Power Naps / Cat Naps

It seems to be something people can do or can't. But try it out and maybe train yourself. If you can close your eyes for 10 min and get somewhere close to actual sleep, but not quite deep sleep, it's like getting an hour nap. Works great for doldrum days if you have an office and can shut the door or if you can just walk out to your car in the parking lot to snooze a bit for lunch.

Stumbling on Happiness

I've spent many years thinking about what happiness was, how to get more of it, and especially, why it's so damn important to me and people around me. All I can think is it's so elusive, the rarity itself makes it valuable.

That's the playful bent of this book by Daniel Gilbert. Gilbert looks at case studies and anecdotes that seem to suggest you really can't plan your way into happiness (but that you can 'not plan' your way into being miserable). It's a fun read and sort of a relief to know happiness pretty much happens when it happens, so don't sweat yourself trying to make yourself happy.

Safety Razor

Safety razor is a broad category; in this case we're talking about the kind you drop a double-sided razor blade into. The recommendation here is less for a specific brand, but for the experience of using one. Using a safety razor with hot lather applied with a shaving brush is a satisfying daily ritual that reminds you of a straight razor shave, but with speed and, well, safety.

Vermont Country Store Catalog

Looking for odd, old-timey, or once-discontinued sold to you as though you're a senior citizen, look no further than the Vermont Country Store. Reel-type mowers, Christmas hard candy, unflattering but warm night gowns, strange patent medicines - if you can imagine Abe Simpson talking about it, they might have it.

Kate Spade Stationary

Kate Spade (sister-in-law of David Spade, if you wondered) makes some seriously sweet stationary and cards. It's gorgeous, flawless, heavy stock with dry humor in it's execution. Like envelopes and stationary with a gold embossed devil on the envelop flap that says "How the devil are you?"