Bouqs-Making me the best niece ever

Some lucky bloggers were ordering these gorgeous flowers from a company called Bouqs, and i wanted in.  When Bouqs contacted me with an opportunity to order my own, i was all yesss. But then i thought, it's the season of giving-why keep these flowers for yourself when you can send them to your Aunt who is hosting Thanksgiving. These will adorn her table, she will be pleasantly surprised to receive such things, and you will be known as the best niece ever.  So that's what i did.  Officially the best niece ever right here.

With the idea that these would be sent for Thanksgiving, i went with a dozen of these orangey red roses.



I was really impressed with the selection and the pricing-a discount code when you sign up, more discount codes emailed to me after this purchase, on their web page right now there's a code for double the amount of flowers. Sold.

But let's talk about the flowers. They aren't just any old flowers. These beauties are cut from the volcano only when you place your order so your flowers arrive the freshest.  They cut only what they sell, so the farms are eco friendly and sustainable.  I was shocked to actually get a tracking code for them, and for the origination to actually be from Quito, Ecuador.



What a great way to show someone you care this holiday season, for a special occasion, or for a not so special occasion.

You could be the best _______ ever.

World's Greatest Niece,
B

I am now a Bouqs ambassador and affiliate, and am recommending them based on the fabulous experience that i had.

What i learned at work today

I love being out of the office, though it means i can't blog or read blogs-not that i do that at work or anything, no of course not...

ahem...

and today i realized some things about myself that i would like to share with you, randomly, on the day before Thanksgiving.

Number 1.  I could not be a teacher.  Now, usually i think this way because i wouldn't want to be "on" every day, but today i think this because I would get fired for not keeping my shit together when talking with disrespectful and rude teenagers.  At a health fair recently i may have gotten a little too sassy when illustrating how little disrespect i would take when talking about an important topic.  There was gasping from the other students in our conversation.  There were looks from surrounding students as i reiterated this conversation to a colleague.  Guess these spoiled kids aren't used to being called disrespectful?  They were, and i'm not gonna whisper about it.

Number 2.  There is such a thing as a Pennsylvania Dairy Princess whose role is to educate about milk and cheese and the goodness of those things.  She wears a crown and a sparkly sash while she does her educating.  I educate about important topics (see Number 1).  I want a crown and sparkly sash.  I want to be Pennsylvania Dating Violence Awareness Princess.  Let me see if the agency will go for that.

Number 3.  I am strangely excited about Thanksgiving this year, more than other years.  There is no logical explanation for this.  It will be the same family (who i love) and the same food (that i can't wait to eat) yet my feelings of giddiness are freaking me out a little bit.

Number 4.  Going along with those excited Thanksgiving feelings is a recent shopping frenzy.  Why?  Is it brought on by all these Black Friday commercials?  I don't even need anything, yet i can't wait to pour over the newspaper and call aloud the deals and steals to S.  Yesterday i bought a new coat. 

I then bought a new work bag, because one clearly can't use rainbow polka dots alongside this gray and yellow plaid.  Black Friday sales starting at 12am...things for me or things for others.  A hard decision.

Number 5.  Speaking of shopping, don't forget the Shabby Apple giveaway ends tomorrow.  Go here to win this skirt.

I want to know...do you have a game plan for Black Friday shopping?  Sticking by the computer or braving the crowds?

Gobbledy Good

Get a load of this pillow my mother in law made!  Dare i say this is one cute turkey...and i don't think turkeys are ever cute.  It's that red whatchamacallit (waddle?) and their wrinkly naked head...blech.   You know, i think wearing a pilgrim hat may help "up" the cute factor.

This placemat-turned-pillow and his twin are the only "thanksgiving" specific decor i have, so they are a welcome addition.  I love how she tried to keep the look of the feathers by bunching it instead of making it a plain circle or square.  And the different fabrics per tier-what a great way to use your scraps.

Poor guys, it's already time to put them away.  You could probably find something similar on clearance now if you wanted to add these cute turkeys to your home next year.  And speaking of turkey, i hope your Thanksgivings were full of good food and good times.

Linking these cuties to make it for monday, craft-o-maniac monday, It's a blog party, diy showoff, just something i whipped up monday, metamorphosis monday, motivate me monday, making the world cuter, polly want a crafter, market yourself monday, its so very creative, before and after party, anything related, take a look tuesday, tabletop tuesday transform tuesday,  todays creative blog, diy day, show and tell, make it yours day, penny pinching party, sugar and spice, whatever goes wednesday, look what i made, hooking up with hoh, strut your stuff, transformation thursday, get your craft on, everything but the kitchen sink, favorite things friday, show and tell friday, show and share day, flaunt it friday, frugalicious friday, be inspired, feature yourself friday, the shabby nest, fun to craft, fabulous friday finds, 100 Ideas under $100, along for the ride, show off sunday, sunday showcase party, not baaaad sundays, A Round Tuit, seasonal sunday, monthly open house, thrifty treasures, nifty thrifty tuesdays,trash 2 treasure, twice owned tuesday, tales from bloggeritaville, crazy cute, junkin' finds, i'm topsy turvy, creative share, theme party thursday, catch as catch can, free for all fri

Thankful Thursday Numero Quattro-El Fin

Well, goodness, who doesn't like dogs in costumes?  And dogs in pilgrim costumes can mean only one thing...Thankful Thursdays Thanksgiving post.  (ah, alliteration, my true love.)  You know as we gather round the dinner table we're going to be asked what we're thankful for...so you better have something up your sleeve!  I'm going the specific route, listing the top five positive occurrences per week.  Please join me in the last Thankful Thursday post of the year...being held on a Wednesday.  Because i can. 

1.  We had a lovely weekend in the Poconos with my dad, stepmom, and S, who was on fiy-ah with one liners that were cracking us up.  Throw in a cozy restaurant, some bootlegged movies, and a winery tour and tasting.  Yes, that'll do donkey, that'll do.

2.  My cat's been like surgically attached to my lap, which i love.  I thought she'd be all rude and independent like the other times we come home after time away, but not this time.  Full of love she is.

3.  We're getting out of work a few hours early today, and then it's not time to come back til Monday!  Thank you, Executive Director!

4.  I entered a giveaway at Room Remix at the last minute, and i WON!  A year subscription to Better Homes and Gardens, an iphone app (for a phone i don't have) and a $25 gift card to my mecca, Homegoods!

5.  I finally ordered a new bathroom light fixture to replace the "backstage broadway" style fixture that's been a thorn in my side the last 3 years.  Can't wait to be done with that thing!  Plus i saved mega bucks b/c this was from CSN with a giftcode.  Boo to the yah!

6.  A sixth!  How extra positive!  Amazon is having great limited time only deals-the cd i went on there to purchase was $3 less yesterday from 5-7pm, so i purchased it then.  Using my $25 Amazon e-certificates redeemed from Swagbucks, i got 3 cds for $1.44.  I'm quite happy.

Also making me happy is this image from Friends.  I have to say this never gets old.  Who's picturing the accompanying shimmy shake that Monica does? Me, me!

both images we heart it

Link up your posts or tell me in comments-what's made your week this week?  And a big thank you to those of you that have been participating, i really appreciate it!  You guys rock!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful Thursdays Numero Tre

Can you believe it's already time for this week's Thankful Thursdays post?  Me neither. Can you believe there is only one more Thankful Thursdays post after this?  Me neither! 

Anybody watch Monday's Glee?  I can't look at this without wanting to chant "tots."

wehearit

I am not so much bursting with an abundance of positives this week, or things to be thankful for. They are downright boring, this batch, and in fact i had to scrape for 5 things to come up with.  I didn't have a bad week, or nothing hideous happened, it just was rather blah and anxiety filled for me. 

1.  On Sunday i met my mom, stepdad, and brother for lunch.  It was yummy, we had a nice time, and i was glad to see them.  The end.

2.  Monday was a really long day-i left my house at 6am, and at 6pm, i returned.  The positive?  I took a relaxing train ride to my destination and didn't have to drive the 4 hours total.  The negative (you know, if one was focusing on that) -my ticket was stuck in the machine which i had to jam my hand up and into to retrieve it.  Then someone had to help me (positive) b/c i couldn't pry it out with my little nubby hands.  I almost missed the train home-literally ran there- and would have had to wait an hour for the next one.  I did miss the connecting train, and had to wait 20 minutes.  But it was an express (positive) so i got home quicker.  And home is good.

3.  I am going to a conference today merely for the delicious food.  I hope it's as yummy as i remember it from last year. 

4.  Um, hopefully i will be expanding my outreach program?  Depends on the interest of the audience, but fingers crossed.

5.  It's almost the weekend, and we have fun things planned.  Family.  Mountains.  Wine.  Good restaurant. Boggle. Maybe these will be my 5 for next week, but let's hope this'll just be rolled into one.

Please tell me you had some serious fun this week!  Post your link in the comments if you've got one, my pretties.

I'm linking to fave things fri, bloggy reading.  The first and second in the series are good, too. Check 'em.

Thankful Thursdays Nombre Deux

Come one, come all to Thankful Thursdays as we focus on the positive celebrate the people, places, and things we are thankful for this season. 

weheartit

this was too cute..ignore frowny face

Who woulda thunk i'd have all 5 of my items by the end of the weekend?  This positive stuff is pretty easy!  Of course, it does amuse me that pessimism starts 'em all off, but they work their way into a positive.  See for yourself.

1.  My local Redbox was out of order, and after i bawled about how unfair it was that i was charged for the movie that couldn't be picked up, they sent me 2 free codes.  So Friday night we had a date with Toy Story 3.  Have you guys seen this?  It was fantastic!  Spanish Buzz sent two adults (with no children) into hysterics!  Rent it.  Buy it.  Yep, that good.

2.  My coworker is seriously ill and has used all her sick time.  We are able to donate sick time to our coworkers so they don't have to take unpaid leave, and through everyone's donations of time, she now has 3 additional weeks to heal from brain surgery.  Of course i am thankful for that, but also that i have plenty of time should i need it for myself, thus making me able to contribute.

3.  I won the answer is chocolate's Gratitude banner!  Thanks head chocolatier-can't wait to get it!

4.  I was seriously stressing about parallel parking in South Philly where my friend's baby shower was being held.  (Hey Shan!)   I ended up missing a turn (that appeared to be only one way!) which led me to wonderful angled street parking that was open to the public, and not just for the bar i was now parked in front of.  Sure, the whole time i was worried the car was going to be towed and i made a bee line back to it as soon as all the presents were opened (not even saying goodbye to momma to be) but at least my car was there and not ticketed!

5.  Any spare time this weekend was spent on Lowe's facebook page, along with thousands of other people, who were trying to win 90% off codes for select products.  Like a Dyson, a Shark, and a Kitchenaid.  Sadly, we weren't fast enough to win any, but we were each given a $10 off coupon.  I'll take it!  Thanks, Lowe's. 

Now it's your turn!  If you've got a Thankful Thursdays post please leave your link in the comments, thanksthat'dbeawesomeyouguysrock!  Show me what ya got!

If you're new here, please check out Thankful Thursday Numero Uno.   I'm linking to these parties- fave things fri, bloggy reading.

Thanksgiving Possible Nomming

Ok , you guys, i *may* attempt to make this for Thanksgiving.  Have i ever made a dessert before?  El Negativo.  But yesterday one of our interns found a seemingly easy recipe for pumpkin cheesecake which did not involve a mixer of any sort.  Sold.  I will let you know if i actually attempt this or merely place it in a box with the rest of the clipped recipes i do nothing with.   

What are you guys making for Thanksgiving?  Do you have a staple you bring to dinner every year, or something your family would be bummed if you didn't make?  My SIL makes this broccoli casserole topped with breadcrumbs...nom nom nom!

Tomorrow will be the second Thankful Thursday, so get your posts ready!

Harvest House

Sniffle, sniffle.  So sad that Halloween has come and gone, but now it's time to fully get my harvest on.  Ooh, that rhymes!  Not much really changed-or will change between now and December-but here's what the homestead is looking like.

Instead of sparkly spiders, we've got orange goodness that resembles what a belly dancer wears.  Can you see it?  It's a good thing these candles don't have hips, or i'm sure they'd be shimmy shakin'!

I'm all for those who are celebrating this season with white pumpkins, or cool blue or green gourds, but to me the fall is all about burnt orange, maroon, and browns.  It may not "go" with my regular decor, but this is what fall looks like.  I don't think twice about telling strangers wearing this color combo that i like their fall themed outfit, and it gives me warm fuzzies to rock those colors together myself.  All day long i'm sure i beam "fall".

He look familiar, Linda?

Finally got myself some faux pumpkins on clearance.

I know, it's dark. I just want you to see the belly dancer ribbon made it over here, too.  Oh, and the pumpkins are turned to the back for the remainder of the season.  El cheapo double duty, can i get an aww yeah?

Gift from best friend-what you don't see is the Gertrude Hawk chocolate/caramel/m&m/jimmie covered apple that i savored every. moment. of.  You may think the whole thing is full of pinecones-a logical assumption-yet i took a bag of spanish moss that was destined for the closet and plopped it in there to give the pinecones height.   

 

Dispersed the little pumpkins from the Halloween setup into these cloches.  Not sure what to do with those leaf place settings...debating just yet.

Oh yes, i'm that girl who decorates the chandelier.  I can't say chandi, i just can not.

So there you have it, the harvest house.  Did you guys go back to harvest, or zoom straight to winter decorating?   And don't forget to link your Thankful Thursdays post this week!  I already have 2 different things i'm thankful for, and it's only Saturday night-that's got to be a good sign!  See you there!

make it for monday, craft-o-maniac monday, It's a blog party, diy showoff, just something i whipped up monday, metamorphosis monday, motivate me monday, making the world cuter, polly want a crafter, market yourself monday, its so very creative, before and after party, anything related, take a look tuesday, tabletop tuesday transform tuesday,  todays creative blog, diy day, show and tell, make it yours day, penny pinching party, sugar and spice, whatever goes wednesday, look what i made, hooking up with hoh, strut your stuff, transformation thursday, get your craft on, everything but the kitchen sink, favorite things friday, show and tell friday, show and share day, flaunt it friday, frugalicious friday, be inspired, feature yourself friday, the shabby nest, fun to craft, fabulous friday finds, 100 Ideas under $100, along for the ride, show off sunday, sunday showcase party, not baaaad sundays, A Round Tuit, seasonal sunday, monthly open house, thrifty treasures, nifty thrifty tuesdays,trash 2 treasure, twice owned tuesday, tales from bloggeritaville, crazy cute, junkin' finds

Thankful Thursdays Numero Uno

I am totally honest about my pessimistic tendencies, so i thought being the month of Thanksgiving i would do a series on each Thursday called Thankful Thursdays. Perhaps i will list approximately 5 things (I highly enjoy making lists) that have topped my week thus far.  You know, force myself into optimism by actively focusing on the positive.

Sure, it would make sense to wait until Friday's to discuss the week's events, but nu uh, i need alliteration.  I thought it also might be fun if you guys participate by posting your own Thankful Thursdays on your blog and leave the link in the comments.  Maybe even link back here in some capacity?  Like, "the fantabulous blog The Cape On The Corner is having a blabbity blah blah..."  Or you could just comment, plain and simple, but i'm trying to do something different, ok?  Baby steps people, baby steps. One day i could have a linky party of my own.  Oh my gosh, how do i make this a linky party of my own?  Must look into that.

And so this is hopefully interesting, i mean "specific to this week" thankful things, not just my cat.  Or my boyfriend.  Or my perfect for 2 people little house. 

Here are my first Thankful Thursday thoughts:

1.  This week i actually had time in the office, compared to the crazy month of October.  My "rolly cart" of community outreach materials was removed from my car and won't be returning for a long while.  Time in the office meant catching up on blogs, thank goodness, and knocking down the posts in my reader to an actual manageable number.

2.  It's been really cold in the mornings, and i get to use the remote start system S installed to warm up the car and defrost the windows.  Saving me from idling inside it, and allowing me to instead give my cat some morning lovin'.

3.  While highly disappointed in the clearance halloween goodies on the shelves-where are they?  they are bare!-i did manage to find one thing at the HG.  With actual clearance prices, not just slapping a red sticker on it and marking it down by a dollar or two and calling it clearance.  Love ya, HG!

4.  Yay banner!

5.  My sweetle cat slept by my side, under the blanket with me all night.  From the moment i went to bed.  While this might not be much to some people, it is to me.  My girl is very independent, and i am very needy. 

Your turn, guys!  Write a post for Thankful Thursdays and leave the link in the comments.  If you can't swing it this week, just comment, but at least keep it in mind for next Thursday!   Can't wait to read what you guys are most thankful for this week. *Fingers crossed this actually happens*

Linking to It's a blog party, fave things fri, bloggy reading, domestically speaking, somewhat simple, monthly open house.