Mighty Goods: Congrats

Picnic Service Set

Stow service for eight right next to your spare tire. This colorful basket contains plastic plates, bowls, cups, and flatware; you add the corkscrew. Tuck it in your trunk and you’re ready for roadside wine and cheese whenever the weather permits.

$36 at Target | Buy

| Posted 31 Mar, 2005 by Margaret Mason

Girl Scout Cookies

When I moved to a big city, it never occurred to me that I’d be sacrificing my Girl Scout cookies. The wee green ones don’t come to my door or stake out the grocery stores I frequent. My cupboards are cookie-free, and I’m starting to have withdrawal symptoms. The Girl Scouts don’t sell cookies online, but I did find a site where you can download a mail-order form and have Lemon Cremes delivered direct to your door. You have until the end of April to stuff your freezer with Peanut Butter Patties and Caramel deLites before the cookies disappear for another year. Stock up.

$4 at Girl Scouts, Patriots' Trail Council | Buy

| Posted 29 Mar, 2005 by Margaret Mason

Retro Bullet Planter

For years I’ve been covetous of my friend’s 1950s bullet planter, and now I can have a shiny new one all for myself. It’s made of fiberglass and steel, and it beats the heck out of terra cotta. I like it in white with a tall succulent or unusual tropical flowers. Scoot one into that weird bare corner in your apartment, and make yourself a martini.

$140 at Fly-Bird | Buy

( Bowl 15.75"d Stand 22.75"h)

| Posted 25 Mar, 2005 by Margaret Mason

Woodgrain Tag Necklace

For the fashionable tree hugger on your list, a petite wood grain necklace by Rena Tom. Full disclosure: Rena is one of my many acquaintances who makes lovely things. This tag necklace comes with a red nylon cord that wraps twice around the wearer’s neck.

$40 at Elsewares | Buy

| Posted 17 Mar, 2005 by Margaret Mason

La Boheme Clutch

QUICK PICK Reminds me of Grace Kelly.

$36 at Amici Accessories | Buy

| Posted 16 Mar, 2005 by Margaret Mason

Vacu Vin

Vacu Vin is a set of rubber stoppers and a mini pump that seals an open bottle of wine and then lets you pump most of the air out. We use ours constantly. Just pop the bottle in your fridge, and it’ll keep for three or four days. Perfect for those who like to have a glass of wine with dinner, but hate to waste a whole bottle. The only drawback is that it elimiates your excuse for drinking the entire bottle.

$13 at Amazon | Buy

| Posted 15 Mar, 2005 by Margaret Mason

Polaroid Photo Guest Book

We did a polaroid guestbook for our wedding, and it was so much fun looking through wedding photos before we’d even left on our honeymoon. I wish we’d had something even half as snazzy as this built-for-polaroid guest book. It comes in many colors, and you can have your name, or the date printed on a nameplate that you can affix to the front. Thanks again, Heather!

$60 at Adesso Albums | Buy

| Posted 11 Mar, 2005 by Margaret Mason

Airplane Luggage Tags

QUICK PICK

$20 at Uncommon Goods | Buy

| Posted 11 Mar, 2005 by Margaret Mason

Billy Kirk Leather Cuff

QUICK PICK

$75 at Henry and Lulu | Buy

| Posted 09 Mar, 2005 by Margaret Mason

Troy Ice Bucket

QUICK PICK

$25 at Crate and Barrel | Buy

(No longer available.)

| Posted 09 Mar, 2005 by Margaret Mason

Bubble Jewelry

QUICK PICK Update: Freddy, a very helpful reader, makes the excellent point that you wouldn’t want to wear magnet-based jewelry as a bracelet if you, say, work on a computer or use gadgets all day. So, buyer beware. Still, using it as a necklace or a pinless brooch is genius.

$85 at Elsewares | Buy

(Free shipping.)

| Posted 09 Mar, 2005 by Margaret Mason

Connector Pens

QUICK PICK
Coloring pens that click together to make desk art.

$10 at Plastica Shop | Buy

| Posted 07 Mar, 2005 by Margaret Mason

Topaz Baguette Pendant

Now this is a lovely thing. This blue topaz pendant is so calming, such an orderly arrangement of parts. It’s a tiny reflecting pool for your neck. The stone is set in 18K white gold, and the pendant comes with a chain. Covetous.

$175 at Mondera | Buy

| Posted 03 Mar, 2005 by Margaret Mason

Flask Chrome Slim

BY REQUEST

$25 at Fitsu | Buy

(holds 3 oz.)

| Posted 02 Mar, 2005 by Margaret Mason

Jack Daniels Keychain Flask

BY REQUEST And in the Beh? Category� the keychain flask. Because nothing goes with car keys like a couple shots of whiskey.

$20 at Sporty's | Buy

| Posted 02 Mar, 2005 by Margaret Mason

Hip Flask with Cigarette Case

ON SALE and BY REQUEST It only holds 2 oz. of booze, but it doubles as a cigarette case. I didn’t even know they made these any more. Ideal for sentries, gangster molls, and dance-hall floozies.

$28 at Brands on Sale | Buy

(Regularly $33.)

| Posted 02 Mar, 2005 by Margaret Mason

Blomus Stainless Steel Flask

BY REQUEST “My Fiance and I decided to buy a special, useful gift to each other to celebrate our wedding: His & Hers Flasks. Could you suggest a good place, a little off the beaten path, to buy some flasks?” You two really know how to start a marriage off on happy footing. This is the most unique, yet non-gimmicky flask I came across. It’s brushed stainless steel and holds 7.1 oz. Sleek and reasonably priced. More options above.

$19 at Amazon | Buy

| Posted 02 Mar, 2005 by Margaret Mason

Xocolatl Hot Chocolate

UNIQUE HOST GIFTS

Delicious. Xocolatl (pronounced Choco-la’tl) emphasizes the “hot” part of hot chocolate. It’s based on a traditional Aztec drink that combines chocolate with a whomp of chilies and a little cinnamon. If you need a gallon of water to get through a tamale, don’t try this at home. But if you can appreciate a dessert with some kick, this cocoa is the spice of life.

$9 at Dagoba | Buy

(12 oz.)

| Posted 01 Mar, 2005 by Margaret Mason

Square Cuff Links

Tabitha sent me a note to tell me about Konzuk’s amazing jewelry, and I’m most grateful. These cufflinks are made of powder-coated steel, and you can choose which color you prefer. They also make neat stuff that incorporates concrete, and some enviable wedding ring sets.

$170 at Konzuk | Buy

| Posted 25 Feb, 2005 by Margaret Mason

Two Timer Scarf

Yellow! Stock up on a little sunshine before the fashion gods snatch it away for another decade. This silk scarf is reversible and long enough to wear as a sash (3” W x 70” L). Wear it with something bright and entirely too low cut.

$32 at Kenneth Cole | Buy

| Posted 24 Feb, 2005 by Margaret Mason

Bust Magazine

Bust isn’t so much a feminist magazine as it is a women’s magazine with feminist ideals. That means you’ll find music, DIY, pop culture, and fashion articles that never make you feel like crap for being single or fat. God bless the editorial staff.

$17 at Amazon | Buy

(For four issues.)

| Posted 24 Feb, 2005 by Margaret Mason

Snowboard Art

QUICK PICK
Big stickers for your snowboard.

$70 at Original Snowboard Art | Buy

| Posted 23 Feb, 2005 by Margaret Mason

Bike Chain Bracelet

QUICK PICK

$10 at Urban Dreams | Buy

| Posted 23 Feb, 2005 by Margaret Mason

Aluminum Dove Ornament

I have a backlog of bird-inspired objects ruffling in my bookmarks. This little guy is 6.5”, and I thought he’d make a sweet blind-pull ornament. He’d also be amusing dangling from the cord of your ceiling fan. Comes in silver or chocolate.

$13 at Room and Company | Buy

(No longer available.)

| Posted 22 Feb, 2005 by Margaret Mason

Claw Tongs

Finally, the perfect servingware for your Thanksgiving turkey platter. Actually, they’d look swell in a bucket of ice too. Made of silverplated bronze, the claw tongs are designed by–who else?–Michael Aram. I may very well love this man. Michael? Call me.

$50 at Tabula Tua | Buy

(8" L)

| Posted 22 Feb, 2005 by Margaret Mason