reading is sexy ...

Rory Gilmore says so.

 

This is one resolution that I think I will enjoy! My goal this year is to read a book a month. That may not seem like a lot to some of you bookworms, but I haven't picked up a novel since June! Yikes!

In fact, I haven't even started January's book!

Looking through my small collection at home, I have decided to give this one a shot. Lipstick Jungle, by Candace Bushnell. I loved this TV series when it aired for a brief time, before getting cancelled. In fact, I was mad when they cancelled it mid-season. Who does that?!? Anyway, I found this at The Dollar Tree last year sometime. A book for a buck - sign me up!

These next 2 books actually have movies releasing next month ... has anyone read these yet? Are they worth the time? I have been debating on snagging these ... thoughts?

 

Beautiful Creatures - Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Ethan longs to escape his small Southern town. He meets a mysterious new girl, Lena. Together, they uncover dark secrets about their respective families, their history and their town.

 

Safe Haven - Nicholas Sparks

A young woman with a mysterious past lands in Southport, North Carolina where her bond with a widower forces her to confront the dark secret that haunts her.

 

 Eventually, I will finish The Hunger Games Trilogy ... I have only read the first one so far. I am thinking I will read them right before Catching Fire hits the theaters. That book I read in June? It was 50 Shades of Grey. I was not impressed enough to continue on to books 2 and 3.

What's on your reading list this year? Have any suggestions for must-reads?

Plump It Up ... Norwegian Style!

As many of you already know, I am a BzzAgent. I am part of a community that receives products to test out and review. Pretty rad, huh?

Currently, I am trying out Neutrogena's Norwegian Formula Hand Cream. They say a little goes a long way ... over 200 applications per 2 oz. bottle! Thick and creamy, formulated for the toughest dry skin ... and recommended to use on your lips, too.

Say what?!?

Hand cream on my lips?!?

Let's give it a shot ... I'm game!

 

My lips definitely go through some nastiness in the winter ... dryness, cracking, peeling, and bleeding! Yikes! I usually use medicated Chapstick - the cooling sensation alone helps to soothe, but not necessarily heal. I have been using Neutrogena's Hand Cream on my lips for 2 weeks now.

THIS.STUFF.WORKS!

My lips have never felt better! The clear lotion goes on smoothly and absorbs almost instantly. If I put too much on, my lips feel a bit tacky, but nothing too annoying. Once absorbed, you forget you have anything on. In the first hour or so, if your lips are moistened at all, the lotion is sorta re-activated, causing a slippery feeling on your lips. When dry again, your lips feel natural. The cracking is gone, no more peeling, and my lips are hydrated! I also love that I can wear this to bed, and not have break-out on my chin. Most lip balms I use at night cause my chin to break out when the balm rubs off my lips. I have not had this problem with Neutrogena.

Now this last little perk may only be in my head, but I feel like my lips look a little plumper since using this product! Obviously, there is no special lip-enhancing ingredients in this HAND cream, but my lips seem to be a little fuller ... maybe because they are being so well hydrated. I am loving this!

This Norwegian Formula Hand Cream is definitely da bomb in my book! My dry, winter-bitten palms, knuckles, and cuticles are so soft and moisturized. I even apply this cream to my elbows! My hands have never looked or felt so nourished, and the added lip balm bonus makes this a product I will never be without!

Who wants to try a sample size? I have 3 available with coupons to purchase the full size bottle if you love it as much as I do! First three peeps to message me your address will get to experience Neutrogena's Norwegian Formula Hand Cream!

Whoop!

I tried it ... SodaStream

Hubby received a SodaStream for Christmas, and let me tell ya, girls ... it is so blog-worthy! Make your own pop at home ... genius! This system is super easy to use ... fill the bottle with water, lock it in the Soda Stream, push the button for desired carbonation, watch the bubbles get added to your water, and mix in your favorite soda, tea, juice, italian soda or water flavor. Voila! The end results taste amazing! I am obsessed with the Root Beer right now!!
And guess what a big perk is with this do-it-yourself little product? The beverages are way better for you than all other soda pops! Check out this little chart from the SodaStream website ...

We are so happy with our SodaStream and use it every day! The up-keep costs are pretty minimal ... the carbonators need to be replaced when they get low ($14.99), and the soda /juice syrups are $5 per bottle (averaging 33 cans of pop). Go get yourself one!!

Resolutions for the Twenty~Thirteen

Happy Monday!!

It sure feels good to be back! Oh, how I have missed blogging! Thank you so much to those of you have popped in to say hello ... you girls are the reason I keep coming back!

I know that we are already half way through January, but what kind of blogger would I be if I didn't share my new year resolutions with the peeps that I adore so much?  

Goal #1 ... Keep on bloggin'. Sometimes blogs get neglected to the point of no return. We all have our days/weeks/months where we just aren't inspired to entertain. I have contemplated closing up shop many times, for many different reasons. But the friends I have met throughout the years, and the things that we all share through our blogs, really mean a lot to me. So a goal of mine this year is to make my blog a priority, and to also make sure I am making others know how much I appreciate their blogs as well.

Goal Numero Dos ... Read More! The last book I read was back in June. Seriously. Sad, huh? This year, I wanna read at least a book a month. I haven't started one for January yet. Any suggestions? Shout out your favorite must-reads!

Goal Three ... spelled out clearly above. I can't tell you just how freeing this is! I am over the food drama! This year I will not diet. I will eat what I feel like, but in moderation. Plain and simple. Throw in a little more activity, and weight should not be a problem.

My final goal to work on ... GET MORE SLEEP!!! It is actually 2:53 AM as I am writing this blog post. My kids need to be out the door for school at 7:30am ... in 4 1/2 hours! My day today is packed with appointments, then I am scheduled for an all-nighter (9pm to 5am) to work on inventory at that big department store I am currently working at. I really need to work on this internal sleep clock of mine.

So there you have it ... my official resolutions for 2013! Nothing crazy or stressful. Just a few things to make me happier and feel a little more content in this fun and busy life I have been so blessed with! I hope y'all are off to a great start ... what are some goals that you set for yourself this year?

2.0.1.3.

Happy 2013!!

I have been trying to recover from this holiday hangover, so the bliggity-blog has been suffering! Ya see, this crazy girl decided it would be a great idea to pick up a job the week before Thanksgiving at one of the biggest and busiest department stores in all the land.
Was I drinking?
No. In fact, at this said time, I was on a little cleanse/challenge to see if I could make it 60 days through the holidays without hittin' the bottle. I figured I was already eating enough extra calories, and cutting out wine and vodka would make the resolutions start off a little easier.
I lasted 30 days. Don't judge.
So here I am, post Black Friday/Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year Sale Events, gettin' back into the swing of things.
Whew!
While I was away though, I have been keepin' tabs on blog post ideas! I can't wait to show y'all what I have been up to ... I Tried It (product reviews), Mani of the Week, and Fashion Fridays will be returning, plus a few new weekly features will be popping up, too!
All the fun starts on Monday, January 14th ... pinky-swear!! Until then, hit me up in the comments and say hi ... let me know if there is anything you want to see here on dot...dot...dot... this year. Check out the sponsors highlighted in the menu bar above ... they are pretty awesome! If you want your shop to be featured, it's pretty darn simple. Just let me know and we'll chat about the details!
I hope everyone is off to a great new year!
xoxo