Lucky Seven | Bead Happily Ever After

Lucky Seven Random Questions

Posted on September 23, 2010 by crystal

Yesterday, I visited Jenny’s blog and read a series of questions that she had been tagged to answer.

She invited her readers to do the same so I snagged a few of them (7 to be exact!) for this week’s Lucky Seven. 🙂

1. What bad habit are you having a hard time breaking? Without a doubt, getting to bed at a decent hour. I’ve forever been a bit of a night owl, but these days I am always trying to finish “just one more thing” before I call it a day. Then I am so tired, I have no chance of seeing the sunrise.

2. What’s the best decision you’ve ever made?
Ok, I know it sounds corny, but my best decision ever was to say, “I do” to Sir Beads. I can’t imagine that there’s anyone out there who could have been a more loving, giving, or understanding partner for me. He has truly made my life complete.

3. What’s your favorite place for daydreaming?
Hmmm, I suppose it would be in my chair in the living room. I have a lamp-table there and a little magazine rack where I keep various craft books and other fun things that I want to read. I also have a knitting/craft bag nearby and it’s always filled with a few ongoing projects. I love to grab an hour or two in the evening and curl up there to just relax, dream, and maybe plan a project.

4. When do you feel most confident?
I think feeling confident equals feeling comfortable, and feeling comfortable is a state of mind. If you believe things will go well, there’s a much better chance they will. Of course, I have lots of moments when I don’t feel the least bit confident, but I’m most confident when I’m doing something I’ve done many times before – whether it’s cooking a particular meal, or doing a favorite craft, or chatting with someone who knows me well.

5. How long could you go without talking?
(You’re probably thinking, Not very long, Crystal!) 😉
Well . . . although I’ve never been accused of being shy, I can be quietly content for hours at a time. Really! Lol

6. What makes you mad without fail?
Rudeness. There seems to be so much of it out there. We all have stress in our lives. But if we’re having a bad day, I think it’s important to make every effort not to add to the stress of others by taking it out on them!

7. Best way to wrap your guy around your little finger?
Now you don’t expect me to talk about that on a blog, do you? 😉

As always, I’d love to hear your answers to any or all of these questions in your comments!

Hugs,

Wardrobe TLC

Posted on September 9, 2010 by crystal

Ah, I remember years ago when I worked in an office and could afford to update my wardrobe every season!

That was then. These days, not only is the budget for clothes smaller, but I really don’t need as much. I try to keep the things I have looking nice as long as possible and just add a good quality “basic” to my closet, once in a while.

There’s a double benefit in doing so – I spend less, and it’s greener!

For this week’s Lucky Seven, I have:

7 Tips to Make Your Clothes Last Longer:

1. Wear an apron!
Of course we’re liberated, but if cooking splatters are about to ruin your good shirt – cover up!

2. Button, button!
If a button is hanging by a thread, you’re probably about to lose it . . . forever! Sew it back on right away, and while you’re at it – check to see if any of the others are loose!

On the other hand, nothing perks up a tired looking jacket like a set of jazzy new buttons. Go ahead and get the pricey ones. It will cost much less than buying a new jacket!

3. Upside-down
Yes, it’s a pain, but spend a few minutes turning your clothes inside-out and zipping all the zippers before putting everything into the washer. Your reward will be less “pilling” and snagging, and outfits that look new longer!

4. Read before you buy!
When shopping, read those care tags and be realistic about whether or not you are actually going to hand wash, dry clean, or iron. Clothes that spend time waiting for special care are not a good use of your clothing allowance.

5. Cold Water
Opt for a cold or cool water wash. It’s not only better for most of your clothes but you’ll save money on hot water and be greener in the bargain.

6. Don’t Step on My Blue Suede …
Take care of your shoes! When you get home after a long day, pop into your slippers and treat your shoes to a quick wipe with a damp cloth – especially in winter when they may have salt/ice melt on them. Shoes will look newer and last longer if the grime is kept at bay.

7. Accessorize!
We all know it – accessories breathe life into your clothes closet. They’re the best wardrobe-stretchers ever invented!

Hugs,

Summer Love

Posted on July 15, 2010 by crystal

Found this little cutie on sale!

I grin every time I see her . . .

and that little swim tube – too adorable!

Even though I’m not a fan of the hot weather, I still think there are lots of things to love about summer!

For this week’s Lucky Seven, I have:

7 Ways to Enjoy Summer:

1. Go out for ice cream
I’m not sure if this would impress the texting/tweeting kids of today, but before there was air conditioning – packing the whole family into the car after dinner and taking a drive to “cool off” and get an ice cream cone used to be a very BIG deal (and lots of fun, too!).

2. Cook out on the grill.

Better yet, see if hubby or housemate will man the grill while you provide the side dishes.

3. Grab a book,

or your knitting, or your iPod, and find a cool spot to relax on a scorching summer day.

4. Be a tourist in your own hometown.

I’ll bet you haven’t visited some of the attractions in your area that the tourists enjoy. Why not cross one off the list this summer? It’ll be like a mini vacation – without the hotel bill!

5. Put together a simple dinner picnic,

and head for the park, the lake, or to an ocean view if you live near the coast.

6. Stop and smell the ~~[roses]~~ flowers!

Some of the summer flowers are especially fragrant – like phlox, sweet peas, lavender and of course – roses! 😉

7. Go to a summer fair

Check your local newspapers for upcoming church fairs, county fairs, public concerts, or art festivals. You’ll find craft demonstrations, music performances, fine art, dancing exhibitions, and lots of tempting food!

You know, I think I had a shiny nylon-knit bathing suit – just like this – when I was a kid!

What else is there to love about summer? 😀

Hugs,

Fun and Games

Posted on July 1, 2010 by crystal

Do you remember when Trivial Pursuit first came on the scene?

We used to play frequently and, as it turned out, I was pretty good at it.

In fact, my family loved to tease that I must be “secretly studying the questions ahead of time”, LOL!

This edition of Lucky Seven features 7 Bits of Trivia

And I swear I only knew #2 and #4, before today. 😉

1. Every time you lick a stamp, you’re consuming 1/10 of a calorie.

2. The phrase “sleep tight” is based on the fact that early mattresses were filled with straw and held up with rope, which was firmly stretched across the bed frame. A tight sleep was a comfortable sleep.

3. An ostrich’s eye is bigger than its brain.

4. The phrase “rule of thumb” is derived from an old English law, which stated that you couldn’t beat your wife with anything wider than your thumb.

5. A group of frogs is called an army. A group of rhinos is called a crash. A group of kangaroos is called a mob.

6.111,111,111 x 111,111,111=12,345,678,987,654,321

7. Cats have over one hundred vocal sounds, while dogs only have about ten.

Do you have a favorite game?

Or maybe another bit of trivia to share with us? 😉

Hugs,

7 Ways To Keep Your Cool

Posted on June 24, 2010 by crystal

It’s officially summer and many of us have already been experiencing the three H’s – hazy, hot, and humid weather. 😉

For this installment of Lucky Seven, I have 7 tips for keeping your cool when you’re feeling hot.

1. Bring a “Cold” Water Bottle to Bed!
Grab a hot water bottle, but fill it with ice water! Use it to cool your feet, your wrists, and the back of your knees. If you don’t want to share with your bed mate – bring an extra bottle.

2. Wear Natural Fabrics!
Each year, I’m always amazed to see the number of summer fashions made with synthetic materials. Whew! On a hot day, anything nylon or polyester will cling to you like a stubborn price sticker! Cotton and linen are so much more comfortable and will allow your skin to breathe.

3. Invest in a good window fan – or two!
Choose those that have both intake and exhaust settings. Place them in windows on opposite sides of the house. As soon as the sun goes down, run both fans on exhaust for a short time. Then, turn one to “intake” and leave the other at “exhaust”. You’ll begin to feel the cooler air enter your home through one window, as the heat of the day exits through the other.

4. Keep hydrated!
Your body needs to replenish the fluids you lose while sweating. On very warm days, by the time you feel thirsty, you may already be dehydrated – so enjoy a cool glass of water – frequently.

5. Stay away from the oven!
If at all possible, avoid adding heat to the kitchen. Try not to cook during the hottest part of the day. Be creative with cold supper recipes, or batch-cook in the early morning hours to stockpile future meals that will need just a brief warm-up.

6. Strip the bed!
Put away the blankets, comforters, and even the bedspread during a heat wave. A pretty cotton sheet set looks cooler to the eye and certainly will feel cooler on your skin during a scorching summer night.

7. Make a Root Beer Float!
Or whatever cold treat you love. 😀
If it’s a blistering summer day, treat yourself!!! You can go back to healthful eating tomorrow!

Ok, now. Tell the truth!

Don’t you feel cooler already? 😀

Hugs,