Dog Tie one on with a neck tie that’s gone to the dogs

They say that a dog is man’s best friend.

I disagree. I believe that a dog is a woman’s best friend for the majority of the time, unless the man has bacon in his pocket.

Next Friday is National Bring Your Dog to Work Day, so I’m going to make sure my sensational Scotty, Madison, makes a good first impression on the boss with this cool Poochie Dog Tie from Fetch Dog.

Maybe she’ll even get a temp job out of it.  She can fetch just about anything.

Take your dog to work in style with this adorable Dog Neck Tie that is 100% cotton and Made in Vermont, where dogs make up a large percentage of the working population. Find the perfect tie that fits your top dog, with sizes that range from XS to fit a petite 8″ neck to an XL for a hefty 26″ neck, and everything in between.

DID YOU KNOW? Bassett Hounds cannot swim, but they can beat you at poker. At least according to a lot of rad paintings.

It comes in a pretty pastel print for girls, a manly plaid for boys.  Although the plaid works with my pup’s Scottish heritage, I think I’ll go with the pastel.  Not that it matters…

Madison has a history of cross dressing.

Features:

- Available in sizes XS – XL
- Velcro neck
- 100% cotton
- Hand wash, hang dry
- Price: $19.95

*Find more cool dog accessories from a dog neck tie to a dog car seat and more, from Fetch Dog!

Retro cell phone handset brings retro style to your cell

I hate cell phones. iPhones, Androids, you name it, I hate ‘em.

Why? It costs me money every time I hear my ringtone. It’s not the minutes, I’ve got unlimited ones. It’s usually my daughter asking for money.

Another reason why I hate cell phones is that it makes it too easy to talk to people. I hate talking to people. In fact, when most people call me, I play a recording of Chewbacca until they hang up. Plus, all of this new 3G, 4G, touchscreen technology mumbo jumbo is impossible to keep up with. And haven’t you heard? If you hold a cell phone to your ear long enough, it will give you cancer.

If I had it my way, I’d go back to the good old days when we had uncomplicated, uncancerous rotary phones.

What’s that? Now there’s a way that I can use my cell phone and still enjoy the comfort of cradling a classic receiver to my ear with the Retro Cell Phone Hansdset from X-Treme Geek?

Now, when someone calls, I just might answer.

Enjoy a blast from the past every time you take a call with this Retro Cell Phone Handset that converts your teeny tiny cell phone into an old-fashioned handset that you can actually get a grip on.

DID YOU KNOW? The most popular texting acronyms amongst the elderly are OMGWTF: Oh my. Gee whiz. Tutti-frutti. & ROTFLACGU: Rolling on the floor laughing and can’t get up.

Simply plug the handset into your mobile phone, sit back, relax and speak into the receiver the way it was done back in the day. The 2.5mm jack works with most mobile phones directly or via an adapter.

Care to swap digits?

Features:

-  Cell phone and adapters not included
-  Price: $29.95

*Find more cool gifts for geeks from X-Treme Geek!

Baseball Cufflinks your father will want to sport on Game day

My father always told me to keep my eye on the ball.

Unfortunately for me and my entire pee wee little league team, I was too busy keeping my eye on our catcher’s hot sister, Stefanie.

To my Dad’s dismay, I never really excelled at baseball, but we still enjoyed our baseball bonding time, whether in box seats in the bullpen, tossing the ball around in the backyard, or watching the Red Sox crush the Yankees on a pair of barstools at our favorite pub.

I may not have fulfilled Dad’s dreams of having a son who played in the Major Leagues, but I can treat him this Father’s Day to an all star set of MLB Authenticated Game Used Baseball Cufflinks featuring pieces of a real life Major League ball that was hit, caught and pitched by real life Red Sox players.

Score.

Baseball fans young or old will be honored to wear these MLB Authenticated Baseball Cufflinks, featuring pieces of authentic game used balls from the majors, set in a spectacular pair of sterling silver cufflinks.

DID YOU KNOW? Babe Ruth had a lifetime batting average of .342. A Baby Ruth candy bar has a calories from fat average of 126.0.

Select his favorite team for a handsome keepsake for Father’s Day, or any special occasion. Every pair comes with its own hologram number, so the proud owner can learn more about the ball that he’s wearing on his sleeve at www.mlb.com/authentication.

Thanks for taking me out to the ballgame, Pop.

Features:

- Approximately 3/4″ diameter
- Sterling Silver Findings
- Bullet Backing
- Price: $170 per pair

*Find more sports themed cufflinks, 14k gold cufflinks and more cool cufflink designs, from Cufflinks.com!

Dog eared jewelry necklace – A Mother’s Day gift that has heart

There was a time when gold nameplate necklaces were all the rage. I had one during middle school and it was my prized possession.  It rested on a thin gold chain decorating my décolletage with my name centered perfectly in a cool custom cursive script. I loved that necklace. Then it somehow got bent as a result of shoving too many Swatch watches into my jewelry box.

Today I’m more into pendant style necklaces that showcase a single symbolic charm. A cross, first initial or fortune cookie.

I don’t have any kids yet, but this Mom Necklace by Dog eared makes me want to have some, just so I can score this simple yet oh so elegant dangling heart necklace for Mother’s Day.

I guess my material maternal urges are kicking in.

Buying bad Mother’s Day Gifts is a heart habit to break. This year, give your mom a Mother’s Day gift that will make her heart skip a beat, from Cambria Cove.

DID YOU KNOW? Mother-in-Law Day is celebrated on the fourth Sunday in October. It was started in viagra by a newspaper editor in Amarillo, Texas who thought his Mother-in-Law was a MILF.

This diminutive sterling silver charm necklace designed by Dog eared jewelry serves as a sweet reminder that whether she’s near or far in proximity, your mom is always close to your heart. Choose from an open sterling silver or 14k gold-dipped sterling heart that floats on a delicate chain, packaged with a card that bears a sweet Mother’s Day sentiment.

She’ll love it, I promise.
Cross my heart.

Features:

- Available with sterling silver or 14k gold-dipped sterling heart
- Handmade in the USA
- Necklace measures 18″ long
- Price: $46 – $54

*Find more charming jewelry and gifts from the Cambria Cove Catalog!

Giant chocolate bunny for big chocolate bunny lovers

A couple of weeks ago my kid broke his clavicle while wrestling another kid from our neighborhood lightweight division. Thankfully, he did not require surgery or any kind of weird clavicle cast that would have made both his and my life a living hell.

Treatment of clavicle breaks and fractures most commonly involve resting the affected extremity in a sling. Through my experience, I have learned that an even more effective over-the-counter treatment, is chocolate.

Forget Extra Strength Advil, give a kid 100mg or more of chocolate every 4 to 6 hours or as pain persists, and they’ll look forward to breaking the rest of their other still developing bones. This is why this Easter, I’m going all out for my broken clavicle crusader with a Giant Chocolate Bunny from Figi’s.

He’ll be back to wrestling Mickey Rourke style in no time.

Hear me now, believe me later, this Big Eared Milk Chocolate Bunny from Figi’s is literally all ears, featuring a rocking set of rabbit ears that are over a foot tall.

DID YOU KNOW? According to a survey, 76% of people prefer to eat the ears of a chocolate Easter bunny first before any other part. 100% of chocolate bunnies prefer it if you eat their bow ties first.

An ideal Easter treat for chocolate loving kids and adults of all ages, this Big Eared Bunny is the perfect addition to any Easter basket.

Hmmm. If I buy two I can score a 2nd bunny for only $11 more…

We’ll play it by ear.

Features:

- Hollow milk chocolate bunny
- 12½”H
- Net wt. 10 oz
- Available through May 9th
- Price $16.99 for one, $27.99 for two

*Find more delightful gourmet seasonal treats from the Figis catalog!

When I was in college I was given a set of magnetic poetry as a gift.

I grew to hate this set when every morning quest for a glass of oj would leave me staring at the refrigerator door at some fragmented non-sensical sentence my roommate’s boyfriend assembled while drunk the night before. As an AP/Honors English student and budding writer, I never responded well to phrases such as:

you are ugly cracker looking
elbow the clown my uncle
your burrito too voluptuous

It was a waste of words and I ultimately ended up throwing them all away. To my dismay, a dry erase board was put up in its place with a barely legible scrawl that read Buy Me Beer.

Years later, I can finally look at my refrigerator door without wincing thanks to these Buddha Magnets from Buddha Groove, a Magnetic word kit that helps me find my center with 20 inspirational quotes and words combined.

Give yourself or someone you love the gift of inspiration with this magnetic word kit depicting Buddhist quotes and symbolic proverbs.

DID YOU KNOW? Followers of Buddha cannot vacuum under their couches because a true Buddhist has no attachments.

Whether you need to get over a bad day at work, or a reminder not to sweat the small stuff, these glossy Buddha Magnets will offer moments of clarity every time you read a message.

I’m enlightened.

Features:

- Free shipping!
- Overall piece measures 4.25″ X 4.25″
- Price: $12.99

*Find more Buddhist art, statues, inspiration and decor from Buddha Groove online!

Eiffel Tower Clock – A perfect memento of your time at the Eiffel Tower

Does anyone remember that story circulating a few years back about that woman who had a commitment ceremony with the Eiffel Tower?

Well, apparently this lady suffered from that condition where you find yourself attracted to inanimate objects. She even changed her name to reflect her bond with the famous Parisian landmark and is now known legally as Erika Eiffel. True story. Like I could make this stuff up.

Although I admit that there is a certain je ne sais quoi surrounding this monumental French monument and am thrilled that I will be seeing it in person in all its glory très soon, (I leave for Europe tomorrow) I still think that chick was a nut job to commit herself to a building. I mean, I love this Eiffel Tower Clock from Wrapables, but I’m not gonna like, marry it, okay.

I wonder if they have an open relationship… Perhaps she’s cheating on Eiffel with Big Ben. I hear he knows how to show a girl a good time.

Whether you are planning a trip to Paris or have already been there and done that, this charming Eiffel Tower table clock will bring you joy every hour on the hour while you reminisce about your time spent in La Ville-Lumière.

DID YOU KNOW? In 1984, two English citizens parachuted off the Eiffel Tower. It is reported that they oui oui’ed their pants all the way down.

A perfect addition that will add a punch of Parisian flair to your home decor, as well as the perfect gift for any clock collecting Monsieur or Mademoiselle, this unique table clock is constructed from high quality wire and is designed to stand up to years of use.

You’ll love it. Just don’t expect it to love you back.

Features:

- Clock size: 2 5/8” diam, 17 ” tall
- Made of metal and wire
- Batteries not included
- Price: $39.95

*Find more wrapable treasures, creative home decor and gifts from Wrapables!

bodybuggSP keeps you in shape with bodybugg personal calorie management

I used to treat my body like it was my temple. Then I discovered beer and cheese fries. Then my body was my halfway house.

I used to burn calories in my twenties just by telling a good man-walks-into-a-bar joke, but when the button fly on my favorite pair of Levi’s refused to close, I knew I needed some help with my ever growing gut.

My first move was to sign myself up for a membership at 24 Hour Fitness, so I could work out on my time, during hours that work for me (i.e. 2:45 am after inhaling a sausage lover’s pizza at 2:08 am).

My second move was to hit the 24 Hour Fitness Store online to pick up a bodybuggSP personal calorie management system. It helps me track what I eat and what I burn so I burn more calories than I consume, without all the guesswork.

It rocks my body.

Whether you are a body conscious individual or a body self-conscious individual like me, you’ll be amazed by the NEW bodybuggSP device that makes it super simple to manage not only the calories you consume, but the ones you burn as well so you’ll always stay in control of your weight. It taught me that Outback Aussie Cheese fries = 2,900 calories, 182 g fat and 240 g carbs… Whoa, dude.

DID YOU KNOW? You would have to sit through 16 episodes of 2 and a Half Men to burn off one Big Mac. Unless Charlie Sheen makes you vomit… then you just need to sit through 15 and a half.

It fits discreetly on my arm under my polos and helps me make smarter decisions with over 90% accuracy. Plus, I can sync the bodbybuggSP to my smartphone for real time results, making all my data easily accessible in one place.

I’ve lost 10 pounds of gut and gained a six pack of mighty muscle. Now that I’m longer and leaner, my buddies keep bugging me to borrow my miracle gut blasting gadget.

Over my dead bodybugg.

Features:

- Smartphone compatible with Android and iPhone!
- Grey frame,  face and armstrap
- Price: $209

*Sign up for gym memberships and shop for health and fitness gear from the 24 Hour Fitness Store!

Sushi roller helps you sushi rock and roll at home

I have been known to frequent All-You-Can-Eat sushi joints.  I have also been known to toss my Temaki shortly thereafter.

I love sushi, but your average sushi boat is downright expensive and if the guy behind the sushi bar doesn’t like your face, you might just be getting the raw end of the fish.

Now I can save money and know exactly what end of the fish is going in my Spicy Tuna Roll, thanks to this simple wok and rolling Sushi Roller I found in the Cooking Enthusiast catalog.

Now I just need to invest in some decent reusable chopsticks because you know what Confucius says… Man with one chopstick go hungry.

Sushi isn’t just a snack, it’s an art form. If you love the look of a perfectly formed roll, this easy-to-use Sushi Roller will have you rolling your own sushi from the comfort of your own kitchen counter in no time.

DID YOU KNOW? In 2008, a new chain of sushi bars was launched catering exclusively to lawyers. The innovative sushi chain was called, Sosumi.

Simply add your favorite sushi combinations like tuna, avocado and/or crabmeat with sushi sticky rice, then pull the tab and Holy Wasabi! Out pops a perfect, professional looking roll just like the pros make.

Best of all, the Sushi Roller allows you to prepare custom made sushi, just the way everyone likes it, sure to please even the pickiest sushi eaters.

Hold the spicy mayo please.

Features:

- 3″ x 3″ x 7.5″
- Dishwasher safe
- Instructions included
- Price $12.95

*Find more time-saving kitchen gadgets and tools in the Cooking Enthusiast cooking catalog!

Irish shaker set brings luck with every salt and pepper shake

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, it’s usually because I haven’t overseasoned the Shepherd’s Pie.

No matter what meal I’m preparing, Irish or otherwise, I usually have a heavy hand with my special blend of Irish herbs and seasonings.

Now I just rest my collectible porcelain Luck of the Irish Salt and Pepper Set from Lenox on the table so my husband can add a wee bit o’ salt (he’s watching his sodium) and my son can add a wee lot o’ pepper to whatever meal their dear old Ma is cooking in her pot o’ stainless steel.

This magical salt and pepper set features a leprechaun on his pot of gold and a colorful rainbow. The set makes for a charming table decoration during the magical month of March leading up to Saint Patrick’s Day, and/or all year round.

DID YOU KNOW? A man from Boise, Idaho found a silver bullet in his bowl of Lucky Charms. He described the finding as magically suspicious.

Both collectible shakers are crafted of hand-painted porcelain and trimmed with 24 karat gold for a precious Lenox keepsake that you’ll look forward to displaying year after year.

- Crafted of hand-painted fine porcelain, accented with 24 karat gold
- Height: 3 3/4″
- Introduced 2011
- Imported
- Price: $34.90

*Find more fine china, exquisite collectibles and gifts featured in the Lenox catalog!