Halloween Hoopla!

They're creepy and they're kooky,
Mysterious and spooky...

Halloween is around the corner, and what better gift for your favorite ghouls than a witch Cauldron!  Pottery Barn has perfected it with a glass bowl hanging from an iron bar and matching ladle.  It will surely dress up any Halloween display or party table--if you are brave enough, add some dry ice for the eerie fog effect.


Spice It Up:  Ice cube molds in the shape of Skulls & Crossbones will tickle your guests as they sip the witches brew.  Check out these fun Halloween punch recipes from Better Home & Gardens.


Or, for the adults, combine Crystal Skull Vodka and cranberry juice for a blood red cape-cod cocktail.  The, skull can be set next to your cauldron to add to your spooky table display.

Where to buy:
Cauldron - Pottery Barn offers this cauldron for $99.00.  While on their site, be sure to view their other eye catching Halloween decorations.  Update: The cauldrons are selling out fast and are no longer available online.  I confirmed with Pottery Barn that there are still 3-4 at each store locally.  So, run over and buy one today before they sell out!

Ice Cubes - Skull & Crossbones trays are available at many stores including Bed, Bath & Beyond for $4.99 per tray.  The large single skull mold is available on Amazon for $11.10 per mold.

Crystal Skull Vodka - Dan Akyroyd's crystal skull vodka is available at most liquor stores ranging from $30.00-$89.99 depending on the size. 

In addition, they are offering a neat gift right now to celebrate the Rolling Stones 50th Anniversary.  $78.99 for the gift set (includes 2 cd Rolling Stone legendary song compilation, engraved decanter top, and vodka skull).

Make it a Rock 'n Roll Halloween you'll never forget!

London Calling

Serious music aficionados have all heard of the legendary Abbey Road studios in London.  This hallowed studio has recorded many Grammy winning works by the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Duran Duran, Kate Bush, Radiohead, Florence & the Machine, John Williams/Star Wars, etc. 

Give your music fan the Abbey Road: The Best Studio in the World book by Alistair Lawrence which includes a complete history, discography, album covers, and photos of many of the bands who have recorded at the studio.

Spice It Up:  You don’t have to be a Beatles fanatic to love these Beatles lyrics cups & saucers!  Cleverly packaged, the saucer looks like a vintage vinyl record and the cup features lyrics on the back with the title on the front.  The retro colors and fonts make them especially nifty. You’ll be humming along as you sip! 

Check out this cute Tea Sub infuser to combine with the cups & saucers.  A mini-yellow submarine ode to the Beatles will make you want to break out their old songs for afternoon of Beatle mania!

While these all make a great birthday gift or Father’s Day/Mother’s Day gift, together it makes an especially great Anniversary gift. 

Why?  Well, think of the endearing love songs by the Beatles:  "All You Need Is Love," "She Loves You," "A Hard Days Night," "Eight Days A Week," "Here Comes The Sun," "I Want To Hold Your Hand," "Love Me Do," "P.S. I Love You," etc.

Where to Buy:

Book – Barnes &Noble and Amazon $48.32-$67.83 (less expensive at Amazon)

Cup & Saucers – in store at Whole Earth Provision Company, or online at Oldies, The Music Stand, or Amazon  Available styles include:  All You Need Is Love, Help, Yellow Submarine, Hard Day’s Night and She Loves You   $12.98-19.99 per set (Oldies is the least expensive)

Tea Infuser - online at Cool Stuff Express or Amazon - $12.00-$16.95

Suggestions for Anniversary/Birthday/Father's Day/Mother's Day :

Run with the British theme…

• Take your sweetheart out to a local tavern or gastro-pub for fish & chips
• Catch a Beatles cover band or get tickets to a concert from your favorite British import
• Or, if no band is nearby, buy a box set of the artist or download their tunes to listen to at home.

Now, if you want to really go over the top…

Plan a trip to Vegas and take in the Cirque Du Soleil’s Beatle inspired show called Love at the Mirage Hotel

 

 

Music to His Ears

When considering a gift for men, from age 8 to 88, they all want electronics. Unfortunately, that big screen TV, iPad, or gaming gadget are way out of the price range for my gift budget...

Never fear—I found the best affordable techy gift for all the boyz in your life!

Skullcandy Pipe is a mobile audio dock for your iPhone/iPod. It is hip, and functional.

 
The Pipe has a slick appearance in silver or black chrome, and is small enough to rest nicely on a desk at the office or in a small dorm room. To top it off--it has an ultra-thin Clicker! $44.00-$48.00

Originally, I bought this for my brother who loves it and uses it constantly. He takes it with him to listen to music while fishing, traveling, at the office, and in the backyard for BBQs.  The sound is impressive, and can be adjusted loud for a bash or soft for background music while working.

And, I admit, I loved it so much I bought one for myself! I even gave it for a Bar Mitzvah gift and a high school graduation gift--the Skullcandy logo is hip and the gadget cool enough for even the most jaded of techno teen boys.

iPhone docked to play music

This is a great gift for any guy or gal, but is especially great for Birthdays, Father’s Day, Bar Mitzvahs, Graduation, Christmas, etc.


Small Coke bottle for scale comparison

Spice It Up: Is he stuck in a rut listening to the same few songs he downloaded from Itunes 3 years ago? Bring him up to date with a Mix of The Month membership from DJ Lucy Wrubel. Lucy has traveled the world, and her playlists are infused with her eclectic exceptional style! $25.00-$165.00/yr

This gift is truly worthwhile because her selection ranges from hip new artists to retro favorites. When you don't have time to figure out what to download--she's got it all!
 

Where to buy:

Skullcandy can be purchased online at Skullcandy, or from Amazon.  I  purchased mine from one of those large electronic vending machines you see in airports & shopping malls.  The box includes an adapter to plug into the wall, but you might want to add batteries to the gift.  The Clicker is especially handy--it is so thin and light, see comparison to my Ipod in the picture below.  $44.00-$48.00

 

 

DJ Lucy Wrubel's Mix of the Month  http://mixofthemonth.biz/ in online and has two levels of membership: LoFi for 12 months for $25 which sends out a monthly recommended playlist you can download yourself from iTunes, or you can purchase the Box Set at $165 annual membership which mails you the monthly playlist on cd to burn along with other features.
 

Check out DJ Lucy Wrubel at her website http://lucywrubel.com/ to listen to some of her sample tunes

 

Viva España! ...Swag for your Señor!

Let’s be honest, it is most challenging to buy gifts for men. 

From college boys to grandfathers, men like gadgets which are usually way out of my price range.  While I would love to give him that IPad mini, it’s just not happening!

So, what reasonably priced gift can you find for a guy that isn’t a boring tie?

Front of Bota Bag

Check out this personalized Bota Bag.   It’s funky, hip, and functional!  Approximately $27.00 (see where to purchase below)

A Bota Bag is a traditional Spanish leather bag to carry wine/sangria/spirits much like a flask.   If you have never seen one before, I can guarantee that plenty of hipsters carry them at the Coachella music festival and probably any hippie hanging out on the drag in Austin.

 

Spice it up:  Add in some Gipsy King tickets, a download of their greatest hits album, and a bottle of Spanish wine!

 While studying abroad in Spain during college, I became a fan of the Gipsy Kings.  Typically, they play outdoor venues which lends a certain festival atmosphere to their concerts.  Bring a picnic of tapas, and fill up his Bota Bag with Sangre De Toro. 

 

This makes for a great Birthday present or just a celebratory Date Night!

Where to purchase… 

Back of Bota Bag

Bota Bag:  I purchased mine online from Kegworks.  Although it took them 3 weeks to ship it to me, I am pleased with the quality.  The initials are branded nicely, the leather is very soft, and it is stamped with the “Made in Spain” tag on the back verifying authenticity.  Approximately $27.00 

 

Top of Sangre de Toro Bottle

Wine: You can find many fine Spanish wines in your local liquor stores, but I have always been amused by the little Bull on each bottle of Sangre De Toro. This wine is served at one of my favorite tapas restaurants, Café Madrid. Although it is very inexpensive, it is tasty!  Approximately $7.00 per bottle 

 

Gipsy Kings - Music: The greatest hits album can be downloaded from

iTunes, or if you are old school, you can order a CD from Amazon.   Approximately $15.00-$20.00   

 

 Gipsy Kings Concert Tickets: Currently, they are touring to various venues around the U.S. The Gipsy Kings play outdoors in Dallas on April 30th. If you have the chance one of the best places to see them is in Atlanta at Chastain Park – a beautiful venue for music and a picnic.   Approximately $58.00 for lawn seats.

 

Option 1: If he’s not a fan of the Gipsy Kings, pair the Bota Bag with a t-shirt from one of his favorite festival/jam bands. Depending on his era: Rolling Stones, Grateful Dead, Phish, Radiohead, etc. You can buy on most band websites, or t-shirt sites. Try this website called: Slingshot Shirts.   Approximately $20.00 (varies by shirt/band)

Option 2: Find a great Sangria pitcher like the Las Ramblas pitcher at Crate & Barrel. Add a wooden spoon to stir, and he’s ready to fill his Bota Bag with Sangria!   Approximately $29.95