one of the things i get emails about the most is: which fleamarkets do i love and can i recommend a great fleamarket in a specific area? when it comes to flea markets, i’m pretty loyal to anything local, but i do love a good road trip when it means lower prices and a less picked over selection (it’s tough to get the good stuff in nyc when you’re dealing with interior designers and stylists who come early and know exactly where to go). so one of the projects our intern christy worked on this summer was compiling a list of fleamarkets throughout the northeast (other regions coming soon). she’s got dozens and dozens on here but of course, if you know of a great flea we missed please just let us know in the comment section and i’ll add it asap when i get home tomorrow. thanks so much to christy for putting this together (and all of her help this summer) and happy flea marketing!

flea market lists organized by city:

• connecticut flea markets
• new york flea markets
• vermont flea markets
• new hampshire flea markets
• rhode island flea markets
• maine flea markets
• massachusetts flea markets

part of me still can’t believe that i’m actually engaged! so when the etsy crew asked me to create a piece on modern registry sources and non-traditional (emphasis on handmade) registry ideas i jumped at the chance. i’ve written to so many brides over the years with ideas for gifts, registries and decorations i can’t tell you what a sheer thrill it is to finally write about the topic and be able to think of what i’d like for my own wedding. all i can say is that my stomach does about 15 flip flops and i break out in a huge beaming smile. everyone says that wedding planning is supposed to be stressful and awful but so far things have been fantastic and i hope this guide will help anyone else in the wedding planning boat think of some great options for modern registries and homegoods. click here to check it out. and click here to check out the full etsy handmade wedding series so far.

[image above: cake by lovin sullivan and birds by ann wood]

Grace and I are living proof that opposites really do attract. And I mean complete opposites. She’s southern, I’m northeastern. She’s wine and cheese, I’m pizza and beer. She’s Justin Timberlake, I’m the Clash. So, when she asked me to help with this gift guide I was a little worried that the stuff I’d pick would have zero appeal to the average design*sponge reader. However, some of the comments from this post gave me hope that perhaps there might be a few of you out there who are looking to shop for AC’s of your own who may not be dreaming of unwrapping a bird decal this holiday season. Quick note: Grace lays out these pictures so that they’ll “look pretty” together, and they’re not really grouped the way I would group them (by product category) so bear with me if I seem a little disoriented as I walk you through these. It sort of feels like I’m leading you through a pile of stuff that I left strewn about the apartment (which I suppose shouldn’t feel that unfamiliar to me…)

[Image above, clockwise from top left: I think a nice watch makes a great gift for a guy. Now this watch in particular is insanely expensive (it’s on my “things to buy when I’m rich” list), so unless you’ve got over 2 grand to spend on a watch you shouldn’t even click here. The watch I wanted to use for the guide (but couldn’t because the picture was too small or something, you’ll have to ask Grace) was this one which is also really expensive, but very cool. Bottom line, Kenneth Cole makes nice watches at a whole range of prices. This poker chip set is a great gift for any guy who likes poker/card games. Classic Bicycle cards are way cooler than any fancy “design” cards, they’re easier to play with, and the guy in your life won’t be mocked mercilessly by his friends for having strange cards. Stick to basics. However, there’s no reason you can’t get him a fancy (to a guy) beer glass like this one from Bodum. If he’s a music fan you can go with these Shure headphones - they really sound great, and they’re good for a guy who doesn’t want the chunky big headphones. For the music fan who also plays video games, you’re really not going to go wrong with something like Guitar Hero (I’d go with III, personally -
but each one has different types of music), or Rock Band (These things are turning out to be as tough to find as the Wii this year, try Craigslist or Ebay if you can’t find them in your local stores. Good luck!). If he’s a constant cell phone jabberer and uses one of those bluetooth things, he may appreciate the Jawbone - which is mostly famous for cutting out all the background noise usually associated with those things (just don’t let him be one of those guys who wears it around all the time when he’s not actually talking on it - so lame. My personal rule: in the car only, but that’s just me). I like these Imooi cuff links because they can dress up an outfit (a little) or also still be cool enough to wear out on the town. Obviously, the Iron Maiden Vans aren’t going to be for everyone, but they totally rock (I personally have the high tops).]

[Image above, clockwise from top left: Ok, so let’s say he’s not really into clothes: that’s the sort of thing that could change if you bought him some nice
jeans (ie, the more expensive designer jeans that he probably thinks are outrageously priced, and would never buy for himself). Grace talked me into my first pair (which were Diesel) and I was hooked. Same thing with shaving accessories, these are the kind of things that he wouldn’t buy for himself, but could really like. I was personally an electric razor guy until like a year ago (sadly, from reading this post - I know, pretty geeky) when I discovered how much better shaving with an actual razor is. I use the Fusion, so this kit from The Art of Shaving seems perfect (at least to me). For the Apple fan, Grace already covered the nano and iMac below (had you even heard of those before she put them in here??), but one thing you may not have thought of is the new Apple keyboard. It’s really slick, lightweight, and fun to type on (and quieter). For your more serious music/headphone fan these Grado’s sound and feel amazing (also, fyi, Grace chose the “prettier” photo which is one of their top-of-the-line models, they have much cheaper ones which also sound incredible). I think that comedy cd’s/ box sets are really fun, and usually the kind of thing people don’t think to buy themselves, but appreciate when they have. Great for long drives, or when you need to clean something. Right now I’m into old Richard Pryor and Lenny Bruce - but you can still catch Grace and I laughing to a Lewis Black, Patton Oswalt, or even (gasp!) Dane Cook. For the true Xbox 360 geek (not that I know any…) who enjoys playing online with his loser friends and laughing like an idiot (what a chump!) you can’t let him use the cheap-ass headset that came with the system (which makes him look like he works at a call- center), so go for the much “cooler” wireless headset. (Which you should definitely encourage him to wear on one ear while he wears the Jawbone on the other!) Lastly, here are some Oakley sunglasses, which pretty much speak for themselves. (I also chose these ones, but Grace thought they were too ugly to include - did I mention that we were opposites?)]

[Image above, clockwise from top left: Back to the Xbox (who grouped these photos?) for a second - if he has an Xbox 360 and an HDTV, perhaps he’d like an HD-DVD player? This is by far the cheapest one you’ll find, and it integrates very easily with the game console. Oh, and the picture looks amazing, so he’ll like that. Here’s one that I’m intrigued by: the Myvu, which lets him watch videos on his iPod, laptop, or whatever portable video device he might have, and gives him more of a “full screen” experience. It also has the added value of making him look like a complete fool, which is always fun. (Hmmm, I seem to have chosen a lot of gifts like this, and all I can say is most guys look like fools when they’re having the most fun. At least I do. Just ask Grace.) For a real HDTV and gadget geek, consider the Slingbox. You’ll have to click on the link for a full explanation of what it is (don’t even try to figure out how it works). I love these Clash shoes - they remind me of being in 8th grade and writing the names of bands I liked on my jeans. Basically, they rule. Lastly, the PSP (try your local Best Buy or Circuit City if they’re sold out online) - you can get a few different colors for it now, but you have to buy these (kind of lame) “packages” or whatever. Still totally fun (especially when they don’t get stolen).

These are my picks for the holiday season- not your typical Design*Sponge fare, but hopefully something that will help you shop for the AC in your life. Grace’s picks are below (after the jump) Much more appropriate for the guy in your life who isn’t a 30-year-old teenager like me. I suppose they deserve gifts, too.

Happy Holidays!

to wrap up the holiday gift guide mania i thought i’d end things with two guides near and dear to my heart. the first belongs to my colleagues, the design bloggers i read on a regular basis and find endlessly inspiring. i thought it would be fun to hear what they’re hoping to receive this year, what their go-to gifts for others are and hear some of their clever ideas for handmade gifts or giving back. want to share your giving/getting list for this year? feel free to add away in the comment section below. in the meantime i hope you’ll enjoy everyone’s wishlists and visit their sites if you haven’t already. thanks to everyone who took the time to send me their fantastic choices. [click here for the full post or click “read more” below]

this week’s final guide is dedicated to handmade goods. after last year’s festival of affordable plastic do-dads (i was not so happy with my gift guides last year) i really felt the need to focus on different topics this time around- something that would highlight and celebrate artists making things with their hands and focusing on traditional crafts. so, in support and as part of etsy’s buy handmade pledge i decided to focus an entire guide on the subject. with this guide we’ve hit a total of 250+ gift ideas and we’ll have some more next week. i hope that you’ll find something in each one that’s right for someone you love. missed a guide? not to worry, they’re all archived right here (scroll down) for your browsing convenience. just click here for the full handmade guide, which continues way beyond (37 more products) the “jump”- enjoy!

[image above, clockwise from top left: sarah cihat rehabilitated plate (click through for stores), altiplano cushion $142, hand carved deer $448, handmade owls $66-$120, madeline weinrib zig zag rug $85, ceramic acorns by coe & waito $54-$66, forget-me-knot ring by kiel mead $190]

[image above, clockwise from top left: handmade fruit bowl $38, brown deer by clive and sunshine at cog & pearl $80, handmade glasses $100, skinny orchid $175, abigail percy sweet chesnut earrings $220+, karin eriksson tealight at lille $38]

[image above, clockwise from top left: judy ross pillow $205, stitchable journals by amh design $22 (hand-finish them yourself, fun!), wooden birds at moma store $78, aum tote $198, owls coasters $8.80, claw cat tree $84]

[image above, clockwise from top left: grow necklace at dejarnette $58, handmade bird calls $38, raw green key rack by yellow canoe $20, mr. and mrs. jones juicers $90, wooden briefcase $325, handmade onion stacking bowls (set of 4) $250, showpony vintage purse $16]

[image above, clockwise from top left: sukie notebook $12, letterpress card set $24, small bird vase by sara paloma $200, bird tile by xenia taler $35, cork wallet $44.95, auster vessel $199 at rose and radish, bronze titmouse sculptures at show lifestyle $100, ]

[image above: my pick for best gift almost every time, the card of the month society from maria at port2portpress. the handmade gift that keeps on giving year round. $140 for the full year.]

37 MORE IDEAS AFTER THE JUMP

it’s friday morning and time for the eco-friendly gift guide! whether they’re made from found, repurposed, recycled or sustainable materials, these are some of the best eco-friendly gifts on the market this holiday season. of course, the most eco-friendly gifts would be those that involve planting trees, giving back to green organizations and making things by hand, but if you want to buy something for your green friends, i hope these will help- just click here for the full guide (or “read more” below). enjoy! be back at 11 with the handmade gift guide. if you love handmade work you won’t want to miss it!

[image above, clockwise from top left: cork floor tiles $98, mollie dash bracelet $65, serving tray $23, low bowls $34, recycled flower pot $38, josh jakus bag $95, brave space coat range $175, recycled plastic wallet $15, recycled leather piggy bank $95]

[image above, clockwise from top left: mio culture wall pocket $65, eco-cleaning kit $40, recycled glass vase $158, recycled plastic confetti bowls (set of 6) $29.99, coaster/trivet $22, curvy servers $12, cork bowls $88]

[image above, clockwise from top left: eco glassware $69.99, janthur pillow $190+, good egg foot stool $225, felt carry all $125, ecojot notebooks $8.99, recycled hammock $578, cork stool/table $330 each]

[image above, clockwise from top left: eco-design book $23.10, reclaimed ultrasuede pillow $188, brave space utility table $900, recycled bag and eco-friendly resource book $48, slumped vases $314, recycled bowl $88, reclaimed cube cabinets $590 each]

[image above, clockwise from top left: deer pillow $98-$116, angela adams clutch wallet $92, becca stool $490, recycled flip flop containers $120, rescued paper notebook $30, eco-friendly wooden cards (set of 6) $24]

[image above: sustainable wood wall decals from beearo $189.08]

MORE AFTER THE JUMP

if you have a little extra change lying around or just want to buy something extra special for your friends and family, here is a roundup of fantastic gifts $100 and under. stay tuned tomorrow for handmade gifts and eco-friendly gifts!

[image above: clockwise from top left: hand hook $79, nomad architectural system $56, bosse brass figure $65, kivet tray $63, hau hauz clutch $70, owl letter holders $55, flying v shelves $100]

[image above: clockwise from top left: flax botanical chart $99.95, agate coasters $65, inside out champagne glasses $65, teapot $95, gingko tray $95, owl mobile $55, lomo camera $60]

[image above: clockwise from top left: wheels pillow $98, bird bowls $60, blossom wallpaper $88, best bubble box $60, nest salad plate $52, porcelain bottles $75]

[image above: clockwise from top left: garland light $90, tank u bud vase $90, birdhouse $75, cheese grater $75, egg flat $54, ceramic cups $70, black lace bowl $98]

[image above: log bowls $71]

[image above, left to right: porcelain coe and waito spoons $30-32, wooden usb sticks $91]

[image above: clockwise from top left: vinyl tablecloth $58, perfect combination tray $54, ivy panel $60, skylark tray $60, silver spoon brooch $40, dachshund lamp $59, tree hooked $79]

[image above: delight pendant lamp $89]

[image above, left to right: menu jewelry tree $56, alba clock $85]

[image above: float martini glasses $99]