Sure, November is most widely known in the States for Thanksgiving and *sighs* Black Friday.  But there's an incredibly important holiday that I've been missing out on for the past 28 years...National Vanilla Cupcake Day.

Screw you chocolate cupcakes!  Step aside!  Today is dedicated to delicious, mouthwatering, fluffy VANILLA CUPCAKES!!

I've always, always loved vanilla cupcakes.  I was never a huge chocolate eater as a child.  I remember standing in my backyard as a child and my mother's best friend telling me I couldn't be American if I didn't like chocolate (she quickly recovered when she saw my whimpering face and told me that liking Cheese Doodles would save me).  It's always been vanilla cake for me!

As I've grown older, I've been able to incorporate chocolate more often and can stomach a slice of chocolate cake, but there is still nothing in the world like a vanilla cupcake.  It's so wonderful that there is a whole day devoted to it's beauty.

You can celebrate by baking (here's a yummy basic recipe and a yummier vegan one) or be realistic like me and chomp into someone else's creation (like the local bakery's).

Happy National Vanilla Cupcake Day!  May your cupcake never grow stale.

I was never really a fan of cats.  When I was around ten, my brother found a litter of kittens outside of our home hiding in a hose container.  Our neighbor grew up on a farm and offered to feed and raise the kittens until they could be adopted.  I begged and pleaded with my parents and finally they gave in.  We chose Janie.  And she was a monster.  By monster I mean she only gave love to my mom and in her old age she extended that kindness to my father.

It's that time of year folks: Gifting Season.  With it comes a scramble for last minute ideas (because we're lazy) that are within budget (cause we are poor/cheap) yet have some sentimental meaning to it (because we're not without feelings).

Here are a few gifts to give during the fall season, whether it's a co-workers birthday or thank you to someone hosting a Thanksgiving that won't break the bank but still show your appreciation.

It's October, kiddos.  That means one thing and one thing only: Hallow-freakin-ween.  I like Halloween, but for so long it seemed like this ridiculous holiday dedicated to how "cute" I could be.  This was the chance to wear that skirt that was wwwwaaaayyyy to short and get away with it.  Yeah, I really thought like that.

Start flexin' ladies.  It's National Women's Health & Fitness Day!  So, this day is targeted to older women, but it doesn't mean that us younger ones can't join in and support.