Today's Obsessions

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• 9 Bright Nail Polish Shades and Ideas on How to Combine Them …
• 8 Things I Don’t Get about the Internet …
• 8 Celebrity Books Worth Reading …
• 7 Historical Moments …
• 7 Daily Inspirations …
• 7 Tricks to Speed Up Spring Cleaning …
• 7 Reasons I’m Glad I wasn’t an Elizabethan …
• 7 Reasons to Clean Your Bathroom …
• 8 Colourful Makeup Palettes …
• 7 Best Ever Promises For Happiness …
• 7 Gift Basket Ideas That Rock …
• 10 Greatest Inventions of all Time for Women …
• 7 Magazines I Adore …
• 5 Things that Got You Covered …
• Happy, Happy Birthday, Queen Latifah!
• Miley’s Parents Stay Together…
• 7 Most Sensational Unsolved Murders in History …

9 Bright Nail Polish Shades and Ideas on How to Combine Them … Posted: 19 Mar 2011 12:03 PM PDT Okay, the weather is getting a little bit better so, if you didn't want to experiment with bright nail polished during the winter, now would be the good time to start. So, prepare your nails for the hot summer by occasionally treating them with something more colorful than a regular French manicure. I'm suggesting these colors: 1. Viridian Vinyl Price: $5.75 at orlydiva.com This is a fabulous summer shade you must find the courage to rock this summer! Just think of it – shiny, bronzed skin, some fab strappy sandals and your nails painted with this tropical color. Perfect! Eye-catching! Bold! You can add gold or silver for a more glamorous, glitzy look if you want. I could definitely see my fingernails done like this. If you want it to really pop-out, wear it with neural color outfits, if not, slip into a colorful, exotic-print dress. 2. Ole Price: $5.75 at orlydiva.com Exotic corals, crazy summer nights, dancing until dawn, tropical sweet cocktails – that's what I think about when I see this shade. That, of course, doesn't mean you're not allowed to coat your nails with it even during these cold, rainy months! In fact, I strongly suggest it! If you're into nail art or simply like two-toned nails, I'd suggest adding red. Painting your nails using this color will definitely brighten up your brown or black winter outfit and, as for the summer goes, well… avoiding it would be a sin, now – wouldn't it? 3. Fiesta Price: $5.75 at orlydiva.com Hotter than the wildest fiesta, this shade might not be the ideal choice to wear for work, but it works for pretty much everything else. It's better to have short nails if you plan to use this color but, in case you don't want to cut your beloved, carefully-groomed "claws" (just joking) do use black to neutralize it a bit and make it less "Barbie-like". I wore this shade last summer with black French tips and black dots all over the pink part and it looked very cool – not flashy at all.

8 Things I Don’t Get about the Internet … Posted: 19 Mar 2011 11:55 AM PDT I love the internet. I don’t feel right when I’m away from my PC or my laptop, and I check my email on my phone a thousand times a day when I have to be unhooked from my cable. I make my living online, I find my entertainment online, and I talk to my friends and family online. I love it. I think it’s great. But even still … there are some things I just don’t get about the internet, and here are the 8 big ones. 1. Tumblr Tumblr is fun to look at, but I don’t understand it at all. I can’t even fathom making one because I can’t figure out how it works. I’m not sure if I’m too old, or if I’m just intimidated by all the pictures and videos and reblogging and everything. And I won’t even contemplate getting one of my own until I can come up with a cool layout, an awesome username … and until I can figure out exactly how everything works before I make my first post. 2. Anonymity I know that one of the greatest things about the internet is that you can be anyone. Like I’ve said before, although I keep myself pretty public, my personality is more online than it is off, i.e. I would not talk half the smack I talk on the real, unless I’m sure I could outrun whomever I’m smack talking. I know, too, that sometimes anonymity is necessary, and that’s completely cool. What I hate is people who hide behind the smokescreen, talking smack and making judgments without ever revealing themselves. It’s been around since Bill Gates or whomever said "Let their be Internet," though, and it’s probably not going anywhere. 3. FourSquare I see this mostly on Facebook, but it’s probably elsewhere as well. In theory I understand it. In practice, I just find it unnecessary and slightly weird. I mean, letting all and sundry see where you’re checking in is just inviting some creepy stalker. Case in point, my buddy Leroy always has tons of clingy girls after him, and he checks in everywhere. Then they follow.

8 Celebrity Books Worth Reading … Posted: 19 Mar 2011 11:47 AM PDT It seems like every celebrity, everywhere, has put out a book, a memoir detailing their rise to fame or their rough childhood or their strange obsession. Most are fluff, ghost-written by someone who the celeb has hired, but some are compelling, funny, or touching… or all three! If you're wondering which celeb memoirs are genuine, and which are junk, keep reading! Here are 8 celebrity books worth reading. 1. "Luck Man" by Michael J. Fox Price: $16.61 at amazon.com After everything Michael J. Fox has been through, the last word I thought he'd use to describe himself is "lucky," and yet that's how he feels, truly. He comes across as one of the few celebrities I'd call down-to-earth or even likeable, with sharp wit and self-deprecating humor. It's a memoir you'll smile while reading, and you'll end up agreeing with him, that he is indeed a lucky man. 2. "Unbearable Lightness" by Portia de Rossi Price: $15.59 at amazon.com I adore Portia de Rossi, but I have to admit, part of my admiration of her was built around her beauty. In her memoir, de Rossi explains in honest, brave language her dieting addiction and battle with anorexia, as well as her fear of coming out as gay in Hollywood. She's vulnerable, smart, and at times funny… a definite must-read. 3. "The Glass Castle" by Jeanette Walls Price: $9.00 at amazon.com If you've ever wondered about the personal lives of news-people, and suspected they're a lot like Will Ferrell's Ron Burgundy, you're wrong, at least in the case of MSNBC columnist Jeannette Walls. She's strikingly unselfish and grounded, which is shocking, after reading her memoir. Her childhood was nomadic, framed around her alcoholic father and self-indulged artistic mother. It's heart-breaking to read, but one thing stands out, and makes it an uplifting story: she loves her parents, and never judges them, nor does she wallow in grief or sorrow.

7 Historical Moments … Posted: 19 Mar 2011 11:33 AM PDT Now, by "historical" moments, I do not intend on talking about presidential nominations, presidential or anything like that. In fact, this is actually recaps of the things that have happened in 1836, 1992, 1994, 1997, 2001 and 1999. Let me give you 7 historical moments … 7. Morse Code Since I am an amateur radio operator and passed my test (including morse code) back in 1998, when I was 13 years old and have continuously upgraded my license, I am definitely going to include this one. Samuel F.B. Morse developed this international letters of dits and da's. The first working telegraph went out in 1836. The first message was "What hath God wought?" I call morse code my second language, since I know it so well. I always say that you never know, maybe one day, this is going to save my life. I remember my dad teaching me morse code at a young age. 6. Disabilities During January 26 of 1992, the Americans with Disabilities Act went into effect. I believe this act has long since came in handy for many disabled individuals. 5. Anna Nicole Smith I know that she has passed away since this, but I figured it was worth mentioning in this blog posting. In February 12 of 1994, Anna Nicole Smith was hospitalized for drug overdose.

7 Daily Inspirations … Posted: 19 Mar 2011 11:09 AM PDT Sometimes, we face a day that just isn’t going well. Days where it seems like everything that could go wrong does, and you feel like throwing yourself back in bed, covering your face and forget you even woke up… those are the days where we need some encouragement from someone else. Maybe today’s like that for you? If so, I hope something in my article will offer comfort and inspiration! Here are 7 daily inspirations… 1. “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” – Plato Many times, we tend to focus on our own problems, and think that everyone else should treat us special because of our bad day. In reality, though, everyone you meet is going through something in their own life that isn’t fun. We all have problems – we all have bad days. So even though you’re having a bad day, make an effort to see others’ problems and try to be encouraging to them. In doing so, you will brighten your own day! 2. “Happiness is a choice.” – Anonymous You can either choose to cry all day or smile through the tears. A little cry is good sometimes to release that pressure inside, but after a while, you need to choose to be happy even in the midst of sadness. It can never be healthy to live a life of sadness and sorrow. Will you make the choice to be happy? 3. “Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass… It’s about learning how to dance in the rain.” – Vivian Greene Once again, it’s the choice that counts. This quote takes me back to fond memories of my childhood, as we ran and danced carefree in the rain at my grandmother’s. Even in the dreariness of the rain, our day was filled with smiles and laughter, and many good memories!

7 Tricks to Speed Up Spring Cleaning … Posted: 19 Mar 2011 11:06 AM PDT The warm weather has finally arrived and the outdoor lifestyle is calling. However, before you can enjoy the great outdoors without guilt, spring cleaning needs to be addressed. Most likely we would all agree that the quicker spring cleaning is done, the better. In an effort to speed things up, here are a few helpful spring cleaning hints. Here are 7 tricks to speed up spring cleaning. 1. Clean Out Photo Credit:  xvm Clean out before you start cleaning. Get rid of clutter and junk by applying the one year rule; if you haven't used an item in a year, dump or donate. Cleaning goes faster when there are fewer items to clean. 2. Make a List Photo Credit:  Mrs. Thomas Be realistic — most likely you cannot do all your spring cleaning in one day. Save time by making a list so you can track your progress and remember to get all the tasks done. Start your list well in advance of cleaning so that you have plenty of time to identify what needs done. 3. Gather Supplies in Advance Photo Credit:  FortBraggParaglide Nothing is more frustrating that running out of supplies in the middle of cleaning. Stock up on trash bags, cleaners and storage containers so that you don't find yourself running to the store. Organize ahead of time and have all the supplies ready for spring cleaning.

7 Reasons I’m Glad I wasn’t an Elizabethan … Posted: 19 Mar 2011 10:44 AM PDT You know something, I don't think I'll ever be able to call myself a woman of the 21st century or even the 20th for that matter. I'm such a romanticist and I have such a passion for history. I would love to have been Jane Austin or Elizabeth Fry or even a lady-in-waiting to Marie Antoinette but I have to say that as much as I find the period totally absorbing I really wouldn't have wanted to live during the time of Queen Elizabeth I. 1. Career Prospects Today, women may suffer from the glass ceiling but in Elizabethan England (and the rest of the known world) there wasn't even a ceiling. No jobs existed for women and they weren't allowed to go to school. They might have been highly educated by being tutored at home but their primary function was to be a baby-making machine. Even that wasn't a very good job – childbirth was painful and dangerous and many deaths occurred during childbirth and if you survived the birth you often had to deal with the heartache caused by high infant mortality rates. Even the previous height of female career ambition – becoming Mother Superior – had been taken away because the convents closed during the dissolution of the monasteries. Still, I guess not having a job meant there was no confusion about when to wear a power suit and your man's doublet, hose and codpiece were safe from your borrowing. 2. Hocus Pocus Belief in witchcraft was still rife in the 16th Century and it was mainly single women with pets (familiars) that were accused of practising the dark arts. So you had to get married, couldn't get a job and might die having babies. The alternative? Being burnt at the stake because you talked to a goat or the custard had curdled.

7 Reasons to Clean Your Bathroom … Posted: 19 Mar 2011 10:13 AM PDT So scrubbing the bathroom isn't exactly fun, girls, but it's absolutely something that needs to be done. There are about a million reasons why it's a good idea to get work on yours right away – even if you think it's as clean as it should be – and I made a list of them to get you inspired. Here it is, ladies: 7 reasons to clean your bathroom. 1. You're Bored If you've got nothing to do, and nothing else that needs doing, why not be a little productive and get to work on that bathroom? Only good can come of it girls, and you'll congratulate yourself afterwards so get scrubbing; you won't regret it. 2. Living with Grime is Not Fun If, by some chance, you haven't taken the disinfectant around your bathroom recently girls, you can't be feeling great when you're taking a shower. In your own bathroom, you should be able to touch the taps without total germ-overload and if you can't, it's absolutely time to get out the mop. Don't put yourself through misery, ladies, just get scrubbing: you'll feel a million times better when the floors and fittings are sparkling again. 3. The Obvious Health Hazard Clearly, ladies, a grimy bathroom is not good for your health. Germs accumulate over time and in the place where you keep your tooth-brush, this really isn't cool. I'm absolutely not suggesting we should all become total germ-phobic – a little bit of bacteria help to maintain our immune systems – but if your bathroom goes un-scrubbed for longer than it should then chances are it might become a risky place to be.

8 Colourful Makeup Palettes … Posted: 19 Mar 2011 09:57 AM PDT Makeup palettes are a handy way to streamline your makeup collection. You can choose from a range of colours and they are easy to transport in your handbag. You can experiment with colour, while still having the basic neutrals on hand. Below are just a few to get you started. 1. Too Faced Romantic Eye Classic Beauty Shadow Collection Price: $35.00 at sephora.com This palette features a sweet collection of pastel shades as well as some contrasting darker tones. The eyeshadows are highly pigmented and range in texture from soft pearl to matte. This palette also comes with a handy set of instructions for you to achieve the perfect look! My favourite colours are the lavender shimmer and burnished gold. 2. Urban Decay Show Pony Shadow Box Price: $20.00 at sephora.com This palette is a great combination of bold and neutral colours. Included in the box is a eye pencil and eyeshadow primer. My picks are the peachy pink and turquoise eyeshadows. It also comes in fashion-forward packaging which was illustrated by LA artist Kim Buzzelli. 3. Dior 5-Colour Iridescent Eyeshadow Price: $58.00 at shop.nordstrom.com The 'Ready-To-Glow' palette features a range of peachy pink and neutral shades. It's perfect for creating a fresh, iridescent look. These shimmering shadows all feature Dior's Wet Reflect technology. The colours in this palette are perfect for both day and night.

7 Best Ever Promises For Happiness … Posted: 19 Mar 2011 09:44 AM PDT There are many pleasures in life that promise happiness – wealth, fame, good looks, great guy. But the truth of the matter is that happiness doesn’t come from the outward things we own, but from things that can’t be seen. Here are seven promises of happiness for you to consider today! 1. You Don’t Have To Be Perfect Peer pressure is a serious problem in our society. Teenagers are pressured to be perfect in every way. The problem is is that none of us are perfect. We’re all 100% human, and apt to make mistakes. The sooner that people realize and accept that they’re going to make mistakes and that it’s ok , the better off they are, and the more happier they are as well. 2. You Can Let Go Holding onto your past, to trouble and hardships you’ve faced, only holds you back from the true happiness you could have. I know it’s hard to forget your past, but try your best to put it behind you and move on. Instead, dwell on your future, and the love and care of family and friends. Just because you have a tough past doesn’t mean you can never experience happiness again! 3. You Can Help Volunteering your help and assistance to others is one of the greatest sources of happiness you’ll ever find. There is something about doing for others that makes my heart burst with happiness and joy. It’s a rewarding feeling to know that I was able to bring a smile to someone’s face.

7 Gift Basket Ideas That Rock … Posted: 19 Mar 2011 09:09 AM PDT A gift basket is just so much better than presenting a single gift. You don't have to restrict yourself to any one item; instead, you get to overwhelm the recipient with a number of collective gifts. While you can make gift baskets from many different items for any number of occasions, here are some gift basket ideas that rock: 1. Chocolate Gift Basket Photo Credit: buy-gourmet-gift-baskets.blogspot.com This is definitely one of the classic gift basket ideas that rock. Depending on your budget, you can choose between a small number of gourmet chocolates or a large number of regular chocolates. In any case, your recipient's sweet tooth will thank you for it. If required, you can even make different varieties of chocolates yourself and gift them. 2. Wine and Cheese Gift Basket Photo Credit:  theworldwidewine.com This is another one of the classic gift basket ideas that rock. Select a bottle of wine, some wedges of cheese, and a few delectable crackers to go with the wine and cheese. Add a cheese slicer, a cheese board, a couple of wine glasses and a wine opener or a wine and cheese magazine. 3. Baby Gift Basket Photo Credit: guashan.com This is a wonderful gift for babies and your imagination is your limit. You can throw in baby blankets, clothes, toys, audio CDs, games and even baby food. Choose soft textures, soothing colors and items that suit the age range of the recipient. Gift Certificates to baby stores are also a great addition.

10 Greatest Inventions of all Time for Women … Posted: 19 Mar 2011 08:42 AM PDT Great inventions have made our lives easier in a variety of ways. Electricity, the telephone and indoor plumbing are all excellent inventions that have served mankind and enhanced our lifestyle for years. There are however a few inventions that have really benefited women particularly and here are 10 of them. 1. Figure slimming underwear Photo Credit:  VTA Inc. Thanks to Spanx and Lycra, women everywhere don't have to worry about the unsightly bulges around the waist and thighs. They can wear fitted dresses and tops with confidence, knowing full well that they are rocking their look. 2. Padded bras Photo Credit:  queenBlingerie Padded bras are a Godsend for flat-chested women everywhere. Until then they had to resort to stuffing their bras but with padded bras, the problem was solved. Plus no one had to worry about ensuring the bra was stuffed appropriately; the manufacturers took care of that. 3. Pads and tampons Photo Credit:  minchelle Managing that miserable time of the month was a nightmare for women of yesteryear, having to deal with rags and other makeshift arrangements. Thanks to disposable pads with adhesive as well as tampons, this is now a non-issue.

7 Magazines I Adore … Posted: 19 Mar 2011 07:21 AM PDT On Sunday, I run myself a hot bubble bath and sit in the tub with a magazine, one of the dozen or so I subscribe to and can't wait to read each month. With so many favorites that arrive in my mailbox each month, I look forward to Sundays more and more… not just for the pampering, but also for the reading! Here are 7 magazines I adore. 1. The New Yorker Price: $39.95 at w1.buysub.com This is my very favorite magazine, and I can't wait for each new month's issue to arrive. The writing is fantastic, the illustrations top-notch, and the coverage of a wide array of topics is very deep and broad. The online version is fine, too, but I love flipping the pages to see what's next… it's fantastic! 2. Rolling Stone Price: $19.95 at w1.buysub.com If you love music, or the culture that evolves and revolves around it, then this is the ultimate magazine for you. It features the best celeb photography around and lots of in-depth interviews with favorite old and new musicians and stars. Go online for archives and blogs, but subscribe to the paper issue for the best coverage. A subscription also makes a great gift for any music lover on your list. 3. National Geographic Price: $15.00 at w1.buysub.com I adore archaeology… it's so fascinating! And if you agree, then Nat Geo is the magazine you'll want to subscribe to and read. It's not just about dusty old mummies. It covers all the news and information about recent studies and finds, and the photography is stellar.

5 Things that Got You Covered … Posted: 19 Mar 2011 06:14 AM PDT 1. For Covering Your Garden Ground Want to make your spring garden look the best that it can be? Then what you need is a gorgeous ground cover! Here are five that you can choose from. 2. For Covering Your Body College Candy gave us a great list of 8 jackets that are perfect for spring. They are oh-so pocket friendly. I am pretty sure I am in love with the red piece. 3. For Covering Your Feet You just have to check out the polka-dotted lovelies that Tammy found for us. Since I can’t walk in heels, I shall pray that these have a flat version. 4. For Covering Your Body 2 This time, we have varsity jackets to choose from. I will have to go with the vintage-looking Jane Norman satin jacket here. I love that it has a cropped style. 5. For Covering Your Feet 2 The pretty shoes listed here are for those who are about to walk down the aisle. They are all so gorgeous! If you found something online today that is related to these “covers,” tell us about it! Top Photo Credit: Martin_Heigan

Happy, Happy Birthday, Queen Latifah! Posted: 19 Mar 2011 06:14 AM PDT Who’s a talented, outspoken musician and actress, make-up spokeswoman, and activist, who also happens to be celebrating her 41st birthday today? That’s right: Queen Latifah! She’s an amazing woman, in so many ways — one of only a handful of powerful women that we girls can look to as role models. She’s also got amazing curves, of which I am completely envious. She’s the total package — smart, sweet, stylish… happy birthday to you! Here’s to another year of success on your own terms!

Miley’s Parents Stay Together… Posted: 19 Mar 2011 05:02 AM PDT This week, Billy Ray Cyrus, father of Disney pop star and actress Miley Cyrus, withdrew the divorce papers he had filed last October against his wife, Tish. The couple have been married for 17 years, and have three children together, including Miley. Last year, amid allegations of infidelity, Billy Ray filed for divorce, and complained that Disney’s Hannah Montana had torn his family apart. Yesterday, on “The View,” when Billy Ray announced that he had dropped his divorce complaint, he also stated that he had mis-spoken: Hannah hadn’t ruined his family, fame had. Now he and his wife are carefully putting their family back together… I wish them the best! It’s not easy being a famous family, living under a microscope. Now that the Hannah Montana series has wrapped, they can get back to life as normal… or, at least what passes for normal in Hollywood.

7 Most Sensational Unsolved Murders in History … Posted: 18 Mar 2011 12:26 PM PDT Murders tend to always make the headlines. Some of them stay in the spot light for years and years; sometimes decades or centuries. The following list includes the 7 most sensational unsolved murders in history that I recently came across. If you are easily creeped-out, then you might want to not read the descriptions below. 7. The Death of the Beautiful Cigar Girl Edgar Allan Poe was inspired by the death of Mary Rogers and wrote 'The Mystery of Marie Roget' the year following the discovery of Mary's body. She was admired by many men and mysteriously disappeared in the fall of 1838. Mary was thought to have committed suicide, thanks to the stir created by the local papers. She returned to work a few days later. Her second disappearance occurred during the summer of 1941. Mary's body was found floating down the Hudson River three days later. 6. Evelyn Hernandez Evelyn was 9 months pregnant when she and her 5 year old son disappeared in 2002. More than two months after their disappearance, Evelyn's body was found floating in the San Francisco Bay, but her unborn child and little boy were both never found. Talk about gruesome! 5. Shroud of Turin This is supposedly a shroud that bears the image of a man. This large piece of linen was once thought to be the burial shroud of Jesus, but carbon-dating begged the differ. The unknown man was severely tortured and suffered great physical trauma while lying on the shroud. Though this is considered to be an artifact, the origin of it began with the murder of an unknown man and it still puzzles people today.

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