Little Clock Shop

Another Friday where you're watching the clock countdown until the weekend? Yeah, me too. I've really got to get a better clock. You know, one that speeds up between the hours of 8:00 to 5:00, but slows down on the weekends.

The Little Clock Shop doesn't have anything like that (trust me, I looked). But they do have some amazing beauties. Modern, with timeless designs. Many have a very retro style. Others are just very, very cool.

Me, I'm thinking about the cocktail table clock. That way, it will always be time for happy hour.

You really should check it out. Um, the site and happy hour.

Little Clock Shop

Radio Shark

Are you still listening to the radio? Haven't given it up for your iPod or some clever podcasts on the Internet? Then listen to this.

You need to get Radio Shark.

It's like TiVo for your radio. (Tell me you know what TiVo is!) It records live radio and allows you to pause, stop or even repeat your favorite broadcasts.

It plugs into your computer's USB port for power and you control it through either a Mac or PC.

And you thought you had everything you needed...?

Radio Shark

Bagnesia

I do my part for the environment. I've got some of those reusable grocery bags that I carry around in my car.

And that's where they stay when I go into the store and forget them until I get to the checkout.

I think Bagnesia was made for me. Their site features reminder kits to help you remember your grocery bags. Steering wheel covers, door hangers and key chains.

Now if someone would buy my groceries and put them away in my cabinets? You can be sure I'd never forget them.

Bagnesia

Gasparilla Glasses

There's a big event in Tampa in the next couple of weeks. Lots of people will be in town, lots of cheering, lots of tossing and passing.

No, it's not the Super Bowl. Couldn't care less about that. It's Gasparilla.

Pirates invade the city, stage a parade and throw beads to the onlookers. Everyone gathers in south Tampa at house parties before heading to the parade.

So, what do you take to said house party, should you be invited (instead of just crashing a party)?

Gasparilla glasses from Voscher, of course. Pick up a couple extra for the pirates you meet. Just in case you get pillaged.

Voscher Home Collection

Palm Pre

Didn't Apple once make a phone? Everyone was so pleased with its touch screen. How revolutionary!

Puh-lease. Palm was making them for years, just without the style, the pop music and the marketing muscle. I'm on my second Palm Treo that keeps track of my entire life.

Finally, Palm has gone glam. The new Pre features a beautiful touch screen - with plenty of curves and glitz. And, a real keyboard that slides down. It was the most buzzed about at the Consumer Electronics Show this month.

I think I'm in love. Sign up now at Palm's web site for a Pre-alert of its availability. Be sure to type something on your new Pre in front of all those iPhone fanatics.

Palm Pre

Custom Yoga Mat

My yoga instructor once told our class that if you know the color of the person's mat beside you, you're not focused enough on your own practice.

Yeah, well, apparently she didn't know about Yogamatics. Custom printed yoga mats that are made from your own photos or artwork. (You are bringing your own mat, aren't you? Have you seen where everyone else's feet have been???)

Oh yeah, those jealous wannabes will check out your mat. Just try not to embarass yourself by falling down while attempting tree pose. Especially now that everyone is looking your way.

Yogamatics

Photo Playing Cards

We have some friends that play cards. A lot. No, I mean it. They really love to play cards.

So the perfect gift for them was a set of personalized playing cards. Upload one of your photos or any design of your own creation and have it printed on the backside of a deck of cards.

Unfortunately, you can't personalize the front side of the cards. Just imagine the photos on face cards, such as Kings and Jacks.

What Jokers and Queens would have been on my cards? The world may never know.

Shutterfly

Cuff Daddy

Now that the holidays are over, I can share with you some of the gifts I gave this past Christmas. (Oh, yeah, I knew better than to trust you with the surprise.)

These cuff links are great because you can personalize the gift with photos of you - of course. Only, very, very tiny pictures of you.

The silver caps unscrew so that you can easily insert the photos. They even arrive in a hiqh-quality chrome presentation box. Some bling for your bling.

Trust me...these were very well received.

Cuff Daddy (That really is the store's name.)

Milk

Not familiar with Harvey Milk? In the late 70's, he became the first openly gay elected official.

He fought for gay rights in California more than 30 years ago. Amazingly, the fight continues today - such as last year's Proposition 8 in the California election...

In the movie Milk, Sean Penn portrays Harvey. He's supported by a cast that includes Josh Brolin (the older brother from The Goonies) and James Franco (the spoiled rich kid from Spiderman).

Sean sure has come along way from Fast Times at Ridgemont High. If he does not receive every award for best actor, I'll be very surprised. He was extraordinary in this movie. Never once did Sean say "dude" or act stoned in class.

So, uh, like, dude - see this movie.

Milk

Edgar Sawtelle

Who the heck is Edgar Sawtelle? It's the debut novel from David Wroblewski. The book is actually titled "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle."
It was chosen for Oprah's book club, Barnes & Noble's Fall 2008 "Discover" pick and Amazon's Significant 7.

Yeah, I know. You were simply waiting to hear from me though, weren't you?

Go ahead. Buy the book - it's a good one.

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

Slumdog Millionaire

Maybe you've not heard of this movie. Maybe you're thinking "Ugh, not another foreign film." Or maybe you're waiting until it comes out on DVD (cheap skate).

Whatever reason you have for not seeing this movie yet, forget it.

This is such a good movie, I'm planning on seeing it again. It has already received four Golden Globe nominations and I bet it will win big at the Oscars.

What? Have I led you wrong in the past? OK, forget that as well. But, you really need to see this movie.

Slumdog Millionaire

Ignorance Is Bliss

Eat too much during the holidays? Yeah, me too.

So, you could get all upset about it and do something crazy, like diet and exercise. Eww, I just shuddered thinking about it.

Here's what you do. Get a new scale. In this case, they've just dropped off the numbers from the face of the scale.

I mean, who really needs them anyway. Weight is relative, isn't it? Well it should be. Who do I need to talk to about that?

Uncommon Goods

Change Your Clothes

It's a new year. I know what you're thinking. Thank goodness 2008 is behind us. It can only get better, right?

There's a new president moving into the White House in a couple of weeks. A lot of changes are about to occur. For starters, my in-laws are going to be miserable again because the Democrats are in charge.

(So sorry!)

Get ready for the changes now by ordering an Obama t-shirt. Because change starts at home. In your closet. Yeah, I'm saying change your shirt.

Karmaloop