Swipe It

Are you looking for a gift that your tech savvy sweetie will love for Valentine's Day?  

This may be just the thing.

Swipe Tie $39.95

A tie, you say?  Well this is MORE than a tie.

The inside of the tie is made of a specialized microfiber cloth for swiping clean the screen of phones, ipods, ipads and other tablet devices.  

Ah, but sweetie doesn't wear a tie?  

Swipe Tee $24.95

No worries, I'll bet he wears tee shirts.

The swipe microfiber patch can be placed on either sleeve or the front inner lining of the shirt near the waist.

We all love our tech gadgets but isn't a filthy, greasy screen annoying?  That microfiber cloth is never handy when you want it.  These smart and functional garments may be a fun solution to an irritating problem.

How to Adopt an Olive Tree in Italy

Did you ever want to possess your own piece of Italy?  Maybe you can't swing a villa but how about an olive tree with the perk of olive oil from your own  tree (along with others from the grove).  Nudo Adopt a tree program will let you do just that. 

 This is the olive grove where my tree is growing.  My tree profile states that it is a Leccino varietal, 22 years old and the oil tasting notes say, "grass and herbs with a peppery finish".  

A tree adoption makes a fabulous gift.  My tree was a Christmas present and that's how I  learned about Nudo.    I received a packet from Italy with the adoption papers and directions for viewing photos of my tree on line.  

The adoption is for one year and I will receive a year's supply of oil and a discount on other products that are available online such as pasta, chocolate spreads and tapenades.  

This could be a clever Valentine's Day gift...and olive oil is Heart Healthy.

Bespoke: Box of Awesome

Not long ago, a box was delivered to the house.  

Bespoke Post

I didn't recognize the box as anything I had ordered.

The writing on the box called it "Box of Awesome".  I opened the box and it was awesome.  Had someone sent us a gift?  Hubby came home and said, "Oh, I subscribed to this.  Saw it in Details magazine.  The Bespoke Post is a men's subscription service.  Each month a "box of awesome" arrives.  The value of the box is around $70 but the price is $45...if you decide to keep the box.  You may return that month's selections if it is not something that interests you.

The selections are not sample sizes but full-sized and theme based.  This box was a "spread worthy of a king".

The foundation was a slate cheese board.  

Oil and vinegar imported from Italy.

A pork sausage.

Spanish smoked okra.

A sweet treat of Burbon Brittle. 

 A gift card for the online store, Caskers.com was also included toward the purchase of an artisanal spirit.  Add a bottle of red and some good bread and you are ready for some good eating.

• Last month, the box contained 6 pairs of very cool, colorful, men's socks. Also included were two very significant gift cards for men's haberdashery.
• The theme next month is cocktails.

If you are interested in receiving a "box of awesome" or sending the subscription as a gift to someone, check it out by clicking here.  This may just be the solution for that guy that is impossible to buy for.

Lovin' Leif

Are you familiar with Leif, the online store?

They have some fun and unusual items, great for gift for others or yourself.  Here is a sample.  Check out the online shop here.

Lovin' Leif by spiralstyle featuring brooches

An Early Gift

Hubby surprised me early this Christmas with a new computer.

I've got to take my old computer to the Apple store today so that they can transfer all of my "business" from the old computer to the new.  I may not have a computer for a few days so I'm taking this opportunity to take some time off to get ready for the holidays.  I'm sure you are all busy and reading blogs is about last on your "to do" list.  I'll be back in a few days.  

Gifts for Imbibers

A few ideas for those that like a nip now and then.

Whisky Stones $19.95 Sur la Table

Have your whisky "on the rocks" literally.  Chill the stones to chill the whisky.  

Corkcicle $22.95

Chill your wine to the perfect temperature without an ice bucket.  Chill INSIDE the bottle with the Corkcicle.  Use again and again.  Just refreeze.

Wine and Champagne Glass Candles $13.99 - $19.99 each

Wine Cork Serving Tray $39.95 Wine Enthusiast

This kit allows you to create your own pattern for this DIY tray. 

Dainty Champagne Flutes $48 for a set of 6 thelightshop.com

Wine bottle wall sconce $96 Ebay

Gifts for Coffee and Tea Lovers

Some people (including me) need that cup of coffee, tea, latte or espresso to get the day started or just sit and sip and relax.  Here are some ideas for gifts.

My Collection espresso cups by Jansen + Company; $60 for set of six 

Love these colorful, modern looking cups.

Arta Tea Leaf Infuser. $12.99 Amazon

Hello Darkness My Old Friend - Coffee Art Print $20 Etsy

Maple Bacon Flavored Coffee  $10.95 CoffeeAM

Joey Roth Sorapot, Tea Pot - Brushed Finish $191.26 Amazon

Coffee - Gourmet Flavored Infused Organic Sugar Cubes $3.50 Etsy

Tea inspired Spa Gift Set $19.95 Barnes and Noble

From Harney & Sons Fine Tea, a tea box filled with tea sachets, honey lip balm, bath soap and salts.  Have a cuppa in the tub!

Solid Shampoo Bar with Coffee $6 Etsy

Green Cup Cozy $19.95 Etsy

Print Tea Cup art $19 Etsy

Soy Candle Espresso Shot $28 Etsy

Happy Shopping.  Happy Weekend.

Culinary Gifts

What to buy the gourmet that seems to have everything.  How about something from this list?

Acrylic Flatware  from $4 per piece or by sets Gracious Home

Colorful flatware for tea and coffee service or dessert.  Dishwasher safe.  

The Mobile Foodie Survival Kit $26

13 organic herbs and spices along with wasabi powder are contained in this 9 inch long tube. Essentials include cayenne, cinnamon, thyme, basil, oregano, and dill plus 7 more.  This would be perfect for that vacation rental, camping, or the gourmet traveler. 

Citron Basil Candle $28

Culinary blend of Citrus, basil, rosemary and some green hyacinth.  100% natural wax and 65 hour burn time.  

Rosemary Topiary 18 inch cone

It looks great, it smells, divine, and you can cook with it.  A rosemary topiary in any shape is a great living gift.  Pick one up at Whole Foods, Trader Joe's or your local grocery store.  The cone shape looks like a Christmas tree!

Staub Mini Round Cocotte Set of 3 $99.95

How sweet are these mini Dutch ovens?  They would be perfect for individual servings of mac n' cheese, pot pie or fruit crisps. Available in 5 colors.

Olivewood cooking utensils  Sur La Table priced from $5.95

Latte Bowls  Set of 6 Anthropologie $30

Love the colors of these bowls.  They make me happy every time I open the cupboard to reach for a bowl.  Oatmeal tastes better in one of these...really!!

Or how about a cookbook?  Check out the NY Times best of 2011 by clicking here.

These are the Epicurious favorites of 2011.