New Kitchen Rug

A couple weeks ago I was aimlessly perusing the aisles at Target, when I stumbled upon my new favorite home accessory:

I'm not kidding when I say that this rug actually makes me smile every time I walk into the room.  The beautiful beige and blue floral design that coordinates perfectly with our kitchen has me just smitten!  I've literally squealed with delight numerous times while entering the room since purchasing it.  Shep finds it amusing that an inexpensive ($29.99) rug has me so giddy... I keep telling him he should consider himself lucky since I'm so easily pleased!  ;)

I've recently been regretting painting the walls of our kitchen beige {from the blue that was there when we moved in}, which made it all the more exciting to stumble upon this design!

Watch out kitchen -- I'm bring sexy blue back!  ;)

Charity Spotlight: Operation Backpack

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." ~Nelson Mandela

While many of us are making plans to enjoy a few more weeks of summer sunshine, families with children are getting ready to soon go back to school!  I remember my own childhood "back-to-school rituals"... getting my hair cut, shopping for new sneakers ... and of course school supplies!  I distinctly remember one of my favorite middle school backpacks -- it was a dark purple canvas style with paint-like splashes of black, white, blue and pink.  Sounds ugly, but I loved it!

Unfortunately, thousands of homeless children go back to school each year without the basic supplies they need.  Without basic supplies like pens, pencils, paper, highlighters and rulers, it's hard to be a successful student.  Luckily for these children, Volunteers of America's Operation Backpack program provides school supplies and backpacks to children in need across the country.

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"Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom." ~ George Washington Carver

For people who come from poor, abusive or neglectful families... an education can literally be their ticket out of a life of destitution and despair.  We all want to believe that if we work hard, good things will happen for us.  A simple notebook can give a poor child a chance to test that theory.

One of the most devastating consequences of homelessness is the impact it has on a child’s education.  Frequent transfers to new schools and the stigma associated with living in a shelter can often result in a child failing or dropping out of school.  Operation Backpack provides grade-specific school supplies to homeless children throughout New York City.  A filled backpack relieves parents of a financial burden and provides a sense of normalcy into the otherwise chaotic lives of these children, helping them look and feel more like their classmates.  Most importantly, a filled backpack allows these children to start the school year feeling prepared and confident, with the knowledge that their education is important.

That's why Shep and I support Operation Backpack, and hope you will, too!

Watch this video to hear Paige's moving story:

Note: We have no affiliation with Volunteers of America or Operation Backpack.  We just wanted to spread the word about a project with a worthwhile cause!  Visit http://www.voa-gny.org/Get-Involved/Operation-Backpack/Operation-Backpack-USA.html to learn more or donate to the NYC Area's Operation Backpack, or to locate your local chapter!

I Scream, You Scream!

... We ALL scream for ice cream!!!  Well, maybe some of us scream a LOT louder than others!  ;)  Those of you who know me personally know I am an ice cream FIEND.  My adoration of the treat borders on addiction.  And I don't want help or an intervention -- I just want more ice cream!!!

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Well, I'm in luck because today is National Ice Cream Sandwich Day!  {Yes, that's really a thing.}  I'm sure you'll be shocked to hear that in honor of the occasion, I had myself an ice cream sandwich!  Actually, I was planning to have one {or perhaps two} regardless...  ;)

And because I LOVE not only eating ice cream but also talking about it, I thought I'd recommend 2 of my favorite deliciously low-guilt options:

Check them out in your supermarket, and let me know what you think!  For low fat, I think they're both high in taste!  And they're just the right size for a little late-night snack.

So, did anyone else indulge in an ice cream sandwich today?  If not, I highly recommend you do.  :)


Note:  These opinions are completely my own.  I wasn't paid or otherwise encouraged in any way to promote these brands.... I just wanted to share some of my fave treats with my readers in honor of Ice Cream Sandwich Day!  ;)