Sorry I've been a Slacker...New Favorite Blogs

Hey there. I'm so sorry that I've been slacking. Things have been busy. Finishing a decorating project in one part of the house, working on another project in another part of the house and getting ready for a few parties.. I love parties...and going all out. Have a b-day party for 5 (yes, 5 b-days within about a week of each other so I'm throwing a big, circus themed party); Tiki Party for retirement/b-day and a baby shower in the fall for two college friends.

Two new favorite blogs. For party planners, you're going to love these! I'll share one today and one later this week.

Bakerella - she is awesome. Her brownie pops and cake pops are so adorable...yes, brownies and cakes turned into a sort of lollipop. I don't know how she does some of the stuff she does...so creative. I'm going to try some of her recipes for my upcoming parties.

This photo of Spring Chicken Pops is courtesy of Bakerella.com. This is just one sample of her darling work. I think I'm going to try these first and turn them into bluebirds. They look a little simpler to start with that some of her designs. You have to check her out. She shares so much on her blog! Her designs are amazing and how fun!? She's even been on Martha.

Need a shaker bottle? Get a Blender Bottle!

I love my Blender Bottles! I use them mainly for protein shakes (Beverly International is the ONLY brand I drink. My favorite is the Ultimate Muscle Protein...all flavors are wonderful!) I use one at least twice a day. They are made of super durable, thick plastic, have a tight fitting seal (no leaks) and have a magic metal ball inside (like a whisk) that breaks up any lumps.

While many people think of shaker bottles just for protein drinks, the Blender Bottle can be used to mix up omelets, pancakes, dressings, gravies... or as just a simple water bottle.

They come in tons of vibrant colors. I even bought red a green ones for some friends/family for Christmas as an extra little gift. Tied up with red, green and metallic ribbon, they made for a really cute and simple gift.

If you need a shaker bottle...try the Blender Bottle. You won't be disappointed! You can find them at Blenderbottle.com or do a search for Blender Bottle...there are a lot of online stores that sell them as well.


My two personal favorites are:

Athleta Dipper Pant & Shorts

My Athleta Dipper Pant is my all time favorite "every day" pant. While I LOVE fashion, and getting dressed up, we dress really casually at work most of the time. This pant is a nice, sporty pant, but with a more refined look and feel - sporty dressed up.
The Dipper is not your every day athletic pant. The fabric is super strong and sturdy, washes great (color never fades) and comes in tall, regular and petite sizes. The pockets on the back are really flattering, especially for a flatter booty. Also, for athletic girls that have muscular legs and a small waist, there's a thin, low-profile string inside the pant that can be tied to keep the waist from gaping. They come in about 6 colors (a few posted above/below).

While the Dipper might seem a little expensive for an "athletic pant", I promise you, you'll get every cent out of these pants. You'll want to wear them every day. They feel great on, are super figure flattering and will look like new forever. You can also find the Dipper style in corduroy pants, shorts in three lengths and skinny pants.

Athleta has been a god-send to me as a tall/athletic female. For any athletic lady frustrated with clothing sizes, try Athleta out. You'll always be able to find clothes to fit - you really can count on Athleta! Look for more Cute Little Finds from Athleta to come!

Smocked Tube Dress - Old Navy

This type of tube dress has been around for the last few years. And, while they aren't the most figure flattering (a tight tube top and loose fitting/no-shape body), they are surprisingly cute on...and so comfy. I've hesitated to buy this style because at almost 5'10", with muscular legs, I've never been able to find one long enough for me.

Before a recent vacation I was searching online for easy beach dresses/cover ups in tall/long sizes and happened upon these Smocked Tube Dresses from Old Navy. I don't do a lot of shopping at Old Navy, but was buying something from Banana Republic and decided to throw a plain black one in tall/medium in my cart to see how it fit. When I got it I was pleasantly surprised and ended up buying another one in green w/striped top (like pictured above and below). On the trip I wore them so much that when I came home I bought a blue one, orange one and black one (all w/striped top). I was disappointed that they no longer have just plain/solid colors (without the striped tube top), because I really like my plain black one best. I would've bought every color. Oh well...maybe next year (if they are still in style).

The quality isn't bad. The are just a simple, but sturdy cotton. I've washed mine quite and bit and they are still holding pretty well. At only $15.99, I expected them to fall apart after a wash or two. They come in tall, regular and petite sizes. The ones with the striped top seem a little bigger in the body and a touch longer, but not by much.

I've worn them as a swimsuit cover up; out to lunch/dinner outdoors with sandals, earrings and a long necklace and, most often, with a sweater, cute earrings, bangle bracelets and sandals to run errands. Below is a similar outfit to what I wore to run errands today. It took me about two minutes to get dressed and out the door.

I wore my plain black dress; antiqued gold earrings with similar shape to these, but with yellow, orange and reddish stones (sort of boho looking); these exact sunglasses, this sweater (which really deserves it's own post because I love it so much - super light...perfect for Spring/Summer) and these shoes (perfect little black flip flop, but don't look bummy)and a bag with similar shape, size and color, but different pattern. Easy and comfortable.

Running Errands by cutelittlefinds featuring Banana Republic tops

Items in this set:
Old Navy Womens Smocked Knit Tube Dresses, $15
Women's Apparel: Slubby open cardigan: cardigans sweaters | Banana..., $70
Product: Cole Haan Metal Aviator Sunglasses, $35
14K Gold Over Silver Matte Drop Leaf Earring : Target, $30

Great Read: Jodi Picoult's Novels

I really enjoy reading. And, while I don't always make time to do it, since stumbling upon Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper (before there was a movie), I've made it a point to read more. Actually, I'm not even sure that I've made it a point. Reading has sought me out. I just can't help but read more of her books because they just draw you in. I never want to put them down.

Picoult does a wonderful job of taking serious, often controversial subjects, and weaving a story the lets you truly see and feel things from every characters perspective. Even if you don't agree with a character's decisions/actions, somehow she let's you inside their minds and hearts to be able to empathize with the character and have some understanding. When you do agree, you feel their pain, happiness, struggle even deeper. The books are about families, communities, friends, hot button issues, love, pain, forgiveness and how all of those things intertwine together.

House Rules is the last book I've finished completely and may be the best one yet. I've read 10 her her 17 novels and am in the middle of my 11th, Second Glance (all read in one year). My goal is to finish them all by then end of 2010. Second Glance was a little slower to get going for me, but now that I'm about halfway into it, I'm really enjoying it.

Another thing that I like about Jodi Picoult is that she seems like a very humble, grateful and real person. It's refreshing to see someone with so much success without the huge ego that sometimes comes with it.

Go to www.jodipicoult.com right now and read more about Jodi and her great novels. We may not be talking about classic literature here, but we are talking about masterful storytelling that will keep you engaged every step of the way and leave you yearning for another great story.

Here's what some other people have said about her writing (from www.jodipicoult.com)

“Picoult is a skilled wordsmith, and she beautifully creates situations that not only provoke the mind but touch the flawed souls in all of us.”

— Boston Globe

“Turning the pages, all you’ll care about is what happens next. That’s the mark of pretty much every Jodi Picoult book, and it’s the reason she keeps topping best-seller lists.”

—San Antonio Express News

“Ms. Picoult has carved her own niche with her novels – one part romance, one part courtroom thriller, two parts social commentary.”

—Dallas Morning News

“Beginning with her first book… Picoult has refused to sweat the small stuff. She's concerned with love and truth, the blurry boundary lines implied by both. She forces the reader to look, however uncomfortable the experience might be, at complacent people who discover, much too late, the sad disparity between what they thought they knew and what they know now.”

— Orlando Sentinel Tribune

Everyday Natural Lip Color - Blistex Lip Tone

I lucked upon this little wonder about 10 years ago and have had it in my arsenal ever since. While I love make up and getting dolled up, I don't go all out every day. Most days for work my make up is simple and natural...light foundation, powder, a little blush, mascara and...you guessed it, my Blistex Lip Tone. It gives your lips the perfect, natural pink lip color. It's light and really moisturizing. It can be hard to find over the counter, but I have had no trouble finding it at Drugstore.com when I need more.

Mother's Day: Mother's are Angels Necklace

I wanted to do a quick post on another find for Mother's Day. I bought this cute little necklace for my step mom (my "second mother" as I like to call her). She collects angels and when I saw this dainty little necklace, with it's uplifting message from Dogeared.com I had to get it for her. It would be great for your own mother, "second mother", aunt, grandma, sister, friend...you name it. If you've got a "mother" in your life, it would be a nice gift on Mother's Day - or any time. Super sweet and cute! (It arrived to her last night and she loved the necklace...and the message!)