Monday, November 22, 2010

Baby, It's Cold Outside. And I Need to Send A Text.


I laughed to myself this week when I held hands with the guy I've been dating. He's a gifted hand-holder, don't get me wrong. What made me giggle was the fact that when he reached for my hand, he didn't realize that it already held my iPhone.

Instead of handing the phone to me to put in my purse - or having any noticeable reaction whatsoever - he just continued to wrap his hand around mine, and we both held my iPhone as we walked. No big deal. It was kinda as if he was saying, I like you, and your life, and holding both in my hand.
Am I a romantic? Yes.

But has technology in our lives really become that natural-seeming? I think so. These phones increasingly play a role in helping us share the happiest and most poignant moments. In fact, it would be absolutely lovely if iPhones, Blackberrys, Droids and such all came with a nice box containing chocolates and tissues.

If you live in a climate that requires gloves this time of year, however, you may find a frustrating disconnect occurs when you need to use your touch-sensitive smart phone...the technology requires direct contact with your fingers, forcing you to remove your gloves and freeze a bit in order to send a text, make a call, plan a meeting or...you get the chilly picture.

Fortunately, some really smart folks have developed a fashion-friendly solution that keeps us connected and warm no matter how the cold winds blow. My fave is the 'Touch' glove by Echo. With soft bits of metallic fabric called 'eLink' on the thumbs and forefingers, your commands are recognized through the gloves by iPhones, iPods, iPads and other touch-sensitive devices.

The Echo Touch comes in a brilliant range of styles and colors for both men and women - truly something for everyone. Happy News: they're priced from just $31 to $82, and available on Zappos.com (they currently have the biggest selection, plus free shipping and returns), Amazon and Nordstrom.com.

Superb holiday gift item, I say!

Now, you can change your relationship status on Facebook and let your hands stay as warm as your heart. Awwww.

Love,
Melinda



Saturday, November 20, 2010

Ramblin' Rose


I've always said I want to live in the kind of home that when folks pass by, they have the feeling that hot tea is on the stove, and really good cookies are an easy find in the kitchen. I love warmth. And sugar. And company.

So it's humorous to me that my current home is a glass box in a high-rise building. But I love lots of light and clean lines just as much as I dig cozy.

When I moved last year from a little bungalow to this condominium, I wrote in the sales contract of the first home that I wanted to take with me just two things...and it wasn't a chandelier or mirror. Rather, it was two specific rose bushes that I just couldn't leave behind. I transplanted them into pots on my condo balcony, and one in particular - the scrawniest little fighter - has begun to produce the fragrant, apricot-colored, full and drapey blooms that so warranted its inclusion in a real estate contract.

Most folks wouldn't consider roses a likely landscaping element in a modern environment. But love often trumps the status quo. And I tend to jump up and down when that happens.

Like me, this old-school rose lives happily in a modern container, and delights in the sunshine and breeze and constant construction to be found in the city below.

Normally, this blog tells you about people, places and things that I think are worth your time and cash to experience. Today, however, I'm encouraging you to buy you. Allow yourself the kind of zing that comes from embracing your soul's clearest requests - no matter how insignificant seeming, or different from everyone you know. You'll like who you see in the mirror afterwards, I guarantee it.

And following your heart goes great with hot tea and cookies, so that's a lovely way to celebrate.

Love,
Melinda

Monday, November 15, 2010

Perfectionist Planning a Party? Meet Your Delicious Salvation!



When hosting an event, nothing beats a "custom" item for bringing utter awesomeness and warmth to your gathering. From birthday parties to reunions, baby showers to corporate events, providing something cool and tailored to your specific shindig completely ups the wow factor and makes guests feel pretty darn special.


Trouble is, "Custom" often comes to the party with its two meddlesome buddies: Cost and Time. Staying up all night to hand-make goodies just leaves you exhausted. And the price tag for bought custom items is often a bit more than the event budget permits.

Darling, say helloooo to the smartest solution ever for making your next soiree memorable: Cupcake Caps. These gems transform ordinary cupcakes into something stunning with an edible, designed-to-your-event topper. Made primarily of sugar and with a neutral, sweet taste, Brides magazine calls them "a DIY dessert with couture results."

Simply bake or buy plain cupcakes, frost those babies, and top with a Cupcake Cap. Voila! Beautifully designed, fabulously effortless YUM that holds up in transport and stays perfect all party long.

Each event is treated with love by the Cupcake Caps team - from a Superbowl party at your house for 18, to a recent Southwest Airlines company celebration for 8000, these folks absolutely deliver - frequently, around the world!

Cupcake Caps are available via their website (www.cupcakecaps.com). You'll find oodles of styles from just $12.00/dozen. Or email them about a special design (it's only $50 extra for the custom treatment). Either way, you will love, love the results...and the party pics of you looking fabulously rested and enjoying your guests!

When ordering, use promo code SML at checkout and receive an extra dozen - FREE! Discounts are sooo delicious!

Love,
Melinda

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Photo Credit: Cupcake Caps


Wednesday, November 10, 2010

The Brush-Off


I love animals. And, despite a fine assortment of little OCD's in my emotional makeup bag, I seem particularly drawn to pets that shed. LOTS.

This 'hair, hair, everywhere' can become a little overwhelming at times - particularly when I spot the fur rolling, like soft tumbleweeds, across my hardwood floors. My friends with cats struggle with the same issue. We collectively sigh.

But love is the strongest compulsion of all, no? So I won't be trading in my sweet little Welsh Corgi mix - she's 100% goodness, and certainly doesn't judge me when I leave the house, black clothes 'textured' in her super soft fur.

I've sampled a myriad of marketing-laden pet brushes in my quest to quell the tumbleweeds. These products have largely fallen into the category of 'all hat, no cattle.' Some - particularly the wire/metal models - have even seemed slightly painful to animals. Ouch!

And then a friend introduced me to the KONG Zoom Groom.

The most effective and fun-looking brush ever, the Zoom Groom is made of soft rubber nubbies and features an easy-grip handle.

Celia, my 4-year-old pup, relaxes completely when I brush her now, as the Zoom Groom appears to feel much like a massage. And those little nubbies are like super magnets for loose hair - it's absolutely amazing how much progress you can make in just a 5-minute brushing. My folks are so nuts about the product's effectiveness with their two dogs that they now give the Zoom Groom as gifts to friends!

KONG Zoom Groom comes in two models - one for dogs, another for cats - and is available at your local PETCO, and on Amazon. I do think it would make a perfect little stocking stuffer...it's under $10 - 'H' is for Happiness!

Here's to restored sanity in your own pet-loving household…and a much happier Rover or Felix!

Love,
Melinda


GIVEAWAY: One lucky Super Much Love fan will win a $1000 American Express gift card when we reach 200 Facebook followers ("likes") and 20 countries! Help us out by hitting the Suggest to Friends link on Super Much Love's Facebook Page. And good luck in the Love Giveaway!


Photo Credit: PETCO