Time's Up!

I was co-hosting a party the other night that got a little out of hand. Actually it wasn't my party at all but somehow I ended up having about 40 people in and out of my apartment and more in my garden. People just love me I guess. Anyway, it was past two in the morning, the agreed-upon end time by the actual hosts of the party, and it was time to kick out the art-damaged hipsters.

Coincidentally, that's when all the tea light candles I set out earlier started going out. It kept getting quieter as they went out one after another, and people began leaving (though eventually we had to kick about 20 people to the curb). But that gave me a good tip to pass on:

Time your tea candles' burn length a day or so before your party so you know how long they burn. (I had ones from Ikea that lasted about four and a half hours.) If you light them in time to burn out when you want the party to end, you'll give people a subtle hint to go the hell home rather than some of the other methods like hiding the vodka. Those other methods, naturally, are discussed in full in Party Like a Rock Star. Wouldn't you like to pick up a copy?

Sex Sells!

Okay, this has nothing to do with saving money, but have you seen the interactive pornographic shopping site Sexpacking.com? In ads for Shai clothing, these models strip off their clothes (that you can click on for online purchasing information) and totally do it hardcore. There are straight, gay, and lesbian versions of the ads, done to a Portishead-esque soundtrack. They're all hot. (This is totally not safe for work, but I'd call it a must see.)


props to Queerty.com for the link

Bumming

In this article on MSN Money, the author tells us how to give money to the homeless, and presents a few alternative options such as handing them a business card with the address of a local shelter, or gift certificates to fast food restaurants.

That's bunk. I live in the ghetto and know where the money goes. (Hint: It's not for food- you can get that for free. They make you pay for booze and crack.)

I am annoyed by the homeless, and don't feel the slightest tinge of shame not giving them cash when they come up to bother me while I'm dining alfresco. But I do try help when I can. Instead of handing out 'spare change' I put it into a bucket at home. When I get enough, I take it to one of those rip-off CoinStar machines and donate the money to a shelter that serves food instead of to the crackhead anti-withdrawal fund.

Street Style

The Cool Hunter has a nice little round up of street style blogs around the world.

Cheap Wine

You remember Woot.com, right? It's the one bargain a day website that kind of rocks- and has the funniest sales copy around. Well, now they've launched Wine Woot, which is one bargain on wine per week. Sweet.

props to Springwise