Category: Heavy Handed Advice

Heavy Handed Advice is exactly what it sounds like — opinions you didn’t ask for but probably need. This is the corner of the internet where I tell you what I’d tell my best friend, which is sometimes “you’re right” and sometimes “you’re being ridiculous.”
What kind of advice is on TTB?
Life stuff. Money stuff. Relationship stuff. Parenting stuff. The kind of advice that doesn’t come with a 17-step plan or a $99 download. Just honest takes from someone who’s made every mistake worth making and lived to write about it.
Who writes the advice posts?
I do. — blogger since the AOL days, currently raising one kid and several houseplants. If I write it, I mean it.
Got a question that isn’t covered here?
If it’s the kind of question you’d ask at midnight when nobody else is awake — love, work, the weird dreams — that’s exactly what I built Elementually for. No scripts, no judgment, just answers.

  • You Can Crochet This Super Cute Boho Couch Sweater To Keep Warm and Cozy

    You Can Crochet This Super Cute Boho Couch Sweater To Keep Warm and Cozy

    It’s wintertime, and all I want to do is cozy up on the couch with a good book and a hot mug of cocoa.

    Getting cozy has never been so easy, thanks to this GORGEOUS Couch Sweater Crochet Pattern.

    crojennifer

    This Couch Sweater is so stinkin’ convenient!!

    It keeps you warm, but keeps your arms and hands free.

    crojennifer

    Ooohhh… those moments when you just got snuggled on the couch in a blanket

    and you need to get something off the table… Or the remote….or…or…

    Now your arms need to get from under the blanket and get cold all over again: NOT ANYMORE !

    crojennifer
    crojennifer

    This pattern can be altered into a Small, Medium, Medium – Large, Large, or Extra Large size.

    crojennifer

    It comes with all the instructions, photos to help you step-by-step along the way, and even a link to a YouTube channel for guidance.

    crojennifer

    Snugly, warm and comfortable a GREAT gift for yourself or for that special person.

    crojennifer

    It is important to note that you are NOT getting a finished Couch Sweater.

    crojennifer

    You are getting the pattern to be able to crochet this beautiful Couch Sweater for yourself.

    crojennifer

    Pattern PDF will be available for instant download upon payment.

    crojennifer
    crojennifer

    The Couch Sweater Pattern runs about $5, and you can use it over and over again.

    To get your own Couch Sweater Crochet Pattern just go to the crojennifer site on Etsy.

    crojennifer

  • This Halo Emergency Power Charger Is A Game Changer For Your Vehicle And Mine Is On Its Way

    This Halo Emergency Power Charger Is A Game Changer For Your Vehicle And Mine Is On Its Way

    Is it too late to add something to my Christmas list?

    OMG. You have to check this out.

    This is the Halo Charger. It doesn’t look like much. But, just wait!

    Amazon

    This Halo Charger is a must-have for every single car on the road.

    I don’t want to overstate just how awesome this little gadget is, but it’s dang near close to having AAA in your trunk.

    Amazon

    Sure, it can’t give you a tow or change a tire, but it sure can do just about everything else that you want or need.

    This one little Halo Charger has the ability to jump-start your car. You don’t need another car to stop and help you.

    Amazon

    I, ligit, could have used this yesterday. It would have turned a 2-hour ordeal into a 5-minute task.

    But, just wait. It does way more than just jump your car.

    Need to give a flat tire a bit of air? Yup. It can do it.

    Amazon

    Check that tire pressure? Uh-huh. It sure can.

    Maybe you need to charge your phone or other device? You best bet the Halo Charger can do that.

    Amazon

    Do you have something with a standard plug, and can’t get to an outlet? Just plug it into the Halo.

    Amazon

    Using the interchangeable nozzles, you can even use the Halo Charger to inflate balls, air mattresses, or anything else that needs air.

    It even has a bright flood light, so you can do it all in the dark if you are stranded!

    I’m just gonna go ahead and say, if you don’t have one of these things in your car, you just might be crazy.

    With as much driving as you do — work, errands, running the kids to all the things, vacations — it’s almost irresponsible not to bring the Halo Charger with you.

    Amazon

    Now, you can get a couple versions of this Halo Charger.

    Amazon

    One comes with a standard outlet, one doesn’t.

    The Halo Bolt Air Portable Emergency Power Kit will run you about $130.

    Amazon

    You can get the HALO Bolt Air + for about $167.

    Amazon

    To get your own Halo Emergency Power Charger, head on over to the Amazon website.

    Amazon
  • More Details Are Emerging About Jeremy Renner’s Freak Snowplow Accident. Here’s What We Know.

    More Details Are Emerging About Jeremy Renner’s Freak Snowplow Accident. Here’s What We Know.

    We are getting just a few more details about Jeremy Renner’s freak snowplow accident.

    ICYMI, Jeremy Renner — a.k.a. “Hawkeye” from The Avengers — was apparently run over by a snowplow while at home in Reno, Nevada.

    Reports first surfaced that Jeremy was in a “weather related accident.” We didn’t know very many details besides the fact that he had been rushed to the hospital, and was in critical condition.

    As time went on, we slowly started to get a couple more details.

    He had lost a lot of blood. He had to have 2 surgeries due to the severity of his injuries.

    Last night, Jeremy even posted a photo on Instagram, thanking his fans for all the kind words of encouragement.

    Today, we are learning a bit more about what happened in the seconds leading up to the accident.

    Jeremy had been helping a relative (or friend) move a car that had gotten stuck in snow on his property.

    See, Jeremy owns a PistenBully snowcat — the same kind of snow groomer that ski resorts use to remove snow and groom their trails.

    It’s one big muther of a snowplow — seven freaking tons of big snowplow.

    Great if you are needing to remove snow. Not so great if it decides to malfunction and run over your leg.

    So, Jeremy helped the car get free from the snow, and then he jumped out to talk to the relative.

    It was at this point that the PistenBully started to roll.

    An eyewitness detailed seeing Mr. Renner getting into the PistenBully and not seeing him again until the Pistenbully came to rest in a pile of snow in front of his driveway.

    Sheriff Darin Balaam

    Foul Play is not expected in Jeremy’s tragic accident.

    It was just a freak accident, and thank goodness witnesses were present to help.

    Our thoughts continue to go out to Jeremy at this difficult time.

  • Jessica Simpson Fans Are Worried After She Posts Another Set Of Odd Photos Online

    Jessica Simpson Fans Are Worried After She Posts Another Set Of Odd Photos Online

    I’m so worried about Jessica Simpson.

    Whether she’s slurring her words and acting a fool on shows and commercials, whether she’s losing 100 pounds, making her too incredibly skinny, or whether she’s posting weird videos of herself online.

    Lately, there has been so much Jessica Simpson news to be worried about.

    She obviously has some stuff going on that we don’t see from the outside looking in.

    Now, fans are taken aback by some photos she posted of herself on Instagram.

    Well, I mean, fans are concerned AGAIN by MORE photos that Jessica posted of herself on Instagram.

    This time, it’s her lips that are blown way out of proportion that have people talking.

    It’s nothing new for celebrities to get lip injections to give them that sumptuous pout.

    But, in these photos, you can hardly tell that it’s Jessica Simpson.

    When you couple her dramatic weight loss with her new puffy pout, she is down-right unrecognizable.

    Jessica Simpson’s Unrecognizable Instagram Pictures

    In a carousel of photos posted to her Instagram page late in December, Jessica can be seen getting up close and personal with her family.

    The photos are sweet, but they have fans wondering if it’s even really Jessica.

    Other fans question why she looks so different than she used to.

    But, the general consensus is that she doesn’t look at all the same.

    While many fans had positive comments about her makeup or her family, the majority of the fans showed concern for the ever-changing Jessica Simpson.

    What do you think? Should we be concerned? Should we all just leave her alone?

  • International Delight Just Released a ‘Friends’ Creamer Inspired by a Coffee Flavor on Central Perk’s Menu

    International Delight Just Released a ‘Friends’ Creamer Inspired by a Coffee Flavor on Central Perk’s Menu

    If you’ve ever wanted to grab a latte from the coffee shop in Friends, now you can!

    Courtesy of @friends

    While Central Perk might be a fake coffee shop even though it looked real on television, International Delight has turned the sit-down coffee shop into reality, or at least one coffee flavor from the menu.

    Courtesy of @markie_devo

    Inspired by the hi series Friends, the new coffee creamer takes inspiration directly from Central Perk’s menu.

    Courtesy of @candyhunting

    Throughout the show, you may remember Central Perk having a list of coffee flavors written on a chalkboard.

    Courtesy of International Delight

    And thanks to International Delight and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products teaming together, what’s dubbed the Manhattan Hazelnut Mocha Creamer was a flavor taken directly from the very chalkboard on set!

    Courtesy of International Delight

    Not to mention even the bottle is decked out in a Friends-themed decor!

    Courtesy of @snackolator

    The  Friends coffee creamer is currently stocked in the cold section of grocery stores now and in two vanities including original and no sugar for a limited time only!

    Courtesy of @indelight

    Now all we need is an orange couch while we sip on our Friends inspired coffee.

    Courtesy of @indelight
  • Jeremy Renner Speaks Out For The First Time Since His Snowplow Accident

    Jeremy Renner Speaks Out For The First Time Since His Snowplow Accident

    We have all been following the tragic accident that involved Jeremy Renner — a.k.a. “Hawkeye” in The Avengers.

    Well, guess what?

    Jeremy has finally broken his silence following the incident, and he even posted a photo of himself in his hospital bed.

    While he doesn’t look great, he looks oh-so-much better than I thought he would!

    Thank God, right?!?

    Thank you all for your kind words. 🙏. Im too messed up now to type. But I send love to you all.

    Jeremy Renner

    This is the first look we are getting of Jeremy since his accident and the surgeries he’s undergone related to his injuries.

    Jeremy has previously posted photos of himself surrounded by snow on his Instagram page.

    He has even called the snow his “happy place.”

    Our thoughts are with Jeremy, and we hope he can get back to his “happy place” really soon.

  • Pokemon Squishmallows Have Been Released In The Wild So, Get Ready to Catch ‘Em All

    Pokemon Squishmallows Have Been Released In The Wild So, Get Ready to Catch ‘Em All

    Y’all — Pokemon Squishmallows have actually been spotted in stores. Yes, I’m serious right now!!

    If I had to name 2 things that my son was obsessed with, it would be 1) Pokemon and 2) Squishmallows.

    Unfortunately, when it came to Christmas shopping this year, there was NO WAY to get your hands on a Pikachu Squishmallow — the thing he wanted most.

    That is, unless you wanted to fork out upwards of $200 for the elusive Pokemon Squishmallows on eBay.

    No, thank you!!

    We were promised a Pokemon / Squishmallow collab last summer.

    It happened, but you probably weren’t able to nab them before those second-hand vendors scooped them up.

    Side Note: There’s a special place for those second-hand vendors that price gouge the heck out of products … but that’s for another time.

    The Squishmallow Pokemon gods are finally smiling down on us poor Squishmallow-less folk.

    Pokemon Squishmallows Are Now In Stores

    Pikachu and Gengar Squishmallows are actually showing up in stores, and adults and kids alike are shouting for joy.

    People have spotted these Squishies at Walmart — but not EVERY Walmart has them yet.

    If you live in Ohio and Washington, there is a really good chance that your local Walmart has these Pokemon Squishmallows in stock.

    We assume that they are going to roll these Squishies out across the country, but there is really no good way to tell if your Walmart has them in stock.

    You just have to go up there and see for yourself.

    If you find them, PLEASE don’t buy them up just to throw them on eBay.

    Don’t be that person.

    What do you think? Are you stalking your local Walmart to see if they have Pokemon Squishmallows?

    Let us know if you find them near you.

  • Coffee Mate Released A Kahlua Coffee Creamer Just In Time To Make Your New Year’s Extra Tasty

    Coffee Mate Released A Kahlua Coffee Creamer Just In Time To Make Your New Year’s Extra Tasty

    We have been waiting a hot minute for Coffee Mate to release its Kahlúa flavor.

    Coffee Mate

    And, guess what?? It’s finally hitting grocery store shelves!!!

    Coffee Mate has teamed up with Kahlúa to bring us a coffee creamer that tastes like your favorite creamy liqueur, and it’s going to go perfect in your morning cup of joe.

    Um, yes please!!

    Sadly, this isn’t actually an alcoholic adult beverage. But, if you wanted to slip a little bit of the hard stuff into your coffee with your creamer, I’m not going to tell anybody!

    Now, this Kahlúa Coffee Mate was supposed to hit shelves starting in October, but nobody has been able to find it.

    Coffee Mate

    Until now!!!

    It has been spotted at a few Kroger grocery store affiliates, and we are told that it will release nationwide in January of 2023.

    Coffee Mate

    I’m over here rather impatiently waiting. I must try this Coffee Mate and Kahlúa collab!

    Have you tried this Kahlúa Coffee Mate? We’d love to know what you think!

  • The ‘Fake Celebrity Death’ Trend Has The Internet Divided

    The ‘Fake Celebrity Death’ Trend Has The Internet Divided

    Nobody likes to hear the news that someone has passed away. It’s super sad and depressing, right?

    BUT, when that death is of someone you have loved from afar for YEARS, the reactions can be over the top.

    (Can you tell what kind of music I like??)

    I remember when my first celebrity crush died — River Phoenix. I cried for a week.

    Now, adult kids are telling their parents that their favorite celebrity has passed away in the “Fake Celebrity Death Prank,” and it’s causing a damn-near meltdown!

    Talk about a vicious prank!

    It’s pretty much all good when the people find out it was just a joke.

    But, for just a moment suspended in time, it is devastating to people.

    I really can’t decide if this is super funny or incredibly mean. LOL!

    All you have to do is hit up the hashtag FakeCelebrityDeathPrank on TikTok to see all the reactions.

    What do y’all think? Are y’all going to pull this prank on someone you love??

  • Dollar Tree Dropped Their Valentine’s Day Collection and You’re Going to Fall In Love

    Dollar Tree Dropped Their Valentine’s Day Collection and You’re Going to Fall In Love

    Y’all, I just made a stop at the Dollar Tree to check out the after-Christmas sale. And, Friend!! You HAVE to check out what I found!!

    It looks like Valentine’s Day threw up in their store, and it’s glorious!!

    And, the general theme seems to be — GNOMES!!

    Gah!! I love it!!

    Of course, if you don’t like gnomes — who the heck doesn’t like gnomes?!? — they also have things that simply show someone that you love them.

    They have everything from candy, to kitchen stuff, to light up flowers, to these cool heart jars that you can put things in (like jewelry, AMIRITE ladies?!?).

    Now, some of the things are part of the new Dollar Tree’s over-a-dollar section, but they are still extremely easy on the bank account.

    These would make perfect gifts, not only for the one you love, but for your kids.

    (Well, I mean, you love your kids — but you know what I’m talking about!)

    Or, your kids can hand little Valentine’s gifts out to their class without making you completely broke.

    They even have kitchen stuff!! Towels, cookie cutters, and these super-cute Valentine’s fortune cookies.

    You’re going to want to run to your dollar tree like NOW, before the adorableness is gone.

    Don’t forget your Valentine’s bags to wrap all your goodies!! They are super cute and festive.