1. Barefoot Dreams plush lounge wear: Treat mom to a day of relaxation. Start it off with the perfect lounge wear from Barefoot Dreams as seen on Oprah’s favorite things’ list and the Ellen Degeneres Show!
Each piece is designed “with a prayer for faith, grace, hope, and life” – all the things that moms are made of! In addition to robes, you can also choose from throws, pullovers, and zip ups…

http://www.contemporaryconcepts.com/Barefoot-Dreams-Cozy-Chic-Aqua-Ice-Robe-2.html

2. Annie Glass heart dish: You can choose either a gold or platinum rimmed heart dish, or keep it simple with plain glass. These heart-shaped, sweet pieces are handmade in the United States and are a sentimental way of recognizing the heart of the family – Mom! Fill it with her favorite candy to make a statement.

http://www.contemporaryconcepts.com/search.php?mode=search&page=1

3. Something sparkly from Swarovski: The Austrian crystals are cut to perfection and dazzle the eye. We think it’s a great way to note the way Mom adds sparkle to life. Choose from rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, even sparktacular pens!

http://www.contemporaryconcepts.com/Swarovski-Crystal/

4. Say something personal with Museware Pottery personalized pieces: a great way to applaud the one that holds the family together. Many options are available but we like the idea of a family monogram plate.

http://www.contemporaryconcepts.com/Museware-10-Square-Family-Monogram-Plate.html

5. Capture your favorite Mom memory with a Mariposa picture frame: If you like the idea of personalizing your gift with a message, how about engraving a pretty frame?

http://www.contemporaryconcepts.com/search.php?mode=search&page=1

Halfway there… Feeling inspired yet? Well here are a few more ideas!

6. Nothing says special like a Simon Pearce vase filled with mom’s favorite flowers! Simon Pearce glassware is especially luminescent and adds that touch of simple elegance to any bouquet. It is a gift mom can treasure year after year with each bouquet she receives!

http://www.contemporaryconcepts.com/search.php?mode=search&page=1

7. A handmade piece of art from Sticks Furniture: Mom is good at making you feel at home. So why not add a touch of art to her home with a handcrafted, hand-painted piece of furniture. We think the mirrors these artisans make are beautiful!

http://www.contemporaryconcepts.com/Sticks-House-Shaped-Frame-mirror.html

8. A Lladro collectible is a gift that Mom can cherish for a lifetime and with which she can build a collection. Start her off this year with one of the sculptures dedicated just to moms. How about this one – “Flowers for Mommy“?

http://www.contemporaryconcepts.com/Issue-Year-2004-Sculptor-Jose-Santaeulalia-LLadro-Flowers-for-Mommy-08021.html

9. Pittsburgh company, Riverside Designs, has a pretty and functional, recycled glass “Mom” plate, great for decorating her favorite space or for hosting her favorite moms for a girls’ night in! If you like that idea or want some other environmentally friendly and community-centered ideas, this company also produces a line of Platters that Matter that represent local charities. A portion of the purchase price benefits the charity of choice. It’s a great way to acknowledge mom’s giving nature!

http://www.contemporaryconcepts.com/Riverside-Designs-Sunflower-Plate-Mom.html

And last but not least………

10. How about a bottle of mom’s favorite wine with a Corksicle and Nambe wine coaster? She’ll be all set for a day of celebration!

http://www.contemporaryconcepts.com/Nambe-Coquille-Wine-Coaster.html

http://www.contemporaryconcepts.com/Corkcicle-Pink.html

For the coffee/tea lover, we suggest Alessi’s new To, Mug designed by Miriam Mirri.  The white porcelain mug pairs sweetly with the Big Love Spoon from Alessi and a package of tea, hot cocoa, or pound of gourmet coffee.  You can put together a thoughtful gift for around $40.

Alessi TO MUG

Give the traditional gift of flowers, but skip the cheap vase from the florist and instead display in this gorgeous Simon Pearce Highgate Heart Shaped Vase available in two sizes.  These American-made, hand-blown glass vases are so pretty that they can easily stay on display year-round even empty or filled with baubles, wrapped candies or natural treasures (shells, pebbles, small fruits…).

Jewelry is always a popular choice for Valentine’s Day and we have a variety of heart-shaped pieces from Swarovski.  The Surely Heart Necklace and Bracelet make a gorgeous set together, but also make a

Swarovski Etera Pendant

impact on their own.  There is also the sparkling Setting Pendant that is for the girl who truly wants to show off how much she is adored (by you!).

For the Collector, choose a piece from Swarovski Crystal or Herend to commemorate Valentine’s Day 2013.   Skip the plush teddy and get her a crystal figurine she’ll have forever like the Kris Bears – My Heart is Yours  or the LovLots Bo Bear – So Sweet from Swarovski.  From Herend porcelain, we think the Heart Bon Bon box with Raspberry Rose  is precious.

For the entertainer, get her a piece both beautiful and functional like one or more of the Peony Heart Bowls from Julia Knight.  These food safe bowls will be handy for serving small candies, dips, condiments, sauces, veggies and more.

Julia Knight Peony Heart

We’ve got plenty more ideas in store and online!  Feel free to contact us at giftdr@aol.com  for personalized attention.

Fill Juliska’s Ophelia Vase with holiday garland

This year, consider using your glass or crystal vases, bowls, and hurricanes as vessels to fill with holiday delights!  Be creative… get inspired.  Just to get your creative juices flowing, we suggest fillers like pine cones,  glittery garland, glass baubles (be gentle!), string of lights, foil wrapped holiday candies just to name a few ideas.

Start decorating!

Your gift will surely be her new favorite if you choose a stunning, unique, stylish bauble from Alexis Bittar!  His collections change each season to keep up with (and set!) fashion trends, so while there are some core pieces available most of the time, many pieces are here for a season and then gone!  If you fall in lust with an Alexis Bittar piece, don’t wait, buy it and enjoy it or relish the delight on the face of a stylish chick you love when she opens it!.

Alexis Bittar Siyabona Small Gold Mosaic Cluster Pendant

See what pieces we currently have available.  Look for the Buy button.

Corkcicle

How to use a Corkcicle:

Step 1: After freezing your Corkcicle… for whites, pour the first chilled glass. For reds, pour out a “taste” to make room for Corkcicle.

Step 2: Insert into your bottle to cool room temperature reds in 15 min or keep whites perfectly chilled for an hour.

Step 3: To refill glasses simply pull Corkcicle out 75% from the bottle. Tilt the bottle over the glass to fill.

We don’t expect to have these in stock for long, so get yours while you can!   Currently available in four colors – blue, green, pink, and orange.

Herend Patchwork Bear

boxes, many of the cute animals, especially the Rubber Ducky, make sweet gifts for these occasions.  For pet lovers, there are plenty of adorable dogs, cats and even bunnies.  But wildlife and marine admirers can also find a variety of choices available.

If you visit us in person at our Squirrel Hill store, make sure you check out our new collection from Herend.

About Herend:  Herend was founded in 1826 in a small Hungarian village for which it was named.  Although it began by producing earthenware, it quickly switched directions and began working in the unique niche of producing dinnerware replacement pieces for Europe’s royal families to complement their valuable porcelain patterns from Germany and the Far East.   In the 1850s, the finely carved figurines and collectibles noted for their fish scale design were added.  Queen Victoria dined on the exquisite porcelain dinnerware as well!

Julia Knight Classic Serving Set

you have enough of everything for your guests.

So, take some time this weekend and get your orders placed early next week in case any of your needs are out of stock!

Don’t forget to think about miscellaneous items like extra forks for dessert (if you don’t want to wash your salad forks), coffee carafe, gravy ladle(s) and boat, pie plates & servers, etc…

Juliska Jardins du Monde Turkey Platter

Get festive by adding Thanksgiving touches like a Mariposa Turkey Napkin weight to your cocktail napkin box, a Gordy Gourd “mini” to your Nora Fleming serving pieces, a turkey shaped gravy boat from Arthur Court, or Turkey Tea Towels to your home and table setting.

Let us know how we can help you prepare for your Thanksgiving feast!

Here are some of our favorite options:

Varga, from Budapest, Hungary, offers many different patterns

Varga Printemps

available in several colors.  For an elegant, regal table setting check out Barcelona, Captiva, or Renaissance patterns.   If you prefer a more floral or nature inspired them, Springtime or Rain Forest are good choices.  Our website does not show every Varga item available, if you are interested in finding other products/colors available, please contact us!

Looking for something a little more artsy and less formal?  Smyers Art Glass may be right up your alley.  LuLu is a fun pattern that mixes colors on each glass, so glasses are pink & gold or green & blue, etc…  The stems are textured as well, so the glass is really very interesting.

Is your taste a little more English country cottage?  Juliska, which is one of our most popular dinnerware collections, offers a lovely glass called Graham Green.   It is sweet and subtle and would be the perfect addition to an all white table!  Complements Juliska Berry & Thread beautifully.

Juliska Graham Green

Not ready to fully commit to a colored wine glass?  If you have contemporary taste, you may prefer the Orrefors Intermezzo Blue collection.  These simple glasses have a drop of blue suspended in the stem of each glass.  Also available with a white satin drop in the stem… really elegant!

Shiraleah Taylor Charcoal Satchel

handbag more regularly!  Shiraleah is committed to environmentally and socially responsible fashion accessories, gifts and home products in unique styles that consumers love. They design their own products and work directly with local artisans and producers to assure quality and workmanship. Shiraleah’s goal is to combine renewable natural resources, reclaimed materials, environmentally friendly technologies and traditional techniques to produce home and fashion goods that show they care.

Most people won’t know or won’t care that it isn’t leather because it’s just so stylish!!!

Shiraleah Harper Mustard Yellow Wallet

Museware Pottery Baby Frame

Prices include the personalized options for that particular piece.  This is not like buying a blank slate and getting whatever you want on it.  The designs are well thought out and offer you just enough options to create a beautiful, special, unique, personalized gift for your loved ones in a reasonable amount of time.  They ship within 14 days and offer a 7 day rush service for an additional charge if you’ve gotten yourself in a bind.

And as always, if you order from Contemporary Concepts, we offer complimentary gift wrapping and the option for in-store pick-up or FREE SHIPPING on Museware Pottery! We hope you’ll share this new line with your friends and family who enjoy purchasing personalized gifts.

Museware Pottery
Wedding Charger