November 2009 Archives

I'm sure the White House is impressive enough on a regular day, but during Christmas it must be particularly amazing to see all of the elegant holiday decorations. In Christmas at the White House by Jennifer B. Pickens, you can check out 500 photos taken from 9 different administrations.

This would be an awesome "coffee table book" to give someone (like me!) for the holidays. It's pretty pricey at $75.00, but it has over 400 pages of decorating perfection. Not wanting to flip through this book would be un-American. Just kidding! But still, I think it would be really interesting to see how different administrations decorated the same house differently.

These Bread Shoes have been all over the blogosphere lately, and a lot of people think they are totally awesome. In fact, they're selling out on the manufacturer's website. And I ask, "Why?"

People, these are loaves of bread that have a chunk cut off the back and part of the insides pulled out of the "toe" area. Anyone could do this. Actually, my 5-year-old cousin did nearly the same thing with dinner rolls this past weekend. Why are people paying 62 euros, or roughly $93, for a pair of bread shoes that you can't even wear? The website itself says, "Not wearable on feet". And I'm pretty sure you wouldn't be able to eat them, either, as they do not appear to be packaged in an airtight container. So, you get a pair of stale bread shoes that you ... display on your mantle?

I'm bummed, man. This is a total waste of a perfectly delicious loaf of bread.

Want to win the 5-pound World's Largest Gummy Bear along with 18 other "curiously awesome" products from Vat19.com? Sure you do!

All you have to do to enter Vat19.com's Cyber Monday Mega Giveaway (worth over $325!) is sign up for our twice monthly newsletter. You can sign up here.

The giveaway includes the following 19 products. You know, because we're Vat19!

• World's Largest Gummy Bear (Blue Raspberry)
• Giant Gummy Bear...on a Stick (Green Apple)
• The Original Slush Mug (Red)
• Morris the Memo Holder (Charcoal)
• Hershey's Syrup Chocolate Scented Candle
• L'il DaVinci Store & Display Art Cabinet (8.5x11)
• Cassette Tape 4-Port USB Hub
• Crayon Coffee Mug (Custard Yellow)
• Nuscup Adjustable Measuring Cup & Scoop (Mini)
• Nuscup Adjustable Measuring Cup & Scoop (Standard)
• Money Clamp Front Pocket Wallet (Geneva Mesh)
• Guitar String Bracelet (Silver)
• TelePen Telescoping Keychain Pen
• Graviti Battery-Powered Pepper Mill
• Ambient Fire: The Ultimate Video Fireplace DVD
• Talking Photo Album
• BuckyBalls Magnetic Toy
• Operation Classic Game Pen
• Cash Stash Keychain Capsule

One email address will be chosen at random from all of the email addresses signed up for Vat19.com's newsletter. The drawing will take place at 5:00 PM CST on Cyber Monday (November 30, 2009). This giveaway is open to US shipping addresses only.

If you are already signed up for Vat19.com's newsletter, then you're already entered!

Seriously guys? Really?

The creators of On the Cuff feel that they are solving a horrid problem that plagues so many of us when we wash our dishes, faces, and cars - water running down our arms. Dun dun DUN! I know, such a problem, right? Thank goodness they've come up with these sponge bracelets that you wear to catch those awful drops of water. And I'm so glad they're selling them for the bargain price of $7.99 per pair. Yes folks, you are only $8.00 away from a couple of sponge rings that will spare you the slight annoyance of water droplets on your forearms. Awesome! And totally worth it!

Whew. All that sarcasm wore me out.

This "sexy girl" doorstop is so trashy! I don't need to explain why, as I figure the outline of a girl in the doggie-style position makes it pretty obvious. Would the type of person that would like this even use a doorstop?

After showing you this stupid doorstop, I'd like to redeem myself and show you a pretty darn cool (non "sexy") doorstop. Check out the Golfer's Doorstop! It comes with a golf ball so you can start practicing your putting skills immediately...while keeping a door propped open.

I know that nothing can ever compare to the traditional Rubber Ducky as the perfect tub toy. However, these Floating Ducks are a cute alternative for those who prefer something a little more modern and designer-y. Yes, that's a word.

Besides being a fun floating bath toy for your kids, they can also function as room decor. The baby rests on the mom's back (so cute), and they gently rock together, exuding a calm, almost Zen-like feel. Adorable!

By the way, for those of you who just can never get enough ducks, check out the ducky selection at Vat19. We love our feathered friends!

As if a Cinnamon Swirl Marshmallow didn't already sound delicious enough, these are also topped with candied pecans. Yum! These are about 2" square, which is a pretty good size for a marshmallow. You get 8 pieces for $14.00, which I think is reasonable for something with a unique flavor (I haven't actually tried these, but for a marshmallow I think this is a unique flavor!) and that is handmade by Vintage Confections.

It's November (already!) and has already started to get pretty cold at night here in St. Louis, which is perfect campfire and s'mores making weather. I wouldn't melt these gourmet marshmallows though. I'd just get some regular jumbo marshmallows!

I'm so glad there are insanely creative people out there who can re-purpose what most of us would call "trash" into something useful and one-of-a-kind. Many times you may not even realize that a "new" product has been made out of "old" recycled products.

Take this belt, for example. If I hadn't told you so in the title of this post, would you have ever guessed that the belt is made from a bike tire and the buckle from a bike cog? OK, maybe you cycling aficionados would, but to the rest of our naked eyes, it just looks like a really cool and edgy belt. Those who wear it are not only making a style statement, but an "I care about the earth" statement too!

There are tons and tons of other re-purposed products out there (for example, Vat19's LP Record Coasters), and I encourage you to check them out. Maybe you'll find some inspiration to create your own re-purposed goods!