December Bunny Pictures

Posted: December 25, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Domino, Pets | 3 Comments

Merry Christmas! Here are some pictures of my bunny Domino. He is about 4 months old now. My friend got him dried papaya treats, and he loves them so much that he freaks out when he hears the crinkle sound the bag makes. He will sit at my feet under the kitchen table (and sometimes nip them – ouch!). He loves to run around in carpeted rooms, but since he also loves to chew on electrical cords, he isn’t let out of the kitchen too much. He can now jump up on the couch.

“Holiday” Present

Posted: December 21, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Shopping, Uncategorized | Tags: , | 1 Comment

We had the office Holiday Party this week. The party was held in the historic downtown area near the office in a fancy Italian restaurant that let us have their private room. After appetizers and cocktails, each employee was given a $100 Visa gift card and a map of local retailers and told they had to buy something for themselves.

My first choice was a store I normally shop at a few times a year (and window shop at about once a month), but they were sold out of my size in the dress I’d had my eye on. So I went across the street to the more upscale ladies boutique. A coworker and I both picked out the same dress, by Max & Cleo. They had to order mine, since they didn’t have two in the same size. It is super cute and I will be able to wear it mostly year round. The only bummer is that it is a jersey dress that says “dry clean only.” do I risk it and machine wash it on gentle? Hand wash?

Save Christmas Update

Posted: December 21, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , | 1 Comment

Thank you all so much for helping save Christmas for my friend, the single mother of two kids who [very] recently lost her job. I told her that I needed to see her on Friday, either for lunch or after I got off work. I told her I had to give her something important.

We met at the local Chick-fil-A and I bought us both lunch. Then we sat down in a booth and I handed her a big red envelope. Some people had sent checks made out to me, which I turned into cash (large bills so it would all fit in the envelope) and some people sent checks made out to her, which I placed into the envelope along with a gift card, a regular card and other stuff that I had received for her. I also added $20 for gas money.

I had totaled u everything the night before: $560, $25 gift card, 2 boxes of presents for the kids, 1 box of note cards & 1 book of stamps!

But since I had to stop at the ATM that morning I decided to round up the amount to an even $600 and then I got another $100 donation that afternoon.

My friend tried to act mad that I was trying to make her cry in public. She looked through everything in the envelope. I told her that this was from over 20 people, some who knew her and some who didn’t and from all over the country. I told her we all just wanted to give her support and hope and that this was for her and her kids, so they could have a nice Christmas and get what they needed.

She said that she appreciated this more than she could say and more than we could understand. She was very overwhelmed and I don’t think she expected that at all. She texted later that night to say thanks again.

After lunch, I took her out to my car and gave her the boxes for the kids. When I got home that night, I had a check for $200 for my friend sent from my extremely kind and generous aunt. A day later I received another $40 in the mail for her. I texted my friend back and said we would have to have lunch again soon, because I had just received more donations for her!

Thank you all so much for pitching in! Everyone should feel proud of the difference you have made in helping this lady. She really appreciates it. I’m sure you all earned some good karma this December. She has had some job interviews already, so please keep your fingers crossed that she gets a job offer soon!

Save Christmas

Posted: December 9, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Friends, Uncategorized | Tags: , | 6 Comments

My friend, who is a single mom with 2 kids, just lost her job, mere weeks before Christmas. There is never a good time to be unemployed, but she has had an extra hard year and was not expecting this new setback. I’m going to respect their privacy and not disclose all the details, but trust me, this situation sucks.

I thought about it all day, just sick to my stomach about the state of the world. Then I posted on Facebook and Twitter asking if anyone would be willing to donate to help her provide Christmas (among other needs) for her kids. The kids are a pre-teen and young teen, so they won’t feel that Santa let them down if they don’t get presents. But they are extremely good kids who deserve a nice Christmas, and their mom is a sweet, caring lady who works her butt off to provide for them. She needs to be able to give them a Christmas.

In less than 24 hours, I have gotten just under $300 pledged to help her and her family. I have awesome friends who jumped right in and sent money, promised money, and also gift cards and other items.

I am so excited. Every time I get an email or message, I text my mom the new total.

I am humbled by everyone’s willingness to help and their trust in me (especially my internet friends My Milk Glass Heart, Let’s Die Friends, David C. Garcia, Brandon J. Carr and a special thanks to Paul Frank Industries).

I am sure that my friend will be extremely happy and touched to know how many care about her and her family. I’m guessing here, but I’m sure they could use help with regular bills and expenses, too.

I know there are a lot of demands on everyone this time of year, but it would mean a lot to me and to her to know people care. If you want to donate money, gift cards, or other items please leave a comment (make sure you use a valid email address) or you can send donations via Paypal to my account at carlyrmgmailcom

Harry and David Pears: Best Ever

Posted: December 6, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Food, Shopping, Uncategorized | Tags: , , | Leave a comment
Pears!

Harry and David Pears

Harry and David pears are super expensive and if you’ve never had them you might just roll your eyes. But once I ate one I was a believer. They are amazing.

I found them online for 3 different prices (WTF?) but this one is the best deal, and it comes with free shipping.

Normally $30, on sale for $20. Use the code FREEFSD when you check out to get the free shipping. A good alternative to sweets, awesome for people out of town. Buy one for yourself, too.

Essie Luxeffects Nail Polish

Posted: December 4, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Nails, Shopping | Tags: , , , | 2 Comments

I went on a bit of a spree at Ulta this weekend. I wanted to pick up some of the new Essie Luxeffects top coats I’d seen on Pinterest. Of course I had not been to a cosmetic store in a while and they had all their fun holiday gift sets, and sale things, and buy so many, get something free deals… I went overboard. But they had stuff like $7 eyeliner pencil for $1! I managed to get some cute little stocking stuffers, too.

One funny thing that happened, when I was looking at the different makeup sets the sales lady came over and asked if I was shopping for my daughter. I gave her an involuntary “bitch, please” face and said, “Um, actually my mom maybe?” I’m not saying I’m not old enough to have a kid, but I more frequently get asked if I’m an undergrad, and since any kid I would have would not need a 100 color makeup set. I wonder if that lady puts her foot in her mouth a lot, or sells a lot of wrinkle cream that way!

Here’s the manicure I did yesterday. I really need to get my cuticles in better shape.

December Manicure

Essie “Brooch the Subject” Winter 2011, a creamy cashmere cameo

Essie “As Gold As It Gets” Luxeffects Top Coat, gilded lamé sparkles

Holiday Tunes

Posted: December 2, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | 2 Comments

It’s the time of year when I switch from iTunes and Spotify back to Pandora for the Christmas stations. But I’m finding that I have strong reactions to the songs – about half positive and half negative.

One album I’d recommend is Amimee Mann’s “One More Drifter in the Snow.”

What music are you rocking out to this December?