Monday, November 12, 2007

Solar Flare

It all began with the Flip-Flap: What?! A plant I can't kill even if I really, really tried?


Then it was the *Kotori Dayori:
*The only qualm I have with my little, solar-powered bird friend is that he's lost his chirp chirp ability after less than a year.


This year's solar pick-me-up friend goes to SUCK UK's sun jar:
The solar powered LED emits a soft, complexion complementing glow. During the day, you can leave it on your windowsill to soak up a charge.

Flip-Flap mini's: $19 via AudioCubes.com
Regular Flip-Flaps: $29.95 via Toys N Joys
Kotori Dayori: $24.95 via Toys N Joys
Sun Jar: $48 via Greener Grass Design


Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Chie Mihara

I have been on a bit of a cheap shoe buying spree online but while I am filling e-carts and e-baskets full of footwear that is very likely to cut up my feet and smell like they came straight from the hands of a Chinese sweatshop worker, I know that what I really want is a pair of Chie Miharas.

I can try and try but I will never fill the quality Spanish shoe void with flimsy and cheaply made Chinese numbers. Look at these Chie Mihara beauties and tell me they do not create a similar void in your life. Even her handbags are lovely and I am not a handbag kind of girl.

There's an obvious prevalence of t-straps and ankle straps in the selection below because I've had a mild obsession with both of those shoe styles for the past few months, so bear with me.









Now, I just need to stop spending on these discount shoes and save up for a pair of these babies. Then that aforementioned void can be relocated to my wallet.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Mail order sweet tooth

While Sandy has a penchant for all things visually sweet, I like to go straight to the source.

Charles Chocolates produces smooth and beautifully wrapped chocolates in small handmade batches in San Francisco. They offer boxed sets of individual chocolates or bars in flavors like Bittersweet Caramelized Rice Krispie and Hazelnut with Candied Orange Peel. Even more tempting are their P.M.S. "prescriptions" that offer monthly deliveries of a small box of dark chocolates as well as one bittersweet chocolate bar to help alleviate any negative feelings brought on by those fluctuating hormones.

Richart chocolates originated in Paris but now ships to U.S. residents from their New York and San Francisco outlets. The Petits Richart True Connoisseur collection comes in a "vault" that houses 112 pieces of chocolate, 16 from each of Richart's 7 flavor families. Their flavor families include Balsamics, Herbal, Floral, Fruity, Citrus, Roasted, and Spiced and include flavors like Curry Praline, Jasmine Tea Ganache, Exotic Flower Ganache, Kumquat Coulis, and Neroli Ganache.


I'll reluctantly leave the world of chocolates to talk about Mad Mac NYC and their amazing parisian macarons. I had the pleasure of sampling a few of these at a party and I have been craving them ever since. Each little macaron is nestled in its own cavity built into a plastic tray so they arrive in one piece while looking nice at the same time with their candy-colored shells arranged decoratively. The texture of these little treats is perfect, with a crispy outer shell and the bit of softness inside along with a melt-in-your-mouth filling. The flavors are delicate but spot-on and if you choose to special order, you can pick six of the thirteen available flavors. The flavors offered are almond, apricot, chocolate, cinnamon, coffee, gianduja (chocolate and hazelnut), matcha, lemon, peanut butter, pistachio, raspberry, vanilla, and white chocolate.

I am glad I don't know of any local places that offer any of these treats because I would certainly be poor and morbidly obese by now. You'd see me rolling past you on the street on my Hoveround with a face full of chocolates and macarons, crying and begging for change.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Princess Tina

In an ongoing battle to act and dress more "professional", Princess Tina's Beci Orpin is holding me back. It's hard tracking down a store with the PT collection outside of Australia, but...

Check it!
Face Vest $154 AUD (approx. $122 USD) via keith + lottie.



Mushroom Gather Top $75 CAD (approx. $71 USD) via Magic Pony.
I suggest getting at least a size larger for this shirt because there is no zipper. I almost had to walk out of a store with this on because I couldn't get it off in the dressing room. Still super cute though!


Accessorize:

with some earrings...


$15 USD each via Giant Robot.


or a brooch in the shape of your favorite animal friend....
Giraffe $70 USD via Giant Robot.

Friday, August 17, 2007

Cupcake Courier

Remember how in grade school you'd take cupcakes for your class on your birthday? But there was 25 kids, and the tray only held 12. So your mom would fill up two Tupperware, and the frosting got all schmooshed? Plus, there was that 25th cupcake that you'd have to cram into the container, further ruining your frost job.

Remember?


The Cupcake Courier comes in four colors and holds 36 cupcakes (12 each in a set of 3 stackable trays). Available online for $32.95 without shipping and handling.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

On Shoes

Whenever I get into a splurging frenzy, I try to at least purchase on principle. I don't always put forethought into my purchasing, but there are several factors of a business that can easily win me over.
1) Fair Trade/Eco-friendliness level
2) Woman or minority owned businesses
3) Handmade goods and/or Small Businesses


80%20 and Keep Company are two shoe brands that are women and minority owned/operated. Both companies focus on style and comfort, and if you wait around long enough, you're bound to run into a sale. Recently 80%20 had a wonderful sample sale in their NYC based studio space. Sample shoes sold for $20. Much of the aesthetics are reminiscent of Vans slip-ons and the classic Sperry topsider boating shoes.

Okay, now for the pretty shoe parade!

*Comfort Level: Medium/High


*Comfort Level: Low



*Comfort Level: Extremely High



*Comfort Level: Unknown



*Comfort Level: Extremely High



Keep currently has a limited selection of shoes on sale.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Hulger Penelope Phone



These sleek phones from Hulger have a vintage style but decidedly modern capabilities. This particular Penelope model can wirelessly connect to any Bluetooth technology so you can use it with your cell phone or computer for VoIP. I haven't had a landline for the past two years but I'd consider signing up for VoIP just to have one of these laying around the house. Comes in black, cream, and maroon.

Available at Hulger and Greener Grass Design, a store with many items I lust for.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

LifeGem


LifeGems are diamonds made from the carbon of your cremated loved ones. So diamonds really can be a girl's best friend or relative or dead pet.

Melissa shoes + accessories

First of all, I am in no way an advocate of the classic jelly shoe we all remember from the wonderful fashion era of the 80s through early 90s.

BUT!
There have been several reincarnations (more specifically the Zig Zag collection by Brazil based company Melissa + design brothers Fernando and Humberto Campana) that I can fully back. While I don't enjoy the amount of waste created by plastics and am skeptical about the comfort level of a plastic shoe on a humid day, I have testimony that they are indeed comfortable. Melissa shoes are made out of a patented oderless and allergy free plastic called Melflex™. More info about the company+ available here.
Superstar architect Zaha Hadid will also be launching a line with Melissa in 2007. Prices vary, but shoes seem to be around $50 on the low end (i.e. on sale!).

Monday, July 16, 2007

Charcoal Table Grill by Eva Solo


Eva Solo's table top grill is white porcelain with a stainless steel grill. While there are many other comparable and cheap utilitarian grills around, this tiny guy is definitely perfect for an intimate and stylin' bbq. Inaccessible for most at a steep $300.

Josh Jakus

I love things that are made from industrial felt and have a linear design. Josh Jakus is the designer behind this above series of um bags, eggflats and wine pockets. Prices for bags range from $40-$120, but a couple of designs are available through Figments.

Paper Rad T-Shirt

Because, who doesn't need more ruffles and TuxDog in their lives?
$62 US via Family