Nana Banana

Gift guide: The rest of the cool shit

We're coming into the home stretch kids.  Time to buy, buy, buy before you board those buses and planes for your holiday homecomings.  I have one more roundup of awesome stuff to spend the rest of your cash on.  These are the things that I'm praying go on after-Christmas firesale, so I can blow my dough and head into 2010 all fancy-style. 

I judge books by their covers.  And this has an awesome one.  Alas, it's out of print and only available used.  Must be snatched up before it goes to that great publishing house in the sky ($59.43). 

It's funny, because I do, indeed, take the biscuit.  I would like to peruse my pretty Africa book, while sipping hazelnut coffee out of this baby.  And then a plate of Arcade biscuits and gravy would be magically teleported from Memphis and I could die a happy person.  Help my dream come true ($38 for the mug, teleportation extra).

I am a firm believer in the maxim that the best gifts are those that you'd never buy yourself.  Like, say, graphic printed stirrup woolen thigh-highs...for $110.  They're pricey but they're amazing, and how great would they look when I'm all cozy with my biscuit mug and my teleported Arcade breakfast and Elvis shows up to croon a little "In the Ghetto," while I contemplate my dire financial straits?  I mean, a girl's gotta look her best in a situation like that.

So after Elvis and I finish breakfast, he invites his friend Dolly, who arrives in her magical butterfly tourbus to pour me a cup of ambition.  We sit around and customize these necklaces ($85) with hot pink thread and then do a dance number with lots of hair flips and jazz hands.

Ok, ok.  If I'm not gonna have Dolly and The King to guide me through the stormy months ahead, I'll have to stay calm and rely on myself.  TCB and all that business.  I think one of these yoga mats would help me keep things in perspective ($45).

What do you think kids?  What's left of your holiday wishlists?  Hmmm???

Gift guide: For Dad

My globetrotting Dad takes a mean pic, has style for miles, and a superhuman tolerance for spice.  Here are a few things that I would love to buy him if I weren't hurtling towards funemployment.  Instead, I'll probably end up giving him the gift of my sweet smile, when I'm living on the couch and passing out with a bag of Cheetos and a can of Bud each night. 

This gift would be less an act of generosity and more an act of self-preservation.  I've seen the way that he stares covetously at my beloved Power Shot.  If I buy him the new model ($439.95), I will be left in peace, with my little miracle camera.  Shoots like an SLR, small like a point-and-click. 

He could carry the G11 in this classic Filson Wool Field Bag ($240).  I feel like every dude should own a Filson.  

Equally classic is this MoMA reissue of the automatic Match Bill watch ($850).

And now for the items that I could actually afford to buy him!  How about Far Flung & Well Fed, a collection of pieces from NY Times travel and food writer R.W. Apple Junior ($17.95).

Or there's the go-to Timothy Clark gift.  Hot sauce ($28 for a four-pack)!!!!!!!!!!!

Gift guide: For your mama

Sorry for the late-in-the-day posting friends.  Nana Banana is coming to you from the depths of the world's most spectacular hangover.  We're talking room-spinning, face-hurting, not-even-a-McDonalds-value-meal-can-fix-this hangover.  This hangover makes me want my Mom, who would probably smack me upside the head and tell me to lay off the special sauce.  But still.  I want Mama Clark to come make it all ok again.  And in return, I would give her one of these awesome Christmas presents.  What do you say Eileen?  Deal?  Yeah, didn't think so.

Viva Terra Ecosphere - $89

I cannot remember for the life of me where I got this picture from.  But it's a cute bag, right?  Maybe when I emerge from the booze haze I'll figure out who made it.  Or where it's sold.  But in the meantime, you'll just have to look at the cute floral bag that you can't buy.

Pretty lace necklace - $28

Custom silhouette pendant necklace - $90

Gift guide: For the your Saturday thrifting buddy

Paint by number kit $19.95

 

Vintage style robot ornaments - $6

 

Bakelite ring that I think nods towards Chanel No. 5 but costs alot less - $18

 

Outrageous mustache crossstitch - $14

Tin globe bank so she can save her pennies for that cross-country thrifting trip you've been meaning to take - $24

Gift guide: For the friend that introduced you to headcheese

Make your own goat cheese!  And then make me an omelet!  $26

 

Even though they probably already had it on pre-order $24

Destination Dinners recipe kits complete with hard-to-find ingredients (prices vary)

Two of the world's best gifts?  It has to be a tie between the Bourbon of the Month Club ($194.97) and a tour and tasting at New York's Tuthilltown Distillery ($15).

No one will want to play this with them, but they can while away hours quizzing themselves on the supremely dorky Foodie Trivia Game - $12.89

Gift guide: For your bestie

And by "for your bestie" I clearly mean, for me. 

Kidding, kidding.

 

Pinch me this isn't real it's so amazing vintage bag $39

 

As cute as the button it's made from cocktail ring - $15

'

Awesome prismatic terrarium paperweight biznass $60

Purty wear-with-almost-everything gold scale necklace $48

 

Sexy OMG I can't believe we're grown up enough to own fancy things like this bookends $98

 

Peter Sarsgaard.  If he's out of stock, perhaps a ladies day at the movies watching him in The Education.

Gift guide: For the music nerd

DIY Ukelele Kit - AH-MAZ-ING $54

Indie Rock Coloring Book $9.95

Crosley Turntable $198

Drumstick Pencils $12

Crazy knitted headphones $42

Gift guide: For my sister, the world's best baker!

Because sometimes it's best to cook it oldschool $17.95

Because she's also got a wicked sense of humor $9

Because it makes baking all the more fun $28

Because they look cute with whoppie pies $4.50

Because she needs something to hit me with when I'm not being helpful $18

Gift guide part 1

As usual, I'm more than a little behind on my holiday gifting.  I'm guessing more than a few of you are in the same boat, so I figured I'd spend the rest of the week offering up some items from my wishlist and ideas for you and yours.  Here are today's pics:

Cleaving, the newest book from the author of Julie and Julia, $16.95

Hilarious mustache salt and pepper shakers $28

A cheery terrarium $28 

Cowboy stationary set $45
 

Andrews & Dunham Damn Fine Tea sets come with adorable limited edition prints.  Such a great gift idea! $27

The bitch is back

Hi hi friends,

I was felled by some sort of bubonic plague (except without all the messy sores and dying and all).  I apologize for leaving this blog to languish last week.  But I'm back!  First off, I want to share a piece that I did for Nylon this month on the Rodart for Target line.  At first I wasn't too jazzed about the collection, but the more time I spent with it, the more I feel in love with the way they worked with textures--leopard print on lace dress--and the accessories (tops on my Christmas list?  The amazing tights and knee socks!).  Anyway, read away, and stay tuned for a super hot Man Candy (one day after) Monday!

Smooches (I can do that now, I'm no longer contagious),

Nana Banana

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