Sparrow Collective Gallery

Sparrow is a collective of independent artists and designers with a store in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (in the Bayview area). They offer a wide variety of indie designer fashions including jewelry and paper goods. Currently they represent over 60 independent artists and designers! You can find them at 2224 S Kinnickinnic Ave in Milwaukee's Bayview neighborhood... phone #414-747-9229.

I am personally drawn to the lovely array of jewelry they display. Looking for a gorgeous one-of-a-kind piece to add to your collection? Sparrow is the place to look and you'll be supporting an indie artist/designer which is even better! All I can say is the pieces I own get comments everytime I wear them because they're so unique and remarkable. Check it out and shop local.

Aloft Hotels

I have just officially finished booking hotels for our upcoming roadtrip and was pleased to discover the W branch of Aloft hotels. I had heard about the new concept last year when Green Bay (of all the places in Wisconsin to have Aloft ~ sheesh!) got the first one known to the state. So why should you care about this hotel? First, because it's reasonable. The room I just booked cost me a whopping $94 a night for W-style luxury. Let's face it, if I can stay in a place that's going to make me feel like I'm vacationing at the Palms in Vegas for a mere $100 bucks, I'm all over that.

"Aloft is a reinvention of the travel experience, an oasis where least expected – a spirited neighborhood outpost where uncomfortable cookie-cutter mediocrity is the norm and innovation a long forgotten luxury...until now."

"Designed with natural materials and textures like cork and wood, with loft-inspired, 9 foot high guest rooms, state-of-the-art technology, modern amenities, and signature “r & r” beds, Aloft is a sassy, refreshing, ultra-effortless alternative to the same-old, same-old, polyester and concrete hotel. It’s fresh, fun, and fulfilling…a place to be discovered and rediscovered…destination after destination." Sassy. Doesn't that just grab you?

Needless to say, I'm very excited that this new chain exists and I'll be looking for it as I make my way around the world during the rest of my life. If I'm anything, I'm frugal with a dollar but I'm also a sensualist and like the finer (and green) things in life. Aloft is a nice way to satisfy both.

Batucada Jewelry

I'm not quite sure why (perhaps I'll blame it on the economy) but I'm obsessed with accessories this Spring. Just little bits of delight to spruce up the old wardrobe without having to invest in any new clothing. I'm not really one to revamp my closet each season just because some yahoo at Vogue tells me to so I'm always looking for unique items that will carry from year to year without looking out of date.

I was paging through Lucky magazine a month ago (yes, I'm actually just now getting around to sharing this) and I came across a blurb about Batucada Jewelry.

Batucada Jewelry is a unique and innovative line with organic shapes, vibrant colors and natural feeling “eco-plastic” material. Being a tattoo fan myself, I am especially attracted to the tattoo-like appearance when worn. These “jewels on the skin” are waterproof and sweat proof, perfect for everyday (the beach?) and nights out. The company is based in Paris and designs are inspired by Brazilian beach culture (“Batucada” is a style of samba). All bracelets can be worn as chokers by combining two bracelets which is a great concept ~ more bang for the buck!

The price is right; pieces aren't cheap-cheap but they are not super spendy either as you'd expect given the fact they are eco, unique and from France. The typical necklace will set you back about $35 give or take and the bracelets are in the $20 range. There are earrings as well but the other items are more popular and easier to find.

There are several online boutiques selling Batucada if you plug it into Google. The site that I have bookmarked from Lucky magazine is www.brooklyn5and10.com

CPSIA NATIONAL BLOG-IN DAY! Please spread the word.

As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too. How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy:Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses. If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbeshttp://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Lawhttp://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.

NetWorks Radio

Tivoli Audio has introduced the NetWorks radio. So, big deal right? Why do I care?? Well pull up a chair and lend an ear because this is being hyped as the next generation of home audio. What would the ideal radio do? The new Tivoli Audio NetWorks radio is the answer to that question. Taking advantage of broadcasting over the Internet, NetWorks delivers crystal-clear reception of any radio station, near or far, with no need for a computer. NetWorks allows listeners to tune in to Italian Opera from Milan, rock music from New York City, or any specialty, niche radio station from any location in the world in its native language, and in real time. It also allows access to music stored on PCs from any room in the house through a wireless or Ethernet connection. NetWorks features Tivoli Audio-quality sound as a stand-alone unit, but can be expanded with a stereo speaker, CD player, or subwoofer. And the NetWorks radio builds upon Tivoli Audio’s reputation as a design leader, offering a choice of furniture-quality hardwood cabinets. The result is an elegantly simple, beautifully designed, yet technologically-advanced NetWorks that points to the future of home audio entertainment. NetWorks automatically upgrades its own software, so you always have the most up-to-date version.

Sounds pretty cool and I know what your next question is going to be. How much cha-ching is this baby going to set me back? Currently, a pretty penny. The going rate as I write this is $599.99 and there is no interest financing available. Personally, I think I'll be putting the NetWorks radio on my wish list and waiting for the price to come down as the technology becomes mainstream.

Chocolate and Steel

My friend Christine (or as we call her around our house ~ Tutsie... with an "ie") turned me onto a gift blog site called delight.com the other day. An excellent site but as usually happens I ended up surfing away via interesting advertisements and found myself at Chocolate and Steel. To say that I'm enamoured with the trinkets they create would be a gross understatement.

Every bauble in their Etsy gallery makes me beam. I'm not completely sure why except to say that each item is a happy, whimsicle little treat. Birds, flowers, hearts and stars... simple themes that have been done a gazillion times over and yet in this artist's hands each one is a brilliant little masterpiece.

Maybe I'm overdoing it but I don't think so. It's kind of a mystery I suppose ... the "thing" that moves each individual at a deep level. Kind of silly to think that it could be a bit of jewelry. I guess that is how you know great art. There's just something about it that speaks to you, something old and something timeless. I dunno... on with the story...

Chocolate and Steel is the creation of independent jewelry designer Christine Street. Much of her inspiration comes from her family and nature. One day a coworker told her about a bead store that was having a sale. She checked it out and so began her new passion for jewelry making. What's with the name, you say? Chocolate and Steel is the combination of the unexpected: Organic and Industrial. Sweet and Tough. Definitely a concept I'm on-board with.

If you're interested in checking out all of Christine's designs please follow this Etsy link http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5028141 and shop to your heart's content. I know I'll be haunting her Etsy site from this point onward and wiping the drool up from off of my keyboard.

Now a note in closing: I've been a bit scarce in keeping up with my posts on Electric Sugar these days. I've got no good excuse for myself except to say that with the holidays fast approaching I'm going to try my darndest to give you lots of unique shopping ideas for the hooligans on your Xmas list. If I happen to be one of the hooligans on your list, well, you've got to look no further than all of those pretty pictures above... honestly, I don't think I could have made it any easier for you =)

Stroopwafels!!

What the heck is a stroopwafel you ask? A stroopwafel is a delightful little piece of heaven originating in Gouda (the Netherlands) in 1784 ~ so you know they're good. The stroopwafel is the single best-selling food item at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport, as tourists grab for one more last great taste before they leave or to take a supply home with them.

The cookie is a waffle made from two thin layers of baked batter with a caramel-like syrup filling in the middle. Portable breakfast food at it's finest! Pair them with a cup of coffee and the combination caffeine and sugar buzz will keep you going well into the afternoon ~ just beware of the crash. You can see why people become addicted to these things.

I was turned onto the stroopwafel by a friend of a friend a few years back and have been slightly obsessed with the cookies ever since. I've seen this happen time and time again. The stroopwafel is now a camping staple for my husband and I and whenever we find ourselves around that morning campfire the same question pops up... "Did you bring those waffle things?"

So where do you get them? I knew that was going to be your next question. In a large american city it usually isn't too hard. Hit your gourmet grocer you'll likely find them in the cookie isle. If that doesn't work for you or if you are in a small city you can go online and google stroopwafel and you'll get any number of sites pop up ready and willing to ship you a box of Dutch goodness.



Now to plug my favorite maker of stroopwafels. I suppose it's kind of sacrelgious because they are not a Dutch company but their version is damn good and organic and we all now how I am about trying to stick to organic. Stick... hahaha. Sticky, sticky, sticky. ANYWAYS, Shady Maple Farms Certified Organic Stroopwafels are yummy, gooey treats for your morning commute. Instead of conventional caramel, Shady Maple Farm stroopwafels have a filling made using their own organic maple sugar or organic honey, giving you the best of both worlds... an Old World recipe filled with a New World taste sensation! Yes, folks, these are the ones my camping buddies dream of long after the fire has died. Here's a link for one of many sites that sell them http://www.wellnessgrocer.com/shady-maple-farms-waffle-cookie-maple-p-2131.html I get them at my local Beans and Barley cafe/grocer. I don't even know why I'm letting the secret out as I'm sure to deplete my stock after the word gets out. Share and share alike, I always say... enjoy your new addiction.