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!)

I’m keeping it classy with My End-of-July Finds. Everything that is appealing to me today has a vintage-chic, rose-colored feel to it (or has rhinestones on it, duh). I must be getting into the Fall vibe. . . And cocktail coasters are cracking me up! Peep these hot picks and see my other July Finds here. What do you think?

July Finds (L-R): Oh My God Coaster, Lula Hoop Scarf Kit, Bear Shits Coaster, Fossil “Candy” Frame Cents Coin Purse, Cocktail Now Coaster, Rose Bouquet Earrings, Bling Bottle Opener, Tree Owl Lamp, Wildfox Malibu Girl Sweatshirt.

Don’t forget to vote on today’s poll

What Do We Think of Halle’s Potato Sack Look?

That top is a bad move, girl!!
OR
I love potato sacks, especially ones with Halle Berry in them!

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!

I’m not one who religiously reads her horoscope. Nor am I someone who takes her daily star reading 100% seriously. I do, however, freak out when my horoscope describes my current life situation to a T (which has happened more than once). And, as cliché as it may sound, I think it’s a cute idea to give zodiac-themed birthday gifts to friends (especially since there are so many ridiculously cute/unique/designer accessories to choose from these days).

My faves right now are the Zodiac Constellation Cuffs by Jessica Kagan Cushman, shown below. Who wouldn’t want to rock this definite conversation-starter? Be sure to check out my other astrologically-themed buyer’s guides full of all 12 signs worth of cute Zodiac jewelry: Zodiac Hoop Earrings, Hello Kitty Zodiac Designer Jewelry, and FettY Zodiac Necklaces.

So I’m about five months behind - big deal. I found it and I want it: the world’s first 3-D webcam, Minoru by Novo. Minoru, which in Japanese means “reality,” is shaped like a tiny red robot who sits atop your computer monitor with two cameras (his eyes) that are spaced as equally apart as human eyes. The built-in stereoscopic anaglyphic processing software allows you to be seen in 3-D to anyone wearing a set of red and blue glasses (you get five free pairs upon purchasing the cam!).

You can also be seen in regular 2-D if your chat buddy’s not wearing a pair of 3-D specs. Minoru connects to your computer’s USB port and is compatible with Windows Live Messenger, Skype, AOL Instant Messenger, OoVoo, and others. This little guy also allows you to take 3-D pics and vids to upload to YouTube. Snag a Minoru webcam for yourself for less than $90 at my Gadgets That Look Like Cute Things But Actually Do Stuff buyer’s guide on Kazowie. (Another favorite from the guide is the Speakal iPig 2.1 Stereo iPod Docking System, below).

It’s not too early to start thinking about two major June events that usually require some sort of thoughtfulness on your part: Father’s Day and Graduation. This is especially true if you’re shopping for a Dad or Grad gift online (need to factor in shipping time). I have created shopping guides to help you find the perfect gift to surprise your loved ones with this year. For Father’s Day ideas, take a look at my Father’s Day Gift Guide. For guy graduation presents, click on my Guy Grad Gift guide. And for graduation gifts for ladies, check out Girl Grad Gifts.

P.S. Father’s Day is on June 21st this year!

Shown (L-R): Dad/Father Frame, Fog-Free Mirror with AM/FM Radio, Graduation Caricature Print, USB Tulip Hub, Wake Up iPod Speaker and Alarm Clock, and Grad Guy Bobblehead.

Today, I happened to stumble upon Bestow, a unique gift, personal accessories, and decorative home boutique. The best way to desribe the products at Bestow, in my opinion, is a ‘cross between circus/goth and raunchy/romantic.’ This wide-variety boutique offers items, which I’ve included in my Seductive Gifts for Ladies and Home Decor and Accessories guides, that would make very unique and special gifts to bestow upon your loved ones or yourself!

Pictured (L-R): Fruits of Cornucopia Eau de Parfum, The Circus 1870-1950, Vice Canister-Downers, Message Pillow ‘Love’, Jeweled Zebra Pillbox, Fruits of Cornucopia Hand/Body Wash.

SHOP FAIRIES HERE

My favorite theory on the origins of fairies comes from the author, J.M. Barrie, who wrote: “. . . when the first baby laughed for the first time, its laugh broke into a thousand pieces, and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies.” I enjoy decorating my home and garden with unique and whimsical fairy figurines to remind me of these peaceful mythological creatures. I have added some wonderful fairy products to Kazowie, which you may view here. These items make great gifts for any collector of whimsical and wonderful fairies.

Shown, clockwise from left: Itsy Bitsy Petal Fairy Figure, Don’t Piss Off The Fairies Engraved Sign, A Fairy’s Secret Place Sculpture, The Complete Book of the Flower Fairies, and Fiona- the Flower Fairy Sculpture.