A Seriously Useful and Not Lame "Gifts for Men" Post

I thought shopping for guys was super hard, because everything they want is always really expensive and/or they don't give good specific suggestions. It's always something like "I want a watch." What watch? A $60 watch can look awful or ok depending on what kind of style you're looking for and if you're being ironic. Most women can give a list of stuff we want in any price range when asked, because we're observant like that. Anyway, I spend most of Christmas day trolling for a Christmas gift for a man, and for the first time in my life I found some really yummy places to buy stuff for guys that's in multiple price ranges, well-made, unique, not kitschy or something stupid like a fancy shave brush (men don't use that stuff and if they did they would already have one) or something boring like a spa day. Commence collage:

From right to left:
1) Miansai: Men's jewelry and accessories, made in America and vintage-seaworthy (between $75 and $105)
2) Super affordable, imported leather bracelets (like the ones we saw in Greece) ($3.50)
3)  SILENT By Damir Doma beanie from Oki Ni (£56)
4) Nixon Axe wristwatch from Oki Ni (£150)
5) Undercover Wool bracelet from Oki Ni (£80)
6)Weekend Satchel Carry-On Bag from J W Hulme, another American-made product ($790)
7) Raf Simons hair pin from Oki Ni (I actually really want this for myself) (£95.20)
8) Rough and western-looking leather and metal bracelets for men ($45)

Or, you could make your own here, at Blog Inspiration and Realization.

Visiting Dose Market, a Craft and Maker Fair

I went to Dose Market this Sunday for their holiday version of Dose, called Holidose (ha), which is a Chicago crafter and maker fair in the River East Arts building. The venue was beautiful, and would make a great place for a stunning (and probably high-budget) wedding. It was so much fun! I wish I had grabbed more or better photos. I bought some pastries at a really yummy bakery that had a table there, but there were other beautiful things as well, like beautiful handmade felted cloud coasters, awesome jewelry made from cheap costume jewelry all twisted together, beautiful terrariums with neon sand, gourmet cotton candy that made the whole room smell lovely.

Toys

Why can't I just have interesting and beautiful art all around me instead of furniture?
Orange granny, silver figurine, and lilac wall sconces are from the coolest Etsy shop.
The knitted sea urchin and owl are from Ravelry. You can make them yourself!
The green book is from another Etsy shop, the Nib and Quil.
The wolf and dino plaques are from Snew.

I think I can probably make all of these things at home if I set my mind to it, but I guess lately I have been focusing on work and not so much on crafts. I had 11 events this month. Five in Austin and six in Chicago. I don't even have curtains in the house yet, and I think that should be step one. I'm tired, and all I can do is look at toys and art on the internet. 

I need this!

I have been looking for a messenger bag for a few months but I couldn't make myself spend the money, even though I need one. This one was $168 and it was just what I was looking for. It appeared on Gilt Group this morning for $68, but I had gift certificates that covered the entire amount, including the tax and shipping, so it didn't cost me anything! I'm so excited!