Jumat, 22 April 2011

Today's Obsessions

Today's Obsessions


7 Raunchy Novels to Read …

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 11:18 AM PDT

7 Raunchy Novels to Read …

Have you ever tried using Google to find some raunchy novels to read in times of boredom? If you haven't, don't even bother because such list simply can't be found. Yup, magazines write about them, pointing out the fact that women enjoy this type of read and yet, nobody was brave enough to mention some examples. Now, I'm not really sure do you like this type of novels or how "spiced up" you like your chick-lit but I'm going to give you some titles to check out, in case your night stand has been feeling a bit lonely these days.

1. The Sleeping Beauty Trilogy by Anne Rice

The Sleeping Beauty Trilogy by Anne Rice
Price: $29.70 at amazon.com
Forget sugarcoated, romantic fairy-tales because the only thing "The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty", "Beauty's Punishment" and "Beauty's Release" have in common with them is the title. In this version, the Sleeping Beauty receives more than just a kiss and, from what I've read about this book, it may not be everybody's cup of tea. Some would say this popular trilogy is waay to kinky, I'd say it will definitely make you blush! Read the plot summary on Wikipedia and get the real deal only if you're totally liberal and like the idea of totally non-romantic intercourses and everything that may follow.

2. Dangerous Games by Lora Leigh

Dangerous Games by Lora Leigh
Price: $7.99 at amazon.com
She's a drop dead gorgeous DEA agent and he… well he's a Seal with all the qualities and faults typical for a soldier struggling to put his past aside. I personally enjoy a good romance taking place in the middle of a police investigation and, if that romance includes raunchy descriptions, a hunky hero, a woman that can actually take care of herself and a happy ending… well, I simply couldn't ask for anything more. This is one of those raunchy novels you simply must upload to your reader, girls.

8 Funny Youtube Videos …

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 11:00 AM PDT

8 Funny Youtube Videos …

The following list includes 8 funny YouTube videos I have bookmarked on my computer. Each time I find one that cheers me up and makes me laugh, I save it for a while. My list changes from month to month, but the 8 videos mentioned below have actually been in list of favorites for quite some time. See if any of these make you laugh as well!

8. Cravendale – Cats with Thumbs

I've noticed that my cats always stare at me when I pour milk on my cereal, which made me giggle at the opening of this video. The ending is a bit odd, but still funny. I'm glad cats can't grow working thumbs! I'd have to worry about all sorts of things if this were to ever happen.

7. Cadbury Eyebrows (official version)

You can't help but watch this video a couple of times. Well, at least I couldn't. It makes me giggle. My sister was creeped out by the eyebrows, but I thought they were hilarious. It's amazing what computer graphic artists are capable of in this day and age.

7 Ways to Spring Clean Your Life …

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 10:55 AM PDT

7 Ways to Spring Clean Your Life …

After you're done cleaning out your closet and scrubbing the floor in the foyer, it's time to start spring cleaning your life. Don't worry — no gloves or special cleansers required! All it takes is a little motivation and thoughtfulness. Not sure where to start? Here are 7 ways to spring clean your life.

1. Get rid of frenemies

We all have at least one friend who makes us feel bad about ourselves, the master of the back-handed compliment. Why do we keep her around? Life spring cleaning step one: Rather than waste another minute with a frenemy, surround yourself with a group of supportive, kind-hearted friends.

2. Take care of you!

Before you can tackle any big task, it's time to feel rested and ready to take on the world. Schedule a doctor's appointment for an annual physical. Be sure you're getting all of the sleep you need. Exercise regularly. These are all of the physical ways to spring clean your life.

3. Let go of the past

Sweetie, it's time to let go of the past and start living in the now! Let go of your anger over your ex-boyfriend, that mistake you made last year, the issues you have with your mother. Letting go of negative emotions you have from years ago, or even just weeks ago, is a major drain on your sunny outlook and your energy for living today. This is also a good time to apologize for the things you've been carrying guilt for… it can feel so good to apologize and just move forward!

8 Ways to be a Better Sibling …

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 10:44 AM PDT

8 Ways to be a Better Sibling …

As the oldest of seven children, sharing a life with siblings is nothing new to me. Though we fought and carried on the way brothers and sisters do, I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world. After me, there is Joshua, Andrew, Rebekah, Anna, Philip and Jesse – yes, the girls were outnumbered, which was fine with me since we all had to share a room! Though I love them all, I’m actually closest to my brother Andrew, who just turned 18 and is serving in the Coast Guard. For some reason, we just “click” a little more, you know? Anyhow, throughout the years, I’ve learned ways to better myself as a sibling and wish to share these with you today.

1. Listen

There is nothing like having that someone who you can call for just about anything, and know that they’re going to listen to you and tell you what you need to hear and not what you want to hear. Brothers and sisters have a way with being brutally honest with each other while still showing that they love you. That’s how it is with Andrew and myself. No matter what the subject, I know that he’s going to be completely honest with his opinion on it and tell me everything. Many times, we end up knowing more about each other than even our parents know about us. Funny how that works out, isn’t it?

2. Practice Confidentiality

It’s best to know that what your sibling tells you, unless they make it clear that you can tell others, to just keep it to yourself. As I said in the last point, it’s great to know we have someone we can talk to. However, it’s even better to know that that person is going to keep what you tell them to theirself. Unless there is an instance where your sibling reveals something that could be life-threatening, it’s best to keep what you know quiet, so as to build trust between you and your brother or sister.

7 Great Reads When You are Feeling Blue …

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 10:22 AM PDT

7 Great Reads When You are Feeling Blue …

Everyone has a bad day from time to time, but if you seem to be stuck in a funk of sadness or depression, it’s time to do something about it. Sometimes the best strategy is to distract yourself from feeling unhappy. Reading is a great way to occupy your mind and improve your attitude. Here are 7 great reads when you are feeling blue.

1. "Get Out of that Pit" by Beth Moore


Price: 11.60 at search.barnesandnoble.com
If you have been wallowing in a pit of despair, fear, or self-pity, it's time to get up and shake the funk. Beth Moore writes from her own "Pit Dwelling" experiences to help ladies understand how we land in those places in the first place and then how to pull ourselves up by the boot straps and move on.

2. "Blessings: Reflections on Gratitude, Love, and What Makes Us Happy"


Price: 8.85 at search.barnesandnoble.com
The staff of Good Housekeeping delivers again in this refreshing collection of stories from 35 different writers. When you're feeling down and out, take five minutes to read a story and you will find yourself smiling again.

3. "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp


Price: 9.23 at search.barnesandnoble.com
Prepare to be challenged and encouraged with this great read. When I opened Voskamp's book, I had no idea how my perspective on life would soon change. She shows you how to discover gifts in everyday living that usually go completely unnoticed.

7 DIY Clothing Ideas …

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 10:17 AM PDT

7 DIY Clothing Ideas …

A lot of fashion looks these days can be achieved with a bit of a do-it-yourself initiative. Recent cult items such as studded bags, scalloped shorts, or cut-out shirts can easily be worked into your wardrobe on a budget. DIY is also a great way to revive old or unused clothing. DIYs don't have to be overly complicated – sometimes the most effective ones are the simplest. Take a look at a few DIY clothing ideas below.

1. Scalloped Hems

Scallop trims are hot on the fashion scene right now. They can be found on everything from shorts to shoes. You can easily create your own scallop hemlines at home. Find an item of clothing you wish to alter, draw or trace on a scallop silhouette, cut, and then sew or seal the hem. Allow anything from a few hours to a day to complete this DIY project.

2. Cut-outs

Right now, it's all about the cut-out shoulder. You can cut at the shoulder seams and let the arm of a shirt drop, or carefully cut out a section of shirt from the collar to the top of your arm. Other cut-out DIY clothing ideas include cut-out sides (of dresses), spinal cut-outs, or teardrop shaped cut-outs. Hem the edges for a polished look or keep them raw for something more edgy.

3. Studs

The studded trend is still quite popular. Bags, boots, shirts, headbands – you can pretty much add studs to anything these days. Packets of studs can be bought online or at craft and speciality stores, and they come in a range of sizes and finishes. If you are adding studs, make sure that you don't leave the backs exposed as they have the potential to scratch. Adding a material backing would be wise.

7 New And Emerging Fashion Designers of 2011 …

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 09:54 AM PDT

7 New And Emerging Fashion Designers of 2011 …

Fashion has made the headlines very often in recent times, thanks to a number of Fashion Weeks and Months around the world. While known and established labels have provided the direction in which fashion will follow in the coming months, some new and interesting designers have also emerged from the scene. Here is a list of 7 new and emerging fashion designers of 2011.

1. Teatum Jones

Partners Catherine Teatum and Rob Jones not only create fashionable and trendy clothes, they also create collections that are soaked in culture and history. Their 2011 collection was inspired by the theme 'romance and tragedy' and their clothes were appreciated by everyone, including those not familiar with history.

2. J. S. Lee

J.S. Lee is definitely one of the new and emerging fashion designers in 2011. Her collection has won the Harrods Design Prize .She also joined van der Ham as a winner of this year's British Fashion Council's New Gen Award for her collection for women that is inspired by menswear.

3. Ellery

Kym Ellery is not exactly a new fashion designer since she has been on the scene for a few years now. But, she has created her label and started showing it only recently. She is a big hit with fans who love her sense of shape and her jubilant colors. Sensuality and humor seems to drip from her collection. She has been nominated for LMFF Designer award.

9 Ways to Enjoy Thunderstorms …

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 08:56 AM PDT

9 Ways to Enjoy Thunderstorms …

I adore thunderstorms. I always have. I'm currently in NY visiting my parents and, as I write this, even though it is only mid-Spring, the temperature is cresting 80 degrees (what?) and the first real, honest to goodness storm of the season is gearing up and getting started. I love it most when the humidity is thick, so the rain makes everything feel cool and polished and brand new. If this is your idea of heaven too, then check out these great ways to enjoy thunderstorms!

1. Go for a Walk

One of the best ways to enjoy thunderstorms is to go for a walk – but only when it's safe, of course. You should obviously avoid lightning at all costs, but you can still have fun in a thunderstorm by taking a walk. Typically I wait until it is winding down, when there's thunder in the distance but the lightning has stopped, or at least moved far away. There's nothing like the air just then, especially if it's cooled down after a hot spell.

2. Sit on the Porch

As a Southern girl, I come from a very long line of porch sitters. My family turned it into an art form. Typically we prefer cold beers or iced tea to mint juleps, but the idea is still the same. Again, as long as it's safe to do so, there's nothing I love better than lounging on the porch, either by myself or with the people I love, to watch a storm kick up dickens. It's just so beautiful, and there's something both calming and electrifying about the experience.

3. Read a Good Book

Wherever you are, one of the best ways to enjoy thunderstorms, for me, involves curling up with one of my favorite books. I love reading to the soundtrack of raindrops on the roof and thunder in the background. If it's a thriller, then so much the better – that's the best way to get goosebumps!

7 Steps to a Great Home Pedicure …

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 08:38 AM PDT

7 Steps to a Great Home Pedicure …

Maybe you don't have time to dash into the salon, or maybe, this month, a professional pedi just isn't financially feasible: either way, it's pretty easy to spruce up those toes on your own. I'm a fan of the DIY pedicure. In the hot southern climate, sandals are pretty much full-time staple footwear and there's nothing less attractive that ratty toe-nails peaking out from your pretty, jewelled gladiators. Achieving beautiful feet without a pro is convenient and cost effective, and to make the process easier for you, I've put together a list of 7 steps to a great home pedicure.

1. Start with a Clean Slate

Begin your DIY pedi by taking off any nail polish you may be wearing. Use a couple of cotton balls and try to find a remover that is acetone free. This kind of product won't dry out your nails, and so will help to reduce brittleness and Breakage.

2. Soak

Put a few towels down on the floor in front of a comfortable chair. Fill a basin with hot water, add a few drops of your favourite essential oil – peppermint is good; so is orange – and soak your feet for about fifteen minutes. If they’re particularly dry and callused, add about a 50 mls of milk to the warm water: the lactic acid will help to soften the skin. You might want position yourself in front of the TV or, alternatively, make sure you have a good book on hand to help you pass the time.

3. Scrub

Exfoliate your feet with a scented scrub. These are really effective and can be very easily made at home. Add some berry pulp and dash of olive oil to a handful of yellow sugar or a course sea salt and voila: a DIY beauty product that smells fab and feels great. Pay special attention to calluses and rough patches, working in firm, circular motions to buff away dead skin and stimulate circulation. Rinse thoroughly when you're finished.

5 Things to Put you on a Floral Frenzy …

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 04:05 AM PDT

5 Things to Put you on a Floral Frenzy …

1. Mini Summer Dresses

What is the perfect Easter outfit? Something floral and summer-y, of course. For inspiration, check out the fabulous photos curated by Poppies and Sunshine.

2. A Garden Feast

With the weather getting warmer, it’s time to plan and organize a garden party or two. For delightful table setting ideas, check out the link.

3. For Carrying your Everyday Summer Essentials

After the link, you will see gorgeous floral pieces. But focus on the whimsical bag from ModCloth. Is that adorable or what?

4. The Long and Short of It

You can’t be wearing floral mini dresses every day this spring. Make your warm day wardrobe more interesting by adding these shorts.

5. Garden Companions

You want flowers in your garden that will last you a long time? Then what you need to plant are perennials. Check out this post by Aprille Ross.

Got any links with floral content? Show us!

Happy Earth Day!

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 02:43 AM PDT

Happy Earth Day!

Today is Earth Day, an entire 24 hours to celebrate everything we love about our planet… and to raise awareness of conservancy.

The first-ever Earth Day was April 22, 1970, launched in the U.S. by Senator Gaylord Nelson and now celebrated in 141 countries across the globe. No matter where you are, it’s the perfect time to be aware of how we’re living our lives on our planet Earth. If you can, take the time to plant a tree, clean up a park, take your recyclables to the recycling center, bike to work rather than drive… something that shows you know your actions have a greater impact on the world, literally.

How will you celebrate Earth Day today? Please share!

Photo credit: ShowGood

Amy Smart & Carter Oosterhouse are Engaged!

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 06:35 PM PDT

Amy Smart & Carter Oosterhouse are Engaged!

People Magazine is reporting that actress Amy Smart and her new beau, handyman hottie Carter Oosterhouse, are engaged.

The couple began dating in November and were engaged very recently. Smart’s rep confirmed the engagement to People. If you think six months isn’t a very long time to date before getting engaged, remember, this is Hollywood, where things move a lot faster than they do in regular life.

The gorgeous couple haven’t released a date for their wedding, but at the rate they’re going, it’s bound to be before the end of the year! Congratulations, Amy and Carter!

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