Time for a few Thursday Things — a short round-up of interesting finds, fun tools, and tasty inspirations from the week. Here are some eye-catching items and brief thoughts on each.
1. Casetagram. Design an iPhone case using your Instagram photos. It’s a clever way to turn favorite images into a personalized, portable accessory. I’m tempted to start designing mine as soon as our holiday card is ready. It’s a stylish way to carry memories and add personality to a phone.
2. Lens Skins. These decorative wraps for camera lenses are both fashionable and practical. They add a layer of scratch protection and give gear a custom look — a simple way to protect lenses while expressing style.
3. Nighttime dumpster diver with a headlamp. I noticed someone in my neighborhood rummaging through a trash can with a headlamp on. I see people salvage or search through bins sometimes, but the headlamp made the scene memorable — it was a reminder that people find creative ways to make tasks easier, however unconventional.
4. Joy’s “10 Real-Talk Blog Tips.” This honest list of blogging advice is one of the best, most candid sets of tips I’ve read in a long time. I have a Blogging 101 series of my own, but Joy’s advice is refreshingly straightforward and full of practical perspective.
5. Cultures for Health. If you’re curious about fermenting at home — sourdough starter, cheese, yogurt, or homemade kefir — this resource is a wonderful place to start. Fermentation is satisfying and endlessly interesting; I love experimenting with beneficial bacteria and watching flavors develop. Homemade kombucha has been a regular project for me; I’ve written about my kombucha adventures and how rewarding the process can be.
6. Happy Herbalist. Another great place for kombucha and fermentation enthusiasts. If you enjoy the technical side of making fermented drinks and want detailed how-to information, resources like this one make the process less intimidating and more fun.
7. Bakers Edge pans. Recommended by a fellow blogger, these pans are designed to create more crispy edge pieces for brownies and other baked goods. If you’re someone who loves the crunchy perimeter of a bar or square, these specialty pans are made for you. They’re a simple kitchen upgrade for edge lovers.
I don’t own one yet, but I can see how they’d appeal to people who always fight over the edges. There’s a version for lasagna and larger pans too.
8. Coffee giveaway winner. The winner of the Coffee Giveaway is Lindsay @ Lindsay’s List, chosen for the comment posted November 7, 2011 at 5:23 pm: “Following and just tweeted!” Congratulations, Lindsay — enjoy the coffee!
9. Cork-handled knife set. I spotted a cork-handled knife set described as having a craggy bark case and stainless-steel, cork-handled knives. It’s an intriguing design: visually striking and likely lightweight. The cork case would make a lovely prop for food photography, and the set feels like a beautiful, if pricey, addition to a kitchen collection.
10. Dark Rum Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. It’s cookie time. Dark rum adds a deep, warm note to classic oatmeal-raisin cookies, elevating the familiar into something special. If you like cookies with a hint of boozy warmth, these are worth a try.
Questions for you:
1. Have you discovered anything lately that excites you — a food, a product, a person, a place, or a trip? What are your current favorites?
2. Have you ever fermented anything at home? Have you noticed people rummaging through trash cans in your neighborhood? And—are you team edge-piece when it comes to brownies?
Share your thoughts — I’d love to hear what you’re into right now. Have a great day!