Friday, March 08, 2002

The Insatiable Shopper


Scouting the maketplace with Joy Kraft

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        More than frames: Framer Beverly Reed of ML Art Gallery Inc. does have exquisite frames at the Cheviot shop, and she will come to your home, consult and install the art. But folks started asking for advice on other accessories, such as lamps and knickknacks. So she added “one-of-a-kind” pieces — candles from Wick 'n' More in Tupelo. Miss., clocks from Flambro Imports, reed boxes, wire baskets and these goatskin sconces and lamps from Morocco, hand-painted with henna dye, $70-$80. See them at the shop, 3627 Glenmore Ave., a skip from Harrison Avenue, or at the Fifth Third Bank Cincinnati Home and Garden Show at the Albert B. Sabin Convention Center, downtown (booth 735), through Sunday.


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        Pitching time: You won't be late for Opening Day with a Game Time sports watch on your wrist. The complete Major League Baseball season schedule is preprogrammed into every watch, so a wrist-glance will tell who your team is playing, what time the game starts and whether it's home or away. And so you don't miss a pitch, it plays “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” at game time. Scroll functions display future games, locations and the start times of all the teams. The water- and shock-resistant case has a crystal lens and one-year warranty with your team's logo on the watch face. And, it tells time and has an alarm and hourly chime; $69.95 and up. Additional schedules for NBA, NHL, NFL and NASCAR events, $14.95 plus shipping. (888) 249-9627 or www.schedulewatch.com.


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        Meal-time mess: Feeding a toddler is often a free-for-all with more food on the floor than in the mouth. Neat Solutions has come up with a nifty duo for clean-up. The Floor Topper is a 38-inch-square plastic floor mat that can be tossed out or wiped down and reused; $7.99 for a six-pack. Table Toppers are plastic mats with two adhesive strips to hold it in place, while kids dump their food all over it, providing a little peace of mind in the cleanliness department, especially when eating out; $4.99 for an eight-mat pack. Both fold easily into diaper bags, purses, briefcases. But our tester noted they are plastic and toddlers will put anything in their mouths and on their heads so parents need to be watchful. At Babies R Us, Toys R Us, Burlington Coat Factory/Baby Depot. www.tabletopper.com.

       



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