Silver Wares
Throw your guests a curve with silver salt and pepper bowls from Puiforcat.
The bowls, with their sleek lines and absence of ornamentation, come in two styles that will match contemporary as well as traditional table settings.
The Shangai ($140) is curved in on the top, and the Pekin ($170) has a lip on the top. Both have little crystal spoons to measure just the right amount of condiments.
The designs for both of the bowls are reminiscent of famous Chinese porcelain bird mangers.
Other condiment vessels include a chef set ($150) that can add a bit of whimsy to your table.
Puiforcat has an extensive line of furnishings in sterling silver, silver plate and many patterns of Limoges porcelain available at the Hermes boutique at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. (714) 437-1725.
On a Mission
Make a statement this holiday season with lighted replicas of some of the missions that have helped shape California’s history.
The California Mission Collectible series, available at Mervyn’s California through Dec. 24, introduces five handcrafted porcelain renditions in a limited edition series.
Each mission (about $30), packaged in a keepsake box, includes a brief historical description of the structure.
A dollar from each replica sold will go to the California Mission Gardens Restoration Fund.
The available replicas are San Francisco de Asis, San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, Santa Barbara, San Diego de Alcala and San Juan Capistrano.
Tale of the Tape
Gift wrapping with only two hands will no longer be a striptease when you use Scotch’s pop-up dispenser.
The days of lining up tape on the edge of the table or on your arms and elbows are gone with this dispenser, which delivers pre-cut, 2-inch pieces. As each strip is removed, the next comes up automatically.
The dispenser (about $3 for hand band, about $12 for the weighted dispenser and about $3 for a refill pack of three tape pads) can be worn on the fingers, the back of the hand or the wrist.
It is sold with two tape pads of 75 strips, equivalent to one 300-inch roll.
The dispensers are available at Albertsons, Ralphs, Walgreen, Wal-Mart, Kmart and Target stores.