A shopping blog of cool gift ideas

It's one thing to send flowers and it's another to send Todd Oldham-designed mini roses. Just in time for Independence Day, the design guru has whipped up a pair of patriotic plants in coordinating stars and stripes.

Each plant comes in a lightweight take-out style box for easy delivery and decorating. It's a quick and thoughtful gift for any backyard hostess or summer housewarming.

Todd Oldham Stars & Stripes Mini Rose Set starting at $49.99

There's nothing worse than a bad makeup job, especially if it's a bad makeup job on your wedding day. Luckily, Bobbi Brown has come up with this amazing Bridal Kit to avoid any disastrous beauty mishaps.

This all-in-one cosmetic set comes with everything the bride will need to look natural and gorgeous on her big day and beyond. The sleek white case contains makeup suitable for all skin types, with neutral eye shadow, a pink lip gloss and a smudge-free mascara, for those tearful moments. Which means it's not only perfect for a bridal shower, but it also makes a lovely bridesmaids gift.

Bridal Kit starting at $75.00

Right now every girl across the country is asking herself one thing: What am I going to wear to see Sex and the City: the Movie? Silly? Perhaps. But diehard SATC fans have been waiting four years for the show to hit the big screen. If you have a BFF who's dying to know whether Carrie marries Big or if Samantha has finally settled down, whet her appetite with these inspired gifts.

If she's the Carrie of the group, she'll love bringing back the nameplate yet again with a Personalized Script Name Necklace made just for her.

Every true fan needs her own hand-painted martini glass for—what else?—cosmos. This shopaholic one is perfect for Manolo addicts.

If you can't afford to get her Jimmy Choos, these fabulous (and more affordable) triple-strap pumps are sure to turn heads.

Not everyone has a Magnolia Bakery right around the corner. But assorted dozen cupcakes from Mrs. Beasleys should more than suffice.

Now all she needs is her very own Mr. Big. 

My life in the city is pretty hectic. Between a full-time job, catching a show when I can, going to dinner parties, meeting girlfriends for happy hour, and squeezing in the rare workout, there's not much time left to find a quiet spot and just sit. That's why I love the idea of this Lands End Picnic Wine Basket — it encourages people to escape the insanity and head to the park or even out to the country for a relaxing afternoon.

With four china plates, four goblets, cloth napkins and a tablecloth, two insulated bags (one for wine and one for cheese and fruit), and a stainless steel service set for four, the picnic wine basket has all the trappings for a perfect day in the park with close friends or loved ones. A perfect anniversary or birthday gift!

Lands' End Picnic Wine Basket starting at $299

Tick tock, tick tock.  Mother’s Day is just hours away!  Whether you are a procrastinator or simply forgot that Mother’s Day is this Sunday, the Gift Gurus can offer you one final lifeline.  Order a gorgeous bouquet from 1-800-Flowers by Friday noon EST and have it delivered to your mom just in time.  She’ll love this pretty Sorbet Bouquet presented in a stylish clear vase wrapped in a tea leaf.

While you are at it, make sure to check out their Martha Stewart Collection and schedule delivery for all those birthdays, anniversaries and thank yous that always seem to slip your mind.

Over the flower thing?  Here are more fabulous gifts you can still order by noon EST on Friday and get to Mom in time:

• For Caffeinated Mom:  She’ll love drinking her morning cup of joe from this Wicked Cool Mom Mug.
  
• For Sentimental Mom:  Let her keep loved ones close to her heart with this Mom Heart Locket.
• For Chocoholic Mom:  Satisfy her sweet tooth with this decadent Chocolate Mousse Torte.
• For Impossible-to-Please Mom:  Let her decide exactly what she wants with the Gifts.com Gift Card. 

My parents knew better than to order me one of those bulky class rings. And I imagine someone likely to be voted Best Dressed Girl on Campus wouldn't dare slip one on her finger either. That's why I'd get her this brilliantly quirky Hand Made Black Rose Sterling Silver Fashion Ring instead. The bold knuckle-duster is right on trend (the bigger the better). Plus it's adjustable, so you don't even have to know her ring size.

So whether your Trendanista is graduating from high school or college or just wants a fun new bauble, this bud's for her!

Hand Made Black Rose Sterling Silver Fashion Ring starting at $98.00

When is a mug a work of art? When it's a celebrity-designed, ethically produced, charity-giving mug by Whatever It Takes.

More than 300 actors, musicians, artists and designers have donated their time to create these small symbols of hope, with each mug raising money for the celeb's chosen charity. Like style maven Donna Karan and her Love Forever Mug. The white china cup features Karan's pink self-portrait and a Love Forever print, with proceeds going to Spirituality for Kids.

I think this one makes a lovely Mother's Day gift, but with so many to choose from, you can easily give according to the cause that suits your friend or loved one best. And isn't giving back what it's all about?

Donna Karan Love Forever Mug starting at $20.00

Forget the fancy brunch and expensive perfume. You know what Mom really wants for Mother's Day this year? She wants to relax! She wants a whole day to herself to do absolutely nothing — no shuttling the kids around, no cooking for anyone else, no cleaning up after everyone — just a whole day of lounging around. And what better way to lounge around than in a pair or cozy but chic lounge pants?

The La Perla Studio Simply Wide Leg Pants are the ultimate in comfort with a long inseam, drawstring waist, and stretch cotton/lycra blend. She'll love spending her day relaxing in these! And if you want to go ahead and throw in breakfast in bed and that expensive perfume after all, I'm sure it wouldn't hurt.

La Perla Studio Simply Wide Leg Pant Sleepwear starting at $86

With the way she tackled her twenty-hour course load, ran her sorority's philanthropies and led book club, you just know she's on her way to becoming the next Oprah. So why not get the ball rolling, literally, with the McKlein Ladies Leather Detachable Rolling Briefcase for her college graduation gift?

The fashion-meets-function briefcase is perfect for the gal on the go. It fits laptop, cell phone, pens, credit cards and tablet PC (what else do you need?) and even has a special airline ticket pocket. But the best part is that it detaches from the handle and wheels to become an easy, sleek carryall.

But she doesn't have to be a college grad to appreciate it. Even if she just finished Key Club and yearbook, she'll still appreciate its grown-upness for college life.

McKlein Ladies Leather Detachable Rolling Briefcase starting at $199.99

Your mother has more than just one side to her — What? You didn't think she spends all her time online shopping and nagging your father to clean the garage, did you? — so why shouldn't her handbag?

These Hobo International Leather Convertible Clutches are a great two-in-one bag that perfectly complements your mother's lifestyle. By day, they're fun totes for lunch with friends, a walk around the neighborhood or running errands, and by night, they can be folded down into a more serious clutch for a nice dinner out or a cocktail party. What mom wouldn't want to get two gifts in one this Mother's Day?

Hobo International Leather Convertible Clutch starting at $117.99