Monthly Archives: July 2008

5 Things I’m Loving Right Now

4 Replies

It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these posts.  Consider that I just fell in love with a few of them, I thought it was time to share the love.

Huggable Hangers

I found these a while back.  I love how much thinner they are than my typical plastic hangers and how they don’t seem to leave those hanger bumps on the shoulders.  But more importantly, I love how things actually stay ON the hangers (now I can cut off all those damn plastic strings and not worry about it).

Shu Umera Eyelash Curler

I asked a make up artist friend what to do with my lashes since they just didn’t seem to hold their curl any more.  She suggested I get a new Shu Umera curler – something about the springs not lasting and therefore not curling as well.  Turns out the new curler is exactly what I needed.  Thanks Tara, you’re a genius!  If you haven’t yet invested in a curler (the Shu Umera is a cult classic) I recommend doing so.  The way your curled lashes open your eyes will amaze you.

Dermalogica Soothing Eye Make-Up Remover

I first learned about this product when we were at the Ladies Who Launch LIVE event at the Dermalogica headquarters back in May.  We didn’t get a sample, but everyone around me was raving about this product so I ran out and bought it.  This removes everything from your eyes and is so gentle, you can open your eyes even with the product all over them.  Seriously.  And it washes right away without any film left on your eyes like some of those other products leave behind.

DDF Fade Gel 4

I found out about this product when I read Nadine Haobsh’s book, Beauty Confidential.  She raved about it for reducing hyper-pigmentation spots.  Considering I had a relatively largish spot right on my cheek, near my eye (where my sunglasses rest – gee, I wonder how it got there?!?!) I thought I would give it a try. Granted, it’s not completely gone, but it reduced the pigmentation by at least half.  Made me quite happy and I’ve been raving about it to all my friends since.

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Surface Scrub

This is the product that actually made me sit down and right up this list I was that excited.  As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve decided to go green in the house (I’m still working on the health & beauty products, but that seems a bit more challenging and another story all together).  Yesterday I tried the scrub on our tub and it worked great!  All the stains (damn that tinted shine stuff!) and sugar scrub residue is gone.  It really surprised me.  I also use their shower spray and the toilet bowl cleaner and like those as well.  But this, this one I’m loving since I can actually breathe while I scrub.

So what are you loving right now? What do you recommend we all run out and try?

With My Freeze Ray I Will Stop The World

3 Replies


Teaser from Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog on Vimeo.

Seriously, I don’t think I’ve stopped humming or singing the songs from Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog.  So let me tell you, there’s a good reason it’s called a sing-along blog and that Joss Whedon and co. are working on a soundtrack.

But on to the more important parts, just who is this Dr. Horrible and how can I see what he’s up to with that freeze ray of his?  According to Joss’ himself, ” Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog is the (true) story of Dr. Horrible (wow, really?), a low-rent super-villain trying to get into the Evil League of Evil, defeat his boorish nemesis, Captain Hammer, and win the girl of his dreams, Penny (or at least talk to her.)”

Our low-rent super-villain, Dr. Horrible is played by Neil Patrick Harris.  The hero who keeps beating him up, Captain Hammer is none other than Nathan Fillion (who hasn’t done much comedy since Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place back in 2001).  And the love interest, Penny, the cute girl from the laundromat he’s too shy to talk to, Felicia Day.

Currently, there are three acts, but at Comicon this past week, Joss let it slip that there will be a fourth act and a soundtrack still to come.  Your best bet is to purchase the series through iTunes (which secures any future episodes as well) for $5 or so.  Or, for this week, you can once again stream the episodes live over on Hulu.

For updates, be sure to follow along on Twitter.

My First Earthquake!

6 Replies

Well, technically it was like my third or fourth, but ones when I’m sleeping and totally unaware don’t count, nor do the ones that happen when I’m driving, since you can’t really feel those.  My very first one was a rolling quake a couple of months after I first moved here. I had no idea what was going on. I just remember feeling nauseous and thinking that that was just odd.

As was this one. I was getting ready to walk out the door to head to the dreaded laundromat and the hubs stops me saying “earthquake.”  I didn’t feel anything at that time so just looked at him saying “really?”  He pulled me to the front door just as the shaking started.  Crazy.  For us it wasn’t bad, just a lot of shaking and noise.  The pictures aren’t even crooked and nothing fell or moved…thankfully.

The landlord came down just now and he said that upstairs it was shaking like crazy.  It was a 5.8 in Chino Hills. Great, and now the news is saying “not to alarm, but there is a chance that this was a foreshake to a larger quake to come.”  Now I’m scared to leave the house and a little worried about the nieces since they’re home alone out there in Corona, which is must closer to the epicenter than we are (and all I’m getting is a busy signal).

Odd how even when it’s over and done, you can still feel the adrenaline rushing through the body.  It’s like you’re humming from the inside.  Or just overly caffeinated.

What an Interesting PR Opportunity

Leave a reply

This request just came in my email earlier today for a piece to be run with a “national news site”. Trust me, I’ve seen and heard some crazy shit that people have done online thinking they were anonymous (and some not caring that they weren’t anonymous). But I have to wonder, who would actually out themselves publicly, in the “national media”, for being such a bitch?

“I’m looking for a couple of people willing to talk about their anonymous online behavior — specifically, the not-so-nice stuff. If you’ve posted angry, hateful, and/or vituperative comments in an online forum or blog and are willing to talk about it (this time you WON’T be anonymous), please contact me. I’m particularly interested in people who would never in a million years tell someone off in the same manner face to face. NO EXPERTS (I’m all set), just real folks please. THANKS for the help!”

That said, this is a fascinating topic and I’d love to read or see the piece when it’s done.  The deadline for pitching your ulitimate bitchiness is this Friday.  Drop me a comment if you should happen to want the contact info for the writer.

Migraines Do Suck

6 Replies

My migraine twinges finally turned into a full on migraine last night.  Of course, I was too focused on watching Vantage Point to let it get the best of me.  I thought Vantage Point was a great movie, too bad it ended so quickly.  I mean just a couple more minutes on everyone’s story would have made it about 15-20 minutes longer.  I was a little bummed with how easily it all tied up in the end and well, how short the whole thing was (less than 90 minutes).

Interestingly enough, once the movie ended, the head started to throb.  I headed into the bedroom to rest with my eye mask on (must get a new one, that one was a cheapie and it hurts after it’s been on for a bit).  After about 30 minutes or so, I realized that I needed to hit up the Vicodin or the throbbing pain would go on for hours.  The first time my doc prescribed the Vicodin for my migraines, I was really surprised.  But honestly, it cuts way, way down on how long they last.  And with the actual throbbing gone, the regular meds can just focus on kicking the actual migraine out of my head.

Today the hubs and I are heading out to a friend’s place for a BBQ. I’m quite happy since it will be in Santa Monica and that fact alone drops the temperature about 5-10 degrees.  Now I just need to figure out what to bring along since my request to provide something was shot down.  The old standard is wine, but I’m acatually thinking maybe cut up watermelon instead.

Just out of curiousity, what’s your BBQ take-along standby?

Shop, Shop, Shopaholic

5 Replies

Hello, many name is Kat and um…I’ve been a bit of a shopaholic lately.

I honestly don’t know what’s come over me.  Yesterday after hitting up Costco for some drinks for the hubby, I decided to head over to the new outdoor mall, the Americana.  In less than 2 hours, I managed to spend $100 or so on, um, stuff.  I bought three lightweight tees (all on sale, not bad); a hook, a cookbook and a bowl from Anthropologie; and a small strainer, a pairing knife, two bamboo cooking utensials and a new timer from Sur la Table.

This doesn’t count the dish soap I bought from eBay (finally found my matching scent from William Sonoma).  Or the um, books I recently bought off of Amazon.  Yeah, yeah, I know, I don’t need the books, but one was for business and the other for book club.

And now I keep thinking about this necklace and pair of earrings that I also saw at Anthropologie.  I think I must have them.  Do I need them?  Hell no.  Do I want them?  Oh yeah baby!  So pretty.  So feminine.  So casual yet dressy. So perfect.  So mine.

Guess where I’ll be going sometime in the next few days?  At least I was able to walk away from the $50 flip flops (yes, FLIP FLOPS!!) at JCrew.  Give me some credit please.  Just please don’t tell my husband 😉

A Few of My Favorite Things From BlogHer

8 Replies

I wanted to call this “my favorite swag” but I felt that was kind of rude.  You know, like the rest of the free stuff sucked or something.  Honestly, I love everything I came home with.  I did drop a few things off at the recycling room.  I also picked up a few things with the intention of handing them off to friends (especially the mom-related items).

A Few of My Favorite Things from BlogHer

In no particular order:

  • multiple thumb drives – I’ll probably keep one or two and the others I’ll probably give away to friends
  • Zivio bluetooth headset by Joby (the guys that brought you the Gorillapod adjustable tripod – it’s been on my Christmas list for the past two years…this year, if I don’t get me a Gorillapod, I’m getting it myself!) – this bluetooth baby is awesome!  It’s super small and light weight, has a retractable mic that you can use in loud or windy situations, and my favorite part, it has six different type and size ear buds for that perfect fit!  It’s not yet out on the market, but when it comes out in late summer, be sure to pick one up.  You’ll love it!
  • Soap Nuts from LaundryTree – these little guys are Nature’s answer to eco-safe, all natural, laundry detergent…dried fruit from the Sapindus Mukorossi tree found in India and Nepal that’s naturally soapy.  I’ve been wanting to try these out for the past month after having read about them in Sophia Ulian’s Gorgeously Green book (still hope to interview her shortly – once I get a moment to contact her) and now I finally have the chance.  Look out laundromat, your world is about to change!
  • Kirtsy mints – just because Kirtsy is cool and well, mints are always good to have.  Don’t you agree?
  • Merci chocolates – they gave me three pounds packages of the chocolate, but I was smart enough to immediately give one away. The other will be enjoyed by yours truly with the last one being sent out to a friend when the weather cools in time for National Thank You Day (which was why they were given out to begin with).   Just think, twenty sticks of German chocolate goodness!  PMS your dreams have been answered!
  • The Closer Crimson Essie polish – one of those perfect red polishes for the toes.  And it’s Essie, one of my favorite brands (even if I don’t watch The Closer).
  • Michelin Man tire gauge – I don’t know about you, but I just know my tires are improperly inflated.  I never bothered to buy a tire gauge and now I don’t have to.  I wound up chatting with one of the guys from Michelin and he told me that they arranged for the carbon offsets for the entire BlogHer conference.  How cool is that?!?!
  • Aluminum bottle from LeapFrog Toys – I’ve been meaning to get my own Sigg bottle, I just never got around to it and now I don’t have to.  So while I don’t use LeapFrog products myself, I do get them for gifts and I really appreciate my new eco-friendly bottle.

So there you have it, some of my favorite products that I came away with from BlogHer.    I also got a couple of decent pens (who doesn’t need decent pens) and a T-Mobile pre-paid card which will most definitely come in handy when I’m traveling and need to get online.  Now I just need to put is some place safe – LOL.

Finally, Some Photos From BlogHer!

4 Replies

To be honest, I only took the camera out once while waiting in the hall for the entrepreneur breakout session and then again, when Jennifer from TheSmartMama and I won our bags at the Macy’s closing party.  So bear with me.

The Pile o’ Business Cards (I will compile a list…eventually)

Some of the Biz Cards from BlogHer08

Some of the Swag (some was still buried in the suitcase)

BlogHer08 Some of the Swag

Speaking of the suitcase…I had to take out all my clothes and squish them in a carry on bag to make room for the swag

The Swag Packed Up - BlogHer08

Lookee above, I won a bag!! Not my style and I’ll be putting it up on eBay, but still very cool!

And check it out…a blogger…blogging!! (actually I just now realized that that’s Patricia Handschiegel formerly of Style Diary – second time I heard her speak…she’s got her shit together and isn’t afraid to share her ups and downs – I really need to reach out to her)

BlogHer08 - Look Ma, a Blogger Blogging

And now I must head out to lunch with a LWL friend. Need to catch up…

I’ve Been Done In By a Hoover Steam Cleaner!

3 Replies

But God help me, my carpet looks good! I probably should have done it twice by seriously, that thing is a pain in the ass.  Not to mention that every third of our tiny room I have to empty the dirty (so gross!) water and refill the soap and hot water.

Now I just have to wonder how long it will be before I can move back in to the living room.  I mean our place is only so big – and I did the spot by my desk under my greasy (hand me down) chair. So really, that doesn’t leave all too much room to spread out in.

And well, since I’m sweaty, disgusting and probably stink (I refuse to take a deep breath) it’s not like I can run out some where.  Then again, I basically can’t shower until I put the living room back together since that will make me get all sweaty and gross yet again.

Of course, the hall is still soaking wet (I tried, but it’s such a tiny space), but I’m just too lazy (again) to lock up the dog, protect the cat and dig out the machine to suck up the water.  I also cleaned the kitchen floor a bit.  It looks better, but it’s still pretty bad.  But what do you expect, I think that flooring (hell, it’s that industrial crap they used to use in schools) is at least 20 years old.  How clean would I expect it to get, right?

And don’t even get me started in the major mess I made in the bathroom while dumping out the water.  I have brackish, black water everywhere!!!  So yeah, it is a pain in the ass, but dayum does my living room look good!

Now I’m off to eat my leftover tostada pizza from CPK.  It’s a salad. It’s a pizza.  It’s a salad pizza!!!! Yummy!

PS – It’s really boring when you can’t walk around your apartment, catch up on missed TV shows (since the hubby watches as well) and can’t really sit comfortably at the desk to poke around online.  Guess I’ll go read one of the many, many books I have to catch up with.

Some Things I’ve Learned This Weekend

3 Replies

This is a pretty quick and non-BlogHer related post, but now that I’m home and setttled in a bit, I realized that I’ve learned a couple of things this weekend.  In no particular order…

  • It seems as though I’m allergic to something in our home (besides our cat).  Every time I go away, my throat clears up and I lose the post-nasal crap.  So there’s something in our apartment that just doesn’t agree with me.
  • As much as I love being around other women…I really only like being around supportive and positive women.  There was some jealousy and negativity in the air this weekend and it was palpable, and downright uncomfortable.
  • I really and truly can and will talk to anyone about anything.  Anywhere.
  • I like initiating contact with strangers – especially when I meet some great people (waves hello to my new friends!!!)
  • Traveling is tiring.  Even though I got a good 7-8 hours of sleep a night, I’m freakin’ wiped out exhausted today.  Like the kind of exhausted where I can barely think clearly.  What’s up with that.
  • I can surprisingly travel lighter with swag than with a suitcase full of clothes.  Who knew?!?
  • Even when you stop the mail, they still deliver the crap.  What’s up with that?!?!
  • As much as I love having the bed all to myself, I miss my boys and my husband.
  • I hate unpacking.  And even when I tell myself I’m packing light (I only packed an extra sweater, otherwise, I wore everything – one outfit for each day – once) it’s still too much shit.
  • I believe my eye lash curler is what has been setting off the TSA luggage search these past few flights.  It’s the only common thing (outside of regular make-up and a brush) that I had with me in my small, checked bag, that I didn’t have with me the last time I traveled.  Guess I won’t be bringing that with me any more.
  • Raisinets does not a lunch make.  And well, sadly, American chocolate sucks and I just need to stop eating it.  It’s just not worth the calories since it really isn’t even satisfying or tasty.
  • I am SO thankful that the ONLY thing on my agenda tomorrow is that I have to pick the hubs up from the airport.

On now, I’m off to veg or sleep or whatever comes first…