Charitable change purse

Charitable change purse
It's always better to give than to receive, but it's even better when you can do both. So check out the very cool coffee-cup change purse from Lucky Beggar. The leather pouch looks like a squashed deli coffee cup -- the kind you'd see at every corner coffee shop in New York.
New York artist George Skelcher came up with the idea for the kitschy purse after seeing people begging for change using the ubiquitous cups. And here's where the giving part comes in: If you buy a purse, part of the proceeds goes to HELP USA, which provides services for the homeless people who provided Skelcher's inspiration. So even if you're keeping the cool pouch for yourself, your purchase is still a gift. (You get double points if you also give the purse to a friend.)
Look for the change purse for about $25 at www.wishingfish.com or www.urbansimple.com.
Scooter chic
Unless you're pals with Ally Hilfiger of "Rich Girls" fame, you probably don't have the cash to plunk down for a shiny, speedy Vespa scooter. But you can dream: Vespa has a new line of cool merchandise, so you can wear a Vespa T-shirt, hat and watch even if you only ride a Schwinn. (We recall fondly an episode of "Friends" in which Joey was decked out head to toe in Porsche accessories, even though as far as we can tell, he's never owned a car.)
To see the whole line, check out www.vespausa.com. We especially like the excellent tees, which go for as little as 22 bucks.
XBecky Sher writes this column for Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service. You can write to her at bsher@krtinfo.com.