Holiday Gift Guide: Nesting Edition

I've been browsing Terrain all week, adding, deleting, then re-adding lovely home finds to my shopping cart. They've got such great things at the moment it's hard to decide what to gift (and what to keep for oneself). Since I don't actually celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, my list is usually limited to bf, a few friends and colleagues. Here are some nifty little gifts and stocking stuffers to encourage nesting this winter. 


Bellocq's Majorelle Mint Tea sounds (and looks) heavenly. Considering cheating on my Mariage Frères Casablanca to try it.

A stovetop popcorn popper. Apparently microwave popcorn releases harmful chemicals when cooked, so for those movie nights in with the ones you love, consider this is a gift that keeps on giving. At $35 it's not terribly expensive, either.

Breakfast together is better with a sampler of Vermont maple syrups. Set of four, $28.

Who wouldn't want the scent of apples and cinnamon wafting through their home? Spicy Apple Tea Lights, $12 for a set of 6.

Images: shopterrain.com

A Wednesday in Wisconsin: Laurel Leaf Farm's Vintage Menagerie

Is anyone else having a crazy week (/month)? If, like me, you find yourself in major need of a distraction, these vintage treasures from Laurel Leaf Farm are just the thing to whisk you away from your worries. The family-run, Wisconsin-based antiques business has the most delightful wares, from old coffee grinders to obsolete farming tools. Hand-plucked from the remains of someone else's long forgotten past, these lovely, vibrant finds are ready for a new life.  Be forewarned, though -- they tend to get snatched up rather quickly, so act fast.

Vintage Wood Tennis Rackets, set of four, $60 @ Laurel Leaf Farm.

60s vintage yellow enamel teakettle, $20 @ Laurel Leaf Farm.

Vintage enamel collander, $34

1944 Leica Camera/Photography Manual, $45.

Photos: www.laurelleaffarm.com

Winter Survival Guide: Tea Tools

I'm done with this snow business. DONE. New York has frozen over, and tea is the only thing keeping me from shaking my fist skyward in anger.

Some emergency tools to have on hand:


Om Teapot, $58 @ OK Store.

Steep some Mariage Frères Casablanca tea -- its refreshing blend of mint and bergamot will whisk you away to a warm, faraway land.

This mug cozy is cute as a button. $7.50 @ Etsy.

Photos:
1) www.okstore.la
2) www.markethallfoods.com
3) www.etsy.com/people/MyCraftPlace

The Modern Tea Party: Finding Cheska's Charming Tea Sets

These unique, ultramodern tea sets from Taiwan-based Finding Cheska look like they could've been plucked straight from the set of Mon Oncle. Their designs combine streamlined silhouettes with delightful dashes of whimsy, somehow managing to imbue stark white porcelain with character. My three favorite collections, and their descriptions:

Ambula - "The Ambula tea/coffee set appears to be having a party: the cups are strutting about and the milk and sugar containers are on the move. Everything seems to have come alive and it looks like they're all having a good time. Ambula captures a remarkable moment when plain, everyday ceramic objects acquire a life of their own."

Birdie - "At first glance the Birdie tea/coffee set looks like a family of stylized birds gathering for a chat."

DripDrip - "The DripDrip tea set has a lightly textured, undulating surface and subtle oval curves. This set was inspired by the delicate shape of water droplets as they fall through the air, assuming a variety of shapes along their free-fall journey."

Alas, it appears they're currently only sold in Asia (at Bluestone in Taipei) and Europe (at Merci in Paris), but I've made an inquiry about stateside vendors and will report back.

Photos: www.findingcheska.com