Removable Inanimate Object Stickers

Here's a cute idea: eye, nose, and mouth stickers to personalize inanimate objects such as tape dispensers, staplers, mugs, etc. This would make a fun stocking stuffer for anyone who works in an office, or for a college student's dorm room. And since they're removable, they'd be great for kids too. Finally -- again, since they're removable! -- you could also use them as a little gag gift to decorate everything in someone's office without warning them ahead of time (think April Fool's Day).

[Note: Don't forget to enter my ongoing giveaway for a Swarovski rhinestone stretch bracelet. The giveaway runs through Saturday, July 11, 2009.]

What: Removable Inanimate Object Stickers
Where: Pop Deluxe website
How much (as of today's post): $4.99 (plus shipping)

Set of Sweet Anthem Solid Perfume Samples

Most of us (including me) don't have the slightest idea how perfume is actually made, but I certainly do know that it's an art. And since Etsy is the place for artists, naturally there will be lovely perfumes to be found there.

And what better stocking stuffers than this sampler set of solid perfumes from perfume artisan Meredith Tucker, who runs Etsy shop Sweet Anthem? Solid perfumes are pretty and compact, and they travel easily in a purse or handbag without spilling. This set of four 3ml containers allows you (or your gift recipient!) to try out four of Sweet Anthem's more than twenty choices, such as the "Caroline" scent, which combines ambergris, bergamot, champagne, lemon, oakmoss, sarsparilla, and vanilla. (Doesn't that sound yummy?) Each of the samples are poured, tagged, and labeled by hand.

At a very reasonable $16 for four samples, you can use this set for one or more stockings. If you have two sisters or daughters, you can give them two apiece. If you have three recipients in mind, well, obviously the answer there is to keep the fourth sample for yourself! In any event, with so many scents to choose from (see Sweet Anthem's profile page for a list of scents, ingredients, and a wealth of other information), you can't go wrong.

And I'm thrilled that all of Sweet Anthem's perfumes are vegan, which means they are cruelty-free. The profile page also notes that Meredith uses "ethically and locally sourced ingredients only with a focus on natural and sustainable goods used whenever possible." I love that so many Etsy sellers strive to be eco-friendly.

In any case, be sure to explore her shop thoroughly, because there are all kinds of possibilities besides the solid perfume samples, such as perfume in liquid form, custom perfume orders, scents for guys, and even a do-it-yourself perfume kit. Happy sniffing!

What: Set of Sweet Anthem Solid Perfume Samples
Where: Sweet Anthem Handmade Perfumes (an Etsy shop)
How much (as of today's post): $16 (plus shipping)


[Note: Don't forget to enter my ongoing giveaway for a Swarovski rhinestone stretch bracelet. The giveaway runs through Saturday, July 11, 2009.]

BLOG GIVEAWAY !! - Swarovski Rhinestone Stretch Bracelet

Happy Fourth of July! In honor of the holiday, I wanted to show this very appropriate photo of "red, white, and blue" Swarovski rhinestone stretch bracelets from the Just Jen website. Technically, these colors are named crystal, light siam, and sapphire, and the bracelets also come in crystal AB and fuschia. Any one of these would make a perfect stocking stuffer, or a lovely gift for any time of year. They measure 5" and stretch to about 8". According to the website, all of the bracelets are manufactured by Swarovski and "use their patented Xilion crystal for maximum sparkle."

And Just Jen is not just about bracelets -- in fact, their main focus is rhinestone apparel, including t-shirts, sweatpants, flip-flops, aprons, caps, and more. They will even make customized logo rhinestone apparel.

Best of all, Just Jen has kindly offered to sponsor a giveaway of a Swarovski rhinestone bracelet to one of my readers! To enter, look at the Just Jen custom t-shirt page (a new window will open) and then leave a comment below telling me what custom t-shirt you would most like to design (shirt style, font, and what you would have written). Please be sure and leave your e-mail address in your comment, or make sure it's available from your comment profile.

You may earn one additional entry by subscribing to this blog (click "follow blog" at the top of the page, or use the "subscribe here" buttons in the right column to add this blog to your reader) and leaving a separate comment telling me that you've done so, but the first entry is mandatory in order for the second entry to count! You have from today until Saturday July 11 at 11:59 p.m. CST (based on the timestamp shown on your comment). I will use a random number generator to choose the winner on Sunday July 12.

In the meantime, have a safe and Happy Fourth of July!

What: Swarovski Rhinestone Stretch Bracelet
Where: Just Jen website
How much (as of today's post): $18.00/one, $45.00/three, $72/six (plus shipping)

Stainless Steel Modern Oil Candle

At this price ($88.00), this stainless steel modern oil candle would be a super-luxury stocking stuffer, and I'm also not too sure about the environmental implications. But my Friday luxury posts are for those items that would go in my fantasy stockings, and I have to say, I wanted this modern, minimalist oil candle the moment I saw it. Its design is so simple and elegant, and I can just see it as part of a blue and silver themed stocking, and as part of chic, silvery table setting....

On the off chance you're rich enough that you really could spend $88.00 on a stocking stuffer, I'll mention that the stand is 4" x 2" and the candle is 5" long and 1" in diameter. It uses high-quality smokeless lamp oil available at hardware stores, and one filling of oil lasts about eight hours.

And just in case you're in sticker shock now, don't forget that it's only on Fridays that I post the luxury items! You can click on my "under $5" or "under $10" labels in the left column of this blog to get back to reality!

What: Stainless Steel Modern Oil Candle
Where: Uncommon Goods website
How much (as of today's post): $88.00 (plus shipping)

Announcement: Blog Giveaway Coming Soon!

I've got a giveaway coming up: details to be revealed on the Fourth of July! The ladies won't want to miss this one.... I'll just say this: does the word Swarovski mean anything to you?

If you don't want to have to remember to come back, you can always subscribe to this blog through Google Reader or the RSS feed/reader of your choice. The entry period for the giveaway will be for one week, running from Saturday July 4 to Saturday July 11, 2009.

Klean Canteen Classic Sippy

Last Christmas, all the eco-friendly gift idea blogs and websites featured a variety of reusable steel water bottles, in an effort to wean people off the plastic-bottled water that is so eco-unfriendly. Now it looks like the Klean Kanteen company has found a way to bring this to our smallest generation, by introducing an adaptor with a sippy cup spout for their classic 12 ounce bottle. The cap and spout are BPA-free, and the bottle is food grade stainless steel. As the website says, it will "never leach chemicals, toxins, or funky flavors into your child's water or juice."

Me, I think it's a great idea to make kids environmentally aware as young as possible. Plus this sippy cup bottle is cute! It comes in six colors: green moss, orange sunset, ocean blue, black eclipse, pink renewal, and tree bark. It's also super convenient, because it's dishwasher safe, fits in most cup holders, and has a wide opening through which ice cubes will fit.

Whole Foods carries this line, or you can order direct from the company. Happy sipping for your little ones!

What: Klean Canteen Classic Sippy
Where: Kleen Kanteen website
How much (as of today's post): $17.95 (or 2/$33.90) (plus shipping)

Edible Wild Hibiscus Flowers

I swear I'm not making this up! You can buy a jar of edible wild hibiscus flowers from (of all places) the Think Geek website. Each 8.8 ounce jar has at least eleven full flowers; the only other ingredients besides hibiscus are cane sugar and water. The website, being all geeky and all, describes them as looking like baby Cthulhu, but they also say they're delicious and taste just a little bit like raspberry.

You have to admit they would certainly make a most unusual stocking stuffer! They'd do pretty well for Valentine's Day, too, don't you think? I love the way it looks at the bottom of the champagne glass....

What: Edible Wild Hibiscus Flowers
Where: Think Geek website
How much (as of today's post): $9.99 (plus shipping)

Frog Prince Tealight Holder

In looking at my stocking stuffers "idea" file for something to list today, I realized I was in the mood for something silly and/or whimsical. I think this fits the bill: a frog prince tealight holder. This is from Wrapables.com, measures approximately 4x6 inches, and is made of resin. There are two choices as shown in the photo above: a crouching frog, and a lounging frog. It's no contest for me -- I would go for the lounging frog, because just looking at it makes me smile. He's just such a cute, chubby little guy!

In addition to being a possible stocking stuffer, I think this could make a cute addition to a bridal shower or engagement party gift basket, signifying that the recipient has found her frog who turned into a prince. What do you think?

What: Frog Prince Tealight Holder
Where: Wrapables.com website
How much (as of today's post): $12.95 (plus shipping)

DaysAgo Digital Day Counters

I just came across these DaysAgo Digital Day Counters on the Container Store website, and I can already think of about a zillion uses for them. These are little battery-powered counters that you stick onto leftovers, or air filters, or plant containers, so that you'll always know how many days ago you cooked/cleaned/watered them. The product description implies that you can even use them in the freezer, although I'd be a little worried about them lasting in the cold. But no matter; I could use them for how many days ago I scrubbed the litter boxes, how many days ago my husband cleaned the air purifiers, and so on. They track up to 99 days.

Best of all, these would make great stocking stuffers for both men and women. Men might want to keep track of how many days ago they checked the oil in the car they're trying to keep going for a few more years (ain't that the truth in this economy?!). Or heck, if you're trying to give something up (for me, it's Coke), you can keep track of how many days since you had your last one! This might also be good for young men and women just out of the house, as they, um, experiment with eating their own cooking.

The Container Store website sells a package of two in assorted colors (which you cannot specify) for $7.99. If you're lucky enough to have a Container Store near you, you can just go and pick out the colors you want.

What: DaysAgo Digital Day Counters
Where: Container Store
How much (as of today's post): $7.99/package of two (plus shipping)

Sci-Fi Inspired Kokeshi Dolls

In light of the new Star Trek movie's unexpected success -- I admit I was a skeptic, but I was won over because it was just so much fun! -- today I would like to show you the amazing sci-fi inspired kokeshi dolls by Etsy seller temple 7e. For instance, we have this witty Vulcan inspired creation (I love the way the shape of his ears is inferred), or a lovely pair called simply "princess and pilot" (shown below). Don't they make an adorable couple? And at approximately 4 to 4 1/2 inches high, it goes without saying that these would make terrific stocking stuffers, as well as unique collectibles, for the science fiction fan in your life.

The "kokeshi customs" section of temple 7e's shop is where you'll find the sci-fi inspired heroes and villains, most of which will be instantly recognizable to you unless you've had your head under a rock for the last thirty years. But there are additional sections of the shop to explore, such as ninjas and ninjettes, kimono girls, and an "others" section that includes a monk and a Zen master. Depending on the level of detail, the kokeshi dolls are either $20 or $30 individually, with some pairs available for $40.

What: Sci-Fi Inspired Kokeshi Dolls
Where: temple 7e (an Etsy shop)
How much (as of today's post): $20-$40 (plus shipping)