Product Appreciation: Folle 26 Stapler

I recently had the pleasure of using the Folle 26 stapler and I can't say enough good things about it! It's a nice weight, the brushed metal feels nice, and it's the most reliable stapler I've ever met. One day I'd like to have one on my desk but the $74 price tag makes it an aspirational stapler...sigh... maybe one day.

It's also part of the MoMA's collection.

Artists as Scientists

While reading Rachel Cohen's book, A Chance Meeting, I learned that the composer, John Cage, was also an expert on mushrooms. In the late 1950s, he won an Italian game show with his knowledge of mushrooms and people would recognize him on the street as "The Mushroom Man."

Speaking of famous artists with scientific passions, a theory Nabokov had on butterflies has been proven! This article is quite heartfelt.

Product Appreciation: Plant Mister

I don't love the idea of houseplants but I do love the idea of using a plant mister. I'm not sure that I've ever seen one being used in real life but I know I've most certainly seen them in movies. The scenes are usually in lavish homes with greenhouses full of rare plants and a white-gloved butler is misting away. Get one here.

Controlling Christmas

As someone who recently said; "I think everyone will have more fun if we each make our own gingerbread houses instead of making one giant gingerbread condo because I can get pretty control freaky in group craft situations," I found this article to be helpful.

Resource: "Mapping America Census Bureau 2005-9"

I love maps. I love maps even more when they illustrate other stuff like weather patterns and flight routes (Southwest Airlines cocktail napkins!). But here's what I really want to see: an interactive and wildly comprehensive geographic survey of American communities made using samples gathered between 2005 and 2009 by the Census Bureau that captures race and ethnicity, income, housing and education! What's that? There is one? Remarkable!

Vermont Country Store Pick #5: Lefty Scissors

I'm not a lefty and so I don't think I can accurately imagine the daily annoyances lefties must face in a world designed for righties. Let's show the lefties in our lives that we care and get a pair of scissors just for them.

Vermont Country Store Pick #4:Lanvin Arpege

""Promise her anything, but give her Arpege" was the slogan for this soft, sultry scent that makes women feel and smell beautiful. When Arpege, a powdery floral scent debuted In 1927, it found favor with Hollywood's glamorous femme fatales. One whiff of this eau de parfum will conjure memories of dancing the night away with your first love and inspire you to stroll hand in hand with someone you love today."-VCS
Get it here

Vermont Country Store Pick #3:Traditional Potholder Kit

Get it here

Vermont Country Store Pick #2: Boston's Mint-in-Tea, "a Favorite of the Kennedy White House"

Get it here.

Vermont Country Store Pick #1: Snowball Victim (Set of 2)

Get on here