Really Simple to Take Credit.

Sorry Frannie hasn't found much lately, Frannie hasn't been sittin on her fanny writing. 

I love the magazine Real Simple.  It'd be super easy to be like 'Oh look what Frannie found, and made up all on her own', but I'm not gonna do that.  I was reading the latest issue of Real Simple and found some really good stuff... so now I will share it with you. 

1. Does your dog's collar jingle jangle?  Yes?  Well if you want it to stop... you can place key protectors on the tags to stop the noise.  Well, I kind of enjoy the noise.   My dogs have the tendency to creep up on me real bad if I can't hear them coming.  Like, weird weird creepy stalking dogs.  One minute I'm standing in the kitchen, and the next my dog is standing 5 inches away from me staring at me like he was there the whole time.  I'm not okay with that.  By the way.. the picture up top is of my dogs.  Boo and Kael.  Boo, the creeper, is on the right.  I mean he doesn't look possessed at all, right? RIGHT?

2.  Repairpal.com is a website that allows you to go on and get an estimate on repair work for your automobile.  For example, let's say I (the sweet, innocent, unsuspecting, not to mention trusting girl) walk into an autoshop to get my brakes fixed.  How would I know how much that would cost? I wouldn't.  Whyyyy would I research that? I wouldn't because I'm too busy being smart and innocent... and trusting.  Well go on to this site, and it will give you the true approximate cost of the repair for YOUR car and you can even factor in your location to the cost.

For All The Wrong Reasons...

I'm going to volunteer a day of my time for al the wrong reasons.  Disney is giving away a day at a park if you volunteer at a participating organization next year. You must be at least 18 to participate, but children can volunteer as well as long as they're with a parent.  The ticket also must be used before December 15, 2010.  I've already planned out my summer.  If they're still giving away a day on your birthday... I'm gonna get two free days in a row.  So there Disney, put that in your pipe and smoke it.

Fashion In Your Namaste!

For those of you that know me, know I am rather tall... 5'10" to be exact.  Therefore, finding a long pant is hard.  Life can be so hard without long pants... so, so hard.  Regardless, I found out that Victoria's Secret Yoga pants are amazing and come in several different lengths.  I go with the 36" inseam... and it's great.  The foldover yoga pant is my favorite, and they come in variety of colors.  Right now they're 2 for $50 on sale.  I wear these pants like my job, and it wouldn't surprise me if my friends make fun of me behind my back for how much I wear them.  At least I have a 36" inseam.. booyah.

Breast Cancer Awareness Gifts!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is obviously in October, and as a part of that many businesses sell items that give a portion of the proceeds to fund research.  Ralph Lauren offers their Pink Pony collection ranging from $30-$498, and a 10% of proceeds go to the Pink Pony Fund.  There's also this cute wine glass from Home and Garden Art for $23.75.  Lastly, you could go to The Breast Cancer Site and find just about anything breast cancer related in a gift, they have bags, bracelets, bras, sweaters, etc..

October

Hello, October. The birthstone is an opal and the flower is the Calendula (the what?).  Halloween... yay.. costumes.. even better.


Here are some other observances for the month:
German American Heritage Month (yay me! sorta... my mom's probably gonna laught at that one)
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Domestic Violence Awareness Month (also Alpha Chi's philanthropy)
World Blindness Awareness Month

Healthy Lung Month (stop smoking!)

National Down Syndrome Awareness Month                              

What a guilty pumpkin

Fashion in Your Face!

I watch Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood.  I'm not really proud of it, but it's entertaining.  I got even more into it when I started watching all of the old school 90210 re-runs on the Soap Net.  Even more embarassing.  One thing I did find interesting is her jewelry line for HSN (Home Shopping Network).  I never ever ever watch HSN, but I went online to look at her jewelry line, and it's not half bad.  Moreover, it's not too expensive either.  MoreOVER, I read her book Stori Telling... it was good... it had pictures.  To the left is her Vintage 36" Drop Necklace ($27.97 org: $59.95).  I also like her Oval Cabochon Ring ($32.95), which also comes in ivory and black. 

Stay Organized!

Just in case you couldn't get enough, Lilly Pulitzer makes stationery!  It's not exactly news, but I think her stuff is super cute.  I have thoroughly enjoyed the "Stuck on You" sticky notes ($12), that have 4 different sticky notes inside the little folder with her prints on them.  She also has thermal mugs ($15.95) and Mix & Match Stationery sets ($15.00).  Since you can't wear her bright, springy prints all year, here they are in a different form.  You can find a good bit of her collection at Swoozies.

Fashion in Your Face!

Kenneth Jay Lane jewelry is one of my favorite things.  If I had written the song "My Favorite Things", it'd go something like this: "Raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens. Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens. Kenneth Jay Lane jewlery tied up with strings...."  You get the picture.  Anyways... it's super glitzy looking and Kate Spade even sells it in her boutiques.  Gooooo Kenneth!

What a Good Idea!

So imagine you're in the wilderness camping (your car is there of course), and you need to dry your hair.  Well now you can.  This is a Coffee Cup Power Inverter (29.99) from thinkgeek.com.  It looks like a coffee cup, plugs into your cigarette lighter, and then you can plug in your electronics.  Forgot your car charger?  Plug in your real charger!  It also allows the IPod cable to charge without using the wall socket. Woohoo. 


I have no idea if this thing is strong enough for a hair dryer... probably not.  Nor do I go camping.

Women of Tilonia

As an apparel merchandising major, I had the opportunity to hear a woman speak to us about fair trade and how she has opened the doors to many women throughout the world.  She has helped women in third world countries by distributing their goods throughout the world, allowing them to receive fair wages and benefits for themselves and their families.  One of the organizations she works with is Friends of Tilonia, Inc.  The company allows women of rural India, to produce their craft and sell it to the world... versus having to a more metropolitan area to try to find a better means of living. By supporting theses women, you not only help them survive and provide for themselves and their families, but you can get beautiful products that are less expensive than what you would pay in America.  Most of their quilts remind me of Anthropologie's bedding.. which we all know gets pretty pricey.  They also offer linens, furniture, pillows, and shawls.  What's even better is to view the bright Indian saris.  Their quilts are the famous Jaipuri Razai featherweight quilts, which are made of 100% cotton and will keep you cool when it's hot and warm when it's cold.  Pictured below is the blue and yellow floral featherweight quilt (Queen $129).