January 30, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

It’s The Little Things: Vanilla Beans

I had a different post ready. But you should always blog about what you are most excited. And I am most excited about these vanilla beans.

Vanilla beans can be expensive. However these beans from Beanilla via Amazon * are very reasonable. They are $5.98 for five pods.

I tried them the other day with my chocolate chip cookies. I just added half of the caviar from one bean to my cookies. Oh my gosh! You guys! These cookies are knee-weakening. They melt in your mouth. It ends up being just sixty cents extra to add these to your cookies. It is so worth it.

To get the caviar for the cookies, simply cut the pod in half.

Slice the pod open. With the back of the knife, scrape the vanilla bean all the way down. Add the caviar to the cookies at the same time you add the vanilla extract.

Have you used vanilla bean seeds in your chocolate chips cookies? What did you think? I have used the caviar from the pods in creme brûlée as well. What else have you used vanilla beans in?

It’s the little things: making your baked treats taste better. Yum!

* I am not being compensated for this post. This is my experience with this company. Your experience may be different. I just wanted to share where I like to get my beans. : )

January 18, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

It’s The Little Things: Magazines

There is nothing… And I mean nothing… Better than getting a new magazine in the mail. I used to receive many. Now my magazine choices have been narrowed down to four-five.

Here is the crazy part. There are no fashion magazines in the mix.

Gasp!

I just have not gotten into them. I could never afford to purchase most of the things in the magazine. I get that it is about ideas and pretty pictures, but there are so many fashion blogs showing me the same concept for less, I don’t buy them.

Lately I have been bombarded with medical bills from both of my children’s recent ER visits. Getting a magazine mixed in with the crazy treatment costs has helped ease the pain.

A little.

I purchase most of my magazines from Amazon. Here is what you need to be careful of: do not check the automatic renewal price, if you do not want to automatically renew for the next year. I just purchased Elle Decor last night, because I had a magazine credit to use up. It was $10 for a year, but at first the button was checked for auto-renewal. I checked the simple one year subscription box instead, for the same price. I dislike auto-renewal. I want to decide if I will continue receiving something I am paying for…or not.

I store all of my magazines in this antique Moroccan fabric chest.

My favorite magazine of all time is Anthology Magazine. It is expensive at $38 for a one year subscription (four magazines). I treat these magazines like books. They are so beautiful. The pages are thick, almost like card-stock. I love the different people and artists they feature. It is mostly a home decor magazine. It features funky different houses. I get so many amazing ideas from this magazine. Getting one in the mail is like finding treasure.

They feature a lot of people that buy or work for Anthropologie. They also feature some of the contributing artists. They have the neatest collections.

I have subscribed to Country Living Magazine for as long as I can remember. This ain’t the country style people fear. Oh, wait. Is that just me? It is fun. Lots of bright colors and ideas. Very inexpensive magazine. I think I paid $20 for a 2 year subscription.

National Geographic. Okay. I admit it. Most of the time these magazines will stay in their plastic pouches for a solid couple of weeks before I get to them. But I love history. I love stories from around the globe. There are a few writers that are amazing in their story-telling for this circulation. I love being transported to a different place. Amazon has some fantastic deals on magazines sporadically throughout the year. I got my subscription for $15.

And House Beautiful. You know how I don’t buy the fashion magazines because I cannot afford anything in them? In my contrary way, the same could be said about the items and homes in this publication. However, because I have spent longer decorating than styling, I am more comfortable relating ideas from this magazine into my home than I am clothing onto my body. Perhaps as the years go by, I will find the fashion magazines less boring and intimidating, too. Plus, this magazine was $8-10 for a year’s subscription (I cannot quite remember exactly the small price I paid).

It’s The Little Things: Paying a small price to send yourself something fun instead of an endless supply of bills? Sign me up.

What magazines do you subscribe to? Do you receive any of the same ones I do?

October 16, 2013 by gn0mel0ver

It’s The Little Things: Hair Straightening Gel

I never knew there was a product out there that could smooth out my flyaways, until I went to my new hairdresser. She introduced me to a product called Acai Protective Thermal Straightening Balm. I bought mine from Amazon, because it was much cheaper than purchasing it from the salon.

It is still expensive, but you only need a pea size amount before you blow dry. Simply rub it in your palms and then rub your palms evenly through your hair.

I think it has improved my hair immensely. And, I can now get away with washing my hair every three days instead of two. So, whilst this product is expensive… It saves me money in shampoo and conditioner. I also feel like I can do more with my hair now than I could before.

But one thing I do want to mention is my good friend (also a former hair dresser) had purchased this product before I did. She did not like it. So, your experience might be different than mine. I would suggest reading the reviews before purchasing.

It’s The Little Things: I could say getting your hair under control, but I am going with my favorite part (lazy), not having to wash your hair as often.

Do you have a hair product you cannot live without? Have you tried this line?

October 7, 2013 by gn0mel0ver

Reading: Blood Song

My husband found this book on Amazon. It is called Blood Song (A Raven’s Shadow Novel). The reviews were fantastic. I was bored and had only about one hundred other books I needed to get to. But this book called to me.

It is written by Anthony Ryan. I believe it is his first novel. It was very hard to tell. He did an amazing job.

The book started off by confusing me. It took me awhile to get through the first five pages. But then it turns into a reflection from the point of view of a ten year old. That is when it got interesting and good.

The book kind of feels like Harry Potter (yes, every book pretty much reminds me of this) in the since that it is about children learning the ways of their world in a land that contains magic. Unlike Harry Potter, this child is growing up to be a killer. It is the vocation he is learning. The act of being the ultimate warrior.

You would think I would not like this. But it was very well written. It was also an easy read. I think even my kids would like this book. However, after I recommended it to my children, my husband very quickly told me that that was crazy. He had read the book and noticed there was a lot of swearing. I did not remember one swear word, but he showed me. There was a lot! So, definitely a strictly adult reading recommendation.

Sorry kids!

The plot was engaging. The story flowed. If you are a lover of fantasy, I highly recommend this book. I just finished “The Assassins Apprentice” trilogy, as well. Those books were good. This one is better.

There is magic in this book, but it is not the main focus. It is mainly the story of brotherhood among men. About a scheming king and his plotting daughter. It is about what happens when religion is forced on a land and the effects it has on its people. Some of which do not have the same faith.

It is about destiny.

I loved it. I look forward to the next installment in the series that should come out next year.

If you are not a lover of fantasy (or you like other books like me), last month, our book club read “Orphan Train.” I plan on doing a review soon. If you have read it or are planning on reading it, feel free to join my discussion about it in two weeks.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

*This post contains an affiliate link. Purchasing through the link will provide a small commission to this blog.

Gnome Lover

Stumbling through life while still having fun

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It’s The Little Things: Vanilla Beans

It’s The Little Things: Magazines

It’s The Little Things: Hair Straightening Gel

Reading: Blood Song