CasaSugar

Gift Guide: Serving Trays For the Party Girls

CasaSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:00:24 -0800

Since I'm a design fiend, I think my friends expect to receive decorating gifts from me. But it really can be just as hard to shop for décor gifts as it is for clothes. Year after year, I struggle to find something that appeals to their tastes and lifestyles.

I think I'm onto something, though. A few of my friends are big party girls, in the sense they that they are constantly hosting get-togethers and cocktail parties of all sorts. I've decided that a serving tray would be a great gift for these ladies. It's obviously great for entertaining, but can also be used as wall art or to organize knickknacks day to day. I've rounded up a wide range of serving trays to fit the aesthetic of every party girl you and I know. Take a look!

Gift Guide: Jewelry Stands For Your Girlfriends

CasaSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:00:07 -0800

Some of my girlfriends are pearl girls, while others favor pairs of bold '80s earrings. Some wear a few wide cuffs at a time, and for others, a delicate tennis bracelet will do. But regardless of what they wear, every girl has a bit of jewelry.

So this year, why not save your pals from the dreaded entanglements of an unorganized jewelry collection, and give them a jewelry stand worthy of display? Not only will a jewelry stand keep earrings in pairs and necklaces out of knots, but I've collected a few that are as elegant as the treasures you drape on them.

Gift Guide: Modern Mobiles

CasaSugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:15:12 -0800

Like decorating your first apartment, decorating your baby's nursery is a really exciting task. But many new moms tend to forget that their $59 polyester pony mobile will end up in the attic within a few months. So if you're shopping for a holiday gift for an infant or a nursery-decorating friend, I recommend wrapping up a mobile that can act as décor long after a baby moves out of the crib.

One of my favorites is this CB2 Abstract Mobile ($19.95), which is very clearly inspired by the work of acclaimed American sculptor Alexander Calder, who invented the mobile in 1931. I have a few more modern mobiles up my sleeve, so read more.

Etsy Finds: Holiday Gifts For Crafty Babies

CasaSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:00:18 -0800

Is there a new bouncing baby boy or girl in your family or circle of friends this holiday season? See what fun nursery ideas Etsy has to offer for the bundle of joy!

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Cool Idea: New Orleans Water Meter Doormat

CasaSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:00:42 -0800

Anyone who's ever lived in New Orleans recognizes the starry, art-deco design of the city's water meter lids. Designed by Edwin Ford in the early 1920s, the crescent moon and stars became so sought after that people actually used to pilfer them, so much so that for a time the city tried to replace them with plain ones to try to stop the theft. Nevertheless, the 85-year-old design has become an iconic symbol of the city - along with the fleur-de-lys, of course. So, one clever local turned the groovy vintage meter cover into a Decorative Door Mat ($32). The high-quality, durable mat is as useful as it is nostalgic and charming, and you don't have to steal from the city to own it. Clearly, it's not for everyone, but it's a great gift for anyone who knows a thing or two about NOLA. Hint, hint.

Gift Guide: Hip Wall Décor for Kids

CasaSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:30:04 -0800

Growing up I was always interested in decorating, but I had a fleeting sense of style that changed as frequently as my taste in food. My parents let me choose my décor, which I loved. But in retrospect, I wish they would have given me more guidance; I often regretted my decorating choices when I came across something better. In light of all of this, I thought I'd round up some of what I consider hip wall décor for kids. From decals to shelves to wallpaper, I've selected some playful pieces that are also stylish and bound to please any kid you know.

DwellStudio Traffic Wall Art in Multi - $84.00	Zinc Letters - $49.00
dVider - Kids 18 Wall Sticker - $30.00	Skateboard Shelf - $39.00
Graham & Brown - Frames Wallpaper - $40.00	Mini Dot Mirrors - $19.00
Avalisa Letters Collection Lower Case Z Stretched Wall Art - $59.00	Third Drawer Down - decals by third drawer down - $12.00
Hybrid-Home Limited Edition Large Print Visible Robot - $200.00	Wallter - Fish Wall Application - $88.00
Chelsea Round Mirror - $149.00	Hybrid-Home Limited Edition Print Heart Breakout - Pink - $40.00
DwellStudio Gio Snail Wall Art in Aqua - $80.00	The Great Grid - $129.00
DwellStudio Dots Wall Art in Lemon - $84.00	Wallter Teardrops wall applications - $42.00
Wallter Butterfly Mobile in Blue - $70.00	dVider - Kids 13 Wall Sticker - $30.00
Galvanized Metal "COOL" Sign - $69.00	Skate Deck Wall Art - $189.00

Gift Guide: The Party Girl

CasaSugar — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 04:30:01 -0800

Everyone's got one good friend who simply loves to throw parties. For many of my friends, that person is me! Aside from delicious grub, some upbeat dancin' tunes, and a well-stocked bar, I've found that every party needs festive lighting, linens, coasters, versatile furniture and trays, and an eye-catching invite to reel the crowds in. But you don't need to splurge to throw a good bash; remember college? You don't need a beer bong apparatus either; you can help your partying pals be the best hostesses ever by picking up one or two easy gifts. Lucky you, I've picked a few out at varying prices.
To check out my finds for your party-hosting pals, read more.

Make sure to check out HolidaySugar for all of our holiday coverage.
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Gift Guide: Gift Cards

CasaSugar — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 10:36:16 -0800

If you've been reading our holiday gift guides and are still stumped over what to buy for your friends and family, or you're just getting down to the wire, a gift card is the next best thing. I don't mean a prepaid Visa gift card or an envelope with a few bucks slipped in (although I wouldn't complain about that). Go for a gift card to one of the sweetest shops around. A gift that says, "I may have dropped the ball a bit, but I do want the best for you and your home." Or "I love this store! Have fun with this!" I've rounded up a handful of choices, and you choose the price point!

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Coming Soon: CasaSugar's Holiday Gift Guide

CasaSugar — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 14:00:59 -0800

Next week kicks off my 2007 Holiday Gift Guides, which will run until Christmas and showcase detailed home gift guides for all of the home-oriented folks in your life. I'll feature gifts for a variety of decorating tastes and budgets, so stay tuned!

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Gift Guide: Handmade Gifts For Indie Girls

CasaSugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 05:30:19 -0800

Last year, many of you told me that you were making or buying handmade gifts. Many of you also took the handmade pledge. So, if you're in the market for a one-of-a-kind gift for a special someone in your circle of friends, I thought I'd round up some of the best handmade gifts I've come across, using, of course, my favorite purveyor of everything DIY and handmade, Etsy.
These gifts are great choices for all of your independent-minded, design-savvy friends and family members who are looking for something as unique as they are this holiday season.

To see my handmade finds, read more.

There are a lot more where these came from, so visit Etsy or your local arts and craft fair for more great holiday gift ideas. And make sure to check out HolidaySugar for all of our holiday coverage.

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GG Collection - $245.00	Faux Python Skin Trays - $22.00
Red Pagoda Serving Platter - $67.00	Inlaid Bone Flower Tray - New! - $199.00
Bird's Eye View Garden Wall Art - Single Tray - $89.00	Mammy / Punch - $65.00
Barneys New York Large Rectangular Tray- White/Black - $195.00	Rectangular Platter (13x9x1-in.) by Le Souk Ceramique - $28.95
NEW - $59.00	Rioja Platter - $32.95
Atticus - $120.00	BÄrbar Tray - $5.99
Indonesia Wooden Giftware, Galaxy Collection - $40.00	A di Alessi Ba-ball, Round tray - $132.00
notNeutral - Triton Laquer Tray - $117.00	Fornasetti Occhi Wood Tray - $758.00
Medium Rectangle Mariposa Tray by Fringe - $37.50	Horchow Antique Floral Tray - $135.00
Juliska Pewter Small Platter - $48.00

Flensted Mobiles Horse Mobile - $28.00	Flensted Mobiles The 4 Viking Ships Mobile - $35.00
Flensted Mobiles Futura Mobile - $64.00	Flensted Mobiles Balloon Mobile 5 - $43.00
Wallter Palm Mobile in Red - $120.00	Wallter Hex Mobile in White - $80.00
Flensted Mobiles Shoal of Fish - $47.00	Flensted Mobiles Viking Mobile - 5 Ships - $45.00
Wallter Butterfly Mobile in Blue - $70.00	Flensted Mobiles Life and Thread Large Mobile - $439.00
Sheesham Iron Strands - $24.00	Flensted Mobiles Jonas and the Whale Mobile - $28.00
Flensted Mobiles Tango Mobile - $124.00