IKEA Dishes Rule

Since we're in Pittsburgh for the Steelers - Vikings game, we decided to swing by the local IKEA to pick up some odds and ends.

As the scent of Swedish meatballs wafted around us, we dutifully followed the painted arrows on the floor past all manner of home furnishings. The obligatory yellow shoulder bag slowly gained girth as we plucked small items from abundantly-stocked shelves.

The real score took place just past the kitchen section where we needed to find a cart to load up two sets of dinnerware for six, plus one for our daughter, at $29.99 each.

We've had IKEA plates and bowls before, and we've had excellent results with them. It's hard to argue with the blend of quality and price.

The $60 worth of dinnerware is replacing several hundred dollars worth of Crate & Barrel service that was as disappointing as it was stylish. More than half of the large plates, and a third of the smaller saucers chipped around the edges in the first year.

Nothing kills hip and trendy dinnerware more than gleaming white divots staring you in the face. And forget about entertaining with chipped plates. Martha Stewart would take away our club cards, Buffy.

So thanks, IKEA, for stocking quality dishes at reasonable prices. And nerts to you, Crate & Barrel.


-- Mobile post

Creepy Hangman Light

This is sure to be a conversation starter at parties.

I wonder if anyone would feel comfortable sitting underneath the hangman light? I know I would.

What are the odds that two people would be strung up by an electrical cord?

Astronomical, I'd say.

Via Neatorama

Shark Chair: Sit On My Face, Please

Ding-dong.

Who's there?

Candygram.

Who is it?


Ummm...sit on my face.

via Neatorama

Hanging Fireplace Will Raise Your Insurance Rates

There's nothing wrong with modern furnishings. They add a touch of style and flair that you just can't duplicate via Shaker or Early American.

That said, there are certain elements for which one should ask: Is this really neccessary?

Case in point is this hanging fireplace. Stylish? You bet. Eye-catching? Of course. Destined to show up on YouTube as an amateur Fire Marshall Bill sketch?

We'll see if this thing ever makes it past the concept stage.

Hipster Crib - Austerity is Cool

As Americans hurtle down the back slope of reckless consumerism like Will Ferrell balancing on one ski, there are signs that hipsters have found a way to limp their way out of the economic ditch in a manner that exudes frugal style.

Nothing says, "I'm struggling, but in a boffo way!" more than this hipster crib, designed to emulate a cardboard rectangle, or, for some, an empty Teva sandal box.

Too little attention is paid to the time-honored tradition of handing down the hipster legacy. Oh sure, toddlers and hipsters often wear the same style of hats, and both groups find it impossible to coordinate pieces of clothing without the aid of Garanimals, but stuffing your tyke into the furniture equivalent of a plain brown wrapper is a great way to indoctrinate the littlest hipsters of all into a world of irony and self-identification.

Hipster Crib is a Cardboard Box , via Gawker

Wall 'O Outlets

Realizing that Americans are on the downward slope of rampant consumerism, now might not be the right time to market an "Outlet Wall", but I appreciate both the art and the practicality of having lots of places to plug in your numerous electronic devices.

Cable management has always been a problem, and with the introduction of home audio/visual systems, plasma televisions, and all sorts of cable (or satellite) boxes plus components, it hasn't gotten any easier.

Somehow I think even poor cable management would present a better visual than seeing all of your power cords hanging down, but I've never been accused of having a primo artistic eye.

Outlet Wall destroys cable clutter by embracing it , via Dvice

Rich and Tacky: Better Than Poor and Tacky

Money can't buy happiness, as the adage goes, but it can buy your own version of misery.

Interior decorating in the Upper East Side of Manhattan appears to be that misery.

Via Gawker, an eye-searing glimpse into some of the atrocious home furnishings undoubtedly financed by fees you paid from your tanking 401k.

It's a damn shame that the real estate market has crashed, robbing these barons of millions in resale value.

A damn shame.

The Upper East Side's Garden of Tacky Delights

Mustache Accessories: Entertain Like Tom Selleck

Have you ever hosted a party that seemed to lack a certain spark?

You can't quite put your finger on it, but guests just don't seem to be at the peak of their enjoyment potential, even though the food is wonderful, the music soothing, and there's sparkling conversation in the air.

Next time, try mustache accessories, and party like a 1980s TV detective!

Start off with these narly mustache napkin rings, because partygoers will be thrilled to see someone else's nose hair on their table linens. Especially if the mouth-wipers are in a Hawaiian shirt pattern.

Since real men (and the women who love them) drink right from the longneck, how about a collection of bottle 'staches to pull the room together? If the Selleck look isn't for you, perhaps drinking like Ditka or Snidely Whiplash is more your style.

Drink up, Higgins. We have some crime fightin' to do after this.

RSS Coasters

No, that's not a metaphor for bloggers who use their feed readers to glean content from other web locations in order to post it on their own site, but that's a good guess.

These are bar coasters with an RSS theme, for a truly geeky cocktail hour.

Why? Because trying to explain how RSS works to your non-techie friends requires at least a couple of stiff drinks, that's why.

Feed and drink with these RSS-themed coasters , via ForeverGeek

Retro Game Fridge Magnets

Two posts in one day trumpeting the brilliance of Etsy!

What a country!

These refrigerator magnets, brought to you via Geekologie, are the perfect apartment warming gift. They take up almost no room yet the arrangement possibilities are endless.

I'm a little torn between the foodie magnets and the gamer magnets. I like burgers, but I love Tetris.

What's a boy to do?

Retro Gaming Refrigerator Magnet Sets

Hot Rod Couch

This sofa looks like something from that Pulp Fiction scene where John Travolta and Uma Thurman are sitting is a booth that looks like a car, getting waited on by Buddy Holly / Steve Buscemi.

I can't think of any other place where this thing would compliment your decor.




Hot Rod couch is one ridiculous piece of furniture , via Dvice.

Pillow Laptop

I've been accused of spending so much time blogging that I should have one of these, so when I pass out from weariness I don't bonk my head on the sharp corner of my Dell.

Judging by the screen resolution of this thing, it looks like in runs Ubuntu 7.04, as part of an upgrade from Windows 3.1.

Via Geekologie - Pillow Laptop: Working Never Felt So Zzzzz

Funky Wine Tasting Bar

Via Dvice, a funky wine tasting bar that's both green and functional.

I especially like the recycled wine barrel angle.

Funky wine tasting bar is both beautiful and green