Mighty Goods: Products from December 2004

Chainstitch Tee

A basic T-shirt with a little something extra. This Tee has a triple chainstitch effect that slims you up by emphasizing your verticality. 100% Egyptian pima cotton, machine washable.

$36 at Liz Claiborne

(Also available in yellow.)

Kirtsy This | Posted 31 Dec, 2004 in December 2004 by Margaret Mason

Alex Bathtub Finger Painting Kit

Bathtub toys are the best! I used to use bath paints like these to trick my niece into looking up, thereby tilting her head back, thereby allowing me to rinse the shampoo out of her hair painlessly. You can use them to lure bath-averse little ones into the tub.

$10 at Amazon

Kirtsy This | Posted 31 Dec, 2004 in December 2004 by Margaret Mason

I-Pod Contact Lens Case

My favorite designs are the ones that take everyday uglies and make them appealing. Ditch your medicinal lens case and opt for this sleek, colorful one. The duo-tone design helps you keep track of which contact goes in which eye.

$6 at CB2

Kirtsy This | Posted 31 Dec, 2004 in December 2004 by Margaret Mason

Magnetic Spice Rack

This is the only reasonably priced magnetic spice rack I’ve ever seen. I love the concept, but I’d probably throw away the stand and just nail a sheet of aluminum to the wall above the stove. The containers are the neat part. Nine spices included: mustard seed, pizza seasoning, caraway seed, bay leaves, coriander, mint, basil, marjoram, and oregano.

$40 at Amazon

Kirtsy This | Posted 30 Dec, 2004 in December 2004 by Margaret Mason

Dandelion Shirt

ON SALE Make a wish. Did you wish for a whimsical dandelion shirt? No? Then I’m of no use to you.

$34 at Talla

(Regularly $46.)

Kirtsy This | Posted 30 Dec, 2004 in December 2004 by Margaret Mason

loophole porcelain lamp

ON SALE Here’s a lamp that glows like a candle. This would make an unintrusive reading lamp, or it could supply just the right mood lighting for a mellow evening at home. Has an on/off switch on the cord and takes a 60-watt bulb.

$20 at CB2

(No longer available.)

Kirtsy This | Posted 30 Dec, 2004 in December 2004 by Margaret Mason

Dingo Snack Tee

This shirt cracks me up, but the site description is even better: “It’s a fact of nature that each parent wants to one-up every other parent. Whether you publicly give voice to it or not, your belief is that your baby is best in every way – the cutest, the smartest, the best behaved… …the tastiest.”

$18 at Glarkware

Kirtsy This | Posted 15 Dec, 2004 in December 2004 by Margaret Mason

Otherwise Engaged

I expected this novel by Suzanne Finnamore to be a light and fluffy brain break. Instead, it was a bright, funny look at the more brow-raising side of engagement. Some excerpts that had me laughing aloud on the subway: “Talking to him was deeply satisfying. Being with him held a natural pleasure. Perhaps he is gay, I thought.” “I need to feel the air on my face,” says Chad. He seems almost unbearably handsome as he says this. This may be the moment in time when he peaks, like a bosc pear.” “Sure, there are other fish in the sea, but I like these, floating here on top. They’re easier to catch.”

$9 at Amazon

Kirtsy This | Posted 15 Dec, 2004 in December 2004 by Margaret Mason

Isaac Mizrahi Canvas Tote

Elegant and cheap, my favorite pair. If you’re planning a winter holiday, this smart tote is roomy enough for an afternoon of magazines, a small lunch, and a beach towel. It comes with a long strap, so you can sling it over your shoulder, or carry it by the cutout handles. Interior pockets keep your keys handy and your sunglasses at ready.

$29 at Target

Kirtsy This | Posted 15 Dec, 2004 in December 2004 by Margaret Mason

Ice Cream Chiller

This is my new favorite present for pregnant friends. It makes you feel much more dignified when you devour an entire carton of ice cream at one sitting. Or, you know, you can use it to keep ice cream chilled when you have guests over. Pfft.

$40 at Garnet Hill

(No longer available.)

Kirtsy This | Posted 14 Dec, 2004 in December 2004 by Margaret Mason

Joystick Junkie T-Shirt

Know someone who’s nostalgic for that eerie arcade glow? Here’s a hip shirt for your favorite geek. Give it to him with a roll of quarters.

$16 at Amazon

Kirtsy This | Posted 14 Dec, 2004 in December 2004 by Margaret Mason

Philosophy Kiss Me Lip Balm

I consider this more of a moisturizer than a lip balm. It really soothes and smooths raspy lips. Also, it doesn’t leave an irritating waxy residue once your lips have sucked up all the moisture. Mmmmm. Unctuous.

$10 at Drugstore.com

(Recommended by Lance Arthur.)

Kirtsy This | Posted 14 Dec, 2004 in December 2004 by Margaret Mason

Three-Layer Tulle Tutu

You took her to see the Nutcracker, and she’s been walking around on her toes ever since. Shouldn’t she get to dress the part? Get your camera ready, you’re in for some serious twirling.

$22 at Amazon

Kirtsy This | Posted 13 Dec, 2004 in December 2004 by Margaret Mason

Mr. Beer Premium Edition Kit

Instant beer, just add water. Well, actually you have to wait a week for the beer, but you can make up to twenty bottles every week. You get a brew keg, beer mix, a booster, a recipe book, and eight plastic amber quart bottles with screw caps. Once you use up the malts and hops that come with the kit, you can buy additional blends separately. If you’ve ever wanted to brew your own beer, this kit will let you check out the process without a huge investment.

$40 at Target

Kirtsy This | Posted 13 Dec, 2004 in December 2004 by Margaret Mason

Durabrand Portable DVD Player 7”

Attention Walmart shoppers: this portable DVD player is only $150. I know nothing else about it, so caveat emptor. I poked around a bit trying to find reviews, and I read about a couple of other players made by the same company. The consensus seems to be that they work pretty well. Some break, but when they do, they’re are readily replaced by your nearest Walmart. If you have a six-hour holiday car ride ahead and a couple of kids in the backseat, a cheap portable DVD player could keep the peace just long enough to get you within striking distance of the eggnog. I thought you should know your options.

$150 at Walmart

Kirtsy This | Posted 13 Dec, 2004 in December 2004 by Margaret Mason

Pill Necklace

I admire the simplicity of this feminine necklace. A little silver dot dangling from its cotton cord. Hand-crafted by Debbie Fisher, who lives in Brooklyn. This is the kid of necklace you’d never have to take off. It would look sweet dangling in the V of your button-down shirt, and would dress up a soft cotton T-shirt.

$50 at Elsewares

Kirtsy This | Posted 10 Dec, 2004 in December 2004 by Margaret Mason

Sofia Mini Blanc de Blanc

UNIQUE HOST GIFTS

Brilliant! I’m completely charmed by these flirty individual servings of bubbly. Ideal for celebration of personal triumphs. The design is entirely too persuasive. They come in a four-pack and have tiny telescoping straws attached to the sides. It’s the much giddier alternative to grabbing a six pack on your way to ladies night. Yes, you’re thinking, but does it taste like can? No. It’s actually quite good. I found it light, with a faint taste of green apples. If you like sparkling wines, you’ll enjoy this. I will say that when I tried sipping without the straw, I found the smell of the can a bit distracting. If you pour it into a glass, there’s no lingering aluminum scent. One can holds about two flutes’ worth. Finally, an inexpensive way to enjoy a glass of sparkling wine without ruining a whole bottle. I’m keeping a few in the fridge for Sunday-morning mimosas, but I expect to see the pink cans showing up for wedding toasts, bachelorettes, showers, beach picnics, and girls’ nights on the town. (Thanks, Amanda!)

$15 at Rosso & Bianco

Kirtsy This | Posted 10 Dec, 2004 in December 2004 by Margaret Mason

Netflix Gift Subscription

What do you get the guy who you have no idea what to get? A Netflix gift subscription. You pick how many months you want to subscribe, then print up the subscription certificate or send a notice via email. The recipient chooses DVDs online, and Netflix ships them directly to his door. Easy as pie.

$36 at Netflix

(For two months.)

Kirtsy This | Posted 10 Dec, 2004 in December 2004 by Margaret Mason

Target Custom Shirt

Did you know that Target makes custom clothing? I didn’t either, until my friend Andrew pointed it out. (Thanks, Andrew!) The custom men’s shirts are my favorites. You choose the fabric, collar shape, and sleeve length. Pocket or no? Back pleat? Monogram? You choose. Then the site asks you about your height, weight, exercise habits, chest, shoulders, stomach shape, arm shape, and body proportionality. Pretty good for forty-five bucks.

$45 at Target

Kirtsy This | Posted 09 Dec, 2004 in December 2004 by Margaret Mason

Clinique Simply Body Butter

When I was a kid, our backyard fence was heavy with the neighbor’s honeysuckle vine. To this day, the smell of honeysuckle reminds me of wet swimsuits and barbequed ribs. It stands to reason, then, that I’m enamored with this skin cream from Clinique. Smells just like summer in the backyard, and leaves my skin silky. I keep rubbing my hands against my cheeks. Get a sample, and see if you like it too.

$33 at Clinique

Kirtsy This | Posted 09 Dec, 2004 in December 2004 by Margaret Mason

Plum Blossom Plate

Ah! Perfection, these bone-china dessert plates. Purchase one and eat something chocolate with a small silver fork. Of course, with plates this exquisite, you’ll also need hemstitched linen napkins, and perhaps a touch of champagne. Here’s to your good taste.

$27 at Lille

Kirtsy This | Posted 09 Dec, 2004 in December 2004 by Margaret Mason

Kickin’ Karate Tee for Kids

Keeeeyah! Your kid is a kung-fu force to be reckoned with. I think this would be especially cute on a little girl with curly pigtails. The karate silhouette is flocked, but you can still machine wash and dry. 100% cotton.

$30 at Babystyle

Kirtsy This | Posted 08 Dec, 2004 in December 2004 by Margaret Mason

Thing in a Bag Cat Toy

Kitten crack, people. This cat toy is a tear-resistant bag that seems to have a live creature inside. What’s actually inside is crinkly stuff and a motor that jumps around every once in awhile. This makes your cat think it’s stalking something trapped in the bag. The toy requires three AA batteries, and it turns off by itself after three minutes. (Via The Red Ferret Journal.)

$13 at Amazon

Kirtsy This | Posted 08 Dec, 2004 in December 2004 by Margaret Mason

Republic of Tea’s Ginseng Peppermint

I don’t usually like herbal teas, they tend to taste like a bunch of sticks floating in warm water. Glah. This ginseng peppermint tea, however, is tasty. It contains eleuthero (no idea), peppermint, cinnamon, licorice, and echinacea root. It’s minty, of course, and the licorice flavor isn’t discernable, but it leaves a sweet aftertaste in your mouth. If, like me, you’re bouncing off the walls from your five or six “nice cups of tea” a day, give this a try. It will mellow you right out.

$9 at Republic of Tea

Kirtsy This | Posted 08 Dec, 2004 in December 2004 by Margaret Mason

Amelie

TOKENS OF AFFECTION UNDER $15

Amelie is an attentive movie. It celebrates the small habits and preferences you often only notice about others when you’re falling in love. The director is tender toward human failings, and hopeful about our triumphs.

$14 at Amazon

(In French, with subtitles.)

Kirtsy This | Posted 06 Dec, 2004 in December 2004 by Margaret Mason