all my favorite things

At Last: Best of 2007

2008-03-01T17:12:00.000-08:00

Ok, you're thinking I'm about 2 months too last for a "best of 2007" list. But, as I know you've been dying to know what I have to say, I figured I'd do one anyway. Ok, seriously, I was inspired by Ralphford's list. In compiling this list I thought, Sheesh, I don't get out much. Anyway, enjoy:

Best Read
Geek Love by Katherine Dunn

Best Movie
Ratatouille

Best Album
The Reminder by Feist

Best TV Show
Deadwood (I know, I really only watch defunct HBO shows on DVD)

Best Website
Netvibes.com

Best Snack
Bear Naked Fit Granola: Vanilla Almond

Best Facial Product
Anything by Boots (UK)

Best Shampoo
Johnson's Baby Shampoo (the original)

Best Type of Exercise
The Bar Method

Best Family Fun Moment
Taking my parents to Ethiopian food (They liked it!)

Best Adventure
Moving for the umpteenth time

Best Beach Destination
Hawaii

Gotta Love Mud from Alaska

2007-09-20T12:19:00.000-07:00

I was looking for a bridal shower gift on my new favorite site, Sprig, when I happily stumbled upon the Alaskan Glacial Mud Facial. (Hey, that rhymes!) I decided to buy this product for my girlfriend as well as one for myself. Brides and pregnant women need pampering alike. Heck, every girl needs some pampering! I bought the cute little brush that goes with the mud too. So last night, I painted some of this mud on my face and treated myself to a quick facial. Wow!! This stuff is fantastic! It actually made my skin feel softer and smoother. I can't honestly say that I've ever felt a difference (after one use) with any other facial skincare product I've used... especially not scrubs or masks. I highly recommend it. You can choose from 2 fragrances. I got the lavender-peppermint one, and it smells divine.

Trader Joe's Matcha Green Tea Yogurt

2007-09-12T09:53:00.001-07:00

I just adore Trader Joe's. I always seem to walk out with gobs and gobs of super yummy food for $30 clams. What a steal!

And now I have even more reason to stop by TJ's ... Matcha Green Tea Yogurt. 99 cents buys you a 5.3 ounce cup of green heaven ... super creamy, almost like the consistency of pudding, with a light green tea flavor. With only 110 calories and 2 grams of fat, you can gobble this stuff hand over fist without the guilt!

The Matcha Yogurt line also includes Chocolate and Mocha flavors. I haven't tried these two, but I'm sure they are just as divine!

What is/are your favorite Trader Joe's item(s)?

Bungalow 360: Seahorse Bag

2007-06-11T15:30:00.001-07:00

A girl can never have too many bags. At least, that is my excuse. I spied this cheerful tote at Therapy, a boutique in the Mission district. The first time I saw it a couple of months ago, I loved it but alas, figured I should exercise some restraint.

Then we popped over again. It was still there. Or an exact replica. It's fate. And a happy seahorse bag is just what I really wanted as I've been a little blue about reaching for my scarf in the middle of June.

This tote has a million pockets and cute red and white polka lining. So it's practical too.

» Visit Bungalow 360.

iRobot® Roomba® Scheduler Vacuuming Robot

2007-05-24T15:48:00.000-07:00

Pre-Roomba Scheduler, our hardwood floors only stayed free of Bart hair tumbleweeds, dust, and dirt for a day or two after cleaning! Unfortunately we don't have the time, nor desire to clean that frequently.

With the Roomba Scheduler, we always have clean floors! We can schedule the cleaning to happen while we're off at work. When it's done cleaning, it automatically returns to the self-charging Home Base.

What do we have to do?

Besides admire the clean floors, we barely have to lift a finger. We have to occassionaly empty the Roomba Scheduler and make sure that there is no junk on the floor that could clog the brushes (just like any other vacuum). Easy breezy!

My parents got us the Roomba Scheduler as an early anniversary gift! I think Ian would agree that it's the best gift ever. He used the Roomba 4 times in the first 2 days of ownership. I laugh and laugh. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

Read more about the iRobot Roomba 4230 Remote Scheduler Robotic Vacuum at Amazon.com.

Mighty Goods

2007-05-03T16:03:00.000-07:00

Check out Mighty Goods, a shopping weblog of really cool stuff.

Open Architecture Network

2007-04-18T09:19:00.000-07:00

What is the Open Architecture Network?

The Open Architecture Network is an online, open source community dedicated to improving living conditions through innovative and sustainable design. Here designers of all persuasions can:

Share their ideas, designs and plans

View and review designs posted by others

Collaborate with each other, people in other professions and community leaders to address specific design challenges

Manage design projects from concept to implementation

Communicate easily amongst team members

Protect their intellectual property rights using the Creative Commons "some rights reserved" licensing system and be shielded from unwarranted liability

Build a more sustainable future

Check it out here: http://www.openarchitecturenetwork.org/

Life

2007-04-16T12:38:00.000-07:00

I am truly thankful for life-changing events and life itself. It's amazing when you discover a gift so precious that it makes you see life as if it were brand new; as if you've just been born. I feel like an entire part of my being has awoken from being dormant up until now. I can't express my amazement in words, but I love life. More so than I could have ever imagined.

A wise old lady once said ...

2007-03-21T13:35:00.000-07:00

With a string of bad news and awful happenings over the past six months, I needed a dose of positive thinking ...

On the plane ride up to Northern California this morning, I was lucky enough to sit by a little old Scottish lady, named BJ, in her late 70s to early 80s. With glimmering blue eyes, an infectious smile, and the energy of someone much younger, BJ was just the person I needed to meet.

Here are a few of the wise-isms she imparted:

1) Always approach life with a can do attitude. Life moves so fast. Before you know it, doors open, doors close. There is so much opportunity. So, don’t ever give up on something because you never know where life is going to take you.

2) Always be kind and try to put a smile on people's faces.

3) Take your husband out to dinner for no reason other than you love him.

4) A date night once a week where you and he both dress up helps keep the romance alive after years and years of marriage.

5) Always be happy, and "Live. Love. And laugh as often as possible!" (She said, "I saw that on a rock. I hope to paint a rock one day.")

And when she exited the plane, she walked off at a quicker pace than I … telling me over her shoulder, “I am not in a wheelchair yet, so I am just going to go, go, go!”

What an inspiration!

Me Time

2007-03-13T14:03:00.000-07:00

In today’s busy world of endless emails, phone calls, meetings and requests from others, it's easy to become bogged down by fulfilling obligations to everyone, but yourself.

Sometimes we just need a break from it all. To take some time to do something we need or want to do. To take some “me time.”

My "me time" is enjoying at least 60 minutes a day of solitude. It gives me time to unplug, take a break from the demands of every day life, shift my focus and decompress. To breath, and be happy. I think of it as time to keep myself sane.

What do you do to keep yourself sane?

National Do Not Call Registry

2007-03-09T13:52:00.000-08:00

Recently, I've been receiving weekly telemarketing phone calls on my cell phone. Can we say annoying!

If you are brothered by telemarketing calls, be a victim no longer:

The National Do Not Call Registry gives you a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls at home. Most telemarketers should not call your number once it has been on the registry for 31 days. If they do, you can file a complaint at this Website. You can register your home or mobile phone for free. Your registration will be effective for five years.

Register Now at www.donotcall.gov.

Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner

2007-03-01T18:20:00.000-08:00

I'm generally leery of companies "new and improving" their products. Usually I like the old version much better. And when I saw Clairol's new Herbal Essences line, I scoffed. Don't fix it if it ain't broke! (Well, hmm, but I haven't used H.E. in a while - maybe it was time for a change.)

For my recent trip to Hawaii, I stopped by Target to get some toiletry samples for my carry-on. (I don't trust hotel shampoo so I bring my own.) I spied the new Herbal Essences Happy Hydration conditioner in one of the trial size bins and thought I should try it out. Why not?

Well, I'm glad I did. My hair is super silky but not weighed down. I've been using it every day since the beginning of my trip a few weeks ago and my hair still feels amazing. It's like using a salon-quality conditioner without the high price. And don't forget the smell of orchids and coconut milk - sends me back to Hawaii every time.

» Visit Herbal Essences here.

My Tummy + Pinkberry = Bliss

2007-02-27T14:26:00.000-08:00

Have you tried Pinkberry? It's to die for!

The original flavor tastes like plain brown cow yogurt, but has a light and airy consistency. It's not overpoweringly sweet and there’s a tangyness that’s almost reminiscent of key lime pie.

I hope there is a store near you because this is a definite must try!

The perfect combination of toppings is: strawberries, mango, and kiwi!!!! I drool!

Read more about the Crackberry Craze (as it's called in Los Angeles) on the New York Times website.

Career Advancement by Furball

2007-02-22T15:44:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure if this fits into the concept of this blog but since one of my favorite things to do is look a@# in front of other people, I figured it was appropriate. (Ok, no, I don't like looking like a fool - catch the sarcasm?)

Here is my most up-to-date list on how to make a good impression at your new job:

Inadvertently -- or, heck, on purpose -- tell your boss that one of his designs is ugly. And then laugh.

Compulsively suck on lollipops and tell everyone you are a compulsive eater.

Drool on yourself during a meeting with your boss, team leader and other associates. Twice. Act like nothing happened.

Expense office supplies that turn out to be more expensive than your boss thought.

Stare off into space during a meeting and when asked how your thoughts, give the questioner a blank look. Grunting is optional and implied.

Take your paid vacation 1 week after you start.

Hope you find this helpful!

Wai-Ching Clothing

2007-02-12T16:35:00.000-08:00

Exotic. Romantic. Edgy.

I immediately fell in love with these gorgeous tops, skirts, dresses, etc. I wish I had an occasion to buy something :-)

wai-ching.com/

The Intangible Favorite...

2007-02-09T12:22:00.000-08:00

One of my all-time favorite things is... the WEEKEND! Hallelujah, the weekend is upon us! (Being that this is posted on Friday.)

I live for the weekends. They come as quickly as they go these days since my work-week is so crazy-insane.

Anyways, this post is an ode to Samedi and Dimanche!

Tarte 24/7 Lip Sheers

2007-01-08T11:24:00.000-08:00

Sometimes money just burns a hole in my pocket, especially when I dare enter Sephora in downtown SF. In fact, I'm pretty sure I saw some smoke coming out of my pants on my last visit.

I'm obsessed with lip balms, tints, stains, sheers and the like; whatever I can convince myself looks natural and not too makeup-y.

Perusing the aisles, I stopped by Tarte. You always hear of fancy-pants celebs using this stuff. My internal cheap bastard usually prevents me from spending more than 6 bucks on lip balm but I could not resist their 24/7 lip sheers. Reminds me of Clinique's Almost Lipstick, of which they've all but discontinued. (Poo.)

So many pretty, subtle colors. I decided on Wednesday, a brownish-red. Love the color, and the name. (Like Wednesday Addams. Right, James?) Looks nice and does not dry out my lips. Not feeling too guilty on this $14 splurge. My only gripe is the mild "lipstick" taste it has but if I just remember it's not food, it's okay.

» Check out Tarte's 24/7 Lip Sheer.

Happy 2007!

2007-01-04T15:59:00.000-08:00

I guess I'll start the first post of the year. For Christmas, I received a sampler kit filled with facial skincare products by Dr. Hauschka and discovered a couple new favorites.

I'm completely in love with Dr. Hauschka's Cleansing Milk. I have a thing for rose-scented products, so again, this stuff smells like fresh roses. So divine! I have dry skin, so this cleansing milk does a great job of both cleaning and hydrating my face. It'll even wash make-up right off! Also, there's no oily residue.

The second product included in the kit that I fell in love with is the Facial Toner. I've never thought much of toners as they usually don't seem to do much for my skin. However, after dabbing this stuff on following the cleansing milk, my face feels really soft and healthy.

I'm going to have to hit Whole Foods and buy myself full-sized bottles of both!

The Best of 2006

2006-12-05T17:24:00.000-08:00

Best Movie
The Departed

Best DVD Rental
Old School

Best Read
The Kite Runner

Best TV Show
Entourage

Best Album
St. Elsewhere by Gnarls Barkley

Best Product Find
ABBA Moisture Scentsation Conditioner Two-Minute Care For Moisture-Starved Hair

Best Star Sighting
Ben Stein on a flight from LAX to JFK

Best Quote
"Maybe I should laugh really hard as I chop him into a million pieces with a butter knife."
-- The Husband

Best Clothing Store
Lucky Brand Jeans

Best Meal
Uchi's in Austin, Texas with Lar, Kyle, N.du, Tyler, and Ian

Best Website
Flickr

Best Moment
Spending the afternoon with The Husband on a lovely deserted stretch of beach in El Tecuan, Mexico on the Jalisco Coast

So, what are some of your favorites of 2006?

Clevercat Litterbox

2006-11-27T02:29:00.000-08:00

I never thought I'd see the day when I'd write more than two words about litterboxes. But, I really must because like many cat keepers, I am tired of scattered litter granules around the house. Spoo Kee likes to have fun in his box (and, he claims, be very thorough about covering up his poop) kicking litter around. His Tidy Cat covered litterbox just hasn't been cutting it, even with the little litter-catching mat in front of it.

I spied a Booda Clean Step litterbox at a local pet shop recently which gave me the idea that a new box is in order. The Booda is $50 (though I've seen it much cheaper online) so I wanted to look around before I spent that much on a plastic cat poop storing device.

While picking up a hefty bag of Science Diet Indoor Cat food at PetSmart, I checked out the Booda box. Although quite fancy in its space-age-igloo shape and designer colors, it's quite huge and the lid wasn't too easy to lock into place. Who wants to struggle with a litterbox lid every day? Um, I'm saying, not I. Then I saw the Clevercat box. Its utilitarian and almost primitive design, at first, made me think it was nothing special. But I thought, perhaps, a top-entry box would be cleaner than a front-entry (like Tidy Cat or Booda) since Spoo kicks the litter right out the front of the box. I took a chance and brought it home.

I was careful to introduce the new litterbox to Spoo gradually to prevent any upsets. (That's another story altogether.) I filled the new box with litter and put it a couple of feet from his old one, without the lid on. He had fun for a few days having two boxes. (That's more bathrooms than for us humans in this household!)

Then I switched out the old for the new, kept lid off for another couple of days. Once I put the lid on, I was worried, but Spoo didn't seem to mind it. In fact, I'm convinced he likes the lid and dark space. (He loves to hide out.) There's some traction on the lid to clean kitty's feet before leaping off the top. So far, there's barely any litter around the box and haven't found any around the house. (Knock wood.)

The only drawback would be, if you have a rather obese and/or lazy cat, he/she may not appreciate the extra workout to use the lue and therefore may punish you by using your suitcase as a litterbox. (**Do not leave suitcase unattended.**) But, hey, kitty could probably use the exercise anyway.

Johnson's Baby Creamy Soap w/Lavender and Camomile

2006-11-03T13:11:00.000-08:00

I discovered this soap at my local HEB supermarket while living in Texas. It's cheap (you can get it for under a buck) and I love using baby products because I have ridiculously sensitive skin.

It works great but the absolute best part of this soap is the SMELL. Oh my crap, I love to smell this soap. The scent is vaguely like lavender but very sweet and powdery. It must smell like something from my childhood because I'm addicted to smelling this soap, and they say smell is more important to memory than sight or sound. (Or something to that effect.) If only Johnson's would make a perfume from this smell, I'd wear it every day - and I don't even like perfume!

So, anyway, I would go to HEB and practically clear out the shelf each time. Then one day, they were all gone! Not just the soap, but the shelf tag and the little soap-wide space that used to hold the soap. Apparently, others weren't so keen on this soap as I was!

Oh, it was so very horrible. I tried to look for it online but it's much more expensive and I'm such a cheapskate. I'm on a tight budget, you know. I decided it was best that I forget...

On my most recent trip to Target Boutique, scouring the baby aisle for another favorite, Johnson's Lavender Baby Shampoo, I found my creamy lavender soap! Yay, and still under $1. So I bought six.

*sniff sniff*

Memory foam is a brilliant invention!

2006-10-19T21:41:00.000-07:00

I used to wake up every single day with an awful stiff neck and random body pains from poor sleeping at night. Now, thanks to my awesome Charter Club "Visco 6-Zone" Mattress Pad and my Isotonic Side Sleeper Pillow (both made out of that amazing memory foam), I wake up fully rejuvenated. I no longer have stiff necks or "TMJ" problems. I feel like a whole new person!

I highly recommend (at least) the mattress pad to everyone. It feels so good on your back because it is firm enough to give full support, yet is soft enough that it molds to your body shape. It's also a much cheaper alternative to buying a full tempur-pedic mattress.

I bought my mattress pad on sale at Macy's. The Isotonic Side Sleeper pillow was purchased at Bed Bath & Beyond.

Plumeria Replenishing Hair Wash

2006-10-10T10:12:00.000-07:00

I'm a bath-product freak. I think Amy is the only bigger bath-product freak that I know...

Alba Botanica has outdone themselves with their new line of "Hawaiian Hair Care" products. The bottles are really cute! I'm sure Lilo has this stuff hanging out in her bath tub. I haven't tried the conditioner yet, but the Plumeria Replenishing Hair Wash is very lovely. Even Tyler loves the way it smells and uses it all the time.

Here's what the product description reads:

"Papaya and awapuhi extracts provide gentle cleansing support. Mineral-rich kelp extract provides essential nutrients while tropical kukui nut oil maintains proper moisture level for soft, manageable hair."

Go get it at your nearest Whole Foods!

Portable Must-Haves For My Purse

2006-10-09T17:29:00.000-07:00

My purse is small, very small; so what I do carry has to be tiny, very much an essential and most importantly very much a favorite.

1) L'Occitane Creamy Honey Lip Balm
Low on the shine, high on the moisturizing, this balm in a pot contains no petroleum and will not dry out lips.

2) L'Occitane Shea Butter Tinted Balm -– Vanille
The pocket sized tinted balm is perfect for the make-up adverse. The light tint adds no more than a natural healthful glow to lips and cheeks with absolutely no stickiness.

3) The Body Shop Powder-free Facial Blotting Tissues
My husband always gives me the oddest expression whenever I pull these babies out of my purse and start blotting away extra facial oils. I just give him an odd expression back and continue to blot blot blot! I don't care if boys don't understand, I use them anywhere, anytime for a fast, effective way to refresh skin and remove extra oil and shine. The finish is fresh and matte - never dry.

4) Johnson's Soothing Naturals Soothe & Protect Balm
I happened upon this product when I was in New York during the liquid ban on airplanes. What a find! This versatile tiny solid stick of vitamin-E based balm can soften dry cheeks and lips and can be used all over your body to help soothe and relieve extra dry patches. It smells great too.

Find these purse must haves at the L'Occitane and The Body Shop websites. Johnson's products can be purchased at any drugstore or Target type stores.

So, what's in your purse?

L'Occitane Grapeseed Cleansing Oil

2006-09-27T17:52:00.000-07:00

The idea of cleaning with oil may seem completely counterintuitive, but it works and it works very well. L'Occitane's Grapeseed Cleansing Oil is pure heaven and perfect for my dry skin. The luxurious and soothing Shower Oil transforms into a delicate foam on contact with water, gently cleansing the skin. It rinses away with ease and leaves behind velvety soft skin that is subtly fragranced in a delectable scent. I have a feeling this product will become my new best friend.

Check out all of the Grape based products over at the L'Occitane website. Discover the cure.

Body Wash, Shea & Cocoa Butter by Johnson's

2006-09-19T13:10:00.000-07:00

I've been a big fan of the L'occitane Shea Butter Milk Scented Shower Cream, but at $17 for 8.5 fl. oz., getting clean becomes a costly experience.

New to the Johnson's product line, Shea & Cocoa Butter Body Wash is a great alternative. The packaging isn't as cute, but it's gentle, smells great, and leaves my skin feeling moisturized and soft. And at $6.99 for 28 fl. oz., it won't send me to poor house.

Johnson's products can be purchased at any drugstore or Target type stores.

Curvy Fit Trousers - Gap.com

2006-09-07T16:39:00.000-07:00

I lament PANTS shopping. I don't know what kind of people most PANTS are supposed to fit, cuz they don't fit me. My biggest problem -- err, in the way of PANTS -- is that PANTS fit too tight in the thigh area. And sometimes, even the waist is too big. And that makes no sense at all.

Then the Gap -- sheesh, just Gap -- came out with a new fit: curvy. I scoffed as I passed by the "curvy" models in the photos at the mall, looking just as thin as "regular" models. Don't get me wrong, ain't nothing wrong with skinny, but don't say it's curvy when it ain't curvy!

On a whim, I went inside. I don't consider myself to be curvy in any way, but I was curious. I tried on a pair of flared curvy jeans. Holy crap! They fit, not just in the thighs, but they did not gap -- no pun intended -- in the back of the waist! Maybe I was in shock, or maybe I was appalled at the rampant use of cheezy whiskering that blemish all jeans made for people under the age of 40, but I opted to go home empty-handed.

At home, I checked out gap.com and found the above pictured trousers, not only are they curvy and flared but they are also petite!! And they had my size, by golly!

I was still unsure, put off by not-curvy-in-my-opinion model pictured, but what the hey. And when they arrived, they fit like a dream! Thighs fit, waist fit, no hemming needed, perfectly proportioned. The best sixty bucks I've spent in a long time.

Now, I just need another pair....

**Added 10.14.06: Please note - I still love these pants but beware: do not, under any circumstances dry them too much. In fact, do not put them in the dryer at all!! I did, on low, halfway to mostly dry, and I swear they shrank nearly a whole size!!!!! Yes, we all know Gap pants tend to stretch out with wear, but they do not get longer. These are not suitable to wear with my clogs anymore. Grrr! :(

Dolphin Therapy

2006-09-07T15:41:00.000-07:00

My favorite factoid of the day:

"Dolphins have been trained to swim close to pregnant women and emit their calls. Some even “kiss” the women on their lips or stomach. In Spanish-speaking countries, this practice is known as delfinoteprepia, or dolphin therapy."

I don't know about you, but I can't wait to be pregnant and swim with the dolphins. Hahahahaha!

Update: More cool information about dolphins. Dolphins can act as midwives.

Extracted from: fUSION Anomaly. Dolphins

Igor Charkovsky, the Russian male midwife, is known for helping pregnant women give birth underwater in the Black Sea 'aided' by dolphins. 'Dolphins have an affinity with the baby in the womb and are automatically attracted to pregnant women. They sense when a woman is about to give birth and gather round. They give both the mother and child a sense of protection and safety,' says Charkovsky.

'Sometimes when the baby is born the dolphins muzzle it to the surface to help it breath.'

Charkovsky began to experiment with dolphins and children in 1979 at a dolphin research station. He discovered that 9ft mammals were exceptionally gentle with the children, aged between eight days and eight years, allowing them to ride on their backs, and handling them with extraordinary care, under-standing and purposefulness.

More specifically he realised how powerfully beneficial the animals were for the newborn, who lay peacefully sleeping in the sea with the dolphins swimming around them. He concluded that dolphins through their benign energy take the stress off the baby and mother alike, during and after the birth.

BioBag - Tall Kitchen, 13 Gallon

2006-09-05T17:07:00.000-07:00

I just found out about these cool bags in the latest issue of Real Simple.

“With your help, we can soon eliminate regular plastic bags from our environment. BioBags "go away" naturally when exposed to the earth's elements and micro-organisms. BioBags are great for the collection of food waste and other biodegradable materials for composting."

Changing the world without changing the Earth
• Planet Friendly
• 100% Biodegradable
• 100% Compostable

$5.99 a box at Drugstore.com.

Also available in Dog Waste (ha!), Food Waste, and Lawn & Leaf Bags.

P.S. Whole Foods even carries special ‘plastic like’ silverware that are corn based and biodegradable. Too Cool!

Gimme Shoes!

2006-08-17T17:34:00.000-07:00

I found a great web site for all you shoe fanatics out there. Well, I found it a while ago, but now I'm sharing my knowledge.

The web site is Solestruck.com. They have competitive pricing on shoes that I've found at Nordstrom or Zappos.com. The even better thing is that this site doesn't charge for shipping or sales tax because they are located in Oregon! That means whatever price is listed is exactly what you'll pay.

I've bought two pairs of shoes from here in the past year and have been very satisfied. Happy shopping, ladies!

Trader Joe's Sundried Tomato and Basil Hummus

2006-08-16T20:25:00.000-07:00

"A great dip for anything!" --ID

OluKai Sandals

2006-08-14T14:13:00.000-07:00

A week ago I replaced a pair of brown Reef flips flops stolen at the beach* with OluKai Kumu Java/Tan Sandals. For too many years to count, I've considered Reefs to be the best made and most comfortable flips around. To my surprise, OluKai, which means "Life of the Ocean," takes quality and comfort to an entirely different level. Their sandals sport an “premium leather topped anatomical footbed” similar in arch support to Birkenstocks, but with the same casual look of traditional flip flops.

Other features include:
• Premium leather straps
• Soft pigskin strap lining
• Embossed footbed hook logo
• Durable rubber outsole

So, fellow flip floppers, try flopping down the street in a pair of OluKai's, I'm sure your feet will thank you.

These babies are sold at The Walking Company and in the Los Angeles South Bay, at local Surf Shops. Check out the OluKai website for more details.

* Yes, stolen! As I've done a thousand times before, I left a pair on the sand along side the bike path. I headed down to run along the water and upon my return, they were gone, gone, gone! Humf!

Freecycle -- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle!

2006-08-12T21:06:00.000-07:00

Have stuff cluttering your house that you want to give away? Do you need stuff, but don't want to pay a cent? Join the The Freecycle Network. The Freecycle Network is made up of many individual groups across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns.

It's easy! All you have to do is say what you have to offer and people will reply if they want it. Pick someone to give it to and arrange a time and place for it to be picked up. Most of the time I leave the item on my doorstep and it disappears. I understand that some people wouldn't be comfortable with this for safety reasons, but I have had good experiences so far. I've given away a printer, lava rocks, stone pavers, books, wrapping paper and a bunch of other stuff that was collecting dust. This weekend I picked up my first bit of stuff -- pregnancy and child rearing books (which is totally amusing in and of itself)!

The Freecycle Network was started in May 2003 to promote waste reduction in Tucson's downtown and help save desert landscape from being taken over by landfills. The Network provides individuals and non-profits an electronic forum to "recycle" unwanted items.

One person's trash can truly be another's treasure! Join the fun of "giving away instead of throwing away" and find a local chapter near you!

Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, Normal to Oily Skin

2006-08-01T21:46:00.000-07:00

Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser is a gentle, soap-free cleanser that cleans throughly without ever leaving skin feeling tight or overly dry. It doesn’t leave behind any irritating residue and is non-comedogenic.

Over the last year and a half, it has improved the texture and clarity of my complexion. I'm still amazed by how clean and soft my skin feels after I wash!

Who do I have to thank for the recommend? My husband of all people. He has used it for years and bugged me for months to give it a whirl. Oddly enough he heard about it from his man friend. Who knew men exchanged **beauty** secrets too?!?

Cetaphil products can be purchased at any drugstore or Target type stores.

Glide dental floss

2006-08-01T13:18:00.000-07:00

This is not a cute or sexy product by any means, but dental hygiene is pertinent. Wouldn't you agree?

I used to hate flossing but ever since we bought Glide dental floss, I kind of look forward to it every night. I think my gums will thank me for this... No more lecturing from the dentist for me!

Surfgirl Swimsuits by Squalo

2006-07-25T23:11:00.000-07:00

Finding a swimsuit to fit me has always been a hair pulling shopping experience ... most brands have bottoms that seem to sag in the bum or the store is out of my size in Rip Curl, the one brand that fits. Then while in Playa del Carmen, Mexico ... miracles of miracles ... I found a brand, Surfgirl by Squalo, made in Mexico, that fits absolutely perfect! Even better, they have a HUGE selection (what a luxury!) ... I clap and clap and clap!

Unfortunately, I haven't a clue where to buy them in the good ole US of A and the Squalo website doesn't showcase any women's bathing suits, but do check out their cute tops, trunks, and rashguards. According to the clothing label, a company with the combined names of two friends (ha!), Jennifer Kay Inc., based in Los Angeles, imports the brand into the United States. Sadly, I couldn't track down any other bits o' information.

P.S. Has anyone ever seen or heard of this brand in US stores? I would love to find out more ... Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

The Alchemist

2006-07-21T12:34:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite books is The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho. Quick, easy, yet so full of depth. Check it out if you haven't already!

Lush's Reincarnate Solid Shampoo

2006-07-18T13:26:00.000-07:00

I have a confession to make: I've been disloyal to my usual Creme de Coco shampoo as of late...

I recently got turned onto Lush's solid shampoos by my friend, Alia. Wow -- this stuff is cool!

I've been using their "Reincarnate" shampoo which contains henna that gives dark hair natural highlights. The shampoo works really well and makes my hair smooth and glossy. It's a mind-trip because every morning, I'm rubbing my hair with shampoo that looks like a brown hunk of rock. The weirdest part is that it lathers up really well. As an extra perk, the scent sends me on a journey to Morocco...

Here's a description from Lush's web site:

"Conditioning shampoo for darker hair Reincarnate is an amazing reappearance of two of our earlier shampoos; we have taken the strongest points from both and reincarnated them as a single, better bar. It has rhassoul mud from the Atlas mountains for healthy scalp condition, Persian henna for red glints, sedra herb for condition and shine and a gorgeous, Eastern spice market fragrance of vanilla, orange frankincense and labdanum. It cleans without much lather so it is ideal for soft water areas ? but don?t let us stop you if you want shiny red hair in a hard water area! Works well with Henna treated hair."

The Five People You Meet In Heaven

2006-07-17T11:28:00.000-07:00

A short and simple, yet deeply poignant fable, Mitch Albom's The Five People You Meet in Heaven, will change the way you think of life after death, as well the meaning of life here on earth. Easily one of my favorite books of all times.

Old Navy Fold-Over Gaucho Capris

2006-07-13T14:03:00.000-07:00

I wore the skort way back when, though I honestly never understood why it was promoted as a half skirt, half pants, because it was really just shorts with an identity crisis. So when the trend died, I was happy to see it fall away. Happy to be back to an article of clothing who knew who it was.

Then about a year ago, the half skirt, half pants was reinvented under the new name, gaucho. I couldn’t help but point and cackle at the new half cute, half goofy look, swearing up and down I would never follow the herd.

Yet like so many other things with “stickiness” in our culture, the gaucho virus began taking hold and I began to wonder what I was missing.

So a few weeks ago when I spotted a pair at Old Navy, I tried them on. The bug bit hard. I, Amy Mew, which probably will come to no surprise to you, was instantly sold. They looked great and more importantly were incredibly comfortable. At $14.50 each, I ended up walking out with two.

Like anything viral, my clothing focus is purely gaucho, preventing me from seeing any other pants in my ginormous sea of clothes. Gauchos to the beach, to gym, as a response to the 90 degree LA temps and even to dress up for work.

I’m actually currently sitting here wearing my “dressed up"’ gauchos, hoping to pass the infection to you. So if you aren’t already part of the herd, hop on broad, I promise you won’t be disappointed. Just be forewarned that I may heckle you, as well as myself, when the rose glasses vanish.

Where to Find:
$14.50 at Old Navy. Available in Brown Earth, Artichoke, and Grey.

Product Features:
• Sits low on waist
• Leg hits mid-calf
• 47% rayon, 47% polyester, 6% spandex. Machine wash. Imported.

FarLeaves Black Mango Tea

2006-07-13T08:45:00.000-07:00

I recieved this tea as a gift from my school (randomly enough), and shoved it to the side until yesterday. MAN-O-MAN! This stuff is GOOD! I don't like fruity tea flavors, but it is so delicate, and lovely, and delicious, and fantastic, and beautiful, and aromatic, and, and, and...

You can find it at www.farleaves.com. I just took a peek at their site, and it looks like they have a ton of fun stuff.

Korres Natural Body Butter - Guava

2006-07-12T16:50:00.000-07:00

I received this lotion last December as a holiday gift from the lovely N.du.Kay. On a sniff test alone, this lotion is worth a try as its delicious aroma is heavenly, but not in the over powering stink-up-the-elevator way.

I am so paranoid about trying new body care products, especially of the fragrance variety as my skin often reacts with redness, rashes, and skin irritations. Yuck! I was delightfully surprised to find that Korres Natural Body Butter did not cause any allergic reactions.

The effect was quite the opposite. My legs, elbows, and heels are so baby soft that this daily lotion addict has been converted into a every other day gal. Sound too good to be true? Give it a go yourself.

Where to Find It:
$19.50 at Sephora and Amazon. Also available in Quince and Yogurt.

Ingredients:
Guava, Shea butter, Sunflower oil, Almond oil, Avocado oil, Quince extract, Red Vine polyphenols, glycerine.

Learn more about the Greek based company on the Korres website.

L'Occitane Rose Body Milk

2006-07-11T21:02:00.000-07:00

I'm gonna go crazy here and post another favorite of mine...

I love this lotion because it's light and absorbs quickly. I'm picky about my body lotion because it drives me nuts when the lotion feels heavy and makes my clothes stick to my body. I also suffer from extremely dry skin, so without lotion, my skin itches badly.

L'Occitane's Rose Body Milk smells the way a fresh bouquet of roses actually smells. The perfume is very subtle and lingers all day. My clothes and sheets end up smelling like real roses. Very lovely indeed! As an extra perk for all of us girlies, the bottle has a beautiful Art Deco look that just sits beautifully on bathroom counters.

If you're feeling super indulgent, try the Rose Velvet Body Cream.

Bumble and Bumble's Creme de Coco Shampoo

2006-07-11T20:41:00.000-07:00

This shampoo not only smells divine, it actually works miracles on dry, lifeless hair. I've never been loyal to any one shampoo until I tried this one out. It contains coconut oil, murumuru butter, milk thistle and other exotic ingredients. If you've got coarse hair like me, you'll love this shampoo!

You can buy it from amazon.com or select hair salons.

Visit the Bumble and bumble web site for more product details...

Mohop Wooden Sandals

2006-07-11T19:16:00.000-07:00

I found Annie's site through my usual "I need to avoid real work so why don't I surf links pages?" time online. She's an amazing architect turned environmentally-friendly-and-decidedly-very-cool shoe designer in Chicago.

I swindled myself a pair and promptly crocheted myself some ties. Whah? That's right. Her patent-pending strapping system allows, nay encourages, you to use any pretty set of ribbons, straps, cords and yes, crocheted ties, you want. It's like a million pairs in one! (Quite literally)

I wrote about my Mohop experience on my blog: The Fabled Needle.

Mohop's got a collection of cool shapes, hand-screened images and recycled rubber soles that will make your eyes drool and mouth bulge.

Please go to mohop.com to learn more and yes, buy a pair!

Dr. Hauschka Neem Hair Oil

2006-07-11T18:08:00.000-07:00

My hair ends were becoming dry and brittle from all my time spent in the sun and surf. I thought I would have to cut it, but Dr. Hauschka Neem Hair Oil saved my distressed tresses. The intensive hair and scalp treatment repairs damaged hair and restores its natural softness and managability. It works so well that you won't be able to stop petting your own locks.

Special Tip: Turn the Beach Into a Spa
Massage a few drops into scalp and ends and pull hair into an updo. Head down to the beach and sit in the sun and let the oil work its magic all day.

Where to Find It:
$29.95 at Whole Foods or through the Dr. Hauschka's Web Site.

Product Features:
For normal to dry or damaged hair
An intensive hair and scalp treatment. Repairs damaged hair and restore healthy sheen and manageability.

• Neem leaf and chamomile extracts calm itchy, irritated conditions
• Rosemary essential oil stimulates scalp circulation
• Encourages healthy new hair growth
• Restores natural shine and manageability to hair