The tin box of the Nature’s Tale Soap Tins collection is so adorable that I would repurpose the tin box for something else. This Portugal soap collection is available at Anthropologie in four scents: Eucalyptus and Aloe, Orange Blossom, Lotus Flower With Sugar and Desert Rose & Pomegranate. They all look tempting. We always need a reserve of generic, gender-neutral presents for last minute gifts. This could be it.

+ Nature’s Tale Soap Tins $12 USD, $14 CAD

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Fruits and Passion is having a sale in Canada and the United States. A range of customer’s favorite products is reduced to $15, until quantities last. Plus, you will receive Cucina Fragrant Kitchen Spray 100 ml Sanguinelli Orange and Fennel free with purchase of $45 ($60 if shopping in USA) or more before taxes. About the free Cucina Fragrant Spray, their sale alert email mentioned two more scents. Inquiry since I do not know which offer is valid.

+ Images from Fruits and Passion

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These two items were to cute for not mentioning them. First, the cutest pincushions I have seen. Renilde was inspired by a small fishing village theme to create this series. Her needlework plays with basic forms in red, white and blue. The pincushions are available at Mieke Willems, a small shop in Belgium. Renilde has a blog called At Swim-two-birds.

The wood bowling set is a creation of Little Sapling Toys on etsy. They plant a tree through Trees for the Future for every toy sold. They use a local beeswax and organic jojoba oil finish to bring out the natural beauty of the woods. The organic SKITTLES include 10 6-inch tall profile blocks and 2 hardwood balls.

I discovered Mieke Williams through the beautiful blog of Jane of Simple Pretty that I followed on Twitter.

SOURCING:
+ Mieke Willens’ blog
+ organic SKITTLES – 10 pin retro wooden bowling developmental set $26 USD on etsy
+ Via

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I am always looking for new ways to take notes at home on a more ecological way. I reuse pieces of papers for things that I will use only once.

One year ago, I introduced the Ceramic Memo Board by See Jane Work. I still think it is a wonderful product. In fact, it is a lot cheaper than the Plain Jotter. I decide to feature the Plain Jotter to promote further the idea.

The Plain Jotter comes with a special black pencil. They sell a pack of 3 colored pencils (red, blue and yellow) for £4. Simply erase your message with a dry or dawn cloth. For extra clean results, put the ceramic pad on the dishwasher.

Yoyo Ceramics sells their products online and delivers worldwide.

SOURCING:
+ Plain Jotter £20 UK, £22 Europe outside UK, £25 for Canada, USA and rest of the World
+ Ceramic Memo Board at See Jane Work $15 USD
+ Via inredningsbloggen

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+ Pottery Barn sells two nature-inspired prints: a butterfly print water bottle and a basketweave print. $10

+ The SIGG Lifestyle Water Bottles is rugged and crack-resistant, unless you expose them to freezing temperature. You can add accessories to carry and use them exactly the way you like. Their bottle is available in 20 ounces (600 ml) and 33 ounces (1 liter) format. I am showing you SIGG City 1L at $29.99 USD

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I adore Amsterdam. It has been over a decade since my last visit which was a couple years after I graduated from interior design. Shopping in Amsterdam is a treat since you discover amazing design products. The sad thing for us is that almost none of Dutch design product is exported.

The Netherlands like to push the envelop of design. This is what eating-designer Marije Vogelzang of Proef does in her designs studio-restaurant in Amsterdam.

Marije is an artist who plays with edible food. Her creations are meant to be eaten. She wants us to take conscience of where our food comes from. Her Ham Man filled with pieces of ham on a stick illustrates one of her display techniques.

Other times, Marije Vogelzang works on ways to rediscover a forgotten vegetable. Some dinner menus are declinations on an ingredient where one ingredient is eaten 7 ways from appetizer to dessert.

She uses how we perceived eating and etiquette to stimulate people interactions at the communal dinner table. For example, she gives two half-plates to every guest with the same food on both plates. Half the people receive two plates of smoked salmon; the other half gets two plates of lemon. People have to exchange plate to assemble the dish. Another event was a picnic where half of the guests received the food and the second half got the tableware.

As a designer Marieje explores food through 8 factors: senses, nature, culture, society, technique, psychology, science and action.

If you are curious to have a look at her spectacular eating concepts but do not plan to go to Amsterdam in the upcoming weeks, get her book Eat Love where she explains her philosophy.

I applauded her imagination. It is on my to-do-list for my next trip to Amsterdam.

SOURCING:
+ Images from Proef
+ Eat Love by Marije Vogelzang ? 32

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I only found the European online retailer Made In Design that carries the full Eno collection. Gladly for us, it ships to Canada and the United States.

+ A beautiful grinder in white marble designed by Laurence Brabant. £29 at twentytwentyone

+ Plancha by the Industrial Designer Emmanuel Gallina mixes a Bamboo platter with a porcelain plate. I want 2 or 3. £28.17 at Made in Design

+ Marie Rahm and Monica Singer of Polka Ms & Ms designed an extensive white bone china dining and food preparation collection. I like to own the Small Breakfast set that includes a cup with plate and lid. £21.67

+ Coll slow is a tea light dish warmer made of alabaster stone. It is gorgeous. Every hostess needs one or two dish warmers. My double tea light candles is so practical for large pot and pan. £93.90

Candle Holders

+ Sebastien Bergne imagined the Multi candle pin. This is an elegant candlestick for pillar and taper candles. It is an original way to add punch to basic candles. £27.45

+ Arik Levy designed these stunning tall candle holders. He also created the votive holder. The tall model is available in black aluminum, white alabaster and silver plated brass. From £22.43 to £49.01

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I hope you are having fun surrounded with love and joy. Christmas day is more than a day of cakes and ale. It is a day of small life pleasures made of laughers and fun.

I gave you a sneak peak at our party yesterday. You see how I wrapped some Christmas with where all the guests. My husband received this amazing pair of down duvet scraper mittens from Eddie Bauer (out of stock). You keep warm and it will protect our nice leather gloves. With the way this winter started, I think will get many uses the mitten scraper.

A quick note to wish you Merry Christmas with a nice interpretation of Let It Snow by Diana Krall.

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I own at few ceramic pieces made by Basma Osama of Ceramik B. I bought them last year at the Souk@Sat, another great event in Montreal to buy unique handmade Holiday gifts. Update: Janick of Neawear told me that Ceramik B. will again be at the Souk this year.

This year, Ceramik B. will be at the Salon des Metiers d’Art du Quebec at Place Bonaventure from December 5th to 21st, 2008. I will go as I wish to add new service bowls to my collection. Basma’s pieces have a unique organic design that functions well. They make a statement on your table.

Custom-made is available

Ceramic pieces can be tailored to your receptions. Custom pieces are available for corporate gifts. The pieces can be personalized by adapting them to specific functions, by affixing a logo, or a choice of textures or motifs.

With Ceramic B. tableware, you cannot go wrong. They will please anyone on your list with the most discriminating taste. Her studio is not open to the public. Do not miss this opportunity to have a chance to meet her.

SOURCING:
+ Ceramik B.
+ Where to buy Ceramik B.

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A gift must be cute, useful and well thought to be fully appreciated. Low price gift exchanges are often a challenge; especially that many exchanges do not have a fixed recipient. If you have a gift exchange at the office, here are three ideas that will please everyone.

1. Lettro Wall Organizer – $13 USD

Made of aluminum with three hooks and storage for mail and papers. Get one for every member of the family.

2. Chrome Cooknook Cookbook Holder – $13.94 USD

It attaches under the kitchen cabinet and folds back to stay clear of the view when not in use. The magnetic recipe-card holder means that you can look at 2 recipes at the same time. The is probably one of the most efficient cookbook holder on the market.

3. Black and White Nook Salt-and-Pepper Shaker Set – $8.99 USD

Young adult will appreciate the neat nesting design of these salt and pepper shakers.

Umbra’s Factory Sale

Torontorians, do not forgot to visit Umbra’s Factory Sale December 13rd and 14th, 2008. You can make donations to Sick Kids Foundation or bring a non-perishable food to the daily bread food bank.

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Susanna Hoikkala and Jenni Ojala designed Oma, a white ceramic lemon squeezer that you can bring to the table. You pour the juice from the small opening. This 2002 design kept its charm.

Get it Rare Device or Nest Living. Rare Device only has two in stock. Nest Living has Free shipping until December 31, 2008. The black ceramic Oma costs $10 more.

More Gift Ideas

For Christmas or as a wedding gift, you cannot go wrong with the Warm Coffee and Tea Gift Set. Bracelets of laminated bent wood help insulate the liquids and act as the handles. The gift set includes 2 cups, a serving tray, a high quality stainless steel tea diffuser and a pot with your choice of a ceramic or cork lid. I preferred the modern rustic look of the cork lid.

I introduced in the past two products by Tonfisk: the Maku serving plates series and the Newton milk and sugar set.

SOURCING:
+ Oma Lemon Squeezer by Tonfisk, $49 USD at Nest Living
+ Tonfisk Warm Coffee and Tea Gift Set in Oak or Walnut, $225 USD at Greener Grass Design
+ Tonfisk MAKU Serving Gift Set in Oak or Walnut, $109-$189 USD at Nest Living
+ Tonfisk Newton Milk and Sugar Set, $64 USD at Nest Living

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1. Vinturi

At last, a wine aerator that works as you pour your glass of wine. It can also be used with wine carafes. Vinturi has been praised by wine connoisseurs because it enhances multiple elements of the wine. It does more than reduce the tannin. Since this gadget will be a hit with your guests, place at least 2 Vinturi on the wine station.

2. Ravi

I am happy to praise an innovation from where I live. Well-known Québec designer Michel Dallaire imagined Ravi, an instant wine chiller that you put on the neck of the wine bottle. This revolutionary concept cool your wine to the ideal temperature instantly. Ravi keeps working for more than an hour after you take it out of the freezer.

3. Jacob Wagner’s Wine Thermometer

Designed in 2007, this plastic and stainless steel minimalist digital thermometer easily attaches to any wine bottle. Beware that it only measures temperature in Fahrenheit.

The last two gift ideas will please the Hostess as well as the wine lover.

4. Wine Tasting Kits

The festive look of the Oenophilia Wine Tasting kit will not intimidate your guests. The kit provides six individually numbered cloth bags and a wine tasting score-pad.

Beginners may prefer The Wine Tasting Party Kit: Everything You Need to Host a Fun & Easy Wine Tasting Party at Home. This kit comes with a 64-page illustrated book and Cheat sheet of tasting terms.

5. Vinotagz by Modern-Twist

Available in basic solid colors and several designed patterns, the beauty of the Vinotagz is that you can write on those infinitely. Use a ballpoint pen to scribble your name, initials or the type of wine you’re drinking.

Join this to the bottle of wine you are bring to the hostess. You will double impress you’re the gift recipient by sitting the storage box on the neck of a wine bottle.

SOURCING:
+ Vinturi Wine Aerator – $63.79 USD, lot of 2
+ Ravi Instant Wine Chiller – $49.99 USD
+ Wine Thermometer by Jacob Wagner – $36 USD at MoMA store
+ Wine Tasting Kit by Oenophilia – $19.99 USD
+ Modern-Twist Vinotagz Basic – $12 USD for 6 tags
+ Modern-Twist Vinotagz Designed – $14 USD for 6 tags

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