Obsession

This week's favorite thing is the Belvah bag. You can find these bags in some local gift shops, on Amazon, and on other websites. I have three and I love them all. Mother of Ken and I first saw these bags last summer at a little shop in Iola, Kansas called Party Girls. They make them in a wide range of styles--everything from diaper bags to makeup bags and a lot of people like them because they can be embroidered.

I bought this purse, which is navy with white polka dot grosgrain ribbon accents and a navy and white gingham lining:

The bows are detachable, by the way.

I also bought this overnight bag to match my purse:

I have used both bags a lot in the last 9 months--they are fabulous. The fabric is microfiber, so it is very durable and the bags are not very expensive. I also have this bag, which M gave me for Christmas.

Obsession

This week's favorite thing is OKA b. shoes. These shoes are proof that shoes can be comfortable, durable, and attractive. Take that, Crocs! [Side note: Grandmother of Ken calls Crocs "Gators" because she can't remember the correct name.]

The salon where I get my hair done carries OKA b. shoes, so I started seeing them a few years ago. The ones at the salon are all flip flop styles and I don't wear flip flops, so last summer, I decided to go straight to the source and see what other styles they offer. The website is fantastic: shoesthatloveyou.com.

Why do I love these shoes?

1. They are made in the US.

2. They come in slide styles and not just in flip flop styles.

3. They are washable.

4. They are slip resistant (anyone who knows me will tell you that this is crucial for me).

5. They are antimicrobial.

6. They have special reflexology beads built into the inner soles.

7. They are very durable.

8. They are recyclable.

9. You can dress them up or down--they're great for travel.

10.They come in their own little storage bag (very appealing to an organizing fanatic like me).

I bought two pairs last summer and then Mother of Ken found a sale on them at a store where she lives, so she bought me three more pairs. I currently have three Madisons, the style pictured below. Mine are navy with a navy and white bow, pink with a pink, black, and white striped bow, and black with a black and white polka dot bow.

I have one pair of Jasmines in black (the black is shiny, so it almost looks like patent leather):

I also have one pair of Carolines that are red with a red bow:

These shoes are so comfortable and so easy to wear--you won't regret getting a pair or five. They're a great investment because they are so durable and the styles are classic. I wore my Jasmines all over Williamsburg last summer for long days of walking and my feet felt great. They're especially great for summer because you can wear them around the house, to the pool, to the beach, to a party, to church, or wherever else you're going. There are new colors and styles every season and they also have men's and children's shoes.

Obsession

This week's favorite thing, in honor of spring and the unusually warm air here in central New York is pansies. Pansies are my favorite flower (also violas, which look like tiny pansies). I especially love the purple/periwinkle ones.

When I lived at home with Mother and Father of Ken, I had my very own pansy garden on the side of the house and one year, I was able to find black pansies for my garden. They were actually a really dark purple, but they were beautiful against the lighter purple and white ones.

Pansies are such happy flowers in such beautiful colors--how can you resist? I especially love the subtle imperfections in each bloom that make them interesting to look at. They're also ridiculously easy to grow, particularly in places like central New York that are fairly chilly for most of the year. Perfect for a non-gardener like me who still likes to be surrounded by flowers.

Happy spring, gentle readers!

Obsession

This week's favorite thing is the chocolate ice cream soda. I happen to be the great granddaughter of one of the greatest druggists and soda fountain operators in history. My great grandfather, Merlin Arthur (that really was his name, although we called him G.G.), had a drug store in Kansas City where he had an awesome soda fountain. I don't know why we don't have more of those around today--I would go all of the time. Anyway, he taught my grandmother who taught my dad who taught me how to make the most fabulous chocolate sodas. G.G. had his own recipe for chocolate syrup that is top secret--the original is now in the hands of Brother of Ken, who guards it with his life.

When I moved to Maryland for college, I found out that lots of people on the east coast had never heard of a chocolate ice cream soda, so I had to teach them all about it. We used to eat these for dinner when the other food was too horrible for words.

Start with a glass full of vanilla ice cream:

Then add chocolate syrup (I had to use Hershey's this time because I didn't have any already made):

Finish with club soda:

Delicious!

Try it sometime if you've never had one. If you've had one before, but it's been a while, celebrate spring with a yummy ice cream soda.

Obsession

This week's favorite thing is the Bee Gees. I love the Bee Gees--really, I have a borderline unhealthy obsession with these guys (RIP Maurice). Mother of Ken is a huge fan of Barry Gibb and I tend to throw my fanaticism toward Robin because he is so fascinatingly strange. Anyway, there are lots of videos of the Bee Gees on YouTube and elsewhere, but I happen to love the SNL sketches of "The Barry Gibb Talk Show," so here you are:

And here are the Bee Gees in the flesh on Jimmy Fallon's show this week:

Oh, Robin. You are so strange. And Barry--I am impressed by how much you still rock the falsetto after all these years.

Obsession Update: Kramer and Boomer--Related?

For Mother of Ken:

Obsession

This week's Favorite Thing is dogs.

Since I can't put all of the dogs in the world on my blog, I've got some photos of my dogs (or at least the dogs in my family).

Our official first family dog was Corkey, a Boston Terrier. Corkey lead a complicated life before he came to our house, but he was a really good boy. Here is a photo of me with Corkey that I took for a class project in the fifth grade. Feel free to make fun of my clothing and accessories, including my gigantic pink plastic glasses and my hot pink socks.

Sadly, Corkey could not be with us forever, and we eventually got our first Boxer, Kramer. Look at that face. She had the softest fur on her head and she was a really good natured dog. Everyone loved Kramer. And, yes, that is red shag carpet.

Kramer was never far from me--she slept in my bed most nights, she stayed with me for several sleepless nights after I had complications from my wisdom teeth being removed, and she even traveled with Mother and Father of Ken to Dallas to help me move into my first place.

Me with Kramer and Frazier, our second Boston Terrier. Again, feel free to make fun of me--it was the 90s and I had some terrible jeans.

My favorite photo of Father of Ken and Frazier--this pretty much sums up their entire relationship, which was that Father of Ken had little use for the dog when he ate the front door, but Frazier always loved Father of Ken and only wanted to get on his good side. That never happened.

Who could resist this face?

After Kramer and Frazier came Piper, our first brindle Boxer. Father of Ken rescued Piper from being tied up to a tree out in the middle of nowhere. She is insanely good at carrying toys around the house and never tearing them up.

Boomer, who may or may not be descended from Kramer, but who is the biggest, most loveable goofball ever and he literally throws himself into everything that he does: eating, sleeping, playing, etc. Boomer doesn't do much of anything halfheartedly except stay awake.

The latest addition: MacGyver, who is probably four times larger than this now and who is probably 100 times more accomplished than any of the other dogs because Brother of Ken has been training him:

And, finally, McKenna. She might be the smallest one, but she's feisty and strong. She took over from Kramer when I moved out on my own and she has been taking good care of me ever since.

Why own a dog? There's a danger you know,

You can't own just one, for the craving will grow.

--Unknown

Obsession: Updated

Sorry about the link mix up, gentle readers. I've corrected the mistake, but I maintain that this is a serious misuse of Scooby Doo.

This week's favorite thing, to go along with my current craving for comfort foods to distract me from the creepiness of people coming into my home and eating my tomatoes, is my very favorite chocolate bar in the whole world, Nestle Extrafino:

I discovered these when I lived in Spain and I always had one stashed somewhere. Every time I go back, I stock up and bring them back to give as gifts. Each square melts in your mouth like chocolate silk. Plus, you get some of your recommended daily calcium intake!

If I can't get any Nestle Extrafino, I also love a good Hershey bar. There is something wonderful about the simplicity of Hershey's milk chocolate bars with their slightly waxy texture and the way that the smooth chocolate melts in your mouth. Don't even get me started on s'mores made with Hershey's chocolate...

Of course, there is a place in my life for higher end chocolate and I understand the health benefits of dark chocolate, but when I want chocolate comfort (or a good, gooey s'more), I'm turning to Nestle's Extrafino or Hershey's milk chocolate.

Obsession

This week's Favorite Thing is white vinegar. I know that may sound strange to you, but hear me out.

Top five reasons to love white vinegar (in no particular order):

1. It is inexpensive.

2. It is one of the best deodorizers I have ever found.

3. It polishes chrome like nobody's business.

4. It is great for grade school science experiments.

5. It is inexpensive.

Contrary to Late Grandfather of Ken and Father of Ken's opinions, white vinegar does not rid dogs of fleas. In fact, it will make your Boston Terrier hyperventilate and never trust you again. Poor Corkey. It does, however, clean and deodorize nearly everything in or around your home for pennies and it makes everything smell fresh, not vinegary.

Some of the feats of strength successfully completed by white vinegar in my lifetime:

1. The neutralization of drawers and cabinets in cool, but somewhat smelly old furniture.

2. The neutralization of Leah's kitchen and living room following a lasagna overflow mishap in January.

3. Cleaning and polishing the chrome fixtures in the bathrooms and kitchen of my house when I took cleaning duties over from the Disgustingtons.

4. Quickly freshening the garbage disposal so that it smells nice.

5. Cleaning and freshening the microwave--put some white vinegar in a bowl, microwave it for 30 seconds, then use a cloth dipped in the vinegar to clean the inside of the microwave.

6. Works as a substitute for buttermilk when you mix it with regular milk. Great for other cooking and baking applications, too.

And best of all, it is SO inexpensive! You can get a huge bottle of it for a few dollars and you can use it for so many things. White vinegar is awesome. You know I'm right.

Obsession

This week's Favorite Thing: The J. Crew Perfect Fit Long Sleeve Crewneck Tee. Let me say up front that I only buy these at the J. Crew outlet if they are $10 or less, but I love these shirts. I have three of them and I wear them all of the time. The weight of the cotton knit is perfect, they are slightly fitted through the body, and have longer sleeves than most other long sleeved shirts that I have tried (according to Brother of Ken, I have "freakishly long arms").

Note: I am not a paid spokesperson for any product that I feature in my "Obsession" posts.

Obsession Update

Upon returning home this afternoon after some people came to look at the house, I found the perfect opportunity to demonstrate to my gentle readers just how well last week's Favorite Thing, The Shark, works. Here is The Shark, ready to go:

The mud in my entry from people tramping through the snow to get inside:

Le Shark, in action:

This is how dirty that was--one small section of floor and one day's worth of dirt:

Beautiful!

Obsession

This week's Favorite Thing is The Shark. I don't usually get excited about "As Seen on TV" products, but Mother of Ken's cleaning people use one of these and I saw how well it worked at their house and decided to get one of my own. It has been especially nice to have since I put the house on the market--instead of lugging around a mop and mop bucket, all I have to do is fill it with water and plug it in and I can clean all of the hard surfaces in the house in about ten minutes.

Here is Kenna with The Shark just after it arrived:

This version comes with two different mop heads (one rectangular and one triangular) and two microfiber covers for each mop head. You also get a fuzzy cover for cleaning hardwood floors and a glider thing that you can use to steam carpets. It makes things smell so clean and it really does pick up dirt and grime well. You can pump the handle to direct extra steam at specific areas of the floor, such as next to your new refrigerator where there is a patch of dirt left from The Disgustingtons that you have never been able to remove. You can flip the mop heads and use both sides of the cover for cleaning and then just throw them into the washing machine to clean them. It also has a really long cord, so I can plug it into the outlet in the living room and use it all over the downstairs. The handle extends for those of us who are tall and the floor dries quickly, so you don't have to ban the dog from the kitchen for 20 minutes while your floor dries.

A not-so-great photo of The Shark, all ready to go:

Here's a bonus video of The Shark in action on my kitchen floor:

Remember, I am not a paid spokesperson for any of the products featured in my "Obsession" posts.

Obsession

My camera batteries died and I apparently do not have any replacements, so until I take care of that problem, I can't blog about most of the things that I planned to blog about this week.

Never fear, though, gentle readers. Today, I am introducing a new feature of this blog. At the end of every week, I will post about one or two of my favorite things. It might be a website, a product, a food, a person or animal--who knows? Anyway, I hope that it will be a way for me to share some great things with you that you might also want to try or learn more about.

So, without further ado, here are this week's favorite things.

This is actually a pair of things chosen because they go together--PaperBack Swap and SwapADVD. I joined PaperBack Swap (PBS) last spring and I really love it. It allows you to exchange books with people all over the country (including hardcover books) easily and quickly. This way, you have access to almost any book that you want and, when you're done, you can keep the book or swap it for another book. Now, I don't feel bad about buying a book, reading it once, and not wanting to store it. I don't live near a library, so PBS is really convenient for me. There is quite a market for cookbooks on the site, too.

SwapADVD works the same way--you pay to ship any book or DVD that another member requests from you and they pay to ship anything that you request from them. Membership to both sites is free (there is also a related CD swap site) and you can transfer credits between all three. I recently decided to get rid of all of my VHS tapes because they take up more space than DVDs, but I felt guilty for buying movies that I already owned, so I looked for the movies on SwapADVD instead of buying them brand new.

Both sites allow you to make and manage wish lists for things that aren't currently available and then they notify you when someone else posts that book, DVD, or CD. If a book or DVD has been swapped multiple times, there is a feature on the website that allows you to see where it has been, which is cool.

It's really fun to get rid of some of your old books or DVDs (ones that you don't read or watch anymore) and get new ones or even to request a book or DVD that you read or watched a long time ago and want to read or watch again.

Note: I am not a paid spokesperson for these websites and I am speaking only from my personal experience. Please do not get mad at me if you get kicked off of PBS for sending books full of highlighting or if you get kicked off of SwapADVD for sending someone half of a Jane Fonda work out DVD ;-)