Outdoor Grills: The Next Generation

Okay, forget that this grill looks like the Starship Enterprise, not only does it look cool, it might just solve every grilling problem for city dwellers and those of us with limited storage space.

Outdoor grilling is one of the greatest things about the summer months. Grilling is a fun way to make all kinds of delicious foods (I grilled some pineapple last year and it was amazing). However, now that we live on the second floor, we spend a lot less time in the backyard and even less time using our grill. We have a big old Weber charcoal grill that has languished beneath a tarp for two summers running. It works really well, but using charcoal is messy and time consuming. Add in an extra flight of stairs and cooking outside quickly becomes a fond memory. Until now! While researching gas grills I came upon an exciting innovation in outdoor cuisine, it’s called the Q Portable Grill. Idea for couples and small families, it has a 105 sq. inch cooking surface, weighs a mere 13 lbs. and uses a standard 1lbs Propane Canister. I can’t wait to get it! It folds up so we could easily store it in the garage or on our back porch in between uses. It’s so light and compact that it’ll be a breeze to take it on car trips to the park, beach or tailgating parties. Most importantly it’s truly affordable. The Q Grill is $99, cheap when compared to some other portable grills that are $200-$300. I’m going to try to pick one up this weekend.

See this portable outdoor grill on ShopLocal.com!

Critters in the Mist

You may recall, from past entries, my affection for esthetically pleasing humidifiers. Well, as it happens, I have discovered yet another good looking air moisturizer. It’s aptly named the Crane Adorable Humidifier. Though most likely meant for a child’s room, I think these charming humidifying creatures might make a cheerful addition to a tired old office or a drab guest room. I also think they might make an amusing gift. Let say you have a friend who loves elephants and you’re stumped for a gift. Why not send them an elephantine home appliance; a gift that is both practical and darling.

You’ll find several animal incarnations of the Crane Humidifier on ShopLocal.com.

Breaking News! Haute Couture to the “États-Généraux”

Paris Designer Tara Jarmon is next in line to take over the Go International campaign at Target. For weeks fans of Luella Bartley’s punk inspired pieces for Target have enjoyed perusing the racks for affordable limited edition fashion forward clothing and accessories. Like H & M’s joint effort with Stella McCartney, Target commissioned Bartley to create a variety of pieces, offering her exclusive designs to the masses. Soon Target will bring us another delight from across the pond when the Go International racks are filled with items by French designer Tara Jarmon. This summer, our closets will get a French twist. Items include a darling polka dot shirt dress and jaunty Bermuda shorts.

Picture Perfect

I love looking at photographs. Whether they’re stunning images of my cousin’s trip to India or silly snapshots from last night’s dinner out, I always get a kick out of seeing frozen moments in time. Unfortunately, I’m terrible at putting together photo albums. My husband and I have boxes of loose pictures that chronicle more than a decade in no particular order. The randomness can be amusing, but mostly frustrating when pictures of a special occasion are missing. Luckily, my aunt put together a wedding album for us. Left to our own devices, there would undoubtedly be a box marked “misc. wedding”.


While surfing the internet today I found this cool new photo album kit, the Adesso Polaroid Guest Book Kit. For about $140, you get a cloth-bound album, a Polaroid camera, and two packs of film. With the kit, revelers can snap pictures, save them in an album and write a note on how drunk they are while helping you organize your favorite pictures. I think it’s perfect for a big birthday party, anniversary celebration or baby shower. Here’s where to get the Adesso Polaroid Guest Book Kit.


If you prefer the DIY approach, check out these instant cameras on SL.

The Wave of the Future

As you all know, a few weeks ago I bought a curling iron for the first time since 1983 in order to give my locks an exciting twist for a party I was attending. Though a somewhat time consuming process, I was very pleased by the results and received many flattering comments from my friends. So pleased was I, that I have since decided to fire up the curling iron a couple of times a week. Whether I’m off to have dinner with friends or seeing a show with my husband, I’ve started to polish up my look with a few turns of my new curling iron. I don’t feather my hair like I used to (though I’ve been tempted) instead I wind my hair into soft tendrils for a modern feminine look. It’s not for everyday, just when I want a little boost.

I got my Vidal Sassoon Ceramic Curling Iron at Walgreen’s, but you can find them anywhere- CVS, Ulta, Beauty.com, etc.

Check out these curling irons on ShopLocal.

Good Luck and Good Shopping!

The Toast Master

I fought it for a long time but, last weekend, I finally bought a toaster. For more than four years, my husband and I were rendered toasterless after I nearly defenestrated our old toaster in a rage over crumbs. No, I didn’t throw the retched machine of tin and filth out the window, but I did sell it at a garage sale for $2.00.

A life without crumbs was grand, however the mornings grew long without the comfort of toasted bread and a BLT was never the same on soft bread. The hazards of life without a toaster became all too apparent when I actually turned an English muffin into a lump of coal having left it under the broiler too long. I just didn’t know if I could go back staring at a giant metal box on my countertop covered in grease and crumbs.

Desperate for answers, I headed to Kmart. Scanning rows of small appliances, I found what I was looking for- the Proctor Silex 4- Slice Cool Touch Toaster. It was clean and white, not too large, and wallet friendly at $19.99. I rushed home with our new appliance and in minutes we were enjoying BLT’s for lunch. Wow, did I miss toast.

Toasters can get pricey. My sister-in-law’s toaster was $120.00! My toaster isn’t particularly fancy, but it really does a nice job. The toaster evenly browns the bread, the slots are wide enough for bagels, the settings offer a wide range of doneness, and there’s a handy cancel button if you think your toast is done. Oh yeah, the crumb tray is easy to remove for a thorough clean up too. My toaster is better than sliced bread, it’s toast!

Check out new toasters on ShopLocal!