Apparently i need a starbucks in my house or something
I live .8 miles from a Starbucks in one direction.
I live 1.2 miles from a Starbucks in the other direction.
And today I actually caught myself thinking, "Man! I wish we lived closer to a Starbucks."
CLEARLY, I need an intervention. Or therapy or something.
(In my defense, the .8-mile-away Starbucks has ZERO parking (Literally. It has THREE spaces. And good luck getting one.) and the 1.2-mile-away Starbucks one is in a Target, so it usually costs much more than a cup of coffee to go there, if you know what I mean.)
Darn you, Peppermint Mocha. DARN YOU for being so yummy and tempting!!
10 little things that make me happy
The craziness of December has fully commenced, despite it not technically being December yet. So – to combatthe general crazy business, the constant stream of ads being shoved down my throat every time I turn around that makes me want to buy things I don't need, and the incredible stresses we've had in our lives lately, today I'm remembering what makes me happy. Obviously topping the list are my family and friends, but those are on everyone's list. (I hope 😉 But there are so many little things that really can make me smile and turn my day around.
ten unimportant things that make me happy
1. sunshine.
i find it difficult to get motivated on gray, gloomy days. even if its only 20 degrees outside, sunshine makes all the difference in the world to me. it gives me energy. plus, i love sunglasses. so i probably will never move to seattle. sorry, edward.
2. my ipod.
a gift from my husband, i find it amazingly therapeutic. i'm surrounded by noise all day: often loud, sometimes whiny and/or annoying. when i'm making dinner or cleaning, i put on my ipod and suddenly the chaos is just background noise for a little while. a definite sanity saver.
3. a good cup of coffee, a comfy chair and something to read
my favorite form of therapy. if that coffee happens to be a non-fat peppermint mocha from starbucks and that comfy chair happens to be in my favorite secluded corner of barnes and noble and that something to read happens to be a fashion magazine…. bonus.
4. pajamas.
i love jammies. especially warm, cozy and snuggly wintery ones.
5. pens.
i love sharpies. and i LOVE different color sharpies! ooo- and gel pens!! in different colors. i just can't write a whole list or have my calendar be in just one color. the horror!!
6. flowers.
i don't spring for flowers often, but i love having fresh flowers in the house. it makes me smile every time i look at them.
7. the dvr.
best contribution to television. ever. well, since food network was invented, anyway.
8. mail.
not bills. or credit card offers. REAL mail. a note from a friend, a card, a new instyle magazine… or a paycheck. mail that makes me smile when i'm sorting through that giant pile.
9. chocolate
do i really need to explain this one?
10. comments
bloggers live for comments. make someone's day and leave one. it really is what we write for!
What about you? Leave a note if you play along and I'll come read yours!
inspiration – 11.28
O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
-come thou fount of every blessing
exhausted and sick alternate title: our typical holiday
Last Saturday, we drove up to Boston to visit Nick's grandmother. His grandfather passed away earlier this month and a few of the grandkids who were unable to get up there for the memorial service headed up this past weekend. It was a bittersweet time of seeing our beloved family, who all live much too far away, and saying goodbye to Nick's grandmother's home. She is moving to a nursing home and her house will be going on the market. As you can imagine, it is quite an emotional time for the family, as they saw goodbye to this home that has been a part of their lives for so long. It was hard to leave her to head home.
We drove home on Tuesday (which for some reason seemed to take much longer than the ride up, Thank you, Connecticut Department of Transportation!) and everyone promptly got sick. Of course my mom and sister are here, so thus continues our tradition of spreading germs to the nice people who come and visit us. I know there is something going around, but with all of us totally exhausted from a crazy weekend, it hit us really hard. My husband is the sickest of all of us – poor guy. Not the funest way to spend Thanksgiving!
Not that I let that stop me from eating half my weight yesterday 🙂 Luckily my mom was here to help with the cooking. Plus, the lovely folks at Swiss Colony had sent me some yummy treats so we had some food already prepared for us to nibble on all day. Just because we were sick, doesn't mean we can eat toffee! We're not dead or anything 😉
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I'll be back on Monday. Hopefully NOT sick!
thankful
For the joy of human love, Brother, sister, parent, child; Friends on Earth and friends above, For all gentle thoughts and mild; Lord of all, to Thee we raise This, our hymn of grateful praise. -for the beauty of the earth
wordless wednesday: leaves
"I'm okay!"
some of my favorite new small businesses
Thanks to American Express for sponsoring my writing today about small businesses. American Express is presenting Small Business Saturday, a way to honor the local merchants who are the backbone of the economy, this Saturday, November 27. They're offering statement credits to people who shop at small businesses, advertising for small-business owners, and donations to Girls Inc. for "Likes" of the Small Business Saturday page on Facebook. Join the celebration by clicking the "Like" button and then visiting the Facebook page to learn more about the program and read the terms and conditions that apply.
Are we the only family who – despite living in lots of different places – end up buying each other the same thing for Christmas? Of course, its partly because we all have such fabulous taste and gravitate to the same things 🙂 But mostly because we were all shopping at the same 5 stores.
But now with amazing sites like Etsy and so many wonderful little shops in our towns, we've been breaking out of the box and getting really unique gifts for each other.
For example, I just ordered a fabulous gift for my sister-in-law for the holidays from Grace Hester Designs. Grace is a working mom of two, who has turned her love of design into the most adorable little online shop! These little desk calendar is darling – and wouldn't these posters make such a unique teacher gift?
Another small little store I'm loving is Bonbon Charms. I think personalized gifts are just so special and unique — I just got this mother's heart charm, which I have gotten oodles of compliments on ever since I started wearing it. And I think these photo charms are so sweet. But what about this etched heart charm for a newly engaged friend?
Or even a cute little apron or some handmade placemats from another Etsy store Popham Lane! (And I LOVE the yoga mat bags from India at Himalayan Tapestry!)
This year during the holidays, think outside the big box store. There are thousands of little stores that are out there to give you amazing gifts that will be treasured forever.
disclosure: I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.
shoes every girl should own
Well, last week's clothes every girl should own post was such a hit! Lets move on to shoes! Here are some essentials for your shoe wardrobe you'll wear for years to come!
1. Ballet flats – The go-anywhere, with everything shoe. They've been in style for decades and they're not going anywhere. Go classic with black or super trendy with animal prints or fun and festive with sequins! (OHMYWORD, These are to die for!)
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2. Amazing black heels: These are a total investment piece. You will wear these for years and years. Go very basic – nothing trendy. Not a pointy toe or square toe – round, 3-4 inch heel… Try a slingback or peeptoe if you don't want to be too conventional. If you can find ones that are comfy to boot – buy two. You've hit gold!
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3. Knee-high boots. Again. Classic. If you're more trendy, go with a small heel. If you're more classic and casual, you can never go wrong with black riding boots. Dress them up with a skirt, tuck in your jeans… the possibilities are endless.
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4. Pretty heels. Amazing heels certainly don't have to be black! Add a flash of color (red, maybe?) to perk up your jeans and black top or even go for nude: nude heels are one of this year's hottest looks! They'll go with everything and make your legs look a mile long.
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5. Casual sneakers: Not running shoes. Yuck. Running shoes are for the gym. ONLY. These are cute little shoes to wear with jeans or khakis on the weekend. I love the retro look of Converse All-Stars. But my personal favorites are Pumas and Privos.
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6. Sandals: Not flip flops. Cute little sandals to wear in the summer. Flats, wedges… whatever floats your boat!
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What would you add?
Did you do a fashion post today? Link on up!
Personalize your Postage with PictureItPostage!
Last year I went to the Post Office to buy stamps for my Christmas cards, which were ready to go in early December. (I was so on the ball last year.) I love Christmas stamps and am known to use them well into March.
I waited in line, got up to the front and… they were OUT OF CHRISTMAS STAMPS! I had to send out my custom designed Christmas cards with Liberty Bell stamps. UGH!
It pained me. Seriously. As a graphic designer, it pained me to put such ugly postage on my gorgeous cards!
What I would have given for PictureItPostage last year! PictureItPostage allows you to turn your very own photo or logo into U.S. Postage. SO cute! This year, I used them to make stamps for the cards I'm planning to send out to my design clients for the holidays:
(screen shot of editing software. and my stamp!)
It was quite easy. I downloaded the PictureItPostage software, to get the maximum editing options (I am a designer after all) which took only a few seconds. It was very simple to use: just upload your photo or graphic and there is your image of the stamp with your photo or logo on it. Then you can zoom in, shift your photo around and tweak the photo until its just perfect. Then you just match the background color of the stamp to match your image and you're done! Even if you're not a graphic designer, you could handle this – trust me!
The cost is almost twice face value of the postage (with a discount the more you buy), but it would be so fun for holiday cards or even wedding invitations!
If you'd like to give it a try, Girlymama readers get $4 off their own order at PictureItPostage with the code MOTHERHOOD (offer ends January 31, 2011). PLUS – for every order you place with this coupon code, you'll be entered to win a $500 cash prize from PictureItPostage!! See the official rules here.)
Disclosure: This post is part of a paid campaign with PictureItPostage and The Motherhood.