misosouper, a shopping blog

Tiny, pale hands get me every time.

As you know, my skin allergies have been documented (complained about?) in several posts; the upside of being allergic to everything metal/makeup/cleaning-producty is that the stuff I’ve been putting on my body recently is a lot better for me than the vats of chemicals I used to rely on.  And it’s led me to companies like mi SPA, which are creating delicious, effective, paraben-free products that people like me can use without fear of turning into a strawberry marshmallow. Bonus points for disclosing all ingredients, and including a detailed ingredient glossary on their site.

Today at mi SPA, you can get a surprise-mi box stuffed with goodies–mine just came in the mail!–for a ridiculously reduced price.  My package smelled like a pine forest perched on the edge of the ocean, and contained a Green Tea soy candle, a big, yummy Beer Shampoo bar (don’t knock it ’til you try it…they’re great for color-treated hair and last FOREVER), a Lemon Sugar Dry Perfume roll-on, and a good-sized Everyday Conditioner, along with some treats from other indie designers.  The cost?  $22.50.  So go!  Run!  Buy your box now, before I buy three more and leave you empty-handed and dirty-headed.

In our continuing quest for global domination, Misosouper has become a weekly guest blogger at TheFind blog.  Which means that once a week, Misosouper’s witty banter will be featured on their site, and once a week we’ll feature one of the TheFind’s great picks.  Like a swingers’ party, but with blogs. Don’t forget to drop your keys in the bowl.

All That is Dyptique

I’ve been a fan of Dyptique home fragrances for as long as I can remember. We are lucky enough to have a Dyptique boutique here in San Francisco making it convenient to keep my household stocked and fully fragranced. The quality of the fragrances used in the candles and room sprays is apparent. There is no synthetic overpowering artificial smell. Two of my favorites include “Baies” a blend of blackcurrant and Bulgarian rose, evoking the scent of a green riverside garden. Also luscious is “Figuier” with its a fruity fresh scent of figs which evokes a feeling of a warm afternoon on a Greek isle. The company was founded in 1961 by three students from the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. The products are packaged in with rather plain boxes with lovely black and white lettering and elegant drawings, a hallmark of Diptyque products.

Brought to you by our friends at TheFind (have you checked them out yet?  they’re like Google Product Search on ‘roids)

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.

West Elm has sales all the time; I try to check out the discounted merch every couple of weeks, and generally avoid the “HUGE SALE” e-mails that arrive in my inbox, because inevitably all the good stuff is already gone.

Here’s what I’m ogling today:

1.  Wood Wedges (honestly, these ledges couldn’t look more adorable in a kid’s room, and for $9.99, you can get them in multiples); 2.  Lutz & Patmos Zigzag Throw (these are yummy soft, and worth stashing in the closet for next year’s holiday gifts); 3.  Uneven Squares Quilt and Shams (simplicity at its best, made even better at 50% off); 4.  Quilted Wingback Headboard (if you sleep in a California King–lucky!–this regal bed is a steal);  5.  Upholstered Bed Frame and Headboard (for the rest of us plebes, this headboard comes in smaller sizes and still ups the nighttime reading comfy factor); 6.  Rope Candleholders (just look at them…do they need commentary?); 7.  Wall-Mount Pendant (I love how these make a grand statement, for $69.99); 8.  Abaca Pendant Lamp (summer, at 82% off); 9.  Square Metal Sofa; 10.  Water Hyacinth Pillows (I dare you to show me a house these wouldn’t look great it); 11.  Beach Club Floral Print Pillow (as a rule, I buy anything that has “beach club” in its name); 12.  Sydney Bar (I’m totally putting this inside my house, but I live in Florida, so hopefully all will be forgiven).

As of this post’s publication, some version of the above items was in stock, although it probably won’t be for long.