—Faber-Castell (FaberCastell.com): One of the world’s oldest and largest manufacturers of fine writing and professional art supplies, Faber-Castell has new items to offer. Chief among them is The Pen of the Year (2018) the Imperium Romanum, which is available in platinum or titanium as a fountain pen or rollerball. All writing instruments are individually numbered and presented in a highly polished black wooden case—which makes for quite a special pen. Also, there’s the Karlbox, named after fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, who has collaborated with Faber-Castell to create a limited edition set of high-end art supplies.
—To’ak Chocolate (toakchocolate.com): To’ak is the world’s most expensive chocolate ($355 for its bar of dark chocolate that’s from Ecuador). Why the price? It’s made from the oldest and rarest variety of cacao on earth. Any chocolate lover worth his/her/their salt will be dying to try this.
—Firefly 15th-anniversary box set (www.foxconnect.com): Everyone seems to be taking in all things Star Wars, but the space-related TV series Firefly’s 15th-anniversary box set is now available, courtesy of Fox Home Entertainment. Viewers can relive the complete cult-favorite TV series—including three unaired episodes and an extensive slate of revealing extras.
—Owl’s Brew Holiday Cocktail Kit (TheOwlsBrew.com/shop-our-products/holidaycocktailkit.html): Now this is a really cool idea. Each Owl’s Brew craft cocktail mixer gift set contains three eight-ounce tea-based cocktail mixers: Mulling Spices, Salted Caramel Toddy and Grapefruit Collins. And making the cocktails is simple: Just choose your liquor and mix two parts booze to one part Owl’s Brew. You’ll be impressing everyone with your bar skills.
—By Andrew Davis
(Andrew@WindyCityTimes.com and @azygous60610)