I recently became obsessed with the website Badass Of The Week. As the title suggests, Ben Thompson presents a different badass every week, along with history of that badass and what they did that is so badass. It’s educational while at the same time being the most hilariously written stories ever.

So far my favorite badass is Blenda (Swedish Viking woman), here’s an excerpt from the story:

The Danish horde rolled into Wahrend expecting to be chasing terrified women through the burning huts of their pillaged, looted town, but instead they basically walked onto the set of one of those crazy over-the-top 1980s beer commercials where Spuds McKenzie is jumping a surfboard over the Great Wall of China and the Swedish Bikini Team is rocking out to a boom box blasting Brian Adams or Loverboy or some other such ridiculous crap. The big, tough warriors had no clue how to respond to an armada of hot Swedish babes bearing delicious meats and alcoholic beverages, and fawning over their giant man-biceps, so they basically decided to give in, hang out, and have a huge party, because – as we all know – nothing makes guys more retarded than boobs and/or booze.

But I’m not that far into it call absolute favorites yet because they are all so good. I would love to get my hands on the book that was recently made from this website – for myself or to gift to any badass-loving friends and family I have.

These pretty rocks are actually soap made to look like geological specimens, but they’re are almost too lovely to use. I see them sitting in a bowl in your bathroom.

I’m just going to throw some random gift ideas out there here and there because my brain is already on vacation and putting together an actual guide is what people who have brains that are not on vacation do.

I just thought we’d start this morning off with a chuckle.

Family Portrait by Brock Davis (aka Laser Bread on flickr, which is now my new favorite flickr name)

The past six months since I released my jewelry line have been good to me. Mind blowing, really. What started as something fun to occupy my time has turned into something that I can’t quite grasp what to do with next, but I know it’s rather life changing and might involve some risks and leaps of faith down the road. To say that I am grateful for your support of For Me, For You jewelry is an understatement. I’ve been thinking of doing a giveaway as a way of saying thank you for a while now and felt like now was the perfect time, with the last shop update of the year being last night.

I’m giving away two necklaces to a random commenter – one silver or brass drops (your choice) and one classic rollo chain necklace of your choosing. You pick the color and style (regular, thick, or double strand) from styles I’ve sold in the past, or maybe you have something in mind you haven’t seen that I might have the colors for. Note that I do not have the snake or box chains anymore – just the brass rollo chain. Take a peek at my flickr collection for ideas if you are the lucky winner.

You have until Monday, Dec 7th at 9am EST to enter, just leave one comment telling me which color (or color combo) necklace is your favorite of mine! I’m very curious of knowing this answer for future necklace making, maybe there’s a color/combo I don’t do that a lot of you want. Make sure there’s a way for me to contact you! Your necklaces will be finished within a week after we decide what I’ll be making you.

And really, thank you.

I’m having a fun morning. My Gmail was hacked for a few hours, I slammed into the corner of a door while playing with Wendy and cut my hip really bad (now limping), I got my least favorite clerk at the post office who (always!) re-weighs and double checks my Endicia international packages because she thinks I’m going to do it wrong (she told me this) when there is NO need to because I ship the same exact packages all the time – causing me to be late for work. They’re just tiny stupid things (well, the gmail thing wasn’t but it’s ok now) I shouldn’t care about, but I’m not one for having perspective during times of anger. Let’s just get lost in these amazing Moby Dick pieces over at But Does It Float. I love, love whale imagery, even if living in the Pacific Northwest and the bad souvenirs in existence have forever ruined the Orca Whale for me.

(top to bottom artists: barry moser – rockwell kent – tom neely)

I promised you an update! PartyParty by ConfettiSystem is now available for purchase on Urban Outfitter’s website! Party on, Wayne.

This year is the first time since I’ve lived in New York that I’m going to finally get a Christmas tree. I’m quite excited about this, but now I wish I’d heard about the possibiliTree before so I could have saved my pennies for one. Besides the fact that they are gorgeous, each tree is handmade in Minnesota by a family business and folds up for easy storage. Swoon.

via Design Crush

Last one of the year! Preview tomorrow’s update here.

Intense napping begins Saturday.

I don’t think I ever wore awesome socks as a kid. Note to self: dress future kids in awesome socks at all times, like these hand-painted and dyed pairs from Wovenplay at Sweet William.

awesomeness of Wovenplay brought to my attention by Erin.

I love these dish towels by Swedish designer Maria Dahlgren. They’re made of 70% cellulose and 30% cotton, are all printed with a water-based, environmentally friendly print, and decompose naturally in 24 weeks.

Available at (the completely awesome) online store Huset.