MOMA NEW YORK

I don't know of anyone who hasn't been to New York without visiting MOMA (The Museum of Modern Art, 11 West 53 Street New York). The Museum is amazing along with it's gift shop which continues to raise the bar with unique items both available in store and online. Visit http://www.momastore.org. Above are just some of the new items for 2011 on sale now.

LLADRO

I've never really been into porcelain until Have you met Miss Jones came onto the market, but I'm started to see and appreciate a new contemporary edge to this craft. Lladro which begain in 1953 in Valencia, has just launched a beautiful range called "Metropolis" at the Maison et Object in Paris. Thanks to Designboom Daily for the images. Visit http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/8/view/12989/lladro-atelier-metropolis.html or http://www.lladro.com for more information.

CANDY STRIPE CLOUD

Candy Stripe Cloud is a unique online retail store which also sells through Made590 in Newtown. They have the most gorgeous items brought in from Japan. Here are some new items I've found. Above and below are just some of the 'Garden Stake' range - now naming your herbs can be fun too!



Then there are some unique items that only you the buyer can understand and appreciate :) personal favourite the 'wooden bird wall hanger', the various very cute 'sticky tapes', the very cool 'cupcake sewing kit' and another must have the 'cloud note book'.

Then it's all about the mini items - there's a set called the 'blind set' with 10 different options to collect from one set. Below is the 'Mushroom Set' and below that is one of my favourites, if you're a fan of the "New York in a Bag" from MOMA then you will love "London in a bag" below.

For more information visit http://www.candystripecloud.com.au

GROWINGGIFTS.COM.AU

I spent a few hours this morning searching the web to find an online company that provides quality, simple and elegant condolence gifts or gift hampes. Especially as the recipient will be a man, flowers are easy for women, but for a man, flowers doesn't seem quite right especially for a colleague. After many hours I discovered Growing Gifts and I can't believe they are the only company of its kind in the whole of Australia.

Growing Gifts by Miller & Brown is a unique Australian website offering environmentally friendly gift ideas. They have eco-friendly native tree gifts, water wise succulents & feng shui plants which are perfect gifts to mark any occasion. They proudly support Greening Australia by donating 5% of the sale price of their native tree gifts to this organisation.

In addition to the standard corporate gifts they also have a baby range which is just adorable. How lovely to give some one a tree to plant and watch it grow as their child grows (see below).

For more information visit them at http://www.growinggifts.com.au/

SAKE RESTAURANT & BAR

Sake Restaurant & Bar located at 12 Argyle St in The Rocks opened quietly a couple of years ago now and has sustained itself as one of the great eateries in Sydney. The restaurant is part of the BHG group which includes Argyle, Argyle Bazar, The Cut, Lowenbrau Keller and Bavarian Bier Cafe. All venues outstanding in service, quality and consistency.


Shaun Presland, Executive Chef, formerly from BrisVegas, left his home town in 1993 and headed for Tokyo to immerse himself in the culture and food. For two years he spent night and day in a traditional Japanese Inn called Fujiya Ryokan learning the art of Sushi & Sashimi. In 1995 he returned to Sydney and worked under Hiroshi Miura and Kenji Nishinakagawa at the prestigious Unkai Restaurant in the ANA Hotel where he spent many years and hours perfecting the art to receive the honorable title of Sushi Chef. In 2000 he was invited by Justin Hemmes to create Sushi E, which we all know has been a massive hit which caught the eye of world renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa, who invited Shaun to move to the Bahamas and open Nobu Atlantis – now one of the globe’s most iconic restaurants. Then in 2009 Sake opens and Shaun naturally heads up the pack.

The food is divine and the fusion of Latin American & Japanese works so well with subtle hints of coriander, jalapeno and spices through the traditional Japanese meals. My favourite picks would have to be the following, you must try these: The Sashimi Tacos, Panko Rice Balls, steamed Prawn Dumplings, Miso-Butterfish, Popcorn Shrimp and the Kingfish Jalapeno. Visit http://www.sakerestaurant.com.au for more information

THE COLOUR PURPLE

This section is dedicated to my Sis. I can totally understand why purple is her colour - it's my colour inspiration for the day.

DOORS OF THE WORLD

Moment: Have you ever admired the beautiful doors of the world on your travels? We are looking for that ultimate piece to replace our front door, something that tells you enough about the people inside without even meeting them. The front door to your home says a lot about you or the person you are about to meet, next time stop and look at your front door? Or your neighbours - does it tell a story?

APPLES & JAM

This is adorable and gives us hope for the future.

Apples and Jam are a new age child facility located in South Melbourne. Apples and Jam take pride in teaching children that material things can have a second life. They thoughtfully capture the principles of reduce, reuse, recycle, reinvent then mix in our creative flair. Apples and Jam is for everyone who delights in naturally kidding around (that's me!) A place of laughter and discovery, their living classroom weaves planet friendly practice into creative parties and playtime. Apples and Jam sets a new standard with eco friendly practice, whilst still delivering that magical experience for children. They use recycled house materials in all our programs and beautiful decorations that don’t need to be discarded after each party. Hours of bliss spent with their children creating fairy gardens and digging for dinosaurs in sandpits. Parties at Apples and Jam feature old school favourites such as pass the parcel and exciting treasure hunts outside. They believe the first step in caring for our world is to help children understand what makes it so special. The result is an enchanting playscape where children can learn how to make mother nature smile. For more information visit them at http://www.applesandjam.com.au/index.php/home/

MEET MISS JONES AGAIN

I last blogged about Have you met Miss Jones about 2 years ago now. Since then, Jennifer Jones has grown her business dramatically (and rightly so), and has received huge media coverage. She has had a strong presence in most trade fairs and exhibitions and continues to deliver beautiful unique products to market, below are some of the new range, visit her blog and website and see for yourself - I love her products and have them all through my home http://www.haveyoumetmissjones.com.au/_blog/Have_You_Met_Miss_Jones_Blog