Ellen's Calendar!!!

My friend Ellen (I call her Frank) has published her own calendar! Isn't that great? It is available from DaySpring and ChristianBook.com as well as most Christian bookstores. I'm so proud of her! I ordered one right away.

Find more information on her blog.

Angie on Global Education

I have always been a big fan of Angelina Jolie. We are the same age (a month apart) and I really appreciate her passion about adoption and refugee work. I think that for a long time she was a lost soul. Maybe she still is in some ways. And I think that, like the rest of us, she's made some mistakes. She tends to be a little reckless with her heart. But I think she is a very driven person who is totally committed to her family and her humanitarian work. And in a very believable way. I got this video from Just Jared and it shows her speaking at the Clinton Global Initiative yesterday. I dare you not to get teary-eyed.

Happy Birthday, Baby!

It is my hubby's birthday today. He turns 46! He told me he's not very excited about his birthday this year. I guess 46 feels old to him. But he doesn't look 46!!!
Hopefully, we'll get to go check out the new Mexican place downtown. It opens today. And tomorrow, we are going to the town's favorite Italian restaurant. We've never been there and we're looking forward to it. I know he would prefer to actually BE in Italy today, but hopefully Italian food will provide a nice distant 2nd place.

Hope he likes his presents!!!

For Gary L.

This is for my friend Gary because he is the only male blogger I know. Plus, he's pretty darn cool.

Post it on your blog with pride, my friend!!!!

LBC Freebie of the Day

For those of you who have little ones that are bedwetters...
Get a free pair of GOODNITES sleep boxers or sleep shorts.

LINK

LBC Freebie of the Day

Get a free sample of Science Diet Nature's Best dog food.


LINK

Hmmmm....

Take the Quiz here!

I always thought of myself as more like Anne in PERSUASION. But I guess I have Emma-like qualities as well.

Pay It Forward Strikes Again!

My good buddy Amy shared a story with me yesterday.

Amy is pregnant and on a pretty strict budget. She had a little extra money jangling in her pocket and was really craving a burger so she decided to treat herself at a nice restaurant. Since the place was busy, they seated her at the bar.

When the time came to pay, Amy asked for the check and was told that the other gentleman who had been sitting down the bar from her earlier had paid her bill completely including the tip! The man was already gone so Amy couldn't thank him. He told the waiter he just wanted to "make her day." And he sure did! Now, Amy has that money to use on something else. Maybe her next burger craving!!! What a nice thing for someone to do.

In other news, I have a new video of that sweet kitten Adam to share!

See it here.

The Proof is in the Bag

Remember when I said that Neiman Marcus has always played a role in my life? Well, I found proof today.


EXHIBIT ONE:
Here I am playing with a large Neiman Marcus bag in 1975.


EXHIBIT TWO:
Here I am on another occasion playing with a small Neiman Marcus bag in 1975.


See? I wasn't kidding!!!

LBC Freebie of the Day

Get a sample pouch of FiberOne Cereal.

LINK

You Belong in 1951

You're fun loving, romantic, and more than a little innocent. See you at the drive in!

What Year Do You Belong In?

Tyra Schools Britney

I told myself I wasn't going to blog about Britney's lousy VMA performance but then I found this today. I'm a TOP MODEL fan (I admit it!) and I remember this particular tirade of Tyra's. Part of me wishes that Tyra would take Britney in hand and help that mess of a girl! Anyway, enjoy!

LINK

LBC Freebie of the Day

Choose from four samples of SUNSWEET fruit products. (you can order all four!!!)

LINK

LBC Freebie of the Day

Get a free sample of Folgers Gourmet Selections. *new link* Choose one of four flavors.

LINK

Falling into Reading

Callapidder Days is hosting another reading challenge for Fall and I'm looking forward to it! I already have a bunch of books on my list that I can't wait to read:

THE REINCARNATIONIST by M.J. Rose

SCANDAL OF THE SEASON by Sophie Gee

STRAWBERRY FIELDS by Marina Lewycka

ART THIEF by Noah Charney

RUN by Ann Patchett

WITCH'S TRINITY by Erika Mailman

ABSTINENCE TEACHER by Tom Perrotta

BRIDGE OF SIGHS by Richard Russo

ALMOST MOON by Alice Sebold

As I read each of these books, I will link the title to my review.

I can't wait for the colder weather. I'm going to hibernate in my big comfy chair in the library with my reading and my knitting!!! If anyone would like to do a readalong with me on one or more of these titles, let me know! As Pooh always said, "It's so much friendlier with two!"

Happy Birthday, Neiman Marcus!

I know that to a lot of people Neiman Marcus represents a lot of negative things about our society---conspicuous consumption, snobbishness, elitism, etc. But to me, Neiman Marcus is much much more than all of that. You don't get to be a 100-year-old store without something a little special.

I grew up in Dallas where Neiman Marcus began. My parents would take me to the downtown store to look at the magical window displays. Especially at Christmas. On a few special occasions, I even got to dress up and go to the Zodiac tea room where all the glamorous "ladies who lunch" went. When the holidays drew near, I would haunt the mailbox waiting for the Neiman Marcus Wish Book. Nowhere else could I find such fanciful holiday offerings. As soon as the Wish Book hit my mailbox, I would grab it and flip to the His/Her gift for that year. When I got older, my father started working in the Neiman Marcus Christmas store over the holiday season. We would always pick out a special ornament or other treat to buy using his discount. My father really loved working there. Another special thing about Neiman Marcus is the emphasis on customer service. My mom once gave me Stanley Marcus' book called MINDING THE STORE that outlined his philosopy about retail customer service.

But Neiman Marcus was also much more than shopping. They used to have this wonderful multimedia experience called the Neiman Marcus Showcase at the downtown Dallas store where you could see the history of Neiman Marcus. It felt like Disneyland to me. And then there was Fortnight. Each Fortnight would focus on a different country. We would mark our calendars with the special events that would be taking place highlighting the country of focus that particular year. There were food events, entertainment and special gift items. I remember for the China Fortnight, you could buy a Sharpei dog. I wish they still had Fortnight. It was always so wonderful.

When I walk into a Neiman Marcus store, I feel like a princess. Especially going up the escalator surrounded by cascading butterflies. You don't have to buy anything. Looking is half the fun. As Tiffany's was Holly Golightly's pick-me-up, Neiman Marcus is mine.

So, Happy Birthday Old Friend! I'll be seeing you soon!

Review of the SIMPLY VERA Collection

I was so excited to go to Kohl's this weekend and see the new Vera Wang collection. Talk about underwhelming! The clothes were cute enough but the price points were ridiculous! Kohl's is clearly not thinking about its customers. What Kohl's customer is going to spend $79 on a pair of cheap leather Vera Wang gloves and $100 on a Simply Vera cheap-looking leather purse?! I tried on a few things but I just couldn't justify $89 for a dress and $58 for a chiffon tank. Plus, most of the clothes have these cheap-looking satin ribbon belts that really look awful. I wouldn't mind the quality so much if the price points weren't so high. I think Target is really good about stuff like that. The Simply Vera designs were fine but the fabrics and other materials were pretty cheap. I didn't buy one thing. Guess I'll just have to wait for the new Temperley collection this hits target on the 16th.

In other news, I finished GHOSTWALK which is about Isaac Newton and started DOUBLE BIND. I'll post reviews later!

Outlandish Daydreaming

If you are not familiar with Diana Gabaldon's OUTLANDER series, this post will have no interest for you. Even if you are familiar with it, it might not have interest for you. Anyway...

When I first saw the OUTLANDER books, I thought "definitely not for me!" I'm not a fan of romance or fantasy. I finally gave in when Vieve recommended them. And they are ripping good yarns. (and yes, the "ripping" includes the ripping of clothes) They are simply very entertaining books. I have read the first two and I'm waiting for the third to arrive.

I think these books would make a great movie or two or three. And I have been casting the film in my head. I think in her younger days, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio would have made a wonderful Claire. But now, I can think of no one better than Kate Winslet. (with brown hair, of course) Maybe Kate Beckinsale in a stretch.

Now, Jamie is a tough one. Visually, I think of Matthew McConaughey. But I know Matthew would never be able to do the accent. So, I'm casting my vote for Christian Bale. I know this seems an unlikely choice but he is a great actor and has proven he can get "hunky" in BATMAN.

As for Jonathan Randall, I can't get the image of Jason Isaacs out of my head. He would be so perfect! He has already proven he can be a baddie as Malfoy's father in HARRY POTTER. My second choice would be James Purefoy. I just loved him in HBO's ROME. Well, what do you think? Who would your choices be?

LBC Freebie of the Day

Play the HANES Backstage instant win game to win possible prizes. I won a ComfortSoft t-shirt! You can only play/enter once! Find nine Hanes products and qualify for an instant win!

LINK

P.S. Let me know if you need help finding the stuff!