2012 Calendars are here!

I know it's crazy but we already have our 2012 calendars! These make great gifts for everyone on your list (including yourself) and they sell out quickly! We love stationery and paper design so it's really tough to edit but we think we have a great assortment of sophisticated, colorful and unique designs to satisfy just about anyone! Take a look. Click here.

S'well Bottles- Cool Looking, Functional and Socially Conscientious

We just brought in the coolest water bottle around (and we know water bottles) by S'well. Founder Sarah Kauss was on a hike one day in the desert and was miserable because she was drinking luke warm water out of a reusable bottle and wondered "why isn't there a bottle that can keep my water cold? And keep my coffee hot? And why can't this bottle be elegant and beautiful, at home in the board room or hiking a trail?" And there, in that hot and uncomfortable moment, the idea for the S'well water bottle was born! And let us tell you, this is not just any water bottle! Its special technology keeps drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 12 hours. It doesn't "sweat" on your hands, bag or papers. It fits in a car holder, stroller cup and its mouth is big enough for ice cubes. It's made of high quality stainless steal so there is no plastic lining and no after taste. No, it won't do your laundry, but it is one cool looking water bottle that you will love to have and to give! The 17 oz version comes in 7 really cool colors and there is a 25 oz size that is perfect for wine for a little dinner al fresco! Even better, they donate 10% to WaterAid that helps provide clean and safe drinking water for some of the poorest countries throughout the world!

Offered in black, blue, green, pink, red, gold and silver so there are plenty of choices for your thirsty self or friends! Need a gift for that someone who really has everything? Done.

We consume way to much plastic in this country which does not biodegrade, ends up in our oceans and uses a ton of oil to be produced. So quit your plastic water bottle habit now! Give this a try. They are amazing!

And here's a fun video to watch about plastic.

Jonathan Adler. . . just love him!

We've carried Jonathan Adler since the beginning but why not talk about him again? I just love him. I love his design, his approach, his attitude, his love of pop color, retro pattern, orange and humor! His goal is to create a happy home. His motto is Happy Chic. He finds expensive items depressing because he says," it becomes too precious and what's the fun in that?" What is not too love? I listen to NPR everyday and man the news gets depressing so, I'm looking for added happiness in my life and you know Jonathan does that just perfectly. We are going to the gift show this weekend in NYC and I am always excited to see his booth. Check out all the cool interior design he's done too (below). It's just a mecca of happy Palm Beach style. You know what's also cool? He's a really nice guy. And if you really love Adler (like me) then you must check out this fabulous blog, Mrs. Lilien.

5 of Our Favorite Images from the May / June Lonny Magazine

Perusing shelter magazines is definitely one of my favorite ways to relax but I've been so busy recently that I'm way behind on checking out my favorite online mags. Lonny Magazine is a gorgeous one and I just finished looking through it. I thought I'd share some of my favorite images in no particular order. Also, our friend and very talented Grant Tankoos of Soundview Millworks was mentioned in Lonny for his nautical and equestrian inspired cheese and serving boards. They can be personalized with almost anything and are handmade in his shop in Darien, CT and they make perfect gifts.

I love this painting - the combination of the greens, blues and grays are so soothing to me. The teal glass vase and gray ceramic vase are perfect next to it.

I love hydrangeas and this dusty purple bouquet is gorgeous.

I just love Thonet Bentwood chairs. I've inherited a couple of old ones from my Grandfather. I love the "curly" detail on these chairs.

This is just a fabulous orange and green patio design! I also love it mixed with brown (our colors)! I just want to sink into that couch with a glass of wine.

I love this deep orange pagoda mirror!

Here is the Soundview Millworks mention:

Personalized Kid's Place Settings!

Ok, so I may not be able to create something beautiful out of my kid's food (see earlier post) but I certainly can "place" it on something fabulous! Check out this new line from Clairebella. There are colors and patterns for every kid and every hobby!

I don't know about you, but when I get invited to a kid's party or a baby shower, I am always at a loss at what to bring...I want to bring something unique and something I put some thought into...not just check off an item from a registry.

What little girl wouldn't love to clear their plate and see a little pink princess crown or a monkey with a pink bow in her hair?

How about the little boy that has everything? Maybe he loves tennis, or soccer or baseball? Personalize his plate with his name and an image from his favorite sport or his favorite animal, like a dinosaur? The possibilities are endless...almost.

MZ Wallace Pre-Fall and Autumn collections are here!

MZ Wallace has been our best selling handbag line yet and we still think the line looks great! We know it's hot out but the Pre-Fall and Autumn collections have arrived and if you are an MZ Wallace fan, you know the good ones go quickly and don't come back! There are so many wonderful styles to choose from. They are all easy to wear, easy to care for and well priced to boot. With many compartments inside and out for all the necessities, these are the easiest bags for us to sell. As featured in Glamour, Lucky, New York, People, Real Simple, O Magazine and Travel and Leisure, we are certain you will love these bags as much as we do! For Pre-Fall, we have a gorgeous mushroom color perfect for now and year round; the handles are a rich caramel color. Mushroom is offered in Kate and Alice. This a beautiful neutral. We also have a fun navy quilted tote called the Metro Tote. It's great for travel, for work or even for the gym. The Mia is a terrific new cross-body silhouette that is sleek and practical.

For Autumn, we fell in love with Charcoal Luster color as it reminds us of the best selling gunmetal from 2009 but even better and the Josie is an ultra chic top handle bag- we have it in a rich persimmon (and it's so hard to find a good red) and black. You'll love this style! And as always, if there is something you want and you don't see it on our site, email us at customerservice@orangeandpear.com and we'll do our best to get it for you!

You'll will never see me doing this for my children!

Yes, I admit I obsess over lunches sometimes- making sure I have a decent sandwich, a vegetable and a fruit. I also try very hard to use "Easy lunch boxes", lunch bots, or lunch skins (reusable sandwich bags) which can take precious time in the morning to find all the right tops and bottoms but you will never see me create a sculpture out of my children's lunch! I love bento boxes but look at these ridiculous creations. No, I will not be making a cow out of ball of rice, or bunny ears with a jelly sandwich or cheese flowers or tulip carrots or ham peonies or cat whiskers out of celery! Really? Who has time for this? I'm the kind of mom that rolls out of bed 45 minutes before we leave the house (20 minutes before sometimes). I'd have to get up 2 hours earlier to make these creations! Maybe, on a good day, if I'm feeling nice, I might cut off my kids crust or make a heart out of sandwich but that is where I stop! Really, are there moms out there who do this?