Mighty Goods: Products from March 2005

Naturally Playful Teeter Totter

If your kids have hit that adorable “MINE!” stage, give them a toy they can’t help but share. Have hours of fun watching one of them clamber off unexpectedly to send the other one rocking like mad.

$30 at ToysRus | Buy

| Posted 31 Mar, 2005 in March 2005 by Margaret Mason

Performance Hoodie

When you look this stylish, you don’t need yoga to feel serenely superior. This hoodie is made of stretchy, breathable fabric and has a “second skin base layer” to keep you snuggly until your blood gets flowing. Also, elbow patches! After your class, you can find the nearest wing chair and light up your pipe. Thanks for the tip, Yvette!

$67 at Athleta | Buy

| Posted 31 Mar, 2005 in March 2005 by Margaret Mason

Geishas Pillow

Seems like I come across a new crazy-expensive-pillows site every day. This one is a silk-wool blend stuffed with down. The sweet geishas are printed on the front and back.

$77 at Fly-Bird | Buy

(No longer available.)

| Posted 31 Mar, 2005 in March 2005 by Margaret Mason

Molly Cord Blazer

ON SALE QUICK PICK
Comes in Camel, wine, green, and gray.

$20 at Delia's | Buy

(Regularly $48. )

| Posted 31 Mar, 2005 in March 2005 by Margaret Mason

Scrabble Cuff Links

QUICK PICK

$64 at Uncommon Goods | Buy

(Silver and Scrabble. .6"x.6")

| Posted 31 Mar, 2005 in March 2005 by Margaret Mason

Picnic Service Set

Stow service for eight right next to your spare tire. This colorful basket contains plastic plates, bowls, cups, and flatware; you add the corkscrew. Tuck it in your trunk and you’re ready for roadside wine and cheese whenever the weather permits.

$36 at Target | Buy

| Posted 31 Mar, 2005 in March 2005 by Margaret Mason

Boostaroo

The Boostaroo is a portable amplifier and splitter that works with MP3 players, DVDs, laptops, Gameboys, or portable TVs. It can give you 100 percent volume kick and lets you share any device with up to three people.

$25 at Think Geek | Buy

| Posted 29 Mar, 2005 in March 2005 by Margaret Mason

Girl Scout Cookies

When I moved to a big city, it never occurred to me that I’d be sacrificing my Girl Scout cookies. The wee green ones don’t come to my door or stake out the grocery stores I frequent. My cupboards are cookie-free, and I’m starting to have withdrawal symptoms. The Girl Scouts don’t sell cookies online, but I did find a site where you can download a mail-order form and have Lemon Cremes delivered direct to your door. You have until the end of April to stuff your freezer with Peanut Butter Patties and Caramel deLites before the cookies disappear for another year. Stock up.

$4 at Girl Scouts, Patriots' Trail Council | Buy

| Posted 29 Mar, 2005 in March 2005 by Margaret Mason

Confederacy of Dunces

John Kennedy Toole committed suicide in 1969 and never saw the publication of his novel. Confederacy of Dunces is a hilarious and tragic book that explores the life of decidedly unlikable Ignatius J. Reilly. Excerpts: “Your total ignorance of that which you profess to teach merits the death penalty. I doubt whether you know that St. Cassian of Imola was stabbed to death by his students with their styli�Pray to him, you deluded fool, you ‘anyone for tennis?’ golf-playing, cocktail-quaffing, pseudo-pedant.” “Santa, honey, that’s a sweet little Blessed Virgin you got on top that TV,” Mrs. Reilly said. �Santa said, “Ain’t it nice, though? It’s a little Our Lady of the Television. It’s got a suction cup base so I don’t knock it over when I’m banging around in the kitchen. I bought it by Lenny’s” “Lenny’s got everything,” Mrs. Reilly said. “It looks like it’s made outta nice plastic, too. Don’t break.” “My mentality, uncontrollable and wanton as always, whispered to me a scheme so magnificent and daring that I shrank from the very thought of what I was hearing. “Stop! I cried imploringly my godlike mind. ‘This is madness!’”

$11 at Amazon | Buy

| Posted 29 Mar, 2005 in March 2005 by Margaret Mason

Retro Bullet Planter

For years I’ve been covetous of my friend’s 1950s bullet planter, and now I can have a shiny new one all for myself. It’s made of fiberglass and steel, and it beats the heck out of terra cotta. I like it in white with a tall succulent or unusual tropical flowers. Scoot one into that weird bare corner in your apartment, and make yourself a martini.

$140 at Fly-Bird | Buy

( Bowl 15.75"d Stand 22.75"h)

| Posted 25 Mar, 2005 in March 2005 by Margaret Mason

16-Inch Original Big Wheel

Oh! Remember?

$43 at Playthings Past | Buy

| Posted 25 Mar, 2005 in March 2005 by Margaret Mason

Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm

My nose being stuffed up, I’ve been mouth-breathing for over a week. After the first few days, my lips were angry, and they’d begun to claw at each other. A friend loaned me some of this minty lip-balm, and my kisser was instantly healed. Now I put it on before bed and it lasts until morning, preventing cracking and chapping. I find it more protective than moisturizing, but I hear it smells great, and it has a soothing tingle to it.

$3 at Beauty.com | Buy

(.15 oz.)

| Posted 25 Mar, 2005 in March 2005 by Margaret Mason

Hi-Yah Kickboxer Cards

R. Nichols rocks it. I like every single card he makes, but I want to be best friends with his tough little kickboxer. Eight cards to a set. They’re blank inside, so you can use them for sending aggressive thank you notes and kick-ass birthday greetings alike.

$14 at Kate's Paperie | Buy

( 3.5" x 4.875" cards)

| Posted 24 Mar, 2005 in March 2005 by Margaret Mason

Woodgrain Tag Necklace

For the fashionable tree hugger on your list, a petite wood grain necklace by Rena Tom. Full disclosure: Rena is one of my many acquaintances who makes lovely things. This tag necklace comes with a red nylon cord that wraps twice around the wearer’s neck.

$40 at Elsewares | Buy

| Posted 17 Mar, 2005 in March 2005 by Margaret Mason

Track Top Jacket in Mushroom

QUICK PICK

$79 at Ben Sherman | Buy

| Posted 16 Mar, 2005 in March 2005 by Margaret Mason

Peonies Cards

QUICK PICK

$20 at Kate's Paperie | Buy

| Posted 16 Mar, 2005 in March 2005 by Margaret Mason

La Boheme Clutch

QUICK PICK Reminds me of Grace Kelly.

$36 at Amici Accessories | Buy

| Posted 16 Mar, 2005 in March 2005 by Margaret Mason

Vacu Vin

Vacu Vin is a set of rubber stoppers and a mini pump that seals an open bottle of wine and then lets you pump most of the air out. We use ours constantly. Just pop the bottle in your fridge, and it’ll keep for three or four days. Perfect for those who like to have a glass of wine with dinner, but hate to waste a whole bottle. The only drawback is that it elimiates your excuse for drinking the entire bottle.

$13 at Amazon | Buy

| Posted 15 Mar, 2005 in March 2005 by Margaret Mason

Braun WK200 Electric Water Kettle

For people who could use a nice, soothing cup of tea, right bloody now. First, consider herbal. Then pick up a Braun Electric Water Kettle. The water comes to a boil in about a minute, and the carafe has no cord attached so it feels like a regular kettle. It turns off automatically when you remove it from the base, so you never have to worry about waking up to a melted mass of plastic. Also, unlike most electric kettles, it’s not ugly. Pick one up and celebrate with an instant-soup dinner party. Thanks Sara!

$60 at Amazon | Buy

| Posted 15 Mar, 2005 in March 2005 by Margaret Mason

Polaroid Photo Guest Book

We did a polaroid guestbook for our wedding, and it was so much fun looking through wedding photos before we’d even left on our honeymoon. I wish we’d had something even half as snazzy as this built-for-polaroid guest book. It comes in many colors, and you can have your name, or the date printed on a nameplate that you can affix to the front. Thanks again, Heather!

$60 at Adesso Albums | Buy

| Posted 11 Mar, 2005 in March 2005 by Margaret Mason

Airplane Luggage Tags

QUICK PICK

$20 at Uncommon Goods | Buy

| Posted 11 Mar, 2005 in March 2005 by Margaret Mason

June Taylor Jams

CLASSIC HOST GIFTS

Heather can’t stop raving about June Taylor Jams. She mentions them whenever we see each other, and she sent me this note: “June Taylor has a booth on Saturday morning down at the farmers market where you can taste them all� Heaven in a spoon. I have three jars at home that you’re welcome to sample: Apricot, Pluot and Lavender and Rhubarb. All so good you might want to skip the toast and butter.” She’s right. So good, they make your tastebuds hurt.

$11 at June Taylor Jams | Buy

(Prices vary, $25 minimum.)

| Posted 10 Mar, 2005 in March 2005 by Margaret Mason

Adjustable Measuring Spoons

I love to bake, but I do tend to use every bowl, spoon and measuring device in the kitchen. These adjustable measuring spoons come highly recommended by Maggi, a loyal reader. Since they’d cut my cleanup time in half, I’m willing to give them a go. It’s a three-piece set with adjustable teaspoon, tablespoon, and 1/2 cup scoop. Now make me some cookies.

$22 at Amazon | Buy