Un-Happy Little Trees

I was recently stuck in a taxi in traffic for what seemed like an eternity, especially because I was subjected to the driver's brand-spanking-new cardboard air freshener. It occured to me that there has to be a better-smelling, more sophisiticated option than the ubiquitous Little Trees that dangle ominously from taxi mirrors. Please, no more "Forest Fresh" or "Vanillaroma"! These are especially headache-inducing when the oh-so-attractive plastic covering which you're supposed to to remove litle by little is ripped off, Band-Aid like, and you are overwhelmed by a shockwave of synthetic scent that would be more at home in a hospital than as a choice for your personal space.

The only attractive car air freshener I have been able to find is by Zuq and Zoe, makers of super-cute paper goods, and it's an auto-mobile (get it? like a mobile for your car...) of fragrant cardboard circles and beads.

They come in several scents, each with a corresponding color: Blueberry/blue, Citrus/orange, Vanilla/beige, Green apple/green, Lilac/purple, and Strawberry/pink. And they come in slick metal tins, perfect for gift-giving or stocking stuffing. Purchase for $8.50 at Pixelgirl Shop, a place to find cool handmade goods.

*The title of course refers to the "happy little trees" that artist Bob Ross encouraged us all to paint on his TV show, "The Joy of Painting".