Clipboard Fix

Last week my clipboard (cut and paste function) would no longer allow me to post anything but plain text, across all programs. I searched high and low and had a really hard time finding a solution to the problem. Finally I found it, after many red herrings, deep down on a message board somewhere. (Notably, they all appeared to be from March 2012 and later so this was pretty recent.) I apologize to that amazing message board because I can’t find it again.  So I’m posting the issue/solution in hopes of helping someone else if needed! I am using as tags all the search terms I used….clearly they were not the right ones but now they will work for you

So the problem — clipboard was only pasting plain text, lost all other functionality and choices for pasting. Turns out this was caused by a recently downloaded Skype program called “click to call.” Uninstall that program and you should be good to go. If you get angry about the days you’ve lost and uninstall Skype altogether too, well let’s just say you wouldn’t be the first person.

Good luck!

JCP: Fair and Square

I’ve always loved shopping at JCPenney.  I love that they have everything, and generally it’s well made and easy to find. And as a kid it was our go-to department store. The only other one in town was Younkers and frankly that was too “upscale” for us .  However, in recent years I’ve been pulled away from the JCP mall site to the Kohl’s outdoor mall. The brands and star-driven lines seem more interesting and on trend to me, and I admit that the “20% off of 50% off plus $10 Kohl’s Cash = practically free” mentality got me kind of hooked.

So I’ve read a lot about the new strategy at JCP.  There have been many interesting takes, notably this one in Time Magazine. Obviously, I needed to check out the store for myself. Here is my shopper’s opinion.

• The Campaign. The first thing I noticed was the screaming ads. It was memorable. It was attention-getting. And I f’ing hated it more than anything in recent memory. In addition to being annoying, I felt as though it was making fun of me as a consumer. Yes, I got the point that it had gotten ridiculous with the coupons and the 8 a.m. sales, but I’m a Kohl’s shopper, and I think that stuff is fun. Next came the Ellen ads. Much better in terms of not being annoying and selling a concept. Ellen is always likable and the ads made their points in a funny way.
• The Brand.  The next noticeable change was in the company’s brand imagery. It’s very fresh and contemporary looking. I love the circulars, which give me a feel for the types of trendy, bold colors I’d find at JCP without overloading me with products and deals. Pitting it against Kohl’s, it’s obviously, lighter, fresher, newer.  The JCP in the square is a nice step away for the logo and I like the “framing” device it provides. All in all, a step in the right direction. My only quibble is that the Ellen ads don’t really have this feel at all.
• The Brands. Here’s where we start to see the disconnect. When I walked into my Sioux City store, I saw the frame, the new brand signage and … mostly the same old clothes. It’s OK, I knew they weren’t changing brands completely, but I just didn’t feel that the fashion offerings were fulfilling the promise of the circular. To the left, the MNG line was the most eye-catching. Worthington to the direct right was a harken back to the Working Girl 80s…reinforced with the Liz Claiborne and Jones brands. A few cute things here and there were not enough to cut through the Lee Jeans of it all.
• The Pricing. The pricing was pleasing. A top I would have normally seen priced at $39.99 but refused to buy until it was $20, was $20. In that way I disagree with those who think the “lack of sense of urgency” would cost JCP sakes. For me, I felt more willing to buy something when it was priced at what it was worth, and not higher. I definitely was conscious that in the past I’d have walked away or “waited” on an item and now I knew I might as well just grab it. There were some clearance racks that sated the true bargain hunter within (another cute top – $9!). And overall I’d say this was a success until I got to the cash register. OK I know it’s the “retail environment training” but it was a little disappointing to know that, as she rung up my items, there was no hope of a “Surprise! this is only $16!” moment. As much as I know the Kohl’s – “you saved $850 today” is a blatant lie, I sort of like it.
• The Verdict. I find the circulars enticing and the pricing reasonable. Overall there aren’t that many cute offerings and I didn’t get a rush from shopping there. I’m thinking it’s a once-per-season stop instead of a monthly journey, and Kohl’s is still a monthly trip for me. (How can I resist those coupons!?)

Things Skinny People Do: Two Showers a Day

Full disclosure: I’m not and have never been skinny, so I’m not really sure what skinny people do. However, I’m making it my mission to figure it out.

And one thing I imagine skinny people do? They shower often. Because they work out a lot. When I am blowing off my work outs I can pretty come up with any excuse to do so. One good one is to shower in the morning, then not work out over lunch because — I already showered!

So no more showering excuses. Skinny people would just shower again. Get to it.

Yummy Two-Day Sliders

I’m calling these sliders “two-day sliders” because they are seriously more delicious reheated the second day than they are on day one! Thanks to my friend Leigh Ann for the recipe, which was just perfect for my book club meeting. The book was “contemporary” and “American” … and so was the fare. (Themes are more exciting when the book takes place somewhere else, unfortunately!)

Two-Day Sliders

Mix 1 lb. of ground beef or turkey (I used 96% lean beef) with 1 tablespoon of mayo, 1 packet of lipton onion soup mix, and 8 oz of shredded cheddar.  Pat into mini-burgers.

Slice one package of Hawaiian butter rolls in half (making a top and bottom) and put the mini-burgers inside.

Put in a 9×13 baking pan and cover tightly with foil. Cook at 350 for 35 minutes (yep — bun and all).

This makes 12 sliders (one pack of buns). I doubled it for 24 mini-burgers because you really want leftovers.

Enjoy!

 

Not Much Wow in Wu: Jason Wu for Target

So I had seen the online lookbook, editorial press and “Today” appearances of the Jason Wu for Target collection and honestly wasn’t that enthralled. There were some cute looks in the line, but they weren’t cute looks for me. Unlike Missoni, of which I wanted any and all, immediately, there was only one dress in this collection I would even consider buying — this one.  Still, I wasn’t POSITIVE that I didn’t love it, so I got up and hauled my cookies to Target at 8 a.m. on a Sunday morning. There were plenty of items (though they weren’t carrying the blue dress) and no mob scene — God bless Iowa — but really, in person, the stuff was so underwhelming. The fabrics were not great and the designs a weird mix of old lady and young girl. I left without even seriously considering anything.

I’m glad I checked it out, and I’m equally glad I don’t live somewhere like Miami, where the couple went in and bought everything with plans to sell it for a profit.  Despite the fact that I didn’t love the collection, stories like this are so annoying they give me heart palpitations. Setting limits may not be ideal on Target’s end, but there must be a better answer. If I had waited in line only to watch store personnel escort these people out of there with every single thing available, I would be seriously disenfranchised on the level of never wanting to go back into that store. I’m just thinking Target should be careful walking this line of drawing interest and turning people off.  The quick publicity benefit isn’t going to be worthwhile once people decide they are just. over. it.

Crock Pot Apple Pie

Just threw together my Super Bowl party crock pot contribution: Crock Pot Apple Pie. It’s my cousin Monica’s recipe, and with four whole ingredients, it’s as easy as it is delish. First prep by spraying some Pam or other nonstick spray in your crock pot. Then layer the four ingredients:

• Pour in two cans of apple pie filling
• Layer a jar of caramel topping over the filling
• Add a package of butter pecan cake mix
• Slice up a stick of butter over the top

Do not stir it up. Just let the layers percolate as you cook on high for about 2 hours, then move to low for another 2 hours. Scoop and top with vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!

Taco Turkey Skillet

So I started the Paleo Diet in January. I haven’t cheated (too much) and have actually found that I feel pretty great cutting out carbs, sugars, dairy and processed foods. But I’ve had to get creative with my food. I’m lucky to be working from home this week, so I can actually cook my lunches. Though keep in mind I have about a 10-minute attention span!

The last two days I’ve had this yummy plate of goodness. I keep forgetting to take a picture…though this one tastes better than it looks!

Taco Turkey Skillet

Get out a skillet and cook up 1/4 lb. 97% fat free ground turkey, 1/2 cup chopped onion (I keep tons on hand in Tupperware because I add it to everything!) and a generous sprinkling of taco seasoning.

Line a plate with lettuce. Put the turkey concoction on top of the lettuce. Add chopped tomato, salsa and avocado chunks on top.

The taco seasoning and salsa gives it a kick, and the avocado adds moisture to the the could-be-dry turkey. Not bad!

Image: zirconicusso / FreeDigitalPhotos.net