will a flower a day keep the blues away?

I will be having my first give away ever!!!!
see below for details....

I said in my last post that I would have a corner of my house post.
Well, I didn't get the corner finished yet, but here is a sneak peak...

It's a corner in my bedroom that is awkward, and  often is unused.
It has been a bunch of different thing, but none of them ever really successful.
The space is full of doors. There are two sets of closet doors, and a half door that enters into the eaves. It's not the easiest of spaces to design.  I am going to make a sewing/art area. This is all I have for now, I hope to be finished in the next few days.

I have a few more Trader Joe's updates....
I have had this Pad Thai 3 times, and I still love it.

The Taco Dip was good...Bob gave it a C.  (I would not buy again).
I served it with Trader Joe's sour cream which is very creamy.
Trader Joe's Fresh salsa, (I would buy again)
which was good, (not as good as Sister's Salsa from Maine),
but it is around $2.00 cheaper than most fresh salsas.
Trader Joe's Organic Round Corn Chips were very good(I would buy again).

These lava cakes were good. (I probably would not buy them again).
They need fresh cream and berries.
The cake was very chocolaty,  and dense.

The Mac n Cheese was yummy. Bob gave it a B.
(I would buy this again).

And now for my first giveaway!!!! Horray!

The other day I wore one of these flowers in my hair...and I swear it, I do....
that more people smiled at me than on a normal day (and not in a creepy way). 

So, I want to spread flower power to everyone....
well not everyone,
just readers and followers of my blog.
Would you like a free silk flower hair clip?

Would you like (non-creepy) people to smile at you more!!!
Do you need a little flower power?
It's so easy....just leave a comment below!!!!!

I will choose random entries, using a handy dandy number generator.
Go on leave a message...become a follower/reader. I will draw winners on Friday!

taking one for the team...

but I will get to that in a bit!

I wore my very bold Christmas necklace today.
I was just waiting for that perfect outfit that screamed out...wear me, wear me now!
I must tell you I was a little worried that I would have a sore neck by the end of the day, but low and behold, a perfectly un-sore neck.
My friend Charlotte, ( the woman who is suppose to be a guest blogger (rock collection) Hem!!!),
told me to put more photos of people in my blog.
I couldn't disagree more, but being the the kind of blogger who doesn't disappoint....here ya go!

It took like 10 shots to get one that look ok enough to post...
here I am....but please, just focus on the outfit...

Necklace by Anthropologie from Kirsten
Turtleneck by August Silk ($5.00 on clearance - Marshalls)
Sweater by INC (on clearance $11.00 - Macys)
Skirt by j brown apparel design (hee hee) - fabric Bamboo/Modal blend
Boots - Timberland ($24.99 - Mardens)
Leggings- I don't remember
Wool socks - my husbands sock draw.

yikes...what a view.

So, I went to Trader Joe's today to continue my...
Try everything in Trader Joe's quest.
Maine is lucky we have a big Trader Joe's...

A great entrance...the smell is so amazing.
They are currently selling orchids for $7.99....they were selling like crazy!
They get a shipment everyday...a nice Valentines gift for a friend???

These were so gorgeous!

The reason why so many go to Trader Joe's!!!!!

I  Love the packaging....so sweet!

so back to taking one for the team.....
I had such high hopes for this Bento Box

However, I must report that I would give it  zero stars...BLEK!
It was close to inedible. The tofu was ok...pretty tasteless.
The rice in the middle was ok.... the other rice was dry and grainy.
The string beans were like sticks...etc..etc... don't waste your $5.99.
My dog wouldn't eat it, and he eats everything!!!!!!!

I have a corner of my house post coming tomorrow!

a little news

here's a bit of what's up.  It's not much,  I am still in New Hampshire mode.

I've seen 2 more of the Oscar films.
Inception was good. The cast was great!
I must admit I was sometimes confused at which dream level was happening when.
I do recommend seeing it!

I loved The kids are all right.  It was an easy, enjoyable film.
A must see.
Mark Ruffalo is yummy!

I want to be here! I want to own this!

I may make one of these birch tables....for a friend.














I love trees...especially birch trees. I LOVE these panels!

love these, from here

this tray is nice!

a little trader Joe's update....this was just ok.
the package said it serves 2, so I gave my husband half,
and then myself half. He ate it, I asked him what he thought...
He said, "it's a nice appetizer",  "What's for dinner?"
It was good comfort food.
Not overly tasty. Just food.

it's the year of the rabbit!

I bought this picture on ETSY a couple weeks ago,
not knowing that it was the year of the rabbit.
I bought it because he is such a charmer!

There are many ways to embrace your inner rabbit.
I love this leather phone pouch

for a mere $4.80 you can own this signed collage
I love the shadow cast.

"I'm Late" pendant; this would be an appropriate for
a few of my chronically late friends!

Go here to download year of the rabbit wallpaper.

So...here is another Trader Joe's love affair update...
The Black Bean and Cheese Taquitos were ok. I didn't really like them, they were a little too cardboard-y (I love adding Y's to words, to create new words!) for me.  Ivan like them!

The Cheese Enchilada were so Yummy! The entire family loved them!
I will definitely buy them again!

Here is a slight preview to a huge project on the horizon!!!!
Very exciting!!!!!! More to come!!!!

a snowy day...

bbbrrrrrrr.....sums up the day!
It's a  great day for... a soul warming lunch, and I have the best ever!

Yes, more Trader Joe's love! This soup is so GOOD!
It is my favorite Trader Joe's item!!!!!

It is creamy, not overly tomato-ie,
and it warms you up the whole way down!
I paired it up with this dip, along with some wheat thins.
This dip is not for the faint of heart. It has a VERY strong blue cheese taste!
I find it so yummy! A perfect snowy day meal!!!

I've been spending some quality time on ebay searching for vintage treasures.
Most treasures are to expensive.....shipping is ridiculous!
I did however stumble on these.... I paid 99 cents  for 17 plates - plus $10.00 shipping.
They are Universal Pottery salesman samples; the fascination series.  They are 3" diameter.
I love the patterns, especially the flora!

Have a great snow day!
I am off to snuggle in my bed with a good book!

my Trader Joe's love affair

I love Trader Joe's.
I love how everything is basically "good" for you, and so affordable.
Most of the food is all natural...No hydrogenated oils...etc.
I think what I love about it most is the unique variety pre-made & frozen food.
Lunch today was this...
Shitake Mushroom & Tofu in Black Pepper Sauce w/ rice
It was quite yummy...very spicy(made my nose run a bit)
I would buy it again. Total fat per serving 4.5g - $2.99

Edamame Hummas
a nice spin on traditional hummus.
I've bought this twice already. 8g. fat per serving

My son likes ribs, and he likes Trader Joe's Pork Ribs!!!!!!!!
(I get excited when the kid finds something he likes other than gold fish crackers.)
I tried one as well, and found the meat very tender, and
the sauce was nice and tangy.  These are super easy to make just
12 minutes in the oven. $9.99 per package

My husband had this for dinner last night.
Trader Joe's Chicken Pot Pie
He liked it, and he can be pretty picking about food.
They say it serves 2 on the package...
I'm not sure what kind of 2, but not a typical person.
Maybe it you served it with a side of potatoe, salad, and dinner rolls.
I will buy this again.

I have always wanted to try French Macarons.
I have yet to find a bakery in the state that makes them.
I spotted these out of the corner of my eye , and
had to push a lady and her cart out of the way to reach them.
It was worth it!!!!!  I will buy these again.
12 mini macaroons (6 chocolate/6 vanilla)...flaky crust, amazing cream inside. $4.99

Maple Leaf Cookies
These are very good. The maple taste is very light.
The frosting to cookie ratio is good(I would compare this to a double stuff Oreo).
All natural, no preservatives.
The only down fall.... 5g. fat per cookie, and I just ate 6 of them!

Trader Joe Joe's cookies
These are very good.  All natural, and very affordable!
These are good. I think the next box will be with white filling.
5 grams of fat per 2 cookies.