The Family Dinner Box of Questions

I think I’m in love with the “Box Girls”: Cece Feiler and Heidi Haddad. They came up with this idea of having a box of conversation questions (not trivia but actual conversational questions about ethics and other deep stuff) to help amuse the whole family while waiting for dinner whilst dining out (I used “whilst”—that’s got to be worth some points!). Yes, it’s possible to do this without the cards, but having cards makes it into more of a game for kids while getting them to learn the fine art of conversation about something other than the newest Miley Cyrus video or XBox game. It also keeps kids from getting bored and disruptive while dining out at restaurants where crayons and a kids’ menu aren’t provided the minute you’re seated.

Posted on 28 Jul 2008 by admin

Twisted Cookie Exchange: Gingerbread people, complete with missing parts

In real life, there’s nothing funny about amputation. It’s just… wrong. The rules on funny bend a little bit, though, when applied to the lives of cookies. If you live in a household like mine, with a mind like anyone in my small family possesses, it’s extremely telling when you look at which part of the gingerbread person (we respect their privacy and don’t refer to them in any gender-specific manner) gets gobbled up first. With my daughter, it’s usually the head. She’s merciful for a preschooler. My husband prefers the legs (so they can’t run away). Me? I go for whatever is sticking out, because it’s a cookie.

When I saw these cookie cutters on Baking Bites, I knew these would be an awesome addition to our holiday cookie exchange. Instead of waiting for your child to horrify friends and relatives, you can make your own, pre-bitten, twisted cookies and decorate accordingly. It may not be for the faint of heart, but if you have some fans of the horror genre, or just some sick little puppies in your circle of friends, these are a perfect gift. Just be sure to include a nice recipe (if you’re at a loss for a recipe, try Baking Bite’s Gingerbread recipe) with them, so that gingerbread people can be made and shared immediately.

Posted on 10 Dec 2007 by Tina V.

Wedding Pills

While I don’t exactly consider this a serious idea, someone out there might. Crafted by Ted Noten, these pills are supposed to be taken (internally) by the wedding couple, who is supposed to then wait, then search for the pills later (if you get what I mean). Noten created these as conceptual art, but as a gift I’m sure it would be unique, if not a little creepy.

Posted on 14 Jul 2007 by Tina V.

Cowgirl’s Girlfriends Game

I am working my fingers to the bone these days. So after taking care of my family, then my business, it doesn’t leave much time left for my friends. I miss those girlfriends I usually get to talk with during the course of the week.

Posted on 27 Sep 2006 by Anne W.

I See Me! Personalized Children’s Books

For my daughter’s second birthday, her Godmother sent her one of the nicest, cutest gifts she’s ever received: a personalized I See Me Book! This ultra-professional and beautifully illustrated (by Mark Mille) hardcover book is all about my daughter’s name, spelling the name out in rhyme with animals. Each book is totally unique to the child, and what child doesn’t love to hear a book where he or she is the main character?

Posted on 7 Aug 2006 by Anne B.

Action Sampler Camera

Even if you aren’t a photography fanatic, you’ll love this camera, simply for it’s simplistic mechanisms! I’m no Richard Avedon, but I love to take pictures to capture the moment. As the mom of two young ones, I always want to have a camera handy for that memorable moment that needs to be made into instant history. Along my travels, I found this little doozy in a neat gallery shop in Brooklyn last year. The Action Sampler Camera is an incredible gift for the photography enthusiast, scrapbook maker, or amateur historian in your life. The no-frills, non-automatic device uses four lenses to portray a collage of action shots, each about a quarter of a second apart. The results are artistic and interesting depending upon who or what your subject is.

Posted on 3 Jul 2006 by Anne B.

Fourth of July Wreath

If you want to show your patriotism, I suggest that you go to to Collections Etc. and take a look at the Berry Fiber Optic Wreath! Due to copyright laws, I was unable to download a picture to show on our website. But this wreath is ultra cool with it’s lights and resemblance to a flag. We can’t put flags out on our houses due to HOA Rules, but this wreath will help me to show my patriotic colors! And being a military family, we may just keep this baby on our door year-round!

Posted on 26 Jun 2006 by Anne B.

Peaceful Progression Alarm Clock

Hmm, I love to sleep in. Just ask my husband. But life marches on and I have to get up early enough to get it all done. Breakfast, pack lunches, showered, kids dressed, oh yes, me dressed too, beds made, dishes done. And then we are off to start the day.

Posted on 17 May 2006 by Anne W.

Magic Beans

We are daily watching our little window garden grow. We planted our six little pots of seeds several weeks ago. And daily we water them, and wonder if they will bloom one day as they stretch sunward every morning a little more.

Posted on 10 May 2006 by Anne W.

Forest Faces

Spring is definitely here in Southern California and everything is in bloom. The gardener in me is alive and singing. So when perusing my usual gardening spots, I found these forest faces and fell in love. I have half a dozen people to whom I will send these as a “Spring is here gift!â€?

Posted on 19 Apr 2006 by Anne W.

Pee Pee Teepees

One of the greatest gifts I’ve ever found to give to an expecting mom is the [PEE-PEE TEEPEES] from [Uncommon Goods]. This item is one of those that makes you say, “I wish I’d thought of that!â€? This gift will give Mommy a true chuckle and maybe a wake up call about having a boy! And if there’s ever a time to make a new or expecting mom of a boy, it’s at her baby shower.

Posted on 17 Apr 2006 by Anne B.

2006 Birth Year Keepsake Box

Do you have a friend who’s about to give birth? Do you want to get them something more unique than a pack of onesies or diapers? Uncommon Goods has the perfect gift for your new parents: the 2006 Birth Year Box. But this isn’t just a regular keepsake box—it follows the Chinese calendar and includes the various traits that the newborn may possess as a member of the year of the dog.

Posted on 27 Mar 2006 by Anne B.

Sky Rocket Caffeinated Syrups

I’m a caffeine junky of the highest degree and will take it any way I can get it. Coffee, tea, chocolate, caffeinated water, caffeinated mints, anything. I was pretty happy to find that Think Geek caters to my habit with a shop full of caffeinated products. It was at Think Geek’s caffeine shop that I found Sky Rocket Caffeinated Syrups.

Posted on 25 Mar 2006 by Tina V.

Uglydolls: Ox

I have a soft spot in my heart for odd little creatures. I’m inexplicably drawn to pugs, to those strange little fish with the bulbous eyes (I think they’re called “Mollies”), and this Uglydoll. Ox in particular, because Ox always seems to be winking, like there’s some sort of conspiracy between us. Never mind that he’s green (one of my favorite colors), Ox may well be the only toy I’d have a problem sharing with my toddler. Not because I play with dolls (I’m just too mature for that), but because the Uglydolls are both toys and works of art.

Posted on 10 Mar 2006 by Tina V.

Sushi Magnets

My life hinges on the front of my refrigerator. Not the contents, mind you, but the little pieces of paper sticking to the front of the fridge, held on by magnets. As such, I can never have enough magnets. I fell in love with these little sushi magnets partially because of my dis-organization system, but also because I’m a fan of those little bite-sized pieces of heaven. If you know someone who loves everything Japanese (I know a few), or just likes a good California roll or maki, these sushi magnets would make a fabulous housewarming gift or just a little pick-me-up present.

Posted on 3 Mar 2006 by Tina V.

Back To Basics Egg N’ Muffin

I’m not really a breakfast person. My idea of breakfast is a cup of yoghurt or a muffin along with a strong cup of coffee. When I was in college, it was coffee and nacho chips, or whatever else was in our apartment’s pantry. My husband, on the other hand, is a sucker for the egg sandwich. He’ll stop at the closest fast-food chain to get his fix, but the Back to Basics TEM500 Egg & Muffin 2-Slice Toaster and Egg Poacher may actually make his artery-clogging routine change.

Posted on 21 Feb 2006 by Tina V.

Anti-Valentine’s Day t-shirt: “v-day is badâ€?

Now, as a hopeless romantic, I am a big fan of Valentine’s Day, which is coming up soon. However, I have plenty of friends that curse the thought of February 14th. Well, here is a great Valentine’s gift for you to give that person who would rather move from the 13th to the 15th in the blink of an eye. The design site, www.cafepress.com has many different designs for both the lovers and the haters of romance. But this particular t-shirt struck me as what many girls would say about Cupid’s holiday without being raunchy: “v-day is badâ€?. Who knows? Maybe by wearing this shirt on the dreaded day, she’ll attract a man who is equally against the thought of calendar-scheduled romance. But in the meantime, this is a great gift to put a smile on the face of someone you care about, for that person who remains staunch in her conviction against Valentine’s Day.

Posted on 2 Feb 2006 by Anne B.

XOXO Boxers">Valentines XOXO Boxers

XOXO - the sign of hugs and kisses and a perfect sign for Valentines Day. So it’s that time of year again and you have got to come up with something for your man. There are tons of run of the mill gifts, like cigars, or a bottle of wine. Don’t get me wrong, those are great gifts but sometimes a little sexy humor just sets a better tone. So when I ran across these XOXO boxers I immediately knew they would make a great Valentines Day gift.

Posted on 2 Feb 2006 by Anne W.

Decade Box or Classic Collection Box

Raise your hand if you’ve run out of those unique gifts that are sure to dazzle your parents, friends, or colleagues …. Well, look no further because www.hometownfavorites.com has the perfect distinctive gift for under $50: either the Decade Box or Classic Collection Gift Box. These boxes from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s are packed full of food and candy from the appropriate decade, remaining true to the time period—the tops of the boxes even say that you are not to open the box unless you were a child of the respective decade!

Posted on 18 Jan 2006 by Anne B.

Monster Plates

These adorable monster plates from Sprout Home are perfect for the little monster at your table, or for anyone with a love for odd-looking little critters. While you probably can’t nuke dinner on them (they’re not suggested for microwave use), they’re kid-friendly and may actually inspire your little one to enjoy uncovering the entire monster as they eat their meal.

Posted on 10 Jan 2006 by Tina V.