New Shoe Blues

     I made an error in judgment last Monday. I was on my way to work when I decided to get off of the train a stop early and pick up my watch band.

     My everyday Burberry watch's iconic plaid-leather band had been disintegrating, and after a few Google searches and phone calls, the solution was to visit my local Burberry store to see about obtaining a replacement. The store was a little out of my way, so it took me a while to find the time to be in the area and stop in. I am glad I finally did, though, because their customer service was excellent, they were able to obtain the band earlier than predicted, and they even tried to get it in before I left for my vacation. I ended up not being able to pick it up, unfortunately, because my Angel Pie became ill, and then we left for our trip, so I felt badly about not picking it up, so I tried to get it as soon as I got back into town.

     Back to yesterday. I was excitedly wearing a new pair of shoes,

and because they were flats and I thought ahead to put in heel liners, I didn't think twice about attempting the walk, even in the 90°+ heat. That was the wrong decision. Almost immediately, I developed blisters on both heels. Upon leaving Burberry, the blister on my left heel broke. I hobbled to the nearest CVS, going to the extreme of stomping down on the back of my does to stop the rubbing. At CVS, I grabbed lunch supplies and blister first aid--blister-specific bandages, knee-highs, footies, and Band-Aid Friction Block Stick. If only I would have thought to apply the last product in the first place, I wouldn't be in this situation. After my purchase, I hobbled to my office.

     The first set of blister bandages ended up being a bust when used with the footies. I think the footies would have been useful in the first place as well, but at this point, they just broke the seal of the bandage. The second set of bandages worked better because I left my shoes off for mostly the rest of the day, with the exceptions of restroom trips. I still had to make it home, though. I added the knee-highs and removed the heel guards, and hobbled to the train station. Thank goodness my walk is short.

     From my train stop, I had my husband bring my sandals. Big improvement in terms of pain. I was able to walk almost normally through a quick grocery store run. At home, though, the hem of my pants became an irritant, bumping the raw skin of my left heel pretty constantly. I thought I would fare best to leave the broken blister uncovered overnight. Huge mistake.

     I got about four and a half hours of sleep. There was no comfortable position for my heel. I couldn't get up much to find something to fix it because my Angel Pie nursed a lot. Add to my pain the fact that our poor elderly kitty caterwauled constantly all night. She's old and currently dealing with untreated anxiety issues, and since returning with us from our trip, she had been going nuts. We made a vet appointment for this weekend to address these issues, but until then, she's going to meow incessantly, which makes the quality of sleep terrible for everyone.

     For my work day today, I am faring pretty well with my sandals and my heel covered with antibiotic ointment, gauze, and a bandage. Our medical tape was not sticky at all. I may run to CVS again for more supplies, especially for overnight.

     What have I learned? Mostly, don't attempt a long walk in bare feet with new shoes. If I would have stuck to my normal routine, I probably would have been fine, even despite the heat. I seem to forget this and reteach myself this lesson about once a year. I hope this will be the last time!

Sale Alert! Village Square Tealight Trio from PartyLite

     Blogged about in a previous post, I today learned that the Village Square Tealight Trio from PartyLite is on sale during the vendor's Christmas in July promotion.
Village Square Tealight Trio, $30 $12-$16 for the set of three
I really loved this piece, but the original price was $30, and I couldn't justify it at the time. Today, I picked up the piece for a mere $12 + shipping! Curiously enough, now the link lists the product as $16 although my receipt confirms that I paid $12--could the price raise as supply wanes? Who knows, but if you want one on sale before it disappears, now is the time.

30! Wonderbar things to remember from my birthday

     I am officially 30 years old! No regrets here, no fighting my age, at least in a mental sense. I've been ready for my 30's for a long time. Physically, I've been doing my research on The Beauty Brains with the help of their website, showgrams, and book, checking my acitve ingredients and so forth. I'm finding that I once really bought into the hype. I'm looking forward to turning a new leaf with an honest beauty regiment. Let's be wiser in our 30's, right?

     With that, here is an official list of the things that made my 30th birthday special.

• Marmi Shoes. My favorite store for quality, wide-width shoes. I made a birthday-gift-type purchase, but it's really more of an investment, as these shoes will last me ages.
• SparrowWoodStudio's Etsy store. I've been on the hunt for a stamped mother's necklace that would hold all of the characters of my Angel Pie's name. If you want something special done correctly, go custom. When I found SparrowWoodStudio, I knew I found the right place.
• It's OK to have Lead in Your Lipstick, the text mentioned above and pictured below. A very informative read!
• Wubbzy's Dance Party, app by Cupcake Digital Inc. My Angel Pie is into Wow! Wow! Wubbzy, but only as a tablet app. She still doesn't watch television, but I wonder how long that will last. Anywho, we received the Wubbzy's Dinosaur Adventure through a Free Friday's Nook Blog offering, and we decided to buy another. There's a character that exclaims "Wunderbar!" in the app, and my Angel Pie thinks that's just hilarious, so now I'm exclaiming it too.
• Twin Peaks. Okay, this is a weird one. My husband and I are big fans of the show Psych, and we were watching the Twin Peaks-based episode, Dual Spires. But, we knew we were missing MOST of the jokes because we never watched Twin Peaks. Well, we started on my birthday, and it was fun.
• Duolingo. While browsing around my app store, I stumbled upon this app. I've been yearning to brush up on my Deutche, so I downloaded, created an account, and started playing. It's really good!
• Wegmans. My wonderful husband took a secret trip to Wegmans and bought me my favorite things. The word you are looking for is decedent.

Lobster Bisque | Virgil's Cream Soda | Jumbo Fresh Steamed Shrimp
Prosciutto di Parma | Gustosella Mozzarella Di Bufala Campana D.O.P.
Angus Beef Prime Tenderloin Steak | Lobster Tail
Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake | Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Brownie Mix

And that's how I spent my day! It was relaxing, and I felt very loved. Onward and upward!



     Please note that this post contains product links using Amazon Associates. Should enough people click the links and make purchases, I would get paid. Amazon Associates pays once your clicks equal $10; in my entire history with the program, I currently have about $3, so I have never been paid yet, lol. The biggest reason I use Amazon Associates is so that I don't have to use my own personal server space for image hosting when I refer to products, and to ensure proper and unbroken links for archiving purposes.

Early Summer!

     I don't have very much to say today, I don't think. I would just like to acknowledge that we've made it to June, and in my worldview, that makes it officially summer. The blog decor has been updated appropriately and in a timely manner. It's also officially strawberry season, although I have not made it to my favorite local farmer's market yet (Heyser Farms) to pick up some of the local produce. What is the best way to eat fresh strawberries? Raw, plucked one by one and popped into one's mouth? Maybe. I really hate sugaring fresh local strawberries for shortcake, because I feel like the strawberries should be allowed to stand on their own in their perfect prime. A few years ago, I dipped them in full-fats ricotta, which was decedent and wonderful, but largely defeated the purpose of such a nutrient-dense food. Just seconds ago, I ordered this:


I have been wanting one for possibly literal years, but they seemed too frivolous to actually pick up at my local Wegmans. Today, with the hopes of enjoying freshly-hulled strawberries, I am throwing away my worries of frivolity. I will grab bowls and hull strawberries in the living room with my Angel-Pie, and we will enjoy the early summer days.

     Please note that this post contains product links using Amazon Associates. Should enough people click the links and make purchases, I would get paid. Amazon Associates pays once your clicks equal $10; in my entire history with the program, I currently have about $3, so I have never been paid yet, lol. The biggest reason I use Amazon Associates is so that I don't have to use my own personal server space for image hosting when I refer to products, and to ensure proper and unbroken links for archiving purposes.

Torrid: Nailing Springwear for All Ages

     I really couldn't help myself after receiving an email from Torrid about their spring releases. Torrid has really come along in the past few years from making very immature and cheap garments to making a collection of cute and stylish pieces for plus-sized women of all ages. Competitors like Lane Bryant can't match their designs, and Torrid's quality has become really noteworthy. This makes me grumpy, as I have $90 in a combination of gift cards and reward certificates to use at Lane Bryant, and I'm not even enjoying their basic pieces this season. Here are a few of Torrid's spring pieces that I really would love to own.
Blue Floral Dolman Top, $38.50


Floral Chiffon Racerback Tank Top, $38.50


Lilac Chiffon & Lace Twofer Top, $42.80


Pink Lurex Stripe Button-Up Top, $38.50


Ivory Floral Chiffon Tank Dress, $64.50

     I am always on the lookout for breezy and office-friendly tops, and these four shirts really fit the bill. The dress is just a charming wishlist of a piece. I enjoy pastel palettes for spring, but that first top in the dark blue is a knockout for combining the dark color in a sheer and unexpected element. I think anyone would look equally youthful but appropriate in these pieces, and I appreciate Torrid being the vendor to take the step toward honestly fashionable plus-size wear for the masses.

Helpfulness and Cuteness

     Two quick links to things that I found useful and/or pretty. You'll probably be able to sort which falls under which category quite easily. The first is a link that I saw on Facebook, posted by the Organic Authority, and it is in regards to caring for and cleaning one's cast iron skillets. I have a collection of three skillets and one cast iron griddle, and I always blank on a few things, like soap or no soap, and exactly how to reseason it. so, I'm posting this link for both posterity and a PSA for you readers.


How to Clean a Crusty, Rusty Cast Iron Skillet | Sanctuary
     Second, a quick link to something I saw and really loved:


Rustic Stripe Tablecloth
At the intersection of classy with an autumn color scheme, Williams-Sonoma offers the Rustic Stripe Tablecloth. In the same color scheme, you can also find napkins, a table runner, and placemats, if one of those other table-dressing mediums would suit you better. This looks really cute, light, and casual, but able to be dressed up at the same time.

Fall-ified!

     We are two days into September, and my blog has been fall-ified. My desk has been mostly fall-ified, my candles at home are switched to the autumn scents, and my hand soaps at my sinks are of the new Bath and Body Works Autumn variety. I've made sure that my bathrooms are stocked with the limited edition fall-scented Febreze sprays. I've switched the scent theme of my hand sanitizers at work from beachy to Halloween-y (because those are the ones I have right now). My desk also holds a Renuzit Aroma cone in Apple & Cinnamon. Ladies and gentlemen, I am ready for fall.


Pretty soaps, all in a row.
     We have finally reached Labor Day weekend, and for this, I am glad. (1) Yay for the three day weekend! As my husband pointed out yesterday, summer, for some reason, is filled with straight working days and few holidays. So when you most want a holiday, there are none to be found. Autumn, however, is loaded with holidays. There are months of three- or even four-day weekends ahead of us. My husband works for the government, so he will eventually hit a point where he won't have to work a full pay period (two weeks) without a day off for the rest of the year. Holidays are so lovely. (2) Good riddance, summer! Cooler weather is bound to be around soon! I know, I know, the DC area is still predicted to hit 89 degrees this weekend, but so what! We will eventually cool off, and I have hoodies and sweaters in the eaves, just waiting for some action.

     So what are your plans for the holiday weekend? If I know my husband, we are going to bake. Remember the mixer I plugged a few scant entries ago? If you don't remember, don't worry--I'll plug it here:

LOOK AT THAT PRICE. In case it doesn't stay that way, please note that today, the price on this item, new, reads $225.99. You can see why we bought it--you can't beat that price! Especially when my husband and I pay for Amazon Prime. The price hit that low on Monday, and by Wednesday, we had a mixer. It's given my husband good reason to crack open the book my mom got him last Christmas:

All day today, he's been asking me all sorts of possibly yummy questions. For example, "Do we have cooling racks?", "Do we have Crisco?", and "Do we have heavy cream?" My husband learned the art of pie crusts from his mother, much to my mother's delight. How can you dislike a son-in-law that makes you apple pie? You really can't, especially when he's my husband.

     If we don't jump straight into baking tomorrow, I imagine we'll visit Williams-Sonoma or Sur la Table, just to stock up on the last few hardware supplies we don't have, and possibly a trip to everyone's favorite grocery store, Wegmans, to get the best quality ingredients.

     In all honesty, I just can't wait to get home--it's going to be a delicious weekend!

     Please note that this post contains product links using Amazon Associates. Should enough people click the links and make purchases, I would get paid. Amazon Associates pays once your clicks equal $10; in my entire history with the program, I currently have about $3, so I have never been paid yet, lol. The biggest reason I use Amazon Associates is so that I don't have to use my own personal server space for image hosting when I refer to products, and to ensure proper and unbroken links for archiving purposes.

Random stuffs

     Posting a few random things while working through the day. Like this: Beavis and Butthead is returning to MTV this fall. Now my husband's spot-on impressions can be relevant again.

     Also, a public service announcement: Williams-Sonoma is offering 25% off of their Kitchen-Aid mixer. That means that this lovely beauty:



KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer
which is usually priced at $299.95, is currently priced at $224.96. The sale ends on Saturday, I think? So If you want it, grab it up!

     So apparently I'm a fan of the show The Big Bang Theory enough to want to read along with the live tweeting of the cast interview at ComicCon today. I do sincerely love the show, and unlike many, I adore Amy Farrah Fowler.

Looks like that's all for today.

Getting a jump on things, stamps.

     Haven't updated since autumn. I'm not going to try to fill in all of that blank time, so instead, I'm getting a jump on summer. I changed the backgrounds around to the summer theme today, although it is not yet officially summer. I'm not waiting until June 21st to make the change. Summer to me is in months--June, July, August. Although in metro DC land, it's June through October, really. I shouldn't complain--Spring 2011 hasn't been too bad at all. More rain than usual, but we don't nearly have the tumultuous weather that much of the rest of the country is experiencing. I did watch a special on NOVA about tornadoes a few weeks ago, though (you can probably catch it on Hulu if you were so inclined), and they reported about an F4 tornado that hit the town of La Plata, Maryland in 2002. La Plata is about 35 miles south of DC. The expert on NOVA said that if the storm were about 50 miles north, it would have wrecked DC beltway to beltway. I hope that, in this year of increasingly violent weather, we do not approach anything like that scenario. Storms aside, the temperatures haven't really passed the mid 70's. As I type, my computer reports a temperature of 66 degrees, which is comfortably cool to me. I just looked up the forecast for next week, and I saw the temperature 85 coming up--I knew the heat wouldn't stay away for long.

     I decided to pick up posting today because I wanted to write about my experience buying stamps online, and I figured it would be too long to tweet or post on Facebook. I went to the USPS Stamp Store Online, and the variety of forever stamp designs was very tempting. I added a few to my online cart, and before I knew it, I was up to $65. In stamps! The most I usually mail are my holiday cards, and I'll probably purchase holiday stamps for that time. I'm sure in my life, I'll probably use that many stamps, but did I really need to buy that many right now? No. I did enjoy the designs, though. Jazz, American Scientists, Flora and Fauna, Green Living Tips, The Year of the Rabbit. I did buy the Green Living and Year of the Rabbit ones. I also bought 10 of the Comics collection and 10 of the Adopt-A-Pet collection. I should be set on stamps. I was disappointed that the Simpsons collection is no longer being sold, though. I did enjoy mailing in expensive bills with Bart Simpson's outward-sticking tongue on the front.

     In other news, have you ever bought something that you just absolutely loved? I just did on Thursday:


Calvin Klein Sheer Ribbed Drapefront Cardigan
Seriously, I love it fiercely. I'm pretty sure it doesn't "do anything" for me--it doesn't accent my silhouette or my shape and it doesn't make me look slim. I don't intend to hide in it, though, either. I look at myself in a mirror and hear the chastisements of What Not to Wear hosts in my head, but I can't bring myself to care. I feel like I've been looking for this cardigan for a long time, and now that I have it, I'm satisfied. And I'm okay with that!

Back to school!

     I have two brothers. One is 18, eight years younger than me. We'll call him Ron Weasley. Ron is starting college this year, going to his sister's alma mater at a satellite campus. I did the same. He moved on to campus on August 20, and I have to tip my hat to him. As an 18-year-old freshman, I was way too scared to move out of the house. I'm proud of the kid. With a little help, he's going to be something really cool, and I'm glad that I could help.

     My other brother is 16, ten years younger than me. We'll call him Tuna (as he would prefer). He's starting his sophomore year in the same high school that I attended. I'm also proud of him, because he's doing much better than I ever did.

     There's something about back-to-school time that really makes me want to have a home-cooked dinner, and if I could have my way, it would be my mom's pasta. Once upon a time, she had a really nice set of pasta serving dishes. I don't think they were expensive, but they made pasta night feel really authentic. They were red, white, and green, and they had an Italian guy in the middle, harvesting something, and they said "Italy." I think. See, I can't quite remember, because they are about ten years old and they keep breaking. I've since bought my mom a replacement set, but they are more cute than authentic Italian, and not quite the same.

     Right now, though, Williams-Sonoma has a very nice set of pasta serving plates available.


Italian Recipe 5-Piece Pasta Set
These plates are "[...] Offering an authentic taste of Italy's regional cuisines, our limited-edition bowls are adorned with artwork by painter Marc Lacaze. They showcase five colorful collages, each combining original watercolor images of local architecture and ingredients with a classic Italian pasta recipe. Embellished with hand-painted borders, these versatile bowls are perfect for serving everything from pasta, risotto or polenta to your favorite salads and homemade stews. Four recipe cards are included with the set." I don't think I could have said it better. I saw them in person at my local Williams-Sonoma, and they are just lovely. While not being exactly what my mom had, they're a pretty quality replacement, and a set that I'd love to call my own.

     With comforting ideas of a long day at school followed by a tasty dinner, I wish all back-to-schoolers a great year.

Wait a minute, it's still August, right?

     I think I've made it pretty clear that I love the fall holidays just as much as the next guy. Probably more than the next guy, even, but fall has a feeling that I mostly attribute to the cooler weather. My friends, the temperature in DC is still in the 90s, so it is driving some very conflicting emotions within me to walk into one of my favorite stores, World Market, and see this:



World Market's Fall Theme, "Harvest Market."

and this:


A display of fall-themed leaves and owls.

and this:


Fall wreathes and tins of various candy barks.

and especially this!:


Bags of already-roasted pumpkin seeds.
Why do you tease me so, stores? Do you think I want it to be summer still, hot and sticky? Do you think that I do not long to turn my oven back on, to start making soups and stews again, to start baking spicy things to warm my apartment? I can't even buy a pumpkin for making jack-o-lanturns yet, let alone roast the pumpkin's byproducts into tasty treats. Seriously, I still have a watermelon on my kitchen table at home.

     Yankee Candle and Bath and Body Works have also already begun to taunt me by releasing products aimed at the Halloween season. Yankee Candle has fully released the new pieces in their usual "Boney Bunch" collection. Although I'm not particular to those pieces, I do really like their "Haunted House" collection.


The "Yankee Manor" Haunted Mansion Multi Tea Light Holder and "Dreadful Drip" 12-inch Taper Candles
Although I don't own either of them, I really like both of these products. The "Dreadful Drip" 12-inch candles are a Yankee Candle classic. When you start to burn them, the wax below is red, and as the candle burns, the red wax drips, giving the candle a bleeding effect. It's really cool and kind of creepy. I like the Haunted Mansion tea light holder, because it looks like it could cast some really great shadows.

     Bath and Body Works's too-early contribution to the Halloween celebration is a little smaller.


A Halloween assortment of Pocketbac Deep Cleansing Hand Gels
Scents from left to right: Zombie Squad (White, Marshmallow); Bat Bite (Green, Green Apple);
Vampire Blood (Red, Plum); Spider's Web (Black, Licorice); and Candy Corn (Orange, Caramel)
I'm going to pick up one or more of these this weekend. Probably Candy Corn. BUT! I'm going to save it until at least mid-September, and probably longer. Autumn does not begin until September 23rd this year, and in DC, it is going to be warm up to and probably past that date. As much as I'd like to pull out my sweaters, I probably couldn't bear it. Until the weather cools, unfortunately, my excitement over autumn must cool as well.

Quick Post: Williams Sonoma Sale!

     Although it is currently 92 degrees outside here in DC, I must give all the heads up regarding an email I just received. Williams Sonoma online is having a 75% off summer sale, and when I browsed over to see what they were offering, I found something I had to have:





Essential Oils Collection in the scent of Spiced Chestnut
     I posted about this set last October, but didn't pick it up then. The original price of that set was upwards of $35. If you catch it soon, you can also pick it up for $14.99. I can't wait for fall to come--I'm already fully stocked and ready to enjoy it.

Holiday Ro o o o o o o o o oad!

     I just got back from a really great family vacation in the Outer Banks, NC. I'd never been there before, but after a week there, I know I'd go back. It's more laid back than other beaches I've visited, but it's got some great little gems that are really worth the attention. It was a great week. Five straight days off of work, read a good book, got some sunburn, but at least my skin saw the sun! Working in an office leaves me paler than pale usually, so I'm really happy I got some color. I know about the health concerns, but like I said, I see sun so rarely, I think my skin will be able to repair the 51 other weeks out of the year that I hide indoors.



     My top five picks for fun at OBX:

1. Duck Donuts: If you haven't had these, I'd almost urge you to drop everything and drive to OBX for them. Best. donut. ever.
   
2. SunScents: My husband and I actually had the chance to talk to the owner of the store and creator of the candles. He was a great guy. He recommended Burt's Bees Carrot Body Lotion for my sunburn, and said that all of the locals prefer it to Burt's Bees After Sun lotion. Also, he said that he tries to make sure that the products in his store are made in the U. S., which my husband and I respect. The candles smelled really good, too. I got one for my mom--don't tell her!
   
3. ALL Beach shops in general. I love beach shops, ankle bracelets, and shell jewelry.
   
4. Billy's Seafood. This place is brilliant. You're at the beach all day and tired, you'd like to eat dinner at your beach house, but you don't feel like cooking. Anything. Take a trip to Billy's Seafood in Collington, order yourself some already-steamed crab legs for under $10 a pound, take it home and feast. If you like blue crabs, call a few days ahead. Their steamed shrimp was also excellent, and you can't beat their price or quality on steamed crab legs at any restaurant.
   
5. Scarborough Faire Shopping Village: I'm a window shopper, and this place was lovely. Off the roads, there's wooden walkways and a ton of shops.
   

     If you'd like to view a couple of pictures that I snapped, I placed an album here.

FYI...

     Yes, my purse is supposed to be a panda.







My husband got it for me for my birthday. :)
I'm answering this question because I'm getting it often lately.

Best hoodie ever!

     I am enjoying the coziest hoodie ever, thanks to my wonderful husband. It is a Cashmere Waffle-Knit Hoodie from L. L. Bean. I think the Nautical outfits that are on the L. L. Bean's front page today are adorable! End sidebar. But this hoodie really is great. It has a dual zipper, which means it zips from the top and the bottom, and it's jut really comfortable. I have it in the pink shade shown below. The pastel shades are on sale here and darker shades are at full price here.



This hoodie reinforces my idea that my entire wardrobe should be made of cashmere.

Think warmer thoughts.

     Rain makes snow look icky. That's the state of DC lately. Yesterday, I wore regular shoes, but I found that to be a mistake, what with all of the melty, rainy snow, so I'm back to my Uggs. Super office-appropriate, I know.


     Some quick things that I saw and loved today:


Zipper Cups


Williams-Sonoma Steiff Bunny

As an avid tea drinker, those mugs are really charming. As the wife of a deutschophile, I really appreciate the Steiff brand of toys. Hand-made quality always gets me. I used to collect bunnies as a child, too, so I find this really adorable.

     For those not enjoying the cold, think warmer thoughts! March is less than a week away, and although the weather might not care, it just sounds like a warmer and more springy month!

Autumn Appreciation: A few of my favorite things

     I think it's safe to say that we are officially in the heart of fall. I think that the Pennsylvanian peak was over the last two weekends. Say, from October 16 to October 26. DC's peak may still be a week out, as the ten day temperature report still predicts temperatures in the 70's. DC cannot officially be in the heart of fall until I have to break out a jacket. :-P

     I took this photo last Saturday on my cell phone. It is on Rt. 99 between State College and Altoona.



My fiance says that it looks like the vibrant colors of the trees may have been muted by the snowfall that State College received over the October 16th weekend. While that might be the case, the view is still spectacular. I bet it was even better on Sunday, when the clouds were replaced by sunshine.

     I recently picked up Whole Living: Body + Soul magazine in my lunch room at work, and I'd like to share with you the goal for October.

Change is in the air. You can see it, of course, with the colors transforming and all of nature's moving marts starting to shiver and spin. But you can also feel it--the elemental shift that happens internally, viscerally. You begin to crave warmer foods and cozier corners. You find yourself growing quieter, more aware, each sense sharpening. Indulge in this richness while you can, letting the shift in season invigorate your health, enliven your home, draw you more completely inside. This is, after all, what harvest time is for: reaping what yous ow, gathering up your treasures, and holding them, with gratitude, in both hands.
--Terri Trespicio

If you have the opportunity to read this magazine, I recommend reading the article "12 Ways to Get Ready for Fall" as well.

     So, while everything still feels "fall-y," I'd like to share three things that really help make the season for me. I already own the first two, and the third I plan to own soon.

     First on my list is products from Bath and Body Works.



Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin! As the site says, "...This fragrance brings together all the sweet and spicy scents of fall – apple, cranberry, cinnamon, pumpkin, and clove." I can attest that I have been using the bodywash daily since I purchased them in late spring, and the smell in the shower is really great. I use the lotion and body spray less frequently, but I always enjoy the rush of warmth that they bring. It's a great way to incorporate fall into some of the everyday things you do for yourself.

     My second favorite fall thing--Yankee Candles! I like Yankee Candles because I find that I am pretty sensitive to whatever's in the wax of other candles. I've burned candles and developed asthmatic-like symptoms, so if I find a brand that doesn't make me sick, I'm likely to stick to it. My mom is the same way, and also likes Yankee Candle.

     I think that scent is a really important part of really feeling a season, so I purchased the following large candle:



and my fiance convinced me to buy the following votives, since they were a dollar each:


Autumn Fruit, Fall Festival, Autumn Leaves, Be Thankful, Cinnamon & Sugar, Farmer's Market, and Harvest
I keep the big candle in the middle of my dining room table, and I burn the votives in my kitchen while I'm cooking. I really enjoy the very personal and warm aromas they create in my house. It makes my small basement apartment feel full and cozy, even though it's only me, my fiance, and the kitties.

     The final thing I'd like to mention is a set of kitchen products made by Williams-Sonoma. Oh, Williams-Sonoma, if I had a fortune, it would be given to you entirely in exchange for your many treasures. Although I can find one of your $20 potato mashers at the local hardware store for $3, I still value your presence and presentation.

     The item of fall interest is:



The Essential Oils Collection in the scent of Spiced Chestnut. If I had my way, I would purchase the cleaning kit, which includes the liquid hand soap, hand lotion, dish soap, and counter top spray all int he warm inviting spiced-chestnut scent. I'm hoping that I'll decrease my mess-making proclivities in the kitchen, and rather replace them with cleaning aromatherapy. Perhaps a Pavlovian response will devlop, and my stress relief will correspond with cleaning my kitchen counters! A girl can dream...

     Those are my three favorite items for encouraging the celebration of autumn! In closing, allow me to urge you to tune in to your local ABC affiliate this evening or next (Tuesday or Wednesday night), as they will be showing this year's It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!. Tonight's showing is an hour-long special, but if you miss it, there will be another broadcast tomorrow (but it will only be a half-hour long). My fiance is a Peanuts fan, and the broadcasting of Charles M. Schultz's Peanuts cartoons really highlights our holidays. We like to be prepared with blankets on the couch and warm drinks. I'm thinking some apple cider may be the trick tonight. Enjoy!

Thank goodness I bought that.

     I have a grand passion for bags, but I they also give me great frustration. My optimum situation is to carry a bag back and forth to work. I'd prefer to carry a single bag that fits my lunch for the day, my coffee for the morning, and all of my purse things, which include: my umbrella, a water bottle, my keys, lip balm, hand lotion, a 50ml bottle of Evian Brumisateur (don't knock it until you try it--some days it is a life-saver), Lysol Disinfectant Spray-to-Go (public bathrooms!), a small hair brush, sunglasses (Rx or conventional), a travel shopping bag,...you get the picture. I'm so prepared, you'd think I was a boy scout.

     As you can imagine, no normal purse can handle this much crap. I truly struggle in the summer to find a solution that allows me to be prepared and not have a back ache every night. For the cooler months, though, I bought a bag back in 2007, and it's been invaluable to me ever since:



     Try hard as I might, I could not find a place to buy this specific bag. However, I would recommend Ogio products, so long as they work as well as the bag that I have. We are going on three years of usage, and this bag has been awesome. Unfortunately, I cannot use this bag year-round because of the cross-body strap. The strap likes to hold on to my right boob for dear life and makes me look a little lop-sided in a cotton tee.

     So yes, a good cross-body, fashion-forward messenger bag can really make the difference between being prepared and not being able to find your car keys in the rain.