‘damn I like that!’ feature
Alicia from Damn I Like That! thinks these handy toaster tongs are quite helpful.
"Growing up, my mother always told me not to put metal in the toaster oven. You know how sometimes your toast or bagels can get caught in there and you need something to pull it out. I would always reach for the fork and I would get scolded and told that I would be electrocuted if I put that in there. Who knows if it is true or just one of those mom myths but I wasn’t going to take a chance so I tried to find other alternatives.
Here is a great tool that I know my mom would love and approve of too. It is a Magnetic Toaster Tong from CatchingFireflies.com. It’s not metal but rather made of wood and the perfect width to fit right in the toaster and pry out the bread that is not cooperating with you. Even better, it is magnetic so it can stick to the side of the toaster and be right there when you need it."
Thanks Alicia for spreading the word about our toaster tongs… apparently you are quite charismatic because TWO other sites… Gizmodo and UberReview talked about them too after seeing your wonderful post! So thank you, thank you, thank you!
strut magazine 8.07
Strut Magazine featured our very popular wine cork in their Big Dreams Issue.
Wine words of wisdom – Next time you toast to all your dreams come true, you don’t have to finish the whole bottle. Let this "May your glass always be half full" stopper greet you and keep your wine fresh for future celebrating.
salad sac to the rescue
Sadly I usually end up throwing out half the lettuce I buy because I don’t get around to using it before it wilts… well, now I can add a few days onto my lettuce’s life with this handy dandy salad sac.
This short video shows how easy it is to use and will change the way you store your veggies from now on.
Other helpful hints include:
-Just wash and trim your veggies and whole lettuce, store them altogether in your damp Salad Sac. Whole vegetables and whole lettuce of any kind including Romaine, Bibb, Leaf, Spinach, Kale etc. will stay fresh and crisp in the fridge longer.
-Try all your veggies including: broccoli, cauliflower, celery, carrots, asparagus, beans, snow peas, zucchini, whole green onions. You can store them all together – the flavors will not transfer.
-Make extra salad ahead of time using the Salad Sac so the salad is ready to eat when you are hungry.
-FOR MAXIMUM FRESHNESS KEEP SALAD SAC DAMP AND STORE IN FRIDGE.
Looking for more clever gift ideas? Don’t miss out… sign up to get these blog postings delivered to your inbox.
wonderful window boxes
On a recent trip to West Michigan, Steve and I toured through a number of lakeshore towns. Many of the store fronts had fantastic flower boxes.
I love seeing the variety of flowers and greens mixed together… there’s so many rich textures and vibrant colors.
…just look at all the shades of purples and blues, not to mention the limes, olives and greens… God has quite the color palette.
These pots were too pretty not to include.
My mother has a gorgeous perennial garden in her backyard. My perennial garden is slowly looking better each year… maybe someday it’ll be as glorious as my moms.
…until then, I’ll show you one of my window boxes.
When Steve and I bought our humble abode a few years ago, adding copper flower boxes to the windows was one of the first things on my agenda. I splurged on custom made ones from Copperhead North for the front and H Potter ones for the back. I just think they make a home so cozy looking.
And here’s a couple of my potted plants adorned with quirky yard stakes I’ve collected from various art shows.
Our cat, Tuesday takes that silly ‘kitty crossing’ yard stake seriously as she lounges in our backyard.
We sell loads of gardens stakes at catching fireflies, so I know there are some great gardeners out there. I invite you to show off some of your fanicful flowers this August. Please email your photos to studio@aipaper.com and I’ll put together a blog posting your pretty posies and feature it in the September enews. (include your name and city with the subject title: flower power)
oh-so-funny… flight of the conchords
I immediately fell in love with HBO’s new series – Flight of the Conchords. It has a slight Napoleon Dynamite flavor mixed in with some seriously funny folk songs.
One of my favorites is Beautiful Girl…
Unfortunately they don’t have a current CD available yet, but you can find some of their other funny clips on their fan site What the Folk! (and loads of them on YouTube)
A review from the New York Times reads, "The heroes of Flight of the Conchords are as witless as they come. Jemaine and Bret are young New Zealanders adrift in New York who hope to break into the music industry with their “digi-folk” two-man band, also named Flight of the Conchords.
Flight of the Conchords is funny in such an understated way that it is almost dangerous to make too much of it — it could collapse like a soufflé when the door slams. It’s also a little sweeter, less a satire of show business than wry self-parody.
What distinguishes The Conchords from other, similarly dry, sardonic comedies is that at certain junctures the two heroes freeze the action and burst into song in subtle parodies of pop music videos that are almost plausible and deliciously absurd. The range is impressive, everything from David Bowie-style ’80s pop to rap and reggae.
Jemaine is played by Jemaine Clement, the taller, bespectacled half of a real-life music and comedy duo from New Zealand with a cult following in the United States. Bret is Bret McKenzie, the duo’s shorter half. In interviews they have said their series was partly inspired by “Cop Rock,” an ill-fated 1990 show by Steven Bochco that was part crime series, part musical, though even this could be a joke."
fancy fonts just for you
Looking to add that personal touch to your typed notes? How ’bout being able to type in your own handwriting? Well, now you can with help of this magical site called Fontifier.
Once you upload the fonts, you can preview them for free and purchase them for only $9.00 (a small price to pay to avoid writer’s cramp)
I can’t get enough of this snazzy site… I think I’m going to try my hand at drawing tiny pictures for my next font (like the sample below… how fun)
Happy typing!
Don’t miss out on other super cool websites. Sign up to receive this blog in your inbox.
stop and shop at ‘city style’
Next time your crusin’ to our Berkley location, make sure to pay a visit to City Style. This wonderful independent shoe boutique is less than a block from catching fireflies and has the cutest selection of shoes.
Here’s peak of some of my favs…
Did I mention all of their summer styles are 20, 30 and 40% off right now? Plus they post great coupons on their website. And offer 20% off your entire purchase on your birthday (just like catching fireflies!)
They also have a small selection of trendy guy’s shoes and ‘Made in Detroit’ clothing.
My husband, Steve picked up a pair of these sweet summer ‘sandals’ and loves them… they’re super comfortable and he get loads of compliments on them.
So what are you waiting for? Skip on into City Style and see for yourself. Owners and Berkley residents, Tim and Carrie, will help make your feet feel and look fabulous!
ann arbor art fair – like no other
Steve and I have been going to the Ann Arbor Art Fair every year since 1995. Back then I sat on a curb and did hair wraps for $1 an inch to make some extra cash during college, but now we get to enjoy and indulge in the many beautiful art pieces showcased during this wonderful event.
In addition to the artist tents, there are many talented street performers scattered about… along with great live music and dancers, plus fun kids activities.
Here are some artist’s works I admired at the show…
skipping lilies by Kristin & Eric Wornson
These extra-large blown glass light bulb sculptures glow in the dark.
And always one of my favorite stops…
Here’s what Steve and I went home with…
A lovely painting by Mr. Douglas Fiely of Stryker Ohio.
A couple of these whimsical pond floats by Daniel Schreiber of Columbus Ohio.
It was hard to pick just two… but here they are happily floating in our backyard.
This simple bottle dragonfly sculpture from a Texan artist and this recycled garden angel by Kim Groff-Harrington of Georgia.
And I also snagged these four happy cards from a younger girl that was peddling her goods. She reminded me of myself and my college ‘hair wrap’ days.
Ahhh, another successful trip of finding inspiring art wares… not a bad way to spend a sunny Saturday afternoon in July.
Enjoy discovering new & talented artists? Stay in the loop by signing up to receive these colorful posts in your email inbox!
swiss oatmeal for the summer
One of the perks of traveling to downtown Atlanta twice a year includes indulging in the sweet treats at the Corner Bakery. (I hope they come to Michigan someday)
Steve and I began a lot of our mornings with their delicious Swiss Oatmeal (a cold alternative for the summer months)
It really makes a delicious snack any time of the day and is super simple to whip up.
Mix the following ingredients together in order:
1 cup plain low fat yogurt
1 cup lowfat milk
1 tablespoon of honey
1 cup quick rolled oats
1 granny smith apple coarsely chopped
3 tablespoons of dried cranberries, cherries, raisins or currents
1 chopped banana
Top with sliced almonds, and berries of your choice.
May be kept in refrigerator for up to two days.
ummmmmm… enjoy!
This is just one of many delicious recipes . Subscribe to our blog today and you’ll be sure to get the dish on many upcoming treats.
magical firefly photos
I love walking our dog, Samson after dark during the summer nights because it’s cool, quiet and numerous fireflies always cross our path. 
I recently stumbled upon these amazing photos of fireflies taken by Steven David Johnson in the Shenandoah Valley. 
Here are his two lovely girls catching fireflies.
Wishing all of you magical summer nights filled with fanciful fireflies.
