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FeaturesFebruary 7, 2010

Valentine's Day gift shopping for the man in your life? New, guy-oriented Web sites such as Ploomy, Gent Supply Co. and Ask Men offer some ideas -- as well as advice and information for the modern man on everything from managing money and dressing to impress, to learning about classic films, cleaning a bathroom and choosing a quality libation...

by KIM COOK ~ The Associated Press
This product image released by Ork Posters shows a map of San Fransico. (AP Photo/Ork Posters)**NO SALES**
This product image released by Ork Posters shows a map of San Fransico. (AP Photo/Ork Posters)**NO SALES**

Valentine's Day gift shopping for the man in your life?

New, guy-oriented Web sites such as Ploomy, Gent Supply Co. and Ask Men offer some ideas -- as well as advice and information for the modern man on everything from managing money and dressing to impress, to learning about classic films, cleaning a bathroom and choosing a quality libation.

Anthony Doctolero, who founded Ploomy ("real solutions for men who want to arrive -- ahead of schedule"), suggests this gift for the young and hip: "Even the most spartan bachelor pads we've been in lately had at least one piece of artwork up," he notes.

"Artwork's a great gift to express individualism and taste," Doctolero said. "Get him something on canvas. It's a major step up from all those movie posters he's got rolled up in the closet from his dorm room days. If you opt for a printed poster, then get something with style and frame it."

Chicago-based graphic artist Jenny Beorkrem designs striking posters depicting the neighborhoods of several cities, at a price that leaves room for a great frame.

Gent Supply Co. is the new brother site for online gift retailer delight.com. It offers "classic goods for the modern gentleman -- who cooks, cleans, plays hard and understands a bit of style." Among the goods: Anthony Chrisp's Dart coat hooks in chromed steel. Oregon-based Resource Revival has a Bike Chain Bowl and Cog Desk Clock made of recycled bicycle parts, with a modern industrial vibe.

Eco-conscious fellows might appreciate RuMe's water-resistant tote bags. Sold in sets of three, in solids or patterns such as a keypad, pinstripe or necktie, they're perfect for Saturday shopping.

Gent's also has a Scottish leather Dopp kit with water resistant liner that would make a lasting gift. Chances are your dad or grandpa had one of these, reminiscent of the toiletry kits handed out to servicemen during WWII. Add a nice badger hair shave brush in a clever blue, anodized travel case that twists closed. Very Don Draper.

Got a game buff on your hands? Clear the room of clutter and wires with Brookstone's X-rocker wireless pedestal chair. It has 65 feet of wireless reach, headrest speakers and a comfy seat. Get the TV positioned in style with Restoration Hardware's new easel stand, which allows a 42-inch or larger TV to be mounted at different heights, within a small room footprint.

Doctolero also suggests giving wine. Uncommon Goods has a sleek, wall-mounted, steel wine rack that would fit even tiny apartments. Lumens stocks the Wine Knot, a compact, practical and great-looking table rack molded of birch and walnut plywood.

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And finally, for the man locked to his laptop, Imm-Living's nifty PVC USB plugs come in fun styles like feathers, spectacles and clenched fists. Lorena Agolli's Byte laptop cases play off the Apple logo with different food motifs with a man-sized chomp taken out of them.

Resources:

www.gentsupplyco.com -- Indiana Leather Dopp Kit, $98.50; Bike Chain Bowl, $86.50; Cog Desk Clock, $29.75; Dart Coat Hooks, $29.50; Premium Badger Shave Brush $74.50, travel version $39.50; RuMe Bags, set of 3, $28.50

www.brookstone.com -- X-Rocker Wireless Pedestal Chair, $199.95

www.restorationhardware.com -- TV Easel made of hardwood, holds up to 60-inch TVs, $995

www.lumens.com -- Wine Knot Rack made of molded birch and walnut plywood, $128

www.uncommongoods.com -- Flow Stainless Steel Wine Rack, $50.

www.imm-living.com -- PVS USB plugs in various shapes, from $29; Byte laptop case, $45

www.ploomy.com

www.askmen.com

www.orkposters.com -- 18-by-18-inch and larger map posters with the names of neighborhoods in over a dozen cities, also available as screen prints, $22 and up

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