A shopping blog of cool gift ideas

Fourth of July has arrived and the presidential election is fast approaching, so here's a list of gift ideas in honor of all your parties - patriotic and political.

For the weekend kickoff: Save your political jabs for your steaks with these Political Party Branding Irons.  

For the early risers: Fill up the Blue States Mug and watch the red states disappear as the mug heats up. But don't cry in your coffee just yet, there's the Make My Day Mug for red state lovers too! 

For the mini patriots: Rock the vote and the cradle with the pint-sized Future Voter Patriotic Baby Romper for star spangled babies.

For the peacekeepers: To keep political banter at bay and celebrate as citizens, try on the Swing Voters Custom Tee for those who like to support any party. 

For the roadtrippers: Let the gridlock games begin.  Study up on your patriotic trivia with the Secret Lives of Presidents Trivia Card Game. There's plenty of dirty laundry to cross state lines. 

It's been years (I won't say how long) since I've been on Spring Break or a road trip, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate a good cooler. Especially this tailgating style Koolatron Auto Cool Wheeler.

Whether you're hitting the beach, a parade or roadside fireworks this Fourth of July, you can wheel this cooler right along with you. It holds up to 54 12-oz drinks and has a 33-liter capacity so you can beat the heat no matter how large your party. It will even keep its cool after hours of traffic with a 12-volt adapter that plugs right into your car. 

Koolatron Auto Cool Wheeler starting at $88.88

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

Personalized Cape Cod Folding Beach Chair starting at $149.95

We're kicking off our Fourth of July celebration a little bit early this year with some great gift ideas that are just as exciting and much less hazardous than fireworks.  Whether it's for the kids, the hostess or the whole family, these red, white, and blue treats are sure to make your holiday sparkle.

First up are these star spangled Patriotic Cupcakes from New York gourmet staple Dean & Deluca. The handmade set of nine includes three different cake and icing combos topped with tasty candy stars. Top off with sparklers at your own risk. 

Patriotic Cupcakes starting at $55.00

Kids and ice cream go together like peanut butter and jelly. Unfortunately, so do kids and sticky messes. If you want avoid melting ice cream all summer long, try the ingenious Motorized Ice Cream Cone.

This handy device uses a spinning cone to eliminate any drips. Just scoop some ice cream into the bright plastic cone and push the button. Moms will love having this colorful contraption on hand during the hot months and Fourth of July picnics, and it makes a sweet birthday treat for kids.

Motorized Ice Cream Cone starting at $8.99

Dog lovers like to spoil their pets every chance they can get, whether it's the coziest bed, tasty treats, long walks, and wardrobes spiffier then their own. But how far does one go in pampering their pooch? For the ultimate indulgence, there's the Day at the Spa Robe. 

This luxurious and soft robe comes in an assortment of colors and features a waist tie and little tassels. They'll think they've died and gone to doggie heaven. It's a great gift for your little dog or for the dog lover in your life. 

Day at the Spa Robe starting at $10.99

Alphabet block sets are a timeless baby gift, but isn't due time for a makeover?  Thanks to one of my favorite design companies, NotNeutral, their Wood Block Set is the perfect solution to baby boredom.

Replacing traditional primary colors, this versatile set combines vintage and contemporary fonts in soft, muted colors. Arranged in certain patterns, the blocks form letters, numbers, puzzles, and even illustrate simple equations using dual-toned graphic numbers, making them a unique and thoughtful baby shower gift.

Wood Block Set starting at $37.95

They're your partners in crime, your wingmen and they've always stood up for you. But this time, they'll be doing it on your big day (literally). So show your groomsmen some true appreciation with these classy Monogrammable Beer Mugs.

This set of four glasses comes with a hand-etched single initial monogram, giving it that personal touch. Choose either double old-fashioned glasses or tall beer mugs depending on their drink of choice: beer loving buddy gets the mugs and scotch-connoisseur pal gets the tumblers. It's a great way to thank them for that all-out bachelor party they threw you. 

Elegant Monogrammable Beer Mugs starting at $60.00.

Recently, while I was on the hunt for some hot holiday gifts at a trade show, this cool Earbags Sprigs Banjees Wrist Wallet caught my eye. I decided to give it a test run of my own over Memorial Day weekend. Being a weekend adventurer I went everywhere — rode my bike all around the city, walked the beach, and hit a couple of BBQ's. While I pedaled away the wallet held on tight. It's a little tricky cramming everything in there, but once I figured it out, it was smooth sailing and I enjoyed every minute of my holiday weekend without once worrying if I dropped my wallet along the way. It's the perfect gift for an travel enthusiast or the person on the go. 

Earbags Sprigs Banjees Wrist Wallet starting at $14