Candy Cane Martini

Despite my ongoing love affair with my new iPhone I've recently become enamoured with old-school paper organization. After all is there anything more satisfying than putting pen to paper and creating a note or to do list? The good folks at Myndology clearly share this sentiment and make just about the coolest paper goods to boot! My most favorite Myndology goodie is their color-infused Index Card Holder! Long have I enjoyed using regular index cards to jot down notes, phone numbers and even recipes. Myndology takes this concept further with their innovative plastic disc binding system that allows sheets to be pulled out and then put back in, anytime, anyplace. To me this is total coolness and I think that the lucky gift recipent will be in absolute agreement! Pick up some Myndology notes for the swanky student or anyone who has "getting organized" on their to do list for the new year. Myndology products and refills are sold at Myndology.com but before you surf on over there check out our Swingin' Deals for a sweet 20% discount. Now that's "good thinking" ;)

Think small with these delicious little cards from Moo! Based in England, Moo produces small cards with photos on the front and text on the back, making for a unique and decidedly different business or calling card. Imagine the possibilities ;) I'm considering choosing a few different holiday graphics for the front, composing a cute Christmas greeting on the back and then attaching them to my Christmas gifts...Voila personalized holiday tags! These would also make a wonderful gift for a friend or co-worker. Colorful designs on the front and whimsical sentiments like "world wayfarer" on the back would surely thrill even the lovely lady or charming chap who has everything! Put on your thinking caps creative cats...Moo's cards are calling your name! Moo Mini cards are sold at Moo.com ($20.00 for 100 cards)...fabulous!

Who doesn't love the taste of delectably refreshing Peppermint Sticks during the holidays? This classic holiday treat has adorned many a mug of hot cocoa, festively garnished a cool cocktail or two and somehow tastes just as delicious on its own! Hammond's Old Fashioned Peppermint Sticks are the quintessential Christmas Candy and they're still made by hand just like they were back in the early 1920's. I love the adorably-retro packaging and at $6.50 a box they're an absolutely fabulous stocking stuffer! Just think of how lovely this super sweet blue and red box would look garnishing a beautifully wrapped tin of yummy Ghiradelli Double Chocolate mix...what a delightfully thoughtful hostess gift! Bring this and you're sure to be the hit of your next holiday bash! Pick up sticks (pun intended) at amazon.com or directly at Hamonds Candies.

I'll admit I have a bit of a penchant for chic/colorful accessories. So when I discovered this luxurious and adorable new "must-have" I contacted the girls at Celicase and ordered myself up a swanky case post-haste. This lush leather beauty keeps your valuables snug and safe, while keeping the wearer looking as pretty-pretty as can be! Don't let it's lovely exterior fool you as the Celi is a real smarty-pants as well ;) This fashion forward case merges both wallet and cell phone holder by adding an extra compartment for much needed goodies like lip balm, mints, keys and coins. The lucky recipient can simply attach the Celi to their larger bag, clip on to a belt, or for the ultimate in simplicity throw the purse strap around the shoulder and voila...light as can be! The Celi is available in tons of gorgeous colors and makes a great gift for the busy go-go gadget gal! Grab one at Celicase.com and make someone special's Christmas a little more "light"!

When I think of Soda Pop makers I have visions of those old $49.99 specials that were so popular with the cheap, uh frugal set in the late 1980's. Back then making soda pop at home was akin to making beer at home...economical but usually pretty lousy. All of that has changed my friends, with Soda Club's Gourmet Soda Maker! I am a big fan of unique and yummy flavored bubbles. I've even been known to invent a new soda flavor every once and a while ;) Normally I just purchase Club Soda and mix my favorite syrup flavors in with a straw. That works okay but I find club soda to be too darn salty, thus beckoning me to add more and more syrup to cover the taste. My husband, on the other hand drinks club soda by the gallon (blech), which makes me worry a bit about his salt intake. So I couldn't wait to get down to business creating my swanky little mock-tails and some seltzer water for the hubby! Right out of the box I was enamoured with my new fizzy friend. The Soda Maker is super easy to put together and it doesn't even use electricity, which means you can pretty much store it anywhere (for those of us with a small-ish kitchen that's totally fab)! You simply add tap or bottled water to the included soda bottle, press the carbonator button 4-6 times and wait for the buzzer to go off letting you know that your fresh, natural seltzer is ready! Add any of Soda Club's yummy soda mixes (my fave is Lemon Lime) or make your own custom cocktail by playing around with different syrup flavors! My current obsession is a yummy (alcohol free) Fuzzy Navel; 1 oz Peach Syrup, 2 oz Mandarin Orange Syrup added to the standard Soda Club bottle of bubbly seltzer...shaken not stirred and voila! Oh and how does the hubby like his salt-free, bubbles? He's totally smitten as well! Cheers...here's to a sparkling and delicious gift idea! Pick one up for $79.99 at Sodaclub.com or Amazon.com and don't forget the colorful drink umbrellas!

This is just the coolest gift for all of us gadget-geeks out there! How many times have you been on the go when your cell phone dies? Honestly there's almost nothing as annoying! If you're a forgetful soul like myself then Sharper Image's "Turbo Charge for Cell Phones" is going to change your life! This little beauty comes with 10 charging adapters and is compatible with all Motorola, Motorola ROKR, Motorola RAZR, Audiovox, Kyocera, Samsung, Nokia, Sanyo, Sony Ericsson, Nextel and LG cell phones, even Blackberry PDAs! It runs off of 1 AA battery and promises 2 hours talk time along with 40 hours of stand by time...on one wee battery! This is a must-have for frequent travellers, campers and techies alike! Grab one at Sharper Image or online at Amazon.com.

So you've got the Candy Cane Cocktail Shaker, your festive Holiday Martini Glasses and of course a print out of our yummy Candy Cane Martini recipe (maybe you even have it memorized...you swingin' cat, you). Now all you need are the perfect invitations for your cool-as-ice Christmas bash! I don't think that you're going to find anything much hipper than these paper-pretties from tinyprints.com! At $64.50 for 50 gorgeous, personalized cards you can afford to invite all your closest (and coolest) gals and pals! Make sure you order early as these little darlings take 5-6 business days to process before shipping. Tinyprints sell some other really fabulous cards as well so make sure you take a peek at all of their offerings. Oh and don't forget to send my invite!! If you're in the West Coast hubby and I will be sure to stop by for some holiday cheer!