Calgon, take me away!

Do you see the color of the water in this picture? Do you? Huh? Huh? Well, picture me in it ‘cuz that’s where I’m gonna be for the next week. That is Aruba, my friends and one of those little dots on the beach will be me in a mere 18 hours. Unfortunately, I have not had time to prepare posts while we’re away so don’t forget about me while I’m gone, okay? And don’t hate me for leaving you high and dry – I feel bad enough about it on my own.

Miss me tons and think about me often. I’ll be back Nov. 2. I’ll bring you a tan.

A different kind of word of the day.

Ever think that new words may be easier to remember when associated with  sex, drugs and swearing? Well they are now with the fucking word of the day. I like swearing like I like cheese so for me, this is like having a dictionary substitute. This site promises to enhance your lexicon one fucking word at a time and chances are you’ll remember the word a lot faster if there’s some shit in the definition that you’re actually interested in.

For example, let’s say you were given the word turbid.

Dictionary.com gives you:

The wine of youth does not always clear with advancing years; sometimes it grows turbid.

While on the other hand, here’s what you’ll get with the fucking word of the day:

Hey shithead, change the fucking bong water. It’s turbid.

I know which one I’ll remember. You?

via Thrillist

Let it breathe.

First off, a big thanks to the folks over at Vinturi for sending me this product to try out. It’s no secret that my favorite word is FREE and when the product rocks, it makes it even better. That being said, did you have any idea that white wine should be allowed to breathe similar to red wine? Yeah, neither did I. Oops. It’s a longstanding myth that white wine needs no aeration when the truth is that when properly aerated, you will experience a smoother finish, enhanced flavors and a better bouquet (nose, if you will).

I have experience with the red wine aerator after being introduced to it in Sonoma last year and truly believe in its powers to enhance wine, but I have to admit that I was a little skeptical of the white wine aerator at first. But I am also the first to admit when I am wrong and in this case, that would be my color. Though subtly, the Vinturi white wine aerator did enhance my mere $5 dollar bottle of Chardonnay. And the way I figure it, if it works on two-buck-Chuck, just imagine what it could do to a really good bottle of wine…

Though like all things, there is a good and a bad side. My only issue with Vinturi is the fact that there are two of them. Though cool looking, the aerators are not tiny and having two of them may be cumbersome. What would be ideal is to have one Vinturi, that worked on both red and white wine. By the flick of a switch perhaps… But then again, I’m not designing the product so for now, I’ll take my white, let it breathe, and give Vinturi a hearty 2 thumbs up!

Fly on the wall

Creative inspiration can come from anywhere. And for Swedish photographer, Magnus Muhr, its come in the form of dead flies. He cleverly poses the flies on paper then draws in arms, legs and backgrounds, creating hysterical scenarios. I think we can all admit that playing with dead bugs is a bit gross, the photos are simply adorable and I love each one more than the next. Muhr is definitely a creative inspiration to me!

via design daily news

The easiest way to go green. Seriously.

It’s called DoGood and it’s a web browser plug-in. One that you won’t even know is running and that uses your everyday web browsing (or time-wasting, in my case) into donations that support green initiatives. Kinda like getting something for nothing, don’t you think? It costs you nothing, won’t slow down your computer performance and may even educate you on some things going on in the world. DoGood hides the generic ads you typically see while surfing and replaces them with green ads and initiatives. They then donate 50% of their profits back to charities like World Wildlife Fund, Oxfam, Charity: Water, and Livestrong. They even encourage you to email them with your charity suggestions.

Considering the state of the economy and the instability of my job (and therefore lack of money to donate to anything on my own), I’m definitely going to DoGood myself!

F You, Cat!

I can often be heard uttering these exact words throughout the hallways of my house. Typically at about 4 am when the cat just must be fed. Stupid cat. But that’s why I love her, I suppose. But not all people go about the 4 am wake-up call so easily and for you, there’s F U, Cat. Much like the similar well known site, F U, Penguin, these sites are all in good fun and mean no harm to anyone. Or cats. Or other animals of any kind. But they are pretty damn funny to read.

Here are a couple other, equally funny, harmless to cats websites you might enjoy.

stuff on my cat
kitty wigs

Precious

Based on the novel Push, by Sapphire, Precious is the story of an overweight, illiterate teenager, pregnant by her father for a second time. She lives in horrific conditions, with an abusive mother, and is on the verge of expulsion when she’s given the chance to transfer to an alternative school. It is there, thanks to her teacher, that she discovers new things about herself and about how to live her life. With stars such as Mo’Nique, Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz, the film should be prefaced with a warning: that it is often so harrowing and heartbreaking that it can be hard to watch.

via Very Short List

Carbohydrate Friday!

Here’s a little Turkey Day inspiration for you. Because, of course, I’m already planning what I will eat on Thanksgiving. Who gives a shit it’s over a month away, it’s a day you are supposed to eat A LOT, so why not be prepared! This month’s Food Network magazine even has tips for how to eat more on Thanksgiving. Kinda gross, but hey, for some, it works.

Anyhoo…strangely enough, I despise pumpkin pie. I do, however, really enjoy the flavor of pumpkin in something not quite so sickeningly sweet – like bread, or soup, or Starbuck’s Pumpkin Lattes (mmm). So if I’m not the only person on the planet with an aversion to pumpkin pie, perhaps you’ll join me in making this your Turkey Day dessert.

PUMPKIN BARS WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
via Real Mom Kitchen

Pumpkin Bars
6 eggs
1 1/2 cup oil (I use canola)
3 cups sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 large can (29 oz) pumpkin
3 1/4 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. salt

Mix together eggs, oil, sugar, vanilla, and pumpkin. Fold in dry ingredients and pour into jelly roll pan (13 x 18 pan). Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Do not overbake. Cool and frost with cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting
(if you like a thick layer of frosting, double the recipe)
1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese (can use light)
8 Tablespoons butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Blend together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Beat in powdered sugar and vanilla.

Now that’s a hearty cup of coffee!

Ha ha! Get it? Yeah, I know, I’m dumb. Whatever.

A perfect pair.

Nothing says comfort food more than a bowl of soup and a toasty grilled cheese (or similarly tasty sandwich). Except when the soup ends up in your lap because it fell off the side of your too-small sandwich plate. Well say goodbye to the comfort meal mess and hello to the soup and sandwich duo tray from uncommon goods. Safe for use in the oven, microwave and dishwasher, the simple white pieces are sold as a set of two so you can even enjoy it with a friend.

via bltd