The MOTHER of All Holidays!

Hi there folks. Blondefabulous here. I just wanted to make you all aware of a VERY important holiday coming up… MOTHER’S DAY!!! Yes it is time to celebrate those nurturing, loving, cupcake baking, school project day before it’s due assemblers in our lives! Oh sure, you can go the traditional route, flowers, spas, & breakfast in bed. Those are all great! I, myself…. I long for something a little different. So here’s a short list of gifts for the irreverent Mom in your life!

 

Coffee. I love coffee. It makes me human enough to be able to deal with the monumental amount of stupid we have to see on a daily basis. School drop off car line, extreme couponers in the 10 items or less lane, fracktastical drivers on the roads…. it’s like a game that never ends! This shirt expresses why I drink my giant cup of love juice in the AM.  Some days, I need a second cup to get to that +5 wisdom though. This great shirt is available from Snorg Tees for $19.95 and would bring a bit of humor to your mom, humor that will sustain her when she has one of “those” mornings!

 

 

 

Keeping with the caffeine theme, look at this beautiful necklace! This glittering bit of jewelry is from Think Geek and it is totally awesome! Made from sterling silver with a silver snake chain attached to it, this is one molecule I’d love to wear every day. From the Think Geek site… “Your favorite molecule shouldn’t be relegated to casual Fridays. Bring it with you every day with a sterling silver incarnation. Designed by a wayward Ph.D. post-grad in molecular biophysics, this sterling silver caffeine molecule pendant is about 1.5 inches wide. It hangs from a sterling silver snake chain that can be adjusted for length between 16 and 18 inches.”  You can keep caffeine close to your favorite Mom’s heart for just $84.99!

 

 

Now, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge a huge group of moms out there that I know personally… the Roller Derby Moms! Hey, there are quite a few of us!  Whether it’s skating our own bout, supporting our derby sisters as they skate theirs, or cheering on our little derby spawn at Junior bouts,  the empowerment of the roller derby movement can be felt all over the world and now your own Mom can be a part of it when you give her this shirt! This t-shirt from Wicked Skatewear is a retro throwback to derby  from the 40′s with it’s styling. At $23.99, this is a great gift for Mom. Also, Congrats to Strychnine, (One of Wicked’s co-owners) for becoming a Mom herself! That baby boy is gonna have a frickin’ AWESOME mom when he debuts!

 

 

Does your Mom like to wear makeup? I sure do! Ever since I discovered Sephora, I have expanded my makeup collection, but I also discovered I needed more brushes to apply said makeup! I found this set from Plasticland while browsing the site for shoes! (They have shoes to DIE for!) These six brushes are weighted, come with a velvet carrying case, and have antiqued silver handles shaped like Art Nouveau Goddesses! Talk about feeling like a goddess while putting on your make up! For $45.00 this is a gift mom can use all the time.

 

 

Does mom like flowers?  I really like these flowers and I’m a Mom! These are Cherry Blossom knee socks from Fast Girl Skates, but you don’t have to be a skater to love them! Beautiful reddish pink cherry blossoms wind down the sock along brown branches making a lovely tribute to one of Spring’s most fragrant flowers! These flowers will be with Mom long after the FTD bouquet she got fades from time. $8.00 will get you one pair of these, but really, one isn’t going to make a bouquet. Make sure to get a dozen!

 

 

I love to play video games with the kids! We play Mario Bros, Bombermanland, Frogger, you name it. I would be pleased as punch to get this flower bouquet by Think Geek from my kids. 8 Bit throwback is very popular right now and when you think about it, this is the ultimate flower gift for your Mom. They never need watering, they won’t wilt with time and they will make Mom harken back to when she started playing games as a kid! It’s a total win! Also, at $14.99, it won’t break your (piggy) bank either.

 

And finally, we all know our Moms need a drink every now and again. No matter if it’s a Mai Tai or just a club soda, Mom is gonna love putting her feet up and sipping out of these Tiki Mugs! Made from ceramic and shaped like 4 different Tiki idols, these little gems will make for a relaxing cocktail for your Mom as she watches you try to clean the house she so meticulously keeps immaculate with almost no effort! Oh who am I KIDDING? It takes a Herculean effort! The set goes for $22.00 and don’t forget to get a pack of those cute little umbrellas for her drink too! (And is it just me, or does the green one look like the Idol Bobby found in Hawaii when the Brady’s went on vacay??)

 

So there you have it! A short list that thinks outside of the gift box! Now get out there and make your Mama proud!!!!

 

Valentine’s Day Gift Roundup

The big day is almost here - Valentine’s Day. If your’e still stumped on what to gift your honey with, we’ve pulled together a selection of past posts that will come in handy.

Valentine’s Gift Guides

 * Megan suggested four great gifts for your low-maintenance sweetheart.

 * Blondefabulous made a Valentine’s wish list ranging from sweet and romantic to sweet and yummy.

Sites We Recommend To Find The Perfect Gift

 * Lisa reviewed Moonpig.com, a quick, easy and fabulous way to send a beautiful custom card to anyone this Valentine’s Day.

* Megan introduced us to Style Outside The Box, which offers a collection of items that include home decor items and jewelry by up and coming artists. Find something unique for your favorite woman there.

Quick Picks

Want us to hand it to you on a silver platter? Fine:

 * Is your girl a photog? We’re willing to be she’d love a great looking camera bag.

 * Got a fitness buff in your life? Give her a Nike +.

*  Is she a social butterfly who loves to entertain? A set of classy-but-fun glasses might just hit the spot.

If you play your cards right, you might find yourself in need of one of these.

Photo Credit

Featured Photo Credit

A V-D List: No, Not That, Valentine’s Day!

OH NO! Lock the doors! Shut down your computers! Hide in your closets!! Valentine’s Day is fast approaching!!!

OK, now that that is over, let’s all act like normal people and start thinking about VD rationally.  Most people believe Valentine’s Day was invented by the fiends at Hallmark & the floral industry to bolster sales that began to ebb after the December holidays, while others believe that it was a day celebrating St. Valentine who married couples against the Roman  government’s edicts. Either or, Unless you live under a rock, you are probably going to go looking for a nice gift for your significant other or chance the possibility of ending up in the dog house. I’ve  got a few ideas that may or may not help.

Are you the kind of person who wears their heart on the outside? This might tempt your fancy. This is a lovely Steampunk Heart necklace found on Esty. The beauty of this piece isn’t simplicity, but the intricate design work covering it’s entire surface! It is so pretty and being an Esty piece, it is a handmade gift that says, “I totally wanted to get something that is one of a kind, just like you.” If that doesn’t score you points in the love bank for the paltry sum of $25, I don’t know what would.

Maybe your Valentine prefers to smell lovely? Look at this lovely gift set from Bath & Body Works. It’s from their Paris Amour scent collection and smells so Ooo La La you’d think you were in the City of Lights itself. The scent is a mixture of French Tulips, Apple Blossoms, & Pink Champagne and this set will allow your Valentine to wrap themselves in it’s luxury. Hopefully you can parlay this gift into a bubble bath built for two.  (I know I would if my bathtub wasn’t so woefully small!) A quick $30 and you are in business.

Is your Valentine a fitness buff? Maybe this will be the gift they adore. This is the FitBit and it will track your loves every move for around $99. (Does that sound creepy?) This little gem tracks your steps, sleep cycles, food intake, how fast you’re walking/running/moving and lets you check with free online software to track progress. Did your Valentine make a New Year’s Resolution to get healthier? This might be a big help, PLUS it’s tiny, sleek design doesn’t even look like a pedometer. It comes with an arm cuff for you to wear it at night so you can track your sleep cycles as well. Heh, heh…. I wonder what the Fitbit will classify those late night, amorous activities as……

Sweet sinful sauciness! Does your Valentine love Chocolate? Here’s the mother-lode baby! These little beauties are Godiva Chocolate cupcakes and they are some of the most amazing things on the planet. They come in packages of 6, with three being iced in chocolate buttercream and three in vanilla buttercream. All of them include the iconic Lady Godiva chocolate emblem on  top and they all have a secret: Inside each cuppie there is a delicious center of chocolate ganache. You and your Valentine will be drunk on chocolate bliss.

Maybe that much chocolate is a bit too much? No Problem! Check out the Edible Arrangements website and send a lovely bouquet of flower shaped fruit to your Valentine.  They have large arrangements, small arrangements, balloons, stuffed animals, etc…. everything you might need to make a lovely gift basket for your special someone. Bonus is you can both enjoy it together.

So there you have it! Five simple gift ideas that aren’t too far off the wall and will score major points with your loved one this VD. Good luck!

Featured Photo

 

About The Author:  Wife, Mom, Roller Derby Queen. She's not your typical Domestic Goddess! Living in Valrico Florida with her husband HHH and three kids, Blondefabulous, better known as Nicole, stays busy writing, cooking, baking, and playing Blocker for the Bradentucky Bombers Roller Derby League. She also helps with training for the Bradenton Derby Brats and writes a blog called Blondefabulocity. She brings a radical view to beauty, shopping, & fashion when it's mixed with fishnets, tattoos, & roller skates! Blog: Blondefabulocity http://blondefabulocity.blogspot.com On Twitter: @blondefabulous https://twitter.com/#!/blondefabulous Roller Derby Fan Page: Blondefabulous of the SRG https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blondefabulous-of-the-SRG/112622162097711

Friday Finds: Sinister Urge & Cannibal Crafts

In Roller Derby you meet all kinds of people, and these folks are, more often than not, amazing. I am on a derby team that boasts artists, musicians, writers, chefs, and crafters. These people are impressive! The stuff they do and make is astounding. The creativity that seems to explode out of  nowhere is amazing as well. I’d like to take a moment to introduce you to two of the awesome ladies I have had the pleasure to know and skate with.

Joannie Atkins, better known to the Derby world as Strawberry ShortSkate, runs an Esty shop called Sinister Urge. She specializes in re purposed and recycled clothing. Her shop is small right now, but she is adding new stuff every day. From her profile on Esty:

The whole refurbished and recycling idea came from the saying “Waste not want not” or “One man’s trash another man’s treasure. I read an article once upon a time on how clothing is the one of the largest amount of space taken up in land fill’s, I thought ” What could I do to help reverse some of the damage?” Plus, I grew up making my own clothing and just couldn’t bear to toss a shirt I loved so much because of holes, or bleach etc. got on it so I started figuring out ways to hand craft them into usable household items!

At the moment, she has several re purposed t-shirts that she has turned into aprons, and not just run-of-th- mill aprons, but really COOL aprons!

Look at the apron ($30.00) to the right!! Joannie made that out of a shirt she found in a thrift shop. All the ruffles and stitching is hand done and there are no two designs that are alike in her shop because everything she does is one of a kind.  If you’re looking for a gift for someone special and want something unique, look no further. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Joannie does custom work, too. Have a favorite concert T that you can’t really wear any more, but can’t bear to part with? Joannie will turn it into anything you can think of! A scarf, a hat, an apron, a table runner…. you name it! With prices ranging from $17 to $30, and custom work being negotiable, this is a great idea for affordable, unique gifts with flair!

Next, I’d like you to meet Jessie Schneider, AKA- PB Arlene. She has a shop on Esty called Cannibal Crafts. She has all kinds of kitschy baubles and beautiful fused glass jewelry that she makes by hand! Jessie’s shop is a little bigger, but the hand crafted feel is still in each of her offerings. Her fused glass jewelry is especially beautiful. As described by her:

I love fusing glass. Ever since I was able to wield scissors my brother took to calling me “Destructra” because anything I got my hands on ended up changed forever (for the better, in my opinion). The process of fusing, getting the glass red hot, perfecting the temperature and time for each piece, and the painfully slow cooling period give me just enough time and inspiration to come up with the next combination of glass bits. These pendants do not come from an assembly line, each one is planned out and created one at a time with consideration and time given to my own quirky creative process. To me, these pendants are like wearable art. Each one is different and unique.

Look at this beautiful pendant! ($24.00)This monster of a pendant came from mixing different scraps of shiny dichroic glass into what looks just like a blob from an oily lagoon. It actually kind of reminds me of how Stephen King described the lake monster in his short story, “The Raft”. With its multiple layers and strange mix of colors, it  is a one-of-a-kind.

Jessie also makes these stiff felt moustashes ($16.50)that she sells in this “‘Stash Pack,” which according to her, “Moustaches and masquerades combine in a fun game of dress up with facial hair. I made a batch of these for my friend’s Moustache Bash as party favors back in 2008. Now I’m sharing the fun with you.  They’re fun to try on, trade with friends, and aren’t as stuffy as masquerade masks. A quick and clever disguise for any PI, though not nearly as incognito as say, a ski mask. I’ve found that carrying a couple in my purse creates even better photo booth pictures when out on the town.” Imagine having these around at your next party. Just add a photo station and instant awesome memories, not to mention really cool swag to send home with your guests. And those are just two of the many awesome crafts she has for sale in her Esty shop!

I hope you’ll take a moment to go check out these two shops on Esty that are run by two totally awesome roller girls.  I’ve personally owned items from both these crafty girls and I love them! In this Occupied Economy where we are trying to support the small business owner, here are two entrepreneurs who have their finger on the uncommon and the unmatched.

Friday Find: Style Outside The Box

I love design of all types: fashion, decor, even Web and print design, so when I heard* about Style Outside The Box, I had to go take a look. I am glad I did. Style Outside The Box is a Web site devoted to giving independent designers a place to showcase their quality goods. Think of it as Etsy with the iffy stuff filtered out.

From their Web site:

Style Outside the Box is the first shopping site where an elite style council juries and selects every product to meet Style Outside the Box’s standards, so customers never have to worry about the quality as well as the uniqueness of every product. We are a website solely for exclusive independent designers who stand behind every one-of-a-kind product made and sold.

They sell everything: home decor; clothing and accessories for women, men and babies/kids; jewelry and gifts. My favorites are the home decor items, many of which are made with sustainable, eco-friendly materials. Prices run the gamut, from a selection of gifts under $30, to some pricier jewelry and dresses, although the prices aren’t unreasonable considering that each piece is one-of-a-kind.

It’s a wonderful feeling to get something beautiful that no one else has… it’s especially wonderful when you can give your BFF a great gift that’s as unique and gorgeous as she is. In fact, I have my eye on a nice item for a special someone who has a birthday coming up. I’m not telling who because she reads this blog (at least she better).

Beyond the great merchandise and the wonderful venue for up-and-coming independent artists and designers, Style Outside The Box is a woman-powered business, just like Buy-Her. I love the idea of being able to support companies run by women, especially when they’ve got stuff I actually want.

Go there now and see what they’ve got—through the month of December 2011 they’re offering 10% off your purchase when you use code lovesotb.

*I feel compelled to mention that I learned about this site from my mother because her BFF’s daughter works for Style Outside The Box. While that’s what got me to the site, I recommend it because I love their offerings and wanted to share them.

Friday Find: Bas Bleu

Confession time: I love information. I like knowing things. And I love books, because they give me information. And that, my dears, is why I PPH Bas Bleu.

What’s that you say? What is a Bas Bleu? Bas bleu (baa blue) is French for blue stocking. And a bluestocking is a literary woman. What this lovely little site does is sell books. Odd little books. Quirky little books. Interesting little books, both fiction and non-fiction. Most of these books you probably have never heard of, but if you read them you’ll be damn glad you did. I get this catalog at my house every holiday season and I always make a nice l “I need to read this” list.

My Bas Bleu Wish List 2011

• Who Put The Devil In Deviled Eggs? The Fascinating Stories Behind America’s Favorite Foods
• Signing Their Lives Away
• Deadly Dictionaries
• How To Write A Sentence And How To Read One
• The Bible: A Biography
• The Thinker’s Thesaurus

In addition to books, they have some great gift ideas that will work for anyone in your life: paint your own watercolor postcard kits, Roman numeral candles, uncommon sticky notes and even toys and books for kids. There is something about this site that just makes me very happy. I think it’s a wonderful destination for the woman who wants something more than what the big box stores offer. I dare you to poke around and not find something you’d love have for your very own.

You can also join the Bas Bleu Society for $30 a year and get free shipping, 15% off most regular-priced items, discounted gift wrap and special offers via e-mail. Oh, and a nifty little membership card.

Oh, come on. You know you want one.

Featured photo credit

Five Fun Gifts For The Traveler

You know that friend that you have that’s never in one place too long? The one who posts pictures from all over the world on her Facebook page? If you’re stumped as to what kind of gift to give her (if she’s rarely home a vase isn’t going to cut it, is it?), I have got some great ideas for you, clever gifts for the traveler in your life.

5 Gifts For Travelers

1. Cute Passport Cover- Going through immigration can be a drag, but a whimsical passport cover will bring a smile to her face even while she’s waiting in line. This is not only useful, it’s quirky, colorful and fun. The bonus is that she’ll think of you every time she pulls it out of her bag. Whether or not this will translate into her taking you with on the next trip, I can’t say. But it couldn’t hurt your chances.

2. Standout Luggage Tags – Everyone’s got a lime green or red luggage tag these days, but not everyone has smart-ass luggage tag. She’ll be able to find her hides-marks-really-well-when-you-travel-a-lot black suitcase in a crowd of them. And maybe it will even help her meet that cute guy in seat 12a.

3. Travel Makeup Brushes – The whole makeup thing may be the most irritating part of negotiating travel. What to bring, what to leave home. Hauling a set of expensive makeup brushes may not make the cut. Enter this kit. A great set of brushes in a neat travel pouch that will stand upright on it’s own on a crowded hotel vanity. A great, inexpensive gift that will get used again and again. At least it would if it were mine.

4. Scratch-Off Wall Map – This cool map will help her keep track of where she’s been, even if she can’t remember. This is also a great gift for kids or anyone who’s got a travel wish list. Just scratch the gold coating off the countries you’ve visited, revealing the blue underneath. When the whole map’s blue, you’re done!

5. Go Clean Bag – Dirty, wet, smelly clothes can really stink up a suitcase—and the clean stuff inside of it. Problem solved with one of these clever bags. They’re made of a heavyweight nylon that keeps dirt and odor inside. The drawstring laundry version comes in its own zippered bag, compact and ready to pack. It’s handy to haul to the laundromat when you’re on a long trip, too. Other versions include the wet suit bag, shoe bag and miscellaneous stuff bag. You can also get a set of their most popular bags packed in one kit; you’ll be giving the gift of a clean, fresh, organized suitcase, and nothing says love more than that. Does it?

Featured photo credit

Friday Find: Vintage Vinyl Journals

We are starting a new feature here at Buy-Her: Friday Finds, dedicated to Web sites that you may not have heard of, but really should know about. Not to worry; we’ll still be doing the ever-popular Friday Flops, but there are plenty of Fridays to go around! Now read on and enjoy our first Friday Find, Vintage Vinyl Journals.

 

I have a THING for paper products, specifically notebooks and journals. I can’t make it out of my local Staples without slowing down in the fancy notebook aisle. Whether spiral or perfect bound, give me a notebook with a nice cover and some good, weighty paper and I’m in love. So imagine my joy when I received an e-mail from Vintage Vinyl Journals introducing themselves.

Dare I ask for a sample?

I did and they were gracious enough to oblige me. And when it arrived I died, went to Heaven and came back again. Not only was it beautifully bound and full of heavyweight paper, there was something very special about this journal. The front cover was Janet Jackson’s “Control” album and the back was art from the album cover.

Yes, you read that right. There was a record on the front of my journal. That’s what Vintage Vinyl Journals are all about. They take old-school vinyl record albums and repurpose them into journals. Not only is that a clever way to keep vintage records out of the landfill, it makes a great gift for someone old enough to appreciate the distinctive pop and hiss of music embedded in vinyl.

The journals are well-made and sturdy and contain 240 pages of unlined, acid-free paper with a sewn-in bookmark. You can choose from a variety of genres, from classics like Bing Crosby to legends like the Beatles and Led Zeppelin to newer artists like Taylor Swift. They’ll even make a custom journal for you, often at no extra charge (depending on how hard the album is to find – if you’re looking for Al Jolson, you’ll probably have to pay a premium).

These books make a great gift for just about anyone, but for music lovers in particular. And they work even if the recipient isn’t a journaler. I’m not a fan of writing on unlined paper, so I’ve been using my journal as an inspiration book for home decor projects (I’m always on the hunt and love to pull pictures of things I like) so my ideas are all in one place. Other uses I thought of:

° Scrapbook— grab one with an album from the year someone’s child was born and fill it with pictures and mementos.
° Birthday gift for an old friend—choose a record from your high school years (or however far back you go) and paste pictures and memorabilia from that time inside.
°Concert tickets – this would be a great way to document all the fun you had (if you’re one who saves these things).

The possibilities are just about endless!

Disclaimer: As I said, Vintage Vinyl Journals was kind enough to give me a journal to use. It was my choice to write about it because this is exactly the kind of thing that makes me indescribably happy. I hope it will make you happy too.

Holidaze Shopping 2011

It’s gift-giving time again! I, and others like me, have been assailed in various media outlets by countdowns to Christmas, Hanukkah and other such holidays since early October. I already want to rip my hair out by it’s multi-colored, neon-hued roots! When it comes to gifts, as a roller girl, I don’t exactly look for your traditional cheese and meat baskets, lotions and soaps sets, or cutesy sweater ensembles. No, I look for the strange… the surreal… the “memorable.” Here’s a list of what I think will make folks always remember Holidaze 2011:

If you’re like me, you hate getting up early! Unfortunately most of us don’t have a choice since, you know, paying bills, making it on time to derby practice and getting kids to school take precedence over sleep. Still, abuse of the snooze button is increasing dramatically, so this little beauty will not only wake you up, but also help you get a jump start on morning exercise routine since you have to chase it down to turn it off once it rolls off your nightstand.  At $39 from BustedTees, you just might be on time for your next morning meeting (or endurance practice).

How about this? This is a bookshelf that makes your books look like they are floating in mid-air. How cool is that? So when you have your friends over to watch the latest Blu-Ray disc, they can marvel at the fact that, not only do you still own real ink and paper books, but you’re magical enough to levitate them! This shelf mechanism from Plasticland.com is only $17, so you could order a few of them and get back into displaying your books.

I live in Florida, land of sunshine, beaches, and year-round shorts and sandal sales! Usually the weather is awesome, but last year we had one of our coldest winters ever. I was wishing I had had a pair of these leg warmers. Wicked Skatewear sells these babies for $13.99 and man, do they look toasty. Not just for roller girls, you could totally rock these on a chilly morning, with shorts or a mini skirt, or even as extra protection under a pair of sweatpants. I’d have totally worn these everywhere last winter because I don’t really own a whole lot of actual “pants.” I do, however, have lots of booty shorts; these leg warmers would go with those, too.

And while we’re on the subject of legs, look at this beauty. Yes I know Halloween is over, but you’re looking at a woman who has a zombie family on the back of her mini van instead of the cute stick figures! This lovely hand(foot?)bag has gashes dripping blood and a broken bone up top for a more realistic look, but also has a Velcro opening on the side for easy access to your wallet, mascara, and other assorted zombie-killing paraphernalia.  This is also from Wicked Skatewear. Aren’t they the twisted little imps? Anywho, $14.95 will put this under your tree, in your stocking, or in your zombie emergency kit so you’ll look fabulous for the upcoming apocalypse.

And in a nod to a friend across the pond and friends up in NYC, I found this lovely shirt from BustedTees. In a perfect mash up of Queen Elizabeth and Star Wars, this shirt is just all sorts of awesomesauce! The silhouettes of R2-D2 and C-3PO above the “Keep Calm and Move Along” are both witty and charming and adds an air of whimsy to the whole thing. Holy crap! Did I just use the word ‘whimsy’? Who am I? So, should you folks feel the urge for a little whimsy in your life, $20 will help you acquire this awesomely awesome shirt.

Aaaaaaaaand on to the cute portion of our little list! “The Big Bang Theory” is one of my family’s favorite shows, and the exploits of Leonard, Sheldon, Raj, Howard, & Penny make us laugh every week whether it’s the nerds trying to fit in with the real world, or Penny trying to make heads or tails of the nerd world. One of the things we found most funny was the episode where Sheldon was sick and conned Penny into singing the “Soft Kitty” song to comfort him. Now we can all have our own Soft Kitty! This cutey plush kitty cat actually SINGS the Soft Kitty song! If I were under the weather, this would make me feel better in no time! Get it for your favorite TV fan for just $29.95.

OMG! I squeed really loud when I saw this bag over there to the right! It’s a cosmetics bag shaped to look like a taco, but really, I wouldn’t just use it as a bag for my makeup. I’d use it as a clutch for when I went to derby bouts, shopping, and, oh… ANYWHERE! Look at how cute it is? Coach it isn’t, but who needs another boring old purse? fredflare.com has this totally adorbz item for $18. Now, where do I find a burrito wallet?

OK, this one is kinda personal. For your tree trimming pleasure, or just for general decorating purposes, here’s a great gift for the roller derby enthusiast in your life! This two ornament set is great. It’s even Bradentucky Bomber colors. What more could you need? So give your tree a little attitude this year courtesy of Plasticland.

And lastly, look at this totally epic cat scratcher! It’s from SUCK UK and it is totally cool. Imagine you little fluffums mixing his own beats while taking care of those pesky long claws. OK, you feline friend won’t actually be ‘mixing beats,’ but he will be having a ball while exercising his muscles and clawing on something fun, rather than your heirloom furniture. I’m thinking of getting one of these for my cat, Fluffawufagus. At about $24 American (15 pounds), I think Fluffy would be pretty happy finding this under the tree rather than a dead mouse.

So there you have it, folks, my 2011 gift guide for those who are a little off-center. Nothing too pricey, everything all in good fun. Now go out there and save our economy!

Featured photo by Dawn Huczek

5 Gift Ideas For Co-Workers

Maybe you have a Secret Santa thing going on. Maybe you have a small office (like I do) and everyone is like family so people routinely buy each other holiday gifts. Either way, you’ve got to get something for someone you’re not particularly close with, but that you still have to see everyday (read: It can’t be cheesy). I’ve come to your rescue. Please don’t be afraid to send money. PayPal is fine.

5 Gift Ideas For Co-Workers

1. Soap. Who doesn’t use soap? The best part is that there are all kinds of soap out there. How about some guest soaps from a Etsy shop like HaldeCraft? (disclosure: My friend Lorena owns HaldeCraft, but the soap is awesome). They’re less expensive and probably better quality and you can even make a custom order if you’d like. Nothing’s better than a personal touch.

2. Stationery Items. Pretty stationery or magnets from a Zazzle shop like mine (shameless plug!) or an Etsy shop like Uncommon are a great idea, especially for your old-school co-workers who still write things like thank you cards. Magnets are great for both home and office. Simple gifts, but useful and thoughtful. Like you.

3. A Calendar. Another practical but always well-received gift is a wall or desk calendar like the Cute Overload calendars. Who can resist all that cute? If cute won’t do, there are always great photography calendars or calendars for just about anything else you can think of. Just remember to keep it clean, OK? This is work, not the fraternity house.

4. Fragrance Gifts. Just about every woman likes a nice scent. A fragrance gift like Bath and Body Works’ Wallflowers can be used both at home and in the office. Pick out a nice, universal scent like lavender (calming) or citrus (energizing). If they don’t like the scent you choose they can always exchange it for another.

5. Gift Cards. If you’re stumped, there’s always a gift card for their favorite retailer or Amazon. The only drawback is they will know how much you spent. But at least they can get exactly what they want. No one can argue with that. Not even the office Scrooge.

 

Featured photo by Creative Tools

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