These Muji cardboard speakers are collapsible, portable and recycled! So green. Only 3 1/4" sq and only $42! From The Museum of Modern Art.
Place these little wraps in the fridge or in warm water to soothe your feet. They are filled with massaging gel to help reduce puffiness and ease tension. One size fits most. Hooray! $35.
Do you spend more time and effort on your accessories than your clothes? Well, you are not alone and there is a great new website for you called sacredaccessories.com. They carry favs like earrings, necklaces, scarves to the purse holders mentioned in a previous cupcakelife post. It is also refreshing to see quality crafted merchandise without a 300% mark up! Here is one of the best selling pieces, the Raj prayer scarf in aqua. Similar to the Sir Alistar Rai scarf, but for half the price ($49). Check out the 'gifts under $50' page.
There is a great website out there that carries fresh, hip stationary called luxepaperie.com. They have everything from distinctive greeting cards, social announcements and invitations, boxed notes, and gift wrap. They have also gotten recent shout-outs in Lucky Magazine, as well as Blueprint. Some favorites are by a brand called Sidepony that feature such taglines as "Everyone Likes a Den Mother" and "Wanna Couple Skate?". Check out the luscious line of cupcake cards available!
It's breast cancer awareness month and there are multiple items out there that contribute a portion of sales to organizations such as Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation and the American Cancer Society. This MIO pink heart rate monitor is also a calorie counter. It lets you set your daily calorie limit and enter the ones you consume, then it beeps wehn you go overboard. 10% of sales go to Susan G. Komen. $69.99
Hubby from Minnesota and you are from Atlanta? Don't be stuck watching Vikings football games in silence! Show your transplant pride with pillows from your home state or city. Using thorough research and vivid pictures laid across the state's outline and name, each pillow packs in its sites, cities and culture with flair. A brilliant way to celebrate where you live, where you came from or where you've just traveled, these pillows feature black velvet piping and a soft polyfill and are sure to become heirlooms and delightful additions to your home. $149.
Or wireless. Whatever you like to call "getting teckie". This mini iPod Speaker is cute, small and charges your iPod as it plays. Comes in yellow, pink and white. Love that it is called the "iPig". Space saver, 4 speakers &15W Sub, Bass Reflex, Sound Stabilization technology for best sound quality. Compatible with iPod, iPod mini, iPod nano, iPod with color display, iPod with video,iPod touch. I especially like the remote control. $139.99. 
Wash those politician mouths out with soap and make this campaign a little cleaner! Set of 2 soaps say "Feel Good" and "Vote". Comes in a tiny 'soap box'. How appropriate! $15.
Compact and lightweight, Handpresso allows for espresso to be enjoyed anywhere. It works without electricity with four easy steps: pump handle, pour hot water, insert coffee pods, and press. Uses standard E.S.E. (easy-serving espresso) coffee pods (not included). Made of aluminum and plastic. No bulky wires or cables and saves counter space too. $129.95
Need an inexpensive, cute gift idea? Maybe an apron by Jessica Steele. Clair Steele & Helena Steele are the mother/daughter design team behind the Jessie Steele label and their designs have been featured on some TV shows and magazines lately. I found this feminine one for $32.95. Perfect for your consummate hostess or your cooking-challenged friend.
These big-eyed characters are the perfect way to convey your stuffy corporate business card with flair. "Created by artist Caia Koopman, her original characters have an alternative, rebellious and vulnerable beauty about them." Choose from Rehab Wallet Case and Knitting Card Case. Made in Los Angeles. $30 or $36. Check out the ones by Kelly Haigh too.
In 2005, Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin came out with a diet book that quickly became a phenomenon. And with a book name like "Skinny Bitch", it is easy to understand why!
With this 14-karat gold-filled "Reminder Bow" necklace. www.byboe.com. $66. They also have sterling silver for $60 and Reminder Bow earrings as well. By New York based designer Annika Salame. 212-228-4300. 
Calorie-free desserts? Cute little cupcake lip glosses are a great gift idea and a way to lighten your day. The little mini cupcake containers with flip-top lids come in a boxed set includes four sweet flavors, with one each of a Raspberry, Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry style. Great party favor too. $9.50
Smythson of Bond Street has been making personalized stationery and luxury leather goods for weddings and gifts, including bags, diaries, albums, purses, wallets and writing paper since 1887. Great idea for a monogrammed, personalized gift. This Card Case is a small leather wallet with one slim pocket and one gusseted pocket for business cards or credit cards. The cover can be silver-blocked with initials. $150.
There is a website called YOOX.COM
, which carries all sorts of art d'objects and high-end gifts. They also carry most major designers and have an International following. I love these kitschy salt/pepper grinders I saw there recently. Very fun and functional! The brand is A di Alessi, designers are Stefano Giovannoni, Rumiko Takeda and this is called "Queen Chin". $60.
