In my search for vintage country-themed rooster kitchen decor, I was pleasantly surprised to find a vast array of modern kitchen decor featuring the rooster as well. Since ancient times, the rooster has been a symbol of watchfulness, pride, courage, flamboyance, and vigiliance, among other things. Today, many have chosen to adorn their kitchens with rooster decor in the adorable traditional, French country-style. In my Rooster Theme Kitchen Decor shopping guide, I have included both modern and rustic kitchen furnishings.

The Italian Ceramic Rooster Pitcher makes a great housewarming gift, as it symbolizes good fortune and protection from danger. If you purchase this pitcher, it comes with the legend of the ceramic rooster pitcher written on a small scroll. It is an interesting story from the Renaissance period and the pitcher makes a precious gift!
Pictured: from top left: French Rooster Clock, Coq Au Vin Rooster Kitchen Flour Sack Dish Towel - Set of 3, Kitchen Rooster Canister Set of 4 Country Style, JK Adams Novelty Rooster Cutting Board, Old Dutch 2-Tone Rooster Design Standing Paper Towel Holder, Rooster Message Board, Rooster Wall Clock, and (below) Ricco Deruta Italian Ceramic Rooster Pitcher.

Weren’t floppy disks a cool invention? You could store tons of stuff on them and pop them out at the end of the day so you didn’t waste memory space on your precious computer. USB flash drives are the new floppy disks, except they’re smaller, cooler, and more portable.

They now come in tons of novelty shapes and sizes, because computer geeks like to have fun too. I think one of these puppies would make a cool gift for someone going away to college or someone who just purchased their first computer.

Pictured: An Owl USB Drive, USB Sports Shoe Drive, Sushi USB Drive.

Mother’s Day is rapidly approaching (May 10th) and if you haven’t started brainstorming gift ideas, you should probably start soon! If you know your mom’s awesome, but don’t know what she wants or needs in terms of a gift, you can check out my Sweet Mother’s Day Gifts buyer’s guide, which contains some nice gifts (in a wide range of prices) that any mom would appreciate.

From left: Spa Stones Soap Set, Jo Malone Vintage Gardenia Cologne (don’t worry, it’s not man cologne!), Calico Juno Bracelet 09, Coral Pillar Candle Holders.

Just keep in mind your mom’s personal style and go from there. And remember, it’s the thought that counts, so don’t stress too much. Your mom will still love you no matter what you get her for Mother’s Day. . . She sorta has to.

Have a happy Mother’s Day!

Whoever came up with split expanders is a genius. I’m so glad that I am able to wear some of the most beautiful, hand-crafted, organic earrings I’ve ever seen without spending months to irreversibly stretch out my ear lobes to an unnaturally large size. Check some of my fave picks out on my Handmade Split Expander Earrings guide. I own a pair and there’s no way anyone can tell it’s not the real thing.

Quiz: Can you tell which are real expander earrings and which are split? (Answers below)

Split expander earrings create the illusion that you’re wearing one big fatty tapered (bone, wood, coconut, whatever) earring through an expanded lobe piercing but, in fact, you’re wearing two separate front and back pieces that connect together in your ear with a regular-sized steel earring post. If you want the look without the commitment, this is definitely the way to go. I’ve found some other very Pretty Stick Earrings (pictured below with split expanders) that also require no stretching of earlobes. Perf.

Aren’t they pretty?

[answers: a.stretch, b.split, c.split, d.stretch, e.stretch]

Everyone has someone in their lives who is just impossible to shop for. Either this person already has everything, likes nothing, or has the strangest taste of anyone you’ve ever met. He’s your geek friend. Shopping for his gift does not have to be a chore, however, as there are many awesome gadgets out there that are unique, cooky, and fun, just like your favorite geek.

I have selected a few of my shopper’s guides that I think might help anyone in search of a generic, yet unconventional, gift to purchase for a friend like the one described above. You can’t go wrong with any of the products from: Bobbleheads, Entertaining Coffee Table Books, Gifts for Your Favorite Geek, Keychains (trust me, they’re cool), or Monkeys. This is no laughing matter. Check out the guides. Trust. Holla.

SHOP EASTER NOW

As a child, Easter was almost as exciting as Christmas. Mystical beings who bring gifts to good little children are always good in my book. And there was always lots of chocolate and candy involved on both holidays. Presents and chocolate. All good.

Except for the fact that the Easter Bunny left his presents out on the cold porch by the door and the wrapping paper was always see-through (cellophane leaves very little to the imagination), Easter was and is always a happy, springtime celebration. Dying, hunting, and eating hardboiled eggs is a pretty sweet tradition too. Yum. (Just don’t get me started on the Easter bonnets with elastic chin straps and the white ruffle socks we had to wear for church in the morning. Cute, looking back. Horrible at the time.)

Clockwise from top right: Ceramic Egg Hanging Planters, Egg Lanterns, Nyokki Egg Plant Pet, Sidewalk Chalk Eggs, NEW Godiva Easter Carrot, and Stripes the Long Eared Bunny.

To help you celebrate Easter this year, which is right around the corner by the way (April 12th), I shopped around for some cute gifts your friends and family might enjoy. I also found some festive holiday decor for your home, should you be hosting this year’s get-together. Check out my Easter Gifts and Decor shopper’s guide for more cute Easter ideas.

Happy Easter!

CLICK HERE: Tees Me!

Most fashion-focused blogs provide readers with up-to-the-minute feedback on the newest, hottest designs of Marc, Issac, Jimmy, Zac, Oscar, and other admired masterminds. While I do attempt to keep myself clued-in to the newest fashion highlights and places to find hot designer garments online, I simply cannot afford to take my sweaty morning walk to work in a $500 Anna Sui silk print sundress.

That’s… not… hap-pening!

Sometimes a girl just wants to kick back and funk out with a bright, sassy, and flirty t-shirt and jeans fit. No, I’m not talking about an $80 Marc Jacobs cotton tee, I’m referring to the whole crop of cute, AFFORDABLE shirts from Wet Seal that I’m obsessed with today! Show off your sense of humor with these cutie tees selected by yours truly for my Tees Me! buyer’s guide on Kazowie!

My favorites: YOU FRONTIN’ tee and of COURSE, the Tupac: AMERICAZ MOST WANTED tee!

So good.

I spend lots of time in the kitchen, mixing up new concoctions that my dinner guests are usually hesitant to taste. But that doesn’t discourage me from cooking! If you spend lots of time in this room of your house too, it’s only natural to want functional utensils that are also cool-looking and unique, especially if you’re cooking with friends, family, or your significant other. I find that cool kitchen stuff always makes a great gift, too.

A pair of rubber frog oven mitts goes great with some onion goggles and only serves to make your cooking experience more fun and enjoyable. Some other Things That Belong in a Kitchen are included on my Kazowie buyer’s guide, such as The Cannabis Cookbook and a magnet bottle opener.

Today is the first day of Spring and I’m obsessed with the butterflies and pastels of Anuschka handbags and wallets. While shopping around for my fave Anuschkas, I couldn’t help but think that anything from this label would be a perfect gift for the favorite chick in your life (including yourself). No girl could possibly deny the uniqueness and prettiness of these purses and wallets.

Everything is leather and hand-painted, so your wallet and/or purse will only get better with age, after a little wear ‘n tear. The line carries laptop bags, backpacks, and passport covers, in addition to purses and wallets of all shapes, styles, and sizes. I love it!

See Pretty Anuschka Wallets and Hot Anuschka Handbags for more of my favorite picks.

A close friend of mine and I were discussing the upcoming holiday together this morning; the infamous February 14th. Valentine’s Day. This holiday could be easily named the most insufferable holiday of the calendar year. On the other hand, if you’re lucky enough to have snatched up a keeper, your Valentine’s outlook might be a bit different. (Of course, Valentine’s Day isn’t just a celebration of “romantic” love. It’s a perfect excuse for a girls’ or guys’ night out!) By the end of our conversation, we had come to the conclusions that:

1. Valentine’s Day can be fun regardless of whether you’re hooked up or flying solo, and that
2. It’s not difficult to make an effort to show your loved one(s) that you care!

My friend suggested cooking your partner a meal based on a family recipe that you love or, if the relationship is on the serious side, passing down a family heirloom to your Valentine. There’s no need to spend big bucks either. In fact, the best gifts usually cost little or nothing at all. Start thinking now about what your intended Valentine(s) likes and appreciates; be resourceful and original, be funny, be yourself. I’ve added some cool V-Day gifts to Kazowie that might help jumpstart your creativity. Check them out for ideas: Pamper Her for Valentine’s Day and Valentine’s Gifts for Him, and have a Happy Valentine’s Day!