning speed to keep up with the fiercest fashion news. That’s how we discovered the debut collection of West/Feren, tucked under the crook of her enviably toned arm. New York’s Alison Pawling creates the bags, which span clutches to shoulder totes, with colorful African fabric flourishes, high-end construction techniques and tailored shapes that exude ladylike polish.Thursday | May 22 | 2008
Rock On
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
Tuesday | May 20 | 2008
Old School Rules
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
Tuesday | Aug 19 | 2008
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.
