tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70423829258621627172010-03-19T05:00:00.162-04:00Shop Lighter Side.com for the perfect inexpensive gift. Lighter Side offers funny T-shirts, famous brand collectibles, plus holiday decorations and personalized gifts.Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-78489437420100085512010-03-19T05:00:00.004-04:002010-03-19T05:00:00.222-04:00

Have you ever had a really strange dream? One that seemed so real that you just had to know what it meant? For me, it seems like a lot of things can trigger vivid dreams. Last night it was a late night pizza. According to the experts, our sleeping brain reveals something about our inner Self. From fantasies to fears, our dreams expose our deepest mind and give us clues about our waking life.But

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-77900139401588308902010-03-12T05:00:00.002-05:002010-03-12T05:00:00.538-05:00

T-Shirt weather has finally arrived in Florida and I couldn't be happier. Well, yes I could--if they'd let me wear t-shirts and shorts or jeans to the office. Sitting all comfy at my desk in a sassy or silly t-shirt tonally matched to my flip-flops...now, that would make me happy. But, I don't see it happening. So, I have to save my sense of humor and my love of comfortable tees for the

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-12707856069059676882010-03-05T05:00:00.002-05:002010-03-05T05:00:06.890-05:00

Like a lot of people, I've been waiting not-so-patiently for the premier of Tim Burton's extension of Lewis Carroll's classic "Alice In Wonderland." It's always been one of my favorite fairy tales--both as a child and as an adult.The basic premise of the new movie is this: Alice, now 19, accidentally returns to Wonderland while trying to escape an unwanted marriage proposal. She runs into her old

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-49723059406119373902010-02-26T05:00:00.002-05:002010-02-26T05:00:05.088-05:00

“Cleaning up with children around is like shoveling during a blizzard.” ~UnknownIt seems the cold temperatures are never going to end. Even here in Florida, the kids don't want to play outside in this weather. But it's hard to accomplish anything with the little ones underfoot all day. So, what to do with the youngsters when it's too cold to go out?My strategy starts with settling them into a

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-52996917342432054512010-02-19T05:00:00.003-05:002010-02-19T05:00:06.821-05:00

Did you make any New Year's resolutions for 2010? I only made one: exercise more. Would it surprise you to learn I haven't started yet? Hey, the year's not over--I still have time, right? After a visit to the doctor to check my general health, which included a longer than necessary lecture about how women "my age" need weight-bearing exercise, I decided to start this week. To get the doc off my

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-29523807869910680822010-02-12T05:00:00.002-05:002010-02-12T05:00:01.056-05:00

Wow, it's not even Spring yet, and already wedding invitations are starting to arrive. I love weddings. I love helping with the planning and the shopping and I really love when I'm asked to participate. (Which I was this year. Maid of Honor, thank you very much!) But for brides-to-be, making the big day live up to their girlhood dreams can be financially challenging.It is possible to plan a

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-42519394008710669892010-02-05T05:00:00.004-05:002010-02-05T05:00:00.515-05:00

Superbowl XLIV will be at Sun Life Stadium (formerly Dolphin Stadium) this year. It seems whenever the Big Game is hosted in The Sunshine State, my fellow Floridians go bananas. But the frenzy isn't just building here. In Indianapolis, it seems too many bus drivers called in sick the day after the Colts' win three years ago, so they've decided to start school an hour late on Monday. Maybe they're

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-62163351530976464112010-01-29T05:00:00.003-05:002010-01-29T05:00:00.257-05:00

I collected coins when I was a kid. Didn't exactly make it public knowledge because, well, what a nerdy thing to do. Still, it was something I could enjoy with my grandmother, who would never call me a nerd. We used to search out all kinds of different denominations from actual currency back then. And later we got into specially minted collectible coins. I still collect those.Thankfully, now I'm

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-64950512095026744872010-01-22T05:00:00.002-05:002010-01-22T05:00:01.421-05:00

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, isn't it? I remember getting some pretty naughty gifts back in my younger days. Just between you and me, I gave a few too. I used to scour the stores for the most outrageous boxers I could find for my boyfriend. The louder the colors, the better. They would always balk at wearing them. But we girls have our ways of making the men do what we want, don't

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-2899768167913549182010-01-15T05:00:00.001-05:002010-01-15T05:00:05.046-05:00

I have a friend who's a gourmet chef and junk food junkie. Her birthday was last week and I was stuck, stuck, stuck trying to figure out a gift. She has a huge collection of cookbooks and every piece of cookware conceivable. Including the electric slider maker--my first choice, and the perfect brownie pan--my second choice. I was at a loss.Over lunch at The Cheesecake Factory, I presented her

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-79025169132201520492010-01-08T05:00:00.003-05:002010-01-08T05:00:05.612-05:00

Elvis Presley would have been 75 years old today. There are celebrations planned all over the world. From Graceland to Sydney, fans will be celebrating the life of America's King of Rock and Roll.What other pop star has enjoyed such longevity? New books, CD collections and other Elvis goodies are in stores and cyberstores just in time to honor his birthday. There are more Elvis imitators today

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-72600730471361050962009-12-31T05:00:00.007-05:002009-12-31T05:00:00.841-05:00

As we head for the new year, it seems everyone I know is pregnant. Okay, not everyone, but lots of people. At least one of the little bundles of joy will arrive just about the same time as 2010. Some have one or two cherished "rugrats" already. But the ones who are just starting their families all have one thing in common: panic!It's a big responsibility, having a baby. I mean, I was freaked out

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-57095155615341971542009-12-24T05:00:00.002-05:002009-12-24T05:00:03.607-05:00

The tree is trimmed, the lights are up, the gifts are wrapped, the stockings are stuffed, and the grocery shopping is done. I only have a few little tasks left before I settle in with my friends and family to celebrate the holiday.I hope you've had as much fun as I had finding the perfect gift for your special someone this year. I really love my work and I feel very fortunate to be able share it

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-57898363558434296452009-12-18T05:00:00.007-05:002009-12-18T05:00:05.066-05:00

Christmas is approaching--fast! But it's not too late to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Since time is short, I've picked just one of my favorite gifts for each of the people on your list--for him, for her, for the little ones and for everyone. For Him: Foosball! Our table soccer game will keep them busy on Christmas Day (between football games, of course.) It sits on any

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-37624938990191714262009-12-11T05:00:00.004-05:002009-12-11T05:00:00.374-05:00

Kids and Christmas go together like...well, Santa and elves! There's nothing like watching children tear into their gifts, excited to uncover the surprises under the wrapping paper. So this week I thought I'd take you on a tour of all the goodies for kids we have here at The Lighter Side.Games make great Christmas gifts because holiday weather can keep kids indoors for long stretches and, let's

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-53667912105337010182009-12-04T05:00:00.003-05:002009-12-04T05:00:07.131-05:00

The people who bravely serve this country are never far from our minds, but at this time of year, it seems we hold them a little closer in our thoughts. Many are a long, long way from home, especially those stationed overseas. Some will be granted leave for the holidays, but most will not. So, to keep their spirits up and to lift the hearts of their friends and loved ones, I've picked out a few

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-56288948934892326522009-11-27T05:00:00.004-05:002009-11-27T05:00:01.390-05:00

Some people love going to the mall on the day after Thanksgiving for "Black Friday." I can understand the attraction: the atmosphere is very festive and the merchants always roll out deep-discounts and advertise big sales. But the parking hassles, the crowds and the push-and-shove just to save a few bucks? Well, it's not for everyone.That's why we have Black Friday deals every single day at The

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-90260166221657623172009-11-20T08:00:00.003-05:002009-11-25T11:01:27.671-05:00

Stephanie Meyer created a teen phenomenon with her series of vampire novels, The Twilight Saga. The story continues with the newest release, New Moon, which opens in theaters across the country tonight. From the moment the closing credits of the first movie rolled across the screen, my niece has been chomping at the bit to see the sequel. She's "totally in love" with Edward Cullen and she made me

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-57786075833459654752009-11-13T05:00:00.002-05:002009-11-13T05:00:05.618-05:00

Finding the perfect gift for a collector is easy, as long as you know what they're into and have some knowledge of their existing collection. And even if you don't, it's fairly simple to find out. Collectors love to show off their treasures, so all you really have to do is ask! This week, I have some great gifts for Betty Boop collectors. Our unique resin clock has a double pendulum. The Betty

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-82288378701896086322009-11-06T05:00:00.005-05:002009-11-25T15:25:57.259-05:00

Calendars make great gifts. At The Lighter Side, we have calendars to fit every age and interest. Whether they need it for desk or wall, home or office, you can find a 2010 calendar that fits your special someone perfectly.For sports fans, we have the MLB Personalized Calendar that includes the game schedule and key dates in the team's history. Just tell us the name of the recipient and we'll

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-89946664984052623372009-10-30T05:00:00.004-04:002009-11-25T15:27:10.311-05:00

Whether you watch football or not, chances are someone on your gift list is an avid fan of the sport. In this series of blogs, we're matching perfect gifts to the interests of your "special someones," and this week I came up with more football goodies than you can throw a flag at.Two of my favorites are personalized prints. The locker print shows your football fan's name on the back of their

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-81061681286998883462009-10-23T05:00:00.005-04:002009-10-23T05:00:00.687-04:00

Last week we talked about great gifts for dog lovers. This week, I found some wonderful items for the cat lovers in your life. From goofy to sweet to useful, The Lighter Side has something for every feline and their human friends.This Kitty Grass not only helps digestion, it makes a safe and fun alternative to houseplants and turf grass. Just put the seeds in the adorable mouse-shaped container,

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-57725854424119310732009-10-16T05:00:00.002-04:002009-11-25T15:27:59.899-05:00

Dog lovers are a breed unto themselves. They care for their pooches as if they were, well, a best friend. The good news? Their dogged devotion to our canine friends makes shopping for the perfect gift as easy as rolling over.We have a new game that lets people play with their dogs even when the weather is too awful for Frisbee at the park. It's a board game where humans earn "wag tags" for

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-87116263326604234692009-10-09T05:00:00.002-04:002009-10-09T05:00:05.532-04:00

There's nothing more personal than choosing a gift that matches the recipient's particular interests. Last week, we came up with some gift ideas for coffee lovers. It seems like lots of people are into monkeys right now, so this week I found some great gifts for people who adore our primate friends.Our Nuts About You book from award-winning photographer Bob Elsdale is perfect for chimp lovers.

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-21474703747296288012009-10-02T05:00:00.000-04:002009-10-02T05:00:02.968-04:00

I get a lot of panicky calls for help from friends and relatives when they need to find a great gift. But there's really only one real trick to finding the perfect present for anyone: matching your gift to their interests. So I thought I'd take a couple of weeks to explore some common interests and the gifts that complement them.Everyone knows someone who just can't get going without their

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.com