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