Miss Elizabeth is getting married!

Part of the joy in giving a gift is creating something thoughtful that creates a smile. I LOVE gifting and though a wedding registry is one of the most practical creations ever, it is fairly impersonal. So, with the batchelorette party of a friend of mine on the horizon, I had an excuse to wander the local Pottery Barn with all my left brain talent in tow. I must have spent an hour trying to find the right ensemble! Below is the gift I created, which consists of her pitcher, place mats and napkin rings. All it takes in a little creativity to make the ordinary, extraordinary! My goal was to give her a beautiful "bouquet!"

[After I took this, I wrapped it in cellophane & tied at the top with a Pottery Barn branded ribbon. Too cute!]

Did you find me??

Please leave me a quick comment so I know my directions work. Thanks!

Easter Bunnies!

We spent our last Omaha Easter with family in town. I always bring something sweet and try to make my creation very kid friendly for the three year old twins. This year, I decided to do my take on the Easter bunny cupcake. I made everything from scratch. They looked cute, but tasted terrible! So, I will share pictures and also the links to recipes that I would stay away from!

[my supplies, clockwise: sweethearts pink only, kissables brown only, dentyne gum cut in half (couldn't find chiclets!), chocolate twizzlers sliced]

[Finished product. For the ears, I sliced marshmallows in half, then sliced five wedges from each half. I then coated the sticky side with pink sugar crystals, put toothpicks in one end and stuck it in the cupcake]

[I found the gum horribly affected the taste of the cupcake, so I opted NOT to add them on most, mostly for the sake of keeping the kids from eating it. I thought they were actually cuter without the teeth!]

And here are the recipes I would recommend staying away from: Four Egg Yellow Cake & Buttercream Frosting. I consider myself a pretty good baker and yet, I clearly did something wrong. Let me know if you have any great cake or frosting recipes! I am always searching for yummy 'from-scratch' recipes!

[And this is why I do it!]

A Maven?

I was once described by a friend as a maven. She had just finished reading The Tipping Point, by Malcolm Gladwell which used the term to describe people who are "intense gatherers of information and impressions, and so are often the first to pick up on new or nascent trends. Gladwell also suggests that mavens may act most effectively when in collaboration with connectors- i.e., those people who have wide network of casual acquaintances by whom they are trusted, often a network that crosses many social boundaries and groups. Connectors can thus easily and widely distribute the advice or insights of a maven."

So, in discovering what I am really passionate about in life, I have decided that it is being a maven. I love to share with others, the research I do on products and projects and anything that I find interesting! (so you are thinking about how lucky you are to be my friend right about now, right?!? Hahaa ...kidding)

Anyhoo, this came to mind today when I found a new use for a product I have been using for years and wanted to share! I was introduced to the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser by my friend KT, who used it to clean her littermaid litter box, and then just threw the sponge away. Since this is probably the most disgusting household chore that exists, I experimented with the product and came to rely on it for much more than the litter box duties. It cleans up white door frames, refrigerators, coffee stained counter tops and today...it did its best job yet! I was caught in a slushy freezing rain storm the last time I wore my white puma sneakers and they ended up nearly brown by the time I made it in & out of the grocery store. I was pondering how to get them clean today and thought I would give the Magic Eraser a shot. Wise decision! They clean white leather up to the brightest perfect shade of white! So next time you contemplate how to clean those gray/brown kicks that used to be white, grab a magic eraser & get to work!

L O V E

SO... I really am not going to begin many creative projects since I fear making a horrible mess in our super-clean-ready-to-show-at-any-second home. So I am going to spend the next couple of months diving into my new photography hobby. I want to learn as much as I can before my European extravaganza so I figure most of what will be to come on here has to do with what I see through a lens. I am really into artsy photography [see previous post] but some moments are just those you have to catch without being artsy. This was one of those occasions! I try to foster a home full o' love. Apparently it is working!

[Oh, my babies all love each other. I'm feeling like an accomplished furbaby mama!]

[and NO, he is NOT supposed to be on the bed!!!!!]

Rusty update...

I cant believe it has been this long!!! Our home went on the market this week so we have been feverishly working to make it sparkling and perfect. Mission accomplished! Please send us some real estate luck so we can get this place sold!

[I snapped this after we had a good cry together. I was so worried about him and he knew it. Can't you just see it in his eyes?]

I wanted to give those of you, who are kind enough to care, an update on Rusty. We hooked him up to a holter monitor, which is a 24 hour monitoring of his heart (basically a 24 hour EKG). We were looking for PVC (premature ventricular contractions) that were the evidence of an arrhythmia. As a breed, normal boxers usually have about 50 per day. Those with severe boxer cardiomyopathy have PVCs in the thousands and tens of thousands per day. Thankfully, Rusty only threw 32 during the time he was monitored, putting him in the normal range. [for those of you with medical minds who read this...all were singlets and in rhythm, which is super encouraging] When you have more than one of these extra contractions in a row is where you really run into trouble. So...for now our directive is to treat our little boy as normal. There are a few studies that have been conducted using fish oil and with some pretty decent results that show the number of PVCs are reduced with high enough supplementation in the daily diet. So Rusty drools for his two capsules each night and chews them like candy. He is back to doggie daycare and has no idea anything was ever wrong!

[Rusty wired like a suicide bomber. Poor little guy!!! This was off his daddy's cell phone camera, so excuse the quality! He tolerated the vest without the cone, thank goodness!]

No End in Sight.

Let me preface this post with this: my blog is not about politics. It is about creativity and education. The subject matter is creative education about politics.

As a lover of documentary film, I find myself searching for works of art that are informative, unbiased and can hold my attention. I usually tend to shy away from political pieces as it is hard to find anything that comes out of Hollywood representing anything but the far left. About a month ago, we received the film No End in Sight from Netflix and have had it just sitting in our house not really enthusiastic about watching it. We finally got around to it this weekend and it is by far, the best documentary I have seen. If you think you have an opinion about this war, watch this film and see what more you can gather. The film includes very little narration and is composed of first hand accounts from extremely credible sources: insiders in the pentagon, white house and battle field. I am more passionate about this, given the state of our country's future, than anything I have ever written on this blog. [correction: learn doggy CPR, then watch this film]

As a political moderate who usually leans left, I thought I knew who I was voting for. After this film I have a new candidate; and its not who I thought it would be.

"THE MOST IMPORTANT MOVIE YOU ARE LIKELY TO SEE THIS YEAR"

2007 Academy Award Best Documentary Feature Nominee

Help please...topic: RUGS!

I am in need of a new rug to spruce up the entryway for when we put our home on the market next week. I have exhausted the options within driving distance and am looking for some online help. Please let me know if you have any suggestions...

I am just kicking myself for not learning how to tile & tackling this floor. We have lived with this awful linoleum and I have some words of wisdom...if you have a rubber backed rug, don't let the sun beat in on it or it will discolor the linoleum underneath. Our floor is ruined...which is why we need another 30"x50" rug. I could just buy another one like this (cats have annihilated this one) but I am looking for something plain & basic that is different...


I am always asked about this piece of furniture in the hallway so I thought I would share with you one of my home organization workhorses. I HATE having mail all over the place. Well, I hate any clutter really. So this is my little mail sorter. There are six basket drawers; four small, two large. The small baskets house 1) my mail 2) hubby's mail 3) financial mail 4) coupons. The large baskets hold 1) my large mail/magazines 2) hubby's large mail/magazines. Tadaaa- no clutter! Everything gets sorted the minute the mail gets walked in the door and if it doesn't have a place to go then its new home is the trash can. :) The empty plantar on the top is our outbox. [& the bell hanging from the door is not some quirky decor; it is how Rusty tells us he needs to go potty]

Hair mania...

How is it that our self-esteem is totally wrapped up in our hair? You know, after you leave the salon with the perfect new cut and color you suddenly feel great...until that evening when you freak out about restyling it and wondering if it even looks close to the way it did at the salon. We go with clippings from magazines...I want a little of this and a little of that but not too much of this... Our poor stylists. What we do to them!

I am guilty of having a hair file, full of shades of red and auburn and blonde. I used to be a blonde, but will likely never go back. I feel more myself as a redhead. Think about that. I absolutely identify with my hair. Is that crazy?? Apparently not, since after a few days of conversation on the topic, I am really not alone.

I was able to do an interesting social experiment when I made the shocking switch in hair color. I found that going from long & blonde, to shoulder length auburn I was both taken more seriously at work (and produced far greater sales results) and was looked at more often by men. The kind of men you would want looking at you.

This is all surfacing because I inadvertently got a haircut far shorter than I ever intended. I let my stylist have at it with the scissors and didn't realize what he was doing until off went 6 inches of hair! I have received several comments that I look like a "working woman" though I feel like I belong on the six o'clock news. That or driving a minivan with kids screaming in the back seat. I don't think this cut will last for long, but I did find it interesting how much a few less inches of hair can totally mess with my psyche!

The new do...

Choosing a Paint Finish

There seems to be a LOT of confusion on this topic, and the wrong choice of finish can lead to poor outcomes. (V!?!) I want to give you a basic where-to-use-what guide to help. They guys at the paint counter, while experts in paint, are not experts on interior decor and can often lead you in the WRONG direction. I found a pretty good explanation that speaks to the finishes. I have edited the original below. The full text article can be found here. My comments are in parentheses.

• There are many different types of interior paint finishes, all of which essentially refer to the final paint finishes reaction to light. Different manufacturers of paint sell paint in any combination of finishes, though generally not all of them. The following descriptions of interior paint finishes refer to interior latex paints.


• Flat and matte paint finishes have no real sheen when the paint has dried. Rather than reflect light, flat and matte paint finishes absorb it. Both paint finishes are good for hiding small surface imperfections and imperfections in application, such as brush or roller marks. Flat and matte finishes are good choices for interior walls in rooms that receive little traffic or for painting ceilings. Both paint finishes are generally poor choices for kitchens, baths, and kids' rooms because they do not wash as well as other paint finishes. (**I have never purchased flat paint)


• An eggshell paint finish is similar to a matte finish but has a tiny amount of sheen to it when dried. It is a good choice for interior walls and washes slightly better than flat wall paint. Eggshell paint finishes are sometimes interchangeable with matte paint finishes in certain brands of paint. (**I prefer this finish for most interior walls, color looks rich & opaque)


• A satin paint finish is often the glossiest paint finish a decorator will recommend for any room save the kitchen and bath. It is not a high-gloss finish, but does have a smooth, velvety shine to it when dried. Satin paint finishes do not hide imperfections in surfaces or application as well as the aforementioned finishes, but they are forgiving enough for novice painters to use. A satin paint finish will reflect more light than eggshell and is a great choice for kids' rooms and trim as it stands up well to washing. (**I prefer this for the kitchen & bathrooms)


• Semi-gloss and high-gloss paint finishes are at the other end of the spectrum and reflect the most light of any paint finish when dried. Semi-gloss is a great choice for kitchens and baths as the finish can stand up to water and frequent cleaning better than other finishes. Many people also choose to paint trim with semi-gloss paint for the same reasons. High-gloss paints are not generally popular choices for walls, but many people choose gloss paint for painting furniture especially for a modern look or durable paint finish. (**while the guy at the paint counter will tell you to use semi gloss in a bathroom, I highly advise not. Satin will hold up just as well and make for a prettier color finish. I tend to use semi-gloss for trim only. I have used high gloss on furniture and it has held up beautifully)


• Choosing the right interior paint finish is mostly a matter of personal preference; just remember that the higher the sheen, the more durable the paint is (**but carries less color wow) in the face of frequent traffic and washing. Keeping in mind the use of the room you are painting will help you to select the right interior paint finish. It's choosing the right color that's the hard part!

Paint, Paint, Paint!!!

Paint is one of my personal obsessions. Being an art minor, I have always loved mixing, experimenting and artfully combining colors. From canvas to walls to furniture, I am obsessed with finding the perfect color.

My sister-in-law is in the middle of a huge home renovation and has repainted most walls in her home. She introduced me to a website that is the most amazing color site I have seen. If you have a bit of time to kill and are thinking about repainting...you have to check out MyPerfectColor.com!! She now swears by the Benjamin Moore brand of paint. I cannot yet personally attest to this, but she says the quality and hue is far better quality than the Behr paint she used before.

Some of the great features you will find on MyPerfectColor include:

• Expert designed multi-color palettes for throughout your home


• Converting a color from one brand, to the same color in a different brand
  
• 16 oz mini samples to test a few colors before you dive into one color


• Aura, a collection of colors, that ALL go together so you dont have to worry if all of your house flows!


• A BLOG!!! There is a GREAT informational blog about paint & painting that I highly recommend!

Have fun!!! Always feel free to email me if you want to talk about color--I love it and have helped a lot of people choose the right ones. :)

Rusty Update

Rusty was diagnosed with Boxer Cardiomyopathy, a common heart defect in the breed. We are treating him with beta blockers and anti-arrhythmia drugs, but there is no guarantee that they will prevent sudden heart failure.

Learn more about the Cardiomyopathy here.

Please say a prayer for our little boy. We are heart broken.

[credit: Photography by Kim]

CPR for DOGS

Well this weekend we had a huge wakeup call. About 2 am Saturday morning, our beloved boxer, Rusty, stopped breathing. My [almost] doctor husband reacted quickly to my panicked screams and sprung into action using his people medical skills to save our dog. After a day of testing we still do not know what is wrong. My husband detected an arrhythmia immediately following the episode and the vet suspects Rusty has a heart condition which is a common problem in boxers. We will know more after he has an EKG.

If I didnt have my husband and his medical knowledge Rusty would probably not have made it becasue I wouldnt have known what to do. I am taking it upon myself to implore you to learn the animal CPR and HEIMLICH if you are a pet owner. You never think you need to know it until you have an emergency; then you wish you did. I will make it easy for you. Please, please, please follow the links below to teach yourself this knowledge. You may just save your four-legged friend's life.

DOG CPR

DOG HEIMLICH

The following books can be purchased from the American Red Cross and are specific to DOGS or CATS.

Flickr Love...

So when my sister in law, Kim, introduced me to Flickr, she neglected to tell me how addictive it is! Household projects (not fun enough to post) have been keeping me busy as we prepare our home to be put on the market. I have managed some photography here & there...

wanna play?

[This one got a large amount of love on Flickr]

sunbathing

[this one got some love, but I am particularly proud of it]

I'm so excited...and I just can't hide it!!!

Well...that dangling carrot has finally been caught-by ME! I found out today that I earned high enough rankings in my company to be part of President's Circle, which comes with a 5-Star trip to...GERMANY!!!! When I first joined my company I remember sitting at meetings watching the fancy vacation reel every year and half heartedly paying attention, thinking it was so far out of reach for me. Well...a year of busting my butt & it is paying off! I put over 45k miles on my car this year and spent more long workdays & overnights than I care to remember, but it will all be worth it in June. I will blog it all! Promise! I must improve my photography skills by then so I can have beautiful things to share! Sadly my hubby wont be able to join me since he will have already begun residency so I am making it a girl's trip...Tori get ready!!!!!!

Here's the scoop:

PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE - GERMANY

Hello and Congratulations on being named to the 2007 President’s Circle! The purpose of this letter is to provide you with some general information regarding this year’s program.This year the President’s Circle Program takes us to the home of Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, beautiful Germany! We will begin by visiting Berlin, a dynamic city, featuring traditional and historical architecture such as the Brandenburg Gate and completely new buildings such as those in the Potsdamer Platz along with fabulous museums and shopping. The second part of our trip will take you and your guest to Munich, “The village of a million inhabitants”, known as such for it’s village-like intimacy and yet being a city rich in culture and history. From here, you and your guest will have an opportunity to not only tour this beautiful city, but to visit some of the most spectacular outlying regions of Bavaria. We are very excited about the program planned for you this year, and we look forward to you having an experience you will remember forever.

HOBBY LOBBY---NOW ONLINE!!!!

My favorite go-to craft & home project store just launched their online site! EVERYTHING is 25% off right now and...are you ready...here's the best part: if your order is over $25, shipping is free!!!

Check it out:::::: www.craftsetc.com

Currently Coveting:

I just wish the cork & whiteboard were reversed so I could write my weekly meal plan out on the little sliding stripe! I promised myself (and my husband) that I would not purchase anything more for the current house. Waiting for the next home to determine the "spruce up" budget & new place needs...

Magazine Files...Made Beautiful!

This week brought the much welcomed return of my husband to the hospital...halleluia! You see, I married a man that just was not equipped to be anything but ridiculously busy. When he isnt busy, I am the sole recipient of his attention which means I get nothing done! So away he went...remembering every day just why he wanted to be a surgeon...and here I am...finally getting back to creative projects!

I have wanted to do something with my eyesore magazine files that I bought with the intention of painting. I was going to paint them to match my bookshelf so they just blended in, but obviously that is too boring for my taste. So I brainstormed & brainstormed and was inspired by a fellow blogger. Two Straight Lines is a blog by a Wondertime Magazine craft contributor. Her use of magazine files was what I based this project on...and I am dreaming of that lovely piece of IKEA furniture she uses; it is surprisingly cheap! My next investment...for my next home...

But back to magazine files. I use them to organize everything. I have folders & envelopes inside to organize project clippings, office supplies and anything else I need an arms reach from my desk. I bought these cheap black magazine files from target with the intention of removing the ugly grommet (which I did on one) and sprucing them up.




I started the project with the files, 12x12 scrapbook paper that I picked up on sale at Hobby Lobby, Clear Contact Paper, my Creative Memories cutting system, ribbon, and a credit card (and a screwdriver for removing grommets)

I cut each 12x12 sheet in half and cut a piece of contact paper to cover the sheet, with about three inches on all sides of the paper.

Since all of the magazine files I found were just taller than 12 in, I had to get creative to make up the gap. I didnt want any of the black showing, so I cut a piece of ribbon (which actually is the same ribbon I used for my Linen Pinboard project) to make up for the space the paper couldnt cover.

I then stretched the contact paper over the end of the magazine file and used a credit card to be sure there were no bubbles under the paper. I had also pre-bent the paper over the sides of the file just to give me a guide when I put the contact paper over it. I used contact paper because given my tendency to redecorate yearly, I wanted to easily be able to remove this patterned paper and replace it in the future. Nothin' like planning ahead!

Then, I wrapped it tight on all sides like a present. I cut some of the contact paper out on the corners, just so the excess was managable to fold over itself on the inside of the file.

There's the first one!

Such an improvement!

And now it's complete. Uniform & much better looking than the black. Now time to tackle the matching bookcase on the other side of the window!

There is a right way to say thank you...

[and for those of you true readers, the background is my chilewich table mat!]

So ugly, they're cute!

I first found UGLY DOLLS at Paper Source in Kansas City & have fallen in love with the line! My niece needs one, but since she doesnt know she needs one, she can wait until she knows her Auntie Shawna got her just the perfect ugly doll for her(they all have stories!) I have hers all picked out!

These are a few of my favorite things...

I know, it has been a while! I have been traveling heavily this January, spending 12 of the last 26 days on the road...and trying to plan a cross-country move when time allows. Life has been a little hectic, but I have sat on enough planes (six, to be exact) to thoroughly catch up on my magazine habit and get some inspiration for this next post.

I tend to be a magazine reader (vs. a book reader) because a) I have a short attention span and b) I want current information that can enhance my life. I read a LOT of magazines every month and at the top of my pile is always Real Simple. It is jam packed with articles that advise, instruct & inspire. This year's January issue didn't disappoint & it inspired this post. The issue covered the "smartest, most useful products for: home, fashion, cooking, beauty, & health." I am going to borrow their categories & give you my MUST HAVES...many of which happened to pop up in the issue itself! Below you will find my list of things I cannot live without. Anything on it has at least two years of use in my home. So here it goes...you will find pictures of everything in every header.

MY LIST OF THE SMARTEST, MOST USEFUL, PRODUCTS FOR...

• The Dyson Animal Vacuum w/ Telescoping Wand The price may make you squint your eyes and scream "What?!? For a vacuum!!!?!" but I assure you it is worth it! I fill up its bag less container every week with more pet hair than I even imagined blanketed my home. It has a bare floors setting, which means the broom is obsolete. Check the target ads, usually they run a special where you pay full price, but get a $100 gift card which somehow makes it less of a blow. I actually look forward to vacuuming now!
• Spot Shot This carpet cleaner is the only one that gets the nastiest of nasty stains out of my white carpet. From muddy puppy paws, to kitty puke-this one has kept my carpet sparkling. I went through about a dozen brands before I found this one. You can buy it in 4 packs at Sam's or Costco.
• Method Wood for Good Most wood cleaners I have used in the past were so waxy that they would catch the cat hair floating in the air & make the surface I just cleaned look dirty is seconds, not to mention sticky for days. This is a pleasant almond scented cleaner that is non toxic & gentle on you & the environment. Couple it with Get a Grip, the microfiber cloth and you've got yourself a great cleaner for that kitchen table & nightstand that will make them both shine.
  
• Starbucks Proteo Barista Espresso Machine Though Starbucks no longer makes this machine, it is found on eBay & craigslist at very affordable prices. This gem of a purchase has probably saved me more money than any appliance. Starbucks sells the espresso "pods" so you can make the perfect strength espresso shot to drink alone or in my case, add to my latte in the morning. I swear this machine paid for itself in 6 months. I can make a better cup of coffee at home than any Starbucks can!
  
• Chilewich Table Mats I stumbled upon these a couple of years ago at the Sur la Table in town & fell in love with the line. I have the mini basket weave, in shades of green in a set of four for my table and these look identical today, to what they did three years ago. They are made of "plynyl" and can be cleaned in the sink w/soap and water, or even with bleach if you want to get aggressive. The real simple also features their rugs, which I cannot vouch for. I am probably going to splurge on one this year...
  

• UGG Boots Though I used to think these were just some status symbol, my move to the Midwest has taught me otherwise. I think I wear my tall, light sand, mosaic print uggs just about every day during the winter! They are a must have if the temp goes below freezing. Now, whether you really need them in places like California or (gasp) Texas is up for debate but here where the temp has averaged in the teens lately, we need our uggs. They have replacement inserts & special cleaning solution made by the company to make these last through the years...
  
• Hanky Panky These are the absolute most comfortable thong! The lace on the side prevent any lines from showing through and the design is flawless. Many brands have knocked these off but Hanky Pankies are the originals. I prefer the low rise version. They are one size fits all. The only undies I'll wear! Though a bit expensive, they can be found discounted at the Nordstrom half yearly sale as well as at Neimans Last Call outlet stores. Wash in a mesh bag w/ Woolite and they will clean up beautifully!
  
• Spanx Truly original...started with footless pantyhose and now they make shapers for ever need! I especially love their Power Panties & Higher Power designs. They say whats underneath makes the look...and obviously I prescribe to that theory!
• Chantelle Senso 2701 I happen to be one of those naturally busty gals who needs more than a pretty bra to keep me looking good. I searched for years for the perfect undergarment and everything above a D-cup always had huge straps and full coverage. There was nothing that worked well and was pretty or even just normal looking. Alas, the chantelle senso t-shirt bra! My favorite part about this bra--the straps have adjustable positioning in the back. There are two loops inside the normal bra positioning that lie closer to the hooks in the middle of the back. This keeps the bra straps from falling down your shoulders and from showing in any sleeveless tanks. I am VERY passionate about this well constructed piece of french lingerie!
• Paige Premium Denim These quickly have replaced 7 for all Mankind as my favorite jeans. The short story: Paige was the fit model for many of the brands of denim we love. This means the jeans were modeled around her body. She was the model for 7, Habitual, True Religion, Lucky, Citizens for Humanity and many more. She decided to build her own company and it is fabulous. My favorites are the Laurel Canyon cut. Check out her interactive fit guide to find your ideal cut. There is even a hidden ID holder in the back pocket in case you don't want to carry a purse while out on the town!

• Everyday Food This magazine has transformed my cooking! A Martha Stewart Magazine, it covers not only tons of recipes but educates readers about all things cooking! From veggies to knives, it is so educational. I find the recipes easy & healthy and many of them are our household staples. It is one of those smaller magazines that you can grab near the checkout but of course, a subscription is cheaper. A few times a year there are supplements called "Good Things" that are creative compilations of crafts and tips for homekeeping.
  
• Allrecipes.com Another resource that has transformed my cooking! This is a huge user driven database of recipes. There are a few features that make this place great. First, you can sort recipes based on how many stars they have been given. You can also see the number of reviews and base your decisions on how many other people cook that recipe. The BEST feature is the comments feature. Much like epicurious, those who have tried the recipe can post comments about their alterations. Usually, you can find a few people who made each recipe much healthier and improve the quality of the meal by using the suggestions.
  
• Nordicware I love to bake but in order to make a pretty finished product, the pan must be high quality. I have Nordicware for all seasons, since they make beautiful molds in many shapes & sizes. My most used: pumpkin loaf pan. Somehow food just tastes better when it is beautiful! You can find most Nordicware for 50% off after the holidays at Sur La Table, my favorite cooking store!
  
• LeCreuset Silicone Spatula Alas, the best spatula ever!! Even visiting cooking friends have commented on the perfect design of this kitchen tool. I initially bought this one because it was hot pink and sparkly (sparkles are in the silicone) but soon found it to be perfectly balanced & easy to grip the rounded handle. The silicone is the perfect consistency! Tuesday Morning often carries the LeCreuset line of silicone highly discounted, but never in as cool colors as Sur La Table. :)
  
• Jo!e Non Stick Omelet Pan Just the perfect size for a single omelet! I have the double pan and the single one, along with the mini flipper & the mini whisk. The double pan makes the most fluffy, perfect omelet every time. It fits perfectly on an English muffin for a great egg sandwich. Every tool & pan has the cute little egg guy on the handle!
  

• Bare Minerals This is my favorite line of makeup. I don't wear a lot, but my favorites in this line that I do wear just about every day are the SPF 15 Foundation, Faux Tan (better than Warmth for a bronzer), and Mineral Veil (no more shine!). I really do love this line of makeup & it is great for your skin!
  
• Shu Uemura Basic Mascara Best mascara ever! Goes on without any clumps & separated lashes perfectly. I also really like the brand's eyelash curler. It is usually the pick by celebrity makeup artists and perfectly shapes the eye for a flawless curl every time.
• Kerastase Reflection Most of you know that my redheadedness is not natural...thus I need a great shampoo & conditioner to hold that color! My blonde locks just want to let it go...This is the best shampoo & masque I have found. It makes my hair shiny as ever!
  
• Super Solano Hair Dryer I have had this same hair dryer since my junior year of college and it is still going strong 6 years later! Talk about a worthwhile investment! This dryer cut my drying time in half when I first purchased it and when people visit & use it...they usually end up buying one of their own!
  
• Chi 1in Flat Iron This is the only hot tool I use. It can curl just as well as a curling iron and yet flatten straight as a board! A one stop shop! This is the original ceramic flat iron.
  
  
  
• Fish Oil Capsules I swear these make my skin more hydrated. Since I began using them, I have seen a big difference. There are also an insane amount of health benefits associated with their consumption--click the link above to see the Mayo Clinic's evidence. My OB also said that taking these along with a prenatal vitamin during pregnancy prevents the need to use a stool softener since fish oil is naturally provides that benefit. I had a hard time taking them at first because I didn't like the taste I burped up...but Martha taught me if you freeze them & take them just before bed, you wont get any of the nasty taste! My vet even encouraged me to give one or two a day to my dog to shine up his coat. He now drools for them...
  
• Vaniqa You know that bit of peachy fuzz we ladies get on our cheeks that we [oh, no she didn't] shave, wax & pluck? Meet Vaniqa. A prescription cream that keeps that fuzz from growing. It stops any hair growth where you rub it in. It says to use it twice per day, but I only rub it on once per day and it has kept my face nice and hairless for three years! Patience is necessary...it takes about 6 months of use to start working but it is GREAT!
  
• Prenatal Vitamins Most doctors will tell you the generic brand you find at Costco will suit you just fine. Did you know that you have to be taking a Prenatal Vitamin BEFORE conception to reap all the benefits for your baby? Since 50% of all pregnancies in the US are unplanned, it's not a bad idea to be taking one just in case. I know, you're on the pill...but of these unintended pregnancies, 44% are behavior related method failures. What can it hurt to take one anyway? Thicker hair? Beautiful fingernails? Not a bad idea! **NEW NEWS 1/31/08-a study of over 35,000 women who took folic acid supplements for at least a year before becoming pregnant cut their chances for very early preterm births (20-28wks) by 70%. Most prenatals have at least 400mcg of folic acid, try to find one w/ at least 800mcg(.8mg) if you can!
  
• Heart Rate Monitor Ever at the gym and wonder how hard you are working? The best way to know is to wear a heart rate monitor & be sure you are at your target heart rate. I have a Polar HRM and it has lasted over 8 years now. I am so impressed that most of the cardio machines have picked up this technology and have built in sensors so you can actually set your Target Heart Rate at the start of your run and the speed will adjust so you always hit your THR. Genius!
  
• Nalgene OTG Bottles It pretty much goes without saying, but we need to drink a lot of water. My favorite bottle for in the car and for working out is this Nalgene bottle that I can open with one hand. It holds just enough water for a good workout and is the prefect fit for in the car cup holders. I take one with me on the road everyday and have a commitment to myself to drink the whole thing before I am back home. It sounds easy...but I think it is a challenge!

What are your MUST HAVE favorite things??