TAP WATER AND HELP SUPPORT UNICEF

I came across the Scaindia/Arvid designed Tap Water bottle while shopping at Sylvester & Co. General Store in Sag Harbor. Designed specifically to support UNICEF programs, for every water bottle purchased, a $2 donation will be made to the charity.  Here's the best part- for every dollar raised, a child will have clean drinking water for 40 days.

With its clever Tap Water logo, the water bottle is made of glass and is environmentally friendly.  Order one or two  ($17 each) and do something good for yourself, the environment and children in need.

ELEVATE YOUR CUP OF JOE

New York Coffee Cup, Graham Hill, 2003

My recent visit to MoMA led me, as it always does, to the Museums amazing gift shop, MoMA Store, to do a little shopping. I never leave empty handed because there always seems to be something new and inspiring.  This past visit I found a wealth of gifts (for me or to give) that followed a coffee theme.  An admitted coffee junkie, I love my morning Joe in a tall mug--I have one or two mugs that are my favorites but I am always on the lookout for something new.

My favorite gift for coffeeholic friends is the iconic New York Coffee Cup ($14.00). Living in the city, nearly every corner boasts a Greek coffee shop that gives you your morning coffee in the familiar blue cup with a Greek Key border.  Some friends (I won't say who you are) will only drink their coffee out of these paper cups, and keep a supply of them in their kitchens ready for their morning brew. Treat them to the earthenware version thats dishwasher and microwave safe.

Here are some of the best coffee cups from a rather extensive selection at MoMA.  Drink up!

The Espresso Set,  Felina Sok-Cham, 2008

This bamboo tray with six inset bamboo suacers, six porcelain cups and six stainless spoons that cleverly rest across the cups makes the perfect hostess gift. ($45.00)

I Am Not A Paper Cup,  James Burgess, 2007

Oh so clever, environmentaly friendly and priced right. ($20.00)

Two Carat Cup, Yusuke Fujiname, 2006

Add a little bling to your breakfast. ($15.00)

Java Jacket Mug, Kit Grover, 2009

This ceramic mug offers an eco-friendly alternative to paper. ($16.00)

THE PRINTERY-STYLISH STATIONARY

I'll admit it-- I'm the first to shoot off a quick email or phone call thank you to a friend for lunch or dinner, but there are certain circumstances when a handwritten letter is most appropriate. I have my boxes of personal stationary stacked in their blue boxes next to my desk and when the occassion calls, I take great pleasure in writing a thoughtful note with my beautiful stationary.

A few years ago, after the birth of my daughter, I went to The Printery in Oyster Bay to order something pretty and unique for her birth announcement. The choices were endless--a rainbow of colors and dozens of fonts left me slightly dazed. To monogram or not to monogram became the big question. I spent hours cooing over mountains of cards and at the end of the day picked the most exquisite birth announcements and personal stationary for my husband and myself. A beautiful and dainty monogram in soft pink and green for my daughter's birth announcement seemed to be the perfect choice. For myself, a crisp white card bordered in orange with a modern monogram made the cut. The envelopes are hand lined in matching orange tissue paper--they are almost too pretty to use! A nautical sea blue card with a bright yellow border fit the bill for our family personal stationary at the beach.

Its certainly worth the trip to visit The Printery in Oyster Bay but if you can't, their elegant website (iprintery) offers prepackaged invitations and notecards with summer chic seahorses, crabs and coral motifs as well as gift enclosures and beautiful Holiday cards.