tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58480424920430569372024-03-13T04:38:18.933-03:00tiny glimpsesbits and pieces of one life.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.comBlogger214125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848042492043056937.post-73507882955617574612012-06-27T21:24:00.000-03:002012-06-27T21:24:00.133-03:00beach time.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/463242740_tDzCyRay_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/463242740_tDzCyRay_c.jpg" width="254" /></a></div>
<br />Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848042492043056937.post-14274624636803741672012-01-14T12:34:00.004-04:002012-01-14T12:49:55.715-04:00Saturday favorites!This week, I'm late. Work has been crazy-exhausting. Anyway, I celebrated my husband's birthday with a wonderful date night, helped my friend start to organise and reimagine her closet, discovered some groovy new board games (Pandemic, anyone?), got to know my job and my coworkers better, and ran an exhausting evening of errands with my dear, awesome, patient spouse.<br />
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This weekend, we're having some friends over for a fancy pajama party to celebrate my fella's date of birth in our giant blanket fort. We'll play games and eat tasty snacks. Exciting!<br />
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<a href="http://www.thisiscolossal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/portada2-600x405.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://www.thisiscolossal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/portada2-600x405.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">{<a href="http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2012/01/edible-gelatin-typography/">Edible gelatin typography</a>.}</span></div>
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And now, the best of the internet this week:<br />
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<a href="http://www.themarysue.com/help-diane-duane/">Author Diane Duane is the victim of theft - her bank account was drained dry</a>. Help her pay her bills in the interim by buying her e-books (all 20% off!). Her Young Wizards series is some of the best YA fiction out there.<br />
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The question of the year, according to Slate: <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/explainer/2012/01/are_smart_people_ugly_the_explainer_s_2011_question_of_the_year_.single.html">Are smart people ugly</a>? Why can't they go together, Slate?<br />
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Over at ESB, <a href="http://www.eastsidebride.com/search/label/%23boobsweek">they just devoted a weeks to BOOBS</a>. Dressing them, taking care of them, et cetera. I just downloaded <a href="http://www.eastsidebride.com/2012/01/dear-esb-boobscast.html">the podcast</a> for my commute. <3<br />
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A great tip for <a href="http://www.alterationsneeded.com/2012/01/spearmint-polka-dots-and-an-easy-way-to-pair-button-downs-with-sweaters.html">wearing button-downs with sweaters</a>.<br />
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This is a neat idea for writers: <a href="http://haikujaguar.livejournal.com/1037433.html">make a wiki for your world-building</a>!<br />
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If you love that there are all these new lip butters on the market as much as I do, here's <a href="http://nouveaucheap.blogspot.com/2012/01/review-loreal-color-riche-balm-spf15-in.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NouveauCheap+%28Nouveau+Cheap%29&utm_content=Google+Reader">a review of Revlon's vs. L'Oreal's</a>.<br />
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My new favorite beauty product: <a href="http://jesserosten.com/2012/fotoshop-by-adobe">Fotoshop by Ad<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ob<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">é</span></span></a>.<br />
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Some handy, simple <a href="http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/2012/01/5-tips-for-food-photography.html">food photography tips</a>.<br />
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<br />Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848042492043056937.post-48659978714834377482012-01-12T13:37:00.000-04:002012-01-14T12:46:42.636-04:00Work-life balance: Commuting (for the ears)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bindapple.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/ipod_heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://bindapple.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/ipod_heart.jpg" /></a></div>
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Some days, especially in the evening, I don't relish the nausea of trying to train myself to read. On those days, it's time for me to spend some quality time with my iPod. I've also discovered that it's easier for me to get into a groove with my work if I'm listening to music, so I have to make the most of my four gigs. Here's how I'm doing it so far.<br />
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1. Make special playlists.<br />
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Everything from a perky "Wake Up!" playlist to a calming end-of-the-day meditation mix could be finding a place in my collection of tunes soon. I also like lists for special occasions, from a dance recital to Hallowe'en.<br />
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2. Listen to a podcast.<br />
I've downloaded one so far, and on Sunday I'll be searching through recordings of <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/vinylcafe/listen.php?vLocale=podcast">The Vinyl Cafe</a> and <a href="http://www.madeoffail.net/">Made of Fail</a>. I'm also curious about <a href="http://themoth.org/">The Moth</a>, <a href="http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/">Grammar Girl</a>, <a href="http://blog.ted.com/2010/06/17/audio_podcasts/">TED</a>, <a href="http://www.thisamericanlife.org/podcast">This American Life</a>, <a href="http://4playerpodcast.com/">4PP</a>, and <a href="http://moremark.squarespace.com/quackcast-home/">QuackCast</a>.<br />
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3. Storytime.<br />
Audiobooks and short stories are another thing I want to try out. As Becca pointed out in the comments section, novels might be harder to follow than nonfiction. I'm starting with a short story by Neil Gaiman to see how I fare.<br />
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4. Learn a language.<br />
Find language recordings to listen to, or...<br />
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5. Make friends.<br />
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Meet someone who speaks a foreign language! My "bus buddy" happens to be Egyptian, and I get to practise my Arabic a little bit. Bus buddies do not have to be all business, however. It's fun just to talk about your day or common interests.</div>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848042492043056937.post-36733061635000190502012-01-11T23:52:00.000-04:002012-01-11T23:52:31.031-04:00Work-life balance: Commuting (for the eyes)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have an unfortunate problem. I have always been a voracious reader, and would happily read everywhere I went. As I've gotten older, though, I've found it more and more <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=why-does-reading-in-a-mov">difficult to read in moving vehicles without getting motion sickness</a>. I remember being ecstatic when discovering on a school bus trip that I could read on busses with no trouble. Sadly, these days, I can only read nausea-free on airplanes.<br />
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I want to try and fix this. So far, I've been relying on my iPod (and makeup application, oops) to entertain me during my commute. I sit and chill out, listening to music and letting my mind wander. Though this is fine sometimes, my iPod doesn't have the greatest battery life anymore, and I feel like spending 2-3 hours a day just listening to music isn't very productive.<br />
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It's time to teach myself to read on the bus. I've read about <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_260594926">various </a><a href="http://ask.metafilter.com/162336/Help-me-learn-how-to-read-in-moving-vehicles-without-feeling-sick">methods</a> here and there, but I think I'm going to try reading for a few minutes at a time until I feel queasy, stop until I feel better, and then start again. If that doesn't work, I'm prepared to delve into weirder solutions like blocking my view of the outside, bringing a bag of salty foods to smell, and reading really engrossing books.<br />
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And if all else fails, <a href="http://www.buddhismtoday.com/english/meditation/Zen/005-drivingmeditation.htm">maybe I'll give meditation a whirl</a>. If it works for Thich Nhat Hanh... ()<br />
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<br /></div>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848042492043056937.post-51569483749733494832012-01-10T11:36:00.000-04:002012-01-11T23:43:19.206-04:00Work-life balance: Wardrobe<br />
I realised within a few days of starting my job that when you're getting up and your spouse is still asleep, stomping around your bedroom getting dressed at 6am is fun for precisely no one in your house. You're stuck trying to find clothes in the dark, your husband's peaceful slumber is over, and your cats are wishing you were getting dressed in the bathroom so they could nuzzle your legs and get their fur all over your clothes.<br />
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My solution is to get the next day's outfit ready the night before, something that I've never really liked but is basically necessary in this situation. I don't tend to be terribly inspired right before I go to bed. Here's a list of what I do to keep my outfits fun, appropriate, and quick to put together.<br />
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<a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/118712140147442643_8KO5vxZ7_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/118712140147442643_8KO5vxZ7_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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1. Check the weather forecast!<br />
This seems like a no-brainer, but you don't want to end up ruining your wool jacket in the rain or eschewing layered tights when the high is minus 4.<br />
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<a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/175077504233635514_BOZJr35Z_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/175077504233635514_BOZJr35Z_c.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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2. Pinterest<br />
If you don't have a pinterest account yet, I'm terribly sorry. I use it pretty much daily, especially for outfit inspiration. If you're after a look featuring pants or the colour eggplant, you can often find success in searching the whole website or your own fashion pinboard.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecC91kVfv_LtmTBymhJgqVJqZjXVxT8yWLOOI-Hpd3Fzy1XZO74hjZTAz7YqJzY_0GyWuAzaZ59yi_QX5ophCq4A8Qv48Hc3zQuSrnJJkfYK63jYWrHfa8PcXCIruClpYCaag32kmzqcb/s1600/IMG_2619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecC91kVfv_LtmTBymhJgqVJqZjXVxT8yWLOOI-Hpd3Fzy1XZO74hjZTAz7YqJzY_0GyWuAzaZ59yi_QX5ophCq4A8Qv48Hc3zQuSrnJJkfYK63jYWrHfa8PcXCIruClpYCaag32kmzqcb/s640/IMG_2619.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
You can even be your own pinterest by keeping a list of favourite outfits. I've pinned some of my own favorite office ensembles, and I've gone through old outfit photos for this blog more than once. An added bonus is that unless you purge often, you already own all the pieces! ;)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDwAphXvXDjZ3sDMayErBpkoG_VocsrRNclYPUnTAJWbLUm4kXq9Sh04Gt5zhQ64F6fSNqXztWepd8iqQ9_X0Zbag2oV5B6oYi4JDCajrAjl66pN31Hn7BTfdKnV_5W_HNgMX21Lyelq1/s1600/IMG_2833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDwAphXvXDjZ3sDMayErBpkoG_VocsrRNclYPUnTAJWbLUm4kXq9Sh04Gt5zhQ64F6fSNqXztWepd8iqQ9_X0Zbag2oV5B6oYi4JDCajrAjl66pN31Hn7BTfdKnV_5W_HNgMX21Lyelq1/s640/IMG_2833.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
3. Capsule collection on post-its<br />
You might want to try matching post-its, flash cards, or small photos of each item together to make outfits. They might not always work in real life, but they can help narrow your focus (to work clothes, winter clothes, etc.) when you have a big closet, and if you have a smaller closet it can make it easier for you to mix things up. Try it on the weekend - it's can be time-consuming, but often it's because it's hard to stop!<br />
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4. Extra outfits<br />
I've taken to laying out more than one outfit when I'm not sure how I'll be feeling in the morning. It can be nice to be able to choose between a skirt or pants or black versus colour, or even combine elements of both outfits if something isn't working.<br />
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Hope these ideas help you out!<br />
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<br /></div>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848042492043056937.post-49125417993115867222012-01-09T08:00:00.000-04:002012-01-09T08:00:08.871-04:00Work-life balance week.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://notsalmon.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/poster-dorothy-office.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://notsalmon.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/poster-dorothy-office.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{it is hard not to find very corny images when you Google "work-life balance"- lots of rocks, signs, and elephants balancing on rubber balls...I picked this one because it's pretty, NOT because I hate my office}</span></div>
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Now, I don't claim to be an expert in work-life balance. In point of fact, I'm pretty terrible at it. At my last job, I'd get home in the evening and be too tired to do much of anything beyond plop myself in front of the couch. It seemed to take a lot of effort to engage in any of my previous hobbies or pastimes. I don't like how lazy I became during that time of my life.</div>
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Due to my new, longer commute, almost 12 hours of each weekday are dedicated to my job. When I get home, there are so many things to accomplish and too few hours left to do them all: spending time with my husband, working out, catching up on my Google Reader, meditating, spending time with friends, cooking, playing with my cats, gaming, and planning for the following day. Top it all off with attempting to get a good nights' sleep and you have a recipe for a very frazzled Meg. </div>
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This weekend, I've been spending time looking around the internet in an effort to find things to help me transition into a more balanced lifestyle. I'm going to talk about two things that are high on my list to improve: wardrobe planning and commuting. Hopefully the resources I have to share will help me, and you guys out there too! Stay tuned.</div>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848042492043056937.post-62286599638501730992012-01-06T15:45:00.000-04:002012-01-07T00:07:10.542-04:00Friday favorites.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://pixdaus.com/pics/1215756582RGVQkA6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://pixdaus.com/pics/1215756582RGVQkA6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{something calming to cap off a busy week...}</span></div>
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This week, I started off the new year with my first viewing of Ben-Hur and a chicken wing binge, checked some items off my to-do list, visited with my brother and my godmother's family, started my new job, spent a lot of time on the bus, and had a friend over for dinner.<br />
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Tonight, we're off to have dinner with friends. I'm excited to eat delicious food, give our hostess a gift I thrifted for her back home, play with their sweet daughter, and talk about all things geeky.<br />
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And now, the best I saw of the internet this week:<br />
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Who decided that women need to shave? <a href="http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/625/who-decided-women-should-shave-their-legs-and-underarms">Here's one answer</a>.<br />
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Here is a <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/benefits-video-games-112306288.html">short list of the benefits of video games</a>.<br />
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Some thoughts on <a href="http://www.doctornerdlove.com/2011/11/nerds-and-male-privilege/">nerds and male privilege</a>.<br />
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This <a href="http://rookiemag.com/2011/12/just-wondering-3/">advice for a young girl with an older suitor</a> is fantastic.<br />
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Holy <a href="http://www.themarysue.com/steampunk-greek-goddesses/">Steampunk Medusa</a>, Batman!<br />
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<a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2011/07/27/10-steps-to-happiness/">Ten steps for happiness at work.</a><br />
<br />Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848042492043056937.post-84191000417063846222012-01-04T09:15:00.000-04:002012-01-04T09:15:01.463-04:00Leftover eggnog?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rBjE4d98d08/TwGyqG33D6I/AAAAAAAABeA/yHmmNm2-ctE/s1600/IMG_9007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rBjE4d98d08/TwGyqG33D6I/AAAAAAAABeA/yHmmNm2-ctE/s640/IMG_9007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love eggnog. In years past, I've guzzled away entire cartons of this creamy drink. This year, I had homemade eggnog ice cream instead, and it was delicious.<br />
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Due to my diet, I have to eat homemade probiotic yogurt every day to make sure there are enough good bacteria in my system. I was never a big yogurt fan to begin with, but after over a year of daily yogurt consumption, I needed a way to spice things up.<br />
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Enter bananog. Recently, I'd been craving a banana milkshake with ice cream. The ice cream in my freezer was eggnog-flavoured. I thought it might be worth a try... and oh, it was. If you like these two things, you'll see that they complement each other quite well. They're also strong enough flavours that with a bit of help from vanilla and nutmeg, you won't even notice the tangy yogurt!<br />
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So if you have leftover eggnog in your fridge, give this guy a shot. You can use vanilla ice cream and eggnog instead of eggnog ice cream and milk like I did, or if you're feeling ambitious, you can put your eggnog straight into the ice cream machine and make your own!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fpsubVa2Wlo/TwGy_vyqjlI/AAAAAAAABeI/3ncGCAuc6PA/s1600/IMG_8997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fpsubVa2Wlo/TwGy_vyqjlI/AAAAAAAABeI/3ncGCAuc6PA/s640/IMG_8997.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span id="goog_314637661"></span><span id="goog_314637662"></span><br />
<b>Bananog</b><br />
sliced frozen banana (I keep this in my freezer for smoothies and banana ice cream)<br />
eggnog ice cream<br />
yogurt (about the same quantity as the ice cream)<br />
milk (or cream if you're feeling really decadent)<br />
splash of vanilla<br />
sprinkle of nutmeg<br />
honey to taste, if needed<br />
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Put all ingredients into your blender and go to town! Adjust quantities to your taste - I like being able to taste the banana and the eggnog equally. I also prefer a thicker beverage; sometimes, I have to add more liquid just to get it to blend! If you like something thinner, go easy on the banana and ice cream. Have fun!<br />
<br />Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848042492043056937.post-8037423011535107422012-01-03T07:01:00.000-04:002012-01-03T07:01:00.584-04:00The Christmas Adventures of Norman the Gnome.I've had an affinity for gnomes since I was 16 or 17. I remember trying to come up with a name for my livejournal (oh, those were the days). Inspired by a scene from Amelie where she was carrying a suitcase (actually, a satchel, but I'm never been the most observant person) and a gnome, I dubbed myself "suitcasegnome", and it's been my online handle ever since.<br />
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Despite my love of suitcases and gnomes, though, I've never gotten any gnomes as a present - until this year. My best friend Becca knitted me a gnome named Norman the Doorman, and we made VERY merry.<br />
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Here's how Norman spent his Christmas day.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ofhtLJEFkyo/TwG1jGJfnGI/AAAAAAAABeU/bK58amvFcsc/s1600/IMG_8858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ofhtLJEFkyo/TwG1jGJfnGI/AAAAAAAABeU/bK58amvFcsc/s640/IMG_8858.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span>Norman tries on a Santa hat. We decide his own pointy red hat is festive enough.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> Norman gets tied up in the excitement of opening presents! Sorry, Norman, but you can't borrow my Tweety Bird pajamas.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Norman gives his presents a whirl. Lookin' good, Norm! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Norman! Did you drink that whole bottle by yourself? You party animal...</span></div>
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Thankfully, Norman's recovered from his hangover now. I hope you all enjoyed meeting him, especially because he will be back tomorrow to share a recipe to use up the last dregs of eggnog in your fridge. </div>
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Now, it's off to the new job with me! I'm so excited to have such a great opportunity.</div>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848042492043056937.post-30432867095825736132012-01-02T09:04:00.000-04:002012-01-02T09:04:23.409-04:00Resolution inspiration.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy 2012, everybody! I had a great holiday season: I got to spend time with family and friends, play cards into the wee hours of the morning, drink wine, open presents, eat delicious food, go thrifting with my mum, finish my wedding thank you notes (FINALLY), watch trashy shows on TLC (Extreme Couponing, anyone?), check out the Boxing Day sales, and receive THE most fabulous coat (thanks, Mum!). My husband and I capped off 2011 last night with a small get-together with a too-large menu. We watched "Trading Places" and played cards, again. It was a wonderful time.<br />
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Now, it's a new year, and I feel a need to make resolutions, as I often do. This year, I decided to link my resolutions to amazing people I've read about as inspiration and motivation.<br />
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First off, I want to stay healthy: <a href="http://comfybelly.com/">continue on the Diet</a>, drink more water, take care of my skin, get enough sleep, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Fee">take up exercise</a>, especially <a href="http://www.themarysue.com/bernice-bates-worlds-oldest-yoga-teacher/">yoga and/or meditation to reduce stress.</a> If people in their 80s and 90s can do it, so can I!<br />
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Next, <a href="http://www.andthenshesaved.com/and-then-she-saved/what-ive-learned-in-2-years-of-being-on-a-spending-fast-spen.html">I want to give a Spending Fast (or at least a Spending Diet) a shot.</a> Anna's story is so inspiring, and this year people are pledging to join her. Having a group of people with this shared goal will be a great motivation. Now I just need to figure out my parameters...<br />
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Of course, I want to improve my creative side: writing this blog, getting back into making art, and <a href="http://www.adoredaustin.com/">possibly</a> <a href="http://feathersfreckles.blogspot.com/">start</a> <a href="http://quirkyexplosion.blogspot.com/">posting</a> <a href="http://kendieveryday.blogspot.com/">outfit</a> <a href="http://myedit.blogspot.com/">photos</a> <a href="http://fashionflirt.me/">again</a> (like these fantastic ladies!). I need to focus more on this and less on just noodling about on the internet.<br />
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Lastly, I want to focus on all the wonderful people in my life: my husband, our families, our friends, our cats (they're people too!), and all the lovely folks out there I have yet to meet. Watch out world - you're getting a hug!<br />
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<br />Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848042492043056937.post-81452867926566527852011-12-28T00:45:00.000-04:002011-12-28T00:45:32.184-04:00Too good not to share.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As it turns out, repairing my computer would cost... a lot, so I decided to deal with my screen problems and save some moolah. I popped online for a few minutes tonight and saw <a href="http://imabeautygeek.com/2011/12/27/party-quickie-super-speedy-updo-for-new-years-eve/">a quick and easy updo tutorial for New Years' Eve</a> that I couldn't keep to myself. Follow the link for the video diy.<br />
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Happy New Year!Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848042492043056937.post-71574509577264941332011-12-23T18:27:00.000-04:002011-12-23T18:27:00.767-04:00Friday favoritesThis week, I ran a ton of errands, cleaned up after a successful party, hung out with one of my uncles, packed up for our trip to my hometown for the holidays, and had a wonderful evening with some lady friends talking about geeky stuff.<br />
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The best of the internet this week, all happy warm fuzzies edition:<br />
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Addressing gender inequality in Bihar, India with bicycles? <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/bike-blog/2011/nov/25/cycling-indian-schoolgirls-bike-blog">You betcha</a>.<br />
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Two great DIY hair tutorials:<a href="http://www.andthenshesaved.com/and-then-she-saved/how-to-cut-your-own-hair-a-tutorial.html"> Cutting your hair</a> and <a href="http://www.agentlover.com/blog/2010/06/14/perfect-bangs-forever/">trimming your bangs</a>.<br />
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I love looking into people's homes - <a href="http://www.fubiz.net/2011/05/05/in-your-fridge/">this collection of photos</a> looks at homes, their residents, and inside their fridges.<br />
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<a href="http://thegloss.com/odds-and-ends/7-things-to-do-with-all-those-holiday-cards-when-the-season-is-over-778/">7 things to do with holiday cards after the holidays</a>.<br />
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Two cute, funny articles about happy marriages: <a href="http://jlclark.org/2011/11/08/my-marriage-is-a-gumbo/">My Marriage is a Gumbo</a> and <a href="http://www.eatthedamncake.com/2011/11/04/i-was-supposed-to-end-up-with-a-passionate-man/">I Was Supposed to End Up with a Passionate Man</a>.<br />
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Finally, a New Years' resolution that I'm considering: <a href="http://www.andthenshesaved.com/and-then-she-saved/change-your-life-in-2012-take-the-spending-fast-challenge.html">a Spending Fast for 2012.</a><br />
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Now that the holidays are upon us, I'm going to visit my hometown with the husband and the kitties. I'm so excited to see friends and family (and visit the best thrift stores in the world). My computer, meanwhile, is going to the shop to get repaired, so I won't be around to comment or post new entries. I hope everyone has a lovely rest of the year, and I'll see you all in 2012!Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848042492043056937.post-3641126774488252562011-12-22T13:48:00.000-04:002011-12-22T13:48:00.593-04:00The best SCD birthday cake.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This year, I knew I wanted a bonafide birthday cake. I had adapted a <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/01/clementine-cake/">clementine cake</a> recipe for Thanksgiving, thinking that if it passed muster I would make it again for my birthday. When I was talking to my mom about it, though, she seemed really intrigued, and I decided that the clementine cake would instead become my Christmas dessert while I was visiting, which left me free to figure out a more birthday-appropriate cake - something with layers and frosting. After much deliberation, I finally decided on <a href="http://comfybelly.com/2011/03/yellow-cake-using-almond-flour/#.Tu94xmB7mJc">this recipe for yellow cake with chocolate ganache</a> (check the comments for the ganache recipe).<br />
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It didn't start out quite like I was expecting - the batter was quite frothy, and I only had one pan, so I baked a layer before lunch and one several hours later. I was worried that the "lift" would be affected for the second layer, but it actually rose much better than the first.<br />
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I changed the ganache recipe around a bit. I used lactose-free cream and not as much chocolate - 240 grams instead of 340. I added crystallised fructose because the chocolate was very dark and I wanted to be sure it was sweet enough. The ganache separated a bit when I chilled it. We ended up warming it closer to room temperature and whipping it in our standing mixer so we'd be able to frost the cake.<br />
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The final product was delicious. A friend of mine had to leave early, so she had a slice before we actually sang happy birthday. My husband used this to his advantage...<br />
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The cake barely lasted through Sunday. On Monday, there was one solitary chunk left, but it soon vanished...</div>
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<br />Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848042492043056937.post-45842579651146633142011-12-21T13:26:00.000-04:002011-12-21T13:26:00.685-04:00Blanket fort party!<div style="text-align: left;">
My husband is pretty much the best person ever. He made me a huge birthday blanket fort almost entirely on his own (in my defense, he built it late at night for the most part, while I was asleep). After many hours of solid work and trips to the Salvation Army for more sheets, he had created a masterpiece. We celebrated with an awesome birthday party.</div>
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<br /></div>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848042492043056937.post-83075886754161456682011-12-19T13:46:00.001-04:002011-12-19T13:47:06.020-04:00Tired...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{I could use a nap, like these guys...}</span></div>
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I had an incredible weekend - on Friday I ran errands, got a birthday haircut, and stayed up way late cleaning the apartment (too excited to sleep). On Saturday, my uncle Dale paid us a surprise visit and took us out for a birthday lunch (complete with a dessert mimosa, yum!). When we got home, we cooked and cleaned some more until a record number of guests arrived and got the party started. At the end of night, new friendships had been born, plans had been hatched, there was a friend sleeping on our couch, and a pile of stuff needed to be cleaned up and put away.<br />
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Sunday was spent recovering and hanging out with said friend - playing video games, manicures, a bang trim, eating birthday cake, and a loooooooong chat on the couch. Then there were phone calls and a Skype session and cuddle time with my husband.<br />
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In the whirlwind, I took an insufficient number of fort photos, so I'm fixing that tonight and doing a post tomorrow. Today I've got a pile of chores and dishes to plough through... wish me luck!Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848042492043056937.post-75829449311113864042011-12-16T21:41:00.000-04:002011-12-16T21:41:24.086-04:00Friday favorites.This week, my uncle came to visit for a few days. The husband and I ended up performing on the spot at last week's open mic and we're now practising more songs. I had a crafty day with a girlfriend and conquered a challenging video game level that has haunted me for years (seriously).<br />
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Tonight, I'm playing dancing games with a friend who's been sitting down all day. Tomorrow is my birthday! In the day, I'll be perusing <a href="http://blog.megannielsen.com/2011/12/country-roads-a-winter-2011-collection/">Megan Nielsen's new winter collection</a>, and in the evening, we're having a potluck. <b>What are your plans this weekend?</b><br />
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<a href="http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/1112/lunareclipse_devgun_900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/1112/lunareclipse_devgun_900.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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{<a href="http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap111214.html">the lunar eclipse over an Indian peace pagoda</a>}</div>
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And now, a more-verbose-and-nerdy-than-usual list of the best the internet had to offer this week:<br />
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<a href="http://willcady.com/2011/12/01/how-to-feel-classy-in-3-easy-steps/">How to feel classy in three easy steps</a>.<br />
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Do you like "The Hunger Games" and fashion design? Here are <a href="http://www.instyle.com/instyle/package/general/photos/0,,20542054_20549206,00.html?xid=people-dec2011-hunger-games-fire-dress">12 designer renditions of Katniss' debut dress</a>. My favorite takes are Nicole Miller's and Charlotte Ronson's.<br />
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<a href="http://beyondtheopposites.com/2011/11/22/top-five-regrets-of-the-dying/">The top five regrets of the dying</a> - a reminder to live life to the fullest.<br />
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<a href="http://tinyapartmentcrafts.blogspot.com/2010/12/golden-snitch-ornament-tutorial.html">Golden Snitch Christmas ornament DIY</a>! Great. Now I want a tree full of wizarding paraphenalia: broomsticks, wizard hats, house scarves as garlands, S.P.E.W. buttons...<br />
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Speaking of geeky things, here are <a href="http://haikujaguar.livejournal.com/1024728.html">a few simple guidelines for running a tabletop RPG</a>. I've never GMed myself, but this seems like a good way to start.<br />
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<a href="http://www.themarysue.com/12-christmas-trees-made-out-of-books/">12 Christmas trees made from books</a>. Yup.<br />
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<a href="http://colorissue.blogspot.com/2011/12/diy-christmas-tree-garland.html">DIY pom pom garland</a>. I'll give this a try next year instead of popcorn.<br />
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<a href="http://whatwouldanerdwear.blogspot.com/2011/12/extra-special-december-book.html">Book recommendations</a>! These are some great ideas for any readers on your Christmas list. :)Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848042492043056937.post-72312965235847044962011-12-15T13:20:00.000-04:002011-12-15T13:20:01.452-04:00blanket fort!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you've ever read XKCD, you'll notice that the comic sometimes delves into adults acting like kids, just for the fun of it:</div>
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<a href="http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/grownups.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/grownups.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I read this strip a few years ago on my husband's birthday, January 10th. He was napping, and when he awoke I was building a blanket fort in our living room. His FAR superior engineering skills (and his grand ambition!) took over, and we created a fort that took up most of our living room and stayed up for about a month.<br />
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At the time, we were engaged and living in Nova Scotia, but John had to return to Kansas due to immigration and money issues. He was leaving at the beginning of February for at least 6 months, so we spent our last bittersweet month together in that fort, playing Tetris and watching Naruto and sleeping.<br />
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John is a Permanent Resident now, thank goodness, so we never have to be separated like that again. Now, despite how sad we were at the time, remembering the blanket fort that took over our living room is a fond memory that we've been meaning to recreate. Last week, John had the brilliant idea to turn my birthday party into a giant blanket fort party. We're collecting sheets galore to make an incredible giant project that will probably stay up for months.<br />
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If you want to try this out for yourself, <a href="http://simplemom.net/how-to-build-a-great-blanket-fort/">this article, written by a father with extensive fort experience, has some pretty great tips</a>. If you'd prefer to fill up a portion of your house with a ball pit, <a href="http://blog.xkcd.com/2007/11/19/growing-up/">check this piece out</a>. :)<br />
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<b>Pictures of the completed fort and birthday party to come next week!</b><br />
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<br />Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848042492043056937.post-89015647801936111062011-12-14T10:57:00.000-04:002011-12-14T10:57:00.034-04:00You can never have too many cute animal videos.First off, here's one that made me a bit teary:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FkeSSdwbnPg" width="420"></iframe><br />
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Now, let's cheer things up with some talking fellas:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gN31HLJlhwk" width="420"></iframe><br />
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Finally, here are some kittens that don't have to talk to be hilarious:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qr7rT0HbqMU" width="420"></iframe>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848042492043056937.post-33309643171514115612011-12-13T11:38:00.000-04:002011-12-13T11:38:01.285-04:0010 things I love this week.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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1. A walk outside in the crisp air.</div>
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2. Curling up on the couch with my cats.</div>
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3. A warm mug of peppermint hot chocolate in the morning.</div>
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4. My fiance's smile.</div>
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5. Getting in touch with my creativity.</div>
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6. Christmas music.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsYaStby1-LElTsQLpzcV8XVtpRF9PKh_tfn2i0Vd8HharKzpMS8cDHv9oRbV9EJl2PendMVVzTfUO1LgkUngyiWY-xb7Rj28djgl1syIEvMgXFYevbGFQmW6EPfdRh29QIbsz4A6IiV7/s1600/bangs+richie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsYaStby1-LElTsQLpzcV8XVtpRF9PKh_tfn2i0Vd8HharKzpMS8cDHv9oRbV9EJl2PendMVVzTfUO1LgkUngyiWY-xb7Rj28djgl1syIEvMgXFYevbGFQmW6EPfdRh29QIbsz4A6IiV7/s400/bangs+richie.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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7. The fact that there are a million hair inspiration photos on the internet.</div>
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8. The fact that I'm getting a birthday haircut this week!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeqYa1zNUr2NwnyNhO8yRCf4S4k-GBrAbx-zNxr0UmUtUILonZpKrY5Tac9X4y-5CJf2aXb6kekCm2VFz7zzV1lAbCq6WA8g6xnpRGDmdR0sidkt_KW9vULZG4D6K4AbKJ5uk7Bxgmal-/s1600/IMG_8619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeqYa1zNUr2NwnyNhO8yRCf4S4k-GBrAbx-zNxr0UmUtUILonZpKrY5Tac9X4y-5CJf2aXb6kekCm2VFz7zzV1lAbCq6WA8g6xnpRGDmdR0sidkt_KW9vULZG4D6K4AbKJ5uk7Bxgmal-/s640/IMG_8619.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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9. Cooking with my husband.</div>
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10. All the wonderful people in my life.</div>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848042492043056937.post-44831420702169044792011-12-12T14:05:00.000-04:002011-12-12T14:05:00.192-04:00what's in a name?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.planetjune.com/blog/images/tinywhales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="http://www.planetjune.com/blog/images/tinywhales.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It occurs to me that I've never talked about this blog's title.<br />
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I had read a story about <a href="http://www.edithzimmerman.com/blog/?p=273">tiny whales</a> that day, so my fondness for the word "tiny" was fresh in my mind. I was also thinking about my aims for the blog: I'm a bit of a Renaissance soul, so I knew sticking to one topic was pretty much out of the question. I would just talk about whatever was going on in my life that was interesting me, be it health or fashion or cooking or photography or music, et cetera.<br />
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I'd heard people complain that blogs usually only talk about the "good parts" of their writers' lives. We don't get to read about the ugly fight you had with your partner last night or how you screwed up at work this week. I wanted to be different - I want to talk about some struggles (mainly health-related in my case), but I don't want to lay bare my private life for the whole internet to dissect, either.<br />
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All I can offer you is tiny glimpses. It's honest as I can be, and I hope it's enough.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848042492043056937.post-28209723331797533812011-12-09T14:03:00.000-04:002011-12-11T12:15:31.673-04:00Friday favoritesThis week, I made some headway on my to-do list, did a CostCo run in the pouring rain, made butternut squash soup and eggnog ice cream, grew to appreciate my husband even more (thanks to his planning my birthday party, making me surprise caramelized onions, and having a beautiful, eye-opening conversation with me (love you, honey!)), turned my fingernails into disco balls, and dressed my cats up in humiliating costumes. Those poor dears - any excuse to make them wear a dumb costume, and it's on like Diddy Kong.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzY65huumQpJxotLHK0jK15gxUnAYSpCM8DBOnx0a2RTuyawVviYcKfY0c3k55ffGUjo7FNw3K3NW7mjdRrj7jDDLor3Wv64nxFb8xsNjsFG8EQ0H2MZ1nAuLWe8CkU3gVwrkhcI_jk8_/s1600/IMG_8637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzY65huumQpJxotLHK0jK15gxUnAYSpCM8DBOnx0a2RTuyawVviYcKfY0c3k55ffGUjo7FNw3K3NW7mjdRrj7jDDLor3Wv64nxFb8xsNjsFG8EQ0H2MZ1nAuLWe8CkU3gVwrkhcI_jk8_/s640/IMG_8637.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Poor Conroy ran away as soon as he could.</div>
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We got Guinnie when she was just a wee kitten, so she's been dressed up her whole life. </div>
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The hat fell OVER her head. It was sad, but kind of hilarious. </div>
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"Can I take this off now?<i> Please</i>?"</div>
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Tonight, we're off to a cafe to see some friends perform at their second open mic. We might have to get there a bit early and take a romantic walk through the park where John proposed, since it's right next door. Happy weekend, everybody!<br />
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To get you started, here's my new holiday favourite song:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/b4g23QfV4OY" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<b>Now, my favorite things on the internet this week:</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.refinery29.com/beauty-tips-eyeliner-video-tape">A neat and simple makeup trick for dramatic cat-eye eyeliner</a>.<br />
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Yes & Yes' <a href="http://www.yesandyes.org/2011/12/diy-gifts-that-dont-suck.html">list of suggestions for DIY gifts that don't suck</a>. I might try a few of these out...<br />
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<a href="http://comfybelly.com/2011/12/ginger-snap-cookies-using-almond-flour/#.TuI6T3M4O5E">Gluten-free gingersnaps</a>, which can be made crunchy or soft. YUM.<br />
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<a href="http://io9.com/5866306/the-rules-of-magic-according-to-the-greatest-fantasy-sagas-of-all-time">The rules of magic</a>, according to a whole bunch of fantasy-themed movies, books, and TV shows. WOW.<br />
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Who knew <a href="http://oldloves.tumblr.com/">a Tumblr full of past celebrity relationships</a> could be so interesting?<br />
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A piece on <a href="http://geekfeminism.org/2011/12/09/all-my-nerd-ladies-put-your-hands-up/">the wonders of hanging out with fellow nerd-ladies</a>.<br />
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A dash of <a href="http://www.anthroparodie.com/2011/12/baby-samurai-helmet-influenced-by-edo.html">cute</a> from a hilarious blog.<br />
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Finally, Teddy the Porcupine REALLY loves his corn:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UGz8jcbJjRw" width="560"></iframe><br />
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I swear I heard him say, "MY corn!"<br />
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<br />Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848042492043056937.post-20530337245658732892011-12-05T17:38:00.000-04:002011-12-05T17:38:00.542-04:00Christmas light contest.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.backyarddesignslighting.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Christmas-Light-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://www.backyarddesignslighting.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Christmas-Light-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When I was growing up, the Christmas season involved long drives to all our relatives' houses. I would be stuck in the car for up to 30 minutes with my bratty little brother for company.<br />
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Being competitive children, we soon developed a way to keep ourselves entertained in the backseat: the Christmas light contest (not game, CONTEST). It also gave our parents some entertainment of their own (often Mom would drive while Dad would play referee). We have since shared this game with family and friends, and over the years, we've perfected the rules.<br />
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Want to try it out for yourself? Here are the rules.<br />
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1. Each player picks one side of the road (you can do this in teams, too, and they don't have to be even - we've done this with three players).<br />
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<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bc/Regent_Street_Christmas_Lights_-_Dec_2006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bc/Regent_Street_Christmas_Lights_-_Dec_2006.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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2. Count all the houses with Christmas lights lit up on your side of the road. A house does NOT count if:<br />
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a. it's on a side street - corners are fine, but the house must be right next to your side of the road. If you were driving PAST this street, only the house on the far left would count.<br />
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<a href="http://www.christmaslightsinstallers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/House1-630x298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://www.christmaslightsinstallers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/House1-630x298.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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b. the lights are turned off. Driving past an unlit house was agony as a kid! I'm not even sure this one HAS lights... also, this game works best at night. :P</div>
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<a href="http://www.featurepics.com/FI/Thumb300/20071206/White-Christmas-House-536404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://www.featurepics.com/FI/Thumb300/20071206/White-Christmas-House-536404.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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c. the only lights are the ones wrapped around the Christmas tree. The lights should be in the windows or outdoors (even if the Christmas tree is in the window, it doesn't count!!!) This one below counts ONLY because it has lights on the front porch railing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjh2L8QATaRVyQIuNwArRzzDyf2HMgSqgzLXRXF78YHEF9u2V3W_VLn8aCbe38jvVtVxMc4ZK8HBseByVMm6KeaJQrm8FRrmWtebYiZNBwcfugShroA2KcsR-NeHVhTGKWGhHJwdbJpU47/s1600/December+078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjh2L8QATaRVyQIuNwArRzzDyf2HMgSqgzLXRXF78YHEF9u2V3W_VLn8aCbe38jvVtVxMc4ZK8HBseByVMm6KeaJQrm8FRrmWtebYiZNBwcfugShroA2KcsR-NeHVhTGKWGhHJwdbJpU47/s640/December+078.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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d. it's a business. A house with a business attached is fine, but nothing in a commercial district. This game works best if the driver adjusts their route accordingly - my parents were known to drive around the neighbourhood instead of going straight home to break ties or to up the tension. Don't drive down a street like this if you can help it:</div>
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<a href="http://christmaslightinstallers.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/xmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://christmaslightinstallers.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/xmas.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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3. Each house only counts as one. Same goes for apartment buildings (we do this because it would be hard to keep track of how many different apartments are lit up).</div>
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<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2258/2153897302_9d32e5d0fc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2258/2153897302_9d32e5d0fc.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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{Yes, even if it looks like this.}</div>
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4. Generally, this game operates on the honour system. Sometimes someone will play referee (a good idea with younger kids), but usually everyone gets involved, and then sometimes you can cheat and the other player(s) won't notice. Cheating isn't nice, though.</div>
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That's pretty much it. We usually do this in a car (or a bus if desperate), but it could be done on foot, I suppose. It wouldn't be as fun, though.</div>
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Happy competition!!!</div>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848042492043056937.post-48951144817231982902011-12-04T12:42:00.000-04:002011-12-04T12:42:00.924-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yPlk0eVFwerumiPEr7MllzKwlKrlQuhRpg-bB3mciGohCFksdI1R8YUNk_pOFtL_vLDCc73iqVyvCcB9SuakKRkHdo-xh9zxX1ZZUFRAiEVBsXcJb0shdveVmISBxs_yjGjTCcdDUt7I/s1600/IMG_8332***.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yPlk0eVFwerumiPEr7MllzKwlKrlQuhRpg-bB3mciGohCFksdI1R8YUNk_pOFtL_vLDCc73iqVyvCcB9SuakKRkHdo-xh9zxX1ZZUFRAiEVBsXcJb0shdveVmISBxs_yjGjTCcdDUt7I/s640/IMG_8332***.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; line-height: 24px;">“Use what talent you possess: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; line-height: 24px;">the woods would be very silent </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; line-height: 24px;">if no birds sang except those that sang best.” </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; line-height: 24px;"> - Henry Van Dyke</span></div>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848042492043056937.post-67024215029018216772011-12-03T15:08:00.001-04:002011-12-03T15:10:56.584-04:00as above, so below.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/1112/zagorje-2Boris900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/1112/zagorje-2Boris900.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap111203.html">Too beautiful to keep to myself</a>.</div>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848042492043056937.post-40859183632460248902011-12-02T17:37:00.000-04:002011-12-02T17:37:12.369-04:00Friday favorites<br />
This week, I had more interviews, ran errands, spent time playing video games with my husband, sent emails (and Facebook messages) to family, and did some gift shopping (I feel really on the ball - I'm usually a last-minute shopper).<br />
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Tonight, we started decorating our place for Christmas. I love decorating for any holiday, but we have a lot more Christmas decorations than we do for any other holiday. We now have lights in our living room and kitchen, and I get the feeling the new kitchen lights will stay up until we move out. My poor husband had to stand on the stove to get them on, so unless I feel like clambering onto appliances, those lights are staying where they are.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2TZtBgJuGjikczdj1ceV0lYW4T3hN695tEGtTuan7GBuJZXTRyCLpwvT5oMjLVNtA6NO0LiBoPiTFnYt1XI89sbeOgxKoT4fIujDtCFYnf8f5eyR3BnPx-IQG_noxHyWv_-Bun6jX_02/s1600/IMG_8614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2TZtBgJuGjikczdj1ceV0lYW4T3hN695tEGtTuan7GBuJZXTRyCLpwvT5oMjLVNtA6NO0LiBoPiTFnYt1XI89sbeOgxKoT4fIujDtCFYnf8f5eyR3BnPx-IQG_noxHyWv_-Bun6jX_02/s640/IMG_8614.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{tasty Wangsgiving leftovers - a turkey/cranberry sauce sandwich, leftover punch, and gingered butternut squash soup}</span></div>
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Now, the fella and I are off to see the new Muppets movie. I'm so excited! Here's hoping it's better than "Muppets from Space".<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{Sorry, Gonzo. Your origin story just wasn't that interesting.}</span></div>
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My favorite links this week:<br />
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This woman did <a href="http://mixmingleglow.com/blog/?p=1358">38 random acts of kindness on her 38th birthday</a>.<br />
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Canadian scientists may have found a way to <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15890749">reverse Alzheimer's</a>.<br />
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Why did I have to discover <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/fresh-peach-frozen-yogurt-with-only-four-ingredients-092869">this recipe</a> when peaches are WAY out of season?<br />
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A more seasonal recipe: <a href="http://www.amateurgourmet.com/2011/11/sexy-cabbage-sexytime.html#more-7057">Sexy Cabbage Sexytime</a>. Yes, that's what it's actually called.<br />
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The <a href="http://textsfrombennett.tumblr.com/">most messed-up and hilarious Tumblr</a> I have ever seen.<br />
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<a href="http://moncton.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-tools-equipment-11HP-29-Snowblower-W0QQAdIdZ332915918">Good salesman, or best salesman</a>?<br />
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<a href="http://www.lucitebox.com/blog/?p=4537">It's all about proportion</a> in fashion.<br />
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<a href="http://rookiemag.com/2011/11/stylesubstanc/">Tragedy, ethnicity, and fashion</a>. This is a beautiful piece.<br />
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Fashion as language, and <a href="http://freethoughtblogs.com/greta/2011/09/02/fashion-is-a-feminist-issue/">how that relates to feminism</a>.<br />
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This blogger is not a minimalist, and<a href="http://www.oranges-and-apples.com/2011/11/in-defence-of-stuff.html"> she's okay with that.</a><br />
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And finally, here's what clothing in the year 2000 will look like, according to a 1930s newsreel:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/H1aNPPj6AAY" width="420"></iframe>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com2