August sure did get here quick, did it not? Since it is my birthday month, I always think it is fun to create a birthday wish list! Maybe I am too old to create one, but this is my blog and I do what I want! It is nice to dream, right?
I have had my current Kate Spade case since I got my phone back in December. I think it is time for an update!
A gold bar necklace. It would go with everything. I love the ones that have a little heart engraved in them.
A pastel pink/rose colored bag. I like this one from Kate Spade, you can carry it or wear as cross body.
Nail polish rack. How pretty would they all look out on display. You know…where I can actually see them and easily find one?!
These Michael Kors glasses I have been lusting over that I have seen at Nordstrom Rack. Aren’t they perfect?
A fold up bag to keep in my purse for days that it might be warranted!
This Tarte double ended shadow brush would be so perfect for creases!
Don’t let the Muggles get you down print for my office area
Anchor for our gallery wall in the living room
What do you have on your lust list radar?
I also wanted to link up with my girl Pamela today for Share the Love!
One of my most favorite posts that I have read lately came from Stephanie. Everyone needs to read this post!!! She talks about being happy for other people and their successes. If we all lived life like that, the world would be a better place. Thanks for always being inspiring, Steph!
Also, today is the link up for the Literary Ladies Book Club. I read Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen and you can read my thoughts here.
I hope everyone has a lovely Tuesday. Probably my least favorite day of the week.
Hey, hey there people! Can you believe the first weekend of August is in the books already? August means we are that much closer to football season! And more importantly…it is my birthday month!!! I hope everyone had a great weekend.
Mine started out on Friday with finishing My Kind of Love and starting The Art of Racing in the Rain. I am trying to get back on track with my summer reading challenge!
Saturday morning we got up early and tackled some yard work for two hours. There is nothing more satisfying than some good old physical labor where you can see immediate results. We deserved a reward for our hard work, so we headed to Jack Brown’s for lunch! I had the Curious Traveler Lemon Shandy, the Danny Laruso burger, and Chris and I split some fries.
We then, of course, headed to World of Beer to hang out on their patio. It was a unseasonably cool 96 degrees with humidity much lower than usual. It was delightful!
I started off with a a seasonal local, Trim Tab’s Raspberry Berliner Weisse.
And then tired Blue Pants Candy Bar Pinstripe which was freaking amazing. This might be one of my new favorite stouts. It was creamy with chocolate and peanut butter flavors. Much like a liquid candy bar.
Saturday evening we spent some time with Chris’s parents and then called it a night.
Sunday was spent meal planning, grocery shopping, food prepping and binge watching Hart of Dixie. Oh and laundry. The never ending laundry.
Other scenes from the weekend included his Royal Highness, Sir Mac, perched upon the top stair overlooking his kingdom.
I hope you all had a fabulous weekend! Let’s go ahead and tackle this Monday!
Favorite Song: Pursuit of Happiness by Kid Cudi. I freaking love this song! Probably on my list of top 10 songs that make me happy. And what better than to listen to a happy song on a Friday, am I right???
Favorite Snack: I grabbed these Honey Chipotle Cashews when I was at Publix last weekend and they are freaking delicious!!! They pack a some sweetness with the honey and a little heat from the chipotle that sneaks up on you. I will be buying these again for sure!!
Favorite Recipe:Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Guacamole Chicken – What about this does not sound appealing, am I right??? You have your bacon, you have your guac, you can make yourself feel better with the chicken….um yes please! I will have to try it soon!
Favorite Pin:How cute are all these little indoor planters? I forgot all about CB2 until I clicked on number 5 to see where it came from! Then I got lost for hours and hours online.
CB2 had unicorn bookends. Unicorn bookends people!
And pineapple pillows
And is this vase just not fabulous?
And all these funky bottles!
Sorry, if I was going down the CB2 rabbit hole, so were you! All of a sudden I have the decorating itch. Maybe some stuff in my house can look pretty with all of these things!!!
Favorite Quote:
Favorite Memory: Five years ago today, after I spent my last day working for an amazing company…I packed up my car and Gracie and I moved to Birmingham. If you would have asked me 10 years ago where I would end up settling down, Birmingham wouldn’t have even been on the radar and yet, here I am. I took a leap of faith. Chris and I had the chance to stay in Atlanta or move to Nashville but we chose Birmingham to stay close to his family. I can’t believe it has been five years! Five wonderful years. This was the blurry picture I snapped of my last view of the Atlanta skyline as a resident of the Peachtree State.
Favorite Funnies:
I think I need this shirt. At least I have a super power, right?
Hahaha my nephew Cooper every time I see him…
How I feel when I come home and change out of clothes
Why are there still door to door salesman? You know what makes me not want to buy your shit?? When you come bother me at my house. I be like…
Linking up with the cool kids and my girl Amanda. I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!!!!
Another month of awesome products with the July 2015 Allure Beauty Box!!!
What’s the Deal:For $15 a month, Allure sends you 5 deluxe size beauty samples, a mini magazine about the samples and usually some type of coupon. I figured that was a decent deal for 5 deluxe samples! I pay for this on my own, and all opinions are my own. This is not a sponsored post, a girl just likes to talk beauty sometimes, ok?! You can see last month’s box here.
I would like to make a note that this is the SECOND month that they have double charged my card. WTF Allure??? I know it is only $15 but that is not ok. This is only my forth box which means half the time they have double charged me. They put the money back on their own, but that is not a good ratio.
Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Primer (full size $27)
What it is: A multitasking protective spray that you use before your heating tools to protect, condition and smooth hair. You all know that I have baby fine hair, and this stuff makes my hair look awesome without weighing it down! I feel like it feels smoother, has a little bit of a shine and it smells good! Did I mention it is probate free?
My Thoughts: I love this stuff!!!!!! I was pretty loyal to Chi’s heat protective spray for the last several years but this stuff is a whole new level of awesome! I highly recommend this and will be using this from now on!
Oscar Blandi olumizing Dry Shampoo (full size $25)
What it is: This is a dry shampoo that is supposed to boost volume without a trace. The smell is sort of lemony and the spray consistency is great. I will say, I could not see the white overcast that you usually get with dry shampoos in the least bit, so that is huge!!! I don’t really know about volume though? My hair is so flat and fine not much helps me in that department.
My Thoughts: I have tried so many dry shampoos out there. SO MANY!!! My favorite is hands down Batiste. It just works the best as far as keeping my hair looking clean and I like it’s scents the best also. If you have a serious issue getting rid of the white overcast from other dry shampoos, I highly recommend this Oscar Blandi one…otherwise…I like Batiste better and it is way cheaper.
What it is: This is a three-in-one mist that is to set makeup, helps control oil and shine, and protect against the sun with SPF 50. It has a rosemary and mint scent to it, which much reminds me of something you would smell at a spa and I find that uplifting and enjoyable. I will say that there is a little sting in the spray, which I guess is the mint? It only stings for a second. This is paraben and sulfate free.
My Thoughts: Other than a weird name…Supergoop?? My skin is super oily in the summer, and right now down here if you walk outside for more than a second you start sweating. So it is under harsh conditions that I am testing this. I think that as far as make up setting goes, it works just as well as other sprays that I have had in the past. I do really appreciate the SPF 50 for my fair, easily burnt skin!!! That is a major selling point with me! I am on the fence as to whether I will repurchase, but I think it is worth a try for those in the market.
Invisibobble Traceless Hair Ring(full price $16)
What it is: This is supposed to be a unique band that does not leave a crease in your hair after being in a pony tail, and claims to not drag or pull on scalp. It has a smooth metal free, soldered finish will not snag, cause breakage or hair loss.
My Thoughts:Well, it holds my hair well, but I am not sure I really like the look of these in my hair. A plastic slinky looking thing? It makes me feel like a child. Plus, my hair is super thin so everything leaves a crease. EVERYTHING. These are no different. I might see if my 11 year old niece wants them. Also, $16???? Sorry…there are so many things I would rather spend $16 on than some hair ties that I will either lose or they will stretch out or break eventually. You know?!
What it is: Mascara that stretches lashes for maximum length and volume.
My thoughts: This mascara is a great option for those who have a difficult time with clumping. The brush is so short and small that you really have to work to build….which is both good and bad. Bad because it takes longer, but good because there is absolutely no clumping. It has great reviews on Sephora and other websites and is worth a try if you are in the market for mascara. I liked this one and would consider purchasing it again.
Here is a blurry picture of the length it creates for my nearly non-existent lashes! This is before I put on any concealer or foundation…so pay no attention to the dark circles and uneven skin tone.
What it is: This is an eye serum that you can use up to two times per day to to reduce the look of visible signs of eye aging: fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, dark circles, dryness and uneven skintone. It also claims to be intensely hydrating, which it is not. Not even a little. I will say that my skin seemed a little brighter and smoother around my eyes though.
My Thoughts:While this eye serum wasn’t horrible and did have a few benefits, I didn’t love it. Certainly not for the full price!!! Plus, I had to make sure I used extra moisturizer around my eyes because I felt like this was drying.
Do you have an eye serum you love?? Still looking for my holy grail.
–Sometimes in real life, you have a meeting on a Tuesday night after work and you decide what the hell, I am going to have three toasted raviolis while I am here. And a Woodchuck Blueberry Cider. #isbutteracarb
–Then sometimes in real life, your husband suggests you stop by World of Beer on the walk back to your car because it is a nice night out, you see your favorite bar tender, and you just want to chill and pretend that you aren’t a responsible adult. #ifeellikeim22
–Sometimes life rewards your irresponsible self with a Strawgator on draught because #YOLO!!!!
–Sometimes you figure, well you accidentally forgot that corn is on the list of things you aren’t supposed to be having but you had already added it to your edamame quinoa salad for lunch, so you figure you aren’t really being grain free this week anyways and you give zero fucks about it. #FTW
–And then the next morning you wake up, and put your adult pants on. You have a serious leg day work out and complete day 3 of your yoga challenge while texting your sweaty work out selfie to your “ahole bro” work out group. You mention nothing of your toasted ravioli and beer excursion because they are going to read it on your blog anyways. #brosforlife #dropitlikeasquat
