Local wrapping paper, LEGOs and more – check out what stuff we like in this week's edition of OnMilwaukee.com Recommends.
Milwaukee wrapping paper – Last year, local designer Allison Beilke created a Milwaukee-themed fabric that placed in a national contest hosted by Spoonflower.com. Now, the fun fabric, called "My Fair Milwaukee," is available as wrapping paper, too. Why not wrap your locally purchased gifts in locally designed paper? Beilke created numerous other Milwaukee-ized items for sale here and she has Brew City pillows and mugs at the Urban Milwaukee store. Any of these would look fab under the Festivus pole. – Molly Snyder
"The Unofficial LEGO Builder's Guide" and "LEGO Adventure Book, Vol. 1: Cars, Castles, Dinosaurs & More!" (No Starch Press) – These two LEGO books provide everything one needs to create great stuff out of LEGO blocks. The first one – now in its second edition – shows all kinds of techniques to help builders move from the instructions provided with LEGO sets to free-style building with an array of blocks. The basics of design and construction are all illustrated in easy to follow photographs. Once you've mastered the stuff in this book, you're ready for the also heavily illustrated "Adventure Book." This one has contributions from a couple dozen LEGO building masters who show some of the amazing vehicles, buildings and beings they've created using their imaginations and skills. Together, they'd make a great holiday gift for the LEGOmaniac in your life. – Bobby Tanzilo
Fritz Zimmer Riesling (2010) – I may have gone to great lengths for beer yesterday, but today is all about the wine. I discovered this recent vintage thanks to its eye-catching label: a fiery-looking yellow, orange and red music staff on an otherwise white background. I keep buying it, however, because of its crisp, fresh taste and balanced hints of peach and pear flavors. Rieslings aren't usually a big hit with me, but this one, with its middle-of-the-road sweetness, is a definite winner. – Renee Lorenz