Mmmm… Goods That are Baked

December To-do List Update:

Snickerdoodle cookies

• Make baked goods – not only will you have baked goods at your disposal but turning on the oven will make your house warmer. Who wouldve thought?

Check.

Watch: LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy

Watch: LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy on Sound Options (Twentyfourbit)

Remember that To-do list?

Here’s an update on the To-do list I wrote up right before the start of December:

1. Go sledding – always #1 every single year. Yes, this is a must. It’s fun and it’s free (if you live near a slope and have a sled)
2. Go ice skating – it’s fun and cheap
3. Drink hot chocolate – whether it’s homemade or the powder kind, its up to you, this classic winter drink is sure to warm you up
4. Hang out, chill, relax, etc. – with the fall semester ending soon, of course this is what I’ll be doing the majority of the time
5. Make a scarf – why not? It’s going to get colder out!
6. Party! – celebrating the holidays, birthdays, and graduations with food and fun people is a must
7. Make baked goods – not only will you have baked goods at your disposal but turning on the oven will make your house warmer. Who wouldve thought?
8. Put up Christmas tree and decorations – now admire it from afar and start caroling.
9. Take a lot of pictures – especially of snow so I can look back at them next July when its 1789245 degress out
10. Watch A Christmas Story – do I need to explain why??

I can’t believe I didnt see A Christmas Story this Christmas. Instead, we all watched Elf. It’s not too late to watch it now, is it?

After-Christmas Laughs

To relieve you of your postsantum depression, have a few after-Christmas laughs (brought to you buy Someecards)

So this is Christmas

Camera: Polaroid Super Shooter

Film: fujifilm fp-100c

flash:sylvania blue dot flashcube

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate and even to those who don’t.

The Sound of Christmas (V)

ONE more day until Christmas! As we get closer to Christmas, check Bloggins for downloadable holiday music tracks for your Christmas party mixtape!
Today: I stumbled upon this ‘8bit Christmas’ track while perusing the pages of Sound Cloud and thought it was pretty awesome. Check it out:
8BIT CHRISTMAS DJSET 23-12-2009 by bluskaya

A Clean Nerd is a Happy Nerd

We all have to keep up with our personal hygiene needs, including nerds. That’s why I’m suggesting this very nerdy bar of soap to gift your nerd this holiday:

URANIUM GLOW IN THE DARK PERIODIC TABLE SOAP

‘Radioactivate’ someone’s holiday with this ultra cool bar of soap. It’s human tested, vegan friendly, and did I mention it’s ocean scented?
Find it on Perpetual Kid

The Sound of Christmas Music (IV)

TWO more days until Christmas! As we get closer to Christmas, check the Bloggins blog for downloadable Christmas music tracks

Today: “Christmas in Harlem” by Kanye West, ft. Cam'ron, Jim Jones, CyHi Da Prynce, Pusha T, Big Sean, Teyana Taylor and Musiq Soulchild.

Christmas In Harlem by vibeaddict.com

The Sound of Christmas Music (III)

THREE more days until Christmas! As we get closer to Christmas, check the Bloggins blog for downloadable Christmas music tracks.

Today: One of my favorite Christmas songs is also one of my favorite songs to play on the piano (I could only play the beginning as I am lacking skills in the piano department). It’s none other than “Linus and Lucy” by the Vince Guaraldi Trio (from A Charlie Brown Christmas!)

Linus and Lucy

Follow up to “For the Old School Music Lover”

For the Old School Music Lover (link)

How about a gift idea for the not-so-old-school music lover, the one with the never-ending collection of cassette tapes? You can help them save space by gifting them this:

TAPE EXPRESS PLUS USB PORTABLE TAPE-TO-MP3 PLAYER

If you think about it, you’re also helping them save time. Once they digitize those mixtapes, they will never have to hold down another REWIND button again.

Crazy Christmas Commercials

Remember that Illinois lottery commercial last year urging you to joy someone? If not here’s a reminder:

Well, they’re at it again this year with a brand new tune:

Makes me laugh every time.

Blast From the Past

This old school toy is ideal for any kid or kid at heart.

Find it HERE!

The Sound of Christmas Music (II)

FOUR more days until Christmas! As we get closer to Christmas, check the Bloggins blog for downloadable Christmas music tracks.
Today: “Last Christmas”, not by original artist Wham! or even Taylor Swift, but by one of my favorite bands: Jimmy Eat World.
I personally prefer this version over the other two.
Last Christmas

For the Caffeine-Addicted Mom or Dad

In a world that has finally become conscious of what “planned obsolescence” is, you would think coffee shops would have already banned the use of paper cups. Well, let’s just say we’re pretty close to that thanks to the Reusable Coffee Shop Cup.

 This is a great gift for the environmentally-concious caffeine-addicted Mom or Dad (or anyone else that you know). They come in a variety of styles, from porcelain to plastic, to colored or plain white, and you can find them at almost any department store or drug store.

The Sound of Christmas Music

FIVE more days until Christmas! As we get closer to Christmas, check the Bloggins blog for downloadable Christmas music tracks.
Today: “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” as performed by Weezer
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing

Why buy it when you can make it?

If you go to any kitschy shop or novelty gift shop, you will be sure to see vinyl record coasters. Yeah, you might think they look cool, and you may even be tempted to buy them. BUT before you waste your money, you should know, these are very inexpensive to make. All you need is a few tools and cheap records from the thrift store (preferably, the ones that are all scratched/broken; we want to spare the good ones)
I found a comprehensive procedure HERE.

An awesome homemade gift that would be great for almost anyone, especially the music lover in your life.

Wanted. Bought. HAS. (III)

I just recently copped one of the things on my WANTED LIST. Refer back to the post about Giambarba’s Chocolate Polaroid film. Well, not only did I get the Chocolate film, but I got the whole triple dip package!
I will post pictures up once I get the film rolling out of the camera!
In the mean time, you can visit my Flickr page and browse other photos shot with various instant films.

On My Wishlist

Dear Santa,
I would like a “Oh Sheesh Yall, T’was a Dream” Busted Tee.

You can find the T shirt here. Also, here’s a reference video:

Kthx

For the Geek on the Go

For the Geek that’s always on the move and doesnt have time to look for cable for this and cables for that, LaCie has designed a whole set of flat cables, boasting seven different interfaces:

“USB A to B; USB A to Mini B; USB A male to A female; FireWire 400 to FireWire 400; FireWire 400 to FireWire 800; FireWire 800 to FireWire 800; and eSATA to eSATA”

That’s all any geek could ask for. Find it here.

For the Old School Music Lover…

No, not for your friend with the cassette tape collection nor is it for your friend, the 8-track hoarder. This one is for the vinyl votary.
Everyone knows nothing lasts forever, including vinyl records. First, the box starts degrading, then the record starts getting warped and scratches start to appear. Then the record dies and you will never be able to play it again. Before this happens, you should get a vinyl to MP3 converter. Here are several:
  
Genius idea. Click each picture for more info.

Follow up to “New Mom Crossing”

Moms love when you give them baby presents, but babies love it even more! So if youre looking to buy that tiny tike a gift, look no further. This gift is sure to please any lil munchkin:

Jazzy Baby Bibs!
Found at Hollywood Mirror. You’ll find a lot more at the store website!

Christmas Video of the Week

Enjoy.

How to be weird

I tend to fall in love with wrapping paper. Here’s a sample of my favorite from last year:

Call me weird, but there’s something about this wrapping paper that I love. Maybe its because its a simple print on simple paper- the type of paper brown paper bags are made of.

I don’t know where its from because it was actually from one of the gifts my sister gave to me last year. I hope she can recall where she found this amazing paper.

Like I said, call me weird.

New Mom Crossing

Looking to give a gift to a new mom or mother-to-be? The possibilites are endless! Of course, you can always take the boring route and buy baby clothes or diapers, or you can get her something crazy like this:

Found on Perpetual Kid

Season’s Greetingsss

How Mother Nature greets us this season: with a snowstorm. Love you too.
December 12, 2010 – Chicago (taken with Polaroid Super Shooter with Fujifilm FP-100c film)
It was bad, but I’m not complaining. At least it wasnt as bad as the blizzard that hit Chicago in 1967. I wish I was around for that. That would have been great.

Homemade Journal for Homemade Ideas

Do you have a how-to guru in your life and not sure what to get [or make] them? Well the simplest route is to gift them a homemade journal to store all of their homemade ideas and how-to’s. With this gift idea, you can let your imagination run wild, what with the freedom to choose your own theme, colors, paper, design, and everything else!

I found a helpful directory of home journal how-to’s to get you started, but it’s more for inspiration rather than strict procedures to follow. You’re allowed to make this your own creation. Have fun!
Homemade Gift Guru – Homemade Journal and Other Homemade Book Ideas

LEGO My Camera!

Spotlight: This is probably the closest we’ll get to building memories with Lego blocks.
 
This camera seems as though it is made completely out of Lego bricks. However, it is a fully functional 3 MP digital camera with a hard drive capable of storing about 80 photos. You can find it at almost every toy store or here.

No butts about it.

This week’s Friday Favorite will make anyone smile. Not cheeky at all.
 
The “Butt Station” desk accessory holder. Because desk clutter is a pain in the ass.
Found via Land of the Freeish.
Get it here.

The Stuff that Stays Puft.

This holiday, give your movie nerd or film geek the gift of mallows. But not just some ordinary marshmallows, Stay Puft marshmallows! These collectible marshmallows (yes, I said they’re collectible) are awesome as they are tasty. Did I mention they are loaded with caffeine?
One more thing! The box is reusable! But who would want to part with such a copasetic box?
Find it HERE

Stay Puft Quality Marshmallows is an official GHOSTBUSTERS licensed product

Ear Medication. For your ears. And enjoyment.

It Wednesday, or Miercoles de Musica over here at the Bloggins corner of the blogosphere. Please enjoy this music-related gift idea (I think it’s awesome!):

They’re “medicated” earbuds!  Not in to medicinal earbuds? How about these:

Same concept, different look.

For the music lover that has everything, these are sure to please them and bring a smile to their face.

Want to browse more crazy and creative devices to listen to/enjoy music? CLICK HERE

This Selection is Natural

Toys for tots? The selection is natural, especially if you decide to gift this “Evolving Darwin” play set.

Enjoy of the irony of giving this for Christmas, Hanukkah, etc.

Crazy Christmas Commercial of the Week

Acura - The Season of Reason Sales Event

I want someone to make me a 60’s postmodern gingerbread house. Make that with postmodern furnishings. Kthx.

To: the House, From: Me

A good person gives gifts to all his/her friends and everyone in their family. A great person gives gifts to his/her friends, everyone in their family, and to their house/apartment/living space. This gift is sure to make anyone’s house, more specifically, kitchen happy.
I saw these at the story the other day and I thought it was really clever. Its an ice cube tray that produces ice cubes shaped like icebergs and Titanic ships. This isnt the only unique ice cube tray out there; from stars and arrows to tetris blocks and robots, they have something out there for any household.
Runner up: Ninja Gingerbread cookie cutters
 

Homemade with Love

The best gifts are the homemade ones. Like homemade (or homeknitted??) scarves. They can be custom made with the reciever’s favorite colors and designs. It makes it much more personal and special.

Don’t know how to knit? Crochet? Make anything with your hands??

Well, fret no more. A while back, I came upon some books that explain how to knit and crochet and include some other great projects besides scarves.

And no, this isn’t your mom’s stitching handbook. It’s:

 

for wanna-be knitters and

 

 

 

 

For wanna-be crochet-ers

 

 

 

This will save you a ton of money if you decide to make every single person on your list something out of yarn. Not only that, but you will have also gained a few skills in the process.

Box of Giambarba’s Chocolate

  There’s nothing like getting a box of chocolate for the holidays, especially if it was film designed by Paul Giambarba.
What?! Edible film??
Of course not. I was talking about Polaroid 100 Chocolate film designed by the legend Paul Giambarba himself.

This film makes this week’s Friday Favorite because of its sepia-like tones (but with more brown hues) that give the photo a nostalgic feel.
This is recommended for the old school photographers who shoot with packfilm cameras (like me).
Let’s see if digital cameras can produce the same results without using photo editing software!

Geek Out!

Can’t decide what to get your nerd/geek friend who has everything for Christmas? Well, Bloggins is here to save you. This month, every Thursday, el bloggo will feature a gift idea for your special geek. These one of a kind gifts are sure to please any geek or nerd, maybe even a techie.

Today’s special is truly one-of-a-kind:

  

The Geek Clock, exclusively at  UncommonGoods.com, is for that geek who actually paid attention in math class while you were watching the clock. Well, now the joke’s on you because of your inability to tell time using this clock. This gift will be a nice way of telling your geek, “I should’ve paid more attention in math class. Will you tutir me?”

Runner up for today’s gift idea:

The Prime Time Watch, also from UncommonGoods.com.  Prime numbers? Prime time? GET IT?!

The first Christmas gift guide post!

Hey it’s wednesday…you know what that means? It’s
Since today is Miercoles de Musica (Music Wednesday) its only appropriate to showcase a gift idea that revolves around music.
If you know someone with the latest iPod Nano (at the time of typing this, it was the 6th generation) then the hottest gift this season is the ‘watch case’. Below you will find the two main styles of the watch cases:
’the ‘Slap Watch’ case (Griffen)

and the silicon ‘Watch Band’ (HEX)
 I think they’re both pretty neat and I would love to get one for Christmas myself. It’s too bad I don’t own a 6th gen iPhone. Guess I’ll stick with my bare iPod Touch.

December 1st, 2010

On this day, Mother Nature treated us with a light dusting of snow to remind us what in store later in the season.
Also to remind us Chicagoans that the winter PM parking ban is now in effect. Gaaaah winter is upon us.

There’s that To-do list again

In a few minutes, November will be over and so the last month of the year will begin. To start off right, I’ve prepared a list of things to do in December:

1. Go sledding – always #1 every single year. Yes, this is a must. It’s fun and it’s free (if you live near a slope and have a sled)
2. Go ice skating – it’s fun and cheap
3. Drink hot chocolate – whether it’s homemade or the powder kind, its up to you, this classic winter drink is sure to warm you up
4. Hang out, chill, relax, etc. – with the fall semester ending soon, of course this is what I’ll be doing the majority of the time
5. Make a scarf – why not? It’s going to get colder out!
6. Party! – celebrating the holidays, birthdays, and graduations with food and fun people is a must
7. Make baked goods – not only will you have baked goods at your disposal but turning on the oven will make your house warmer. Who wouldve thought?
8. Put up Christmas tree and decorations – now admire it from afar and start caroling.
9. Take a lot of pictures – especially of snow so I can look back at them next July when its 1789245 degress out
10. Watch A Christmas Story – do I need to explain why??

Coming up in December

Coming up in December, Bloggins will have its first Holiday Special.  I decided to make a gift guide this year featuring a gift idea everyday. Here’s the [tentative] layout:

• SUNDAY: Homemade gift (gift from the heart :))
• MONDAY: Gifts for parents/house
• TUESDAY: Gifts for the little ones
• WEDNESDAY: Gifts for music lovers (as part of Miercoles de Musica)
• THURSDAY: Gifts for Geeks
• FRIDAY: One of my favorites (as part of Friday Favorite)
• SATURDAY: Gift of the week (as part of Saturday Spotlight)

Keep on the look out all this month

Question of the day

Do people still keep penpals? Or just write letters period?