Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’m a 10 days late and several dollars short, but I’m giving you my list anyway. Better you know than not. In no particular order (da-ta-ta-da-ta-DA!)

Curly's Vegetarian Lunch

If you’re in New York City and you’re looking for something to eat, stop by this quaint and spectacular “diner”. They serve sandwiches, salads, burgers, breakfast, and sides. All vegetarian with many, many, many vegan options. We happened to be in the City the day after my birthday, so this is where we celebrated for lunch. It’s difficult for me to narrow down the particular food highlight, because it was all completely scrumptious. Buuuut, don’t miss the gravy-smothered fries or the (Holy Crap, this is the best-I’ve-ever-had) Red Velvet Cake. In all my vegan reading, I had never heard of this place. Damn shame, but we’re changing that, right now! Curly’s Vegetarian Lunch = Scrumptious 2008 Pick!

Giovanni Straight Fast

I just discovered this hair product and can’t imagine my life without it. Use about a dime-sized dollop for jaw-length hair. Makes my hair feel soft, shiny, and younger. I guess what I mean is that when I wear this product, my hair feels the way it did when I was in my teens and twenties. It straightens it very, very nicely and smells reeeal good! Fresh, straight, soft, shiny, and young. Huh. Seriously, could I ask for more? Giovanni Straight Fast = Scrumptious 2008 Pick!

Queen Bee Creations

I first discovered Queen Bee Creations in 1999 after admiring a friend’s handbag and asking her to pass along the webshop info. After my first few purchases I had the opportunity to become more intimate with Queen Bee’s business practices and products when I carried them in a boutique I used to own. I still get warm and fuzzy inside knowing that my support over the last 10 years has helped Queen Bee Creations owner, Rebecca Pearcy supply her employees with healthcare benefits and good wages, something so rare and precious in the small, independent business environment. Every item purchased from this group of fantastic people helps support the kind of small business economy we all dream of for the future. Even though I’m listing Queen Bee as a 2008 find, my feeling is: Queen Bee Forever! The quality is high, so much so, that I continue to use the wallet I purchased in 2002, simply because it still is completely IN TACT! Queen Bee’s designs are functional, practical, and beautiful. My “winter” handbag is pictured above. Stuff for guys, too. Queen Bee Creations = Scrumptious 2008 Pick!

Smashbox Eyeliner

I love this little kit by Smashbox! Cream eyeliner goes on thin or super-thick depending on your brush size. More importantly, it stays put after application. No smearing or smudging on its own, you’d have to do that manually if you want the smoky look. Looks to me like all the cream eyeliner colors are awesome, but the kit allows you to play around with any color you want. Stay vegan by staying away from their brushes. Baby steps hopefully mean synthetic brushes on the way. Smashbox Cream Eyeliner = Scrumptious 2008 Pick!

Smashbox Mascara

Another Smashbox product passes my rigorous tests. This mascara makes my lashes look thick and long, yet natural despite the amount I have to use to make my thinnie-minnies look like lashes at all. Having such good luck with two products from this cruelty-free company makes me want to try more. Again, stay away from their brushes. Smashbox Bionic Mascara = Scrumptious 2008 Pick!

Florere Cream Deodorant

Finding natural deodorants that actually work is difficult, but I’ve discovered a new one that I absolutely love! The smell is clean with lavender undertones. Application is easy, smooth, and sheer, leaving no mess. It’s not abrasive, so there is no irritation after using it on cleanly shaved armpits. You can get it in stick format, but for some reason, I like the idea of a cream. Florere Cream Deodorant = Scrumptious 2008 Pick!

Salt Lake City

With its slew of vegetarian and vegan restaurants, endless network of bike paths, a downtown street car system, easily accessible and free downtown street parking, plenty of nearby outdoor activity areas and beautiful scenery, Salt Lake City was a pleasant surprise when we visited for a few hours last summer. We were passing through on our way to California. Our vehicle, an 18-wheeler, caused us no problem when we tried to park near downtown. We actually parked for free on a street just outside of the downtown core. We walked all over downtown, shopped at a local, independent bookstore, peeked into a local music venue, and ate at one of the many vegan options we found online. Salt Lake City is beautiful and has an odd, under-the-radar coolness, exactly the way I like. I’d like to go back and visit again, this time for more than one evening. I get the sense there’s much more here than meets the eye or the preconception. Salt Lake City = Scrumptious 2008 Pick!