RATE IT! Back to School with Snoopy

When I was a kid, most of the school children (me included) would walk home for lunch each and every day. Only a few kids who were bused to our school from the outer corners of our town, would stay and tuck into a packed lunch. I never had the opportunity to cart around a funky lunch box -- and yeah, I was actually envious of the kids who did. I'll always remember the NHL lunch boxes the boys had. If I didn't live so close to the school, I would have definitely had a Toronto Maple Leafs one. 

Or... perhaps a Snoopy inspired lunch box like this gem available from Perpetual Kid. Snoopy never goes out of fashion in my books. Unfortunately I work from home now so the need for a case to tote my lunch is unnecessary. I'll just have to admire this cute lunch box from afar. 

RATE IT! Geek Chic

Nerd alert... and I mean that in the nicest way possible. 


A beaut of a carry-all from Fred Flare. 

RATE IT! Ice Cream Sandwich Pillow

You can keep your House and Garden ultra-trendy home decor. Instead, I'll gladly take this nifty ice cream sandwich pillow into my abode. It's cute, looks comfy and never takes itself too seriously. 

I think I've finally found the perfect match for the cupcake pillow. 

RATE IT! iPaw'd

Why should your dog be left out of all the iPad fun? 


Meet iPaw'd... a pillow/toy that will make your canine one trendy pup. 

RATE IT! Happy Wedding Day, Will & Kate

Don't you just love a good wedding? 


Obviously Canada Post does! Today they're releasing not one, but TWO special stamps featuring the happy couple. One version is for domestic mail. The other, more expensive one is for international letters. Both Queen Elizabeth, and Prince William approved the Canadian-made designs. I hope that Kate got to see them too! 


I am so happy that Canada, as a proud member of the Commonwealth, decided to produce these stamps. To the happy couple!

RATE IT! Tiny Wings

Gaming is not a past time that I indulge in BUT I have made a few exceptions. 


With the hype surrounding Angry Birds, I downloaded it to my phone, and gave it a go. Unlike most purchasers, I haven't been compelled to play it over, and over again. It's addictive nature has passed me by. I'm not feeling the love for this furious flock. Sorry! But before I set my iPhone down with the vow never to get wingy with it, I came across Tiny Wings. 

Simple to play with endearing graphics, Tiny Wings grabbed my heart where Angry Birds failed. The little fella just wants to soar through the sky, touch the clouds, and explore faraway lands. There's no nasty agenda, no complicated strategy... just the desire to be free as a bird, so to speak. Playing this game is so easy. You can use one finger - that's it! Just be sure to use the downward slopes of the hills to project Tiny Wings way up into the deep blue yonder. The key is to get as far as you can, hopping island after island before the sun sets. The arrival of evening tells Tiny Wings that it's time for bed. Any further adventures will have to be played out in his dreams.  


It's not surprising that Tiny Wings was one of the few phone games to push Angry Birds off the iTunes' #1 seller spot. It's that fun, and addictive! A definite smart phone must-buy. The best $0.99 I spent - I've been sending Tiny Wings airborne for weeks now. 

RATE IT! Rabbit Ears Salad Servers

Inviting friends, and family over for an Easter dinner? Imagine the looks on their faces when you roll up to the dinner table with this set of salad servers!

Hop to it! Easter's only days away... these babies from Perpetual Kid won't last long. Happy Easter!

RATE IT! Corgi vs. iPad

I've been working on an article about Corgis for a client, and in my travels came across this adorable video. 


It's true! Good things DO come in small packages -- and I'm not talking about the iPad! 


I'm sure that I am not the only one hoping that the Queen's Corgis make an appearance next week during all the royal wedding hoopla. They're part of the family, after all!


For more Corgi capers, check out this other clip here. 

RATE IT! Holy USB, Batman!

Kiss goodbye to boring computer accessories! Batman has saved the day (yet again!). 


Comic geek chic rules with this set of too cool for school USB flash drives. The Joker, Batman...what's not to like?


Not only will these 2 GB gizmos save important docs for you, but in return they'll offer up lots of Batman-inspired goodness including avatars, wallpapers and more. Best of all, these drives are compatible with PC and Mac. 


Priced at $36 US & available now from Fred Flare. 

RATE IT! You've Got Mail

It's time to push the envelope!


Okay, that was bad.... but can you blame me? Check this baby out... a cute letter pillow complete with smiley face, and stamp detail. It's a shame that the real peeps who actually deliver the mail aren't as cheery. 

RATE IT! Etch A Sketch Loves iPhone

Well, it was bound to happen... people SWOONED over the Etch a Sketch iPad cover with such overwhelming geeky love, that there's now a teeny iPhone-sized version. 


Cute, yes?


Available for $25 bucks at Think Geek. Truly!

HATE IT! Royal Comics

The Royals get the ultimate pop culture treatment!


Check out this graphic novel/comic book celebrating the love story of Prince William and Kate Middleton. 


Pure cheese, thanks to Rich Johnston, a UK political commentator. By the looks of things, Mr. Johnston is taking some masculine artistic licence... giving cartoon William a full head of hair. Kate, on the other hand, looks more like herself, very pretty, but almost Charlie's Angels-esque. Oh, those crazy kids!


And you thought china mugs, and plates were tacky! Why not go the whole hog and create Wills and Kate bubble gum cards too? 


Want to get your mitts on this item? Check out Amazon.co.uk - Kate & William: A Very Public Love Story will be released on April 2. The perfect pre-wedding gift -- or not!

RATE IT! Yes, I'm Actually 12

It doesn't take much to send me spiraling back to the joys of childhood. Maybe I'm just too immature for my own good? Hmm.... I don't think that's quite true. I'd rather say that I appreciate silly things that perhaps other adults my age would pass by with nary a second thought. 


I like toys. I like silly things that make me smile, and this set of face stickers tick all the boxes of my juvenile sensibilities. 

Why not make your stapler into a monster with stick on eyes? Or your alarm clock? Life's too fun to be serious ALL the time. And it's January... c'mon, we ALL need some levity when we're freezing out butts off, and it's dark at 5pm. Scowl if you must, but I'll be all tucked up warm inside transforming my filofax into a buck-toothed marvel. 

RATE IT! Loved Up Domo

With Valentine's Day less than a month away, it appears that love is in the air. Even Japanese monsters have been tickled pink by the footloose and fancy-free feeling that only true amour can bring.


Domo has been struck by Cupid's arrow... care to show him how much you adore him in return?


I actually prefer this rosy Domo over the classical version - yep, I own the old school chocolatey Domo - but this pretty in pink get-up is just peachy!


Valentine-hued Domo is available now from Fred Flare. 

RATE IT! Thunderbirds Are Go-ing Postal Too!

Great Britain is certainly living up to its name! Why is the UK getting my stamp of approval once again?


On the heels of their Christmas Wallace & Gromit philatelist treasure trove, they're unleashing yet another pop culture collection -- Thunderbird postage stamps are launched today. 


Honouring the 50th anniversary of Gerry Anderson's puppet-tastic TV program, this Royal Mail special edition features stamps for Stingray, Captain Scarlet, Fireball XL5, Supercar and more! What's most exciting... for the first time, the Royal Mail has gone high-tech, featuring a sheet of four 'motion' stamps. When the small page is tilted back and forth, the opening sequence of Thunderbirds plays out -- pure genius!


Last week it was announced that the US Postal Service is releasing a series of Pixar stamps in 2011. Meanwhile, us Canadians have to make do with Queen Elizabeth II, flowers and the odd hockey player. C'mon, Canada Post - pull up your socks!

RATE IT! Pixar Goes Postal

I feel like stamping my feet! Why, oh WHY do the Americans & Brits get *all* the fun when it comes to whimsical, pop culture-inspired postage stamps? 


First the UK honours Wallace & Gromit this past Christmas with an array of cute, cheery stamps just in time for the holiday card sending season. And now Stateside, a series of Pixar characters will get face time in 2011. 

Wall-E, Buzz Lightyear, Remy the Rat and others will grace letters and packages throughout 2011. What better way to cheer up the post, and make you want to actually send out a letter?


As a Canadian, I feel left out! Our stamps are far too serious.

RATE IT! Etch A Sketch iPad Case

Aw, it's the perfect marriage of geeky technology and childhood whimsey.


Meet the Etch A Sketch iPad Case -- the officially licenced Etch A Sketch case, don'tcha know. Someone at Etch A HQ was definitely on the ball with this invention! Why cover your Apple tablet with a boring, grown up casing, when you can have this attention grabber instead. 


Shame it doesn't come with the capability to make those gray sludge-coloured drawings of times gone by. 

RATE IT! Jesus! Holiday Nesting Dolls

If you're looking to add a little levity to your Christmas decor, this timely set of nativity matryoshkas -- or, nesting dolls -- might be perfect for you.

Stack up Joseph, Mary, the three wise men and the baby Jesus. A more clutter free decoration you'll be hard pressed to find!

RATE IT! Wallace & Gromit Get Licked

Ah, to live in the UK at Christmastime! Not only do the Brits do the holidays like no one else, they also know how to create a festive postage stamp.


Beloved characters, Wallace & Gromit get licked this Christmas as the Royal Mail's holiday stamps. Choose from a series of adorable designs featuring the Academy Award winners going about their typical Christmas preparations. My fave: Gromit and the giant pudding.

Shame Canada Post never thinks of something so clever and fun!

RATE IT! Official Photos!

Yes, count me in as one of the many suckers excited for a good royal wedding!


While I won't be holding my breath waiting for my own invite from the Bride's side of the family (sorry, inside joke -- couldn't help myself!), I am thrilled for Kate and William. A wedding regardless of who the Bride and Groom are is a happy occasion in my books. 


Here's one of the official engagement photos taken at the Palace today.


Love Kate's gorgeous blue dress - a hue chosen to compliment the ring (Diana's original engagement ring) perhaps?


(photo: PA)