GT - Red Sneaks

Girls Talk this month is all color-coded! LOL! As we, Girl Talkers, know, this is a result of a poll... Bright idea, Capital K! I was rooting for the shopping theme, though... Well, maybe next month...

This week, GT is painting the town RED! Frankly, I'm not a huge fan of red so I found this rather challenging... I've been thinking of what to post since I can remember (that ain't very long ago)... and I almost posted Valentine stuff (i.e. balloons, chocolate tin cans, stuffed hearts, etc). I have very few items of clothing that are red, mostly undergarments; but I wouldn't want photos of those just hanging around in cyber space... so NO! If I hadn't visited the closet to hang the hubby's uniform, I wouldn't remember having this pair of wedge sneakers! (this is a shoebox photo tag, BTW --- how convenient for me, it pays to be OC!)

I've only worn them a few times because if I walk more than a mile with these on, I get RED blotches on my feet, a.k.a. blisters... Ouch! Plus I have to be skinny to get away with this young-ish pair or I'd look like I'm trying too hard! Lookie what I found! A picture of me actually wearing 'em, with a huge RED heart! And the hubby! Love love!

Independence Day '08, SF CA

Super Friends!

Super Friend Fun Facts:

• Loulei, daughter Lorra and I met in line for our medical appointment one drizzly morning in December '07
• That was the first and last time that we've seen each other
• But we spent almost 14 hours together... And they treated me for lunch... Thankies!
• I tagged them The Gilmore Girls
• Lorra and my iPhone = love at first touch!
• Loulei and I were both engaged to natural-born-Asian, naturalized-American BFs who reside in CA
• We all love and own dogs
• We came from Cavite and were commuting for 2 hours after a very loooong day!

Later, we found out that:

• We both like Starbucks, craft stores, WalMart & dollar stores
• We got married on the same day without knowing that we booked the same date
• We both like crafts - but she is way more artistic than me!

And just recently, she opened her Etsy store and I'm her first customer! I bought this cute Julya pendant from her Faceless Collection and am loving it! She even sent me a freebie --- personalized keychain bearing the name of my blog! Check 'em out!

I just have the coolest friends!

Visit her shop: LiLa O Creations - Handcrafted Accessories

Moving Quotes and Packing Strategies: Protecting Your Valuables

You’re moving. It’s a truth you consider with undeniable dread -- if only because the efforts involved will demand time, energy and money you don't have. It’s a tedious process, however necessary, and you’re cringing with the knowledge that you'll soon begin the long labors of packing, inventorying and comparing moving quotes. You’re afraid such things will overwhelm. You’re tempted instead to ignore them. But that is a mistake of all too sad proportions.

Delaying packing (and choosing instead to haphazardly toss all of your collections into boxes the day before you move) will result in broken glass, cracked plastics and ruined cloth. You need instead to plan ahead and space the efforts along several days.

1. Choose proper containers: It’s easy to turn to those old boxes in your basement, to heft up the mold-soaked edges; but this will result in weak holds, sagging bottoms and eventual breaks. For a move find new containers to ensure that your items are secured.

2. Don’t over-fill: You want to finish packing quickly so your first thought is to shove all wares into their boxes and consider the day done. This is not wise. You must remember that crowding a container can offer you scratched items and too heavy pounds. You have to carry these packages, after all. Keep the weight low and the contents well separated.

3. Wrap everything: Don’t assume that stacking pieces in a neat fashion will keep them free of dents and damage. You must instead shield items with bubble-wrap, Styrofoam or even linens. Offer padding between rows to ease potential bad roads and sharp turns.

4. Keep it closed: If an object has value, it should not be stuffed into the corner, forgotten amongst the endless aisles. Bring it with you and ensure it’s protected.

Planning is required for any move; but beginning early and taking the necessary days will offer the best defense.

GT - Frenemies

When you have people in your life that you can't be friends with anymore, are those considered your enemies? Well I have those kind of people in my life, people I'm not very fond of. And frankly, I wouldn't wish to sit beside them through an entire movie. But may I recommend this movie to one of them? Envy is about two friends whose relationship was damaged because one of them became successful and filthy rich and the other was left behind. and envious. Maybe this will help that person in self-searching. I can't be friends with someone who wants to be or seems to be somebody else.

I admire K for recommending a movie about forgiveness... But like I said before, I'm not that nice. I'm not going to look through catalogs of patio furniture covers with someone who has betrayed my trust and pretend nothing has happened and that everything is the same. Sorry, Queen B's in the house...
 

Shopping For Groceries

Written by Otis Norton

Shopping for groceries is a task that everyone has to do and most people dread. However, with a couple of quick tips this can go from a boring errand to a organized trip that will provide you maximum results in a short amount of time. Organization is the key.

Throughout the week keep a piece of paper and pen out somewhere in your kitchen. When you realize that you are running low on something, write it down. This will help you not to forget when making your list later on in the week. To me, this is so important.

Once you have your list of things that you need for the week, read the weekly ad in the newspaper for the grocery store of your choice. From what is on sale for the week, figure out your weekly meal plans. Once you have your meal plans, make your grocery list with what you need for the meals.

Always check and organize your coupons to see what you can use to save the most amount of money.

Lastly, do not go to the grocery store hungry. This can make you loose your focus and not stay on budget. Don't forget about home security, look for alarm system near Phoenix here.