Cocktail style

A few years ago, for a dear friend's bachelorette party, I set up a "make your own mojito" table. Maybe the cocktails weren't so perfect, but playing bartender was half the fun. Ever since then, I've been fascinated with all the different tools and accessories out there for mixing drinks at home. These are on the top of my wishlist. -- By Rachel from Elephantine

1. Spicy Bloody Mary Mix, $13.
2. Dizzy Cocktail Glass, $2.50.
3. Bar Whisk, $5.
4. Wood Lemon Reamer, $9.
5. 101 Mojitos and Other Muddled Drinks, $11.38.
6. Formosa Tray Table, $49.95.
7. Elderflower Presse, $8.
8. Shake Rattle & Roll Cocktail Shaker, $38.
9. Canine Coasters Set, $18.

What's your "drink"? Do you make cocktails at home? Plus, more round-ups...

(Post by Rachel from Elephantine, a new Cup of Jo contributor, who will be posting every couple weeks. Thank you, Rachel!)

Fridge Makeover: Photo magnets

Our apartment has a plain old white fridge. So, to jazz it up a bit, I made some Pinhole Press photo magnets. I used snapshots of Toby, as well as some photos I found online of my favorite old-school celebs (including Mick Jagger, obviously). Our gallery display makes our whole kitchen feel so much cozier, and Toby loves pointing himself out. For Mother's Day, I'm going to send my mom a package of Toby magnets:)

What's on your fridge? Aren't personal magnets awesome? Which photos would you put on magnets? xo

Puzzle board

How amazing are these Puzzle Boards? What fun for fall parties.

(Via Swiss, via Apartment Therapy)

United States cheese boards

How cool are these United States cheese boards? (As a Michigan girl, I'm psyched that they made a separate piece for the Upper Peninsula!)

(Via I Heart You)

Thomas Paul plates

Loving these Thomas Paul plates (along with everything else in the great Maine-based shop Daytrip Society).

Whale tea towel

Fun tea towels can really perk up a kitchen (and they make great presents wrapped around a bottle of wine). I like these friendly whales.

(Via Lena)

Food jars

Aren't these jars pretty?

(Via Eat Drink Chic)

Tea submarine

Now that I'm not drinking wine, I've returned to my British roots and am drinking tea. Every evening, Alex and I make a steaming pot of cinnamon-y Bengal Spice. So I laughed when I saw this funny submarine tea infuser. Genius!

What kind of tea do you like?

(Via Swissmiss)

Heart tea towels

What sweet tea towels. It's the little things, right? (And cute for Valentine's Day.)

(Via Chelsea)

Gift Guide Part #6: Your British Dad Who Makes Peppery Soups and Isn't Scared of Anything (Even Really Scary Things).

Cycling's Golden Age with nostalgia-inspiring biking photos from the forties, fifties and sixties, $32.

Danish spice mill for family dinners, $79.

A French map cheese board, which cleverly pinpoints where each stinky cheese comes from, $60.

Hitchcock Masterpiece Collection, since he taught you to love these films (and to watch out for Hitchcock's secret cameos!), $54.99.

A rad Icelandic tie, made from wool from the country's finest sheep, $54.

A propeller bottle stopper, $28, wrapped up with his favorite red wine.

Camping gloves, with a handy slit in the thumb so he can type on his blackberry, $78.

A biplane ride in upstate New York, where he'll get to wear those awesome aviator goggles, $65.

Swimmers glasses

Aren't these swimmers glasses sweet? When you fill them with water, they look like they're really splashing around. (P.S. More funny glasses.)

(Via Double Takes)

Sailor Stripes

On etsy today, I'm loving this striped top -- with a sailor collar!

And this fab striped thermos for fall picnics.

Wednesday Giveaway!

I have a new giveaway for you today! This lovely spoon and bowl set from Farmhouse Wares would be perfect for cereal and ice cream sundaes. When you're done, just tuck the spoon in the bowl. Cute!

For a chance to win this spoon/bowl set, visit the Farmhouse Wares website and tell us your favorite item in the comments below. I'll select a winner at random on Thursday.

Thank you and good luck! xo

Update: Sarah was the winner! Congrats! Please come back for another giveaway next Wednesday, my dears...

Frog Dish.

Oh, my goodness, cute!

Adding to my Ebay Shop

Psst, I added more to my eBay shop, like those cute six heart tupperware tumblers and a brand new 1950's retro bathing suit. Go here, if you'd like. Thank you! xo

Mustachioed

The designer of these moustache hankies was apparently inspired by "Salvador Dali, Tom Selleck, the classic handlebar, and some baseball player from the 80s." Awesome.

Also nice are her wine-stained napkins.

Paris Loft

How gorgeous and airy is this white-walled space? As if we needed any more reason to move to Paris....
(Via Style Files.)

Bathing Beauties

How gorgeous are these ceramics? I love how the figures are preparing to dive and wearing cute little caps. Some are stretching; some are shivering. They're the handiwork of England-based 29-year-old Helen Beard. (Yeah, 29!) (Via Bloesem)

Sneaky sipper.

How genius is this plastic flask from Finland? It looks so cheery, no one would know you were drinking straight vodka instead of, say, apple juice. The Finns know what's up!

P.S. Also cool.

Cup-of-Jo Gift Guide Part #6: Your Genius Epicurean Stepdad Who Made Fun of You the Third-Year-in-a-Row That You Gave Him Balsamic Vinegar.

Alphabet Bookends, $39.95 each. (Click here to look at the amazing close-up images.)

Onion action goggles, $20. (They protect your eyes when you're chopping onions--genius!)

Shot glasses from Scandinavia, $61.

Foreskin's Lament, $16.50. (Awkward title, great book.)

Silver Cookbook Holder, $34.

Wobbly cognac glasses, $55.

Murray's cheese class, two hours in NYC, $50.