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.

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.  

Although Northwest storms don’t generally have the intensity of traditional East Coast downpours, our clouds have stamina, serving up on-again off-again rain that’s supremely inconvenient.  We always have to be prepared for inclement weather, which is why we think Umbrella Today? is great.  This new tool from the tech savvy minds at thoughtbot will tell you whether or not you’ll need an umbrella for the day based on your zip code. If a daily visit to the sight is too much for you, sign up to receive a text message on rain positive days.  The site’s simplicity is beautiful, even when it’s stormy outside. www.umbrellatoday.com

A pair of smart slacks with a well-fitted button-down shirt can make an average Joe look like a million bucks.  We agree with the designers at indiTailored that every guy deserves the chance to look great without spending an entire weekend at the mercy of shopping malls and shiny-suited salesmen.  IndiTailored.com offers men the chance to customize their dress shirt collection at the push of a few buttons.  Input your measurements, then choose your desired fit, fabric, collar, cuffs, pleats, and optional monogram.  The best part – once you’ve found your perfect shirt, you can reorder in several different colors and patterns with little to no effort. Create a whole new wardrobe without ever leaving your home at www.inditailored.com.

Take our word for it - the folks at craft Los Angeles can put together more than just a perfect meal in a great setting.  They are also capable of making some of the most incredible mixed drinks under the sun! Craft LA’s bartender, Luke Sundquist, has given us two DRY cocktails to add to our official list, including the Elderflower Collins and the Rhubaretto. These elegant, yet spirituous drinks will surely take the edge off your day!  Make one for yourself and your friends, or for the full experience, pay our pal Luke a visit at his home court bar in the restaurant.  www.craftrestaurant.com.