tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28035445228581707872024-03-06T00:58:18.884-05:00blairsunderland blogsBlair Menzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331735230588393220noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803544522858170787.post-27702447400741524932012-07-18T12:15:00.001-04:002012-07-18T14:39:06.574-04:00Oops! You're in the Wrong Place!<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Head over to my new blog: <a href="http://blairblogs.com/">BlairBlogs.com</a></span><br />
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<br />Blair Menzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331735230588393220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803544522858170787.post-88711049163638605942012-07-14T14:01:00.000-04:002012-07-15T16:24:30.903-04:00Adorable 50 Cent Carrot Coupon Book<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaENbk9KS11DJZ31GM_ERC79aTfzU6M62tHT2vm3t43G6oUIVUB8d1wYExpx6d8KBHEz3GK9YeYFMhzR-Wi9n9Zq0LacnjX4jmlzXI-xfVhAwbRgh820xpjKd2tuDVR7LPcSzDCtIjtlF-/s1600/screen-capture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaENbk9KS11DJZ31GM_ERC79aTfzU6M62tHT2vm3t43G6oUIVUB8d1wYExpx6d8KBHEz3GK9YeYFMhzR-Wi9n9Zq0LacnjX4jmlzXI-xfVhAwbRgh820xpjKd2tuDVR7LPcSzDCtIjtlF-/s400/screen-capture.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
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This is <b>not</b> a DIY project. This is a get off the computer, get in the car, and go purchase this cute carrot coupon book (how's that for alliteration?) from <a href="http://www.michaels.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Michaels-Site/default/Home-Show?countrycode=US">Michael's</a>. I just realized that I'm eating carrots as I type this...oh boy. </div>
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One of my current goals is to spend less and save more. There are some things in life that I can't cut out completely, whether they are necessities or just plain good for my soul. A 50 cent investment that will help me organize coupons and save some money is both a necessity and good for my soul in my opinion. :) </div>
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Anyway, last night I headed out to Michael's, bought this little coupon book, and whipped out my <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blaisundblog-20/detail/B001B1FIW2">label maker</a> as soon as humanly possible. First, here's proof that there are still items for purchase that only cost 50 cents...</div>
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Now for a carrot-themed photoshoot...</div>
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I should note that they had a purple-grape-themed coupon book, too. Go grab whichever one strikes your fancy! </div>
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Then I grabbed the best invention ever mass produced, the <a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000000005217789&pid=21580353&adurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.officemax.com%2Foffice-supplies%2Flabels-labelmakers%2Flabel-machines%2Fdesktop-label-makers%2Fproduct-prod3470028%3Fcm_mmc%3DPerformics-_-Office%2520Supplies-_-Labels%2520and%2520Labelmakers-_-Label%2520Machines%26ci_src%3D14110944%26ci_sku%3D21580353&usg=AFHzDLu_Vn-KXfc-HqhfJdX7ObbLFNnvqg&pubid=550039" rel="nofollow">DYMO LetraTag LT-100T Plus</a>. That's just a fancy name for a <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blaisundblog-20/detail/B001B1FIW2">label maker</a>, but this thing is gold. I use it for everything.</div>
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<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="320" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6631428.4172;sz=320x320;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000005217789;pid=21580353;usg=AFHzDLu_Vn-KXfc-HqhfJdX7ObbLFNnvqg;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.officemax.com%252Foffice-supplies%252Flabels-labelmakers%252Flabel-machines%252Fdesktop-label-makers%252Fproduct-prod3470028%253Fcm_mmc%253DPerformics-_-Office%252520Supplies-_-Labels%252520and%252520Labelmakers-_-Label%252520Machines%2526ci_src%253D14110944%2526ci_sku%253D21580353;pubid=550039;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.officemax.com%2Fcatalog%2Fimages%2F397x353%2F21580353i_01.jpg;width=320;height=284" vspace="0" width="320"></iframe></div>
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I separated my coupon book into the four categories that make the most sense for me, Arts & Crafts, Health & Beauty, Food & Drink, and Clothing. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4jLEDHHpMb7YuVcX_gFsCLt3IvPinF_Pybl-S1V99Z40vYiPQHkOb3yJniueE0iFu1f6PuOeKbYPwmatx1fzWxOdHcjZOG7wZzz4vIb3kCJg66VeDy92_ghLPPjFt0pvfBXijYiQJl89/s1600/IMG_1730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4jLEDHHpMb7YuVcX_gFsCLt3IvPinF_Pybl-S1V99Z40vYiPQHkOb3yJniueE0iFu1f6PuOeKbYPwmatx1fzWxOdHcjZOG7wZzz4vIb3kCJg66VeDy92_ghLPPjFt0pvfBXijYiQJl89/s400/IMG_1730.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then I filled it with a few coupons...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8z0_ErZKoUFqruAl60R19jLOrGsLPhzXufX-E0TMkBsuMDsV1WmzbmpnneqvpgcwSF-8Jg1qfMY_XmO-5bGkq-tL8e3dLXgXebFIE6WrYXEygd5j5eHJL1IkNi5PxlAzrZbdp1vhEWR7Q/s1600/IMG_1732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8z0_ErZKoUFqruAl60R19jLOrGsLPhzXufX-E0TMkBsuMDsV1WmzbmpnneqvpgcwSF-8Jg1qfMY_XmO-5bGkq-tL8e3dLXgXebFIE6WrYXEygd5j5eHJL1IkNi5PxlAzrZbdp1vhEWR7Q/s400/IMG_1732.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Luurve it. <span style="background-color: white;">I'm not one of those coupon-crazy people with an entire binder [yet?], but this little nugget can easily be thrown into my purse when I'm running out the door. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Anyone else making some money-saving moves? Cute coupon books anyone?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpgQbw3QIGMQQuxUH4VLvIJ-Eat-009vEfRj7VsBSOR8eGOE3xTb34pAw6wYsmpujQ9I1qOecWBZFfGydRF1nu3sbdlF80ZHnhWXvLYuBrk1-ZAkDG2kGdJE34QuLKjbA7N2asH0UiaDN/s1600/Signature_allJazzedup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpgQbw3QIGMQQuxUH4VLvIJ-Eat-009vEfRj7VsBSOR8eGOE3xTb34pAw6wYsmpujQ9I1qOecWBZFfGydRF1nu3sbdlF80ZHnhWXvLYuBrk1-ZAkDG2kGdJE34QuLKjbA7N2asH0UiaDN/s320/Signature_allJazzedup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Blair Menzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331735230588393220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803544522858170787.post-30829953509372797702012-07-13T21:56:00.000-04:002012-07-14T20:18:15.237-04:00{Video} Rearranging My Shelves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Since I <a href="http://blairsunderland.blogspot.com/2012/06/room-clean-up-fit-for-queen.html">cleaned up my room and got it in tip-top shape</a>, I've hated the "WOOMP" sound effect that seems to resonate from my lame-o shelves empty shelves. So, naturally I decided to do something about it! Look how sad they were...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sxTT_l8Ey03StDkb53jByFw1FrQaa_1_oE2loZV_kKSYXAXGWcjUa1EUZVAVF9qAPTkdrtKwQIP1KKDb1wgNhh45NjF6a_C7bZCddUxgNmavaUJzX_rihzSyNFrQ4wmwIXIuPSnYBeGr/s1600/IMG_1408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sxTT_l8Ey03StDkb53jByFw1FrQaa_1_oE2loZV_kKSYXAXGWcjUa1EUZVAVF9qAPTkdrtKwQIP1KKDb1wgNhh45NjF6a_C7bZCddUxgNmavaUJzX_rihzSyNFrQ4wmwIXIuPSnYBeGr/s400/IMG_1408.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.michaels.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Michaels-Site/default/Home-Show?countrycode=US">Michael's craft store</a> is having a fantastic sale (seriously--get over there!), and that in combination with their <a href="http://weeklyad.michaels.com/">40% off coupons</a> was a shelf redesign waiting to happen! I grabbed some fun decorative pieces from Michael's, like a candle, a glass bottle, a planter I used as a book holder, a couple of cute ceramic birds, and a small flower tin and got to work.<br />
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In the name of keeping it real (and super embarrassing), I made a short video as I rearranged my shelves. Just so you know, if you click "play" you are signing up for almost a minute of looking at my backside...<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/45614726" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> </div>
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<a href="http://vimeo.com/45614726">Rearranging My Shelves</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user12503927">Blair Menzel</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div>
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In all honesty, the shelves aren't quite <i>perfect</i> yet, but the rearrangement is definitely a huge improvement! I'll keep you posted if I change some things up on them. Here are some after photos:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAibmbMCOAMas2wc8L5kTq6cQAuH2EqeoVpAcwNEXZxuvcLiNlU2EECOWgJIi29B3khYQ_MZG1lLTgPBoQzCmI-dBXVO2lmSrzWTEam5hsWxk5LXPw4ap0Ewk2_upM5Uo7atj7gIcQzAJ/s1600/IMG_1733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAibmbMCOAMas2wc8L5kTq6cQAuH2EqeoVpAcwNEXZxuvcLiNlU2EECOWgJIi29B3khYQ_MZG1lLTgPBoQzCmI-dBXVO2lmSrzWTEam5hsWxk5LXPw4ap0Ewk2_upM5Uo7atj7gIcQzAJ/s400/IMG_1733.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Anyone else tweaking and retweaking decór?</div>
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<br /></div>Blair Menzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331735230588393220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803544522858170787.post-27599302841076703772012-07-12T15:16:00.000-04:002012-07-12T21:49:07.895-04:00You Really Should Get Skinny<div style="text-align: center;">
Not that kind of skinny (who do you think I am?!). This kind of skinny:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrq4ZkDY5SDt1zvL1oMkZ_W2x_j3tPayeUnK3K-HS2-_YxYlaKkZ4UEVtezEDrjG7wLA5bUAf-7fDV5E-7YEyTDkBbTtyxznSUnvVN-_bFcVshRZfV7K8_HDmk5Xg9orz6YyeBs9R_VR3/s1600/screen-capture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrq4ZkDY5SDt1zvL1oMkZ_W2x_j3tPayeUnK3K-HS2-_YxYlaKkZ4UEVtezEDrjG7wLA5bUAf-7fDV5E-7YEyTDkBbTtyxznSUnvVN-_bFcVshRZfV7K8_HDmk5Xg9orz6YyeBs9R_VR3/s400/screen-capture.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
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A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about how <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blaisundblog-20/detail/B003P2W3B4">The Skinny on Time Management</a> influenced me to create an awesome, useful <a href="http://blairsunderland.blogspot.com/2012/07/how-to-create-reusable-to-do-list.html">dry-erase to do list</a>. Both "skinny" books are written by Jim Randel. His easy, interesting, to-the-point approach is fantastic. You can bet that you'll get through <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blaisundblog-20/detail/B003N9C2WO">The Skinny on Willpower</a> in under an hour! Now that's a book I can stand behind. </div>
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I've never considered myself someone who considerably lacks willpower, but I have been pushing myself to <a href="http://blairsunderland.blogspot.com/2012/07/how-to-create-reusable-to-do-list.html">be more productive</a>, <a href="http://blairsunderland.blogspot.com/2012/07/how-i-became-morning-person-in-1-month.html">wake up earlier</a>, and live with <a href="http://blairsunderland.blogspot.com/2012/04/summer-2012-wish-list.html">attainable goals</a> in mind. This book was just the boost I needed. Randel writes about easy ways to increase willpower in order to accomplish goals and live the life you want to live! I highly recommend this book. Give it a shot!</div>
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Any other Jim Randel fans out there?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwjKVvX55_O8Egcuz6Aw7BQ72zm29y5KTm_X_KTDkPkoPL3pkXI5HTjKub5z694IR3HusMV_BM0ApNNbTFMMCXq_0MoHWMMg5qKkzgO9F-vwMmNy0C1EBQoqzQc3o_4BqGemEfCRg6Q0d/s1600/Signature_allJazzedup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwjKVvX55_O8Egcuz6Aw7BQ72zm29y5KTm_X_KTDkPkoPL3pkXI5HTjKub5z694IR3HusMV_BM0ApNNbTFMMCXq_0MoHWMMg5qKkzgO9F-vwMmNy0C1EBQoqzQc3o_4BqGemEfCRg6Q0d/s320/Signature_allJazzedup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Blair {blairblogs.com}http://www.blogger.com/profile/17225168375431183611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803544522858170787.post-39706302626147563112012-07-11T15:06:00.000-04:002012-07-11T16:35:29.370-04:00#11: A BIG Elon GraduationI wish I could tell you why it's taken me almost two months to post about <a href="http://www.elon.edu/home/">Elon University's</a> 2012 graduation, but here I am writing about it. Better late than never, right? Although attending graduation and watching my <a href="http://theinsignificantthings.blogspot.com/2011/04/sistersnot-just-by-blood.html">beautiful big sister</a> graduate was always on my list of things to do, but I did add it to my <a href="http://blairsunderland.blogspot.com/2012/04/summer-2012-wish-list.html">Summer 2012 Wish List</a> just to make <i>sure</i> I drove the six hours down to North Carolina for graduation weekend.<br />
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Good news is, I did. Well, John tagged along. What a trooper. Here are some photos of this joyous occasion!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3zHHYxREEbA3sK1rvFV6DXfmtmBX2My_ymIb1yDlgg6OfiHKFWFVFmdi1MVwxe9GK71DKPzcE8FtP4yE5lkn7u9gXpGaERlK97Aj68edBCbpv0CdD5tN4PSTCOM9wXCyfONqT1t2wKVz/s1600/181391_10152058877240001_109893230_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3zHHYxREEbA3sK1rvFV6DXfmtmBX2My_ymIb1yDlgg6OfiHKFWFVFmdi1MVwxe9GK71DKPzcE8FtP4yE5lkn7u9gXpGaERlK97Aj68edBCbpv0CdD5tN4PSTCOM9wXCyfONqT1t2wKVz/s320/181391_10152058877240001_109893230_n.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Me and Ang, hugging as always</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcZidMluDL2yyhqoajmrP2_LunLwJq3rrhxPTl9alRokXO_YsXlt7bVyv0CI68iL4XvTO7Ndp4WzpXp0lSLhMYNzRKWPpW7fX8iltOhFKzKTT5jLcyPnL448ArC58V0Q8FUzqxAN0KEsJ/s1600/389070_10152058877485001_285391343_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcZidMluDL2yyhqoajmrP2_LunLwJq3rrhxPTl9alRokXO_YsXlt7bVyv0CI68iL4XvTO7Ndp4WzpXp0lSLhMYNzRKWPpW7fX8iltOhFKzKTT5jLcyPnL448ArC58V0Q8FUzqxAN0KEsJ/s320/389070_10152058877485001_285391343_n.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Angela and John, my <a href="http://blairsunderland.blogspot.com/2012/06/how-do-you-do-that.html">boyfriend</a>! (Hands off sister!)</div>
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My Sigma Kappa "family," Abby, Sarah, Ang, and me! (Not pictured: Tessa and Brittany..we love them too!)</div>
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Ang and I </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uXeF3VajMmDwiFN2wQF1PgMRI_sZ7Cgxg8FrUwhOjI_GdwvP5yHZtB0dkE7xbCiBCSDLnU8iyf7W9iEmKw3ZtTyMWyC19hAeXfr6Aw9ALiwJqRYlKutxAdNzOLyB6lP66msCnDQMrDGt/s1600/553744_10152058747460001_41368868_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uXeF3VajMmDwiFN2wQF1PgMRI_sZ7Cgxg8FrUwhOjI_GdwvP5yHZtB0dkE7xbCiBCSDLnU8iyf7W9iEmKw3ZtTyMWyC19hAeXfr6Aw9ALiwJqRYlKutxAdNzOLyB6lP66msCnDQMrDGt/s320/553744_10152058747460001_41368868_n.jpeg" width="252" /></a></div>
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The obligatory nuzzle pic we always seem to snap!</div>
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Four glorious generations of SigKap sisters</div>
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My big sister and I, love her like crazy</div>
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Graduation was beautiful and it was wonderful to see all of my friends after <a href="http://aspringinspain.blogspot.com/">being in Spain</a> for five months, but it also got me thinking that I only have one more year at a school that I am completely in love with! Mental note: make the most of <i>every</i> day of senior year! It's going to fly.</div>
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Elon love,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwjKVvX55_O8Egcuz6Aw7BQ72zm29y5KTm_X_KTDkPkoPL3pkXI5HTjKub5z694IR3HusMV_BM0ApNNbTFMMCXq_0MoHWMMg5qKkzgO9F-vwMmNy0C1EBQoqzQc3o_4BqGemEfCRg6Q0d/s1600/Signature_allJazzedup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwjKVvX55_O8Egcuz6Aw7BQ72zm29y5KTm_X_KTDkPkoPL3pkXI5HTjKub5z694IR3HusMV_BM0ApNNbTFMMCXq_0MoHWMMg5qKkzgO9F-vwMmNy0C1EBQoqzQc3o_4BqGemEfCRg6Q0d/s320/Signature_allJazzedup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Blair {blairblogs.com}http://www.blogger.com/profile/17225168375431183611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803544522858170787.post-69193747558727691072012-07-10T16:47:00.002-04:002012-07-11T08:12:19.543-04:005 Reasons Why To Consider Taking Vitamin B-12About a year ago, I began taking a daily supplement of <a href="http://www.naturemade.com/">vitamin B-12</a>. I had just started to get well again after seven long months of battling mononucleosis and sleeping 12+ hours a day. My doctor recommended B-12 as it can help increase energy levels in people who are deficient in the vitamin, and now I swear by that little pill!<br />
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1. B12 is a nutrient that helps keep nerve and blood cells healthy.</div>
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2. This vitamin helps make DNA! (Now that's important stuff!)</div>
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3. A deficiency in B12 can lead to fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, and megaloblastic anemia.</div>
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4. People over 50 typically have a hard time absorbing B12 naturally found in food; however, supplemental B12 <i>can</i> usually be absorbed.</div>
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5. Although B12 is only proven to increase energy levels in those deficient in the vitamin, I can attest through personal experience that this vitamin has allowed me to cut out naps completely and definitely gives me noticeably more energy. (Maybe I did have a deficiency?)</div>
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Bonus! 6. I have restless legs syndrome, and B-12 has significantly help me manage it!</div>
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**<i>I am not a doctor or any other type of medical professional, although I have seen every episode of Grey's Anatomy from seasons one through five. This is my personal experience, supported by facts from the <a href="http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-QuickFacts/">National Institute of Health</a>. Talk to your doctor before taking any medication or supplement regularly!</i></div>
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If you do decide to start taking B-12, or any other vitamin for that matter, consider purchasing <a href="http://www.naturemade.com/">Nature Made vitamins</a> (or another brand made sans chemicals). The whole point of taking a vitamin is to get all that awesome goodness, not weird chemicals used to produce them!</div>
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I am currently looking into a few more supplemental vitamins to add to my multivitamin and B-12 regime. I hate to take medication when there is a more natural way of proactively preventing a health issue! Anyone else take B-12? </div>
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Tuesday love,</div>
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<br />Blair {blairblogs.com}http://www.blogger.com/profile/17225168375431183611noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803544522858170787.post-7347775500487963662012-07-09T23:21:00.003-04:002012-07-11T16:38:43.892-04:00How I Became a Morning Person in 1 Month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Back in May, I blogged about <a href="http://blairsunderland.blogspot.com/2012/04/my-attempt-at-becoming-morning-person.html">my goal of becoming a morning person by the end of June.</a> I really, really, really wanted to start getting up earlier and being more productive in the morning hours. I am pleased to announce that <i>I did it</i>. Yup. We're in July and I've never gotten up so early so regularly (and so happily) ever! Woah, that was a lot to handle. Let me rephrase that: I get up early. Everyday. And I'm happy about it.<br />
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How I used to feel:</div>
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<a href="http://silverscript.valiantspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Waking-up-Your-Child.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://silverscript.valiantspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Waking-up-Your-Child.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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How I feel now:</div>
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<a href="http://rosiemolinary.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Birthday-Wake-Up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://rosiemolinary.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Birthday-Wake-Up.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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(No, I didn't change skin tone too. I wish!--still pale and freckled!)</div>
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Here's how I became a morning person in one month (by following <a href="http://blairsunderland.blogspot.com/2012/04/my-attempt-at-becoming-morning-person.html">these wake-up early guidelines</a> I set for myself back in May):<br />
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1. <b>I established a nighttime routine<i>.</i> </b>Nothing rigid and strict, after all, it is summer! Just a general order and timeframe for hittin' the hay. (I'm working on making a bit more rigid!) Most days, it goes something like this:<br />
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9:30pm Brush teeth and wash face, put on PJs<br />
10:00pm Get in bed, read on my <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blaisundblog-20/detail/B005HSG482">Kindle</a><br />
11:00-11:30pm Zzzzz...<br />
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Of course there were days when I didn't even brush my teeth until midnight, but for the most part I go to sleep between 11:00 and 11:30pm each night (sometimes even earlier!)<br />
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<a href="http://marlainkontheside.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/img00002-20100810-0907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://marlainkontheside.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/img00002-20100810-0907.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You may never find me with <strike>a dog</strike> any animal in my bed, ever, but he sure does look cozy!</div>
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2. <b>I established a morning routine. </b>Not quite early enough to catch <a href="http://blairsunderland.blogspot.com/2012/06/10-sleepy-eyes-and-sunrise.html">the sunrise</a>, but still early for me. My original goal was to wake up daily around 8:30am naturally, without an alarm clock. I easily wake up then, and am currently in the process of pushing that time back even more to 8:00am (by the end of July). My ultimate goal is to wake up on my own around 7:30am each day (by the end of August). Anyway, my morning routine goes something like this:<br />
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7:30-8:30am Depending on how late I caught my Zzzs the night before, I wake up [naturally] at varying times. Typically my alarm is set to 8:00am; some days I'm already up and at 'em, others it's snooze a few times. Hopefully making my bedtime routine more regular will help!<br />
8:30am Brush teeth and get dressed<br />
9:00am Breakfast and coffee<br />
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<a href="http://www.webdesignbooth.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/beautiful-morning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.webdesignbooth.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/beautiful-morning.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Good morning world! Let's do this.</div>
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3. <b>I went to bed and woke up around the same time each day.</b><i> </i>This I could improve upon. However, in my defense, my bedtime window is usually around one hour as is my wake-up window. This isn't too bad considering my typical schedule has been turned upside down for the summer months.<br />
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4. <b>I stopped pressing the snooze button.</b> If ever I were to be convicted of anything, it would have been that I am was a serial snoozer. Snooze no more! It really just prolongs the inevitable. Instead of 15 alarms at five minute increments, I set one when I want to get up and another five minutes later, just in case I sleepily turn off the first and don't get up. I also put the alarm clock across the room, forcing me to get out of bed.<br />
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<a href="http://thebeaconsglare.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/snooze_button1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://thebeaconsglare.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/snooze_button1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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No longer a friend of mine!</div>
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So there you have it--I am a morning person. I get up most day merrily and excited to get goin'! This is a far cry from my previous feet-dragging out of bed only to be drowsy all day attitude. I have more energy, I'm more productive, and I'm just happier.<br />
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I will keep you posted on my morning person-ness. Anyone else breaking old habits?<br />
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Wake up and be productive, too! All the best,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpgQbw3QIGMQQuxUH4VLvIJ-Eat-009vEfRj7VsBSOR8eGOE3xTb34pAw6wYsmpujQ9I1qOecWBZFfGydRF1nu3sbdlF80ZHnhWXvLYuBrk1-ZAkDG2kGdJE34QuLKjbA7N2asH0UiaDN/s1600/Signature_allJazzedup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpgQbw3QIGMQQuxUH4VLvIJ-Eat-009vEfRj7VsBSOR8eGOE3xTb34pAw6wYsmpujQ9I1qOecWBZFfGydRF1nu3sbdlF80ZHnhWXvLYuBrk1-ZAkDG2kGdJE34QuLKjbA7N2asH0UiaDN/s400/Signature_allJazzedup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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*All images linked to their original sources.</div>Blair Menzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331735230588393220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803544522858170787.post-9680145074255424242012-07-05T11:07:00.000-04:002012-07-05T11:39:28.334-04:00How to Make Sweet Tea in a Coffee Maker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcPxmsxw-4YrZKkBQK_w2hRnRonXzuXqPJ21Uk-PApK7VruFf1UZUYSyhRssYv8LD3vi-klIVF4n9X-Up0LPQxuEiE1iTnqmyJdSufT_w63PU4tp5rG5Y-Yowns8qXVNS7BmTfjhOUMI-/s1600/screen-capture-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcPxmsxw-4YrZKkBQK_w2hRnRonXzuXqPJ21Uk-PApK7VruFf1UZUYSyhRssYv8LD3vi-klIVF4n9X-Up0LPQxuEiE1iTnqmyJdSufT_w63PU4tp5rG5Y-Yowns8qXVNS7BmTfjhOUMI-/s400/screen-capture-1.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
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A long time ago, my aunt taught me how to make sweet tea in a coffee pot. It's something that I use often (so much easier than making it on the stove top in my opinion!), and it tastes just as delicious as making it the old-fashioned way.</div>
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Here's what you'll need:</div>
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<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="320" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6627857.4100;sz=320x320;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000028505128;pid=MCE1069;usg=AFHzDLtSLrzopGL57WHJDjyTWS1nPl-GSA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.wayfair.com%252FMr.-Coffee-12-Cup-Coffee-Maker-in-Black-SK13-NP-L896-K%257EMCE1069.html;pubid=550039;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fcommon1.csnimages.com%2Flf%2F49%2Fhash%2F1111%2F4879887%2F1%2F1.jpg;width=320;height=320" vspace="0" width="320"></iframe></div>
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a coffee pot, of course,</div>
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<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="320" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6695226.4235;sz=320x320;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000024781945;pid=sku2705125;usg=AFHzDLtcJPGVktC7nVrW_TPm8yQaqzExsQ;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.samsclub.com%252Fsams%252Fshop%252Fproduct.jsp%253FproductId%253Dprod2321104%2526pid%253D_DoubleClick_Affiliates%2526ci_src%253D15781033%2526ci_sku%253Dsku2705125;pubid=550039;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fs7d2.scene7.com%2Fis%2Fimage%2Fsamsclub%2Fs7product%2F0004100000291_A.jpg;width=320;height=320" vspace="0" width="320"></iframe></div>
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and 4 tea bags,</div>
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<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="320" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N963.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6527721.6;dcadv=3632184;sz=320x320;lid=41000000028007181;pid=SPRCH11759;usg=AFHzDLtxDSKda6mRI-X94puangtwYLagfA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.boncui.com%252Fsprch11759.html%253Fmr%253AtrackingCode%253D5A683FF6-374C-E011-879B-001B2163195C%2526mr%253AreferralID%253DNA;pubid=550039;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fsite.unbeatablesale.com%2Fimg173%2Fsprch11759.gif;width=320;height=320" vspace="0" width="320"></iframe></div>
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and some sweetener. I like to use Stevia, but you can use sugar or another sugar substitute. I use about 2 cups of sugar or Stevia, but you'll have to sweeten to taste! :)</div>
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Okay, so here's how to make it. First things first, it's important to clean your coffee maker. If you use an unclean coffee maker, you'll have coffee-flavored sweet tea! Yuck! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiWiwWuCUNrKAAjYSG4v-jvACSedHYLbzP9IFVoVSRlmCEN2lsFK9XjmEXXixEcW5r_BcMyOnQsWU_9IOFBzHIFz7zh5d-zWTORkl2T3gVsPrbKFUvw7X3SMtJYOfAZ50k3nqNf8eaGgE/s1600/IMG_1664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiWiwWuCUNrKAAjYSG4v-jvACSedHYLbzP9IFVoVSRlmCEN2lsFK9XjmEXXixEcW5r_BcMyOnQsWU_9IOFBzHIFz7zh5d-zWTORkl2T3gVsPrbKFUvw7X3SMtJYOfAZ50k3nqNf8eaGgE/s640/IMG_1664.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Put a bit of apple cider vinegar in the water corral and run it through. It takes the coffee stains and the smell out! Easy win!</div>
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While the vinegar water is running through, unwrap four tea bags and pull off the strings and tags.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRiG-dIbB8pA-W5wwxyjHTXCt1rIw6dYiVnj1Rd7eP1pulwJf91kq6Zh72iCN3jE2qnsSWeHQy_iOWH1RcqqRTMyVVK5myf764fVifO8oZOU2X3OsmkTImtPxkW5yu9v4IH1BukOqa2rQ/s1600/IMG_1675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRiG-dIbB8pA-W5wwxyjHTXCt1rIw6dYiVnj1Rd7eP1pulwJf91kq6Zh72iCN3jE2qnsSWeHQy_iOWH1RcqqRTMyVVK5myf764fVifO8oZOU2X3OsmkTImtPxkW5yu9v4IH1BukOqa2rQ/s640/IMG_1675.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now, dump out the vinegar water and pour fresh water into the coffee maker corral (It doesn't matter how much water you use exactly--I use about 8 cups). Next, stack up the four tea bags into the coffee filter area.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2GTraP3z-0k2DMZSGcwyBh3s_hcBCE7bJwnrGsnww0MtEOoGXyJKhA-uAfAYVe4Y3XHBn7yi7ZRBt0mDQDedgiR078101HJHg1NSFRGS0sAdcS1VOQHTOGb3eeHXow8n63_UlTSUbbGk/s1600/IMG_1676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2GTraP3z-0k2DMZSGcwyBh3s_hcBCE7bJwnrGsnww0MtEOoGXyJKhA-uAfAYVe4Y3XHBn7yi7ZRBt0mDQDedgiR078101HJHg1NSFRGS0sAdcS1VOQHTOGb3eeHXow8n63_UlTSUbbGk/s640/IMG_1676.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Close the lid of the coffee maker and get brewin'!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTL3m3zAkxBq9hweBaEO8njKMkVpXIg0zL1t6VayS3cRdAdh7FWYR_t0Lth_veAq8iujZaMEkiwtLWJl3HN7fwOvniRrQ_SAmPGNQiFDbaV9RHo2K75PNvoC6DCbJTWQXbWjQV885eqdy/s1600/IMG_1680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTL3m3zAkxBq9hweBaEO8njKMkVpXIg0zL1t6VayS3cRdAdh7FWYR_t0Lth_veAq8iujZaMEkiwtLWJl3HN7fwOvniRrQ_SAmPGNQiFDbaV9RHo2K75PNvoC6DCbJTWQXbWjQV885eqdy/s640/IMG_1680.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Looks like coffee, but it's tea--promise!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqF8dJun2c9Q15as3NTwnm_-Q5Agyrm4uWUNWjJwakExaeXLjUs5iy3XDXTo403FXZ9yTRiNEuR7_tkkXBE1F6UhQxes6cPwTbBhChKbN7ABe6ZbKK6fTSOYa46qhnp3-fmf8jmpV4jE4/s1600/IMG_1670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqF8dJun2c9Q15as3NTwnm_-Q5Agyrm4uWUNWjJwakExaeXLjUs5iy3XDXTo403FXZ9yTRiNEuR7_tkkXBE1F6UhQxes6cPwTbBhChKbN7ABe6ZbKK6fTSOYa46qhnp3-fmf8jmpV4jE4/s320/IMG_1670.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84n_n27zrJIcvUxm4ljsESZssXbvOxTu8gjl2MrdjY05SO25m5MWx_qCOpecP2m1kfRBROYDrv8Pc8Z9Po4j21UP4vRy0AVSZv5eyBR2JhBYupr63NH_kkoC2zu-XE9xzGLZCIq1WcASp/s1600/IMG_1667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84n_n27zrJIcvUxm4ljsESZssXbvOxTu8gjl2MrdjY05SO25m5MWx_qCOpecP2m1kfRBROYDrv8Pc8Z9Po4j21UP4vRy0AVSZv5eyBR2JhBYupr63NH_kkoC2zu-XE9xzGLZCIq1WcASp/s320/IMG_1667.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Now grab your sugar (or sugar substitute--I recommend Stevia), and a large pitcher! Here's where the real fun begins...<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">While the tea is brewing, measure out the sugar into the pitcher. Two cups for three quarts works for me, but sweeten to taste! (Or leave it as unsweetened tea if you'd like.) This way, the hot tea will dissolve the sugar and the entire pitcher will be evenly sweetened. Once the coffee maker is done brewing, pour the tea into the pitcher with the sugar. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivGNbPoJ02ODLGrahbnTJduguT9MMK87Ftm91ya_v9RLUGLTuYnWA1yOXUu5sio1dkXT51qY75vhqzEbrieSDjaikP8ZOS8CPYX1QzEk99IQhn22EnuTE4-1WACx_QdlZrnql_LyVivdb/s1600/IMG_1682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivGNbPoJ02ODLGrahbnTJduguT9MMK87Ftm91ya_v9RLUGLTuYnWA1yOXUu5sio1dkXT51qY75vhqzEbrieSDjaikP8ZOS8CPYX1QzEk99IQhn22EnuTE4-1WACx_QdlZrnql_LyVivdb/s640/IMG_1682.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Using a wooden spoon, mix them together! </span></div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfvozYq7Q5A8u2TbkZFmXxLH6bELVFZajqw_7F3AhcH8O_jf8vLxHDUpZYXOR6TabpXZHBqR86YFr10rJ7z1vXwHcORbvShXP9MErKd70QpyiLAttQTKC3VIBfMu6PZ3s0NmqOfsKcZQi/s640/IMG_1683.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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Mine looks frothy because of the Stevia. If you use regular sugar, it won't be quite so bubbly.</div>
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Now, you basically have a sugar-tea concentrate. Drink this and you'll be bouncing off the walls for a week straight. It's time to dilute this concentrate with some cold water!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TKuSAbsLg_KHt_kScmdOFiZrkPuUR90ytQtaL-H8miA5awPd8-8VI78icS2wC4z3m3hAHoL6pYlfuU6ELxPhT-gqv9o6To0qHk9uYGhK1syHX_xcHgbfja9lmTBnm6K0mPjSrWSCKo95/s1600/IMG_1685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TKuSAbsLg_KHt_kScmdOFiZrkPuUR90ytQtaL-H8miA5awPd8-8VI78icS2wC4z3m3hAHoL6pYlfuU6ELxPhT-gqv9o6To0qHk9uYGhK1syHX_xcHgbfja9lmTBnm6K0mPjSrWSCKo95/s640/IMG_1685.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Now all that's left to do is enjoy your fresh sweet tea!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dFV9MJep9XXsc5bbCiHVFeDVJorkEphSUH-2cIus9383Ycol2rN7ExUF92SmPTVtFW4QKLqqdLsG2x7EIhlYGhOSg4tvPv4CXDVpXO_qAn2SKTociCIb7R-TX8HPMxH-kt1RzM0v4GN5/s1600/IMG_1691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dFV9MJep9XXsc5bbCiHVFeDVJorkEphSUH-2cIus9383Ycol2rN7ExUF92SmPTVtFW4QKLqqdLsG2x7EIhlYGhOSg4tvPv4CXDVpXO_qAn2SKTociCIb7R-TX8HPMxH-kt1RzM0v4GN5/s640/IMG_1691.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Yum! :) Anyone else have any easy shortcuts in the kitchen?</div>
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Get to brewin',</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpgQbw3QIGMQQuxUH4VLvIJ-Eat-009vEfRj7VsBSOR8eGOE3xTb34pAw6wYsmpujQ9I1qOecWBZFfGydRF1nu3sbdlF80ZHnhWXvLYuBrk1-ZAkDG2kGdJE34QuLKjbA7N2asH0UiaDN/s1600/Signature_allJazzedup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpgQbw3QIGMQQuxUH4VLvIJ-Eat-009vEfRj7VsBSOR8eGOE3xTb34pAw6wYsmpujQ9I1qOecWBZFfGydRF1nu3sbdlF80ZHnhWXvLYuBrk1-ZAkDG2kGdJE34QuLKjbA7N2asH0UiaDN/s320/Signature_allJazzedup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Blair Menzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331735230588393220noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803544522858170787.post-54845330633483864232012-07-03T21:16:00.000-04:002012-07-03T21:16:28.643-04:00Can YOU See All The Colors of the Rainbow?Colorblindness runs thick in my family; both my maternal and paternal grandfathers and my brother are affected. So when <span style="background-color: white;">I saw a link to</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><a href="http://www.xrite.com/custom_page.aspx?pageid=77&lang=en">this colorblindness test</a><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">online, and I decided to check it out.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">When you first arrive at the website, here's what you'll find:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJPLRKo0kXnVPjuIh04-Ie9RNhomLiRsTUtKirWeUVf8T-NSl-2xanTvyCXMUnvTDi8B_t7a9iP8_XIjGVZwH3i2FTyMcaG7KLCenu4QRzJV9rCl2Z3mghSliNWFBdp0N4s-iwvaOERLS/s1600/screen-capture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJPLRKo0kXnVPjuIh04-Ie9RNhomLiRsTUtKirWeUVf8T-NSl-2xanTvyCXMUnvTDi8B_t7a9iP8_XIjGVZwH3i2FTyMcaG7KLCenu4QRzJV9rCl2Z3mghSliNWFBdp0N4s-iwvaOERLS/s640/screen-capture.jpg" width="640" /></a>You are instructed to drag and drop the colors in hue order. The first few moves were pretty simple for me, but they became increasingly difficult as time went on.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlguaGFHjOwKTdUGL7hqIGWmH4xz_cOBWaydouAI_9bvHNIw1jkMsTkFsmdeKtHzZPeICPARk_ZaDeVrsxJeEPeySQYRTr1UWBdH5N6uKDcWg9Ziocy8ZQ_cVobZ_3AVLZWD4VCSBUbTz0/s1600/screen-capture-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlguaGFHjOwKTdUGL7hqIGWmH4xz_cOBWaydouAI_9bvHNIw1jkMsTkFsmdeKtHzZPeICPARk_ZaDeVrsxJeEPeySQYRTr1UWBdH5N6uKDcWg9Ziocy8ZQ_cVobZ_3AVLZWD4VCSBUbTz0/s640/screen-capture-1.jpg" width="640" /></a>Here are my results; I scored a 16. Not great, but not awful!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn07LNjgbHs0q3ukQ-Ac9UYnV7_yyCmj1F9rC-mjKbJ2H4-xnJ8ewx5tRbjiRS6Hfk7UQgtklRd4iFUCLRdoz8a_BtLNR_UHwRCn_gEhBCdOkYU87ZVeisjnR1zjwV72g8TmMQEUvQiNNh/s1600/screen-capture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn07LNjgbHs0q3ukQ-Ac9UYnV7_yyCmj1F9rC-mjKbJ2H4-xnJ8ewx5tRbjiRS6Hfk7UQgtklRd4iFUCLRdoz8a_BtLNR_UHwRCn_gEhBCdOkYU87ZVeisjnR1zjwV72g8TmMQEUvQiNNh/s640/screen-capture.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="background-color: white;">This was my favorite part! The program finally shows you where you had the biggest problems differentiating colors. Mine were in the teal-blue-purple-pink colors on the right-hand side of the spectrum. Interesting.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">You should check it out! It doesn't take too long and it's really interesting! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Here's the link again: <a href="http://www.xrite.com/custom_page.aspx?pageid=77&lang=en">Colorblindness test</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Thankful for all the beautiful colors,</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpgQbw3QIGMQQuxUH4VLvIJ-Eat-009vEfRj7VsBSOR8eGOE3xTb34pAw6wYsmpujQ9I1qOecWBZFfGydRF1nu3sbdlF80ZHnhWXvLYuBrk1-ZAkDG2kGdJE34QuLKjbA7N2asH0UiaDN/s1600/Signature_allJazzedup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpgQbw3QIGMQQuxUH4VLvIJ-Eat-009vEfRj7VsBSOR8eGOE3xTb34pAw6wYsmpujQ9I1qOecWBZFfGydRF1nu3sbdlF80ZHnhWXvLYuBrk1-ZAkDG2kGdJE34QuLKjbA7N2asH0UiaDN/s320/Signature_allJazzedup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>Blair Menzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331735230588393220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803544522858170787.post-56041966632379102472012-07-02T15:00:00.000-04:002012-07-02T15:00:37.679-04:00I am a Self-Declared Font Snob.I'm not the first or only person who has strong, <b>strong </b>feelings about fonts. In fact, there are a lot of images floating around the web that were created by people who share in my font feelings...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqm8U11kXVgaWHLJD8VBoRmj75MuqcTs32yxCxECoeVgONBvrkXvg4BnAOhQKZgMVS_zgvGRHnw8s9zjzAeuOR6TAiu9OwQr7nFz0_bNHAc-JkZ0mQKqA6CGMxg6IrPFOAP0AQC0cblOMu/s1600/screen-capture-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqm8U11kXVgaWHLJD8VBoRmj75MuqcTs32yxCxECoeVgONBvrkXvg4BnAOhQKZgMVS_zgvGRHnw8s9zjzAeuOR6TAiu9OwQr7nFz0_bNHAc-JkZ0mQKqA6CGMxg6IrPFOAP0AQC0cblOMu/s400/screen-capture-1.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
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[<a href="http://www.happyplace.com/10430/the-most-enjoyably-cantankerous-notes-ever-posted-in-the-workplace/page/5">source</a>]</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTBca37bBVATOiYDB8hPP4XR2pyc-Ix24sBFdC2hyniSdyaQrdZUcOX20VlGTgFGovHFbZe28-hyMI_JQCIEicLpiwLJ-EnauWZSpnRlCfalqvUhV-taTmTPoMfUO3QwG8vNmMPr4zH6z/s1600/screen-capture-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTBca37bBVATOiYDB8hPP4XR2pyc-Ix24sBFdC2hyniSdyaQrdZUcOX20VlGTgFGovHFbZe28-hyMI_JQCIEicLpiwLJ-EnauWZSpnRlCfalqvUhV-taTmTPoMfUO3QwG8vNmMPr4zH6z/s320/screen-capture-5.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
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[<a href="http://skreened.com/speedround/font-snobs-dark-shirt">source</a>]</div>
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Oh, it's working. It's working big time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaF7Y7hDv2efIuWArg0L8ET6jjuQiro_W4Z-D5dTOaaf4JjqBt2JpR89EPehqtup-ygJ9WsfM16Ei_LaxtdqnO5QZ2dMYTFCxEsz4KF9ozvbb9da7V-tESVSngniGi0Ks9_aJwejjSAu_Y/s1600/screen-capture-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaF7Y7hDv2efIuWArg0L8ET6jjuQiro_W4Z-D5dTOaaf4JjqBt2JpR89EPehqtup-ygJ9WsfM16Ei_LaxtdqnO5QZ2dMYTFCxEsz4KF9ozvbb9da7V-tESVSngniGi0Ks9_aJwejjSAu_Y/s640/screen-capture-2.jpg" width="299" /></a></div>
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[<a href="http://www.thehandmadehome.net/2012/02/25-fun-fonts-for-font-snobs/">source</a>]</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFTjTAeFdXiBTShVjhP8gleuWHbMdJPfTSX9TYkjLNxFYl3r41ivmPMQd6MZX0n5GC6doBGKE_l4QnAoUfjlaugClUjt5QvX-FIlGPJ79IAr3l3j3H7KVsP73ZdtdkDu5qFqp9yYhVf6X/s1600/screen-capture-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFTjTAeFdXiBTShVjhP8gleuWHbMdJPfTSX9TYkjLNxFYl3r41ivmPMQd6MZX0n5GC6doBGKE_l4QnAoUfjlaugClUjt5QvX-FIlGPJ79IAr3l3j3H7KVsP73ZdtdkDu5qFqp9yYhVf6X/s400/screen-capture-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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[<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/57795948/typography-embroidery-fabric-wall-art?ref=sr_gallery_34&ga_ref=auto&ga_search_query=typography+wall+art&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade">source</a>]</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSvnpWa_xK2FkVdY0B1jDJBv4ZY7hr3HZZ_y4Vjw_8kt0xK_gLr3a6w8ftUa1nyg082Hv12BvySGRmVhpK23i2u5r8-jUnyDHPLgwIV8wqC-EiD1bK3jfzrnXRkgWGCWx-ePNlb-Iw89B/s1600/screen-capture-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSvnpWa_xK2FkVdY0B1jDJBv4ZY7hr3HZZ_y4Vjw_8kt0xK_gLr3a6w8ftUa1nyg082Hv12BvySGRmVhpK23i2u5r8-jUnyDHPLgwIV8wqC-EiD1bK3jfzrnXRkgWGCWx-ePNlb-Iw89B/s400/screen-capture-3.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>
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[<a href="http://designtaxi.com/news/351395/Confessions-Of-A-Designer-What-Goes-On-In-A-Designer-s-Mind/">source</a>]</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">In my humble opinion, there are just too many cool, awesome, and beautiful fonts that are already installed on computers and even cooler ones that can be downloaded online for </span><i style="background-color: white;">free</i><span style="background-color: white;"> to use ugly, overused fonts like Comic Sans, Papyrus, Brush Script, or Curlz. Ahhh! Yuck!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Before you start typing in one of those heinous fonts (cringe), check out one of these sites and download some free, awesome fonts:</span></div>
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.urbanfonts.com/free-fonts.htm">Urban Fonts</a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.acidfonts.com/">Acid Fonts</a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.1001freefonts.com/">1001 Free Fonts</a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.fontsquirrel.com/">Font Squirrel</a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.fontspace.com/">Font Space</a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://losttype.com/browse/">Lost Type</a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.dafont.com/">daFont</a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.fontstock.net/">Font Stock</a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.fontcubes.com/">Font Cubes</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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Some advice: don't settle on the first font you see. Type out the word or phrase that you're looking for a font for, copy it, paste it several times, and experiment with fonts. Here's a sample of what I'm talking about:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-ebK3sLY_UX_Eu4OPF2Vwf7Q5azryWNp2QQBp6V3Tr8LjleNECvyBePtERdNTPePbkZwAqheZbRzNsVCfaEIzjAZ5Fe63kyKQqlEMOHDu1m4csyckMh9YR0uQ35d33u08AY9nwJb49um/s1600/screen-capture-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-ebK3sLY_UX_Eu4OPF2Vwf7Q5azryWNp2QQBp6V3Tr8LjleNECvyBePtERdNTPePbkZwAqheZbRzNsVCfaEIzjAZ5Fe63kyKQqlEMOHDu1m4csyckMh9YR0uQ35d33u08AY9nwJb49um/s640/screen-capture-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Do you see how each font has its own personality? Let me tell you the </span><span style="background-color: white;">perceived</span><span style="background-color: white;"> personalities of some of the world's <strike>ugliest</strike> favorite fonts...</span><br />
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1. A brace-faced fifth grader working on her book report.<br />
2. Anyone and anything who is trying to put off an international and/or cultural vibe.<br />
3. A bubbly girl who loves hot pink bubble gum and cute, fluffy things.<br />
4. That letter from Santa or the Tooth Fairy that's been typed to maintain an alias.<br />
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Not the vibe you're looking to put off? Stop using ugly fonts! Download new ones, people. Download away!<br />
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Never want to see Comic Sans again,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpgQbw3QIGMQQuxUH4VLvIJ-Eat-009vEfRj7VsBSOR8eGOE3xTb34pAw6wYsmpujQ9I1qOecWBZFfGydRF1nu3sbdlF80ZHnhWXvLYuBrk1-ZAkDG2kGdJE34QuLKjbA7N2asH0UiaDN/s1600/Signature_allJazzedup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpgQbw3QIGMQQuxUH4VLvIJ-Eat-009vEfRj7VsBSOR8eGOE3xTb34pAw6wYsmpujQ9I1qOecWBZFfGydRF1nu3sbdlF80ZHnhWXvLYuBrk1-ZAkDG2kGdJE34QuLKjbA7N2asH0UiaDN/s320/Signature_allJazzedup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Blair Menzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331735230588393220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803544522858170787.post-22159247386203372492012-07-02T13:51:00.000-04:002012-07-02T13:52:15.985-04:00Closet Chronicles: Part 2A few weeks ago, I blogged about cleaning up my too-small room <a href="http://blairsunderland.blogspot.com/2012/06/room-clean-up-fit-for-queen.html">here</a>. I did make a dent in organizing my closet, but a small dent at that. The real problem with my closet was that I had too many clothes! All of my clothing was stuffed into the tiny closet with absolutely no rhyme or reason, making finding a piece extremely difficult, thus adding to the disorganization. Yesterday, I decided to change that! Here are some photos of my closet in its original disaster-zone glory...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRGNEK5AucX3sAyItnIpVYbRdNQM5AayINQPbjU4IRXPmIGUO_OW5Ws0Hu_uj8D7ftZhlFUFQ2rBTXdSBFNiJP_PbF3HmQhMBkv0kDB7ScSwE4quNvSnHz3RphNe4gf2Vkf6Jb9Y-W1-Z/s1600/IMG_1620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRGNEK5AucX3sAyItnIpVYbRdNQM5AayINQPbjU4IRXPmIGUO_OW5Ws0Hu_uj8D7ftZhlFUFQ2rBTXdSBFNiJP_PbF3HmQhMBkv0kDB7ScSwE4quNvSnHz3RphNe4gf2Vkf6Jb9Y-W1-Z/s640/IMG_1620.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-V7oup1XXX6IzMbBSdx691pofOcgbzsetvpeWcm0XmClwopsn-ZxG-hCY5hRLLwD_ynzZpn5q7a8tPXiH4lCisJzykweEb_cNFpZt0GDHv7LSNfU3UvWyEjsVGOtD6xJQdRwWi3O8C0Aj/s1600/IMG_1619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-V7oup1XXX6IzMbBSdx691pofOcgbzsetvpeWcm0XmClwopsn-ZxG-hCY5hRLLwD_ynzZpn5q7a8tPXiH4lCisJzykweEb_cNFpZt0GDHv7LSNfU3UvWyEjsVGOtD6xJQdRwWi3O8C0Aj/s640/IMG_1619.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRepzge9zMU8mQ-yDDJ1kWnjBB5waeMSYP89RzhWaiGZhB0CKWx0Kph7ZJa_HaGPaw6yH4la4Uz3ahpXy2IiyyBHpMyz0tiEveecPiLsF8_kPS0b0jdD_pGyj2nIUEaw80lSB4ffjg9AFX/s1600/IMG_1622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRepzge9zMU8mQ-yDDJ1kWnjBB5waeMSYP89RzhWaiGZhB0CKWx0Kph7ZJa_HaGPaw6yH4la4Uz3ahpXy2IiyyBHpMyz0tiEveecPiLsF8_kPS0b0jdD_pGyj2nIUEaw80lSB4ffjg9AFX/s320/IMG_1622.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdT1coIHKq_Nv9lUl9iA7SU_9M9XsRpzjpLsOcGS0vnXkfGTY3_ttU3Y1Svo0ebZMckvHJivjIYLoHnjS2ztnZGphnDcCUs8VazD8FipHGWCsM1pSX5rNBaJOHyT9UWlsZhJ4FY15YFGnl/s1600/IMG_1621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdT1coIHKq_Nv9lUl9iA7SU_9M9XsRpzjpLsOcGS0vnXkfGTY3_ttU3Y1Svo0ebZMckvHJivjIYLoHnjS2ztnZGphnDcCUs8VazD8FipHGWCsM1pSX5rNBaJOHyT9UWlsZhJ4FY15YFGnl/s320/IMG_1621.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Accessories like long necklaces and belts had random and dysfunctional homes, like a hanger or a tie hook.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2WnspwQEdK5r3slk5eaSrolpSkM9mSp6DmmB84NCLEcWtIsUJL5Lz1x6tNwr7HnLCGkEuJHt1cnBldsI0fnYpp7Ij6dKPSrlNYlxwVuAoLXn2ozRphgn0KPe-y-PXkGGiz8QSLT3HIGd/s1600/IMG_1627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2WnspwQEdK5r3slk5eaSrolpSkM9mSp6DmmB84NCLEcWtIsUJL5Lz1x6tNwr7HnLCGkEuJHt1cnBldsI0fnYpp7Ij6dKPSrlNYlxwVuAoLXn2ozRphgn0KPe-y-PXkGGiz8QSLT3HIGd/s640/IMG_1627.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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So, I took everything out of the closet to begin. Then I sorted everything into two piles: keep and donate.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gZQ8LepP-YiRDnI7BCc7iKcleng0hvqPM9fsDtuqYEhOPVVqMtkh8oEEGrm-ORzlRKyhhrNQ3Ta79hIXnyIsNzYCE1zkZO861XVQeIwzPmxfgoK9TtLt2m-BhbWsBqmuoItShjfc0sGo/s1600/IMG_1623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gZQ8LepP-YiRDnI7BCc7iKcleng0hvqPM9fsDtuqYEhOPVVqMtkh8oEEGrm-ORzlRKyhhrNQ3Ta79hIXnyIsNzYCE1zkZO861XVQeIwzPmxfgoK9TtLt2m-BhbWsBqmuoItShjfc0sGo/s640/IMG_1623.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Here are my "keep" items,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ClH324Z5zbw_5pkCGGwT0PqGdUaH_OLa_dFgYOdpsJg7v6RsZJXBOwt5gaWKTi6gHoSVp7g24tGU98CI6nZtcyjTrbrgyGRn8x5EVUzErifyTEtw-QhBSOm_uKG98xkghpWYAV5eJSQD/s1600/IMG_1624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ClH324Z5zbw_5pkCGGwT0PqGdUaH_OLa_dFgYOdpsJg7v6RsZJXBOwt5gaWKTi6gHoSVp7g24tGU98CI6nZtcyjTrbrgyGRn8x5EVUzErifyTEtw-QhBSOm_uKG98xkghpWYAV5eJSQD/s640/IMG_1624.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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and here are my "donate!"</div>
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When I put everything back into my closet this time, I made sure it was in a logical and organized manner. That way, I can easily keep it neat! And because I'm all about streamlining and simplifying, I'm going to track which pieces of clothing I actually wear so that I can donate those I don't. To do this, I did the old reverse-the-hangers on the rod trick.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRVurJO2xQuaCsvBAa1KgHmQWOA6Zf-J8mpcIgvNzsYRRer2CKQ-FPaGzBkmMBEtnhs46rSA-qkCP72d91mUjpsaAgtLMmOS2A_41pzpajiL8jIF_6f-7-_3BCLtXCGxGQR6eraCde8pZ/s1600/IMG_1633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRVurJO2xQuaCsvBAa1KgHmQWOA6Zf-J8mpcIgvNzsYRRer2CKQ-FPaGzBkmMBEtnhs46rSA-qkCP72d91mUjpsaAgtLMmOS2A_41pzpajiL8jIF_6f-7-_3BCLtXCGxGQR6eraCde8pZ/s640/IMG_1633.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The way this tricks work is that all hangers stay reversed until an article of clothing is worn.<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Once it's worn, it's put back on the correct way. After a period of time (I'm doing three months), all of the clothes on hangers that are still reversed are donated to charity.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhn5VXvsG739xD42BOah7vyeLWMlfnzm2ZNjhdTOrC3riHiOpj10j_ulomU6UQUqEL14Bvb4sldm4ZSCisRJw1BVPGMuD6gSznJsP7XLUzaOg3ZnHZn2440sqeEZCyZ9snVq-8-A9ceQU/s1600/IMG_1634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhn5VXvsG739xD42BOah7vyeLWMlfnzm2ZNjhdTOrC3riHiOpj10j_ulomU6UQUqEL14Bvb4sldm4ZSCisRJw1BVPGMuD6gSznJsP7XLUzaOg3ZnHZn2440sqeEZCyZ9snVq-8-A9ceQU/s640/IMG_1634.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbX9MGOu7Ez3M5IpmrOREeQRyt4qs44Z_ybvqP911i-efs7u8D75OtyPno-dMta1qMIFXiL7CMoZTdENgg6eW4IoJCQ9wRmtXWZO-cqIj0m1bUfkferrMO2cxaWzR7iabXniUMCot_0Sou/s1600/IMG_1631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbX9MGOu7Ez3M5IpmrOREeQRyt4qs44Z_ybvqP911i-efs7u8D75OtyPno-dMta1qMIFXiL7CMoZTdENgg6eW4IoJCQ9wRmtXWZO-cqIj0m1bUfkferrMO2cxaWzR7iabXniUMCot_0Sou/s640/IMG_1631.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzITU5AOyTv_7MFSuYZOSpR1_1kdKVga85IviB7-YfywbpG4a_zPZe0y3za8POesrsInvh-lYQJC1AOHa7hgjcuCTycQeZswOwB1-nII2q03hoK0-PfGX-ucnprqzdENDZudo6cwbxZ5HO/s1600/IMG_1632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzITU5AOyTv_7MFSuYZOSpR1_1kdKVga85IviB7-YfywbpG4a_zPZe0y3za8POesrsInvh-lYQJC1AOHa7hgjcuCTycQeZswOwB1-nII2q03hoK0-PfGX-ucnprqzdENDZudo6cwbxZ5HO/s640/IMG_1632.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFyNxyM-qsHxY1ZRF6yPuBH4rf5MhWXrj6VEcVYfyyedSpksV0vMVtHUAXvGSx-DRouiIvltaEq0n_1-tUfzb2d3aH4_y3COxZ6S1xFdbEt3S3JuBUPisztJ-RA83R3L70Wr9rgMfRsJn/s1600/IMG_1629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFyNxyM-qsHxY1ZRF6yPuBH4rf5MhWXrj6VEcVYfyyedSpksV0vMVtHUAXvGSx-DRouiIvltaEq0n_1-tUfzb2d3aH4_y3COxZ6S1xFdbEt3S3JuBUPisztJ-RA83R3L70Wr9rgMfRsJn/s640/IMG_1629.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I used the tie rack for my long necklaces, belts, and a couple of summer scarves. Much more functional than that weighed-down hanger!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_IwXVRpJPsyebyODjmgUv8JmkkPrKGaJkxMvd2rPTyc6wNek8JUPRxaTOlJ0PCrSZrtkq5GiEilYdw7liCSdAHSljeQIFajIegyfnU69_1w6wuLT49br81W72ZfAJGazf1wI6hA8_p8p/s1600/IMG_1635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_IwXVRpJPsyebyODjmgUv8JmkkPrKGaJkxMvd2rPTyc6wNek8JUPRxaTOlJ0PCrSZrtkq5GiEilYdw7liCSdAHSljeQIFajIegyfnU69_1w6wuLT49br81W72ZfAJGazf1wI6hA8_p8p/s640/IMG_1635.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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My hats were floating around randomly as well. I put two hooks on the wall and hung them up!</div>
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It feels great to de-clutter and simplify my closet. So much neater and more organized! Love it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwylMF8hPXX8_DINuaXShkxuUOGV35FMJrLRlt_zemhcqjbH_EoJWRr9bp7GzTFSKIb5CxZHMzxdo9s-WcVqH7T-2l72-6RfnOG8glWz2HKY28cnKuDxR_U5qhbTyF6m6DtDS8h3fH5lm/s1600/screen-capture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwylMF8hPXX8_DINuaXShkxuUOGV35FMJrLRlt_zemhcqjbH_EoJWRr9bp7GzTFSKIb5CxZHMzxdo9s-WcVqH7T-2l72-6RfnOG8glWz2HKY28cnKuDxR_U5qhbTyF6m6DtDS8h3fH5lm/s640/screen-capture.jpg" width="640" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"> </span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0iGhx9UjljqIpaoHtG_EWtXKo0gBOmLcGDTEc9mMX6HQnpjSuf53NEo7wBkuLPFO5ZFQkLug1Bz7iTfyJUG2bciFxiDyny7UZQAOAqRpi2MXJCECwz-R5NigOKqhdk_ffWWd-Ddew3oT/s1600/screen-capture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0iGhx9UjljqIpaoHtG_EWtXKo0gBOmLcGDTEc9mMX6HQnpjSuf53NEo7wBkuLPFO5ZFQkLug1Bz7iTfyJUG2bciFxiDyny7UZQAOAqRpi2MXJCECwz-R5NigOKqhdk_ffWWd-Ddew3oT/s640/screen-capture.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Part 3 of the Closet Chronicles coming soon ;),</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpgQbw3QIGMQQuxUH4VLvIJ-Eat-009vEfRj7VsBSOR8eGOE3xTb34pAw6wYsmpujQ9I1qOecWBZFfGydRF1nu3sbdlF80ZHnhWXvLYuBrk1-ZAkDG2kGdJE34QuLKjbA7N2asH0UiaDN/s1600/Signature_allJazzedup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpgQbw3QIGMQQuxUH4VLvIJ-Eat-009vEfRj7VsBSOR8eGOE3xTb34pAw6wYsmpujQ9I1qOecWBZFfGydRF1nu3sbdlF80ZHnhWXvLYuBrk1-ZAkDG2kGdJE34QuLKjbA7N2asH0UiaDN/s320/Signature_allJazzedup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Blair Menzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331735230588393220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803544522858170787.post-24336959363124010942012-07-02T11:16:00.001-04:002012-07-02T12:27:54.060-04:00How To Create a Reusable To Do List<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;">I recently finished reading </span><a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blaisundblog-20/detail/B003P2W3B4" style="background-color: white;">The Skinny on Time Management</a><span style="background-color: white;"> by Jim Randel. It is a fantastic, easy one-hour read that definitely made me think about how I manage my time now, and how I would like to manage and spend it in the future. I highly recommend it!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFmx42NYpCVD5s1M2-sDtsTf_fUSzUC-rsUuLNjJluppNj6PIiORq_1T4bk5AMDtUsYQLeP_iPWtfjyBsOoaNkNtLoDjl9h4xOrktd_RTOarvgdZ0yHszGp6XLVGB5KJNqy5dCZ374NlV/s1600/screen-capture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFmx42NYpCVD5s1M2-sDtsTf_fUSzUC-rsUuLNjJluppNj6PIiORq_1T4bk5AMDtUsYQLeP_iPWtfjyBsOoaNkNtLoDjl9h4xOrktd_RTOarvgdZ0yHszGp6XLVGB5KJNqy5dCZ374NlV/s320/screen-capture.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
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Randel wrote this book after reading hundreds of books on time management; it is a compilation of all of the ideas and thoughts on the subject. Even though it seems so simple, Randel's main advice for managing time more effectively is to create a to do list every day. The reason behind it is that visually seeing what needs to be accomplished each day is a bigger incentive to actually do it than most people realize. He even urges list haters to give it a try...ah! I'm telling you too much. You need to read <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blaisundblog-20/detail/B003P2W3B4">the book</a>! It's awesome. (I also highly recommend<a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blaisundblog-20/detail/B003N9C2WO"> The Skinny on Willpower</a> by Jim Randel, blog post coming on that one!)</div>
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Being super type-A, I always create to do lists when I have a lot on my plate or feel stressed about completing everything. I had never thought about making a to do list every day regardless of the importance of the tasks I needed to complete, but I thought it was excellent advice, so I created a reusable dry-erase to do list that I can update daily.</div>
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I headed to Walmart and bought a few inexpensive supplies:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg093QhO3DnkhY4DGjNBl0_e09lr3eQRIx1Yq1vKGn-TmC1CO9Z4OFddXJuo3e54ZI30zNvs0ahRhEW9IhVLYeMfR0Y4B-n4UKbnfkOHr2Y_x3tl4Tg4r5YZLQb_R6R8ts_i2jyPvHXAGt8/s1600/IMG_1645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg093QhO3DnkhY4DGjNBl0_e09lr3eQRIx1Yq1vKGn-TmC1CO9Z4OFddXJuo3e54ZI30zNvs0ahRhEW9IhVLYeMfR0Y4B-n4UKbnfkOHr2Y_x3tl4Tg4r5YZLQb_R6R8ts_i2jyPvHXAGt8/s400/IMG_1645.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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1. A standup sign holder, about $3</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYU9ny3aRTHl2a5KkmG5rCBXuPC2KHpE7LJRZDxLR9Y8ED40c349BCou8rMsT0xqRfCPAQGbT6NoA3MXcuItrgyjlULV6m1LXX9-mTnrZJv-1tyQ48kXiNu4DPyPnWZeknSN9CGdfQfqa/s1600/IMG_1647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYU9ny3aRTHl2a5KkmG5rCBXuPC2KHpE7LJRZDxLR9Y8ED40c349BCou8rMsT0xqRfCPAQGbT6NoA3MXcuItrgyjlULV6m1LXX9-mTnrZJv-1tyQ48kXiNu4DPyPnWZeknSN9CGdfQfqa/s320/IMG_1647.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div>
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2.<a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000000028007181&pid=AZSCOTRF7120X&adurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.unbeatablesales.com%2Fazscotrf7120x.html&usg=AFHzDLuFww5z5L0ez6p_uGBAb8FjLhp0GQ&pubid=550039" rel="nofollow">Scotch Reclosable Hook & Loop Fastener Squares</a>, about $4 (I'll use them on other projects, so it was worth the money.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGmMA_Z3m-YAut-4hLlT1v5DzzLz8VPvRXD0YWDWpERbjarixIosRiIaAiAy6eip3smWi-86t7IaEI95Dhz1Ehudd7V99-BgSGjFyQXGiw6SfZZptqZMFtXPmXurxv27kvvv8TH7gG20J/s1600/IMG_1651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGmMA_Z3m-YAut-4hLlT1v5DzzLz8VPvRXD0YWDWpERbjarixIosRiIaAiAy6eip3smWi-86t7IaEI95Dhz1Ehudd7V99-BgSGjFyQXGiw6SfZZptqZMFtXPmXurxv27kvvv8TH7gG20J/s320/IMG_1651.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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3. A dry-erase marker, pack of two for $2</div>
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When I got back home, I created a to do list printable on the computer. I made sure to leave space at the top of it so that there would be room to put the pen! Here's what it looks like (you can download it if you'd like!...</div>
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<embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="400" src="https://www.box.com/embed/x4c9xycdje2mi3g.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="466" wmode="opaque"></embed>
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Then, I assembled the whole thing. Here are the instructions if you'd like them:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiasV6Te6BV6T-8pZXwvOUqsiR1xyjInfACfY2_o_2ZHdWfoVTT15C1BVC3uhsx45Ai8j7UatXGAnaSZhDxw8JP6fGP5P6S-K-71qEorlQhDBKBemfmKNGwu69vTXI8B9lHUhyphenhyphenKX3qAFpDj/s1600/IMG_1646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiasV6Te6BV6T-8pZXwvOUqsiR1xyjInfACfY2_o_2ZHdWfoVTT15C1BVC3uhsx45Ai8j7UatXGAnaSZhDxw8JP6fGP5P6S-K-71qEorlQhDBKBemfmKNGwu69vTXI8B9lHUhyphenhyphenKX3qAFpDj/s400/IMG_1646.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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1. Print out the to do list and slide it into the plastic holder.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmP80Br6VeiwvPOOurLBVOC1sdAfP579gGmIjFwM-xbHajTR8oRANS-moLl7DgZoxr8R2s6s2bdVEn4t1AgFruqS_9aMz6RCYB1_IQSHMQy4HdTqyFdXIIjSB6WkrMw9r-13wPxcMA0U0/s1600/IMG_1649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmP80Br6VeiwvPOOurLBVOC1sdAfP579gGmIjFwM-xbHajTR8oRANS-moLl7DgZoxr8R2s6s2bdVEn4t1AgFruqS_9aMz6RCYB1_IQSHMQy4HdTqyFdXIIjSB6WkrMw9r-13wPxcMA0U0/s320/IMG_1649.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGmMA_Z3m-YAut-4hLlT1v5DzzLz8VPvRXD0YWDWpERbjarixIosRiIaAiAy6eip3smWi-86t7IaEI95Dhz1Ehudd7V99-BgSGjFyQXGiw6SfZZptqZMFtXPmXurxv27kvvv8TH7gG20J/s1600/IMG_1651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGmMA_Z3m-YAut-4hLlT1v5DzzLz8VPvRXD0YWDWpERbjarixIosRiIaAiAy6eip3smWi-86t7IaEI95Dhz1Ehudd7V99-BgSGjFyQXGiw6SfZZptqZMFtXPmXurxv27kvvv8TH7gG20J/s320/IMG_1651.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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2. Put the hook side of the velcro on the plastic (the rough side) and the loop side (the soft side) on the marker. That way it's comfortable when you write!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHag1-8-NYqoC1ujXCeRLRG5wpnhcTzBehynRBuC-S9ldYD0kRa18Duo96uI47OTz1awANnVHZYjMIb7BkoxSlvPUPlopVN7cD6HRL0h-bJPZ3qlHdrTsU3NTeZA8Lw4ZmMI1wNLdEO0Lx/s1600/IMG_1652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHag1-8-NYqoC1ujXCeRLRG5wpnhcTzBehynRBuC-S9ldYD0kRa18Duo96uI47OTz1awANnVHZYjMIb7BkoxSlvPUPlopVN7cD6HRL0h-bJPZ3qlHdrTsU3NTeZA8Lw4ZmMI1wNLdEO0Lx/s400/IMG_1652.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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3. Velcro the dry-erase marker to your list...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21zeUkEF5Q6D5Md8XlTH1Rh2HOkwHVgiped5vRPBe4nCzG-BUaqcUFBz7t5B_tAbLxR655jSfJocUX7RIEn_bQ9FyX7UJn8qNvd5VMbHgisDjVsqC6IEdge44_WdCc3838IwwDoCerfup/s1600/IMG_1653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21zeUkEF5Q6D5Md8XlTH1Rh2HOkwHVgiped5vRPBe4nCzG-BUaqcUFBz7t5B_tAbLxR655jSfJocUX7RIEn_bQ9FyX7UJn8qNvd5VMbHgisDjVsqC6IEdge44_WdCc3838IwwDoCerfup/s400/IMG_1653.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBP7rV5kgcJO_wjIRy6gsNd481wThANbgj8azaX8TdhMhyphenhyphenVCmGR3-ehAolbLcVne6Es9FToMHEMaVy5YJc7XdOOyjVxStj_25WD7FPQ-oB54BMko06yMh97jJvS1v4-Xvc89sNFemgo1R/s1600/IMG_1654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBP7rV5kgcJO_wjIRy6gsNd481wThANbgj8azaX8TdhMhyphenhyphenVCmGR3-ehAolbLcVne6Es9FToMHEMaVy5YJc7XdOOyjVxStj_25WD7FPQ-oB54BMko06yMh97jJvS1v4-Xvc89sNFemgo1R/s400/IMG_1654.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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4. Write what you need <b>to do</b>! And bask in the glory of your pretty new reusable list :)</div>
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How do you manage your time? Have you read any of Jim Randel's books?</div>
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Going to cross things off my list, </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpgQbw3QIGMQQuxUH4VLvIJ-Eat-009vEfRj7VsBSOR8eGOE3xTb34pAw6wYsmpujQ9I1qOecWBZFfGydRF1nu3sbdlF80ZHnhWXvLYuBrk1-ZAkDG2kGdJE34QuLKjbA7N2asH0UiaDN/s1600/Signature_allJazzedup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpgQbw3QIGMQQuxUH4VLvIJ-Eat-009vEfRj7VsBSOR8eGOE3xTb34pAw6wYsmpujQ9I1qOecWBZFfGydRF1nu3sbdlF80ZHnhWXvLYuBrk1-ZAkDG2kGdJE34QuLKjbA7N2asH0UiaDN/s320/Signature_allJazzedup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Blair Menzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331735230588393220noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803544522858170787.post-59819818372966834432012-06-30T18:15:00.002-04:002012-06-30T18:17:15.847-04:00#10: Sleepy Eyes and a SunriseThis morning, I headed home from vacation way early (like woke up at 5am and left at 6am early!). Even though my tired self was dragging and sleepy, I remembered to snap a few photos of the beautiful sunrise. Well, I was driving, so John took most of the photos, but the point is that they were taken as proof that I completed #10 on my <a href="http://blairsunderland.blogspot.com/2012/04/summer-2012-wish-list.html">Summer 2012 Wish List</a>!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKTO6EF1oWFESJdjbHEOzqkXqkWE5hpMIEGmbkcZn4nt2XzWKCzzthZbRHnIQcqD0nNI0R3VltvTqCQSh5VGHrtBKQ72VXUIN4ZXQOo9KrGOZfqP11BhFNudhPPlaPz2qrCixZv5jiz8i/s1600/IMG_1594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKTO6EF1oWFESJdjbHEOzqkXqkWE5hpMIEGmbkcZn4nt2XzWKCzzthZbRHnIQcqD0nNI0R3VltvTqCQSh5VGHrtBKQ72VXUIN4ZXQOo9KrGOZfqP11BhFNudhPPlaPz2qrCixZv5jiz8i/s640/IMG_1594.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is just an amazing shot, what with the window glare and the rear-view mirror...breathtaking, really. ;) (The sunrise <i>is</i> pretty!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcrGJtTQyE-7Jhz_OK-gklsPBs1ELaN2tHs63SJInfPw2PFlP4cbxUukxDkWRT0lZwd6IjHCsQ73XNV6n-uU0HpZYaa5KpSNAvgPT9LJct6KUL0Ow_3x6IGu6hZ40XuhGpd6q-soOxd6l/s1600/IMG_1596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcrGJtTQyE-7Jhz_OK-gklsPBs1ELaN2tHs63SJInfPw2PFlP4cbxUukxDkWRT0lZwd6IjHCsQ73XNV6n-uU0HpZYaa5KpSNAvgPT9LJct6KUL0Ow_3x6IGu6hZ40XuhGpd6q-soOxd6l/s640/IMG_1596.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Clearly, it was early. I look like it's the first time I've seen a road and John is struggling to wake up.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSYwToMbOF5M4HQ0U9OPBJTtz_-m2Drg-W96A4EOGDVtc65C6m88IhOzVYKFXKL1MU42JG5Slq5CcrP2adn57nOzE8czuCE_mxV6OVh3RW93I-Vbn9Shs-b0YSMLRAloXdgEqtU7r9qOY/s1600/IMG_1598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSYwToMbOF5M4HQ0U9OPBJTtz_-m2Drg-W96A4EOGDVtc65C6m88IhOzVYKFXKL1MU42JG5Slq5CcrP2adn57nOzE8czuCE_mxV6OVh3RW93I-Vbn9Shs-b0YSMLRAloXdgEqtU7r9qOY/s640/IMG_1598.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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If only the Kangaroo sign were a little to the left or the right... </div>
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Although capturing a sunrise while flying down the highway at 70mph proved to be more than a little difficult, I'm pleased that I was up early enough to watch the sun a-risin'. Cross that one off the list!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikooO3C0XVCKOJAtG-S7gXyYpeXIAofZ6Vp0ZsiTAIRKFoE9HtJm8fy7mhyphenhyphenEHQWn8kVLJn1EVLrVu-jx3uhIFqFVrdiNy_hjLrYZhS8CBmanOWjo96jmYUjOFmXZDkSgs5uTDT7pVVRope/s1600/TO_EDITSummer2012WishList.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikooO3C0XVCKOJAtG-S7gXyYpeXIAofZ6Vp0ZsiTAIRKFoE9HtJm8fy7mhyphenhyphenEHQWn8kVLJn1EVLrVu-jx3uhIFqFVrdiNy_hjLrYZhS8CBmanOWjo96jmYUjOFmXZDkSgs5uTDT7pVVRope/s640/TO_EDITSummer2012WishList.jpg" width="446" /></a></div>
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Anyone else seen a beautiful sunrise lately? It's worth it!</div>
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~B</div>
<br />Blair Menzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331735230588393220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803544522858170787.post-22536556145412095072012-06-28T17:21:00.004-04:002012-06-28T17:25:00.464-04:00Here Are a Few of My...Favorite things, of course! What did you think I was going to say? You may have noticed a brand spankin' new tab here on my blog. Or you may not have--either way, check it out! (I should tell you that if you click on it, you'll be redirected to another site. So hold your horses for a hot second and I'll explain!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2YGHyfapM2qDbWsBd1MDS13282AQGZH5Vf-nbVm6WoETeKNbG1dpJo53kmK-UHLnn04Wxk7YN-5EpMT-e6HoWufZt8ptQcH34cjCnyubk302T7TdTe2crW7Bu0tU54e14aNbR9FZGL2k/s1600/screen-capture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2YGHyfapM2qDbWsBd1MDS13282AQGZH5Vf-nbVm6WoETeKNbG1dpJo53kmK-UHLnn04Wxk7YN-5EpMT-e6HoWufZt8ptQcH34cjCnyubk302T7TdTe2crW7Bu0tU54e14aNbR9FZGL2k/s640/screen-capture.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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This little tab was born out of my unending love for <a href="http://amazon.com/">amazon.com</a>. I absolutely, positively, intensely LOVE Amazon. I purchase everything from Amazon, from toothpaste to textbooks to shampoo to sunglasses. I'm not kidding--I've purchased every single one of those things from Amazon in the past.<br />
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If you click on my "Favorite Things" tab, you'll be redirected to my Amazon Store, where you can see some of my favorite items that I've purchased from the site. So far, there are nine items (plus my Wish List, which are things that I haven't bought yet). Under each item is a little blurb as to why I love that item. Here's what you'll find...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmOF8Vli-UZWVeH-uCt7V9cCHymdvqQXJiIoLKgq7y8lya3GMmj1UEu_erGmoPuDj1eGeHa4qR6dI8HleCJurA8kk6u-ikGgwxsef-RVJZ1JEmGykbOucrWuQBtBcdloeNbRapFTfyjrV/s1600/screen-capture-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmOF8Vli-UZWVeH-uCt7V9cCHymdvqQXJiIoLKgq7y8lya3GMmj1UEu_erGmoPuDj1eGeHa4qR6dI8HleCJurA8kk6u-ikGgwxsef-RVJZ1JEmGykbOucrWuQBtBcdloeNbRapFTfyjrV/s640/screen-capture-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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One of the reasons why I buy nearly everything online is because I like reading reviews before I purchase an item. It gives me a peace of mind to know that I'm buying a product that has worked for other people.<br />
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Even while I always check online reviews before investing, I trust the opinions of my friends and family first. Because of that, <span style="background-color: white;">I figured that maybe, just maybe, my thoughts on my favorite products would help someone else make a purchase decision! If not, I've enjoyed creating my little store.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Be sure to check back later! I will add more products and reviews.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Amazon love,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">~B</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">P.S.- If you check out my store, and decide you'd like to return to my blog, simply click "Blair Sunderland Blogs" at the bottom of the page.</span>Blair Menzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331735230588393220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803544522858170787.post-34480324840471994522012-06-26T14:10:00.000-04:002012-06-27T18:59:33.737-04:00#8: I'm Done Checkin' Them Out...Done checking <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Hunger-Games-Trilogy-Boxed/dp/0545265355/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340733431&sr=8-1&keywords=the+hunger+games+trilogy">The Hunger Games</a> trilogy out of the library that is! Crossing number eight off of my <a href="http://blairsunderland.blogspot.com/2012/04/summer-2012-wish-list.html">Summer 2012 Wish List</a>, I definitely read a great book--er, books. That's right, folks. After months of fighting the Hunger Games obsession that was sweeping the nation, I gave in and read the trilogy cover to cover. And I have to admit--I'm glad I did.<br />
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<a href="https://smalltownrevelations.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/hunger_games_trilogy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://smalltownrevelations.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/hunger_games_trilogy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Suzanne Collins, hats off to you! These books are appealing to any age from 9 to 99--but really! Currently, both my 82 year old grandmother and 10 year old cousin are reading the series and both are loving the books!<br />
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I saw the movie based on the first book, and thought it was very well done as well considering the breadth of information, details, and special effects needed to execute it. But back to the books.<br />
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I have to say, I enjoyed reading the first two books much more than the third. However, the third was necessary to tie up the trilogy and give readers some sense of closure. (Sounds like a bad break-up, doesn't it?)<br />
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If you haven't already read the books, I would recommend The Hunger Games. They're a great summer read and will<b> </b>stretch your imagination big time! There's another thing crossed off of my list!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDAJiBTylfWN8tL8w7DTEEUK_2oyc_yNS238bQXbsEWv7SVTyhws1imjpCQ9jU5SdOQniOffdGC52qvvp8HumAh8CiGsu3QYZt-BBMgzc86BoxyFIfvtF64iRw_Sj4MIert4w_Wqk3ggr/s1600/newest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDAJiBTylfWN8tL8w7DTEEUK_2oyc_yNS238bQXbsEWv7SVTyhws1imjpCQ9jU5SdOQniOffdGC52qvvp8HumAh8CiGsu3QYZt-BBMgzc86BoxyFIfvtF64iRw_Sj4MIert4w_Wqk3ggr/s640/newest.jpg" width="446" /></a></div>
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Anyone read The Hunger Games? What'd you think?<br />
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Looking for another book to stick my nose in,<br />
~BBlair Menzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331735230588393220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803544522858170787.post-70620120101396986952012-06-26T13:39:00.001-04:002012-06-29T18:30:40.256-04:00#13: Getting Hershey Park Happy<span style="background-color: white;">A couple of weeks ago, John and I headed to the "sweetest place on earth," Hershey Park in Hershey, Pennsylvania! Not only do I love the rides at Hershey, I love-love-love the chocolatey goodness found throughout (fresh Reese's s'mores anyone?). Spending a day at Hershey Park was part of my </span><a href="http://blairsunderland.blogspot.com/2012/04/summer-2012-wish-list.html" style="background-color: white;">Summer 2012 Wish List</a><span style="background-color: white;">, and we loved it!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOWzEs5dkwraggC9I-TeTYXm-AQdnc2rzChMN_jRQFRTEnY3vbKXpUyW8d2J8q9qS56OxZU-sQiYELi4VgRIEj_7MnIA3096V-2voMrhhdFihggbYnR1xAezNbsOo_xClFF5lSFSID9j2/s1600/IMG_1445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOWzEs5dkwraggC9I-TeTYXm-AQdnc2rzChMN_jRQFRTEnY3vbKXpUyW8d2J8q9qS56OxZU-sQiYELi4VgRIEj_7MnIA3096V-2voMrhhdFihggbYnR1xAezNbsOo_xClFF5lSFSID9j2/s640/IMG_1445.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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A photo with the Hershey's Milk Chocolate bar, of course! (I wrangled John into this one big time!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMOUUzsBXDdFfV2exAk1OLACI5U42cJraAS-wSP-Lp6WYcsXZddTJUVqM3QsBm4vRrmhG-8BTCGXJceJvupQXW_SBJ1CApxKBxFqqhlfrcq0yovOfsgaYj7mkcwWP2hycj10PFULH2iiN/s1600/IMG_1443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMOUUzsBXDdFfV2exAk1OLACI5U42cJraAS-wSP-Lp6WYcsXZddTJUVqM3QsBm4vRrmhG-8BTCGXJceJvupQXW_SBJ1CApxKBxFqqhlfrcq0yovOfsgaYj7mkcwWP2hycj10PFULH2iiN/s640/IMG_1443.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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One of the highlights of my day was the sea lion show. I stinkin' love those shows! How cute is she?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OmZZFTSaroI66rmKDnZhkToeJxeDZEU8CeECy9jRDgz8EcX0GN6kSvRIuQ473sCUAQx3JlKh_oJrUqhIIyofC9IKU3OCy40f5fOajmK11u-mBtIQfwV7RnadGlFKi2wVQOzsSQi5fZXA/s1600/IMG_1440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OmZZFTSaroI66rmKDnZhkToeJxeDZEU8CeECy9jRDgz8EcX0GN6kSvRIuQ473sCUAQx3JlKh_oJrUqhIIyofC9IKU3OCy40f5fOajmK11u-mBtIQfwV7RnadGlFKi2wVQOzsSQi5fZXA/s640/IMG_1440.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here we are in the stands waiting for the sea lions to do their thang. I desperately wanted to be called out of the audience to do tricks with the animals, but I'm too shy to jump up and down in the crowd! That's on my bucket list! :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9gzW8DbvHFgW_TEu9OUTr6gN7xIg34r1LvFAkgvbxHFqsKJe6iiKeU0hdXEl1TwCCq-gwJE0G-Syp7EhYxXH1dVGG1OVu5PeYdBo8dCxUjXLt8EzTtsTd5FCTOdV_J8j8-PlnsVbQcAS/s1600/539971_10150945198964547_818100900_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9gzW8DbvHFgW_TEu9OUTr6gN7xIg34r1LvFAkgvbxHFqsKJe6iiKeU0hdXEl1TwCCq-gwJE0G-Syp7EhYxXH1dVGG1OVu5PeYdBo8dCxUjXLt8EzTtsTd5FCTOdV_J8j8-PlnsVbQcAS/s640/539971_10150945198964547_818100900_n.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Excuse the fuzzy photo (it was taken with my iPhone...aren't iPhones supposed to have great cameras?!). We're at the top of the ferris wheel, where the sweet lady operating the ride let us go for 20 minutes! </div>
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We even braved the brand-new this year coaster, SkyRush. It is the tallest, fastest, and longest coaster that Hershey has to offer! It was a blast! Check out this video of the coaster if you'd like--hehe!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/UkFQ0twe-Aw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Anyway, we had a fantastic day! Another bullet to cross off my list.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZzJG-DUGZaIOvfMTfr460tAL80kJL7IlsVLlk5zZAsy0sJtMle3NiE064w_y9t9KYS33GVK6J_eShfLk1816mAn4cjuF61NDnXBK2xU7PkJnC87ucZczLs88R9ptcKtZlUExdIvv31Bp/s1600/hersheypark_Summer2012WishList.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZzJG-DUGZaIOvfMTfr460tAL80kJL7IlsVLlk5zZAsy0sJtMle3NiE064w_y9t9KYS33GVK6J_eShfLk1816mAn4cjuF61NDnXBK2xU7PkJnC87ucZczLs88R9ptcKtZlUExdIvv31Bp/s640/hersheypark_Summer2012WishList.jpg" width="446" /></a></div>
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Anyone else been to a fun amusement park lately? Any <a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000000005217789&pid=23154015&adurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.officemax.com%2Foffice-supplies%2Fbreakroom-cleaning%2Fbreakroom-supplies%2Fcandy-snacks%2Fchocolate-candy%2Fproduct-prod3590008%3Fcm_mmc%3DPerformics-_-Office%2520Supplies-_-Breakroom%2520and%2520Cleaning-_-Breakroom%2520Supplies%26ci_src%3D14110944%26ci_sku%3D23154015&usg=AFHzDLsXWaHPZLLttPhT-iPtd8jutHsevg&pubid=550039" rel="nofollow">Hershey</a> lovers? (I'm a Kit-Kat kinda gal myself!) </div>
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<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="200" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6631428.3897;sz=200x200;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000005217789;pid=23154042;usg=AFHzDLtydH40UuIOKiAbLQBheSW5wmMvZw;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.officemax.com%252Foffice-supplies%252Fbreakroom-cleaning%252Fbreakroom-supplies%252Fcandy-snacks%252Fchocolate-candy%252Fproduct-prod3580032%253Fcm_mmc%253DPerformics-_-Office%252520Supplies-_-Breakroom%252520and%252520Cleaning-_-Breakroom%252520Supplies%2526ci_src%253D14110944%2526ci_sku%253D23154042;pubid=550039;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.officemax.com%2Fcatalog%2Fimages%2F397x353%2F23154042i_02.jpg;width=200;height=177" vspace="0" width="200"></iframe></div>
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[Hershey] Kisses, </div>
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<br /></div>Blair Menzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331735230588393220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803544522858170787.post-9100067634499393822012-06-22T13:43:00.000-04:002012-06-22T22:20:24.196-04:00Organizing a Cluttered BathroomWhen I arrived home from Spain, one of the first things that I did was take a long, hot shower in my own bathroom. About halfway through my relaxing shower I realized that the organizational state of the bathroom I share with my two siblings just wouldn't do. One afternoon, I spent several hours cleaning it all out...<br />
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First, some before photos, of course. The shower was one of the worst offenders. It had tons of half-empty bottles with no place to store them. They ended up sitting around the ledge of the tub where they would fall on your feet as you shower and give you no place to rest your legs while you shave them!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLC1_X0rw_mYfGBvtfsKq8vp7ORiDmfgPmH1JzmUeVU5gFMi5attof8B4wpseP2M6avyjjVuuqS1wRgUUs0vhFRu7qGV8HByhPXcVJ2SdX5Xb-mpCLVoK4rRRs7cAFgk1EAugr9wh9kGL/s1600/IMG_1409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLC1_X0rw_mYfGBvtfsKq8vp7ORiDmfgPmH1JzmUeVU5gFMi5attof8B4wpseP2M6avyjjVuuqS1wRgUUs0vhFRu7qGV8HByhPXcVJ2SdX5Xb-mpCLVoK4rRRs7cAFgk1EAugr9wh9kGL/s400/IMG_1409.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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This plastic bin was cracked and damaged, so the products would fall out often. Ouch!</div>
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The medicine cabinet above the sink is a great size, but it was being totally underutilized due to the mass of tall products and lack of tall shelves.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV20wpo-2cSUuBbqMZRTsZW7dWVOaplzpa55H_hDqX0g8p9XyU9QcsJhuk5LXPU3XUS7TeI4-9U-noqCzYMRZH-2Jv-VlN9ERr1N8n8_fGfS_ZsNdDM7XJ1MVOns8oz2mMyP89Qm9FzMGC/s1600/IMG_1427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV20wpo-2cSUuBbqMZRTsZW7dWVOaplzpa55H_hDqX0g8p9XyU9QcsJhuk5LXPU3XUS7TeI4-9U-noqCzYMRZH-2Jv-VlN9ERr1N8n8_fGfS_ZsNdDM7XJ1MVOns8oz2mMyP89Qm9FzMGC/s320/IMG_1427.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EcJVlbWUB-RBZw2GeyXkR14yrMW3XftiC-f7Oq2m1aYaIPKmxDd2-Iu3bIHn_0PC8b_8Wc96avUXfk6DWO3H8li7J4MdVw-UKTr_QtHsljgg0e7DJT9IVPpJ2988gVJenpMTpF9x5SSe/s1600/IMG_1424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EcJVlbWUB-RBZw2GeyXkR14yrMW3XftiC-f7Oq2m1aYaIPKmxDd2-Iu3bIHn_0PC8b_8Wc96avUXfk6DWO3H8li7J4MdVw-UKTr_QtHsljgg0e7DJT9IVPpJ2988gVJenpMTpF9x5SSe/s320/IMG_1424.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">The drawers were a whole different story!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1GCwDvCkGRa31bY2qZZwzIUI67YfGeJbhTUcTKDTTFkzDtj_z5l0K03voJDKZu6bDqCeAz-XCGiMc8VWtS1tjSrOAsUqXvjAO2_UOPjx9oIE9OXHIHXcPadfbd4_wiYDvg2JXgq5DHp3/s1600/IMG_1425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1GCwDvCkGRa31bY2qZZwzIUI67YfGeJbhTUcTKDTTFkzDtj_z5l0K03voJDKZu6bDqCeAz-XCGiMc8VWtS1tjSrOAsUqXvjAO2_UOPjx9oIE9OXHIHXcPadfbd4_wiYDvg2JXgq5DHp3/s400/IMG_1425.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Second to the shower--perhaps just as bad, was under the sink. </div>
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So here's what happened: I put down large beach towels in the hall, and pulled <i>every single thing</i> out of the shower and all of the cabinets and drawers. I threw out old, empty product bottles. Then I wiped down everything with some 409.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTq5hKyQocq3YYdpTAKrCNMCqUcwZ19UVFd_NfCqXFv5Jpwb1qezv43uJMKWRsqwXNAWX-sMa4B8UXn-qEf3TN41QpZ5MnctfJ9Vg6tQJhQa-d-mGGd7zPC97hUEluYfQizsm035rXh2oK/s1600/IMG_1414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTq5hKyQocq3YYdpTAKrCNMCqUcwZ19UVFd_NfCqXFv5Jpwb1qezv43uJMKWRsqwXNAWX-sMa4B8UXn-qEf3TN41QpZ5MnctfJ9Vg6tQJhQa-d-mGGd7zPC97hUEluYfQizsm035rXh2oK/s400/IMG_1414.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpaG5wwgoO03u2edE_MdMZ9T5AWTrGcmxNtbQi-pXKdnfvyKCNDEjGZSz0r-niRS9M2wJ5xIlCAOK4rzW8pt7Qj4DI5TqiOftcIjGB_I3aiy7G-_Xbye3ZhVZwfXrp-Y29FtBl7cAwLaq/s1600/IMG_1429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpaG5wwgoO03u2edE_MdMZ9T5AWTrGcmxNtbQi-pXKdnfvyKCNDEjGZSz0r-niRS9M2wJ5xIlCAOK4rzW8pt7Qj4DI5TqiOftcIjGB_I3aiy7G-_Xbye3ZhVZwfXrp-Y29FtBl7cAwLaq/s400/IMG_1429.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2zDyX0x4HxA66-RWOONFpDke50gZ_r-R84YRT1tRHuz2cDxVS9RQzQ6vn9tpobqcrrlSVrJIJ4JqHB06SC2JXeVuXap0Qdtu8A7fiyeH7qjgpD7z5dQtzXcPLnnJEhJofZYECC_GVdDI/s1600/IMG_1413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2zDyX0x4HxA66-RWOONFpDke50gZ_r-R84YRT1tRHuz2cDxVS9RQzQ6vn9tpobqcrrlSVrJIJ4JqHB06SC2JXeVuXap0Qdtu8A7fiyeH7qjgpD7z5dQtzXcPLnnJEhJofZYECC_GVdDI/s400/IMG_1413.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Next, I assembled a tension rod with three baskets from Target for around 30 dollars. You can find a similar one from Kohls <a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000000000342669&pid=972707&adurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kohls.com%2Fupgrade%2Fwebstore%2Fproduct_page.jsp%3FPRODUCT%253C%253Eprd_id%3D845524892864650%26mr%3AtrackingCode%3D1C523002-0149-E111-930D-001517B188A2%26mr%3AreferralID%3DNA&usg=AFHzDLtE1c2z0gWmojEFl8UViE6pTd3PCQ&pubid=550039" rel="nofollow">here</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBB39lOwUE8VWLrVkQjppdEoAhQZ3Vx4x_cYC6gS-NWtnLW2vsr53ZIATQ3FBNxEtg56dXsWUckgpqk5WLQyzx44wWYKkCsW3DdrhZlcsc5WGVesufOcO5PBmQ9rYewyFvWo3kua4rEqz/s1600/IMG_1421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBB39lOwUE8VWLrVkQjppdEoAhQZ3Vx4x_cYC6gS-NWtnLW2vsr53ZIATQ3FBNxEtg56dXsWUckgpqk5WLQyzx44wWYKkCsW3DdrhZlcsc5WGVesufOcO5PBmQ9rYewyFvWo3kua4rEqz/s320/IMG_1421.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71EE5qvtbqYP8IjZykzu38o65WOz8X35IU-Tdcvt3A7mHprd4wXfIonAvaU9Vl-rAIFdxhpAcRdYUFyVxSsxuGQSJPqdpnzmzA11Cdjl77TGV_tYLBjA2Yr9NNS322wrcqL4ZG5x6mW8c/s1600/IMG_1418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71EE5qvtbqYP8IjZykzu38o65WOz8X35IU-Tdcvt3A7mHprd4wXfIonAvaU9Vl-rAIFdxhpAcRdYUFyVxSsxuGQSJPqdpnzmzA11Cdjl77TGV_tYLBjA2Yr9NNS322wrcqL4ZG5x6mW8c/s320/IMG_1418.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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After wiping down the bathtub ring and the ceiling, I installed the rod in the corner of our shower and put all of the products that had been cluttering the tub in it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUrgV5aYVxmPs73yatrpv_9H99BTuIdnRNgbclXy7XltCBsoOLK_tmnE6B6hTREnz5YfykGmOdOAaeDtPJypEw0Vj9N8bSIR9-A0SbmkRgrvu1__4BwAffDkTspOn-96w54PCdWjmugcf/s1600/IMG_1422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUrgV5aYVxmPs73yatrpv_9H99BTuIdnRNgbclXy7XltCBsoOLK_tmnE6B6hTREnz5YfykGmOdOAaeDtPJypEw0Vj9N8bSIR9-A0SbmkRgrvu1__4BwAffDkTspOn-96w54PCdWjmugcf/s640/IMG_1422.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The hanging shower caddy got a clean-up as well.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvM_R__KODniMiqVrtq3qg_ylMToiZoip8-ooeIpISI59UXCb4EAGdipkOqM3vpQAi7oJDOu4gIfSSgSUUbwGdm42yaqaiWKAqZZ3tfgsWeqhZklC38dKXLoTzlcXRZAlSRFBKbwjbW2st/s1600/IMG_1428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvM_R__KODniMiqVrtq3qg_ylMToiZoip8-ooeIpISI59UXCb4EAGdipkOqM3vpQAi7oJDOu4gIfSSgSUUbwGdm42yaqaiWKAqZZ3tfgsWeqhZklC38dKXLoTzlcXRZAlSRFBKbwjbW2st/s640/IMG_1428.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Under-the-sink products were condensed into two baskets--one for extra products and one for cleaning supplies.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlV49WQlYxddp6kHDV6pA2-PG2_32K0BoA9K1UFUeiDeMyQltSbh-Mn3QNZEt_R-ltiB58NDeIN1sl8dcIdwMi8VZ1b-zhEQco9DXwKfUW29yWnhaYN0g675sx7Rby-mnNIN4z6cU0oNhf/s1600/IMG_1431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlV49WQlYxddp6kHDV6pA2-PG2_32K0BoA9K1UFUeiDeMyQltSbh-Mn3QNZEt_R-ltiB58NDeIN1sl8dcIdwMi8VZ1b-zhEQco9DXwKfUW29yWnhaYN0g675sx7Rby-mnNIN4z6cU0oNhf/s400/IMG_1431.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I divided the medicine cabinet/mirror into five different sections: hair products, face and acne products, razors and shaving, skincare, and eyecare. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSyr65Gyef5aQU05YTraj9mA8mCEpvJKXtq7XRUVWthrSlC6i13Tv5UKSiaEcrZ-07W2_kn8CrEoWCUwKccAO6NN_TUj1qkJGtLwb8uzYbNxLmMbBHE9JwxfxJ-_Ky-sG6vbr5Z1zL9A4n/s1600/IMG_1433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSyr65Gyef5aQU05YTraj9mA8mCEpvJKXtq7XRUVWthrSlC6i13Tv5UKSiaEcrZ-07W2_kn8CrEoWCUwKccAO6NN_TUj1qkJGtLwb8uzYbNxLmMbBHE9JwxfxJ-_Ky-sG6vbr5Z1zL9A4n/s320/IMG_1433.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghj53E3pwlBIlk6JlvG0HcbDY_jd7JzPDtc8LknG0M-PMbFsumkleFwvUy0MsnwXnCZCWOZH25fI7axJvLKrPBNOJ7PrnRzVCSK1LdvTjqIXrvNnLtY4JeS0oNHRdDfrWMZlUqwzTbTATB/s1600/IMG_1432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghj53E3pwlBIlk6JlvG0HcbDY_jd7JzPDtc8LknG0M-PMbFsumkleFwvUy0MsnwXnCZCWOZH25fI7axJvLKrPBNOJ7PrnRzVCSK1LdvTjqIXrvNnLtY4JeS0oNHRdDfrWMZlUqwzTbTATB/s320/IMG_1432.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciciVAPqrHQ3iHijT3mdBOgasOuyBlWkUS45OnjbTnbEzSdqO8n3zCdLFf-pf6vzVrv7r_UlqfZnMp6GypBIyNWy059y2B64mov502YtNUBEPzmTA8T7WtsgOZloyrzkTLdiODHSpNAfF/s1600/IMG_1434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciciVAPqrHQ3iHijT3mdBOgasOuyBlWkUS45OnjbTnbEzSdqO8n3zCdLFf-pf6vzVrv7r_UlqfZnMp6GypBIyNWy059y2B64mov502YtNUBEPzmTA8T7WtsgOZloyrzkTLdiODHSpNAfF/s400/IMG_1434.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeD0xsfdJeU7NY5iBZD-2-cKutOhiIa_K3Rkb6rQzYj0aTE9aAkNVdeYl4h_TrpPIKbOPp4lZDqLVVeW7Z_zhiyc2Xlho3N55qG9f6hQIHacWE3ksQEqsGXsgU1qDzJyqFU1JMdVHEcq-Q/s1600/IMG_1435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeD0xsfdJeU7NY5iBZD-2-cKutOhiIa_K3Rkb6rQzYj0aTE9aAkNVdeYl4h_TrpPIKbOPp4lZDqLVVeW7Z_zhiyc2Xlho3N55qG9f6hQIHacWE3ksQEqsGXsgU1qDzJyqFU1JMdVHEcq-Q/s320/IMG_1435.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7ktV7gFeXFmuhTafObITLadYSFWOx9tGgdAnNCa0P65JA3gAXE7zDjfE-VfvyvvxCA7M4e1bz_e-9uQlRuqc2BP2IZBsSjmtfeiIVmnEAVo7mV0NplXTLPEo_Ngcv_Vc31KPoPIVpWyW/s1600/IMG_1436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7ktV7gFeXFmuhTafObITLadYSFWOx9tGgdAnNCa0P65JA3gAXE7zDjfE-VfvyvvxCA7M4e1bz_e-9uQlRuqc2BP2IZBsSjmtfeiIVmnEAVo7mV0NplXTLPEo_Ngcv_Vc31KPoPIVpWyW/s640/IMG_1436.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's a shot of the five sections. The sixth is empty so that we always have a bit of space to put our toothbrushes and other items that live on the countertop away when company comes over. Because of the way the cabinet is built, it is impossible to remove the shelves without first removing the mirrored doors. So instead of removing all three doors and risk shattering them, I stacked them together to make one extra-thick shelf. Having two tall shelves instead of four short ones makes the cabinet much more usable.</div>
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Here are some side-by-side before and after shots of my bathroom organization project:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtXEIllipHwiTZwJKLZtYV1Uyk0n26MNLaqVvzM1HNludw41cPmOM_GsOVyB891uYi5jWQ0kNg-F99cohlRqfc3gkFrMPflOrDkPfUhwzEkfTMWPaXmMxP71jTUDyTjVzAn8EPTYGOE-3/s1600/medicinecabinet.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtXEIllipHwiTZwJKLZtYV1Uyk0n26MNLaqVvzM1HNludw41cPmOM_GsOVyB891uYi5jWQ0kNg-F99cohlRqfc3gkFrMPflOrDkPfUhwzEkfTMWPaXmMxP71jTUDyTjVzAn8EPTYGOE-3/s640/medicinecabinet.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKf4Q3Rp6nbaZzWUMYatgX57_v-DonU64AoyUPOsl2OgK6ygxV8XbdCLxO8RVSGJOVMjazxslYIo5tQU4WC9JTNIsIabW1Cms6a4hQhiyNgQdiZg1p_c1iFBmxV5XZsrGMA6p-hiBZZFc4/s1600/showercaddy.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKf4Q3Rp6nbaZzWUMYatgX57_v-DonU64AoyUPOsl2OgK6ygxV8XbdCLxO8RVSGJOVMjazxslYIo5tQU4WC9JTNIsIabW1Cms6a4hQhiyNgQdiZg1p_c1iFBmxV5XZsrGMA6p-hiBZZFc4/s640/showercaddy.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhD3pj44BhLix3uLf1emNfnRenx5XQDvO-nrNsN92A3VaR5jylMjqBzLrhB89QJIZqU-uug1s79mj1UUZLqHXAoMXkWhVqRLMHSAd_xUchlmj2cPnGPV4CHOqjj9jKxYaiiMUmelQn-JS/s1600/shower.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhD3pj44BhLix3uLf1emNfnRenx5XQDvO-nrNsN92A3VaR5jylMjqBzLrhB89QJIZqU-uug1s79mj1UUZLqHXAoMXkWhVqRLMHSAd_xUchlmj2cPnGPV4CHOqjj9jKxYaiiMUmelQn-JS/s640/shower.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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All this organization and cleaning make for a pretty and clean place to get pretty and clean! :)</div>
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~B</div>Blair Menzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331735230588393220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803544522858170787.post-80310152432754616692012-06-14T09:08:00.000-04:002012-06-14T09:08:06.458-04:00HOW Do You Do That?I'm in a long distance relationship. A super long distance relationship. Like 23 hours apart for the first five months and the Atlantic Ocean for the next four when I was in Spain and he was in Texas. But, it's been <b>nine</b> months with John! And we're making it! People ask me all the time, "How do you do that??" So here are a few ways we've been making it work...<br />
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1. <b>Phone calls, Skype, and Texting can cut the distance in half. </b>J and I spend a lot of time communicating with one another. We're in touch most of the time by sending texts throughout the day, just so we stay in the loop with what the other one's up to. Most days, we talk on the phone for a bit, and once or twice a week we Skype for a few hours. While I was in Spain, this looked a bit differently, of course. But we still texted daily, and Skyped two or three times a week.</div>
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2. <b>Sending handwritten letters bring big smiles. </b>One of the many reasons that I am very grateful for my long distance relationship is the huge box of letters that I have from John. These days, almost no couples get the privilege of mailing handwritten letters to one another. Unlike texts and e-mails, I will always have these little tangible snippets of our relationship! They're so precious to me. I also think that there is a special quality about letters...sometimes you truly can express what you want to say just a little bit better when you write it out :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKXoMTZmuiipGHY7AAGhJvzZajcINlPgfkPJWSNgR7OKrClP-5v_C3GpAOCrhgMErKeNO43G2YTqonxZ7fphtpSAgoJUqseeM-FURLK3TGSe-RrNa1cvlGsmMNmWZ8PwSZvEpMOSj_6qa/s1600/letters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKXoMTZmuiipGHY7AAGhJvzZajcINlPgfkPJWSNgR7OKrClP-5v_C3GpAOCrhgMErKeNO43G2YTqonxZ7fphtpSAgoJUqseeM-FURLK3TGSe-RrNa1cvlGsmMNmWZ8PwSZvEpMOSj_6qa/s400/letters.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here are a few of the letters I've received...there are <i>many</i> more!</div>
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3. <b>The calendar should always have the next time you'll see each other. </b>There's never more than a few days that we don't have our next trip planned to see one another. That way, we always have something to look forward to. The anticipation that builds up before we see each other after months apart is like Christmas Eve! :)<br />
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4. <b>Sending packages is fun for both the sender and receiver. </b> We make a point to send each other packages often--at least once every couple of weeks, sometimes more. Often times I send John homemade cookies or brownies, and he'll send me one of his baseball hats or t-shirts (one time he even sent me a fresh pack of socks after I told him my favorite pair got a hole in them!). For birthdays, we go big! Huge boxes full of presents, confetti, goodies, balloons--everything! It doesn't take long, but it's a great reminder that you're being thought of by the other.<br />
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5. <b>Don't expect your relationship to be the same as a typical close-distance one. </b>While this long-distance relationship has worked great for J and I, it requires a lot of thoughtful effort on both parts. We love that we each have our own college life at school, but with the love and support of each other. It's fun to send and receive letters and packages, call the other, or count down the days until we see each other again! In my opinion, while a long-distance relationship isn't the same as a close-distance one, it's still a great way to date. It's especially a great way to get to know someone, because you end up talking for so many hours!</div>
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Clearly, no relationship can be summed up into five neat bullet points. Relationships are dynamic, and they can be difficult and challenging no matter the proximity. But these are the five most concrete ways that allow us to be happily dating from afar. Long-distance isn't for everyone, but it sure it working for us!<br />
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Anyone else in a LDR? How are you making it work?<br />
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~B</div>Blair Menzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331735230588393220noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803544522858170787.post-90590348758451054272012-06-07T20:41:00.001-04:002012-06-07T20:47:37.748-04:00#5: Room Clean-Up Fit For a Queen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Two summers ago, I switched rooms with my little brother after I had been away at college for the year. He deserved the bigger room that I had at the time, since he still had many more years before he'd be moving out and I was living six hours away anyway. So I took the front bedroom, which is sized more for a nursery or office than a bedroom. I've made it work for the past two years, mostly because I don't live at home and I don't have to deal with living in such a small space.</div>
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Until now. Now I'm living at home for the summer, which means four months of dealing with it. And just to make things a bit trickier, I traded out my creaky old twin sized bed for a much nicer queen. Problem: I could barely fit the twin with all of my stuff, and now I've got a big ol' queen. Which is precisely why I added "Clean out my room" to my <a href="http://blairsunderland.blogspot.com/2012/04/summer-2012-wish-list.html" target="_blank">Summer 2012 Wish List</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWGg1gGllVluUmiEFV8WKUOZhAF5oCEAcVa8drE04XEknTt6a06lwEb-GHzKPOaul-pYWo6c9uZMdShuIehJBaIbKtX_Fs4Tk0ugocnHxHM6q-J1QYD3RANTiTQb98ffDO1zal74g2WF2/s1600/cleanup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWGg1gGllVluUmiEFV8WKUOZhAF5oCEAcVa8drE04XEknTt6a06lwEb-GHzKPOaul-pYWo6c9uZMdShuIehJBaIbKtX_Fs4Tk0ugocnHxHM6q-J1QYD3RANTiTQb98ffDO1zal74g2WF2/s640/cleanup.jpg" width="446" /></a></div>
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I pared down on everything, from clothes to makeup to shoes to books. I ended up donating three or four full trash bags to Good Will. In all honesty, I could go through my things again and donate another couple of bags! (I'm all about simplifying!)</div>
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The main problem with my room and the amount of stuff that it held was that I have all of my things from both my apartment at school and what I've accumulated over the 20 years I've lived in this house. Which means too many clothes, too many products (shower items, makeup, and 12--yes, 12 boxes of floss), too many pairs of shoes, too much of everything. For a girl who hates flossing, 12 boxes of floss seems to be a bit much. Maybe if I liked it more, they'd go a bit faster. Oh well. I didn't have a good idea of what I had at home, so I'd buy things at school instead of bringing them with me. </div>
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Not only was this a full scale clean sweep, it was also a mental inventory of things that I don't need to purchase (ahem, floss). </div>
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Before I began, my closet was tiny and stuffed to the brim. I had no idea what was beneath the clutter or the tangled hangers (<i>hate</i> that)!</div>
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My wonderful new bed was more like a graveyard for random stuff I didn't know what to do with. It was sans bedskirt and sans the respect it deserves in all of its fluffy goodness!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDg4hKjx5E6SzFyaysMkM3pLvTpnCWbNu2UQC6i3aoY5Yy-VspNWNCk71rQXWQVV9j1GJsqBcRZfEz2k7bemJ60zJ3YG-B_HxE5pDGhQVR3Rkcv-VBsM1qN3J0-tLeOMCpPJ7EyBnY3CG/s1600/IMG_1391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDg4hKjx5E6SzFyaysMkM3pLvTpnCWbNu2UQC6i3aoY5Yy-VspNWNCk71rQXWQVV9j1GJsqBcRZfEz2k7bemJ60zJ3YG-B_HxE5pDGhQVR3Rkcv-VBsM1qN3J0-tLeOMCpPJ7EyBnY3CG/s320/IMG_1391.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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My floor was a bit better than the rest of the room, but not by a lot. See that huge blue sack? Yeah, that's full of Fall and Winter clothes that I couldn't fit into my closet or dresser. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqgNII7h9jzm1NM0kHdMm1t4XPJJCTRKdwuwoHA54Yxo-K0CCeXb707m_dizl3qdrodhFql4ejWQYN5MVgUrkRKcYmzYE3qDpy7On4F5YaDakponb4f3lHI4EyNJJahAxd3ohz-G0Ox9e/s1600/IMG_1392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqgNII7h9jzm1NM0kHdMm1t4XPJJCTRKdwuwoHA54Yxo-K0CCeXb707m_dizl3qdrodhFql4ejWQYN5MVgUrkRKcYmzYE3qDpy7On4F5YaDakponb4f3lHI4EyNJJahAxd3ohz-G0Ox9e/s320/IMG_1392.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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My cute antique painted dresser (it was my grandmother's) wasn't looking the best either.</div>
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And the worst of them all--this bookcase. Looks cute, right? Wrong. It was adorable when I had a larger room, semi-cute when I had a twin bed in this smaller room, and absolutely too big and too much for this little room and big bed! Unfortunately, it was full to the brim with DVDs, books, yearbooks, etc. Ugh. </div>
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So, I sorted through everything. Books I'd read years ago and will never read again went in the donation pile. Ballet flats, which I continue to buy although I hate wearing them (they don't fit my feet and give me huge blisters!) went in the donation pile. Note to self: <b>stop</b> buying them! Old high school t-shirts went in the donation pile. Off-season clothes went into bags and bins and were dropped off at my apartment at school, where I'll use them in the Fall.</div>
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That bookcase was disassembled and the pieces were neatly tucked away in the basement. (Thank heavens!)</div>
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I hung a couple of shelves on the wall above my bed, created a headboard by stapling fabric from Wal-Mart onto cheap canvases from Michael's, and bought some pillows for my bed from Target.</div>
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My closet was organized with bins and baskets that I already had, although most were re-labeled and assigned a new purpose!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_weF_nTHU_ifweDgcEJD45yTUAZbWSY5FDVIybLFNQNLoW2XQmKmfCvha8UoPsDXPrz2FLipbwu6qVW1jaRT1nwgHR2RmasvUI0WwH6roCwy_W7Hk_HYn9eAXuRVYoxAiZZKwZZcKxqI/s1600/IMG_1396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_weF_nTHU_ifweDgcEJD45yTUAZbWSY5FDVIybLFNQNLoW2XQmKmfCvha8UoPsDXPrz2FLipbwu6qVW1jaRT1nwgHR2RmasvUI0WwH6roCwy_W7Hk_HYn9eAXuRVYoxAiZZKwZZcKxqI/s320/IMG_1396.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Here's my dresser now. Ah, I can breathe again.</div>
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I ended up hanging this cross from Pier 1 after I decided the empty wall was too, well, empty!</div>
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And my closet! The hangers are still a bit of a mess, but that's another project. The left side is so much better!</div>
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My tennis shoes go in the pull-out rack, and my flip-flops, sandals, and flats go in the purple bin. My boots deserve a space of their own! :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9d-pSBlAqJrhy0-ct2Q2QJM6dscFu2IeEDNYZCSR7BNyBprpZ2QV3AelrM9LW7OJMjUe8_hJdDS7RIPiGAnELlApBnzgcbUT_Y4lF4ma0nXcFhs411b-NKIlxMAUdjcqQRieXBm0Oosw/s1600/IMG_1400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9d-pSBlAqJrhy0-ct2Q2QJM6dscFu2IeEDNYZCSR7BNyBprpZ2QV3AelrM9LW7OJMjUe8_hJdDS7RIPiGAnELlApBnzgcbUT_Y4lF4ma0nXcFhs411b-NKIlxMAUdjcqQRieXBm0Oosw/s320/IMG_1400.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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All of my personal items (medications, etc.) are in my cute Scout Homegoods find. On the right, the plastic pull-out drawers house hair tools (my flat iron and curling iron), small, travel sized products, and "Pens & Stuff."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Z8vIUocV_v3iefPxCUnoNG5OzqfLB5jcKHegS9pRTWw4FQr53GhLMnbDiFLefenBf_qpae_pFyA58BJujIq9LLKwt4NmpcPML5ZYHN648YJl19P-Ar7yLcQ8FTAguFz3WxLpf04LN-5m/s1600/IMG_1401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Z8vIUocV_v3iefPxCUnoNG5OzqfLB5jcKHegS9pRTWw4FQr53GhLMnbDiFLefenBf_qpae_pFyA58BJujIq9LLKwt4NmpcPML5ZYHN648YJl19P-Ar7yLcQ8FTAguFz3WxLpf04LN-5m/s320/IMG_1401.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This shelf is the easiest to reach for me, so it has my brushes, make-up, and jewelry.</div>
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Just above it are some more products. Goodness, I need to stop buying so many!</div>
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And above that are travel accessories, letters, and swimwear.</div>
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Now to the other side of my room. My beautiful new bed! Love the Target pillows!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwddEtQTGlFTAW-rk3yVO8crWyipmx_6zIijrQfs3nLT8dtlTTZOKiYmpXlS1y8ESkiQkipTwDJIxwxS2EhVf6ruhmCw-32bXuJhhmTvO8mIgVnHYUiT9pBF8misOh4Z4coqpdLgZM70h/s1600/IMG_1405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwddEtQTGlFTAW-rk3yVO8crWyipmx_6zIijrQfs3nLT8dtlTTZOKiYmpXlS1y8ESkiQkipTwDJIxwxS2EhVf6ruhmCw-32bXuJhhmTvO8mIgVnHYUiT9pBF8misOh4Z4coqpdLgZM70h/s320/IMG_1405.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOTMvS1sod_qEscMzBtSWkh8AaH38HRnaTzF4-_Aar4xuYlKd2uB9jCDH_7DFWzUpArw8bnwxVsdNUtfTaB1tb5D3GZbiK6QT2DDW_JPt00Mn7ASF5-N_b7EOzHZU7HgIrRl3f85TEWyo/s1600/IMG_1406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOTMvS1sod_qEscMzBtSWkh8AaH38HRnaTzF4-_Aar4xuYlKd2uB9jCDH_7DFWzUpArw8bnwxVsdNUtfTaB1tb5D3GZbiK6QT2DDW_JPt00Mn7ASF5-N_b7EOzHZU7HgIrRl3f85TEWyo/s320/IMG_1406.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The shelves still need some help (boooring!). More on that later. </div>
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Organized (well, getting there) and happy, </div>
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~B</div>Blair Menzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331735230588393220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803544522858170787.post-87149707608561164272012-06-01T10:14:00.002-04:002012-06-01T10:21:03.979-04:00#12: Let's Go O's!As part of my <a href="http://blairsunderland.blogspot.com/2012/04/summer-2012-wish-list.html" target="_blank">Summer 2012 Wish List</a> challenge that I've created for myself, I went to an Oriole's baseball game last week.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeQyUC30B-KXAMF-O75AhYTa8J83dvlcn8nLosLtoBr3TXzejexpk99uEmM7zc5mg791BsrNxP7JzGpUiSDFCGUHedkt7O7Kda1KL1YGCPA7y4sKs4G0iYwtoBH6Lq3FM6I9pktI_l4Yg/s1600/oriolesgame_Summer2012WishList.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeQyUC30B-KXAMF-O75AhYTa8J83dvlcn8nLosLtoBr3TXzejexpk99uEmM7zc5mg791BsrNxP7JzGpUiSDFCGUHedkt7O7Kda1KL1YGCPA7y4sKs4G0iYwtoBH6Lq3FM6I9pktI_l4Yg/s640/oriolesgame_Summer2012WishList.jpg" width="444" /></a></div>
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The boyfriend and I went to watch the O's play the Red Sox (and defeat them!). We paid for the cheapest tickets, only $10 each, but moved down to better seats after we noticed that they were open--shh! Don't tell! Honestly, we spent more on food than the tickets themselves!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyhLVsurMYE4dpK2uFOirNUsBt-n_hvceR7QjXt1bDvk_wCEUSTi1E2pwv6gMPwyBmgDa_V70f7vZ1vc8ZY5YK7LTN5aCLUlwlrvOXupMQvOoZPGt-crGFVnLNJOkvukWa0CfmuDSKOXu/s1600/jandbat_camdenyards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyhLVsurMYE4dpK2uFOirNUsBt-n_hvceR7QjXt1bDvk_wCEUSTi1E2pwv6gMPwyBmgDa_V70f7vZ1vc8ZY5YK7LTN5aCLUlwlrvOXupMQvOoZPGt-crGFVnLNJOkvukWa0CfmuDSKOXu/s640/jandbat_camdenyards.jpg" width="475" /></a></div>
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Being a baseball lover, John absolutely loved our Oriole's date night. I enjoyed being outside and eating the stadium food too :)</div>
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Go to a baseball game this summer! It's cheap and very fun...I love that the games are hours long, so you really get some bang for your buck! </div>
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~B</div>Blair Menzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331735230588393220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803544522858170787.post-75554061452669767712012-05-31T22:40:00.000-04:002012-06-01T10:17:06.131-04:00#6: Done! And Delicious.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you didn't see my post on the 15 things I'd like to do before summer sizzles out, you can check it out <a href="http://blairsunderland.blogspot.com/2012/04/summer-2012-wish-list.html" target="_blank">here</a>. I have to say, I'm pretty proud of myself--I've already crossed five things off my list in the past three weeks! But this post is about just one: Bake something off Pinterest.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSokt_oIjG22bklEAQS4q-2W8ghARBd5zWDlXzrwNEDTwIURLfvyLnkqz0UZaqQBAxB8m7c8pHnjRGMI1hff4omHgr94LLTPiddm_iSIzxtQ2l-cXqaQIiwnrfDbaUWvyb4SZi6a6BUiw3/s1600/pinterestSummer2012WishList.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSokt_oIjG22bklEAQS4q-2W8ghARBd5zWDlXzrwNEDTwIURLfvyLnkqz0UZaqQBAxB8m7c8pHnjRGMI1hff4omHgr94LLTPiddm_iSIzxtQ2l-cXqaQIiwnrfDbaUWvyb4SZi6a6BUiw3/s640/pinterestSummer2012WishList.jpg" width="444" /></a></div>
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So here's the recap.</div>
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#6: Bake something off Pinterest...</div>
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First, I baked a pan of "Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars" from <a href="http://www.kevinandamanda.com/recipes/new-recipes/ultimate-chocolate-chip-cookie-n-oreo-fudge-brownie-bar.html" target="_blank">this recipe</a> I found on Pinterest. It's super easy, and super delicious! (The bars were gone in hours!) Basically, I layered cookie dough, Oreo's and brownie mix and baked it for a while. I have to say, the bars were a bit too sweet even for me, but the rest of the family loved them! I think next time I would make my own cookie dough sans sugar to dull down the sweetness a touch.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00K4Sh3e5SPM78uphZgr0Z69IIR46fXm0TBEzMVighZds2iG-LmhZFzkvxG2_1QJgjxi3dK10P0nlBP1RJnOo5ABhoz0MHBUXWDnWSh8K3_XnrjC2aAGME7hlhgcXLVPSE_HdJ_OSDWwR/s1600/photo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00K4Sh3e5SPM78uphZgr0Z69IIR46fXm0TBEzMVighZds2iG-LmhZFzkvxG2_1QJgjxi3dK10P0nlBP1RJnOo5ABhoz0MHBUXWDnWSh8K3_XnrjC2aAGME7hlhgcXLVPSE_HdJ_OSDWwR/s400/photo1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here are the ingredients--easy, right?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-shxZplltXDlsatMAd5IS5Bnsas1qW74j_4PTDzjmwXa0da9dNruaEnu37_HDiQfeX7-4p0BLlmMZj1jJzADYxEzNMzwxDDyyqrzwpId7nIAt0ymRaKKAjXRApxwCiXLtp_3NX3RhPRP/s1600/photo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-shxZplltXDlsatMAd5IS5Bnsas1qW74j_4PTDzjmwXa0da9dNruaEnu37_HDiQfeX7-4p0BLlmMZj1jJzADYxEzNMzwxDDyyqrzwpId7nIAt0ymRaKKAjXRApxwCiXLtp_3NX3RhPRP/s400/photo2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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After being baked!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5N7nWN-ot8j64lOn-0auOt7TnakNsXGwXSIsb3NMCJAR6hGZnw43FKBJQR3BhzHAEiZ0GIEOfW1d8deA9Sb_JCjXIA_91A_tXus3X0qaG0OxnB_pNaY6WzbMLOD0aAtysCymJ0OUPU3pj/s1600/photo3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5N7nWN-ot8j64lOn-0auOt7TnakNsXGwXSIsb3NMCJAR6hGZnw43FKBJQR3BhzHAEiZ0GIEOfW1d8deA9Sb_JCjXIA_91A_tXus3X0qaG0OxnB_pNaY6WzbMLOD0aAtysCymJ0OUPU3pj/s400/photo3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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All cut up and dusted with powdered sugar :)</div>
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And, because I'm an overachiever, I made a <a href="http://quick-dish.tablespoon.com/2011/08/24/grilled-chocolate-banana-melts/" target="_blank">second treat off of Pinterest</a>. This one was simple, and super, super, super delicious! It only takes a couple of minutes to put together, and six minutes to bake. It's a banana-chocolate-chip-marshmallow boat. Yum. I followed the recipe exactly, except that I uncovered the banana boat and set the oven to broil for a minute after it baked for five. This toasted the marshmallows. Yum-O!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1johGmnoUKIqHW2sAsQ-mMR5UGCQZzYQNv3s0YArgQtH-0rIu8nuR_gdxwTG8Mw7Oxr6iaYuhWI3r2yDDcXNmn1-lD7wK92XLrIkutJMdeFwOasPXxR72d7v7Uvwz_kVzyBKbR0sNcQ19/s1600/pinterest_banana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1johGmnoUKIqHW2sAsQ-mMR5UGCQZzYQNv3s0YArgQtH-0rIu8nuR_gdxwTG8Mw7Oxr6iaYuhWI3r2yDDcXNmn1-lD7wK92XLrIkutJMdeFwOasPXxR72d7v7Uvwz_kVzyBKbR0sNcQ19/s400/pinterest_banana.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I will definitely be making this treat again! It's perfect as an afternoon snack or for dessert.</div>
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Everyone should bake some goodies off Pinterest this summer--they're too yummy to pass up!</div>
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Happy baking, </div>
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~B</div>Blair Menzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331735230588393220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803544522858170787.post-9103938854033442612012-05-14T18:00:00.000-04:002012-07-09T23:32:56.367-04:00My Attempt at Becoming a Morning PersonI'm the type of person who does a million little things all day (but nothing gets accomplished), and then buckles down and finishes up assignments, essays, and that e-mail that should've been written yesterday after the sun goes down. I guess I'm what they call a night owl. And I hate it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmkLONloMDTOddv5-_w677kW3xwYB1Dj_K3_SxfOdY_NK_PFwL98H3bS8itrDGcVP1ytL_pmaf6mRI7bAmQwW5svR7nxuzEVhHTXHwl-uvlm05_SVnOLJgPv9ptfWI-1AUFbVdpz1mBQf/s1600/DSC01631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmkLONloMDTOddv5-_w677kW3xwYB1Dj_K3_SxfOdY_NK_PFwL98H3bS8itrDGcVP1ytL_pmaf6mRI7bAmQwW5svR7nxuzEVhHTXHwl-uvlm05_SVnOLJgPv9ptfWI-1AUFbVdpz1mBQf/s400/DSC01631.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is what I'm missing! (Okay, maybe a little dramatic. This photo was taken in Sunset Beach, NC. Not exactly what I'll see out my window in Baltimore. Still, I <i>am</i> missing out on some productive time.)</div>
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I've always wanted to be that girl who jumps out of bed, begins her day with a wholesome breakfast, gets in a killer workout, showers and gets things accomplished all before the clock strikes noon. And what's life without goals? I'm on a mission to become a morning person.<br />
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Once I'm awake and out of bed, I love to be up early. There's something about crossing things off of my to-do list before everyone is awake. It kind of feels like you're beating the system. But it's the act of pulling the covers back, putting my feet on the cold floor, and stumbling into the bathroom to brush my teeth that gets me every time. It's just so warm and comfortable in my bed, with all the blankets and pillows and...Okay. This isn't helping.<br />
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So here's my goal: <b>become a morning person by the end of June.</b><br />
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No good goal is complete without a plan though, right? I read a few articles (<a href="http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/great-tips-becoming-morning-person-163600702.html" target="_blank">Great Tips for Becoming a Morning Person</a>, <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Morning-Person" target="_blank">How to Be a Morning Person</a>, <a href="http://www.lifeoptimizer.org/2011/01/13/how-to-wake-up-early/" target="_blank">25 Ways to Wake Up Early</a>), and have decided on my action plan. Here we go...<br />
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1. <i>Have a nighttime routine.</i> I already put on my pajamas, wash my face, and brush my teeth each night before getting in bed. But I usually end up checking my e-mail or Facebook, watching an episode of The Office or Modern Family on Hulu, checking my Facebook again, and generally procrastinating going to bed, too.<br />
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2. <i>Have a morning routine</i>.<i> </i>This won't be easy for me; there's not much that motivates me to get out of bed in the morning. Maybe a hot cup of coffee and a yummy breakfast. Maybe.<br />
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3. <i>Go to bed and wake up around the same time each day. </i>Obviously, in the summer, it will be more difficult to stick to a strict bedtime and wake-up time. But my current bedtime can range from 11:30pm to 3:00am; my wake-up time anywhere from 8:00am to 1:00pm. Change is comin'!<br />
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4. <i>Stop pressing the snooze button. </i>In a dream world, my body will adjust to waking up early and I won't have to use an alarm. Instead, I'll drift out of a pleasant slumber and awake ready for the day. Key words: dream world. For now, an alarm will be necessary. Pressing the snooze button really does just prolong the inevitable--I need to get my behind out of bed!<br />
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Okay, so there you have it. My plan to become a morning person by the end of June. Anyone else making life changes this summer?<br />
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About to purchase some strongly caffeinated coffee,<br />
~BBlair Menzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331735230588393220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803544522858170787.post-55656092054555419332012-05-12T16:30:00.000-04:002012-07-09T23:32:35.381-04:00Summer 2012 Wish ListHaving been in Spain for the past four months, I have had a plethora (good word, huh?) of time to think about what I'd like to do when I'm back in American soil. Being my type-A self, I compiled a list that I will cross off and post about as I complete it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkNvxceBri8fxbLxwLTusLnFxPgxVhFGYjqPYpNUqVn_AunYfpnU9-3cA4R4fJPwP4CvFm9uj2mEPLLGqpdfoZ8DfAEScXQ3SJeL801YKQzsQ-4pcQdhqE-tEmb9wrj-BEvQXbjk3ctMZ/s1600/Summer2012WishList.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkNvxceBri8fxbLxwLTusLnFxPgxVhFGYjqPYpNUqVn_AunYfpnU9-3cA4R4fJPwP4CvFm9uj2mEPLLGqpdfoZ8DfAEScXQ3SJeL801YKQzsQ-4pcQdhqE-tEmb9wrj-BEvQXbjk3ctMZ/s640/Summer2012WishList.jpg" width="446" /></a></div>
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There you have it. All that, nannying, and an internship. My last summer as a student, I'm going to make it count!</div>
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Excited for what's to come, </div>
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~B</div>
<br />Blair Menzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331735230588393220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803544522858170787.post-37087899000575912342012-05-11T20:00:00.000-04:002012-05-02T19:23:14.775-04:00Really? Another Blog?Oh yes. Another one. And here's why...<br />
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I was on Skype with my boyfriend, John, after I got back from my week-long trip to Greece. Being the great boyfriend that he is, he was asking me what I did during the week and how the trip went. I gave him a very brief overview--but a few "awesomes," "greats," and "funs," were really all he got. So he said,<br />
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"Do me a favor. Can you blog about Greece so I really know what you did?"<br />
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I started laughing, thinking how ridiculous it was that my own boyfriend has to read my blog to know what I did in Greece. But it's true. I express myself much better through writing. Not only that, but I love it.<br />
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Now with my semester wrapping up, my Spain blog is at the end of its internet lifespan. It's time for a fresh start! So, this blog is a place to "dump" whatever I'm thinking, feeling, eating, creating, laughing at, watching, or doing.<br />
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I just love a fresh start,<br />
~BBlair Menzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17331735230588393220noreply@blogger.com0