INSIDE & OUT : A Flicker
Go with the glow for your holiday table settings.
Votive-candle holders, such as these by J Line Designs and the Left Coast Design Group, bring a fresh, contemporary look to the table, yet they also work with traditional service pieces.
Jill Friedman of J Line Designs in San Diego crafted her votive holders (from $9) of anodized aluminum and recycled metals from car radiators and heaters. The holders have feet to protect table surfaces and come with glass inserts for the candles.
The Left Coast Design Group holders (about $9), created by Jim Currie of San Diego, consist of a copper ring with steel legs. A glass insert fits inside. The legs lift the votive off the surface it rests on, allowing the candle’s flame to flicker from above and below.
The laser-cut aluminum holders come in three sizes--5 1/2, 7 1/2 and 9 1/2 inches tall--and hold a pillar candle with a 2-inch diameter. Prices start at about $32.
Holders from J Line Designs are available at Elements in Irvine or by calling (619) 272-5507; Left Coast Design Group pieces can be found at Areo in Laguna Beach, Magpie in Manhattan Beach, by Design in Los Angeles and Citiscapes in Pasadena.
Just Desserts
Harried hosts and hostesses in search of sweets for the holidays need look no further than the McCharles House Tea Room in Tustin.
The tearoom is offering a raspberry/chocolate cake/chocolate fudge trifle--glass bowl included--through New Year’s Day for $35.
The elegant presentation makes it an ideal gift, too.
The McCharles House is at 335 S. C St.,(714) 731-4063.
Power Up
Pump up your cordless tools with the VersaPak interchangeable battery system.
Using one common battery, Black & Decker’s system allows users to replace in-use batteries with freshly charged ones for nonstop power.
The chargers come in two- and four-port sizes. The two-port charger can re-power one or two 3.6-volt VersaPak batteries in about three hours. Indicator lights let you know the charger is working properly. Batteries can be left in the charger between uses, without harming their life or effectiveness.
Call (800) 762-6672 for the dealer nearest you.
