Nappin' It!

I LOVE SLEEP! But I never seem to get any. Yesterday I took a nap for the first time since I was pregnant, and it was GLORIOUS!

Doctors Orders: Dr. Sara C. Mednick, author of “Take a Nap! Change Your Life” and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego says "I believe that success in the game of life means that you’re playing at your top level. This is true whether your court is in the office, factory, classroom, or with family and friends. As the leading researcher in the science of napping, my studies show that without a midday rest, performance falls apart across the day. Napping maintains and even boosts your skills, from creative problem solving, and alertness and physical stamina, to mood and memory."

So...Nap it up sometime this weekend-no excuses!

Do you know Van Gogh?

What you didn’t know about Vincent Van Gogh (March 30, 1853 - July 29, 1890):
1. His father was a protestant minister, a profession that Vincent found appealing and he considered for himself.
2. In the winter of 1885-1886 Van Gogh attended the art academy of Antwerp, Belgium. This proved a disappointment as he was dismissed after a few months by his Professor.
3. In 1881 he declared his love to his widowed cousin Kee Vos, who rejected him. Later he would move in with the prostitute Sien Hoornik and her children and considered marrying her.
4. Van Gogh produced all of his work (some 900 paintings and 1100 drawings) during a period of only 10 years before he succumbed to mental illness (possibly bipolar disorder) and committed suicide.
5. His fame grew rapidly after his death especially following a showing of 71 of van Gogh's paintings in Paris on March 17, 1901 (11 years after his death).
6. Vincent van Gogh's mother threw away quite a number of his paintings during Vincent's life and even after his death. But she would live long enough to see her son become a world famous painter.




Today: Draw or paint something...even if it's a stick figure! Drawing is not just for artists and children!

Regina Spektor

This song, "Laughing With" is off of Regina Spektor's new album "Far". She is a unique artist with heavy piano and vocals. For me, she is a breath of fresh air! I highly recommend this album as well as "Begin to Hope".



This live version of "Apres Moi" is amazing! Part of the song is sung in Russian.

Today: Turn off the tv and listen to at least an hour of new music! Explore something that you may not have given a chance before. Ask a friend what their favorite album is...get inspired!

Banner Boutique

I went on a hunt to find a cute, unique headband to put on my baby girl that wouldn't dig holes in her poor little head. It seems like all of those cute little bows and bands are so uncomfortable for them. Well...I found one! The band is very stretchy and soft. Not to mention it is completely adorable. They are very well made and there are a ton of different styles to choose from. Its a bold, beautiful, affordable choice for those out there that want to make a statement- comfortably! Click HERE to take you to the etsy site and shop away!!

Man-sites

There is a distinct difference in the way men and women shop. Women like to go to the store and walk around for awhile, casually browsing over racks of shoes and clothes and maybe, just maybe within an 8 hour period they might buy something that they may or may not need. In fact, I dare say that the browse to purchase ratio is quite large. Men usually only go shopping when they need something and prefer not to spend an entire Saturday walking around a bunch of stores browsing things that they don't need to buy. When men need something, they purposely drive to the exact store that has the item they need, walk in the front door and proceed to where the item is located, purchase it, and get out. This leaves more time for drinking beer. I have found that the internet is an even better place for guys to shop since it doesn't require any of the above. In minutes, you can find the exact product you need for the best price. The internet brings thousands of stores to your living room and for unheard of low prices. There are a number of websites that I frequent everyday for shopping. Everyday? I know it sounds contrary to what I've said above, but these sites are special. They list one item at a time at a steep discount. These items are listed for 15-30 minutes or until sold out, and many times they do sell out. The discounts are usually 50-75% off and unlike the bargain bins at brick and mortar stores, the items are things you want or need and usually in your size. Here they are:
Steep and Cheap
Chainlove
Bonktown
Whiskey militia
Woot!

Steap and Cheap offers deals on outdoor gear, everything from hiking boots, to kayak paddles, to sunglasses.

Chainlove offers deals on mountain biking gear.

Bonktown offers deals on road biking gear.

Whiskey militia offers deals on surfing, skating and other similar sports products.

Woot is a little different. They offer only 1 product per 24 hr period. The products they offer are from all ends of the spectrum.

I could go on and on about the crazy deals on sunglasses, shirts, sweaters, biking clothes, biking products, headphones, and other merchandise that I've scored, but would be here all day. You'll find just how addictive these sites become as you wait to see what the next crazy deal is. These sites aren't limited to just guys either, they list their fair share of gear for women too.

Man-sites

A guest blogger will be making a post today. Keep your eye out for his post about addictive Man-sites!

Sweet Cheeky Designs Giveaway...

Check out the really cute blog designs from the link above!

Jim Gaffigan - Hot Pockets

My new favorite comedian...you must watch this if you have EVER eaten a Hot Pocket!!

Culture Yourself - Muppets Style!

Stars and Stripes Forever - Muppets Style!

The Road Less Traveled

Robert Frost has always been one of my favorite poets. His work is easy to read, interpret and enjoy. Its like reggae music for me, just easy going!
This is a very popular poem of his that I never tire of and it reminds us to try something new, expand ourselves and not always take the paths that others have. You will be rewarded for your decisions, as was he....

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth:
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear:
Though as for that, the passing there,
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all of the difference.

Robert Frost