Otters holding hands

Pretty much the cutest thing ever. Ever.

HistoricProperties.com = Online Real Estate Crack

My newest online time suck is a little website called Historic Properties.  It lists historic houses and buildings in all states of repair/disrepair - from an exquisite pristine condition multi-million dollar estate to a 15K church to an old theater.  Many are in the South (apparently old historic property is free down there...), but I've managed to find a few local Midwest gems.

This Glenview, IL house is only $1.

 

Or how about one of John Deere's old residences for only $182,500

Or maybe this 5K shotgun shack. Shotgun not included.

The Modern Cuckoo (clock).

A few years ago I was given a very cool modern Tobias Reischle cuckoo clock for Christmas (Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus/Joe Mauer).  It seems that the modern cuckoo has finally caught on.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Tobias Reischle cuckoo clock

Lacquered Metal Cuckoo Clock by Pascal Tarabay

Diamantini Domeniconi Striped Cuckoo Clock

DWR Modern Cuckoo Clock

Mostly pretty. A little scary.

There have always been shark tooth necklaces, but why wear a shark tooth when you can wear something cool like these animal weaponry necklaces?

Raptor Talon

 Fox claw

Bald Eagle Claw

Squirrel Mandible

DWR Gifts Catalog - Color me impressed.

Generally when stores come out with their yearly holiday catalogs I am excited to get mail but am less than impressed with their holiday selections. How many sparkly reindeer t-shirts do I really need (Answer: Two.  I need two sparkly reindeer shirts)?  Or how about a glitter candle or maybe down quilts for my feet?!  These catalogs inevitably end up in the recycling... or the fire.  However, this year I was pleasantly surprised with Design Within (rich people's) Reach. Their "gifts" selection this year is pretty fantastic.  Granted - most are still out of my price-range, but here are some favorites.

Antoine Candelabra - Sir: $650

  Candle Wax Vase: $350

 

 Peanut Birdfeeder: $49

 Eames® Elephant: $290

 

Four-Way Vase: $149

 

Water Drop Jug: $450-$1,600

Etch Pendant: $300

Globe Genie

From those brilliant nerds at MIT comes the Globe Genie my newest momentary time-suck.  With the click of a button, Globe Genie "teleports" you around the globe.  One minute you're Peoria, Illinois, the next you're in Australia.  Currenly, I'm thinking that just about anywhere is better than Mpls; it's cold as eff here.

Kurt Vonnegut: Screenprinter

Recently I came across these very cool very limited edition screenprints by Kurt Vonnegut.  I never knew that in addition to writing Vonnegut was quite an accomplished graphic artist.  I am especially fond of his "Confetti Series."

"Confetti #19" 

"Confetti #58"

"Confetti #22"

 "Confetti #36"

"Confetti #41"

"Confetti #52"

"Confetti #57"

If they weren't $375 apiece I would already be the proud owner of  "Confetti #58" and "Confetti #19."