Things Found/Liked/Loved: "On Sale" Edition

Show me a girl that doesn't like getting a deal on something and I'll show you someone who's been deprived of a fully awesome existence. I LOVE a good deal. I don't mind spending money on things that are worth it, but if I can get something for less than I know its worth...well...you have no idea.

Its like having a backstage pass at a concert and being able to prance happily from the oh so exclusive backstage area to the front of the house and back again to your hearts content.

Its like looking down at a freshly graded mid-term and realizing you aced it.

Its like stumbling across your favorite t-shirt after you were afraid you'd lost it for good.

Simply, it. is. awesome. And here are some of my favorite steals. Whoever said you had to be rich to look good, was clearly unimaginative.

1. $12  Blue birthday dress. So dubbed after I found it patiently waiting for me between the dress rack at The Recycled Rooster just a week before my birthday last year.  

My favorite parts are the scalloped ruffles and the fact that it has hidden pockets!

Why The Marvel Cinematic Universe Is Better Than Chick Flicks

Before you revoke my girl card for that, just hear me out. Let me point out that while I am not a girly girl, I'm not a complete tomboy either so don't even start with the stereotyping. I'm basing this on two things. One: I am a complete and utter Marvel Cinematic Universe super nerd. And two: I am an even bigger "movie making" nerd in general.

And per those two things I offer you the following reasons why Marvel movies are way better than chick flicks- with the exception of Pretty Woman. Leap Year, and The Wedding Date of course....

Reason 1: The stories are better . That's an over simplified statement but its true none the less. Marvel has invested huge attention to detail, budgets, and considerable time into fleshing out the characters in their films. So that by the end credits you are so emotionally attached that you feel like you've known them your whole entire life. Its an experience that's equal parts being able to relate and being in awe.

Chick flicks on the other hand, are often times devoid of actual "plots" and rely on big name actors and sappy sob stories to get you to feel something. For instance, let's compare the story lines from Marvel's Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) to that of Warner Bros' Message In A Bottle (1999): 

In the former, we follow a passionate and driven young Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), who despite his setbacks and supposed "unsuitable-ness"  becomes a beacon of hope during 1940's war time. The odds are stacked against him and yet he triumphs and succeeds in bringing a nation together and ultimately makes the supreme sacrifice. I dare you not to cry when  Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) is seen weeping in the control room after the signal has been lost between herself and Rogers. 

Peggy after Rogers is assumed to have died. Photo credit: marvelcinematicuniverse.wikia.com

Two Step Lemon Bars

I had to go get a shot today. And I hate needles. I can feel your judgmental scoffs as I type but I really don't care. I don't like pain and needles equal that, so there. Nan-nan-nan-na-nuh.  I was a big girl and didn't cry one bit. Sadly, grownups (ha! I don't see any grownups here) don't get lollipops, so to reward myself for not A: fainting at the sight of the syringe and B: not screaming like the little girl I am, I decided to bake something sweet to comfort my scardy cat butt.

I had to make a grocery run anyway and while casually browsing through the baking isle, (much to the chagrin of the older man behind me who's way I was apparently in, but didn't know it because he didn't say anything, just reached over my head-short people problems-and grabbed the box of gluten free bran muffin mix. Well, excuse me sir. ) I spotted a box of Angel food cake and remembered something about a two ingredient recipe for lemon bars I'd pinned the night before.

Yes, I have pin for every recipe. I don't have a problem, I can stop at anytime. 

Anywho, adapted from RachelSchultz.com, these pretty darlings turned out like this:

Not bad eh? The recipe only calls for one box of Angle Food cake mix (the one step kind), and one can of lemon pudding/pie-filling. And that's it. the only drawback to mine, and the reason I put "adapted" up there is 

Whimsical Marketing to The Extreme: Targets "Life Size" Dollhouse

This past week Target unveiled its newest advertisement in New York's Grand Central Terminal. And its causing more than just a little stir. No, its not a scandalous controversial photo or solgan...its big news in a totally new way.

To show off their newest home collection, "Threshold," the brand built a 1,600 square foot "Dollhouse" in the middle of the terminal. Built to "scale" (and according to the video below, in only 54 hours) the home features all the classic hallmarks of a dollhouse fit for hours of play.

Held together by "hinges" the two sections appear to be left open by their owner so that visitors can browse through the different rooms and even purchase the products featured with their cell phones. Everything is so exactly like an over sized child's play thing that there isn't even a stair case, leaving only the bottom floors open for exploration...