DINOSAURS

Not everyone knows this about me, but I love catalogs: SkyMall, Acorn, even Doheny's Water Warehouse (I'm totally not kidding about that last one). But Hammacher Schlemmer probably takes the cake. I've written about their R2-D2 robot before, so that should give you some idea of the cool-but-maybe-useless wares available through this fine catalog. Today, I bring you something so much better: the 20-foot animatronic Triceratops.

The question isn't, "Who needs this?" The question is more like, "Who DOESN'T need this?" Maureen and I certainly do. In fact, not too long ago, we hatched a plot to obtain a triceratops for ourselves. I couldn't even make this up. Observe:

Maureen: We could try stealing the Triceratops [from a museum which shall remain nameless *cough*The Creation Museum*cough*].

Cate: Oh. Oh, Maureen. This is a terrible plan. TERRIBLY GENIUS.

Someday, when What We Covet is world-famous and we're making loads of money off of it, we can abandon our proposed heist and purchase our very own Triceratops to place in our blogging world headquarters. Meanwhile, we'll just have to dream.

Oh, and hey--look at what else they sell.

Buy through Hammacher Schlemmer for $350,000.00.

Image via Hammacher Schelmmer.

-Cate-

Why Maureen Doesn't Have a Design Show on HGTV

I don't have a guest room, but if I did, this is where my guests would spend their nights:

Toast! It is shaped like toast! What could be cooler?

Because Cate and I are young and hip, we're allowed to put our guests up on toast-shaped air mattresses. One day we won't be too broke to buy toast-shaped air mattresses. Maybe on that day we will still be young and hip.

Buy through Archie McPhee for $169.95.

Image via Archie McPhee.

Sleep well!

Maureen

Belted Blocks

Here's something I've never seen before:

It's a color block belt from ASOS, and I like it. Imagine the possibilities: you can pair it with a work outfit to make a subtle fashion statement, break up a swath of LBD for a night out on the town, or use it to unify disparate elements in a printed shirt. Sadly, ASOS does not offer this in plus sizes, which bums me out, but maybe I have a skinny reader out there who will buy this so I may live vicariously through her?

Buy through ASOS (USA) for $27.44.

Image via ASOS (USA).

-Cate-

Pheasantly Vintage

If you have an extra $12,000 sitting around, I have the perfect thing for you to spend it on:

I'm a little bit in love with this piece myself, not just because I enjoy emeralds (the emerald is my birthstone, after all) but also because there's something really lovely about the way the jeweler has captured the spirit of the pheasant here. Wear this vintage beauty with a smart suit and you're set for a great day.

Buy through Shreve, Crump & Low for $12,000.

Image via Shreve, Crump & Low.

-Cate-

Ultra Nerd

Here in the United States, we love foreign food. I'm a fan of Japanese and Chinese food (among others, but those aren't important), and whenever I go out to such a restaurant, I enjoy using chopsticks.

"Maureen," you say. "Are you calling people who eat Asian food nerds?"

No. Some people are, but not all. I may fit into the "some" category there. I don't eat Asian food because I think Asian culture is so much cooler than American culture, but I am a nerd, and whenever I eat ramen noodles I try to tell myself that Naruto eats ramen, so it's cool. I don't watch Naruto, though, so I usually am not convinced.

At any rate, I would become extra nerdy if I used these chopsticks for my ramen:

These are Star Wars chopsticks. They come in Luke, Yoda, Darth Vader, Darth Maul, and Mace Windu.

I don't think anything more needs to be said.

But feel free to tell me whose light saber you would choose to wield! I'm still undecided.

Buy your own pair for $9.99 through ThinkGeek!

May the Force be with you,

Maureen

Image via ThinkGeek.

Backup Plan

Since it's back to school time again, I can't let all these handbag posts go by without mentioning at least one backpack. Earlier this year, I shared a JanSport model with you; this year, after much debate, I've chosen a more high-end--and, quite frankly, less practical--model (but not this one; I can't even begin to address that situation and how messed up it is): the Coach Studio Legacy Leather Backpack in Tan:

It's not really big enough for school books or notebooks, but it's so sleek and lovely that you might not notice or care. And if you're not a student--or at least not the kind who is required to tote giant history or literature textbooks around--it could come in handy when you're out and about. Plus, it has a totally '90s vibe, which apparently is my thing this week. Go check it out today!

Buy through Coach for $258.00.

Image via Coach.

-Cate-

Fine Art

I feel that in many cases art is best appreciated in silence. Gaze, then, upon this image for a few moments:

Killing Machine by Brandon Bird

Yes, that is Bea Arthur wrestling a dinosaur.

Brandon Bird does not only paint Bea Arthur wrestling extinct animals. He also paints Abraham Lincolon, actors, cartoon characters, and whatever else he feels like painting or is paid to paint.

Bird's unusual paintings are a delight for me. My older brother gave me a print of Elysium a while ago, and I have been hooked ever since. If my friends don't watch out, they will receive Special Valentine Unit cards from me next February.

What more can I say? Go check out the rest of Brandon Bird's art at his web site.

And you can buy your very own print of Killing Machine for $20-$65. What a bargain!

Hugs,

Maureen

"It's, like, a Totally Important Designer"

We all know I love wildly impractical shoes, right? Right. And far be it from me to give up that streak. Ladies and gentlemen, the Azzedine Alaïa Zebra Print Fur Shoe Boot:

There is nothing even remotely tame about this bootie, and that's why I'm so drawn to it. It's like Alaïa said, "How many outrageous things can I do here?" AND THEN HE DID THEM ALL. Fur? Check. Animal print? Check. Platform? Check. Obvious nod to the 1990s? Check. Disregard for Anna Wintour? Check. So I bow down to the master and weep at the sight of his awe-inspiring work.

Buy through Farfetch for $1,672.00.

Image via Farfetch.

-Cate-

PS In other news, all you children of the '90s know Alaïa whether you realize it or not. For proof, start watching this video at the 0:19 mark and it will all come flooding back. (Watch the entire video for a really good time.)

Madonna, Madge, Esther, and Dita

This is going to be one of those posts where I don't say much, because there isn't much to say. What I will say is, look what I found:

You're welcome.

Buy through Madonna's Official Store for $12.95.

Image via Madonna's Official Store.

-Cate-

Creme of the Crop

First, everyone, I'd like to apologize for missing my usual Tuesday. I got hurricaned over the weekend, and that does not mean that Eric Staal came for a visit.

At any rate, because Cate has been recommending cosmetics to you, I thought I'd do something totally wild and out there for me. I'm going to talk about skin care.

I know, right? Maureen and skin care? Who knew?

Well, for the longest time, I got really, really dry skin in the winter. Mostly on my hands. It was awful. It would get painful. And because I am so bad at caring for myself in any way that could be remotely considered cosmetic, yes, my skin did crack and bleed.

But then someone from the Internet told me about an amazing product:

This Eucerin stuff is like magic in a tub. I don't use it during the summer, but when my skin starts drying out in fall or winter, I slather it on before bed like I'm supposed to slather on sunblock but inevitably don't. It's thick and cool and soothing, and by morning there is a marked improvement.

So if you, too, get horrible dry skin, try Eucerin! It could change your life. Or at least make you willing to wash your hands more often.

Buy through Drugstore.com for $5.29-$13.79 (for various sizes). Or at your local drugstore.

Image via Drugstore.com.

Smoothly yours,

Maureen