misosouper, a shopping blog

Granted, what’s local for me probably isn’t local for you; but the Orlando-area shop Luxe & Liberty is deserving of your attention, even if you have to order online instead of popping in to pick out a few choice gifts.  Organized around goods made in America, L&L stocks lines both little and big, from neighborhood artisans to well-known names like Calphalon, Amenity Home, and Pangea Organics.  (See?  I told you they were good.)

Here are my picks:

1.  Skinny Fish Artisan Stationary–produced in small batches by artist Shawn Laughlin; 2.  Leather Photo Album, in prismatic colors; 3.  Kalender Platter, trimmed in platinum and gold; 4.  Herb Bowl with Mezzaluna Chopper–one of those tools you didn’t even know you needed; 5.  Endangered Parrots of the World Chess Set–prohibitively expensive, outrageously fun; 6.  Crocus Rocks Glasses with 22K Accents–hello, hostess; 7.  Chiller Pitcher with Lid–a closed carafe that will keep al fresco flies out; 8.  Chick Chair; 9.  Balustrade Napkins–round and round the table they go; 10.  Aptos Collection Pebble Pendant; 11.  Amber Dard Hunter Rose Thermometer & Clock–outdoor temperature gauges are so underrated; 12.  Teco Art Pottery Orb Vase–lovely lines, from an exactingly reproduced historical collection.

Hurry!  Go!  Misosouper readers can enter LUXE09 at checkout to receive 20% off their first purchase.

Sure, I may be the jerk who made you wince in disgust as you fished a bug out of your glass, but hey!  You didn’t know I was planning that little trick when you accepted my invitation, did you?

Here are some proper gifts that will get you a kiss, an insect-free drink, and an invitation back to my next dinner party (assuming that you’d want to come):

Eames House of Cards–a stacking, interlocking set that will keep me occupied when I should be cleaning the kitchen.

Cabebe Shell Dish or Ceramic Urchin Box–both from Jayson Home and Garden, both gestures that will make me think of you every time I take off my jewelry for the night.

Rick’s Pick’s Whup Asp Zesty Pickled Asparagus Spears–maybe I’ll open them to share with the party.  Then again, maybe I won’t.

Table Topics Original Edition–I thought I knew you.  But I’ve also had 3 glasses of wine.

Aren’t these just gorgeous?  Read the original post over at TheFind.

Heath Ceramics is one of the few artisan ceramic brands that is still in production today. It is founded on the California indoor outdoor lifestyle trend which began to emerge in the 1950s. My mother was and still is an avid reader of “Sunset” magazine and our dinner table was set with Heath ceramics every evening of my childhood. I was grateful to inherit settings for twelve of the Coupe line. As I continue to add to my collection I was thrilled to hear of the current exhibition at the Pasadena Museum of California Art. The exhibition, “Edith Heath: Tabletop Modernist” runs thru September 20, 2009. The show presents the life and vision of Edith Heath and her inspiration on California design through pottery.

In 2003 Heath Ceramics was purchased by Robin Petravic and Catherine Bailey. The husband and wife team have a background in industrial design and have revitalized the original designs founded by Edith Heath by adding fresh new color palettes and designs. In addition the Chez Panisse line is the result of the recent collaboration with Dosa designer Christina Kim and Alice Waters created especially for the famed Chez Panisse restaurant in Berkeley, California. I choose for the new Chez Panisse line for my wedding registry (since one can never have too many Heath dishes!) and I love the beautiful milky color of the glaze and the organic lines of the pieces, makes me feel like I’m dining in Chez Panisse at every meal. To continue our family’s tradition with Heath, I’ve given my daughter a set of the children’s plates. She loves the colorful crimson plate and blue cup and will surely be thrilled when I hand down my set of Heath dinnerware to her in about twenty or so years from now.

Yes, I know these white ceramic guns have been around, been featured, been done; but I haven’t recently encounted any other vase that would make your corner-store Valentine’s Day carnations look as sexy.