Are you tired of the unlimited number of depressing news stories constantly circulating mainstream media? They seem almost inescapable, which is why we take often refuge with Operation NICE.  Creator, Melissa Morris Ivonne, decided one day that she wanted to spread some love to combat all the negativity out there. Realizing a blog could be the best place to begin, Melissa started using her own experiences to “encourage individuals to be proactively nice.”  Additionally, her site invites readers to share uplifting stories, news, and products, and even highlights a NICE person of the week.  We all need a little more nice in our lives, so pay a visit to www.operationnice.com.

Many said it couldn’t and shouldn’t be done - that instant coffee would never be comparable in taste to true brew.  But after today, we sincerely beg to differ.  A lucky few of us here at DRY HQ had the opportunity to try Starbucks VIA Ready Brew and were surprisingly impressed.  The coffee boasts a full flavor that is great alone, but is also wonderful with a bit of half-and-half… or a splash of Kahlua, as we soon found out.  Remembering the times we’ve visited friends in Europe where no one has a personal coffee maker, thinking of cold coffee-less mornings while camping, and watching stewardesses wrestle with trays and carafes of coffee on airplanes makes us realize just how necessary this product is!  Don’t be surprised if you find us drinking it in the office either…  www.starbucks.com.

Mom always told us (and “Myth Busters” later confirmed) that you can’t catch a bullet in your teeth, but now we can prove them both wrong!  The AK 47 Ice Tray creates bullets of ice that are perfect for making a killer drink.  Fill the bottom of the clip-shaped tray with water, press the top down, freeze, and voila - icy H2O ammo!  Appealing to the more daring side of our personalities, we think Rhubarb DRY + Whisky over bullets would be quite rugged.  Drink up, feel dangerous, but please play safe.  Find it several places, including charlesandmarie.com. 

 We realize fireworks are actually illegal in many communities in the states, but you can still be a law-abiding citizen and enjoy some sparks now and again.  Look to Chuao Chocolatier’s latest hit - Firecracker Chocolate - for some high quality pop and spice.   Crackling candy and chipotle pepper are mixed into Chuao’s own dark Venezuelan chocolate, creating a finished product that is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression.  The playful candy reminds us of our Pop-Rocks days, while the elegant chocolate and hint of heat offer a grand finale that’s not to be missed.  We had the chance to try Chuao’s chocolate at the Fancy Food Show last week and have been hooked ever since!  Grab some for yourself from Whole Foods, Crate & Barrel or www.chuaochocolatier.com.

Sick of seeing all those grocery/retail bags pile up in odd places in your home?  Especially after the holiday season, it seems that mound is bigger than ever!  Let Envirosax help you out.  Since 2004, (long before the reusable bag idea caught on in the States) the company has been creating sturdy, lightweight, portable, waterproof grocery bags in a plethora of desirable prints.  They even have several man-friendly designs - ie the top row of the “Green Grocer” series.  We know people who’ve used these things to wrap gifts, carry gym clothes, bring to the beach, and as overnight bags for the kids. You’ll probably be seeing these replace traditional retail shopping bags as well.  For a limited time, Envorisax is giving a free shower timer to anyone who orders a 5-in-1 pouch, so buy a set, and encourage shorter showers, too!  www.envirosax.com

This picture is so great, we just had to share it!  Mr. and Mrs. Snowman leisurely sip Vanilla Bean and Rhubarb DRY as they relax in blizzard-ridden Seattle.  Don’t they look happy and content?  Too bad it isn’t this easy for everyone in the Northwest to stay calm when the snow hits!  We’re not all used to the icy roads and missed garbage pick-ups that accompany this weather.  Special thanks to the friends of Travis Roberts (DRY’s  VP of Operations) who sent this photo our way.  If you have a photo or DRY idea you’d like to submit for publication on our site, we recommend you visit Inspired by DRY for instructions. 

The recent weather in Seattle has us feeling slightly giddy, but a little out of control.  We’re not dreading going to work tomorrow because, due to snow, we probably won’t have to!  On the other side of the coin, the threat of power outages and endless winter storms brings isn’t exactly comforting.  We wish we would have found the products from 4 Survival To Go much sooner.  Our favorite is their 72-hour survival kit, complete with enough food, water, first aid, technology, and shelter for three full days - all packaged up in a stylishly simple water resistant compact bag.  Their Web site is also clean and easily navigable, so pay them a visit ’cause (as many of us are finding out), you never know when the next winter storm will hit.   

Never thought you’d agree to getting a weave?  Well think again, because some of the season’s most wonderful handbags are full of exciting weaved patterns.  Big, full, and beyond classic, these works of art are sure to leave a lasting impression.  A few of our favorites pictured above.  Check out Anya Hindman’s silver plaited Gene.  Find the oversized Triangle Tote from Cole Haan’s Genevieve Collection.  Last but not least, visit Bottega Veneta’s site to find an array of great bags, including the Large Capri in nero.  Now go get your weave on!

Ah, it’s that time of year - snow in the mountains, wreaths on doors, gingerbread houses galore, gifts and the frantic searches for them!  This year, start at viewzi and help the web help you find presents and anything else!  viewzi’s beta platform allows its users to search in several different modes - our favorites being “Screen Shot,” which brings up a helpful selection of (what else?) screen shots, to answer your questions, “Photo Cloud View,” which showcases an initial set of photos based on your original search term, then expands upon that term with additional layers of photos (just try it!), and “Timeline View,” which gives visually enhanced chronological results.  Combining source information from Google and Yahoo, viewzi offers a powerful, interactive cure for the common search.  www.viewzi.com

It seems the mall kiosks and bookstores are filled with calendars that look the same each year - puppies, tropical scenes, Europe…etc.  They’re not all bad, but they’re quite predictable.  We thought we’d seen them all until we stumbled across this letterpress/printed calendar by Port2Press.  At 6 ¼ inches square, it’s petite and comes bound by a French linen cord with a double thick vellum cover.  The photographs in the calendar are offset printed, but each illustration is hand pressed.  We think this alternative approach is just what the new year needs.  Only 300 were made and we’re prepared to give a few as gifts, so get one for yourself while they last at the Port2Press store.