Dan Piraro is a multi-talented guy, but he is probably best known for his off-beat cartoon strip, Bizarro. Although I had seen that cartoon in a few various places over the years, it wasn’t until I read about Dan in the debut issue of Herbivore Magazine that I began to take notice of his work. One particular area of his focus really caught my attention: animals. Outside of being a skilled illustrator and comic, Dan is also passionate about animal rights and isn’t shy about using his skills to raise awareness about it. His latest contribution is a bizarre and very cool looking shirt that he designed for Endangered Wear that gives 100% of the profits to Dan’s favorite farm animal sanctuary. There’s a limited run of 750 shirts being produced by indie shirt company Endangered Wear (limited runs are their specialty, hence the name). All of their designs are printed on made in the USA, sweatshop-free American Apparel t-shirts, too. Whether you’re a card carrying member of the Secret Society of Vegans like us (just kidding, they don’t issue cards), or just not a big fan of factory farming, this shirt is a fun way to spread the word and help animals. And honestly, how many shirts do you have that feature a retro-look piggy being flown to safety thanks to a flock of funky birds?
$22.95

JUNE 1 UPDATE: Use coupon code AWESOMER to get an extra 10% off all sale items. Good until June 3, 2007 at Midnight EST.

I love extended sales. They always seem to show up during 3 day weekends… like this Urban Outfitters Memorial Day Sale! Through June 4th, UO has just about every other product on their site marked down to awesomely low prices- clothes, shoes, accessories, swimwear, decor items, gifts- you name it, it’s on sale (and a lot of it for at least 40% off). Plus, you know the deal with Urban Outfitters’ website versus their retail stores: lots of exclusive items. It’s like they’re encouraging us to stay home and shop in our skivvies. Well, UO, if you insist…

Has your child suddenly become interested in pirates and wants to decorate his entire room to look like he just stepped onto the deck of the legendary Black Pearl? (Heck, I want that, too.) Well maybe a hand painted treasure map sign with his name on it would ease his hankerings. It’s personalized with your child’s name and comes at a price any pirate could plunder in half a days work.
$35

Now let’s try a test. Ask your 5 year old what she wants more: a fantastical child-sized pirate ship playhouse… or a college education. Seriously though, if you have the money, this Posh Tots exclusive handcrafted playhouse is going to make a whole neighborhood of kids insanely happy. As the price tag assumes, this is a movie-quality structure that’s got 2 levels, a crow’s nest, sleeping quarters, and it looks amazing. If it was a little bigger, I’d be saving up to get one for myself.
$52,000

If all this talk of kid’s pirate bedrooms has sparked your imagination, then try your hand at entering the pirate contest at Home & Bedroom Furniture. They want you to describe, in 100 words or less, what a real pirate’s bedroom would look like. Winner gets a Pirates of the Caribbean bedding set. What if your bedroom decor is all ready chosen? Why, create a pirate bathroom, of course!

Looking for the perfect retro inspired cocktail glass and/or cocktail shaker? Blast off with this rocket shaped cocktail shaker, with matching cocktail glasses, and just sit back and enjoy the ride.

This retro inspired rocket design is an exclusive to the After5 Catalog, so there is no need to go looking elsewhere for such a unique item. Made of stainless steel and able to hold 16 ounces of the “rocket fuel” of your choice this cocktail shaker is ready to take you and your party guests back in time to a more space fascinated time.

$39.99 – $119.99

Imagine going back to your childhood. How vividly do you remember your bedroom? Was it unimaginative or boring, or did you have the perfect room? Would you have been the happiest kid alive if you had your own fantasy bed? I’m not sure if this type of custom dream furniture was even available when I was a kid, but nowadays some very lucky kids can have their own dream beds.

Posh Tots has an awe inspiring collection of fantasy furniture available in many different themes: each one a unique work of art. One of the grandest beds they offer is the Fantasy Coach bed. Themed like Cinderella’s pumpkin coach, this bed is as magic as the real thing. This princess carriage bed is handcrafted in England, and is sure to make all your little girl’s dreams come true. For those of you with little pirates in training, you’ll love the ornately decorated Shiver Me Timbers bed and bedding. If your little swashbuckler dreams of sailing the deep blue sea, and wants to be the captain of his own pirate ship, then this is the bed for him! Another amazing bed is the Gingerbread Cottage. A Posh Tots exclusive, this charming cottage is sure to make your little girl feel just like Goldilocks. It’s a 2 story cottage with room for a twin size mattress, and an entire upper floor for imaginative play.

These beds are exquisite, but being a splurge item, they are not for everyone. If you have the budget for a fantasy bed, Posh Tots is the place to order from, otherwise you can try your hand at making your own!

$1,000-$49,000

COUPONS: Save 10% on orders $200-$999 with code LOVE10
Save 15% on orders over $1000 with code LOVE15
Coupons good until 2/28/07

I’ve always been a nature lover, and although I’ve never thought myself to have a green thumb I’ve always wanted to try growing a Garden Fort. I remember reading about sunflower houses when I was little and being amazed at what a little planning and some seeds could produce.

Hearth Song’s exclusive GardenFort would be a great spring time gift whether you are a nature lover, gardener, or just like the idea of being surrounded in a lush little secret garden of your own. This would be a great eco-friendly activity for you and your children as warmer months approach. (What a great way to get kids outside *playing* after being cooped up for all those winter months!) The kit includes supporting framework as well as 4 fast growing seeds like cypress vine, and moon flower.
$69.95