Romance Novels and the Power of Fantasy

(Mmm....Fabio!)

In honor of Valentines Day coming up I decided to write about an important romantic figure in a housewife's life...The men from Romance Novels! That's right, on top of juggling laundry, dishes, dusting, making meals, driving the kids to soccer practice, bathing the dog, and volunteering at the local soup kitchen, the Domestic Goddess somehow finds the time to read books! One problem many women have with romance novels is that they almost exclusively star a dominant male character and a submissive female heroine (with "spunk" of course). I have also had this problem which is why I plan to write a Romance series of my own. BUT as a Dominatrix I know that every day there are successful business men who are dominant in their everyday life and careers that see someone like me so that they can let go and not be in charge for awhile. Likewise there's nothing wrong with us taking a break from our dominant lifestyles and being swept away by a sexy vampire or brawny highlander!

Running a household is very stressful and waiting for your partner to come home can leave you lonely. That is why I always make time to take a break from my work and read a chapter or two from one of my novels. If you're anything like me, you start working and then before you know it you get carried away and you're cleaning and organizing anything and everything! Then because I've spent hours (or sometimes days) working my ass off, I end up getting burnt out and don't want to do anything. Which is NOT good, because if I'm not doing it NOTHING is getting done. :P So if I notice that I've been working for three hours straight, I'll take a little break and go off on a fantasy adventure. Then I'm all ready to get going again! Plus you've got some nice images in your head for when your mind wanders while you're vacuuming or doing dishes. *Sigh* ^_~

If you're not too familiar with romance novels, here are some of my favorites:

The Captain of All Pleasures

Probably the only ship Captain I will ever love: Captain Derek Sutherland. I don't normally like Romance Novels that aren't in the "paranormal" genre but I LOVED this book and ended up reading it several times. Honestly it is probably because Kresley Cole is just a fantastic writer. I'm also currently reading her "Immortals After Dark" series, which I am very fond of. "The Captain of All Pleasures" (what a great title) was a great change of pace for me though. If you're looking for something other than the typical paranormal or highlander romance I highly suggest this book! Biceps Ahoy!

The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series by JR Ward

This isn't the real art for the series but I really love looking at the fan art people make for these books. It's interesting to see what people imagine the characters would like like. Some one them are dead on! This is a great series to get into because there are so many books already out it's going to be a long time before you have to actually WAIT for another book to come out (which is super super super annoying)! But when you're done with the books that are already out there are more to come! YAY! Each book is about a different person so with every new book you REALLY get to know the character (a different sexy fantasy each book!) but the storylines are still connected throughout the series. Oh and the sex scenes are really hot. :D

One Bite With A Stranger

 This was one of the first romance books I ever read and it's one that I always come back to. The fantasy is scenario that puts everything into play is also something that I would totally do in real life. lol Basically a group of friends get together every couple months or so for a "girls night". During these girls nights one of the women would write down a few of her fantasies, put them in a hat, draw one out, and her friends would give her a "fantasy fix". Basically meaning that they hook their friends up for a night of their deepest darkest fantasies! How fun! This of course is the story of how one of those Fantasy Fixes went wrong...and oh so right.

Larissa Ione's Demonica Series

This series is filled with SO MUCH AWESOME! Like the Black Dagger Brotherhood series mentioned above, each book is about a different brother. Each brother has a very distinct personality which allows for a whole new type of fantasy for each book! Then you add in that they work for a hospital (well...a Demon hospital) which means they're good at heart and whatnot. Oh and they all have above average penis size and special erotic demon powers since they just so happen to be Incubus Demons. You can't go wrong with that!

The Guardians of Eternity Series by Alexandra Ivy

 An extremely well written series with an engaging storyline and interesting characters. This is another series that I can't help but read over and over. As I'm sure you can tell, vampires are some of my favorite "fictional lovers" and the ones in these books are HOT! There are also other fantasy creatures as characters but they blend together well and don't just seem tossed in for effect like I've noticed in some paranormal fiction. Did I mention the characters are HOT? 

I HOPE YOU ENJOY MY RECOMMENDATIONS!!!

(Fabio wishes you a sexy Valentines Day!)

We Love You Vodka! Oh Yes We Do!

Years ago I read about alternative uses for vodka and remembered that some of them were truly amazing. Unfortunately I lost the list I had and never ended up using any of them. SO I figured, why not post a new list so that we can try them together?! :D


I looked online and this is the most thorough list I could find. Now I know it may be difficult, but if you can spare some vodka, try them out and tell me how they worked! I'll make posts for the ones I try. 

Medical (Home remedies never tasted so good.)

Treat poison ivy: Coming in contact with poison ivy is a brutal reminder that sometimes life is better lived indoors. If you run afoul of the plant, though, you can kill the itch by dousing the infected area with vodka, which will wash away the oil that's causing the pain. Some people say that the vodka needs to be 100-proof (50% alcohol) to work, so be sure to stock up on the hard stuff before your next camping trip.

Clean your pores: Alcohol is the main ingredient in most pore cleansers you'd buy at the drugstore, which makes vodka an easy and effective substitution. Apply a little to your face before showering, let it sit for a minute, and then gently wipe it away.

Numb jellyfish stings: On one hand, it's probably not safe to pack a lot of vodka if you're going to be playing in the ocean. On the other, it could come in handy if you run afoul of a jellyfish. The smooth alcohol is a great way to dull the pain of being stung.

Pain relief pack: Mix half a cup of vodka and half a cup of water, pour it in a resealable plastic bag, and toss it in the freezer. Vodka's got a much lower freezing point than water, so you'll wind up with a slush-like ice pack you can use to relieve muscle and joint pain.

Cold sore relief: To dry out and attack a cold sore, dab it with a cotton ball that's been sprinkled with vodka.

Help a toothache: If you've got a toothache and can't get to the dentist right away, swirl some vodka in your mouth around the pained area. The booze should reduce the pain and keep the area disinfected. Repeat as necessary, or until you can't remember why you started.

Relieve an earache: By now, you're probably figuring out that vodka can just be swapped out for a lot of things you'd use alcohol to cure. Same goes for an earache. Put a few drops in the ear that's troubling you and let it sit for a few minutes before draining.

Salve for pain: This sounds legit — or at least more complicated than other tips — but it also requires significant lead time. Apparently, if you fill an empty (and cleaned) mayo jar with fresh lavender flowers, top it with vodka, and let it sit in the sun for three days, you wind up with a liquid that can be strained through a filter and used as a rub to heal your aches and pains. Worth a shot, but don't pass up aspirin.

Homemade mouthwash: Mix up nine tablespoons of powdered cinnamon with one cup of vodka and seal the result in an air-tight container for two weeks. Strain it through a coffee filter and then mix it with warm water: bam, instant mouthwash. Just don't swallow any of it.

Fever relief: Use a washcloth to rub vodka into your chest and back if you've got a fever.

Emergency disinfectant: Obviously, serious wounds need to be treated properly, but for minor cuts, feel free to douse the wound in vodka to kill potential infection.

Household Uses (For fixing up around the house, or for when you want to spend extra money on unusual cleaning products.)

Clean the shower: Vodka is a great way to kill mold and mildew. Spray some in your shower or tub and let it sit for a few minutes before jumping in with other cleaners. It'll cut the job in half.

Clean your eyeglasses: Rub a little vodka on the lenses of your eyeglasses, then rinse with water and let them air dry.

Paint remover: A little bit of vodka (undiluted) will help get paint out of your clothes.

Clean up cat urine: If you're having trouble training your cat to use the litter box — or if your cat's just a jerk — you're probably used to seeing little feline pee stains everywhere. Thankfully, a spray or two of vodka will help lift those up.

Freshen clothes: If a garment still has a lingering odor even after being cleaned, hang it on your door and give it a spray of vodka. The liquor will kill the smell and any remaining bacteria without leaving behind a smell of its own.

Clean jewelry: By letting jewelry soak for a few minutes in vodka, you can eliminate significant amounts of dirt and grease.

Weed killer: Vodka's alcohol content piggy-backs on the heat of the sun to work as a pretty solid weed killer. Mix some vodka with water and dish soap and give the weeds a healthy blast on a warm day.

Polish chrome: A rag doused with vodka is a great way to put a shine on chrome fixtures like bathroom faucets.

Loosen a screw: If you find yourself trying to work with a rusty screw, spray some vodka on it to dissolve some of the rust and grit.

Eliminate cigarette odor: To get rid of the noxious odor left behind by a cigarette, mix one part vodka to three parts water, pour into a spray bottle, and go to town on your clothes or home.

Odds and Ends (Weird but true uses for vodka. Go ahead, try 'em.)

Vomit cleanser: Let's be honest: if you're firing back the clear stuff with any regularity, you've probably gotten sick. Next time, keep some vodka in a spray bottle and give those vomit stains a couple hits before scrubbing off and blotting dry.

Razor disinfectant: After your shave, let your razor rest in cup of vodka for a while. The soak will clean the blade, prevent rusting, and prolong the razor's life.

Relieve dandruff: If regular dandruff shampoos aren't cutting it, give this remedy a shot. Mix one cup of vodka with two teaspoons of crushed rosemary, let the mix sit for two days, then strain it through a coffee filter and massage it into your scalp. Let it dry, wash it out, and you should be good to go.

Adhesive remover: Vodka works as a great solvent on sticky materials, so you can use it to loosen bandages (just don't get any in your wound) or to slide residue from bumper stickers right off your car.

Preserve flowers: Because apparently even flowers like a little booze, you can add a few drops of vodka and a teaspoon of sugar to the water in your vase to prolong the life of your flowers.

Eliminate foot odor: I guess it's possible to have chronic foot odor that can't be handled with regular soap and showering. If that's the case for you, give your feet a vodka bath to kill the smell.

Hair treatment: Mix in a small amount of vodka with your shampoo to get rid of toxins and oil. Don't use too much, though, or you'll smell like a lush.

Vanilla extract: For a homemade vanilla extract, all you need is some vodka and vanilla pods. Put four pods in a jar, add a cup of vodka, and seal it airtight. Leave it in a cool, dark spot for two months, shaking it occasionally, and you'll have the extract. As you use it, you can add vodka to replenish the mix, and more pods when the flavor starts to wane.

Insect repellent: If you're in the market for a natural bug spray that will do the job without coating you in questionable chemicals, consider vodka. A few light sprays on your body will act as a repellent, and you can also hit the bigs directly if you want to take them out.

If you'd like even MORE tips there's a whole website dedicated to it!: http://www.cleaningwithvodka.com/

As a child, what did you want to become when you grew up?

Everything that I've already become.

Ask me anything

Am I Alone Here? (The Gamer Husband)

(This picture has nothing to do with this post)

I'm sure plenty of you readers out there have boyfriends, husbands, fiancés , or partners that are gamers so you can empathize with me on this. Or maybe you enjoy the occasional video game yourself. Either way you know that you can't just play one little game. If you're going to play a video game you're usually in it for at least an hour. If it's a computer game you might as well take the day off (I am addicted to the Sims 3)!


So I ask you: Does it ever piss you off when your spouse is playing video games while you're doing housework?


It is a tricky situation for me because in truth, I like to be the one who cleans everything. I like being in control and knowing exactly where everything is and have no problem with him playing his games. He works hard and he deserves time to unwind. MY particular problem comes from him actually playing the game, and me getting bored so I start cleaning, then out of my boredom I become super productive and get a ton of stuff done! Then I look over at him and seeing that he's still playing video games and doing absolutely nothing! And for some reason it makes me mad...even though I TOLD him to play video games!


Am I alone here?


I'm not going to mention it to him, no use in making him feel bad for no reason. Plus I should really be thanking him! When he's playing and I'm bored and need to find something to do, I really do end up getting a lot of shit done and organized. ^_~


THANX HUBBY! <3

Hot Spiked Cider/Caramel Apples Drink Recipe

Today I have two recipes for you in one! A lot of you have been asking me for the recipe for my Warm Spiked Apple Cider that was featured in my Ugly Sweater Friendsmas Party blog so here it is! Plus (just because I love you ladies) I'm adding in my super easy recipe for Caramel Apple Shots! 

Warm (Spiked) Apple Cider

What You Need:
1 Four Quart Crockpot 
1/2 Gallon of Apple Cider (I bought a whole gallon and saved what wasn't used for the recipe for the non-drinkers at the party)

3 Cups Of Spiced Rum (I used Captain Morgan's Original Spiced)
1 Green Apple
1 Stick of Cinnamon (Optional)


How To Do It:
About an hour before your party starts: Pour half a gallon of apple cider into the crockpot. Add 3 cups of spiced rum (you can add more depending on taste but you shouldn't need more than 3). Stir. Add a stick of fresh cinnamon to the bottom (optional) and turn your crockpot onto high and cover. While your crockpot is heating up, it's time to prep your green apple. Cut off the top and the bottom to throw away then cut the rest into thin slices (about 3/8 of an inch thick). Core the apples OR if you'd like to make it fun like I did, cut out fun shapes in the center of the apples such as leafs, pumpkins, hearts, stars, Christmas trees, snowflakes, and letters! Use your awesome female imagination! Add the apples to the top of your cider and cover.
10-15 minutes before your guests arrive turn your crockpot to warm and cover again so the heat stays in but isn't too hot to drink. Once the guests arrive you can take of the lid if you'd like so the guests can see your fancy apples, and don't forget to provide a ladle for them to get the cider out! Drunk people dipping their glasses into the crockpot can get VERY messy. lol


Easiest Ever Caramel Apple Shots
(You can make this as a shot or a drink but it's very sweet so I think shots work best)


What You Need:
Spiked Apple Cider (See Above Recipie)
Butterscotch Schnapps (aka: Buttershots)


How To Do It:
1.) Fill up half a shot glass with spiked apple cider. 
2.) Fill up the rest of the shot glass with Butterscotch Schnapps. 
3.) Drink it and be amazed at how it really does taste just like a caramel apple.
Become totally smashed! :D

If my life had a soundtrack....

This is the song that would be playing. 

The creepy video aside, this is a really good mashup and a REALLY catchy song. 

Ugly Sweater Friendsmas Party!

Here are some of the pictures from my very first Christmas party! 

(My butler Ichabod was all dressed up and stood happily at the door waiting to give the guests their party favors)

(For inexpensive favors I got a variety of dollar bottles of liquor and put a tiny bow on each one. The guests loved it!)

(The day of the party I noticed that one of my walls looked at little bare so I got some foam snowflakes from the dollar store and spray painted them with the little cans of silver, blue, and purple spray paint I had left over from doing crafts for my wedding. When they dried I sprayed them with glitter and they turned out lovely!)

(I made warm spiked about cider, then topped it off with green apple slices with fun holiday shapes cut into them!)

(My best friend and my chihuahua Jose in the matching sweater she got him for Christmas!)

(My very first Christmas tree I got back in 2007. It's a pre-lit white tree with all blue and silver ornaments. I've wanted a tree like this since I was a kid.) 

(An overly enthusiastic group picture! Look at all those ugly Christmas sweaters!)