The Museum of Modern Art Store is one of my top go-to spots for some of the most innovative, useful and stylish products in the world.

Recently they began a series that showcases emerging designers and design themes from around the world. Each one spotlights a different city or region–such as Finnish design, Danish crafts and Argentine design–and the revenue from the series supports programs and exhibitions at the museum (always a good reason to buy).

MoMA’s most recent series, Destination: Japan, highlights “lifestyle products” that are usually only found in Japan. Many of the pieces are playful interpretations of everyday objects, and all were created by established or emerging Japanese designers.

With more than 100 items in the collection I only have space to showcase a few of my favorites, but definitely check out the website for many incredibly kawaii (cute in Japanese), pieces.

Apple Jar with Spoon
$55
Made by Tatsuya Okazaki, 2006, this hand-made, apple-shaped sugar pot includes a wooden spoon as the apple core. Clever isn’t it?

Chat Plates
$45.00/set of three
Designed to resemble conversation bubbles from Japanese comics, these quirky ceramics are sure to spur conversation at your next dinner party.

Twisted Chopstick Rests
$30/set of five
These funky little chopstick rests have a slit in the middle. You twist one end and insert it into the slit to complete the shape. Made of silicone for max durability. A very cool gift idea for the sushi enthusiast.

Soy Sauce Dispenser
$40.00
A much more elegant soy sauce dispenser than the usual American-Japanese restaurant version we are used to. The spout and glass body are ideally designed to perfectly control the pace at which the liquid is poured.

Recycled Dish and Bowl
$10.00-$15.00
Made from potter’s clay and 20% recycled clay, this durable, heat-resistant recycled dinnerware is made by collecting used ceramic goods and incorporating them into new products. Made by Noriyuki Matsubara in 2001.

–By Kate Bailey

Technorati Tags: Museum of Modern Art Store new products, Japanese design, modern Japanese, Japanese decor, MoMA design store, Moma home design, chic home design, chic japanese design

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Margaret and Josh Smith of Dovetail Studio produce some of the most fresh, simple and quirky ceramics on the market. I love their unexpected designs, ranging from sketches of “neighborhood” buildings, to my favorite, a flying skull mug ($28).

Each piece has an organic quality to it, the edges are slightly imperfect, and you can see and feel that every one was crafted by hand.

The Toaster Doves, which contain a hidden rattle in the base($20/ea), make perfect gifts for brides-to-be (after all, it is almost wedding season). Or you can combine several different plate designs ($20-$30) for a whimsical outdoor table setting.

Browse their online shop, or see if the duo’s pieces are carried at a shop near you. I know you are going to love them!

–By Kate Bailey

Technorati Tags: sculptural ceramics, fun sketches, funky vases, chic mugs, whimsical dinnerware, funky ceramics, stylish plates, skull mug, gift for bride

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What to get the woman who has everything? This question is the supreme Mother’s Day cliché, but one that holds true each year, particularly when there is only one week to go and I am scrambling to find that perfect little something. “Perfect” meaning she 1) will instantly smile as soon as she unwraps the box; 2) will find it either useful or delightfully tasty; and 3) won’t get angry at me for spending too much money. With that in mind I went on the ultimate quest for the five amazing Mother’s Day presents under $50. There is something here for every type of mom–from gourmet cooks, to perennial philanthropists, to avid tea drinkers. - Katherine Bailey

Tea Stick Infuser
Tea is warm, soothing, comforting, and a perfect excuse for a couple of chocolate-covered biscotti in the afternoon. Wrap this stylish, portable tea infuser with an assortment of high-end loose teas (Jasmine Pearls, Yunnan and Keemun are some of my favorites), and a few homemade cookies. Then, make sure to set a date for your next mother/daughter tête a tête. $24.

Rose Petal Truffles
A bouquet of roses is a dead giveaway that you only remembered Mother’s Day because your best friend muttered something about it through mouthfuls of chicken sandwich at lunch. These exquisite handmade, dark-chocolate truffles might not last much longer than flowers, but they will be infinitely more memorable. Each one is filled with dark-chocolate, rose-water ganache, and topped with a real rose petal…OMG. $40.00/for 20.

Hope Basket from the Heifer Project
There is nothing—and I mean nothing—better than helping others in need. The Heifer Project helps impoverished farmers and families around the world via donations of livestock. Their Basket of Hope is filled with baby chicks that will eventually lay eggs and provide manure for gardens, and bunnies (how much more can we tug at your heartstrings), that quickly reproduce so their owners can sell the offspring. If this doesn’t bring a smile to her face. $50.

Pearls in Bud Earrings
You can never go wrong with a simple, stunning pair of pearl studs. However, these delicate gems, set in sterling silver petals, are more than just pretty. They have an intriguing meaning behind their beauty. Tell your mum that in ancient Rome pearls were considered the ultimate symbol of wealth and social standing, and to the Greeks, pearls were associated with love and marriage. She will be sure to wear them with a gleam in her eye. $38.

Dr. Hunter’s Hand Crème
Hand cream for Mother’s Day? Trust me. Dr. Hunter’s is not just hand cream…it is quite simply the most luscious, lavish, delectable crème ever! I received it as a birthday present from a friend and have been hooked ever since. Not only is it the softest, most luxurious thing you can put on your skin, but it has a gorgeous, faint scent of roses. Add a set of emery boards, a poppy-hued nail polish and voila!…instant manicure. After all, whose mother doesn’t need a little pampering? $12.

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I’ve become enamored with Moleskine’s city guides. These marvelous slip-in-your-pocket-sized notebooks include detailed street and transportation maps, oddles of blank (and acid-free) pages, handy tabbed sections, expandable pockets, and city-specific resources–the Milan version (as those who used them at the furniture fair know) includes contact info for the local helicopter rental plus a chart helpfully translating US shirt and shoe sizes into Italian.

The only bummer is that they are so pristinely chic–with crisp, beautifully blank pages suggesting all the thrilling adventures you’re about to have–that I never want to put a mark in them! I feel like my pedestrian thoughts and faltering penmanship are not worthy of their artful design! I need a fountain pen and Deep Thoughts!

But this is totally missing the point. They are meant to be defiled with your notations, observations, and most superficial thoughts. You needn’t be Hemingway, Van Gogh, or one of scores of the fancy designers who use them as sketchbooks. Just be your messy-handwriting-ed self and doodle/scribble away. Use them to plan a vacation or to take notes during a business trip.

I am especially delighted to put the new Chicago guide to use when I go to the Windy City next month. (My better half is exhibiting at The Museum of Science and Industry’s Green & Wired eco home show.) Especially now that I’ve come up with a solution to my mucking-them-up phobia: buy two of each! One to use, and one to keep on my bookshelf.

Buy ‘em here. –Jen Renzi

PS: And, as if I didn’t already adore Moleskine enough: they just made my day by announcing that a guide to my hometown–Philly!–is in the works for fall.

PPS: If you really need a fancy pen, try Pilot’s new eco-friendly version of its classic rolling ball–made from post-industrial recycled plastic.

Technorati Tags: great gifts, best travel journals, Moleskine city guides, best sketchbook, design notebooks, Chicago Museum of Science & Industry, green architecture exhibitions, eco-friendly home resources

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In2Green’s cheery, graphic blankets are not only chic and warm, they’re environmentally friendly, too. Designer Lori Slater knits them from post-industrial recycled cotton–basically factory scraps leftover from T-shirt plants. Spark up your decor and divert waste from landfill in one fell swoop!

Lori’s graphic design background is evident in her approach to pattern; her fun prints include catchy zebra stripes and elegant paisley. She’s also willing to customize and can do so in a matter of weeks–a great corporate giveaway or bridesmaid’s gift. Check out her website for more: hats, wine sacks, and kids’ goodies, plus more background info on the eco-cotton she uses.

So cute. –Jen Renzi

Technorati Tags: In2Green, eco-friendly blankets, green baby bedding, recycled cotton textiles, cool corporate gifts

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