Creature Comforts Holiday Gift Guide: Useful Gifts

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Useful gifts may not be the razzle-dazzling darling of the gift giving world, but of any of the presents I ever receive, it is always these that I enjoy the most. A well-made useful gift won't simply be worn once for special occasions or propped on a shelf for a season...these workhorses of giftland will be put to use and appreciated year-round. Love that!

You can find all the gifts shared in the 2012 Gift Guide right here. Coming up tomorrow: Gifts for HIM!

1. 100% Wool Twist a Twill Blanket in Light Grey ($139) | 2. 100% Wool Twist a Twill Blanket in Grey ($139) | 3. Deer Tea Towel ($25) | 4. Laguiole Steak Knife Set ($59) | 5. Sailor Stripe Oven Mitt in Charcoal ($24) | 6. Galaxy Solid Brass Trivet ($105) | 7. Linen Tote in White ($65) | 8. Linen Tote in Navy ($65) | 9. Porcelain Nested Measuring Cups ($32)

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10. Wooden Magnetic Knife Rack ($75) | 11. Brass Cylinder Thermometer ($58) | 12. Enamel Prep Set / 5 bowls and 1 Colander ($98) | 13. Tea for One Brewing Set / available in 5 colors ($29) | 14. Oldham + Harper Bird Glasses - Set of 4 ($30) | 15. Pasta Machine ($110) | 16. Microplane® Soft-Handle Zester Grater / available in 7 colors ($15)

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17. United States Chalkboard Map ($168)| 18. Tablet Keyboard / available in 3 colors ($80) | 19. Leather Mouse Pad / available in 6 colors ($35 each) | 20. Forged Iron Utility Shears ($16) | 21. Vintage Style Telephone Clock ($84) | 22. iPad Sleeve in Wool Felt and Brown Leather ($64) | 23. iPad Sleeve in Wool Felt and White Leather ($64) | 24. Cliff Geometric Classic Swiss Army Knife ($24)

Color Inspiration Daily: 11. 12. 12

Autumn Peach Photographic Print by Jenn DiGuglielmo

Creature Comforts Holiday Gift Guide: 2013 Calendars

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Calendars are the ideal gift giving solution for those people on your list who are "difficult" to shop for. While it may not take you more and a few minutes to pick one out and purchase it, the amazing array of unique calendars available these days assures that your gift won't look thoughtless (just keep the kittens-dangling-from-a-tree-limb variety for another occasion). Simple as can be, yes!  Boring, no! Score!

You can find all of this week's guides right here. A full new week of guides will be launching on Monday. See you then! xo Ez

1. Leah Duncan 2013 Floral Wall Calendar ($22) | 2. 2013 Rifle Paper Co. Cities Calendar ($28) | 3. Avril Loreti 2013 Calendar Towel ($25) | 4. 2013 Geometric Calendar ($16)

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5. Aqua Retro 2013 Kitchen Tea Towel Calendar ($22) | 6. Mint 2013 Letterpress Calendar ($10) | 7. 2013 Teardrop Letterpress Calendar with Gold Foil ($10) | 8. 2013 Pale Green Wall Calendar ($27) | 9. Simplesong 2013 Kraft Calendar ($16)| 10. Hammerpress The Good Fight 2013 Letterpress Calendar ($30) / note: the image says 2012 but the calendar listing is for a 2013 calendar

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11. The Moon 2013 Wall Calendar ($36) | 12. 2013 Local / Seasonal Recipe Wall Calendar ($25) | 13. Sugar Paper Kraft / White Foil Printed Calendar ($52) |14. Russell + Hazel 2013 Tissue Calendar ($40) | 15. 2013 Stendig Calendar ($40) | 16. Bookhou Linen 2013 Wall Calendar ($20) | 17. The Made Shop 2013 Linear Calendar ($25)

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18. Marimekko Wall Calendar ($45) | 19. Snug 2013 Wall Calendar ($20) | 20. Succulet Paper Cut 2013 Wall Calendar ($40) | 21. Maple Veneer 2013 Wall Calendar ($25 each) | 22. | 23. Darling Clementine 2013 Harvest Calendar ($20) | 24. 365 Fonts / Page-A-Day 2013 Calendar ($25)

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25. 2013 Zoo Calendar ($27) | 26. Avian Friends Calendar ($13) | 27. Taro Gomi 2013 Daily Doodle Calendar ($13) | 28. Owls 2013 Wall Calendar ($20) | 29. 2013 The Calendar of Awesome / Celebrate something awesome every day ($12) | 30. Strawberryluna 2013 Sun Lion Wall Calendar ($15) | 31. 2013 Accordian, 4-Seasons Calendar ($32)

Color Inspiration Daily: 11. 09. 12

Birds of the Midwest by Emily Rickard

Creature Comforts Holiday Gift Guide: For Teens

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Oh gift shopping for teenagers! It can seem like a bit of a fool's errand at times, can't it?! You might be safer just handing them an envelope of cash...but for those brave enough to shop for the finicky teen set, I've put together a few gift picks that just might get you on the approved list (hooray). Bonus, many of these finds were approved by our in house teenage expert Miss K! Thanks for your keen eye and awesome taste lady!

If you missed any of the other gift guides that have gone up so far, you can find them all here. Up tomorrow: 2013 CALENDARS. xo Ez

1. Vestal Digichord Watch ($60 each) | 2. Dance to the Music Poster ($29) | 3. Hawk Boombox V-neck T-shirt ($25) | 4. DJ Owl T-shirt ($25) | 5. Diamond Supply Co. Diamond ID Wallet ($40) | 6. DIY Guitar Pick Punch ($25) | 7. Mini Wooden Speaker ($32) | 8. Robot Headphone Splitter $15)

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9. La Sardina Splendour Camera & Flash ($200)| 10. Custom Studded Wooden Bangle ($26 each) | 11. Removable Chalkboard Wallies ($20) | 12. Gold Bar Coin Bank ($17) | 13. Fatboy Original ($239)

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14. Type Wall Decals ($25) | 15. Sharpie Fine Markers - Set of 24 ($26) | 16. Premium Ampersand Crewneck Sweatshirt ($62) | 17. Alarm Phone Dock / phone not included ($30) | 18. May28th Watches ($39 each)

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19. Neon Je T'Aime Pendant ($44) | 20. Terrarium Pendant ($44) | 21. Neon Pop Phone Handset ($30-$40) | 22. The Wonderful World of Fifi Lapin: Style Secrets of a Furry Fashionista ($12) | 23. Cloud and Heart Washi Tape ($3-$5 each) | 24. Braided Bracelet in Sienna Slate Pink ($20) | 25. E.L.F. Bright Eyeshadow Set - 144 Colors ($15) | 26. Sparkle & Shine Bobbi Set ($25)