misosouper, a shopping blog

The lovelies at Ginko Papers are the Lays potato chips of the stationery world:  you can’t eat just one.  Garin, the owner, sources most of her goods from Japan (how much fun does that sound?  “I’ll take 87 rolls of your squirrel packing tape, please…”), which gives them that fantastic aura of souvenirs from your (her) world travels.  And until Sunday, May 17th, use the code MISOSOUPER for 10% off your order.  I’m stocking up, and so should you.

1.  Tea Ceremony Eraser Set; 2.  Summer Fans Letter Set–oh, how I wish one of these would have landed in my dorm mailbox; 3.  Spring Envelopes and Stickers–I can only imagine the wonders my daughter will stuff in these; 4.  Smiling Latte Postcard; 5.  Shinzi Katoh Lion Notepad; 6.  the perfectly framable River Blossoms Postcard; 7.  Retro Travel Letter Set–vacation-ready; 8.  Pull-Out Squirrel Card; 9.  Mini-Capsule Colored Pencils; 10.  Matryoshka Doll Stickers; 11.  Blue Japanese Masking Tape–check out all the other colors and patterns!; 12.  Butterfly Birthday Card; 13.  Bus Pop-Up Birthday Card; 14.  Aquarium Card–sold out, but too great not to mention; 15. Stretching Cat Notepad.

Topping the list of my all-time favorite shops is the inimitable UncommonGoods.  For me, shopping at UG is like pushing my cart through Target:  it’s impossible to make it out without dropping $200 and buying gifts for people whom I don’t even like.  Which is why I’m cartwheeling to bring you this week’s amazing giveaway–ZOMG shhh I’m trying to make it to the end of this post without ruining the surprise but holy hell I’m giving away a set of Illusion Wine Glasses–which is completely deserving of all hyperbole.

I have spent 14.3 hours of my life going through the UncommonGoods site, attempting to narrow my favorite items down to a compact list of 12.  In case you want to see the more ginormous list (or want to buy me something), check out the official misosouper registry here.

1.  Glass Cane–am I the only one who thinks Hugh Laurie should use this to whoop some minion ass?; 2.  Apple Bird Feeder–because birds think goldens are delicious too; 3.  Airplane Window–can you imagine the party photos you could take with this thing?; 4.  Half and A Calf Creamer–the literal meets the visual; 5.  3-D Anatomical Animal Puzzles–maybe it’s because I don’t eat horse (as opposed to cow and pig), but the equine seems to be the least disgusting, most fascinating puzzle of the three; 6.  Phillips Head Screw Earrings–say screw you from both earlobes; 7. Custom Record Bowl–turn Ziggy Stardust into a coffee table bowl that will, well, collect dust; 8. Set of 26 Natural History Glasses–brush up on your Akouchis and Jerboas while drinking your morning juice; 9.  Horizon Sand Art–a mesmerizing reminder of beachy days; 10.  Harmony Candle Snuffer–a wedding present for couple whose flame you hope never snuffs out; 11.  Glass Radiometer Spheres–a whirling, twirling antiquated wonder; 12.  Wine Cork Pets–commemorate a lovely bottle with a lovely friend.

But now for the showstopper:  visit the Uncommon Goods website and post a comment here on your favorite product, and you’ll be entered to win a set of four Illusion Wine Glasses.  But please read the fine print!  Multiple entries will not be accepted, and the winner pays all shipping costs.  Good luck!

the fine print:

Comments will be closed and entries will not be accepted after 11:59 pm EST on Sunday, April 19, 2009. The winner will be selected at random on Monday, April 20, 2009, and notified by e-mail. Results of the giveaway will be announced on Monday, April 20, 2009. Misosouper, a shopping blog reserves the right to disqualify entries that are incomplete, inaccurate, or considered spam.  Multiple entries will be deleted.  Winner agrees to pay all shipping costs via PayPal, which will be determined and agreed upon based on zip code and shipping method.  If winner does not respond within 24 hours, an alternate winner will be chosen and notified.

Or, you will be when you win this amazing print from the Brooklyn artists enormouschampion.  Their bright, graphic letterpressing exudes strength and vigor–one of my favorite cards from their line is entitled, simply, “Battleship.”  Their animals are bold rather than cute  (which, to be honest, is refreshing; Etsy is overflowing with delicately drawn menageries these days):  witness this parade of intrepid brown creatures whose collective brain bubble you can thoughtfully fill in.

enormouschampion has recently partnered with the organization Fabric of Life, which provides women skills training and encourages self-sustainability in Mali, Zimbabwe, Senegal, and Vietnam, in the creation of these stunning L’Afrique de L’Ouest cards.  Printed with soy inks on 100% recycled paper, these just might be my new stationery wardrobe.

But I can’t hoard it all for myself:  leave a comment on this post naming three good things in your life, and we’ll randomly choose a winner to receive a limited-edition “All Good Things” print.  Perfect for hanging over a door or a bed, two places where such benedictions are always welcome.

the fine print:

Comments will be closed and entries will not be accepted after 11:59 pm EST on Sunday, March 29, 2009. The winner will be selected at random on Monday, March 30, 2009, and notified by e-mail. Results of the giveaway will be announced on Monday, March 30, 2009. Misosouper, a shopping blog reserves the right to disqualify entries that are incomplete, inaccurate, or considered spam.