These are a few of my (current) favorite things...

1. poppin.
I first learned about this awesome company thanks to Cupcakes and Cashmere. What is poppin? Only the best office supply site ever. Seriously -- you can even buy office supplies in different colors, everything from your standard black to bright pink. I am actually looking forward to starting the new school year because I bought all new desktop supplies in pink. Okay, maybe the words "looking forward to" are a bit much, but never underestimate the power of cute office supplies. You can color-coordinate your own office here.

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2. foursquare.
This app has been one of my recent favorites. At first, I didn't get what all the fuss was about. Log into places so your friends could see where you are? Sounds like co-stalking. Unlock special badges? Yawn. But then I decided to give it a try, and I discovered it's actually pretty addicting. What's best about this app is the fact that you get many specials just for logging into certain places, like free appetizers and other discounts. And yes, darn it, unlocking the badges is pretty cool after all. Download this app to your device here.

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3. crystalline.
I know I already blogged about this song (well, technically the video), but I can't stop listening to it. Yes, the album cover for this single is a bit bizarre (see below), but the song is a ton of awesome. Listen to a sample/download it here.

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4. e.l.f. cuticle pen.
As I wrote in last week's Beauty Rituals post, e.l.f. is a great company to buy beauty supplies on the cheap, whether you're ordering online or buying it in person. One of my current favorite products of theirs is the cuticle pen. It keeps my normally gnarly cuticles in check, which is awesome, because that means I can push my manicure appointment back by another week (or two). Best of all, it's only one buck -- seriously! Buy it along with more low-priced goodies here.

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5. skinny caramel macchiato.
Ever since I began my diet/exercise regime, I've been trying to cut back on my nemesis: sweets. What this means is that I suddenly found myself avoiding Starbucks, somewhere I used to go on an almost daily basis. Yes, I knew that they offered lower calorie and lower fat versions of many of their drinks, but to be honest, I used to scoff at them, thinking they probably tasted like crap. Until I tried their Skinny Caramel Macchiato. It's actually not that different from the original version, which is amazing when you consider the "Skinny" version has 100 less calories. I recommend getting it cold -- it's especially yummy.

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6. ebates.
Lately I've been doing all my shopping online -- especially for my back-to-school supplies. It's simply more convenient, plus there are usually good sales and deals for such stores like Old Navy or Sephora. Another reason why I like shopping online is because I have an Ebates account, which gets me cash back on many of my online purchases. No, you don't need to pay -- it's completely free -- and the rebates, or "ebates," really start to add up the more you shop online. For example, I've been a member since 2006 and to date, I've received $271.07 total in cash back. This may not be a huge amount, but to a penny-pinching teacher like me, it's great. You can learn more about Ebates here and get your own Ebates account here.

What are your favorites this month?

 

These are a few of my (current) favorite things...

soundtrack for "amélie"
If you've never seen the film "Amélie" before, you really, really should. It's quirky and funny and sweet all at once, and it will make you want to grab your lover and run away to Paris. I promise you it won't disappoint. I feel the same way about the soundtrack -- it's the perfect backdrop to this film, and great to listen to on a lazy Sunday afternoon while you are sipping your cafe au lait and staring longingly into your lover's eyes. (Or your cat's. Cats need love, too.) You can preview and purchase the soundtrack here.

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barq's root beer
I have been broadening my palate in the past few years, eating/drinking things I swore I'd never learn to like, such as beer and sushi and even root beer. Root beer always tasted slightly medicinal to me, like a sweeter version of cough syrup, but lately, I've been appreciating it more. Barq's makes a great version of the fizzy wonder and their diet flavor is surprisingly good. 

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ester-c
The 2010-2011 school year will forever been known to me as the Year of Innumerable Colds and Flus. I've been a sickness magnet this school year, and it has not been fun getting sick literally every month (and the school year's not even over yet *shudder*). While I was recovering from a particularly nasty bout of flu in January, my aunt suggested I try taking the vitamin Ester-C, which she swore helped her stay healthy during her career as an elementary school teacher (she recently retired after 30 years). So I decided to give it a try. It's now been over a month since I've been taking the vitamin and I have not gotten sick once, despite the fact that several of my students and co-teachers have been sick themselves. I've also felt like I have more energy, plus my nails and hair are looking healthier. Here's hoping it continues to provide health benefits for me (not to mention keep me cold- and flu-free).

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NetGalley
I first heard about NetGalley from Maureen Johnson's Twitter. She tweeted the link to a galley for her soon to be published book, The Last Little Blue Envelope. I pounced on this, as I am a huge Maureen Johnson fan. At the time, I didn't know what NetGalley was. I didn't even know what a galley was. After a few minutes fumbling in the dark and clicking through the website, I discovered that it's a site for educators, librarians, bloggers, and book reviewers to preview uncorrected proofs of unpublished books (galleys) for free. Let me repeat that: for free. The books are only available in digital format, so you can't really take advantage of the site unless you have an ereader (or don't mind reading books on your computer). You can register for free, but in order to read the galleys, you have to request them from the publisher -- which you can do on the site itself. All that the publishers ask is that you write reviews on the galleys -- which you can also do on the site itself. If you're a voracious reader like me and have an ereader, I highly recommend creating an account. Let me know if you have any questions! :)

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instagram
I downloaded this app for my iPhone after a friend recommended it to me and promptly forgot about it for months. I recently rediscovered it and have been having a blast snapping pictures and playing with the different filters. You can then post the pictures on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr, plus share them with friends. The best part? It's free! If you have an account, feel free to add me -- my user name is anniecristina.

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aLike places
Another recent favorite app of mine is aLike Places. It's a great app to discover new restaurants, bars, and lounges. I really like that you can filter your search according to your current mood. I happen to be friends with the inventors of this app, the Z Company, and can vouch for their credibility and reliability -- two characteristics their app also shares. Right now the app is only available in the San Francisco Bay area, New York City and metro areas, and the state of Florida, but I've been told more cities will soon be available. You can download this free app for your iPhone or iPod here.

What are your favorites this month?
You can check out more of my favorites here.

{all pictures credit of Google images}

These are a few of my (current) favorite things...

cat naps.
I am loving cat naps this month, by which I mean both comforting little naps and sleeping with my cat. Not so much when he camps out on my feet though. Ouch. I am trying to perfect the art of sleeping just the right amount of time for a nap, because usually I wake up feeling groggy and headachey, and generally worse than before I took the nap in the first place. (Which defeats the purpose of the nap, if you ask me!) I don't think I've gotten it quite right just yet, but it seems as if I can't sleep more than 30 minutes and wake up feeling good. Anything less than that (within reason) is fine.

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tide stick to go.
I have one of these little babies in my purse and it is so worth it. Every time I forget to take it, like when I'm changing purses and forget or whatever, invariably I will spill something on myself and have to walk around wearing my food all day. This product is a life saver. It removes stains very quickly with minimal effort. One of my favoritest ever things. No lie.

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matched.
I kept hearing good things about this book, so I decided to pick it up. And you know? It didn't disappoint. I agree with the book's detractors that it is a bit reminiscent of the novel The Giver, but while some say this is an outright copy, I see it more as an homage. The author's voice is all her own, and it is very poetic and gripping. I won't say much about it other than it takes place in a dystopian society in which civilians are "matched" to their spouses by the government, as they are also matched to their jobs and so on and so forth. It has a girl and a boy and another boy, and it asks the question, "What if you wanted to decide your own match?" Which is a pretty interesting what if, if you ask me. It's a compelling read. And apparently there's a part two expected. Can't wait! 

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sampar prodigal pen.
I forget where I first heard about this product. All I know is that it is keeping my break outs in check. Two years ago, I suddenly started getting large break outs on my cheeks and chin. I've tried everything from Noxema to Clinique, but nothing worked very well. This is one of the best products I've tried. You can roll it directly on the problem area up to five times a day (any more will unnecessarily dry out your skin), and it helps clear those problem areas right away. Plus it's so small it easily fits inside your purse or pocket. (Just like my beloved Tide stick!)

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mint.
One of my friends recommended this iPhone app to me. What does it do? Well, as its website states, "Mint brings all your financial accounts together online, automatically categorizes your transactions, lets you set budgets & helps you achieve your savings goals." Best of all, it will send you alerts via your phone for things like large deposits or withdrawals, so it's a good way to keep an eye on your finances, not to mention identity theft. I've also noticed that my spending has gone down ever since I started using this site/app, which is a big win in my book (not to mention my savings account).
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samosas.
How do I love thee, Samosas? Let me count the ways... I love your chocolaty goodness, the way you melt inside my mouth. I love how you were the only thing my weak stomach could take while I was suffering from the flu/plague. I love your cute packaging. The only thing I don't love? That I have to wait for girl scouts to bring you to me and can't buy you whenever I please. Boo.

What are your favorites this month?
You can check out more of my favorites here.

{all pictures credit of Google images}

These are a few of my (current) favorite things...

TOMS.
These are the best shoes in the history of shoes. Not only are they comfortable and cute, but for every pair of shoes you purchase, TOMS donates a pair of shoes to a child in need. What could be more awesome than that? I own two pairs: Love is the New Black Navy Colorway and the Gilded Herringbone Women's Classics. With my Christmas money, I ordered two more pairs: Black Canvas Classics (for more every day use) and the Silver Morroco Women's Classics (because I can't get enough of the SPARKLE). I wore my navy TOMS at the theme parks Ricky and I visited last week after my beloved Converse low-tops made my heels blister, and I discovered that TOMS make the best theme park shoes. Seriously. They were such a comfort after the hellish Converse shoes. Even with two new pairs winging their way towards me, I am already thinking ahead to the pairs I want to buy in the future. So you know I've got it bad. If there was such a thing as TOMS Anonymous, I would sooo be a member. Yep.

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Lego Harry Potter (Years 1-4).
Ricky (le boyf) got this video game for the PS3 and invited me to play along with him, as it is has a two-player mode. At first I was all like, what is this silly childish game. But after just a few levels, I found myself completely hooked. We finished it last night and now I'm eagerly waiting for the next installment, Lego Harry Potter Years 5-7. Can't wait!

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Phyto Hair Products.
This past summer I noticed that my hair was beginning to thin, especially on the crown of my head. I became worried when clumps of my hair started falling out every time I shampooed my hair, and when my boyf noticed a bald spot on the top of my head, that's when I really became alarmed. I thought it was due to the Brazilian blow-out treatments I'd done in the past, since my scalp became very oily and I felt my hair's texture had changed permanently after doing three treatments. But after reading up on hair loss, I learned that it can also be a result of seasonal change, hormonal change, and even plain old stress. That calmed me down somewhat. Then I started researching hair products to help combat the hair loss and found that Phyto's haircare products had high reviews on Sephora, particularly for their products targeting hair loss.

I've always been a fan of Phyto's Phytodefrisant Botanical Hair Relaxing Balm (it's a must for frizzy hair), and I began using the Phytocyane Shampoo and Phytobaume Conditioner after reading some reviews that claimed these products helped women with thinning hair. While I like how clean the shampoo leaves my hair, I think the conditioner tends to leave my hair a little dry (it's formulated for thin hair so it won't weigh it down so much). My hair is a bit too thirsty for such a lightweight conditioner. In addition, I've also been using the Phytopolleine Universal Elixer - Scalp Stimulant, Phytocyane Revitalizing Serum, and Phytophanere Dietary Supplement.

These last three products, in my opinion, are what have helped my hair out the most. I've been using these products since October and already I'm starting to see results in the form of baby hair growing all over my scalp. I'm trying to wait more days in between shampooing my hair -- normally I wash it every other day, but now I've been waiting an extra day in between -- and I've also stopped using my straightening iron as much. Even my hair stylist has noticed a change in my hair. Here's hoping it keeps working!

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Flowerbomb.
This perfume by Viktor & Rolf is both sophisticated and subtle, perfect to wear by day or night. I tend to like perfumes with prominent floral notes, like Stella McCartney's Rose Absolute, and Flowerbomb is very similar to this scent, almost like an exotic older cousin. I say exotic because Flowerbomb also has some oriental notes in the background that give this perfume a little extra oomph. You know how most perfumes don't have much staying power? Well, this perfume is great in that it lasts all day. Plus it's a favorite of the boyf's, which is always a plus in my book.

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Mr. Coffee.
I feel like such an adult -- I finally have my very own coffeemaker! Never mind that I ordered coffee beans from an online store and tried to brew them today ... without grinding them first. (Who knew you had to grind coffee beans to make coffee? *cue Goofy laugh*) For years I've relied on Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts to get my java fix. It's nice to know I can make my own coffee at home now. I ordered the Mr. Coffee 4-cup Programmable Coffeemaker from Amazon, which for $19.99 I consider a steal. I used it today for the first time (with a Starbucks sample I had lying around that was already ground, happily) and found that it worked very quickly and neatly. Now if I could only find a coffee grinder that works just as well...

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The Art of Racing in the Rain.
I wrote about this book in a previous post. Why am I writing about it again? Because it is that good. Like every cliche of an amazing book, I laughed, I cried, and I wanted to immediately begin rereading it as soon as I finished it, I was that sad to have it end. What makes this book unique is that it is told from the perspective of a dog. That the author, Garth Stein, is able to do this in a manner that is both witty and heart-jerking is quite an achievement.

This is one of the best books I read in 2010, and I'm eager to read more from Stein -- I recently purchased Raven Stole the Moon, which I plan on starting after I finish the book I'm currently reading, Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz. I became so interested in dogs after finishing The Art of Racing in the Rain that I decided to pick up Horowitz's book. I guess you can say I've become dog-obsessed!

Do yourself a favor and read The Art of Racing in the Rain  -- it will forever change the way you view dogs. You can buy the book from Amazon for just $5.86. Read it and then come back here and tell me what you thought of it!

What are your favorites this month?

P.S.) This post marks my TWO YEAR anniversary of favorite things posts. Crazy. You can check out more of my favorites here.

{all pictures credit of Google images}

These are a few of my (current) favorite things...

Rose Absolute.
I first heard of this perfume about six years ago. I'm very picky when it comes to scent, but I fell in love with this perfume from the get-go. It smells just like the heart of a rose -- it's that intense, that pure. And it was designed by Stella McCartney, Paul McCartney's daughter. So that ups the perfume's coolness factor by like a bajillion or so. This is the only perfume that has come close to being called my signature scent. Unfortunately, it seems to be out of production at the moment, so for now I am treasuring the bottle that my parents gave me for my birthday.

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freshly laundered sheets.
There are few things better in life than snuggling into bed after you've dressed it with freshly laundered sheets. Ahhhh...

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"everything" bagels.
Bagels are always yummy, but I think "everything" bagels are especially yummy. It's the bagel equivalent of "everything but the kitchen sink." It tastes amazing with virtually any flavor cream cheese. And it's pretty much amazing.

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flannel shirts.
Thanks to this lovely lady, I have recently been inspired to give flannel a chance. Given the fact that I haven't respected flannel since my grunge stage in the 1990's, this is a pretty big deal. The good news is that brands like Old Navy and Modcloth have updated the flannel look, bringing it in a bit at the waist and adding clever little details to help pretty it up. I won't say how many flannel shirts I've purchased in the past few months, but let's just say I'd give Paul Bunyan a run for his money. ;)

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jackets.
When I worked in Miami International Airport all those years ago (it seriously feels like another lifetime), I used to wear a uniform on a daily basis which basically consisted of a shirt, skirt, jacket, and heels. After I finally completed my undergraduate work in English Literature and started teaching, it was a relief to give the uniform a rest. Gone were the skirts, jackets, and heels. Which is not to say I began dressing like crap -- I understood that I had to reflect a professional demeanor in my dress, but I learned how to do that in button-down shirts, slacks, and cute flats or kitten heels. This became my uniform of sorts, and I stuck to it for the next 7 years or so of teaching. Until this year. Lately I've been dressing up a bit more, adding jackets to my ensembles and venturing into shoes with a wee bit of a higher heel. I like how this makes me feel like a professor, especially the jackets, and while I haven't gone so far as to wear a skirt or a dress, I appreciate looking more professional in my attire. And I have a feeling that reflects somehow in my teaching, too -- I think it allows my students to take me a bit more seriously.
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The Age of Adz.
I first fell in love with Sufjan Stevens after his Illinois album, and I've been catching up with his music ever since. I love his music because his voice is so soothing and his musical compositions are uniquely stirring, and his lyrics are also thought-provoking. His latest album, The Age of Adz, is no exception. It may prove difficult to listen to at first, but that's only because it's so different from anything you've ever heard before, even from him. But after two listens, I was hooked.

You can give The Age of Adz a listen here:

What are your favorites this month?

{all pictures credit of we heart it.}

These are a few of my (current) favorite things...

I have horrendous under eye circles which I inherited from my mother's side of the family. (Thanks, Mom!) And while concealers have always been near and dear to my heart, I have never found the perfect product, the one item that will whisk away the dark shadows and make me look bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. ... Okay, maybe not bushy-tailed, but definitely bright-eyed! Enter confessions of a concealaholic. It is a kit by Benefit cosmetics that includes the best of their concealer products -- Erase Paste, That Girl, Boing, Lemon Aid, and Eye Bright. And they are all awesome. Don't let the silly names fool you -- these are some serious, hardworking products. What I've learned from using this kit is that it's not so much about finding that one great product but really about using a combination -- a cocktail, if you will -- of some great products. Alone, any of the above items works great, but when you use them together, they're even better.

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In high school I used to fall in love a lot. But while none of those boys really made a lasting impression on me, only one of my loves from high school proved true, and that was Clinique's almost lipstick. As the name suggests, it's barely a lipstick, really more of a cross between a balm and a lipstick. The product only comes in one shade, black honey, which is a sheer and shiny red. This is seriously the only red lipstick that has ever looked good on me -- red lipstick usually makes me look like a clown. I also like that it's not drying, like many lipsticks can be, but actually a little bit moisturizing. It works great for day or night looks, and my only complaint is that the slim little tube usually runs out in less than a month. But if you're looking for a red (almost) lipstick that will look flattering on any skin tone, then give this one a try --  this might be the lipstick for you.

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I first heard ZaZa last night, while I was getting ready for my date with the boyf and was listening to my iPod on shuffle. The song "Sooner or Later" came on and I realized I had downloaded the track from Amazon's mp3 store for free sometime during the summer and forgotten about it. After hearing the dreamy, echoey song wash over me, I replayed it. And replayed it. And replayed it some more. I have a habit of putting songs on repeat mode for a loooong time when they strike my fancy. And this song definitely did. Today I looked them up online and wound up buying their ep album, Cameo, in Amazon's mp3 store. It was less than $6.00 and definitely worth it. The rest of the ep is just as dreamy and echoey as the track "Sooner or Later." Another standout is "Always On." This is a relatively new band that hails from New York, and I'll definitely be keeping an eye on them. If I had to compare their sound to another band, I'd say they sound a bit like The Black Ghosts, but even better. Here is the song "Sooner or Later" that I fell in love with last night. Hope you like it, too! :)

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I've never been one for wearing much jewelry, not like one of my friends Jennie, who can layer on the necklaces and bracelets in a stylish way. If I did the same thing, I'd just look like a little girl who was caught playing dress-up with her mother's jewelry. But lately I've been into quirky necklaces. I bought the tree + birdie necklace at your left from Ma Cherie Creations a couple of weeks ago and have been wearing it regularly ever since. Ordinarily, such a large pendant would look and feel strange on me, but this one just suits me for some reason. I've always loved trees and the little sparkly birdie hanging from this tree just completes the look. If you're looking for a quirky but wearable necklace to wear for a special occasion or even for every day use, I suggest you check out Ma Cherie Creations.

What are your favorites this month? Let me know in the comments! :)

These are a few of my (current) favorite things...

Confession: I hate my flabby arms. Even when I was bone-thin as a young girl, I had flabby arms. I remember this boy in my high school used to make fun of my flabby arms, poking them and calling me flabby. He didn't live long. ... I kid! But seriously, it bothered me then and still bothers me to this day. Which is why I love quarter-length sleeves. I own about a million tees with these kind of sleeves. I especially like the ones from Old Navy. I think they present a more elegant look than regular tees and they help you look slimmer, too. Which is a win-win in my book. Next week I plan on looking for a prospective gym to get myself and my flabby arms in shape. I dream of the day (in the hopefully not-too-distant future) I can wear sleeveless dresses and sleeveless shirts without feeling self-conscious about my arms. Until then, I'll keep rocking my quarter-length sleeves.

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This Urban Decay Naked Palette, I kid you not, is my new favorite toy. It took me foreeeeeever to get it because it kept selling out everywhere. I started searching in early July, but to no avail. Then I signed up on Sephora's e-mail notification list and waited with bated breath to receive my e-mail notification. I finally got the email about two weeks later and snatched it up online that same day, receiving my palette less than a week later. Final verdict? It's completely worth the hype. It brings 12 awesome neutral shades, a double-sided eyeliner in brown and black, plus Urban Decay's eyeshadow primer, which I swear by. What I like about the eyeshadow shades is that you can mix and match them all in different combinations, something I can't always do with other palettes. Plus the eyeshadow literally glides on and is a breeze to blend. The palette is called Naked because you can create very natural looks with the shades, but you can also build them up for more dramatic nighttime looks. I highly recommend this versatile palette if you're looking to upgrade your makeup.

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I wasn't always a beer drinker. In fact, I'm not much of a drinker at all -- I get "tipsy" after just a drink or two, I'm such a lightweight. For years, my favorite drink was amaretto sour. But then my boyfriend, who is a beer connoisseur (aka beer snob) started encouraging me to step outside of my comfort zone and try some beers. After trying a few different types, I discovered that my absolute favorite type of beer is Guinness Extra Stout. I will drink any type of Guinness, but I especially love the creaminess and depth of the extra stout. I also love how it tastes just a tiny bit like coffee, something I tend to favor in beer. In my beer adventures, I also discovered my absolute least favorite type -- India Pale Ale. Yuck! Of course, that just happens to be my boyfriend's absolute favorite type of beer at the moment. He insists that as I develop my palate, I will eventually come to appreciate pale ales. To which I say, pass me my Guinness, please.

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I have what I like to call "cereal crushes." I usually buy a different cereal every time I go grocery shopping since I tend to get sick of food really fast, but for whatever reason, I will sometimes love a cereal for an extended amount of time. For the past two months, I have been all about Frosted Mini-Wheats. I lurve them. I will eat them with milk and without, and even out of the box -- though my mom scolds me for doing this. I like that they taste decadent, with all that delicious frosting, but still manage to be somewhat healthy at the same time. That way, I get my vitamins in and get to satisfy my sweet tooth. Another close runner-up for my favorite cereal of the moment is Special K -- the one with strawberries.

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I was recently introduced to the iPhone game Words with Friends, which is basically like Scrabble, except you can play with anyone else who has the app on their iPhone, iPod, or iPad. You can find people via their user names, which I've had great fun doing this week, plus you can even start games with random people that the game finds for you. I have no idea what I did with myself before this game -- it has consumed me that much in the past few days. If you have an iPhone, iPod, or iPad and would like to play Words with Friends with me, you can find me under my user name AnnieCristina.

What are your favorites this month?

These are a few of my (current) favorite things...

I didn't get to write a favorites post for June, as I was busy with my thesis, so you can consider this list my favorite things for June/July. :-)

I have been addicted to the iPhone game Farm Frenzy 2 since the minute I first played it. It's the silliest game in the world, I swear -- the only purpose of the game is to farm: collect eggs, milk, ham, etc., and make sure to keep growing/watering the grass, otherwise your faithful flock of farm animals will die. And when they die, it's pathetically sad. Like I'm upset-sad. (Told you it was the silliest game in the world!) It's not unlike some other games I like on the Nintendo DS, Harvest Moon, but the fact that I can play it on my iPhone makes it a double win. If you are looking for a game that will help you kill time while you're waiting in line at the bank or grocery store, or if you harbor the secret desire to be a farmer, this is the game for you. You can actually try it out for free here.

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I first heard about Argan Oil thanks to Lauren from the little things we do. I was curious to try it because she said it helped make her hair "pretty and shiny and a bit less curly and more wavy." All pluses in my book! If you don't know what Argan Oil is, it's like the Moroccan Oil that's all the rage now, only much, much cheaper. In fact, I bought it at Sally Beauty Supply for under nine dollars. And although the bottle was smaller than expected when I first spied in the store, I could tell after the first use that this is the type of product that will last me a long time, because a little really does go a long way. As Lauren said, it made my hair pretty and shiny and ultimately more manageable. The humidity in Miami this time of year can wreak havoc on my hair, but thanks to this little oil, I don't have to look like a hot mess. And here's a bonus about this product -- it makes your hair smell divine, like a cross between musk and incense. Love.

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I first read Hush, Hush some months back on the recommendation of some of my bloggy friends from Bewitched Bookworms. It was during a week in which I was bedridden with the stomach flu from hell. I was miserable and in need of a good distraction, so I picked up this book and did not put it down for hours. I read it in one sitting and it was so good, it actually distracted me from my discomfort. Rereading it now has made me remember how much I love this book. It has something akin to the addictive quality of Twilight (which I read in one night), and although the male lead Patch is no Edward Cullen, he's still a provocative and alluring character in his own right. All I will say about the book is that it makes you question your belief of the hereafter, and whether such a thing as angels -- good and bad -- could actually exist. It's got love, horror, comedy, everything you basically want from a good book. And best of all, one of my favorite blogs, Super Secret Twilight Blog, is hosting a book discussion on hush, hush in a couple weeks, so make sure you pick it up in time to begin reading (or re-reading!) with us.

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Eclipse was my favorite book in the Twilight series, so I had very high expectations going into the theater to see the film. To my surprise (and utter joy), it exceeded my expectations. It developed the characters appropriately, included all of my favorite scenes from the novel, and it was truly the best film in the series. Sure, I was sad that the previous actress for Victoria, Rachelle Lefevre was replaced, but her replacement, Bryce Dallas Howard, did such a great job as Victoria that it made the transition very smooth. And all of the core actors -- Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner especially -- have really improved as actors, because they gave their best performances of the series in this film. My only complaint is I wish the screenplay wasn't so faithful to the book. Some lines that really resonated with me as a reader on the page wound up sounding clunky and awkward on the screen. Otherwise, it was a fun, romantic, and exciting film, one that even the boyf somewhat enjoyed (which is saying something!).

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I think summer was made for bright nails, especially in Miami. My tropical city gets even more tropical during the balmy months. The temperature gets higher, the hemlines get shorter, and everyone seems to smile more. Bright colors are to my nails what double chocolate frappes are to my tummy -- a much needed pick-me-up when the sticky humidity has me feeling like collapsing indoors and doing absolutely nothing. I always seem to move quicker and move my hands more when I have bright polish on. It's like it reinvigorates me. The past few times I've gone to the salon, I've gone with bright pinks and reds (see here and here). This week, I went with a more sedate pink just to vary it up, but I'm flirting with the idea of doing a baby blue or lilac next time.

(All pictures in this post were found on we heart it.)

What are your favorites this month?