Probably one of my favourite items at the moment is fun, unique, sleek, elegant and very functional.  I don't know what more to say about the Pen with Back Scratcher other than it is utterly ingenious, and the perfect gift.

This stylish pen has a telescopic handle and detachable back scratcher.  Made of brass and chrome colour and the length ranges from 6 2/3" to 20 1/2" long so there is no itch that can't be reached!

Another great-looking gadget is the USB Table fan.  

This cute but powerful table fan is only 4 3/4" with a cable that extends to 78 3/4" in length.

Did you read that last sentence?  Brooklyn's Grimaldi's Pizza will be there too and open 24/7!  To see the restoration-in-progress, check out Time Out New York!

I am one who will always need to write things down rather than type into a PDA.  I carry a pad everywhere I go, and notebooks don't get more mind-blowing than this for me.  Parisian couturier, Christian Lacroix has a line of notebooks featuring his amazing artwork.  Truly a feast for the eyes, ever think you could own a lavish haute couture Lacroix sketch?  These journals inspire me to pen masterpieces worthy of being in such impossibly chic vessels.  This is a place where you want to keep thoughts forever.

Christian Lacroix Fashion Sketch "Croquis" Notebook : This Lay-flat journal has 128 ruled ivory pages and measures 6" x 4.25"; Two front and back cover haute couture fashion sketches; A personal title page and a black and white striped ribbon marker which, along with the pattern infused spine, adds that extra-special Lacroix touch.  $10.95

Christian Lacroix Belleachesse Lay-flat Notebook is clean on the outside but it is still lush with details: Black textured die-cut cover with a contrasting red spine and a matching red elastic band closure; Die-cut front end pages; A personal title page; black and white patterned lining on the inside cover and an original watercolor sketch from Lacroix as the frontispiece.  128 ruled pages measuring 5.75″ × 8.25″ for $12.95

Christian Lacroix Virgin Lay-flat Notebook has to be my favourite.  Adorned with beauty, this is the Virgin Mary, Lacroix-style.  With a front and back cover collage; A personal title page; A black and white striped ribbon marker, this cahier has 128 ruled pages and measures 5.75" x 8.25" for $12.95.

Nuala Vegan Tote in Ivory - Textured Snakeskin print.

Nuala Vegan Satchel in Charcoal - Smaller than the tote with a removable, adjustable shoulder strap.

Soledad Vegan Tote in Black with snakeprint trim.

Meanwhile, I know my postings have been somewhat erratic lately but there is good reason!  Something new and exciting has been in the works which I will be announcing very shortly!

We, at Thérapie would just like to wish everyone "Gung Hei Fat Choi" and Best wishes for a Grrrrr-eat Year of The Tiger!

This is something I read in a random Chinese Zodiac article I came across about what lies ahead and what to look forward to this coming Year of the Tiger:

"Drama, intensity, change and travel will be the keywords for 2010.  The Year of the Tiger will bring far reaching changes for everyone.  For all of the Chinese horoscope signs, this year is one to be active – seizing opportunities and making the most of our personal and very individual talents. Everything happens quickly and dramatically in a Tiger year – blink and you could miss an important chance of a lifetime!"

Seems like this won't be a dull year for anyone!  Happiness, Health and Love!

As much as people groan and complain about celebrating Valentine's Day, I don't know anyone who would actually be disappointed by a romantic, sweet gesture by anyone in their life who wants them to know they are loved.  So spread the warm and fuzzies!  Embrace this day don't dread it.  Listening to my friend share excitedly with me his elaborate, well thought-out plan to suprise someone he's crazy about was refreshing and touching.  Personally, I could never dislike a day that encourages giving chocolate as a gift to celebrate love or even hopeful, escalating like.  Particularly if I'm on the receiving end!

Speaking of which, there is nothing I've seen or tasted like 'Love' Belgium chocolate!  If chocolate could be 'couture', "Love" would be it's brand name, and a perfect one at that!  The box of champagne truffles is all luxury, from the decadent, rich morsels within, to the actual gorgeous, textured, lined box which are keepers with or without chocolate. 

The alligator is embossed with a patent finish and the animal prints are covered with soft fabric.  Give a chocolate rose or a whole bouquet instead of flowers! 

Click on the pictures for more Valentine gift ideas!

Also shown and available online:

Organic Lavender Silk Rosette Eye-Pillows - Rich cooling silk, filled with Flax and Lavender.

Stretch bracelet with a Heart - Matte and Shiny Gold finish

Bubble Bath Roses - Pomegranate fig scented.  Organic White Tea, Vitamin E and other distilled essential oils.

Love Life Book - Celebrate the magic of your own everyday existence, and that of the people you care about.

Scented Soaps in bejewelled boxes

Voluspa Goji and Tarocco Orange Candle

Make Love Not Trash Cosmetics Carry-all

Romance Pro-Con Pad - Perfect gift for the perplexed dater.

"Lovers I Had and Liked" Notebook

Even though January is usually an unenthused, post-Holiday downer, returning to reality right now isn't so bad for me as it is the time I get to find cool, new things for the store!  While it's bleak and raining, I get to focus on Spring and I look forward to sharing all my fun discoveries with you!

I was recently introduced to the cutest thing that I had to have in the store!  Although I try to avoid having too much going on with accessories and steer clear of unnecessary trimmings, when I saw these Faux Fur-trimmed Socks, I was smitten!  They add alot without being too much!  They pretty much look right on any boot-style, even rainboots!  The best part?  They are machine-washable!

All the prints can come in one of 4 ways;  with a leather buckle trim, a corseted trim with pom-poms; a silk-ribbon corseted trim or plain.  Feel free to call and request what you don't see online.

Black Mink Faux Fur-Trimmed Socks with Buckle

Lynx Faux Fur-Trimmed Socks with Pom Poms, also in Black Mink

Grey Fox Fur-Trimmed Socks with Buckle

Porcupine Fur-Trimmed Socks

Emu Faux Fur-Trimmed Socks with Ribbons

I would just like to thank you all for making this a wonderful holiday season for Thérapie!  Looking forward to an amazing 2010!

Being quite food-obsessed and an extreme chocoholic, I love this time of year!  Right now, it's all about indulgence until New Years resolutions must take place.  I love giving and receiving foodie gifts and sweets.  Here are some more of my picks.  Let the last-minute frenzy begin! 

The Food Snob's Dictionary - Entertaining and authentically informative, this travels through the alphabet explaining the buzz-terms that fuel the food-zealots, from "Affinage" to "Zest," with stops along the way to explain "grass-fed," "farmstead," "dry-farmed" and "Sous-Vide."  It is all served up with a huge dollop of wit!

It Doesn't Count if...It's the Last One - There's nothing fun about dieting.  Except cheating!  More than 200 reasons why you can eat what you want without a hint of guilt!

Cook Up A Cookbook: Create Your Own Recipe Book From Scratch - Create a cookbook full of all your recipes.  This kit provides you with the tools and inspiration to help you organize, personalize and preserve your recipes for posterity.

Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Julia Child - If you know of an enthusiastic home cook who hasn't already been inspired to buy this book after watching Julie & Julia, this is the gift for them!  Bon Appetit!

Hand-Cut Glass Bottle Stopper - 3 shapes to choose from, comes in a lovely gift pouch.

English Toffee Bar - Each box has an assortment of milk and dark chocolate.

Holiday Bark Bar Gift Box - Gorgeous assortment of 3 holiday barks - Hazelnut Crunch Bark, Chocolate Peppermint Bark, Chocolate Gingerbread Bark.

Chocolate-Covered Graham Crackers - My favourite with both milk and dark chocolate!

Inspirational literature and messages warm the heart and soothe the soul - which is great and all, but the messages that put a smile on my face are more snarky, honest and even a little bitter.  These crazy days everyone could stand to take themselves less seriously.  So, I just want to share a few whimsical and devilish bits and bobs that have made me laugh and would make perfect little gifts for others who could use a good guffaw. 

Savin Up for Jesus Tin Bank - Give yourself a Faith Lift!  Perfect for storing pennies.

Mine Not Yours Mighty Tag - Eco-friendly, eye-catching and nearly impossible to tear bag tags.

Life Savings Coin Purse - Great stocking stuffer.  Made with 95% recycled material.

Stop Shopping Mighty Wallet - Tear and water-resistant, expandable and recyclable.

The Geeks' Guide to World Domination - Be afraid beautiful people, Geeks now rule the world.

Oinking Alarm Clock - The alarm is the sound of an oinking pig.

How to Hug a Porcupine - How to love the difficult people in your life.  Everyone has at least a few in their daily lives!

Gay Haikus - Readers can now appreciate more important things like the changing of boyfriends and the miracles of shopping!  Also available are Haikus for Jews and Hipster Haikus

Keep Calm and Carry On Journal - based on a motivational WWII poster commissioned by the British government's Ministry of Information in 1939, this slogan is so very...British.

My Dysfunctions Guided Journal - The perfect gift for your favourite dysfunctional loved one with famous, thought-provoking quotes of psychological realism on every page.

In My Humble Opinion Guided Journal - For the opinionated friend who likes to vent.  The journal vents back with quotes from famous fellow misanthropes.