Click It!

• Good for window shopping and inspiration: Brocade Home
  
  
• Totally if I was still single and living on my own: Poppy Cotton
  
  
• The best French inspired clothing (but with Target pricing): La Redoute. European sizing, however.
  
  
• Buy Al Gore, Sell Britney Spears: Swell Town: Celebrity Stock Market. A lot like "TabFL" on 94.5 PST.
  
  
• How are Graham Crackers and Sex related? : Snopes: Urban Legends
  
  
• More Euro-Fashion (London): Top Shop
  
  
• Free web-hosting to sell your stuff: eCrater
  

Girl's Guide to Marriage Year 1

I just received a free magazine called The Nest which is like a Good Housekeeping & Cosmo for first year married couples.

Started by No. 1 Wedding company, the Knot, the Nest started out as an online community for newly weds looking for a place to vent and get advice from other couples. It has now become a weekly e-zine, book series, and magazine (as I discovered in my mail today).

It's nice to vent to others in your shoes rather than your mom or single friends. No offense mom!

"Buffy" writer BACK from the dead

When I see the names Joss Wedon or Marti Noxon, I think back to my weekly Buffy fix and how it bares a striking resemblance to my need for Grey's Anatomy [and Heroes]. And how fitting is it that part 3 of the ferry-boat saga was written by non other than Marti Noxon! Yay for good dead people drama!

Oscar Fashion 2007

Reese Witherspoon has one of my favorite looks for the night. She's been doing post-break up the right way. She's so cute!


Second Runner up: Portia de Rossi is stunning in navy. This is the best I think I've ever seen her.


Cringe! Kirsten Dunst. Are you kidding?

MMMMMMmmmm... Scrumptious

If only I can look this good at that age!

Real Fake Curls

I have wavy hair that sometimes forms decent curls and other times is a random frizzy mess. Usually I apply my Chi iron to my hair. I finally found the best curl enhancing product!

Got2b hair products has a gel called Curl-Vacious: shimmer curl gel. What works for my hair is 2-dime sized squirts worked into towel-dry hair. Brush hair after application and then turn head over and scrunch the curls. The gel works immediately and your hair dries with lots of curl and it holds for more than a day. Your hair can get a little crunchy if you put a lot on, but usually my hair feels nice and healthy.
It's about $6 from any drugstore. Got2b products tend to be more pricey, but the quality is worth it.

Finally a Plainsboro Cafe!

The prolonged anticipation for businesses that will fill the Plainsboro Village Center has had a reprieve with the welcome addition of "It's a Grind". A franchise out of California, "It's a Grind" provides the locals with around-the-corner coffee while providing an alternative for those people, like myself, that are tired of the bustle of Starbucks and the bland flavors of Panera. Granted, we have an "Atlanta Bread" on Rt 130, but it's more of an eatery than a cozy cafe.

"It's a Grind" offers your classic coffee drinks and pastries in a warm and welcoming environment with armchairs, cafe tables, and a fireplace. There is also free Wi-Fi. It's location is perfect, being on the corner across from CVS, Super Fresh, and Blockbuster. The parking is easy and hopefully, there will soon be other stores moving in to allow for additional window shopping.

Please check this out. Too bad I live in West Windsor now, otherwise, I'd be there all the time!

Hometown "Cheap Eats"!

Yay! The February issue of "New Jersey Monthly" featured Arthur's Tavern(Morris Plains) and the Morristown Deli(Morristown) as notable inexpensive places to dine for either hamburgers or sandwiches.

I remember that people would take the train into Morris Plains just for Arthur's. It stands out for it's black and white awnings. There is also a location in Hoboken, Lake Mohawk, North Brunswick, and Emerson. Be prepared to wait for a seat. It's always crowded. It's popular for families and business lunches. I know I always had their chicken salad dinner. Two scoops on a bed of iceberg lettuce with a piece of pumpernickel bread. But of course, the real attraction are the STEAKS!

The Morristown Deli is your classic deli/eatery where you can get counter meat/bread or sit down for a meal. Their breakfast menu is awesome. So many selections (though I usually just get an omelet). It's location is towards the end of South Street towards Calaloo Cafe and King's. And thankfully, there is ample parking.

Volunteer Tutors

Make a difference in a child's life. Volunteer your time and tutor local children who normally can not afford it.

Log onto: Young Scholars Institute. Scroll down and click on the link for Tutor Application.

Start today!

Help Me Wear This!

I have this jacket from Anthropologie which I love, but I'm not sure how to wear it for winter. The neckline is awkward and doesn't go with every top underneath. I tried out loose camisoles, but I'd like something more for colder weather. Please help!

Scenic Driving

One of the best things about living in this area are the reasonable excuses for aimless driving. There are many scenic drives in my area (Princeton) that I love exploring. The pictures posted here are of the Rt 533 (River Rd) area between Hillsborough and Montgomery Township. Obviously, these are from the late fall, but when the weather clears, take a drive. See for yourself.

Netflix(R) meets Fitness

I just discovered this video rental company called Flickety Fit when I was looking for more Yoga Booty Ballet DVDs. In addition to renting out the YBB series, you can borrow video series ranging from Denise Austin to Bellydancing to Ballroom dancing. Like Netflix, there is no due date and no lates fees. I'll let you know how I like it. I just signed up and rented another YBB DVD. Check it out for yourself!

New Crystal Light Flavor!

Of course I'm like the only one to be excited over this, but since I only get my servings of water by chugging Chrystal Light, I'd though I'd share my discovery:

Raspberry Green Tea Crystal Light (comes in the on-the-go version already). I found it at Super Fresh (A&P).

Healthy Super Bowl Snack

Peach Salsa: I've decided to make this my regular app. to bring anywhere. It can also double as a lovely host gift. Don't bother buying the ready made stuff. You can never really taste the peach in store brand salsa. This recipe is a sure hit. Just try this:

• Purchase fresh salsa-where the veggies are chopped, not blended like all salsa. Whole Foods has great fresh salsa. I've also used Pico de Gallo
• Next, chop up 3 peaches to the size of the other veggies and mix in.
• Add a few squirts of lime juice, a small spoon-tip of minced jalapeno, and a few packets of splenda (depending on your sweetness factor).
  

Mix and serve. Always a hit!

Favorites for Sunday 2.04.07

Does a Body Good:

The Dancer's Diet: I hit a road block in my fitness and decided to try this diet which is part of the Yoga Booty Ballet series. I lost 2.5 lbs in one week! The basic idea is to increase protein into snacks and limit your starch and fruit intake at all meals. My typical day of food looked like this:

1) Breakfast: 1 cup plain yogurt (with like 4 or 5 splendas for sweetness)
1 Tbsp ground flaxseed
sliced strawberries or any berries (Berry fruits are the only ones allowed on the diet)

2) Snack (they say 1-2 hours after each meal)
a few slices of deli turkey meat (they suggest any portion of meat or meat substitute. Soy yogurt, plain yogurt, and egg whites fell under meat sub.)

3) Lunch: more turkey meat and a salad with cucumbers, broccoli, mushrooms, and balsamic vinaigrette. I always tended to cheat by having a slice of grain bread maybe once or twice.

4) Snack: Soy yogurt or more turkey. Here is were I really cheated and had some pretzel rods. But not too much.

5) Dinner: Portion of meat and veggies like spinach, mushrooms, beans, etc. Only dessert: Tea.

6) And don't forget the water! I can't do all water all the time, so I live on Crystal Light. It get's me the water and it's yummy! My students actually know me for my crystal light and for some reason are so interested in the flavors.

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A Good Read: The Memory Keeper's Daughter.
I haven't actually read it yet, but I purchased and uploaded the audiobook to my iTunes. It came highly recommended from the women at work.

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A Good-but-Gone Show: Day Break on abc.com
**Warning-- You will become a computer-potato once you start watching!** This was the Lost-replacement on ABC that was cancelled before if finished it's run. I wasn't going to watch it bc I thought it was a nother Groundhog Day movie, but it soo is not. If you like crime mysteries and following clues, this is a great show. They just posted 4 new episodes which I watched on Friday night. The next will be up on Monday. Taye Diggs is also not bad to look at.

A Call to Math Teachers

This year I have really enjoyed teaching my advanced 7th graders, but have grown increasing impatience and boredom with my 6th grade curriculum. Perhaps I'm just an ansy person in general, but I'm looking for some helpful hints or advice from teachers who have found satisfaction and even success with lower level classes.

I did find it rather cute, that on Friday afternoon when one of my students was spending his 2nd hour finishing a math test, he gave me a tip for giving in-class assistance. It was so simple: walk around the room twice; if you see a student on the same problem, help them through it. Of course I knew that, but it's something that I was obviously not doing enough in that class. And maybe it's that simple that I just need to be more conscious of the small things. I am for one, always telling my students that a little bit goes a long way or rather, little mistakes add up. Children who have learning experiences in a resource room or with an ICS teacher can be so helpful to the teaching-learning process.

What are your thoughts?

This is what this blog is all about...

Favorite New Items of the Week: 1.15.07-1.22.07:

Thank You Perez Hilton, for turning me on to Mika! I'm loving his new single "Grace Kelly"

Check these sites out:

a) Yes.com: Find a song you just heard on your local radio

b) GotVoice.com : check your voicemail .. (for free)

c) Who Called.us: Don't recognize the number but it keeps calling? Look it up here.

More to come.....


Favorite New Items of the Week: 1.08.07-1.14.07:

1) The Bellini. 1 oz peach puree and 5 oz. chilled champagne. I took a cue from my #2 item French Women Don't Get Fat which suggests to have a glass of champagne for lunch and/or dinner. Champagne complements food rather than dulls your taste buds as hard alcohol does.

2) French Women Don't Get Fat. This is not a quick fix/fad diet program. This is all about practical and smart eating. For example, after listening to the audio book, I have been more inspired to eat plain yogurt, prunes, and pure chocolate. I also don't feel bad about having a glass of wine either everyday or a few days a week. Just a SMALL glass though. Moderation is key!

3) Kaci Brown. I was first hooked by the beautiful song "Unbelievable." I hadn't heard from her, but then just happened to find her on iTunes and her album is fantastic. It mixes hip-hop, R&B, world music sound, and great voice talent. She needs more airplay for sure.

4)Patrick Dempsey fans! You have to see "Lucky Seven": This movie is a few years before Grey's so he is already into his hotness. He is the nice guy who wants the girl, but then.... It's such a cute movie. It was made-for-television and shown on "ABC Family."

5) Jell-o Dulce de Leche Sugar-Free Pudding Cups. 60 calories, 1 gram fat. Vanilla Creme Pudding with Caramel Topping. OOO soo good. Makes it ok to have dessert.

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Favorite New Items of the Week: 1.01.07-1.07.07:

1) Oil of Olay: Age Defying Revitalizing Gel

2) "True Colors " starring John Cusak and James Spader. (c) 1991. This is a change to see Spader in a roll where he takes a back seat to Cusak's smooth talking & shady ways. Ignore the cheesy 80s/90s music and you'll be fine.

3) "Welcome to the Black Parade" by My Chemical Romance. I found this on Carrie Underwood's Celebrity Playlist. She is right in that it emits a likeness to Queen and Bohemian Rapsody. I don't usually like these bands, but this one is fun. I like the opening musical sequence. Nice range.

4) Though personalizing t-shirts and boxers is rather teeny-bopper, I found this in US magazine(c) and ordered a fun shirt for Valentine's Day along with a half-zip hoodie with my first initial on it. You can customze colors, font styles, clip art, etc and the prices are reasonable.

5) My favorite new music: Goldfrapp. I discovered their song "Strict Machine" on the "Nip/Tuck" previews and have been turned on to their newest album "Supernature" with songs: Number 1, Beautiful, Ride a White Horse, and Oh La La.

*Runner Up for the week* If you need a yummy and low cal snack, try: The Chex Mix Website full of Chex recipes aside from the bags you buy in the store.

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Favorite New Items of the Week: 12.25.06-12.31.06:

1) Yoga Booty Ballet!

2) "I Believe in You " by Kylie Minogue

3) Breathe:Romance by Bath and Body Works. Smells fantastic and makes your body feel great!

4) Oh My God!! Cannoli Cake! . Fatty heaven out of Hawthorne, NJ. Thank you Karen!

5) My favorite new purchase: Compass Jacket from Anthropologie. Fits into the shift/cropped/mod jacket craze, but it's white and soft and goes with any season.


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Smart Eating Tip

a) The palm of your hand is the size of a 3-oz portion of meat. One serving of chicken, steak, fish, etc, is 3 oz.
b) Add some fiber and flavor to your oatmeal by adding a few heaping tablespoons of pumpkin.


Exercise Tip

To boost your metabolism, switch up your workout about every month or 4-6 weeks. Also, rev up your monotonous treadmill workout with interval training.


Career Tip

Always send a thank you note after you have an interview. It shows the prospective employer that you are interested and it shows good taste and manners.