I prefer my puns intended

Because life can be punny.

The Romantic Rationalist (Review and Giveaway)

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I must have hit the backspace button about 20 times before I actually finished this sentence…and I’m still not pleased with how it turned out. That’s the thing about writers: we are never satisfied. We are always wondering if what we’ve typed was good enough; we sit contemplatively thinking about the receptions our words will get. As most of you know, I began this profession as a means to Continue Reading

4 things to skip on your baby registry and 4 things to register for instead

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October 31 marks the traditional annual pilgrimage of elementary-aged children going door-to-door asking politely for sugary sweets. It's an odd tradition, really. But not many people question the practice. That is, except for my mom. October 31 was never celebrated in our home with traditional door-to-door solicitation. Instead, I handed out snacks to my friends. I was never really bothered Continue Reading

30 things I’d like to do before I’m 30…

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So, today is my birthday. Woo hoo! I used to think this day was all about me; but after becoming a mama, I realize it is more about my mama than me. This year, I am so contemplative on this beautiful October morning as I realize how much she has given up to see me become the woman that I am. I think about the anticipation that followed this day twenty-nine years ago. I was a prayer my Continue Reading

Oh, hey Friday! 5 Workout Tips for Beginners

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Kelly is back at it this week for 5 workout tips for beginners. Be sure to enter her giveaway (IPMPI's biggest prize yet!) below. This week is a cause near and dear to my heart, as I know what it can be like starting all over again with an adequate exercise routine. When I was younger, I was a swimmer. In high school, I dabbled in every sport imaginable. It wasn't until a few years Continue Reading

The fall of man

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Dear Brittany, The other day, I sat with my infant son on my lap on our front porch admiring the leaves changing colors. I realize that he doesn't understand exactly what I am saying, but I have made a habit of explaining natural seasonal changes. He has now seen winter change to spring, spring change to summer, and summer change to fall. When the leaves started budding, I explained to my Continue Reading

Skinny S-panache Dip (and a Wilton Armetale giveaway)

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As an amateur chef simple housekeeper, I've decided that cooking is ALL ABOUT PRESENTATION. I am not a food blogger by any stretch of the imagination. In truth, most of my meals are planned perusing Skinny Taste, because Gina knows how to make a meal that is packed with flavor and low on calories. I just purchased her cookbook...and you should too. She is a master chef. And...I Continue Reading

Why Christians are bad in bed (Pulling Back the Shades Review and Giveaway)

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I was an anxious eleven-year-old with knock knees when my mom and I finally sat down to have the conversation about the birds and the bees. We'd just returned from a walk where my oldest sister (she was twenty-one at the time) mentioned something about sex. My mother quickly hushed her, and I was even quicker to respond with my pre-teen wisdom, "Mom, I already know what sex is." It seemed Continue Reading

Oh hey, Friday! 5 diet tips from Kelly of ChaseLife

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So, this week marks the least prolific week on IPMPI. I extended my mommy vaca by taking a brief blogging break, but I will return with gusto next week debuting 3 new giveaways. As promised, the Wilton Armetale Viceroy collection giveaway will go live (with a skinny spinach dip recipe) next week. Also, I will be reviewing and giving away two NEW books...one talks about SEX. And SEX sells so Continue Reading

A teacher walks into a bar, asks ‘can I have a beer,’ bartender says, ‘IDK, CAN you?’ (Two-cent Teacher Tuesday)

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It's no secret that teachers get into education because they want to make a difference. Or at least, that's why I decided I wanted to become a teacher. It was the beginning of 2009 (perhaps my defining year) and I accepted a position as a secretary for an Atlanta real estate company. I remember the interview vividly as the president furrowed his brow and said, "Are you sure you'd be ok Continue Reading

Three ways to take a mommy vaca…

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I've embraced the fact that part of being a mom means I shouldn't expect to feel well rested. Do I like that part of the job? Not particularly. Would I want to be doing anything else? Absolutely not. That's the best part about motherhood; I realize that this is the best and most important job I will ever have. I really enjoyed seeing my high school classmates over the weekend, and I was truly Continue Reading