Lighting a candle – whether for a private vigil or a lively party – can change the energy in a room.  With a candle in a glassybaby votive , the gesture can contribute to improving a person’s life.  Created by Lee Rhodes, a cancer survivor who wanted to find a…
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Many of life’s big moments are marked by a great bottle of wine (or two).  For the nostalgic, you can now cherish the memory even further by sending those special bottles to Wine Punts who will transform them into unique drinking glasses. The Colorado Springs company has been creating these…
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There is a certain beauty in imperfections, especially when it comes to the handmade pieces of American potter, Frances Palmer.  Based in Connecticut, Palmer is known for her irreverently shaped tableware and accessories including vases, footed bowls and cake plates all adorned with whimsical details.  For private clients, Palmer throws…
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Opposites attract.  This pair of ceramic mugs, one white and one black, are hand painted with a delicate dandelion design in the reverse color.  Heat sealed and dishwasher safe, they would make an affordable gift for a housewarming or an appropriate gift for a co-worker. The collection, which includes plates…
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Give Love.  Give Luck.  Give Wisdom.  At Chewing the Cud, they believe that gifts should be given to cherished friends with a positive message.  Hand printed on 100% organic cotton with soy based inks, these reusable fabric gift wraps are brightly patterned and include these meaningful phrases. Based in San…
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As any social butterfly will tell you, sometimes the most memorable evenings come out of accepting a last minute invitation.  But, attending a spontaneous dinner party or cocktail soiree will leave you little time to wrap a hostess gift, let alone find an appropriate card. Sesame Letterpress offers a charming…
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For artisan popcorn maker Jean Arnold, perfection can be found in the details.  Named after the optimal Fahrenheit temperature for popping corn, her company 479 Popcorn, launched in 2008, revives the tradition of making small batches of popcorn by hand in heavy copper kettles. Reflecting her training at Le Cordon…
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A decadent pillar of black bees wax embedded with an opulent gold wax cameo, Le Cierge Imperial candle was originally created in limited edition to commemorate the christening of Napolean’s son.  Created by the legendary candle purveyor, Cire Trudon, this unscented candle would make a dramatic centerpiece for a dinner…
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Function meets beauty with TapeSwell, the industrial packing tape strong enough for shipping boxes  yet pretty enough to use for decorative wrapping.   The tape comes in a wide range of original patterns from Birdy Bright, a colorful and charming bird print to Emerald Cut (shown right), which is bold and…
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A trip to Paris wouldn’t be complete without a visit to a haute pâtisserie for macarons.  Those obsessed with the delicate French cookie can now satisfy their cravings at Paulette Macarons, a chic pastry shop located in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. Paulette Koumetz and her award-winning chef, Christophe Michalak, have…
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The search for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift can lead you through a mine field full of candy hearts, stuffed bears and fussy bouquets all of which feel a little more saccharine than sentimental. For an elegant yet inexpensive alternative, we turned to our friends at Ron Wendt Design, who…
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Home fragrance has gone haute with the launch of Nest Fragrances, a collection of 12 uniquely scented candles by Laura Slatkin. Known for her custom collections for private label clients, Slatkin has worked for years with the top arbiters of style including, Ralph Lauren, Christian Dior and Tory Burch. With…
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