Awesome!

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.

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.

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.

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.

I heart

From a respectable distance, this heart necklace probably looks sweet and adorable. But come closer and you'll see it's decorated with a blood-sucking octopus.

That's the message I like to send: "Come hither. Now go away."

If you like your lockets a little less intimidating, say with birds and flowers, try this one instead.

But the octopus - he is awesome.

Punk love

Could someone please tell my significant other that if and when we get engaged, this is the ring I want?

It has diamonds - real cut diamonds, not silly little chips - so it's sort of traditional in that regard. But it's so much cooler than your average diamond ring. And it definitely has the whole "'til death do us part" thing down.

I want mine in shiny silver, even though they also have gold and oxidized silver and, well, pretty much any combination of these metals because they do custom work.

So yes, someone please pass that message along. Thanks.

Pants on, blast off

You have to hold your pants up, so you may as well do it with something fun.

I sort of love that his little rocket ship eyes look like quotation marks, too.

No monogram needed

Although it's nice to have a fancy business card case - perhaps a silver one with your initials engraved on it, one that you got as a graduation present before you even had a job or a business card - sometimes maybe you don't want to be so fancy.

For those times, maybe you want a case that says you have artistic sensibilities, not just thoughtful relatives. In that case, try this one.

It won't get fingerprints on it like sterling silver and it even doubles as a wallet. Or maybe it's a wallet that doubles as a card case?

Eco-friendly with attitude

By now we are all aware that the earth is going to hell in a handbasket and that the main cause of this has something to do with all those plastic bags we use. So stop using them already and tote your groceries and other purchases in this sassy bag.

Or maybe, like me, you need all those plastic bags to pick up your dog's poop. Then you can stuff the plastic-bagged purchases inside this one so no one will know you still use plastic bags.

Ring around the rosy

I'm more of a silver girl myself, but this rose gold ring might be worth switching teams for, at least every now and again. It's delicate without being too frou-frou. And, like all things I'm obsessed with at the moment, it's perfect for spring.

Also, it's on sale for half off.

Steal this wallet

...or this one or this one. From now until Sunday (3/23) you can get a free GAMMA-GO wallet with any t-shirt or hoodie purchase. And who doesn't like free stuff? Just add any wallet to your cart, then add any t-shirt or hoodie and the wallet price will change to $0. Pretty nifty, huh?

While I can't fathom spending $120 on a hoodie, even one this cute, I can definitely spend $28 for a t-shirt AND a wallet.

Ice cream that won't end up on your thighs

These tiny, handcrafted bowls of ice cream look almost good enough to eat. And better yet, they SMELL good enough to eat! How do they do it? I have no idea. But I'm pretty sure you shouldn't actually eat them.

Instead, wear them on a thin silver chain with a gauzy top or a cute sundress. I promise it will be warm enough for that soon.

If ice cream isn't really your thing, check out the cupcakes, waffles or pie charms. So sweet!

Fashion god(l)ess

When my intern waltzed in one morning wearing this necklace, I almost ripped it off her neck. Then I realized HR might not look too kindly on that, so I furiously googled until I found it for myself.

Who knew I could proclaim my heathen ways so stylishly? I also love this necklace and these earrings. AND they make custom stuff too. Wow, interns really are good for things besides filing and coffee runs.

Ex-Boyfriend Jewelry

You were young, you were in love, he bought you a necklace.

Now you're old, you're bitter, and you have some useless bauble your ex gave you when you were so in love (so in love). What do you do with it, short of throwing it down the toilet to spiral to a sewage-drenched death?

You sell it, of course. The Ex-Boyfriend Jewelry site enables scorned women world-wide to rid themselves of the trinkets that hold so many painful memories, yet still spark a twinkle in the eye of other women.

And make a few bucks while they're at it.

Make them drool a little

When you were one of the first people who had the iPhone everyone would gather around and oohhh and ahhhh, random strangers would ogle the phone as you used it on the subway but now that the newness has worn off what is an iPhone owner to do?

It's all about the cases now.  Who can get the coolest case to make other iPhone owners drool a little.  If you're looking to increase the drooling then you should definitely purchase this amazing cork case. While I have not drop tested it yet it is super thick and it will surely increase your ahhhhhhh's.

Safety First

My mother always told me to wear my seatbelt. Even if I did, her arm would still shoot out in front of me whenever we'd stop suddenly. O, mom, the human seatbelt!

I could make my momma proud and get this cute Houndstooth Seatbelt Bag. She can rest comfortably knowing I'm always wearing my seatbelt... bag.

Neck on the Line

Every morning before I run out for coffee and start my morning at home, I have a little argument with myself that goes like this:

Me:You should wear a scarf--it's cold out!
Me: I know, but I'm just running out for a minute. I'll be right back!
Me: It's in the teens! You'll catch a cold.
Me: In the time it takes to wrap my scarf around my neck, I could be halfway down the street. Besides, You don't catch a cold from being cold. That's a common misconception.
Me: Quit being smart and just put the scarf on.
Me: Fine!! I hate you.

All of this could be avoided if I had a cute little neckwarmer like this one that could be pulled on over my head in 2 seconds flat. Also, if I took medication to quiet the voices in my head...

The Good Life

So the other night I was on a crowded subway--every seat taken and the aisle packed with people in their winter coats, clutching handbags and leftovers from their Saturday evening dinners. I was lucky enough to snag a seat, but had to deal with someone's crotch resting on my knee and another person's elbow shoved in my neck. Through it all there was a flash of something beautiful. Hanging precariously from a dainty shoulder of a fellow passenger was the one thing I could safely rest my weary eyes upon without risking the ultimate faux pas of catching someone's gaze. I kept my eye on this beautiful handbag for 7 stops and just as its owner stepped off the subway, I caught a glint of a tag and read the word, "Tano." Tano, I whispered to myself in the quiet of the Brooklyn night as I made my way to a friend's party, the word holding the promise of a life worth living.

Sadly, I googled Tano bags the next morning and discovered that they're roughly $200 a pop. But then I remembered two other words that sound like heaven: Tax Refund.

Not Spring Yet

Despite the unseasonably warm temps in much of the US this week, don't be fooled--we still have 79 more days until Spring...unless you live in the north part of the midwest (I'm looking at you, Chicago, Minnesota, and Michigan) and then you've got about 5 more months--or about 313 pints of beer if you count time that way--until Spring. Thank god there are super cute scarves to keep up warm and stylish until the thaw breaks and the birdies return.

Too Cute to Pass Up

How cute is this little pear bib from BeanPickleSprout? Uh, would it be weird if I snapped it around my cat's neck? A little? Hmmm. Well, maybe I could just buy it now and save it in the box with all the other stuff I couldn't resist purchasing for my nonexistent baby, because I'm 31 and clearly my biological clock is out of control. Which is why I don't think there's anything wrong with snapping a bib around my unsuspecting cat's neck. Oh, don't judge.

Oh Shilo!

"Shilo is the king of dinosaurs. Check out his cute little belly, his little crown and awesome toenail details."

Uhm...OK!!!

Fortunately...

Fortunes it would suck to receive inside your cookie:

• Tomorrow is the last day of the rest of your life
• Something you lost is gone forever
• Your talents will never find the audience and reward they deserve
• Ideas are like children and yours are terrible
• You find beauty in ordinary things and no one cares
• The one you love is further than you think
• Time is running out

Fortunately (pun intended), you can choose one of three (positive) fortunes with these adorable fortune cookie coin purses.

In the Loop

If I dreamed in color as richly saturated as these gorgeous custom hand dyed leather belts from Maxine Dear, I'm sure I'd never want to wake up.

Paired with their awesome belt buckles and worn with a pair of dark denim jeans, I'm sure I'd never want to get undressed, either. Much to my boyfriend's chagrin...

Trapper Keeper

You know what's worse than hat hair? A bad hat! I mean, hat hair is pretty much unavoidable, but that doesn't mean good fashion has to be.

These trapper hats are super stylish on women and men and it just so happens they're really warm too. We love it when style meets function!

Not Costanza, vol 2

I'm a big fan of JFold wallets because they're the perfect size, they come in awesome colors, and they are made with specific preventative measures in mind.

For instance, each wallet is just two sides of card pockets - only 8 total - and one long thin pocket for cash money. This means it's entirely impossible to use this puppy to store ALL THOSE RECEIPTS YOU KEEP for no reason.

Because, really, you don't need them.

But What about YOU?

Okay, so you've bought gifts for you mother, your brother, your father, your sister, your boyfriend, your grandmother, and your favorite co-worker. You've given out tips to your stylist, your doorman, your housekeeper (seriously, you have a housekeeper? I am so jealous!), and your freakin' UPS delivery person. But what about you?!

Here's a gift for you: LoveMyShoes.com is having a secret holiday sale until the 20th. ALL ITEMS are 25% off, from Chuck Taylors to crazy spiked heels and everything in between. Just use code HOLIDAY25 at checkout.

There, now your holiday shopping is complete.

Holy WOW

I don't know that I've ever been more enamored with a piece of jewelry in my life.

Super Necklace

You know what's so awesome about this necklace? Well, I imagine that if you had to re-apply lipstick and didn't have a little pocket mirror with you, you could totally use the necklace to see your reflection and avoid accidently slicking your teeth. Or! If you were about to be mugged and it happened to be sunny outside, you could angle your necklace just so and it would reflect the blinding sunlight into the mugger's face long enough for you to turn on your heels and run away fast!

Mostly though, it's just cool to look at.

Talkin awesome

Someone asked me once why I always feature Nixon watches, and I was like, Uhhhhhh, because they are awesome??

They are awesome and spectacular, and for $65 you can get a guy on your gift list this piece of radness and make his holiday just perfect. He'll tell all his friends about his great new watch, and soon they'll be asking him why he's always talking about Nixon watches. (Because duh!)

Mini Wishlist 2

The countdown is on! We've got less than two shopping weeks left til Christmas, and if you plan on ordering online, you better hope to it. Turn off the TV--with the writer's strike, it's all re-runs and Clash of the Choirs and other lame reality shows, anyway--and get shopping! If you're still struggling for ideas, here are a few pieces of jewelry that are bound to please (with great savings to please you!):

 

Modishoppe is offering 10% off all purchases to Awesome shoppers with code "awesome" in checkout. We love this gorgeous hand-cut orchid earrings. They're even made from recycled stainless steel, so the environment will thank you for these, as well!

Use code "AWESOME" and save 20% on all purchases from Stunning Details by Rhonda Reagan. These Sterling Silver Half Hoop Circle Earrings are versatile enough to be worn with jeans or a nice dress. They'll become a signature piece for any stylish gal.

Jennifer Casady is also offering 20% savings on all purchases with code "awesome." This beautiful Flip Flop Chainmail bracelet tinkles when it moves...just like Tinker Bell!

Roomy Groomery

Why do they call it a "toiletry" bag? I mean, I get that the contents of it are things one would normally use in the bathroom and most bathrooms have a toilet, but isn't that sort of round-about logic? Instead of toiletries, can't we call them "groomeries?"  And instead of a "toiletry" bag, can't we call it a "groomery" bag? It's better right? Less...I don't know...TACKY?!

Speaking of not tacky, this groomery bag is pretty cool. It's modern and green and roomy. A 'roomy groomery,' if you will.

Sushi Baby

My boyfriend has a new niece, born last night, and I know I'm not really family or anything, but as someone who at least shares a bed with a member of baby's family, I feel like it's my duty to begin introducing her to some of the finer things in life. Like manicures and suede boots and sushi. Luckily, one's never too little to appreciate some sushi.

Give Him Wood!

A wood briefcase, of course. DUH.

Lady wood

I'm going to go out on a very short limb and say this is most likely the greatest watch ever made.

Flask and You Shall Receive

This is one of those gifts that keeps on giving. With a flask this gorgeous, who wouldn't be tempted to pull it out at every chance and offer it up to friends for a swig? It's ok if you want to keep this one for yourself--especially if you plan to use it during your visit home for the holidays.

via Babble

Tick-tock

Do you hear what I hear? Do you hear what I hear? No, it's not a star, a star, dancing in the night. It's my clock, my clock, ticking in my tum, it's my clock and it's going tick-tock!

I blame these little booties.

Likes Long Walks in the Rain

The Fantasy: Walking with your beloved in the falling rain, snuggled together underneath your umbrella. You share a kiss amidst your walk in the rain, like Peter and Simone.

The Reality: Sludging through the freezing downpour with him, struggling to fit under a single umbrella, your hair getting ruined, and your shoes getting soaked through. Your stares towards him are as ice-cold as you feel.

The Solution: This double umbrella, which is the perfectly sized single umbrella for two people to fit under.

Mini Wishlist - For the special girl

It's officially December, which means it's officially time to break out our mini-wish lists for the holiday season. If you're looking for some fun, unique items for a special lady friend, here's three picks that will burn up that cash in your pocket:

Sweet Tooth Designs is known for their Smiley Collection, but they also make some fabulous handcrafted earrings. This pair of hammered hoops are simple, classic and stylish, and every girl who has them probably wears them every day.

Sandmaiden's bamboo pajama sets serve two great purposes: For your girl, they're extremely soft and comfortable, and she'll want to lounge around the house in them all day. For you? Well, she'll want to lounge around the house in them all day.

To celebrate your lady's style and class, nothing will woo her more than this simple, elegant pear necklace from DK Designs. She'll cherish it forever (or at least until she gets that big rock on her left hand).

 

For the Playa

So you've got a budding guitar player on yoru holiday list and you can get some picks, new strings, an electric tuner, maybe some song books. Or! You can get something doesn't encourage actual playing, because let's face it, does anyone want to listen toa budding guitar player? This guitar wallet* shows support without inviting an impromptu practice session. So, win-win, right?

*or you can go with a guitar wristlet

A Lucky Bullet Keychain

What guy doesn't want a lucky bullet stuffed in his stocking on Christmas?

Blinded Me With Science

Science was never my best subject in school (for the record, racing to all the cute guys' lockers in between class and pretending like I didn't notice them as I flipped my hair and popped my collar was my best subect in school). Atoms and Molecules and things orbiting in space? Not really my cup of tea. But the way dejarnette does all those things, like this lovely orbit necklace--perfect for holiday parties and such--makes me re-think my favorite subject. Maybe science has something on cute guys who don't know I exist after all.

A Cocktail Ring for Your Cocktail Parties

Hey, you know what you need? A cool cocktail ring to wear to all those holiday cocktail parties you're going to be going to for the next 5 weeks. I love this one from Casto Creations. It's bold and beautiful without being too girly or foo-foo. Check out Casto's Etsy sale for up to 50% off great stocking-stuffer pieces, like this Mexican fire agate sterling silver necklace, and these gorgeous CZ teardrop earrings. Seriously, only $20? Awesome!

For the knitwits on your list

Hey knitwits, unless you like crowds of pushy people in bad sweaters and holiday muzak on the loudspeaker, do yourself a favor and do your shopping online this Black Friday.

And speaking of knitwits, if you've got a knitter on your holiday list--or just someone with fun, quirky style--these red knitwit earrings made from vintage knitting needles and hung on sterling silver are a good bet. Or you could, you know, get them a gift card to Target or something like everyone else is bound to do. Which gift would you remember more?

Money Well-Spent

Blend Creations makes some of the most beautiful necklaces and pendants ever. Seriously, if you have only $100 to spend on holiday presents this year, spend about $90 on a Blend Creations necklace for yourself and get $10 worth of chocolates for your friends and loved ones. I mean, you'll love the necklace and who doesn't enjoy a nice truffle now and then? So, win-win, you know?

Use code "Awesome" to save 15% off orders of $50 ot more!

UPDATE: I just found out that Blend Creations is having a 24-hour Black Friday sale and they say "wey'll have a whole lot of stuff at more than 20% off (the washi necklaces and pendants, and all of our bamboo, mah jong and zodiac pendants).  The 'awesome' code will give you an extra 15% off on the sale stuff to boot."

Wishlist

My sister emailed me a holiday wishlist the other day which included a lot of cool stuff, like a vintage typewriter key necklace. She was nice enough to link a store selling one, but I guess she didn't yet know about the Weekend Store where you can buy an even better vintage typewriter key necklace for ten whole dollars less (free shipping, too)! Ten whole dollars! You know all the things I can buy with the ten dollars I'll save? Why, I could buy ten scratch-off lottery tickets! Or 3 packages of toilet paper (just two packages if I spring for the good stuff). Or a ticket to that new Vince Vaughn Christmas movie!

Yeah, this is gonna be a happy holiday season for sure.

Shameless cross promotion

What good is having a website with thousands of readers if I can't shill my own wares once in a while?? Like these earrings I made a bazillion of, don't you just want to buy them??

And these ones?  Whoops, those sold out, how about these ones?
And these?

I'm telling you, if I were you I'd be buying these earrings while I read this website. Then I'd write myself an email telling me I'd pay good money for a pair of these!

Purely the Best

What's better than silver plated? Sterling silver, of course! And what's better than sterling silver? Pure silver! And you know what's better than pure silver? A big bag of Benjamins and a plate full of Magnolia cupcakes, but let's not split hairs. Pure silver is still pretty good--especially when it's in the form of a cherry tree-stamped pendant hanging from a delicate sterling silver chain right in the heart of your bosom.
Hey, you know what's better than a bosom? A pure silver cherry tree pendant right in the heart of it.
I think  you know what to do.

Use code "awesome" at Casto Creations for free shipping on your purchases!

Gives New Meaning to "Ear Ring"

If you liked this hand soap, you'll probably dig the work of Margaux Lange, who creates accessories, like this "ear ring" out of Barbie Doll pieces! She says:

"I enjoy the funny juxtaposition of wearing the body, on the body. Barbie has become the accessory instead of being accessorized. I take pleasure in the contrast and contradiction of something mass-produced being transformed and revealed as a unique, handmade, wearable piece of art."

It's unique art, alright. But the question is: would you wear it?? (For the record, I think it's pretty awesome. duh.)

Fall Necessity

Three of my favorite things in one:

• tweed
• light olive coloring
• nearly 50% off!

Now if only it came with a case of pumpkin ale and a group of geeky guys in cord jackets, we'd have a downright Fall Festival on our hands.

I'll take one in every color.

Oh Nixon! How could you!

How could you create a simple, elegant ladies watch in shiny silver and give it this adorable cross hatch background! It's too much!

And then you tell me it's not even $100, and it's guaranteed to tick on forever, and I can wear it with any outfit since it's classic and simple but still looks dressy?

Now I just can't handle it.

Miz Mooz, I love Youz!

Since I moved to NYC a week and a half ago I've walked approximately 3,023 miles and that's a conservative estimate. It became clear to me by mile 11 that my regular old flip-flops and ballet flats with no arch support just would not do. It was time to get new shoes, but my new shoes had to meet several requirements:

• cute
• comfortable
• fun
• cute!
• affordable
• rich color
• and also, cute

Luckily, all that walking took me past lots of lots of shoe stores and it didn't take long before I found the perfect pair. Actually, I found many, many perfect pairs and they were all Miz Mooz shoes. Miz Mooz is my new favorite shoe brand! Sadly, I couldn't afford to buy all the shoes in the collection, so I settled on these two. Between you and me, I'm pretty sure I'm going to get these, too! Oh, and maybe these! I mean, who needs to pay bills when there are so many cute shoes?!?!!

Live a Little

A friend emailed me yesterday and said her package from Oovoo had come in and she was waiting to open it in a "perverse take on the Protestant work ethic." Oh, but how could she wait when something as beautiful as this or this or this waited inside for her sweet embrace?!

They may be a bit pricier than your average bag from Target, but to have a brand new bag of high quality worthy of swinging from your hand on a crisp Fall day on your way to the market or a cocktail party or the pumpkin patch! Oh, just go ahead and splurge! You deserve it!!

Renew, Reuse, Recycle, Lather, Rinse, and Repeat!

Dudes! It's the second week of October and it's still #&%@ing hot out!! This global warming shit's for real!! So look, I'm not going to pretend I'm some hardcore environmentalist, but I do a little, and if we all just did a little, then maybe thirty years from now we can still have Fall...or at least Spring, or at least temps that don't hover somewhere around hell all year long. So, switch to those cool spiral-y lightbulbs, start walking or biking instead of driving your gas-guzzling SUV to the corner store everytime you need a candy bar and an issue of In Touch, and for God's sake, start reusing and recycling something other than your ex-boyfriends!

Here's a cool reusable shopping bag to get you going.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go rub ice cubes on my temples because it's so #%$@ing hot!! On October 10th!! I should be pulling up my knee socks and drinking Pumpkin ale by a fireplace not sticking my goddamn head in the freezer.