Category — Design Gifts

As LA becomes hands-free next month, everyone and their mother is on the lookout for a bluetooth headset. I don’t know about you, but I just found mine - the new Jawbone by Aliph. Ergonomic design, noise-cancellation technology, invisible buttons, fine leather earloops, great CNET rating and… it’s half the size of the old Jawbone headset. What’s not to like? A bluetooth headset is another winning Father’s Day gift too. Comes in gold, black and silver and resembles an accessory rather than a bluetooth device. $129.99

I love Bless! The German designer duo never fails to surprise. This USB cable with fur is from their N°26 Cable Jewelry collection. Bless their hearts for being so innovative with every piece they create. You no longer have to hide your ugly computer cables or any other electronic connections or plugs, show them off for a change! They will also design a custom one for you to fit the style of your environment, if you bring in your own cable. They will transform any cable into a work of art.

Let Bless accessorize your gadgets with taste, like this Wooden Fruits cell phone charger adorned with wooden beads and bangles

or the White Lace Multiple adapter.

Window-shopping at Etsy, (yes, again) I came across these felt jewels at Vaivanat’s shop. Classy and bold women’s accessories handmade from felt wool. The Elegant Black and White Ardea Dahlia Felt Flower Brooch can be worn with a jacket, cardigan or blouse and the Sea Buckthorn Orange Berries Felt Necklace will adorn any low cut top or dress. Pieces come in a multitude of colors and designs and are all unique and numbered.

Recent unpredictable weather calls for a little thinking ahead. I have a weakness for scarves and you can always find one in my purse, but since one can never have enough accessories, I’m always on the look-out for a new neck jewel. Here’s a great raw scarf by Yorktown Road that I found this weekend while browsing through Etsy (my latest obsession). I like its asymmetrical shape and raw finish. It is made out of fulled, loosely woven wool, which gives it that ribbed texture and soft edges. Black thread is woven together with brown, creating a chic smoky matte black.

I was shopping around for purses for a friend’s birthday and after hours of online “window” gazing, I finally found this cute little leather wallet by Urban Heirlooms at Etsy. It’s not a full blown handbag, but it’s unique and uses vintage materials. I’m pro-recycling second hand pieces when it’s done right, and I like the creative replacement of buckle or snap with a vintage key. There is original design out there if you dig deep enough and it always beats the gift certificate cop out.

If you break vases, like space savers and functional design, then you will love this. This crafty Vase Maker will convert any glass, bottle or can into a blossom vessel. Have fun reinventing old containers!

Message Tape - now, that’s clever functional multi-purpose design. Black out the white dots to create personalized messages, label boxes, make signs, decorate, use it for packaging or just as standard heavy duty tape. How many times have you had to leave a message on a friend’s door and couldn’t find any paper or tape? No more. Two birds, one sharpie.

Valentine’s is an excuse to seduce. And it’s usually not what you do, but how you do it. You can be the same ol’ washed-up cliché with lingerie, champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries that you’ve been for years, but… wouldn’t you rather charm her panties off with a do-it-yourself surprise that you put your heart and soul into? Carve your own love message into this wooden card that she’ll hold onto longer than the déjà vu cheese from Hallmark. Now, you’re slightly less of a sell-out.