5 Things We Love is a shortlist of newly discovered stuff you have got to see, hear, wear, use or eat. What are you loving this week? Send a brief description of your latest favorite thing, where to find it and how much it costs, along with your name and contact info to features@staradvertiser.com.

Dish rack offers greater stability, safety for fingers
I recently had to give up my old stainless-steel dish rack when my husband refused to keep patching its joints with JB Weld. My fears that I would not find anything I liked as much were short-lived. My new dish rack, made by simplehuman, has at least as much capacity and is much more stable than the old X-shaped design. My favorite element is the bamboo-topped knife rack. It protects fingers and knives — such a great idea. It is pricey, but when you don’t have a dishwasher, a good dish rack is essential. Find it for about $60 at Simply Organized or Bed Bath & Beyond. — Stephanie Kendrick

Children’s book paints pooches in colorful light
Artist William Wegman, internationally admired for his photography featuring his pet Weimaraners, has a new kids’ book out — his first in a decade — and it’s a winner. If you have a child in your life with whom you like to read stories, "Flo & Wendell" (Dial Books for Young Readers, $16.99) will be fun for the both of you. Wegman starts with his deadpan portraits of Weimaraner pups, then depicts clothing and (human-style) bodies in broad strokes of gouache paint. Flo usually wears a bright pink sweater; little bro Wendell is more "experimental." But in Wegman’s colorful pages, we get a picture of affectionate, amusing siblings ("Wendell hides. Flo seeks …") that should bring a smile at bedtime. Visit wegmanworld.com for a look at Flo and Wendell, along with a video of Wegman transforming Flo from pup to colorful character. — Elizabeth Kiesz­kow­ski

Fruit drink satisfies without the guilt
I used to live in Seattle, so when I saw a beverage called Cascade Ice, I was reminded of the snowy mountains of the Pacific Northwest. The label describes it as "naturally flavored sparking water with juice" with "zero calories," which are added selling points. Ultimately, however, the taste and tang of these beverages have kept them regularly stocked in my refrigerator. Bottled by the Unique Beverage Co. in Washington state, the drinks are sugar-free, sodium-free, gluten-free and caffeine-free to boot. They’re available in a variety of fruit flavors at Safeway and Longs Drugs for about $1.80 for a 17.2-ounce resealable bottle, but they’re frequently discounted, too. — Steven Mark

Use this brush for writing, not painting
Dropped in to the gift shop at the Hono­lulu Museum of Art and spotted, among myriad clever and colorful objects, a paintbrush apparently dipped in paint. Upon closer look it proved to be a ballpoint pen. At $4.95 it’s a great little gift for your arty friends. — Sandi Guro­witz, Kailua

Island music notables grace 2014 calendar
With the holiday season and the new year fast approaching, it’s time to start looking at calendars — either as gifts or as personal decor for home or office. Rudolf Pelt’s "Hawaii 2014 Calendar" ($25 at www.lulu.com), is a 13-month Hawaiiana-themed wall calendar that will appeal to folks who are interested in 20th-century Hawaiian and hapa-haole music. Polt is an avid collector of vintage records, photos and sheet music. His collection includes many items from Europe, Hawaii and the mainland. Monthly layouts for 2014 include the Tau Moe family, European musicians who played Hawaiian music, the Kaha­le­wai siblings, Melveen Leed and the 1931 German musical "Die Blume von Hawaii." The calendar is printed on heavy-grade cardstock. The art is fascinating month in and month out. — John Berger