ThisNext goodies!
Originally uploaded by calobee

Oh, I am stoked. Why am I stoked? Just look at what showed up on my doorstep yesterday and you’ll know why I abuse the word “stoked.”

As you may or may not remember, back in May I won a neat wine gift set for participating in a contest on ThisNext.com, my favorite social shopping site.

Last week I realized that I hadn’t seen the wine set come through yet, and it’s been over a month, so I sent an e-mail to one awesome ThisNexter to ask about it. She looked into the issue and sure enough, the wine set shipped much later than expected. This was actually a relief, as we’ve had disappearing-package issues at our place recently (very frustrating), and I imagined that somewhere in my neighborhood roamed a very full, very drunk guy with a pink wine backpack slung over his shoulder.

Thankfully this was not the case (although the mental picture kept me amused for a good five minutes), and the awesome ThisNexter said that they’d also send along a second prize to make up for the delay. I thought it might be a gift certificate, or maybe some stickers or promo materials, which is why I was really surprised to find a sizable box on my step yesterday evening. I was even more surprised to open it and find all sorts of wonderful kitchen goodies from Tovolo! Eee!

I’d never heard of Tovolo until now (read: I’ve only shopped for kitchen stuff at Wal-Mart) and the design is really something else. Our current setup is basic – we have the essentials, but none of it is very pretty to look at, and most of it is well-loved (read: old, and from Wal-Mart). But the Tovolo stuff – I want to frame it and hang it on my wall. It’s solid and sturdy, too – I can tell these pieces will be with us for a long time. So thanks, ThisNext, for giving me the opportunity to ditch the old Wal-Mart spatulas and mixing spoons for something more chic.

Oh, and the S.O. thinks I should win things for him more often, so maybe ya’ll could hook me up with an iPhone in the near future. Just sayin’.

It is entirely unlike to me to win contests of any sort, which is why I was so pleased when I got an e-mail from one of the staff at thisnext.com, saying I’d won a Wine Excursion Backpack Gift Basket for participating in their entertaining contest last week.

Squee! Double squee!

Never mind that the S.O. and I know nothing about wine, nor do we drink it – who cares? I won something! YAY!

And while I’m on the subject of free stuff, Moo is giving away 1000 packs of 10 minicards each to Voxers who are quick on the draw. I’ve already snagged my 10-pack – it contains my most recent flower photos. I may have to pick up one of these handmade Moo carrying cases from Etsy seller splatgirl to go along with ‘em!

Other items on my “I will buy this next month because we won’t have to pay the gas company or the bank because of my leet bookkeeping skillz” wish list:

• Sticker-maker! Stickersstickersstickers! I was sticker-obsessed in my youth, and the thought of making my own stickers fills me with unimaginable joy.
• A through-the-lens camera, like an Argoflex or a Duaflex, so I can play around with some through-the-viewfinder techniques. I have a Brownie Hawkeye that I picked up from the local Salvation Army, but it’s in sorry shape.

Also: The underside of my caramel rice cake looks like brains. That is all!