Bathroom Game-Changer

Everyone does it. At different times of the day, and some with more gusto than others, sure, but one thing is certain: Everybody goes #2. In fact, I used to think intimacy in a relationship came from knowing a person's hopes, dreams and fears, but now I know better. To know someone is to know their poop.

One friend told me she can't go in public unless it's at Starbucks (the identical bathrooms put her bowels at ease). Another confided she only goes once a week. And yet another friend, who suffers from Crohn's Disease, coined the term "poomergency" to describe the types of accidents she'd occasionally have at the most unfortunate times: while bending over to retrieve her luggage at the airport or right before a long car ride home from a hike with her then new-ish boyfriend.

It's not all bad though. Sometimes we'll share tips and tricks. My friend Dianna just showed me this new contraption she got called the Squatty Potty, which she had delivered to work. It basically positions your body into a more natural squatting posture over the toilet for faster and easier elimination. When she went to pick it up at the front desk, the receptionist said he'd gotten one for each of his daughter's for Christmas. The absurd name had already piqued my interest, but now, people I actually knew were buying them in multiples. My mind raced. I had to know more. Was it legit or was it a joke? Was I missing out? So I set off in search of the truth: I checked Amazon reviews.

And let me tell you, the reviews were glowing. It's been described as perfect, deeply satisfying, and genius. People go on trips and can't wait to come back home to use it again. One guy wrote that it changed his life. His hilarious review made me laugh out loud.

A Surprising, All-Natural Breath Freshener

I just discovered an all-natural breath freshener hiding in my kitchen cupboard: Cloves! The dried flower buds, which I'd previously only associated with baking, kill odor-causing bacteria in the mouth, instead of just masking it. Just suck on one as you would a mint. I was pleasantly surprised at its subtle flavor and mild heat. As someone who dislikes artificially-sweetened gum but loves onion and garlic everything, I've already started a stash in my purse. 

Would you try it? If you have, what did you think? 

Seven Ways to Tell Someone They're Cute

You know those days when your hair is on-point and your eyebrows look perfect? But then there are those other days when your outfit feels all wrong and you have lipstick on your teeth? It made me think about how everyone could use a little extra encouragement now and again, amiright? When I saw these "you're cute" cards, I knew they'd be perfect to randomly surprise people with. (They’d be cute for Valentine's Day, too.) So I packaged them up for people and left them to be found. Below are seven different ways to get the message out to your friends and family.

1) Wrap it up inside nesting boxes. Because opening little boxes wrapped up in ribbon and layers of pretty tissue is fun. 

2) Frame it. Friends can hang it up as a sweet reminder before they head out the door or set it on their desks on bad hair days. 

3) Send it via snail mail. Don’t sign your name. Just add lots of confetti!

4) Tape it to a mirror. Best done when no one’s looking. 

5) Place it in a mini mailbox. Because mini things make everything better. (Mailbox from the Target dollar bin). 

6) Replace someone’s bookmark. Punch a hole in the corner, thread ribbon through and slip it inside the pages of a book. (I did this for Alan; he was pleasantly surprised :)

7) Clip it to a computer screen. Write “This is very important” on the back to get your friend’s heart racing just a bit. 

Pink Pants, Two Ways

What do you do when you need a break from dark and heavy winter clothes? Wear pink pants! I've been on a long hunt for a good pair and was happy to find these TopShop trousers. They're high-waisted (which will look so cute with crop tops in the spring) and cropped, showing just the right amount of ankle. I'm still searching for a petal pink pair, but until I find them, dusty pink it is! So, here are two ways to wear pink pants to brighten up your winter wardrobe.

Mrs. Bed Head and Mr. Hat Hair

Guys, there are 60 days of winter left. 60! I don't know about you, but after the holidays, winter just seems like a nuisance. To help tide me over until warmer weather arrives, I got a few new house plants for these amazing face pots Alan surprised me with. Allow me to introduce you to Mrs. Bed Head and Mr. Hat Hair (I'm not obsessed or anything.) Mrs. Bed Head's hair is a succulent called string of pearls. Isn't it fun? She's trying to grow her hair out, but I think her bang is pretty darn cute.