Keep A 'New Words' Document

For about ten years now, I've kept a New Words document on my desktop. If you need a further explanation of what that is (well, you shouldn't because it's embarrassingly self-explanatory) - it simply means that every time I come across a word I've never heard before (whether it's from reading something or hearing someone), I write it down in this Word document. And at the end of each month, I look up the meanings and put them all on flashcards so I can carry them around in my purse and go over them in any free daily moments that I have. I eventually throw out each word after I'm completely positive I won't forget its meaning. 

I can't tell you how helpful I've found this. And maybe you're the type of person to hear a new word, look up its meaning, hold that information inside you immediately and move on with your life. I should wish to be so lucky. Anyway, it's a good idea if you have a bad memory. Or you just miss the general sense of school-like activities. 

Tip of the Day - Romance

I strive to be a least 10% romantic with every person I care for in my life for the duration of each relationship. How did the idea of romance become pigeonholed and exclusively linked to sexual relationships? When did that happen? Has that always been the norm? And if it has, WHY has it? You're telling me that your friendships wouldn't benefit from a little romance? Romance doesn't have to have the undertones of sexual gratification, does it? No! I'm here to tell you that no, it does not.

How can you be romantic within your friendships? So many ways.

• I've been on the receiving (and giving) end of scrapbooks that have had lasting, romantic impressions which have span years.
• Decorative swan statues outposted on a front yard as part of surprising birthday declarations.
• Writing down funny things that someone says and keeping it somewhere so you don't forget.
• Impromptu road trips solely devoted to seeing Martha Stewart's home (and nearby jail) in upstate New York.
• Bringing your own wine and going to a pool with someone.
• Hiding small gifts in someone's house for them to find at a later date.
• Mailing someone a treat they've been missing from home.
• When someone visits you on vacation and not only lets you completely plan their daily activities, but also enjoys it.
• Insisting on someone taking a walk with you. (This doesn't seem special, but when someone insists on me taking a walk with them? I fucking swoon - it's so nice.)
• Private cooking lessons with a classically trained French chef in the storefronts of Paris.
• Sharing the most perfect post-steak nap after a beautiful dinner, thus wrecking the rest of your planned evening and not caring simultaneously.
• After a sad/ominous goodbye with someone, having someone run out into the middle of the street to grab you, turn you around and kiss you infront of waiting traffic.

If I'm boasting, that's a shame that you see it that way. I'm so proud and happy that all of those things above have either happened to me or I've done for someone. I only want that kind of romance to continue in my life. I'm only letting you know about it here as kind of a public announcement for you to be more romantic in your own life. Why? 'Cause I swear to God it'll make you happier. And of all of those points listed, only TWO of them were with Nathan - and that makes me so fucking glad that I get to have friends who make up the majority of romance in my life. And that isn't supposed to be a jab at him - I don't particularly care to list and describe the complete romantic goings-on of us since that isn't the point of this post. What I'm trying to get across to you is that romance isn't just for couples. We could all use some, so maybe you should get on that. 

Party Tip of the Day

The next time you're serving a large group of people, cut a circle in the center (place a small bowl on the cake and trace around it). Then cut the outer ring into slices. You'll have nice square pieces that fit on a plate, instead of long wedges that drop off the edge. You can cut the small round middle into pieces too.

HOW SMART IS THIS.

Christmas Lights On A Mirror

As the world knows, I've already started decorating for the holidays. The best part of the decorations? The indoor Christmas lights. Now, don't get me wrong. I love me some outdoor Christmas lights, but the thing is: we rent. A basement. So we don't exactly have the right (nor ladder-possessing ability) to hang any such "holiday" lights outside our home. Thankfully the indoor lights satiate my holiday urges. The great thing about these lights is that you can put them up anywhere (ie. everywhere).

I saw this photo (below) on Pinterest months ago and it still looms in my memory.

View fullsize

Photo Credit: They All Hate Us

So I had to do this (below) in my bedroom.

View fullsize

I swear it looks prettier in person.

I know it's not exactly as nice as the previous one, but man do I love it. I think I may even keep them up long after Christmas. I feel like it gives it that vanity mirror effect, but for your whole body. Yep, that's decided. I'm keeping it. CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!

Restaurant Gives a Discount for Putting Your Cell Phone in a Box

A restaurant in Sioux City, Iowa, is attempting to curb the epidemic of customers who heavily rely on cell phone usage during dinner service.

"Owner Dave Ferris doesn't want the devices cluttering tabletops like horribly ineffective utensils either, which is why at Sneaky's Chicken, servers make the rounds with shoeboxes on Wednesday evenings. Drop your phone in one, and you get 10% off your meal."

Personally, I love this idea. I'm holding out hope that it catches on, especially in major cities. I read some of the comments below the original article and people were saying that 10% is too low, which made me laugh. As if upping your discount would make you enjoy any surrounding human contact more. Anyway, I would do this in a heartbeat if a restaurant offered it. Remember a time when there were little to no interruptions in social settings? Neither do I!

Tip of the Day - Hang Your Boots

Ugh, this is so smart. I just read about this on Browne Eyed Belle's blog and I absolutely love this idea. Instead of having your (longer) boots flop over onto one another on the floor and ruin their shape, you could instead hang your boots from pants hangers to keep them straight. You can find the pants hangers with sliding clips at Target. Such a great idea.

Autumn Punch Bowl

Of course this pumpkin-punch-bowl idea comes from Martha Stewart. OF COURSE IT DOES. She's better than us all - when it comes to parties and when it comes to living. 

Love this idea.

Tip of the Day

I, in no way, encourage you to make these - but if you find yourself in a situation where you are in the process of making pot brownies, please please please use this lone tip.

You see this guy?

Magic Bullet

He's your best friend in the world for this act. You know how people use those tiny little grinders? THROW THAT SHIT AWAY! If you're making these brownies, you MUST grind it up in the Magic Bullet. After it's blended in here, you will see more crystals ground up than you ever thought possible. It's insane. I wish they could somehow include this tip in the complimentary booklet of recipes or something. Maybe someday they will, they definitely should. 

Anyway, YOU'RE WELCOME.

30 Day Writing Challenge

I'm a big fan of internet challenges. I don't think they have the ability to completely change your routine and/or life permanently, but I think they're encouraging as hell and I'm sure there's at least one out there for anyone who's looking for a change in some aspect of his/her life.

Other than fitness and food challenges, it never occurred to me to try and find some more creatively-charged ones. I stumbled across this one on a now-defunct WordPress and I think it's a great one to take on when you find yourself in a writing rut. 

Martha Stewart Bedding Collection

This is the autumn/winter bedspread I just bought for my bed from Macy's. I was going to show you a picture of how it looks on my bed, but I'm not sure I'd want you to see my bed since beds are so terribly personal. Instead here's what the gorgeous print looks like up close.

View fullsize

It's a flannel duvet cover that was on sale for $70 that apparently I couldn't live without. And honestly, after having slept in it the past few days, it's one of my favourite things in this house now. It's more comfortable than anything I've ever slept in, it's weird - I feel like it's almost a hotel bed. 

I'm not a fan of how duvets feel (and I don't own one), so instead I bought this flannel duvet cover so that I could put my regular old comforter inside. That way I have a beautiful, warm new cover, but with the comfort of my old, I'm-sick-of-its-pattern comforter inside hiding. I swear to God it works just as well as with any duvet. I hate even writing "duvet" - such a stupid word. Almost like it knows it's expensive.

Anyhow, if you don't have a duvet or don't like them, then please try out this idea. Duvet covers can be costly, but if you look hard enough you can find a great one (or even better, a flannel one) for between $60 - $80.