Many of us are thankful for programs like Word and email that allow us to avoid using our penmanship at all costs. For those individuals skilled enough to actually cross their t’s and dot their i’s comes Fontcapture. Their system allows users to create a personalized font from their own handwriting. If you have a printer and scanner, you simply fill-in the provided template with your personal ABCs, scan and upload the sheet to their Web site, then download your unique script. The fonts are compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems and it’s free. To save yourself some trouble when writing out this season’s greeting cards, try it out at http://www.fontcapture.com/.  Who knows - your chicken scratch could become the next Helvetica!

School is fully back in session and iPhone-using students will be pleased to know there are many cool, useful Apps to help keep lives organized.  For example, “Periodic” serves as a reference to the periodic table of elements and “iHomework” allows one to organize and keep track of assignments and grades, while “Mental Case” allows one to create their own flash cards.  Whether you’re studying for French 101 or the GMAT, there are several Apps to aid in test prep and the “Calculator App,” which comes built into the iPhone, arithmetically crunches numbers and doubles as a scientific calculator upon rotation.  To learn more, visit www.apple.com.

While we were in San Francisco for the Fancy Food Show, our Director of Sales introduced DRY’s HQ team to Beard Papa’s Fresh ‘n Natural Cream Puffs.  Upon our return home, we were thrilled to find a Beard Papa’s in Seattle’s International District.  We still don’t know exactly how they do it, but their light, airy confections are to-die-for.  Founder Yuji Hirota first sold his all-natural, fresh puffs in Osaka, Japan in 1999.  Since then, Beard Papa’s stores have sprouted up throughout Asia, Australia and the USA.  Puff flavor options include delights like the original vanilla, chocolate, pumpkin, earl grey tea, and strawberry. The company’s mission is simple: serve a unique cream puff to happy people.  Now we just need to get them to serve DRY!  To find a local location, visit www.beardpapa.com and be happy!

Sharing your photos in real time just got much easier. The sleek new COOLPIX S1000pj camera by Nikon is the world’s first camera with an ultra-small, built-in projector that allows you to broadcast your pictures to an audience anytime and anywhere.  Complete with 12.1 Megapixels and a 5x Wide-angle Zoom-NIKKOR glass lens, this toy can produce beautiful prints as large as 16 x 20 inches and has an impressive zoom range.  The camera will start around $429.95 and hits store shelves in November. To learn more and view a full list of authorized Nikon dealers, visit www.nikonusa.com.

Although this card has no affiliation with a popular networking Web site of a related name, it does aim to attract a similar crowd. The Facecard combines the benefits of prepaid gift cards, debit cards and cash, then adds perks and extra security into the mix. The cards must be pre-loaded with money, but the balance can be spent anywhere Mastercard is accepted. Furthermore, it does not require activation or monthly maintenance fees. Parents can load their kids’ Facecards with dollars, then track their purchases so they know if little Jenny is really buying school books with the money she received last week.  If the card’s balance is too low to buy a given item, it is simply declined (no penalty fees).  The future of the allowance lies here: www.facecard.com. 

  

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.

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

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!