Awesome!

Picnics for the city set

This is called an urban picnic set. Why? I don't know. Maybe because you're not actually supposed to take it out into the middle of a field somewhere to eat your sushi.

In fact, I'm pretty sure you're supposed to hold it on your lap as you sit in front of the TV watching reruns of Law & Order SVU. But you could sit on the floor if you really want to feel more like you're having a picnic.

Also: it has a bud vase! So cute! (This is another clue that you're not really supposed to take it outside, because as you might have noticed, there are already flowers outside.)

Hangman

If you've ever fumbled in complete and utter darkness for the little chain that will turn on your light and thus reassure you that a serial killer is not lurking in your basement, then you will appreciate the genius of this little glow-in-the-dark dude.

And when you're shivering in bed at 2:00 AM but can't find the chain to turn off the damn ceiling fan, this guy can help you out. Unlike the guy who turned the fan on in the first place.

PBR Rub-a-dub

Some of us here at Awesome have been known to have a particular affinity for PBR. So much, we'd dream of bathing in it.

Now those frothy dreams can be a reality with this Poor Boy Beer Soap Bar from Etsy artist dennisanderson. There are all sorts of good non-beer ingredients in this soap, including olive oil, coconut oil and palm oil, so it's good for your skin. Also, this soap is vegan, in case you were wondering if there were any animals harmed in the making of this beer soap.

The best scenario I can imagine would be taking a bath with this soap, and have a can (or two or three) of PBR while soaking in its suds. Where are my pretzels?

I like my dimples on my face, thanks

You know what is NOT awesome? I'll tell you. Cellulite is not awesome. And yet every female I know, including those who are a size 2, have it.

As a feminist, I feel like I should celebrate my body no matter what it looks like. As someone who has already paid for a beach house in July, I am slightly panicked about appearing in public in a bikini after months of beer and wings and too few trips to the gym.

If I was the praying type, this stuff would be the answer to my prayers. I've been using it for three weeks and I swear I can tell a difference. And it's far cheaper and far less dangerous than lipo. 

Facial hair Hall of Fame

I've always though Roosevelt's 'stache was quite fetching.

Sure beats chilli pepper lights

My patio has become my favorite place lately, now that it's not 6 degrees outside and the 4 feet of snow has finally melted ff my BBQ.

The best little touch isn't the cool bistro set I have or the modern hanging planters filled with blooming jasmine and snapdragons. It's these $8 tea light holders I've hung up.

What's also awesome? The fact that they cost EIGHT DOLLARS EACH!

Half past a sailboat

When I was a kid, one of my favorite things to play with was Colorforms. That was probably because I didn't have Fashion Plates, but whatever. I also really liked Lite Brite.

Anyway. People might look askance at me if I started playing with toys again, even toys masquerading as art. Luckily I found this Colorforms clock - just like the original Colorforms but it tells time, too. No one will ever know it's secretly FUN.

FB IRL

No talking with your mouth full

Remember when your mother, father, well any adult would say no talking with your mouth full? Well what better way to fix that issue other than writing out little words on these nifty chat plates WITH your food!

Yes, the perfect solution to not talking with your mouth full would be spelling the words out with your food. Brilliant! Take that adults!

Mirror, mirror on the wall

Do you ever walk down the street and see someone dressed in the most hideous ensemble and wonder if she actually looked in the mirror and thought, "Damn, I look good" before going out?

Oh, right... of course you're not judgmental like that. And neither am I, really.

But hypothetically, if that was to happen, this mirror probably could have prevented it. Hypothetically.

Read between the lines

Look, if you're the kind of girl whose significant other sends her giant bouquets of flowers on a regular basis, this vase probably isn't for you. Because as far as I can tell, you can probably only stick a couple of blooms into it since, as you may have noticed, it's just an outline of a vase.

If, however, you tend to pick your own flowers from your neighbor's own garden, this might just be the cutest, most perfect way to display them.

Don't hate her because she's beautiful

There is too much awesome in this This collection of Retro Beauty Ads. It reminds me of one of my aunts who has had the same hairstyle for thirty years, which actually, is not awesome.

OMG, Look at the lacy faux collar thing! What is that, a neck dickie?

Green Chic on Earth Day

Yes, yes, we all know by now that we need to be saving the earth, even if certain high-ranking government officials don't believe in global warming.

While they're getting up to speed on reality, you can pick up this little tome, printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper with vegetable-based ink. It is chock full of suggestions to help you live in a healthier and more earth-friendly way, and most of them are not even scary or unattainable.

Tips run the gamut from replacing regular light bulbs with CFCs to getting an earth- and toe-friendly pedicure. There are also ideas for editing your closet, planning a green wedding and furnishing your home in an ecologically responsible way.

The author acknowledges that not everybody can or will follow all the recommended ways to live green (how many people can afford solar panels?), so she provides many quick-and-easy green fixes along with larger projects. None of her suggestions require you to do without - more like do differently or do with a little less. And it's all backed up by easy-to-grasp scientific explanations of what's good, what's bad and why. Read it and be inspired.

Retirement funding

These antique celuloid rings are pretty awesome, but what's more awesome is that they were made my a 90 year old man! Bob has been making these rings since 1937, which to me seems like a million years.

Each ring is hand crafted from 20-150 different pieces of celuloid from all sorts of gathered items, like toothbrushes or handmirrors or piano keys. The intricate designs are stunning, and each ring takes about a day to make.

Now if you'll excuse me I have to figure out what I'll be doing when I'm 90.

Le Growl! Le Chomp!

For when you've had enough of those dumb cats.

I drink your keys! Drink it up!

No better way to stache - I mean, stash your keys when you come home.

Happiness is a Warm Kitty

I am destined to be the crazy old cat lady of the neighborhood, because I want to surround myself with feline companions. Sure, I may always have fur on my clothes, but that's besides the point... kitties are love!

Offi makes these cat-shaped lamps that are modern, cute, and did I mention cat-shaped? They give off a nice warm light that will bring a nice homey glow to my fur-filled home. At least this kitty doesn't shed!

And with delicious names like "Lite Chocolate" and "Warm Milk", how could you resist?

Seasons greetings

Question: What is awesome to have in your purse when it's 70 degrees out and you're laying in the park on the first nice day of the whole year?

Answer: A pretty flask. Filled with sunscreen.

It's a miracle!

These Miracle Grow singles packs are the perfect solution for the apartment/condo dwelling gardener who doesn't own a garden hose and can't mix up a 32 gallon tub to fertilize 4 hanging plants. So far, my pansies are doing perfectly fine, all growing and shit like they weren't violently ripped from their dirt homes and transplanted into my $4 planter I got from Home Depot and perhaps forgot to pay for one. Or two. They were stacked together.

For the first time ever, I finally have some kind of green thumb. I know Miracle Grow is the equivalent of feeding my plants anabolic steroids, but you should see them fight.

Just don't confuse these with Crystal Lite To-go singles packs, equally awesome but much tastier to humans.

I may hate taxes but I don't hate the tax woman

Give thanks to your tax lady today or a lucky forensic accountant. Buy them this shirt to let them know you appreciate them helping you file an extension on your taxes because you forgot to do them.  Woops!

You've been warned

Dear Chicago and New York,

While I know it's still cold and you're ready for spring/summer don't wait to visit your tank top collection! It was a surprising 80 degrees out this weekend in SF and I was not expecting it. I now you're probably thinking I'm evil by waving my awesome weather in your face. I promise I'm not! I'm sending you a WARNING!

I spent thirty minutes digging through piles of old tank tops that for some reason or another were unwearable which caused me to be late for my brunch, which caused my puppy to pee on the floor waiting for me, which caused the boyfriend to become upset, which caused for a little unpleasantness for a bit. It was all better after a bit but to avoid such commotion happening to you I suggest you run out and buy yourself this tank top immediately.

Hugs,

Brandie

Shine on

So, in case you haven't heard, the '80s are back. There are many reasons I am not excited about this, starting with bad perms and also including pegged pants, neon and acid wash jeans.

This shiny wallet/clutch is one of the few exceptions to my dislike of the decade.

Greatest Photoset Ever

 
  Woman aircraft worker, Vega Aircraft Corporation, Burbank, Calif. Shown checking electrical assemblies (LOC) 
  Originally uploaded by The Library of Congress

The Library of Congress has it's own Flickr account, people! The Library of Congress!!!

This set of color photos from the 1930-40's is just astounding.

Mini cards, maxi fun

Possible uses for these minicards:

1. Business cards - memorable ones, too

2. Personal cards (for when you meet someone in a bar but don't want them calling you at work)

3. Gift cards, so the lucky recipient knows who that awesome gift is from

4. Use them to announce your new house or new puppy or, well, pretty much anything

5. You could, I don't know... make a Concentration-style game from them? Because they can all be different, but you could make 50 pairs.

Yes, this is the best video on the internet.

My kind of man

With all the fancy gadgets you can connect to your computer's USB ports these days, you might not have enough ports.

But never fear - it's USB Hub Man to the rescue!

You can plug things into all his appendages (ahem, just the arms and legs, actually) and he has a tiny green power indicator in place of a heart. Awww...

Freshly squeezed fun

Look, I'll be honest: I don't even really like orange juice. Unless, of course, it is mixed with champagne.

So, I really have no need for this quirky yet useful octopus juicer, but that does not stop me from lusting after it in the manner one does when confronted with oddly enchanting, brightly colored plastic objects.

Also: I'm not obsessed with octopi, I swear.

Get bent

FACT: You need to accessorize.

FACT: You don't want to burn your hand holding your overpriced latte.

SOLUTION: This ingenious bentwood cuff that doubles as a java jacket.

Aside from being both gorgeous and functional, they are made with reclaimed architectural veneer offcuts. I'm not entirely sure what that means, but I think it's probably pretty environmentally responsible. So, bonus points for that.

Really, what's not to love?

Reefer madness

I feel like I must immediately tell everyone about these very exciting flip-flops that I just got. They are sturdy and cushiony and oh-so-comfortable, as such shoes should be.

But the most exciting thing on these puppies is the strap. It's shorter than the one on a regular pair of flops so it just wraps around the ball of your foot, which - trust me - is very flattering. And if you wear them with long jeans, your jeans will not get caught under the strap as you traipse about. Hooray!

I plan on wearing them all summer at the beach, around town and in the office every day from May 'til September. At $38 for two pairs, they're a little pricier than my standard Old Navy flops but much, much cooler.

How does your garden grow?

If you have a green thumb but no yard to speak of, this little tabletop garden may be just the thing your inner farmer is yearning for.

It comes with four types of seeds to grow edible greenery. Imagine your city-dwelling friends' surprise when you serve up a salad and tell them you grew it.

Actually, my friends would just be surprised that I was serving any salad, let alone one that I grew.