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.

Economy got you down?  Politics putting you in a frenzy?  Significant other acting crazy?  Why not take it out on someone who’s smaller, less important and already in more of a panic than you for a change?  This may sound harsh, but take a look at our new pal, Stress Paul, and you’ll understand.  Designed by the gadget-masters at SUCK-UK, little lavender-colored Paul will help you get a grip on life.  He’s one friend that you can use without feeling guilty. Honestly, he won’t mind – he’s made of rubber.  At first search, we thought we could only find Paul in the UK, but luckily Target bought up an army of them for the holidays.