misosouper, a shopping blog

Anatomically correct jewelry is so much fun.  String this handmade glass bead simply on a leather cord.

I will testify to the loveliness and wearability of Michelle Chang’s jewelry.  I own this and this, and this piece rarely leaves my neck.  (All purchased on my own, FTC.  All purchased on my own.)  Sweet with a prickly edge is how I like to describe Michelle’s designs:  skulls don’t seem quite as scary when their diamond eyes can wink at you.  Even her mouthless kittens look the tiniest bit sinister.

And oh, lucky readers:  this week, Michelle Chang Jewelry and I are giving away a sterling silver Baby Skull Necklace to one of you.  To win, you must do one of two things:  subscribe to misosouper’s feed or subscribe to misosouper’s e-mail newsletter, then leave a comment on this post.  (If you’re already a subscriber, leave a note to that effect.)  For extra entries, you can tweet, blog, and/or Facebook this contest, then link to those posts here.  If you do all of the above, you will earn four entries.  Be sure to read the fine print, and good luck!

the fine print:

Comments will be closed and entries will not be accepted after 11:59 pm EST on Sunday, January 31, 2010. The winner will be selected at random on Monday, February 1, 2010, and notified by e-mail. Results of the giveaway will be announced in the comments on this post on Tuesday, February 2, 2010. Misosouper, a shopping blog reserves the right to disqualify entries that are incomplete, inaccurate, or considered spam.  If the winner does not respond within 24 hours, an alternate winner will be chosen and notified.

Granted, what’s local for me probably isn’t local for you; but the Orlando-area shop Luxe & Liberty is deserving of your attention, even if you have to order online instead of popping in to pick out a few choice gifts.  Organized around goods made in America, L&L stocks lines both little and big, from neighborhood artisans to well-known names like Calphalon, Amenity Home, and Pangea Organics.  (See?  I told you they were good.)

Here are my picks:

1.  Skinny Fish Artisan Stationary–produced in small batches by artist Shawn Laughlin; 2.  Leather Photo Album, in prismatic colors; 3.  Kalender Platter, trimmed in platinum and gold; 4.  Herb Bowl with Mezzaluna Chopper–one of those tools you didn’t even know you needed; 5.  Endangered Parrots of the World Chess Set–prohibitively expensive, outrageously fun; 6.  Crocus Rocks Glasses with 22K Accents–hello, hostess; 7.  Chiller Pitcher with Lid–a closed carafe that will keep al fresco flies out; 8.  Chick Chair; 9.  Balustrade Napkins–round and round the table they go; 10.  Aptos Collection Pebble Pendant; 11.  Amber Dard Hunter Rose Thermometer & Clock–outdoor temperature gauges are so underrated; 12.  Teco Art Pottery Orb Vase–lovely lines, from an exactingly reproduced historical collection.

Hurry!  Go!  Misosouper readers can enter LUXE09 at checkout to receive 20% off their first purchase.

The newly relaunched LIMN website offers the most spectacular collection of modern lighting that I’ve ever seen.  To wit:  LIMN carries illuminated rats in a cage and pyramids fashioned out of party poppers and tentacles of crushed silk.

In the midst of this dramatic splendor, I am drawn to this quiet LessLamp, which comes with a pickaxe for chipping away at total personalization.

Perfectly bright and mysterious, as if it could open a secret psychedelic basement.