I LOVE you, Hulu!

What I am about to type might shock and disturb some of the readers. However, for the sake of our internet browsers’ sanity, I am just going to say it: There are more websites out there besides Facebook and Google.

Did everyone survive that truth? Though I adore a good Facebook stalking sesh and Googling my name from time to time, I believe that the following sites don’t get enough cred. So let’s bookmark these babies and get our computer mouses (mice?) acquainted with them sometime soon. Perhaps on the next study break, after the email has been checked several times or maybe when we finally realize that the cute guy in Bio has his profile set to private. Bummer.

1. Notecentric.com: No more unwanted panic attacks from losing Wednesday’s notes from Chemistry. Notecentric is a web based note taking application that allows you to type, store and organize all your notes onto one site. All the notes you type are saved and stored together so stray lectures on loose leaf will no longer be an issue.

2. Chegg.com: I think we can all admit that the last place we want to head to at the beginning of the semester is the bookstore. Although we can hardly resist a new hoodie, it’s the close to $700 that we spend on books each semester that puts the dent in our bank accounts and our spirits. Chegg is a textbook rental site where college students can sell their books to the site and also rent books. You simply order the books, have them shipped to you, and return them at the end of the semester. A sweet bonus: Chegg plants a tree every time someone rents books; financially AND environmentally friendly! Read More »

I am a huge sucker for, well, lack of a better word, stuff. I’m not A&E “Hoarders” bad, but I love to shop and I love fun, innovative products, even if they don’t really benefit me in any way. Neti Pot anyone?

2009 was a great year for awesome products; God knows everyone had to be creative this year and recession-proof any product launch. But which products were best?

Here’s a rundown of the best stuff we got to call our own in 2009. If we were lucky. And if not, fingers crossed the prices will drop on this ish in 2010!

Snuggie
Now available in leopard! If there was any kind of product phenomenon last year it was definitely the Snuggie. I sadly did not get one and I immediately turned Christmas-tree green with envy when I saw anyone’s status onFacebook reading “Just got a zebra print Snuggie from Grandma!” A blanket, with sleeves? If that’s not bringing brilliance, laziness and amazingness to a whole new level, well, I’m just not sure how it could be anymore American. Oh yes it can. Because now? You can get a Snuggie for your pooch! My Yorkie is totally getting hooked up for her birthday. Read More »

Today, July 13th, is “Embrace Your Geek Day.” Here are the top 10 totally embraceable things that we geek out for. And we’re not ashamed to admit it. Online.

10. Harry Potter
Ugh, is there anything sexier than a wizard in glasses? I literally screamed when I saw the preview for “The Half Blood Prince” in theaters.

9. Arrested Development
Seriously, I know every single line to this show. Points if you can do every family member’s imitation of a chicken. (Yeah, I can do that too.)

8. Twilight
Okay, admittedly, I’m not a twi-tard, err, I mean “twi-hard,” but I can’t resist drooling over Robert Pattinson’s perfect hair. Read More »

Like everyone these days, it seems I am living ever so slightly north of broke. Thus, I collect a running list in my head of the best and cheapest cheap-o finds around, so I can maintain a lifestyle I can both enjoy AND afford (and because credit card debt has taken on a new place in my nightmares).

Below are some of my absolute faves. Got some of your own? Please, please please, let me know!

1. Two Buck Chuck: Well, in the case of my Trader Joe’s, it’s Three Buck Chuck – it seems to vary depending on where you are. BUT $3 for totally decent wine is aces with me! As a sidenote, the genius wine guy at my local shop told me that anything between $5 and $20 is generally not worth it. The cheap bottles are every bit as good as the mid-range ones (like $7-$15) so don’t bother! Cheap wine can be good wine!

(1B. I’ve got to give a shout out to Trader Joe’s in general. I cannot get enough of this store, because it has delicious bargains, and makes my goal of cooking my meals at home to save money totally attainable. It also has so much awesome frozen, pre-diced, pre-cooked food. Excellent finds for those of us both poor and busy!)

2. e.l.f. (or Eyes, Lips, Face, if you want to get technical about it): Go to eyeslipsface.com for THE BEST beauty bargains around. I’m not exaggerating; it’s genius. It is to my adult self what Wet ‘n’ Wild was to my elementary school self. All their stuff is well-formulated and pretty, and it is all….wait for it…..$1!! That’s right, one dollar! Eyeshadows, liners, mascaras, nail polish, you name it, all in a huge range of irresistible shades. And I do mean irresistible; the hardest part is not going insane and buying everything you could ever want, because you think, “hey, it’s only a dollar!” and then you’ve spent $50. Oops. Read More »

Warner Brothers announced this week that they’re launching theWB.com. The website will be the premiere destination for free, streaming, WB content. This includes everything from old favorites like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gilmore Girls, and Smallville to shows Warner Brother’s had their hand in like Friends and The OC. The website will also feature older programs (The Jetsons, Gilligan’s Island) and brand new WB content created especially for the online venture.

Why is this such big news? It gives some of these shows a brand new forum and a chance to garner new fans. I am a TV fanatic but I never caught wind of Veronica Mars or Everwood. Now, I, and millions of others will have the opportunity to do just that, and for free.

Initiatives like iTunes, Hulu (a website featuring free Universal and Fox television shows and films), and TheWb.com, not only gives these programs a second chance, but they’re changing the way we conceptualize and watch television.

TV is not something you ogle after dinner time anymore. You can watch it on your phone while you ride the bus to work, you can watch it on your laptop when you get to work or you can record your favorite shows and watch them whenever and however you want. It’s a fascinating shift to watch and websites like this are at the vanguard of this movement.

So be on the lookout for theWB.com, not only to catch up on those old episodes of One Tree Hill, but to catch technological history in the making. And if nothing else, these old promos should get you excited.

Here’s hoping they bring back Jack and Jill.

After a long, cold winter and a bitter Writer’s Strike, NBC’s The Office is finally returning to the airwaves tonight at 9/8C. What better way to celebrate the return of one of the best comedies on television than hosting an Office Party? Unlike the lame, boring parties you may have at work, this one can be fun, easy and inexpensive! So round up the Party Planning Committee and let’s get crackin’.

Keep your food simple. Nothing is worse than people slurping, chomping, or spilling messy dishes while you’re trying to catch every joke in a new episode. If you’re not much of a gourmet, here are some simple snack recipes with an Office twist.

- Finer Things Club Paninis

- Dunder-Muffins

- Stanley’s Pretzel Day Soft Pretzels

- Kevin’s M&M Cookie Bars

If party games are more your style, check out some of these Office themed games including a crossword puzzle, Office solitaire and trivia questions.

And if you need a quick refresher course from the first part of season four, you can check out all of the episodes online for free on NBC or Hulu.com.

Enjoy the festivities and happy viewing!