Alas 3 Lads

Aloha Friday - This Just In

2012-01-27T06:53:00.000-05:00

Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday, hosted by Kailani over at An Island Life. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day to take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So, on Fridays we can take it easy on blog posting, too.

I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer - nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, visit An Island Life where you can link up with your own question and also visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

How closely do you follow the news? From what source do you get most of your news - tv, radio, newspaper, internet, other?

I keep up with the news very closely, especially the national news. I get news from the tv, radio, and internet...I don't really read the newspaper that much anymore (except for our little bitty hometown paper).

Ballet Flats - A Timeless Trend

2012-01-26T12:42:00.001-05:00

When it comes to shoes, ballet flats are something that always seem to be in style. You can find them in all kinds of colors - from bright and funky to neutral and classic. They can be dressy or casual. The price ranges can run the gamut from very affordable to very expensive, depending on the brand. And, they really do go with just about anything.

Here are a few styles that I'm loving for spring:

Lands' End Lila Unconstructed Piped Ballet Shoes

Boden Pony Ballerina

Old Navy Polka-Dot Canvas

JCPenney Nine & Co. Neon Colorblock

Sam Edelman Beatrix Ballet Flats

Puma Zandy Mesh

Jessica Simpson Madisen Two Tone

Are you a fan of ballet flats?

The Curse of the Household Appliances

2012-01-25T10:06:00.000-05:00

I don't know if we are jinxed or what, but when it comes to household appliances, we have the worst luck. We built our home about eight years ago, buying all new appliances at that time. We have already had to replace our microwave (GE) and repair our oven (GE). And, now, at this very moment, our refrigerator, dishwasher, dryer, and kitchen faucet are all having major issues. It's so frustrating!

The refrigerator (GE): If we keep the ice-maker turned on, all of the ice in the ice bin will randomly melt, leaking everywhere. The top half of the freezer will not freeze anything. However, the bottom half of the refrigerator freezes everything. The other day, I opened the fridge to get out a bottle of V8 juice, I wanted to add some to the pot of chili I was making. The entire bottle of juice was frozen solid. Hard as a brick. Meanwhile, I've had a couple ice trays sitting on the top shelf of the freezer for days and they are still water - they will not freeze.

The dishwasher (GE): If I place any items on the top shelf of the dishwasher they will not get clean. Instead, they are all filled with a gritty residue. And, one of the screws that secures the dishwasher into the cabinet has come out so if I pull either of the racks out too far, the dishwasher practically falls out. (I realize this is an installation issue and not actually related to the appliance itself but still...frustrating!)

The dryer (Whirlpool): Our dryer is actually less than two years old. Sunday, as I was going about my daily 200 loads of laundry, I noticed that it wasn't getting the job done. There was air, but there was no heat. Hubs is thinking it's the heating element, which is something he can probably fix fairly easily. I guess the fact that it's used so much could be the culprit. There are days when I literally do laundry from 7 a.m. till bedtime. We are a family of six and laundry is a never-ending chore.

The kitchen faucet (Moen): Leaks around the faucet itself and under the sink; water sputters and putters out of the faucet for a few minutes before finally becoming a steady stream.

Are we cursed or what? I guess the saying is true...they just don't make 'em like they used to. I'm dreading the bill for repairing and/or replacing all of these items. And, I don't usually like to name-bash, but I can tell you that I will never purchase a GE appliance again!

What about you? Have you had any major appliance problems? What brand of appliances do you own?

Official Movie Trailer for Finding Nemo 3D from Disney-Pixar

2012-01-24T11:14:00.000-05:00

Academy Award®-winning Best Animated Feature “Finding Nemo” returns to the big screen for the first time ever in thrilling Disney Digital 3D™. In this stunning underwater adventure, with memorable characters, humor and heartfelt emotion, “Finding Nemo” follows the comedic and momentous journey of an overly protective clownfish named Marlin (voice by Albert Brooks) and his son Nemo (voice by Alexander Gould)––who become separated in the Great Barrier Reef when Nemo is unexpectedly taken far from his ocean home and dumped into a fish tank in a dentist’s office. Buoyed by the companionship of Dory (voice by Ellen DeGeneres), a friendly-but-forgetful Pacific regal blue tang, Marlin embarks on a dangerous trek and finds himself the unlikely hero of an epic effort to rescue his son––who hatches a few daring plans of his own to return safely home.

FINDING NEMO returns to theatres for the first time in 3D September 14th, 2012!

Movie trailer provided by Disney

Movie Trailer Tuesday - You Again

2012-01-24T10:13:00.000-05:00

Coming home for her brother's wedding, Marni is shocked to discover that her future sister-in-law is the mean girl from high school - the girl who made Marni's life miserable. But, no one else seems to know of the girl's notorious past, so Marni sets out to expose her and stop the wedding.

This movie is so funny! I watched it with my teenage daughter and we were both laughing throughout. Such a great cast - Kristin Bell, Jamie Lee Curtis, Sigourney Weaver, Victor Garber, and Betty White just to name a few. If you want a light-hearted, romantic comedy then this is for you. Be sure and stick around through the ending credits because there's a fun Hall and Oates performance.

Rated PG for brief mild language and rude behavior

Teens and Seat Belts

2012-01-19T09:55:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, in one of our neighboring communities, there was a car accident which killed two teenage girls and seriously injured a third. I don't know the people involved, but, as a mom of teens myself, hearing about this just broke my heart. Knowing that the lives of these young girls were tragically cut short is so sad. I cannot even imagine the pain their families and friends are in right now and my prayers go out to them. The news reported that the girls were traveling in a pickup truck when the driver somehow lost control, causing the vehicle to flip. It was also reported that none of the girls were wearing seat belts.

I don't know if wearing a seat belt would have changed the outcome of this accident. Maybe these girls normally wore seat belts, maybe they didn't. I don't know. It scares me to think that some teens choose not to buckle up. I've seen it in my own 18 year old son. There have been occasions that I have caught him not using his seat belt. He gives me lines and excuses like, "I wasn't going on the highway" or "I was only driving up the street." This makes me furious! I have made it clear that this is absolutely something I expect him to do every single time he gets in an automobile. If he has the privilege to drive, buckling up is a non-negotiable rule that his dad and I demand of him. But, he's almost 19 years old. I can't follow him everywhere he goes, hold his hand and remind him to fasten his seat belt. I can only hope that all of our discussions on this subject have seeped into his brain and will make him do the responsible thing on his own. I can continue these discussions, making sure he is aware of consequences of not wearing seat belts, such as the terrible accident that happened to those girls yesterday. I can set a good example by wearing a seat belt each time I'm in a car. I can pray that my child makes good decisions and safe choices. From there, it's up to him.

Do you always wear a seat belt? If you have teens, has this been an issue? What kind of things do you do to ensure that your teen remembers to buckle up?

Book - Enclave by Ann Aguirre

2012-01-17T14:23:00.004-05:00

In this futuristic, dystopian young adult novel, we meet Deuce. She lives in an underground compound called an enclave. In Deuce's world, life is all about survival. The dark tunnels and paths just beyond the compound are full of dangerous zombie-like creatures called "freaks" who feed on human flesh. And, life above ground, or topside, is even worse. Life expectancy is very short. From an early age you are trained to join one of the three groups of the enclave - the builders, the breeders, or the hunters. If you are lucky enough to make it to age 15, you are then given a name and assigned to your group.

Deuce has spent her entire life training to become a huntress. The hunters are the ones who venture out to find and bring back food for the group. Deuce is strong, tough, and eager to prove herself as a capable huntress. She is paired with veteran hunter, Fade. He is not an original member of the enclave and seems to have a rebellious, defiant streak within him.

As Deuce and Fade begin going out on their hunting missions, they stumble upon some information about the freaks. Once considered mindless and unthinking, the freaks are now showing increased mental abilities. They seem to be able to plan and strategize their attacks. When this news is brought back to the enclave elders, no one wants to pay heed to the information. Can Deuce and Fade convince the elders that extra precautions need to be taken to keep their enclave safe? And, when Deuce begins to see another side of Fade, a tender, caring side, she begins to question the real motives of the elders and the goings-on of the enclave.

My thoughts:
I am such a big fan of young adult dystopian and this book did not disappoint. From the first pages, I was completely drawn into Deuce's world. The vivid descriptions of her life underground and the dangerous world she lived in really made the story come to life. The way that people in the enclave are raised has made Deuce look at life in a matter-of-fact, hardened manner. It's only after getting to know Fade that Deuce begins to realize there might be a softer side of herself.

The action scenes took place right away, leaving me hanging on the edge of my seat. I felt tense and nervous as Deuce and Fade went out to hunt and face the freaks. And, I totally fell for Fade. He was described as a brooding loner, an outsider. But, as more and more of his story was revealed I realized what a wonderful partner he is to Deuce.

I loved every twist and turn of this story (so much that I couldn't put the book down and read it all in one day). It's a familiar theme but not predictable at all. The characters are interesting and diverse; some that I really loved and some that I really despised. I thought the ending played out well and I am already eagerly awaiting the next book in the series (which I believe is due out this fall).

Movie Trailer Tuesday - Ondine

2012-01-17T00:07:00.001-05:00

Colin Farrell plays Syracuse, a fisherman living in a small Irish village. He is a recovering alcoholic who helps to care for his little girl, Annie. Wheelchair-bound Annie has kidney disease and requires dialysis. One day as Syracuse is out on his boat hoping to haul in a big catch, he is surprised to instead find a young woman tangled in his fishing net. She is beautiful and mysterious and seems to bring good luck to Syracuse. Annie is immediately smitten with the young woman as well, convinced that she is a selkie, a mythological creature similar to a mermaid. As Syracuse grows closer to the woman, he becomes more and more afraid of finding out who she really is and what's going to happen.

This is a lovely, mythical story -- a real modern fairly tale, complete with romance, darkness, and humor. Colin Farrell is brilliant, as usual. Seriously, he always does a great job and I could watch him in anything. One small thing to mention is that I sometimes found it difficult to understand what they were saying due to the heavy Irish dialect. But, all in all, a great movie!

Rated PG-13 for some violence, sensuality and brief strong language.

Deadly Disclosures by Julie Cave - Special Deal When Purchased January 15-31

2012-01-13T21:12:00.003-05:00

Image via www.juliecave.com

Meet Dinah Harris, the sarcastic and brilliant heroine of the Dinah Harris mystery trilogy, for only .99 cents this month! From January 15th - 31st, you can get your copy of Deadly Disclosures at a promotional rate of .99 cents! This includes digital copies available for the Kindle, Nook, and iPad. To get your copy at this special price visit any of these fine retailers:

Amazon (Kindle)

Barnes & Noble (Nook)

http://www.apple.com/ipad/built-in-apps/ibooks.html iBookstore (iPad)

Answers in Genesis Bookstore (any of the above!)

Remember, this promotion will last January 15-31 only, so make sure to act fast!

Deadly Disclosures is the first book in a trilogy by author Julie Cave. It's a Christian fiction murder mystery that revolves around Washington D.C. FBI agent, Dinah Harris. Dinah was once a brilliant investigator at the top of her game in the Bureau. But after some very unfortunate circumstances lead to her fall from grace, she is now resigned to an instructor's position - teaching the new incoming agents.

When a high profile case with possible political implications comes up, Dinah is recruited to be part of the investigative team. But Dinah is secretly battling the demons of depression and alcoholism. Can she hold it together and handle the pressure of this case?

Dinah and her partner race to discover who would want to kidnap and murder Thomas Whitfield, the prominent Secretary of the Smithsonian. Their investigation leads them into a world of powerful people. A world where academia, science, atheism, and Christian faith play huge roles. Is it possible that Whitfield's faith somehow played a role in his death? The theme of evolution versus creation is relevant to this story.

My Thoughts:
This is not my usual genre of book to read. However, I was immediately drawn to the story from page one. Dinah is such a troubled character, struggling just to get through each day. I found myself rooting for her to get it together and pull herself out of the dark hole she was in. I like how the author didn't immediately reveal all of the circumstances that led to Dinah's breakdown. Bits and pieces of her story are divulged, little by little, which keep you guessing as to what actually happened to her. That really kept me on my toes and made me feel like I was doing some detective work of my own. There was plenty of suspense and plot twists which also kept the story interesting. It was an easy story to follow, yet not predictable.

I thoroughly enjoyed Deadly Disclosures (a little to my surprise since I normally do not read murder mysteries or Christian fiction). I'm looking forward to reading the second and third books in this series - The Shadowed Mind and Pieces Of Light. Dinah is a gritty, tough character that makes for a very complex heroine. I can't wait to see what's in store for her next!

If you are interested in reading Deadly Disclosures, don't forget to use the above links for the special January pricing. To learn more about the author and her work, visit Julie Cave's website.

I received free copies of the Dinah Harris Mystery trilogy books from the author to facilitate this review. All opinions stated here are 100% my own.

Aloha Friday - Healthy Snacks

2012-01-12T23:13:00.000-05:00

My Favorite Android App - WordzUp!

2012-01-12T15:41:00.000-05:00

I don't really play many games on my android smart phone other than a few rounds of Words With Friends every now and then. But, I was recently browsing through the android market and came across a word game that looked like it would be fun. It's called WordzUp! and it's by Anthrological. I downloaded the free game onto my HTC EVO phone and gave it a try.

I am now totally addicted.

In this game, you get a grid of letters (you can choose different grid sizes). You then use your fingers to trace over letters to spell words. The game displays how many words are possible to make from that grid and you are racing against the clock to see how many you can find before time runs out. Words must be at least 3 letters in length and you have the ability to rotate the grid if you're stuck - it's still the same letters, you're just looking at them from a different perspective. At the end of the game you can see all of the words that could be made from that grid.

As I said, I'm totally addicted. It's quite challenging and a good mental workout for your brain. It's a quick game that you can pick up and play anytime. I find myself playing it over and over, telling myself, "just one more time."

If you are an android user, look for WordzUp! in the market and see what you think. You might just become addicted, too!

This is not a compensated/sponsored post. I'm simply sharing a cool android game that I enjoy playing on my smart phone. As always, opinions expressed are my own.

Movie Trailer Tuesday - River Queen

2012-01-10T15:54:00.000-05:00

It's the 1850's. Sarah lives with her father, an Irish doctor, in a remote area of New Zealand. Also inhabiting this area, are the people of the Maori tribe. The Maori people do not welcome the white settlers and Sarah is supposed to keep her distance. But, she soon meets and falls in love with a young Maori man. Sadly, he dies from the "coughing sickness" and leaves Sarah with child. Sarah gives birth to a baby boy and loves him fiercely. Meanwhile, more and more British and Irish soldiers are arriving with orders to clear the native Maori off the land.

Several years later, Sarah's boy is kidnapped by his Maori grandfather. They disappear deep into the countryside. Although Sarah searches relentlessly, years go by and she is unable to locate her son. Along the way, she finds support and friendship from an Irish soldier named Doyle. She finally meets a Maori warrior who has been working with the British and discovers that he may be the key to finding her son.

The scenery is incredible and the story is intense. The kidnapping scene literally gave me goosebumps and had me in tears. The music was sometimes a bit grandiose but overall I loved the story. It's difficult to watch Sarah as she is torn between the Maori world and that of her own people. And, the choices she must make in regard to her son are heart-wrenching.

Rated R for violence, nudity, and sexual content.

Purex Crystals and Jockey Sports Bra - A Perfect Pair (with Coupon and Giveaway)

2012-01-10T11:35:00.004-05:00

~This giveaway is now closed~

It's a new year, and like so many others, I have resolved to exercise more. I'm trying to hit the treadmill or take a walk through my neighborhood at least four days per week. Sticking to this resolution is not easy for me. I'm always looking for things that can motivate me or make working out feel a little less like a chore.

One thing that helps me feel cool and comfortable during workouts is the 2012 Jockey Tech Terry Performance sports bra.

Check out some of it's performance features:

Moisture-wicking sports bra helps keep you cool & dry
Convenient key pocket so you can take your workouts anywhere
Reflective logo at the back
Breathable mesh panels
Soft bottom band for comfortable support
Machine wash & dry

The Jockey sports bra is 93% Polyester, 7% Spandex (Lining is 94% Polyester, 6% Spandex). Normally, performance sportswear is not compatible with fabric softener. This is because the oil content of most fabric softeners prevents the wicking process. But, now, thanks to Purex Crystals fabric softener, you can safely and effectively freshen your athletic wear (and most of your other clothing, as well).

Purex Crystals are 92% natural crystals that you put in at the beginning of your wash cycle. This allows the crystals to spend more time infusing your laundry with long-lasting freshness. And, as mentioned above, it does not contain oil so it is safe for all of your laundry.

So, Purex Crystals and Jockey are the perfect pair to help me along in my goal to exercise more in the new year. Something as simple as feeling fresh and dry is actually a big motivator for me. I tried out the Tropical Splash variety of Purex Crystals. It has a nice, crisp scent that is not too heavy or perfumey. And, while the scent is definitely not overwhelming, I'm impressed with it's staying power. It really lasts!

Coupon
Would you like to purchase your own Jockey Tech Terry Performance sports bra? Then click over and sign up for a 20% off Jockey coupon code, courtesy of Purex Crystals.

Giveaway
Would you like a chance to win a free bottle of Purex Crystals Tropical Splash Softener and a Jockey Tech Terry Performance Sports Bra? If so, simply leave a comment on this post telling me a laundry or fitness tip.

Optional entries (leave a separate comment for each):
*Subscribe to my blog via email (see sidebar)
*Follow alas3lads on Twitter
*Follow Purex on Twitter
*Tweet about this post using the Retweet button (leave link to your tweet)

Contest will end on 1-17-12 at 10:00 pm EST. Open to U.S. residents only. Please make sure to provide valid contact information so that I can notify you if you win. Randomly selected winner must respond to me within 48 hours of notification and provide mailing address and bra size.

Jockey and Purex provided free samples of their products so that I could review them. They are also providing the giveaway items. As always, all opinions expressed here are my own.

Rafflecopter Is Having A Giveaway

2012-01-09T16:13:00.001-05:00

I'm sure many of you are at least somewhat familiar with Rafflecopter. It's a neat little gizmo that helps you run giveaways on your blog. I have entered many giveaways around the blogosphere that used Rafflecopter and, for the most part, it did seem to make the entering process pretty easy.

To celebrate the new year, Rafflecopter is giving away a 16GB Apple iPad2 and several Kindle Fires. The giveaway starts Monday 1/9 at 12:01 a.m. and will close February 9th at 12:01 a.m. EST. This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents. To enter, simply use the Rafflecopter widget below. It would be great if you could list me, Kari at Alas 3 Lads, as the person who referred you to the contest. If I happen to refer the winner, I can also win a Kindle Fire for myself. Yay! There are other entry options as well. Good luck!

If you are having trouble viewing the Rafflecopter widget, you may need to click on "Read more"...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open Your Gifts

2012-01-06T17:29:00.000-05:00

On Christmas Day, we were at my brother-in-law's home to celebrate with my husband's side of the family. There were 17 of us and when it came time to open gifts, things were a little chaotic with paper and ribbons and boxes flying everywhere. My daughter (age 15) and her cousin (our neice is 12) opened their gifts from Mamaw and Papaw at the same time and discovered that they both received the same thing -- Honeywell Air Purifiers. Okay, you can imagine the reaction of two teen/preteen girls upon learning that they have just received air purifiers for Christmas. They weren't quite sure what to say and had confused looks on their faces. Nothing against air purifiers, but it's not something most teenage girls have on their wish list.

Now, my mother-in-law has been known to give some "different" gifts and be a little eccentric (she gave my husband a Ped-Egg, by the way). So, the girls merely gave her a hug and said their thank-yous.

Later that day, we packed up our gifts and goodies and headed home. We soon realized that we accidentally left behind my daughter's air purifier. I felt bad because I didn't want anyone to think we purposely left it behind and made a mental note to try to get back over there soon and pick it up.

Flash forward to Tuesday, January 3rd. We still hadn't made it over to get the air purifier. I received a call from my father-in-law a.k.a. Papaw. He told me that he enjoyed watching the girls open their air purifiers but he had a little secret...you see, the girls never actually opened the box that the air purifiers were in, so they never realized that their gifts were not really air purifiers! He didn't tell me what was really inside the box, only that I needed to get over to my brother-in-law's house so my daughter could check it out again.

When we picked up the gift and opened the box, we discovered something very special indeed. My mother-in-law was passing down several items from her vintage china collection. There were teacups and plates, a sugar bowl and teapot, and a crystal tiered serving dish. What a nice and thoughtful gift to give to her granddaughters! It will probably be a few more years before my daughter truly appreciates this gesture but I think that someday she will cherish these family heirlooms.

Moral of the story: when opening gifts, make sure you actually open the gift!

Aloha Friday - Disney Movies

2012-01-06T08:59:00.000-05:00

Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday, hosted by Kailani over at An Island Life. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day to take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So, on Fridays we can take it easy on blog posting, too.

I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer - nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, visit An Island Life where you can link up with your own question and also visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

For Christmas, I bought my daughter (age 15) the Disney Bambi movie on DVD. She had mentioned that she couldn't really remember watching very many Disney movies when she was younger, particularly Disney Princess movies. I know that she watched them as a young child because we have many of them on VHS. I decided I want to try and update our collection, however, I didn't realize that the DVD versions aren't always available. I guess I will have to try and watch for them as they are re-released and get them when I can.

What is your favorite Disney movie?

I love so many! A few of my very favorites are Dumbo and The Lion King.

Which Is Harder? Raising Babies or Raising Teenagers?

2012-01-05T19:48:00.001-05:00

I remember when my kid were babies. It was a demanding job, raising little ones -- breastfeeding, diaper changes, sleepless nights, teething, making sure the house was child-proofed and the diaper bag was packed at all times. We had our four kids fairly close together, so there were times that we had more than one in diapers and more than one in a car seat. Heck, there was even a very short time that we had two in diapers and one in Pull-Ups. But, all in all, when I think back to that stage of our lives, I just don't recall it as being hard. We were blessed with good babies. They all took to nursing very easily (although three of them wouldn't take a bottle for anything), they didn't have any particular bouts of colic or fussiness that was out of the ordinary. They were healthy and happy. By the time we got to our third and fourth kids, we pretty much had things figured out. I must confess that sometimes when I would see parents who had only one or two babies complaining about how hard it was, I just had to laugh.

Now, we have teenagers (and a pre-teen). They are ages 18, 15, 13, and 11. While things are certainly a lot easier in the actual physical care we have to provide for them, there are many aspects that seem so much more difficult. Having them grow up and start to go out into the world on their own is way more scary to me than a bad case of diaper rash or a crying baby. Teaching them to drive and then sending them out in a car without you is terrifying. Seeing boys ogle your teenage daughter will probably piss you off. Watching your high school graduate feel lost and confused as he tries to decide a path for his future will tear you up inside. Letting them make mistakes that they can learn from is heart-wrenching , but sometimes necessary.

And, there's another aspect of difficulty in raising teenagers. Sometimes, they might sass you or defy you, or even say mean, ugly things to you. They might hurt your feelings so bad that you will be convinced that you don't like them anymore. Thankfully, in our house at least, these kind of things are few and far between and forgiveness is given easily.

So, I guess the point I'm making is that raising children is just plain hard, no matter what age or stage. But, it's also a source of tremendous joy and a blessing that I wouldn't want to be without. I consider giving birth to and raising four children my greatest life accomplishment. I may not always be good at it or always do the right thing, but we are a part of each other and I'm grateful to be their mom.

Commercials

2012-01-05T19:47:00.002-05:00

I think these are just about the best commercials ever made! So sweet and so true. I tear up every time I watch.

How about you? Are there any commercials that really speak to you?

Interior Doors Painted Black

2012-01-05T10:03:00.000-05:00

In case you didn't already know, I'm ate up with Pinterest. It's full of awesome, inspiring, beautiful, clever, helpful, humorous stuff. Before Christmas, I shared with you my kitchen chalkboard project - which was inspired by Pinterest. Today, I'm going to share another home project that we are doing (also inspired by Pinterest).

We decided to paint our interior doors black.

It's something so simple yet makes such a dramatic change to our home. (When I say "simple" -- I mean simple for me. I didn't do any of the painting. DH is the resident painter and he did a fabulous job). I don't know that we will paint every single interior door black, that's still up in the air. I did a little informal questioning on Twitter about that and it seems the consensus was that all your interior doors do not have to be the same color. What do you think?

Here's a look at our kitchen pantry door "before"

And here's the same space after painting the door black

And, this is another shot of the doors off our kitchen leading to the basement and garage (I forgot to take before pics of this area, sorry). This is also one of the spaces I was referencing in my post about kitchen rugs.

We used a semi-gloss black paint and I'm loving it. One thing that is kinda funny...sometimes when we just happen to walk through the kitchen, we think the door to the garage is open because of the dark paint.

What color are your interior doors? What do you think of this look?

P.S. I would love to have you follow me on Pinterest. Not yet on Pinterest? Just let me know and I would be happy to send you an invite. You will love all the wonderful awesomeness that you can discover there.

Movie Trailer Tuesday - Griffin & Phoenix

2012-01-03T10:44:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Movie Trailer Tuesday. In case you're new around here, I'll fill you in on this weekly feature...I'm a huge movie-lover and a fan of many different genres of film. Each Tuesday, I share a movie/DVD recommendation here on my blog. It's not an in-depth review, just the movie trailer and a quick blurb about why I liked the movie, how it affected me, or what I learned from watching it. Some of my choices may be for you, some may not. But, hopefully it will help you find a few great movies to add to your to-watch list or your Netflix queue.

Today's trailer is Griffin & Phoenix. If you are looking for a Lifetime-esque movie (hopelessly romantic love story that will have you sobbing before it's over) then this is your flick. It stars the so-so handsome Dermot Mulroney and lovely Amanda Peet. They become involved in a romantic relationship, each not realizing that the other is facing some major life situations. A little sappy and deeply moving all at the same time. Check it out...this powerful story might just cause you to give a little thought to your own views on life and death.

Rated PG-13 for sexual content, some thematic elements, and brief strong language.

12 in 2012

2012-01-01T22:22:00.001-05:00

I don't even want to utter the word "resolution" this year. I always make them, they are always pretty much the same every year, and I always fail miserably at them. So, instead of rattling off a list of my New Year's resolutions, I'm just going to tell you 12 things I would like to do in 2012.

Okay, yeah, I'm pretty much making a list of resolutions but just play along.

Ready, here goes...

1. Lose weight. Yes, this is the one that is the same every year but I gotta include it.

2. Eat healthy. Yes, this one is also the same every year. Again, gotta include it.

3. Earn/Win enough Amazon gift codes to get a Schwinn exercise bike.

4. Read 50 books. I only managed to finish 36 books in 2011 so I really have to get busy.

5. Do something fun, spontaneous, and unexpected with my husband.

6. Learn to knit. I'm usually all thumbs when it comes to crafty stuff but I really, really want to learn to knit.

7. Study a foreign language. I realize I'm not going to become fluent, but I really want to make a decent attempt at learning to speak another language. I'm sure there's an app for that.

8. Join Ancestry.com and work on our family tree with my mom and sister.

9. Teach my daughter to drive. She will be 16 in July. (Just typing that statement freaks me out!)

10. Start going to church.

11. Pay off debt.

12. Take a nice vacation with my family. It's been way to long since we've been able to do that.

How about you? What are some things you would like to do in 2012? I would love to hear about them...

Bar Hopping, Anyone?

2011-12-29T00:07:00.001-05:00

I'm suddenly obsessed with these chic and glamorous cocktail/bar carts. We don't even consume mixed drinks, but I think something like this would look so fabulous in my dining room. I suppose I could stock it with spirits of the non-alcoholic variety and it would still look just as pretty.

images via Pinterest

I personally hate the taste of beer but I love these recycled beer glasses from Uncommon Goods. Very pretty.

This stainless steel cocktail tray is beautiful. It's at Crate and Barrel.

Maybe something like this French Sparkling Lemonade...very smart and sophisticated looking bottles and the kids could even drink it.

You can find lots of vintage bar ware and cocktail items on Etsy. (I just love browsing the vintage category, don't you?) Check out this silver ombre cocktail set, this art deco style cocktail shaker, and this bartender tool set. Always great stuff on Etsy!

Here's a long list of non-alcoholic drink recipes, a.k.a. mocktails. With names like Afterglow, Dot's Hot Spot, Virgin City Slicker, and Russian Denim, who can resist giving these drinks a try. They also have tons of recipes containing the real stuff, if you prefer.

Do you have a dedicated bar area in your home? What's your favorite cocktail (or mocktail)?

The Post Where I Try To Get Back Into Blogging Mode

2011-12-28T22:15:00.001-05:00

After taking somewhat of a computer break during Christmas, I'm now finding it difficult to get back to blogging. So, I guess I will start off by filling you in on some of our random holiday happenings...

We had such an enjoyable Christmas! On Christmas Eve, we hosted my side of the family (about 25 of us). For Christmas Day, we went to my husband's twin brother's home for their side of the family. Everythng went nice and smooth. It was all pretty stress-free.

Some gift highlights: My mom gave me a KitchenAid Professional Mixer. Yes she did! Very excited about that (now have to find a spot for it in my kitchen). Santa brought our 11 year old son a set of drums. Yes, a set of drums. Very fun and very loud. Our 13 year old son and 15 year old daughter both got laptops (thanks for helping out with that, Grandma). Our 18 year old got a GPS for his car and some very nice headphones. Lots of other goodies for everyone, too. We feel very blessed!

On Christmas Eve night before we go to bed and await Santa's arrival, we let the kids open their gifts from us and each other. This year, we were all sitting around the Christmas tree, in front of the fireplace, opening our gifts...and watching Tosh.0 on TV. Totally inappropriate, I know. And, a little embarrassing to admit but what can I say. The show is hilarious (and very inappropriate).

I made these White Chocolate Cranberry Cream Cheese Snickerdoodle cookies that I read about on a lovely blog called Joy's Hope. Believe me when I say they are pure awesomeness! I'm not usually a white chocolate fan, but these cookies are truly divine. I would pop one (or four) in the microwave and have with a cup of hot tea...so good!

Cute story: I met up with one of my best girlfriends for a belated Christmas lunch yesterday. Each year, her family reads Twas The Night Before Christmas as one of their Christmas traditions. This year, they let their youngest daughter (1st grade - a fairly new reader) read the story. When it came to the part that says, "He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself" little Emma read it like this, "And I laughed when I saw him and spit on myself." Very cute and something I'm sure they will always remember when they read the story each year.

I didn't go out for any after-Christmas shopping. I just didn't have the energy (or money) to do it this year. Did you pick up any post-holiday deals?

My plans for the remainder of 2011: Not much. I intend on being fairly lazy and hanging out at home catching up on some movies and reading. My husband has a lot of out-of-town work coming up in the next few weeks so it will be a very hectic time for him. I may tell you more about that later, it's a pretty cool, yet demanding gig.

How was your holiday? Would love to hear about it....

Holiday Guest Post - Paula from Living At Blessed Life

2011-12-21T15:23:00.000-05:00

Today, I would like to introduce you to my blogging friend, Paula. I "met" Paula when I purchased some of her wonderful soap products from her Etsy shop. I absolutely love her Lavender Shea Butter Body Lotion - it smells so good and leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft. I really cannot get enough of it; it's one of my favorite scents on earth. Her soaps are great as well. Paula is so friendly and sweet and always has a kind word to share. She writes a lovely blog and often offers giveaways of her natural, homemade skincare products. I'm so happy that she agreed to come over and share some beauty tips in a holiday guest post. Welcome Paula....

First, I would like to say “Thank you Kari” for inviting me to be featured on your blog. You are the Best!

Hello my name is Paula Parrish from Living at Blessed Life. I would like to share with you some Natural Beauty Recipes made with Kitchen Staples.

Simple and Natural Beauty Recipes

This time of the year, everyone is super busy making yummy treats for Christmas.

I believe in keeping things simple and natural. We all want to look our best, so why not use some of the yummy kitchen ingredients that you currently have on hand during the holidays to create natural beauty products. I love using natural skincare recipes because they save me money and I avoid tons of chemicals. Here are a few recipes, I hope that you will try out at home.

Brown Sugar and Honey Scrub
Simply mix up brown sugar and honey. Sprinkle in a few dashes of cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg from your kitchen spices. The brown sugar exfoliates the skin doing away with dirt, oil and dead skin cells causing blemishes. Honey is naturally antibacterial, so as the brown sugar scrubs away the things clogging pores, the honey cleans out the sources for buildup to prevent future breakouts.

Pumpkin Pie Face Mask
Pumpkin naturally contains high levels of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that the body naturally converts into vitamin A. Pumpkin also contains antioxidants and enzymes that speed up cell turnover, revealing brighter, younger looking skin. Combine 2 T of pumpkin, 1 T raw honey and 1/8 t of cinnamon. Blend the mixture gently, then apply a thin layer of it onto your face, avoiding the eye area. Relax for 15 minutes as you enjoy the amazing aroma of yummy pumpkin from your skin. Wash off with warm water and pat to dry.

Replace Conditioner with Vinegar
To remove the usual problems with hair like dullness, build up, dullness or lack of luster, replace your conditioner with vinegar 2 to 3 times a month, depending on your hair type. Just use it as you need it. And don’t worry about buying the best stuff for the best results, common white vinegar will do the job.

Smooth Fizzy Hair With Honey
Simply add a tablespoon of honey to one litre of water. After shampooing, rinse your hair with this mixture to tame your frizzy hair. I love this natural hair rinse.

Soften Skin With Oatmeal
There are many beauty recipes that involve oatmeal, but you can use oatmeal by itself to help your skin. Ground up about 1 cup of oatmeal using a blender or food processor, and then add it to your bath water to soften skin.

I hope that you will give some of these super simply and fun skincare recipes a try at home. I would love to hear about how they work for you. Leave a comment here and don’t forget to stop by my blog at Living at Blessed Life and leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you.

If you are on the look out for more natural skincare products? I have on hand handmade soaps and other products that your skin will love.
http://www.naturalgardensoaps.com/
www.etsy.com/shop/paulaparrish
Check out my featured soap this month, Honey Bee Oats & Cinnamon Soap Bar.

This soap has a yummy smell of cinnamon and honey. The Beeswax is great for Eczema and Psoriasis, while the honey helps to naturally moisturize your skin. Honey is a naturally healing moisturizer, full of natural enzymes and vital nutrients, such as vitamins C, D, and E, to leave skin soft and healthy. Organic oatmeal added to gently exfoliate and unclog pores. It soothes irritation and softens skin.

Do you have a favorite handmade soap scent?
Smiles, Paula

Purex Triple Action Liquid Detergent

2011-12-20T10:03:00.002-05:00

I've talked many times about how much laundry we do around our house (and by "we" I mean "me"). We are a family of six - including three teenagers, one pre-teen, and a firefighter-carpenter husband. You can probably imagine the amount of dirty laundry we have. Sometimes I'm amazed at the stinky, dirty messes I come across in our laundry baskets.

I do laundry almost every single day - lots of laundry! When it comes to laundry detergent, I want something that is highly effective; it has to get rid of dirt, stains, and odors. I also need a detergent that is affordable. Purex Laundry Detergent has been a long time favorite and is the detergent that I use most often. I love that it costs quite a bit less than most other leading brands but really gets the job done.

Purex has come out with a new and improved Triple Action formula. This new formula promises to leave your clothes bright, white, and clean, while still saving you money. Purex Triple Action is formulated to work both in traditional and High Efficiency (HE) washers and offers a variety of scent choices. My personal preference is the Free & Clear detergent - perfect for our family's sensitive skin.

Purex provided a free sample of their Triple Action laundry detergent for me to try. All of the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Movie Trailer Tuesday - Joyeux Noel

2011-12-20T00:14:00.002-05:00

This is a repeat of one of my previously published Movie Trailer Tuesday posts. But, I just had to share it again as it's one of my favorite films to watch at this time of year.

Joyeux Noel is based on a true story about WWI soldiers from opposing trenches who decide on their own to hold a temporary cease-fire for Christmas Eve. The soldiers meet and interact with one another but know that after Christmas Eve, the battle must resume. It's such a moving story; one of my very favorite films of all times.

Rated PG-13 for some war violence and a brief scene of sexuality/nudity

Movie Trailer Tuesday - Heartbreaker

2011-12-20T00:07:00.000-05:00

I absolutely adored this movie! It's sweet, charming, and hysterically funny. So, so funny! Alex is a seductress for hire. Need to break up a couple? He's your man. He and his duo of accomplices will go to great lengths to get the job done. He's suave and quirky and you can't help but fall in love with him. When he starts working on his latest subject, he finds that he just may be about to fall in love for real this time.

If you are looking for a cute, romantic comedy then you should check this out. Oh, I should mention it's predominately spoken in French with English subtitles.

The film is NR/Not Rated but I would consider it an R - there's some mature sexual language and situations.

Be Sure And Visit Swagbucks On Monday

2011-12-18T08:28:00.000-05:00

Swagbucks is going crazy on Monday, with more ways for you to earn reward points towards free stuff. First, they're having a Swag Code Extravaganza, which means a fun day where you can earn up to 70 Swag Bucks from 8 different codes throughout the day!

Second, there's a new set of Holiday Collector's Bills which you can only earn through search - get all five and you'll receive an instant 12 Swag Bucks bonus! The set starts at noon on Monday

Finally, for any referral you bring in today through the 19th, you'll not only get up to 1000 matching Swag Bucks from Search, but 1000 Matching Swag Bucks from everything they earn (not including codes) all day Monday - they're calling it Mega Match Monday!

Three big reasons to visit Swagbucks this Monday!

If you are not yet signed up for Swagbucks, now is the perfect time. Register now using the code HOLIDAYSWAG and you will receive 100 bonus Swagbucks (only for new users and must be applied during registration). This code will be live through December 31st.

I've said it before, but Swagbucks really is an easy, no-brainer way to get free stuff. I typically earn one or two Amazon gift cards per month, with very little effort. There are many different ways to earn Swagbucks so you can choose how much or how little you want to do. Check it out!

Disclosure:This post contains my Swagbucks referral link. No monetary compensation was received for writing this post, however, I am eligible to earn Swagbucks for referrals. All opinions expressed are my own.

Aloha Friday - Holiday Greetings

2011-12-16T08:16:00.000-05:00

There's No Place Like Home For The Holidays

2011-12-13T22:42:00.003-05:00

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by T-Mobile

There's no place like home for the holidays...ain't that the truth!

We stick close to home around Christmas-time. All of our immediate family happen to live nearby so we are fortunate that we don't have to worry about traveling. One of my favorite things about being at home on the holidays is spending Christmas morning with my husband and kids (ages 11, 13, 15, and 18).

For as long as I can remember, we have gotten up bright and early Christmas morning to see what Santa left under the tree. When I say bright and early, I mean around 5 or 6 a.m. Even now that the kids are getting older, they still get giddy with excitement over this. They're not allowed to get out of bed until we're all ready. Last year, I guess the kids thought that my husband and I were sleeping too late so they called me on my cell phone to say, "wake up!" And so, with our coffee cups in hand, my husband and I turn on the Christmas music and fireplace and just enjoy hanging out with the kids while they check out all their goodies. It may not sound super-exciting, but it's our tradition and defines what it means to me to "be home for the holidays."

Here's a lovely, feel-good video that I wanted to share with you. T-Mobile surprised shoppers at the Chicagoland area's Woodfield Mall with a beautiful performance of "(There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays". Watch it...I know it will make you smile (and maybe even tear up, if you're sentimental like me).

Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, Director
Paul Mirkovich, Musical Director

What about you? What does being "home for the holidays" mean to you? I would love for you to share some of your special memories or traditions.

Holiday Guest Post - Under $25 Gift Guide

2011-12-09T00:07:00.001-05:00

Here's another guest post from one of my favorite bloggers...it's Corrin from Oh Hey, What's Up? I've been a fan of hers for quite awhile and was thrilled when she agreed to pop over to my blog for a quick visit (Thanks, Corrin!). She has a superb sense of style and is always sharing the coolest finds in shoes, jewelry, makeup, and all kinds of other fabulousness. Today she's offering up some holiday shopping help with her under $25 gift guide.

Under $25 Gift Guide

Whenever I create a gift guide, I’m pretty much just putting my wish list and a bunch of good juju out into the universe, hoping that gifts start showing up at my doorstep*; so I take extra care to only including those things that truly make me gaga. If you have someone like moi on your shopping list, here’s what we’d like. Please and thank you.

*Mailing address available upon request.

Zebra Notepad $8.95
Running Zebra Scarf $19
Bow Ring $11
Glitter iPhone Case $25
Elephant Ring Holder $12
Greek Coffee Cup $12
Benefit Gift Set $10
Lush Bath Bombs $4.95 each

Thrift Store Painting Transformed Into Kitchen Chalkboard

2011-12-08T07:26:00.000-05:00

After seeing so many fun kitchen chalkboards all over Pinterest and the blogosphere, I decided I had to have one myself. I'm not a crafty person at all - not only do I lack artistic talent but I'm also very impatient when it comes to these kinds of things. But, despite these facts, I made up my mind that I was going to give this project a try. I started going in thrift and consignment stores, keeping an eye out for a big, nicely framed piece of art that I could transform into my chalkboard masterpiece. For weeks, my hunt proved fruitless. I could not find anything. You know how sometimes you don't really know exactly what you're looking for but you just know that when you see it you'll know? That's how this was for me.

Last week, my daughter and I stopped in a local thrift store that's fairly new to our area. And, there it was! Hanging way up on the wall, was a huge framed painting. For $22 it was ours!

Here I have it turned on it's side because that's how I'm going to hang it on my kitchen wall. As you can see, there's a ~~cheesey~~ lovely scene of a quaint little house in the woods next to a stream containing some ducks, swans, or some sort of water fowl.

After wiping it all down with a slightly damp cloth, I put a coat of primer on the entire thing.

Next, I spray painted the frame - a dark metallic gray. At this point, it was starting to get dark outside. I really should have waited until the next day to continue working. But, remember, I'm very impatient. I couldn't be bothered with taking time to properly set up a work area for painting. I mean, it was getting dark and I had to hurry! So, I just propped that bad-boy against the grill and started spraying. Turns out that this wasn't such a good idea because I ended up getting a wee little bit of spray paint on the driveway. Ooops! I then moved over to the yard and finished up.

Then, my project took a little hiatus. I was scared to do the actual chalkboard part. I'm not a very good painter and was afraid I would screw it up (remember, I'm not crafty). So, I came up with a pretty good (somewhat sneaky) plan. I placed my framed piece in the middle of the dining room floor on some newspapers under the guise that I was "getting ready" to apply the chalkboard paint. We are about to paint our dining room anyway and I knew my husband would be in and out of the area, prepping the walls. I casually mentioned how I hoped I didn't make a mess with the chalkboard paint. And, the next thing you know, my dear wonderful husband was painting my chalkboard for me! Of course, who am I kidding? He knows my tricks and knew that I really wanted him to do it all along. He gave it a good sanding and then applied two coats of the chalkboard paint.

Now, it's hanging in my kitchen where the kids are eagerly using it to countdown the days until Christmas. All together, I spent around $50 counting the framed painting and supplies. I used Valspar primer and chalkboard paint (just because that's what I found on the shelf at Lowe's). Wah-lah!

Holiday Guest Post - Tammy from Tammy's Two Cents

2011-12-08T00:07:00.001-05:00

I thought it would be fun to invite a few of my favorite blogging friends over for some holiday guest posts. I love hearing how others celebrate the season - their traditions and memories, their favorite recipes, their gift ideas...all those little things that make Christmas unique and special to each of us.

First up is Tammy. You can find her at Tammy's Two Cents, where she blogs about all kinds of good stuff - from family life, to product reviews, to giveaways. We crossed paths in the blogosphere awhile back and became friends. Tammy is very down to earth, friendly, and a devoted wife and mom. She's here today to share some of her Christmas traditions. Welcome Tammy!

I am so excited to be guest posting here today. Kari and I met through a blog hop over a year ago and have been friends ever since. She asked me to share some of my family's holiday traditions and recipes.

There was really only one tradition I remember growing up and it was opening all our gifts on Christmas Eve. We always celebrated with my aunts and their families which was probably the reason we didn't do anything on Christmas morning. Everyone was celebrating as a family that day.

My mom made cookies and candy every year. She had so many tins to fill. As I write this I can remember those special tins she pulled out every December. A few of her specialties were divinity, Yule Logs (a Swedish cookie) and her famous sugar cookies.

My all time favorite holiday recipe was not one that my mom made. It was one that both my aunts made and it still reminds me of Christmas. It was a biscotti like cookie called Scorpa. Our families have grown so we don't get together like we did when we were little. Two years ago we had a big get together and my aunt brought me a tin full of Scorpa. It totally made my Christmas!

Last year I decided I was going to take on a new tradition and start making it myself so we could enjoy it. (My dad was thrilled to hear this!) I was in the middle of making it and I had to call my aunt. I had too many questions and was so glad I called her because she gave me some great tips. Scorpa is a Swedish cookie they enjoy with their tea and coffee.

With it being my favorite recipe, I thought I would share it with all of you.

Swedish Scorpa

1 Cup Shortening

2 Cups Sugar

2 Eggs

1 Cup Evaporated Milk

3 Cups Sifted flour

1 Tablespoon of fresh baking powder

6 cardomon seeds (I am going to purchase ground cardomon this year)

Bake in scorpa pans (which I don't have) or 2 bread pans. Bake at 325 degrees for one hour. Let cool and cut into slices. Then bake at 150 degrees for 2-1/2 hours.

These make a great gift and I will be dipping a few in chocolate this year...yum!

One small tradition I started with our family was opening new pajama on Christmas Eve. (My husband's family is ONLY OPEN GIFTS ON CHRISTMAS!) A hard change to get use too! This satisfied my need to open at least one gift...and yes, my husband and I get a new pair too!

I would love to hear your traditions or recipes that reminds you of the holidays.

Movie Trailer Tuesday - Lovely, Still

2011-12-06T00:07:00.000-05:00

Set around Christmas-time, elderly Robert finds himself falling for his lovely neighbor, Mary. As they begin a whirlwind courtship, Robert feels as if he has found love for the first time. He is happy and overwhelmed all at the same time.

This film is sweet and moves along fairly slowly until an unexpected twist is revealed. It's a tear-jerker for sure and definitely made me think about life, love, and growing old. Martin Landau and Ellen Burstyn both give remarkably touching performances.

Rated PG

Aloha Friday - Got Milk?

2011-12-02T00:16:00.000-05:00

Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday, hosted by Kailani over at An Island Life. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day to take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So, on Fridays we can take it easy on blog posting, too.

I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer - nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, visit An Island Life where you can link up with your own question and also visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

Do you/your family drink milk? If so, what kind? How much do you drink per week?

We are a family of six (three of which are teens and one a preteen) and we all love milk. We drink skim milk and usually go through about 4-5 gallons per week. I also personally like soy milk (light or light-vanilla flavored) but I'm the only one who drinks that.

Special Christmas Postmark from Santa Claus, Indiana

2011-11-30T23:47:00.001-05:00

Here's something really neat that I think I've shared on the blog before but wanted to mention again. Did you know that you can get a special Christmas postmark for your holiday cards through the Santa Claus, Indiana post office?

Each season, the Santa Claus, Indiana post office offers a whimsical little "picture postmark" to cancel the postage stamps on holiday mail in December. The special postmark is designed each year by a local high school art student as part of an annual contest.

image via www.santaclausind.org

What a fun way to spread Christmas cheer as you send out cards or letters to your family and friends!

Here are some guidelines you should know if you would like to receive the special postmark on your cards:

Allow at least a 2-in x 4-in space in the stamp area for the postmark
Apply postage to cards/letters before sending them to post office
Picture postmark available on working days between Dec. 1 and Dec. 24
Picture postmark must be requested
To ensure good imprint, do not enclose bulky or large items in your holiday mail
There is no charge for postmarking; however there is a limit of 50 per person per day
Package your cards, with postage stamps already applied, in a sturdy box/envelope and mail to:

Postmaster, Santa Claus Station

Santa Claus, IN 47579-9998

Hanes: A Leg-Up On Fashion

2011-11-30T11:58:00.000-05:00

Hanes has been around for a long time, providing quality and fashionable legwear. They offer a great selection of stylish tights and hosiery that fit in perfectly with the latest fashion trends.

One of this fall's hot trends is Blackout Opagues - the blacker the better. Hanes Silk Reflections offers opaque legwear that is thick in black color but light and soft in texture and feel.

-Hanes Blackout Opaques are available in tights and thigh highs
-Control stretch panty
-Available in sizes: AB, CD, EF
-SRP: $12.00

I was able to try out a pair of these Hanes Blackout Opaque tights and loved them! They feel so soft and thick and were really comfortable to wear. And, they do truly provide a nice, sleek "blackout" look.

Another popular fall fashion legwear trend is textured tights. Hanes Silk Reflections offers a nice variety of patterns such as Houndstooth, Chevron, Silky Lace, Sily Melange, and more.

-Modern control top panty
-Available in sizes: AB, CD, EF
-SRP: $10

Also, check out Hanes Silk Reflections Sheer Tights in solid colors. They are perfect for transitioning from fall to winter and provide a wonderful balance of sheerness and opacity. These shades also feature Run-Resistant Technology.

-Non-binding comfort waistband
-Classic boxer control top panty
-Graduated compression gently sculpts and invigorates the leg
-Colors: Grape, Brick, and Brown
-Extended Sizes: AB, CD, EF, GH, IJ
-SRP: $10

I was able to try out both the textured and sheer tights from Hanes. I was impressed with the wearability and really appreciate the Run-Resistant technology. After several occasions of wearing the tights, not a run or tear was found. The patterns of the textured tights were fun and let me dress up some simple outfits of mine. In the sheers, I especially like the Grape color - something a little funky and different for me to wear.

For more information, visit http://www.haneshosiery.com/

Disclosure:
Cindy Riccio Communications provided me with free samples of products mentioned above. All opinions expressed are my own.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 30

2011-11-30T09:11:00.000-05:00

I'm going to borrow this idea from our 30 Days of Giving Thanks Host, but it's something that I am truly thankful for...our military troops! All of the opportunities and freedoms that we enjoy would not be possible without those troops who fight for us and protect us each and every day. I can't even imagine the sacrifice that our military families make. I am very grateful for them and for their service to our country.

30 Days of Giving Thanks is hosted by Blessed Beyond Words.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 29

2011-11-30T09:05:00.000-05:00

I am thankful for my marriage. I know I've previously given thanks for my husband, but today I'm talking specifically about our marriage. We just celebrated our 20th anniversary this year. I'm proud that we have remained committed to one another and been able to get through the good and bad times together. I'm thankful that we are able to show our kids how much we value the sanctity of marriage.

30 Days of Giving Thanks is hosted by Blessed Beyond Words.

Movie Trailer Tuesday - The Secret of Moonacre

2011-11-29T00:07:00.001-05:00

When young Maria's father dies, she becomes the ward of an uncle she does not know and must travel deep into the countryside to live at his estate called Moonacre. Once there, Maria begins to discover some mysterious secrets and finds herself involved in an ancient feud between two rival families. She soon learns that she may be the only person who can solve this feud and ultimately save Moonacre. This is a cute family film full of fantasy and magic - unicorns, a black lion, magic pearls and more!

Rated PG for some mild peril and language

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 28

2011-11-28T10:40:00.000-05:00

I am thankful for my mom! I can always count on her to be there for me no matter what. She and I are alike in many ways and I truly enjoy spending time with her. She adores and treasures my children and is such an important person in their lives.

30 Days of Giving Thanks is hosted by Blessed Beyond Words.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 27

2011-11-27T00:07:00.001-05:00

I am thankful for the technology that adds to and improves our daily lives. Yes, sometimes (many times) you can find me complaining about the fact that my teenage daughter constantly has a cell phone in her hand. But, it's that very cell phone that allows me to keep in constant contact with my kids. It gives me peace of mind to know that we can check in with one another at any time. Another aspect of technology that we utilize everyday...the internet. Whether it's for my children's homework, or online shopping, or blogging, or a gazillion other reasons, the internet has surely helped to make many aspects of our lives better. There are just so many things in regards to technology that we count on every single day.

30 Days of Giving Thanks is hosted by Blessed Beyond Words.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 26

2011-11-26T12:51:00.000-05:00

I am thankful for all the creative folks who are able to entertain us with books, movies, and music. These all play such an important part in my life. I love getting into a good book or movie - it can take me to far-away places, teach me or make me think, or even help me escape my daily stresses for a bit. A beautiful song can brighten my mood instantly or bring back memories.

30 Days of Giving Thanks is hosted by Blessed Beyond Words

One Of My Favorite Things - The Sound of Music

2011-11-26T12:43:00.000-05:00

My Favorite Things

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels

Door bells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles

Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings

These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes

Silver white winters that melt into Springs

These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites

When the bee stings

When I'm feeling sad

I simply remember my favorite things

And then I don't feel so bad.

One of my favorite things is The Sound of Music. Great songs, beautiful scenery, romance, humor, and suspense - it's got it all. And, Captain von Trapp is just so handsome and dreamy, isn't he?

photos via Pinterest

What about you? Are you a fan of The Sound of Music? What other classic musicals do you enjoy?

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 25

2011-11-25T11:58:00.000-05:00

I am so thankful that we are blessed with an abundance of food. Our Thanksgiving table was full of delicious dishes and desserts and we definitely all stuffed ourselves. After our meal was over, there was so much food left that we were able to share it with some less fortunate members of our community. My nephew took a bunch of leftover food to some ladies living in a half-way house for recovering drug users. I'm glad that my kids were able to be involved in this simple act of giving to others.

30 Days of Giving Thanks is hosted by Blessed Beyond Words.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 24

2011-11-25T11:48:00.000-05:00

Today, I am thankful for the opportunity to spend the day with our extended family. It will be a busy day with get-togethers at both sides of our family - which means two back-to-back Thanksgiving meals! But, it's so nice to visit with those members of our families that we may not see very often.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm participating in 30 Days of Giving Thanks - hosted by Blessed Beyond Words.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 23

2011-11-25T11:43:00.000-05:00

I am thankful that the kids have a nice little break from school. We are going to sleep in and just enjoy hanging out around the house. They work hard at school and it's nice for them to get some time off.

I'm participating in 30 Days of Giving Thanks which is hosted by Blessed Beyond Words.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 22

2011-11-22T13:25:00.000-05:00

I am thankful that my daughter was blessed with such a bright mind and gift of intellect. She is in the 10th grade and has always excelled in school. I'm constantly amazed at her ability to grasp new things and also at her ability to retain what she learns. I swear, sometimes I think she has a photographic memory. When it comes to homework and school projects, she is always so responsible and organized. We've never had to stay on her and remind her to take care of her schoolwork - she is on top of it and gets it done on her own. I'm so proud of her and look forward to seeing the wonderful future ahead of her.

Thanks to Blessed Beyond Words for hosting 30 Days of Giving Thanks.

Movie Trailer Tuesday - Inhale

2011-11-22T00:07:00.002-05:00

When his little girl needs a lung transplant to stay alive, this affluent district attorney (played by Dermot Mulroney) must decide if he is willing to break the law in order to save her. He faces some very dangerous situations and difficult decisions as he delves into the world of illegal organ harvesting.

I guess I'm naive but I had no idea of the horrible realities of illegal organ harvesting. The details exposed in this film are deplorable, scary, and heartbreaking. It's a powerful story with great acting - definitely worth watching.

This film is Not Rated (NR). There were many scenes of violence, sexual content, and mature adult situations.

Christmas Shopping Woes

2011-11-21T09:57:00.000-05:00

I always like to get an early start on my Christmas shopping. My true goal every year is to be completely finished by early December - but, that never happens. This year, I'm off to a pretty good start. I've bought several gifts and come up with ideas for most of the people on my list. I have typed up my shopping list chart so that I can record my purchases and keep track of my spending. But, there's one person on my list who has me completely stumped this year. Word on the street is that Santa doesn't even know what to bring this person...It's our youngest, our 11 year old son.

He has reached that age where he has outgrown most toys. (Which is very sad to me - I will miss perusing the toy aisles and picking out Legos and HotWheels and action figures). He's very much into playing XBox 360 and if it were up to him, he would spend hours doing so. But, we try to keep limits on his playing time and since he got quite a lot of XBox items last Christmas, I refuse to buy more of it this year. The main item he requested on his Christmas list is a set of drums. Oh boy! I love that he wants to learn to play drums, but, will I regret that once he starts banging on them? Other than the drums, I just really don't know what to get for him this year.

What about you? Have you started Christmas shopping yet? Is there someone on your list that's difficult to choose a gift for?

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 21

2011-11-21T09:34:00.000-05:00

For fun, today I am thankful for the person(s) that invented Reese's Peanut Butter Cups! Ever since I was a little girl, Reese's has been my very favorite candy and I still have a big weakness for it today. When I was little, my sister worked at a small neighborhood grocery store (she is 12 years older than me). She would often surprise me by bringing Reese's Peanut Butter Cups to me when she got off work. I can even remember a few times that she brought me a whole entire box of the candy bars! That always made my day. So, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are not only delicious but they bring back happy memories of my childhood.

Thanks to Blessed Beyond Words for hosting 30 Days of Giving Thanks.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 20

2011-11-20T00:07:00.002-05:00

I am so thankful for the kind and caring heart of our 13 year old son. Connor constantly shows concern and compassion for others. He truly goes out of his way to be helpful. If I'm feeling under the weather he is right there to ask what he can to for me. If he sees me working hard at something, he jumps in to help without being asked. He is just such a sweet kid and I'm blessed to be his mom!

Visit Blessed Beyond Words for more 30 Days of Giving Thanks.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 19

2011-11-19T10:20:00.000-05:00

Today I am giving thanks for my neighbors. I feel so very fortunate that the families living next to me and across from me are such nice people. I know that if I ever need help I can call on them at any time, day or night. Most of us have kids and we all tend to look out for one another. If something out of the ordinary is going on, we can count on each other to check in and make sure everything is okay. I'm lucky to have neighbors who are also friends.

Thanks to Blessed Beyond Words for hosting 30 Days of Giving Thanks.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 18

2011-11-18T09:57:00.000-05:00

Today, I am thankful for my cozy and comfy bedroom. I know that may sound silly, but, my bedroom is truly a refuge for me. It's calm and quiet. We have heavy curtains that, when closed, black-out most of the light. When I need to get some sleep or just get away to relax, I have the perfect place to go.

30 Day of Giving Thanks is being hosted by Blessed Beyond Words.

Aloha Friday - Sleep Numbers

2011-11-18T09:29:00.000-05:00

Last night, my daughter and I went with some friends to the midnight premiere of Breaking Dawn. It's something we've done together for each of the Twilight movies. By the time we got home and into bed it was 3 a.m. My daughter had to be up and ready to catch the bus at 6:20 a.m. so needless to say, we did not get much sleep. But, it's only a rare occasion that we do something like this and it's such a fun experience and memory for us to share.

My question for you is: On average, about how many hours of sleep do you get each night? Do you feel like you get enough sleep, or are you often feeling like you need more?

I probably average about 6 hours of sleep per night. When the alarm goes off, I'm never ready to get up and feel like I could always sleep more.

Chicken Soup For The Soul - Recent Releases (Giveaway)

2011-11-17T09:40:00.000-05:00

I'm a longtime fan of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books and have blogged about them many times. These books always prove to be wonderful reads and are also a thoughtful option for gift-giving. I wanted to let you know about a few of their recent releases...

Inspiration for the Young at Heart

In this book, you'll find 101 stories all about enjoying life after 60. From finding love, to seeking new adventures, to handling retirement, these stories are sure to amuse and entertain.

Devotional Stories for Tough Times

In this edition, read 101 daily Christian devotionals that will comfort and support you in times of need. With a foreword by Mary Beth Chapman, you will find scriptures and prayers to help you deal with everything from illness and grief to financial and family problems.

Grieving and Recovery

These 101 stories are all about dealing with the loss of a loved one. Find comfort and support as you read personal stories of how others have coped with loss. Learn how they worked to find happiness and meaning in their lives after loss.

Giveaway:
I have one copy of each of the above mentioned books for giveaway. Simply let me know which book you are interested in by commenting on this post. Entries accepted until Sunday 11-20-11 at 10:00 pm EST. At that time, I will randomly select winners. U.S. residents only.

Chicken Soup for the Soul provided me with a free copy of each of the three books mentioned above. I was not obligated to post and no monetary compensation was exchanged. Any opinions expressed are my own.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 17

2011-11-17T09:01:00.000-05:00

Today, I am giving thanks for the close relationship I have with my teenage daughter. I love that we have fun together and that she's so willing to talk and share things with me. The two of us live in a house of boys, so it's really nice that we are able to be so close and share such a special bond.

I'm participating in 30 Days of Giving Thanks. Visit Blessed Beyond Words if you would like to join in...

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 16

2011-11-16T00:07:00.000-05:00

I am thankful that as of the time this post is being written, my laundry is caught up! When I say "caught up" I mean I only have about one load waiting to be washed. We are a family of six and I do laundry just about every single day. It never ends and it's hardly ever completely caught up. So for now, for at least this moment, I'm in good shape.

For more 30 Days of Giving Thanks, visit Blessed Beyond Words.

What's something you are thankful for right now?

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 15

2011-11-15T06:26:00.000-05:00

I am thankful for our dog - our beloved family pet.

Our dog, Emma, is a 7.5 year old Airedale Terrier. She's a big ol' sweet girl; loving and mostly lazy. We are still dealing with problems from her serious injury in late September. She tore ligaments in both back knees from a fall and was unable to walk. Surgery on the right knee was done right away and in the next month or two, she will have to have surgery on the left knee. It's been a stressful and costly ordeal and I'm not sure that she will ever be the same as far as her mobility is concerned. But, she is still happy and full of love. She wants to be right with us all the time and is a huge part of our family. I'm thankful that my kids have grown up with a wonderful pet that brings us such joy.

For more 30 Days of Giving Thanks, visit Blessed Beyond Words.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 14

2011-11-14T07:20:00.001-05:00

I'm participating in 30 Days of Giving Thanks. Visit Blessed Beyond Words if you would like to join...

Today, I'm thankful that we have a basement in our house. We're expecting some severe thunderstorms today and tomorrow - there's even a slight risk for a tornado to pop up in the area. When it comes to these type of severe storms, I get pretty nervous. I'll be on pins and needles today while the kids are at school and our oldest son is at work. It's kinda crazy to have this kind of weather in November. This morning, it's super windy and almost 70 degrees. Our highest risk of these storms is tonight and tomorrow. I'm glad that we have a basement in case we need to take cover.

Outtakes From Our Christmas Card Photo Session 2011

2011-11-14T00:07:00.001-05:00

Saturday afternoon was our designated "Christmas card family photo" time and boy, were my kids dreading it. We always do our own photos - nothing professional - and it's always a huge ordeal.

Usually, I just do photos of the kids only. But, this year I decided that hubby and I should be in the picture as well. Since no one was here to help out, we put our 15 yr. old daughter in charge of the camera. While we all posed, she would check the shot and set the timer. Then, she would run over and join us in the pose.

Well, needless to say, because we are such amateurs and our kids were so uncooperative, it took FOREVER. There was much arguing and complaining. There was pushing and shoving. There was some yelling. It wasn't pretty, people! Our 11 yr. old son could not be still. Our 18 yr. old son thought it was taking up too much of his precious time. We did, after many takes, finally manage to get a decent photo to use for our Christmas cards.

I thought I would share a few of our outtakes - the photos that didn't make the final cut.

This was one of our first shots; we accidentally cut off the head of our oldest; I didn't like that the wall light switch was showing; and I look like I'm barefooted even though I was wearing shoes

I decide that my light gray sweater is too bright and I'm leaving the scene for an outfit change. Notice my oldest, Cameron, hanging his head in frustration.

BLURRY! We totally were not ready for this one. Shelby didn't even make it into the picture in time. Ooops!

Zachary decides to jump in for a solo shot. Because he could. not. be. still.

Now, part of Shelby's face is hidden. Back to the drawing board.

The kids insisted we do a "funny face" photo. They actually all loved this one and wanted to use it for our Christmas card. I liked it and thought it was hilarious but couldn't bring myself to do it.

This was the pose I ended up choosing for our Christmas cards. Everyone was smiling. Each face was showing. Finally!

So, everyone is glad that's over. The Christmas cards have already been ordered (from Shutterfly - which was quick and easy) and will be arriving shortly.

Do you take family photos for Christmas cards? I would love for you to share your own tips or funny stories...

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 13

2011-11-13T08:26:00.000-05:00

I'm participating in 30 Days of Giving Thanks. Visit Blessed Beyond Words if you would like to join in...

I am thankful for photographs. Yesterday, we spent part of our afternoon at home taking some family photos for this year's Christmas card. It was an ordeal - the younger kids were fidgeting and the older kids were complaining. Our 15 year old daughter was in charge of setting up the camera and the timer. We were all laughing every time she set the timer and then ran to take her spot in the picture while frantically making sure her hair was in place. These pictures, along with all the others that we have taken through the years mean so much. My husband and I love going back to see pictures of the kids when they were little and remembering all those times. You think you will remember everything when it's happening, but how quickly you forget the little details. Photos help remind us and to me, they are priceless!

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 12

2011-11-13T08:09:00.001-05:00

I am thankful for dimples and freckles! Now, that may sound somewhat strange. But, our youngest son has the cutest dimples and freckles on his face. From the time he was a new baby at the hospital, everyone has always went nuts over his adorable dimples. No one else in our family has dimples. I can't help but smile every time I see his face!

Visit Blessed Beyond Words if you would like to check out 30 Days of Giving Thanks.

Aloha Friday - Warm Me Up!

2011-11-11T09:19:00.000-05:00

Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday, hosted by Kailani over at An Island Life. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day to take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So, on Fridays we can take it easy on blog posting, too.

I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer - nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, visit An Island Life where you can link up with your own question and also visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

Last night and this morning we've seen our coldest temperatures of the year. Right now it's 32 degrees and last night it dipped down into the upper 20's. I actually happen to like the colder weather and look forward to it each year. We turned on our gas fireplace this morning - the kids love to sit in front of the fire to get warm and wake up before school. It's nice having a gas fireplace because you can turn it off or on with the flip of a switch. I do love a real fireplace, though, and think they put off much more heat.

What about you? Do you have a fireplace in your house (real or gas)? If so, have you used it yet this season?

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 11

2011-11-11T09:06:00.000-05:00

I'm participating in 30 Days of Giving Thanks. Visit Blessed Beyond Words if you would like to join in...

I am thankful for my sister. Although she is twelve years older than me, we are very close. She has always been there for me and is one of the most giving people I know. I can't imagine going through life without her!

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 10

2011-11-10T10:14:00.000-05:00

I am very thankful for each of my children. I consider my children my most important life accomplishment. They are each beautiful and unique in their own way and they bring me tremendous joy every day. I'm thankful that they all have good, kind hearts. I'm thankful that they are all healthy and happy. I'm thankful that they have each other. Of course, there are days that they fuss and fight but I know that when it comes down to it, they are there for one another and will always be close.

The Adventures of Raising a Teenage Daughter

2011-11-10T00:07:00.001-05:00

We have four kids - three boys and one girl. Our daughter is 15 years old. She and I have to stick together since we are outnumbered by the guys in the house. We have a close relationship and get along most all of the time. But, with teenage girls you never know from one minute to the next what's going on in their heads. Sometimes she wants nothing to do with me and blows off my attempts to spend time together. Case in point: a couple months ago we were both saying that we wanted to start watching The Walking Dead tv series. I had recorded season one but we never got around to watching it. I told her, "hey, let's pick a weekend when the boys aren't around and we'll have a Walking Dead tv marathon." I said, "we can make snacks and some fun, fruity mocktails." She rolled her eyes and told me that was the lamest thing I've ever said. Hmmph!

Anyway, we did end up watching The Walking Dead series and both are now addicted to the show. There's a character on the show called Daryl (played by Norman Reedus). My daughter has decided he's the hottest thing around and now has a huge crush on the guy (did I mention she's extremely boy crazy?). Here he is as Daryl in The Walking Dead -

So, the other day she was at the computer googling pictures of him and called me into the room. I guess she wanted me to ogle him with her...I was game. Hey, I was a boy crazy teenage girl once too and he is pretty hot (in a tough-guy-who-can-kill-zombies kind of way). One of the web pages listed his biographical info and I noticed his birthday. When I pointed this out to her she just about had a fit! Daryl/Norman Reedus was born in the same year as me (I'm 42). My daughter was mortified and yelled out, "he's old!" and "how can he be so hot and be that old!" I just had to laugh. I guess there was a time that I thought being in your 40's meant you were old, too.

Disclaimer:
Our ogling of this guy is all in fun and since he is a celebrity we will never meet. Obviously, I would never let me daughter have anything to do with a man of that age. Obviously. Just had to put that out there, LOL!

11.11.11 Promotion at 6pm.com

2011-11-09T13:10:00.001-05:00

I wanted to let you know about an incredible promotion that's going to be happening over at 6pm.com on 11.11.11. In case you are not familiar with 6pm.com, it's the online shopping site that offers brand name footwear, apparel, and accessories at up to 75% off every single day. It's my go-to place whenever I'm in the market for new shoes.

On 11.11.11, 6pm.com will be featuring a huge selection of styles and brand name merchandise on sale for just $11. Yes, I said $11!

Right now, the details are still somewhat of a secret. But, I have a little sneak peek for you...take a look at just of few of the designer brands that will be available: Gabriella Rocha, BCBGeneration, O’Neill, Jessica Simpson, Fitzwell, ALDO, and more.

Make a note and mark your calendar; you simply do not want to miss this one-day promotion. The 11.11.11 sale at 6pm.com is the perfect time to get started on some early holiday shopping or just to score some great deals for yourself. Plan on getting there early - merchandise is sure to go fast. I'll see ya there!

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 9

2011-11-09T09:21:00.000-05:00

I am participating in 30 Days of Giving Thanks. Visit Blessed Beyond Words if you would like to join in...

I am very thankful that my dad was such a special person in the lives of my children. He passed away 2.5 years ago so it saddens me that he won't be here to see them grow up. But, I'm grateful that he was such an important influence in their lives. My kids meant the world to him and he just loved talking about them to anyone and everyone that would listen. If one of my kids did something funny or mischevious or naughty, my dad was the first person I would want to tell. He definitely appreciated hearing about their escapades and I can even still see him roaring with laughter over things my kids did. He was always here for us, helping to carpool my kids here and there or attending their school and sporting events. We all miss him so much! I am thankful that he was able to know my children

Blog Tour - A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander

2011-11-09T00:41:00.000-05:00

About The Book:
A fake. A forger. More than anything, Claire Laurent longs for the chance to live an authentic life, to become the woman she wants to be. And she'll be given that choice. But will it come at too costly a price?

Claire Laurent's greatest aspiration is to paint something that will bring her acclaim. Yet her father insists she work as a copyist. A forger. When she's forced to flee from New Orleans to Nashville only a year after the War Between the States has ended, her path collides with attorney Sutton Monroe. She considers him a godsend for not turning her in to the authorities. But after he later refuses to come to her aid, Claire fears she's sorely misjudged the man. Finding herself among the elite of Nashville's society, Claire believes her dream to create a lasting impression in the world of art is within reach--but only if her fraudulent past remains hidden.

The Federal Army has destroyed Sutton's home and confiscated his land, and threatens to destroy his family's honor. His determination to reclaim what belongs to him and to right a grievous wrong reveals a truth that may cost him more than he ever imagined--as well as the woman he loves.Set at Nashville's historic Belmont Mansion, a stunning antebellum manor built by Mrs. Adelicia Acklen, A Lasting Impression is a sweeping love story about a nation mending after war, the redemption of those wounded, and the courage of a man and woman to see themselves--and each other--for who they really are.

About The Author:
Tamera Alexander is a best-selling novelist whose deeply drawn characters, thought-provoking plots, and poignant prose resonate with readers. Having lived in Colorado for seventeen years, she and her husband now make their home in Nashville Tennessee, along with their two adult children who live near by. And don't forget Jack, their precious--and precocious--silky terrier.

For more information please visit http://www.tameraalexander.com/

Buy A Lasting Impression

My Thoughts:
I always enjoy period pieces and this time & setting really came to life for me. Now I'm just dying to make a trip to nearby Nashville and see Belmont Mansion for myself. Ms. Alexander does such a lovely job of creating rich and colorful characters. This romantic story is a great read!

Enter to win one of Tamera's fabulous prizes and RSVP for Facebook Party on 11/15!

Kindle Fire Giveaway and Facebook Party from Tamera Alexander!

While Tamera and her book, A Lasting Impression, are traveling across the country virtually
(with a few international stops as well!), she will be hosting a Kindle
Fire Giveaway (11/4 - 11/15) and preparing for a lavish Southern-Style Facebook Party (11/15) (dripping with hospitality, of course). She will be giving away Southern Food
Baskets, books, and an array of other fabulous freebies! Don't miss a
minute of the fun. Swoon!

Read what the reviewers are saying here.

One grand prize winner will receive:

A Brand New Kindle Fire (shipped as soon as it releases)
A copy of A Lasting Impression and 3 other special books Tamera wants you to have (for Kindle)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on November 15th. Winner will be announced at A Lasting Impression Facebook Party on the 15th. Tamera will be wrapping up the A Lasting Impression celebration
with an author chat and giving away Southern Food Baskets (Loveless
Cafe Food Baskets, books, Amazon & Starbucks gift certificates, and
copies of Christy Jordan's Southern Plate cookbook), six gift certificates to Starbucks and Amazon.com, and copies of A Lasting Impression! So grab your copy of A Lasting Impression (it's
okay if you don't have one yet- you might win one!) and join Tamera on
the evening of November 15th for an author chat, a trivia contest (How
much do you know about the 1860's?) and lots of Southern-inspired
giveaways (complete listing here).

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on the 15th!

Disclaimer:
Litfuse Publicity Group provided me with a free copy of this book to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed are my own.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 8

2011-11-08T08:52:00.000-05:00

I'm participating in 30 Days of Giving Thanks over at Blessed Beyond Words. Click on over if you would like to join in...

Today, I'm especially thankful to live in a democracy where we each have the right to vote. It's important to vote and let your voice be heard. Our oldest son turned 18 in May, so today will be his first time that he is able to vote. I can't wait to share the experience with him as we go vote today.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 7

2011-11-07T08:14:00.000-05:00

I'm participating in 30 Days of Giving Thanks over at Blessed Beyond Words. Click on over if you would like to join in...

I am thankful that my husband has a good, reliable job. He is a captain on the city fire department and has been there for 20 years. We are blessed that he has a job that he loves and that also provides us a decent living and good benefits. Another reason his job is great is the schedule. He works 24 hours on duty, 48 hours off duty. So, in his off-time he is also able to do a lot of side work on his own (he is a builder/carpenter).

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 6

2011-11-06T16:23:00.000-05:00

I am thankful for lazy days! You know the kind of days where you convince yourself to forget housework and cleaning and laundry (and even cooking sometimes). Instead, you spend your day leisurely laying around reading a good book or watching movies. You might even take a nap or cuddle on the couch with your kiddos. We all need those kind of days every now and then.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 5

2011-11-05T11:07:00.001-04:00

I'm participating in 30 Days of Giving Thanks over at Blessed Beyond Words. Click on over if you would like to join in...

I'm thankful that I'm able to be a stay-at-home mom. I grew up with a mom who was home with me and I always knew that's what I wanted when I had my own kids. I love that I'm here when they head out to school and here when they get home. I've always been able to attend school field trips or class parties when they've needed me. If one of the kids is sick, I'm here. I don't have to worry about missing work or scrambling to find someone to care for a sick child. And, coordinating the extra-curricular activities of four kids is a whole lot easier when I'm at home with them. Now that they are getting older, it seems there's even more things they need.

My husband also grew up with a stay-at-home mom so it's something that was important to him as well. He works so hard and sacrifices a lot so that I can stay home with our kids. I'm really thankful for that.

Don't get me wrong; I have nothing against working moms. I know it's a personal choice and many either have to work or want to work outside the home. There are days that I miss being out in the workforce. I sometimes feel guilty that I'm not bringing home a paycheck - it would be nice to take a few more vacations and have more nice things in our house. But, my choice was to be a stay-at-home mom and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 4

2011-11-04T08:04:00.000-04:00

I'm participating in 30 Days of Giving Thanks over at Blessed Beyond Words. Click on over if you would like to join in...

I am thankful for my husband. He is loving, hard-working, and very giving. Family means everything to him and he is always willing to go out of his way for us. He is also very talented and handy - if there's a project or something around the house that I want done, he is able to tackle it. He can build just about anything and if he doesn't know how to fix something, he usually figures it out. He's also very affectionate; a real touchy-feely person (and he happens to give the best back massages ever!) I always joke that I am lucky because I have my own personal masseuse at my beckon call. It's a real blessing to have such a wonderful partner.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 3

2011-11-03T08:30:00.000-04:00

I'm participating in 30 Days of Giving Thanks over at Blessed Beyond Words. Click on over if you would like to join in...

I am thankful for my mom who instilled in me a love of reading. Reading has been part of my life ever since I can remember and it enriches my life in so many ways - it keeps my mind sharp, entertains me, teaches me, makes me laugh and cry, makes me think, provides an escape from life's daily stresses, helps me connect with others, and more.

To me, the love of reading is a gift!

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 2

2011-11-01T23:14:00.000-04:00

I'm participating in 30 Days of Giving Thanks over at Blessed Beyond Words. Click on over if you would like to join in...

I am thankful that we live in a small town. I love that my sons and daughter have been with the same basic group of kids since they started school. I love that our elementary school principal knows most every student and parent by name. I love that I only have to pass through one or two traffic lights to reach "downtown." I love that I feel safe and secure in our home and tight-knit neighborhood. I love that my neighbors will bring us food or words of comfort in a time of need and vice-verse. I love that if you drive into town after 11:00 pm, it's pretty much empty and quiet. I'm very thankful to be raising my family in this small town.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 1

2011-11-01T13:43:00.000-04:00

There's something really neat going on over at Blessed Beyond Words. It's called 30 Days of Giving Thanks and I'm joining in.

Thanksgiving and Christmas-time have become so commercial. Sure, it's fun to decorate, wrap gifts, and bestow bunches of presents on our loved ones. But, in remembering the true meaning of the season, how appropriate it is to acknowledge all that we have to be thankful for.

For the next 30 days, I'll be posting one thing that I'm thankful for. Of course, I'm thankful for family, food, shelter, peace, health, etc. But, during this 30 Days of Giving Thanks, I'm going to recognize some of the little things in my life and around me that I'm thankful for.

Today, I'm thankful for a beautiful day outside! It's 57 degrees with clear, blue, sunny skies. All of the leaves are bright and colorful shades of orange, brown, yellow, red....it's really glorious!

Thanks to Angie for hosting 30 Days of Giving Thanks. Visit her at Blessed Beyond Words if you would like to link up and join the celebration.

Simone France - Skin Care Products Review and Discount Code

2011-11-01T10:02:00.001-04:00

I was recently introduced to Simone France Skin Care products and given the opportunity to try them out. I must admit that I had never heard of Simone France but after checking out their website, I found that this skin care line gets rave reviews from the press and its customers.

About Simone France:
Simone France is a renowned French skin-care expert who has provided care and quality products to some of the most beautiful faces around - Cindy Crawford, Elle MacPherson, Iman, Amber Valetta, and more. In 1999, Simone, along with beauty editor and publicist Penny Kjellberg and Penny's sister-in-law, Sally Riddles, took Simone's skincare "sandwich" to the beauty magazines and began selling online. Their company went on to become very successful and in 2006 was sold to Sally. The company remains true to Simone’s roots as a professional aesthetician, caring for one face at a time.

The Simone France Philosophy: (from the website)
Whether your skin is too dry, too oily or too sensitive, the cause is almost always improper cleaning. Either too much cleansing with harsh products and over-exfoliation, or too little cleansing with overloads of heavy creams and failure to remove enough.

The good news is that what is self-created can be self-corrected.

No matter what your skin type, Simone France will work for you. The system is simple. Every night you are going to clean the surface of your skin, removing make up and the daily accumulation of oil and impurities. Every morning, you will wake up with a clean surface, so your skin is ready for The Sandwich®, Simone's unique deep pore cleansing, mild daily exfoliation treatment. You will see and feel the difference the very first time you use it.

The Sandwich

My Thoughts:
When I received my Simone France products to try out at home, the first thing I thought was, "this is a very different way of doing things." The signature "Sandwich" regimen involves using a combination of moisturizer, scrub and soap, one on top of the other. You then use Simone's disposable cleansing cloths to remove the Sandwich treatment. I've never really used any type of scrub or exfoliant. I always thought my face was too sensitive. But, I cannot tell you what a difference this has made in my skin. My face feels so clean and fresh! I'm lucky that I don't have particularly problem skin. However, even though it's clear, I've never really felt like I had that glowing, dewey complexion that is so lovely to see. After using Simone France products for two weeks, I do truly feel like my facial appearance is improved.

One of my favorite things besides the scrub, are the amazing disposable cleansing cloths. These feel so good on your face and make removing eye makeup a breeze.

In the past, I've tried many, many different face care products. I could never seem to stick with any of them because they were either too time consuming (I'm pretty lazy when it comes to beauty care - the quicker the better for me) or didn't produce results. With Simone France, I actually look forward to my morning "Sandwich" and can see myself continuing to use these products long term.

Simone France offers facial care products for all skin types as well as body and specialty treatment products. You can check out their full line by visiting Simone France. And, right now, new customers can save 10% by using coupon code FT108.

Disclaimer:
I received free Simone France skin care products to try out for myself. All opinions expressed are my own.

Silk Nog - Good Stuff!

2011-10-28T20:44:00.000-04:00

It's about this time each year that I start to notice the grocery stores stocking egg nog. This brings back so many memories of my dad. He loved him some egg nog! In the months leading up to the holidays, he always kept egg nog in his refrigerator. And, he always wanted my kids to sit with him and have a cup. When my daughter was little, she used to call it "negg nog" and I can still picture her sitting on her grandpa's lap drinking it with him.

I'm not a huge fan of egg nog myself. Actually, my kids aren't either. I think it was just the idea of egg nog and the fact that my dad loved it so much that made us want to be egg nog drinkers. After my dad passed away, we pretty much forgot about egg nog. Until, one day I happened to be at the grocery and I spotted the soy version from Silk - called Silk Nog.

I decided to give it a try. And, I fell in love with it! The Silk Nog is not as heavy and sweet as regular egg nog. (I'm not a fan of sweet drinks of any kind, but this stuff is delicious!)

I was surprised to learn that Silk Nog is lactose free, dairy free, cholesterol free, egg free, casein free, and MSG free. There's only 90 calories and 2g of fat per 1/2 cup. Pretty good stuff! It will now be a staple in my refrigerator every year around the holidays. And, every time I have a cup, I'll say a silent toast as I fondly think of my dad.

Have you tried Silk Nog? Are you a fan of traditional egg nog?

Disclaimer:
This is not a sponsered post. I just happen to love Silk Nog, purchase it for myself, and thought I would share.

Fashion Friday - Rain Boots

2011-10-28T09:49:00.000-04:00

I'm linking up over at Kori's Fashion Friday Blog Hop. For more fashion-related posts, or to join the blog hop, click over to her blog, Blonde Episodes.

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The last couple of days have been rainy, cool, and cloudy (which I happen to love). But, it made me realize that I'm sorely lacking in the rain gear and apparel department. Now, I'm on the hunt for some cute rain boots. There's every kind of color and pattern you can imagine (I'm partial to the solid colored boots - I'm thinking red or yellow). Check out these fun rainy-day inspired finds...

All Images Via Pinterest

Do you own a pair of rain boots or galoshes? And, c'mon, admit it...don't you just love jumping/splashing in the rain puddles every once in awhile?

I Love It When...

2011-10-22T11:27:00.003-04:00

Sometimes it's just the little, simple things that fill me with joy and brighten my day. I love it when...

1) The weather is cool enough to see your breath

2) I'm about to decide on the next book to start reading. It's so exciting to pour over the covers and book jackets and anticipate which book I'll start next.

3) One of my kids comes and gives me a hug for no reason at all

4) My bed has fresh clean sheets

5) I find a great-fitting pair of jeans

6) None of my kids complain about what I've prepared for dinner

7) My teenage daughter is in one of her "sharing" moods and we just sit and talk and gossip and laugh

8) I have a high value coupon to use on something that I was going to purchase anyway

9) I get my son to school early enough to be in the front of the car-rider drop off line

10) I hear an old 80's song that I had totally forgotten about but suddenly realize I still remember every single word

You're turn...what are some little things that you love?

(P.S. Want a chance to win 25 free holiday cards? Go enter my 2011 Shutterfly Holiday Card Giveaway. There will be 3 winners.)Giveaway Over

Aloha Friday - Would You Rather

2011-10-21T08:44:00.001-04:00

Fashion Friday - Gray

2011-10-21T08:33:00.000-04:00

I'm linking up for the Fashion Friday Blog Hop! To check out more fashion-related posts or join in yourself, visit Blonde Episodes.

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I don't know about you but I am totally in love with gray for fall fashion. It's chic and classy and neutral enough to go with just about any other color. Gray happens to be my favorite color anyway, so it's no surprise that I'm finding myself wanting to incorporate it into my fall wardrobe. What about you? Are you a fan of gray?

All images found via Pinterest

2011 Holiday Cards From Shutterfly With GIVEAWAY

2011-10-20T17:10:00.001-04:00

It's that time again...time to start thinking about our Christmas cards for this holiday season. I always like to incorporate family photos into the cards we send out at Christmas-time. My kids, on the other hand, dread hearing me say, "It's time to take some fun pictures for our Christmas cards." They simply hate posing for pictures. So, the picture-taking is the hard part. But, the actual putting together and ordering of the cards is super easy when I use Shutterfly.

I've used Shutterfly in the past for our holiday cards and love the wonderful selection that they offer. No matter what your style, they have holiday card designs for everyone - from classic and traditional to whimsical and fun. Here are a few of my favorites that I'm considering:

Wonder Trees Holiday Card

String Of Joy Holiday Card

Fa La La Christmas Card

Kaleidoscope Christmas Card

I can't wait to get started putting together our 2011 family Christmas cards. And, the nice folks at Shutterfly have generously provided three promotional codes to share with my blog readers. Each code is good for 25 free cards.

Mandatory Giveaway Entry:
Visit Shutterfly.com and leave a comment on this blog post letting me know the name of a holiday card design that you like.

Extra Entry Options: (leave a separate comment for each)
- Follow this blog via GFC (see sidebar)
- Subscribe to this blog via Email - must verify your subscription (see sidebar)
- Follow @alas3lads on Twitter (leave your twitter name in comment)
- Follow @Shutterfly on Twitter (leave your twitter name in comment)
- Tweet about this giveaway using the Retweet button 1x daily (leave tweet link)

Please Read:This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Mandatory entry must be completed or extra entries will not be count. Please make sure I have a valid way to contact you in case you are the winner. Giveaway will close at 10:00 pm EST on 11-1-11. At that time, three (3) random winners will be selected from all eligible entries.

Disclaimer:
I am a participant in Shutterfly's 2011 Holiday Card Promotion. In exchange for this post, I received 50 free cards. Shutterfly also provided 3 promotional codes for me to share with my blog readers. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Baby, It's Cold Outside by Susan May Warren - Blog Tour with Giveaway

2011-10-18T00:07:00.002-04:00

About the book: Baby, It’s Cold Outside

Hope finds the hopeless when a storm hits.

It's Christmas weekend 1949, and despite the threat of a storm, the townspeople of Frost are determined to continue their holiday traditions, if only as a means to forget the war that they had all just suffered through. But the suffering hasn't ended for Dottie Morgan who lost her only son in the war. She's preparing to wallow in her isolation for the weekend, when Violet, nearly a spinster at age 29, dares to make a request that will force Dottie to publicly revive the memory of her dead son.

When a storm traps the two women at home with a strange young man who has an unbelievable confession and a neighbor with more to do with Dottie's past than she would like, no one can predict how this Christmas will give them all a second chance.

Read an excerpt here and find out the story behind the novel.

About Susan:

Susan May Warren is an award-winning, best-selling author of over twenty-five novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award, the Rita Award, and have been Christy finalists. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia, Susan returned home to a small town on Minnesota’s beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children, and her husband are active in their local church.

Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder of http://www.mybooktherapy.com/, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.

Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota, where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!)

A full listing of her titles, reviews and awards can be found at: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/.

Link to buy the book

My thoughts:
This is a great story; so heartwarming! I loved seeing how these four characters, bitter, angry, and lost in the beginning, helped one another face the truth of their situations and to begin to have hope for their futures. It's a good clean read that's full of love, romance, and redemption.

About the giveaway and party:

Warm up with a Kindle Fire from Susan May Warren!

Enter 10/14-10/26!

Baby, It’s Cold Outside – warm up with a Kindle Fire from Susan May Warren

Warm up to Chrismtas early this year with Susan May Warren's Baby, It's Cold Outside! To celebrate the release of her new Christmas book with Summerside Press, she and the publisher are giving away a Kindle Fire and hosting an early Christmas Party on Facebook!

Read what the reviewers are saying here.

One festive winner will receive:

A brand new Kindle Fire
Baby, It's Cold Outside by Susan May Warren

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. Giveaway ends on 10/26!

But, wait there’s more! Join Susan May Warren on 10/27 for merriment and a few early Christmas presents at her Baby, It's Cold Outside Christmas party! Grab your Christmas sweaters, socks and pj’s and join Susan and a few friends for a fireside chat about her recent books (Heiress & Baby, It’s Cold Outside), holiday traditions, favorite Christmas recipes, a trivia contest and more! Invite your friends and don’t miss the fun!

RSVP here and we'll see you on October 27th at 5 PM PST / 8 PM EST!

Blog tour schedule

Disclaimer:
Litfuse Publicity Group gave me a free copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed in my review are my own.

I'm Guest-Posting Over At Tammy's Two Cents (Friends You Love Blog Hop)

2011-10-17T21:34:00.001-04:00

My sweet blogging friend, Tammy, invited me to write a guest post for the Friends You Love Blog Hop. I would love it if you could click over to her site, Tammy's Two Cents, and check out my post called "What Friendship Means To Me." While you're there, be sure and poke around Tammy's fabulous blog and say hello.

Thanks, Tammy!

The Zhip - Product Review (Discount Code To Purchase)

2011-10-17T18:55:00.001-04:00

The Zhip (pronounced "zip") is a cool new tool that lets you turn your iPhone, iPod Touch, or Android smartphone into a hands-free, portable entertainment system.

This durable, compact, 100% Polycarbonate material unit comes equipped with a built-in desktop stand and expands to fit virtually any handheld mobile device. It features special retractable, "scratch-free" grip handles with protective padding that attach tightly around a smartphone or iPod Touch to safeguard and secure even the most expensive device. There's also a sturdy "no-drop," three-foot extendable zip cord which easily mounts to any smartphone.

Check out this video to see The Zhip in action...

I received The Zhip to try out for myself and was really happy with how many ways we found to utilize it. My teenage kids have all tested it out and now each want one of their own. Not only is it easy to use, but it's so handy and versatile!

The Zhip can be found at various online stores such as Amazon and Best Buy and at http://www.thezhip.com/. It would make a great holiday gift or stocking stuffer. Right now, the nice folks at www.thezhip.com have set up a special discount code for my readers, allowing you to save one-third off the regular retail price. Here are the details:

-Although the Zhip is available at multiple online stores, the discount code can only be used at http://www.thezhip.com/.

-The code will reduce the price from $14.95 to $9.95.

-Discount code valid until November 20th, 2011.

-When purchasing, buyers should enter the discount code in the "Gift Certificate" box on the third page of the "Shopping Cart" and THEN HIT THE "ADD" BUTTON to activate the discount.

-Discount code is: zhipmom

Disclaimer:I received the free product mentioned above for my own personal review. All opinions expressed in this review post are my own.

Flashback 80's Music Video - A Little Respect

2011-10-17T08:11:00.001-04:00

I grew up in the 80's and maybe I'm prejudiced about the topic, but I think the 80's had the best music. Who remembers this one? I still love this song; listen to it on my IPod all the time. It's A Little Respect by Erasure. Released in the U.S. in 1988, it brings back such memories for me. I was a senior in high school, dating my future husband, and thinking about going to college to become a nurse. The video now seems quite rudimentary and funny to watch. Music video production sure has come a long way, hasn't it?

So, do you remember this song? If not, what's a song that takes you back to your high school days?

5 For 5 Swagbucks Referral Promo

2011-10-15T10:55:00.002-04:00

Are you earning Swagbucks? If not, you should be. It's a no-brainer easy way to earn free prizes.

I have talked about Swagbucks before, but, just wanted to take an opportunity to do so again. Swagbucks.com is an online portal dedicated to helping you earn digital dollars called "Swag Bucks", which can be redeemed for exclusive Swagbucks merchandise and/or gift cards. Earn Swag Bucks periodically by taking part in easy activities, some of which you already do everyday (such as searching the web). Earn at your own pace and then redeem your Swag Bucks for free reward items in the Swag Store. Best of all, it's free to join.

Right now, Swagbucks is offering a 5 for 5 Swagbucks Referral Promo. Here's how it works:

- Get at least 5 new referrals who are NOT members of your household or sharing an address with you.

- Each referral must earn 50 Swag Bucks after joining, not including any bonuses they may get during sign up.

- Once your 5 (or more) referrals each earn that minimum of 50 Swag Bucks, you've qualified for a bonus of 500 Swag Bucks, which will be applied at the end of each month, so if you've get it done in October, you'll earn your bonus early! If you earn it in November, you'll get your bonus then. Only one bonus per person. This is in addition to the 1000 in matching search bucks that can be earned from each referral.

Not signed up for Swagbucks yet? Well, now is the perfect time to join for free and start working toward this awesome 5 for 5 Swagbucks Referral Promo. Any new user who enters the code 5For5 during sign up will get a bonus 70 Swag Bucks, bringing them to a total 100 Swag Bucks to start with. The code is live now and will expire at 12pm PT on Monday, October 17th.

I've been using Swagbucks for a long time and I've earned countless Amazon gift cards. It really is so easy and I encourage you to check it out today.

Disclaimer:

My referral link is contained in this post. No compensation of any type was received for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

True Confessions

2011-10-15T00:07:00.001-04:00

Below I decided to list some of my true confessions, some of which I should probably be embarrassed to admit but what the heck...

1) I like SPAM. No, not the annoying commercialized emails and messages that flood your inbox. I'm talking the canned food variety of SPAM. My mom used to prepare it with sliced pineapples, brown sugar, and mustard and then bake it in the oven. That's some fine budget eatin'!

2) I still sometimes find myself counting on my fingers or in my head when I'm doing addition and subtraction.

3) I once cheated on a test in high school Algebra II. It still guilts me to this day.

4) I'm a "glass half empty" kind of person. I tend to automatically expect the worst out of people and situations.

5) I secretly can't stand one of my teenage daughter's classmates. She's spoiled and I'm thinking she's probably promiscuous, too.

6) I've always harbored a little crush on Dick Cheney. And, on Benjamin Netanyahu.

7) I'm not a big believer in global warming.

8) I refuse to use those energy-efficient, mercury-laden light bulbs.

9) I hate football. I have tried and tried, but I cannot comprehend the rules or understand why anyone enjoys it.

10) I often keep Reese's Peanut Butter Cups hidden in my house so that I don't have to share them with anyone.

Ok, now it's your turn. Fess up one of your true confessions...

Fashion Friday - Boots with Socks

2011-10-14T14:24:00.000-04:00

I'm linking up with Fashion Friday hosted over at the Blonde Episodes. Be sure and click over to check out all the fashion-related posts or to join in.

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I'm really loving the look of wearing socks with boots. Kinda funky and so cute...what do you think? Is this look best left for the younger crowd or can a 40's gal like me pull it off?

All images found via Pinterest

Aloha Friday - Can't Miss TV

2011-10-14T09:07:00.000-04:00

Silkies by Sculptz (Tights Review)

2011-10-12T11:24:00.000-04:00

Patterned, textured, and colorful tights are one of the hottest fall fashion trends right now. They can dress an outfit up or down and look great when paired with just about any type of boot or pump.

I recently learned about the great selection of tights available from Sculptz. These fashionable tights are available in select boutiques across the U.S. and online at http://www.silkies.com/. You can choose from cool designs such as Zig-Zag, Animal Pattern, Chevron, Maze, Paisley, and more. The tights are available in Small - XXLarge and are priced between $10-$18.

Sculptz, an American based manufacturing company has been around for over 35 years. Using innovative techniques, they create high quality, beautiful legwear that ensures a consistent fit as well as provides all day comfort.

I received a pair of the black Animal Print Sculptz tights to try out for myself. The pattern is fun but not overwhelming. I love the look and feel of the tights - they are truly comfortable. They will definitely enhance many of my fall outfits and I can't wait until it's actually cool enough here for me to wear them.

Visit http://www.silkies.com/ to see all available styles and colors. Which design is your favorite?

Disclaimer:
I received a free pair of Silkies by Sculptz tights to try out for myself. No monetary compensation was received for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

Movie Trailer Tuesday - Coco Before Chanel

2011-10-11T00:07:00.002-04:00

I found this to be both a sad and lovely film.

From Netflix:
Audrey Tautou stars as legendary French designer Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel in this lively biopic that explores the fashion icon's storied ascension from orphan to seamstress and cabaret singer and ultimately, the queen of Parisian haute couture. Alessandro Nivola plays Arthur "Boy" Capel, Chanel's lover and influential business investor who makes a lifelong impact on the young woman. Anne Fontaine directs this Oscar nominee for Best Costume Design.

Rated PG-13 for sexual content and smoking

Aloha Friday - Candy Bars

2011-10-07T08:50:00.001-04:00

Fashion Friday: Fall Fashion Trend - Southwest Patterns

2011-10-07T08:17:00.000-04:00

Today, I'm participating in the Fashion Friday Blog Hop. It's hosted by Kori over at Blonde Episodes. Click on over to her site for some great fashion-related posts or to join in and link up with your own fashion-related post.

If you look in fashion magazines, online, and in stores, you're sure to see one of this fall's hottest fashion trends...southwest patterns and influences. Warm, earthy colors, zigzag and geometric patterns, fringe accents, feathers, and nature-inspired pieces are some of the elements you will find in the southwest fashion style.

In the past, I have to admit that I wasn't a big fan of southwest-type patterns. But, what I'm seeing this season seems to have a bit more of a modern appeal. It's sophisticated yet has a vintage, 70's vibe. With this style, I think the old saying, "a little goes a long way" holds true. It would be easy to incorporate the southwest trend into your wardrobe. Simply use one or two key pieces, such as a jacket or bag, and work them in with more neutral items.

Here's a few sets I created while playing around on Polyvore.com. Let me know what you think about this fall fashion trend...

Fall Southwest Cardigan by alas3lads featuring long sleeve cotton t shirts

Casual Southwest Fall Look by alas3lads featuring a vintage leather satchel

Casual Fall Moccasins by alas3lads featuring black handbags

(P.S. There's actually a lot of really cool southwest fashion finds in the vintage section on Etsy. Go to the Vintage category and just search for "southwest prints" or "navajo" or "aztec" and you will find all kinds of goodies.)

Movie Trailer Tuesday - Trust

2011-10-04T00:07:00.002-04:00

This movie freaked me out and was a little difficult to watch. Annie is a teenage girl with a loving and happy family. She becomes involved in an online friendship with Charlie, a kid from out-of-state that she seems to have a lot in common with. When she secretly agrees to meet up with Charlie in real life, she learns that he's not the person he portrayed himself to be. It's pretty scary how easily this seemingly smart young girl agrees to meet this person and even after learning his true identity, still agrees to hang out with him. Also, just the fact that kids today are so willing to chat online with virtual strangers - SCARY! As a mom to a teenage daughter myself, I like to think she would never do anything so dangerous. But, this movie shows us it can happen. Just another reminder that we parents need to closely monitor our kids' online activities.

Rated R for disturbing material involving the rape of a teen, language, sexual content and some violence.

Aloha Friday - Musical Instruments

2011-09-30T08:16:00.000-04:00

Update On Our Dog

2011-09-28T14:45:00.001-04:00

On Monday, I told you about our dog getting hurt when she fell while running up our back porch steps. She spent Monday night at the vet's office and first thing Tuesday morning she was sedated so that they could do xrays and a thorough exam. Well, the news was not good. Both of her back knees have torn ligaments. She cannot stand, bear weight, or walk. The only option is surgery.

When the vet called to give me the news I just started crying. This is our beloved family pet. She's in a tremendous amount of pain and the only way to fix it is surgery. The cost?...$700 per knee! That's not even counting the xrays, exams, meds, etc. When all is said and done, the total cost will be around $1800. That's $1800 that we do not have. But, this is our beloved family pet! We have no choice but to figure out a way to make it happen.

Both knees require surgery, but they can only do one at a time. They operated on the right back knee yesterday. We have to wait 2-3 months for that to heal and then they will perform the surgery on the other knee.

We actually brought her home last night. It's going to be a very long and challenging recovery and a lot of work for us. She is still unable to stand or walk on her own. We have to physically get her up and take her outside to the bathroom. I can't do it on my own (she weighs 76 lbs). We have her set up on a pallet on the floor, lined with disposable pads and sheets. (I have a feeling that we will be needing new carpet after this is all over)

Besides the difficulty of getting her up and outside, there's medications to give, range of motion exercises to do on her leg, and getting her up to try and start slowly walking her. Right now, the walking part is just impossible. She's on heavy-duty pain meds for the first 4 days and she simply can not, will not, use her back legs. She's pretty out of it. She tries to get up or switch positions and it's so hard - she just looks like she doesn't understand what the heck is going on. I don't know if dogs get bored, but I worry about her just laying around like that. At least we put her right near the back door. I raised the shade on the door so that she has a decent view of the outside. And, (my husband laughed at me for this) but I left the television on for her last night. Not that she's watching the tv, but maybe just the sounds of it will be somewhat comforting. Maybe it will make her feel like she's in her normal environment.

It's all so stressful! Her pain, the money, figuring out how to take care of her...all of it! I can't really even talk about it without tearing up. I know some people don't understand this kind of attachment to pets, but she is truly a member of our family. Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts and I will keep you posted on her progress.