Pirating Personality.

Yes. You all know and have read before that I really dig pirates. A friend of mine from work emailed me a link to a pirate quiz this afternoon. You take it and it tells you what kind of pirate you are... Here's what it said to me:

You are The Cap'n!

Some (wo)men are born great, some achieve greatness and some slit the throats of any man that stands between them and the mantle of power. You never met a man you couldn't eviscerate. Not that mindless violence is the only avenue open to you - but why take an avenue when you have complete freeway access? You are the definitive (Wo)Man of Action. You are James Bond in a blousy shirt and drawstring-fly pants. Your swash was buckled long ago and you have never been so sure of anything in your life as in your ability to bend everyone to your will. You will call anyone out and cut off their head if they show any sign of taking you on or backing down. You cannot be saddled with tedious underlings, but if one of your lieutenants shows an overly developed sense of ambition he may find more suitable accommodations in Davy Jones' locker. That is, of course, IF you notice him. You tend to be self absorbed - a weakness that may keep you from seeing enemies where they are and imagining them where they are not.

What's Yer Inner Pirate?
brought to you by The Official Talk Like A Pirate Web Site. Arrrrr!


I recommend taking the quiz (for fun) when you have a moment. It's quite a giggle.

An Inconvenient Time to Get Caught in the Rain?

Earlier this weekend, I was out walking around. It was hot and sunny at about 11am. I was in downtown crossing, so I decided to duck into the movie theater by the park to see if I could catch a film and cool down.

I decided to see The Lake House, that new Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock movie. It was okay... A total chick flick. I did enjoy it though. Don't get me wrong. Aftewards, I walked outside and saw the torrential down-pour that had come about while I had been tucked in the theater for the last two hours. I didn't have an umbrella (who knew it would be raining that hard?), so I went back inside to go to the ATM. I wanted cash to catch a cab home. But the ATM was broken. So I decided I was gonna "wait it out" for a while. See if I could run across the street to catch the bus back to the South End when the rain lightened up.

But it never did. It just began pouring harder and harder. It was almost 2:30 in the afternoon. So I made the decision to go back inside and buy another ticket to a movie. My choices were "Nacho Libre" or "An Inconvenient Truth." I went with the latter. And it wasn't a disappointment.

Such a good documentary. It's that film by Al Gore where he covers the environment and th emany different factors going on with it... From the melting of the ice caps and snowy mountain tops that provide natural drinking water for many to the current administration's actions (or lack ther of, really) in the past five years regarding it.

Highly recommend the Al Gore film. I guess getting stuck at the tehater for five hours ended up not being so inconvenient afterall.

To learn more about the film, or the topic it covers, visit ClimateCrisis.net.

Off the Caf.

So, for the next few days, I am not allowed any of the following:

Caffeinated Coffee Beverages
Large Amounts of Chocolate (Small doses are fine... But no chocolate cupcakes from the Buttery.)
Artficial Sweetners (I love Sweet-n-Low... Detest Splenda.)
Vigorus Exercise (Light exercise is fine. But no Bikram yoga.)

Ugh... I hate committing to being a better person. A non-fat decaf cappuccino isn't the same as the fully caffeinated kind.

Been Caught Singing.

Poor kid. His brother catches him singing and dancing to Gnarls Barkley and puts the video on the Internet. I LOVE viral videos. (You have to have the sound on for this one.)

I don't think I even laughed this hard with the Slapping Machine. The best part is when he picks up the stuffed animal and starts dancing with it.

Here Comes the Sun.

Yay! Summer is officially here! And that means today is the longest day of the year. ( Happy Summer Solstice!) This means early morning runs along the Charles without total darkness, lunch hours spent outside, and al fresco evening cocktail hours after work. (Who doesn't love that?)

But just because the carefree days of Summer are here, it doesn't mean it's time to go carefree and loose with the sunblock... Even on work days. Here are some of the best, all "Missus Approved":

PCA SKIN pHaze 7 Protecting Hydrator, SPF 25

I love PCA (Physician's Choice of Arizona) face products. They are fantastic. They cleared up my skin after a slight battle with adult acne. This moisturizer comes with SPF 25 already in it. No need to slather on the same stuff you put on the rest of your body.

Aveeno Sunblock Lotion, Continuous Protection, SPF 45

This is a great one for your body. Although, it is oil-free; so you could certainly put it on even the most sensitive faces.

Jason Natural Cosmetics Sunbrellas Sun Care Kid's Block, SPF 46


I love how Jason products go the extra step of demonstrating their different from every other product out there. This sun block comes in SPF 46. That's one above 45. (Reminds me of Spinal Tap and going to "11.")

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer, Dry-Touch Sunblock, SPF 55

This one doesn't leave you feeling moist or greasy, and an added bonus - it's SPF 55. I highly recommend most Neutrogena products.

One I DO NOT recommend however is:

Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Body Mist Sunblock

This stuff is horrible. It's a spray and doesn't go on evenly at all. Even if you follow the directions to a "T."

Happy sunshine! Remember to keep yourself protected!

Uh-oh...

Every other day I get an email from Bergdorf Goodman updating me on new items and sales they are having. The one I got earlier today was titled "CHLOE: Preview the Fall Collection."

You know that is just going to be trouble after reading that email!

Sure enough, I open the email, which provides me with a link to the Chloe section they have built on the site. As I am sifting through it, I come across the accessories section. Sure enough, they now have the Chloe Edith bag (which I have adored for ages, just hated the available colors) in red, my absolute favorite color.



How can I keep myself from buying this thing? It will be tres difficult. I won't buy a bag unless I absolutely love it. And this year I have absolutely only loved one other bag. So, you see my dilemma. This bag measures big enough to carry my laptop in it. So it is multi-purpose. A bag and a laptop carrier. It is the perfect work bag. And it could even double as a diaper bag (eventually).

Oh dear...

"Mad" About Madden? No.

I always thought Steve Madden shoes were cute and a good deal. They are stylish and the prices are quite reasonable.

I disagree completely now. Steve Madden shoes are big pieces of over-priced crap.

About a week ago I went to the Steve Madden store on Newbury Street. I noticed an adorable pair of cherry red open-toed cork wedges.

They were priced at $79. And I thought they were so cute. I asked the shop girl if I could try them on. ("Size seven and a half please, miss!") I loved how they looked and felt. The price was right. Of course I snatched them up and went along my merry way.

The first day I wore them, I noticed the tips of the shoes, by the open toe, were becoming scuffed. The leather (just a tiny piece) was flipping up on each shoe. "No biggie," I thought. I attributed it to my clumsiness in walking. And I could easily repair it to be un-noticed.

The second day I wore them, I noticed that the sole on the back of both shoes was becoming detached from the cork. ("What?!?!") I was a little peeved, as this type of thing shouldn't happen until at least a month or two of wearing them. I grabbed my super glue and stuck the rubber sole back to the cork to prevent further detachment. (And, in the process, I got super glue on my finger tips, in my hair and on my right pinkie nail. It took AGES to scrap it off. In fact, I still have it on my nail.)

Well, they say the third time is the charm. I figured if I wore them today, this would be the day where I would have no problems.

Man, am I a sucker.

Just now, I went to talk to KT at her desk. As I was walking back the two to three feet to my desk... The sole on the left shoe, near the toes, decided to flip up as I lightly stubbed my toe on the carpet.

Seriously, WTF?

Now I have to pull out the super glue again at home and glue these things back together. I'm not a shoe cobbler, but I am fine with having to make small repairs to my shoes on my own. But I'm not down with having to do it each time I wear them. And the sh#ttiest thing about these shoes is you can't return them at all for any reason.

So be warned, if you buy Steve Madden shoes, you are likely buying big pieces of crap.

No Fussin' with the 'Tussin.

In the past 24 hours, I seem to have come down with flu-like symptoms... Which I hope is not a pending sign that I will be coming down with the measles.

I made a run across the street to the drugstore and picked a childhood favorite of mine... Robitussin.



I had forgotten how killer this stuff was! I love the taste. Keep your fingers crossed that the measles stays at bay.

A Spritz of Flavor.

No more over-dosing on salad dressing... Someone has FINALLY made dressing my boring lunch salads more easy... I came across this new product at the grocery store this weekend and love it.


Now that summer is (practically) here and it is getting so hot, salads are exactly what I'm craving. Great time for Wish Bone to come out with this product. So useful. My salads are tasty without being too-caloric. One spray of dressing covers a lot of salad-area and is only one calorie. It took only five shots to get my salad dressed this afternoon. Not bad... Never knew my dressing could come to only five calores!

I definetly recommend this product.

Practical Bags... Back in Style.

As we all know, for the past decade or so (well, since Kate Moss came on the scene) things in fashion have been getting smaller and smaller over time. Not just models and their clothes... It was also happening to our accessories. Even for the work day, you were expected to carry a smaller shoulder bag, small top handle bag or clutch. Now, though, things are changing.... At least when it comes to bags.

No longer do we have to carry our small bag and a gym bag with our work out gear... Or a side bag for our latop... Now, it can all fit into one fashionable bag... Yes, this is because big, practical bags are now nack in style. I don't mean just "big" though... I'm talking LARGE. Think 1980s bags when women carried around their whole life in the bag. Well, don't think the style of the bag has to be from the 1980s... Just the functionality.

Today's bags are definately gorgeous creatures. Here are only the beginning of what I've found for this summer/fall season.

all day saddle bag
This one is from Anthropologie. It's 16 inches wide and 14 inches long.

deserted beach bag
Also from Anthropologie. This one measures at 15 inches high and 18.5 inches long.


Sierra Laser-Cut Drawstring Bag
This one is from Cole Haan. it comes in a few neutral colors... But who can resist this deep jade color? Perfect for fall. It measures 18 inches long and 14 inches high.


Chloe Edit Bag
You can find this online at a few different places, including Bergdorf Goodman. Earlier this season it was out in a Whiskey color. Now it's out in this buttery-champagne color. I'm still not sure I like the color, but I definitely love the bag. It's divine. And it measures at 13 inches high and 19.5 inches wide.


Knot Shoulder Bucket Bag
From Urban Outfitters... 15 inches long and 17 inches wide.

Rockin' Out: In the Closet.

In our apartment here in the South End, we don't have a closet in our bedroom. No, instead we have a second room of our bedroom that is about two-thirds the size of the bedroom (and the bedroom is pretty spaciaous. This second room houses all of our clothes, shoes, bags, luggage, linens, our huge dresser and mirror and an ironing board. It even has a large window in it that faces our back deck. We don't call it a closet; though that is it's purpose... Rather, we call it our "dressing room."

Because our brownstone is so old, I believe the room was once intended as a bedroom (or nursery) of it's own. It's bigger than most dorm rooms. So the room has high ceilings with "California" shelves and racks... and it even has about three outlets in there and is carpeted. So the other day, I decided (since I am in the room for a good hour every morning getting ready for work) to put my husband's old CD/tape boombox in there to listen to music and radio. I thought it was a brilliant idea... You know, help keep me motivated in the mornings while getting ready.

Well, I am beginning to think putting the boombox in there was a bad idea. It was a bad idea because my husband (a lover of early 1980s music and nothing after that) has decided to pull out his old Journey and Boston music and now plays them whenever he is in the bedroom hanging out... Which is always. The sad part of this is that he doesn't have the music on CD. No, he has it on cassette tape. So he has to stop and rewind the tapes to re-hear "More than a Feeling" and "Don't Stop Believing."

Even sadder (for me) is that he insists on singing, dancing and playing air guitar while listening. If I happen to walk into the room while he is doing this, he gives me a "Yeah! Check it out baby!" type of acknowledgement... Suggesting that I join in with him on all the "rockin' out" fun.

Once we have a kid, I'm turning that room into a nursery. I can't have my child exposed to this.

Ummm... Britney Needs to Get a Clue.

I don't know if she just flat-out ignores her handlers or if they legitimately suck ass at their job, but Britney needs to learn a few things about being a public personality and image-presenting.

I get that she's (what she has referred to as) "country." She means she's laid back and wants to be like us "everyday" folk. So she dresses down when in public, doesn't always wear make-up and is pretty casual. That's fine. That's just her style.

But when you are trying to plead your case to America that the scrutiny you're being given for being famous has gotten out of hand lately, you don't wear denim mini-shorts and a pink halter top.

Come on Brit, we're supposed to take you serious that you don't want attention? Then maybe you should be dressing appropriately when you interview with a top tier media outlet. I (of all people) COMPLETELY understand dressing feminine and wanting to be a littl esexy (especially when you're pregnant.) And what you're wearing is fine for when you're not intentionally trying to get media attention... Like when you're just bumming around your house or running to the grocery store... But when Matt Lauer sits down to interview you for "Dateline," you do the following:

*Brush your hair.
*Put your make-up on straight.
*Wear something that covers your ass.

I have no sympathy for her. Don't plead "Please leave us alone!" while also sending the message with your clothes "Look at me! I'm sexy!" It's sending mixed messages. We can't take you seriously.

Google... Totally Hot Like Paris Hilton?

Totally un-related topic to the mainstream... Professionally related.

For the past couple of years there has been a debate in the SEM indurtsy as to whether or not search engines (the top ones, like Google and Yahoo!) really like having a relationship with the agencies who bring them business from top Fortune 1000 clients. The engines (Google in particular) say that "yes," they do like doing business through the agencies. However, their actions completely counter what they say.

For example, I was talking to an industry friend recently about how they wanted to reach out to Google for advice on a specific SEO tactic. They wanted to talk to a Google engineer about whether or not this tactic was legit and if it would help their major client. The rep at Google told them basically that the Fortune 1000 client could talk to the Google engineer, but that the agency (who owns the relationship with the client) could not be present at the meeting.

This is typical of Google lately; who is trying to be like Paris Hilton... All over the media and trying to do every type of role to keep dominating. (Paris Hilton: singer, actress, fashion designer, model, socialite... Google: search engine, map service, news service, instant messenger, video search, spreadsheet service, blogging service, etc...)

Google has specifically done stuff like this to many agencies out there. My friend's agency isn't the only one. Google constantly tells SEM-ers that the relationships they hold with agencies is critical and valuable to Google's success.... You bet it is! That's how they get introduced to the client. Then Google comes in and tries to undercut the agency relationship by contacting the client directly and cutting the agency completely out of the communication.

Bottom line is though, if this keeps happening, it will have the biggest impact on those agencies that only do search. Those agencies that offer a variety of media services (I think) have less to worry about. When you only offer SEM services to your clients, what happens when the client decides to just go straight to Google and Yahoo! to deal with them? You lose business. When you work with an agency and have bought into other critical services (such as media planning, web development and even off-line marketing) the clients are less likely to completely cut the agency out of the picture. They still will want the agency around for the "full-picture" marketing and strategy-building.

So, if Google is Paris Hilton... I guess that makes Yahoo! Nicole Ritchie?

Recycling in Boston and Childhood Memories.

Given that I live in the South End, you'd think I would be surrounded by other folks who were concerned about the environment. Sadly though, no, I am not. After wandering down a side street to get home from work this morning (I went home sick) I saw a townhouse a few blocks from my apartment with a blue recycling bin on the curb. This is the first time I have ever seen such a thing! As soon as I got home and was feeling better, I logged online and searched for more information on recycling from home. And what do you know? The city of Boston offers curb-side recycling on your regularly scheduled pick-up days! Who knew? I quickly got on the phone and ordered a recycling bin to be delivered.

This brings back the good days from when I was a kid growing up in Arizona. My grandmother used to stock her fridge with TONS of soda pop cans for her charming grandkids. (My favorite was orange or cherry sodas.) She would recycle the cans every few months in exchange for cash, and would then split it up between all the grandkids. This was nice. Because as a 10-year-old, this meant about $10 in my pocket (my take) every few months. Just for drinking soda. I often wondered if there was some kind of opportunity to make a career out of such a thing... But as I got older, I realized I would probably fare better as a writer than a homeless person on the street.

Anyhow, if you want information on recycling in your neighborhood, check out the City of Boston website.

Table the Label.

This is some great fashion advice form Mr. T. circa 1983.



It's funny how fashion circles back... Some of these outfits I would wear today. But I would stay away from the logo-heavy brands. Like Mr. T. says, "Table the label and wear your own name."

Pirate Baby.

I came across this cute onesie while browsing online... Check it out.

Totally cute, huh? When I have a baby, I definitely plan on picking one of these up.

Moving Snapple Machine and Sneakers.

This place is a MUST see...

So, these two cats I work with, A-Squared (ACE and AJ), have been hyping like two giddy school girls about this "underground" sneaker store located near the Berklee School of Music. While it's not truly "underground," it is hidden in a sense. There's no signage to the store, Bodega... In fact, it looks like a legitimate bodega near the corner of Mass. Ave. and Clearway Street. You walk into the joint and what you see if a small bodega with toilet paper, soda, bubble bath, etc... (stuff you would find in a bodega) stocked on the shelves. There's a dude sitting behind a counter like shop keeper even. But next to him is the key piece to the store... A Snapple machine.

In order to get into the sneaker part of the store, you have to step in front of the Snapple machine. When you do, it slides to the left and opens into an unbelievably cool hidden space with floor to ceiling gorgeous shelves filled with kick ass sneakers (mostly styled for guys), Ms. Claw tanks and bags, and some eclectic jewelry for both sexes.

I was talking to one of the owners of the store about their inventory, and he said there were going to be getting in a ton more stuff... Especially stuff for girls. I was really digging the Ms. Claw stuff (which is a new brand for me) and decided to pick up a Coco Claw magazine bag for $30. (It'll be useful for grocery shopping and hauling stuff around from the markets.)

Like I wrote earlier... You guys gotta check this place out the next time you're near the Christian Science Center or the Berklee School of Music. It's a cool space, and they don't advertise... So it's all word of mouth.

Buttery Goodness and Cupcakes.

The husband and I went out to dinner on Shawmut Ave. Friday night to this place called Joe V.'s. (Good pizza!) Across the street we noticed a new cafe that wasn't around the last time we ate there. It is called the South End Buttery. I decided to give it a go yesterday morning... And it was really cute and tasty!

This is my new morning capuccinno stop... No more Starbucks for a while. The capuccinnos at South End Buttery are just as expensive but more legit. They use a very pricey ($$$$$) capuccinno equipment, the bagels are fresher and the place is just so darn cute! (You must check it out!)

Don't get me wrong... It's not like I don't like Starbucks or will refuse to go there now... Not at all, in fact! I will definitely keep going to Starbucks for my Caramel Machiattos and Coconut Lattes. But when it comes to my Capuccinno fix, South End Buttery is the place to go for me. (Plus the cupcakes there are DE-LI-CIOUS!)

Designer Sale.

Heads up everyone! Mark your calendars for July 8th through the 15th... For that's when the Louis Boston semi-annual sale will be happening.

I'm reading in places that stuff will be marked off up to 50%... Which, to be honest, is still a lot of money... But, if there's a designer piece that you've been eyeing for months, now is the time to scope out the joint and buy it.

I'm definitely going to start putting together my "wish list" now for when I go in next month. That way I'll be prepared and not overspend on stuff that I might impulsively think I want. (Danger!)

Blogger Sucks Sometimes!

When you have a pretty cool free tool out there, I guess your bound to have some problems with accessing it from time to time. But seriously, I keep getting the stupid "down" message from Blogger too often. This is the second time this week I've gotten it!

Cupcakes Could Be Sexier.

I understand the fun of this new chain that opened on Newbury Street a few Saturdays ago. BUT... The shirt styles are tres boring! How is a girl supposed to wear these shirts? They're not flattering to a girlie figure at all!

I'm sorry, but if you want to roll on upper Newbury Street (where the retail real estate is more $$$$) then you need to get with the program and realize who shops there. (Hint: It's a LOT of girls.)

Though I do give them credit for their choice of space... Right next to the Hello Kitty store. And I do very much like the designs on the shirts. Who doesn't love cupcakes!?!?!?!? I just wish they were more girlie! I have boobs... But in shirts that come up that high, it'll look simply like I am fat. (Which I'm not.) They need to throw in some more fitted v-neck and scoop neck shirts.

"Showing" is in.

One of the reasons I am looking forward to someday becoming pregnant is secretly all about the fashion. Sure, I want a family. And little babies are so precious! But really, I just want to be able to be fashionable and show off my gut.

Remember when women used to wear hideous clothing that covered their bellies? It wasn't flattering - we all agree on that. But now, it is so very to show off your baby Buddha belly... Just check out the article in today's Styles section of the NY Times. It's all about the rise (or, er, growth) of the pregnant belly in fashion today. Designers have heeded the call of women everywhere wanting to remain in fashion while preggers... And it's about time!

Yay!

Day Two: Searches

Today's collection includes:

average basal body temperature
average body temperature
basal body temperature while pregnant
define: basal body temperature
google spreadsheet
normal basal body temperature

Yeah... My searches today definitely has a theme going to them. But it's purely for research.

Britney and K-Fed Time Elapsed Clock.

Because I know we're all worried that they are on the verge of a break-up... I decided to include the link to the US Magazine "Elapsed Time Clock." It tracks how long it's been since the superstar couple have been seen together in public.

God, I hope they make it as a couple. I don't know what I'd do. Maybe today (6/6/06) really is the day of the apocalypse?

Stars are Blind.

And if you close your eyes (and pretend you are blind too) and only listen to the video, you could easily mistake Paris Hilton's first single "Stars are Blind" for Gwen Stefani.



I have to admit, the tune is quite catchy (even though the lyrics are complete fluff) and I imagine it will be a big hit. But she needs to re-shoot the video... Though it will definitely appeal to the male demogrpahic out there.

What I Searched for Today.

Doing a little experiment this week. I want to begin taking note of what I (as a search professional) search for online. So everyday, I intend to make a quick post about what I searched for today.

Today's searches include:

• Swayze Rap She's like the Wind (Swayze's doing a rap!)
• Mrs. Arizona Website (A good high school friend of mine was made Mrs. Arizona for 2006.)
• Measles Symptoms (I work in the Hancock Tower... Enough said.)
• Toronto Lawrence Park Real Estate (Moving to Toronto in three years. Just scoping out.)
• Shoe company One (This one is coded.)
• Shoe Company Two (This one is coded.)
• Shoe Company Three (This one is coded.)
• Shoe Company Four (This one is coded.)
• Shoe Company Five (This one is coded.) (Apparently, I like shoes.)
• Early Preganancy Symptoms (Just Curious... No, um, particular reason.)
• Prenatal vitamins (Again, no particular reason for this search.)
• Rajashree's Pregnancy Yoga (Seriously... This is purely for research. I have no announcements to make.)

Going Swayze on Your @ss.

Wow... How funny that just a month or two ago I wrote about my dislike of this song... And now the word on "the street" is that Swayze's going to do a rap version of the song and release it for air play.

This was confirmed by the Swayze himself on the BBC Radio One this morning.

I don't know if I'm ready for a rapping Swayze. I don't know if the world is ready.

It Couldn't Be Clearer. It's Black and White.

I feel as though lately that fashion designers want us all to be honorary New Yorkers this summer and autumn seasons. Everywhere I look (as I posted in an earlier blog this week) it is all about black and white lately. And you know what? I couldn't be happier about that.

When I dress, I tend to be big on black and white. I also wear a lot of navy and pale blues, as well as reds. But that's pretty much it. My clothing is fairly neutral in color... I don't even wear browns. (But I accessories with lots of color!)

So this morning I am online buying a wedding gift for my cousin's wedding this summer in Ontario. Since it's my husband's cousin, I was using his credit card. And since he was in bed and had given me his credit card while he was half awake, he failed to remind me not to use it on something for myself. (Sucker! Heh-heh.) So after I hit "Purchase" on The Bay's wedding and gift registry site, I surfed over to the Neiman Marcus website with the husband's credit card in tow. Right on the front page of the Woman's Apparel section was a section on designer Robert Rodriguez's fall trunk show... Check it out.



Browsing the Bergdorf Goodman website, I was reminded again. This time with the Vince collection for fall.




It appears that this fall, leggings, shorts and belts are going to continue to reign in popularity.

After looking at apparel, I headed to the shoe section (naturally) to see what was appealing... I clicked on the Manolo Blahnik section and here is what I saw...



Classic and clean. These shoes are very proper but still fun and sexy.

I think following the fashion trends this fall will be very easy. But in the meantime, I need to figure out what to do with all my colorful accessories. Oh, and I need to find something to buy with the hubby's credit card while I still have it in my possession.

My Mum's Favorite Song.

One of my mum's current favorite songs is "Dirty Little Secret" by All American Rejects.



She's always been rather hip. Infact, she is definitely more hip than my husband. His music taste is stuck in the 1980s; with favored bands like The Cult, Van Halen, Def Lepard, Corey Hart and Bryan Adams. (He is Canadian... I think it's the rule they have to like Bryan Adams and Corey Hart.)

"Man Eater" Nelly.

Why does the U.K. always get songs first?

For the past few weeks I've been hearing this new song by Nelly Furtado caleed "Man Eater" on Radio One. It's a great song. Very "pop-py" and "dance-y." Give it a listen and watch!

Welcome to the World of eBay.

I'm a little late to the whole idea of auctioning your unwanted goods on eBay and other such websites.

A few weeks ago, I was trying to clear out some space for my sister's visit in late May. I was looking in one of our closets when I realized I still had a whole slew of William Yeoward crystal vases that I had purchased at a "tag sale" at one of my previous jobs. The vases were worth (retail) about $300 to $500 a piece. But because they were part of a tag sale, I was able to pick them up for $3 to $5 a piece. I initially bought about 15 of them to use as centerpieces at my wedding. But then I changed my mind when I realized how much it would cost to ship them to Canada (where we had the wedding.) So I just packed them in a closet to give away as gifts to friends every now and then.

Well, three years later, I've only given away about two. And I had purchased a few for my home in addition to the ones I bought for my wedding... So this is just too much crystal to keep around. Especially in our small South End apartment. I came to the decision that I would give the whole "eBay Game" a try. And it is totally cool!

I tested the idea of selling things online by putting just one of the vases up for auction. It was a William Yeoward "Mimi" vase.



It retailed for $525 in 2003. I put it on eBay for $40 starting. (Keep in mind, I bought it for $5.) I forgot about putting it online, and a week later I got an email that a woman in Tucson had won it with a closing price of $82. Woah!!!! Tres cool!

I set up a Pay Pal account, collected my funds and transferred them to my bank account. I shipped the vase yesterday to her. It was so easy!

I will definitely be putting the rest of my William Yeoward crystal online for auction. eBay is a wonderful thing.