The Kano Computer Kit (2017 edition).
Photo © Kano.
The Kano Computer Kit (2017 edition) | AGES 6+
Remember when Christmas mornings were spent putting together that new dollhouse or learning how to ride that shiny new bicycle? Well, Christmas morning DIY just got cooler - and much more savvy - with Kano's Computer Kit! This "build and code your own computer" is powered by a Rasberry Pi 3 - the "most powerful microcomputer in the world" - and is the latest version from the company who got their start in 2013 thanks to a KickStarter campaign which raised over $1.5M. The 2017 edition might be marketed for teaching kids (ages 6+) how to code but we like to think that they mean "kids at heart" as well! After all, who wouldn't want to spend a morning eating Santa's leftover cookies and following the step-by-step instruction "storybook" to making this creative tech masterpiece? Plus, we think that its wireless, bright orange keyboard looks super cool!
Digital Artwork by Ignasi Monreal for Gucci Giving campaign, © GUCCI.
Star Eye scented candle by GUCCI Décor
Candles make the perfect hostess gift - or gift to oneself - and we simply adore this Star Eye scented candle by the new Gucci Décor Collection! Exquisitely presented in a 3 x 5 inch lidded (and reusable) porcelain jar made in Italy by renowned Florentine maker, Richard Ginori, its fun design is enough to infuse the decor of any room with high style marks. Meanwhile, the candle's dark and intense birch, orange leaves and beeswax fragrance, called Fumus, captivates throughout its 68-hour burn time. To note, Gucci's entire Gift Giving campaign is depicted by Spanish artist, Ignasi Monreal, through a series of digitally created artworks inspired by the fall of Icarus featured in a book as well as on the Gucci Artwalls in Milan and New York. See if you can spot the candles!
Fumus, Star Eye candle by GUCCI Décor, © GUCCI.
2018 Weekly Diary by Hartovasilion
The New Year with all of its ups and downs, goals and accomplishments is as yet unwritten! And we can't think of a better place to begin planning out next year’s journey than in the Weekly Diary by the boutique Greek printing company, Hartovasilion. Measuring in at 17 x 21.6 cm and designed by MNP, this 136 page diary is printed on 80 gr acid free paper. While its stitched and glued binding means that all pages lay flat open when in use (no pesky trying-to-prop-open-the-pages-while-writing scenario here!), its gorgeous deep blue cover makes this a timeless staple on your desktop.
2018 Weekly Diary.
Photo © hartovasilion.
A. N. Other limited edition fragrances, © A. N. Other.
Four limited edition fragrances by A. N. OTHER
Imprint your Christmas memories in your mind through your olfactory sense with one of the four scents from A.N. OTHER, the new, limited edition signature fragrance line created by Gilad Amozeg and Ariella Appelbaum. This husband and wife team have used the talents of four of the most sought-after "noses" in perfumery, namely David Apel, Nathalie Benareau, Carlos Viñals and Patricia Bilodeau, to create Oriental 2018, Woody 2018, Fresh 2018 and Floral 2018, respectively. These intoxicating, four core fragrances (available in 50 ML, as well as 100 ML bottles) challenge traditional notions of branding by allowing their wearer to become the author of their own "fragrance journey." Another plus, is that A.N. OTHER is manufactured in South Florida through sustainable resources and uses ethically sourced, local ingredients and materials. We also happen to adore the minimalistically chic glass bottles!
MARSH by TSATSAS.
Photo by Gerhardt Kellermann.
MARSH Backpack by Tsatsas
It's no secret that we adore Tsatsas handbag designs and the new MARSH backpack is no exception to this rule. Entirely handcrafted in Germany in either buttery calfskin or velvety nubuck leather, this 37 x 48 x 13 cm unisex design features a top handle, adjustable shoulder straps and an individualized serial number for each - and is definitely a treat. Available in eight different colors, ranging from a gorgeous, dove-gray calfskin with silver fittings, to a covetable blush nubuck with gold fittings and every color in between (yes to the practical, staple shades of black and beige!) unzipping every single one reveals two small internal pockets, one zip pocket… and a lining in pacific blue nappa. Can we just say again how much we adore this bag?
Monitor Bluetooth - Wireless Headphones, photo © Marshall.
Wireless - Monitor Bluetooth Headphones by Marshall
For the techie music lover on your list -- or yourself, for that matter -- we're enamored with Marshall's ergonomic Monitor Bluetooth headphones. Their fantastic over-ear construction, comfortable plush, leather headband and collapsible design are just the aesthetic starting point to their impressive technical features. These include the exceptional audio Bluetooth's aptX technology quality, 30+ hours of playtime on a single charge and a multidirectional knob that allows users to control both their music and phone functionality with ease. To say that these are another iconic addition to Marshall's collection would be an understatement. To say that we're hoping these will somehow, miraculously end up in our own Christmas stocking would be the truth. Santa… did you get that?!
Still Teapot by ferm Living.
Photo © ferm Living.
Still Teapot by ferm Living
Harkening back to the traditional, tranquil ritual of brewing tea, the Still Teapot by Ferm Living is everything it promises to be. Crafted out of both transparent and colored, mouth-blown glass, it allows the seeping tealeaves displayed at the heart of the rounded vessel to become the focus point of the ceremony. Measuring in at 1.25 x 17.5 x 15 x 21.5 this dishwasher safe teapot seems to initiate the "simplicity and balance" of the Far East with every drop of the warming liquid and inspires its user to take a moment, sit back, and enjoy a cup... or two.
Fornasetti Piatto Calendario 2018, porcelain and gold, diameter 24 cm.
Fornasetti Calendario Porcelain Plate 2018
Fornasetti's Calendario porcelain plates have been an annual, design world institution for the past 51 years and this year's offering, designed by Barnaba Fornasetti, finds its perfect fit within this cult collection. The black, white and gold, printed and hand-finished design depicts a subject that the company knows well, namely architecture. In this edition, the monthly pages from a 2018 calendar rise up on an obelisk that stands within the heart of an imaginary courtyard. Seeing that Fornasetti has always been attracted to using symbolic forms in their designs, perhaps this is the courtyard of our New Year resolutions and the obelisk represents all of our successfully met goals to come…
Making Chocolate: From Bean to Bar to S'More (Hardcover).
Photo © DANDELION CHOCOLATE.
THE DANDELION CHOCOLATE BOOK
Calling all chocolate addicts and lovers! You know who you are… and, believe us, we're not judging. Because, just looking at the smooth, velvety waves of chocolate featured on the cover of Dandelion Chocolate's page turning, Making Chocolate cookbook is enough to make us crave it too. As the first ever published by this renowned, bean-to-bar chocolate factory based in San Francisco's Mission District, this book gives connoisseurs a covetable - and beautifully photographed - behind-the-scenes journey at what exactly goes into Dandelion's sourcing-around-the-world, roasting, cracking, sorting and tempering of the beans. Finally, it shares 30 amazing recipes from their pastry kitchen spotlighting this delectable delicacy using only two, simple ingredients: cocoa beans and organic cane sugar. Does that sound mouth-watering enough for you? Yeah, we thought so too!
