2 for Tuesdays: Papa's Got a Brand New ______?

Ok, so you totally aced Mother's Day 2011, finding mom the PERFECT gift that showed how much she means to you and how much you care. She fawned over it and told all her friends about it.

Yay you!

But guess what is right around the corner... yep, Father's Day. June 19, 2011.

But dads are dudes. And most dudes are hard to buy for because they pretty much like anything you give them. And if your dad is one of those picky dads, then they are hard to buy for because they're picky!

That is why, every Father's Day, 1,148,327 ties are given as gifts in June and 1,148,326 are donated the following September.* 

Children of all ages panic and resort to this simple equation:

IF Men Wear Ties AND Dad Is A Man THEN Dad Needs Tie

*We totally made this figure up.

We know that if you are reading this blog then you must be a hip, savvy internet shopper--refusing to ever get dad another <snore> tie. This year, we'd like to change your mind about that perennial Father's Day gift. If you think your dad is "too cool" for boring, conservative ties check our selection of hip neckwear.

This 45 Record Adapter Tie is anything but ordinary.

45 Record Adapter Tie

$42.00

Might be his single favorite tie. 

Time for a new equation: 

IF you think your dad rocks AND this tie rocks THEN your dad will rock in this tie.  

Ok, ok. So your dad really NEVER wears ties, but he still love to rock. And we bet he drinks coffee.

The Amp'd Up Guitar Amplifier Mug is perfect on those mornings when the caffeine needs to go to 11!

Amp'd Up Guitar Amplifier Mug

$14.00

Get Amp'd in the morning with this oversized, porcelain coffee mug! 

A great "son reflecting on (grand)fatherly wisdom" song that is not "Cat's in the Cradle" or any other song buy a guy name Cat, is the Faces "Ooh La La". Apparently then-member of The Faces, Rod Stewart, didn't think the song was worthwhile so Ronnie Wood handled the lead vocals. With all due respect, Mr. Stewart, but we think you were wrong.

Ooh La La-Faces (1973)

What do you do if your father is Hank Williams, Sr? In "Family Tradition", Hank Williams, Jr. puts it, er, bluntly.

Hank Williams, Jr.'s Greatest Hits (1982)

We think ol' Hank 2 had his tounge firmly planted in his cheek. And while we typically favor the songs of his father (and his son), "Family Tradition" features a rousing sing-along call and response pre-chorus that we are a sucker for every time.

2 for Tuesdays: Hot Diggity Dawg

Today we'd like to be a bit of a "homer" and salute our kinda town, Chicago.

The Windy City has been "sweating" a bit having to face the Miami Heat in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals.

Whether the Chicago Bulls weather the Miami Heat or not, South Beach, although having a lot of "hot dogs", doesn't have THE Chicago Hot Dog.

It is almost cliched to talk about the Chicago Hot Dog. But it is cliched because it true!

Although not technically a Chicago Hot Dog (we spy some ketchup on it--quelle horreur!) pull your money out of the Hot Dog Yummy Pocket at SuperDawg or Hot Doug's and get the respect that only someone carrying a hot dog coin purse deserves.


Hot Dog Yummy Pocket
$5.00 
Let us be frank, this little pouch looks good enough to eat! 

And here's hoping that the Chicago Bulls, like the venerable Chicago Hot Dog, are big wieners!

Want a wallet that shows your Chicago pride but is a bit more practical? Then we have a wallet with plenty of Rahm for your credit cards, cash and ID's-- The Chicago Flag Men's Wallet.

Chicago Flag Men's Wallet $16.00 A billfold you'll want to carry Daley.

Made from recycled plastic bags from by the non-profit organization CONSERVE, the wallet is tough, colorful and built-to-last. Just like Chicago.
Without the meat.

Speaking of tough, Chicago vegans...
Chicago's very own, Common, has come under some fire of late.
We'd like to take a step back and focus on Common the artist.
We are partial to the smooth "Chi-City".
But for sheer "get us riled up about Chicago" Kanye West's "Homecoming" is it!

Common and Kanye tend to rap about, er, mature topics.
What about your little Chicagoan?

Check out Laura Doherty's ode to encased meat "Hot Dog" from her 2009 album Kids in the City.

With a Laura's excellent musicianship and clever lyrics, not to mention a very catchy chorus, it is a song that kids will love (and parents too).

And, we bet it makes you hungry.

2 For Tuesdays: Magnetic Personality

 

Lately we've come across a lot of rare earth magnets being used in unusual and interesting ways. We especially like when magnets are used as a building block for a child's imagination (or the creativity of a grown up kid!).

We love everything about the Tegu 8 Piece Pocket Pouch - Natural Honduran Hardwood Blocks right down to the cute, little felt pouch.

Tegu 8 Piece Pocket Pouch - Natural Honduran Hardwood
Availability: In stock.
$28.00
From Tegu

Tegu blocks are made by safely embedding magnets invisibly inside each block. 

They have created a video feed where a "genius" will take requests on what to build with the blocks at http://live.tegu.com/home.

 

The Buckyballs are 216 powerful Rare Earth magnetic balls that can be shaped, molded, torn apart and snapped together in UNLIMITED WAYS.

Buckyballs Magnetic Desktoy

Buckyballs Magnetic Desktoy
Availability: In stock.
$29.95
From Zoomdoggle

Mash them for stress-relief, mold them for fun, make sculptures and shapes. Once you pick them up, you won't be able to put them down. Please note: Buckyballs are not recommended for any children.

People of a certain age may remember when certain Executive Desk Toys were all the rage. It seems like Trent Reznor does. Check out Nine Inch Nails fascinating video for Only to see a truly artistic and inspired use of retro office accessories.

The subtly sublime "Magnet's Coil" from Sebadoh's 1994 album Bakesale features one of our favorite magnet metaphors "I've gotta find a way to loosen up. I'm wound tighter than a magnet's coil". 

Seems like Lou Barlow could use some Buckyballs!

2 For Tuesdays: Cocktailia

Lately, we've been about all things cocktail. Our eCommerce Manager, Stephanie Edwards, has been blogging about the perfect cocktail for her '40's and was featured on the great new daily web talk show, hosted by Dave Holmes, called A Drink With Dave.

We've been testing a lot of cocktails, both classic and new recipes. The debate is never-ending... some say the simple highball is mixed drink perfection, while others think the more ingredients in a cocktail, the better. But there is one thing that everyone can agree on--if you are going to make a drink, mix it up and serve your cocktails in style!

Graffiti Cocktail Shaker

Yes, there is an art to making the perfect drink. And when you're ready to paint the town, grab the Graffiti Cocktail Shaker from Kikkerland. This is great for the hipster, the artist or the oldster who remembers when spray paint was used to paint lawn furniture and tagging was what you did to make someone "it".





 

One Too Many Kit

And while we don't endorse over-imbibing, we know it happens. So does Urban Aid. That's why they created the One Too Many Kit. It contains all the items you need to survive a hangover in a cute little tin. This makes a great little gift for a bachelorette party or for the start of a night out on the town with the girls.







If you are ready for some cocktails, you need the right music--Lounge Music. But to us "lounge" always makes us think about the late, lamented Chicago institution Lounge Ax.

No Depression by Uncle Tupelo

Speaking of lament, a regular band at Lounge Ax was Uncle Tupelo. Their groundbreaking album, "No Depression", was re-released in 2003 with a live, acoustic version of "Whiskey Bottle". We defy you to listen to their sad and brilliant lament and not have a tear in your beer.

Peel by The Coctails

Chicago's own, The Coctails, played Lounge Ax's final show in 2000. We think the sublime pop gem "Miss Maple" is the perfect soundtrack while you're mixing up a Sidecar.

Just add ice, shake, pour and ENJOY.

New Feature: 2 for Tuesdays

We at Urbangeneralstore.com have always fancied ourselves DJs. Be it "radio shows" made on cassette tape recorders in the 1980's, mix CDs for friends in the 1990's or trying to bring a smile (or a chuckle) to the ladies behind the counter at ENJOY, AN URBAN GENERAL with our in-store music.

It is with this love of all things music that we present "2 For Tuesdays"--New Products from Urbangeneralstore.com and Old (and some new) Tunes we love.



Since Mother's Day is THIS Sunday, May 8, we are going to kick this off with All Things Mom.

Our hot seller is the I Love Mom" Gold Necklace with Large White Pearl by Dogeared. It is $46 and is in stock, ready to ship or available for Free In-Store Pick-Up in Chicago at ENJOY, AN URBAN GENERAL STORE.




Maybe your mom is a little less sparkly and a little more flowery. We have just the gift for her--the Pinks Blooms-in-a-Bag from Potting Shed Creations for just $8.95. Order this perennial kit today.







We'd like to dedicate these two awesome songs, with very different messages to Mother, to our moms.  Who are, like these songs, each beautiful in their own way. ENJOY.