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1. Cloud 8 1/2 has a slightly new look!  I’ve changed my WordPress theme and created a new header.  But in even better news, this is a temporary fix as I plan to do more of an overhaul in the coming couple of weeks.  Stay tuned…

2. Cloud 8 1/2 has a Facebook fan page!  Please consider “liking” me over there.  It’s great for my ego.

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Now onto guilty pleasures – those little things that make life more enjoyable but, maybe, you’re not supposed to enjoy them.  They’re from the fluffier side of things.  The silly, the trivial, the indulgences.

1. Magazines

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Ooooh, magazines.  Their glossy pages.  Their pretty pictures.  Their lists and quizzes and short little bursts of commentary.  I have stacks of them all over my house and I’m loathe to part with any of them despite the fact that I flip through them once, maybe twice, and then leave them to collect dust in a corner.  Real Simple is my favorite and I still mourn for Domino and Cottage Living.  House Beautiful, Food Network, Cooking Light, Every Day with Rachael Ray, Coastal Living, Travel + Leisure – pretty much if it has pretty houses, pretty vacation spots, yummy food or tips for organizing my junk drawer, I’m all over it.

2. Reality TV.

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Real Housewives of Top Chef Getting Married?  Yes please.  I watch every Real Housewives franchise except Atlanta, Top Chef, Bethenny Getting Married?, So You Think You Can Dance? and Millionaire Matchmaker (and, when they air, Flipping Out and Thintervention).  I’ve cut back, dropping Project Runway, America’s Next Top Model and Hell’s Kitchen along the way.  Regardless, I know it’s trashy, mind-numbing television with no value at all, but it’s my brain candy.  I watch it and I check out of my own life and into the drama-fueled world of privilege, back-stabbing and surprisingly skanky rich chicks.

3. Reddi-Wip

I know that, as someone with a modicum of skill in the kitchen, I shouldn’t be using Cool Whip, Reddi Wip or anything else that vaguely resemble pre-made whipped cream.  But there’s a tub of Cool Whip in my freezer and a container of Reddi Wip in my fridge.  Almost every night I brew a cup of hot chocolate in my Keurig (thanks Mom!) and I top it with a giant fluffy mound of whipped cream.  Then I squirt a little directly into my mouth.  Then I lick the whipped cream off of the top of the hot chocolate and, saddened, vaguely entertain the idea of squirting some more on there for round two.  I don’t care that it’s in a can, I don’t care what’s been added to it, I don’t care that it’s terribly simple to make homemade whipped cream.  You can pry my Reddi Wip from my cold, dead hand.

4. Fancy Coffee Drinks

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Not that long ago, the only way I could drink coffee was if it was drowned in flavorings and sugar.  I hated the taste of it and had to try hard to mask it, and in doing so, I got hooked on Fancy Coffee Drinks.  The ones with long, annoying names and very little coffee in them?  Yeah, that was me.  Of late I’ve realized that I don’t need quite so much sugar or flavoring added, but I still love a Pumpkin Spice Latte or a Caramel Macchiatto from my former employer, Starbucks.  I know they’re over-priced and ridiculous and I just don’t care.  They’re a treat when I get them and I savor every last drop.

5. Sleeping

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I really, really, really like to sleep and naps are a big indulgence for me.  I inevitably feel guilty (the only item on this list that actually does make me feel that way!) when I take a nap, my mind racing with all of the cooking/cleaning/organizing/errand running/child cuddling I could be diong with that time, but oh-ho, are they good for my soul.  I luxuriate in high-quality sheets, fluffy pillows and duvet covers and a pillow-top mattress that isn’t nearly big enough, but so comfy.  I make happy sounds when I slide into bed at night and snuggle down and my husband laughs that every time I’m truly exhausted, he can hear me calling “I love this bed” as I climb into it.  Add a purring kitty and a cool breeze through an open window and you pretty much have my definition of Heaven.

And now, it’s your turn ~ what is YOUR guilty pleasure?

Want to see the Writer’s Block 30 list?  Here’s my original post on the topic.

So finding a song that makes me cry is easy-peasy, baby.  Here’s a few highlights:

1. In My Daughter’s Eyes, Martina McBride ~

“In my daughter’s eyes I am a hero / I am strong and wise and I know no fear / But the truth is plain to see / She was sent to rescue me / I see who I wanna be /In my daughter’s eyes”

Before I had a child, I just thought this was a terribly sweet song.  Now that I have a daughter, one who truly has turned my life around, it makes me into a sobbing puddle of emotions and goo and that hideous Ugly Cry.  Thank goodness I only seem to hear it in the car, alone, when only passers-by can catch a glimpse of my snot-face.  Purty.

2. Everything, Michael Buble’ ~

“And I can’t believe, uh that I’m your man / And I get to kiss you baby just because I can / Whatever comes our way, ah we’ll see it through /And you know that’s what our love can do”

As soon as I hear the opening notes to this tune, my face splits into a grin, my heart pitter-patters, and my body begins moving to the beat.  This is the song I walked down the aisle to at my wedding and every time I hear it, I’m transported back to that day.  I’m lucky in love and I’m madly, head-over-heels for that man I married that day, and the lyrics to this one remind me just how much I love him and how amazing it is to be loved by him.

3. The Man Who Can’t Be Moved, The Script ~

“Maybe I’ll get famous as the man who can’t be moved / Maybe you wont mean to but you’ll see me on the news / And you’ll come running to the corner / ’cause you’ll know it’s just for you /I’m the man who can’t be moved”

The Script was probably my biggest musical discovery of 2010 and they have quickly moved up my list of favorite bands to end up in probably the top 15, if not the top 10.  This particular song lays out a man’s heartache, his desperate wish for his love to come back and find him again.  It’s probably silly and sappy of me, but I tear up at the end of it each time.

4. Today, Joshua Radin ~

“But you are the one, I’ve been waiting for today / And here comes the sun, That’s been baiting on today / You looked right through me, When there was no one else / I sat beside you and became myself, Today… today”

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Okay, now look – you can’t laugh at me.  But this was Ellen DeGeneres and Portia Di Rossi’s wedding song, and the first time I heard it was during her show when she played a video of their wedding day.  And I cried through the whole darn thing.  I love Ellen, probably to an unreasonable degree (I swear I’m not a stalker), but hearing this song while seeing the two of them so happy and glowy and in love-y, it was just a slice of romance.

5. Fix You, Coldplay ~

“When you try your best, but you don’t succeed / When you get what you want, but not what you need / When you feel so tired, but you can’t sleep / Stuck in reverse / And the tears come streaming down your face / When you lose something you can’t replace / When you love someone, but it goes to waste / Could it be worse? / Lights will guide you home / And ignite your bones / And I will try to fix you”

I blame Travis Wall for how much this song touches me.  During the 7th season of So You Think You Can Dance?, Travis choreographed a dance for Robert Roldan and Allison Holker (brag moment: both of whom I’ve met!) to this song.  In discussing the piece, Travis revealed that it was choreographed for his mother, who was going through some health issues.  I’m pretty sure I cried through the entire piece each time I watched it (which was an embarrassing number of times – thank you DVR!) and again when I saw the touring show live.  When I hear the song, that piece comes back to me, demonstrating the strength in dance and music and how much the arts can touch us.

6. The House That Built Me, Miranda Lambert ~

“I thought if I could touch this place or feel it / This brokenness inside me might start healing / Out here it’s like I’m someone else / I thought that maybe I could find myself /If I could walk around I swear I’ll leave /Won’t take nothing but a memory /From the house that built me”

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This song makes me think about my family and how healing it is to go home again.  When things are rough and I feel off-center I know that time with my parents and my sisters will help me to feel whole again.  The power of Family and Love is amazing to me.

7. The Best Day, Taylor Swift ~

“There is a video I found from back when I was three / You set up a paint set in the kitchen and you’re talking to me / It’s the age of princesses and pirate ships and the seven dwarves / Daddy’s smart and you’re the prettiest lady in the whole wide world / Now I know why all the trees change in the fall / I know you were on my side even when I was wrong / And I love you for giving me your eyes / Staying back and watching me shine and I didn’t know if you knew / So I’m taking this chance to say that I had the best day with you today”

I wouldn’t know about this song if it wasn’t for my 17-year old niece who played it for my sister and, of course, made her cry.  When I hear it I think about my daughter and how much I hope I can be a great Mom but also a great friend to her, and I think about my own Mom who is my best friend.  This relationship is such a special one and this song hits a nail on the head.  I love it.

Want to see the Writer’s Block 30 list?  Here’s my original post on the topic.

To help kick start me, I’m going to use this Writer’s Block Thirty that I shamelessly stole from Just D and Y. I was blog hopping and really don’t know how I found it, but find it I did! And thank goodness, ’cause some fun writing prompts might just help liven the place up a bit!

I’ve tweaked the original list just a bit, but the bulk of it remains.  I reserve the right to jump around (jump up, jump up and get down!) the list, but I’m planning to hit every topic/prompt listed below.

Day 1 – Blogging to You Live From…
Day 2 – Favorite Song
Day 3 – A Song That Makes Me Cry
Day 4 - A Post on Books
Day 5 – Much Love Monday (as seen at Much Love)
Day 6 – A Favorite Quote
Day 7 – A Few of My Favorite Things
Day 8 – A Photo of Me Taken Over 10 Years Ago
Day 9 - If I Had a Million Dollars
Day 10 - A Wanderlist
Day 11 – A House Tour
Day 12 – My Top 5 Blogs
Day 13 - My Guilty Pleasures
Day 14 - “Today I Believe” (as seen at a diary of little things and curiosities – the series on her blog, because I love it)
Day 15 - Fill In the Blank Friday (as seen at The Little Things We Do)
Day 16 - Something Quirky About Me
Day 17 - My Wedding
Day 18 - My Day in Great Detail
Day 19 – A Talent of Mine
Day 20 – A Picture From a Year Ago + A Picture From Today
Day 21 - Gratitude
Day 22 – A Look Inside My iPod
Day 23 – Favorite Movie
Day 24 – Where I Live
Day 25 - Where I Come From (yes, I’ll differentiate!)
Day 26 - A Collection
Day 27 - My Worst Habit
Day 28 - What’s In My Purse
Day 29 - Hopes, Dreams and Plans for the Next 365 Days
Day 30 – A Dream For the Future

Nella’s Birth Story is honest. It’s touching. It’s terrifying and reassuring and astounding. Kelle doesn’t hold back, letting us into her reaction to realizing that her sweet, darling, beautiful girl was born with Down Syndrome. She grieves and she sobs and then… then she begins to heal. Her world is a beautiful one, baby, and that Nella? Oh, she’s amazing.

Nella’s First Birthday is coming up in 2 weeks, and to celebrate her girl, Kelle wants to celebrate all babies born just like her. She’s started Nella’s ONEder Fund, a collection for the organization NDSS, which, to take from Kelle’s post, has a mission to create a culture that fully accepts and includes individuals with Down syndrome.

Kelle began with the admirable goal of raising $15K. Two hours into the fundraiser, she bumped it to $30K. About 2 days in, she bumped it up to $47K. $47,000 for 47 chromosomes. All she’s asking is for $5 donations (or more! please, if you have it and are compelled, give more!) from her followers, the people who love her blog, love her Nella, and love all the special boys and girls out there who deserve to be accepted and cherished for the wonderful beings that they are.

Go, read Kelle’s post about the ONEder Fund. And if you feel moved to do so, please donate. Blog, Facebook, Tweet, link away. Get the word out and help make a huge difference in a ton of spectacular little lives.

Do you know what this is?  I mean, aside from a crappy iPhone photo?

It’s a Foodie Dirty Secret.

It’s something I’d never post a “recipe” for.  Something a Foodie wouldn’t be caught dead eating.  It’s void of nutritional value, it’s pre-made, processed food, and it is dayum good.  It’s a classic of my childhood – one of those quick, easy-to-throw-together meals that our Moms fell back on when their day at work was really hard and they couldn’t face putting a more elaborate meal on the table.

And what is this classic, you may ask?

It’s a Steak-umm sandwich.  It’s two of those brittle slabs of meat, pan-fried in a little butter, topped with a single slice of Provolone, and then put on two slices of super-soft white bread (no whole grains, thankyouverymuch) slathered with Kraft Mayo (no substitutions allowed) and sprinkled liberally with salt and pepper.  Utz chips (again, no substitutions allowed) on the side.

It’s greasy.  It’s gooey with melted cheese.  It lacks any drop of wholesomeness, and I love it.

What are your Foodie Dirty Secrets?  Here are some more of mine:

A waffle maker! My love for waffles knows no bounds and my kidlet is completely addicted to those cardboard-y ones that come in a yellow box from the grocery store. They’re all she wants for breakfast every morning, slathered with peanut butter thankyouverymuch, and I’ll feel like a SuperMom if I can make my own, freeze ‘em, and heat them up for her each morning instead of tossing one of those discs at her head when she comes down the steps.

As a bonus, this model can be used as a griddle as well, and if you think my love for waffles is scary, don’t get me started on pancakes.

I don’t own many cookbooks, mostly because I do the bulk of my recipe-hunting on the computer and don’t need the books taking up space when I can refer to the recipes online. But some cookbooks are worth the space, and Dorie definitely falls into that category.

I’m really picky about dishes.  I want plates with rims, but don’t want them to sit too high.  I want bowls that are deep, not shallow.  I want stuff that has some weight to it, isn’t easily breakable, and is pretty.  I have a set of 4 place settings that I received as a generous gift when I got married and they’re a lovely white-on-white pattern that’s versatile, but I’ve fallen in love with this Pfaltzgraff Everyday Trevi pattern and would love to make it mine.

We own a LOT of dishtowels, but the majority of them need to be relegated to dust rag-duty as they aren’t nearly as absorbent as a dishtowel should be.  I picked up some Crate & Barrel dishtowels about 6 months ago and they’ve become the ones I reach for first, and thus, wash most often in a desperate desire to get them cleaned and back under my kitchen sink to be used all over again!   A few more packs of these and I can replace my entire stock!

I’m a sucker for a good creme brulee, but because I’ve never actually purchased ramekins and a torch, I’ve never made this decadent dessert at home.  This looks like a nice little starter set!  I can already tasty the crunchy burnt sugar on my tongue…

Household

Northern Nights 500TC Dobby Stripe Sheet Set – Northern Nights is the brand responsible for my switch to high-quality linens.  I’ve purchased other brands over the years, but nothing has held up as well or softened so much over time as my NN sheets.  I’m now down to one decent set of sheets for our bed and they’re starting to show signs of wear, so I’d love these Northern Nights goodies in the Ivory and Blue to go with my fantabulous Pottery Barn duvet, which I love and adore.

And because I have an illness when it comes to bedding, I’d love to add this Alaine Paisley Floral Duvet to my collection.  I love that it’s a blue backdrop that brings in a deeper green and even a little red.  I may not like much from Pottery Barn’s collection, but their linens make me swoon.

For 3 years now I have been on the quest for adorable cupcake ornaments to add to my Christmas collection, and this year, I found them.  Amy Miller’s Shop on Etsy is packed to the gills with these adorable little treats, and I can assure you that even if I have to wait until after Christmas to make it happen, I will make one of these sweet pink cuppies mine.

I’m a Harry Potter geek, and I have no problem admitting that.  I believe that J.K. Rowling is a genius, I think the books are downright amazing, and I think the movies are lovely.  One day, when I have a room in my home dedicated to books and reading (shelves filled with books, overstuffed chairs and cozy throws), I want this Hogwarts trio by Nan Lawson on Etsy, and other literature-related art, to grace my walls.

Last year I picked up a Canon Powershot SD 1200 right after Christmas and I’ve loved that little powerhouse all year.  It’s lightweight and compact, perfect for tossing in my purse, and it takes some really nice shots.  But I think I’d like to upgrade, and while I dream of a DSLR and photography classes, I fear I won’t make the time to really learn to use such a hefty piece of a equipment right now.  In the meantime, this Canon G12 has caught my eye, and now I’m lusting after it.

Personal

I’ve been on the hunt for a wristlet for over a year now, and it’s taken me forever to find something I like.  Coach and other upper-mid-range purse designers make some classics, but their designs don’t appeal to me, at least not for the pricetag that’s attached.  I don’t need something fancy, but I want something I like, and I finally found it at Etsy seller: liraca’s shop.  This Pleated Wristlet is cute and looks spacious enough to hold my car keys, ID and credit card, camera, and a lip gloss – perfect for concerts and other nights out!

Thanks to a friend, I’ve been a fan of WestByron on Etsy for awhile now, and I always come back to this sweet Mama-and-Baby-Bird necklace.  It’s a simple yet beautiful piece of jewelry, and I know that anytime I wear it, I’ll think of my own little bird – a bonus!

Sihaya is another long-time favorite of mine, and my current obsession is these lovely Enchanted Snowflake earrings, which I think would look stunning not only in the winter, but throughout the year.

A friend of mine has been using Bare Escentuals makeup for awhile now, and now that I’m just getting into it, she’s my go-to for all of my questions and requests for recommendations.  I recently asked her about eyeshadows and among a list of her favorite shades, she recommended this Fab Fresh kit to me, and I’d love to try it out as well as all the others she’s suggested.

Entertainment

While I’ve read (and LOVED!!) all of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series, the only book I own in hardback is the latest, Echo in the Bone.  I need to start picking up all the rest in the series in the hardback format so that I have the complete set!

The complete L Word box set!

The complete Queer as Folk box set!

Alias: Season 3, 4, and 5!

The Bourne Trilogy!

My first Christmas-related project is our family Christmas cards, which are always a load of fun for me to put together.  I’ve been using Shutterfly’s Photo Christmas Cards for a few years now, and am consistently thrilled with the the ease of use of the website, the assortment of designs available, and the quality of the final product.  This year’s selection of designs is amazing – a wide array of beautiful designs, some fun and different, some traditional – there’s something to please everyone!

A family photo + family letter combo? Love it!

A pretty, traditional design to delight all of your family and friends!

I’ve also decided that I’d like to design a photo calendar this year, possibly one for my husband and I and then copies for each of our close family members.  You can now place photos on specific days in the calendar, which is a great idea for marking birthdays and anniversaries.

How much fun would it be to use last year’s blizzard photos to grace the January calendar page?  Or photos from our family vacation to Emerald Isle to help set the mood for summer 2011?  Throw in shots from family get-togethers and it’s a gift fit for everyone you love!

And of course, once Christmas is over, we launch into New Year’s.  Can you believe it’s going to be 2011?  Weren’t we supposed to have flying cars and robot maids by now?  Crazy!  My husband and I used to get together with friends every year for New Year’s, but since the little one came into our lives, we’ve done quiet, cozy nights at home with the family.  This year we’re talking about a hybrid celebration – an easy night at home with great food and fun movies, but asking a couple of friends over for a low-key celebration together.  And of course, Shutterfly has some great New Year’s Eve invitations to choose from!

These damask invitations would be perfect for an elegant dinner party with friends!

I’ve designed a few different versions of our Christmas cards and can’t decide which one, which is the only downside to Shutterfly’s wide variety of options.

I love the green damask band on this one!

And I love that this collage card allows me to use even more of my favorite images from our family photo session!

What to choose, what to choose?  Which do you like?

Disclaimer: Shutterfly is gifting me with 50 free cards in exchange for my writing this post.  This has in no way influenced my opinions and rave reviews for Shutterfly’s services, which I have been using happily for years now.

I have a lot of things to be thankful for this year, and it’s easy for me to lose sight of them.  It’s easy for me to focus on financial struggles, the clutter in my living room, the mounting pile of laundry, my daughter’s exhaustion-fueled bad attitude. Thanksgiving encourages me to spend time with my family, the most important people in the world to me, and to focus on all of the blessings I have in my life.  I hope that you take the time to do the same.

Enjoy your feasts, your time with your loved ones and at some point, murmur a little gratitude for every good thing in your life.  There’s someone out there who wishes they had it so good.

1. I am thankful for this little townhouse that has become our home.  The walls aren’t all painted, some of the carpet needs to be replaced, and there’s dirt on my kitchen floor, but it’s ours.  With all we’ve been through in the past few years, we’re lucky to have kept the roof over our heads.  It’s ours, and I’m grateful for it.

2. I am thankful for the public library.  I’ve loved to read for as long as I can remember, to escape into a well-woven story that takes me to a different place and time.  But y’know what?  Books are expensive!  We couldn’t afford my book habit once we bought a house and had a baby, so instead I signed up with the local library and there are times when it feels like my second home in there.  I’m grateful for the chance to foster my love of reading while still managing to pay the gas bill.

3. I am thankful for the health of my husband and daughter.  A friend’s cousin welcomed his twins into the world this week and one has already passed from this world with the other likely to follow soon.  A poster from my cooking board gave birth to her son and, in the process, almost lost her life.  She’s become a medical miracle, but in reading her story, I’ve been staggered by how easily it can all slip away.  We have coughs and colds and they feel miserable when they plague us, but heavens, it could be so much worse.  I’m grateful that we can each get out of bed every day and go through life.

4. I am thankful for good music, good food, good friends, good times.  I am lucky to have friends with whom I can share a roll of sushi, a pot of fondue, a concert, a trip to the mall, or just a lazy evening in with pizza and a movie.  I’m grateful for the time I spend with the people I cherish.

5. I am thankful for my parents and my sisters.  I come from a close-knit family and as I get older, I realize how rare that can be.  No matter what happens in my life, I know that I have parents and siblings who are there for me.  They’re there to share in my triumphs or provide a shoulder to cry on when things are rough.  I’m grateful for their love and their presence in my life.

6. I am thankful for sandy beaches, crashing waves, clean spring breezes, shoulder-warming sunshine, scarlet and golden fall leaves, the smell of snow in the air.  We live in a beautiful work of art and if I make an effort to stop and look around once in awhile, I’m reminded to be grateful for the beauty that abounds in the world.

7. I am thankful for my husband.  I fell in love with him 6 years ago, and today I love him more than I ever imagined possible.  He accepts me when I’m cranky, he deals with me when I’m moody, he’s endlessly proud of my accomplishments and holds me when I cry.  He listens.  He supports me.  He loves me to a degree that I’m not sure I deserve, but I’m certainly grateful for it.

8. I am thankful for my daughter.  She came into my life 3 1/2 years ago and I haven’t stopped being in awe since.  In her eyes I see the reason for being that I was always searching for.  In her smile I see the brightest, warmest burst of beauty.  In her laugh I hear the sound of angels.  In her hugs I feel my heart burst with joy.  She is my center.  My all.  I never knew I could love a single creature as much as I love my girl, and I am so grateful for her.

Love to you all, and best wishes for a happy holiday!