Dyson and gone to heaven

There are few appliances that wow me. (Which in itself could be weird - that appliances wow me at all and/or that I'm so darn picky I only like such a small selection.) You may remember my love post written to Keurig last year. That little machine has revolutionised coffee in our household & I'm still every bit in love today as I was when I wrote that post 13 months ago.

Then there is my KitchenAid mixer. While I haven't professed my love in writing before now, I can assure you that it holds a special place in my heart, stomach and kitchen. Cakes, cookies, bread, pie oh my! This mixer has never failed me.

Onto my latest appliance crush - my brand new shiny yellow and gray Dyson DC14. Man this thing really SUCKS! (No really. It's a vacuum so it's supposed to.) Like most people I was hesitant to believe the hype. Especially when factored with the price, but a frugalista like me waited for just the right sale before making my move.













It was worth every one of those 29,900 pennies.

I was amazed (and slightly repulsed) by all the dust it picked up. Considering we vacuum once a week and I vacuumed with our old (crap ass) machine before using my Dyson one would think it wouldn't have much work to do. But that machine worked it's brush rotating magic on my floors like no other.

I promptly added it to my "cannot live" without list. What's on yours?

**These products mentioned in my post were bought by me. No one has paid me to pimp any of them out but machines of this magnitude deserve to be recognized. Of course if any one of these companies would like to send me some free stuff for my obvious loyalty, I wouldn't turn it down. Hint, hint...

We're Talking TV Ovah Here

The new fall tv season has begun. That means my DVR is my bff right now while all my books sit on the console tables neglected. We have even talked about getting a second DVR unit so that we can record more than two programs at once.* Sad but true.

The thing is that I don't know if I like a show until I've seen it. Obviously. And with so many debuting in the last couple weeks it's been a tough job to narrow it down. While we are still working on it here are a few new favorites:

Blue Bloods-Drama about a family of cops starring my favorite NKOTB fellow & (still sexy) Tom Selleck



Lone Star-A con artist trying to juggle a wife, a girlfriend and his loser Dad



Chase-About a Marshall with dysfunctional upbringing that relates to the criminals she's chasing



Hellcats-College girl joins cheer squad for scholarship money (Why yes I do have 14 year old tastes)



Not to mention my returning shows: Gossip Girl, Sons of Anarchy, The Mentalist, The Good Wife, Survivor, The Real Housewives of Atlanta** and many, many, many more. It's a wonder I get anything done at home.***

What are your new favorites? I'd hate to think I was missing out on some quality tv.

*Ain't happening. Our cable bill is already ridiculous.

**Really looking forward to the Atlanta women after a very lack-luster DC season. Blah.

***Thankfully we have 6 televisions including one in the kitchen.

Brownies & Bows {A giveaway for you!}

On Monday my 'awesome news' were these brownies:


I should have linked the recipe then. Duh. After looking at that picture is there any doubt you would want to make your own.

I didn't think so.

Good news is that it all starts with a Betty Crocker brownie mix & the even BETTER news is that you can win a Betty Crocker Prize pack from me by entering HERE.

As requested here is the recipe link - Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies

Nom. Nom. Nom.

The BOWS portion of this post is brought to you by Brandy @ Made Just 4 You!

During one of Made Just 4 You's FB 'Deal of the Day' offers I snatched up 4 medium sized bows - 2 for Lil J, my granddaughter and 2 for Miss Blue Eyes, my niece. Little did I know but Lil J's mother (aka my stepdaughter) also spied this special and ordered two herself.

Thankfully MJ4Y has LOTS of ribbon choices so there weren't any duplicates in our orders.

I picked out these four:


And let me tell you, this picture does not do them justice. They are so cute! I actually considered keeping one for myself.

Here's how to enter:

1. Go to Made Just 4 You & leave me a comment telling me which ribbon you would choose.

2. Become a fan of Made Just 4 You on Facebook. Brandy posts new products, daily deals and contests there all the time! {leave me a comment}

3. If you follow me then I deem you worthy of another entry. {leave me a comment}

The giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents and will end at Noon EST on Monday March 29. A winner will be chosen using random.org and have 48 hours to respond.

Congrats Katie!

*The bows & shipping are being provided by Made Just 4 You. All opinions are mine & I actually paid for the bows I received so don't be hating on me. Thank you Brandy!**

**Brandy as in Brandy R. I am not Brandy R. In fact we don't even live in the same state just in case you were confused. I do however think her name is cool as hell.