When I was a kid my mom and I used to drive through a nearby neighborhood during Christmastime that was lit up to the hills. We’re talking holiday lights and decorations that probably took as much time to put up as they were there for people to enjoy. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) we never came across anything as creative as this.

via Bacon Babble

I’ve had myself a hankering for some popcorn lately; don’t know why. I do love me some popcorn though – inside the movie theater or out – I’m not picky. Except for the salt. It’s got to have oodles and oodles of salt! So considering my recent adoration of the dried corn, I about jumped out of my skin when I saw this P.I.Y. (Pop it Yourself) Kit from 479º Popcorn. I’ve also been thinking of having a little ladies slumber party lately too and this kit would be perfect for it! Ladies, Twilight, cocktails and some deeeeelicious snacks – BRING IT!

The kit comes with 32 oz. of organic multicolored popcorn, 16 oz. of organic sunflower oil for popping, 4 gourmet salt & sugar blends (YUM!), 10 glossy paper cones for serving and recipes cards, instructions and pairing suggestions.

Admittedly, this happens to me often. Perhaps I need rehab.

from Jim Benton via the Daily Uplift

I need an 8th day of the week to read all the lovely blogs I find on, around, and in the net. I’ve come across a few more fab ones as of late that have really grabbed my attention. I’ve added them to my master list of time wasters on the right, but here’s a small sneak peak!

yes, please is a personal collection of ideas + inspirations, curious things + crafty people, beauty + design + interestingness. it’s from a woman named kelly, a succulent designer, designer, artist, cupcake baker, and cultivator of all things creative, inspiring, and delicious!

whit & whistle is the brainchild of a graphic design nerd. the blog features everything from design inspiration and DIY projects, to recipes and fashion—if it’s whistle worthy expect to find it here!

the Dingbat’s Agenda is a chronicle of all things letterpress and design. Eye candy at it’s very best!

incredible things is exactly as is says – incredible. they have the most comprehensive, most unique holiday gift guide I’ve seen yet!

That’s right, friends. Currently available for FREE download is a mash-up of vocals and samples of the Beastie Boys’ Check Your Head album – Doublecheck Your Head, all courtesy of remix master, Max Tannone. I know, awesome, right? He’s also created two Jay-Z/Radiohead mash-up albums that he’s offering up for FREE! Jaydiohead and Jaydiohead: The Encore. And at the mere age of 23, he’s definitely an uber talent in my book! Because even if you don’t particularly care for any of these musical artists, who doesn’t like free music?

via Free Shiet

Holy S! Thanks to The Purple Foodie, I’ve finally figured out how to make my oven baked fries super extra crispy! I made these last night and they were so good I wanted to slap somebody!

GARLICKY BAKED FRIES
image and recipe via The Purple Foodie

8 garlic cloves, minced
6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3 russet potatoes (about 8oz each), each cut into 12 wedges
3 tbsp cornstarch/cornflour
1 1/2 tsp coarse sea salt
1 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
½ tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1. Preheat oven to 475° F.
2. Combine the garlic and oil in a large bowl, warming it until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Transfer 5 tablespoons of the oil (leaving the garlic in the bowl) to the baking dish, coating it well.
4. Add the potatoes to the bowl with the garlic mixture and toss to coat. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and microwave on high power until the potatoes are translucent around the edges, 3 to 6 minutes, shaking the bowl to redistribute the potatoes halfway through cooking.
5. Combine the cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the hot potatoes and toss well to coat.
6. Arrange the potatoes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and bake, turning once, until deep golden brown and crisp, 30 to 40 minutes.

This made me laugh out loud!

from Murray the Nut via The Daily Uplift

Holy crap, it’s the holidays! Can someone please tell me how that happened? The last time I looked it was somewhere in early October. We are sort of opting out of Christmas this year. We started several years ago, actually, and it has just naturally progressed to less and less of a celebration each year. Which I am totally okay with because it means spending less money on obligatory gifts. But I know I’m weird and most normal people love Christmas and holiday gift giving, so today I’m giving you a gift! Well, not me, really – I’m just the vehicle for the gifter, but hey, that counts, no? Either way, enjoy these FREE, printable holiday gift tags to spruce up your packages. If you’re not inclined to be designing your own, that is.

3 different color versions via Paper Crave

a super fun set (although from 2008) from Delight.com

also from 2008…a whimsical set from Inside a Black Apple

simple black, red and white tags from Kraft Foods

Blu-ray/DVD “flipper discs” are ready to hit the market! They are single, dual-sided discs that have Blu-ray on one side and regular DVD on the other. The Matt Damon “Bourne” trilogy will be the first movies to get the dual-sided treatment, with all three being released on January 19.

I’ve never even thought about this before but it makes perfect sense. We just bought a PS3 and were so excited to watch HD movies on it, but then quickly realized that we also have a portable player for trips that sadly, can only watch regular DVDs. And apparently that’s one of the biggest drawbacks to Blu-ray movies  – that you can’t play them in regular DVD players. Which, as we quickly learned, can be a real pain in the arse for locations other than your home theater (car, plane, bedroom)!

via Crave

That is Locher’s Paris. Something your mother wouldn’t wear and your daddy shouldn’t see. Basically, it’s perversion with a touch of class.