What makes these tags cool is everything that’s missing. They’re not fussy or bejeweled or overdone. They’re simple and functional, yet elegant at the same time. We’re especially smitten with the ingenious packaging. Six different square rings come in a storage box that fits perfectly on the neck of a wine bottle.

The minimalist flair comes from Kat Nouri, who’s the founder and creative director of modern-twist. Kat collaborates with a group of independent designers, mostly from the San Francisco Bay Area, to create products that are simple and functional – but with a fresh, modern perspective. Cheers to that.

There are so many levels of meaning to Ann’s “wearable art.” You can show how much you care about the planet and be stylish while doing so. Being green is the new black, after all.

Ann’s jewelry was included in the 2009 Emmy celebrity swag bags. She was recently awarded the Green America Seal of Approval, which honors companies that are socially and environmentally responsible. As a consumer, you know that businesses bearing this seal operate in ways that support workers, communities, and protect the environment. Ann-Made Art reminds us that a little creativity can put many discarded materials to new use and we’re all for that.

— Angella

Richard was tired of dropping needles and sticky sap, so he used his talents to design natural wood trees that make a beautiful, streamlined backdrop for ornaments and can be used year after year. The Babcock family displayed a possibiliTree in their home for years, and after Richard passed in 2006, the family carried on his legacy by forming a business, led by his daughter Pat Babcock Sorenson.

We love the simple design of the possibiliTree’s sculptural trunk and branches, which have a decidedly modern feel. Each possibiliTree is handmade and unique with variations in wood grain and color. We also love how easy it is to set up and store, although imagine the décor possibilities if you leave it up year round as a backdrop to a crystal pendant collection, porcelain birds, or seasonal finds from outdoors. The trees, available in birch, walnut and wild cherry wood, are made in Minnesota and use reclaimed or deadfall materials whenever possible.

Start your own possibiliTree tradition this year, and watch the possibilities unfold.

- Cara

We big kids — and little ones with lofty hops in mind — need a super-powered pogo stick. The Vurtego, which uses a patented air-spring propulsion system, unleashes the big bounce. In the hands of a master jumper (none of us here qualify…yet), this puppy can soar as high as eight feet in the air. Bruce Spencer, the 65-year-old inventor, gets a good four feet out of his Vurtego. He jumps every day, proclaiming the health benefits: improving circulation, building bone density and reducing body fat. His son Brian, company co-founder, just likes to have fun. Brian calls pogo sticking a new fuel-free urban sport and has an eight-foot jump on record. (Don’t worry, you can adjust the tension if you don’t want to soar to such heights.) Ready for a ride, anyone?

— Beth

Cape Cod Metal Polishing Cloths are the genius of William Block, who spent 25 years restoring antique metal and was less than thrilled with the polishes available to him. William invented his own formula and founded Cape Cod Polish Company, which his son Jared now runs. The cotton cloths are pre-moistened with just enough polish so you’re not left with excess goop stuck in the nooks and crannies of your pieces. Just rub one of the polishing cloths gently over an object, then wipe dry with a buffing cloth or soft paper towel. Wash gently, and your treasured heirlooms will glow. The cloths can be reused and have a pleasant vanilla smell (no more noxious fumes). Plus, an anti-tarnish finish embedded in the polishing cloths provides a mirror-like shine. Best of all, you don’t need a shelf full of polishes and cleaners. These cloths can clean, polish and protect any metal (even chrome car parts), quickly and with very little mess. You’ll wonder where they’ve been all your life.

— Rita

Have no fear, these nonsense words are meant to inspire us. That’s the whole idea behind Yamodo!, a quirky family game that lets you work your mad doodling skills and create zany definitions for made-up words. The inventor of Yamodo! is Bill Phelps, who used to pass around cocktail napkins with his wife and friends when they were out on the town. One person would draw something and write some accompanying text, the next person would add to both the drawing and the story, and so on. It wasn’t much of a leap from there to Yamodo!, where each game card starts you off with a nonsense word to illustrate and the beginnings of a doodle. The first player adds to the drawing and writes the first line of a made-up “definition” (so there’s no right or wrong answer). The next player adds a line and embellishes the picture, and before you know it, everyone’s laughing.

The beauty of Yamodo! is that it inspires creative, collaborative play for ages 8 and up, without any winners or losers. You can play for as short or as long as you like, at home or on the go. Choose Volume 1 for hanging out with family and friends, or scoop up the Good-To-Go version for that perfect stocking stuffer (‘tis the season) and some great laughs on the road.

— Mir

Now there’s a better option. For kids over one year who weigh between 22 and 44 pounds, the car seat struggle is over. The CARES child aviation restraint system is an FAA-approved safety harness that fits on any airline seat. It weighs only one pound, and it’s all you’ll need to bring on board (well, aside from the diaper bag, toys, snacks, etc).

CARES was invented by Louise Stoll, a grandmother who was horrified to see her pregnant daughter waddle off the airplane lugging both a heavy car seat and a toddler. Now this godsend gadget is a must-have for families that fly. It just slips around the back of the seat, and snaps over your child in seconds. No sweating, no cursing. Phew.

— Emily

The creative minds behind Built are John Roscoe Swartz and Aaron Lown two friends from art school who started the company after experimenting with neoprene and getting hooked on its versatility. Their iconic beverage totes combine graphic patterns with sleek, streamlined forms. The designs are always bold, but never fussy or complicated.

That’s a tricky balance to achieve, but Built has it mastered. You can choose a one- or two-bottle wine tote, or a tote that’s perfect for a six-pack of beer or soda. Neoprene never looked so good.

— Christopher

Their Roadside Pad features pictures of signs Martin took on road trips around the country. The Diner Pad captures six nostalgic scenes at a landmark diner in Watertown, Mass. For a laugh, the Recipes Pad has recipes written by kids, so you can learn how NOT to prepare things like waffles and raisin-stuffed grapes. Each of these bundles has six copies of six different designs (for a total of 36 placemats.) There’s also the 26-sheet A-Z Coloring Pad, if your diners like to doodle at the table. All the placemats are printed using soy-based inks on cardstock paper that’s sourced from responsibly managed forests. They’re disposable – but if you want to preserve them, you can laminate some or even frame a few (we’re planning to frame our favorites).

As for the name, “Bob’s your uncle” is a British expression that means a task is very simple. Legend has it Prime Minister Robert Cecil appointed his nephew to a prestigious post in the late 1880s, therefore to have Bob as your uncle was a guarantee of success. In that spirit, we think these fun placemats are definitely a sure thing.

— Ann

It’s Fat Toads’ somewhat unusual goat milk caramel that caught our eye. Josey has lived in Mexico on and off for the past decade, and there she discovered cajeta, a popular caramel sauce made from goat milk. She insisted the family try their hands at making it, and five years and four flavors later, customers can’t get enough of this delectable treat.

Like dulce de leche (a traditional caramel sauce made with cow’s milk), all of the Fat Toad caramel sauces start with milk and sugar. But here, of course, the milk is from goats, and the sugar is organic. Choose the original flavor (simply milk and sugar), or go for coffee bean, vanilla bean, or cinnamon for an extra flavor kick. The creamy, sweet sauce tastes familiar at first, but the finish is lent a buttery complexity unlike anything we’ve ever had. The wooden boxed sets are perfect for gift-giving, but we wouldn’t blame you one bit if you wanted to keep the deliciousness all for yourself.

— Mir

Mrs. Obama has a knack for putting together outfits that are chic, contemporary, and reflect her charismatic personality. She’s a pro at mixing high-end labels with affordable brands like J.Crew, H&M and even Target– which is part of the reason so many of us watch what she wears. We can actually afford and get access to many of the items in her wardrobe.

Mary Tomer is an expert on the first lady’s style and her new book, Mrs. O, the Face of Fashion Democracy (BUY IT HERE) weaves illustrative photos of Michelle Obama with great stories about how she makes each look work. One tip we’re taking to heart is how the first lady finds a silhouette that flatters her body and then sticks with it, choosing the same cut in new fabrics and freshening each look with bold accessories. Another takeaway? Don’t fear the brooch. If you’ve ever thought brooches were just for old ladies, you’ll think twice when you see how Michelle Obama can make a neckline shine when she adds an eclectic brooch or two or three.

In that spirit, we’ve discovered vintage brooches that can add a bit of flair to any outfit. Designer Anne Koplik combines glass beads, semiprecious stones and hand enameling to create her signature brooches all of which are made here in the USA. Anne inherited a love of vintage jewelry from her mother, who was a millinery designer in the 1920s. Today the family business thrives with Anne’s daughters, Jill and Kara, working by her side in their New York studio.

Mrs. O celebrates our first lady’s fashion, and inspired today’s special find.

BUY YOUR COPY OF THE BOOK HERE: Mrs.O by Mary Tomer

— Ann

The same flexible legs are part of Joby’s Gorillapod camera tripod, which we wrote about back in February. Both products showcase the inventiveness of Joby founder JoeBen Bevirt, whose passion for engineering has inspired him to do all kinds of cool things, like build robots that help cancer researchers and explore renewable energy sources.

One of the things we like best about Gorillatorch is its dimmer feature, which lets you control the level of brightness depending on the task at hand. You may want all the light you can get if you’re working under the hood of a car, for example, or less light if you’re reading in bed. If you straighten out the legs, Gorillatorch also works like a conventional handheld flashlight. For camping, home repairs, nighttime reading, flashlight tag or maybe even a walk in the jungle, the Gorillatorch flashlight puts you in control. Here, there and everywhere you need light, Gorillatorch delivers.

— Christopher


If you like this, you’ll also be interested in the compact, flexible Gorillapod camera tripod that uses the same patented ball and socket construction.

The kit comes with two frogs — excitable, jumpy creatures that are great fun to watch. The “living gravel” that comes with the kit acts as a natural filtration system, so no additional chemicals, aeration or filters are required. The frogs need to be fed twice each week (which our kids love doing) and the food comes with your system. As for tank maintenance, the water only needs to be changed once every five or six months. Phew!

Wild Creations co-founders Rhett Powers and Peter Gasca worked with a marine scientist to develop breeding methods for the frogs, and they’re now the largest breeders for that species. They keep a veterinarian on staff to ensure the frogs are taken care of, and they never ship the frogs when weather conditions are extreme. If kids are pleading for a pet, the EcoAquarium is a great way to ease into pet ownership. It’s fun, compact and low maintenance. Why not bring one to the office or classroom, too? The fun is contagious.

— Angella

Sometimes outdoor enthusiasts do meet with misadventures. That’s why helmets, elbow pads and life vests are so important, after all. But personal identification gear, such as the Road ID, is just as critical. If there’s an accident, a readily visible ID tag, complete with emergency contact information and medical needs, could make the difference between life and death.

Father-and-son team Mike and Edward Wimmer launched the Road ID line of personal identification tags for athletes and anyone who wants contact details and health information readily available. You can outfit a child with a tag before a trip to the amusement park, for instance, so your contact information is easy to find if the child gets lost. The tags, made of laser-engraved stainless steel, are available as wristlets or for lacing into a shoe. Road ID even comes in an interactive version, allowing first responders to access other vital information.

The Wimmer’s passion for their business comes from personal experience. As Edward headed out for long marathon-training runs, his father always suggested that he carry ID with him. Edward dismissed the idea—until a near miss with a truck left him lying in a ditch thinking about his father’s words. What if he’d actually been hit? Road ID speaks for you when you can’t speak for yourself. The Road ID makes the perfect gift for all the active people you care about.

- Beth

Budgets are tight, we know. That’s why Susan’s idea is so ingenious. The Magnabilities starter kit includes a sterling silver chain, round pewter pendant and two interchangeable inserts that are held in place using magnets. Feel like something else? You can swap in a different insert to fit every outfit and mood. We’re especially stuck on three of Susan’s five-piece collections. The inserts in the Mod collection have a fun, retro feel, while the Graphic collection is all about contemporary colors and patterns. For a more subtle look, the Marbleized collection mimics the natural striations of marble. The possibilities are plentiful, but the cost is not. Who says innovation and style have to be expensive?

— Mir

We’re delighted to feature his spaulted maple bowls, which have natural, ragged edges, and his spaulted maple salad tossers. The handcrafted pieces look like works of art, but they’re meant to be used and enjoyed (cleanup is simple with mild soap and water). Each bowl is a one-of-a-kind creation, and we love that the wood is either found or donated. Spencer never cuts down trees, although if you have a beloved tree that has fallen, he can make it into a bowl for you. A unique and inspired gift for someone special on your holiday list.

— Ann

The company uses recycled cardboard to make play structures that you can put together and customize. The dollhouse has three floors and six rooms; the fort has four lookout towers and two working drawbridges; and the airplane is big enough to climb into and play pilot. Kids can go wild embellishing the structures with markers, stickers and paint. They can make rugs and curtains for the dollhouse using fabric remnants, for instance, or make paper mache boulders for the fort. It’s up to each child to bring these sets to life.

Cathy Henszey is the co-founder and creative inspiration at Cardboardesign. She worked as a graphic designer for many years (with clients like Perry Ellis and Annie Leibovitz) and was inspired by all the cardboard bundles she saw sitting along the streets, waiting for disposal. She decided cardboard was an untapped medium in the world of furniture, home accessories and children’s toys, and that led to the launch of Cardboardesign. Now grownups and kids alike can enjoy great style, eco-consciousness and imagination, all in one inventive toy.

— Mir

With today’s Grommet you can speed up the process and enjoy flavorful meat, fish, chicken and vegetables in the amount of time it takes to heat up the grill. Simply add your food and sauce to the Instant Marinater dish, then pump out the air to create a vacuum. The vacuum opens up the pores and fibers of the food, allowing the marinade to penetrate quickly. The Instant Marinater also does double-duty as a storage container. If you pump out the air that makes food go stale, your cookies and crackers will stay fresh even in wet weather.

The inventor of the Instant Marinater is Bernd Schneider, whose first product was a revolutionary device he developed to preserve opened bottles of wine. Vacu Vin also responsible for the handy pineapple slicer we featured earlier this year. We can’t wait to see what they come up with next.

— Emily C.

E-cloth® can tackle just about any cleaning chore using only water. It picks up dirt, grease and grime without the use of chemical cleaners. And it lasts through 300 washings, which is great for the environment and your budget.

The difference is in the engineering. E-cloth has a finer weave and more cleaning edges than typical microfiber cloths, making it much more effective. It comes in different varieties, each designed to address specific tasks. There’s an E-cloth for cleaning stainless-steel appliances, for instance, and another formulated especially for glass surfaces.

The driving force behind E-cloth is Steve Pearson (below left), an entrepreneur from the UK. Steve became consumed with finding a smarter, more eco-friendly way to clean after hearing that hospitals in Sweden were using a special cloth to clean with water, rather than traditional chemical cleaners.

He teamed up with engineer John Park and a group of Korean scientists to create the first E-cloth. It has been a hit for several years in the UK, and now Daily Grommet is working with distributor TADgreen to spread the word about E-cloth in the U.S.

Just imagine: No more paper towels, disposable wipes, grungy rags or harsh cleaners. Good riddance!

— Rita