A while back, I took a hula hoop class.  I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but it sounded like fun and I needed to get more exercise anyway.  I was right.  It was definitely an awesome time - much more fun than a grueling cardio session and I got to learn a cool skill while I was at it.

If you had trouble with hula hooping as a kid, you’ll be glad to know that adult hooping is a little different.  The Hoopnotica hoops are bigger and substantially heavier.  Not unpleasantly heavy, but heavy enough to make them go around you much more easily.  They don’t fly super fast and then fall to the ground.

I loved taking the class, but if I were going to do it all over, I would probably just buy a Hoopnotica hoop and look up instructional videos on YouTube.  You can learn all kinds of cool tricks very easily (and without killing your classmates with flying hoops).  I can throw it down around my body, walk with the hoop, and dance with the hoop so far.

If you want to try it yourself (and I highly recommend it, becase it’s good old fashioned silly fun), you can pick up a Hoopnotica weighted hula hoop by clicking here.

I like Design Public, but sometimes I just want to break away and see something new - but in the same style.  I feel like everyone I know has a loft or condo outfitted with Design Public furniture and accessories, so it’s good to get away from that once in a while.

My latest obsession is Chiasso.  I like the sleek look of their pieces and the fact that their sales are pretty awesome.  Don’t get me wrong - I won’t be stopping my Design Public catalogs anytime soon - but Chiasso has definitely found a way into my heart.  Some of my favorite pieces are below, and you can click the picture to check out more.

I’ll admit, I’m not the most Earth-friendly girl that ever lived. I make way too much trash, I use beauty products containing who-knows-what kind of chemicals, and I often drive when I should be walking. Still, when I find ways to change my life that are both beneficial to the planet and my lifestyle, I try to take them.

After a recent visit to my grandmother’s house, I’ve been seriously considering a rotary clothesline. In case you’re not sure what that is, refer to the picture below. I helped my grandma take in her towels this weekend and they smelled amazing. Not only did she not pay to run her dryer, but her towels ended up smelling like fresh air - and not the perfume-y, manufactured fresh air that I get with my dryer sheets.

You can get them at this link, and the three-arm models start at $132. Four arm models are a little more, but if you do a lot of laundry, it’s probably worth it.

I’m not saying I’ll be hanging my thongs out to dry any time soon, but I think I could definitely use a rotary clothesline to save money in electricity and dryer wear and tear, plus I’ll be getting ultra-fresh clothing that’s just a little bit better for the environment.

I’m a huge West Elm fan, but I feel like everyone I know shops there and I’m always afraid I’m going to buy a $3000 piece of furniture and then see it in a friend’s place. Luckily, I came across Chiasso, and most of my friends avoid shopping there because they like to see things there in the store.

Chiasso’s website is fun - you can see some examples of their products below, or just click here to browse on your own.

I’m especially fond of the salt and pepper shakers you see above. They look great on my table, and they also look spectacular on the counter next when I’m cooking (I have a stainless steel kitchen).

If you care at all about your public image, it’s important to have a business card or personal information card on hand at all times.  You never know when you could meet your future employer, business partner, or even spouse.

For that reason, I have two different sets of business cards outside of my regular job.  They’re not fancy (unlike the ones at my day job, which have all kinds of colors and holes and unusual edges), but they get the job done.  One outlines my professional goals and details, while the other includes my personal phone number and e-mail address.

In the past, I’ve used a variety of providers that charged anywhere from $12 (bad experience) to $200 (great cards, but a terrible price).  Recently, I came across Printing4Less’ Business Cards, which seem to be a great compromise between price and features.  For about $60, you can get a great set of 500 full-color cards delivered to your house.

If you buy before the end of August, you can even get half off by using the coupon code BIZ850.  For the record, that’s actually cheaper than the same number of the lowest quality of black and white cards at the average Office Max or Office Depot.

Business Cards
Price: $49.95

Ever since I first laid down on a thick slab of memory foam, I’ve been dreaming of adding a memory foam mattress to my home.  Of course, my brief but luxurious rest was abruptly ruined when I glanced down at the price tag - over $1000.  And so my dream died, along with a little part of my soul.  I just couldn’t understand why I wasn’t born to that special, privileged class of people who can effortlessly buy $1000 mattresses.

…But all that has changed.

This morning, I was pondering the fate of an Overstock gift card balance on my account, browsing the top sellers for good deals.  Then I saw it.  My Memory Foam Mattress in Queen size.

For a mere  $399 plus shipping.  They also had the other sizes, including California King and Mattress Toppers, too.

Memory Foam 10-inch Mattress (Queen)
Price: $399.99
Features 3-inch layer of 5-pound density Nasa developed memory foam on top of a 5-inch, 2.5-pound density base layer of regular foam Provides the ultimate in pressure-relieving comfort Made from 100-percent hypoallergenic materials.

I love ocean-inspired and nautical decor, so I was really excited to see this collection of housewares from Michael Aram.  They’re contemporary and bright, but they retain a lot of personality (as opposed to a more stark and modern look).  The only downside is the price, as some of the pieces are a little expensive - but I guess they’d make good gifts or splurges.

I’ve included several pieces from the collection below, but I especially love the salad servers and the candle holder.

Michael Aram “Coral Reef” Salad Servers
Connected with purity, protection and serenity, deep-sea coral has always fascinated. Hand-sculpted by Michael Aram, this set of two servers captures the ravishing color and intricate texture of the one-of-a-kind creature. Each measures 12″ long.

Michael Aram “Coral Reef” Bowl, 9″
Connected with purity, protection and serenity, deep-sea coral has always fascinated. Featuring a hand-sculpted coral base and detachable bowl, this magnificent bowl captures the ravishing color and intricate texture of the one-of-a-kind creature. Coordinate with other Coral Reef giftware from Michael Aram.

Michael Aram “Coral Reef” Candle Holder
Connected with purity, protection and serenity, deep-sea coral has always fascinated. This magnificent hand-sculpted candleholder by Michael Aram adds lush dimension to any setting. Holds three candles. Measures 14.25″ tall.

Michael Aram “Coral Reef” Nut Bowl
Connected with purity, protection and serenity, deep-sea coral has always fascinated. Featuring a hand-sculpted coral base and detachable bowl, this magnificent bowl captures the ravishing color and intricate texture of the one-of-a-kind creature. Coordinate with other Coral Reef giftware from Michael Aram.

Michael Aram “Coral Reef” Bowl, 6.5″
Connected with purity, protection and serenity, deep-sea coral has always fascinated. Featuring a hand-sculpted coral base and detachable bowl, this magnificent bowl captures the ravishing color and intricate texture of the one-of-a-kind creature. Coordinate with other Coral Reef giftware from Michael Aram.

I’m not sure that I’d ever really *need* a Temperature Controlled LED Shower Light, but it certainly does look cool…right?   Just imagine the surprise of a date or houseguest who happens upon your club-worthy shower.  You could add one of those waterproof mp3 players and a little techno, and it would be just like that post-college trip you took to Ibiza, minus the fantastic beaches, handsome Spanish men, and amazing food.

Actually, there’s a very practical use to this LED shower light, especially for the very old and very young.  After you reach a certain temperature, the color shifts from blue to red, letting people know when it’s okay to step in without a major temperature shock.

Temperature Controlled Shower Light
Price: $44.95
First there was the awesome Faucet Light and now now there is the brilliant LED shower light.The LED Shower Light will make for a unique showering experience for guests and for kids. The light will go from Bright Blue to Fire Red when the water hits the temperature (89 Deg. F/ 32 Deg. Celsius).  Easy to install. Fits most showerheads.  No batteries or external power source. Water flow generates the light stream.

I’m an obscene fan of Moleskine notebooks, so I’m a little surprised that I hadn’t seen this one previously.  This ruled reporter notebook is perfect for taking casual notes (or any notes if you’re a lefty).  In addition to the Franklin Covey link below, you can also buy it at Amazon.

Moleskine Ruled Reporter Notebook
Price: $11.95
BE PREPARED FOR LIFE’S ADVENTURES With a design inspired by the journalistic tradition of the small, ruled notebook, the Moleskine Reporter provides you with room for the intriguing interviews and stories of your life. 192 lined pages; last 24 sheets are detachable Acid-free paper with rounded corners sewn into a top-bound hard cover Expandable inner pocket Elastic closure 3.5″ W x 5.5″ H

No matter where I’ve lived, I’ve always made it a priority to have a couple of bird feeders around.  Of course, being a woman, I also have to make sure that they’re attractive, which is where this particularly fine Lantern Bird Feeder.  It looks like an old converted lantern, but its not.  That’s a good thing, too, since you can never be sure what types of metal are used in old lanterns.  It’s much better to stick with something specifically manufactured for birds.

Aside from that, the Lantern-Shaped Bird Feeder is rust-proof and vented to help keep seeds dry.  The birds in your neighborhood will love you, and your neighbors won’t mind looking at it, either.

Lantern Bird Feeder
Price: $24.99