Hostess gifts from Uncommon Goods

One of the things I love about my job (and blogging!) is that I often come across brands, sites, and sources that I may not otherwise encounter.  I shop a lot for clients and search high and low for the perfect items, but also, interesting and cool brands contact me to write about them here.

Do you know about uncommon goods?  They are a brand with such a great story!  It all started in 1999 when the founder visited a museum craft show.  Over time, he realized that there were beautiful, unique goods out there as well as a growing audience for such items, but no great way to connect the artisans and the people who wanted their wares.  Uncommon goods was born to fill that niche.

Oh, and as a bonus?  They are pretty awesome in their business philosophy, with a focus on sustainability, a positive workplace, and giving.  (When you make a purchase they will donate $1 to a good cause--they've donated hundreds of thousands to the charities they support.)  Read all about their mission and sustainability measures here--I swear, it's pretty interesting.

I love a company that gives me warm fuzzies, but at the end of the day, if I don't like what you are actually selling me, I'm not coming back.  So I was DELIGHTED to find that uncommon goods truly has products I haven't seen anywhere else, and I love that you also get a little peek at the artist who created them.  In fact, I'm working my way through my own Christmas list, with perfect presents for my kids, mother-in-law, and even my hard-to-shop for husband.

I'll have to keep those picks secret for a few weeks, but I did want to give you some ideas from the uncommon goods collection.

This time of year, we all go to a lot of parties, and I've been thinking about housewarming gifts.

For hostess and housewarming gifts, I like three main categories:

Special versions of ordinary things
I think it's important not to give a gift that forces any real design decisions on the recipient.  So I try to keep gifts either small, disposable, or offer items that can be stashed in a drawer when not it use.  I love the crochet dishtowels (top right)--a perfect example of something that people don't usually think about, made special.

The "on the rocks glasses" are another great example-- a set of four small items, a visual "joke" and conversation starter, but small enough that most people should have the space to add them to their collection.

The fruit bowl (bottom left) is also stashable, and I love that it reconfigures, giving the recipient the chance to put their own spin on it.

Adventurous and/or artisan consumables
More interesting than the standard bottle of wine, a food treat is a great option since it gets used up.  Unless you know the recipient's tastes well, I love the food version of "special versions of ordinary things"--spicy syrup, apple brandy mustard, a raw honeycomb.  Bottled items are especially good because the host doesn't need to figure out what to do with them--they just go right into the pantry.

Another fun idea is a game that makes better use of what's already in the kitchen--like the "mixology dice" that allow you to create new and fun cocktails right out of the liquor cabinet.

Anything personalized
I love a gift that is personalized without being too personal. You know?  Uncommon goods has dishtowels for every state as well as major cities, countries, and colleges.  A fun way to connect to your host's heritage or current hometown.  There are also adorable personalized family mugs and a beautiful illustrated family tree.  If you want to know the companies politics in a snapshot, take a look at their example--a gorgeous biracial family (and pets included, too).

For diret links to any of the items above, go here.

And for more housewarming gift ideas, go here.

Now please excuse me--I have to decide whether my niece would prefer her unicorn horn in silver or rainbow.

Mother's Day Wish List

Somehow having a blog (and reading blogs) makes me feel compelled to round up gift ideas for myself, in a way that makes me feel greedy but also tremendous gratitude for all I have.

For mother's day, I really just want a pedicure and to hang with the important (local) moms in my life.  But IF I were hankering for gifts, these are some pretty good ideas:

Coloring books for grown up are all the rage.  This one reminds me of pattern coloring books we had (and loved) as kids.

I always love art to commemorate special days or events.  I'm loving the Irises from Jenny Andrews Anderson, especially this drippy black one.

(here, 15% off with code yourmom)

I'm always in the market for Design books, and while I feel like I can justify some purchases because I'm in the biz, they do cost real dollars and I need to pace myself!  I have a hankering for these:

And can't wait for Lauren Liess's Field Guide to Decorating to come out!

I am the sole coffee drinker in our house, and I have one cup every morning.  I use a pour over cone, and would love a beautiful ceramic version, like this:

With matching mug, perhaps this one:

(artist martinathornhill.com, shop seems to be down)

I've also always wanted Moroccan tea glasses since using them for actual Moroccan tea in Paris some years ago

And aren't these crochet edged napkins the sweetest?

(here.  Full disclosure: I basically have these already in all-white, but we use them regularly and we've had them for ten years, so they have seen better days!)

Okay, I'll stop now.