I Wish You Well: Ceramic Wine Set

I'm not a big drinker; I'd rather spend my coin on fancy chocolate than a bottle of wine.  However, I like the idea of wine.  It seems romantic and classy (when it's not being sucked from a box at a lameo party that is)...

When I ran across this sleek and cool ceramic wine cup set, designed by visual artist Chris Johanson in collaboration with Pigeon Toe Ceramics in Portland, my imaginary inner-wino said "I MUST POSSESS THIS..." Each cup has the text 'I wish you well' carved in the bottom and is joined by a poster of the moon rising, along with instructions on drinking wine and relaxing with friends.

Can't you just picture yourself with one of these cutie cups curled up in your hands, as toast a bonfire with friends?!  I can!  Mine will just be full of chocolate milk rather than wine...

Get your vino set at The Curiosity Shoppe.

Novel Graphics

I have always been a graphic girl... I use graphic swear words, I tell graphic jokes, my degree was in graphic design, and I love me some graphic prints. Especially by the following designers!

I can't help but think how cute this Dominique Picquier bag would look slung over my elbow...

I've also been a long-time stalker of Lotta Jansdotter, who's nature inspired organic forms make my heart go pitter-pat.  I love love love Lotta.

AND if you are a great-big-tree-hugger, which I am not REALLY, but I do have enough guilt in my life... her apron is produced from flax, a more earth friendly plant. Go earth.

In closing, these two designers offer all kinds of beautiful bold patterns to snazz-up your pillows, clothes, bags, stationary, life.  So don't be afraid to get a little graphic with your style.

Who Loves Capes? Superheroes, Fashionistas & I

When I was small, I remember my mom putting a cape on me.  It was red Scottish-plaid and I felt like Little Red Riding Hood (in a good way, not in a almost-got-eaten-by-a-wolf-way...)

Since then I have waited and waited for the return of the cape to everyday fashion.  We came close with the poncho fad of a few years ago, but ponchos lack that Britishy-Frenchy-Europey elegance of a cape.

Fortunately, my wait has ended and the cape has returned to fashion magazines everywhere [and even a 'Today Show' fashion segment.]

Zara has a very sweet cape that someone should buy me for Christmas... (actually I'll take ANYTHING from Zara, because I love them too... but one love at a time!)
In closing: Superman has bogarted this look long enough, it's finally my turn again.

Pros:

• The return of Red Riding Hood, no matter your shape or size!
  
• Love the look too?  Layer underneath and keep it going through the chilly winter months.
• It plays up your dainty wrists, so don't forget a bracelet or two.

Cons:

• Thermal layers might be needed for an Artic fan.

Save a horse and a cowboy and the planet: ride a bicycle

Nothing puts you back in touch with your inner-8 year old like cruising around town with the wind in your ... helmet... We didn't wear helmets when I was 8... But safety first!

When my car dropped-dead 2 years ago, my husband and I decided to down-size to a one-car household.  Ever since, my trusty blue-steel has helped fill in the car-less gaps.  All the nearby errands that used to require driving and finding a parking spot, I now conquer with my bicycle.  Even though it's not brand new, I've had it for 4 years, people still call out 'awesome bike!' as I zoom past.  Because it IS awesome.  And I feel awesome on it.

I love my Townie and I don't care who knows it! Not only does it save me money on gas, insurance, repair, parking... It also sneaks my exercise in, relieves stress and makes me feel better about not killing the earth every time I have to cash a check or mail a letter.  

Electra Townie bikes aren't just fun to ride, they are also a blast to accessorize. Companies internet-wide (like Basil and YAKKAY) offer a whole mess of bells, bags, baskets, fenders, helmets, streamers to customize your bike with just the right amount of bling. No more. No less.

Pros:

• Stylish and comfy to ride
  
• Lots of fun options to express style through accessories
• Good for the environment 
• Great way to exercise
  

Cons:

• Designed for tooling around town, not taking on major trails

Bearded Lady No More!

I am a self-proclaimed Yeti.  In 4th grade, I came home from the school bus in tears because some girls on the bus pointed at my hairy legs and yelled "Monkey Girl!"  In college my hairless friend Ed pinched my forearm and said "You have the right to BARE ARMS!  Get it?!" Eight days before my wedding, an Indian salon worker [while threading my eyebrows] noticed my arms and said 'Beautiful girl... with all that.. THAT HAIR!" and then she slapped hot wax on my wrist and ripped off a giant patch of my fur... This lead to 2 women taking me to a back room and forcibly waxing the rest of my arms.

I've used it all: razors, depilatories, waxes, wax strips, threading, sandpaper buffer, tweezers, scissors, electrolysis...  It's a never-ending battle.

Fortunately, I recently discovered the magic of the 'As Seen On TV' lady trimmer 'Finishing Touch.'   It keeps my out-of-control peach fuzz in check, my hobbit toes trimmed, and the hard to shave areas like ankles and behind the knees de-fuzzed.

Until I find a way to pay for total body laser-hair-removal, the Finishing Touch keeps me out of the circus side-show.

Pros:

• Effectively trims and removes hair without irritating or cutting the skin.
• Pivoting head and light option make even the trickiest follicles easy to see and destroy

Cons:

• It's a bit loud and looks very much like a small vibrator... So it could be embarrassing or sexy, depending on your point of view and audience.

Peroxide: It's Not Just for Sluts & Terrorists

While leaning back in the dentist chair as the hygienist scraped crap off my teeth, I realized that she had the whitest teeth I have EVER seen in real life.

I had spent more than I care to admit, on having my teeth professionally whitened by lasers... Which felt exactly how I imagine electrode shock therapy to be. Since that painful experience, I needed to know exactly what the hygienist was doing to make her smile so sparkling white!

"Every couple days I pour a little peroxide on my toothbrush and lightly polish my teeth. Peroxide is a very healthy mouthwash!" I couldn't believe it. I had spent a fortune and underwent torture for teeth that weren't as white as someone who spent 99 cents on a bottle of peroxide?!

Mind you this is not an overnight change - the peroxide builds brightness over time. And if you have severely stained teeth, you may not have the same success. But I have definitely noticed a huge difference after peroxiding my fangs, even more so than from the professional whitening.

Aside from all the other uses for peroxide; anti-swine flu gargle, slutty hair bleacher, stain remover, terrorist explosive agent, post-explosion wound-cleaner...You can now start using it to brighten your smile too!

Pros:

• One of the most useful liquids ever invented!
  
• Extremely cheap, I found a generic brand at Meijer for only 99cents!
  

Cons:

• It tastes grody.

Mama Loves Shortnin'

When I was 14, my aunt told me a horror story. It wasn't about a wolf-man or a killer mental patient with a hook for an arm... No, it was something MUCH worse. She told me about the curse called 'crows feet'. And if I wasn't careful, It would get me too...

Fortunately, she also had the antidote: a light dab of Crisco vegetable shortening around the eye.

This lesson stuck with me and I have been lubing my eyes twice a day ever since.

Why does it work so well? 1. It's made of veggies (mostly soy) so you're less likely to have an allergic reaction to it. 2. The texture is thicker than a traditional cream. It is slow to absorb and clings to the skin, constantly moisturizing all day long. 3. It costs less than $3 for a GINORMOUS tub that will last you forever.

At just shy of 32 years old, and not a crows foot in sight, all I can say is: "I love you forever Crisco."

Pros:

• Combats/prevents crows feet & dry skin around the eye
  
• Low risk of allergic reaction
  
• Extremely cheap
  

Cons:

• The greasy texture can cause eye makeup to smear or wear off faster than normal... but I'd rather have botox-free youthful eyes than a ton of make up.
• When people see a tub of Crisco in your bathroom, they think you're weird or into weirdness... but being lovely has it's price.