Senate sets a Example

Finally a example has been set for corrupt individuals in politics "former" Governor Rod Blagojevich has been removed from his duties. Impeached by a unanimous vote by the IL Senate. This is the first time in 20 years this has happened and let it be a example to all the others holding positions in this country. We all want honest people running this country.

A direct quote spoken by the lovely man himself. I say goodbye to you and I love that you will not be allowed to hold ANY office in IL, it should be any office in the country. This will a long road for you Mr. Blagojevich lets see how your trial ends up.

Kelly's Korner: O HAPPY DAY!!!!!!!!

If you haven't been keeping up with The Stamps family baby Harper is doing so much better. Kelly is still updating her blog and was able to feed Harper multiple bottles yesterday.
Please keep praying for this family

Kelly's Korner: O HAPPY DAY!!!!!!!!

It could be worse

I have been M.I.A. this week due to a very busy work week. A friend sent me this email with some very icy weather. I know many have been hit hard with ice and snow across the United States, but had to share these pictures with all of you. Somewhere it could always be worse than where you are.....Can you imagine waking up to get into your car and it is iced over? What do you do, but wait for it to thaw out. I would love to call my boss and use the excuse my car is covered in a thick ice and I can't come to work today, he he.






These pictures are from Switzerland if my memory serves me (don't hold me to it).

Have a great Thursday wherever you are and whatever your weather looks like today!

Dirty Dancing Workout

Quoted by Penny: "God wouldn't have given you the maracas if he didn't want you to shake'em"
So why would we want to let her down ladies....




If you love the movie Dirty Dancing like myself and all my friends I couldn't believe when I saw The DIRTY DANCING OFFICIAL DANCE WORKOUT DVD. Now not only can you get a good cardio workout but you can learn some of the dance moves that Baby herself learned oh so many years ago. This hasn't found a spot in my workout schedule but I am seriously contemplating purchasing it and dancing in the privacy of my own home.

Change a Pet's life

Have you been thinking a dog/cat would complete your family? If so tomorrow could be your lucky day. Tomorrow is Change a Pet's Life Day just by clicking on the link you can select your state and find shelters that are participating. A huge perk besides rescuing a adorable furry future best friend the first ten adoptions at a shelter are free. Also you will leave with a starter kit including food and tips to make your new friend feel welcome in their new home.

Side note if a rescue dog/cat is not the best option for you and your family I plead with you to not buy from any pet stores instead look for a reputable breeder. You can locate reputable breeders by going to the AKC.org and searching my your state.

Being a pet owner myself I can't say enough about my little dog. She always shows me unconditional love. When I leave and return home even if I have only been gone 5 minutes or a couple days the excitement she has when I walk in the door is the best.

Honest Scrap Award

Thanks to Running in High Heels


This is my first award...

The rules of the award:
1) Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in content or design.
2) Show the 7 winners names and links on your blog, and leave a comment informing them that they were prized with "Honest Scrap." Well, there's no prize, but they can keep the nifty icon.
3) List at least 10 honest things about yourself.

1. I can not function in the morning without coffee. This is so sad but true without at least one cup I'm no good. Not just any coffee I admit it I'm a coffee snob.

2. You will never find dirty dishes sitting in my sink for very long. I can't take it and have to wash them right away. Dirty dishes just seem to make my whole kitchen look dirty.

3. I have to floss my teeth every night before I brush my teeth.

4. My dream would be to live in a house on a couple acres of land with a large yard and garden.

5. I'm fascinated with shows on the Discovery Health channel. Everything about human body simply amazes me.

6. I was a foreign exchange student while in high school. Great times but now I can barely speak a foreign language.

7. My fingernails & toenails have to always be polished. I will be late to any event in order to have all 10 fingers and toes perfectly polished.

8. Germs freak me out! This is such a random thing to tell you all but I hate touching door handles especially leaving public bathrooms.

9. This goes along with number 8 I hate using public bathrooms and will only use them if it is a last result. Not a good combination since I have a little bladder.

10. The local news disappoints me so I choose not to watch it. Living in a very large city everything reported is negative. I'm not saying I want to live in a fairy tale, but my job requires me to be in contact with people with hardships. If the news would report on some positive aspects of life society may actually spread the feeling of doing good.



I would like to tag the following blogs that I enjoy reading on a regular basis.

Preppy Little Dress

Puttin' on the G.R.I.T.S.

Fluffy Fashionable and Famous

Pink Cashmere Cardigan

Pink Bliss

Sweet Simplicity

Midwest Prep

Are you a Recessionista?

According to Wikipedia the definition of a recessionista: A new term originated in the USA during the economic difficulties of 2008: recessionista combining the words recession and fashionista. Recessionista may be defined as: a person who strives to remain fashionable on a minimal budget.


Well I guess I fit the description of a recessionista, but I have always been this way. Trying to get the best deal possible, sometimes I just can't wait for that special item to go on sale and have to buy it right then.

Keeping with classic clothing items always helps me to transition between seasons & years. Cashmere sweaters, cardigans, argyle sweaters(personal weakness), dark denim, black trousers are staples in my wardrobe during the winter months. If I have these items I then mix in the trends with my accessories, shoes, and handbags. My staple accessory is a scarf, I'm always cold.













So if you are a recessionista here are a couple sales I went to today. I'm sure there are plenty others.

Target has all of there Home Design Event dept 30% off


Also the Targets in my area have an additional 30% off of the shoe clearance. I got a pair of heels for $4.20, what a deal!!




Pier 1 is having their 75% off sale right now


Crate and Barrel is also having a great sale I got several items there this weekend.



Restoration Hardware, thank you for the $100.00 off a $400.00 purchase. This is for their Inaugural Oath promotion. I have been wanting a couple light fixtures from here for a while now maybe the time to get them.


Ann Taylor loft has 30% off the latest sweaters, jackets, jeans...


Lastly one of my favorite J.Crew had their famous 20% off sale items but it expired yesterday. Have no fear it will return soon it always does right after I pay full price.



So if you are a recessionista like myself what are some of your tips for staying stylish on a budget?

Kelly's Korner: Please Pray

Kelly's Korner: Please Pray




Please Pray for Kelley's little baby girl Harper. She is in very critical condition right now and their family needs all of our prayers right now.You can read updates here

My thoughts and prayers are with Kelly, Scott and Harper.

Cripsy Bacon & Longevity

When I read this I thought you have got to be kidding me, bacon being linked with longevity. A little background is needed here bacon is not something I like or can even stand the smell of. These lips haven't had a piece of bacon touch them in over 15 years. Blame it on my nutritional class (Mr. SS does) and the information that was provided to me: bacon does not fit into any food groups other than fat. Now I know many other foods belong in the ugly fat group as well. Especially the sweets that call my name as I walk past a local bakery. But I have great will power to block their sweet voices out of my head and continue on my way.
Bacon on the other hand is just gross!



World's Oldest Woman Credits Longevity to Crispy Bacon






Medical science and conventional wisdom tells us that the path to a long and healthy life is paved with lean protein, whole grains and leafy green vegetables. However, the life and habits of Gertrude Baines, currently the world's oldest person at age 114, is proof that sometimes a little bacon is better.


Will you be included a little more bacon in your diet to help you live to be 114? I'm sticking with the lean protein and leafy greens...

Brrrrr

I have the great pleasure of working in freezing temperatures today. The high is -4 degrees with a low being -19 degrees. I couldn't even bring myself to look at what the temp will be with the wind chill factored in.

I'm thinking I should have asked for this for Christmas:




Although this one is pretty cute considering it is a ski mask.....




I wonder how many funny looks I would get if I actually did wear this.

What makes you smile

Sometimes you just want to hid under the covers and not get out of bed. This was me this morning, even the aroma of coffee couldn't get me up and moving. Finally after my third attempt at snoozing I surrendered and got into the shower. Personally I find it extremely hard to be motivated to go to work when the weather is so freezing cold and I'm in and out of my car all day long. While I was out schlepping through the wind, snow, and ice I started thinking back to when I was a little girl and how things were so simple. If I had a bad day at school I knew it would end eventually and my Mom always made me feel better. Back then a homemade chocolate chip cookie and a glass of milk always put a smile on my face and erased my bad day.

My husband is very good at making me feel better when I get home from a bad day at work. These days I am more likely to have a glass of wine or two and a hot bubble bath to bring the smile back and erase my bad day. This is where my hubby out does himself, I complained about my day multiple times today to him over the phone. When I came home a bottle of bubble bath and a bottle of my new favorite wine were waiting for me on the kitchen counter. Amazing how someone whether it is your Mom or hubby knows you so well and how something so small and simple can make a bad day end GREAT!








Here is my favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe. I always keep some in the freezer rolled into balls so if I'm in the mood for a cookie I can have just one.

1 C. butter

1 C. firmly packed brown sugar

¾ C. sugar

1 t. vanilla

2 eggs

3 C. + 3 T. flour

¾ t. salt

¾ t. baking soda

1 – 12 oz. bag semi-sweet chocolate chips + another ½ C. chocolate chips




-Heat oven to 350 degrees.

-Combine butter, brown sugar, and sugar in large bowl.

-Beat at medium speed until well blended.

-Add vanilla and eggs. Beat 3 minutes.

-Add flour, salt and baking soda.

-Mix until well blended.

-Fold in chocolate chips.

-Freeze cookie dough for 1 hour OR refrigerate for 2 hours until firm.

-Remove dough from freezer or refrigerator.

-Shape cookie dough into 1” balls.

-Place cookie dough balls onto cookie sheet.

-Bake for 11 minutes or until golden brown.

Winter Pedicures

Something I look forward to every month is a pedicure. There is a great spa near my house that features a "seasonal pedicure" coordinating with the season. Not only do you get the aromatherapy mask, scrub, lotion you get a cocktail. How wonderful is this? The featured pedicure I received in December was peppermint and the beverage was a peppermint kiss, pure bliss. The only draw back for me getting a pedicure during the winter months is the dreaded walk to your car. No matter how careful I am I seem to slip walking on the snow and ice in my flip flops all the while my feet start turning blue they get so cold. A girlfriend has the same problem and she was so sweet she sent me a pair of these:


How cute are these?! I couldn't find a picture of the exact pair she sent me, but they are very stylish. White with pink and green polka dots all over them. Has anyone seen these or tried them?
If you are in the market for a pair of pedicure socks I highly recommend you check them out. These socks can be found here: http://www.pedisavers.com

So of course my mind goes into overdrive and I have to Google pedicure shoes and these come up:





A girls dream they provide the warm like Uggs, but again letting your pretty tootsies dry. Even better is the name of these adorable boots, bootiepies.
These can be found here: http://www.bootiepies.com


So don't let the cold weather hold you back from enjoying a wonderful pedicure. Or if you not wanting to leave the comfort of your own home here are some steps to give yourself a Spa Pedicure at home. Better yet this could turn into a girls night in and you could create your own cocktail to go along with the theme.
http://www.marieclaire.com/hair/beauty/products/perfect-pedicure-1

Golden Globe Fashion

Working in the fashion industry for several years in my past I still have the fashion bug. I almost get giddy as awards season approaches. It is almost a sickness that I can't control seeing what celebrity will decide to wear which designer. Did they stick to the known classics or venture to a new and up and coming name. Before I get started with my favorite and not so favorites I will share a small pet peeve of mine, seeing a beautiful woman wearing a gorgeous gown, to die for jewelry, stunning makeup and then there it is her hair is just normal a everyday look, do something different pull it up, back, curl it but something....

Last night did not disappoint with so many beautiful dresses for so many beautiful people.

Here are some of my favorites:

My favorite is this deep purple one shoulder I would wear this in a heartbeat!! Reminds me of a bridesmaid dress I wore in my best friends wedding. Only difference was mine was strapless with detailing but the same pretty deep purple. Everyone looks good in this color I think.


Both of these are very lady like dresses with full skirts and beautiful necklines.




Very different from each other but one very structured and the other whimsical.





The fair shades of these dresses are not for my fair skin tone but I love the silhouette none the least.



One very classic and elegant with such impeccable detail and the other very artistic. These two dresses very much fit the personalities of Kate and Cameron.


It is only fair to also share the dresses I didn't like:



Not quite sure what to say here other than I really dislike them both. Captain Jack comes to mind with those sleeves. Renee I just don't understand this dress too much going on for me with the hair, sleeves, nude bodice, full skirt. She is usually a star I love to see what she is wearing not last night, sorry.





Tattoos do not make beautiful accessories in my world.




All I can say is "Oh no they both didn't!!!"


Note this are just my thoughts and opinions some may agree some may not.
That is the beauty of fashion much like art you know what you like and what you do not.

Thanks Mrs. Stilettos

I have to give a big THANK You to Mrs. Newlywed Stilettos http://newlywedstilettos.blogspot.com for her nice welcoming to not only myself but to all the other newbie bloggers out there.
Thanks so much for taking the time to make us all feel so welcome in the blogging community, you are such a sweetheart.

Stay tuned I will be posting my Golden Globe Fashion wrap up later this evening.

Happy Monday

Favorite Beauty Items

Like most women I know I fall into the category beauty junkie, any new product I want to try it to see if it gives me the wonderful results the company claims. Below are a few of my favorite finds over the past few years.

This moisturizer works the best for me living in the Midwest. During the winter months I apply a serum and then coat my face and neck in this every night. If you have dry skin I would highly recommend this product to you.










I'm not a morning person so when I received this shower gel as a gift from a friend a few years ago I always have a extra bottle on hand. It smells so great and the mint really wakes me up. Not to mention the cooling effect is awesome after a workout or run.

I fell in love with this eye liner a few years ago for a couple reasons it stays on all day and never smudges. I would recommend you get the brush they sell to help with application. There are a lot more colors now then a few years ago I'm wanting to try the new black mauve shimmer ink.






This is the best face wash to just make your face feel clean without drying it out so much that you feel your face may crack. I wear contacts and use it on my eyes, but the downside is that it doesn't always get all my eye makeup off the time with the first wash. So if you wear a lot of eye makeup you may want to use a separate eye makeup remover.




For a inexpensive microdermabrasion scrub I've been using this. The wind & cold winter temps make my skin dry and flaky. This removes all the winter flakes and leaves behind a fresh glow.








These two products are both great and can be used together or separate. I just recently came across this tinted moisturizer and love it. Tinted moisturizers are a good friend of mine, I hate the feeling of liquid foundation and most powders make my face look so matte. I use these together during the work week so I have both the dewy look but also a little powder for staying power. On the weekends I only use this tinted moisturizer and can't say enough great things about it. I have tried pretty much every tinted moisturizer on the market expense to drug store and this is my new favorite. This powder is great because you use only what you need for that application. You twist the dial and it shaves off the amount you need. It also is the first anti-aging powder on the market.





My true love is lipstick/ lipgloss I have so many favorites its hard to count or remember. Santa brought me a couple of these this year and I have to say I've been wearing them everyday since Christmas. The colors I have been wearing are Pixel, Candid, and 35mm all are very neutral.





These are my favorite hair products. This shampoo/conditioner smells like coconut so I feel like I'm on vacation. Since my hair is long I need something to help me detangle and the tonic works amazing. To help smooth and add shine I use smoothing fluid. If you want a hairspray that will give you good hold but you can still run your hands through try this one. I even spray my hair then use my flat iron, curling iron or hot rollers to get protection from the heat.





























Do you have any favorite beauty finds that you want to share?

Next up favorite clothing items....