Mother’s Day is May 11th.

Mother’s do so much for their children and they get one day out of the year (other than their birthday) to be treated extra special, so make it count!

Mable’s has hand picked many unique Mother’s Day gifts that will make mom remember you are her favorite child and those other children must be adopted. OK, so maybe that’ll only work on my mom, but we are sure that if you pick a unique gift she will remember it when your birthday rolls around.

Perfect Gift Tip: If you really want to give a unique Mothers Day present that will be remembered and cherished, go to mom for advice! Give her a call and just listen. Chances are, your mom will give you lots of clues about the things that she wants more of in her life. With that info, you’ll find a Mothers Day gift idea that’s just perfect for her.

Posted by Sean in Unique
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Hammacher Schlemmer just released their new product catalog for Spring 2008 and it’s got lots of people in a tizzy due to it’s sheer awesomeness. For those of us no longer using outdated technology like a printed catalog need to visit their site out for the sweet items.

Inside the catalog, i-Sobot stands out from the crowd since being recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as “The smallest humanoid robot in production” and Hammacher has it at the lowest price available online. Watch the video on their site to get a taste of the robot’s impressive skills like a 200 word vocabulary, 180 programmed movements, and witty responses to verbal commands.

On the more extravagant side of the spectrum is a - perfect for summer - Single-seat Water Cycle, priced at a whopping $2,999. Basically it is a recumbent bicycle strapped to a funky kayak that can go up to 7 MPH (as fast as an Olympic swimmer, and faster than most paddle boats), as well as a lifetime guarantee from Hammacher. Get yourself in a tizzy.

Posted by Sean in Unique, Fun
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Today most people will examine their personal “footprint” on Earth, looking for ways to become more sustainable. But why limit our efforts to just one day? This planet is ours to enjoy, but we’re responsible for protecting it as well. That’s why we love the green slogan Earth Day is Everyday: it reminds us to cultivate concern for “the environment” (you know, that things we’re all living in) every single day.

Mable’s has green gifts all year in our Eco-Friendly Gifts category. We are consistently looking for new green gifts to add to these categories as all of our products are hand picked.

• Eco Living
• Eco Home
• Recycled Gifts
• Organic Clothes
• Plants & Gardening

Mable’s looks for gifts that use sustainable materials, recycled materials, organically grown materials, were fairly traded, reusable, and hopefully come from a factory that uses sustainable energy.

We also just added some BioDiesel Kits to easily convert your diesel engine to run off a more sustainable and cleaner burning fuel, vegetable oil. I’d be all over this kit, but I haven’t found a diesel powered scooter… yet. I guess my 80 MPG gas scooter will do until then.

Posted by Sean in Unique, Green Living
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It was only a few days ago we were saying how cool it would be if Threadless reprinted the Staby McKnife design so we could get one. They must have read our minds, because we soon received their newsletter with another opportunity to purchase this friendly knife. W00t for reprints!

Also just announced is the 2007 Bestee Award Winners where you can view the designs of the year, best collaboration designs, groundbreaking design of the year, best use of one color, and more.

Although our friend Staby McKnife didn’t win any awards, another reprint did win Slogan of the Year. Get it while it’s hot.

Posted by Sean in Unique, Clothing and Accessories
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Blik Surface Graphics provides awesome designs that we can easily affix to our walls, tables, mirrors, and other flat surfaces. Plus they are easily removable so it doesn’t ruin the surface it was once adhered to. They have many different designs to fit many decor styles, but I’m a big fan of bringing nature into our homes. My favorite nature inspired graphics is the 7.00 Wall Graphic which comes with seperate branches, branch nodes, leaves, and birds so you can arrange it all however you like. I really appreciate the modular setup Blik has with their wall stickers so the customer has more creative freedom with their decor. Buy some for your own place, or send them as a gift, either way they will surely bring a smile to those who get to enjoy them daily.

Other nature inspired wall stickers by Blik:

Flying Birds

Undersea Theme

Retro Googie Nature

Posted by Sean in So Pretty, Household, Unique
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Get utilitarian style with this handy USB and Firewire enabled Medusa hub. Comes with 4 USB ports, 2 Firewire ports a personal fan and LED light.
$79.99

The USB Aromatherapy Oil Burner comes with Rose oil which is known for its antidepressant and aphrodisiac qualities. Simply plug in the USB stick to your computer, place a drop of your preferred scent on the X and begin associating your computer time with different scents.
$5.99

Save music, movies, or even an entire OS in this 2.0GB Shiny Metal Capsule. Style, well thought out design, and lots of space are the main draws to this USB device.
$27.99

Posted by Sean in Unique, Gadgets
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For those with money to burn, or my fellow window shoppers, I invite you all to check out these extraordinary gift ideas. Almost everyone has wanted a full size arcade unit in their home at one point, but who can pick just one arcade game to have? How about a full size 100 game arcade system in one arcade cabinet? Enjoy arcade classics such as Ghosts and Goblins, Centipede, Mega Man, Asteroids, Street Fighter II, and more. Is your inner classic video game nerd drooling as much as mine?
$3,695.95

This is THE Largest Swiss Army Knife in the world, holder of the Guinness World Record for The Most Multifunctional Penknife, with 87 precision-engineered tools spanning 112 functions. What are those 112 functions? Well here are a few of the more extraordinary functions: a bicycle chain rivet setter, signal whistle, 12/20-gauge shotgun choke tube tool, combination fish scaler, hook di sgorger, and line guide tool, cigar-cutting scissors, laser pointer, tire-tread gauge, and more.
$1,199.95

Posted by Sean in Splurge, Unique
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Searching for an easy gift that is unique and stylish? Check out the daily artist submitted designs over at UneeTee. These designer t-shirts don’t cost a lot and they are printed on American Apparel brand shirts for their eco-friendliness and USA manufactured quality.

Hot Tip: Make your decision quickly as these t-shirt and hoodie designs sell out quick!

My personal pick would be this Amazing Childhood design for it’s brightness and fun outdoor activities. Don’t you wish you could just spend the day on a swing set, or playing freeze tag with your friends? I do.

Posted by Sean in Unique, Clothing and Accessories
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Just last night I stood impatiently at the local Target Photo Center to get my digital photo prints and I asked myself “Why aren’t I at home in my comfortable pajamas doing this online? It’s probably cheaper too.” Guess what? It is cheaper, plus if this is your first time ordering, with the right timing, you can get your first 10-20 prints free.

If you’re like us you accumulate some good pictures from your handy digital camera throughout the year. Well now half the work of sending out photos, or creating some quick and easy gifts is already done. With just a handful of pictures you can create a 2008 calendar (the recipient would have to remember your birthday), photo books (great for long distance relatives), mugs, stationary, mouse pads, puzzles, and more. You know, the classic customizable products. All this can be done in a few minutes, resulting in quality gifts getting shipped directly to your gift recipient and you never had to leave the house. Double Gift Score!

Snapfish - Has some great gift options at low prices. They claim to be #1 and you get 20 free prints when you first sign up. FREE upgrade to Expedited Shipping at Snapfish! Select standard shipping upon checkout. (free upgrade valid 12/18 only)

SmugMug.com - More focused on photo sharing, and organizing, but has just as many options to print photos to gifts. This is a site for the photographer, amateur or pro, it’s a definite crowd pleaser.

Wallhogs - These guys are for your bigger wall covering posters, canvas prints, and vinyl. I’m talking up to 7 feet long removable vinyl wall decorations from one of your awesome photos! That’s a gift!

Posted by Sean in Unique
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It’s been a couple years or so now since we’ve been thinking how nice it would be to be able to turn any digital image into a wall decal. You can decorate your walls with literally any design of your own or, what seems to be fairly popular, get a near life size cutout of your child enjoying their favorite activity. Being able to display your favorite scenic picture you actually took yourself on your one trip out of this county up to 7 feet wide on your bedroom wall also crosses our minds as we think of the awesome possibilities Wallhogs can provide.

Printing options include the removable, reusable vinyl, glossy poster, or quality canvas. There is no minimum order, so you don’t have to order a bunch, and they encourage using your own photos although you can browse through what they offer as well.

Sarcasm alert. If you’re influenced by popular culture and the general census, then you’ll feel comfortable knowing bands and celebrities such as Gwen Stefani, Social Distortion, Offspring, and more are partnering with Wallhogs to let you put their logo/image on your wall to view everyday!

This could also make a great gift for the holidays by getting a life size removable vinyl decal of a new bike for your kid and set it up in their bedroom before they wake x-mas morning. Then film the results, put it on YouTube and send a link to the entire family. You might want to actually have the real bike waiting in the next room though. Maybe save money this holiday season on traveling by taking a family photo and send it to Grandma so she can put it on her wall instead of flying across the country. These are all viable options I’d like to officially suggest. If you have any official suggestions of your own please leave a comment as I’d like to know more. Check out their user submissions for more ideas.

Posted by Sean in Household, Unique, Fun
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Remember the 8-bit days of running and jumping from left to right and trying to avoid those carnivorous plants that arose from sewer pipes? Yeah me too. I was a rough life. Well fast forward 2 decades or so and now we are dealing with wireless controllers with like 8x more buttons and visual effects that we swear look totally real. If you or someone you know likes to reminisce of the simple 8-bit days then this pixelated style clip-on tie, dubbed The 8-Bit Tie, is a unique gift sure to be enjoyed. It has a silk-like feel, and each one is handmade for that special touch. Wear it with a button up, regular t-shirt, or snap it on your dog, where ever it goes it screams video game nostalgia and lets others know you are an old school techie fan.

For other novel ties with a techie flair check out ThinkGeek’s “Ties Suck” Tie and their Power Tie.

Posted by Sean in Nerd, Unique, Clothing and Accessories
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Fresh retro inspired designs are a favorite here at Mable’s and Design Public carries desirable decor year round. Right now they are having their Design Public Outlet - 20% to 40% off Sale. 1 week only, it’s already mid-week and some products have already sold out. Oh no!

Design Public excels in their selection of designer bedding, wall art, and furniture. Most of the items in their outlet sale are returns from their main store, which usually means they are just opened boxes they can’t sell at the regular price. Score for us! Visit the Design Public Outlet before it’s too late.

Added Bonus: If you are in the US, and your order is over $50 you get free shipping as well.

Posted by Sean in Sale, Household, Unique
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My fingers, wrists, and shoulders are on fire from all the website coding that I’ve been doing lately, but before they expire they have an important message for you straight from Japan: “Karoshi: be careful not to work too hard.” The Japanese are very industrious and hardworking. In fact they can work so hard that there’s a word for “death from overwork”: karoshi.

Another “Wacky Japanese” gem is the conversation starting “Looking for a Japanese Girlfriend” shirt. The literal translation is more like “Now accepting applications for a Japanese girlfriend”, but any potential Japanese ladies attracted by your shirt are probably going to know that. Available as a hoodie as well.

A lot of people seem to be attracted to one or more cultures that aren’t their own, and these shirts seem like perfect gift ideas for the Japanese culture obsessed gaijins (foreigners) in your life.

$17.95-18.49

Posted by Lauren in Unique, Clothing and Accessories
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It’s difficult in today’s world to find useful products at decent prices that are recyclable, animal friendly, sweatshop-free, environmentally friendly, and from a store you’d actually want to give your money to. Reason #3774 the Internet is great is that people can create stores like The Stanley Family Lodge. They encompass all those beliefs while supporting independent artists so we know where our money is going.

The Stanley Family Lodge is a type of online shop we’d like to see more of; where you can find useful and creative items from artists around the world all in one place. Keep up the good work!

The products pictured above include reclaimed fabric turned into a beautiful retro style apron and a trixiedelicious abandoned plate given new life with some artwork and heat bonded so it’s ready for daily use.

Posted by Sean in Indie, Unique, Clothing and Accessories, Green Living
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Mable’s has always been a fan of unique purses and handbags and Loop NYC (aka Loop Design) has some great ideas when it comes to style and individuality in a handbag. Throughout the years Loop NYC bags have been seen on many celebrities, cycled through a ton of collections, and continues to gain popularity with their ever changing stock that’s “inspired by the grooves and rhythms of New York City.”

Where to get bags by Loop NYC:
Mable’s: Our Loop NYC page has been updated throughout the years and shows past styles as well as new. Be sure to also check out our unique purses page for more fun styles.

Zappos: Get free shipping on your new Loop Design handbag when you purchase from Zappos. Check out their awesome selection of Loop Design bags now.

KarmaLoop: One of the best sellers over at KarmaLoop is the Purple Flowers Tote from the Warhol Collection. Be sure to use Coupon Code “STAR” to receive $5 off your purchase of $35 or more.

eBay: The auctions below are ending soon, so act fast.
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Posted by Sean in Unique, Clothing and Accessories
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