How to Shop for the Perfect Coffee Table

Almost everyone has a coffee table.  It is a great place to put magazines and to serve drinks with a coaster. You can kick up your feet after a busy day or display art.  I think that it is essential to have in your family room or living room. Growing up we had multiple coffee tables.  We had them in both the living room and family room.  My most interesting coffee table would have to be when I was married. My ex and I had a large speaker as our coffee table.  It was actually a working speaker that was hooked up to the tv and stereo.  It was pretty cool. I didn’t really mind that it was a speaker. It worked as a coffee table and we didn’t have to put things on the floor to spill them.  It wasn’t my idea.

When you are shopping for the perfect coffee table you have all kinds of options. They come in every color and shape so how do you know what your perfect coffee table is? There are so many things to consider.  

Size is important. If you have a huge coffee table and a small space or couch a large coffee table will become an eyesore or something you will constantly bump in to. Ever hit your leg on a coffee table? It hurts so much.

You also have to think about if you have kids what would be the safest option for you.  Although glass coffee tables are pretty, having that much glass around a small child around who probably jumps off the couch or does tricks over the arm of the couch is probably going to get hurt. 

Another thing to consider is shape. What shape would you like? I know I have seen coffee tables in the shape of yin-yangs, hearts, and square ones, circle ones any shape you want. You could even have it custom made if you wanted. If you have a sectional your best bet would be a round one so it fits in the area.

You also need to decide what color you would like. What is your favorite color? What color is your paint? What color is your other furniture?  All things you would want to think about.

Style is important.  Do you want traditional, Mission, Chic or something else?  You can find whatever style you want even if it is different.  I personally like mission style. My furniture was all mission style for a while.  I know that is an upgrade from a speaker.

The last thing you need to decide is if you want it to be multipurpose. Do you want drawers? Do you want built in features like a server? My coffee table has drawers and baskets. It’s great for storing tv guides, recipes, remotes and office supplies. Now if Noah would stop getting in it and taking envelopes and tape out that would be great.

I hope I gave you some great pointers and things to consider while shopping for a coffee table.

Secrets to Aging Gracefully

A lot of women are concerned about growing older; I think that some believe that if you get older you lose your beauty. I don’t think that is the case because no matter how old you are, you are beautiful.  I don’t think it matters how long you have been on the earth, or if you have wrinkles or grey hair you are still beautiful. My grandma Rose was beautiful until she passed away; she had grey hair and wrinkles. I used to gently pinch the loose skin on her hands when I was little.  Now in the days of plastic surgery it is like if you have one wrinkle you need to torture yourself to get rid of it.  I am not really sure what the point of becoming a human pin cushion to look beautiful is.  I believe you can age gracefully without the use of needles and being cut open and poked and prodded.  I thought I would share some ways for aging gracefully.

Always wear sunscreen when you are outside. You can get sunburn when it is cloudy. You can damage layers of your skin and get sunspots from the UV rays.  Not to mention you can get skin cancer. Sunscreen will also help you moisturize your skin.

Eat foods rich in antioxidants. The antioxidants can protect your body from diseases and help you feel good.  

Eat foods rich in vitamin A to protect your vision, as you get older your eyes are extra important as your vision can start to go.  Eating healthy is just plain important, I don’t think having a treat every now and then would be a bad thing.

Take a multivitamin or vitamin supplements to protect your body and your bones.

Drink a lot of water. I know that is simple advice but water makes you feel better. It flushes out your toxins and helps curve hunger.

Get some sunlight. I don’t mean lay out in the sun but get some sunlight. The sun makes you happy. If you live in an area where the sun doesn’t shine a lot when it is colder, you can get a machine that makes artificial sunlight. I know that when I am having a bad day if I spend some time out in the sun I feel better.

Get exercise. I believe that you are only as old as you feel. I think that getting out and doing those things you enjoy can be good for you. It helps you stayin shape, and if you sit around and do nothing you are going to miss out on those fun things. Please know your own limits but I don’t think age makes you destined to sit in a chair to grow old.  Even a walk with a loved one is fun. It helps create long lasting memories. I still remember walking to the store with my Grandma Rose when I was a little girl and I wouldn’t trade those moments for anything. One of my favorite quotes is “Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying” – The Shawshank Redemption.

Spend time with friends and family; surround yourself with your loved ones. You would be surprised how young you can feel when you are around those you love. Especially children, you can become a big kid in a matter of moments.  Get together with the girls and laugh until you snort or cry.  Make memories.

The most important tip I can give you for aging gracefully is simple. Enjoy life. My best friend’s dad is always saying enjoy. So, I ask you to just enjoy life.  Don’t worry about growing old, just enjoy now.

So what if you get wrinkles, in some cultures wrinkles mean beauty and grace.  Each wrinkle you have tells a story.  They are there for a reason. Instead of getting rid of them why not just love them.  They are a part of you.

And the Ugliest One is Frankenstein

I can't believe it's almost Halloween. Time has flown by lately. Halloween is a fun holiday that is more than just candy and dressing up. Sure that is a big part of it but its fun to do Halloween crafts and read Halloween books. I am the biggest scaredy cat so, I don't really like the scary aspect of Halloween but I do enjoy kids Halloween movies and books. I had the chance to review the book Frankenstein by Ludworst Bemontser. Of course that is a pen name, as I don't think a parent would name their child that ever.  Ludworst  Bemonster is the pen name of author Rick Walton and  artist Nathan Hale. Legend has it that he was bored one Halloween and rewrote a popular children's book. I happen to adore this particular children's book and used to watch the cartoon.

I think this book is adorable. It will be a Halloween tradition in my house. Possibly like our tradition of reading The Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve. I love how spot on Frankenstein is. Ludworst really captured the essence of not only the original book but Halloween. I love how they include Miss Devel and how she exclaims something is not right! While I was reading the book, I could hear the original character's voice in my head saying it.

You can buy Frankenstein at major bookstores.  I recommend picking up a copy for your little monsters to enjoy.

I hope you have a safe and Happy Halloween! 

I received a copy of Frankenstein for my family to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.