Category Archives: products

January 25, 2009 · 12:32 am

Plinky?

plinky

Ok, everyone who reads me knows about my love affair with Twitter, right? Well tonight, perhaps I cheated on the little bird for a moment or two, I signed up for Plinky? Yeh, I know the name is a little annoying. Kind of like peeing a slinky which conjures up all sorts of painful symptoms and flashbacks of a bad urinary infection I had back in college.

Oops, I digress, for a change!

I heard about Plinky on Twitter so you could say I am cheating but it is twitter’s own damn fault for giving us the mother of all freedoms of speech. My fellow blogger @DarryleP sent out a tweet that cracked me up:

“Help!  I am finally starting to understand Twitter—so can anyone explain Plinky??”

Of course I had to find out what she was talking about so I went and signed up. Lord knows I don’t have nearly enough online addictions!

So here is the deal. This sucker just launched this week. Plinksters, I am giving you some link love and promoting what I think will be a lot of fun. Good luck to you and I hope this is your brass ring:

Plinky is here.

Friends, today we’re proud to announce the launch of Plinky, the little bundle of joy we’ve been gestating for oh so many months.       

What is Plinky, you ask? Well, in case you haven’t already jetted over to plinky.com to check it out, Plinky is a service that makes it easy for you to create inspired content on the web.Every day we provide a prompt (like a question, or a challenge) and you answer. Depending on the prompt, your answer may contain photos, maps, playlists and more. You can easily share your Plinky answers on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and most other major blogging services.

While I am sharing all this link love I surely must not forget to tell you to read Darryle P at i never signed up for this and her really fun new project click for clutter. Oh, and her adorable sun is at UW with Miss Jana, that small internet keeps rearing its crazy head at me! (BTW, you can still contribute to Jana’s Dance Marathon. Just click the link to her name above).

And Twitter, no worries, you are still my first love.

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at 50-Something Moms Blog.

For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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January 23, 2009 · 8:50 pm

Goodbye Norma Jean

marilyn

“You had the grace to hold yourself, while those around you crawled”

Sir Elton, how about this bizarre rendering of Marilyn?

Hold herself? Is that what is going on in this painting? Are those supposed to be her hands, because I am thinking that it might be physically impossible for one’s hands to be in that position.

So then I thought, ok, maybe they are someone else’s hands. I mean, really, not such a stretch to think that someone would want to cop a feel of those bodacious tatas, right? But notice the french manicure. So  that would make it a woman touching her (not that there is anything wrong with that) but I have never heard talk of Marilyn Monroe being gay. Hey, you never know, my dear friend Frank tells me that everyone is gay except my husband because he knows that will freak me out.

Are you wondering if this is hanging in my house? Don’t be silly, we only moved in 20 years ago. You can’t possibly think that I have hung the artwork yet.

I saw this in the art supply store. The same one that housed the ever famous bustier pocketbook and the Ricky Martin lunchbox on its sale rack. This place is the mecca for tacky.

Note to self: visit Pearl Paint at least once a month for blogging material.

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at 50-Something Moms Blog.

For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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January 23, 2009 · 1:17 am

Happy F*in Hippos!

happyhippo

Every once in awhile I come across a product that screams from the shelf with a sense of irony like this one. It would appear that Happy Hippo is a hippo shaped treat that looks something like a chocolate filled Twinkie with nuts and chocolate on the outside. Kind of looks like he his foaming at the mouth, no?

What should their tagline be? Eat happy hippos and you will soon look like one?

Seriously, who really wants to bite the head off of one of these things? You could certainly not eat one  in public without being self conscious. Mmmmm, gonna eat me some Happy Hippos and watch my hip(pos) grow.

Scary thing is, I bet they fly off the shelves. Looks like they even have a little Lego promo going on at the bottom left corner of the box.

What next?

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at 50-Something Moms Blog.

For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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January 17, 2009 · 10:47 pm

Need a Jolt?

jolt-gum

I am one of those people that has a pack of gum on their desk and during the course of the day will chew the entire thing while I am working. It is some kind of OCD rabid chewing habit that one can only hone when working by themselves in the basement. It’s sort of anti-social to be snapping and popping away all day when someone shares your workspace. The dog? She could not care less.

So here’s the thing. This Jolt gum? If you read the fine print on the bottom left of the package you will find out that 2 pieces of this stuff is equal to 1 energy drink. Yeh, so that would mean that the whole pack would be equal to a pot of coffee or maybe letting the air out of a balloon and buzzing around the ceiling! I suppose that would be why their tagline would be: “Chew More, Do More”. I love their disclaimer on the website. “GumRunners, LLC supports responsible chewing. Please chew responsibly. Or responsively. Or both.” Sounds like these guys have chewed quite a bit themselves.

Don’t worry, I did not eat all 12 pieces at once. But maybe 4. And let me tell you, this is not recommended for someone with high blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat. Um, yes I would be raising my hand for those last two ailments. Note to self: switch back to Orbit.

I will, however, praise the makers of Jolt gum for supporting the USA National Team, even if they do humiliate that poor swimmer by photographing him with that ridiculous bonnet-like bathing cap on his head. Don’t you think the strings on this sucker are hideously long? But they do give 5 cents from the sale of every pack to the team and all kidding aside that makes me love this brand. They also support the military. No joke. They sent 25,000 free packs of gum overseas to our troops.

Honestly, there is nothing I love more than a brand with a sense of humor and cause-related programs. My two favorites. Kudos to you Jolt-peeps for bringing the buzz out of the cola into this chewy delight! Hey, do you make a decaf version?

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at Mid-Century Modern Moms and at 50-Something Moms Blog.

For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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January 11, 2009 · 11:21 pm

What’s the poop with this paper?

elephant-poop-paper-printed

Photo via treehugger via Future Feeder

Here is a shout out to my Twitter friend @flipgonzo, who never is at a shortage for interesting conversation and links of equal intrigue. He sent out a weekend tweet on this one and it was something I could not help but share. Thanks for the material, my friend!

This is too good to be true. A Sri Lankan company called none other than Mr. Ellie Pooh brings us elephant poop paper. No sh*t, this paper is really made from this crap. Ok, that was weak, sorry. You can read all the real stuff about this product at treehugger.com but the following is the Amy version which is infinitely more entertaining.

You will all love the reason for the creation of this paper; to save the elephants. They were becoming a nuisance by trampling crops and were being killed by the Sri Lankans. By creating paper from their droppings Mr. Ellie Pooh (do you think this is his real name?) hopes to create a new market for this country and make the elephants a a valuable natural resource. Unless, of course, they should become constipated at some point. Then there will be a need for prune farmers. It’s all good.

The paper is made from 75% elephant crapola and the other 25% is all post-consumer waste. My green mama friend Jessica Gottleib should surely love this stuff. What do you think Jessica?

Poopy papers can be purchased through Pixxlz.com, a Massachussetts based print products company.

Here is my one big concern; is this paper, or is it not, scratch and sniff?

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at Mid-Century Modern Moms and at 50-Something Moms Blog.

For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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January 10, 2009 · 12:20 am

Mantyhose, the Perfect Mansierre Companion

mantyhose2hmedium

Once again, my nephew has fed me another absurdity to share with my readers (thanks Matt).

Ladies and gentleman, I bring you:

Mantyhose! Not your mother’s pantyhose. (nice tagline)

Back in November I brought you the man bra, or what we Seinfeld fans like to call the Mansierre. Women, humor me for a moment and think of your significant other in a pair of these. Or better yet, everyone picture you dad. Your favorite professor. Your pediatrician. The gardner. Oh, I could keep going with this one, the visuals are fabulous. Oh wait…

The plumber! No more butt crack worries if he is wearing a pair of Mantyhose.

I love the ‘male comfort panel with convenient fly opening’. Guys, you will never have to know the joys or a pantyhose waistband around your knees while squatting over a public toilet.

My favorite part? Mild compression. I would imagine mild compression would be a nice sensation whereas tight compression could become a problem.

Want to purchase a pair? You can do that here.

Enjoy!

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at Mid-Century Modern Moms and at 50-Something Moms Blog.

For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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January 8, 2009 · 7:57 pm

Lingerie or Purse?

bustier-bag_small

If I ever doubted why I carry a camera in my bag at all times this little frivolity confirmed my desire to always have one handy.

When I see an item like this I wonder if it were transported to a different context might it be seen as the hottest fashion craze? Hang one off the arm of an Olsen twin and these things would be flying off the shelves instead of hanging on the sale rack. The very same sale section where I spotted the Ricky Martin lunchbox back in October.

The odd thing is that these items were not found in a novelty store. I saw them at Pearl Paint, an art and craft supply mega-store that I always make excuses to visit as often as possible. This is the art supply store of my formative art student years. I simply feel better in those aisles with all those tubes and brushes. Yeh well, ok.

This bustier purse begs the question, “What art supply store buyer would make the choice to stock this item in the first place?” Going through supplier catalogs checking off inventory: oil paint, brushes, gold leaf, erasers, drawing paper, hot pink satin bustier purse with rhinestone accents, erasers, picture frames, clay… Sorry don’t see the logic here. Kind of like the Where’s Waldo of retail.

You know, looking at it now it is growing on me. I am kind of sorry I did not purchase it.

Hmmm, do you think it will still be there tomorrow? Seriously, this could MAKE any outfit at a North Shore Long Island Bar Mitzvah, no?

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at Mid-Century Modern Moms and at 50-Something Moms Blog.

For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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January 6, 2009 · 11:00 pm

Business Cards for Babies?!

Now I have heard it all. While surfing around the net the other night I came across social printing site that was seriously selling baby business cards. No joke, they had these nauseating affected cute little sayings like, “it was cool to meet you, have your mom call my mom to make a paydate” with the kid’s name and place to write a phone number.

Give me a break here. Is this not bringing things to a whole new level of ‘hey lady you were not the first uterus to every squeak out a puppy before’!

Don’t get me wrong, I mean my husband is a printer and I love any shot to see ink hit paper, but this one made throw up in my mouth a little.

Which got Jana and I to thinking about another concept: dog business cards. I designed a couple here for Mel to hand out around the neighborhood. We are open for suggestions, any other things you would like to see on a dog business card?

mel-card1or for the more humble pooch

mel-card2Seriously, I am thinking I could make some quick cash with these!

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at Mid-Century Modern Moms and at 50-Something Moms Blog.

For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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December 22, 2008 · 9:20 pm

Time to Cry Tuesday – Nothing Like Family

Before I start this post check this out! One of my 50-something moms posts was picked up by the Fresno Bee! (ok, so it’s not the NYT but it’s a start)

This Time to Cry Tuesday mixes things up a bit and starts with a laugh. For those who are regular readers, you have heard mention of Gary’s toddler dance more than once.

Now don’t get all excited out there (especially you MizLiz, as I know you are dying to see it), this video does not feature Gary. But it does star our kids who named this dance and hold it close to their hearts. So without any further ado, I bring you The Toddler Dance by Danny and Jana.

Where is the time to cry piece, you ask? No worries. A good friend once told me it is good to both laugh and cry every day, then you know you have lived your day to its fullest.

Family. Some cringe at the word, break out in hives, get indigestion, run for cover. Especially this time of year with all the forced reunions and pressure to celebrate. Me? There is nothing more important. I was raised this way, it is in my blood. And I am fortunate enough to be able to say that when I hear the word family I am happy.

There is no feeling greater for a parent of a college student than the moment before they close their eyes and know that everyone is in their own beds under one roof. These times become more rare and increasingly precious. My kids may roll their eyes when I get this way – certainly Danny does because he has not left yet – but I know that in their hearts they feel the same way.

It is a tough world out there, and we as a society are facing very scary realities. But when you sit at a dinner table with your whole family and can laugh and enjoy simply being together, the world out there seems a little easier to face.

Thanks kids, for humoring me. Oh and being the first video on my great new Hannukah present…

a Flip Video camera.

How did daddy know I wanted this? Oh right, because I only mentioned it 1,000 times.

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at Mid-Century Modern Moms and at 50-Something Moms Blog.

For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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December 19, 2008 · 10:23 pm

This Week’s Favorite Products

One of the advantages of spending hundreds of hours in front of a computer screen is the access to all sorts of ridiculous items. It is hard not to be entertained even during some of my more stressful days. (today was surely one of them).

Everyone seems to have a review site these days, so consider this my first review post. Again, maybe I will get some free loot from this!

Here are my favorite products from this week:

flame

I mentioned this one at the beginning of my post yesterday but I felt it needed more commentary. It was originally brought to my attention on Twitter by my fellow SV mom blogger and tech guru, mom extraordinairre, the fabulous Beth of techmamas. She found this article on Techcrunch.

Burger King has either lost their minds or struck genius with their beef scented cologne called Flame. My personal opinion is the latter. This is brilliant and fun. They have the most hysterical site with Barry White style music, candles on a bathtub and all. “The Whopper® Sandwich is America’s Favorite Burger. Flame™ by BK captures the essence of that love and gives it to you. Behold the scent of seduction, with a hint of flame broiled meat.” OMG, that last line kills me.

It is sold exclusively at Ricky’s for $3.99 – nice price point. And it is sold out or many of you would be receiving this from me as a gift. (especially my brother and brother-in law, the vegetarians)

maplebacon4index

Seems meat is on the brain this week. This one comes from my BBFF Liz over at Flashfree. She tweeted about these Maple-Bacon Lollipops this morning. I am so sorry but the thought of these made me throw up in my mouth a little bit. The men in my house eat Slim Jims, that is bad enough, but a bacon sucker. Jana would run from the house screaming from this one for sure.

encentral_presentacion1

This last one comes from my friend Joyce. She swears she was not searching for anything in particular when she stumbled upon the Condometric. Yes, folks, this is a condom with ruler markings. How about this for a selling point ” Condometric is the first prophylactic that measures and shows off the penis’ length. It helps flaunt what we’ve got.” Oh and they come in 4 great flavors: Natural Power, Cherry Rider, Katana Lima and Papito Banana.

I suppose the best way to tie this post together would be to say…

Hey, it ain’t the meat it’s the motion

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at Mid-Century Modern Moms and at 50-Something Moms Blog.

For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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