Undomestic Diva's FAVORITE CRAP 2007 - The List!
Thank you to everyone who submitted ideas for my FAVORITE CRAP for 2007 List. And thank you also to those of you who didn't get around to it, but meant to... (It's the thought that counts right? That's what I always try to say...)
I tried my best to categorize the items, describe a few and at least list all the others. Thanks for all the ideas!! And if you find something you just L-O-V-E and life is bliss because of it, then... you're welcome! But if you think my own or a reader's suggestion is pure... well, crap, then IT WASN'T MY IDEA, IT WAS ALL THEIR IDEA! THEY FORCED ME TO POST IT. I am prepared to pass the blame like old people pass gas.
Also, guess I should say this, even though it goes without saying (and yet, here I am saying it. Or typing it. Well, you get it.) that I have not personally purchased some of these items recommended and cannot guarantee the quality of them, the customer service that accompanies them or how great a reaction you may or may not get from the person you end up giving it to. That being said.... (drum roll please) Here is the list....
UNDOMESTIC DIVA'S FAVORITE CRAP 2007:
For HER:
I L-O-V-E StuntGirl, a company that offers the coolest of cool tees, tanks, cropped sweats, hats, beanies and backpacks for women, girls and "rugrats." But there's more to StuntGirl than the cool clothes... check out their mission statement that explains how StuntGirl "motivates and inspires girls to feel beautiful because of what they can accomplish and because of their incredible ability to be courageous and strong." If you want to be a cool mom, a cool aunt, a cool grandma, or just COOL, you cannot go wrong with this line! EVEN COOLER: StuntGirl has agreed to give Undomestic Diva readers 10% off through Dec 14 if you enter "DIVA10" when checking out. Don't forget to check out their incredible photographs on the website while you're there!
Morgan & Company's Sterling Silver Opal Ring that can be personalized/engraved. $29 If you like to personalize your gifts, this website has a ton of options!
Mommy Jewelry has great mom, grandma and sister jewelry that's hip, cool and far more unique than the old school birthstone kind. I personally love their "love letters," and dog tags. They make a momma look gooooood! Great prices too!
Also a great site for personalized mom jewelry is Mommy Tags. Check out their "Wagg Tags" and "Tot Tags." Really cool stuff, really stylish and definitely one-of-a-kind.
Maybe you're looking for jewelry, just not the mommy kind. No problem. I love, love, love Dogeared, a company that has some of the most unique jewelry you'll find. My favorites? The Gold-Dipped Karma Necklace ($62), the Lucky Bamboo necklaces and my very favorite, the "Heal and Believe Make a Wish Necklace" which I gave to my sister (who has health issues) for her birthday. You have to check these out... They all come with the most inspiring messages... a great, meaningful gift.
And, of course, you can't go wrong with Tiffany & Co., which has some of the most coveted jewelry in the world... at a bit of a price... but if you have it, by all means, why thank you, I'd love one of their tag bracelets. Another great thing about Tiffany's is their impeccable customer service. I love good customer service!!
For HIM:
OK, there weren't a ton of suggestions in this category. Is it because you are stumped as to what you're going to get the guys in your life? Or because they, um, fail miserably struggle to find you good gifts? Or because googling jewelry is so much more fun?? Either way, here are a few suggestions!
REI - You can't go wrong with REI. It's has great outdoor gear and clothing and what man doesn't like that? Or at least pretend to like that? Or wish they liked that? Also fantastic and a personal favorite of my husband's is Cabela's, which has everything and anything for the hunter, fisherman, hiker, etc. etc. etc. Right now they have a special offer for $4.95 flat rate shipping that ends Dec. 6 (tomorrow) if you enter "7FLAT495" when checking out. And who could forget L.L. Bean? High quality, great stuff for men and women...
For EVERYONE!!!
Uncommon Goods - This website has everything you've never seen before. Very unique, uncommon (duh) gifts for everyone ages 0 - 111. I want to buy it ALL. I really love the Pee-Pee Teepee's, ($12) perfect for anyone with a baby boy. Makes diaper changes a little less... dangerous. I also like the Wet Bikini Bag ($18) that keeps wet bathing suits separate from the rest of your luggage when traveling. And a gift I got my brother(who is incredibly hard to shop for) last year, the Ticket Stub Diary ($12). He loved it. I'm telling you, there's something for EVERYONE here. And I love their gift boxes. Spunky.
Also unique, check out the hand-crafted glass wind chimes at Goose Rocks Designs as recommended by Liz. Pretty cool looking.
CafePress - This website will have you hooked for HOURS as you giggle and laugh and think "oh-no-he-didn't" reading the thousands of t-shirt designs. You can even design your own, which I've done, and it's not too terribly difficult. (They have step-by-step directions.) You could even make a little $$$ selling your design. But if for no other reason, go to this website to have a chuckle or eighty.
More funny tees? Please? Hee. Hee. Try Threadless.com or BustedTees.com, just be sure to put on your sense of humor first.
B&H Photo-Video - If you know a photographer, a wannabe photographer, if you aspire to be a photographer or even if you just want to buy a point-and-shoot camera, GO HERE! I, as a professional photographer, swear by BH. It has everything I need, the most competitive prices and, because I do not live in NY, there's NO TAX. Um, on a few thousand dollar camera, that's a big deal. And their customer service is GREAT.
The George Foreman Grill. I do not own one, but everyone seems to love and admire and thoroughly enjoy this invention. It's available at a billion places such as Target and on Amazon.com. There are quite a few versions, so do your research first.
A Lifetime of Secrets: A PostSecret Book - If you have not yet heard of this... phenomenon, then get on the bandwagon folks, it's chilling, amazing and totally creepy all at once. You can also see a small sample here.
Krysta suggests checking out the book Milk Eggs Vodka: Grocery Lists Lost and Found by Bill Keaggy. I blush at the thought that many, many of my lost grocery lists may have been found by this man with "poptarts" and "toilet paper" and "Peri Colace" all on the same piece of paper. Sigh. I'm gonna have to check this one out myself.
And I cannot leave this one out: Shutterfly. There is nothing better than giving family, especially grandparents or relatives farther away, the amazing magazine-style 8x8 Photo Books from Shutterfly. There are also another trillion photo products that serve well as gifts like mouse pads, mugs and keepsake boxes. And, if you haven't done them already, it's a great, inexpensive place to do your holiday cards.
And, um, Starbucks has an online store with many options for the coffee lover in your family. (Or for me!! Thanks!!) The only downside? They don't ship your items with a hot cup of your favorite drink... So perhaps it's worth a trip inside an actual store. Just sayin'.
For the SCRAPBOOKER:
TallyScrapper - Great paper, embellishments and layout ideas. Big, BIG bonus: They ship your order with a bag of M&Ms which somehow seem to inspire more creativity than you even thought you were capable of. Great service, too!
Also... you'll have to check out reader Shelley's website CraftyScrappers. Lots of great stuff there. That woman is CREATIVE and CRAFTY. She doesn't have to buy gifts, she makes them!
Thank you to everyone who contributed. There are a bunch more ideas listed in the comments section of my last post. Check them out! You can also check out the blog Asthma Girl under her "Asthma Girl Likes" list to see what she's recommending. More ideas! Feel free to add more suggestions and recommendations in the comments section of this post.
And happy, non-karate shopping!
