MEYERS

So when I have kids do I need to invest in a whole variety of Meyers baby products? Probably so... and maybe I should even start now because it seems affordable for this little Spring Clean kit to give it a shot! I've heard that the geranium is the best of the best in scents though...anything's gotta be better than the smell of 409... hmmm....

Ooooo Sea Creatures!

Wow! These are so neat. They came in my email today from Pottery Barn. I just thought that they were so pretty and just had to share :)

Color me fun!

So in making my cupcake order, my first BIG ONE done this past weekend, Itried my hand at some funky tie-dye colors and look at the results! LOVE IT. I snuck some in to my order this weekend as a little "extra" :) Hopefully the response is good! :)

"Recessionista"

According to the Urban Dictionary, which my co-worker Kristen is very fond of, "Recessionista", is the new "IT" word!

Recessionista
Definition: A person who is able to stick to a tight budget while still managing to dress stylishly.
She's superstylish, always able to buy a round of drinks and still seems to be wearing a new outfit every time you see her.

She's a recessionista, that New York marvel who's a magnet for a good deal. And in this economy, she's got a lot to teach us.

Oh so so funny.

Would you want to live to be 100?

Myrtice McCurdy (pictured above with Santa at age 92) sure made it that far! She wore purple every day, died her hair purple, and had purple pajama sleepovers at her house! She only drank milk and coca-cola. She also ate at the Varsity once a week, eating the same thing - onion rings, chili dog, fried peach pie, and a coke. Is this the secret to a long life? ;) I think she was just happy... oh yea and her casket, was purple too...

Gone Fishin!

Have a beach house? I sure WISH I did so that I could get some of these adorable plates from FishinGlass on Etsy!!!

Dogswalk Against Cancer

My co-worker, Tony, introduced us to this Charity Event that he helps to put on for his cancer survivor Boxer, Tyson. This event is a walk that contributes to helping animals with cancer by giving to the American Cancer Society. Just thought I would share! If you live in Charlotte, you can bring your dog (or a friend's) and walk the walk!

Robin Egg Blue

Has GOT to be a favorite color of mine. Check out these dishes on sale at Crate and Barrel. I also adore their shape! :)

Yucky.

So I've been trying to drop some weight over the past month by taking work out classes and eating smaller portioned meals. To help aid this venture I ate SmartOnes meals by WeightWatchers. I thought they were tasty and high in fiber (always a plus) until about a month ago.... do not, whatever you do, do NOT try these two meals - Potato and Broccoli/Santa Fe Chicken. I could barely chew through the chicken and the other just had no taste what so ever. Terrible! Lean Cuisines are far better but far more caloric and contain less fiber. After my cancer research I am now calling it quits on both brands and diet foods and instead hitting up Trader Joe's instead for some Amy's burritos and fresh produce!

Here's a tid bit for you:

Studies show that preservatives and chemicals are a source of serious health issues, including undue stress, accelerated aging, and weight gain.

You'll find these 'bad guy' ingredients in:
Diet soda, juices, drink mixes, processed tea drinks
Prepackaged dinners or frozen meals.
Conventional cookies (non-organic)
Chips
Diet foods

How to run AWAY from the big scary word....

Why is it that now everyone can't go through life without getting cancer? Whatever happened to people living into their 90's? Where have we gone wrong and how do we fix this?


According to the Prevent Cancer Foundation, here is what we need to do:


1. Eat Well
Eat Fish not red Meat. Eat antioxidants like blueberries because they fix your broken cells. Eat dark, leafy greens like spinach. Limit your alcohol intake (women, no more than 1 drink per day - men, no more than 2 drinks per day)

2. Be Active

Exercise 5 days a week. Did you know that this can reduce colon cancer by 50%?? WOW.

3. Don't Smoke

I think that this can be related to no.2... stressed? Go for a walk. Or eat ice cream and then go for a walk. Heck, drink 1 glass of wine, that's better than smoking too! :)

4. Get Screened

The earlier detection, the better your chances are!

*A Change = A Chance

With all this research I am doing on this topic, I feel that I want to improve my life even more. Apparently, Women with breast cancer are five to nine times more likely to have pesticide residues in their blood than those who do not. So this means that I need to go organic. I know it's an expense and I know it will be a gradual process but when I think about why my Grandmother didn't have cancer.... I think it had a lot to do with the way food was processed and treated in her time, and how that has changed today. Not only am I wanting to go completely organic, I am going to try to ween myself away from sugar substitutes like Splenda. It seems as though diet soft drinks actually have the reverse impact on dieting ... they are a leading cause in obesity and it has been proven to cause even lab rats to gain weight when drinking a diet soda. Come to think of it, I only remember my Grandmother having bottled Coca-Cola's in her cabinets! I know we are all worried about weight gain but what's a teaspoon of sugar in your coffee going to do to your waist if you are working it off in the evenings? Plus, Water is really what you should be drinking to get you through the days, not soda which dehydrates. If caffeine calls your name, grab a regular coke once a week. Keep it on the safe side!

So if Saccharin can cause bladder cancer in lab rats & Aspartame causes brain tumors, what does sugar cause? I suppose it just causes fat.

In the U.S. we have saccharin (e.g., Sweet'N Low), aspartame (e.g., Equal, NutraSweet) and sucralose (e.g., Splenda, Altern) for artificial sweetners. So far there is no research stating that Splenda can cause cancer unlike these other two leading sugar substitutes, but who says that it won't in the future? It hasn't been around nearly as long as Sweet n' Low! For more information on this subject see Wikipedia for answers!

One day when I have my own family, my own children... I have a feeling I'm going to be the weird organic-everything mom, but I think it's worth it, don't you?

I am going to keep researching prevention of cancer and get to the bottom of why cancer has hit so many friends and family of mine in just the last 10 years....Let's stop poisoning our bodies and get them back to where they started - clean, pure, normal!

More to come...

Gotta Love Some Etsy!

Look at these fabulous Graphic Tee's I found on there! And they are cheaper than Jcrew's but look just like them! :)

Look for more great Tees like these at Happy Family on Etsy! The designer is from NOLA, hence the Fleur above! She even sells bags and baby Tee's :)

Love Actually

So one of my all time favorite movies is Love Actually (2003). I even love the soundtrack and usually watch it around Christmas because it is really, all about the Holidays. I found it ironic that Liam Neeson loses his "movie wife" in this movie and just lost his real wife, Natasha Richardson, this week. I tried to find clips on YouTube of the funeral scene from the movie because they really do a great job with it and his wife in the movie leaves a slideshow and requests that "Bye Bye Baby" be played as she leaves the church - really neat. Hate that this actually happened for him in reality and I will always remember Natasha being in the latest Parent Trap movie with Lindsey Lohan, I thought she was just so pretty!
But since I couldn't find those clips I found my two favorites instead -

Keira Knightly gets married (turn volume up)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h89BbqoPAcM
Hugh Grant is the Prime Minister with some great dance moves (turn volume down)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBDEN5AFmWU&feature=related

I Heart PB

I love, love, LOVE the color green. PB's site caught my eye instantly with their nature inspired looks... and I say that and love the green, the rustic chic of it all I know that I took a quiz about what kind of style my decorating taste is and apparently I am rustic chic... just as the above photos display but I must say I would love a kitchen with the mix of the two kitchens below, one being a food network favorite of mine, Ina Garten's kitchen in the Hamptons. (note to self: find hampton's style home, buy for a $1, move in, incorporate whites greens and BEAD BOARD, then plant english garden, grill out, have a party)

How DOES she do it?!

Tan. Being tan means looking healthy. Being tan means looking gorgeous on any given night! However, tanning beds are the enemy. SO - Why not fake - slather it on?? I absolutely live by Lancome's FLASH BRONZER. If I could have 3 things from my bathroom only... I would take my straightener, my flash bronzer, and my big lash mascara from Sephora! Amen!

Oh Julia...

I just ADORE Julia Roberts and since she's been off raising babies, we haven't seen all that much of her! But, alas, she's in Allure this month doing some PR for her new movie I pressume! The interview is a great read and her pictures are just stunning. Allure even takes her through old photos of herself and her comments are laugh out loud funny! I also must mention that I was completely stoked to see a picture of her AT a DAVE MATTHEWS concert IN a BARAK t-shirt -- that's my girl! :)

American Idol Fan, Emily

Wow! Am loving watching A.I. now that it's down to a smaller number of contestants! My biggest favorite during auditions and now, still, is Miss Megan because I just think she is so cute, I love her raspy voice and I could see myself belting out a song of hers in my car on the radio. I love to sing those CHICKS only songs, like Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood have sang, at the top of my lungs on the way to work in the morning! And this morning another Admin at work tells me that Megan reminds her of me - I fell outta my chair. Well, not literally. It was so sweet of her to say - if only I had that voice ... but no thank you to the tattoo!I thought our Carolina boy, Anoop, did well last night!
But honestly when it comes down to it, I really think that kris is going to win. He's got the cute face, the soft songs and the rock songs, he's the whole deal wrapped into one.

Monogram & Martini's

So I passed by a store last week and saw that they were advertising "Monogramming and Martini's"... I'm not sure why or what it had to do with but I texted my friend Ashley who is very crafty and told her we needed to throw a Monogram & Martini Party! I thought perhaps each girl could bring two glasses and monogram a martini glass of their own with paint provided by the "oh so crafty Ashley". And then of course drink Martini's as well.. I'm really fond of both the Key Lime Pie Martini (YUM) with a graham cracker edge OR the Oprah Pomegranate Martini (instant health pleaser).

SO, since then, I found out what the original idea was: On Thursday, head over to Handpicked from 5 to 7 pm for Martinis and Monograms to celebrate the launch of the new Handpicked Monogram Collection. Martinis are free and you’ll receive a free gift with every purchase. Martinis are yummy. - awesome but unfortunately missed out on that one!

So now... we have embarked on a Monogram and Martini Googling Search. Apparently it is the "new craze" of bridal/baby shower themes! AMAZING. Now all we need is a friend to get married or pop out a baby so we can throw her one of these! I couldn't think of anything more fun that that (not the popping out the baby part but the shower throwing part)! I mean who doesn't obsess over their new monogram or the new baby's monogram even?! I just need an excuse to go shopping I suppose lol. Apparently there is also a "Monogram & Mimosas Shower" for morning time vs the martini hour which is probably more geared towards night showers! Neat!

Look at this adorable invite from a Savannah redhead's blog


I could do without the green and pink but apparently this Bride is Preppy! I would be more partial to a lime or apple green and black invite I think.

If you are looking to monogram in Charlotte, Alphabet Soup is a good place to go, OR if you're elsewhere and even in Charlotte, Swoozies is my favorite!

Happy St Pattys Day

We are having a March Birthdays Party at work on Tuesday and I made some lovely GREEN cupcakes for the event! The vanilla icing came out a weeee bit too sugary this go around, still practicing, but I think my oven and I have come to an agreement finally and now I need to get in touch with my suga!

Delicious Wallpaper

Check out - designyourwall.com for some fabulous wallpaper options - amongst many other things!

Note to self: Need to have a party soon....

On this rainy and very yucky day all I can think about is...

The Skinny Girls Margarita

(from Bethenny Frankel - Real Housewives of NYC - love that show)
On the Rocks

What you’ll need:
* 2 oz of clear Tequila (100% agave, Patron Silver)

* (count 1, 2 while you pour, no need for measuring)

* A splash of fresh lime juice

* A splash of Cointreau, Grand Marnier or Triple Sec

Combine all ingredients over a glass of ice
Garnish with a lime wedge and salt (or sugar) if you’d like.

"Glamorous, Glamorous Glamorous.. Floss-ay Floss-ay!"

Ok, first of all, how cute is this little cherub??? I can only hope that my children are just as gorgeous as little Shiloh! Oh and by the way - "Amy" is her imaginary friend. So. cute. (well atleast until she's like 8, then amy's gotta hit the road!)

AND secondly, Katie. Ohhh Katie. How could you betray me like this???!

What about all the girls with short hair that need you to represent! We need the celeb pull to prove that short hair can be hot too!

Geez luise. But, sigh, hate to admit that it does make her look younger and very glamorous.

Wow, I want this!

Go Singapore! Amazing... their Happy Meals (an Emily fast food FAVORITE) are available with CORN, a GRILLED CHICKEN SANDWICH w/ the greens, AND APPLE JUICE! "waaah"! Bring that on over to America please!

TeddyLux

Who would have thought - recycled cashmere - and it costs way less than buying it in the store!

Some of their recycled cashmere goes to making stuffed animals like elephants, bears, and bunnies....while other goes to $30 scarves and even headbands! Cute concept!

Also, I believe the concept is that you send in your old sweaters... but I don't think you HAVE to do that... there's probably enough merch to go around!

Anyways...

Buy something for a friend today! :)

Hurray!

Yes! This is great! Everyone is raving over the cupcakes!

Here are some comments from my coworkers:

*Best Cupcake yet I think…..!!!!
Donald

*The BEST work yet…the texture of the cake was perfect…the presentation was great with the little wafer on top. If I had to criticize anything, the icing could have been a tad sweeter…but all in all, excellent! 9.4 rating.
Jimmy

*YUMMY!!!
Corinne

*Delicious!!! I loved it. I would buy these at your store all the time by the dozens & I am totally serious.
Julie

Also, I did catch the Today Show and I got to see the hosts going to Art School! It was very comical with the nude models and the teacher couldn't have been more forward with her comments. The hosts even got to hang their paintings in a very nice art gallery to see what those shopping around for art had to say! haha!

More on Tv.... cannot believe last night's American Idol! I was really disappointed. Granted I was making cupcakes and running from kitchen to living room - I still didn't hear anything that I was too excited about. My girls Allison and Megan didn't even come through! Kris might win in the end because he has the hollywood looks along with the Maroon Five rock voice. We'll see! Oh and Paula, is a nut job.

Goin' Bananas!

Voila! Look at these beauties! Ashley gave me her grandmother's banana cake recipe and I added my touch to it (extra banana, different oil) and here is the final product! I think it tastes good and I can't wait to hear what the office thinks about it! There were some holes so I think that I let the badder sit and beat the pans on the counter twice as long next time around! :) Can't wait to walk into the office with my fancy carrier tomorrow with these cute guys in tow!!

Trader Joe's Lunches

For all you looking to jazz up your frozen lunches - check out Trader Joe's! They have a whole lunch section with wraps, salads, sushi, and my FAV, precooked and sliced grilled chicken (not the icky Tysons chicken kind!) and salmon (cooked in lemon juice and sea salt!). Give it a whirl over some fresh greens!

Gosh I Love TV

Dancing with the Stars is BACK!

If you didn't catch it last night, you must start watching DWTS! MELISSA from the Bachelor and HOLLY from the Girls Next Door took the place of Jewel and Nancy O'Dell!

My favorite is definitely the Bachelor's Melissa because she really deserves this win! The girl has had enough humiliation on TV to last a life time! Plus - she is REALLY GOOD. Steve-O will be silly to watch so that will add to the shows' ratings. And I have a feeling there may be a good fight between Julianne Hough and her honey.... who is very easy on the eyes, might I add! But really, can they compete together? I just don't think so. I hope that the dancers will get better as the show goes on. I was so disappointed last night - everyone seemed to be walking on egg shells! Terrible! Hopefully they will gain confidence and let loose over time! :)

Also, the Today show is doing a HILARIOUS segment this week that I suggest, you watch! Today they were showing dogs. Meredith won because this was her dog's last show and she was wearing the appropriate attire! haha. AND even better - tomorrow they are painting a nude model! Should be funny!!!