The Things Girls Love

The Things Girls Love is going on Hiatus

2010-03-21T18:48:00.000-04:00

Hello folks!

You may have noticed that I've been MIA for quite some time. This is an update to let you know (quite belatedly) that this blog will be going on hiatus indefinitely. Amanda is expecting her first baby in June (yay!), and Blakelyn has earned a promotion at work, so their free time has become quite limited.

Blakelyn will be posting all book reviews at her other blog, Designed to Live. Thanks for following!

Blakelyn

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery - Book Review

2010-02-08T19:23:00.003-05:00

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
If I were a few years younger, I probably would have given this book 5 stars. It is an excellent book for youth. Anne is the most lovable character I've ever encountered in a book! You just can't help but love her upbeat personality, her imagination, and her fascination with the simple things in life. She remains positive regardless of her circumstances.

You could hardly tell this book was written over 100 years ago, except for references to transportation (in horse-drawn carriages) and the styles of the time (i.e. puffed sleeves). It is certainly a timeless classic.

View all my reviews >>

One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus - Book Review

2010-01-04T09:54:00.000-05:00

One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd by Jim Fergus

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Unjustly committed to an insane asylum for reasons of "promiscuity", May Dodd volunteers for a secret government-run program, in which the US gives the Native Americans one thousand white women as brides in exchange for one thousand of their best horses. Though not a fair trade, President Grant has agreed to the exchange in an effort to bring about peace between the "whites" and the "savages". May is guaranteed her freedom after 2 years in the program. On a west-bound train with the first batch of volunteers, May has no idea what she's gotten herself into, but keeps a detailed log of events in her journal. Over the next year, she will find herself living in the wilderness, married to Chief Little Wolf of the Cheyennes, and carrying his child. Meanwhile, the "Brides" program the government started has been aborted, and the US is waging a war against the "savages".

If you've ever wondered what life was like for the Native Americans during the westward movement, Fergus gives great insight in this novel. How the US treated the Native Americans was unforgivable and embarrassing.

View all my reviews >>

The Road by Cormac McCarthy - Book Review

2010-01-04T09:37:00.000-05:00

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was one of the most unique books I've read in a long time. The style of writing, as well as the storyline, made this a quick and easy read. While I recognize it as a great book, I was disappointed in the ending, which seemed quite anti-climatic. There were many questions left unanswered: What was the cause of the fires and when did they start? How long had the man and boy been traveling? What was the mother's story, where did she go, and why did she leave?

Regardless of these deficiencies, this is no doubt a great story of love, endurance, and sacrifice.

View all my reviews >>

Christmas Decorations

2009-12-03T10:33:00.003-05:00

As I have been decorating for Christmas this year, I have realized how much I like my nativity set. I collect Willow Tree and the first time I saw their nativity set, I loved it!

Each year for Christmas or my birthday, I would ask for a peice of this set. After about 3 years, I had the whole set. Not only is is beautiful, but it would also match any style of your home decorations. So, if you are ever in the market for a nativity set, I recommend the Willow Tree!

The Shack by W. Paul Young - Book Review

2009-12-02T13:13:00.001-05:00

The Shack by William P. Young

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
If you've ever been angry at God for something going wrong in your life, or wondered how there can be a God when there is such evil in this world, you must read The Shack. Young gives a modern-day spin on the teachings of the Bible, and offers a new perspective on God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit. This book will leave you wishing for your own weekend with "Papa".

View all my reviews >>

Cherry Pie Recipe (Williams-Sonoma)

2009-11-25T18:41:00.000-05:00

We are heading to NJ tomorrow morning (at 5AM!) for Thanksgiving, and I told the hostess (my sister-in-law) that I would bring a cherry pie. My husband LOVES cherry pie.

The recipe I have is from Williams-Sonoma, and is as follows:

Ingredients for the Pie Crust:
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbs. sugar
16 Tbs. (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter
1/3 to 1/2 cup ice water

Ingredients for the Filling:
1 cup sugar

2 Tbs. cornstarch
2 Tbs. arrowroot (I substituted cornstarch - 2 Tbs arrowroot = 3 Tbs cornstarch, so I used 5 Tbs cornstarch total)
Pinch of salt
1/2 tsp lemon zest
2 lb sweet cherries, pitted (such as Royal Ann, Bing or Ranier)
1 egg yolk beaten with 1 Tbs. milk

Pie Crust:
Mix together dry ingredients, then transfer to a food processor. Add the butter and pulse 10-15 times until you have pea-sized crumbs. Add 1/3 cup of ice water and pulse two more times. Turn the dough onto a work surface, divide in half, and shape into 2 discs. Wrap the discs with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hr up to overnight.

Roll out each disc into 12" rounds. Refrigerate the rounds on parchment paper for 30 min.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Transfer 1 dough round to a 9-inch pie dish and refrigerate while preparing the filling.

Filling:
Mix dry ingredients, then add cherries and gently stir to combine. Let sit for 15 minutes, ten pour cherry mix into the pie shell.

Prepare pie crust as you wish, either lattice-top or with cut-outs. Lightly brush the crust with the egg yolk mixture.

Bake pie for 20 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 degrees. Bake an additional 55 to 60 min or until the juices bubble thickly and the crust is golden. You may need to cover the crust with aluminum foil if it browns too quickly.

SO, without further ado! Here is my cherry pie!

Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen - Book Review

2009-11-24T13:51:00.001-05:00

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is my first Jane Austen novel, and I have to admit it left me wanting to read more of her work. I had a hard time adjusting to the grammar and language, and the book started out slowly. But by about 50-100 pages in, I was hooked on the story. You can't help but love and respect Elizabeth, and the mysterious Mr. Darcy will keep you wondering until the very end. A great love story.

View all my reviews >>

Kids Woot is having a Woot-Off Today

2009-11-13T09:23:00.000-05:00

Head over to Kids.Woot today and check out their Woot-Off! I've already purchased 3 Lamaze Infant Toys for just $29.99 (that was the price for ALL THREE)!

Christmas Cactus - Red/Pink

2009-11-10T18:41:00.001-05:00

My red/pink Christmas Cactus bloomed for the first time today! It is so gorgeous!

And here is a picture of the white one fully bloomed:

Netflix Watch Instantly Now on PS3!

2009-11-10T11:20:00.000-05:00

Remember when I told you how AMAZING the Watch Instantly feature is on Netflix? Well, for those of you who have a PS3, you can now enjoy that feature for free! Click Here to get your free disc from Netflix to set up your system, and come back here to tell me just how awesome it is.

Carrie Underwood - Play On - Review

2009-11-04T10:09:00.000-05:00

Last night, I couldn't wait to get off work so that I could run out to Target to pick up Carrie Underwood's new cd, Play On. You're probably all thinking "She went out and bought a cd? Who still buys cds?" And all I can tell you is that I tried the whole "download the album from iTunes" thing, and frankly I just feel I'm not getting my money's worth. Where's my booklet with photos and lyrics, thank-you's and dedications? Granted - this cd booklet doesn't have any lyrics, but still. I also like the option of listening either to my iPod (which, I do have one, thankyouverymuch) or popping a cd into my cd player in my car.

Anyhoo, ever since her debut album, Some Hearts, came out, I have just absolutely LOVED Carrie Underwood's music. I could listen to her sing all day and all night. She has an amazing voice, and if I was given the opportunity to pick one talent, it would be to be able to sing like Carrie.

The first song on the album is Cowboy Casanova, her first single. I love that song, but it's not my favorite from this album. I would have to pick Temporary Home as my favorite, which just breaks my heart. It reminds me so much of the book I just finished, Three Little Words. It's one of those 3-part songs, where the chorus means something different in each situation, with the last comparing life here on earth as our "Temporary Home". Great song.

I also really love What Can I Say, which features Sons of Sylvia (anyone ever heard of them?). The song talks about a love-gone-bad that she wishes hadn't ended so badly. Part of the lyrics are, "I'm not sorry that it's over, but for the way we let it end." I'm sure many of us can relate to those words. Plus, I'm a sucker for duets.

While these are my favorite songs, there are other great ones, such as Songs Like This, Look at Me, and Mama's Song. Overall, I think the cd is fantastic. I've found that sometimes artists feel the need to change their style by their 2nd or 3rd cd, but Carrie has remained consistent. I look forward to hearing some of these news songs on the radio soon!

Three Little Words by Ashley Rhodes-Courter - Book Review

2009-11-02T13:08:00.001-05:00

Three Little Words: A Memoir by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Ashley Rhodes-Courter has given us insight and a new perspective on the Foster Care system in our country. After living in 14 different foster homes over the course of 9 years, one of which was shockingly abusive, Ashley wonders how she could possibly be better off than she would be with her own mother. On her journey, she uncovers many of the flaws in "the system" that allowed people like Charles & Marjorie Moss to get away with abusing children for so many years, all the while being paid by the State to care for them.

While Rhodes-Courter endured more than any child should, the story has a happy ending, and will leave you with hope - and possibly the urge to become a foster parent.

View all my reviews >>

Ebates - Cash Back on Christmas Shopping!

2009-11-02T08:20:00.000-05:00

The start of November marks a momentous time for me: the beginning of the Christmas Shopping season! I have one of those oh-so-handy Christmas Club accounts at my credit union. All year, they pull money from my check to put into that account, and on November 1st it is transferred to my savings account for me to withdraw. . And so it begins! If any of you have banks that offer this feature, I highly recommnend signing up for it. It is incredibly convenient to go to the bank at the beginning of November, and for them to hand over a wad of cash to do all your Christmas shopping. Plus - no debt in January (if you save enough, that is!)

So in celebration of the Christmas Shopping Season, I wanted to share with you all a little secret known as Ebates. It's seriously the best kept secret on the web. Let me first say - its completely free. I will repeat that again later, because you will find it so hard to believe. Ebates is a cash-back site for online shopping. They are teamed with hundreds of online stores, such as Sears, Victoria's Secret, Old Navy, and even Ebay. When ou sign up for an Ebates account, and use their referral link to any of these stores, you will receive a certain amount of cash-back on your purchase, which will go to your Ebates account - it's different percentage for every store, and usually ranges from 1% to as much as 15%.

Every 3 months, Ebates will send you a Big Fat Check in the mail for all the cash back you have earned. So far, I have received almost $140 in cash back from Ebates! Most of my cash back comes from ordering photo prints. Do you order prints from Snapfish or Shutterfly for your scrapbooking? If you go through the Ebates referral link, you get 10% cash back!

I thought this time of year would be the best time to share this little secret with you. And remember - it doesn't cost you a penny. Go sign up and start earning your cash back!

Holiday Cactus

2009-10-31T11:33:00.000-04:00

The last time I visited my parents, my mom gave me 2 Holiday Cactus plants. I don't know the proper name for them, but that is what she called them (anyone know?).

Anyhow, the white one has started blooming today, and its GORGEOUS!!

Last-Minute Halloween Costume - Black Cat

2009-10-30T12:48:00.000-04:00

Need a last minute Halloween Costume? This is one that I came up with in about 5 minutes last night, when trying to decide how to dress up for work.

You'll Need:

All Black Outfit (I chose black leggings, black skirt, black t-shirt, black sweater, and black boots)
Black Headband (Mine is actually black & white, but its all I had)
Short black scarf
Construction or Scrapbook Paper - Black & White
Scissors
Glue Stick
Eyeliner or a black face paint pen

Cut out two equally sized triangles from your black construction paper. Do the same with the white construction paper, but make the triangles about half the size. Use your glue stick to glue the white triangles on the black triangles. Fold the triangles to make the shape of ears, then tape them to your headband.

Now, it's time to paint your face (or your child's). Using the eyeliner or facepaint pen, color the tip of the nose black. Then starting on either side of the face, draw whiskers going out at angles.

Finally, tuck the short scarf into your pants/skirt to make the tail. Voila! A Black Cat costume!

Chocolate Cookie Recipe

2009-10-29T12:03:00.002-04:00

Yesterday afternoon, I decided to make a batch of chocolate cookies for my husband. The recipe is SO VERY good, so I decided to share it. Here it is:

Ingredients:

2C flour
3/4C Hershey's Cocoa
1 1/4C butter, softened
2C sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt

Cream sugar and butter until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla and blend well. Combine remaining ingredients and beat until mixed well. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 9 minutes. (they will puff during cooking and flatten when cool). Cool on cookie sheet until set, about 1 minute. Remove to cooling rack to cool completely. Makes about 4 dozen.

Fall Into Reading - Status Update

2009-10-28T10:49:00.000-04:00

Quick update on mine and Amanda's progress so far! We've each checked one book off our list. I'll be starting Three Little Words next! And Amanda has decided to add a book to her list, Angela's Ashes, and start it this weekend.

(P.S. I feel way behind already.)

Blakelyn:
Traveling with Pomegranates by Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kidd Taylor
The Shack by William P. Young
Three Little Words by Ashley Rhodes-Courter
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus

Amanda:
Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt

An Echo In The Bone by Diana Gabaldon

The Host by Stephanie Meyer

Fearless by Max Luxado

The Glass Castle by Jeannette

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz

Kids Woot-Off at Kids.Woot!

2009-10-28T10:15:00.000-04:00

The Woot-Off is still going strong over at Woot.com, and just moments ago, Kids.Woot started their first ever Woot-Off! Seriously - put your Santa boots on, and get over there!

Traveling with Pomegranates by Sue Monk Kidd & Ann Kidd Taylor - Book Review

2009-10-28T09:03:00.003-04:00

Traveling with Pomegranates: A Mother-Daughter Story by Sue Monk Kidd

My rating: 2 of 5 stars
I'm going to start by saying that I'm glad I read this book. I learned quite a few things about Joan of Arc, Demeter & Persephone, and the Black Madonna. The problem is that when I bought the book, that wasn't what I expected or wanted to read about - I wanted to read about Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kidd Taylor, and their mother-daughter relationship. This book was a little too deep and contemplative for my taste. I could very well relate to Ann, and I enjoyed her chapters. But I could not relate to Sue, and found her chapters too heavily weighted in the stories of Greek Gods, and not stories of her life with Ann.

View all my reviews >>

Hair Flower Clip

2009-10-27T11:09:00.000-04:00

I'm on a blogging ROLL today.

I thought you'd all like to see a picture of my hair flower clip that I'm wearing today!

Excuse the mess that is my cubicle!

Chatty Nicoley - Blog Giveaway!

2009-10-27T08:29:00.000-04:00

Chatty Nicoley is posting her very first blog giveaway today, to celebrate 100 followers! Head over to this post today, start following her, and enter for your chance to win! You have until November 8th!

Here's a photo of what is up for grabs!

Woot-Off Started Today!!!

2009-10-27T08:13:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone! Get your wallet out and get ready to do some Christmas shopping! Head over to Woot.com for today's Woot-Off! It started at midnight last night, so you've already missed out on countless deals!

If anyone manages to get a Bag-O-Crap, let me know!

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

2009-10-26T16:53:00.006-04:00

Synopsis

Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Rex and Rose Mary Walls had four children. In the beginning, they lived like nomads, moving among Southwest desert towns, camping in the mountains. Rex was a charismatic, brilliant man who, when sober, captured his children's imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly. Rose Mary, who painted and wrote and couldn't stand the responsibility of providing for her family, called herself an "excitement addict." Cooking a meal that would be consumed in fifteen minutes had no appeal when she could make a painting that might last forever.

Later, when the money ran out, or the romance of the wandering life faded, the Walls retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining town — and the family — Rex Walls had done everything he could to escape. He drank. He stole the grocery money and disappeared for days. As the dysfunction of the family escalated, Jeannette and her brother and sisters had to fend for themselves, supporting one another as they weathered their parents' betrayals and, finally, found the resources and will to leave home.

What is so astonishing about Jeannette Walls is not just that she had the guts and tenacity and intelligence to get out, but that she describes her parents with such deep affection and generosity. Hers is a story of triumph against all odds, but also a tender, moving tale of unconditional love in a family that despite its profound flaws gave her the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms.

For two decades, Jeannette Walls hid her roots. Now she tells her ownstory. A regular contributor to MSNBC.com, she lives in New York and Long Island and is married to the writer John Taylor.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What a great book! I read this book from front to back in about 4 days...I could not put it down. Not only did this enlighten you on how some people feel about life, it also made you feel for the children and what they went through. While reading this book I felt sad, angry, happy and amazed! I highly recommed this book.

For Love 21 Accessories!

2009-10-26T08:25:00.001-04:00

We have a store at the local mall called For Love 21, which is a branch of Forever 21, but they only carry accessories. I'm surprised the store doesn't have its very own website. It's the most amazing store EVER. They are incredibly cheap, and they have all the latest trends. Most items in the store will not cost you more than $6. This past Friday, I went on a little bit of a shopping spree! Here are all my great finds:

This CUTE polka-dotted cinch belt($5.80):

Flower clips are going to be so popular this fall/winter - you just wait.

Here's a purple one (which I also bought in Gray, $3.80):

This is the black rose hair clip I bought, which will be the most versatile ($2.50):

And here is a red rose head-band, perfect for Christmas parties! ($3.80):

Finally, I bought this cute little cloche hat ($11.80):

So much fun! And for all that, plus a necklace, I only spent about $30.

A New Project

2009-10-22T10:10:00.001-04:00

I have decided to try and finish a quilt by the end of the year. I started on the quilt block of the month project from Jo-Anne's in 2005, but it always got moved to the 'back burner' because of other projects going on(i.e. working every other weekend, traveling, etc.). Well, now that I am unemployed and have more time on my hands, I am going to pick the project back up and try to finish it before December 31st. So, over time, I will let you know how my progress is going and hopefully I can finish it. Here is a photo of what it is supposed to look like:

Paperback Swap

2009-10-22T10:09:00.002-04:00

What do you do with your books after you read them? If you are like me, you keep the ones you love. The others usually go in a box for the next yard sale, or are sold to a used book store. But there is another option! You can post them on Paperback Swap, and earn credits for free books!

A friend of mine introduced me to Paperback Swap a few months back. You start out by posting 10 books that you are willing to give away to whomever may want them. Once you've posted your 10 books, you will instantly receive 2 credits. You can use these 2 credits to "order" 2 paperback books of your choice from other members. (The selection of book is fantastic - there are currently over 4 million books availalble to choose from.) Then, each time someone requests a book from you, you will receive an additional credit. Paperback books "cost" 1 credit, and hardback books are 2 credits.

I have made very good use of this site in the few months that I've been using it. I'm an avid yard-sale fanatic, so each weekend I pick up books for a quarter to post on Paperback Swap, quickly increasing my credits. (Tip: rare books "sell" the fastest). The only thing I pay for is the cost to ship my books to whomever requests them. Then, when it comes time for my Book Club to select a new book for the month, I go online and order it for free! So far I've saved $67.50, according to my account.

If you already have an account, or plan to start one, be sure to add me as a friend (Blakelyn T.).

Netflix Watch Instantly

2009-10-21T09:16:00.000-04:00

Everyone knows how awesome Nettflix is. And if you haven't yet jumped on the Netflix bandwagon, you must! Are you really still driving to the store to rent movies? And then driving back to the store to return them? Come on! That's just craziness in this modern world.

I started using Netflix a few years ago. I did a test run of Netflix vs. Blockbuster Online, and Netflix won, hands down, due to their fast shipping. There happens to be a Netflix Warehouse right here in good ole Richmond, so shipping is overnight for me. Can't beat that! For all I know, Blockbuster Online may have improved their shipping since I tried them out 4-5 years ago, so I'm not saying there is anything wrong with them. They just didn't win my patronage at the time, and I have no reason to switch back now. Especially with Netflix Watch Instantly!

My husband is a computer nerd - I say that as a compliment, because I'm quite proud of him for his talents with a computer. We have a very "high tech" home. Our tv is actually hooked up to a full PC with Windows Media Center. It handles all of our programming (as well as photos, videos, and any other type of media), and also acts as a DVR. It is also a Netflix-Ready device, which is the MOST AMAZING THING EVER. What that means is that I can turn on the tv (which will automatically turn on to the Media Center), click on Netflix, and instantly watch anything that is in my Watch Instantly Queue. Do you know how convenient that is? This summer, we watched the first 4 seasons of The Office, as well as the first 3 seasons of Weeds using Watch Instantly. I'm thinking that I'll start on Dexter next. I'll admit - the selection for Watch Instantly is definitely limited - but it's still awesome to turn on your tv, and have a boatload of "on demand" tv and movies to watch, even if they are slightly outdated. And you can't beat the classics! I watched Casablanca for the first time one night when my husband was off on a business trip. I'm still hoping that Gone With the Wind will be available one day - I don't think you can even get that on DVD through Netflix, which is kinda weird.

Problems arose a couple months ago when Scott decided to upgrade to the beta version of Windows 7. Suddenly, our Media Center was no longer Netflix Ready. We had to wait for the official Windows 7 release before it would be available. It's been a long couple months without it, but this Friday, Windows 7 has its official release. And GUESS WHAT. No, I'm not excited that I'll get my Netflix Watch Instantly feature back this Friday. I'm excited because I got my Netflix Watch Instantly feature back LAST NIGHT! I was elated!

Now I realize that not everyone has the luxury of having Windows Media Center in their Home Media setup. But fear not! Netflix actually sells a "Netflix Ready" box for $99 that you can hook up to any tv, and have the same luxury as my hubby and I. It's no fun to watch movies on your laptop - you need to see them on your 42" flat screen tv.

Harvest of Friends Blog Party!

2009-10-20T12:24:00.000-04:00

I'm new to this blog party thing, but its so fun! Dancing Barefoot is hosting the Harvest of Friends Blog Party, which runs until October 24th. This is a "Getting to Know You" party, so here's a little information about me.

First, my picture:

And now, a little questionnaire:

1. What is your favorite thing to snack on while you're blogging?

Anything chocolate!

2. What is one thing you wouldn't want to live without?

My husband.

3. Beach, Mountains or Farm? Where would you live if you had a choice?

I'd have to pick the beach, because I love warm weather.

4. What's your least favorite chore/household duty?

I absolutely DESPISE washing dishes. And cleaning the litter box. And cooking.

5. Who do people say you remind them of?

When I was younger, everyone said I looked like Leann Rimes. Most recently, someone told me I looked
like Julie on Friday Night Lights - Aimee Teegarden.

6. Prefer parties and socializing or staying at home with the fam?

Definitely staying at home with the family. I'm such a homebody!

7. What's your all time favorite movie?

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. I have to watch it EVERY Christmas Eve!

8. Do you sleep in your make up or remove it like a good girl every night?

I sleep in my makeup for sure. I wear Bare Minerals, so it's ok. :-)

9. Do you have a hidden talent or a deep desire to learn something that you've never had a chance to learn? What is it?

Yes, but I'm not quite ready for it yet - learning how to be a mom.

10. What's one strange thing you're really good at?

Solving a rubix cube. And juggling. Actually, I'm not very good at juggling, but I can do it.

11. What first attracted you to your spouse?

His desire to take care of me.

12. What is something you love to smell?

Coffee, fresh baked chocolate chip cookies, and home.

13. Tell something about you that you know irritates people.

Maybe that I'm impatient. That's definitely my biggest fault.

14. When you have extra money (HA!) what's the first thing you think to do with it?

Go shopping! (The right answer here would probably be "save it." But that would be a lie.)

15. Are you a silent laugher or a loud laugher? What makes you laugh the hardest?

I'm neither silent nor loud. I can honestly say that my best friends from highschool (who happen to be twins, and are hilarious) make me laugh the hardest.

16. Where is your favorite place to shop?

I can only pick one? I'm a big fan of H&M at the moment (where I spent all my birthday money last week...must write a post about that shopping spree.)

17. What's one thing you'd do more often if you had more time?

Probably read - I have a bazillion unread books on my shelves.

18. Are you a big spender or frugal?

I'm a bargain hunter - I don't like paying full price for anything. HOWEVER, I cannot pass up a deal either, so my husband tells me I'll "go broke trying to save money." So I would have to say I'm a big spender, but I get more for my money than most people.

19. Who is your favorite character of all time (from a movie or book)? (Can't be real)

Wow. I don't know! I'm gonna say Harry Potter, because dude can do magic.

20. Would you want to be famous?

I don't think so - not in the recognizable sense. If I was a famous author, and most people didn't have a clue what I looked like, that might be ok. But I wouldn't want to be recognizable in public.

So there you have it! All about me. Now I'm off to read all about you guys.

Remote Control Holder

2009-10-19T12:20:00.000-04:00

In my spare time, I love to scrapbook, travel and shop. In addition to this, I also love to sew. I don't make much time for this, but when I do have time, I love it. Recently, my husband and I changed our room around a little and tried to 'declutter' and organize our room. We love to watch TV in our room at night, but we can never find a good place to put our remotes. They get lost, or if I want the remote, it is on the other side of the room. It is so annoying not to have the remote control near me when I need it. I have thought about purchasing a remote control holder (that is wedged between the two mattresses, hangs out and holds the remotes) and have looked at these in stores, but thought that $30 was too much to pay for something that is not on a 'need' list and it looks so easy to make. So today I decided to try and make one. It took me about 1 1/2 - 2 hours, but it was well worth it. See the picture below.I am now glad that we have a remote control holder and that I saved $30! A great tool to have for the bedroom, hanging on your chair in the living room, or anywhere you need to store remotes!

I'm a Yard Sale Snob

2009-10-19T09:26:00.000-04:00

If there is one thing I love, it is a good yard sale. Most people who spend their Saturday mornings at yard sales and flea markets are interested in antiques and old furniture. Not me! No, I am the Queen of bargains, and there is no better place to find a bargain than at a yard sale - and I don't want a bargain on a 50-year-old end table. I want a bargain on a set of Crate & Barrel dishes, or a Pottery Barn tablecloth. When I go to a yard sale, I am looking for something that looks brand new (or even better, IS brand new) at rock bottem prices.

I'm a self-proclaimed Yard Sale Snob. I've determined over the years that wealthy neighborhoods have the best yard sales. I won't even bother stopping at what I like to call "junk sales" - yard sales where everything has been sitting in a garage/attic/basement for the last 25-50 years, and the homeowners finally got around to cleaning things out. And even worse than those are "Estate Sales". I despise Estate Sales. For one thing, its depressing - it probably means someone just died. And for another, I don't want your great grandma's teacup.

So I stick with the wealthy neighborhoods - the people who don't keep things longer than a season, so they can stay in-style. The ones who get rid of a perfectly good Stainless Steel Gas Grill with 4 burners because they upgraded to an outdoor kitchen. And how much are they selling that $300 gas grill for? Twenty bucks. TWENTY BUCKS. So here it is - my favorite Yard Sale Find of all Time.

This picture was taken at the very first cookout we had at our new home. That's me and my hubby, making great use out of that bargain! We've had it for 3 years now, and it hasn't let us down.

Do you love yard sales? If so, join the blog party over at Flea Market Style and share your favorite Yard Sale find. And if its your "cup of tea", go ahead and tell us about that 50-year old end table you refurnished.

Jewelry Giveaway from Joolwe.com!

2009-10-16T16:48:00.000-04:00

Mom of 2 Dancers is offering a jewelry giveaway which will run until November 1st. All you have to do is visit this blog post, and leave a comment telling her your favorite item from the Joolwe.com Online Jewelry Store . It's that simple! The giveaway is this beautiful two-toned heart-shaped necklace.

Fall: The Pros and (mostly) Cons

2009-10-16T08:22:00.000-04:00

It seems like everyone I know just absolutely LOVES the Fall. I don't get it. I'm not a fan. AT ALL. But I do try to have a positive attitude about most things, so I decided to come up with a list of things I like about the fall, to balance out the list of things I don't like. I also figure that I need the Fall and Winter in order to appreciate the Spring and Summer more. So here it is, my list of pros and cons:

What I like about the fall:

My birthday (YAY!)
Colorful leaves (So pretty, but only for about 2-3 weeks)
Pumpkins (Pumpkins on the porch, pumpkin flavored foods, pumpkins in my house, pumpkins on my head....oh wait.)
Halloween (I love seeing the little kids all dressed up and trick-or-treating.)
Boots (Especially my comfy Uggs, which I wore for the first time last night. I don't care if they are out of style)

What I despise about the fall:

Cold Weather (This requires no explanation. I HATE THE COLD.)
Shorter days (Is there anything worse than having to wake up in the dark?)
Cold/Flu Season (This is the worst of all, because its also "Stomach Flu" season)
Foggy and/or Icy Windshields (Which make me late for work.)
Chapped Lips (My lips get chapped, and start peeling right about this time of year. Not attractive in the least.)
And finally, it just means Winter is coming. UGH.

How do you feel about the Fall? Do you love it or hate it?

(P.S. I know for a fact that it is Amanda's favorite season.)

Fall Into Reading 2009!

2009-10-15T16:54:00.000-04:00

We are a little late on the draw, but Amanda and I have decided to participate in Fall Into Reading 2009! The challenge lasts until December 20th. Amanda and I have come up with lists of books we'd like to read by then. Here they are!

Amanda:

An Echo In The Bone by Diana Gabaldon

The Host by Stephanie Meyer

Fearless by Max Luxado

The Glass Castle by Jeannette

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz

Blakelyn:
Traveling with Pomegranates by Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kidd Taylor
The Shack by William P. Young
Three Little Words by Ashley Rhodes-Courter
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus

Amanda and I will keep you updated on our progress over the next couple months!

Great Soup Recipe

2009-10-15T11:13:00.001-04:00

Where I live, it is very cold and rainy today. So, this type of weather calls for a great pot of soup for dinner. For those of you who like soup, I have a great recipe that is VERY easy to make.

Vegetable Beef Soup

1 can of bunker hill beef stock with gravy (not drained), chopped after adding it to the soup*
3 cubes beef bulion
2 cans of diced potatos
2 cans of mixed vegetables
1 large bottle of tomato juice**
⅓ Cup sugar
salt and pepper to taste

Add all ingredients and cook in crockpot for several hours on medium heat or simmer on stove for 30 mintes to an hour. Can cook longer, just stir often. Sometimes I use more vegetables, to get more vegetable servings in.

*You can use stew beef instead of the canned beef. Just make sure it is fully cooked before you add it to the soup. You will also want to add the juices from the pan to the soup as well.

**You can use a small bottle of tomato juice and use water for the remaining if you don't want too much tomato taste

This soup is great for leftovers, or you can freeze it and use the remaining amount at a later time.

Woot! Alert - Pioneer Blu-Ray Player $134.99 +$5 shipping

2009-10-15T07:49:00.000-04:00

Woot! is offering a Pioneer HD 1080p Blu-Ray Disc player today for just $134.99 and $5 shipping. This would make a great Christmas gift for Hubby, Dad, or Bro!

Comparing prices on Google, it looks like this player usually goes for $170 and up.

Book Club Books - October

2009-10-14T10:19:00.000-04:00

I apologize for the lack of blog posts yesterday - it was my birthday! So I spent the day celebrating - lunch with my brother, cake with coworkers, and dinner with the hubby.

I am a member of two Book Clubs - one at work, and another online. Last month, my "Work" Book Club (which from now on will be referred to as WBC) read Kindred - we have our meeting to discuss it today at lunch. What a great book! Here are this month's picks for each club:
Cottonwood Whispers by Jennifer Erin Valent (WBC)

Three Little Words: A Memoir by Ashley Rodes-Courter (OBC)

I have actually already read Cottonwood Whispers, so I'm ahead of the game on that one. It was the choice for my "Online" Book Club (here forth referred to as OBC) last month, and its the choice for this months WBC.

I'm exctied to get started on Three Little Words. Once I finish Traveling with Pomegranates, it's next on my list!

Columbus Day Savings

2009-10-12T11:16:00.000-04:00

Today is Columbus Day, which in retail-speak means SALES. It's time to jump on the Christmas-Shopping bandwagon. Here is a list of a few deals I've found online today.

* Victoria's Secret has quite a few coupon codes. Get 20% off Coats and Jackets using the code Warm20. Coupon code FA918649 will get you $15 off $100, $30 off $150, $75 off $250, or $150 off $500. And finally, get Free VS Cotton Panty + $10 off WITH any very sexy, angels, biofit, or body by victoria bra with coupon code FA918949.

* Kohl's Deal of the Day is a KitchenAid Roaster for just $25. Regular price is $59.99.

* Best Buy is offering a $50 iTunes Gift Card for $10 off.

* Bath & Body Works has Buy 3 get 3 Free on the Signature Collection. Sale ends today.

* And finally, New York & Company has a clearance sale going on for up to 70% off. Today only, you can get $25 of a $75 purchase using Code 3852 or $50 off $125 purchase using Code 3853. Additionally, if you spend $65 or more and use the Code 1957, you'll get free shipping through 10/27.

Happy Shopping!

Scrapbooking Weekend

2009-10-11T18:15:00.000-04:00

Blakelyn mentioned below how we got together this past weekend and scrap booked. We had a great time and got a lot done. While I was scrap booking, I was thinking about two of my favorite tools I have that are great for any scrapbooker out there to add to her list of supplies.

Creative Memories DecoFile - I have a major problem - I love stickers. Even though I have enough to sink a boat, I still find cute stickers that I 'have to buy'. Well, when you have this many stickers, where in the world do you store them? How do you store them in an organized fashion? Well, the CM DecoFile is great. Not only does it have removable files, but it holds 7 files and each file has 4 pockets. This way you can organize the your stickers by a topic or season (or however you want to do it).

Creative Memories Sidekick - When I first started started scrap booking, I would get my papers, photos, etc. wet with the condensation from my drink. It was a concern that I might 'accidentally' hit my drink and spill it all over my stuff. Well, NO MORE! CM has an item called 'SideKick'. It is a cup holder and a small trash bag that attaches to your table. No longer are you getting your items wet, but you also have a small bag to hold your trash.

If you are not into scrap booking, or have always wanted to start - now is a time to start. Not only are you preserving your photos, but you are also completing an album for future generations to treasure as you share your memories.

Martha Stewart Craft Punch - Bat

2009-10-11T18:08:00.000-04:00

This weekend, Amanda and I were scheduled to attend a Scrapbook Crop. However, due to an explosion in the number of H1N1 cases in town, we decided to stay home and scrapbook in the comfort (and cleanliness) of home. I have been working on my scrapbook for a trip we took to Texas back in April (yes, I'm far, far behind) and one of the things we did in Austin, TX was to go see the famous bats fly out of the Congress Street Bridge. With Halloween quickly approaching, I knew I'd be able to find some bat-related scrapbook supplies at the craft store.

After much debate over paper, stickers, and stamps, I finally settled upon this Bat-shaped Craft Punch by Martha Stewart. It was perfect for my pages, and will also come in handy to make confetti for Halloween parties, or to decorate Halloween cards. Here is one of my Austin pages that features our itinerary. Please excuse the lack of creativity on this one, as this is admittedly not my best work.

Here is an example of confetti that I made.

And though not bat-related, here is another page out of the Texas scrapbook from our visit to Luckenbach, TX. You may have heard the song by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings that popularized this tiny town, if you are a country music fan. The town has 1 building that acts as the post office, local saloon, and general store.

Woot!

2009-10-09T08:41:00.000-04:00

Every morning, one of the first sites I visit is Woot.com. Each day, they post a new "deal" - usually some kind of electronic device (but not always) at a very cheap price - and it is available until either a) It sells out, or b) Until 11:59PM. At midnight, a new deal is posted and the process repeats.

That is, unless there is a Woot-Off, which might be one of my favorite things EVER. During a Woot-Off, a new item is posted as soon as the previous item sells out. Things usually go quickly, as quantities are always quite limited during Woot-Offs. You'll know there is a Woot-Off in process when you see a yellow bar and flashing yellow lights. Woot-Offs usually go from 24 to 72 hours.

The most coveted item on Woot.com is the Bag-O-Crap. I have yet to get one myself, so consider yourself lucky if you ever manage it. Bags-O-Crap sell out in SECONDS. The price is usually random, but is generally no more than $9.99 (I've seen them as cheap as $3.99). The only guarantee you have when you purchase a Bag-O-Crap is that you will get your money's worth of crap. You might get a 42" flat screen TV, or you might get a Screaming Monkey and your very own Woot-Off lights. There's just no telling, but from what I hear, it's well-worth the risk.

The shipping cost for all purchases on Woot.com is $5. If you buy a $500 lawn mower, you will pay $5 for shipping. If you buy a $3.99 Bag-O-Crap, your shipping is also $5. It never changes.

If you don't see what you like on Woot.com, you can mosey over to Woot! Sellout, Kids.Woot!, Shirt.Woot!, or Wine.Woot! The possibilities are endless.

Just beware - Woot is addictive, and will make you buy things you do not need! Although, its perfect for Christmas shopping. Last year, I got a Blu-Ray player for my dad and a Digital Camera for my mom. And I've already purchased a couple gifts for this Christmas as well. Today, Kids.Woot! even has a Superman Halloween costume for $7.99 - and it has inflatable muscles!

Keurig Single-Cup Coffee Brewer

2009-10-08T10:15:00.000-04:00

Calling all Coffee-Lovers!

(Make that Tea-Lovers as well!)

If you don't already have one, here's the one thing that should be in your letter to Santa this year: A Keurig Single-Cup Coffee Brewer. My husband and I put one on our registry when we got married 2 years ago. It was one of those, "Sure, why not?" items that we never expected anyone to actually buy for us. It was one of the first things purchased off our registry, and has been perhaps THE most used small-appliance in our kitchen. With exception to the microwave - is that considered a small appliance? I digress.

Keurig Brewers use small pods of coffee known as "K-cups". They are designed to produce the perfect cup of coffee or tea, and are available in many different brands and flavors. K-cups are becoming more and more available at grocery stores in recent months, but can be purchased in stores such as Target and Bed Bath & Beyond. For the most selection, ordering online at Keurig.com is your best bet. If you sign up for their Coffee Club, you get 10% off your order, and free shipping when you purchase 4 large boxes or more.

Since getting our Keurig 2 years ago, every member of my family now has one. Whenever we visit each other, we bring our favorite flavor K-Cups along with us. The biggest benefit is not having to brew an entire pot of coffee when you just want a cup.

It's That Time of Year...

2009-10-07T17:26:00.000-04:00

It's that time of year again. Falling leaves. Apple cider. Festivals. Hayrides. Pumpkins. Scarecrows. Candy corn. But most of all....pumpkin pancakes.

I was never a huge fan of pumpkin pancakes, or anything pumpkin for that matter, until I walked into Williams Sonoma last year and tried their pecan pumpkin pancakes. Once I popped a piece of that into my mouth, I was in heaven. It was wonderful!

If any of you out there love to make pancakes, then I recommend the Williams Sonoma pancake/waffle mix. It is wonderful on a fall weekend morning and it starts your day with thoughts of the fall season.

PS. It is also great as waffles!

Giveaway: Scrapbooking Kit from Papier House!

2009-10-07T11:40:00.001-04:00

Giveaway: Scrapbooking Kit from Papier House!

Click on the link above, and leave a comment on the post in order to enter your name for a free scrapbooking kit by Papier House. Deadline to enter is tonight at midnight EST!

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Kindred by Octavia Butler - Book Review

2009-10-06T10:54:00.001-04:00

Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
When I heard the synopsis of this book, I didn't think I was going to like it. Time travel? Not exactly my thing. However, Octavia Butler blends science fiction with historical fiction to create a surprisingly realistic story, despite the fact that the main character time travels between the early 1800's and 1976.

Dana is a black woman, living in the post-Civil Rights movement in 1976, and is married to a white man named Kevin. On her 26th birthday, she is unpacking a box of books in their brand new home when she gets a dizzy spell, and suddenly finds herself transported to the early 1800's, during slavery times. A young white boy, whom she later learns is one of her distant ancestors, is drowning in a river, so she rushes out to save him. Her first "trip" is just the beginning of a long and dangerous adventure, one that will change both her and her husband's lives forever. Her purpose, it seems, is to keep the boy alive, but as he gets older, he becomes more and more like his father - a racist, vile man. Can Dana endure enough to ensure the survival of her blood line?

View all my reviews >>

ScrapYourTrip.com

2009-10-06T08:23:00.000-04:00

Two of my favorite things to do are traveling and scrapbooking. Even better is scrapbooking about where I traveled! But I often find it hard to find the right scrapbooking supplies for some of my trips. I have no problem finding plenty of embellishments for Vegas or New York City, but there aren't many stores that have the perfect sticker for Gatlinburg, TN or paper for a Rodeo in Dallas, TX. Then one day, I came across the perfect website to find paper, embellishments, stickers, etc. for any trip you can imagine. It's called ScrapYourTrip.com, and they literally have thousands and thousands of quality scrapbooking supplies for cities, states, and countries all over the world.

They ship their supplies in a non-bendable priority mail envelope, so not only does it come quickly, it comes safely. They have great customer service, always hand-writing a thank-you to me (by name) on my packing slip. "Thanks for your continued business, Blakelyn!" And they offer free shipping for orders over $59. Additionally, they offer supplies for many other hobbies, special events, and interests - not just travel. If you can't find what you need at your local Michael's or A.C. Moore, I guarantee you will find it at ScrapYourTrip.com.

Fall Getaways

2009-10-05T16:42:00.001-04:00

Fall is a great time to take a mini-vacation. Here are a few suggestions for great places to visit during the fall months:

The Great Smoky Mountains
Rent a cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains, either in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, TN during the month of October, and you will have spectacular views of the colorful foliage. This is the perfect place for a romantic getaway or honeymoon.

Victoria, British Columbia
With mild weather all year round, Victoria is a beautiful place to visit in the fall, when the leaves have started to change. A visit to Butchart Gardens between October 1st and November 30th will not disappoint, with its stunning burst of color and beauty.

The Homestead, Hot Springs, VA
You can't go wrong in the Shenandoah Valley this time of year, and certainly not if you stay at The Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA. The resort itself is beautiful, and when combined with the mountainous autumn scenery, the views are spectacular. Be sure to take a dip in the indoor pool, which is fed by natural hot springs, and believed to be therapeutic.

Flip Gloves by Merona

2009-10-05T13:04:00.000-04:00

This week I was out shopping and realized that I need gloves for the upcoming winter. As I was in Target, I found a pair of Flip Gloves. They are mittens, that have a flip in the middle. When you flip them open, your fingers are exposed and you can use your hand as if you weren't wearing mittens at all. Not only are they a very great invention, but they are very popular and warm. I recommend this to anyone who is in need of mittens or gloves for the upcoming season.

Traveling with Pomegranates by Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kidd Taylor

2009-10-04T19:00:00.000-04:00

This weekend, I was in Durham, NC to meet a friend for a much-needed "Girls Weekend". One of the highlights of our weekend was attending a book reading with Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kidd Taylor. Sue Monk Kidd is the author of the bestselling novel, The Secret Life of Bees, which has also been made into a movie. It is one of my all-time favorite books, so the opportunity to meet her was extremely exciting for me.

She and her daughter are nearing the end of a book tour for the memoir they wrote together, Traveling with Pomegranates. It's what they call a "Mother-Daughter Story". Between 1998 and 2000, they traveled together to Greece and France. They were both entering new phases of their life, with Sue turning 50, and Ann just graduating from college. The book describes how they face their struggles together and form a strong mother-daughter bond, all while seeing the magnificent sites in places like Athens and Paris.

Sue Monk Kidd

Ann Kidd Taylor

Need a Laugh?

2009-10-01T14:19:00.001-04:00

Here's a list of 5 hilarious blogs that I frequent whenever I have downtime at work.

1. Avoid This Job (www.avoidthisjob.com)
The author of this blog browses job listings on Craigslists, and picks the most outrageous, ridiculous, and sometimes frightening ones to mock. This is probably my all-time favorite blog, to be perfectly honest.

2. Awkard Family Photos (http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/)
The title of this blog says it all. A collection of awkward photographs, submitted by readers.

3. Fail Blog (http://failblog.org/)
From videos and photographs to emails and newspaper articles, Fail Blog exploits the failures (and sometimes the "wins") of everyone unfortunate enough to be caught on camera (or paper).

4. Overheard in the Office (http://overheardintheoffice.com/)
We live in a cubicle world, and sometimes we overhear things we shouldn't - or perhaps only part of the conversation, which taken out of context, can mean something completely different. Overheard in the Office publishes conversations that cube dwellers overhear in their otherwise mundane worlds.

5. Awful Library Books (http://awfullibrarybooks.wordpress.com/)
Written by a couple librarians, this blog offers a collection of some hilariously out-of-date books, such as the State of the Art Robot Catalog.

Fall Fashion Trends for 2009 - Accessorize!

2009-09-30T16:06:00.000-04:00

1. Leggings
Leggings are a huge trend this year. Opaque and printed tights are also a hot item. Pair them with a tunic sweater and a cinch belt, and perhaps some "booties".

2. Multi-Strand Layered Necklaces
A must-have for the fall is a long, multi-strand layered necklace, in either silver or gold. The more layers, the better!

3. Plaids
Plaid shirts, jackets, dresses, and skirts are quite the trend this fall.

4. Cinch Belts
Cinch belts are being paired with everything from sweaters to jackets this fall. A great accessory that can be added to most outfits.

5. Wine Colors
Various shades of purple are the hot color this fall, from plum to raspberry to red.

6. Clutches, Wristlets, and Satchels
The bag to have this fall is either a clutch or a satchel. Envelope clutches and wristlets are popping up everywhere, while cinched satchels provide a more practical handbag.

7. Booties
These short boots look great with leggings and are a warmer, and perhaps more comfortable alternative to heels.

Goodreads

2009-09-29T16:39:00.000-04:00

Whenever I have free time, one of my favorite combinations is a nice hot bath and a good book. I just love to read, and I have a bookshelf full of wonderful books that I haven’t gotten around to quite yet. I wish I was one of those people that could read a book in 3 days. Alas, it usually takes me 2-3 weeks.

I keep track of my reading on Goodreads.com. When people ask me what it is, I tell them to think of it as Facebook for book-lovers. You can list all the books you’ve already read, what you are currently reading, and what you plan to read in the future. You can add friends, and compare their book lists with yours, see what they recommend, and read their reviews. You can even update your status to show what page you are on with your current book. It’s one of my favorite sites, and I visit it daily for updates. If you already use it, add Amanda and I as your friend. If not, go check it out!

Add Blakelyn as a Friend

Add Amanda as a Friend

MoistureShine® gloss by Neutrogena

2009-09-29T15:57:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite things that I just can't live without is Neutrogena's MoistureShine gloss. This lip gloss brings shine and sheer color to lips, without the stickiness of normal lip gloss. Not only does it moisturize, soften and smooth lips, it also makes your lips look healthier and feel softer. Each shade contains moisture-boosting natural ingredients that is good for you. This is great in the cold weather as it prevents chapped lips and at the same time, looks great for a date night! I highly recommend this product and I never leave home without it.

Welcome!

2009-09-29T09:55:00.000-04:00

Welcome to The Things Girls Love!

Blakelyn and Amanda started this blog with the idea of sharing the things they love with the rest of the world. Whether it's the most recent trip they've taken, a book they've just read, or the latest and greatest scrapbooking tool, they want to share it with you! So join us for some girl talk. We'd love to hear your comments and suggestions, so feel free to leave feedback in the Comments section. If you have a "favorite thing" you'd like to share with us, please feel free to contact us directly using the Contact Us link in the sidebar. Enjoy!