Windowshoppist

"Waterfall" Print ($30)

2009-12-11T02:36:00.003-05:00

Via Dooce. I would kill, or at least be willing to trip someone on an escalator, to own the original of this print. But I'd be pretty happy just to own the print, too. Photo embiggened so you can see all the wonderfulness. By Jon Klassen, from Nucleus.

Angel Chimes ($13)

2009-12-02T06:52:00.005-05:00

The heat from the candles makes the little propeller go around, which in turn makes the tiny bells ring. When I was little, I thought this contraption was magic. I still kinda do. From Plow & Hearth.

Sanrio's Sinister Side. Also, Some Hello Kitty.

2009-11-18T03:45:00.012-05:00

Sometimes, you need whimsy to get you through the day. Fortunately, Sanrio products are scientifically proven to contain at least 98.9999% whimsy. The other 1% is generally pink dye. What you may not know, though, is for all their kawaii-ness, Sanrio characters also have mysterious agendas, unspoken rivalries, and terrifying powers. Except for Hello Kitty. She's just cute. So we'll start with her.

First, you think, this seems a bit serious for a Hello Kitty product. But this is part of its charm. It is cute, as it were, on the DL. Literally.

See? Surprise cute! $69 at Sanrio.

Now let's talk about Chococat. Chococat is HK's brown nemesis. Or friend. Possibly frenemy? It's not clear. Like Hello Kitty, Chococat has no mouth. Also like HK, Chococat has mad cool products. What you are looking at above is a spiral notebook. You are unimpressed? Prepare yourself.

Bam! ...it's okay. You didn't know the Paralyzing Cuteness that awaited you within. I'll wait patiently while you gather together the shreds of your mind. By the way, this notebook is $5.75 at Sanrio.

This item represents the other cat of the Sanrio family. Charmmy Kitty is, according to the Sanrio website, "a white persian cat that Papa gave to Hello Kitty as a gift." Papa (sugar daddy? actual daddy? cat or human?) gave a cat to a cat. It's all a little meta. Charmmy Kitty likes lace, bedazzling, and apparently, the letter M. This is the "Charmmy Kitty School Pack: Cosmetics". It is $12.50. It contains absolutely no cosmetics and nothing of a remotely cosmetic nature. This whole "cat for a cat" thing and this puzzlingly titled product hint that Sanrio is toying with us, or perhaps that Sanrio is questioning the very nature of reality.

My Melody is a rabbit wearing a hot pink rabbit-head-shaped hat. Or at least this is what Sanrio would like you to believe. Knowing what we know about Charmmy Kitty, I think we have to assume that My Melody may actually be some kind of double agent, perhaps from a different species altogether. Has anyone ever seen under the hat? I rest my case. This mug, which features My Melody's cast of friends (or victims), is a reasonable $17.

This is Kuromi. She is "My Melody's friendly rival." For some reason, Sanrio provides us with the information that she is "hooked on romantic short-stories" and that her "favorite food is shallots." Please note she has a devil tail. I also think she may be the only Sanrio character with visible teeth. I don't like any of her products, but props to Sanrio for being willing to explore the dark underbelly of cuteness. That harlequin collar is genuinely creepy.

I hope we've all learned something today. Namely, that you should buy the whole Sanrio product line, but also that you should beware. We're not sure of what, so our advice here at Windowshoppist is just to beware in general. Maybe of choking hazards? Or just of shallot-eating rabbit impersonators with diamond-shaped ears.

Full Thanksgiving Dinner For Eight To Ten People ($60)

2009-11-17T03:47:00.006-05:00

I'm going to make an exception to my "online only" rule for shoppables to mention this deal from this week's Target circular because I'm rather impressed by the idea of feeding 8-10 people a full Thanksgiving dinner for a cool sixty bucks. The "Thanksgiving Feast" includes a cook-in-bag turkey (or ham, your choice), and also mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, stuffing, cranberries, rolls, and pie. Plus a coffee sampler. Basically, it comes in a tote bag and you're all set. No last-minute run to the store because you forgot about the canned pumpkin. Only available at Super Targets, of course, since this involves groceries.

Vintage Sound Horn Now Sign ($50)

2009-11-14T14:28:00.002-05:00

Shoppista has a weakness for old signs. This one encourages people to make noise, which is doubly appealing. From Arthur's Circus, which has lots of other neat stuff too.

Pictorial Webster's Giveaway

2009-11-06T23:40:00.003-05:00

This gorgeous book is a compendium of the dictionary illustrations that appeared in Victorian-era Webster's dictionaries, and Chronicle Books is giving one away. Enter here. Contest ends November 15th.

Air Plant ($13)

2009-11-01T10:33:00.003-05:00

Seriously, stop messing around with potting soil and "plant food" and so on and just get one of these weird beauties. From Pigeon Toe Ceramics (And Plants).

Other Shopping Blogs: Round-Up

2009-10-26T23:24:00.006-05:00

Monogrammed Tea Towel ($12)

Via Mighty Haus. Buy here. From Springcart Designs.

Baker's Twine & Clothespin Set ($3.75)

Via Poppytalk. From Nice Package.

Hand-Carved Cedar iPhone Docking Station ($78)

Via Rare Bird Finds. Buy here. From Woodtec.

More About The Nook, & E-Readers In General

2009-10-23T05:41:00.005-04:00

Depressing news from the Times: You may only be able to loan out your e-books on the Nook one time. Here's the relevant quote:

One of the differentiating factors of the Nook is that customers can “lend” books to friends. But customers may lend out any given title only one time for a total of 14 days and they cannot read it on their own Nook while it is lent.

It makes sense to me that you wouldn't be able to read the book you loan out while it's lent; it's gone, just like a paper book. No complaints there. But you should be able to loan out books as many times as you like, because having bought them, you own them.

Music companies struggled with this concept when they ventured into digital files. Surely, they thought, we can control how users use the files! But it turns out users get very annoyed when DRM keeps them from burning a file to a CD, or listening to it on a second computer in their house, or whatever the digital lojacking scheme du jour is.

When are e-book sellers and e-reader manufacturers going to realize, just as iTunes and CD-makers finally did, that DRM just keeps people from wanting to buy their stuff?

Here is the e-reader and e-book scheme that will win my consumer loyalty forever:

An e-reader that reads ANY e-book I purchase, whether it's from Amazon or B&N or Bob's Tiny Dusty E-Book Emporium, and reads common file formats like PDF, E-Pub, and Word as well.
An e-reader that lets me install third-party apps, which is to say, an e-reader that is open to the internet to some extent. It's fine if the third-party apps have to be approved (so, for example, they can't be apps allowing me to rip pirated copies of e-books), as long as the approval process is reasonable.
An e-reader (and e-book format) that recognizes that once I buy a book, I own that book. I can lend it to someone else (although it seems reasonable enough that I can't read it while I lend it). I should also be able to give it to someone else, just as I can give a real book to someone in the real world. Again, I'm fine with enough DRM that when I do so, I no longer have access to the book.

I understand, I think, why e-book publishers are not happy with the idea of #3. If you loan a real book, you probably do so less promiscuously than you might loan an e-copy. If you give away a real book, it's a used copy, so you wouldn't do it, e.g., as a gift, and eventually the book falls apart. These real-world limitations on lending and gifting mean more sales for the publishers.

That said, if e-books catch on, and books can sell for less because of reduced printing and distribution costs, people will buy more books. I buy audiobooks constantly because they download quickly and they're very portable on my iPod. If e-books had the same format mutability (audiobooks can be ripped to CD for my car and played across multiple computers and devices), I would buy far more e-books than I do print books, because at the lower price with an instant download, I would view them as disposable entertainment.

Also, to some extent, publishers just need to accept that electronic formats for books are here to stay, and like music-makers, they are going to have to adjust to the risks of copying inherent in a digital marketplace. Right now, I could download bestselling books in digital format for free; I know where to look, and the e-copies are out there for the taking. I buy because it's right, not because I have to. But the more book publishers chain up electronic copies, the more tempting it is for people to get instant access by pirating, both because they feel less sympathetic toward book publishers as a result of the DRM and because buying an e-book takes on extra layers of complication and onerousness.

Free the books! And when you do... I'll buy them. That's the paradox of digital content, I guess. In the end, you have to trust your customers, and it's high time e-book and e-reader sellers learned that lesson.

Barnes & Noble's New E-Reader ($259)

2009-10-21T05:07:00.008-04:00

Ohmygod. This? This is what I want for Christmas. Do I love "Nook," B&N's new e-reader system? Let me count the ways.

1. You can buy over 1 million e-books from B&N's bookstore, most $9.99 (and some less). Amazon only has 350,000 e-books available (actually, less, because that number includes other content available on the Kindle, like blogs).

2. Sexy design. Cute little color touch-screen at the bottom shows you your bookcovers in color and doubles as a typing surface for taking notes on books; reading screen is sensible black-and-white E-ink (I know I griped about the black and white screen on the Kindle and the Sony reader, but I think this is a clever mix of easy-on-the-eyes E-ink and hot color bookcover action). The Nook is a smidge thicker than the Kindle, which may actually make for easier gripping, and the page buttons are much more sensibly designed.

3. YOU CAN LEND BOOKS. Just like in the real world, you can lend what you buy to friends. Unlike in the real world, the content returns to you automatically in two weeks, which, if you've ever lent a beloved book and never seen it again, is actually sort of an improvement on real-world book-lending conditions. I also wonder if this won't make the Nook the first library-viable e-reader.

4. Promiscuous format. Do I mean the Nook sleeps around? Sorta, in the best possible way. You can lend your books not only to other Nook readers, but also to anyone with a Blackberry, iPhone, iPod touch, or computer. This is a rare moment of sanity in a "use my hardware only" -crazy e-book market. In addition to this hardware generosity, Nooks can read not only eReader-formatted B&N eBooks but ePub books, which includes every public domain book available free through Google Books. Also, the Nook reads PDFs without Kindle's tedious reformatting hassles.

5. Everything the Kindle has, and more. 3G network and WiFi? Check. Free samples? Audio capability? Dictionary, highlighting, note-taking? Check, check, check. It also has an expansion slot for a memory card allowing you to store up to 17,500 books on it (way more than the Kindle), and a replaceable battery.

6. Adorable accessories. No one really needs a hot pink Kate Spade cover, but still.

Ogle and/or pre-order at Barnes & Noble. Available in stores November 30th.

Legendee Coffee Beans ($17)

2009-10-14T06:14:00.005-04:00

You may have heard of that really expensive coffee that's supposed to be super-mellow because it's first eaten and then—gack—pooped out by these little wild animals, whose digestive juices take out some of the coffee berry's natural acids. Upsides: amazing coffee, supposedly. Downsides: hella expensive, and also see "pooped out of a little wild animal."

That's where Legendee coffee comes in. It's coffee that's been taken through a synthesized enzyme process to mellow it out, but which is at no point fed to an animal. So, you know, the taste of poop coffee, but without the poop coffee expense. Also, without the poop. Man, that should be their slogan.

From Trung Nguyen.

Reversible Bookstop ($28)

2009-09-28T11:04:00.003-04:00

This is one of those handy things you never wind up buying for yourself, but that you certainly should buy for a book nerd you love. Think of all the times you've found yourself trying to keep a book open with odd things at hand—a stapler, a remote control, a (saddest of all) 'nother book. From Levenger, home of all kinds of accessories for le nerderie.

Asus To Join Sony & Amazon Kindle In E-Reader Market

2009-09-21T06:44:00.003-04:00

The Kindle has been a bit of a lust object for this avid reader since it first came out. But the proprietary E-book format that locks you into Amazon-only content forever, plus clunky design, black-and-gray screen, and the depressing beige color made the whole thing seem... sad, somehow. Sony's E-Reader is cuter, better-designed, and embraces open formatting, but has a tiny bookstore and still, that gray-and-black screen.

Now Asus, maker of the Eee PC (which I have, tote everywhere, and adore), is jumping into the fray. It looks like it's going to be cheaper, in color!!!, and a dual-screen setup. I can think of so many uses for the dual screen -- running reference (Wikipedia and Dictionary.com) on the right while reading a hard book on the left; taking notes or even working on an essay or blog post about a book on the right while reading the book on the left; or just using both screens to double up on pages in a much more familiar two-page book format.

I'm not sure e-book readers will ever completely take the place of books. I, for one, am partial to reading trashy fiction in a bubble bath and on the beach, and e-readers are always going to be too delicate for that kind of abuse. But the Asus reader is moving in the right direction, I think: a form factor more familiar to readers, a move away from the depressing black-and-white format, and maybe a more affordable price.

Now if only Amazon would realize they're really not hardware people and open up the Kindle format to competing e-readers, we'd finally have a really good bookstore for e-books, too, and this blogger might finally feel reader to take the plunge.

Montgomery Task Lamp ($119)

2009-09-15T02:49:00.004-04:00

This lamp has tons of personality. The curvy, graceful neck and tilt of the shade make it look a bit curious (what are you reading?) and a bit parental, too (do you have enough light?). From Pottery Barn.

Hello Kitty Sewing Machine ($110)

2009-09-04T01:55:00.002-04:00

If you like the famous Sanrio kitten and also crafting, say "hello" to this adorable sewing machine. From Target.

Helen Sandals ($90)

2009-08-31T07:31:00.005-04:00

These are part of the whole new less-is-more "barefoot shoe" craze, but I love them simply because they look like the kinds of things People Of The Future are always wearing in movies. We come in peace to your primitive time! Wearing so-ugly-they're-cute utilitarian sandals! From Terra Plana.

Trophy Hangers ($40)

2009-08-27T06:58:00.001-04:00

sale!

Reg $50. Because it's very important to use the whole animal, people. From A+R.

Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Moisture Cream ($5.69)

2009-08-15T07:50:00.004-04:00

I just recently discovered this stuff, and it's pretty much the perfect anti-itchy lotion: hypoallergenic, fragrance free, with colloidal oatmeal. It's thick and very soothing on rough feet, but not greasy and thus okay for your face as well. Recommended! From Drugstore.com.

Crocs Endangered by Economic Downturn?

2009-07-28T14:00:00.002-04:00

It looks like Crocs, beloved of nurses and cooks and other on-their-feet professionals everywhere, may be bankrupted by our crummy economy.

Yes, yes, some people (okay, a lot of people) think their clogs are ugly. But Crocs has more to offer than their fashion-challenged clogs. This blog has sung the praises of their insanely comfortable Mary Jane shoe. And in posts below, there are a few more top picks from Crocs' ever-expanding (well, until now) shoe catalogue.

Besides, toddlers look so cute in them! All in all, we hope the Crocs find a way to swim into safer economic waters.

Crocs Men's "Santa Cruz" Slip-On ($50)

2009-07-28T13:57:00.001-04:00

Shoppista sees no reason for boys to have all the fun, and would gladly order a pair of these herself to go with jeans or similar. Maybe some for Mr. Shoppista too, if he's good. From Crocs.

Crocs "Rio" Wedges ($60)

2009-07-28T13:53:00.002-04:00

This is more heel than Shoppista would normally wear, but with friendly Croc-style fluffy foot support, she would give these a go, because their strappiness is quite nice. From Crocs.

Crocs "Molly" Sport Mary Jane ($50)

2009-07-28T13:49:00.003-04:00

Shoppista can't decide about these. They're a little space-age, but they also look like they would be sporty and comfortable, and the hot pink insole is somehow appealing. From Crocs.

Moving, Remodeling

2009-07-25T07:55:00.003-04:00

Oh, readers. Shoppista remembers the days of her wee city apartment, when she could fantasize freely about argyle umbrellas and Etsy earrings. Then she bought a house and decided to remodel the shower.

Here is a sample shopping list from the last few weeks of Shoppista's life:

1. 5/8" drywall
2. Joint compound
3. Drywall screws
4. Drywall nails
5. Power drill (a Ryobi,, if you were wondering)
6. Sledgehammer
7. Latex caulk

As soon as Shoppista has a functioning shower, she very much hopes to blog more about cute socks, Hello Kitty pencil boxes, and so on. Although to be honest, it's likely she will also mention tile grout and grass seed. Such is (home-owning) life, apparently.

Super Secret Project Announced

2009-07-06T04:19:00.004-04:00

Shoppista went and bought a house. The picture to the left is the view from the porch. As befits Shoppista's graduate student status, the house is modest and slightly in need of some DIY, which could not make Shoppista happier, seriously!

Anyway, move-in is going on over the next few weeks after months of dilly-dallying and uncertainty concerning the sale, and then this blog may pick up its posting feet just a bit. Don't be disturbed if some of the new posts are on doorknobs and tile... You know how new homeowners are.

Red & Pink Argyle Umbrella ($10)

2009-07-05T00:21:00.003-04:00

This is Shoppista's latest lust object. She so does not need another umbrella, but... the red and pink together! The argyle! It is very tempting.

From Old Navy.

Pixi Lip Gloss Kit ($14)

2009-06-25T03:13:00.005-04:00

sale!

Reg $20. Eight delish colors mean you can blend to the right color every time without carrying twenty lip glosses. And Shoppista knows from carrying twenty lip glosses. From Target.

Ceramic Polaroid Camera ($60)

2009-06-25T03:04:00.002-04:00

Polaroids started out as a democratic toy to make photography more accessible to everyone, and like a lot of democratic design (think everything modernist ever), they eventually ascended to high art. And now the film is discontinued. Sad! You can still declare your Polaroid love, though, with this lovely hand-cast sculpture from Yellow Owl Workshop.

Pink Plastic Tumbler Set ($16/Set of 8)

2009-06-19T08:49:00.005-04:00

Teeth-achingly sweet, like something right out of Grandma's fanciest china cabinet, only they're acrylic. This means it's not a sin to drink Pepsi in them. Or vodka. From Target.

Melamine Floral Plate Set ($22)

2009-06-19T08:40:00.002-04:00

These plates are a little pottery and a little Beatrix Potter. Also, they're made of melamine, which can actually survive outdoor eating, the dishwasher, and other hazards of real life. Features dinner + salad plate for four. From Target.

Oh Target, My Target

2009-06-17T04:06:00.003-04:00

We hear that Target is having financial troubles during the recession. This is such sad news! We love Target! They bring affordable design to the market. They are maybe a little less evil than ~~Wal-Mart~~ *cough* some other retailers. And they have that little section at the front of the store where you can get adorable tchotchkes for just a buck.

So, below, some love for Target. Possibly in some future posts, too. (Depending on whether Shoppista gets distracted.)

Retro Geometric Stainless & Ceramic Travel Mug ($15)

2009-06-17T03:06:00.006-04:00

There are so many details I love about this little mug. The stainless steel is sensible but the mug doesn't have that excessively industrial look many travel mugs have. The design is deliciously vintage, and so is the color scheme. And the handle molds to your fingers. Seriously design-conscious and affordable. From Target.

Laurel Burch "Rainbow Soul" Mug ($18)

2009-06-17T02:22:00.000-04:00

A confession: those Laurel Burch cat items? Not a fan. But this mug is kinda dreamy and pretty, and you can always just not tell people that the title of the art is "rainbow soul." Unless you love that that's the title. In which case, shine on, you ~~crazy diamond~~ rainbow soul. From Target.

Wizard of Oz Mug ($17)

2009-06-17T00:00:00.000-04:00

Not everybody loves a cheesy mug, but Shoppista loves a cheesy mug. And Shoppista often feels as if a house has fallen on her when she wakes up in the morning. From Target.

Goosie Wool Felt Appliqué Pillow ($70)

2009-06-09T04:28:00.005-04:00

Man. This pillow. Look at the goose's utterly expressionless stare. The goose scares me a little, but I am immensely attracted to it also, in the way small objects are attracted to the gravitational pull of a black hole. I think this goose would make a wonderful decorative object. And it is the only waterfowl I know that may also be a stone cold killer. From Hable Construction.

Amy Butler Sanibel Bag ($192)

2009-06-06T06:21:00.003-04:00

I want this. In this color. Although I would also like it in any other color (not as much, but still a lot.) Its shape is so delicious and sleek, yet it looks like it would hold everything, and then also some other stuff besides the everything. (Anti-matter? Dark matter? A jar of peanut butter?)

From Amy Butler

Field Notes Calendar ($5)

2009-06-03T01:42:00.002-04:00

I have mixed feelings about this. In the wrong house, it will look like it was stolen from a machine shop. In the right house, though, it will look like it was stolen from a machine shop, and it will look slick as hell. From the Curiosity Shoppe.

P.S.

2009-05-29T03:09:00.003-04:00

Shoppista knows that her posting lately has been lackluster and she apologizes profoundly. She is working on a very important project right now—life-changing! Exciting! Top secret!—but things should be back to normal in a month or so. Until then, she's trying to eke out at least a weekly post, and sometimes more.

Lightbulb Moleskine Large Cahier Notebook / Journal ($16)

2009-05-29T03:05:00.002-04:00

I'm not gonna lie, this is too much to spend for an 80-page notebook. But it's awfully nice-looking.

Buy here
From GoshDarnKnit.

Vintage Postmark Buttons ($2.50)

2009-05-22T17:51:00.001-04:00

I can conceive of no earthly use for these buttons, and want them desperately anyway.

Buy here
From Donovan Beeson.

Pale Pink Rose Feather Hair Fascinator ($22)

2009-05-15T01:49:00.000-04:00

Ooh la la! Quelle magnifique! I have no idea if either of those things are really French! But seriously, don't you want this hair thingie?

Buy here
From Batcakes! Couture.

Child With Rabbit Papercut Print ($13)

2009-05-14T01:32:00.000-04:00

I would describe the aesthetic here as "goth nursery." Love it.

Buy here
From Mon Petite Fantome.

Sixteen Free Romance Novels ($FREE)

2009-05-13T01:16:00.002-04:00

To celebrate Harlequin's 60th anniversary, sixteen free guilty pleasures in PDF form. From Barnes & Noble.

Happy Tape! ($5.50)

2009-05-05T04:15:00.003-04:00

Oh, Windowshoppistes, Shoppista has sorely neglected you. But Shoppista is in her last semester of coursework and is soooooooo busy. Soon the blog will be back to its former regular-updating ways. In the meantime, please admire this beautiful packing tape from, of course, Japan, where they know about the pretty. From Happy Tape.

Plank Table Lamp ($30)

2009-04-24T03:15:00.002-04:00

Reg $70. Minimalist squared. When you light it up, it looks more like a sconce than a regular lamp. I feel like some designer really enjoyed coming up with this one. From CB2.

Silhouette Dog Magnets ($5)

2009-04-24T03:11:00.003-04:00

Reg $9. Spruce up your fridge or bulletin board with these modern doggies. From CB2.

Cirrus Rug ($15)

2009-04-24T03:05:00.002-04:00

Reg $20. Fluffy, cotton chenille pom poms greet your feet when you hop out of the shower. Plus, I mean, chenille + bright orange? It's like the 50s and the 70s got together and had a baby. And that baby was a bathmat. From CB2.

John Mulaney Comedy CD ($11)

2009-04-16T02:31:00.003-04:00

I'm a big fan of standup comedy, but there's a lot of so-so stuff out there. But then there's Mulaney, an up-and-coming young comic. His CD is laugh-out-loud funny. Worth buying (or downloading) and repeat listens. From Amazon.

10X Office Tool ($22)

2009-04-16T02:18:00.003-04:00

Scissors, stapler, hole punch, tape measure, and a bunch of other office-handy functions in one tiny tool. Why do we love things that can do more than one thing so much? But seriously, you always need a stapler when you don't have one... From Tiny Living.

Los Angeles Loteria Letterpress Print ($375)

2009-04-06T04:40:00.002-04:00

Limited edition of 100, signed by the artist, Dan McCleary. Part of the Aardvark Press Los Angeles series.

Danger: Zombies Letterpress Print ($15)

2009-03-31T01:56:00.000-04:00

I love everything about this.

Buy here
From YeeHaw Industries

Cavallini City Map Gift Wrap ($4.50)

2009-03-31T00:15:00.000-04:00

Wrap presents in it, or frame some vintage-looking maps for cheap wall decor that's a lot better than another Monet poster. From Kate's Paperie.

Magno Wooden Radio ($250)

2009-03-25T07:43:00.002-04:00

It's made of sustainably grown wood, it's a radio, it plays nice with your iPod, it slices, it dices, etc. Mainly, it's just a completely harmonious and lust-worthy design object from the tip of its adorably rounded antenna to its old-timey yet totally legible channel dial. From ReForm School.

Almost Vintage Miniature Radio ($8)

2009-03-25T07:38:00.004-04:00

sale!

Reg $25. If you can't afford a Magno radio but you love the vintage look, try this cute faux-Bakelite jobbie from Sundance Catalog.

99 Perfectly Relaxing Songs ($0.99)

2009-03-25T07:35:00.002-04:00

Yes. 99 songs for, basically, a buck. If you like even two of them it's a good deal. Sheesh. From Amazon.

Moo Mini Business Cards ($20)

2009-03-23T07:53:00.003-04:00

Everyone needs a business card. It doesn't have to list your occupation, but it's awfully nice to be able to hand someone a card with your email &/or phone number on it instead of the awkward mutual cell phone dance. Also, business cards can be pretty. Enter the Moo Minis, which are roughly half the size of a "real" business card (cute! portable!) and can be customized with your own photos and designs. If that sounds like a lot of work, you can choose from their template packs done by real live designers. I like this one and this one and this one, but there are more to choose from here. From Moo, of course.

Merona Sweater Wrap / Shawl ($14)

2009-03-20T06:50:00.005-04:00

sale!

Reg $28. Shoppista has a gray one of these, and wearing it is like being cuddled by puppies and having a Prozac milkshake. Perfect for overly air-conditioned offices, chilly spring days, and next-winter preparedness. From Target.

Refurbished 2nd Gen 8 GB iPod Touch ($170)

2009-03-20T03:50:00.003-04:00

These are $229 new—why not buy good as new instead, though, and save sixty bucks? Music, movies, email, Youtube, Facebook, games, and apps. Yes, please? From those clever devils at Woot.

Organic Peppermint & Lemongrass Foot Butter ($10)

2009-03-17T05:29:00.002-04:00

This must smell heavenly. Has avocado oil and cocoa butter in it, too—buy now for sandal season.

Buy here
From Back Of The Moon

Green Flower Cowl ($29)

2009-03-17T05:24:00.001-04:00

This is perfect for March, when you feel like it should be spring and you want to think about spring (thus the little crocheted flower) but you really still need something warm, because it's not quite spring yet, except in your dreams.

Buy here
From PhylPhil

SSX 3 for Xbox ($12)

2009-03-16T04:47:00.005-04:00

Chez Shoppista recently acquired an Xbox 360, and lo and behold, it plays old Xbox games as well, including this masterpiece, which she missed the first time around. Shoppista is not a big video game person, but playing SSX gives you an idea what snowboarding might be like if it were a) easy, b) provided with a great soundtrack, and c) on a planet with no gravity. Which is to say, awesome. Also? You can dress up your snowboarders in different outfits and style their hair, which strongly suggests that the game designers at some point spoke to a real live woman and asked her, "what would make a sports title more entertaining?" (Also also, the snow is really pretty.)

From Amazon

BITS Magnetic Bulletin Board ($10)

2009-03-16T04:38:00.002-04:00

Whiteboard and bulletin board all in one. Plus, you'll never lose and then step on a thumbtack ever again. From Ikea.

Vintage Tin Children's Toy Telephone ($45)

2009-03-12T05:38:00.002-04:00

Shoppista would very much like to perch this toy telephone on her desk so she could call up all her imaginary friends.

Buy here
From Scotishart

Vintage Cupcake Salt And Pepper Shakers ($18)

2009-03-10T05:27:00.002-04:00

Nom nom nom. Salt and pepper, with a cherry on top.

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From Modish Vintage

Vintage Floral Half Aprons ($13)

2009-03-10T05:23:00.003-04:00

Two frilly half-aprons! Indulge your Donna Reed fantasy (or just keep cake batter off your favorite pants).

Buy here
From In With The Old

Vintage Flour Sifter ($17)

2009-03-09T12:28:00.003-04:00

Even if you don't wanna sift flour, this is just so pretty! (If you have a crafty streak, I imagine you could convert this into a planter or something.)

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From Modish Vintage

Vintage Aluminum Tea Infuser ($2.50)

2009-03-09T12:24:00.001-04:00

I love old, battered kitchen stuff, obvsly. I would repurpose this—stuff it full of lavender or other yummy-smelling things and put it in a sock or lingerie drawer as a sachet.

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From CustomEyes

"Do Work" Moleskine Notebook ($8)

2009-03-05T07:05:00.002-05:00

Perhaps the exhortation will help you if you are motivationally challenged like me. In any case, the vintage typewriter printed on the front should put you in a Girl Friday kind of mood.

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From Two Guitars

Dry Erase Liquid Chalk Markers ($10)

2009-03-05T06:46:00.003-05:00

These play nice with white boards and black boards—handy if you're a teacher—and the lack of chalk dust is also pretty appealing if you're a parent with a kid who wants to chalk it up. From Jet Pens.

Feather Mouse Cat Toy ($3)

2009-03-03T06:13:00.004-05:00

This animal-print mouse, with a shockingly immoderate array of feathers in place of more traditional string-like mousey tail, will drive your cats to acts of truly adorable murder and mayhem. From Peticious.

Not Neutral Mug With Lid ($18)

2009-03-03T06:11:00.002-05:00

No handle, the better to keep your mitts warm, and with a matching lid, the better to keep the contents warm. From Bedding.com.

L.A. Girl "Flare" Fluorescent Nail Polish Set ($10)

2009-02-25T23:00:00.000-05:00

sale!

Reg $18. Wow—these nail polish colors bring back fond memories of being thirteen, coloring my nails in Pre-Algebra with my highlighter markers. Own a little piece of the 80s, girls and boys. From, natch, Urban Outfitters.

Steve Madden Side-Zip Western Cowboy Boots ($70)

2009-02-25T22:31:00.002-05:00

sale!

Reg $190. Decorated with stars and arrows, with a convenient side-zip, and the leather has a varied patina that makes the boots look lived-in right off the rack. From Steve Madden.

Smashbox Water-Proof Eyeliner ($22)

2009-02-23T01:06:00.000-05:00

Need to look great at a funeral? Okay, that's a bit morbid—but what about a really moving opera? Or a party where you might get thrown in the pool? Or if you want to kiss him in the rain but still look like a movie star? Anyway, Smashbox has got your back, okay? From Nordstrom.

"Warrior" Feather & Gunmetal Necklace ($34)

2009-02-23T01:00:00.001-05:00

This should perk up your plumage: a handmade necklace with three bright feathers and four eternal circles on a gunmetal chain.

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From Natural Historie.

Initial Monogram Small Bowl ($18)

2009-02-17T04:27:00.003-05:00

A wee personalized bowl for wee things: mini paperclips, miniscule fragile shells, small post earrings.

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From Paloma's Nest.

Apple Shaped USB Speakers ($10)

2009-02-16T04:17:00.001-05:00

Speakers should be cute more often. Why so boxy and boring? Why not fruit shapes? From Favor Deals.

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Black & Decker Wet/Dry Dustbuster ($18)

2009-02-12T03:24:00.000-05:00

The Dustbuster is always so handy—but a wet/dry one? Be still my heart. From Kmart.

Valentine's / Heart Earbuds ($15)

2009-02-10T20:42:00.003-05:00

Rock out with your... well, with your heart-shaped earbuds visible, okay? This is a family blog, after all. From Fred Flare.

Huge Super Shockwave Backpack, or: "The Things She Carries" ($70)

2009-02-10T20:29:00.005-05:00

Shoppista requires certain things of bags. They must be cute. They must have handy pockets. And they must hold many things. How many things? Shoppista carries multiple writing implements, post-it notes in several shapes and sizes, a notebook, a notebook computer, a book, a back-up book in case the first book is unappealing, an entire cosmetic zip bag of lip glosses, a pair of barrettes, a pair of back-up barrettes, an extensive supply of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, a glasses repair kit, hand wipes, folders full of grading, reading assignments, a diet coke, a backup diet coke, an elderly granola bar for snack emergencies, and a pashmina shawl. This is not all; this is just Shoppista's baseline load of things on an average day. Sometimes she also carries a camera.

Shoppista is not a bag minimalist. This bag is not minimal. It is also cute, and has handy pockets.

Any questions?

From L.L. Bean.

Pink Petals On Brown Clutch ($55)

2009-02-09T03:31:00.001-05:00

Winter to spring, all in one clutch with clever color combos. Silk lining, too.

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From Shakuyaku.

Teal Triple Capacitor Necklace ($30)

2009-02-09T03:19:00.003-05:00

Love a geek? Celebrate by bedecking him or her in geek-friendly accessories. From Fractal Spin.

Pink Fisheye Lomography Camera ($38)

2009-02-05T03:27:00.000-05:00

sale!

Reg $48. Now your significant other can take freaky portraits of you. Because nothing says love like a freaky portrait. Well, if you're a photographer, anyway. From Urban Outfitters.

Recycled Raddi Notebook From India ($2)

2009-02-04T23:59:00.002-05:00

sale!

Reg $3. Chock full of interesting and appealingly textured recycled papers from India. Pretty! From CB2.

Hand-holding Mittens ($30)

2009-02-04T23:09:00.002-05:00

They're called smittens, of course. From Target.

Valentine Heart Peeps ($2)

2009-02-04T21:50:00.005-05:00

Show your love with the fluffy yet leathery-shelled weirdness of heart-shaped marshmallow Peeps. From Groovy Candies.

Extra! Vintage Roundup

2009-02-02T23:59:00.000-05:00

Visit today's posts for all the things Shoppista would totes buy from Etsy's fab vintage dealers if she had the moolah. Lucky you: now you can snap them up instead!

Vintage Jadite Fire King Bowl ($25)

2009-02-02T23:27:00.003-05:00

An ethereal, glowy bowl in what I always think of as Martha Stewart Green (that light green that was in her magazine all the time in the late 90s).

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From RetroCycle.

Vintage Modern Mid-century Wood Grain Tray ($12)

2009-02-02T23:20:00.004-05:00

For drinkies or keys, loose change, candles, mail, or anything else you want to corral or carry.

Buy here
Bouquet Thrift.

Vintage 1940s Handmade Twin Quilt ($60)

2009-02-02T23:16:00.003-05:00

This? is a bargain for a handmade quilt this old, let alone one in such good condition. You'd pay a lot more at an antique store.

Buy here
From Mayberries Vintage.

Vintage Tea Canister ($5.50)

2009-02-02T23:13:00.003-05:00

Put tea in it (duh). Or beads, receipts, buttons, toys, ribbons, action figures, or other small treasures.

Buy here
From Vintage Goodies.

Vintage Lacquered Jewelry Box ($35)

2009-02-02T23:07:00.004-05:00

Too spendy? Maybe. But it's vintage exotica meets Sanrio. And who can say no to all that gorgeous hot pink?

Buy here
From A Touch of Vintage.

Vintage Teal Ice Crusher ($22)

2009-02-02T00:10:00.000-05:00

Cocktails old skool style. This thing still works, and will probably work for the next million years. It's built like a tank. A cute, teal tank.

Buy here
From Modish Vintage.

Pink Faux Crocodile Wallet ($8)

2009-01-29T04:44:00.000-05:00

Shoppista purchased this recently because she needed, as is often the case, a shot of whimsy to get her through the discouraging winter months. It is roomy, convenient, whimsical in the extreme, and shockingly pink. From Le Target, of course.

Extra! Barnes & Noble After Holiday Sale

2009-01-28T05:47:00.000-05:00

Way after holiday. Waaaaaayyyyyyyyyy after the holidays. I personally feel that the holidays were a long time ago, and that they should come around again soon. Where is the wine-drinking and merry-making and up-late-staying of yesteryear?

But at least we can console ourselves with sale goods up to 75% off. My picks, as always, below.

Typewriter Letters Leather Journal ($21)

2009-01-28T05:45:00.000-05:00

It's probably a little overpriced still, but I like this journal. Leather, too, and handmade. From Barnes & Noble.

Sale Calendars ($5-$7)

2009-01-28T05:36:00.000-05:00

There are a million calendars in this sale of various pet breeds (corgis, irish setters, siamese cats), places (Africa, Australia), and nature thingies (tigers, trees, oceans). Also, a lot of sudoku calendars and puppies and kittens in regrettable hats and sweaters. You can find those yourself.

For a more specialty audience, though, I thought I would point out (with great pleasure) that there is also a calendar on Mexican professional wrestling, one on Sneakers (yes: it is all sneakers, and only sneakers), and my personal favorite, a calendar entitled Toilets Of The World.

Collected Poems, by CK Williams ($6)

2009-01-28T05:27:00.000-05:00

CK Williams somehow gets a lot in one poem: roofers, the perniciousness of bureaucracy, nuclear terror, the end of the world, hope. Just for instance. Sometimes he's also funny, which I treasure in a poet. This is a great price for a collected. From Barnes & Noble.

Source, by Mark Doty ($4)

2009-01-28T05:21:00.001-05:00

I really don't feel competent to explain why I love Mark Doty's poetry so much; I will say that I love the way he takes the ordinary and the ephemeral and reveals the gorgeousness underlying it. This book has one of my favorite poems of his, "At The Gym." From Barnes & Noble.

Good Poems For Hard Times ($4)

2009-01-28T05:17:00.001-05:00

The nice thing about anthologies is that there's no commitment necessary; just dip in here and there for a bracing dose of poetry. Garrison Keillor usually picks, in my opinion, solid poems that are also accessible, so this is a good choice for a poetry beginner. From Barnes & Noble.

Pleated Tulip Dress (£25)

2009-01-27T03:22:00.001-05:00

I think you could actually wear leggings under this dress and not look like a lunatic. Also it has this fab messy/fussy fusion going on. From Boohoo.