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I love perfume, I really do, but with the economy the way it is, I can't afford to spend as much on money on it as I would like. Which is why I love perfume samples so much. Whether I find them at Sephora or inside fashion magazines, I love collecting them. Not only do they help me find great new perfumes, but they keep me smelling nice when I can't afford to buy a new perfume. Plus they are easy to take on trips, since they're so tiny. Some good places to score perfume samples FOR FREE are Sephora, as I mentioned before, and in any big department store like Macy's or Dillard's.
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There is something to be said for a well written romance novel. Mind you, I know the majority of them are crappy bodice rippers -- all "thrusting manhood" this or "nubile virgin" that. To which I say, DO NOT WANT. Call me a Puritan, call me a prude. I don't care. I like to keep things mysterious. I prefer it when movies fade to black, when the plot is the thing, and not how hot and heavy the love scene was. I feel the same way about romance novels, and my favorite romance novelist will always, always be Patricia Veryan.I was first introduced to her writing thanks to my mother, to whom I owe my book wormy ways. :) She brought home this book from the library called Married Past Redemption. I think I was in my early teens. It was a time when Danielle Steele was all the rage. I read Steele and liked her okay, but something was missing. Then I read Married Past Redemption, which told the story of a young woman who marries someone out of convenience, just to help out her family which is financially struggling. Her groom had the necessary riches, but she didn't love him -- she really loved another. (Dun, dun, DUN.) This novel takes place in the 1800s, and me being a sucker for period piece anything, I fell in love at first read. It has everything the best books have: adventure, suspense, love, comedy. I devoured it instantly and immediately asked for more, plowing through my library's entire Veryan collection (which was substantive) in weeks. I loved her books because of how immersive they were -- you felt not only as though what you were reading was a true account, but as if you were actually there when it was happening.
I reread Married Past Redemption this past week, having since that time purchased almost all of Veryan's books for cheap from used book stores, and it still holds up. I would've loved to live in 19th century England. Sure, the lack of good plumbing would have sucked, but I would've loved the elegance, the adherence to manners and dignity. Which brings me to my next favorite...
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I forget how I first heard of Lost in Austen. I think I may have seen a piece of it on either TV or YouTube. Whatever the case, I found it on sale on Amazon and snapped it up on my friend Trish's recommendation. I am so glad I did! It's ahh-may-zing! It tells the story of a young girl from modern day London whose absolute favorite book is Pride and Prejudice. She wishes her hum drum existence had the elegance and courtly manner of the novel, not finding the contentment and romance she craves from her thickheaded (though well-meaning) boyfriend. Then one night she hears a noise in her bathroom, and when she goes to investigate, she finds Elizabeth Bennett standing in her bathtub. Yes, the Elizabeth Bennett! Apparently her bathroom is a portal into the fictional world of Pride and Prejudice, where the beloved characters live in their own parallel universe. Elizabeth persuades her to switch places with her and much frenzy ensues... I won't say anything else other than do yourself a favor and watch this series. It's funny, romantic, beautiful and a must-see for any Austen fans.
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If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I've been craving cupcakes lately, chiefly red velvet cupcakes. I finally got around to trying them for the first time at Starbucks two days ago, and you know? They're not my favorite thing, but I can see the appeal. My favorite cupcake is from Buttercream, this amazing cupcake store in Miami. Even their Plain Jane vanilla cupcakes (which are not my favorite) are fantastic. There's just something so wonderful about a well made cupcake. Cake itself can be great, but very cloying at times, whereas a cupcake is just the right size -- the perfect amount of sweetness.
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I love daisies because of how friendly they are. They are not intimidating flowers, like roses or lilies. They come in these great, bright colors, plus they can last a loooong time, a lot longer than roses. Case in point: Ricky (aka my boyf) got me a bouquet of pink and purple daisies (my favorite) for Valentine's Day last month, and it wasn't until this week, three weeks later, that they began to wilt. Had it been roses, they would've been dead within a week or so. But daisies are hardier -- they are superflowers! And I love them.
What are your favorites this month, bloggy friends? Let me know in the comments! And thank you for all the comment-love this week -- I love getting your comments in my inbox. :-D
9 comment(s):
Just read your comment on Micaela's blog about Lost in Austen and had to pop over to say hello. I ADORE Lost in Austen. Love, love, love it! Thanks for reminding me just how much. I'm totally putting it on my birthday wish list...
Happy Weekend! I'll be back to visit again soon.
@Erin: I got it for only $9.99 on Amazon. Totally worth it! :) Hope you have a great weekend.
whoa whoa whoa! back the truck up! Ana, you have PvsZ on your IPHONE?! how did you do that?! I neeeeeeeeeed it on my iPhone like zombies neeeeeeeeeed braaaaaains. btw...the PvsZ song at during the credits is TOTES my iPhone ringtone. word.
*hugsandsmooches*
@KG: This is the site to download it: http://www.popcap.com/games/iphone/pvz. Alternately, you can do a search for it in the app store from your phone. It's awesometastic! And now I need to download that ringtone because I had no clues it was available. :D
cupcakes, yum. haven't had one in a while now that i think of it. just been devouring the homemade cake lately, hah. and daisies, in the words of Kathleen Kelly in 'You've Got Mail,' are yes, "the friendliest flower." i like the white daisies best, but i must say, i am ultimately a lily person! :D
(I myself need to get around to one of these favorites posts - haven't done one in a while!)
Getting to go on vacation is my very favorite thing this month!
@Robyn: Oh wow, I forgot Meg Ryan called daisies "the friendliest flower" in that film. That's probably why I used those words. :)
@Krysten: Woo-hoo for vacation! I have a week off at the end of March myself and I'm counting down the days...
I could SOOO go for cupckaes & I LOVE beautiful daisies!
Happy Weekend dear!!
@Annie saawwweeeeeeeet! oh for the ringtone, I have a ringtone making app, I just recorded it on to my phone. Whenever it starts ringing I have to wait for her to say "sunflower!" before i can pick up the phone. hahaha
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