Category Archives: whatnots

Share & Tell: My Ringtones

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I’ll admit it, I’m kind of running out of things to say on a daily basis.  Between teaching and working and setting up the upcoming gift guides, I don’t seem to have much time or energy left.  So, I think I’ll hit up my stockpile of blogging drafts and see what I can come up with.

I started writing this post a long time ago.  I mean, long enough ago that I actually still used songs with lyrics for my ring tones.  Long enough that Push It actually WAS my ringtone.  But hey, I’ll still share and tell if that’s okay.

But first, the original post (as I see fit to edit)…

I was trying to get some new ringtones to upload into my phone but for some reason,  I couldn’t get the damn downloads to work right.  So I’ll just have to share what I have on the phone right now…

I’ve got Trisha Yearwood’s That’s What I Like About You for hubby* (a Trisha concert was our first date).

I have Rilo Kiley’s Portions for Foxes** for my unknown callers (so I know when it’s not worth running into the other room to dig through my purse to answer the phone.

Trouble by Pink for my old roommate and closest friend.  I just think it’s cute, you know, her being a bad influence (ha!) and all that.

The heavy guitar intro to U2’s New Year’s Day for our good friend (though she rarely calls from an unblocked call most times).

I’ve always wanted my default ringer to be Salt &  Peppa’s Push It, but since my phone always went with me to client meetings, I didn’t think it was appropriate.  Once these other two expire, I’ll upload Push It. Yeah, that’s totally old news.

Currently, I have the musical intro to Kirsty MacColl’s US Amazonians (you can give a listen below).  It’s fun, it’s loud enough, it has no lyrics attached to it (perfect for when the phone rings when I’m teaching or with clients) and I know it well enough that it makes me smile and hum along when I hear it.

Now it’s your turn…what is your current ringtone? Something with lyrics or without?

* I still do since he rarely calls my cell when I’m out with clients.

** I don’t use anything for unknown/blocked numbers any more.  Then again, since I can see who calls and listen to their message online these days, I don’t rush to answer the phone anymore either.

Do You Read On Your iPhone?

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Or any smart phone for that matter.

I’ve been noticing more and more people talk about downloading books on either the Kindle app or the Eucalyptus app and happily, enjoyably reading books while they’re traveling.  Or while they’re waiting in line at the doctors or post office or whatever.

When I travel, I like to bring books (and magazines).  I can’t imagine not bringing a book.  For one reason, my husband will always, without doubt (unless we can’t get a connection and that’s now nearly improbable) be on his computer doing something or other.

But…I can also see how freeing it could be to not carry a book (or magazine) when traveling.  I don’t travel enough to warrant a Kindle or other e-reader.  Plus, I actually enjoy borrowing books from both friends and the library (or even buying second hand) so I’m not sure it would be worth the expense.

So, that all being said…do you use an app to do any sort of reading on your iPhone/Droid/Pre/Smartphone?  Do you enjoy it?  Is it worth the storage space it will undoubtedly suck up? Or would it be better to just try an audio book?

I’m very interested in seeing what you might have to say on this topic.  Very interested indeed, so please share away.

ETA:  ooooh, you can “buy” trashy Kindle novels on Amazon for free.  Might be worth it just for that 😛

Being Sick Sucks

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sick_girl

I’ve been noticing some (seeming) breathing challenges the past week or so.  You know the kind, where it feels like you’re back in middle school in Jersey (pick any cold location here) in the dead of winter having to run outside for PE.  My chest has been feeling like that these past couple days. Just walking from the car to the front door leaves me achey and feeling winded.

Then late last night, before bed, I notice the ginormous purple bags under my eyes.  Beautiful I’m sure.

I’m kinda bummed.  I’ve been taking some amazing homeopathic meds for my sinus issues and I’ve been crazy impressed by how well it was working.  Of course, just the other day I bragged to my husband how this is the longest I’ve gone in a year or so without a sinus infection.  And blamo, the chest aches started up *grr*

I’m still crazy impressed with the homeopathic meds I’ve been taking for a couple months now (check it out if you have ANY kind of sinus crap going on –  Sinus Wars –  I can’t recommend it enough) and will continue to take those little pellets.  But, I think my chest might need some old school antibiotics.

If I wasn’t teaching, I’d wait it out and just go with the natural stuff.  But I don’t have that extra time right now.

All I want now is soup.  I wonder if I can convince the hubs to head out for some soup for dinner. Wonton soup would be perfect.

In the meantime, back to arranging for the upcoming gift guides.  Tons of works, but also lots of fun.

Weird Fashion Related Mistakes

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I never said I was a fashion plate.  In fact, I blogged about being fashionably challenged some time over the summer.  While I have gotten a bit more fashionable since I started teaching again – I mean, considering I can’t teach in yoga pants and sweats – I’ve still got a lot to learn.

The other day I figured I’d head on over to Kohls and spend my well earned $20 in Kohls cash.  What better to spend my free money on than a new pair of slumming around jeans (I have enough nice trouser jeans, but nothing to schlep around it).  Easy, right?

Well, for the most part it was.  I decided on two pair; one clearance and the other on sale (don’t even get me started on what I ended up spending that shopping trip…I’ll give you a hint, it was more than my $20 in Kohls cash).

Fast forward to today and well, yesterday too…

I noticed that every time I entered or left a store (any store), I’d set off the security alarms.  I just assumed it had to be something in my purse (I’ll throw anything in there…why I love me a big bag).  Then today I set off the alarm again in Barnes and Noble.  Thing is, this time I was only carrying my wristlet.  So the only thing in common was me, my wallet and my phone.  Confusion.

When I got home I figured I’d better check out those new jeans.  Well, turns out it was just a stupid tag SEWN into the jeans.  Why would they use a security system sewn into the product if they’re not going to un-charge desensitize them before handing them over to me?  Crazy.

Oh well, it’s fixed now.

Bra

During this very same Kohls shopping trip, I thought I’d check out the clearance.  You could tell they’d just organized or cleaned up since all the bras were organized nice and neatly by size.  I took a quick peek and found two bras in my size; one black and lacy, one boring and beige.  Perfect!  And both were only like $6 each.  Total score.

Then some time yesterday or so, I was lying in bed (probably napping after class) and it hit me that I bought the wrong size.  I bought my old, pre-reduction size that I was over 10 years ago.  What the hell.

Guess where I’ll be going later this week?

I’m half-wondering what sort of message is in these two related, yet not, fashion mishaps.  Any idea?

Post-Halloween Life Lesson

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Reeses

Here’s what I notice…

When you don’t eat regular, American chocolate for a while and then eat it…it tastes like shit compared to European chocolate.

BUT…

If you keep eating those Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups you’ll eventually start to swear they’re the best thing ever created.

Why is that?

PS – did you know that they actually make a perfume to smell like Reese’s cups?  Gross!

reesesperfume

NaBloPoMo: What Was I Thinking???

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nablopomo

I’ll admit it, I’m not thinking clearly.

Once again I’ve decided to participate in NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month).  Basically, I commit to blog daily for the full month.  This should be interesting since I’ve noticed that when I’m teaching, I can’t seem to find the time to post.  So this year, more than with any of my past NaBloPoMo times, this should be a challenge.

I didn’t do it last year because we were in Ireland. I seems I even did it last year while we were in Ireland.  Looking over everything, it looks like I skipped a couple days at the end of the month*.  Then again, I had multiple days where I posted more than once.  And of course, things got totally wonky in Ireland since we were half a day apart from where I was posting in Ireland and when it said I was posting in LA.  Very wonky indeed.

I’m hoping I can do this.  I can’t say that there’s a helluva lot going on right now that’s not school related.  But we will have our mini-vacation soon.  Strangely enough, it seems we tend to do mini-vacations in November (looking over past NaBlPoMo posts).  Very strange indeed.

If you’d like to know a little more about me, feel free to hop on over to my About page.  Otherwise, welcome to this mess I call NaBloPoMo!!

Wish me luck!

nablopomo2

PS: If you’re an LA local gal, be sure to sign up for your chance to win a spa treatment at Dermalogica in Santa Monica

*just looked closer, seems I threw in the towel with only 8 days to go.

Working On This Green Thing

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going_green

On the one hand, I’m totally on the bandwagon and have been for years.  I was raised recycling and making our own household products.  I’ve been refusing bags or bringing my own bags places long before it was all sorts of trendy and cool (I love my mini-Rume bag and keep one in my purse at all times – at the grocery store I just use my SXSW cloth bags).

But sometimes, I’ll admit it, I just can’t get into it.

Sometimes, the mere scent of a new bath or body product is just too tempting to walk away from because it’s not organic.  Or the killer laundry product that I can’t even begin to imagine walking away from – like the new Spray ‘n Wash Bright & White that gets my clothes amazingly white for the first time in I don’t know how long (but I do know it’s been years since I’ve not done my laundry at a laundromat).

I’ll admit it though, Kermit was right…it’s not easy being green.

Now that weather is cooler, I’m not going to have a window sill to rest my drying bottles and cans in (and I’ve learned the hard way, if I’m storing my bottles and cans inside, they MUST be rinsed out). I’m going to have to come up with a plan B here.

And while I have no problem spending a little extra for my organic health and beauty supplies, I have to say, I’m a bit disappointed in how they’ve been working.  So far, I think I’ve wasted more money and more products on things I didn’t like or that didn’t live up to the hype.  And I have to wonder, is it worth it?

I will say, there are some products that I’m trying that I love (keep in mind, they’re not all 100% organic or environmentally safe)…

  • Cargo’s Plant Love Organic Loose Powder – I’m pretty much a die hard Bare Minerals kind of gal, but I have to say, I love this stuff.  There aren’t as many colors to choose from, so it’s more challenging to find that perfect shade.  But…not having to deal with the BE/BM burn is awfully nice.
  • Mrs Meyer’s cleaning supplies – I’ve switched over to her cleaning products a couple years ago. While I know I can just as easily make my own cleaning supplies, I have to say, I’m addicted to the aromas.  I love that I can hop into my shower, close those icky doors, and start scrubbing off the soap scum without having to worry about fainting from the cleaning agents.  Always a good thing.
  • Dessert Essence Natural Roll-On Deodorant – who knew finding a natural deodorant that works would be so difficult.  My girlfriend actually picked this one up for me when she was perusing her co-op website.  So far I love it.  Since I also use their tea tree oil, I had a place an order for me so I could try some more of their products.
  • The Green Beauty Guide – Like I said, I’m having some challenges here, so I could use all the help I can get finding those new products to try.
  • Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm – I was given this as a giftie by a friend that works for Burt’s Bees.  Lip balm addict that I am (with a gazillion and one lip balms lying about), I stuck it in a purse that I rarely use and never gave it much thought.  I was using that purse the other day and whipped it out. Wow, I love this!  It’s got just enough color and it’s minty.  Very cool.
  • Josie Maran Lip Gloss – this baby sits in my concert bag (yes, I have a small purse just for when I go to shows – holds close to nothing, but it’s also easy to hold on to).  I keep this bag stocked and ready to go – toss in the ID and the Blackberry and all is good.  While I can’t attest to the color – I’m usually in the dark – I do love the scent, the taste and the last power.  It’s not too goopy and stays on through most of the show.
  • Laundry Tree Soap Nuts – I love, love, love these babies.  We were given samples in our BlogHer swag bag two years ago.  I loved them so much, I arranged to do a giveaway on ConstantChatter.  Basically, instead of using detergent, you just toss the nuts into the wash and let them work their magic.  I’d use them more often if I didn’t have to use a laundromat (feel like I’m wasting them since more than likely, the machine is already filled with enough soap residue to wash with water alone).
  • Dryer Balls – I also love to use dryer balls instead of fabric softener.  The roll around and beat up the clothes so they get soft and fluffy without the chemicals.  I will say, they don’t completely cut down on the static, but you can deal with it.

I can’t say I’m doing perfect here in my quest to go green.  But it’s not such a bad start.  I tell myself that once we move into our own place (and I no longer have to use the laundromat) or fight to get the recyclables taken care of, it will be much easier.

What are you doing to go green[er]?  What are some of your favorite products?

When Did I Become an Adult?

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When did I stop thinking only about myself and start putting others at the top of my list?  When did I decide it was perfectly fine to go without a haircut so that the dog, yes, the DOG could get his haircut?  When did I decide that shoes should indeed be comfortable?

And more importantly, when did I decide that planning out the menu a week in advance just might be a good thing?  Mind you, I haven’t yet implemented this strategy – which is why I’m sitting here at nearly 7:00PM trying to figure out what to make for dinner – but it’s still a good idea that in my former life I previously would have laughed off.

playful_kids

I want to be a kid again. I want to be carefree.  I don’t want to have to be the one in charge.  I don’t want to have to do the dishes and make dinner or do laundry.  I don’t want to have to schedule my week.  I just way to run and play and frolic and well, make a mess and not have to be the one to clean it up.

I say we lead a revolt.  I say we create a whole week where we embrace our inner child (or would that be children?) and run amok.  Who wants to join me?

Back to School, Back to Beauty: The Brows

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katy_brow

I have a love hate relationship with my eyebrows.  I love their natural arch and just how little needs to actually get done to groom them. On the flip side, since I can no longer get them waxed (a side effect of Retin A) that leaves me with tweezing myself or getting them threaded.

According to Wikipedia, threading is when “practitioners use a pure, thin, twisted cotton thread which is rolled over untidy hairlines, mustaches and so on, plucking the hair at the follicle level. Unlike tweezing where a single hair is pulled out each time, threading can remove an entire row of hair, resulting in a straighter line.”

As I’m sure you can guess, it’s not a pain-free experience. If given the choice, I’d much rather get waxed. When you get waxed its basically over and down with in one fell swoop. With threading, they go over and over the same spot again and again, while ripping each hair one at a time.

Yes, I’ll admit it, I’m often this close to coming to tears. I think it’s almost as bad an experience for me as going to the dentist. And well, going to the dentist only happens a couple times a year.

The good news, the end result is amazing. And, you can do your own upkeep for at least a month or so if you dread the torturous experience as much as I do.

So what torture do you endure for beauty’s sake?