Gift Guide 2015: The Peculiar Presents
1. Lattjo Brain Hat via Ikea: $10
Ikea has recently come out with the most spectacular children's costumes. Seriously, I urge you to go check out the full range. I was torn between recommending so many of them, from the giant mustache to the snail hat to the entire bat costume. But I went with the brain hat, because it is essentially a turban, but it looks like a brain. It's fantastic. The next time I'm at Ikea I plan on invading the children's section and trying on all of the costumes, and I will certainly leave with a brain turban of my very own. I am a bit of a turban connoisseur - I do own a turban designed by Kylie Minogue, after all (really).
2. Doctor Who Weeping Angel Life Size Cardboard Cutout via BBC Shop: $45
I once made a grown adult very upset by telling them that I wasn't too keen on Doctor Who because I found it too "family friendly." I wasn't trying to be controversial, and I wasn't trying to get a rise out of them. I was searching for the words to describe why I didn't share their Whovian fanaticism, and that's what I came up with when put on the spot. MY BAD. That being said, while I find a significant amount of Doctor Who episodes merely "alright," the weeping angels are A+. So A+ in fact that I think this life size cardboard cutout is not only worth $45, but worth whatever the BBC charges to ship it to the US, because it's only sold though their UK outpost. (It's also sold out right now, so I'm not the only one who thinks so.)
3. Vintage Tin Robots Garland via Raw Bone Studio: $17
This is an item from my actual Etsy wish list, so you know I think it's worthy of attention. Look at those little robots! Imagine them marching across your wall or over your doorway! So colorful! So mechanical! So robotic! I'm actually convincing myself to buy those little robo-cuties as I type this.
4. Jane Austen Tattoos via Archie McPhee: $7
As with the Ikea costumes, I strongly urge you to follow the link and look at what the Jane Austen Temporary Tattoos actually look like. They're awesome. My personal favorite features Mr. Darcy is what I assume is a soaking wet shirt, and underneath is printed "10,000 a year!" I'll actually be at Archie McPhee relatively soon (it is a must-stop-shop when you are ever in Seattle, by the way), and I think I will be picking up a box for me and all my Regency-minded pals.
5. Flip Fashion by Laurence King, Illustrated by Lucille Clerc via Chronicle Books: $15
Do you remember Fashion Plates? Well, this book is like Fashion Plates, but less messy and it works better. All you have to do is turn the pages and you can created different looks - no swapping out plates and being limited by bulky plates that rip your paper the second you rub a crayon over them (I still have beef with Fashion Plates, clearly). Plus, these fashions are totally awesome. There's also another version of the book called Flip Fashion Designer, for even more Fashion Plates-esque fun. If you or someone you know spent a million hours using Fashion Plates or doodling clothes as a kid, this is a great gift.
