The Barrel:Blogging Reviews March 2011 by Melissa Bastow

MARCH 2011

blogging reviews

g r e e n j e l l o w i t h c a r r o t s. c o m 1

March 2011 GINGER LEMON GIRL

Carrieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gluten free recipes are really easy to make and incredibly tasty!

BUSY BEE LAUREN

You will be entertained. And then deeply moved. And then entertained again.

LIVING SMART GIRL

Fitness, nutrition, HEALTHY COOKIES & Fibromyalgia - Lliving Smart Girl has all the answers.

THESE ARE A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS

ON THE COVER:

Ginger Lemon Girl - 6 Photography 101 - 15 Busy Bee Lauren - 27 Living Smary Girl - 21 Fabric Rosettes - 12 A Few of Our Favorite Things - 32

Some of our favorite Etsy shops, and GIVE AWAYS!!!!!

NOTE FROM THE EDITORS: S o th is i s M arc h ? You know how they say “March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb”? I don’t know if I believe that. Unless that lion happens to be a sneaky, spastic animal with super-power-freeze breath. And if we predict from current weather conditions, we can pretty much assume that this lamb is going to be deranged. And yet, even though you can’t count on warm weather, at least you can always count on us to bring you TOP QUALITY reading. No need to thank us. Really. It’s just what we do.

x o x o, Melissa &

Michelle

MAGAZINE CREDITS: Executive Editor: Michelle Laird Editorial Director: Melissa Bastow Photographic Supreme Genius of all Time: Marissa Vargason Fashion Expert Extraordinaire: Abby Adams Singles Section Specialist: Barbara Managing Supreme Director of all Things Zebra Print: Michelle Laird Got Ankle Weights for Christmas (& wearing them right now): Melissa Bastow Ultimate Quasi-Date Setup Artist: Barbara Master of the Universe: Melissa Bastow

Great Giveaways A list of blogs you can visit to win some fab giveaways. Super Singles Section - The Holiday-less Month Why does March even exist?

Charity of the Month - buildOn You can donate to help US teens AND build schools in Mali & Nepal right?

Photography 101 - Let’s Talk About ISO The first step in using your camera in manual mode.

Tips from a Real House Wife What can you do with a piece of bread?

Sew That - Fabric Rosettes Make your own gorgeous fabric flowers. Guest host: Little Birdie Secrets Abby’s Fab Five - Getting Ready for Spring You can start your spring wardrobe today.

Totally Legit Horoscopes These are really real. I swear. It’s not like I just made them up or anything.

Blog Designs of the Month Some of our favorite blog designs by our favorite designers. I’m Not Saying This is Exactly How it Happened... Our first comic. Be honest - is it horrible? From the Archives of... - Momza The Unmentionable Story

Visit our Sponsors Because I said so. Plus, they’re awesome.

buildOn is a non-profit organization that empowers primarily urban U.S. high school students through in-class and intensive afterschool youth service programs. In addition to tremendous contributions of community service in their own cities and neighborhoods, buildOn youth actually build schools and bring literacy to children and adults in developing countries around the world. buildOn programs are designed to build confidence and real-world capabilities in American youth while also empowering communities world-wide in Africa, South America, and South East Asia to overcome the cycle of illiteracy, poverty, and low expectations by opening the door to education. buildOn students in the U.S. have: â&#x20AC;˘ Contributed more than 761,682 hours of volunteer service. â&#x20AC;˘ Touched the lives of 1,428,615 elders, young children, and people who are living in poverty, disabled or homeless in their communities. â&#x20AC;˘ Since 1992, 95% of buildOn students in the U.S. have gone on to college. A 2010 study by Brandeis University identified academic engagement, mentoring, and hope as buildOn outcomes, and found evidence to support a causal link between these outcomes and improved academic achievement. Further, Brandeis has identified the following as direct outcomes from buildOn program activities: empowerment, civic engagement, agency, academic engagement, expanded sense of possibility/hope, leadership & teamwork skills, personal & social development, empathy & compassion, self-worth, and an expanded awareness of social issues.

Donate and learn more about builOn at: 5

bu i l do n.org n. o rg

REVIEW BY MELISSA BASTOW

Carrie, the brilliant chef behind Ginger Lemon Girl, has been creating original gluten free recipes since 2007. It was then that she realized gluten was the culprit behind horrible migraines and GI symptoms she had experienced for years. Since 2009 she has also eliminated soy & dairy/casein from her diet, and is now symptom free.

g i n g e r l e m o n g i r l . b l o g s p o t . c o m 6

http://gingerlemongirl.blogspot.com/2007/10/whats-in-name.html free of gluten • created by carrie forbes of gingerlemongirl.com 2/3 cup tapioca flour 2/3 cup brown rice flour 2/3 cup sorghum flour 1 tsp. xanthan gum 1 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 2 eggs, with yolks & whites separated 1 1/4 cups plain yogurt 1/4 cup butter, or a heart-healthy oil 1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp. sugar 1-2 Tbsp. grated lemon zest 1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh ginger (or candied ginger if you prefer)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl, whisk flours, baking powder, baking soda, xanthan gum, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks, yogurt, butter or oil, sugar, ginger, and lemon zest. Add the flour mixture to the egg yolk mixture and fold just until combined. In another bowl whip egg whites until stiff. SLOWLY fold the whipped egg whites into the muffin batter. Spoon into a greased muffin tin (makes 10 large muffins or 12-14 smaller muffins) and bake for 17-18 minutes. Watch closely so that they do NOT overcook. While muffins are baking, mix lemon juice and confectioners sugar. When muffins are done and have cooled for 5-10 minutes, drizzle with glaze. Serve immediately.

“I was asked if this was the inspiration for the name of my blog. Good question! I guess it does need an explanation. No, the muffins aren’t necessarily the reason for the name, although I must admit, they are delicious enough to name a blog after...

Glaze: Juice of one Lemon 3-4 Tbsp. confectioners sugar (or more to meet the glaze consistency you prefer)

Actually, I’m rather ‘Plain Jane’. My absolute favorite kitchen spices are cinnamon and vanilla. (As you have probably already noticed in many of my dessert and baked goods recipes.) But my favorite cake is a simple Gingerbread with Lemon Sauce! Thus the name, Ginger Lemon Girl... in honor of my favorite cake.”

h t t p : / / g i n g e r l e m o n g i r l . b l o g s p o t . c o m / 2 0 0 8 / 0 9 / s w e e t - a n d - s o u r- c h i c k e n - g l u t e n - f r e e . h t m l free of gluten â&#x20AC;˘ created by carrie forbes of gingerlemongirl.com 1-2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces 2-6 tablespoons oil, for frying chicken -orNon-stick cooking spray or olive oil for spritzing on chicken for baking Coating Ingredients: 1/2 cup brown rice flour 1/2 cup sweet rice flour 1 teaspoon ginger 1/4 teaspoon pepper 2 teaspoons garlic granules (like Spike) 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon onion powder Sauce Ingredients: 1/2 cup sugar 2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch 2 1/2 teaspoons white vinegar 1 cup water 2 tablespoons GF soy sauce 3 tablespoons ketchup

In a medium-sized container with a tight fitting lid, mix all coating ingredients together. Add chicken pieces, replace lid tightly, and shake to coat chicken. To Fry Chicken: Add oil to a large, heavy bottomed skillet and heat oil over medium-hot heat. Drop in coated chicken, and fry until chicken pieces are browned and fully cooked. Drain on paper towels. OR To Bake Chicken: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly spritz coated chicken with olive oil or non-stick cooking spray and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes until chicken is crispy and cooked through. (Can make sauce while chicken is baking!) In a large saucepan, whisk together all sauce ingredients. Heat until mixture boils, whisking/stirring constantly. Mixture will appear reddish-gray at first, just continue to whisk until mixture turns a translucent, glassy, bright red color. It may take 5-10 minutes for this to occur. When mixture turns that wonderful shiny bright red color, take it off the heat. Pour over chicken pieces and toss to coat. Serve over cooked rice or pasta with sauteed veggies!

http://gingerlemongirl.blogspot.com/2010/09/gluten-free-vegan-crusty-bread-recipe.html free of gluten, dairy/casein, soy, and eggs • created by carrie forbes of gingerlemongirl.com Ingredients: 1 1/4 cups almond flour 1/2 cup brown rice flour 1/2 cup sorghum flour 1/2 cup arrowroot starch 1/2 cup potato starch 1 teaspoon gluten free, corn free baking powder 2 teaspoons xanthan gum 1/2 teaspoon guar gum 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1 1/2 cups warm water (heated to 110 degrees) 1 tablespoon rapid rise yeast 3 tablespoons honey, agave nectar, or maple syrup 1/4 cup olive oil

In a large bowl whisk together almond flour, brown rice flour, sorghum flour, arrowroot starch, potato starch, baking powder, xanthan gum, guar gum, and sea salt. Add rapid rise yeast and honey to the warm water. Stir to combine and set aside for 5 minutes until it’s bubbly and smells yeasty. Add the oil to the yeast mixture and pour the yeast mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon for several minutes until the dough is like a very thick cake batter and you can form it into a loose ball. Oil the inside of a large glass, ceramic, or plastic bowl and set aside. Pour about a tablespoon of olive oil over the bread dough. Using your hands, coat the dough with the oil. Place the ball of dough into the oiled bowl, cover loosely with plastic wrap or a tea towel and set in a warm area of your kitchen. Allow the dough to rise for 2 hours, or until it’s doubled in size. Place a large piece of parchment paper or a silpat mat onto a cookie sheet. Dust it with millet flour or brown rice flour. Gently pour the risen dough onto the dusted surface. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into two pieces. Shape each piece into a “boule”, or a rustic oval shape. Place each loaf several inches apart on the dusted surface. Place three small 1/4” slits on the top of each loaf. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. While the oven is heating cover the dough with plastic wrap or a tea towel and allow it to rest and rise for an additional 30 minutes. If you’re using a pizza stone, use the cookie sheet to slide the parchment paper with the bread loaves onto the hot stone. If you’re just using the cookie sheet, place it carefully in the oven. Bake the bread for 30-45 minutes. When finished the bread should be golden brown, should sound a bit hollow if tapped, and should reach an internal temperature of 180-190 degrees if tested with a thermometer. Place the bread loaves on a wire rack and allow to cool for AT LEAST an hour if not longer. The longer you allow the bread the cool, the better the texture will be when you slice into it.

http://gingerlemongirl.blogspot.com/2009/03/chipotle-chicken-paninis-gluten-free.html free of gluten & low carb • created by carrie forbes of gingerlemongirl.com 1-2 lbs. chicken breasts

Preheat indoor countertop grill or start outdoor grill.

1/2 cup Dukes mayonnaise

Making chipotle mayonnaise: In a small bowl mix mayonnaise with ground chipotle chili. Place in 1-2 teaspoons ground chipotle refrigerator until ready to use.

chili salt-free tomato basil Grilling Chicken: Using a clean pair of kitchen shears, cut chicken breasts into at least 3 peices seasoning

each. Pound peices of chicken with a meat mallot until very thin. Sprinkle chicken peices with

freshly ground black pepper tomato-basil seasoning and freshly ground pepper. Grill on countertop grill for 4-6 minutes until 1 medium tomato, sliced chargrilled and juicy. Place cooked chicken on a plate and cover with aluminum foil to keep hot 6-7 leaves romaine lettuce, while continuing to cook remaining chicken. washed and patted dry

Preparing chicken paninis: When ready to serve place 2 peices of chicken on a plate. Slather

3-4 slices havarti or fontina chipotle mayonnaise on both “slices” of chicken. Place several slices of havarti or fontina cheese cheese on the chicken along with slices of tomato and peices of romaine lettuce. Place the 2nd “slice” of Non-stick cooking spray

chicken on top of the “sandwich” and place back in the countertop grill for about 1-2 minutes until cheese is slightly melted. Serve IMMEDIATELY!

You can find lots of delicious, and healthy, recipes on Carrie’s blog. Her pictures make the food look delicious and her directions seem easy to follow. I have always wanted to cook gluten-free for my family, but it just seems so daunting that my first reaction has been “RUN AWAY!!” But after looking through Carrie’s blog (and her very informative page on different typs of flour) I don’t think it’s quite so scary. In fact, I think I’m making something gluten-free for dinner tonight.

All photos and recipes courtesy of

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Return to the Family

Collectors Edition h t t p : / / d e l i c a t e l y f i e r c e . b l o g s p o t. c o m

h t t p: / / m o m m y a n d m e g i v e a w a y s. c o m Would you like to have your blog listed in next monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Give Away section? Email: melissabastow@hotmail.com for details.

sew THAT

Fabric Rosette This month’s “Sew That” comes from Little Birdie Secrets. Who doesn’t love fabric rosettes? Little Birdie Secret’s tutorial was the best and so well explained! You can find more tutorials and details on their blog:

littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com

Yo u ’ l l N e e d : •Fabric - I like anything from the special occasion section at the fabric store, but you can also use an old t-shirt, quilting cotton, etc. •Scissors •Fabric glue - my fave is Fabri-Tac by Beacon Adhesives. You can find it at JoAnn and other craft/fabric stores •Optional - beads or buttons, plus needle & thread

Cut or tear a strip of fabric 1” wide. The length of your strip will determine the size of your flower. About 22” for small, 44” for large, and 60” for extra large.

For the center of your rosette, tie a knot in one end of your strip.

Dab a little fabric glue on the knot. A little goes a long way.

Hold the knot with one hand and twist the strip with the other. As you twist, turn the knot, wrapping the fabric around it.

Every 1/4 to 1/2 turn, dab a little more fabric glue to hold it together.

Continue twisting, turning, and glueing. Play around with how tightly or loosely you wrap to see what you like best.

Leave a short tail at the end. Cover the bottom of the rosette with glue & press the tail down on it. This will ensure it really stays together.

Optional: Using a needle and clear (transparent) thread, sew beads or buttons in the middle.

C o oki n g, la und r y, carpet shampooing, di s h e s, wi n do ws, s c r u bbi n g be h i n d y ou r t o i le ts with a n old rat t y t oot hbrush - - s o m e t i m e s i t al l j u s t s e e m s l i ke TO O TOO M UCH.

We feel your pain, we k n o w yo u r wo e s, we s h ar e yo u r

h ou se ke e ping frus t rat ions. So t ake it easy f o r a m i n u t e an d t ake s o m e advi c e, on u s. He re y o u have it :

TIPS FROM A REAL HOUSE WIFE by, Michelle from mylifeasarealhousewife.blogspot.com

Happy March housewives! Is it getting warm where you are? If spring weather is still elusive, and potentially non-existant, getting every day, mundane, housewife tasks done can be a drag. Maybe we can help - here are some random tips about cleaning, bread, and super glue: • Are you having a case of winter blues and, like me, having a hard time staying motivated to do any cleaning? When I was younger my mom used to play a game with me to get me to clean, and I suggest playing it now: Set a timer and see how much you can get done before the buzzer goes off. Afterward reward yourself with a treat! • Have left over salad? Want to keep it edible? Put a piece of bread on the top of the salad. Then make sure you wrap it up with plastic wrap or in a tightly sealed container. It will make your stay fresh and crisp. • P.U. Try something different than the regular baking soda in the fridge to eliminate odor. Leave a piece of bread in there instead. It will also work to keep those funky smells out. (Isn’t bread amazing?) • Do you want a clean garage, but you don’t want to be the one to clean it? Hide some food in there that is on the brink of decay. When it starts stinking, which it will, make the husband go clean the garage and figure out why it stinks so bad. Make sure it is hidden well enough so he will get the garage clean before finding the source. (Warning! Do not do this if you have a mouse problem or think you could run into a mouse problem. Or if your husband doesn’t care about foul odors.) • Did you know cleaning your windows on a sunny day could be a bad thing? The sun will make the glass cleaner dry very quickly, causing streaks (if the glass cleaner is alcohol based which most are). And the more you wipe, the more streaks you will get. • Have you been playing with the food coloring again? If you have a color stain on your hands (from food coloring or any other source) just cut up a raw potato and rub it on the colored parts of your skin. (You should probably do this before you go out in public with blue fingers.) • Forget the food coloring, you have a serious problem - you got super glue stuck on your fingers! (Or anywhere on your skin.) Don’t fret, you can take it off with paint thinner. Then scrub the skin to get the paint thinner off. And much lotion is needed afterward. I know from experience when I super glued my fingers together... and no this was not on purpose. 13

PHOTOGRA

Are you guys ready? Ready for what you ask? Learning how to get the most of that DSLR or manual camera you have been shooting with! Are you still stuck on auto mode? Are you frustrated that you have a nice camera and your pictures aren’t turning out any nicer than before? Well fear no longer I’m here to help! This issue of the barrel we are going to talk about shooting in manual mode. This will be a three part series that focuses on ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. These three components are what you will learn to shoot in manual mode. Lets start off and recap on what equipment you will need:

First you need a camera that will let you shoot in manual mode. This is a camera that is referred to as a DSLR or in other words has detachable lenses or a point and shoot camera that has a manual mode that allows you to change ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. A lot of point and shoot cameras allow you to change the ISO, just make sure you have full control to change all three. Then you need to get out your camera manual. If you don’t have

a copy, there are free copies online that you can download or at least have to look up any questions you have.

time.

Last, but not least, you need

Don’t rush into this, make sure you have time, if you don’t, then it will definitely be harder to understand. It’s a lot easier to see this as a visual, and if you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask.

A P HwithYMarissa1 Varg 0ason1 For the first part of this series we are going to discuss ISO.

ISO is usually found either as a shortcut key on the back or top of your camera, or by accessing your menu options. ISO is a term that has been used from the beginning of time, or so it seems. If you ever shot in film, you have probably heard of ISO when it was called film speed. Now since we are digital, ISO refers to the amount of light that hits the digital sensor. ISO is usually expressed in a number. For example: ISO 200, 400, 800, and 1600 are common ISO’s on beginner cameras. Some cameras have ISO’s that go up even higher to 3200 and beyond. The type and model of your camera depends on how it will handle the ISO. A lower number allows LESS light into the digital sensor, but also provides a clearer picture image. A higher ISO number allows MORE light to enter the camera and hit the digital sensor although with the tradeoff, you do get more grain in your image. The amount of grain and the ISO number really depends on your camera make and model so remember there is no “perfect” setting that works for everyone. Now, how do we set ISO? ISO is set more by memory (ours not the camera) and our judgment. This is something that will take a little bit of practice in learning. For me, when I’m shooting outside on a sunny day, my ISO is normally set anywhere from 100-200. If I am outside in the shade, my ISO is set higher to perhaps 400. Basically, the less light I see outside, the higher the ISO I set on my camera, the more light I see outside, the smaller the ISO number. Is this making sense? Inside is harder; our human eye is far more superior to the camera. Duh right? That’s why we are learning to shoot in manual, so we have control. Inside I normally shoot anywhere from ISO 800 in really good window light, all the way up to ISO 1600 and beyond in just everyday situations where there is not a lot of light. Once you understand ISO we will discuss Aperture. Remember, you need all three parts in order to make shooting in manual happen. They all play an important roll. I HIGHLY recommend if you have a camera with detachable lenses that you invest in a 50mm lens. They are very affordable usually running anywhere from $80-$120. If you need advice on this lens, please feel free to email me. This lens will really make a difference with you being able to shoot in manual because it has a low aperture (this we will discuss more next time!) Until then, read up and educate! Marissa Vargaon is an award-winning photographer with a pure and simple photographic style.

A studio and on-location photographer, Marissa specializes

in modern custom portraiture for all ages, including maternity/birth, newborns/ babies/children, families and teens/high school seniors. Her company, Marissa Vargason Photography, is located in Syracuse, Utah, and serves the Salt Lake City and surrounding areas.

You can see more of her amazing work on her blog:

h t t p : / / m a r i s s a v a r g a s o n p h o t o g r a p h y. c o m / b l o g

esigns Blog D OF THE MONTH

These are just a few of our favorite blog designs from some of our favorite blog designers.

l i n e n a n d b o x w o o d s . c o m Bloggers: Amie & Caroline â&#x20AC;˘ Blog Design by: dreamupstudios.com

h o l d e n s h u t. b l o g s p o t. c o m

Bloggers: Emily & Holden â&#x20AC;˘ Blog Design by: www. ke yl i m e d i gi ta l designs.com

amomentcapturedphotography.blogspot.com B l o g g e r : S h a n n o n â&#x20AC;˘ B l o g D e s i g n b y : t e m p l a t e s b y t e n i l l e. b l o g s p o t. c o m

The Holiday-less Month Every fact about me seems to scream that March is my perfect month. And yet, I hate it. With a fiery passion. It’s too long. And too cold. And too fickle. And too holiday-less. That’s right, I said holiday-less. St. Patrick’s Day is the worst holiday ever. It’s a non-holiday as far as I’m concerned. And the thing is, I should love it. For one, I’m Irish. Shouldn’t I be genetically pre-disposed to loving a holiday named after an Irish Saint? You’d think, wouldn’t you? Not so much. For two, green is one of my favorite colors. An excuse to wear it should be welcomed, not hated. And for three, I have a weakness for red-heads---the Irish type. I wish I were a red-head. My first boyfriend was a red-head. I want to marry a red-head (not the first boyfriend, though. Yikes). I want red-headed babies. That’s three for three. But I still hate it. For one, where does this non-holiday get off dictating what I’m allowed to wear? Seriously, who put you in charge? I’ll wear what I want. And for two, if I don’t wear green, why is it okay for people to pinch me? The last thing I want is some guy pinching the excess skin I’m already self-conscious about. I mean, could there be a more self-doubtinducing holiday (besides New Year’s, and Valentines, and birthdays...)? It’s just so lame. And really, if some stranger pinched me on any other day of the year---pretty sure I’d have every right to be offended and angered. But if they do it March 17th it’s automatically okay? Lame. I’ve long said we should make February and April longer and entirely eliminate March.

Barbara is a native of Provo, Utah aka The Hurry-Up-And-Get-Married-BeforeYou’re-Branded-An-Old-Maid capitol of the world. She has over 8 years professional experience as a “young” single adult and has lived through all the exciting, horrendous, embarrassing, unusual, and cliché things a relationship has to offer. When she’s not busy being 100% single, she enjoys dealing with mentally unstable roommates, vainly avoiding chocolate, and sending her nieces and nephews back to their parents when they get tired and cranky. You

can read Barbara’s blog at: b a r b a l o o t s u i t . b l o g s p o t . c o m

Get your copy of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Miss Delacourt Has Her Dayâ&#x20AC;?, the latest novel from Heidi Ashworth.

PRE-ORDER FROM:

heidiashworth.blogspot.com

Contact Melissa for pricing & details: melissabastow@hotmail.com

blog review by Michelle Laird

livingsmartgirl.blogspot.com Living Smart Girl... The name sums up what you’ll read on this blog. Sheila, the author of Living Smart Girl, loves to share advice on living smart. She is a beach body coach and a motivator to many women online and in real life. I know some of you, like myself, have ditched the new year’s resolution to get those six pack abs. I still want them; I’m just not taking the steps to get them anymore. (Unless you count my recent bought of stomach flu that helped with my weight loss.) Living Smart Girl can get you and me back on track. And it’s not one of those crazy blogs with crazy diet plans and crazy work out schedules; it is more about giving you healthy eating and fitness tips. Sheila always has great information about health and how to lose/maintain weight. She also has a section dedicated to people with fibromyalgia. I have to admit that I like a personal trainer telling me that 20-30 minute work-outs can be better than 90 minute work-outs. In a recent post by Sheila, she tells of a study done at Boston Sports Club that showed how more people will have consistency in there work-outs and not quit if they exercise for shorter periods of time instead of longer ones. I don’t know about you, but I think that’s great news.

One of Sheila’s many fabulous fitness tips is about hip thrusts. Some of you may look at the pictures, laugh, and say, “I would look silly doing this!” To which I answer, “Only if your doing it right!” Despite it’s awkwardness, this is one of my favorite at home exercises! The hip thrust really works to tone your butt and the back of your legs. I always do this exercise in the toning part of dance classes. And yeah, most girls think it’s funny and weird, and don’t realize why they should even do it. But wait until you get those results! Can we say better booty than Kim Kardashian?!

Here are the step-by-step directions Sheila gives to perform perfect hip thrusts:

Set Up: Lie with your back on the floor and your feet comfortably apart (15 to 20 inches). Place a weight plate across your pelvis (as shown), holding it in place with your hands [A].

Action:

Raise your hips as high as

possible [B], lower, and repeat. Your feet can be flat on the floor or you may choose to keep only your toes on the floor [C]. The up-on-the-toes position will

activate

additional

stabilizer

muscles in your core and isolate the hamstrings a bit more than the flatfooted version.

Tip: At the conclusion of your set, you can perform a dozen quick pulses to maximize the intensity in the glute area (i.e., at the top of the movement where your hips are raised, perform a series of quick pulses where the up-down action is limited to just two to three inches).

Check out Sheila’s fitness section on her blog for more great exercise tips. (And you can thank me for sharing this later, when you see your butt in a full length mirror.)

After reading Living Smart Girl I have many great healthy eating tips and delicious food to tell you about. Sheila has the best tips and shares some of her favorite recipes on her blog. I call myself a carb-aholic; I’m addicted to foods with a lot of carbohydrates in them. Here is a delicious recipe, courtesy of Sheila, for my fellow carb-aholics who are also fighting to stay skinny.

Total time: 20 minutes Yield: 4 servings (serving size: about 1 cup) Ingredients: •1 (9-ounce) package refrigerated fresh fettuccine •2 slices applewood-smoked bacon, chopped •1 teaspoon minced garlic •1 tablespoon all-purpose flour •1 cup 1% low-fat milk •2/3 cup (about 2 1/2 ounces) grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese •1/2 teaspoon salt •2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley •1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preparation: Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1/4 cup cooking liquid. While pasta cooks, cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over mediumhigh heat 4 minutes or until crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove bacon from pan, reserving drippings. Add garlic to drippings in pan; sauté 1 minute, stirring constantly. Sprinkle flour over garlic; cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly; cook 2 minutes or until bubbly and slightly thick, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low. Gradually add cheese, stirring until cheese melts. Stir in salt and reserved 1/4 cup cooking liquid. Add hot pasta to pan; toss well to combine. Sprinkle with bacon, parsley, and pepper. Kitchen Notes: When you’re short on time and the ingredient list is short, make every ingredient the freshest and best you can find. A real wood-smoked bacon imparts lots of flavor: Applewood is mild and slightly sweet, while hardwood, such as hickory, is more assertive.

Nutritional Information: Calories: 339 • Fat: 11.7g (sat 5g,mono 3.8g,poly 0.7g) • Protein: 17.3g • Carbohydrate: 38.4g • Fiber: 2g Cholesterol: 22mg • Iron: 0.5mg • Sodium: 833mg • Calcium: 291mg

HEALTHY cookies? You bet. •1/4 cup butter •1/2 cup granulated sugar •3/4 cup packed brown sugar •1 egg •1/3 cup non-fat plain yogurt •1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce •1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract •2 cups plus •2 tablespoons all-purpose flour •1 teaspoon baking soda •1/2 teaspoon salt •1 cup miniature semi-sweet chocolate morsels

In a large bowl beat butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until well blended. Add egg and beat until combined. Add yogurt, applesauce and vanilla and mix well. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Add flour mixture to butter-sugar mixture and stir to blend. Add chocolate morsels and stir until distributed through the dough. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate dough until chilled (for crispier cookies, freeze dough for at least 2 hours before baking). When you are ready to bake your cookies, preheat your oven to 350F degrees and lightly grease cookie sheets. Place level tablespoons of dough onto cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake 8-10 minutes or until cookies begin to turn golden around the edges. Remove from the oven and let cool for a couple of minutes and then transfer the cookies with a spatula to wire racks to cool completely.

Sheila has other great tips to make cookies healthier and she is sharing them with YOU: • Use less fat or a healthier fat •Substitute part of the fat with applesauce or yogurt •Replace all or some of the flour with whole wheat or another whole grain flour •Add some oats, nuts, seeds, and/or dried fruit •Add some ground flax seed * Use dark chocolate chips •Replace all or part of the sugar with a natural sweetener such as honey, maple syrup, brown rice syrup, or sucanat •Add a healthy fruit or vegetable such as shredded zucchini, mashed bananas, or pumpkin puree.

On Living Smart Girl, Sheila has a lot of information on Fibromyalgia. You can read about how to cope, how to workout, and how to help with the pain. A lot of you may not know what Fibromyalgia is, here is a great explanation of the condition by Sheila: Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that affects about 5 million Americans. Doctors diagnose fibromyalgia based on a patient’s symptoms and physical exam. Patients experience pain and stiffness in the muscles, but there are no measurable findings on X-rays or lab tests. While fibromyalgia does not damage the joints or organs, the constant aches and fatigue can have a significant impact on daily life. One of the best ways to begin managing the daily stress and rigors of living with Fibromyalgia is to start simple. Drink plenty of water. Common Sense? Yes. But this is one of the most important things you can do to help manage your fibromyalgia. Avoid Toxic Foods and Beverages. Toxic foods are acid forming foods. Studies have shown an acidic diet will interfere with your body’s ability to absorb minerals and nutrients. It will also make a body more susceptible to fatigue and illness. Eating right is one of the best ways to manage fibromyalgia. Move your body. Researchers have proven that gentle exercise, such as walking, yoga, or aquatic therapy, may be the most beneficial way to improve Fibromyalgia symptoms. This may seem counterintuitive given the amount of pain everyday movements can cause, but experts believe exercise can actually help break the pain cycle. Avoid Self-imposed Guilt. Yes you have fibromyalgia. Yes you have pain and discomfort and a whole host of other issues. You cannot and should not deny this. But do not fall victim to the diagnosis. Get the most you can out of each day and leave the rest for another day. Do not compare your reality now to your pre-fibromyalgia reality. You did not have the pain then that you do now. This is your new reality with all of the very realistic challenges you face daily. It is not your fault, but you are the only one who can make the best of it. With a disease such as this you can imagine how hard it could be to get through the day, let alone exercise. If you or someone you know is suffering from Fibromyalgia, check out Live Smart Girl for more helpful tips. And don’t forget all the other great content on Living Smart Girl. Sheila really knows what she’s talking about.

All text, photographs and graphics courtesy of Sheila at:

livingsmartgirl.blogspot.com 25

Abby’s Fab Five getting

ready

for

spring

The one great thing about winter is that it’s followed by spring. The really great thing about spring is that it brings with it the beginnings of warm weather fashion. We can say goodbye to layers, boots, sweaters, and coats as we gleefully greet lighter fabrics, prettier colors, and all of the other fashion delights that come with warm weather. I call these clothes my “in betweens” because they are the transitional pieces that allow me to wear summer clothing without freezing or looking ridiculous. Here are 5 must have items that will help you transition from cold to warm to hot weather this year. Everything on the list is from one of my favorite brands, Kensie Girl. You can see more fabulous stuff from them at Ken sie. c o m .

1- A Lightweight Spring Jacket like this one from Kensie Girl ($118 at Kensie.com) will be perfect with tanks and tees or over a soon-to-be summer dress.

2- Ankle Jeans are in and I’m so excited to wear them this spring and summer, especially considering that they look great with both of my shoe staples- heels and ballet flats. I’m crazy for this pair ($78 at Kensie.com)

3- Non-denim pants are always long anticipated for me. I get so tired of wearing jeans during the winter and can never wait for the weather to be nice enough for khakis, cargos, and cotton trousers. These cuties are also from Kensie Girl ($72).

4- Try a transition dress that will be cute with both tights (for now) and bare legs (for sunnier days) like this delightful blue one ($128 from Kensie.com).

5- It’s never too early to stock up on spring/summer tops. Just choose things that can be paired with a favorite jacket or cardigan during the seasonal transition. This printed halter top ($68 at Kensie.com) will be great with my favorite black cardigan until it’s warm enough for it to be great by itself.

Abby Adams is a happy and hopeful mom to one cute daughter and two furry babies. She likes to read, write, exercise, and shop. She is a personal style fanatic and loves to try new looks and products. Get to know her better at her blogs: Diligent Joy m i s s a b b y a . b l o g s p o t. c o m and Confessions of a Beauty Aisle Addict b e a u t y a i s l e a d d i c t. b l o g s p o t. c o m

busy bee lauren a blog review by Mombabe of thebinghamdiaries.com

busybeelauren.blogspot.com I have a confession. Busy Bee Lauren and I grew up on the same street, but it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t until she started blogging that I fell in head over heels in love with her. Married to the Tedward, Laurenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blog is proof that life is what you make of it.

“to me, love is showing someone you care. it is by doing little things to make the other comfortable and happy. maybe it’s when i leave ted a note telling him i love him, tucked inside one of his books he is reading. maybe it’s when ted secretly fills up my gas tank, because he knows how much i hate to do it myself. maybe it’s making him his favorite dinner when i know he has had a rough week. maybe it’s him coming home with frozen yogurt because he senses i will have a craving later that night. love is striving to make another person happy...because knowing they are happy makes you happy. because grand gestures of love are nice, but it’s the day-to-day actions that truly keep love alive.”

Her sense of humor makes readers laugh, and her candidness about life leaves your raw. She captures life’s smallest moments with brilliance, and truly lets her readers into her life. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you will definitely leave hungry.

“ted painted my toenails. i

pretty

sure

this

will only happen on my birthday. there

are

excuses

on birthdays. people are basically your slaves. trust me...it works.” 28

“I told her that I was ready for the first time in my entire life to see a counselor. I told her I was ashamed, and embarrassed. That I felt like I was just some big failure with issues...and that it depressed me. And that by seeing a counselor I would be admitting defeat...something that I have been trying to deny for over a decade. I still feel incredibly embarrassed by this decision. But I know it’s right. I know it’s right because Ted and I want to start a family and I can’t consciously bring a child into this earth if the child has a mother that doesn’t love herself. And while I am scared, and embarrassed, and I feel defeated.... I need this for me. But more importantly, I need it for us.” 29

“ w e l ove fo o d , l i ke whoa .” Stop by w w w . b u s y b e e l a u r e n . b l o g s p o t . c o m

and say hello. She’ll probably offer you a

cupcake in return.

All text and photographs courtesy of busybeelauren.blogspot.com. You can read more from Mombabe, our guest feature-writer-person, at thebinghamdairies.com, casualbloggercommunity.com and mmbcommunity.com

365 DAYS OF BLOGGING

12 months â&#x20AC;˘ 365 ideas We have SO many Blogging Prompts that it would take you over THREE YEARS of daily blog posting before you ever ran out of content ideas. There is a special E-GIFT for those of you that sign up for the 365 Days Worth of Blogging Prompts. We have an Exclusive Photo Prompt Book that will be offered strictly to the subscribers of our blogging prompts.

B R O U G H T T O YO U BY:

g r e e n j e l l o w i t h c a r r o t s. c o m

Etsy, oh how we love thee; let us count the ways:

1- Handmade items.

Seriously, does it get any cooler than knowing you bought something made by someone’s ACTUAL HANDS versus a factory?

2- Creativity.

With so many wonderfully creative people in the world, it would just be shameful if there wasn’t a place where they could share their talents.

3- Everyone can play. That’s right, ANYONE can have a shop. ANYONE can

buy. Who wants to deal with crowded boutiques when you can sit on your couch in a bathrobe and browse Etsy?

4- Why not? Why wouldn’t we love Etsy? Really, I’m asking. Etsy is fab-u-lous!

To prove our undying and devoted love, here is list of some of our favorite Etsy shops. And the best part is:

review by Melissa Bastow

w w w. e t s y. c o m / s h o p / Ye l l o w H e a r t A r t These prints are totally my style. I mean, is it even possible to NOT love a print that says, “If you get eaten by a t-rex I will miss you”? They’re brilliant, I tell you. Leonora Jennifer is the master mind/graphic designer/artist behind Yellow Heart Art. She started her Etsy shop in an effort to wipe out the “white wall blues”. She says: “The ‘white wall blues’ is a growing epidemic that must be stopped immediately. People everywhere are suffering from having bare walls in their homes and not having any artwork to hang up. Enter me! (This is where I enter into your home, in a cape and possibly a way awesome super hero mask to save you from your drab decor. I promise I’ll use the doorbell and wipe my feet as I come in and not bust through your wall all “kool-aid man” style-esque. Lets be honest, sheet rocking a wall is super annoying so why bother making such a grand entrance like that any way. You would probably be super mad at me and not buy my art because, well, now you need to buy new sheet rock--and to be honest I wouldn’t blame ya.)” Yellow Heart Art is giving away (1) 8x10 print (to any U.S. resident). The winner will get to choose out of these three prints: “today, my hair will be messy”, “every cloud has a silver lining” and “you are here”. Enter the give away on my personal blog: becauseireally cantgetenoughofmy self.blog s p ot.com

All discounts and giveaways run from March 1- March 15, 2011. Winners will be announced on our personal blogs.

review by Michelle Laird

w w w. e t s y. c o m / s h o p / L B A r t w o r k s LB Artworks is completely inspired by nature. I love the materials used with all the flourishes and birds. She has really cute bags in all sizes and styles. In her shop you can find a purse, bookbag, or something more like my latest accessory: a diaper bag. Lynda creates everything in the LB Artworks shop. She says: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I live deep in the hills of Tennessee and love the mountains. I am greatly inspired by what I see in the mountains and I hope that comes through in my work. I have been sewing since I was 6 when my aunt helped me make a simple skirt. I was bitten by the bug and have been sewing ever since. For me, the sewing machine is a different way to create...not only can it be used to design a type of artwork, but the designs can be worn to create a statement about yourself and the world around you. I look forward to sharing my adventure of experimenting and creating through cloth with you.â&#x20AC;?

LB Artworks is giving away (1) wallet/card holder of choice. The winner gets to choose from the great products in her shop. Enter the giveaway on my personal blog: mylifeasarealhousewife.blogspot.com All discounts and giveaways run from March 1- March 15, 2011. Winners will be announced on our personal blogs.

review by Melissa Bastow

w w w. e t s y. c o m / s h o p / s n i s There is a sad fact that I am only now just coming to grips with: I have mom keys. How I ended up with all these keys I’ll never know. I should just get one of those belt zip-lines to hook them to, you know, like janitors have? OR, I could just get one of these so-hilariously-cute-I-just-might-die keychains from SNIS (which will only make my keys bigger, but also much more attractive). SNIS is run by a husband and wife team living in Subotica, Serbia. They started their shop because: “For me everything begun when I was 14. I just loved to spend time in my fathers workshop where he was making various things of leather. Mostly handbags. In the beginning I was just looking. It took a lot of times before I tried to make something and I felt in love with the process of creation nice things out of raw materials. Later I met my wife, who is very creative, and our cooperation and love are bringing to You all these wonderful items...”

SNIS is giving away (1) bracelet or key chain of choice. The winner gets to choose from the products in their shop (and let me tell you, there are tons of fab things to pick from!) Enter the giveaway on my personal blog: b e c a u s e i r e a l l y c a n t g e t e n o u g h o f m y s e l f. b l o g s p o t. c o m

All discounts and giveaways run from March 1- March 15, 2011. Winners will be announced on our personal blogs.

review by Michelle Laird

w w w. e t s y. c o m / s h o p / l i t t l e t o a d You hear the name Little Toad and what comes to mind? Well, when I hear it I think of fun custom cards and invitations with original and adorable artwork! Where did that name come from? The creator’s boyfriend gave her this nickname when he caught her splashing in puddles to get inspiration. I have never thought of getting inspiration this way but how fun would that be? She enjoys making cards that you won’t find in any store. And you know it is always more meaningful to get a custom-made card. Her cards with the characters are so fun and cute! She also has wedding announcements that I love. They are SO my style. You can see the personality come out of each card!

Little Toad is giving away a FREE consultation and $20 towards any order (can you believe it? It’s so awesome!) You can enter this giveaway on my personal blog: m y l i f e a s a r e a l h o u s e w i f e . b l o g s p o t . c o m All discounts and giveaways run from March 1- March 15, 2011. Winners will be announced on our personal blogs.

review by Melissa Bastow

w w w. e t s y. c o m / s h o p / s y d n i b u g 1 I am a bowmaker. We hang long pieces of ribbon on our bathroom walls to attach all of our bows and flowers. We have 11 FULL ribbons now. I may be addicted to making hair accessories. But that makes me love Izzy’s Attic even more! Sydni is the creator of Izzy’s Attic and has a shop full of superb tutorials. She gives away all her amazing hair accessory creating knowledge in each tutorial with step by step instructions and photos. By the time you get done you’ll be a master bowmaker too. Izzy’s Attic is giving away (1) tutorial of choice. The winner gets to choose from the products in her shop. Enter the giveaway on my personal blog: b e c a u s e i r e a l l y c a n t g e t e n o u g h o f m y s e l f. b l o g s p o t. c o m

All discounts and giveaways run from March 1- March 15, 2011. Winners will be announced on our personal blogs.

review by Michelle Laird

w w w. e t s y. c o m / s h o p / i v o r y a n d m o s s I am in love with Ivory & Moss! I love shopping for shoes for my baby girl, so when I found this store I was so excited! I wanted to get every pair!! They are unique and can be custom-made. Every little girl needs fun , cute shoes! Bianca, the artist behind Ivory & Moss, is a stay at home mom who has ditched the corporate world. She spends time with her kids and works from home, â&#x20AC;&#x153;creating couture items that are not sold in mass quantities, ensuring you get a unique eco-friendly Ivory & Moss piece.â&#x20AC;? Ivory & Moss is letting all of our readers have 15% off everything in her shop! (Awesome, right?) Use the code: i v o r y a n d m o s s t h e b a r r e l to get the discount. And check out the other giveaways on my personal blog: m y l i f e a s a r e a l h o u s e w i f e . b l o g s p o t . c o m

All discounts and giveaways run from March 1- March 15, 2011. Winners will be announced on our personal blogs.

review by Melissa Bastow

w w w. e t s y. c o m / s h o p / h o u s e o f d a r k l y Psssst, I want to tell you a little secret: House of Darkly’s Crazy Toast Plush is my favorite product in all of Etsyland. Sometimes, when I’m feeling urgh-ish, I’ll just stare at it for awhile until I feel better. It is PURE GENIUS, I tell you. The other products in the House of Darkly’s shop are really great too. But that Crazy Toast Plush has my heart forever. Maybe someday my husband will actually let me buy it. Anne is the creator of all House of Darkly’s products. She says: “I’m a full-time nerd with way too many hobbies. I come from a background in costuming, but I took up plush for stress relief and got addicted. I still like to sew for people and ball-joint dolls when I get around to it. I’m forever thinking of something new I’d like to try making, a new technique I want to learn . . .” House of Darkly is giving away 20% off the winner’s order. The winner gets to choose from the products in her shop and use the personalized code for the discount. Enter the giveaway on my personal blog: becauseireally cantgetenoughofmy self.blog s p ot.com

All discounts and giveaways run from March 1- March 15, 2011. Winners will be announced on our personal blogs.

review by Melissa Bastow

w w w. e t s y. c o m / s h o p / s e a a n d a s t e r s I kill plants. I don’t mean to, but I have the opposite of a green thumb (it’s like the thumb of death.....you know, if you’re a plant.) So it was probably fate that I stumbled upon the Sea & Asters Etsy shop. These plants are called tillandsias and they are low maintenance and super funky. They need bright, indirect sunlight and a good soaking in water once a week. And did I mention that they’re the most awesome looking plants EVER?! Cause they are. Monica is the super friendly owner of Sea & Asters. She says: “I was first introduced to Tillandsias while studying horticulture. My professor and mentor introduced me to the world of these incredibly striking, low maintenance plants. Thus began my obsession with Tillandsias. Now I picture practically every inanimate object with a Tillandsia displayed in it. I began creating these miniature landscape terrariums for my friends and family a few years ago. I enjoyed it so much that soon thereafter Sea & Asters developed. Sea & Asters has grown into a dual partnership between me and my husband (whom is also a hobbyist beekeeper...which I love!). When I am not working with Sea & Asters, you will find me working in a teaching garden and I also teach composting classes to local residents. My selling experience on Etsy has been incredibly gratifying. I love the personal connections with our customers. We not only send a terrarium but each package we ship is like sending a ‘care package’. We want our customers to truly feel like they are receiving a special product from a real person who prepared it just for them.”

Sea & Asters is giving away one $25 hanging globe terrarium from their shop (which is a seriously sweet giveaway). Enter the giveaway on my personal blog: becauseireallycantgetenoughofmyself.blogspot.com All discounts and giveaways run from March 1- March 15, 2011. Winners will be announced on our personal blogs.

review by Melissa Bastow

w w w. e t s y. c o m / s h o p / m i s s y b d e s i g n s Woah, how did MY Etsy shop get in here?! Oh, that’s right: I’m a dork. Plus this is my magazine, what do you expect? And my Etsy shop is pretty awesome, if I do say so myself. Which I will. Right now. My Etsy shop is pretty awesome. It’s pretty DARN awesome. So basically, when I need a break from life I plop onto the couch and turn on Netflix (that is, until Hulu decides to create a Wii channel and then my loyalties might switch). But I can’t just SIT there. I get all fidgety. So I crochet. And I don’t like crocheting the same boring stuff so I’ve been making up my own patterns. And this has been going on for about seven years (the crocheting part, not the Netflix part - can you believe I used to have to rely on DVD’s?! gasp.) I am giving away two crochet patterns. The winner gets to pick their fave two from my shop. Enter the giveaway on my personal blog: b e c a u s e i r e a l l y c a n t g e t e n o u g h o f m y s e l f . b l o g s p o t . c o m

All discounts and giveaways run from March 1- March 15, 2011. Winners will be announced on our personal blogs.

review by Michelle Laird

w w w. e t s y. c o m / s h o p / l y r a m a r e I really enjoy Lyramara Etsy store for her different styles - unlike a lot of Etsy stores they offer more than just one type of jewlery. And every piece has such pretty beads. I love her beaded earings. Best of all the prices are great for original pieces of jewelry! Lyndsaye Reel, a native of Catawissa, Pennsylvania, launched Lyramare Designs on Etsy in October 2010. Having spent the past four years studying music and most currently working in an office, she soon found that a way to release her creativity was much needed! An impulse buy of beads and findings led to the creation of the first items: beaded silver earrings. Lyramare Designs is continuously growing; bracelets, necklaces, and pins, as well as beaded utensils are currently available. Lyndsaye views her jewelry as a way to openly share her ideas with others. She finds nothing more rewarding than the thought that women around the country are wearing her creations. Lyndsaye says, “Everyone has that ‘thing’ in their life to maintain sanity in dealing with the hum-drum of reality...and this is mine.” You can visit her website: www.lyramaredesigns.com as well ast her etsy shop.

Lyramare is is letting all of our readers have 15% off everything in her shop through March 15th. Use the code: M A R C H 1 5 to get the discount. And check out other giveaways on my personal blog: mylifeasarealhousewife.blogspot.com All discounts and giveaways run from March 1- March 15, 2011. Winners will be announced on our personal blogs.

review by Michelle Laird

w w w. e t s y. c o m / s h o p / G r e a t G r a p h i c s While digital scrapbooking a few weeks ago I was looking for some fun, crazy backgrounds, and if you’ve seen pictures of my daughter you know that I love animal print and bright and bold colors! So of course I’m going to scrapbook with the same thing. I was so excited when I found Great Graphics! They have products in the style I like, plus designs for anyone who isn’t into bright animal prints. All the products in the Great Graphics shop are really well priced. There are digital sheets, clipart, kid stuff, and collage sheets to choose from that can all be downloaded, used, and printed. Beth was a owner of a stationary company for seven years. After selling the company she felt she still needed to share her creativity. Thus Great Graphics was born. It is “all the fun-and much less stress!”

Great Graphics is giving away $25 worth of graphics! (Sweet.) The winner gets to choose from the products in Beth’s shop (she has plenty to choose from - you might have a hard time narrowing it down!) Enter the giveaway on my personal blog: mylifeasarealhousewife.blogspot.com

All discounts and giveaways run from March 1- March 15, 2011. Winners will be announced on our personal blogs.

. . f o s e iv h c r a e h t m o r f • http://momza.blogspot.com

Why I am Always a Day Late & a Dollar Short - the Unmentionable Story September 7, 2010 When I was a little girl, my mom bought me special underwear-the kind with the Days of the Week stitched on them. I loved them. I’d set each pair out the night before-Monday for Monday Tuesday for Tuesday Wednesday for Wednesday Thursday for well, you get the point. I’d get super excited about how I could organize my entire weeks’ outfits around a pair of ruffled underwear! But then at the end of the week, on Sunday, actually-it would all go to pot...no pun pun intended. There was no underwear with Sunday on them. It’s like it was sacrilegious to have the word “Sunday” on a pair of unmentionables. That was back when shopping wasn’t done on Sundays-if you’re as old as me, you probably recall those days when “Thou shalt keep the Sabbath day holy” was the real deal. Stores, restaurants, movie theaters, baseball fields were quiet. Sunday was a day of reverence... and I guess even the underwear people knew that. So when Sunday came around, I had to wear Monday’s underwear... and thus began an ugly chain of events. I wore Tuesday’s underwear on Monday,

and Wednesday’s on Tuesday... and so on and so on... until I was so far behind, I ended up wearing Saturday’s underwear on Tuesdays! And that is why I am always a day late and a dollar short! Today, I bought the Caboose her own Days of the Week underwear-and she was so excited, she ran up to her bathroom-at three o’clock in the afternoon!and took a shower to put them on. So I tossed the others in the wash with some things, and as I’m sorting them out from the dryer, I notice something-- there’s a Sunday pair. And then I smile-no more messing up the days of the week for her! YES! I think. Underwear makers finally get it! We need to wear clean unmentionables even on Sundays! And then there was a note of sadness. A ridiculous, sappy realization. Sundays are just like every other day in the world my daughter lives in... they are not days’ of rest... they are days to catch-up days to run errands and shopping days to go to movies and out to eat or a “nod to God and then I’m gone”-days to go to church and then to ball games... Sundays are just like every other day-and even Fruit of the Loom knows it.

Capricorn (12/22-1/19)- You know, you could get out of a lot of alien-probe-time if you just stop wiggling already. Aquarius (1/20-2/18)- Your color is purple this month. And your number is: 24,632,020.73 Pisces (2/19-3/20)- One word: SPANX. Aries (3/21-4/19)- Reach for the stars! No, not like that. I meant phsyically, not metaphorically. Taurus (4/20-5/20)- You’ll get that promotion if you pull out the big guns. Just make sure the safety is on, you wouldn’t want to accidentally shoot anyone with your bazooka. Gemini (5/21-6/21)- Don’t cry. attractive. EEEEW, get a tissue.

It’s

not

Cancer (6/22-7/22)- If Mars lines up with Jupiter and Venus is in retrograde, then what is the square root of 64? Leo (7/23-8/22)- Don’t wear open-toed shoes on a dairy farm or I’m going to start calling you “poo-toe” (I don’t care how juvenile it is). Virgo (8/23-9/22)- You’re the luckiest person alive. LUCKY, I tell you. Libra (9/23-10/22)- I heard they have something waiting for you at baggage claim (and he looks like your husband). Scorpio (10/23-11/21)- Adopt an avocado. Its gonna be a beautiful relationship. Sagittarius (11/22-12/21)- You have a real knack for drama - I’m not saying this like it’s a good thing.

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