Laughing: Between Two Ferns

I just found the funniest web series: Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis. On this show Zach presents his guests with the most awkward, inapproporate questions ever put forth on a talk show. If you like awkward silences and uncomfortable sideways glances, this is the comedy for you. Currently the series has 5 episodes (each about three minutes in length) and I'm hoping the hilarity continues.

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In addition to being wickedly funny, I feel the need to trumpet Zach's successes because he hails from my hometown and attended my high school (although he graduated many years before I did). I have been following his career for years and I saw him do stand-up at the Cat's Cradle two years ago. The hubby has been saying "Zach's the next big thing" for awhile now, and I think he may be onto something. With two movies out right now, it seems he's only getting warmed up.

Buying: Beets & Bears

Today I was pouncing around Etsy and I found the most delicious undiscovered shop, Beets & Bears. I love everything about this shop: salvaged materials, industrial jewelry, affordable prices (a statement necklace for $25!), yummy artful photos, not to mention their shop name. If you don't get the joke, go watch The Office... go, right now. It is a crime that this shop hasn't yet had a sale, so show some love and buy something!

photos found here

Living: Silly Time Wasters

What better way to kill a little time on your lunchbreak than to Mad Men yourself? It's a load of fun, even if you don't watch the show.

In Focus: Raindrops and Sunsets

I took this shot as I was leaving work yesterday. A large storm had just blown over and the sun was beginning to set. I couldn't resist how the rain drops were glowing with pinks and oranges.

image by me

Eating: Orange Slices

Orange slices are one of my favorite sweets.


When I was little, my summers and evenings after school were spent with Maw-Maw and Paw-Paw. They ran my daycare but they felt more like an extra set of grandparents. As their name implies, they were old-fashioned Southern disciplinarians. No babying, no coddling, no gold stars. When we were bad we were punished. When we were good, our reward was not being punished. Activities were simple: if weather was good, we all played outside; if weather was bad we played indoors together. We didn't watch tv and we didn't many have toys. We just used our imaginations and it was wonderful.

Paw-Paw had a sweet tooth and his favorite was orange slices. On the rare occasion when all of us had been good, he would share with us. Because I only got them as a reward, I still feel like I am being treated whenever I taste the gummy, saccharine goodness.

image by me

Who doesn't love orange slices? Have a sweet weekend!

Eating: Cookies, and Ice Cream, and Sprinkles - Oh My!

During the work week my lunchtime routine is my favorite part of the day. Cydney and I go for a walk to get our daily dose of Vitamin D, sometimes grabbing lunch along the way. We love to people watch and have sidewalk conversations (Cydney's never met a stranger) and pop into local businesses - Stitch, Revolver, Get Dressed For Less and Father and Son are a few of our favorites.

Today as we walked down Glenwood a sign caught my eye - "Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches." Being a true Southern girl, I love a good ice cream sandwich (or even a bad one... who am I to judge?) and the homemade varities are especially delicious. We kept walking, but the temptation proved too great on the way back and we gave in to our cravings.

The purveyor of the tasty treat was none other than the Cupcake Shoppe, one of my favorite stops along Glenwood South. The interior design is exactly what one would expect: cafe tables, glowing display cases and a perfect color pallette of pink, brown and white. If you haven't made a visit you are seriously missing out.

image by me

Speaking of missing out... go get one of these right now! The chocolate cookie was soft, chewy and slightly sticky. The ice cream was rich, creamy and firm. And the sprinkles - who doesn't love sprinkles? - added a touch of crunch and whimsy. A perfect treat for a summer afternoon!

Giving: Button Ring Winner

And the winner is... Clarissa!

To collect your prize, post a comment here and tell me which ring you would like from my shop!

For the rest of you, I will try to scrounge up another give-away next month.