Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat....

blah blah blah... it's about the post office, you get where I'm going with this one. I ship lots of stuff out, one of the big reasons is that my best friend (LOVE YOU BANANA!) lives way down in dirrty Jerzey, and that Ebay "business" I've got going on the side (shhhh). So in order to get stuff to her (an obnoxious amount of journals each year) I've got to ship them. There's tons of options when your shipping, FedEx, UPS, and the now defunct DHL (thank God). But my shipper of choice is the good old fashion Pony Express... The United States Postal Service or USPS


Now I know USPS gets a bad wrap when it comes to shipping, gurenteed arrival, and handling, however economically speaking (we po 'yo), it's the best choice. I use their Click-N-Ship system. It's super easy. Just input your location , the destination, and the approximate weight of the package. Then USPS.com will generate the cost of each mailing option for you (Because I don't do math on my own)! I generally use standard parcel post, this option allows you to ship your item in any kind of packaging. No need to buy anything extra. It's got options for Insurance, Delivery Confirmation, and a host of other add on's.
The best part is the shipping label generates right from your computer's printer!! Slap it on the box and leave it for the post man (Mr. McFeely?) and he'll scoop it up and drop it where it needs to go. Done and Done.

Send me something!! Use USPS Click-N-Ship
Shipping usually cost around $6 for a standard package!

Since U Been Gone...

We've missed you! Earlier this week I briefly mentioned that Kelly Clarkson has started the journey towards the release of her new album "All I Ever Wanted" which will drop March 17th! Her last album, My December, was less then a stellar hit (although amazing). So today we're tempted with a :30 second clip of her new single "My Life Would Suck Without You"

I'm a HUGE Kelly Clarkson fan (I've seen her twice) and LOVE that she's back with some delicious ear candy. I have high hopes that come March I'll be bopping around in my car rocking out to sugary sweet KC pop! It seems that this album will be the return to main-stream radio friendly pop music that made Kelly famous. And really, it's what we want from her...

The single is available January 16th on Amazon.com.
Check out the :30second Clip HERE TODAY!!

Brace Yourself...

I'm channeling my inner straight man today. As we know, I have a broad rang of favorite things, from Britney Spears to Popcorn. But today's post isn't something you can eat, listen to, wear, or dance in... it's for your car.
The product is RainX. For those of you who aren't familiar, it's a treatment that makes rain and moisture on your windshield bead up and repel away. It's really one of the coolest things I've seen. I can remember my Dad using it before we went on long drives and being fascinated by the beading and repelling (it's the little things in life), it kept me busy for hours. The coolest thing is I had forgotten all about the product until I bought their Windshield Wipers (thank you Target) which just HAPPEN to be coated with RainX! I almost got in a wreck watching the rain bead instead of the road. I CAN SEEEE CLEARRRLY NOW THE RAINNNN IS GOOOOONE.

For their full line of products check out www.RainX.com

Microwave Popcorn is the Devil

If you know me, you know there are VERY few food items that I don't like. But towards the top of my list (under Mayonnaise) is microwaved popcorn. I don't think ANYTHING smells worse, or has a scent lingers longer (I hate it even more then the scent of Ruby Tuesdays) So I have a solution (of course)... POPCORN FACTORY

The Popcorn Factory has AWESOME popcorns, candies, and treats that you can send to yourself, or friends and family. I sent out a bunch over the holidays (where are my thank you notes?!). They almost always have a coupon for a dollar amount off, or for free shipping (paying without a coupon is soooo oldschool). Try their Goldstar Sampler that comes packaged in a gold star box (tricky) and is filled with Caramel corn, Cheese popcorn, chocolate chip cookies, peanuts, super sour fruit chews, chocolate stars and sour hard candies. All of that for only $9.99 plus shipping. If that's not a cheap way to say "Thanks for letting me stay @ your house" or "Happy Birthday" I don't know what is.
The food is delicious and ALWAYS fresh. This is one you'll be thanking me for.

Sign Up for their newsletter for weeking coupons and savings.
www.PopcornFactory.com

*I've heard their Ranch Popcorn is amazing... if that's your thing... try it and let me know

Tuesday's Coming...

And that means NEW MUSIC! Rumor has it that the new Kelly Clarkson single "My Life Would Suck Without You" will leak/premier today. Fingers crossed its not as angry as "Never Again"


I think we can agree that 2008 had it's ups (Bleeding Love) and downs (Light On) in music. But even when music is bad (I Kissed a Girl) it's damn catchy. So here's my top 10 of 2008

1. Britney Spears "Womanizer"
-No doubt this will be come one of her signature songs. Try to find the "performance" version on Youtube or however you "acquire" music. It's chopped up and HOT.
2. Adele "Chasing Pavements"
-After her SNL performance, how can you NOT love this song. Old school, bluesy, and GREAT to make out too.
3. Beyonce "Single Ladies/If I Were a Boy"
- You've got to be crazy to not want to get up and dance when this one comes on. And If I Were a Boy is pretty awesome too. B's vocals have never been better.
4. Michelle Williams "We Break The Dawn"
-The 3rd member of Destiny's Child dropped a dance album this year (betcha didn't know that) The jam is hot (and was #1 on the club charst). The rest of the album rounds out with more dance tracks as well as some surprises (check out "Too Young for Love")
5. Leona Lewis "Bleeding Love"
-It amazes me when a ballad, paired with an awesome kick drum and catchy chorus becomes a hit. Me likey
6. Raven Symone "Girl Get It"
-I know what you're thinking, BUT the song is hot, empowering, and catchy as all get out. Big girls represent!! (Also on the album "Double Dutch Bus")
7. Joey + Rory "Cheater, Cheater"
-Straight country from CMT's show "You Can Duet" BUT a lyrics that ANYONE (especially victims of no good cheaters) can relate too.
8. Nickleback "Something In Your Mouth"
-Usually, I'm not a fan of this genre (fake rock) but this dirty dirty dirty song is amazing. The louder the better
9. Christina Aguilera "Keeps Gettin Better"
-I'm liking this new sound. Saying "bitch" over and over is a little bit of forced edginess and she's TOTALLY biting Lady GaGa's style, but I think 2009 will bring good things from Xtina.
10. Danity Kane "Damaged"
-STILL can't get enough of this jam. The video, the lyrics, the harmonies... hot, hot, hot.

And if you're not loving my favs of '08, head over to Amazon.com to read their editors top 100 of 2008 as well as most downloaded songs of 2008. I'm loving buying music from Amazon these days. They've got AMAZING deals on CD's (new major label releases as low as $4.99) and single songs for as low as ($.89). And when you download it, it syncs right to your iTunes, totally seemlessly.

Check out Amazon.com's Top 100 Editors Choice & 100 Top Downloaded MP3's of 2008

It's been a while... I know I shouldn't have kept you waiting...

But I'm here now. Christmas break is OVA! It's back to the old grind and man, does it suck. But here's to a Happy, Healthy, Date-filled 2009 with TONS of new favorite things.

Over Christmas I saw tons of things that I thought "oooo put them on the blog!" but now of course, I can't remember a single one. So I'll go with one of the gifts I got/gave. Let's be honest I suck at growing things (except my waistline) so when I got a gift set of flower bulbs, dirt, and a pot, I was skeptical for sure. Turns out, they bloom quickly and the package promises me they'll look beautiful too! (If the cat doesn't get at them first)The version I received is similar to this one shown above with 4 Paper White bulbs, enough potting soil to start my own commune garden (ala Sister Act), and a very cute pewtered pot. The one I'm showing is available via Amazon.com, but the one I received came from Target (my FAVORITE). It's a great gift to give a neighbor to say "thanks for watering my plants/feeding my cat/getting my mail" or for a sick neighbor or friend to say "hey, at least SOMETHING'S healthy" or as a hostess gift (that was my best Rachael Ray impression)

Paperwhite Bulbs complete with soil and bowl is available at Amazon.com for $17.95
Let me know how your's grow!