I am proud to present a guest blogger today – Deborah Sims, Thought Director (a.k.a. Manager of New Product Development).  She sits across from me, hails from Virginia, eats yogurt for breakfast, and likes squirrels (and deer and other woodland creatures, but I digress).  She’s got some Blue Q Gift Giving suggestions for you thoughtless creatures out there.

Deborah’s desk is highlighted in the picture below – you can see Deborah kinda sorta waving in the back there (she’s in a meeting.  A very important meeting, I am sure).

Ok.  Here goes:

10 Blue Q things I like  to give as gifts:

1) The Bird Vases - making these was a labor of love
2) Feed The Birds Dish Towel -  illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal (2 more in these series coming in January…shhhh)
3) Bottoms Up Stainless Steel Water Bottle- reminds me of my daughter who has a small anchor tattoo
4) Savin Up to Start a Business Bank -  Artist Dana Wyse at her most wicked.  I’ll never forget the day Mitch and I tracked her down to ask her to collaborate on products.
5) Sleep by Michael Putnam – Michael Putnam is an incredible photographer who has traveled extensively.  This is a collection of photographs he has taken through the years of people all over the world sleeping in public places.  It is a poignant and surprising little book.
6) La La Land Orange Ginger Soap - This yummy smelling bar is wrapped in waxed paper with a band printed with a squirrel.  I love Squirrels.
7) Nelson Mandela Car Air Freshener – So kooky and smells like Cookies! Created by the Ad Agency Mother in NYC. 
8) Miso Pretty Bath Sake This is one of the most gorgeous bath items we have ever made.  Designer Fiona Hewit’s art is ornamented with fancy bits of silver foil.
9) I Heart Paris Shopper -  Tres chic. I went to Paris on my Honeymoon after my first wedding. 
10) Dirty Girl Juice Glasses -  I have been at Blue Q for over 10 years and made a ton of Dirty Girl stuff.  These glasses were a bit unusual in the lineup of bath and beauty items but so damn cute.  Who can’t use juice glasses with a pink naked girl on it?

Who knew that a flat, hairless, cardboard feline would give birth to all this stuff?  The Flat Cat.  Born in 1988.  Along with Blue Q.  Dirty Girl, Total Bitch, Wash Away Your Sins, Mullet, Cat Butt, Boss Lady, Miso Pretty, Cute as Hell, Get Real, La La Land, Looking Good for Jesus, Queen.

Ok, let’s keep going.  We also make 95% post consumer recycled material woven into gorgeous shopping bags, tote bags, overnight bags, zipper pouches, coin purses.

Oh!  And stainless steel water bottles, always BPA free, darlingly designed, amazingly coveted.  Did you say dish towels???  We got dish towels.  Handwoven in India by FabIndia, my friend. Designed by amazing artists and silkscreened in Boston by this guy Maurice.

Did you mention Car Air Fresheners?  That’s what I thought you said.  Yep, we do those too.  Funny, irreverent.   And gum.  Like a greeting card you can chew!  Tin banks.  Have you seen these things?  What are you saving up for?  Plastic Surgery?  We can help?  To quit your job?  No problem!  We can help.

We’re the designers and manufactures of life improving, joy bringing, mind-altering, universally praised products.

Honest.