Gift Ideas

Hand-made Dish ware by Mud Australia is the Coolest

January 30, 2013 by Sharon Garofalow 4 Comments

Hand-made dish ware from Mud Australia is the coolest. I am totally obsessed with them right now. The porcelain dishes are made in Australia. Are you aware of my love of all things Australian (Australians have the coolest design style that I absolutely LOVE)? I have been in love with these amazing pieces since I first laid eyes on the line but never bought myself anything. And then guess what?! I won some!! Did any of you follow along with the 24 Merry Days giveaways? I only entered a select few including the one by That’s Happy. And I won! I was SO excited.

mud australia bowls A week or so later a big box showed up amid the holiday package delivery hustle and bustle. And inside, I found the most amazing bowls and platters I’ve ever seen. They are so simple but the colors are exquisite. They are imperfect from being hand-made which makes them, well, perfect.

Mud Australia I used them for all my holiday entertaining. But now I need more. I think this first box was like a gateway drug. I set tables in my head with these serving pieces. I want my kid’s only to eat their cereal out of these gorgeous bowls but won’t let them near them in case they drop them. These will be on all my wish-lists going forward.

mud australia box Do you know what is even better?! They are dishwasher, oven and microwave safe!!!! Ridiculous. These are meant to be used, not stored away for special occasions. You can even bake right in them! I am so grateful that I won so that I could see first hand just how awesome these products are. They are available online and they recently opened a store in America in NYC’s Soho area.

mud australia hand-made porcelain dishes For sure follow their Facebook page where they share tons of images of their products and stores and you can see just how cool everything is. These are going to be my go-to gifts for people who love good design.

*This is not a sponsored post. I won several Mud Australia pieces and am completely smitten with them. All opinions are my own.

Filed Under: Family Life, Food, Gift Guides, Home Decor, Oh you fancy huh, Table Tops, Things I Love Tagged With: dish ware, Gift Ideas, hand-made, serving pieces

My Wishlist – Gift Guide 2012

November 30, 2012 by Sharon Garofalow Leave a Comment

my wish list

Seriously family. This is my legitimate wishlist. Shop accordingly.

1 : When I was in Vegas with The Trend Tribe, I borrowed Wendy’s portable battery charger. Boom. Best invention ever!

2 : I’m TOTALLY not a political person. But I have an odd thing for anything Presidential. I don’t care about their political views, I am interested in their humanness that we so often forget about. This mug needs to serve me my coffee. It will be perfect for when my Republican mug is in the dishwasher.

3 : If this Topshop sweater is not under the tree on Christmas morning I may throw a tantrum of toddler size proportions. And then I will go buy it for myself online. I LOVE it. Like SO much.

4 : I no longer blow dry my hair on a daily basis. I like my hair messy with its natural wave (well, it’s taken me about 20 years to embarrass it but now I really do enjoy it). What I don’t like is the effing frizz. So I’m really thinking this Keratin Perfectat home kit might be just what I need to feel a little more put together.

5 : Much like my presidential fascination, I also fancy the Rockettes. I can’t sit through more than a couple of numbers when they are on TV, but I love the militant behavior of it all. When I saw this book, ‘Rockettes, Rockstars and Rock Bottom‘ I got really excited. I love to read and I love to know about behind the scenes stuff of legendary institutions. I’m sure it is all true. It has to be if it is a book right? Wink.

6 : Oh hello pretty, pretty genius of a man. I love Pharrell. There. I said it. I think this book would be fascinating. And I would read it whilst listening to my favorite songs he’s made.

7 : NERDS! After eating my weight in Nerds this summer I decided I needed to get off the sauce in order to fit back in to my pants for the fall. But I wouldn’t turn a gift away so bring it, king size.

Did you miss these gift guides? : Hostess Gifts, Books for adults and kids, Toys and fashion for kids, Gifts for guys and gals.

Filed Under: Family Life, Fashion, Gift Guides, Holidays, Oh you fancy huh, Things I Love Tagged With: fashion, Gift Ideas, my faves

Gifts for Guys and Gals – Gift Guide 2012

November 29, 2012 by Sharon Garofalow Leave a Comment

Perry Kitchen Soccer Shirt by Paetra Featured : Paetra is this really cool company that makes graphic tees designed in collaboration with MLS players. The shirt above was designed in conjunction with Perry Kitchen and I think the message is totally rad. So if you live with a soccer lover, like I do, this is a site you should totally check out.

Guys gift guide

Is your guy as hard to buy for as mine? He seriously stumps me every year. But here are some things he might like, or things I might like him to have.

1 : I freaking love bow ties. These styles from Boutaugh are ridiculous. I mean, velvet?!? Don’t forget to check out the cufflinks and kid’s ties!

2 : For our wedding, I gave my husband a really cool record player that hangs vertically on the wall. It was a huge hit. And now this vertical record player version is available. Super cool.

3 : Chubb Rock said it best, “Black on black remember that it’s important.” I’m not sure exactly what he was talking about but this Swatch watch is pretty rad.

4 : Full Disclosure, my husband works for IVI Vision. This is not a paid post. But I will tell you I have seen each and every pair in person and they are all super cool and totally well made. I asked him to pick out his favorite pair and he chose the ‘Giving‘ (but check out the awesome orange color they have! I’m in love!) It comes in several colors and looks awesome on. Go get some.

5 : Now these rad blue oxfords, by Del Toro are much pricier than I would usually spend. But they are Italian and too legit too quit. I mean, how gorgeous are they!?!

6 : My husband received a Case pocket knife as a gift last year. He LOVES it. They are super gorgeous and amazingly made. If you have a manly man that you need to buy for, this might be the perfect gift for him.

7 : Men need to save money too. This French Bull Dog bank is awesome. I think this would look perfect in any stylish home.

8 : Some men like to cook. But most men like to play with chemicals to see what happens. This molecular gastronomy at home kit will hopefully get you out of kitchen duty. At least once.

gals gift guide

1 : Candace Kumai makes the most gorgeous cookbooks. Ever. Period. Her new book, Cook Yourself Sexy, will help your girlfriends with their probably New Year’s Resolution of slimming down. Or it is just super pretty eye candy.

2 : You better work! So let your friends work cute with this darling Marc by Marc Jacobs USB drive keychain.

3 : I love how colorful yet dainty this ring is. What friend wouldn’t love to receive this as a gift?

4 : I freaking love Stance socks. I love them on my husband and kids and now I love them on myself. They look super cute peeking out from under boots and the patters are SO fun!

5 : IVI Vision makes sunglasses for the ladies too! I’m in love with this turquoise color they released for holiday and this pair, called Dusky, looks awesome on mostly everyone. My face is more suited for the Daggerwing. Both are bff inducing.

6 : I’m a total bag hag. I’ve got bags for my bags. And I’m totally coveting this one from The Oxford Trunk. How cute would this be filled with a lip gloss for your best gal?

Filed Under: Family Life, Fashion, Gift Guides, Holidays, Oh you fancy huh, Things I Love Tagged With: fashion, Gift Ideas

Cool Find: The Greatest Writer Alive

December 15, 2011 by Sharon Garofalow Leave a Comment

I just found out that one of my favorite writers just created his 3rd book, The Greatest Writer Alive. While the first two, An Awesome Book of Thanks “>An Awesome Book of Thanks are more child focused, this book, The Greatest Writer Alive is more of a poetry book for everyone. Please watch his video explaining the book. It really gives you a sense of who Dallas Clayton is. Hurry and order these books for Christmas!