Customized Art on Web

If you are looking for an art theme, or you are looking for a very specific type of frame or border, or a unique piece of original art, you may want to try www.fineartamerica.com.

This website has a very good search function.  Once you choose what you want to purchase, it will walk you through the choices.  You can then preview your selection.

I purchased these 3 pieces from Fine Art America.  I had a fascination with crows and found it hard to locate crow art.  On the Fine Art America website, this was not a problem.  I simply typed crow into the search engine; reviewed the pages of selection.  Once I found a piece(s) I liked, I tried multiple frames in multiple colors and widths.  Then I previewed the results, I decided to add it to the cart or make any other adjustments.  When the pieces arrived, I was thrilled because they looked just like the preview.  Remember, since it is individually prepared, this is not an overnight process, it takes some time to get the order you place.

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Tracy

Warm and Snuggly Feet

Smartwool socks are my absolute favorite socks to have on a cold winter day.

You can find them at https://www.smartwool.com/, but they are also available from many other retailers.

Yes, they are not expensive ($15-$20 a pair), but do not be taken in by impersonators (they are out there by the dozens).  I have had several pair for over 10 years.   They have been worn for about 10,000 hours each and they still look almost new.  They keep your feet dry, warm, fit nicely, are not too thick and can be washed and dried.  With all of these benefits, I think of them as high tech wool.

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Tracy

Vacation House via the Web

I spend enough times in hotels with my work.  You have to deal with noise in the hallways, bad in-room coffee, lots of people in the pool and coordinating everyone's schedule to eat a meal.

Therefore, when I go on vacation, I like to rent a house.  It gives you privacy, you can eat when you chose and, depending on the group, can be less costly.

Sounds great, but  you still have to find a house.  I have had very good luck with www.homeaway.com.  I can chose the location and see photos of the house.  I have utilized it 3 times and have not been disappointed in any of the houses.  We set our own schedule, lounge in the pool and go to a restaurant if we desire.  It also allows us to limit our luggage because we have our own laundry in the house.  You can choose any place in the world you want to travel and set your parameters.  The website is user friendly, and you can see reviews (please note, I do believe bad reviews can be deleted if not favorable).  Always remember, renter be ware, but I have found this site to be great!

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Tracy

White Noise Anyone?

For years I have slept with background noise to help me sleep.  I have, unfortunately, worn out many different noise machines that offer all types of background noises (waves, chirping crickets, storms, etc.), but all I really needed was white noise.  After wearing out my third "fancy" machine, I switched to this little beauty below.  My sister has had the same version for ~20 years, therefore, I knew it would actually last.

It is a very simple design, but it has a few hidden features.  It has simple on/off switch on the side.  You can chose the high or low setting.  If the volume is not right for you, you can twist the top or sides to adjust the volume.

I love this little beauty, and it has been a nice addition to my sleeping regiment for years.  I simply turn it on with my toe then snuggle up for a good night's sleep.  

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Tracy

Document Sharing from Google

Not sure if you have heard about a feature of Google (I know they offer everything), it is called Google Docs.  Google Docs is an on-line spreadsheet or document website that allows a person to create spreadsheet or document and share it with a group of people or keep it private for individual use.

On its surface, it may not sound useful, but friends and I have found many uses for this feature.  Since the site allows sharing of documents and spreadsheets for people who are not on the same network, I have used it to plan food for a vacation with people in 5 different cities, friends have used it to plan the guest list to their wedding or other parties.  Multiple parties can access it at the same time, all of the results are shared immediately.

You can also use it personally.  I use it for my "to do" list.  Since it is on the web, I can access it from multiple locations and update it as necessary.  For each spreadsheet, I can chose whether or not I choose to share the spreadsheet with other people.

To start a spreadsheet go to https://docs.google.com. It will walk you through the process.

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Tracy

New Spin on Old Suitcase

I do a lot of travelling.  I almost exclusively use only a carry on.  I went through and investigated (and purchased) many different carryons trying to the perfect bag.  It obviously had to be within size limits, but it also needed to make my life easier.  After many attempts, my family has been the beneficiary of my errors, I finally landed on a spinner wheel suitcase.

I really needed a carryon that could be shoved in trunks, in luggage compartments and keep all of my items safe in the process.  I found it very ackward to walk down the airplane aisle with the standard wheel alignment.  Since this beauty goes on four wheels that can go in any direction, it easily makes it down the aisle, or I can pull it behind me in the more standard way suitcases are drug behind the puller.

An unexpected benefit are all of the handles making it easy to move about.  In the picture above, you can see a handle between the wheels.  This little carry on has multiple handles making it easy

These suitcases are available from a number of sites, just type in "spinner suitcase" and you are guaranteed to find lots of choices.

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Tracy

The Bestest Little Speaker

 I have looked for a small speaker that has good volume for several years.  I wanted a very small speaker (small enough to fit in my purse) that had good sound.  It also had to be able to put out a lot of volume and hold a long charge since it would travel in the car with me on long trips.

Much to my surprise, I finally found it in the Jacksonville Airport.  It is the Jawbone Jambox.  Yes, these are the people that are known for their bluetooth ear pieces.  The speaker holds its charge to up to 10 hours and is much louder than I ever need.  It fits nicely in my purse (see it in my hand below).

Look closely at the top.  It has big buttons that can easily be felt when driving to raise the volume, you hit the large "+" on the top, to lower the volume just press the "-".  

This speaker also contains many other features that are nice.  It can be hooked directly to the headphone doc for my ipod and kindle when a head set or the built in speakers just won't do.  It is also a bluetooth speaker, so you can listen to music and take a call.   

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Tracy

Enjoy This Little Garnet

Garnet Hill is a website that has some of the cutest clothing for kids and women alike.  It also has some very nice home decorating items (I love their comforters.  The website is www.garnethill.com.

The clothes tend to be light and breezy, "what I call vacation clothes", but they are very high quality and comfortable.

As for sizes, they do not carry many women or petite styles, but they do have up to size 18 in regular sizes.  They are also very easy to work with if you need to make a return.

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Tracy

The Clock that Really Moves

Let me introduce you to Clocky!

I have never been a fan of waking up, but life seems to require this activity.  This little battery powered alarm clock was a present to help me get up.  

As you can see in the picture, it has large wheels on each side.  Clocky is an alarm clock with an attitude, and it will actually roll away from you in an almost drunken fashion.  

When the alarm goes off, it will begin to roll and can drop safely off a table as high as 3 feet off the ground.  It does not move fast, but it likes circles and weaving lines.  You can choose not to engage the wheels, then you get the odd irregular alarm noise that is erratic enough to wake me most days.   

Be warned: it will run under your bed and that is not the start of a good morning when that happens.  

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Tracy

Viva this Website

If you are a "greenie", like the look of reused goods or know someone who does, direct them to this website.  They have an excellent selection of items that have found a second life, recycled home, garden items and women's clothing.  The website is www.vivaterra.com.

This website has many items that are re-purposed items or just eco-friendly.  Some good examples are their purse made out of recycled paper and their cups made from recycled glass.  They also have several indoor/outdoor rugs made of recycled plastic bottles.  They are very pretty and also functional.

I really like to peruse their sale items.  I find some very pretty things in that section.

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Tracy

A Pillow that Will Make You Do a U-Turn

That's right, I said a new type of pillow, or maybe I should have said a new shape to a pillow.  

I found this little beauty when I had surgery on my back.  I was looking for a pillow to relieve the pressure on my shoulder.  I tried, and did not like, a regular body pillow.  So I moved on to a candy cane shaped pillow, and I found this was closer, but not quite right.  Then enter the Comfort U Pillow.  It is actually a "U" shaped body pillow that wraps around behind your neck and runs down both sides of your body.  

If you cannot picture it, I have taken some photos of the "U" shaped pillow.  It is over 120 inches long (64" each leg).  You can find the "Comfort U Pillow" on www.skymall.com.     

I purchased the fleece case, and I like to use it during the winter months.  It is very snuggly, but be warned, it does take up a lot of the bed.  I do not think I have slept better in my life.  I think this would work very well for pregnant women.

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Tracy

Uncommon But Good

You have probably seen the advertisements all over the internet for Uncommon Goods, and, if you are like me, you are skeptical when you see a site advertise so much.  Having been a customer from before all of the advertising, I can confirm it really is a good site.

You can find lots of unique items on this site.  I often times find myself commenting "that is a great product", or "I think this is perfect for Bonny" when I visit.  I frequently return to www.uncommongoods.com to see what is new on the site and to find gift ideas when I am struggling.

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Tracy

Kindle For All Readers

I could not imagine my  life without my Kindle.

I did the research on various reading devices and settled on the Kindle.  I have never regretted this decision.  

One of the big reasons I chose a Kindle over its competitors is the fact that it will read to me.  I rarely purchased audio books, but I find this feature is one I could not give up.  It allows me to do my household chores (folding laundry, cooking food, driving to work, etc.) and enjoy my book.  Yes, it does sound mechanical, but I have adjusted to it, and I now find the voice calming.  

I frequently hear people comment on why real books are better than my Kindle, but I think the advantages far out weigh the loss of the book.  I found constantly carrying a book in my hand began to cause pain.  Also, it keeps my page automatically, is less bulky for travel and eliminates the need to add a room on to my house to hold all of my books.  

I am almost never without my Kindle, nor do I want to be.  I have owned version 2 and version 3.  I chose to upgrade due to the increased batter life, the read to you function uses more battery.  Since I can be on the road for hours in a given day (up to 15), I needed the extra juice.  

An unexpected benefit were all of the free books I could download.  Many books that are no longer covered under copyright laws (classics) are available for free download.  Also, more recent releases can be found for free.  

In the 2 years and 4 months I have owned a Kindle, I have read almost 1,000 books on the device(s).  With my hard use, I have been the death of several Kindles with only routine use.  I have found the Amazon support line to be extremely helpful.  If the Kindle is under warranty, they do not hesitate to replace it is a flaw in the Kindle.  I have had 5 Kindles over the years while only purchasing 2.  

The most common question I get from new Kindle purchasers has to do with protecting the Kindle with a case or sleeve.  My best recommendation is to think how you plan to use your Kindle.  I like a cover that opens like a book.  If you are going to use it a lot and it will travel with you.  I would recommend an actual case.  A case will allow you to quickly open it and provide protection to the Kindle itself.  I currently have a gel skin on the Kindle (adds personality and protection) and a protective case.  

If you do not read much, less than 1 book a month, I would not recommend the expense, but I do love mine. I also read more than a book a day, so it is a great expenditure.  

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Tracy

For the Kid in All of Us

How often do you want to buy a gag gift for someone, want to add something funny to a party, want something original  or a fun gift for a kid (young or adult) in your life.

www.perpetualkid.com may be the site for you.  The site has fun gifts for all ages and is worth a browse even if you are not looking for anyone in particular.

Some of the unique items include the world's largest gummy worm or bear, fly ear buds and pickle flavored tooth paste (yes, I said pickle).  This site never fails to make me laugh when I see some of the merchandise.  I highly recommend it for the joker in us all.  

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Tracy

P.S. Don't miss their bacon section.  It includes such items as a bacon tie, a bacon game, bacon mints and bacon jelly beans. 

The Black Cookie with a White Creamy Center Goes Tan

I think the best combination ever made is peanut butter and chocolate.  I do not know why, but it has always been my favorite.

Recently, Oreo (r) released a Peanut Butter and Chocolate version of the classic.  And all I have to say, it is yummy!  To fully understand what a big deal this is, it is important to know I have never been a fan of regular Oreos (r) they were OK, but nothing I would ever seek out.

Not so with its peanut butter brother.  I am trying to bring them to the world.

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Tracy

Website for the Geek in All of Us

I know I am a geek at heart, just ask my friends.  Also, I think we all know closeted or not so closeted geeks and never know what to buy them.

One of my favorite websites for the geek in all of us is www.thinkgeek.com.  If the web site name is not descriptive enough, this website has compiled unique items for every geek on your shopping list.  If they are fans of Star Trek or Star Wars, love programming jokes or just like to wear unique t-shirts, this is the site for you to find the perfect gift for them.

Fair warning, you may discover you are a geek at heart too when you visit the site and discover 45 minutes has passed without even realizing it, or if you are like me, you discover you already own a lot of their inventory before your first trip to their site.  Happy shopping.

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Tracy

Travel Bag and Beyond

I looked for years for the perfect bag for traveling.  I wanted and expected a lot out of this travel bag:

1.  I wanted a bag that was the largest size "personal item" the airlines allowed.
2.  I wanted a bag that was very light weight (I don't want to carry the bag; I want a bag to carry my stuff).
3.  It had to be extremely durable.  I am rough on all products.
4.  It had to be versatile.

I finally found my answer in the lightweight tote on www.patagonia.com.  I was amazed when I held it for the first time.  I don't think I have ever felt a bag that felt so durable and lightweight.   It weighs in at under 11 oz., that's right 10.1 oz to be exact. When pushed into further research on the website, I discovered it was the exact maximum size allowed for a personal item on an airplane (I am sure that was not an accident).

Once I got this little beauty home, I really started to push its limits.  As you can see, it is reinforced at the bottom of the bag, but the sides, although slightly see through, stand up to an incredible amount of pressure without being reinforced.  I have literally stuffed this bag to its capacity, using as much force as I needed to make the item(s) fit in the space.  I have put so much in the bag, I have had to rely on the clips and draw sting to keep the bag closed because it would not zip. Even with only the clips and drawstring closure it kept all of my items safe.  

Lastly, this bag is also extremely flexible.  It has a front pocket for quick access and an inside pocket for anything I want to quickly access or hide from the public view.  It also can be a backpack, a handheld bag or fold in on itself to be stuffed inside a larger bag.

I find I use this bag anytime I need a bag for clothes, travel or just transporting items from place to place:)  It is by far my favorite bag.

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Tracy

Handmade or Vintage Website???

Who would not want to go to a website that describes itself as a place to "buy and sell handmade or vintage items, art and supplies."  Or one that calls itself, "the world's most vibrant handmade marketplace."  The website is none other than etsy.com.  If you are looking for original art, jewelery, or wedding favors this is a great site.  You can choose to find local artisans or do a national search for the products you want to find.  


The search function pulls good applicable items.  Friends and I have used this site to find and purchase original art work, wedding favors, ipod covers, and vintage clothing.  


Also, if you have always wanted to have your own shop to sell your items.  Etsy allows you to easily become a seller.  You market your crafts or vintage items on a national basis. 


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Tracy

Patagonia Sweaters

I tend to keep my house cold (around 63 - 65 degrees).  I looked for years for a wool sweater that I could throw over whatever I was wearing in my house.  Finally I tried a patagonia's zip up men's sweater, and it met all of my needs.

These sweaters are solidly built and hold up even with my torturous treatment (washing (not recommended for wool), sleeping, hours of regular wear, household projects, etc.).

I typically buy them big so they fit over anything I am wearing and often serve as my coat for quick errands.  Not sexy. but they warm me up.  The sweaters are not too thick/bulky, so they allow me to move around freely and accomplish any task I desire around the house.

I have purchased 3 (1 hoodie and 2 non-hoodie versions).  After 3 years and 1,000s of hours of wear and tear, one of the sweaters gave up the fight in the elbows (tan/brown version shown above).  I am going to try and resurrect the worn out sweater with patches but not sure if it will be the same.  Luckily, if it does not work, I can send it back to Patagonia and they will recycle the sweater (I love the green aspect).

The sweaters can be found at www.patagonia.com.

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Tracy

Website for Everything

My favorite overall website is www.amazon.com.  This has been my go to site for years.  I know just about everyone knows the site, and it is not unique, but if I am looking for anything, this is is where I find myself.

People come to me all the time with complaints that they cannot find an item, I go to Amazon, and typically within seconds have the item they "can't find".

On an aside, I have had to use their customer service before, and I found them to be very friendly and helpful.  I love Amazon!

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Tracy

P.S. Don't miss the daily gold box deals. Click on the little gold box at the top of the screen.  In the middle of the page there are daily deals listed.  You can find some great deals there.

Shower Squid

Yes, that is right, I said Shower Squid.  I purchased this unique item from www.uncommongoods.com on a whim, and I have found that I really like it.  I have been a strong disliker of the typical shower holders for years.  They rust; things fall over the edge; they don't allow you to easily tip the products over to get every last drop.

I have had this product for over 2 months, and I love it.  The straps are adjustable (not easily, so pull kind of hard), and it can hold all size bottles.  They indicated on the website that it can even hold soap, but I did not want to have to continually adjust the straps so I bought little soap savers and called it a day (you can see them on the right side of the picture).

In looking at the product it looks a little crazy/weird, but it really works.  You can adjust the products to stick out as little or much as you prefer.  It can hold up to 9 small (razor) or large (big bottle of shampoo) items.  You can see in the picture, I have some bottles straight up, some sideways and some upside down.  It is very functional, and the arrangement is completely up to me.

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Tracy