Who is SusanVillasLewis

I am ... Studying with Seth Godin 

Susan Wants to Study with Seth

So ... I've been trying to figure out what I want to do when I grown up. (40 is grown up, right?) Just restless of late, not feeling as though I really fit in the career skin I've somehow donned. I haven't made it very far in my quest for something n...

I am ... a Giant Squid! 

Giant Squids - Class of 2008

We are G-I-A-N-T!! No, that isn't a commentary on our pants size. (Although, collectively, we probably have a pretty big waist.) We're part of the Giant Squids, a super duper special covert elite group of Squids with razor-sharpened beaks and six-bl...

I am ... a Kid at Heart 

Count von Count: I Love to Count!

While the Count might have been a one-joke character on Sesame Street, he has managed to play that joke for more than 30 seasons now. From cookies to bats to stars to pigs, nothing escapes his steady numbering. No number too small to bring him joy, n...

Kermit the Frog: It's Not Easy Being Green

What's green, fuzzy and loved the world over? Kermit the Frog! His calm under pressure as Sesame Street News reporter and later host for The Muppet Show make him an icon for the mellow. His biggest moments of panic tend to come when he tries to escap...

Big Bird: Yellow, But Not Chicken

Big Bird is a six-year-old child in an eight-foot, two-inch-tall body. Children relate to him because he is a lot like them: full of the excitement of discovery, sometimes makes mistakes, and devastated when things do not go his way. But Big Bird alw...

Abby Cadabby: Fairy In Training

Girl power comes to Sesame Street (finally) with the introduction of Abby Cadabby, an inquisitive 3-year-old fairy-in-training who has just moved to Sesame Street from Fairyside, Queens. Abby brought some needed girly-girl spunk to the show when she...

Grover: It's Your Lovable Furry Pal!

Hello, it's your cute, furry friend Grover!! From the skies to the restaurant to the stage, this versatile Muppet lights up everyone's day when he shows up on the screen. This fuzzy blue guy is one of hardest working Muppets on Sesame Street and guar...

Andy's Airplanes

Off we go, into the wild blue yonder . . . and you can join in on the fun in the new series Andy's Airplanes, an animated show featuring Andy and his best friend, a ferret name Yaygrr, as they learn about planes and travel around the world. In each...

The Fairly Oddparents

I know. I'm supposed to be a grown-up. But I don't have kids, so someone in my household must do their part for supporting cartoon-dom. I volunteered. And high on my list of shows I love is The Fairly Oddparents. I'm not entirely sure why. It may be...

Kick It with a Kung Fu Panda Birthday Party!!

Kung Fu Panda was the hottest movie of the 2008 summer and guaranteed to be a favorite choice of birthday party theme for any boy (or girl) in your family for some time to come. Here's everything you need for a panda-riffic party! Supplies you can b...

Kung Fu Panda - Prepare for Awesomeness

Po made his move to the big screen in what became the summer's hottest movie - Kung Fu Panda!!! Do you think you can handle all the action? Since its release in June 2009, reviews have been pouring in with tons of thumbs up for Po and the rest of th...

Throw An Abby Cadabby Birthday Party!

So you want to throw your daughter an Abby Cadabby birthday party? Well Abby thinks that's just a "magic" idea!! And she's here to help you do it! Below you'll find everything from plates and napkins to cakes and games. All designed to help you have...

Day Out With Thomas | Thomas the Tank Engine | Dallas Railway Museum

Day Out With Thomas is a family event that offers children and their grownups the opportunity to ride with classic storybook friend Thomas the Tank Engine at heritage railroads nationwide. The Day Out With Thomas experience will engineer miles of smi...

Kidtoons: G-Rated Movie Fun With Your Kids

Back in 2004, Kidtoons Films hit on a way to make life easier for parents. The movie company teamed up with toy giant Hasbro to develop movies based on the toys that would be appropriate for taking young children. Since then, Kidtoons has expanded t...

Growing Up Creepie

Middlington Middle School is full of ordinary kids with ordinary problems - and Creepie Creecher. Creepie looks a little differently, thinks a little differently and walks a little differently. All of which would still be perfectly normal except for...

Sesame Street's Zoe Monster: Shall We Dance?

You might catch Elmo's best friend Zoe Monster twirling in her tutu one minute, then singing and dancing with Rosita and Abby, then playing a game with Elmo and Telly the next. She's an active little monster with an irrepressibly happy nature and lov...

Dozer Day: Playing With the Big Machines

Enjoy a beautiful day and the unique opportunity to drive, ride, and explore construction, military, and emergency vehicles! Best described as a Construction Theme Park, Dozer Days are held in various places around the country to raise money for sch...

I am ... a Sesame Street Fan!! 

Sesame Street Bedding - Snuggle in With Elmo and Friends for the Night!

What child wouldn't love a room filled with their favorite friends from Sesame Street? Find everything you need in Sesame Street bedding to create a great centerpiece for the room, then accessories to complete the decor. Your child's bedroom...

Sesame Street Birthday | Party Supplies for Your Sunny Day!

Everything you could possibly need to know to throw the best Sesame Street birthday party ever. Whether your Sesame Street party is for some one having their first birthday or their ninety-first - you'll find everything you need to know here. Cakes...

Sesame Street Shirts - Retro, graphic and vintage options

Whether you're three months, three years or forty-three years old, you probably love Sesame Street. So share a little smile with those who see you and some fond memories with a Sesame Street shirt in a new or retro design. Check out the latest desig...

Sesame Street Songs - The Music You Love on CD and DVD with Video and Lyrics

They're some of the most beloved songs ever, the ones we still remember years after we stopped watching Sesame Street. If you have kids of your own, you might be rediscovering the greatness of Sesame Street songs or maybe you're feeling nostalgic for...

Sesame Street Plush

From Elmo to Cookie Monster to your lovable furry pal Grover - the Sesame Street characters are loved by children the world over. And now in one place, get Sesame Street plush figures to love anytime! Sizes from mini to jumbo in all the favorites and...

I am ... In Love with Kid's Books 

The Edge Chronicles

The Deepwoods, the Stone Gardens, the Edgewater River. Undertown and Sanctaphrax. Names on a map. Yet behind each name lie a thousand tales - tales that have been recorded in ancient scrolls, tales that have been passed down the generations by word...

Judy Moody

The first day of third grade puts Judy Moody in a mad-face mood. She just knows everyone will come back from summer vacation with word T-shirts, like "Disney World" or "Jamestown: Home of Pocahontas." All Judy has is a plain old no-words T-shirt. She...

Little Quack

Join Little Quack and his siblings for life in the pond - learning to swim, making new friends, enjoying bathtime and counting. These delightfully simple stories are sure to become favorites of any toddler you read them to.

Inkheart

In the story of Inkheart, there is a story within a story: Mo originally brought four of Inkheart's characters to life while reading aloud from a novel which is also called Inkheart - Basta, Capricorn, Dustfinger, and Dustfinger's pet marten, Gwin. D...

The Secret Order Of The Gumm Street Girls

Welcome to Gumm Street in the town of Sherbet. A quiet street in a perfect little town where three little girls live. You'd expect they'd be best of friends, but ... no. These little girls greatly dislike each other and that doesn't seem likely to ch...

The Sisters Grimm

Orphaned after their parents mysteriously disappear, sisters Daphne and Sabrina Grimm are sent to live with the grandmother they've never known. They had been told that Granny Relda was dead, when in fact she was very much alive and living in upstate...

The Mysterious Benedict Society

The newspaper advertisement is addressed to "gifted children looking for special opportunities". Well, that certainly describes Reynie Muldoon! The 11-year-old orphan is one of four children to complete a series of challenging and creative tasks and...

I am ... a Big Reader 

Hail Caesar! Fiction Set in Ancient Rome

I admit it. Behind my contemporary exterior - the one that loves clean lines and simplicity, that revels in new technology, that can't live without a modern bathroom - beats a heart passionate about ancient Rome. From the birth of the republic to th...

I am ... in Dallas 

Dallas Blooms | Dallas Arboretum | Largest Outdoor Floral Festival

Hooray for flowers!! It's time again for the Dallas Blooms festival at the Dallas Arboretum. The 2009 theme is Dallas Blooms a Classic highlighting the incredible beauty of the arboretum throughout the festival. See ya' there!!

Real. Texas. Festival.

Three days of country music and cowboy fun in Mesquite, the Real. Texas. Festival. includes live country music, a marketplace featuring made-in-Texas arts and crafts, children's activities, Old West shootout re-enactments and a car show. It's three d...

Deep Ellum Arts Festival | Deep Ellum | Dallas Festivals

Biggest weekend of the Year for the Deep Ellum Entertainment District. The Deep Ellum Arts Festival exemplifies everything that makes this eclectic area rock. Stay tuned for info on the 2010 festival, which happens April 2-4.

Quilt Celebration | Dallas Quilt Show | Quilters Guild of Dallas

Quilt Celebration is an annual quilt show put on by the Quilt Guild of Dallas. The theme for the 2010 show is A Log Cabin Odyssey. It runs March 12-14 and is a great place to learn with lectures and demonstrations, as well as be inspired by all the b...

Dallas Roars | The Dallas Zoo | Events at the Zoo

Welcome to Dallas Roars! Bring the family and enjoy six weekends of roaring good fun featuring special Dallas Roars! children's activities and entertainment. Now in its third year, the Dallas Zoo's annual festival includes children's activities, ente...

Dallas CityArts Festival

Head on down to the arts district for the city's annual celebration of the varied arts available in Dallas. Check out the art museums for free, chomp on some carny food and listen to great bands play on the various stages. The festival will be held a...

What To Do In Dallas-Fort Worth

The Dallas-Fort Worth region is huge. Gigantic. Texas-sized, in fact. :-) And as a result, there are loads of things to do here. This is part lensography of all my lenses that have to do with Dallas-Fort Worth area events and part listing of places...

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament

Return to the days of yore when chivalry reigned and knights roamed the earth! Too much? Well, go visit Medieval Times and you'll get a good dose of over-the-top entertainment. It's the kind of place that seems to take itself seriously, but you can't...

Texas Scottish Festival & Highland Games

Let the wee bit of Scot out in you at the 24th annual Texas Scottish Festival and Highland Games. Watch the caber toss, catch the Scottish fiddlers, scarf down some haggis. This three-day festival is a Scottish delight. Dates for 2010 are June 4-6.

Traders Village | Grand Prairie Texas | Dallas-Area Festivals

Traders Village is centrally located in Grand Prairie - halfway between Dallas and Fort Worth. The grounds play host to a huge flea market and a series of festivals, one of the most unique being a Native American celebration and pow wow.

I am ... a Groupmaster! 

Lone Star State Headquarters

I am ... Curious (yep, that way too!) 

Skelanimals: Dead Animals Need Love Too!!

The cutest bags of bones around are the Skelanimals! They're looking for a home with a special someone to love them, but not just anyone. They need people with lots of love who want to snuggle; after all, they're just bones and need help staying warm...

Technology killed the flu bug (and other nasties too!)

Feeling chilled? Running a fever? Achy all over? Yep, sounds like you are among the five to 20 percent of Americans who get hit by the flu (regular, swine, H1N1 or any kind!). It's a common occurrence during the winter months. We're inside more, in c...

Canstruction

Across the country, perfectly normal people get caught up in the frenzy of competition and the spirit of design with - cans? Move over other food art. These "canstruction" projects deliver not just amazing creations, but also non-perishable...

Sarah Palin

John McCain caught everyone off-guard when he announced Sarah Palin as his running mate for the 2008 GOP presidential ticket. The grass-roots effort to get Palin on the ticket had been gaining ground since the beginning of the year when she first sta...

Lower Your Energy Bills

Skyrocketing fuel costs create a lot of shock at the height of winter or summer when heating and cooling needs are greatest. Let’s face it, keeping our home environments comfortable takes a lot of energy, which keeps us cozy, but lightens our w...

I am ... a Food & Wine Lover 

Breakfast in Dallas

Dallas has quite the wide variety of restaurant options and I love going out to try new places. Figuring out a good place for breakfast to meet friends or colleagues or clients has always been a bit of a challenge, however, if you want to step out of...

Green Chile - Yum!!

Having grown up in New Mexico, my husband was stunned to discover you couldn't order green chile on your pizza in Texas. While in NM, almost every restaurant offers something with green chile on it, it's almost unheard of anywhere outside the state....

Ode to the Vacu Vin

I'll admit I was skeptical when I first read about the Vacu Vin wine saver. Seriously. A pump that was going to take out all the air and make my wine keep for a week? No way. But I broke down. After all, the $15 it would cost me to try it out was a...

How to Boil Eggs

There is no more perfect, more complete food than the egg. (Well, except for dog food, but let's not go there.) It has a great vitamin line-up, it's chock full of yummy fat and protein, and it can be cooked about 10 million ways - including boiled....

Halloween Food: Special Treats to Make Using Jelly Belly Brand Candies

Looking for a show-stopper treat for your Halloween party? Add a few Jelly Belly candy options as decoration, and viola! - you have some easy and creative Halloween food. These treats take advantage of the wide variety of candy offered by Jelly Belly...

I am ... a Giver 

How to Donate Your Hair

There's been a lot of publicity over the past few years related to hair donation, including Hillary Swank's highly public hair cut on Oprah. Before you take the plunge and donate your hair, however, make sure you do your homework in choosing...

Soles United: Recycle Your Used Crocs

My baby blue Crocs has been through it all in the two years since I bought them. Traipsing through the sand on a Mexican beach, clomping around my local mall, squelching through the mud in Sudan. As a result, they're starting to look a bit battered a...

Child's Play Charity

Child’s Play is a Seattle based, gamer-run organization that holds an annual toy drive for childrens’ hospitals. Many of the gifts donated by gamers are, as you might imagine, age appropriate videogames and gaming systems - but they are b...

Ronald McDonald House: Collect Pop Tabs for a Cause

My 8-year-old friend Daniel collects pop tabs. Which I figured was just a weird enough thing to make sense for an 8-year-old boy to want to collect. (Have you read the Judy Moody books? 8-year-olds collect all kinds of weird things.) Turns out, he w...

Matter of Trust

Matter of Trust creates ecological programs that focus on dealing with manmade and natural surplus and providing eco-education. The idea is that Mother Nature will supply what's needed to take care of issues if we just look around for it. I ran acro...

I am ... Spoiling for a Fight 

All People Are Not Created Equal

When everyone's special, no one is. I admit it. I'm an overachiever. A performance junkie. A gold star collector. So it's easy to understand why it chaps my hide (and a few other body parts) that in the name of equality and ego and self-esteem, we h...

FLIGHT or INVISIBILITY

BECOME INVISIBLE VS. ABLE TO FLY In the first episode of "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman", Lois asks Clark what his choice of superpower would be: invisibility or flight. Clark bemusedly answers that he'd rather be able to fly, while Lo...

I am ... in a Holiday Mood 

Christmas Yard Art

Whether you're a fan of white lights or colored, inflatables or plastic, animation or music, if you love to decorate your front yard for the holidays, there are options here for you! I'm on the hunt for the best pieces of outdoor Christmas d...

Christmas Inflatables - Easy yard art for holiday decorating!

Christmas inflatables make your holiday yard decorating as easy as pie. No strings of lights to untangle, no spacing of multiple small items. There are designs here to please any theme or taste in yard decor. Nativity * Santa * Snowglobe * Disney

I am ... a Closet Interior Decorator 

Stenciling How-To: Turning One Stencil into Many

Ah, the well-coordinated room, where the fabrics work with the walls which blend with the accessories in one big happy family. But how do you get such great teamwork from one little stencil? Some simple manipulation of a basic stencil can result in a...

Patio Party Lighting

Planning to spend lots of time in the backyard this summer? Wanting a little more glamor than that stark overhead light is providing? (Mine is attached to a be-ooo-ti-ful white ceiling fan!) There are lots of options for decorative outdoor lighting...

Entertaining in the Great Outdoors (AKA Your Backyard!)

Summertime and the living is easy. But it doesn't have to be cheesy!! Add some style and flair to your backyard affairs. No more paper plates for you! Take your outdoor entertaining up a notch with these great items I've found - everything from snazz...

Decorate Your House with Beautiful Vases

Tulips, tulips, tulips. Every year about this time, my favorite flower is in season, and they just tend to jump in my basket. I get them home and I start digging through cabinets trying to find a vase. And why am I digging through cabinets? Why are...

I am ... Still in Dallas, But Part of the North Texas Region 

National Polka Festival | Ennis Texas | Polka Music

43rd Annual National Polka Festival celebrating Czech heritage in Ennis, Texas Held annually on Memorial Day Weekend, the National Polka Festival offers an abundance of activities to be enjoyed by the entire family in the small town of Ennis, just s...

Scarborough Renaissance Festival | Medieval Festival | Renaissance Fair

Spend the day in the 16th century and have the time of your life at this year's Scarborough Renaissance Festival down in Waxahachie. 2010 dates are April 10 through May 31. You'll find everything you need to know here as well as information about th...

Main Street Arts Festival | Fort Worth Arts Festival | Fort Worth, Texas

The Southwest's largest, four-day visual arts and entertainment festival, four days of fine art, food, fun and festivities! Rated as the Number 1 Arts Festival in Texas, the 9th largest Arts Festival in the country as rated by the Harris List and the...

Traders Village | Grand Prairie Texas | Dallas-Area Festivals

Traders Village is centrally located in Grand Prairie - halfway between Dallas and Fort Worth. The grounds play host to a huge flea market and a series of festivals, one of the most unique being a Native American celebration and pow wow.

Bluebonnet Trails Festival | Texas State Flower

The 58th annual salute to the state flower, sponsored by the Ennis Garden Club, includes free maps for self-guided driving tours of about 40 miles of bluebonnet trails along country roads (good for use throughout April). At the festival, expect arts...

I am ... a Shopkeeper 

Entertaining in the Great Outdoors (AKA Your Backyard!)

Summertime and the living is easy. But it doesn't have to be cheesy!! Add some style and flair to your backyard affairs. No more paper plates for you! Take your outdoor entertaining up a notch with these great items I've found - everything from snazz...

Decorate Your House with Beautiful Vases

Tulips, tulips, tulips. Every year about this time, my favorite flower is in season, and they just tend to jump in my basket. I get them home and I start digging through cabinets trying to find a vase. And why am I digging through cabinets? Why are...

Skelanimals: Dead Animals Need Love Too!!

The cutest bags of bones around are the Skelanimals! They're looking for a home with a special someone to love them, but not just anyone. They need people with lots of love who want to snuggle; after all, they're just bones and need help staying warm...

Patio Party Lighting

Planning to spend lots of time in the backyard this summer? Wanting a little more glamor than that stark overhead light is providing? (Mine is attached to a be-ooo-ti-ful white ceiling fan!) There are lots of options for decorative outdoor lighting...

Skelanimals Apparel and Accessories

Stock your closet and vanity full of cute (not creepy) Skelanimals. All your favorites are here - Kit, Dax, Jack, Marcy - on t-shirts, handbags, wallets, hoodies, beanies and more. I'll be adding as I find more great items. And don't forget to head...

Technology killed the flu bug (and other nasties too!)

Feeling chilled? Running a fever? Achy all over? Yep, sounds like you are among the five to 20 percent of Americans who get hit by the flu (regular, swine, H1N1 or any kind!). It's a common occurrence during the winter months. We're inside more, in c...

Toilet Tattoos - Lots of Fun, No Commitment!!

So you want to dress up your toilet, but don't want to commit to a $40 decorative seat? Think every space in your home should get decorated for the holidays? Think those fluffy toilet seat covers have got to go? Have I got something for you! Toilet...

Children's Bedding - All Their Favorite Characters and Styles

Whether your daughter wants a pink fairy princess room or your son is looking for airplane action, these various bedding options are sure to fit the bill. Nursery crib sets, toddler bedding sets, twin and full-sized bedding sets and all the accessor...

License Plate Purse - Eco-Fashion at Its Best!

Take some items destined for the trash, make something unique out of them and a new trend is born. Littlearth started the eco-fashion boom with its line of license plate purses and bottle cap belts. While the classic state plate purses are still at t...

Little Miss Matched - Fun for Your Feet and More!!

I have two nieces who march to a different drummer. The kind who just start tossing on all kinds of weird clothes and call it good. So the first time I heard about Little Miss Matched, I knew I had a winner. Sets of socks and leggings were shipped of...

I am ... Opening More Shops 

Gifts for the Butterfly Lover - Decor

The butterfly lover in your life is likely to love any of these choices. Give them something to add a small touch to a room like a music box or help them make a big splash with a floor rug. Whatever you choose, they're sure to love it! Butterfly gif...

Gifts for the Butterfly Lover - Lighting

Looking to bring some light to your butterfly lover? Whether you're looking for some candles, a night light or an elegant lamp, you can find them here. Check out the rest of this series for other great gift ideas for your butterfly lover!

Gifts for the Butterfly Lover - Jewelry

Butterfly love is a personal thing, so gift your butterfly lover with the most personal of items - jewelry! From necklaces to rings, you're sure to find some great options here. This lens is part of a series highlighting gifts for the butterfly love...

Gifts for the Butterfly Lover

For me, it's my mother. My entire life, she has been a butterfly lover. Butterflies for her are a symbol for II Corinthians 5:17, which talks about becoming a new creature in Christ. Plus, they're just beautiful. I know it's a challenge sometimes to...

Gifts For the Butterfly Lover - Outdoor Decor

Any butterfly lover would want to add a few to their great outdoors - be it front door, back yard or patio. Give them one of the great options you'll find here! This lens is part of a series focusing on gifts for butterfly lovers. Be sure to check o...

Wrap Rage - @#$% Clamshell Retail Packaging!!

Forget road (or parking lot) rage. Forget "batteries not included". Forget "easy to assemble". The real menace of the upcoming holiday season is something you may have never heard of - wrap rage. Wait a minute, you might say. I like wrapping. I lik...

Personalized Wine Bottles for Any Occasion

Whether a birthday, anniversary or holiday, personalized wine bottles allow you to commemorate the day in a unique way. They also make wonderful and very personal gifts for any occasion. I'm always on the hunt for good corporate holiday gift ide...

Didn't You Used to Be a ...? | Recycled, Reclaimed and Repurposed Products and Gifts

Who says there isn't life after death? Everything from street signs to bike chains can find a second life in cool eco-fashion and decor items. I've hunted down some of the coolest ways in which what was destined to be trash has been put to new use....

Gotta Jump!! - Pogo sticks, jumping stilts, trampolines and more

As toys, they're great. As a sneaky way to get your kids some exercise, they're fabulous. Forget the video games or iPod as a Christmas gift this year. The hottest toys for your child, tween or teen involving jumping. Intro photo by In My Spare Tim...

I am ... On a Cycling Jersey Kick 

Stylish Cycling Jerseys for Women

Let's face it. There's little fashionable about cycling apparel. It's sleek, yes, but you can basically end up looking like a polyester sausage if you aren't careful. Now, there's not much that can be done about the basic style of the cycling shirt...

Novelty Cycling Jerseys - Beer Brands

Some of the most interesting novelty cycling jerseys out there are the beer designs. From big brewers like Coors to microbrews like Hazed and Infused, these are some great designs.

College Cycling Jerseys

If you live and die by your alma mater, here's the place to find a jersey to support your team. From Alabama to Yale, if I could find it, your school is here. Shirts are organized by region of the country, then in alphabetical order within the regio...

Novelty Cycling Jerseys

If the only solid colored cycling jersey that appeals to you is yellow, help has arrived! This shop has novelty cycling jerseys of every stripe (except striped!!), so you're sure to find one to suit your personality. Chose from your favorite heav...

I am ... Finding Odd Sports Items 

NCAA Garden Gnomes

Enter the new garden gnome!! But not just any gnome. These gnomes are here to help you cheer on your favorite college team and mark your yard as belonging to a sports fan. Be you Volunteer, Longhorn or Huskie, there's a gnome for you. Made of re...

NFL Garden Gnomes

They might not be able to go long, but these gnomes are still ready to help you cheer on your team when football season rolls around. Packing a football, these resin guys stand at 11 inches tall and are painted in the official team colors with the lo...

NFL Furniture: Watch the Game in Comfy Style!!

Whether you call it a sofa or a couch or a divan, you can show just how much you love your favorite NFL football team with one of these beauties. Pair it with a recliner and ottoman or just snag the sofa. I've put a sampling of what's available for...

MLB Garden Gnomes

With ball and bat at the ready, these gnomes are prepared for baseball season in your garden. (Maybe they plan to whack some moles for you!) These resin guys stand about 11.5 inches tall and are hand crafted and hand painted with raised and decal log...

College Fight Song Ringtones and Wallpapers for Your Cell Phone

Do you occasionally break out with a shout of "Roll Tide"? Kiss your date when your team scores? Start singing along when you hear "Rocky Top"? You're obviously a serious college sports fan and love your team! Time to show th...

I am ... a Traveller 

Traveling Abroad on a Weak Dollar

Yikes!! Have you priced a trip to Europe lately? Even closer-to-home stand-bys like Canada aren't looking like too much of a bargain thanks to the weakened dollar - unless you want to take a cut-rate trip and who wants to wonder if clean sheets are i...

I am ... Getting Political 

Proud to Be Republican! | Political Party Gifts for the Republican Elephant

From t-shirts and bumper stickers to masks and - shoes? There are a million ways to show which way you vote. Pick out a few and let the debate begin! McCain-Palin | 2008 election | Republican | GOP | Political Parties

Throw an Election Night Party!! | All Political Parties Welcome

UPDATE: Election is over, obviously. And some of the items below are no longer in stock. But I'll be updating this as I can between now and the next election. Most of these things also make for a good Fourth of July party as well! It's red vs. blue...

Proud to Be Democrat! | Political Party Gifts for the Democrat Donkey

From t-shirts and bumper stickers to masks and - shoes? There are a million ways to show which way your vote goes come election time. Pick out a few and let the debate begin! Obama-Biden | 2008 election | Democrat | Political Parties

Sarah Palin

John McCain caught everyone off-guard when he announced Sarah Palin as his running mate for the 2008 GOP presidential ticket. The grass-roots effort to get Palin on the ticket had been gaining ground since the beginning of the year when she first sta...

I am ... a Quilter, Sewer, Painter, Crafter Handywoman 

The Well-Organized Craft Closet

Sounds like a dream, right? A nicely organized space for all your crafting supplies and projects where you can find what you need, when you need it. But this is possible? What does it take? A simple inventory of what you have, determination of what...

Baby Quilt Patterns

Don't you just love baby quilts? They're my favorite projects for several reasons. It's a great opportunity to test out new techniques and blocks because you aren't making a huge commitment. They're small enough to finish quickly so you can move on t...

The Well-Stocked Craft Closet

then you know all about the importance of stocking up on supplies. Inspiration doesn't want to wait for you to run to the store for glue or ribbons or paper. So what goes into a well-stocked craft closet? Well, some of it will be determined by the a...

Cool Ways to Reuse Those Greeting Cards - Christmas, Valentine's, Mother's Day

Ah, the card tree (or ring or other display option). So lovely and appropriate during a holiday season like Christmas or Easter, but just a pile of paper once the next month hits. Is there life for the greeting card beyond Christmas or Valentine's Da...

Small Cross-Stitch Patterns

There are many beautiful cross-stitch patterns out there - intricate, detailed, elaborate, tons of colors. But really - who has time to complete something like that? If your goal is getting your projects done, you've come to the right place! I've col...

I am ... A People Person 

Chris Riddell

Chris Riddell's distinctive drawing style has proven over the years to be the perfect pairing for fantastical stories, political foibles and social commentary. I was first introduced to him via The Edge Chronicles books, which just really came to lif...

Ben Stein

Ok, your first exposure to Ben Stein was likely in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, but there's much more to this man than the droll, monotone you heard there. Stein's an economist, policy wonk, cartoon character(s), game show regular, all-around braniac an...

Sarah Palin

John McCain caught everyone off-guard when he announced Sarah Palin as his running mate for the 2008 GOP presidential ticket. The grass-roots effort to get Palin on the ticket had been gaining ground since the beginning of the year when she first sta...

Leslie Feist

Feist who? For real. For the most part, mainstream American has just recently been introduced to Leslie Feist, although most of them probably just refer to her as "that girl in the new iPod Nano commercial" where she sings "1234." But she h...

Michelle Yeoh

Don't let the Miss Malaysia title or the tiny figure fool you. This beauty has the chops to knock anyone down to size. She's been a star in Asia for years, but first broke into the American consciousness in her turn as Chinese agent Wan Li in the Jam...

Kristen Stewart

In her relatively short career, Kristen Stewart has tackled horror, action and drama with equal flair. America has watched her grow up from her first role with Jodie Foster in Panic Room to a young adult in Twilight. Looking forward to a great and lo...

Keke Palmer

It seems like just yesterday I was watching Keke Palmer wow in Akeelah and The Bee. Somewhere in that 24 hours, she became a teenager, a singer and now TV star. Her breakthrough performance in Akeelah has proven to be no fluke. This spunky star went...

Josh Peck

Most people know of Josh Peck from his role as Josh on the hit Nickelodeon sitcom Drake & Josh in which he plays the geek/nerd/dork brother to Drake Bell's sauve/cool/chick magnet brother. But if you enjoyed watching Josh evolve during the 50 episod...

Amanda Seyfried

I first saw Amanda in flashbacks as the dead friend, Lily Kane, on the first season of Veronica Mars. Since then, she's popped up in several other places that I noticed, like Mean Girls and House. Her big-eyed sex appeal often has her playing the sex...

I am ... Intrigued by iCarly 

Jennette McCurdy

While she plays the sidekick right now, Jennette McCurdy appears to have the chops to be a Lucille Ball someday. Her wisecracking Sam on iCarly - the new hit TV show from Nickelodeon - draws some of the biggest laughs thanks to her comic timing and f...

Miranda Cosgrove

You might know her as the prim and proper Summer, maybe the devilishly devious Megan, possibly the spunky and slightly spastic Carly. Miranda Cosgrove has evolved tremendously during her short career. From the silver screen to the small screen, Mira...

Nathan Kress

From the voice behind movie cartoon characters to the kid behind the camera on the new hit TV show iCarly, Nathan has proven himself quite the charmer. His role as Freddie has him as the technical backbone of Carly's webcast and her not-so-secret cru...

Dress Like Carly and Sam from iCarly

iCarly has been a huge hit for Nickelodeon. It's your favorite, right? And part of the hit is the cute styles worn by Carly (Miranda Cosgrove) and Sam (Jennette McCurdy) as they head to school and do their webcast. Fortunately, the overall look they...

Jerry Trainor

Jerry Trainor was well known to the tween set long before he made it onto the set of iCarly thanks to his role as Crazy Steve on the hit show Drake & Josh. He is definitely perfectly cast as the wild and crazy guy, able to do a goofy tummy rub withou...

I am ... A Funny Lady 

Sesame Street News Video Showcase

Those words and the cheesy little raincloud with the "News Flash" graphic signaled yet another report from the intrepid Kermit the Frog on location. Kermit valiantly interviewed a parade of characters from history, fairy tales and nursery rhymes. Fro...

Really Bad Singing

Ah, music soothes the savage beast ... or possibly gives him a headache if he has to listen to some of this stuff! I sing in the Women's Chorus of Dallas and our director is constantly admonishing us to "Sing Pretty!" There seem to be some...

Monsterpiece Theater Video Showcase

Parody is one of the sincerest forms of flattery and one of the funniest forms of comedy. Sesame Street took it to an "art" form on several levels with Monsterpiece Theater. Designed as a play on the PBS classic Masterpiece Theater, it was hosted by...

I am ... A Singer and Music Lover 

Homemade Jamz Blues Band

Three siblings, a passion for blues music and the resounding cheers of the blues community - they all add up to the Homemade Jamz Blues Band. Made up of brothers Ryan and Kyle and their sister Taya on the drums, this trio is poised to take over the b...

Really Bad Singing

Ah, music soothes the savage beast ... or possibly gives him a headache if he has to listen to some of this stuff! I sing in the Women's Chorus of Dallas and our director is constantly admonishing us to "Sing Pretty!" There seem to be some...

The Baseball Project

Not sure about you, but I'm thrilled to learn there's music life in baseball beyond "Talking Baseball" and "Centerfield". They've been worn out and I'm OK with not hearing them again for 100 years. So I'm thrilled to introduce you to The Baseball Pr...

I am ... A Split Personality 

Skip Barber Racing School

On a national scale, Skip Barber Racing holds a great reputation for driver education and just plain fun. I've read many reviews from those who've been and enjoyed it and am making my own plans to attend. Racers, drivers, enthusiasts, thrill see...

This Ain't the AAA!!

Many people think of the AAA (American Automobile Association) when they hear the words "car club." But the truth is that most car clubs are populated by passionate owners of a specific "breed" of car and provide social and educat...

I am ... Taking On a New Personality! 

Baby Quilt Patterns

Don't you just love baby quilts? They're my favorite projects for several reasons. It's a great opportunity to test out new techniques and blocks because you aren't making a huge commitment. They're small enough to finish quickly so you can move on t...

I am ... Wowed By Others 

Adventure & Exploration: First Woman To ...

Since, well, forever, there have been women who longed to walk on the wild side. Some of them managed to do so, climbing the world's highest peaks, traveling where white women (and sometimes men) just didn't go and soaring to new heights. Read below...

Politics: First Woman To ...

The presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton has raised the role of women in politics back into the spotlight. While there hasn’t been a woman to hold the highest office in the United States before, women have held the top position in other cou...

Arts & Literature: First Woman To ...

No one thinks twice about seeing women on stage or screen or bookshelves or art galleries anymore. But that wasn't always the case, and it's still unusual to see women directing orchestras or plays or museums. So hats off to these women who have brok...

Nobel Prize: First Woman To ...

The Nobel Prize. One of the premier awards in the world, honoring achievements in five fields. Women have won awards in all six categories. Thirty-six women have taken home the prize since it was established in 1901, with one – Marie Curie &nda...

Business: First Woman To ...

Snickers and head pats have often greeted women looking to run businesses. Through family ties, widowhood and pure pluck, women gradually began moving into leadership positions in business. Over time, they've proven to be just as great and inept as m...

I am ... In Good Company 

Susans are Great!!

When I was a teenager, I wanted so badly for my name to be anything but Susan. I dreamed of being named something more romantic or exotic. I've come to embrace my "Susan-ness" over the years and am proud to share my name with some truly ama...