Let there be light!

While visiting my cousin's new home on the Florida Panhandle over my recent birthday weekend, the subject of lamps came up, mostly because she and her husband, newly arrived from Alaska, had not yet located and unpacked all of them. I teased her about the overhead lights making my guest bedroom feel like an interrogation room. However, one of the lamps -- or the base of one, anyway -- that had made its way to 'light of day' and was currently gracing the office/music room, caught my interest. The base was a handsome compilation of smooth charcoal-toned rocks.

In my enthusiastic search for items that are American made, affordably priced, and as attractive as they are durable, I was particularly gratified to happen upon this Midwestern version of my cousin's light fixture. There are 15 different styles, and four sizes, ranging from mini to "Big Kahuna." Crafted from multi-colored rocks that have been endlessly tumbled and tossed by waves on the shores of Lake Superior, the world's largest freshwater lake, these lamps are inherently unique.

Each lamp is signed and numbered by Gail Anderson, an Illinois transplant and professional photographer, who has made her current home in Marais, Minnesota, with her pilot husband, and two sons. I find it quite laudable that Ms. Anderson has found a way to express herself beyond her photography by recycling a natural resource in a way that is both artistic and useful.

And, in my quest to promote products that can be purchased for under $100, I am happy to say that the mini and medium sizes of these naturally beautiful lamps, are priced at $70 and $90, respectively, and include a shade in a complementary light dusty green hue. Although shipping is $12.95 extra for the mini, and $15.95 for the medium, those fees automatically include $100 of insurance.

To read more about, view and order these remarkable lamps, go to http://www.superiorlightsource.com/.

Think Audrey Hepburn, not Carrie Bradshaw.

One of my favorite guilty pleasures is watching HGTV (I do not have cable) while putting in four miles of incline walking on the treadmill at the athletic club down the street. And, my favorite program on that network is "House Hunters," which shows three prospective homes being considered by the featured buyers. Most of the buyers are couples. They typically have a list of must haves, such as a big yard for the dog and kids, or proximity to good schools. But, invariably, right up at the top of that list, is a closet the size of a warehouse for the wife's shoe collection.

I mean, I'm a woman, and I still don't get it. Is there some sort of security in having more footwear than you'll ever have the opportunity to use? Have these Imelda Marcos clones ever put pen to paper and figured out the cost per wear of each pair? Look at the sad lesson learned by SATC's Carrie Bradsaw, who calculated that she had spent some $40,000 on her Manolo Blahnik/Jimmy Choo addiction, resulting in her inability to put a down payment on the apartment from which she was about to be evicted.

My premise in starting this blog is that -- despite the Great Recession in which we find ourselves currently mired -- there are some things that we still need to buy. With that in mind, my goal is to help us find ways to take care of those needs with American-made products, and in so doing, to help fund our own grassroots bailout. Yes, shoes, are among those needs. Only, not a warehouse full of them, and not ones that get such infrequent use that their cost per wear renders them costly duds.

What makes a shoe worth buying?

1. Comfort -- No shoe is worth buying if it causes pain or damage to your feet, no matter how cute.

2. Durability -- No shoe is worth buying if it falls apart due to poor workmanship or materials.

3. Versatility -- No shoe is worth buying if you have little opportunity to wear it.

4. Attractiveness -- No shoe is worth buying if it's ugly. I realize this is subjective. For instance, those 8-inch, multi-strapped, bondage-style heels regularly featured in "Elle" and "Vogue" are nothing to me but a freakish-looking byproduct of misogyny that will eventually lead to inability to walk in your golden years.

5. Affordability -- No shoe is worth buying, even if it meets all of the above-listed criteria, if it puts you into serious hock, i.e., inability to pay your rent or electric bill.


In light of all of the above, I have chosen New Balance's "Aravon Jamie" model as my featured American-made product of the week. With its Vibram NEWFLEX outsole, Primalux comfort cushion, and Dri-lex lining (for sweat control), it's the athletic version of the classic Audrey Hepburn ballet flat. Premium leather upper for additional durability. Croc-imprinted patent leather inserts for additional style. Versatile enough to wear with skinny jeans for casual or with slim-legged pants to the office. The right kind of pant cut is essential. Think slim.

And the price? This comfortable version of a timeless classic -- normally selling for $139.99 -- is currently listed at $49.99 ... with free shipping!

Check out this shoe and others on New Balance's website, http://www.shopnewbalance.com/, and also learn about this company, which bills itself as the only athletic shoe company "that continues to prove high-quality athletic footwear can be produced competitively in the United States." Considering that many other brands are produced in third world countries by workers who are not even paid their own version of minimum wage, I think that even Audrey would approve of this company's version of one of her favorite shoe styles.

Week One -- The Well-Dressed Cook

The purpose of this blog is simple: to inspire Americans to help fund their own economic recovery by focusing their dollars on American-made products.

Don't become further disheartened by listening to any more incessant talk radio chatter about who did what to get this country into its tenuous financial state, or how no one "in power" has any viable solutions to turn it around.

We the people can begin by helping each other with our purchasing power. Most of us are spending less, true. But there are still things that we need -- and sometimes want -- to buy.

My goal: to educate you, every week, about another fine American-made product. My choice for today is based upon 1) my love for cooking; and 2) the prospect of looking like a fashionista at the same time. This form-fitting beauty is hand-crafted in San Francisco, comes with a price tag of $38.00, and can be purchased from Norton's U.S.A., which bills itself as "A Uniquely American General Store," located in Barrington, Illinois. Call: 888-326-7997, or go to their website: http://www.nortonsusa.com/.