May Recommendations

Hello hello friends! You know the drill. Skimmers, recommendations are in bold (and typically clickable). My good friend Amanda from Voyage of the MeeMee is joining me for recommendations this month.

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1. Sephora Ultimate Oil-In-Gel Lipstick Remover: I'm a big fan of long lasting lip color (pretty and lazy at the same time = winning!) but I'm not a fan of having to scrub the top 3 layers of my skin raw to get it off at the end of the day. Enter: this stuff. Don't ask me how the science part works, but basically the oils dissolve the lip color with less time and effort than it took to apply it in the first place.

2. The Jenna & Julien Podcast: I adore Jenna Marbles. Her and her boyfriend, Julien, have a podcast (new episodes every Monday) and it's ridiculous and awesome and magical. The end.

3. Change.org: This is a global petition site that was created to raise awareness on a broad range of topics and inspire positive action as it relates to them. Through it, I've learned about issues that I never would've known existed otherwise. Knowledge is power, yo.

4. Starbucks' S'Mores Frappuccino: If you haven't had one of these yet, what are you doing with your life? Seriously. Sit down in a corner and re-evaluate your purpose. Don't come back until you've thought long and hard about it.

5. Swiffer 360° Dusters Extender: Because: oldness. I have terrible allergies and this bad boy works wonders on dust, without stirring it up in the air. I can even reach behind our washer/dryer with it. There are no words to describe my excitement over that. Am I a loser? Yes. But, I'm a clean loser.

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1. Make your corn on the cob in the microwave. Three minutes per piece. It peels like a dream. If you're just making it for yourself or you and one other, this is the way to go. You won't be sorry.

2. Kernel Cutter. Why no, I'm not finished talking about corn on the cob yet. Seasonal hazard. If you are like me and do not actually eat the corn off the cob, but in a bowl chock full of butter and salt, this tool will make your life easier. But where it really comes in handy is when I'm making a ton of corn and freezing it so I have fresh corn throughout the winter. Mine is Pampered Chef and they don't offer it anymore, but I'd definitely try one by someone else if something happened to mine. I think you can search Ebay for the Pampered Chef one. 

3. Extra Toasty Cheez-Its. Thanks to Laura at Oh Laura Darling for posting about these. They are the bomb. If you're a Cheez-Its fan, get on it. 

4. Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 in Ruby. It's the lightest hint of color, very moisturizing, and has SPF. I use it in lieu of colorless lip balm and believe it's universally flattering. I have three other colors of these, but this is my daily and my go-to. 

5. Daily Sunscreen. Yes, daily. Not only when you're at the beach or pool. I use Coppertone Clearly Sheer SPF 30 for face and various for body, my latest is Sun Bum because the name makes me laugh and I like the smell. It's not greasy which is always a bonus. I like Coppertone and Hawaiian Tropic for the body also.

Thanks to Amanda or MeeMee as I like to call her for throwing out some recommendations this month.Let us hear yours! What are you recommending this month?

 Linking up with Shanna for Random Wednesday

Gift Ideas for the Hostess with the Mostess

1. Beautiful Volcano Flowers from The Bouqs - $50. Send some beauty. They last a long time, and if you spent a long weekend with someone or had a great time at a holiday event, show your host some sugar. That is an affiliate link. I sort of feel like flowers are a good thing to send after you leave or before you arrive. It's hard to shove flowers into someone's hands when they're busy greeting and doing.

2. Chocolate Covered Sea Salt Caramels from Whole Foods - 6.99 - 8.99. Perfect hostess gift. If you do the old one for you, one for me method of gift giving, you will eat them all. Trust. Kelly introduced me to these in Boston and I've been hunting them down ever since. You can only get them in certain parts of the country, which is some bullshit. Come on, Whole Foods. Spread the love.

3. Wine. It's the universal sign for I wanted to bring you something, I figured this was okay.

4. You knew a coffee mug was going to be on this list. Try the host's initial, first or last.

5. Downton Abbey Estate Blend Tea ($11.99). Don't we all want to have a cup of tea with the Dowager Countess?

6. For the hosts with a sense of humor: Cards Against Humanity ($25) or if they already have that, one of the expansion packs ($10).

7. Some assorted beauty products and sample sizes in a cute makeup bag. If assembling those types of things isn't your bag, keep some pre-made sets on hand. This one is $14.99 at World Market.

8. A bottle of nail polish and a pair of fancy dancer dish gloves. Let's spread the love and all do our part to make a necessary chore glamorous. I buy mine at HomeGoods for about $4 each.

9. Mini Bonsai Garden Kit ($9.99) if they're into things like that.

10. A sincere thanks for having me note with a $5 gift card to the host's favorite coffee place.

What do you like to bring to your hostess with the mostess?

 Linking up with Shanna for Random Wednesday














Linking up with Liz for Fitness Blondie's Blog Hop:

Mawwiage is What Bwings us Togeva Today

Nothing says wedding like a good luck charm, Mister T stance and pug buttholes, am I right? Incidentally, the title of this post was my facebook status the morning of my wedding.

We have so many weddings coming up in the next year, it makes me think back on mine. That, the fact that I didn't have a blog when we got married, and linking up a day late and a dollar short with Holly and Mel for their wedding day shebang gives me an excuse to share a lot of wedding photos. Even though it's my blog and I don't need an excuse. I do what I want.

Location, Location, Location
We got married at the Deauville Inn in Strathmere, NJ. Because it was casual and beachy and because of this view, basically. This backdrop? This sunset on our wedding day? You can't beat it.

We kept it simple, 274 of our friends and family stood around and watched us get married with drinks in hand. The attire was casual and we urged people to dress comfortably and wear flip flops. And I arrived on a boat, bitches. Thanks to Captain Bill for getting me there, for stopping short on purpose and giving me and my maid of honor an oh shit we're going overboard moment that you and my dad shared a good laugh over, and for the sun breaking through so majestically on the way to the wedding site.

Colors
I was not the girl who grew up dreaming of her wedding day, so there was no blush and bashful for me. Navy I guess?  Here are some wedding things in lieu of colors. As you can see by the ketchup and mustard on the tables, we had a barbecue on the beach. We are not fancy people. We like to have a good time, no muss no fuss. Five dollar colored glass lanterns from The Christmas Tree Shoppe were plopped in the center of each table, surrounded by some shells and a photo of us. Tables were named after shore towns. I was obsessed with personalized wedding matches that I still use three years later.

First Dance Song
MFD picked this, and it was a surprise. It was Just the Way You Are by Billy Joel. It is very bizarre to be dancing in front of all of those people. I hate being the center of attention. I am the polar opposite of MFD.

Mummers
It's not MFD's wedding without Mummers. We had friends play from six different bands I think? It was a lot of fun. Not sure what the Mummers are? Click here.

Bridal Party, AKA Framily
We were all at the shore on Friday and did most of our pics then. One of my favorite pics ever is on the right of MFD and I with our bridal party in the distance behind us walking to the beach.

Of course we had our dogs in the wedding. Do you know us? And of course we had people climb on stilts and do Mr. Miyagi Karate Kid poses. And of course we gave a bunch of drunks sparklers and told them to have at it at the rehearsal dinner. 

We really had the best time. There was no asshole ruiner in the bridal party that everyone wanted to junk punch.

Honeymoon

We called the whole thing a wedcation. We came to the beach the Saturday before we got married and left the Saturday after. We lounged on the beach with the dogs, went out to eat, walked to bars, had dinner with friends who were down the week before, enjoyed the company of family and friends over our wedding weekend, hung out with friends who were down the week after, went to AC with friends, got some spa treatments and lobster in Cape May, did a bit of shopping, did a lot of resting and relaxing, frolicked on empty beaches and saw fabulous sunsets. I wouldn't trade it for anything. After going through the whole wedding prep and the long wedding day and utter exhaustion after, the last thing I can imagine doing is dragging my worn out ass on a plane with a set of freshly packed luggage. We saved the exotic destinations for years that followed. 

Regretskies

The only thing I'd do differently is to wear a short dress. That dress made it hard to maneuver in the sand. Otherwise, let's do it again! For free if possible. Anyone want to foot the bill this go round? Anyone? Bueller?

Something I Suggest You Do

Trash your dress the day after. 

Advice to You Fiance Knowleses out There

Everything we did reflected who we are as a couple, and I'm still really happy about that nearly three years later. I'm pretty sure I'll be pleased as punch about that for my entire life. I think it's really important to make sure your wedding day reflects the two of you, not what you're supposed to do or what someone else wants you to do. Also:

1. Don't worry about the small things. 

2. If something goes wrong, you're the only one who will notice. 

3. Whoever is there is who is supposed to be there. Whoever is not is not. If someone can't attend, it's not personal. 
4. You can't invite the entire world, and anyone who is offended that they weren't invited has no concept of per head costs. 

5. Think about the amount of money you are spending on one day, and make sure it's not going to make you cringe for years to come. 

6. It's your special day, sure. But it's also a special day for everyone who knows you. Let others share your joy. Don't say "IT'S MY DAY" in a borderline hysterical voice because everyone will talk shit about you if you do. 
7. Edited to add advice from a dear friend: "Make sure you don’t marry someone with a case of the Anthony Weiners." Which made me laugh and laugh but seriously, TRUTH. Sexters don't make good mates. 

What did you love about your wedding? What's your advice to those getting married soon?

Most photos courtesy of Photos by Lily. Local PA/NJ people, check her out.




Linking up with

Mel at 4Kottez and Holly at Where We Can Live Like Jack and Sally for Wedding Details

The Sowell Life - The Friday Five

Follow the Ruels for Friday Favorites

Here's a tip: salt, baking soda, and vinegar

During my spring hausfrauing, I came across helpful household hints books for salt, vinegar, and baking soda. I'm planning a potions post soon - I make a lot of my own cleaning products - but I wanted to retain this info and figured I'd share it here in case you guys could use it too. I don't typically use salt, but I use baking soda and vinegar a lot (even though MFD is constantly complaining about the smell and comparing it to a Summer's Eve, if you catch my drift).

I hope you can save yourself some cash and incorporate these tips in your regular routines!

Thanks to Geege for being a photo prop.

• Any spill on the stovetop will come up more easily if sprinkled with salt first - the abrasive quality of salt removes the stuck on food but won't hurt the surface. 
• Those casserole dishes that won't come clean? Add boiling water and three tablespoons of salt. Let stand until the water cools, then wash as usual. 
• Exfoliate! While skin is wet, sprinkle salt in your hands and rub all over skin. Ain't nobody got time for dry skin. I am a very bad exfoliater. I need to do it more. 

• Keep baking soda in fridges and freezers to absorb odors. Change every three months. 
• Once a month, sprinkle carpets with baking soda, let sit overnight, then vacuum. I should do this. Dogs stink. 
• Remove mineral buildup and improve performance of your showerhead: Mix 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar in a sturdy plastic bag. Secure the bag around the shoewrhead with a rubber band so the showerhead is submerged in solution. Soak for one hour. Remove and run very hot water through the showerhead for several minutes. I am totally doing this this weekend. I pinned it eons ago. 
• Face scrub: make a past of three parts baking soda to one part water. Use as an exfoliating scrub. I do this and love it. 

• Sinks: Pour 1/2 cup baking soda through a funnel followed by one cup of vinegar. When the foaming subsides, flush with super hot tap water (I normally fill from another sink or the tub). Wait five minutes, then flush again with cold water. This clears blockages and washes away odor causing bacteria. For slow drains, pour in 1/2 cup salt followed by 2 cups of boiling vinegar, then flush with hot and cold tap water. 
• Keep frost at bay: Spray the outside of car windows with a solution of 3 parts white vinegar to 1 part water. I haven't tried this, but I will be trying it this winter. 
• Microwave: place a glass bowl filled with 1/4C vinegar and 1C water inside. Microwave for five minutes. Once it cools, dip a cloth into the liquid and use to wipe interior. Splatters will be loosened and come up quickly. I add a little squirt of lemon juice to the bowl too. 
• Pour 1 cup undiluted vinegar into the bottom of your dishwasher once a month and run the machine through a full cycle without dishes or detergent. 

I know there are 459,872 uses for each. How do you use them, or what on this list will you try?

Life lessons A to Z

Happy Wednesday, worldwideweb! As part of my birthday month, I thought I'd share an A to Z of some things I've learned along the way in life. Enjoy! And try not to be a dbag today, to yourself or anyone else.

A. Actions speak louder than words. Do what you say you're going to do.

Photo from leloveimage.blogspot.com

B. Don't think so much. Just be. This is my favorite quote from the fabulous novel Ordinary People.

C. Comparison is the thief of joy. Appreciate what you have, don't worry about anyone else or what they have.

D. Don't drink and drive, and don't be an asshole drunk.

E. Excuses are lame.

F. Facebook is not a therapy office, nor is it a place to air dirty laundry. It's a social network. The End.

Photo from sanespaces.com

G. Graciously accept aging - some people don't have the privilege of growing old.

H. Honesty is the best policy.

Photo from letsbehonestdho.blogspot.com

I. If you don't love yourself, nothing else matters.

J. Jail is bad, so don't do anything that might land you there if you get caught, mm'kay?

K. Karma doesn't have a statute of limitations. Treat others how you want to be treated.

Photo from grazesandgroanswithlifesspillsandthrills.wordpress.com

L. Laughter cures most things. So do loving and loyal friends.

M. Manage your expectations of others and of situations and you will be happier overall and less bitter about things you never had any control over anyway.

N. NO DRAMA - don't create it and don't participate in it. It's like Beetlejuice. Don't even say it.

O. Own up to your part in things and take responsibility.

P. Play the best hand you can with the cards you've been dealt.

Q. Quit blaming other people for what's in your life. Whatever is there is there until you choose to get rid of it.

R. Race the sun - have productive and full days. You'll sleep better at night.

Photo from blog.wireguided.com

S. Stand up for what's right, especially when nobody else will.

T. Take vacations, enjoy every day, and have fun.

U. Use correct spelling and grammar.

No lie, I was fortunate enough to be behind this guy this very morning. Please sir, the possessive...you're killing me.

V. Vote. It's a privilege many people in the world don't have, and one of your freedoms that many soldiers died to protect. The least you could do is inform yourself about candidates and issues and pull the lever.

W. The world doesn't owe you anything, so check your sense of entitlement at the door. If you want something, you have to work for it.

Photo from themillionairesecrets.net

X. eXtremists are bad news and tend to ruin things.

Y. You can't control what other people do or say, but you can control your reaction to it.

Z. Zen states are good.


Sayonara, amigos.

SMD

Here's a Tip: I've been washing my face with oil.

Say what? Yes, it's true. I've been washing my face with oil thanks to some recommendations from friends and The Oil Cleansing Method. Me, who has bemoaned my shitty skin, zits, and oily face for decades. I am now washing my face in it.

I first heard about this oil cleansing method almost a year ago from my friend Diva T. I pshaw'ed her and said NEVER, mofo! Then Rachel H. brought it up again this year, and I thought what the shit, nothing else is working. I might as well try the blasphemous Oil Cleansing Method.

Never say never is sort of the lesson here, as evidenced by my conversion to The Oil Cleansing Method and also my ability to not wash my hair daily despite saying for years, "I have to wash my hair every day, I can't take it/wake up/feel clean unless I wash my hair, blah blah blah, it's fine if YOU don't wash every day, but with MY hair I need to, blah blah blah." And, no I don't need to and my hair looks better than it has in years. So stick that in your pipe and smoke it, never sayers.

Awesome payout #1 of using this method: I'm not dropping one zillion dollars on moisturizers and other face potions guaranteed to make my skin as fresh as the skin on a newborn baby's ass. Nothing ever worked and  I never used anything until it was finished. And when I *did* find something that worked, it was discontinued - I'm looking at you, Avon True Porefection. I bought a bottle of castor oil and a bottle of sunflower oil, mixed them up in a travel bottle, and that's it. Dunzo.

Awesome thing #2 of using this method: I am a lazy as hell face washer and rarely do it. Which coincides perfectly with how you do the oil cleansing method. Just rub a wash cloth over my face most days? Sold.

So reporting in after a week: My skin is much softer and looks a lot better. I do have some new zits, which they said would happen. But my old zits are basically disappearing, which is wonderful. And it's not oily to the touch.

I'll keep you apprised of the state of my face. I know you're on tenterhooks now, bitches.

Oily oily oily oily, life is but a dream. Happy hump day!

SMD

p.s. Why when I google images for Never Say Never, does google images donkey punch me with 20483084 pages of Bieber? Jesus Christ! Some warning would be nice.

Friday, I think I love you

TGIF, mofos. I'm not sorry to see this week go: week two of this wretched chest cold, three nights of all over body hives, two of my good friends laid parents to rest this week and I couldn't be there for either funeral, and it's been a disastrous week as a homeowner. I do not thrive in a chaotic or messy environment, so good day, week from hell. I SAID GOOD DAY.

Incidentally, that was the alternate title of my blog, isaidgoodday.com, but some wanker had it and stephaniesaysgoodday.com would mean that I was constantly referring to myself in the third person, which I'm rabidly opposed to. So, weinerwhistle weinerwhistle weinerwhistle.

Speaking of, this week's weinerwhistle award goes to Charlie Brown. I know I'm not popular for this, and I don't really care. Charlie Brown and Linus are weinerwhistles and Sally is a complete fool. I do like Snoopy, Woodstock and the music. Suck it, Great Pumpkin.

My Halloween weekend tips:
1. Have fun.
2. Be safe.
3. Don't dress up as a clown.
4. Don't have jello wrestling, it's a mess to clean up.
5. Don't chintz on candy for the children.
6. Don't bother trying to top me and MFD as Dog the Bounty Hunter & Beth from a few years back:

Favorite movie line of the week:

Hollywood, you're an asshole for remaking Footloose and Dirty Dancing. No reason.

Happy Halloween Weekend!

SMD

p.s. A spoke on my beloved Totes clear bubble umbrella broke yesterday. I had to stop at Kiddie Mart (What my Pop calls K-Mart) on the way home, and hark! They had a full rack of them. You rarely see them in stores. Hie thee to Kiddie Mart, people!