Surfer Hearts

With its heart shaped skull eyes, sword, and sacred heart background, this bag lives up to its name.

Head on over to ShopPLASTICLAND.com for more info. on this and other accessories for your many urban adventures ;)

The Funky Food Shop seems to be the perfect place if you want chocolate, strawberries, and ice cream delivered directly to your doorstep.  Great prices on big quantities of astronaut related foods.  You can also shop with confidence at their eBay store with 99.9% positive buyer feedback.  These are perfect for space-themed parties or when you want a little something different in your snacks and lunches. Your neighbors also won't judge you for eating sweets since all they see is a big astronaut on the wrappers ;)

Read reviews of Astronaut food @ Discovery Channel Shopping and Amazon.com.

Then you can buy all you want @ The Funky Food Shop.  Enjoy!

(Via the ThisNext.com Blog)

Read the rave review these bars got @ ThisNext.com.  They're available at the main company's online shop - Oski.com.

(Via the ThisNext.com Blog) A limited edition blend of rose buds, petals, and China black tea that is still available for a short time. It usually comes out just for St. Valentine's Day.  Read a rave review over @ ThisNext.com.

Buy it @ The Republic of Tea.

Launched in Dec. 2006, the site directs you to some of the best places for kids+parents on the Web.  They've already got some of the best and most delicious foods up there, the coolest toys for every age, and the most colorful clothing for kids on the Web.  Did I forget to mention it is run by a dad and daughter? They know what they're writing about!

Visit KidPoop.com and sign up for their newsletter.

Here are some of my favorite finds from them:

• Kidskey Child-sized Keyboard
• Fly For Fun (3D MMORPG)
• Wii Skins from DecalGirl
• Boujie Baby (designer diaper bags that rock!)

(Images copyrighted by Pintura Diamonds, Gemesis Diamond, and LifeGem.)

Can you tell which one of these was man-made or "cultured"? Find out in the News.com photo gallery.  It's a short photo-based report on the growing synthetic diamond industry.  How can anyone say "no" to one of these stones? ;)

Read more on synthetic diamonds @ Wikipedia.
Another fascinating article: Men hoard the diamonds.

(Via IndieFixx.com)  Add some classic flare to your look with ox stags, dragons, and leafy motifs.  Each of these pendants is made with brass, but you have to hurry to get one.  Just a few left for each.

From left to right:

• Brass - Buck Honey - ox stag
  
• Protectorate necklace - vintage glass and brass dragon
  
• Mimi - leafy motif with brass and vintage glass
  

See the entire line @ Bombalurina's Shop.  Shop with confidence by reading the shop's reviews.

(Images copyrighted by Amy Peters Studio.)

(Via IndieFixx.com) Specially designed and made to help identify the important things you feel in your soul :)  Handcrafted in the USA with sterling silver chains and spring ring clasp.

See all 7 different designs @ Amy Peters' Studio.

The Obey design firm who made this shirt says:

Up on Eagle Mountain, everyone obeys the propaganda. That's because if you don't, that scary eagle with the skeleton face will come and get you.

Makes sense to me!  Come up with your own interpretation of this t-shirt @ KarmaLoop.com where you can purchase it or  read more about the Obey design firm.

Subastral, Inc. is offering a wide selection of handmade wrought iron jewelry displays.  A great way to keep organized and add decorative touches to your home.  Read more @ Subastralinc.com or check out their highly rated eBay store.

(Images copyrighted by Shevon Grant Ceramics)

(Via EverLastingGlassArt.com.) These jewelry trays with a crackled glass center and matching ribbon measure 4 inches by 2 inches.  Put them next to your night stand to keep everything tidy and organized ;)

Buy it or see more trays @ Shevon Grant Ceramics. 

Another cool way to give your guests the option of white cane sugar while also decorating the tabletop. You get one container filled with 50 sugar packets shaped as sticks.

Buy them @ PlumParty.com.

Most of the following links came via LewRockwell.com, digg.com, and Flickr.com.

Fun links for women and mommies:

• "When it comes to chocolate, give in to the dark" - MSNBC.com tells the best type of chocolate for your health.
• "11 Tips To Boost Your Metabolism"
  
• "Reflecting on 35 Years of Marriage" - Economist and author Gary North on a happy marriage.
• "Toad of Toad Hall" - Why William Grahame, author of The Wind in the Willows, created him.
• "Water feature Riverfront Park" -> Spokane, Wash. knows beautiful architecture.
• "introducing the baby poop decoder!" - New mommies can finally find out what their baby's poop can tell them about their baby's health.

Update: Some more sites for new mommies and wives

• iDo: Utilizing the iPod for Wedding Planning
• What to Exclude When You're Expecting
• more of what to exclude when you’re expecting
• Sweet marriage proposal using TV ad.
• Feel Safer with the Taser C2
• Field Guide to Meat: How to Identify, Select, and Prepare Virtually Every Meat, Poultry, and Game Cut
• Business meetings lead to poor decisions
• Candy Myths - some good news from the National Confectioners Association

For Cute Addicts:
What better way to start the day with some of the cutest photos around Flickr.com.  The following links are guaranteed to make you "Ooooo...." and "Awwww....." for the next 10 minutes. 

• Baby girl rocking to some tunes over @  yorkd's Flickr photo collection.
  
• "nya nya nya nya nya" -> this little sweetheart is questioning authority at an eigth-grade level.  Good for her!
• "Eight weeks old" -> and already staring into the infinite future with eyes wide open.
• "I Love Baby Ducks!" -> 26 photos of these babies in action.
• "Animals" -> some nice modeling by cats, dogs, and a penguin.
• "Playful baby" -> baby elephant @ the Indianapolis Zoo.
• "Henke" -> kitten reaching out for your attention.
• "Exotic blue bottle" -> umm... ya.
• "Smooching Penguins" -> hiding behind a tree to steal a kiss.
• "Baby" -> look at the little outfits this sweetheart models just for you.
• "Leopard Winter Baby" -> this little leopard in training looks suspicious.  Better check under the hood.
• "23.baby_dream" -> Where fantasy, dreamland, and cuteness gel together.
• "Baby Euan" -> Every second with his mommy is pure happiness.  This photo proves it!
• "Baby Luke" -> You can't miss this little bundle of joy.
• "My wittle babies" -> A baby sister has to look out for the family.
• "Mohawk" -> Little dude, Thor, is bringing back the Mohawk!
• "Crochet Animals" -> If you want one, buy them over at www.pepika.com
• "Bird Bath Baby" -> Nicely put together.  Don't forget to check out the angel too.
• "Lovely baby pandas 5" -> It's a baby panda nursery!
• "Feeding My Baby Brother" -> Guaranteed to make you go "That is so adorable!!!!." for 30 minutes or more.
  
• "Baby Sleeps, again" -> Renaissance model in the making?
  
• "Baby Daddy" -> Every woman's fantasy?
  
• "It's tiring being a baby" -> That's a yawn, not a scream :)

( I think this is the last time I will post photo links.  Most parents are not interested in the publicity ;)

(Via StyleHive.com)  Too Faced designed this brooch to not only give your look plenty of punk glam, but also give you a place to carry around some shimmering lip gloss. It's hidden inside the faux onyx cameo.  Don't forget the retro charms that come along with it.  You get two styles to choose from.

Recommended by the members of ThisNext.com and StyleFeeder.com.

Buy it @ TooFaced.com, Amazon.com, or Nordstrom.com.

(Images copyrighted by Beautiful/Decay and To Die For Clothing.)

This t-shirt shows that when two designs firms (To Die For Clothing and Beautiful/Decay) come together to play, magic happens.  The pictures speak for themselves ;) Hurry to get one since the first version of the design, with a print run of 200 shirts, has already sold out.

Buy it in black or buy it in silver/grey.

(Via Stylehive.com.) The website might be a little hard to navigate when you want to add items to your shopping cart, but it seems worth it for these handcrafted pieces.  Each is made with ribbon glass with roses and vines drawn by hand. 

Read more about these glass pendents and other items @ everlastingglassart.com.

Look closely and you will see the strike pad on the bottom of the tubes. For $15 you get 3 sets of tubes with 30 matches.  Each match is 2 inches long with color coordinated tips.  You are definitely paying a premium, but now you can light up those candles in style ;)

Read more and buy them @ PlumParty.com.

Used properly with the right ensemble, these could really give the modern lady plenty of fun in or out of the city.  This pair has suede and canvas uppers with an allover graffiti print. 

You can find it on sale @ KarmaLoop.com.

(Image copyrighted by Spoon Fed.)

"It's Like A Jungle Sometimes."  It sure is, especially if you live near a city like I do. 
 
Learn more about this t-shirt and buy it @ KarmaLoop.com.

You can also read up on the design company, Spoon Fed.

(Image copyrighted by Dylan's Candy Bar.)

(Via Stylehive.com)  It seems Dylan's Candy Bar is already famous nation-wide and I did not know it. I should watch more TV :)  It already has stores in NY, TX, and FL. It's online store has this malt ball tin box with Mint Chocolate Chip, Rocky Road, & Neopolitan flavors. Not too bad @ $10.

Buy it @ dylanscandybar.com.

(The reviews are pretty much negative for their physical stores, but are pretty high for their gift baskets and other online products.)

These Petit Pan Dragonfly kites should entertain kids and their parents alike. Each is 19 inches wide and 16.5 inches tall with a bamboo frame.  The pink one is already sold out, but blue and white are still available.  Each sold separately.

Some of the other Petit Pan Kites are quite small, so it might be better to just keep them safe on the wall or hanging them on a chord like they are shown in the picture.  They just seem too precious to take out flying. The writers of BabyGadget.com seem to agree with me.

Buy one @ RoseAndRadish.com before they are all gone ;)

Designed by Resist Today and sold at the Shana Logic, this bag has:

• a frayed edge.
• an adjustable strap.
• sturdy magnetic snaps
  
• two zippered pockets inside.
• small side pockets (perfect for cellphones).

Let's not forget the cool rhino/boom box design.  

Buy one @ Shana Logic before they run out.  Don't forget to check out other Resist Today designer messenger bags and wallets.

I could not resist posting this up: Pure cane sugar in color packets with sweet sayings.  Even if you do not put sugar in your coffee or tea, you still have to decorate your table for the time one of your sugar addict friends (me!) comes to pay you a visit. 

You get 60 packets, 3 different color packets, and a clear acrylic box to hold all that sugar for just $10.  Get it @ PlumParty.com.

These hampers from The Lambs & Ivy Company have so many things going for them.

• No assembly required. "Unpack and unfold."
• Mesh lining/bag for easy emptying.
• Free shipping (from Amazon.com).
• Adorable designs with a wide selection to choose from.

Read a review for the Froggy Tales Hamper (right) and the  Dream Teddy Hamper (left).

View all the designs to choose from @ Amazon.com.

According to the reviews these solar-powered lights are not as bright in real life as they are in the pictures, but they still give your garden a cool effect.  They come with rechargeable batteries that are charged through sunlight and can power the LED light for 8 hours on a full charge. They automatically light up when darkness comes.  No maintenance required except for replacing the batteries every two years.

Read the reviews @ allsopgarden.com.
See the entire color and shape selection @ allsopgarden.com's FireFly light section.

Starting around $40 each, you can find them @ Amazon.com and Target.com.

(Image copyrighted by dELiAs.com).

This imported necklace comes with a 25 inch chain and crystals in the center.  Only one color available though :( Still, metal and crystals are always charming.  Get one for your special someone @ dELiAs.com.

These floating globes are making their rounds around the Web. You connect the base to a power outlet so electro-magnetic forces are produced to hold the globe in mid-air. They're getting rave reviews despite being unable to rotate. The floating effect is still fascinating to see though.  Enjoy!

Pictured left:
This globe is 8 inches in diameter and has a more futuristic look to it.
Read reviews and buy it @ Fat Brain Toys.  Also available @ Amazon.com.

Pictured right:
The globe is 6 inches in diameter.  Read reviews and buy @ Fat Brain Toys.

(Image copyrighted by WillowTech House & EA Enterprises.)

If you have cable, ): which I don't :(, then thiis is very old news.  WillowTech House is selling these wings by special order.  Plenty of demand for these, but very little supply.  Each pair is handmade with stunning details and imagination.  Digital photos are unable to capture all the beauty.  $95 to $250 is a total bargain if you have a sweetheart who just loves to fly.  Get these before they are all gone!  There are various styles and colors to choose from.

Buy them @ WillowTechHouse.com.

Break the law by watching the original video segment @ YouTube. You also get to see a cool technique to achieve an amazing effect with incense sticks and stretched nylon.  Great idea for other projects.

Look at the text version of the video segment @ HGTV.com. (Here is a behind-the-scenes discussion by the star herself of the segment if you love reading about TV production.)

Update: You have to see some of the wings made by EA's fans. Out of this world!

(Image copyrighted by Paper-Source.com.)

I've been a fan of robots back before it was cool to be one.  That is why I love the design of this gift wrap designed by Paper Source.  They've been in business since 1983 and have their own online shop where they sell cool stuff like this gift wrap.

You can buy a roll or you can buy it as sheet wrap. 

Don't forget to get some sparkly metallic cord from them to really bring out the techno-cool.

(Via MightyGoods.com.)

These metallic cord bundles come in 21 uncut yards all for $3 each.  Unfortunately, all the best colors are gone, including the Baby Rose color you see here. You still have plenty of other colors to choose from so buy them @ paper-source.com before they all disappear ;)

The Moncalin Company manufactures these stuffed animals to be sold in various stores and online shops.  Each is machine washable (gentle cycle), handmade in Los Angeles, and ultra soft. You do not have to worry much about pieces falling off since all the features are embroidered.  (They're cute & safe... but not cheap :(

This pink pig pictured here can be bought @ The Modern Nursery ($52 + $15 s/h) for the special someone your life.

Learn more about the manufacturer and view the entire collection @ Moncalin.com.  Fun fact:

In French, mon calin (in two words) literally means “my cuddle”, and indeed our toys are very cuddlesome!

Even their name is cute! 

(Via MightGoods.com.) They might be a little on the pricey side, but women seem to love them.  Sixteen inches high and made in Indiana (USA), these cost $14 per pair.  There are 8 different color designs to choose from and they show you a picture of each design. 

Buy them @ Elsewares.com.

Another limited edition choker by designer Marty Flint.  This one can only be found @ Shana Logic.  Your girl will love the soft pink leather, white stitching, and sparkling padlock.  Each one is handmade by its designer.

Buy one before they are all gone @ Shana Logic.  Don't forget to also check out the cuff version.

This modern design of the classic piggy bank still manages to retain it's cuteness.  The coin slot is wider than regular banks, making it easier to drop that loose change inside.  Made with porcelain, it stands 8 inchess tall and 6 inches wide.  Buy it for $30 @ Modern Nursery.

(Yeah... a bit pricey, but I believe the point is to save your dimes and nickels, not your dollars :)

These key rings come in packs of 12 and you get several different designs all for $18 (+ s/h).  Go and get a pack @ PlumParty.com.

In case you forgot St. Valentine's Day, you can still make it up to her with this 8 inch tall Bonsai tree in a ceramic pot.  It mainly blooms in spring, with periodic blooms in summer through winter.  The package also comes with care instructions.  Buy one @ ProFlowers.com.

(Picture copyrighted by Formulaexo.com)

Online handmade crafts store, Formulaexo, has agrowing collection of necklaces and bracelets that really stand out.  Check out the Ahoy Mateys necklace with skull and anchor for the front and a pink ship's wheel meant to be worn on the back.  Buy one @ their online shop.

Don't forget to check out their customer photo gallery to see real customers showing off their favorite buys!

The fine people over at CUT+PASTE recommend this necklace "for girls that are a little more grown up, but still love to be cute."

Made of sterling silver. View the full profile over @ CUT+PASTE.

(Picture copyrighted by www.cutxpaste.com.)

The Perpetual Kid says:

Release the tension, let it rip! Insert the relevant photo into the pocket of his face and kick, slap and whack away!

Buy it for $25 @ Perpetual Kid.

I first heard of these over @ CandyAddict.com.  Whitman and Weight Watchers have teamed up to solve the problem of creating good tasting, diet-friendly candy.  So far, iVillage has given it good reviews.

Buy Weight Watchers/Whitman chocolate candies.

Read the iVillage review of the candies and learn more about other diet-oriented candies.

This limited edition choker includes a leather backing coupled with vinyl strips and a metal padlock.  The designer, Marty Flint, makes each choker himself. 

Learn more about the designer @ MartyFlint.com.

Learn more and buy one for your girl @ Shana Logic before they are all gone!

The cuff version is also available @ Shana Logic. It's the same design, just smaller and at half the cost ;-)

I first heard about this @ Slashfood.  On sale for $6. "Made in France of nonstick silicone, the mold bends to release your homemade creations effortlessly."

Buy one @ Williams-Sonoma.com.

Read a review @ Slashfood.com.

It's always "Adventure Time!" with the Kid Pirate team. They produce some fashionable merchandise for the grown-up pirate with a young heart.  This reversible necklace comes with the various Kid Pirate logos on the front and back.  Check out the great price!

View more pictures and buy it @ KidPirate.com. 

• Modern Pooch - think of it as GQ for dogs.  Plenty of funny photos and videos.  A few are a bit scary though.
  
• Sporty K9 - Combine your love for sports with your love of pets with this  officially licensed sports apparel site for canines.
• Couture Pup - A blog full of photos about celebrities and their pets.
  
• Chorizo: A Dog with a Blog - a JR Terrier living in India with his own blog.  Plenty of photos!

I first heard about this from The Pampered Puppy website that keeps track of these things.  Aside from the beautiful logo design, this carrier comes with a removable hard bottom insert, blanket, and interchangeable handles. The online shop seems to have run out of the medium sizes, but they at least have the mini and small sizes.

Learn more and buy it @ ModernTails.com.

This is an old favorite.  I first heard about it on Reading Rainbow.  David Wiesner tells a story through pictures of fruits and vegetables dropping down from the sky.  Of course they are all the size of skyscrapers. 

• Cucumbers circle Kalamazoo. 
  
• Lima beans loom over Levittown.

No one gets seriously hurt and it has a pretty funny ending.  For $6, pick up a copy for your child @ Amazon.com.  You can also see more pictures @ the publisher's website.

Funny Disney Channel Concert review - Plenty of photos with captions like:
quick! she's hyperventilating from this hideously unflattering outfit!!
It's all in good fun!

The Funky Food Shop seems to be the perfect place if you want chocolate, strawberries, and ice cream delivered directly to your doorstep.  Great prices on big quantities of astronaut foods. Each candy and ice cream is freeze-dried and easily transported to your home.  It's pretty much the same stuff astronauts eat up in space.  You can also shop with confidence at their eBay store with 99.9% positive buyer feedback.  Your neighbors also won't judge you for eating sweets since all they see is a big astronaut on the wrappers.

Apple necklace or the Pear necklace @ CUT+PASTE.  These did not make the cut to be "showcased" on this blog because I already had plenty of sterling silver on the blog.  They are still very cute for your sweetheart so check them out!

I just found out Trixie + Peanut, a designer pet products company, is featured on Apple's Small Business Profiles.  It's fun learning about Macs in small business.  You also get an inside peek at a cool business with style.

Go read more about the business side of Trixie + Peanut, Inc.

( By the way, I'm on a Windows XP laptop. It could be worse.  I could be using Vista.  :(

I found these over @ Stylehive.  Five different colors to choose from for only $13 each (+ s/h).  Fun fact:

The Guatemalan snuggle bunny is filled with rice and can be heated in your microwave to make for a warm and cozy snuggle.

Go and buy one @ The Two Hands Worldshop.

The creator of The Ren & Stimpy Show gives people a peek inside the animation industry.  Don't forget to read the comments by other animators.  This explains why I can't find any decent afternoon programming.  It might make you feel a lot better about your own job.

Crackpot Executive Beliefs 1 by John Kricfalusi.

I first read about this over at BabyGadget. According to the official Cupcake Courier website:

The CUPCAKE COURIER is able to transport and/or store up to thirty-six cupcakes or muffins all in one easy, great looking container! The CUPCAKE COURIER's 3 trays can be removed, and the unit can double as a cake courier.

It costs $33 + $13 for s/h. Ouch! Learn more @ The Official Cupcake Courier Website.

Update:  This idea is going to be big.  People are loving the quantity of cupcakes you can take with you (3 dozen) with a cool, retro look.  People will be asking you, "Wow! Where did you get that cool cupcake box?!"  Read more reviews and comments here:

• Slashfood
• Freakgirl.com
• TheFixChicks.com
• ThisNext.com

Update:  Of course, if you want something smaller and cheaper, check out the 2-dozen capacity Cupcake Carrier @ Crate & Barrel. I first heard about it @ Slashfood.  It's a strong competitor to the bigger Cupcake Courier.  Great news for the baker in your family!

I first heard about these @ ThisNext.com.  Most people will roll their eyes at the price of these but they actually do give you a different feel and better sound.  They've been getting rave reviews pretty much everywhere.  They make great gifts for your guitar playing friends.

The tips are interchangeable with light, medium, and heavy tips available.  The basic model comes at $20.  The ones with the programmable metronome feature cost $30.  The Pro series includes the metronome feature and a bunch of accessories all for $70 and up.

Read a review @ The Strat-O-Blogster Guitar Blog.

Buy it @ The Official Light Pick™ Website.  You can also see video and read user guides on their website.

The fine people over @ The Pixelgril Shop have done it again.  These 4 pairs of emotibuds are available for $16.  People just don't seem to be getting tired talking about them.   They've been featured on thousands of websites according to Google.  I've first saw them over @ Gizmodo.

Buy them @ Shana Logic.

Not exactly family friendly but workplace friendly! Only one picture in the article and it's a statue with a strategically placed fig leaf  ;-)   Go and read "Why ancient Greeks are always nude"!

(Picture copyrighted by trixie + peanut, inc.)

This cute pet charm comes apart into two.  You wear one piece and your pet wears the other. 

Buy it @ trixieandpeanut.com. 

Found this over @ Flickr. The Pinky:St (Pinky Street) plastic figure collection come alive.  The scenes are just plain adorable.  See the photoset @ Flickr.

I first found out about these over @ Popgadget.com.  They're a cute and fun way to store your headphones.  The downside is that they cost $10 each.  Don't use the ball chain that is included because it is very weak according to one Amazon.com customer review.

Buy them at Amazon.com or JR.com.

The Cool Hunter also has more pictures.

Read a review with full pictures @ TamsPalm or read more customer reviews @ iPoditude.

I first heard about this @ StyleHive.com.  They're getting a lot of attention for being simple and effective at dealing with those headphone cords.

View the SmartWrap.net website.

Read reviews and buy a bundle of them @ Amazon.com or @  JR.com ( J&R music store).

The title is actually one word repeated twice: ChocolateChocolate.  What really grabbed my attention, other than the beautiful cover, was what one ThisNext.com reviewer said:

This book is foolproof and the resulting cakes / brownies / muffins / buns always turned out perfect.

It includes 200+ recipes that took 10 years to be gathered, researched, and perfected.

Read excerpts, reviews, and buy the book @ Amazon.com.

Read an interview with the author.

Found through StyleHive.com, this silver & rhinestone skull necklace with chain is being sold over at Panic Doll.
View the entire inventory @ PanicDoll.com, which includes hearts, candy shapes, and cameos.

Cute, colorful, and delicious.  How can you go wrong with that combo? I first heard about these over @ the StyeHive. The Edible Arrangements® website has a beautiful and wide selection of bouquets and gifts that are made with fruit and chocolate.  They also have special valentine arrangements. 

View the entire line of Edible Arrangements®.