Monday, January 24, 2011

The Perfect Pebble


“When a male is sweet on a female, he searches the entire beach to find the perfect pebble to present to her. When he finally finds it, he waddles over and presents the stone by placing it at her feet. If she accepts, they’ll be life-long mates.”

Word of the Day 1/24/2011

Telegenic (adjective): well-suited to the medium of television; especially : having an appearance and manner that are markedly attractive to television viewers
Examples: This year's playoffs will feature some very telegenic rookies playing alongside veterans destined for the Hall of Fame.

"What readers remember from the rolling thunder of Mailer's extravagant prose production … was the enshrouding of J.F.K. as the first movie-star politician, the avatar and launch vehicle for the suppressed libido of the country's Hollywood dream life after the long lullaby of the Eisenhower era. With J.F.K., telegenic charisma became part of the package deal." -- From an article by James Wolcott in Vanity Fair, September 2010

Did You Know?: "Telegenic," which first appeared in print in 1939, is essentially a compound formed out of "television" and "photogenic." "Photogenic" is also the word that caused the addition of a new sense to "-genic," namely "suitable for production or reproduction by a given medium" (as in the occasionally seen "videogenic": "The '80s were a time that created a lot of videogenic bands who weren't necessarily compelling live artists...." -- Ron Shapiro, quoted in Entertainment Weekly, September 25, 1998). "Telegenic" may seem like a word that would primarily refer to people, but there is evidence for telegenic events (such as popular sports), objects, and responses. Occasionally, one even sees reference to a telegenic attitude or other intangible.

Merriam-Webster Word of the Day

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Audrey Hepburn Anniversary

Audrey Hepburn
May 4, 1929 to January 20, 1993

If you don't know anything about me, know that Audrey Hepburn will forever be my idol.
If you do know me, then you know I'm practically obsessed.

Now you can go on Wikipedia to read up about her life, I'm not going to copy/paste it all here.

What you won't find on Wikipedia is the fact that I have collected Audrey Hepburn memorabilia probably since I was just out of high school (no need to calculate the years for that). I have several framed photographs/posters, and I have most of her movies. I have tons of knick-knacks due to the mass production of Audrey Hepburn (like t-shirts and such)... mostly of iconic Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's. I also have collected many published books/biographies of her, I personally love the one from her son Sean Hepburn Ferrer. Another personal fact: Moon River (performed by Audrey and composed by Henry Mancini & Johnny Mercer) melts my heart, brings tears to my eyes, and instantly calms me down if I feel unsure of the world around me. 

It's always a safe bet that anything Audrey I will love and adore.

Granted I was 8 years old when she passed away, but I will always look up to who she was and strive to be half the woman she was.

“I was born with an enormous need for affection, and a terrible need to give it.” - Audrey Hepburn

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Any Plans...?


I know we still have a while till the 14th of February, but any plans?
Just thought pink roses would make any girl feel loved!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Keep Calm and...

Just thought it was funny and sometimes we just need a little laugh :)

Monday, January 17, 2011

Word of the Day 1/17/11

Procrastinate (verb)

1: to put off intentionally and habitually
2: to put off intentionally the doing of something that should be done

Examples: Somehow, despite procrastinating, Melody managed to hand her assignment in on time.

"Some high school students procrastinate on college applications because they are intimidated by the essays. Other students procrastinate because the myriad of college choices is overwhelming, making it difficult to prioritize what colleges to apply to." -- From an article in PR Newswire, December 16, 2010

Did You Know?: We won't put off telling you about out the origins of "procrastinate." English speakers borrowed the word in the 16th century from Latin "procrastinatus," which itself evolved from the prefix "pro-," meaning "forward," and "crastinus," meaning "of tomorrow." Like its synonyms "delay," "lag," "loiter," "dawdle," and "dally," "procrastinate" means to move or act slowly so as to fall behind. It typically implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy.

Merriam-Webster Word of the Day

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

77 Surprising Expiration Dates


I was reading a RealSimple email, and I found this article interesting. Some things I knew about the expiration dates, but some things (like the beauty products) were good FYI facts. Just wanted to share!


A handy keep-or-toss guide to 77 foods, beauty products, and household goods.
by Maya Kukes and Lisa Smith from Real Simple


Certain items in your house practically scream “toss me” when their prime has passed. That mysterious extra white layer on the Cheddar? A sure sign it needs to be put out of its misery. Chunky milk? Down the drain it goes.


But what about that jar of olives or Maraschino cherries that has resided in your refrigerator since before the birth of your kindergartner? Or the innumerable nonedibles lurking deep within your cabinets and closets: stockpiled shampoo and toothpaste, seldom-used silver polish? How do you know when their primes have passed?


With help from experts and product manufacturers, Real Simple has compiled a guide to expiration dates. These dates are offered as a rough guideline. The shelf lives of most products depend upon how you treat them. Edibles, unless otherwise indicated, should be stored in a cool, dry place. (With any food, of course, use common sense.) Household cleaners also do best in a dry place with a stable temperature. After the dates shown, beauty and cleaning products are probably still safe but may be less effective.


FOOD
Beer
Unopened: 4 months.


Brown sugar
Indefinite shelf life, stored in a moistureproof container in a cool, dry place.


Chocolate (Hershey bar)
1 year from production date


Coffee: canned ground
Unopened: 2 years
Opened: 1 month refrigerated


Coffee: gourmet
Beans: 3 weeks in paper bag, longer in vacuum-seal bag (after this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume)
Ground: 1 week in sealed container


Coffee: instant
Unopened: Up to 2 years
Opened: Up to 1 month


Diet soda (and soft drinks in plastic bottles)
Unopened: 3 months from “best by” date.
Opened: Doesn't spoil, but taste is affected.


Dried pasta
12 months


Frozen dinners
Unopened: 12 to 18 months


Frozen vegetables
Unopened: 18 to 24 months
Opened: 1 month


Honey
Indefinite shelf life


Juice: bottled (apple or cranberry)
Unopened: 8 months from production date
Opened: 7 to 10 days


Ketchup
Unopened: 1 year (after this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume)
Opened or used: 4 to 6 months (after this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume)


Maple syrup: real or imitation
1 year


Maraschino cherries
Unopened: 3 to 4 years
Opened: 2 weeks at room temperature; 6 months refrigerated


Marshmallows
Unopened: 40 weeks
Opened: 3 months


Mayonnaise
Unopened: Indefinitely
Opened: 2 to 3 months from “purchase by” date (after this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume)


Mustard
2 years (after this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume)


Olives: jarred (green with pimento)
Unopened: 3 years
Opened: 3 months


Olive oil
2 years from manufacture date (after this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume)


Peanuts
Unopened: 1 to 2 years unless frozen or refrigerated
Opened: 1 to 2 weeks in airtight container


Peanut butter: natural
9 months


Peanut butter: processed (Jif)
Unopened: 2 years
Opened: 6 months; refrigerate after 3 months


Pickles
Unopened: 18 months
Opened: No conclusive data. Discard if slippery or excessively soft.


Protein bars (PowerBars)
Unopened: 10 to 12 months. Check “best by” date on the package.


Rice: white
2 years from date on box or date of purchase


Salad dressing: bottled
Unopened: 12 months after “best by” date
Opened: 9 months refrigerated


Soda: regular
Unopened: In cans or glass bottles, 9 months from “best by” date
Opened: Doesn’t spoil, but taste is affected


Steak sauce
33 months (after this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume)


Tabasco
5 years, stored in a cool, dry place


Tea bags (Lipton)
Use within 2 years of opening the package


Tuna: canned
Unopened: 1 year from purchase date
Opened: 3 to 4 days, not stored in can


Soy sauce: bottled
Unopened: 2 years
Opened: 3 months (after this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume)


Vinegar
42 months


Wine (red, white)
Unopened: 3 years from vintage date; 20 to 100 years for fine wines
Opened: 1 week refrigerated and corked


Worcestershire sauce
Unopened: 5 to 10 years (after this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume)
Opened: 2 years




HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS
Air freshener, aerosol
2 years


Antifreeze, premixed
1 to 5 years


Antifreeze, concentrate
Indefinite


Batteries, alkaline
7 years


Batteries, lithium
10 years
Bleach
3 to 6 months


Dish detergent, liquid or powdered
1 year


Fire extinguisher, rechargeable
Service or replace every 6 years


Fire extinguisher, nonrechargeable
12 years


Laundry detergent, liquid or powdered
Unopened: 9 months to 1 year
Opened: 6 months
Metal polish (silver, copper, brass)
At least 3 years


Miracle Gro, liquid
Opened: 3 to 8 years


Miracle Gro, liquid, water-soluble
Indefinite


Motor oil
Unopened: 2 to 5 years
Opened: 3 months


Mr. Clean
2 years


Paint
Unopened: Up to 10 years
Opened: 2 to 5 years


Spray paint
2 to 3 years


Windex
2 years


Wood polish (Pledge)
2 years




BEAUTY PRODUCTSAll dates are from the manufacture date, which is either displayed on the packaging or can be obtained by calling the manufacturer's customer-service number.


Bar soap
18 months to 3 years


Bath gel, body wash
3 years


Bath oil
1 year

Body bleaches and depilatories
Unopened: 2 years
Used: 6 months


Body lotion
3 years


Conditioner
2 to 3 years


Deodorant
Unopened: 2 years
Used: 1 to 2 years
(For antiperspirants, see expiration date)


Eye cream
Unopened: 3 years
Used: 1 year


Face lotion
With SPF, see expiration date. All others, at least 3 years

Foundation, oil-based
2 years


Foundation, water-based
3 years


Hair gel
2 to 3 years


Hair spray
2 to 3 years


Lip balm
Unopened: 5 years
Used: 1 to 5 years


Lipstick
2 years


Mascara
Unopened: 2 years
Used: 3 to 4 months


Mouthwash
Three years from manufacture date


Nail polish
1 year

Nail-polish remover
Lasts indefinitely


Perfume
1 to 2 years


Rubbing alcohol
At least 3 years


Shampoo
2 to 3 years


Shaving cream
2 years or more


Tooth-whitening strips
13 months


Wash’n Dri moist wipes
Unopened: 2 years
Opened: Good until dried out