mipmup

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week (the post-root canal edition!):

• confetti holiday cards. i didn't realize cb2 was a crate and barrel company until i visited their site. i had thought it was some cool indie store when i saw some of their glass storage containers featured in a magazine recently. but despite being a huge chain, they do have some good stuff. i like these "holiday" cards; i'd use them as "anytime" cards though. on sale for $7.95/10.

• matisse print. one of my favorite artists, this matisse silkscreen would be perfect in our house just about anywhere. $249.

• cute bag. i need some new handbags. i have found the place. and hey! this one is only $25.20!

• sweet sling pack. we didn't line up at the new apple store simply to get a free t-shirt like total freaks, we bought something, too. finally, finally my better half purchased a new laptop case (his old one actually had the word "dell" emblazoned upon it. it is my firm opinion that carrying a powerbook in such a thing is truly sacrilegious). anyway, he's hip now and it is good. (hey look! they make cool guitar cases, too!) $59.95.

• flat collar tags. these are great tags for your pooch. they lay flat on the collar instead of hanging off of it so there's little chance of it getting caught on anything and it looks better, too. their customer service is excellent with very fast turnaround. highly recommended! they start at just $7.50.

photo credits: cb2, room and board, karmaloop, apple, boomerang tags.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• sprinkles cupcakes. i love the concept of having cupcakes delivered. i think their flavors are really interesting and fun (mocha, chai, dark chocolate). what i don't like is that the (local!) delivery charge roughly equals the cost of the cupcakes themselves! $36/dozen.

• lavender. you may remember me mentioning eatwell farms before. one of the owners was so sweet and gave me a hydrosol for my dad while he was in the hospital. when i was trying to think of a "thank you" gift recently, a friend reminded me about them. they are a small, organic, independently-owned, family farm. i was able to call them and put together a wonderful gift for $50. plus, they don't charge shipping! my favorite items include lavender and calendula healing salve ($7, 1 oz.; heals cuts like nothing else), lavender and rosemary salt ($7 for 4 oz.) and their hydrosols to freshen the air ($7 for 4 oz.). they also offer fresh bunches in a box ($43) may through october. imagine receiving that? they were recently featured in fine cooking, too! yay for them! if you're in the bay area, check them out at the local farmers' markets.

• anvil paper. ok. i have a lot of wrapping paper. a lot. meaning that when i saw their designs recently, it took almost physical force to stop me from purchasing some. my favorites are geisha, champagne and octopi. and look at the other adorable stuff like the newborn survival kit! gorgeous design! i need to be reincarnated as paper. i couldn't even look at them to check the price. it was that bad.

• cool serving set. these are just beautiful. i like to have a mix of modern and traditional pieces. these would work nicely, thank you. $54.

• elegant binders. why did i just buy those disgusting white plastic three-rings that remind me of an office at two for $6? i need these, dammit and i need them now. sure they're four for $66, but my office would look fantastic. don't even get me started on the storage stuff. actually, just wrap up the entire site and put it in my mailbox.

photo credits: sprinkles cupcakes, eatwell farms, anvil paper, iikh, russell+hazel.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• bragg liquid aminos. i use this non-gmo liquid to replace soy in many dishes. it has great flavor and nutritional benefits to boot! about $4. [i was also talking with my aesthetician yesterday about their apple cider vinegar. supposed to be really great as well. her friend loaned her their book describing the benefits. of course, i forgot to get some when i went to the store specifically to buy it. ugh.]

• organic soba noodles. i have to thank jen for this one. she recommended these to me and we tried them cold last night with a splash of tamari, sesame seeds, la-yu (again, thanks, jen!) and for me, sriracha. apparently, buckwheat, not a cereal grain at all, but a fruit seed, is a really great for us. $2.99 (or $4.99 at williams-sonoma!)

• vintage-inspired fan. isn't it hot? our house is stifling and i refuse to buy anything else that's plastic since it looks horrible. my new motto is style, style, style instead of function, function, function. to that end, i came upon this beauty. (i really wanted a real vintage fan, but my better half isn't too supportive of that idea since they're not always that safe. in fact, i remember putting my fingers into the fans when i was a kid just to see what would happen as my fingers snappity snapped against the blade. never said i was smart.) it's available in nickel, as well. $59.

• crocs. i've seen these a coupla times around town and i think i need them. are they ugly? i'm not entirely sure, but they look cool — literally.  $29.99. [update: tried them on and my regular size is too small (big toe scrunch action) and one size up is too large (sloppy flip-floppy action)! the sales dude says he has the same problem and can't wear them. i've emailed crocs directly for support on this issue. they are incredibly comfy otherwise!]

• new hk hat. ever since i lost mine on my honeymoon, i've been wanting a new one. the only problem is my head is on the small side, so sometimes me pea-head gets overtaken in big hats. but i do love them so. $160.

see all favorites.

photo credits: bragg live foods, hakubaku, bed bath & beyond, crocs, bliss.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• booksense. i'm really trying to support more "indie" business owners and this is one way to do it when buying books. sure, it's simple to use amazon, but what about giving the underdog a chance? use this site to search for indie booksellers by zip code. [and yes, i'm slightly hypocritical as i did order harry from amazon. i cracked, what can i say?]

• muji page markers. it's hard to pick just one thing that i love from this "no brand" brand, but i really love these page markers. $4.

• marimekko beach towels. mmmmm. i love the orange one! $29.95.

• grapefruit red currant soap. this soap smells incredible. i either want to a. eat it or b. wear it around my neck. runners up are verbena and linden lettuce. wonder if it gives good suds and if it really smells as good when it's lathered. checking to see if they [don't] use animal-derived ingredients in the soap. $6.50.

• "holiday" gift tags. i'd use these anytime. aren't they cute? $6 for 12.

photo credits: booksense, moma, crate and barrel, mistral, paper source.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• cool pack. i'm sort of in love with this new catalog; it has all kinds of unusual items. like this bag, based on a "200-year-old japanese design" looks like it'd be a great addition to my reusable bag collection. i can see myself hiking through the concrete jungle with groceries or through the mountain trails with essentials. $29.50.

• fancy river hat. though i wouldn't necessarily cram this in my daypack, this "river hat" is gorgie. $165.

• comfy pants. i'm always on the lookout for some comfy sweats. i ordered these online (which i strongly recommend you do not due to their horrendous ordering and delivery "process" — and i use that term lightly. get yourself to a retail store.) and was pleasantly surprised to find them a good fit and perfectly light for summer. i will caution you that unless you like walking on the bottoms of your pants and you're short like me, you'll need to have them tailored. it sounds ridiculous, but it's true. i hem my sweatpants. $28.

• addictive chips. perhaps that's an inappropriate usage as i find most chips addictive. but these are particularly so. the salt and pepper are just so delish, it really is difficult to put away the bag without eating about 50 chips. they are also super crunchy and do not contain trans fats or gmos. the organic s+p are hard to find, but they are out there. about $3.

• simple apron. i prefer this simple, what looks to be a workhorse apron (made with durable organic hemp) to the one my mom just got me with jalapeños all over it. $28.

photo credits: sahalie, american apparel, kate spade, kettle foods, dropsoul.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• kimono bag. vote for summer with this supercute bag. i'm pretty sure deb would like it. (and it's vegan!) $24.95.

• natural sun screen. apparently, there are a lot of reasons i may want to avoid "conventional" sunscreens (follow the link) and so i thought i'd give this a try. first, this company is the same one that makes my fabu deodorant i talked about before. small company, excellent service, organic products. i was rather pleasantly surprised at the ease of use of this product and the first time we went down to the beach this year, i didn't burn! highly recommended. $38.

• super blemish fighting machine. ok, i'm kind of cheating since this is the same company, but i swear, this stuff is a miracle. i've been breaking out in really odd spots (neck, for example. makes me feel pretty.) and i dabbed this on and i swear, overnight, it was g.o.n.e. absolutely amazing. $16.

• flip flops with some oomph. i used to have their flat flipper floppers and these would add a nice little touch since i need all the height i can get. $42.

• rescue me. do you ever get the feeling that your life is all about circles? i used to be really into a lot of the same stuff i am into now back in school; rescue remedy included. now that the fourth is just around the corner and haley freaks out from the fireworks, i'm going to give this a try. i'm hoping it calms her down. wish us luck. about $15.

photo credits: benedetta; alternative outfitters; bliss; bach flower remedies.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week (the puppy edition!):

• earth-friendly waste bags. i confess i hadn't really thought about the environmental impact of my doggie's waste bags before now, but the ones i'm using are plastic and, i'm pretty sure, not good for the environment. these are 100% compostable and biodegradable. i can finally feel good about poop. $8.95 for 50 bags.
• personalized collar. my better half suggested we emblazon one with "vicious" for haley. totally apropos. $49.
• design your own pet bed. the cool thing about these dog beds is that they are stain-, moisture-, odor- and bacteria-resistant and machine-washable. i love the choices of fabrics, too. users can select different fabric for the top and bottom and gusset (middle). personalization is free. as it should be, since these puppies start at $190.
• enamel dog bowls. finally! a dog bowl without cutesy paw prints or "woof" on it. i like these modern colors, too. as far as my favorites, it was a tie between these and these. start at $9.50.
• silver-buckle collar. a silver buckle is a "must have" accessory for the stylish pup. this company is using two colors of grosgrain on the collar, which i'm not totally sure about, but i do like the silver buckle! they have leather ones available here. $42, or beginning at $25 for leather. matching lead available!
• new favorite dog site. well-designed with excellent product choices. and they have brick and mortar stores in the san diego area, too!
• new favorite magazine. "the voice of modern dog culture." need i say more? it's so "best in show." i'm subscribing.

photo credits: barker & meowsky; trixie + peanut; crypton fabric; fetch pets; aud & m.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• doggie travel tags. we must take haley with us when we next travel. it's just simply a must. as a paranoid individual, i'm paranoid about her running off while we're on holiday (um. even though she has our cell phone numbers engraved on her tag. ahem.). now i can set aside (some) my worries and attach on of these to her collar with our hotel info. unless of course the collar falls off. or the person that finds her doesn't see that. or she happens to wander 100 miles away from our hotel. $5.50 (with free shipping!).

• storage boxes. we don't have a lot of storage pieces in the room formerly known as the office, so i opt for filling our closet with these boxes. they're easy to stack and oh so easy to fill. receipts, cds, user manuals, photos. the opportunities are endless! the only thing i don't like is that they require assembly, but what doesn't at ikea? various sizes and colors. these are $9.99 for two.

• oxo brite. i'm not a fan of chemicals as you probably already know and i'll do whatever i can to avoid using them, especially on things that i wear, thankyouverymuch. i just recently tried this product and was happy to discover that it actually works, unlike some others i have tried. it truly got my whites whiter! now i wonder if i can use it to bleach my sink? $11.75.

• green tea toothpaste. remember how i was talking about switching toothpastes because of sls? after a good bit of research and inquiries to the companies regarding animal-derived ingredients (nature's gate, jason's and weleda do not use them in the products i asked about. email me if you want more 411), i tried this green tea toothpaste, which i give 8.5 out of 10. the only reason it's not a perfect 10 is that it tea-stained my toothbrush which sort of made me wonder what's it's doing to my teeth. i'll balance that comment with the fact that i like it extra-special much because it has myrrh, which is excellent for a healthy mouth. (for the record, i also tried jason's nutrismile, but it gave me a tummy ache. i don't know why. i swear i'm not eating it.) $6.99.

• bariani olive oil. this is my favorite olive oil, though i don't keep it stocked since i'm in la and it's produced in sacramento. which would mean i'd have to order it (which i've done) or load up on it at a san francisco farmers' market next time i'm up there or visit one of these stores, which i'm frankly too lazy to do. i might just have to though, i've been craving it like a madwoman. it's flavorful, made by a small producer that is family owned- and operated, organic and produced in a limited quantity. try it! you'll like it! $17, 1.0 liter; $9, 500 ml or $4.75, 250 ml. also available in cases.
  

ps wish my bladder and i luck today as i fill it with 32 ounces of fluid and resist "releasing" until after the ultrasound. ugh.

photo credits: george; ikea; earth friendly products; levland/nature's gate; bariani.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• hello kitty checks. who writes checks anymore anyway, but wouldn't they be fun? maybe not for the joint account, however. $12.99.

• marimekko placemats and napkins. i think i want to be marimekko fabric. i love it so much. lookee here at what i did find! aren't they tdf? and it's a peony (or peoni)! i don't use placemats, but i want these anyway. $3.95-5.95.

• cool kurtas. i have summer on the brain. and vacation. i need one. desperately. if i were on one, i'd want to be wearing one of these. i envision myself uma-esque cavorting on a beach in some south sea isle. (please let me win the lottery.) i especially like their riviera small tote ($60). kurtas, around $100.

• melamine serving pieces. since they cut down our tree that shaded the whole patio, we've actually begun using our backyard again. we're having a father's day bbq here (with at least four, maybe six kids in attendance). wouldn't these be a super addition?  pieces start at $18.

• polka dot journal. this design is so fresh and clean, i'd use it for everyday stuff. but don't wait to order, the store is closing at the end of june! $36 (sale price).

photo credits: checks in the mail; graham kandiah online; maiden american style; plum party; crate and barrel.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• ipod socks. these are completely impractical, but i really love them. it was a nice surprise from my better half one day when i missed a trip to the apple store. and they do keep the ipod warm, right? $29.

• "spots" sigg. i need to order one of these straight away. yes, i'm no teen or tween, but i can appreciate a good set of spots when i see them. $19.95.

• recycled tumblers. since all the glasses we received for our wedding now have chips on them, i've been on the lookout for new ones. these are made from recycled wine bottles. i like the plain ones. $29.90 for four.

• cute "thank you" cards. why do i hate birds in real life, but i love bird motifs? i'm weird. anyway, aren't these adorable? at $4.67 for one, they better be.

• pretty pillow. i'm in the mood to redo our bedroom. this pillow could be the start. $99.

photo credits: apple; reusablebags.com; kewl finds; dropsoul; room & board.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• prana pants. ok, my hiking buddy and i call it "prana butt" and it ain't pretty, but for lightness, durability and comfort, they can't be beat. (let's not talk about the fact that i had trouble figuring out that the buckles on the front actually serve a purpose, ok?) $60.

• superdark toenail polish. i've been wearing this on my toesies and i love it, especially because it's a tad unexpected in the spring. downside? it chipped within two weeks. that said, it could be all the walking and hiking i've been doing. (and it matches my blog! kidding.) $7.

• a pink thermos. i'm kind of into thermoses (thermosi?). maybe it reminds me of days of ol' when my mommy would pack my lunch and stick spaghettios into my trusty blue thermos. and they always stayed hot. it's a miracle ive made it thus far having eaten such crap. anyhooo, i like this one because a] it's cute and b] my better half wouldn't be tempted to take it from me. $16.99.

• pretty leatherman. since i'm all outdoorsy all of a sudden and needing to fend off things like mountain lions and stalkers, i found this little thang - that has been sitting in our junk drawer - handy. the only problem (and speaking of taking things that aren't yours) it belongs to my better half. sure, i can throw it in my pack and pretend it's mine, but until i really get one of my own, it just won't feel right. i know i had one a long time ago, but of course, i can't find it. and it's not orange like this one. $45 or so.

• aubrey organics hair stuff. i read that their blue green algae hair mask helps an itchy scalp (no, i don't have dandruff, my head just itches), so i thought i'd try it. i was going to try this other brand, but since i have no experience with them, i thought i'd go into the comfort zone (plus, aubrey is less expensive). i had to order it online since i couldn't find it anywhere and it rocks. it made my hair super shiny and soft. and it helped my scalp. i used it along with their scalp soothing shampoo and gpb conditioner (which i found out while applying isn't vegan since it contains milk protein). i like my hair. i really like my hair! i'm sort of spacey lately and i also bought their smoothing shampoo which i thought was smoothing conditioner. i kept it for when i don't itch, but frizz. all products around $10-15. [warning, their site nav is a little weird.]

photo credits: essie; leatherman; aubrey organics; prana; everythinghome.com.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• new deodorant. does this go in the category of too much information? well, we're so close, who cares. this stuff works like a charm. i stopped using antiperspirant a while back for several reasons, mainly i don't think it's good to plug up the glands that excrete toxins. mind you, when wearing this, you will still sweat (which i think is a good thing), but you won't smell. $15.

• earrings. i'm kind of obsessed with stuff from bliss right now. skin stuff, make-up, accessories, clothes. i want it all. right now, i think i would like to have these earrings. normally, i'm not a gold person, but i think they look quite summery. $95 (they're real!).

• peony wreath. we just gave this wreath to one of dad's caregivers at the most recent hospital he was an inpatient. you know peonies are my favorite flower and i really just wanted it for myself. $34.30 (shoot, just went on sale!).

• orange trash can. can i get this because it matches my kitchenaid? lately, i've made a pact not to buy junky stuff anymore. goodbye rubbermaid trash can, hello sleek metal orange goddess of trash. i've also considered just buying a plain steel one from a medical supply company. you know you've gone off the deep end when you actually consider asking your father's physician for the name of his trash can supplier. at $48, maybe i'll just breakdown and order the darned thing.

• recycled wood frame. this too is something we ordered as a thank-you gift recently. i like this because it's made with recycled stuff, specifically recycled wood from old boats, houses, schools and buildings in thailand." i think that's a way cool way to support reuse and also, the thai people. plus, i just read this article in this month's organic style about raising children sustainably and it got me thinking about how much stuff we really don't need. if you buy it, at least your getting something old that's new again. $48.

photo credits: benedetta; bliss; hold everything; uncommon goods; smith & hawken.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• true curls. with nary a ripple in my hair growing up, i find it incredibly odd that my hair is now wavy. hormones or age perhaps? whatever it is, i also have become accustomed to not only the waves, but the frizz. my hairdresser recommended bouncy curls by iso, but i wasn't sure if it was vegan, so i hopped over to abba to see what they had for my problem. i was happy to read about true curls and took a little jaunt over to the beauty supply to get me sumadat! i've been using the conditioner and activating tonic and it seems to really help. no more frizz! nice waves! fresh scent! ohhh yeah. $11, conditioner. $13, activator.

• mabolo tote. did i tell you i'm obsessed with marimekko fabric? therefore, this bag must be mine. available through moma. $84, non-member price.

• simon pearce canisters. i really love these canisters. at this price, i'd probably be too afraid to have them in the bathroom or kitchen though! but aren't they beautiful? anything from simon pearce is ok in my book. from $140.

• vintage phone. remember actually dialing a number? if you don't, please leave. i think we had an avocado green one growing up to match our orange (!) and pink (!) shag carpet. i would just have to actually have a phone line in our house to use this. but it's cute. how much we miss with wireless. $145.

• american apparel. i visited their store in san francisco and didn't find anything. maybe it was context since i picked up their interlock bra (what's with me and bras?)and 3/4 sleeve top at my yoga studio this week. (after said purchase, i proceeded to break down and cry while in bhekasana, or frog pose. apparently, i carry enough emotion in my hips for the entire class.) super comfy and "sweatshop-free!" and look jenn, cute baby stuff! $10, bra. $21, tee.

photo/art credits: abba hair care; moma; simon pearce; uncommon goods; american apparel.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• yogitoes's non-skid towel. if you've ever had to travel, forgotten your own yoga mat and had to put yourself onto some dirty old mat, you'll appreciate this favorite. hey. it's even good for your own yoga mat (which side is the floor side again?). it's designed to go on top of your mat or to be used as a blanket, shawl, meditation pillow or for back support. i just want it to avoid considering how many foot germs are now all over my face while in child's pose. if you're not on kitson overload, you can buy it there or click here for a list of retailers. $50. (oh wait. it's $5 less here!)

• circle diamond pendant. i would like one of these. the end. $a lot.

• wrap cardigan. why the hell is everything by nuala so damned expensive? does christy think we all have the supermodel bank account or what? enough venting. they do have great design, i must say and this sweater is no exception. and it's cotton! you know how i'm allergic to everything but. at $164, i might have to take a pass though.

• a comfy bra. hope this isn't in the tmi category, but here goes. i guess since the weather is getting is nicer, i don't have to worry about "texture" as much, so i've been wearing this bra (no, those aren't my boobs). i think i'm going to boycott my other bras with their underwire and padding and such. or maybe i'll just burn them altogether and go au naturel. (yeah right.) $34.

• boat canvas collar. ok, for all you l.l.bean lovers out there (i know you're out there), you have to deck out your pooch in one of these. we picked one up at bella & daisy's in sf a few weekends ago and unfortunately, it didn't fit, so we're waiting for the new one to arrive. once it does, pictures will be posted. we chose the springy kelly green. tcfw! $22, collar. $34, matching leash.

photo credits: garnet hill; nuala/puma; kitson; nordstrom; wagwear.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• sonya dakar stuff. whilst in the bliss after the much-needed facial and massage i had last week, i turned over like the pansy i am and bought product. every seasoned consumer knows the golden rule: thou shalt not buy product whilst in the bliss after a much-needed facial and massage. however, i am a product whore and i am weak. that said, i'm also incredibly giddy over this new (to me) line. my aesthetician recommended the omega-3 repair complex because my skin is so dry. never knew that. i always thought i had oily skin. this is an oil, but it feels fine. it's not goopy or anything and it smells like spa. because of my "congested" (is that a euphemism for "do you even wash your face?"), she also recommended the triple-action scrub. not sure what's so triple action about it, but it feels like i'm doing something. and hey! i got carded twice over the weekend, so maybe it's working! i also like this line because my aesthetician said that they are free of animal-derived ingredients. i have to check with the company directly, but i'm optimistic. repair complex, $35; scrub, $45.

• alternative medicine magazine. i picked up this mag because it had an article on cancer-fighting supplements (my sister-in-law's mother has breast cancer) and subscribed the next day. i found the articles informative, the layout clean and though there are a lot of ads, the editorial made it worth it. in fact, i found out that my favorite "natural" toothpaste (tom's of maine) has some nasty ingredients (like sodium lauryl sulfate, a harsh chemical foaming agent), so i'm switching. i think i'm going to try one by weleda. i'll keep you posted. newsstand, $4.95; subscription, $19.95 for 10 issues.

• hanro nightgown. is it me or is everything grabbing you in the most recent garnet hill catalog (except the tucked-in t-shirts)? i once had a nightgown that my better half forced me to throw away because it was just too shabby. i loved that gown. it was soft, billowy, comfortable. probably not the sexiest thing in the world, but i adored it anyway. i was thrilled to see this one, which makes me reminiscent for days of old. i wonder if it's as soft as my old one? should i find out for $126?

• turquoise creative papers. i want to wrap up this site and eat it like a tofu burrito. how beautiful is it? i need to froggy and lilly note cards. today. right this minute! unfortunately, i can't find them online and i don't know their price.

• a party skirt. i am usually not one for skirts because i've always detested the shape of my legs, despite the protests of a] my mother since i was about 14 and b] my better half since i met him. but! i've been walking a lot and i feel a bit more confident, so when i saw this skirt, i had to try it on. it's so fun and feminine, i felt like a million bucks and had to get it. luckily, it was on sale in-store! regular price, $295.

photo/art credits: sonya dakar; alternative medicine magazine; garnet hill; turquoise creative; nordstrom.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• cool glass vases. i love the design of these vases. clean, but interesting. i'd be happy with any of these. $40-49.

• grosgrain flip-flops. my obsession with all things grosgrain can safely continue. i need these. the end. $24.50.

• butterfly scarf. i think this scarf is just dreamy and so sweet. and! it's made of silk so even my allergic-to-every-fiber skin could wear it. $125.

• non-cheesy personalized labels. these are the antithesis of those colorful images ones that i absolutely hate. these are so chic, how do i pick just one? $35.

• james perse. i've always been about comfort and it seems like i've finally found my clothing soulmate. these clothes are so soft, so easy to wear that i might just clear out my entire closet and replace everything with all things james perse.

photo/art credit: j. crew; moma; iomoi; eluxury.com/james perse; fiorella.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• new creamy eye color. this stuff is practically fool-proof and a little goes a long way. i like creme eye shadows because i can apply them quickly with my fingers. i like calvin klein's version, but i can't find them any longer, so i settled for laura mercier's instead. i bought the burnished copper and platinum. i feel like i need more of these. $21.

• beck's new album. or beck's new album if you don't have itunes (shame on you). i heard him live yesterday on our local public radio station, kcrw, and downloaded the album straightaway. is it that the album reeks of all things los angeles? or that the song "qué onda guero" is creative, hilarious and incredibly catchy? (i actually played it three times on my walk last night.) i also love "hell yes." it just rocks and me just likey. $9.99.

• orange wooden bangle. i really want to get some new wooden pieces. i like what i've seen in some of those cheesy magazines to which i actually subscribe: chunky, huge, wooden jewelry. i'm looking for a big beaded necklace, too, but this will be a start for me. $12.50.

• garden tote. with all the rain we've had here in southern california, spring is springing like nobody's business. puts me in the mood for gardening - and composting (another post). i thought this tote would help me as i putter around the yard like the old lady i'm slowly becoming. $59.

• cute crib stuff. if i ever become a mother, i vow that i will not allow anything in the crib with teddy bears (save a teddy bear itself), hearts, baseball caps, overalls or flowers on it . i really can't stand that stuff. thankfully, there are companies out there that feel that a little person should have style, too. not so thankfully, the set is $285. [i betcha i could have this great seamstress we know make a set though.]

photo credits: laura mercier; beck; kewl finds; restoration hardware; dwell baby.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• flower keyring. i battle with my old keyring every time i have to change a key. actually, my better half does since i get way too frustrated. i do love the style (it's an elsa peretti), but it's just not "user-friendly." i found this one, which is probably more suited to my sister than to me, but i still love the design. at $48, it should work better than my old one, i would hope.

• sigg kids' bottles. supercute designs (even glow-in-the-dark!), no leaking and "no possible leaching of harmful chemicals," according to reusablebags.com (another fave). $13.95.

• brow set. at the suggestion (urging?) of my esthetician, i tried this out and i'm addicted. it provides a natural-looking brow using a mascara-like applicator. i'd suggest trying out the colors before buying though. just don't let the mac people scare you and/or put anything purple on your face. $12.

• secret camouflage. i'm getting to "that age" where i no longer feel comfortable going out sans something on my face. even a dot of secret something. this concealer isn't as like as my tried-and-true prescriptives brand, but it does cover. despite the laura mercier rep giving me a full face of foundation complete with moisturizer and primer (too heavy) and calling me "baby" throughout, i still don't really understand the two colors, but i just mixed up both and it seemed to get me closer to that "flawless face" laura mercier is allowing us all to strive for. $28.

• giant floral dress. not as in a giant dress, but a giant flower. i think this is the darned cutest pattern i've seen in a darned long while. i think i might have to get it. but then again, to where would i wear it? walking the dog? running to trader joe's? on a hot date with my hub? hmmm. well. it's cute anyway. and they have a slew of other pieces, too! $135.

photo credits: coach; mac cosmetics; laura mercier; j. crew; reusablebags.com.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• sublime stitching baby bib kit. while i haven't delved into try stitching yet, i was happy as a clam to receive this in the mail the other day. i figure it will be a good diversion for me with all that's going on. and since i'm already going to hell, i figured i might like to keep the bib that i'm going to make for our friends. the kit comes chock full with patterns, floss and instructions (thank gawd). $30.

• the good ground. i really love to put this in my marinara sauce or use it for taco night. even more important: my better half, the 110% carnivore likes it, too. who knew? around $3.

• hipster cards. i'm kind of digging not using amazon or icards to send greetings. hipster offers kind of a cool twist, although i'm not digging all the other stuff that comes with it, like ads for stuff. me no likey. free.

• elsa peretti anything. i really want jewelry lately. i especially love elsa peretti (hint hint). better half, you could get me pretty much anything from this collection and i would love it. granted. i asked for jewelry for valentine's and received an ipod. so there you go. i love my husband. mr. unconventional.

• prada bag. hey! i need this bag! no leather. pink (also in orange). i'll be a fierce fashionista in my sweats and uggs. no? (no.) but i still need the bag.

art/photo credits: yves; hipster cards; prada; tiffany; sublime stitching.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• good customer service. you know how i have "that problem? well, oster is sending me a new blender. no questions asked. woo-hoo! (i have found that the cuisinart is not an optimum choice for smoothie-makin'. you're not supposed to put frozen things in there so i have to wait until my frozen fruit thaws out. it's kind of a pain.) i neglected to mention in my post that my keyboard recently broke also. now that was not under my control, however. a piece just snapped and my keyboard fell flat. i complained to kensington and told them i was losing faith in them since this was the second product of theirs that had broken. i got a brand new keyboard via ups this week! free with appropriate letter of complaint. (by the way, the sunroof broke on me today.)

• smarty pants. i'm always on the lookout for new fonts and i really like this one. i know i'll find a use for this. i know i'll find a use for this. i know i will. $29.

• busted tees. i can't decide which tee i like better: "what wouldn't jesus do?" or "nobody likes a vegetarian" or "new mexico. cleaner than regular mexico." again, this falls into the category of "i admire it, but can't imagine wearing it." i'm just not that cool. $17.99.

• frigoverre. i'm in love with our glass storage. easy to clean, no residual smell, simple to store and this stuff can go into the micro or the oven. not that i've done that personally, but i could if i really wanted to, you know. $19.95/set.

• bamboo blinds. it's amazing what a little change can do to a room. granted it took us two years and my dad moving in to make this change, but hey. we've done it. by spending $70, we were able to transform the "before" (hideous roll-up shades) to a rather charming "after." of course, if i had my way, i would have ordered fancier ones that hid the hardware, but these are just fine. window coverings. they're a good thing. prices vary by size.

photo/art credits: busted tees; cooking.com; pier one; myfonts.com.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• k-boutique's hand-embroidered onesies. how sweet are these? there are three other design collections. and they prewash them in dreft so they are ready to give and wear! $18 for three (also available in preemie size).

• pillow bench. i like this bench. i can see it at the foot of our bed or in the living room. i wonder if i'd smash it? $125.

• ava toile roses bib apron. this apron is "company-friendly," more than i can say for my williams-sonoma aprons. it looks like something my mom would make for my sister; kinda old fashioned (she's into that).i alos like their half-aprons, especially this red one. (i almost didn't post it because i noticed it was featured on oprah. i have a strict policy, but i liked it first, so here it is.) $44.

• women's history quiz. how many women can you identify? this month is women's history month. free.

• lovey. lovey is a bad, bad bag. and this shop spells danger. you are warned. $690 (egads!).

[photo credits: k-boutique; garnet hill; kewl finds; national women's history project; jonathan adler.]

friday favorites.

here are my friday favorites for this week:

• healthy hoof lacquer. my manicurist tops off my mani with this and it works wonders. my nail polish stays put for about a week. $2.49.

• kiln enamel. while i don't have a lot of modern things in my home, i always gravitate toward the look. take these bowls for instance. wouldn't work in my house at all, but i really love them. maybe as an accent piece? i dunno. i just think they're cool.

• j. crew tote. now this is what i needed last week on my trek to texas. roomy enough for my camera, magazines, dad's meds, scarf and snacks. the downside? made in china. grr. $78.

• earth's intrigue shoe. much like the modern pottery i like, i can't really imagine myself wearing these, but i think they are adorable. and vegan! and good for your back! $89.

• "everyday italian." my better half received this for his birthday mainly due to the fact that he is in love with giada, but upon investigation (and if you can overlook that rather numerous photos of giada), this book contains some very easy and yes, simple, recipes for the "everyday" cook. i found a few i wanted to try already. and having tested some of her recipes from her shows, i think they'll be good ones. $30 (i reccommend waiting to see if you can buy a used version; i wouldn't spend full price on this one).

photo credits: j. crew; powells.com; walgreen's; kiln enamel; earth.

friday favorites.

here are my friday favorites for this week:

lush cosmetics. i think girlfactor (she's back with a gorgeous redesign!) is a big fan of these products and i meant to try them for a long while on her recommendation. i finally did and i'm really enjoying them. first, i'm using herbalism ($10.75; vegan) to cleanse my face. i like the results, but the formula does take a bit to get used to. it's kinda cakey, but it exfoliates which has proven to be a bonus for me. i'm also using their bb seaweed mask (can't remember the price; you can't order this online as it needs to be in the fridge), which has helped calm down my skin. and finally, i think i've found it. the perfect hand moisturizer (maybe good for your cuticles, little things?). their helping hands lotion ($14.95). unfortunately, after i bought it, i see that it's not vegan. i'm kind of peeved because i told the rep that's all i wanted. argh. it does work beautifully though. i need to contact them to see what animal ingredients are involved here. it will be tough to give it up!

el yucateco hot sauce. i'm a fire fiend. if it's not melting off my taste buds, i'm not satisfied. one great thing about the trip to my grandma's: i discovered this hot sauce. my aunt stocks the habanero green and gave me a big bottle to take home. i found the habanero red at the local super s, which my dad put back the first time (i noticed after we checked out), so  i had to snuck off to buy more and happily, it's in my luggage now. can't wait to try it. about $3.

my ipod. i'm really excited that my valentine brought me this. it was totally unexpected after the gorgeous potted phalaenopsis orchid he brought me. i was able to chill out on the plane and drown out the chatter of the people next to us. made it to texas and back on one charge. can't wait to add stuff to it! i'm looking for a way to receive fm radio signal (i need my npr!) and i really need a case for it. any suggestions?

grocery bag system. i'm getting a little teensy weensy obsessed with reducing my use of plastic and paper. this morning, i cringed at the wastebasket in my (much nicer than the one in texas!) hotel room. i used all that stuff? in less than 24 hours? this system looks fantastic. the bags are made of heavy duty hemp canvas; fair labor/fair wage; and each one has a volume equal to standard paper grocery bag. plus, they qualify for free shipping. to me the only barrier is price (what's new?). the set of four are $87.80.

body and soul magazine. tired of real simple, o! and maybe even organic style (though that's hard to do)? try this mag. i like the articles, they're accessible, useful and not too "new age-y." my mom turned me on to this and i really need to subscribe because she doesn't recycle these throughout the family. they're that good. free issue offer, then $14.95 for eight issues.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

darling valentines. ok. how cute are these? i have been reading maganda for a while and just love her. and now there's more to love! she's selling these adorable valentines with sweet little expressions like "you're the bees knees" and "you send me." $8 for six (and you're supporting an artisan!).

my slipcovers. i bought my pottery barn covers from an ebay seller a while back and i have to say, i couldn't be happier with them. they are rugged, cat-claw proof and even in white (!) wash up incredibly well. think nephew's pizza mishap, niece's artistic interpretation on twill with crayon and other nephew's shoe print. throw those puppies in the triple-load washer at the laundromat and voila! sparkly new. from pb directly $119.00-$199.00.

hemp seed oil. you know how haley's so scaly? and about her costly almost ear infection? i was reading up on alternative therapies for dogs and i came across some information that suggested the use of hemp seed oil. i've given her about a tablespoon a day and have noticed a great improvement in the condition of her skin. and the almost ear infection hasn't blown up into one. when i ran out and switched back to olive oil, i could tell almost immediately. about $12.

saveur. my mom gives me this magazine because she thinks it's too "fancy" for her needs. i enjoy it for the recipes (not too stuffy) and the general style of the mag. this issue includes the saveur top 100: a list of their favorite things. think of it as a gigantic friday favorites. $29.95 for nine issues.

shuffle. yes, i love listening to ambient sounds as i'm walking, but with the release of shuffle, i may have to rethink. i never liked the bulky walkmans (-men?) and this seems like the perfect solution for me at a popcorn price. i can wear this around my neck. love it. the only drawback? shuffle can't get the radio, which is a downside for this npr-addicted listener. $99.

art/photo credits: darling studio; pottery barn; saveur; apple; manitoba harvest.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• tofu shirataki (noodle shaped tofu). i just tried this for the first time last night and i really like them. it's a good alternative to udon or the like. i added mine to soup with garlic, spinach, sambal and mushrooms. about $3 (i found mine at whole foods).

• firozé nail polish. i can't wait to try this brand. it's free of these scary ingredients: dibutyl phthalate, toluene and formaldehyde. at $14 it better be free of this stuff!

• oliver peoples "specialist" glasses. i'm kind of coveting these glasses. they are way too expensive, but i live in la, land of shade envy, i need to blend in, dammit! $265.

• bugmenot.com. don't you hate having to register to view articles and stuff? well, say "howdy do" to bugmenot. just type in the url for the site that is completely unrealistic in their hopes of user acquisition and voila! you have access. free.

• alpha dog. i visited this store while in northern california and it is to die for. i'm such a nerd. who ever thought i'd be geeking out over fleece toys and grosgrain dog collars?

art/photo credits: house foods, alpha dog, bugmenot.com, oliver peoples, firozé .

friday favorites.

here are my friday favorites: the travel edition! can you guess where we are? (don't google until you're done!)

• liguria bakery's focaccia bread. this is one of our first stops whenever we travel to this city. the focaccia is (to use an overused phrase) amazing. with less than a half a dozen choices, try one of each! our favorite is the pizza. it's not a fancy place; in fact, it's pretty sparse. it sort of looks like the store in "little shop of horrors" before it became successful. but then again, they don't have to do anything fancy. their specialty speaks for itself. the only bad part? we wish the specialty would speak a little louder because the staff is fairly rude. $3.50 each (i think).

• molinari's deli. there's nothing like an authentic, old school italian deli, especially when they speak italian. i just love that. their sandwiches are to die for and my better half's favorite is their sopressata salami.

• new favorite chai tea. i know, i thought it was impossible too seeing as i have a borderline obsession with peet's masala chai. my sis-in-law took me to this little place called caffe divino and i had an almost revolutionary chai experience. my favorite part was that it wasn't sweet, but spicy. i didn't peek to see if it was pre-mixed or not. i would probably be crushed if i found out it was, but whatever. it was fantastic. i made her take me there again just to try it. she likes how they shave chocolate on top of their coffee beverages. a great way to warm up. and perusing their menu and their little deli case, it looks like this place serves up great chow, too.

• hiking in tennessee valley. ok. it was a teensy bit crowded, but it was a sunny day in a place where sunny days are much appreciated, so i could understand. the views are breathtaking: green hills, ocean, breakers, even a peek of the city. can't wait to go back and do this again.

• tadich grill. if you want excellent seafood served with great service, go here. think dark wood booths, white table cloths, a long bar, old fashioned service. the crab is fresh and their recipes are so good that my better half was even given their cookbook. i guess they know what they're doing since it opened in 1849. their manhattan chowder? fantastic. try the crab salad for lunch. and this is no small serving of crab: it's super generous and the price isn't that hefty. i would recommend going there on an expense account though so you can "indulge" (i mean, do business and make a good impression, thus landing that big account.) this is the one place for which i may go back to eating seafood!

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• tweezerman point tweezers. isn't "tweezer" a weird word? i love these and my love affair is long and strong. i've been using these for several years and my brows couldn't be happier. i'm one of those gals that can't resist a pluck between waxing, so these are perfect for me. i can really get those little tiny buggers that drive me nuts. i've used their lifetime guarantee (repair or replace for free!) a few times, too without any glitches. it was always that the implement became dull, not that it was defective. well worth the $20.

• fur bar pet shampoo bar. this little (all handmade!) wonder from splash bath and body has made haley's perma-flaky skin so much better. the scent is beautiful and includes essential oils of eucalyptus, rosemary and lavender. tea tree oil is added as well. and a little goes a long way. just three rubs on top, three rubs on bottom produces sudsy goodness. the owner says we can get 20-40 uses out of one bar. she said to just make sure that we dry out the bar thoroughly between uses. between baths, i've just been rubbing it on haley's fur to make her presentable. $6.95.

• marleen molenaar sleepwear. i think this line of children's sleepwear is sweet and sort of old fashioned. who doesn't love a lil' pumpkin' in a nightdress or smart pajama set? it's so rockwell.  the downside? not sure how much they cost or where to buy 'em. guess we have to email the designer or donate an e-commerce site.

• from nature with love. remember how i was looking for a source for fig fragrance oil? thanks to gnome g.,  i found it! actually, i found a mecca for almost any crafty skin care item need you may have. oils, essential oils, fragrance oils, containers, herbs! they have it. and they have excellent customer service. what more could i ask for? now i can make my brown sugar fig scrub! reasonable prices.

• monogram, inc. i really want to have a monogram designed for us and this company looks amazing. wouldn't that make a great wedding gift for someone close to you (they have a registry!)? visions of embroidered linens, stationery (my ultimate weakness), hankies dance through my head. as the monograms are all custom, you need to contact them for pricing.

photo/art credits: tweezerman; splash bath and body; marleen molenaar sleepwear; from nature with love; monogram inc.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• acorn short boots. why, oh, why didn't i get something "ugg-like" sooner? i know, they're probably on their way "out," but oh well. it's like wearing your favorite slippers all day long! i really wanted earth's tofu veggie version (totally vegan and available here), but after seeing these on sale, trying them on, saying i loved how warm they were, but they were made with little sheep's skin, my better half put his foot down with 1. a sigh; 2. an eye-roll; and 3. a severely stated, "honey! no!" so i caved. i'm weak that way. i will admit that i feel a twinge of guilt every time i wear them and that my secret goal is to one day order the veggie version and donate these to a homeless woman on the street. $112 (but i got mine for $89).

• weather.com.  ok, it's a slow news day, but hey. i love this site. for someone like me who drives a ton, this is invaluable. i can track weather in different locations (by hour!) and even add special event dates ("winter get-away to exclusive caribbean resort, february 1, 2005" or "skiing in the alps, february 20, 2005"- yeah right). the site is clean and simple, good graphics, not busy. plus, the weather.com peeps provide linkage to highway conditions, airport delays and stuff. and for you eurpeans out there, you can convert your measurements to metric. lovey dovey. free (with email reg).

• archipelago botanicals soy candle. (don't these people have their own site?) received this from my better half for christmas (just one of the literally 30-odd items on my list, so obnoxious). first, the packaging is great. simple brown kraft box (my favorite). next, the jar is perfect. i want a million of these. square sides are my favorite. no decoration. finally, the candle is scented but white. and the scent actually disperses when it's burned! woo-hoo! i think i have the basil-something flavor. it's yummy and i want to eat it. $20.

• trish hampton preppy ribbon watch. now haley and i match (not exactly, mind you. same fabric, different pattern!). disgusting, huh? if i'm ever a mother, i hope i won't be doing that do my kidlink. trish is talented. and nice. and she probably thinks i'm a freak because i'm so paranoid about my family finding my blog that when she linked to my site from her site, i asked her to remove it. i have issues, i know. anyway. the watch. it's great. i love the color and its simplicity. get one. $38, additional ribbons, $10.

• my stanley thermos. my love affair with the thermos goes way back. my mom used to pack me soup to take to school and i would totally love it. sometimes, i'd even get spaghettios (what the hell was she thinking giving me that crap? i should probably blame her for my cellulite). my better half gave me this for christmas, too. now i can take my crackish chai tea with me on my long treks to see my dad. keeps liquids hot for eight hours and cold for 12. can't wait to use this puppy.

photo credit: zappos.com; drugstore.com; weather.com; trish hampton; stanley thermos.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week, the cook's edition:

• le creuset dutch oven. actually, i should just write about all my le creuset cookware, but i'll just focus on this pot because i use it all the time. really! all the time! if you don't have any le creuset and you cook, you must do yourself (and your food!) a favor and save up for a piece. (we were lucky enough to receive a whole set as a wedding gift.) my favorite benefits? food cooks evenly (it's enameledcast iron) and it's incredibly easy to clean (food literally wipes off). visit their site to learn more about why these are so great. the only drawback is that they are quite heavy (which i realize is part of why they're so wonderful), so make sure you have the muscles to lift them! $250 for a 5.5 quart.

• santuko knife. this is my favorite knife. i'm not a chef, so i can't tell you the technicalities of why it works so well, but it just seems to cut in a "lighter" or "breezier" way. the williams-sonoma peeps say that "depressions on the blade’s sides minimize sticking," so maybe that's it. whatever it is, it works! note: this knife needs to be professionally sharpened, but that's ok by me because i never can sharpen a knife on my own. (my former butcher grandpa is probably cursing me right now! a vegetarian and a non-do-it-yourself-knife sharpener?) $120 for a wüsthof grand prix ii hollow-ground santoku, 7".

• chef's pan (also called stir-fry pan; it's model 5412). another staple that we couldn't live without. my better half brought this to the table when we got married (though curiously, lidless) and we use it most times we cook. it's especially good for use as a "wok," when making our favorite chinese-ish dishes. it's definitely a workhouse and is showing it's wear for the cause, but we love it. we had half-heartedly thought of maybe trying to make the outside all "perty" again, but then we like it seasoned. makes us look so pro. $200, all-clad stainless-steel chef's pan, 12".

• silicone spatulas. remember how i wasn't going to talk about any other le creuset products? well, allow me this indulgence. couldn't get along in the old kitchen without these toughies. no more melting when you leave it in the pot accidentally! these don't melt! i like their orange ones. i have an itty-bitty one for getting inside a small jar and a gigantic one, perfect for scraping the sides of my kitchen-aid. $6.99-$12.99.

• silpat. yes, i succumbed to the power of martha's influence and put them on our registry. we did receive them and how glad i am. they make baking so much easier. they cool quickly and are easy to clean (do you sense a theme here?). better - and i think more environmentally-friendly - than using parchment. $26.

• unbleached parchment paper. that said, sometimes you need parchment paper. i happened upon unbleached parchment paper accidentally when i ran out and reluctantly bought some at whole foods because i was too lazy to go to another store to save a few cents. well, wasn't i surprised when my laziness yielded a "green seal" product (one that "causes less toxic pollution and waste, conserves resources and habitats, and minimizes global warming and ozone depletion") and one that appealed to visual sensibilities as well: it's kraft brown! my favorite! i used it to wrap up my gingersnaps this christmas. i then placed them into ordinary brown bags and used grosgrain ribbon to dress them up. it's scary how chemicals lurk in the unlikeliest places: "regular" grocery store parchment contains chlorine, this one does not. for these reasons, i'd encourage you to buy the one to which i've linked above. $5.95.

photo credits: williams-sonoma; amazon.

friday favorites.

here are my friday favorites for this week:

• making cookies. for the first time in my life, i made cookies to give at christmas. for some reason, i had it in my mind that it was my mom's duty. and no matter how many times i've asked her, she won't let me bake with her to learn our family recipes. she's persnickety like that. but thanks to my trusty friend at life begins at thirty, i gave these cookies a go. they were a hit! i made four batches (two of which made during a bout of insomnia at around 2:30 a.m. one morning) and gave them to co-workers, neighbors, family and friends. as one person said, "they're perfect for dunking!" i did modify the recipe and added more ginger. i'm a ginger kinda gal.

• macmall. remember good old fashioned service? macmall has it. we've never had any problem with them. their reps are knowledgeable and ready to help. despite their growth, they still feel like a small company to me. (and for all of you pc users, check out pc mall. but promise you'll think about coming to the light side, ok?)

• l.l.bean. i know, i'm not some old mountain man or volvo-driver that's into plaid, headbands and kitchen remodels, but i do like l.l.bean nonetheless. especially after my experience with them this past week. i ordered my dad some warm winter clothes (he's doing better, btw - more later) and when i received my order confirmation, one of the items, a crewneck thermal top, was listed as "out of stock." so i live-chatted with the customer service rep and first, he apologized profusely. he then proceeded to tell me that the color i probably wanted to match the bottoms was  not listed on the site. he apologized again. he suggested i call in and tell them what i wanted. so i did. not only did they correct my order, but gave me express shipping to boot. i had to sort of work for the express shipping part, but they did it! everything came in together yesterday. that's great service. for mountain men and not-so-mountain women alike.

• floradix. this stuff is great. i have been taking it (almost) everyday for a few months now (since my dad's accident) and it's really helped me manage my moods and feel stronger. the extra iron is important for a veggiesaurus like me, even though i eat a bunch of dark green leafy vegetables. highly recommended. about $22.

• martha stewart's catalog close-out. why, martha, why? why must you take away this great catalog (even though i never really bought much because it was too overpriced?)? anyway, with items up to 70% off, i'm craving the deluxe label-maker (is this the same thing as a p-touch?).

art credit: macmall; l.l.bean; flora; marthastewart.com.

friday favorites.

our 2004 holiday cd design.

here are my favorites for this week, the holiday edition:

• favorite gift given. i snuck into my then-boyfriend's (now husband's) house and took a bunch of his family photos he had laying around messily on his dresser and had them framed. when he opened them, he was shocked and touched. this ranks as his favorite gift received ever (we quiz each other incessently. well, actually, i develop quizzes and he answers, usually with a sigh.) this gift was even more special as it was the first and last christmas i got to spend with his mom and when he opened them in front of her, i knew that she felt i could take care of her son.

• favorite gift received. when i was about eight, i wanted a puppy so badly (who didn't?). though my mom didn't get me one, she did give me a white spotted flopsy, flipsy stuffed animal puppy i named "rags." i thought it was such a great compromise. i think i forgot about the real puppy.

• favorite holiday memory. getting to decorate the tree with my grandmother's fragile vintage ornaments. as i child, i had to be super careful with them. when my mom let me decorate the whole tree with them, i felt grown-up and the tree looked gorgeous.

• favorite holiday gift wrapping secret. double-stick tape, kraft paper (including brown lunch bags) and grosgrain ribbon. dresses up any package. it's all i used this year.

• favorite holiday splurge. white poinsettias. ok. i know it was a huge splurge, but these plants don't last (despite what it says here), so i consider it an "extra." i planted three in metal buckets and placed them on our front porch. instant christmas.

• favorite holiday tradition. going to my best friend's house next door to my mom. each christmas morning, we'd run over to each other's house and exchange gifts. the best part? her dad would give us the same gift each year (he still does). gifts have ranged from a handmade rubberband gun to c rations (long story) to a floppy stuffed animal monkey. even though we're "up in age" shall we say, this exchange always lets me know that no matter how old i get, i'm still loved and will always be their "adopted" daughter.

• favorite new holiday tradition. giving something handmade. though this tradition started out of necessity (due to budget crisis 2003), i'm going to continue it. we made our own holiday music mix* with custom label again this year (hint: never buy memorex cd-rs; they're awful) and i made these cookies, which were a hit. i had aspirations of making rosemary-infused sea salt, but i couldn't find the containers or the sea salt. found the containers though with the help of gnome g (thanks again!), so i'll be prepared next year.

*songlist (for bex):
winter wonderland   
bing crosby   

up on the housetop
gene autry   

a marshmallow world   
bing crosby   

christmas island
the andrews sisters

must be santa
brave combo

hey santa!   
chris isaak   

(everybody's waitin' for)  the man with the bag
the brian setzer orchestra

merry christmas baby  (extended version)   
elvis presley   

green christmas
barenaked ladies   

east tennessee christmas
chet atkins   

good morning blues
ella fitzgerald   

the merriest
june christy

santa claus is comin' to town
johnny mercer

rockin' around the christmas tree
brenda lee   

linus and lucy
vince guaraldi trio

someday at christmas
stevie wonder   

white christmas
charlie parker

have yourself a merry little christmas 
diana krall   

what child is this
poncho sanchez   

if i needed someone 
michael hedges   

note: i had to mess around with the final playlists because of itunes' digital rights management stuff. i ended up adding a song at the end of some of the cds so that i could burn additional copies of basically the same playlist. argh.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• buttercream body bon bon by splash bath & body. oh my god. this stuff is amazing. remember how i recently broke out in some kind of rash/eczema thing? it cleared up through the use of tea tree oil, but i think it was caused because my skin was so darned dry. this cream is completely dreamy and leaves my hands silky smooth. it has 20% cocoa butter which makes it super-moisturizing. i sort of want to eat it. it smells that good. this is a smallish local (to me) shop that produces all-natural (almost no animal ingredients or byproducts except for milk and honey in some of them), handmade bath and body stuff. i talked with the owner at length and she has a great "start-up" story. she initally began making soaps for her friends, traveled to england and found a similar shop that she wanted to bring to america. they declined so she went out on her own. it's been 10 years and she's going strong (see earthlights?). she mentioned that sales are a little slow this holiday, so why don't you give her a try? order something and your loved one will not be disappointed. the bon bon cream is just $8.95.


• kiehl's leave-in conditioner. my hair seems to be stuck on frizz this holiday season. i know i need to just bite the bullet and deep-condition once a week, but i'm too lazy, so i did the next best thing. i bought this leave-in that i use everyday. a bonus of this product is that it gives my hair a little definition, too. it makes my hair soft, but not lifeless and most definitely, not greasy. it's a bit on the pricey side, but if you're into a splurge, this one is worth it. 8 ounces for $25.


• avalon organics lavender bar soap. i can never remember their brand name. there's avalan, but there is also aubrey, aveda and abba and i purchase from all of them frequently. i get too confused. do you have to have a name that begins with "a" to be in organic beauty? anyway, i love this soap. since i'm trying to use only animal-ingredient free products and support those that do not test on animals, i 86'd my oil of olay soap and was on a quest to find one that gave me the same smooth sensation. i came across avalon's soap at trader joe's and love its fresh scent and the way it moisturizes my skin. it's a "win win" as they say. about $4 at your natural food store or online.


• la natura's mango lip balm. my all-time favorite. it's elusive though, unfortunately. this stuff does the trick for dry, cracked winter-beaten puckers. i'm not a fan of anything minty and i've run into the mint over and over in lip stuff. this mango balm leaves my lips kissable (except if your husband hates any lip balm no matter what you do). again, no animal ingredients or testing here. i'm glad to see that shoppers are now able to order small quantities. $8.


• thai lemongrass candles. i received one as a gift this year. i'm kind of picky (surprised?) about the color of my candles. i like the pineapple cilantro illume candles, but the green color just doesn't cut it in my house. why can't they make it in plain white or ivory? this color matches though! it's quite a warm color which goes well in my loo. the company describes the scent much better than i could: "a grassy, lemon scent, with slightly spicy and earthy undertones, make this an exotic, warm, and fresh fragrance. intense but not overbearing... ." if i were buying it, i'd go for the soy version. $4.95 for a small glass votive.

photo credits: splash bath & body; kiehl's; la natura; avalon natural products: pacifica candles.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• icurve powerbook stand. it's surprising how a little height and an external keyboard (see below) can make a powerbook so much more, er, powerful. at $39, it's a deal!
• make-your-own trail mix. i'm a little bit obsessed with walnuts and dried bing cherries. it's to the point where i need to make a special trip to trader joe's for said bing cherries. anyway, i never liked the pre-mixed trail mix, so a good option for me is to make my own. trader joe's has a variety of organic fruit and nuts so you'll never be bored with the same ol', same ol'. about $8.
• tea tree oil. i never used to care for the smell of tea tree oil (it's pretty strong), but i've recently tried it for those pms-induced breakouts and also for a rash on my hands and feet. it works pretty well on my blemishes and very well on my feet. i'm still treating my hands, but i'd check this out for a natural alternative to a bunch of expensive products. about $7.
• kensington slim type keyboard. a surprise gift from my better half (yes, we're techies as this constitutes foreplay), this external keyboard hasn't disappointed. my favorite part? the "intuitive hot keys for one-touch multimedia control" (basically an easy way to play, pause, stop, forward, rewind and make louder itunes). $40.
• my jackson roll neck pillow. ah, yes. such a little roll of joy. my neck pillow and i go back about a year. after suffering an incredible amount of back pain and headaches, i received acupuncture for a good while and my doctor recommended this pillow during treatment. let's just say we've been inseparable ever since. like it goes everywhere with me because it works. the best $14 i've ever spent.

photo credit: melissa's produce, drugstore.com/dessert essence, pain relievers, kensington, apple.com/griffin.

friday favorites.

1. not having a cold during the holidays.
2. not having a cold during the holidays.
3. not having a cold during the holidays.
4. not having a cold during the holidays.
5. not having a cold during the holidays.

[promise, real favorites next week when i've knocked the socks off this cold virus.]

friday favorites.

it's back (promise)!

here are my friday favorites for this week:

• learning how to make my own favicon. found a link to a freeware photoshop plugin (mac-friendly) via jennifer.

• reduce, reuse, recycle and you don't have to look like a hippie either! after coveting life begins at thirty's "take-everywhere" bag (i think i may have even drooled), she told me that yes, i could get my very own if i just visited this store. thank god for ecommerce. i may have had to steal hers. $9.95, including little teeny, fit-in-your-purse container (so why does the model look so sad?). and while i was there, i picked up these mesh produce bags. at less than three bucks each, you gotta get some of these. read why it's important to say "neither" when your bagboy asks you "paper or plastic?"


• "almost natural" polish remover. i discovered this while i was in berkeley (big surprise). at $6.95, it's pretty expensive compared to the everyday brand, but when i considered that it as no acetone, no elthyl acetate and is cruelty-free, i had to give it a try. i have to work a little harder to get my polish off, but i still recommend it for all the added benefits.


• ecco bella cosmetics. in my quest to rid myself of beauty products that have lots of chemicals and animal products, i found ecco bella. actually, i found them while i was in kansas (real surprise). i tried their lip color (it's not the one on their site though) and loved it. it's not drying at all and it lasts. recently, when i ran out of my chanel mascara, which i had been using for years, i tried their mascara. it's easy to apply and lasts all day. what more could i want? and please, don't judge them by their site. relaunch anyone?


• grateful body botanical skin treatment. i ran out of my beloved mirra mid-stay so i had to cheat. on the recommendation of the fairly-new skin expert at elephant pharmacy in berkeley (hearts!), i tried the thirstyskin formula. when i got home, i was surprised to find it was an oil (even though i just noticed that it says "deeply hydrating oils" right on the label). you know how you get a fuzzy around too many skin care products? anyway, i gave it a shot and though my better half says i smell like pencil when i get into bed, i think it's working well for my skin. the product is organic, too. i can't remember the exact price, but i think it was around $12. and a little goes a long way. oh, and don't judge their products by their site either, ok?

photo/art credits: grateful body; resuablebags.com; ecco bella; no miss.

friday favorites.

here are my friday favorites for this week:

• grey sea salt. i bought a little bit at rainbow when i was there this week and it's a "must-get" for any cook. the texture is crunchy, the salt flavorful and sharp. the link references an article which made me think of trying some. it was so delicious sprinkled on cherry tomatoes from the farmers' market and on my salad. i can't wait to try some of the others mentioned, too.

• pr*vention magazine. am i an old person now because i'm reading this and enjoying it? or maybe i've just been in the hospital too much where reading like this seems groundbreaking. most recently, i liked the article "best of the web: alternative medicine," which mentioned these sites:
  

  - national center for complementary and alternative medicine
  - alternative medicine by the university of pittsburgh's falk library of health sciences
  - alternative medicine foundation

• jade garden notecards. i bought these from this great little shop in north beach. the shop is a bad, bad place for me being a stationery addict and all, but i managed to get out of there with just these cards. next time, i'm not so confident about my escape.

• avalon organic botanicals soaps. i like this soap because the scent is natural and fresh and the soap doesn't dry out my skin. i have the liquid soap in my two favorite scents in the whole world: lavender and lemon verbena; and i use the lavender bar soap every day in the bath. i get mine at trader joe's.

• dress up your desktop by pixelyn. i've been using danielle's illustrations as my desktop wallpaper for quite a while. her illustrations are colorful, energizing and fun. look under "illustrations" or on the far right. her fonts are supersweet, too.

photo credits: chefshop.com; avalon organics; vickerey/mudlark; pr*vention magazine.

friday favorites.

it's been a while, huh?

here are my friday favorites for this week the past two months:

• abba's "complete" shampoo and recoup conditioner. these were found in the $48-night hotel in wichita of all places. smells great, works well and it's totally vegan, too! go figure!

• gap's ultra low rise jeans (dark vintage). can i just live in these, please?

• pharmacopia lavender hand cream. tried this out at earthsake (another friday favorite). the cream is light and made my hands feel soft, not greasy. plus, no animal-derived ingredients! it's on sale on the site, too.

• reuters. i like their site for news. their design is clean and easy to get through.

• moby wrap. i'm not a mom, but if i were, i would totally want this. my friend jen and i ran into this cool woman with one at the berkeley farmers' market last week and i asked her how she liked it. she went on and on about how great it was and how she's used it since her baby was an infant and now he's older and it's still so great.

• bac-out stain & odor eliminator. this is an all-natural stain fighter using "enzyme cultures and botanical extracts." contains no: glycol ether, alcohol, chlorine, petrochemical solvents, phosphate, mea, edta, nonyl phenol, sodium lauryl or laureth sulfate, artificial fragrance, colors or preservatives. all that stuff sounds scary, doesn't it? anyway, it really works! it's even helped me get out greasy chinese-food stains. i also like it because it's got a ton of other uses, including housecleaning, carpet cleaning, pet stains, diapers, drains and bathrooms. i used it to get off soap scum from my dad's shower doors. much better than those other cleaners filled with toxins. i got mine at whole foods, but click here for a list of online retailers.

photo credits: abba hair care; gap; bi-o-kleen; moby wrap; pharmacopia; reuters.

friday favorites.

here are my friday favorites for this week:

• Salamba Sirsasana. doing my first Supported handstand in a couple of years today during my yoga practice. it was assisted, but hey, i was still inverted, right?

• frette sheets. my favorite sheets ever. ok. they are expensive. however, spending a third of our lives in bed, makes them incredibly worth it. they are supersoft and the best thing you can crawl into after a long day. and if you have nice in-laws or friends or family members going to italy, have them buy you the sheets there. our 600-thread-count sheets were 50% less than they are here in the us.

• organic steel cut oatmeal. such a good way to start the day. i like mine with brown sugar and raisins. available at trader joe's.

• virgin bay breeze cocktails. yummy and summery. fill your glass with ice. squeeze in some lemon juice. pour in pineapple juice almost to top. add a dash of cranberry and you're set. (of course, if it's cocktail time, i recommend adding a citron vodka.)

• unexpected appreciation and invitations. i'm helping some friends with their wedding papers (invites, seating cards, table numbers). today's the day and i finished everything earler in the week. since i've had a lot of experience with events, i took it upon myself to create a couple versions of her guest list in case the wedding coordinator needed them. plus, i'm pretty paranoid because the seating cards are sort of unconventional in that instead of just have the name and table number, for each table, we're displaying a list of all guests seated there. the night i delivered everything, the coordinator did, in fact, request such lists which the bride had not yet discovered in the bag of goodies. once she found them, she called to say thank you. i could just hear how relieved she was and it made my day. the groom's parents also invited us to the rehearsal dinner. it was a fun evening spent getting to know the family members, chatting with our friends and enjoying being serenaded by four little (not-so-shy) little ones.

• discovering even more of our dog's sneakiness. because of "the paw incident," she's supposed to wear a snow cone/lampshade/e-collar so she doesn't bother her incision. she's been pretty good about it and i only put her snow cone on when i'm gone. i went out and ran some errands for about 30 minutes yesterday and put it on her head. when i got home, it was off. still tied. on the floor. she has such an innocent face, but she is certainly sneaky.

photo credits: yoga journal; frette/bluefly.com; martha stewart; country choice; me.

friday favorites.

here are my friday favorites for this week:

• catnap beetle bed. this is totally over-the-top, but i like it. however, i know my cats would hate it. not to mention what my better half would do with this thing in our house. i think the black one would be adorable for them. $89.99 (plus $24.99 shipping? are they crazy?).

• heirloom tomatoes. rush out to your local farmers' market and get some! my favorite this season are the green zebras. they have such a bright flavor. i use them in salads for a tangy addition. learn about heirlooms. the tomatoes near us are $2.50/lb., but just $1.50/lb. for "sauce-ready" 'mates.

• sonicare. i love my sonicare! i finally listened to my dental hygenist and put one on my wish list. my better half got it for me and my teeth couldn't be happier. make sure to price-shop these though since the sticker price varies. the cheapest, at least at a store, we've found is target. around $100.

• silk throw. i've been searching for a silk throw and this one looks great. i only wish it came in other colors. haven't heard back from the manufacturer on that. know of any other similar blankies? $100.

• hanna andersson. they have the cutest stuff for kids. i love that whole "european look" as my mom calls it. not big on the matchy-matchy family gear, but for the most part, i love this catalog. plus, i can't wait to check out their new store in fashion island, newport beach. i'm so babystyled out. outfit shown above is $36.

• monsoon wedding soundtrack. not only did i find the movie superentertaining, funny and touching, but the soundtrack! gotta have it. $13.99.

• maytag neptune electric drying center. i really, really, really want one of these. i would love to be able to hang-dry my clothes faster! and in one spot! hey, it's just $1,449. isn't it worth it?!

  photo credits: catsplay.com; tomatofest.com; sonicare; plum party; hanna andersson; amazon.com/milan records; maytag.

  July 30, 2004 in favorites. | Permalink | Comments (1)

  friday favorites.

  

  here are my friday favorites for this week:

  • giving someone i love some money, a good dinner and a computer, earned by my better half through trade work. there's just nothing like giving.

  • seeing the lady who gives haley treats at peet's again after several weeks. we've changed our routine so we don't see her every day. i got in trouble with her for not coming around. it is nice to be missed. (and haley got three treats, two more than every other dog that passes by).

  • discovering this fantastic art supply store that's really far from my house but really worth the drive. i spent an hour and a half in there and ended up with some great work stuff and great fun stuff. my favorite was a birthday gift of art for our almost three-year-old niece. included: washable watercolors in robin egg, rosy and pumpkin, silky crayons, these cool crayons that work like crayons, oil pastel or water color, speedy kids finger painting paper, a kids' brush set with 25 pieces, including some cool foam brushes that i really want to play with and finally, some little lidded containers so the artist can save her colors. i can't wait to give it to her.

  • making my mom laugh hysterically.

  • planting stuff and it's growing! being able to use my own herbs is wonderful, but there's this part of me that feels kinda sad when i cut them off. i love looking at them out my window each morning.

  • getting in shape. what seemed like a superlong walk before is now notsolong. walking with a friend this week, i noticed she was puffing and i was still just fine. it felt gooood. plus, my better half said that my shoulders are more defined. what more do i need?!

  • "how it all vegan!: irresistible recipes for an animal-free diet." i just got this since i felt like i am in a complete cooking rut and thought this might help. i haven't tried the recipes yet, but what i like is that they have all kinds of interesting tips in the back, like "45 things to do with vinegar," including things i never heard of like extinguish fires, remove decals and unclog a drain. i also like that they have recipes for health and beauty products, like lip gloss, skin toner and masks. i am going to try their "bad breath dog biscuits" for haley. as an aside, i ordered this book at powells.com trying to support the little guy. we had given my dad a gift certificate from them, which they neglected to process so after complaining, they gave us a credit. i think i'll stick with the big guy from now on.

  happy friday, everyone!

  photo credits: me, amazon.com, artsuppliesonline.com, misterart.com, growing tree toys.

  July 23, 2004 in favorites. | Permalink | Comments (1)

  friday favorites.

  

  here are my friday favorites for this week:

  • yoga. any kind, anywhere. i just went to my first class in ages and i can't believe i've stayed away so long. as a bonus, i found my long-lost teacher who now has her own studio. she gives good yoga. me happy. probably sore tomorrow, but so worth it. i loved seeing the diversity in her class. female, male, old and young. i feel so energized and buzzed. without vodka! who knew? find a studio near you.

  • maple cafe twists from trader joe's. my better half pointed out that they are egg- and dairy-free! they are crunchy, sweet and i'm fairly certain that i could eat a whole box at one sitting. look for them by the cookies.

  • chanel sculpting mascara extreme length-fine lashes. this is the only mascara i've tried that doesn't irritate my eyes and makes my lashes, well, extreme. the wand is very thin, so it's easy to apply. $23.50

  • j.crew flip flops. my old standbys. i have a bunch of pairs of these and they've endured many a summer season. plus, they're on sale right now! $6.99 and 20% off two or more.

  • netflix. maybe i'm late to the party, but i finally tried netflix by way of their free two-week trial. all i can say is, i'm hooked! after that, it's $21.99 for their three-at-a-time program.

  • flour sack towels. if you don't have any of these in your kitchen, please get some. for people without a dishwasher, such as myself, they work wonders for drying glasses and glassware. no spots!

  • trish mcevoy. probably my favorite eye make-up and brushes ever. their products are on the pricey side and i'm not too keen on the whole "book" concept, but their make-up rocks. they have great, true colors and it is never irritating or heavy. i also love her lipsticks. light and easy to wear (do you sense a theme here?) my favorite brushes are number 11 (eye definer/shadow liner brush) and number 43 (mini foundation brush).

    
    

  photo credits: yoga journal, j.crew, trish mcevoy, netflix, chefs catalog, chanel.

  July 16, 2004 in favorites. | Permalink | Comments (0)

  friday favorites.

  

  here are my friday favorites for this week:

  • smeg refrigerator. i can't remember where i found this cool fridge, but i reallly, really want one. i like fab28r3. of course, i'm not sure how it will look in our so-not-gourmet kitchen.

  • french kiss. one of my all-time favorite movies. i just love meg ryan back when she was a non-cheater, non-fish lips person. i can watch this movie over and over. "lactose intoleranccccccce!"

  • prescriptives liquid powder. super light and easy-to-wear. it is sheer and gives a natural glow. perfect for summer. $32.50.

  • stickey base coat. my manicurist uses this product and i've bought my own so i can do my upkeep at home. it doesn't chip and leaves my nails feeling strong. $6.

  • ballard designs. i like this catalog because it has accessible furniture, accessories and linens for the home. great design ideas, too.

  • ralph lauren "wentworth" dobby towels. i'm pretty choosy when it comes to my towels and i am partial to ralph lauren for their durability and softness. i figured it was time for a new round of handtowels since our old ones needed a gallon of bleach each washing to get white. so i found these white hand towels at macy*s. supersoft and absorbent and i love the tailored look.

  photo credits: smeg, prescriptives, twentieth century fox, creative nail design, ballard designs, ralph lauren.

  July 9, 2004 in favorites. | Permalink | Comments (3)

  friday favorites.

  

  
  here are my friday favorites for this week:

  • mason pearson detangler. my hair can go from straight as an arrow to a cluster of a million teeny tiny excruciating-to-pull-out knots in one shower. this brush, while expensive, allows me to keep my scalp in tact. $60.

  • trish hampton dog accessories. not that haley needs a custom grosgrain collar and lead, but wouldn't she be adorable prancing around wearing them? it's getting harder for me to resist buying a set. what color would look best? $60.

  • patagonia's capilene mesh top. i've been on a quest to find the perfect sports bra. i don't like the ones that have that huge seam along the chest. i don't like the ones that feel so heavy and hot and makes me not want to layer anything over it for fear of overheating on mile one. i wanted one that was lightweight, yet didn't show any "texture." i've found it in this top. it's pretty lightweight, breathes and is not heavy at all. plus, it's seamless! this is one of those items that i want to buy in every color. i'm not body-confident enough to wear it alone, but someone along the lines of giselle bundchen certainly could. $34.

  • tiki and googie baby blankets and clothes. i'm sort of bummed that this is the only link i could find to buy their items online. i recently purchased one of their baby blankets and an outfit for a couple of our friends. they are tcfw. interesting, unexpected patterns for baby, but still supersoft and plush. i hope to find them online somewhere. if i do, i'll post. their site is not helpful.

  • new native organic cotton baby carrier. and speaking of baby gifts, i really want to get this for someone special (it's $48). i've seen a couple of these slung around new moms and dads around town and the baby just looks so comfy in it. and so does the person to whom it happens to be attached. if i were a mom, i would want this. it just looks so natural. any moms out there use this? i'd love to know how you liked it so i can decide if it's good gift giving or not.

  • illume's pineapple and cilantro candles. i'm sensitive to strong scents and therefore i am particular about bringing them into our home. illume candles are scented, yes, but they are not overpowering. they are delicate and they smell natural, not like a glade plug-in. i am partial to the pineapple cilantro because it smells happy, clean and fresh. the only downside for me is that it's green, which doesn't go with much of our décor. 3x3 pillar: $16.

  photo credits: trish hampton, mason pearson/beauty.com, new native baby carrier, tiki and googie, illume, patagonia.

  July 2, 2004 in favorites. | Permalink | Comments (3)

  friday favorites.

  

  here are my friday favorites for this week:

  • kiss my face fragrance free moisture shave. this is the best shave cream ever. affirmed by both my smooth legs and my better half's former stubble. it is creamy and lathers a lot, which i love. $6.

  • fabriano medioevalis paper . a beautiful paper for correspondence and perfect for letterpress. according to dick blick, "papermaking at fabriano mills began in 1283." i suppose they know what they're doing. try the reply card size here. i've found making cards for people is rewarding and is appreciated by the recipient. $22.35 for 100 folded cards.

  • wicked good slippers by ll bean. ok, so they're not sexy, but i cannot get my feet outta these things. super soft inside, durable and they mold to your footsies. i had my last pair for a couple of years and they wore quite well. my better half felt they needed to be retired when my little toe snuck through the side, but i was happy to get them repaired. i didn't get a chance to because a new pair arrived within two days. he's great, what can i say? $44.

  • artemis pet food. not only do our dog and cats love it, it has really helped our dog's flaky coat. i top her food off with a tablespoon of olive oil at each feeding, which i think has made a big difference, too. and when my local pet store discontinued their product, i contacted them directly and have set-up an account so i can order one day and receive the next. good on the animal-testing front, too. bonus: superfriendly staff. holistic dry dog food, natural 6, $19.99 for 17 pounds. holistic cat food, $24.99 for 20 pounds.

  • matelasse tissue holder from restoration hardware. i thought this was really cute. i love matelasse and think it would be a great way to update our bathroom accessories. it coordinates with this shower curtain. $15.
    

  photo credits: kiss my face, fabriano, ll bean, artemis, restoration hardware.

  June 25, 2004 in favorites. | Permalink | Comments (1)

  friday favorites.

  

  here are my friday favorites for this week:

  • the thymes green tea liquid foaming bath. i received this as a gift. the scent is quite light, which i love, and while i haven't tried it as a bubble bath, i like it as a body wash right before i get out of the shower. the only drawback? glass bottle, so don't drop it! i keep it on our counter. safety first.

  • emily post’s etiquette, 16th edition by peggy post. i am big on etiquette and this book serves as a solid guide. sure, it's written by the great granddaughter-in-law to emily post, but hey. someone's got to carry on the tradition. even if it's the in-laws. i would like to give this book to the last two brides and grooms who have not sent thank-you notes for the wedding gifts we gave them. last year.

  • drinkwell fresh water fountain and reservoir. our cats love this fountain. it provides fresh, aerated water, so they drink more. the only flaw is the design. it's pretty ugly. but that's why it's hidden at our house.

  • crystal stick. this may go in the category of "too much information," but i feel like we're old friends, so here goes. i am a b.o.-phobic (apparently, not alone). i am constantly in search of the best deodorant. one that will mask every ounce of scent. i sneak sniffs when i can just to be sure. i am also concerned about putting chemicals into my body (excluding vodka), so i began to search for an alternative that is natural and does not include animal ingredients. the crystal stick does work. it definitely eliminates odor. it's really weird, actually. to sniff and not to have any odor. and i am an expert. the only downside is that i do sweat. it's not an antiperspirant, but maybe that's good? the body is made to sweat, right? anyway. at only $4.99 at trader joe's, i'd recommend you give it a go. that all said, if it's a really hot day, i'll revert back to my old ways and slather on some degree. just in case. i'm not paranoid. i'm not paranoid. i'm not paranoid.

  • tom's of maine natural toothpaste with fluoride, spearmint. i've been using this for years. love, love, love it. i am sort of allergic to artificial sweeteners and this does not have any of that. no animal ingredients either. good flavor. makes brushing fun.

  • aura cacia organic sweet almond oil. a must-have for any household with scratchy skin. this is a healing emollient and works wonders for rough cuticles and yucky non-beach-ready footsies.

  so what are your friday favorites?

  
  photo credits (l to r): the thymes; emily post; petsmart.com; french transit, ltd.; aura cacia; tom's of maine.

  June 18, 2004 in favorites. | Permalink | Comments (1)

  friday favorites.

  

  here are my friday favorites for this week (l to r):

  • pepperwood grove cab. and it's not because it's $3.99 at trader joe's right now, i swear. it really is great "everyday" wine. we discovered it a while back when it was the extravagant $7.99 a bottle. the $3.99 bottles have the old label. the one that is white and blue with gold embossing and does not resemble some now-defunct technology company.

  • aveda shampure conditioner. i'm into aveda again. my friend and i had boycotted them a while back when they moved to distribution via aveda "concept salon only." it was just too much for us to handle. i'm glad i'm using their products again and this conditioner is not heavy at all and leaves my hair very smoothie. it's pricey, but after the time i've had with my hair in the last year, i feel that this is a splurge i can splurge on.

  • hot 'n peppered vegi jerky. mmm. can't find this many places. currently, it only lives at whole foods market (my arch nemesis right now, which i will tell you about later). it's a spicy little snack and who couldn't love a food that has "n" in its name?

  • lemon press. so we've had to exchange this puppy three times, but hey! it works and williams-sonoma, unlike some other companies, stands behind their products. this is the handiest tool i ever did have. it squeezes like nobody's business. i can make a vat of lemonade in minutes! it's a perfect accessory for every kitchen, even if you hate gadgets (jen). it's just lemonicious.

  • blú. another trader joe's find. at just $1.99 a bottle, i need to have this in stock at all times. a friend of ours brought it over for dinner one night (which at the time i thought was kind of obnoxious — still water isn't good enough??) and it's just a very mellow sparkling water, not bitter at all.

  photo credits: don sebastiani & sons; aveda; vegi-deli; williams-sonoma; galvanina.

  June 11, 2004 in favorites. | Permalink | Comments (3)

  friday favorites.

  

  here are my friday favorites for this week (l to r):

  • alba organics hawaiian products. (gee, those demos at trader joe's sure work! i'm pretty much in love with their cocoa butter hand & body lotion, which is $5.99 right now (in southern california anyway). the cashier told me that they are discontinuing this product, so go get some (i'm writing in to find out for sure though). it's the perfect softener for summer. light. you don't need too much. and it just smells like "beach." my better half thought it smelled like vanilla. i also picked up their green tea spf 30+ sunscreen. again, very light fragrance and goes on smoothly. i tried kiss my face's sun screen spf 18 with oat protein complex, but it left this odd white film all over. that's a no-go. all alba products are 100% vegan and not tested on animals.

  • seventh generation lavender fabric softener. don't want "animal tallow and water-repellent chemicals" in your softener? well, have i got the product for you! seventh generation makes non-toxic and environmentally safe household products and using their product line has really opened my eyes ("if every household in the u.s. replaced just one bottle of 50 oz. ultra petroleum-based liquid laundry detergent with our 50 oz. vegetable based product, we could save 99,000 barrels of oil, enough to heat and cool 5,700 us homes for a year!"). i had no idea that the cleaners i had been using were so environmentally-mean. i've reformed and now use their laundry detergent (i've tried free & clear and citrus), fabric softener, toilet bowl cleaner and bathroom/kitchen cleaner (same ingredients, so don't buy both). i couldn't believe how well they work; they really are powerful. i'm pretty sensitive to fragrance, especially chemical fragrance and i'm so happy that i don't get that "overpowerd" feeling when cleaning anymore. the bathroom was the worst. the scrubbing bubbles smell used to linger all day. now it just smells "bright." the only downside? in my area, the products are only available at whole foods and i've had a heck of a time trying to order their lavender-scented detergent. other than that, i really encourage you to give them a go. plus, (pretty generous) coupons are available here. ok. ok. i'll stop talking about seventh generation now.

  • kashi organic promise strawberry fields cereal. i've been a fan of kashi cereals for a while and i saw an ad for strawberry fields and thought, "what the heck?" this cereal is crack. crunchy. full o' flavor. and i like the contrast of the tart berries. plus, it's all organic. my better half, who usually rolls my eyes when i speak "organic-ese" even likes it. a lot. so much i had to buy another box. to hide. for me. it's $2.99 at trader joe's and there is a coupon here (though it doesn't work with my beloved and fiercely fast firefox, which is mozilla, by the way web person who put that error message up there stating that coupon printing only works with those slower browsers and mozilla).

  • mella flip flops. ahhh. gotta love these. it's like wearing a terry towel on your toes. perfect accessory for summer toes. if i had a kidlink, these are all she'd wear all the time. even in winter.

  • my new breezy cotton shirt. i received a gift card to old navy and wow! they have a lot of stuff. and it's cheaper than cheap! for $107, i gave myself this shirt, a casual v-neck, sleeveless superlightweight tee that i want to live in, a sleeveless striped wraparound shirt, a cute lil' cardie, a pair of linen pants and a springy pink trench. the best part? i went back a day later and noticed that a shirt that i had purchased just went on sale, so they credited me the difference. i love that price adjustment policy. it goes for stuff online, too. pretty smart, i think. gets you back in the store to spend that credit.

  • greenies. these knock out our dog's "horse's butt breath" as my better half calls it so eloquently. it really does! and she loves, loves, loves them. the other day, i bought two (buy one get one free. i'm so darned thrifty now.) and had them in my purse, which i set on the floor before popping out without said butt-breathed dog. when i returned, she had taken out the greenies and eaten them. but what makes this remarkable is a] she never goes into my purse or takes food off the table (good dog) and b] each greenie was individually wrapped in cellophane. all i found was the cello bags neatly torn at the edge (smarty dog). her breath was fresh for a week, thank god. those treats are pricey though. but when faced with butt-breath, what other choice do we have, really?

  photo credits (l to r): alba organics/avalon natural products; seventh generation; kashi; shopbop.com; old navy; greenies.

  June 4, 2004 in favorites. | Permalink | Comments (2)