Y-3 World Cup Sneakers & More: Avant-garde designer Yohji Yamamoto has mated with Adidas and the offspring is pretty damn sexy.



Happy Socks: Never underestimate the power of a little flash of crazy sock pattern peeking out from under the cuff of your slacks.



Joseph Joseph: Nothing irritates me more than that damn gigantic colander that takes up too much space in my cupboard. This one folds. Genius.

CLICK IT, DON'T LICK IT:

Gilt Group Sign up today. It's invitation only, no gatecrashers allowed. Each sale runs for 36 hours with discounts of up to 70% off retail. 

Nobody wants another pair of scratchy wool socks or, God forbid, a Snuggie for Christmas. Give the gift of good taste to someone you love instead. Artisan’s cookbooks and lifestyle tomes tend to inspire conflict: They’re so beautifully designed you want to keep them pristine forever, but so useful you want to crack them open on a daily basis. The high-end division of Workman Publishing, Artisan collaborates with the world’s best chefs – not to mention top-notch photographers and designers – to create cookbooks that frequently win top honors from James Beard. Equally covetable are Artisan’s sophisticated art and design books, which always stand out in the coffee-table crowd. It's not often that you have a chance to buy these snazzy high end tomes at such bargain basement prices, so get crackin'!


CLICK IT, DON'T LICK IT:

Gilt Group Sign up today. It's invitation only, no gatecrashers allowed. Each sale runs for 36 hours with discounts of up to 70% off retail. If you choose overnight shipping and order by 2 pm today, Gilt guarantees that your gift will arrive before Christmas.

I know it seems like I'm always flogging these online sample sale sites, but when you live in the woods like I do, this is how shopping is done. I've used them all, and here is my take on three of the biggest and best:

Gilt Groupe: Your cool best friend who lives in the city who always looks effortlessly hip and is plugged in to the latest home and fashion trends, but isn't an asshole about it.

TRM Pick of the Day: Graphic Image’s luscious leather wallets, passport holders and clutches are treats for the travel-weary. Invest in lollipop-hued luggage tags for your suitcase, or keep your last vacation in sight longer with a croc-embossed frame. With any of these bold accessories along for the ride, travel need never be tiresome again. Sign up here.

One Kings Lane: Your mom's cool best friend who lives in an upscale suburb and has a tastefully appointed home with lot's of scented candles, red coral accessories, topiaries, and is probably secretly banging the poolboy on the side.

TRM Pick of the Day: Moleskine notebooks. You'd recognize them anywhere — the classic little planners and notebooks with rounded corners, bookmarks and elastic closures. Used by artists and thinkers such as Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, and Bruce Chatwin. In fact, these trusted and handy travel companions held the sketches, notes, stories, and ideas that defined their owners. Sign up here.

Hautelook: Your tacky cousin who wears too much mascara who just loves getting down and dirty in the bargain bins at Filene's Basement or Stein Mart.

TRM Pick of the Day: It was tough sifting through all of the crap, but some of these kitchen doodads from Kalorik (who the fuck are they?) didn't look too horrible. Sign up here.

I'm a huge fan of Gilt Groupe and it just keeps getting better. There's still a great selection of beautifully designed Tivoli Audio equipment on sale right now. I've had my original radio for over ten years and it still sounds great, and more importantly, it's beautiful to look at when I take my morning dump. I just bought the one pictured above from Gilt Groupe on sale for $749 ($999 retail) which will serve as our stereo/home theater system after I run the tv audio through it. It may look retro on the outside (it's made of wood!) but this hi-fi is high-tech on the inside. Radio heads should tune into the Model Three for $199 ($299 retail), the SongBook for $98 ($199 retail) or the iSongBook for $198 ($399 retail), which has an iPod docking station. Homina, homina, homina....

CLICK IT, DON'T LICK IT:

Gilt Group Sign up today (it's free). It's invitation only, no gatecrashers allowed. Each sale runs for 36 hours with discounts of up to 70% off retail. Oh, yeah.

I've made no secret of my affection/addiction the the delectable online sample sale that is Gilt Groupe. Well, now they're offering the same members only treatment for deals on chic hotels, villas, and cruise ships around the world. Jetsetter is a private online community dedicated to providing its members with access to the places they want to go. I'm packing my Jack Spade bags already.

CLICK IT, DON'T LICK IT:

It's invitation only, so sign up today and plan your next getaway. Jetsetter.com

This Areaware Bookshelf by Harry Allen (cast from actual books in 100% plastic resin) adds just the right amount of surrealist storage to our little loo. It's perfectly proportioned for a Tivoli radio and a pot of Layrite pomade. The beautiful painting is one of my mom's modern creations circa 1973, but I think the colors and style are so 2009.

CLICK IT, DON'T LICK IT:

Gilt Groupe I'm always giving them shouts because I find the best stuff on there, like the bookshelf above. It's invitation only and each sale runs for 36 hours with discounts of up to 70% off retail. What are you waiting for?

Reality Products by Harry Allen Check out the entire collection at Areaware, purveyors of progressive accoutrements for the rural and urban modernist.

Layrite Pomade It holds like a wax, but washes out like a gel. It was originally developed to replace the wax that greasers would use in the So-Cal Rockabilly scene. For pomps, DA’s, flat tops, spiking, parting, or whatever your hairstyle may be. Check out their signature pompadours.

Tivoli Audio Modern radios with analog style.

I'm trying to spiff up my slovenly country bumpkin wardrobe one great piece at a time. Baby steps, people. I told you kids about Gilt Groupe when they had their kick ass Jack Spade sale and I now I'm spreading the word again. Great service, great brands, and they deliver lickity split. Some highlights:

Benjamin Bixby “1935 Sweater”: Classic and collegiate this vintage inspired sweater will keep the chill off in the upcoming months.

Marc by Marc Jacobs “Moleskin Military Shirt”: The perfect style and weight for spring to wear without a jacket.

Hyden Yoo “Shawl Collar Blazer”: This wool herringbone blazer updates the classic blazer that can take you from a day at the office to your hot date.

Trovata “Cotton Trench Coat": We all know that April showers bring May flowers, so make sure you stay try with a stylish trench.

Tony Melillo “Classic Cotton Twill Pants”: The perfect chino perfect for all occasions.

CLICK IT, DON'T LICK IT:
Gilt Group Sign up today. It's invitation only, no gatecrashers allowed. Each sale runs for 36 hours with discounts of up to 70% off retail. Oh, yeah.