This June Pebble Beach is hosting the US Open for the first time since then, and I don’t work as a volunteer anymore. So I’m cluttercasting this jacket in honor of the A T & T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am going on this week. If you or your son love golf, this is par for the course.
(Jacket is navy, women’s size L, runs small; would work for a boy; $8 postage)
HOW TO WIN: If you would like to have this item, please let me know in a comment. If you know someone else who might like it, I hope you’ll share this and let them know. (Closes February 20)
Overcoming the Money Disorders that Threaten Our Financial Health—in case you can’t read the subtitle.
I was on a conference call the other day with the author of the book, Dr. Brad Klontz, one of the experts for H & R Block. He is a financial psychologist—an area of expertise I’ve never heard of but seems desperately needed, considering how many people have problematical relationships with money.
Obviously, someone with clutter issues probably also has money issues—-which is why I’m offering this book to anyone who thinks they need it more than I do.
HOW TO WIN: If you would like to have this item, please let me know in a comment. If you know someone else who might like it, I hope you’ll share this and let them know. (Closes February 9)
Today’s Cluttercast comes courtesy of to my birthday. When it comes to chocolate, I think my expertise can be trusted. So trust me on California brittle, my favorite Sees candy. This bag was a gift from my daughter’s friend, who asked Alli whether to give me the standard milk chocolate, or the new advanced version: dark chocolate. (Correct answer: BOTH)
My ex-husband used to say I am the most generous person he knows, who will give you anything I have; unless it’s chocolate—in that case, I’ll fight you to the death. Which makes this a rare, even historic occasion. Normally I would stash it for a future emergency; but I’m feeling overwhelmed by the expressions of chocolate-flavored love and decided to share. I’m posting this before I eat it myself change my mind.
(1 bag See’s Dark chocolate California brittle: 8 oz. ; more calories than you want to count)
HOW TO WIN: If you would like to have this item, please let me know in a comment. If you know someone else who might like it, I hope you’ll share this and let them know.
No, I don’t have anything from Woodstock; I wasn’t even there. I’ve always regretted that I didn’t come back from Europe in time to go, especially since I knew the area so well after spending every summer of my childhood at camp within a few miles of Max Yasgur’s farm.
You didn’t have to attend personally to be part of what Woodstock represented. Today, as we celebrate Woodstock’s 40-year anniversary, everyone is talking about it and Woodstock fashion is back in style. I was reading about this today, a piece with the headline: “Peace, Love and Rockin’ Style”—from USA Today. The paper quoted advice from a fashion editor—on how to incorporate Woodstock style into the modern era: “You want to choose one or two elements, pieces that represent the trend.”
So this woven bag is suddenly in its element—-Who knew by saving it I’d be fashion forward?
HOW TO WIN: If you would like to have this item, please let me know in a comment. If you know someone else who might like it, I hope you’ll share this and let them know.
When I had cancer, I discovered that art was the secret for me to relieve stress. After a lifetime of avoiding everything arty or crafty, suddenly I couldn’t get enough.
For a few years, it seemed I never met a craft I didn’t like; I took a stab at everything from decoupage to jewelry making. My beading phase lasted only about as long as one of the phases of the moon.
(Tray for arranging necklaces and bracelets; plus assorted beads)
HOW TO WIN: If you would like to have this item, please let me know in a comment. If you know someone else who might like it, I hope you’ll share this and let them know.
Right now I’m in Aspen on vacation with my sister and brother-in-law. A few days before I left, my sister called and warned me that in the summer in the Rockies, the sun is strong so I really need a hat. I had to laugh—-spending my entire life between Florida and California, I think I know enough about how strong the sun can be.
Still I appreciated her concern, and dutifully packed up a hat in my suitcase and that’s when I came across this one—never worn. It’s by the San Diego Hat company—they’re light, easy to fold up and take with you and you can shape the brim up like it is here, or down.
Meanwhile, I’ve been in Aspen for just one afternoon but I can tell you my sister is right—in the summer, the sun is strong, so you really need a hat.
HOW TO WIN: If you would like to have this item, please let me know in a comment. If you know someone else who might like it, I hope you’ll share this and let them know.
I just got back from BlogHer in Chicago. It was my first time at a blogging conference and I discovered (kind of late in the game) that for some people, it’s all about swag—the free goodies from sponsors.
I did learn some things about blogging—and about human nature—including mine. I gave away most of my swag; and shoved the rest into my suitcase so I could share it here. Except for one exception: I don’t share anything that’s chocolate.
HOW TO WIN: If you would like to have this item, please let me know in a comment. If you know someone else who might like it, I hope you’ll share this and let them know.
I had to have these. It was just a few weeks ago and I was just in that kind of mood when I saw them. They’re happy and fun and bright colorful sunglasses happen to be very stylish right now.
I could totally picture myself in them; and I knew they’d brighten my whole day the instant I put them on. Only I haven’t. I have the glasses—but I don’t have what it takes to wear them.
HOW TO WIN: If you would like to have this item, please let me know in a comment. If you know someone else who might like it, I hope you’ll share this and let them know.
When I heard today that Frank McCourt had died, I remembered that I had recently come across an audiotape of his book, Teacher Man, which is about his 30 years teaching in the New York City public schools before he became an author.
I listened to Angela’s Ashes on audiotape, read by McCourt himself. And I remember that it wasn’t only his words that stirred me; but also his voice–it’s magical.
This audiobook is also read by McCourt– still sealed in its package. And though I recently posted some audiobooks and I don’t normally follow up so soon with something similar, I thought I”d make an exception.
HOW TO WIN: If you would like to have this item, please let me know in a comment. If you know someone else who might like it, I hope you’ll share this and let them know.
Since I’m now giving away so much clutter for free, maybe it’s no big surprise that’s the way I acquired some of my clutter in the first place. Such as:
Exhibit A: For years I used certain brands of makeup only because a free gift came with my purchase, and I would wait to buy what I needed until the free offer came along.
By now I’m cured of that habit, but I still have moments of weakness. The last one was at Nordstrom— a cute tote that came with a whole selection of free samples—everything still wrapped in the plastic it came in.
HOW TO WIN: If you would like to have this item, please let me know in a comment. If you know someone else who might like it, I hope you’ll share this and let them know.
So how’s this for an encore? Out of the blue, yesterday a box arrives at our house. Inside is even MORE yarn than Lynne gave away last time—more skeins and balls than I could even count—gorgeous yarns worth hundreds of dollars. What’s pictured here is just a tiny sample of the first batch.
If you like to knit, you just hit the jackpot. Because the box full of yarn is almost—but not quite—as big as Lynne’s heart. Thank you!!!
(first batch: various colors, acrylic and wool, more will be offered in future posts)
HOW TO WIN: If you would like to have this item, please let me know in a comment. If you know someone else who might like it, I hope you’ll share this and let them know.
I’m really lucky that my ex-husband and I have been always able to set aside our differences for the benefit of the kids. And now that our kids are grown, occasionally when they’re both around, we get together as a group at my ex’s in Los Angeles.
From here it’s a 5-hour trip, and I always bring along some books on tape. My husband drives a lot more than I do– and for every book I listen to, he goes through at least 10. I collected some of his extras, in case anyone would enjoy these when you hit the road this summer.
If you would like to have this item, please let me know in a comment. If you know someone else who might like it, I hope you’ll share this and let them know.
I was so busy celebrating the first birthday of my blog and the 6 month anniversary of Cluttercast that I didn’t post something in honor of Independence Day. I will now—because it turns out that I have something very patriotic—and special—in my clutter.
From the NBC Brian Williams special on Obama, the world learned that the snack of choice inside the Obama White house is M&M’s, which are all over the White House in specially made little boxes. If you click here you can see a picture of Obama on the plane with one of the boxes next to him,and an explanation in the comments.
This is one of those same boxes, which I saved when a friend of mine took my kids and me to lunch in the White House dining room when Clinton was president. It was a lunch we’ll never forget. I kept a few boxes as souvenirs and never opened them. I thought I’d give one to someone who hasn’t had the chance to visit the White House personally.
There’s one box; I took the photo so you can see both sides. Remember these are from the Clinton years——so think of this box as a souvenir– not a snack. I’m a chocoholic but even I’ve never been that desperate.
HOW TO WIN: If you would like to have this item, please let me know in a commentWHY you would like it. If you know someone else who might like it, I hope you’ll share this and let them know.
I always wondered how people got to be members of Mensa which is an organization of people with high IQ’s. And this week I found out when I saw an ad in our local paper announcing that prospective members can show up and take a test to qualify. I guess it’s like an audition—-only not quite American Idol.
I would be curious to be a fly on the wall and see who shows up. Meanwhile as far as I know no one in our house has ever been a member—but if you’re interested, you might want to start with this home kit before showing up at tryouts.
(Mensa word puzzles)
If you would like to have this item, please let me know in a comment. If you know someone else who might like it, I hope you’ll share this and let them know.
These bracelets by Stella Pace were really popular awhile back—each bracelet is made of beads that are believed to carry special significance. I was recovering from cancer treatment and I bought all the bracelets I thought I could use and I wore all of them. All the time. I thought I needed all the help I could get.
This one, Courage, is made of tiger’s eye beads. At the time, courage was so important to me that I bought an extra one. Just in case mine broke. But mine held up just fine—both the bracelet and my courage. Maybe someone else can use them both right now.
If you would like to have this item, please let me know in a comment. If you know someone else who might like it, I hope you’ll share this and let them know.
This week I’ve had birthdays on my mind and on my blog, since my son just turned 21. He wasn’t home and on his birthday I was in Big Sur, which is about an hour from where I live. Coincidentally, I spent my 21st birthday in Big Sur, too– only it took me the whole summer to get there— driving from the east coast where I lived back then.
The wonderful thing about Big Sur is that in many ways it hasn’t changed from the time of my birthday to my son’s. Which is why I thought about this top–because this is a special item and Big Sur is a special place and it looks like they belong together. It’s not my size and I can’t remember where or when or WHY I have it. It’s brand new, beautifully embroidered, perfect for a summer day– maybe it can bring a little bit of Big Sur—no matter how far away you are.
(Please check measurements: 43″ bust, about 47″ hips, 24″ long–buttons down front)
If you would like to have this item, please let me know in a comment. If you know someone else who might like it, I hope you’ll share this and let them know.
