Replenish Cleaner

This is interesting! I happened upon this one reading this week's posts on Apartment Therapy regarding cleaning products. The idea is that instead of paying for the "mixed" in cleaning product everyone else is selling - why not pay only for the concentrated version and then add you own water. It helps keep packaging small, you get more for your money, and help the environment.

Replenish! The bottle looks pretty cool, and they have a few scents available.

I haven't tried it yet, but next time I go to whole foods, I will keep an eye out. The biggest question for me now is: will it really clean good?

Boon Bath Fun!

I'm already a boon fan. I have bought the frog pad for the tub for the kids and I love it. It's really great. It's really just a place for the kids toys, but why not make it fun?

Since my boys are a bit older, I've been out of touch to the next new! cool! toy! but came across this - soo cute! It's called "creatures".  Again, they're bath toy, but it's got fun colors and cool creature to create. I hope to see this the next time I go on a Target run. Hah!

Orla Kiely & The Cabin Upright

One of the things I dream about in the "when-i-become-successful" variety is being able to travel and jet set around the world! Part of that is having the oh-so-cute-est travel luggage. That perfect luggage is, of course, Orla Kiely. I mean look at this, it's just the awesomest looking thing ever. Now, it must be small enough that it fits the overhead compartment. You won't trust this to be milling around with the rest of the luggages of the checked-in variety. That's because this luggage would be more expensive than anything inside it. 

Sigh. I just saw this one at See Jane Work and it's already marked 25% off and I still couldn't afford it. But who am I kidding. I should first wait for the opportunity to travel, no?

The Cutest iPhone SLR!

One of the best things about having a great gadget like the iPhone 4 is to have even better accessories! My friend has turned me on to Photojojo because of all the cool photography gifts for that photographer (or budding photographer) in your life. For my father in law last Christmas, we got him a thermal cup that looks like an SLR lens. Very very cute!

Now, look at this! It's a cute little SLR lens for your iPhone! Don't you want it? I know I do...

My Portenzo iPad2 Case

It took a lot of effort and countless hours of searching the web, looking at video & blog reviews, but I finally have the case that I wanted. The winner is the Portenzo case in Retro. Do I love it? Yes, I do - but it does have it's disadvantages.

First, here are the winning points:

• It's incognito. While I love the simple design of the iPad2, I'm not keen on having everyone and their brother knowing I'm lugging one around. I find it perfect for the coffee shop, meetings, and pretty much everywhere you are just waiting around
• It's looks like a moleskin notebook. Simple design, with the signature band around it.
• It's orange! I love the color of the inside (lime green) and outside. It's the fun of having the simple book design, but still having it's own personality
• It's designed around the iPad2 best features: close to sleep, holes for camera, etc.
• It's pretty tough, and holds the iPad2 well.

Here's a few things I'm not so fond of:

• While it's not heavy, it does bring the weight of the iPad2 more.
• The "Portenzo" signature at the back of the book is about 30% too big...a slightly less obnoxious one would've pleased me better
• There's no real good way to prop the iPad2 for good viewing...I tried, it just kinda flips and flops unless you perfected the angle. I just end up propping it will pillows

Before I found this, I was thinking about getting the Dodo Case, which is local (San Francisco!), but there were a couple of reviews that put the doubt in me, hence, going with this, it's formidable competitor...All in all, it was worth it's 7-week wait time :) 

H is for I Am Sam

You know why groupon or living social actually work? I see this add for discount on Dr. Seuss "limited edition" prints and I was actually tempted to buy it. Really. At a time when we are saving every little bit up, this sort of thing just kinda sucks you in. Hmm...would this be so cool for the kids room? Maybe next time.

The Retro Phone Handset

Ahhh, it's a Retro Phone Handset!

Apparently, Lenny Kravitz was spotted rockin' one of these bad boys...so, it must be cool, right? right? Haha, I'd love to get one of these, I think they're more ergonomic than the square phones, and it's such a great visual out of the road.

Twilight Merch

Happy New Year Everyone!

This is my second Twilight post. I must be obsessed. Anyway, so I find out that Gel got a "Team Jacob" shirt for Christmas from Jax and it was really cool. It said: Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? And Team Jacob in the back....so I was a little bit jealous so I searched high and low for a good Team Edward (well of course!) shirt for me. In my search, I found some funny ones...some jabs on Team Jacob. My favorites were:

I went to Forks and all I got was this lousy imprint (shown above)

Yes Jacob, your being half naked does bother me.

Bella: Luckier than you since 1989

Jacob Black, I want to La Push you over the Cliff!

My Vera Bradley Dilemna

Vera Bradley! Ah, what can I say? I am hooked. I was just wandering around SF Center and happen to pass by the Vera Bradley store (which was right beside our BBW store) and wandered in. If not for the baby crying to be fed, I would probably still be in there. They have really cool stuff!

At first glance, they may look country-wallet-ish, but they have very nice patterns and very nice selection of handbags! I decided i'm going to get myself some but have been in a confused state the whole day. Should I get their Baby Bag so I can get rid of the Kaiser diaper bag? Should I get it in the new cool pattern "Puccini" or get the ultra cool microfiber version? It's more expensive and harder to clean, but it's so elegant looking. Or, should I get their new Weekender bag. I've been eyeing a LeSportsac one since I couldn't really afford an Orla Kiely one (which is bee-yooouuu-ti-ful). Or should I get something for me - the "handbag" or the "bowler". Not onlu that, I'm debating between three different patterns! I would love a review if you happen to be a proud owner...

I bought their tech case which houses my Blackberry right now and love it. I also got a matching keychain to go with it!
This beautiful photo by the way if from Junglejim's photostream.

Kidrobot - Dunny 4

I know I'm not a kid anymore, and I've heard of Kidrobot before, but up until I've bough a bunch of these for the team for Christmas, I never though about it much.

They're very cool. I like the Dunny series. The one I got was the pink one - I hope I don't get addicted and try to collect them all.

Bag Love #3: Mango Bag

This bag is a small leather bag. It's the size of a clutch but with a strap. I can only really stuff my wallet, cell phone, camera & a lipstick in it, but it's really really cool.

It's a MNG Mango bag, my only one. Given to me by Gel, it's one of my favorite small bags. I love it's color. It's not the typical brown leather, the brown is so light it's almost mango colored. The "worn" leather is soft to the touch. It's good for work as well as a night out in the town - coz...yeah, I go out a lot. (heh. that was sarcasm, in case it did not translate.)

Fossil Accessories

On a lighter note, I love the new line of Fossil accessories. The colors are beautiful and the pattern are unique. I'd like to get this necklace on the left, but it's a whopping $65.00. There are matching rings as well, those may be more affordable. Gel says they're trying to be like Kenneth Cole (which has the best jewelry line right now as far as we're concerned). In a way, I agree, but so what. I've gotten compliments from the ones that I have...so good job, Fossil. Hurry up and be on sale so I can get a few more.

Shu Uemura Lipstick

I'm not much of a make-up expert, but I do want to say that I recently discovered the shu uemura lipstick and I love it. It feels like a moisturizing lipstick - if that's even a term. If you tend to put a lip balm after you apply your lipstick because your lips are chappy, then this is the lipstick for you! Goody!

Bag Love #2: Manhattan Portage

This bag will forever be to me my first ever cool bag. I've lugged this all around Berkeley. It has weathered through countless Bart & Bus rides. It has seen many nights at Wurster Hall studios. It has gone through lots of coffee stains and muffin crumbs from Strada. It has been tossed, It has been thrown. It has been loved.

I love this bag. I've loved it the minute I saw it at the Urban Outfitters on Brancroft. I purchased it full price. Yikes! Yes, a whopping $40, which to a college student, was a lot.

Now, I honor you, Manhattan Portage Cornell messenger bag - in grey. I hope you enjoyed being with me as much as I have lugging you around, because honestly, after a couple of hours, you fucking hurt my shoulder. Just Kidding. I love you.

Bag Love #1: Girl Messenger

I love bags! I especially like weird funky bags. And in honor of my love for bags, I'm starting a series of Bag-Love posts, showing of my favorites.

This messenger bag was given to me by Jiki and I love the girl on the flap. This is obviously a women's bag since I can't think of any reason why a guy would have a bag with a girl on it.

It's big enough to fit a letter pad so I tend to use it on days when I know I need to carry a lot of stuff.

Kiehl's Olive Fruit Oil Shampy & Condy

I just started using Kiehl's Olive Fruit Oil Shampoo and conditioner and I must say I'm very pleased with it. I've been trying on different shampoos for a while, inlcuding Sebastian, Infusium, Pantene...I've had stints where I thought all shampoos are the same, why buy the expensive one?, and I usually pick whatever brand was on sale at Target. Then, I would have stints (usually after a haircut) where the stylist would pressure me into buying whatever expensive product they have and I usually give in and regret it later when I don't feel the shampoo working.

This time I was debating between going with everyone's favorite brand Fakkai and Kiehls, but the outrageous prices at BBW & Sephora made try this. I'm very happy with it, which means I'll stick it out for a while. I have yet to try Dave's brand of choice: Biosilk. Maybe next time, Dave. Maybe next time.

Moca Simpson

Taking a cue from Smokedog, I decided to Simpsonize myself. Pretty fun! I'm cool as a Simpson - haha!!! Come on, do it...and email me your photo. Here's the link: Simpsonize Me

I Love Anthropologie

I just wanted to say that I love love love Anthropologie! They have like the best. clothes. ever. sigh...just too darned expensive (hmm, is this a posting trend?). Every time I go, I head over to the sale rack, coz that's really the only way I can afford this shit. Last time I went, as i fitted clothes in the fitting rooms, I overhear the two loud women next door talkng about men and clothes (two subjects we women like to talk about). The one girl asked how the shirt looked on her, the other girls said she looked fabulous and asked how much the shirt was. Girl one says $175. Girl two says, "that's reasonable.." I sigh as I looked down at my pile of $29.99 shirts. Must be nice to be rich.

Le Compagnie De Provence Marseille

I love these. Ok, I admit i haven't tried any and I'm judging by looks alone, but the bottles look so pretty. I want them all over my house. The company is called La Compagnie De Provence Marseille and they have luxury soaps, candles and other good stuff. The foam bath (shown) is a whopping $21. Yikes!

Not the Rabbit

This is an odd invention. No, it's not what you think it is silly. It's a banana case. A what? A banana case. Are people really worried about the condition of their banana when they get to their destination that they'd buy a banana shaped case just to protect it?

This case is also geared towards the "perfect" banana shape & size. Because what if you got a very small banana? Kay, I know you got those! What if your banana is extra long? [Maybe the ribs accomodate for this]. What if your banana is huge or fat? What if your banana is extra bendy and won't follow the shape of this case? Not all bananas are Chiquitas!

In any case, you can get this nifty gadget at Compact Impact for $6 a bunker, or $25 for the set (so you can case up a banana for every day of the week!!). Just make sure that when you do use it, you're putting the banana IN it.