Category — Housewives on the Internet

I’ve been lucky to shop the souks of Morocco, Tunisia, India, South Africa, Asia…when I travel, I shop. But there are times when I’m looking for some special item I’ve seen on my travels…but didn’t buy, or want to buy again as a gift.

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Just like everyone else I know, one of my 2011 goals was better health: exercising more, eat healthier and sleeping better. A few days ago I saw a blurb online in the Wall Street Journal on NikeWomen’s updated online Training Club. Sounded promising: I travel a lot and having a free online personal trainer sounds like a deal to me!

So I quickly tapped into Nike.com and (with a good deal of effort that I’m saving you here) found the NikeWomen’s Training Club information. After reading through (an overcomplicated) series of information pages and sample workouts, I realized all I had to do was go to iTunes and download the app. Done.  (you must have an iPhone or iPad to use NTC).

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Serendipity: That same morning Whoopie is talking about Tupperware on The View. The deal was sealed: I had to check out Tupperware.

• First, track it down. Domestic Sluts is a London site, and their link was also in the UK
• Second, what do I need? I knew what wasn’t working, but what would clean the chaos
• Lastly, how much do I want to spend

Problem solved: Tupperware.com has the Modular Mates storage system on sale: 40% + discount! And in moi favorite blue. Bonus: they deliver.

Tupperware to the rescue! Who knew?

The perfect do-ahead or last-minute gift: something homemade from your kitchen. Every year I go to Omaha for a holiday bake-a-thon with moi bff J. Every year we add new recipes, reject some previous efforts, and always bake our favorites. I return home with my freezer and pantry stocked up for holiday giving, family dinners, and anytime snacking and nibbling.

For home-baked gift-giving I purchased some monogrammed gift boxes in assorted sizes from Williams-Sonoma. I bought burgundy boxes with a gold monogram in quantity, but also purchased some white boxes with spring seasons in pastel colors for summer giving. The boxes fold flat for easy storage, and with the different sizes I can easily gift 6 cookies or a whole batch of peanut brittle. [Read more →]

I’m shopping now! Christmas is just days away, and to help with your Christmas shopping every day I’m sharing one of my finds! But shhhh, don’t tell: these gift ideas are our little secret!

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Christmas is just one week away, and I’m counting down the days with a holiday shopping guide: Be sure to check every day for gift ideas that will please almost anyone on your list!

If you’re lucky enough to be in Chicago on Saturday, find time to visit the Indie Arts Holiday Market for handmade gifts and drinks and food that will keep your spirits bright!

If you’re like Moi shopping online is a regular event: not just on Cyber Monday. But in honor of cyber Monday I’m sharing one of my online shopping tips: ebates.com.

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A tweet from Saveur Magazine featured international candy bars that are hard to find in the US: British Cadbury Crunchie Bars, Swedish Daim Toffee Bars, and Indonesian Silver Queens. That’s the problem with being both a traveler and a grocery store junkie: you easily become addicted to foods that may not be easily available.

When I get a craving for  ethnic groceries I head to World Market, a one-stop global shopping bazaar for

• foods: Cadbury chocolates, German cake mixes, Italian olive oils, Indian curries, Dutch cocoa powder, spices of the world
• fashions: jewelry, purses, scarves
• beers and wines from around the world
• furniture and accessories including beds, sofas, candles, rugs and curtains, artwork
• kitchenware: platters, French coffee presses, grilling tools
• bed and bath: towels, soaps and lotions, storage units [Read more →]

Climb Every Mountain

The hills really were alive with the Sound of Music. A few years back we organized a family hiking trip in the Alps of Lech, Austria. TBG, Mignette and Moi drove from Paris; my cousin and his wife and 2 girls drove down from Munich; and my sister, her husband, my goddaughter, and her cousin (another goddaughter) flew over from Chicago. 6 adults, 4 little girls, and a little white dog. And really big mountains.

5 of the adults were experienced hikers: my sister was not. The girls had never been hiking. So we planned several very family-friendly hikes through the mountains with lots of scenic view, herds of cows, fields of wildflowers, and surprisingly: singing.

It always started with Edelweiss. Then Doe a Deer. And of course: Climb Every Mountain.

Now you too can sing along with Julie Andrews! The Sound of Music Sing-A-Long is coming to a theater near you!

In honor of the movie’s 45 anniversary, October 19 and 26 theaters around the country will be hosting a Sound of Music Sing-Along Event at 6:30pm. Tickets are available online. Don’t miss out on My Favorite Things!

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For a quick minute, a couple times a month, I take a peek at a the pretty little bits shared on

French Bleu Vintage

How did I find this site? Simply by googling 3 of Moi favorite words! And what did I find? Lots of pretties and charmings to warm my soul on a cold rainy day made for indoor shopping. Not all blue, and not all vintage; not even all French. But all the lovelies make me happy…

a collection of 4 vintage glass frogs $28

crystal perfume bottle with stopper $8

metal rosette candle sconces $50

Moi Tip: If you like the shop you might also like the blog: French Bleu Vintage