Let's face it, when it comes to making sauces and gravies, some people are stirrers, some people are shakers. Me? I'm a whisker.

But for the shakers out there, there has never been a more favored tool than the Rochow Swirl Mixer -- an aluminum contraption with patented swirled ends which are reported to lesson the need for vigorous arm-numbing shaking, allowing a "gentle shake" to do the job.

The originators of this device ( Rochow Swirl Mixer Co. Inc.) don't sell the Swirl Mixer on their web site, but luckily, Vermont Country Store does -- and it's the orignal Rochow design.

I'll probably stick with whisking for sauces and gravies, but I have to admit that reading about this little device did get me to wondering how it would handle gin and vodka.

Price: (at the time of this review)
$6.95

Resources

• Rochow Swirl Mixer at Vermont Country Store
• Rochow Swirl Mixer Co. Inc. (company site)
• Gramma's Cutters (while looking for the Rochow company site, I found this great little web space featuring 1940s Aunt Chick's cookie cutters (adorable and available for purchase) and recipes (cookies and pies) -- if you don't know who "Aunt Chick" is check out this site). How did this site relate to Rochow? Here's a quote from Aunt Chick's tips on cream pies: "When adding starch to hot mixture, either blend the starch and sugar thoroughly by shaking in a little covered blender cup called swirl mixer, or blend the starch with part of the measured liquid in the same swirl mixer."

Cigar box purses? Hey, when I was growing up, cigar boxes were used for storing trinkets and treasures like a blue jay feather or cat's eye marble (yes, I am that old)... well girls, cigar boxes have certainly gone upscale.

Everyday cigar boxes are tarted up with fabrics, brass fittings, decoupage and all manner of decorative handles to make fabulously trendy purses like the one shown here.

If you're not the crafty sort, check out the fabulous selection of "ready to buy" cigarbox pocketbooks at Exquisite Purses and Emitations. However, if you want to create your own style, check out the Cigar Box Purse FAQ.

Resources

• Cigar Box Purses at Exquisite Purses (best and Biggest Selection)
• Cigar Box Purses at Emitations
• Instructions for Making Cigar Box Purses

Is this the best orthopedic dog bed in the whole world? I have no idea. Is it the one your vet would recommend? I have no idea.

What I do know is that I have purchased about a dozen different orthopedic dog beds over the past several years and this one is Clyde's absolute favorite (yes, that's Clyde to the left).

Clyde is 14 years old and has a bed in every room of the house (hey, he's old AND spoiled). This bed is BY FAR his favorite - in fact we're replacing all the others with this model.

When I first bought this one, I thought the "headrest" was a silly affectation - not functional. Boy, was I wrong. Clyde LOVES the headrest. When I'm home, Clyde sleeps on whichever bed is in the room I'm in. When I've been out, I always come home to find him in the room with this bed.

As for my opinion, the cover comes off and is machine washable - it does shrink up a bit on the first wash, but with a little tugging and nudging, it does go back on.

It can be washed and Clyde loves it - I'm happy.

Resources

• Orthopedic Dog Beds at PetSmart

The popularity of pink diamonds has soared ever since Ben gave one to JLo as an engagement ring (one has to wonder who has the ring now?). Unfortunately, pink diamonds are much rarer than there colorless counterparts and extremely expensive -- Ben's gift to JLo reportedly cost a cool 1.2 million (see pictures of JLo's ring).

With the big ticket price and scarcity of pink diamonds, it's no surprise that pink cubic zirconia has also soared in popularity. ;-)

In the "Think Pink" section of emitations, they have a fabulous selection of pink CZ stones in a variety of settings -- including the version of JLo's ring which is pictured above.

Price of Item Pictured (at the time of this review)
$65.00

Resources

• Cubic Zirconia Pink Diamonds at emitations
• Pictures of JLo's ring at DiamondBlog

Just like with real baby shoes, everyone who sees these will be cooing "they're soooo cute."

Jewelry designer Aaron Basha sparked renewed interest in "baby shoe charms" with his fabulous enamel, gold, and gemstone creations. Basha's trendy charms have been sported by the likes of Brittney Spears, Demi Moore, and Katie Couric... and the shoes carry price tags to match their fame, quality, and gemstones -- running from about $1,200 to well over $2,000.

But never fear, there are fabulous, creative, and fun enamel baby shoe charms that mere mortals can afford.

$35.00
Pink or Blue Enamel on Silver
This adorable charm is enamel on sterling silver. The strap is CZ and is decorated with a small blue enamel star charm. The blue shoe features a CZ set in the sterling silver bow (of the laces). From Heavenly Treasures

$359.00 - $402.00
Baby Tennis Shoe Charms
From GoldSpeed -- soooooo cute! A red sneaker ($359) and a blue and white sneaker ($402), both 14K gold... is it just me or does the red and gold one bring Chuck Taylor hightops to mind?

$359.00 - $371.00
For the Girl's
Also from GoldSpeed, a sweet little pink and white "ballerina slipper" ($371) and a dressy little white number ($359). Both shoes are enamel on yellow gold.

One of my college roommates was born on February 29th. Every year she bravely weathered the storm of comments that always included: "When do you celebrate?", "What's it like not to have a REAL birthday?", "That's soooo sad", (and from guys in bars) "So if we got together, I'd be dating a four year old [wink][wink][nudge]nudge]"...

She was good-natured about it, but I do believe that was because she was so good at gritting her teeth while smiling pleasantly.

That was 20-some years ago. Now "leap year babies" (those born on February 29th, NOT those born on any other day of a leap year) are celebrating their unique status and those who love them try to find "leap year merchandise" to help them celebrate. Unfortunately, there's just not that much leap year merchandise in production.

But I have found the key to GREAT leap year gifts -- PERSONALIZATION. You've got to look for gifts that can be personalized and create your own leap year presents.

Here are some ideas that turn standard personalized gifts into Leap Year treasures.

Leap Year Bracelets
Italian charm bracelets are made up of stainless steel links that feature letters, numbers, birthstones, animals, hobbies, and thousands more symbols, pics, etc. It's pretty easy to create a bracelet honoring the "leapness" of your loved one. ;-) Prices vary (dependent on the charms you use), but if you make a bracelet like the one shown here, it costs $54.50. Design Your Own Bracelet

Leap Year T-Shirts : $19.95

Create your own leap year t-shirt with this "blank" tee from Personal Creations. You get up to three lines with 15 characters (including spaces) per line. Sweatshirt also available.

• Create Your T-shirt $19.95
• Create Your Sweatshirt $29.95

Leap Year Key Chain $9.95 + Engraving Costs

Things Remembered has SCADS of great items which can be personalized with Leap Year messages. Items include: key chains, picture frames, money clips, flasks, lighters, clocks, jewelry, trinket boxes, and more.

Please keep in mind that engraving costs are extra (but the web site has a "message calculator" for each product that tells you exactly how much your message will cost).

Resources

• Create Your Own Leap Year Gifts at Things Remembered
• Italian Charm Bracelets at JJ Kent
• Personal Creations T-Shirt

There's this diner near where I live -- not a "retro-theme-restaurant" but an actual diner. You know, the silver "looks like an Airstream" building that's been there since the beginning of time with waitresses that have been there just as long?

Every time I walk in there, I fall in love with the chrome and vinyl swivel bar stools. Okay, they've seen better days, (I'm guessing they're older than I am and I'm old enough to know what an Airstream is), but the design is still fabulous.

I was recently delighted to find that the self-same stools (or replicas thereof) can still be purchased. Kegworks has a nice line of chrome swivel bar stools that include retro looks from the 50's through the 70's -- everything from chrome deco floor mounts to big bucket seats.

And the beauty of replicas? No cracked vinyl, pitted chrome, or frightening stains.

Maybe I should stop eating at that diner.

PRICES (at the time of this review)
$45.00 - $245.00

Resources

• Swivel Bar Stools at Kegworks