Although you may think that the recipient of your gift understands the deeper meaning behind those coasters, sometimes a little extra explanation can make all the difference in showing your support. For those of us lacking a poetic sense or crafty skills, Hawthorne & Wren is the answer to your present-prayers. Not only are the gifts themselves timeless and beautifully wrapped, but each comes with a thoughtful message explaining what the gift represents and how it ties to the emotion that the giver wants to express. Searchable by expressive terms (like, “sympathy”) in addition to holidays and celebrations, the offerings from H&W range from flowers and fruits to picnic and cocktail sets. The streamlined curation and foolproof options make these gifts an easy choice for tricky, picky friends! 

Filed Under: Sweet Subscription 

The product-subscription service was at full steam over the past year—you can subscribe to anything from beauty samples or undies to artisan foods. As much as we all love getting surprise packages in the mail, those subscriptions always seem full of things we could get, well, at the store. But there’s a new box at the door—subscription skeptics, reconsider! Umba Box is full of a beautiful curation of handmade goodies like jewelry, home decor, and accessories. No more wading through tons of teeny shops and endless Etsy for the perfect gift; Umba Box offers a streamlined service that takes you straight to design gold. Still stumped for Mother’s Day? Send a special handmade surprise from Umba Box that’s sure to delight!

Gen Ys are always looking for ways to get around what feel like unnecessary fees, but when it comes to giants like Tickemaster it feels like there is not way around them. In comes Score Big, a site devoted to selling unfilled seats to concerts and sporting events at a discounted rate so everyone wins, especially when you get three other friends to buy tickets and get yours for free. 

Swedish retail concept Monki has landed on Carnaby Street, and these pictures are making us all wish they would arrive stateside instead. the 2 floor space they’ve inhabited has been transformed into a wonderland inspired by the ocean. Immersive retail spaces that put aesthetic first are a growing trend, and a desired experiences that we’ve been calling Shoppertainment. The idea that you should be entertained by your trip to the store might be the future of retail. 

(Source: weheart.co.uk)

Ever want to collaborate with high-end designers to create clothing that is decidedly fresh and utterly you? Then, boy do we have a new internet addiction for you! Cut on Your Bias invites consumers to collaborate with designers to create limited edition collections that will only be specially released to participating members of the site. Though most of the designs are 90 percent completed once uploaded by the designers, site members will get to select the details. Do you want that bow tie to be black or navy? Felt or satin?  Members are also encouraged to send designers feedbck so that they can enter into a direct dialogue. Guess we could all become Fashion Stars.

 You can subscribe to everything these days - underwear, jewelry, tshirts, entire wardrobes - it’s almost overwhelming. BaubleBar, a fast-fashion jewelry company, is now supplying the excitement factor without plaguing your credit card with another monthly charge. A promotion they released today simply asks a few questions including your favorite color scheme and clothing brand, then sends you three handpicked items from their upcoming line for $50. Sounds so good we might have to try it! 

While we love shopping, for some basic items we wouldn’t mind never having to leave our couch. Enter MeUndies, the latest retail subscription brand that is ready to send you a pair of adorable comfortable unmentionables every month. For $16 per item, including free shipping and returns, you’ll get high quality intimates in the styles and colors you’ve indicated you prefer. The brand is also planning a series of vending machines for their undies in hotels, gyms and airports across the country (clean underwear for that inevitable airport layover!) and they’re expanding into socks, t-shirts, and leggings in the coming months. MeUndies call themselves “the most comfortable underwear ever” so you’ll feel great while you’re sitting on that couch.

Use the code TRENDERA at checkout to get 30% off your first pair of MeUndies!

Jason Wu for Target may not have crashed Target’s website as did Missoni for Target, but it was not without its drama; particularly one pair of resellers at a midtown Miami Target who literally grabbed every single item before any of the early bird shoppers could. Being from Miami myself, I can tell you that doing such a thing is bad business and I’m sure these two ran into some trouble in the parking lot. Could it be Target is converting more of us into ebay resellers?

We all do things we probably shouldn’t have after knocking back a few drinks, but what about finally getting the guts to talk to that guy buy that Alexander Wang bag? Alcohol as a spending stimulator as opposed to a social lubricant? Order a drink and help out the economy! Recent articles in the New York Times and GQ discuss shopping irresponsibly—and how it’s a growing trend.

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In another perfect sweep of PR, Oscar de la Renta has released a special edition Beats by Dre set of headphones lined with fox fur for these blustery winter days. As always, his PR muse OscarPRGirl debuted the headphones on their tumblr page. The headphone also doubles as a cellphone headset, and will only set you back a mere $695. At what price rich beats? 

Occupy Wall Street? by Aaron Thong is a series of in-your-face tech coverings that let you know which side of the percentage pool the carrier is on. What’s more, is this iPhone covering represents a small (but loud) sentiment among Ys that consider their ambitions to be aligned with those of the 1%, who mock the Occupy demonstrations in spite of their growing importance for Ys. Such as the memorable crystal champagne- chugging guy. While it is still a small sentiment, its implications that some Ys still see themselves on a boundary-less trajectory towards wealth and success is very interesting on the cultural landscape of how Ys see their future.