A Serious Problem (when it's dry)

I have a confession. When it comes to umbrellas, I have a problem. I love umbrellas. I buy them all the time (usually at Target). I think they are lovely, elegant and useful. So every time I see a unique umbrella somewhere on the web, I want it! Here are a few of my favorite umbrellas that live on my wish list:

Broadsword Umbrella ($40) from thinkgeek.com. They have other sword-umbrellas, but this one would probably the most fun in an umbrella-sword fight.

Color Wheel Umbrella ($40) from Uncommon Goods. Add a little color to a dreary, rainy day.

Or, instead of adding color, add light: LED Umbrella ($25) from thinkgeek.com.

Perhaps you need a reminder that blue skies will be here again? Try the Sky Umbrella ($48)

Lens Pet ... not weird at all.

For the photographer who has everything (including a sense of humor): an owl for his camera. 

It's a lens pet ($17). This shop has forty different animals that can decorate your lens.  Use it as a disguise or a distraction, but for whatever reason you claim, this guy will be a conversation starter.

On Esty: custom OWL Lens Pet for your camera

What to get for the Lumberjack who has everything...

This isn't probably an issue for most people, but one of my friends is a sound-guru lumberjack who knits and basically has his needs down to fit in a duffle bag. He wears plain t-shirts under his flannel (otherwise I would get him this) and his knowledge of his various fields renders my gift purchasing useless.

UNLESS!

I gave him a gift that was portable, relevant and modifiable. Well folks, I give to you the Axe Maker's Kit ($140) from the Best Made Company. They already make the best axes around, so is it any surprise they will also let you make the best ax?

No. No, my friends. It is not. 

Source: THE BEST MADE - WETTERLINGS AXE MAKER'S KIT

Do-Good Link:

Chrome for a Cause. 
Just by opening new tabs, you can help support (up to) five different charities: The Nature Conservancy, charity: water, Doctors Without Borders, Room to Read, and Un Techo para mi País.

TOMS are the new Keds

Do you remember Keds? I know they still exist, but I remember rocking them out as a kid. I was a big fan of slip-on shoes, especially ones that also allowed me to run amok. They weren't quite gym shoes, though you could get away with them in a pinch. Keds were your everyday sneakers, run to the store on a Sunday kind of shoes.

Nowadays I would give that honor to TOMS shoes ($44-98), which are similar to Keds in style, but come with a higher purpose. You see, with every pair of TOMS shoes sold, they give a pair to a child who needs them. One of my friends only wears TOMS, swearing they are the most comfortable shoe on the market.

Good shoes doing good? Put it on the Wish List.

Wrapping up the Wish List

I was reading "10 Gorgeous Green Alternatives to Holiday Wrapping Paper" on TreeHugger and was a little disappointed that they didn't show someone using the Sunday comics page as wrapping until they showed me this:

Handmade Large Music Sheet Paper Bows ($10 for 5) by greenearthgoodies on Esty.com. They sell all sorts of recycled paper goods, including colorful and creative greeting cards and envelope stickers.

These particular bows are currently sold out, which is actually okay, as I am planning to wrap this year's presents in the funny pages.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL POT!

Is, of course, Scandinavian. And costs $280.

But still, it is the most beautiful pot.

I've never wanted a Kindle so badly as now...

Discovering that Etiquette by Emily Post is free on Kindle has really changed how I view the device. I've known for years that books in the public domain are free and instantly downloadable, but it really didn't click until I was reading Mrs. Post's book on Google books and ran out of free page views.

I thought at one point that an iPad would be the thing for me, but really as long as I have a computer, an iPad is just an extra thing that does less, but with more fingerprint smudges. The Kindle would be lighter and uses e-ink technology that saves your eyes from burning. It works in sunlight! It runs for weeks on one battery charge!

This is a winning product that I have been resisting for years, but now I'm thinking the hype might be worth  it. Plus, it's never been more affordable. 

Source: Amazon.com: Etiquette eBook: Emily Post: Kindle Store