Random Snapshots

friday favorites

The Sookie Stackhouse Book Series: I.AM.HOOKED.  I started Book 4 yesterday (please, please, please don't leave a comment telling me what "potentially" happens in future books!) and I think I'm on Chapter 7 alreay.  I've flown through Books 1-3 and like a crackhead have gone to the library, bookstore or Kindle store at the end of each book to try and obtain the next.  :)  I'm reading Book 4 on my iPhone via Kindle since I couldn't find the book in the store or at the library and I needed it right away! :)

A lot of people refer to this series as the "grown up" Twilight and I guess that is mostly true although the series was written well before Twilight.  I like them both equally and for different reasons. 

True Blood on HBO: If you already watch True Blood then you know Season Two started a few weeks ago.  Adam and I have been hooked on this show ever since we watched the first episode.  Last year we watched the entire Season One in less than two days via HBO On-Demand (Comcast cable).  We couldn't wait for Season Two and have trouble waiting for the next Sunday to come around! 

I know most Sookie fans love Bill Compton, but I do not.  I am Team Eric all the way -- especially with Alexander Skarsgard in that role.  He's perfect for the role with regard to his description in the book series as far as I'm concerned.  The TV series storyline differs a lot from the book series so that may bother some people, but it doesn't really matter to me.

The Hangover: Holy crap, this movie was hilarious.  I don't believe I stopped laughing the entire time.  I have heard the exact same review from literally everyone I know who has seen this movie.  Some of the stuff was over the top, but somehow they managed to make it seem hilarious and not stupid.  If you've been to Vegas you will have a few extra laughs.  It really made me want to go back soon.  The main cast was great and really had a comedic chemistry together.  I will definitely be buying the DVD when it comes out.

Dexter: I think this might be my new (new-to-me) favorite show.  The First and Second Seasons just became available via Netflix Instant (we stream through our XBox 360 and I HIGHLY recommend it!) so Adam I and started to watch it last night.  We don't have Showtime, but we've long wanted to watch this series.  Last night we got through episodes 1-3 and I think we're both hooked.  I love anything that has to do with crime - both fiction and non-fiction - so this show is very interesting to me.  I cannot wait to watch more episodes. 

 

I'd love to hear what you are reading and watching.  :)  Happy Friday!

friday favs

 

Softscrub Body Butter Coconut Scrub: I like this stuff a lot and just stocked up while my grocery store had a coupon.  I'm always a sucker for coconut or tropical smells.  The scrub isn't very harsh which is nice since I have sensative skin.  This doesn't fit much with my clean products vow, but I can't resist it!

 

True Lemon Crystallized Lemon: It seems that most of the world has caught onto this already, but I just discovered this stuff.  I love it!  It's not sweet, but it does taste exactly like a lemon wedge in your water which is exactly what I was looking for.  It's all natural too.  I'm going to try the orange and lime next.  You can obtain a free sample here - Free Sample.   

 

Oxygen Magazine: I picked this up the other day and have read through about half of it.  It's a reading magazing, not a looking magazine.  I like it a lot and am thinking about subscribing because I think I could get a lot out of this magazine.  I like to browse fitness magazines a lot and I have way too many of them, but I never feel that I get much out of them.  There is a lot of "lose xx lbs in 12 minutes" sort of thing that just isn't realistic.  On the flipside there is always a lot of fashion and beauty advice which I like.  At first glance Oxygen Mag seems to be all about serious fitness for women.  In fact, there is a lot of info about fitness competitions, etc. 

friday favorites

Happy Friday to you all!  Just a few favorites for you on this Friday.

 

Yes To Carrots Lip Butters:  I picked these up yesterday at Walgreen's on a recommendation from my Mom.  My Mom never steers me wrong and this time is no exception.  Yes To Carrots products are very cool - paraben free and organic - and I'm sure I'll be buying more!  These lip butters are awesome - they stay on for a very long time.  I'm a bit obsessive about having lip balm on at all times and trust me, I've tried them ALL.  This is the best one so far.  I bought the 3 pack - Carrot, Mint and Berry - and am anxious to get Melon and Citrus now too!  My Mom raved about the Lip Gloss and Tint I believe, but those were sold out so I'm going to try another place.  She also is using the Yes to Cucumber products which I have yet to try.

Cloud Factory:  I love this because it reminds me of my current city and the constant clould-cover.  The artist had a different meaning and intention, but I had my own as soon as I saw it.  And I love it so much that I just ordered it for myself.  :)

how about some favs?

Liberty's Yarn Jabbersocky and Kaguya:  Cool names, right?!  Liberty is in my knitting group and recently started selling her hand-dyed yarn & roving and hand-sewn project bags.  The sock yarn is one of my favorites this week.  She dyes in the most delicious color combinations!  The photo is of a skein I bought several months back for some spring socks.  I think I should cast on for them soon.  Goregous colorways and great prices -- you should buy some now!

  

Evian Mineral Water Spray: Addicted!  I recently started using this stuff because I switched to Mineral makeup about a month ago (more on that later!).  The mineral makeup gives a bit of a powdery finish at the end and this stuff takes care of that.  Spritz a little on your face for a dewey look which doesn't make your face greasy -- great for my oily skin.  I've also discovered that this works wonders for my face throughout the day with the dry air at work and for taking that tight feeling away after I apply toner in the morning.  I bought the regular size bottle and the 3-set minis for my purse and the airplane.

Gap Vneck Tshirts: Vneck Tshirts have always been a wardrobe staple for me and I'm in love with the ones from Gap at the moment.  I have 2 different styles and I think I have almost every color.  The sunkissed ones are from last year and the link in the title will take you to the this year's version.  I wear them for everything - casual, dress, working out, sleeping...  They are just perfect!  Very soft and very cool colors. On the website it only shows a handful of colors, but I was at the store the other day and they had about 20 different ones.  I wore one yesterday!

  

That's all for this week.  I'll be back next week to answer some of those great questions I got in the last post.  :)  Happy weekend!     

     

friday favorites

Maghound.com - I read about this website last night in the current issue of Rachael Ray's Everyday magazine and instantly wanted to try it out.  You pay a monthly fee (the first month is free) for a certain number of magazines each month.  You can change both the magazines you get and the amount per month at any time.  Sounds like a great idea, right?!  A good way to try out new magazines too.  I love magazines...way too much.  I go on a monthly magazine binge instead of getting subscriptions which I know is ridiculously cost ineffective.  For Christmas my BFF Jessica got me a couple of subscriptions which was the perfect gift to help my binge addiction.  I signed up for the free month of Maghound with the Tier 2 5 magazines at a time plan.  I will try to remember to write up a review after the first month.

  

Starbucks' London Fog Tea Latte - These are so good!  Earl Grey tea is one of my favorites and the London Fog is an Earl Grey tea latte.  This is my new drink at Starbucks in the morning.  

  

Mint.com - My friend Allison turned me on to this personal finance management website right before the new year.  She and her husband had been using it for a while and really liked it.  I've been using it since January 1st and am really happy with it so far.  I can track all our spending, debts and investments in a number of different ways.  You can also set up budgets, alerts, etc.  In my opinion the site is really well designed and user-friendly.  Most of the work is done during the set up period, but even that takes minimal time.  The best part is that it's FREE!  Adam and I both have the app for the iPhone as well which is an added bonus.  

Teagan & Boston - I know a lot of you also follow my friend Lindsay's blog and know that she recently had the most adorable set of identical twin girls.  I can't get enough of her photo updates of these two.  They are so cute and so tiny!  I have their birth announcements on my desk at work and they get a lot of compliments!  I shamelessly stole these photos from Lindsay's blog because these two are definitely my favs! (Teagan on top & Boston on the bottom)

  

   

What are your favorites this week?

PS: Happy Friday! 

       

friday favorites.

Last night Adam and I stopped at Target on the way home from work to get some wrapping paper for our Christmas gifts.  I love picking out wrapping paper -- Target has the prettiest designs and I always have to take a few minutes to decide.  It's our tradition that we pick out our own papers and wrap each other's gifts in only that paper.  I also bought some pretty ribbon because I like to really do it up even though I know it will get torn apart!  I am one of those people that enjoys wrapping gifts!

I got to the gift tag section and decided we didn't really *need* tags since we weren't wrapping for others.  Since I'm weird I knew I'd miss putting a tag on there so I decided to scour the internet for free printable tags.  I have plenty of cardstock at home and I was sure I could find something cute.

Here are my favorites from my search.  Click on the links in the title to access the tags.

Martha Stewart Tags: These are my favorites of the bunch. 

Christmas Tags from Piece of Work: Second favorite!.

 

Holiday Gift Tags from Paperseed: Love these too. 

 

Polka Dot Elves:  These are just too cute! 

Why not save some money this year and print your own tags?  

I have also been getting some wrapping ideas from Martha Stewart's website.  Here is a link to the section I've been browsing -- Gift and Wrapping Ideas.  

If you have any more printable tag links or gift and wrapping ideas I'd love to see them.  Post a link in the comments.

Happy Friday!

friday favorites

Friday Favs are all about food this week.  Particularly regional food from my hometown area.  Adam and I joke that we plan our trips home around eating -- it's true!  We like to make sure we hit all of the old favorites which typically results in the worst eating week of the year.  We can't help it though.  There is nothing like home.  And when you grow up in a family like mine -- it really is all about the food. 

Mighty Taco -- I'll start by mentioning that this stuff does not even come close to "real" Mexican food.  Not by a long shot.  But it is so good and we always eat there at least once when we're home.  Typically via the drive-thru after midnight after pounding Vodka and beer all night.  Good times!

 

Falletta's -- This is probably my favorite restaurant ever.  Friends of my family own it and I worked there for a short time.  They have some of the best Italian food and desserts you can find in the Buffalo area.    

Ted's Hot Dogs -- You haven't had a hot dog until you've had one from Ted's.  I don't care what you say - I will challenge anyone on this!  Sahlen's hot dogs are the best.  Period.  :)  The onion rings are to die for as well.  And Loganberry to drink!  

 

Besides these 3 staples we will be sure to hit at least 1 pizza place for amazing pizza and wings.  Most likely Frankie's for their bbq wings from the pit.  And a couple of mornings worth of breakfast at Chet's which has been around since my Dad was a kid.

This doesn't include the best food of all -- Thanksgiving and home cooking!  :)  It's going to be a good week.

Happy Friday!

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday!!!  It has been a LONG week and I am ready for the weekend.  :)

Here is my random mix of favorites for the week.

Hexagon Blanket:  I LOVE this crocheted blanket!  I'm thinking about starting one of these soon.  I just have to decide on a yarn and the colors.

Minute Ready to Serve Brown Rice:  I love brown rice and bringing it to work for lunch just got easier.  These little cups are the perfect serving size.  They are surprisingly good too.  I was worried that the rice would taste funny.  I'm not sure how they do it, but it works.  There is no water involved.  Just pull the film off and microwave for 1 minute.   

Thanksgiving Table Runner from The Purl Bee: I love this mix n match table runner.  The napkins are great too.  Good ideas for using up those scraps of fabric that seem hard to throw away.

 

Sweater dresses: I need to do some shopping for my winter wardrobe.  I want a couple of bulky sweater dresses and colored tight combos.  Dresses make for the easiest outfit every in my opinion.  Ideally I'd love to knit the bulky sweater dresses, but I would like to wear them THIS winter so I will probably just buy one or two.  

 

  

Judging by the sweater dress pictures I think I'm going to need some knee-high boots too.  :)  

Have a great Friday! 

Friday Favorites

Here are some fashion favs for the week.  Stuff I've recently purchased and stuff I'm wishing for fall.

Old Navy's Bauble Ballet Flats: I picked these up (in Monaco Plum) last week for my trip to Arizona and they are so comfortable.  I think I paid $12, but I see they are on sale for $10 now.  I might go back and get some different colors.  I really want the blue & green. 

Chic Cables & Lace Cowl Neck Sweater by Sweater Babe: I really want to make this.  In the short sleeve version. 

Twinkle's Town and Country Knits: I love every pattern in this book.  I think I'll order it this weekend.  I've always been a fan of Wenlan Chia's designs even though I've yet to knit any.  I hope to get this book and some chunky yarn soon to try a pattern out.  Many of her designs would fit right in my wardrobe.

  

Petite Classic Trench Coat from Banana Republic: I want this coat! 

  

Have a great weekend! 

Friday Favorites

I didn't have any time to compile a list of favorite things this week so I thought I would mix it up a bit and give you some links.  I know many of my blog buddies are into photography like I am, so here you go!   

A list of my favorite instructional photography websites:

Strobist: Learn How to Light: This site is dedicated to lighting primarily - strobes, flashes, etc.  I'm trying to get better at using my external flash and this website has been a help.  I like that its in a blog format and I read it every day.

Digital Photography School: Awesome blog with a vast amount of information.  Everything you want to know about digital photography can likely be found here.  I read this blog daily. 

Digital Pro-Talk:  Another blog that I read daily.  David is a pro and posts a lot of good information, particularly about the business of photography.  I also love that he posts examples WITH his settings - helps to understand HOW he achieved shots. 

Planet Neil: Another pro with great information to offer.  He shoots Nikon like me.  He has AWESOME tutorials!  Great instruction with examples and settings to help you get it right.  His information about flashes and strobes has been particularly helpful.

The Pioneer Woman: Photography: Great tips, but I read mostly for the Photoshop posts.  Her post-processing in Photoshop is top notch.  If you haven't downloaded her free actions yet - go do it now! Here is the link.  Go, now!  

Do you have any favorites to share?  I'd love to add to my list!