Every month one of my favorite bloggers and Internet buddies, Roberutsu of Some Kinda Blog, does a beautiful roundup of all of the items he's coveting at the moment called "I Want It!"
"Fall has arrived and it’s been awesome for us in the upper central North American hemisphere. Our weather has been seasonably warm-even hotter than Vegas, if you can believe it-but we all know it’s not going to last. So let’s get ready to cozy up! For this month’s wants I’ve been attracted to warm things – wood, wool and glowing morning breakfasts."
I'm definitely digging both of those sweaters, and I wouldn't mind waking muffins and eggs either! To find out the pricing info and where to buy this month's "I Want It!" products head over to Some Kinda Blog.
Which items do you want? Leave a comment!
Roberutsu is a graphic designer, photographer and director from the Canadian Plains. Get more of his favorites on his blog or follow him on Twitter @Roberutsu
Just like, um, everyone in the world I enjoy a good cup of coffee to start my day. My drink of choice is usually an iced grande coffee in a venti cup, unsweetened, from Starbucks every morning (I even bought a reusable iced coffee cup that I never use) , but really any ol' cup a' joe will do for me.
I am by no means a coffee snob and couldn't tell you what half of the drinks in this coffee glossary mean, but in honor of National Coffee Day I thought I would share a few of my choice brands.
I really enjoy Cafe Bustelo coffee. It's rich and flavorful and is available in basically every store everywhere. It's a little richer than say, Folgers or Maxwell House, and the cans are neat.
I was recently given a sample of Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company coffee to try at home and it is delish! While it's not available everywhere just yet, the company is dedicated to helping out the planet. They boast a teeny tiny carbon footprint and give a portion of their sales back to local eco-initiatives in the Chesapeake Bay area.
Just this past week I discovered Trader Joe's gigantic coffee selection. After staring at the different blends for a good minute or so I decided to pick up the French roast. It's strong, smooth and smoky and was only $3.99!
Many coffee houses and retailers are celebrating National Coffee Day with discounts and specials (here are a few), and if you want to get in on the action you can check out these coffee drink recipes. Enjoy!
Every month one of my favorite bloggers and Internet buddies, Roberutsu of Some Kinda Blog, does a beautiful roundup of all of the items he's coveting at the moment called "I Want It!"
I have been following his picks for quite some time now, and almost always wish I could snatch up all of the things he mentions. Now, Roberutsu has graciously given me permission to share his monthly posts with all of you starting with September 2011!
This month’s feature is going back to black. Of all the items below, the most intriguing is the blk beverage. At first sight, one might think of the bottle design as a nice example of minimal black packaging. But it may surprise you to know that it is actually a clear bottle. Yep. The water is, indeed, black. According to reviews, it "tastes like water, but not exactly like water." Hmmm, sounds interesting. I am definitely blk-curious!
I'm personally jonesing for the Hunter Sweater from YMC. To find out the pricing info and where to buy this month's "I Want It!" products head over to Some Kinda Blog.
Which items do you want? Leave a comment!
Roberutsu is a graphic designer, photographer and director from the Canadian Plains. Get more of his favorites on his blog or follow him on Twitter @Roberutsu
I almost always wear contact lenses, but I am a secret four-eyes at heart. I've been sporting glasses since I was 8 years old (here's the awesome yearbook photo to prove it!) so when I heard about Warby Parker's home try-on program I signed up as fast as my fingers could type!
The way that it works is simple. You go to WarbyParker.com, shop their great frames, pick five that you love and Warby Parker will mail them to you free of charge to try on at home. You get five days to test drive and then you send 'em back in the prepaid box and purchase the ones that suit you best.
I picked out my five frames and received them a few days later. So, why not the readers decide which ones I should get? Keep reading after the jump to see the frames on my mug and let me know which ones to pick out.
While men's beauty products may take up less room in the medicine cabinet, they are no less important to us than to our female counterparts. In fact, most men are fiercely loyal to their favorite brands. I, for one, am particularly picky about my hair products. And even though most men's pomades and styling creams appear to be very similar, any guy can tell you that his specific brand of choice is the best (at least for him.)
Our beauty editor at my office recently slipped me a sample of L'Oreal Homme Mat pomade and I was immediately hooked.
As someone with thick, now-longer hair, I was having trouble finding a product that could tame my mane without making it too stiff or crunchy. The L'Oreal pomade did exactly what I needed it to. It keeps my hair pushed back and in place, but it somehow stays movable and soft. The best part is that my hair stays looking clean and isn't too shiny.
Basically, the product recreates the look of unwashed hair (which gives you the best styling options) but it doesn't look like you need a shower.
When my supply ran out I immediately had to order some more -- two more tubes! The price may not be on par with drugstore brands (About $18 a pop), but it's well worth the cost for someone like me who is sometimes overly obsessive about my 'do.
Living in New York City poses many a logistical problem from time to time, especially when it comes to grocery shopping and purchasing household items. It's not the lack of availability of stores, but the lack of transportation (most of us don't have cars) and lack of storage space (most of us live in small apartments) that make it difficult to stockpile affordably priced stuff. Lack of storage space means making many, many trips to the store which is -- let's be honest -- not always fun.
As aggravating as constantly running errands may be, I have always hesitated to use online sites like Fresh Direct (I prefer to touch and feel my foods), but when friends told me aboutSoap.com I decided to give it a try. Soap.com offers household and personal products that you can purchase online and have shipped to your home. I put in my order last weekend and received my stuff a day later.
My Delivery from Soap.com
I was in desperate need of some essentials like dish washing liquid, shaving cream and kitchen cleaner, and Soap made it very easy for me to scope out the products I needed. Not only is the site design clean (fitting for Soap.com, no?) but the selection of products were great.
Selection aside, the best thing about Soap.com were the prices. In all honesty, I'll say straight up that the prices on Soap were not astronomically cheap, so I wouldn't recommend it for those looking to save big bucks on their home goods. But if you're a city dweller like me you'll find that the cost of products are definitely cheaper than Duane Reade or Rite Aid; saving you a few dollars and the hassle of lugging bags home all the time. Plus, I had a friend give their referral code (thanks, Jacob!) so I saved 15% off of my huge order.
I'd definitely encourage you urbanites to visit Soap.com to check out the selection. And if you place an order make sure to use the code PATR8721 at checkout for 15% off your first order (and I'll get something, too!)
Have you used Soap.com or other online shopping sites? I'd love to hear what you think. Leave a comment!
Just like Gladys Hardy, I love Jesus, but I drink a little. My main drink of choice is vodka mixed with anything that comes out of a hose, but I have been known to imbibe a delicious margarita from time to time.
I may not be the biggest tequila fan (cue insane college flashback/hangover) but I might have to change my tune after trying Tequila Avion.
If you're fan of HBO's Entourage -- whose season finale is this Sunday Sept. 12 -- you may have already heard of Tequila Avion, The liquor is the preferred drink of the cast, but it's delicious flavor is not exclusive to Hollywood types. This past weekend I had a few friends over to try the tequila and it was a hit. We tried Tequila Avion Silver and the general consensus was that it is a great alternative to our normal drinking regiment. From Avion's web site:
Tequila Avión is the ultra premium tequila that defines a new standard of quality and taste - “Taste Elevated.” Tequila Avión’s distinct flavors are achieved through a combination of slow-roasting at lower temperatures to protect the natural flavors of the agave and an ultra-slow filtration process which creates an unusually smooth taste profile. Tequila Avion is available in Silver, Reposado and Añejo varietals.
While I may not have the most refined palette around I definitely recommend Tequila Avion to those looking to mix up their cocktails with something with less vengeful than those other well-known tequilas.
Enjoy and drink responsibly!
*Full disclosure: Tequila Avion sent me a complimentary sample of their product, but I wouldn't write about them unless I loved it.
Attention, possessors of sweet tooths (teeth?)! I am moderately obsessed with these small, but mighty treats taking over the Big Apple. They're called CUPS Cookies and let me tell you -- they are delicious.
Don't let the name or the photos fool you, these tiny confections are actually small, soft cookies shaped like cupcakes and topped with yummy flavored icing. Cute, right?
The cookies are not only set apart by their look, but by their unique flavors. Check out the sample dozen that I received:
Every Friday between Memorial Day and Labor Day I'm going to be featuring "guest bloggers" as a part of my "Summer Fridays" series. This summer's first entry could not be more appropriate. As the weather starts to get warm, put your sock-less feet up and check out this entry from Billy Nastyn.
It just looks hip to not have socks on in the spring and summer. Who doesn't like to appear to be comfortable and fashionable while spending time outside? The problem is that nobody wants to deal with stinky feet, so unless you want to end up having your own personal Lindsay Lohan Talcum powder incident, you shouldn't go unprepared.
There are some great products out there and even some quick fix antidotes that can slip right in and save your soles. Whether you are a frequent sans socks aficionado, or new to the movement, it’s worth exploring your options. Here are some suggestions:
Terry Cloth Insoles
Terry cloth is the stuff of puppies, kittens, and newborn babies (joy!). This is what you want meeting your feet. ALDO sells an amazing insole insert that is not only easy to throw on for the day, but easy to pull out and toss in with your wash. Topped with the attractive terry cloth and a nice gripped rubber bottom, this padding not only creates comfort, but absorbs what you don’t want lingering on you or your shoe.
Because A Blog About Things (and the Internet in general) is all about sharing things that I find interesting and fun I'm going to start sharing some products and items that I find particularly enjoyable from time to time. These are some of things I'm digging at the moment.
All right, maybe they didn't design The Game of Things just for this blog, but it sure was a great fit!
Several months ago I attended a presentation for Hasbro's Family Game Night and saw The Game of Things in their list of cool games. When I mentioned that my site was about "things" they were kind enough to give me a copy of the game to try out.
The premise is simple: One person takes a turn as "the reader" and poses a statement to group such as "something you shouldn't say to your wife" or "what a cow thinks when it is being milked" and then everyone writes down an appropriate answer. The reader then collects everyone's responses and you go around the circle taking turns guessing who said what. Trust me, the explanation is much less funny than actually playing.
It took me a while to finally get a group of my friends together to play but let me tell you -- it was worth the wait. I am a big fan of board games and I think this one ranks up in my top 5 ever. It was so fun and so creative and a really interesting way to get to know more about people. Just when you think you know what someone is going to say, think again!
We played several hundred rounds
We played for a good two and half hours last Friday and the excitement never died down. I think it was specially enhanced by the alcohol we were drinking, but that only added to the insane answers people were leaving. Trust me, it's fun.
If you're a fan of board games then you need to pick up The Game of Things for your next party.
I was in line for my afternoon pick-me-up at Starbucks on 15th and 9th today with my venti iced coffee cup in hand, prepared for my $.54 refill. Before I made it to the register my coworker Jenn pointed out a nifty reusable look-a-like on a shelf nearby.
This Starbucks grande 16 Oz clear insulated tumbler was $12.95 and was a major impulse buy, but the environmentalist inside of me couldn't pass it up. The tumbler looks exactly like a venti drink cup (although it fits a grande-sized amount because it's insulated) and sports a screw-on lip that is super sturdy. The signature green straw comes with the cup and is a thick, solid plastic. It also has a little bump at the bottom so it can't be pulled out of the lid by mistake!
It's good for the planet, but more importantly it's good for my wallet since I won't be spending the $3.03 every morning on a venti iced coffee. $13 seems expensive, but let's do the math. I was spending $3.03 a day, mug was $12.95 and refills are only $.54. It will only take me 4 days to get my money's worth.
Quick post to show some love for a product that I really like. No sponsored promo or free stuff here—I just dig it.
This green tea hand wash from Method is really good and if you're an avid hand washer like me (OCD, anyone?) I would totally recommend it. The soap has a great scent, without making your hands feel like they smell like something, and doesn't dry or irritate my hands. And not only is the product nice to use it's also good for the environment.
Just some icing on the cake, Method also has a really rad website which cleverly displays their wide array of colorful home products. Their blog is pretty interesting, too.
Method products are available all over the place, so go pick 'em up, ok? Thanks.
I'm always on the look out for new and interesting bathroom/grooming products. I guess I'm a little bit of a male product junkie, but I rarely ever reach the bottom of a bottle of shampoo or hair product before switching to a new brand.
The mint shave products are really nice. The shave cream gives me a nice, close shave and is calming. The aftershave lotion is really nice, too. I don't particularly like the face wash—it feels a little too "soapy" to me—but the rest is great.
I've used the 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner and the citrus/wheat bran body bar from the hair and body kit. The shampoo is all right, but the body bar is awesome. It's basically a massive bar of soap that looks like a block of wood. The smell is so invigorating and the exfoliating granules feel great on the skin.
I liked the products so much that I bought this kit for my dad for Father's Day!
Every Man Jack products are great quality, but most important they're a great value! Right now signature kits are available on their website for only $10 or you can grab 'em at select Target stores and on Amazon.com.
Have you tried these products before? Any future recommendations?
As part of our "Summer of Adventure" Carolyn and I are going out and about to meet cool people and show you cool stuff. Specific, huh?
To kick off the party we visited New York-based t-shirt designer Jeffrey Label who runs his own line Label New York. He creates one-of-kind dyed and screen printed shirts that each have a special meaning. Jeffrey chatted with us and showed us around his NYC apartment where he not only lives, but runs his entire business. Check it out...
Here are some additional photos of the t-shirt making process...
If you like what you saw (aren't Carolyn and I's shirts cool?) you can order your own unique t-shirt at LabelNewYork.com. As a special gift to my readers, if you enter the coupon code VLOG at checkout you'll get 10% off! Happy Shopping!
Whoaaaa! Look at these rad soaps! They look like game controllers but they're SOAP! Check out my guest blog about these cool homemade products over at SerendiptyandSpark.com.
File this under "sign me up immediately." I heard through the Twitter grapevine about a new product called tabrasa (which I'll assume comes from the Latin "tabula rasa" or blank slate.) Debuting this week at NeoCon, Tabrasa is basically a paint that turns any flat surface into a dry-erase board.
It might seem like a simple idea, but imagine what your office, classroom or kitchen would be like if you could write on everything. Notes to yourself, grocery lists... you could brainstorm anywhere at any time.
Because it's just paint you could go floor-to-ceiling, draw on desk surfaces or create your own boards without any hanging or restrictions of size. When you're finished you can just paint right over it and it's gone! I personally find it amazing, because it would save me from having 500 Post-Its on the wall. As part of the kick-off of tabrasa, if you send a tweet to @mdctabrasa today they will draw whatever you request and send a twitpic back to you! I asked them to draw my second grade yearbook picture and they did!
Click here to learn more about tabrasa dry-erase board paint and then buy me a bunch and come paint my room for me. kthxbai.
Father's Day is this Sunday, June 21, and if you're still searching for that right present for dear ol' dad (guilty!) check out these new twists on a classic gift. A tie is the default purchase for most dads out there, but you don't have to get him one to wear around his neck.
The artist behind these creations turn old ties into the exterior of the wallets and uses material from old suits for the internal lining. Very cool.
I know that my dad personally prefers the giant leather wallet a la George Costanza, but these tie wallets are a fun and casual option. They'd also be great for a brother, boyfriend or blogger (hint hint).
I am highly-organized, neat and a little obsessive, so if you know me at all it's no shock to learn that I love Post-it notes. I have stickies up all the time at work and at home with little reminders to myself. I love being able to write down ideas and have them stare back at me until I execute them. Sometimes it's a "to do" list, sometimes little reminders, ideas for blog entries, words of inspiration, things I'm using "the Secret" for, etc.
As I type this I currently have 10 notes stuck up on the wall/window in front of me (granted, two of them say "flats are fug" and "way to be ugly") so I was very excited when we received a big box of new Post-it products at work! Check out this spread:
Various colors, shapes, sizes and even a magnetic memo pad!
Recycled notes are orange, purple and "green" (get it?!)
I honestly think Post-its are such a great invention. Who woulda' thunk that pieces of paper with a sticky back would change the way hyper-organized, borderline-OCD people like me would live their lives? Not to mention that they also come in handy for pulling fun office pranks.
Besides Post-its, I also have a secret love for Sharpie permanent markers. Everything looks better when written in unchangeable, high-inducing ink.
