Things We Love...

... Week of October 7, 2008...

PUSHING DAISIES... in a random act of Netflixing (yes I just turned netflix into a verb), I came across this little gem of a television show. In a sea of television shows full of melodramatic love affairs (yea I'm talkin' to you Meredith Grey), general smut (has anyone seen the new 90210, it almost makes you miss Brenda Walsh...), and over acting (anything on FOX), Pushing Daisies is charming, light hearted, and honestly funny. The second season just started, and due to that lovely writer's strike of 2008, the first season is only 9 epsiodes so you can netflix and catch up in a snap. I mean if nothing else, that Lee Pace is kinda hot.


COSMETIC BAGS... These amazing silk cosmetic bags by Jan Sevadjian are not only a steal at $32.95, they are really attractive too. If you are older than 14 it's time to trade in your "gift with purchase" Clinque makeup bag and treat yourself to a big girl cosmetic bag. I use mine in my gigantic purse (see previous Things We Love posts about that), to keep all the essentials: advil, pens, hair accessories, random jewelry, lipgloss, etc. ... pretty much all the things that generally find their way to the bottom of my purse. They come in a variety of different plaids, check them out at The Monogram Merchant!


TAILGATING... This may sound like a no brainer, I mean who doesn't love a legitimate excuse to drink during daylight hours, but as someone who graduated from school a year or so ago, it's one of those things you don't realize you love till you aren't doing it EVERY Saturday. There is something to be said for getting up at 8 am and spending the day drinking and hanging out with 100,000 other people, who are all there for the same reason you are. And as someone who went to a school whose football team disappointed us on more than one occasion (how about them Clemson Tigers huh?)... who even cares if you make it to the game, tailgating is way more than half the battle anyway.

Things We Love...

...Week of October 1st Edition...

BIG KEY FOBS These key chains are the BEST for someone who either A) loses their keys all the time B) seems to always carry a big bag or C) both of the above (like me). For some reason I always feel the need to carry a huge purse, you know just in case the world collapses, I'll have everything I need. However, on a day to day basis my huge purse tends to just swallow my keys rather than save the world. These key fobs make it SO easy to find your keys, plus they are tres adorable. I love these navy and pink elephants but they come in all sorts of cute animals and motifs here.


PLASTIC AVIATOR SUNGLASSES I love that aviators are back in style, but to me, the metal rimmed aviators just scream summer. Everyone updates their wardrobe for the change in seasons, but sometimes accessories never make the transition. I have the Kate Spade pair on the right in navy blue and adore them. I think plastic aviator sunglasses are the perfect way to keep wearing the aviator trend through the fall without looking like you're under the impression it's still beach season.

OCTOBER It's only the 2nd of October and the weather is already changing here in Orlando. October pretty much has it all; it's the height of tailgating season, Major League Baseball postseason, time to pull out sweaters and jackets (well maybe not here in Orlando just yet), humidity takes a vacation, and of course Halloween (who doesn't love a good costume party and an unbeatable excuse to eat candy?!) While we could still pretend it was summer in September, October is undoubtedly the fall, and I for one, am happy it's here!

Things We Love...

...Week of September 17th edition...

JON McLAUGHLIN We here at the merch do not get any work done without a little background music. I'm half surprised the ipod speakers haven't started smoking from overuse. Anyhoodle, one gentleman we have yet to get tired of is Jon McLaughlin. I have yet to meet a single soul who doesn't like his music, and if you don't know who he is, head over to your itunes and start downloading. Personal favorites of the Merch are: Blue Skies, Throwing a Line, and Until You've Got Love. If this is your first Jon Mclaughlin experience, then all I have to say is; you're welcome in advance.

TERVIS TUMBLERS This may seem like a no brainer, but I am sorry, there is seriously nothing better than Tervis Tumblers. I am personally a big fan of the Big T because it can actually hold an entire diet coke AND ice, which I have yet to see the average cup accomplish. Plus the best part of the Tervis is they don't ever sweat, so you're not leaving rings of water everywhere. They keep your drinks colder, longer, not to mention you can have them monogrammed or personalized with your favorite school. I realize they aren't exactly fine china or anything, but as everyday wear, you can't beat them. You can pick some out at The Merch.

TELEVISION WITHOUT PITY I love my TV shows. I'm not all about watching aimless television, but the shows I follow, I follow RELIGIOUSLY. My friends know not to call me during LOST, I am obsessed with Project Runway, I'll probably cry if Friday Night Lights gets cancelled, and don't even get me started on Prison Break. However, I've found a website that completely feeds into my addiction, http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/, is any television junkie's dream. Personally, I mostly just read the show recaps, which even if you've seen the episode are downright hilarious. The people who write recaps for TWoP add their own snarky comments, definitely worth hours of entertainment.

Things We Love...

We here at The Monogram Merchant like to think we have pretty good taste and we're certainly not short on any opinions. Here are 3 things we love right now.. you know.. in case you were wondering...

30 ROCK hands down the funniest show on television. Half my friends will disown me on the spot for saying it but... I think it's funnier than The Office. Yea, I said it. If you haven't seen it before, I suggest you immediately netflix (which by the way is another thing I love) seasons 1 and 2 before season 3 starts on October 30th. Tina Fey and Tracy Morgan are great, but seriously, Alec Baldwin is hilarious (even though, let's face it, he's a little crazy). with lines like :"Tracy Jordan: I'm gonna make you a mix tape. You like Phil Collins? Jack: I've got two ears and a heart, don't I?" what's not to love? Definitely check it out.

DESIGN HER GALS We LOVE this website. It is so much fun to play on and all their products to buy are super cute. It's like having a virtual Barbie to dress up. There are hundreds of clothes, hair colors, and accessories to dress up girls to look like you, your friends, anyone you want! You can put your personalized girl on stationery, notepads, aprons, mugs, pretty much whatever you'd like! Hours and hours of fun, definitely worth the trip when you're in need of a mental break. Check it out at http://www.designhergals.com/

MONOGRAMMED WALL ART I mean how cute is that I ask you? I LOVE this monogrammed wall art. I'm still not sure what room I think these would look fabulous in, but I'm leaning towards a bedroom. They come in all kinds of cute background designs, I'm really into green and navy right now, but I think the light pink striped one would be j'adore-able in a little girl or babies room. They each come in a crisp white matted frame, ready for immediate display anywhere you choose! Look them up on our website, you'll definitely want one (don't you think they'd really spruce up a dorm room?)http://www.themonogrammerchant.com/category.php?category_id=180