Awesome gifts from the MOMA store

I really loved my tumblers from the MOMA store, and while continuing my endless quest to find them again, I sometimes look at the store and see other cool things.

Here are some items I think would make great holiday gifts if you are still shopping:

For the kid/college student who has everything:

$28 Giant NYC Coloring Poster
It's almost 6 feet wide! That is so cool. Make sure to give them colored pencils or crayons with it so they don't use markers and then they bleed through to the wall or something.

For the young person with a new apartment:

$40 Rainbow tumbler set
These are not the regular ikea glasses that everyone has, and will make someone feel fancy and special to have them. Plus they make rainbows in your water, so that is an incentive to drink it, right?

For the person you don't know too well but have to buy something for at work, or your distant aunt:

$17 Unimug tea infuser
Everyone likes tea, or knows someone they can re-gift a tea thing to. This comes in under that $20 office party limit and looks really classy. And it's from the MOMA so that's impressive. I think the blue is the most neutral and sophisticated of the colors they offer.

For your design-loving brother:

$16 Spilt milk bowl
It's cool and it is a way fancier way to eat Cap'n Crunch. And it's a special one-off so you don't need to get a set or anything.

For your favorite woman (could be yourself):

$55 Glass bubble earrings
I like the idea of these glass earrings replacing more fussy dangly earrings or even pearls. They are simple and elegant but really pretty.

Things I think I need but I don't

Whenever I go shopping, especially when I am at a sample sale, I have to remind myself what I actually already have.

I was just at the APC Surplus sale, and they had some cute warm tights that were 70% off their original $90 tag, making them $27. I thought that was a pretty good deal and had them in hand and ready to go, but then I remembered: Hey Rebecca, you have a shit ton of tights and you really don't need any more.

Here is a short list of things I keep thinking I need when I see them, but I for sure don't:

• Tights
• Black ankle boots
• Cross-body purse
• Layering tank tops
• Jeans, especially skinny jeans
• Workout tops for warm weather

Are there things that you are always tempted to buy and then end up with lots of? 

Things that I should actually be looking for when I go shopping:

• Tunics
• Maternity dresses
• Maternity sweater, hoodie or sweatshirt
• Warm socks
• Long skirts

Gifts for Preggos

Long time no shop!
Haha jk, I've been shopping plenty, I just haven't told you about it.
Mostly because my shopping lists have changed pretty significantly now that I am pregnant!

Now sample sales are less appealing because who knows when and if I will ever be able to wear those slinky dresses or cute jeans again. I did go to a few, looking for tunics and long tank tops, but it's not the same.
Sob.

Anyway, there are all sorts of fun things out there that I can buy (just not at sample sales), and that YOU can buy for a special pregnant lady in your life, if you so choose.

U Shaped pillow

$99 Comfort U one piece pillow

As you can see, this mofo takes up THE WHOLE BED.
I asked for and got this very model for Chanukah (thanks, Mom!) and made the bed then threw it on top. There is absolutely no room for husbands or pets when you sleep with this thing. But it's so awesome.
It feels like you are at the bottom of a deep padded well, and unlike Baby Jessica, you don't want anyone to get you out.

I slept in it/with it for one night and am looking forward to doing so again later when I need to.
Right now I am only in my 2nd trimester and not yet physically uncomfortable when trying to sleep, so I am saving this for when it will be a real relief, and for when it's necessary. For now, it's not worth taking the whole bed up.


When I show people a picture of me in it, everyone including the healthy 25 yr old boys I work with has asked if you have to be pregnant to get this pillow. Nope, anyone who wants to be alone in a pillow pit can buy one. Though Amazon might try to sell you some nipple cream for a minute afterwards.


Gap Maternity Jeans

$75 Gap 1969 always skinny moto jean
I have these! Mine were on sale though at the time :P
They are faded black, skinny, and have a normal looking top part and some cool stitching around the knees.

Anyway, my favorite part is that the waistband doesn't look different from real jeans so you don't have to worry about finding a top long enough to cover it.
It has elastic inserts in the sides instead of a big broad panel over the top. See?

If you know her exact size, you can get her a pair. Jeans are hard though, sometimes you really just have to try them on.


Loft dress

$70 Ann Taylor LOFT Maternity spotted dress (plus extra 40% off = $42)

This is only available in XS right now, but one review said it runs big so that might be perfect!
Not sure if I need a dress but this one looks kind of cute.


Max your Mat Leave Guide

$60 Max Your Maternity Leave PDF package
Not sure if this one is worth it, but if it can give me even one more day of paid leave, it will be.
I think I want this.
Here is what the deluxe package comes with:

• Easy to read and print PDF format
• Editable proposal template attached
• Instant download access
• 30-minute consultation ($75 value)
• Telecommuting Proposal Package**
• Part-time Proposal Package**
• Combines leave + return-to-work solutions at one low price

 Maternity tights

$12 Zulily Black maternity compression tights
Click Here For My Zulily invite link which gets us both a discount!

These are things that I would rather not buy, bc UGHHHH so annoying to think about buying new staples just bc my belly is big, but would appreciate having so my tights don't press in on the waist.


Right now Zulily also has some maternity clothes by one of my favorite non-maternity brands, LAmade, so that is very exciting!
I love how soft their cotton is, it is just so comfortable.

Here are some things I like:

$22 LAmade Huckleberry dolman top
Click Here For My Zulily invite link which gets us both a discount!

$18 LAmade black Noah supima foldover pants

Click Here For My Zulily invite link which gets us both a discount!

$18 LAmade twist front dress in Twizzler
This also comes in huckleberry (royal blueish) and imperial blue (turquoise) and I like all 3 colors. Not sure which one would look best on me.

Click Here For My Zulily invite link which gets us both a discount!

SkyMall strikes again

It's been a while!
I've been traveling for work, and luckily for you that means I have had plenty of time to check out SkyMall for all the latest must-haves.
Remember, the holidays are coming up and there is no better place to purchase items for your loved ones than on a plane when you are bored and half drunk.

Let's see what special items there are for us:

$19.99 Shrub Guard

"Get one of these shrub covers and end your struggling with ugly burlap or plastic bags!"

 WHO DOES THIS
Who is this product for?
Who would buy a pillowcase for a bush?
Who would buy one in several sizes?
Who would make sure to buy one that has a leaf print so you know that hey, under there, that's a bush!!
I don't understand this.

$77.99 AirCore Adjustable Pillow

Do you miss your Air Jordans?
Do you want to just pump it up sometimes and you don't know how, and also you really don't want to sit up or even leave bed?
Your pillow has arrived.

$449 Roman Spa Master's Chair

Let's take it back outside now for a clASSy seat.
This looks like a broken marble column, but NO!!!
It's actually a shitty plastic thing you bought for more than four hundred dollars!
And what's with the butt indentation?
Is that supposed to imply that your "Master" ass has worn the stone down over the years because you have bun of corundum?

$49.95 Vintage Metal Fire Hydrant Statue

Here's a fun trick to play when your house is on fire: you watch the firefighters struggle to turn the valves on your fake goddamn hydrant ornament as your house burns down and you just laugh and laugh.
Also, DOG STATUE NOT INCLUDED.
Why else would this even be remotely appealing?

$19.99 Bed Made EZ

You know what I hate? Using my hands directly. That is like, so working class.
I would rather hold a tool. A tool to shove sheets under the mattress. I think that instead of just pushing them under there, I would like to try to find a piece of blue plastic and then insert it and make the whole process take longer and be a little more complicated.
And now I can, for under $20. Plus Shipping.

 

$44.95 Squirrel Throw

Sometimes I think my couch looks too comfortable and inviting. What I really want on there is a blanket that looks like a teeming mass of rabid squirrels. 

No one else is going to want to snuggle with a roiling, hanta virus laden tree rats, so the couch will be all mine.

$44.99 Superman one piece pajamas

Have you ever wondered how you could look more like a sad blueberry with a body made of mashed potatoes?

Have you ever wished for enough space for you to drop a load or 40 in your unitard?

Prayers answered.

 $39.95 Faux Tattoo Men's Tee

Don't worry, Men! Got you covered too.
Pop this bad boy on and I promise she will think you are Adam Levine for the night. Works especially well for non-caucasians.
Who would suspect that the chest hair, the super realistic leather vest, and the amazing ink are all....part of an airbrushed tee shirt?!

But what will you wear that with?? One tee vest tattoo sleeve shirt does not an outfit make.

$19.95 Faux Workpant Lounge Wear

The best thing about this is that it is pretending to be sweatpants with a toolbelt, as if that is such a hard and onerous look to aspire to.
Jeans can be tight and uncomfortable, so pajama jeans, I get it.
That dumbass shirt above I get; who wants to buy that vest or get those tatts for real?
But this?
I am wearing sweatpants with a fake toolbelt so you don't know I am wearing... sweatpants!
The deceit! The effort! Why?

Let's close with something I actually want:

$10,000 Serenity Pod Bed

I'll take the whole room, take beach poster and all.

"Pamper yourself like never before with this functional work of art.

Float away on a cloud like bed into a bliss state with calming color changing light, relaxing music and soothing vibration. This SkyMall exclusive is created by the pod designer of Men in Black III and inventor of the original pod bed. Each pod is handcrafted in the USA from fiberglass into a seamless smooth monolithic piece with a shiny gel-coat surface, the pod's elliptical exterior blocks 90% of outside noise while it's interior two foci amplify sound inside. Using the latest technology and clinical research, the wireless sound system with plenty of bass will gently rock you to sleep with vibration. The LEDs change colors with a touch of a finger wirelessly form an app on your smartphone or tablet. Easily select your color or scene from an endless array of lighting customizations to create your own unique experience.

Features:

• Inside the pod's elliptical opening is a 76 in. diam.
• Round soft plush cotton topper on top of a memory foam mattress
• Finish: Shiny polished gel coat (exterior). Matte gel coat (interior)
• Color: white (interior & exterior)
• Round and organic bedding: sheets, duvets and protectors
• 78 in. Diam. x 34 in. H. (200 lbs.)
• Handcrafted monolithic fiberglass
• LED lighting system smartphone/tablet"

Ringly vibrates when your phone wants to alert you

Most of the new wearable tech gadgets like the exercise trackers and watches have been, frankly, ugly. And male-focused. 

That is why I am especially happy to see this useful and pretty design called Ringly.

My favorite version: $180 Ringly in Emerald (preorder price)

It's a ring you wear that vibrates in a few different patterns to let you know when you have an alert on your phone. You can set it to vibrate for different things, like a call or a text or a calendar appointment.

It looks like a normal cocktail ring with gold plating over brass and a big stone.

You can choose the stone you want from onyx, pink sapphire, moonstone, and emerald. The FAQs say that they are ethically sourced as well.

Don't get too pumped about the quality of the stones, I can tell even from the small pics on their website that the sapphire and emerald are really low grade. There are cracks and opacity and lack of luster. Onyx and moonstone are cheap anyway so those look shinier.
But anyway, this isn't as much about buying a sparkling high carat gem as it is finding a nice consumer-grade accessory.

$145 Ringly in onyx (preorder price)

I really like this idea because it would allow me to keep my phone on silent instead of vibrate, and not worry about phantom bag vibrations.
Also, often I will just not notice the vibration or ringtone if my phone is in another room. With the ring on, I wouldn't miss any calls.

The battery lasts 2 days and then you recharge it by putting in it its box and plugging that into a usb charger.
Looks like you can wash your hands with it on but not soak it, but that's still pretty good.

It works with Android or iOS but not blackberry or windows phones.
If you pre-order now, it will come in Fall.

Cool, no?

Sheet set for <$25

I am sure everyone has Bed Bath and Beyond 20% off coupons sitting around in their house or at least in their junk email like me.
Now might be a time to dig one out.

There are these Wamsutta 400 thread count sheet sets on sale and you can get a queen set for $29.99 and with a coupon that comes down to $24.
Not bad!

$24 Wamsutta® 400 Thread Count Barrato Hem Sheet Set (queen)

I like the double bar decoration. I think I'd get these in the gray or black. Actually, all of the colors are good and would go well with most colors I can think of.

I'm debating to myself whether I need another sheet set (the answer is probably not) since this looks like such a good deal.

Tree magnets

$10 Forest for your fridge

How cute are these little magnets?
They are made of exotic wood slices and little fake trees.
I think they would make a great hostess gift if someone has you over for a nice dinner party, or just a good any time gift to give me for existing.

You can get the trees in dark or light green, I like the dark better. More realistic and such.
I especially like the ones with layers of different wood. The description says the woods will vary but I hope they put at least one of those cool layered ones in each box of 3.

Signs that I am gardening too much...

I've been on all sorts of gardening and plant websites recently, hoping that the huge amount of rain we've been getting will lead to spectacular growth for my plants and seedlings. 
And I have come across something I had no idea existed. 

BEHOLD, THE MELON CRADLE! 

$10 for 6 melon cradles

Yeah, it's a piece of plastic that you can put your melon on as it grows to protect the bottom from the ground.

I love my plants, but I am not sure I would buy bras for them.

Supposedly, they help keep the melon from rotting or, god forbid, being kinda flat on one side like the head of a baby who only sleeps on its back.

MILLION DOLLAR IDEA:
Melon cradles but for your "melon up top," aka your head.
Pitch: Do you deform your child's skull and have him look weird in profile photos just to keep him from suffocating while sleeping? Well now you can not kill your kid AND have his head look nice and round with Rebecca's patented Baby Melon Cradle.

Who is underwriting my new business?
Thank you.

Solar system lollipops

These look so cool.
I know I don't like lollipops but I am so tempted:

$22 Solar system lollipop set

There are 10 in the set,

"Go on a voyage through our sweet solar system which tastes surprisingly delicious. This 10-piece lollipop set is completely edible and includes the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto (Yes, Pluto. Take that Mike Brown!)."

They come in guava, blackberry, cherry, cotton candy (YUCKKKK) or strawberry.
It's too bad that the different planets aren't different flavors, you have to order all of them in 1 flavor.
I'd prob get strawberry or blackberry.

3 cute one piece bathing suits on ModCloth

$80 Queen Bay one piece swimsuit

This bathing suit falls under my favorite category of eveningwear as swimwear. The elegant shoulders! The belt! The cut of the neck!
So pretty. And very Joan from Mad Men, no?
I like how you can wear the straps off the shoulder like this or you can pull them up into more of a V neck if you want more support.
It gets good ratings and is not that expensive (unlike some really pretty suits I just couldn't bring myself to buy)

$121 From Pier to There Scandale one piece swimsuit

The scallop design done in black dots and the black trim and halter on this bathing suit really accentuate the bust line and bring the eye right to that area, so I would recommend it to someone less endowed. The back is nicely full coverage too, if you are butt-shy.

PS- do you notice how this is the same model as the first pic? They use her A LOT. And they just keep putting wigs on her and stuff. It's a little eerie when you first realize it. WITNESS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5... 

$38 Off to the Ocean one piece swimsuit

Super cheap option! And very cool. I like the lightning digital print. Some day I think we will look back on these photo prints clothes with disdain, but today is not that day! I still love them. And lightning while you are swimming?? DANGEROUS!
I am a big fan of how low the back is on this suit. Some one pieces are really high in the back and I'm like hey, I don't need to cover it ALL up...

Etsy Find of the Day: Rough Diamond earrings

$80 Rough Diamond Drop Earrings

I love these rough diamond earrings from Etsy store of Kate Szabone, a jeweler working out of Toronto.

These earrings have a sterling silver bar which goes through the ear, connected to a silver box chain. At the end of the chain are 4 rough diamonds and a faceted polished silver bead for contrast.
I like the way the bead highlights the gray color and tiny edges of the uncut diamonds.

These are really elegant and would look great with a flowy black silk dress or just a cardigan, tank and jeans. They are delicate but have enough presence to not need to wear a necklace or any other jewelry when you have them on.

Plus, with the flexible chain going through your ear, you could easily talk on the phone or sleep in them without them stabbing your head.

I also like the longer version with even more diamonds shown in this picture on the right, but it looks like they are no longer available :(

The new plant I am obsessed with: Aeonium "zwartkop" aka Black Rose

As many of you know, I've become totally into succulents recently.
I've been propagating my own from leaves, and buying them at little plant stores at an alarming rate.
Our dining room table is almost fully covered with plant experiments of mine.

BUT! I am not done. I want another!
When I first saw the aeonium arboreum zwartkop in person, I thought it must be dyed because it was so dark.
Also the stem is so thick and the roots are so tiny and dinky that I still don't understand how it lives.

It has really dark purple, almost black leaves on a thick woody stem. The leaves form rosettes that look like flowers but they aren't! In effect, it looks like it is always blooming weird dark flowers on bare stems. Very goth.
There are yellow flowers that do appear and make the plant look even more bizarre to me.

I can't seem to find one in my local plant stores, though I am sure if I went back to the flower district on 28th st and 6th ave I could find one.
So I took to the internet and it seems like Etsy and Ebay are the places to buy. Unfortunately, there really isn't much selection on Amazon which sucks because I love Amazon and I get to shop free there with my AmEx points.

Here are some listings I have been looking at:

 

$5 + $6 shipping

Etsy option that looks more purple than black but it seems healthy. You get a rooted plant.

$7 +$6 Shipping

A blacker, more rose-like version that I really like. It might be my favorite. You get a rooted cutting.

$29 + $10 Shipping

This guy on Etsy has a bunch of plants and can customize your order, it seems. I am tempted by these larger plants with well established roots.

 

$2.50 + $6 shipping from FL

This one is from Ebay and looks like the pot comes with a 3" plant. I am not sure if that means it is a cutting or if it is rooted.

$9 + $7 shipping from San Diego

Another Ebay option, and you get a 6" stem cutting from this plant that is not rooted.

 

$14 + $12 Shipping

Finally, this group from Amazon includes 4 plants in little pots. Cute!

Separately, I also love this weirdo plant:

$8.50 + $6 Shipping

These look like little birds in a nest opening their mouths, don't they?

Word to the Wise: Lots of sample sales starting today in NYC!

 

$189 Messeca Valentina platform

Messeca

Deal: 70% to 80% off women's fall and spring shoes, including fall and spring flats, sandals, wedges, heels, and boots.

When/Where: Thursday, March 27 through Friday, March 28. Daily 10am—7pm. 78 Fifth Ave between W. 13th and W. 14th Sts, ninth floor (no phone)

 

$450 Nonoo sleevess dress

Nonoo

Deal: Up to 70% off retail prices for womenswear, with samples starting at $50.

When/Where: Thursday, March 27 through Friday, March 28. Daily 9am—8pm. 611 Broadway between Bleecker and Houston Sts, suite 309 (no phone)


OXO

Deal: Deep discounts on kitchenware, cookware, and cleaning equipment, with prices starting at $1. Bring a shopping bag (one will not be provided).

When/Where: Thursday, March 27 through Friday, March 28. Daily 10am—5pm. 601 W. 26th St between Eleventh and Twelfth Aves, tenth floor (no phone)


David Yurman

Deal: Up to 70% off retail prices on jewelry. See the Racked.com report from the last sale here for what to expect.

When/Where: Thursday, March 27 through Sunday, March 30. Thurs 3pm—8pm, Fri—Sat 10am—7pm, Sun 11am—5pm. The Altman Building, 135 W. 18th St between Sixth and Seventh Aves (212-741-3400)


Are you excited for any of them?
I might hit the OXO sale.

The best hot sauce is Yellowbird from Austin, TX

Recently, I was down in Texas for SXSW Edu (no, not the fun music one), and I had the chance to eat many many breakfast tacos.

The little gourmet grocery store near the downtown convention center, called Royal Blue, was excellent and had the coconut water I love and also migas breakfast tacos all wrapped in foil and ready to go.
They also had a hot sauce bar where you could add things before you left, and that is where I discovered Yellowbird.

The sauce is made of habaneros, so it is definitely spicy, but it has a great fruity flavor and a thick texture like Sriracha. I loved it!
They sold it at Royal Blue for $10 but I didn't want to have to check a bag on the way home so I passed.

My last morning there, I knew it would be a while until I got the hot sauce again so I really loaded up my taco. I wrapped it back up and took it to my first session, where I sat in back and bit in.
Holy crap, I almost died. Turns out, you can't really make up for lost time by having all your hot sauce at once.

Despite that, I still loved it and when I got home I ordered some online.
The shipping costs more than the bottle of hot sauce itself, which makes me a little crazy, but it is worth it.


$8 Yellowbird Sauce

One of the best things about it is the squeeze bottle, but on their website it says they are moving to a glass bottle next month for preservation purposes. So get one now!

I was thinking of ordering a whole case now so I could have a lot of squeeze bottles, but E reminded me that I wouldn't be able to go through them very quickly and by that time the perishability which necessitates them moving to the glass might come into play.


Here are the ingredients, and why it has so much flavor:

• Carrots
• Onions
• Habanero Peppers
• Distilled Vinegar
• Tangerines
• Limes
• Garlic
• Kosher Salt
• Organic Evaporated Cane Juice (also known as organic sugar)

Word to the Wise: Sample sales in NYC this week

 

$250 Astro jumper

$115 Crater leggings

Surface to Air 
Deal: Up to 80% off women's and men's clothing and accessories from the winter and summer collections. The women's XX Trench is $190 (from $690), the women's Cropped Only Jacket is $90 (from $270), and the Jivan Wedges in black are $140 (from $460). The men's Edmonton Bomber is $220 (from $760).

When/Where: Tuesday, March 11 through Sunday, March 16. Tues—Sat 10am—7pm, Sun 10am—1pm. 225 Fifth Avenue between 26th and 27th Sts (212-725-5400)
 

 

$295 Coral fan necklace from Dinosaur Designs

Dinosaur Designs  
Deal: Up to 80% off jewelry and home goods. The sale will include handcrafted resin and sterling silver items.

When/Where: Friday, March 7 through Monday, March 10. Daily 10am—5pm. 211 Elizabeth Street at Prince St (212-680-3523)

 

$575 Bellagio 27" Spinner trunk

Bric's Milano 
Deal: Up to 80% off retail prices on luxury luggage and bags.

When/Where: Monday, March 10 through Saturday, March 16. Mon—Sat 10am—7pm, Sun 10am—4pm. 260 Fifth Ave between 28th and 29th Sts (212-725-5400)

 

$138 Glitter sandal

Jack Rogers Sample Sale 
Deal:You will find an assortment of beautiful products from winter to spring in styles that will stay in your wardrobe for years to come. Dresses, sweaters, blouses, handbags, accessories and, of course, shoes!! The Jack Rogers Sample Sale offers a unique mix of hard-to-find vendors who embody classic resort dressing with a colorful twist as well as our iconic footwear.
Apparel – up to 80% off
Accessories (Bags, scarves and hats) – up to 80% off
Footwear (including vintage Navajo styles) – up to 70% off
Where/When: At Jack Rogers Showroom, 155 Fifth Avenue, 6th floor: March 12-14; Wed-Thurs (8:30am-6:30pm), Fri (8:30am-5pm).

$48 Heather Trio

QUINN & Kendra Phillip Trunk Show

Deal:Join us for wine Wednesday. Shop N’ Sip and meet the jewelry designer, Kendra Phillip.
Where/When: Quinn New York, 181 Orchard St, NY, NY; 10002; March 12 (6-8pm).

 

$7 Dauville Nesting bowl

Canvas

Deal:Get up to 90% off retail on SELECT merchandise at the Canvas. Deals include Furniture Floor Samples, Vintage Furniture, Table Top, Pillows, Throws, Bedding, Discontinued Items.
Where/When: Canvas, 123 West 17th Street, New York, NY 10011; (212) 372-7706. March 13-17.