Ace of Hearts

So I'm crushing on this David guy - contestant on American Idol 5. I'm blaming it on the hormones because normally, I find these kids annoying. Anyway, it is so bad because:

1) He's 17 - I'm soo going to jail for just thinking about him.
2) He's not a good singer - nor is he a good performer
3) He lists Kelly Clarkson as one of his favorite signers for crying out loud!

So, that's not all, I'm also crushing on Ace - which is more understandable since, he's well, he's really hot. And he can sing. And he can actually perform. And he picks good songs (well, for now). You may not agree with me on my David-crush - but really, who can resist Ace?

Again with the Diaper Bags

You know what I've realized, I love bags! I can't get enough of these beautiful suckers. I know I've just posted about a diaper bag, but as I was browsing in Pottery Barn Kids - I love love love this chocolate "Ultimate Diaper Bag". It just looks so beautiful and sturdy at the same time!

Hugger Mugger Yoga Goods

The coolest yoga gear around is the Hugger Mugger. Just look at these beautiful big yoga bags - which can fit more than just the mat, and so stylish as well.

These products can break your bank though so intead of thinking about how broke you are, just channel your energy into your downward dog. Namaste!

GR8X

I love these cutte Diaper Bags from Gr8x. The first one is called the Baby Traveller and it unfolds to become a change mat so wherever you are, you are ready to go! The Satchel is also a nice stylish bag that has room for all your baby's stuff (and some of yours!) Beautiful stuff...

Slotted Pillows

Since EQ3 is opening a store in Bay Street, I decided to post about them. These slotted pillows are pretty cool for the neat freak. After a good ole pillow fight, put them all back nicely in the slot - it's a cultured way to fight.

Wonderful Graffiti

This is one of my favorites of the wonderful things found in Wonderful Graffiti. You can have the words customized to your names, places...things you love or anything at all. People would visit your say and think, boy, she really is into puzzles.

March of the Penguins

I recently watched the March of the Penguins on DVD. The film follows the journey of Emperor penguins as they trek through the Antartica Ice desert in the winter in order to mate. The film is magnificent in capturing this journey and it deeply touched me.

The penguins travel long and hard through the blizzard to the place they were born. There they find their mate and lay their egg. After the female has laid the egg - it is carefully transferred to the male for safekeeping (nested between their fun and their feet). The females then head back to the water miles away after weeks without nourishment to get food for themselves and their chicks. The males are left to brace the winter cold without food to keep the eggs safe until their return.

The image above is one that stayed with me. It is a photo of the male penguins all huddled together to brace the winter blizzards - carefull to keep their eggs warm tucked in their legs. (If the egg fall out, the cold hard ice would kill the egg instantly). After two months without food, the eggs start to hatch. The father and chick then wait for the mother to come back with food.

Once the females return the males would transfer the chick back to the mother and they will trek out to the ocean to get food for themselves. It's a beautiful story of love, which we can all learn from.

Pencil Vase

Oh, I love this pencil vase from See Jane Work. Nice clean modern look and can hold a variety of things but I think what works is to have green pencils like these to mimic wheatgrass. Ahhh, very tranquil.

Return To Me

I've been seeing the ReturnToMe cuff featured everywhere, but for me, I actually like the ReturnToMe shirt better. When you buy the shirt, you get one blank shirt with an iron-on transfer. The transfer has a 30x35 grid of circles which you can peel off to create an image or words! It's customizable and awesome. Click on the link to learn more.

The Marina Handbag

As I search around to find good gifts for people this holiday season, I find myself finding more stuff that I want! Like this Marina Computer Handbag from Timbuk2. It's a very girly laptop bag and I love it. Unfortunately it does not come with a variety of colors (this gray one is the one I like best). It kind of looks like a bowling bag, only cooler.

It's time to go home!

They look so eighties...but oh so cool. They're Japanese talking watches which you can get at FredFlare for about $20. I believe it speaks the time...in Japanese? I haven't heard it yet, but looks like a fun novelty item - and don't get it wet. I don't think it's water resistant!

Time Tags

Ahhh, isn't this cute? Aren't there times you want to wear a wach, but don't really want all that hardware hanging out your wrist? Get these cool Time Tags which you can get at Flight001, along with a bunch of other stuff for your travels. These Time Tags are watches you clip on! Clip on to your bag, your shirt, your laptop case...The look very techno and help keep your wrist clean and bare.

Friends

I just finished my few-months-long marathon watching the entire series of Friends! Yes, believe it or not, I watched from Season 1 all the way to the Season Finale and for all that hard work, I want to say a few words:

Friends was a pretty consistently good series. Granted it only won the Emmy for that one season, but they've given me some good, funny TV for a good chunk of my life. Out of the ten season, I can honestly say only Season 7 sucked. And yes, Season 7 was their weakest season. That season boasted such wacky episodes like: The One Where Chandler doesn't like Dogs (really, kinda lame!), The One With Rachel's Kisses (lame attempt at a lesbian kiss) and my all time unfavorite The One with The Truth About London (Which I believed butchered the flashback with a very different looking Chandler)

There's so many good episodes, but I realized a bunch of the really good one have been when people "Found out" about another friends' secret. Like...
The One Where Rachel Finds Out, back in season 1. That's a classic.
The One Where Ross Finds Out, in Season 2 was great as well. "Over me? When were you...under me?" *insert Ross' pathetic confused face here*
The One with the Kips (I believe this is the title) when Joey finds out about Monica and Chandler. This was also the episode where Rachel & Phoebe wanted to start their own group since Emily has forbidden Ross to see Rachel. Cut to scene in the coffee shop where Phoebe says to Ross, "Goodbye Ross...." *then whispers* "...forever!" Heehee.
The One with All The Resolutions is another favorite of mine - not just because it's the episode where Rachel finds out about Monica & Chandler, but it's also the episode where Ross wears the leather pants.
The One Where Everybody Finds Out, that's a classic. From Chandler & Phoebe's interaction to Joey's "Not my first time." (in reference to opening Phoebe's shirt in one swift motion).

There's so much more to say...but I'll stop for now, for this is already getting very long.

And Finally...Rent.

Finally, I take the time to review the movie that I've been anticipating for months. I did see Rent over the Thanksgiving holiday amidst all of the Harry Potter fanatics. In the multiplex where I saw the movie, Rent was located in the small, farthest theater (I guess they knew that they weren't going to sell out on this movie). I felt a little sad...

I loved the movie. I thought it was as accurate as it could to the theater version. I wasn't as turned off by Rosario Dawson as some people a I know (wink wink) and thought she did justice to Mimi. And for me to love Rent, I must love the Roger/ Mimi. That's because my fave songs have always been: Another Day & Light My Candle - the two Roger /Mimi songs.

Tango: Maureen, which has always been hit or miss for me (depending on who was playing Mark...I saw on Broadway when Joey Fatone was playing Mark...but I'm digressing), was a "Wow" for me on the film. It really worked there. The dream sequence with Maureen playing both sides was a good addition to what both Mark and Joanne were feeling towards her.

Good job to Jesse L. Martin as well. When he said "...Live in my house..." at the funeral, I started bawling. He was that good. And so charismatic!

But here's my complaints: 1) What the hell is Roger doing on the cliffs of Santa Fe? It felt soo cheesy. and 2) I know they're trying to be as accurate to the play as possible, but really, when you get an almost dying person in your apartment, and the couch is full - you clear the couch! You don't put her in a cold stanless steel kitchen table! Come on!!!

Here's a like to Smokedog's review of the same movie. Enjoy!

Harry Desk Organizer

Oh, this is just so cute. It's called the Harry Organizer from the MoMastore. This hairy little thing can actually organize your desk - and best yet, it can prompt people to go, "ew...what's that?" Haha...I love it!

The TriPod

Here's another iPod-related post. The TriPod from Zelco is a compact portable speakers for people on the go, but want to share their music to the world! Uses a AAA battery and can play for 10 hours. At $40.00, it's a pretty good gift!

PodSchtickers

In case you think your iPod to "too plain" or you aren't into cases because they "hide the beauty of your iPod" - here's another way to dress them up: PodSchtickers! The cool thing is, they're not stickers, they're decals so you can take em out anytime! They also have LapSchtickers for your laptops.

The Feather and the Feelgood

Among the Burton Boards, I've always loved the Feather and the Feelgood, although I thought the Feelgood always looked better design-wise (I look at looks, what can I say?). I bought myself a Feather a few years back, even though I secretly wanted the Feelgood which was out of my range budget-wise.

I was browsing through this wears design, and lookie-lookie, the Feather looks beautiful - much better than the Feelgood design this year, imho. Am I wrong?? What do you think?

Tri-City in Fremont is our choice destination for snowboarding gear because 1) they have a wide selection, and 2) if you wait just a little, they sell last year's boards for like 50% off!

Girlie Goggles

I know we won't be going to Tahoe at all this winter, but I just want to give a shout out to my beloved snowboarding gear.

First up is this the oh-so-cool Snowbunny goggles. Before I found out about these goggles, I was wearing boy-goggles which is too big for my face. It's so unproportional and unstylish and really unacceptable! The snowbunny goggles though, fit you (if your a gal) perfectly. I swear, you'll look prettier just by wearing them! I love it so much, I spent money to buy it for people - and yes, it's always a hit.

Thirteeeeen!

I know I've posted about Glarkware's NoN Shirts before - but it looks like they're making one for my fave show: Rome. The two Roman soldiers who I've been crushing on for months (you've seen the posts! I can't help myself) were of course from the Thirteenth Legion. Oh, I wanna get this shirt...but maybe they should ditch the Lion...it's a little too much.

Anyway, this may not be the final design yet, but I'm excited for it.

Titus Pullo

This Sunday is the season finale of Rome, and just like that, one of my favorite shows will be out of circulation again!

I must take a moment to say how much I love the other Roman in this epic tale: Titus Pullo. He may be a brute but he's one loyal, handsome brute. His friendship with Lucius and his deep devotion to him is one I can feel in my heart. (I mean, I'm rooting for the two of them to kiss and make up!)

The gladiator scene from the last episode was gruesome yet captivating and I believe one of the most powerful scenes of the series.

Lomo Fisheye Camera

Oh my God - I want this. The Lomo Fisheye Camera is so so cute! It's a 35 mm camera with a built-in fisheye lens. It takes in regular film but the fun you'll be having...is it extreme? I don't know. I'll let you know after I get my hands on one of these for Christmas (hopefully before).

It comes in two colors: silver and black. yeah, I like the silver one as well.

Don't Touch My Birdie!

I saw these cute little birdie-birds last summer at the Bath & Body Works in Easton in Columbus. There they were at the product tables chirping as I look at the various lotions / soaps. As you walk by, they chirp! Yes, these birds have eyes! I was fascinated - and a little intimidated by them.

I just realized that you can actually buy these cute puppies (or rather birdies) at Design Within Reach! Pick you species...and don't worry, you don't have to feed them.

The Monica Bed

I was browsing through Room & Board when what do you know~ I found out I have a bed there. This, ladies and gentlemen, is the Monica Bed! Hmm, I must say I'm pretty stylish in a Charlotte of Sex and the City kind of way. Of course, this bed is so not me. If I climbed aboard this bed, it'll spit me back out and say (with attitude): Umm, please! Silk pajamas only lady. Take your rotten oversized shirt and sleep in the Ikea sofa where you belong!

Yeah, this Monica bed sure is a snob. But I'm glad I'm linked to such high society living.

Asena, Soup & Afogato

Yesterday, the whole studio went to Asena for lunch, and although Asena is not my favorite restaurant in the world - it's always been pretty good there. Joanna ordered a soup and went "hmmm, it's good." which prompted me to get one as well (why not - it's paid for!) and ohh-la-la indeed! It's one of the most delicious soup I've ever had. We guessed it's some kind of vegetable broth with cream and had all kinds of vegetables in it. I finished that soup in a hurry.

The other good thing about my lunch was the dessert. Since I remember from the last time (with Lizette & Helen) not to get the chocolate flan, I got the vanilla bean gelato with a shot of espresso (decaf of course). [channeling janice]: Oh. My. God. That was beyond good, it was heaven. It's so good, I have no words! no words! I'm still thinking about how good it is...

inMotion

Our inMotion iM7 arrived Friday and I was able to play with it over the weekend. I was pleasantly surprised at how good the sound quality was and how nice it looks. I was afraid it would be too boombox-y but it's sleek and fine - just right for my surroundings (heh). The remote is a good feature as I was doing a lot of laundry over the weekend (as dirty as this sounds, I was doing laundry for clothes we had for vacation two weeks ago!) and I enjoyed it more listening to my iPod.

Sixteen Going on Seventeen

Totally unprepared are you to face a world of men
Timid and shy and scared are you
Of things beyond your ken
You'll need someone older and wiser
Telling you what to do
I am seventeen going on eighteen
I'll take care of you!

I was just listening to this as I do my laundry, and signing along as I always do, but when I got to that portion, I was like, "What the fuck?" If I was Liesl, I'd shove Rolf down the gazebo floor, give him the snappy-snap and say, "So, you're only a year older and you think you're the wiser? Who the fuck are you to tell me what to do? I don't need you or any man to take care of me. I can take care of myself, thank you very much. You think I'm unprepared to meet men, I say you're unprepared to meet me!"

Heh. I'm just emotional today.

Trick or treat your iPod

Halloween is coming up and I know you already have your costume all picked up and ready to go...but is your iPod ready? After paying good money for your iPod, he/she deserves to be in costume come Halloween as well.

Thanks Mike (Smokedog Blog) for tuning me to iAttire. This pirate costume is my favorite. Look at the cute little eye patch! aye!

I'm no Garden Hoe

Sometimes, I want to be a green thumb just so I can wear cute undies like this from You Grow Girl. Of course I know I can still wear it - no one is stopping me...but you know, I'm really no garden hoe.

The website is pretty cool though and has lots of planting and gardening stuff like recipes, advice and other flowery things I know nothing about. All I know is that it's pretty cool. Shirley would love it.

Your Kiss is on my List

Lizette & I were talking yesterday about our List. Who is on my list these days? (BTW, everybody knows what I mean by list, right?) Aside from Heath Ledger, I couldn't list offhand who were in my Top 5 lately. Maybe I'm just being a Ross, but I had to think of it carefully.

So Heath is still on my list. Something about his voice just melts me. Jamie Denton (James, as he'd like to be called now) is also high up there. After seeing him on Celebrity Poker, I think he's adorable. I'm also into Mark Ruffalo, don't ask me why. He is on my list.

Now, I'd like to add Lucius Vorenus to my list, as I don't know yet if I'm into Kevin McKidd or just his character in one of my favorite shows this season.

I've Got Color! Contest

I love looking through the various contests they have at Apartment Therapy. I even thought I'd enter this contest: I've Got Color! Since my living room is a vibrant Mango yellow. But of course, I don't think I'm strong enough to get flamed online (if you call constructive criticism "flaming"). Nevertheless, I love these entries. The composition of the photos are great as well. I know I'm not this bold, but wow, color really makes an impact!

Another Rent Trailer

November is fast approaching and so is the movie Rent! I just saw the cast recently on Live with Regis & Kelly, so it looks like they're at least trying to promote this movie. I doubt this will be any bit as big as Chicago, but I'm watching it anyway. I've posted the link to the Seasons of Love movie trailer some time ago. Now here's one where they used Finale B. Enjoy!

All Cupcakes, All the Time!

There's something about cupcakes. They always look so delicious (even when they are not)! Buttercup in NY is very very good, but I'm hopeful to find the equivalent here in the Bay Area. I'm no cupcake freak. I don't crave them every single day, but I realize just looking a beautiful cupcakes is enough for me - and whew - I found a blog that is all cupcakes, all the time!

Phone Charms

Oh, these are cuutttee! They're called OddzBallz
and they're cell phone charms. They're designed & created by elsakawai - and these charms (going for about $6 each) are handcrafted. I got Oddbeez & Owepeez (the green & blue ones)...but hurry, the introductory price is only for a limited time!

The Almost-Lost Clock

I love this clock from the LittleClockShop. It reminds me of the timer on Lost - except this just tells time and is not a timer that counts down from 108 and will ruin the whole world if we don't type 4 8 15 16 23 42 and press execute.

More Doggie Daybeds

I saw this dog bed when I was at the Anthropologie at the Mall at Millenia (I know, don't ask why I go to malls on vacation) and fell in love with it. But hey, I love dog beds of all kinds and this one is just adorable. They look mighty comfy too.

What the hell is Lumines?

I'm not a gamer by any means. But I realized something recently. I love puzzles! For a while I was addicted to Chuzzle, and any other variation of Tetris I can find. I even tried out Sudoku (which Smokedog Blog recommended) and loved it! Hey Mike - I'm no black belt yet, but I'm getting there!

For my new PSP - I bought this game called Lumines. The only puzzle-type game I could find - and it is actually very good! The skins are great. The premise is simple: make squares! It's very addicting, these puzzle games, and that's how I like it.

Love In Rome

A few posts back - I have speculated on whether I have a thing for Roman soldiers (to explain my obsession with Russell crowe that one year).

Well, it looks like I've done it again. This time, it's Lucius Vorenus on HBO's Rome - played by Kevin McKidd. His attempt at a good loving life with his wife Niobe - who he hasn't seen in 7 years - is quite adorable. And even though I have my doubts on Niobe's love for Lucius, I thought their scenes in last Sunday's episode were downright romantic. And I am a sucker for romance.

Dane Cook

I was just watching Dane Cook on Dave Attell's Las Vegas tour show on Comedy Central. It was great! I really love his stuff, but what just dawned on me is that Dane kinda looks like a younger Dennis Quaid. What to you think? Am I right??

What I like about him is that he's a guy's guy and also a ladies man (eww, what's is a ladies man?). He's hot, but not afraid to make a fool out of himself (see his bit about throwing up). Anyway, watch him when you can for a good ol' laugh. A good ol' G-O-L. Links to his stuff can be found on Gorillamask.net

Luggage Tags

Although I don't travel much, it never hurts to have good stuff all around you, right. Check out these cool luggage tags from CB2. It's flowery cool.

Can You Hear Me Now?

If you ever miss the old way of taking a call, get this handset, plug it to your cell, and pretend you've travelled back in time. It's the Hulger P*Phone which you can get at Elsewares

Origami Bowls

We've never traveled with Blue (I know, I'm sorry Blue) but we always wanted to. I've always thought that it would be nice to go up in the snow with him, let him run around in the beautiful white powder, eyes smiling, mouth drooling...but I'm digressing.

If you want to travel with your pet, but the bowl is too heavy - get these Origami Bowls! They're easy to assemble on the run, and make a good bowl. It can even be reused several times! Find it at UnicaHome.