The hot weather ushers in what I believe is perhaps the best part of summer — eating and drinking out of doors. That said, I don’t much like to use this platform to pitch my own products, so full disclosure: I designed these melamine tumblers quite a number of years ago. And, to my surprise and delight, they are still in production. I’d like to think it’s because they are simple and bright, don’t have any cartoon characters slapped on them, and mostly because they last. They are virtually indestructible. They come in two sizes: 8 oz. and 14 oz.  Available here.

A number of years ago we decided we really needed a classic picnic table. I found none that met the standards of durability and craftsmanship that I was after, and I didn’t want to buy something, only to have it fall apart after a year or two, or even three. So we decided we would just build one ourselves. Fine. No big deal. However, given that I like design details and silly things like measurements and angles to be worked out ahead of time (makes the execution so much more enjoyable — this truth can be applied to almost any design project), I felt it necessary to make up a plan to work from. And since I often enjoy the process of design more than the finished product itself, I decided the best approach would be to make an accurate scale model, and then drawings. Can’t find the drawings, but here is the model. The table itself, after 10 or so years, is still remarkably sturdy. So proud.

Okay, so my Tupperware | Keep Tabs™ containers are finally complete!! Of particular excitement is the fact that the largest of these pieces will hold a whole chicken. All this storage, when not in use, occupies less than one square foot of real estate. And, these are guaranteed to last a lifetime…literally. No planned obsolescence here.

Photos by Richard Gary.

The past few years have been super crappy for me when it comes to footwear. I inherited a smallish bunion on my right foot (thanks Dad!) which makes it increasingly difficult to find a comfortable, much less stylish pair of soles (high heels are completely out of the question). Add to that the fact that I resent spending money on something that is built to fall apart within a few months, or even years. My standard for buying anything these days is: Will I like this not just a year from now, but 10 years from now? And, more to the point: Will it last? My new shoes met this challenge on every level!

I know, I know, it’s been awhile. I haven’t had much of the blog spirit of late. Maybe the holidays took it out of me. My thinking is “Why force it?” if I’m not feeling the love. But now I am. Anyway, my mother FOUND this silver spoon at an estate sale in Maine. She did not have it engraved for me! It was just like this when she bought it. Incidentally, my middle initial is A. How weird is that? I used it last night at dinner and today at lunch to slurp up my soup. And I realized that it is probably the best spoon I’ve ever used. It also makes me feel extra special.