Seven facts about me

My friend Melissa at Frugal Creativity is one of the sweetest women I know so when she tagged me with the 7 Facts Award I was excited to do it. Why? ‘Cause it could only mean two things: 1) She wants to know more about me. 2) She likes me. LOL

Thanks Melissa!

Here are the rules:

1- Copy the Award Picture and add it to your blog
2- Thank and Link back to the person who awarded it to you
3- Share 7 Facts about yourself
4- Give 15 other bloggers this award

Seven facts about myself? Hmmm… Let me see if I can think of some things I haven’t already told you or something you may have forgotten:

1. I have a personal rule that I do not date men named Mark. Seems silly, right? Well, my first love’s name is Mark. My oldest daughter’s father’s name is Mark. I recall there being another Mark reason, but for the life of me I can’t remember what it is. Subconscious amnesia?
2. I’ve given birth to two preemies and two full-term babies. Two 4 pounds and something and two 6 pounds and something.
3. All of my best friends have been men. I had a couple (yup, probably only two) of close girlfriends in high school and the two closest female friends I have now I’ve only known for less than a year and six years. My best friends (x 3 guys) I’ve known for more than 20 years and we talk/communicate on a regular basis.
4. I don’t normally know the names of people who live right next door to me.
5. When I was in elementary school I was a bully. Sorry if that offends or bothers some; I know that’s a serious topic nowadays.
6. I am tired of reading non-fiction books. I have loved to read since I was old enough to sound out a word. It’s time to get back to enjoying some good novels just for the fun of it.
7. In a way, I’ve always been a little insecure—or is that self depreciating? Only my closest friends (and my oldest daughter) know how critical I am of myself and the reactions of others toward me. That includes when no one leaves comments on my posts. {Embarrassed guffaw-snort-giggle.}

Now this is the part of these little thingies that are hard for me. Who to pass it on to? I always normally never rarely tag as many people as it says to, but I’ll do my best:

1. I have to tag Lin of Duck and Wheel with String because she really loves to do these. {Evil giggle.}
2. Valerie at Frugal Family Fun Blog because she is just a doggone fun and interesting person.
3. The Minus the Bars star Don who writes the most compelling posts.
4. One fabulous writer Diane Estrella who’s funny, knowledgeable and extra caring.
5. TwillyPop because I just have to know more about her ‘cause she creates such beauty.
6. My daughter Amber who is the newbie – and currently inactive – blogger of SunniSweets. Maybe this’ll draw her out!
7. One of my first blogging friend, Tammy, at Mom Knows Everything. I’ll always love her!
8. The most gorgeous bloggers I know: Tina at Mummy Diaries.

Well, that’s all I can come up with right now… My eyes are swinty and burning from going to bed late each night so I’m gonna turn in. Before you go, I’d love to see your 7 things – comment below or post on your blog.

Let’s Do Lunch by Roger Troy Wilson {book review}

Just today I finished reading Let’s Do Lunch by Roger Troy Wilson. It’s been so long since I received the book that I forgot I didn’t actually finish it and do the review. (Shame on me!) When I picked it up for the second time I remember how I felt when I first saw it: Intrigue and interest.

Wilson didn’t disappoint me. He starts with a touching dedication to the brother he loss, explains cautions before starting this program and explains exactly what the plan is. By the time I was finished reading the book, I was sold. In my opinion, Let’s Do Lunch: Eating calories and carbs you want to lose weight! is a (semi) easy-to-follow and doable plan.

The author, who at one point weighed 425 pounds and had a 5-foot waist, had experimented with different foods and eating plans until he found a fun way of losing weight easily. A plan that is the complete opposite of most diets: With his plan he lost 230 pounds and 24 inches from his waist. His success is evident by the years he’s maintained this loss.

Wilson maintains that his plan is not what you think it is. He says you’ll get to eat all the foods you love whenever you are hungry and eat until you are full. There is no exercise required, no pills to take, nothing to count, no math skills needed and no meetings to attend. Sounds unbelievable, right? According to Wilson, “… because Let’s Do Lunch foods stabilize your blood sugar, your body forces you to become less and less hungry with each passing day.”

As I read the book I became more and more convinced. His suggestions  make sense and it’s the way he puts the plan together that’s different. One of the best parts about the plan is  he has an answer and solution for every concern or pitfall you may encounter. The best part for me is that I get to eat tons of fruit, which I love, until I can’t eat anymore. The worse part about it is minimizing breads, biscuits, waffles, pancakes, nuts, chocolate, muffins… which I also sigh. The good part is that eventually my craving for those types of things will abate.

To get started, Wilson has included a shopping list, recipes, suggestions, testimonials, questions & answers, and a 14-day meal guide for those who need more specifics, among other things. There is also information on how to access LetsDoLunch.com’s message boards to interact with others who are using the same plan.

I’m actually going to test this plan out for myself…  I’ll post my success (yes, thinking positively) here in about four weeks. If you’ve read this book or started the plan, share your experience with us here in the comments.

Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. For more information review my complete policy.

Introducing bareMinerals Skincare launch

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to experience bareMinerals revolutionary new skincare line that is powered by their proprietary ingredient RareMinerals ActiveSoil Complex. It’s clinically proven to deliver younger-looking skin that’s bright and beautiful, which is the bareMinerals Naturally Luminous glow is famous for.

I’ve tried the bareMinerals products before so I’m fairly confident that the skincare line will be just as fabulous. So far, I think my favorite product from the new line is going to be the Pure Transformation Night Treatment. It has a clinically proven formula that will, among other things, visibly reduce pores and increase firmness – that’s two things that I definitely need.

Take a look at the bareMinerals Skincare site and leave me a comment telling me which new product you’d like to try.

Disclaimer: I’m writing this post in conjunction with a MuseFuse campaign. This post is my entry at a chance to receive the new bareMinerals Skincare line.

Heard on the radio…

During my carpooling this morning I heard the deejays talking about a woman who had returned something to a store. The clerk at the store was rude and nasty to her, but still credited the lady’s account with $50… well, sorta. She accidentally credited her account with $500.

The customer felt she should keep the money because it wasn’t her fault and the clerk was nasty and incompetent. Her husband disagreed and thought she should give the money back.

What would you do?

Scrub-a-dub dub

Last week I went to a wellness spa in a strip mall I hadn’t visited before. My daughter had the van so I browsed around to see what other shops were there and was surprised to find a store that sold scrubs. Since I’m not in the medical field I’ve never had a need for purchasing scrubs and never realized where they can be purchased. This store had all sorts of styles and colors, which I thought was pretty cool because it means that the people who wear them have more than one or two choices.

There are also Internet sites that specialize in scrubs including nursing scrubs and lab coats. I am sure that it makes patients more comfortable when they encounter a nurse, technician or office personnel in appealing scrubs. I’ve noticed how my children react to the nurses at the pediatrician when they have on uniforms that are emblazoned with funny or familiar characters. They engage more with them and the children definitely seem more comfortable. The same works for adults, I’m sure.

For those who prefer and need something a little less stylish, so to speak, it is just as easy to find green scrubs or plain lab coats as it is to find scrub hats and caps with flowers, polka dots, cupcakes and a variety of other” tasty-looking” choices. Even with all that fanciness going on it’s not difficult to find cheap scrubs either.

Have you seen a medical professional in a spiffy looking uniform or appealing scrubs? Share what you thought about it. If you haven’t, let me know if you would like to see the nurse at your regular physician’s office in something a little more colorful.

Let’s talk hair

 

If there’s one thing that women everywhere are always talking about it’s their hair. Articles are written about it in magazines and online, women spend hundreds of dollars each month on products and salon trips, they seek advice from their girlfriends and will die, fry and slap it to the side (yes, I know, cliché) to find a style they love.

Honestly, for years I’ve trolled the Internet and magazines about natural hair care. I adore wearing natural styles, but I still want my hair to look a certain way and I’m not always pleased with how it looks naturally.

Let me share a little of my hair history:

I started wearing a Jheri curl (okay, try not to laugh and tease me) when I was in middle school. Before that I was getting my hair straightened with a hot comb and after that I started getting a relaxer. Again, making my hair straight. As a young black girl in the 1970s it was acceptable to wear braids, but as one grows it’s almost expected to straighten your hair. I have since learned that it really depends on where you live and how you grew up. I have a friend who was born the same year and her young hair experiences were totally different.

Okay, back to my hair history: I kept a relaxer for about 11 years and “went natural” around 1996-97. I started wearing two-strand twists and then decided to wear locks. What some call dreadlocks. I grew them for a little over 11 years (that must be a lucky number) and they reached about three inches below my waist before I cut them off. The main reason I cut them off was because they no longer looked as neat at the roots and hairline  as I would like. The picture to the left is a headshot, which was taken by Alex Jones for Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine. It’s before I had three more children and longer locks. :-)

 

In this photo, a very pregnant me (with child #4) had already started cutting the locks.

Here (after the third pregnancy, I think) I have my extra long locks in a ponytail.

I’m still natural – having just colored my hair on occasion – and I normally wear my hair in a puff… Is that what it’s called? LOL. … or two-strand twists unraveled. Every once in awhile I splurge on braids, which I absolutely love and have now. I want to wear them more often and give my hair a chance to rest and grow more; not to mention the varied styles I get to rock. I’ve also invested in more costly hair products and those that are touted as being for specific hair types, and I’m pleased that most work to soften and strengthen my hair.

Look at all the natural hair transitions I’ve made …

     

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve even tried a wig… that didn’t last too long ‘cause I don’t even like wearing hats!

I have kinky twists now (left), which really remind me of when I had locks. I forgot that I also had them in April of last year (below). I can’t decide whether I like my hair light or dark. What do you think?

 

 

 

 

 

And, of course, there are the braids that I have had on and off for a few years:

I haven’t had my hair straightened and curled since it’s grown, but below I think is the last time my daughter styled it with a flat iron.

The “research” I’ve done has given me increased knowledge of natural products and ingredients. So much so that I’ve written a list to test different products when I get the chance. That’s why when I saw the article “Party Over Hair” in last week’s Jet magazine I read it with excitement and anticipation.

Our hair is like an accessory and it has to look just right. It’s nice – really nice – when other people think it looks good, but I am my worse critic and l make sure it looks good for me.

What’s your hair history? Are you in love with your hair or have a love/hate relationship with it? Also, share your best hair tips.

Fireplace gas logs

Even though the weather is warming up there are still occasions that call for a little warmth and coziness. There are cool Spring nights when families can lounge on the back deck after a light dinner or the chilly mornings spent on the screened-in porch while sipping a cup of java.

To experience that warmth all that is needed are some gas logs. Not sure where to get one? Over at Hansen Wholesale, the gas log experts are offering the lowest prices on all Gas Logs – they guarantee it! They sell Robert H. Peterson gas logs, which has been making the best gas logs in the United States for the past 60 years. My favorites are the Outdoor Gas Logs. I can picture sitting under the stars in a lush backyard on a cool night and feeling warmly comfortable because of a gas log or snuggled on a loveseat with my sweetheart while enjoying Vented Gas Logs, which are most realistic using a burner system that is designed to be installed in wood burning fireplaces and burned with the damper propped open. They burn natural gas and are only for use indoors.

It’s not too late to get your R. H. Peterson Real Fyre Gas Logs; right now there’s a special offer of $75 additional discount, no sales tax and free shipping. (No sales tax applies to all gas logs and the free shipping offer applies to complete gas log sets under 36” in the continental USA.) If you buy one today you can be on your way to warm and cozy in no time.

Let’s play hide & seek {book review}

In this house we are definitely a group of book lovers. I guess the love of books started with my mother. When I was a young girl I recall seeing my mother reading and when we would go out – regardless of where we were going – she encouraged me to take a book. Even as I got older it was a rare occasion to find me doing anything else but reading when I was riding in a car.

That’s why I’m not surprised that my four children love to read. Right now Amber, 19, doesn’t get as many chances to read for pleasure because she has enough reading to do as a Chemistry major. My 7-year-old son, Andre, has discovered the love of reading and it really hit him when he figured out he could read entire books alone. My daughters, 6-year-old Amareah and Anna who’s almost 4, love being read to by their siblings. Amareah is just beginning to read on her own and Anna is still pretending to read.

A little while ago we discovered a book that all of us like to read and experience: Hide!!! by Jeff Foxworthy, the bestselling author of Dirt on My Shirt. Hide is the story of a neighborhood hide-and-seek game that the readers join in on. The illustrations, which are by Steve Bjorkman, are vivid and beautiful. Along with the hide-and-seek story there are lists of what to find in each picture at the bottom of the page.

Amareah is our resident puzzle lover and normally does an excellent job with pictures that have hidden items in them. Once she got used to the illustrations finding the objects was almost a piece of cake for her. In fact, there were a couple of times that she found what was hidden quicker than I did.

Hide is  “guaranteed to charm readers of all ages” and it definitely lives up to that claim.

 

   

Disclosure: I  received Hide!!!  for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received. Any opinions expressed here are my own. For more information review my complete policy.

Beautiful Murano glass

I am a sucker for pretty baubles. In every store I drool over the jewelry section and when surfing the net I stop and browse at every jewelry site. I’m amazed at how artistic jewelry makers and artists are, and just when I think I can’t find anything as gorgeous as the last thing I saw I come across something else.

I had that feeling when I came across Glass of Venice, which works directly with artisans from Murano, Italy. The items are handcrafted using glass-blowing techniques that made these glassmakers famous. Using Murano Glass, they make the items you would see in Italy. Now you don’t have to travel that far; these beauties are just a click away.

It would be fabulous to own one of the murano glass necklaces because it’s like wearing a piece of art. Not only are the choices beautiful, but there are quite a few to choose from and they’re all reasonably priced.

This is a great site to shop on to find a Mother’s Day gift for that special woman in your life. In fact, I was thinking that I should buy myself a murano glass necklace and treat myself for Mother’s Day. These pieces aren’t necessarily my mother’s style so I’ll find something for her elsewhere, but I’m all over the site for a gift for me. What do you think: Do you like Murano glass necklaces?

No bug is gonna beat me

I’m one of those people who doesn’t like the cold so – despite my best efforts – I complain a lot during the Winter months and vow that I won’t bellyache about the heat when Spring and Summer arrive. I was particularly disgruntled about this past Winter because it seemed colder than it had been in years past. Now, with only a few days into Spring, I’m trying my best not to start up about the sun beating down on my arms and legs as I drive. Or glaring in my eyes while I try to enjoy some time outside.

It’s actually the best time to spend outdoors (as long as your  allergy and sinus problems allow) because it’s been breezy and pleasant. What makes it a little less pleasant are the wasps that have decided to come out and play. I know they’re just doing their jobs by carrying pollen from one flower or plant to another, but can they leave me alone. Or, more specifically, my van, which is covered from bumper to bumper in yellow pollen.

I captured this little guy sitting on my windshield while I waited in the carpool line at my kids’ school. He refused to move so I had to peek around him while I drove. When he finally went on his way I couldn’t stop thinking about him and I don’t know why. Bugs are my least favorite things of warm weather, but it’s been on my mind that each being has a purpose and I shouldn’t be fussing about it ‘cause it’s just doing the job it was given.

Instead of worrying about whether it’s too hot or too cold and sitting around complaining about the bugs, I need to start wrapping my brain around my writing goals. If the wasp can do his job then I better get on top of my purpose. I can’t let the wasp do better than me, can I?

Mystery of the purple tub

I don’t know about other parents, but for me it seems like every time I think it’s safe to go back in the water my kids pull another trick out of their hats. I remember when my oldest was about 7 years old, she put black shoe polish all over the floor, rug and counter in our bathroom. It was only the two of us living in that townhouse and I know I didn’t do it.

Prior to us going out that evening I had cleaned the bathroom from top to bottom. When I returned home I walked into the bathroom and saw the black polish all over the yellow and white bathroom.

I yelled for Amber, who’s now 19, and asked her about the polish.

“I didn’t do that,” she said.

I asked her again. She – again! – said she didn’t do it. Mine you, I have a rule in my house: You get in more trouble if you lie.

“So, you’re trying to tell me that while we were out someone came in here, took the polish from under the sink, used it and rubbed it all over the place.”

“Yes…,” she nodded.

For an instance my mind pictured the maintenance man coming into the townhouse, going up to the bathroom and using the shoe polish. Ridiculous, I thought.

Needless to say she got in trouble. The evidence showed that Amber was the last one in the bathroom before we went out.

It’s with this in mind that I tell the tale of the purple bathtub.

Last night I bathed my youngest daughter before dinner and got her out of the bath quickly. While I was in there I didn’t see anything amidst in the tub. My son took his bath next. Now my son is very “picky” and if the tub had had purple stains in it – or anything for that matter – he would have told it right away.

Amber went into the bathroom to wash his hair and she said she didn’t see anything unusual. Andre got out of the tub/bathroom and my middle daughter went in. She took her bath and went to bed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I didn’t go into the bathroom until the next morning when I woke the children to get ready to school. The purple stains in the tub were the first thing I noticed. I asked Amareah (the middle daughter) first if she knew what it was and where it came from. Even though I quizzed all of the children, including the oldest, no one knew anything about the stains. (You can’t see them that well in the picture – just looks like a dirty tub – but the tub was perfect white before those stains. And we’ve cleaned it since discovering them.)

The evidence suggests that Amareah is the alleged culprit.

It wouldn’t be so bad if the stains would come out… it looks like I’m going to be scrubbing the tub with bleach infused cleaners for weeks to come.

So, do you have an idea of where the purple stains came from? I think I’ll put a spy camera in there to catch the next person who does something fishy and won’t admit it.

Family Dollar does gourmet

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Family Dollar for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Family Dollar is a well-known store that offers great deals on products consumers use everyday and it's also a popular place to shop. Now they're introducing Family Gourmet, which is a great way to save even more money.

I know consumers - and moms in particular - are concerned about the quality of products they give their families. Well, rest assured Family Gourmet has compared their items to national brand products and found they save customers more than 30 percent versus the natural brands.

Check it out:

Family Gourmet Ground Roast Coffee 34.5 oz vs. Maxwell House Original 34.5 oz ($2.50 savings)

Family Gourmet Non Dairy Creamer 16 oz vs. Coffee Mate Creamer 16 oz ($1.25 savings)

Family Gourmet Apple Juice 64 oz vs. Motts Apple Juice 64 oz ($0.60 savings)

Family Gourmet Berry Crunch Cereal 15 oz vs. Quaker Cap'n Berry Crunch 15 oz ($0.75 savings)

Family Gourmet Buttermilk Pancake Mix 32 oz vs. Aunt Jemima Buttermilk Pancake Mix 32 oz ($0.85 savings)

Family Gourmet Pancake Syrup 24 oz vs. Aunt Jemima Country Ranch Syrup 24 oz. ($0.50 savings)

This is an ideal time for households to try Family Gourmet and learn another way to save money. They are so confident that customers will be completely satisfied with their products that they offer a 100 percent guarantee or money back within 30 days for a refund or exchange with receipt.

How to have fun with children

Now why would one need instructions on having fun with children? It should be a given, right? Well, for lots of folks – parents included – it takes an effort to just have fun with children because of the daily responsibilities of life. Sometimes we need to consciously put aside seriousness and responsibilities to just have fun.

Believe me, in the end, it will be worth it. My quest to have fun with the children – instead of being the daily taskmaster – began this month. I’ve been challenged encouraged by one of my “besties” to choose something enjoyable to do with them at least once a month in addition to the regular stuff. You know: going to the park, etc. The encouragement was right on time because I had been thinking along those lines for the last few weeks. It seems to go along with my new life.

Having fun is as simple as deciding to do something that you’ll enjoy as a family. My children really enjoy eating out so one random day I took them to a buffet that offers discounts for children. Next month we’ll choose another one where kids eat free. This takes the pressure of preparing dinner off of me for at least one night of the week/month.

Our “big outing” this month was to check out Animalopolis at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s IMAX Theatre.. (Interested in more information about the film? Check out their website.) It’s been in town quite some time and when I first happened across the information I knew my children would love it. And, I must admit, I was enthralled as well. For one, I’ve never been to the museum and I’ve always wanted to see a film on the giant IMAX screen.

The second thing you want to do to have fun is build excitement: I didn’t tell the children until the night before that we were going. We looked at the film’s site and talked about what we would see. I don’t think we were really prepared for how much fun it would be.

 

As soon as we walked around the corner of the building the children took off running to the waterfall that featured some fabulous dinosaur statues. The pointed, circled, laughed and stared. I assured them we’d visit the dinosaurs again when we came outside and hustled them in for bathroom run and to get ready for the show. Before we made it to the theatre we had to stop to checkout a fossil display, take a picture of the children “excavating” (I love to see their little faces in that thingy) and visit the gift shop. Once again, I assured them we’d stop on the way out. That brings me to number three: Be patient!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We didn’t make it far before we saw the animals displayed: There was the bear you see them checking out and they’d already looked at the stuffed squirrel and chipmunk. They had a lot of questions about whether the animals were real. Number four: Always participate. It would have been easy to just walk around and look, but I chose to discuss everything with the children and answer their one million questions. We laughed together, pointed and played.

They also loved this:

My camera is not adequate enough to capture the entire dinosaur bones, but it was absolutely amazing. Andre wasn’t happy to stop to take a picture, Anna was so busy giggling I caught her with her eyes closed and Amareah was talking about what she could see and asking questions.

Unfortunately I didn’t take a picture of the inside of the IMAX, but it was magical walking into the lobby and looking up at a dark “sky” with millions of stars. We were amazed at the size of the screen when we were finally seated and spent the entire time staring at the screen. Animalopolis is extremely entertaining, educational and the ideal length for children of all ages (about five minutes before it was over Anna asked if it was time to go yet), which is the perfect recipe for a family outing.

We capped off the visit to Fernbank’s IMAX by getting a few souvenirs from the gift shop. Anna was proud to show off her bag (see below)…

The last thing to do in order to have fun with your children: Relax … 

The best part of the day for me was my children’s responses:

Anna said, “This is the best movie ever.” Andre and Amareah agreed. As the day went on each one of them said in their own way, “This is a good day.”

Use my link to rent at Redbox

I'm a little late getting in on the Redbox campaign to share with my friends in order to earn free movies. (There are two things I can't resist: free and movies... well, three things: add chocolate!) Since I'm just now getting back in the swing of things after my little hiatus I just saw an email from BzzAgent, which I'm a member of, telling about a promo.

It's easy to participate: I share a link, you click my link and rent a movie (only $1/night), I earn free movies. Simple, right? And as an added bonus if you've never rented through Redbox before then you'll get a free movie code upon your first rental. Now what are you waiting for?

My new life …

It’s funny how a new situation or scenery will bring along new realizations. Deciding to make the move from a house to an apartment brought about a serious cleaning of material things and an easing to some of the mental things as well. And, after a conversation I had today, I was reminded of the new life I began as a divorcee.

Almost four years ago I separated from my now ex-husband and almost immediately lost friends (I guess I was no longer suitable to be the friend of a married woman or couple) and family (I’m assuming none of my in laws saw me worthy enough to keep in contact). Life as I knew it changed. It was a long, painful, unhappy change, but a change nonetheless. The physical change of location has been long, but it’s been happy and refreshing… and it also reminded me of the friends I lost. I’m beginning again, so to speak, and I’m hoping to meet a few new friends in the process.

I don’t think of myself as a divorcee, I’m a writer, mom, friend, lover… and, uh, of course, woman who happens to be experiencing quite a few transitions. One thing that remains the same is my presence here at It’s a woman’s world. It’s my world and I choose to share it with you as much as I can. I know you’ve noticed I haven’t been around much.

The most recent thing I’d like to share is how I’m settling into our new place. There’s one thing that makes it a lot of fun and gives me a sense of excitement and connection with myself. I’m spreading my favorite color – red – all around the place. Take a look:

 These are the curtains in my bedroom. The window faces the parking lot and is right next to the front door so I wasn’t exactly comfortable with just the blinds there because, for one, they are cut a little short. You probably can’t tell by the picture, but the outer panels have very thin stripes in gold, brown, and red; they’re sheer and match nicely with the red under them. As soon as I get a chance I’m going to add a little *bling* from the rod… I’ll show you that in another post.

 There are red candles placed around my bedroom {giggle},a few  around the apartment and a couple in my bathroom. Speaking of my bathroom: This is the first time I’ve EVER had my own bathroom in all the time I’ve been on my own. My first year in college, there was a communal bathroom. Yuck! When I was in the Air Force I had to share the bathroom with a roommate and/or suite mates.

Even with my first few apartments I shared with my oldest daughter. So I’m particularly pleased and excited about this:

I love how I’m able to mesh the old, new and stylish. For instance, the candle holder is actually a dish that belonged to my grandmother and I’ve used two for that purpose.

The table in the corner is one I bought more than 10 years ago. I’ve added a cute plant, which I found on sale (YIPPEE!), and used a ceramic piece I made in 1994 to offset. I love that piece and what you can’t see is the red clay that I added.

My sweet daughter bought a few of the silver accents that you see (there’s also a trash can and a little dish that’s handy for Chapstick and hair elastics) as well as the shower curtain, bath towel and the bathroom rug peeking out in the previous picture.

Throughout the rest of the apartment, there’s the Betty Crocker spoon rest on the stove that I found at the dollar store, my grandmother’s red vase on the top of the cabinets, the analog clock to really help the kids tell time, the candle display on the bar, the little entry table lampshade and the sheer panels that cover my living room windows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do you think? I still have to put up some artwork and pictures, get some barstools and quite a few other things like decorating the kids’ rooms. All in all I’ve been having fun and enjoying my new space in my new life. :-)

Tell me, what’s your favorite color and do you have it splashed around your house?

Shop the Express Spring 2011 Swim Collection

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Express for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
Although I can't remember the last time I wore a bathing suit I'm a little excited about the prospect now - especially since we live in a complex with a pool - because Express has revealed their new Spring swimwear. Now, ladies, I know some of us dread swimsuit season, but that's going to be a thing of the past. Why? I'm glad you asked. The new Express line has something everyone will love regardless of any of the imperfections you think you have or things you'd like to conceal.
For instance, I had my gallbladder out when I was in my mid to early 20s and now I have a huge scar as a souvenir. After the surgery I never wore two piece swimwear again. And when I'm shopping it's very seldom that I see a suit that I even want to try on let alone wear in public. Well, I don't have to look any further: I was browsing women's swimwear at Express and noticed some very sexy and classy one piece suits. One of my favorites is the Monokini, which will not only cover the areas of my stomach that I'm insecure about, but it's also shaped to accentuate the waistline. That's the type of suit I wouldn't mind wearing to my community pool.
Wouldn't you love the chance to shop at Express and update your swim suits? Then be sure to sign up for Express e-mail, using the provided link, for your chance to win one of 10 $200 Express gift cards. Check the site for sweepstakes rules. Good luck and I'll see you by the pool.

Where’s this griddle been all my life?

When I was a little girl I remember my mom fixing Sunday morning breakfast on an electric griddle. I don’t recall her using the griddle when we went from being a family of four to a family of two (my dad passed away and my brother was out on his own), and I never thought about the appliance again. Or so I thought.

Well about a month ago Amber and I were browsing around Kohl’s – I can’t remember why we were there – and we happened to be in the kitchen department. Amber loves to cook and is obsessed (don’t tell her I said that!) with gadgets and cooking ware so we had to get a closer look at everything. While we oooed and awwwed over everything I spotted a griddle.

“Hey, a griddle,” I said, and immediately walked over to it, “I’ve always wanted one of these. I need one!”

“Yup,” Amber agreed.

“It’s only $20?!”

I faced Amber with a silly look of astonishment on my face. “I’m going to get it.”

It has been one of the best household purchases I have made. Instead of having to stack up pancakes and try to keep them warm while flipping others in a skillet, I can do six to eight at a time. That means the kids are taken care of and I can fix my entire breakfast – eggs, turkey bacon and pancakes – at one time and it’ll all be hot. I actually sat down to a hot breakfast the other day and I think I grinned through the entire meal! It was so tasty… I made a perfectly, gigantic and yummy omelet.

My new purchase made me really happy last night when I decided to make turkey burgers for dinner. Making turkey burgers is one of those things that I often put off or change my mind about because of how messy my hands get. Using my largest skillet I could make three or four patties, cook them, take them out then form three or four more.

With the griddle I only have to get my hands “dirty” once and I can do them all at once. See?

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was so excited about cooking the burgers on the griddle that I made barbecue spinach turkey burger. Not only did they look good, but they were extremely tasty. Here are the finished burgers:

I love this thing!

 

 

 

 

So, tell me, have you used a griddle? What’s your favorite thing about having one?