Magazines

(the publications, not the bullets)

So, in an effort to figure out who I was with less influence I quit getting magazine subscriptions (other than the free Martha Stewart one I got for buying the sewing machine I haven't touched since winter.  *ahem*).  I realized I had been flipping through magazines and buying into, um, everything.  So I quit.  I occasionally would pick up one if it had an article I was interested in, and was recently pleasantly surprised by the thinness of Vogue (I mean, the tomes used to weigh my bags down). 

Then, even more recently I stopped reading more than the occasional blog.  I realized I wasn't drawing inspiration as much as confusion.  I felt like I was losing my voice, my look, my interests in looking at all the trendy things out there.  I am now much better and have been slowly adding in blogs I loved and missed. 

But back to magazines.  So, I'm a girly girl.  There's no arguing that and telling me I need to expand my mind by reading TIME really isn't gonna get ya anywhere.  When I want news I read The Washington Post (and I do frequently, thanks).  But I want girly mags.  Not Playboy, I'm talking ones that tell me how to get those gorgeous loose waves in my hair.  Or ones that tell me how to do anything, like cook a semi-homemade dessert.  So what would you recommend?  Magazines can be expensive, so I'm looking for advice.  Are you an Allure girl?  Does Glamour make you smile?  Do the photos in Vogue make you want to paper your boudoir in them?  Let me know!  (and if you know of any amazing discounts, lemme know about that too!)

Il n'est pas

I was commenting on a blog today, sharing with her a truth I have learned this past year.  I thought, "I should share this on my own blog, since sometimes you just need to hear it."  This past year has taught me a lot.  My temper has calmed, I roll with the punches more.  But mainly, I've learned two huge truths.  

First, you cannot change anyone, only yourself.  Others will see the light when they see the light.  They will not get there because you hope they will.  They may never get there.  But you can change.  You can learn to adjust, or choose to not accept, or to simply pray for them.

Secondly, I have learned to say this to myself:  "It sucks.  It is okay to be a bit unhappy about it.  But it does not define you or your life."  I swear this is one of the best mantras.  For me it means that whatever suck-y moment, whatever is upsetting me, it will pass.  In the end I probably won't even remember it.  It does not define me.  It does not make or break my life.

Are there any words of wisdom you live by?

To Buy Or Not To Buy

As we wait for our tax return (in annoyance, we mailed it the first week of Feb., they're just now processing it and telling us we'll get it around April 27th.  I think the government is trying to stall.)  I have been thinking about what we will do with it.  I can say that the $8,000 tax credit for the house is going into an account to sit.  But that leaves a bit left over, and we have been making plans.  We know we want to install a water softener attached to our water heater.  That has been decided.  But what has us going round and round (well, me actually, G would buy it in an instant) is the Dyson Animal.

I am worried it's a ridiculous purchase, we only have 3 rooms with carpeting, and only one (our bedroom) that the dogs are allowed into.  I think the Animal is for hardwood too, and if so, that would be fantastic.  But just in our bedroom alone I fill the Dirt Devil canister up any time I vacuum because Sophie sheds like no other dog I've ever known.  Prickly black hairs everywhere!  

But $400-$500 for a vacuum?  Eeek!  Even when I think about how long they are supposed to last, it freaks me out a bit.  And then I wonder if we should do the Dyson Animal DC17 Upright Cyclone, or the Dyson Animal Ball?  Or what about the Dyson Animal DC31 handheld?  Because I'm thinking that would come in handy for furniture (I like whites.  Sophie likes my furniture.  It's a big problem.).  

So, does anyone have any experience with the Dyson Animal?  What about the Dyson Ball?  Is it a pain in the rear or has it saved your housecleaning sanity?  Please shout out, and if you know of others who own them, I'd love their opinions as well!


(images pulled from Amazon)

Softening

So G and I were so excited to buy our first home.  Not because we could decorate.  Not because we were crazy and thought owning our own home was the be all end all.  Nope, it was because finally we might be able to install things that otherwise you can't when you rent.  Because of my skin we desperately need to get a water softener.  It's not a want, it's a need.  My hair stylist s concerned with how much hair I've lost, my skin hurts most days, and even G has some issues.  Hard water wreaks it's havoc on me like no other.  After the cruise a year ago I came home with shiny, glossy, thick hair (and this was in less than 2 weeks).  My skin felt super soft and my scalp wasn't itching.  Why?  Because they have water softeners and the water was the only thing different during that time period.  


So G and I are finally getting around to purchasing one.  It's a big purchase, involves possibly having to hire a plumber, and I am a person who puts things off for forever.  Well, now we're ready only one problem:  which one to choose?  We can either go with GE's water softener or with the Whirpool one.  One is from Home Depot, the other from Lowes.  Both seem decent, but have so few reviews I can't make a decision.  So, do any of my wonderful readers have a water softener that attaches to their hot water tank? Anybody have a brand they would recommend?

Pardon This Quick Interruption

I just have a question that is mildly rhetorical.  Something I've noticed lately as I age is that as I run into people I used to know there is one of 2 things that seem to happen more than anything else.  One, I think wow, I still love them to pieces but dang are we different (i.e. have not a whole lot to talk about because we just don't have much in common).  Or two, I never would have thought we would have much in common, why the hell weren't we friends before?  Is this just me?  And then another thought pops in my head, how the hell can I ask them out for coffee to bridge a friendship without seeming odd?  Because I'm the type of person who if I think you rock I will let you know.  Some people think that's great and other people think I'm too outspoken.  I just go by a little personal motto of making sure that people realize how great they are, rather than being afraid I sound like a tool.  


Another natural week post will be up later, G has to deal with taxes first (which have turned out to be a pain).  But if you have suggestions for the making friends with people you've known forever but never really known feel free to pass them on!

Question

Does anyone or their spouse use a badger bristle shave brush?  Can you recommend a good one, or give advice on ones to avoid?  Please respond if you know about these, I'm looking at getting one for G!  Thank you!  That is all.  Please continue with your normally scheduled day!

Needing Opinions

I'm in a hair rut.  I generally love long hair on me, but I've also had it short and loved it then too.  I'm thinking in between.  And lo and behold, I see the cover of this month's Elle with Katie Holmes:

What do you think? I'm thinking it'll be slightly harder to have lazy days and pull my hair back.  But I'm also thinking that I can get some dry shampoo and give the kind of not quite dirty french girl look a try.  Hmmm.

Etsy Users

Has anyone ever sold on Etsy?  I am looking into it as a way to purge the overage of things that G and I have accumulated (I mean, seriously, we might have picked up too many dishes while in England....I think that's to be expected).  I am wondering if it would be a worthwhile venture, and so if you have sold on there, please leave a comment or e-mail me at :  kaleemarie (at) yahoo (dot) com

I know they have a price to list things, and also a percentage after something sells.  And so I am just wondering if it will be worth it.  But seriously, we have too many things (and lots of it smaller items), and not enough space.  For instance....we have 2 prams, a Silvercross one and a brown corduroy one.  Both cute, I love them I do, but I am thinking of selling one or both.  For an item like that I would probably use craigslist, but for smaller items I am not sure craigslist is the way to go.  

Any advice is welcome!

Needing Opinions

I really do find laundry to be relaxing. But over the past couple years I let G take over that task more and more, since our laundry was on the main level, and our bedroom was upstairs. Pure laziness, but that coupled with how cold the tile got in the laundry room, and how noisy the washing machine in England was (it literally would walk across the floor) I simply let him do it. We don't do a lot of laundry, we can get away with doing it about once a week.

In our new home (!) the laundry closet is right outside of our bedroom. However, the only appliances this house does not come with are a washer and dryer. I was afraid I would have to buy a pre-stacked one, but nope, turns out I can buy front loaders and an adapter to stack them.

So now I'm lost as to which to get. We won't close for another month, so I have plenty of time to do research but want to hear from you, my lovely readers. Do you have a preferred brand? A front loader you absolutely love?

The ones we have looked at are:

GE King Sized Washer

Maytag Super Capacity Washer