“If we only wanted to be happy, it would be easy; but we want to be happier than other people, which is almost always difficult, since we think them happier than they are.”
Birthday Deals!
I don't know why more places don't upsell the fact that they's got BIRTHDAY DEALS. We all want those deals. Give us those deals, damnit.
I just found this list of places that offers you something on your big day, it's a mostly American list so let me post a more Canadian friendly one over here.
Obviously, I'm not telling you to take advantage of ALL the things offered since we're all trying to live some kind of healthy life. I'm just letting you know that if you want free ice cream on your birthday, you're entitled to it.
Sidenote: Happy Birthday to my insanely great brother, Robbie. He's one of the best men in my life and I'm crazy lucky to know him. Really, my brothers are easily the best in the business. You should be jealous maybe. LOVE YOU.
The Skeleton Twins Trailer
You should know I'm gonna be ALL UP IN THIS MOVIE. Can't wait. Love everyone in it. Comes out September 12th.
MAC To Launch a Marge Simpson-inspired Makeup Line
Why? No idea. Oh wait, I do know. It's 'cause of the 25th anniversary of the show.
Am I intrigued, MAC? Of course!
The 10-piece line includes lip glosses, false eyelashes, nail stickers, brightly coloured eyeshadows and blushes. The limited edition line goes on sale online on August 28th and will be available in MAC stores everywhere September 4th. You can take a look at the products below.
- Two different four-piece eyeshadow sets ($53/each)
- Fake eyelashes ($22)
- Tinted lipgloss, available in four different shades ($20)
- Powder blush, available in two different shades ($28.50)
- Nail stickers ($19)
My thoughts? Way too expensive. And I'm a huge fan of MAC and The Simpsons. But $20 for a "Nacho Cheese" coloured lip gloss? Get real. I am considering buying one of the blushes since I'm not happy with the Nars one I'm trying to get through right now. (Why do all blushes have to have that tiny hint of sparkle in them? I don't want to sparkle! I want a subtle glow, damnit.) Anyway, all of these products are way too much money and they will all definitely sell out so I guess I'll just shut my mouth.
Idea of the Day - Reward & Gift Cards
Sometimes people come up with genius ideas. This is one of them.
Punch a hole in all of your gift and rewards cards and keep them on one key ring to save space in your wallet. Bonus Tip: alphabetize them so they're easier to find. Bonus, Bonus Liz Tip: write down any expiration dates (if there are any) on your calendar (or "phone agenda", Marla) so you don't get screwed over.
I guess this idea would only work well if you're a woman and you can carry this key ring around in your purse? I don't know a man who'd want this beast amongst his precious keys. Do men even use reward cards? Is that a sexist thought? I really don't think they do. I've signed my boyfriend up for at least four different cards and I'm pretty sure each one is passively mourning their fate at various garbage dumps.
I heard this tip from the site Cooking at Cafe D, so obviously their page is now in my bookmarks. Also, to the people who are about to message me and go, "Hey, there's an app for that" - don't get smart with me. I'll cut you.
“If you’re going out to dinner with a group larger than five people - bring cash. Leave your credit cards at home. You’ll be strict with what you order and you won’t end up paying more than you owe (since splitting the bill can be utter hell at the end of a night).”
Butter Up Knife
Kickstarter is great for a lot of reasons, but the main one? BRINGING THIS BUTTER KNIFE TO LIFE. Each knife costs $11 and since their campaign has been crazy popular, you'll have to wait until early next year if you want to own one.
Such a smart idea.
Sidenote: I really want to be one of those people who lets their butter just sit out on the counter in a nice holder like this one. Do you have to have kids to make that dream a reality? Who's eating that much daily butter to make this feasible? I put butter on something maybe once a week, I can't leave it out just for me. These are my problems. Get that knife.
Amazing Things Outside Your Window
Really love this.
Illustrations by Rosemary Mosco
Mom Says
Illustration by Andrew Hamm
Illustration by Andrew Hamm
Rice Cooker & Steamer
Am I eventually going to recommend every single household appliance to you? Possibly. Well, probably not a bread maker since they're the biggest, most useless things a person can own. But everything else in Williams-Sonoma? I want it all.
The fact that this is a rice cooker and a steamer? Get the hell out. I've only had it a short while (thank you, Marla!), but I've wanted one for a long time and it's fulfilled so many of my kitchen dreams. You ever steam something as a side dish for dinner? People take you seriously the day you undertake a task like that. Also, owning one of these signifies the end of sad, sad era of standing over a pot of rice hoping that it doesn't burn or become mush.
If you make rice more than twice a week, it makes zero sense for you not to have one of these.