Sample Sale: Geek Chic

I very clearly recall being 11 years old, sitting in my hometown library with a friend, and trying to shush him as we talked about Star Trek: The Next Generation, because holy shit, what if someone found out I was a Trekkie? That would've been, well, not social suicide, because everyone already knew I was a huge nerd, but something awful, obviously.

It turns out one of the best things about getting old is the complete failure of one's Give A Fuck. Nowadays I'm like, HEY, READ MY FANFICTION or LOOK, I WENT TO A CONVENTION. Wear your niche interests proudly, my friends, because everyone's a nerd about something.

Marie Curie Babydoll (Think Geek, $18.99 from $20.99) As a kid, I read everything I could get my hands on about Marie Curie. She had an amazing life in addition to being a brilliant scientist. So when someone tells you "Cute shirt!" you can respond, "Thanks! Marie Curie was a badass."

Thor Hammer Cuff Bracelet (Think Geek, $18.49 from $36.99) I like this because it's subtle and stands on its own as a pretty piece of jewelry independent of its geekspiration.

Converse All Star Cheetara athletic shoe (Journeys, $29.99 from $59.99) Guys, DO NOT go back and try to rewatch Thundercats. You'll be so disappointed. Cheetara still looks awesome, though, so rock these shoes.

Star Wars Vehicles Cookie Cutters (Williams-Sonoma, $9.99 from $19.95) My 6-year-old nephew is super into a bunch of Star Wars stuff that I know nothing about (the Lego sets alone!), and he loves to tell me all about random characters and their adventures. But my favorite moment came last summer when he said, "Aunt Lyette, did you know Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker's father?" Um, yeah kid. I was aware of that.

Red (Threadless, $12.95 from $19.50 [t-shirt] @29.95 from $49.50 [hoodie]) All the women's t-shirts are sold out, but you can get a 2X men's shirt and wear it as a sleep-shirt, maybe? That's what I would do if I didn't think it's scare the snot out of Baby Razor if I walked into her room in the middle of the night wearing it.

Comic Gia (Kate Spade, $39 from $78) Less comics and more pop art, but still geek chic. Bright, cute, and useful.

Comic Relief Dress (ModCloth, $48.99 from $97.99) It's the BOINK! over the bosom that makes it, really.

He-Man DIY Paper Figure (Urban Outfitters, $1.99 from $6) There's a Skelator too! Keep them on your desk at work and make them fight.

Smaug's Cash 4 Gold (Busted Tees, $15 from $20) I'm just saying, there are two more Hobbit movies coming out and you're gonna need something to wear to opening night.

Doctor Who TARDIS Talking Cookie Jar (Think Geek, $26.99 from $29.99) Linked for my friend Leigh, who already has the TARDIS coffee pot. (How many TARDIS products do you think there are? Could someone do an all-TARDIS kitchen?)

Sample Sale: Hey, Mama

Alternate titles:
Mama Said Knock You Out
Mama, OoooOOOOooooo (from Bohemian Rhapsody, obviously)

I had trouble with this one, because mothers are vast and contain multitudes. My mother likes decorating. I like comic books. Your mom might like hot rods. Or rock climbing. But if you're stumped for what to get her, hopefully this list will jumpstart your creativity.

Calla Lily Drinkware Set (Uncommon Goods, $49.99 from $100) Probably more decorative than functional, but it'll give your mom the idea of sharing lemonade and chatting with you, which is nice and probably something that mothers and children do somewhere, right?

Sunrise Stoneware Bowl (Terrain, $39.95 from $78) The key to giving home gifts is to know your mother's decorating concept. If your mother doesn't have a decorating concept, I don't know what to tell you. (My mother's house looks like a Better Homes & Gardens show-home for French Country.)

Jane Jeweled Frame (Z Gallerie, $14.99 from $24.95) Frames are nice if you have something cool to put in them. Don't put a picture of yourself, seriously, your mother has enough of those. 

Snow Gardenia Soap (Cisthene, $8 from $14) A big bar of soap is one of my go-to "I have run out of gift ideas" gifts. Get one with fancy packaging so if your giftee doesn't love the scent, he or she can use it as bathroom decoration. Liquid soaps in fancy glass bottles also work. (Bonus soap!)

Mughal Arabesques Umbrella (Metropolitan Museum of Art Store, $20 from $40) Unless your mom lives in Southern California, she needs an umbrella. And she probably buys all of hers from the drug store, because who the heck splurges on umbrellas? Splurge for her.

Grey Moonstone Filigree Earrings (Wendy Mink Jewelry, $40, sample sale) Jewelry is another gift where you have to know what your mother likes. My mom, for example, doesn't like long, dangly earrings. And I don't wear gold. But these are super pretty and maybe your mom would like them? (Bonus for moms with August birthdays: the green stones are peridot, the August birthstone.)

Leaf Headband (BCBG Max Azria, $12.60 from $18) I like this headband. I am a mom. Maybe my husband will actually read the sale post this week, who knows. (Baby Razor is off the hook because she can't read yet.)

Double R Ranch Co. Flank Steak (Williams Sonoma, $45.99 from $65) Only get this if your mom truly enjoys cooking. Otherwise she might be like, "That's great, now I have to do something with this." Or! Buy it and make dinner for her! Ooh, that'll get you major Favorite Kid points.

Prep Bowls (set of 5) (Sur La Table, $10.36 from $12.95) No matter what I'm cooking, I always need more bowls. And these have measurements on the sides, too. Not a particularly glamorous gift, but certainly a useful one.

Cosmos Blue Blossom Watering Can Gift Kit (Willard & May, $25.82 from $32.60) The Razor Family's Go To Mother's Day Gifts, 1983-present: coffee mugs and/or flower stuff. Giftees who love gardening are easy to shop for, because there is always something else that can be added to a garden.

Sample Sale: Boston, You're My Home

So...most of this stuff isn't actually on sale. But I've been a Bostonian for 15 years and I love this city so much. I figured it was only appropriate to share some stuff that reflects that love.

Charity Products

Boston Innovation has 11 Items that support marathon bombing victims. Above is my favorite, from Life is Good.

T token necklace ($32.50, 50% donation to Boston Children's Hospital in memory of Martin Richard.) Finding a token in my pocket used to make my day. I still have warm feelings for them more than five years after they went the way of the carrier pigeon.

Boston's not afraid of you pin ($1.75, all proceeds to the One Fund) It's true. Those creepy twins from The Shining could show up in a Bostonian's bathroom at 2 a.m. and she'd tell them to go fuck themselves.

Marathon route 8x10 poster ($35.00, all proceeds to the One Fund) Minimalist, poignant, and (I imagine) hugely motivating for 2014.

Boston Skyline Word Art Print  ($30.00, all proceeds to the One Fund) Just looking at the skyline gives me the warm fuzzies.

Forever Boston photo ($25, 50% of the proceeds to the One Fund) Yup, totally made me cry.

Map Products

Boston neighborhood map (Ork Posters, $22) In case you were wondering, I live in the least cool neighborhood.

Boston map necklace/earrings (Aminimal Studios, $40-$50) There are so many cities available in this line! You're all going to love/hate me.


Local Artisan Sale Products

Zooguu stuffed animals ($15-$90) Through May 1, you get a free size upgrade on whatever you order. Baby Razor has an elephant from them, and it is adorable, durable, and lovable.

Xylem earrings (Nervous System, $20-$25 from $40-$50) The only thing keeping me from buying these right now is my indecision over which color to get.

Sample Sale: Sheltering At Home Edition

Well, it's been a strange, awful week. So no theme this time, just things that made me smile. Take care of yourselves, babies, and tell everyone you love them as often as you can.


Jewelry

Tiny Clover Studs (Bing Bang NYC, $24 from $35) Symbols of luck, Ireland, and by extension, Boston.

Mi Amor Necklace (Ten Thousand Villages, $49 from $98) Because love is all you need.

Silver Peacock Earrings (Wendy Mink Jewelry $35, sample sale) Look at that detail!





Clothes

Jay dress (Shopbop, $159.20 from $199) I don't know anyone who could wear this dress and not look lumpy, but it's chic as hell on the model at least.

Flaired Bandana Shirtdress (Anthropologie, $79.95 from $148) Wake up hungover. Throw on this dress. Go to brunch. Win at life.

Dennise Blue (Bait, $37.80 from $63) Buy some brightly-colored shoes. Kick ass in them.

Yard Stuff

Celia Birtwell Watering Can (Sprout Home, $27 from $54) It's entirely possible I'd kill fewer plants if I had a watering can this pretty.

Frog Trio (ah! At Home, $36.99 from $81) Can we talk about how hard I laughed when I saw these frogs? I want to buy them and put them in my front yard along with a sign saying, " 'Sup, ladies?"

Verdi Gris Birdfeeder (Pier 1, $31.96 from $39.95) Yup, this is totally going in my backyard.

Sample Sale: Animal Magnetism

I feel bad, because this theme was inspired by a friend of mine who mentioned that she loves owls, and I didn't include any owls! In my defense, the Put A Bird On It people seem to have conducted a few focus groups and decided that the bird we all want is an owl, because they are freaking everywhere. I got kind of sick of looking at them. So, Michelle, here are some owls for you. And here are many more creatures great and small to take you into the weekend.

Filigree Pollination Necklace (Anthropologie, $49.99 from $98) Buy this, wear it, and recite Eddie Izzard's beekeeping monologue to anyone who asks you about it.

Squirrel cookie jar (West Elm, $14.99 from $39) Steal something from a rodent for once!

Animal Stash Box: Llama (Furbish, $35 from $49) First of all, you can put your weed in there. Second of all, when my friend S. got a boyfriend, his way of telling us was to say, "I have taken a luvvah." Except I heard "llama." So his boyfriend has been known to everyone as The Llama for a decade now. Sorry about that, DG.

Honey Badger Talking Plush (Think Geek, $14.99 from $24.99) Oh god, I know this meme is over, but it still makes me laugh! I would use this to end every argument with my husband.

Hungry Fish Planter (Ten Thousand Villages, $19 from $38) Not too plain, not too fancy, and totally charming to boot.

Bat Plate (Fig, $107.25 from $165) Sweet lord, it's hideous. There's a much prettier hummingbird plate at the site, but I had to include this so I could ask where in one's house you might possibly put it?

Oh Whale Top (Mod Cloth, $29.99 from $42.99) Whales are my birds. If there's a whale on it, I want it. Not sure if it comes from growing up on an island, but they are definitely my personal favorite.

Honorable Mention: Best in Bow Sweater (Mod Cloth, $49.99 from $99.99) Here solely because my daughter saw me scrolling past it and started going, "Doggie! Doggie! Doggie!" If you want toddlers to love you, buy this sweater.



Leopard Calf Hair Pointed Toe Flat (C. Wonder, $42 from $128) When they say calf hair, do they mean actual calf hair? Do I want to know how that works? I don't, do I? Anyway, all of C. Wonder's sale stuff is 30% off right now.

Animal Wine Stopper (Sprout Home, $8.50 from ?) Do your roommates steal your leftover booze? Cork it with this. Problem solved!

Sample Sale: Black & White

No intro this week; be glad I'm not quoting Ebony & Ivory. Now have some once & future classics:

Going Moth Tropic Top (Mod Cloth, $23.99 from $34.99) I want whatever crack the copywriter who wrote the description for this top was smoking.

Raquel Top (Anthropologie, $29.95 from $88) This just looks so comfy.

Border Pattern Dress (Eloquii, $41.99 from $69.99) The red stripe is cheating on the theme a little bit, but I love that pop of color.

Nine Muses Dress (BHDLN, $120 from $220) I realize this is damning with faint praise, but this is probably the least-overpriced thing I've seen at BHDLN (sweet jebus, I hate that name. It sounds like a noise someone having a stroke would make.)

Pinch Bracelet (Nervous System, $40 from $80) This biology-inspired jewelry line is so distinct and recognizable that I once had someone stop me on the street and ask if I was wearing a Nervous System necklace.

Black Iris Necklace (Theodora & Callum, $129 from $325) An over-the-top necklace named for over-the-top fashion icon Iris Apfel. More is more, darlings.

Decorative Marble Bowl (Williams Sonoma, $69.99 from $88) Lovely on a black table and useful for braining home invaders. (What? I can't be the only one who considers these things, can I?)

Cut Leaves Wall Hanging (CB2, $39.95 from $59.95) This'd look great in a black & white themed room, but I bet it would also nicely class up a run-down apartment.

Plaid Printed Cotton Dhurrie (West Elm, $6.99 from $19) Included mostly because I had to look up "dhurrie." And because that's a great price for a throw rug.

Black Hawaiian Sea Salt (Terrain, $8.95 from $12) It's black from volcanic charcoal! How cool is that?