The Sweet Jelly Bean

Groupon and Acupuncture

2010-02-25T10:46:00.000-08:00

Today's post covers two bases: 1) I haven't had a site to recommend to you in a while and 2) I want to know everyone's thoughts about Acupuncture.

1. Groupon - Although it’s not a new site and many of your probably already know about it, I wanted to mention Groupon, a website that provides a steal of a deal every weekday for over 50 cities in the United States. Here’s how it works according to them:

Each day we feature something cool to do at an unbeatable price.
You only get it if enough people join that day… so invite your friends!
Check back the next day for another awesome Groupon!

Through this concept I’ve bought many things including half-off restaurant gift certificates, a $100 Red Door Spa gift card for $50, and golf practices for 49% off. Not bad. All of these deals have since expired but the good news is that there will be more! Want to play, too? Click here to join – it’s free and they currently serve over 52 cities, including:

2. Acupuncture
Not a big fan of needles, but there's something about acupuncture that has always intrigued me. Have you done it or do you know someone who has? I'd love to get your opinions - today's Groupon for my area is for acupuncture!

I am inspired

2010-02-22T11:24:00.000-08:00

Like many bloggers, I rely heavily on Google Reader to get my daily fix of what's happening at the blogs I follow. Mondays are especially plentiful as I usually don't read blogs over the weekend. Today I had more than 100 posts waiting to be read. My favorite comes from Le Musings of Moi, and is called A Personal Challenge: 21 days to a better you. Summer commits to 21 days of transformation, where each day of the 21 days she "will do or start something that will help and motivate [her] to be, do, and become better."

How inspiring!! It made me wonder: could I do 21 things in 21 days to better myself or others? What do you think? Could you? After years of flunking out from lost New Year's Resolutions and watching others succeed in their Lent vows, I just might have to go for it!

Vote for kitteh!

2010-02-18T12:26:00.001-08:00

Vote for my cat to win! If she does, I'll donate $1K to a local rescue group! Click here or copy and paste http://www.wetv.com/pictureperfectpet/rating.php/23313

Sad Morning

2010-02-18T07:18:00.000-08:00

Today I went to work using the back roads to avoid traffic on the main highway. I saw a cat trying to cross the six lane street we were on. He started to run out in front of me, but then went back to the edge of the road as I passed. I relaxed and thought he must have decided to wait, but then saw him dart right out in front of the car behind me. The driver didn't even see him in time. I pulled over immediately and found the cat about 10 feet off the road. It was stretching its legs out a little bit then pulling them back, maybe for a minute or two, then died. Of course I bawled and stayed with him until it was over. I tried to find the owner, but didn't see anyone and all the houses are gated. He didn't have a collar and I saw a couple of fleas, so I guess he was a stray.

I hope that my being there with him helped ease his fear and pain.

Post 1 of 2010

2010-01-27T09:53:00.000-08:00

To my followers, I apologize if I have dropped off the face of the earth. It started last April as Mr. Bean and I prepared to move from California to Texas. After taking a hiatus from here to do practical things like pack boxes and look for a job, I realized that there are many blogs and sites that do what my little blog did: hunt down cool sites, good deals, and off-beat finds. Many of them post more frequently and do a better job than I do. And so my hiatus turned more into an extended vacation and, well, here we are five months since my last post.

I am not saying that I won’t post again. There are times that I stumble upon something and think, “Oh, I must tell the blogosphere about this!” Maybe from now on I’ll also try to interject some of me into this. That probably means less exciting for you. Sorry. :) To be continued…

Online sample sales

2009-08-18T11:28:00.000-07:00

If you like nabbing up good buys on high-end brands, you're going to love the new online sample sale craze! I'm completely addicted to these little gems and check many of them every weekday for new sales on brands like Puma, Gucci, Vera Wang, and more (they also carry children's and men's brand as well as home decor)! Could I ever afford most of these brands without a little help? No. Would I be willing to try them with a little discount? Of course! Here are the main sites I check out each day:

HauteLook (click on the name to visit their site)
My favorite online sample sale spot! I’ve now made two purchases with them and am very happy with the company.

GoMatta Girls
Great finds, usually under $50!

GiltGroupe and GiltFuse
Gilt Groupe itself is a little too pricey for me. I just can't get excited about a Prada dress that normally retail for $1,500 and is now available for a mere $600! However, they have a new site, GiltFuse, that carries only items less than $150. Recent brands included Juicy Couture.

Not related to this great stores is the fact that I haven't exactly been posting on a regular schedule since the spring. This is not an accident. Mr. Bean and I moved cross country. He started studying for the bar exam and I started looking for a job, and now we're both working new jobs that keep us happy but busy. I had a lot of fun creating The Sweet Jelly Bean blog this spring and hope that you had just as good of a time reading it. I hope we can meet again before too long.

And the winner of the boardgame giveaway is...

2009-04-27T21:06:00.000-07:00

Homemaker!! Congratulations! Thanks to everyone for playing. :-)

Huephoria - hand painted stemware and glass

2009-04-21T10:17:00.000-07:00

HuePhoria artists Jen and Lisa first met at their daughters' preschool "Mom's Coffee" in 1998. They quickly found common interests: throwing parties (fun & spontaneous), painting everything (even toilet seats), and wanting to make some extra pocket change. After selling their hand painted goods at local fundraisers and through word of mouth, they were no longer able to keep up with demand.

In Fall of 2004, HuePhoria and has been having a "ball" ever since! Check out their website for some deliciously girly glasses, salt and pepper shakers, and ornaments!

GIVEAWAY: What's a Dame to Do? boardgame

2009-04-20T12:25:00.001-07:00

NOTE: THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED. THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!

Last week I reviewed my last board game obsession, What's a Dame to Do? The mastermind behind this game, Games for Dames, has generously agreed to give away a copy of What’s a Dame to Do to one lucky reader! Here’s how to enter:

NOTE: You can enter multiple times using the methods below and will only have to post once. Just be sure and mention everything and don’t forget to leave a way for me to contact you if I can’t do so through your Blogger profile!

1 ENTRY: Leave a comment.

1 EXTRA ENTRY: Begin following this blog or mention that you already do so.

1 EXTRA ENTRY: Join The Sweet Jelly Bean’s page on Facebook. Please let me know if you do so by commenting on this post!

2 EXTRA ENTRIES: Mention this giveaway on your own blog and link baack to this post. Please let me know if you do so by commenting on this post!

This giveaway ends Monday, April 27, 2009, at 7pm PST. All eligible entries will be thrown into a bowl and a winner will be drawn. The winner will be announced here and contacted following the close of the contest. Good luck everyone!

PlumParty.com - gift ideas galore!

2009-04-17T07:22:00.000-07:00

Whenever I'm stumped on what to get a friend, I head over to a site like Plum Party for some inspiration. They actually tout themselves as a party supply webstore, but I have found so many good ideas for stocking stuffers and last minute hostess gifts! Some of my favorites:

Peace, Love, Happiness Quick Change Watch, $21

Bag of Happiness Pocket Charms, $10

Tacoma Flower Box with 4 Plates, $16

AskGinka.com - your theme finder for parties, weddings, and more!

2009-04-16T17:12:00.000-07:00

AskGinka.com includes hundreds of themes and ideas for just about any kind of shindig you can come up with, including weddings, bridal showers, birthday parties, showers, holiday parties, reunions, retirements, and more! Simply browse through her list of themes or select by topic (animals, flowers, historical eras, careers, etc.) and pick out something you’re interested in! Once you click on a theme, the site takes you to either a list of ideas relating to that theme or to at least one website that might provide you with party goods or thoughts.

Some of my favorites:

1920s/Art Deco/Roaring 20s Theme Wedding & Party Guide – complete with costume ideas, cake designs, and décor!

Fishing Party Guide – perfect for a guy’s birthday or retirement! Love the fishy string of lights!

Hydrangea Theme Wedding & Party Guide – great for wedding or shower ideas and more! The hydrangea themed little girl dresses are adorable!

What is your favorite theme?

Why moms are at risk for Internet addiction

2009-04-14T12:36:00.000-07:00

By Rachel Mosteller, found on CNN.com (link below)

I was scrolling through family photos on my computer, admiring my two beautiful babies, when I spotted a disturbing trend: My laptop was open in almost all of the pictures. There's my daughter, at 8 months, playing at my feet while I typed away on the couch. There's me and my son, a year later, with the laptop at my side as I held him in my arms.

I'd heard about Internet addiction before, but always assumed it was something limited to socially challenged guys who played too much World of Warcraft. Now it seemed my Internet "habit" was slowly but surely crossing the line. Sometimes I found myself up into the wee hours of the morning, surfing the Web while my family slept. I read the news, kept up with friends, and looked up answers to endless questions. I wrote my personal blog and read dozens of others, just for something to do...

Continue reading this article on CNN.com here.

My $0.02: I'm not even a mother yet and I do feel that I have a mild addiction to the Internet. I've never done anything really crazy like call in sick so I could stay online for eight extra hours, but I do start getting antsy if I can't check my email, etc. What are your thoughts?

What's a Dame to Do?!

2009-04-13T21:49:00.000-07:00

During my time here in sunny California, I’ve been so fortunate to meet a great group of girlfriends that I can hang out with and just be silly. Friday night I hosted a board game night where I got to try out a new board gave called What’s a Dame to Do?!

Think of the game Apples to Apples but with a feminine twist. Each player (2-8 players can participate) takes a turn and reads a dilemma card out loud (“I’m doing yoga and my pants split. What’s a dame to do?!”) The other players each contribute a reaction card that can range from practical response (“Hide in the bathroom.) to silly (“Blame it on shrinkage.”). The person who drew the dilemma card awards points for her favorite answer, whether it’s the most realistic or it makes her laugh the most.

We were laughing so hard the whole time, and we played much longer than we intended to (board game night turned into this board game only night). The printed directions were a little confusing, but you can see a quick video on GamesforDames.com that explains the game play in less than 5 minutes. You can pick up the game at GamesforDames.com OR visit The Bean again next week to enter a giveaway to win a copy of your own!

ThinkGeek.com

2009-04-09T15:14:00.000-07:00

Geek Week here at The Bean continues with a truly nerdy (but in a good way) website: ThinkGeek.com. I continue to see items from this little web shop highlighted again and again in magazines and online resources, so I thought I'd share with you. As for how it go started, the website explains:

ThinkGeek started as an idea. A simple idea to create and sell stuff that would appeal to the thousands of people out there who were on the front line and in the trenches as the Internet was forged. ThinkGeek started as a way to serve a market that was passionate about technology, from programmers, engineers, students, lovers of open source, to the masses that helped create the behind-the-scenes Internet culture.

This website has a little bit of everything. From beaker shaped coffee mugs to runaway alarm clocks, you can pretty much find anything here you never knew you needed. Some of my personal favorites:

Super Mario Bros. Wall Graphics, $69. Oh Lord, please do not let me ever have a son. If I do, Mr. Bean will probably insist we nerdify him early by decorating his nursery in this!

Titanium Spork, $8.99. When a white plastic just won't do for all those sporking wars you are busy with during office hours.

Monty Python Holy Grail Killer Rabbit Slippers, $34.99. Sometimes Isotoners just won't cut it.

ShoppingNotes.com

2009-04-08T15:12:00.001-07:00

It pays to be thrifty, and usually half the fun of getting a great deal on an item is waiting until the perfect sale comes around. Thankfully you can now stop going to GAP obsessively 3x every day to see if that hoodie has made it to the clearance rack by using ShoppingNotes.com, a free service that will email you if a price drops on a certain product. Just enter the URL for the item you want to watch, provide an email to receive price alerts, and you're good to go!

SwitchFlops giveaway winner

2009-04-07T15:49:00.000-07:00

So my SwitchFlops giveaway ended last night and I’ve only now gotten around to announcing a winner. 45 of you gorgeous ladies entered the contest for a total of 74 entries! I only wish that I had the opportunity to give you each a pair of these fantastic floppies for your tired tootsies. Okay, enough alliteration. The winner is….

Bee and Rose

Well, she certainly deserves it! This girl was one of my very first followers and always leaves such thoughtful comments! Congratulations to her, and thank you to SwitchFlops for agreeing to let me host the giveaway. And to all of you – try, try again! I’ll have another giveaway coming up soon, so stay tuned.

Geek Week and DigMyPics.com

2009-04-06T16:31:00.000-07:00

Ah, workweek. How I missed you over the weekend. Ok wait, no, I didn’t. At all. To celebrate all things Monday (paper clips, copier jams, broken fax machines, that overly perky coworker), I’d like to officially declare April 6-10 as The Bean’s geek week. I’ll be covering a few nerdy things that I find extra useful and or entertaining.

Let’s start with a handy service – as a child of the 1980s, my parents have a ton of tiny camcorder cassettes lying around their house with no way to play them. Some made it to the VHS, but I don’t know if they even still have a VCR with which to play them. One of my goals this year is to secretly gather them all up and send them out to DigMyPics.com, a service that will put all of your old home movies onto DVDs.

Basically it works like this: DigMyPics takes your old films (VHS, VHS-C, Super VHS, 8mm Tape (Hi8), Digital 8, and Mini DV) and puts them onto cds for $14.95 (per 2 hours tape). Want to play them on a DVD player? Only $6 more per tape – not bad for preserving your personal history.

I know there are lots of other services out there that do this sort of thing. Have you used DigMyPics.com or any others? If so, let me know how it went!

InStyle.com's Virtual Makeover Studio

2009-04-03T12:53:00.000-07:00

Hey, it's Friday. Let's just be ridiculously silly and conclude this hellish workweek by playing with InStyle.com's Virtual Makeover Studio. I only discovered it last night, and instead of using it as it probably is intended, I made myself into a 1980s chic/drag queen. Oh, and Eva Longoria Parker (below).

This post concludes The Bean's Go Glam Week. Join us on Monday for the SwitchFlops giveaway wrapup and the start of Geek Week! Have a great weekend.

Emitations Jewelry

2009-04-01T08:24:00.000-07:00

Go Glam Week continues here at The Sweet Jelly Bean with the introduction of an online jewelry shop I’ve had my eye on for a while. I possess neither the money nor the desire (aka I am lazy) to try and imitate celebrity style very often. However, every now and then I’ll run across a pair of earrings a movie star is wearing that make me want to say, “Hey, I want those!”

Enter Emitations Jewelry, a place for cubic zirconia and sterling silver jewelry for those of us who haven’t quite made our first $10M just yet. This shop boasts affordable versions of the latest celebrity and movie trends along with rings, earrings, necklaces, and men’s jewelry in just about any color or style! Some of my favorites:

Star Necklace, $34.95 (inspired by The Hills) - I can’t say I ever have watched this show, but I love this little starfish!

Mother of Pearl Ring, $99.00 (inspired by Alice on Twilight) – I try to keep my mostly-in-the-past Twilight obsession to myself, but this ring sure brings back the memories!

Dogwood Flower Earrings, $54.95 (inspired by Hayden Panettiere, Kate Winslet, and Penelope Cruz) – Adorable yet elegant little studs would perk up any outfit!

Emitations is featuring a couple of deals to help your wallet out. Get $0.99 shipping on any order through 12pm on Thursday, April 2, by entering coupon code M991.

Not ready to buy just yet? Join Emitations’ email list and get $5 off your first order (to do so, scroll down to the bottom of their website home page and jot down your email address).

Happy shopping! We are all movie stars at heart, right? :-)

And the winner of the Timid Monster is...

2009-03-31T15:58:00.000-07:00

Cheryl!

Congratulations! Be sure and take good care of Joel! :-)

SwitchFlops Review and Giveaway

2009-03-31T15:25:00.000-07:00

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED. THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING.

Back when I first started this blog in January, I’d mentioned a cool new concept in footwear I’d recently stumbled across called SwitchFlops. As the name applies, SwitchFlops have the style and build of a typical pair of flip-flops, but features a piece of Velcro along the strap. When you’re ready to change your style, whether its from polka dots to skulls or a solid color to preppy stripes, just peel off the current fabric strips you’re sporting and replace them with a totally different design!

The 411
Shoe Styles and Colors:
LuLu Flat ($32): available in black, tan, brown, navy, pink, and white
Taylor Wedge ($36): available in black, brown, white
Lilly Kitten Heel ($48): cork and black

SwitchFlops straps are undeniably stylish and affordably priced! At only $12 per strap set, you can create an endless shoe wardrobe with over 70 strap choices from six different collections!

My Review
I was fortunate enough to be able to try these lovelies out for myself! I have a pair of the LuLu flats in brown and 3 sets of straps. My take on these:

Pros
Comfort – I was worried that the Velcro would rub against my feet and blister, but they did not! Also, I was afraid that the sole itself wouldn’t be as cushy as the Reef flipflops I consider my staple, but they were just as comfortable – if not more!

Ease – The straps are very easy to change – it took me a total of about 2 minutes (probably less) to change both of the straps out, and only that long because I couldn’t decide which design I wanted to try out next!

Price – For $12, you can get a new set of straps to add to your collection and it really does look like a totally different shoe!

Variety – With over 70 straps to choose from, I bet you can’t find some that you love! My next purchase will be the Kitten heels, which I think will be perfect with pants or capris for work!

Cons
Seriously, I can’t think of any at this point. Maybe availability? Currently most of the straps and shoe styles are available through the SwitchFlops website and a few select boutiques across the United States. For their store locator, click here.

The Giveaway
SwitchFlops has generously offered to give away one pair of their flops to a lucky reader! To enter: Visit the SwitchFlops website and pick our your favorite style of straps. Return to The Bean and leave a comment on this entry telling me which strap is your favorite. If you do not do this, your entries will not count!

For more entries:
1 EXTRA ENTRY: Begin following this blog. Let me know if you already do so!

2 EXTRA ENTRIES: Mention this giveaway on your own blog and link baack to this post. Please let me know if you do so!

3 EXTRA ENTRIES: Make a purchase from SwitchFlops during this giveaway and let me know about it. I’ll ask you to forward me your order confirmation!

This giveaway ends Monday, April 6, 2009, at 9pm PST. All eligible entries will be thrown into a bowl and a winner will be drawn. The winner will be announced here and contacted following the close of the contest. Be sure to check out info on The Bean’s upcoming giveaways - look over to the right hand column near the top of the page and you'll see links to them. Good luck everyone!

Free haircut

2009-03-30T10:28:00.000-07:00

I’ve decided to try something a little different for the next month of so: themed weeks. This week’s theme will be “Go Glam,” and will feature a daily post on something to do with beauty, jewelry, clothes, or anything else girly I happen across. To begin Go Glam Week, I’d like to share something that we can all use in this current economic climate: a free haircut.

What could you save by getting a free haircut? $30? $40? $50+? If this sounds like something you might be interested in doing, pop on over to your local Craiglist and search for “free hair cut” or “free haircut” under Services to see what’s available in your area. Search terms like these will pull up a hodge-podge of listings ranging from truly free cuts to deeply discounted services from new salons or established places looking for new clients.

A lot of salons may have junior stylists who have completed school and just want a little more experience to hone their skills. A new stylist will probably do the cut while being supervised by a senior stylist, so there is little risk that you’ll come out looking like a poodle. Some may want to take a photo of the completed work when finished, but most are just looking for someone to practice on. Nervous about what salon you’ll be going to? Google the salon’s name for reviews, or check out what people have said about them on Yelp.com. After all, what is there to lose (aside from dead ends)?

Not sure about plucking a mystery salon out of online ether? Trying searching for local cosmetology schools. Many offer haircuts (or other services such as manicures) for $10 or less!

Seventh Generation Review

2009-03-29T21:29:00.000-07:00

Recently I was the very lucky winner of the Seventh Generation giveaway over at Mad Boastings of a Cheapskate Mom. The prize was a complete starter kit featuring a fantastic selection of Seventh Generation products, and I've now had the chance to try them all. Here are some thoughts on each of the different cleaners:

Natural Paper Towels - These arrived just in time! We were down to our last roll of paper towels from the Jumbotron-sized package we'd bought from Costco in 2002. :-) The towels are thinner than the ones we normally purchase, but when I used them to clean the kitchen counters, they held up perfectly. I've seen these in some supermarkets, but have never really looked at their prices, so I'm not sure if I will buy them once I finish these two rolls.

Ruby Grapefruit & Herb Natural Glass & Surface Cleaner - I had to work with this one a bit more than I might normally have to when using Windex (Mr. Bean splashes as much water on the mirror as his face when he's washing up, so there's always smudges). However, I was grateful that it didn't make my nose itch like Windex always does.

Green Mandarin & Leaf Natural All-Purpose Cleaner - This one might just be enough to handle most of my day-to-day cleaning. I used it to clean the sink, wipe down counters, and pick up a small spill off the kitchen floor.

Green Mandarin & Leaf Shower Cleaner - I haven't used this very much as we just have a bathtub, but it smells good and I plan to alternate it with the Tub & Tile Cleaner.

Emerald Cypress & Fir Tub & Tile Cleaner -I was amazed at how powerful this stuff was. The smell was very subtle, and yet the formula managed to pick up all of that icky soap scum left over from my bubble bath.

Wild Orange & Cedar Spice Kitchen Cleaner - This one smells fantastic! It makes cleaning up after meal preparation super easy.

Summary: Although I am having a hard time finding a place to store all of these cleaners, my house is clean and smells fantastic. No more "chemical clean" smells. Seventh Generation is available at a number of chain supermarkets, including Whole Foods. For a store locator, visit Seventh Generation here. Special thanks to Seventh Generation and Cheapskate Mom!

Crack pudding

2009-03-27T13:46:00.000-07:00

Run, don't walk, to your nearest supermarket and pick up a 4-pack of Hunt's Snack Pack Pudding Cups in Chocolate Caramel. If eaten cold they taste just like cake batter! If you prefer to eat them at room temp, they taste like a Java Chip Frappucino!

Heart shaped tea from SBS Teas

2009-03-26T11:22:00.000-07:00

I've recently fallen in love with a unique concept from SBS Teas, an online company that specializes in custom blended loose leaf teas, coffee, and accessories. Introducing the heart formed tea, a loose leaf tea pressed into the shape of a heart. These tiny hearts are adorable and each one makes enough for one delicious cup of your choice of green or black tea. They would make an excellent gift for a tea lover, and could even serve as adorable favors for a wedding or bridal/baby shower. Try these little hearts out today! $2.95/5 hearts.

Musical workout motivations

2009-03-25T22:16:00.000-07:00

I am always looking for new ways to motivate myself when it comes to working out. I've just never really liked getting sweaty, and I'm pasty like a vampire, so I'm not so much into swimming in front of other people. One thing that does help is a fresh set of music on my iPod. I'm always hunting new playlists that other gym gals are listening to, and managed to find a few cool programs/sites in the process. Some are free, others cost a bit. Check these out:

Marina's Audio Workout Center allows you to mix and match over 400 exercise/workout components to create your very own workout.

NextFitness combines your existing music with professional fitness training audio clips to create a new workout.

Best Workout Music converts your existing music in a slower or faster paced song to better match your workouts.

ITrain combines personal training with music delivered to your Mp3 player. Each workout has the trainer's voice providing step by step instructions and motivating you with music in the background. PDF format instructions can be downloaded to your computer to display the positions and directions on how to perform the exercises.

GIVEAWAY: Timid Monster

2009-03-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!

In a recent post I highlighted the very talented Trish over at Trupinys, an Etsy shop that sells jewelry and monsters made of clay that are absolutely adorable! I’d had Trish commission a “British Lawyer” monster in honor of my hubby being an almost law school graduate, and her work is fabulous. Trish has agree to give away the following Timid Monster to one lucky reader of The Sweet Jelly Bean!

Here is his story: Joel enjoys fashioning sandals out of corn husks and sleeping bags out of candy wrappers. He loves to keep pet balloon animals, but they scare easily and run away when they hear loud pops, leaving behind their rubbery droppings. Left alone, Joel tends to be afraid of sandcastles, labyrinths and kittens. Each Monster comes initialed and dated on the bottom and with a little card with their mini-biography written on it.

For this contest you can get up to eight entries! To enter: Visit Trupinys over at Etsy and pick out your favorite monster. Return to The Bean and leave a comment telling me your favorite. If you do not do this, your entries will not count!

For more entries:
1 EXTRA ENTRY: Begin following this blog. Let me know if you already do so!

1 MORE ENTRY: Begin following Trish's blog – please mention in a comment to this post if you are already doing so or if you begin to do so.

2 BONUS ENTRIES: Mention this giveaway on your own blog and link back to this post or Trish's blog. Please comment on this post to let me know you've done so!

3 BONUS ENTRIES: Make a purchase from Trupinys during this giveaway (her items start under $5). Post a link to the sale page once you've purchased!

This giveaway ends Monday, March 30, 2009 at 9pm PST. All eligible entries will be thrown into a bowl and Mr. Bean will draw a winner. The winner will be announced here and contacted following the close of the contest. Be sure to check out info on The Bean’s upcoming giveaways - look over to the right hand column near the top of the page and you'll see links to them. Good luck everyone!

Wedding cake replicas

2009-03-19T16:02:00.001-07:00

I am not sure if I mentioned that we had our second wedding anniversary last week. In honor of this occasion, I want to share a very talented Etsy shop with you. Pretty Girl Things created a replica of our wedding cake out of clay and made it into an ornament for our first Christmas!

Here is a picture of our cake:

All I had to do was give the shop owner, Camille, these images (along with a few more detailed shots), and she was able to make this!

Other examples of her custom cake replica work:

Camille is very talented and can make practically anything that you ask! She also will do replicas of cakes from baby showers, birthday parties, etc. Additionally, she makes fantastic jewelry! Here is a necklace that I bought from her in fall 2007 - I just couldn't live without it!

Sula Beauty Paint & Peel Nail Polish

2009-03-18T08:02:00.000-07:00

When I was in college, Cover Girl came out with a nail polish that you could apply to your nails, let dry, then peel off when you were tired of it. The formula was never perfected, I guess, because it was discontinued after a few months. I'd tried a couple of colors out before they all went on clearance - one worked great, and the other one peeled off on its own accord. Very frustrating.

Sula Beauty has now reinvented this wheel by releasing a line of nail polished called Paint & Peel that doesn't require polish remover. As the product's name implies, simply paint your nails, then peel off once you're ready to start over with a new color or go bare. Based on the FAQs found on the site, it sounds like you can expect each coat to last at least full day. To keep it going beyond that, apply Sula's Clear or Metallic top coat for extra durability.

The polish is "free from gormaldehyde, toluene and phthalates and is also free of the remaining cancer-linked ingredients still found in standard polish." Sounds like you can't lose with this polish!

Paint & Peel comes in two collections: the Sula Collection, which includes four colors that are more traditional for the nails, and the Trend Collection, which offers users a few more "out there" colors including Dove/grey and Crush/dark purple. Currently you can buy them through Sula's website or at a few locations through the US and Canada. Each bottle is $9-$10 - I just might have to try these!

IsABelt Giveaway: We have a winner!

2009-03-17T22:39:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Heather for winning the IsABelt giveaway! Thanks to everyone who entered. A new giveaway is coming up next week, so stick around...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2009-03-17T08:11:00.000-07:00

I'm sure I'm not the only one wishing you a Happy Leprechaun Day on this March 17th, but who cares?! Have a great day! Drinks lots of Guinness, wear lots of green, and pinch lots of non-believers! Here's a Polyvore collage of my favorite green finds for your viewing pleasure. Click on the image for more info on any of the items.

St. Patrick's Day - by thesweetjellybean on Polyvore.com

Lend a hand and fight diabetes for free

2009-03-16T07:45:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across this and wanted to pass it along to all of you - it's a free way to help diabetes charities, and could serve as a great interactive way of getting your kids involved in a cause!

The Global Diabetes Handprint project is a worldwide project that lets anyone join the fight against diabetes. By writing a word on your hand expressing your feelings about diabetes, and sharing the story behind it, you’ll become part of a global community that puts a human face
on diabetes for all the world to see. For every hand picture that is uploaded (or created online using their virtual hand maker), OneTouch will donate $5 to a charity (either Diabetes Education and Camping Association OR Taking Control of Your Diabetes). Their goal is to donate $250,000 by the end of June 2009.

Mr. Bean and I each took a picture of our hand (notice I used tape on my hand since I could only find a permanet marker). On my hand I wrote FIGHT and Mr. Bean chose FIERCE (this picture is of my hand against the backdrop of an incoming rainstorm). My grandfather, who passed away in 2007, had diabetes for years and never complained. I ached for him watching him prick his fingers 10, 12, 15 times a day, and yet he always kept going. When I go to donate blood and they use the finger prick syringe to check my iron levels, I think of him. I think that's more painful than the donation itself, but I remember how dutiful he was about his sugar level and his diet, and I try to remain strong.

If you want to upload an image of your own hand (or of your children, spouse, etc), visit Global Diabetes Handprint today! You do not have to have diabetes to participate. Feel free to let me know if you do so!

Ex-Boyfriend Jewelry, a site to seek vengeance..and pretty things

2009-03-13T09:38:00.001-07:00

Happy Friday! What a quick workweek it's been! I feel like the days have really flown by - I haven't really had a chance to post anything aside from giveaway results since Wednesday!

I have a site to share with you today that I find a little tongue-in-cheek, a little sad, and a little vengeful! It's called Ex-Boyfriend Jewelry, and is an online marketplace where you call sell old jewelry and trinkets from your exes: ex-boyfriends, ex-girlfriends, ex-wives, ex-husbands, same sex-ex, etc. As the site explains:

Welcome to EXBOYFRIENDJEWELRY.COM - a site where you can buy/sell/trade and blog about all of those little reminders in your jewelry box that make you wonder “what did I ever see in him?”, or “where have all the cowboys gone?” You set your own price. You get it off your chest and out of your sight. Just because you don’t want it, doesn’t mean somebody else isn’t dying for it. Everyone’s a winner! Maybe you love him, maybe you never want to speak to him again, but either way, you’re ready to move on and make a little rent money in the process.

Here's an example of what you might find on the site. A girl is selling a pair of diamond earrings given to her by an ex-boyfriend. Her husband (yes, she's now happily married) doesn't like her wearing them and now is willing to buy her a new pair if she'll get rid of the ones the ex gave her! Valued at $1,800 by a jeweler, you can buy them through this site for $400! Even if you're not in the mood to buy some new sparklies, stop by sometime. It's a cute, perky site and a lot of the sellers on there are really positive!

And the winner is...

2009-03-12T20:19:00.000-07:00

Tonight Mr. Bean helped me to draw a winner for the "$10 to the Charity of Your Choice" giveaway that's been going on here this week as part of the SITS Spring Fling. There so many of you who entered with such worth causes - I only wish that I could support them all! Here is a picture of the action from my camera phone:

Isn't my Mr. Bean talented? And the winner is...

shortmama (her blog is Family of Shorts) said:
I love this idea!!! I would donate to our local Humane Society because so many pets are being left behind due to the current economic and foreclosure crisis. www.azhumane.org
12:04 PM, March 10, 2009

As requested by her entry, I have donated $10 to shortmama's charity of choice, the Arizona Humane Society.

Congratulations, shortmama, and thank you so much to everyone who entered. If you get a chance, stop by the comments to this contest and check out all of the amazing charities that people highlighted.

Hot Rock - would you like some volcano to go with your steak?

2009-03-11T17:14:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was our second wedding anniversary! Mr. Bean snuck out of class a bit early and we went to dinner at a place called Rok Bistro (near San Jose, CA for you locals). It was so much fun! Think of a fondue restaurant but with a twist. You get a salad to start with and then a cheese fondue to share. But then your main entree comes out on a square volcanic rock that has been heated to 700 degrees. You cut your meat into small pieces and let it cook to your liking on the rock, then move it to your plate and enjoy. Mr. Bean had lamb and I had a buffalo steak (I'd only ever had a buffalo burger). Both were delicious!

Today I found out that you can get a consumer/at-home version of these rocks to use on your own! They are made a company called Hot Rock (Rok Bistro gets the commercial version of these from there, too). As the website says:

Discover the speed, ease, sensational taste, uniqueness and healthy aspects of Hot Rock meals. Any meat tastes better when cooked on a Hot Rock. Cater to the health conscious by creating low-fat, low-carb meals with “sizzle.“ Amaze your family and guests with fun, festive, and delicious meals they will never forget. Preparation time is minimal. Simply heat a rock for several minutes on the stove and take it to the table where the diner grills their own meat on a volcanic rock—an unbelievable experience. Side dishes can be prepared in advance or simply purchased ready-made from your local delicatessen. Preparing and enjoying meals has never been easier or more fun. Hot Rock gets hotter and retains its heat longer than other products and does not require messy or dangerous heating sources at the table. The rock maintains effective cooking temperature for approximately 25 minutes.

Hot Rock is the perfect solution for …..

Health conscious diners who don’t want to sacrifice time, taste or quality

People who entertain but don’t have time to prepare fancy meals

People on the go who don’t have time to cook

Children who complain about dinner—they won’t complain about Hot Rock!

Year round dining—Hot Rock can be served in the dining room or on the patio The home, office or dormitory—all you need is a Hot Rock cooking set and portable stovetop

Hot Rocks for the home come in two price levels: the $49.99 rock and the $79.99 rock. You'd need one for each person eating, so Mr. Bean and I would have to get two. This is actually a pretty good idea for us to buy (if it weren't for that pesky recession) because he likes his steak one way and I like mine a totally different way.

Not related to the volcanic rock components, but I love chocolate and have to share: we concluded the meal with a to-die-for dark chocolate coconut almond dessert fondue with lots of little treats to dip. It was spectacular! We had a great time, and hadn't eaten outside of the house for 10 days to save money, so this was a real treat!

GIVEAWAY: IsABelt

2009-03-10T08:23:00.000-07:00

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED. THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!

As I mentioned in a previous post, there is an amazing new product known as IsABelt that is specifically designed to help eliminate the creeping, crawling, sagging, butt crackag-ing, and other wardrobe malfunctions associated with today's jeans styles. To use it:

• Hold belt in front of you so logo is facing you.
• Go to one side of the belt and separate into two straps.
• Hold belt above rough textured area close to adjuster with thumb & forefinger. • With other hand, gently pull top strap at a downward angle to lengthen or shorten the belt.
• Adjust both sides until desired support is reached.
• Put through belt loops, clasp belt together & push belt down to base of waistband.
• If possible, notch belt strap under button to secure placement.

The IsABelt is available in multiple colors and sizes suitable for children, misses, plus sizes, and even styles for men. Although it retails at many stores (both brick-and-mortar and online), you can order an IsABelt directly from the company for $16.95+$5.95 shipping. Better yet, enter The Bean's giveaway to win an IsABelt of your choice (the company has agreed to give a belt to one lucky winner)!

1. FOR ONE ENTRY: Simply make a comment on this post. If you're not logged in, be sure to leave your email address instead of commenting anonymously so I can contact you if you win.

2. FOR A BONUS ENTRY: Begin following this blog – please mention in a comment if you are already doing so or if you begin to do so.

3. FOR 2 BONUS ENTRIES: Mention this giveaway on your own blog and link back to The Sweet Jelly Bean. Please comment on this post to let me know you've done so!

This giveaway ends Monday, March 17, 2009 at 7PM PST. All eligible entries will be thrown into a hat (well, probably a water glass around our apartment), and a winner will be drawn by Mr. Bean. The winner will be announced here and contacted following the close of the contest. Good luck everyone, and be sure to enter my other giveaways - look over to the right hand column near the top of the page and you'll see links to them.

SITS Spring Fling: $10 Charity Giveaway

2009-03-09T23:00:00.000-07:00

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS FOR PARTICIPATING!

I've been itching to join the Spring Fling led by The Secret is in the Sauce (SITS), and the day to begin is finally here! In case you haven't heard, Spring Fling includes a number of sponsored giveaways over at SITS, but it also includes giveaways all across the blogosphere. So once you're done entering this giveaway, please visit Spring Fling to enter some of the others!

Okay, let's get down to business: the Bean's giveaway. I've been thinking long and hard about what to give away for this event, and the thing that kept on popping into my head was that I need to give more. I know, you're thinking, "Damn girl, you're hosting a giveaway. What more can you do?" My thoughts exactly. In economic times like these, I can't give much, but I can give a little. So here's the giveaway prize:

$10 donation by me to a charity chosen by the winner

Whether you're an animal right crusader, a soldier in the fight against breast cancer, or an environment advocate, I want to hear about it! To enter:

1. FOR ONE ENTRY: Comment on this post telling me which charity you would want the contribution to go to if you win. If you're not logged in, be sure to leave your email address instead of commenting anonymously so I can contact you if you win.

2. FOR A BONUS ENTRY: Begin following this blog – please mention in a comment if you are already doing so or if you begin to do so.

3. FOR 2 BONUS ENTRIES: Mention this giveaway on your own blog and link back to The Sweet Jelly Bean. Please comment on this post to let me know you've done so!

RULES: The winner must be a US resident, and the charity of their choice must be a US 501(c)(3) organization (if you're not sure if yours is, ask me and I can look it up for you. I work for a nonprofit).

This giveaway ends Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 7pm PST. All eligible entries will be thrown into a hat (well, probably a water glass around our apartment), and a winner will be drawn by Mr. Bean. The winner will be announced here and contacted following the close of the contest - they can then let me know for sure what charity they'd like the donation to go to, and in whose name (if applicable). Good luck everyone, and be sure to enter my other giveaways - look over to the right hand column near the top of the page and you'll see links to them.

And the winners are...

2009-03-09T22:44:00.001-07:00

And the winners of the Colorado Catnip Toys Giveaway are...

Dixie

and

Roxanne!

Congratulations to you both! Thanks to everyone for playing, and a special thank you to Jana at Colorado Catnip Toys for sponsoring such a fun giveaway!

MP3 Player: $40 for Cool (Samsung S2 Pebble)

2009-03-09T13:21:00.000-07:00

Looking for a cheaper alternative to the iPod? Need an extra MP3 player to keep in your gym bag or office? If so, check out the S2 Pebble MP3 Player from Samsung. As the name implies, it's small and shaped like a smooth riverstone, and comes in five metallic colors! Features include:

-Comes in five hot colors: black, white, red, green, and purple.

-Easy-to-use controls are embedded on the back face of the device, with the earphone jack on the side.

-Samsung S2 supports MP3, WMA, and Ogg audio formats so you can listen to your favorite tunes in high-quality audio.

-Easy-to-use controls are embedded on the back face, including play/pause, volume, and playback options (standard, random, repeat).

-1 GB of internal flash memory provides enough storage space for approximately 13 hours of audio.

Sells for $39.99 on Amazon.com, so stop by and check these out!

Real Simple's 9 Essential Spices

2009-03-09T10:05:00.000-07:00

If you're like many people I know (Mr. Bean and me included), you've been trying to eat away from home less. Looking for a few new ways to spice up your supper? Try this list of 9 Essential Spices, courtesy of a back issue of Real Simple:

1. Garlic Powder: Unlike fresh garlic, powder will not burn. Season flour with garlic powder for fried chicken.

2. Red Pepper Flakes (Crushed Red Pepper): Get the great taste of New York pizza by sprinkling red pepper flakes on your slice.

3. Rosemary: Pair rosemary and garlic to create a flavorful leg of lamb (or pork if you're like me and lamb freaks you out). For a side dish, combine potatoes, olive oil, rosemary, salt, and pepper, and roast in the oven.

4. Paprika: It has a subtle smoky flavor, which is great for seasoning meats and chicken before searing or grilling, and gives meat a beautiful color when cooked.

5. Bay Leaves: Create a base flavor in soups, stocks, and savory dishes by using bay leaves. Add one when sauteing onions too. Never leave them in when serving.

6. Oregano: Widely present in Mediterranean cooking, use oregano in tomato sauces and Greek salads with olives, tomatoes, and feta cheese.

7. Dry Mustard: Put a pinch of dry mustard into vinaigrettes or mix it with paprika to season beef. It packs a little bit of heat, so use it sparingly.

8. Cumin Seeds: Taste them in Middle Eastern and Mexican dishes. Add cumin powder and a drizzle of olive oil to spike up hummus.

9. Chili Powder: Season ground beef with chili powder when making Mexican food. Spicy alert: Add a little bit at a time.

My Mamarazzi Favorite Things Swap Package is Here!

2009-03-05T09:17:00.000-08:00

At the beginning of last month, I posted about participating in Mamarazzi's Favorite Things Swap. Per the rules of the swap, I mailed my package on Monday, March 2nd to my partner, Spaghetti in Bagels/Insanity at its Best. While I'm eager to see what she thinks about my goodies, I'm excited to say that her package to me arrived today!

(Please excuse my crafting table, yikes!) Inside were:

1. Adorable polka dotted makeup tote with smaller zippered pouch.

2. Maybelline mascara - I've been wanting to try this one!

3. "The Wedding Date" on DVD (haven't seen this one, but it's actually been on my Netflix queue!)

4. Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks (I've read several of his other books - she is right on the mark!)

5. Glade French Vanilla candle (smells fantastic!)

6. Cute gumdrops greeting card with a note from her.

This swap was so much fun! I just hope that she enjoys everything that I sent as much I did putting it all together! :-) Many thanks to Mamarazzi for working so hard to put together such a great swap!

Monsters!!!

2009-03-04T14:11:00.000-08:00

Mr. Bean and I are what I like to politely refer to as "weird." We're a little goofy and sometimes our friends just shake their heads at us and laugh, but we have a great time and we don't hurt anyone with our oddness (at least I haven't received any requests to appear in court about anything yet). With that intro, allow me to introduce you to Mr. Bean's new office doodad, the British Lawyer Timid Monster:

Mr. Bean is always complaining that Etsy doesn't have enough "stuff" for guys (he wasn't nearly nearly as impressed as I was with the masculine scented bath fizzies I bought him), so I decided to go hunting for something for him. He's almost done with law school (graduation date = 5/10/09!), so I wanted to get him something attorney-esque. When we stumbled across the Etsy shop Trupinys, we knew we'd found "the one." We commissioned the seller to create a one-of-a-kind British lawyer Monster! We are not British, but figured that a British version of an attorney would look more lawyer-ish than just a monster in a business suit (which is what we thought of when we considered the American version). Check this guy out! Yellow legal pad, leather brief case, judge's robes, and a powdered wig! The details are incredible.

Although Trupinys also carries jewelry, crocheted items, and paper crafts, the Timid Monsters are what really drew us in. As seller Patricia describes, "Timid Monsters are fast becoming my most popular category. Strangely, they originated in an attempt to use up remainder clay. Now, I am constantly evolving their looks and personalities in an attempt to keep them fresh, new and unique. All my Monsters are baked clay and come with little handwritten biography cards so you get their little story with your order."

I did a search for "monster" in this shop and came up with 76 items! Prices start at just $2.25 so everyone can nab a little Timid Monster of their own (or you can commission Patricia to do a custom piece like I did). They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors (be sure to check out her sold items for previous Monsters, too!). Some of my favorites:

Did you notice that the last monster is St. Patrick's Day themed?! Be sure to check this shop out soon!

The Bean's Pick: Patina

2009-03-03T16:59:00.000-08:00

Sorry I haven't posted yet today. I saw this 1/2 vintage, 1/2 mod glass vase in a magazine and had to hunt down the website behind it: Patina. Unfortunately I got sucked into their vortex of product goodness and forgot all about sharing this store with you!

Patina has a little bit of everything. They have more than 30 shopping categories ranging from standards like "At Home" and "Necklaces" to more unique areas such as "Ticky Tacky Fun" and "Momiji." Some of my favorite things I found:

1. Bohemian Tea Towel, $6.95
2. Salt and "Peeper" Shaker, $10.95
3. Dream Journal, $16.95
4. Fringe Dot Vase, $48.00

Okay, off to go drool over their goods some more.

Giveaway: Colorado Catnip Toys

2009-03-02T20:16:00.000-08:00

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED. THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING! PLEASE VISIT THE SPONSOR, Colorado Catnip Toys.

An addict lives with us. His name is Bungee and his drug of choice is catnip. We've tried everything: therapy, long talks, even cutting off his kitty treats. Nothing works, so we've ultimately decided to reward his addiction by getting him even more catnip toys. Seems to be a healthy response, right?

Since I am a fan of Etsy (you don't say?), I recently purchased the Pets Jubilee sample box there and inside was Bungee's new true love: a flat toy shaped like a little car stuffed with organic catnip by Colorado Catnip Toys. Bungee loves this thing! He sleeps with it (konked out about 5 minutes after this picture was taken with the thing still in his arms), takes it with him when he moves from room to room, and even hides it from us when he's not using it. The catnip is strong enough to where even I can smell it through the fabric, and I like that the owner, Jana, takes great care to stitch up each toy carefully so it remains safe for kitties. You can get these toys in fun shapes like fish and butterflies as well as in catnip mats and quilts for both cats and dogs at Colorado Catnip Toys.

When I contacted Jana to let her know how much Bungee enjoys her toys, she offered to let me host a giveaway for two of her toys. Two lucky winners will receive one of the toys pictured here to share with their feline friend! To enter:

1. FOR ONE ENTRY: Visit Colorado Catnip Toys to check out all of Jana's products and pick your favorite. Return to The Sweet Jelly Bean blog and post a comment to this post identifying your favorite (please don’t just steal an answer from someone else’s comment). Be sure to leave your email address instead of commenting anonymously (if you’re not logged in) so I can notify winners!

2. FOR A BONUS ENTRY: Begin following this blog – please post a separate comment here if you are already doing so or if you begin to do so.

3. FOR 2 BONUS ENTRIES: Mention this giveaway on your own blog and link back to The Sweet Jelly Bean. Please comment on this post to let me know you've done so!

4. FOR 5 BONUS ENTRIES: Make a purchase at Colorado Catnip Toys March 2-9. Post a comment with a link to the sold item page.

This giveaway ends Monday, March 9, 2009 at 9PM PST. The winner will be chosen using random.org, and will be contacted following the close of the contest. Good luck everyone, and please send a special thanks to Jana for her generosity!

Tea time

2009-03-02T09:40:00.001-08:00

Yesterday afternoon the book club I'm in had its monthly book club meeting. Each month we try to pick somewhere new (many of us have tiny apartments that aren't large enough to host large groups), and this time we chose a tea room. There were over 100 teas to choose from and they actually had crummpets! We all had a great time, and the afternoon inspired me to tell you a little bit about one of my favorite tea shop, Teavana.

Since it's a national chain of stores, you may have seen one in your local mall (there are currently over 80 locations across the United States). Teavana specializes in loose leaf teas available in practically any variety you can think of: white, green, black, oolong, herbal, and more. Their philosophy is that you get a better tea from allowing the leaves to actually have contact with the hot water rather than just bleeding flavor through a tea bag. I was never really a fan of loose leaf teas until I found this place. I thought that they were too hard to use, strain, etc. Teavana offers a number of products, including their signature Perfect Tea Maker, that allow you to create heavenly tea from fresh leaves.

Teavana's real stars, however, are the teas themselves. My current two favorite varieties are Almond Biscotti black tea ("with the scrumptious "cookie-like" flavor of almonds and cinnamon bits, especially tempting sweetened with rock cane sugar and a splash of milk") and Snow Geisha, a delicate white tea. Not only can you get delicious teas in dozens of varieties, but Teavana also specializes in custom blends. When summer comes, for example, I might want to brighten up my Snow Geisha with a bit of fruity flavor, so I might try their Snowy Peach Geisha Tea Blend, a combination Geisha and Rooibos Peach. Yum!

I am no tea snob - for example, I'm drinking a green tea this morning that costs $1.49 for 20 bags. However, if I'm in the mood to splurge, I visit my nearby Teavana or their website (they ship across the world). Next time you're in the mood for a "spot" of tea, I recommend that you pop over to Teavana and give them a try.

5 Etsy items to help with Spring Cleaning

2009-02-27T13:01:00.000-08:00

I can hardly believe that it's almost March. Where has the time gone? Are you planning to do some spring cleaning soon? I'd like to say I plan on it, but so far I don't. I like it when our apartment is really clean, but it's the actual cleaning part of that scenario that always scares me off. What better way to kick off Spring Cleaning than with a few treasures I found on Etsy?

Clean In-Style Gloves - trimmed with Floral Carnival and Light Blue Oilcloth (by Etsy seller Julie Meyer), $12.50. Although this is my favorite pattern, she also carries this products in a variety of other designs and styles.

Very Concentrated Room Spray (by Etsy seller Red Leaf), $14. Available in nine scents. There are lots of room sprays on Etsy, but this store's packaging really looks sharp to me.

Carpet Freshener (by Etsy seller Craft Scentiments), $5. Choose from more than 25 scents. My favorite is the Lemon Bundt cake - YUM!

Ecofriendly Dry Dusting Floor Mop Head - Fits Regular Swiffer Sweeper (by Etsy seller Picket Basket Crafts), $9. A great way to go green while supporting an Etsy artist!

All-Purpose Cleaner (by Etsy seller la petite vie), $6. Not a lot of info about what the scent smells like, but I love her packaging!

Now you're armed with the tools to clean, clean, clean? Need a little push? Try Real Simple's Spring Cleaning Checklist.

The Bean's Pick: Doodle 4 Google, a contest for the world's budding artists

2009-02-26T15:11:00.000-08:00

If you use Google (or are obsessed with it like me), maybe you've noticed that its logo sometimes changes depending on the current holiday or time of year. Doodle 4 Google is a competition that invites K-12 students to play around with the Google logo to create new variations on it. This year's theme if "What I Wish for the World."

Registration closes at 11:59:59 PM Pacific time on March 17, 2009 and entries are due by 11:59:59 PM Pacific time on March 31, 2009. Only teachers or school employees should register. Parents or students who are interested should contact their teacher to register them.Teachers, you'll find everything you need to get started on the Registration page.

The Doodle 4 Google competition is open to all U.S. residents between the ages of 5 and 18 who attend elementary and secondary schools (i.e. grades K-12) in the U.S. Doodles will be judged in the following brackets:

Kindergarten - Grade 3
Grade 4 - Grade 6
Grade 7 - Grade 9
Grade 10 - Grade 12

The entries from all 50 states will then be cut into 10 different regions for judging purposes. There will be up to 400 state finalists, 40 regional winners, 4 national finalists, and 1 "National Winner of Doodle 4 Google." The National Winner's doodle will 'go live' on the Google homepage for 24 hours. The National Winner will win a $15,000 college scholarship to be used at the school of their choice, a trip to the Google New York Office, a laptop computer, and a t-shirt printed with their doodle. The winner's school will also be given a $25,000 technology grant towards the establishment/improvement of a computer lab.

After finding about this contest, my favorite thing was exploring the regional winners from last year. Some of them are truly amazing! Click here to visit them, or click here to learn more about the contest.

I'm a winner!

2009-02-25T21:57:00.000-08:00

I've never really won much of anything. Once when I was 10 years old my mom let me pick Lotto numbers for her. We won $3.00. Then I once won a CD at a Best Buy grand opening when I was in middle school. I was feeling pretty good about it until I walked by the promo section and saw they were $4.99. That's...about...it.

And then I started blogging and reading everyone's blogs obsessively and entered several of your giveaways. This year I have won three (3!) contests! As an additional way of saying thank you to both the blog owners and the shops that sponsored the giveaways, here is a lineup of the treats I've won:

Truffle Button Magnets from Etsy seller Romantic Treasures, giveaway hosted by Simple Finds - these are adorable (they help keep me from caving into real chocolate ALL THE TIME and I like that they help me organize my scatterbrained fridge)!

Sweetheart Orange Apron from Carolyn's Kitchen, giveaway hosted by Cookie Girl Creations - somehow this apron manages to look sweet and sexy! I like to wear it when I'm making sweet treats for my Etsy shop.

Amethyst and Sterling Earrings from Etsy seller Oh2122, giveaway hosted on Oh2122's blog - I just found out that I won these earlier this week. I love purple and cannot wait to show them off to the other ladies at work - hopefully I can send them to Oh's shop.

Please visit these fantastic shops and blogs, and many thanks to you all for your generosity!

Java Juice Extract - coffee concentrate

2009-02-24T15:43:00.000-08:00

Here’s something I hadn’t seen before: a liquid coffee extract.

Java Juice is a triple coffee concentrate that is extracted straight from the bean and combined with a bit of triple filtered water. It was created in Venice, California to solve the problem of weakening espresso by icing it. It’s coffee extract that to me resembles mud and comes in quart-sized bottles and a more portable 0.5 ounce package. For people who don’t want to brew coffee, Java Juice is a single serving coffee miracle and comes in Original, Decaf, French Vanilla, and Hazelnut. You can find these packets on Amazon.com - each serving ends up costing about $2.20.

I like their slogan: Simply Rip it, Drip it, and Sip it. And I was also highly entertained (and shocked) by the following info I found in their media kit:

Java Juice could save you money. Consider this:
If you spend $3.75 per day (the average cost of a commercially produced espresso drink)
Multiply that times 7 days = $26.25 per week
$ 26.25 per week = $105.00 per month.

Check out the savings over the course of a coffee drinking career.

$105.00 x per month invested at a rate of 10% annual return =
1 year = $ 1,260.00
2 years = $2,526.00
5 years = $ 6,300
10 years = $12,600
15 years = $ 18,900
30 years = $37,800
40 years = $50,400

Wow, now I will feel VERY ashamed of my meager savings account when I next run to Starbucks for their oh-so-delicious chai lattes!

Spa treatment recipes

2009-02-23T08:06:00.000-08:00

Recently I featured a few ideas for thrifty DIY spa-at-home treatments that I thought you might like to try out. Since then I've found a list of spa treatment recipes at Spa Index for face, body, lips, hair, hands and feet. Choices include everything from a Chocolate Facial Mask (I think I might try to eat this) to Champagne Bubble Bath to a Bay Rum Aftershave for men. There are 100 recipes on here, so there's bound to be one that suits your needs and that you can make using normal everyday ingredients you probably already have in your household.

Last night I found that I had all of the ingredients to make the Honey Oatmeal Facial, which includes buttermilk, ground oatmeal, and honey. I decided to make 1/2 of the recipe and then followed the instructions and found that I had made a paste that resembled...well, oatmeal. Yet I bravely smeared the mixture across my face and neck, thereby earning the name "Oatmeal Face" from Mr. Bean. I left it on for 15 minutes, then rinsed it off using a warm washcloth. The results? Nothing spectacular so far. I'm not sure if this is supposed to be moisturizing or help your skin look brighter, etc. but it was kind of fun to do something at home using things I already keep around. Let me know if any of you decide to try any of these recipes. I'd really like to try the Bath Cookies recipe sometime soon!

7 minute animated explanation of the The Crisis of Credit

2009-02-21T11:07:00.000-08:00

From CrisisofCredit.com - this helped me understand the economic crisis SO much! Hit play - you will not regret it!

Figments Studio, a place for journals

2009-02-21T01:09:00.000-08:00

Wow, did I miss posting on Friday? Where did that day go? It started with me getting wisdom teeth stitches out (and approval to use straws again!), then a busy day at work, then baking for most of the afternoon to fill Etsy orders. Whew! And here I am to make up for bloggy neglect.

My pick for today is Figments Studio, an online shop that specializes in "Enchanted Handcrafted Journals for collecting your thoughts, memories, hopes, and dreams." As the website states, The Figments Studio Collection is designed by Jill Marie Crvich. Inspired by medieval books, Grimm's fairy tales and antique toys, Jill sculpts each original design. Fascinated by the aged leather covers of old books, Jill developed a sculpting and painting process to simulate just that. Her vintage journals and accessories have the rich, luxurious look and feel of old, gilded leather. She hopes her unique collection inspires you and kindles your figments of imagination.
I kept a few journals and diaries here and there as a child, but really never got into it on a regular basis and really wish I had. Nowadays I am too lazy to keep up with writing in a treasure such as one of these, but I do know people who commit to doing it and I envy them. I think that these would make a beautiful gift for a mom-to-be (a journal for her future child), a new graduate, or maybe just a (slightly expensive) conversation piece. For $60, I better have some REALLY good thoughts to put in there!

The McDonald's Cheeseburger Incident

2009-02-19T11:54:00.000-08:00

And now for something completely different – a “dear diary” type entry…

I had a very humorous experience at McDonald’s last night. First of all, I don’t want any smack talk about my occasional partaking of a McDonald’s cheeseburger. They are $0.99 and are so good. I don’t care if they’re partly made of plastic or include cat meat, etc. They are delicious. I actually prefer to eat two of them rather than one Big Mac. Secondly, it’s my first burger since I’ve had since my wisdom teeth and every bite was worth the careful chewing I had to focus on. Here is what happened in a script format:

Tori approaches the counter. She scans the menu board and spots Cheeseburger for $0.99. She turns to the lady behind the counter and begins to order.

Tori: Hi, I would like a cheeseburger.

Counter Lady: Cheeseburger?

Tori: Yes, just one.

Counter Lady: OK. (she taps various buttons on her register) $2.47.

Tori: (confused, looks up at menu, where it still reads Cheeseburger, $0.99) Um, I’m sorry, it says your cheeseburger is $0.99. I just want one.

Counter Lady: Cheeseburger?

Tori: Yes, one cheeseburger (gestures at menu).

Counter Lady: (hits more register buttons) OK, $2.18.

Tori: (gives up, hands the lady a five dollar bill and gets her change)

5 Minutes Later…Tori’s order is ready. On the tray are two cheeseburgers…two double cheeseburgers!

So what can you do? I’m really a huge pushover and didn’t want to embarrass this lady for not understanding me. I took the tray back to where Mr. Bean and I were sitting, and opened one cheeseburger. I peeled off the extra patty, which Mr. Bean ate, and now we have a Double Cheeseburger sitting in our fridge.

As a sidenote: I realize that I can get a double cheeseburger for $0.01 more than a regular cheeseburger, but I personally believe the regular has the perfect ratio of bread, cheese, and meat. So there!

Sampler Boxes

2009-02-18T08:17:00.000-08:00

As I previously mentioned, my new obsession is sampler boxes. After getting three of them (Out of the Box Sampler, Get Eurofied Sampler, and Pets Jubilee Sampler), I decided to go digging through Google to see if I could find more and...jackpot! Here are some that I'm dying to try out!

Lemming Central Sampler Boxes, $20 for USA with free shipping, includes beauty and candle products

The Little Black Box, $20 with free shipping, US only, includes jewelry, bath and body, candles, bookmarks, keychains, buttons, magnets, luggage handle wraps, silk scarves, pet treats, stationery, photography, tissue cozies and more

Snowberry Creek, $22.95 for USA with free shipping (also ships internationally), includes soaps, candles, ornaments, woodcrafts, coffees, teas, bath and body items

The Sampler, $8 and up plus shipping, various themed sampler boxes

Crafty Cubes/Aroma Cubes, $19.99 with free shipping, soaps, toiletries, candles, some jewelry and stationery

Pink Ribbon Sampler, $22.50 and up with free shipping, you get to CHOOSE your samples, 25% of proceeds go to fighting breast cancer

So the question now is, "Which one should I try first?"

Shop It to Me - "Better than Sample Sales!"

2009-02-17T09:01:00.000-08:00

So many times I have fallen in love with an item in an online store only to forget to return later to snatch it up when it goes on sale. Shop It to Me is a new service that can help remedy this by giving you a heads up when your favorite brands goes on sale in your size!

You can think of Shop It To Me as your free personal online shopper. Select your favorite apparel brands (such as Theory, Prada, Armani, Ella Moss, Juicy Couture, Seven Jeans, DKNY, or BCBG) and sizes. We'll scour the websites of leading retailers like Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Banana Republic, Gap, Zappos and Bluefly and send you a Salemail™ - a daily or weekly email summary of which new items go on sale in your size.

Shop It To Me has partnered with dozens of leading retailers to make sure it will always be a free service. Sign up and recruit 10 friends and you get a $10 gift card! Would you like to sign up to thank me for telling you this great service? Sign up and mention tori correll at gmail dot com as your referrer!

7 DIY Spa-at-Home Treatments that won't break the bank

2009-02-16T12:30:00.000-08:00

In today's economy, it's a little luxury that we may have to learn to do without: those quiet moments that we used to steal away for ourselves whether for a nap, a workout, or a luxurious treatment at the spa. I've never really had the means to go all out at the spa, but I'm always on the lookout for DIY home versions of many of the more expensive treatments that you hear about celebrities getting. After zipping through Redbook and Glamour's websites, here are my picks:

From Redbook.com…

Take 10 minutes - Buy small river-rock stones at a florist (I found mine at a dollar store) and a silky synthetic paintbrush at a craft stores. Apply a serum to your face and use the brush to work it into your skin, making circular, upward motions. Then take a cool stone and place it under your eye at the inner corner; slowly push toward the outer corner. Repeat on the upper eye area and, with another stone, on the other eye.

Take 15 minutes – Create an energizing scrub to use in your shower. Crush a sprig of rosemary and sage into 4 ounces of Epsom salts and 1 oz of unscented body oil. Shower off, then apply a rosemary-enhanced body lotion.

Take 30 minutes - Run the water in your bathtub at about 82 degrees (think comfortable heated-pool temperature) to stimulate microcirculation. Then add 1 cup of Dead Sea salts and soak for 15 minutes. Rest afterwards for 15 minutes.

Take 30 minutes – Whip up your own body mask by mixing jojoba cream and shea butter with grapefruit and jasmine essential oils. Apply after a shower, then “cocoon” your body in plastic wrap and snuggle under a blanket for 20 minutes.

From Glamour.com…

Instead of a $500 oxygen facial…Use a cleanser with 2% salicylic acid; leave on for 30 seconds before rinsing so the ingredient can do its job. Then apply a pore mask (such as Biore). Remove it like a pro by pressing and rolling a warm, damp washcloth from your chin up.

Instead of a $700 peel…Empty a bag of green tea and a bag of chamomile into a bowl. Mix in two tablespoons of flaxseed, a teaspoon of white vinegar, and two tablespoons of honey. Massage into skin for two minutes and rinse. Then apply a moisturizer with Vitamin C.

Instead of spending $3,000 for body microdermabrasion…In the shower, rub an exfoliator all over and rinse. Once out of the shower, knead cellulite cream into thighs (new kinds have caffeine for tightening). Wrap thighs in plastic wrap for 10 minutes to intensify the effect.

Enjoy...ooohhhmmm

New items in my Etsy shop!

2009-02-16T08:13:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! Things are much better now that I've had a couple of days to recover from my wisdom teeth surgery on Friday. I still can't go chow down on chips and salsa, but I'm staying full on lots of yummy foods (egg drop soup and milkshakes) and have had lots of down time to work up new products for my Etsy shop. Now that Valentine's Day is over, I'd like to premiere two of my own chocolate covered Oreo designs here: Dirt and Worms and Under the Sea!

I came up with the Dirt and Worms design after eating a cake with a similar theme over the holidays. My version includes a chocolate covered Oreo cookie topped with crushed Oreo crumbles to simulate dirt and a neon sour gummy worm. I officially got the thumbs up on this one from some kids in my neighborhood!

My other new design is called Under the Sea. It starts out with a chocolate covered Oreo and is then topped with azure blue sugar and 2 red Swedish fish.

I've also introduced several new toppings for my chocolate covered Oreos including St. Patrick's day sprinkles and spring pastels, so please stop by my Etsy shop and check things out! Mention that you read this blog post and I'll include a free gift with your order!

Happy Valentine's Day (with wisdom teeth update)

2009-02-14T13:44:00.000-08:00

First of all, Happy Valentine's Day!

Secondly, the wisdom teeth extraction went smoothly yesterday morning. I only had the top two and it wasn't nearly as bad as I was afraid it would be. Mr. Bean has been waiting on me hand and foot and promised later to make me a romantic V-Day dinner of mashed potatoes, jello, and a milkshake. Yum! Can't complain about getting to eat ice cream guilt- and shame-free for the next couple of days!

lobotoME - a new line of products to keep you sane

2009-02-13T08:41:00.000-08:00

NOTE: At 11am PST today, I'm having my wisdom teeth out (boo, hiss), so if I don't respond to comments, etc., please forgive me! Until I'm back on my feet, please enjoy this tidbit:

I feel like I've found a treasure! lobotoME is an online company specializes in simple ways to keep yourself sane including calendars and notepads, including themed pads for meal planning, packing for vacation, workout tracking, and more. They only have a few products right now, but their line is expanding and has recently become available at mass retailers like The Container Store. BONUS: The products are printed on 100% recycled paper with soy inks! The notepads are currently $10 each, and if you spend $20 or more, you'll get free shipping!

The Perfumed Court

2009-02-12T08:12:00.000-08:00

If you're like me and your nose can't make up it's mind on which scent it likes the most, head over to The Perfumed Court, an online store that offers perfume samples and decants of practically any fragrance you can think of. Whether it's the latest from Vera Wang or a vintage you're after, they have it! They even carry discontinued fragrances and those not available in the United States. If you're not sure what you're looking for, you can also search for fragrances by notes or try out one of their themed sample sets (the Day at the Beach and Best Lavender sampler packs piqued my interest). Samples start at $3 and shipping is a flat $5.95, so stop by today!

I've Been Tagged

2009-02-11T08:25:00.000-08:00

I’ve been tagged by Vintage Inspired Jewelry and now must name seven things you may not know about me. Since I’m not really the main focus of this blog, I’ll try to make these seven things more about things I think you’ll like.

1. I would go out to eat every night if I could. It’s not that I don’t know how to cook. I actually love to bake and make sweets (hence my Etsy shop), but I love the idea of going out and having food prepared for me, being waited on, and not having to do dirty dishes. Restaurant.com has done wonders to support this obsession – they offer $25 gift cards to restaurants everywhere for huge discounts!

2. I am in love with sampler boxes. In the last week I have received one from Out of the Box Sampler (I’m one of this month’s sellers and had to buy one for myself!), Get Eurofied, and a pet-themed sampler box from Pets Jubilee. If you know of other places to get sampler boxes, please let me know!

3. I tend to get sucked into almost buying a lot of those cheesy “not available in stores” products advertised on TV, but then I go read reviews at this site and almost always come to my senses.

4. My parents first got dial-up in December 1995 when I was 13, so I’ve been online for a while. If I Google my original email address, there are still traces of me out there. Spooky!

5. Mr. Bean and I got married in March 2007, and Bridal Bargains was our Godsend. My parents paid for the majority of the wedding and although I think they would have given me more if I had asked for it, I was determined not to go over budget. With the help of this book, I didn’t. Check it out – a new edition was recently published.

6. I would end up spending…oh, about a million dollars on all of the things that I almost must have. It amazes me what’s available online!

7. I am easily entertained, including by sites such as Where's George, where you enter the serial number off of the cash you’re carrying to see where it’s been.

And now for mis victimas!!:

A Wrestling Addicted Mommy

Blue-Eyed Bride

All Things Fluffy...Fashionable...& Famous

Spoiled Pretty

Lou Lou in Lilly

Misadventures of a Newlywed

Pumpkin Pink Cottage

Good luck!

Satchel Studio Giveaway Winner

2009-02-10T17:37:00.001-08:00

Congratulations to HairDizzer for winning the butterflies messenger bag from Satchel Studio. Please note that one of her two entries earned for blogging about this giveaway won her this great prize! Keep an eye out for The Bean's next giveaway coming up soon!

Ugly Dolls

2009-02-10T08:55:00.000-08:00

Mr. Bean was in New York City last week on business. Every day he would call me and say he was going to bring me a special treat, but that he couldn't decide what to get me (he didn't really go for my idea, which was, "If you can't decide, why not buy me lots of things?" Har har). After he arrived back in California, Mr. Bean handed me an FAO Schwarz bag with a soft, odd-shaped noggin poking out of it. I reached inside the bag and out popped...before I continue, Ladies, you may think your man has spoiled you with stuffed teddy bears and Chia Pets, but I am here to let you know that you haven't been truly loved until he has given you an Ugly Doll!

Anyway, in the bag was my very own Abima, an Ugly Doll whose tag reads, "Abima is out of control! He's got his hand in the cookie jar, and his mind on the next adventure, which is probably going to involve bouncing off the walls and knocking over expensive stuff. He only knocks over the expensive stuff. Not to worry though. Abima is very protective and would always watch out for you. Are you scared of the dark? So is Abima! Oh. Anyway, Abima loves to visit his favorite cousin Wage. They look like they could be related, right? Maybe he's your cousin too."

(photo: Abima watching TV and drinking all of my Diet 7-Up) Ugly Dolls were born from the minds of two artists in love, David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim, as a drawing of a playful orange character known as Wage. In 2001, when David's soon-to-be wife and creative partner Sun-Min had to return to Korea, he sent her many "I miss you" letters with his little Wage character drawn at the bottom. Sun-Min sewed Wage into a plush doll and sent him to David as a surprise gift. David asked Sun-Min to sew a couple more for the Giant Robot store in Los Angeles and they sold out in one day! A very excited Sun-Min sewed many more and those sold just as fast! Sun-Min and David then began to pull more characters from the Uglyverse, and today these award-winning characters are available in a variety of sizes and styles!

I am not the only one taken with Ugly Dolls. One of America's First Daughters, Sasha Obama, also likes her Uglies! To learn more about these lovelies, visit their website.

The Bean's Blog Award

2009-02-09T16:53:00.001-08:00

I was so honored to learn that The Sweet Jelly Bean was featured as one of today's Blog of the Day sites! Hooray! It was also fun to check out the other winners. What fun!

V-Day Alternative: Bittersweets

2009-02-09T08:04:00.000-08:00

Although I consider myself to be a cheesy person full of cheesy sentiments for Mr. Bean (and equally cheesy tastes for the ways he spoils me), I also have a great appreciation for all things sarcastic and tongue-in-cheek. In celebration of this streak and of anti-Valentine's Day, I give you Bittersweets, a new product from Depair, Inc. Their description was so on the mark that I have shared it word-for-word below. Enjoy (and click the photos to enlarge)!

For most, there is no crueler day of the calendar year than that of Valentine's Day. While a tiny fraction of the population can look forward to a holiday of wine and roses, poetry and song, the vast majority of us can anticipate a day of nausea and grimacing, trauma and grief. A day in which minutes seem like hours, and hours like days, as we reflect sorrowfully on yesteryear's romantic indignities, today's loneliness, and the unknowable but certain heartbreak that will be visited upon us repeatedly in the years to come.

When cruelty and holidays collide, the weak-willed find solace in self-pity and comfort foods. And now, Despair Inc. is pleased to announce that we've combined BOTH into a radical new offering.

Introducing Bittersweets® - The Valentine's Candy for the Rest of Us.Like the ubiquitous candy conversation hearts, Bittersweets® are made of flavored, chalky-tasting sugar and sport a message on their face. But unlike other candy hearts, ours are stamped with bitter musings and mockeries perfectly suited to the dejected spirits of those who will spend the holiday alone, or wishing they were.

Messages recalling an almost forgotten, unbearably painful memory of being dumped. Or perhaps of a dysfunctional, psychotic ex-girlfriend or boyfriend. Or of that cruel-hearted girl (or boy) in elementary school who rejected your valentine solicitations, informing you that Jake (or Holly) was "so totally way hotter."Now available in THREE unique collections- "Dejected," "Dysfunctional," and "Dumped"- with each featuring up to 37 unique sayings each!

"Dejected" sayings include: I MISS MY EX PEAKED AT 17 MAIL ORDER TABLE FOR 1I CRY ON Q U C MY BLOG? LOSS LEADER A FINE WHINE MOMMY ISSUES DIGNITY FREE DORK MAGNET PURE NAUSEA WE HAD PLANS MAIL ORDER SETTLE 4LESS I'M HOT INSIDE

"Dysfunctional" sayings include: ANNULMENT I BEEN CREEPIN HE CAN LISTEN GAME ON TV CALL A 900# P.S. I LUV ME DO MY DISHES BOOTY INFL8N PAROLE IS UP! AWFUL INLAWS SUB PRIME I WANT HALFRETURN 2 PIT NO FIX 4 DUMB RATHER DRINK MUTUAL DISGUST

"Dumped" sayings include: I GOT SOBER HE FIT U FAT U LEFT SEATUP USED U 4 FUN JUST A FRIEND BACK 2 KENNEL DORKA PHOBIC U HAVE A BLOGRUSSIAN BRIDE CELEB8 THX2U DOG IS CUTER TRADIN YOU INFORGET WE MET KISS A FROG SHE IS 22! HE HAS A JOB

Truly, Bittersweets® are the perfect gift for you OR for someone you love, especially if that special someone is one who doesn't want to hurt your feelings but just doesn't feel that way about you but still wants to be friends so they can torment you with stories about their crushes on someone who doesn't appreciate them like you do, can't love them like you can, and actually takes pleasure in corralling a herd of fawning "just friends" behind themselves as they indulge in one self-destructive relationship after another, with no hope of ever finding true love, despite an army of souls eager to lavish it upon them. (You know what we're talking about.)

Supplies are limited. But the pain that accompanies them may not be.

Available in six different flavors, including: Banana Chalk, Grape Dust, Nappy-Citric, You-Call-This-Lime?, Pink Sand and Fossilized Antacid.

These little jewels are available for $9.95 each, or buy the set and enjoy them all for $19.95!

GetinHerHead.com - a free online service for the gift giving impaired

2009-02-06T12:19:00.000-08:00

Mr. Bean always says that I'm hard to shop for, but I've never understood why. There are so many things I've found online that I like that I started this blog just to cover them! For him, however, it's making sure that 1) it's something that I really like and 2) it's something that I like enough not to return.

I recently located something that can help gents decipher some of the so-called pseudo-hints that we females so delicately drop (apparently they prefer that we just write what we want in Sharpie marker across our foreheads). It is called GetinHerHead.com, a free online service designed to take the guesswork out of gift giving, and includes:

The List - Keep a running gift wish list for them to view any time.
This provides a look into your partner's brain so that you can instantly know what they want and where to get it. Now you can get the perfect gift without having to pry. It doesn't take the fun out of romance or gift giving, it just makes it better.

The Cheat Sheet - Spa treatments to sleeve length, everything they need to know when doing something for you.
The Cheat Sheet puts an end to guesswork on the little details by letting you and your partner list everything from clothing sizes and favorite brands, to favored flowers and sports teams. Fill it out and throw away the receipt, we guarantee you won’t have to visit the Return Counter again. Includes everything from your shoe size to your favorite flower to your favorite place to buy jeans

Heads Up! email reminders - Receive email reminders when you want them and never forget an important date.
Get your black belt in remembering by creating a shared calendar with important dates such as anniversaries, birthdays, and more. We’ll send each of you email reminders as frequently or infrequently as you would like. You’ll never forget a meaningful date again. a reminder service for upcoming anniversaries, birthdays, and more.

Out of the Blue - Act spontaneous, even if you're not. It's the unexpected things that go a long way.
Sign up to receive random “Out of the Blue” emails with suggestions on the little things you can do for your other half. Whether it’s sending her flowers for no reason or picking up his favorite microbrew, you don’t always need a reason to show your partner that you care.

The great thing about this service is that it still allows your significant other to be spontaneous without you having to return the gifts he chooses. Mr. Bean tries so hard, but until now how was he supposed to know my pajama bottom size unless he went pilfering through my panty drawer?

So...results in my experience? None yet, but V-Day is only a week away, so we'll see. There is also a GetinHisHead.com, which is where you can get guys to fill out things that they want - this, however, has not yet happened in my household yet.

Shopping Pick: FredFlare.com

2009-02-06T09:08:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for a single store that carries several trinkets you never knew you wanted until now, visit Fred Flare, a New York-based store that started in 1998 when the creators started selling a single product off the back of a bike in SoHo. Their products have been featured in magazines like Elle, Marie Claire, and People, and include everything from accessories to clothing to things that are...well, kind of out there. A few things that caught my eye:

Who doesn't need a toast shaped wallet? $15

Frozen Smiles Ice Cube Tray, $10 - My question: Whose teeth did they use as a model?

Pickle Bandages, $9 - also available in steak, pirate flags, and more!

Pet's Eye View Camera, $50 - I am a total pet nut and am actually intrigued by this gizmo! You attach it to your pet's collar when you leave for work and it will take pictures every 1, 5, or 15 minutes for up to 40 images. So you can stalk your pet! Excellent!

Bacon Floss, $9 - YUM?

They also have a few pseudo-normal items that are worth taking a look at, including an extensively quirky gift selection. This weekend Fred Flare is having a free shipping sale on any size purchase (normally $7.95 unless you're spending $75+), so stop by their store and check it out!

In Vitro Orchid - a novel alternative to your everyday bouquet

2009-02-05T16:23:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is coming up - have you noticed stores already stocking extra bouquets and plants? Anyone can send flowers, but they only last so long (and that's if you don't kill them like I do). Why not send something that will last a little longer, all without the needs of a houseplant? Enter the In Vitro Orchid, a tiny infant plant that lives in a test tube. A nutrient-rich gel supplies all that this orchid needs to grow in its sterilized test tube. No water or maintenance necessary - biotechnology does the work for you. When the plant reaches the top of the tube simply transfer to potting soil (not included - this is the part where I would kill the little guy). $30 at Uncommon Goods.

Chocolate with an Attitude

2009-02-05T08:07:00.000-08:00

C-h-o-c-o-l-a-t-e. Sugar, fat, and decadent goodness. Who doesn't love it? Add in a little attitude and witty packaging and you've got Bloomsbery and Co., a chocolatier originally based in New Zealand that specializes in 1) fantastic chocolate and 2) tongue-in-cheek packaging. Visit their interactive website to check out all of their designs - some of my favorites are below - and find a store that carries Bloomsbery near you!

Where did all the hats go?

2009-02-04T16:14:00.000-08:00

Question of the day: Why did women stop wearing hats? I’ve always been told that men stopped after JFK’s inauguration (he came sans hat), but then Jackie was always so well known forher pill box hats, so what the heck happened? When did it stop being in vogue to wear hats? Call me hopelessly romantic and old fashioned, but I think that hats can be really beautiful. I practically claw at the screen when I see Rachel McAdams in her adorable hats on “The Notebook.”

So why is it now just either baseball caps or beanies? Why do most women today think Blossom (and hot pink lipstick, shoulder pads, blue eyeshadow, hair bands, etc.) when they think of hats rather than of realizing they could be so stylish? At least a flower up in there or something?!

Additional benefits of hats I’ve come up with (some more original than others):
1. They keep your head warm.
2. They protect you from bird poo.
3. They counteract all variations on “bad hair day.”
4. They probably make you look taller.
5. You can keep mace and other weapons in them.

I found lots of hats at mainstream online stores, so I can’t be too off base, can I? Check out these stores for some great hats:
Bluefly
Urban Outfitters
Hats in the Belfry (the name itself deserves a mention!)

Recession-Friendly Ways to Help Others...for free...online

2009-02-04T08:05:00.000-08:00

As a grant writer in the nonprofit industry, I am always hunting down new ways to help out organizations that are important to me, especially now in the current economy. Here are three handpicked ways to help nonprofits (and those that they serve) that are totally free.

1. Click
How many times do you click (or tap) your mouse every day? 100? 1,000? Why not add a couple of more clicks to your daily routine (great pointer finger exercise!) by visiting the six pages created by CharityUSA.com, which include The Animal Rescue Site (use this link to get to the others), The Hunger Site, The Breast Cancer Site, The Child Health Site, The Literacy Site, and The Rainforest Site. Stop by one or all of these sites and click once on the big button each day. When you click, a few ads are shown (no popups or spyware). The sponsors behind those ads made a contribution because you’ve seen those ads, which then goes directly to the site’s charity partners. You can even get a daily email to help you remember to click. Pretty cool, huh?

2. Buy
Hold it! I’m not trying to sneak in a plea for you to whip out your credit card and plunk down $100 to make a difference. If you’re planning to make a purchase on Amazon.com anyway, get there by using this link, which takes your to ClickJar. There you’ll be able to choose which nonprofit will get up to 4% of your purchase (current options are UNICEF, the American Red Cross, Amnesty International, Rainforest Action Network, and Habitat for Humanity).

3. Volunteer Online
This is a great opportunity to make a difference if you’re on the computer a lot already! I've been volunteering online with an organization called I Could Be since March 2008. It is an anonymous, online mentoring system where you help underserved students follow a curriculum that helps them explore their options for college and careers. You are selected by the students to be a mentor for a year based on their interests matching your career field or expertise (i.e. students who are interested in Education might be mentored by a teacher who would answer their questions about what their day is like, etc). The organization asks for about an hour of your time each week – for me, this is usually spent in 20 minute increments a couple of times each week going over my mentee’s homework or answering questions about what I do.

I continue to use all of these sites and have never had any issues, so please check them out!

Giveaway: Messenger Bag from Satchel Studio

2009-02-03T12:00:00.000-08:00

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS FOR PARTICIPATING! As a recent post described, I am in love with all of the products from Satchel Studio, a San Francisco-based company that specializes in truly unique messenger bags. Satchel Studio combines found images, original photography from around the globe, and familiar iconography to make the unique collages that give these messenger bags true attitude! The company features two signature messenger bag sizes and a limited-edition hip pack – each of these pieces is available in up to four colors with your choice of design. I contacted the owner and artist, Kelty, and asked her a couple of questions about her work:

Tell us a little about Satchel Studio and how you got started.
Satchel Studio began almost two years ago in the same manner as most of my business adventures have- as a gift for someone. I grabbed an old army surplus messenger bag for my boyfriend and decided it would be that much cooler if I added some transferred collages to the front... it looked so cool that I haven't stopped making them! I graduated from Stanford in 2005 and Satchel Studio has been my main endeavor since then.

Where do you get your inspirations from?
Most of my designs begin with one element that I just KNOW I want to use in the collage and I sort of just go from there. I'm inspired by bright color, textures, nature, city, and vintage prints. I've also begun to incorporate a lot of my photography into the designs (see the limited editions), and love doing custom collage work for people! My greatest inspiration is the world and the people around me, and seeing how all of those parts interact together with the above list of elements is more fun than any girl could hope for.

What are your plans for 2009?
2009 has been an exciting year for me already! Soon, I will be launching Steep Street, a website representing my various non bag-related adventures in the art world. My photography, mini websites, print work, jewelry, custom collages, personal books, invitations, announcements, and other knick knacks... you can see the beginnings of this on my blog and more updates are coming soon! I'm also planning on debuting a new line of bags, and will continue making custom designs on bags for people. In this tough economy, I've decided to stick with the things people want and need most... useful gifts that are meaningful to both the giver and receiver- which also happens to be the most rewarding to me, as well. Thank you!

After tirelessly answering all of my questions, I asked Kelty if she’d be interested in participating in a giveaway on The Bean and she said yes! One lucky winner will receive the fantastic butterfly messenger bag shown here, a $55 value! Some simple steps to enter:

1. FOR ONE ENTRY: Visit Satchel Studio and check out all of the designs and pick your favorite. Return to The Sweet Jelly Bean blog and post a comment to this post identifying your favorite (please don’t just steal an answer from someone else’s comment). Be sure to leave your email address instead of commenting anonymously (if you’re not logged in) so I can notify winners!

2. FOR A BONUS ENTRY: Begin following this blog – please post a separate comment here if you are already doing so or if you begin to do so.

3. FOR 2 BONUS ENTRIES: Mention this giveaway on your own blog and link back to The Sweet Jelly Bean. Please comment on this post to let me know you've done so!

This giveaway ends Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at Noon PST. The winner will be chosen using random.org, and will be contacted following the close of the contest. Good luck everyone, and please send a special thanks to Kelty for her generosity! She’s very talented and we wish her the very best!

Swap books and makeup for free

2009-02-03T08:57:00.000-08:00

While we’re on the subject of swaps, here are two of my favorite swap sites:

1. Paperback Swap
If you’re a bookworm like me and have overflowing shelves (or your entire apartment and garage) of books you’ve read but haven’t yet traded in at your local used bookshop, stop by Paperback Swap. The site explains itself pretty well: Mail a book. Get a book. Any book you request is yours to keep, share or swap. No late fees. No processing charges. No hidden charges. Every time you mail a book to another member, you can request one for yourself from over 2.9 million books. I joined Paperback Swap in fall 2007 and have happily been swapping books ever since! There are several other similar sites to this one, but PBS is my all-time favorite.

2. Makeup Alley
I was informed in a recent issue of Glamour magazine that a pale gold nail polish made by Revlon looks great on everyone. I believed this until I bought it and tried it on at home. Obviously not everyone! Makeup Alley (or MUA as users lovingly call it) is a remedy to buyer’s remorse in situations like these. At this site (which is also fee free, by the way) you can trade skincare, makeup, and body products as well as perfume and a few stray books and CDs.

BONUS: First of all, let me say that I’ve just found this site so I can’t vouch for how it works, etc., but it sounds like a lot of fun. Swap-bot organizes group swaps and a community of creative individuals. Swap-bot takes the hassle out of participating in group swaps by organizing all of the participant information and doing all of the partner assignments. On Swap-bot, you can host swaps, join swaps, and chat with other swappers from all over the world. Give it a try!

Mamarazzi’s Favorite Things Swap

2009-02-02T16:28:00.000-08:00

I love free stuff, mystery boxes, and sampler boxes, and I love getting stuff in the mail (actual junk mail need not apply). So when I heard about Mamarazzi’s Favorite Things Swap, I knew that I would have to participate! The basics: gather a box of your favorite goodies and send them out to another girly. Someone will do the same for you! Interested in playing? Here are some rules and info:

1. Visit Dandelion Wishes by Friday, February 13 and grab the Swap Button to add it to your blog in a post about the event. Use the post to this link to RSVP via Mr. Linky (explained in greater detail at Dandelion Wishes).

2. Once you’ve posted on your blog about the Favorite Things Swap, send Mamarazzi an email (her email is on the website) with your name and address, blog address, email address, any food/product allergies, and if you’re willing to ship internationally. She’ll pass this on to your swap-mate, the girl you’re sending to and receiving from!

3. Assemble a great package of things you would love to receive. That is, think of your favorite things you’ve tried or own and go buy new versions of them (example: your favorite mascara, favorite book, etc). Spend $20-$30 on your package PLUS shipping.

4. Send your complete package on Monday, March 2 to your swap-mate. Wait anxiously by the mailbox each day until you receive yours!

You must be able to communicate with Mamarazzi via email on a regular basis. There’s already nearly 40 people playing so she needs to know you’re still going to come through and not let another girl down!

I cannot wait! I hope you’ll play, too!

3 Cool (and Green) Alternatives to Your Laundry Detergent

2009-02-02T12:49:00.000-08:00

It's really sad when you suddenly realize just how many dirty pieces of laundry you can create in under a week. I'd never really noticed it before Mr. Bean and I moved to an apartment that has a community laundry room rather than washers and dryers in each unit. Previously I could get away with washing a small load here, a small load there, and fluffing a stale smelling winter coat...all at no charge to me aside from electricity. No massive laundry day that I dreaded and procrastinated against for days and days. With the coin operated machines downstairs, these same loads can cost $3 or even $4 depending on how much I need them to be dry!

The good news, however, is that I've come across a few laundry acoutrements that make the whole task a little, shall we say, dull. No, I have not yet found a detergent that will do your laundry for you, but I have found a few products that are a bit unique and even interactive:

SoapNuts, which appear to resemble prunes (or cat poo!), are actually the fruit of a tree found primarily in India, Indonesia, and Nepal. They are 100% natural and are organically grown and processed. The outer shell of the soapnut contains saponin, a natural substance which company Laundry Tree claims is known for its ability to cleanse and wash. Accordingy to the website, SoapNuts “are incredibly gentle on clothes AND skin. They are especially great for those with sensitive skin — including babies and those that suffer from allergies, eczema, and psoriasis! They’re totally biodegradeable, so they’re better for the environment than regular detergent, and they’re antimicrobial, so they’re even good for septic and greywater systems!” Samples are available for $1.99.

Dropps are detergent packets made with a casing that dissolves in water (similar to Listerine Breath Strips). Toss 2-3 into your laundry load and you’re set. They are not tested on animals, won’t irritate your (or your baby’s) skin, and do not contain anything bad for the environment. Out of the three detergents this post covers, Dropps is the only one that I have actually samples so far. It seems to get my clothes as clean as All Free & Clear does, but the lack of smell (I bought unscented, it does come in a Fresh scent) made me wonder if my clothes were actually getting sudsed up enough. You can buy Dropps online or at your local Target or WalMart (I bought mine at a local WalMart for a dollar or two cheaper than what the Dropps website charges and saved on shipping, too) for about $5/bag.

Crunchy Clean is named after people who are “crunchy,” or who decide to “go green.” Made by a fellow Etsy seller, Crunchy Clean is a homemade laundry detergent that contains all natural ingredients, is phosphate-free and non-toxic, and planet friendly. It also claims to be safe for sensitive skin and babies. The cool thing? You can get this detergent in unscented or in your choice of over 50 fragrance oils and essential oils! I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited to wash clothes before seeing Crunchy Clean’s available fragrance list! Samples for $3.50.

Have you tried any of these, or are you planning to do so soon? Leave a comment and let me and everyone else know!

Cool Office Picks to Get You Through Monday

2009-02-02T07:47:00.000-08:00

Monday morning. Ick.

Are you Superbowl-ed out? Ate all the guacamole (oh wait, that was me)? One too many Long Island Iced Touchdown Teas? I understand, and to top it all off, it's Monday! Blah. To get your workweek off to a good start, please consider adding the following items to your desk, whether it be in a corporate high-rise or in your home study.

Useless Folders by Knock Knock, $9 for 6

Made by Knock Knock, one of my favorite paper companies for tongue-in-cheek products.

Working Girl's Survival Kit, $43

Includes Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Dental Floss, Mints, Pain Reliever, Emery Board, Clear Nail Polish, Nail Polish Remover, Nail Clipper, Hand Lotion, Facial Tissues, Deodorant, Tampons, Adhesive Bandages, Folding Hair Brush, Interior Mirror, Lint Remover, Mending Kit, Shoe Shine Wipes, Stain Remover, Static Guard®, and Lip Balm.

Day at the Beach Desk Display, $10

When you discover that that 4pm meeting with the consultants has not been moved to Maui, escape to your own oasis with your very own ounce of sand.

PepperPot Mouse Pads, $6.95/each

Imagining one of these on my desk just makes me want to work (not really, but it would look cool)!

Snail Tape Dispenser, $20

Yes, an overpriced tape dispenser, but a very cool overpriced tape dispenser!

Giveaway winners

2009-01-30T22:03:00.001-08:00

Congratulations to the winners of The Sweet Jelly Bean's first two giveaways! Five lucky ladies will receive a "diamond" ring from AMT Studio, including:
Julie D.
Tutu's Bliss
Elizabeth
MOMFOREVERANDEVER
K

And congratulations to Gina who will receive a custom made box of chocolate covered Oreo cookies from my Etsy shop.

Thanks to everyone who participated! Please visit again soon (another giveaway will be coming up shortly)!

Sally Hansen Nail Art Pens

2009-01-30T17:33:00.000-08:00

I was trudging my way through my weekly gym workout this morning when I saw an ad in Glamour magazine for Sally Hansen's new Nail Art Pens. Obviously if it's being advertised in magazines, this product is not something that I'm the first to discover, but I thought it was cool enough to mention here. These Art Pens have a firm tip which makes them more like markers and less messy when creating designs on your fingers and toes. They come in 8 shades and work over any nail color. If you make a mistake, just wipe off and start over - they're water-based and seal with a topcoat.

That's about all the information that the ad had in it. I went to the Sally Hansen website to see if I could find out more, and the product is so new that they haven't added it to their products there. I checked a couple of local drugstores: Long's Drugs didn't have them, but Walgreen's did. Now all I have to do is decide if I want to try the pink or red pen first!

Earrings for Sensitive Ears

2009-01-30T08:11:00.000-08:00

I've always been a sensitive person: tenderhearted with moody skin that crispy critters in the sunlight since I look like a vampire, and sometimes even Cetaphil burns my face. So it didn't come as a huge shock when I started having trouble wearing earrings a few years ago. At first I could still wear pure gold earrings, just not costume jewelry, but it got worse and worse until I couldn't even wear gold anymore without my ears burning, itching, and stinging. I tried Neosporin, then hydrogen peroxide, and then Cortisone, then I got creative and tried painting the posts with clear nail polish. When that failed I even bought some nickel free earrings from the department store. No dice. I gave up for a long while, then decided to scour the internet a few months ago to find the Holy Grail of all earrings for sensitive ears. After running through a couple dozen websites trying to A) figure out what I did to piss my ears off and B) locate a type of earring I might be able to wear, I lucked out!

Allow me to introduce you to Maggie's Creations, an online company specializing in earrings for those who can't even wear the gentlest of metals without issues. The owner began to experience these issues herself about 10 years ago, and has since launched an entire line of earrings ranging from studs to fullblown chandelier earrings (as well as doing plenty of research on what causes this and how to remedy it). Her earrings come in two metals: niobium and titanium, both of which are surgical quality.

After emailing back and forth with Maggie about my issues, she recommended that I start with a pair of niobium healer earrings, which are designed with re-introduce your ears to the idea of wearing earrings. I chose a pair of small, colored hoops. The first couple of days, as she had warned they might be, were rough. The earrings itched like crazy, but there was no burning, and the discomfort lessened as I continued to follow her careful instructions. I showered in them, slept in them, lived in these earrings for a week. By Day 3, my ears were no longer fighting back. By Day 5, I had forgotten I was wearing them.

It seems like wearing the earrings as Maggie directed have helped. As she told me, some people can use her products to re-train their ears to allow all sorts of metals, while others find that her earrings are the only thing they can wear. I still don't wear any earrings very much, but I can get away with some wear here and there. Today I wore a pair of sterling silver earrings and managed to keep them in until after work!

I truly recommend Maggie's Creations to anyone who has sensitive ears. I can't say that these products are cheap, but she does have a sale page and will even let you return earrings if they cause you problems. In addition, I'd rather spend $40 on a pair of earrings I know I can wear than that much on normal earrings that will end up in a drawer unloved. She has some really cute styles, so check her out!

Swag Bucks

2009-01-29T14:46:00.000-08:00

I recently joined an online program I stumbled upon called Swag Bucks. In spite of its iffy title (Really, that's the best they could come up with?), it's a very unique program where you run searches for things on the Internet like you normally do (they use a Google platform so you know it works). The cool part is that each search you do through this program can randomly earn you "swag bucks," which you can save up and redeem for anything from $5 Amazon gift cards to Apple IPhones. Click the SwagBucks graphic in this post to sign up and I'll also get a little bonus for referring you (which I would very much appreciate)!

7 Funny Superbowl Ads

2009-01-29T12:29:00.000-08:00

I'm not much into football (Mr. Bean, I am trying), and yet my husband lures me into watching the Superbowl with him every year by promising that there'll be great Superbowl commercials waiting in the wings. I always fall for it and he's always right. Here are 7 of my favorite Superbowl commercials:

HONORABLE MENTION: Apple, "Macintosh Debut," 1984 - I stumbled upon this one as I was hunting down clips of my favorites (below). Not funny, but worth a look just to see the 1980s athletic garb!

1. SoBe, "Thrillicious," 2008
2. Michelob Ultra, "Touch Football," 2006
3. Ameriquest, "Romantic Dinner with her cat," 2005
4. Reebok, "Terry Tate, Office Linebacker," 2003
5. EDS, "Herding Cats," 2000
6. Tabasco, "Mosquito," 1998
7. Pepsi, "Coke Thief," 1996

And my favorite non-Superbowl commercial of all time that's related to cats (may not be suitable for young kids):

Enjoy!

The Bean's First Blog Award

2009-01-28T11:55:00.001-08:00

Stop the presses! The Sweet Jelly Bean has received its very first award! Many thanks to Mrs. D for giving The Bean its very own Honest Scrap award. To accept, I must follow these rules:

1. Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in content or design.
2. Show the 7 blog names with links on your blog, then leave them a comment informing them of their “Honest Scrap” prize.
3. List at least 10 honest things about yourself.

Wow, I’m flattered! However, since this blog is not really meant to be personal and is designed to be more about the products and sites I talk about, I’ll make the 10 things about me relate to that:

1. I am a girly girl. A good 3% of my annual income goes into such obsessions as Sephora. Upon entering this place, I wonder if I have found Atlantis.

2. I love to take baths (one day I hope we’ll move up from a normal tub/shower combo to a Roman tub)! My current favorite place to buy bathing acoutrements is Lush.

3. I’m secretly a cat lady even if I am married! If Mr. Bean wasn’t as watchful as he is, I would have millions of cat accessories adorning our apartment.

4. I will give money to a cause that I care about without a second thought, but will stand in the grocery store aisle for 10 minutes trying to decide which bags of chips to buy. My favorite charity is the ASPCA.

5. I’m 5’9” and accessorize with heels all the time, including some $27 ankle boots I recently scored at Endless.com.

6. I love candy over potato chips, french fries, or anything else sensible in the world. My favorites are SweetTarts, Spree’s, and ShockTarts (I should own stock in Wonka Candy, the company that makes all three of these).

7. The two places I want to visit most are South Africa and Australia. Mr. Bean and I are scouring deals on TravelZoo for a possible vacation in August.

8. We finally got a Wii Fit and I love it. It's the only type of video game I've really been into since I was about 9. I also get a real kick out of designing Mii people.

9. I could honestly spend hours looking at all the things on Etsy! I also have a store there that you should visit.

10. I’m really into birds, especially chickadees. We had two on top of our wedding cake, two on our wedding invitations, and obviously I adorn my blog with one.

Okay, enough about me! Here are 7 of my favorite blogs (there are SO many good ones out there) in no apparent order:

1. Hostess with the Mostess

2. Junkmail Greetings

3. I Can Has Cheezburger

4. FAIL Blog

5. Funky Finds

6. Bee and Rose

7. Little Birdie Secrets

IsABelt - a solution for the blue jean blues?

2009-01-28T08:08:00.000-08:00

Are jeans made these days built for any woman's body? Even my stick-figure-body-type friends don't always have a lot of luck in the dressing room (makes me feel a little better), so what is the deal with jeans anyway? For me, it's trying to find a pair that fit my bum and thighs without gapping too much in the back. Otherwise if I get something that fits my waist my thighs look like rolling pins trapped in sausage casing!

I was recently in need of a new belt and wanted to check out what online stores carried. This is how I first discovered the IsABelt, a new product specifically designed to help eliminate the creeping, crawling, sagging, butt crackag-ing, and other wardrobe malfunctions associated with low-rise jeans. To use it, you just loop the 1/2" plastic belt (which adjusts in a similar way to your bra straps) through you jean belt loops and cinch. The IsABelt is available in clear as well as many colors; in children's, misses,' and plus sizes; and for both men and women. Although it retails at many stores (both brick-and-mortar and online), you can order an IsABelt directly from the company for $16.95+$5.95 shipping.

I think I may have convinced myself I should (and need) to try this one out. If I end up doing so, I'll be sure to give you all a detailed report! Have any of you tried IsABelt before?

Cupcakes

2009-01-27T16:41:00.000-08:00

There is something really great about cupcakes. No matter what sort of bad mood I’m in, they make me happy (and that’s not just when I’m gobbling them up two at a time). If I walk past a display of them in supermarket bakery, they bring a smile to my face! In my opinion, cupcakes are the cheerleaders of the pastry and sweet treats world. In celebration of these little num nums, I’ve created a collage of all things cupcake using one of my favorite online toys, Polyvore:

Don't call me cupcake - by thesweetjellybean on Polyvore.com

My favorite product from this collage (aside from the horribly overpriced Tiffany charm)? The Cupcake-themed dish gloves made by a store called Carolyn’s Kitchen. Somehow I don’t think I’d mind scrubbing burnt chicken char off the dollar store cookie sheet I forgot to Pam if I were wearing these! They’re also available in a lighter blue and even have a matching apron. Talk about domestic bliss!

Satchel Studio - a place for Unique Messenger Bags

2009-01-27T12:30:00.000-08:00

I was recently strolling through artisan booths at a local arts festival when I rounded the corner to find an enormous display for Satchel Studio, a company based in San Francisco that specializes in unique messenger bags! After happily discovering that Satchel Studio has a great online presence, I felt like I should share this amazing find with you! Let me assure you that if you buy from Satchel Studio, no one you know will have a bag like yours! Self described as a “one-woman show,” the company is indeed run by just one artist named Kelty who combines found images, original photography from around the globe, and familiar iconography to make the unique collages that give these messenger bags true attitude! Satchel Studio features two signature messenger bag sizes and a limited-edition hip pack – each of these pieces is available in up to four colors with your choice of design. Some of The Sweet Jelly Bean’s favorite designs:

The really fun part? You have dozens of designs to choose from (including from collections such as Tiles, Japanese, Grafitti, Portraits, Travela, and more), and trust me, it’ll be tough deciding on which one to get! My advice - check this site out!

Giveaway: Chocolate covered oreos (Bloggy Carnival)

2009-01-26T14:15:00.000-08:00

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS FOR PARTICIPATING!

Please join the Bloggy Giveaways Quarterly Carnival by entering to win a a box of 8 chocolate covered Oreo cookies made to order from my Etsy shop per the winner's specifications. This includes your choice of chocolate, flavor, and toppings! To find out more about my Oreo cookie boxes, please visit my Etsy shop. PLEASE NOTE DUE TO THE ITEM BEING PERISHABLE THAT THIS CONTEST IS ONLY OPEN TO PEOPLE IN THE US. Here's how to play:

FOR ONE ENTRY: Visit my Etsy shop and check out all of the sweet treats I offer and pick your favorite. Return here and post a comment to this post identifying your favorite item. Be sure to leave your email address instead of commenting anonymously (if you're not logged in) so I can notify the winner!

FOR A BONUS ENTRY: Begin "following" The Sweet Jelly Bean blog - please comment on this post to let me know you've done so!

FOR 2 BONUS ENTRIES: Mention this giveaway on your own blog and link back to The Sweet Jelly Bean. Please comment on this post to let me know you've done so!

The contest begins January 26 and ends January 30 at 10PM PST. The winner will be chosen using random.org. I will contact the winner following the close of the contest to find out what toppings and chocolate flavor you would like and ship shortly thereafter. Good luck to everyone, and remember to tell your friends to enter!

P.S. Yet another giveaway will be starting within a week, so please remember to visit often!

How well do you know your Valentine? A Quiz from Real Simple Magazine

2009-01-26T13:47:00.001-08:00

LOOKING FOR THE "DIAMOND" RING GIVEAWAY? SCROLL DOWN TO JANUARY 24TH'S POST! Out of all the magazines I get in the mail, Real Simple has to be my favorite. I am addicted to this thing, and have now spread my obsession with it to my mom, my mother-in-law, and my older sister! I guess you could call it a women's interest magazine. There are all sorts of articles and tidbits on new products (I think this magazine gave me the idea for this blog), advice, and tips on general well being.

This fun quiz comes from Real Simple’s online website. After having a laugh with Mr. Bean over it (“How is ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’ a reality TV show?!”), I thought that I should share it with you! Click here to get a PDF of the quiz to print off!

Giveaway: Win a "diamond" ring

2009-01-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS FOR PARTICIPATING!

In a recent post I mentioned a lovely “diamond” ring designed by an artist in NYC named Alissia Melka-Teichroew. After mentioning the post to Alissia in an email, she was kind enough to send me 5 of her "diamond" rings to give away to a few lucky readers of The Sweet Jelly Bean! Each ring is a size 7 and will glam up any outfit or occasion!

Some simple steps to win one of these lovely rings:

1. FOR ONE ENTRY: Visit Alissia's online shop to look at all of her gorgeous products for sale. Pick your favorite. Return to The Sweet Jelly Bean blog (that's here) and post a comment to this post identifying your favorite piece. Be sure to leave your email address instead of commenting anonymously (if you're not logged in) so I can notify winners!

2. FOR A BONUS ENTRY: Begin "following" The Sweet Jelly Bean blog - please comment on this post to let me know you've done so!

3. FOR 2 BONUS ENTRIES: Mention this giveaway on your own blog and link back to The Sweet Jelly Bean. Please comment on this post to let me know you've done so!

The contest ends Friday, January 30 at Noon PST. Winners will be chosen using random.org. I will contact winners following the close of the contest and mail out your rings shortly after (sorry, rings must be shipped within the US). Good luck everyone!

As I mentioned before, I was really taken with this ring and asked Alissia a couple of questions about the piece and her continuing work:

Where did you get the idea for the "diamond" ring?

When thinking about a diamond ring, I always wondered if one, I would want one myself and two, if the diamond itself really meant anything to me. I also liked the thought of creating accessories that are not really made out of the material they were first intended in (diamond ring, pearl ring, pearl necklace, watch, medals of honor, prize ribbons, lockets, etc). When working on the Diamond Ring and Pearl Ring in Silver, I really wanted to create the different widths to make the idea of a diamond ring even more questioned, is a 2mm silver diamond ring just as valuable as a 9mm silver diamond ring? Or do we need the 25mm silver diamond ring to prove that we're in love and will stay with someone forever? From this the plexi coloured rings came and seemed like a logical way to grow the line of Diamond Rings and create even more variety on how to create your "perfect" diamond ring, by stacking the colours and different materials.

What are you working on these days?

The USB Key featured on Coolhunting mid-December (getting that manufactured). We're working on more glasses for the InsideOut Glass Collection, that is being manufactured and distributed by Charles & Marie. Next week Kikkerland will launch the Soft TreeTrunk Stool as well as products coming out for a new brand hopefully by March. Also working on more table top, jewellery and small furniture designs.

Special thanks to Alissia for her generosity - she is a talented artist, and we wish her well!

The Bean's Pick: LuceGirlsArt on Etsy

2009-01-23T12:39:00.000-08:00

As I've mentioned before, I am a stationery freak! I think I collect notecards more than I actually send them - sometimes it's so hard for me to part with a greeting card I've bought weeks in advance for someone’s birthday that I almost don’t send it to them! It’s really an unhealthy obsession, I suppose, especially since Etsy sellers are always so reliable in feeding it. Recently I searched through dozens of Etsy shops looking for just the right set of Valentine’s Day cards to send to my closest family and friends. After much debating, bookmarking, and browsing, I decided on these lovely handmade cards by LuceGirlsArt. She’s relatively new to the Etsy scene, but has already made quite the splash with her adorable earrings and notecards, including the ones pictured here (photo by moi – visit her shop for more pics). She made 9 of these in a special order for me and they arrived quickly without any damage! I love how the lovely tree (with glittery little hearts) is layered on top of delicious chocolate colored shimmer paper. As usual, it’s going to be hard for me to part with these when it comes time to send them out in early February. If you’re in the market for cards, check this shop out!

Wet weather gear (Rain rain, go away...unless I can buy a new pair of galoshes)

2009-01-22T13:07:00.000-08:00

3 Rainy Weather Looks - by thesweetjellybean on Polyvore.com

Happy Thursday. Today in Northern California it is cold, wet, and rainy. You’re probably thinking, Duh Ms. Bean, if it’s wet outside it’s probably raining! Well yes, that’s true, but what I mean is that the air itself feels wet and chilly with the unique capacity to chill me to the bone! I truly left the house totally unprepared today: wearing non-waterproof ballet flats that attract puddles, leather jacket that I refuse to get wet and therefore left in the car, and (my favorite) absolutely no umbrella! What’s a girl to do? Should I carry around one of those foldable ponchos in my purse during the winter months? I don’t know about you, but most of those things end up looking I’m wearing like a wet plastic grocery bag! Here are some quick (and cute) fixes to anytime you find yourself swimming out into a storm. Stay dry and warm out there!

Visit my Etsy shop for chocolate covered Oreos and more

2009-01-21T14:11:00.000-08:00

WARNING: Shameless self promotion in 3...2...1...

Do you dream in chocolate? Does the term "ooey gooey, soft and chewy" make your mouth water? In addition to blogging, I also run a new shop over at Etsy called The Sweet Jelly Bean (go figure!) that features chocolate covered Oreos with your choice of topping, snickerdoodle cookies made the way God intended, Southern Pecan Praline Cookies, and more! If you're shopping for Valentine's Day, any of my shop items can be purchased in advance and shipped on a day of your choosing (we have a strict "no frozen dough in the freezer" policy at my house, so I guarantee your treats will arrive fresh). Please visit The Sweet Jelly Bean on Etsy today!

Music pick: Lenka

2009-01-20T17:14:00.000-08:00

Last fall I forced Mr. Bean into the car (at gunpoint, no really!) to see Sara Bareilles in San Francisco. Sara is currently one of my favorite soul-sister-with-a-piano performers on the radio these days, so I was dying to see her live. We ended up getting stuck in traffic and missed Sara's opening act, who we knew only as Lenka. While sitting on the freeway bumper-to-bumper, we mused on who this Lenka must be. Girl or boy? Probably a girl, we decided. Band or soloist? Punk or girly?

Curiosity got the best of me about this Lenka person, so the next afternoon I went to ITunes to check her out. She currently has just one debut cd available, but after listening to the 30 second samples that ITunes provides, I really liked it and bought it. For $7.99 I got 10 songs that I can only describe as bubbly, upbeat, and positive. I'm not saying they're all about unicorns and dancing forest creatures, but her lyrics and voice just make me happy. It's a great album to veg out to when I'm writing for a couple of hours at my office and just need to fall into a rhythm with things. I'm happy to say that I must not have chosen too big of a dud because I've since heard 1 or 2 of her songs on the local radio stations! Born in 1978, Lenka started out as a TV actress who then moved to ensemble music in a group. Now she's really hit the US scene with her single "The Show" (one of my favorites).

If you'd like to check her out, try visiting this YouTube link to hear/see her perform "The Show." I think you'll be glad that you did!

P.S. Don't worry, Sara Bareilles! You've still got my iPod's attention!

Electra Bikes

2009-01-20T10:11:00.000-08:00

I can't say that I've had the best luck with bikes in recent years. As a child, no problems. As an adult...well, it started in college with a squeaky brake on my campus ride, and it really went downhill from there. After a spill-and-skid on the pavement following a $100 bike purchase from a local megamart, I decided to buy a bike from Electra, a bicycle company based in Carlsbad, California. Founded in 1993, they claim to be one of the main reasons the cruiser bike has come back into popularity.

I say that they're more popular for their quirky rides, such as their "Karma," which I bought last fall. I'm not really outgoing enough to ever pick a car color bolder than silver, white, or black, but when it comes to a bicycle, I went all out! It's a 3-speed cruiser bike in shiny metallic purple that fades from front to back, gold swirly decorations on the tire guards, leather tassels on the handlebars and seat, and...well, that's about as technical as I can get with bikes. All I can say is that it's a gorgeous ride and is so fun to ride. Mr. Bean and I took a long ride this weekend and although my cruiser can't go as fast as his commuter bike, we had a great time.

Even if you're not in the market to buy a new bicycle, visit Electra's website to at least check out their cruiser designs! Here are some of my favorites:

Recently, even celebrities have jumped on the Electra bandwagon including Paris Hilton, Jenny McCarthy, and Hansen (who are they again)?

Bonus Post: 4 free giveaways you should enter

2009-01-19T15:56:00.000-08:00

Enter to win a lovely necklace from the Etsy seller HomeStudio. The winner gets to choose from over 200 designs! To enter, visit Happy Daisy by clicking here.

Enter to win this adorable apron from Carolyn's Kitchen by visiting Cookie Girl Creations.

Enter to win this sweet little bag of goodies by visiting Indefinately definite!

Enter to win this lovely set of "yarnball earrings" by visiting the Mommatudes blog!

COMING SOON! The Sweet Jelly Bean hosts its own first giveaway ever! Stay tuned for more details!

Benefit Cosmetics

2009-01-19T14:59:00.000-08:00

Many of the sites, companies, and products mentioned so far are fairly mainstream, but we'd like to mention a corp that you may already know about, Benefit Cosmetics. Created by twins in 1976, this San Francisco-based company is a favorite because of their quality products that always sport quirky names and packaging. As mentioned, The Sweet Jelly Bean is in no way the Christopher Columbus to discover this company as it has its very own page of awards and accolades from Allure, Real Simple, InStyle, and more. My favorite products include:

That Gal brightening face primer $28

This is an excellent face primer and does just the trick under my mineral makeup from Lure Beauty!

the gloss $16 (on sale right now for $11.20)

I recently picked up this gloss in "kiss me." It's a fairly neutral shade for me, but they have several other that are on my "to buy when I win the Lotto" list.

bronzing brush $22

I was looking for a very soft brush that would serve as a replacement for my worn out kabuki brush, and this one really hits the spot!

Benefit Cosmetic counters are in many large department stores, at Sephora, Ulta, and probably other places (I just can't think of anywhere else I've seen it right now and I didn't see a store locator on their website).

The Bean's Pick: Uncommon Goods

2009-01-19T08:13:00.000-08:00

This pick is one of my favorite online stores (and I also love their catalogs that come in the mail). Meet Uncommon Goods, an online store based out of Brooklyn dedicated to bringing you "creatively designed, high-quality merchandise at affordable prices." Visit their website and you'll find everything from home decor to baby onesies to garden gnomes. Browse through their items and you'll see their focus on offering a number of "green" products, many made via fair trade practices (they sell a number of repurposed products such as photo frames made out of old magazines, vases made of old windshields, and clocks made out of vintage camera bodies). Their website features a review system where buyers can rate products for quality, price, value, etc. Perhaps my favorite thing about Uncommon Goods is their Better to Give program, where customers gain the opportunity to contribute a portion of their purchase to a non-profit organization. Not bad! Some of our favorite items:

Lumen Oil Lamp Shadow Projectors $48; candle refills, set of 2 for $5
The #1 item I am craving from Uncommon Goods right now! Invented by artist Adam Frank, this modern little oil lamp casts an enchanting shadow from a tiny, stainless steel tree. As the flame flickers, the shadow of the tree moves like a light breeze is rustling its branches. A unique twist on a normal candle. Comes with two containers of odorless, clean-burning liquid wax that last 17 hours each. Available in five styles (from left to right): Cedar, Nest, Magnolia, Pine, and Bloom. Made in Brooklyn.

Gnomes-be-Gones with Gnome $125
How can you not love this? Your average, everyday garden gnome being carried away by two creepy, metallic critters with sharp teeth and no tongues. Excellent!

Bingo Clock $35
Made with reclaimed vintage bingo cards from a church in Pennsyvalnia. Very cool!

Recycled Multi-Color Wood Frame $48
A picture frame made from recycled wood from old boats, houses, schools and buildings in Thailand.

If you don't see anything that piques your interest here, I recommend you still check them out. They basically carry all sorts of cool things you never knew you needed!

P.S. Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!

Welcoming President Obama

2009-01-16T16:46:00.001-08:00

As many of you may know by now (ha ha), President-Elect Obama is being sworn in on Tuesday, January 20 - less than 4 days from now. Although we can't all attend the 10 official inauguration balls being hosted by the new President, I'm sure many of you may have an inauguration party to attend to Tuesday evening (if not, it's okay because A) I don't have one to go to and B) you can always find one by checking your local newspaper). Even if you are just planning to stay home and order pizza (my version of an inauguration ball for this year), here are some ideas for making sure you show your colors for the big day:

president obama usa america inauguration by thesweetjellybean

Events start tomorrow (see this website for a complete schedule), but if you're looking for the main meat of the action, here it is:

12:00 noon (EST): As specified by the U.S. Constitution (20th Amendment), presidential terms of office begin and end at 12:00 noon on January 20. Barack Obama will take the oath of office, which is this simple, 35-word, statement: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

12:05 (EST): President Barack Obama will give his inaugural address, speaking to the nation and world, for the first time, as President of the United States.

My pick for this festive occasion? Barack O'Balm, which creator No Nonsense Body Care in Wales describes as "a healing balm for all of us." About $3.70 plus shipping to the US. Perfect for showing you're patriotic...and that you care - about your lips! No Nonsense promises to carry only all natural, organic, fair trade products so you can feel good about feelin' good!

Wine blending at home

2009-01-15T16:40:00.000-08:00

I can’t say that I’m a big boozer, but I love all of the “experience kits” that have been popping up on the shelves of local wine shops, such as Crushpad’s fusebox. To give you a little bit of a back story, Crushpad is a San Francisco-based (read “less than an hour from Napa/Sonoma”) winemaking facility that specializes in providing the experience of wine production to the people. Basically, if you’ve got $5,700+ to throw around, you can come to their space in the city and they’ll walk you through the entire process of producing a bottle of wine, from the very beginning to cracking the seal on a Saturday night on your back patio (the price includes a barrel of your wine). For those of us who don’t quite have that kind of cash saved up just yet, Crushpad also offers fusebox, a 15 pound kit that contains everything you + 3 friends need for a wine blending experience of your own. Retailing for $120, the kit contains:

-Six 375 mL bottles of blending wine (including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc)
-One 375 mL bottle of Mystery Wine
-One graduated cylinder and four pipettes
-Four wine evaluation cards
-Four tasting place mats
-Recipe cards
-Vinography aroma card
-Corkscrew

This sounds like it would be a great activity if you’re having a couple of best friends over for the evening, or even for a shower of some sort. This also might be a good learning activity for wine newbies in general – for example, I know very little about wines BEFORE they are blended, much less once they are (at least I’ve been told not to smell the cork).

Speaking of wine bottle corks, you can now send in your wine and champagne corks for recycling in the USA through Yemm & Hart, a company in Missouri dedicated to converting used wine cork stoppers into a useful, self-sustaining product that extends the useful life of cork for decades. To find out more or to get their mailing address (they request that you pay the shipping for them to be sent in), visit their website.

ScentChips - an alternative to candles

2009-01-15T10:44:00.000-08:00

Like most ladies, I’m a candle freak. Sheer gasps of delight escape from me when I round the corner at a mall to find a store like Yankee Candle, Illuminations, White Barn Candle Company, or even Hallmark (as they tend to carry lots of fun, smaller brands). Mr. Bean audibly groans when I enter a candle booth at the local arts festival because he knows that A) I will be there for days and B) I will spend lots of money on what he calls “stinky wax.”

There is, however, a downside to this obsession: our cat, Bungee, who is attracted to bright, shiny, wavering objects such as candle flames. What is the first thing Bungee will do when I bring home a new treasure in the form of a candle and light it? Run up and smell it! I’m talking singed whiskers smell throughout our apartment for the rest of the day!

To solve this problem, I’m always on the lookout for new tarts to use in my flameless burner. Many of the top companies sell tart versions of their scents, but I have recently stumbled across a fairly new candle company that sells their own interpretation of flameless candles in customizable blends. Meet ScentChips, a San Antonio company that has been hand pouring its cute scented wax leaves and button sized flowers for 30 years.

The cool thing about ScentChips is that they can be burned in a simmering pot (much like traditional wax tarts), but they’re also strongly scented enough to be used as potpourri. I ordered a box of them and am using it as potpourri here in my office at work, and it scents the entire room with no need to plug in a tart warmer!

ScentChips come in a variety of single fragrances, including fruits, florals, spices, and more. Online you can buy a single scent or one of their pre-created blends, which typically consist of 3 single scents. I purchased their Holiday Happiness blend, which includes Bayberry, Cinnamon, and Vanilla and smells wonderful! If you visit a ScentChips store in person, you can combine the single scents to make your own custom blend at no extra charge (see Store Locator to find one near you)!

You can buy a 6 ounce box of ScentChips at their website for $9.75 (NOTE: they have a variety of coupons and specials if you sign up for their e-newsletter, so don’t let the price deter you from trying them out). 6 ounces may not sound like a lot, but ScentChips claims that it will scent 3,000 square feet when used in a tart warmer, or will scent a small room in potpourri format for 5 years. Wow! Check ScentChips out and you'll see why I'm (ever so slightly) obsessed! NEWSFLASH: To celebrate their 30th anniversary, everything on ScentChips' site is 30% off!

New blog banner

2009-01-14T22:56:00.000-08:00

You may have noticed the new look here at The Sweet Jelly Bean. I would like to thank Studio Sub, an online shop over at Etsy (my favorite website these days) for designing this for me. Olle worked tirelessly to help me get just the right look: upbeat without being too perky (as I consider the title of this thing perky enough for now). Studio Sub sells premade Etsy and blog banner packages starting at $5, and will even design something from scratch depending on your needs.