Happy New Year says the Firefly

This post was written by beth Date January 5, 2009

Happy New Year everyone! YES. We are back on track and Gamil.com will have regular stories once again now that the long series of holidays are sadly and finally over. Since the holidays are finished but the shopping season has been forced to continue indefinitely, I recommend you go out and find the Vestalife Firefly iPod dock for your shiny new iPod.

It’s beautiful, in color AND it opens and closes! I would assume it sounds good but, really, who cares?
Vestalife will be launching it at MacWorld this month. “Stay tuned.”

via MocoLoco

Naughty or Nice?

This post was written by beth Date December 17, 2008

Check out what your Christmas will look like this year! A fellow Raleigh design agency, R+M (and also friends!), put this fun li’l setting together. No matter whether you are deemed Naughty or Nice, you’ll surely be able to blow some time finding the hidden Christmas gems.

Cute or Sad? This solves both.

This post was written by ty Date December 8, 2008

I don’t want to introduce more willpower issues into the work place but this is cuteness/sadness…

Reindeer Games

Reindeer Games

and this is one smart mouse…

Even fish are cute @ CUTE overload!

looks fishy

looks fishy

Buy local in Raleigh this Christmas!

This post was written by beth Date December 6, 2008

There are options everywhere this year for supporting your local community with a more homey version of commercialism.

Designbox has it’s 7th annual Brand Fandango celebration this season. The show opened First Friday, but DB has extended show hours, open on Saturdays through the 20th from 11a-4p and weekdays thru 19th from 12p-6p. Lots of unique gifts, including one-of-a-kind A.H. Peele tee-shirts made from multiple screens from his designs and commercial work. You may find a PBR logo nestled amongst some trippy flowers, or Willie Nelson’s head sticking out of some of Adams swirly vines! Also find unique and affordable art, beautiful contemporary jewelry, hip apparel, funky bags, hilarious holiday cards and more!

The 16th annual Boylan Artwalk is this Sunday, December 7 from 1p-5p. Over 100 local artists and crafts people display perfect gifts on porches and in homes throughout the neighborhood. Enjoy the walk and then walk away finished with your shopping! Whether you are looking for metal, glass, clay, wood or fiber, it’s all here.

The Rock & Shop Market, a hip urban market featuring emerging designers and live music, is Sunday, December 13 from 1p-5p at Tir Na Nog. Over 30 vendors will be selling jewelry, silkscreen stuff, ornaments, soaps and candles, bags and more - all to the sounds of Whistlestop and The Tender Fruit.

Looking for local music? Check out Holly Raleigh Christmas, a compilation CD of local musicians! The proceeds go to local charities, and the project is sponsored by local businesses, including the Greater Raleigh Merchants Association.

Give more to your favorite local music artist by buying music direct instead of through a big music store. Superfan Records is a record label where the musicians actually get the money! Really? Yes!  Buy the new Kickin Grass CD (art designed by local designers - GAMIL!), Regina Hexaphone or Monologue Bombs!

Here’s a list of other great local places to shop:
Rebus Works: a gallery of NC arts and crafts, as well as framing.
Stitch: Holly Aiken’s wonderful world of bags, now on Hargett St.
Great Outdoor Provision: All the outdoor gear of a big box in a great locally owned store.
Father & Son: Vintage, Kitsch, Mid Century and other buzzwords for your offbeat gift needs.
Stuff Consignment: Taking thrift store to a whole nutha level.
FM Goods: your local source for street wear, sneakers and art with some attitude.
Nofo: locally owned store of eclectic and funky gifts with a cafe for a nice little break.

Also, check out NewRaleigh.com throughout the season. They’re always up to date on events and opportunities. Have Fun!

Choc-o-chocolate

This post was written by aly Date December 5, 2008

Ok what is more chocolatey than chocolate? Chocolate covered Cacao beans!

Through a very unique process, Nahualli Trading Company has been able to coat pure Cacao beans with a few microns of barely sweetened chocolate covering. The resulting flavor is the best dark chocolate I’ve had - and the seed can even give a fruity flavor. Wonderful!

Nahualli Trading Company was started last year by Paul Mosca in Raleigh and his Chocolate Seeds were launched at Designbox’s Brand Fandango. I ate one thinking it was nifty. But a few pounds later, I wanted a whole Chocolate Tree!

This year we see Nahualli is taking their product to a whole new level. You can buy them here - but don’t open the bag until you’re ready!