Friday, March 11, 2011

happy anniversary!

happy friday before spring break! woohoo!!
sorry i haven't been in a blogging mood at all--not much to blog about.

but last weekend we made a quick trip to waco for my mom & les' 2nd anniversary

here's the happy couple & mama jeanne

mike, danielle & sweet sadie

chris, mckinlee & me

uncle aaron & aunt peggy, aunt vicki

after a yummy dinner, we went back to danielle's for dessert & presents!

before opening presents

they got so many nice things, like giftcards...

yummy candles...

mck got mom an hourglass with black sand for her black & white bedroom

and she got poppy a duck for his office

they also got cute outdoor stuff and a basket of yummy eats & drinks!

happy anniversary mom & les!

p.s. i made the coconut cake in the pictures above and it turned out really good (i had never made it before.) i just used a white cake mix but here's the recipe for the icing--which is always the best part anyway! (read some of the reviews--people always give good tips on how to make it better. i can't stress enough to keep all of this chilled & to use a cold bowl if possible because it is pretty runny.)

Friday, February 18, 2011

my latest goodwill finds and what i won

i hadn't been in goodwill for a while, but decided to stop by there last week & i found a few good deals.

i hate the way they have all their belts thrown in this huge box & you have to dig through them. i usually spend about 30 seconds or less doing that & then move on. i found this one right away & thought it was cute. i didn't see a brand name or anything on it, but decided to get it anyway. when i got where the light was better i realized it was a fossil--score!
for $1.59 that baby was mine!
then i found this necklace for 79 cents.
the beads are worth that--so i'll either leave it as is or make bracelets with it.

i thought this skirt would be cute for spring.
it's american eagle outfitters. a green & navy check print. $2.99


a few weeks ago, deeanna from a little junk in my trunk (she's a blogger for goodwill & finds amazing things) was giving away a pair of dan post cowboy boots that were too small for her.
i decided to put my name in & i ended up winning!
when i emailed her my address & she find out i was a texas girl, she threw in another pair too! yeehaw!

i got them this past friday in the mail. i was in the midst of a horrible migraine but these eased my pain for about 3 minutes!

that weekend, mckinlee & i were running out to get some takeout for dinner & i put my new silver tipped boots on.
chris took one look at me and said he hoped i didn't get asked out by a cowboy! ha!
(he's just jealous because he still hasn't been able to find any boots at goodwill yet!)

so that's my goodwill excitement--see you next week!


(blogger is getting all weird on me--this was supposed to be up with my other stuff from goodwill)


this little ann taylor was with the skirts, but when i tried it on i realized it was a strapless dress! is that darling or what? i'll put some little sweater or shrug over it for spring/summer. $5.99--not bad at all!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

what i wore wednesday

i haven't done this for a while, but decided i would this week.
here's what i've been wearing lately:

where: a little shopping trip to old navy
jeans: jcp
shirt & cardigan: target
shoes: target
flowers: made by me


where: taking food to a sick friend
then i got hot & took the shirt off & put a navy tank underneath & added grey target boots.
jeggings: jcp
necklace: the vintage pearl
earrings: funky vintage kitchen

where: probably grocery shopping
jeggings: jcp
tee: target
sweater: walmart
scarf: hallmark shop
flower: michele busch
earrings: lisa leonard
boots: dsw

where: running errands
jeggings: jcp (i didn't really wear these 3 days in a row!)
jeggings: jcp
tee: target
boots: dsw
necklace: goodwill
earrings: lisa leonard
gingham shirt: old navy
(this is the first time i've tried the whole wearing a button down shirt under a tee. does it work?)

where: groceries, shopping, etc.
(i really do other things besides buying groceries!)
jeans: lauren conrad for kohls
shoes: dsw
tank: target
cardigan: old navy
grey mum jewelry set: funky vintage kitchen

linking up with the pleated poppy and jewelscapes.

Monday, February 14, 2011

a couple new recipes

here's a couple new things i've tried lately that were really good.
this first one i found in my latest rachael ray magazine. if you like stuffed peppers, but don't want to stuff a pepper, you will like this. it's easy & fast and only uses 5 ingredients!

unstuffed peppers

1 cup long-grain wild rice (i used a box of uncle ben's)
1 pound mild italian sausage or ground beef
2 green bell peppers chopped (i used 1 red)
1 10 oz. pkg white mushrooms sliced (i used crimini)
1 red onion chopped (i only used 1/2)

cook the rice according to the directions. meanwhile, heat large skillet & add 1 TB evoo & sausage or ground beef (i didn't use any evoo) cook until brown. transfer cooked meat to the cooked rice. return skillet to heat & add 1 or more TB evoo, the bell peppers, mushrooms & onion. Season with salt, pepper or whatever seasoning you like. cook until veggies are crisp-tender.
add meat & rice to veggies and toss.


this next recipe i just found in the comments section of someone's blog. it didn't even have a name so i'm naming it:

rotisserie chicken soup

1 box chicken broth
2 cans great northern beans
1 can green chilies
rotisserie chicken
1/2-1 chopped onion
taco seasoning-2 to 3 teaspoons
adobo seasoning

simmer for 10 or more minutes. then add 4-8 oz. sour cream & 4-8 oz. shredded mont. jack cheese.
stir well--enjoy!

this was SO yummy i should have doubled the recipe!


if you try them--let me know how you like it!

Friday, February 11, 2011

my favorite beauty products

today on kelly's korner show us your life series is favorite beauty products.
last time she did this, i got some really good information for different products, so i thought i'd show you a few of my favorites!

first up is my favorite skin care.

my skin has always had problems! even now at almost 38, sometimes i feel like i have the skin of a teenager--oily & prone to breakouts.
i went a long time using various products from the grocery store & nothing really ever helped me.
at the recommendation of my sister, i decided to try origins and i LOVE it!
it's pricier than grocery store stuff, but to me it is so worth it--and after the initial investment, it lasts forever. you only have to use a tiny amount of each product.

clear improvement--it's a charcoal mask that i use in the t-zone area about once a week. the charcoal is supposed to draw out impurities. only downside--as you might imagine with charcoal--is that it is a little messy.

modern friction--it has rice in it that is a natural dermabrasion. my skin feels so smooth after i do this. supposed to do it 2-3 times a week.

both of these i got last march & they are almost full--they will last forever!
checks and balances--this is my face wash & i love it. i only use a pea-size amount and it froths up to clean my whole face. i have had this tube since last march & there is still a ton left in it!

purifying tonic--i've wondered if i really needed this. but when i don't use it i can tell a difference, so i guess i'll keep using it. if you've ever washed your face and it feels real tight, then you probably need a toner to help restore the ph balance in your skin.
a perfect world white tea skin guardian--this stuff is amazing! this feels like silk on your face. it helps protect your skin from early signs of aging.

a perfect world moisturizer with & without spf--one i use at night & one for day. this is a great moisturizer. at first it seems like it's going to be too greasy for oily skin, but then it just kind of disappears on your face. really makes my skin soft.

gin-zing eye cream--this has lasted forever too. i've had it since march of last year too and it's just now about to run out. really refreshes your eyes & makes them a little brighter.

i currently am out of this--being winter and all--but will be getting more soon. i think it is the best self-tanner i have ever tried! such a natural, golden tone & it smells so yummy!


now on to make-up:

i am a bare minerals girl. (no offense to dr. oz--but i will not stop using this make-up because of the lung risk!!) i love just about every product i've ever used from them. (i did not care for their lip gloss) i have heard from some people with dryer skin that they did not like bare minerals, but i have oily skin and it works great for me!

i think their bisque (concealer) is one of the best products on the market--it is, by far, the best concealer i have ever used.

i think the best thing to do with bare minerals is to get a kit from sephora or even qvc and then replace items as needed. qvc will sometimes have AMAZING deals for huge kits!

ulta eye shadow--i do love bare minerals eye shadows but i got these the other day with a coupon & have really been liking them.

blush--ok, this is one thing i bought after reading everyone raving over it last time. it's nars brand blush. the color, of course, is orgasm. it feels kind of weird walking in to a store and asking someone if they have nars blush in orgasm! i asked the lady at sephora what was the deal with this blush? why does everyone love it? she said that no matter what your skin tone is, it looks great. and i have to agree. this has lasted me forever.


eye make-up remover--love these little remover pads. as much eye make-up as i wear, i can usually remove all the make-up off both eyes with one pad! i usually get them with a coupon from ulta, but you can get them at wal-mart or target too.


on to hair products:

shampoo/conditioner--bought this the last time i had my hair cut & colored which was in november i think. love the smell.
(interesting tidbit: i had a hairdresser tell me that pantene was one of the worst things you could put on your hair and that if you are going to use cheap shampoo, just use suave. i don't use pantene, but i had been using herbal essences & he said the build-up & smell on my hair was so strong he couldn't get it out!)

other hair products:
i really don't like to try a bunch of stuff. i just want to find something that works well on my hair & be done with it!

paul mitchell thicken up: really works good & makes my hair look like it has much more body than it does!
suave hairspray: for a cheap hairspray, this is my favorite.
tresemme heat tamer spray: this has been working really good for me.

kenra: i love all their products, but have run out of everything but the mousse.

fragrance:

burberry brit sheer--i am loving this! it can't be too strong or i will get a headache. this sheer is just perfect!

bath gel:
i love most stuff from bath & body works. all winter i've been using twilight woods and secret wonderland. about to start using this orange sapphire & the new carried away. (got to have the gel & matching scented lotion!)


other random stuff:

pink--love any pink stuff. really liking the fresh & clean scent
lancome bronzer--i use this on my face & think it looks really natural
duwop bronzing moisturizer--i got this as a freebie at sephora & really like it. it colors your skin instantly & then comes off when you bathe. the only bad thing is that it will come off on your clothes if you don't let it dry or if you get hot & sweaty! i speak from experience.
palmer's cocoa butter--this comes in a tube too & it is great. really shines your skin up & is so soft.
hope my little review helps if you're thinking of trying any of these things. i love it when i hear how someone likes a certain thing!

the only thing i didn't show was lip glosses. i have had a terrible time with my lips for some time now & have only used vaseline or burts bees gloss but i am waiting on an order from sephora for some stila lip glosses--can't wait to get those & see if i like them!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

stampin' up

so it was my month to host our monthly stampin' up class.
all that means is that i provide the refreshments for our class at the demonstrators home
and...
i get the benefits based on what everyone orders.
it was a really good month to be hostess since it was the first month of sale-a-bration (for every $50 you spend you get a free stamp set) one lady in my club apparently spent $300--that really boosted my month!
anyway, i got a ton of stuff free and can't wait to play with it all!

these were the only 2 things i bought:
some kraft paper (they are calling it crumb cake) and the cutest double scallop border punch.

and this is all the stuff i got free!!!

4 free stamp sets:
2 are hostess gifts, 1 is sale-a-bration and 1 is from the catalog

the label punch on the left

instead of choosing another sale-a-bration set, i chose a get well set from the catalog.
(the congrats stamp looks funny there with the get well ones. it came with a card kit.)

the keys i will be attaching to the stampin' up necklace i got a while back and these darling adornments can be used for all sorts of embellishments. mckinlee and i used them today to do something fun. will show pictures of what we made later.

this was a level 3 hostess gift--a card kit with everything you need to make 8 colorful cards.

some ink pads i needed.

and some gorgeous paper. this one is called love letters, i think. it has such an antique-y feel--i just love it!

and this one is newsprint--really cool & adds such a neat vintage feel to things.

i also ordered the prettiest old-fashioned looking flowery paper, but it was back ordered. it matches those rose adornments.

so that was my exciting haul from stampin' up--now to actually use it!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

i'm thinking of spring...

not that i'm getting tired of skinny jeans and boots, but after the last snowed in week and another snow/ice-no school day today,
i am looking forward to warmer weather and bright colored clothes!

monday i noticed that old navy was having a 30% off sale (even on stuff already on sale!) so i went on a little spring shopping spree!
(my sister wanted to see what i bought--so here goes.)

i have been wanting a blue & white gingham shirt and found just what i was looking for!
(when i showed it so excitedly to mckinlee, she said "you wanted a shirt that looks like a tablecloth?" ha!)
i have also wanted a navy & white striped shirt and bingo! found just what i wanted.
the neckline is twisted & so cute and i love the button sleeves.
i am picturing each of these with cute, colorful accents!

i am a tank top girl--LOVE them!
these two were so cute and that soft, jersey scarf was mine the moment i saw it!

two more tanks--a little dressier. the one on the left is much browner than the picture.
i loved the flower detail on the black one.

i never buy cute spring/summer shoes when i first see them. and when i finally realize i want some--the only size left is an 11. so i snagged these up right away!
at one point, i had about 7 or 8 pair in my cart--but decided these were good and neutral!
(i'll save the wild colors for summer i guess.)

i just loved this necklace & figured it would go with anything.
i am picturing a pretty little flower attached to it.

if there's anything i love more than tanks, it's cardigans!
this one just screamed SPRING, don't you think?
it looks a little matronly on the hanger, but is very cute & fitted in real life!

and these two i just had to have. love the yellow flowers and that grey/polka dot one will go with so many things. they are so soft & lightweight too.

i also tried on several pair of boyfriend jeans--but since i was having a bit of a bloated day, decided it was not a good day to buy jeans!

i can't wait to wear these. to tell you the truth, i really don't like spring all that much. i usually feel really bad in the spring and, sadly, our "spring" consists of a bunch of rainy, cold weather and then you wake up one morning and it's summer!
but i do LOVE summer--and i'll still be able to wear all this for summer too!