A shopping blog of cool gift ideas

Our electronics and gadgets have taken over every room in the house, the kitchen is no exception. A fun product out there is the Talking Coffee Maker. 

Activate the machine and it will ask you, “Would you like to set the coffee brewing time?” and will then proceed to prompt questions that will set your machine.  Based on your responses, the Talking Coffee Maker will have up to 10 cups of your morning joe ready for you exactly when you want it. I’m not great in the morning, so I tend to be a little light on the AM conversation, but a quick chat with a Talking Coffee Maker might be worth it.

Talking Coffee Maker starting at $99.95.

Wedding gifting can get a little dicey if you decide to go off the (suggested) beaten path that is the wedding registry. But sometimes you want get something you know they’ll use. So if you’re hesitant about getting the sterling gravy boat or don’t think the fajita maker is going to cut it, here’s an outside-the-box idea that might do the trick.

Consider getting them a rainshower showerhead. Yeah, you might be shrugging your shoulders at that one, but think about it. It’s a gift that you know they’ll use every day, it’s certainly not something they’d buy themselves, there’s a good chance they’ll use it in a new place they’ll be sharing…and it’s really plush. Recently, Moen sent me a sample of their Show House “Isabel” rainshower showerhead. It’s amazing. I mostly use it the rainshower mode, but you can set it to a powerful spray too. The rainshower effect uses a 9.5” showerhead to give your body total water immersion and coverage- hence the rainshower. I was a little skeptical too, but I totally love it.

Moen Rainshower Showerhead starting at $305.00.  

Now that wedding season is in full swing, it's time to start making your gift checklists. With engagements parties, bridal showers and wedding gifts, it can be quite taxing on your poor wallet. Get more bang for your buck with these reversible table tea lights. 

Literally two gifts in one, these colorful holders are perfect for holding tea light candles and when you flip them over they become taper holders. It's the chicest way to spruce up any couple's table. And for under $50, you can save all those extra dollars on occasions in the near future, like baby showers. 

Reversible Taper Tea lights starting at $29.95.

Spring is in full swing which means just one thing: bring on the weddings. If you're like most of us, you've probably received invitations for at least a couple of nuptials and now you're busily finding the perfect gift for the happy couple. If you want to get something unique that the bride and groom won't be receiving from other guests, avoid the crystal candlestick holders and silver photo frames and go with this lovely "Just Married" Pasta Bowl.

This delightful illustrated bowl is a great way for any couple to jump start their cooking routine. It serves more than enough for two people so you're sure to see it at their next dinner party. 

"Just Married" Pasta Bowl starting at $100.00.

Spring is here, and with spring comes the wedding gifts season. And as far as wedding planning is concerned, my advice to the groom-to-be is be patient and don’t get in the way. My other piece of advice is don’t wait until the day before the wedding to pick out a nice gift for your groomsmen. These guys have been by your side through the best (and maybe worst) of times, and they’ll be by your side on the big day. Let them know you appreciate them with a little something. 

To make the gift selection process a little easier, think of groomsmen gifts coming in two categories. There’s the traditional groomsmen gift- think classic stylish gifts often monogrammed and there’s more non-traditional gifts- think fun, whimsical but still something tasteful.

A safe and classic call is personalized cuff links. I have a few pairs I’ve picked up as a groomsmen over the years, and when I wear them (which admittedly isn’t too often) it always takes me back to my friend’s big day. 

Good luck fellas!

Personalized Gold Cuff Links starting at $34.95.

The urge to share a personalized memento of your special day with your wedding party is an understandable one, but rather than give a frame that may not be everyone's taste or style, or a single plate that doesn't go with any of their other dishes, give something they'll really use.

These Personalized Floral Monogram Candle Tin Favors not only can be personalized with your wedding colors, and a monogram of your names and wedding date, but they feature soy candles that produce a lovely french vanilla scent and last an amazing 36 hours, which is about 12 hours longer than most Hollywood marriages last these days… Lucky for you, you'll be starring in a much more successful marriage!

Personalized Floral Monogram Candle Tin Favors starting at $53.95

You could give your bridesmaids jewelry (like every other bride in the world). Or you could give them something to put it in, like this monogrammed Leather Jewelry Roll Travel Organizer.

I particularly love them for an Autumn wedding because of the golden brown leather color which is sure to hold up through the seasons. Each bag comes with a three-letter monogram so they're won't be any mix-ups on the big day. For destination weddings, scoop up a set of bold print rolls for all your bridesmaids. After all, they're the ones who will keep you sane on your big day.

Leather Jewelry Roll Travel Organizer starting at $49.95.

Most people think of picture frames as a wedding gift as predictable and boring. But this frame is completely different than the traditional (and shall I say stuffy?) silver-tone frames. After all, not every wedding couple is plain Jane. And if you're looking for something fun and unexpected, the I Love You Building Blocks Photo Frame is just the thing.

The barely there border around the picture is simple and sleek, and the two figures together build the phrase "I love u". It’s lighthearted, silly, romantic, and is sure to make the newlyweds smile long after the honeymoon is over. Perfect for engagement parties or weddings.

I Love You Building Blocks Photo Frame starting at $29.95

Help the bride and groom get off to a good start in their new union by eliminating two of the hardest parts of a marriage — deciding who's going to make the morning coffee and who'll do the clean-up afterwards! Fancy espresso machines look good unwrapped but are often time consuming and hard to clean. For an easy and stylish wedding gift for the home, try the Cuisinart Cup-O-Matic Single-Serve Coffee Maker .

It brews a perfect cup of coffee in a matter of seconds, and since there's no filter or pot, there's no clean-up to worry about. It even shuts off automatically, so you're worry free after heading out for the day. It's the perfect time-saving gift for professional couples. 

Cuisinart Cup-O-Matic Single-Serve Coffee Maker starting at $199.99

So your daughter is getting married soon and while you'll pick something from the wedding registry, you're racking your brain trying to think of the perfect extra gift—one that holds special meaning, is useful in her new stage of life, and helps her remember where she came from, before she was part of her own family, and was still just your little girl.

Enter the Gina B. Designs Fun Flower Recipe Box, an adorable recipe box with matching dividers. Fill the box with all your family's favorite recipes for a wedding gift or shower gift that is both heartfelt and extremely practical!

Gina B. Designs Fun Flower Recipe Box starting at $16