When I worked at Hallmark Cards, I had the good fortune to work with a lot of very talented writers and artists.
Maura Cluthe was one of ‘em.
She has her own website now — with a shop where you can buy posters, prints, books, buttons and stickers featuring her distinctive artwork.
My favorite?
Her new happy blue button.
Look at that face — gotta love those big, angelic-yet-mischievous eyes.
I wonder if she gives volume discounts? 
Posted in Art, Business, Design, Humor, Internet, Life, Shopping
Tagged art, artists, artwork, big eyes, books, Business, buttons, cute as a button, design, Hallmark Cards, happy blue button, Humor, Internet, life, Maura Cluthe, online shopping, posters, prints, shopping, stickers, volume discounts, website, writers
Ready for a snack?
Something fruity, perhaps? Or a rich chocolate bite?
Don’t sink your teeth into these morsels — they are ‘Crunched Pillows’ by Bonjour Mon Coussin, a food-obsessed online store started by Claire Eglizaud and Paul Moreau in 2007.
She’s a fashion stylist; he’s a graphic designer. And the clothing, bags, purses and home items featured on their site are a foodie’s dream come true.
And if you want to literally dream in chocolate? Well, you can make that happen, too.
Posted in Design, Foods, Home, Humor, Internet, Life, Shopping
Tagged Bed Toppings, Bonjour Mon Coussin, chocolate, chocolate bedding, chocolate dreams, Claire Eglizaud, Crunched Pillows, fashion stylist, food bags, food clothing, food home items, food purses, foodie, Foods, graphic designer, home, Humor, Internet, life, online store, Paul Moreau, pillows, shopping, tarts
You know how you see something and think it’s a joke…but then it turns out to be a real thing?
That happened to me today on Facebook.
A good friend posted this cartoon:
I like a good fart joke anyday, so I could appreciate the humor. But then I noticed the logo and “Flatulence Filtering Underwear” at bottom right. That’s a joke, too…right?
Not even. It’s real.
The logo belongs to Shreddies, which manufactures flatulence filtering undies for men and women. These specially-made garments contain activated carbon cloth that help filter and eliminate odor.
Shut the french window!
I’ve never watched The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Or Beverly Hills. Or Atlanta or Dallas or Miami
Thank you, no.
But I’m pretty sure we have that reality show franchise to thank for the ‘Everyday Collection’ TV ad from Target.
Gotta love that ‘tude.
Thank you, Housewives.
Posted in Advertising, Business, Entertainment, Humor, Life, Shopping, Television, TV
Tagged advertising, Atlanta, attitude, Beverly Hills, Business, commercials, Dallas, Humor, life, Miami, reality show, shopping, Target, Television, The Real Housewives of New Jersey, TV
I like to do things a little differently.
But would I have the guts to have a Christmas tree…
…that was upside down?
This whackadoodle pre-lit fir tree is available on Hammacher Schlemmer. They trace its origins back to a 12th century Central European tradition of hanging a tree from the ceiling at Christmas.
Its unique shape also allows you to place your tree in small places, since the base is its narrowest point.
It kinda makes sense for someone like me — a New York City apartment dweller with very limited floor space. But just looking at it makes me a bit dizzy. I start having Poseidon Adventure flashbacks (and who wants to think about that film over the holidays?).
No, I think I will stick with my the traditional Christmas tree for now. And keep my dinner down.
Posted in Christmas, Design, Holiday, Home, Humor, Life, Shopping
Tagged Christmas, Christmas tree, design, Hammacher Schlemmer, Holiday, home, Humor, life, New York City, Poseidon Adventure movie, pre-lit tree, shopping, upside down Christmas tree
Nothing makes the season bright like a sense of humor.
Aqua City Odaiba shopping mall, Tokyo Japan
I just read something that doesn’t stack up.
Breyers ice cream isn’t anymore.
Ice cream, that is.
In 2006, Breyers moved their facilities from Green Bay, Wisconsin to New Jersey. Then they stopped using all-natural ingredients, instead opting for food additives like Tara gum, maltodextrin and propylene glycol. As a result, their products don’t have enough milk and cream anymore to actually be considered ice cream.
And how did Breyers tell consumers about this turn of events? Well, they changed the label to ‘frozen dairy dessert.’ And they explain the difference on their website as “a whole new way to create a smoother texture.”
Wow. That’s some smooth bullsh*t there.
Posted in Business, Commentary, Foods, Humor, Life, Shopping
Tagged shopping, Humor, life, Foods, Business, ice cream, Breyers, frozen dairy dessert, dairy, all-natural ingredients, tara gum, maltodextrin, propylene glycol, milk, dish it out
Word on the street was Old Town was the place to be as soon as I got to Heidelberg.
So off I went.
And I didn’t have to walk far to feel right at home.
Pretzels….yum.
But as I strolled past the shops, both quaint and chain — yes, there is a Starbucks and an H&M — a disturbing trend darkened my day.
They were all CLOSED.
Apparently my people don’t work on Sundays. Only the cafes — and a Subway, which was doing a rousing business — were open to the throngs of tourists wandering the streets.
So the teapots that tempted me will have to sit and gather dust. The leather goods store, the card shop, the art store — all missed out, yes they did. I hope their day of rest was worth the purchases that me and folks just like me would have made.
And I’m gonna tell them all exactly that…when I go back tomorrow.
Posted in Commentary, Humor, Life, Shopping, Travel
Tagged art store, card shop, closed on Sunday, commentary, Germany, H&M, Heidelberg, Humor, leather goods, life, my people, Old Town Heidelberg, pretzels, shopping, Starbucks, teapot, tourits, Travel
If you were looking for me today, you just had to follow the line.
It stretched all the way from Stoopher & Boots at 79th and Amsterdam, around the corner, and back to Columbus.
I was at the end of that line, but all the kids and moms and dads weren’t waiting to see me.
Dance Moms was in the house.
Mom Melissa and dancer daughters Maddie and Mackenzie made an appearance to help raise money for the Starlight Foundation. For over eight hours, they signed autographs, took pictures and chatted with adoring — sometimes crying, they were so excited – fans.
I was helping out in the store, but — full disclosure — I watch Dance Moms, too. And I thoroughly enjoyed having a front row seat for all the excitement.
Wonder if they are as tired as I am?
Posted in Celebrities, Children, dancing, Entertainment, Humor, Life, Shopping, Television, TV
Tagged autographs, celebrities, dance, Dance Moms, entertainment, follow the crowd, front row seat, Humor, life, Mackenzie Ziegler, Maddie Ziegler, Melissa Ziegler, New York City, shopping, Starlight Foundation, Stoopher & Boots, Television, TV, Upper West Side
If the sock fits
Today’s post is a love story –
An ode to socks.
On a cold, snowy day like today, they are very much top of mind…and on the bottom of my feet.
I first discovered these gems during one of Old Navy’s ubiquitous sales. I got an email, clicked through to the website and decided to give them a try.
You can never have too many black socks, right?
But these were my first chenille socks, and I was an immediate convert. They are quite simply the softest, warmest, most durable socks I have ever owned. And at only $3 a pair…well, let’s just say I’ve bought a truckload.
To be clear — Old Navy has not reimbursed me for this most earnest of endoresements. I am just a huge fan.
(But if they wanted to send me more, I’d wear ‘em.)
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Posted in Commentary, Fashion, Humor, Life, Shopping, Weather
Tagged black socks, chenille, chenille socks, cold weather, commentary, email, endorsements, Fashion, feet, Humor, if the sock fits, life, love story, Old Navy, sale, shopping, socks, weather, website