Villeroy & Boch Scotch Whiskey Single Malt Whisky Tumblers
$34.95

Villeroy & Boch New Wave Platter
$48.49

Crate & Barrel 5-Piece Ornament Tree Platter and Plates
$29.95

Stitch Cake Pedestal
$24.95

Le Creuset Dutch Oven
$239.95

Radiation Reducing iPhone Case
$49.99

Every girl needs a pair of texting gloves so she can keep her hands warm and tweet the latest with ease!

Echo Touch Cashmere Gloves
$78

If she has an iPad, she needs a pretty case! Lindsey makes an assortment of adorable padded iPad cases which are sure to please any fashion-conscious gadget girl.

iPad Case
$35

Or if designer duds are more her thing, check out this pink Ostrich-Stamped Leather iPad case by Rebecca Minkoff

Rebecca Minkoff Standing Ostrich-Stamped Leather iPad case
$195

Keep her organized in style with this universal charging station.

iDapt Universal Charger
$50

I like to think that as an architect, I am appreciative of and value artists. So when I met Lisa Kelley, proprietor of Milkshake Crafts, I was impressed by the high quality of her work and delighted by her charming, textural illustrations. It’s no surprise she is a graphic designer, having gone to school at the prestigious Moore College of Art & Design in Philadelphia.

Comes in wall clock or smaller desk clock

girl and boy versions

yes, she drew every line of the design

Her byline perfectly describes her wares: whimsical, inspiring & colorful creations.  

Just the “pop” of color for someone’s home or office.  Also, check out her pendants, magnets, cards for stocking stuffers! Find her on etsy!

If you, or anyone you know loves cashmere (who doesn’t?!) and would love to stay warm and cozy this winter, consider an upCycled, reLoved cashmere throw from StudioB123.

The proprietor, artistic director, production department and head of shipping, Brenda Howell, artist, puts her heart and soul into each piece she makes. Each piece is carefully matched with a little splash of color or playful patch, and fully lined in several fabric choices.

Mmmm - a book, a glass of wine, a cashmere throw!

There is always a stock of throws, baby blankets and a scarf or two, or she will make up a custom colorway to match any decor.

Throws range from $180 - $220.

Match any decor!

Cashmere & silk scarf

Check out her shop on etsy!

Tripod
$14 – $180

Wireless Remote
$5 – $75

Kelly Moore Camera Bag
$169 – $249

Fashionable Camera Strap
$14.99 – $54.99

If you are the type of gift-giver who loves to present the uncommon for the holidays, these out-of-the-ordinary products are just your ticket.  I found an amazing website that carries chic and unusual gifts that are sure to “wow” the most interesting people on your list this year.  Uncommon Goods impressed me with a wide variety of home decor, personal, and garden products.  Though I’ve only listed three here, I assure you, there is a treasure trove of goodies for everyone.

These colorful Paper Pots are actually decorative containers that hold tissue.  Modern and very cool, they are perfect for any room, giving that punch of color sought out by the DIY decorator on your list.  I don’t know about you, but I have always hated the look of a tissue box sitting around.  Though manufacturers have created some decor-friendly boxes lately, I still know it’s a box of tissues.  So, I am loving these vase-like alternatives!

Do you have someone on your list who is all about peace and simplicity?  You’ll know them by all of the stones and shells displayed around their home.  Well, here’s a simple, chic product that is not only attractive but useful.  The Triple Sea Stone Wall Hook is perfect for hanging jackets, purses, or bath towels.  Personally, I would hang it just for the decorative statement.  Either way, it’s chic, unique, and qualifies as “environmentally friendly”.

I have never seen anything like these geometric candles.  Because they are so different and somewhat masculine, I believe even the guys on your list would appreciate them.  Handmade with palm wax, these candles are said to burn with minimal dripping and without distorting their shape.  What a conversation piece!

Uncommon Gift Buying Tip

Keep in mind the personalities of those you intend to buy for.  Some people love uncommon gifts and others just assume get a blender or a tie.  You can love something yourself, but that doesn’t mean he or she will feel the same way.  Look around the person’s home or at his or her wardrobe to determine just how far out you can go with a gift.  This type of gifting may be appropriately left for those whom you know the best.  And if you are the one who truly wants something like the three products here, drop some hints or send your loved ones to your wish list.  Better yet, just treat yourself to something to spruce up the home before all that company arrives.  Happy Holidays!  And, don’t forget, make those Inside Moves count!

Villeroy & Boch New Wave Caffe Mug
$16.95

Frieling Polished Stainless French Press
$51.21

Frieling Creamer and Sugar Bowl Set
$42.50

Bodum Bistro Electric Burr Coffee Grinder
$79.77

Keurig B-40 B40 Elite Gourmet Single-Cup Home-Brewing System
$128.24

This week we will be bringing you a series of posts for our Holiday Gift Guide! You can access all of them with the button on the sidebar. The first in our series is Gifts for the Wine Connoisseur!

California Wine Club Membership
Starting at $49.50 (and get 10% off with code PHILLYSOCIAL)

Riedel O Tumblers
$24.95

Final Touch Traditional Style Decanter
39.95

Metrokane Rabbit Corkscrew
$42.95

I love finding fun, unique and affordable items for my girls’ stockings each year. Here are some of the goodies that I love for my tween!

1. Jiggy Sticks Lip Balm for $2.75(I love this natural product as well as the story behind how it came about)  2.  Peace Sign Ear Buds from PBTeen for $15-19  3. American Girl Brain Waves Puzzle book for $7.95(there are so many books that I love from American Girl – crafts, journals, fiction, non-fiction)   4. MP3(iPod) mini speakers for $9.50 from PBTeen   5.  Initial Water Bottle from Justice for $12.00  6. Glam Girl Manicure set by Kikkerland for $8  7.  The Splash Watch for $7.50

Feature Image by Kurama The Spirit Fox

The outside flowers have seen better days.  You no longer can just hang out by the pool.  And, the inside of your home may be lacking in the cozy department.  Well, fortunately, it’s not rocket science to create an alluring, warm environment for the changing seasons that are upon us….unless you live close to the equator, that is.  I’m going to give just a few tips to help you transform your space into a cozy, chic haven for the whole family.  The best thing about these “tips” is they don’t take a lot of money or time to pull off.

Warming Up A Cold Interior With Sensual Elements

Often during the Spring and Summer months, we love to bring elements of the outside in by placing vases of fresh flowers around, using floral air fresheners, and cool, light-colored accessories.  We do it because it makes us feel good to be inside and it reflects the season we are in.  When I decorate a space, I use all five senses to evoke that joy.  So, to just set some new throw pillows out doesn’t quite do it for me.  I need to hear, see, smell, touch, and taste my environment.  Here’s how to do just that…

1.  See the warmth

Yes, what we see in our home has an impact on us.  And, the change of seasons needs to be recognized visually.  You can actually change the color scheme of a primarily spring/summer room with ease, by swapping out one color for another or adding one.  For example: If your room is now done in shades of blue and pristine white, giving a crisp, nautical feeling, all you have to do is add some complimentary oranges to bring in a visual fall season element.  Keep it inexpensive by choosing slip covers, throw pillows, framed fabric or art, fall foliage, seasonal vegetables, like gourds and squash, area rugs, throws, and candles.

And, if you’re like me, you’ve already been combing second-hand stores for some seasonal treasures.  Look for unique items that you can use again year-after-year…that bring visual value to your home.

2. Smell and taste the warmth

Fresh pine cones, cinnamon, hickory, apples, brown sugar, vanilla all give off fragrances that lend themselves to chillier months.  It could be they evoke memories from our childhoods, when we sat around a bonfire or fireplace.  Or, maybe, waiting anxiously for the fresh sugar cookies in grandma’s oven.  Whatever the case, these sensual scents bring us joy and comfort.  I say there is no better air freshener than fresh-baked anything!  How about keeping your home filled with sweet treats through the fall and winter months to give an authentic “grandma’s house” experience?  And if time is a problem, get those pre-made cookies from the grocery for a quick smell-good fix.  Experiment with various fall-ish scents to find the perfect one for you and your family.  Even if I can’t always bake fresh cookies and treats, I burn scented candles throughout the season.

3. Hear the warmth

This one might take a little more creativity.  However, the best way I’ve found to add auditory stimulation to a room is with recordings of nature environments.  There are, of course, DVDs and music selections available to add some of that cozy, seasonal charm you’re looking for.  New England in the fall is one of my favorite places in the world.  And, I found a way to bring it home…well, a small part of it, anyway.  You’ll love this DVD, Fall In New England, available on Amazon.com for $9.95 (click the photo for more info).   And, we all know the wonderful, crackling sounds that a fire in the hearth gives.  You can’t go wrong with hickory wood to add fall scent….multitasking.

4. Touch the warmth

Ahh….my favorite of the fall experience!  Plush pillows, down comforters, and cozy, chenille throws.  Placing these timeless items around your home will give everyone who enters a sense of warmth and comfort.  Oh, yeah, don’t forget to enjoy them yourself.  Curl up by that roaring fire with an orange throw, grab a plate of homemade sugar cookies, while you sip on cinnamon tea and listen and watch your Fall In New England DVD.  Or, I’m sure, you can come up with your own Cozy, Chic Home Experience.  I have a sheep skin pillow that I pick up from time-to-time and pet it as though it was alive.  Silly, maybe, but fulfilling, nevertheless.

Successful seasonal changes within your home aren’t complicated at all….as you can plainly see, hear, touch, smell, and taste!  Happy Fall and Winter decorating.  And, don’t forget to make your Inside Moves count!