Hey everybody ! As you may have seen in shops and tv ads, valentine’s day is coming up. To be honest, I’ve never really celebrated it, even when I have a boyfriend. All this cuty-lovey-dovey aspect is a bit too much for much. And anyway, no-one has ever given me a valentine’s day gift or card (and I survived !). But this year, I thought it could be a nice occasion to be creative,  give to others and  have fun. Whether you are in a relationship, wished you were in one or don’t even want to hear about it, Valentine’s Day 2010 IS going to be fun, with this über-cool list of things to do/buy/offer

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More than a year ago, I confessed my admiration for things that can fit into my pockets.  Here’s another dizzying collection of pint-sized objects WHICH-ARE-MOSTLY-FRIVOLOUS-BUT-WORTHY-OF-DEEPLY-GRATIFYING-SHOULDER-SHRUGS-AND-“AWWs”.

PS- I must be obscuring some Star Wars passion, because I just realized that there are two Star Wars-related items.  Oops and WEIRD.

1. I always wanted a fluffy animal as a child, like a guinea pig.  I hear they smell, though.  Miniature Funny Guinea Pig, psubio9 on Etsy, $20

2. A handy card in your pocket will prepare you for random declarations of love.  COOL NOTE: These cards are by The Great Lakes, who made the infamous “Elementary Lovenote Set” featured in the previous pocket-sized treasures collection.  A Roll in the Hay Card, thegreatlakes on Etsy, $4

3. A bike chain refashioned into a bottle opener!  How ingenious!  Recycled Bike Chain Bottle Opener Key Chain, Delight, $8.50

4. Admittedly, this will look rather awkward in your pocket, BUT IMAGINE YOUR FUTURE SELF + IMPROMPTU DANCE PARTIES = ASTRONOMICAL COOL POINTS.  iLuv Mini Portable Speakers, Amazon, $21.50

5. In high school, my calculus teacher told us that derivatives are like matryoshka dolls.  This excellent simile has stuck with me, despite not having taken the derivative of something in years.  Thank you, Dr. Sloan.  Hand Stamped Pocket Mirror Matryoshka Doll, TagsOnBags on Etsy, $4.50

6. My mom gave me a pair of these from her trip to Japan (practical gift giver, I guess).  I learned, however, that disposable chopsticks are incredibly detrimental to the environment (WSJ claims that even Chinese pop stars carry their own chopsticks, so maybe I should too!).  Second fun fact: I couldn’t use chopsticks until I was 21.  I am asian.  Yamazaki Stainless Steel chopsticks, Amazon, $12

7. After searching for mini screwdrivers that I could put in my ukulele bag, I came across this.  Ridiculous! (But I secretly like the idea of using a grenade screwdriver on my ukulele) (Oh wait, not a secret anymore.)  Grenade Screwdriver Set, Kikkerland, $5

8. There is a high possibility that if I owned this necklace, I would throw the tiny polymer clay candies at annoying people on the train.  Yummy Candy Jar Necklace, Shanalogic, $16

9. I travel to NYC fairly regularly, and I think this journal would be perfect to record my favorite places and experiences.  Like the time a synthesizer-playing scientologist gave me a map and directions to Bryant Park on the subway.  New York City Mini Journal 6-Pack, Galison/Mudpuppy, $18

10. Although these *can* fit in your pocket, they reside in a freezer.  Or, alternatively, you could transport them to a friend’s house in your pockets, and then place them in a freezer.  These whiskey rocks will be like little chanteuses in your glass- chanteuses that don’t water down your drink.  And, using them = WHISKEY LITERALLY ON THE ROCKS arharharharharhar.  Whiskey Stones by Andrew Hellman, Unica Home, $20

11. Tiny bottle warmers to keep your hands warm!  Mini Hottie Hand Warmer, Flight 001, $10

12. Oh, you already know my (and Minty Lewis’s) serious love of wombats.  I had to include this.  Wombat pendant, dragonwisper on Etsy, $1.50

13. Another miniature notebook for good ideas.  I like the way “Think!” is hidden on the cover.  Alphabet Writer’s Notepad, Galison/Mudpuppy, $5.50

14. This whistle necklace is by one of my favorite bloggers, oh, hello friend.  It’s much lovelier than the THREE RAPE WHISTLES I received when I started college.  Whistle necklace, ohhellofriend on Etsy, $24

15. According to several friends, George Lucas invented ewoks so people like me would want to watch Star Wars.  You win, George Lucas.  Star Wars Mimobot 2G Flash Drive, Delight, $32.50

MORE RAMBLING AFTER THE JUMP…

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1. Goldtone Banjolele Deluxe from Musician’s Friend, $450 (too shiny and would prefer the banjolele sold at the Old Town School of Folk Music’s store on Lincoln Ave. …thank you to the guy at the store who let me hold it…)

2. Yama Syphon Brewer from Clive Coffee, $50

3. Save the Manatee club membership, $25

4. Hohner Melodica from Musician’s Friend, $35

5. Wacom Bamboo Fun tablet from Amazon, $167

6. Blue Microphones Snowball from Amazon, $72.30 (so I can record songs about pies and bucolic fields…just kidding.)

7. Itazura Coin Bank (White Kitty) from Strapya World, $21.70 (watch this and you will be convinced)

8. Proximity Magazine subscription, $30 (even if you’re illiterate, you can still admire the STUNNING typography and layout)

9. Speedball Ultimate Screen Printing Kit from BLICK, $85

10. Keyboard stickers by Christopher Morno DeLorenzo, $15 (B for Bowie!)

And that’s the end of our wishlists.

Of course the Stickers and Donuts team’s greatest wish is to hear from you (we know you’re reading!  Google Analytics does not lie!)  SO!  Now it’s your turn.  What’s on your wishlist? Fulfilling the S&D wish not a good enough reason for you to comment?  Well, here’s a bribe.  The first 10 people who comment (excluding any S&D writers, however, they are encouraged to comment regardless) will receive a S&D surprise.

1. Chicken Skittles from MUJI, £5.95 (football is to soccer as skittles is to bowling)

2. The Africa swimsuit by We Are Handsome, $163

3. Miso Soup Ring by SouZou Creations on etsy, $8.50

4. Candy Bar Bracelet from Dylan’s Candy Bar, $50 (Wish 1.5: That Dylan offered international shipping.)

5. MacBook Pro 17-inch from Apple, $2500 (although a plain old MacBook is much more realistic!)

6. Colour In Dress by Michiel Schuurman, €250

7. Bubble Wrap Calendar from Perpetual Kid, $20

8. ASAP/OMFG Totable from Knock Knock,$10.50

9. PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death and God from Barnes & Noble, $14.94

10. Kron by Kron Shoes (Amirah also requests the ability to walk properly in heels!)

1. Phoenix Down shirt from Johnny Wander, $20

2. 8GB iPod Touch from Apple, $200

3. TravelHoop from Hoopnotica, $40

4. Rosemary/Sage Shampoo Bar from Mehandi, 12.50

5. 15-inch MacBook Pro from Apple, $1700/$2000

6. Mini 10 from Dell, $350

7. Uni-ball Kuru Toga High Grade Auto Lead Rotation Mechanical Pencil from JetPens, $15 (The lead automatically rotates! No more thick/thin crazy lines!! YES!)

8. Oynx Black KitchenAid mixer from Amazon, $243 (Amber also requests an oven that works.)

9. Arrested Development – The Complete Series from Amazon, $45

10. Pocketful of Pretty Bag from ModCloth, $60

1. HIC Mrs. Anderson’s Dash Pinch and Smidgen Measuring Spoons from Amazon, $7.50

2. Mammal flash card from the paper flea market, $0.50 (anything from this store)

3. Derek Jarman’s Garden from Amazon, £9.60

4. Bordello Shoes from Babygirl Boutique, $62

5. Dr. Strangelove poster from VinMag, £6

6. City of Glass: Doug Coupland’s Vancouver from Amazon, $17.90

7. Vegan with a Vengeance from Amazon, $12.20

8. Mod Wall Art: Wallter Retro Teardrops from inmod, $42 (gorgeous!)

9. Punk Gardener T-Shirt from DJTees, £18

10. Aarnio Eero Bubble Chair, search here to find an authorized dealer

1. Catcher in the Rye book cover poster from AllPosters, $30 (But you can choose from over 600 other book cover posters here.)

2. TOMS Borges Cordones, $79

3. LOMO Diana F+ CMYK camera kit from Fred Flare, $99

4. Greetings from the Ocean’s Sweaty Face: 100 McSweeney’s Postcards from Amazon, $14

5. The Original of Laura by Vladimir Nabokov from Amazon, $23 (Nabokov’s notecards for a novel he never completed. You can punch them out of the book and organize them yourself!)

6. Fleet Foxes from Amazon, $13 (Maria requests it on vinyl, because she wants to get Tricia’s portable record player and play Fleet Foxes on it.)

7. Osborn Design Sneakers, $60-130

8. Buckyballs, $30

9. Cardboard Moose bust from Perpetual Kid, $48 (large)

10. Collocation NO. 14 (NATURE) Print (left and right panels) from 20×200, $20+ (photos by Mickey Smith)

1.  Lil Matilda wallet from Bird on the Wire, €14.5

2. Chi’s Sweet Home Plush from Akinaiblog.com, €21

3. Music Monkey Speaker from Urban Outfitters, £30 (it dances!)

4. Gadget Girls print by Kevin Dart from Fleet Street Scandal, $30

5. Generation A by Douglas Coupland from Amazon, £9.98

6. SAND de PANDA sandwich maker from JBox, $12.80 (SO COOL)

7. This is London by Miroslav Sasek from Design Museum Shop, £10.99

8. Ampersand cushion by AuntyCookie on etsy, $45

9. Action Book by Behance Outfitter, $15 (for creative times!)

10. CentralChef Cupcake Holder from Amazon, $17.99

Additional Notes:  Ookah constructed the lovely image above, and offered a matching template for all of the other wishlists.  The font is Quicksand Bold.  Finally, if you enjoy Miroslav Sasek here are five silly facts on Miroslav Sasek.

1. BOOTIES. I am too cheap to turn on my heat, thus my footwear has become extremely important. I love these because they have a soft foam bottom so you can sit on your feet with ease. Also, I am attraced to the bright, fair-isle pattern (yay!). You can get them in navy, white, or pink at Old Navy for $20, but maybe you’ll find them on sale for $8 like me.
2. WOODCHUCK CIDER. I’m not big on beer. When autumn rolls around, I like my cider spiked. You can find these in the alcoholic beverages aisle of most grocery stories, and get them in flavors like granny apple and pear.
3. RELATER BY PETE YORN & SCARLETT JOHANSSON. Here are some things I misinterpreted about this song: (1) it is not called “REALTOR”, (2) it is not bad because a famous actress sings in it, (3) the lyrics are not “I was high / I was hungry” but “I was tired / I was hungry.” I’ve been playing this song on repeat for weeks.

1. BANANAGRAMS. I AM OBSESSED. CURRENTLY. POSSIBLY FOREVER. I spent almost the entire thanksgiving weekend playing this game. If you ever loved Scrabble, and especially if you loved Scrabble but the game was TOO SLOW, then you will be in heaven when you start playing Bananagrams. In this game there is no board and each player makes their own little crossword. The first finished, wins. You can add fun twists by forcing people to use words only in a particular category.
2. AMERICAN SHORT STORY MASTERPIECES. For $8 (or less, if you buy an older used version like me!), you can have “36 Outstanding American Stories.” You might think the cover of this book is all hype, but IT IS NOT. Every story I’ve read thus far has knocked my socks off, made me either want to go write something fabulous or quit while I’m behind. James Baldwin’s “Sonny’s Blues” and Vance Bourjaily’s “The Amish Farmer” and Tobias Wolff’s “The Liar.” SIGH. SIGH. DOUBLE SIGH. I have a super-duper, giant crush on this book. It’s also a Mass Market Paperback, which I am usually against, but I will tell you — it is great for holiday travel!

Yay! It’s my very first Currently Obsessed post! I have a serious sweet tooth – as you will probably find out after subsequent posts – so I thought it fitting to relate all these items to mouth-watering sweet stuff!

1) Cupcake Car: When I saw these incredible “cars” capable of going a whopping 7mph, I actually screamed, in a pretty high-pitched voice: “Ohmygosh! They are soooo CUTE!” Because they so are. If any of you have $25,000 to spare you can get yourself the best Christmas present ever: a vehicle slower than a bike – but probably faster than your normal walking speed –  that is fully customisable so you can get a car that resembles your favourite cupcake! I’m dreaming of the day that I arrive to school in one of these…The only question that remains: Do I need a driving license for one of these?!!

2) Oreo Cupcakes: I got pretty obsessed with cupcakes this week, and these look SO delicious! I mean pink panda cupcakes that are made from Strawberry Milkshake flavoured Oreos! Can you get more mouth-watering then that?

3) Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain (Or just Amélie): I’ve just started my A-Level French course at school and my teacher said that we needed to expose ourselves to more French culture; movies, music, book etc. So I decided to watch a French movie – I’m so glad I picked Amelie! It has actually become one of my favourite movies of all time! Its about a kooky waitress in Paris who leads a simple life and decides to devote her life to bringing strangers happiness. It is the cutest movie ever – I know I overuse the word cute, but there is no other way to describe this movie! You don’t even need to speak French – watch it with the English subtitles!

4) Carmex Cherry Lip Balm: Cherry Carmex is the best lip balm ever! I have really chapped lips but this lip balm makes them feel all moisturised and smooth! Your lips actually tingle when you put it on AND it smells so good! Every time I reapply it people will go: Are you eating a sweet? What smells so good? It only costs £2 as well, I can’t find any downsides!

5) Nymph Costume: So Halloween isn’t as huge a deal here in The UK as it is in the US, but I still think it is a great excuse for fancy dress! How beautiful is this handmade, leaf-adorned tunic? I think dressing up as Greek Forest Nymph would make the perfect Halloween costume! It is obviously dressing up, it is a unique idea and its just really pretty and feminine! Too bad it’s not exactly scary!

6) Irregular Choice Shoes: Irregular Choice makes the wackiest most original shoes that I have ever seen! You need to check out their website! I love all the colours and prints and the different structures – can you use the word structures when describing shoes? – that all the shoes have, but, my favourite pair by far are the ones covered with little ice creams! I went and tried them on in the store and everything, but unfortunately I am completely incapable of walking in 6inch heels!