A Handmade Holiday for Him ... Happy Shopping For You

Finding that "just right" gift for the hard to buy for man in your life has driven more than one of us to drown our despair in a Nathan's Famous, a Cinnabon and Auntie Annies in one sitting at the mall food court.  This year let The {NewNew} guide to shopping lead you (and your waistline) to a better way.  The Handmade and Happy way.  The designers of The {NewNew} have plenty of fabulous ideas for the men in your life:

• Is your guy one who dresses for success?  Why not get him a set of cuff links.  Choose from several styles offered by GlassHouseJewlery,  LuisFernando, SaruStar, Metalicious and WabisabiBrooklyn.  Is he a suit and tie kind of guy that does not like to get lost  in the crowd? Visit JesSwitaj for some breakthrough tie designs.
• Do you have to fight to get your fair share of the bathroom every morning?  Then I'm betting your man will appreciate on of the scrumptious bars of soap crafted by hand by NordeaSoaperie or Ayelet17.
• Does your Joe love his morning Joe?  Then LennyMud is the place for you, coffee mugs and travel mugs with a unique twist.  Is he goes in for something a little, well, eye opening let's say check out the fantastic flasks that Citybitz has to offer.  While you're there you'll want to take a look at their money clips and card cases too.
• If you are looking for a gift for that man who fancies himself the next Hemingway, you can find a nice selection of journals from PriaVanda, CardsInStitches, JournalisticTendency,and BlueStitchBooks. 
• T-Shirts are a guys best friend.  Seriously, can they every have enough? I think not!  Find some of the best designs from members of The {NewNew} -- KimmChi, JesSwitaj and MamaRobot.  And for that little man in your life check out the T's from PlaygroundRockstar.  
• Keep him warm this winter with a gift as hot as he is!  Hats from RocksAndSalt, BShorr, EllisDesign, and scarves from KnittingGuru, UndergroundCrafter and KimmChi will do the trick.
• Still not sure what to get him?  Ardent1 has a great selection of sterling silver rings and pendants. Metalicious and WishByFelicity have terrific jewelry for men as well.  DeborahJulian has New York Yankee and Mets holiday ornaments for that sports fan.  Find pillows that speak for themselves and are perfect for his man cave at AlexandraFerguson.

Visit the Etsy Treasury for details on each of these items

So even when it comes to shopping for those persnikity fellows - you can avoid the holiday crush of the mall and the shopping despair that drives you straight to the food court.
Have a Happy Handmade Holiday!

Men's or Unisex Shopping: Neckwear Edition

This morning when my boyfriend and I met at the door to go out, coincidentally we were both wearing jeans with matching grey sweaters. Given the limited closet space in our NYC apartment, combined with the fact that the "one-for-you, one-for-me" shopping style is something I struggle to resist, unisex shopping seemed particularly appealing today. So this month check out my posts that are perfect for him or her (or me).

Today's edition is devoted to adorning the gender neutral neck!

Winterizing the wardrobe can be particularly macho with the addition of chains (your car tires get them!) by shutterkate. Pay no attention to the dress on the model. :)

For dressing up, there are ties for both serious and whimsical occasions. Brush up on your fancy knots while putting on these by luckx4, ikyoto and another hit by shutterkate.

Often the difference between a women's necklace and a men's necklace is only the weight of the chain. Switch it out for something heavier on these choices from Sarah Kathleen Warner, Salt and Paper, and Metal Sugar.


Finally, if your interest in men's neckwear is more academic, check out this illustration from Allene La Spina for a fun history lesson.

~Ikyoto
http://ikyoto.etsy.com

Father's Day is almost here

I’m not sure whether it’s simply the male DNA to blame, or some chemical/biological change that occurred the moment he became a father, but either way, my dad is impossible to shop for. He doesn't want for new clothes (still wearing t-shirts from well before I was born), has no hobbies really (unless you consider his clarinet playing, but he does that professionally so it doesn’t count), and is generally pretty content with the stuff he already owns.

So what to buy the man who doesn’t want or need anything? Well, he already has a lamp made from an old clarinet - seriously - so anything from the likes of Yours truly is out the window.

I looked to my fellow New New’ers for ideas, and here are some of my faves…

A new tie from ikyoto


Message to dad: Stop wearing those awful clarinet ties! They are even dorkier than a piano tie, and most people wouldn’t have even thought that was possible. Now THIS is a tie! I have no idea what the text on it might say, but as a tie, it practically screams “I am the coolest dad ever!”

Cuff Links from wabisabi brooklyn


French cuffed shirts are a classic, classy look; it’s too bad more men don’t wear them. These super cool cuff links are a perfect gift for a new dad who needs some subtle fashion advice. Unfortunately my dad is too far gone.

Nice soap from Kopah


I know for a fact that dad’s appreciate a nice, handmade soap. My grandparents were visiting this one time, and there just happened to be some goat’s milk soap that my mom had picked up at a craft event in the shower they were using, and my gramps went ga-ga over it. Help your dad ditch the Irish Spring and broaden his hygiene horizons (my dad’s name his Gene, insert pun there).

And don’t forget the card...from waisze


Or if you’re like me, it might be all about the card. Because he is, as I said, impossible to shop for, and as homage to the fact that I am truly my father’s daughter (read: I am cheap, and I learned it from watching you dad), I have been known to acknowledge Father’s Day with nothing more than a thoughtful card and a timely phone call. And you know what, I’m still his favorite daughter.

-Yours Truly

Gifts for the Groomsmen

As much of an honor as it is to be asked to be a member of a wedding party, it can also involve a good deal of work and financial outlay on the part of those who agree to be groomsmen, especially the best man. While it's easy to lose sight of in the midst of wedding planning chaos, it's important to find a token of your appreciation for the friends and family members who help to make your wedding day special.

Here are a few finds from among the Etsy shops of The {New New} team. Any one of these is a thoughtful way to let your groomsmen know you are thankful for all their help.


Evaporation Tie from ikyoto.


Money clip from citybitz.


Fused glass cuff links from glass house jewelry.


Graffiti swirl t-shirt from KimmChi.

Business Card Holder from citybitz.


Space Invaders Notebook from Air Raid Design.

-MaryAnne
wabisabibrooklyn.etsy.com

The {New New} Bath & Beauty Shops

For more Accessories from the Metro New York area - search: newnewteam, bath and body on Etsy

Oonagh Naturals - I started creating these products for my personal use when I couldn't find commercial products that satisfied me. It seemed like all the so-called natural products for sale at Whole Foods or my local health store still contained plenty of chemicals. Did you know, for example, that "emulsifying wax" is not wax at all, but actually contains sodium dodecyl sulfate or polysorbates? Don't get me started... Anyhow, after becoming really frustrated trying to find wholesome personal care products for my family, I decided I'd simply start making them. And that's how Oonagh was started.


PureSpa2 - Pure Spa Squared was born of a constant need to find new lotions & potions for my skin. As soon as I found one I loved, it was either discontinued or the formula changed.

I am offering things that I love in hopes that you will love them too. I believe in natural or near products. So everything here is as close to nature as I can get it without sacrificing quality.


Nordea Soaperie - Handmade soap is a special treat that I want to share with you. I make all of my soaps in small batches w/lots of attention to detail.

Soapmaking is about using specific ingredients to create a unique, handcrafted product.....it's about finding the perfect balance. Soap should clean, but not overly dry out your skin.

My preferred method of soapmaking is hot process. I find that I have more freedom and greater control of the resulting soap. I especially love being able to add special oils and additives that takes my soap to the next level! Handcrafted soap is about taking the best of what nature has to offer, and putting it into a bar for your bathing pleasure! Enjoy your shower!