Adios Xmas...Hello Riviera

Well, my guy and I didn't make it to anywhere tropical, beachy or otherwise...but if we had - I'd hook him up with one of these H.O.T. sunglass styles. Perhaps tonight as we ring in 2009 we can toast to thoughts of glorious vacations and such.

Happy New Year Boyfriend Gift Guide Loves! Kisses & wishes & loveliness to all.

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i figured it out!!

The best boss, dad, brother, brother in law, boyfriend gift ever! I just realized this cause this is what I am getting for my brother-in-law, but it kinda works for ANY man in your life!

Slippers



a Single Malt Scotch
and then, for the stocking, a good alpaca wool scarf:

totally perfect! Am I right, or am I right?

On the 13th Day of Christmas My Love Gave to Me: Olive & Vinegar Pourers, Wastebins, Audio

Ok, yum, divine, I need it all now....
Why are all of UnicaHome's products SO amazing?
WHERE O WHERE TO START.

Bahaus Design Cocktail Shaker $344

Or for $21.50 try high design Oil & Vinegar Pourers.
Hand blown carafes made to the highest standard of italian glassmaking. The visual of one container floating inside another is striking.

Available in carafe or sfera (round shape) design
Dimensions:
Carafe:
150ml 5"h x 3"dia
250ml 8"h x 5"dia
Sfera: 150ml 4"h x 6"

Trash N Style 2008

by vipp of denmark.

a classic wastebasket/trash can handmade in denmark, the vipp 15 has a 60 year tradition of quality. available in stainless, white, and black and limited edition colors. 11" x 20". free shipping in continental us; replacement parts and fitted bags are available. approximately 4 gallon capacity. $319

I could have posted 75 products from UnicaHome. Best to visit yourself and get the gist.

On the 12th Day of Christmas My Lady Gave to Me: A Faucet or Three

So, maybe your man:
1. Does renovations professionally or as a hobbiest.
2. OR as is often the case, talks about What he would do, if he was renovating the place!
3. Likes to take frequent trips to the Home Depot with you in tow.
4. Desperately needs a little upgrade love at his bachelor-like pad.

On the 12th day of Christmas, just introduce him to the fact that this site (and several others like it) are out there for the taking - DesignerPlumbing.com
Shop and save on top of the line brands including Toto, Kohler, Decolav, Delta, Moen, Jado and more. But the real savings is bypassing the headache of waiting on-line at the Home Depot or Lowes.

Want to Rock the Boudoir?
Well, thank you to Kohler's Water Resistent Speaker you sure can.

SoundTile speakers (pair of speakers) Water resistant speakers can be used in shower applications Can be used with any audio system and also integrated with the DTV Custom Showering Experience Mounts within standard 2" x 4" walls Installs after finished wall is complete Low profile design. $305.42 less installation kit.

On the 11th Day of Christmas My Lady Gave to Me: A Hint, Hint...

Make me dinner, baby. If you love has a love for cooking, these Gusto-grip blades are almost too hot to handle. Plus they've got the look, complete with a bamboo case. Available at the GivingGallery and on sale for $69.95.

Furi Rachael Ray Gusto-grip blades feature a forged bolster and tang which are produced from one single piece of the finest German CrMoV alloy, increasing the strength and overall durability of the knife. The handle grip is made from ultra tough, with a moulded synthetic rubber outer layer. These components are strong and will not separate with regular use.

Includes a 5" Scalloped East/West Knife, 7" Scalloped East/West Knife and a 12.5" x 5.5" Bamboo Case.

EVERYONE LOVES A SHARP KNIFE!

While on the subject of kitchen-esque type gifts. Though the Furi's a sharp gift suggestion for your other half, it may just be outdone by the Six Pack Tote. Depends on your guys beer guzzling habits. This subtle tote will keep em' chilled long enough to make it to the perfect lounge spot in the park or on the beach.

Built NY Six Pack Tote - Black - $ 19.00
From: GivingGallery

holiday gift-less crux

Ok...here it is again, 10 days until Christmas eve. I haven't booked our plane tickets or even hopped on the thought of what to get my dearest. I have however been roaming the web (while 'working' at work) and come up with 10 Good Guy Gift Ideas.

On the 10th Day of Christmas My Lady Gave to Me:
A Godfather Talking Bobble Head

Hmmm...it eludes me as to why bobble heads are exactly as popular as they are (and not just plain freaky). We have some NASCAR ones at my office for Shell driver Kelly Harvick and people think these things are the greatest. I'm not into NASCAR and neither is my guy, but he does have a thing for the Don. So this xmas, for only $12.99 at Potter's Gifts - stuff that stocking with the Don of All Dons. Also available, The Big Lebowski's the Dude and South Park's Kyle.

you know what all boys ( ok men) need?

CLEAN TOWELS.

It seems to be a straight male thing to think that towels are always clean cause you use them when you are clean - but I beg to differ. Help your man out with new Organic Terry Towels for the holidays. I know it sounds kinda like getting him socks and underwear, (which everyone needs), towels are something you may not think that you want, but once you get out of the shower and there is a brand new clean fluffy soft towel waiting for you, you realize what a great idea new towels are.

And then, once the towel situation is covered, you can move on to some cozy organic sateen sheets. Organic cotton, clean soft sheets with a tiny bit of sheen. Now his bedroom and bathroom are all taken care and ready for the new year.


Or check out any of some designer bedding sets:


Or a new down comforter:



just click on the images to find out more about these perfect gift ideas....

this makes it easy.

A boyfriend gift guide, buy all your gifts in one place - so easy!

did you see Planet Terror?

You know, the Robert Rodriguez film that was part of Grindhouse? Do you remember the best scene in the whole movie?




That's right, when they ride up on mini- bikes.


A pocket bike under the tree and a DVD in the stocking. That is a perfect gift.

Get Cozy As You Can Gifts

Alpaca, In Heaven...


Winter White Baby Alpaca Rug - $265


So what is Alpaca anyway? from Wikipedia

Alpaca fleece is a lustrous and silky natural fiber. While similar to sheep's wool in that it is a natural fiber, it is warmer, not prickly, and bears no lanolin which makes it hypoallergenic. It is also soft and luxurious. In physical structure, alpaca fiber is somewhat akin to hair, being very glossy. The preparing, carding, spinning, weaving and finishing process of alpaca is very similar to the process used for wool.

Sounds divine for a snuggle as does the 100% Alpaca Wool Throw - $ 450.00

Practical, warm and soft, this throw is handwoven from natural Alpaca wool. Perfect for cuddling in front of a movie classic or keeping on the sofa for a snooze with your sweetheart.

An EZ Boyfriend Gift Concept? Something they need but won't buy...SKINCARE!

Valahé can help your love treat his skin with care. It’s easy with the daily use of hypoallergenic, men’s all-natural organic skin care products from Valahé.

Essential All-Natural Men's After Shave Care

Valahé introduces this all-natural, botanical soothing after-shave gel, the perfect companion for your man...

Handpicked soothing ingredients and restorative oils to help his skin repair after shaving. Specially designed to treat razor burn, redness, and micro-cuts, Valahé’s advanced formula botanical men’s shaving gel doesn’t leave a sticky residue on skin.

Valahé’s Post Shave Soothing Gel is enhanced with a unique, patented lipo-dipeptide that helps put stressed skin at ease while improving hydration. Free of alcohol, perfumes, dyes, or other irritating substances, your skin will feel nurtured all day long.

Skin care and other "pamper yourself products" are sometimes under-estimated by the guys. Pick products by scents you love and rejuvenating qualities.

Post Shave Soothing Gel - 4 fl. oz. / 113.4 g

$14 at Valahé.com

gaming gift guide for your guy.

There are some major things happening on the video game front and if you are shopping for that perfect gift for your boyfriend, I suggest you pay attention.

The holiday season for video games is much like the holiday season for blockbuster movies, except the best games have both the drama and story lines of Oscar winners and the action, visual destruction and mayhem of a good Micheal Bay, Eli Roth, or Gore Verbinski (who, btw, will be directing the new BIOSHOCK movie) .

Speaking of Bioshock, this game is one of the all time best. I suggest that if your man does not have it already, he should. You can find out by asking him blithely, do you rescue or harvest Little Sisters? If he answers with a long explanation of why he does one or the other, or why it is a combination of the two, he has played the game. A lot. If he says, huh? you should go order the game for him, and since it is over a year old, I suggest ebay to find a good deal, plus it is available for PS3 now, too.

But back to what we were initially discussing, the new releases that happen this time of year. These are the ones that everyone who plays games (xbox360, mostly) are really looking forward to:


Fallout 3
This is getting great reviews - I still haven't played it (cause it was just released) but it is on my must get list.

Gears of War 2
So this comes out in a few days. I am currently replaying Gears 1 at insane, partially because I've been meaning to give it another chance, and partially because of this article in the New Yorker.
The guy writing the article REALLY loves GOW and seems to have a little bro-crush on the creator of the game. I have to admit, I don't think it is as great as he makes it sound, it is kind of short, and while they are some great little gimmicks, or innovations, I really don't think it reaches the level of a game like Bioshock or Half Life 2. That said, I am still excited about the new game, and will definitely be playing it soo.
(BTW - if your man does not have Half Life 2- The Orange Box is a great gift for a guy, 5 games in one!)

Fable 2
This is the gift for the boyfriend who used to play D&D or Magic, or both. It's getting some mixed reviews, but I think these fantasy RPG* games are for a unique bunch, but this one has some FPS* aspects to it, so I am looking forward to checking it out - the art looks amazing.

Terminology (good for when you go to the gamer store and are swamped by geeky employees who are so excited to see a real live girl in there domain)
RPG: Role Playing Game (i.e. you create a character and interact with the game, and the world via the internet, as that character).
FPS: First Person Shooter
'nuff said

Dead Space
Super Bloody Sci-Fi Horror game, set in space.

Have I mentioned that NONE of these games are appropriate for children? We keep my old Nintendo 64 in the house for when kiddies visit and want to play games, Mario is great for kids. NONE these games are. Just wanted to make that clear ;-)

Other things to look for - If your boyfriend has a xbox360 these are some accessories that he might appreciate ( you might wanna check with his buddies if you are not sure what is right form his system).

Wireless Network Adapter

Of your boyfriend is the kind of guy who is constantly yelling through his headset at some other 10 year old ( ;-p) to flank left, and is jerking around with his head set connected to his controller, surprise him with a wireless headset! He will be thrilled and stop looking like a marionette with a degenerative neuromuscular disease.

Trendy Bedding or a Vacuum? hmmm...

Necessity vs. Luxury
As per usual, my boyfriend's birthday rolls around like a sneak attack and I end up scrambling for the perfect gift. Last year I got him a space-age looking vacuum, and nothing screams I love you now change! more than that. Even though - he really "needed" it. Anyway, this year I was feeling mildly guilty and vowed not to give something so plastic. But without really figuring what 'that' was in advance of my trip to NYC, I'm rushing through downtown while he's at work hoping for the perfect gift. I'm impossible to please when shopping in a pinch. Lucky for me CB2
had this amazing Marimekko kikky bedding set that I found the perfect happy medium of high design and not too feminine for his apartment.

Would I suggest this as a perfect boyfriend gift if you've only had a few make out sessions?
a) Depends how H.O.T. those were
b) Depends if he has 2 bad cats that have overtaken the bed, the boudoir and every other square inch of the place

If even 1 YES applies...then go for it. Get some fabulously luxurious bedding, for you and him. If the two of you don't live together, he probably needs a little face lift in that department anyway.

Had I had a little more time to ponder the web with funky bedding in mind, I may have opted for the Stockholm Duvet and Sham set by Plush Living.
Or maybe the the Montreal Duvet & Sham Set...Available at Burke Decor's online home decor and furniture boutique.