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Friday, April 20, 2007

Sarah issued Fashion Challenge No. 3 and I couldn't back down... Her rules: "Find an expensive designer outfit and recreate it for under $100".

Now - here's where I twisted it up a bit.

1. It had to be an outfit that I would love to buy;
2. It had to be based on a outfit that is for a "real size" actress (read, not Nicole Ritchie Skinny Mini size); and
3. I had to have coupons or sales or something because, as you know, when one is plus sized, that extra yard of fabric for a Size 16/18 well - those lovely retailers love to tack on an extra $20+ or so.

SO - With that, may I present my style subject - Sara Ramirez from Grey's Anatomy. This shot was taken at a Grammy Party for Verizon Wireless and, the outfit - TO Die! I would rock that in a club in a heartbeat or out to dinner or hell - even shopping. However, the top that she's wearing - well, try finding that plus sized. Not happenin' (well it did during the winter but Lane Bryant was totally sold out). SO, with that in mind, here are my choices:

The top, courtesy of Lane Bryant - Sheer black flutter sleeve top. Gorgeous. And, Lane Bryant is offering 20% off purchases. Price: $44.50 - $8.90 = $35.60

Jeans, courtesy of Lane Bryant - Blue/black Boot Cut - perfection! Again, we've got 20% off and they are on sale. Price: $29.99 - $6.00 = $23.99

Now with that we need to rock a great pair of shoes, right... Payless is having their BOGO sale so that means we need to find a bag as well..

These delish rhinestone strappy sandals. Price: $19.99

And let's pop it with a clutch, shall we - this little lovely leopard number. Price: $14.99 - $7.50 = $7.49

Total Price over all: $87.07

Let's twist it up some more... let's see what the cash back totals are:

• Top: $35.60 x 3% through Ebates = $1.07
• Jeans: $23.99 x 3% through Ebates = $0.72
• Shoes: $19.99 x 8% through FatWallet.com = $1.60
• Handbag: $7.49 x 8% through FatWallet.com = $0.60

Total Cash back: $3.99

OVERALL TOTAL PRICE: $83.08

I think it falls within the Clinton/Stacey WNTW Rules as well, non? Now that I'm all shopped out, this gal needs a Starbucks Fix!

Happy Shopping! (And if you take the challenge, let me know - I'm curious now!)

Labels: Cash Back, Celeb, Fashionista, Shopping

Posted by Lys :: 12:31 PM :: 3 comments

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---------------oOo--------------- Friday Giggle: Wee Little Puppet Man...

How can one not laugh... for those Angel/David Boreanez Fans.. Someone should seriously smooch YouTube! This was my absolute fave episode of "ANGEL". The other morning when I woke up it was on the TiVo - what a way to start off the day! And even if you don't like Angel - just take a quick peek. It won't hurt, promise.



Laughter really is the best medicine...

Labels: TV

Posted by Lys :: 1:05 AM :: 0 comments

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---------------oOo---------------

Thursday, April 19, 2007

AHA!

I *knew* that there was *NO* way that on The Search for the Next Doll they would let the contestants dance backup for the PussyCat Dolls on national tv without editing... Robin Antin seems very *in control* of her brand (much like her brother is with hair)

And, tonight - without having to suffer through hours of Becky Baeling (long story for another day - perhaps - let's just say, when she was a recording artist - alrighty - host of a music show.. umm...yeah... those mets ) I caught the PCD performance on CDUSA. Now - with most artist performances taped for a non-live TV show, there are multiple takes, etc. and the behind the scenes action is a bit more interesting. The stories we could tell from the old DPUSA days.. but I digress. However, with the Search for the Next Doll - they only showed the gals performing once behind the Dolls. There was no mention of "OMG We had to do so many takes" blah blah blah.

Here's a clip of the *aired* performance. Notice something missing...



CDUSA - Wait A Minute - Why'd ya do us like that?

Labels: Celeb, Music

Posted by Lys :: 10:43 PM :: 0 comments

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---------------oOo--------------- AeroGarden: Week 6

Look at 'em grow! Lots of basil - so, per Sarah's suggestion - Pesto is on the menu..

Labels: AeroGarden

Posted by Lys :: 6:56 PM :: 2 comments

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---------------oOo--------------- Cocktail Party: Impossible?

Well, I have scheduled the Housewarming Soiree for next Friday, sent the evites, taken that day off to relax and cook my little heart out and, currently in the midst of making the shopping list. While there are so many good choices out there for appetizers & cocktails, I'm curious to see what you would suggest. I do know that I will have Sangria on hand, but outside of Roasted Asparagus with Wasabi Mayo, I'm stumped.

If you were throwing a cocktail party for about ohhh.. let's say 20 people - what are some tried and true suggestions that y'all might want to serve? I'm a big fan of the Barefoot Contessa/Everyday Italian mentality - prep ahead and that way the party thrower can enjoy the party as well. Or should I Sandra Lee it and buy a bunch of frozen appetizers at Costco.

Is this Cocktail Party: Impossible? (Sorry - too much Robert Irvine watching last night) I'm looking forward to your thoughts, suggestions, and of course - cocktail recipes :) THANKS IN ADVANCE!

Labels: Cooking, Random Mess, Recipe

Posted by Lys :: 12:07 PM :: 2 comments

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---------------oOo---------------

Monday, April 16, 2007

You Just NEVER Know Who Might Be Right Next To You..

Tonight, as I was walking out of my office talking on the phone about the lovely *mess* O-Town is in, who is walking next to me but Mr. Mayor - oy!!! I didn't even notice him coming out of City Hall towards the parking garage. However, I did notice one thing - I'm still taller than him in heels, plus he moves pretty quick. I guess you never know when someone might be around... oh well. Do I get brownie points for NOT smackin' him with a ladle for the recent news about having someone arrested for feeding the homeless??

See - I can be civil, sometimes - but I still refuse to call him "Your Honor" or whatever civil greeting they might have. He'll be Mr. Dyer until he really proves himself and shows a bit more "honor". Working late one night is not going to cut it.

Labels: Orlando

Posted by Lys :: 11:50 PM :: 3 comments

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---------------oOo--------------- Before He Cheats....

I heard this track on the radio and it brought me back - way back - to when I caught Mark cheating on me with some bimbette whose name I will not mention *LOL*.. but needless to say, I finally caught the video and it really reminded me of the *character* I left behind.

I didn't get all Louisville Slugger on his car - but I was quite angry... now, looking back I am a bit more angry at myself for getting b*tchy over a guy - it's just not worth it.

Enjoy the video - Carrie Underwood "Before He Cheats"

Labels: Music

Posted by Lys :: 11:37 PM :: 0 comments

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---------------oOo---------------

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Food Network Awards...

Seriously - did anyone else sit through this wondering "What the #*@(@#*#". Now - mind you, the awards took place on February 24th. It's now April 15th. While I'm all for recognition of various local establishments that promote the culinary culture and the story of the CIA (Culinary Institute of America) Scholarship Winner was very touching and, being the Philly Wench I am - I was THRILLED to see the City Stadium win, but seriously - ANOTHER award show?

I just don't get it. Next year, I hope to attend the SOBE Food & Wine Festival - I just don't know if I could sit through an award show celebrating the Macaroni Monet or a Gelatin Artist...

Bring on the reruns of Iron Chef!!

Labels: Cooking, Random Mess

Posted by Lys :: 10:47 PM :: 0 comments

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---------------oOo--------------- Recipe Success: Petite Filet with Gorgonzola

Well, to kick my inner kitchen diva into gear, I'm going to start ensuring that my cooking at home is in line. I'm going to start highlighting a few good recipes that work well and, if you like 'em, try them and let me know what you think. Most of the time I get my recipes from FoodNetwork and I'm a big fan of Everyday Italian. Though I'm Irish, I really think I must have been italian in another lifetime...

Tonight's Success: Petite Filet with Gorgonzola and Porchini Mushroom Sauce. While I did not have porchinis on hand, I did have baby portabellas which were on special this weekend. Served with some corn, it was a nice meal topped off with some Ice Coffee that *gasp* I made myself. Shocked yet?

Now if only I can convince the fuzzball she should do dishes.

Labels: Recipe

Posted by Lys :: 8:29 PM :: 1 comments

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---------------oOo--------------- S&TC Quote Courtesy of Miranda...

Miranda: Maybe it's maturity or the wisdom that comes with age, but the witch in Hansel and Gretel—she's very misunderstood. I mean, the woman builds her dream house and these brats come along and start eating it.

Labels: SATC

Posted by Lys :: 7:13 PM :: 0 comments

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---------------oOo---------------

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Latest Finds...

Just a few things I'm obsessed with this week...

This Top from FashionOverdose.com (and, thanks to PrettyPear, if you use the code FOD15AFF, you get 15% off. )

This gorgeous Square Ladle. Yes, I know, my kitchen is well stocked but it still doesn't help when I'm watching the FoodNetwork's All Star Desserts and Michael Chiarello is making Apple Claufuti using this ladle. And, much like last week's must buy of a lemon press thanks to Guy Fiori, I am in lust with this ladle. I love things that are not your standard utensil... it gives a kitchen more character, don't ya think?

This Clutch. I'm becoming a fan of the clutch bag and this one just screams my name. Should I be afraid that there is a Bakers across the street from the apartment?

This Gorgeous Glass & Copper Hurricane Holder. I know I know - Stay AWAY from Pier1. I'm trying.

Well, 2 out of 4 ain't bad... you can guess which two made my visa cry this evening...

Labels: Shopping

Posted by Lys :: 10:19 PM :: 0 comments

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---------------oOo--------------- Lazy Saturday...

While I had something scheduled for every weekend this month, the shoulder has prompted me to be a cancelling wench and just rest this weekend. So, I'm holing myself up like a hermit (after I get my ice coffee - I'd make it but every time I make it, it's not the same!), popping my Motrin and resting. Yes, I said it - MOTRIN. It would have been my prescription that my lovely MD called in from the Golf Course, but thanks to something called a lovely insurance plan - I saw the price on the prescription that barely works (Skelaxin) and it gave me gray hair. $277.00. Yes, you read that right - almost the price of my comfy chair for 90 pills to be taken 3x a day for 30 days which, by all past tries, barely works! I blew a gasket at the Pharmacist (sorry for that) and the lowest United Healthcare could do was $243.00. The good thing is the pharmasist knew that I normally paid $30.00 and when she saw my card she said "UNITED. Oh my god I'm so sorry!". Yeah - that's comforting. Needless to say, I refused to get them and told her nope. I walked out of Costco also leaving behind Cat Cora's new cookbook & Entourage S. 3 (You know I was p.o.'d then!).

Well, United and I had a little "discussion" yesterday and we're not getting along famously. Actually - we're not getting along AT ALL since Brian, the CSR rep that I finally talked to after their stupid computer automated attendant gave me a quasi-attack, decided that he was "all knowing and had an attitude so yup, you know he and I had words. Words that were not pleasant. And, to make it even more amusing, he made the inclination that I should have known since I chose the plan. Umm... Bump You Brian! My options were somewhat lacking so whatever.

So I have a doctor's appointment on Monday but my thoughts are to tell my MD, Mr. Pill-Prescriber, what bridge to jump off of and strength train that shoulder myself. I'll find another primary care doc here in Altamonte. And, while United and I are stuck together for the remainder of the year - I'll be damned if they will ever get more than my normal allotted paycheck draw. Idiots!

My dad and SL both had a great prescription - WINE! So that's on the agenda! And I'm working on my closet - but I'm NOT tossing around ANY boxes this week. It's time to start taking care of oneself and I must thank Brian for giving me the inspiration to tell United to jump off a tall cliff into a short lake.

Labels: Random Mess

Posted by Lys :: 1:20 PM :: 0 comments

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---------------oOo---------------

Friday, April 13, 2007

Productivity - Thwarted Again!

Yesterday's post re: Procrastination had me doin' some serious thinking last night. I went out for a little R&R with my buddy ML (and Williams Sonoma - HELLO!) and I tackled the Target supply list. I unpacked 4 boxes and 3 of the plastic crates. I stacked the shoe boxes for the closet organization. I got out a ton of trash, cleaned the fridge and did a load of laundry. Good effort for Day 1 of 21 Days to Procrastination's Butt Whuppin'... Good effort (or so I thought).

Mind you, I have a small brunch scheduled for tomorrow and a ton of work to do at the DayJob. I had a Happy Hour thing on my schedule. I have groceries that need buying for the brunch. I'm a busy gal.

This morning, I get up, go to the DayJob and find myself feeling like I'm a victim of whiplash - shooting pains up and down my shoulder, arm & neck. My muscles are in such knots that a practiced sailor might get excited. I turn my neck slightly and all I heard was "OW!". So I go looking for my Skelaxin - it's at home. Advil will suffice. 20 minutes later, still massive pain so I head home.

I get home and see my Skelaxin is at the VERY LAST ONE. No problem, I'll get a script refill. Looking at the bottle I see "May be refilled 6 times before 1/31/2007!" Umm.. was this on my "I'll Get To It List???"

So - my little fingers dialed my doctor only to find out that he's booked out this afternoon *cough cough - Golf Anyone?* but we've got a hot date Monday morning at 9:45. Lucky ducky me. He's in Kissimmee. I'm in Altamonte. I guess I'm a quasi long distant patient so we're going to have to find a new doctor locally. So I'm going to be on Motrin this weekend, more than likely. My gal P. was ready to whap me over the head this morning with her shoe for not taking my prescription but hey - I don't believe in taking it unless I *absolutely* need it.

My productivity hit a hiccup, but hey - Barefoot Contessa's on and she's doing a breakfast bread pudding. Hmmmm... now where is that brioche...

Labels: Random Mess

Posted by Lys :: 12:26 PM :: 0 comments

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---------------oOo---------------

Thursday, April 12, 2007

AEROGARDEN: Week 5

Check out this puppy pre-harvest. I had to grab some of the basil & chives for Easter Dinner but daggone - this herb garden is on supergrow or something.

Next up - I think I'm going to get a lemon tree for the porch.

Labels: AeroGarden

Posted by Lys :: 1:06 PM :: 2 comments

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---------------oOo--------------- Procrastination...BE GONE!

There's one thing that has been plaguing me of late - Procrastination. I'm a big fan of the "Oh, I'll get to it" but its gotten to a point where I think my procrastination habit has become part of my burnout. I'm not inspired and feeling blah lately. I even mentioned that I was *gasp* thinking of going to culinary school, just because. Not to work in a restaurant (I will *never* revisit that hell), but to really inspire me to get something going.

I've been thinking of joining the Jaycees, but I'm not very happy with Orlando's political scene so my thoughts re: Buddy Dyer might not be received very well. Getting around Altamonte has been fine, but you ever get those days where you are so burnt out you want to do *nothing*. Even my closet makes me sigh and go "I'll get to it". The 6 plastic crates in my house have me saying "Oh, I'll get to it". The boxes of CDS waiting to be organized .. yup - you guessed it, "I'll Get To It".

Well NO MORE! They say it takes 21 days to break a habit and I'm making a commitment here that I'm kickin' the procrastination monsters big behind in a big way! If I say "I'll get to it", I'm going to have to schedule a time TO Get to it and get it done. And, this week, I'm going to have to find the time to make a dent somehow, someway and get myself back on track. I had a system that worked but, in all honesty, after getting livid at something a few months ago, I lost my will for success. Enough is enough. It's time to kick things into high gear and Project Organization is now underway.

First stop - TARGET for boxes & organization stuff for the closet.
Second: I hope the Salvation Army has a bunch of gals who want Size 10 shoes.
Third: Mr. Cobbler & I are going to be fast friends.
Four: Those CDS - by Monday they need to be organized. The ones that are not wanted anymore - they go to the Salvation Army.
Fifth: New Dry Cleaner - coming right up!

I'll have more of a list, but don't worry. I'll get to it.

Labels: Random Mess

Posted by Lys :: 12:53 PM :: 2 comments

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---------------oOo---------------

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Three Things Meme....

Suburban Cupcake issued a challenge meme and, as I'm not one to shy from a challenge - here we go... If y'all want to go 'head and try it, let me know in the comments and I'll drop by and visit.

Three things that scare me:
1. Heights (and considering the heels on my shoes.. I should be immune, right?)
2. Crowded elevators/small rooms, etc.
3. Orlando Politics.

Three people that make me laugh:
1. There are more than three.. but I have to say, Meowmix, Bec & Reese.
2. The Divas.
3. JZ during one of his late night vent sessions.

Three things I hate:
1. Liars.
2. Wasting Time.
3. When People Drop the ball & no follow up.

Three things on my desk:
1. Venti Iced Nonfat Caramel Macchiato.
2. BIG bottle of Advil.
3. Cattiva Diva Hand Lotion.

Three things I’m doing right now:
1. Thinking "Is the day over yet?"
2. Trying to think of all the things that need to be done, but no inspiration to do them.
3. Hoping that traffic is not hellacious.

Three things I’d like to do before I die:
1. Smack Buddy Dyer (seriously!) And I'd like to whap him with a ladle please.
2. Go to Egypt, Italy & Ireland.
3. Hit the six figures mark.

Three things I can do:
1. Cook a mean arroz con pollo.
2. Twirl a baton (DON'T ASK!)
3. Rock a hot pair of 4" stilettos.

Three things I think you should listen to:
1. Luz Divina.
2. The Soundtrack from KA (Cirque de Soleil)
3. Waves crashing on a beach (so calming)

Three favorite foods:
1. Ice Coffee (is that a food - well, to me it is).
2. Butternut Squash or Pumpkin Amaretti Ravioli.
3. Creme Brulee

Three shows I watched as a kid:
1. Kidd Video.
2. Soul Train/American Bandstand/Dance Party USA
3. CHiPS (hey - I had a thing for Erik Estrada. Hey - I was 8. Yes, I know - it was a cop thing back then too - so sue me!)

Three things I regret:
1. Fighting with Nick before he died over something so stupid!
2. Not taking as much vacation time as I should.
3. Not breaking up with Mark earlier (like after he tossed me through a window.. grrrr - again, may I cite the young and stupid reference which applied to me back then).

Labels: Meme, Random Mess

Posted by Lys :: 6:31 PM :: 2 comments

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---------------oOo---------------

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Like This...

Now THIS is a song that is on swift repeat in the car... An anthem for the ladies, most definitely.

Labels: Celeb, Music

Posted by Lys :: 7:30 PM :: 0 comments

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---------------oOo---------------

Monday, April 09, 2007

Another Day, Another $$

Things around the household have been rather quiet, with the exception of the Loveseat Drama of 2007 (but - just to make doubly sure that all is well - remind me to revisit this in a week or so, k?)... Also - anyone have any ideas to keep the kitty from scratching the couch (short of having Shaddy declawed?). Shadow is looking at the couch like its a big scratching post and, contrary to her line of thinking, I didnt pay that much for a cat toy!

I've been feeling a bit stagnant lately - not sure of what my next step down the path will be. I sometimes have to learn to "watch what I put out there". For example, just the other day, I was looking through an industry directory and about lost it when I saw how many people that I know were listed and I was not (because I didn't submit my info like I normally do - doh me!) I felt like that 2nd grader that is staying behind the class for not doing their homework. In all honesty, I'm still a recovering publicist and not sure if I really want to put my toes back into that pool. However, in yipping about my hesitation, I decided "Why the hell not!" and left it at that. True to the Secret - it was put out there and the next day Reese calls me with a "Hey - how do you feel about movie PR". UMMMM.. Hello *looking above* Is Big Brother around? I'm still mulling over the ideas of jumping back in but hey. JZ's album is coming out in a couple months so I need to get my game back up to snuff.

Now - in apartment news - the bar stools are put together and look sharp. I just have to clean off the clutter on the counter and pics will be uploaded. My house is becoming an ode to Southern Living - everything pretty much is SLAH decorated but it is slowly coming together. Now, all I need is a comfy chair and voila - the living room/dining room/kitchen is done. In January I'm planning on getting an armoire for the bedroom. One thing that was rather discouraging was that my lovely gym (much like the Total Gym contraption but by Brenda Dygraf) is taking up much room. It was originally slated to be in the SunRoom which is now the dining room so I'm pretty much S.O.L. on that one. I'll have to find a way to decorate around it. The chest of drawers in the bedroom is 20 years and slowly inching to a very swift demise.

All in due time, right? I just have to get the emergency fund back up and running.

Labels: Random Mess

Posted by Lys :: 9:50 PM :: 0 comments

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---------------oOo--------------- S&TC Quote Of The Week...

Samantha: So help me—she f**ks on my couch, she buys it.

Carrie: Isn't that how you got the couch from me?

Labels: SATC

Posted by Lys :: 9:21 PM :: 0 comments

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---------------oOo---------------

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Coupon Love Is In The Air...

It's been a while since I've dropped in the PayPerPost site and, after perusing around I saw that one of my favorite coupon haunts is lookin' for the word to get out about their service. For those that are new to Just Because... there are things I hold dear to my heart - Nine West Shoes, Beauty Finds, Cash Back and COUPONS! See - while I may be a shopping diva, I am a fiscally SMART shopping diva.

Let's take, for example, today. Today I happened to find out that Nine West shoes are being sold on the cheap at Smart Bargains.com. And these aren't just clearance shoes, my friends. They are shoes that I have yipped about on this blog and featured. Shoes that I go into the store and look at and put back; look at and put back. You get the picture. I mean, c'mon - Nine West isn't cheap and the shoes I want (3 pairs - one lace platform peeptoe, one red/black Christian Louboutin-esque platform peeptoe and a gorgeous wedge peeptoe) each run about $89.00. Let's do the math shall we - 3 prs @ $89.00 each = $267.00. Well, they are on SmartBargains for $39.99 EACH! Yes - you read that right - $39.99 each. That's a savings of over $147.00. And CouponChief - friend, buddy, ol' pal - hooked a gal up with FREE SHIPPING through this coupon here. That's an additional savings of $9.95.

Shopping diva, I am. Silly shopping diva I am not. And, with many thanks to CouponChief, I saved a little bit extra for the next find (and y'all know that I'm always on the hunt). So - if you are looking for a little coupon love, stop by and visit CouponChief.com for some online coupon codes. You will not be disappointed.

Shop Happy!

**This Post has been sponsored by CouponChief & PayPerPost. My opinions & testimonials, as always, are my own**

Labels: PPP, Shopping

Posted by Lys :: 8:13 PM :: 0 comments

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---------------oOo---------------

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Currently Obsessed With...

Just a Few Things I've Got My Eye On...

This gorgeous Coach bag... has to be the colors that had me at first sight... The price, however, has me at two arms length.

These wedge sandals from Endless.com... (Thanks to the zoom feature this was the only copy of the photo I could find. Sorry!)

This Wrap dress from Kiyonna...

THESE Champagne Glasses from VillageKitchen.com... Thanks to Ms. Sarah for tracking these down for me. I'm currently in this phase of "I want those damn champagne flutes from Everyday Italian". Well - I have yet to find the *exact* ones, but these look so much like them, I will feel like I've fulfilled my quest and move on to my next "I gotta have" kitchen/entertaining accessory... I saw the Macy's version and at $30.00 PER GLASS, oh hell to the no! Sarah's choice is much better.

Feel like getting rid of that Plastic Bear in the cupboard. Check out this Silicone Honey Jar from Chiasso...

And, Ms. Giada de Laurentiis' new cookbook, Everyday Pasta, came out today so that's on the "pick up with cash back and coupon list"

I think only a couple of these things is feasible for now - and only after things die down a bit from the furniture shopping I've had to do lately. At least it's free to look, right?

Labels: Obsessed With, Shopping

Posted by Lys :: 6:33 PM :: 1 comments

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---------------oOo---------------

Monday, April 02, 2007

Nothin' Like A Good Movie To Relax...

You know it's going to be a great evening when one of this gal's fave movies is on repeat - "Two Can Play That Game". I seriously think that all men that wonder "why" should be required to watch this... jus' sayin'...

Labels: Movies, Random Mess

Posted by Lys :: 9:25 PM :: 0 comments

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---------------oOo--------------- Sometimes It Pays to Look at The Receipt...

So, today I did one of my first real "adult" purchases. (No - not that type of purchase... what are you thinking?)... I bought my first real couch. On. My. Own.

When I lived with the ex-fiance, I didn't pick out my couch - he did. It was a sectional. It was the color of mud. It was ugly. I didn't bring it down with me when I moved to Florida.

When I lived with the roomies, I didn't pick out the couch - they did. It was a sectional colored various shades of blue, peach, cream, green, pink - a virtual color cornucopia. We didn't keep it and I didn't want it for the new place.

Finally, I met a couch I can quite possibly love this week. However, it wasn't at Ashley Furniture. I went to meet with my guy over at Ashley to see if they had anything like I found and James, my salesman, tried to get me a matching deal that Kanes Furniture offered me (10% off) but his assistant managers weren't letting him. I'm still keeping James in mind for my armoire that I'm scheduling for the fall but that's for another day. Like I always said, I don't like to settle and if I bought something I didn't absolutely love, then I wouldn't feel right.

So, back to Kanes I went and I bought my couch but they did not have a comfy chair in that particular pattern. What they had was not my colors and just "not me". (Meowmix - yes I had a Toronto-esque outburst....) However, they had a matching loveseat and I got sucked in. $70.00 over budget and then I hear they are charging me $79.99 for shipping. Ummm.. Ashley charges me $35.00. Then I got the sell for the warranty crap. I've seen too many of these so-called "warranties" get blown apart in the fine print - most benefiting the company - not the consumer. So - they wanted $140 for that. I told them "no go". They went for the hard sell but I almost walked. However, we came to an agreement. We did the deal and I walked out of there happy that my first major furniture purchase was done and I negotiated the deal all on my own.

Then, while driving to Crate & Barrel at the Millenia, something told me to look at my contract - I looked at the numbers and realized - I didn't get the 10% discount. Oh hell to the naw! I dialed Kanes right quick and talked to their finance manager who informed me that my couch was considered "budget" and that qualified for the 5% discount. Granted it was about $40.00 that was missing off my bill but hell - every dollar counts. So, I told her that I was going to cancel the deal since I was promised the 10% not only earlier in the week but also earlier that afternoon. She was fabulous - she cut the shipping in half by $40.00 which saved the sale and I was happy since now my shipping was almost the same as Ashley Furniture. So Saturday is d-day (delivery day). Let's see what is on that truck. What will be funny is my dad will be in town for Easter - they think I'm cranky - they haven't dealt with him. He'll be inspecting everything before I sign off on it.

All in all - I learned a very valuable lesson - it pays to review the receipt with a clear head. That $40.00 can be used for something important - like Nine West with a coupon!

Labels: Apt., Shopping

Posted by Lys :: 12:23 AM :: 1 comments

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---------------oOo--------------- Aerogarden: Week 4 Update: It's Alive...

And thriving by the looks of it. Check out that basil. At this rate, I'm thinking that I can start cooking with these things in the next week or two. I can only use a third at a time, however, can one freeze herbs???

Labels: AeroGarden, Apt.

Posted by Lys :: 12:09 AM :: 1 comments

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---------------oOo---------------

Sunday, April 01, 2007

S&TC Musings, Charlotte Style...

Charlotte: You kept all of your great single friends away from me just so you could cheat on your wife? (Slaps him.) You should be ashamed of yourself!

Guy: You're such a spark plug! I love that about you!



Charlotte: I am not interested in starting some married man's car!

Labels: SATC

Posted by Lys :: 11:56 PM :: 0 comments

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