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Halloween Treat: Monster Mural

Gothicdecal_3 Happy Halloween! You've probably done all your shopping for the holiday by now, but we're still feeling a bit gothic here at Cookie. Luckily, this Happy Creatures vinyl wall decal has a whimsical, creepy sensibility that will hold up year round. The set comes with 70 separate stick-on pieces so you can design your very own creature feature, and should your mood shift come springtime, no worries-- each sticker peels cleanly off in seconds.

October 31, 2007

Halloween Treat: Hungry Devil

Battoy1_2 You see them everywhere, those pervasive Uglydolls. But how can you resist when they're so cute? The Secret Mission Icebat is a perfect mischief-maker's companion this time of year. According to his makers, Icebat lives in the freezer, where he munches away on your favorite snacks (yet despite this behavior, he managed to be named a 2006 Toy of the Year). Hmm...better keep him away from the trick-or-treating spoils.

October 30, 2007

Halloween Treat: Light Bright

Lantern1 Make your trick-or-treaters go "ooooo" and "ahhhh" with this unusually striking candle lamp from Kkool. Imported from Morocco, the piece is handmade from terra cotta ceramic and glazed in bright colors (including this jack-o-lantern like orange). Put a candle inside it once the sun goes down, and the light streaming through the small holes in the lantern will jump off the adjacent walls. For ordering information, call 646 233-3769.

October 29, 2007

Halloween Treat: Le Freak, C'est Chic

Polishes Feeling haunted by the impending candy rush? Pick up OPI's limited-edition Glow Out for Halloween pack, an adorable set of four mini polishes in kid-friendly colors like Boo-berry (a deep glow-in-the-dark shade of blue), Cool Ghoul, and Witch Way. They even come with little cat, moon, and bat decals, so you and your kids can create uniquely spooky styles.

October 26, 2007

Halloween Treat: Window Trimmings

Partylights Just because you're not into plastic skeletons or fluorescent, fake cobwebs doesn't mean you can't get a little festive this time of year. These Yarn Ball Lights have a quiet glow that's perfect for setting the mood come All Hallow's Eve--and the warm autumn colors will keep them appropriate through Thanksgiving. Plus, they're safe for both indoor and outdoor use, and subtle enough for the staunchest sophisticate. Are you in the spirit yet?

October 25, 2007

Halloween Treat: Taste Sensation

Cupcakemix_3 Is there anything more appealing than a pretty cupcake? Sprinkles--a California bakery company that's expanding rapidly, mostly because of some really fabulous frosting) wants you to take their delicious concoctions home. Their new dry pumpkin cupcake mix is made with the same high-quality ingredients used at the bakery.  Bake 'em up and add the little dot decorations, and you've got a sweet alternative to all that commercial candy.

October 24, 2007

Halloween Treat: Little Red

Redridinghood_3 We're counting down the days to one of our very favorite holidays, and we'll start with one of the most crucial components: the get-up. This sweet Little Red Riding Costume is just one of the gorgeous fairy-tale ensembles available from John Derian. Imported from France and made from 100 percent cotton, the costumes are hand-tailored and will last through years of dress-up. Plus, with quality like this, you'll be craving a matching one in your size.

October 23, 2007

Fashionable Trade

Bagpurse1_2 These Eco-Weekender bags by Gecko Traders are proof positive that you don't have to sacrifice unique style to be eco-friendly. Made from repurposed rice sacks, the sturdy totes and pouches are carefully lined and finished, giving a touch of luxury to your do-gooding.  They also provide sustainable living for the Cambodian weavers and producers employed by the company, so your diaper tote or makeup case is helping to get more than one life in order.


October 22, 2007

Cook's Cradle

Spoonholders We love nothing more than when something truly beautiful also serves a function. These hand-thrown pottery spoon rests from Simon Pearce are elegant, practical, and versatile; besides cradling your sticky spoons they can hold candles, or even serve as sturdy wine-glass coasters. One may just elevate your kitchen style along with your cooking process--and sure beats leaving splotches of sauce on the counter tops when you cook.

October 19, 2007

How-To Hilarity

Encyclopediaof_immaturity Remember when yelling "shotgun!" and winning the coveted front passenger seat was, like, the best thing ever? Revisit that childish innocence with The Encyclopedia of Immaturity. This 412-page tome, full of colorful illustrations and plenty of funny ideas, will teach your kid about all the hilarious--if slightly obnoxious--things you used to do yourself, including hanging a spoon from your nose, doing a wheelie, and skipping the perfect stone. Just remember: How to Sneak Around may have been easier when you were under four feet.

October 18, 2007

Smooth Slitherer

Twowoodenlizards_3 Chalk this pick up to beautiful design, plain and simple. These snake pull toys by Scan Details are brightly colored, smooth rolling, and downright gorgeous. The wooden wheels glide easily on almost any surface while the snake itself undulates surprisingly gracefully. For a toy that's refreshingly without flashing lights or buzzing whistles, it's surprisingly spellbinding for kids. Snakes may just be the perfect pet! Well, maybe we'll stick to the wooden kind.

October 17, 2007

Peace In A Bottle

Pacifica For those stressful days when squeezing in a yoga class seems impossible, daub your pulse points with Pacifica's new Tibetan Mountain Temple perfume. One of four new offerings from mom, surfer, and all-around-naturalist Brook Harvey-Taylor, the incense-like brew is made from vetiver and Indonesian patchouli, with just a hint of soothing ginger (perfect, according to Buddhist tradition, for anyone who's lost contact with their inner being). Breathe in...breathe out. That's better.

October 16, 2007

Cheese Please

Marthastewartcheese_5 Part of the new Martha Stewart line at Macy's, this porcelain Menu Board has a beautifully simple idea behind it. Rather than keeping your guests guessing, scrawl each stinky cheese specimen's name right on the board. It comes with a matching spreader and knife and, or course, a dry erase marker. And to clean up post party, you can just stuff it in the dishwasher with everything else.

October 15, 2007

Green Find: Hop To It

Grasshopper Here's a bright idea: a robotic toy that requires no batteries. This Grasshopper Robot Kit is adorable, easy to build, and a great way to teach your kids about solar energy. Take a few minutes to put together the pieces (including the solar panel, which doubles as the critter's back). Once he's assembled, let him bask in a sunny spot outside for a bit--then flip the switch and watch him jump and quiver.

October 12, 2007

Green Find: Light Saver

Sunjarnight_4 One-up the childhood pastime of catching fireflies, and literally trap some sun in a jar. Just open up the lid of this frosted mason jar and place it in direct light, where the solar panel inside will drink up the rays throughout the day. At night, snap the lid shut and enjoy the gentle, candlelight-like glow of your stored sunshine (actually emitted by little LED bulbs). We think it's the perfect safe, energy-efficient night light; each fully charged Sun Jar stays lit for at least six hours.

October 11, 2007

Green Find: Rubbish Bin

Flipflopbins_2 The Hawaiians call them slippers, your dad calls them thongs, and you probably know them as flip-flops. But whatever the name, generations across the globe wear out the rubber sandals summer after summer. Now, the remnants have been repurposed as storage for laundry, toys, garden supplies--maybe even for your other shoes.  These colorful bins by Viva Terra are made from scraps of leftover flip-flop rubber, and can be easily wiped down or hosed clean. Click here for more of our favorite green shopping sites.

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October 10, 2007

Green Find: Onesie CSA

Veggie_group These cotton Veggie onesies from Nubius Organics are entirely organic, soft as a feather, and printed with soy ink, so you can feel confident that only the most gentle materials are touching baby's skin. This set of three comes bundled up in a reusable tote for the produce market--also, of course, made from 100 organic materials--and if you ask, they will even include some sweet stuffed vegetables. For more of our favorite eco-baby styles, check out our Green index.

October 09, 2007

Green find: Bike-Churned Soap

Soaps This week, in honor of our current Green issue, Daily Find is thinking environmentally. This Bike-Blended Soap from Gaiam is made in a mixing vat entirely powered by bicycle pedaling! That means that not only is it made entirely free of synthetic scents or chemical hardeners, but it also needs absolutely no electricity to produce. Each dense, yummy bar creates a rich, mild lather and comes in scents like Oatmeal Honey and Lavender Rosemary. So go ahead and suds up--it's good for you. And for more great green tips and products, check out Nesting and our best natural beauty tips.

October 08, 2007

Such Support

Babycarrier Carrying your baby around is a joy, but sometimes those painful baby carriers can make you feel a little like the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Not so with the M1 Carrier from Regal + Lager. The ergonomic design supports the back, almost to the point of posture-correcting, but still manages to be comfortable for long-term wear. Several straps make adjusting a breeze, and the material wicks nicely, keeping little baby's drool under control. The whole thing is actually very intuitive, once you figure it all out; sort of like parenting.

October 05, 2007

All in the Family

Kitchdates If leisurely evenings entertaining friends seem reserved for the carefree-and-childless, it's time to give Kitchen Playdates a read. Author Lauren Deen posits that there's actually plenty of room in your home for both your kids and your social life. She offers up ten themed "dates" complete with menus, diversionary craft projects, and 75 delicious and easy recipes -- complete with age-appropriate tips for little helpers.

October 04, 2007

Care with a Conscience

Bcc_products_2 Avon has long been a leader in raising funds for charity. This year, as always, they continue to do their part with an expanded line of Breast Cancer Crusade products -- all of which retail for under $8. The selection includes a moisturizing SPF 15 lip balm, pink ribbon charm jewelry, and our personal favorite: FootWorks Overnight Treatment, complete with matching socks. Just rub your feet with the rich lotion before bed, slip on the bootie-like socks, and wake up with soothed, softened skin. (Particulary helpful if you were among the thousands of woman marching in Avon's recent annual Walk Around the World for the cure.)

October 03, 2007

Monkey Around

Monkey This magnetic monkey 'Magnimal' building set from Magnetix comes with a round belly base, six stick-on limb-like pieces, and even a banana snack. Kids can hone their problem-solving and motor skills by figuring out where each part should go, or flex their humor muscles by swapping, say, the primate's curly tail with his head. (Don't say we didn't warn you--this one-note joke, it seems, is a universal impulse.)

October 02, 2007

1,000 Masterpieces

17707646jpg Whether you're an art history buff or just looking to inspire some original finger-paintings, you won't want to miss flipping through 30,000 Years of Art. Editors at Phaidon Press have been hard at work on the giant digest for the past five years, and their labor shows in the gorgeous oversized pages, which feature everything from ancient caveman scribblings to the most modern of masterpieces. The comprehensive 13-pound tome takes you on a historical journey through art all over the world, from contemporary works to some dating all the way back to 28,000 BC. It's written in a way that's as accessible as it is informative—and no matter how many years you hang onto it, you'll find something new every time it's opened.

October 01, 2007
 
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