My Two Cents | Bead Happily Ever After

It worked!

Posted on April 14, 2010 by crystal

This time last year, I wrote about a new trick (click here) I had just implemented to tame that age-old nuisance in every kitchen…

the utensil drawer! 🙂

The photo in that post was not MY messy drawer. No way! Mine was too much of a jumble to show the “before” picture. But today, I can honestly say that the method I used to de-clutter my drawer actually worked; and worked for the long-term!

Currently, my utensils are still reasonably organized and easy to grab. The drawer has remained neat for a full year – well, as neat as a utensil drawer can be. After all, that stuff doesn’t really fit together perfectly.

Ok, drum roll please.

Here it is now. Ta-da!

I know.

You’re thinking, “Hey, Crystal, why mention this today?”.

Well, there’s a desk drawer around here that’s getting pretty hard to close . . .

I think I’ll try the same technique to get it organized during this year’s spring cleaning.

Film ~~[at 11:00]~~ next year 😉

Maximize Your Manicure

Posted on April 1, 2010 by crystal

Keeping your nails pretty doesn’t have to be expensive or overly time consuming.

Over the years, I’ve learned that the secret to a long-lasting manicure is in the polish and how you apply it.

The Polish

As you know, there are lots of high-priced brands of nail polish out there, but I’ve found that price is no predictor of how well a polish will wear. For me, “Sally Hansen” stays on longer than a lot of the more expensive brands – if you use the following steps.

The Method

1. Use a Sally Hansen polish that has a pearl or frosted finish.

2. Apply two thin coats, waiting a FULL 15 minutes after the first coat before beginning the second.

3. Do not put your hands in water for at least TWO HOURS after applying the second coat. Actually, it’s best if you can just sit and relax during that time. Why not read or watch a movie! 🙂

These simple steps keep my polish looking good for up to 2 full weeks, which I love!

After all, who has time to fuss any more often than that? 🙂

Hugs,

What’s in YOUR Purse

Posted on March 16, 2010 by crystal

Do you remember this old game show?

“Let’s Make A Deal” was a daytime TV staple. I’ve heard that it’s back now, but I haven’t seen it since those early days.

It really was fun though – bursting with energy and excitement. The host would go into the studio audience and offer money to anyone who could instantly produce an unlikely item, such as a roll of quarters or a can opener. Giddy women with large purses, chock full of stuff, would feverishly rummage through their bags and, more often than not, one of them would triumphantly wave the item in the air.

I used to carry a purse like that – but no more.

Now I’ve switched to a small pocketbook that fits the necessities and NOTHING else. My shoulders have thanked me. 😉

I dumped it out and here are the contents . . .

At first, I thought I’d miss the “knapsack” I used to lug around, but I must say that I really do not! I still have some larger purses in the closet that could be pressed into service for a long trip, but for everyday – a small bag rules!

Just thought I’d show a close-up picture of my little cell phone charm. It’s a “lucky cat”, made by etsy artist, kayo2007

What’s in your purse?

Is there a can opener by any chance? 😉

‘Til next time,

I didn’t really NEED it

Posted on March 3, 2010 by crystal

But it was 75% off!

Who could resist such a deal?

Not me, apparently. 😉

It will earn its keep, though. Any minor stress that occurs during the course of a week will be no match for this little day-brightener.

C’mon . . . . I can see you smiling right now!

Any similarities between these bears and Lady Crystal/Sir Beads are purely coincidental.

Just sayin’! 😉

Calendars and Resolutions

Posted on January 4, 2010 by crystal

Although I love the adventure of a new year and am inspired by the chance to fill it with lots of fun and positive things, I’ve never been too big on New Year’s resolutions, per se.

Not that I couldn’t use plenty of improvement, mind you! 😉

It’s just that I don’t think of January 1st as a day of self-assessment. I’m more likely to contemplate changes or choose new goals on my birthday. To me, there’s something about adding a year to my age that triggers thoughts about how I would like to modify aspects of my life.

But speaking of the adventure part of a new year – don’t you just love a brand spanking new calendar? The crisp pages are so gloriously empty. What fun it is to imagine all the events and bits of info that will gradually begin to fill-in some of those blank spaces. Sure, there will be the boring dental appointments, and the oil change for the car, but think of the family birthdays, and the summer picnics, and the lunch dates with friends!

I bought our new wall calendar yesterday. Talk about last minute! In my defense, I do like to wait until they’re half-price. I chose this little bit of whimsy called “Flower Fairies” by Cicely Mary Barker.

Sir Beads-a-Lot (saint that he is) always allows me to choose the new calendar. He knows that I will probably never select anything remotely masculine, yet he good-naturedly nods with enthusiasm when I present my pick for the year. The artwork on this one is lovely and it has fairly large boxes for each date, so it will be easy to write (and fit) any information for a given day.

Oh, before I forget! The first GIVEAWAY of 2010 will begin tomorrow. Hope you’ll stop back then to enter for your chance to win!

Hugs,