This, of course, is the ad that Google aired during the Superbowl. Apparently it had already been online for a couple of months. It's a great ad for a number of reasons. Low production costs, the fact that it silenced a room full of people, the accompanying music and sounds (the door chime at the chocolate store, the Allo on the phone. It has its flaws – "he" (yes, it could be a "she") probably wouldn't have known the accent in très, in part because he misspelled Louvre, which I loved. But why did they end it with the crib? There was something nice about leaving the timeline open to interpretation. I mean, what, did he knock her up? I know, I know. But still. It crossed my mind. Otherwise, nice work, Google. I also really like your Google Docs one.

Anthropologie, You Shouldn't Have

Anthropologie sends saccharine birthday coupons so you can pay $255 for a $300 dress.

Cracker Bag

A friend shared this short film with me. If you have 14 minutes and 26 seconds to spare, watch it.

A Modern Gingerbread House

Hometta is giving away free modern gingerbread house plans for Draft House, one of a dozen small modern house designs available at Hometta.com. Draft House is the product of Minneapolis and Houston-based studio HouMinn Practice.

The plans for the 'Gingerbread Draft House,' which include detailed instructions on how to build this contemporary confection, can be downloaded at Hometta.com until the end of the year. As a bonus, Hometta members are automatically entered to win a Gingerbread Draft House Kit that includes all of the supplies needed to construct the little guy. The winner will be announced December 15, 2009.

When Hometta is not giving away free gingerbread house plans, the company offers an array of modern home plans under 2,500 square feet. Additionally, the designs are by award-winning studios from around the world. Considering the fees for the services of any respected architect, the plans go for a very reasonable price. Plans range from $1195 to $3195 and are purchased directly from the website.

For a low $9 monthly membership fee (or $49 for a year), those looking to build a small modern home can virtually view – with potential local builders via up to five guest memberships – the entire set of construction documents for their favorite Hometta house. And that's not all.

I personally prefer the more savory treats of the holidays. But I admit, the "snow"-covered gumdrops are very pleasing to my eyes.

Bless Google

Having traveled a fair amount for work this year (Los Angeles in June, San Francisco in September and Boston in October, it is strange to be traveling for myself. Just me and my belongings – a mess of sweaters, cables and cords and the November and December issues of Martha Stewart Living. No business cards (aside from the nine I always carry in my wallet), brochures or the business casual skirt or dress. But I digress. When I traveled for work I often logged into Boingo at the airport to catch up on work emails and would love to catch up on personal emails this time around and browse my friends' Facebook statuses (how's this one: "my return from x-mas plane ticket confirmation code is NOWYOU") but didn't feel like shelling out the seven dollars or whatever it is. So while I'm flirting with idea of logging in, lo and behold I see a promotion from Google and Boingo – free airport Wi-Fi for the holidays!!

From Boingo:

This holiday season, Boingo and Google have cooked up a little something to take the edge off your travel excursions: the gift of airport Wi-Fi. That’s right: from November 10th to January 15th, you can access complimentary Boingo Wi-Fi at select airports in the U.S. (see list below). This limited time offer is brought to you by Google, a premier sponsor of Boingo’s Sponsored Wi-Fi Access program. Our sponsorship program benefits everyone involved by allowing:

See participating airports here. I'm off to Seattle for the first time ever. Stay tuned.

Divine Is Good

Last week I wrote about local brewery Saint Arnold's latest brew: Divine Reserve #9. A week later, I have tasted it. And it's good. A lot like what The Houston Press described. You, too, can try this Imperial Stout Pumpkin Ale. But not until December 1, when it hits shelves. Herewith, the brewer and his creation:

Flannel Pajamas: Didn't Like It

VIA CINECULTIST
I like to rate what I watch on Netflix and recently gave Flannel Pajamas two stars, which, on Netflix, is equivalent to not liking it. Did you like it?

Flannel Pajamas stars Justin Kirk (Andy of Weeds) and the pale, freckly Julianne Nicholson. A quick summary: psychologist introduces two of her patients (unethical!), so man meets woman, man and woman date, man doesn’t like her best friend or large dysfunctional family, for that matter, in part because woman is too into said large dysfunctional family. Man and woman get married, woman wants a baby, man wants one but not yet. I’ll stop there.

Nicholson’s character, Nicole, annoys me. She seems like a difficult girlfriend, then fiancé, then wife. She is selectively bothered and Stuart comes off pathetic, paying off her loans, buying their apartment, helping her start a catering business. His love for her, which he professes over and over again, isn’t believable. And the film's title comes from something in the film that seems like an afterthought, just like Nicole’s mother being a painter, Stuart being Jewish.

All in all, not a very good indie romance. Flannel Pajamas, which could also be called Dress Pants from The Limited, is available instantly on Netflix.