Nov 3, 2022
When asked about the "possibly offensive" goods that she sells at Absolutely Fabulous, her family-run gift & décor shop, Diane Silverstein lights up and responds in her memorable English accent: "I've seen people in our greeting card section who just huff, turn around, and walk right out. But really, most folks just have a good laugh. It's fun."
Absolutely Fabulous Unique Gifts & Décor is just that - a fabulously unique gift & décor shop that has been a staple of Huntington Beach, California, for over 15 years. The breadth of products inside "Ab Fab" is pretty staggering and has proven difficult to relay online, especially the more ... colorful goods.
"I mean - how do you make sure the people who don't like being offended avoid looking at this stuff when they just wanted to look at Santa dolls?" Diane seriously asks. "Our 'possibly offensive gifts' are spread over all sorts of departments and don't fall into any one category well. We have offensive cards, offensive socks (that are particularly hilarious), offensive kitchen towels ... so many funny things! When they're in the shop, we can warn them before they step in the 'offensive zone,' but online, it's different.
"For years, I have tried to strategically place them around the website as not to stick out too much, but also to be present enough to be noticed by folks who, like me, love a good laugh. But it never felt right like it does inside the shop."
After many years of trying to get this balance right, Diane decided to just go all in and place them all in one shopping category named "possibly offensive."
"I like to imagine my online customers get the giggles going through this section, like most of the folks who come into my shop do," Diane states while sipping her morning coffee. "It really does make my day to hear us cheer folks up a little bit before they're done shopping. It makes me feel like I added something positive to the world - even if that something is possibly offensive!"
Over a span of 13 years in Grand County, Colorado, dedicated conservation efforts have led to a remarkable surge in cutthroat trout populations, rising from 123 to an astonishing 1,425 fish in select streams. This success stems from the strategic removal of invasive brook trout through electrofishing and the introduction of genetically modified fish.
A consumer commission in Aligarh has directed State Bank of India (SBI) to pay Rs 2 lakh to a woman whose son died after the bank failed to deduct a Rs 100 insurance renewal premium despite sufficient funds in his account. The insurer had denied the claim, saying it had not received the premium or issued a policy for the disputed period. SBI must also pay Rs 5,000 in compensation and Rs 5,000 towards litigation expenses, with interest at 7% per annum.
A delegation of women BJP MPs, led by Roop Kumari Chaudhary, plans to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. They will demand action against Congress MP Bimol Akoijam amid sexual harassment allegations. Akoijam was recently dismissed from his teaching position at JNU following these allegations. Multiple female students had accused him of making inappropriate remarks and attempts at harassment. An FIR has been registered against him based on these complaints.
Lake Mattamuskeet in North Carolina has seen a dedicated restoration initiative aimed at curbing the invasive common carp's adverse effects on aquatic life. Launched in 2019, the program employed historical removal strategies to diminish carp numbers. Although some progress was detected, studies revealed the remaining carp were not a significant ecological threat. This case underscores the inherent challenges of ecological restoration and the efficacy of traditional approaches in sustaining biodiversity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated five development projects worth Rs 3,350 crore in Ladakh on Thursday. The projects include a new Leh airport terminal, the 298-km Nimmu-Padum-Darcha Road, a hydropower project, a transmission line, India's first petroglyph conservation park and 40 water bodies under Project Him Sarovar, aimed at improving connectivity, energy infrastructure, heritage conservation and water security.
Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders have filed a petition with the Supreme Court regarding voter deletions. The petition challenges the actions taken by the Election Commission of India during the Special Intensive Revision process. These leaders are raising concerns about irregularities in modifying electoral rolls, including voter entries. They are requesting an independent audit to examine these changes thoroughly.
Yadav had earlier secured some relief from the top court on October 7, when he proposed selling his ancestral property to settle the outstanding dues in a series of cheque-bounce cases that have been going on for years.
Yadav had earlier secured some relief from the top court on October 7, when he proposed selling his ancestral property to settle the outstanding dues in a series of cheque-bounce cases that have been going on for years.
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath attacked Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav over his alleged routine of waking at noon. Such a person, according to the CM, cannot meet the needs of the public. He also quipped about representatives who, after winning elections, never return to their constituencies. Adityanath also talked about the need for elected representatives to work with the public to ensure effective rendering of services.
The Indian Navy will induct INS Samarthak at Karwar on October 16, 2026. Built by L&T, the 107-metre multi-purpose vessel is designed for maritime surveillance, weapons trials, unmanned-system operations, naval training, towing and disaster relief. Equipped with guns, anti-submarine systems and electronic countermeasures, it is the first of two vessels being built under an Rs 887-crore contract.
Vishvajit Ramchandra More put on a stunning performance with three close victories.
Building collapses are common in Pakistan, where construction standards are often poorly enforced, an AP report said. Many structures are built with substandard materials, and safety regulations are frequently ignored to reduce costs, it noted.
YOUR NEWS, OUR NETWORK.
Do you have Great News you want to tell the world?
Be it updates about your business or your community, you can make sure that it’s heard by submitting your story to our network reaching hundreds of news sites across 6 verticals.