absinthe's comeback.

Mmmm, just what i needed - Christmas Survival Chocolate to get through this season

For some subtle holiday cheer that shows up in their cup as the coffee goes in... check out these tree and star mugs

This week design*sponge goes in the kitchen with former graphic designer and graduate of the rhode island school of design, denyse ~ and makes cranberry scones!

Food Feed ~ like a dedicated food twitter

Skase teacup by Steve Watson

Magical wine decanter cleaning steel beads! Just add water and gently swirl!

Design*Sponge this weeks goes in the kitchen with textiles designer, Loolo ~ and she teaches us how to make her favorite cupcakes!

Branchement wine decanter lays down some very visible test tube like roots.

Joey Roth's long awaited Sorapot teapot is finally available for preorder!

Nice design on the Tovolo Standz kitchen tool range

Flat pack cooking mallet anyone? Vert Design has their new MC Mallet

The Fair Share Fountain is a beautiful way to have champagne flowing for your guests this holiday season!

When i had dinner at the Smart House for the A+R launch ~ we all helped to stir the pasta paella out on the patio overlooking venice with the Mr. Rockenwagner himself.

For low cost gift ideas that are all about your packaging skills... how about some no-bake baking gifts? Like your best secret cookie recipe in a jar? Or you can just buy neiman marcus'

Podravka's Annual Report contains a smaller book of recipes that initially appears to have blank pages, until you BAKE it for 25 minutes at 100 degrees.

On crazy PR stunts ~ Sony's PS3 PR did a "happy birthday to me" kind of thing sending everyone CAKE!

Right Gin ~ beautiful bottle, impressively intricate crest, and designed by perfectionist who hated the tastes of all the gins they've tasted before.

This week design*sponge goes in the kitchen with our favorite designer couple, Deadly Squire, and they share their delicious apple pie!

Can you imagine a $1000 BAGEL? topped with white truffle cream cheese and goji berry infused Riesling jelly with golden leaves, and more! (be sure not to miss the slideshow)

Oooh delight has my favorite Normann Copenhagen Spaghetti Doser

Foodie Fight ~ the ladies of delight.com have found a game to test the food knowledge of any die hard food enthusiasts

chefs as chemists. lentil shaped mole, fried hollandaise...just a few offerings at WD-50. treat yourself to the slideshow.

Egg Soldier Cup - BATTLE ON THE BREAKFAST TABLE - Coming in January from Reiko Kaneko

Blaue Blume Lacy Cup made by tina tsang/ undergrowth uk sold from Reiko Kanek

My latest beautifully packaged snack addiction is the Himalania Goji Berry Trail Mix ~ Himalayan Sunrise ~ the goji, pineapple, butter toffee peanut, almond, raisin combo is delicious

Would You Like a Side of Attitude With Those Fries, Sir? - amusing Zagat Article

LVMH Hennesy Ellipse ~ beautiful cognac for a mere 3,350 pounds

on design*sponge's "in the kitchen with..." Mud Australia : Soft-centered chocolate puddings

Of all the crazy things people will do for free stuff... she licked the grill clean of a chocolate covered jeep, and THEN found the key inside a jeep full of candy.

Wow this spice rack set (also dean and deluca) is beautiful ~ a full rack of test tubes with everything you can possibly need ~ for a new kitchen it could be a fun gift

While hunting for holiday gifts ~ this Dean and Deluca this "Perfect Risotto" gift set tempts me. All you need to make their so called perfect risotto with porcini mushrooms and Milanese-style with saffron

Prepara's Water-Resistant + Washable Mill ~ there's something nice about feeling like you can wash it out unlike most mills

The incredible ole shredder by ole jensen is on sale!

i'm not much of a drinker or much of a pyro, but i think i need to order a blue blazer. a new bio is out on legendary bartender Jerry Thomas.

Food as window displays for the upcoming holiday season ~ fun to see the behind the scenes of the free people girls getting some creative gingerbread houses ready!

How to make your own sugar skulls!

Absolut launches Mango!

Hendrick's Gin has great point of sale pieces, crazy web design, and videos... fun branding that is sure to make you smile... not to mention it's my favorite gin.

Even Method (yes the gorgeously packaged cleaning guys) are getting in on the reusable shopping bag action... this one is free with 20$ purchase, and has some fun typography going on.

Continuing research on reusable shopping bags ~ here's a look of the super affordable (99 cents -$3) Green Bag options you find at Whole Foods, Target, etc ~ in insulated, normal, 6 wine bottle, and zip up variations.

For the quail egg lovers out there ~ wear a precious quail's egg shell lined with gold leaf on a necklace. By Stephanie Simek.

In his back pocket is a BAGGU. A reusable grocery bag... yes... finally one that is understated enough for a guy to carry around.

On reusable grocrey bags ~ we round up the Baggu and Envirosax, but are curious ~ what do YOU use, and what would you want in the perfect grocery bag?