Sean and I were talking about what style of sunglasses he would be sporting this summer, but the thought of retiring his good old aviators didn’t appeal to him much. However, we did end up talking about styles and brands of men’s sunglasses that are most popular in California. Many areas have their own “local heroes”, and San Diego is no exception. While Oakleys (based out of Orange County) are always a favorite, you can’t leave the house without seeing a score of men wearing Dragon sunglasses. Truck stickers with the Dragon logo are also really popular. As it turns out, Dragon is a San Diego County (Carlsbad) based company, which explains the hometown love that the brand enjoys here. Their styles are largely designed for the sports enthusiast, so you’ll find incredibly sturdy frames that block 100% of all harmful UV and Blue Light. Wrap-around sunglasses frames are also one of their hallmarks, as are the occasional fashion forward style. There is a new 2007 model called “GG”, which is straight up 1980’s nerd style: thick two-toned coffee and bronze frames, perfect for rocking the blazer, t-shirt, and Vans look. To cater to a wider audience, they also offer more subdued, metal frame sunglasses styles. (You can see GG shown at top left, in black.)

If you’re looking for a pair of men’s Dragon sunglasses, eBay has an awesome selection. Even better, I’ve been watching auctions and you can definitely get a new pair for well below retail. Oh, the magic of eBay.

Posted by Lauren in Outdoors, Clothing and Accessories
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I got an e-mail yesterday about the new “Environmentally Friendly Products” section at Stacks and Stacks, and after I checked it out I was simultaneously hopeful and disappointed. Hopeful, because whenever a retailer puts focus on green products and technologies it means that the green “trend” has a better chance of sticking around and affecting some permanent change. Disappointed, because their small selection is kind of padded with items like clothespins and dish drainboards. However, those little items did give me an idea for some products to write about: namely, clotheslines.

If you haven’t been able to afford a new Energy Star compliant washer and dryer (or even if you have one and want to further reduce your environmental footprint), a clothesline can help you save water and energy. If you’re a city dweller like me who has to use the laundrymat and has ZERO yard with which to dry your wet clothes, then an indoor clothesline will do the trick. This is a quandary that I’ve been thinking about in the back of my mind for months now, and I just had no idea that so many indoor clothes drying options existed! There are models that fit over your bath tub (seen above at left), retractable clotheslines that mount on any indoor or outdoor wall (seen at right), collapsible racks that can fit anywhere and even a cute wooden collapsible wall mounted rack (seen below at left). The more familiar outdoor “rotary” clothes dryers and clotheslines are available, too. With the sun being a free and renewable resource, and the first days of summer finally upon us, now would be an ideal time to give line drying your clothes a try !

$9.99-$79.99 for indoor models

Posted by Lauren in Household, Green Living
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The 50’s were a turning point in so many ways, not least of which was the birth of mid century modern design. Lines became simple and sleek, providing a distinct contrast to the excess that was poplar in post-war times. Thankfully, there are designers today who still create stunning minimalist designs that hearken to that 1950’s modern look. The Gus Design Group manufactures contemporary furniture and home accessories inspired by mid-century classics and simple, everyday forms. From now until June 28th, you can get 10% off their entire collection at Design Public. There are a lot of stand out pieces, but one of my favorites is the multi-purpose Lighbox, shown at right. It’s primary skill appears to be emitting soft, mood lighting, but it’s also sturdy enough to be used as a stool, ottoman, table, or whatever else you can imagine for it. Ahh, beauty and brains.

COUPON: Use Promo Code GUS10 to get 10% off all Gus Design items through June 28, 2007. All Gus items get free shipping, too!

Posted by Lauren in Sale, Splurge, Household
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Can you believe it? Summer Solstice is finally here! Today is the longest day of the year (in terms of hours of sunlight, which we find to be a great gauge for awesomeness), and the official start of the summer season. If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere then you’ve probably got 3+ months of sunshine coming your way!

If you happen to live in an especially sunny climate, such as our own San Diego “300 days of sunshine” California, you might find yourself wishing for a little relief from the heat. When you’re outside and away from your air conditioned houses and cars, try using a portable mister like 8.5″ tall Cool Blast. All is takes is a superfine mist of water and you’ll be feeling 30 degrees cooler. It doesn’t even need batteries. Brilliant! They’re even on sale right now, so you can beat the heat all summer for just a few bucks.

On Sale: $14.99 or 2 for $25 (usually $20 each)

Posted by Lauren in Outdoors, Gadgets
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What’s better than a really cute skirt? A bunch of really cute free skirts! Skirt Spot (formerly known as Boutique Oohlala) is giving away five $100 gift certificates to their store, which is filled with some of the cutest skirts I’ve ever seen. As a certified skirt junkie, that’s saying a lot. I gushed about their new fall line back in October, so if you’re unfamiliar with their unique vision and manufacturing principles, please check out that post.

If your wardrobe has a spot for $100 worth of “fun, classic, exuberant, bold and sometimes retro” new skirts then just hop over to Skirt Spot’s contest page and fill out the short entry form. But hurry, contest ends June 30, 2007. If you haven’t had the pleasure of ordering yourself a custom Skirt Spot skirt yet, then use the coupon below to save yourself %10. Good luck everyone!

COUPON: Use code “my first purchase” and receive 10% off. Good for first time customers only.

Posted by Lauren in Contest, Clothing and Accessories
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A few years ago I purchased a star projector toy, imagining and hoping that it would transform my bedroom into my very own planetarium. Like many people, stars and starlight have always held a special fascination for me. Who doesn’t enjoy stargazing every now and then? Those teeny twinkling specks of light remind us of the enormity of the galaxy, and are just so beautiful to behold. Well, imagine my disappointment when said child’s toy failed to create anything resembling a sky full of stars. Instead I saw blurry smears over a small section of my ceiling. I packed up the plastic hunk of junk, returned it to the manufacturer, and wondered if I would ever get that starlit bedroom that I so dreamed of.

Fast forward a few years and someone finally got it right! The Laser Star Projector is not a toy and promises to “fill any room from the tiniest bedroom to the largest warehouse with a crystal clear animated star display“. Yes, it’s animated, too! You’ll see thousands of green laser stars and blue clouds (along with the occasional shooting star) that are constantly moving and morphing. Everyone who sees it in person supposedly has an OMG moment, and I can’t wait to try it out for myself.

OK, I may not have a jetpack or servant robot yet, but this kind of technology will pacify me for now.

Also available @ Think Geek

$189 (with Free Shipping @ Perpetual Kid)

Posted by Lauren in So Pretty, Fun, Gadgets
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These new chandeliers make me want to redecorate my whole house. The nouveau baroque look makes a perfect contrast to the predominately black coloring. It reminds me a bit of something you’d see at Urban Outfitters, but with more sophisticated details: kind of a gothic Marie Antoinette vibe. In the past, chandeliers had a stuffy feel to them, usually looking appropriate only in really swanky rooms. Today a contemporary chandelier or chandelette can create a soft, casual atmosphere similar to candlelight. A black chandelier would make an amazing focal point for any room and can bring out the beauty of your existing decor.

If black lighting isn’t your style, never fear: Gigglebrush offers many other styles and colors, including pink chandeliers and scones. They offer “couture lighting” with quality materials such as leaded crystal, glass and solid brass components, so your gorgeous lighting will stay that way.

$128-$358

Posted by Lauren in So Pretty
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It’s summer time and we’re all going to be spending a lot more time in our pools. You may not have one, but your neighbor probably does, and you’ll go to at least a couple pool parties this summer, right? Well then the only thing stopping you from being the coolest pool party guest or host is having a motorized pool lounger … or two.

Seriously though, who wouldn’t want a ride on this sweet double joystick double thrusters pool lounger that can not only get you from one end to the other with out getting wet, but can do 360 spins? Weeeeeeeee!!! To top it off this bad boy has a drink cozy, and comes with air pump so you don’t look like a chump blowing up your pool lounger with your own lungs while everyone is already having fun. Get your motorized pool lounger now.

$149.95

Feel free to kick it up a notch at your own pool party with this remote controlled floating serving tray that holds 5 drinks and 16 ounces of snacks. Just imagine yourself relaxing in your sweet crystal clear pool on your motorized lounger, drifting in the slight breeze and when the sun is too much you motor over into the shade. Then when hunger or thirst strikes you beckon your floating snacks with a flip of a button and chow down. Just keep in mind that there are five 12 oz. drink holders and your bladder can only hold so much. But then again if you are by yourself and it’s your pool …

$49.95

Posted by Sean in Outdoors, Splurge, Fun
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Living in one of the most sunny climates in North America certainly has spoiled the Mable’s Crew. When June hits, if it’s not 73 degrees outside, we get cranky. Although it’s been pretty steady in the 60’s lately, we’re still dreaming of heat waves and pools. Judging by the reports at weather.com, the rest of the US should be getting excited, too. So the question is, how can you stock up on your favorite water toys to beat the heat but not your wallet?

Leaps and Bounds is making it a lot easier by offering 15% off orders over $100 throughout June. Although they carry a whole bunch of other cool kids items, their new pool toys have really caught my eye. In addition to the water park inspired “Shock Rocker Inflatable Float” shown at right, there are several more rad looking water toys. Don’t have a pool? No worries; all of these “pool toys” are safe for use in lakes, the ocean, or pools. If all you have is a little scrap of yard, you can still set up your very own Family Fun Water Park! There’s even a reusable underwater camera (on sale!) and sea creature shaped Sun Signals UV Sensors for more safe water fun.

Family Fun Water Park

Inflatable Squirter Donut

Slider Island

COUPON: Get %15 off orders of $100 or more. Enter B15JUNE in the promotion code field during checkout to get your 15% discount. Offer expires June 30, 2007.

Posted by Lauren in Sale, Outdoors, Kids
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Plum Party is definitely the cutest online party supply store, and right now they’re the cheapest, too. Until June 10th you can get %25 off your entire order. This discount coupon can also be applied to all the items in the all ready marked down SALE category for combined savings of up to 75%! Since outdoor party season is fast approaching, now is a great time to stock up on discount party supplies for your themed events: Graduation, 4th of July, Pool Party, summer birthdays, Luau, Beach Party, etc. They also carry other goodies like bold, modern tableware from French Bull, and equally daring accessories from Tepper Jackson.

COUPON: Get %25 off! Enter plum25 at checkout to get your discount. Offer expires June 10, 2007.

Posted by Lauren in Sale, So Pretty
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Add these reversible swimsuits to the why wasn’t this around when I was a kid? category. As a child, I’d pour through the pint-sized racks in search of the coolest swimwear in existence. I knew that if I settled for the cute-ish one in my hand then the absolute best suit would surely be on the next rack. Not much has changed for me when it comes to finding new summer swimwear, and ladies (both young and grown-up) know that feeling. What if I find something cuter later?

Little Miss Matched to the rescue! Each piece from the reversible Little Miss Matched bathing suit line comes with 2 print/color combinations. The one piece suit with cover-up offers 4 options, and the 2 pieces with cover-ups create 8 options! Whether your little girl likes hearts, polka dots, stripes, solids, one-pieces, two-pieces, bikinis, or tankinis, she will find something adorable at Little Miss Matched.

RELATED: Reversible Bedroom Sets

$38-$60

Posted by Lauren in Kids, Clothing and Accessories
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When I first saw candy cane shot glasses, I thought they were the cutest, most clever thing… but they’re crap compared to these “Ice Shooters“ at Perpetual Kid! Seriously though, the possibilities are endless for this silicone ice mold. Remember in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory where Gene Wilder eats the little flower shaped cup that he’s drinking from? After watching that scene I became inspired to nibble on a cup myself, as odd as that sounds. Or what about making mini creamsicles? Use the mold to make orange popsicles, then remove them from the tray, fill with a creamy liquid center, and freeze again for homemade creamsicles. What a perfect summer treat! Alcohol doesn’t freeze, so the you’ll get more flexibility with non-boozy drink creations, but then again you could just use the mold as intended and fill an icy cup with a shot of your favorite liquor. For larger parties, grab a few molds or plan ahead so you can make more than 4 ice shot glasses at a time.

On Sale: $6.99

RELATED: Popsicle Molds and…

Cool Jewels Ice Cubes

Guitar Ice Stirrers

Silicone Ice Kabobs

Posted by Lauren in Fun
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Only 3 days left to take advantage of the $10 and up sale on designer t-shirts from Threadless (most are only $10). For the past 4 days Threadless has released 6 new and reprinted t-shirts every day. That’s a ton of new shirts to choose from and more will be released in the upcoming days. So check out their front page and be amazed at the awesome designs, but be sure to grab the ones you want quick because these shirts will sell like hot cakes. Mmmm, hot cake.

But wait, there’s more!
Threadless is also hosting 2 contests for all of us t-shirt wearing consumers. To enter both contests at once you’ll want to check out their vacation map and submit a photo of you wearing a Threadless t-shirt in front of a local landmark. If enough photos are submitted then they will extend the sale to June 4th (Monday) and we will all get a hand at 6 more new designer shirts at the sale price. Plus for each photo submitted you will be entered in the drawing to win a sweet cooler full of goodies! What kind of goodies you ask? Well how about a digital camera, an iPod, sunblock, beach towel, and more summer essentials; does that do anything for ya? Well then, check out the vacation map and get out there and take pictures!

Posted by Sean in Sale, Clothing and Accessories
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