misosouper, a shopping blog

On New Year’s Day, there will be 38 wine glasses in your sink.  Will you be prepared?

I have been a fan of John Derian ever since spotting his delicately decoupaged glass trays and paperweights at Chelsea Passage in Barneys NY. The lovely vintage books and ephemera Derian uses are his signature decoupage style. Many of the images used by Derian are antique or vintage book plates featuring botanical and scientific illustrations. I happened upon this lovely domed cake stand – “White Floral” because of its delicate silhouette enclosing what looks like a white bouquet of hydrangea and gardenia. It is an everlasting and beautiful collection of white flowers under which to hide a pretty princess birthday cake or coconut cupcakes!

Find more details over at TheFind.

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.

Topping the list of my all-time favorite shops is the inimitable UncommonGoods.  For me, shopping at UG is like pushing my cart through Target:  it’s impossible to make it out without dropping $200 and buying gifts for people whom I don’t even like.  Which is why I’m cartwheeling to bring you this week’s amazing giveaway–ZOMG shhh I’m trying to make it to the end of this post without ruining the surprise but holy hell I’m giving away a set of Illusion Wine Glasses–which is completely deserving of all hyperbole.

I have spent 14.3 hours of my life going through the UncommonGoods site, attempting to narrow my favorite items down to a compact list of 12.  In case you want to see the more ginormous list (or want to buy me something), check out the official misosouper registry here.

1.  Glass Cane–am I the only one who thinks Hugh Laurie should use this to whoop some minion ass?; 2.  Apple Bird Feeder–because birds think goldens are delicious too; 3.  Airplane Window–can you imagine the party photos you could take with this thing?; 4.  Half and A Calf Creamer–the literal meets the visual; 5.  3-D Anatomical Animal Puzzles–maybe it’s because I don’t eat horse (as opposed to cow and pig), but the equine seems to be the least disgusting, most fascinating puzzle of the three; 6.  Phillips Head Screw Earrings–say screw you from both earlobes; 7. Custom Record Bowl–turn Ziggy Stardust into a coffee table bowl that will, well, collect dust; 8. Set of 26 Natural History Glasses–brush up on your Akouchis and Jerboas while drinking your morning juice; 9.  Horizon Sand Art–a mesmerizing reminder of beachy days; 10.  Harmony Candle Snuffer–a wedding present for couple whose flame you hope never snuffs out; 11.  Glass Radiometer Spheres–a whirling, twirling antiquated wonder; 12.  Wine Cork Pets–commemorate a lovely bottle with a lovely friend.

But now for the showstopper:  visit the Uncommon Goods website and post a comment here on your favorite product, and you’ll be entered to win a set of four Illusion Wine Glasses.  But please read the fine print!  Multiple entries will not be accepted, and the winner pays all shipping costs.  Good luck!

the fine print:

Comments will be closed and entries will not be accepted after 11:59 pm EST on Sunday, April 19, 2009. The winner will be selected at random on Monday, April 20, 2009, and notified by e-mail. Results of the giveaway will be announced on Monday, April 20, 2009. Misosouper, a shopping blog reserves the right to disqualify entries that are incomplete, inaccurate, or considered spam.  Multiple entries will be deleted.  Winner agrees to pay all shipping costs via PayPal, which will be determined and agreed upon based on zip code and shipping method.  If winner does not respond within 24 hours, an alternate winner will be chosen and notified.

Just in time for spring gifting season, Bloomie’s is chock full of new goodies.  While not necessarily cheap, these home goods won’t be something your mama/newly married best friends/hostess whose front yard you’re digging up for a plastic easter egg will hide in a cabinet until you come over.

1.  Stainless Steel Asparagus Pot by All Clad; 2.  The very strange, very appealing Paris Votive by Bernardaud (check out the other patterns, including a Chicago version); 3.  Nambé “Butterfly” Salad Bowl Set; 4.  Michael Aram for Waterford Woodgrain Cocktail Shaker; 5.  Mediterraneo Kitchen Jars by Alessi; 6.  Latte Machiatto Mug by Konitz; 7.  Jungle Jubilee by Lynn Chase–one big serving piece is all you need; 8.  Jardins Du Monde Ceramic Collection by Juliska–a set of dessert plates from this lovely line is a more than generous gift; 9.  The Ice Cream Scoop & Stack by Cuisipro makes perfect ice cream plops; 10.  FrouFrou by 1891 by Sferra Sheets are actually more elegant basic than over-the-top froufrou; 11.  The Eva Zeisel for Royal Stafford “One O One” Teapot will make your design-minded friends swoon; 12.  Dustbuster by Alessi; 13.  Clare Flower Pots by Marc Jacobs Waterford; 14.  “Banana Brothers” Salt/Pepper Set by Alessi (do kayaking monkeys really need commentary?); 15.  “Tea Over Ice” Pitcher System by Tea Forte.