Books I should own.

I think I have a lot to learn. I think I should start reading books that will actually teach me something.

The Nancy Drew Handbook will actually help you be as sleuthful as the original diva of crime fighting. Forget CSI…I want to learn how to tap out a morse code message with my high heels! Or how about her tips on packing your handbag for every emergency? Bring it Nancy!

The Daring Book for Girls. Need I say more? Here I can learn how to do the perfect cartwheel, send secret notes, or find out the eternal mystery of what boys are thinking.

While I’m picking out books for myself I might as well get this little read for Winnie. Maybe we can start our own doggy book club. I might have to tear out the section on how to make your owner look like an idiot before I give it to her! She really needs to read up on the rules of fetch…

The Book of General Ignorance may help me win a few arguments. I can see it now…”Duh, camels store fat in their humps not water”

Why do Men Have Nipples? Okay…I don’t know. Better put this book on my list. Oh yeah, it will also tell you why old ladies grow beards. Good to know.

The Cocktail Party Cheatsheats - sound like a genius at any social gathering got me excited. Me, a genius? Sign me up!

Okay…I’m off to learn something!

Happy Birthday Riley!!!!!!!!!!

December 17, 2007. shopping. 2 comments.

Wrap it up!

I have started taking advantage of little spurts of time when no one else is home to gather my Christmas gifts and get them wrapped. I am using some new fun things to get the job done!

Crinkle Co Gift wrap kits are the best! Each kit comes with everything you need to wrap a present like a pro. You can choose from a pillow box (my favorite), a gift bag, and standard wrapping paper. What is so cool about is that the tape strips, ribbon, tissue paper, and gift tag are included in each kit. You can literally wrap a gift in 5 minutes…and it will look awesome. I am going to stock up on these kits…perfect for wrapping all year round.

Of course I had to package up a few gifts with Dachshund paper by Fish Lips. Not only are the colors cool & hip…it has doxies on it! It just makes me happy (and Winnie too).

I love using my Name maker personalized wrapping paper. It is such a quick wrap due to the fact that I don’t need a gift tag! I love it!

If I only had this to wrap the girls birthday gifts…

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I need to make a quick trip to Sephora this weekend to pick up Cargo Lip Gloss gift tags for the girls. How cute will they look on all of their packages for their friends?

December 14, 2007. shopping. Leave a comment.

Radio Thursday – Presents for Mom , Dad, and everyone!!

You probably have the kid’s presents pretty figured out by now…have you thought about your Mom, Dad, or spouse?? Ooops…you better find something! Here I am to help!

For Everyone

• Soothing Environments DVD – This is really cool! These DVDs transform your TV into a moving work of art. Face it, TVs are getting bigger…they don’t look so great when they are off. Pop in this DVD and you can relax oceanside! These actually relax and calm you. What a great gift idea for someone who works hard! You can even fall asleep to it or with the built in timer wake up to the relaxing sound of the ocean. This will turn your big tv into a beautiful work of art. What a mood lift for anyone’s spirit. $19.99

• Soft Star Shoes – Have you ever envied the soft little shoes that babies wear? Soft Star Shoes makes super comfy soft soled moccasins and slippers. I have a brown suede pair that I just love! The have sheepskin on the inside and are really soft on the outside. The bottom has some treads to keep me up! You can get them for babies, kids, men, and women in about every color you can imagine. You can even create your own pair. I know you have someone on your list that would love these!

• Thumb Thing – You won’t find a more useful gift for $3.49 than this! The Thumb Thing is a little piece of plastic that fits over your thumb and holds the pages of a book down for reading…you can read with one hand! Two little plastic wings ensure that your book stays open. You could spend a lot of time at Spoon Sisters looking at all of their unique gifts…it is one of my favorite sites!

• For the ladies

• Cha Cha Bella -Not only do I love the Cha Cha Bella rings because they are beautiful….Our friend Kristen Gates has designed a ring for Cha Cha Bella! Her ring is a beautiful shimmering mound of Swarovski crystals that looks absolutely stunning. The high quality crystals (at least 30 of them) are set on a nice thick sterling silver band. The best thing about the Kristen Gates ring is that a portion of the proceeds from every ring purchased will go to The Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. This is a cause that is very dear to Kristen as well as all of the KICKS crew. I get compliments every time I wear my Kristen ring!!

• Ladies Tool Kit - This is not your ordinary tool kit! This is a 57 piece set of pink tools in a hard pink case!! They also have a soft case version. I love having tools that are my own….not Mikes! The case is cute enough to have handy – I don’t have to hide it away in the basement. That means my tools are always within reach…no more wooden spoons, high heeled shoes or butter knives for my jobs. My husband was amazed the first few times I came walking into the room with my pink tool kit…he was even more amazed when I solved the problem using one of the tools! They have many, many kits available as well as tool belts and books…..this is a gift that will be used over and over again!

• Dillon Rogers Bracelet -Personalized leather bracelets! These are so cute…and unique. They can put so much onto each bracelet…you just have to decide what you would like it to say. Favorite saying? Pet name? Kids names? Special Date? Favorite quote? You don’t get more personalized than that! Next choose your color (they have lots of great colors to choose from) and your font (again….lots & lots). They start at $55 and will be the talk of the Christmas season for anyone who finds this in their stocking!

For him

• Slimmy Wallet – A wallet so skinny he can put it in his front pocket! This means better security and faster draw! It also will make his behind smaller…no bulgy wallet obstructing the view. They offer all kinds of wallet options from leather to plastic. The sport wallet is really great for travelers – it can hook to your pants or bag..nobody will be able to snatch it! This is a great idea…and a great gift. Only $29.95

• Black and Tan Turtle – Last year I tried to impress Mike and his buddies by making them “black & tans”. This is a drink made with two kinds of beer and layering them in the glass. Rachael Ray used a spoon to make her black and tans…it looked simple. Simple it was not! I served the boys a mottled mix of dark and light lager…not very appetizing! The Black and Tan Turtle is a little metal turtle that sits on the top of your glass. You simply pour the beer over the little guy to create the perfect black and tan. His head even doubles as a bottle opener. Give this little guy with a few six packs of lager and you will have a happy man at your house!

• Urban Tool SlotBar- This is a super hip “gadget bag”. You know…a man bag! It is soft, looks hip, and has pockets for everything. Imagine your guy having a place (other than your purse) for his iPod, camera, PDA, keys, wallet, sunglasses, pen…you name it. There are specific pockets for everything. It even has a removable Key jojo. He can fill it up and wear it like a conventional sling or put it around his hips. You can choose from 3 colors – Black, mudd (brown) and Mangrove (blue). I think every man should have one of these!

Bonus…super duper stocking stuffers!!

• Flipper Toothbrush Holder – Fun colors and animals…these cuties have a purpose! They will keep your tooth brush clean and sanitary. A bunch of function & fun for starting at only $3.99

• Soap Rolls – Round cylinders of soap in fun scents and fun colors! My personal favorite is the tangerine. The cylinder shape makes it easy for kids to wash…they don’t waste as much soap. The fun scents double the fun! Only $2 each!!

• Ouchies Bandages – The best bandages on earth!! Super cool & super creative. Their motto is “hide your wound not your style”. I love it! They have styles for teens girls, teen boys, and little guys and gals. They even have a style that comes with a special pen for you to decorate yourself. This goes into the category of WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT? They come in a really great tin box for only $5.

• CoCo Press Journals and Stationary – These beautiful hardback journals are small enough to tuck into a stocking yet tailored for each recipient. Looking for a gift for a traveler, cook, reader, musician, teacher, or wine connoisseur? Do you know someone who loves beautiful stationary? The stationary is just gorgeous. The books are not only so pretty…they are really handy too! Some are lined for ease of entry, others are blank to spark creativity. They will be filled with special memories in no time. At only $10 each…they will look like you spent much more!

• Toothy Frog – I love this little guy! For only $6.50 he packs a big punch. He is a bottle opener and coaster – plus he is magnetic and is always waiting on your fridge for you. Your guy will love having the Toothy Frog around….and you will love never having to remind him to get a coaster.

December 13, 2007. shopping. Leave a comment.

What am I (still) running with now?

The good news is that I am still running!! The scary news is that my half marathon is only one month and one day away!! Can you even believe that my mom started all of this? She requested that her 4 daughters run the Disney Half Marathon with her for her 65th birthday. Now I know what they mean when they say people tend to not think straight when they get old!! Just kidding Mom! I’m still pounding the pavement and trying out lots of new things in the process.

• Hornet Juice – This is a performance enhancing amino acid supplement powder. The super cool thing about this stuff is that it actually uses your own reserves of fat and converts it into long-lasting energy! I’m all for converting my fat into just about anything:) You mix one packet with 8.5 ounces of water or electrolyte drink and guzzle it down 0 to 30 minutes before physical activity. Bottom line…you drink this stuff and you will run your butt off…literally! It has a grapey taste that was a little gritty…but hey, this stuff gives you some energy!

• Urban Tool Sport Holster – I have had a few very chilly days out on the trail…some of my winter running pants don’t have the great pockets that my skirts have. This sports holster has a place for everything! A retractable key holder, reflectors, a pocket for my mp3 & cell phone. It is super lightweight…you forget you are wearing it. This vest hugs your shoulders and leaves your arms free to move. I think it looks pretty cool too!

• Venture Design Works – They have some of the most ingenious products. My personal favorite is the Free Hand. This is like a fingerless glove with a pocket built into it! It is perfect for when I want to go out for a run and only want to take my cell phone. It is super light and breathable. I also like the Sleeve Bot. This is a neoprene bottle cozy that keeps your bottle hot or cold…however you like it. It is really light and also keeps your water bottle from getting all drippy.

I will keep on truckin’….

December 11, 2007. shopping. 3 comments.

Cool…from Japan

We have had a super busy weekend here at the KatyShops house! Mike returned from his trip to Japan and brought us lots of cool goodies. The biggest hit was the Pen/Pencil all in one! I guess they are all the rage over in Japan. You twist the pen one way for black ink, another way for red ink, and again for pencil led!  I found some online and wanted to share them with you…they would make a great gift for Christmas!

This one has four colors of ink and pencil led…

The kids loved these pens…and the adults too!

December 10, 2007. shopping. 1 comment.

All I Want For Christmas…(part 1)

My List

To be continued…

December 7, 2007. shopping. Leave a comment.

Radio Thursday – Great Kid’s Gifts

I get asked all of the time for great “out of the box” gift ideas for kids. Here a a few that I love…

• Boon Animal Bag – Stuffed animal storage & a comfy seat all in one! Every kid has a bunch of stuffed animals….every kid love a bean bag type chair. Why not combine the two? The Boon Animal Bag is an oversized, plush bag that has a large zippered window on the top of it. Children can fill the bag with their stuffed animals and then rest and relax on the soft seat that the filled bag creates! It comes in four different styles – and will create something out of all of those stuffed animals. For $59.99 this is a great gift idea!

• Peek-a-boo bags – This is a simple, entertaining, and educational toy that doesn’t require batteries or electricity. This soft pillow like toy has a is like a portable “I Spy” game. Your kids simply look through the clear window for letters, trinkets, an surprises. Choose from the girl, boy, or ABC version and let the hunting begin! This would be great for a car trip or to keep in the diaper bag for instant entertainment. They are small (about 6.5 inches) and super soft corduroy…and are only $15 each.

• Streamline NYC Clocks – These old fashioned alarm clocks are completely updated with great graphics and super cool sounds. Wake up to the sound of dogs barking, traffic, dinosaurs,bees, or pirates. They have so many styles and sounds to choose from! Kids will feel grown up with their own clock and have fun while waking up. They come in great colors to match the hippest kids room. They are only $16 each!

• Ozel Skateboard Bag – The coolest way to tote your skateboard around! This messenger style bag not only holds your skateboard…it also holds your phone, mp3 player, and everything else. Kinda like a “man bag” for teen boys!! It makes it easy for them to carry their skateboard when they are in areas where they can’t ride. They come in a bunch of colors and styles and start around $24.00.

• Howtoons – This is the coolest comic book that I have ever seen! It is also full of really cool science experiments. This book teaches kids how to take ordinary items from around the house and turn them in to extraordinary things. Some of the things you will learn how to make include an underwater scope, a turkey baster flute, even a motor! The cool thing is that the kids don’t really know that it is educational. Available for $15.99.

• Room it Up – Kids love decorating their room. Room it Up has so many fun decorating and organizing items in super chic patterns! Pick your pattern and go crazy!! You can get everything from a shoe organizer to a lap desk. My favorites is the Handy Hold All. This is a great way to store handbags, hats, or scarves. You hang it on the back of your door and simply snap in your purse…awesome!! I also love the super cute travel accessories for girls….gotta start them out in style!

December 6, 2007. shopping. 1 comment.

Free stuff..

Free liquid nutrition sample. Oooh….a new flavor of Metamucil.…try it free.

Free Angelina Ballerina Plush Doll.

Join the KB Toys club and get a $5 Gift Certificate!

Free Crownies Snack.

Use coupon code SNOW through December 9th, 2007, at Restaurant.com to take 50% off your purchase and get a bonus $10 dining certificate. (It will be emailed to you within a day of purchase.) That’s $35 worth of dining for just $5.

Have a great Wednesday…and Happy Hanukkah! Tune into radio Thursday tomorrow for some really great ideas for kids.

December 5, 2007. shopping. Leave a comment.

Stop Me….

This is the time of year where it is really hard to fit everything in. With the holidays & the girls birthdays it gets really busy. Will someone please remind me of this when it comes time to “volunteer” for committees and such?? I am happy to report that this year has been a bit easier…for the first time in 8 years I am not a Board Member of the PTA at either if the kids school. I need to remember how hectic volunteering can be. Maybe I should put some subtle reminders around the house….

Volunteering to help is good. Volunteering for everything is not good. Moderation is the key….

December 4, 2007. shopping. 2 comments.