Nana Banana

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 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

You're such a card!

Last night I had to miss my chance to see the Rockefeller Center tree lighting in order to meet a deadline for a holiday shopping story.  Bah humbug. Then when I left the office at 8 pm, I had to scale four crowd barriers, run from a cop, and mow down the fannypacked-masses just to get to my subway train. Humbug, humbug, humbug.  Holiday spirits have been hard to come by, and there's only one thing to get me back in the mood: stationery shopping!  Read on for a ginormous roundup of the year's best holiday cards.  And send one to me.  I'm in need of a little comfort and/or joy.

Smooches,

Nana Banana

Ok, so maybe not one to send to Grandma, but who couldn't use a little humor this holiday season?

For your favorite lapsed Catholic - $3.50

For the Brooklyn dwellers - Set of 10 for $18

For a country western Christmas - Set of 4 for $16

For book nerds - $3.50

For your lovah - $4

For music lovers - $13.50

And bingo fans - $13.50

Holiday decorating inspiration

Growing up, we had not one, not two, but three Christmas trees (occasionally sawed down while the whole family was in Dickensian garb.  Don't ask).  Our electric bills tripled, and my dad stapled garland to every available inanimate surface. We do not take the holidays lightly.  But as I start to invest in my own holiday decorations, I'm trying to figure out how to work around my existing (already colorful) decor. Lately I've been gravitating towards neutrals as a way to work with what you have but add some extra holiday cheer. I would stick to these cream and white tones and then add a ton of fresh greenery.

Papered deer head $375 

Snowflake Tree $12

Snowflake Tablecloth $115

White Birch Candle Holders $14

Noel Pillow $24

Counting down to Christmas

Every year, Papa Clark gives each of his daughters a chocolate advent calendar.  Opening the little doors and retrieving the treat each day is one of my favorite holiday activities. Etsy has some really creative takes on the advent calendar theme, so I thought I'd do a roundup!

Brooklyn Advent Calendar - $20

Advent Calendar Pouches - $70

Countdown to Christmas Featuring Blinky - $25

Advent Calendar - $76

Bingo Advent Calendar - $80

Countdown to funemployment: 22 days

DesignSponge today featured some adorable personalized business cards from Rifle Paper Company.  I think I'm in love.