Holiday Gift Guides 2010: For the Gourmet

Jam for the Cheese Lover from Lemon Bird

The last Gift Guide is for the Gourmet out there, who always knows just the right wine pairing for every occasion and whose kitchen always smells delightful;)

Nesting Mixing Bowls from Vessels and Wares

Thai Spice Kit from Purpose Design

6 Chocolate Mint Marshmallows from miaMallows

French farmhouse Footed Cutting Board by Graywork Design

My Gift Guides may be finished, but this is just a tiny example of the coolness waiting to be discovered on Etsy! Give the gift of the unique and unexpected this year and support indie artists too!

Happy Gifting, everybody!

Holiday Gift Guides 2010: For the Hipster Office Manager

Vintage Olympia Typewriter from Nick and Nessie's

We all know that one guy or gal in the office whose desk is way cooler than yours: from the in-tray to the trashcan, the whole thing is hipster-chic. Even the ficus in the corner is obscure.

Bamboo Wall Clock from Pilot Design

1940s Gooseneck Lamp from adVintagous

Vintage Black Faux bois Chair from Hindsvik

2011 Calendar from Pink Roses 1220

Holiday Gift Guides 2010: For the Geek

Nerd Wood Sign by William Dohman

As a big geek myself, this Gift Guide has a special place in my heart. Wear your N-Badge proudly, my friends;)

Red Robot Inferno Tie by Toy Breaker

Black 20-Sided Die Cufflinks by Finds to Treasure

Coffee Cozy by Knot Workshop

Donegal iPad Case by Blythe King

Holiday Gift Guides 2010: For the Pinup Queen

Candy Cane Corset from Boom Boom Baby Boutique

You know her and love her: she's the Joan Holloway of the office, the sex kitten of every gathering. She drinks dirty martinis and gives men whiplash when she walks in a room. This gift guide is for her;)

Vintage Cat's Eye Glasses from Vintage 50s Eyewear

Fox Love Trench Coat from Dirty Birdy Vintage

Skipper Bikini from Fables by Barrie

Remix 40s Style Pumps from Wear It Again

Holiday Gift Guides 2010: For the Steampunker

Steampunk Gun Nerf Maverick N-Strike Victorian Gothic from Old Junkyard Boutique

You know it's that time of year when the Gift Guides start to appear!

I thought I'd kick the week off with an obvious choice: Steampunk! Here are a few of my favorites from around the Etsy-sphere for your airship-loving, goggle-wearing friends;)

Black Military Steampunk Jacket from Oblivion Clothing

Steampunk Goggles from ErihMann

Black and White Striped Bijou Mini Top Hat from Gypsy Lady Hats

Robots Wedding Cake Topper from Builders Studio

Look for more Gift Guides all this week!

Holiday Gift Guide: for the Cool Guy

Vintage Men's Grey Fedora from NerdyBird

This is for the Don Drapers and Henry Jones' of the world; the guys who spend all weekend fixing up their vintage motorcycles and then roll into work on Monday looking fresh and put together, even with stubble on their chins. They never pay attention to fashion, because they just don't have to try that hard. This gift guide is for you, fellas;)

Shaving Soap Gift Set from SacredWaterSoapCo

This shaving set almost makes me wish I had to shave; the soap is redolent with bay leaf, sweet orange, allspice and cinnamon. I wouldn't mind snuggling up to that . . .

1960's Brown Leather Bomber from JackRabbitVintage

Yes, please. that is all.

Stainless Barware Set from NowVintage

I don't have a lot of guy friends who have room in their apartments for bars, so this solves a lot of space issues;)

Atomic Bomb Blast Messenger Bag from RayGunRobyn

This is just cool. I would carry this around.

Almost time for unwrapping; do you have all your shopping done?

Holiday Gift Guide: for the Chic Fashionista

Coco Black Chiffon Dress from HollyStalder

We all know her: the girl who never has a hair out of place, and always looks like she stepped off the pages of Vogue. She carries the perfect bag and wears those boots just over the knee, and she never over-accessorizes. She's the Sophisticated Fashionista, and this gift guide is for her;)

I just love this dress, above. Holly Stalder has a real flair for decoration, and the ruffle is just enough to be chic without overpowering the dress. Fabulous.

Silver Silk Peacock Clutch from RedRubyRose

I love peacock feathers, as should be apparent by now;) This bag is simple and elegantly beautiful, with the feather embroidred on a lovely silver silk, lined in peacock blue satin. Gorgeous.

Vintage Modern Ruff from WhiteOwl

I wish I was able to pull off something like this. A simple black dress with this tied around your neck? Or peeking out of a tweed jacket? To die for.

Golden Gothic Leaves Earrings from SirenJewels

These clovers are everywhere in earrings and necklaces, and its not hard to see why; the slightly architectural feel is simple and familiar, and it adds just the right bit of adornment to your tunic and skinny jeans.

Vanderhorst Street Dress from CarolHannah

One of my favorite designers from last season's Project Runway has two fabulous Etsy stores, and this is just my favorite from her Ready to Wear shop. This is totally the perfect Day-to-Evening dress: pair it with a chic black blazer for the office, and then some blingy earrings and dramatic eyes for night. Stunning.

Early Winter Gold by LuxJewelry

This is just lovely, tasteful, elegant, and refined. 'Nuff said.

Hope you've been enjoying the gift guides so far, but i'd love to hear from you with suggestions for others. What gift guides would you like to see next?

Holiday Gift Guide: for the Soul

Today's gift guide is a little different, though very near and dear to my heart. Every year that I can manage it, my holiday gifts to my friends are less things to makeover the outside, and more to makeover what's inside. I make donations to various charities in my friends' names, and we all get to benefit from the karma;) I want to highlight a few of my favorites here, but I urge you all to give to any charity you can this holiday; there are so many deserving, and there is so little to go around this year!

First up is Heifer International: This charity helps developing countries support themselves with gifts of livestock. You can actually buy a family a flock of 20 to 50 chicks that will provide them with enough eggs to make a living on, or buy a goat, a cow, or a llama to provide milk, meat, or fur for weaving. These are concrete things that really make a difference to a poor family trying to survive in often depressed and drought-ridden areas.

Next up is the American Cancer Society: This one is a no-brainer for me; I have cancer in my family, so I try to give to a cancer charity every year, and this is one of the best. ACS hosts hundreds of events around the country to educate people about the risks of cancer and highlight those beating the disease, and they raise millions every year towards helping find a cure for it. They also have support groups for those living with cancer and their families, and offer invaluable resources for anyone faced with this diagnosis.

The Jewish National Fund is a personal favorite; my brothers are Jewish and I planted a tree in Israel through JNF for them a few years ago. JNF does amazing work to educate people about the issues facing Israel through schools and advocacy programs, has extensive agriculture and irrigation initiatives, and even sponsors security programs for those traveling through Israel. To date they have planted over 240 million trees.

Finally, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or ASPCA, is probably one of my most dear causes. My whole life I have had rescued animals around me, and their presence has so enriched me that I cannot imagine living without them. There are so many animals in this country who are abused, neglected, hungry, cold, and homeless, and they cannot speak for themselves and ask for our help. The ASPCA's motto is: We are their voice. Since I can't go out and personally beat up every person who abuses an animal, much as I would like to, I give money every month to the ASPCA.

Please donate to a charity this holiday season, even $10 helps. You get a write-off on next year's taxes, but you get a good feeling that will last a lot longer. What charities do you support?

Holiday Gift Guide: for Hanukkah

Eco-Friendly Menorah from StilNovoDesign

In honor of Hanukkah, here's a little gift guide with a few items I love. I want to get these things, and I'm not even Jewish (my BFF B would say I'm an honorary Jew)!

Star of David White Bottle Vase from OneClayBead

This is gorgeous. I love the pearlescent sheen on the white.

Jewish Bunny Necklace from KourageKritters

Oh my god. This is so friggin' cute I almost have to get it!

Chocolate Dreidels from TTCouture

These would not make it to the dreidel game. I'm just saying.

Anybody have any suggestions for other gift guides they'd like to see? There's still time before the holidays!