Is it a handbag or a piece of art? It's both, of course. Impractical and whimsical, who could resist a funky blinged out Santa bag from Timmy Woods? Like all of her bags, this one is bade from acacia wood and crafted by hand. With jeweled spectacles and a flashy star nestled in his beard, Santa gets a break from his usual red attire. His carved white whiskers are set off by a chunky black and silver beaded strap and a furry black cap. This black and white Santa is also green. For every tree felled to create Timmy Woods handbags, two more are planted. $375.
A few weeks ago, we learned that Victoria Beckham had bought her kids a Neiman Marcus treehouse for Christmas, now The Sun reports that David Beckham has bought his wife a book for Christmas. Now a book may not sound like much of a present, especially for Victoria, who, although she has authored a couple of books, famously claimed in 2005 never to have read one, but this is no ordinary book. David bought Victoria Una Grande Storia Italiana - Valentino Garavani, a fabulous new book from Taschen which celebrates the designer. The book comes in a silk-covered clamshell box that is tinted in Valentino red. Inside, the 738-page book includes drawings, magazine shoots, advertisements, portraits of Valentino, and documentary photographs. The text includes Vanity Fair writer Matt Tyrnauer's interviews with twenty of Valentino's collaborators and friends and a tribute to Valentino by fashion writer Suzy Menkes. The Collector's Edition is limited to 2,000 individually numbered copies, each signed by Valentino and sells for $1,000. At least if Victoria doesn't read it she can check out the pretty pictures.
Ever wanted to purchase a fountain pen but prefer to have the easy option of using a ballpoint when need be? Look no further. The Hammacher Schlemmer dual-tipped brass pen combines a fountain pen and ballpoint in one calf leather package for $69.95. Complete with a gift box and fourteen combined refills for the respective ends of the pen this package would make a great gift for that hard-to-buy-for person. Now you can go from a formal note home to your Grandmother to the ideas that pop into your head at a coffee shop with one sleek instrument.
Sting's wife Trudie put together a few Christmas hampers (well, 100 of them actually) filled with hand-selected items from the couple's country estate in Wiltshire, England and they've become insanely popular. Available in London at Selfridges, the hampers included a variety of organic goodies including a bottle of champagne, a Christmas cake, beetroot chutney, a couple of beeswax candles, and a chocolate coin. There were 9 treats total in the $300 hampers, and they must have be good because they've already sold out -- with "a number" of them going to Sharon Osbourne.
One of the perks of being married to Tom Cruise has to be the shopping. Since Katie Holmes met and married the diminutive action star she's logged so much time at Barney's they should thank her in their annual business report. Recently though, it was the Beverly HIlls Neiman Marcus that got the Katie touch. In Touch reports that she had a $300 lunch with friends there on December 15 and then went on a massive shopping adventure that totaled around $100,000. Katie's picks includes a $30,000 rose-gold Cartier wristwatch, a black Giorgio Armani suit for $5,400, Gucci snakeskin sneakers for $990, a Prada ski coat for $1,395 and four pairs of Barker Black handmade English shoes at $825 each all for her hubby.
Black and white is always a classic combination especially when we are talking about diamonds. Charles Hollander's jeweled designs of 2007 could be the perfect gift item for that hard-to-buy-for-lux-living individual in your life. From the gorgeous diamond encrusted pen to the glittery golf ball these items will surely grab your attention. Peruse the gallery and see for yourself ... and then try to stop drooling.
I love snow globes, but although these are really interesting I can't help but think they look a little cold and creepy. I really like the idea of a snow globe that's more mature and artistic (and therefore less cheesy) than the average design we see all around this time of year, and I'd be interested to hear the designers' take on what is going on in each of these scenes...is that a pair of outrageously large rabbits or just a miniature man? Definitely lots of room for creativity! Created by Walter Martin and Paloma Munoz, each globe measures 4.75" x 6" and goes for $750.
Gallery: Snow Globes by Walter Martin & Paloma Munoz
If you're looking for a unique and humorous stocking stuffer gift for a loved one that's still somewhat useful, perhaps a designer fly swatter would fit the bill? These swatters available from Charles & Marie are pretty basic in material (being made of typical plastic) but the unique angle is noticed when you look closer: the design of the swatter is modeled after a mini street map of Milan, Italy. Created by designer Nicoletta as part of her Pandora Design line these would make a great gift for someone crazy into fashion, crazy into European travel, or just crazy into killing flies. $15
Wine can be the perfect item for any occasion. Whether as a housewarming package, a thank you present or a hostess gift, it is appreciated and can be shared by many. So why not for the holidays! If you are still searching for some last minute gift inspiration or New Year's accessories, these 25 wine gifts are sure to give you a few ideas -- even for those that have it all.
Sure a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label is a significant and posh gift as it is ($200) but think of the additional impression it will leave if the recipient's name is engraved on the front of the bottle! This service is available for a limited time for FREE at various locations across the nation and through their consumer care line. Consider the possibilities for your signature bottle: "Not a breakfast beverage" or "Share only with the worthy".
From promoting fair trade to giving the gift of water for a child in need, Changing the Present offers a variety of charitable gifts that make a difference. From stocking-stuffer values of $5 to $10 up to $500 for an adaptable home for disabled veterans there are so many choices and ways you can personalize these fantastically philanthropic presents. Choose by cause categories or a range of dollar amounts and find the perfect gift that can change the world.
I am not sure if this is a first but combining religion and cell phones is certainly new for me! The Buddhist gold-plated cell phone is meant to appeal to the largely Buddhist population of China complete with jade adornments, traditional Buddhist instrumental music, and Buddha-vision which offers an always available video image of the great Buddha. The battery is even embossed with a likeness of Buddha. Fitted with a lot of fabulous tools and options this technology is certainly bridging into new territory.
What do robots have to do with guitars? Famous guitar-maker Gibson has created the world's first robotic guitar. The robot guitar's genius is that it tunes itself so that it is ready to play no matter what, no matter where. The Gibson Robot guitar is a limited edition first-run Les Paul with a Blue Silverburst nitrocellulose finish that will never be used on any other Gibson guitar. It comes with a certificate of authenticity, a power adaptor for the system's rechargeable lithium battery, and a limited edition first run case with silver tolex and a plush silver interior. Each Robot Guitar's serial number will also be sequentially exact, beginning with "RG0001." It sells for $2,499 and there are just 10 per store.
We've covered a $150,000 hotel offer in New York but if your Christmas travels take you to Japan, you can hole up in the a luxury hotel in Tokyo for a one-of-a-kind Christmas that costs $130,000. The Mandarin Oriental Tokyo is offering a Christmas suite that is decorated with a small tree with diamonds. The package also includes a bath with fresh roses, vintage champagne, and a breakfast with truffles. The package comes with limo service, a spa treatment and a gourmet dinner that is served in the dining room of the presidential suite. Much of the money you spend you get to take home with you, in the form of diamond jewelry worth around $108,000.
From what I know of the nouveau-skinny fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, he doesn't eat a lot. Sure he used to in indulge back in his zafitg fan-flapping days but that was before he fell in love with Hedi Slimane's clothes and dieted himself down to fit them. So you can understand my surprise at the news that Lagerfeld had designed a cake. But lo and behold, he has collaborated with Parisian baker Lenôtre to create a unique Buche de Noel. The holiday log is made of gingerbread with almonds and hazelnuts filled with a compote of sweet orange and apricot and a chocolate coulis. It comes in a mirrored box with a tiny ax made of hard sugar.
