Mermaid Ring

It's the mermaid silver ring, I love the little details that look like scales. Sometimes a silver ring is just the right amount of sparkly for a Tuesday night dinner or your new jeans. Available at Mblife.com.
 
Price: $40

For: Her
Interests: Accessories

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Strida 5.0 Folding Bike

*Gasp* I am definitely going to get this for someone. It's the coolest urban bike that you can easily fold and carry or drop into the back of your car for country-side excursions. Available in many fun colors. Featured here is the khaki color with a brown leather seat. Not convinced yet? Take a look at this test drive video. Available at Areaware.com. Price: $799 For: Him, Her Interests: Outdoors, Travel, Gadgets Buy Now

Swiss Spice Shaker + Outdoor Meal Kit

I have a couple of gadgeteers and adventurers in my family, always trekking around the world. So here is something I know they will love: a humidity proof salt and pepper shaker by Swiss Spice. You might also want to pick up the Outdoor Meal Kit ($19.95). Available in the US at REI.com.
 
Price: $16

For: Him, Her
Interests: Gadgets, Travel

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Bagasse Plates, Cups and Utensils

Love to throw an after work cocktail party or a casual Sunday family brunch? I do too. But I hate washing the stacks of dishes, glasses, bowls, forks and knives. They really pile up after a long hearty meal.

 

It's time to turn to biodegradable dinnerware. Made from a by product of the sugarcane refining process, bagasse is a product that you can toss into your compost bin or paper recycling bin. Another plus: it's microwave and freezer safe.  Available at Branchhome.com.
 
Price: from $6.50 for packs for 50
For: Him, Her
Interest: Entertaining, Home

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Pylones Paper Clip Magnets

My friend Tom is always travelling around the world. He sent me the link to this fun, design-centric, gadget-filled store from Paris. Here's my pick for the coolest paper clip holder for a dash of retro design in any office. Thanks Tom! Available at Pylones.com.

 

Price: €49 (=$77)

For: Him, Her

Interests: Home, Stationery

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Mini Photo Books

Being a major foodie, my visit to Japan was filled with delicacies. We stayed at the Akiu area in Sendai. Here's a snap shot of an appetizer for dinner, on the lower left is my favorite: ikura nested in little kumquat shells. Throughout the trip I took approximately 500 photos. Although I generally just keep an electronic copy, sometimes I like to edit the collection down for a mini photo book. Here's one by Kodak - I prefer the mini ones - they are easy to flip, share and store. Available at Kodak.com.

 

Price: from $6.99 for 5'x7' photos

Promocode: ENT2008 (15% off)

For: Him, Her

Interest: Photos, Home, Travelling

Wii Fit

Just got back from Japan. Gosh I love everything there, the food, the shopping, the culture and the overflowing amount of ideas and inspirations. It's quite a dangerous place for us shopaholics where there are hot coffees from vending machines, shoes of every style, wicker handbags, trench coats of all shapes, french pastries better than those in France, noodle restaurants at every corner. I'm going to go through my brochures and pictures to see if I can find a couple japanese online stores that sell to the US and share with you guys. In the mean time, here's something to sign up for on Amazon. I saw this on the japan local tv which means they probably have it out there already. Available on Amazon in May 2008. See the video now. Price: $165 For: Him, Her Interests: Fun, Games, Health Buy Now

FlipClip Photo Books

Shop Mini Gifts! These are gifts that I would add as stocking stuffers and morsels of fun in goodie bags. Ever met grandparents who carry around little photo books of their grandkids? Here's a gift that will make them flip - a miniature flip book of Baby G's first steps, first sip of orange juice and first attempt to a chocolate cup cake. Simply send in your 30 second video clip and in turn receive an old fashion flip version of it. Available at FlipClips.com. Price: $8.99

For: Her, Him Interests: Stationery, Home, Kids Buy Now

Red Envelope Modern Twist Hide Box

Traditional containers have some of the most fascinating mechanics. Here's one based on a traditional japanese design, simply twist to open or close.  A perfect organic nest for your jewels or baubles.  Available at RedEnvelope.com.

 
Price: $25

For: Her

Interests: Accessories
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Pangea Organics

With my grandmother being a soap connoisseur, I'm always in search of sumptuous new soaps. Here's one with form and function: not only are the soap flavors delish, the packaging also returns some green goodness back to earth. Made with the Zero Waste process, the packaging is made from post-consumer paper and can be turned into compost once you soak it into water. Filled with seeds, the packaging can very well grow your summer basil. Try: Italian White Sage + Geranium Soap and Tunisian Olive Oil + Coconut Soap. Available at PangeaOrganics.com.

 

Price: $8/soap bar

For: Her, Him
Interests: Home, Healthy and Beauty
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Silver Star Sprinkling Earrings

Something about shimmering and dangling earrings that makes the Friday night outfit spark. Here's a pair adorned with stars. Tie up your hair, slip on your favorite new outfit and make this Friday dazzle. Available at Mblife.com. 
 
Price: $66.67

For: Her

Interests: Accessories
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Puppy Party

A celebrity hotspot for baby announcements, Tiny Prints creates some of the cutest baby cards. Check out their sibling announcements and twins announcements. The product that ranks most amusing has got to be these puppy birthday cards for your beloved pup. Available at TinyPrints.com.
 
Price: $34.75 for 25 invitations
For: Her, Him
Interests: Pets

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Dragon Carrot Seeds

As Spring comes into full swing, start dreaming up your vegetable garden. This season, I'm curious about the different varieties of carrots: yellow, red and purple. Available at SeedExchange.org. Price: $2.75 for 250 seeds

For: Her, Him Interests: Home, Gardening, Food Buy Now

World Food Program

Giving to children is one of the best ways to contribute to the future of our world. The World Food Program feeds children at school with 1 cup of food a day. In the privileged patches of the world, where excess and jumbo-size is a normality, 1 cup of food may not seem significant. But for a starving child, it could mean life or death. With only 25 cents you can start to make difference, a real difference in a young person's life. Read more about what Oprah and Drew Barrymore have to say about the World Food Program. Available at WorldFoodProgram.org.
 
Price: $50

For: Her, Him
Interests: Giving Back

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Tote to Clutch Convertible Handbag

This season I'm looking for all sorts of colorful prints with a repeated design. Something about symmetry that makes the look neat and complex. Here's a convertible tote to clutch handbag. I saw the same design at Kate Spade for close to $200, so this is definitely a deal. Get all the colors! Available at OldNavy.com.

 

Price: $12.50

For: Her

Interests: Accessories
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