With a hip and unique metropolitan style, Tsubo gains extra style points for smartly integrated ergonomic design.

What makes Tsubo shoes unique:
• Traditional bubbles which cushion the soles
• Material durability
• Materials that flex in the right places

There’s never a need (or an excuse) to sacrifice style for comfort again! Order online at www.tsubo.com or at finer retailer outlets.

Natural Garland

 Pine Cone Swag

Pear Place Setting

I love this one! Spice anything up with the addition of produce…pears specifically. Done.

Squashtastic Turkey Napkin Holders

Living Room Decor

 Happy Thanksgiving!

Everybody loves bacon (the meat of the Gods).
And now we can bathe with bacony goodness.

This should be viewed as more of a jackass experiment than a “how to” by a soapmaking expert. I just wanted to see if it was possible to make soap from bacon fat.

The bonus challenge: make the soap look like bacon.

How I Made Bacon Fat Soap:
Supplies
• Bacon fat
• 100% Lye (sodium hydroxide)
• Purified water and ice
• Liquid Smoke (optional fragrance)
• Red food coloring (optional coloring)
• Stove
• Pyrex baking pan
• Chemical/solvent/heat resistant plastic bowl
• Measuring cup
• Cotton cloth or paper towels
• Wooden (or stainless steel) spoon
• Rubber gloves and goggles
• Metal can
• 1 cigarette

How to Prepare Bacon Soap:

This recipe is a basic soap recipe.
• 7.5 parts bacon fat
• 1 part lye
• 2 parts water

A). Melt the bacon fat on the stove. Do not get it too hot (not boiling/sizzling – very dangerous).

B). Skim off any particles or debris that float to the surface of the melted bacon fat.

C). Pour the melted bacon fat through cloth or paper towels into a large clean metal can (see photo), this will further filter the bacon fat.

D). Still warm, your bacon fat should now look uniform, clear, and junk free. Measure your bacon fat and calculate the proper amount of lye (1 part lye to 7.5 parts bacon fat).

E). Measure 2 parts purified water (feel free to even include some ice, because the lye will get very hot). In a heat resistant (not metal) container, pour in your 2 parts water, then slowly pour the crystalline lye into the water. (WARNING: You will want to do this in a well ventilated area – the fumes are evil and can cause serious injury. Make sure to wear rubber gloves and eye protection when handling lye. Also, the lye and water mixture will get very very hot, make sure to do this in the proper workspace and in a heat-resistant container).

F). Take a break, wait for the lye-water mixture to cool down, smoke a cigarette. Do not leave the lye mixture unattended. When the lye-water mixture is around 100ºF (the temperature of a hot shower), check your bacon fat and see if it is around the same temperature (if not, heat it on the stove until it is). Then slowly pour the lye-water into the bacon fat.

G). Stir the mixture for up to 2 hours as it cools. When the mixture begins to show “trace” (white soap stripes on the top surface), move on to the next step. Mixing can take several hours and if it is still liquid after two hours, move on to the next step and hope for the best.

H). While the proto-soap mixture is still a thick liquid, but showing signs of “trace,” you can mix in “Liquid Smoke” as a fragrance – add quantity to taste. It enhances the bacon smell. Also, you can separate a small portion of the proto-soap from the mix (in a separate container) and add red dye. Pour the beige thick proto-soap into a pyrex pan, then take the red-dyed proto-soap and pour stripes into it (makes it look like bacon).

I). Let the soap “cure” and “set” for at least 36 hours, then cut blocks of the soap from the greater slab (do this while the soap it still relatively soft).

J). Allow the blocks of soap to continue to cure for at least 2 weeks.

K). Cut into desired shapes and serve.

On days like this, Diet Rockstar isn’t going to be enough. Morning After Rescue Gel by Nickel—a magical little facial elixir infused with caffeine, citrus and soy protein—erases any visual remnants of last night’s debauchery.

Morning-After Rescue Gel features natural Wheat and Soybean based proteins to give your skin back its radiance and softness. It’s biomechanical properties have a stretching and firming effect on your skin. Hamamelidacea (a species of flowering plants, including witch hazel) extract decongests, preventing circles and pouches from forming. All day long, it’s caffeine, menthol-enriched Coffeeberry complex reactivates and stimulates your skin’s natural processes.

Some days, coffee and sunglasses only go so far. $42 online.

1. Glitter Candleabra from Pier 1. $30

2. Skeleton Hand Dispenser Stand from Pottery Barn. $39 (in store only)

3. Multi-Skull Beverage Tub from Target. $14.99

4. Spider Web Halloween Linen Napkins (Eco Friendly) on Etsy. $25 for 4

5. Sanguis Blood Soap by amandalouise on Etsy. $6/bar

6. Spider Web Runner at Crate and Barrel. $29.95

7. Mad Mother Psycho Shower Curtain by Prankplace.com. $25.98

8. Flying Witch Doormat by Wisteria. $22.10 (on sale!)

One piece. Infinitesimal looks.

Next is the fun part. Time to select your interchangeable design inserts. With a simple magnetic backing you easily and snugly attach (and remove) to the base of the metal pendant, you can chose from brightly colored florals, playful animal prints, interesting textures and looks and current novelty designs. And, wait for it, you can also customize your own designs. At $5 each design insert, it’s easy to try out a variety of colors and looks. Plus they make great gifts.

Sold at a variety of retailers, why not get started on attracting your new magnetic style today?

Purchase a set or buy them individually, either way your morning cuppa whatever is going to get a lot more interesting. $14.99 each.

A friend of mine, a third-grade teacher, was recently lamenting that school will be starting in just a few days. Call me crazy, but I’m just a little bit envious. Each year at this time, I watch moms and kids storm the stores to stock up on fresh school supplies. And I find myself looking for a reason to do the same. There’s just something appealing about freshly sharpened pencils and brand spanking new notebooks, not to mention the intoxicating smell of a new box of crayons. But if I were returning to those hallowed halls, I’d deviate just a bit from conventional supplies. I’d kick things up a notch, opting instead for this too-cool-for-school stuff:

These crayons from Spoon Sisters rock! And there’s a method behind their madness. The shape is designed to help develop fine motor skills; using them strengthens the tripod grip muscles, preparing tiny fingers and hands for handwriting. Why do I think Fred Flintstone would’ve loved ‘em?

And why settle for a yellow No. 2 pencil when you can use a Fuzzy Wuzzy, also from Spoon Sisters? They come in a rainbow of colors and their furry “skin” will flat out make you giggle. In fact, the only downside I can see is that the age-old rhyme would inevitably become an earworm: “Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear, Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair….”

The design diva in me can’t resist these hand-bound journals from Twine. Covered in vintage wallpaper, they’re not only eye candy but—thanks to the recycled aspect—they’re eco-friendly, too!

As a writer, I wouldn’t be caught dead without my dictionary. But now Twine offers a pictorial version, too! This 500-page gem of a book features 1,500 engravings originally from the pages of 19th-century Webster’s dictionaries, covering everything from acorns to zebras—a treasure trove for all lovers of visual imagery.

Call me old school, but I love chalkboards. And this one from Romp goes the extra mile by providing examples of perfect penmanship, whether you’re tackling your ABCs or your 1-2-3s. Perhaps the ideal gift for a doctor? When it comes to writing ‘scripts, can’t hurt, might help.

Last but not least, the right lunch box—or bag—can make any meal more appetizing. My vote is for this reusable lunch sack from Romp. Not only is it appealingly simple, it’s also machine washable and has a snap-in liner. And just in case you’re concerned that someone might swipe your PB&J, there’s even a place inside to put your ID:

I think any or all of these things make school a blast—as long as I wouldn’t have to face a room full of third-graders. There’s a reason my mother didn’t name me “Patience.”

Heather Paper is a freelance writer/editor who specializes in all subjects design-related. A contributing writer for Miscelaney, she’s a dog-lovin’, wine-slurpin’ resident of Atlanta who considers Seattle her second home.

Now I can’t speak for you all, but when it comes to cool  little purses, I. Lose. My. Mind. And while on a self-imposed (and nearly practiced) spending freeze, when I saw this little bag, I knew it was coming home with me.

“Not just an amazing accessory, an absolute necessity” reads Lisa B’s home page. And what can I say, she’s right. If you are in the market for a fun, hip and sassy going-out bag, then definitely check out her line. With just enough room to fit a cell phone along with the included credit card holder, you are set for a night of “never having to worry where my purse is“. I opted for a little glam-rock in my bag, but they have all types.

They easily sling across the shoulder or can clip almost anywhere you would like (briefcase, belt, auxiliary bag…you name it!). If you are a size two, you can also double wrap the chain and wear it as a belt. Or, use the chain, which also serves as the purse strap, as a fun necklace with the accompanying, signature Lisa B charm. OK, maybe that’s a little far-fetched, but c’mon…we love the idea of options!

Retailing for around $50, you can absolutely find something which reflects your personality and your mood. See mine in action below (double click on the image for a closer look). Hard not to love it, right?

Even if the economy (and a shortage of frequent flyer miles) has put the kibosh on traveling to Europe anytime soon, you can still enjoy one of the best aspects: the souvenirs.

When I’m traveling via armchair, one of the places I like to start is Touch of Europe. The company was founded on a simple idea: to provide interesting and unusual items—both old and new—from Europe, things the owners missed after living in Europe for decades. On this site, you’ll find everything from skin care and spa items to gourmet goodies, table and kitchen wares to home décor and accessories. But what I invariably head for first are the linens. Kitchen and table linens. Check. Bed and bath linens. Check check. And to-die-for vintage linens. Check check check!

Imported from France, this tea towel is printed with the classic recipe for Beef Bourguignon—in French, of course. I love the look but if it’s gonna do me any good I’ll have to brush up on my high school French or conjure up Julia Child to make the dish for me! (The latter might be easier.)

Maybe it’s the former farm girl in me, but I also love their vintage feedsacks. This purple-striped homespun hemp sack would make some gorgeous pillows.

Meanwhile, over at European Market owners Chris and Sue Ellibee travel Europe searching for unique ornaments, crafts, toys, confections, coffees, teas and accessories from artisans and small manufacturers in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, England, Germany, Italy and Switzerland—with Turkey and France soon to be added to the list. Lately, I’ve been obsessed with their Swiss offerings because they bring back memories of a glorious summer I spent there.

High on my must-have list is this hand-carved Swiss cow. These bovines feature ears and horns made of leather, and—just like the real thing—metal bells hanging from their necks.

 And I love the bags and accessories made from recycled Swiss Army blankets. After serving their original purpose, the blankets are cleaned and reworked into totes, purses, laptop carriers, cosmetic cases and even key fobs.

But the real beauty of the items on both of these sites is that they arrive at your front door, no passport (or TSA security search) needed. That’s particularly appealing to people like me, who arrived back in the States from that aforementioned Swiss trip with an authentic Swiss cow bell hanging from my neck. And, yes, it was clanging with every step I took.

I knew there had to be an easier way.

Heather Paper is a freelance writer/editor who specializes in all subjects design-related. A contributing writer for Miscelaney, she’s a dog-lovin’, wine-slurpin’ resident of Atlanta who considers Seattle her second home.