Awesome!

Rising Designers

Birthday cards, shmirthday cards. Why don't people ever make cards about real life, like 'congrats on getting a cat,' 'sorry you're in menopause,' and 'great choice getting a breast reduction!'? Oh wait, someone does! Lola does! Or, more accurately, Lola Says.

You can find these cards and all kinds of other awesome stuff, like retro aprons, beautiful handmade jewelry, and pampering body products at Rising Designers, a co-op of emerging designers (hence the name!) and indie boutiques.

I'm particularly loving the Twigs and Heather jewelry right now, you know, incase anyone wants to buy me something. Or, I guess the breast reduction card would do, too, though you'd be about 11 years late.

Yeah, just get me the jewelry. And this card, since it's pretty much always appropriate! Thanks.

Please support the Kim family.

I'm sure by now you all know the story of the Kim family and their survival in the Oregon wilderness for 9 days. What you may not know is that we here at Awesome have a personal connection to the Kims like so many people in the Bay Area, since Kati Kim owns one of our favorite boutiques in San Francisco: Doe.

Each time I visit their store I'm filled with Kati's warmth and passion for her work, and am always excited by what I find there. We'd like to send good wishes and all our hope to a family who has done so much to support local artists and others in their hometown. 

Please do you part to support the Kims by visiting Doe online or in person or by making a donation to their family. We are so sorry for your loss.

Favorite Season Upon Us: Super!

OMG!  I  cannot believe I am writing a post about fucking scarves already, but incase you hadn't noticed, here in the Northern hemisphere, and particularly in the US Midwest, Fall is definitely nipping away at our lovely, but soon-to-be-lost, summer.  Oh summer, how I'll miss you. 

But, Fall!  Fall, you are like the new boyfriend who comes galloping up to sweep away the bitter remains of a failed relationship.  Reminding us of all the things that last guy wasn't--sharp, attentive, and cool, you help us forget all about those silly summer flings and ease our way into something a little more serious.

Also!  Fall doesn't expect you to run around in little hoochie-mama cut-offs and low-cut camis, oh no.  He wants you dressed as a lady, and what a wonderful excuse to visit our current sponsor, Super Maggie, for a choice of superb, hip, classy scarves, like this one, Mini Millie.  Seriously, who knew being a serious, sophisticated lady could be so fun?  I had no idea!

Editor's Favorite: Green!

Last week, I posted about awesome things in awesome orange.  This week, it's all about my other favorite color: green!  Check out these supah cool finds:

Pod Person Parskid Hand Towel.  I have no idea what a pod person parskid thingy is, but it sure is cute!

Sublime boots from Plueys.  It's been rainy in Chicago all day and I'm wishing I had these fun rainboots to go stomping around in.

Green Apple Casserole.  Seriously, who knew cooking appliances could be so fucking adorable!!

Great wallets from Super Maggie and DB Clay.  Makes me wish even more that I had a need for a wallet.  Being broke is lame.

Grass Green fitted jersey.  It's even got a boatneck--thank god!

Mint Green Fused Glass Pendant.  Le sigh.

Tumbleweed Print Duvet Cover. Makes me think I should get a duvet?

And how can we feature a post about green without nodding to everyone's favorite herb?  Check out Marijuana-Logues, a live comedy show on pot culture.

Sponsor Highlight: Snazzy Girl!

Our current sponsor, Snazzy Girl, doesn't just have awesome things for chicks, like these pretty pendants (on sale!),  this Red Camper purse made from vintage 35mm slides, and this "50's sex kitten" dress, it also has products for men, like this stylish Hockey Card belt, a one-of-a-kind handcrafted collage-of-a-belt made from reconstructed hockey cards perfect for funking up a jeans-and-tee combo.  Snazzy Girl also has awesome home stuff, paper goods, and even stuff for your favorite pets!

EDITOR'S FAVORITE: ORANGE!

As long as it isn't done in terrible taste, a la Jessica Simpson's skin tone, I LOVE the color orange!  And what better way to honor Favorites Month here at Awesome than to feature a bunch of cool orange shit?  So in no certain order, here are some awesome things I found in awesome orange:

Klops from Creature Co-op.  Klops is cute, he has one eye, he's awkward!  I'm in love.

The whole orange strip at The Carrot Box.  Scroll down here for all the pretty choices -- I especially love the flower!

A bowl scraper!  OMG, fucking genius. Scrape the bowl, then lick the scraper!!!

Ammo Bag from Wishingfish.  Way sexier than a fanny pack, more versatile than a purse or backpack, and totally practical with padded iPod/cell phone pocket  and easy headphone access.  Orange dots Included!

Atomic Clock from Chiassio.  Bursting with orange!

Stella Orange Tumblers from Relish.  Throw an orange cocktail party!  Invite me!!!  (I even have orange hair to go with the theme!).

Bright orange banana vases for a mere 12 bucks!  Fill them with orange calla lillies!

Orange Betty Tee with super cute green flowers.  Green!  My other favorite color!  And you know what else is orange and green?  Our book!  Have you bought your copy yet???

SPONSOR HIGHLIGHT

Inspired by Japanese street fashion and culture, our current sponsor, Luster Studio is full of handmade girlish stuff like these cute pink earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and other fun accessories, Luster Studio is perfect for the woman who loves "cute" but desires something a bit more unique.  Check 'em out!

Becky's Favorite

  Here in Chicago we have this cute little restaurant called Kitschn on Roscoe where retro-inspired comfort food is served in a funky 70's-style environment.  My friends and I can dine upon gourmet mini-burgers and potpies amid magic 8 balls, lava lamps, and posters of Cheech and Chong as we analyze our respective relationships and wonder if we should be worried about wrinkles yet.

Awesome reader, Becky, wrote to tell us about a website that is not unlike this restaurant I go for trips down memory lane and brief rekindlings of my youth:
"My neighbor in Philly runs a really fun website:  Plaid Pony Vintage.  She sells vintage housewares, clothing, etc., but there's also some miscellaneous stuff on the site, like crazy 50s-era spam cake recipes."  I especially like this vintage nightgown, and can imagine myself floating around my apartment in it while drinking martinis and reading gossip rags.

Do you have a favorite site, shop, book, film, band, product, etc. you think everyone should know about?  Tell us about it!

April's Favorites!

Two more from my cousin and Awesome reader, April:

"The ION USB Turntable records you right to your computer.  With the included Audactity software, you can turn your records into MP3s, burn them onto a CD, create your own mixes, and edit out all the scratch and hiss sounds.

Also, the next time you listen to Nelly, visit the St. Louis Arch or shop in University City Loop on Delmar, represent with a T-shirt from StyLe.  In addition to the shirts for specific neighborhoods this St. Louis business also sells exciting slogans as 'East St. Louis, Feel the Magic,' and 'Where the Mullet Meets the River.'

I'm thinking of buying 'Hey, Windy City, Blow Me,' to wear the next time I see my dear Cousin Wendy.  Hey Wendy, can I borrow $18 plus shipping and handling?"

Editor's Note: Hey April, blow me.

Rebecca's Favorites!

Awesome reader Rebecca sends in her favorites!

Crafters for Critters, tons of cool crafty type goods and the money goes to animal resuce organizations. How can you not love that?

Orangyporangy makes cool clothes or ladyware as she calls it.  I haven't bought anything yet, but I really want to.

Anti-Factory repurposes clothing.  Her stuff goes so quickly.  You have to get on her mailing list to have a chance at anything.

Cotton Monster amazing stuffed creatures.  Come on, they're not just for kids.  I want them all.

Loft Party the best kitchen stuff and decor for the best prices.

SH's Favorite: Jeremy Prasatik

Jeremy Prasatik is one of my newest favorite artists, and it's easy to see why. His prints and websites are incredible! Each one has a delicate sense of nature mixed with an inventive use of color. They're precise and creative, striking and simple and look wonderful in a frame.

I just love Jeremy's style and his great use of color, and I'd love to see him put some of those great designs on some t shirts.

OH WAIT HE DOES THAT TOO!

Sara's Favorites!

Sara Writes,

"Hey, I've been a reader since early July and must say that you guys are running one of the best blogs ever. I also love finding awesome things online, so here's my contribution. I hope those could be of help. Keep up the great work!"

GoMusic.com : Most albums are under $1.00. Lots of hard to find stuff. It may look fishy (if you're used to iTunes), but it's legit.

YourMusic.com: If you're not into downloading music, this is a great inexpensive alternative. $5.99/month for whatever CD you choose. No s+h fees, no obligations.

Morning Glory Online : Adorable stationery for affordable prices.

Paperchase: More stationery. Awesome retro-inspired designs and adorable animals. Although you can't order online, most Borders in the US carry their products.

Hello Kitty Cell Phone : Since you're not restricted to featuring things under $25 anymore, here's the most awesome (and expensive) Hello Kitty item.

Tom Green: Tom Green's new live and uncensored call-in talk show, straight from his living room to your computer. Apparently it's groundbreaking, as it is the first live internet call-in show.

Brooke's Favorites!

Our awesome reader (and friend!) Brooke writes in, "We have a great shoe store here in Kansas City that just got their
online store up and running (so there might be a few kinks), Habitat Shoes. I pretty much want every shoe that they have, and they have a bit of clothing and accesories too. A girl could want much more.  It's definitely one of my favorite places to shop!"

Favorites of Becky Haycox

Awesome reader Becky sent us some of her favorite shops and spots online!

SWAPATORIUM: Flea markets, thrift stores, antique shops,
garage and estate sales, found photographs, collecting, odd finds, swaps and more

EVANY THOMAS: Great book, even awesomer blog

POISE: Purses. Yay!

SUPERMAGGIE: Clothes, accessories on the crafty tip. The teeshirts: YUM

TOUCH OF GINGER: Future-retro james bondian-style gifts, including the bizarre EMERGENCY CUFFLINKS

Starving Artist Bazaar

I'm linking to this before Wendy does! She just sent me some cute little things from Starving Artist Bazaar, a great little shop from Chicago where you can get awesome glass blown jewelry, custom baby clothes and even paintings. Check it out!