Occasionally on Fridays, I'm going to do a little product round up. Things that I think might not just improve your weekend, but every day.

I think it's nice to change things up every once in awhile, don't you?

Happy Friday!

1. **Wedding Invites from Painted Tongue Studios**

If you are getting married this year and want to send out the most exquisite custom wedding invitations, then you're going to want to get yourself over to Painted Tongue Studios.

Their absolutely exquisite letterpress and design services covers more than just wedding invites, but because they work so closely with a couple in getting them what they want, I thought I'd share with you the process.

Designer Kim Vanderheiden says, "Collaboration with our clients is the cornerstone to our work and this is why there is such a variety among the invitations we create. After brainstorming with the client we start by making as many drafts as we think will meet their needs. We solicit feedback and make changes as many times as necessary until the project is perfect for them. The client can bring as much of their own creativity to the table as they wish, or they can inform us of their taste and leave the creative work to us."

Examples: R. and K. wanted to blend their Korean and Midwestern heritage while incorporating elements of Lake Tahoe, the wedding location. Another couple's wedding was held in a botanical garden, so a botanical theme was carried throughout.

Thick sumptuous paper with stunning designs - everything from 1920's art to contemporary to traditional. They look amazing on the website, but just wait until you see them in person.

You'll start inviting those people you crossed off your list long ago, just so you can send them these incredible, memorable works of art from Painted Tongue Studios.

If you're going to do something, you may as well do it right!

2. **The Crabinator**

I'm making crab cakes for dinner tonight (do you like yours with a spicy seafood sauce or mayonnaise?) and one of the best specialized tools I've found is The Crabinator.

This slim fork can be used on other shellfish as well, but what it does best is gets at all that crab meat in those tight spaces, like those Kate Mossish skinny legs. You don't want all that to go to waste!

The Crabinator slices and separates the shell - just slide and rock it from one side to another. And then enjoy the fresh, moist meat with this delicate fork.

If only I'd had it while we were in Cape Cod - crab e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e...

3. **Body Confidence from the Inside Out by Penny Plautz**

Penny Plautz is one of those people that always has a positive outlook and energy. And she brings that outlook to her book, Body Confidence from the Inside Out.

The focus of this amazing book is not losing weight, but "gaining confidence in your ability to create and maintain a healthy body."

What I like most about the book is that Penny is with you every step of the way. And by making it a 10-week program, it feels manageable, unlike other methods.

She covers food and exercise and how to manage both, but in the way a friend might, so it never feels like a lecture or that you've done something wrong. She's just trying to get you on the right path.

And that's all you want too.

Body Confidence from the Inside Out is a great way to start the new year, don't you think?

4. **Proporta**

I write about Proporta a lot because they always have what you need, no matter how old or new your device. Talk about getting the right tool!

Check it out - I have a HTC phone. It's the same one I've had for 3 years. It's heavy and clunky, but it does what I need it to - I wrote half of my book on it! And just look at how many versions of the phones they've got covers for! They have everything from the very first one to the latest edition. I don't know of any other company that covers you like Proporta.

And that's why I truly cherish them. They aren't all snobby like other companies who just release accessories for the latest gadgets and phones. Proporta actually cares about getting you what you need.

And that's why I will continue to go to them over other companies. Not once have I gone and not been able to find what I need.

Not once.

5. **JAVA & Co. Small Batch Recipe Syrups**

Always on the lookout for new ways to elevate my cooking, I came across JAVA & Co. and was intrigued by the notion of adding coffee flavours to dishes that you might not think of when you think of coffee.

Their coffee syrups can be added to favourite recipes, used to create new ones and added as a finish to various dishes to delight you and your guests. You can do everything from glaze your turkey or ham at the holidays to add it to your homemade salad dressing or pie ingredients.

The rich, smooth taste of coffee is developed into small hand-crafted batches of syrup that you can then bring home and experiment with.

With mine, I:

- glazed a cake
- added it to chili
- cooked bacon in it
- added it to our after-dinner cocktail

You can look at recipes on their website to give you ideas.

I can't wait to try their Spice Rubs!