Shopping Spy: Discoveries & Deals

Artsy Rashguard Designs Made Just for Girls

shoppingdiscoveries — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:31:02 +0000

Yes surfer girl, or wanna-look-like-a-surfer-girl, it’s true: Cute rash guards that not only fit well but come in various sleeve lengths and have fun artistic designs.

By their designs and cuts—and the fact that they have built-in shelf bras, it’s obvious that Girls4Sport is run by women. They do an awesome job of supporting aspiring girl athletes too.

Girls4Sport also has cool board shorts and bathing suits, for kids too, but being I’m in the market for surf wear that especially caught my attention.

I especially like that I can double my beach wear as bike wear or just as summer clothes.

If you like supporting small independently owned companies, with awesome products, take a look at Girls4Sport!

Subtle Low Cost Hearing Aids – I Hear That!

shoppingdiscoveries — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:45:58 +0000

Recently I discovered disposable hearing aids from Songbird Hearing. They’re designed for people with “mild to moderate hearing loss” and sold at a much lower cost than traditional hearing aids. (They have a chart comparing the cost which is a huge difference, especially considering the Songbird Hearing Aids have a lot longer battery life.)

Most importantly they’re designed to be discreet, not clunky like the hearing aids of old.

Thus Songbird has addressed any excuse for why – if you hate to admit it’s getting harder to hear from all your rock concerts – you might need a hearing aid! Pretty awesome.

I imagine for baby boomers who grew up with disposable contact lenses having a disposable hearing aid is the next great innovation.

Colorful Stickers for Diabetic Pump Users from Groovy Patches

shoppingdiscoveries — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:36:31 +0000

For kids with diabetes who are using insulin pumps, Groovy Patches are a great way to add some FUN and coolness to the need to wear the pump. Kudos to Dina Klavon for helping diabetic kids – and adults – look groovy while tending to their health!

Go Nuts for Bargain Priced Fresh Coffee

shoppingdiscoveries — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:10:06 +0000

Whenever I’m in New York, I make sure to stop by Sahadi’s for spices, nuts, chocolate, and especially their freshly roasted oily coffee.

And when I’m not in New York, I order their French Roast or Mocha Java from their site – around $6/pound. It’s not Fair Trade certified but if that’s not a “must” check it out.

Aloha Hello Kitty – Tan Face from the Hawaiian Sun

shoppingdiscoveries — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 06:48:21 +0000

I’m not normally a Hello Kitty collector but I discovered a very rare cute version with a nicely browned face (Hawaiian style). The accessories are cool enough for an adult; I keep picturing them at trendy LA stores even.

I bought a couple of extras to post on Ebay (I got them at the Hilo Hattie store in Honolulu, and I don’t think you can get them anywhere else, even on their website.) If you’re interested, get in touch!

Click the photos to see close ups.

This purse fits a lot – a wallet, your cell, keys etc. The blingy gold bottom and strap are really cool.

The tan Hello Kitty wallet is totally usable for real with several credit card slots, an inside zipper pocket and an outside one too!

The Hello Kitty pencil case would make a great makeup bag or for small things you need to stuff in a purse.

The Most Useful Christmas Gift Ever (Under $10 !)

shoppingdiscoveries — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:11:44 +0000

Need I say more? The WordLock comes in a variety of uses (bike locks, luggage locks, padlocks) all with easy to remember combinations based on words instead of numbers. It’s the perfect gift or stocking stuffer!

Hand Made Blacksmith & Fine Wood Garden Tools

shoppingdiscoveries — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 22:18:59 +0000

These amazing handmade tools were a Palo Alto Farmer’s Market discovery. Rob crafts these garden tools using blacksmithing techniques along with various fine woods for handles (on the potting tools) – a bargain at $50.

These finely crafted tools would look great on any wall – not just in a garden shed. A perfect gift for the “discriminating gardener” or armchair gardener who wants heirloom quality tools!

He also blacksmiths hoes and other long-handled tools although the wood is more utilitarian than these beautiful small tools.

Contact Rob Simpson
Wgm_products (at) yahoo.com

And please help him get publicity!

Lost and Found Labels for Kids and Adults Too

shoppingdiscoveries — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 19:27:00 +0000

Around the same time I was inventing the idea of mini-labels to put on eye glasses, keys, my phone etc. I heard that the Internet was flooded with companies making labels for kids’ stuff.

I asked around and found my friends, who are parents, look to Mabel’s Labels for highly sticky labels for lunchboxes, pens and other lose-able items as well as for clothing labels. Label Your Stuff also looks like a good service, and perhaps less expensive.

The bottomline is I’m going to start labeling all of my stuff with hopes good samaratins will contact me upon finding anything I may leave behind. Talk about a money and heartbreak saver!

Hip and Fun Products for Kids With Allergies

shoppingdiscoveries — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 17:16:28 +0000

Any product that makes kids with certain medical conditions feel just like every other kid is a good thing. I recently learned about Allergy Haven, a company producing cool fanny packs for carrying an EpiPen, Benadryl and other emergency necessities; t-shirts; and other products for kids suffering from food and other allergies.

If your child suffers from allergies, visit Allergy Haven to find unique products made by a small California-based company that truly cares about making life as enjoyable as can be.

The website also has lots of allergy-related information and links for parents.

Noodle Head Travel Buddies – Neck Nests for Kids

shoppingdiscoveries — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 23:07:31 +0000

For several weeks I’ve waffled between the Lion, the Giraffe, and the Moose. And I’ve wondered if it would be undignified for an adult to wrap a stuffed animal around her neck on a flight. Or would I just make the other fliers jealous?

NoodleHead Travel Buddies, made by a company called Noodle Head are simply the most adorable, useful travel item I’ve seen for kids. No longer will the driving parent need to worry as his or her child’s head tilts back and forth while sleeping in the back seat.

They come with a baby stuffed animal on the neck rest, or you can sometimes get them “plain” with just the neck nest. At around $17 they’re well priced as a holiday or birthday gift for kids, that parents will appreciate!