New Umbra is HERE!!!!

Hello!
Guess What?
A new UMBRA order is here!!!! WHOOOHOO!
Here's a couple of the newest designs, but check out our Facebook page for lots more photos!

This right here is just about the CUTEST thing I've ever seen.... its a little house tissue box cover!! And the tissue comes out the chimney!! Oh man, I just about died when I saw these in the catalog but do you know the best part?.....They are only $4.95!!!! Its crazy! Less than 5bucks for all that adorableness AND practicality! (No one likes to see the Kleenex box, no matter how fluffy and cheesy and awesome the soft-focus white kittens are on it...)
Now this guy here we've had in the store before but I don't think I've show you here on the blog- its a super duper bath tub caddy! Complete with extendable arms to fit your small or big tub, a nice book stand, soap dish and, most importantly, wine glass holder. (Don't tell me you've been taking baths without a lovely glass of Pinot Noir within arms reach this whole time?! How barbaric!)

"Finally", I think to myself as I take a sip of my cocktail, "my place is ready for my awesome patio party!". The doorbell rings and the first of my guests arrives. "We loved the invitations you sent out!" they say. "Would you actually have us killed if we didn't show up?". "Obviously", I say.

I pour them drinks from my Zak! acrylic pitcher
and serve them hors d'oeuvres from my bright red Zak! melamine tray.
"I love your patio ware! Is it all BPA, PVC, Phthlate and Lead free?" "Why yes, yes it is, thanks for asking!"

The doorbell rings again- the rest of my guests have arrived! I usher everyone onto my patio and we bask in the sun (my fair-skinned friends take shelter under my brightly coloured umbrellas).

I hear my robot kitchen timer buzzing from inside, so I run into the kitchen to get the rest of the food ready.

My multi-colour footed nesting bowls from Zak! are perfect for serving up all my dips,veggies and salads.
As I head back out to the patio with all the food, I see my guests have broken out the margaritas and are already thoroughly enjoying themselves. Good thing I'm using my acrylic margarita glasses, in case things get a little tipsy.


As the sun sets, I light my floating candles
and turn on the string of lights I made summer appropriate by dolling them up with mini organza lantern covers. What seems like minutes later, I look at my cute zen floral clock

and realize it's much too late and my guests and I have taken far too many shots from my man & woman shot glasses.


As I gently kick all my friends out of my house, I pat myself on the back for throwing such a successful patio party!

(Super cute product story by Emily in Vancouver! Thanks Em!)

Tis the season (for gettin' hitched)!

It's that time of year again,... wedding season, that magical time of year you start to find yourself busy every other weekend with bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, bachelor(ette) parties and the BIG DAY. Whether it's your 2nd cousin on your mother's side, your co-worker or your best friend, the one thing you can always seem to count on is scrambling to find the perfect gift for the happy couple. Don't fret- we gotcha covered!

This super cute collection of laser cut lace-inspired items include trays, candle holders, bowl and other tableware. Best of all they are on for a great deal! $4.95-$17.95ea

Porcelain lamps look great even turned off, and create a super romantic glow when turned on. Plus, they are just ridiculously cute. $51.95

Instead of gifting another bottle or two of wine, why not give them something classy to actually hold and show off their bottles? Wine Racks: $25.95-67.95

In due time, that new couple will be entertaining at their place and hopefully having you over for some grub. Maybe it would be a good idea to give them a new salad bowl so they can retire that old mixing bowl?
This is just a little samplin' of ideas- we can't wait to help you pick out that perfect gift for that special couple and solve those gift conundrum woes.

Shower curtains GALORE!

We have just received a huge order of all kinds of shower curtains and bath accessories- close to 50 styles of shower curtains alone! If yours is looking dingy, you've recently moved or you've been putting off replacing a tired one, come check the selection while it lasts! (oh, by the way... all these are either fabric or eco-friendly PEVA/EVA, so no harmful vinyl shower curtains here! yay!)

Product review

Hi! Welcome to a new featurette on the blog- Staff Product Reviews!



Product: "Beauty Junky" Purifying Cucumber Peel-off Gel Mask $2.95



I'm not normally the face-mask type. I'm no "Beauty Junky". I think I bought this intending it to be a useful easy to mail gift (small, flat, light) but the other night I was just in the mood to be spa-like, I guess, since I decided to try it out on myself instead. First of all, there was more than enough for 1 application, I saved at least 1/2 the package for another time (put it in a ziploc so it don't dry out!Bonus!!). It was really gel-like and thick, but translucent- a pretty cool texture and pretty cooling on the face. The scent was fresh and... refreshing, but not overwhelming or sweet (good thing, I hate super scenty products-ew). The BEST PART was definitely feeling it harden up and get super smooth when it dried and then peeling it all off. I admit, I left it on way longer than the 15 minutes it suggested (I was watching a movie, lost track of time, can you blame me?) but I don't think it made too much difference; it still peeled off perfectly (like, reealllly sasisfyingly in one big piece, just like Patrick Bateman.)

Afterwards? My face felt smoother than smooth, not tight or traumatized into a toned state, just relaxed, clean and deep-cleaned. I'm super stoked on using up the rest. I might even be hooked on this "facial treatments" thing for good.

Reviewed by: Tanis

Mikro Man!

Mikro is a series of super flat stainless steel cutout figures which you need to fold out and bend into shape to create an amazingly intricate miniature scene. Created by Sam Buxton and made in the UK, each thin sheet of stainless steel is precision etched with extremely fine details that become a freestanding scene of Mikroman's habitat or adventures when carefully unfolded.
These are some amazingly detailed figures and are not for kids under 12; think of these as more of a cool, creative adult's toy and part of a collectible series.

Thunderbirds Are GO!

Do you remember Thunderbirds?
Every time we get these cards in, people get a little nostalgic for this amazing mid-60s British show.


Here's a little something to jog your memory (or just make you laugh, either way):

Things that...look like other things!

There has been a pretty visible trend going on lately of products designed to look like clever impostors of other items. I've taken to calling these "Things That Look Like Other Things" and I'm totally a huge fan. Let's take a look at a few in the store right now:

Looks like a perfect little piece of toast, right?
Check it out! It's really a wallet, how cute it that?


The always impressive "I am not a paper cup" cup! White double walled ceramic ( to keep your drinks toasty warm) and a silicone pop on lid. I have one of these, and let me tell you... you will receive a lot of love and compliments from the baristas with this guy!
MMmmm... look at that tasty chocolate bar just waiting to be eaten.....
Whao! That's no chocolate bar, its a CHOCOLATOR! Oh yes, it's a flexible silicone calculator that looks curiously similar to a very delicious treat. Can you possibly resist?

And what's this?! Looks like someone has almost solved this Rubik's Cube!

Nope! Because this ain't no toy... it's a cleverly designed pepper mill (we have matching salt mill versions too)! Impress your guests with your mastery of the Rubik's Cube, and then AMAZE them with its true purpose! Pretty much guaranteed to get the attention of even the most shy dinner companions.
(Ceramic "milk carton" creamer and "splash" bowl)


("Inflatable" pin cushion- it's actually filled with foam so you can stick all the pins and needles in you like!)