Retro-Skier Smoker by Garnet Hill

What a cute surprise to the X'mas decor collection! Handmade in Germany, these jolly wooden smokers burn incense to scent your home all season long. Add to your collection or begin a new holiday tradition with this year's retro skiers. Easy to use: just remove top and place smoldering incense cone on metal plate; replace top and scented smoke appears from skier's lips. Accented with fur, leather, a wool scarf, and wooden skis and poles. Five pine-scented incense cones included. Sitting Skier (for mantel or table edge) is 6 3/4" H x 5 1/2" W x 6 3/4" D; Standing Skier is 7 1/2" H x 6 3/4" W x 5 1/2" D

Available at Garnet Hill
Price: $124-$135

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Water Water Everywhere, Which Bottle to Choose?

We are obsessed with beautiful and functional water bottles. Whether you carry your mint water to work or lemongrass tea to the gym or just plain water for everything in between - here are a few of our latest favorites:

OXO water bottle with two openings - one larger for ice cubes and cleaning (yes!) and the other for drinking, plus a buckle for your backpack.

Available at OXO.com
Price: $14.99
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What's not to love about the ingenious combo of glass (definitely no BPA) and a silicon jacket. The chic color combos from LifeFactory turn your water bottle into a fashion statement. The only con on our list is that glass is heavier for those of us who have to move around a lot during the day.

Available at LifeFactory

Price: $19.99

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Then there is the Iron-Man worthy Kor variety.  With an ergonomic handle and tapered profile - it looks and feels smart. 

Available at Kor

Price: $24.95

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Klip-it To Go Boxes @ ContainerStore

Saw these amazing boxes in the grocery store a few weeks back. They didn't have the styles I was looking for but finally found them online!

If you bring your breakfast to work - what better way to keep the berries and granola crisp and dry until just before you toss them into the yogurt.

If your new year's resolution is fading into distant memory, do one good thing for yourself, have a salad for lunch a few times a week. With this salad box, you can keep of the croutons, tomatoes, avocado and vinaigrette from wilting the mixed greens. Available at ContainerStore.

Price: Breakfast to Go $6.99 Salad to Go $7.99

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High Tea Hangout Door Hook Set @ ModCloth

Make use of your extra door and wall space with these practical and delightful hooks. Your new fluffy spa robe, shiny raincoat or straw hat could use a new hanging home. Available at ModCloth.

Price: $14.99
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"Your afternoon teas are awash with guests who delight in the sweet details that add flavor to your flat, such as this set of properly precious door hooks! Crafted from metal with petite gumdrop tips, these hooks are adorned with a pastel pink teapot and a pair of light lemon cups. Whether they're holding extra coats, aprons, or umbrellas, these enchanting accessories add a dash of charm to every chat session!"

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Who's Hoot? Laundry Bag @ ModCloth

Do you ever scramble looking for plastic bags to hold your dirty laundry while you are traveling? BYO laundry bag on your next sun and sea or snow and powder holiday. Just slip this into your suitcase each time after you unload at home. You will always have a clean bag to hold all your sea drenched or snow capped goods. Available at ModCloth.

Price: $12.99
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"Whether you're taking this laundry bag down the hall or down the block, it's bound to turn heads with its darling drawstring design! Its durable cloud grey exterior is adorned with a portrait of a bright blue owl, who flaunts an orange beak and an adorable wide-eyed gaze. With space to store two full loads of laundry, this charming bag is the perfect companion to your busy schedule."

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Plenty of Spice to Spare Shaker Set @ ModCloth

We are so in love with everything in the ModCloth Apartment. First up - a charming salt and pepper set for your dining table or brunch bar. Available at ModCloth.

Price: $21.99
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"If the crowded table at your bustling weekend brunch has guests searching behind casseroles and cakes to find the salt and pepper, give them a stylish landmark to seek among the 'spread' with this soaring set of birdhouse shakers! Suspended from a twisting, branch-like stand with a weathered, ivory finish, these delicate avian domiciles can be removed from their respective, arching limbs to sprinkle your plate with a pleasant amount of seasonings from the holes in each peaked roof. Created from ceramic with a smooth, white glaze, these petite shelters show a rusticated character on their face to make sorting out your choice condiment a breeze. Just swoop in and give them a shake before returning them to perch alongside a precious, avian friend! Never again will folks fly South, simply because they can't find the flavor among you flourishing feast."

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Ninjabread Men Cookie Cutters

Making gingerbread cookies with the boys in your house? They will get a kick out of this.

Price: $8.99
Available at Popdeluxe

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Russian Doll Measuring Cups by Popdeluxe

Finally, a set of Matryoshkas that are fun and functional. Plus if you are like the rest of us and have limited space in the kitchen, then embedding gadgets inside gadgets is the way to go.

Price: $12.99
Available at Popdeluxe.

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Pink Crystal Teddy Bear Ring by MBLife

Go from work to party with a sprinkle of sparkle. This pink crystal teddy bear ring is cute enough to get noticed but understated enough to be right on trend.

Guys - looking for brownie points? Here's a sure bet.

Price: HKD$688
Available at MBLife.com

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Cashmere gloves with fur trim by Annekai

With the frosty weather ringing in, there is nothing more luxurious than keeping your fingers and toes toasty. Cashmere gloves with a fur trim sprinkles just enough spice on she who has style.

Shopping Tip!
When you are shopping for the girlfriend, the mother-in-law, the sister-in-law, the great aunt - go for accessories as they always fit and unlike apparel or makeup, accessories are easy to mix, match and wear.

Price: Retails: HKD$2500, Online: HKD$2000
Available at Annekai

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Pantone Mugs

Heading off to a party in a hurry? Bring a set of these mugs as host/hostess gifts (stock them up for last min engagements!). Mugs make a generic statement so you are not sending any assumptions about the receipt's style to avoid any major misses. At the same time, what's not to love about a series of matching mugs in chic rainbow colors?

Price: $15/each
Available at SFMoma

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Split Milk Cereal Bowl

Power through your last min Christmas shopping with a list of easy yet thoughtful everyday designs.

Breakfast - it's one of the most underrated joys. If you have it, you know. That's the secret to a good life - making those small, seemingly inconsequential moments count. Say hello to the day with this anti-gravity design.

Price: $18
Available st SFMoma

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Prep for the Holiday Season: 3 Tips to Get a Headstart!

Has it been a year already? November 22nd?! Take a deep breath. The snow ball of Christmas planning, presents and parties is just one month away but with a few tips here and there, you will enjoy gathering all the little gifts for everyone on your holiday list.

#1: Enjoy Christmas before it arrives

Pop in a Christmas DVD like Nigella's Christmas or Jamie's Family Christmas late at night, take a sip of cinnamon tea and just enjoy the quiet time before all the bells start ringing.

Order your Christmas Tree for delivery in early December. Ease into the month of over indulgence with slow and quiet rituals like decorating the tree a few ornaments at time and waking up to the scent of evergreen.

#2: Knock out the key dates first

Don't let everyone else's Christmas schedule bog you down. Have a plan for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve - whether it's at your friend's apartment or booking a table at a neighborhood restaurant, get something down on your calendar for these dates. This way you have a backup plan and won't have to resort to whatever comes up last minute.

#3: Gift List

Whether you do it on a piece of paper or on an excel (this is better because you can refer to it again next year), list all the key people that come to mind first. Covering the presents for all the top of mind crowd will help reduce your stress level by a huge factor. Think: immediate family, co-workers, best friends, extended family, good friends.

Then divide your list into personal gifts and generic gifts. It is humanly impossible and financially tragic to buy 100 unique gifts. Start by hand-picking gifts for your nearest and dearest and try to keep this number under 10. Then you can start making or purchasing gifts for all. Just because they are not individually handpicked doesn't mean that they have to be boring. Some ideas: iphone cases, ipad cases, headphones, exotic tea, gourmet chocolate, handmade cookies (this gingerbread recipe is to die for!), holiday season hand soap and lotion, notebooks, calendars and popcorn.

This is just a starting point. Gift ideas to follow! Stay tuned!

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Hands On Salad Set

What seems like just another salad bowl delivers a surprisingly ergonomic and practical solution. I recently stopped in a Bloomies and test ran this - the "hands" offer a good grip and fit steadily on the rim. If you are bringing the mixed greens to your next potluck, skip the tongs as you have everything you need right in the bowl. Available at SFMoma.

Price: $42
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Glass Zipper Bag Bowl

With Halloween and the rest of the holiday season coming up, you just can't have too many candy jars. Here's a visual illusion that will make your guests look again: the glass zipper bag bowl. Yup, after the I'm not plastic bag and I'm not plastic cup we now stumble upon the I'm not plastic bag. It's fun, functional and fancy. Available at SFMoma.

Price: $22
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High and Dry Dish Rack

A recent stroll through the SF Moma store brought in lots of inspiration for the upcoming holiday season. It's time to start collecting bits and pieces of gifts. Just remember, it is always easier to find the perfect gift without time pressure. Here are a selection of recent inspirations. More to come!

Finally a dish drying rack that matches the style of your modern kitchen. What's not to love? Black+Blum answers the eternal question of where to hang dry wine glasses. The whole system folds flat for easy storage. Available at SFMoma. 

Price: $50

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Summer Skincare from Burt's Bees

With summer season kicking in, get your skin ready for the sunny afternoons by the pool or lazy mornings on the beach. Here are some tips:

#1 Cleanse
We love Burt's Bee's Soap Bark & Chamomile for gentle but thorough cleansing. This formula leaves your skill feeling cool and refreshed after a sizzling day in the city or a freezing afternoon at the office.

#2 Exfoliate
A tip from our 77 year old skincare veteran who still has immaculate skin - no wrinkles, spots, dryness (thanks Grannie!): At least once every week exfoliate to help your skin regenerate.  Try Peach and Willowbark Deep Pore Scrub. 

#3 Moisturize
Day time moisturizers are good to have but night time cremes are a must. Give your skin a chance to revive while you are sleeping without all the pollution and stress. Before bed, gently moisturize with this Carrot Nutritive filled with natural ingredients like almond, avocado and coconut oils. The formula, rich in carrot seed oil and beta-carotene, is especially effective after a day out sailing, BBQ-ing, hiking or whatever under the sun.

#4 SPF = Sun Protection Factor 
Oh and most importantly, we know you won't forget to slather on some SPF before heading out each morning! Plus we can't mention Burt's Bees without leaving a note on our favorite product: their lip balms, this one has SPF 8.

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Vers 1.5R Mini iPod Stereo

Most of the iPod speakers on the market arrive in sleek, shiny, pitch black shells. Here's one that might gel with the organic mood of your home more seamlessly. Tuck this in your kitchen, breakfast nook or by your bedside and enjoy the radio and your full library of music  Available at Babybot.com

Price: $235

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Bibs by Mally

Bibs can be very average. But the cute ones bring a smile to your face even when the rice pudding is all over the place. These are simple designs that catch your imagination on hunger. Enjoy your next sushi run with your tot (he can have a cucumber roll!). Available at Babybot.com

About the designer:

One day, Nicole Garza had a lucky spill. She was feeding her 10-month-old daughter, Malia, who was wearing one of her many stained cloth bibs. As the baby food spilled on Malia’s leather shoe, she quickly wiped it with a cloth – and the spill was removed like magic. It was at that moment that the idea of leather bibs was born! Mally believes that baby bibs should be fun to wear for babies and toddlers, easy to clean for parents and always look great, while cutting down on laundry and helping our little planet.


Price: $35/each
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Carry Cruiser by Reisenthel

When you live in a walking city, grocery shopping can become a real burden. How do you transport all your fresh eggs, bread, chicken, pasta and watermelon home in one visit? Or perhaps you need to make a run for a shopping spree at Ikea for your latest Spring accessories, it's simply impossible to carry everything by hand, trek down to the subway or onto a bus without feeling overwhelmed and appearing distressed.

The carry cruiser is a life saver. Unlike others it comes with a sleek t-shaped handle and a generous storage compartment. Other smart features: it hooks onto your supermarket shopping cart while you shop(!), large shock absorbing wheels means you don't have to worry about all the fragile goodies inside, a drawstring closure enables you to pack in as much as possible knowing the contents won't toss out on the way home. Can't say enough good things about this...Available at Reisenthel-Shop.eu.

Price: 119,00 €

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Restaurant Ready Toys

Our friends at MiniMunchers got us thinking about dining out with kids. Thanks for all the tips!

You've been there, we've all been there - the kids at the next table are either tired and grumpy or playing with clanky toys or chopsticks. This got us thinking, what kinds of toys out there promote quiet and civilized interactions without disturbing others. Here are a few we found:

1) Sea Collection by Wee Gallery
Printed from hand-drawn illustrations, these sturdy cards are great for kids to use as flash cards and art inspiration. Whip a deck out on the restaurant table and challenge your kids to creating their own illustrations based on any one of them while you wait for the entrees or desserts to arrive. Available at WeeGallery.com

Price: $12.95
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2) Create Your Own Pop-Up Books
Kids love pop-up books, especially when they can make one themselves. Get your kids to know that dining out is a special experience. Use this pop-up sketchbook only at memorable events such as birthdays and celebrations. Encourage them to use each page fully and record what they are celebrating, tasting and feeling. Available at CreativityforKids.com.

Price $19.99
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3) Make Your Own Pizza Sticker Activity Book
Entice your kids to try different types of food by learning about what they eat. This sticker book includes 80 different toppings for your kids to put together their own creation as they wait for the real melty pie coming out from the stone oven. Available at Amazon.com.

Price: $1.50
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4) Story Cubes
Ever notice how your kids are coming up with their own stories about their favorite toy characters? You will be surprised by the clicking of their imagination with these story cubes. Whether you have one child or baby-sitting a mini soccer team, roll the dice and let the story unfold. With 9 cubes and 54 images, the possibilities are endless. Available at StoryCubes.com.

Price: $7.82
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5) Hidden Pictures
With more than 450 hidden objects, your kids will be mesmerized by the illustrations and fully synced into identifying the hidden objects within the pictures while you sip an ice tea and savor a few relaxing moments. Available at Mindware.com.

Price: $19.95
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MiniMunchers - Tips on dining out with kids

Today we have a special guest blogger sharing with us tips on what to bring and how to enjoy your meal while dining out with your kids. Bon appetit!

Carla Sullivan – Founder & Mommy Muncher at MiniMunchers.com.

As a mom of two, and another on the way, I know first hand how difficult it is go out to eat with your Minis. But I still like going out to eat for lunch and VERY early dinners (5pm) with my Minis. Armed with some of the below products and advice, dining out has actually turned into a fun adventure that our whole family looks forward to.

1. BRING what you need! Most families will remember the trusty diaper bag (LOVE the Gypsy Tote by Serena & Lily (www.serenaandlily.com)), but when you are eating out there are a few things that you need to stock up on – extra wipes, DISPOSABLE changing pads (www.Munchkin.com makes our favorite with Sesame Street characters) (you never know if/when you are going to have to change the little Muncher on the floor of the bathroom) as well as two or three bibs (Colby Lane Designs (www.colbylanedesigns.com) are a GREAT choice) and a change of clothes!

2. Don’t expect a relaxing drawn out meal. To this point, don’t order an appetizer – just go with an entrée, and don’t be shy about bringing snacks (the Snack Taxi (www.snackTAXI.com) bags have great prints and are easy to wash) for the kids to tie them over until the meal come.

3. Entertain, Entertain, Entertain – Ok, it is great to think your tot will sit and chat with you for an hour, but time to get real and think in advance. Crayons work (Love the recycled crayons from Scribblers), but when they tire of the old faithful, small items that you can store in your purse (matchbox cars, Wiki sticks, finger puppets, stickers, tattoos, coloring pages (check out www.HelloKids.com for a great selection) etc.) are great to have on hand. Why not try the Scribble Mats (http://www.scribblemats.com/) they combine a CLEAN eating surface with the fun of crayons!

4. When they got to go, they gotta go! Some times you just can't fight it and everything you do just isn't working. Know when to ask for the check and wrap up your meal - even if the food hasn't come yet! TRUST me - your server will be more then happy to get you on your way, especially if it means a better dining experience for everyone else at the restaurant.

HAPPY MUNCHING!

Visit www.MiniMunchers.com for the complete children’s menus of over 230 great restaurants in NYC! MiniMunchers also offers great weekly discounts on children’s products and classes in our “Goodie Bag” as well as advice from experts on making your eating experiences with kids enjoyable – from celebrities to restaurateurs to Moms-in- the-know!

About Carla Sullivan
A ten-year resident of Manhattan, Carla Sullivan is the founder and “Mommy Muncher” of the internet’s only source of kid-friendly restaurants in NYC, www.MiniMunchers.com.

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Diamond Puppy Pendant by Mblife.com

These days our local park has become puppy central. Everyone leashes at least one dog. After watching endless episodes of the Dog Whisperer we know how difficult it is to manage your k9's karma. A shout out to all the dog lovers out there, we salute you for all the love you share with man's best friend, especially if you have a well-mannered buddy! If you have a dog lover in your life, here's a pendant to keep her best friend close at heart. Available at mblife.com

Price: $687
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Yummy Mummy Diaper Bag

Juggling a baby, a diaper bag and a stroller whilst hopping off a bus or flagging down a cab. Kudos to new moms. How do you do it?

If you know someone who is mastering the art of new motherhood, why not add a spring in her step with this functional and chic Yummy Mummy bag fitted with insulated bottle pockets, a changing pad, diaper pockets and more. Available at Pinklining.com.

Price: $125
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Lifefactory 4oz Glass Bottle

There is a solution better than just "BPA-free," skip plastic and go straight to glass. In this case, glass with a colorful, protective handle that prevents breakage and makes feeding your baby colorfully blissful. Available at NessaLeeBaby.com.

Price: $12.49 each
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Kinect

The Wii (Super Mario, Music, Fit) was a revelation, it finally unglued grandpa, dad and five year old Tom from their chairs to join in the fun. It was the beginning of the social living room.

Now comes the Kinect. You don't have to worry about throwing your controllers into your 52" flat screen. It's all motion sensors now (oh and voice commands!). Start jumping around and venturing into worlds you never thought you would dive into. Now all you have to worry about is clearing out the space for all the action. Available at Amazon.com.

Price: $149.99 (with Kinect Adventures)
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Collapsable Shopping Totes by D2D

Gourmet ice cream connoisseurs will drive an hour to their favorite creamery for a pint of salty caramel vanilla ice cream (our friends tell us that Bi-rite in San Francisco has the best!).  Or perhaps you are an impromptu picnicker. Here's a smart tote you can tuck away neatly in the car and pull out in a pinch for your next sudden surge of something special. With a thermal foil insulation, you can drop your riesling, sandwiches or gelatos inside, zip it up and be on your way to the beach or park. Available at D2D.com.

Price: $45
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Fresh Wee Tidings by Blue Finch Studios

Never, ever send gifts without a gift card. It's such a simple detail. What's the point of painstakingly finding, paying and wrapping something if the recipient does not know who it's from?

Gift cards can be very simple - make you own from plain index cards by handwriting a short message and embellishing it with a decorative sticker or make use of the scraps of heavyweight wrapping paper, trim the odds and ends to 2 x 3 inch cards. Invest in two to three good pens: a gold or silver marker or a black calligraphy ink pen and leave a meaningful tweet before sending off your gift.

Tip! Pilot has a series of erasable ink pens. For those of us who make the occasional hiccups in cards, they are embarrassment savers.

Today we were browsing through some of our shopping friends on Twitter and discovered Blue Finch Studios. They make these beautiful gift cards - a set comes with messages for all sorts of occasions. Don't forget to tuck one in your next gift! Available at BlueFinchStudios.com.

Price: $15.95 set of 12
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Laguiole Steak Knives

If you have a carnivore at home, you will know how important a great steak knife is. The perfect knife gives you a good grip, slices effortlessly without deflating the tender thickness of a medium rare steak. Here's a set that makes enjoying the pepper-crusted beef tenderloin with truffle mashed potatoes and creamed spinach beyond mouth-watering. Even the vegetarians at the table will enjoy this elegant tool over their grilled blue cheese portabellos. Available at Anthropologie.com.


Price: $78
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New Year's Resolutions at DealTakers

With all the expenses drained through the holiday season, we all need to take our budget on a diet. Instead of deprivation, we suggest a healthier way to shop through DealTakers where there are tons of daily coupons and deals. Double up on the wellness factor and checkout the section of New Year's Coupons with health and fitness products to help you get into shape. Available at DealTaker.com.

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