The Daily Miscellany

Happy Friday!

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:01:13 -0700

Quote of the Day

“I always feel like you fall in love twice. Once with the person you meet, and again with the person they really are.”
–Thaloc

Book of the Day

Contagious: Why Things Catch On. What makes things popular? If you said advertising, think again. People don’t listen to advertisements, they listen to their peers. But why do people talk about certain products and ideas more than others? Why are some stories and rumors more infectious? And what makes online content go viral?

DIY/How-To of the Day

DIY Eye Chart Wall Art. This great tutorial shows you how to make a $345 Restoration Hardware eye chart for less than $20!

Find of the Day

Air Cleaner. This handy little machine reduces allergens and cleans the air in your home.

Recipe of the Day

Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Cookies. Heaven in a cookie.

Lil Nugget of the Day

Happy Thursday!

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:01:12 -0700

Quote of the Day

“I was about half in love with her by the time we sat down. That’s the thing about girls. Every time they do something pretty…you fall half in love with them, and then you never know where the hell you are.”
–J.D. Salinger

Book of the Day

The End of Big: How the Internet Makes David the New Goliath. Social media pioneer, political and business strategist, and Harvard Kennedy School faculty member Nicco Mele offers a fascinating, sometimes frightening look at how our ability to stay connected—constantly, instantly, and globally—is dramatically changing our world.

DIY/How-To of the Day

DIY Wire Name. Great for ornaments and gift packaging!

Find of the Day

Ab Carver Pro. Carve your core and get ripped abs and sculpted arms. The kinetic “engine” uses a carbon steel spring to turbocharge your abdominal and arm workouts. It provides resistance as you roll out and assistance when you roll back.

Recipe of the Day

Cheddar Biscuits. Just like the ones they serve at Red Lobster!

Lil Nugget of the Day

Happy Wednesday!

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:01:28 -0700

Quote of the Day

“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.”
–Dr. Seuss

Book of the Day

Practical Paleo: A Customized Approach to Health and a Whole-Foods Lifestyle. Practical Paleo explains why avoiding both processed foods and foods marketed as “healthy”—like grains, legumes, and pasteurized dairy—will improve how you look and feel and lead to lasting weight loss. Even better—you may reduce or completely eliminate symptoms associated with common health disorders!

DIY/How-To of the Day

DIY Backpack. Takes less than 2 yards of fabric to make!

Find of the Day

Star Trek Into Darkness. Preorder one of the most entertaining movies of the year. Select 2-day shipping and you’ll receive it the day it comes out!

Recipe of the Day

Apricot Arugula Pizzettes. Cute mini pizzas that pack a lot of flavor, but few calories.

Lil Nugget of the Day

Happy Tuesday!

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:01:15 -0700

Quote of the Day

“Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him had better take a closer look at the American Indian.”
–Henry Ford

Book of the Day

Zombies Hate Stuff. Each ghoulishly colorful painting reveals a funny and unexpected scene of zombie disgruntlement, cataloging the stuff that really riles up the walking dead (astronauts, rain, bagpipes, re-gifting, and more) with wit, humor, and, of course, brains. Zombies Hate Stuff offers an unexpected and irresistible perspective on the zombie apocalypse and the pop culture phenomenon that will not die.

DIY/How-To of the Day

DIY Lavender Linen Spray. Spray some lavender linen mist on your pillow before you go to bed at night to help you relax and fall asleep faster!

Find of the Day

Unlocked Sony Xperia. This phone not only looks great, but it’s also water-resistant!

Recipe of the Day

Homemade Samoas. Even better than the Girl Scouts’ original!

Lil Nugget of the Day

Happy Monday!

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:01:29 -0700

Quote of the Day

“Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.”
–Mark Twain

Book of the Day

Darth Vader and Son. What if Darth Vader took an active role in raising his son? What if “Luke, I am your father” was just a stern admonishment from an annoyed dad? In this hilarious and sweet comic reimagining, Darth Vader is a dad like any other—except with all the baggage of being the Dark Lord of the Sith.

DIY/How-To of the Day

DIY Penny Letters. Giant letters are really popular these days, but I’ve never seen ones quite like these. So clever!

Find of the Day

Measuring Spoons. These adorable measuring spoons from Anthropologie will have you cooking constantly just to use them!

Recipe of the Day

Mini-Lemon and Vanilla Cream Parfaits. Yummy, but mini-sized, so you don’t have to feel quite so guilty.

Lil Nugget of the Day

Happy Sunday!

Sun, 19 May 2013 00:01:02 -0700

Quote of the Day

“Like slavery and Apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings.”
–Nelson Mandela

Book of the Day

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Audiobook). Perfect for summer road trips.

DIY/How-To of the Day

DIY Leather Wallet. Make a super awesome wallet that no one will believe is homemade.

Find of the Day

Remote Control Outlet. Use your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch to turn off any outlet in your home over wifi or mobile internet (whether you’re home or not!).

Recipe of the Day

Tropical Quinoa Lettuce Wraps. Delicious, tropical and healthy. Yum.

Lil Nugget of the Day

Happy Saturday!

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:01:10 -0700

Quote of the Day

“I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.”
–Andy from The Office (a show I miss already)

Book of the Day

Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success. Eleven times, Jackson led his teams to the ultimate goal: the NBA championship. This book is full of revelations: about fascinating personalities and their drive to win; about the wellsprings of motivation and competition at the highest levels; and about what it takes to bring out the best in ourselves and others.

DIY/How-To of the Day

DIY Keepsake Stationary Chest. A keepsake-worthy chest to store all your favorite things.

Find of the Day

Moustache Pacifier. This is adorable. I’m buying one for every baby I know.

Recipe of the Day

Caramelized Onion & Steak Quesadilla. This sounds mouthwateringly delicious. I think I’ll start that diet next week…

Lil Nugget of the Day

Happy Friday!

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:01:21 -0700

Quote of the Day

“We judge ourselves by our intentions and others by their behavior.”
–Stephen M.R. Covey

Book of the Day

The Prophets of Smoked Meat: A Journey Through Texas Barbecue. From brisket to ribs, beef to pork, mesquite to oak, this fully-illustrated, comprehensive guide to Texas BBQ includes pit masters’ recipes, tales of the road—from country meat markets to roadside stands, sumptuous photography, and a panoramic look at the Lone Star State, where smoked meat is sacred.

DIY/How-To of the Day

DIY Chalkboard Tablet. An awesome portable chalkboard tablet inspired by Anthropologie.

Find of the Day

Funny Teacups. These vintage teacups will let everyone know what a tramp/floozy/hussy/tart you are. Don’t forget, pinky up!

Recipe of the Day

Hot Dogs with Kimchi Relish. A Korean take on an American classic.

Lil Nugget of the Day

Happy Thursday!

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:01:08 -0700

Quote of the Day

“To see what is in front of one’s nose needs a constant struggle.”
–George Orwell

Book of the Day

Star Wars Character Encyclopedia. Feel the force as you flip through pages of profiles of all your favorite characters from the Star Wars galaxy. With stat boxes, expert text, incredible movie stills, and more than 200 profiles, this is book is a must have for Star Wars fans of all ages.

DIY/How-To of the Day

How To Be More Confident & Charismatic. An awesome tutorial that I’m sure everyone can use, from my new favorite blog.

Find of the Day

Band-Aid Blister Block. Finally, no more blisters!!

Recipe of the Day

Cake Batter Rice Krispies Treats. A delicious take on a classic we all know and love. With colorful sprinkles!

Lil Nugget of the Day

Happy Wednesday!

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:01:05 -0700

Quote of the Day

“There is a huge amount of freedom that comes when you take nothing personally.”
–Don Miguel Ruiz

Book of the Day

A Short Course in Digital Photography. This great book teaches you the basics of digital photography, from theory to practice.

DIY/How-To of the Day

How To Remove Water Rings. My favorite reclaimed wood bench has water rings all over it. I’m definitely trying this tutorial!

Find of the Day

Headphones. These awesome headphones product great sound, while muting background noises so you get the best listening experience possible.

Recipe of the Day

Chewy Granola Cookies. Satisfy your sweet tooth without feeling guilty afterwards with these yummy granola cookies.

Lil Nugget of the Day

Happy Tuesday!

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:01:14 -0700

Quote of the Day

“It requires a very unusual mind to undertake the analysis of the obvious.”
–Alfred Whitehead

Book of the Day

Walden on Wheels: On The Open Road from Debt to Freedom. In this frank and witty memoir, Ken Ilgunas lays bare the existential terror of graduating from the University of Buffalo with $32,000 of student debt. Ilgunas set himself an ambitious mission: get out of debt as quickly as possible. Inspired by the frugality and philosophy of Henry David Thoreau, Ilgunas undertook a 3-year transcontinental journey, working in Alaska as a tour guide, garbage picker, and night cook to pay off his student loans before hitchhiking home to New York.

DIY/How-To of the Day

How To Get Out of Debt. This great site shows you how to live frugally for a year and get that debt payed off!

Find of the Day

Yoga Mat. One of the best yoga mats out there. So go get your cobra pose on.

Recipe of the Day

Homemade Energy Bars. A great healthy snack for you’re on-the-go and don’t have time to stop for a proper meal.

Lil Nugget of the Day

Happy Monday!

Mon, 13 May 2013 00:01:29 -0700

Quote of the Day

Today our quote of the day comes from our friends over at getinspired365.com, so head on over to see the quote of the day!

Book of the Day

Infinite Jest. Equal parts philosophical quest and screwball comedy, Infinite Jest bends every rule of fiction without sacrificing for a moment its own entertainment value. It is an exuberant, uniquely American exploration of the passions that make us human—and one of those rare books that renew the idea of what a novel can do.

DIY/How-To of the Day

DIY Scrap Wood Vase. Make your own rustic vase out of any scrap wood you have lying around!

Find of the Day

Aula Desk. A gorgeous desk, handmade in New York.

Recipe of the Day

Baked Pork and Crab Wontons. Deliciously authentic wontons. Yum.

Lil Nugget of the Day

Happy Mother's Day!

Sun, 12 May 2013 00:01:19 -0700

Quote of the Day

“I don’t believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive.”
–Joseph Campbell

Book of the Day

Lord of the Flies. I’ve been on a classics kick this week. And here’s another great book to round out your collection.

DIY/How-To of the Day

How to Fall Asleep Faster and Wake Up On Time. Here’s an awesome how-to full of tips and tricks to finally get some sleep.

Find of the Day

Washable Keyboard. No need to freak out if you spill your coffee on your keyboard, this puppy’s washable!

Recipe of the Day

Shrimp, Zucchini and Pesto Angel Hair Pasta. A healthy, hearty meal.

Lil Nugget of the Day

Happy Saturday!

Sat, 11 May 2013 00:01:11 -0700

Quote of the Day

“In my walks, every man I meet is my superior in some way, and in that I learn from him.”
–Ralph Waldo Emerson

Book of the Day

The Catcher in the Rye. Another classic, and a favorite of mine. If you haven’t read it, it should be on your to-read list. (And it’s less than $5!)

DIY of the Day

DIY Beaded Lamp Pull Cord. I love a project that turns something practical into something pretty. This easy tutorial does just that.

Find of the Day

Convertible Sofa. A classy, contemporary couch with clean lines, that also folds flat into a bed!

Recipe of the Day

No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars. Only 8 ingredients, and no oven needed!

Lil Nugget of the Day

Happy Friday!

Fri, 10 May 2013 00:01:06 -0700

Quote of the Day

“Love does not claim possession, but gives freedom.”
–Rabindranath Tagore

Book of the Day

Slaughterhouse-Five. Slaughterhouse-Five, an American classic, is one of the world’s great antiwar books. Centering on the infamous firebombing of Dresden, Billy Pilgrim’s odyssey through time reflects the mythic journey of our own fractured lives as we search for meaning in what we fear most.

DIY of the Day

DIY Kitchen Cabinet Makeover. Make a huge impact in your kitchen without spending a ton of money by painting your cabinets. This great tutorial will show you all the tips and tricks to make them look great!

Find of the Day

Secure USB. Keep your files safe and private with this PIN-protected USB.

Recipe of the Day

Homemade Crunchwrap Supreme. I’m sad to admit that going to Taco Bell is definitely a guilty pleasure of mine. So imagine my excitement when I found a recipe that lets me make delicious crunchwrap supremes from the comfort of my own kitchen!

Lil Nugget of the Day

Happy Thursday!

Thu, 09 May 2013 00:01:10 -0700

Quote of the Day

“People tell you who they are, but we ignore it because we want them to be who we want them to be.”
–Don Draper

Book of the Day

My Dog: The Paradox: A Lovable Discourse about Man’s Best Friend. We will never know why dogs fear hair dryers, or being baited into staring contests with cats, but as Inman explains, perhaps we love dogs so much “because their lives aren’t lengthy, logical, or deliberate, but an explosive paradox composed of fur, teeth, and enthusiasm.”

DIY of the Day

DIY Goat’s Milk Soap. Make your own creamy lavender goat’s milk soap!

Find of the Day

Fire Starter. This little guy will light a fire in any weather conditions, at any altitude, and lasts 12,000 strikes.

Recipe of the Day

Lemon Coconut Cupcakes. The pictures alone have convinced me to whip some of these up ASAP.

Lil Nugget of the Day

Happy Wednesday!

Wed, 08 May 2013 00:01:12 -0700

Quote of the Day

“Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.”
–Oscar Wilde

Book of the Day

Oh the Places You’ll Go! Dr. Seuss’s wonderfully wise graduation speech is the perfect send-off for children starting out in the world, be they nursery, high school, or college grads! With his trademark use of humorous verse and illustrations, Dr. Seuss addresses the the ups and downs life presents while encouraging readers to find the success that lies within them all.

DIY of the Day

DIY Tin Can Lanterns. Easy to make, low cost, and huge impact! Perfect for your next nighttime BBQ.

Find of the Day

Badass Mother’s Day Card. Tell your mom how you really feel this Mother’s Day.

Recipe of the Day

BBQ Potatoes. Potatoes are the best comfort food. These ones are delicious! Soft on the inside, crunchy on the bottom, with a yummy buttery flavor.

Lil Nugget of the Day

Happy Tuesday!

Tue, 07 May 2013 00:01:20 -0700

Quote of the Day

“Love your enemies, for they tell you your faults.”
–Benjamin Franklin

Book of the Day

Lonely Planet’s 1000 Ultimate Experiences. Want to know where to discover a spectacular tropical paradise? How about journeying to the world’s greatest natural wonders, or taking the road trip of a lifetime? 1000 Ultimate Experiences brings together 1000 ideas, places and activities sure to inspire and entertain. Make your own list, hit the road, and start ticking off places you’ve always wanted to see and things you’ve always wanted to do. Who knows where you’ll end up!

DIY of the Day

DIY Coffee Heart. Pretend you’re a barista and learn how to do those fancy hearts in your lattes and cappuccinos!

Find of the Day

Hamburger Bean Bag. Yes, your wildest dreams have come true! A giant hamburger bean bag chair! And it comes in adult or junior size!

Recipe of the Day

Garden Lasagna. A delicious vegetarian lasagna!

Lil Nugget of the Day

Happy Monday!

Mon, 06 May 2013 00:01:12 -0700

Quote of the Day

“Don’t let school interfere with your education.”
–Mark Twain

Book of the Day

Mom Candy: 1,000 Quotes of Inspiration for Mothers. Mom Candy—it’s the sweetest pick-me-up quotation book for anyone who is a mom (or about to be one). Here are 1,000 of the most insightful, funny, poignant, and wise sayings on everything motherhood—from pregnancy and the arrival of a new baby, through the early years, the later years, and the lifelong bond. All wrapped up in a jewel-box-like full-color gift book with two silk ribbons.

DIY of the Day

DIY Beaded Chandelier. A cute little chandelier made from spray painted dollar store beads. Make your own for under $10!

Find of the Day

Google Chromebook Pixel. The sleek, precision-engineered Chromebook Pixel showcases a screen with a 3:2 photographic format designed for Web and multitouch capabilities, so you can put all 4.3 million pixels to good use. And because it’s a Chromebook, it boots in seconds and stays fast, and requires almost zero setup and maintenance.

Recipe of the Day

Spinach Feta Egg Wrap. I’ve been slightly obsessed with feta cheese lately. It’s just so darn good. Paired with egg, sun dried tomatoes and spinach? Even better.

Lil Nugget of the Day

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Sun, 05 May 2013 00:01:10 -0700

Quote of the Day

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
–Viktor E. Frankl

Book of the Day

What My Mother Gave Me: Thirty-one Women on the Gifts That Mattered Most. In What My Mother Gave Me, women look at the relationships between mothers and daughters through a new lens: a daughter’s story of a gift from her mother that has touched her to the bone and served as a model, a metaphor, or a touchstone in her own life. The contributors of these thirty-one original pieces include Pulitzer Prize winners, perennial bestselling novelists, and celebrated broadcast journalists. A great gift for Mother’s Day.

DIY of the Day

DIY Postcard Shelves. The perfect place for unframed photos, letters, and of course, postcards.

Find of the Day

Dremel Rotary Tool Kit. The perfect tool for making your new DIY Postcard Shelves. Also great for sanding, polishing and cutting, along with a ton of other uses!

Recipe of the Day

Mini Lasagna Cups. Fun, delicious, and best of all…bite sized!