Favorite Freebie: Book Club

Any book lovers out there?

I admit it.
Guilty as charged.
Wholeheartedly.

One thing I've done consistently in my life
is make sure I'm involved in a
book club.

Can't find one?
Start one.

Meet at someone's house.
Meet at your favorite coffee shop.
Meet at you fave place for a quick sammie
or a long lunch.

This is what I know about
Book Clubs.

They make you read.
Knowing you have a "must be read" deadline
lights the book-reading
fire under you.

It's a good thing.

Book Clubs open doors to books
you wouldn't normally chose for yourself.

Another good thing.

Chat with the ladies.
Commiserate.
Connect.
Use your brain.

This is our book pick this month.
Bossypants
Tina Fey

Just started it.
Found myself laughing out loud
waiting for my daughters next track event
while others looked on
wondering who the crazy lady was.

I didn't care.
It was that funny.

Oh goodie.
I've only just begun the book.
I know I've got more laughing to do.

Got a good book club?
Would love to hear about it...

Favorite Freebie - PICNIK

Just discovered this.
Love.

I think you will, too!

Peeps, meet Picnik

This website allows you to do really nifty,
cool things with your photos.

Oh.
And it's absolutely FREE.
Who doesn't love FREE?

Check it out...

Original Photo

After applying 'BOOST'
(what did I tell ya?)

*Home pics of our pad left behind in San Diego

Original Photo

After applying 'HDR-ish' effect

Original Photo

After applying 'CinemaScope'

Cool, huh?

One more for the road...
Original Photo

After applying 'Cross Process'

You can even add text and symbols.

Makes me a better "photographer".
Don't you think?

Do we not love modern technology?

Take a sec.
Stop on by and play around a bit.

Let me know what you think.

New Favorite Frugal Find

This my new favorite fall fingernail color

Are you ready for this?
I can't wait to tell you what I paid...
$2
Wal Mart Brand Nail Polish
It's called
Pure Ice
Color is: scandal
Isn't the price just scandalous?

I know...

This is the fabulous fall color I bought last year.
This is Sephora Nail Polish by OPI
Color: Metro Chic
I paid
$9

I bet you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between Wal-Mart and Sephora.

At least I couldn't,
Not with nail polish, at least.

Get out there, ladies.
Paint those nails.
It's easy, inexpensive and spruces up an outfit in no time.

Thoughts on this one?

As usual, thanks for visiting.

Eye Candy This Week

These are my latest drool worthy mentions:

Bobble-Knit Lumbar Pillow
Pottery Barn
$49

Sweater-Knit Throw
Pottery Barn
$79

Natural Tree-Stump Side Table
West Elm
$199

(even though I would have called this
an ottoman rather than a side table...
but no one is knocking on my door asking)

These are some things that make me feel happy when I see them.

Cooler air is setting in.
Leaves are falling.
Colors of the scenery are changing.

I think I'm into
Natural
knits
and
whites

What do YOU think?

What is YOUR eye candy this week?

As always, thanks for visiting

Favorite New Song Find

My daughter turned me on to this song.
Listened to it once and was hooked.

Little Lion Man

by

MUMFORD and SONS,

my new favorite London quartet,
released this song as their debut single.


Can you guess which song is
going to be downloaded on my ipod next?

LISTENER WARNING:
*There is one inappropriate word in it
(sorry, to those under aged ears...didn't intend for that)

Let me know what you think.
As always, thanks for visiting...

Favorite Fall Foods

Diet Coke Roast

Love making this in the fall.

You will find it to be quite the crowd pleaser,
and it feeds many.

Here is what you'll need:

Put all your ingredients in one of these bad boys.

Next you will add these 3 ingredients
atop your favorite roast
(a shoulder roast works well for me)

one package of Lipton Onion Soup Mix

One Can of Diet Coke

One Can of Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup

VOILA!

Let cook on low all day.
The meat will fall apart...and that's a good thing.

Mashed potatoes go great with this because
of the yummy gravy it produces.

I also like to add steamed broccoli to the plate.
Throw a little garlic, basil mayo on the side and forget about it!

Complete meal!

As always, thanks for visiting.
Let me know if you try it...I love comments.

The Unwavering White Kitchen

White Kitchen Cabinets

One thing over the years, I've always loved,
still love and will continue to love

That's comforting to know that over time, I still like what I like.
Kind of like my husband (he's a keeper for sure!)

Check out these fab white kitchens.
How much do you love?
(or is it just me?)

Okay, this one isn't quite all white. Only the counter tops are white,
but I really liked this kitchen so I put it in the heap.

What is YOUR unwavering decorative LOVE?

As always, thanks for visiting...

Selling New York---New Fav Show

Have you seen the latest eye candy on HGTV?

Okay, maybe it's not eye candy for all, but for me, for sure.

SELLING NEW YORK
is my new favorite show to drool over.

It's all about uber expensive apartments for sale in New York

It's decadent
Not always my taste
Fun
Dreamy

Maybe I love it because of my new East Coast transplant status?
Maybe I live vicariously through these New York apartment seeking kazillionaires?
Maybe I just look adoringly at city living?

What more could a TV show offer an interior junky like myself?

If you haven't checked it out already, please do so.

Thanks for visiting...

Favorite Freebie...Being Gracious

This is one I'm constantly working on

BE GRACIOUS...DAILY

I have realized at my 40 plus years,
to live this
you will be rewarded many times over.

Here is what I know brings happiness:

1. Be slow to take credit...
quick to give praise
(who doesn't love the humble achiever?)

2. Thank those in your life, often.
(This is true for the grocery clerk or for your most loved ones,
put it in writing and it is even more home hitting)

3. Being gracious does not monopolize conversation.
(It's always nice to hear what others have to offer)

4. Pay attention to people
(People like to be "heard". It makes them feel important)

5. Be mindful of what comes out of your mouth...
(Think before you speak...I work on this daily and fail often)

6. Point out the good
(Even with the most difficult chapters in life, you can always find the good )


7. Have Positive Energy
(be the person people enjoy being around)


I pray to be this person daily.

I don't always succeed.

How are YOU GRACIOUS in your life?
Would love to hear how you do this...

As always, thanks for visiting.

*for more on tips on being a gracious person try this link

Favorites: Four Legged Friends

My goal with this blog is to promote good things.

Home Interiors.
Fashion.
Harmonious Family Habits...
All while keeping it simple.

One of those things, I believe, that enrich our lives,
actually extend it to be more precise, is being a dog owner.

Of course we all have our favorite breeds.
Mine just happens to be

The German Short-haired Pointer

Homer is our dog (pictured above).
He loves bananas, long walks and a good rub down.

He helps me to stay in shape, as he likes his daily walks.
He greets me when I come home.
He doesn't care how I look...make up or not.
He only requires one meal a day...
and it is the easiest meal of the day to prepare (scoop and pour)

Here are some more pictures of my favorite breed:

Okay, I also like Great Danes...

Leave comments:
What is your favorite breed?