Target has such a reliable $1 area when it comes to shopping for little ones. Sure, some of the items are completely useless, but you can’t go wrong with socks. I threw these in with the birthday package I mailed yesterday to the almost five-year-old. Here’s the downside to sock-buying, though: How do you ever know which size to buy? These socks said they were women’s 9-11. But they looked child-sized to me. Did I make a huge mistake in thinking these would fit a kid?
I met a friend at Darwin’s in Cambridge the other day and was reminded of the most incredible cookies known to humankind. After the first time I sampled their mint cream sandwich cookie, I was determined to learn more about the mastermind behind the treat. Turns out the goods are made in nearby Arlington at Lakota Bakery. I recently visited the bakery and was in heaven. Every one of their cookies (more than 30 varieties!) is scooped by hand, shaped by hand, filled by hand, and dipped and decorated by hand. I am trying to think of a sensible reason to quit my job and get my hands involved in that process. Pictured is Lakota’s raspberry cream sandwich, which somehow tastes even more amazing than it looks.
Oh, and to maintain the integrity of this blog, I must let you know that you will need a few dimes more than a dollar to purchase this cookie. Fully worth the splurge.
If there is one thing in this world I am afraid of, it’s fire. I saw a house burn down in my neighborhood when I was little, and I’ve had nightmares ever since. I’ve never lit a match before. But I am not opposed to having candles in my home (as long as I am in the same room as the burning flame). This means I need a good lighter — not a match, and not one of those small lighters where your fingers are dangerously close to the flame. Who knew I’d find my perfect lighter at the slightly sketchy Ocean State Job Lot in Medford. First, a little background on the store. They call themselves New England’s “home of adventure shopping.” Everything is at closeout prices (manufacturers’ overruns/overstocks), and a lot of it is total garbage. But this lighter is a real treasure. It has a safety trigger lock (obviously important to me considering my fear), you can adjust the size of the flame (small, please), you can view how much fuel is left, and you can refill it when it’s empty. My perfect lighter.
In honor of yesterday’s Oscars, may I present the Woody Pez dispenser. (Side note: I don’t think I’ve ever actually watched the Oscars — do people really watch the whole thing?) Market Basket only had Woody and Buzz sets, but apparently Pez also sells Jessie, Rex, Hamm, and the slinky dog (does he have a name?). This will be another perfect addition to my niece’s five-part fifth birthday present. I hope she doesn’t mind that I took Woody out of his packaging to photograph him.
While I’d love to be a serious crafter, I don’t have the patience to create anything too amazing. I like to sew, create notecards, and do a little needlepoint here and there, but I usually end up feeling disappointed with the final product. That doesn’t stop me from lusting after new craft supplies, though. Hence, the three new colors of DMC embroidery thread I just bought at Michaels. In my next life as a professional crafter, I will own each of the 454 colors DMC makes.
Today’s project is embellishing baby onesies for the scores of baby showers I’ll be attending in the near future. (I think 80% of the girls at my church are pregnant). I dye white Gerber onesies, attach fabric shapes to the onesies using fusible web, then reinforce it by hand stitching around the edge with DMC thread in a complimentary color. Voilà… the finished product below. (Modeled by my darling niece Dallyn.)
Today’s forecast is cold and rainy. And because the precipitation is rain, instead of snow, it is time to celebrate with hot chocolate. The nearest 7-11 is about a 20-second walk from my building, and you can get ANY SIZE hot chocolate (or coffee, if you’re into that) for $0.99. Obviously, the wisest choice is the extra large — 24 ounces. (Tim and I shared it, so you can’t judge me for consuming all 540 calories.) The best part about 7-11’s drinks is the DIY aspect — you can mix in shots of hazelnut, caramel, vanilla, or Irish crème syrup, plus creamer, cinnamon, mini-marshmallows, and beyond.
I love any excuse to go to Windsor Button — the mecca for button lovers everywhere. Luckily, one of Tim’s coats has a broken button, so we visited their massive collection to find this replacement. Aside from gazillions of buttons, Windsor has other sewing notions, plus crocheting and knitting supplies, needlework kits, ribbons and trims, and a bridal section. When I’m there I have flashbacks of playing with the buttons my mom kept in a large jar near her sewing machine. I have always saved the buttons that come with the clothes I buy, but thus far my collection has remained stowed away in a craft bin. I think I feel a mini home decor project coming on — I’ll put all my buttons into mini jars and maybe they can adorn my bookshelf of knick-knacks? I’m secretly hoping I don’t have enough buttons to fill my jars… then I can go back to Windsor and acquire more.
My mom has had the Pfaltzgraff Village dish set for as long as I can remember. Every now and then I discover a piece of the set at a thrift store and wonder if I should buy it to supplement her collection. (Obviously, I owe it to her… I surely broke my fair share of dishes while living under her roof.) I picked up this cup and saucer at Goodwill (bargained for the deal, of course) and I’m a little tempted to keep it for myself. Sometimes I want to collect cups and saucers and then I remember there is no place to display them in my mini apartment.
Side note about this cup: Growing up, we would use these instead of bowls for eating ice cream. I’m not sure why — maybe because they’re small and we were small? Whenever I visit home I still use this size dish for ice cream. It’s sort of like a portion control tactic, except usually it means I eat two cups’ worth.
Pizza is one of my top five favorite foods, and we eat it a lot. (May I recommend a few Boston faves: Nicola, Pinocchio’s, Presto, Figs. I could go on and on.) Tim has nearly mastered the homemade dough, but we still keep a bag of Trader Joe’s pizza dough in the fridge for spontaneous pizza making. The garlic and herb flavor adds a fun twist, but TJ’s sells original and whole wheat as well. The dough is also great for making breadsticks or pizza bianca. If you need any tips, don’t ask me because I don’t make pizza. Maybe Tim can help you.
My oldest niece is turning five in a few weeks, so I’ve had my eyes peeled lately for dollar finds she would appreciate. I’m realizing a five year old would probably appreciate five $1 gifts a lot more than one $15 gift. Score for me. Part one of her gift will be these Disney Princess addition cards from Target. She’s obsessed with the princesses (what little girl isn’t these days?) so maybe this will be a good way to sneak in a little education.
