Half of The Golden State, Mr. James Starr, is also half of MikeJames Clothing (with Mike, of course), a purveyor of simply designed T-shirts and tanks—an outlined area code map with number on a solid background—which neighborhood loyalists will love. I’ve been waiting for ‘323‘ to be avail again, and it finally is! There’s the white-on-blue tee for $24 or the blue-on-white tank for $20. For those a bit more east, ‘213‘ is also back in stock in yellow-on-red. Plus $1 from each purchase goes to the YMCA represented on your shirt. Get ‘em, including Northern Cali codes and codes for East Coasters too, here.

From our friends at Blackburn and Sweetzer

Hook up your music-loving dad with an iTunes online gift certificate . He can pick his own tracks and you can take all the waste from wrapping, packaging, and plastic CD cases out of the mix.

If  Dads into gadgets then he needs the hot little Solio Hybrid Charger to recharge his cell phone, MP3 player, digital camera, and all the other electronics he drags around. Charges with stored-up solar power.

Pamper him with a gifts including skin-soothing, paraben-free Every Man Jack shave gel, body wash, and face wash; soap from Pangea Organics; a recycled, reusable razor; and a wooden body brush packed in a bamboo basket.

Free a new Dad from pastel-flowered diaper bag hell with the Diaper Dude Messenger II. Designed by a dad, these manlier messenger bags are made from recycled water bottles and come with lots of pockets, a changing pad, and a quick-release shoulder strap. Plus, a portion of proceeds goes to Global Green USA.

He doesn’t want another tie! Instead get him a Recycled Necktie & Suit Wallet . With a pocket for cash and two side pockets for cards, the wallets are handmade from used silk ties and suits.

Know a hip, young dad that wears jeans and T-shirts more than suits and ties? Help him make a statement with a organic cotton tee from We add up. Each tee is custom hand-printed with a unique number. The number represents his position in the worldwide count of people doing something to do their part. No two shirts are alike

Wanna give Dad some R&R but can’t quite afford that Hawaiian vacation? Give him a getaway in his own backyard with the Ultimate Hammock , made of recycled soda bottles. It’s waterproof and UV-resistant and has the comfort of cotton.

Tulsi Solar Powered Grill – a dual powered electric hybrid so even when the weather is less than ideal Dad can still enjoy outdoor cooking year round.

Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottles – A reusable water bottle without the foofoo, no butterflies, ladybugs or snowflakes. Just an eco-friendly, high-quality stainless steel Klean Kanteen water bottle . Pick up a shoulder sling too so he can take it with him.

From our friends at DealHippie

Their top of the line model is the Lawnbott LB3500. Unlike conventional lawn mowers, the LB3500 can cover 40,000 sq feet yards while your father watches his favorite baseball team instead. These robot mowers use a double capacity Li-ion battery that’s clean, economically-friendly, and eco-friendly. Conventional lawn mowers can pollute “as much in an hour as 40 late model cars.”

Besides the  environment, the LB3500 also has safety in mind. It has free floating 360 degree bumper shield that has a sensor that stops the blade when touched. It can also handle slopes of up to 27 degrees so there’s no fear of tippage.

At a $3500 cost, it is on the pricey side. But if money is no object, the LB3500 would truly be a Father’s Day Gift to remember!

From our friends at Green Shopaholic

From our friends at Stylehive

Editor’s Picks

By far the most sought after out of them all is the Historic Collection by Modern Alchemy (D.L. & Co. offshoot). Housed in simple votive glasses and an ornate label depicting each scent, Douglas Little of Modern Alchemy, has done something other fragrance houses have only dreamed of. Attracting the average Joe to do candles. With scents like Opium Den, Dia De Los Muertos and Secret Society, essences such as juniper mingle with 19th century lacquer, smoldering tobacco and orris root. Add in the fact these candles are crafted out of natural soy wax and essential oils and you have something incredibly worth giving, not to mention burning. About $45.00.

Like Modern Alchemy, Molton Brown is unquestionably masculine and isn’t afraid to steer a course away from the much used floral + surgery sweet foodie combination. Instead Molton Brown lays it on heavy and thick with herbs, dark woods and steamy incense touches. I love the departure as well because these scents are masterfully blended. No clunkers here. My top pick in candle form is Molton’s Black Pepper Air Candle. Going deep with serious resins such as melodically gooey galbanum and spicy Madagascan black pepper the overall effect is fit for a king. The 80 hours of burn time and hand crafting in Suffiolk, England somewhat takes the sting out of the $75.00 price tag.

This one is pretty much a Gothic given and has no scent to boot. Clearly more of a conversation piece, slash chotsky, for all those gents wishing to be overly dramatic with foot resting on an ottoman and speeches about poor Urich, I knew him well… DL & co. – Memento Mori Black Wax Skull Candle, about $85.00.

The Agraria Balsam Woven Candle is the most classic pick with redwood, sweet balsam and French sage dampening down the white flowers that managed to sneak inside, the overall effect of the woven rattan cane encasement gives it major rustic appeal. $55.00.

Image: D.L. & Co., Saks, Candle Delirium | Collage Gave That Digital Studio

From our friends at Gave That

Yes, you could also purchase a binder and protective sheets for the same purpose; but then you have to find a stand big and stable enough to steady your book, and by the time you, sweaty and cursing, wrangle the binder into submission, your family has already phoned for pizza.

From our friends at Miso Souper

In Loving Memory of My Dad,
Payton

Does your Dad enjoy sports? Take him to ESPN Zone for a hands-on sports overload! He can watch all
kinds of sports just about anywhere he goes in the "Zone" on any of their 150- monitors. Does he have a favorite sport? He can play until his heart’s content. Visit your local "Zone" or travel to a location of choice: Anaheim, Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, New York, or Washington D.C. Bring a camera to capture Dad in his element.

Need a little more adventure for Father’s Day? Take Dad skydiving! Now, that’s exciting, right? You can find skydiving outfitters all over the U.S., so it’s easy to stay local or to take a trip to a desired location. Make sure your Dad doesn’t have any heart issues before investing in this adventure. If he has a clean bill of health, then go jump out of a plane together. I promise it will be an experience to remember. Most outfitters will video tape the jump for you as well (for a nominal fee, of course).

Would you prefer a water-based adventure instead of flying through the air? Take Dad to the rapids for
some white water rafting! Rafting is one of those things (Do we call it a sport? I don’t know.) anyway, it’s one of those things can be really freakin’ intense and scary and just when you think you can’t take it anymore, the rapids break away to a calm, surreal stillness that you coast through quietly. Don’t get too comfy though because there’s another breaker around the bend! It’s a real blast! Again, make sure that Dad doesn’t have any heart issues before embarking on this adventure. Most outfitters will provide photos for purchase at the end of your ride.

If you read this and the first thought that came to your mind was, "That’s great, my Dad hates sports and had a double by-pass two years ago, so none of these work for me." If that’s the case, I suggest you go play golf. Oh come on, it’s not a sport! Well, it might be if you actually walk the course, but it would better qualify as a sport if you ran the course instead. Think about it…extreme golf!

If all else fails, take him out to an outrageous dinner! Take him to a special place that you wouldn’t normally dine and order one of everything on the menu. )

Happy Adventuring/Searching/Shopping,
Payton

When I think back to special occasions in my life, I remember who was there and what we did together. Occasionally a specific gift will stand out in my mind, but more often than not, I remember the events of the day. I remember graduating from high school and college. They were both very exciting and special days for me. I remember who was there to celebrate with me, but I don’t remember a single gift that I received. I have photos from both events that captured some of the memories and that’s important to me. I enjoy receiving gifts (as most people do), but they’re definitely not the focal point for me.

It’s interesting to think about all the things I’ve experienced over the years. Obviously, some things are more pivotal than others and some things I’ve forgotten entirely until someone brings them up or if I come across photos to remind me. It’s funny, I can always look at photos and remember where I was and what was going on, but I can’t always remember everyone’s names. It makes me sad, but time moves on and sometimes our friends do too. Perhaps I should catch up on years of scrapbooking and start recording people’s names with their photos. Ha! Well, I can dream right?

I’d love to hear what makes life events more memorable, please comment and let us know!

Happy Searching/Shopping,
Payton

Picture this, purchase a cool beach bag or ice chest and fill it with the items listed below to suit the needs and tastes of the person you’re buying for. In addition to gifting cool things for the beach, you could even throw in a gift card to a tanning salon or include a bottle of self-tanning lotion so whomever you’re gifting to can get a jump start on a tan (not suggested for children).

For Dads:
6-pack sized ice chest

beach towel
bathing suit
beach hat
flip flops
sunscreen
water bottle
snacks
6 pack of beer

For Grads:
women’s beach bag/men’s beach bag

beach towel
women’s swimsuit/men’s  swim trunks
women’s beach hat/men’s beach hat
women’s flip flops/men’s flip flops
sunscreen
water bottle
snacks
self tanning cream

For Kids:
kids beach bag

kids beach towel
girl’s swimsuit/boy’s  swim trunks
girl’s beach hat/boy’s beach hat
girl’s water shoes/boy’s water shoes
sunscreen
water bottle
snacks
shovels
pails
sand castle molds
beach balls
bubbles
frisbee

Pick and choose from any of the items listed above and/or add some of your own. This is a fun and easy gift to put together for someone you really care about. Just think of all the use they can get out of it. If you pack it right, they’ll be able to just grab it and go to the beach!

Happy Searching/Shopping,
Payton