Unusual & Unconventional Gift Ideas

This Hungry, Hungry Hippo T-Shirt reminds me of chasing marbles under couches and giving my mom a headache.  To find out now that he was never really that hungry hungry - well that’s just not right.

If you want to disturb random strangers on the street, you can get this shirt here for $20.

hungry.gif

Cooking for Lovers: Sex in the Kitchen

Nov 16, 2008 Author: admin | Filed under: books

I recently came across the book “Spoon Me, Fork Me”, and it seemed like kind of a fun idea for a cookbook.  The entire book is dedicated to recipes that inspire lust, complete with sensual photos to enhance the reading.  On the upside, who doesn’t love both food and sex?  The downside, though, is that combining sex with food means you may never get to the actual meal.

If you think you’re capable of multi-tasking, you may enjoy one (or all) of the books below.

Fork Me, Spoon Me: the sensual cookbook - Author Amy Reiley includes recipes for Hot Honey Nuts, Vanilla-Scented Sea Bass, Moist Mango Meatloaf, Ginger Mojitos, and Persian Love Cake.

The New InterCourses: An Aphrodisiac Cookbook - Authors Martha Hopkins and Randall Lockridge include recipes for Strawberries Drenched in Honeyed Cream, Orange Blossom Panna Cott,a and Grilled Vietnamese Gingered Beef Rolls, along with dozens of sensual photographs.

The Erotic Cookbook - Christina Moles Kaupp offers 100 recipes that draw inspiration from Europe and Asia, including “Catch-Me” Crab Soup to “Up All Night” Espresso Mousse.  Somehow, anything dealing with sex that includes the words “catch” and “crab”seems a little unappealing to me, but you may see things differently.

The Seduction Cookbook: Culinary Creations For Lovers - Oh, how silly.  The description for this one says the book includes a little “fork-play” with appetizer recipes like Chile Lime Shrimp, Rocket Salad with Black Mission Figs and Ahi Tuna Ceviche with Advocado.

Will Cook for Sex: A Guy’s Guide to Cooking - This one’s unique in that it was actually intended for guys.  I got a chance to read through a copy a while back, though, and even as a woman, I enjoyed it.  The recipes were relatively simple, but always impressive.  Author Rocky Fino also put together a cocktail guide, Will Mix for Sex: Twenty-one Classic Cocktails to Set the Mood.

Cooking with Aphrodisiacs: Create Passion on a Plate - This one’s actually a DVD, but it definitely fits the theme.  As you can see from the front, even the pears get turned on by Cooking with Aphrodisiacs.

Booty Food: A Date By Date, Nibble by Nibble, Course by Course Guide to Cultivating Love and Passion Through Food - Author Jackie Malouf mixes dating etiquette, tips, and cooking advice in this steamy title.

The moral of the story?  Even if you don’t find your way into a man’s heart with these meals, you’ll probably find your way into his pants.  If that’s what you’re looking for.

Adult Footie Pajamas

Nov 16, 2008 Author: admin | Filed under: Pajamas

Remember those awesome footie pajamas you wore as a kid?  All one piece, super-warm, and amazingly comfy?  They make footie pajamas for adults now, too.  I was reading Skymall on a flight out to Los Angeles the other day, and saw these adorable adult footie pajamas - which of course, I will be buying for my sister this Christmas.  What do you think?

A set of footie pajamas for grown-ups will run you $60-80, depending on the size.

Polar Fleece Pajamas - Large
Polar Fleece Pajamas - Large
Jump into comfort - feet first! Whether you’re lounging around the house or hosting a pajama party, footed pajamas are super-fabulous in any situation.

Reindeer Car Antlers - That’s Right, a Car Reindeer

Nov 14, 2008 Author: admin | Filed under: Gifts

These car antlers are the most ridiculous product I’ve seen in quite some time, but I just can’t stop smiling about them.   Reindeer antlers for the car?  It sounds like something my dad would have done when we were kids.  My mom would roll her eyes, of course, because that was just her job -  but we would have loved it.

If you feel like you need your own holiday “car reindeer” for the kids or grandkids, you can pick up a set of reindeer car antlers for around $20.   Or, even better, you can pick up a set of antlers and convert a friend’s car when they’re not around.  This would be an especially great prank while he/she is at work.  Just wait until the end of the day when everyone comes out and sees your friend’s new reindeer car.

P.S. - Car antlers will match perfectly with a loud Christmas tie.

Reindeer Car Antlers for Christmas

OMG!! Dough Nu Matic EZ Donut Maker

Nov 8, 2008 Author: admin | Filed under: Kitchen Gadgets

I know, I know, “OMG” is for teenagers and dorks - but I really can’t help myself this time.  I came across the Dough Nu Matic EZ Donut Maker and now all I can think about it making dozens of teeny tiny little donuts.  Let me tell you why.  For most of my life, I lived near a Kroger grocery store that carried the most heavenly donuts imaginable.  They were brown sugar cinnamon cake donuts, and even though they were generic, they were always soft and delicious.    I would buy a box every few weeks as an indulgence, and all was right with the world.

Until Wal-Mart - yes, the evil empire, indeed -  came in and built a Super Wal-Mart.  All the grocery stores suffered, and ultimately, the Kroger lost.  They went out of business and I lost my donuts forever.  I tried the donuts at Wal-Mart, but they were just awful.

With a trusty Dough Nu Matic by my side, I could experiment endlessly until I find a way to recreate those amazing brown sugar cinnamon donuts in my own home.  Only then will balance be restored.

If that doesn’t make you feel compelled to go out and immediately buy a Dough Nu Matic, take a look at this photo:

Doughnumatic EZ Donut Maker

How cute is that??  Anyway, getting your own Dough Nu Matic will set you back about $130.   A small price to pay for fresh donuts without leaving the house.

Rubik’s Cube Lookalike Speaker

Nov 1, 2008 Author: admin | Filed under: decor

Nerd confession: I own three different Rubik’s Cubes.  I have two classic cubes (one of which I should pitch, since someone decided to peel the stickers), and one of the new Rubik’s Revolution cubes.  They’re both great toys, and I’ve spent many hours fidgeting with them as I watch movies.

I was especially delighted, though, to see this Rubik’s Cube Flashing Speaker.  Actually, it’s not technically a Rubik’s Cube Speaker, as it wasn’t made by the same people - but it’s obviously paying tribute to the original in a creative and fun way.

Rubik’s Cube Speaker

I’m not sure that I’d put a Rubik’s Cube Lamp in my living room, but it would definitely be fun in an office or kid’s room.  You can get a Rubik’s Cube Speaker - excuse me, “Retro Cube Stereo Speaker & Mood Light” for $49.99 (at the time of writing, anyway).

I Heart Accuracy T-Shirt

Oct 14, 2008 Author: admin | Filed under: T-Shirts

Yes, the shirts that say, “I (Heart) -fill in the blank here-” can be cute or even funny in the right situation.  Even still, I’m getting a little sick of them.  That’s why I giggled when I saw this one, the I (Heart) Accuracy t-shirt.

I heart accuracy tee

This would be especially great to wear out to a party with med school friends, or to go back home to mom (who, of course, would roll her eyes and sigh at the grossness).  The I Heart Accuracy t-shirt can be had for less than $20, and it comes printed on an American Apparel tee.

T-Bags Graphic Print Knit Top: Loving the Loudness

Aug 29, 2008 Author: admin | Filed under: Tops

I’m a big fan of bright clothing.  I’ve gotten a lot of flack for it over the years, but I just can’t bring myself to be one of those people with a closet full of nothing but black, white, tan, and gray.  It wouldn’t fit.

This T-Bags Graphic Print Knit Tunic is just one more piece in a long line of pieces that make me stand out in a crowd.  Somebody tell me I’m not alone in appreciating this shirt.

T-Bags Graphic Print Knit Tunic
T-Bags Graphic Print Knit Tunic
Price: $49.99

Purple Makeup Train Case

Aug 26, 2008 Author: admin | Filed under: Cosmetics

I don’t keep a ton of cosmetics around, but I do like to keep what I have organized.  I’m currently keeping it all in a blue tackle box, but this Purple Makeup Train Case is incredibly cute (not to mention the fact that it’s $50 or more cheaper than nearly every train case at Sephora).

I also love that it’s not pink.  I do love pink, but I’ve acquired so much of it over the years that a purple train case would be a nice change of pace.

Purple Makeup Train Case
Purple Makeup Train Case
Price: $54.99
Keep your beauty supplies safe and handy in this purple makeup train case Cosmetic case features 4 extendable trays Makeup box is lightweight yet sturdy

The Importance of a Calling Card

Aug 24, 2008 Author: admin | Filed under: Lifestyle

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
Business Cards
Price: $49.95