Posts Tagged ‘notebook’

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The chic geek.

In american made, Food, household, made in america, made in usa, made locally on December 3, 2012 at 12:00 pm

GeekChic

Geek is the new black.

This once pejorative term is now a socially acceptable, even desirable descriptor for people of focus.

Geeks are intense, passionate and eccentric.

They understand and are excited by things most of us take for granted and/or simply cannot fathom like string theory, recombinant DNA technology, Malbolge and math.

This group of esoteric experts moves the ball forward.

And we love them for it.

But that still doesn’t mean we understand them or know what to buy them for Christmas.

Luckily for us, the 10 companies below speak geek.

Their American-made products will startle and amaze even the chicest and geekiest on your list.

Chocolate Pie Chart ($20) by Chocolate Editions

Made in Brooklyn, New York

5.5 oz bar. Chocolate Pie Chart is made of 70% dark chocolate, 20% milk chocolate and 10% white chocolate. Chocolate Editions handcrafts smart, smile-worth modernist chocolates in small batches using the highest quality ingredients.

Crochet Coffee Mug Cozy ($14) by Knotwork Shop

Made in Apex, North Carolina

Coffee mug cozy handmade of multicolored techno ombre acrylic yarn. Features a hand-embrodiered wool felt patch with the words “Text Me.” Knotwork Shop makes funny, snarky, racy cozies for coffee cups, bottles/cans and travel cups. Custom orders welcome.

Moby Bobot Mini Notebook ($8) by Make My Notebook

Made in Denver, Colorado

5.5″ h x 3.5″ w. Top bound notebook. Hand printed with water-based inks. Available with 30% recycled blank paper or 100% post-consumer recycled combo paper (college ruled front/grid back). Also available in blue. Make My Notebook designs and builds environmentally responsible notebooks, journals and guest books.

Skateback ($39) by Maple XO

Made in Portland, Oregon

For the iPhone 4/4S and 5. Made from skateboard manufacturing industrial waste. Available in 3 color schemes (vibrant, shown). Each skateback is unique. Maple XO also transforms skateboards into jewelry, belt buckles and home accessories.

Test Card Coasters ($12.95) by studioooij

4″ square coasters. Sold in set of 8 and featuring a variety of test patterns. Made of high-density pressed paper. Coasters are durable and fully recyclable. Coaster sets also available in 3 other designs. studioooij makes furniture, pillows, textiles and ceramics that are at once a clever, light-hearted and narrative.

Pie Chart Clock ($48) by Modern Moose

Made in Massachusetts

11.5″ w x 11.5” h x 1″ d. 3D wall clock with quartz movement. Shows time to “live life” (orange) and time to “go on facebook” (blue). Made of laser cut baltic birch plywood and printed with non-toxic water-based inks. Modern Moose crafts unique, locally made wall art, clocks, corkboards and hanging decor.

Geekery Cloth Napkins ($28) by Nicole Porter Design

20″ x 20″. Set of 4 napkins. One each – Nerd, Geek, Freak and Dork. Environmentally friendly napkins are printed with colorfast pigments. Nicole Porter re-imagines the familiar to create table linens and housewares for the modern world.

Periodic States Magnets ($72) by Ross + Leo

Made in USA

1″ round. 50 piece set. (Also sold individually for $2/each.) Designed like the periodic elements chart, each super strong magnet features an US state abbreviation, the state’s capital and the state’s accession number. Ross + Leo finely crafts functional goods for the everyday.

iPhone/iPod Case ($35) by Stash

Made in Dallas, Texas

5.25″ h x 3.5″ w. Designed to hold an iPod Touch,  iPhone 4/3G or a similar size phone or gadget. Made of vintage wool tartan. Lined with off white canvas and features a rivet reinforced brown leather strap with a snap closure and metal eyelet strategically placed for the ear bud plug. Available in other patterns and colors. Stash handcrafts stylish and durable cases and bags.

Yorkie SE ($279/pair) by Well Rounded Sound

Made in New York, New York

5″ l x 5.5″ h. Made of 100% New Zealand wool felt and carbonized bamboo or American walnut. Frequency range 100-21,000 Hz. Features advanced Full Range Driver with nuanced detail, transparency and fast transients. Well Rounded Sound is a premier boutique company providing music aficionados with the finest sound achievable in the desktop domain.

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Don’t miss any of our holiday gift ideas.

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The neon.

In american made, Clothing, Food, made in america, made in usa, made locally on March 15, 2012 at 4:30 pm

Remember the 80s?

Not old enough? Rent a John Hughes movie.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t mean to sound unsympathetic. A lot has changed in the last 30+ years.

It would be almost impossible for you to relate to a time so far removed. A time when Madonna was popular. People spent hours playing video games. There was an economic recession. Seinfeld was on tv. And neon was cool.

(Or would it?)

Well, regardless of whether you are a neon-neophyte or a veteran of the 80s fluorescent fad, take note: Neon is back.

And no one is doing more to help us integrate these electric hues into our wardrobes, our lives and (in one case) our stomachs than the 8 US companies below. Their American-made products are great ways to brighten up your life.

Check them all out!

Clare Vivier – Made in Los Angeles, California

What do you get when you cross French glamour with LA minimalism?

Bag maven Clare Vivier.

What grew out of a quest for a functional laptop case that was as stylish as Clare herself has grown into a line of covetable bags.

Each item in Clare’s collection of totes, cases, clutches, sacs and accessories effortlessly walks the line between classic sophistication and modern edge.

That is why it comes as no surprise that her La Pochette (left, $145) sports an on-trend neon green stripe.

The 4.5″h x 6.5″w undyed leather pouch is simple and chic, bold and brave. It would be a darling way for a trend-savvy 20-something to transport her credit card, photo id, and iPhone on a night out. But it would be equally as appropriate for holding the photos of an elegant retiree’s grandchildren.

(Genius, right?)

La Pochette is available in 2 other neon colors – pink stripe and blue stripe. (It is also available in 4 solid, dyed leather colors – black, red, royal blue and orange.) Clare also offers her amazing Foldover Clutch in neon colors.

Visit seevivier.com.

Fruitsuper Design - Made in Seattle, Washington

Looking to one-up your friends?

Fruitsuper Design can help.

The Company’s SBiR (So Big its Ridiculous) rings (left) are sure to be the biggest (not to mention the brightest) stones your little group has ever seen.

(Unless, of course, you happen to be friends with Beyoncé.)

Chiseled out of 100% silicone, Fruitsuper’s rings are comfortable, flexible, lightweight, durable and always the perfect punch of color.

But take note — the rings’ brilliant hues and grand proportions essentially guarantee that you will be the center of attention wherever you wear them.

So, if you are tired of people constantly complimenting you on your flawless fashion-sense and relentlessly clamoring to bask in your radiance, then these might not be the rocks for you.

SBiR rings come in 2 designs, 4 colors (yellow, pink, blue and gray), and 2 sizes. Contact info@fruitsuperdesign.com to order.

Visit www.fruitsuper.com.

Holey Donuts – Made in New York, New York

If you can’t beat ‘em, eat ‘em.

Guys, you may think that fluorescent pink has no place in your life. And that might have been true if Frank Dilullo had never created the Pink Velvet Holey Donut (left, $15.95/6-pack). But he did. (Thank goodness!)

The Pink Velvet Holey Donut is a strawberry-iced, pink-sprinkled mouthful of deliciousness.

What sets this donut apart is it is low-fat. (No, that is not a typo.) In fact, each Pink Velvet has only 147 calories and 3 grams of fat.

(I know. I know. It seems impossible. But it is true.)

Holey Donuts has found a way to make light, fluffy, gourmet donuts that will not derail your diet. The secret? Unlike traditional donuts, they are not deep-fried.

Frank did not set out to create a healthier donut. He set out to make the best donut anyone had ever tasted. Through experimentation and luck, he ended up with both.

Only real ingredients are used in the creation of Holey Donut’s “love at first bite” pastries – no artificial sweeteners, no trans-fats.

The donuts are currently only available online and ship flash-frozen. This means you can enjoy a hand-made donut anytime you want, right in your own home. Check out all the varieties – fat and calorie information are available on each.

Visit www.holeydonuts.net.

Julep - Made in USA

Don’t think you are ready to take the neon plunge?

Start small. How about just dipping your toe into some fabulous fluorescents?

Better yet, how about 10 toes. And, if your feeling really wild, maybe even 10 fingers. (Okay. Okay. I won’t push you.)

When you’re ready, Julep’s Samantha (left, $14) is the obvious choice.

The ultra-hot pink semi-matte creme nail polish will banish all of your reservations about colors of this intensity and will leave you with a glow of energy and optimism that only neon can deliver.

(Warning: Samantha is even more pink and even more fun in real life than it appears on your monitor.)

Just when you think it could not possibly get any better, you learn that Samantha, like all 80 of Julep’s shades, is a 4-free formula. This means that Julep produces its polishes without the use of carcinogens like formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene and DBP.

And because the ladies behind the Julep brand are all about making women feel confident, beautiful and connected, $1 from each bottle of nail polish is donated to organizations that empower women.

Who would have though one little bottle could help you look good, feel good and do good?

Visit www.julep.com.

Sarah Applebaum – Made in San Francisco, California

Freeze.

Put your hands up . . . if you think this is most wonderful, most exuberant firearm you have ever seen. (Mine are up!)

Artist Sarah Applebaum’s Hot Lux (left, $450) will not keep people off your property or out of your house. (In fact, when people find you own one of Sarah’s creations, they will likely be beating down your door to get a look at it.) The Hot Lux, however, it will keep the blues at bay.

How can you possibly be anything but happy when you look at this 2′ x 1.5′ revolver with removable cylinder made entirely of layered felt? (Buy it. It’s a lot cheaper and a lot safer than “happy” pills!)

An internationally recognized artist, Sarah work has influenced the way people think about soft sculpture and the use of textiles in art.

Sarah’s gun series – Big Guns and Biggest Guns – strips the potential violence from these iconic shapes.

In her hands guns become approachable, beautiful and even comical thanks to Sarah’s masterful and playful color-palette and exaggerated proportions.

Visit www.sarahapplebaumshop.com.

White Horse Trading Company – Made in Loveland, Colorado

It’s like, totally, to tie for.

(I promise. No more VG talk.)

If you think you cannot wear a bright orange tie, think again.

You can wear White Horse Trading Company’s Hunter’s Orange Duck Tie (left, $75) with almost everything in your closet and to almost any of your regular haunts.

Try it with a tweed blazer at a meeting, a plaid shirt at work, a khaki suit at the club or your camouflage in the woods. (I mean you want to look good in case you bag the big one, right?)

The Hunter is made of 10 oz cotton duck. Cut in a modern 2″ width and featuring a square bottom, the Hunter is finished to perfection.

White Horse Trading Company is owned by a 6th-generation professional sewer who believes that the lines between relaxed and refined can (and perhaps, should be) blurred. To achieve this seamless duality, White Horse Trading Company bench-makes all of its neckwear using a variety of durable and rugged materials – duck, denim, linen and wool.

These materials, just like the men who wear them, develop more charm and character with age.

Visit www.whitehorsetradingco-usa.com

From Our Old Friends

Field Notes – Made in USA


So (neon) noted. Record your hopes and dreams, friends and enemies or favorite American-made manufacturers in style!

Above: Neon Summer Camp 3-Pack ($11.95) – contains 3 pocket notebooks with grid pattern pages & 3 color-coordinated pencils

Original fifty post: The stockings.

Hanky Panky – Made in USA


Brighten up your bottom line!

Above left to right: (One size fits 4-14. All 100% nylon with 100% cotton lining.) Wavelength Print Original Rise Thong ($23); Colorplay Original Rise Thong ($20) – screaming orange and skyscraper grey (top) sour apple and passionate pink (bottom); and Colorplay Original Rise Thong ($20) – glowstick and electric orchid.

Hanky Panky also offers the following products in one or more neon colors: Signature Lace Low Rise Thong ($20/$20 petite); Signature Lace Original Rise Thong ($20/$22 plus); Signature Lace Boy Short ($29); Signature Lace V-kini ($27); Signature Lace Classic Camisole ($48); Signature Lace Crossover Bralette ($46); Signature Lace Glam Bra ($56); Felicity Lace Midrise Thong ($22); Signature Lace Lined Bandeau Bralette ($37); and Signature Lace Cheeky Hipster ($32). (All styles listed previously also come in non-neon colors.)

Original fifty post: The pink.

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The stockings.

In american made, Food, made in america, made in usa, made locally on December 21, 2011 at 12:57 pm

Can anything compete with the excitement and anticipation of discovering what is tucked in your Christmas stocking?

Whether you (gingerly) turn the stocking upside down and let all the mysterious contents reveal themselves or you (bravely) reach in and select each treasure one by one, you know that the thrill of discovering what lies in these foot-shaped containers cannot be rivaled by mere wrapping paper and ribbons.

This year put your best foot forward by filling your loved ones’ stockings with amazing US-made products, like the ones featured below.

These American companies make goodies that are sure to delight everyone on your mantel. Check them out!

Sprout Skincare - Made in Brooklyn, New York

Pucker up!

Does winter’s chill can take a toll on your lips?

Sprout Skincare can help.

Made with organic cocoa butter, extra virgin coconut oil, beeswax and essential oils, Sprout Skincare’s lip balm (left, $5/ea or $18/set of 4) soaks in and heels dry, cracked lips. And unlike other lip treatments, Sprout’s will not leave your lips sticky or waxy.

But the best news is that Sprout offers its lip balm in 4 delicious, kissable all-natural flavors  - cinnamon, citrus, cocoa and peppermint.

The luscious lip balms are also available in a vegan formulation that substitutes candelilla wax for the beeswax used in the original blend.

With this many options, there is no excuse not pick up one for everyone on your list! Get one for your son’s backpack, your husband’s desk, your daughter’s purse, your mom’s car, your brother’s briefcase and your own jacket pocket.

Odds are that you are going to be so thrilled with Sprout Skincare’s lip service that you will want to try the company’s other products. These include facial cleanser, toner, cream and exfoliant, as well as make-up remover and body scrub. Like their lip balm, all are made using the highest quality natural ingredients.

Visit Sprout Skincare - sproutskincare.com

Field Notes - Made in USA

Take note!

No matter how many electronic devices you have or how intuitive those devices are, nothing takes the place of pencil and paper.

(I mean really how many activities are as simple and as satisfying as striking through a completed task on a to-do list?)

Field Notes was created in response the disappearance of agricultural memo books and ornate pocket ledgers.

The 3 1/2″w x 5 1/2″ h notebooks are made to be tough. Bound with a 3-staple saddle stitch, Field Notes memo books will hold up whether you shove them in the back pocket of your jeans, slid them into the breast pocket of your sport coat or toss them into your handbag.

The original memo book comes in 4 paper options – blank, ruled, graph and mixed. But while Field Notes is serious about making a useful, durable product, they have not neglected aesthetics.

They currently offer 2 limited-edition colorways – Winter 2011: Northerly Edition and County Fair (above, $9.95/set of 3). The County Fair is available in all 50 states (subject, of course, to availability) so you can decide which you will receive. For the exceptionally patriotic jotter, Field Notes offers a complete set the 50 states for $99.

And because Field Notes loves you and doesn’t ever want you to get caught without a place to write your next brilliant thought, they have developed a subscription service.

For $97, you or someone you love can receive 4 quarterly shipments of Field Notes’ limited-edition color 3-packs. (Actually you get (2) 3-packs per quarter!) These specially colored editions tend to sell out immediately, so the subscription is an ideal way to ensure you never miss one. To kick off the subscription Field Notes will send the lucky subscriber (2) 3-packs of their original memo books (1 graph and 1 mixed).

Visit Field Notes - fieldnotesbrand.com

Pink Tank Ltd – Made in Tacoma, Washington

Just because you love books doesn’t mean you don’t have an edge.

Now you can protect your books from turned-down pages and broken spines without diminishing your cool factor by using a tasselled bookmark that would be more at home in a dollar romance novel than your oft-referenced copy of Slaughterhouse-Five.

RISD graduate and founder of Pink Tank Ltd, Chelsea uses the manufacture of her fabulous bookmarks to explore the relationship between everyday objects, mass production techniques and industrial materials.

Each 1 1/2″w x 5 1/2″ h marker is etched into and cut from a sheet of stainless steel.

Pink Tank currently offers bookmarks in 29 styles that range from household items like a clothespin, a bbq grill, and a folding chair to weapons of reading destruction like a tank and a fuse (above, $9) with, of course, lots of brilliant stuff in between. With so many designs to chose from, you are bound to find one for each bibliophile on your list.

Visit Pink Tank Ltd - www.pinktankltd.com

Brooklyn Hard Candy – Made in Brooklyn, New York

Do visions of sugar plums dance in your head?

They may after you get a glimpse of Brooklyn Hard Candy.

The vintage-inspired bottle design will catch your eye and the sparkly morsels inside will thrill your tastebuds.

Brooklyn Hard Candy makes hard candies (duh!) in flavors of blueberry, concord grape, golden pineapple, tangerine, wild strawberry and green apple (left, $8). Each flavor is lovingly packaged in an 2.5 oz apothecary-style glass bottle wrapped with a kraft-paper label and closed with a cork stopper.

(The bottle is a treat in itself. Think of all the things you can store in this beauty, after you eat the tasty candy!)

The candies made without muss, fuss or weird chemicals you cannot pronounce (and I cannot spell). Their short list of familiar ingredients – sugar, glucose, citric acid, flavoring, and a bit of food coloring – makes you feel better about indulging that sweet tooth.

Visit Brooklyn Hard Candy - www.brooklynhardcandy.com

(Malin + Goetz) - Made in New York, New York

Does the toe of your stocking usually have an orange in it?

This year break tradition and fill it with one of (Malin + Goetz)’s candles.

Not only do their candles come in amazing scents that will last longer than your traditional orange (60 hours vs 5 minutes), they are also far less messy.

If you are traditionalist who is really hung up on having something round in the toe of your stocking, you can take the candle out of its (very attractive) box. The 9 oz candle comes in a glass cylindrical container that will fill out your sock nicely!

The only difficult decision you will have to make is which of the 8 nummy (technical term) fragrances to choose.

(Malin + Goetz)’s olfactory palette tends to lean to the masculine with scents like tobacco, geranium leaf, mojito, dark rum, and cannabis (above, $52/ea). Of course, that is not to say that women cannot love these scents also. Just as men are free to love their slightly more feminine and botanical offerings – absolute rose, vetiver, otto and neroli (a personal favorite of mine).

(Malin + Goetz) offers a complete line of products for the skin, body and hair in addition to their phenomenal candles.

All of their goodies are designed for production in and around New York City. The company prides itself on its relationships with small manufacturing facilities and formulating businesses.

Visit (Malin + Goetz) - www.malinandgoetz.com.

Melissa Borrell – Made in Austin, Texas

Jewelry is always the right answer.

(Seriously – no matter what the question is!)

Melissa Borrell is by no means just a jeweler (not that there would be anything wrong with that). Melissa is an artist/designer/creative wunderkind who happens to make jewelry in addition to a heap of other cool projects.

Her pop-out collection is perhaps as much fun to receive as it is to wear.

Each piece does just what the name implies. It comes still attached to a square of the stainless steel from which it was cut and needs to be popped out to reveal its final form.

Melissa provides any hardware required to make these exciting creations immediately wearable. For example, the Leaves Pendant (above, $55) is gold-plated stainless steel and comes with a 18″chain, so as soon as you set the pendant free you can loop the chain through and then fasten it around your neck.

(Gold not your thing? The Leaves Pendant is also available in red or black powder-coated stainless or plain stainless for $39.)

Melissa also currently offers another collection of accessibly-priced and manipulable jewels called 2d3d. Her collections bubble, topography and art carry a higher price tag because of the value of the materials used and/or their more labor intensive, handmade construction.

Visit Melissa Borrell - melissaborrell.com

Solmate Socks – Made in USA

Sock it to ‘em.

At first blush, the idea of socks as a stocking stuffer may seem a bit uninspired and on-the-nose.

That is, until you get a look at Solmate’s stockings (left, $20).

Made from recycled cotton, the Vermont-based company’s socks are mismatched masterpieces.

The multi-colored yarns, graphic patterns and delightful product names (Covered Bridge shown) will lift your spirits while keeping your feet warm.

Available in sizes for infants, children and adults and colors ranging from pastel to primary, you are sure to find a pair to please even picky people perfectly!

Solmate knows that once your try its socks, you are going to be hooked. That is why the company has created a sock-of-the-month club. A 3, 6 or 9 month subscription ($65/$125/$180) is a fun and practical gift that will last long after the Christmas stockings have been put away.

The company also makes hats and scarves in its signature colors and patterns.

Visit Solmate Socks - www.socklady.com

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Hopefully, you are almost ready for the big day.

(If not, there is always overnight shipping!)

I sincerely hope that you give one or more of the products above a try and I welcome your feedback, if you do.

As always, thanks for reading and enjoy!

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The fair.

In american made, bags, events, Food, made in america, made in usa, made locally on October 4, 2011 at 9:53 pm


It is October (somehow). The weather has turned cooler (yeah!) and the days are getting shorter (boo!).

Before we can contemplate falling leaves, cozy fires and the slow crawl toward winter, it is time for one last hurrah.

If you are a state fair lover, you already know when and where your state’s is. If you are not maybe these awesome American-made products will convert you.

Heather Jeany – Made in Providence, Rhode Island

One of the best things about the fair is its anything-goes attitude. There is no pretense or artifice. It is just a place for people from all walks of life to come together and enjoy themselves.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that the extra thought you put into your ensemble will go unnoticed or unappreciated.

In fact, if you (or some little person you love) are sporting Heather Jeany’s ferris wheel onesie (left, $18), you are certain to turn a few heads.

From her studio in Providence, Rhode Island, Heather screenprints her original designs in water-based ink on American Apparel goods.

This onesie is 100% cotton and is available in 3-6, 6-12, and 12-18 month sizes.

Love the design, but no a little person in your life? Luckily, Heather’s ferris wheel design is available on her fabulous stationery products as well. Check out her ferris wheel coasters ($5/set of 4) and notecards ($15/set of 10 cards and envelopes).

Wheel yourself over to heather jeany.

The Animal Print Shop - Made in USA

No trip to the fair would be complete (or in my opinion worthwhile) without a visit to the livestock exhibition.

It is easy to fall in love with all the adorable baby chickens, pigs, goats, cows, lambs and horses. But your mom is right. They will grow up and will need more space than your bedroom to roam.

Enter photographer Sharon Montrose. She has made it feasible to bring these barnyard cuties into even the smallest quarters – humanely.

Sharon is a professional photographer whose artistic eye, studied lens and passion for her subject have garnered her countless awards and have earned her a list of corporate clients from ranging from Iams to Warner Brothers.

The Animal Print Shop is the one stop source to purchase many of Sharon’s fabulous animal photographs. You can photos of animals in categories like cats, birds, primates, reptiles and babies, as well as those with hooves and pouches, and those from the forest and the farm, like those shown (above left to right) — baby goat, cow, piglet, lamb, Clydesdale, and chicken.

All of the works on this site are offered in open-edition, small format (8 1/2″ x 11″ overall – 7″ x 9″ image) prints at the insanely reasonable price of $25. Each image is also available in larger, limited-edition versions ranging from $350 – $1950, depending on size.

Moo-ve yourself to www.theanimalprintshop.com.

Amy’s Gourmet Apples – Made in Cedarburg, Wisconsin

Let’s face it. For some, the fair is all about the food.

Every year there seems to be something crazier than the year before — fried Coca-Cola, Krispy Kreme Cheeseburgers, and even hot beef sundaes. But there are also some staples, some tried and true favorites that bring you back year after year. Among them, the caramel apple.

Now you can enjoy this time-tested taste of the fall anytime you want thanks to Amy”s Gourmet Apples.

The dessert-dynamos at Amy’s begin with plump, tart Granny Smith apples, add artisan-made caramel, world-class chocolate and a variety of other inspired toppings to create and recreate one of nation’s best-loved treats.

At Amy’s you can get an apple anyway you like, and lots of ways you probably never even thought of.  Above are 5 of Amy’s over 90 apple offerings, ranging from the simply divine to the outrageously delicious — (shown left to right) cinnamon and sugar-coated red candy apple ( $10.99), double dunked caramel apple with Belgian chocolate ($17.99), yummy gummy caramel apple ($12.99), M&M caramel apple ($12.99) and key lime pie caramel apple with white Belgian chocolate ($18.99 – limited time only).

Think Amy is too fancy for the fair? Think again. Amy’s has actually won Blue Ribbons at the Wisconsin State Fair.

Keep the doctor away. Visit www.amysgourmetapples.com.

State Fair Corndogs – Made in Haltom City, Texas

Food on a stick.

It is genius really. No plates, no forks or knives necessary. The only real to-go food.

Walleye on a stick, corn beef and cabbage on a stick, and espresso on stick are all quite inventive (and yes, all are real fair treats), but none will likely stand the test of time and earn the following of the corn dog.

State Fair Foods was founded in 1953. The Dallas, Texas based-company survived time, expansion and even complete destruction of their production facility by fire. In 1986 the company was purchased by Sara Lee. Since that time, the company has been able to expand its production through automation and has moved to a larger facility in a Dallas suburb.

Two things have remained the consistent throughout the years — the great taste and the loyal following.

Best of all these tasty treats are available close to home. Use the corn dog finder to locate the stores in your neighborhood that offer State Fair’s classic, beef and mini corn dog varieties.

Get a coupon when you visit www.corndogs.com.

little rumble - Made in Chicago, Illinois

One please!

Whether you are headed to the fair or out to dinner with friends, little rumble’s clutch (left, $40) is just the ticket.

Eryn Walanka, the designer/owner of little rumble, laminates raffle tickets and then hand sews them using colorful thread into whimsical, yet practical clutches, small ($25) and large ($40) wallets.

Each design is one-of-kind and full of practical details that make them as easy to use as they are to love.

All little rumble products are lined with felt or corduroy and feature snap closures. The wallets also have places for business and/or credit cards, change pouches and money pockets.

Tickets are limited, so hurry up and visit little rumble.

Blackbird Letterpress - Made in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Love the rides, but hate the lines?

Then these ride-themed notebooks (above, $15/each) are perfect for you.

Actually, they are the perfect place for you to wax eloquent about how much you hate the lines at the fair, jot down your favorite sights and sounds, or compile a list of things that tasted delicious but should never eat again.

The swing and roller coaster notebooks are ideal mini-scrapbooks for your fair experiences. But they would also work well in any other capacity too.

Blackbird Letterpress is owned and run by Kathryn Hunter, who holds both BA and MFA in printmaking, out of a building in Baton Rouge that she shares with a metalworking company and 3 dogs.

Her notebooks measure 4.5″w x 7″ h, have 2 rounded corners and contain 36 pages (100% recycled content). The guts of each notebook are bound by a local printer. Then Kathryn’s original artwork, which has been letterpress printed on a recycled paper cover, is attached.

(Not sure you know exactly what letterpress printing is? Kathryn offers an accessible explanation.)

All of Blackbird Letterpress’ printing is done with soy-based solvents and low VOC inks on recycled and tree-free material, making these goods as eco-conscious as they are aesthetically pleasing.

Swing by blackbirdletterpress.com.

diffractionFiber – Made in Chicago, Illinois

No fair would be complete without a pie-eating contest.

But be warned, these events are not just for pie-lovers anymore. Like all other sports, pie-eating contests now have corporate sponsors and professional participants.

Don’t let it get you down. You can now enjoy pie anytime of the day or night and never gain an ounce thanks to the Better Than Grandma’s Cherry Pie Pillow (left, $32).

This pie is generously sized at 12″w x 4″d and will serve you for years to come. It would equally as good on a pie stand in your kitchen (who says you aren’t good in the kitchen?) as it would on the sofa in your family room.

Beth Cummings is the zany genius behind the deep-dish pie pillow and all of diffractionFiber’s creations. Each is handmade by Beth using eco-felt (recycled plastic bottles not wool) and fiber fill and is machine washable.

Cherry pie not your favorite? Beth is happy to customize any of her designs. Just contact her.

Don’t end up with pie on your face. Visit www.shopdiffraction.com.

Big Plush – Made in USA*

Any fair-goer knows, if you win a contest or buy enough raffle tickets, you might win one of those big stuffed animals.

Why take chances?

Thanks to Big Plush you can order the stuffed animal of your dreams online, anytime. In fact, if they do not have what you are looking for or you would like to modify one of their existing stuffed animals you can. They are happy to accept custom orders.

However, with over 200 made in the USA options to choose from, odds are you will find what you are looking for in their existing product line.

Big Plush makes furry friends for every holiday of the year — birthday, Valentines, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, graduation, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Even better, they have stuffed friends suitable for brightening any day — (shown above left to right) 28″ sock monkey ($49.99), 38″ stuffed koala ($189.99), 5′ x 4′ stuffed horse ($397.00), and 54″ stuffed gray puppy ($149.99).

Sound expensive? Think about it. Do they really cost any more than you would spend trying to win one? (Didn’t think so.)

Buy yourself a new friend at www.bigplush.com.

*Not all Big Plush stuffed animals are made in the US. Please check source information carefully.

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Hope you enjoy this post.

Please share your fair favorites and memories.

And as always, I welcome any additional topical recommendations.

Don’t forget you can now follow ms. fifty on Facebook and Twitter.

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Music.

In american made, bags, household, made in america, made in usa, made locally on September 18, 2011 at 7:00 am

Music is for everyone.

Even if the only instrument we can play is an iPod, there is scientific evidence that our exposure to music is making us smarter.

Listening to complex (often classical) music can immediately improve our performance on tests of spatial intelligence and learning a musical instrument can strengthen our analytical and mathematical skills.

The study of music is credited with a number of additional real-world benefits: coordination, discipline, persistence, organization, multi-tasking and collaboration.

So crank up your favorite tunes and enjoy these American-made products that celebrate the power of music.

Grado Labs – Made in Brooklyn, New York

My what gorgeous earphones you have! The better to hear you with, my dear.

And boy, can you hear better with these.

Today Grado Labs headphones are known as symbols of quality in both workmanship and sound. One look at the company’s history and you will realize that these modern marvels are part of a rich tradition of audio engineering and manufacture.

Joseph Grado founded the company in 1955 and quickly developed a reputation for making some of the best phono cartridges on the market. (The company still makes high quality cartridges should you need one.) In the late 1980′s, he turned his extensive knowledge to the headphone, going on to develop “the first high-end dynamic headphone.”

Mr. Grado was succeeded by his long-time apprentice and nephew, John Grado. John has continued the family’s commitment to the production of precision audio devices with the introduction of Grado’s Prestige Series. The headphones in this series have won more awards than any other headphone line in the world.

Never satisfied, the company released the GS1000i (left, $995), its flagship model. With its singular combination of mahogany and metal, the GS1000i achieves a sound quality and clarity that has never before been delivered through a headphone of any brand. Not surprisingly the GS1000, and its upgraded counterpart, the GS1000i, have garnered numerous awards including the 2007 Hi-Fi Choice Award for Best Headphone in its price class. (All that and good looking too.)

If the GS1000i is a bit out of your price range, take heart. You can start enjoying the Grado sound for around $80.  And thanks to the influence of John’s two sons, Grado now offers in-ear models perfect for use with your laptop or MP3 player.

Listen up! Visit www.gradolabs.com.

Pop Chart Lab – Made in Brooklyn, New York

Looking for a way to pay tribute to the power cord? Well, look no further.

The creative minds at Pop Chart Lab have created a Periodic Table of Heavy Metals (left, $25).

The heavy metals represented by this chart do not occur in nature. Here 303 heavy metal bands are color-coded by genre – from alternative, avant-garde, black and death to technical death, thrash, unblack and viking.

Why? Good question.

Pop Chart Lab is what happens when a book editor and a graphic designer attempt to bring order to an orderless world. (Other examples include The Titanic Taxonomy of Wrestler Names and The Splendiferous Array of Culinary Tools.)

Whether you are a fan of the heavy metal’s aggressive, guitar-wailing distortion or not, you cannot help but be a fan of Pop Chart Lab’s tribute as it is tangible evidence that both intelligence and a sense of humor are still in ready supply.

Like all of their prints, Periodic Table of Heavy Metals is printed on 100 lb. archival recycled stock. It is currently in a first edition print-run of 1,000 that is both signed and numbered by the artists.

Stop your head-banging and head over to popchartlab.com!

Backyard Brand - Made in Riverside, Illinois

Are your inner musician and gadget-guru in a constant struggle for supremacy?

Then you need the FlashHarp (left, starting at $44.99).

This delightful invention is a playable harmonica and a fully functioning USB drive. And although, it sounds like hours of fun (and it is!), it is not a toy.

Backyard Brand designer/owner, Jim McLean, assembles industry-leading inner workings for both the harmonica and USB under customized stainless steel covers, so the FlashHarp is always ready to make a little music or just do back up.

Not a harmonica player? Jim will teach you. For an additional $5, you can order your FlashHarp loaded with 5-step how-to video.

The FlashHarp is available in 2GB, 4GB and 8GB. And can be personalized. (Probably a good idea! Anything this cool is likely to wander off!)

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a cooler gift!

Don’t blow it! Go to www.backyardbrand.com.

Girls Can Tell - Made in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Rowdy musicians (husbands, girlfriends or kids) leaving water marks on your Biedermeier? Fear not.

These coasters (above, $16 set of 4) are so hip that even people with no regard for your furniture will be clamoring to use them.

Sara Selepouchin is the detailed eye and steady hand behind Girls Can Tell’s trademark diagrams. Since 2006, she has been bringing her talents as an architect and mechanical drawer to bear on recycled cotton lunch bags, flour sack tea towels, organic tote bags, recycled paper notebooks and industrial wool felt coasters.

She has diagrammed everything from instruments and machines to body parts and monuments. And because Sara is always up for a challenge, you can even submit ideas for future diagrams. If she produces your diagram, you will score some free loot!

But don’t wait for inspiration to strike to check out all of Sara’s clever, handsome and useful products today.

Strum on over to www.girlscantell.com.

Surfpick – Made in USA

Want to be a better guitar player? Get a better pick.

What, you ask, could possibly be better than those garishly colored plastic picks you buy 4 for $1? Surfpick. (left, $18-25)

Ra Denney, the musician/innovator behind Surfpick, is committed to the idea that the pick is the crucial link between player and instrument. Given its importance, Ra believes the pick should be as carefully made as the instrument.

Since their introduction in 2003, Surfpicks have converted many skeptics and developed a loyal following of professional musicians, instructors and enthusiastic amateurs.

What Ra knew and others have discovered is that the right pick changes not only the way you play your instrument, increasing your sensitivity, speed and accuracy, but it also changes the way that your instrument sounds, creating a richer, fuller tone.

Each Surpick is sculpted by hand. What makes these picks even more special is the wood that Ra uses to form them. Surfpicks are made of lignum vitae (LV), the densest wood on Janka Hardness Scale. In addition to its strength, LV has an unusual cellular structure that prevents the it from accepting any finish, but also makes it possible for it to be sanded to the smoothness of marble. And that is just what Ra does. His finished products are as hard as stone and as smooth as glass.

Sure, Surfpicks cost more but, if the litany of compliments on the Surfpick website is any indication, they are well worth it.

Pick up one today at surfpick.com.

Soundscreen Design – Made in Utah*

Could your old bag use a tune up?

That is because you don’t have this messenger bag (left, $100) from Soundscreen Design (SSD). This bag is always in tune.

Designed to carefully cradle 7 and 10 LPs, SSD’s messenger is as big on capacity – 23”l x 15”h x 7”d – as it is details.  The exterior is constructed of water and UV resistant polyester featuring a bold tuning fork-inspired graphic on its flap. Meanwhile, the bag’s interior is lined with recycled vinyl (read “waterproof”) billboards. As a result, the interior of each bag is unique.

The details do not stop with the design, however. SSD has constructed this bag for daily use (and abuse) by giving it reinforced seams, heavy duty buckles, shoulder strap padding and a chest load stabilizer.

So who are these music-loving design aficionados and where have they been all of your life? Soundscreen Design is a product design company started in 2008 and based in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Their range of wares (household, apparel, books and prints) are all music inspired and often include limited run series.

Check out all of SSD’s noteworthy designs at www.soundscreendesign.com.

*Not all of Soundscreen Design’s goods are made in Utah, as this bag is. Check sourcing for production locations.

Tiny Peepers – Made in Raleigh, North Carolina

At last, some good clean fun – no strings attached.

You can enjoy these musical instruments while tiding up in the kitchen.

Tiny Peeper’s silkscreened tea towels (above, $14/each) are the creation of Kelly Smith-Tilly. Her designs are inspired by the beauty and pattern of the ordinary objects and shapes in her every day life.

Printed by hand on 100% cotton with non-toxic, water based inks, these tea towels are fabulous enough to be pure decoration. However, with their generous dimensions, 18″w x 28″, and corner hang tags, they are ready for whatever you can dish out.

Who knows? These towels might just be cool enough to cause your friends and family to volunteer to help you in the kitchen.

Act a-chordingly. Visit www.tinypeepers.com.

Michael Roger Press, Inc. – Made in USA

This is decidedly on the record!

Equal parts word-play — record (LP)/record (journal) — and aesthetics make this a must-have.

The front cover of this 7″w x 10″h notebook (left, $38) is a vintage LP. In fact, the good folks at Michael Roger Press will let you choose which musical genre graces the cover. They will also let you choose to be surprised.

What you cannot choose is the quality. Don’t be fooled by its playful good-looks. The LP Notebook is seriously well-crafted. It is hand-assembled and sewn using techniques employed by the finest bookmakers. Further, the spine and back of the notebook are covered in colored bookcloth that compliments the vinyl’s original label.

Since its founding in 1949 Michael Roger Press has been successfully marrying the customer’s need for quality with inspiring design. A family-owned business, the company is as comfortable creating its own line as it is working with customers to realize their vision.

Love the look of this journal? Then you definitely want to check out Michael Roger Press’ 45 photo album and LP jacket sketchbook.

Book it over to www.bookbinders.com.

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Only one more school-themed post to go.

Any ideas what it might be?

Your comments and recommendations are always welcome.

Thanks for reading.


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