Upon seeing a tiny <insert ANYTHING>, only those with the coldest of hearts can squash a visceral response of…”aww.” Accompanied with the occasional shoulder shrug, of course. It is possible, however, that my heart is too warm. If I see almost anything that I can fit in my pocket or coin pouch, I succumb to the magnetizing cuteness force. Kind of like emf, the topic in physics class (that I especially despised). To my moderate embarrassment, my weak little heart melts into a Capri Sun-puddle. In my college bedroom, I maintained a small collection of worldly tiny acquisitions on my windowsill. A green alien (evanston, summer 2006). A heavy pig flashlight (japan, fall 2007). A pink cat rested on a longevity peach bun (ithaca, spring 2006). I’ve taken excellent care of my tiny treasures. Except the alien. He disappeared during my last move. The following is a list of twenty-two lovely things that are tiny enough to fit in your pocket (or other small places). Even pockets of Cheap Monday jeans, which I’ve included in the wee graphic above. I’m hardly a jean snob, but there are several pairs (Cheap Monday, Levi, Forever 21) that I wear more than others (Rich and Skinny = BLEH).

ANYWAYS, since I am excessively chatty, this post is too overwhelming without a click through. Click for the rest of this post! (more…)

As a wee, I loved the If you give… series. Actually, as an adult stuck in an unsettling post-college period, I am still enamored with the books. I am a sucker for the whimsical illustrations, the characteristically demanding critters, and the circumlocutory plots. With the absence of a pesky HARRY-POTTER-RACE-TO-THE-FINISH effect (the conclusion is hardly dubious!), one can focus purely on the ADVENTURE.

The If you give… duo, Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond, first released If You Give a Mouse a Cookie in 1985! Since then, they have introduced their readers to Pig, Moose, and recently… CAT. A cat that gets a *cupcake*!?!?! (I’m eating a Sweet Mandy B’s cupcake right now! Which, FYI, is just as adorable as the name implies. It reminds me of Samantha Parkington!) And cat asks for *sprinkles*!? (My cupcake has sprinkles!) If You Give a Cat a Cupcake screams S&D.

Just like Mouse, Moose, and Pig, Cat gets something edible, and things happen. Honestly, you’ll have to read it for yourself. I will share, however, that my favorite part is at the beginning:

“When you give him the sprinkles, he might spill them on the floor. Cleaning it up will make him hot, so you’ll give him a bathing suit.”

A cat in swim trunks? More precious than Precious Moments.