Today's Obsessions

7 Funny GEICO Commercials …
8 Celebrity Adoptive Parents …
8 Reasons Why I Collect Stamps …
7 Ways to Survive a Monday …
8 Innovative Ways to Approach Your Crush …
9 Awesome Oldies Songs …
8 Useful Tips for Public Speaking …
8 Essential Beauty Products all Girls Should Own …
7 Most Popular Superstitious Beliefs …
7 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Bad Breath Problems …
7 Quirky Key Covers …
7 Tips on Preparing for Your Performance Review …
5 Things That Are Good For You …

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 11:57 AM PDT

Like millions of other Americans, I watched the Super Bowl this month with great interest, but not to see any football — I wanted to see the commercials! I love commercials, especially funny ones, and though this year's batch wasn't the most hilarious, I did laugh at a few of them. I use the GEICO commercials as a scale, comparing other to them to see how they rate, funny-wise. Why? Because most GEICO commercials are hilarious! Here are 7 funny GEICO commercials.

1. GEICO – Piggy

I feel Mrs. A's pain in this hilarious GEICO commercial. Indeed, yes, the little piggy (Maximo) does cry whee-whee-whee all the way home… and it gives his driver, Mrs. A, a headache. Sorry, Max, but if I would have been driving you home, you wouldn't have made it two blocks before becoming tasty bacon.

2. GEICO – Woodchucks

Hey you dang woodchucks! Quit chucking my wood! All of the guys I know chose this one as their favorite, and I love it too! It's another in a long line of hilarious GEICO commercials… and I have to admit, I love the sassy little woodchucks!

8 Celebrity Adoptive Parents …

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 11:31 AM PDT

Adoption is something that many people have experience of, whether they were adopted themselves, or have an adoptive sibling or child. Fortunately, it is a much more accepted subject than it used to be, and people are quite happy to discuss it openly. Many celebrities have added to or created their families through adoption as well …

1. Cruise/Kidman

Even before this couple went their separate ways and had biological children, their adopted son and daughter were always described in those terms. That's rather sad – adopted children are every bit as much yours as if you gave birth to them.

2. Sandra Bullock

Even though her marriage broke up, Sandra went ahead with her planned adoption of little Louis. I'm sure that being a single parent is emotionally as tough for celebrities as well, but motherhood seems to have helped her cope with the changes in her life.

3. Mia Farrow

Perhaps the most famous celebrity adopter, Mia practically took an entire orphanage into her family. She might well have regretted it, given that one of them ran off with her partner Woody Allen, but fortunately most adoptions don't end up like that!

8 Reasons Why I Collect Stamps …

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 10:38 AM PDT

Stamp collecting or the science of philately is one of the most popular hobbies in the world. There are over 20 million stamp collectors in the US alone and many more worldwide. Today it is a well-established phenomenon more than just a simple hobby with an entire industry existing to support this interest. Here are 8 reasons why people collect stamps.

1. For the joy of collecting

Some people enjoy the sense of satisfaction associated with collecting. They pursue their stamp building collection as it gives them a sense of joy to know that they are adding to their hobby each day.

2. For the price value

Stamp collecting can be a profitable venture. There are many enthusiasts today that will pay top dollar for a rare or extremely old stamp. Some get sold for thousands of dollars in prestigious auctions. This is a valid reason why some people take up this hobby. It is a wise investment with prospects of excellent return.

3. For the pride of building a comprehensive collection

Some stamp collectors enjoy pursuing this hobby because it gives them a sense of pride and accomplishment as they put together a comprehensive collection of varied stamps from different parts of the world. They enjoy browsing through their philately books and reviewing some of the entrants they have collected over time.

7 Ways to Survive a Monday …

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 10:37 AM PDT

Whether you are a career woman or a stay-at-home mom, there are ways to make Mondays easier to deal with. After enjoying a nice relaxing weekend nothing is worse than waking up to the harsh reality of another work week. Here are some ways to help us ease into our Mondays… or at least survive them!

1. Have a Game Plan

Prepare for your week. Sunday evening, take a moment to think about what you need accomplish during the upcoming week. Then decide what needs to be addressed specifically on Monday and make your plans accordingly. Don’t try and get a week’s worth of errands and cleaning done on one day, Monday!

2. Get Out Your Best "Bring it on, World" Outfit

If you are a professional woman, this may be your favorite suit or your classy Jimmy Choo stilettos. Full-time moms put on your make-up and get dressed in a comfy outfit that is not your pajamas. When you are dressed and wearing make-up you will feel ready to start the week… yes!

3. Take Your Vitamins

It may sound a bit oversimplified but it is true that women need to stay on top of their nutritional game. Find a multi-vitamin that works for you. You have a lot on your plate and you need the energy to get it all done. My fave? Centrum Silver… even though I’m not a senior.

8 Innovative Ways to Approach Your Crush …

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 10:36 AM PDT

It can be hard to figure out just how to approach your crush. Some options are cheesy, while others have just been done to death. If you really want to let the person you like know exactly how you feel, however, there are lots of other, more unique options – like these really innovative ways to approach your crush.

1. Try a Gardenia

Every flower has a meaning, and gardenias are no different. They are the covert secret admirer flower. You can give them to your crush to secretly confess your feelings – even if he’s a boy, yes. It’s a really unique way to confess your feelings, but it might go over your crush’s head unless you can find a subtle way to tell him or her what gardenias are really all about.

2. Playlists

This may seem cheesy, but it worked for me when I was courting the Better Half. When we were still in the friend stage but I was developing a crush, I used to send all these mix CDs and playlists that made my feelings pretty clear – and I have to tell you, it worked!

3. Put It in Writing

Writing a note or an email might seem unoriginal, but truthfully, in this era devoted solely to texts and Facebook messages, it can be perfect. You don’t need to write a novel – and, in fact, writing anything long is probably going to be a bit too much, and you’ll risk saying more than necessary. Keep it short and sweet, because thus far, this is a crush, not a full fledged love affair.

9 Awesome Oldies Songs …

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 10:29 AM PDT

I’m a huge fan of oldies music, although I have a different definition of "oldies" than most people. Like, I refused to count 80s music as oldies, because it’s not old enough yet. According to me. Anyway, my definition typically includes music from the 1970s and earlier, with special focus on the 50s and 60s. But rather going into a long(er), drawn-out explanation, just check out these 9 awesome oldies songs I love!

1. "Blue Moon," by The Marcels

Price: $0.89 at amazon.com

Many of the songs on this list are songs my dad and I used to listen to, on weekends when my mom worked and we were home alone hanging out with each other. He had the most awesome collection of oldies records ever, and would put them on for hours. This was one of my favorite songs then, and it still is – it’s one of the sweetest love songs I’ve ever heard.

2. "God Only Knows," by The Beach Boys

Price: $0.99 at amazon.com

I love the Beach Boys. Pinning down a favorite song by them is hard – but it ultimately comes down to this one. It’s not a religious song at all, it’s a love song, and it’s surprisingly beautiful, coming from a band that most people mistakenly assume is all about surfer hits.

3. "My Girl," by The Temptations

Price: $0.99 at amazon.com

This song is really important to me. My dad used to serenade me with it during our weekend record parties. He taught me to dance to this song, for my first dance. He played it for me over and over when my first boyfriend broke my heart in the sixth grade. Ideally, we’ll also be dancing to it at my wedding.

8 Useful Tips for Public Speaking …

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 10:21 AM PDT

Public speaking has got to be one of the biggest fears amongst mankind. There are many aspects of public speaking that can scare people whether it is the fear of forgetting what to say or saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. The biggest fear is that we will end up ridiculing and humiliating ourselves. Here are some useful tips for public speaking to help you overcome your fears.

1. Focus on the message, not yourself

This is one of the most useful tips for public speaking. It is important to remember that you are in front of people to deliver a message. The message is more important to the people than you are. Focus on the message and not on yourself and you will find it easy to speak in front of the people.

2. Study the masters

If you have an upcoming speech to make, take some time to study the masters of the field. Check out YouTube for masterful speakers like Martin Luther King Jr., Winston Churchill, etc. Study their articulation, pauses, gestures and body language and learn from them.

3. Groom yourself well

There is no doubt that when you are speaking in front of people, their attention is going to be focused on you as well as on what you say. If you are dressed sharply and professionally, you will feel both ready and comfortable about being in the public eye.

8 Essential Beauty Products all Girls Should Own …

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 10:07 AM PDT

While there's a lot to be said for natural beauty, ladies, we all need a little help every now and again. Good grooming is a real asset and it's important that we have the right basic tools for the job. I've put together a list of 7 essential beauty products all girls should own: do you have all of them in your beauty arsenal?!

1. Body Butter

The first basic step to better body maintenance is making sure your skin is soft and supple all over your body. Body butter is an intense version of the traditional body cream and will help to combat dryness in key problem areas like elbows, shins and ankles. For best results, apply after a bath or shower: your warm skin will just drink it in.

2. A Good Deodorant

This one's a no-brainer, ladies, but it's crucial in every girl's everyday beauty routine. Many of us settle for a deodorant that actually damages the sensitive skin under our arms as well, so it's important to give a little thought tot one you purchase. Deodorant should effectively combat body odour, but it shouldn't cause irritation, redness or dryness in the process.

3. Cleanser

A good cleanser won't leave your skin feeling dry and tight, but it will cut through grease and wash dirt out of your pores. Invariably, you're better of with gentle, soap-free variations, and you should always avoid anything with added perfume.

7 Most Popular Superstitious Beliefs …

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 09:54 AM PDT

Superstitious beliefs are as old as the human kind and as long as we have the ability to think, form our own opinions and pass them along, there will always be something that "got lost in the translation" and got turned into a pattern we must follow in order to live happier, longer lives. Some will laugh other will follow them to the letter but these beliefs will definitely outlive us all. Well, as you can see this post will be about most popular superstitious beliefs so, whether you love them, hate them or have some interesting ones to share, I hope you'll have fun reading it.

1. Black cat and luck

If you see a person taking three steps back, spitting and opting for a shortcut or an alternative direction, you can rest assured you've came across a superstitious individual who has just had an encounter with a cat. Black cats play the leading role in many popular superstitious beliefs so once this feline crosses your path you'll have to chose between suffering bad luck or making a detour and being late. Well, I don't know about you, but I'd definitely ignore this sign of bad luck. I'd have to have more than 9 lives just so I could die due to all those chain letters I've ignored so, for me, a bit of black cat induced bad luck is just as important as one grain of sand is to Sahara desert.

2. Rabbit's foot

Having a bunny foot is supposed to bring you good luck so you can either carry it as a necklace, a bracelet, a key fob or a good luck charm. Whoa, I can't imagine scoring any style points with these accessories. Okay, retro is fashionable but let's not go back to prehistoric time, shall we? And speaking about luck- the poor bunny had four of those legs and yet, they ended up as an accessory so I seriously doubt they'll bring you more luck than they did to their previous owner.

7 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Bad Breath Problems …

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 09:47 AM PDT

Have you noticed people keeping a safe distance from you off late? Or maybe, each time you open your mouth to say anything, you find people around you disappearing rapidly? Do you have too many people coming up to you and politely offering breath mint, even if you haven't eaten especially smelly? If you haven't taken the hint yet, I will have to spell it out for you in very loud words – you have a bad breath problem, girl! What are you going to do about it? You can't chomp on chewing gum the whole day or wash your mouth every half an hour. Why not try these home remedies? They are known to be highly effective and don't cost a bomb either!

1. Baking Soda for your Tongue

Use baking soda to brush the back of your tongue. It changes the pH balance of your mouth, removing the residual toxic and foul acid that are responsible for creating bad breath. The effect is almost immediate – you will be able to see a dramatic difference.

2. Aloe vera to the rescue

Add a bit of aloe vera to your toothpaste. It has the ability to kill bad breath causing bacteria, viruses, and fungus in the mouth and is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties as well.

3. Drink water

Xerostomia or Dry Mouth is a condition where saliva production decreases. A common side effect of dry mouth is bad breath. Drink plenty of water to moisten your mouth. This will also wash down any residue that might be lingering around.

7 Quirky Key Covers …

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 09:45 AM PDT

Key covers are an ingenious way of organising all of your keys. They're also a creative way to add some personality to otherwise plain household items. There are a range of novel key covers out there. Below are just a few quirky key covers that you may want to check out.

1. Hello Kitty Studious Key Cap

Hello Kitty Studious Key Cap
Price: $5.99 at modcloth.com
Is it just me, or is there a Hello Kitty product for every market? This key cover features the iconic kitten face, albeit in a nerdier incarnation. In conjunction with the iconic bow, this kitty is also wearing some nerdy, thick rimmed glasses. It's a super cute accessory for your keys.

2. F-Stop Searching Key Cap

F-Stop Searching Key Cap
Price: $8.99 at modcloth.com
These key caps come in the shape of a classic camera. Attach these to your keys just by slipping on the cover. The attached key chain makes it easy to connect to other items. It is made from man-made materials and is available in a choice of three colours.

3. Sonic The Hedgehog Key Cap

Sonic The Hedgehog Key Cap
Price: $5.39 at amazon.com
If you loved the video game, you're bound to love this key cap. It's designed in the shape of a Sonic the Hedgehog head and features his trademark wink. It's perfect for the gamer or someone after a bit of 90s nostalgia. This key cap will fit most standard key sizes.

7 Tips on Preparing for Your Performance Review …

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 09:41 AM PDT

Employers like to check on their employees from time to time. This is often done through a performance review. Some companies conduct reviews regularly, such as every six months or so. If this is your first review, then you are probably pretty nervous about it. That's totally understandable. Here is a list of 7 tips on preparing for your performance review that might put you more at ease.

7. Know what your original goals were when you first started

The review is going to help your employer find out not only how you are currently doing, but if you've lived up to the goals you originally said you'd achieve. Do a self-evaluation on your own to see if you can list your previous goals and how you've accomplished each of them. This would also be a good time to write down any future goals you've come up with.

6. Note your expectations for this review

Write down any expectations you might have once the review is over. If you are expecting a promotion, then this would be a good thing to discuss with your employer after the review has commenced. If you are expecting something different from your boss, then discuss this after the review is over, unless he/she brings it up during the actual review.

5. Do a mock review with a friend who already when through the process

Video tape this mock review if you want to see how you handle yourself. Try to be as serious and as business-like as you would be with your employer. I know goofing around with a friend might make the review more fun, but this won't help you once the actual review comes along. Watch the tape and get pointers from your friend. Of course it helps if your friend had a good review too. This will make it easier to get some good criticism you can trust.