I'm not much of a material girl - I'll take a trip over a tiny box any day, and  while I can appreciate and savor a five-course meal, I also understand the subtle merits of the White Hut cheeseburger. 

That said, I am a girl, and things catch my eye now and again. Here are a few items off the Mad Money Wish List this month: 

Pandora wood beads; Plasticland patent purse; flor rake; Hot Chilly's Pepper base layer; iRobot Roomba; Veho neg scanner; VooDoo Rossi SC74 skis

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I recently bought a few pairs of these earrings for friends from Kathy's Creations.

They came pre-wrapped in cute, little fabric bags, and I also got a free pair of earrings for myself with the order - bonus!

Then, just yesterday, I received these vintage earrings I purchased from Vintage Misc.:

and they arrived wrapped in printed tissue with a little greeting card inside, thanking me for the purchase. People are so nice.

But it's not just the customer service and the personal touch I love -- it's being able to browse thousands of one-of-a-kind things to find one that's a perfect fit for my style, and actually finding it!

Here are a few things on my wish list:

Sigh, a dress after my own, nerdy heart!

Vintage overlay skirt:

faux bois tags:

sellers: makool, paperhill, and heatherlea

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Anyone who's seen my sidebar this week could have guessed what kind of products Retail Therapy Thursday would focus on today. But I'm not going to just shamelessly plug my own stuff - emphasis on just. 

I've been thinking about t-shirts for a while now. I have a larger-than-normal love for t-shirts, especially the kind that fit nicely. Especially the kind that fit nicely after 15 years.

But it's not just 100% cotton and pithy sayings across the chest that I enjoy; it's more the nostalgia factor. Think about it. Where do you buy your tees? Sure, a few come from Old Navy, but I'd wager your favorites are from concerts, plays, your alma mater, vacations, conferences and other little life moments that seem best commemorated with short sleeves. 

Plus, t-shirts have gotten so darn versatile! They're paired with jeans and skirts and shorts and swim trunks and the occasional sari. They're tiny fit, perfect fit, roomy fit, distressed, pressed, and dyed-to-match. The great ones, we wear out on a Saturday night. The veterans retire to the bedroom where they become well-worn sleep shirts.

What. Is not. To love.

So with this in mind, I whipped up a few shirts in honor of something else I love - TSB, the rockin', ever-growing group of Gen X bloggers that WILL be on Oprah, making Oprah laugh at our awesome jokes some day. They're pretty simple, but some thought did go into the designs, as in the shirt above. First, the text is our trademark green. The logo is also on the smaller side, because t-shirts with New York Post-style headlines are so 1998. And finally, the shirt above is part of Zazzle's sustainable clothing line, which I appreciate. 

I also created a TSB shirt for dudes and a couple of products for kids, as well as a few t-shirt ideas I had kicking around in my head that I hope catch on in the Geek Community. This is my favorite, because it applies to many different types of people:

I've asked some of my fellow thirty-something bloggers to let me know if they're selling any merch, so we can continue to build our empire spread the love. We might even start a directory, so all of your hipster shopping needs can be met in just a few easy clicks. (Too HSN?)

I know of a few entrepreneurial souls among the ranks already - The Slackmistress, for instance, just launched her own line of Slackstuff for her trusty band of minion-followers, which includes t-shirts, but also magnets, bumper stickers, and my personal fave, the slacktie. 

What are some of your favorite online wares? Or how about your favorite tee?

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The FDA has certified a portable air filter called the Plane Clean (read about it at Gizmodo ) , which mounts to the small air vent above your seat and removes about 99.5% of allergens, bacteria, and viruses.

The filter is more effective than oral immune-system boosters and less conspicuous than masks, and is also inexpensive – the units are available at Target and Amazon.com for about $20. I wrote about it here.

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As part of the itinerary during my press trip to Lyon and the IDE Conference, the French department store Le Printemps opened its doors exclusively to conference delegates and the media after normal business hours. The doors swung open and we filed in, greeted with champagne, finger sandwiches, and 'pralinettes' made by the Lyonnaise chocolatier Seve .  The store has four levels, and offers clothes, housewares, accesories, and other sundries -- unfortunately for the Americans, at very European prices. We were offered a 10% discount, though, and I found some cute things -- most of which I made a mental note to try to find online at a later date.

Like this cute cutlery by Sabre , for instance: 

While I do need a new pizza cutter, unfortunately the exchange rate was just a bit too much for me. That sign says 11.90 euro, which, in the current U.S. economy, amount to about $462.50. Or thereabouts.

(I found Sabre cutlery on Best Price via Google starting at $4).

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I also fiddled for this track of Grandchester Meadows, an old Pink Floyd tune. It appears on The Concoction's Web site.

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And thanks to my spanking new ion TTUSB LP-to-mp3 converter (someone responded to the anvil-sized hints I was dropping during the holidays), I can convert the night away.

I collect records for a number of reasons: first, there's no better way to listen to certain albums, such as Cat Stevens' Tea for the Tillerman. No amount of digital remastering can improve on the far-away feeling of this set, but the soft scratch of the needle adds a layer of ... I don't know, nostalgia?

Next, albums are 12x12 works of art. I decorate with album covers, which often feature the art and photos of well-known souls, and the unfortunate records that are too scratched or too ridiculous can easily become trendy ashtrays or catch-alls (place record on clay flower pot in oven, heat at 300 degrees until evenly melted, let cool). I put my barrettes in a modified Glenn Campbell.

Finally, not only are LPs a vestige of our musical past, they're cheap as cheap can be to buy, and they're everywhere - flea markets, yard sales, the Goodwill, the occasional vintage record shop... think of all the great music you can stock up on, bring home, and convert! It's very economical.

Enjoy:

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Am I dating myself with the mo' betta reference?

This weeks RTT is devoted to something I've not-so-subtly hinted I hope lands in my stocking this year (Santa, Baby!) : The Globetrotter's Logbook by Morton, Diaz and Cook.

I  got an email about these snappy looking logbooks from the company that makes them in Belgium.

With cool graphics and place to record notes, milestones like passings (of longitudes and latitudes or of the Equator, for instance), and store unique souvenirs, the books are a nifty gift for any jet-setter.

But beyond that, the logbooks will soon be connected to the Globetrotter Web site, so registered users can record their travels and track those of others. There's also a photo contest for registered users.

There are six different logbooks to choose from, so check out the Globetrotter Web site for more shopping fun.  

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Stupid.com Releases Must See List of Strangest, Craziest and Stupidest Gifts, Gadgets, Presents and Best Stocking Stuffers
                                     -
It seems that Gary Apple, founder of Stupid.com, believes that finding the perfect holiday gift might be difficult, but finding a
truly stupid gift is an art form.

According to a newsbit recently released by Stupid.com, Apple has been searching the nation for the strangest merchandise on the market, and if anyone should be a pundit on the subject, it's him; last year, shoppers spent nearly $1 million on
bizarre gifts at Stupid.com, and Apple said he expects to shatter that record this year.

Apple's "Stupidest Holiday Gifts For 2007 List" includes 10 inexpensive stocking stuffers, in all their wild and wacky splendor.

The Stupidest Gifts of 2007 :

    1. Mistletoe To Go: http://www.stupid.com/stat/GOGO.html

       In the mood for love but on the go? Consider this portable mistletoe.
       This attractive arrangement of faux mistletoe comes with a suction cup
       -- that attaches to your head! When you affix the suction cup to your
       forehead, the mistletoe is perfectly positioned for some holiday
       smooching. Price $7.99 (great for the office creep, your single friends
       or college co-eds)

    2. The Hillary Nutcracker: http://www.stupid.com/stat/HNCK.html

       You may love her. You might hate her. But you've never seen her like
       this. Nutcrackers are a holiday tradition, and this Hillary Clinton
       Nutcracker is a great gift for Democrats and Republicans alike. $21.99
       (Great for any politically humorous friend or member of NOW.)

    3. Slingshot Monkey: http://www.stupid.com/stat/SLNG.html

       What do you get when you cross a slingshot with a monkey? The Slingshot
       Monkey is a stuffed monkey dressed like a superhero. It flies up to 50
       feet, and SCREAMS ALONG THE WAY! There's some type of chip and speaker
       inside that is activated once the monkey is airborne. Price $6.99
       (Great gift for kids, families and members of PETA)

    4. Larry Craig Action Figure: http://www.stupid.com/stat/LCAF.html

       The Talking Senator Larry Craig Action Figure stands about 12" tall and
       wears a t-shirt emblazoned with his declaration: "I Am Not Gay." His
       limbs are bendable, so you can put him in all sorts of poses... even
       the famous "wide stance" the Senator refers to. Best of all, THE ACTION
       FIGURE TALKS! Press the button, and he delivers a portion of his Press
       Conference. $34.99

    5. Uncle Oinker's Gummy Bacon Candy: http://www.stupid.com/stat/GMYB.html

       That's right. America's favorite smoked-meat product has been
       reproduced as a tasty candy. Uncle Oinkers Gummy Bacon comes packaged
       the same way as real bacon. In fact, it even LOOKS like real bacon. But
       rather than toss it into a frying pan, you can put it right in your
       mouth and savor it. (great for foodies and non foodies alike)

    6. Inflatable Moosehead: http://www.stupid.com/stat/MOSH.html

       Why go through the expense and trouble of tracking down a moose and
       shooting it dead, when you can simply purchase the Inflatable Moose
       Head. This is a funny gift for any home office or cubicle. There's
       never been an easier (and stupider) way to display "big game" on your
       wall. $19.99 (Great for grandpa, neighbors, hunters, Charlton Heston,
       Dick Cheney, NRA members)

    7. Electronic Yodeling Pickle:  http://www.stupid.com/stat/EYOD.html

       The Electronic Yodelling Pickle is a 6-1/2" plastic pickle with a
       high-tech interior. When you press the pickle's button (yes, this
       pickle has a button), it belts out a melodious yodel that will make you
       think you're in the Swiss alps listening to a yodeling pickle. Fun
       times. $12.99

    8. Poo-lar Bear Candy: http://www.stupid.com/stat/J-REIN.html

       We all know what bears do in the woods ...  THIS candy demonstrates
       what they do in the snow. It's a plastic polar bear that you fill with
       candy poop. (Relax. They're actually cola and butterscotch flavored
       jelly beans.) When you press down on the bear's hind quarters, he poops
       out a tasty treat. Yum! $4.99 (Great for kids, friends, grab bag,
       everyone who loves poop)

    9. Get Off the Phone Excuse Machine: http://www.stupid.com/stat/PHXC.html

       With some people, it's impossible to get off the phone. You want to,
       but the person on the other end keeps blabbing on and on about nothing.
       "My boyfriend said this." "My mother wants that." "A crocodile's in my
       bathtub." Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. If only there were a graceful
       way to break free! The Get Off The Phone Excuse Machine is the answer.
       $9.99

    10. USB DANCER: http://www.stupid.com/stat/USBP.html

       Thanks to the USB Pole Dancer, your office fantasies can come true.
       This bikini-wearing hottie plugs into your computer's USB port and
       audio port. When sound plays on your system, she dances and gyrates
       around the pole and performs some truly seductive moves. $39.99



SOURCE Stupid.com via PRNewswire and jenniferhoffman.com

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502 Hoodie - $34.99 - Designed by Danny Cash Recently made famous when Oscar Award winning actor, Adrien Brody was photographed sporting the 502 shirt. Navy hoodie with orange print. Available in sizes S through XXL - $34.99. High-Res photo of 502 hoodie here. Home Shirt - $17.99 - Designed by Margaret Coble Designed by recent transplant from New Orleans, Margaret Coble. The Fleur De Lis can make you feel at home anywhere. Printed on 100% cotton American Apparel unisex shirt. Available in sizes XS through XXL - $17.99. High-res photo of Home Shirt here. Interrupting Squid Shirt - $17.99 - Designed by Patrick Jilbert Designed by nationally recognized skateboard artist, Patrick Jilbert. What it actually means is anyone's guess. Printed on 100% cotton American Apparel unisex shirt. Available in sizes S through XL - $17.99. High-Res photo of Interrupting Squid shirt here. Night Owl - $17.99 - Designed by Matt Clinard Louisville's skyline never looked so nice. Up and coming designer Matt Clinard is one to watch. Printed on 100% cotton American Apparel unisex shirt. Available in sizes XS through XL - $17.99. High-Res photo of Night Owl shirt here. Someone in Louisville Loves Me Onesie - $14.99 - Designed by John Wurth Give the kid some self-esteem early on. Printed on 100% cotton American Apparel Onesie for ages 0 to 24 months - $14.99 High-Res photo of Someone in Louisville Loves Me onesie here. State Fleur De Lis - Designed by Kenny Andreozzi The shapely state of Kentucky made up of a myriad of Fleur De Lis. Printed on 100% cotton American Apparel ladies shirt. Available in sizes S through XL - $17.99. Also available in navy unisex shirt with gold print for $15.99. High-Res photo of State FLeur De Lis shirt here. Paradise City - Designed by Jason Pierce Based on the urban legend that the Guns N' Roses song "Paradise City" was written about Louisville. Whether or not Louisville is in fact the place "where the grass is green and the girls are pretty" is still up for debate. Printed on 50/50 American Apparel unsex shirt. Available in sizes XS through XL - $17.99 High-Res photo of Paradise City shirt here. Fleur De Lis Ring (sterling silver) - $18 Looking stylish and showing your Louisville pride doesn't have to cost a fortune. Ring sizes 5 through 12 available for just $18. Switchblade Comb! - $3 Look dangerous and stylish. Best stocking stuffer ever! $3 High-Res photo of Switchblade Comb here. City Flag - $19.99 They don't make 'em like this anymore. Screen-printed flag measures 5 by 3 foot. While they last at $19.99. High-res photo of City Flag here.

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As part of my job, I write a lot of gift- and technology-guides, so I see a lot of great things and even get to play with a few. Many of these, I secretly pine for myself. I finally decided to take the plunge into a showcase of Creative chotchkes and gadgetry after receiving my 96th gift-wrapped pen.

That said, let's start with a sampling of awesome t-shirts I've seen in my travels, virtual and otherwise:

'Writing well is the best revenge' at fussy

 'Creatives Understand' at veer

It's impossible to pick just one fave of the writer t-shirts at Cafe Press.

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