Mukka Express cappuccino maker

This weekend on our visit to see Janell, I spied this very intruiging Bialetti product in one of her cabinets. This item is not to be confused with the coffee maker that you can get at Target for $19.99. I wanted to put it on my wedding registry, but I didn't want to miff people with my impractical item (CR did register for it and I thnk I may have to get it for her). I knew the cappuccino maker had a hefty price tag and probably would only serve a bi-annual indulgence. However, I think there's safety in knowing that Italian products that are related to coffee probably are top of the line. Jeff filled it with espresso, water and milk (either for foam or a latte) and within 5 minutes professional cappuccino was made. WOW--really good foam. I will refrain from buying a hand blender if I purchase this product. However, it certainly would enhance my coffee dependence from 1/2 cup of Dunkin' Donughts to a stratosphere of Italian espresso...

Ginger people ginger chews

I knew ginger was good for you, but I never thought I would be voluntarily eating it in any form except after my California roll. Ginger is magical in that many of its properties aid indigestion and inflammation of the digestive tract. These candies were a great tummy tamer on my last trip. Don't get me wrong, it's got a kick, but the taste is really refreshing.

Ball park cuff links

Okay, let me preface this with I would never spend this ungodly amount ($150 - $230) on said item. Also, if it weren't for the 195 weddings he's been in, Corey probably wouldn't know the purpose of a cuff link. However, it is an amazingly creative idea that Red Envelope came up with. I suppose if you had an extremely rich uncle who had everything, including his own jet, these would proabably do the trick. But chances are anyone who would appreciate these would probably prefer to take the $230 and actually go to a game.Their quote: These aren't just cuff links—they're a piece of baseball history. Crafted of salvaged seats from America's most famous and beloved stadiums, these cuff links are one of a kind. Coated in the original paint of the stadium seat colors, each cuff link boasts a deep patina collected from decades of home openers, double-headers and grand-slam ovations.

* offered in Yankee Stadium (royal blue), Wrigley Field (dark green), Fenway Park (dark blue), Dodger Stadium (Dodger blue), RFK Stadium (orange), Busch Stadium (gray), Tiger Stadium (dark green), Comiskey Park (light green), or Shea Stadium (orange)

Salud rollette perfume

I stumbled upon this wonderful boutique near the U of AZ campus in Tuscon. The store manager said Salud Spa Bar is about to go nation-wide, but for now only has a few stores. I love the concept: organic products and custom-made perfume and body care. I am such a product whore, but at least spending my money here ensures that I am getting something high-quality and good for my skin. I was nimbly eyeing the Skyn Iceland and Nuxe Paris lines, but I was hooked by the custom-made perfumes. For $24 I was able to make a perfume that I can stick in my carry-on and I don't have to haul around a big glass bottle. Also, the scents come from essential oils, so they don't have any toxic chemicals. My scent is a mixture of "bubble bath" (basically a citrusy concoction) and fig. They store your mixture in the computer system so you can easily reorder. Corey really liked the scent, so everyone wins!

MAC's mascara X

My eyelashes are pretty much non-existent and this is one of the only mascaras I've ever tried that actually seem to help in remedying this. I know half the trick is curling my eyelashes, and a MAC employee told me the trick for people with wimpy lashes is to make sure that they stick up past your eyelid. This mascara doesn't irriate my eyes, and I can get it all off. Lancome's main mascara is really good too, but I guess I just like MAC in general. MAC's also got a promo that if you bring in 5 empty makeup containers (lipstick & mascara, I think) you get a free lipstick. Bonus.

Method cleaning products

Since I am pretty much allergic to everything anyways, the push for retailers to start offering organic/non-toxic cleaning supplies works for my consumer interests. Target features a line of plant-based, non-toxic cleaning products called Method. Some of them still have scent but they are all natually-derived. I've used the bathroom cleaner, wood cleaner, multi-purpose cleaner (in unscented & grapefruit--YUM). Oprah's got a whole list of other companies that offer non-toxic supplies, so I am sure I will try some of those out too. I've tried the Seventh Generation powdered dishwasher soap (in which I was only trying to buy the cheapest version of a pricier product) but it left some chunks on my dishes. Method also carries microfiber and other cleaning cloths (I have the one to use with the furniture polish), mops, and air fresheners (I've got two) that used soy-based, all-natural scents that are non-toxic. They smell great and last a long time.

Deceptively Delicious

My new obsession is cookbooks, but I am trying to limit what I buy and use the best ones I have. I am bad, but I returned a book I received so I could get this and still had $3 to spend. I went home the first night I got it and read it cover to cover. I am amazed at how this concept was not popularized before. My husband said that he will make it a mission to eat more healthy foods, but also informed that that the only vegetables I can make him eat are green beans, corn and green peppers (on his pizza). I came home and spent the evening looking at the cookbook, telling him I was going to make blueberry muffins, chicken kabobs and even mozzarella sticks. Apparently he hasn't yet connected all of the dots because I'm in the planning phase. Now I just need to get to the grocery store to claim my veggies!