tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63337778013126536002024-03-14T03:42:14.216-07:00Find a ToadGifted Gift GatheringThe Toadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130189682029266517noreply@blogger.comBlogger626125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333777801312653600.post-80327254931603081922016-11-28T13:20:00.000-08:002016-11-28T13:20:20.746-08:00A Little Scandi for Xmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LfyRpvu15F78XDoU-23ljffaxUozvOlWWA9SLfCKu9Qi4YVlxZsPQxRTSX13TReARPcXWQdumTWMYG-xuUyqxIISrrQV5_58ocNaVIY1jUni2P0IFMWgKuNJ5PBFEv3wcW2i-QhXu3v4/s1600/norsebox.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LfyRpvu15F78XDoU-23ljffaxUozvOlWWA9SLfCKu9Qi4YVlxZsPQxRTSX13TReARPcXWQdumTWMYG-xuUyqxIISrrQV5_58ocNaVIY1jUni2P0IFMWgKuNJ5PBFEv3wcW2i-QhXu3v4/s320/norsebox.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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After a yearlong bad relationship with Birchbox, I thought I was done recommending subscription boxes as gifts. Like many so called "surprises," the biggest surprise about my Birchbox subscription was how many useless items it contained: perfume samples I hated, a million self-tanners, truly ugly nail polish shades. Norsebox, however, looks different.<br />
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Like many in the USA and beyond, Scandinavian style has hit the sweet spot for me. Scandi style manages to be both modernist and cozy, minimalist yet luxurious. Everything is so damn pleasing to the eye and useful in the home. Norsebox is the subscription extension of the genre, a quarterly gift box with a premium Scandinavian product in it. The one pictured above, for September, had a "Fika" theme, meaning coffee and a treat (something Scandinavians do often during their dark, long winters of the sky and soul). Those are some stylish mugs, ready for caffeinated nectar to grace them.<br />
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Each Norsebox features 1-5 items valued at $85-100, from such revered companies as Ferm Living, Iittala, Muuto, and Royal Copenhagen. This is good, good goodies, my friends. The boxes run about $54 each plus shipping, and you can stop at a single box or give a year's worth of fabulous decor and practical pieces. See it all at <a href="http://www.norseboxes.com/" target="_blank">Norsebox</a>. And give a little hugge to a friend or family member this year.The Toadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130189682029266517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333777801312653600.post-21932764151706036092015-09-23T11:53:00.000-07:002015-09-23T11:53:12.305-07:00The Curse of the Autumnal Pumpkin<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIg9VaSaF4NQm2oyrhH9EolkJ7iVd2gInnp0Rw2f70QH5RodcQvLfe4Itc2GJBzkqqX9aqR0SF5btKMvlgrK4fPCdLuBgkOciDT7ctbP1WcHZeg8YJX5XbnogeruWpsKMEgpZ1dkw0MUyO/s1600/pumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIg9VaSaF4NQm2oyrhH9EolkJ7iVd2gInnp0Rw2f70QH5RodcQvLfe4Itc2GJBzkqqX9aqR0SF5btKMvlgrK4fPCdLuBgkOciDT7ctbP1WcHZeg8YJX5XbnogeruWpsKMEgpZ1dkw0MUyO/s320/pumpkin.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh my god. What is this? And why is it ruining the meal?</td></tr>
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For many communities, the start of the fall season is a lovely time, full of colorful leaves, crisp comfy temps, and seasonal activities. Here in Los Angeles, though, the beginning of Fall simply means brutal heat that can melt your car paint. It means smog and allergies. It means fires. And it makes the annual pushing of the autumnal pumpkin decor and food even more annoying.<br />
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I don't really understand the pumpkin's great appeal. While I do like the color orange, I prefer it to reside outside of the squash family. Pumpkins around here, once jack o' lanterned up, rot in about 48 hours. Even when I was a child, the stench emanating from a dissected pumpkin gave me the dry heaves. Cut open, raw pumpkins actually smell like bloated vegetable corpses, which might make them uncannily suited to the disgusting gory glory that is Halloween, but it doesn't mean I want one within 100 feet of my household.<br />
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So, fine: I hate real pumpkins. There are catalogs, crafting sites, and whole Target displays devoted to fake pumpkins and gourds that can be festooned throughout your household. The question is: why would you want that? Last year the Gump's catalog featured velvet pillows in pumpkin shapes with actual pumpkin stems atop them. They were like squash cudgels from Game of Thrones. And if you sat upon one wrong, well, let's just say it wouldn't be pretty. As my husband observed, "I would look like an autumnal baboon."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4UryEp86VXrH08RiwLOsznBcLFyzBoK-hyb8yswPKN5Afb7O7xyi_YuV19sF5kYoc7k2gpaZdJSmnE-uzuAvtcBPJCt5-uZlDUt5wvi2hjP4jsWwtCOB9bNY_N5ruZuqYBqAW_QT31yN/s1600/pumpkin-spice-latte_thumb_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4UryEp86VXrH08RiwLOsznBcLFyzBoK-hyb8yswPKN5Afb7O7xyi_YuV19sF5kYoc7k2gpaZdJSmnE-uzuAvtcBPJCt5-uZlDUt5wvi2hjP4jsWwtCOB9bNY_N5ruZuqYBqAW_QT31yN/s320/pumpkin-spice-latte_thumb_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the Pumpkin Spice Latte, the scourge of Fall drink menus everywhere.</td></tr>
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And then there's the damn drinks. What is up with the Pumpkin Spice Latte? Who ever thought that anything, besides maybe chocolate and vanilla, would meld well with coffee? Those lattes are stinky. They're a strange color for an ingestible. Add to this the absurdity of the Food Babe going after Starbuck's for having artificial stuff (oh no, chemicals) in them and the drink becomes even more ridiculous. No one is forcing the public to drink these things, so who cares if they're chock full of garbage or not? The Pumpkin Spice Latte is already such a bad concept that I don't think all the organic milk or GMO free pumpkin puree (ugh, it makes me nauseated just thinking about mixing that thick crud into a coffee drink) is going to improve it much. I mean, if you love them, mazel tov and drink up, but for god's sake don't complain about the ingredients in what is essentially junk food.<br />
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So that's the Toad's take on pumpkin Fall decor. You won't see any autumnal offerings at my house; I keep Hawaiian leis out year round, just to remind me that there is a paradise out there, far away from the madding pumpkin splattered crowd.<br />
<br />The Toadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130189682029266517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333777801312653600.post-24959983605672925142015-09-10T10:57:00.001-07:002015-09-10T10:57:40.260-07:00The Whole Shebang: Design Boom<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7V7QqbwWYAWVeeHj1XWbnru85OpCopEPNFObr09XhGHtduKYuG-cz-hT0eqvjF1ClLIxKck_o0nw-Sf8-JHOvnammsEhyphenhyphenC_v-4j9E9kfGOc7-ZQO9hUlXaouGOraa1jC_yFRj3315R_F/s1600/olfattoriovase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7V7QqbwWYAWVeeHj1XWbnru85OpCopEPNFObr09XhGHtduKYuG-cz-hT0eqvjF1ClLIxKck_o0nw-Sf8-JHOvnammsEhyphenhyphenC_v-4j9E9kfGOc7-ZQO9hUlXaouGOraa1jC_yFRj3315R_F/s320/olfattoriovase.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olfattorio has to do with scents, not fat, so stop laughing and start shopping.</td></tr>
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It's rare that I want to feature an entire site, usually because I feel like I've seen everything, everywhere. It's so nice to be proved wrong, and Design Boom is the exception to the rule.<br />
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Design Boom is an online design mag that has an absolutely outstanding shopping section. Seriously, people, I haven't seen the majority of products on the site, not even the ones made in the U.S.! The olfattorio vase above (you've got to love that name) is an Italian product based on perfumery equipment; the shape allows access to a single, perfect bloom for both viewing and sniffing. Total genius and a reasonably priced gift ($59).<br />
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There's so much here at every price point! There's tea infusers shaped like submarines for $13, gorgeous rustic charred wood candlesticks from Japan for $130, and super expensive artsy skateboards for over two grand (if you're feeling profligate). The site is nicely arranged and easy to navigate. All in all, The Toad pronounces Design Boom an explosively good find.<br />
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Visit Design Boom <a href="http://www.designboom.com/shop/design/" target="_blank">here</a>, and browse for hours. Don't blame me if you blast straight through your budget, though. You've been warned.The Toadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130189682029266517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333777801312653600.post-35241342063560751632015-08-19T14:38:00.004-07:002015-08-19T14:38:43.450-07:00Here's to The Hemp Underfoot<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWLrX2JQjiSwcXd631OTbxKQVkiA-G1DuloL0Xn037ZoFWOU2RG-SXJm4Pb49_rOyBB0kRbZzEKxt4vY12wYt0L8Vs1lT2Ih9L10cgWJZlkb1XrpfbBaYBnUR_mC4QYqXslc-iOAdi-Lr/s1600/daisy-weave-hemp-rug-3-round-100px-100px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWLrX2JQjiSwcXd631OTbxKQVkiA-G1DuloL0Xn037ZoFWOU2RG-SXJm4Pb49_rOyBB0kRbZzEKxt4vY12wYt0L8Vs1lT2Ih9L10cgWJZlkb1XrpfbBaYBnUR_mC4QYqXslc-iOAdi-Lr/s320/daisy-weave-hemp-rug-3-round-100px-100px.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a crappy photo, but you can see the charm and appeal, right?</td></tr>
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The Toad has lots of opinions about floors and floor coverings. Basically, she's a snob who would rather have no rugs upon her floor than a cheap rug sullying it up. The result? Bare floors abound at the Toad's!<br />
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I also take umbrage with rugs that look stylish but feel terrible on the feet. Sisal is an example of a totally mean spirited floor dressing joke: it may look ok, but your bare feet will scream with the first step on the scratchy, gnarled, vicious surface. Sisal is for rooms which no one enjoys.<br />
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That's why I was so pleasantly surprised to encounter this coiled, almost tropical doilyesque hemp rug at fabulous L.A. store Garde. Made sustainably in India (hemp is used for more than just recreation, people), these rugs come in all sizes and designs, but I prefer the smaller 3' size and circular motif of this one. It's both beachy, tropical, and even preppy all at once. And did I mention that it's not scratchy and foul underfoot? This rug is a find, and it would be perfect in a vacation home close to the beach, if you have one. Otherwise, you can just buy the rug anyway and pretend.<br />
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At $225, this rug isn't inexpensive. I'm sure you could find one at Pier 1 that would look similar for a fraction of the cost. And then you could pick stabby needles of hell out of your feet forever. At <a href="http://www.gardeshop.com/store/daisy-weave-hemp-rug-3-round/dp/3860">Garde</a>.The Toadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130189682029266517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333777801312653600.post-7552069495066874352015-08-10T10:21:00.001-07:002015-08-10T10:21:07.338-07:00A Tiny Book with Teeth<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANmgcRR-mUTQuQdvzKlDZ0FdejTVjhIjzmZxY2bgci2E6a3DuLY6eRd6JceBOF8SgbyIFIamCAfyMSanPZMYXjRge9V2L5ikZUHIXNt0sfwgikP9KBMs-qReExfQGzpQwJlVxkpzp-9XS/s1600/closed-book-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANmgcRR-mUTQuQdvzKlDZ0FdejTVjhIjzmZxY2bgci2E6a3DuLY6eRd6JceBOF8SgbyIFIamCAfyMSanPZMYXjRge9V2L5ikZUHIXNt0sfwgikP9KBMs-qReExfQGzpQwJlVxkpzp-9XS/s400/closed-book-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do you remember when Mt.St. Helen's erupted? You've never heard about it from this perspective.</td></tr>
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As a writer and a former art major, the Toad is a fan of small, creative endeavors that combine the two. Tiny books make wonderful gifts for creative, edgy people (if you're reading this blog, let's assume that means someone like yourself.)<br />
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Introducing a wonderful new tiny book, <i>Teeth</i>, by Obelus Projects creator and writer Mikel Wadewitz. First off, the quality of this book is very high, with lovely thick paper and gold ink embellishments. The other illustrations, by artist Belle Iskowitz, are detailed black and white pen and ink drawings that capture the story perfectly. And what, exactly, is the story behind <i>Teeth</i>? It involves a Wadewitz childhood memory of living in Portland, Oregon, when Mt. St. Helen's blew its top, his fascination with Harry Truman, the literal old man on the mountain who refused to leave and died in the explosion, and a small act of theft. Teeth manages to capture a historic moment in a child's life without being cloying or annoyingly sentimental. Wadewitz relays his memories with authenticity, but sticks firmly to an adult perspective. The book is both a pleasure to read and to view.<br />
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<i>Teeth</i> is part of what is, hopefully, a larger series called <i>The Little Deaths</i>. When you order <i>Teeth</i>, for just $20, you buy a piece of limited edition art and help fund future endeavors. For just $5 more, Wadewitz includes a music playlist, too. Order <a href="http://www.obelusprojects.com/purchase.html">here</a>, and support the independent art world.The Toadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130189682029266517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333777801312653600.post-48740064791170974342015-08-05T10:59:00.002-07:002015-08-05T10:59:14.999-07:00Instant Pegboard Organization for The Very Lazy<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dkPfBGKHPrnUAMQAMMD_lEbE5lpBjAd963KnXfp3FhpUl9BmLPwUUyGgx4V2nEzJJbHgIxV6CN9ioQkgZUI5JMc2R7PH1ytWBuJpcq61Z9ru0jkaT9UdBBJOtf96R0-RZnfhdFDivqHA/s1600/pegboard-grey-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dkPfBGKHPrnUAMQAMMD_lEbE5lpBjAd963KnXfp3FhpUl9BmLPwUUyGgx4V2nEzJJbHgIxV6CN9ioQkgZUI5JMc2R7PH1ytWBuJpcq61Z9ru0jkaT9UdBBJOtf96R0-RZnfhdFDivqHA/s320/pegboard-grey-small.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This person used it for photography, but you could use it for jewelry, keys, or other sundry collections.</td></tr>
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One of the stand out things in the classic Julia Child kitchen was her pegboard: an entire wall section of board and hooks, with stenciled outlines of pans and equipment for easy storage and display. It was inspired, pleasing to the eye, and cheap.<br />
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Well, The Toad likes inspired and pleasing organization, but she's a bit shaky on cheap, since that often means she'll have to do it herself. For all you handy DIYers out there, that works out fine; you like nothing more than to lurk the hardware store aisles, losing yourself in building materials. Alas, The Toad's talents are quite limited in this arena, and installing her own pegboard station falls way outside her limits.<br />
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So it's perfect that the design company Block has created such lovely pegboards, all ready to set up and use anywhere, any time. Unlike standard pegboards, Block's inventions come in different sizes and colors, ranging from pale blue and natural to bright yellow and orange. There's a small freestanding size (perhaps ideal for a landing strip), and larger sizes for offices and even kitchens. Did I mention the pegs? They're nifty and wooden and have colorful heads, unlike the utilitarian metal hooks and such found at the hardware store. I just love these!<br />
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You can find them at <a href="https://bezar.com/shop/house/block-2/small-pegboard-grey-mp1034273/17162">Bezar</a>, ranging in cost from $37-$49. Buy one or five of these suckers, hang it, and forget it.The Toadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130189682029266517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333777801312653600.post-53242191797943810192014-12-10T12:25:00.002-08:002014-12-10T12:25:38.930-08:00Four 2015 Colors of the Year, All Better Than Pantone's Dismal MarsalaBy now, you've all read The Toad's anti-Marsala screed. Seriously, I expected far better from the likes of you, Pantone.<br />
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I've listed these colors in order of my preference. Some are only marginally better than Marsala, and some are just light years ahead. Still, I'm not sure I would want to live with vast quantities of any of these colors; one I wouldn't use at all (although I can understand its appeal) and others I'd only use as accents. But hey, you might disagree.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5QevC3k2i7avvAX0_9j7UFtXb4rWnj7cHkoPlAXS8P4V1fif0P3vc9_N-dJRuDxL-uRbo2pVrYBW3U1b30Mr6N2a-vNg7Wjrog3y_Gt7Fs1rpqniMhUngjVuDun5iaFiMYBw7HULZ2jN/s1600/guifordgreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5QevC3k2i7avvAX0_9j7UFtXb4rWnj7cHkoPlAXS8P4V1fif0P3vc9_N-dJRuDxL-uRbo2pVrYBW3U1b30Mr6N2a-vNg7Wjrog3y_Gt7Fs1rpqniMhUngjVuDun5iaFiMYBw7HULZ2jN/s1600/guifordgreen.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I guess you could use this instead of beige. But be careful of the snot factor.</td></tr>
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First up is Benjamin Moore's Guilford Green. This is my least favorite, although I'd take 40 gallons of it over Marsala. It's being sold as a neutral, and I can see the possibilities, although I also think it looks like phlegm very early on in a sinus infection. Sorry to leave you with that image stuck in your brain, but that's how I see it. And for god's sake, don't put this color in a bathroom, unless you fancy looking like a snotty tissue every morning. Still, it could work in a very airy space. Not my favorite.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9anSMQBhpYZawYXi1I6_cSIzIeNLPZImuJVTFCXa7GUXxUKNAE2f2sedcOOxvAmHl7_oFwer2Yq35fAvAU8lyDpLOz4zW5eN3CDGqlzHGC78A_wcwQt1gL-dEURXcnZBCeSnRFNWONv_M/s1600/bluepaisley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9anSMQBhpYZawYXi1I6_cSIzIeNLPZImuJVTFCXa7GUXxUKNAE2f2sedcOOxvAmHl7_oFwer2Yq35fAvAU8lyDpLOz4zW5eN3CDGqlzHGC78A_wcwQt1gL-dEURXcnZBCeSnRFNWONv_M/s1600/bluepaisley.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For some reason, I find this blue slightly infantile.</td></tr>
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Onto Pittsburgh Paint's Blue Paisley. This is a dramatic blue, but it's a bit too something for my tastes. It seems a bit childlike, like a color favored by cheap ass plastic toy makers. I can see a splash of it as a pillow, but I wouldn't want it on a wall. At least it doesn't remind me of anything to do with the human body; that's a good sign, right?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-Hhf-EnmZsbYxeo2kFWn1OFI6tkxWCIn-Gm66xQcI8WAG_WV4oFG7Qpc0fK6vb225_a3Ybo0WEnX13Ye8dEfNWpCOFWz_YGOhtqlutP_bm5nql-fb2Qitwd7DLdK_sBr0OFJ0HFVR0U5/s1600/coral+reef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-Hhf-EnmZsbYxeo2kFWn1OFI6tkxWCIn-Gm66xQcI8WAG_WV4oFG7Qpc0fK6vb225_a3Ybo0WEnX13Ye8dEfNWpCOFWz_YGOhtqlutP_bm5nql-fb2Qitwd7DLdK_sBr0OFJ0HFVR0U5/s1600/coral+reef.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is honestly pretty without being annoyingly cloying.</td></tr>
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Next up: Sherwin Williams' Coral Reef. This is more like it. While I feel that this sort of pinky orange has been done before, it's a color I like for an accent wall or linens. It's pretty without having that gross girly factor, and it rocks with darker, moody colors (spectacular with grays and greiges). I would use this color.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJSvlie4iHXrS469hzQQlpJaLGhK08oNPHiZQWezsgLCIdtkRaPTJoSNrJ5NMfdJnJx-02jfvrg0yNkzIRxd7a-ur2b_FHjdlJKTzOPkMZa3gSmjOwORUNdTt220pah7zPnymvoINC9wA/s1600/coastal-surf-2015-color-of-the-year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJSvlie4iHXrS469hzQQlpJaLGhK08oNPHiZQWezsgLCIdtkRaPTJoSNrJ5NMfdJnJx-02jfvrg0yNkzIRxd7a-ur2b_FHjdlJKTzOPkMZa3gSmjOwORUNdTt220pah7zPnymvoINC9wA/s1600/coastal-surf-2015-color-of-the-year.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My personal favorite, as it could go boho or modernist.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Last, and my favorite: Kelly Moore's Coastal Surf. Personally, this intense blue doesn't remind me of surf at all. Instead, I see Morocco, Yves St. Laurent, and Yves Klein. It really lends itself to outdoor spaces and tiled interiors. A little of it goes a long way, though. A whole room of this would be overwhelming. I would love to do a section of courtyard in this color, or maybe one wall of a powder room.<br />
<br />
So, there you go: four colors for 2015 that kick the crap out of Pantone's Marsala. There is hope. You're welcome.The Toadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130189682029266517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333777801312653600.post-89615579124115278312014-12-04T09:44:00.002-08:002014-12-04T09:44:30.344-08:00Pantone's 2015 Color of the Year is... Barfy<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VkKgxAz1oe2F_5jw9IjC8XwC5MExyqGm-VBooJEbsZCiQzJrQe5rW9igUJPBSEAiZXdWP8G7zrJYrr-BKNkOFhpxcpvMETculEQ9L_4b5Qc0k9eUHRCdHIttcJdgIUA8mQYqKQg5Y5Xo/s1600/ProductImage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VkKgxAz1oe2F_5jw9IjC8XwC5MExyqGm-VBooJEbsZCiQzJrQe5rW9igUJPBSEAiZXdWP8G7zrJYrr-BKNkOFhpxcpvMETculEQ9L_4b5Qc0k9eUHRCdHIttcJdgIUA8mQYqKQg5Y5Xo/s1600/ProductImage.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ew. Enough said.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well, ok, no. It's not called "Barfy." It's called "Marsala." As in the wine. Although the last time I checked the color of wine, it was deep and rich, garnet in tone, not drab and subdued.<br />
<br />
I've had problems with Pantone's color choices over the years. I felt that Emerald was a bit much, a little too Emerald City to use in anything more than tiny amounts. But Marsala is way, way worse. This is simply not a nice color. It looks creepy next to skin. It looks institutional in hue. And, worst of all, it looks like liver.<br />
<br />
Who wants a livery pillow? Or an organ hued wall? This color evokes, at least for an old dinosaur like myself, the production design of Silence of the Lambs. It's a color a serial killer would love; it is not a color for the living.<br />
<br />
As for the name, the only connection it has to actual marsala wine is if it's been vomited up after a night of revelry. Gross, but true.<br />
<br />
I really, really, really hate this color. I'm done now.The Toadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130189682029266517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333777801312653600.post-51709402193926476552014-10-30T11:57:00.002-07:002014-10-30T11:57:31.967-07:00Watch Out: Autumnal Pumpkin Pillows Post Sitting Hazard<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cI4-vqUgPWONPI3pcs-fDdaRvjd4J6n6sL3OOcLqhS9IOw1K4SOpj5zTaFt0AZbvWV5oMeFzhTYOQza3Iw86FSgZfjX6U3FLwgdKDhqOYfGBYUnkhD0zyKg2pnvPONfJcBefBnl3FBL7/s1600/165642SET_is.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cI4-vqUgPWONPI3pcs-fDdaRvjd4J6n6sL3OOcLqhS9IOw1K4SOpj5zTaFt0AZbvWV5oMeFzhTYOQza3Iw86FSgZfjX6U3FLwgdKDhqOYfGBYUnkhD0zyKg2pnvPONfJcBefBnl3FBL7/s1600/165642SET_is.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ask a guest you hate to have a seat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We are officially in Fall! I would be totally excited, except for the fact that it's still about 80 degrees here in L.A., all my boots are still in storage, and I can't wear a sweater without it becoming a sauna situation.<br />
<br />
Plus, even in this heat, we must tolerate the Fall Decor. Perhaps nothing sums it up better than McSweeney's classic essay, <a href="http://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/its-decorative-gourd-season-motherfuckers">"It's Decorative Gourd Season, Motherfuckers,"</a> but I shall try to add to the Fall decor dissing peanut gallery. After all, it's pretty easy pickings: just check out these pumpkin pillows from Gump's.<br />
<br />
First off, they are, indeed, autumnal in color. Such rich reds, yellows, ochres, and greens. They are also that very practical fabric, velvet (actually, cats don't like velvet and won't claw it, so I suppose it really is a practical fabric, even though, in this case, I wouldn't mind my cat batting one of these monsters across the room). And, the crowning glory are the real pumpkin stems growing from these jewel toned puffs. Yes, they have been scavenged from real pumpkins and reattached, Re-Animator style, to the pillows (in honor of Halloween, perhaps). Don't they look like real pumpkins? No?<br />
<br />
I'll tell you what these puppies really are: a sitting hazard. Imagine innocently wandering into the living room and unceremoniously flopping onto the couch. But, instead of landing on the couch itself, you plummet onto one of these pillows, realistic stem up. Ouch. Actually, worse than ouch. More like, a trip to the emergency room, looking just like an autumnal baboon. Try explaining that away to the doctor on call. Just try.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />The Toadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130189682029266517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333777801312653600.post-66766547574887780842014-04-23T15:22:00.000-07:002014-04-23T15:22:19.046-07:00Spring into Spring with A Wacamole Planter<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsGfuZXhzx7LpPHWaxLNATRfAaR8k7rezG_Ycmb4v4Aj6rBDjPHkxqmW164YgWS5oK-IQuR8VvUmfiz7JT3UJ-mjCY9wjdePjz8afIb09L97aHr5AlRxuO7FfHYFHyMqDm3UJwx_2EnoZ/s1600/wacamole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsGfuZXhzx7LpPHWaxLNATRfAaR8k7rezG_Ycmb4v4Aj6rBDjPHkxqmW164YgWS5oK-IQuR8VvUmfiz7JT3UJ-mjCY9wjdePjz8afIb09L97aHr5AlRxuO7FfHYFHyMqDm3UJwx_2EnoZ/s1600/wacamole.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's one funny planter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm not sure we really had a winter here in Los Angeles, but now spring is definitely here. I've already started planting my food stuffs, like a Thai chili pepper plant, dill, and chives (I plan on making a lot of smelly food).<br />
<br />
Yep, it's planting season here, and I'm sure the rest of the country wants spring to have sprung as well. To just add to the fertile cheer, treat your favorite green thumb to a planter from the Spanish company, Wacamole. I mean, come on: how cute is it? Those little dangly legs, the fun and funky plant options on top, make these planters simply too much fun. Some rest, like this one, on a ledge or counter, some hang, some are splayed in a front split, and some have festive paint jobs. All are hand crafted and unique.<br />
<br />
Naturally, these are not at bargain basement prices. Wacamole planters start at around $50 a pop. But just think of the springtime giggles they'll evoke, At <a href="http://wacamoleceramic.bigcartel.com/">Wacamole</a>.The Toadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130189682029266517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333777801312653600.post-46736070287861399832014-04-08T12:02:00.002-07:002014-04-08T12:02:56.170-07:00The End of Dieting, My Ass: A Review of The End of Dieting by Dr. Joel Fuhrman<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Q_3W6qR36W7OCZ9PRkhwsDOasPJmF3HZ-mrUeFgg9IUkRJXWF_qw4XgExm628TJw1rKyBCH6GknmDlltmwIKairrISqqRAFkCyebI0wz3GicWZd4aUDoz2IAeCLi0CcV3uHOwkcbP59z/s1600/ChocolateBrownie3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Q_3W6qR36W7OCZ9PRkhwsDOasPJmF3HZ-mrUeFgg9IUkRJXWF_qw4XgExm628TJw1rKyBCH6GknmDlltmwIKairrISqqRAFkCyebI0wz3GicWZd4aUDoz2IAeCLi0CcV3uHOwkcbP59z/s1600/ChocolateBrownie3.jpg" height="271" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Want these? Well, unless they contain black beans and chia seeds, you're not getting them!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Even though The Toad tries to be a savvy exerciser and informed healthy citizen, she occasionally indulges in a little self help. Seeing the title The End of Dieting, by Dr. Joel Fuhrman, and feeling a bit bloated, she thought it might be worth a read. Perhaps it would have new information, some helpful, reasonable eating tips, or a consumption philosophy that would allow for copious amounts of healthy chocolate on a regular basis. An amphibian can dream.<br />
<br />
Well, a fool is soon parted with her $12.99. I discovered that The End of Dieting is not, in fact, the <i>end</i> of dieting, it's simply the beginning of an insanely restrictive diet that's supposed to last <i>the rest of your miserable life</i>.<br />
<br />
Dr. Fuhrman's diet plan isn't just an actual diet, it's an actual diet based on some fairly extreme vegan concepts. Fuhrman is against dairy, meat, almost all fats and oils of any kind, sugar, wheat, most grains, and anything else you might be tempted to stick in your hungry, gaping maw. What does that leave you with? Well, a whole bunch of salads and some cooked veggies, some tofu, some tempeh, and a stockpot full of tears. I've rarely seen a diet as restrictive as Fuhrman's, and I'm just guessing that it's designed for people who are at death's door in terms of their nutritive health; who need someone as sure and bossy as Fuhrman to tell them just what they can eat so they won't drop dead.<br />
<br />
Fuhrman has lots of science to back him up regarding the traditional food pyramid and American diet. There's no question that American diets are less than ideal, and lead to a host of avoidable health problems. But I do wonder: is it necessary to move so far in the opposite direction?<br />
<br />
Fuhrman has virtually nothing good to say about any other culture's diet, either. Take the Mediterranean diet, for example. He spends time criticizing it because the current state of Mediterranean people's health isn't all that good, because they've americanized their diets. So, fine, I guess Italians have been hitting the Big Macs recently. But that has no bearing on the actual elements of the Mediterranean diet, which has, when followed, led to legions of healthy old Greeks and Italians (all that beautiful smooth taut skin involves a bunch of healthy fat in the diet). Fuhrman side steps this, and simply throws all that good olive oil out the window like the contents of an old chamberpot.<br />
<br />
The most puzzling thing of all about The End of Dieting isn't just that it's super restrictive; that's been going on for forever. It's that Dr. Fuhrman, when it comes to cuisine, appears to be stuck in the '70s. You remember "health food" in the '70s, don't you (although I'm probably dating myself here as an old dinosaur). Healthy food had to be bland food, often in unappetizing forms, such as bean loaves and carob, nuts masquerading as meat (other cultures do this alchemy far better than ours) and tofu as a substitute for everything (soy, as it turns out, isn't necessarily very good for a body, but I guess Dr. Fuhrman never got that memo about that science. There's some scientific cherry picking going on here).<br />
<br />
The real standout of The End of Dieting is the Recipes section, which seems like an odd thing to include in an anti-diet book (then again, the tome includes sample meal plans, which seems awfully diet like to me). The recipes mostly amount to a buttload of beans; perhaps the book's alternate title could be The End of Socializing. Beans even make an appearance in the dessert section: Fudgey Black Bean Brownies (with an avocado topping, no less. It contains no chocolate whatsoever). My husband Mr. Crab calls this recipe "the culinary equivalent of a suicide note," explaining that, "all you need to do is make a batch, set them on the counter, and do the deed. Your friends and family will understand."<br />
<br />
Dr. Fuhrman's final point comes in his patronizing Epilogue, in which he states that "... The nay-sayers are typically food addicts fighting to maintain their addictions with the "myth of moderation." Really? While I do not deny that there are many people out there who could benefit, health wise, from less meat, less fast food, less fat, and less sugar, I hardly think that anyone who nay-says Fuhrman's book is a food addict. Perhaps they just, you know, <br />
like food beyond beans, kale, and chia seeds. That could be it. Then again, I read this book right after a trip to In-N-Out Burger, so what do I know?<br />
<br />
It was delicious.The Toadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130189682029266517noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333777801312653600.post-22762152674295215312014-03-31T13:50:00.000-07:002014-03-31T13:50:09.987-07:00Thoughts on the Demise of DailyCandy<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4_LLmheDaIs3lQ0X3ozBTyWwuCPGXu48W1FtEMq4IUehjhEh90eMsnhkkxZNLmFxvxD2d0i84uh4k4-J364GdJFQDcYH9N3jPQqL3yNpX6ic1aG-mg_Qfv4SuZGEHzY8WFc4kcoUdvbR/s1600/candy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4_LLmheDaIs3lQ0X3ozBTyWwuCPGXu48W1FtEMq4IUehjhEh90eMsnhkkxZNLmFxvxD2d0i84uh4k4-J364GdJFQDcYH9N3jPQqL3yNpX6ic1aG-mg_Qfv4SuZGEHzY8WFc4kcoUdvbR/s1600/candy.jpeg" height="320" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's all gone, gone, gone.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Frankly, I hadn't thought much about DailyCandy, the daily "in the know" online subscription service, in an age. It hasn't seemed relevant in a while.. That's probably why it's now gone, a victim of no longer being the first in the know, competing with endless other sites for inside information. It simply got lost in the shuffle.<br />
<br />
When I first saw DailyCandy, I was in love. Its short, pithy little entries about everything from products to restaurants to hair salons was totally new and fresh. In fact, I wanted to write for DailyCandy, quite desperately. I wrote them, and obviously never heard back. Still, that rejection pushed me forward into creating Find A Toad, sort of my own little version. I've written about pretty much anything and everything I've wanted, baring of course the deeply personal. I guess I owe DailyCandy for that.<br />
<br />
There now seem to be a thousand versions of exclusive tidbit sites, ranging from the fairly cynical Dead Cool (which is completely uncool and seems a slave to publicity mavens), to the countless discount sites, which make you wonder exactly who pays top dollar for anything anymore. Is everything at a discount? And, if everything is at a discount, doesn't that mean that the discount is the new full price? Just wondering.<br />
<br />
So, that's my little obituary for the end of a taste making, trend spotting, and ultimately visionary site, done in by, I suppose, doing its job so well that it paved the way for too many imitators. Rest in peace, DailyCandy.The Toadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130189682029266517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333777801312653600.post-48149835255846487992014-02-03T08:55:00.002-08:002014-02-03T08:55:46.710-08:00Say The Words, Wear The Words<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsu5hifiRJYKJtKiMbSvlY_FK0dVxYV5f_THtG4Wz3KV6t6x6PofpKU41a7cKQwMj7x15w3Ji7t5JBxsTZaKGtHs52psey1GLWLukZVkF4IuL1ePWg4E0jGXTN5TRlcYHJLB20VQv8LEsp/s1600/audiojewelry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsu5hifiRJYKJtKiMbSvlY_FK0dVxYV5f_THtG4Wz3KV6t6x6PofpKU41a7cKQwMj7x15w3Ji7t5JBxsTZaKGtHs52psey1GLWLukZVkF4IuL1ePWg4E0jGXTN5TRlcYHJLB20VQv8LEsp/s1600/audiojewelry.jpg" height="291" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">God knows what these are saying, but I'm sure it's charming.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As you well know, jewelry is a big favorite as a Valentine's Day gift. Tiffany & Co certainly knows that, since my email and feeds have been inundated with advertising for expensive baubles.<br />
<br />
While diamonds are nice, they're impersonal. Why not immortalize your own words with a David Bizer audio file necklace or keyring? The concept is pretty brilliant: create an audio file of what you'd like to say to your love (something short, please, now is not the time to recite Jabberwocky). Then, use the jewelry maker's site to send the audio file. He'll create a plywood or acrylic representation of your file, either as a necklace or a keychain. It's so much less obvious that a necklace that sports "I Love You." I can see the necklace also strung on a wall as an art piece, too. Inside jokes, pet names, unique endearments, all work beautifully. You can even get dirty and no one will know.<br />
<br />
If you want one, better order it pronto at <a href="http://bza.biz/">bza.biz</a>. Prices are in pounds, but seem to cap out at around $80 or so.The Toadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130189682029266517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333777801312653600.post-53531437335914924232014-01-31T08:50:00.001-08:002014-01-31T08:50:09.965-08:00Fuzzy Wuzzy Valentine<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDD_5FIKIlxlXE2_dU11OGULh1SPCJaXw82yOHfBBBcumSLm_ly3GL0CkJTR-i5S5GAgq5LJlUxJNwkHPq5Ij1x2UnZJWLicvqd43ax8ZXT6krxY085-zOQXg-9hJfyr4FSevlyfThmDr6/s1600/sheepskin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDD_5FIKIlxlXE2_dU11OGULh1SPCJaXw82yOHfBBBcumSLm_ly3GL0CkJTR-i5S5GAgq5LJlUxJNwkHPq5Ij1x2UnZJWLicvqd43ax8ZXT6krxY085-zOQXg-9hJfyr4FSevlyfThmDr6/s1600/sheepskin.jpg" height="400" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lie down beside the fire, Baby.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Now that I've gotten all my crabby out regarding Valentine's Day (see previous post), the Toad is ready to give some solid romantic suggestions.<br />
<br />
Everyone has fantasies about that romantic evening, lying in front of the fire, some fine wine in hand, smooching it up. But if you don't have a landing pad for your achy bones, that lying by the fire might require a medic alert to help you get up. Plus, you might notice some less than lovely little details, like dust bunnies the size of buffaloes, rolling your way. The solution? Buy your lady or man a sheepskin rug for a little floor lounging comfort. Sheepskin rugs are soft, silky, non-shedding and machine washable. They also look great either on the floor (for your lurid purposes) or laid across the foot of a bed, Scandinavian style. This is really a practical gift for the household.<br />
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A word of warning: your pets will go crazy for sheepskins. Cats will sleep on it in submersed circles; dogs will roll on their backs, scratching an itch, making unsavory noises. Did I mention these are machine washable? At <a href="http://www.sheepskintown.com/ivory-white-sheepskin-rug-single-2x35-p-229.html">Sheepskin Town</a>, starting at just $59.The Toadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130189682029266517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333777801312653600.post-56288143261566264432014-01-30T12:32:00.001-08:002014-01-30T12:33:12.973-08:00Opining on Valentine's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdL5ANzqOzPOgKC8FuFrzHjTkUoDrpqxp_ADNfCbibdYCs3_dWq5i68mtiOoEJq0TrBRQYt3ng9WuJ14OcER3tTrMMmUTsJzHYBwViDFRissbZZ-6e3goJjwHgDRIKZAGOsjh2qmn1Eu3/s1600/hearts.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdL5ANzqOzPOgKC8FuFrzHjTkUoDrpqxp_ADNfCbibdYCs3_dWq5i68mtiOoEJq0TrBRQYt3ng9WuJ14OcER3tTrMMmUTsJzHYBwViDFRissbZZ-6e3goJjwHgDRIKZAGOsjh2qmn1Eu3/s1600/hearts.jpeg" height="346" width="400" /></a></div>
As a gift and product blogger, I realize that The Toad has a responsibility to come up with a bevy of gifts for Valentine's Day. Then why do I have such mixed feelings about it?<br />
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For those of you who've never considered the holiday's origins, Valentine's Day stems from the ordeal of St. Valentine, a Roman era Christian who tried to convince the Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity. He lost, and died in the process, but not before apparently curing the Emperor's daughter of some sort of fatal illness. St. Valentine literally lost his head for, I suppose, his love of his faith. How this translates into giving your partner a big box of candy eludes me.<br />
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There's all sorts of pressure surrounding Valentine's Day, especially for men. The aforementioned candy, expensive bouquets of flowers, trashy lingerie, all seems to be required. Not to mention the requisite love note, probably soon to become love e-note. And then there's the dinner plans. Never mind the fact that Valentine's Day is possibly the worst night of the year, besides New Year's Eve, for going out for a meal. All those back to back reservations and prix fixe menus virtually guarantees any restaurant kitchen will end up in the weeds. Once, I actually walked home from a prix fixe Valentine's Day meal because we'd been there for hours with very little results. Romantic!<br />
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The Toad recommends dinner, for certain, but probably of the pizza or take out type (maybe ethnic). Save the excellent meal for the following weekend, when the restaurants are back to normal and you can order at your leisure (now, <i>that's</i> romantic).<br />
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Other thoughts: live plants, not flowers that are going to die. A gorgeous orchid or succulent planting is far more satisfying than watching roses croak. On the lingerie front, how about some underwear she might actually want to wear? Visit any <a href="http://www.hankypanky.com/?mkwid=s9bng9IQs&pcrid=29101045613&match=Exact&kw=hanky%20panky&gclid=CP-R5sHeprwCFYqPfgodthsAwg">Hanky Panky</a> site for ideas, from thongs to boy shorts to cami tops.<br />
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As this holiday is labeled a "Hallmark" one, a card is a must. But please, look for something not so generic. And write something in it besides your name. It doesn't have to be poetry, it just has to be either funny or heartfelt. Preferably both.<br />
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So yeah, Valentine's Day is weird, and I have mixed feelings, but I guess it's still a requirement. Stay tuned for individual V-Day gift ideas coming soon.The Toadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130189682029266517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333777801312653600.post-48228724604230314272014-01-13T13:03:00.001-08:002014-01-13T13:03:13.871-08:00De-Clutter Now, You Lazy Slobs<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgDKlYfwOgGTUbEpfiumHUYicSmtqIks0OW0LO8ySXQ0hmCYumAg3rOGJC3h6TQOVQlOClP4COZMbuSyE13W3DDp9i_qbUgRpCyMU4XtPqdDp44LvLE18wcvSTmDDQzI9yE16_PDNIgBA/s1600/Dixon-Branded-Intersectl-Valet-Remodelista.jpg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgDKlYfwOgGTUbEpfiumHUYicSmtqIks0OW0LO8ySXQ0hmCYumAg3rOGJC3h6TQOVQlOClP4COZMbuSyE13W3DDp9i_qbUgRpCyMU4XtPqdDp44LvLE18wcvSTmDDQzI9yE16_PDNIgBA/s320/Dixon-Branded-Intersectl-Valet-Remodelista.jpg.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This person will never need a GPS to find his keys.</td></tr>
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Just when you thought it was safe to come out from the under the dried up christmas tree (the relatives are gone, I promise), you're getting all kinds of flack for not having your house in order. You know: it's de-clutter time in January, so that you can start off the year right and organized, instead of lonely and intoxicated on the couch.<br />
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Most of this de-cluttering trend includes lots of elbow grease in terms of cleaning, and plenty of time spent rummaging through closets and trying to decide what to toss (and where to toss it). It's exhausting just contemplating it.<br />
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That's why the Toad recommends starting with the entryway, the place in your home where everything piles up. Because you can't afford a butler, and if you have a coat closet it's probably stuffed full of crap (that you haven't gotten around to tossing), you need a landing pad. This ash and brass valet from Cincinnati brand Dixon offers one stylish solution, with hooks for hanging coats and a small shelf for phones and keys. It's clean and modern, yet warm and welcoming. And it keeps your entryway from looking like the aftermath of an NYC sample sale.<br />
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The Intersect Valet sells for $148; there are also individual hooks available for $29 each. At <a href="http://dixonbranded.bigcartel.com/product/intersect-rail-w-shelf">Dixon Branded.</a>The Toadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130189682029266517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333777801312653600.post-7785809572537867592013-12-03T11:34:00.000-08:002013-12-03T11:35:41.558-08:00DuVenay Does Great Vintage<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOYa-cr6TkeS8oqgDaeQI2BWs6FAmWXkJs5qRjK-gbNuU_gTsSyKHEYVoehIGMeFJIwz-ubrcXI4GTwpOE-jrQ3AWm0v6ioEDgg7tofu1NmyH9rlrCsTXO74YIdHrFEgCcDW6Fea03aWq/s1600/carnelianring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOYa-cr6TkeS8oqgDaeQI2BWs6FAmWXkJs5qRjK-gbNuU_gTsSyKHEYVoehIGMeFJIwz-ubrcXI4GTwpOE-jrQ3AWm0v6ioEDgg7tofu1NmyH9rlrCsTXO74YIdHrFEgCcDW6Fea03aWq/s320/carnelianring.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Real gold and real jewels for the elegantly attired.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9PgDMWWiH8UK4l6ef8vU2yEp5Tj1VeDQfUyn9rAnB5qmwnJTFFFOsEYuxnAcaRq0C44veaUAGx6sJJ9doZ7LnoL3YLN8hUE5O97us09suPIQbdTb5bdgXfGzhOWfPKveWQ1aDE8B09l_/s1600/sterlingearrings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9PgDMWWiH8UK4l6ef8vU2yEp5Tj1VeDQfUyn9rAnB5qmwnJTFFFOsEYuxnAcaRq0C44veaUAGx6sJJ9doZ7LnoL3YLN8hUE5O97us09suPIQbdTb5bdgXfGzhOWfPKveWQ1aDE8B09l_/s200/sterlingearrings.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While there are some giftees who will only want shiny and new for the holidays, there are others who long for the elegantly preserved (and I don't mean jam). Great vintage is hard to find, and reasonably priced great vintage is rarer still.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DuVenay, a small but selective vintage store on Etsy, manages to deliver vintage for those on a budget (at least, compared to the crazy stuff in L.A., I'm talking to you, PaperBag Princess). The very classy purveyor of this store (shown as a lounging lady looking elegant and so very relaxed), has accumulated an intimate but quintessential selection. You might find a lovely black Gucci bag, or a Rudi Gernreich silk scarf, all in terrific condition. But where DuVenay really shines is in the jewelry selection. In keeping with the Toad's lower price point, there are only lower priced items here, like 1950s sterling earrings or an old yet modernist carnelian signet ring. There are other, more expensive offerings, but nothing is over a grand (a holiday miracle, really).</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pay DuVenay a visit for the vintage fan on your list. You might even pick up a bauble for yourself. At <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/DuVenay">DuVenay.</a></span></div>
The Toadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130189682029266517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333777801312653600.post-63980494376049274562013-12-02T13:01:00.002-08:002013-12-02T13:01:28.627-08:00Gilding the Jewelry<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdFlYYrfu8tWgoZIYTgrldDF_mNG6p3EdPDgVfV6UovC-uWws5HNOG_7qyFveqOlyp22BU3T2qmgbxpt3BAFCskXcH8bl0o0N4_gS2P70ocalUkkXR34MzUW0um3oJ2F-D2qiGLz4oolZ/s1600/littlebowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdFlYYrfu8tWgoZIYTgrldDF_mNG6p3EdPDgVfV6UovC-uWws5HNOG_7qyFveqOlyp22BU3T2qmgbxpt3BAFCskXcH8bl0o0N4_gS2P70ocalUkkXR34MzUW0um3oJ2F-D2qiGLz4oolZ/s400/littlebowl.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Behold the golden bowl.</td></tr>
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Normally, I'm not one who spends time thinking about how to wrap gifts. I mean, I understand the idea and the romance of beautifully wrapped, gorgeous gifts under the tree, but then that lovely wrapping and ribbons are reduced to trash, unceremoniously crumpled into bags and hauled to the curb. It just doesn't seem worth the extra effort.<br />
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However, what's ideal is when the wrapping can actually be part of the gift. Say you're giving jewelry, like earrings or a ring. Why not nestle the jewels inside one of these ever so practical little wooden turquoise and golden bowls? Encase the package in cellophane, add one ribbon, and you're done. It's like two gifts in one. These little bowls could later hold rings or earrings, or be used at table to hold <br />
coarse sea salt, or store a small amount of quarters for the meter. It's not a unitasker.<br />
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Find these bowls, just 12 bucks each, at <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/117165610/turquoise-and-gold-wood-dish-jewelry">Paragraphloop on Etsy</a>. It'll look as impressive as a three hour Martha Stewart wrap job, but with multiple uses. And that, my friends, is really a good thing.The Toadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130189682029266517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333777801312653600.post-6109537587572551332013-11-14T10:08:00.001-08:002013-11-14T10:08:25.875-08:00Holy Betta Poop: The AquaFarm Makes Kitchen Gardening Easy<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsIpPul_pn9xrKxhbzcPPomQGOKAXW4qpWElH3UFN7tlIq_DWFTmvpaDqcwQbLeh_th8N6ZsCi2JDzHLRJ9F3x0A4CgVhhcMt8odfeSM8b_ZKx1XJ1wfAJ30gcO5evYZLnZmzn2Y8YlZQ/s1600/aquafarm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsIpPul_pn9xrKxhbzcPPomQGOKAXW4qpWElH3UFN7tlIq_DWFTmvpaDqcwQbLeh_th8N6ZsCi2JDzHLRJ9F3x0A4CgVhhcMt8odfeSM8b_ZKx1XJ1wfAJ30gcO5evYZLnZmzn2Y8YlZQ/s400/aquafarm.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These kids are enjoying the cycle of growth in action!</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think that, at this point, almost everyone has had a Betta fish living with them. As pretty as these fancy fish are, they don't usually add much to your home's productivity. Until now.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Introducing the AquaFarm. This aquarium/home and kitchen garden operates on a simple concept. The fish lives in the aquarium below, living its fishy existence, while the plants of your choice (if Fish lives in the kitchen, herbs would be nice) live on top, and prosper and thrive on the water and fish poop below. Apparently, the AquaFarm is even self cleaning (which is more than I can say for the ultra cool, but algae prone, stackable modernist fish bowls my fish occupy). This would be a wonderful gift for an apartment dwelling child: she'll enjoy the fish, and learn about growing foodstuff too. That's a pretty green gift. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The AquaFarm comes with aquatic supplies and plant seeds, the owner supplies the water and fertilizing fish. $59.99 at <a href="https://backtotheroots.com/shop/aquafarm">Back To The Roots</a>.</span>The Toadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130189682029266517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333777801312653600.post-76031808717888238542013-11-12T19:00:00.001-08:002013-11-12T19:00:26.586-08:00Yafah Menorah<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kV-Vsnx4b7yTs4TYuiFaq1LXucCgz4lZf62hv-kjK1qreYjzDeXZY2pOOdKvchmypyDX8rDXON7sI53jmk7MYMGxuq-Wj4R3Pe0lQvCr6AJ4YlgwNNchvqXhkBIwrqbyTwZX8VGvPbQj/s1600/menorah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kV-Vsnx4b7yTs4TYuiFaq1LXucCgz4lZf62hv-kjK1qreYjzDeXZY2pOOdKvchmypyDX8rDXON7sI53jmk7MYMGxuq-Wj4R3Pe0lQvCr6AJ4YlgwNNchvqXhkBIwrqbyTwZX8VGvPbQj/s400/menorah.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock your candles and spin the dreidel in style.</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year, the festival of lights comes early, say around Turkey Day, so the lighting up and the continuous nights of presents are coming up quickly. And are you and yours prepared with a yafah menorah?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yafah means beautiful in Hebrew, which is exactly the word to describe this handmade, handcarved, elegant menorah. Made of gorgeous walnut with a classic grain, this menorah would fit in just about any decor (but would truly shine in modernist setting). Created by Portland, OR designer Niles Snyder, this isn't a menorah you'd just pick up at Judiaca For Less. This is a keeper to light up your Chanukah table year after year.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The yafah walnut menorah is $75, a pittance for a potential family heirloom. At <a href="https://canoeonline.net/shop/inspect/hardwood-menorah">Canoe</a>.</span>The Toadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130189682029266517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333777801312653600.post-40622299333173721332013-11-08T08:50:00.002-08:002013-11-08T08:50:55.274-08:00Cross Stitch Some Holiday Snark<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2zBm13GWaZTTIxCYDPWe00QolEQQXNu15-tLzAyfhsJ1MkN8C56q7fQj6UGw7aD0s0PpglFlX3zUxb8heHcD5vA3L3FYZLSLm6wft8lZMyTwOZSN2ZEvfStKMSa-gW5GL7IzakbL-XmJ/s1600/subversivecrossstich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2zBm13GWaZTTIxCYDPWe00QolEQQXNu15-tLzAyfhsJ1MkN8C56q7fQj6UGw7aD0s0PpglFlX3zUxb8heHcD5vA3L3FYZLSLm6wft8lZMyTwOZSN2ZEvfStKMSa-gW5GL7IzakbL-XmJ/s320/subversivecrossstich.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's not your mother's DIY project. Or, maybe it is!</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember my mother needlepointing a very groovy, geometric pillow when I was a kid. It took her forever, and required multiple trips to the "Needles N' Tees" store for thread and accessories. It was a <i>project</i>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, that was then, but this is now, and what's very now is turning those needle skills into something more suitable for the times. Subversive Cross Stitch has that covered. Every one of its seemingly traditional, suitable for framing cross stitch kid designs is snarky and off putting, which of course makes it perfect to hang in your bathroom or gift a crafty yet sarcastic friend. The sayings range from the profane to the merely sardonic (see above), and from holiday themed to everyday rant. On top of all that "humor," a monkey could learn to cross stitch, so the giftee should be fine in that arena. Alternatively, you could stitch that sucker yourself and give the finished product.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At just $20 per kit, this gift is a bargain for a piece of, ahem, <i>decorative</i> art. Find out the myriad messages of self expression at <a href="http://www.subversivecrossstitch.com/">Subversive Cross Stitch</a>.</span>The Toadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130189682029266517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333777801312653600.post-82840601360715375092013-11-07T10:53:00.002-08:002013-11-07T10:53:46.795-08:00Permanent Turkey for Holiday Avian Decor<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9uPcwb7Czl969Rdagizo4IrtZSwA4bmtwZi5wlxVH1NWeYfNAPkb_CnEQ4TGC5t-tuNnr7MhhExYMQp9JhHbsdQCfzpZQ5hGMKHr_aXeobFpHJrs5W8G_XpzZ45QzTY6XBU0zM8vF5s7/s1600/turkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9uPcwb7Czl969Rdagizo4IrtZSwA4bmtwZi5wlxVH1NWeYfNAPkb_CnEQ4TGC5t-tuNnr7MhhExYMQp9JhHbsdQCfzpZQ5hGMKHr_aXeobFpHJrs5W8G_XpzZ45QzTY6XBU0zM8vF5s7/s320/turkey.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roasty, toasty, and juicier than most real birds!</td></tr>
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Thanksgiving isn't always about cooking. Sometimes, it's just about showing up somewhere and eating the fruits (or birds) of someone else's labors.<br />
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That's all well and good, but how can you participate and bring a gift suitable for both occasion and table? In the case of Thanksgiving, look no further than this handy dandy inflatable turkey. Folded neatly in a tin box, this plastic turkey inflates in minutes and adds definite drama to the holiday setting. Place it in the center of the table to sub for the real thing. Let it hang out on the sofa with guests (it makes a fine headrest in a pinch). Or, hang it from above the front door, as a sort of Thanksgiving themed mistletoe (perhaps mutual gobbles instead of kisses?).<br />
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At just $11.99, this is a holiday bird you can afford and use, time and time again. An added bonus: terrorizing vegans with it. At<a href="http://www.perpetualkid.com/inflatable-turkey.aspx?utm_source=googleshop&utm_medium=cse&utm_content=TURK-1940&utm_campaign=googlePLA&gclid=CPXk7NWp07oCFel_Qgod0XkAFg"> Perpetual Kid</a>.The Toadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130189682029266517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333777801312653600.post-16263399541531860342013-11-04T08:44:00.002-08:002013-11-04T08:44:44.077-08:00Scare Your Favorite Child with This Terrifying Stuffed Gobbler<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq37zXGPuIGfJeyZWKHN469KyyBFfuZKnv5vC6HXJlyHi-2vxlqUG2RTOBCwGT-zdDe8P8DeS3nhf_Cqg_k6WYCgYi0cDnUQbEW4IFG6gEne_UL7n3S0I2j2_W72JeFHVSJNcfz1u5lzJn/s1600/turkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq37zXGPuIGfJeyZWKHN469KyyBFfuZKnv5vC6HXJlyHi-2vxlqUG2RTOBCwGT-zdDe8P8DeS3nhf_Cqg_k6WYCgYi0cDnUQbEW4IFG6gEne_UL7n3S0I2j2_W72JeFHVSJNcfz1u5lzJn/s400/turkey.jpg" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potentially one angry bird.</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sure, Halloween has come and gone, but there's no reason to not try to terrify the youngsters. Traditionally, Thanksgiving isn't a scary holiday, except for the turkeys who, if they had any inkling of what was coming, would immediately get passports and jet off to the safety of Canada or Europe.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still, I find this ultra realistic stuffed turkey to be a bit menacing, especially if posed in the middle of a child's room a week before Thanksgiving. Trying to create a little vegan? It's never too soon to start! In years past, this particular site has boasted a gigantic version of the bird, standing at least three feet tall and bursting with avian ire. <i>That</i> version was over a grand, which seemed a bit much for a huge party trick. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This little guy, on the other hand, sells for a comparatively low $160. And who knows: yours could be the weird kid who imprints to Gobbler and sleeps with him until college. Stranger things, including Indians helping out invading Puritans, has happened on Thanksgiving. <a href="http://www.chasing-fireflies.com/little-tommy-turkey/productinfo/29817/">At Chasing Fireflies.</a></span>The Toadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130189682029266517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333777801312653600.post-49601291539949701972013-10-30T12:50:00.003-07:002013-10-30T12:50:55.403-07:00Truly Portable, Premium Speakers from Nudeaudio<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFl-Bwn31ZU5-xTfHudAoyYm7yaARpdPerQn8iEKrzcUNm5_SS-Um-lEfZBiH95mUt-X17pKVN7Fdx2JF91oPh0IsbH16f-_2yzaFj-7b-d_OfHR4j8E2oks8KQx871_fQyk1pdH1ZT1YO/s1600/nudeaudio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFl-Bwn31ZU5-xTfHudAoyYm7yaARpdPerQn8iEKrzcUNm5_SS-Um-lEfZBiH95mUt-X17pKVN7Fdx2JF91oPh0IsbH16f-_2yzaFj-7b-d_OfHR4j8E2oks8KQx871_fQyk1pdH1ZT1YO/s400/nudeaudio.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoy music anywhere, even in the nude!</td></tr>
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With the current level of technology, we can all carry around our personal music with us, all the time. But what we haven't been able to do, at least affordably, is listen to our music in open air, sans earbuds or headphones, anytime we want.<br />
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Until now. Sure, there have been portable speakers available for years. The problem? Try crappy, tinny sound and pesky wires. Nudeaudio sets out to change all that with its Move's Bluetooth audio speaker, a tiny speaker with a big sound, that wirelessly connects with Bluetooth enabled tablets, phones, and other musical storage devices. That means that the speaker can hang out wherever you are, whether it's an outdoor BBQ or an indoor kitchen, delivering music right next to you with great sound. And when I say hang out, I really mean it, because the Move boasts a cord to loop over a cabinet pull or hook. The colorways (mint and gray or coral and black) are stylish, and the silicone wrapped body gives it resilience.<br />
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Did I mention that it's $49.99? What a perfect gift for a tween, teen, metalhead, and any other music fan on your gift list. At <a href="http://dijitalfix.com/products/move-s-bluetooth-speaker">Dijital Fix</a>.The Toadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130189682029266517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333777801312653600.post-8962204811225480682013-10-29T12:37:00.001-07:002013-10-29T12:37:28.748-07:00A Leather Potholder for Stylish Cooking Protection<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dqB5SYGLXGlPOlGKTU8R3RrRPh_V393petFSs3CyHwtQ1ZxugI-xzJGthyTwLVR8W3Q5DEOqGck8k1_5V1kyY8lWKCh8_3owxYRiacGLD0wAqizYAnbQIOEiesXaRj6TpZPVGwAjPw0H/s1600/leatherpotholder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dqB5SYGLXGlPOlGKTU8R3RrRPh_V393petFSs3CyHwtQ1ZxugI-xzJGthyTwLVR8W3Q5DEOqGck8k1_5V1kyY8lWKCh8_3owxYRiacGLD0wAqizYAnbQIOEiesXaRj6TpZPVGwAjPw0H/s400/leatherpotholder.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's so pretty and protective!</td></tr>
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No matter how experienced a cook one is, eventually there's a stupid mistake. That stupid mistake often involves a metal pot handle, high heat, and a bare hand. Great suffering blisters!<br />
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There are plenty of potholders out there, ranging from hand quilted to ragged sack cloth, but this Pan Handle Leather Potholder by Patzbag protects palms in serious style. Made of tough, thick, tan leather, the holder simply slips over the handle and stays there. No protection memory lapses when the timer rings, no fumbling in drawers while the pot boils over. Plus, it's an ideal small but so thoughtful gift for the busy cook.<br />
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Handmade in Maine, the Potholder sells for just $13. By Patzbag on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/84146149/pan-handle-leather-potholder-tan?ref=listing-shop-header-3">Etsy</a>.The Toadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130189682029266517noreply@blogger.com0