These are a few of my favorite things....

Happy Friday!!! & almost Merry Christmas! My favorite time of year!

Its Christmas time so of course I have to share my wish list :)

#1 Riding Boots

uoionline.com

Specifically, these riding boots! Preferably in black or brown will work fine too. I wanted these last year too but they were sold out like everywhere! Hopefully Santa will be bringing me these this year :)

#2 Massage!

source Google

Oh the glory's of a massage! Deep tissue and/or hot stones! My neck and shoulders are hard as rocks ALL THE TIME. I sit at a desk all day and I am an inside stress-er. Therefore tight shoulders and neck. My dream would be able to get a massage like every other week. How amazing would that be?

#3 Lorac Unzipped Palette and/or Stila Eyes Are The Window Palette in color Soul

source Google

source Google

These two palettes are seriously amazing!! Gorgeous colors! I NEED these. Yes, Need. I mentioned the Stila palette before. The obsession is still going strong.

#4 MakeUp Storage

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& of course I need something to put those palettes in! My makeup collection is over flowing on my bathroom counter. I am DESPERATE need of some makeup storage.

#5 Rhythms of Grace

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I text Santa a link to order this book (a.k.a my hubs) for me. I saw a friend of mine on instagram post this book & how much she loved it. So I had to check it out! I am almost done with my other devotional book Whispers of Hope by Beth Moore. So gotta have something new to read! :)

What is on your wish list this year?

Hope you have a Merry Friday :)

Holiday Recipe Roundup

Happy Monday folks! & I can say HAPPY Monday, because I can see a 4 day weekend ahead!
Lots of yummy food, time with the fam & LOTS of shopping! That is what my extended weekend will be consisting of!

So speaking of FOOD, you may have read this post from me recently. So delish!
For more deliciousness for your holiday you need this - the HOLIDAY RECIPE ROUNDUP!
With Simple Moments Stick!

via Simple Moments Stick

So be a doll & go check it out! There are LOADS of tasty recipes to choose from for your Thanksgiving dinner! Thanks to Susannah for hosting the roundup!

I hope you have a short work week & a longggggggggg Thanksgiving vaca with your family & friends! Happy Thanksgiving :)

CVS Winter 2014 Beauty Clearance Sale - 50%-75% off!

I don't know if you guys have heard but CVS is having a big beauty sale!!!!
I first heard about it from my cousin Tiffany (thanks Tiff!). So I've been checking all the CVS stores near me to find the goods!

Here are some pics I took in my local CVS closest to my house.

NYC bronzer

NYC Applelicious Glossy Lip Balms

Rimmel BB creams

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation

Rimmel Lip Lacquers

One of my purchases, $1.32 y'all!

I have to say I am not totally impressed with the selection in my CVS. I have checked 2 other CVS stores near my work and they didn't have much either. I did manage to get a handful of products. I will be posting a mini haul on my Youtube Channel this weekend.

I searched the sale on Google the other day just to see what I could find. Here is a post I found with a list of the items that are on sale.'

On a side note, check the expiration dates on the Rimmel foundations. I wasn't really aware of foundations having an expiration dates? But the Rimmel ones did & I picked up one that was out of date. So look close for that.

Although I am a little disappointed in the selection at my local CVS, I am excited to try the few products out that I did get!  Check out your CVS to see what goodies you can find!

Pumpkin Chiffon Pie Deliciousness

Happy Fall Y'all! & almost Happy Thanksgiving! I am already counting down the days!
I can't wait to spend time with all my fam & eat some of the best food I've ever put in my mouth!
One of my most favorite things about Thanksgiving is my Nana's Pumpkin Chiffon Pie!
I do not, I repeat DO NOT eat regular 'ole pumpkin pie. Its gross! You have not had pumpkin pie until you've had my Nanas Pumpkin Chiffon Pie. UH-MAZING. So I wanted to share the recipe with you guys! If you are looking for a dessert to take to your Thanksgiving dinner to wow your friends & family this is it!
Its so creamy & smooth & yummy! Mmmmm can't wait!

a page out of my scrapbook recipe book, excuse my handwriting :)

Ingredients:
-1 envelope Knot unflavored gelatin
-2/3 cup light brown sugar (packed)
-1/2 tsp Salt, Cinnamon, Nutmeg & Ginger
-1 can plain pumpkin
-3 egg yolks (save whites)
-1/2 cup of milk
-1/4 tsp cream of tarter
-1/2 cup of white sugar
-baked pie shell

Directions:
Blend gelatin, brown sugar, spices, salt, pumpkin, egg yolks & milk.
Cook over medium heat until just bubbles about 10 minutes. Set aside until cool.
Beat egg whites, cream of tarter & white sugar until stiff. Fold this into the pumpkin mix over & over
Put in baked pie shell. Top with cool whip.
Refrigerate until serving.

Happy Halloween!

Princess Kitty! 

My last minute costume for my work day :)

Tiara Kitty Ears - Walgreens

Revlon Ultra HD 815 Sweet Pea Lipstick - Walgreens or CVS
(Check out my review of this lipstick on my YouTube Channel - http://youtu.be/LsTqjia94t4)

Wet n Wild Fantasy Makers Glitter Eyeliner, Monsters Disco Ball - Walgreens

Lashes (got mine from Walgreens)

Hope you enjoy your Halloween Friday!!

SHOP SHOP SHOP!

Happy almost Friday folks!!!

I had to share one of my new favorite shopping websites! For all my fellow shopaholics, you've got to check out ShopLately.com!!

The describe themselves as "the ultimate fashion marketplace". They have sale events from different boutiques daily. & you can always buy regular priced items too. They have clothes, shoes, handbags, jewelry (my favorite!) & more!

Here are some of current faves I am drooling over!

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Aren't these gorgeous?! & the prices are pretty decent too!

Click this link to check it out!  https://shoplately.com/u/nj2509xf

not a sponsored post*

Self Worth

Where do you find your self worth? How do you build up your self esteem? What makes you believe in yourself?

Self Worth : the sense of one's own value or worth as a person; self-esteem; self-respect.

Women as a whole struggle with finding their self worth. Men too, but especially women. What in your life defines your self worth or lack there of? A job? A pretty new dress? Someone elses opinion of you? How many likes you got on Instagram?

No worldy possession can define your self worth.
No other person can dictate your worth unless you allow them to.

No matter how much money you have, what designer bag is on your arm, what your career looks like..... None of that can fill the void inside of you. Except Jesus.

When your self worth is rooted in the fact that you are a child of God, you can wake up everyday with the assurance that you have purpose. You can believe in yourself. You can look in the mirror and see a beautiful person. Inside & out. Despite what the world may say.

The Bible says you are "fearfully and wonderfully made". So start believing that today. Stop looking for your self worth outside of God. When everything else fades away God will always be right there with open arms. He loves to lift up His children. To love on them. To be there for them.

Make more time for the one who created you. Who adores you. Who wants to hear your voice. Who genuinely cares about you & has your best interest at heart.

source Google

source Google

source Google

Sharing a little marriage advice

Good Morning folks! & Happy Wednesday :)

Just wanted to share a post I was reading this morning. Married or plan to be married one day read this. Lyndsay has some really great points in her post. I think one of my favorites is "Make your home a fun place". That is so true. & needed to keep your sanity in this crazy life. I love when my husband & I just talk & laugh with/at each other. Those are the best times. Your home should be your safe haven from the world. Your stress free zone. Your one place in the world that makes sense. I have that with my husband in our home & I will do everything I can to always keep it that way.

Little corny but #truth :)

My Fall Decor

As I have mentioned many times before, I am a home décor junkie! I absolutely love decorating my house for Fall & Christmas. & pretty much any other time of the year!

So I wanted to share my décor for this years Fall season with you guys!

My f all arrangement my mom started for me & I finished.
Floral stems - Michaels.
Tin Bucket from a craft show last year.

This is on my little bar area in my kitchen,
Jar & potpourri - Marshalls.
Pine Cone tree - Bealls Outlet.
Leaf Garland - Dollar General.
Can't remember where I got the tin star. 

End table in my living room.
Sunflowers - Michaels
Had the mason jar, not sure from where.
(on a side note, save your old spaghetti jars. they are great for crafts!)
Basket bought last year - Bealls Outlet
Pumpkins bought last year - Michaels

Other end of my bar area in my kitchen.
Tin Milk can - Antique store
Floral Stems mix - Michaels, Marshalls & Kirklands
(bought the cotton stems from Kirklands last year)
Rustic Box -Bealls Outlet
Pumpkins - Michaels

I love my Simple Blessings box! I can change out the flowers for every season
Box - Bealls Outlet (last year)
Floral Stems - Michaels



You may remember my wreath from last year
I just change out the flowers for each season. Or leave it plain with just the burlap.
It is currently hanging on my laundry room door. Hence the sign :)
 

My table arrangement
Gold leaf place settings - Marshalls
Cake plate - wedding gift
Table Runner - Marshalls
Again jar & potpourri- Marhalls
Mason jar with sunflowers I also made last year

side view of table :)

So obviously Marshalls is a good place to shop for home décor. Good prices. & Michaels is the best for finding all your floral fall stems. They are actually having a sale right now too! 50% off on all fall floral. So go fast & get it before its all gone!

Happy decorating! :)

Tuesday rambles

Why yes I am still alive! I know you were wondering.

Its Tuesday but kinda feels like a Monday. I woke up with a headache this morning. So not completely feeling it today. #cantwaitfortheweekend

So what have I been up to? School, work, home. That is about the extent of my life right now. I mentioned in my last post I was starting back college. I feel like all I've been doing is algebra. It is a very fast paced class or I am just a weeny. I'm not sure yet. I literally woke up one morning doing an algebra problem in my head. Not ok! I would like to say I have been pleasantly surprised how well I'm catching on in the class though. I've always loathed algebra & never been any good at it. (my husband says I never applied myself to be good at it, but what does he know) But I'm pretty much kickin' tail & takin' names right now if you will. I just had my first test this past weekend & I passed! Pretty excited for myself. I usually freak myself out when it comes to tests. I was super nervous but my Hubs helped keep my stress level down. He's the best.

On another note, work has been pretty busy lately. I am training with my boss because I am going to be covering her job while she is out for surgery. Well covering as much as I can learn between now & then. Also I am training a new employee. & I am trying to keep up with my own work too. Its been a tad stressful. But I haven't had a breakdown yet. Hopefully I will keep myself together & not turn into a crazy lady. (which happens often when I stress)

I am pretty excited about fall starting next week! I have already put up my fall decorations at my house. I will make an attempt to take some pics to post. Can't make any promises though.
Now if Florida could just start getting cooler temps I'd be in heaven. But it is Florida, so you know how that goes if you're a Floridian. #agirlcandream

& I am excited for the fact that I get Christmas Eve, Christmas Day & the day after Christmas off from work this year! I know its super far away, but I am excited regardless. 5 whole days off & Christmas. #bestthingever

Well this was kind of a sad excuse of a post but hey at least I made it here today. This little space will probably be more bare than usual because of my busy schedule. But gotta do what I gotta do. I'll be seeing you guys around :)

Back to school... back to school...

via Google

My husband would be so proud of me referencing this movie right now.

If you remember I posted this last year. Pretty crazy that it was exactly a year ago August 2013.
I am officially a college student AGAIN. Read the post to get the background story.
I am only taking 1 class this semester, just to get myself back in the groove of school. & so I don't pull my hair out trying to work full time & go to college. I am doing my class online also, which makes it so much easier I think. I started working on my assignments last night that are due Sunday. I am already way ahead of myself. When I did college classes before I always waited until the last minute to do everything. Which resulted in cramming/stress. Which resulted in bad grades. Which resulted in me flunking some classes. Andddddd 5 years later here we are.
I actually feel really motivated right now. & I am pretty proud of myself. I have been terrified to go back to school. Obviously, it took me a year to really convince myself to do this. I mentioned in my other post that I have never enjoyed school.(loathed would be the correct word) I always did just enough to get by. So this time around I am making some changes. I'm not procrastinating. I will do the best I can. I will study & make awesome grades. If it kills me, I will do it.
I may get to advance one day at my current job ,but if not I will have a degree that I can take anywhere with me. & that makes me feel pretty awesome. I am sure there are some people who will read this and think "wow do you want a gold star? you're doing what everyone else is doing or already has done." To you I say take your negativity somewhere else. Because this is a major accomplishment for me. & yes maybe I am tooting my own horn right now! Patting myself on the back! Go me! Because I have taken a chance on myself finally. I am changing my thought process on school. I am believing in myself. I am giving myself some credit.
Really I have to thank my husband for supporting me in this. Hes my best friend & his opinion is the most important to me. & he is an inspiration to me. He has been in school the past 5 years & will be done May 2015. That is a lot of school! & he has been working full time the whole time. Hes a machine I tell ya! But him being 100% supportive is what really helped push me to do this. Hes my partner in crime, my main squeeze (you get it...) so we have to be on the same page. & hes really good at math so I have an in home tutor! (whether he likes it or not haha!)
Also my parents have been really supportive of this too. Which is awesome. Because they were there in the beginning when I royally sucked at college! They're the best. :)

So are you working full time & doing classes? How do you handle it? Any tips for the newbie here?

Have a happy almost Friday :)

Obsessed

I don't know if you are like me ,but I have a MAJOR make up obsession. Particularly lipstick obsessed lately. Hence #4 on this post. I can walk in Sephora, Ulta, the CVS beauty section & be lost in a trance for an hour+. Everything just pulls me in! (this is why the cosmetic industry is a billion dollar industry, they know how to suck you in with that pretty shiny packaging!)
I can always find something I HAVE TO HAVE from brands like Covergirl to higher ends like YSL. Lately I've been drooling over YSL & NARS. So this post will be especially geared towards my stupid expensive taste that I can't afford on a regular basis!
So dream on with me ladies. :)

SOURCE

 YSL Rouge Pur Couture #10 Beige Tribute color.
I can thank Kelsey Kinsman for posting this little gem on her Insta. Follow her! She posts some gorgeous stuff.

Here are some more of my nude pinkish lipstick wants right now.

SOURCE
Color "Pink"

SOURCE Color "Doutzens Nude"

 

 

SOURCE Color "Nude" or "Undressed"

SOURCE Color "Pink Taupe" or "Rose Nude"

SOURCE Color "Agatha" or "Noble" (another Kelsey gem)

SOURCE

Lorac PRO Matte Lip Color!
I will take colors Rose Brown, Pink Taupe, Nude, Pink or Mauve! I love lip pens. & I love matte lipsticks. I fear that is a sign of my aging... I don't really care for the shiny and/or sparkly lip glosses, sticks etc anymore. Maybe occasionally. But I'd rather be matte. I have a couple of the Kardashian Joysticks, which I love. This product looks similar. & its not stupid expensive like some of the others I have posted. Can't wait to try it! Check out Jessie James Deckers most recent make up tutorial. She uses this Lorac lipstick in her video. She is flawless!


& of course what is a lipstick without lip liner?!

SOURCE Color "Pink Amber"

SOURCE Color "13 Nude Beige" (another Jessie James Decker recommendation)

SOURCE "Invisible" liner

Interested to see how this "invisible" liner would work. Anyone else tried it?

SOURCE - Another Jessie James Decker recommendation I want to try

SOURCE

Aren't those gorgeous colors?! Stila Eyes Are the Window shadow palette, color "Soul".  I have the first Naked palette. Which obviously is super similar to this one. I am always drawn to bronzy goldish champagne toned eye shadows. Eye shadow would probably be my second obsession in the make up department. I have enough eye shadows to last me a life time! But sometimes a girl can't resist, right? :)

Have you tried any of these products? Love or hate?

Are you an obsessed make up addict like myself?!

exactly :) (source Google)

 

 

St. Augustine Mini Vaca

Good Morning! & prepare yourself for a photo dump!

A couple of weekends ago my best friend Hannah & I took a little girls weekend trip to St. Augustine. We planned the trip a few months ago for Hannahs birthday. It was one of the best weekends I have had in awhile. We got to have girl talk, shop till we dropped, ate all the bad food we wanted, got dressed up & did our makeup extra pretty! We laughed until our sides hurt & jammed out to music in the car. It was the best weekend.

The cutest little place! The Chocolate Turtle

The Chocolate Turtle was amazing!! Also a good place to stop & get cooled off from the FL humidity. We had the Reeses Frappe (uhhh mazing), The Smores & The Milk Chocolate dessert. Like I said we ate terrible!! But it was so worth it!

Going out to dinner

Cousteau's Waffle & Milkshake Bar

best friend coca colas <3 br="">

The Whirlybird waffle

The Hennessey Waffle

As I have mentioned before, you absolutely have to go to Cousteau's if you go to St. Augustine! Any other waffle will just be trash to you after you eat here! So amazing.

new sunnys :)

St. Augustine has some great shopping too! They have the Outlets & some other areas with a Ross & Marshalls. My faves! Also some Antique shopping if you are into that too.

If you haven't had a girls trip with your best friend, do it asap! Even if its just for a weekend & only 45 minutes from your house like St Aug is to us.

Best friend weekends are good for the soul. :)