Happy Last Friday of 2011!!! Let's get to this, shall we?
Victoria's Secret: The semi-annual sale is going on right now, with some fantastic deals and free shipping on online orders over $50 with the code SHIP50. Also, if you're a Facebook fan, you can print out an instore only coupon for a free NYE panty with any purchase today only!! Dec. 30th!! Get on that now, 'cause it's pretty darn cute.
E.L.F.: You have a few offers to choose from right now, actually. You can get a free mini-makeup collection with any order over $10 with code HOLIDAY thru Dec. 31st (tomorrow), and SHIP25 will get you free shipping on orders over $25 thru Jan. 1st. This one's a little complicated, but if you spend $20.12, you can add an 11-piece Studio Brush set plus case for $2.12 with code 2012. That one is good until Jan. 2nd. None of these can be combined, so choose wisely.
Busted Tees: It's Grab Bag time!! Thirty bucks gets you four random shirts. Granted, you don't get to pick 'em, but at $8 and change per shirt, it's still a really good deal. **P.S. If you find an Easter Egg and get a code, WRITE IT DOWN!! I accidentally clicked my mouse before I had a chance to, and it disappeared, never to return. I tried to remember it, but one letter/number escaped me. Busted, it would be nice if that code automatically made it to my cart next time. Just sayin'.
Sephora: Extra 20% off ALL sale items. Use code EXTRA thru Jan. 3rd. Good only online, and cannot be combined with other offers.
StyleMint: Extra 30% off any tee with code TLOW30. One tee per transaction, but an unlimited number of transactions is allowed. Also, buy any cashmere sweater and receive two free JewelMint pieces (Parisian Dream earrings and Smooth Sailing necklace). No promo code needed, and none allowed on cashmere pieces.
Old Navy: Take an extra 15% off your entire order, including sale items (!) with code ONEXTRA15. Offer good online only, and only thru Jan. 2nd. Considering clearance items are going for 50% off, this is a fantastic deal.
Of course, there are tons of other sales going on this weekend, but this should help out with promo codes and special deals. Have a wonderful New Year, and remember to eat your peas, cabbage, and pork! We need all the luck, money, and health we can get in 2012!!
Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Cinematic Romance (and All That Mushy Stuff)
Thomas and I are celebrating our fourth (really?) wedding anniversary today. Last night, while we watched a Rocky retrospective (we're nothing if not exciting), we both noticed that, without meaning to, Thomas proposed to me with almost the same wording as when Rocky told Adrian he was "wondering if [she] wouldn't mind marrying" him. And we both cracked up. That may very well be the greatest marriage proposal ever put on film, by the way. It's certainly my favorite, and not just because it mirrors my own.
Anyway, mine was a surprise proposal. Well, it was a surprise to me. I think everyone else on the planet knew, including my mother, who normally couldn't keep a secret THAT BIG from me if her life depended on it. We're too close, and way too darn much alike. Thomas took me out to dinner at a really nice, local Italian place. Of course, we were early for our reservation, so we needed to kill some time. We hung out in the nearby Dollar Tree for a few minutes, and I think bought some candy. We're classy like that.
When our reservation time rolled around, we headed into the restaurant, and were guided toward the back. I'm a chatterbox, and don't think I've stopped talking, except maybe to sleep, since 2007, so I was totally oblivious to the fact the hostess was leading us through the kitchen, out the back of the restaurant, across a courtyard, and into a cottage. Never once even floated past my consciousness that this was unusual. As we crossed the threshold into the cottage, Thomas put his hand on my arm, and simply said, "Wait." He walked slightly ahead of me as we left the foyer and entered the candlelit room, strewn with rose petals, and furnished only with a single table and two chairs, then got down on one knee.
I stopped talking.
That was a fantastic proposal. I can't imagine one better suited for the two of us, and I always tear up a bit thinking about it. If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't change a single moment.
I adore a good wedding proposal. I'm a total sucker for all things romantic, anyway, but this one appealed to the filmmaker's wife in me. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I grinned like an idiot through most of the video. The highlights for me were the girl's reactions and the slo-mo section set to "O Fortuna" from Carmina Burana. Have a great day, guys!
Anyway, mine was a surprise proposal. Well, it was a surprise to me. I think everyone else on the planet knew, including my mother, who normally couldn't keep a secret THAT BIG from me if her life depended on it. We're too close, and way too darn much alike. Thomas took me out to dinner at a really nice, local Italian place. Of course, we were early for our reservation, so we needed to kill some time. We hung out in the nearby Dollar Tree for a few minutes, and I think bought some candy. We're classy like that.
When our reservation time rolled around, we headed into the restaurant, and were guided toward the back. I'm a chatterbox, and don't think I've stopped talking, except maybe to sleep, since 2007, so I was totally oblivious to the fact the hostess was leading us through the kitchen, out the back of the restaurant, across a courtyard, and into a cottage. Never once even floated past my consciousness that this was unusual. As we crossed the threshold into the cottage, Thomas put his hand on my arm, and simply said, "Wait." He walked slightly ahead of me as we left the foyer and entered the candlelit room, strewn with rose petals, and furnished only with a single table and two chairs, then got down on one knee.
I stopped talking.
That was a fantastic proposal. I can't imagine one better suited for the two of us, and I always tear up a bit thinking about it. If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't change a single moment.
I adore a good wedding proposal. I'm a total sucker for all things romantic, anyway, but this one appealed to the filmmaker's wife in me. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I grinned like an idiot through most of the video. The highlights for me were the girl's reactions and the slo-mo section set to "O Fortuna" from Carmina Burana. Have a great day, guys!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
I Need Glitter! Stat!: Urban Decay Midnight Emergency Kit Review
Happy Soon-To-Be New Year!! I know everyone has fancy-schmancy celebrations to attend, and sparkly makeup will definitely be in order. Well...okay, so my NYE plans are a little less than fancy-schmancy, to be perfectly honest, but I like sparkly makeup, so there will be glitter. Oh, yes. There. Will. Be. Glitter.
And really, who does glitter better than Urban Decay? If I had to bet, I'd lay money their corporate parking lot shimmers. By the way, Urban Decay doesn't even know I exist. This is purely my completely unsolicited opinion. I dig them.
Anywho, over Christmas I was able to pick up one of their holiday palettes, the Midnight Emergency Kit. I'd been absolutely coveting this palette for a couple of months, and paying regular visits to my local Ulta to pet the box it came in. I've never paid $39 for a palette, but while it hurt a bit to hand over the debit card, the pain was definitely worth it to bring my baby home. She's gorgeous, and I can't wait to show her off to you.
Packaging: This is an exceptionally well-made kit. I have a tendency to...um...drop things (read: I'm a klutz who shouldn't be allowed out without a keeper). When I showed to this to Thomas, he remarked that he thought he could probably throw the thing against a wall and it be alright, so it might have a fighting chance with me. I have no worries tossing this sturdy palette in my purse.
Closed, this palette is slightly larger than a cased smartphone, and is a lovely golden champagne faux leather with zipper closure. "Urban Decay Midnight Emergency" and the UD logo are embossed on the front. Inside the lid is a generously-sized mirror (slightly smaller than the screen on a smartphone). The base of the palette holds four almost full-sized eyeshadows (.04 instead of .05 oz--so close!), a full-sized tube of Lip Junkie Lip Gloss in Midnight Cowboy, and a travel shadow brush. There is a zig-zag motif (meh) that gradates in color from champagne to purple along with the eyeshadows (it's a really neat effect, actually), and royal purple fabric lining. 9.8 out of 10.
Eyeshadows: As I said earlier, the set comes with four almost-but-not-quite full-sized shadows: Midnight Cowboy, Midnight Rodeo, Midnight 15 and AC/DC. Midnight Cowboy is one of their best-selling shadows, and is a pink champagne with silver glitter. Midnight Rodeo was a popular cream shadow, but is now only available as a powder shadow, and only in this palette. It's light, shimmering brown with silver and gold glitter. Midnight 15 is brand new, and is a taupe shadow with irridescent glitter (UD states it's pink champagne, but it sure doesn't look like it to me). AC/DC is a muted royal purple shimmer.
These suckers sparkle. This is not micro-glitter. This is not a little sheen. We're talking chunky glitter you can actually pick up with your fingers. That said, it's not tacky. Seriously. I know, I didn't believe it at first, either, but it's really not inappropriate for day wear or the office, and it's because of the color choices. These are all very natural, neutral colors (yes, even the purple, because of how muted it is). I wore all four to work yesterday, and was completely comfortable and appropriate. Honestly, I probably could have stood to have worn a little more color on my cheeks, because the eyes and lips (I'll get there in a bit) were so neutral.
The shadows are soft, but not so soft that they break if you look at them funny (*cough* Stila *cough*), and are fairly pigmented. The only one that's given me trouble is Midnight 15, and I think that's mostly due to the type of brush I was using. I tried a different brush and things worked much better, but in the interest of full disclosure, I'm putting that out there.
The colors are beautiful on their own, or in a myriad of combinations. My only gripe is that the glitter fallout is substantial, even with an Urban Decay primer. One color over a primer seems to work well, but as soon as you layer, the glitter fairy sprinkles your cheeks, and it's nigh onto impossible to clean it off. My only suggestion is to do the eyes first, even before foundation. That way, you can use a tissue or face wipe to clean up without wrecking your makeup. That's not a fix for the entire day, but it's a start. 8.5 out of 10.
Lip Gloss: I love this gloss. In an earlier mention of this product I said, "This is a nude, sparkle-filled gloss that looks like vinyl and feels like butter. Mild plumpers perfect your pout, while the minty flavor freshens your breath. Keep it in your purse to always look polished," and in an earlier review I gave it an 8 out of 10. I'm actually going to up that a bit because it really does plump your lips. A lot. The gloss inflated my lips, so I'm inflating its score. 9 out of 10.
Eyeshadow Brush: It's a travel eyeshadow brush, but it's a good travel eyeshadow brush. The bristles are soft and silky, but firm enough to press the shadow onto the eye. The brush is also large enough to actually work (unlike most I've come across), and the handle is long enough and thick enough to handle easily. I wouldn't replace my everyday brush with it, but it's more than serviceable enough to toss in the purse for touch-ups. 8 out of 10.
Value: This is not an inexpensive set, but let's do some math: The usual UD shadow is $17. These are so close to full-sized that we can go ahead and use that number. 4x$17=$68. The lip gloss is normally $19, so that brings us to $88. A regular-sized shadow brush is $26, so let's knock it down to, say, $12 for travel, and bring the total to an even $100--and that's before you take into account the nice case and large mirror. You're getting an over one-hundred dollar value for thirty-nine. That, my friends, is a steal. If I could change anything, I'd throw in a blush. However, this is an "emergency" kit, and in an emergency, I can just pinch my cheeks. 9 out of 10.
Final Verdict: Get one while you still can, and glam it up for NYE! 8.9 out of 10.
This was an Ulta exclusive, but it's no longer available online. You can probably still find one in your local store, though. I purchased mine Monday, and there were several still on the shelves. They are also still available directly from Urban Decay, and there's no difference price-wise (except shipping, of course, but that's kind of a given). Swatches to come, assuming I can get my camera to work and my lighting to not suck. This could take a while...
UPDATE: Okay, these are not the best swatches in the world, because I am not even slightly good at photography. The camera shakes when you take the flash off, and the flash washes out the colors, so...well, enough excuses. From left to right, we have Midnight Cowboy, Midnight Rodeo, Midnight 15, AC/DC, and Midnight Cowboy Lip Junkie. They're much more shimmery in person, and the glitter is entirely visible. This picture is rubbish, but hopefully it'll help a little.
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| Photo Credit: Urban Decay |
And really, who does glitter better than Urban Decay? If I had to bet, I'd lay money their corporate parking lot shimmers. By the way, Urban Decay doesn't even know I exist. This is purely my completely unsolicited opinion. I dig them.
Anywho, over Christmas I was able to pick up one of their holiday palettes, the Midnight Emergency Kit. I'd been absolutely coveting this palette for a couple of months, and paying regular visits to my local Ulta to pet the box it came in. I've never paid $39 for a palette, but while it hurt a bit to hand over the debit card, the pain was definitely worth it to bring my baby home. She's gorgeous, and I can't wait to show her off to you.
Packaging: This is an exceptionally well-made kit. I have a tendency to...um...drop things (read: I'm a klutz who shouldn't be allowed out without a keeper). When I showed to this to Thomas, he remarked that he thought he could probably throw the thing against a wall and it be alright, so it might have a fighting chance with me. I have no worries tossing this sturdy palette in my purse.
Closed, this palette is slightly larger than a cased smartphone, and is a lovely golden champagne faux leather with zipper closure. "Urban Decay Midnight Emergency" and the UD logo are embossed on the front. Inside the lid is a generously-sized mirror (slightly smaller than the screen on a smartphone). The base of the palette holds four almost full-sized eyeshadows (.04 instead of .05 oz--so close!), a full-sized tube of Lip Junkie Lip Gloss in Midnight Cowboy, and a travel shadow brush. There is a zig-zag motif (meh) that gradates in color from champagne to purple along with the eyeshadows (it's a really neat effect, actually), and royal purple fabric lining. 9.8 out of 10.
Eyeshadows: As I said earlier, the set comes with four almost-but-not-quite full-sized shadows: Midnight Cowboy, Midnight Rodeo, Midnight 15 and AC/DC. Midnight Cowboy is one of their best-selling shadows, and is a pink champagne with silver glitter. Midnight Rodeo was a popular cream shadow, but is now only available as a powder shadow, and only in this palette. It's light, shimmering brown with silver and gold glitter. Midnight 15 is brand new, and is a taupe shadow with irridescent glitter (UD states it's pink champagne, but it sure doesn't look like it to me). AC/DC is a muted royal purple shimmer.
These suckers sparkle. This is not micro-glitter. This is not a little sheen. We're talking chunky glitter you can actually pick up with your fingers. That said, it's not tacky. Seriously. I know, I didn't believe it at first, either, but it's really not inappropriate for day wear or the office, and it's because of the color choices. These are all very natural, neutral colors (yes, even the purple, because of how muted it is). I wore all four to work yesterday, and was completely comfortable and appropriate. Honestly, I probably could have stood to have worn a little more color on my cheeks, because the eyes and lips (I'll get there in a bit) were so neutral.
The shadows are soft, but not so soft that they break if you look at them funny (*cough* Stila *cough*), and are fairly pigmented. The only one that's given me trouble is Midnight 15, and I think that's mostly due to the type of brush I was using. I tried a different brush and things worked much better, but in the interest of full disclosure, I'm putting that out there.
The colors are beautiful on their own, or in a myriad of combinations. My only gripe is that the glitter fallout is substantial, even with an Urban Decay primer. One color over a primer seems to work well, but as soon as you layer, the glitter fairy sprinkles your cheeks, and it's nigh onto impossible to clean it off. My only suggestion is to do the eyes first, even before foundation. That way, you can use a tissue or face wipe to clean up without wrecking your makeup. That's not a fix for the entire day, but it's a start. 8.5 out of 10.
Lip Gloss: I love this gloss. In an earlier mention of this product I said, "This is a nude, sparkle-filled gloss that looks like vinyl and feels like butter. Mild plumpers perfect your pout, while the minty flavor freshens your breath. Keep it in your purse to always look polished," and in an earlier review I gave it an 8 out of 10. I'm actually going to up that a bit because it really does plump your lips. A lot. The gloss inflated my lips, so I'm inflating its score. 9 out of 10.
Eyeshadow Brush: It's a travel eyeshadow brush, but it's a good travel eyeshadow brush. The bristles are soft and silky, but firm enough to press the shadow onto the eye. The brush is also large enough to actually work (unlike most I've come across), and the handle is long enough and thick enough to handle easily. I wouldn't replace my everyday brush with it, but it's more than serviceable enough to toss in the purse for touch-ups. 8 out of 10.
Value: This is not an inexpensive set, but let's do some math: The usual UD shadow is $17. These are so close to full-sized that we can go ahead and use that number. 4x$17=$68. The lip gloss is normally $19, so that brings us to $88. A regular-sized shadow brush is $26, so let's knock it down to, say, $12 for travel, and bring the total to an even $100--and that's before you take into account the nice case and large mirror. You're getting an over one-hundred dollar value for thirty-nine. That, my friends, is a steal. If I could change anything, I'd throw in a blush. However, this is an "emergency" kit, and in an emergency, I can just pinch my cheeks. 9 out of 10.
Final Verdict: Get one while you still can, and glam it up for NYE! 8.9 out of 10.
This was an Ulta exclusive, but it's no longer available online. You can probably still find one in your local store, though. I purchased mine Monday, and there were several still on the shelves. They are also still available directly from Urban Decay, and there's no difference price-wise (except shipping, of course, but that's kind of a given). Swatches to come, assuming I can get my camera to work and my lighting to not suck. This could take a while...
UPDATE: Okay, these are not the best swatches in the world, because I am not even slightly good at photography. The camera shakes when you take the flash off, and the flash washes out the colors, so...well, enough excuses. From left to right, we have Midnight Cowboy, Midnight Rodeo, Midnight 15, AC/DC, and Midnight Cowboy Lip Junkie. They're much more shimmery in person, and the glitter is entirely visible. This picture is rubbish, but hopefully it'll help a little.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Erin's Favorite Things 2011
2011 is almost out of here! To celebrate the passing year, I'm bringing back Erin's Favorite Things!! Here's this year listing of all things adorable!
Food
Raising Cane's
It kills me to replace last year's winner, Foosackly's, with a chain, but I have to. The chicken fingers may not be quite as flavorful, but they're huge and juicy, and the Cane's sauce is outstanding. Throw in the best Texas Toast I've ever tried and tea so sweet it'll rot your teeth right out of your head, and you've got a guilty pleasure worth confessing. Four stars.
Krispy Kreme Halloween Doughnuts
These were beyond precious, and gave my diet a run for its money. If you missed them this year, just wait. They'll be back.
Fashion Trends
JewelMint
I just can't say enough good about this company. The jewelry is affordable, superior quality, and I've yet to wear a piece without being stopped by someone who wants to know where I got my gorgeous [insert piece here]. I'm calling this the All-Around Best Find of 2011.
Cosmetics
Urban Decay Lip Junkie Lip Gloss in Naked
Non-sticky, moisturizing, natural "I'm not wearing anything" color with the perfect amount of shine. It doesn't hurt that the packaging is super-cute, either.
Benefit Coralista
I have all but replaced my NARS Orgasm (sorry, Mom) with this. It's a soft, peachy pink blush with just a hint of sheen. Naturally gorgeous, and price-conscious to boot.
Health and Beauty
Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller Gel
This is a hold-over from last year, and will continue to be for as long as they make it. This is the only thing to ever effectively keep bags at bay, and that makes it a "can't live without" if there ever was one.
Philosophy Help Me
Expensive? Yes. Worth it? Every penny. This retinol treatment made a difference in the appearance of my skin in one use. I kid thee not. After a week, other people starting noticing. It's magic in a tube.
Pop Culture
Movies
Crazy Stupid Love--quite possibly my new favorite movie
The Muppets--happiness on a screen
Tucker and Dale VS. Evil--the most I've laughed all year
The Help--subject aside (opinions differ, I know), but this was one of the best acted films of the year.
The Adjustment Bureau--romantic fantasy that really makes you think
TV Shows
Community--the funniest show on television
Supernatural--back to its roots and better than ever
Doctor Who--my favorite show on the planet. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll want a TARDIS of your own
How I Met Your Mother--Barney's character arc this season has been extraordinary
The Walking Dead--incredible writing and acting; some of the best of television right now
Blogs
The Bloggess--a 6 ft. tall metal chicken and Copernicus the Homicidal Monkey. 'Nuff said.
Regretsy--snark with heart.
The Pioneer Woman--I've gained ten pounds just reading her recipes, and now want to move to a farm.
Cake Wrecks/Epbot--Jen Yates is a comedic wonder, and her crafting skills are enviable.
Magnolia Thoughts--funny, insightful, and incredibly well-written. Yes, she's my friend. No, that doesn't matter. It's just a darn good blog.
Happy Almost New Year, everybody!!
Food
Raising Cane's
It kills me to replace last year's winner, Foosackly's, with a chain, but I have to. The chicken fingers may not be quite as flavorful, but they're huge and juicy, and the Cane's sauce is outstanding. Throw in the best Texas Toast I've ever tried and tea so sweet it'll rot your teeth right out of your head, and you've got a guilty pleasure worth confessing. Four stars.
Krispy Kreme Halloween Doughnuts
These were beyond precious, and gave my diet a run for its money. If you missed them this year, just wait. They'll be back.
Fashion Trends
JewelMint
I just can't say enough good about this company. The jewelry is affordable, superior quality, and I've yet to wear a piece without being stopped by someone who wants to know where I got my gorgeous [insert piece here]. I'm calling this the All-Around Best Find of 2011.
Cosmetics
Urban Decay Lip Junkie Lip Gloss in Naked
Non-sticky, moisturizing, natural "I'm not wearing anything" color with the perfect amount of shine. It doesn't hurt that the packaging is super-cute, either.
Benefit Coralista
I have all but replaced my NARS Orgasm (sorry, Mom) with this. It's a soft, peachy pink blush with just a hint of sheen. Naturally gorgeous, and price-conscious to boot.
Health and Beauty
Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller Gel
This is a hold-over from last year, and will continue to be for as long as they make it. This is the only thing to ever effectively keep bags at bay, and that makes it a "can't live without" if there ever was one.
Philosophy Help Me
Expensive? Yes. Worth it? Every penny. This retinol treatment made a difference in the appearance of my skin in one use. I kid thee not. After a week, other people starting noticing. It's magic in a tube.
Pop Culture
Movies
Crazy Stupid Love--quite possibly my new favorite movie
The Muppets--happiness on a screen
Tucker and Dale VS. Evil--the most I've laughed all year
The Help--subject aside (opinions differ, I know), but this was one of the best acted films of the year.
The Adjustment Bureau--romantic fantasy that really makes you think
TV Shows
Community--the funniest show on television
Supernatural--back to its roots and better than ever
Doctor Who--my favorite show on the planet. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll want a TARDIS of your own
How I Met Your Mother--Barney's character arc this season has been extraordinary
The Walking Dead--incredible writing and acting; some of the best of television right now
Blogs
The Bloggess--a 6 ft. tall metal chicken and Copernicus the Homicidal Monkey. 'Nuff said.
Regretsy--snark with heart.
The Pioneer Woman--I've gained ten pounds just reading her recipes, and now want to move to a farm.
Cake Wrecks/Epbot--Jen Yates is a comedic wonder, and her crafting skills are enviable.
Magnolia Thoughts--funny, insightful, and incredibly well-written. Yes, she's my friend. No, that doesn't matter. It's just a darn good blog.
Happy Almost New Year, everybody!!
Friday, December 23, 2011
I Believe
Again, I know, I'm off. Whatevs. Thomas found this today, and it was so sweet, I couldn't not share it. See, in Ireland in 1911, a little brother and sister, 7 year-old Fred and 10 year-old Hannah, wrote a letter to Santa Claus. One can only assume that 13 year-old big sister Lily was in her non-believer phase.
By the way, the Macy's Believe campaign, where for every Santa letter dropped off at a Macy's store or Macy's online, one dollar was donated to the Make-A-Wish foundation, reached their goal of one million dollars. That, right there, is reason to believe in Santa, in magic, and in miracles. Merry Christmas, everyone!
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| Photo Credit: Irish Times |
Like most children, Fred and Hannah had a few specific items in mind. They politely asked Santa to please leave a babydoll, a "waterproof" (raincoat) with a hood, gloves, and sweets. They also hoped for a shiny penny and sixpence. The children placed the letter, along with some drawings and a good luck message, on a shelf inside their chimney.
The letter was found in 1992.
Understandably, Santa would have had to have left the letter behind, as his sleigh is pretty well packed on Christmas Eve. I'm sure he enjoyed the letter very much, though. What's amazing is the fact that the letter was found almost entirely intact, and only barely singed after being subjected to 81 years of wintertime fires. It stands now as a symbol of the innocence and wonder of childhood. I like to think a little North Pole magic helped it survive all those decades.
Speaking of the magic of being a child at Christmas, I'd like to leave you today with one of my favorite Santa letters--one that was not addressed to Santa, but to the editor of the New York Sun. The world is so "me"-oriented these days, and the real spirit of the season--kindness, love, and generosity--is more often than not overlooked in the pursuit of that perfect toy, or that fantastic deal. Sometimes, we need to step back, take a breath, and remind ourselves what really matters. As long as we can remember that simple adage, "'Tis Better To Give Than To Receive," then yes, Virginia, there will be a Santa Claus.
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| Photo Credit: Newseum.org |
Thursday, December 22, 2011
May the Tinsel Be With You!
Yeah, I know, I'm off...sue me. I saw this and thought of you guys:
It's a Star Wars tree skirt!! Please check out the site to see how this went from a regular skirt to an awesome holiday decoration, and find out how you can get your own next year!
Isn't that gorgeous!! I don't even want to know how difficult it was to cut out those intricate patterns. My brain hurts just thinking about it. Well done!!
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| Photo Credit (This and Below): yrchmonger.com |
Isn't that gorgeous!! I don't even want to know how difficult it was to cut out those intricate patterns. My brain hurts just thinking about it. Well done!!
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| Photo Credit: G4TV |
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Christmas Vacation
Hey Everybody!
I'm taking the rest of the week off to deal with holiday stuff. I'll try to pop in from time to time, though, so don't be surprised to see a post or two, even though I'm technically off the clock. :)
I hope each and every one of you has a wonderful, safe, and happy holiday!
Much love,
Erin
I'm taking the rest of the week off to deal with holiday stuff. I'll try to pop in from time to time, though, so don't be surprised to see a post or two, even though I'm technically off the clock. :)
I hope each and every one of you has a wonderful, safe, and happy holiday!
Much love,
Erin
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| Photo Credit: Funny and Hilarious |
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
To Us and Our Good Fortune! L'Chaim!
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| Photo Credit: Shmaltz Brewing |
#1. If you type "Hanukkah" into Google, a pretty little garland made up of tiny Stars of David appears.
#2. The Jewish people have a rich history of brewing beer. Who knew?
This article from NPR (a fun read that I highly recommend) explains that brewing, while not mentioned in the Hebrew bible, is a long-standing tradition that reaches as far back as the Babylonian Exile. I had no idea, and frankly, I find that fascinating.
With that, I bring you the only two Hanukkah-themed beers I could find: 8 Malty Nights and Jewbelation Fifteen!
8 Malty Nights is from Lompoc Brewing out of Portland, Oregon. It's a chocolate rye with a sweet finish, which sounds amazing, even to this non-beer drinker (I'll have a Riesling, thank you). Unfortunately, it seems to be available only in the Portland area. If you happen to be in that neck of the woods, have a brew and tell us how it was, please!
Jewbelation Fifteen (I love these names!) is a combination of fifteen malts and fifteen hops to celebrate the Shmaltz Brewing Company's fifteenth anniversary. Shmaltz's line of HE'BREW beers is available throughout most of the country, with Louisiana as the newest addition. You can check for retailers in your area by clicking here.
Happy Hanukkah, everyone!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Challenge!: Christmas Day Chic
It's Christmas!! In six days!! So, almost, but not quite!!
What the bleep am I going to wear?
I am sure I'm not the only person in this kind of predicament. Even if you get a normal amount of sleep Christmas Eve, there's a certain amount of chaos on Christmas Morning, and that can make getting ready for the day a real pain in the rear. To help us all out, I'm bringing back the Challenge(!) to put together an effortlessly chic look for Christmas Day. A lot of this stuff is actually in my closet, so if you see me (or pictures of me) on the 25th, you can play Eye Spy with my ensemble. Merry Christmas.
These skinny jeans are a dark indigo wash and come from City Streets (J.C.Penney, $19.99--regular $38.00). I've not tried these, but I have their jeggings in two washes and absolutely adore them.
Foundation: CoverGirl NatureLuxe
Concealer: Benefit Boi-ing
Eye Primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin
Eye Shadow: Stila in Kitten
Eye Shadow: MAC in Woodwinked
Eye Shadow: Stila in Americano
Liner: Smashbox Limitless Liquid Liner Pen in Jet Black
Mascara: Benefit Bad Gal Lash
Brows: E.L.F. Studio Eyebrow Kit in Medium
Bronzer: Benefit Hoola
Powder: Urban Decay Razor Sharp Ultra Definition Finishing Powder
Blush: NARS Blush in Orgasm
Lips: Urban Decay Lip Junkie Lip Gloss in Naked (not as pink as the tutorial, but just as lovely.)
I know, this sounds like it would take forever, but it's quick and easy, and most of the products were already on my counter. The Stila eyeshadows are in a palette ($14 for three shades!), and the bronzer and mascara came in a sampler that also included a foundation for $12. Both sets are available at Sephora.
Challenge completed!
What the bleep am I going to wear?
Figuring out what to wear Christmas morning is one of my biggest styling challenges of the year. I mean, sure, I'll open presents under my tree in my pajamas, but then we have to make the rounds to visit parents and in-laws, and all that jazz, and I really think the police department would frown on me tooling around town in my jammies. They're really cute jammies, but still...
Now, I realize this is family, and they don't care what I wear. I could show up in my jam-jams and no one would bat an eye, but Christmas is a highly photographed day around my family, and I have enough embarrassing photos already hanging on Mom's walls, thank you very much. I'd like to look cute. Casual, comfy, and cute.
However...I'm singing Midnight Mass the night before (morning of?), and my church actually has Midnight Mass at *gasp* midnight! That puts me getting into bed somewhere around 2:30 or 3:00 in the a.m. When I get up in the morning, the last thing I want to do is worry about what I'm going to wear, or have to fuss with a ton of makeup. I just want to throw something on, cover up my face enough to not scare small children, and chug my low-fat Frappuccino in peace. This amount of sleepwalking takes planning.
I am sure I'm not the only person in this kind of predicament. Even if you get a normal amount of sleep Christmas Eve, there's a certain amount of chaos on Christmas Morning, and that can make getting ready for the day a real pain in the rear. To help us all out, I'm bringing back the Challenge(!) to put together an effortlessly chic look for Christmas Day. A lot of this stuff is actually in my closet, so if you see me (or pictures of me) on the 25th, you can play Eye Spy with my ensemble. Merry Christmas.
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| Photo Credit: Target |
The top I've chosen (that I don't have, but really want) is from Target, and runs $22.99. It says it's not sold in stores, but it totally is because I've seen it. If you want one, check out your local Target, because there is a very good chance it could be there. This is a slim-fit, sequin-covered sweatshirt with a neck wide enough to almost fall off the shoulder. You'd think the sequins would be tacky (Lord knows, I did, at first), but it's positively precious on, and adds a festive sparkle to an otherwise ordinary and overly casual piece of clothing. Also available in black, emerald, and oatmeal (my favorite).
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| Photo Credit: Kaboodle |
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| Photo Credit: Sears |
A pair of butt-kickin' motorcycle boots add an edgy style to an comfy-cozy outfit, with the added benefit of removing any worry over matching socks. Going on three to four hours of sleep, that's a pretty big plus. (Sears, $29.99--regular $89.99)
Photo Credit (Above Right and Left): JewelMint
The quickest way to look like you actually put thought and effort into looking nice is to accessorize. Going off the biker boots, I chose two pieces from JewelMint to easily kick this outfit up a notch. I'm in love with these Screen Siren earrings, right now. They're two-inch danglers with amethyst-colored crystals and hematite accents. They look amazing with both a slicked back ponytail or free-flowing waves, so anything goes. They also add a touch of color, and sparkle like no one's business. I paired the baubles with the incredible Black Swan bracelet. I can't wear this without people asking me where I got it. The dark metal picks up the hematite in the earrings, and the industrial design is as rock star as it gets. (JewelMint, $29.99 each)
My Please-God-Don't-Make-Me-Think-This-Morning makeup is a toned-down version of the Adele-inspired tutorial from the lovely ladies at Pixiwoo. (Seriously, if you haven't checked them out, you need to drop what you're doing and subscribe to their youtube channel immediately. And no, that's not hyperbole. I really, truly mean it. They're amazing, and I have learned so much from them lately.) I've done this look a few times now, and it's genius. There's nothing to it. I just go a little easier on the liner and brows, and it's a very appropriate look for any occasion. It's also made me remember how much I love Woodwinked eyeshadow from MAC (MacCosmetics.com, $15.00).
I'm embedding the tutorial here. If you want to try this look, but don't have a ton of Chanel lying around the house, I'm adding a list of the swaps I've made that worked well. Feel free to try your own swaps, and if they work out, help a girl out and please share them in the comments.
Foundation: CoverGirl NatureLuxe
Concealer: Benefit Boi-ing
Eye Primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin
Eye Shadow: Stila in Kitten
Eye Shadow: MAC in Woodwinked
Eye Shadow: Stila in Americano
Liner: Smashbox Limitless Liquid Liner Pen in Jet Black
Mascara: Benefit Bad Gal Lash
Brows: E.L.F. Studio Eyebrow Kit in Medium
Bronzer: Benefit Hoola
Powder: Urban Decay Razor Sharp Ultra Definition Finishing Powder
Blush: NARS Blush in Orgasm
Lips: Urban Decay Lip Junkie Lip Gloss in Naked (not as pink as the tutorial, but just as lovely.)
I know, this sounds like it would take forever, but it's quick and easy, and most of the products were already on my counter. The Stila eyeshadows are in a palette ($14 for three shades!), and the bronzer and mascara came in a sampler that also included a foundation for $12. Both sets are available at Sephora.
Challenge completed!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Frugal Friday: Santa Baby!
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| Photo Credit: Apple |
I miss being a kid. I miss Santa. Lord knows, I have no desire to wait in the horrendous line (at the mall) with a bunch of germy kiddos to sit in his lap and tell him that all I want for Christmas is my dignity back. No, thank you. I did, a few years back, travel through the 34th Street Macy's Santaland, but mostly because of David Sedaris (Please check out his Santaland Diaries!!), and I opted to go on the grownup route and skip talking to the fat man. Santa represents magic, wonder, and the innocence of childhood. Plus, he does all the work. I really need a little Santa in my life, but on a level that doesn't leave people questioning my sanity (more than usual).
In my quest for a little Christmas magic, I ran across a few freebies and cheapies that, believe it or not, did make me just a twinge jollier. It's not snowflakes and cocoa and Rudolph's nose, but it's a start.
Talking Santa smartphone app: I'm not recommending this. I'm not putting it on my own phone, so why should I tell you to put it on yours. It takes up a ton of memory that I'm not willing to give up. However, should you have tons of memory to spare, you can:
Talk to Santa and he will repeat your words.For Android, click here. For iPhone, click here (99cents for iPhone).
Poke, swipe or tickle Santa to see his various reactions.
Run Santa over with a huge snowball.
Give Santa milk & cookies.
Touch the bag to see your gifts.
Send customized Christmas cards (email, MMS or Facebook)
Record videos and upload them to YouTube & Facebook or send them by email or MMS.
@santa on Twitter: Read status updates and ask the jolly one questions with this real-time feed!
Free Letters From Santa Claus: Choose what message you'd like to send, pick a color scheme, fill in a few details (name of child, wished-for toy, etc.--nothing personal), download and print! For $2.99, upgrade the graphics and add a personalized, decorative envelope.
NORAD Santa: Countdown to Christmas Eve and track Santa's route with this perennial favorite! Free apps available for Android and iPhone, too, so you can check in on old Kris Kringle from anywhere!
Northpole.com: Play games, chat with elves, and even send Santa a letter--and get one back--while you explore Santa's workshop and village! Ever seen a disco dancing Santa? I have. A super fun hoot for the holidays. Bif, the mailroom elf, says my letter from Santa should be ready in three days! (Letters are free. Upgrades are available for a fee.)
*UPDATE! I just got my letter from Santa, and it's absolutely precious! It looks like it's on official North Pole letterhead, and reads:
Dear Erin,
I really enjoyed hearing from you this year! As you know, Christmas is right around the corner, and we have been very busy this year at the North Pole. The elves have been finishing up all the toys to deliver to the good girls and boys around the world, and we've been preparing my sleigh for the long trip Christmas Eve. It has a new coat of shiny red paint and new blades so the reindeer can fly faster!
Once my sleigh is packed and ready to go, I'll be off on my journey around the world. I'm reading your letter right now, and it looks like you've been a very nice girl this year. That makes me so happy. Keep up the good work!
While you are asleep on Christmas Eve, the reindeer will quietly land my sleigh so I can tiptoe into your home.
I see that you like stuffed animals. I love stuffed animals too. I sleep with my teddy bear every night. He is warm and cuddly, and he is my best friend. The elves have been very busy this year making many new and different stuffed animals for Christmas!
Mrs. Claus is calling for me so I must go now. I think I smell hot chocolate, too. It must be time for my break! I just love hot chocolate during the Christmas season!
Ho! Ho! Ho! Have a Merry Christmas!
Your Special Friend,
If you have a few minutes, and would like to have Santa send a special child in your life a personalized message, head over to NorthPole.com and fill out the free form. It only takes a moment, and the letter will be ready in three days--just in time for Christmas!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Why Is This Elf Drunk?
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| Photo Credit: ElfOntheShelfIdeas.com |
What is the deal with the Elf On the Shelf? Is he supposed to teach kids to be good, or is he supposed to show them what not to do to stay on Santa's nice list? I'm getting some mixed signals around here.
Let me back up. First off, I'm old. My childhood was pre-EOtS, so I have absolutely zero experience with the little guy. When I was little, I had Albert P. Elf, First Class. Albert was one of Santa's helpers, and he reported on my behavior to the Fat Man, himself. When he moved into our chimney the day after Thanksgiving, he would always leave a little candy or trinket to let me know he was in the house. Then, throughout the season he would leave little letters (just one or two) to let me know how I was doing. Albert was strict, but he could be softened up with a little pumpkin bread. Finally, on Christmas Eve morning, as he left for the North Pole, he would leave one final note along with a small gift, just to let me know that I was on the Nice List, and Santa would be by that night.
I loved Albert. When Curtis (my baby bro) got old enough to really understand Santa, Albert came back to watch him, and Curt loved him. Every child who came into that house over the years heard about Albert, and more than a few tried to see up the chimney to catch a glimpse of the little fellow. He's sneaky, though, so while we occasionally heard him rumbling around in there, we never saw him.
Albert is the awesome.
Here lies my confusion. According to the EOtS site, elves are scouts (like Albert), and they do report children's behavior to Santa. They're playful, though, so they like to play hide-and-seek. I'm totally cool with that. I get that. Curt was always curious as to what Albert looked like, so now the kids can see their elves. That's precious.
However...
...I keep running across pictures on the internet that show the elf doing things that should land him on the naughty list. These are not joke pics on Facebook, either. These are on parenting sites as "cute and appropriate" ideas. I'm sorry, but toilet papering the tree or xeroxing your butt are neither cute nor appropriate ideas. I'm not a mom, but I know moms, and most of them would be horrified if their child did either of those things. Why give them the idea, or worse yet, encourage this behavior? One site had a hungover elf hanging over the toilet. That's funny for an adult (yes, I chuckled), but not really the best example of "nice list" behavior. (By the way: some of the ideas on these sites really were sweet. I especially like the elf getting caught emailing Santa. I don't mean to give them a hard time, because I think they meant well, but some ideas needed to be vetted a little better, in my opinion. Thank you.)
I thought it was just me. I thought I just didn't get it. Then I read this hilarious post by Jen at People I Want to Punch in the Throat. Jen ran across a list of 101 things to do with your EOtS, and had some problems with a few of the suggestions. Her main gripe was about over-achieving mothers who work way too hard on this little tradition, but we were both horrified at some the ideas. Why would she want to draw mustaches on her kids' school pictures when she'd spent years trying to teach them what surfaces were and were not suitable for markers? Why would she want to undecorate the tree, just to have to redecorate it? I'd send you to the list, but it's been taken down. I can only guess why.
Don't get me wrong. I think EOtS is adorable. I just think it's a counterproductive to have it acting naughty--not mischievous; naughty--and it's wasting a valuable teaching opportunity. (Again, I don't have kids, but I have mom friends, and my little bro is young enough to be my child, so I helped raise him when he was small. I'm not a mom, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express.) Why not have the elf demonstrate "nice" behavior? I mean, that is what he's reporting, and it can still be cute and fun for the kiddies. I brainstormed a bit with my own mom, and we came up with a few ideas that might be helpful if you decide to go this route.
1) Unloading the Dishwasher: Have the dishwasher open and a few plates taken out. Your elf can sit on the plates with his hands grasping a towel. How sweet of him to help out!
2) Folding Laundry: Your elf can sit on a stack of clean towels and "fold" a washcloth.
3) Stamping Christmas Cards: Buddy (or whatever) can help Mom or Dad with the annual Christmas chore.
4) Brushing Teeth: Elfie can hold onto li'l bit's toothbrush and toothpaste, to remind them how "nice" it is to have clean teeth.
5) Packing the Bookbag: Your little elf can help put the books in your child's bag.
6) Picking Up Shoes (or Hats, or Gloves...): I was always horrible about putting my shoes up as a kid. Still am, actually. Maybe your little elf could be found putting an errant shoe back in the closet?
7) Playing a Video Game: It doesn't all have to be chores! As long as the elf has straightened up the out of place games, there's no reason he can't enjoy some play time! Have the elf sit in front of the tv and hold a controller.
8) Drawing a Picture: On paper. Not the wall. Not a photo. Just on paper. For someone in the family. That's nice.
9) Holding a Treat For Your Child: If your kid has been particularly "nice", why not have elfikins hold a bag of marshmallows for s'mores, or a candy bar, or even a little handmade certificate for pizza and a video rental?
10) Wrapping a Gift: Maybe your elf can be caught wrapping either a small gift for your child, or one for a charity toy drive or a family member (not living at home)? That's definitely a "nice" thing to do!
Again, not hating on the Elf, or on the idea pages. I just got some very mixed signals, and wonder how many kids were just as confused as I was. Let me know your feelings in the comments.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Cutsey Custom Kisses
My friend (and reader) Genna brought this craft idea to my attention yesterday, and I had to share it with you guys! If you're still looking for inexpensive stocking stuffers, classmate/co-worker gifts, or if any of you moms just need something fun to do with a troop of girl scouts or slumber partiers, this may be just the ticket.
Brooke over at Cheeky Kitchen posted a super easy and cute recipe for homemade lip glosses. Click here for the entire post, or just scroll down for the recipe. I suggest clicking, because the site is so much fun you'll want to flip through previous posts. Fair warning: you'll easily kill an hour.
These are so adorable! Now, if you want to up your geek quotient a tad, swap out the pink candy for green and label with a Ghostbusters logo for super slimer-y kisses. Or, go for blue, and see if your smooches transport you through time and space. It's all up to you, and what your imagination can come up with. Have fun, and let me know how they turn out!
Brooke over at Cheeky Kitchen posted a super easy and cute recipe for homemade lip glosses. Click here for the entire post, or just scroll down for the recipe. I suggest clicking, because the site is so much fun you'll want to flip through previous posts. Fair warning: you'll easily kill an hour.
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| Photo Credit: Cheeky Kitchen |
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon paraffin wax
4 teaspoons coconut oil
4 teaspoons petroleum jelly
4 white or pink (or whatever color you like) candy melts
1/2 teaspoon oil-based candy flavoring
Directions:
Grate the wax into a ziploc freezer bag. Add the coconut oil, petroleum jelly, candy melts and the flavoring. Place the bag in a bowl of very hot water and allow the ingredients to melt together. Massage the bag a bit to mix the ingredients together. Snip a corner from the bag and squeeze the ingredients into small containers (we used sterilized bead holders purchased from JoAnn). Pop your lip gloss containers into the fridge to cool completely. Gift and enjoy!
These are so adorable! Now, if you want to up your geek quotient a tad, swap out the pink candy for green and label with a Ghostbusters logo for super slimer-y kisses. Or, go for blue, and see if your smooches transport you through time and space. It's all up to you, and what your imagination can come up with. Have fun, and let me know how they turn out!
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon paraffin wax4 teaspoons coconut oil
4 teaspoons petroleum jelly
4 white or pink (or whatever color you like) candy melts
1/2 teaspoon oil-based candy flavoring
Directions:
Grate the wax into a ziploc freezer bag. Add the coconut oil, petroleum jelly, candy melts and the flavoring. Place the bag in a bowl of very hot water and allow the ingredients to melt together. Massage the bag a bit to mix the ingredients together. Snip a corner from the bag and squeeze the ingredients into small containers (we used sterilized bead holders purchased from JoAnn). Pop your lip gloss containers into the fridge to cool completely. Gift and enjoy!Tuesday, December 13, 2011
This Pop Rocks!: Jody's Gourmet Popcorn Review
...until last night. Last night, I had the opportunity to try some of Jody's Gourmet Popcorn out of Virginia Beach, and all I can say is, "Wow!" This is not your grandmother's popcorn.
*Editor's Note: Adorable Napalm was not compensated in any way for this review. Jody's Gourmet Popcorn supplied product for review with full knowledge that any review would be unbiased and completely truthful. If you have a product you would like to see reviewed on this site, please contact Erin through the Adorable Napalm Facebook page (link in the sidebar on the right).
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| Photo Credit (All): Jody's Gourmet Popcorn |
When I was a kid, one thing I could always count on at Christmas was Grandma's popcorn tin. Each year, without fail, someone would give my grandmother one of those ubiquitous tins, filled with caramel, cheese, and butter flavored popcorn. Well...maybe "flavored" is too strong a word. The caramel coating was spotty and hard; the cheese popcorn was vaguely orange and mostly just smelled funny, and the buttered popcorn was...well, let's just say we never ran out of buttered popcorn and leave it at that. Eventually, after months of collecting dust in the den, the snacks would get tossed out, and the tin repurposed into a toy organizer or hair ribbon catch-all. These days, whenever I see one of those popcorn tins, I, out of pure reflex, shudder...
I tried the Four Flavor Tasting Pack, which consists of one small bag (1.5 servings each, at between 100-150 calories per serving--not bad at all for this dieter) of each flavor: Kettle Corn, Recipe 53 Caramel Corn, Cheesy Jalapeno, and Double Cheddar. I threw on my jammies, cued up a My Fair Wedding, and snuggled down in the couch, ready for a little tasting party.
I started out with the Kettle Corn because, frankly, I hate kettle corn and wanted to get it over with. Seriously, I have always hated kettle corn. It just never sat right with me, for some reason. Anyway, I opened the bag, popped in a couple of pieces...and fell in love! I couldn't stop eating it! This kettle corn has a sugary glaze for a satisfying crunch, and just the right amount of salt to counteract the sweetness. It's perfection, and I literally had to force myself to put down the bag and move on to the next flavor.
The next bag on my list was Cheesy Jalapeno. I'm not a huge fan of heat, (I even have the sauce left off at Taco Bell, for crying out loud) but the idea intrigued me. The first thing I noticed was how well-coated the pieces were, then how absolutely natural the jalapeno flavor was. There is a fair amount of heat, so bear that in mind. I couldn't eat very much in one sitting, but I'm also a wimp, so take from that what you will.
Moving on, it was time for the Double Cheddar. Again, each piece was extremely well-coated for a very strong, natural flavor. Yes, you will end up with orange fingers. No, you will not care. The popcorn was so tender it practically melted in my mouth, and again, it was a hard flavor to set aside. However, in the interest of science--er, blogging, I had to be a big girl and put down the bag.
The last stop on my popcorn tour was my all-time favorite, Caramel Corn. I saved it for last because I figured I'd finish the bag, and I could have. I really, really could have. The caramel, which, according to the website, was the 53rd recipe Jody's husband, Alan, (yes, after reading the About page, I feel close enough to be on a first name basis) tried in his search for the perfect glaze, was one of the richest, creamiest, most flavorful caramels I've had the pleasure of trying. The butter and cream flavors are very pronounced, and the textures of sticky caramel and soft popcorn meld beautifully. The pieces did stick to my teeth, but I consider that a plus. It's caramel! If it didn't stick, I'd be worried. By the way, my grandmother's caramel popcorn never stuck to my teeth.
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| This is my kind of open bar! |
This is some darn good popcorn. One of the main things I love about it, though, is how "mom and pop" this company is. Jody and Alan founded the company over a mutual love of caramel corn, and still run things together today. Their motto is, "Amazing or Bust!" and Alan--a doctor and scientist--creates the flavors in their test kitchen. The menu has been expanded to include fudge, gourmet apples, and other candy-coated delectibles, and just last year Jody's was granted Kosher certification (just in case you need something cool for Hannukah).
Prices are reasonable (starting around $3.95 for a 7.5 oz. bag of popcorn and going up), and a wide assortment of gifts, tins (of course), and other goodies are available on the site and in each of their two stores. In fact, if you have a Farm Fresh or Ukrops grocery store near you, check there for Jody's Gourmet Popcorn. Getting married? Jody's has their own wedding representative to help with all of your reception and gift-giving needs.
I know one thing: if I got a tin of this popcorn for Christmas, it wouldn't have time to collect dust. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go polish off that bag of Kettle Corn and rethink every opinion I've ever had.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Gift Guide: Pop Partiers
No matter which holiday you celebrate--Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, or Festivus (for the rest of us!)--you're more than likely going to be invited to someone's home at some point this season. It's pretty much inevitable. If you were raised by my mother, this invitation means you will need to bring a "hostess gift" with you.
Ah, the hostess gift (or host gift, depending)! That lovely little gesture that shows the party-giver you appreciate their hospitality. This isn't supposed to be anything huge, just a bottle of wine or a tin of cookies, or something along those lines. Basically, they're opening their home up to you, so you bring something for the home to say, "Thanks for having me!"
These things stress me out more than you can imagine. I don't want to bring the same thing everyone else is bringing (like the New Year's Eve party where everyone brought a bottle of champagne, and we ended up with a dozen open bottles and no choice but to drink them or toss them out--and it was one bottle to a person! That's a New Year's Day I'd like to forget). I don't want to bring something inappropriate, either, but I also don't always know the home's color scheme or decor theme. Also, I don't want to go too "over the top" size-wise...oh, I hate shopping for hostess gifts. I adore giving them, but I hate, loathe, and absolutely despise selecting them.
So, this year, I've decided to think out of the box. Most of my friends are into pop culture--Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, etc--so I thought I'd see if I could dig up some fan-themed spins on classic gifts, just to spice things up a bit.
First up, the old standard: a bottle of wine...
...Hello Kitty wine, that is! How precious are those bottles?! The line consists of four wines: Angel (white Pinot Nero), Devil (red Pinot Nero), Sweet Pink (sparkling white), and Brut Rose (sparkling deep rose). I know nothing about wine, other than I occasionally like to drink it, so I clicked on a couple of reviews to see how this fared. The good news is, it's cute as heck, and reasonable priced ($18.99-$30.99, WineFromtheBoot.com). The bad news is...it's just okay. It doesn't suck, but it's not fantastic. It's really pretty in the glass, and, according to one site, would be great for a bachelorette toast, but it's nothing really special to drink. However, if you're going for a novelty gift for a non-afficianado (such as myself), this is a solid option.
Next: cookie cutters...
...are anything but cookie cutter when they're Star Wars cookie cutters! The little darlings are from Williams-Sonoma, and feature a cutting-edge (ha! *sorry*) spring-loaded design for ease in use. Four styles are included: Yoda, Boba Fett, Darth Vader, and Storm Trooper. $19.99, Williams-Sonoma.
*UPDATE! A vehicle collection is also available for only $9.99! Millenium Falcon, TIE-Fighter, X-wing Fighter and Death Star are all included!
Another standard: decorative soaps...
...takes on a tech saavy vibe when it's shaped like a Portal Companion Cube! Better yet, it smells like Mountain Dew! What more could a gamer want? Oh, yeah, it's also handmade, vegan, and completely adorable. $22.99, Digitalsoaps.
Of course, you could always bring barware...
...like this beautiful stein, inspired by The Hobbit. Choose from two pub designs (pictured pint glasses available, as well), etched into the glass so it will last through all the wear-and-tear you can bring (except breaking. It is glass, after all). $29.99, ThinkGeek.
Lastly, you could always bring something for the home. A throw pillow, perhaps...
...straight from the Hufflepuff common room! (Pottermore tells me that we Hufflepuffs are real big on throw pillows...) This gorgeous pillow is woven--not screenprinted!--with the Hogwarts School crest, and is an official Harry Potter product, direct from the Warner Bros. store. 18" by 18". $29.95, wbshop.
Hopefully, this helped, and the next time you're rockin' around the Chrismakahwanzoltice Pole, you'll be on the hostess' (or host's) nice list.
Ah, the hostess gift (or host gift, depending)! That lovely little gesture that shows the party-giver you appreciate their hospitality. This isn't supposed to be anything huge, just a bottle of wine or a tin of cookies, or something along those lines. Basically, they're opening their home up to you, so you bring something for the home to say, "Thanks for having me!"
These things stress me out more than you can imagine. I don't want to bring the same thing everyone else is bringing (like the New Year's Eve party where everyone brought a bottle of champagne, and we ended up with a dozen open bottles and no choice but to drink them or toss them out--and it was one bottle to a person! That's a New Year's Day I'd like to forget). I don't want to bring something inappropriate, either, but I also don't always know the home's color scheme or decor theme. Also, I don't want to go too "over the top" size-wise...oh, I hate shopping for hostess gifts. I adore giving them, but I hate, loathe, and absolutely despise selecting them.
So, this year, I've decided to think out of the box. Most of my friends are into pop culture--Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, etc--so I thought I'd see if I could dig up some fan-themed spins on classic gifts, just to spice things up a bit.
First up, the old standard: a bottle of wine...
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| Photo Credit: House of Kitty Blog |
Next: cookie cutters...
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| Photo Credit: Williams-Sonoma |
*UPDATE! A vehicle collection is also available for only $9.99! Millenium Falcon, TIE-Fighter, X-wing Fighter and Death Star are all included!
Another standard: decorative soaps...
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| Photo Credit: Digitalsoaps |
Of course, you could always bring barware...
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| Photo Credit: ThinkGeek |
Lastly, you could always bring something for the home. A throw pillow, perhaps...
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| Photo Credit: WBShop |
Hopefully, this helped, and the next time you're rockin' around the Chrismakahwanzoltice Pole, you'll be on the hostess' (or host's) nice list.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Frugal Friday: The Magic Dresses
First up, here are today's specials!
Aeropostale: This weekend only, use the code HOLIDAY25 to take $25 off a purchase of $100 or more. That might be a challenge, since there's also a 60% off sale going on. Of course, I love a challenge.
Kohl's: Through December 11th, take an extra 20% off with the code CHEER20.
Folks, I have experienced a Festivus miracle. No joke. As you might know, I sing weddings. A lot of weddings, and when I perform, I try to dress, more or less, as a really boring guest; something simple, elegant, and generally black. If it's an evening wedding, I might add a little sparkle, but not too much. I'm on the altar, so I try to just blend in with the woodwork (er...gold leaf? It's a really fancy church) as much as possible.
I go through a lot of cocktail dresses. I have dresses for skinny days and dresses for fat days, dresses for weddings I know are going to be really formal and dresses for afternoon tea weddings, dresses for hot days and dresses for cold days, dresses with sweaters and dresses with flats...
...dresses that no longer fit and dresses with rips, dresses so old they've dry-rotted with age and dresses that have seen much better days...oh, wait. Those are all the same dresses. I realized last night that a few of my go-to wedding dresses needed to hie themselves to Goodwill, and I needed some new dresses to toss into the rotation. But I'm broke. As are we all.
So, I rummaged through a box of old dresses from college and shortly thereafter, in the hopes that something appropriate might show itself. Of course, the entire search seemed an exercise in futility. I'm nowhere near the size I was in college. Anything pulled out of that box would surely be too small.
And yet, hope springs eternal. I pulled out two dresses that I thought might work. They were in excellent condition from being stored in plastic in an air-tight tupperware box, so they were already doing better than the dresses in the closet. One was black velvet with a sequinned band under the bustline; not really church-appropriate, but with a sweater covering all but the skirt, it could definitely work. I also thought this had a shot at still fitting because it had a loose, a-line skirt, and the bust didn't matter because it would be covered by a sweater, anyway.
The second dress...I knew was going to break my heart. To give you an idea what we're dealing with, I bought this dress six years ago, while I lived in New York. I was dancing regularly, walking everywhere, and drinking milkshakes to try to gain weight. (Yeah, go ahead and hate 25 year-old me. I know I do.) I might have weighed 105 lbs. soaking wet and fully clothed. I bought this dress for a New Year's Eve party, and it was black and nude with black lace overlay, strapless, and completely body-conscious. With a sweater, it would be wedding appropriate (really!), but without, it's as va-va-voom a dress as they come. Bettie Page would approve of this dress. There was no way on God's green Earth it was going to fit over one leg of 31 year-old me. Still, I had to try.
I took a deep breath, stepped in, closed my eyes, and tugged...and the dress slid on...and fit! Not only did it fit, but it actually looked better than it did in my twenties! I have curves now, and this dress was built to show them off. I seriously considered crying.
I slipped on the velvet dress, just to see if my luck would hold out, and I had the same result. No, the dress didn't look like it did half a decade ago. It looked better. I looked better. I looked like a filled out, grown up woman, and not a skinny little girl.
So, yeah, I danced around the room a little bit, and yelled out to Thomas that these had to be "magic dresses". Wouldn't you? But really, there's nothing magical about these dresses. They're the same dresses I've always had. What's changed--what's magical--is me and my ability to feel comfortable in my own skin. 25 year-old me would have freaked out to see 31 year-old Erin's weight on the scale. The sizes on my current clothes would have thrown younger me into an absolute tizzy. And, I'm not going to lie, I'm not thrilled with them, myself. However, I know what I look like, and, more importantly, I like how I look. As long as I'm healthy and happy, the numbers don't matter (as much).
These dresses don't "still fit". I just grew into them.
Aeropostale: This weekend only, use the code HOLIDAY25 to take $25 off a purchase of $100 or more. That might be a challenge, since there's also a 60% off sale going on. Of course, I love a challenge.
Kohl's: Through December 11th, take an extra 20% off with the code CHEER20.
Folks, I have experienced a Festivus miracle. No joke. As you might know, I sing weddings. A lot of weddings, and when I perform, I try to dress, more or less, as a really boring guest; something simple, elegant, and generally black. If it's an evening wedding, I might add a little sparkle, but not too much. I'm on the altar, so I try to just blend in with the woodwork (er...gold leaf? It's a really fancy church) as much as possible.
I go through a lot of cocktail dresses. I have dresses for skinny days and dresses for fat days, dresses for weddings I know are going to be really formal and dresses for afternoon tea weddings, dresses for hot days and dresses for cold days, dresses with sweaters and dresses with flats...
...dresses that no longer fit and dresses with rips, dresses so old they've dry-rotted with age and dresses that have seen much better days...oh, wait. Those are all the same dresses. I realized last night that a few of my go-to wedding dresses needed to hie themselves to Goodwill, and I needed some new dresses to toss into the rotation. But I'm broke. As are we all.
So, I rummaged through a box of old dresses from college and shortly thereafter, in the hopes that something appropriate might show itself. Of course, the entire search seemed an exercise in futility. I'm nowhere near the size I was in college. Anything pulled out of that box would surely be too small.
And yet, hope springs eternal. I pulled out two dresses that I thought might work. They were in excellent condition from being stored in plastic in an air-tight tupperware box, so they were already doing better than the dresses in the closet. One was black velvet with a sequinned band under the bustline; not really church-appropriate, but with a sweater covering all but the skirt, it could definitely work. I also thought this had a shot at still fitting because it had a loose, a-line skirt, and the bust didn't matter because it would be covered by a sweater, anyway.
The second dress...I knew was going to break my heart. To give you an idea what we're dealing with, I bought this dress six years ago, while I lived in New York. I was dancing regularly, walking everywhere, and drinking milkshakes to try to gain weight. (Yeah, go ahead and hate 25 year-old me. I know I do.) I might have weighed 105 lbs. soaking wet and fully clothed. I bought this dress for a New Year's Eve party, and it was black and nude with black lace overlay, strapless, and completely body-conscious. With a sweater, it would be wedding appropriate (really!), but without, it's as va-va-voom a dress as they come. Bettie Page would approve of this dress. There was no way on God's green Earth it was going to fit over one leg of 31 year-old me. Still, I had to try.
I took a deep breath, stepped in, closed my eyes, and tugged...and the dress slid on...and fit! Not only did it fit, but it actually looked better than it did in my twenties! I have curves now, and this dress was built to show them off. I seriously considered crying.
I slipped on the velvet dress, just to see if my luck would hold out, and I had the same result. No, the dress didn't look like it did half a decade ago. It looked better. I looked better. I looked like a filled out, grown up woman, and not a skinny little girl.
So, yeah, I danced around the room a little bit, and yelled out to Thomas that these had to be "magic dresses". Wouldn't you? But really, there's nothing magical about these dresses. They're the same dresses I've always had. What's changed--what's magical--is me and my ability to feel comfortable in my own skin. 25 year-old me would have freaked out to see 31 year-old Erin's weight on the scale. The sizes on my current clothes would have thrown younger me into an absolute tizzy. And, I'm not going to lie, I'm not thrilled with them, myself. However, I know what I look like, and, more importantly, I like how I look. As long as I'm healthy and happy, the numbers don't matter (as much).
These dresses don't "still fit". I just grew into them.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
If You Eat the Outside, Is It Still Bigger On the Inside?
Pumpkin Bread. Cranberry-Orange Walnut Cookies. Sopapilla Cheesecake Pie. Sugar Cookies. Glazed Doughnut Muffins. Madeleines. Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins. Tiramisu. Red Velvet Cake. I could keep going with this list of yummy treats I like to whip up over the holidays, but you get the point. I like to bake. However, there does seem to be something missing from this list. What was it again? Oh! Yes! Gingerbread! I have never made gingerbread. At all. Period. No idea why. That said, should I ever decide to do the whole traditional gingerbread home construction thingy, this would have to be attempted:
I love, love, love this! The weathered shading, piped detailing (that's not easy), and--my favorite part--the itty-bitty Christmas wreath all come together to make a gingerbread TARDIS so full of win, I think the Doctor himself would be speechless.
The thing is, this time of year, I never have time to really decorate. My baked goods tend to be just that: baked and good (we hope). No one ever said anything about pretty.
Well, today I was digging around the interwebs, and I came across this silicone mold for a gingerbread house. All the detailing--shingles, log walls, windows--gets baked in, and then you can decorate as simply or elaborately as you want. Even better, the man who suggested this piece to OpenSky (the site I found it on, and a fantastic site for deals. I highly recommend it) noted that you could also use the molds to make the house out of chocolate. Holy Mother of Pearl.
Of course, this is a man who knows his chocolate and his molds. He's none other than Mr. Chocolate, himself, Jacques Torres. I had the pleasure of working for him for a (very short) while, so I've seen first-hand the love and care he puts into his chocolate. His candy bars are like his children. If he says this is a winner, that's good enough for me. It's on my wishlist, and next Christmas, I hope to have a chocolate house to admire and devour. $20, OpenSky.
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| Photo Credit: That's Nerdalicious! |
I love, love, love this! The weathered shading, piped detailing (that's not easy), and--my favorite part--the itty-bitty Christmas wreath all come together to make a gingerbread TARDIS so full of win, I think the Doctor himself would be speechless.
The thing is, this time of year, I never have time to really decorate. My baked goods tend to be just that: baked and good (we hope). No one ever said anything about pretty.
Well, today I was digging around the interwebs, and I came across this silicone mold for a gingerbread house. All the detailing--shingles, log walls, windows--gets baked in, and then you can decorate as simply or elaborately as you want. Even better, the man who suggested this piece to OpenSky (the site I found it on, and a fantastic site for deals. I highly recommend it) noted that you could also use the molds to make the house out of chocolate. Holy Mother of Pearl.
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| Photo Credit: OpenSky |
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Madam, I Believe Your Gown Is Scowling At Me
You know, when I think Angry Birds, I think one thing: fashion. Don't you?
No?
Oh.
Well, then...
Awkward...
Anyhoo, Peter Vesterbacka, the CMO of Rovio, the company created that ridiculously addictive game (and I will get past Level 10! Someday!), has developed a bit of a reputation for constantly wearing an Angry Birds hoodie. It is to him as flannel is to Lucas. You just don't see the guy without it. Unfortunately, it's not exactly black-tie, so when he and his wife, Teija, were invited to an independence celebration at the Finnish Presidential Palace, he needed to come up with a more formal alternative.
Let me just say here that Peter has an awesome wife.
When the pair arrived at the Palace, Teija stepped out in an elegant red satin gown, complete with one-shouldered styling, gorgeous--and flattering--draping, and an artful arrangement of white, black, and orange geometric shapes across the undraped portion of the bodice; shapes which formed an angry bird.
Now, some critics have cried foul (sorry) on this particular choice of gown for such a formal occasion, but I disagree. The couple were invited because of Angry Birds popularity in Finland. Add that to Peter's penchant for sporting the characters, and I argue the gown was highly appropriate. Okay, maybe not for anyone else, but certainly for Teija Vesterbacka, and I think she looked lovely.
What do you guys think? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
No?
Oh.
Well, then...
Awkward...
Anyhoo, Peter Vesterbacka, the CMO of Rovio, the company created that ridiculously addictive game (and I will get past Level 10! Someday!), has developed a bit of a reputation for constantly wearing an Angry Birds hoodie. It is to him as flannel is to Lucas. You just don't see the guy without it. Unfortunately, it's not exactly black-tie, so when he and his wife, Teija, were invited to an independence celebration at the Finnish Presidential Palace, he needed to come up with a more formal alternative.
Let me just say here that Peter has an awesome wife.
When the pair arrived at the Palace, Teija stepped out in an elegant red satin gown, complete with one-shouldered styling, gorgeous--and flattering--draping, and an artful arrangement of white, black, and orange geometric shapes across the undraped portion of the bodice; shapes which formed an angry bird.
Now, some critics have cried foul (sorry) on this particular choice of gown for such a formal occasion, but I disagree. The couple were invited because of Angry Birds popularity in Finland. Add that to Peter's penchant for sporting the characters, and I argue the gown was highly appropriate. Okay, maybe not for anyone else, but certainly for Teija Vesterbacka, and I think she looked lovely.
 |
| Photo Credit: The Huffington Post |
What do you guys think? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
And a Merry Freakin' Christmas To You, Too, PayPal!
*Warning: This post contains no foul language. The same can not be said of the links. Just FYI.
I am furious. Read this: http://www.regretsy.com/2011/12/05/cats-1-kids-0/ and tell me you're not absolutely incensed. The short version (and this is as short as it gets) goes a little something like this:
April Winchell, the founder of humor blog, Regretsy, decided to run a Secret Santa campaign to deliver toys to 200 vetted children in need this Christmas. Many may only get this one toy, and a few may only get this one Christmas. April put a PayPal "Donate" button on the site, and encouraged readers to contribute whatever they could to the cause. My heart grew three sizes as, within a short period of time, the goal was met, and enough extra was raised to also include a monetary donation to the children's families--not much, but enough for a nice meal or to pay a bill. I even tossed in a fiver, myself.
PayPal froze April's account. They said she used the wrong button, made her refund all monies that hadn't gone through, but kept their fees.
Here's what they told her:
PAYPAL: Only a nonprofit can use the Donate button.
ME: That’s false. It says right in the PDF of instructions for the Donate button that it can be used for “worthy causes.”
PAYPAL: I haven’t seen that PDF. And what you’re doing is not a worthy cause, it’s charity.
ME: What’s the difference?
PAYPAL: You can use the donate button to raise money for a sick cat, but not poor people.
April did as told, and then tried again, this time using the correct button, and they did it again, this time freezing her personal account as well, for six months. No idea why. For kicks, I guess. They told her she'd have to start a new website to take the donations; that it was suspicious because the buyer and recipient lived at different addresses (really?); that they knew what she was doing and "weren't going to play games". Lovely.
Anyway, she, again, had to refund all money. Of course, PayPal kept their fees on that fundraiser, too. Plus, anyone who donated has an outstanding transaction on their account, so they can't close them.
The toys had already been purchased (through PayPal, who kept those fees), so the children are getting their toys, thanks to April's generosity (since almost all of the money was refunded), but there's no money left over for the monetary donations. Merry Christmas.
In case you're interested, there's a wonderfully researched and well-presented explanation of all six ways from Sunday PayPal has wronged this fundraiser and the people involved with it. There are screen grabs and everything, and it's a very interesting and enlightening read, especially if you have anything to do with the PayPal company.
Today, after an onslaught of emails, twitters, Facebook messages, phone calls, and even faxes, the PayPal people have said they wish to make a donation and will try to help April with this mess. I certainly hope they do. Unfortunately, it's hard to see this as anything more than a half-hearted stab at turning around some extraordinarily bad publicity. Seriously, what's more vile than stealing from little kids at Christmas? I guess Mr. Potter, Ebenezer Scrooge, and the Grinch are more than works of mere fiction. I think I need a drink.
***UPDATE! The PayPal company has unfrozen all remaining assets, including April's personal account, and a deal has been made where PayPal will donate $100 to each of the $200 families.
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