Eat, Drink, Be Merry and Chic

I’m not really one to troll the blogosphere for things to buy. Don’t get me wrong, I like purchasing beautiful things. But I also like making them, staring at them, and eating them (a beautiful cupcake or cookie that is). I get to do all of these wonderful things, and so will you, when you visit Eat Drink Chic. This is delightful blog by Amy Moss a Graphic Designer turned professional blogger. This blog is a combination of DIY, art, furniture, fashion, food, stationary &c. If you’re looking for beautiful, stylish things to buy, look at, eat or do..then Eat Drink Chic is one of the best places to stop.

It’s Summer. Let’s Take an Escapade

Interior design blogs, just like fashion blogs perplex me. Where do they find all of these good images all the time? But a great interior design blog has more than good images. It has a flare, a style of its own only best expressed through an interesting blogger. Therefore, it may not be fair to call Escapade simply an interior design blog, because it hits, fashion, DIY ideas, and Esty finds all done in a stylish way. Clearly Sharalee Mushore, the blogger,

has more interests and points of view she has to express. Express she does, in an interesting way. I’ve spent hours at a time on this blog getting inspired and motivated. This leads me to the best part, Ms. Mushore’s Inspiration for the week. They are good thoughtful quotes that propel the dullest of spirits upward. Here is my favorite. If you want to be inspired visually and emotionally I think it best to take an Escapade. It is only during these times that our thoughts and dreams collide turning into action.

Fabulous Hit the Blogosphere through the Mrs

A picture is worth a thousand words, especially if it has a point of view and is styled right. So the picture at left should tell you a bit about the blog Mrs. Lilien- Styling House, and the blogger Mrs. Kelley Lilien. By trade this Mrs. Lilien is a graphic artist and prop stylist (i.e. the image at right). By night, she injects the blog community with style and flair, through her witty post prose, and her colorful, energetic, sense of style and flare. Who knew mojitos went best with a Elizabeth and James Kimono Maxi dress? You didn’t, nor did I, but we can learn. Let us never forget about the 7 success driven persuasions in our life lifetime (number 2 being above). Most people pretend to be glamorous. Some people are glamorous and never share the wealth. Few people are glamorous and let us in on how-to be too. If you’re interested in the latter, I suggest a visit to Mrs. Lilien- Styling House.

An American Southerner Expat in France: a Delicious Funny Read

 The saying goes; “Wherever you go, there you are.” What if you get to go somewhere and discover that you are quite different than where you were over there. Truth be told I always wanted to have an a true expat experience, as an adult with a semblance of common sense, unlike my time studying and living abroad in Spain at the age of 19-20. Since I’m being honest here, I’m slowly, or rapidly depending on who you talk to, becoming a Francophile. Of all my traveling companions to France I was the only one who loved the people, food, and city. I couldn’t get enough. This is why I regularly read Southern Fried French.  Lynn McBride-a South Carolinian is living out my dream of living in France. But here are the reasons why you should read it. The French recipes are simple, and simply to die for. You’ll want to hurry to the market to eat what she and her friends have cooking, or at least try to pull it from the computer screen for consumption. There is no better way to learn the French rules of etiquette from a Southerner and her husband who botch them, making for some interesting hilarity. An example, when Ms. McBride offered a round of wine to her guests viewing the accommodations in the Chateau she and her husband are leasing from now friends. Sounds like a harmless appealing offer, except it was not appropriate and Ms. McBride’s description of the event is priceless. Furthermore, I think we should all adapt the way in which the French discreetly let a guest know that she has in fact taken in too much of the liquid grapes. If you’re not a Fancophile like me you’ll probably become a Lynn McBrideaphile (that’s made up you know). Fly on over to Southern Fried French, because you should never miss tasting anything Fried!

4 Days Until the Big Day (Christmas): and How not to Pull a Nutty

Keep Calm and Carry On

If you celebrate Christmas one of two things is happing to you right now. Some of you are in organized Christmas bliss because your shopping is done, Christmas cards are sent out, meals are planned and home decorated. Other’s of you, like me, are not done with your Christmas shopping, have a vague idea as to what you are going to cook for Christmas dinner, you haven’t gotten out your Christmas cards (which is probably too late for), and the house is not fully decorated. If you are in the latter group here some ideas I found trolling around the Internet, as well as my own to have a…as I like to call it…a Nutty Free Christmas.

Shop Online: I did this for all the gifts that I have so far. The best part is that they guarantee Christmas delivery (if ordered by a certain time) and you can fill out a card on-line so you don’t have to purchase one (or a Christmas tag for that matter).

Realize Christmas is not like on Television or Movies: Your Christmas will not, nor has it ever been perfect. Your meal won’t be perfect, nor will your kids. And the family fiasco that ensues will not be funny until years later or to the unfamiliar observer.

Take a Deep Breath: Curse while doing so under said breath, and then let it go. Surrender is the key folks. Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.

Spend what you Can Actually Afford: Have we learned nothing from America’s almost financial ruin? Too many things were put on too much credit. Therefore, if you have credit left don’t use it for gifts for people who will forget about said gift in less than six months. Use cash and a budget. It’s not the size of the gift that matters it really is the thought. You can always see what the thoughtful gifts are. More money does not equal thoughtfulness.

Purchase only Perishable Gifts: I learned this nifty tip from Ina Garten a couple years ago, and have put it into practice since. When I purchase something perishable, like theater tickets or food, I know it will be used. People very rarely let these types of gifts go to waste. I like knowing my money was not wasted. Plus it makes shopping for people so much easier.

Give money to young adults for Christmas: This does not need to be explained if you have a young adult in your family. If you have a small child that will one day be a young adult you’ll learn why this is such a fantastic tip the hard way.

Focus on what Christmas really is about: It’s about getting together, eating and enjoying the company no matter who the company is.

Give Yourself Credit: The fact that you have even gotten a little bit of your Christmas To-Do list completed is worth a celebration. I’ll let you in a little secret: Getting down on yourself makes life much much harder and you much less motivated to continue whatever it is.

Do What Ever You Can with a Drink in your Hand and Great Music in the Background: For my AA friends make sure you have that music on loud and dance it out.

Keep Calm and Carry-On: Enough said.

It’s Not Just Moms Who Have to Watch their Pennies

http://moneysavingmom.com

blog image from Money Saving Mom

I don’t know about you, but in my household given the current economic climate & my added current job transition, we need to watch and save our pennies. I’ll go any where respectable to do that. Luckily I found & frequent Money Saving Mom to learn about some the best deals in town. What I love about the site is the fact that it’ does not only provide current discount information for national retailers, but also other ways to save pennies through earning and managing your money.  I especially like & identify with Ms. Paine’s honesty regarding her families previous financial worries and the really hard work and many mistakes it took for her to start a home based business and a very successful blog. Honesty, coupled with money management information is a God send, literally. If you want some sound financial ideas go to Money Saving Mom.

Tell me what you think about this site and revue. How are some of the ways that you are saving/managing money in this economic climate?

Zen Habits

http://zenhabits.net

A Nice Calm in the Blogospheric Storm

Zen Habits blog image

My life has felt somewhat chaotic & overwhelming as of late. Usually the first things to suffer from this fate are the things most important to me: my family, friends, home, business, blogs…and well me (not in the order mind you, “me” should be first). What I find, as I’m sure you do too, when chaos & feelings of being overwhelmed rule, focus & simplicity fly away like a bird migrating to the south for winter. While focus & simplicity may return many many months later, like that bird, I need them to return now before too much damage is done. Zen Habits assists you in getting that bird back much earlier. This blog helps you to refocus & prioritize  your life. A blog giving you sound advice on Killing Busy Work, 5 Great Ways to Conquer Self Doubt & How Not to Hurry to just name a few of posts in a large repertoire, should not be ignored. I first learned of Zen Habits on twitter (you can follow Zen Habits here) & was delighted to be led to the blog where it’s quiet, resourceful, & thought-provoking. I have to tell you, we should seek out & bookmark peace where ever we can find it.   Zen Habits is your peace in a social media frenzy.

Frugal for Life

http://frugalforlife.blogspot.com

Frugal is a six letter word for many, but given the right ideas it’s quit appealing

Frugal for Life blog image

I hate the words frugal, cheap, and budget. I think that is because for me they connote the idea of scarcity. God knows I have needed to be all three at one time or another. However, I have resisted on a consistent and conscious level to give in. So why, you may be asking, am I revue’ing a blog called Frugal for Life? A change in mindset. Frugal for Life’s adage is Spend Less, Waste Less, and Save More.  These are action phrases. They are not premised on the idea of having to submit to the undesired fate of not having enough. Rather these phrases hand me back my control and desire to add more to my life rather than having anything taken way. Each post provides ideas for that control, when at times we feel and know life is simply not controllable. No it’s not a glossy glamorous subject.  But, I think it gives food for thought that we have more options than we realize when it comes to where and how we spend, and how to save. If we use all, some or one of those options we can ultimately have more life and freedom from the burden of obtaining and then wasting what we obtained. Frugal for Life doesn’t make “frugal” a six letter word for me anymore.

Daily Danny

www.dailydanny.com

Who Knew it Was So Easy Being Green. Someone alert Kermit!

This is new for The Blog Revue…Video! And while I should have come up with this bright idea with Amy Blogs Chow (I may still do a post script to my review), I’m pleased to get the ball rolling with Danny Seo. I have for many years attempted (not as successfully as I’d like) to be greener. Unplug those plugs, recycle that furniture, use that sun, water and roof to my advantage. For some reason a lot of it seems over-my-head,  expensive, or just too time consuming. Scene. Cut to Danny Seo. But green expert Danny Seo takes the frustration, lack of creativity and decor atrophy out of being green. In his Daily Danny blog he shows YOU, yes YOU…how to be green instead of corrsively black. His green ideas are actually appealing as is Mr. Seo. Watch the video and then run to Daily Danny, daily, and learn that it’s easy being green. Kermit he was such a liar.

An Aesthete’s Lament

http://aestheteslament.blogspot.com

Learning Personal Panache from the People who have or had it.

The Aesthete’s Lament: Dolores (left) and Gloria Guinness (right)

It is so very easy to want to be and live like others. It seems that it starts in middle school and transverse our upper school years straight through adulthood. However, the ones we so want to emulate, the ones whose lives, looks and breeding we desire have something we refuse to duplicate, because it cannot be. Individuality. An Aesthete’s Lament is a testament, a how-to, and nudge to creating a life uniquely designed and authenticated by…you. The premise is clear, never seek to duplicate what is on its pages but use the muse (whether a person, concept, or thing) to innovate your life…all portions of it. You are the creator, not the copier. But you must have the mindset for such, as so eloquently put by the Lamentor. Therefore, if you possess this all too rare knowing I suggest you get very uniquely inspired and acquainted with the people and places shown by An Aesthete’s Lament.

G Living: Darker Cooler Side of Green

http://gliving.com

Who Ever Said Green was the New Black, was Correct

G Living image of The Biscuit House from Aum group, architect Pierre Minassian

I have resolved to live a more green lifestyle. This is not a pre-New Year proclamation. This has been my resolve for quite some time. In researching how to figure out how to do Green in conformity with who I am and what I belive, I found this invaluable resource. It is called G Living. G Living is what I call a glossy blog, but it’s full of great content regarding architecture, farming practices, health, food &c. with some interesting interviews thrown in between. Depending on your temperament G Living can be extreme for some, at times (not PETA extreme, but raw foods only extreme…at times) and it does not hold any punches in its commentary if the blogger deem necessary. But I like that, and I think you will too. Because in the quest for great health and ecological responsibility, I as you I will, take the information where we can get it, analyze, and then act according to our individual Green standard. 

The Peak of Chic

http://thepeakofchic.blogspot.com

Where yesterday meets today in the most stylish of ways

The Peak of Chic blog image

Living well, is an art. And not many people can innately do it, let alone do it really well. Often times it takes, study, advice, and observation. Luckily all of these things are inherent in one blog called The Peak of Chic. While it’s easy to think trends, sophistication, and style is a modern invention, Ms. Jennifer Boles, the blogstress, smartly knows that it is not. Modern chic(ness) has a past…a foundation, one that should be studied, emulated and then rightly juxtaposed against our modern-day elegance and aesthetic. The other thing that is so appealing about Ms. Boles’ blog is that it is not singularly focused on one genre. Rather, the blog hits all areas of chic(dom) from entertaining, interiors, books, people, art, and jewelry, fabric…&c. With all of these different topics it would be easy for The Peak of Chic to lack continuity of purpose and aesthetic, but it does not. Ms. Boles purposeful narrative is consistent no matter the subject matter. Now, given all that I have said, you should take a peak at The Peak of Chic.