Keep Calm and Put the Kettle On

The Brits are known for their love of and skill at making a good cuppa tea.  The secret?

 Aside from piping hot water and good tea leaves, is to be sure you have the right teapot to steep it in.  The Brown Betty is the legendary and favored teapot throughout England.

I purchased one myself several years ago, and am a complete convert.  At first, I thought who would buy this dark brown teapot when there so many cute china patterned ones?  

The teapot dates back to 1695 in Stoke-On-Trent in Staffordshire where the local craftsman developed the Brown Betty teapot from the indigenous red clay.  This pottery allows for the perfect heating and steeping of the tea.  In addition, the special shape of the pot prevents drips when you pour.  

The Brown Betty can be purchased in England, or to save yourself the cost of international shipping, is available through a U.S. importer called the English Tea Store.  The Brown Betty comes in 2, 4, 6, and 8 cup sizes ranging in price from $25.99 to $36.99 (U.S. Dollars).  I prefer the 8-cup which is what you would imagine a standard size for a teapot.  They carry the cobalt blue version, but traditionalists prefer the brown glaze.

Be careful of knockoffs--a true brown betty will have a certificate or tag from Staffordshire telling you which ceramicist hand crafted the pot.  The English Tea Store features Cauldon Ceramics which is one of the heritage ceramicists in Staffordshire.  Cauldon Ceramics sells directly and offers many Brown Betty varieties, but, again, the international shipping is more expensive.

Spice It Up:  Make your gift truly special with a British themed tea cosy from Jan Constantine ranging from $27.00-$120.00 (British pounds).  The tea cosy is placed over the teapot after you pour your hot water in with your tea.  This allows the teapot to stay warm, and keep the liquid at the perfect temperature to enjoy while visiting with your friends.

The Union Jack is one the most recognizable British emblems, and is especially fitting for a british teapot and tea cosy.  Jan Constantine is a British designer who specializes in handstitched  pillows, throws, etc.  Her haberdashery designs are so popular she has translated them to china, and other featured accessories.

Add a few tea cups to go with your cute tea cosy!  

While you can order directly from Jan Constantine's website, it may be expensive to ship internationally.  Many of her products can be found on Amazon or through U.S. retailers like The Bees Knees with Tea Cosies for $135.00 (U.S. Dollars). 

Poppin Good Times

Growing up, the holidays always included watching Peanuts' Thanksgiving and Christmas specials on TV.  As a child, I secretly fantasized that our Turkey would burn and we would have Popcorn/Jelly Beans/Toast for dinner ala Snoopy in the Peanuts' Thanksgiving!

To honor your Thanksgiving host(s) for their hospitality (and provide some good football watching snacks) give them this handy Microwave Popcorn Popper from Sur Le Table.  It fits right in the microwave, and pops fresh kernels for movie style popcorn (much better than those burnt microwave bags).  This popper is glass, reusable, dishwasher safe, and has a handle for ease.  It also has a top that allows you to drizzle butter and other  fixings while it pops. 

This gift is perfect for Thanksgiving, Hannukah/Christmas, New Years Eve/Day host gift, Birthday or Graduation.

Spice It Up:  Include a jar of kernels, and add these delicious toppings to make gourmet popcorn.  They have several seasonings, but the Asiago Pepper flavor is tops!

I've always loved caramel corn, and this topping allows you to mix and melt over the popcorn a quick Buttery Caramel Drizzle popcorn treat.  Delish!


Even better--they are all Gluten Free!

For those serious popcorn lovers, add this recipe book "Popcorn Treats" by Hannah Miles which has detailed recipes to make a variety of popcorn snacks.  

Or, include a DVD of a favorite movie for the perfect Movie Watching night.

Alternative:  For those college kids living in dorm rooms or New Yorkers who simply don't have the storage space, try this alternative popper by Lekue at Sur Le Table that is collapsible and pops up like the old jiffy pops in the microwave. 

P.S.: This gift is so easy and perfect for so many different friends and age groups.  I liked it so much I bought 4 of the glass poppers yesterday, and have them stacked in my closet ready to give for Christmas gifts!

Where to buy: Sur Le Table carries all of these items.  Glass Microwave Popper $24.95, Jar of Kernels $6.95, Seasonings $5.00, Drizzle Topping $4.95, Lekue Collapsible Popper $25.00.  "Popcorn Treats" Book is available at some Sur Le Table stores and at Barnes & Noble $12.95

I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke...

My father grew up in a small town in Louisiana, and in High School worked as a soda jerk at the Dixie Drug in Vivian.  Those idyllic afternoons making cherry cokes instilled in him a love for Coca-Cola.  A true Coke traditionlist, he only drinks the short bottles (they taste better than the can), and on any given afternoon you can catch him with his "short coke" in hand.

For Father's Day, my friends Kristin & Brian T. led me to this terrific new product for Coke aficionados.  Riedel, the much heralded wine glass maker, has launched a glass specifically for the enjoyment of Coca-Cola.  This unique glass captures and enhances the flavors of the soda. Considering their reputation among wine sommeliers, Riedel's Coke glasses are sure to be a winner for Coke devotees!

Spice It Up:  Wrap this gift with a six-pack of the short Cokes, or the larger bottles of Mexican coke made with the old-school sugar cane recipe.  Then, for an added touch, include a vintage Coca-Cola bottle opener.  These wall mount openers are surprisingly handy for soda, beer, etc.keeping you ready to pop a top!

Alternative Gift:  If you are from Texas, Dr. Pepper may be your passion. I am sure the Riedel glasses work equally well for Dr. Pepper.  The short six packs & vintage bottle openers are available for Dr. Pepper--just remember 10-2-4.

Where to Buy:  The Riedel glasses are available at Bed Bath & Beyond for $16.99 single glass or $24.99 for pack of two glasses.  Six-pack cokes are available at most grocery stores approximately $4.99. Vintage bottle openers (old style, but not true antiques) run from $5.00-$20.00 at your local antique mall, Amazon or ebay.  

Note: Be careful, as many vendors will try to pass off the the bottle openers as antiques in order to charge you more.  Go for the less expensive reproductions unless you are a die-hard Coca-Cola brand collector.

Gift Pepper is back in action!

Gift Pepper is back in action after a brief hiatus!  Due to a family member's illness, I took a break from blogging.  The good news is my father is doing better, and I am bursting with great new gift ideas to share on Gift Pepper!

As a teaser for the good things to come, I'll start you off with a tip for some quick unique gifts.  Nordstrom has started a Pop In Shop within the store called "Wit & Wonder."  It is usually in the center of the store by the escalator where they have sourced hip gifts from Etsy and other websites.


These are not your run-of-the-mill mass produced department store gifts--they are clever, hip and ready to go (especially when I don't have time to scour the web and have an item shipped).  From whimsical pillowcases for Anniversary or Wedding, to copper tankards (Moscow Mule drinks) for Father's Day, to dorm room placards for Graduation Gifts and more.


I found this terrific pillow for my sister-in-law for Mother's Day.  I love the muted turquoise color with the cat and the perfect saying, "Cray Cray."  It is an inside joke name we use in our family, and we all got a laugh about the pillow.  My sister-in-law said my niece confiscated the pillow to her room as soon as they got home--a sign of a truly great gift when your kid steals it from you!

Gift Pepper Preview...

Some Nordstrom stores feature their Pop In Store Surf City shops by the escalators too.  Pop In Stores will change seasonally. Expect new gift ideas later this week at Gift Pepper from Nordstroms' cool beachy boutique.

Along with my traditional gift posts, I will be adding a new feature for memorable gift experiences for kids. Think Camp Counselor meets Auntie Mame meets Neiman Marcus Fortnight--great ideas for kids during summer vacation when "I'm bored" becomes a constant refrain.

Squirrely Nuts

What to get your boss or client that is a nice remembrance and fits well on their desk?  Vagabond House's squirrel nut bowl with acorn scoop is a handsome piece that is well crafted, and has a touch of whimsy with the pewter squirrel perched on the side of the bowl.

The wood bowl fits easily on a desk or coffee table, and the acorn scoop is especially nice for keeping germy hands at bay.

Spice It Up:  Squirrel Brand nuts are deluxe Southern style nuts with the most amazing flavors.  From Crème Brulee Almonds to Crème Caramel Pecans to Fleur de Sel Pistachios, these gourmet nuts are a generous addition to your gift.  Your recipient will be able to pour them right in the bowl and enjoy!

In addition to being a lovely corporate gift, this is a great gift for all the men in your life, any host/hostesses, your parents, yourself etc.   I liked it so much I bought one for myself and it's sitting in my den!

Where to Buy: 

Squirrel Nut Bowl & Scoop - is made by Vagabond House and can be ordered direct from them or found at multiple stores/sites including Neiman Marcus, Frontgate and Amazon.  $79.00 - $85.00 per bowl & scoop

Squirrel Brand Nuts – produced by a Plano, TX (Dallas suburb) company called Squirrel Brands/Southern Nuts, they can be purchased directly online, or found at many specialty stores.  $19.99-$27.99 depending on size (18 -36 oz) and flavor/nut

Tip:  Sam’s Club carries (in-store only) the Crème Brulee and other flavors regularly—a nice way to bring the price down on the nuts and saves you the shipping cost. $10.48 for small box 28 oz.

 

Ginger, Spice and Everything Nice

Too busy to bake homemade cookies or treats for the holidays?  This is one of my favorite quick gifts for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas:  Nyakers Ginger Snaps from World Market.

As soon as you open the tin, the wonderful smell of ginger wafts out enticing you to munch!  These thin cookies are delicious and crispy like Moravian cookies, and are the perfect holiday flavor of ginger.  Nyakers' tins are oversized (almost double the size of a standard cookie tin), and generously include 180 cookies per tin!  No scrimping with this gift!

Spice It Up:  Add a Pumpkin Dip in a holiday bowl or ramekin to complement the cookies.  This is the perfect treat to set out when company drops by unexpectedly throughout the holidays, to snack on while watching the big game on tv, or to enjoy a simple dessert after a heavy meal. 

Consider these festive bowls I found at Tom Thumb grocery:  one a pumpkin bowl/Thanksgiving theme and the other a snowflake/Christmas theme.

Though the pumpkin dip recipe (see recipe at bottom of page) takes less than 5 minutes, an alternate idea if you are short on time is to pair the cookies with a package of Hot Chocolate or Hot Cider. 

Ultimately, kids will love the cookies for a snack and the dip is positively addictive.  As for adults, don't even start me on how divine it is with spiked egg nog or milk punch!

Where to Buy:
Nyakers Cookies - available at World Market year round.  The tins change patterns/colors depending on the season.  The cookies stay remarkably fresh once opened.  $12.99 per tin of 180 cookies.



Ramekins from Michaels

Bowls/Ramekins - available at most stores including Container Store, Crate & Barrel, Target, Joanns, Michaels, Dollar Store, Tom Thumb Grocery, etc.  I recommend buying at your local grocer or with a coupon at Michaels/Joanns--it's not worth splurging when there are plenty of inexpensive ones that are as pretty as the fancy stores' bowls.  It will also help keep the overall price of your gift down. $0.99-$4.99 per bowl/ramekin


Creamy Pumpkin Dip Recipe

• 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese softened
• 2 cups (16 oz.) confectioners sugar
• 1 (15 oz.) can solid pack pumpkin
• 1 tbsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/2 capful of orange extract

In medium bowl, blend cream cheese and sugar until smooth.  Gradually add pumpkin incorporating each small portion.  Lightly blend in spices and extract.  Chill and serve.
Yield:  4 cups

Family Tradition

Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with family.  Each year, my mother prepares our Thanksgiving meal from cherished family recipes.  Though I’d love to relieve her of the duty, she is an amazing cook and there would be a mutiny if she didn’t make our beloved dishes!

Whoever hosts the turkey dinner in your family, here is a meaningful gift to bring to your host or cook as a thank you for their arduous work preparing the house and the meal for the family gathering:  a recipe carving board from 3D Carving. 

Grab your great-grandmother’s turkey dressing recipe, or Great Aunt Millie's special green bean casserole recipe and make the tradition permanent on the etched carving board.

I love this idea, because it warms the heart to see a loved ones’ handwriting--you can almost picture them there with you.  The carving board commemorates a time honored recipe to pass down through the family.

This gift works well for holidays, newlyweds, grandparents, parents, in-laws, friends, BBQ kings, etc. Alternate ideas are to scan children's artwork, or a love note, etc.

Spice It Up:  Whether you are a turkey or a ham fan, Ham I Am has the best you have ever tasted.  I have been buying from them directly for going on 20 years, and they have the highest quality meats.  My favorites are the Lemon Pepper Turkey and  the Pepper Ham—to die for! 

Neiman Marcus is one of Ham I Am’s loyal clients.  Ham I Am products are featured each year in their holiday food catalogs.  This high end retailer is known for exceptional quality, so you know if Ham I Am meets their discerning taste it is a remarkable product.

Even if you don’t plan to eat it right away, it is a wonderful gift to have in the house around the holidays as you can eke out several dinners and sandwiches from the ham.  In addition, Ham I Am makes a terrific corporate gift for clients.  Easy to ship, and everyone loves a generous tasty food gift. 

Where to buy:  Order the carving board now so that you can receive it in time for the holidays.  You will need to scan in your document.  If you do not have a scanner, any FedexKinkos/Office Depot/Staples can scan it for you.  3D Carving on Etsy features several styles which vary by size (8.5x11 to 9.5x13) and price $30.00-$78.00.

Ham I Am website features several options of Turkey, Ham, Bacon and their famous Hogwash.  Prices range from $39.95 - $54.95 depending on product/size/sliced or whole.

 

 

 

M&Ms...Mmm Mmm Good!

You’ve probably seen the ads for personalized M&Ms, and I’m here to tell you they are even cuter in real life! 

M&Ms make a great Hostess gift, Thank you gift, Birthday, Bar Mitzvah, Co-Worker, Grandparents, Teens, Kids, Anniversary, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Diwali, Hanukkah, Christmas, Valentine’s,  party favor, etc. 

With Thanksgiving approaching, think of the festive color combinations you can order to make for a Hostess gift for your Mother-In-Law, Sister, or Friend who will be toiling over the turkey dinner!  For Thanksgiving, try Orange/Brown/Red or Orange/Yellow/Red with clip art of a Turkey, a maple leaf, and “Happy Thanksgiving” or “Gobble Gobble.”

As for me, I gave this gift for Father’s Day, and as a Thank You/Hostess Gift.  For Father’s Day, I picked Blue/Green/White M&Ms.  Then, uploaded a photo of my niece, a photo of my father’s dog, and the words “Happy Father’s Day.”

For a Thank you gift, my friend loves all things French, so I picked the colors of the French Flag (Red/White/Blue).  Then, uploaded a Fleur-De-Lis logo, an Eiffel Tower Clip Art, and the word “Merci.”
If you are stumped for creative ideas, the M&M website provides a great “idea gallery” to help you come up with gifts for your particular occasion. 

Spice It Up:  You can search for a container on your own, or (on the M&M Website) select one of their candy dispensers to add to your order.  The dispenser is well designed because it is relatively small (though it holds a large bag of plain M&Ms) to sit nicely on a desk, and won't clutter up your space while keeping the candy fresh.

Dispenser Size Comparison

Where to Buy:  Go to the website at My M&Ms.  Prices vary depending on the items you select.  Personalized candy only runs $6.99 for 7 oz. to $159.99 for 10 lbs.   The combo of a candy dispenser with 1 lb bag of personalized candy varies from $49.99-$69.99 depending on your selection. 

Tip 1:  I recommend picking a 3 color combo you like as it makes the gift more distinctive than mixing more colors in together.  If you choose to go with the dispenser, pick “white” as one of the M&M colors at it will look nice with the dispenser and will make the other colors pop.

Tip 2:  M&M is strict when it comes to trademarked logos, so you cannot upload your own logo from your favorite sports team if it is trademarked.  They have available on their site most major league teams to pick from, but they charge you more to use them snice they are trademarked.  M&Ms has some college teams, but not all.  I was able to upload a longhorn logo that was not an official UT Austin Longhorn pic, but I had to work at finding a clip art that was not an official trademark.

Tip 3:  You are allowed to choose 2 photos /logo/clip art + 1 word combo, or 1 photo/logo/clip art + 2 word combos at the standard rate.  When uploading photos you have to pick a headshot or it won’t come out clear enough.  M&Ms is very good about emailing you quickly to tell you if your pic or word selection will not fit on the M&M--be prepared to have a few alternates handy.

Tip 4:  The candy arrives in bags packed alongside the dispenser.  I recommend shipping to yourself so you can place the candy in the dispenser to present as a gift.

Green Thumb Goodies

Got Green Thumb?  Channeling Mr. Greenjeans?  For aspiring gardeners, a gift for gardening pursuits is always welcome!

Target has a terrific gardening section with many festive garden stools, kneelers, gloves, and tools.  Each season they change up the colors & styles, but you can always find a neat set to give. 

I especially like these waterproof gardens shoes that masquerade as hip sneakers!

Spice It Up:  Combine this gift with any plant or a bag of seeds.  Even better, check out this clever gift of “Seed Money” to pair with your garden gift.  This is a fun gift to share with kids, as well, because they can learn about coin denominations while learning to plant.
The seeds look like plantable coins and each denomination is a different type of seed:

• Pennies: Mix of wildflowers including Black-Eyed Susan, Spurred Snapdragon, Shirley Poppy, White Tarrow, and Sweet Alyssum
• Nickels: Herbs including oregano, parsley, basil, chive, thyme, and sage
• Dimes: Root crops including carrot and turnip
• Quarters: Salad greens including bibb, Black Simpson, Salad Bowl Red, radicchio, and endive

Money may not grow on trees, but it sure is fun to plant like this!

Where to Buy:
 

Garden Water Proof Shoes - Target $6.85 pair

Garden Kneeler - Target $6.24
Garden Tool Set - Target $19.99

Seed Money - available on various websites, but I found it at Leafcutter Designs.  Mixed sack of 50 coins $16.00 or full set of 180 coins with money rolls for $50.00

 

 

Let Them Eat Cake!

Bastille Day is on July 14th so be ready to celebrate the French revolution! Have your own Bastille Day party, and give a door prize of this quirky bobble headed Napoleon.
Now, practically speaking, no one needs a bobble head Napoleon, but looking at this you will want one. And, it is certainly worth the laugh!

Originally, Bastille Day was intended to commemorate the storming of the French prison and the uprising of the modern French nation. Today, it is a celebration of French culture featuring feasts, parades, fireworks, and dancing in the streets.



Spice It Up: Add to your celebration, or give to a friend as a gift, a box of these delicious Croissants from William Sonoma. Fresh out of your own oven, not only do they smell heavenly, but the warm buttery pastry is a special French treat!

Honestly, I am very picky when it comes to mail-order gourmet food, as I believe much of it is stale or not tasty. I can personally vouch for the high quality, buttery taste, and freshness of these delicious croissants as I ordered them myself earlier this year.

Consider taking a box with you on vacation as a host/hostess gift, as they keep in the freezer and you can dole a few out a time for a treat.

Prefer to experience Bastille Day in person?

Contact French Affaires to arrange a trip tailored for you to France.



Or, join in on one of Dr. Elizabeth New’s guided tours from Parisian Flea markets, to Provence, to Chateau tours, to museums galore.

Elizabeth founded French Affaires and offers a blog, unique classes, guided trips, and trip planning for budding Francophiles.

I know her personally, and not only is she an expert on French culture, but she is also tres chic and a terrific conversationalist--someone who you want to lead you through the "not to be missed" aspects of France.

So, grab your family or your friends, and take a trip to France!

Where to Buy:

Napoleon Bobble Head - World Market has this wonderful tchotchke along with other decorations for a proper Bastille Day celebration. $19.99

Croissants - Williams Sonoma offers regular croissants, chocolate croissants, and other pastries. There are combo packs or a single type box, and they arrive frozen. $39.95 for box of 15

French Affaires - View the French Affaires website where Dr. Elizabeth New has links to her blog, as well as information on classes, upcoming trips, and itinerary planning.

Cowboy Cool

Howdy pardners! Here is my go-to gift when I am traveling, and need a gift to tuck into my suit case.  The perfect pint sized coffee table book: Cowboy Boots by Tyler Beard. 

Even if you are not from Texas, I promise you will love this book! I discovered it through my friend Greg H.J. who is from Lampasas, TX where the author penned the book on a ranch nearby.

The book details the history of Cowboy boots, and the evolution of custom designed boots. I keep a copy on my coffee table, and everyone who comes to my house ends up thumbing through it. The colors are vibrant, and the boots are captivating folk art.

I especially like this book because it is small—6 in. x 6 in. x ¾ in. (slightly wider than a cocktail napkin), so if you are traveling it packs well. Wrap it in brown construction paper or a bandana with a bit of raffia for a bow—a perfect casual western looking gift.

Spice It Up: For a host/hostess or housewarming, give your friends a chuckle with this triangle dinner bell to call everyone to chow time at the O-K Corral!
 Add to it with a few old fashioned milk bottles with a fun recipe for a homemade Frappuccino, smoothie or milk punch tucked in the bottle!

I admit, I borrowed this idea from one of my favorite Dallas restaurants called Bolsa. They serve a delicious New Orleans style Milk Punch in old milk bottle glasses with a festive straw. It keeps the drink ice cold, and looks so tasty!

Where to Buy:
Book – I have seen this book in several gift stores, but to be safe, order online at Barnes & Noble or Amazon. Order 3-5 books to keep handy when you need a quick gift to go. $11.71

Triangle Dinner Bell – There are many online, but the one featured here is from Crate & Barrel. $34.95

Milk Bottles – A variety are available online or at local antique stores. I particularly like the ones online at SweetLuLu, or Jilly Bean Kids. 12 for $30.00 at SweetLuLu, or carrying tray and 2 bottles for $25.99 from Jilly Bean Kids

Recipe Suggestions:
Frappuccino – try this one from Food.com

Strawberry Mango Smoothie – check this one out from The Bakers Mann—this is my favorite blog for great recipes!

Milk Punch – I’m sorry I don’t give out my mother’s top secret famous Milk Punch recipe, but here’s a good one from Emeril.