Get Some Character

Just the other day, I was thinking that I really needed someone or something to remind me that I must remain a free spirit. And I really wanted someone to help me do the things I can't do myself. And lastly, how great would it be to turn annoying people into stone?

Thankfully, my little character from the (Original) String Doll Gang arrived, and all my troubles were over.

These darned guys are cute, and your tweens and teens will be clamoring for them, if they're not already. Fresh from a company called Kamibashi, the critters are $10 each and are all handmade and fair trade by Thai artists – and come in more than 90 different "personalities." Isabelly "shimmies your shyness away," while the adorable Farmer Jones "helps you make greener choices." Napoleon "reminds you that you don't have to be tall to think big." All are cute and ready to clip to a backpack (or purse!) to give you that extra boost you might be needing.

Be sure also to check out Kamibashi's DEBO Super Heroes, created by the Thailand DEBO (Do Everything By Ourselves) Collective. The little vinyl fabric fellows, $10 each, can help you land a great parking spot or make sure you never have a bad hair day (who doesn't need that?). There's also the Koonin Family Pets ($10), made in Thailand from leftover scrap fabrics by members of the Koonin family. Each one has a birthday, name tag and a personal motto that you can select (I liked the "Touch me, and you die" as well as "Fish are cool, they stay in school"). Lastly, there are the Blabbos Buddies ($6 each), also cute little fabric friends. They come in four different shapes but are made with various fabrics, so no two are the same.

I've Got Mail: Hot Wheels

Yes, Barbies were my first love growing up. But I've always had a strong love for Hot Wheels – and have found renewed interest in them now that I have a 4-year-old gearhead in the house.

The new Hot Wheels Color Shifters are particularly cool. Using "color memory technology," this latest generation of tiny vehicles can change color if you give them a dip in cold water (even affecting those flames on the side!). The car goes back to its original color as it warms back up to room temp.

There are 60 die-cast classics in the collection – from camo to rescue – and retail for $2.99 each. The Hot Wheels Color Shifters Color Blaster playset (say that three times fast) allows car nuts to customize and launch their rides into racing action. The set also comes with a spray gun and dunk tanks. It retails for $22.99.