RATE IT! Yummy Keychains

Any excuse to celebrate the happiness that is dessert is a 'rate it' in my world. 



Kid Robot - thank you SO MUCH for creating this taste-tempting array of dessert keychains. S'mores, jelly mould, smiling ice cream sandwiches, popsicles, bundt cake, chocolate dipped strawberries... 


I'm having a sugar rush just thinking about this delicious bounty!

RATE IT! Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops?

Kids of the '70s and '80s!  Remember all those gems of childhood that you loved so much? The toys, candy, and TV shows? Authors Gael Fashingbauer Cooper and Brian Bellmont don't want you to EVER forget!


"Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops?" is a joyous romp down memory lane. Sea-Monkeys, Schoolhouse Rock, Shasta???? And here I thought that I was the only one who recalled these gems from when I was little. This book is a time machine for kids of all ages. They even mention Weebles! Ooh, time to go hunting for my Winnie the Pooh Weebles tree house!


This terrific book will be on store shelves, and available online on June 7. I'm getting one!


Want more remembrances from the '70s and '80s? Check out their Genxtinct blog (how did I ever survive without this website? I'm hooked, like totally!)

RATE IT! Pizza Puzzle

Stir crazy yet? When you've been locked up inside for days due to inclement weather (like we have been), you need a new challenge. While many people turn to their X-Box or Wii to waste endless hours, some of us prefer old school pursuits. Speaking of which, when's the last time you got well, and truly puzzled?


Here's a pizza pie that's truly outside the box!


Grab yourself a slice, and get to work! 400 pieces of puzzling cheesiness. Count me in! 

RATE IT! Classic Chatter Phone

A toy time blast from the past!

Fisher Price is rolling out a kiddie favourite from days gone by - I even remember having one!

Meet the Classic Chatter Telephone. Sure, it's not as slim as an iPhone, and the old school rotary dial might confuse the younger set - but with it's jiggly eyes, and happy-go-lucky voice, this retro toy is still a gem!

Times may change but classics stand the test of time.

RATE IT! Domo-nation

Never mind the Terminator... meet the Domo-nator!


Domo, the little Japanese monster with an abundance of attitude is back with not one new look, but a whole slew of them.


Mellon Domo, Tuxedo Domo, Strawberry.. purple fuzz.... so many monsters, so little time. 


I'm partial to the glam rock Domo complete with star 'tattoos' that even Ziggy Stardust would be proud of. 


Available now from Fred Flare. 

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! Angry Bird Plush

It's time to turn your game crush into a reality!

Angry Birds, the smart phone app that conquered the world, is now available in 3D - sorta!

Plush birdies... five different varieties for your shopping pleasure! Just don't tick them off, okay?

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! Lego Movie Fun

Over the past few years, we've seen all sorts of LEGO inspired works.... Beatles, David Bowie, The Empire State Building, even the Mona Lisa... but now California-based film student, Alex Eylar has taken the idea one better.


Eylar has created several classic movie scenes from a selection of Hollywood's heavy hitters: we're talking 'American Beauty', 'Raging Bull', 'Psycho', 'A Clockwork Orange', and 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' to name but a few. 


Speaking to PacificCoastNews.com, Eylar says that his love of LEGO from childhood led to his current fascination with recreating movie magic. One thing is for certain, Alex sure puts the rest of us to shame with his LEGO creativity! I don't think that I've ever built anything more stellar than a bridge or a house.

Thanks to Gabrielle of 'Gab & Dad' for the tip!

RATE IT! Cut the Rope

Attention iPhone and iPad app game addicts -- a new challenge is awaiting! If you're searching for a game to sever your affections for the hugely popular 'Angry Birds', 'Cut the Rope' just may be IT!


Chances are, you may already have this adorable yet addictive game lurking on your device - it's currently sitting pretty atop the iTunes game charts with other a million users - but in case you missed its quiet debut, here's the scoop.


Cut the Rope stars a little green monster called Om Nom. He's tiny and cute, but is in possession of a huge appetite for candy. Your quest, should you accept it, is to satisfy little Om Nom's sweet tooth, and keep him happy. Sounds simple, doesn't it? Well, not so fast... the premise is easy but the execution is a tad tricky.


Om Nom is stuck in a box... special delivery sat on your doorstep. You must get inside his cubic surroundings to feed him the candy that he so desperately craves. Dinner time wouldn't be so difficult if the treats weren't attached to a multitude of ropes - a ha! Get it? Cut the Rope? Now you know what you must do! 


Race against meddling spiders, avoid razor-sharp barbs, and make friends with balloons and bubbles -- and if you can catch a clutch of glowing stars along the way, you'll be Om Nom's best buddy. But remember, your main task is to feed those sweet candy morsels to Om Nom - or else!


Cut the Rope is incredibly addictive. I rarely play games on my iPhone but this one will convert even the most fair-weather of players. The animation is top notch and the soundtrack is worthy of a Pixar release. You would be hard pressed to find better value for $0.99!

RATE IT! Domo Delight

Ah, my cute little friend is back... and this time he's got a crew of doppelgangers by his side!


Have you had the pleasure of meeting Domo? No? Well, time you get acquainted and fast! This little cheeky monster is very popular with the Kawaii/Tokidoki set. Sure he's got a scary persona but really, he just wants to be loved like everyone else!


This latest collection of Domo goodies features 15 different styled figures plus each box contains a different body part - stay with me! - so eventually, you can build your own Domo from scratch. So Steve Austin-esque! 


Available now from Urban Outfitters. 

RATE IT! Toy Story 3 PEZ

Toy Story 3 opens in theatres on June 18! In anticipation of this long awaited sequel to the sequel, PEZ is game for a laugh with these new candy dispensers featuring six of the most popular TS characters.


There's Buz, Jesse, Woody, Hamm, Slinky Dog and Rex, all awaiting their PEZ forever home.


Would you care to adopt? Yeah, I thought so too!

RATE IT! Tokidoki Mania

It's just the best when a writing assignment teaches you something!


I just learned a whole bunch about Tokidoki characters. I had no clue what they were. I had even blogged a little bit about them previously -- but didn't know their 'official' term. I just thought they were nifty!


Here's my latest piece for Vervegirl.com. Tokidoki, indeed!

RATE IT! Fang Matryoshkas

So that's what they're REALLY called!

Russian stacking dolls = just a cute, *simple* label for matryoshkas. Ah! See, read Lose That Girl daily and you might actually learn something! It might not be something useful, but at least it's something!

Anyhoo, this snarly sextet -- Fang Matryoshkas -- all jagged teeth & eerie pallor, are actually quite fetching, charming even. Send your Russian peasant stackers packing & nab your fang gang at Perpetual Kid.

RATE IT! Barbie as... Joan Jett?

Or how about Cyndi Lauper? Better yet, a Blondie-era Debbie Harry?

Who knew?! I completely missed the toy boat with these official Barbie offerings; released last Fall just in time for the Christmas shopping season.

The "Ladies of the '80s" Barbie doll collection has a musical muse for just about every pop culture taste, however, the fourth doll in the series, a seemingly un-rock 'n' roll Barbara Streisand, is kinda the outsider of this clique, don't you think? Madonna would have been the ideal gang leader for this set but maybe Madge was just too scared to wrestle Joan Jett for that title? I would be!

RATE IT! I Lego NY!

Let's just face it...Lego is taking over the world, or at least the pop culture part of it.

We've seen Lego pop stars, Lego boomboxes, Lego artwork...now the plastic blocks are taking a bite out of the Big Apple. The I Lego NY booklet, crafted by Cristoph Niemann is a treasure trove of Manhattan favourites. Taxis, famous architecture, food, even whimsical glimpses of the idiosyncrasies that plague city dwellers (stepping in chewing gum, anyone?)...all make this book a joy to behold.

New York City as a tiny toy-town. Love it!

RATE IT! Mad Men Go Plastic

Following upon the success of their 'X-Files' and 'I Love Lucy' TV-themed dolls, this summer Mattel will be unveiling their latest pop culture cross-over ~ 'Mad Men' inspired "Barbie" dolls!

There's Don, Roger, Betty and -- yes! -- Joan! For $75 a pop, they can be your's.

Looks like Barbie just might be in luck! With the Draper marriage crumbling beyond repair, she can kick Ken to the curb and get some Madison Avenue action!

Big thanks to Gabrielle for the tip!

RATE IT! Star Wars Crochet

Star Wars, and the craft of crocheting seem like odd bed fellows... until you take a peep at these babies!

Adorable!

Ten tiny Star Wars characters, all made by hand by crochet. What talent! Darth Vader, Yoda, Chewbacca -- they're ALL here! Who knew crochet was so cool, and pop culture-esque!

Lucyravenscar of England -- you are a GENIUS!

You can purchase Lucy's patterns on Esty to make your own Star Wars crochet characters - if you dare! As for me I think it's best that I just admire this fabulous handywork from afar, and leave this unique craft to the professionals!

Check out Lucyravenscar's blog for more of her amazing work.

RATE IT! Foodie Ker-Plunk

Despite what your Mother told you, sometimes it's more than okay to play with your food.

Meet the Ker-plunk inspired Olive Drop, designed by Ernie Bakker. Olives stand-in for marbles, while cocktail picks hold the party nibbles aloft waiting for the fun to commence! Genius!

And it gets BETTER! See that tray at the bottom? It catches all the drizzling oil from the trapped olives creating the perfect spot to dip your bread or other appetizer treats. Neat & tidy, foodie fun!

Yum!