Archive for February, 2008
« Previous EntriesWishing double happiness for you
You can guarantee there is one store where you can always find beautiful things, tested by time that can fit many, many recipients. It’s a museum shop — this one just outside the harbor in Salem, MA.
The Peabody Essex Museum is in neither Peabody nor Essex, but holds so much of the maritime history of […]
Author: Kat Powers | February 27, 2008Basting brushes almost pretty enough to eat
Do you cook? Because I cook, just for me or sometimes enough to feed an army, and I’ve had it with the basting thing.
I have tried everything — paint brushes, the business end of a celery stick, a bunch of green onions tied together — and I have not figured out the right way to […]
Author: Kat Powers | February 22, 2008Glide on the Piece Train
You may call it the Melissa and Doug Stacking Train. My son looked at the 18 pieces that could be stacked together and come apart in pieces and called in the Piece Train.
So for his parents, raised in an era knowing Cat Stevens, that name stuck. The train is three interlocking bases with pegs […]
Author: Kat Powers | February 21, 2008When you really need to say thank you
There are just some presents for which you can’t email a thank you note. If you are given a vintage broach that used to be owned by Great Aunt Marie, the most recent owner of the jewelry really needs to get a hand-written note. Which is why you need this boxed set of blank cards […]
Author: Kat Powers | February 21, 2008She savors sea shells by the sea shore
There’s a neighborhood called “The Point” in Salem, which on certain days of the week used to smell like salt air off the harbor and handmade chocolate. Harbor Sweets’ neighborhood is decidedly more upscale today than it used to be, but it still has that rich scent of chocolate about it. And you can let […]
Author: Kat Powers | February 19, 2008Smithsonian Salutes President’s Day
All retailers — online or off — manage to celebrate President’s Day with a sale. But when I think of president’s generally, my mind turns to Washington, D.C., and most recently the spectacular time I had showing a visiting friend from abroad our amazing Smithsonian museums on the National Mall. Another sort of mall […]
Author: melindag | February 18, 2008Timberland Slides into Style
Timberland’s? They can’t be! My boss is one of those guys who looks great in anything, but rarely “bothers” with style. As a longtime sailor, he’s more into practicality — does it cover my feet? Does it keep the slush out? Does it have pockets in the right place? So today I noticed the stylish […]
Author: melindag | February 15, 2008A Valentine From the Sea
Love your skin; love your planet. The Ahava Delights travel assortment of body treatments, and the incomparable Dermud dry skin cream from the Dead Sea, can serve as a reminder to do both. I won’t deny it, one of the more memorable experiences I’ve ever had was bobbing around in the viscous, baby-oil-like Dead Sea […]
Author: melindag | February 14, 2008Please don’t eat the soap
Sure, it looks like a honeycomb, but it’s not for you to eat.
Honey I Washed the Kids soap is perfect for bath time with the kids. It’s made with honey, bergamot (the plant known as bee balm for what it attracts) and aloe, which means it’s great for sunburns. Oh, and have kids […]
Author: Kat Powers | February 10, 2008A place for everything, covered in a plague of frogs
Now see, that’s what I need. A place to keep all these spoons, forks and the meat tenderizer. Our friend Wade had given us a beautiful basket about five years ago, but our kitchen utensils have outgrown the basket. I’ve been looking for a jar or something that’s big enough to keep those nice serving […]
Author: Kat Powers | February 8, 2008