Gift Guide: Silicon Valley

Via

The Dude, Class Clown, that guy... he's a frequent guest on the gift guides. A little bit nerdy and a whole lot funny he's an incorrigible comedian who refuses to grow up. 

We've spotted him before in Tokyo, but this year find him at home in Silicon Valley - the oft-parodied geek paradise where his tech skills and social ills fit right in. 

For 5pm brews and starting conversations - an emoji-inspired opener that also happens to be the product of 3D printing. All of the things. Poop Bottle Opener from Shapeways.



For digitizing his doodles - a smart pen that syncs with all of his devices. Neo Smartpen N2



For more analog notes - a collection of jotters from famous fictional hotels. Hotel Notepads Set from Herb Lester.  Featuring The Overlook Hotel from The Shining, Taft Hotel from The Graduate and Royal Imperial Windsor Arms Hotel from National Lampoon's European Vacation among others. They're also available individually.

For eating off of something other than paper - a set of cocktail plates that don't take themselves to seriously. Joke Appetizer Plates from ED. 

For taking the music anywhere that a speaker usually can't go - a waterproof, light-weight washable bluetooth speaker that's virtually indestructible, promises big sound and clips on to his bike/his bag/his board with it's own bungee. UE Roll from Ultimate Ears.

For when the occasion requires it - One Gallon of Omnipotence from Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co. They also stock Chutzpah, Schadenfreude and Immortality among other powers the proceeds of which all directly benefit a non-profit bringing creative writing classes to the kids of Brooklyn. 

For changing up the look of his favorite watch - a waxed cotton bands in an assortment of colors and prints. Vertical Stripe Strap from Suigeneric New York.

For kitchen experiments and being a part of the current culinary trend - a wifi enabled sous vide device. Nomiku. What's sous vide? Food cooked slowly in water held at a constant temperature which results in perfectly done meats, eggs and veggies with less hands on time. Also check out competitors Anova and Mellow.



Another way to up his game in the kitchen - dispatches from a local culinary star. The Mission Chinese Food Cookbook available on Amazon.

For game night - a apples to apples-esque version of the classic 'who would win in a fight.' Superfight.

For war zones or commutes that feel like war zones - a special forces designed backpack adapted for the needs of a city dweller. With a bomb proof laptop pocket, tactical rainproof exterior and multiple interior storage combinations you'd be hard-pressed to find a better bag. GR1 from GORUCK.

For his fridge - because those selfies are pure gold. Gold Magnetic Polaframes available on Amazon.

For keeping it cool - Easy Tiger Tee from Fluffy Co. available on Brit & Co.  He'd also probably be a fan of this - or because winter is coming, this.

For snacking - a delicious blend of cornflakes, lucky charms and white chocolate. Cereal Bowl Bar form Compartes. Or a different breakfast-themed sweet, Doughnuts & Coffee.

For streamlining his nightstand - an iPhone dock with a functional easy-tap (maybe too easy-tap) snooze button on top. The Snooze Alarm Dock by DistilUnion available on The Grommet.


For streamlining his desk/tv stand/anywhere else his tech has taken over the room - a sleek and simple cable management system. Soba from BlueLounge.

For getting into trouble - a miniature drone equipped with an HD camera. SKEYE Mini Drone from TRND labs.

For expanding his sock drawer variety - the funniest socks. Wolf of LOL St., Kim Jong Illest and Alpacass socks from Freaker.  Also don't miss Manneater and Lance Tiny-Arms Strong.


For his morning coffee - Pied Piper Mug from Shop HBO. Also for Silicon Valley fans - don't miss Aviato, Hooli and Raviga.

For his morning run, or his afternoon gaming session - break through bluetooth headphones that conduct sound through bones in his face so audio blends seamlessly with his environment. Bluez S2 Headphones from Aftershokz.

For making any pair of gloves touch screen compatible - Nanotips for leather or fabric gloves. Pro-tip - this also turns your pencil eraser into a stylus...

For dressing up his empty walls - SUPERHERO CITY Print Set from CONCEPCION STUDIOS on Etsy. More of a Star Wars guy? They have him covered there too. Want something that includes more data and flow charts - these guys never fail.




Finally, some funny guy reads  - for inspiration. Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari and Sick in the Head by Judd Apatow, both available on Amazon.

Gift Guide: Nashville

Via Travel & Leisure

She definitely could be an Artist or Gardener and the occasional Hostess or Baker but she's always been a Cowgirl. We've spotted her before in Austin, but this year we find her in one of my new favorite cities, Nashville. 

Nashville is a city of music, charm and Southern hospitality. Classic and quirky with a little bit of kitsch - it's a hub for the homespun and time-honored traditions. With a food scene that's flourishing and a growing creative community, Nashville is now trending nationally. 

Celebrate her this holiday with presents that honor her grit and gumption and bring the cowgirl cool of this city to wherever she lives.

For Christmas morning - Gingham Night Shirt from Three J NYC, or the full set here. Not quite that good - try these or these.

For every morning - Awake O' Sleeper Mug from The Created Co. Or maybe something a little less earnest?


For groceries and to-do lists - a classically styled notepad. American Made Notepad from Red Barn Mercantile. I also love this legal pad design from Rifle Paper on Mignon.

For pancakes, mashed potatoes and birthday cakes and adding a vintage flair to her kitchen - Three Piece Glass Mixing Bowl Set from Food 52 made by a small family business in Ohio using the same molds they did 50 years ago. 

For putting those bowls to good use - a cookie mix that foodies flip for. White Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Mix with Vanilla Salt from Not Without Salt. 

For her wild heart - Gold Antler Necklace from Padgett Hoke. I'm also a big fan of this.

For ambience - a tiny candle that promises to fill her home with orange blossom and amber. Moonlight Mile Candle by Tisane from Leif Shop. 

Or actually - this candle. Probably this candle. Ms. Betty's from Bad Ass Candles on Etsy.  Want something cheeky, but not quite that cheeky - I love these.

For trail rides or lazy weekends - Keep It Rad Tee from Indy Brand.

For bringing some heat to the kitchen - a mix of California-grown peppers, garlic and EVOO. Gunpowder Oil from The Other Brother.

For cuddling on the couch - a super soft throw. Doe a Deer Throw from Nordstroms.

For dressing up her day time look - a casual & cute cotton dress. Bib Dress from Clad & Cloth.

For a sweet and seasonal table setting - Snowmen S&P Shakers from Pigeon Toe Ceramics.

For never going anywhere without her favorite things - a well-thought out travel organizer.  Wind Blows Travel Pouch from Mochi Things.

For carols and craft time - DIY Ukulele Kit from Urban Outfitters.



Also for carols and craft time - a handsome hefty shaker. Mid-Century Cocktail Shaker from West Elm.



For adding farm fresh flavor to whatever is in the shaker - Royal Rose Drink Syrups Collection from Eat Boutique.

For urgent, but polite market runs - Hustle, Darling Tote from Brika.

For sweet tea and lemonade, or the perfect mixture of both - Weck Carafe Set from Heath Ceramics.

For correspondence and ships* - a beautifully designed set of thoughtful cards. Poems for Friendship & Joy Notecards from Abrams Books. Looking for something a little less sentimental? Don't miss these replete with classic Southern sayings.

For late night snacks - unbelievably delicious ice cream that has graced this guide on many occasion. Try Churro, Sweet Corn Spoon Bread or Sweet Potato Pecan Praline or if she's been extra good - how about the Pint Club which promises 12 pints in total delivered in four installments of three. All of the above from Jeni's - the best ice cream spot in the world.

For Southern winters - it's all she'll need. Women's 1936 Skyliner Model Hunting Vest from Eddie Bauer.



For fixing her manicure on the fly - a matchbook filled with mini emery boards all done up in a charming vintage print. Desert Rose Matchbook Nail File from Izola. A perfect stocking stuffer - also in blue, green, peach, black and white.

Because it's always good advice - Eat More Tacos Pennant from Three Potato Four.

For the nights she's out until the cows come home (har har) - Calf Hair Clutch from Loper and Haas on Etsy. 

For her walls, because he's just too cute - Foul-Mouthed Fox Print by Dick Vincent available on Etsy.



Finally, because it just couldn't be Nashville without them - boots. Although there are endless options to choose from, I'm voting for a shortie, something that easily fits into her wardrobe and adds a touch of cowgirl to whatever she pairs it with.  The Etta Boot from Sundance comes in a dozen colors, one of which she's bound to love - but don't miss Amarillo, Santa Fe or Laudrillo for a little bit more character and Romy, Marcos or Billie for a little bit less.

**ships is the term of endearment my lady friends use for our group - because there are old ships and new ships, but the best ships are friendships.