Can you believe it’s already August? It’s okay though, because that means my favorite season is almost here: FALL!! (The first day of Fall in the Northern Hemisphere this year is September 22 at 5:18 p.m.) In preparation for this crisp, bright, leafy, rainy, glorious time of year, I created an Autumn Essentials list, chockablock full of products (clocks, silverwear, apparel, art, etc.) to help get you in the spirit. In honor of Halloween, the list currently contains 31 items, but I’m sure there will be more as the autumn months get closer, so keep checking back! Cool stuff shown above (L-R): Puckered Canvas Bag, 23 Inch Roulette Clock, Narration Booties, Lipmann Collection Nail Color in Dark Side of The Moon, Gladiator Bird, Raven, Wire Spun Candelabra, Viceroy Velvet Curtain.

Today I found the two best things. Let’s peep Best Thing #1 first:

This Kitchen Science Measuring Cup gives you regular measurements (which is helpful when cooking, but sorta boring), but you also get to see cool and useful information related to the volume of stuff you just poured into the aforementioned measuring cup (above). For example, one and a half cups of whatever you’re cooking with equals one hundred pieces of penne regate pasta!

And now, check out Best Thing #2:

This isn’t a dust collector that sits on the shelf at your mom’s house. This is, in fact, probably the best game ever invented and I want it. It’s called the Babushkas Bourres Drinking Game and this is how you play:

1. Spin the top, which is marked with images corresponding to the 3 (different sized) Babushka dolls.
2. Once the top stops spinning, locate the Babushka doll that corresponds to the image the dreidel landed on (it’s all color/size coordinated. So good).
3. Pour a shot into the corresponding Babushka doll, which is actually a shot glass. . .Surprise!!
4. Take the shot.
5. Pass the top to your left. Or right. Whatever.

(Best Things #1 and #2 both make fun gifts for your pals, but I hope you cop atleast one Best Thing for yourself too!)

Hope you all didn’t miss me too much! I’m still here. . . And I’m BACK! With some Good New Tees for your wearing pleasure. This one’s my favorite. It’s called “Missing!!!” and the guy that drew the poster found out later that his bike wasn’t stolen, but TOWED, because he had chained it to a fence with a “no bikes” sign on it. Haha! Here’s the original design that appears on the white tee. It comes in girly sizes too. Just buy it.:

When was the last time you sent someone a surprise bouquet of flowers? How about the last time you received one? “Sending someone flowers” is written off by many these days as cliche’ and unoriginal. Steer clear of a dozen long stems and you’re golden! Studio Choo delivers some of the Cutest Floral Arrangements I’ve Ever Seen! If you’re not in the mood to shell out for the real thing, or if you want to give the gift of an everlasting bloom, consider giving Paper Flowers (Super-chic. Don’t laugh). And if you’re in the crafty mood, bust out a Paper Flower How-To Book and make a romantic personalized bouquet for your loved one.

For the paper flower Single Rose Gift Box (above) or a bouquet of paper roses, visit zoebradley.com.

“Lunch time will make everyone happy.” That’s what my new lunch bag reads. And it’s true isn’t it? I love it so much, I went on a mission to find similar bags for you to check out! These darling bags are made in Japan and with the cute images and sayings printed on them, you can’t help but to smile. See my personal lunch bag pick and more on my Cute Japanese Lunch Bags buyer’s guide.

While you’re at it, I highly recommend looking at the Cutest Stationary You’ll Ever See. Remember pens and paper? Skip the text message and write a note to your friend instead. And with fun sayings like, “Become lucky you,” you’re sure to brighten someone’s day!

Wow.

YES or NO

This sounds like the worst idea in the world, but apparently there are rumors that Ashlee Simpson’s cray cray dad, Joe Simpson, is pitching a concept album to revive his daughter’s career. The concept? Have Ashlee sing MJ cover songs!! Wait, what?!? In my opinion, that would only serve to hurt her “career” because she will be insulting the recently deceased King of Pop (R.I.P. Michael. I love you. P.S. To everyone who’s asking: No, I am not “over it,” nor will I ever be.) I’m still upset at Alien Ant Farm’s sorry rendition of Smooth Criminal. Ugh. What do you think of MJ covers by Ashlee Simps: So Good or Supes Dumb? VOTE HERE!

Click here for more Michael.

SHOP MICHAEL JACKSON’S STYLE NOW!

Yesterday, people of all ages from around the world celebrated and mourned the tragic and unexpected passing of the King of Pop. Radio stations filled the airwaves with the familiar sounds of MJ’s famous beats. Everyone listened to their old favorites with a new ear and deeper appreciation for the genius behind the hits. A grief counselor called a radio station that I was listening to on the ride home from work. She was surprised at how much Michael Jackson’s passing was affecting her emotionally and was close to tears remembering the time she got to touch the hand of the most talented entertainer that ever graced a stage. For so many, Michael’s name is a household one, and his death had fans feeling as if they’d lost a close friend.

I will always admire Michael’s signature style and the way he could pull off such over-the-top-looks so effortlessly, as if a jacket, pants, glove, and shoes completely covered in sequins were as ordinary as a t-shirt and jeans. But what I envy most was his ability to establish these looks as his own. The glove, the hat, the armband, the jacket. That’s Michael. He will always be an inspiration to those aspiring to discover and establish their own personal style. As a tribute to the iconic celebrity’s innovative flair, I created a style guide of all things Michael, with some literal and some more modern takes on Michael’s trademark adornments, which represent the self-expression of a beloved pop legend. I love you, Michael!!

My summer theme song by Sam Sparro, titled “Black and Gold,” inspired me to create some style guides that are sure to have you looking like the chic-est beauty at the beach this year. ‘Black and gold’ is very old-school gaudy glam and of course my motto for wearing it is, “go big or go home.” I love the look of black and gold swimwear paired with huge chunky jewelry to match. It’s over the top, but it works. (Hey, atleast I’m not suggesting that you finish off the look with some gold lame’ stilettos for your next game of beach volleyball!) The suits are sexy and the jewelry’s affordable, so be sure to check out both lists of products for a new sexy look for this season. My fave: gold cuff bracelets on each wrist. Hottt!

Suit: Black by Despi 2009
Cuff: Dereon Mini Fleur de Lis Leather Cuff

No, I’m not talking about potted plastic plants. With wall decals, you can bring an entire tree inside your home and stick it right on the wall for a modern, unique take on home decor. And it’ll never die! If you get tired of your decal, even if it’s been years since you applied it to the wall, you can easily remove it without damaging the wall surface. Check out my Nature Wall Decals guide to see all the nature-themed wall stickers that I think would look cool in any room of your house.

Shown above (L-R): Treesome, Luxury Bonzai, and Classic 16.

See also: Wall Decals for the Kitchen for kitchen-specific wall decor.

Don’t you want to be just like Keri Hilson and tell the boys to recognize a real woman? If only you had those hot triple-finger “ON” and “OFF” knuckle rings she wears in the music vid (see below), your swagged-out attitude would be at its highest liquid magma level. . .

You probably won’t believe me, but today is pretty much your lucky day. Because I’ve FOUND those rings for you to purchase through kazowie.com and add to your jewelry collection!!!!!!!!! Don’t believe your ears (eyes, whatever)? Check the links, beez!

The Turning Me On Ring AND The Turning Me Off Ring

Want more Multi-Finger Rings? <—Click it or ticket.
The Bad Knuckle Ring