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Gift Ideas

The GH Wishlist: Uncommon Goods

The Geeky Hostess will be posting her holiday wishlists at some of her favorite online shops over the next week. Use them as a guide to creating your own holiday wish list or find the perfect gift for the geeky host(ess) in your life!

Uncommon Goods is a newer find for me. They have collection of host(ess) gifts and home decor, and it’s all different enough to be cool, but not geeky enough to scare some of the friends and family away. See what made my wishlist from the site:


Distortion Candlesticks, $24.00.
Candlesticks make every dinner party a bit more complete, and these ones will be perfect for those Willy Wonka/Mad Hatter/Salvador Dali parties.


Sneaker Customization Kit, $45.00.
Now I can make my own geeky shoes/sneakers!


Index Cutting Boards, $80.00.
These cutting boards will always be handy in their stainless steel case, and you’ll be able to make sure your food is safe (and vegetarian-friendly) with indexed boards for raw meat, seafood, cooked food, and veggies.


Rainbow Hors D’oeuvres Set, $44.00.
This hors d’oeuvres set displays your treats in an easy, accessible, and classy way. Mini cake pops and truffles would look fantastic here!


Theory of Relativity Kindle Case, $50.00.
When I carry my Kindle around in this baby, people are going to think I’m doing something way more intelligent than reading Tina Fey’s Bossypants. The case is also available for an iPad 2 for $70.00.

What I’m Giving:

I Can’t Sleep Journal, $16.00.
My friends are known for coming up with great ideas. And luckily, most of them act on them and create some really neat projects. This journal would be perfect for them to have on their bedside for when those late-night ideas strike.

Pick up something for your uncommon friends at Uncommongoods.com.

Gift Ideas

The GH Wishlist: Mod Cloth

The Geeky Hostess will be posting her holiday wishlists at some of her favorite online shops over the next week. Use them as a guide to creating your own holiday wish list or find the perfect gift for the geeky host(ess) in your life!

I’ve known Mod Cloth as a “site that sells cute dresses” for a long time, but have just discovered that they sell home goods as well. And, oh man, are they cute. Here are some of my faves:


Ro-bottler Opener, $16.99.
This makes me giggle every time I see it, and would certainly make opening bottles more enjoyable. Bonus: His mouth works as a bottle cap opener!


Mustache Baking Mold, $14.99.
This would make the perfect cake, ice sculpture, and gelatin mold for manly parties.


Marks the Plot Coaster Set, $24.99.
We’ve been looking for new coasters, and I think these ones are awesome. They would serve as an ice breaker and way to remember which drink is yours! (Plus, you’ll look extra classy.)


Ice Age Tray, $9.99.
Dino ice cubes will class up any drink! Bonus: This could also be used to make chocolates!


Jaws of Cooking Oven Mitt, $17.99.
This is ridiculous. No other reason needed.

What I’m Giving:

Galaxy Socks, $11.99.
These cute socks will be loved by all of my sciency friends!

Check out ModCloth.com for all this and more. Order by 12/17 and you’ll get free shipping with orders of $75 or more!

Gift Ideas

The GH Wishlist: Vat19

The Geeky Hostess will be posting her holiday wishlists at some of her favorite online shops over the next week. Use them as a guide to creating your own holiday wish list or find the perfect gift for the geeky host(ess) in your life!

Vat 19 claims to be “Purveyors of Curiously Awesome Products,” and that they are. Between their fun products and awesome marketing videos, I’m in love. Here are a few items from them that have made my wishlist:


PAC-MAN Pot Holder, $14.99.
It’s geeky, it’s a pot holder, it’s dishwasher safe, and it has an awesome embossed inside to keep your grip. One please.


Ice Cream Scoop and Stack, $15.99.
The scoop and stack allows you to make really nice, neat cylindrical scoops of ice scream. This makes desserts look extra neat, and allows you to meld multiple flavors of ice cream together into one cylindrical dessert. Nifty!


Cooking Guide Apron, $24.99.
It happens often that I’ll be in the middle of cooking and will need to run out to look something up online. With this apron, I’d have tons of kitchen tips at hand! The apron includes a glossary, measurement index, average cooking times, and tips on how to best prepare food. Plus, it’s all written upside down so you can grab it and reference it easily!


Skeleton Key Bottle Opener, $9.99.
You’ve already learned I love skeleton keys, so this bottle opener key chain would be perfect for me. It’s cute and functional!


Giant Gummy Bear on a Stick, $9.99-$11.99.
You can’t make a purchase off of Vat19 and NOT order some sort of giant gummy candy, can you? Didn’t think so.

What I’m Giving:

Flying Wish Paper, $8.99-$14.99.
I think this would make a fantastic New Year’s Eve gift/activity. Make your wish as the clock is about to strike midnight, and watch it drift away!

Gift Ideas

The GH Wishlist: Kate Spade

The Geeky Hostess will be posting her holiday wishlists at some of her favorite online shops over the next week. Use them as a guide to creating your own holiday wish list or find the perfect gift for the geeky host(ess) in your life!

The best possible way to describe Kate Spade is adorkable. The brand is bright, stylish yet quirky, and impeccably packaged. I walked into a Kate Spade store last week and was whisked into a dream world where I was rich and could afford to buy multiple bags and cute dresses on a whim. Unfortunately, I’m not rich and left empty handed. But a girl can dream! Here are a few of her less expensive but totally drool worthy items:


Mini Cluster Ring, $38.
Card shark? This spade ring will be the perfect thing to wear to your next game night. (True story, it took me a while to realize there were spades on everything because it’s in the name of the brand. I just thought they had a favorite suit.)


Importance of Being Earnest Book Clutch, $325.
“I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train.” This clutch could fit a small diary and your other essentials while being a great literary conversation starter. Also available in “Romeo and Juliet,” “A Tale of Two Cities,” and “Emma.”


His and Hers glasses, $50.
These aren’t geeky, but I still think they’re awesome. Perfect for those stay-inside-and-be-cozy date nights.


Ace Up Your Sleeve Idiom Bangle, $48.
Although it looks simple from the outside, this bracelet has a secret. I think wearing it would remind me of the figurative aces I have up my sleeve and give me a boost of confidence. Or, you know, it might just be a pretty bracelet.


Air Quote Mittens, $65.
I could up my sarcasm level with these air quote mittens, which I’m sure everyone would totally appreciate. Quotation marks not your thing? I’m also loving the “Hi 5” Mittens.

What I’m Giving:

This Is The Year Idiom Bangle, $58
Get your girlfriends off to a good start for the new year with this bangle. The inside says “This is the Year to…” and the outside says “play your cards right, lose yourself in a good book, add a twist, make sparks fly”. What a fun reminder!

Check out KateSpade.com for these gifts and more!

Gift Ideas

The GH Wishlist: Fred Flare

The Geeky Hostess will be posting her holiday wishlists at some of her favorite online shops over the next week. Use them as a guide to creating your own holiday wish list or find the perfect gift for the geeky host(ess) in your life!

I discovered Fred Flare about a year ago, and have enjoyed checking up on all of their newest goodies ever since. Below are some of my favorite items currently in stock, and bonus: many would make perfect stocking stuffers!


Tea Rex, $14.
Nothing would cheer me up more than seeing a cute lil dinosaur floating in my tea cup.


Lock and Key Barrettes, $14.
I love skeleton keys, and think these barrettes are a great mix of cutesy, feminine, and steampunk.


Cupcake Notepad, $9.
True story: As I was surfing the site, I thought to myself “If only they had a cupcake notepad.” This appeared. It was meant to be.

Speaking of cupcakes…

Cupcake Pillow, $32.
I mean, how can you not. Seriously.


Forget Me Knot Ring, $58
This ring is a staple of Fred Flare’s. It’s a cute gift to give a significant other or to buy yourself. I’d wear it whenever I have something important to remember.

What I’m Giving:

Nice Jewish Guys Calendar, $16
My single friends will get a kick out of getting a gift their mothers would approve of.

Found some stuff you like? Find these gifts and more at FredFlare.com. Fred Flare will give you free shipping on orders over $100 with the code “bicycle”. Get to it!

Fun Food

Favorite Holiday Treat: Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes

International Delights approached me about creating a post and recipe around one of my favorite holiday treats.

While thinking about holiday goodies, I was instantly transported back to Christmas mornings as a kid. The presents were open, the initial sugar rush from the stocking was starting to wear off, and I was digging into a warm, gooey cinnamon roll. Every time I walk past Cinnabon I’m reminded of Christmas. So this year when I’m requested to bring some cupcakes down to my family, I’ll be making these cinnamon roll-inspired goodies.

Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes

Ingredients:

1 box yellow cake mix (I used Betty Crocker’s Super Moist Yellow)

Ingredients as listed on the back of the cake mix box (mine included:

1 1/4 cups water

1/3 cup vegetable oil

3 eggs)

1 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat oven as specified on the cake mix box (mine was 350 degrees).

Mix together cake mix ingredients.

Fill lined cupcake tins 1/3 of the way with cake mix.

Combine brown sugar and cinnamon together. Sprinkle some above each partially filled cupcake tin, just covering the mix.

Add more cake mix in, filling 2/3 of the way.

Pour more of the brown sugar/cinnamon mixture on top. With a butter knife, swirl the sugar on top.

Bake as directed on the cake mix box (mine was 18-23 minutes), or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Cool completely.

Pour glaze on top and serve!

Cinnamon Roll Glaze

Ingredients:

2 TBS International Delight’s Cinnabon flavored coffee creamer (this stuff is like liquid Cinnabons. It’ll give your glaze a more well-rounded cinnamon roll taste)

1 cup powdered sugar

Dash of cinnamon

Directions:

Whisk together all ingredients until glaze is smooth and slightly thick. Add more powdered sugar to increase thickness, and add more cinnamon to taste.

Using a spoon, gently pour glaze over cooled cupcakes. Enjoy!

These cupcakes turned out like a light, fluffy version of a cinnamon roll or coffee cake. It makes a great morning treat with a cup of coffee and some fruit!

Feeling inspired? Tell International Delight what your favorite holiday treat is for a chance to win a $200 Walmart gift card.

Capture the flavors of the holidays in every cup of coffee with International Delight Creamers. Available in a variety of flavors, such as, Pumpkin Pie Spice, Vanilla Spiced Rum and White Chocolate Raspberry.

TellTeTeTell International Delight what your favorite holiday treat is for a chance to win a $200 Walmart Gift Card.
Capture the flavors of the holiday’s in every cup of coffee with International Delight creamers. Available in a variety of flavors, such as Cinnabon, Almond Joy and Pumpkin Spice, International Delight can make everyday feel like a holiday.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of International Delight.  The opinions expressed by me do not necessarily reflect the view of the International Delight Brand.

Gift Ideas

It’s Cyber Monday!

Tons of great online stores are having some awesome sales today. Check out the deals and buy a little something for yourself or someone off your gift list!

Geek Chic Cosmetics has everything on sale for 30% off, plus free shipping and additional goodies for orders over $50.

Global Giving will provide you a gift with a donation to specific charities. How cool is that?

JapanLA is giving away a free DateMate, t-shirt, and more with minimum purchases of $30.

Marvel is helping you save 30% off of an annual subscription to its digital comics with code CYBER11.

Microsoft has an XBOX 360 w/ Kinect for $100 off and free shipping.

SCOTTEVEST has 9 of its items on sale for 30% off.

Think Geek is offering Free Shipping with no minimum purchase with code CYBERMONDAY.

Top Shelf has all of its comics on sale for 30% off with code CYBERTSP.

Know of another great deal? Leave it in the comments!

Entertaining, Fun Food

Party Bear: Part Gummy Bear, Part Punch Bowl

Vat19 has made something you never thought you’d need (and probably still don’t): A 26 pound gummy bear with a 32 ounce bowl for a stomach.

Keep it in mind for all of your holiday entertaining needs. Because who doesn’t want to have punch out of a gummy bear?

26 pound gummy bear, $200 at Vat19.com.

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