Bond had it wrong - maybe it's better to stir

Who doesn't love a good drink? Well, they just got better, baby!

Pour the alcohol, add the mixer, throw in some ice and shake. Forget about it. That's the old way.

Now you just drop in an ice cube stirrer in fun party shapes to cool down that drink and mix it up.

Oh yeah, it also prevents cases of cocktail elbow.

Spiral and Circle

Traveling Dog

Going on vacation with man's best friend? Pack some plastic bags (you know why) and bring along his favorite kibble in this container.

The Charlybox is made of two sides - one side is a canteen and one side is a set of bowls for Fido's food and water. When he's finished, the two sides snap back together again.

Everybody's happy. Except for you, left holding the plastic bags after dinner.

Design Within Reach

Sweet, Dude.

Slaving away at the desk again, pencil in one hand, check book in the other. Who can balance these things anyway?

If you've made a little mistake with your math again, use one of these sweet erasers. Cleaning up your mess will never be as much fun.

Problem is, you'll be craving the real thing in no time.

MOMA Store

Dog Bank

So the stock market took another dive. Some people say invest in gold. Others say put your money in real estate. Yeah, right.

I'm putting my money in dogs. Check out this little guy from the Container Store. Sadly, it could probably hold my entire savings.

This bank will guard your money. When you need a little pocket change, just get him to roll over. Now fetch!

Container Store

Bacon Swiss Dip

Snackworthy is willing to share a secret. Everything tastes better with bacon.

The first time I made this recipe for Bacon Swiss Dip, I made only one batch. I mean, how much will these people eat, right? Since then, I'm now up to four or more batches at large parties and it is still the first thing that runs out.

So here's the recipe and you can all start making it on your own. Better yet, bring it to my party.

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup mayonaise
1 cup shredded swiss cheese
2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions
8 slices bacon, crisp-cooked crumbled
1 sleeve butter crackers, crushed
3 tablespoons melted butter

Combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise and swiss cheese in a bowl and mix well. Stir in the green onions and bacon. Spread into a shallow baking dish. Top with the crushed crackers and drizzle with the melted butter. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Serve hot with assorted crackers or chips.

You may prepare this ahead of time and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature and bake just before serving time.

Yeah, Paula Deen wishes she created this recipe. You'll love it.

Music to Sooth the Savage Snacker

While we're spending time outside, it's always nice to hear the windchimes in our backyard. No, I'm not talking about the tiny sets bought from the tourist trap at the beach.

These babies are the Stradivarius of windchimes. Music of the Spheres makes chimes in six sizes spanning four octaves. Go to their web site to listen to the different tunings available. Each one sounds amazing.

And when the wind really starts to blow in your backyard, the neighbors will think they're living next to a Buddhist monestary because of the deep mellow bass sound ringing through the air. Yes, grasshopper, buy some windchimes.

Music of the Spheres

The Art of the Deal

Here's the scoop on great original art without the high cost of a gallery. A lot of terrific artists now sell their original works on ebay. Yeah, ebay, baby! I couldn't believe it either.

You do have to sort through a lot of strange and no-so-great pieces, but you can find amazing, inexpensive work from artists such as Karin Jurick or Christopher Stott. You can even narrow down the listings by media, style, color, subject, etc.

The category is Direct From The Artist, found under the Art group. It's worth a look, trust me.

But don't even think about bidding against me. I've got some tricks up my sleeve to win. I might tell you about it some day if you're lucky.

ebay

Preorder This CD

I first saw Amy MacDonald last year on the Graham Norton show. While it was released in the UK last year, her album will now finally be available in the US on August 19th. You can pre-order it from Amazon, but itunes still hasn't gotten with it yet.

Amy's music is described by critics as traditional, acoustic folk-rock sound with a youthful spirit. Think of her as the other British Amy without the drug problems.

I bought the CD as an import and the whole album is fantastic. The title track and Mr. Rock & Roll will have you hooked right away.

I've been listening to it ever since. Really, all of my friends are begging me to play something else. What do they know?

Amazon

Dress Up Your Dinnerware

Gorgeous dinnerware from Arte Italica combines white porcelain and pewter to create a dramatic table setting. It's like basic china with a little bling.

Sadly, you can't throw these babies into the dishwasher. Make sure you do the cooking, so they have to wash the dishes, got it?

Even broccoli looks snackworthy with dishes this beautiful. OK, so they're not miracle workers, but they are beautiful.

Find the whole set at The Bowl Company.

Man's Best Bronze Friend

Terriers, hounds and dogs of all kinds have been cast in bronze, making beautiful statues for your home. Dannyquest's artists have created the largest gallery of dog sculptures, featuring more than 150 breeds.

Maybe you're a little obsessive about your pup. That's OK, until it manifests into needlepoint pillows of the little one in every room. Get a bronze and leave it at that.

Fetch one today.

Dannyquest

How to Remember Your Passwords

Trust me, your IT department at work will love these.

How many times are you asked to type in a password each day? And then, the systems guys want you to change it every month. Just when you start to remember it, you've got to get a new one. That doesn't even include all the web site passwords you've got to remember!

Knock-Knock is famous for their funny sticky notes and note pads. Pick up this little beauty and never forget a password again. (But don't blame me when you're identity is stolen.)

Knock-Knock

Great Snacks for Dogs

So far, it's all been about what's Snackworthy for you and me. But here's a little something for man's best friend.

Three Dog Bakery serves up the best treats for the pooches. Our dogs go crazy for the peanut butter bits. Peanut butter - they sure have good taste.

Their website has everything - gift boxes, bone of the month club, super-sized containers of treats. Sadly, even something for cats.

Three Dog Bakery

Whoopie Pies Are Very Snackworthy

Whoopie pies are small chocolate cakes held together with a light fluffy cream center. Looks like an oversized cookie, but more like cake. What's not to like?

My grandmother used to make them and I saw them again while visiting Maine a couple of years ago. Now every trip up there has to include at least one whoopie pie (and lobster and ice cream and the list goes on).

You can order them online from Cranberry Island Kitchen. They'll ship a dozen to you, lickety-split.

Cranberry Island Kitchen