For those who dream in fashion, I have a sale for you to make your Fantasy Wardrobe just a little bit happier.
I will admit that I never announce a major sale until AFTER I’ve shopped it. What can I say? It’s the New Yorker in me that sees a sale, hopes no one else sees it, peruses the store and then makes a mad dash to the “Checkout” when I realize other people may have stumbled upon the sale. It’s like that infamous “Will & Grace” episode where everyone is fighting over sale items at a Barney’s sale.
And yes, I am one of those people that protects my cart while shopping because people like to shop your cart in NYC. [I am not joking when I say that.]
Just as YOOX and Net a Porter have announced their major designer tech merger, YOOX does something just as amazing…they send an email to their subscribers alerting them of a private sale.
A YOOX 90% off clearance sale is very similar to that Will & Grace episode, except if you don’t purchase it fast enough, someone else may buy it…thus meaning it’s SOLD OUT while it is still in your cart. The Outnet (sister site to Net a Porter) clearance sales are very similar.
Yes. All of those prices are real. Including this Fendi bag for $362.
I’ve been wanting a Missoni scarf for a few years now but every time I went to purchase one at Rue La La or Gilt, I just didn’t feel like that was the price I wanted to spend on a Missoni scarf. YOOX’s price of $37…no one is twisting my arm. That was more than just the perfect price.
The Cavalli bag for $73? I bought a similar bag a few years ago for $550. I love that bag so much. I take it with me whenever I travel because it’s light, it can take a punch, and it is like Mary Poppin’s magic carpet bag (you just can’t fill the thing up). I bought this new one just in case the other one gives out on me one of these days. At $73, that’s a major deal for me considering I know already what I’ll get out of the bag.
Before you go running off to the site to shop the sale, you need to know a few things first. You need to know HOW to shop it.
First, it is essential that you REGISTER for the site. You cannot access the sale unless you are a registered customer.
Second, after you register, a yellow tab called MYOOX will pop up at the top. Click on that tab. It will take you to the “Up to 90% off sale.”
Right now, the sale is for subscribers only. The sale goes public on April 2.
The reason why you want to subscribe and register now for the site: if you wait until April 2, you are basically getting the scraps.
To get a little bit more cash back, make sure to use Ebates to get 2% cash back when you checkout. Not a user of Ebates? Register HERE. New subscribers get a $10 gift card to a retailer of their choice.
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This is a Fantasy Wardrobe post. Fashionistas dream of having the most amazing wardrobe, but most oftentimes don’t have the bank account to fuel their shopping passions. Fantasy Wardrobe posts at PerfectionistWannabe.com are designed to help you find ways to make your dream wardrobe come true. These things don’t happen overnight. It takes time to make the dream a reality. This site will show you how.
It’s the first day of spring! While some parts of the United States are watching the snow falling outside of their windows, thoughts of spring flowers, bright, sunnier days, and the return of spring colors (not to mention love being in the air) starts to fill our brains. It makes us feel like it’s time to put away our winter clothes and pull out the lighter, spring wardrobe (or at least go shopping for a new one).
But wait…it’s not warm enough yet! You’re still going to need to bundle up, but at least now you don’t have to wear those dark oversized puffers. It’s time for your perfect spring coat to see the sunshine.
While shopping for a spring trench, think of one that suits your current fashion personality the best. Maybe you want something classic that you can wear every spring/fall. Go with the classic Burberry trench. Maybe your spring fashion personality this year is filled with lots of pastels. Or maybe you plan on wearing more florals or patterns this spring. Find a trench that will match well with the majority of your spring wardrobe you plan to wear this season. That is the investment you are seeking.
You can go subtle or you can go dramatic. Or if you’re like me, you buy a new coat each season to add to your coat wardrobe. That way, you have a variety of choices no matter where your fashion mood strikes year to year. When you build a coat wardrobe, you’ll always need to start with the classics and then later add a little fun into the mix. From day coats to evening coats, you’ll eventually need one for every event that may come your way. Take it one coat per season at a time. A wardrobe doesn’t happen in one shopping trip, it takes years to build, so take it slow.
The perfect spring trench is one that makes you (and everyone else that sees you) happy, because it reminds them that it’s time for spring. People think a lot of happy thoughts in the spring!
Think color. Think florals. Think patterns. Let your coat make a statement. Whether it’s a bold pattern or a light pastel, your perfect trench is the one that makes you feel happy.
Here are a few trenches that will get you thinking of what to add this spring.
No, this isn’t one of those posts on how to get a fake Fendi. This is PW pointing you in a new direction…how to buy Fendi below the retail price.
Being a Fendi addict, I’ve found numerous ways to get the Fendi I want. Whether it’s having patience and waiting for the season to end, or waiting a couple of years for the Fendi I want to come up on a resale site, an outlet site, or a wholesale site.
This backpack retails at $1500. You can get the same bag at Overstock.com for $999.99. Plus, if you’re a Club O member, you’ll earn $50 in Club O Rewards to go towards the purchase of some other fabulous item.
The interesting part about this bag is that it’s currently on pre-order for $1,800. It’s expected to ship no later than April 1, 2015. But Overstock has it already in stock for $1,299.99. [O Club Rewards of $65.]
How about my favorite Fendi ombre zucca bag from Neiman Marcus?
Neiman Marcus is selling it for $1,100. While Overstock is selling theirs for ($799.99). [O Club rewards of $40].
This one will cost you $2,350 at Nordstrom. Overstock has it for $1,499.99. [O Club reward is $75.] That’s almost 1/2 off the regular price.
So just why are you buying these items at the MSRP price when you can get the Overstock price, plus receive O Club rewards to use towards purchasing some other designer item (like a matching pair of Fendi sunglasses)?
Over these past few months I’ve been shifting my financial house in a new direction. I’ve paid off 60% of my debt, maximized savings, maximized my 401k and started budgeting (living by the envelope method). But even though I’m doing what’s best to push my financial dream in a new direction, I’m constantly revising what I’m doing to see if there are better ways of doing things.
So why talk about this on “Diary of a Perfectionist Wannabe?” Well, it has more to do with becoming a little bit better at making financial dreams come true. Here are a few things I’ve come across recently that has saved me time, money, and hassles. It’s made my life more convenient and helped me to reach my goals. It’s also helped me to find new places to get a better deal for the things I love most.
BUDGETING
After all the bills are paid, I set aside a certain amount to spend on food, laundry, dry cleaning, eating out and other miscellaneous expenses. It’s from this budget, I have to figure out the best way to get more bang for my buck.
I joined Amazon Prime this year. I am actually grateful that I did because I’m seeing that there are a lot of benefits to this membership. First, I don’t shop in stores often. I shop online. What’s great about Amazon Prime is that I can order the monthly items (like cat food, treats and litter) for a much lower price than I would find at Target. I don’t even have to pay for shipping, because technically, I already did. It cost me $105.93 for a year long membership, but if you divide it up by 12, that’s $8.83/month. If you think about how much it would cost to ship a 20 pound bag of litter plus 2-3 cases of of cat food every month…you’re actually getting a severe bout of savings.
Normally, I’d have to take a cab or an Uber car to/from Target. That’s $30-$40 round trip. If I have it delivered by a grocery delivery service, that’s a $20 delivery fee, plus another $4.95 service charge. If I pick it up at KMart by Madison Square Garden, I’d have to do all the schlepping plus the cost of using public transit to go from Point A to Point B and go up and down a lot of stairs. Amazon has saved me a lot of money, time and hassle just to get these items to my home.
For those who drive, factor in your car payment, insurance and cost for gas for the entire month. Divide the total to how many times you use your car during that month to get a better idea of how much each trip costs you (not to mention the amount of time you spend in the store and traveling to these places).
Prime customers also get access to Prime Pantry where you can fill up a box of groceries for a flat rate of $5.99. I’ve used Prime Pantry for the 20 lb bags of litter and then added in some additional items on the side (they separate the stuff up into 2 internal boxes inside of 1 big box). I also plan on using this to order and ship boxes out to my brother’s platoon. It saves so much time at all of the stores, going to the post office, etc. and it saves me $10 in shipping costs to ship to an APO. Once again, another cost savings.
Another amazing benefit to Prime is that members get access to Prime Instant Video, Prime Music, Prime Photos and 1 Kindle Book a month.
For those who like streaming movies and TV shows at home or on your devices, you’ll have access to hundreds of thousands of movies and programs. It’s unlimited. Netflix and Hulu Plus both start at $7.99/month…and you don’t get access to free shipping on stuff you’re probably ordering from Amazon already.
I also added Kindle Unlimited and Audible memberships to my entertainment budget. I am addicted to the Books with Narration from Kindle Unlimited. You can read the book, but when you have to stop and bookmark it because you have to walk from one place to the next, just switch it to the narration and you can listen to the book while you’re moving. For those who commute, this is an incredible feature. I was able to get through a 246 page book in 2 days. I usually do 1/2 of that just sitting down to read because I have to keep putting the book down. Being able to switch to narration while I’m walking around keeps the book going.
My goal of getting through 52 books this year is more feasible now.
I added Audible as well because it gives me access to more audio books that Kindle Unlimited doesn’t offer. For me, this is mainly for those Book Club books that haven’t become available on Kindle Unlimited yet (or when I want a book that just came out).
I took the suggestion from a fireman friend who suggested I start listening to audio books, especially since I’m having problems getting back into reading. Audio books have been a godsend because I can actually listen to “War and Peace” instead of forcing myself to sit down to read a chapter. Now, I can just listen to it while I’m walking around.
Another great feature from Kindle Unlimited are the reference and self-help books available to customers. While I’m at the office and have some down time, I’ll read books that help with my job. Like this week, I read “Math Made Easy” (which is basically a cheat sheet on how to do math in your head very quickly), and I read a book on Passive Income. Today, I plan on reading a book on organization. Truthfully, these aren’t books I’d spend money on or take time to take out of the library, but make them available to read online and I’m more apt to read them to better myself.
All in all, by using these new services from Amazon, I’m saving a lot of money and time by simplifying my life in many aspects. Sure, I can get library books and DVDs from the library for free, but the convenience of downloading the book I need where I can both read and listen to it? I’ll stick to these two services. [Note: Audible is only for Audio Books. Kindle Unlimited offers the book/narration option, but not all books offer narration.]
For Movie Going Lovers
Another part of my entertainment budget I keep in is Going to the Movies. These days, it’s about $15 a pop. Even more if you want to go to IMAX. There is a solution to this. MoviePass offers a membership for movie going lovers. It’s $34.99/month. You can see 1 movie per day.
Before signing up, I strongly urge you to see if the movie theater you go to takes this membership. For me, I can use it at every movie theater I go to, including the artsy community one across the street from me. These days, it pays for itself in 2 movies a month. I recommend waiting until the summer months to really take advantage (technically May starts the hot Hollywood films of the summer).
In order to get more bang for your buck, sign up for the movie theater’s membership club as well. Those tickets you’re purchasing through Movie Pass can be turned into points which can be turned into money you can use at the movie theater for concessions and even movie tickets (like if you want to see an IMAX film or use the extra ticket for a friend who isn’t a Movie Pass member).
The downside? You can see 1 movie every 24 hours. They are strict on the 24 hours. It used to be that it just reset itself every night (which was perfect)…and then it went strictly 24 hours down to the very last second. Another downside for some is that you can only watch the movie once. You can’t go see the same movie more than once while it is still in the movie theater and use the Movie Pass card.
How does it work? First, you need a smartphone in order to download the app. They’ll send you a Movie Pass credit card that is activated only after you check in to the movie through the app. You can only use it to purchase that 1 movie ticket.
If you go to movies frequently, I highly recommend this. It seriously cuts down the cost for movie lovers who love to go to the movies but don’t go because it’s just ridiculously too expensive these days. If you go to just three movies a month…the membership is more than paid for. If you went to one movie every day, each movie would cost a little over $1 each. It’s $34.99 for me because I’m in NYC. It will be less for people not living in major metropolitan areas.
FOR THE DESIGNER ADDICTS
I have a confession. I’m a bit of an addict when it comes to buying designer accessories. I have a rather large designer handbag collection. A couple of years ago, I decluttered the handbags down to only major designers, getting rid of all of the lesser names. Now, I just buy what I like to add to the handbag collection.
Currently on my radar is the Fendi fur bag bugs (aka Monster) collection. In my search, I came across a site called Tradesy. I took a look around and let’s just say I went on a bit of a spending spree.
I netted a Chanel, Hermes and Dior bag and purchased a pair of Louboutin and Fendi shoes. My friend did a delayed double take when I said, “So I bought an Hermes bag.” She couldn’t believe it, so I showed her my cart and lo and behold, my closet said I purchased an Hermes bag. No, I didn’t spend $20,000 on a birkin. I found a Herbag for $500. That’s half off what you’ll find at other consignment places.
Luckily, they were having a friends and family event, so I was able to take additional money off. You can get $25 off your purchase of $100 or more by using my special link: TRADESY.
P.S. As of right now, The Outnet is having their semi-annual clearance sale. This is a great time for fashionistas to stock up on all their favorite designers for up to 80% off the retail price. [My major score were a pair of Adidas by Stella McCartney ballet flats for $18. After all was said and done, I’d saved $2,286.75 on my entire order. That’s some serious savings.]
Also, for designer addicts that frequent Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom…trust me when I say you can get your coveted designer accessory for less. For instance, the Fendi monster tote bag is $1500 at Saks. That same bag is $999 at Overstock.com. The exact same bag. {Also, if you’re a Club O member, you can earn rewards from your purchases. I’ve been able to score free Fendi sunglasses thanks to all of the reward dollars I earned from shopping at Overstock.com.}
Other places you should look: Century 21 shops (they have an online store), TJMaxx (yes, they are finally online), Loehmann’s (they may have closed all of their stores, but that’s because they went e-commerce) and Modnique. I’ve found that a lot of these shops have the same merchandise, but you never know if they’ll have a special sale on top of their already discounted prices.
The book is a quick read, so I highly recommend taking a look at it just to get your brain moving in a direction of earning passive income (I don’t recommend doing what he suggests, but it’s worth a read to understand what you can do to grow passive income) [it’s a free read with Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited].
I want to touch on the Education part. This is why I recommend Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited…he suggests putting away 10% of your income to the education fund. I never put 10% away to an education fund mainly because I already had my schooling and frankly don’t have time to do continuing education courses. I also don’t have kids, so really, this was an account I could do without.
I started to think about it and then realized just how much money I’m saving by using the Kindle Unlimited membership, especially if I take the membership fee from the Education account. During the day, I’m pulling up books that will better myself. I even have books written by scientists discussing their various theories. There are even books on Photoshop, photography, etc. that I can read during the day. In other words, Kindle Unlimited has opened the door to a world filled with resources where I can better educate myself.
I spent a lot of time on Wednesday doing math problems just to jog my memory of how to do math in my head. I’m glad I did, because it forced me to re-memorize addition and multiplication tables (something that I had forgotten post-op). By really diving into complex math equations I started looking at the equations and answering them in my head in half the ‘short steps’ the author was suggesting. To me, this meant that math was back in my head again.
In other words, sometimes you just have to challenge yourself, especially when it comes to forgetting how to do things that are as important as math.
There are so many things out there to learn. That was the point of the Education account. You have to constantly challenge and better yourself. If you don’t, you won’t be able to command good salaries or keep working. After all, I’ve seen what happens to people that didn’t learn how to use a computer. They’re barely making it. You never want to be left behind, so continuously better yourself through education. It doesn’t have to cost you a fortune.
Who knows? By all the money I save in the Education account, maybe I can just use it towards an educational trip or an archaeological dig somewhere.
Just something to think about…but I highly recommend reading the Passive Income book. It will give you a new idea on how to budget yourself in order to earn income, and take a hard look at how you’re living. Re-doing the way you do your budget is interesting. It’s the 50-30-20 lifestyle, but that 30-20 is changed to 30% savings and 20% doing whatever you want with the money. Previously, it was vice versa. You’d save 20% and use 30% to do whatever. Personally, I like this new take on budgeting. What he shows you is how to use 10% of that 30% towards increasing your passive income…that’s what makes it worth the read.
I didn’t keep the Tarte Cosmetics Amazonian Clay or the nail polish. I gave those two items away [due to skin sensitivities].
I loved the cutting board. I haven’t used it yet because it’s just so cute and looks stylishly good with the other cutting boards in the kitchen.
What I loved most about the box was the BaubleBar necklace. The necklace I linked to above is similar, but not quite what I received. The one I received has pavé detailing and retailed at $32. You can get the similar one for $12. I’m a huge fan of BaubleBar (almost all of my jewelry is from them), so it’s nice when I receive any jewelry from them. Always qualitative and beautiful pieces from the company.
I also loved the Figs & Rouge lip balm. I’m not a big fan of tinted lip balms, so even though this appears tinted, it’s not. It goes on clear. Also a good sign that this is truly 100% all natural, Matthew (my new cat) hates anything with a chemical smell. He always has this look on his face like, “How could you let me smell that?” when he smells any of my beauty products. With this lip balm, he actually liked it and tries to go in for a lot of kisses when I put it on. That means…this product is truly chemical free!
As for the Chuao Chocolatier bar…OMG, it was so good. The surprise is in all of the extras in the bar…the marshmallows and the salt on the caramelized almonds. I’m also a big fan of their Spicy Maya bars that have a hint of cayenne in the chocolate. I imagine that this is the way chocolate would have tasted if we were truly able to taste the chocolate delicacies from the movie Chocolat.
I haven’t tried the rose bubble bath yet, but I’m looking forward to it.
All in all, I liked the February box. The products may not be up to everyone’s cup of tea, but it had a lot of pluses in my book. The box is $42.75/month. Total cost of the items in this box retailed at $149.50. PopSugar is continuously proving that they are the best subscription box on the market.
My latest Try the World box is the Paris Box. Who doesn’t love French food?
This box included La Mère Poulard sablés (cookies), Maison D’Armorine salted butter caramels, Domaine Des Vignes whole grain mustard, Charles Antona Corsican cherries and thyme jam, Clément Faugier chestnut spread, Flagrants Désirs dark chocolate bar with raspberry and two fruit jellies.
The whole grain mustard uses vinegar produced from grapes (similar to dijon) from the Vineyard at Domaine des Vignes. The difference between whole grain and dijon depends on the vinegar (or wine) used and the fact that the whole grain mustard is not completely grounded down like dijon.
Whole grain mustard is a bit of a staple in any foodie kitchen, especially if you’re cooking up a lot of French food. When recipes call for dijon, I prefer to use the whole grain mustard in its stead.
The sablés (cookies) are made with only 5 ingredients. The salted butter comes from Brittany. La Mère Poulard is a famous restaurant and bakery located in Mont-Saint Michel. Notables such as Ernest Hemingway and Yves Saint Laurent have visited this restaurant.
All in all, I really liked this box and the Venice Box. Both curated boxes are spot on for the essentials one needs in their kitchen from these two regions. They also pick the best sweets to add to the box.
My little guy, Matthew, can attest to that. He was a little spoiled with his first subscription box from Kitnip. He assumed this new subscription box belonged to him as well. He started sorting through it before I could finish taking everything out of the box. He was pretty determined there was something in this box for him [no, he wasn’t playing in the red filler, he was pulling the food out of the box].
He even tried to open up the mustard thinking that must be where his treats are [he has thumbs, so he knows how to open up jars…at least ones that were previously opened]. We didn’t discover what he could have until I opened up the caramels this morning and took a bite out of one. It was so buttery and good, I thought he’d like to try it, so I gave him a little piece. The way his eyes lit up with pleasure…I think his determination was correct…there was indeed something in this box for him, too.
Here’s a look at all of the goodies in the Paris Box:
If you’d like to order your own Try the World box, you can get $15 off your first box by subscribing HERE.
Over the last ten years, I have come to fall in love with the writings of Carlos Ruiz Zafon. His claim to fame is the amazing novel, “The Shadow of the Wind.”
A friend had suggested I read this book, because she heard someone else suggest it. I read the book, absorbed it, and fell madly in love with the story. Zafon went on to write two books connected to this bestseller: “The Angel’s Game” and “The Prisoner of Heaven.” Each book lived up to the extraordinary storytelling of “The Shadow of the Wind.”
For those who love books, the adventure into a Zafon book creates a new-found love of books all over again.
Like Gabriel Garcia Marquez, many of Zafon’s books that pre-date “The Shadow of the Wind” were originally written in Spanish. Now, for the English speaking bibliophiles who love Zafon’s works, we have to wait for the translations into English. They have been slowly, but steadily coming out one by one.
Within those translations, we discover Zafon’s first love…young adult fiction. That’s how he started out, writing young adult fiction. Each story he’s written is so miraculous that it stays with you for life. You never forget a Zafon tale. He is a master storyteller.
I am currently reading his final young adult fiction book, “Marina.” Over the past year, I’ve struggled with getting back into reading and traveling the world. A lot changed in me after the tumor was removed. Many things that I loved, I didn’t care for anymore, even though I knew it was important to fall back in love with those things again.
“Marina” has finally made me fall back in love with books and travel again. Zafon is such a masterful storyteller that you can’t help but get caught up in the story. You hate putting the book down because you feel like the story is going to continue on without you and you may miss something. You not only connect with the characters, but you truly feel like you, yourself, are part of the story…that this is now a part of your own story.
I have never encountered a writer that can continually, work after work, do what Zafon has done. He captivates the reader from page one, drawing them into this tale of wonder and intrigue, making us see the streets of Calcutta and Barcelona as if we are standing there with the character, looking over our shoulders as we, too, can hear the snapping of a twig behind us. We can feel the heat of summer, or the crisp breeze of autumn, hear the rustling of the leaves, and feel the adrenaline rush through us. It’s what makes us quickly turn the page as we become sucked into the world Zafon has created.
I have had many favorite authors in the past, but Zafon is clearly in a league of his own.
When discussing his hopes for his young adult fiction, Zafon wrote on his website, “They remind me of what the discovery of reading meant to me.” That is exactly what “Marina” has done for me post-op. I’ve read many books since my surgery. From Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” to Alexandre Dumas’s “The Count of Monte Cristo,” to the “Divergent” series and Joseph Delaney’s “Spook’s Apprentice,” none of them have instilled in me the love of reading, adventure and travel like Zafon has done. He raises this sense of excitement and intrigue in his work that makes you want to be a better human being, because you understand how important knowledge is through books.
If you are new to Zafon, I recommend starting with “The Shadow of the Wind” and then moving through the subsequent novels that followed. Then after you’ve read the adult fiction, go back and read the young adult fiction. You will begin to see his mastery in storytelling. It is as if he has perfected the craft like no other before him could.
After I read “The Shadow of the Wind,” I only wanted to read more and more stories about the love of books, but nothing compared to that masterpiece. He made me fall in love with books all over again.
Picking up “Marina” all these years later, he’s done it to me all over again. I have fallen back in love with reading and wanting to travel the world. He’s helped me rediscover the two things in life I love most.
Here are Zafon’s works (in English) [click on picture to purchase at Amazon.com]:
Nothing makes me happier than to be able to go into the office on a dull, dreary winter day and wear something sparkly. My latest additions to the closet contain a lot of sparkle. Here are a few of my favorite recent purchases.
From LOFT:
Jeweled Sequin Tee, $44.99 (currently 50% off) = $22.50. Also comes in black (I have the black one, too). Only sizing currently available: XS, S and M.
Sequin Stripe Sweater, NOW $15.88 (marked down from $69.50). [I’ve gotten a lot of compliments on this sweater. I purchased it in Whisper White.]
From TORRID:
For the size 12+, theseleggings from Torrid ($44.50) and sequin skirt ($83.48) are divine. The skirt has been my favorite of the two. You can do so many things with it from going to a party, the opera, to going a little business casual with it. There are so many different options you can play with.
For the Home:
I absolutely love these mugs. I keep one at home and one at the office. You can pick up these Prima Donna mugs (comes as a set of two) from SaksOff5th.com. They’re $18.74 right now.
I’m currently redecorating my office (for the umpteenth time, hoping that this is finally it), so I added some gold elements by adding some pillows from West Elm.
Of course, I had to add some gold elements in the stationary department as well. Sugar Paper, (From $10-$18).
One of the places I love to peruse is The Land of Nod. It may be a decor site for children, but they have such cute, girly items there that I’ve found can even go into an adult home. To finish off adding the gold elements to my office, I found these Gold Confetti Curtains ($19-$39).
So those are some of my latest purchases in the ‘sparkle and sequins’ department. I was never going to add gold elements into my office until my friend suggested that instead of going gray and adding another color to the room, I should just work off that one gold element in my office to tie the room together. I can’t wait for all of the items to come in so I can finally finish the office. The room has become my catch-all these past few years.
With all of the decluttering and ridding myself of just about everything I don’t use, I’m hoping to see everything finally come together one weekend at a time.
I’m always on the lookout for great work by artists. I’ve found that the Hannibal collective has some of the best artists around. Their work is so amazing, I’ve purchased a few items already for my home.
Currently on my radar is Dori Hartley. I follow a lot of Hannibal fans on Twitter, so when I saw this tweet, I knew I had to take a look at what this starving artist has given to our fandom.
She has been currently using her Twitter to sell her work. I have to say, I love this platform she has offered to people to purchase her work. From canvas to prints to pillows to note cards, she offers a variety of ways for an art admirer to purchase her work. Here are just a few pieces she has to offer:
There are various characters she’s painted and posted up at Fine Art America for sale. If anything, read her biography. This is someone that has done many, many things in life already…and they were massively awesome things.
I plan on purchasing the purple Mads Mikkelsen to add to my wall next to the Borbay painting.
If anything, please take a look at her work and consider purchasing a piece to help her out.
Oh, the weather outside is frightful. But the fire is so delightful. So why don’t you pop a marshmallow on a stick, toast them over the fire, stick them in between two fudge graham crackers and have yourself a nice little treat during the winter months?
But let’s kick that marshmallow up a notch. Butter Baked Goods, a shop based in Vancouver, B.C., sells flavored marshmallows like strawberry, vanilla, toasted coconut, mint, coffee, raspberry, passion fruit, rose, violet, pumpkin spice, maple, pistachio, chocolate, lemon, matcha tea, peppermint, eggnog and gingerbread. It gives your s’mores or hot cocoa a little bit of an unexpected, but tasty surprise.
Butter Baked Goods marshmallows are sold in the US at places like Crate & Barrel and Dean & Deluca. Each bag comes with 10 marshmallows.
I ordered the peppermint flavored marshmallows as part of my Advent gifts. They tasted so good with a cup of hot cocoa. It even made the s’mores more delectable. While you can go old school and add the regular milk chocolate and graham crackers, I like to take that step out and just stick the toasted marshmallow in between two fudge graham crackers. Believe it or not, it actually makes for a better s’more.
Subscription Boxes for Our Little Friends
If you’re like me and have a little critter (or two or several) running around your home, you may want to consider ordering them their very own subscription box. For Matthew and Surita, they loved everything about this box curated for cats fromKitnip Box.
The toys I didn’t think Matthew would be interested in like that big pink worm looking toy with a tail, it ended up being his favorite. [Called the Caterpillar Kicker.]
I gave Surita the Play-N-Squeak Mouse and the Refillable Catnip Heart Toy (because Matthew doesn’t like catnip). She had such a great time with both…that is, until Matthew stole them both from her. He actually broke the mouse, setting off the chirping. I thought the battery would die out sooner or later, but after 3 hours, I got out of bed, cut the thing open and took out the sound box.
Matthew couldn’t sleep with all the chirping, so he hid in my office to try to sleep. When I came out to silence the toy, he came running out, thankful the noise was being brought to an end.
Twinkle Tweet toy. Available at Amazon.com.
Another favorite he was still playing with the next morning was the Twinkle Tweet. It’s a plastic toy with a few feathers in it that lights up and chirps. He is a big fan of chirping toys and things that light up. He likes to stalk the toy and then pounce on it from out of nowhere.
As for the treats, this box included Zuke’s G-Zees Tender Grain-Free Treats. It’s different than what my two little ones are used to, but they loved it and gobbled it all up.
So as much as my two little ones loved their first Kitnip Box, there was also a special theme. It makes this first box for Matthew a little extra special. Since Matthew is a recent adoption, it makes sense to help out other little ones that still haven’t found a forever home yet. A portion of the February box proceeds goes to help Philadoptables in Philadelphia, to help out other furry pals while they are still in a shelter. You can order a Kitnip Box for your feline pals HERE. See below for more information and a special discount code [from the Kitnip mailer].
There are a lot of subscription box services out there lately, but nothing that is as close to representing the foodie side of “Perfectionist Wannabe” as theTry The Worldbox service.
I got my first box a couple of weeks ago and I have to say…I am beyond impressed with what you get for $39.
My first curated box had a “Venice” theme. Included in it were a lot of food items representing the region…and food items that any Italian foodie should already have stocked in their pantry. But then again, some of this stuff is hard to find unless you get it directly from an Italian food market.
I loved everything about this box, especially the Dark Chocolate Limoncello. I try to eat dark chocolate for health reasons, but it’s always too bitter and not a pleasant experience. This Perugina chocolate bar was just right and delightful.
The black truffles and mushrooms were a surprise. I had ordered the Oeuf Mimosa (truffle and caviar deviled eggs) at Todd English’s Ca Va Brasserie in NYC a couple of weeks ago. It had a very distinguished taste to it. Opening up this can of truffles and I found the main ingredient to the Oeuf Mimosa.
I tried this in some couscous to add a little flavor. Just a little bit can go a very long way.
The Spaghettata mixture of herbs was a delight. I warmed it up in some oil, added some bell peppers, sweet bell peppers and sun-dried tomatoes (that I picked up in Venice) then tossed in some spaghetti and parmesan cheese for a satisfying meal during the Super Bowl.
The sweet onion pesto included in the box, I put on top of tilapia. It was so simple and, oh so delicious.
What I like about this box is that it allows you to try out new ingredients from different areas of the world. It’s also not too expensive and you get qualitative ingredients to experiment with. Each box comes with a few recipes to try and an informational background on the region.
The box is delivered every two months for $39. If you’re interested in joining, you can get $15 off of your first box by clicking HERE. {If you pre-pay, it’s cheaper.}
I’m looking forward to seeing what my next box has in store.
Have you tried “Try the World?” If so, what did you think?
I’ve been spending a lot of time trying to go back and look at the puzzle pieces in my life. I’m thankful I’ve kept this blog over the years so that I can see the life I lived. There are things I don’t understand like why I’m in this present moment, but going back and reading the entries over again, I start to remember the steps along this path.
Over this past year, I’ve been struggling with memories. I lost the majority of them after my surgery last year. I had cognitive issues prior to going into the surgery (a side effect of too much calcium in the blood). But this could also just be a side effect from the anesthesia. Who knows. All I know is my present struggle I have with both short and long term memories.
Because I know I have cognitive issues now, I’ve been taking steps to re-learn a lot of things like math. It’s hard knowing that I used to be really good at math, and now all of a sudden I don’t know how to add 2+2. I give up the second I have to multiply anything. I count using my fingers and then get so flustered when I don’t understand what comes after 11.
There are days math is simple and I feel like I’m remembering the simple math. Then there are days when it just doesn’t come to me.
The doctor says I’m too young to have Alzheimer’s. But the fact remains, something happened (or is happening).
Writing used to be extremely difficult. To combat that, I’ve been writing more and reading more. I edit more, too. I go back and read things a good 10 times before I publish. Then after I publish, I end up editing it another 3 more times. But the important thing is, practice makes perfect.
I didn’t start this post to talk about my cognitive issues. I wanted to talk about those puzzle pieces.
A few years ago, my Moroccan friend Driss told me to take a look at my life. This life is leading somewhere. I just have to figure out where it’s going. It’s apparent that all of the pieces are in place. I just have to figure out what it all means.
Going back and reading the posts over this last year when the signs kept saying “Go back to the beginning” and “Start all over again,” who knew that starting all over again would mean wiping out so many memories from before.
I even wrote about ‘Re-Branding Yourself.’ Ends up that’s what I’ve been spending a lot of time focusing on. I didn’t realize how re-branding myself would take me into a whole new territory. The direction I decided to take myself and my career ended up being a lot harder. It meant more research. It meant going out and meeting the people I need to know and learn from in order to make this next step in life. They say that when you are on your path in life, you attract the people to you that will help you along the way. The universe will drop into your lap the tools you need in order to grow.
Who knew that going to meet Anne Rice and see her speak about her own career would put me in a unique spot where I realized I’m learning about the changes in going from a hockey writer to a novelist. Hearing her editor speak alongside her helped me realize this unique opportunity to learn what it was I was writing. What set Anne aside from the rest, she was innovative. Interview With the Vampire had never been done before when it was released back in 1976. That was what made it so important.
I thought back to what I was writing and realized…this has also never been done before. As much as I complain (mainly to myself) that there is nothing out there for people like me, I realize that’s because I need to create something for people like me. If that means diving into insanity and hoping I come out alive, then so be it. That may be what it takes to write what needs to be written.
And that has turned into its own theme in the re-branding: to write what needs to be written. What I mean by that is the reason why this blog exists…to help others in the grander scheme of things. If telling a story of someone’s struggle in life in order to get to where they are today helps someone else out there, then that’s the story that needs to be told. You never know who is reading. Just being honest and truthful will help not only yourself, but others.
In the re-branding I noticed the theme in my work that was being repeated over and over again…telling the stories that will help others. Those stories are going to be my main focus.
I also wanted to make sure I had more fan engagement when it comes to hockey, so I changed the way I covered and wrote about hockey. In other words, I’m investing in the fans just as much as they invest in me and my work. I’m giving them different content, but content they will enjoy.
I’m also spending a lot more time researching different subjects pertaining to the content I’m developing. Sometimes this research is hard and difficult to absorb because of the shock that goes along with it, but it needs to be done in order to understand the bigger picture as a whole.
What this all means in the end is that for what I want in this re-brand, it takes a lot of work…much more work than I’ve ever had to do before. Things in life have always come very easily for me. This time around, I want things to be better than they ever were before. I’m branching out of my own comfort zone because I want something bigger out of life…something I’ve never had before.
As I move into the re-brand phase, I am constantly reviewing who to affiliate myself with. I’m looking for the things that are missing in this world, and I’m trying to fill it with an answer. The key to being innovative is to deliver something new to the people. Along the way, you have to pay it forward. Helping others that will help you, those are the people you work with. Most importantly, you promote people that deserve it. Just like if you deserve to be promoted, someone out there will notice your work and promote it. They’ll tell others about you and what you’ve done. Some times, word of mouth is a much louder advertising device than just an ad you pay for. Those are the people you aim to be your audience.
It’s just funny how everything changed last year and I’m now looking back and understanding that certain things had to happen the way they happened in order to push me in a new direction. Starting over again meant starting over bigger than before. That only means that it takes a lot of hard work to do what I’m trying to do. Hopefully, what I’m creating is the right thing in the long run for everyone. It’s amazing to see just what I gave up in order to push myself forward.
The road ahead requires a lot of hard work, but I’m up for the challenge. After all, if the journey isn’t difficult, when you reach the top, did it truly mean anything in the end? What every person has ever told me…it’s all about the climb.
If this made you cry, or brought any emotion to your heart, think about donating to the cause.
Here’s Hoda Kotb’s story on why she brought these two magical women together to create a song to help raise money for childhood cancer research.
You know how your life is perfect on Monday and then on Tuesday it all falls a part? That’s what happened to me seven years ago when a doctor called me and told me I had breast cancer. I needed a mastectomy –and reconstruction. An excruciating time. I thank God that I have wonderful doctors, family, friends and faith that helped me through, but I also had something else — music. Sounds funny but those notes and lyrics soothed me and helped heal me. I am not sure what I would have done without it.
Cancer is difficult to endure as an adult. I can only imagine how tough it would be for a child – it’s such a grown-up disease. It just so happens that several years ago the TODAY Show sent me to a children’s cancer hospital for a series of stories. I was frozen at the door… did not want to walk inside. I guess I was just afraid to see so much pain. But with one glimpse of the first child I saw there, another feeling washed over me. I was feeling hopeful, almost joyful.
An estimated 10,450 new cases and 1,350 cancer deaths are expected to occur among children (ages 0-14) in 2014. I want to do everything I can to prevent cancer from taking these young lives. I’m not a doctor. I’m not a nurse, but I want to do what I can. To lift their spirits and help these kids heal, I’m joining forces with Sara Bareilles and Cyndi Lauper to create a song and concert just for them. Please hear our song and donate to the American Cancer Society by clicking on the “Donate” or “Fundraise” buttons. You can also make a donation by calling the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345. When calling, please specify that you’d like to donate to the Shine A Light campaign. All proceeds will go to grants for pediatric cancer research. Together, we can help prevent this disease from taking more young lives.
You can donate money by going to Hoda’s fundraising page by clicking HERE.
One of the little girls in the video (the one in the purple shirt) is NFLer Devon Still’s 4 year old daughter. Today, she went in for surgery to have the tumor, lymph nodes and adrenal gland removed. Her surgery was very successful, but it’s far from over. Part of the cancer is in her bone marrow, so she is still in need of more treatment.
It is heartbreaking to see these little ones with cancer. They should be having the time of their lives, enjoying childhood, not sick in a hospital bed. Like Hoda, I know what it is like to have cancer and live with it as an adult. These little ones with cancer just truly break your heart. Hopefully one day we’ll see an end to childhood cancer.
As I write that, I think of the little boy I met at the pediatric hospital in Ottawa when the NHL introduced the hospital’s new playroom. This one child with cancer, the cutest little guy in the group, had taken a liking to the mascot from the Vancouver Canucks. All throughout the press conference, including Gary Bettman’s speech, he sat there talking to the mascot. It was the cutest little thing ever.
The mascots let me take a photo of all of them with the little boy.
I kept running into the little guy as we went from the cafeteria to the playroom. He was adamant about wanting to push the button on the elevator, so we let him. He just put a smile on everyone’s face. He was so precious. Yet, he is just an example of being Truly Brave. It didn’t matter that he was sick. He was being Brave for all of us.
Add even more design detail to your installation of the Mary Kate theme by Angie Makes with our Mary Kate premade blog kit for $30. Lots of great goodies are included!
” by Raiden Steven that everyone should have five accounts. 1. Financial Dream; 2. Basic Savings; 3. Education; 4. Basic Necessities; and 5. Other.
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My little guy, Matthew, can attest to that. He was a little spoiled with his first subscription box from Kitnip. He assumed this new subscription box belonged to him as well. He started sorting through it before I could finish taking everything out of the box. He was pretty determined there was something in this box for him [no, he wasn’t playing in the red filler, he was pulling the food out of the box].
Over the last ten years, I have come to fall in love with the writings of Carlos Ruiz Zafon. His claim to fame is the amazing novel, “The Shadow of the Wind.”
I absolutely love these mugs. I keep one at home and one at the office. You can pick up these Prima Donna mugs (comes as a set of two) from 
If you’re like me and have a little critter (or two or several) running around your home, you may want to consider ordering them their very own subscription box. For Matthew and Surita, they loved everything about this box curated for cats from
A portion of the February box proceeds goes to help 
