Style: 2011 Must Have Gift Guide

As we’ve been preparing for the holidays, the Mod City Moms have been a little slow to post. Because we understand that we’re not the only ones short on time, we’ve compiled our annual gift giving guide to make this year’s shopping both trouble-free and delightfully original. Our 2011 suggestions are fifty bucks or less, specialize in home delivery, and offer one-of-a-kind treasures. Dress, Display, Devour!

Dress
Campfire Gifts Inc.: We first encountered Campfire Gifts during our annual Renegade Craft Fair pilgrimage. Their table, always bombarded with buyers, is a fair favorite. These graphic designers combine tasteful typography with hometown pride. Choose your favorite city or state and you’re guaranteed to find a Campfire tee that expresses your territorial bias with punch and pizzazz. Details: http://wearecampfire.com/

Dika.B: The Brazilian handbag designer, Drika.B, creates a series of fanciful clutches—each one utterly unique. Now located in California, her architectural training and Brazilian heritage continue to inspire her designs and are guaranteed to inspire your wardrobe. Details: www.etsy.com/shop/DrikaB?ref=pr_profile

Go Dotty Go!: These hand hotties are sure to warm hands on the coldest of winter days. Handmade from recycled wool sweaters, they are beautifully crafted, wonderfully colorful, and extremely warm. Better yet, send your old sweater to Laura and Claudia and they will craft you a pair of playful gloves to cherish. Details: www.godottygo.com/Go_Dotty_Go%21/Hand_Hotties.html or email lc@godottygo.com

The Knitting Parlor: Scarves have been all the rage the last couple of years and the infinity scarf is hot on everyone’s wish list. Check out the Knitting Parlor for handmade beauties in rich, vibrant colors. Details: www.etsy.com/shop/cfsknittingparlor?ref=pr_shop_more

Laura Tanner Jewelry: Jewelry designer, Laura Tanner Swinand, creates delicately striking handmade jewelry. Each earring, necklace, and bracelet is so smartly designed, you can sport ‘em by day or bedazzle by night. Details: www.lauratannerjewelry.com

Display
Bauer Pottery: Earlier this year, we wrote about Bauer Pottery’s Russel Wright designs. What we didn’t write about specifically was their deliciously affordable serving dishes. Available in multiple, vivid colors, these simply modern designs remain almost as affordable today as they were when they were unveiled in the 1930s. Details: www.bauerpottery.com and http://modcitymom.blogspot.com/2009/07/style-righting-russel-wright-dinnerware.html

Ferm Living: British Company Ferm Living makes assorted wall decals so whimsical that they could easily be considered art. Decals come in all shapes and sizes—birds on wire, cassette tapes, and the periodic table. And what child doesn’t need a cuddle buddy? Ferm Living’s robot pillow comes in two sizes, both under fifty dollars. Details: www.fermlivingshop.us/kids/pillows/mr-large-robot.html

Fishs Eddy: Always a Mod City Mom favorite, Fishs Eddy has hundreds of gifts including eclectic ceramic hands, hand-painted European wine glasses, one-of-a-kind hand towels, and a handsome jade juicer. Gifts come in a Fishs Eddy gift box, free of charge—now, how handy is that? Details: www.fishseddy.com

Nikki McClure: Nikki McClure creates hauntingly beautiful paper cuts. Delicate and contemplative, her work boldly depicts the cycles of life—toil, celebration, communion. Although we may not be able to afford her originals, almost anyone can afford her prints. For only $9, own a beautifully thoughtful Nikki McClure of your own. Details: www.buyolympia.com/q/Category=Nikki-Posters and www.nikkimcclure.com

Devour
Brooklyn Pork Store: Landi’s Pork Store in Brooklyn offers old-fashioned, homemade Italian favorites at throw-back prices. Choose from hand-rolled pasta, fresh sauces, or the house Italian sausage. Details: www.brooklynporkstore.com

Iron Horse: California’s wine country isn’t traditionally known for its sparkling wines, but Sonoma’s family-run Iron Horse has been challenging that reputation for over 25 years. Whether a fashionable Brut Rosé or a romantic Wedding Cuvée, Iron Horse bubbles are forever romantic, always celebratory, and dangerously drinkable. Details: www.ironhorsevineyards.com

Jeni’s Ice Cream: After repeatedly reading about Jeni Britton Bauer’s Ohio ice cream, we finally had to try it for ourselves. Jeni’s handcrafted creations are so good, she even managed to turn our savory-centric palates into ice cream-craving machines. Whether you choose Salty Carmel, Queen City Cayenne, Pistachio and Honey, or some other devilishly delicious combination, Jeni’s is sure to please. Details: www.jenisicecreams.com

Spottswoode Winery: The gift of wine is something that every foodie appreciates but with so many to options, it is sometimes hard to choose. Spottswoode Winery produces beautiful Cabernets using environmentally sensitive practices in all aspects of their grape production. Give the wine lover in your life a great gift while giving back to the earth at the same time. Details: www.spottswoode.com/content/organics/organicFarming.html

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Style: Wabisabi Green Pillows Provide Easy Comfort

Taking in the last art fair of summer, I once again walked amongst the endless rows of homemade soaps, lawn art, and kettle corn booths. The sweaty masses, redundant offerings, and oil-laden air don’t deter me from showing up. I continue to return for the same reason everyone does—endlessly searching for the best-in-show artisan. The honor this visit was delivered to artist Jolee Pink’s Wabisabi Green—a line of throw pillows that brilliantly combine the fashionable, the affordable, and the eco-friendly.

Wabisabi, the Japanese idea of finding natural beauty in all things including the imperfect and incomplete, is the inspiration behind each design. Her three collections, Shore, Zen, and Leaf, showcase the Wabisabi concept beautifully. Pink’s pillows display a quiet perspective, exhibiting simple, natural patterns. Each piece is hand-printed on organic cotton using rich and deep, non-toxic inks. Designs include such favorites as papyrus, sea fan, and cherry blossom. For only $45 per cover (and an additional $20-$25 for organic kapok fiber or ecofiber inserts), these little beauties can easily transform any room in your home. Like discovering the finest artisan at a summer fair, Wabisabi Green pillows can transform the same ol’, same ol’ into a thing of beauty. Details: www.wabisabigreen.com

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Adventure Long Beach: We Heart Retro Row

Usually tourists and locals pass through Long Beach, California because they’re on their way to San Diego or Los Angeles. Occasionally, they may stop for a few hours to take in the Queen Mary, the Aquarium of the Pacific, or for a quick bite at a popular Belmont Shore eatery (which, by the way, is a whole article within itself.) However, Long Beach is more than a North-South passageway and extends beyond the fashionable Belmont Shore district. The heart of Long Beach lies in Retro Row—a four-block strip that specializes in vintage furniture, clothing, and hobbies (think roller derby and long boarding). Even the restaurants, coffee shops, and the local movie theatre have a retro aura about them. Located on East 4th Street between Ross and Wisconsin Avenues, the next time you’re passing through Long Beach, take an afternoon to stop, shop, and prowl the strip. Details: http://4thstreetlongbeach.com/

Art Theatre
This beautiful art-deco gem shows independent, classic, and fan-favorite films, including daily 11:00 matinees and midnight double features. A coffee and wine bar included! Details: http://www.arttheatrelongbeach.com/

Imonni
Imonni specializes in the most tasteful men and women’s vintage garments and accessories. Clothing can be custom-tailored or altered to fit your taste right on site. Details: http://www.arttheatrelongbeach.com/

Meow
Meow’s collection includes vintage clothing from the ‘40s through the ‘90s, most of which has never been worn. Highlights include blue and red-striped bowling shoes, rhinestone-embossed cat-eye glass frames, and colorfully silky smoking jackets. Details: http://www.meowvintage.com/

Songbird
Craft-Mafia inspired, Songbird houses a collection of funky and one-of-a-kind clothing, accessories, jewelry, and home wares made by local artists and crafters. Details: www.facebook.com/songbird.longbeach

Vintage Collective
Transform your home into the Mad Men set at this expansive Mid-Century Modern shop. Find everything from couches and coffee tables to bowling balls and the Mystery Date board game. Details: http://www.thevintagecollective.com/

Pike Bar & Grill
At the end of the strip sits the Pike, owned by Social Distortion’s former drummer, Chris Reece. Belly-up to this rehabbed diner’s bar for an ice-cold PBR accompanied by a grilled cheese with hand-cut fries or an order of fish ‘n’ chips. Enjoy the eclectic jukebox and the Social D posters that adorn the walls. Details: http://www.pikelongbeach.com/

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Style: Muji's No Brand Quality Goods

On my last visit to New York, I stumbled into Muji by chance and was completely smitten by its minimalist design and unusual product offerings. I bought a bunch of gifts, distributed the bounty, and moved on, forgetting about my little discovery. Fast-forwarding to our recent trip to Italy, I once again was drawn to a Muji. The only difference this time is that I promised not to forget about this little wonder.


Originating in Japan, Muji sells household wares, clothing, accessories, and toys. As its name promises (translated to "no brand quality goods"), Muji emphasizes recycled products and de-emphasizes branding and packaging. Muji's offerings are inexpensive, available online, and perfect for your own household or as a gift.Their designs are beautifully simple, from a vertically striped, reused yarn tee to a bright and bold pencil set and notebook encased in paper bag-colored packaging. My personal favorite is their City in a Bag series. Tied up in a delicate, linen sack is a half a dozen or so little, wooden blocks that include a number of the most famous icons from our most beloved cities. Choose from New York, Tokyo, London, or Paris and enjoy them for yourself or watch your kids go to town. Details: www.muji.us


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Style: Two Tree Designs, Something to Tweet About

We recently attended our local, artisan fair. Walking through the funnel cake eating masses and passing booth after booth of reggae paraphernalia, hair removal gimmicks, and hand-painted "this way to the beach" signs, I finally spied some light at the end of a very long, dark tunnel: Perched on a side street, away from the inflatable kids' toys and the kettle corn stand, was Two Tree Designs, standing like a beacon.

Two Tree Designs doesn't offer anything particularly fancy, but each item is whimsical, practical, and, well, cheap. I picked up the birdie bag with cellphone pouch and secret compartments for a mere $22.00. Use it as a school satchel, a travel carrier, a substitute diaper bag, or as a funky purse. Also offered are ol' school music designs, including turntables, microphones, and tape cassettes. Each design can be placed on a bag, laptop carrier, or t-shirt—buyer's choice. At these prices, why not buy one of each? Details: www.etsy.com/shop/twotreedesigns

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Style: Got All Your Marbles?

Although I'm a pragmatist, carefully counting my indulgent purchases, always traveling lightly, and never drawing too much attention to myself, I'm also a big believer in a bit o' bling to spice up an outfit. When I stumbled upon a piece of jewelry that managed to marry practicality with style, I was sold.

Got All Your Marbles, started by an Arizona husband and wife partnership, offers a line of interchangeable earrings, pendants, and rings. Each purchase is accompanied with a beautiful bag filled with dozens of multi-colored marbles that can be switched-out to coordinate the jewelry with your look. Choose from a number of handmade designs that can be created in either sterling silver or gold—each piece affordable and stunning. Don't be alarmed by the too-busy website, the end-result will prove well worth it! Details: www.gotallyourmarbles.com

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Obsession: Beautiful Baubles and Boxes Made from Nature

At a local art fair, I found Sandy James, artesian and “Of Nature” owner. Sandy takes pieces of nature and transforms them into jewelry and sculpture. She utilizes real leaves, acorns, and maple seeds (to name a few), dipping them into a copper patina bath. The end result is a collection of breathtaking earrings, barrettes, necklaces, and containers. Her creations are one-of-a-kind and truly stunning. Details: www.ofnature.com

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Obsession: My Moments with My Publisher

After writing the Seth Peterson article, I realized that all of our digital photos were stored, unseen and untouched, on our server. Our Frank Lloyd Wright escapades not only included our memorable cottage get-away, but his Oak Park studio, both Taliesins, and Falling Water, just to name a few. Remembering these visits were fun, inspiring, and downright enjoyable, but, better yet, browsing this photographic journey shook me out of my complacency and spurred me to action!

Now, with online publishing, it’s easy and inexpensive to create a handsome, personalized photo album. For less than it would cost to develop your film, you can create a coffee table-style book of your very own. My favorite of the online services is My Publisher. After downloading trouble-free, intuitive software, create your own book starting from $12.00 and receive it at your doorstep a week later or share it with your friends online! My Publisher offers a quick and easy way to store your memories in one gloriously accessible package. Details: www.mypublisher.com

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Obsession: Tasty Salted Pig Parts

Back in December, we featured Boccalone in a short list of our favorite holiday merchants. But, like any true obsession, I can't stop talking, dreaming, and spreading the word about this tantalizing tidbit. Boccalone offers mail-order "tasty salted pig parts" that include a variety of cured, cooked, and fresh meats. When writing our Gastronomy article, my mouth started to water just thinking about accompanying my Grilled Gazpacho with some fresh-made Boccalone Italian Sausage. While you're at it, why not throw in some lardo or pancetta? What better way to celebrate the new grilling season? Details: www.boccalone.com.

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Obsession: Servin' Up Surfas

An LA staple since the 30s, Surfas has served the restaurant community and hard-core home cooks with restaurant-quality equipment, speciality food items, and hard-to-find ingredients. Not only does their website offer all of these incredible wonders to the home shopper, it also includes recipes, gift baskets, and an over-abundance of gourmet food finds. Details: www.surfasonline.com.

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Obsession: Gift Giving Reinvented

I don’t know about you, but I’ve become extremely bored when forced to shop for yet-another neighborhood kid’s birthday gift. It’s not that I don’t like celebrating, it’s just that buying one more typical marketing-backed toy has become a little redundant. Now that I’ve found Optical Toys, I’ve never been so excited to get the party started.

Just visiting the Optical Toys' website is a treat! They offer a series of old-fashioned flip books (e.g., Thomas Edison’s record of a sneeze), paper toy reproductions (“choose among 12 unique hairstyles for this elegant lady who desperately needs a full head of hair”), and a series of antique book remakes (think shadow books and movie scopes). Although you may still need to buy the hottest, new-fangled toy for your birthday recipient, next time, accompany your gift with an Optical Toys’ purchase and become the life of the party. Details: www.opticaltoys.com.

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Obsession: The Tour Diary

Artist Allison Cole and my new San Fran love, The Little Otsu, have collaborated to create this very fun tour diary. If you're like me, before each trip I end-up with a mess of printouts, books, photocopies, and addresses that I cram into my carry-on bag. With The Tour Diary, you're able to organize and combine your trip itinerary and travel information into one, little guide.

The diary includes space for packing lists, tour information, restaurant plans, and important translations for out-of-country travel. Plus, it's just plain ol' cute, making trip preparation almost as fun as the trip itself. Details: shop.littleotsu.com/collections/journals-etc/products/the-tour-diary-by-allison-cole.

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Obsession: The Curiosity Shoppe

After my recent visit to San Francisco, I came home hungering for more. Thanks to online shopping and The Curiosity Shoppe, I don't have to completely leave behind the city that feeds my artistic impulses. At The Curiosity Shoppe, the place for “crafts, kits, and curios for the creatively inclined,” experience talking paintings, mustache key holders, and origami hamburger sets. Browsing this collection online is about a much fun as chomping through the real deal. Details: www.curiosityshoppeonline.com.

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Obsession: Spicing It Up!

The Midwest has a longstanding reputation for baseball, hotdogs, apple pie, and Chevrolet. And while this is all good and well, I’m going to go out on a limb and add The Spice House to this prized mix. When I moved from the Midwest, I didn’t realize how much I relied on these cherished merchants to perk-up my meals: My pork chops disappeared more quickly when massaged with the Historic Pullman Pork Chop Rub, my beer can chicken became more savory when slathered with their Herbs de Provence, and my chili was richer and more complex when fortified with The Spice House chili powder. Now, with online ordering, my family and my meals will never have to go without again!

Not only am I able to order my favorite spices and rubs online, The Spice House website describes each spice or blend in detail, including region, popular uses, a dab of history, and links to complimentary recipes. In addition, they also provide themed gift boxes and suggestions. Whether you’re looking for that perfect “season’s greetings” gift idea or you simply want to spice-up your life, The Spice House will provide. Details: www.thespicehouse.com.

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Obsession: Mrs. Peters' Smoked Fish Delicacies

If you’ve ever been the deliciously-lucky recipient of a gift from Mrs. Peters or just happened to stumble into this unassuming Jensen Beach, Florida establishment, you’ll understand our obsession. Mrs. Peters has been hot-smoking fish since 1931. Whether indulging in the tenderly-smoked wahoo fillet, the rich and strangely-addicting sea-twang spread, or a succulently-moist salmon jerky, Mrs. Peters' smoky-delights are guaranteed to please.

Although I’ve had a terrible time ordering from Mrs. Peters' online, a quick phone call connects you with a most-helpful and friendly Mrs. Peters’ employee. Once your order is placed, all shipments arrive at your doorstep in less than two days time—almost as quick as planning a trip to your local grocery store. Details: www.mrspeters.com.



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Style: Comfortable, Cool Fashion Found at C & C California

Since becoming a mother and quitting my corporate job, my wardrobe has changed immensely. I retired my sleek, black pants, stylish tops, and stilettos to trade them in for cotton tees, jeans, and my ratty Converse. Not that I have anything against jeans and t-shirts, but I also love interesting, eclectic pieces, as well. The problem is that the more "inspired" fashion styles are "dry clean only" and are made of fabric much too delicate for my newly acquired active lifestyle as a parent. Hence began my quest to find comfortable, washable clothing that is still stylish and hip. I can assure you, this is NOT an easy task. I have, however, found several brands that fit the bill—one of my favorites being C & C California.

C & C California was created by two women who grew up on the beaches of Southern California during the 1970s. The collection is a tribute to "California Chic” and designed specifically for women who are looking for comfortable, wearable fashion. C & C’s goal is to offer the perfect pieces that can be worn during the day to run errands and continue into an evening dinner.

The company makes terrific tees, turtlenecks, maxi dresses, leggings, and tunics. With the exception of sweaters, most items are washable, made from soft cotton, and manufactured in the U.S. They offer fun stripes and solid basics. Each piece has unique sleeves and interesting stitching—all with flattering shapes for all sizes. The C & C fabrics retain their color, shape, and texture even after countless washes. For terrific comfort, quality, and style, pick-up something from C & C. You and your wardrobe will not be disappointed. Details: www.candccalifornia.com.

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Obsession: Websites We Love for Awesome Gifts

If you are like us, the holidays seem to sneak up faster and faster each year. We thought we would share some of our favorite websites for gifts that are easy, fun, and interesting. Happy Holidays!

Zingerman's: Buy a cheese club, yummy baked goods, or house-made bread. Now you can even overnight Reubens for four. Now who wouldn't want that? Details: www.zingermans.com.

Boccalone: Purchase homemade salami, pancetta, mustards, and peppers. It's all about the pig, baby. Details: www.boccalone.com.

Robert Sinskey: Buy a bottle, a wine club, or a cookbook from part-owner and cook, Maria Helm Sinskey. Details: www.robertsinskey.com.

1730 Outlet Company: Find great candles, housewares, and kitchen gifts at bargain basement prices. Details: www.1730outlet.com.

Pewabic Pottery: From this Detroit institution, purchase a great tile, vessel, or a one-of-a-kind holiday ornament. Details: www.pewabic.org.

T-Shirt Deli: Looking for the perfect tee for your mom, husband, or new babe? Make it yourself at the T-Shirt Deli. Details: www.tshirtdeli.com.

jl925: Jessica Lee, jewelery designer, uses recyclable items to create unique bracelets, necklaces, and, our personal favorite (hint, hint), rings. Details: www.jl925.com.

Yard Dog: Specializing in folk and outsider-art, Yard Dog provides a variety of pieces for any size budget! Details: www.yarddog.com.

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