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Man, I’d buy this if we needed a media console (though it might take some time to save up for it). It’s so simple and I love the sliding walnut doors.

“Four sliding doors integrate beautifully into the piece, enhancing the console’s rectangular shape. Each door reveals adjustable shelving, easily accommodating large and small objects. Wood veneer available in 3 finishes, with a stainless steel base. Shown with a Dark Walnut case and Natural Walnut doors.”

85l x 19w x 23h

Our house isn’t huge by today’s standards, yet after reading this book I wanted to move into a home half the size. Not many people can say that, and sure, it sounds strange considering the past trend of ‘bigger is better’ when it comes to homes, cars, etc. Yet there’s something refreshing about minimizing one’s possessions and taking stock of what we truly need in order to live comfortably. Owning your home after a few years compared to paying mortgage payments for 15 or 30 years certainly sounds good, but is it possible to let go of the old mentality of success being the biggest house on the block? I sure think so.

A couple of quotes I liked:
“The luxury of a small house is that it leaves savings for quality, and the time to enjoy it.”
‘”Why, just because people have a lot of money, do they need to spend it?”‘ -Jirka Risavy

For anyone that’s dropped their wallet in a puddle or large body of water (yes, it happens sometimes), something like this makes a whole lot of sense.

“It’s a blend of flexible and semi-flexible polymers…that creates an amazingly durable, yet flexible and water resistant wallet. It’s packed with a bunch of really clever features…and has a pretty damn smart ‘Smart Pocket’ that you can use to store all these little things that you carry around…”

Colors: Chocolate, Gray, Orange, White

I’m quite happy with my salt and pepper shaker, but this one makes me wish I wasn’t…

Made out of porcelain and cork

2.5″ x 2.5″

Whether you want or need more play or pleasure when having your drink of choice, these glasses would surely add to rather than detract from the experience. Seems like it could be a good gift as well…

“The shape of the glass enhances the aromatic effects and deep color of the Liqueur, as well as its sensual movement. It makes for a highly playful and pleasurable experience that should not be passed up.”

A set of 2 swiveling Liqueur glasses

So, we promise not to go crazy with holiday this and holiday that, but we do want to make sure everyone knows that we do have a gift category, where you can search by price for that special recipient. (If you’re unfamiliar with BLTD, you can find all of our categories in our drop down menu, located in the gray bar below the header image.)

Please do let us know if any of our links are broken, and we’ll do our best to fix them so that everything is up to date. Also, if you know of a great gift that we haven’t posted, drop us an email and we’ll add it to our list.

(If you’re interested in the gift wrapping you see above, you can find it at
CB2.)

[posted by katie]

Sure, audiophiles probably have a list four feet long of what is needed in a sound system, but for some of us what it boils down to is how it looks (if you care about sound reproduction you probably just cringed). Yes, it needs to sound good, but it also needs to not be an obscene stack of metal and cords and flashing lights everywhere. This sound system is especially lovely, and it’s in one box. One box, I repeat. So nice. Maybe it would be a good gift for someone (or yourself).

“Presenting quality sound from a piano-lacquered wooden box with CD player, FM radio and iPod connector cable – all controlled by remote. With two channels and patented algorithms, the Geneva Sound System digitally adapts the left and right signals for a balanced 120-degree sound stage. A 100-watt digital amplifier powers the system’s four built-in speakers, which together deliver a sound performance with a full range of frequencies – from deep, rich bass to crystal clear highs, without dropping a single note in between. An LED display on the front of the cabinet displays what’s playing. Compatible with iPod models with dock connectors, including iPod Video, Nano, Photo and Mini.”

H 8″ W 14.5″ D 9.5″

Allow 2-3 weeks for shipping.

For those of you who enjoy the holidays, and all the decorations that come with it, here’s a gingerbread house that takes a new spin on the old tradition. If you choose one for your own family or for a friend who would appreciate the new interpretation, it’ll be worth a chuckle or two from whoever sees it.

“We gave the classic holiday treat a mid-century makeover, complete with garage and rock garden. An unique gift and sure-fire conversation piece, it comes assembled and ready to enjoy.”

-100% edible
– may be personalized with up to two lines of 12 characters per line
– house measures 18″ x 13″ x 5 1/2″ high

Also, Red Envelope has free shipping on all orders over $100.

This sure would come in handy when bouncing around from one country to another- it sets the time zone for you, so that you won’t have to fret about keeping track.

“This state-of-the-art atomic radio-controlled clock is the most precise in the world – it’s accurate within one second every million years! – and you never have to worry about setting the time zones. Packed with everything you need in a travel clock: day/month display, backlight temperature, and alarm with five-minute snooze. Imported.”

Takes two AAA batteries (not included).

There’s no doubt that Sir Terence Conran has gotten to where he is today because of his excellent design sense. So, it’s no surprise this book does a great job of offering several ideas that will get your small space in top notch shape. Lots of photos and drawings to show how certain home owners maximize storage and living space, checklists at the end of each chapter, and several case studies give you the information and motivation you’ll need to make your home look and feel larger. Who doesn’t want that?

This is such a smart idea- you can choose portrait or landscape (or anything in between) all in the same sketchbook.

“Each of the 210 pages is cut to a different size, starting with the standing portrait format (18,4 x 13,3 cm), which gradually mutates to the lying landscape format (13,3 x 18,4 cm).
The sketchbook was hand bound in the Netherlands in a signed and limited edition of 500 and each sketchbook is individually packaged in a very pretty box.”

I love the spare and simple lines of this coffee table- it’s definitely mid century, though not in any overt way. The subtle design gives it the elegance to qualify as a classic.

“The art of this coffee table is its book-matched walnut veneer tabletop, organic shape and smooth 45-degree beveled edge…the table can be positioned with either the straight or asymmetrical side toward the seating area, providing a large surface area in a relatively narrow footprint.”

Baltic birch core; plain-slice book-matched walnut veneer; cold-rolled steel tube legs; black powder coat.

H 16″ W 59″ D 26″

Just saw this over at C&M, quite the thing to add some flair to your champagne toast, huh?

“6 champagne glasses, each one a bit smaller than the other, hand made out of Pyrex and each one has a tiny lip so that the champagne will flow over into the next smaller glass and all 6 together hold the content of one standard bottle!”

2 week lead time.

How many times have you forgotten something on a trip? This pad will aid you in making sure you take everything you need.

“An exhaustive checklist of everything you could ever need, this organizational tool will help even the most forgetful to arrive and depart fully equipped. Now you only have to worry about getting to the airport on time! The Pack This pad consists of 60 pages that are 80-pound uncoated text stock with chipboard backing and adhesive binding.”

6″ x 9″

If you’re a skier or a snowboarder you might find this mighty useful in picking out a place to stay this season, or maybe find it as inspiration to save for next year.

‘Forget crowded lodges and cookie-cutter condos-the latest installment in the Hip Hotels series proves there’s a world of style in après-ski accommodations. This glossy volume profiles 40 swanky and funky hotels in 24 of the best ski towns in North America and Europe. In his typical fashion, Ypma, a photographer and writer, avoids obvious luxury locales, opting instead for hidden jewels and off-the-wall treasures…Over 500 sumptuous photographs (379 in color) support his claims and beckon travelers to shun conformity. Ypma’s in-the-know descriptions introduce readers to the quirky history of these unconventional abodes.’ -Publishers Weekly