Frozen Pints Craft Beer Ice Cream

Mmmmm.  Nothing like a tasty cold beer ice cream?  Oh yes.  Yes, indeed.  According to the Frozen Pints lore, someone accidentally spilled some brew near the ice cream maker, and the rest is history.  Full disclosure: I am not a beer drinker.  It's not my thing.  But, I love me some yummy ice cream, and in years past I've discovered how delightful a nice beer float is on a hot summer day.  Recently, I was introduced to this little brand which rolls my favorite stout float into a happy scoopable product. 

I'm gonna go ahead and recommend the Malted Milk Chocolate Stout 'cause Mama likes it dark.  But, they have something for everyone, and by everyone, I mean grown folks.  Yes, there is alcohol in it, and you can't buy it unless you are 21 and over, so keep it away from the babies, okay?

Best I can tell, it's only readily available in the Metro Atlanta area as it's a local brand, but check out the website for more info.

www.frozenpints.com

Bacon Waffles from The Original Pancake House

A “foodie” is commonly defined as someone who has “ardent or refined interest in food.”  I can’t say that my interest is refined, but boy is it definitely ardent!  I’m certainly no epicure, but I would consider myself a world-class “Fast Foodie.”  I love the easy things in life, and I love finding nifty little treasures of cheap food that aren’t regularly available everywhere.  That’s why I nearly flipped my lid the first time I had the Bacon Waffle at The Original Pancake House.  Bacon?  Stuffed into waffle?  Why didn’t I think of that???  Why doesn't IHOP have it???

 If you love bacon and waffles, you haven’t lived until you’ve tried one mixed together in one joyous little round bundle!

Sadly, The Original Pancake House nearest to me closed down, so I’m left dreaming of these ridiculously delicious waffles. However, with location in 28 states, you’re bound to come across one eventually. When you do, have a Bacon Waffle for me.
http://www.originalpancakehouse.com/

White Chocolate Wonderful Peanut Butter

Oh my.  Words can't truly do this peanut butter justice.  Raised by maybe the one mom who didn't feed her kids peanut butter and jelly, I grew up largely indifferent to peanut butter.  In fact, I didn't truly understand the joy of peanut butter until I started baking peanut butter cupcakes a few years ago.  Even then, the only reason why it was in my cupboard was for the cupcakes.  That was before I tried Peanut Butter & Co.'s White Chocolate Wonderful.

Peanut Butter & Co. is one of those fancy-schmancy sandwich shops in New York City that boasts all-natural ingredients.  The peanut butter is vegan, kosher, gluten-free, no cholesterol, no trans fats, no hydrogenated oils, and no high-fructose corn syrup.  Sounds like it would be taste free too, right?  Wrong, wrong, wrong!  This is the most delightful, delicious, heaven on a spoon peanut butter I have ever been fortunate enough to come across.  It's kissed with sweet white chocolate, that is just sweet enough without having a cloying taste.

You can buy it at Kroger and Publix; it cost a little more, but baby, it's worth it!
http://www.ilovepeanutbutter.com/

Lumen Shadow Projectors

Mr. Maxwell, I'm calling you out.  Mrs. Maxwell (that would be me) wants a Lumen Oil Candle Shadow Projector.  You remember, the Lumen shadow projector that I've been going on about for a couple of years now?  Allow me to explain.  You see, it starts with a little oil candle with a small stainless steel tree:

Light the candle and it casts a large, enchanting shadow on the wall behind it. 

As the flame flickers, the shadow of tree moves as if being blown by a cool breeze.  Well, I suppose it could be a hot breeze, but in my fantasy-land, the breeze is always of the cool variety.  They even have pretty birdies:

While I admire the birds, I'm figurin' on you buying me the cedar tree:

Can you picture it, love dove?  You and me lounging in the dark living room, admiring the sophisticated, yet whimsical glow of our very own lumen tree?  Even better, these are designed by Brooklyn-based artist and inventor, Adam Frank.  So, you're not just buying me a candle; you're purchasing an art installation.  Think about how high-brow this will now make us. 

Well, you sir are in luck.  This bad boy's on sale.  I know how you love saving money, plus Mama's birthday is coming up!  You can purchase this at http://www.perpetualkid.com/ for just $34.99.  They normally run $47.99, so you can see what a deal this is.  I'm saving you money!  Plus, each piece comes with two 17-hour liquid wax fuel cells, which are odorless, clean burning, and meet or exceed all relevant safety standards.  Word to the wise, dear: you probably want to pick up a couple extra fuel cells for $5.99 each, because you know how I love me some candles.

You can also find them at http://www.uncommongoods.com/ and http://www.adamfrank.com/

Thomas Paul Melamine Plates

Oh, Melamine.  How my heart soars to think of you.  You are so tough and cool.  Not even my 4-year-old destructive dynamo can break you - and believe me - he's tried.

Today, dear friends, I offer you the most delightful of melamine plates by Thomas Paul.  Available in many different patterns, these offer sophistication in the form of plastic resin.  Behold the collection "Artifacts":

Looking for something a bit more whimsical?  Try the charming take on Russian nesting dolls, "Folk":

My particular favorite is the spooky "Gothic."  My sweet husband started my obsession when he bought me the "Gothic" tray:

Beautiful, isn't it?  And completely practical for all parties that may include the butterfinger guest with a tendency to break your favorite dishes.

For those who love a splash of color, check out "Aviary":

Dig 'em, but don't want to dine off them? Consider hanging them on the wall as artwork:

They're fun, they're playful, and if they fall on your kid's head, it won't require a visit to the emergency room.

Would you believe this isn't even a fraction of the choices they offer?  They have melamine to suit the taste of nearly everyone.  View more at www.ThomasPaul.com/melamine

Not only will you find melamine plates, you can even be matchy-matchy and buy many of the patterns as artwork, pillows, totes, stationary, etc.

You can usually find them for around $30 for a set of four on many websites.  Just Google "Thomas Paul plates" and select the shopping tab.  Gothic can be purchased from http://www.target.com/ 

They are dishwasher-safe, but do not, do not, do not microwave them!

Happy shatter-free dining!

Cloud B Twilight Turtle

Remember those star stickers you could buy and paste all over your bedroom ceiling and walls?  They were kind of dirty yellow during the day, but at night they transformed your room into a glowing den of stellar projections.  Only problem was that those doggone stickers were nearly impossible to pull off the ceiling without taking the drywall with 'em. 

Well friends, problem solved: introducing the Twilight Turtle.

This adorable, hard shell turtle projects an entire starry night sky onto your ceiling and walls.  You even get 8 constellations, perfect for the astronomy geek in your life.  Choose from three soothing colors: blue, green or amber, and gaze in amazement at your starry, starry night. 

This is the perfect gift for kids (and me.)  The turtle acts as the ideal night light and conveniently shuts off after 45 minutes.  Want more time?  Press the button on the back and it kicks on for another 45 minutes. 

Don't like turtles?  Try the Twilight Ladybug:

This luminous beauty has the same function but shines in sapphire blue, emerald green and ruby red.  Any girl would adore this; I even had to buy my own mama one!

Last, but not least, if you're kid really digs ocean animals, choose the Twilight Sea Turtle:

Once again, same functionality, but this turtle projects in ocean blue, emerald green, or a combination of both.  Unlike the others, the sea turtle features five endangered sea animals pictured on the shell; each individually illuminates.  Best yet, a portion of this purchase goes to an international wildlife organization. 

Three great, award-winning choices that serve as a night light, showers your room in stars and constellations, and each comes with their own storybook.  Find a store near you at http://www.cloudb.com/ or buy online from any number of web stores.  The price runs about $35 for each, but I found the Twilight Turtle for only $15.99 at http://www.buy.com/  That's a steal folks!

Warning: if you're anything like me, you may find yourself stealing this from your kid's bedroom after they've drifted on to dreamland.

Puma Sabadella II Sequin Flats

This is my most favorite buy in a long time.  Is it a ballet flat?  Is it a sneaker?  Turns out, it's a little of both. For a gal like me, who considers shopping to be my own personal sport of choice, these are a no-brainer.  Sporty flats + sequins = fabulous.

These bad boys make you walk a little taller and put some strut in your step.  If you really want to liven things up, choose the red:

Sadly, they are really hard to find these days.  I managed to score a pair from Nordstroms a couple of months ago.  If you have the foot of a Munchkin, there's still a size 5.5 available at http://www.shoezoo.com/

Slide these on, meet the rest of your Lollipop Guild, and show them the meaning of swagger.