Snow is glistening

I love snow. And snowflakes. They're perfect for the holiday season: Festive, yet non-denominational, pretty and free of commercial association. At least, they can be.

There are lots of products embellished with snowflakes. Etsy, of course, has pendants, earrings, and other handmade goodies (Shown here are tatted snowflakes by TotusMel, magnets by teresasart and pendant by craftonomy).

As beautiful as individual snowflakes are, they tend to melt. But you can capture their elegance thanks to people at Cal Tech, who sell photos of snowflakes taken with "a specially designed snowflake photomicroscope."

If you live in an area where they are unlikely to fall from the sky, you can always make your own with computer paper. Though most of us are content to make a few folds and a few cuts, some people can make impressively complex creations. They can't be mushed together to make snowballs, and they won't cling to the tree branches (unless you really have a problem), but they will help you celebrate.

That's the spirit

Hmmm, it's been awhile. Either there was a distinct lack of neat-o in the world for a few months, or weddings are more time consuming than I thought.

But it doesn't matter. Because now it's November, which means that, yes, I hear sleigh bells ringing. I don't care if Thanksgiving is still a week away: It's Christmas!

I can't wait to get a tree, but I will wait, because I don't want it to dry out and become a fire hazard before the presents are even wrapped. In the meantime, I can absorb the festivus emitted by fiber optic trees, tinsel trees, and even the retro Evergleam trees.

There are all kinds of decorative/funky/non-organic trees available. What lack in scent, they make up for in holiday spirit. They may even inspire a rendition of "Oh Tannenbaum."

And for real holiday spirit, Aid to Artisans sells cool things (like the tree shown here) and helps people in developing countries.

Sites Worth Seeing

There are so many website on the internet, and so few that are worth spending time at. This is particularly true of blogs. Unlike this bog, some people will just put any old junk on their page. Two blogs that are at least as cool as this one are
What I Wore and Sarah's spot.

What I Wore (not to be confused with whatiwore.com) is NOT a daily entry of what she wore that day. It's actually a window-shopping blog like this one, but is devoted to beauty and fashion.

Sarah's Spot is what most people think of when they think blog. It's an online journal, written by a mom who has a toddler. And it's good. Most people think their lives are this interesting. Sarah actually has the sense to edit her life for the rest of the world so that it actually is. And she can write. Oh, and did I mention the recipe for healthy Ding Dongs?

Finally, I joined the millions of people who mistyped "Gmail" the URL box and ended up at Gamil. I was intrigued by their tea stick (above), and the fact that they are cleverly profiting off of finger slips.

Forbidden Fruit

The iPod is probably the best thing to happen to runners since spandex. But now Apple has gone and teamed with Nike to create a system that has runners drooling (including myself). An iPod that gets info from my shoe? I can listen to music AND see how far I've gone and at what pace? And I can program my never-fail, pump-me-up-now song to play at the hardest part of my workout? Where have you been all my life?

Of course, there are drawbacks. The major one is that the kit is specifically, and only, for Nike shoes. I don't run in Nikes. I have one model of shoe that I've run in since high school. Asking me to change shoes is like asking me to change genders. As seductive as this offer is, I don't think I'm ready for that kind of sacrifice.

But now I'm in a quandary (hey, remember that game, "The Secret Island of Dr. Quandary"? No?). Sometime soon, my first-generation iPod will stop functioning. Then I will replace it. But with what? I was considering a shuffle, which is ideally set up (and priced) for running. Then I thought maybe a nano, which is what works with the Nike system. Most recently, I was convinced that Oregon Scientific's sport MP3 player was exactly what I wanted.

And now there is this. Maybe my iPod will last until iPod teams with asics. Until then, I will have to be content to lust mightily for what every runner wants.

Who says fire and liquor don't mix?

Scented candles are good. Cocktails good, too. If only there was a way to combine them...

Ponder no more. On the Rocks Candles, which can be found at Etsy, has done it. Their line of cocktail-scented candles is just what has been missing from bars, bedrooms and bridal showers. Until now.

For the serious pyralcoholic, On the Rocks offers the Ultimate Indulgence Party Pack. At $130, this collection of 14 candles will set you back a bit, but just think of it as buying the house a double. It's like a great party without the hangover.

And with a better smell.

Hot time

It's been mighty warm here the last few days, which is making me think about cool things. Things like pools, shade, sprinklers and banana leaves (which of course four tanned guys would be fanning me with).

One thing that I'm eying right now is Brookestone's 360 fan. Normal oscillating fans, which hit you and then leave like an abusive lover, are irritating. But this one has a nice even, mid-level air flow that (I imagine) is more like a faithful servant.

Posh, Sexy, Sporty

So I already posted about the SUV of sportswatches, and while that's pretty cool, what I really covet is this: Oregon Scientific's MP3 player.

I've always thought they should make an iPod sport edition. Forget the nano; what I want is an iPod that can withstand rain, heat, cold, sharp jolts... basically, my typical outdoor run. Apple apparently decided that instead of investing in that, it would just made expensive accessories. Not good enough.

That's why the Oregon Scientific MP3 player is so great. The entire thing is made to be waterproof. And it has FM radio. And it has a pedometer. And, and... I'm in love.

It only comes in 512k and 1G sizes, but it's relatively cheap at around $170 (especially when you consider that the iPod waterproof case comes in at about $140).

This is one thing I'm actually getting. Someday. Probably about six weeks before they intorduce the Oregon Scientific mini.

Boob Lube

Boob Lube. It sounds a lot kinkier than it is.

Boob Lube is a product meant to help women conduct self breast examinations. For those of you who may not be aware (hello, Y chromosome), women are supposed to check their breasts monthly for suspicious lumps. And some of you (Y carriers, again) may not realize that it isn't as fun as it sounds.

Enter Boob Lube. An all-natural concoction of tanamu, jojoba and sweet almond oils along with macademia nut oil and meadowfoam seed oil, Boob Lube taps into the theory that women will find any task more pleasant if it is accompanied by good smelling bath stuff.

Of course, any similar lotion or oil could be used for the purpose, to the same effect. But somehow, having "Boob Lube" is more fun.

A lot more fun than cancer.

The SUV of sports watches

One of the main reasons I like running is the simplicity of it. I can pretty much run anywhere, anytime, for any distance, with a minimal amount of equipment. The most gadget-y item that accompanies running is a pair of sunglasses.

But all that has changed, thanks to three letters: GPS.



Various companies have incorporated GPS technology into watch form, which allows runners to see where they are, where they're going, and at what speed. Plus you can set them to a certain pace, and the device will tell you if you're going too slow or too fast.

The most enticing feature, to me, is that the GPS will measure distance traveled. Trail runners, scramblers and just about anyone who doesn't always run on a track can benefit from not having to guesstimate how long that 45-minute run really was.

These things are fabulous, but they aren't cheap. $300 to feel like James Bond in a sports bra might be a bit much. Then again, I thought that about the iPod...

I'll say they're fetching

When a puppy became part of my life earlier this year, I resisted giving him my entire heart for awhile. About a week, to be precise. Then that phase passed and I have been cuddling him and petting him and speaking babytalk non-stop ever since.

It wasn't long before I realized that the precious pooch couldn't just have a regular ID tag. No, he needed something as beautiful and unique as he was. I scoured the internet, where I found gemstone encrusted tags (ugh), silver and gold tags (only your wallet will know it's not from Petco) and heart-shaped tags (dorky).

Fortunately, I finally stumbled upon Fetching Tags, which had exactly what I was looking for. They make dog (and cat) ID tags that are original, durable and witty. You can choose from one of their sayings ("Hound of Love" to "Treat Whore") or make up your own. And unlike the ones marketed towards the Paris Hilton set, they are neither trashy nor ridiculously expensive.

So now my sweet puppy, Bond, has an actual license to lick. It may carry a little less weight than his namesake's license to kill, but it gets a heck of a lot more compliments. Especially from me.

I Think This is Ethical

Professionally ethical, that is. See, a couple of weeks ago I was forced to write about a sport called snow body boarding. (The brand name is Airboard, which will definitely overtake "snow body boarding" as the name of choice.)

So one glorious afternoon, I went to a ski area and got to talk to the cool people who own the Airboard company, and I got to learn how to Airboard, and long story short: Airboards are freaking cool.

I like sledding. I like skiing. I've even been known to snowboard. But like the girl on the late-night-cell-phone-singles-chat commercial says, This could be something real.

It's fast, it's fun, and at a select few resorts, you can use them on groomed slopes. Plus it looks a lot harder than it is, which means that non-Airboarders will look at you with awe even if you wipe out (trust me).

So even though I wrote about Airboards for work, I think it's okay if reiterate here that they're really cool. If not, I'm sure my secret is safe with the literally plural of you.

Put Down the Chocolate Roses

As if you hadn't noticed, Valentine's Day is just around the corner. If the hearts, lace and roses are starting create a nauseating blur, consider some sweet alternatives.

First of all, ditch the chocolates. How special can something be when it's staring you in the face every time you go through the checkout line with toilet paper and broccoli? Instead, try something more decadent: Cheesecake. Junior's is the real deal from New York City, plus they'll ship overnight. And yes, they have a special Valentine's Day cheesecake in the shape of a heart.

After you devour something from Junior's, you'll want a relaxing, low-key activity for 2. If a hot tub isn't available, try an old-fashioned puzzle. Not the kind that come in a cardboard box with a picture of a covered bridge on the front, but a real, hand-cut wood puzzle. Keystone Puzzles in Pennsylvania makes gorgeous puzzles with specially shaped pieces. For a romantic twist, pick one with a nostalgic or Victorian theme.

Finally, flowers. The only thing more lovey-dovey than long stemmed roses? Seeds. Go straight to the heart with a packet of heirloom Forget-Me-Not seeds from Yankee Gardener that you can plant together and watch grow, like your love.

Don't forget the Dramamine.

Truly, the Happiest Place on Earth

A bag of rainbow gnome dolls.

Tell me, who doesn't need that?

Perhaps Etsy makes a few too many appearances on this page. But can you really have too much of a place that sells bags of rainbow gnome dolls?

Answer not required.

What a Great Month

So it's February, and everyone is all excited about Valentine's Day- or more likely, dreading it. But V-day isn't the only celebration that takes place in month 2. For example, did you know that February 1st is the day the Royal Canadian Mounted Police came into existence? Or that the 10th is Umbrella Day? There are many events in February that don't involve hearts, flowers, or chocolate (well, Toothache Day might be related to chocolate).

It's also National Embroidery Month and National Grapefruit Month. To make sure that you're distracting people from things involving cupids or roses, tote around an umbrella from Bruce Harman (above) or something embroidered with a pirate from Sublime Stitching(right).

Or, you could just buckle down and try not to stand out. After all, the 22nd is National Be Humble Day.

Coochie Coo

There's nothing wrong with enjoying being a baby. Well, unless you enjoy it too much. But for the part of us that wishes we were back in the days of constant coddling, there are a few items to ease the pain of adulthood.

My favorite is the Make-your-own-mobile from blissen.com. This cute mobile with an undersea theme is printed with soy-based ink on recycled paper, so that the grown-up part of you can feel good, too.

And if that leaves you craving more, head over to Etsy to peruse the selection of handmade plushies. Perhaps a squid or an octopus to complement the mobile?

For Those With Man Hands

For the most part, I'm pretty happy with being a girl. There are times when I wish I had the ability to open jars with a single twist, but that's a surmountable problem.


Unfortunately, most girls never get the chance to wear cufflinks. Which is too bad, because these little pieces of man-jewelry can be found in retro, glam and kitschy designs. Pin Up Girl Clothing sells the tattoo inspired number at left, while Kitsch Shop of England carries the Budweiser fridge version below.

You can even find cufflinks with naked ladies or Einstein's face. No matter the style, cufflinks can turn a boring old wrist into a flashy one. Which makes them the perfect accessory to wear while opening jars.

Something Luscious for the Lushes

Rum and Coke is okay, and a Diet Sierra Mist with vodka will do in a pinch, but if you want to up the ante of your drink you must find Stirrings. This newish line of high quality mixers is the best thing to happen to cocktails since little umbrellas. Craving a Peppermintini? Consider it done. Mojitos? Forget the hassle of mixing mint and sugar with cold liquid. And the accompanying line of Rimmers is the perfect pairing for the rim of your margarita.

If your drink still feels too plebian, consider one of Stirrings' specialty ingredients like Bitter Orange. Or, you can track down Essences, a "new frontier in cocktails" which includes Summer Basil. If you still aren't satisfied, well, maybe Diet Sierra Mist and vodka is the drink for you after all.

Essences can be found at Whole Foods and Cost Plus World Market, as well as some liquor stores.

Not Crazy at All

So you aren't a bimbo, and you've never even been to Bombay. But how could you not want this design on your very own shirt? At Going Postal, you wish is granted. Bold, simple, stylish, it's a piece of wearable vintage curio and an ice breaker all in one!


If you'd rather not have the word "bimbo" plastered across your chest, you can check out some of Postal's other designs. They specialize in stamps vintage and exotic, but you can also find shirts of Houdini, pulp magazines, and, um, Texas. Best of all, you can choose from a variety of shirt styles: short sleeve, long sleeve, women's or tank. All you have to do is find the print and cut that suits you, then go out and get the party, or at least the questioning stares, started.

For Lovers, Artists, Foodies

See that happy couple? They're happy because they've discovered the joy of Gourmet Body Paint from Red Envelope. Why they are painting each other's arms and faces, I don't know. If I had a pot of edible body paint, I think I'd be a little more creative. Come on, wouldn't you?

Available in flavors like Creamy Caramel and Succulent Strawberry, the paints would make an excellent gift for everyone's (least) favorite holiday, Valentine's Day. The kit comes with paintbrushes too, so you don't have to scrub out that brush you used to touch up the bathroom wall last spring.

Let the taste testing begin.

Etsy, Otra Vez

Favorite crafty thing of the day:

This fluid, mesmerizing glass sculpture is by turningpointstudio. Looking at it makes me think of the inside of a glacier. It's one of those things that I imagine would make a great gift for a celebrity because it's beautiful, original, and useless. It's also slightly out of my price range, which is why it is still for sale on Etsy instead of holding court over my humble coffee table. But if you've got the dough, head over there now and snatch it up before a friend of the A-list gets the bragging rights.

Shhhhh... Ahhh.

Water pressure is a funny thing. It's never quite the same from shower to shower, which makes each new bathroom an entirely different, and usually uncomfortable, bathing experience. Too much and you feel that skin is being stripped from your body. Too little and you feel like you're using a watering can.

But imagine a shower where the pressure is that of gently falling rain. The Ciel de Pluie (Sky of Pluie) comes to us from France, a country that knows luxury. This "rain shower" isn't your typical overhead faucet. Oh no. This one gives you a full ceiling of cascading water, and a full rain shower treatment.

While indulging in the wondrous rain shower, it's possible that you could forget what a shower is actually for (that would be washing). But thanks to VitaFutura's Lengua curtain, you'll have a helpful reminder of what the average person thinks about in their oh-so-average shower.

iPod=Good; iPod+Cozy=Better

The iPod (whichever one is new this week) is supposed to be an indicator of cool. But with everyone from the third-grader next door to his great aunt Hazel sporting an MP3 player, is there really anything distinguishing about it?

There can be, if you know what to add to it. Not technologically (who needs to watch movies on a 2" screen anyway?), but artistically. Enter the iPod case.


Forget anything sold by Apple. To have your own piece of flair, get a fancy-schmancy one from MOMA (left), or find a handmade one on Etsy. There are a bunch of designer ones out there, from the Gucci/Kate Spade/Vuitton crowd, but those are boring.

If you want to be unique, make your own. See what others have created on Craftster and get instructions too. Or check out the classy ones at Pixel Girl. Then go show that third grader what cool really is.

Pretty Things from Poland

Be honest. You've always wanted a hand-crocheted thong from Poland.

Good news! At koniakow.com, you can choose from a wide variety of tiny undies, all handmade by lace makers in Koniakow, who are "famous worldwide" for their skills. And if you don't believe them, you can read what the Chicago Tribune had to say about the art of lace thong making.

Everything is custom made, so you don't need to worry that a Polish size 8 is an American 2. All you have to worry about is how to work "Oh, my crocheted Polish thong is just sooo comfortable" into the conversation.

Kitchen Cravings

Someday, I will be able to afford the kitchen of my dreams.

It's not that I spend a lot of time longing for more than a working dishwasher. But with technological advances taking over every aspect of our lives, the kitchen is ground zero for domestic hipness. Behold:

You know how sometimes the things you keep in the refrigerator door aren't as cold as you'd like? Thermador's Freedom fridge blows cold air inside the door, keeping that little bottle of Dijon perfectly chilled.

Whirlpool's Polara just may be the next best thing to a housewife. This range (or "oven," as I like to call it) can be set to start baking at a specified time. And then to bake for a specified time. And then to cool down slightly and keep your dinner warm while you finish up Happy Hour downtown. By the time you walk in the door, that frozen lasagne is ready to eat. Can you imagine? It DOES THE COOKING FOR YOU. Truly a thing of beauty.

The microwave was invented as a convenience for lazy people. Smarthome has taken it a step further with the Beyond microwave. Scan in the barcode of the food you wish to heat. Place in microwave. Watch as the machine warms the item to exactly the right temperature. Eat, and fear the robot revolution.

Etsy

Favorite crafty thing of the day:



"Feltris Blocks" sold by theconnor on Etsy


Everyone should know Etsy. I can't figure out why it isn't a household name (in upscale, trendy, cultured houses). Etsy is an online shop where artists and crafters can sell their wares. It's not an auction site like Ebay, and it's super user friendly. Items are organized by category, seller, and even materials used. It's the perfect place to find handmade, one-of-a-kind, looks-like-it-came-from-a-boutique, exquisitely crafted items.

But for now, the site suffers in oblivion. There are plenty of people selling their stuff, but not as many who are buying. For shame. Go there now.

World is Good

There are lots of things in this world that I hate. Genocide? Hate it. Political corruption? Hate it. Bad movies? I really hate those.

But thanks to the magic of the Internet and mass media, I constantly find things that I love. Handmade items, unique stuff, creature comforts that I wish I could afford. These things are usually material, sometimes indulgent, but always clever, beautiful, and innovative. And what better place than a blog to share them with the world. Because sometimes the world is good.