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Articles Written by Katie

Katie

About Katie: Katie has been a product and textile designer, an art restoration specialist, and an interior designer/merchandiser. Her interests are focused on finding well designed items that improve daily life as well as reading fiction and making stuff. (View Profile)

 
 

The Avenue First Block / Parc

The stitch print on these ‘blocks’ would really give a feeling of texture to a room, and considering how easy the fabric is to care for it’s a no brainer for kids or pets.

The fatboy avenue can be arranged into any imaginable seating arrangement including an island, snake, or circle, providing you with your own personal lounge. The chic design is ideal for any space, from your office to your outdoor patio. The different shapes of the avenue include a square design, called the first avenue, and a quarter circle design, called the second avenue. Each of these models is available in a geometric stitch print, “the block”, or a floral stitch motif, “the parc.”

Material: Coated Polyester Cover, Polystyrene Foam Block.
Available in lime green, black, white, taupe, red and light blue.
23 x 23 x 18 1/2 (inches)

$249.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $249.00
Availability: Buy The Avenue First Block / Parc here

The Clear Gift Card

Have you heard of this? I wonder how well it works*?

The Clear Card allows its members to pass through airport security faster, with more predictability and less hassle. With Clear you will get a consistent experience all the way to the gate. Clear members have access to a separate, express security lane by using an identity card containing their encrypted fingerprint or iris images at select airports. The gift card comes imprinted with a unique code which, when entered on the online application, will grant the recipient one free year of Clear membership. A perfect gift for the frequent traveler.

more about Clear and how it works.

$199.00, Buy it here.


*(not the gift card, but the actual experience)

Purchase Information:

Price: $199.00
Availability: Buy The Clear Gift Card here

Lifestyle Notebook – Travels

If you travel often, you know how easy it is to become disorganized; with this book, you’ll be able to keep important information all in one place and, after your trip is done, it’s a great way to remember the experience.

Inside this hardcover book are the following sections: Travel Schedule; Budget; Things to Bring; Accommodation, Restaurant and Sightseeing (whether experienced in the past, or planned in the future); Travel Journal; Travel Information (country codes, size conversion charts, currency information, etc.) Shopping List; and Expenses. On the pages are pre-printed grids and forms to keep the information organized, and there’s room to attach pictures if you wish. In the back are perforated sheets for notes and the book’s compact size makes it easy to carry with you.

H 8.5″ W 4.75″ D .25″

$25.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $25.00
Availability: Buy Lifestyle Notebook – Travels here

Rinse and Chop Board

This is an excellent design for the kitchen- chop, then rinse and drain all with the same board.

This clever chopping board features a hinged top that folds flat into a chute, thereby creating a colander at one end. After chopping fruits or vegetables, lock the board into position to rinse and drain. Made of polypropylene with a non-slip rubber grip. Dishwasher Safe.

25h x 17l x 11″w

$24.00 ($19.20 Members), Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $24.00
Availability: Buy Rinse and Chop Board here

Shinbun Tote Bags

A very inexpensive tote for your toting needs….

Japanese newspaper (shinbun) expertly folded and glued by hand in Towa Village by farmer’s wives. For the environmentally conscience.

$12.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $12.00
Availability: Buy Shinbun Tote Bags here

Sebastian 3-Seater

If the floral cushions on this sofa are a tad too retro for your taste, you might consider the solid cream option…also, there’s a matching 2-Seater, 4-Seater and sofa chair.

The clean lines and minimal design of the Sebastian provides comfort and elegance that is sure to be a classy addition to any room. Upholstered with luxurious imported Italian fabric, the Sebastian is available in a choice of cream or cream/floral back cushion.

* Stainless steel frame with brushed finish
* Matching 4-Seater ($2299.00) 2-Seater ($1199.00) and Sofa Chair ($1050.00) also available

78.7″ W x 38.6″ D x 30.7″ H

$1,850.00 $1,499.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $1,850.00
Availability: Buy Sebastian 3-Seater here

History by the Meter

Maybe the mere mention of history makes you snore, but I think this ruler is a great thing to have, both for measurement and reference.

The past 2000 years of world history unfold on the 2 meters of the “Historic Folding Rule.”
This type of ruler was designed to fit into a workman’s pockets with ease, a wonderful example of form following function.

Designer/Manufacturer: Metermorphosen

$20.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $20.00
Availability: Buy History by the Meter here

Stellarscope

This looks like a fun gift for an amateur stargazer.

The Stellarscope is a personal hand-held planetarium that charts the night sky on any day of the year. Just match date and time with the adjustable barrel for an accurate display. Comes with a pocket light for nighttime viewing. Imported.

2.5″ diameter, 5.75″l

$52.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $52.00
Availability: Buy Stellarscope here

Pile Wine Rack by Harry Allen

The ever popular wine rack by Harry Allen is now available in your favorite color (wine-wise).

Recycling your wine bottles has just taken on a new meaning. This tongue-in-cheek rack consists of four bottles, halved in two and cast as a single piece. Capable of accomodating up to six bottles, it is available in black, red wine (transparent) and white wine (transparent gold) versions. Other than its exceptional beauty, it also works to create the illusion of a much more extensive wine collection than what’s necessarily true… especially when you run out.

13.5″W x 11″L x 2″H
Black, Red Wine, or White Wine.

$69.00-$95.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

No longer available.

DNA Mini Portrait

Whoa, this is much more affordable gift idea than the larger version ($790.00) we posted a while ago. Pretty straightforward: you or your gift recipient get a kit with a DNA collection swab and send it off, then it takes about 4-6 weeks to receive the print.

It’s the perfect gift idea for any occasion or corporate gifting. A compact version of our larger works, the DNA Mini Portrait measures 8” x 10”. Custom Giclee print protected by a glare-resistant glass frame with stainless steel accents. Easily displayed on shelf, desktop or wall.

Available in 25 color options.
8h x 10w (inches)

$169.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $169.00
Availability: Buy DNA Mini Portrait here

Penni Helicopter & Hishoue Airplane Kits

If you haven’t finished your holiday shopping, keep in mind that shipping times for all online purchases are nearing the cut off times…that being said, these kits seem like a great gift for a hobbyist.
(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $29.00
Available from: A2Z Corp

Nest (kitchenware)

This set of very colorful kitchenware nests together to save space.

The ultimate collection of practical kitchenware, ‘Nest ‘ is available in a choice of two different sets and includes all the everyday essentials, from non-slip mixing bowls to juicer and measuring cups, all of which nest together, taking up minimal space. Not to mention it looks great too, together or apart.

Designer: morph
Size: 12.8″ x 10.2″ x 5.3″

$57.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $57.00
Availability: Buy Nest (kitchenware) here

Too Late Watches

These are just about as minimal as you can get with a watch. And, perhaps equally exciting, it’s available in a variety of hues (more than pictured) and costs $30(!).

  • Waterproof (suitable for swimming)
  • Silicon band
  • Date and Time functions
  • 2 years warranty

$29.99, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $29.99
Availability: Buy Too Late Watches here

Book Brush

Make dusting your books a snap with a specialized brush that is stored along with your collection.

Brush Book book shelf duster. With different brush lengths, brush off the top pages of books along the shelf and store the brush book along side your books. Any book collector will appreciate this item.

5.5 in. L x 1 in. W x 8.5 in. H

$80.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $80.00
Availability: Buy Book Brush here

Thermo Water Flask

Here’s a sleek alternative to plastic water bottles:

The water flask is a true double-walled thermo flask of dishwasher-proof stainless steel. The screw-on top and strap, however, must be washed by hand.
The Eva Solo water flask is available both in matte and polished stainless steel, and the lid features a smart strap so you can carry the flask around your wrist. The matte thermos water flask has a black strap, while the polished flask has a red strap.

$77.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $77.00
Availability: Buy Thermo Water Flask here