Don't Stop the Wine

If you're a wine drinker (and I hope you are), you know that a good wine stopper is not only a functional necessity, it's a tool to help stop the flow of wine so you don't wake up with a pounding headache (not that it's an ever and been for me...wink,wink).
I spotted these ceramic lovelies on Little Willow and I think I might need one of my own.

{via Johnathan Adler}
For $18 a piece, I may have to get a couple. Variety is the spice of life, right?
Variety and wine that is...

Sweet Tooth Monday

I don't really consider myself a die hard sugar lover. Generally, I prefer savory over sweet, but occasionally (like today) I'm craving sugary, yummy, homemade sweet treats. Now, I've bought A LOT of things on Etsy, but I've never purchased anything edible. When searching for items to indulge my cravings, I was pleasantly surprised to find an amazing amount of incredible creations. I'd be more than happy to receive any of these as a stocking stuffer (B, are you reading, please hunny, I really would like some macarons?)
Wrapped Fleur de Sel SEA SALT Caramels 1/4 pound $5.85

via Bliss Candies

Peanut butter and jelly truffles $12

via Vintage Confections

4 French Macaron Cookies $7

via Lemonade Stand

Ginger Spice Cookies

via Lynsey & Harper Confections

Pumpkin Pie Truffles

via trufflemakers

Peppermint Bark (1/2 lb) $8

via Hawking
Have you ever purchased anything edible from Etsy? What was your experience?

Foodie Calendar and a winner

So, as you know, calendars have been blogged about everywhere this season and for good reason. There are so many wonderful options, I've been paralyzed with indecision. I decided that a wall calendar for my office would be my most essential calendar need and I think I finally found the ONE. Yup, the ONE I can commit to for a whole year (which, if you know me, is not an easy venture).

I found this beauty by Claudia Pearson on Poppytalk Handmade and it was love at first site.

B and I have made it a point recently to buy more local food and support our local farmers so this calendar would be a good reminder to myself and anyone who comes into my office that buying local is important!
2010 Poster Calendar $20

Now I just need to decide if I want the poster or the set.
2010 Illustrated Calendar $24


I also adore the other food prints available in the shop.
Food for Thought $15


Buy Local $20

{all images via Claudia Pearson}
How do you support your local economy?
~
The lucky winner of the Beth Cyr giveaway is...

...#78! That would be Crystal Ball! Congrats! I'll be contacting you shortly. Thank you Beth for such a lovely giveaway! Be sure to check out Beth's shop when you're considering your holiday gifts this year!

Winner and some felt food just cuz

Trusty ole' Random.org did it again. This time our winner is lucky #5! That would be Katherine Adams, yay Katherine. Her answer was too cute:

"I have my aunt's wedding on the 15th of August in NH. This would be the perfect dress & I would be so excited to wear(and seek council on how to accessorize!) it around my beautiful family that I do not get to see but once a year. I am a follower, and I have D&O Chic on my Google Reader, which everyone should do. Man, I love some cap sleeves!"
Big thank you to Chickdowntown.com for offering this amazing giveaway!

Now, it is no secret that fake food replicas fascinate me. I don't know where this little quirk came came, but nonetheless, it's there and I won't fight it. I came across British Cream Tea on my meanderings through Etsy land yesterday and I'm completely smitten. This shop is special because of the "sculptures" are actually life sized British food replicas.
I didn't realize these little cookies were British because as a child I always ate them in Puerto Rico! Anyway, these are a childhood favorite.
Iced Gems set of 5 Recycled Felt Food Sculptures $18
I don't care how much you want to make fun of me, fish stick are still a favorite. B and I usually eat them with peas too so that we have something green on the plate. How cute is this set?
Fish Fingers, Chips, Peas and Tomato $58
Put bac0n on just about anything and I'm a happy camper. Remember the Elvis donut?
Bacon Butty $18
Another favorite food is smoked salmon. This sculpture is make up of "cream cheese, sliver of smoked salmon and garnished with a single basil leaf." Too funny!
Smoked Salmon Volauvent $14
{all photos via British Cream Tea}
I'm not sure what I'd do with these felt sculptures if I ever got my paws on them, but they sure do make me happy!

Corny Picks

So I'm not sure I should be allowed to create titles for my posts...they're getting progressively worse. Anyway, summer is in full swing here and B and I enjoyed our first corn on the cob the other night. Buttery, salty, yummy, no health value, corn on the cob. I'm strict about my corn on the cob eating habits, only during the summer, no exceptions. So, since I've been thinking about corn (yes, there are better things to think about but I make no apologies) I decided to round up a couple of products in celebration of the starchy vegetable, non- vegetable.

This could be fun in the kitchen...
Corn Harvest 10x10 linoleum block print $25
I could wear these with my pea pod necklace and have a veggie-themed accessories day. Ha!
Corn Cob Earrings $12
I'd like to add these to my "collection" of note cards.
Corn Note Cards $16
Bring these cupcakes to your next picnic or barbecue to make an impression. What impression that is, I couldn't tell you.
Corn-on-the Cob Cupcake
Oh, and while we're at it, don't forget your peas and carrots.
Vanilla Cupcakes
What's your go-to summer vegetable?
{Be sure to stop in tomorrow for a very fun weekend giveaway!}

Tasty grossness

Two exceptional things happened to me this weekend that I'd like to share with you. First, I was able to spend some time (albeit very short) with my brother (we had not seen each other for about two years) and my 15 month old nephew whom I hadn't met before now. This may sound cocky and I know you'd like to argue but I might just have the cutest neice and nephew ever. Ever. Really, I'm just saying. Anyway, because of my hectic schedule, and often, very tight money situation, I don't get to see my family much, and even though my work schedule allowed me less than 24 hours of family time, it was still awesome.

Secondly, I ate the best donut ever created. (Ok, I haven't tried all the donuts in the world as I don't want to die of heart disease before 30, but trust me). It's called the Elvis donut, based off of Evis's favorite sandwich, and it's the featured donut at the bakery I moonlight at on Sundays.
Try to picture it: glazed yeast donut with peanut butter, bananas, and BACON. Yup, bacon, as in meat on a donut. Here's an actual picture of it featured on This is Why You're Fat (it's that worthy!)
(taken by Keith Rein)
Before you decide to stop reading my blog forever b/c you think I've gone off the deep end, I just want you to consider this combination. It's sweet/salty goodness (think chocolate covered pretzel). Don't knock it til' you've tried, ok?
{A little disclaimer: No, I do not advocate unhealthy eating habits, but I do believe in selective indulgence.}
So now that I've shared my dirty little secret with you, I have to know, what's the strangest/most exotic/grossest thing you've ever eaten? I promise, I won't judge:)