Apparently, a MONSTER has washed ashore in Montauk.

Full story here:

http://gawker.com/5030531/dead-monster-washes-ashore-in-montauk

Maybe this means Buffy is real too…

As I have a tentative sushi date tonight, seaweed has crept into my mind. It’s long been how I validate the massive amounts of my disposable income that goes to a single (incredibly awesome) sushi outpost in my area: Said delicious raw fish is wrapped in seaweed. Seaweed is healthy. I am not indulging, but *eating my vegetables*.

Apparently, I can now extend that to *wearing my vegetables* and not in a way that will make people stare at me on the subway.

Yesterday, I returned home from work to see several beautiful gift from Adea, a luxury Italian apparel company, introducing me to their SeaCell line. Seaweed has long been used in spas, and this collection is made from a blend of cotton, elastane and SeaCell, a patented fiber made from seaweed. Natural body moisture helps release seaweed’s nutritional minerals and vitamins, including Vitamin A and E, cartinoid and amino acids to promote skin renewal. In addition, because the fabric contains silver (just like my new pillow!), the porous SeaCell fibers help neutralize odors and wick sweat.

(Side note: Wick is one of my new favorite words.)

PS: Currently pondering how said sushi date (and sushi-restaurant-staff) would react if I wore my seaweed while eating my seaweed.

Friends, I have just read (yet more) devastating Starbucks news in my daily AdAge.com newsletter:

The chain posted a 9% jump in revenue, to $2.6 billion, but missed analysts’ expectations and swung to a net loss of $6.7 million, compared with with a profit of $158.3 million in the year-earlier period, due to costs associated with store closures and the company’s turnaround plan. Same-store sales, or stores open for at least a year, declined by “mid-single digits.” Starbucks no longer reports the exact figures.

I am leaving my place right now and going to Starbucks. Yes, I will abuse their free wi-fi for an hour or so, but I will BUY SOMETHING. Please go do the same. The future of our world as we know it depends on it.

To all unaware, today is National Orgasm Day!

If you are mateless, or your mate is unavailable today, you may be thinking you are unable to celebrate! But, alas, you are wrong: Check out this Women’s Health list of the top ways to get the job done yourself.

PS: If you are looking for sexy-adult-toy gadgetry, check my the “Aly’s Favorite Things” video, at right!

I didn’t get nearly enough sleep last night, and am currently exhausted beyond (the written) word.

It seemed a perfect time to share the scoop on my new pillow!

Granted, this not any *ordinary* pillow - but rather the most awesome pillow idea of all pillow times.

(Excuse the lack of vocabulary: Apparently such ability fades with extended hours of consciousness.)

Taking a cue from what must be the innovation that is Coldstone, Select Comfort has created the option to create your own pillow! As I only currently have something like eight pillows surrounding my bed, I jumped right on the phone to make mine.

It’s super easy too. You can solve your pillow woes and create the perfect pillow in three simple steps:

* Step 1: Choose your outer comfort (down, down alternative, memory foam and anti-microbial silver)
* Step 2: Choose your inner support (down, down alternative, feather, memory foam classic, memory foam contour, and anti-microbial silver)
* Step 3: Choose your protector to extend the life of your pillow (cotton, anti-microbial silver and In Balance™ fabric, designed to reduce body temperature swings)

When making your choices, you’ll be asked all sorts of questions (Do you sleep on your back/side/stomach? Do you prefer a soft or firm comfort?)I went with a combination of memory foam and silver…my pillow is actual SILVER, and it is currently in the position of pillow-first-honor on my bed. (i.e. I’m sleeping on it!)

Rumor has it, sleeping on the right pillow can help you to have more restful nights, and more productive days! Lives may change, and I may become a healthier, happier person. Stay tuned…

My BFF is a superhuman warrior who works all day, goes to grad school (practically) every night AND even finds time to care for schools of fish, send massive care packages to soldiers around the world, and have sushi dates with me a few nights a week.

Last night, she came over after she was done being educated and I presented her with a homemade feast!

OK, actually it was just a pizza…but it was homemade, with my own two hands, right down to the self-roasted veggies! I would share her reaction shots, but I was on the phone and ignoring her as she walked in (well, alas, I’m not a perfect friend).

Still, it was a success, and I have lunch for today!

I am a victim of unrequited love.

The iPhone and I have been flirting from afar for a while now…subtle glances, secret-but-passionate appearances in dreams (both the night-time slumber and daytime fantasy interlude variety).

Recently, my suavely sleek yet elusive suitor underwent a makeover, and my fervor for him has grown all the more.

Sadly, though, we can never be. Ours is a forbidden love. I am locked into a contract until the end of time (May 2009), and he doesn’t exist in my network.

It’s like West Side Story.

But despite 3G and I not being able to be together, I really want the best for him…and, for me, that includes him being well-dressed. Thus, I’ve been quietly seeking about, looking for the coolest gadgetry in the iPhone world…maybe just maybe hoping that one day, somehow, some way, it shall be mine.

One of my recent finds has been AirDrives for iPhone.

I’ve always loved AirDrives (ours is not a forbidden love), partially because they sit on the outside of your ear, eliminating the need to choose between music and social interaction. That’s pretty rad.

Their new version is a iPhone-friendly headphone/mic combo (also compatible with my BlackBerry Pearl) that works with the ear’s natural ability to interpret sound (well, most ears, mine are somewhat screwy due to non-earplug-usage) - but they still work really well on me - with an open-ear design that also has sleek, molded adjustable ear grips.

I think having these will make iPhones everywhere happy…which will make me happy, even though we cannot be together.

Do you have a toy or gadget your heart and soul desires, but has eternally been torn from your grasp? Do you thirst for it…craving its closeness daily? Tell me what that item is. And list some of the things you’ve learned from recent posts that I am obsessed with. Two best answers win an AirDrive for iPhone of their very own! Deadline August 1.

Sadly, even though there’s super exciting stuff going on in my life right now, I was having a bit of a rut of a day…and the sticky, murky humidity was not making matters any better.

Then the FedEx guy came, and all my problems melted away.

My closest friends know that I have a bit of an addiction when it comes to lingerie. (In fact, I have not one, but FOUR separate drawers across my apartment devoted to it.) It looks like I may need another…

Super luxe California-based East 13 lingerie sent me a box full of can’t-wait-to-be-worn goodies, including:

This set from Aubade’s (a very exclusive French line) Elisa collection:

And in tribute to my dot-obsession, look at this! Huit’s Mrs Dotty magic air bra and matching thong:

And because my love of all things pink is at this point somewhat legendary, the entire pink Spoylt Seduction collection!

I am so so happy.

Girls, whether you are out west or ANYWHERE WITH A COMPUTER, check out East 13. They are truly the most awesome lingerie retailer I’ve come across (and I’ve frequented mannnnnyyyy), and offer a truly unique, one of a kind shopping experience with a wide selection of intimate looks from the hottest of hot lingerie brands.

Please tell them I sent you!

An update from the war zone: Out of the goodness of my dark little heart, I am currently at my parents, sitting for their herd of dogs, cats, and fish.

As it is, indeed, a zoo, and I have realized I am trapped in a house with nothing but chocolate oreo ice cream to keep me sane, I figured I’d send a photo representing my current state of being.

Please pray for me.

I must confess, I kill all living things. (Except puppies.)

I even once accidentally killed my fish. (Certain sea-life-loving best friends should not read the next few sentences…) But what happened was, once upon a time, my whole family was away on vacation for a few weeks, and I was fish-sitting. As I was a teenager, and sort of self-absorbed, I sort of forgot to feed him. Or change his water. Or acknowledge his existence in any way. Ultimately, he died, and disintegrated in his own filth. That’s about when my parents came home.

Sadly, this lack of natural caring instincts extends to flowers…which I kill. Much like plants, which I also kill. It seems, actually, the only living things I can’t destroy are, well, vermin.

Anyway.

I’ve realized I can end my reign of terror AND have an adorable centerpiece by embracing all things Edible Arrangements. Not only are they super trendy right now, but they are also entirely summer-fashionable AND great for the health conscious among us!

How great an alternative to flowers is this?? It’s pretty, it’s edible, it’s functional, it’s practical…and it may even be a little thought-provoking! (Friends, that is not a bad thing.) They have tons of varieties, but one of the hottest arrangements this summer is the Mango Kiwi Blossom, a mix of fresh mango wedges, juicy kiwi slices, strawberries, grapes and pineapple daisies. But they also have arrangements that are dipped in chocolate, for those of you who crave a little sin with your sweet. (I’ve been there!)

I have one gift certificate, good for a complimentary Edible Arrangements Mango Kiwi Blossom arrangement, to give away. To have your chance to win, answer the following fun questions:

1 - Why do you NEED to have an Edible Arrangement of your very own?

2 - Do you think you owning one (and eating one) will in some way contribute to saving the living things of this world? (Yes, 1 and 2 are related!)

3 - What is the saddest thing you’ve ever done to a living thing in your charge? (Plants, animals, people, all count.)

4 - Four LIFE CHANGING things you’ve learned from my blog this month. It’s true. Lives have been changed…read back and see for yourself!

Deadline August 1.