The Comfortable Girl

My friend Geoff is a sweet, caring, kind man. We were talking the other day about the simple things in life that a man can do to make the woman in his life feel special. As I was trying to think of the nicest thing that a man has done for me, he told me what he did for his ex-girlfriend. It wasn’t much, it only took him a half hour online, one phone call, and a starry night to accomplish, but the end result qualifies as a “Sweep Her Off Her Feet” moment in my book.

Geoff knew that his girlfriend loved astronomy and star gazing. For a special occasion he gave her a night she would never forget. The first thing he did was have a star named after her. Once he received the paperwork and it was official, he contacted a nearby observatory and found out that for a donation he could arrange a private viewing. The observatory finds the star of your choice and allows you to view it through the telescope. All he needed then was to wait for a clear starry night. And to take it one step further he brought with him champagne, two flukes, and a blanket. It was the perfect night.

This year is almost over, but for 2009, take a minute and think if there is anyone in your life that you want to make feel special. Think to yourself if you’ve ever truly been swept off your feet. Too often we are too wrapped up in our own lives, in our own wants, that we forget about the most important people around us. Often people buy gifts for their loved ones that are actually gifts for themselves in disguise. People generally plan an evening or a surprise for a loved one based on something that they themselves would like to participate in. Not often enough to people simply DO something for the sole purpose of making someone else happy. One of the best ways to make yourself happy is to make the people around you happy. Be that person, be that loved one, everyone deserves to feel special.

In taking a nap.

Don’t forget this Sunday is Father’s Day! The day where kids of all ages, big and small, young and old, search for the gift that will please the father they love. It’s also one of the most stressful times of the year, Christmas shopping aside. Finding that perfect gift for the man that gave you life, a roof over your head, a college education, and most of all, money throughout your childhood (when you pulled out those puppy-dog eyes that never failed ) can be difficult.

I have been trying to find the perfect gift for my dad, another fish in the sea of men-who-have-everything, and I came across some interesting sites that have unique and fun gift ideas. Take a peek and see if anything strikes your fancy as to what to get your dad this Father’s Day.

Dadsandgrads.about.com gives a random assortment of unique gifts for dad, everything from a thumb wrestling ring (my personal favorite), to a personalized newspaper headline, and even a universal TV remote that has only one button: OFF.

Surprise.com has a little bit of everything, from personalized “king of the grill” aprons, to assorted gift baskets, to slippers that light up and enable dad to wander about the house at night without the fear.

Findgift.com has a lot of touching personalized ideas for dad to show him how much you care.

If you don’t find that perfect gift on the above sites, keep searching, and don’t forget, one of the best gifts you can give your dad is some time spent with his child(ren). Treat him to his favorite restaurant, actually pay the bill, and perhaps take him for ice cream for dessert. Remember, it’s his day!

I recently stumbled upon a wonderful website full of trinkets, toys, games, kitchen and office supplies, and much, much more. Kikkerland is the place to buy that interesting object that will please that “hard to buy for” person in your life. It is also a site to buy something fun for yourself. I, myself, am the proud owner of one of the commonly featured windups by the name of Cranky. If you are interested in a windup toy, be sure to watch the movie that accompanies the toy. Then, once you are the proud owner of your own windup, create your own movie for all to see! Cranky requires no batteries, and at $9.95, it will keep you entertained for hours, guaranteed.

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There is nothing more comfortable than a box, if you are a cat that is. Cats in Boxes is a site where people can view colorful cats lounging in their most comfortable of places. You can also submit photos of your beloved feline, and if approved, your cat will instantly become a member of the Cats in Boxes family.

Why create a site dedicated to cats and their boxes? Their makes perfect sense: Why? Because Cats Love Boxes!

This is Boots in a Box: He loves Saturday mornings when the Avon box comes!

In need of new comfy T-shirt? Take a moment to visit threadless.com. It is a great T-shirt site where you are sure to find a design that is unique and interesting. It is also fun because anyone who is anyone can design and submit a t-shirt design. So whether you are a designer, a t-shirt aficionado, or just browsing around, be sure to stop on by.

Do you ever get asked a question that makes you stop and think for a long time? It could be the most irrelevant question you have ever heard, but you still think about it constantly, and it drives you insane?

Here is your very first Random Question:

Image that you wake up one morning to find out that today is the last day ever! What do you wear?

- courtesy of Becky Haywood

Please think hard, and then leave a comment if you wish!

Have fun!!!

All women are different. Some woman have busy lives, some women have kids, some women have a jobs, some women like apples, some women are cat people… etc. Yes, we are different in many ways, HOWEVER, we all one thing in common: We all wear pajamas. (Well, okay, I know some of you don’t know wear pajamas at night, so if you are a nudist, or prefer the feeling of “being free” skip this entry and move down to the next.)

But for those of us who love the feeling of “getting cozy” in a great pair of pj’s, this entry is for you!

After researching all the different ‘PJ’ websites online, we have chosen one to share with you, that is a must see.

Pajamagram.com is a great place to buy a gift for someone you love, for a great friend, or even for yourself!

Be sure to take a look!

Well… Since we have not kept up with our promise to provide you with a “Quote of the Day”, we have deicided to give you a bundle of quotes right now!!! Since we have been talking about food and eating right this winter, all of the quotes today are going to be about food!

Happy Reading!

Water is the most neglected nutrient in your diet but one of the most vital.
-Kelly Barton

Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are.
-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what’s for lunch.
-Orson Welles

If hunger makes you irritable, better eat and be pleasant.
-Sefer Hasidim

Food is the most primitive form of comfort.
-Sheila Graham

I’ve been on a diet for two weeks and all I’ve lost is two weeks.
-Totie Fields

OUT TO LUNCH: IF NOT BACK BY FIVE, OUT FOR DINNER ALSO
-Unknown

Inside this body lies that of a skinny lady.  But I can usually shut her up with chocolate.
-Unknown

Let’s face it girls, it’s sometimes easier to eat-out than to cook something at home. It takes a little time, effort, and engergy to create a well-balanced meal, and more often than not, time and energy are not readily available. It takes less time, energy, and certianly less effort to make a quick run through the “Golden Arches” and feed the entire family for less than $20.00. As easy as that meal is to pick up and take home, one would think it is the perfect solution to dinner on any given night. But when fast food meals become routine, it can be dangerous. Where are the vegetables? The fruits? The protein? The dairy? I can guarantee you that you cannot get all of those things from a brown sack.

The Solution?

The Comfortable Girl recommends that every woman takes some time out of your busy schedule to research. What should you research? Well… You may be surprised to find out all the different and unique meals you can create in less than twenty minutes. The following is a list of different websites that will give you a head start in your searching. Be sure to check out The Cook’s Thesaurus website! It has a search bar that will allow you to look up anything and everything about cooking. If you are not sure what an ingredient is, it will not only describe the ingredient, but it will also show you a picture, and tell you how to use it. It is an amazing website, be sure to check it out!

Have a look at these sites that will get you started on your journey to “Eating Right”.

Cook’s Illustrated

Cook’s Thesaurus

Easy, Simple, and Quick Meals!

Recipes At The Everyday Cook Recipe Box

Recipe Rewards

Remember, these are not the only sites you should be researching, but they should provide you with a head start. Along the way, if you find any great sites and you want to share them with The Comfortable Girl, be sure to drop us an email, or leave a comment! Thanks!

Happy Searching!