Happy New Year 2010

Make 2010 your best year ever!! Please be safe this New Year's Eve.

Magic Bullet Blender

I got a Magic Bullet Blender for Christmas!! Yeah!! Yes, I wanted one. I have already used it for Frozen Cocktails. It was great!! Now I am going to make some low cal bean dip. Can't wait. What crazy gift did you want for Christmas and get?

Original Penguin by Munsingwear - Not your Dad's Old Shirt

Do you remember your Dad's Original Penguin Shirt that he wore golfing or on the weekends? Well I do, and what I remember is it was from JC Penney. I could be wrong, but I don't think I am. Anyway, the Penguin is back with the 20 something generation. The guys love it. How great is that? A classic staple coming back. It is a little more pricey that it was in the days of old. But, he what isn't? So go on over to originalpenguin.com and relive some memories, or shop, up to you.


Original Penguin Shirt from originalpenguin.com $59.00.

Merry Christmas Vintage Images

I hope everyone is having a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I will be back to blogging on Monday.

Regis and Kelly --- Hanky Panky Thongs

So when watching Live with Regis and Kelly, she mentioned "Hanky Panky" Low-Rise Thongs. So call me cheap, but $18.00 for one pair of undies is kind of pricey. So I went on Ebay and found them for less with free shipping. Looks like I will be filling my daughter's stocking with undies. Kelly says they are the best, and have no VPL - Visible Panty Line. Worth a try!!

Fruitcake -- Do you eat fruitcake?

I admit it. I don't eat fruitcake. Never have. Although the bottom picture looks good, I just can't bring myself to eat the stuff. I was thinking about Fruitcake, because on Lisa Rinna's Twitter she is participating in a "Pass the Fruitcake" Charity drive through paypal. So, do you eat fruitcake?

Christina Aguilera New House -- Old Osborne House

Christa Aguilera's new house, the old Osborne's house is in this month's In Style. You can read and see more in the magazine. She has really done a makeover on this house. She wanted to erase all of the old owner's decorating style. I think she has succeeded. Enjoy.

All photos, In Style Magazine.

Navy Walls - Amazing Desk - Teen Vogue 9/07

I love Navy Walls. I love amazing Desks. Found this great pic at beachbungalow8. I love the mirrors, and the great navy walls. Oh, and the lucite, plexi chair!! I truly want one!! Enjoy.

Teen Vogue 9/07.

Sarah Jessica Parker - Did your Hear About The Morgans?

I am excited for the release of the new Sarah Jessica Parker movie. -- Did You Hear About The Morgans? I am not excited about the political references, and the fact that anyone who doesn't live in a big city is a hick, and according to Hollywood totes a gun and is dumb. I wish Hollywood, would recognize, that there are other places to live in the world. Oh, and that we don't need their rude political references. We can think for ourselves, even if they think we are all hicks. So, that is my rant for today. Enjoy.

Happy Thanksgiving!! Macy's Parade - Miracle on 34th Street

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Every Thanksgiving, I start by watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. I have since I was a kid. Now with High Def, it is even more like being there. Then, after I watch the parade, and some football, I am always in the mood for Miracle on 34th Street. So whether you watch the original black and white, or the newer version from John Hughes in color, it is a great end to a wonderful Thanksgiving meal. Enjoy.

Sorry don't know where this pic is from.

Key Necklaces -- Sideways Cross Necklaces - Taylor Jacobson

Sideways Floating Key Necklace. Etsy - shopshelbylynn. Link below.

If you love the Taylor Jacobson Sideways Cross Necklace, and you love the Tiffany Key Necklaces, I have the perfect necklace for you. The Sideways Key Necklace. Beautiful, and floats around your neck, wear alone, or layer with more jewelry. Available at: Shopshelbylynn at Etsy. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34795868.

I love candles. All sorts of candles. These just give me all sorts of inspiration. Oh, and I love lanterns too. I need to find some more. Enjoy the inspiration.

Paint a Bed Table Red --

Do I dare? I have a bed side table almost exactly like this one. Except, it is brown with water stains, and old and gross. So, do I dare, paint and sand it red? I would love it. Or, do I dare paint and sand it in black? Hmmmm, too many choices. But, I think I might dare, just what color. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks. Enjoy.

Image - Pottery Barn.

Craft - Old Shirts as Christmas Ornaments

I love Eddie Ross's blog. I check it every day. Well after checking it yesterday and seeing the pic of him and Kathie Lee Gifford, I clicked on the HGTV link to get some more pics. Let's face it, I decorate for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving, I can't wait until December 6th. I just can't. So, I was truly rewarded when they showed these pictures of handmade ornaments. You see I was just getting ready to sell some of the Hubs old shirts on Ebay. But no more, I am going to make these clever ornaments. According to HGTV, directions coming soon. Although, they look pretty easy to duplicate. If I have enough fabric left over, I might make a couple of pillows for the couch and chairs that are in the same room as the Tree -- Brilliant!!

When do you decorate for Christmas?

Whatever Clock -- Make your own Clock

Saw this great clock in an older post over at Apartment Therapy and fell in love. My college student is always late --thought it might be fun to make in a Giant size for her Kitchen. Just a canvas, some stencils, and a clock mechanism. I'm thinking Christmas. What about you.

Clock and photo from Target.

Paula Dean's Gooey Butter Pumpkin Cake

What are you cooking for Thanksgiving? I am going to try Paula Dean's Gooey Butter Pumpkin Cake. I saw her demonstrate it on Food Network, and couldn't resist. I may need to make one in advance to try it.....Yum.

Ingredients
Cake:
1 (18 1/4-ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 egg
8 tablespoons butter, melted
Filling:
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
8 tablespoons butter, melted
1 (16-ounce) box powdered sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine the cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well with an electric mixer. Pat the mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 13 by 9-inch baking pan.

To make the filling: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and pumpkin until smooth.

Add the eggs, vanilla, and butter, and beat together.

Next, add the powdered sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and mix well.

Spread pumpkin mixture over cake batter and bake for 40 to 50 minutes.

Make sure not to overbake as the center should be a little gooey.
Serve with fresh whipped cream.

Variations:

For a Pineapple Gooey Cake: Instead of the pumpkin, add a drained 20-ounce can of crushed pineapple to the cream cheese filling. Proceed as directed above.

For a Banana Gooey Cake: Prepare cream cheese filling as directed, beating in 2 ripe bananas instead of the pumpkin. Proceed as directed above.

For a Peanut Butter Gooey Cake: Use a chocolate cake mix. Add 1 cup creamy peanut butter to the cream cheese filling instead of the pumpkin. Proceed as directed above

Do You Twitter? Who do you follow?

So do you twitter? If so, Who do you follow? I myself, love Martha Stewart, Rachel Zoe, and Lisa Rinna. I don't twit, or twitter, I'm afraid my life just isn't that interesting. However, I do like to peak into other peoples lives. I also, enjoy Hooked on Houses Twitter too. So that brings me back to the original question. Do you Twitter? Let me know who you follow.

Ode to Mad Men --

I will miss Mad Men on Sundays. I looked forward to it all week. I do have to admit that this season was not as good as 1 and 2. I did like the return of Joan, and that they started a new company. But, missed Joan this season. Disappointed in both Don and Betty. However, I still love the show. Do you watch Mad Men? If not, catch up, start at season 1 and go through to season 3 (which is on demand on Comcast). Enjoy.

Great Photos -- The Clear Ditch

Behind our house is an agricultural ditch, as well as open space and some agricultural land. This is one of the favorite pictures we have taken of the ditch. I just thought I would share it. Enjoy.

Metropolitan Home -- Final Issue - December

Driving home after a coffee and tea run, I was listening to talk radio and was so sad to hear the demise of Metropolitan Home. December is to be the last issue. What are we decorating junkies going to do with out all our mags? This has been a bad year for them, we have lost a bunch. So Metropolitan Home, you will be missed.

Such a Pretty Fat -- Jen Lancaster

What are you reading? I just finished the "Bitter is the New Black" by Jen Lancaster. I enjoyed it so much I decided to read "Such a Pretty Fat", also by Jen Lancaster. It is too funny. So, what are you reading?

What kind of Christmas Tree are You Doing -- Pottery Barn Inspirations

When looking for great ideas, I always swing by Potterybarn.com. They always have something to inspire me. This year, I am trying to decide what kind of Christmas Trees to do in my home. Normally I do the traditional, pictured below. However, this year I think I will do the family one with the frames. I used the old fashioned outdoor large Christmas lights, instead of the twinkle lights, and it is always fun and festive.

I love the use of frames and old images, I think I will do images of Christmas Past. How fun.

I do love the elegant look of a silver tree.

Initial Wreat -- Great Craft Project - Holiday Decorating

I am always looking for new and fun Holiday design. This year I feel like going low key, elegant, and maybe monotone in color. For outside, may skip the lights and go with wreaths and colored ornaments for shine. So when surfing for ideas, I saw these amazing initial wreaths over at Ballard Designs. Ballarddesigns.com. I am in love with them. They might be fun as a craft project, although their price was below $50.00. Go to their web site and check them out.

This one below is my favorite. I think I could cut up some wreaths and swags and make my initial. Now my inital is an "F", not quite as pretty as a "B", but, will give it a try.

Milky Way Candy Bar - -

Since we just had Halloween, I have a question. Why is it the Milky Way Fun Size candy bars taste so much better than the full size? The fun size, are softer and creamier. Hmmmm.