Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas everyone!

I'm spending the next few days relaxing with my family and enjoying the holidays.

I hope all of you are having a wonderful holiday season and that you get to spend some time with your loved ones!

Monday, December 21, 2009

pandacub wants...to keep calm and carry on

Ever since joining Etsy, I've seen many, many items with the "Keep Calm and Carry On" slogan. (If you're on Etsy a lot, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about).

The original "Keep Calm and Carry On" sentiment was used as a motivational poster and was produced by the British government in 1939 during the beginning of World War II, but never used. It was rediscovered in 2000 and has been re-issued by a number of private sector companies, and used as the decorative theme for a range of other products.

With only a few more shopping days until Christmas, I guess this motto can also work for us last-minute shoppers to take a breath, relax a little and enjoy the holidays before they're over!


Top row:
1. Keep Calm and Carry On-2010 Wall Calendar 13x19-Oxford Blue-Customizable Colors, $14.95 by KeepCalmPosters
2. Keep Calm and Carry On Blue Shopping Tote Bag, $35.00 by keepcalmandcarryon
3. Keep Calm and Carry On (Black) Keyring, $4.99 by SIMPLYCHARMlNG

Middle row:
4. Keep Calm and Carry On - Hot Pink - A Scrabble Tile Pendant , $6.95 by thegildedlily
5. Keep Calm and Carry On Giclee Print in Garnet 11 3/4 x 16 1/2 inches , $18.00 by PaaPuuPrints
6. Resin art cuff bangle bracelet - Keep Calm and Carry On in red, $20.00 by DesignsbyTami

Bottom row:
7. Keep Calm and Carry On, $39.90 by klacustomcreations
8. Keep Calm and Carry On Perfume, $15.50 by themefragrance
9. Keep Calm and Carry On Vinyl Wall Art Decal Laptop size, $8.50 by ChuckEBrydWallArt

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

50 books in 2009 - update 8

Here's update 8 for my "50 books in 2009" goal.

Eek! So little time left! I'm definitely not going to make 50 books, but it I'm still going to get as many read as I can with the time I have! My work schedule has been a lot more demanding than I had expected and has seriously cut into my personal time.

If you have any favourite books that you think I might enjoy, please leave me a comment or send me an email! I'd love to hear some of your book suggestions as I'm always look for something good to read! And there's always a goal to be made for next year! :)

1. I, Elizabeth by Rosalind Miles, finished Jan. 18
2. Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir, finished Jan. 27
3. Miss Marple's Final Cases by Agatha Christie, finished Jan. 30 (re-read)
4. Brief Gaudy Hour by Margaret Campbell Barnes, finished Feb. 8
5. The Last Wife of Henry VIII by Carolly Erickson, finished Feb. 18
6. The Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir, finished Mar. 3
7. Elizabeth by David Starkey, finished Mar. 11
8. A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson, finished Mar. 31
9. The Thirteen Problems by Agatha Christie, finished Apr. 3 (re-read)
10. King's Fool by Margaret Campbell Barnes, finished Apr. 21
11. Poirot Investigates by Agatha Christie, finished Apr. 28 (re-read)
12. Gastronaut by Stefan Gates, finished May 3
13. The Man Who Ate Everything by Jeffrey Steingarten, finished May 13 (re-read)
14. It Must Have Been Something I Ate by Jeffrey Steingarten, finished May 25 (re-read)
15. Kitchen Con by Trevor White, finished June 4
16. The Year of Eating Dangerously by Tom Parker Bowles, finished June 18
17. The Nasty Bits by Anthony Bourdain, finished July 2
18. The Best of Food Writing 2001, edited by Holly Hughes, finished July 14
19. The Other Queen by Philippa Gregory, finished July 28
20. My Lady of Cleves by Margaret Campbell Barnes, Aug. 1
21. The Best of Food Writing 2003, edited by Holly Hughes, finished Aug. 4
22. The Best of Food Writing 2004, edited by Holly Hughes, finished Aug. 13
23. Candyfreak by Steve Almond, finished Aug. 20
24. I, Elizabeth by Rosalind Miles, finished Sept. 23 (re-read)
25. A Cook's Tour by Anthony Bourdain
26. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
27. The Seville Communion by Arturo Perez-Reverte
28. My Life in France by Julia Child with Alex Prud'homme, finished Nov. 2
29. The Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir, finished Nov. 17 (re-read)
30. Eating My Words by Mimi Sheraton, finished Nov. 19
31. Young Bess by Margaret Irwin, finished Nov. 24
32. Elizabeth, Captive Princess by Margaret Irwin, finished Dec. 6
33. Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain by Margaret Irwin, finished Dec. 16

Currently Reading:

Sushi Economy by Sasha Issenberg

Coming Up:

101 Dishes to Eat Before You Die (I feel another set of goals coming on...)

Friday, December 4, 2009

what? it's december???

Wow - where did the year go?!

I can't believe that it's already December! I'm so not prepared for the holidays, although I have managed to buy a couple of gifts already and the only reason I bought them was because I got them on Etsy and I had to buy early to make sure they arrived on time in the post.

Otherwise - YIKES!

Which reminds me...time to start writing those greeting cards!!!

Are YOU ready?