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Last post here, I promise

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NEW BLOG! Obvs not this one

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Business Week's IDSA Design Awards 2008 announced

and now I want to go shopping (lucky for me, I already bought 2 of these earlier this year...via the Apple store)

and now a highlight of my personal favorites

Computer Equipment, Bronze:
Opening up the consumer market with the WACOM Bamboo

A pen tablet for home office users, the WACOM Bamboo features an interaction field with a circular scroll and zoom element and four programmable function keys, tailored to home office users' need. The monochrome black color used in combination with attractive matte and glossy surface treatments create an attractive game of contrasts that makes the pen and its stand look like a precious, jewel-like object to proudly display in one's home office. Contact: Alf Hackenberg, I/IDSA: ahackenberg@signce.eu Credit: SIGNCE Design GmbH (Germany) Client: Wacom Europe GmbH (Germany

Entertainment, Gold:
Flip Video Ultra Series by Pure Digital Technologies

This is the first camcorder to simplify the process of capturing and sharing video. With integrated software, the Ultra enables editing, organizing and seamless uploading to AOL, YouTube and other video sharing sites. Challenged to develop a product that communicates this simplicity in a fun and user friendly manner, the design team focused on the form factor, ergonomics and control layout. The result is a highly-compact camera that can fit in any pocket and provide unmatched portability and intuitive use for capturing, editing and sharing high-quality video. "The design of the Flip expresses perfectly the simplicity of the product. It is a breeze to use, and it makes capturing and sharing memories so much more natural." Jean Jacques L'Henaff, IDSA, VP of Industrial Design, Audiovox Electronics Corp. Contact: Thomas Isaacson: thomas.isaacson@smartdesignworldwide.com Credit: Smart Design and Pure Digital Technologies, Inc.

Home Living, Bronze:
Smart Touch™ Salad Spinner

The Smart Touch Salad Spinner is designed to make quick work of salad prep. Use the inner basket as a colander to rinse greens, drop the basket into the spinner bowl, set the lid on top, and just one press of the Smart Touch lever sets the basket spinning at optimal speed to dry greens quickly and efficiently. The clear-view top lets users keep an eye on the process. One button engages the integrated disc brake to bring the basket to a quick, solid stop, fluffing the lettuce in the process. The bowl can be used to toss and serve salad and store leftovers. With a stackable top, the Smart Touch helps make the best use of precious refrigerator space. Contact: Barb Mackintosh: barb@rksdesign.com Credit: RKS Client: DKB Household/Zyliss

Leisure & Recreation:
Belkin Sport Armband Plus

The Sport Armband Plus is a wearable accessory to store and protect iPod players for exercise. It is made of durable, safe, lightweight materials; its unique, high frequency-welded construction provides comfort for rigorous workouts and its reflective frame enhances safety for use in the dark. This armband is fully adjustable and easy to wear. The compact form factor provides full protection to the player and allows easy access to controls. We also integrated a cable management accessory called the Cable Capsule. It's designed to manage headphone cable length while in use and acts as a storage place when headphones are not in use. Contact: Melody Chalaban: melodych@Belkin.com Credit: Belkin

Leisure & Recreation:
Domyos Fitness Cube

The purpose of this product was to offer the most compact, complete product for muscle toning and facilitate its integration into the home. A minuscule 50x50x50cm when folded up, the Fitness Cube will not look out of place in any room in your house and can even be used as a chair. This way, the product is always accessible and ready in seconds for an impromptu workout. Unfolded, you can do 30 different exercises with the fitness cube, and the adjustable resistance allows the product to adapt to your progress or to different members of your family. Contact: Philippe Vahe: philippe.vahe@decathlon.com Credit: Decathlon (France)

Foxy table, no?

Photog lessons at the beach, sort-of

I'll tell you this much, getting up at 4:15 tomorrow morning is not my cup of tea. I hope I can fall asleep soon. Until the weekend, when I can go through our pictures from Cali, I'll share these 2:

What I saw

How it happened

Yippee, post 18-mile run reward?

This weekend only, shop at TREAT and all your favorite stores
in the Old Town Boutique District and save an additional 10% off all your purchases!

Does your dog eat in a secluded corner?

I picked Summy up a little while ago from daycare and I was asked about her eating habits. I was specifically asked if she eats in a dark corner, kinda funny/kinda scary huh?

Anyway, at dinner time Summy decided to shove her mouth full of food (like she normally does) and then paw at the kitchen door at school. There was a new person on duty at mealtime today and she hadn't been trained by little Ms. Summy...it turns out that this 4 legged princess has a particular spot about where she eats and it's behind a door in a dark corner at school.

It's a good thing we're not real parents.

Fancy pants quote of the evening

This is g-rated, I swear:
"That's not a rubber ducky, that's a Chocobo. Everyone knows what a Chocobo is"

If only Tab understands this, it's a-ok with me...I sure don't.

I'm going home this weekend and I can't wait to...

1. Hang out with the fam
2. Get a pedi at Tsume, the way all pedis should be
3. Checkout P's office at her first big girl job
4. Stand in line w/ my parents, while we all wait for our new iphones (yup, I'm a sucker)
   
5. Run on the good ole LG trail, without rain and humidity (like a summer should be)
   
6. Drive down Highway 1 to my most favorite: Hearst Castle
7. Ride ATVs in Pismo
8. Finally meet V's baby girl...yay, a new photography subject :)
   

*oh ya, and I'm also headed to Dr. JJ b/c my Cali dentist is the coolest ever (even though I moved 3500 miles away 4 years ago)

After running 16 miles in the rain, I want...

a watch that can actually confirm my pace and distance accurately and in real-time. Is that too much to ask?

I've retired the Nike Triax, Polar, and Nike Plus systems. I refused to wear a laptop on my arm (the old Garmin devices) but now I've got GPS envy...check out this baby:
And it's no pink, but isn't this sage green so much better than the standard manly and blah black?

Happy 4th!

Getting to know D.C.--The Insider's Version with help from the Smithsonian

Doesn't this sound awesome?

The Insider’s Washington, D.C.

Tues., July 15, 6:45 to 9 p.m.

LOCATION

Eugene & Agnes E. Meyer Auditorium
Freer Gallery of Art
12th & Independence Ave., SW

PROGRAM DETAILS

How well do you think you know the nation’s capital? Whether or not you live here, Washington, D.C., demands deeper exploration. Travel writer and District resident Andrew Evans transcends the tourist cliches and veers off the beaten path to reveal the city’s unexpected sides. Discover its hidden gems and learn how it is the closest foreign destination you’ve never visited.

6:45 to 7:45 p.m. The District You Don’t Know

Lesser-known monuments; obscure museums; architectural treasures; and secluded parks. Appreciating the capital’s cuisine, theater, music, fashion, and art.

8 to 9 p.m. Neighborhoods

Washington’s shifting neighborhoods. Exploring the other three quadrants—Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest. The district’s vibrant ethnic communities.

CODE: 1H0-450

Food Review: Brasserie Beck

We headed over to the old McPherson Square neighborhood to try out the new (to us) Brasserie Beck.
We met up with some friends who during our last group dinner outing noticed Jeremy's excitement over the mussels at Bistrot du Coin. They promised they could recommend even better Mussels, and so we went out Wednesday for the test.
With 4 orders of Mussels, they covered the 3 options (White wine and spices, Apple and Curry, Fennel and Chorizo) and doubled up on the white wine option. The clear winner was the snausage (as we would refer to it) variety. I was enticed by the special salad of the evening (Asparagus and tomatoes covered in something yummy) and the hot pastry: Quiche.
All our portions were actually pretty huge, and the beer menu resembled the endless choices at Brickskeller. Yummy! The dessert Waffle du Jour included apricots marinated in Hoegaarden beer (a Doggpound visitor's favorite), but we were simply too full to indulge. Next time! Overall, a thumbs up experience!

My favorite boutique at 40% off, unreal!

ALL SPRING AND SUMMER clothes are 40% off starting Monday morning, wahoo!

I love you all so much, a double feature...and a great home decorating site

How awesome are these bedroom linens? Get it at the sample sale price, but don't steal mine out of my cart please :)

*Images courtesy of InhabitLiving

Dressing up my iMac

Boo, they're sold out for now...but I think my iMac needs some clothes.
Check out the designer fashions for your Apple computers at AcmeMade. I'll be waiting for the black microdot edition to be back in stock.
*Image courtesy of AcmeMade.com

Take Advantage of Shobop's 1-day coupon code!

Awesome find: Trader Joe's Cookbook (with all ingredients from TJ's)

Props to little Cami for finding this one!It's sold out on Amazon right now, but when I find this baby in stock it'll so be a kitchen staple for us. I love having TJ's down the street :)

The PS3 is going down, exhibit A: Kill A Watt

To put an end to the energy debate in this household about power hungry kegerators and private file servers to host music mixes for strangers abroad...I present the Foggfather with the Kill A Watt power strip. When I first heard about the Kill A Watt products I thought too cool--finally a way to know exactly how much power you're drawing from any plug-in device at any specific time. I'm sure it's not the first of it's kind, given that the earlier Kill A Watt products came out a long time ago. All I know is the next time that we're shopping for a surge protector, I've got this one tabbed in my list of things to buy.

Summer Solstice Celebration

Today is officially the longest day of the year -- why not welcome the extra hours of daylight with a glass of sparkling wine and some mini cupcakes,
while scoring great deals on new summer pieces for your wardrobe.

Treat yourself tonight from 5-8 PM

Receive a $20 Gift Card with any purchase over $100

As if wine, cupcakes and free gifts are not enough motivation, we have just marked down dozens of items throughout the store - up to 75% off retail! Hurry in for the best selection.

TREAT is located in the heart of Old Town:

114 S. Royal Street
Alexandria VA 22314
703.535.3294

get directions

OPEN WEEKENDS ONLY
Fri + Sat, 11-7
Sun, 12-6


www.shoptreat.com

How cool is this? (yup it's a big letter) me = giant nerd.

And if I wrote more, it would look even
cooler.
right?

She did it!

Momma, I'm so proud of you! I'm not there in person to congratulate you, but I'm so incredibly proud of your determination to finish and your accomplishments!

You promised us you'd finish school before your 3 daughters finished college...you teased us and cut it close, but those ladies have class until later this year. Looks like you kept your word and I'm so happy for you! Congratulations lady!

Who doesn't love a little sale action?