I am such an organizing nerd. I was positively giddy when my new Walker bags arrived in the mail. Now I could organize my purse like I’ve always dreamed!

See, organizing nerd.

I bought my first Walker bag at Therapie in New York City, which is sadly out of business.   I bought another one at a store on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, California.  I always find Walker bags at high-end drugstores, but I bought these online, right from the Walker website.  The selection was incredible and I spent an insane amount of time grouping and measuring my items to make sure I got the correct size bags.  I owned 2 already and bought 4 more.  Look at the fun colors!

The bags are now filled with all the contents of my purse.

I hate digging in my purse to find something.  Now the only things not contained in a Walker bag are my wallet, sunglass case and reusable shopping bag.  I like to change purses often and this makes it so much easier.

See, organizing nerd.

© 2012, Funkidivagirl.com. All rights reserved. Republished only with permission.

I liked Falsies well enough.  For sure it was the best drugstore mascara that I have ever used.  But I didn’t find it as “rich” as DiorShow.  I felt that DiorShow gave me thicker and longer lashes with just one coat while my lashes with Falsies looked thin and spindly.

Here’s a comparison.  Both mascaras are waterproof and I applied just one coat to each eye, on the upper lashes only.

In photographs the difference is slight, but I think you can see in the second photo that my lashes are thicker with DiorShow.  For my money, DiorShow is the better mascara.  Sorry cousin!

I’m linking up on 

© 2011, Funkidivagirl.com. All rights reserved. Republished only with permission.

• Hooping (love it)
• Yoga (love it)
• Running (hate it)
• Pilates (love it)
• 30 Day Shred dvd by Jillian Michaels (like it okay, but boring doing the same thing)
• Wii EA Sports Active (love it)
• P90X (like it, but the workouts are so long, it’s like a full time job)
• Spin (hate it–okay, I’ve never even tried it, but it looks like I would hate it)
• Kettlebells (LOVE IT)

Out of all the exercises that I have tried, kettlebells are my absolute favorite.  Kettlebells are incredible!  In just 45 minutes (including warm-up and cool-down!) I get an intense cardio and strength workout that gets my heart pumping and works every muscle in my body.   My workouts are different every time, so I don’t get bored, but yet they are based on a handful of very basic and fundamental kettlebell moves that anyone can learn with instruction.  There are several kettlebell dvds for sell on Amazon, but the actual kettlebells can be quite expensive.  I bought one at Target to try at home with a dvd.  I did that for a couple of weeks, determined that I liked it, and then found a local kettlebell class.   After attending a workshop to learn proper technique and how to swing the kettlebell without hurting myself or anyone nearby, I signed up for a 3 month pass and attended faithfully 3 times a week.   I was hooked!   I am taking a break for the summer, but you can bet that I’ll be back in my kettlebell class in the fall because I miss it terribly.  I highly recommend exercising with kettlebells if you want to get fit, have fun and do it in a minimal amount of time.  I look and feel great.

Here’s a video that I made of a few basic kettlebell moves, just so you can get an idea of what’s involved.  I am not an exercise instructor and I suggest that you find a kettlebell class near you to learn proper form and technique.

What’s your favorite form of exercise?

© 2011, Funkidivagirl.com. All rights reserved. Republished only with permission.

We had been in L.A. for a good week before I finally agreed to try Pinkberry.

Please, I thought, how good could it be?   I was alive during the first frozen yogurt craze, saw it fizzle out, but have enjoyed the recent resurgence.   The frozen yogurt shops here in Atlanta are pretty good, so how much different could Pinkberry be?   Frozen yogurt is frozen yogurt is frozen yogurt.

Reluctantly I strolled into Pinkberry with arrogant non-chalance……

…..where I had to pick my jaw up off the floor.  It was delicious!  It didn’t taste like other frozen yogurts.  It wasn’t cloyingly sweet, but fresh and clean-tasting.  It was tart, smooth and creamy.  The flavors were recognizable, but not over-bearing.

Everyone in the family agreed that it was the best frozen yogurt that we had ever tasted.  Over the course of several trips we tried mango, original, pomegranate, coconut, chocolate and watermelon.  My favorites were chocolate and mango swirled with original.  Sometimes I ate it plain on a cone and sometimes I added fresh fruit toppings like kiwi, raspberries, mango or blackberries.  I loved that the price included unlimited toppings because my kids really piled them on.    Their favorite toppings were mochi, animal crackers, cheesecake bites, brownies and gummy bears.   Those toppings kind of negate the low calories of frozen yogurt, but they didn’t care.  I do and I was thankful for the teeny 150 calories in a small cup of mango or original.

We ate Pinkberry several times while in L.A., sometimes several days in a row.  We couldn’t get enough!   It was that good.

Frozen yogurt is frozen yogurt is frozen yogurt; it’s true.   But then there’s Pinkberry.

*Alas, it’s not all good.  There is now a Pinkberry in Georgia, but why, WHY in the name of frozen yogurt did they open the first Pinkberry way out in the ‘burbs?    I may eat it in L.A. or New York before I eat it in Georgia because I rarely leave the city.   I’m really salty about that.

That post was written September 15, 2010 and now the 3rd Pinkberry in Georgia has opened on March 3rd.  While it’s still far from my hood, it’s across the street from Nordstrom and since I often make up errands to have lunch at the Bistro, I can just slide on by Pinkberry when I’m through.

The kids were on break last week and after some shopping for Girly and lunch at Nordstrom, we had dessert at Pinkberry.  I was already giddy walking into the shop, but this cup took me from giddy to gleeful:

That’s the newest Pinkberry flavor, Blood Orange, topped with blood orange puree and blueberries.  Ooooo-Weeee!   It was crazy good!  So good that I embarrassed my daughter by doing the happy dance.  Whatever.   Like I care?   I was too busy licking my spoon.  Just writing this blog post has me hyped, scheming for a legitimate drive to that side of town.  Oh yeah, I think I need to get my eyebrows done at the Anastasia counter at Nordstrom this week.  And Since Pinkberry is right across the streeet….

Wait, maybe I don’t want a Pinkberry close to my house.   I don’t think that I could control myself!

© 2011, Funkidivagirl.com. All rights reserved. Republished only with permission.

Today is National Pancake Day at IHOP and there are free pancakes for everyone (however, it is a fundraiser for Children’s Miracle Hospital Network and you really should leave a donation).   We do not have an IHOP close to our house, so as we did last year, we will make pancakes at home to celebrate.  Last year I made crepes and posted a How To video on my YouTube Channel.  This year I will make pancakes using our favorite mix from Trader Joe’s and a new kitchen gadget from Williams-Sonoma, the Pancake Pen.

I am not really a kitchen gadget person.  I mainly go into Williams-Sonoma for the samples and I certainly didn’t intend on buying a Pancake Pen, I had never heard of such a thing.  But there was a display near the cash register and the salesperson raved about it, so for $9.95 I decided to give it a try.  My current way of pouring pancake batter straight from the bowl was messy and awkward.    After just one use I love the Pancake Pen!  The wide opening on the bottom makes it easy to load the pancake batter and squeezing the batter out of the top is effortless.  My pancakes are more uniform and overall using the Pancake Pen makes for a more enjoyable cooking experience.

I just bought a new waffle iron; I bet the Pancake Pen will be useful with making waffles as well.  I think this evening I will give it a try!

© 2011, Funkidivagirl.com. All rights reserved. Republished only with permission.

The leaves are turning colors and falling to the ground, the air is crisp and the sun sets earlier.  It’s fall.  And that means one thing…Pumpkin Pancake Mix at Trader Joe’s!

I love pumpkin baked goods; don’t you?  Pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin scones, pumpkin fudge (oh, my friend brought some pumpkin fudge to a school function once and she gave me the recipe…I must find that because it was so delicious)–they are all so yummy.

A few years ago I discovered the Pumpkin Pancake And Waffle Mix at Trader Joe’s and my pumpkin world was rocked.  I’m actually not a big pancake person, but these pancakes turn out so moist, so delicious and so pumpkin-y that I must make them every Saturday during the fall season.

I discovered the hard way last year that this pancake mix is seasonal; it appears sometime in October and when they run out, it is gone until next fall.  I’m no fool; I only make a mistake like that once.  This year I went to my local Trader Joe’s in early October and put my name on a list to be called when the shipment came in; this week I got the call.   Greedily I picked up the 3 reserved boxes and I will go back for some more next week.  I must stock up!

I urge you to run–don’t walk–to your local Trader Joe’s for the Pumpkin Pancake And Waffle Mix.  Do you think it’s just me who’s pumpkin mix crazy?   Ha! I wish.  Trader Joe shoppers are a devoted bunch to begin with, so you know any popular seasonal item is just going to cause mayhem.

Don’t get left behind making plain ‘ole boring buttermilk pancakes this fall.

Go.

Run.

Now.

******************

Other posts you have like about grocery shopping:

Let’s Go Shopping At Trader Joe’s

Let’s Go Shopping At Whole Foods

© 2010, Funkidivagirl.com. All rights reserved. Republished only with permission.

We had been in L.A. for a good week before I finally agreed to try Pinkberry.

Please, I thought, how good could it be?   I was alive during the first frozen yogurt craze, saw it fizzle out, but have enjoyed the recent resurgence.   The frozen yogurt shops here in Atlanta are pretty good, so how much different could Pinkberry be?   Frozen yogurt is frozen yogurt is frozen yogurt.

Reluctantly I strolled into Pinkberry with arrogant non-chalance……

…..where I had to pick my jaw up off the floor.  It was delicious!  It didn’t taste like other frozen yogurts.  It wasn’t cloyingly sweet, but fresh and clean-tasting.  It was tart, smooth and creamy.  The flavors were recognizable, but not over-bearing.

Everyone in the family agreed that it was the best frozen yogurt that we had ever tasted.  Over the course of several trips we tried mango, original, pomegranate, coconut, chocolate and watermelon.  My favorites were chocolate and mango swirled with original.  Sometimes I ate it plain on a cone and sometimes I added fresh fruit toppings like kiwi, raspberries, mango or blackberries.  I loved that the price included unlimited toppings because my kids really piled them on.    Their favorite toppings were mochi, animal crackers, cheesecake bites, brownies and gummy bears.   Those toppings kind of negate the low calories of frozen yogurt, but they didn’t care.  I do and I was thankful for the teeny 150 calories in a small cup of mango or original.

We ate Pinkberry several times while in L.A., sometimes several days in a row.  We couldn’t get enough!   It was that good.

Frozen yogurt is frozen yogurt is frozen yogurt; it’s true.   But then there’s Pinkberry.

************************************************

*Alas, it’s not all good.  There is now a Pinkberry in Georgia, but why, WHY in the name of frozen yogurt did they open the first Pinkberry way out in the ‘burbs?    I may eat it in L.A. or New York before I eat it in Georgia because I rarely leave the city.   I’m really salty about that.

Other posts you may like about frozen treats:

LA Stories: The Best Thing I Ever Ate, SORBET (Bennett’s Cabernet Sauvignon)

The Best Thing I Ever Ate: Disney Treat (Dole Whip)

The Best Thing I Ever Ate: Popsicles (King of Pops)

© 2010 – 2011, Funkidivagirl.com. All rights reserved. Republished only with permission.

I don’t like coconuts.  Candy, cake, ice cream, Pina Coladas–nothing.  Blech.  So, it was with a screwed up face when I tried coconut water.  And I didn’t like it.  But I had heard of all the health benefits, so I tried it again, this time a different brand, Vita Coco.  Well, knock me on the head with a coconut, I liked it!

Now that I reconciled the taste (which doesn’t taste at all like coconuts…more like “something green in nature”), I took a closer look at the health benefits on the box and website:

• It has more potassium than two bananas.
• It helps to detoxify your body and boost your immune system.
• It is loaded with five essential electrolytes: magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium and phosphorous.
• It is more hydrating than sports drinks (which are disgusting anyway; the website doesn’t say that, but I do).

So far I’ve had Pure, Açai & Pomegranate and Pineapple.  I like the flavored coconut waters better than Pure.   I can only find those flavors at my local Whole Foods, but there are more flavors for sale on the website: Passionfruit, Peach & Mango and Tangerine.   You can only buy in packs of 12 on the website, but it is less expensive per box than in the store.  Pure is the only one that comes in the larger 34 ounce size, all the other flavors are available in 17 or 11.2 ounce boxes.

And it’s not just hype or an expensive water.  As my son says, you can feel your insides getting lubricated when you drink it, so much more so than when drinking plain water.  Of course it does have calories (60 calories/8 oz) and water doesn’t, so I wouldn’t drink it all day long, but I love drinking it after I exercise.   It’s a great recovery drink.

I really became a believer today in yoga class.  I had a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast about 7:30 a.m., but my class wasn’t until 9:30 a.m. and I was worried about my blood sugar crashing; normally I try to exercise within 30 minutes of eating, when I have the most fuel.   On the way out the door, I threw a box of coconut water in my bag.

Sure enough, about 10 minutes into the class I was hungry, light-headed and starting to shake.  I was cursing myself for not bringing a cereal bar, because I know how quickly I can melt down.  I was very doubtful that the coconut water would help, but since that was the only thing I had with me, I put it next to my yoga mat.  I was fully prepared to leave class while I could still drive home.

While we were still doing seated yoga poses, I drank half of the 11.2 ounce box.  And to my utter surprise I immediately felt better.  My blood sugar rose and my insides calmed down.  I felt a million times better, but I didn’t think it would last.   I was wrong.  I was energetic, strong and calm throughout the entire class.   I didn’t even drink the rest until I got home.

My insides like it and my taste buds too.  My whole body is in agreement about coconut water.   I have never found anything to give me an immediate energy boost like that except for a Snickers candy bar and wouldn’t you say that coconut water is a healthier choice?

© 2010, Funkidivagirl.com. All rights reserved. Republished only with permission.

Me?  I walked my daughter into class, took photos, talked to the teachers, had coffee with other parents, took the dog to daycare and went to the mall.  I had a gift card to Anthropologie and was excited to shop the store alone.  ALONE.  What a nice sounding word!  Let’s say it again: ALONE.  Hear it echo through the empty house?

My next stop was Bloomingdale’s; I figured that summer shoes would be on sale and I was right.  The sale was crazy; shoes on clearance and then marked down another 40%!   After taking my time in the shoe boutique–because I was ALONE, remember?–I strolled over to women’s clothes; I figured that the sale would be happening there as well.  Nothing good on sale, but this stopped me in my tracks:

Whaaaat?–I had never seen these clothes before, or anything like them at Bloomingdale’s!  And it wasn’t a rack or two of clothes, it was an entire in-store boutique.  The decor matched the clothes; both were visually stunning.  Quizzically I turned to the salesperson and she confirmed that this was a new addition to Bloomingdale’s, called AllSaints.

A 10 year-old UK-based brand, AllSaints Spitalfields entered the US market about a year ago within Bloomingdale’s 59th St. store.  Since then they have opened free-standing stores in Los Angeles, Miami and NYC-SoHo as well as several more in-store Bloomingdale’s boutiques.  The one in Atlanta had only been open a few weeks when I discovered it.

Someone on Yelp described the clothes as “boho-chic meets Mad Max.”   I don’t think they meant it as a compliment, but still it’s pretty accurate.   I love the look; it’s so me.  The clothes are sort of hippie–all loose and flowy–but with a rocker edge.  Yup, that’s me. With uneven hemlines, asymmetrical shapes, lots of leather, mostly black and earth tones, the clothes are at once both modern and vintage-inspired.  Here are a few dresses that I like:

The leather jackets are incredible; I’m saving my pennies to buy one.  Or maybe if my husband reads this post he can get a hint for a Christmas present.  AllSaints even have iPhone and iPad apps; that should make it easy for my husband to shop!

I bought this shirt.  The photo does not do it justice; it’s very fitted and sort of bustles in the back.  I plan to wear it with leggings and high wedges.  Dude, if I had a top hat, I would smoke ‘em!

AllSaints, I’m digging ya.  I see ya.  Eyeball to eyeball, I’m there.

************************

Other posts you may like about fashion:

Not For Your Fanny: Hip Bags Are Hip

Things I Like: TKO Watches At Henri Bendel

LA Stories: A Dog, A Hat And A Pair Of Toms Shoes

© 2010, Funkidivagirl.com. All rights reserved. Republished only with permission.

During my recent trip to Manhattan for Blogher 2010, I didn’t have much time to explore my favorite city, so I had to prioritize.   Out of all the things that I love to see and do in Manhattan, these 3 things are at the top of the list: visit a museum (the Matisse exhibit at the MoMA was fantastic), hang out in Central Park, and browse (okay, shop) at Henri Bendel.

Bendel and I are old friends; we go way back.  While living in New Jersey for several years, I often visited Bendel’s after having afternoon tea at the St. Regis or Plaza hotels.  It’s been a few years since I’ve been there and I practically wept tears of joy as I opened the door.  Pausing outside and snapping this photo, I tweeted: “Somebody save me from myself!”

The first floor is always buzzing with the latest and most fashionable make-up and accessories.  More than 10 years ago I bought a supercool necklace at Bendel’s that spells “Superstar”; I still wear it practically everyday.  I always expect to find something fun and new and this time was no exception.

I am a watch person; I have six watches and I am not ashamed to buy more.  I think of them as bracelets that tell time.   So when I walked into Bendel’s, the TKO Watch display–bright, funki watches–really caught my eye.   So cute!

The watches I loved, the Slappers, were more than cute, they were also fun to wear–you slap them on your wrist like the slap bracelets back in the day.  But you haven’t even heard the best part yet:  the watch, strap and capsule around the watch are interchangeable.  How cool is THAT?  I was sold.  Kevin, the art director for TKO Watches who was manning the display that day, and I had fun putting together a watch especially for my Funkidivagirl style.  You know that I had to get some pink in there somewhere!

Turns out that TKO Watches were on Oprah’s O List in O Magazine. I’ve always liked her; she’s got good taste.  I bet she likes Bendel’s too!

I love my watch.  Everyone at the Blogher conference loved my watch.  Everyone back here in Atlanta loves my watch.  My daughter can’t stop slapping it on my wrist and we are already planning to buy an accessory pack so that we can mix and mingle the parts into a few more watches.

So, that’s two things I like: TKO Watches and Henri Bendel.  I would say that was time well spent.

© 2010, Funkidivagirl.com. All rights reserved. Republished only with permission.

Maybe it’s because the more I exercise, the more I want to show my legs.  Or because I like being taller than my son, who is officially now taller than me.  Or I refuse to get older and wear “sensible shoes”.

Whatever the reason, I have now taken to wearing high heels.  Like 5 inch heels.  From 5’4″ to 5’9″ is not quite an Amazon Woman, but I’m claiming it.  Here’s a couple of pairs that I bought recently:

Nine West ‘Tadie’ exclusively sold at Nordstrom

Sam Edelman ‘Kasi’

I feel big and powerful and lady warrior-like in my high heels.  But that would last for only 10 minutes if I didn’t have these:

My friend Luxetips, who favors high heels herself, turned me on to Foot Petals and I tell you, it’s the ONLY way that I am able to wear high heels confidently and comfortably.   Coming from a woman whose previous favorite shoes were Converse and Havaiana flip-flops, this is saying a lot!  Recently I wore a brand new pair of high heels–with Foot Petals Tip Toes–to my husband’s birthday party and I didn’t sit down for 4 hours.  I danced and mingled and, Hallelujah, I could still walk the next day!

From the Foot Petals website about Tip Toes:

Stop feet from sliding forward!
Stop ugly overhang & toe scrunch!

Step in style with these flower-shaped ball-of-foot cushions and go from working all day to dancing the night away! Virtually invisible in all of your shoes, Tip Toes help prevent calluses from forming, protect bones and tissue, and cushion the sensitive ball-of-foot area. Try them with your hosiery to stop runs and prevent slipping and sliding.

Besides Tip Toes, they have many different kinds of cushions for your shoe-wearing woes.  I buy them from my local Atlanta shoe boutique, Sole, or from my favorite department store, Nordstrom.  I bought some for every pair of high heels that I own.  If they don’t sell Foot Petals near you, you can always buy them on the Foot Petals website.

Foot Petals are an Amazon Woman’s best friend.  That, and a pair of flip-flops stashed in her purse.

© 2010 – 2011, Funkidivagirl.com. All rights reserved. Republished only with permission.

On Saturday we went to see a production of Oklahoma at Emory University.  It was excellent and I had to stop myself from singing along; I performed in my 8th grade production and have loved the songs ever since.  I did pump my fist during this part:

“And when we say
Yeeow! Aye-yip-aye-yo-ee-ay!  *fist pump here*
We’re only sayin’
You’re doin’ fine, Oklahoma!
Oklahoma O.K.!”

It was the finale…I thought everyone was doing it.  I was wrong.

And on Sunday we went to the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.  We are members of the High and go a few times a year; they always have great exhibits and fun family programs.  Sunday was a Family Fun Day so in addition to the museum exhibits, there were several art projects, a few family lectures and fun in the plaza: a kiddie DJ, hoopla hooping and a bubble machine.   The museum cafe was grilling hamburgers and hotdogs as well and we enjoyed lunch on the plaza; it was a beautiful day outside.

My family always enjoys going to the museum, but I knew that “the boys” would particularly like the newest exhibit, The Allure of the Automobile.   Although I don’t usually appreciate cars as much as my husband and son, this exhibit had some sweet rides; their beauty were truly works of art.   My daughter had fun listening to the kid’s audio companion while the boys listened to the adult version.   I fell in love with many of the cars and although I didn’t come prepared to take photos with my camera, I had to capture some images for you with my iPhone.  So please excuse the poor quality, but you can get an idea of the exhibit and see that you must go experience it for yourself.

1935 Duesenberg JN Roadster, formerly owned by Clark Gable

1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow

1934 Packard Twelve Runabout Speedster, formerly owned by Clark Gable

I loved the details on this car.

1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster

This was one of my favorites; swa-eet!

1938 Alfa Romeo 8C2900B Touring Berlinetta

1937 Hispano-Suiza H-6C “Xenia” Coupe

This is the back…it looks like Batman’s car.

1937 Delage D8-120S, Surbaisse, formerly owned by Louis Delage

1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante Coupe

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SLR (W 196-S)

1954 Dodge Firearrow III Concept Coupe

I loved the color of this car.  And the interior.

1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham

1959 Chevrolet Corvette “Bill Mitchell” Stingray Prototype

The Allure of the Automobile will be at the High Museum until June 20, 2010.  Go see it.

© 2010, Funkidivagirl.com. All rights reserved. Republished only with permission.

You know those people who walk around with bluetooth earpieces in their ear? Like they are all pod-people and part of some alien nation? I hate that look. I understand that it is a convenient way to talk on the phone, but if you aren’t on the phone, TAKE IT OFF. Believe me, a bulbous ear attachment does nothing for your cool points.

As you can see, I am not a fan of bluetooth ear devices. But I had to admit that they seemed like a good idea when they first came out and I tried several brands to no advil; they just didn’t fit my ear properly and really I felt like a fool wearing one.  Style counts in my book.  Several years passed as I used my wired headphones to talk on my cell phone. The wires often got in my way and the quality wasn’t very good, but since I was anti-earpiece, that was my only choice.

Recently I got hipped to the Jawbone Icon Headset and although I was very skeptical that I would like it, I decided to give it a try.  First of all, the design is very appealing; gone is the pod people-like bulb.  The Icon is small, slick, shiny and blinging….I like bling.   This is my model, The Thinker:

Alright, so I figured that at least I wouldn’t look stupid wearing it.  Encouraged, I put it in my ear and I was pleasantly surprised to find that by trying different earbuds and earloops, I found a perfect fit for my ear.  The headset was comfortable, lightweight and didn’t feel like it was going to fall out of my ear (a problem with past headsets).   Already two of my biggest concerns (style and fit) were addressed.

Since I don’t talk on the phone while driving (and neither should you–take Oprah’s No Phone Zone Pledge), I wasn’t sure if I would actually get much use out of the headset, but then I took my dog for a walk.  I don’t have much free time to talk to my friends, so I frequently call them when I am walking my dog.  In the past they have complained that my wired headphones didn’t work well when I was walking, so instead I held the phone to my ear.  That’s not a good way to walk my dog; one jerk from him and my phone is on the ground.   The Jawbone Icon Headset works perfectly while walking my dog.  It was very windy the other day, but while walking Chili Dawg I could still be heard and hear with my headset on with no problem.   In fact it started to rain and I jogged the last block home–still on the phone–and my friend didn’t even know it.  I guess that’s the “NoiseAssassin” in action that Jawbone says is one of it’s best features.  Believe me; it works.

The headset is very easy to use with my iPhone; I flip the switch on the headset, set my phone to “bluetooth” in Settings and then they’re connected.  It’s that simple.  There is even a battery meter on my iPhone’s status bar that tells how much battery I have left on my headset.   If my phone rings while wearing the Icon, it talks in my ear and says the number of the person calling.  It freaked me out the first time it happened, but now that I’m used to it, it’s cool.

I really like the Jawbone Icon Headset and will use it whenever I talk on my cell phone (but I will take it off if I’m not on the phone. And if you ever see me just wearing it as ear jewelry, feel free to stop me and tell me about myself).  Whether walking my dog, folding laundry or strolling around Target, with the Jawbone Icon Headset I can talk hands-free, be heard clearly and not look like an idiot.

*Disclosure: My husband was sent several Jawbone headsets and I took one to use for myself because I’m his wife and I can do that.  The headset was not sent to me personally, nor was I asked to write this review.  My opinions are my own.

© 2010 – 2012, Funkidivagirl.com. All rights reserved. Republished only with permission.

Every year around the Christmas holidays Paddywax Candles has an open house at their factory store here in Atlanta and every year my family attends.  We eat cookies, drink cider and stock up candles.  We give some candles as gifts, but most we keep for ourselves to burn throughout the year.   We always stay at the open house far too long because not only does Paddywax sell great candles and it’s hard to shop quickly, but the company is also run by a fantastic couple, David Duncan and Gretchen Hollingsworth.  My family knows David and Gretchen socially, so we end up chatting with them forever.  I am always amazed by how they manage to run such a successful business and a successful household.  The success of the company takes extremely hard work, but on any given day I see either David or Gretchen picking their daughters up from school with one of their three dogs in tow.  The Paddywax office and factory has a busy, yet relaxed vibe–just like David and Gretchen themselves–and because their girls are often underfoot, there is always plenty of laughter and whimsy as well.  It seems like the ideal way to run a company–and a family.

During our last visit to the open house, our daughter disappeared with David and Gretchen’s girls back into the factory; with little cloth bags in hand, they were on a mission to find bits of hardened candle wax.    David took my husband and I into the factory to retrieve our daughter and show us how Paddywax Candles are made.   As David gave us a tour, he explained that Paddywax Candles is a boutique operation; the candles are made in small batches, hand-poured and hand-dyed.  I was a fan before the factory tour, but now that I have seen first-hand the detail and quality control that goes into each candle, I am even more impressed.

These are beautiful, high-quality, great-smelling candles.  If you love candles like I do, then you will love Paddywax Candles.  You can buy them online or in retail stores across the country.  If you want to know when they have the open house or other special events and deals, you can fan them on Facebook and follow @paddywaxcandles and @thecandlemaker on Twitter.

© 2010 – 2011, Funkidivagirl.com. All rights reserved. Republished only with permission.

Shopping with my daughter at Sprong, a local children’s shoe store here in Atlanta, we came across the cutest accessory and we just had to share.   Here’s my cute daughter modeling her necklace.  She wears it everyday.

First you choose a cord in one of many colors available and then you choose a bottle cap design to “snap” on to complete your necklace.  Yes, I said a bottle cap!   The design is on a bottle cap!   There is a powerful magnet on the back that snaps onto a metal ring, but the best part is that when you want to change your design, you just snap it off.   And there are TONS of designs to choose from!   I think it’s ingenious.

(photos by M3 Girl Designs)

The necklace is $8 and each bottle cap design is $8 as well.    We just bought the cord and one bottle cap on that day, but we will buy more bottle caps every time we go to that store.   I think it will make a great birthday present for any young lady.  I’m also thinking ahead towards Christmas when Snap Caps will make perfect stocking stuffers.

Besides being the cutest accessory that I have seen, I love Snap Caps because they are made by 2 young ladies.  You can read all about them on the M3 Girl Designs website, but these sisters started this company with their own money and they are quite successful.   I admire their creativity and entrepreneur spirit.   From what I understand there are now knock-off companies selling a similar product, but my daughter will be supporting M3 Girl Designs’ Snap Caps–while looking fabulously cute at the same time.

© 2010, Funkidivagirl.com. All rights reserved. Republished only with permission.

Shopping at Whole Foods this week I was attracted to this stand-alone cooler in the frozen food section.  It could have been that I was hungry for cookies or the big yellow sale sign got my attention, but I was intrigued enough to stop and read some more.

What I learned is that Immaculate Baking uses no trans fat, no high fructose corn syrup and only all natural ingredients in their cookie dough.   Now, although I am not a big fan of pre-made cookie dough as they all have an “fake” taste to me, and I have yet to find a tasty healthy cookie, I decided to try these cookies at home with my own cookie monsters.  I bought 2 packages for $8: Cranberry Oatmeal White Chocolate and Triple Chocolate.  Each package makes 24 cookies.    The dough is already scored for each individual cookie and therefore easy to bake as many or little as you want at one time.   My family wanted to taste the cookies right away (naturally), so after dinner I made 8 of the Cranberry Oatmeal White Chocolate according to the directions on the package.

14 minutes later (plus cooling time) we were enjoying some really delicious cookies!  No, FOR REALS!   They were fresh and clean-tasting (no nasty “fake” taste), the perfect consistency, and very flavorful; they were as good as (if not better than) freshly made bakery cookies.   Everyone in my family gave the cookies an enthusiastic 2 thumbs up!  I normally do not like oatmeal in my cookies, but I love these; oatmeal, cranberries and white chocolate turned out to be a winning combination.  With the holidays upon us, it is always good to have a quick snack in the freezer like this cookie dough for unexpected guests.  A fresh warm plate of cookies and some hot apple cider (also easy to keep on-hand) makes for a very welcoming house.   We can’t wait to try the Triple Chocolate cookies!

*Update: We tried the Triple Chocolate and they were just as good as the Cranberry White Chocolate–delicious!  I have also found that my oven bakes them best for 13 minutes.  They will look puffy and not all the way done when you take them out, but then they will harden upon cooling.  I transferred mine to a wire rack to cool for 3-5 minutes before eating.

© 2009, Funkidivagirl.com. All rights reserved. Republished only with permission.

Of course they still have a great cheese and wine selection.

The nuts and dried fruit section is chock for of interesting snacks.  Wasabi Wow is a delicious mix of almonds, wasabi peas, peanuts and cranberries.

I buy many of my staple items here (they are such a good price!) like pasta, rice, pesto, marinades and pancake mix.  Trader Joe’s Brown Jasmine Rice is the best; even my kids, who don’t care of brown rice, eat it right up!   And the pancake mix is really easy, but  yields perfect pancakes every time.

I buy many of my beverages at Trader Joe’s.  The kids like the Organic Tea & Lemonade.  I like the Pomegranate Limeade, but I don’t buy it much; I will seriously drink the whole bottle in one sitting!  Instead, I drink the unsweetened green tea; it has enough favor to forget that it isn’t sweet.  The Blueberry & Pomegranate is my favorite.

I don’t buy much meat at Trader Joe’s, but the chicken sausage is delicious–especially the mango.  Sometimes I put that in jambalaya or with Trader Joe’s Biryani Curried Rice and it’s soooo good.  The Biryani Curried Rice is found in the frozen food section and it’s great as a side dish also.  It takes about 5 minutes to make so I always keep some in the freezer.

The frozen vegetables and fruit at Trader Joe’s are interesting and a great price.   I keep these French Green Beans in my freezer for my daughter, who loves green beans, and the frozen fruit  for my smoothies.

In the summer my kids eat a popsicle every day and Trader Joe’s has some good ones.  The Fruit Floes are refreshing and pretty guilt-free at 80 calories and fat free.  The Mango & Cream Bars and Raspberry & Vanilla Cream Bars are delicious and only 60-80 calories each; they are small, but just enough to satisfy a craving for a frosty, sweet treat.

Rarely do I leave Trader Joe’s without buying a bouquet of flowers; I love having fresh flowers in my house and Trader Joe’s has a good selection at awesome prices.

Besides all these great products (and much more) for sale, the store is easy to shop, there are always great samples to taste and there is a place to tie up your dog while shopping (since owning Chili Dawg I am more appreciative of dog-friendly establishments).   Thank you Trader Joe’s for–finally–coming to Atlanta!  

© 2009, Funkidivagirl.com. All rights reserved. Republished only with permission.

I take my kids to the garden often.  The Children’s Garden is a great playspace for kids and even has a water play area; on a hot summer day many swimsuit-clad kids can be found cooling off in the sprinklers.  One of our favorite things to do is look for frogs in the garden ponds.  Today we found one!

And while the permanent gardens are always beautiful, such as the Japanese Garden

or Tropical Garden in the conservatory,

we have also seen many fantastic special exhibits there such as Chihuly in the Garden, Locomotion in the Garden, Niki in the Garden, Big Bugs & Killer Plants and Sculpture in Motion.  I have learned to expect nothing but the best exhibits at the Garden.

Today my daughter and I went to see the new Moore in America exhibit and just like the other exhibits, it was spectacular; we absolutely loved Henry Moore’s sculptures and the way they were displayed throughout the garden.

After a good lunch at the Garden Cafe (the food is catered by one of our favorite lunch spots, Sun in My Belly), we took a final mother and child photo in front of Moore’s Reclining Mother and Child.

Moore in America will be at the Atlanta Botanical Garden through October 31, 2009, so you have plenty of time to check it out.   The Garden also hosts Cocktails in the Garden every Thursday night through September, concerts, and many children’s programs; go to the website for more details.

© 2009, Funkidivagirl.com. All rights reserved. Republished only with permission.

© 2009, Funkidivagirl.com. All rights reserved. Republished only with permission.

Wow, it’s been a MINUTE since I last blogged!  Did you miss me?  I missed you!  My kids getting out of school totally threw me for a loop and it’s taken me awhile to recover.  I’m slowly adjusting to our summer schedule and working in some blogging time a few times a week.  But I ask for your forgiveness in advance if I am a little light with the words this summer.

I’ve been missing on Twitter as well, but had a good time last night reading all the tweets about The Real Housewives of New Jersey’s finale. I was trying to go to sleep, but the tweets were so good that I had to turn on the TV. Personally, I think that the New Jersey housewives were the best of the lot, and I’m not just saying that because I love New Jersey.  The housewives were relatively normal (except for Danielle, who was a lunatic) and I liked the addition of a family dynamic as well.  Show fans: what did you think about Dina’s decision to focus on her daughter, husband and home right now and put her career on hold? I thought it was an interesting, tough and real dilemma; I could totally relate to her.

But this blog post is not to dish on the New Jersey housewives, but to call attention to the “Jersey Girl” t-shirt that Teresa was wearing when she showed Dina around the house.  I was so stoked to see that she had on a Festa T-shirt; I had been meaning to write a post about these super-cute tees!    I see the shirts in Atlanta boutiques and I love them, but I haven’t bought one yet because I don’t have an alligence to any one place that I have lived.

My formative years were spent in Chicago and south suburbs, so I would wear this tee because of course Chicago has the best pizza in the WORLD:

My teenage years were lived in Minnesota, where I NEVER got used to the cold.  Yeah, this tee says it all:

That’s why I fled to Arizona for college–the opposite extreme–and had a great time (oh yeah, and got a good education too).  This tee just about sums up the college town of Tempe:

Really digging the west coast, I went to grad school in California.  Of all the places that I have lived, I think that I am mostly a California girl and would like to rock this tee with some flip-flops:

Although I was upset to leave California, I really enjoyed living in New Jersey, the Garden State.  This is the tee that the New Jersey housewife Teresa was wearing:

And of course now I live in Atlanta. If I bought an Atlanta tee I would buy this one because I live “ITP”–or “inside the perimeter.”  Atlantans know that this means that I would only live in the city, not the suburbs.

My daughter, who was born in New Jersey, but has lived here in Atlanta since the age of 2 may turn out to be a Southern Girl.  If we don’t move she can claim this tee:

What about you, where’s your hometown love?

© 2009, Funkidivagirl.com. All rights reserved. Republished only with permission.