Get Rid of the Ole' Pull-Out Sofa!!!

How many times have you visited your relatives and had to sleep on the ole' pull-out sofa? I'm willing to wager that we've all heard the phrase "Oh, it's too late to drive, just sleep on the pull-out sofa, it's fine". And yes, immediately we think...how do I get myself out of this predicament? Ever seen the Seinfeld episode when Elaine sleeps on the Seinfeld's pull-out sofa? Then you know what I'm talking about. You know that feeling. You wake up and feel as if you've aged fifty years and you can't seem to actually straighten your body up to it's normal height, so you walk around 6 or 7" inches shorter than you normally are. And the pain, oh, the pain! It's usually a sharp, twisty pain that shoots up your spine dramatically and then levels off to a dull, aching feeling that ruins your entire day, if not week.

So here's a solution...why not suggest to your friends, neighbors and family members to ditch the ole' pull-out sofa and try the Comfort Sleeper® from Circle Furniture? If you've not seen the Comfort Sleeper before, it's the most amazing sleeper you'll ever find. Really. No uncomfortable metal bars to complain about in the morning. Unlike most sleepers, there's lots of room to stretch out because it has a standard-sized mattress (5-8" longer than most sleepers). The Comfort Sleeper comes in King, Queen Plus, Queen, Full, Twin and Cot bed sizes to fit any room in your home and you can choose from more than 80 premium leathers and hundreds of fabrics in a variety of colors and textures. The best part is the 5" of plush, high-density foam that provides ergonomic body support throughout the entire mattress.

Ok, I've gushed enough about this rock-star of a sleeper. Come try one out at your favorite Circle Furniture and save during The Comfort Sleeper sale going on now. Better yet, all American Leather sofas, chairs and recliners are on sale during the month of September.

So even though it's hard to say goodbye to the old...think of how happy you'll be when your house guests wake up and don't have to take a tranquilizer to get through the day! Seinfeld's fans understand.

what's the buzz?

I don’t know about you guys but I’ve noticed lately that we are stressing ourselves out way too much on some things that are just plain unnecessary. I recently spent time away with friends and family, whom I adore, but the obsession with food was totally ridiculous. I know we should all eat from the right food groups and granted I am the most, as my kids call me, “rubenesque” of the group, but do we have to stoop to “I can’t believe it’s not butter” spread? I mean REALLY. You aren’t fooling anyone. I CAN believe it’s not butter and please bring me the real butter while you’re at it! How else am I going to fill all those nooks and crannies?

Low fat cream cheese, UGH. Even worse are the low fat salad dressings; who are they kidding? All these companies playing to our guilt about eating, and in most cases it has worked because there are a lot of people in all sizes and shapes making the diet-food industry a ton of cash $$$. How many times do you see someone loading up at the fast food chains for the dollar menu but adding a diet coke?

Ok, so I suffer from bad eating habits. One of my favorite movie lines comes from the classic Woody Allen movie “Sleeper”. The character, Miles Monroe, who has been frozen cryogenically for 200 years, was a prior manager of a health food store. Upon waking up from his deep sleep the doctors are chatting:
“He requests something called wheat germ, organic honey and tiger’s milk.”
“Oh yes, those were the charmed substances that some years ago were felt to contain life-preserving properties.”
“You mean, there was no deep fat? No steak or cream pies or hot fudge?”
“Those were thought to be unhealthy. Precisely the opposite of what we now know to be true.”
I SO wish it was true……..hot fudge at Kimball’s ice cream, you can die happy after that experience!

So I know the new crop of young parents want to be sure that only “organic” foods ever touch the lips of their babes; again way too stressful. I’m all about buying the best food you can afford and fresh and local as much as possible. I suffered the wrath of my sister recently when at a birthday party for her grandchild, I mixed the organic fruit with the Costco fruit, and she went a little crazy. Apparently all the 4-year-olds at that party only eat organic and now I have mixed the fruit bowl, and you would have thought I personally sprayed them with DDT. I get it, but I don’t think one time is going to give them brain damage. Anyway, the point I’m trying to make is LIGHTEN UP! Everything is not always perfect. Yes, some discipline when it comes to eating is great, but isn’t it so much fun to break those rules once in awhile?

As for me, I am now going to have a cold glass of milk and dip myself some Oreos. Cheers!

Just for Fun!

Not that you have a lot of time on your hands, (who does?), but if you happen to find yourself up late some night finishing off the Ben & Jerry's in your pj's, step away from the Chunky Monkey and check out this colorful design site. Talk about inspiring!

Design Sponge - LOVE IT! The mini-trends section of Design Sponge is chock full of fun ideas and a great place to start your Christmas list! The city guide is AWESOME if you're new to Boston or even just looking for great places to hang out, shop or eat. Then, when you book your trip to Seattle, Santa Fe or Sydney you'll know just where to go to find the coolest of the cool.

But...my favorite section is the sneak peeks. The images might even wake you up from your ice cream-induced coma! So if you're looking to re-energize your home, condo, apartment, office or outdoor space, do yourself a favor and spend a little time on this dazzling site...I know you'll enjoy.

Happy Weekend everyone.

Go Team Flames!

This weekend marked the 31st Pan Mass Challenge. The PMC, if you have been living under a rock for the past few years, is a 190 mile bike ride from Sturbridge to Provincetown that raises TONS of money for cancer research. This year Richard (pictured in the middle), his daughter Erica and his niece Amy, all joined "The Flames" team and set about their fund-raising mission. Not to mention the training. Grueling 70 mile bike rides all summer long. Oh, and those bike rides are usually at five in the morning. Because you see, these rides are not typical 1/2 hour rides, they take HOURS!

Then there is the fund-raising. Asking people for money. Fun, right? Not the easiest thing to do. Each rider is expected to raise $4200. We've all been there; walked or ran in a charity road race, had to raise $250. Had to ask our friends and families to pony up $20 here, $25 there. Nope. $4200 is what their goal was...each!

So, did they all make it? You betcha'! "Rich, Erica and Amy all had a great ride," says the Queen Bee herself, who was in Provincetown volunteering for the PMC. She said it was an amazing experience. I'm sure it was, and so much more.

This weekend the weather was beautiful. On both Saturday and Sunday I kept turning on NECN to see coverage of the PMC. They had story after story of individuals and families who have been affected directly by cancer. Yep, the water works were going all weekend long for me. I thought about my own friends who have battled cancer. But mostly I was inspired by what these riders commit themselves to. How their riding helps SO many people now and will in the future. So my hat goes off to all those who rode or volunteered this weekend. You all deserve a big hug. Oh, and a donation!

Walk This Way...

After four years in the making, Cleantech Homes, LLC. is unveiling one of the most energy efficient, sustainable homes in the nation in Beverly, Massachusetts. This showcase home will be used as a prototype to educate the public in sustainable building techniques and design as well as an exhibition site for new products and materials used in the construction of high performance homes. Schools, universities and professionals in the home construction industry will be invited to tour the house.

We're so excited and proud to have furnished the home with eco-conscious furniture from vendors such as Copeland Furniture, C.R. Laine, American Leather and Gat Creek. “We are thrilled to provide furnishings from our wonderful vendors like Vermont-based Copeland Furniture, winners of the 2009 Sage Award for green manufacturing,” says Peggy Burns, Queen Bee of Circle Furniture. “In this day and age there are endless choices for consumers. Our hope is to show our customers that you don’t have to sacrifice style and comfort to buy eco-friendly. We feel strongly that sustainable furniture is not only good for the environment but good for your home and family as well.”

So join the Queen Bee on this fun and informative tour of an eco-friendly, sustainably-built home, furnished with everything your heart desires...and all found at Circle Furniture. Better keep up with the tour guide, she moves quickly!