Hydrate

I had a New Year's resolution to drink more water, and I did. For a day or two. Then I fell off the wagon just like virtually every other resolution-er did. Hydrating is so important, this I know. Keeps your body running on all cylinders, maintains your mental focus and stimulates your body metabolically along with a whole host of additional benefits. I know, if I could just up my H2O intake I could get rid of the last 3-4 pounds I want to shed AND feel better in general. I mean, this machine can not idle on coffee, Diet Coke and Gin & Tonics alone (although I would like to try it). In my quest I need to up the annie or antie or whatever the hell it is. First, lets state the obvious. Clear, fresh ice. I gotta feel the cold hit the back of my throat and slide all the way down my esopogus. The secret is in the slices-orange, lemon, lime, cucumber, etc. I'm keeping a pitcher of aqua in my fridge at all times snazzied up with fresh produce, adding just a hint of fresh flavor. If this doesn't keep me on the straight and narrow I'm a lost cause. Go on-adjust the recipe as you see fit and drink up my friends.

Smooth Operator

First, a bone to pick. I am a pretty faithful Cuisinart appliance purchaser. I love my quad toaster, totally dig the hell-outta my Grind-N-Brew coffee pot and use my crock pots/slow cookers like no ones biz. But the blender is a different story. I don't mind dropping a little extra cash on a quality appliance. The whole, "you get what you pay for," situation. But when you burn through two $150 blenders in a matter of four years it's a little ridic. A blender! You know, the appliance which takes up a ton of space and is a total pain to wash. The appliance you bust out when Jose (Cuervo) comes to visit. Unfortunately, or fortunately, I'm not making margaritas every night so a blender should last at least a decade, shouldn't it? Anyway, blender 2 just crapped the bed and I refused to buy another.

Tada! My new favorite thing!

Bella Cucina (which sounds kinda Food Network fancy) makes this great one cup blender and it totally kicks tail. My hubby and I are smoothin' it out everyday in our quest to prep for the summer season. Here's how the smooth operator works. Start to fini about 5 minutes.

Prep is no sweat.
Dole frozen fruit (strawberries, wild blueberries, dark red cherries-defrosted about 30 secs in the micro).
A shot of orange or apple juice for smooth drinkability.
A scoop of Trader Joe's soy protein (depending on the day).
A ripe naner (ba-nanar is a must if you use protein powder).
A scoop or two of Yoplait fat free vanilla yogurt.

Screw on the blade, flip-er over and one little press till perfect blendafication (try that word in your next game of Scrabble). Any-who 34B cup made up words or not. Get one NOWISH. 50% off at Macy's! You're just 30 bucks away from fabo smoothies and 4 easy servings of fruit.

Must see TV.

I'm a list maker. Maybe I've told you before, but I make list of what I need to do, should do, want to do, dream to do, etc, etc, etc. My whole list thing is slightly neurotic if I do say so myself. Which brings me to TV. I don't own a Ti-Vo/DVR doo-hickey for fear the backlog of recorded shows would be another page in my, "to do notebook." I likely would never leave the confines of my living room because of the crazy need to watch every single trashy tabloid talk show, soap opera, so-called-reality-tv and sitcom. Instead I single out just a few weekly picks, screen my phones calls, "ssshhhh," my husband and focus on my non-HD boob tube. So here are the hours you can't call, or rather you can-I just won't answer. But listen, why would ya call on Wednesdays at 7 when you could be watching the New Adventures of Old Christine? Julia Louise Dreyfus is hysterical AND it's a sitcom. Thirty minutes. Your in, your out, and no one gets hurt. Soooo, it's 7:30 and your snug as a bug, no forehead wrinkles or scowl lines since you've just spent the last half hour giggling like a school girl. Why not make it a square hour and stay tuned for Gary Unmarried. After all it was voted this years' People's Choice Award, so it's not just me who thinks it's funny. Then exercise some restraint and turn the damn thing off. You'll have another shot Thursday night at 8 when you gaze into McDreamy's eyes through the thick glass of your Zenith. Grey's Anatomy... I'm still a fan. So see that's just two hours to rest your brain from those literary marvels you have been dowering. But JUST in case you are looking for a little box DVD set of absolute hilarity you MUST rent, Netflix or purchase Strangers with Candy. Amy Sedaris plays a non-trad high school student who was a, "boozer, a user and a loser, but now she's back in school," and delivers the most un-pc comedy cable has ever seen. Be sure to make it a guilty pleasure and watch all 3 seasons in one weekend. I mean if I can do it-so can you.

My new best friend...

Where has vinegar been all my life? Here is how my new BFF comes to life: Repeat after me... Fffffeeermenntaaatiooon. Fermentation of ethanol (from maize or corn) and the word vinegar is derived from the French word vin aigre, meaning "sour wine," fancy pants, huh? So I knew vinegar was the preferred cleaner for hardwood floors when added to luke warm water, but I didn't know it's other fabulous tricks! Seriously, this stuff is amazing! It cleans better and faster than all those harsh ammonia or bleach based scrubs and solvents and won't burn the little hairs in your nose. I used it to clean out my Grind and Brew coffee pot, I wrapped a paper towel soaked in "vinney," as I know call him, er it, whatever, around a shower fixture which was callused by hard water and brought it back to it's chrome-hood (unfortunately, the fitting is still damn ugly, but my distilled friend can only do so much). When I saw these miracles unfold before my eyes I got crazy trying to de-wrinkle some banana peppers (you may think I have too much time on my hands, but I don't). Before you get all turned off my the kinda bitter smell my pal, Vinney, gives off consider the uses:

Wash no-wax floors, Carpet stain removal, Streak less window cleaner, Wash woodwork, Remove water or alcohol marks on wood, Garbage disposal cleaner, Coffee maker cleaner (automatic), Clean the microwave, Deodorize the kitchen drain, Clean the refrigerator, Clean and disinfect wood cutting boards, Brass polish, Ant deterrent, Get Rid of Fruit Flies/Gnats in Your Kitchen, Clean Stainless Steel, Cleaner Dishes, Remove Refrigerator Smells, Remove bathtub or shower film, Toilet bowl cleaner, Unclog the shower head, Kill grass, Kill weeds, Increase soil acidity, Neutralize garden lime, Keep Flowers Longer, Pest fighter, Sanitize pet accidents, Get Rid of Odor on a Smelly Dog, Remove bumper stickers (especially McCain/Paylen ones), Paintbrush softener, Cleaning the Radiator Vent, Clear Frosted windows, Clean/freshen furniture, Clean Leather Shoes, Wash fireplaces, Clean Gold Jewelry, Remove Lime Stains from Car, Polish worn DVDs, Remove wine stains, Freshen baby clothes, Clothes washing magic, Blanket renewal, Deodorant stains, Hole removal, Keeping colors fast, Leather cleaning, Setting colors, Unclog steam iron, Clean a scorched iron plate, Cleaning Vintage Lace, Get the last drops out of a jar, Cook fish better, Perfect cake icing, Boil eggs, Keep potatoes white, Freshen vegetables, Fruit and vegetable wash, Fry better doughnuts, Flavor booster, Meat tenderizer, Remove fruit stains, Freshen a lunch box, Get rid of cooking smells , Fluffier Rice, Soothe a bee or jellyfish sting, Fight dandruff, Soothe a sore throat, Treat sinus infections and chest colds, Relieve Skin burns, Get rid of Toenail fungus, Arthritis Relief, Lessen Morning Sickness, Stop Itching, Soft Feet, Wart Remover, Mix Bug Spray, Color Easter eggs, OR you could Build a volcano.

Wheeew, now you try and do all of that and get dinner on the table by 7. If you want the specifics on how to use vinegar for any of these fine projects just click here. Then run on over to Target and stock up on your soon to be best friend.

Roll over and make room for Nick and Nora...

No, I'm not suggesting a foursome... But I do think it's about time to share yet another favorite thing. A love we ALL have in common. I don't think there is a blog reading soul out there that doesn't love a great night of sleep-e-poo. The kind of slumber so hard you can't remember the time between your head nestling into your pillow and the time your "sleep" crusted eyes decide to open by their own free will. A good rest surrounded by a perfectly chilly air temperature drawing you to nuzzle under your high thread count sheets. Mix in a gentle, yet steady, rain to keep the old man snoring. I know, I know, your yawning/stretching thinking, "what could be better?" The cherry on top of this perfect siesta would be Nick and Nora jammies. I love, love, love them. I'm gonna go as far to say as I WON'T sleep without them! Aren't you tired of those big college or sorority T's strangling you like a straight jacket? Give up the front already. If you've been married more than 5 minutes you aren't wearing any of this crap anymore either. Get comfy in something cute, girlie, and unbelievably soft and comfy against your summer-sun-kissed-tushey. All ya'll can rest well in your new "jammers" cuz they are now available at Target. Personally, three pair (flamingos, cocktails, of course, and little Sumo looking babies) have their own special spot in my closet. Put it on your list for your next "red bulls eye" run... you weren't gonna leave there without droppin' a hundo anyway. Or send a pair to someone you love via a Pajamagram. How perfect for a new mommy, an old mommy or a girlfriend in need of a little pick me up! Permisson to sleep in tomorrow morning granted... I'll write your employer a note.

No Queen like the Dairy Queen!

It's a beautiful union. The marriage of a slush, so cold it's guaranteed to give you "brain freeze" right square in your temples, and creamy vanilla soft serve ice cream. Choose your weapon of choice... A Mr. Misty float (a.k.a. the Artic Rush Float at the newer Braziers) can be slurped through a straw or shoveled in with the trademarked red spoon. Over the sultry, hot, July weekend I indulged in not one, but two (almost three) of these tasty DQ treats. My flava-flav of choice is cherry, but try em all on for size and see what strikes your fancy. One for each day of the week: Cherry, Blue Raspberry, Lemon-Lime, Grape, & Kiwi-Strawberry. Chump-change at $2.69 for a SMALL and won't require an extra "hole" in your belt (check out the online calorie counter):

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size (404g)
Amount Per Serving
Calories
360
Calories from Fat
60

Visit Dairy Queen online for locations near you or to join the "Blizzard Fan Club" to get buy-one/get-one deals all month. AND don't feel shunned if you don't get accepted into the club right away-my first request was denied access too. Initiation is a biiiaaattch, but all well worth it for free ice cream!

MOO-ve over! A new favorite thing!

So my new favorite thing I am dying to tell you about is A. So fun to have for yourself or give as a gift. B. Easy as long as you have a digital camera, a computer with Internet, and a credit card with $25.00 left on your credit limit. And C. It's from London which for some reason sounds fancier and funner, yup funner. MOO.com is the latest and greatest in my book. So here's the deal. You simply log on to MOO.com and follow their expert lead in how to print all things fun and creative. Do personal business cards to hand out with your blog address and email address so more strangers can pry into your life. Make fun post cards of your friend looking their worst after an all night bender so even the postal workers can get a chuckle. Personalize note cards with photos of your kids, dogs or cats or your kid riding your dog who's attacking the cat for all I care. Have fun with your own stickers for yer, um, ahhh, sticker book?!? Anyway, the options are awesome, each and every mini business card (so fun), note card, post card or sticker can proudly display a different pic. You pick the font, pick the font color and get on your creative thinking hat to come up with some witty text. Press send and your officially off to the press. Nothing on the menu for more than 25 US dollars, not Euros or Pounds (thank gosh), were talking twenty-five George Washingtons. So go on now-get started early cause these things have an international voyage ahead of them before they arrive at your door step. I promise you'll love the finished product.

Rrrrracing!

An annual event as rich in tradition as the Belmont Stakes itself... The "fillies" seemed to behave a bit more than last year AND believe it or not the MG Po-Po did not make an appearance this year (and lesson learned-I, one woman, did not drink an entire pitcher of sangria alone). I was worried if the "cop-ers" (are we 30 somethings or early 20 somethings?) came back again this year Catfish Johnston would have better odds of becoming a "gelding" than anticipated favorite Big Brown! Bets were placed as we watched the thoroughbreds prance through the paddock, and I crossed my fingers that #8, Anak Nakal, would deliver the upset (and I could claim the winnings for the second year in a row). I was as disappointed as all those suckers who put it all on the line for the 2-5 odds favorite, Big Brown, to WIN. If I were a betting woman I woulda placed the horse adorned with the #1 at the top of my trifecta bet too... and I too would've lost. I'm all about rooting for the underdog, but it would have been cool to see the carnations placed upon the 12th Triple Crown winner. With all due respect, I think it is total horse sh*! the winning horse Da’ Tara (the long shot on the boards) got the complete shaft! For cryin' out loud let the colt (with only 8 total races under his belt) relish in the moment of glory! Barely a word spoken on the come behind winner who won by 5 1/4 lengths (and Laurie (and Henry) only had about 1 minute to bask in her $45-pot-o-gold victory)! Lets give the little (5'-2" and 110lbs-I could bench press him) Peruvian jockey, Alan Garcia, his 2 minutes of well deserved fame, huh, would ya, huh? Ok, now that I have that off my chest... Giddy-up on back here tomorrow for a little somethin-somethin (i'm not being sneaky-got a case o' the writers blockage).

I'm in the Mood!

Not THAT kind of mood, but you know, the MOOD to create! I was recently at Mood Fabrics in NYC (as seen on Project Runway people) and I left feeling inspired! (Don't fret, it's just a 5 minute walk down 7th Ave from the Times Square station to 37th Street!) The newest item on my favorite/wish/gotta-have-it-now list (in case you were looking to buy me a little treat) is a professional dress form. I wanna pin, drape, gather, pleat, wrap and cut fabric to make one of a kind 34B cup styled garments. I'll tackle the sewing part after I figure out how to get this perfectly tailored frock off the mannequin. Anywho, this joint has more (and better quality) fabrics for fashion than I have ever set my green eyes upon! Plus they have incredible buttons and zippers and of course handles for the handbag line I plan on designing. My head was spinning with ideas, if only my execution could hold a candle... I can't wait to get started right after I sleep, eat, work, exercise, clean my house, hang out with my pals, take care of my dog, grocery shop, garden and blog (in no particular order I may add). Rarraaahhhh, fierce!

About time... Whiter and Brighter B Cup?!?

Teeth. They are sort of a big deal. It's always in ones best interest to make sure you have a full set of em (hockey players and thugs this goes for you too)(I know I have lots of fanatical hockey players and thugs who tune in everyday). As an adult you only have one shot to keep those "buckeys" (as my dad calls them) in tip-top shape before you start buying Polident in bulk. You must do as I say people-let me be an example of how things can go arye. It's no secret I don't love the dentist. Even though Dr. Bruce might be a silver stallion, I could go without him diggin' around in my business. But none the less I am a good little solider, and I go and see him twice a year for a hearty, cleaning and his stamp of approval (if we're being honest it helps he's a hottie-mc-hotter-ton). At one point a couple years ago I had a little tooth ache (sort of came and went) and so I just kept wishing and hoping it would go away on its own. Sooo not the case. I was left with a full blown tooth ache and by the time the silver stallion galloped into the picture he was armed with a drill... you guessed it... ROOT CANAL. reeet, reeet, reeet, reeet!!! (my best attempt at horror music via the blog). Gosh I felt like a dirt ball. Now my friends, I am more die hard than ever on care of the old chiklets. Yes, I brush twice a day (just like anyone without hygenic challenges), floss every chance I get (I wish I could say it was daily), AND a bi-yearly rendevous' with Doc Bruce (on the top dentist list in Mpls/StPaul every year). My most favorite part of the regimin is whitening. I love em as bright and as white as you can get em (without being floursescent). My tried and true go to has always been Crest White Strips, but curiousity got the best of me and I recently tried Rembrant 2 hour whitening kit. Pretty cool how you make a custom mold to fit your pie hole and the magic goop goes right inside. 20 minutes on, 10 off, 20 minutes on, 10 off, and so on for the 2 hours. Noticable results? Hmmmm you be the judge next time you see me (click here for the before).

It's almost Friday!

Gone Fishin'

I am without a doubt a fair weather fisher woman. I don't fish in the rain or gloom and I want to be positioned so when I cast my face is aligned with the sun to catch the most rays. I won't touch a minnow and for-surely not a leechy-peachy to bait my own hook-only a night crawler on certain occasions. I don't know how to tie on my own lure and when it comes to selecting the right Rapala for the right time of day/season/catch of choice I am clueless. I continue to ask questions like "am I reeling too slowly? too fast?" I always tie a towel (pink of course) around my waders cuz I hate touching all the grime that collects on your hook when you drag it through the muck. I won't touch the tippy-toe of my wader in the lake unless my pocket in my bibs is loaded with sunflower seeds and an icy cold one. Are you wonderin' why my hubby would bother "carrying all that girl baggage" to the drink? I think he is just thrilled that he hooked a gal who likes to toss a line in the water. And if we are telling fishin' tales... I think I'm the one who reeled in the "big one" when I got hitched to him. Lord, only knows he holds the virtue of patience-just check out my "Fan Outdoors" interview with my favorite angler. PS Curious about the official weigh in? Three large mouth bass and two perch (both so tiny they were about the size of the crank bait they bit on-little fighters). And of course they were all catch and release (good luck little fellers). PSS tunage dedicated to my great friend and fellow "Grove-r" who is sowing her wild oats this week.

Drive Time Divas

I remember as a kid hating the ticking clock at the beginning of 60 Minutes. It meant an hour of painful TV watching/listening while my parents actually sat and relaxed for moment. I mean all that talking about real life stuff... seriously... who cared when an episode of Fraggle Rock was being missed? If you told me if I would eventually become full time "talk" radio-er I would have called you a big-fat-liar. And now? When I get into my hubby's car (yes the stinky one, remember?) I can't spin the dial fast enough from KFAN & 830 to where I belong on FM 107.1 (I still grieve the loss of DRIVE 105 which is now a station with all love songs ALL THE TIME-I could gag). The highlight of the station is the Lori and Julia Show from 3-6pm Monday-Friday. These gals are hilarious and I love listening to Donny try and reign them when things go a titch South (lets just say he works hard). The "Minnesota Brogue" runs thick over the airways, but if you think you sound any different you are kidding yourself. This trio talks the really cerebral, important topics rooted in economics, politics and philosophy (you know JUST like this blog). O.K. seriously think of it as US Weekly (because the subscription is more gossip less real junk and half the price of People) without having to read. Tune in on Sex Mondays' where the mission (pun totally intended) is to teach ya about all the stuff Ms. Hauser left out of 7th grade P.E./Health. They talk celebs, gossip, books (the good one's like Candy Girl), gossip, fashion, gossip and even give you the 411 on whatsup in MSP on the weekends (ALMOST, almost, as good as a girls night out). I mean this gang is really providing a public service the way I see it AND the cherry on top? If you log onto the website now you can sign up to pick a time to listen and if they say your name at 4:10 or 5:10 you can win $1k. If you win we are so going halves-ies on the prize moo-lah. Tune (in Tokyo-try and name that movie) back in tomorrow-for, well, um, I'm not sure yet...

I "smell" it like I see it...

I've got a sensitive smeller. Call me K-9 nose, but I remember the old Howard Hedger days and how certain kids smelled. Some smelled like funny food (a roundish kid who hid behind the bleachers in P.E.) some like day old grease (a kid who was about 1" from being a dwarf) and some like the heaters their parents toked on while driving them to school (one really naughty kid who refused to put on his boots-so my fav 3rd grade teacher did it for him). I'm not trying to be critical (not really, sort of, whatever) just saying my sense of smell can detect a ciggy from the car behind me at a stop light with the windows up. Of the friends and family who's homes I visit often I can recognize the smell of them. Take my Aunt's house for example. I LOVE the smell-it's some sort of sweet combination of Tide and dryer sheets combined with warm carbohydrates and coffee and a hint of her fabulous perfume. Weird right? My husbands truck smells like dog training dummies, fresh newspapers, turtle mochas' and a hint of dust (not one of my favorite combinations). The bathroom in the historic building I work in smells like cheap air fresheners, damp paper towels, musty tiles and touch of #2 (detectable even by a nose with a head cold-gross!). It is such a strange sensation to taste something and think that it smells like something you have never consumed before. Take for example Diet Coke with Lemon-might as well take a pull of the lemon scented Palmolive used to wash dishes. What about stinky cheese that tastes like what my grandparents lake cabin smelled like when the doors first opened for the season-is this a heightened awareness of what? Anyway, the whole idea of this blog started with me thinking of my new favorite smell from Pottery Barn (this is just a peek into how scary it is to live inside my brain)(so full of random and worthless thoughts). I have 3 Quince scented diffusers and one candle placed all throughout my house (plus the square bottle (function + style) has a nice shape). When I walk in the door the smell is soft-not in your face like a store peddling potpourri. I love the mix of fresh grapefruit and spice just enough to freshen things up a bit. So now before you get all paranoid about me sniffing around your house-forget it-chances are it just smells like, well, you (good, bad, indifferent... I just call it like I see it). Still worried? Swing by your local "barn" and pick a Quince diffuser and you'll be smellin' fine.

Bring your smelly self back tomorrow for Fashion Friday infused with a birthday wish.

Extra Credit Tidbit: Graphic stolen fair and square off the duba, duba, duba and spruced up on photobucket.com!

All Aboard the 784!

J'adore monter le bus! I really, really do love it! I feel good about doing my part to be a bit more "green" and saving Mother Earth one commute at a time. I mean what is better than driving just a couple of miles from home, puttin' er in park, and letting some other knuckle head deal with all the idiots in traffic (don't get me wrong-I'm an idiot too a couple times a week)? It is so simple to just hop on in the "grove" and get dumped off right at the corner where I hook, er ah, I mean work. The $2.75 ride each way even be the most economical (this may be the 1st time ever that I have been associated with the word economical) with gas prices at record highs. Plus, this "down" time gives me a chance to catch up on my latest trashy tabloid (I love US Weekly-more smut, less real life crap) or take in a couple chapters of my latest read (War and Peace-kidding-try The Manny). Above all the people watching here is unreal. You should see what some of these yay-hoo's wear to work; frump city (too harsh?). My only pet peeve, and when I say pet peeve, I mean in the strongest sense of the term... This drives me absolutely, 100%, freakin' nuts... ready??? Some guy gets on the 7:30am 784 each and every morning, jams his ear buds into his greasy ear canals and has the audacity to fall into a sleep sound enough to produce a disgusting, guttural snore so loud I can't believe he sleeps through it. Urrr-aahhhh! I dare him to board and sit next to me some morning, cuz I swear I won't be as nice as that little Asian lady is. The second he sets into his "cadence" my laser-accurate elbow is going right between his two floating ribs! Are you sensing a little pent up hostility this week? I know-a weekend of self medicating with cocktails/friends and I should be back to "normal".

Anywho, get yourself into the bloggy-carpool lane and swing on back tomorrow (don't act like you have anything better to do).

Save the Ta-Tas!

Today we tackle a serious topic with a titch of good humor (I know, good humor is a change of pace for me). On a serious note I know many great woman who's lives have been impacted by breast cancer. I am so proud and overjoyed to say these strong, courageous and beautiful women have been victorious in the battle against cancer. I won't name anyone by name (only because I didn't ask their permission first) but they are inspirational not only because they fought this terrible disease head on, but because they decided, "they had cancer and cancer didn't have them!" These feisty chicks all put up there dukes and told the big "C" to take a hike! But, we gotta (and by "we" I mean all those smarties from your college biology labs) find out what we can do to make sure we are able to SAVE ALL THE TA-TAS OF THE WORLD! Big (C's and ups), little (B's and smaller), perky (well, one perk to the B's), saggy (damn babys) we must, we must, we must preserve our busts! So listen get yourself some of this new, "boob lube," which is shower soap with a smart little calendar on the back to remind ladies to "round to second base" each month. Go on cop a feel for cry'in out loud cuz we all know early detection is the key. Now, I know we've been talking about getting our butts off the couch to get fit for the Summer... which is a perfect time for me to remind you about the Race for the Cure on Mother's Day at the MOA. Come support ta-tas everywhere by walking with your family and friends. I am working on roundin' up a group of troops so just holla if you are interested in joining in. Click here for more information on the race (use the term race loosely-you can walk, run, hell skip for all I care-just come out for a great cause)! Now of course we all know how important it is to race in style so pick up any of these great save the ta-tas T's by following the little link in the left column of my blog. You can bet your boobies I will be wearing one! TTNF-see ya tomorrow!

Rise and Shine

Latte is right sister! A latte money is deducted from the family checking account each week to get our fill of the fully leaded, high octane, piping hot beverage that clears the cob webs from our sleepy heads. My hubby has been known to consume up to two of the medium-non-fat(***ya right)-turtle-mocha's a day from the folks at the Bou (cha-ching). I my blogging barristas love, love, love my Cuisinart Thermal Grind and Brew for sure one of my favorite things. I am pretty confident I have mastered the perfect cup-o-joe. We brew only the best in the Grove and my personal fav is Starbucks Breakfast Blend baby-no Folgers here (best part of waking up my arse!). My perfect concoction is 1 part fat free vanilla International Delight and 4 parts freshly brewed java (I mean seriously it is crucial when your alarm fires off at 5:10am). Now if your the fancy coffee type (my husband once ordered his fav drink with a hunting buddy and his pal asked if his coffee came with a purse-ha!) may I suggest a really cool new kitchen appliance? I mean this is really rockin'. The Nespresso machine can make a true cup of espresso or a more coffee like version of it (for all the light weights). Step One: just pop a little "pod" of your prepacked caffeinated-drug of choice, press one button and its show time. Step Two: Fill up the Aeroccino (yah, I know not sure who was the wise gal/guy that came up with the names) with milk a press of another little button and voila you are on your way to the perfect froth and steamed milk. The downside? Be sure you have the coffee "pods" on the grocery list when you do all your shopping at Bloomingdales. With these kind of brew at home options there is no need to shell out $5 a pop at the local boulangerie (hubby) & on the contrary I don't recommend a $1 cup from your local 7-Eleven unless you want to spend the rest of the day in the johnnie.

***One of my best gal pals was a Indigo barrista and recently confessed spiking all the skinny girls drinks with whole milk when the ordered skim-I mean seriously it doesn't get any better than that! Can't wait to see all you white lie telling bloggers tomorrow!

www.photobucket.com - A Fabulous Time Burner!

This is the BOMB my peeps! I am totally hooked-this site is sooo addictive! You will not believe all the fun stuff you can do with your photos. And ya wanna know what else? It is free-I almost can't believe my good fortune!

http://www.photobucket.com/ is like PhotoShop for dummies! This is just a little sampler platter of what you can do with just the click of a mouse. Censor stuff out to protect the innocent (and to avoid challenging your gag reflex) (I have a feeling I will be using this Ah-lot!). Change a photo to black and white, sepia or bronze (like my homegirl and I above).

Pimp your photo to look like a cartoon (how perfect I used Aaron to show this example). Make Andy Warhol proud by creating your own pop art. Add thought bubbles like the one I gave Kato(I truly think this is what she would say if she could talk). Create your own slide show like the one on the right with all the pix from Laurie's birthday party. Or check out my personal fav in the column to the right on my blog. I took a photo of some innocent ladies in the water and completely defaced their photo! AND it is a very blogger friendly site so you can easily grab the html codes to cut and paste the goodies onto your blog, Facebook or MySpace page. To get started create an account, upload your photos and then edit until your heart is content! Give it a whirl and let me know what you think!

Okee-dokee be sure warm up for tomorrow. We're gonna dish on what Jerrid and I did on Tuesday night.

Heard it from a friend who...

...heard it from a friend who-oo-oo, heard it from another... Is this not THE greatest REO Speedwagon song or what? If only I could have scored a dance with Nate A. at the Jr. High AARC dance...alas enough of the tangents.



As of late I have been feeling a little more green. "Greener" as in my love for patent leather forced me to by these cute, little (9.5 to be exact), grass colored, ballerina flats topped with a shiny chrome clasp AND "greener" as in thinking about how to reduce my carbon imprint on this world of ours (Al Gore eat your heart out). So when I found out about these fun tote bags I was totally on board. Changing the world and making a statement all at the same time-talk about sweet! This set of 5 Environsax bags are lightweight, waterproof, reusable, and only $35 greenbacks. Roll em up and tuck them back in the red carrying satchel for good measure. I carry mine in my glove compartment or in that HUGE patent leather bag (surely the cause of my future hunch back) I carry. The best part of all? They hold a ton of junk and I can carry them over my shoulder and haul stuff like the pack mule I am (God forbid I make two trips). Check em' out at Delight.com. What a great idea birthday idea for the eco-savy gal, plus I love that the arrived perfectly wrapped in my signature pink tissue paper.

On tap for tomorrow a very sensitive topic: MANscaping (wink, wink).