The 10 Things I'm Loving Right Now

Here's what I'm obsessing over right now.


10. My New Mug
I bought this I Heart Jim mug at Border's today (sorry for the terrible pic). For $4.99, I got this incredible mug, PLUS a World's Best Boss mug for Mr. Man - the world's best boss (behind Michael Scott, of course!) ... What a bargain!

9. Popcorn
With movie theater butter seasoning, every night before I go to sleep while watching TV. Except now, I'm starting to watch movies that I've yet to see. Mr. Man hates my lack of movie knowledge, and quite frankly, I do too. So - I'm working to improve my general trivia knowledge of movies ... and pop culture in general.


8. Girly YouTube videos.
Make-up and hair do tutorials, in particular. I'm loving Elle and Blair, and they make me wish I knew how to wear make up. And it makes me want to be obsessed with MAC products - and affluent enough to afford them. Oh well.


7. Kate Spade leopard bag.   
I love, love, LOVE this bag. Every time I walk through Macy's I admire its impeccable beauty. But, at $295, it is quite a bit more than I can afford right now with a $0 income. It will have to appear in my dreams until I find a job to complement my shopping fantasies.

6. Leopard Print Ballet Flats.
It may seem otherwise, but I'm not really an animal-print kind of girl. But I've been dying for an adorable pair of leopard-print flats. The only pair I've found so far that I remotely like are - sit down - Miley Cyrus / Max Azria from none other than Wal-Mart. For $10, at that! I may go for the bargain.


5. Dr. Mario.
On my computer, not on the Nintendo. (I had an old school SNES, but I traded it a while back for my Sega Genesis. Stupid.)


4. Thigh-High boots.
Non-hookerish thigh highs for fall / winter. Particularly fringe. Ah. 


3. Where the Wild Things Are art.
I love art. But I love art that has meaning even more. I would LOVE to have this on my bedroom wall to look at before I go to sleep every night and when I wake up every morning. Oh - and I'm so very excited to take my loves to see the movie.

2. OPI Nail Polish.
Right now I LOVE the color You're a Pisa Work (very bright pink). However, it spilled in my purse and dried to the lid so I can't open it. Boo to that. 


1. The Loves of my Life.
They are beautiful. They are my life. Need I say more?

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Someday, I'll Write a Book

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Meet Gwen

This is Gwen.

She is one of the newest additions to the American Girl family.

Gwen looks much like her AG friends Chrissa, Kit, Molly, Julie, just to name a few.

But there's just this one thing: Gwen is homeless.

Gwen doesn't come with her own book and story, because she is only a friend of Chrissa. But in Chrissa's story book, Gwen is described as a poor, homeless girl who lives in a car with her mom.

Apparently, Gwen was introduced into the AG community and to impressionable, little girls all over the world in light of the economy's drastic downturn. Her story is intended to educate and raise awareness among preteen girls whose parents purchase the $95 doll.

Each AG doll has a different life story, and many are great. In fact, my 8-Year-Old-Teenager has her very own Julie doll (a hippie chick whose story is one of a divorced family) who she loves and treats as if she's human. Julie is theoretically great for her because she has also experienced the going-ons of a divorce.

But the 8YOT didn't choose Julie because they shared a common life-denominator. She chose her because she liked her outfit and her hair - and more likely, because her friend had Julie.

A homeless doll, though. Children, because this is who we're dealing with here, do NOT need to know about the failing economy or the possibility of their families losing everything and all they have. Especially in these uncertain times, children do not need to worry about the welfare of their selves or their families - that's mom and dad's job.

Growing up, my family was certainly not wealthy. We lived in a trailer until I was in third grade, and there were many times I didn't get what I wanted because we couldn't afford it. Regardless, I ALWAYS had everything I needed and SO much more.

But the thing is - I never thought I was any different from the super rich kids, at least not until Jr. High or High School. As an elementary kid, I didn't worry about whether I'd have dinner or winter clothes. I wasn't concerned about the utility bills being paid or having enough laundry detergent to wash clothes. If my family ever struggled, my parents did a fantastic job of hiding it.

And that's the way it should be.

We are stripping children of innocence by making them grow up way too soon! Children don't need to be concerned that their family may one day be homeless! They need to be concerned about who will come to their slumber party, or how prepared they are for their Friday spelling test.

Children's imaginations are vivid and wild. If they are in the least concerned about losing everything and living on the streets, it immediately becomes an extravagant, inevitable nightmare. What kind of childhood is that?

I think the Gwen doll is precious and just as adorable as her predecessors. But I think her story of homelessness and automobile housing is one step too far for preteens.

Don't make these little girls grow up before they even hit puberty. Time will pass quickly enough.

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What's In My Purse?

I've never done a video blog. Ever. I try to stay away from the camera (still and video) as much as humanly possible. This hasn't always been the case - I used to LOVE the camera and being the center of attention. Okay, I still love being the center of attention, but I just hate seeing images of myself now. I think it's a getting-older thing. Or maybe a getting-fatter thing. Hmm...

Anyway. I found this girl on YouTube | Elle / All that Glitters | who gives tutorials on makeup and beauty products, and just has some all-around fun videos for all things girly. I LOVE it. So, I decided that maybe this is my new venture. I won't stop writing. I will NEVER stop writing. But, why not delve into a little more media?!

So I stole one of her video ideas and made a vlog about "What is in my Purse." Very, very exciting, I know. Especially considering she pulled out a Louis Vuitton, and I'm sporting a Target satchel. Hey - I'm just Jenny from the Rock. (Salt Rock. Sad, I know.)

Here it 'tis. What do you think? Should I stick to writing? :)

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Another Day to Celebrate!

It's certainly the time for milestones! Mr. Man just turned 30, and today my daddy turns 50! 50!! I know, crazy!

Here's my dad as a youngin'. When he sees this picture, he says "that wasn't my hat." I think that's the very least to be concerned about.

That just cracks me up. Here's my daddy more recently. (when we were both skinny ... so not THAT recent)

Happy 50th Birthday dad! Love ya.

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You Are 30!!!!!!

To end the week of Mr. Man, a collage. (yesterday was actually his birthday, but it was a busy day!)

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Progression of Mr. Man

Just one more day until Mr. Man turns the big 3-0. That's right, I said it. THIRTY!!

This is the Mr. Man who I first met a few years ago:

Classy, it's true. In a Brokeback-Mountain-esque denim jacket nonetheless. He pulls it off well.

This is the Mr. Man who emerged. Loves it.

And this is how I know him now. Always. On. The. Stupid. Iphone.

Love him, anyway.

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