Can You Tea Me Now?

These fabulous creations are, er, created from vintage tea tins, which I will admit makes me like them even more. This would be one of those wish-I'd-thought-of-that ideas; I don't think I've ever seen anything exactly like them, but they're brilliant!

Once more with feeling -- BRILLIANT!

Now that I've gotten that out of my system... Check out the seller's Etsy store, BluePlateStudio. www.etsy.com, $47

Mimi Me!

I knew as soon as I saw the picture on the home page of Mimi and Marge that I had a found a company after my own heart. And here to prove it, these fabulous sterling silver earrings! These are the "Soda" earrings. Also love the plum blossom pendant, and the big buckle handbag in Pewter. Happy shopping, and don't miss the testimonials! www.mimiandmarge.com (you can look but you can't buy)
To purchase, go to www.amazon.com, $73

A Black and White Issue

There are some truly hideous things on the "Casual Living" site, but this sweet sundress is not one of them. I just can't get over black and white right now, and what's more perfect for summer than a light, airy, sexy-but-not-slutty sundress? And while you're there, just for laughs, check out the "slippers" designed for cleaning the floor. www.casuallivingusa.com, $59

Sweep Me Off My Feet

Looks like the only prince in my life lately could be a dustpan. (Well, that, and the Prince Formerly Known As The Symbol Formerly Known As Prince, because I heart his music). But if your prince has to be a dustpan, how cute is this one? www.pylones-usa.com, $45

Lettuce Be Well-dressed

Salad days are here again! Who really feels like cooking when it's hot? (Yes, I know some of you never feel like cooking -- I'm not naming any names here. You know who you are). In honor of my current favorite meal, let's talk dressing. Here are a few of my favorites.


Brianna's Real French Vinaigrette. This is my all-time favorite bottled salad dressing. It's a classic vinaigrette, not too sweet like a lot of balsamics can be. No added sugar, all natural, and generally...yum.





Annie's Naturals Organic Papaya Poppy Seed Dressing has won over many a visitor to my house. It's fruity and sweet, almost like a French dressing, but much, much better.





Girard's Light Champagne Dressing is a new one for me, but is quickly becoming a favorite. In addition to being half the calories of the other dressings in my fridge, it's delicious, with a light, mustardy tang. (Because calories be d*$#ed, if something tastes bad, I'm not going to put it on my salad!)

Even Amish Girls Can Look Glamorous

Sigh. If only I could sew, I would make myself some super-cute aprons. But since I don't, I'll have to be satisfied with admiring the ones available for sale. Here's a great one that even has matching gloves -- a must for those of us without automatic dishwashers.

www.carolynskitchenonline.com, apron $38, gloves $18

Jersey Wrapsody

Wrap jersey dresses are everywhere right now (almost as ubiquitous as tar), and what's not to love about that? If they're cut right, they're extremely flattering, and they DON'T WRINKLE. Ever. I mean, I dare you to try to get jersey to wrinkle. You can forget it in the bottom of a laundry hamper for three years, pull it out, and it won't be wrinkled. Not that I've done that. Ahem. I'm just speaking theoretically. So...despite all the wanna-bes (translation: dresses I can actually afford), I have to pay homage to the original -- Diane von Furstenberg. (And as a side note, when I was in seventh grade, I thought her "Tatiana" perfume was awesome).

www.nordstrom.com, $298

Tar

I really feel that the next big thing is tar. (Pause for effect). Just kidding. But it does seem like the entire city is repaving everything. It's like the smell of spring is in the air. Only...stinky.

Ours is a Complicated Relationship

I've been seeing wallpaper lately. I mean, I'm not commited enough to actually have it in my house. Not on the walls. But I like it. Sometimes I think about it on lonely nights. And I'd like to have it to dinner. www.bunnymaxwell, set of four $42

Give in to the Marketing

Normally, I eschew the whole concept of the card -- isn't it just a marketing scheme? I make exceptions for very funny cards (See Bald Guy Greetings) or for incredibly beautiful ones like these from Artecnica. The one pictured is blank, but they have an entire line of these, most of which have messages printed in the middle; they say very original things like "Happy Birthday" and "Thank You." While you're looking at these, don't miss the Fairy Tale Greeting Cards by Tord Boontje. He's such a genius! www.unicahome.com, $6

Sophea's Choice

The only real answer to "Paper or plastic?" is "I brought my own." C'mon! Just stash a couple of bags in your car so that you have something on hand when you stop at the store. They don't have to be as pretty as this one, but wouldn't you be the envy of all your fellow shoppers as you left the store with this slung over your shoulder? And you can be extra smug because this bag is fair trade, and helps widows and abandoned children in Cambodia! www.globalsistergoods.com, $37

Not for the Faint of Heart

I haven't worn this color since I was in the fifth grade, and then it was in the form of puffy paint and jelly bracelets. (I can't believe I just admitted that!) But the other day, I gave into the siren call of...fluorescent pink. Yes, you read that right. My toenails are currently glowing with the color of my new favorite nail polish, which would be...(cue ominous music) fluorescent pink!!!

Get it at your local Sally Beauty Supply -- Orly Passion Fruit Nail Polish, $5.

Baldly Go Where No Man Has Gone

Okay, I wouldn't *actually* give this card to my mom for Mother's Day, but in the spirit of the holiday, you must check out these cards by Bald Guy Greetings. The anti-Hallmark, they are hilarious, and many of them wouldn't offend the recipient so badly that they would never speak to you again. My favorites are the wedding cards and the "You're welcome" card. www.baldguygreetings.com, $3

Confessions

Since getting involved in fair trade, I've felt somewhat guilty about my occasional forays to World Market, but in searching their website, I was happy to discover that although they are not fair trade, they're not completely devoid of a social conscience. They are carrying a collection by Novica, National Geographic's fair trade, artisan-made products, and all of their outdoor furniture is made with environmentally-friendly acacia wood.

And that's my justification for showing you these super-cute containers. That, and the fact that they are super-cute, and match my Fiestaware. www.worldmarket.com, $17.94. Oh, and despite the fact that little glass jars are a popular way to store spices, having them in an opaque container actually keeps them from deteriorating as fast. (Note: for those of you who are paying attention, this is another justification for why I should immediately discard all of my glass spice jars and buy these new ones.)

Pure Genius

This ingenious new product goes on your feet (it's in a stick like deodorant) and prevents blisters from forming. I wish I had some of this stuff right now. Seriously, why didn't someone come up with this sooner? www.drugstore.com, $6.99

Trump Cardamom

I've recently discovered the joys of freshly ground cardamom. In fact, all I've really done with it is use it to flavor a banana smoothie. Well, that, and smell it obsessively after grinding it in my mortar and pestle. And I might have rubbed a little on my fingers in some sort of perfume replacement experiment. But all that aside...ahem...it's good stuff! Perfect with bananas, and I'm already envisioning all the baked goods that would benefit from the addition. I think the key is to grind it when you need it. All of my favorite cookbooks recommend freshly ground spices, but until now, I ignored them. Turns out they knew what they were talking about. Who knew?

I've been shopping around for the best (read: cheapest without being sketchy) place to buy spices, and right now, World Market is a clear winner, but they don't sell them online, so if there's not a store in your area, good luck.

Book 'Em

These are blank journals made from old hardback books, which seems like a pretty clever thing, if you ask me. You've got books, you've got recycling, and you've got cuteness. The selection changes all the time -- I'm hoping to find an old Nancy Drew one of these days. The Hardy Boys are for suckers. www.bookjournals.com, $13.

Top That!

This month, Dining for Women will be giving to a sewing co-op in Nicaragua (the second poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere). The women who work there built their factory with their own hands (I would have no idea how to start building a factory myself -- would you? I picture these women standing around with a big pile of cinder blocks just going, "okay, um... let's put some here."). It took them over two years of working 20 hours a week (each) while trying to support their families with other work. Now they are such a success that they are looking to expand, providing jobs for more women.

That's the story behind the women who make this great wrap top with 3/4 sleeves. I think it's wonderful on its own - flattering, reasonably priced, and nice, wearable colors -- and I love knowing that not only was it *not* made in a sweatshop, but that it actually provides income and dignity to these women who certainly deserve it!

And now that I've done sermonizing for the day, check out the top, available at www.organicclothes.com, on sale this month for $30.60