Shhhhh! It’s a Secret.

I don’t take myself too seriously and I definitely don’t consider myself an expert when it comes to style and beauty. I tend to go more for comfort than for couture, but I do have a few secrets that I’m willing to share about some of the fashion and beauty routines that I do actually keep up with.

Feel free to try them out or tell me some of your own tips!

Secret No. 1: I use mascara to cover gray hair.

Yes, I have gray hair. I have a lot actually, and although I color my hair regularly, every once in a while those gray roots catch up to me – and with dark brown hair, silver tends to stand out. So I buy a cheap brown mascara that I keep on hand solely for root touch-ups. I wouldn’t recommend it for everyday use, just for emergency application.

Secret No. 2: I have a knock-off flat iron.

I’ve spent a lot of money on flat irons in the past. I have very thick, frizzy hair and the only straightener I found that could tame my mane has been the CHI. That is until my most recent model bit the dust and I was forced to buy a new flat iron. I went with the PRO Beauty Ceramic Straightener and I haven’t looked back. It’s just as good as my CHI but less than half the price.

Secret No. 3: My legs aren’t really that tan.

When I was in college I visited the tanning bed just about every day – even in the summer. Nowadays I don’t have the time or energy to get my tan on like I used to. My ex-boss turned me on to Sally Hansen’s Airbrush Legs, it is awesome! You just spray it right on your legs, it’s makeup so it doesn’t streak like tanning products and it covers up veins, freckles and pale skin flawlessly.

Secret No. 4: I get my dress pants at Sears.

Working in the corporate world and having to dress professionally every day isn’t all that bad – but it can get expensive. A few years ago I received a gift card to Sears and used it to buy some business-appropriate dress pants. One of my co-workers recently asked where I get all my cute work pants and was surprised when I said Sears. She was even more surprised that I only paid $10 for them!

Secret No. 5: My up-do is easier than it looks.

If I could wear my hair in a bun every day, I think I would. It takes a really long time to go through my hair drying and straightening routine, so sometimes I prefer to just throw it up in a bun and go. It used to take a good amount of bobby pins to get the job done, but now I just use two little tools: Goody Spin Pins. I would be lost without them, they may be my favorite accessory right now.

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Book Report: “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson

Most readers and non-readers alike have probably heard of this Swedish novel and its two sequels: “The Girl Who Played with Fire” and “The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest.” After tons of recommendations to read this book I finally gave in, and I’m glad I did.

It’s a suspenseful thriller that keeps you guessing all the way until the very end. A relatively easy read, the novel has some Swedish terminology and expressions sprinkled throughout, but not so much that it’s hard to understand what’s going on.

Like a number of other bestsellers, this book has been made into an American movie. (If you have Netflix, the original Swedish version is available on “watch instantly.”) The first trailer was recently released for the Christmas-time film, and if this doesn’t make you want to read the book, I don’t know what will!

My Writing Nightmare

You know that line from “I Love You, Man” when they are on a double date on the golf course and Jason Segel yells out “This is my nightmare!”? Well, seriously this is my nightmare!

It’s hard not to take work home with you but it happens, right? Whenever I have a big project or story deadline coming up I lie in bed and picture the blank page. It’s the worst feeling.

What I tend to do is set aside a day or two at work to writing … and then I put it off. Even now, I started writing this post and then procrastinated by uploading a new photo album on Facebook, watching movie trailers on IMDB, folding some clothes, you get the idea.

Recently I read a really great article from Ragan Communications (if you work in communications and don’t read Ragan regularly, you need to) about ways to get rid of writer’s block and kick procrastination to the curb.

My new writing project: Morning Pages. When you wake up, before you do anything, you sit down and write for at least 15 minutes. You write about whatever: your dream from the night before, a great idea you have, thoughts or worries for the day, anything you like.

I’ve only made it a few days, but so far so good. The idea is that by writing freely when you get up you are getting out all the loose thoughts that fill your brain during the day and can therefore concentrate better on the task or writing topic at hand.

I hope to have an update on how my morning pages are going after a few weeks, and hopefully months. Procrastinating Writers has a lot of great articles on how to overcome the dreaded blank page.

I encourage everyone to do some type of journaling (even if you aren’t a writer by trade). As for me, I’m going to get to bed early tonight and write my morning pages tomorrow … I’ve got a big feature due this week!

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Blog Report: How About Orange (howaboutorange.blogspot.com)

I decided that in addition to books, every so often I’m going to make a blog recommendation. Blogs are a great way to get new ideas, stay entertained and keep up with friends. This week, I’m loving How About Orange.

It’s a crafty blog run by a graphic designer and it always seems to have the cutest and most creative ideas. From step-by-step sewing projects and printable greeting cards to fun online games and design tips/tricks.

There are a ton of free, downloadable projects that you can simply print and put together for everyday use (or just for fun). I’m going to work on these cute paper owls! And if you’re a graphic designer – no matter what level – there is always a myriad of fonts and other freebies to grow your creative library.

Millie’s Favorite Things

Millie turned 6 months old in May and so far it has been an adventure. She was so cute as a tiny 2-month-old puppy with her short nose and curly hair. Now, she’s a growing girl with loads of energy and the silliest little personality. I’ve heard some dachshunds aren’t as playful and loving as others – with Millie, playful is an understatement. Now that her true colors are coming out, I can’t help but share some of her favorite things to do.

Not long after we brought Millie home I caught her catching glances at herself in the mirror. Then one morning as I was getting ready I heard her barking from the living room and ran out to see what was wrong. It turned out she was just having a morning showdown with her own reflection.

She recently learned how to get dirty and playing outside has become one of her favorite pastimes. She also has a new-found love of sticks – and the bigger the better. She’ll find a stick, roll around in the grass with it and then when it’s time to go in she’ll run up to the front steps and leave it right by the door (this way she knows where to find it tomorrow).

Sometimes Millie gets lucky and Brandon will chase her around the yard. She may be small but she is fast!

The car has become a new adventure for Millie. Next to sticks, car rides are the highlight of her day.

When she is tired she likes to lie down in her favorite spot: between the back of your head and the head rest – neck pillow style. She has been doing it since the day we brought her home. Occasionally she will do her neck pillow routine when we are at home watching TV on the couch, but in the car it is pretty much a given.

She also recently found the joy of sticking her head out the window. At first she could only keep her head outside of the car for a few seconds before the wind became too much, she did a little sneeze and she retreated back to my lap. Now she loves having the breeze flap against her ears and can perch her head right on top of the open window and truly enjoy the ride.

Millie has so many little quirks for only being 6 months old. And as I type I can think of almost 10 more of her funny habits. So, don’t be surprised if a “Millie’s Favorite Things II” post pops up in a couple of weeks. 😉

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Book Report: “Can You Keep a Secret” by Sophie Kinsella

This is one of those feel good, girly books. I’m a big fan – even though I know not everyone is – of Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic series and actually read this novel back in college in a “Sophie phase” when I read pretty much anything and everything Kinsella put out.

Out of Kinsella’s books, this one if my favorite. I’ve always loved the gushy stories where a girl meets a guy somewhere and they share a moment. They think they’re never going to see each other again and then they realize they are neighbors, or co-workers, or sworn enemies.

The book is fun, light summer reading. There is no murder/mystery or huge social or political issue that is going on. And that’s fine by me. Every girl needs a good old fashioned love story now and then, right?

Hot Town, Summer in the City

A busy summer has creeped up on me and between meetings, graduation parties and nights out with friends I got behind on my blog. Sorry this post comes a little late but hey, better late than never!

It always feels like summer starts sooner in Florida. I love everything about the summertime: casual dresses, the beach, sandals, long days and warm nights. When I lived in Chicago summer always meant one thing – fests. Central Florida doesn’t compare to the “Windy City” in the fest department but we do have some fun summer activities that are gaining popularity around town.

This was my first year making it out to the Crawfish Festival in Baldwin Park with the newlyweds known as Benli (Ben and Alli Stout). 2011 marked the 15th anniversary of the festival that started out as a few friends getting together every year and has morphed into more than 5,000 people gathering for a day of food, beer and live bands.

There were a TON of people and we ran into a bunch of friends of ours. The festival was right after Ben and Alli got back from their honeymoon so there was a lot of celebrating and congratulating going on.

So, I’m not a big fan of crawfish – you would think I would stay away from a festival that revolves around them then – but luckily they had a lot of other food available. And there was even a friendly taco from Gringos Locos!

The only downside was the extremely long line we had to wait in for beer, but we managed to entertain ourselves. And by the end of the night Alli and I made it all the way up to the very front of the stage and snuck our way into a VIP tent … with the help of a few friends. 😉

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Book Report: “Whistling in the Dark” by Lesley Kagen

This book was recommended by my mother-in-law, Debbie, and it’s actually a great one to read over the summer since that’s the season the story takes place in. Another book about the relationship between two sisters, there is also a great deal of suspense and surprise.

I had never heard of this novel before Debbie lent it to me, but it seems to be a popular book club read and Lesley Kagen has gained a lot of praise for it. It’s told from the point of view of 10-year-old Sally O’Malley whose sick mother moved Sally and her younger sister Troo to her former home town.

A couple of murders in the small town make for a great story that keeps you on your toes. I ended up getting really into the book and flying through it over a long weekend.