Monthly Archives

November 2012

Gift Baskets

Meet the Artisans Behind Our California Crafted Meat & Cheese Gift Basket

November 30, 2012
California Crafted Meat & Cheese Gift Basket

California Crafted Meat & Cheese Gift BasketIf you really want to show someone how exquisite they are, nothing will get your message across better than the California Crafted Meat & Cheese Gift Basket. To ensure that your loved one gets the quality products they deserve, we teamed up with the makers of top-of-the-line artisanal cheeses and premium gourmet foods. Our partners aren’t just experts; they’re food artists, and we love them so much that we just have to introduce them to you. Meet the three artisans—Bellwether Farms, Cypress Grove Chevre, and Colombus— behind one of our most sophisticated gift baskets, and find out how they harness their passion to deliver delicacies to your doorstep.

Bellwether Farms

The Callahan Family of Bellwether Farms

Bellwether Farms, a premier creamery on the beautiful Sonoma County coast, was established back in 1986 by Cindy Callahan, a former nurse. Their long tradition of making fine cheese started entirely by chance: When Cindy bought sheep as an easy way to manage the farm’s grass, a friend happened to suggest that she try milking the sheep. And so the dairy farm was born.

Today, Bellwether Farms uses fresh, rich and creamy milk from Jerseycows (which are rarer than traditional black-and-white cows and make the best milk for dairy products) to create first-rate cheeses. The cows are fed a healthy diet of fresh grass, alfalfa and grains to enhance the flavor of their milk, and they are never pumped with hormones. To give their goods a personal touch, Cindy’s son, Liam, makes every pound of cheese with his own hands.

Bellwether Farms Carmody CheeseThe Callahans found inspiration for their famous Carmody cheese, which is featured in our California Crafted Meat & Cheese Gift Basket, on a trip toItaly in the ’90s. After traveling toMilan to see firsthand how Gorgonzola is made, Cindy tried making her own cheese that had a similar mild, creamy and buttery taste … and she perfected it. Tipping her hat to her hometown, Cindy named the delicious cheese “Carmody” after a road that runs right near her farm.

Cypress Grove Chevre

Mary Keehn of Cypress Grove ChevreJust like the fortuitous discovery of Bellwether Farms, Cypress Grove Chevre has a similar history surrounded by luck. Mary Keehn started raising Alpine goats in the 1970s so that she could provide her children with a healthier source of milk. It so happened that she actually had a knack for rearing goats, eventually earning her national recognition as one of the country’s best Alpine goat breeders.

As her herd of goats and their supply of milk kept growing, Mary gave cheese making a try. And being the winner that she is, she nailed it. Now, with its remarkable collection of goat cheese flavors invented exclusively by Mary, Cypress Grove Chevre has become one of the most renowned and awarded sellers of goat cheese in the country.

Cypress Grove Chevre Purple Haze Goat CheeseWe chose to feature Cypress Grove Chevre’s Purple Haze Goat Milk Cheese in our gift basket because of its unique and oh-so-flavorful blend of lavender and wild fennel pollen, which makes a delicious complement to a variety of sweet and savory foods. Plus, we simply couldn’t ignore its award-winning history: It was crowned Best of Show at the 2009 California State Fair Cheese Competition, and it earned the Best of Class title at the 2011 U.S. Cheese Championship.

Columbus

Columbus LogoAnd what’s artisanal cheese without some choice meats to pair it with? The founders of Columbus left Italy to come to America in 1917, but they sure didn’t leave their authentic Italian traditions behind. With them, they brought their expertise in making artisan salame and premium deli meats, and they began selling it in their new digs—San Francisco, California. In today’s modern age, Columbus continues bringing us unforgettable old-world charm and flavor with their line of Italian fare.

Columbus Italian Dry SalameSo which Columbus product did we pick as our favorite? The Italian Dry Salame, and it’s not hard to see why. The flavor of these first-class cuts of slow-cured pork is further enhanced with aromatic spices and rich wine, giving the original Italian recipe some San Francisco appeal. Whichever way you choose to savor it—whether it’s in a sandwich or straight from the package—you’ll be captivated by the genuine taste that only the masters at Columbus can create.

Now that you’ve gotten to know the culinary maestros we’ve had the honor of collaborating with to bring you the California Crafted Meat & Cheese Gift Basket, tell us which story you found to be the most inspiring and why!

New Baby Gift Baskets

Three New Stylish Baby Bottle Bags, Plus a Diaper Bag Checklist for On-the-Go Moms!

November 21, 2012
Baby on the Go Tulip Bottle Bag Gift Set

Baby on the Go Tulip Bottle Bag Gift SetWhen mom and baby are out and about, anything can happen! Spills, diaper mishaps, sudden fevers … you name it. That’s why it’s important to carry a diaper bag that’s locked and loaded with everything you need to face (and avoid) any messy situations. Not sure where to start? Here are three cute, stylish and practical bottle bags to stash in your diaper bag, plus a handy diaper bag packing checklist to print out and take with you wherever you go!

Baby Bottle Bag Ideas

The Baby on the Go Tulip Bottle Bag Gift Set for girls, and the Baby on the Go Chibi Zoo Bottle Bag Gift Set for boys, fits snugly into your diaper bag and comes equipped with loads of baby essentials. Nestled in the insulated are three bibs and two Plum Organic Just Fruits baby food pouches. Plus it fits two baby bottles and much more!

New Baby Bonanza Diaper Bucket Bag Deluxe Gift SetFor stylish mommies on the run, the New Baby Bonanza Diaper Bucket Bag Deluxe Gift Set features the hottest new products from the Bella Tunno NECCESSORY line, a celebrity favorite! Cleanup is a breeze with the disposable bibs, placemats, potty pads, and multipurpose pads that are packed in this fashion-forward bag. For easy access to mom’s emergency stash, the bag features stroller straps, exterior bottle pockets and a secure zippered parents-only pouch.

No matter where you and your little one are heading off to, you can rest assured that these convenient bottle bags will help you bring all of your necessities with you. What else should you carry with you at all times, you ask? Use the following checklist as a guide, and you’ll never be caught ill-equipped again!

Diaper Bag Packing Checklist

For Baby:

_ One diaper for every hour of your trip
_ Baby wipes and tissues
_ Changing pad
_ Diaper rash cream
_ Baby powder
_ Baby wash and lotion
_ Plastic bags (to store dirty diapers and clothes)
_ Three changes of clothes
_ Socks
_ Two pacifiers
_ Teething gel and teething ring
_ Bibs and burp cloths
_ Hand sanitizer
_ Bottle and formula
_ Ice pack (to keep formula cool, if necessary)
_ Water and juice
_ Healthy snacks
_ Weather-appropriate blanket
_ Hat and gloves (to keep your baby warm in cold weather)
_ Sunscreen
_ Emergency contact information (doctors, hospital, insurance companies, etc.)
_ First-aid kit
_ Antihistamine for babies (in case your baby has an allergic reaction to something)
_ Fever reducer for babies
_ Nasal aspirator and nasal spray
_ Nail clippers
_ Baby hairbrush
_ Toys and books

For You:

_ Nursing cover (for moms who breastfeed)
_ Breast pads
_ Wallet
_ Keys
_ Cell phone
_ Sunglasses
_ Pen and note pad
_Change of clothes
_ Water and healthy snacks
_ Camera (to capture all those precious moments!)
What other baby essentials do you like to keep on hand in case of emergencies? Tell us about it!

Gift Baskets, New Baby Gift Baskets

Hospital Care Package Ideas for Your BFFL

November 13, 2012
It's Time! Mommy's Maternity Essentials Bag

A-DOG-able Sick As a Dog ArrangementWhenever you need a helping hand or just someone to share a good laugh with, your best friend always comes to your rescue. So when your BFFL finds herself in the hospital, it’s time to give her some extra lovin’ in return for all those times she’s stood by you. Whether your friend is recovering from surgery or having a bouncing new baby, the hospital isn’t exactly the snuggest place to stay. So as her trusty sidekick, you can help her feel more at home by putting together a thoughtful care package. Here are some hospital care package ideas that will get your friend back on her feet in no time!

Ease the Road to Recovery

Staying in a hospital because of surgery or illness means spending a lot of time alone in a dull environment. Lucky for your amiga, you know how to make her smile in any situation, and this is no exception. Bring the comforts of home to her hospital room and help her painlessly pass the time with these fun, practical gifts:

Care & Comfort Get Well Essentials Bag for Her

  • BFFLBags Care & Comfort Get Well Essentials Bag for Her (there’s one for him too!)
  • Cozy pajamas, robe and slippers
  • Soft, comfy blanket and pillow cases
  • Lip balm and body lotion (dry hospital air can leave your friend’s skin feeling parched)
  • Antibacterial gel
  • MP3 player with headphones
  • Portable DVD player and movies
  • Novels and magazines (or they can borrow your e-reader/tablet)
  • Puzzle books and brain games
  • Snacks (treat your friend to all the munchies she desires with the Friend on the Mend Doctor’s House Call Kit … if it’s allowed by doctors, of course)
  • Flowers, picture frames and cheerful decorations

Pamper the New Mommy

With so many pictures being snapped of the proud new mama and her bundle of joy, having a baby is an exciting time for your friend … but sometimes the hospital stay can be anything but glamorous. Who better than you to lift her spirits with a fun makeover? Help her get ready for those close-ups and keep her feeling refreshed with these revitalizing indulgences:

Has your BFFL ever had to make a trip to the hospital? How did you make her feel comfortable while she recuperated?