weekend shenanigans

Weekend Shenanigans

Hello, February!!! I hope everyone enjoyed their last weekend of January. Is it just me, or is January the longest month ever???

Every Friday for the last three years, I have met my “Friday Lunch Club” for lunch at various locations around town. We started out as a foursome and were cleverly named “The Indian,” “The Mexican,” “The Texan,” and “The Yankee.” We are a diverse group, what can I say. I am sure you figured out that I am “The Yankee” by process of elimination. Last May, we said goodbye to “The Texan” as she moved back to Texas. This Friday we said goodbye to “The Indian,” as she is off to India until May. We tried a new to us spot over in Homewood, Crape Myrtle Cafe.

First of all, Crape Myrtle Cafe is located in the back of a book store. You all know my love for books!! I am so going to have to come back here when I am not rushed to go back to the office! Also, we noticed that we were the youngest patrons by about 50 years, no big deal.

Lunch

I ordered the fresh fruit salad with grilled chicken and it was completely Whole 30 compliant. Hurrah!

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Then it was time to take our last selfie and give our good wishes to our sweet, sweet friend on her journey.

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Now it is just “The Mexican” and I, but we will continue our lunches!!!

And I would like to take a moment to wish “The Mexican” the happiest, of happy Birthdays!!! Her birthday was yesterday! I know she reads my blog sometimes, and I hope she knows how important and special her friendship is to me. There isn’t a more genuine and spiritual girl out there than her. I cant be more thankful for this group of girls. No matter if we are together or apart, there is a special place in my heart for all of them. The “Friday Lunch Club” has seriously been one of the highlights of my week every week for the last few years. I know we were all brought together for a reason.

Friday evening, I made Chicken Tandoori with California Sweet Potato chips and fell asleep on the couch watching reruns of New Girl. Such a bad ass, I know!

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Saturday morning I started a new book, Taste, and cleaned the house. Then we were off to watch my nephews basketball game!!! I would have snapped a picture but my younger nephew confiscated my phone for all his gaming pleasures and basically ignored his older brothers game. The game was pretty eventful with two overtimes and finally ending in a tie! We then went to Logan’s to celebrate the awesome job and chat with my sister! Oh the laughs we had!!!

Chris and I parted ways with them and headed to a variety store in Gadsden where we found all these amazing Snoopy treasures!!! You know our love for Snoopy!!!

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We also hit up a few thrift stores and Bargain Hunt in the area. I had to text my sister a picture of the 2gether CD we saw!!! We were obsessed! you + me = us

Don’t even act like you don’t know what I am talking about!!!
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We headed to Chris’s parents house that evening to catch up with them, then headed home to get caught up on some of our shows.

Sunday was a day of meal planning, grocery shopping and Vampire Diaries, The Originals, Chicago Med/Fire watching! Why didn’t PD come on? Boo!!!

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I hated having to use my free reward drink on tea instead of a super expensive latte concoction but it was going to run out before my Whole 30 was up!!! The unsweetened Passion Tango was a great choice though, very refreshing.

Overall it was a fabulous weekend! Linking up with Biana.

I will be completing Whole 30 this week and I will be sure to give you all the low down on my thoughts, any struggles, slip ups, and will answer any questions you guys have! Hope you all have a fabulous week!

beauty, products, reviews

Jingle VoxBox Review

I was so excited when I received my Influenster Jingle VoxBox in the mail right after Christmas!!! There were so many amazing products to try I couldn’t wait to dig in!

Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream –  (full price $8.99-$15.99)

Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream

This Cetaphil cream has been perfect for this time of year. My hands are constantly cracking in the winter time and to be honest, it is quite painful! I have been carrying around this sample in my purse and using it throughout the day and I love it!!! It is think as you are rubbing it in, but then it is absorbed instantly and doesn’t leave your skin feeling greasy. It doesn’t have a scent, so you aren’t offending co-workers either!

Biscoff Cookies (full price $2.99)

Biscoff

These little guys were torturing my in my pantry for days. I received this box after I started Whole 30 and I was so sad I couldn’t have any of these. Chris benefited from my loss though and loved them! They are so perfect with your morning (or afternoon) coffee!

Ore-Ida Tater Tots (full price $3.99)
Tater Tots

I am sure that you have had Ore-Ida Tater Tots before, right??? I love that they are made from real potatoes and are so versatile with recipes! Here is a great idea for your Super Bowl Party!!!

Cook up some Ore-Ida Tater Tots in the oven and then top with melted queso, bacon bites, sour cream, jalapenos and green onions. Nothing is better than Ore-Ida Totchos!!!

You can see more Ore-Ida Totchos Recipes on the Kraft Site here.

Hallmark itty bittys (starting at $6.95)

Hallmark Itty Bitty

These little itty bittys are so cute!!! They would make the perfect stocking stuffer, Easter basket fillers or little surprise any day of the year! They would even but cute as part of wrapping on a present!

NYC City Proof 24HR Waterproof Eyeliner (full price $3.99)

City Proof

You guys, this came at the perfect time!!! I had run out of my usual brown eyeliner and I wanted to try something new. I hate the new one I bought and trashed it after just a few uses. I didn’t have high hopes for this one, but boy was I wrong!! This stuff glides on so smoothly and stays put for hours with no smudging. I was able to remove it with my usual eye makeup remover. For $3.99, you better believe I just fun my new brown go to liner!

KISS True Volume Lashes($3.99)/KISS Strip Lash Adhesive with Aloe ($3.99)

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These KISS lashes are made with 100% natural hair. The Tapered End Technology really works with these, as they look like your actual eye lashes! The aloe vera in the adhesive helps keep irritation away while lasting hours. I handed these off to my niece and she loves them!

Pure Ice Nail Polish (full price $1.97 at Walmart)

Pure Ice

I have seen Pure Ice a million times at Walmart and have never bothered to pick up a bottle. I am not really sure why? I love the packaging that they have and their color selection is wonderful! I received Silver Star, which was a great dark silver metallic. The color was pigmented and offered a light shimmer that was really pretty with different lighting! Pure Ice is a USA made product and has no formaldehyde, toluene or DBP. The staying power was pretty on point with other drug store polishes, lasting about 3 days before it started to chip.

I received all these items free from Influenster but all opinions are my own, honest thoughts! 

Have you tried any of these products? What are you loving lately?

friday favorites

Friday Favorites

Favorite Song:Already Gone by Alison Wonderland featuring Brave, Lido.

Favorite Moments:

–I had an awesome run on Tuesday and felt the “tiger blood.”

–Texting with the Ahole Bros this week. Those girls crack me up and are always so supportive!

–Chatting with my sister Thursday during lunch. She is so hard to talk to after work with all the kiddos running around so it was nice to have her undivided attention and just girl chat!

–Planning out all the restaurants Laura and I want to go try when we can eat out again! And well, order more than lettuce and a water!

Favorite Recipes: I have been wanting Thai food for the last few weeks. I came across this Whole 30 compliant Chicken Curry with Cauliflower Rice recipe. I think this will be on the menu next week!

Whole 30 Chicken Curry with Cauliflower Rice - I'd substitute the chicken for cod or tilapia. YUM!:

Favorite Workout: Stretching is just as important as your actual workout! I have been feeling stiff lately and really loved this!

5-Minute Towel Stretch For Long and Lean Limbs | FitSugar | Bloglovin’:

Favorite Lust: I want a pair of Vans to pull of a look like below for transitioning from summer to fall and winter to spring. Basically when it isn’t appropriate for flip flops but too hot for boots.

want some black vans to scuff up. find more women fashion on misspool.com:

via

18 Fall Jeans Style Tips Every Girl Should Know (10):

via

Favorite Links:

–If you don’t already have enough to watch on Netflix, see what is coming for February! I am most excited for Fuller House!!!! There are 15 new series coming this year!

–Probiotics have a lot of health benefits. Are you fitting them in your diet?

–Trying to recreate that spa scent in your home? Want to brighten up the dreary winter day with an array of floral scents? Learn how to burn multiple scented candles to give you that experience!

–Trying to lose weight? Check out these hourly tips to make the most out of your day!

Favorite Funnies:

HAHAH SO TRUE! "10 Hilarious Lion King Jokes only True Disney Fans will Understand":

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-random-funnies-4:

Time Relativity

Relatively Safe For Work

When you put on a new outfit:

When you see that Lara Bars are buy three get a $5 gift card at Target and they try to tell you that you had to buy three of the same flavor to get the card…

When your online order comes in a day early…

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend! We are off to watch my nephews basketball game tomorrow and have a late lunch with my mom and sister and the kids. Also, this is my last week of Whole 30 coming up!!! Grcoery shopping is going to be cathartic this weekend!

Linking up with Amanda.

goals

Take the Leap

You guys, sometimes one of you will post something that just resonates with me. Whether it is your post topic, a quote you shared, a picture, just something really sinks in and I sit and think about it and take the words as a sign.

Over the past week I have seen a few posts and then my Momentum dashboard quote one day is literally telling me that it is time. Ok universe, I get it!!!

While this is totally vague, and I hate vague things, today’s post is more of a reminder to all of us. What are we waiting for? Life is short, and we just don’t know how much time we have to do all the things that we want to do. We keep waiting and saying well when this happens or that happens I will be ready. The truth is, you can never be 100% ready. Taking the first step is on you. Now is as good as a time as any.

You will become courageous. You will become an inspiration. You will like yourself. You will learn new things. You will grow. You just have to take that leap of faith.

Have you ever really listened to the amazing words of Switchfoot?

By taking a leap of faith, you find out who you are truly capable of becoming. Faith sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible; it’s about believing when it’s beyond the power of reason to believe. And courage is being scared to death, and then taking the next step anyway. May you always find the faith and courage to do what you are afraid to do. - read: http://www.marcandangel.com/2014/02/16/15-things-you-must-give-up-to-be-happy-again/:

Take a leap of faith:

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One of the benefits of working with really talented writers is that they are always coming up with quotes that inspire us, make us laugh, and have us saying, “So! True!” We’re an impatient bunch here at Think.Make.Share. We didn’t want to wait for these quotes to be printed on cards ...

Everything you've ever wanted is on the other side of fear.:

inspiring quotes about life Take a leap of faith #quote:

If we wait until we're ready, we'll be waiting for the rest of our lives.:

''Those Who Don't Jump Will Never Fly'' (Teaser) http://www.yatzer.com/those-who-don-t-jump-will-never-fly-teaser:

Dollar Tree Treasures and Lots of Ideas!:

Linking up with Joey.

confessions

Confessions

–If you say something rude to my friends/family, I am done with you. #loyalbitch

–When out in a shopping center or mall, if I am alone (or with my SIL this past weekend) and I see that a store has kicks for walking in on Shopkicks, I will go in the store and do a lap. No shame in my Shopkick gift card earning game!!! Plus, extra steps on my Fitbit. #winwin

–I have had Demi Lovato’s Confident song stuck in my  head for the last week. #getout #idonthateit

–Are there things in your house that you know you probably wont use, yet you can’t get rid of? All of our Blue Rays, CDs and DVDs come to mind here. I listen to Spotify and watch Netflix but you never know when the occasion may arise when you might need one! Even if you haven’t watched any of them in over a year. #itsnothoardingifyouadmitit

–I decided to paint my nails on Sunday. Something I rarely do these days. I couldn’t be bothered to put on a top coat so within about an hour of painting them, I had several chips and dings. I still do because I haven’t fixed it. #oops #lazy

–Since my snacks are basically limited to fruit, veggies, nuts and the occasional Lara bar, I have consumed a shit ton of pistachios in the last few weeks. I am surprised I don’t look like one. #youarewhatyoueat #nutslol

–My whole apple rolled on the floor yesterday during lunch. I was starving so I washed that shit off and ate it anyways. #buildingimmunesystem #10secondrule

–When I am out in public and random strangers ask for my advice on their fashion/product purchases, I take it as a compliment and leave smiling. I like to think it is a good thing that they trust my opinion based on what I look like since they don’t know me and I am approached all the time. #feelsgood #strangerdanger

Confessions in ecard:

24 Newest Funny Minion Quotes and Pictures Of The Week | http://www.meetthebestyou.com/24-newest-funny-minion-quotes-and-pictures-of-the-week/:

Link up with Kathy and I and spill all your secrets!

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