Carlsbadistan

In light of the recent firestorm in San Diego County, we’re going to have to take California’s State Law to keep 100 feet of defensible space around structures to heart. By the looks of it there are plenty of Carlsbadistanians who need help trimming their own underbrush, and Mîchel Petite Spa and Skin Care Gallery in the village may be just the ones to do it. ‘Taint only women who get waxed at Michel’s: men’s Bikini ($50) and Brazillian waxes ($75) are also the menu. This is one gift certificate that may truly be better to give than to receive.

Mîchel Petite Spa and Skin Care Gallery, 2815 Roosevelt Street, 760-730-1772.

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While the rest of the world gives each other woolen slippers for Christmas, Carlsbadistanians can be happy that we are able to gift the traditional Hawaiian “slippah” instead. Sure you can pick up a pair of Rainbows, Reefs, Cobain, or other flip-flops at various stores around the village, but we’re backing these Havaianas from The M Collection on State Street. They’re your basic rubber flip, but thanks to a special and highly guarded Brazillian rubber recipe these things are soft as those marshmallows you just put in your hot-cocoa. Plus, with a price that hovers around $15 dollars they’re cheap enough to stock up on.

The M Collection, 2971 State Street, (760) 720-1252.

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We’re not big fans of training wheels on kids bikes. In fact, we think training wheels are responsible for much of what is wrong with kids today. But that is another post entirely. Let’s just say this: if a child isn’t ready for a bicycle, then keep them on their tricycle. And, if they’re going to stay on their trikes longer, we found a really cool Christmas tricycle at Ella Grace, the children’s clothing store hidden away in the catacombs of the Village Faire.

The Sky King Trike ($249.00) is made by Air Flow, Inc. of Orange, California and is a near perfect replica of the original 1936 Sky King. It is 26 inches tall, with red powder coat paint and chrome insignias, solid rubber tires, adjustable spring seat, rubber hand grips, a working light, and it is all steel. It is the perfect tricycle for boys three to six years of age. For girls, Ella Grace also has the same bike in the Pink Princess model. With a trike this cool kids may never want to step up to a bicycle, but at least they won’t be out tilting around on training wheels.

Ella Grace, 300 Carlsbad Village Drive Suite 105, 760 720-1414.

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As much as we hate stumbling through the over-stuffed grandma clutter of Linda’s Gift, we often find ourselves forced to squeeze through the maze of knick-knacks in search of that special treat or card. So you can imagine our surprise when we nearly knocked over a whole stack of large tins from Tea Forte.

Tea Forte’s individually hand crafted silken infusers reportedly provide the world’s finest method to brew a cup of tea. “The open weave of the fabric allows the water to flow freely around the teas, allowing the tea leaves to unfurl and the flavors to mingle in the large open form of the infuser.”

Each Large Tin contains 15 of Tea Forte’s stylishly designed silken tea infusers with the choice of Classic (three infusers of each: Black Currant, Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Darjeeling, Orange Pekoe), Exotic (three infusers of each: African Solstice, Bombay Chai, Ginger, Green Tango & White Ambrosia) or Sampler (three infusers of each: Black Currant, Chamomile, Citrus Mint, Earl Grey, & Oasis).

The holidays can often get a little out-of-control hyper and there is nothing that calms things down like a hot cup of tea. That’s why Tea Forte Large Tin ($24) is one of our favorite hostess gifts.

Linda’s Gift, 300 Carlsbad Village Dr # 115 (760) 720-7525.

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