The best advice I can give you may not help you in the short term. I try to pay attention to stuff my wife likes and then go back later and pick it up. I also know about the things she's always wanted.
Or, go out and browse. Pick something out. Sure, there's a chance she won't like it - but there's also a chance that she's going to say, 'you know, this isn't something I would have picked out for myself, but I really like it. You're a total stud.'
I try to find unique things. CDs and gadgets are okay, but not personal. Try handmade stuff. You live in a college town - you've got to have galleries and shops of all sorts.
BTW, I don't think I'd ever give my wife an appliance as a gift. I don't like what it suggests. It's very different, I guess, if your wife (or girlfriend, or whatever) is really into cooking and likes to have nice tools.
Although, that KitchenAid mixer is damned nice. And that blue is the best color for it.
