For a Trip
Taking people out of town? Help them record all the fun they’re having with the Philips keychain digital camera (available from the Discovery Channel store). The lightweight, compact gadget is smaller than a cell phone and has enough storage for 81 photos; it can triple as Webcam and video camera as well. Back in their hotel rooms, help them relax with perfumed ice cubes from Kenzoki in their minifridge. The ice cubes are infused with essential oils and mineral salts extracted from rice to balance, reinvigorate, and revive—just what they'll need after hectic traveling or a long day of meetings. A pack of 12 cubes costs $30. And let them plug in their iPods with portable, pop-up speakers made of biodegradable cardboard from MUJI, the Japanese brand know for its innovative designs. They store almost completely flat for easy packing, and are available for $42 from the Museum of Modern Art’s Design Store.
During Crunch Time
When clients are too busy to get out of the office—tax season for accounting firms, say, or when editors are on deadline—make their day with a giant bag of tasty popcorn from Dale & Thomas. The party sack includes 14 five-cup bags in all, including sweet and savory varieties like caramel, cheddar, peanut butter with white chocolate, and Cajun spice. Individual packages arrive within a reusable sack that closes with a drawstring.
To Take to a Trade Show
Offer fatigued and cranky trade show marathoners a little TLC with a package of soothing and fun goodies. Inject a bit of humor to a long day on the show floor with a pack of 60 therapy flashcards from Knock Knock—the illustrated cards give tips and tell jokes about everyday psychoses. Skin-care line Borba now carries gummy bears and jelly beans infused with good things like green tea, açai, and vitamin C that work to improve the skin from within; candies retail for $25 a bag. Back at the hotel, Elemis’ aching muscle super soak soothes muscles with extracts of lavender, birch, chamomile, clove, juniper, and thyme, and costs $50. And Visage de Layla's Healing Soul packs of Chinese herbal ingredients like houttuynia cordata, saururus chinensis, and agaricus blazei murill mushroom are absorbed through the feet and are meant to raise energy levels, ease aches, and detoxify.
Back at Home
When invitees can’t make an out-oftown trip, give them a suitcase stuffed with travel books from Assouline. The luxe publishing company offers a limited edition valise (replete with vintage destination stickers) stocked with four of its Hotel Stories titles for $225. Further the experience with one of the publisher’s scented candles: try a wood-scented version evocative of a paneled library or another with rich leather notes, redolent of bound volumes and clublike surroundings, for $45 each.
Creative Sparks
Chef Katy Sparks made a name for herself at Quilty’s, the defunct SoHo eatery where she garnered honors as one of Food & Wine’s best new chefs. With her new cookbook Sparks in the Kitchen (Knopf; $30), the chef presents recipes for everything from snacks and little dishes, to cocktails and desserts. She emphasizes the importance of fresh ingredients and encourages creativity—and includes tips about improvising with leftovers, or working with alternative ingredients.
—Danielle Bufalini, Jeralyn Gerba & Mark Mavrigian
Posted 05.26.06
Photo: Courtesy of MoMA Design Store (speakers)
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Taking people out of town? Help them record all the fun they’re having with the Philips keychain digital camera (available from the Discovery Channel store). The lightweight, compact gadget is smaller than a cell phone and has enough storage for 81 photos; it can triple as Webcam and video camera as well. Back in their hotel rooms, help them relax with perfumed ice cubes from Kenzoki in their minifridge. The ice cubes are infused with essential oils and mineral salts extracted from rice to balance, reinvigorate, and revive—just what they'll need after hectic traveling or a long day of meetings. A pack of 12 cubes costs $30. And let them plug in their iPods with portable, pop-up speakers made of biodegradable cardboard from MUJI, the Japanese brand know for its innovative designs. They store almost completely flat for easy packing, and are available for $42 from the Museum of Modern Art’s Design Store.
During Crunch Time
When clients are too busy to get out of the office—tax season for accounting firms, say, or when editors are on deadline—make their day with a giant bag of tasty popcorn from Dale & Thomas. The party sack includes 14 five-cup bags in all, including sweet and savory varieties like caramel, cheddar, peanut butter with white chocolate, and Cajun spice. Individual packages arrive within a reusable sack that closes with a drawstring.
To Take to a Trade Show
Offer fatigued and cranky trade show marathoners a little TLC with a package of soothing and fun goodies. Inject a bit of humor to a long day on the show floor with a pack of 60 therapy flashcards from Knock Knock—the illustrated cards give tips and tell jokes about everyday psychoses. Skin-care line Borba now carries gummy bears and jelly beans infused with good things like green tea, açai, and vitamin C that work to improve the skin from within; candies retail for $25 a bag. Back at the hotel, Elemis’ aching muscle super soak soothes muscles with extracts of lavender, birch, chamomile, clove, juniper, and thyme, and costs $50. And Visage de Layla's Healing Soul packs of Chinese herbal ingredients like houttuynia cordata, saururus chinensis, and agaricus blazei murill mushroom are absorbed through the feet and are meant to raise energy levels, ease aches, and detoxify.
Back at Home
When invitees can’t make an out-oftown trip, give them a suitcase stuffed with travel books from Assouline. The luxe publishing company offers a limited edition valise (replete with vintage destination stickers) stocked with four of its Hotel Stories titles for $225. Further the experience with one of the publisher’s scented candles: try a wood-scented version evocative of a paneled library or another with rich leather notes, redolent of bound volumes and clublike surroundings, for $45 each.
Creative Sparks
Chef Katy Sparks made a name for herself at Quilty’s, the defunct SoHo eatery where she garnered honors as one of Food & Wine’s best new chefs. With her new cookbook Sparks in the Kitchen (Knopf; $30), the chef presents recipes for everything from snacks and little dishes, to cocktails and desserts. She emphasizes the importance of fresh ingredients and encourages creativity—and includes tips about improvising with leftovers, or working with alternative ingredients.
—Danielle Bufalini, Jeralyn Gerba & Mark Mavrigian
Posted 05.26.06
Photo: Courtesy of MoMA Design Store (speakers)
Related Stories
10 Business Entertaining Biggies
10 Hot Restaurants for Business Entertaining
5 Conversation Starters for Business Entertaining
5 Under-Hyped Spots for Business Entertaining
5 Quiet Cocktails Spots for Business Entertaining
5 Sparkling Scenes for Business Entertaining
Ask the Experts: Business Entertaining