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02/23/12--13:59: Sweet Lemon (chan 1632248)

Sweet Lemon Aromatherapy Products For Sweet Spring Fragrance   by Anne Harvester With the advent of spring around the country, now is the perfect time to try something new that will bring pleasure into your life, and one easy way to accomplish this is to add fragrance to your home in the form of aromatherapy products. [...]


02/23/12--13:59: The New Hipster Cities of America?? (chan 1632248)

There’s a new-ish blog on the scene here in Austin called Culture Map, which I’ve been enjoying very much during my stay. The blog actually started in Houston and was so successful there that it’s journeyed up to Austin and now has its eyes on spreading into Dallas and beyond. There was a fun post [...]


02/23/12--13:59: With hybrid genes, grapevines beat blight (chan 1632248)

With a hybrid gene, grapevines can better defend themselves against Pierce’s disease, which threatens California’s wine industry.

“Many disease-causing microbes can evade one defensive action by a host plant, but we believe that most microbes would have difficulty overcoming a combination of two immune-system defenses,” says lead researcher Abhaya Dandekar, professor of plant sciences at University of California, Davis.

From 1994 to 2000, Xylella fastidiosa infected and destroyed more than 1,000 acres of northern California grapevines and caused $30 million in damages. 

To block the infection, the researchers engineered a hybrid gene by fusing together two genes that are responsible for two key functions of the plant’s innate immune response: recognizing Xylella fastidiosa as a bacterial invader and destroying its outer membranes, causing the bacteria to die.

Full story at Futurity.

More research news from top universities.

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02/23/12--13:59: Embrocation Cycling Journal: Annoying Developments (chan 1632248)

Embrocation Cycling Journal: Annoying Developments: I have another idea: How about getting a license and actually racing? Or joining a club/team and going on group rides with thick-legged dudes? Because after those “segments”, the riders are so spent that the next few kilometers are at recovery speed. Thanks a lot, Strava segment. But it’s ok. [...]


02/23/12--13:59: Is it possible to be shy but LOOK confident? (chan 1632248)

Is it possible that people who are shy actually APPEAR confident through body language and such? And does it work the other way round too?


02/23/12--13:59: Shorter leashes might help. (chan 1632248)

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02/23/12--13:59: Anytime asked, a large number of small (chan 1632248)

Anytime asked, a large number of small enterprise haven’t a clue what precisely Website placement is definitely, let alone just what it symbolizes. This unique may be the biggest difficulty which needs to be prevail over, due to the fact … Continue reading →


02/23/12--13:59: For folks interested in Dreaming Big Dreams – my free resource kit (chan 1632248)

I’ve been working hard on creating some awesome resources for people wanting to dream big dreams, but it occurred to me that I might not be on the right track providing what YOU feel you need. Could I ask you a favor? Would you go to this link and fill out a quick, three-question survey [...]

For folks interested in Dreaming Big Dreams – my free resource kit is a post from: Family on Bikes. Sign up for our monthly newsletter to receive your free e-book: Bicycle Touring with Children; A Guide to Getting Started.




02/23/12--13:59: Me on ShePosts.com: Interview With Schmutzie, Canadian Weblog Awards Founder (chan 1632248)

There is an interview with me about my baby, the Ninjamatics' Canadian Weblog Awards, at She Posts today, in which I felt myself getting pretty misty over the joys of blogging and finding our communities:

Attending Canadian blogging conferences over the last two years and being in touch with so many bloggers through the Awards, I am thrilled to see people bonding and sharing and growing their communities together. I feel very kumbaya about it all.

As I said on the Awards site, it makes me feel very Mary-Tyler-Moore-throwing-my-hat-in-the-air, so go check out my interview!






02/23/12--13:59: What could this possibly mean? (chan 1632248)

There is a kid in my class that I often catch eye contact w/. I've never actually talked to him, or even tried, and usually as soon as we catch eyes I look away. Partly because I'm really shy, and also because I want to do really well in the class, and don't want to be distracted. Anyways, today when I was walking outside of the building to my car I hear loud footsteps behind me and it's him trying to catch up, he looked at my out of the corner of his eye, kept up with me for a while and then sped up again. What could it mean? or does it not mean anything?


02/23/12--13:59: What’s the Difference Between “Classic” and “Contemporary” Christian Horror? (chan 1632248)

I’ve begun work on a side project involving “Christian Horror.” It’s a rather slippery subject for several reasons. One, the Christian publishing industry is still averse to actually using the term. Two, there’s so much that could potentially be included in that term. I admit, it’s possible I’m (and writers like me) forcing a connection [...]


02/23/12--13:59: Lighter Side: Busy Schedule (chan 1632248)

Lighter Side: Busy Schedule is a post from: Simple Marriage Click the post title to leave a comment.

Lighter Side: Busy Schedule is a post from: Simple Marriage
Click the post title to leave a comment.






02/23/12--13:59: Farah Angsana Stuns the Crowd with Showstopper Gown (chan 1632248)

Ballroom gowns and cocktail attire—Farah Angsana has got you covered! Her jaw-dropping line for Fall/Winter 2012 hit the runway was an instant success and crowd pleaser at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Inspired by the jet-setter lifestyle, Farah exemplifies the lifestyle herself by living a lifestyle of glamour and culture, and appreciating the fine attention to detailing in luxury. You can see her line on places such as the red carpet, high society events in big cities such as Hong Kong, Shanghai, Paris, New York, Rome, London, Dubai, and elsewhere around the globe.

Simple, sleek colors such as silver and black made up ... Read More »


02/23/12--13:59: My New Running Buddy And Roy's Door Story (chan 1632248)

Roy has been busy with our door. What door you ask? Did I never tell this story? It’s the end...


02/23/12--13:59: PHOTO: Terraces at Machu Picchu descend from the watch tower (upper right) to the river gorge (chan 1632248)




02/23/12--13:59: How to Write a Book (chan 1632248)

Most important: to write a good book, you need a good idea. No one wants to read a book without


02/23/12--13:59: What Does Astrology Tell Us About "Bachelor" Ben Flajnik and His Quest for Love? (chan 1632248)

By Lori May forCupid's Pulse Benjamin Flajnik, also k...


02/23/12--13:59: Book Review “A Mom’s Story” by Brenda Blackmon (chan 1632248)

Every once in a while a book, a movie, or a TV show comes along that really touches your heart- your core. It makes a difference in your life and resonates with you, as something special. Recently, I read Brenda Blackman’s book “A Mom’s Story” and it was that same kind of experience. “A Mom’s [...]







02/23/12--13:59: The Bacon Table and Other Instagram Moments (chan 1632248)

I love Instagram, because it encourages me to chronicle little pieces of my life. Later, when I’m sitting on the couch watching the Real Housewives of Anywhere and peeling the polish off my nails and twiddling my toes, it’s fun to wade through the photos for no other reason but to remember things I’ve done recently. I have a short term memory problem. I blame Diet Dr Pepper. Here’s my life in Instagram over the…


02/23/12--13:59: Are you intoriding a bike? You already (chan 1632248)

Are you intoriding a bike? You already know absolutely that we have particular useful information on using a bike that you should always keep in mind especially if some of those recommendations in addition to information and facts are a … Continue reading →


02/23/12--13:59: Coffee Cup Stain Portrait by Hong Yi (chan 1632248)

Malaysian artist Hong Yi uses all sorts of unconventional objects to create portraits. Recently, she created a huge portrait of Taiwanese musician Jay Chou by staining the canvas with a coffee cup.

The 26 year old artist drew inspiration for the portrait from one of the Chou’s songs “Secret”, whose opening lines is about lifting a coffee cup off the saucer. The ending line of the song is about autumn leaves and fragmented pieces. The singer tells a heartbreak tale of a lost romance with a girl from 1979 who time-traveled forward 20 years and met Jay in 1999, and they fell in love. She then went back to 1979 and sketched a portrait of him.

Hong Yi’s portrait consist of hundreds of individual coffee stain rings, many of them broken and imperfect like fallen autumn leaves, to form a whole portrait. 

“Coffee is quite a challenging medium to use,” she said. “Too much water and the rings wouldn't form easily, too little water and the rings will be too light. I had to be precise with where to place the cup because the rings would be permanent.”



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© Amusing Planet, 2012.




02/23/12--13:59: Back Diving (chan 1632248)




02/23/12--13:59: Which might be your best favorite best movie nominee 2012? (chan 1632248)

Which might be your best favorite best movie nominee 2012? or which one of all the 2012 movies you might like?
The ballots for the Oscars have been sent in, and the winners will be announced at the Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday.

But which stars and films will walk away with Oscar gold?
Best Picture:
"The Artist"
"The Descendants"
"Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"
"The Help"
"Hugo"
"Midnight in Paris"
"Moneyball"
"The Tree of Life"
Glenn Close, "Albert Nobbs"
Viola Davis, "The Help"
Rooney Mara, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"
Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady"
Michelle Williams, "My Week with Marilyn"


02/23/12--13:59: Sh*t Hipster Dogs Might Say (chan 1632248)

Realizing they were neglecting the needs of animals with hipster incli...


02/23/12--13:59: Off Limits at the Office: What Not to Say (chan 1632248)

It’s a bad idea to talk politics at work, according to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal. Some reasons: –You never know who’s listening. –Not everyone shares your views; you risk offending [...]


02/23/12--13:59: Three Examples of Abundance – We Live In an Alchemic World (chan 1632248)

Due to Spain’s current economic climate, my cousin just moved back to Panama after making Spain her home for many years. Here’s how she described the situation there: Houses are being foreclosed left and right. Small businesses are going under. The unemployment rate is sky-high. Many people can’t pay what they owe, and they have [...]


02/23/12--13:59: Our History (chan 1632248)



The odds were against him.It was, after all, not 2012, but 1870.In a state not known, at the time, for its relationship with African Americans.On this date in 1870, when Congress readmitted Mississippi to the Union, nine years after the state had seceded to join the Confederacy, Hiram Rhodes Revels, a minister from Natchez, became the first African-American to be elected to the Senate.  The election, as you might imagine, didn't go down that easy. Southern Democrats cited the Dred Scott Decision arguing that no black man was a citizen before the 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868 and therefore ineligible.But common sense, and Revels prevailed, and on the floor of the US Senate, he spoke for compromise, moderation, and racial equality.In his first speech to the Senate on March 16, 1870, he urged reinstatement of the black legislators of the Georgia General Assembly who had been illegally ousted:  "I maintain that the past record of my race is a true index of the feelings which today animate them. They aim not to elevate themselves by sacrificing one single interest of their white fellow citizens." Revels is on a list of 100 Greatest African Americans and their contributions, in difficult times, should be honored and celebrated.Not just this month during Black History Month.But every month.Maybe one day it'll simply be American history, without regard to the color of your skin.

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02/23/12--13:59: The Final Word…(repost) (chan 1632248)

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 22:13 God goes before us and watches our backs. He places us where we need to be when we need to be there. This verse can give you comfort in whatever season of life or whatever circumstance [...]


02/23/12--13:59: Wanted: Your Thoughts on Unwise Treatments (chan 1632248)

Know of an older person who opted for a treatment that, in hindsight, should not have been done? Tell us about it.


02/23/12--13:59: Interview with Trace Beaulieu of MST3K and Cinematic Titanic (chan 1632248)

The conclusion to our two-part exclusive interview with Trace Beaulieu, formerly of Mystery Science Theater 3000 and now with Cinematic Titanic Read yesterday’s part one here. Crow T. Robot enjoying the latest issue of mental_floss magazine Trace Beaulieu’s older brother, Bryan, built a special house back in 2005. In fact, it’s the only one of [...]


02/23/12--13:59: Wordless Wednesday: Moving (chan 1632248)

Not the half of it...




Growing donation pile.

We move Friday. Send chocolate.






02/23/12--13:59: A Cure for Winter Doldrums (chan 1632248)


Does anyone else find this time of year "blech?" All the shimmer and spirit of the holidays has given way to perpetually gray skies, and now that Valentine's Day is over I have no excuse to have candy in my house. Also, during the winter my skin is about as moist as a Triscuit, which just makes me irritable. Top that off with a two-week-long cold, and I needed to make some sunshine. 


Cue a little retail therapy!


Thank you Nordstrom, Restoration Hardware, The Container Store & Anthropologie for tiding me over until Spring Break, sunshine & warmer temperatures.




What's your favorite way to shake the winter doldrums {particularly when there's not a beach within 500 miles}?









02/23/12--13:59: It is not the jeans, stupid... (chan 1632248)

As seen at Elder of Ziyon's place:


A member of the Sawarka Bedouin tribe, Muhammad al-Mani'i, who was interviewed on the show, also accused Israel of manufacturing "toxic" jeans that cause infertility. He claimed the Jewish state sells them to Arab countries reduce population growth.

Mr al-Mani'i blames the magnets:


The tribesman said that the denim pants are equipped with belts that contain a magnet, which is the source of their toxic powers.

Of course, it is not some steenking magnets, nor is it the jeans. At least, not directly. It is that thing called "zipper" that became so popular lately with the free trade, globalization and all that jazz. Now the zipper came to Bedouin tribes of Sinai peninsula, with some side effects, apparently.

Lacking proper preparation for use of zipper-equipped jeans, I have only two measures to offer:


• The unfortunate ones who are already suffering the aftereffects of careless zippering: read carefully this handy guide and follow the instructions to the letter.
• New owners of zipper-equipped jeans: do not touch the zipper at all prior to getting acquainted with the device. 
• Stay unzipped for the first month or three. 
• Test your zippering talents first on mannequins - or best friends.

Besides, what is wrong with good old Jellabiya?

Oh, and another reminder:











02/23/12--13:59: PC Vs Mac: 10 Reasons Why You Should Buy A Macbook Pro Over A Windows Notebook (chan 1632248)



By now everybody knows someone who has made the switch to Mac. Are they just pretentious a-holes or do they know something that you do not? I recently purchased my first Mac, a Macbook Pro.

Read on and I'll explain my 10 reasons for choosing a Macbook Pro over a Windows notebook.




02/23/12--13:59: You can get a few (chan 1632248)

You can get a few how to attract unique cabinetry without breaking your allowance. One other way is to obtain not finished cabinetry and even undertake the particular staining and additionally purchasing on your own. Perhaps you can pick the … Continue reading →


02/23/12--13:59: Blogs You Should Be Reading: Adulting (chan 1632248)




It's been ages since I've bossed you guys around about your RSS feed - mostly because I rarely find blogs that make me want to stay up nights, paging through the archive.  But Adulting?  You're going to copy and paste the entire thing into a Google doc, then print it out, put it in a binder and refer to it on a regular basis.

Even as someone who considers herself to be Pretty Effing Grown Up, there are still posts that I find applicable (like how I should offer to help my friends move before they ask me and why I need a correspondence drawer.)  And if you're not that grown up?  You're about to get schooled.

But in the best possible way.






02/23/12--13:59: The End of the Beginning (chan 1632248)

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02/23/12--13:59: Lots of honking. (chan 1632248)

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02/23/12--13:59: Where's that girl? (chan 1632248)

I didn't expect to find her in the garage. Really I didn't expect to find anything other than a bunch of boxes, some dead cockroaches, and a ton of outgrown baby paraphernalia.

But she was there, hiding in some boxes carefully stored at the top of a shelf. The girl I once was.

She was there in the college papers annotated with illegible teacher comments. She was there in the notes carefully taken in countless seminars and classes. She was there in the letters, oh the many letters, sent by her friends when she first left the country to do an overseas summer internship.


I spent all day Monday in the garage being assailed by memory after memory, photo after photo, keepsake after keepsake. Some of the stuff went into the trash (like my middle school biology binder, stark reminder that I once was an attentive student who took exemplary notes). Some of the stuff was carefully boxed up again to be preserved for posterity's sake. Some of the stuff was put into a donation pile so someone else can get some use out of it.

Yesterday I ran into her again. A slightly older her. A slightly different her. This time she was lurking in the kid's closet, hidden amongst all my size 6 professional clothes. The stuff I wore before I had kids.

I packed skirts, blouses, pants, capris, and vests into huge donation bags and the tears finally came.

I'm not that girl who was in the garage any more. She had big dreams of being a busy ad agency account executive. I'm not that girl who was in that closet. She had career hopes and aspirations liberally coated with baby lust.

I'm not even the girl who bought all that baby paraphernalia and carefully stored it away for her elusive third child.

All those girls feel so foreign. So different. I don't see myself in them any more.

At the same time, I don't really know who I am today.

Am I the girl who wants to be a best selling author? Am I the woman who wants to run a successful digital media agency? Am I a stay at home mom who just wants to focus on her family? Am I a mix of all of that and then some? 

In one of the boxes I unearthed this weekend I found a binder of short stories. Some were in French, some in English. They were neither good or bad. They were nuggets of potential. More importantly they were proof that that girl I found in the garage was a writer. That maybe she wasn't so alien to who I am today.

I'm not a young Parisian professional any more. I'm not even a young Californian professional. My hopes and dreams have had to shift and change as my life has ebbed and flowed. And while I'm not sure where I'm headed next, it's good to remember that the woman I will be 10 years down the road probably won't recognize herself in who I am today, but there will probably be some common thread that ties us together.






02/23/12--13:59: Your Next Desktop Could be a Phone (chan 1632248)

Your Next Desktop Could be a Phone: Henri Sivonen: This getting interesting: Using an Android phone as an Ubuntu desktop when docked Definitely Want. Especially love the idea of sending and receiving texts from my desktop.  Would prefer a dock the size of a mac mini with a hard drive, USB and ethernet ports. [I [...]


02/23/12--13:59: Daniella Kallmeyer’s Fall 12 Presentation (chan 1632248)

Written by Roxana Hernandez

Daniella Kallmeyer’s show was at the High Line loft. Her collection is masculine inspired. The models were wearing blazers, ties, white collared shirts and inspired letterman jackets . She had a lot of dark blues, blacks, oranges and grays. Some of the models were wearing skirts and shirts that had a mosaic print on it with teals, oranges, and greens in it. One of the masculine suits her models were wearing was a light green glittery color.

Over all, her show was great for a very fashion forward business women.

Photos by Women’s Wear Daily


02/23/12--13:59: Am I a horny old lady? (chan 1632248)

Am I a horny old lady?


02/23/12--13:59: Add Greenery to Small Apartment Living (chan 1632248)

Plants bring a vibrant touch to a home of any size. But you may feel that small apartment living precludes having plants. Not so. You can be an indoor gardener, even in a small apartment. Living with plants can brighten your habitat and reward even modest efforts. If you’ve never had plants, start with something [...]


02/23/12--13:59: Why do you scout? (chan 1632248)

Because I am a liberal who respects science and believes relationships should be based on love instead of anatomy, I am frequently asked why my family participates in Boy Scouts. The short answer is that Boy Scouting is a scout centric program. When my sons first expressed an interest in Boy Scouts, I was concerned. [...]


02/23/12--13:59: Before And After: My Front Door (chan 1632248)

One of the things I've wanted for a really, really, really long time is a red front door. Pretend each of those "reallys" is a decade and you get the idea—alright, maybe not a decade, maybe five years. Door years are like dog years, perhaps: each human year you want yours to be a different color feels like five times as many when it isn't. 

But guess what? The thing about a red front door is that it's not actually all that hard to achieve. You just kind of buy some red paint and go to town. 

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02/23/12--13:59: Beautiful Fortified City of Naarden, The Netherlands (chan 1632248)

Naarden is a municipality and a town in the province of North Holland in the Netherlands, shaped in the form of a star. This small town is a textbook example of a popular style of fortification that evolved in Europe during the 16th century. Naarden’s star fortification is complete with fortified walls and a moat which are in as good as state as five centuries ago. In fact, Naarden is one of the best preserved fortified towns in Europe today.

Back in the 13th century, Naarden was a small fortified town overlooking a stretch of dry ground between the sea and the marshes of the river Vecht. This stretch of land was the only route from the east to Amsterdam and its surrounding lands, making Naarden a strategic fortress. But defense works on Naarden were old and poorly maintained.

In the 17th century when the French King Louis XIV with the help of his allies England, Cologne and Munster, invaded the Netherlands, Naarden was taken over easily. At this time the Netherlands were an important economic and political power in western Europe. They captured Utrecht and made it a base to invade the rest of the country from. However, the rest of the invasion was a disaster; the Dutch flooded the land between the rivers and the sea making it impossible for the French to move forward. In 1673 Naarden was back in Dutch hands. After this recapture the fortifications were updated to modern standards.



Photo credit

Most of the fortifications that exist today date from this period. During the 19th century the fortifications were updated, resulting in the construction of many new bomb shelters and other army-related buildings like barracks. At the end of the 19th century the increased fire power and range of the artillery made the defenses at Naarden useless. Instead, emphasis was given on bomb shelters most of which still exist.

Read more »

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© Amusing Planet, 2012.




02/23/12--13:59: best possible results (chan 1632248)

best possible results of using teeth whitening products, persistently apply them for a period of over two to four weeks, depending on the instructions on the product and adhere to the recommended does. Be sure to ask you dental health … Continue reading →


02/23/12--13:59: Challenge Accepted: 8 Inspiring Stories (chan 1632248)

Challenge Accepted: 8 Inspiring Stories


Some people live their lives by making the best of what they have. And then there are people who even make the best of what they don't have.


02/23/12--13:59: Wordless Wednesday (chan 1632248)




02/23/12--13:59: #187 Reverse the Degradation (chan 1632248)




Willful waste brings woeful want. ~Thomas Fuller

Human society sustains itself by transforming nature into garbage. ~ Mason Cooley



With each passing day, it is becoming increasingly clear that the strategy of environmental exploitation that characterized the 20th century is reaching the end of its natural life. We are in the early stages of a transition from an attitude that, in Herman Daly's felicitous phrase, 'treats the Earth like a business in liquidation' to one that is committed to preserving the planet's 'natural capital.' The principle underlying this shift is really quite simple: if we want a high quality of life for ourselves and future generations - a high quality of life in all its senses - we cannot continue to degrade the quality of the natural systems of which we are a part. ~ Carl Frankel








02/23/12--13:59: On Running. (chan 1632248)

Proof that I got a LITTLE dusty on Sunday. A friend of mine asked me over email why I started running. My response, below. I started doing it, honestly, because Will started doing it. At that point, Will hadn't really...


02/23/12--13:59: The Crossover Files – Considering Positive Dog Training (chan 1632248)

Coming to Positive Reinforcement training from more traditional methods is called "crossing over." It's not easy to cross over from more familiar and socially accepted forms of dog training. There are lots of reasons not to consider it. But many do. In this series, Eric Brad looks at what it takes to "cross over."

The Crossover Files – Considering Positive Dog Training is a post from: LIFE AS A HUMAN




02/23/12--13:59: Runnin’ (chan 1632248)

Author and runner Michael Lebowitz offers us a poetic short form running journal, and a window to the soul.

Runnin’ is a post from: LIFE AS A HUMAN




02/23/12--13:59: Medical uses of abused drugs [infographic] (chan 1632248)



Via Medical Billing and Coding. (H/T Muhammad Saleem)

A heaping dose of medical news and views.

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02/23/12--13:59: Bloody Marys Anyone? Heidi Gardner Presents Her Fall 12 Jewelry Line (chan 1632248)

Written by Roxana Hernandez

Heidi Gardner’s jewelry presentation at the Hotel Americano was bloody awesome. Greeters lead guests downstairs to the basement where there was a lounge set up with her jewelry on display. Her collection lay on top of real animal hide while a slide-show was playing of her jewelry on dead animals- mostly some type of bird, I think it was a chicken.

Her jewelry line was made up of pieces that looked like human bones, skulls, and squids. Guests were then all given a ticket and led to an elevator that brought us up to her main presentation. Only ... Read More »


02/23/12--13:59: 10 Ideas for DIY Home Improvement (chan 1632248)

There are a lot of different DIY home improvement projects that you can take advantage of in order to change up the look and feel of your home quickly, easily and effectively. Why pay an arm and a leg for contractors and professionals when you can make grand changes to your home with these simple [...] Related posts:

1. It Might Be Time to Consider DIY for Home Improvement When insurance deductibles become so high that it becomes impossible...
2. Ideas for Green Home Improvement There are a wide variety of different green home improvement...
3. Judging the Home Improvement Cost of a Project One thing that you need to be aware of when...




02/23/12--13:59: Can any women and any girls tell if you experiment on them on what attracts them? (chan 1632248)

gag members I have 2 quick questions about dating yes also online dating so please bear with me and also tell me the truth thanks.

if I pretend to be jerks/bastards as in treat her like trash use her dump her etc. and also be myself a nice guy/good guy do you think any girls and any women find out I pretend to be something I'm not? if you don't mind answer it both online and offline thanks and yes if I ever experiment on her

to find out what attracts women and girls will she be able to tell if I experiment on them don't worry I tell my friends the truth and I will ask them don't tell anyone yes I also tell my parents if they saw me treat her like trash like crap and I ask them tell nobody about it

And if she finds out I was experimenting on them to see what women and girls really wanted and what are they attracted easily a 2 part question for this question is what should I do if she finds out about my experiments so I can find out what women and girls really want and what really attracts them easily if she catches on?

and if she finds out do you think I should tell her the truth or do my best and continue my experiments on her like lie to her? Since bastards are liars thanks for your time and if you like to know my age I'm 24 and if I put myself out there I might experiment on them and yes I still live with my parents I have no jobs,i have no cars etc.

if you think my experiments is wrong or sinful idea then tell me why they say"oh I want a nice guy" when in fact she jump to bastards then you see why I'm experimenting anyway thanks for your time and your honesty




02/23/12--13:59: Wordless Wednesday: School Break (chan 1632248)

Yes, we're in DC for a few days. Today: White House, Smithsonian Castle, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington Monument, Air & Space, American History Museum. Also, endless traffic because it was Washington's Birthday and there was a cornerstone being laid. - these two things were unrelated. Tonight, my feet plan to fall off. Still to come: Archives, Building Museum, Jefferson Memorial, Mt. Vernon, Arlington, Alexandria, The Capital, and I'm sure we've forgotten something terribly important. The only reason i can remember any of this is because I am checking in ferociously on Foursquare. (I'm winning!) Oh, and anyone have dinner suggestions?






02/23/12--13:59: Sorry I called you a Yeti (chan 1632248)




                Istumbled into the living room last weekend while my wife was Skypingwith her family, which means I entered the conversation. Now, it'snot like I was at a dinner party and cornered by the annoyingneighbors, this was just family, and they couldn't see me –so I could have backed out quickly and gracefully if I hadn't frozenup like a cheap air conditioner, but my pause let Kelsiespot me, her eyes full of the love light inspired by one of twoscenarios: 1. You're in the first hour Grace Period ofa visit to your relatives, or 2. You're thousands ofmiles away. She looked up at me and said, “Oh, did you come tochat, too?”

                “Oh,ha ha. Chat? Of course I did, because I love you a million! I wasn't just looking for my mug, nope.I came to talk to family, good husband that I am!”

                It'snot that I have anything against the in-laws, we get along quitewell, and other than the fact that our Skype and phone conversationsgenerally are built around, “Well, we don't know much more...”followed by tongue clicking, a short pause, then a fifteen minutestory (rinse, repeat,) I have no complaints. This particular day,however, I felt as social as an arthritic cat in a room full oftoddlers, but I inserted myself. It may sound like pandering givenall the shit I've probably slung in this installment, but I do like talking to them, providedI can keep them on topic. (My father-in-law houses my three motorcycles, and is the proud owner of abrand new K1600, fresh off the German presses,” and as luck wouldhave it (for me and my sociability,) he's ridden it every month sinceit arrived back in October and going to try to go for every monththis year. It's easy to keep the topic to motorcycles.

                I know what you're saying in Texas and southern California, “Wow!Every month! How remarkable!”to which I respond, “Shut your fat, stinky gobs.” I know howsnarky you can be, you Texans, with your sun, and your dry heat, andyour... Austin. (Seriously Texans, what else is down there? I don'tknow how to deliver a good-natured hard time...) It's warm in thesouth, I get it. Up North, not so much. We're built for somethingdifferent. People overload and drop lifeless at 79 Fahrenheit, and they peel off alayer of clothing and hover around the A/C when the mercury creepsover 66. In fact, my brother once sobbed for a week when thetemperature stayed over 90. (That's an out and out lie, but I want tosee if he still reads.) Minnesotans, South Dakotans (and the like) haveblood that freezes at the same temperature as vodka, and skin thatsmokes at 84 degrees. They don't handle heat well. Which explains whynortherners have such a pervasive fear of the firesof hell while frozen plains elicit shrugs. Kind oflike an extended winter? Is there ice fishing? No? Well, I'll bring my knitting then.

                “So!”you say, “I get it,northerners handle cold, not heat, which makes them as tough asfrozen turds! So... why is it impressive to ride all winter if it'sdone by one of these hardcore yeti?” Because it gets cold – likesurface of Uranus cold. (Ha, Uranus,) and I love to love the K1600,the new techno-marvel has traction control so he's likely blastingthrough drifts of snow at 80 mph. Plus, that fairing redirecting theclouds of methane gas around your body. BMW has done some damned nice work there, so nice, that if you could maintain 132mph (and had alarge enough tank) you could drive to the Azores under theAtlantic and stay dry, the K1600 fairing would keep you in an insulated pocketof air for the entire trip. That same pocket of air helps to push thefrozen wasteland air around you.

                Plus, there's the stereo, and the storage... and  the heated grips. And heated seat. And heated gear. A plug in jacket of allthings.

                Actually, you know what, scratch that, I think he's riding in thecab of an Easy Bake Oven powered by a straight six.

                Alright, still. When I wander into the living room (apparently forgetting which room is thebathroom) and find them mid-conversation, there is always a topic ofconversation, because he's always just gone somewhere... Hey,I drove Beemer to Nebraska last weekend to look at some woodworkingtools. Or, Hey, Idrove the Beemer to Wisconsin to look at some lumber. I drove toCanada to check on a horizontal mill, to California for breakfast, orto the moon to check on some rocks. Itworks.           

                Even as I sit pining for my Connie('09 Kawasaki Concours) or even myit-won't-quite-die-in-spite-of-my-best-effortsHonda ('78 Honda cb550k) I've got a good topic of conversation and alittle taste of the life. So,I don't mind when he says he took my F650GS ('06) two-up on the fieldroads into town. That's what it's there for, and dammit, if Iwere there, I would be doing theexact same thing. If I can't ride, I at least want to hear about it.I want to hear about that and chunk of land in northwestern SouthDakota that he recently found (no doubt while checking on a newlathe) that would be perfect for a couple of F650GSes, and that itwouldn't be so bad for a guyto pick up his own GS and ride on up there. Vicarious living, pipedreams and smiles, sure, and I'm pretty sure that during the wholeconversation the pixelated eyes of of my mother-in-law seated next tohim rolled back so far that she could see her own thoughts –another motorcycle?!

                Heymay be as serious about buying a GS as Donald Trump is about hismarriages, or his hair, but we get along because of it, and so long as they keep spinning yarns about bad weather and good riding I won't mind blundering in on a conversation.












02/23/12--13:59: Celebrities and Weight (chan 1632248)

I just want to say this, I struggled with the pregnancy weight for years.  I was a size 4 when I got...


02/23/12--13:59: At the Libraries: Finding a Home for 30,000 Books (chan 1632248)

Each week Miss Kathleen provides links to a variety of stories about libraries, authors, and books. If there’s something noteworthy going on in your local library, leave us a comment! Happy belated Presidents’ Day! If you weren’t able to celebrate properly on Monday, try visiting DC’s new Center for Education and Leadership, where you can [...]


02/23/12--13:59: The Venus, Jupiter and Moon rendezvous in the night sky [video] (chan 1632248)



Set your sights on the western sky in early evening and there’s quite a sight to behold through March 13.

Venus and Jupiter are gradually dancing toward one another and are set to make a pass on March 13, but this weekend the Moon will also pass the planets, flirting with Venus on Saturday and Jupiter on Sunday, the saucy satellite.

It will even appear to be winking thanks to its crescent shape, so if you missed a romantic evening back on the 14th, be sure to spend some time snuggling under the show this weekend.

Full story at Space.com.

Marvelous nights for a moondance.

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02/23/12--13:59: Why the Increase in Interracial Marriage Doesn’t Mean a Decrease in Racism (chan 1632248)

Since the Pew Research Center published their 2012 report on recent interracial marriages in the United States, the country has been abuzz with more news of the ever-increasing rise in interracial marriage. Most people and articles on the topic take … Continue reading →


02/23/12--13:59: Shhh….Mama’s Watching Her Stories (chan 1632248)

You can dress it up any way you’d like, you can give it an upper crust British accent, you can serve it up with tea and scones, you can have it delivered at the ringing of a silver bell, and you can watch it all happen from a chintz upholstered divan in the drawing room [...]


02/23/12--13:59: ELDER POETRY INTERLUDE: Written in a Carefree Mood (chan 1632248)

[PERSONAL NOTE: I am mentioned, with a photo, at The New York Times today in a story about living alone by Steven Kurutz.] WRITTEN IN A CAREFREE MOOD Old man pushing seventy, In truth he acts like a little boy,...


02/23/12--13:59: Green Flooring For Your Home (chan 1632248)

If you are considering installing new flooring for your home, now is the time to consider reducing your carbon imprint. There are many new choices for flooring that are not only eco-friendly but also beautiful, economical and long lasting. Let’s go over some of the most popular choices for green flooring that are currently on [...] Related posts:

1. Choosing a New Flooring One of the easiest ways to dramatically change a room...
2. DIY Home Flooring Repairs Methods by which floors are repaired depend entirely on the...
3. Ways to Green Your Home There are many different ways that you can green your...




02/23/12--13:59: Thoughtful Thursday Blog Hop! (chan 1632248)




02/23/12--13:59: 12 Most Negative Results of Positive Thinking By Kim Phillips (chan 1632248)

By Kim Phillips A fellow 12 Most contributor wrote an excellent post about online sniping, where she mentioned the “everybody wins” mindset. That’s the phenomenon of never saying anything negative, only giving positive strokes to other writers. After all, writing is hard. (Correction: good writing is hard.) Having been in the working world for some [...]


02/23/12--13:59: My second son: three times around the sun (chan 1632248)

Do you remember him then? I do. I remember the way I loved each day of his infancy; the way his smiles exploded my heart; the way I felt always a little high with helium wonder watching him watch the world. I’ve said this many times, but it’s true: if Bean taught me to be [...]


02/23/12--13:59: Top Ten Academy Award Nominations if the Oscars were Based on Love (chan 1632248)

ByMatthew Dougherty forCupid's Pulse What if th...


02/23/12--13:59: How to Pick Your Way Out of Handcuffs (chan 1632248)

Editor’s note: This post was written by the ITS Tactical Crew and originally ran on ITS Tactical. Today we’ll be showing you how to pick your way out of handcuffs using only a bobby pin. We realize this may be a sensitive issue to some out there, as this information in the wrong hands could be detrimental; [...]

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02/23/12--13:59: You Promised Me Forever (chan 1632248)

Nothing is Forever Nothing is forever, life is just a day so pr...


02/23/12--13:59: Doctor Who and the Borg: Part Four of Ten (chan 1632248)

Characters and concepts related to Doctor Who and Star Trek, and related marks, are trademarks of the BBC and CBS Studios Inc., respectively. This work of fan fiction is written purely for entertainment purposes, and is not to be used in trade of any kind.

To go back and read Part Three, click here, or to go to the beginning, click here. Part Four begins after the jump.
Read more »











02/23/12--13:59: 12 Most Favorable Traits of a Solid Relationship By Don F Perkins (chan 1632248)

By Don F Perkins Over the past 30+ years, my lovely wife has taught me a lot about what a lasting, meaningful relationship looks like. Here are 12 of the most powerful principles we’ve found that make for a more enjoyable and mutually beneficial relationship. While these are concepts that we have built our marriage [...]


02/23/12--13:59: Brand Like a Boss (chan 1632248)





If you are wondering how to use social media then you need to be with us on Tuesday, February 28th at City Club in River Ranch for "How to Build Your Brand With Social Media".  This workshop is sponsored by River Ranch Business Association and City Club for their members but they are inviting the public to attend.

We will discuss what branding is and why it is so important to the success of your business.  In addition, we will dissect each of the social media apps that you need to know including Facebook, Twitter, Blogging, YouTube, Flickr, Picasa, Yelp and Foursquare.  As a bonus, we will also discuss how to improve your website and how to use Pinterest. 

If you are in a business with clients, customers, consumers, shoppers, patients, partners or guests then you need to use social media to connect with them.

Registration for this class is usually $150 per person but due to the generous sponsorship by River Ranch Business Association and City Club, the cost is only $50/person and if you are a member of either of these fine organizations then it will only cost you $35.

Take advantage of this class and register before it fills up.  Call 337.216.6566 today.









02/23/12--13:59: The Green Hornet Movie Review (chan 1632248)

I have to admit that I've never been much of a fan of Seth Rogen. I've always felt like without Judd Apatow, we would have never heard of Rogen.

The Green Hornet changes everything. This movie, both written by and starring Rogen, is a masterpiece of the comedy genre.




02/23/12--13:59: Marni at H&M Photos & In Stores Soon (chan 1632248)

H&M fans are awaiting another designer collection to hit H&M 260 stores worldwide on March 8th. Marni at H&M collection offers the perfect spring travel wardrobe – everything goes with everything, the prints are fun but elegant, materials easy to take care of and pack in your suitcase. While the collection isn’t resort wear nor [...]


02/23/12--13:59: Lunchtime Quiz: The Midnight in Paris Cameo Quiz (chan 1632248)

Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris is up for four Oscars this weekend, including Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture. The film is a love letter to Paris and includes a number of historical cameos as writer Gil Pender travels back in time to the 1920s. How much do you know about the writers, musicians and [...]


02/23/12--13:59: I'm just so confused by his behavior? (chan 1632248)

I was talking to this guy on the phone last night..and he tells me “I have a slight crush on you. How do you feel about me?” And it took my everything to tell him that I was crushing hard on him (felt like a complete idiot for it). Later into the conversation, he tells me “I’d like to get to know you more and I’d like to be good friends.” And he proceeds to ask me if I’d like to go see a movie with him.


It’s all very nice, but what. the. hell. Does he like me or not? -____- Boys.



02/23/12--13:59: 2012 Practical Financial Tips (chan 1632248)

2012 arrived with a bang!! I for one am glad that it is here as 2011 for myself as for many was an OK year but still far from the financial glory days of years past.  Granted there were some wonderful things that happened I still had a heavy heart last year because so many [...]


02/23/12--13:59: Common Core State Standards Estimated Cost is $16 Billion for States (chan 1632248)

Cost far exceeds sums doled out in federal grants used to persuade states to adopt BOSTON/WASHINGTON, D.C./SAN FRANCISCO – Aligning state and local educational systems to the Common Core State Standards in English language arts and math will cost the 45 states plus the District of Columbia that have adopted them nearly $16 billion over ...read the rest


02/23/12--13:59: How Good Times weathered the economic storm (chan 1632248)

Colorado-based burger chain Good Times had to change course to weather the stormy seas of the recession. It shifted from expansion mode to focus on menu changes aimed at maintaining the brand's emphasis on quality ingredients while creating more value-priced offerings, says CEO Boyd Hoback. Today, the 44-unit chain is back on course, with 17 straight months of same-store sales growth under its belt.

Full story at SmartBlog on Restaurants by Smartbrief.

More SmartBrief stories.

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02/23/12--13:59: iBookStore eBook Promo Codes – Take Three (chan 1632248)

It was a bit of a roller coaster in here lately, with a lot of stuff coming up to my plate. We had the first major release at WPSumo for this year, which includes the long awaited child theme documentation (among other superlicious things, of course) and so I was a bit behind the schedule [...]


02/23/12--13:59: Forget About Him (chan 1632248)

New Answer - If he was interested in you enough to arrange the date, he would have. End of story. Your call to make sure he was OK was a good move, but don't do anything further. Check out the post I made about this on my blog, here: http://therulesrevisited.blogspot.com/2011/08/dealing-with-breakup-or-rejection.html


02/23/12--13:59: A Quick Trick to Dry Your Hair Faster (chan 1632248)

One of the easiest ways to make sure you’re saving time drying your hair is to ensure that your hair dryer is in tip-top shape. Maximize its performance by taking 2 minutes to clean [...]


02/23/12--13:59: EMERSON Fall/Winter 2012 Collection (chan 1632248)

Drawing inspiration from the aftermath of the WWII bombings in Dresden, Germany and from the new and thriving female workforce of the 1940s, designer Jackie Fraser-Swan creates a one-of-a-kind collection for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Both masculine and feminine elements are brought together to make an amazing collection that would go great with almost anything. The colors are predominately black and white with occasional pops of color here and there to add some spice. Black lace accents along with black and grey denim and asymmetrical silk tops give off a powerful yet subtly feminine feel.

This collection is perfect for the modern ... Read More »


02/23/12--13:59: Street Art meets Poetry (chan 1632248)

Street Art meets Poetry: The Scottish artist, Robert Montgomery, like countless street artists who came before him, hijacks billboards and bus stops to display his melancholic verse. For ten years, he’s been replacing ad pitches with poetry and presenting commentary on culture, ranging from consumerism to beauty… [While the hijacking makes me queasy, I love [...]


02/23/12--13:59: Would You Include a Fidelity Clause in Your Prenup? (chan 1632248)

Anyone who's seen gossip mags while standing in line at the supe...


02/23/12--13:59: Storyville: The Love of Books (chan 1632248)

Just a quick post, but if you love books as much as I do, then the programme at the link below - Storyville: The Love of Books - will probably mean as much to you as it did to me:


Storyville: The Love of Books


(Apologies if it's not viewable outside the UK, but I can only find it on iPlayer.) 




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02/23/12--13:59: Potential customers constructing (chan 1632248)

Potential customers constructing utilizing linking strategies belongs to the best approaches to develop outstanding search engine online targeted traffic to your web online site. Making use of linking methods to establish visitors are one of the greatest how to attract … Continue reading →


02/23/12--13:59: Sighting of Feet Recorded Yesterday By Their Owner (chan 1632248)

Life is generally thought of in terms of gain, not loss. Gaining a diploma, a job, a spouse, children, a house, a car or two, and toys is fun and fulfilling. Loss is a negative conception; unhappiness blooms and grows from loss of a job, money, spouse, etc. Without loss however, there is no gain. [...]

Sighting of Feet Recorded Yesterday By Their Owner is a post from: LIFE AS A HUMAN




02/23/12--13:59: 9 ways to gain more Twitter followers (chan 1632248)

Okay as we all know, Twitter is up there fighting popularity with Facebook. Facebook and Twitter have both PageRank 9, Google ways of ranking which webpage is worthy. While checking on Alexa Ranking, Facebook got a little edge having the no. 2 spot (Google is number 1) while Twitter is not far away at 9th [...]


02/23/12--13:59: Strawberry Shortcake Coloring Pages (chan 1632248)

6 hand-drawn Strawberry Shortcake coloring pages, both classic and new, with several from her best DVD movies!


02/23/12--13:59: The Rules of Inheritance (chan 1632248)

I love to read, but I tend to stick with a few genres that I really enjoy - thrillers, mysteries,...


02/23/12--13:59: Dont' KNOCK pageants! A brave little Jude (chan 1632248)

I am going to try to post this without sounding like I am preaching. Since I always sound like I am preaching my goal may be a little hard to obtain (no laughing). Emily does such amazing charity work and maintains a great grade point average in school so very rarely does she confront opposition to her hobbies. I also rarely hear comments in regards to her............(drum roll) pageants. However I do greet the occasional side glare or the occasional non returned email. I normally laugh these situations off and chalk it up their to failure to understand or a lack of caring if they do. However I have heard a faint whisper in regards to her competitions and my nationals.

When Emily was 17 months old I entered her into her first pageant at the coaxing of a family member. I bought her a beautiful cream brocade dress with a tiny cream beret. I didn't put one ounce of makeup on her and her dress was not laced in rhinestones. I took her up in front of the judges and she giggled, waved, and pranced about. She looked like a little doll with her big cheeks and adorable grin. I knew from the moment they placed that first crown on her tiny head........I was in trouble. Emily continued to do pageants while she was little until it all became to much for me. Keeping up with the pictures, clothes, and more became overwhelming. So we dropped out...............with major opposition from Emily.

So at five years old I enrolled Emily into softball and she excelled. Then Emily found theater and the stage again and she found her calling.  The performing arts department at her current school district has been deemed the best in the state. Emily held the first 6th grade lead in her UIL play............she loved the stage. However..........from the time I enrolled her in softball until the time she transitioned into theater she constantly asked to return to pageants. I continued to refuse because I didn't want Emily to get the wrong mindset about life. However, I fondly remembered our pageant days together. They were an amazing mother daughter bonding time. Also, when we were confronted with Jude's situation I realized that we couldn't afford to send Emily into lessons or pageantry. Then one afternoon I received an email from Cara who owned a national system. She offered to allow Emily to attend her system (this was years ago). I felt obligated to tell Emily and Em was so excited so I gratefully allowed her to attend. Emily ............. flourished. I honestly and truly felt ashamed.....I had kept her from something she loved so much. So from that point I vowed to follow what Emily wanted to do with my conservative rules (lol).

We got back into the pageant scene but I only allowed Emily to have natural photo's. We enlisted the help of two amazing friends that helped with her coaching, hair/makeup, and upheld our traditional values. They also stepped in and reminded me "mom she is 13 not 7".  Emily is an amazing role model and I will always stand by that. We all watch these reality TV shows that feature the occasional sane rational beautiful mom, but mostly focus on the prize selling blue ribbon crazies. Whether it's pageants, dance, cheer or relationships these shows focus on the best "sellers" so please remember that. They may be true in some aspects, but not most. They edit to no end and search out the very "aspects" of best ratings. We in the pageant community shake our heads at the EXACT same things you do. So before you make your mind up about mine and Em's AMAZING pageant friends who have the best hearts and are charity driven I encourage you to attend an event. I invited some friends and family members to my pageant Regal Princess last year and they all left saying "wow, that was SO fun and the kids are adorable! It's not what I expected". Come on over! You have an open invitation to come to my nationals in August or any other system Em attends! Come see kids have fun, enjoy themselves, make lasting friendships, and laugh!

Emily CHOSE this hobby........and I support my daughter and I am proud of my beautiful kind hearted girl. I help her with the necessary tools to succeed whether that's in school, pageants, softball, or theater.  She is the epitome of a role model and I strive to offer a system that is equivalent to what she stands for so others can compete. I have no tolerance in my old age for prejudice opinions and I like that I have grown so much.









Now with that being said..........Jude is doing better. I should give him more credit. Emily needed antibiotics to get over her sickness......but (knock on wood) Jude is fever free without any. I took him for a walk tonight, read him his "Good Night Gorilla" and hooked his feeding up without any issues. His tiny eyes drifted off to sleep as I said " and the mouse said ...good night Gorilla and the Gorilla said zzzzzzzzzzzz" and a tiny crooked smile fell upon his sleepy face.









02/23/12--13:59: Traveling With or Without a Schedule – Ask Alex – Travel Question Wednesdays (chan 1632248)

This post is part of the Ask Alex, Travel Question Wednesdays weekly series. To see previous questions click here.  To submit your own; tweet it to @AlexBerger, ask it in a comment on this post or send it in by e-mail. A quick introductory note – When I began authoring VirtualWayfarer in July of 2007 I [...]


02/23/12--13:59: If paper towel dispensers were honest (chan 1632248)



Because, as we all know, honesty is the best policy…

Full story at Happy Place via Pleated Jeans.

Hand towel humor.

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02/23/12--13:59: 10 Ways To Feel Rich (chan 1632248)





This fantastic guest post comes to us via the lovely Sarah McColl of Pink of Perfection fame.  She write about all things awesome.  Really, you're going to be back clicking through her archives for hours.  Go say hi!

Valuing a dollar, counting your pennies, stretching the last cent…it’s all fine and good until someone starts to feel punished. Like being on an overly restrictive diet, unless you treat yourself along the way, you’re eventually going to gorge on spaghetti and meatballs until you need to go take your pants off. I myself have felt that my concern about money has become a little joyless lately. But feeling rich, like anything, is in part a state of mind. Surrounding yourself with luxury that scratches that itch without sending you to the poor house is exactly the way to strike the balance of feeling like a have when really you don’t have a lot.

Go to an elegant restaurant…for lunch.
I’ll never forget the time a group of friends and I went to a French restaurant I’d been longing to visit that was a little pricey. It was tucked away on a leafy, residential street. Inside, tall windows surrounded a dining room, bare save for the wooden tables with thick, sturdy legs. We enjoyed the bread basket, drank a carafe of the rough house red, and I ate a croque madame, oozy with egg yolk. We shared dessert, something chocolatey as I recall, and sat for a long while that afternoon finishing the wine in the early spring sunshine. To this day it was one of the best $20 I ever spent.

Step into a high-end boutique.
Touch the clothes, appreciate the craftsmanship, try on whatever you like. Then breeze right out, unscathed.

Fill up your virtual shopping cart…and then close your browser.
For me personally, this works much better than actually going into a store which will somehow inevitably make me feel bad about myself and angry at the world. I hit up Anthropologie, ShopBop, ModCloth, Nordstrom, or Sephora and load my shopping basket full of everything I want. Then I look at the total — so glad I won’t be adding all those digits to my credit card — and close the computer. The end feeling is one that I got whatever I wanted and didn’t have to suffer the consequences.

Take yourself out for tea or cappuccino.
And I don’t mean the kind you grab on the way to the subway. Go somewhere they will serve you in proper china with an adorable little spoon. Seat yourself at a table. Enjoy the ritual of the experience. Don’t read; just sit back and enjoy the aroma of your beverage, the hot cup in your hands, and the luxury of doing nothing.

Experience abundance.
Have you ever gone to a store with just lots and lots of one thing? Plastic boxes deep with buttons that you can sink your hands into, a room ringed with bolts of colorful fabrics, shelves lined with bottles of wine, a flower shop filled with fragrant blooms. Sometimes just experiencing abundance — even of something as unassuming as a ball of yarn — can give you a sense of abundance, and if you’re lucky, maybe even a bit of wonder.

Pick up perfume samples.
I am experiencing a new obsession with perfume, and great perfumes are as complex and subtle as the best cheese and wine. What makes them even more fun, though, is how personal and evocative they are, and how they tap into imagination and fantasy. Buy wee little samples of exquisite scents here, ask for free samples of your favorite at Sephora, or just read some of the best perfumeblogs for a taste of olfactory luxury.

Buy a new lipstick.
Isn’t there just something about the makeup counters in department stores? The sales associates are pleasantly fawning and all the glass and reflective surfaces evoke Grace Farrell’s dressing room. Walk away with a new lipstick and you may just feel like a new woman. Is there anything more glamorous than a bare face, a shock of red lipstick, and big sunglasses?

Get culturally rich.
There are so many free programs at planetariums, libraries, book stores, and museums. You might be listening to a lecture about something a little (or a lot) esoteric — 15th century Provençal literary traditions or how printmaking has changed through the ages — but you’ll walk out with your knowledge base broadened and your experience of life enriched.

Get pampered on the cheap.
There may not be an Aveda Institute near you, but there are certainly other schools for natural healers at which you can receive discounted treatments performed by students. Also, keep your eyes peeled for no-frills bodywork and reflexology places in your area. Or do what the thriftiest of those in need of pampering do: take some beauty products to your gym (an exfoliating treatment, a thick body butter, a facial mask) and turn the locker room into your own mini-spa.

Count your blessings.
You knew this one was coming. The surest way to remember the embarrassment of riches already at your feet, for free.

What else, you clever minxes? I’m sure you have lots of tricks up your sleeves for feeling posh, glamorous, and loaded…even when you’re not. Do tell!






02/23/12--13:59: Hublot presents amfAR New York Gala to Support the Fight Against HIV/AIDS (chan 1632248)

Hublot, the luxury Swiss brand which brings the “Art of Fusion” to watchmaking, was proud to present the amfAR New York Gala,  honoring Roberto Cavalli and others who have led the global struggle against HIV/AIDS. The black-tie benefit, which was hosted by Sarah Jessica Parker, featured special performances by Janelle Monáe and Theophilus London.

 

 

 

“We are excited to again join forces with amfAR in the fight against HIV/AIDS”, said Hublot chairman Jean-Claude Biver. “Our first amfAR men’s collection was very well received and we hope that these new women’s designs will bring us one step ... Read More »


02/23/12--13:59: I Gave Up Gluten for Lent! (Pray for Me.) (chan 1632248)

Cool Mum gave up gluten as part of her diet overhaul when she was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. After having Cool Newbie, she stuck with her diet and has been gluten-free (‘GF’ to those in the know) ever since. I’ve … Continue reading → Related posts:

1. How is your Lent fast going?
2. Lessons from Lent and tomorrow’s news
3. 2 More Sugar-Free Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Treats for National Nutrition Month