There’s a magical place where all sorts of bewitching alchemy is performed and it’s called Canal House. It’s the best kind of laboratory and wizard shop, and now you can be a grand part of it all.

Hang on to your hats, kids, because Canal House Cooking has just published the second book in their series. And everything in it, from the photography to the recipes, will shiver your timbers.

I swear I gained 10 pounds just looking at this glorious photo of chocolate ginger cake. This volume is all about Holiday feasts, fare and family.

Get the first volume too, though. You’ll absolutely want it. It’s all the rage, you know.

And then wait impatiently for the next volume. Yes, tapping your feet and drumming your fingers on the table is allowed. Buy the book here.

xxooxxo,
BobbiePen.

For those of you who could very well be clueless because you’ve been living under a rock, Scott Schuman’s The Sartorialist is one of the most widely read blogs on the planet. He’s got something crazy like a billion visitors daily; it’s just insane in a good way. Obv.

Anyway, if you’re a fan, and who isn’t I ask you?, you’ll want the book. You’ll want to pre-order the book. It’s out August 12, but why wait?

Okay, and get this: there’s a bespoke version, of course there is, for a mere bazillion dollars more, for those of you that are truly rabid fans and have a bazillion dollars laying around.

And if that’s not enough for you, then you’ll want to follow his girlfriend’s blog, too. I know, it’s a sickness, but there you have it. She does what he does except in French. And just like the movies, there are English subtitles.

xxooxxo,
BobbiePen

An issue with swagger just like the state.

It’s just crammed full of great stuff, it really is. And the website is one of the best of its kind; it’s smart. You won’t be tearing your hair out or screaming bloody murder. That’s somethin’, if you know what I mean and I think you do.

The BBQ Rub is snap-your-fingers easy, and makes a great house gift.

If you’ve never tried a Michelada, just go back to bed because you’re not livin’ right.

Barbeque and beer is a Texan’s definition of angels singing.

xxooxxo,
BobbiePen.

Photos and recipes courtesy of Saveur; www.saveur.com.

I really don’t know how lazy the days of summer truly are … it seems we are always frantic to hurry-up and get on with all that summer stands for. So I’m here to tell you how to make this all easier, so you can streamline the hurry-up part to get to the lazy part.

Get this book now. You will laugh, you will cry, then you will swoon and you will sigh. Written by the immensely popular blogger of Orangette, it is half charming memoir, half incredible recipes. I have now spent a tidy sum on ingredients to make every single thing in the book. It’s a keeper; I predict your copy will be dog-eared to death. I also predict that your copy won’t have spatters all over it like mine already does. I never said I wasn’t a work-in-progress in the kitchen, people.

And then, order these highly ridiculous cupcake toppers for your Fourth of July cupcakes that you are sure to bake/make/concoct from Molly’s book. I love ‘em.

Three cheers for the red, white, and blue. $2.50 will get you 24; that’s pretty damn patriotic!

xxooxxo,
BobbiePen.

These envelopes are taken from vintage postal correspondence, with at least 3 vintage stamps and current first-class postage already affixed. Inside each envelope, you’ll find a yummy card just waiting for your thank-you, a love letter, an invitation, or even a save-the-date.

Don’t worry your pretty little head if Mr. Postman will bless these or not. He will, he will; they’re legal and all that, just see for yourself …

You’ll be the Toast of the Post, with Champagne corks popping all over the place.

Get them here. Don’t wait another minute.

xxooxxo,
BobbiePen.

This is the most fascinating book. Who knew the alphabet could be fascinating, right?!?

The whole book is a pop-up of the ABC’s. Sounds silly, but it’s just amazing. Each spread features a letter. An architectural wonder. A graphic marvel. A reason to start collecting pop-up books. I think I’m hooked. How do they do that?????

Learn your ABC’s the best and most modern way, here.

xxooxxox,
Bobbie

What better gift combo for the manic poker player than this? Well, there just isn’t one. The supreme poker book is just chock full of all sorts of interesting tidbits and secrets and rules and lingo and god knows what all but is absolutely essential.

The go-with is the ostrich egg which just happens to be a kindly reminder of what’s what and what’s important in the grand scheme …. especially if you’re the long-suffering Poker Wife, Poker Spouse, Poker Life Partner, Poker Fill-in-the-Blank. The egg is also available in the other three suits, too, so no worries and no need to get all nervous.

Did you know that there are all sorts of other fab gift ideas here, too?  Well, now you do, so check it out!

The perfect poker book is right here, and the genius ostrich egg is here.

xxooxxox,
Bobbie.

Thank God there are holiday cards that don’t have glitter and gee gaws and sappy sentiments all over them. Cards that don’t need to scream but get the point across all quiet and sneaky-like, with a little bit of attitude to boot. They cut through the clutter and then wink at you.

All cards are letterpress and use 100% post-consumer recycled paper and non-toxic inks for printing. That means you’ll sleep better at night.

The coolest holiday cards are here.

xxxooxxo,
Bobbie

Finding all the great stuff you need in your life, like trendy accessories, holiday cards, classically cool gifts and little luxuries that will put a smile on your face and a spring in your step.

Smart talk. I’m not necessarily saying a fresh mouth, which is another subject entirely. But who doesn’t want to be part of the intelligentsia, the literati, the illuminati? That’s what I thought.

You’ll be a giant of learning, a colossus of knowledge, a mine of information; not to mention just chock full of sparkling cocktail chatter once you have this very cool Thesaurus. Your noggin needs it.

Tom at Graphic Image does all sorts of color variations, and dictionaries to boot. All you have to do is ask. I have a silver Thesaurus, and am thinking of getting a black patent dictionary to go with. You ought to see it … can you imagine? And who doesn’t need $10 words to trot-out every now and then!? I mean really.

Here’s the inside skinny: he’ll put your company logo on the fly sheet if you order a minimum of 6. Great Holiday client gift. Yeah, I thought so, too.

Profound knowledge here.

xxooxxox,
Bobbie.