Yoga pix on parking tix

Sometimes, I'm the recipient of parking karma -- the rare good fortune of approaching a destination and having a prime spot open up right in front. Woo hoo!

Other times, it's only pseudo-karma. The glee replaced by the glumness of spotting a parking ticket lurking beneath the wiper blade.

I'm always steamed when this happens -- and I'm not sure what the city of Cambridge, Mass., is doing would make me more tranquil about the irksome experience.

Traffic enforcement officers there now are issuing citations with depictions of yoga poses on them, intended to create a less adverse reaction to receiving a fine.

The idea is that the Zen poses offer a reminder that the "offenders" may not enjoy receiving the ticket, but they "can control how they react to it."

Meaning, cough up the cash and move on.

Actually, I think I'd be more cheesed to get a ticket that also berated me for being, well, cheesed, about having to pay $25 for spending 10 minutes over meter time to wait in line at the dry cleaner's.

If I want to fume, well, that's my choice.

Or maybe that's just me. Would receiving a "yoga" ticket make you mellow or mad?

Man-gagement rings -- equality or excess?

My mom never got an engagement ring, and my parents' marriage has lasted more than 50+ years, so I'm not one to put a lot of stock in bling.

Still, I'm intrigued by the trend of women popping the question (not new, but all all for it) and sealing the deal by popping open a box with a special band (new -- at least to me).

Apparently, Man-gagement rings are the gaining ground. Actress Jennifer Hudson reportedly gave her fiance a $15,000 Neil Lane sparkler, and jewelers are busy crafting both fancy and no-frills ring (this is a British jewelers' popular style) to be slipped onto the finger of the intended groom.

I can see this as a boon for same sex marriages | civil unions, but what about for "traditional" couples -- is a bethrothal bro-band a good thing?

Is is a step forward for equality -- or just an opportunity for recession-ravaged ring-makers to cultivate a new market?

Putting the bar in barbecue

Just in time for last-blast-of-summer holiday celebrating, there's a new kind of beef aiming to thrill on the grill.

Or at least that's the intent of its producers, farmers who are fattening their herd with fine red wine.

"You don't get any better than steak and a wine," says Janice Ravndahl, of Canada's Sezmu Meats. "We just start a bit earlier."

Ravdahl says getting their Angus cattle calves to sip Syrah and other varietals helps produce beef with an enhanced flavor: "The marbling is finer and the fat tastes like candy."

Hmmm. I'm not sure I buy that. And I'm a little troubled by the whole idea of animal intoxication.

Still, I do believe this claim by Ravdahl about the bovines who belly up to the barnyard bar:

Pare down and pump up happiness?

I've long had a house rule: If I bring something in, I have to take something out.

So if a pair of jeans makes it into the closet, a pair of shoes goes to consignment.

The rule has been responsible for the discovery that less is truly more -- at least when it comes to creating an environment that serves as a sanctuary, rather than just a place to park my laptop.

I've found that I'm truly more soothed by less-cluttered surroundings. When I come home, I feel comfort instead

Now, with the economy flattened, more are discovering via necessity and/or preference, the perks of paring down.

Yes, that's not news, but the intensity of the trend is: There's even an initiative that's challenging people to live with just 100 things, in order to live "more joyfully and thoughtfully."

http://www.guynameddave.com/100-thing-challenge.html

And then I spotted this piece in the news confirming that back-to-basics is a now a full-fledged boom -- that may even foster mass mood boosting, despite tough times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/08/business/08consume.html?src=me&ref=homepage 

And I have to agree that lean is trumping luxe for me.

How about you?

Flip-flop fantasy?

One of the purest joys of the season for me is just being barefoot.

I call it "sending my feet on vacation."

And when I can't be totally sans shoes, I try to slip into something that's barely there -- to keep the same feeling.

That's why these flip-flops caught my eye.

They're part of a gallery I came across showecasing some of the most intriguing, outrageous, creative and creepy shoes I've seen.

http://www.inbetweenmeals.com/2010/06/worlds-most-weird-shoes.html

Perfect for browsing while barefoot and sipping a sublime summer beverage.

Which are your favorites (or not) and why?

A 'smashing' ending to marriage

With a whack of a special hammer, couples are symbolically breaking the bonds of matrimony.

And that's just the final ritual in elaborate divorce ceremonies, now on the rise in Japan.

Created by an enterprising event planner, the ceremonies are catching on as divorce rates are climbing.

Some are hailing the events as a positive way to provide a fresh start, especially to women, who have long been encumbered by Japan's reluctance to view singlehood as a fully respectable social status for females, at least.

Others say it's merely a way to make money on failed matrimony. (The ceremonies usually take place in special facilities created for the events, and include special meals, etc.)

And I dunno. I can see the value of gaining closure -- I know women who've had special girls' nights out to say good riddance to a relationship and felt if offered relief, support and even inspiration.

What do you think?  

Sweet dreams

Lately, I've been having a hard time getting enough sleep...but these eco-chic eye masks may be just what I need to finally snag some shut-eye.

Made with recycled cotton and bamboo fabric, they're stylish as well as a great way to block distractions.

http://www.spiritbeautylounge.com/eye-sleep-masks/

The mask + chirping crickets outside = satisfying summer slumber (I hope).

Purr-fect to serve on your catio

Yes, I said catio -- not patio. That's because the latest in stay-cation spinoffs is this hybrid outdoor environment catering to felines who want to experience the outdoors, but in a custom, luxe and protected environment.

(Get it? Cat + patio = catio.)

Anyway, these these posh playlands feature special lounging amenities....

(See some elaborate ones here, and be sure to scroll down to get the full effect: http://catioshowcase.com/ )

...so I say, why not sure this special high-style catnip martini olive -- mmmmm-eow!

Not necessarily better than a tie

The first rule of having a Man Cave should be that it's never actually called a Man Cave...

Not my words, but those of the blogger who's assembled some of the Worst Father's Day Gifts ever, and I have to agree -- with the rules and the gift picks, that include numerous grooming items and man-sized "fanny-boosting" exercise shoes:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/chronstyle/detail?entry_id=64234

Soooo, my search for a Dad's Day gift continues, and I wonder: What are you getting your hub or dad and/or what have you gotten them in the past that's been a hit or miss.

Hmmmm....there must be a bacon wallet out there somewhere....

Please don't eat this purse!

It may look like an elegant designer accessory, but this bag is actually edible art.

That's right: Look closely and you may see the hand stitching used to craft this faux Chanel clutch -- from beef jerky!

I'm not sure why designer Nancy Wu undertook the project, but it certainly is creative.

Maybe bacon was a little too crispy to use?

She had me at Spanish Lavender...

...though there are other evocative and alluring natural ingredients -- botanical and beyond -- in Tata Harper's new skincare line.

Part of what's being dubbed the "Farm to Face" movement, the line recognizes that the vast majority of what we put on our skin -- via makeup and other lotions and potions -- makes its way into our boodstream.

And that pure, natural, sustainably and responsibly farmed ingredients, instead of boatloads of chemicals, are a better alternative.

Harper farms many of the ingredients for her Tata's Natural Alchemy line in Vermont, though some are sourced in Europe -- and that's where she gets the lavender that's billed as helping soothe skin that's easily irritated (that would be mine).

So I'm gonna give it a try: http://www.tatasnaturalalchemy.com/

It's a summer fashion challenge!

I'm sure ultra-style-icon Audrey could pull it off -- but me? Sigh.

Wearing only 10 items for 91 days (that's how long summer is) is a challenge that's been created by the blog Ethical Fashion.

The aim of the Fashion Diet, inspired by Earth Day, is to undercut over-consumption.

It starts on June 21, the Solstice, and the first day of Summer.

I'm thinking about it -- could I go with all black-and-white pieces? It certainly would make getting ready for work easier. 

Hmmm. Hopefully jewelry doesn't count.

How about you -- could you, would you cut the clothing carbs?

Serenity now!

I'm surprised that it's taken this long for such a great idea to take off:

This beauty company specializes in items in mini-sized lotions, potions and more that meet airline travel restrictions.

Everything from the Serenity Balm to soothe you onboard, to hair, skin and other essentials that now are a hassle to haul because you've got to make sure they're teeny enough to tuck into your bag, are the sole focus of http://www.3floz.com.

Plus, it's fun to discover new products to try before you buy larger sizes.

And, if you can't decide, they've created kit/collections to grab and go.

Easy peasy!

Spam Jam!

We have some great fests here in Chicago (hey, we really appreciate how fleeting the good weather is) -- but here's one we don't have and wish we did:

Spam Jam is underway in Hawaii this weekend, celebrating the versatility and durability of the mighty meat in a can.

And it goes way beyond just pineapple-Spam pizza: Honolulu's top restaurants are even competing to create the most imaginative dishes using Spam.

I'm not really a Spam fan, but I really admire a clever-quirky festival (yes, in additional to food, there's music and other diversions).

Hmmmm...so maybe there's a last-minute fare I can snare....

In the meantime, what are your favorites fests and why? 

Hi, heels!

The economy is down so heel heights are up.

"We have entered a moment of heightened impracticality in footwear," Elizabeth Semmelhack, author of "Heights of Fashion: A History of the Elevated Shoe," Yahoo Shine reports.

"Heel heights noticeably grew during the Great Depression of the 1930s, the oil crisis in the 1970s, and when the dotcom bubble burst in the 2000s."

Women's shoes are now at an all-time high, and Semmelhack believes during tough economic times, there's "a greater need for escapism." 

Hmmm. She may have a point. Who doesn't get a thrill even when trying on high heels?

Yes, I know they're bad for us. Still, after I broke my ankle a few years ago, and spent many months on crutches and then more recovery after that, I found that started wearing them as, well, a way of projecting that I was strong. And that the injury would not limit my footwear choices.

The truth is, as a not tall person (5'2"), I feel a bit more powerful when wearing heels.

Not the ridiculous-can't-even-walk-in-them spikes; but something that gives me a boost.

And, hey: Now I guess I'm on trend. (And to celebrate --I just ordered a pair from Zappos!)

So, how do you feel about the nouveau-retro fascination with towering footwear?