Whether McCain’s your man or Obama’s the one, cast your vote for fun this election season with a variety of playful politically themed goodies. Beauty buffs will love Stila cosmetics’ bold new lip color called Rock the Vote Red ($17); 25 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Rock the Vote. Your dog can’t vote, but that doesn’t mean Fido can’t be politically active. If Spot more closely identifies with elephants, you might pick up the Republican dog leash at H. Doodle ($14). If donkeys are more his/her thing, try the Democrat dog collar ($12). Or if your pooch’s political leanings are middle of the road, select from a variety of canine Rock the Vote T-shirts ($14; pictured). Who says there’s no place for politics in the bedroom or bathroom? Pick up a pair of thong panties emblazoned with “Vote” ($8). Guys can join the fun with “Wake Up and Vote” boxer shorts ($21). Your newborn can even get into the swing of things with a W.W.O.D. (What Would Obama Do?) onesie ($30) or the more straightforward McCain blocks onesie at the official McCain store ($15). Democrats will love watching red states turn blue when the fill up the €œI Have a Dream 2008€ mug ($13). For Republicans, the €œMake My Day 2008€ mug turns blue states red ($12) . Sure to be a collectible is the Obama “Yes, We Can” opener ($5). Designer Helen Ficalora’s sterling-silver “Vote” charm at Shopbop.com is only half an inch wide, but we think it speaks volumes ($55). Need help sparking a “lively” political discussion at your next dinner party? The Political Topics To-Go card set includes 40 cards with topical questions like “Whose opinion do you value when deciding how to vote?” ($10).
Once upon a time I purchased a seat belt for my little dachshund. He loves going for rides, and I wanted him to have the same protection as me. Buster wriggled out of the contraption within seconds and would have nothing further to do with it. Which brings me to Doggles, the goggle-like sunglasses designed to protect a dog€™s eyes from wind, UV rays and foreign objects (pictured). You know, like, when he decides to do some welding, downhill skiing or woodworking. Eight years of canine eye protection experience went into the perfecting of Doggles ILS (reduced to $18), with their interchangeable color lens system €œfor fashion or function.€ If you can get your dog to leave them on, he or she will be getting 100 percent UV protection and shatterproof, anti-fog lenses. (Slobber from other canines may be a problem.) And while you€™re outfitting your best friend with shades, why not throw in a hat, cap or visor as well? At Doggie Foo Foo, you can find sunglasses and hats on the same page. Options include the mod biker hat with elastic chin strap (on sale for $10), the hippie-dippy Peace, Love & Fire Hydrant bucket hat in navy/gray (on sale for $10) and the absolutely fabulous Amy hat ($16), a wide-brimmed number suitable for garden parties. At Alpha Dog Toys, there€™s a down-to-earth cotton dog cap in gray, with a big red paw emblem ($8). It has slots for your dogs€™ ears and an adjustable Velcro closure. Perhaps the best way to keep your devoted friend cool this summer is not by making him look cool, but by providing a body cooler pet mat from Drs. Foster and Smith ($20 to $70). You soak it in water, let it dry for 30 minutes and lay it down for your dog to chill out upon.
Want your best friend to €œhang out€ with you while you shop or grab a bite to eat al fresco? A big boxy carrier just won€™t do, especially if your four-legged wonder is a toy-sized dog that loves to snuggle and be near you. The PuppyPurse is functional and fashionable. It has easily adjustable straps and can be worn like a shoulder bag or a fanny pack, across the chest or carried like a purse. That kind of versatility means you and your little Prince can move about ready for just about any adventure, your hands free to pet your pet, something you can€™t do when he in a traditional carrier.The purse€™s insides wrap your dog in soft, luxurious faux fur with all sorts of finishing touches and fits most dogs under six pounds.The Coco Chienellehas a khaki-colored cotton bodice and light brown poly border trim ($70). The PuppyLovehas a white bodice with colorful flowers ($65). When you buy the Bark-for-the-Cure puppy purse , which sports a pink ribbon pattern, 10 percent is donated to breast cancer research ($85). The Disco Dog! (pictured) comes in pink or black, airy organza with mirrored sequins ($75) . If your pup is in the mood for something more casual, the BabyBlue Jeans purse made of denim will do ($69), or consider always appropriate Basic Black($69). To ensure His Wagness is comfortable, follow PuppyPurse’s size guidelines (scroll down). Another trendy and hands-free way to carry your puppy around is in a sling. This designer slingcomes in a pinstripes with askull and rose design or a koi fish print and can carry dogs of up to 18 pound ($69). The Pooch in Bloom sling has a floral and polka dot pattern, two exterior pockets for personal belongings or treats, and adjustable safety hook that attaches to the dog€™s collar or harness, and holds dogs up to nine pounds ($65) . This simply structured sling in solid black or brown fits dogs up to 19 pounds and has a large zippered pocket for treats and one for your cell phone ($80).
You’re going green, so, doggone it, don’t forget Fido! Environmentally-friendly and socially-conscious green pet products are popping up all over the Web. At Eco Pet Life, you’ll find the perfect green starter kit to make your own natural flea and bug spray, biscuits, cleansing wipes and dry powder shampoo ($28). The Go Organic kit is no-commitment way to see if Spot’s taste buds warm to organic dog food ($16). The kit includes a three-pound bag of dry Organix adult canine formula, two cans of Organix adult canine formula and a box of Organix chicken-flavor dog cookies, all packaged in a reusable container. At Fabulous Pooch Lifestyle, four-legged friends can get glam with everything from organic shampoo to breath drops (yes, even Fido gets morning breath!) ($11 to $15). Olive is a one-stop-shop for green pet goodies. The recycled-cotton nesting bed with recycled PET fiberfill is sure to bring Spot sweet dreams ($80). The three-eyed alien plush dog toy made from natural wool yarn treated with vegetable-based dyes and hand-knit by a women’s collective in Kenya will rev up Rover for play time ($28). Want to do a little research without jumping head first into product buying? Eco Dog: Healthy Living for Your Pet is a new comprehensive guide to environmental dog care. As a bonus, you’ll learn several do-it-yourself projects, like how to recycle worn-out sweaters into a blanket for your pup or make a rosemary conditioner flea collar ($12).
Saddle up, ladies: May is National Bike Month and the League of American Bicyclists is promoting May 16 as Bike-to-Work Day. Haven€™t got a thing to ride? Fortunately there many bikes made for female contours. The appropriately namedSusan B from Terry($680; pictured) features the all-important comfortable saddle and a stem that brings the handlebars closer to you. Terry’s Fast Woman is lightweight but strong and reliable and offers options like pink rims ($1,000 to $3,000). For top-of-the-line bikes, cruise by Specialized, where you€™ll find 2008 Designs for Women Road Models, including the top-of-the-line Ruby SL, touted as the €œlightest, fastest and best fitting partner on the road€ ($6,300). The Cannondale Six13 Feminine 3 is constructed to dampen vibrations and offers a velvety-smooth ride ($1,800). It is equipped with puncture-resistant Michelins and a Fizik Vitesse Tri saddle, designed specifically for the female physique with a narrow front and wider back. In line with the trend commuting via bicycle in urban areas is Specialized€™s Langster line of cycles named after cities, such as the Seattle Langster in an apropos emerald green ($740). Bike with the one you love on the Mocha & Mocha tandem ($5,725). If your best friend is a toy breed, attach this wicker basket ($80) to your handlebars. The Walky Dog attachment ($40) would work for a large dog that wants to run alongside you. Oh, but what to wear on that speed racer? Got you covered. Bike short are so ho-hum. Get revved up in Terry€™s black padded flare skort ($90; also available in three prints) topped off with the blue Sheila Moon bolero ($39) and the matching tank top in quick-dry fabric ($54). Combine safety and style with the Giro Skyla helmet with a floral design ($38). Upscale riders will go for Giro Atmos helmet said to be lighter than smoke at nine ounces, with 26 air vents to help keep your scalp cool ($175).
Just today, a young woman out walking her dog intercepted me to ask if I€™d seen her other dog, who had gone missing. A few minutes later, I passed the house of a second woman, older, waiting for her canine pal to wander back from his unescorted tour of the neighborhood. (He returned while we were talking). €œI look after my dogs,€ she said, €œbut they keep getting out.€ The distress and heartbreak of being separated from a lost, much-loved pet is one of the worst feelings out there, which is why the new RoamEO Pet Location GPS System ($400) is worth barking about. The same global positioning satellite technology used in cell phones and navigation is put to work here to pinpoint your dog€™s location. The dog wears a specially enabled collar that works with a locator device that shows you, via LCD screen, where he is and where he€™s heading next. Best of all, you get to set the geographical parameters, or virtual €œfence.€ This distinguishes your dog€™s allowable roaming range from his out-of-bounds territory. As soon as the dog steps out of bounds, an audible alert is emitted by the device and you€™re off to retrieve him with the help of your RoamEO screen, which can display your vagabond pup€™s whereabouts within one mile in all directions. With the purchase of additional collars ($175), you can track up to three pets simultaneously; they€™ll appear in different colors on the screen. This extraordinary invention isn€™t cheap, but it comes with a locator screen, one GPS collar and an AC adapter. I know what you€™re thinking: If you use it for your small child and your dog, it could be quite a deal.
