dot ... dot ... dot ...

It's On Like Donkey Kong!

2012-02-13T14:54:00.002-08:00

The number shouldn't matter. But I am a girl. And it does.

Jillian and The Pussycat Dolls are helping me out at home. Free personal training. I like it.

Things are all better once I plug in my headphones.Water. It does the body good.Who do you jam out to while you are workin' it out?

Ombre Love

2012-02-03T08:58:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the delay in the unveiling of my new 'do, girls ... this was a two week process! My style wizard wanted to be sure my hair didn't turn out all funky being we were bleaching my black hair, so she did some test strips last week. I brought in this pic of the gorgeous Mila Kunis ... this was the look I had finally fell in love with.And two salon trips later, my stylist worked her magic ...
OMBRE!!!

I am loving my new color!

♥

Bling-tastic!

2012-02-01T15:05:00.001-08:00

Nail color of the week ... Sally Hansen's Bling-tastic from their new Gem Crush line.

Base coat: Essie's Fill The Gap

3 Coats of Bling-tastic

Top Coat: Seche Vite

Indoor lighting
In the sun, indoors
~
I am LOVING this color. I needed 3 layers to coat each nail. By the 3rd time around, I found that the glitter stayed better if I tapped it on with the brush, rather than glide it across my nails. The finished results are quite smooth ... tons of aqua-blue glitter and silvery-gold pieces, too! What do you think??
~
So sorry for the iPhone pics ... I should really pull out my fancy camera to show you just how vivid and gorgeous this color actually is, but that involves a lot more process time. I am all about quick and simple these days! :o)

Damn you, Pinterest!!!

2012-01-30T07:50:00.000-08:00

Oh My Goodness!!! It's a slight sickness. My hubby looks at me like I have lost my mind. And I kinda have. Pinterest. For those of you who know this site all too well, then you already know the addictive powers it possesses. For those who haven't been properly introduced, you wouldn't understand. Hours, upon hours, upon hours ... I can't get enough. Mindless browsing, endless dreaming, crafty ideas that stick in my brain even when the computer has been turned off.

This weekend, I decided to get all crafty for a minute and go on a little DIY project. I searched high and low at several stores for a spice rack. Not the carousel style, but one that can hang on a wall. What for, you may ask?

Nail polish.

My nail polish collection that I keep in a shoe box.

No such luck on finding this said spice rack that I saw a DIY pin for, that was all painted up and looking cute and fancy. Sigh.

One last stop at a Ross store, and walking up and down each aisle (because you know nothing is ever put where it belongs), I came across a shower caddy. Shelves and hooks ... an idea popped into my temporarily crafty little mind!

Nail polishes and accessories!!

How great is this?!? I added some pretty cardstock into the bottom of the shelves so the polishes sat up better on the wires. Eventually I will spray paint this in a fabulous teal color, but for now, and for $9.99, I have a great little storage area to display my polishes and jewelry. What do you think, peeps?

Excited for Thursday!!!

2012-01-23T07:49:00.000-08:00

Miss Kim ... liking the two tones hereNot such a fab pic of my girl, Mila, but focus on the hair ...

Little bit of the Ombre trend ...
~
Alright girls - here's where I need ya the most!! The first step I need to take before chopping off my locks in April is creating some dimension in my hair. I dye my hair every 6 weeks or so BLACK. Not a lot of contrast, I know. I have to start incorporating some highlights so when I do cut my hair short, you will be able to see that it is a cute, fun and flirty style, rather than a straight, blunt, gothic-looking mess. I have done the purple and blue highlights ... I ADORED them, however I am slightly over that fun stage in my life and am looking for a little more of a big girl look. {GASP!! I know, we can talk about that later.}
So the above looks are colors I think would mesh well with my black hair. What do y'all think? Do you think I can pull it off ... caramel-y brown highlights? Should I go more red? More blonde? My official salon appointment is on Thursday, so speak up now or forever hold your peace! I need honest opinions, pictures, web links, etc ... Don't be shy girls!!
Thanks for the support, chicas!! Happy Monday!!

Linking up ... it's all about the shoes!!

2012-01-20T14:54:00.000-08:00

I am linking up with Terri over at PeaceLoveApplesauce today - she has an awesome blog and if you haven't checked her out yet, do so (after you check out this post, of course)!!

I am usually not into wearing flats - don't know why, just not a fan. I got a new job working for a real estate company, and some days I just don't feel like rockin' boots or Uggs. These are perfect for the office and pretty darn comfy. Wanna know where they came from?

Walmart ... $14.98

Yep. Cute, huh?

'dem Jersey Girls

2012-01-19T06:38:00.000-08:00

Nicole "Snooki" PolizziSammi "Sweethart" GiancolaJenni "JWoww" Farley

Not too shabby! I think the Jersey Shore girls look amazing without all the make-up caked on! They clean up quite nicely!

Apparently, Miss Deena hasn't been caught by the paparazzi au natural yet. I couldn't find any pics of her without her mask on, but we have all seen the show.

Post work-out yumminess!!

2012-01-18T08:21:00.000-08:00

I am not a protein bar kinda gal. I have yet to find a bar that isn't chalky or dry or just plain artificial tasting. Hubby and I are hittin' up the gym each night to get in some cardio - go resolutions, go!! After last night's session, we popped into the grocery store to get a couple things we needed, and browsed through the supplements aisle. I was griping to Tim that I haven't found any yummy protein bars to munch on, and the flavors that I found to even remotely sound appetizing, are all loaded with carbs (which I am trying to avoid). After a mini lesson from my man about the importance of some carbs in my diet and yada yada yada, I scoped the KIND Fruit and Nut bar. Almonds and coconut - that was really all the wrapper needed to say to get me hooked. There aren't a lot of grams of protein (only 4), and the carbs are up at 19 grams with 10 grams of sugar and 210 calories per bar (wait - should these be considered a health bar??), BUT they are SO YUMMY!! Reminded me of an Almond Joy without the chocolate, which is perfect being I don't like chocolate in solid form. I ate the whole bar, which cost $1.49 on sale, and my hunger was satisfied, although I did drink 24 ounces of water with it as well. Probably not the best choice, but I definitely did a little dance while eating it!
What about you? Do you have a favorite protein bar you love to snack on? Please share!!

It will happen ...

2012-01-17T07:45:00.000-08:00

I will cut my hair this year. I really will. I know y'all don't believe me. I have only talked about it (and chickened out) multiple times the last couple years, but I swear that this is the year! In fact, I will be chopping it off on my birthday, April 25th. Here are some cuts I am loving at the moment ... This one may be too short for my liking (or my hubby's for that matter), but I am loving the purple! If y'all remember last year, I got purple extensions added to black hair for my 30th birthday. I adored them!

Browsing on Pinterest (oh.my.gosh. that site is addicting!!), I found this cut ... love the layers and the lengths. Just not sure if my hair would be thick enough to pull off such amazing volume.

I heart ... I heart a lot!!

I may be too scared to go this short, but this looks so cute on Kristen. It would be fun for spring/summer.
Opinions??

Letting ya'll in on my New Year goals ...

2012-01-16T07:29:00.000-08:00

Oh 2012 ... what shall my goals be this year? I didn't make any last year. Didn't want to give in to the hype of setting those resolutions, only to forget about 'em 3 weeks later. It's always sad to me when those goals fizzle so quickly and my motivation for the rest of the year hinges on those failed attempts. Sigh.

This year, I am setting goals, but first and foremost, there will be no time limit or pressure to accomplish them by. This way, I am not stressed at an approaching date and psyching myself out, jeopardizing the goal I am trying to reach. That is one weakness I have - too much pressure on myself. It is so much easier to fail when you are telling yourself you aren't going to make it!

Now ... onto my 2012 resolutions!!!

The last part of 2011 was a stressful time. Lots of changes in our family occurred, more financial than anything more serious, but stressful enough for some tears, anxiety, sleepless nights, eye twitches, and a full body rash that came about with all the worry. I had to step back and take look at what really mattered in life ... my husband and I are more in love and stronger now than ever in our 13 years of being together, we have 2 happy and healthy boys, we are not in need of anything. Life is such a blessing and I need to always keep this in the front of my mind. Job changes and financial woes are a part of life. I want to make sure that I don't dwell on these issues and keep a positive and happy spirit in life. I am blessed and I don't want anyone to ever think that I am not grateful for that.

This year, the only drama I wanna see is on reality TV. I got caught up in friend drama this last year ... gossip, fights, and nonsense that didn't concern me. I entertained the trash talking amongst others and found myself not only with a migraine, but even being blamed in some of the rumors being spread about. My bad for being a part of the conversations in the first place, but even a bigger bad to put myself in a situation where blame could have been shifted on me. Not cool and lesson learned. How 'bout them Housewives? Let's see what kind of drama they stir up in 2012!!

And, of course, like so many others ... the 'Get In Shape' resolution!! I gained an unwanted 15 pounds in 2011. I want those pounds to disappear. Unfortunately, I need to learn to enjoy eating right and working out. That would be my first baby step to accomplishing this one. But hey - no pressure, right? Do it at a steady pace, no rushing, no deadlines, just learning to like a healthier lifestyle.

So there ya have it ... nothing major, just learning to take better care of myself in all aspects. What about you? How did last year's resolutions go, and what are the new ones you set for 2012?

Hello Lovelies ...

2012-01-14T15:02:00.000-08:00

Happy 2012!! I have been contemplating whether or not to come back to the blogging world. Seems like life is uber cray cray these days (yep, just quoted Whitney - anyone lovin' her show?) . I have taken on a new job (which I l.o.v.e.), switched the stay-at-home role with my hubby for a bit, and have been trying to get used to new schedules. Seems like there is not enough time or brain power left at the end of my days to focus.

I have come to the conclusion though that my blogging days are definitely not over yet. There are too many times throughout each day that I use a product and wanna share a review, or dress myself up and wanna take pics to post on Fashion Fridays. Movies, books, recipes, celeb gossip, wish lists and so on ... all things a girl loves to chat about with her bloggy friends. I definitely need to squeeze in some quality time with y'all here on dot...dot...dot...! ♥

See ya next year!!

2011-12-20T15:57:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year when the holidays take over, the kids are home on winter break, and my brain cells just can't seem to cooperate long enough to put together an entertaining blog post - ha! So it is farewell until 2012 ... I will be back with the new year and ready to start fresh again!! THANK YOU so very much for all your love and support here on dot...dot...dot...!! Blessings for a wonderful Christmas and a safe and happy new year celebration!!

Muah!! xoxo

A local gem ... Portland Pie

2011-12-07T05:56:00.000-08:00

Butter Shortbread Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting ... Chocolate Dipped Butter Shortbread ... Lemon Shortbread ... is your mouth watering yet? Today I would like to introduce you all to a local favorite here in my neck of the woods, Portland Pie. I was just recently introduced to this company by the owner herself and she is happy to share with my wonderful readers the opportunity to win 2 sets of a dozen shortbread cookies!! Yep, TWO WINNERS!! So let's get back to the mouth-watering details of Portland Pie, shall we?

Bourbon Pecan Pie ... Marionberry ... and an award-winning Coconut Cream?!? Sign me up!! Homemade recipes, fresh and local ingredients, and always made fresh to order - you really do have to appreciate when so much love is put into desserts!!
Entering to win is easy, entries count if you are a follower of dot...dot...dot...'s blog and Facebook page (links are in the sidebar to your right).

Next up, hop on over to Portland Pie's website and take a peek around. I know you will want to eat your computer screen, but I don't recommend that. Just come back here and tell me which pie is making you wish that websites had scratch-n-sniff technology!

Need another shot at winning one of those sets of shortbread cookies? Like Portland Pie on Facebook!! There are lots more pictures over there to drool over!

And of course, all your Facebook, Twitter and blog shout-outs are super awesome and loved so dearly! Leave a comment for each post you do!

xoxo

This is on her Christmas list!

2011-12-05T16:58:00.001-08:00

I had a few other opportunities arise for the holiday event, so the fun continues!!
I was contacted by a representative for Misikko.com, an online source for your hair styling needs! Flat irons, curling irons, hair dryers and more ... top-rated, professional tools and products marked at unbelievable prices!

For a review opportunity, I was sent a 1-inch Hana Pro flat iron for straightening. Communication from the representative was outstanding! Upon accepting the offer, I received shipping confirmation within the next day and the package arrived within a week!! Awesome delivery time!

Opening the package, I was amazed at how beautifully this set was put together! I would definitely be happy sending this as a gift, knowing the finest details (such as ribbon and flower petals) were taken care of. Extra goodies (nail files, a hair brush, e.l.f. cosmetics and more!!) were included, as well. I am not sure if that is standard, or was a bonus for this product review, but it was very nice to receive such a nice package.

Now, onto the star of the show!!

Quick Facts:

1-inch ceramic plates

Adjustable heat 140 - 450 degrees F

Safe for damp hair

Floating plates self adjust to hair texture

2 year warranty

8 foot swivel cord

Comes with heat pouch, hot pad and tin case

Top rated, 5-star reviews, and featured by Redbook and Marie Claire!

Hair Before

Washed with shampoo and conditioner, blow dryed, no products.

Hair After
Silky smooth, soft, straight and look at all that SHINE!!
I used the hottest setting (450 degrees), and was so impressed at how quickly start to finish was! The iron heated up instantly, the plates glided smoothly through my hair, and was really lightweight! Flyaways disappeared, layers popped, and my hair was so very soft! My straight locks lasted all day and into the next! LOVE!!

Along with my goodies, I was sent the Hana Shine Shield to try as well. This amazing serum is heat resistance for your hair! It goes on very lightly and smells really pretty!

Hana Shine Shield Features:
Lightweight leave-in conditioning therapy.
Designed to protect and restore both hair and scalp from environmental and styling stress.
Jojoba absorbs quickly without a greasy feel for thorough deep conditioning and naturally dissolves soil, removing build-up from other styling products to leave hair clean & supple.
Jojoba naturally excels at thickening keratin layers, bringing out your hair's natural color overtones, highlights and brilliance.
Periodic use over time is proven to advance the quality of your hair & the health of your scalp.

And one of dot...dot...dot...'s lucky followers will receive a full size, 6 oz bottle of Hana Shine Shield!!
As the rules go, you gotta be a follower here and over on dot...dot...dot...'s Facebook page. Links are in the sidebar to your right. I heart new friends and followers, and appreciate the time y'all take to support my blog! xoxo

To get your entries in, let's show Misikko some love for offering such a generous giveaway (did I forget to mention that this is a $50 value?)!! Hop on over and spend some time checking out their website. When you have your wish list ready, come back here and let me know what you will be asking Santa for!

You can Like Misikko Beauty on Facebook for an extra entry as well ... they will keep you updated on the latest products, special offers and giveaways!! Be sure to add another comment to make your entry count!

And of course, the more peeps you tell about dot...dot...dot...'s fabulous holiday event, the more shots you have at winning! Shout-outs on Facebook, Twitter and blogs all count ... link back here!! Drop another line so I can tally all your entries!
xoxo

My Go-To Holiday Recipe ... everyone loves this!!

2011-12-01T08:28:00.000-08:00

This dessert is the absolute perfect salty-sweet combo and is a hit at any holiday or event!

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

FIRST LAYER
2 cups coarsely crushed pretzels
3/4 cup melted butter

SECOND LAYER
1 (8oz) pkg cream cheese
1 cup sugar
{I like to double this layer for extra cream cheese goodness!}

THIRD LAYER
1 lg pkg (6 ounces) strawberry flavored Jello
2 cups boiling pineapple juice
1 (10oz) package FROZEN strawberries

TOPPING
1 tub of Cool Whip

Preheat oven to 400°. Put first layer in a 9x13 -inch pan. Bake 8 minutes. Remove and cool completely.
Second Layer - Beat sugar into cheese until fluffy. Spread over cooled pretzels.
Third Layer - Mix Jello and boiling pineapple juice until dissolved. Add frozen strawberries and set aside 10 minutes. Pour over cheese mixture. Chill thoroughly until Jello sets.

Top with Cool Whip before serving.

YUM!!

What's your favorite holiday dish?? Please share!

A Dozen Eggs equals Uhmazing Cookies!!

2011-11-30T05:11:00.000-08:00

Day three of the holiday event continues ...

Fresh baked, sweet smelling, adorably decorated, and the oh-so-yummy taste of vanilla is what this giveaway is all about! I have had the pleasure of doing business with this wonderful company, A Dozen Eggs, who has designed several cookie sets for me over the years. These cookies are so delicious and I can't rave about them enough! I wished I lived in Vermont so I could visit their bake shoppe - the cupcakes and sweet treats that they whip up look so incredible!! This company can work with you on custom order requests for special occasions, can design cookies with your business logo, and has the absolute cutest seasonal designs for their scratch-baked sugar cookies.
Dave and Laura of A Dozen Eggs would like to offer my wonderful readers and friends a chance to win this festive box of 24 holiday cocktail-themed cookies, valued at $60 with shipping!! Oh my goodness ... these little cuties will be a hit for that holiday party you are attending this year!! One lucky winner will receive a fresh batch of 24 hand-iced cookies wrapped up in an eco-friendly box with ribbon.

Obviously, you are a follower of my blog and dot...dot...dot...'s Facebook page, right? Not yet? Links are in the sidebar ... click on them, like me, and then you can enter to win. Some call this annoying, or a form of bribery. I call this sponsorship security. Ha ha!!
Next is simple and so drool-worthy!!
Visit adozeneggs.com
Peek around, then come back here to tell me your favorites!! Shout-outs on Facecook, Twitter and blogs are pretty rad and props are always given due! Just be sure to leave me a separate message for each shout-out.
xoxo
Hope everyone is having a great week!!

Day Two ... Second Giveaway!!

2011-11-29T04:52:00.000-08:00

Happy Tuesday!! It's day two of my Holiday Event!!

I am so excited to share another fabulous giveaway from an incredibly creative and sweet friend, Meghan from It's Your Party! Let me just tell ya, if you are looking for the perfect stocking stuffer or teacher gift, a special present for a coach, tutor, co-worker or that hard-to-shop-for someone who has everything, then this giveaway is for you!!
Y'all remember last month when I blogged about that cute little Etsy shop that helped make my 5-year-old's pirate birthday party a little more special? Well, It's Your Party is back at it and giving away a 20-ounce, plastic, BPA free tumbler with straw, custom themed of your choice to TWO LUCKY WINNERS!!!

How cute are these cups?? These first two are ones Meghan created for my boys that I will be putting in their stockings this year. Customizing was super simple ... one quick email, described the themes I wanted along with color choices, and wallah!! Meghan is super friendly, easy to work with, is awesome with response time, and is the creative genius behind It's Your Party!

Can you honestly think of a cuter gift to give this year? Church leaders, babysitters, bosses, neighbors ... the list is endless! Tumblers are the new water bottle!! Shoot, I just thought of a couple more I need to order ... and maybe even one for myself!!
Entering to win one of two tumbler cups is easy! If you are already a follower here on dot...dot...dot... and you can be found in that awesome box in my sidebar, then you have the golden ticket to enter!

Next up, click on this banner to visit It's Your Party on Etsy. Check out some of the other crafty items available! Come back here to leave a comment as to who you have in mind that would adore one of these tumblers.

If you want in on extra entries, here's a couple more things to raise your chances to win!

'Like' It's Your Party on Facebook
No spam, just updates on what's new in the shop!

Re-post and link back to this giveaway!
Facebook, Twitter and blogs all count ... when you leave a shout-out, come back here and let me know! No limit on how many entries, so update those statuses every day!!
**
For those of you who would like to get a jump start on your holiday order, It's Your Party is offering all dot...dot...dot... readers a 10% discount on your total order!! Just enter dotdotdot as your promo code upon checking out!!
**
This giveaway is running all week, so be sure to spread the word!!
xoxo

Playing catch up!!

2011-11-22T06:32:00.000-08:00

Whew! This month seems to be flying by!! It is already the week of Thanksgiving, then we are on to Christmas!! Sometimes I wish life could slow down a bit ... allow for more time to breathe and take it all in. Oh well ... tis' the holiday season, right?!?

So how many of you are bummed about Black Friday this year? It seems as though sales started last week, and more stores are opening up earlier and earlier. Do you think the retail world has put a damper on the highly anticipated event of the year? I hear that you don't even need to get up at 3am anymore to hit up the lines, thanks to the internet. Fortunately, Black Friday was never a big deal to me. I tried it one year, and ended up coming home to shop online instead. I do not have the kind of patience needed for such a crazy shopping spree!
Did everyone see Breaking Dawn yet? This topic definitely needs a post all its own, but for the record, I saw it on Friday night and I l.o.v.e.d it!And speaking of Twilight ... my favorite scent of the moment is Bath and Body's Twilight Woods. I wish it had more lasting power, but it is a great scent! Another one of theirs to try, if you haven't already ... Vanilla Bean Noel. Yum!My family and I will be spending Thanksgiving at the beach house this year. I will be working on my big holiday event all weekend, and it will launch on Monday morning, Nov 28th. I have some great reviews and holiday gift ideas for you, plus a few giveaways to share! You won't wanna miss out! Be sure you are a follower of my blog so you can participate!! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Fashion Friday ... from summer to fall!

2011-11-04T15:19:00.000-07:00

Had a favorite outfit you rocked in the warmer weather?
Shorts ... Victoria's Secret
Top ... Target
Wedges ... Target
Bracelet ... Blog Swap
Add some leggings and boots for a great fall look!!
Leggings ... Old Navy
Boots ... Aerosoles

72 days ... not a Hollywood record!

2011-11-02T06:26:00.000-07:00

I am sure you have all heard by now that Kim Kardashian has filed for divorce from Kris Humphries just after a short 72 days of marriage. Speculations that this marriage was a sham from the start and said to be a publicity stunt to cash in on millions of dollars has been circulating the web since the divorce announcement was made official.
My thoughts?
No girl in her right mind would endure such an embarrassment and humiliation when she is already worth millions!! Seriously! I know it is easy to look at all the cash she did earn for her public displays of the relationship, but do you really think someone with Kim Kardashian's Hollywood reputation would need to sink this low to earn a few extra paychecks? Okay, okay. I do remember the infamous sex tape ... I personally think that was the moment she was put on the map, but since then, homegirl had made a name for herself!
I honestly feel like she did love Kris Humphries at one short moment, but really did get "caught up in the hooplah" (as she states) that became the wedding. I think she is like a lot of girls who want to fall in love and live happily ever after with that man of their dreams. Kris was just not that Prince Charming she was meant to be with. And after watching him on TV, I really don't find anything charming about the guy. Just saying.
Honestly, I wish the best for Kim. I know she can recover from this - she has such a strong family base for love and support. In my own opinion, I thought she looked way better on the arm of Reggie Bush! They looked good together and I think they would have made gorgeous babies! Kris and Kim just looked creepy together ... the height difference really bothered me. It looked so un-natural. Again, just saying.

I tried it ... Prime Time Shadow Primer

2011-11-01T08:58:00.000-07:00

First off, I am NOT a fan of this cosmetics brand, or any mineral make-up for that matter. I have had in-store makeovers and tried the stuff on my own at home, and I just don't like the way BareMinerals looks or feels on my face. However, my sis-in-law loves this line, and I sat with her a day while she was updating her products with a BareMinerals consultant.

I do not use a lot of make-up products. In fact, I usually only use eye make-up and maybe a gloss or light color on my lips. The one complaint I have is the wearability of my shadows. I mostly use MAC cosmetics, and I always applied Painterly as a base for my shadows. Within hours of applying, my eyelids were faded and creased with an oily look to them. Bleh! Upon telling the BareMinerals consultant my one and only complaint of a rival cosmetics brand, she introduced me to Prime Time, BareMinerals eyelid primer. I took a sample home after telling her how much I was skeptical of this mineral make-up.

Following the consultant's recommendation, I applied the primer with a brush instead of my fingers. Apparently, the oily factor I was experiencing was most likely from my own fingertips. Lesson learned. I did the rest of my eye make-up as usual, a base color, highlight color, liner and mascara. I went about my day, did Zumba that evening at the gym and glanced in the mirror before jumping in the shower. My eye shadow was still in tact! No creasing, no fading, just as I had applied it earlier in the morning! Whoa!

Clean-up is a little tougher ... it definitely takes a little more scrubbing to remove, but to have flawless eye color all.day.long is worth the few extra minutes of wash time.

My sis-in-law got me an eye kit as a gift from BareMinerals and I am kinda impressed with the shadows that came in it. Up close and personal, I think the mineral make-up looks caked on, but from a little distance (and especially in pictures), I think the colors look fantastic! While I am definitely NOT into the foundations and powders, I think I may play around a little more with the shadows.

What shadows are you into and what primer is your favorite for making your colors pop and last all day?

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T07:48:00.000-07:00

Love,
Clark Kent and Lois Lane

Fashion Friday ... It's A Party!!

2011-10-21T08:48:00.000-07:00

My youngest son, Sean, turned 5 years old on October 17th.

We celebrated with a pirate-themed party. He loves all things pirates, including Captain Jack Sparrow of The Pirates of the Caribbean.

How cute is his new rain coat and boots?? The line is by Kidorable ... coat was $25 and the boots were $23, both on sale.

He had so much fun at his party and I had fun decorating for the event! I was so excited to add in some special touches to the decorations from a cute little shop on Etsy called It's Your Party! I am aquainted with the talented and creative Meghan, as she was my oldest son's first grade teacher last year, and together we brainstormed some ideas to fit the pirate theme. We came up with cupcake toppers, an adorable banner (that Sean now has up in his bedroom), and treasure map placemats that were personalized for our party guests ... a party favor that will get used over and over!

If you are looking for amazing custom handmade party favors and decor, please check out Meghan's shop! Affordable pricing and a sweet gal to work with!

Check out It's Your Party on Etsy and on Facebook!!

Meghan also has an awesome little blog that is found in my sidebar under my favorites ... check out Teacher Without A Paddle!

Criminal ... Miss Britney does it again!

2011-10-20T00:51:00.000-07:00

She is simply amazing at what she does ... and so gorgeous!!

Loooong week, but here is Fashion Friday for ya!

2011-10-14T08:48:00.000-07:00

Sweater top ... Target ... love the lace backing!
Oatmeal tank top ... Target

Cute details, huh?

Jeans ... AG

Boots ... Target (and only $35!!)

Bracelet ... from my swap buddy!

Busy schedules + not enough sleep = no energy for blogging {insert sad face}

I promise to come up with some good stuff next week ... including a giveaway!!

Have a great weekend!!

xoxo

Talk Is Cheap

2011-10-10T10:58:00.000-07:00

Okay girls ... I need your help!! Hubby and I have some goals we wanna reach within this next year, and that includes saving money. We have set up our family budget, and are focussed on the future. Our mindsets are on track and we are motivated to get these goals achieved! So here's where I need some input ... Our biggest expenditure is definitely on food. We have 6 people in our household and I cook meals for 12 (giving us each 2 servings). I do not buy organic, but meats and veggies are definitely a staple in our home. I try to clip coupons, but they don't seem to be taking a big enough chunk out of the grocery bill. I refuse to be a crazy woman snatching up products simply because they are free or close to it. I am practical and only want items my family uses on a daily basis. Last month, our grocery bill was close to $700, and that did not include eating out. Ouch. I try to do the small things to save a few dollars here and there ... like making my coffee at home and using travel cups when running out the door, instead of stopping at Starbucks. Good ol' Splenda and milk, or flavored creamers taste just as fine to me in my coffee than fancy syrups a barista pumped into a cup. I will also pack lunches for me and my kids when we go out with friends, trying to save a little on the McDonald's costs.
So, how do you save money for your family? What resources do you use to keep your budget on track?

So Cal ... here we come!

2011-10-03T06:51:00.000-07:00

I am on vacation this week ... in gorgeous Palm Desert, California! We come down here every year with a timeshare our family has. We love it here!! This is the room we are staying in ... ... and the pools we will be swimming in ...

... and the drinks I will be sippin' on!! Aaah, thank goodness for vacations!!

Have a great week ... peace out, peeps!! xoxo

Fashion Friday

2011-09-30T08:26:00.000-07:00

Dress ... Old Navy

Boots ... Target

Earrings ... Old Navy

Headband ... Target

Detoxing ... before and after (Repost)

2011-09-29T09:14:00.000-07:00

I have been working hard in the gym and am on week 3 of my new lifestyle change (learning to enjoy working out), but vacation is in a few days and my stomach just isn't budging on the bloating scale. So, I am detoxing today and tomorrow ... here is my 48-hour process.
** ** ** ** ** **
I'm keeping it real in today's post ... showing you all (gasp!) my before and after pictures from the detox I did at the end of March of this year. First, a little background ...
I am a skinny girl. I am 5 feet, 6 inches tall and my preferred weight is 116 - 118 pounds. I am an Italian girl who loves food, loves to eat, and has never suffered from any eating disorders. I have had 2 pregnancies and gained a total of 85 pounds between them. I lost all my pregnancy pounds, but gained a medically unknown condition of extreme bloating. This bloating is more than water weight or gas. In fact, when I swell, nothing can release the pressure and it is quite painful. I have seen several doctors and specialists, been tested for intolerances, prescribed medications, and still can't be diagnosed with a specific problem. I have found detoxes and diet control to help ease my symptoms.
I detox every 2 to 3 months, depending on how my stomach is doing. If I stay on track with a diet of no carbs, no sugar, high protein, I do really well. When I let loose and eat breads, pastas, starches and rice, my symptoms are really bad. (Sounds like a gluten intolerance, I know, but I have been tested and was negative). This is when I detox.
I fast for 48 hours using the detox below ... NutritionWorks Detox Liquid. I drink 2 ounces of the liquid with 2 ounces of water, four times a day for 2 full days. I will have a cup of green tea each day and water. That is all. No food of any kind. I get this at my local Rite-Aid and it retails for $14. You can also get it online - I have seen it on Amazon for a little cheaper.

Is it hard to go 48 hours without eating? Absolutely!! Day one is the toughest ... I am incredibly hungry and cranky. My energy levels go up and down and I sleep really hard at night. Day two is a bit easier on the hunger level, being my stomach is shrinking. If I keep active, energy is great. If I slow down, I get pretty tired. I DO NOT exercise during this period of time. I know my body's limits and exerting too much would not end well for me. And while we are keepin' it real ... you aren't stuck on the toilet with this cleanse either. I have normal bowel movements before, during, and after.
I started my detox on March 27th. I was to the point of pain and I was swollen for longer periods of time. With this condition, I can look 6 months preggo at the end of the day, but by morning I can be back down to normal. It is time to detox when my swelling doesn't go down enough to be comfortable. (My right side sits up a bit higher due to a hip injury I received when I was 15, hence the un-even waist.)

I am not pushing out my stomach at all in my before pictures. That is a 'relaxed' state ... swollen and very hard. After concluding my detox, I lost 6 pounds and 2 inches!! On day three, when I can eat again, I am usually not all that hungry. It takes a little bit to work up an appetite, but I start small.

Do I gain the weight right back? Nope. Not if I keep my diet in check. No carbs and no sugars are my key to maintaining my disorder. While I am not insane about my diet ... there are the simple carbs in the veggies and protein I eat, and I enjoy flavored vodka (straight, not mixed with anything), and I allow a cheat day each week for pizza rolls ... I still have to keep a pretty close eye on what I am eating. The picture above was taken on May 3rd ... 35 days AFTER the detox.
I just finished a detox yesterday. I haven't gotten my diet in check since Vegas (yes, from mid-May) and with the the holidays and summer time, all those carbs caught up to me. I am back to eating how my body wants me to eat and it feels amazing! I always feel awesome after my cleanses with more energy and a clearer mind. Detoxes may not be for everyone, but they sure work wonders for me!

Trash Talkin'

2011-09-27T15:02:00.000-07:00

According to US Weekly, my trusted source for celebrity gossip, Lindsay Lohan is suing rapper Pitbull, for allegedly de-faming her in his single "Give Me Everything." She claims the song's lyrics "I got it locked up like Lindsay Lohan" will harm her image. Ummm, let me enter exhibits A and B ...I think girlfriend is doing a fine job of damaging her own image. If anything, Pitbull was helping a girl out by name dropping in such a hot song. He should be thanked.
I hope Miss Lindsay can get grips on her life ... she used to be so beautiful and talented!! Drugs, alcohol, DUI's, theft, and rehab do not look pretty on her.

Fashion Friday ... Oregon finally got the memo!

2011-09-23T07:44:00.000-07:00

The weather here in the Pacific Northwest has finally warmed up into the 80's and 90's!! We got to enjoy some heat afterall!!
Shorts ... Forever 21 ($7)
Sandals ... Nordstrom Rack ($24)

Top ... Charlotte Russe ($15.99)

Tank ... Target ($6)

Bracelets and matching hoop earrings ... Nordstrom

(gifted from my sis-in-law)

Fancy hair band ... a string tie that came out of a sweater in the washing machine!

(I know, very clever of me - ha!)

My heart is racing ... 56 days!!

2011-09-22T14:20:00.000-07:00

Must add to your 'favorites' file ...

2011-09-21T13:03:00.000-07:00

Banana Nut Oatmeal Cookies ... Pumpkin Cupcakes with Pumpkin Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting, Skinny Taco Dip ... Coconut Chicken Salad ... is your mouth watering yet?

skinnytaste.com
I could spend hours on this fabulous recipe site! Low-fat, family-friendly recipes created by the sole author, recipe developer and photographer of skinnytaste, Gina Homolka. Each recipe includes a picture (which tempts your taste buds even more), easy-to-follow instructions, and nutritional information!! Everything from breakfasts to drinks, crock-pot dishes and more, Gina creates some amazing meals that you can feel good eating!

Have you checked out skinnytaste.com yet? What are your favorite recipes?

** I was not contacted by skinnytaste to post a review, nor am I accquainted with Gina, herself (although, we could be bff's if she wants to become my personal chef). I am simply a fan of the site and wanted to share. **

Favorite Things Swap

2011-09-20T09:55:00.001-07:00

Leeann over at Join The Gossip hosted a Favorite Things Swap and I was paired up with the lovely Courtney from Southern Somedays. Check out what goodies came my way!

Essie Nail Color in Sew Psyched - excited for a fall pedicure! I just put tips back on my nails due to super thin nails with severe splitting and tearing issues (ouch), but I am going to adore this color on my toes!!
Gold cuff ... perfect accessory for any occasion! I have paired this up with several outfits already.
l.o.v.e.
Thank you so very much to Courtney for the thoughtful gifts, and to Leeann for hosting such a fun swap!

Look Alive! Make your eyes pop ...

2011-09-19T07:31:00.000-07:00

Korres Soft Eyeliner Pencil in White ... Sephora, $16

LOVE this eyeliner! Super soft, goes on smooth, blends easily, highlights perfectly, plus Korres only uses natural products in their products. Totally worth the price!!
Line the inside corner of your eyes, around tear duct area. Don't be afraid of thick lines, you will blend the white slightly to look more natural.

The results ... eyes that pop and look well-rested! I love this little trick ... super fast and easy to do, but adds so much to tired eyes such as mine!

Happy Monday!!

Did you know ...

2011-09-15T09:36:00.000-07:00

Yes. Yes, I know. I experience this every.single.day. It's a good thing he is so cute.

♥

I have posts scheduled for EVERY day next week! Be sure to check back in ... lots of great stuff to chat about!!

9/11

2011-09-11T10:17:00.001-07:00

Times of impact: 8:47 am, 9:02 am, 9:41 am, and 10 am
Time the burning towers stood: 48 minutes and 102 minutes
Time they took to fall: 12 seconds.
2819 dead from 115 different nations.
343 Fireman & Paramedics, 23 NYPD, 37 Port Authority Officers
For the husband who told his wife I love you one last time before his plane went down in a field. For the wife who stopped in the stairs to call her husband to say I will love you forever. For the mothers and fathers who kissed their kids goodbye the morning they died. For the policemen who rushed in with the firemen to help get others out only to die themselves. For the soldiers who fought back & lost their lives. Today, tomorrow, ten years from now, we will remember and never forget.

♥

I'll be back ...

2011-09-06T20:02:00.000-07:00

My boys are starting school this week ... my 7-year-old had his first day of 2nd grade today, and my preschooler starts tomorrow! Gosh, kids grow up so fast!! Our schedules are crazy this week, so I will be back to blogging next week ... reviews, recipes and a little trash talkin' ... stay tuned!!

Hello September!

2011-09-01T10:01:00.000-07:00

Where did the summer go? It is already time for kids to go back to school (mine start next week), and Fall is just around the corner (yay)!! This week I have been busy as usual, hence the lag in posts, but I am excited for the new routine and schedules that lie ahead!
In between the craziness this week, I was able to have a few moments of 'me' time. You know, for the important stuff, like ...

... adding blue extensions in my hair ...

... getting a Shellac manicure in Totally Teal with glitter topcoat ...

... and catching up on last season's Vampire Diaries. OMGsh, I can.not.wait. for the season premiere on September 15th!!
What have you all been up to? Have a fabulous holiday weekend!!

Fashion Friday

2011-08-26T09:42:00.000-07:00

Cardigan ... Express
Wedges and earrings ... Target

Dress ... Juicy Couture

Arm candy ... my hubby

Have a great weekend, peeps!!

xoxo

New Boots = Excited for Fall!

2011-08-25T09:40:00.000-07:00

Ugg Bailey Button Triplet in Navy Blue

This color in the triple button style can only be found in the kid's sizing. If you wear a women's size 8 like myself, you are a size 6 in the kid's. Another bonus in shopping the kid's shoes? Cheaper prices! Bailey Button Triplet in the women's department retail at $200. I got these for $160 ... plus I got a $20 Nordstrom certificate for opening a MOD card (a rewards card that debits from your checking account instead of opening a store card).
Mossimo Kena Riding Boots in Cognac found at Target for $34.99. These boots are really comfy and are going to look fabulous with fall sweaters! I wasn't a fan of riding boots last year, but I wanted a different look outside of my Uggs this season. After trying these on, I instantly made them mine!

Weakness Wednesday

2011-08-23T15:36:00.000-07:00

Butterfinger Ice Cream Bars
Green Tea Ginger Ale

Blue Diamond Jalapeno Almonds

Cheez-It Crackers
~

No. I am not pregnant.

What are you craving right now?

Vote for me!!

2011-08-23T10:18:00.000-07:00

In a house of boys, I blog for a girly outlet. I have an amazing hubby and 2 boys (ages 4 and 7), but they don't quite understand fashion and beauty like we girls do. My blog is girl time ... sharing ideas, reviewing everyday products, and chatting about things that the boys could care less about.
Being a momma and a wife is what makes my world go 'round; dot...dot...dot... is all about the etcetera. I adore all the comments that are received and (in true girl fashion) get my feelings hurt when they slow down. I love seeing the number in my 'followers' box go up, I heart being contacted by companies to test out their products for review, and nothing makes me happier than to host giveaways for all my amazing fans! As I learn tips and tricks for everyday life, and find budget-friendly finds, I am so excited to share! This is why I blog.
Babble.com has a Top 25 Beauty Blogs for Moms list and dot...dot...dot... is up for nomination! To vote is super simple, click on my picture above (or the pink link) and it will send you to the list. Just click the 'like' button next to dot...dot...dot... and your vote is tallied!
Thank you so very much for all the love and support here on my blog. I have so much fun meeting new people and learning so much from you all! xoxo

Fashion Friday

2011-08-19T09:19:00.000-07:00

Capris ... Kohl's

Top ... Target

Shoes ... Cole Haan

Necklace ... Forever 21

Bracelets ... Target

Wristlet ... Coach

Eyes ... e.l.f. Drama kit

Lips ... MAC Angel

I tried it ... Noxzema Triple Clean Pads

2011-08-18T10:17:00.000-07:00

Blemishes are no match for Noxzema Triple Clean Anti-Blemish Pads! Medicated Salicylic Acid in these little scrubber pads help clear blocked pores and treat breakouts. Sweep 'em over your face after you have washed and they will clean up any excess dirt and oil that was left behind. Do NOT use around your eyes though ... this stuff will burn!! Noxzema products can be found just about anywhere. I got these at Target, $3.49 for a 90 count jar.

92 days ...

2011-08-17T08:09:00.000-07:00

Turn It Up Tuesday ... My Girl Crush

2011-08-16T10:05:00.000-07:00

Miss Nicole Scherzinger ... hot, sexy, absolutely gorgeous!! I heart her! And check out the way she moves her body ... oh my!

Ciao, Bella!!

2011-08-15T07:59:00.000-07:00

Well, hello Kristin Stewart!! Simply stunning!

Cheers to the Freakin' Weekend!

2011-08-12T11:55:00.000-07:00

Lovin' this song by Rihanna ft. Avril Lavigne! Don't forget to enter the Scentsy giveaway ... it ends on Sunday!! Have an awesome weekend, peeps!!

xoxo

She didn't belong in the corner the first time around ...

2011-08-09T23:14:00.000-07:00

NOOOOOO!!! Dirty Dancing, the 1987 classic and my most favorite movie EVAH, is going to be re-made by Lionsgate.
Are.You.Kidding.Me?!? Why? Why take such an awesome movie and try to change it up? No one will fill Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey's roles properly. Johnny and Baby can not be re-made. Period.
That is all.

Starting the week off right ... with a giveaway!!

2011-08-07T23:20:00.000-07:00

It's Monday, and since I missed out on blogging last week (life can be so.crazy.busy) I wanna kick off this week with a giveaway!!
So, y'all know of my love affair with Scentsy, right? For those of you who are already familiar with Scentsy, you know how FABULOUS these warmers and scents are. For those not quite aware yet (its okay, we forgive you), Scentsy is a safe way to make your home smell amazing with decor inspired warmers that melt fragrant waxes. The scents are incredible ... my favorites include French Lavender (if you want your room to smell like a spa, get this one!), Guava Nectar (a sweet scent that reminds me of summer, but retired earlier this year - SO sad!!) and Satin Sheets (so very sexy and clean, a fave amongst many!). These warmers are safe to have around pets and children ... they heat up with a light bulb! No flames to worry about ... and I cannot express enough how much these scents fill your entire home! One full size warmer placed in a central room (like your kitchen) will linger the scent of your choice throughout your surrounding rooms! Scentsy also has plug-in warmers to place in your bathrooms or smaller rooms!

And speaking of the plug-ins ... I am giving away the Sand Dollar plug-in and 3 Scentsy bars in Cinnamon Bear (hello Fall season!), Lucky In Love (like VS Love Spell? this scent is similar) and last month's special, Happy Birthday (cupcakes and frosting ... mmmm!!) to one lucky winner!! The Sand Dollar plug-in is now retired, but the cream colored warmer will look great in any home!

Excited?? There are 3 easy ways to enter to win ... the giveaway will end on Sunday the 14th and the winner will be announced on Monday morning! xoxo

First, you have to be a follower of dot...dot...dot... --> be sure your picture is in that awesome box in my sidebar.

To add three more entries, 'Like' dot...dot...dot... on Facebook and come back here to let me know you did so. You will find that Facebook link to the right.

And to add yourself TEN extra entries, please devote a blog post linking to my giveaway this week. I definitely appreciate my button being added to your sidebars, but I am really excited when new peeps find my blog ... and I owe a lot of that awesome-ness to you all who share my blog! Be sure to let me know when you post, and your entries will be tallied!

Fashion Friday ... Save vs Splurge

2011-07-29T10:50:00.000-07:00

Silver hoop earrings ... Forever 21 {$1.50}

~

My outfit today totals a whopping $30.50 ... I am all about finding amazing steals vs. spending big bucks on designer labels. Don't get me wrong ... I have a couple pairs of Sevens and a few Juicy Couture pieces in my closet, but I have learned that I enjoy having lots of variety and cute clothes to play around with, rather than a handful of items that have a name status. I totally understand the quality of these designers, but for the cheaper prices I get my threads for, I can easily replace them and update frequently. Ain't no shame in my game.

~ Black skirt ... Target {$14}

White tank ... Target {$4}

Gray Tank ... Forever 21 {$4}

Necklace ... White House Black Market {gifted}

Flip flops ... DC Shoes ... Ross {$7}

Save vs Splurge ... DIY or Salon trip?

2011-07-28T09:01:00.000-07:00

Box or Salon?

Pros and cons for a trip to the salon ... if you are like me, then you love the salon experience! The wash, the dry, the blow-out ... hair looking gorgeous without having to do the work myself - l.o.v.e.!! The cons? Spending 2 (or more) hours of my day and handing over the credit card to pay the ginormous bill. Not.so.fabulous!
My hair is pretty basic. Long, layered and dyed one color ... black. Once a year, I like to head into the salon for a trim and to define my layers. This year, I added the purple extensions - SO fun, LOVED them, but they started to fade after just 5 weeks, so I took them out - SO sad!! This year's salon trip cost me $150, not including tip. I dyed my hair at home before my appointment to save on time and cash, but without doing the extensions, my bill would have been the same if I had the stylist dye it for me. Just the hair coloring alone, with my long hair, at any salon starts at $75. I simply cannot justify spending that kind of money every 4 to 6 weeks.

I have access to a beauty supply store that is open to the public. I usually get my hair color there, as do a lot of salon stylists. I pay $6 per bottle of color (my hair takes about a bottle and a half, so I always purchase 2) and $10 for a bottle of developer (which lasts several colorings). I have a brush and a bowl, and my sister-in-law and I get together to do each other's hair. Simple, easy and cheap.
This last time around, I wanted to try Clairol's Nice N Easy Color Foam (found at your local drugstore). The advertisements for this line claim for an easy, no-drip application that covers entirely (including gray hair) and lasts a full 4 to 6 weeks (its a permanent color).

To mix, add bottle number one to bottle number 2, attach the pump and shake until mixed. Literally takes a minute of your time.

Next up, squeeze the bottle. The dye comes out as a foam. Apply it all over your hair, as you would shampoo. Yep! No need for portioning off your hair ... just saturate with the color foam! Leave on for about 25 to 35 minutes, and rinse. As with most in-store hair coloring products, Clairol includes a super hydrating conditioner packet to apply after you rinse, plus an extra one to use in 3 weeks.

The foam did not drip, as promised, and covered completely! I am three weeks into my color and it has not faded. My roots will noticeably grow-out in the next 2-3 weeks, and I will re-dye then.

The winner ... If you have one hair color (no highlights or special treatments), then absolutely save the cash and do-it-yourself at home. Most permanent hair colors you find in the stores are just as suitable as salon formulas. However, if you have the extra dough in your budget, then hit up the salon, girl! There is nothing quite like the pampering treat of having a stylist maintain your locks for you.

And by the way ... the pic of me at the top of this post was the results of the color foam, just dyed and blow-dryed ... could you tell?

Save vs Splurge ... Makeup Remover Wipes

2011-07-27T12:18:00.000-07:00

MAC Wipes, Vitamin E infused, classic MAC scent, silky textured cloth, quickly removes eye makeup, great for touch-ups. Purchased at Nordstrom, 30 ct. for $15.

Pond's Wet Cleansing Towelettes, Evening Soothe with Chamomile and White Tea. Quilted little wipes with a heavenly scent that wipes away my eye makeup with ease. No oily residue left behind, just clean skin. I purchased a 30 ct. package at Target for $4.79.

The winner ... this is a tough one, because I am generally a MAC snob. Their makeup remover wipes are pretty awesome, removing makeup quickly and getting the job done. Sometimes they can leave behind a pretty heavy oily layer that I need to wipe away with a hand towel. With the Pond's towelettes, I needed to get used to the quilted texture. It was a little rougher than I was used to with MAC. The scent of chamomile and white tea is so amazing! That alone earns extra points in my book. Overall, I feel like the budget-friendly Pond's is just as suitable for a makeup remover wipe as MAC's. I do think the packaging could be a little better though. The sticky flap looses it's ability to seal, so I end up using a zip-lock bag to keep the wipes moist. MAC was thinking ahead and added a plastic snap-top on their packaging.

And a tip to keep any makeup remover wipe fresh and moist ... store the package with the top facing down. This ensures that the cleanser doesn't pool up on the bottom wipes.

Save vs Splurge ... Hair Care

2011-07-25T13:07:00.000-07:00

This week, I wanna share some comparisons that I have found between some of our everyday beauty products. I will let you in on which brands are worth the extra pennies, and which are better on the budget!
Shampoo and conditioner ... can not live without them! Salons rave about Pureology's vegan line of hair care products. Organic ingredients, UVA/UVB sunscreens, anti-fade formulas and free of sulfates, Pureology promises to protect your hair and nourish your strands. Retail starts at around $25 for a 10-ounce bottle of shampoo or 8-ounce bottle of conditioner.

L'Oreal also has a line that is sulfate-free, 100% vegan, made with botanicals and UVA/UVB filters, and an anti-fade system. EverPure promises to protect and nourish your locks, and adding some aromatherapy to your shower with scents like Rosemary Mint. An 8.5-ounce bottle of shampoo or conditioner will run you $6.99 per bottle.

The winner ... L'Oreal EverPure! I have used both of these lines, and I adore EverPure so much more! Salons will rave about Pureology and their all-natural benefits, but compare these 2 labels, and they are pretty much the same! Plus, Pureology tends to weigh my hair down after using it for a few weeks. EverPure is lightweight and does not build up in my hair. Plus, I love the smell - rosemary mint and juniper scents are awesome in the shower steam. An added bonus ... L'Oreal often has coupons for their products, so you can snag these products for an even better deal!

Randomness for Thursday

2011-07-21T11:32:00.000-07:00

I am prepping for my annual garage sale today ... I thought I could get away with not having one this year, however hubby and I decided to clean out the closets last weekend, so there is much to sell! For a one day event, these suckers sure do take a lot of time and energy out of ya!
I tend to sell pretty much everything at my sales, and if that is the case this year, I have a couple wish list items to purchase. Now I know it is technically summertime for most of you all, but the Pacific Northwest has yet to show us the heat (or even the sun for that matter - did I mention that it is still RAINING here??). So, I am already shopping with the fall season in mind. I heart these Kensington boots by Ugg.
And how about an iPad? Let's throw that on the list, too. Anyone have one of these? Thoughts?

I am off to make my signs and price out my stuff ... hope y'all are having a great Thursday!!
Oh ... and the winner of my giveaway was announced on dot...dot...dot...'s Facebook page this morning!!
♥

Turn It Up Tuesday ...

2011-07-19T12:56:00.000-07:00

I can shake my azz like dat ... just sayin.

xoxo

♥
And don't forget to 'Like' dot...dot...dot... on Facebook (link in the sidebar -->) for your chance to win a $25 gift card to Target!! I am picking a winner tomorrow!!

Fashion Friday ... Jeans in July??

2011-07-15T11:51:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Oregon ... only here do we need to wear sweaters and jeans in the middle of July! Ugh!! I am so jealous of all you bloggers who are posting about all the summertime fun you are having in the HEAT!!

Ruffle sweater ... Express
Jeans ... Gap (Long and Lean)

Dress ... Ross

DC Flip Flops ... Ross

Have a great weekend ... and be sure to enter my giveaway (click on the link in my sidebar) for your chance to win a $25 gift card to Target!!

xoxo

I tried it ... I L.O.V.E. it ...

2011-07-12T08:55:00.000-07:00

This is my absolute FAVORITE buffer in the whole world ... well, in my world anyway. Bath and Body Works carries this line of products by C.O. Bigelow and the Mentha Body Smoothing Body Buffer is uh.maze.ing!! Little peppermint sugar crystals exfoliate your skin with a refreshing scent and a skin-cooling sensation. The gritty texture is fabulous for your body's rough spots, but I love using this on my face as well. This body buffer retails for $14 and worth every penny ... promise!! It is currently sold out on Bath and Body's website (cuz it is that awesome), so check with the store nearest you to see if they have any in stock. You can also purchase it here online through the company who created it, Bigelow Chemists.

Yep ... it's official!

2011-07-11T03:36:00.000-07:00

My blog is now on Facebook ... YAY!!

I wanna celebrate by kickin' off a giveaway!! If you 'Like' dot...dot...dot... on my new Facebook page, you will automatically be entered to win a $25 gift card to Target! Super simple, easy entry, just click on the link in my sidebar to the right --->!! If you want an extra entry, leave me some comment love on my wall while you are there!
One lucky winner will be announced on dot...dot...dot...'s Facebook page on July 20th!!
xoxo

Blog hoppin' today ...

2011-07-05T11:25:00.000-07:00

I am playing along this week ... I love meeting new peeps and finding new blogs to adore!! Let me know you are here - I would love to visit your blog, too!!

xoxo

Fashion Friday

2011-07-01T10:58:00.001-07:00

We are off to the beach this weekend ... I hope everyone has a safe holiday weekend!!

Ruffle Cardigan ... Express

Capris ... Buckle

Top ... Target

adjustable straps ... soft, lightweight material

Earrings from my hubby for our anniversary!

Wedges ... Target

China Glaze Lemon Fizz nail color with Jade Diamond Dust glitter top coat

I tried it ... MAC Haute & Naughty Lash Mascara

2011-06-29T09:12:00.000-07:00

This mascara got a 4.6 out of 5 rating on MAC's website ... and I couldn't agree more!!

Haute & Naughty is the perfect name for this dual purpose mascara. Two brush options give 2 amazing looks ... simple and sweet, or dramatic and bold! I am a girl who loves the look of false eyelashes, but hates the hassle (and the glue) of putting them on. So when I look for mascaras, I try to find the formulas that are going to give me the results of falsies.
I had never used MAC's mascaras. I know they have a few formulas, but I had never thought to try them out. I happened to be at a MAC counter one day peeking in on the latest collections when I remembered my current mascara at home was starting to smell a little funky. I asked one of the artists which mascara she recommended to give me the look I desired, and she pulled out this lovely tube.

Check out how thick the brush is and how much mascara it hangs on to!!

Perfect for that dramatic, full-lash look!!

Here's where your 2nd option comes in ... say you are having a day where you wanna look a little more natural than made up - simply un-twist the pink wand ...

... pull the brush through the purple opening ...
... and watch how the brush is wiped free from the extra product! Now you have a lighter application for your lashes!! Fabulous!

I hardly ever use the lighter wand for it's sole use, but I love to use it after I have applied a thick coat and need to seperate my lashes a bit.
Overall, I am loving this mascara. My only caution is that this formula can get a bit goopy around the tube, but is easily remedied with a little swipe of a make-up remover. Haute & Naughty Lash Mascara retails for $18, a bit more spendy than your average drugstore brand, but considering the dual uses, definitely worth the extra $$.

Music on Monday

2011-06-27T16:01:00.000-07:00

Miss Britney ... she looks amazing!! Not sure how much of her is edited, photoshop'd, or airbrushed in her latest video, but she is pretty h.o.t. in 'I Wanna Go' from her current album, Femme Fatale.

♥

Fashion Friday ... Anniversary Date

2011-06-24T09:53:00.001-07:00

♥

Thank you so very much for the sweet anniversary comments!! My hubby and I had a great night out celebrating with dinner and some shopping! He knows me so well - ha ha!

My outfit came right outta my closet ... I love when I don't have to stress about buying something new!
Top: Nordstrom Rack ($14)
Shorts: Forever 21 ($7)

Shoes: Shoe Dazzle ... Kim Kardashian's shoe club ($39.95)

Of course, I didn't rock the heels while shopping. This girl has had enough blisters on her feet to learn her lesson in life. I brought along my Roxy zebra flip flops to run around in. Tune in each Friday to see some of my cute finds!!

10 years ago today ...

2011-06-23T09:02:00.000-07:00

... I married my best friend. He is my rock, my love, my heart and soul. I could not have been more blessed. ♥

The song I dedicated to my hubby on our wedding day ...

Summer Manis ... lovin' the brights!

2011-06-22T08:52:00.000-07:00

How gorgeous is this teal polish?!? Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear in Marine Scene. I used Essie's Fill The Gap base coat, 2 coats of this polish, and topped it with Essie's Good To Go top coat. My mani took all of 10 minutes, and I got the polish at Walmart for $2!!
What are some of the fun colors you are rockin' this summer?

I tried it ... Korres Basil Lemon Body Scrub

2011-06-21T12:13:00.000-07:00

I snagged this body scrub at Sephora ... one) because Korres gets high ratings for their natural skincare products, two) the scent sounded refreshing, and three) I am always looking for a good body scrub.
Priced at $21, this scrub failed to 'wow' me. First of all, the scent wasn't very fresh. It was kinda dull and bland. I love me some aromatherapy while steaming up in a hot shower, and this one didn't cut it. For an all over body scrub, the granuals weren't very coarse either, not exfoilating very well. It did leave behind a light oil, which was nice for a little extra moisture. The Lemon Basil Scrub was gentle enough to use on your face, but even at that, I prefer St. Ives Apricot Scrub to this one.
I wouldn't say that I am disappointed in this scrub, but I definitely wouldn't purchase it again. I prefer a little bit tougher of an exfoiliant, but for those who like just a little bit of a scrub, this is your kind of body buffer!
I bought a couple of other products by Korres, so stay tuned for those reviews! Have you used anything by Korres? What were your thoughts? What is your favorite body scrub that you recommend I try??

Summertime Drinks on the Low-Cal

2011-06-20T09:04:00.000-07:00

Slimmed-Down Strawberry Daiquiri

(Per serving: 121 calories, 0g fat, 10mg sodium, 4g carbs, 0.5g fiber, 2g sugars, 0g protein)

1 teaspoon sugar-free strawberry powdered drink mix

1 1/2 ounces rum

3 frozen unsweetened strawberries, slightly thawed

1/2 ounce lime juice

1 cup crushed ice

Combine drink mix with 4 ounces of cold water in a glass and stir to dissolve. Transfer to blender, add all other ingredients and blend at high speed until slushy. Recipe makes 1 serving.

Watermelon Frojito

(Per serving: 154 calories, <0.5g fat, 3mg sodium, 15.5g carbs, 1.5g fiber, 8g sugar, 1g protein)

3 to 4 mint leaves

1 lime cut into 4 wedges

2 no-calorie sweetener packets (Splenda)

3/4 cup watermelon chunks, seedless

1 1/2 ounces rum

1 cup crushed ice

Place mint leaves, 2 lime wedges and sweetener in a tall glass. Squeeze the juice from the remaining lime wedges into the glass and discard those wedges. Crush and muddle the contents of the glass and set aside. Blend watermelon, rum and ice on high speed until smooth. Pour into glass with mint-lime mixture and stir well. Recipe makes 1 serving.

Peachy Cream Dream

(Per serving: 179 calories, 0.5g fat, 60mg sodium, 17g carbs, 1.7g fiber, 9.5g sugars, 3g protein)

4 frozen unsweetened peach slices, slightly thawed

1/4 cup fat-free vanilla ice cream

2 ounces light vanilla soymilk

1 1/2 ounces vanilla vodka

1 ounce sugar-free, calorie-free peach flavored syrup

1/4 teaspoon lemon juice

2/3 cup crushed ice

Blend all ingredients in blender until smooth. Recipe makes 1 serving.

Recipes from Hungry Girl Happy Hour.

Omit alcohol for the kiddos, and please drink responsibly.

It's almost time ...

2011-06-18T18:06:00.000-07:00

... to pick the winners for the Summer Beauty Tour!! There are a few more days to enter this amazing opportunity for three CASH prizes!! How would you spend $50? $100?? $200??? Be sure to get your entries in by following me and the other participating beauty bloggers!!
I am at the beach again this weekend bustin' out some fabulous posts to share with y'all this week ... recipes, product reviews and giveaways up ahead!! And speaking of giveaways, when dot...dot...dot... reaches 500 followers, I will personally be giving away gifts from my favorite products list (which will be posted soon)! So, if you love my blog, please share with others!!

Have a wonderful weekend, peeps!!

xoxo

Summer Beauty Tour!!

2011-06-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

7 Beauty Bloggers have gotten together to bring you one fabulous CASH giveaway!

You could win one of 3 amazing cash prizes in the first Summer Beauty Tour!

Grand Prize: $200 Cash
First Runner Up: $100 Cash
Second Runner Up: $50 Cash

Want your chance to WIN some cash??

How to Enter:

1. Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect (new and old followers are welcome to enter!) and leave a comment here on this post telling me you follow my blog with your google username and email address.

Bonus Entries:

Visit each of the other participating blogs below, follow and comment on their Summer Beauty Tour posts and you've got yourself a bonus entry for each blog you follow!

Details:

This giveaway is open internationally, however you must have a Paypal.com account in order to collect your prize. Winners will be drawn using random.org and your chance of winning is based on the number of entries. This giveaway closes at 11:59pm EST on June 21st 2011 and winners will have 48 hours to claim their prize once notified or a new winner will be selected.

Good Luck and thanks for stopping by!

2011-06-13T10:02:00.001-07:00

The Summer Beauty Tour goes live tomorrow here on dot...dot...dot...!!

7 beauty bloggers offering 3 cash prizes - you won't wanna miss this!!

xoxo

The Jersey girls are back ... and I am not talking about Snooki's crew.

2011-06-09T08:46:00.000-07:00

The girls of New Jersey ... these housewives are full of sass! This year the husbands are more involved ... slamming tables and throwing punches. My kind of Italian drama! Teresa's family have signed on for this season's train wreck, her brother Joe Gorga and his wife, Melissa, and aunt Kathy Wakile. Teresa and her brother have had an ongoing feud that seems to stem from Joe's hatred of Teresa's husband, Joe Giudice.

Melissa is simply gorgeous ... always decked out to the nines, struttin' her stuff. Her and her man have 3 beautiful kids and a house to die for. This doll has a nasty little attitude though. So far, I am not liking her a whole lot. I really hope her mouth calms down a bit as the season progresses. She is not helping the family feud at all when she is running her mouth.

And good ol' Teresa ... love, love, love her, but her hard-headed, stubborn Italian mentality ain't gonna fix her relationship with her baby brother. Trust me, as an Italian girl myself, I know this. When we Italians don't budge and get set in our ways, nothing good comes of it!
As for the rest of the group, I am kinda bored with them so far this season. Jacqueline is still battling with her daughter, the Manzo kids are grown up and moving out, yada yada yawn!! I still love Caroline though. She is one tough momma who loves to the fullest and stays loyal to her family! She ain't taking crap from no one, including from newbie cast member Kathy who tries to stir up drama with Teresa.
This season of The Real Housewives of New Jersey should be full of fun and entertainment! I even got my hubby hooked and we watch it every week! Are you watching? Thoughts??

Breaking Dawn I ... first trailer!!

2011-06-08T15:47:00.000-07:00

Oh my .... my heart is racing!! I can.not.wait!!!

I tried it ... Coconut Water

2011-06-07T09:55:00.000-07:00

O.N.E. Coconut Water with a splash of Pink Guava ... yum!!
O.N.E. Coconut Water is 100% natural and has five essential electrolytes (calcium, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium and sodium), which is more potassium than a banana, with no added sugars and no preservatives. The water comes right from a young green coconut and is excellent at fighting dehydration! From kids to pregnant or nursing mommas, athletes to elderly, coconut water is packed with so many nutrients that it benefits all ages. It is fat- and cholesterol-free and contains no wheat, gluten, soy, corn or other food allergens. And it helps with alcohol hangovers!

I tasted the original O.N.E. Coconut Water without flavoring, and it definitely has a required taste. It is a hard flavor to describe, but I highly recommend trying a water with a splash of juice first. I love guava, and the variety I mentioned above is pretty darn tasty!

Have you tried Coconut Water yet? What are your thoughts?

I was not given a sample or paid by this company for this review. I was intrigued by other reviews I have heard of coconut water in general, so I bought one myself. I picked the package that looked the prettiest (cuz I am girly like that), and because it had my fave flavor guava available, I chose this brand.

Summer Beauty Tour Sneak Preview!!

2011-06-06T08:38:00.000-07:00

Summer is coming soon and we have a special way to celebrate with you. 7 Beauty Bloggers have initiated a Summer Beauty Tour for you, our readers, to win some fabulous CASH prizes!!

In our very first Summer Beauty Tour, you are in for:
Grand Prize: $200 Cash
First Runner Up: $100 Cash
Second Runner Up: $50 Cash

Prizes were contributed by us, no sponsors, our genuine way to show our gratitude to your readership over the years. And cash prizes give you the most flexible way to reward yourself, either with some beauty products, or spa treatment, or summer clothes shopping. You don't want to miss this!

The giveaway will be very easy to enter and is open internationally so keep your eyes open on June 14, 2011 when this event goes live!

Make sure you follow our blogs for more info.
~
Faces By Farah
(http://facesbyfarah.com/)

~
Everyday Makeup
(http://www.everydaymakeupblog.com/)

~
Toronto Beauty Reviews
(http://www.torontobeautyreviews.com/)

~
Emily Loves
(http://emsloves.blogspot.com/)

~
dot..dot...dot...
(http://aprilbaker23.blogspot.com/)

~
Sparkled Beauty
(http://sparkledbeauty.blogspot.com/)

~
In The Pink Of Things
(http://inthepinkofthings.com/)

Untitled ... cuz I'm cool like that!

2011-06-03T11:48:00.000-07:00

Off to the beach again this weekend to celebrate hubby's birthday! The bad news is that I sucked at posting here this week. Boooo! The good news is that I always get lots of great blogging time at the beach house, so next week will rock! Monday will be all about the Summer Beauty Tour ... if you wanna win $$$ prizes, then I highly suggest you come check me out here to get all the details! Have an awesome weekend ... see ya Monday!!

♥

Muah!!

I tried it ... China Glaze Crackle

2011-05-31T09:02:00.000-07:00

Sugar High from China Glaze's Up & Away Collection

Fault Line Crackle Glaze
~
I am going to start this review by saying I am a bit biased when it comes to nail colors. The one brand that stands tall above the others, in my book, is China Glaze. I have always thought highly of this color line ... the pigments are striking, the enamel goes on smooth and rich and the wear life seems to be longer than most others. The shine and luster of these products are amazing, and the durability is outstanding! My nails always seem a bit stronger when I wear China Glaze. Plus, all China Glaze colors are free from DBP, Toulene and added Formaldehydes.
~
I was so excited when the fabulous people at China Glaze sent me these two colors for review. To be honest, I have not liked the look of the crackle trend. I had never tried it on before this review, but was excited to try it out, especially since these colors were bright and girly! I applied a base coat to my nails first (Essie's Fill The Gap) and then applied 2 coats of the bright pink shade of Sugar High. This color alone is gorgeous! I then gave about 5 minutes for the coats to fully dry, then applied one layer of the purple crackle Fault Line.
For those who have never applied a crackle glaze before, it is kinda cool to watch. You gotta be quick, paint a layer on, then within seconds, watch it separate! If you go too slow, or add too much, it can get goopy.
I waited a few minutes for dry time, then added a top coat (Essie's Good To Go) for extra shine. My overall review ... I kinda like it! Would I do this color combo again? Probably not. Only because the bright pink base with grape purple reminds me of the 80's. However, I am excited to try this crackle over some of my other favorite colors!
~
What do you think? Are you a fan of this nail design? What are your favorite colors and brands that you adore?

Fashion Friday ... Vegas Edition!!

2011-05-27T10:57:00.000-07:00

Hey there!! Long time, I know! Vegas was awesome, as usual, although the weather was COLD in the desert! Most days were in the 70's, which is chilly in my book! Hubby and I had a great time though ... we met up with some friends while we were there, went to see Tony and Tina's Wedding (HILARIOUS!!), O by Cirque du Soleil, and Criss Angel's BeLIEve. We also hit up my favorite nightclub, Pure, so I could get my groove on, and on our last day in Sin City, we laid out at the Rehab pool at the Hard Rock (thanked the weather gods for the 90 degree heat that day)! I left the diet in Portland and ate tons of amazing food!! My feet survived walking the strip in wedges, but blistered the 2 nights I went with the strappy heels.
I came home to a new work schedule with added hours, so I have been trying to re-adjust. I promise to have lots of fun new posts coming up ... in fact, you will definitely wanna be here on June 1st (next week!!) for a HUGE event that will be launching!! Have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend ... see you on Tuesday!!

Dress borrowed from my friend, Rachelle ... hot, right?

Thank goodness for safety pins!
Night one with the strappy heels ... ouch! Worth the pain though - wedges could not hang with this dress!
Simple black skinnies with a top I got at the Hurley outlet, paired with the comfy wedge sandals I brought from DSW.
Chained neckline with open back ... loved this top! Hair in a pony with a sequined headband and clips from H&M and added a silver bracelet.

One-shoulder sequined dress from Nordstrom ... $58!

Basic black shorts from Forever 21 ($7) and a cute top from Nordstrom Rack (b-day gift from my hubby), paired with my wedges. These shoes were awesome for all the walking we did!!

Spacing issues = frustrating! Ugh!!

Click on the pics to see them bigger.

Waking Up In Vegas ...

2011-05-12T09:33:00.000-07:00

Are you singing Katy Perry in your head courtesy of my post title? Good, cuz that song has been swirling in my head all week! I am so very excited to be heading to Las Vegas on Sunday!! Hubby and I will be staying for a week to celebrate our birthdays and 10-year anniversary. Normally 3 to 4 days is more than enough time to party it up - ~~especially since by day 3 you are usually broke and dehydrated from being hungover the entire trip~~ - but we are going to take it easy, lounge by the pools, shop, see a couple shows, and enjoy the desert heat!!

This week has been full of laundry and setting aside stuff to pack, running last minute errands and putting together all the essentials the kids will need next week for their stay with Nana and Papa. I originally intended to bring a couple books from the Sookie Stackhouse series (which I may still do), but with all the rave reviews of Something Borrowed, I picked up a copy to take on our trip. I haven't seen the movie yet, but the previews look great!

And in between all the pre-vacation chaos and normal every day life, I am now hooked on Words With Friends on my iPhone. Scrabble with my peeps - fabulous! Wanna play? My player id is 'aprilbaker23'.

I was thinking of going through the archives and re-posting some oldies but goodies here on dot...dot...dot... while I am away all next week. I will not be taking my laptop (gasp!) with me, and I don't wanna leave y'all hanging. Any favorites come to mind that you would like to see again??

Champagne taste on a beer budget ... wedges!

2011-05-10T09:27:00.000-07:00

Steve Madden at Nordstrom ... $90 Mossimo at Target ... $22
___________________________________

Me Too ... $90

Xhilaration at Target ... $25

___________________________________

Madden Girl ... $50

Xhilaration at Target ... $25 ___________________________________

Mia ... $70

Mossimo at Target ... $20

___________________________________

Stuart Weitzman at Nordstrom ... $365

Xhilaration at Target ... $25

I snagged these little hotties during my last trip to Target and they are soooo comfortable, plus they look so sexy with a tan!!

Rants & Raves & A Giveaway Winner

2011-05-06T11:13:00.000-07:00

Rave ... Breaking Dawn (Part I) is only 195 days away! That may seem long to many, but to those of us who are obsessed with The Twilight Saga, this is a very exciting sight to see on our countdown clocks!
Rant ... I have read several posts here in blog land of the lack of comments on blogs. I am feeling this and have for some time now. This saddens me. There is nothing like taking time out to blog about a topic of interest, and get no feedback in return. And I find it annoying when I comment on other blogs and instead of getting return comments on my own blog, I get an email with a short reply to my original comment. {Sigh.} I do appreciate the time that was taken to reply to my comments (THANK YOU!!), however, it is common courtesy to return the comment favor.
I cannot tell you how many times I have debated on the future of my blog - what direction I want it to go in, how much longer I want to do this, etc ... I know several bloggers are feeling this way, too. I know I am not the only one. I hope this slump ends quickly.

Rave ... I traded my Blackberry for an iPhone 4. Let's just say that it is WAY COOL!! I am having fun playing around with it and learning all there is to know about these smart little gadgets.
And the winner (picked by good ol' random.org) of the Too Faced Lip Injection Giveaway is ...
Summer!! Congrats girly ... it was actually your vlog review where I first learned of this plumper! Send me your address (aprilbaker23@yahoo.com) and I will get this right off to you!

♥

Happy Friday!!

I use it ... Pureology Hair Care

2011-05-04T04:30:00.000-07:00

Pureology SuperSmooth Hair Care System ... I use this formula to maintain my hair color and because it has a thermal anti-fade complex to help protect my hair from the heating tools I use. I dye my hair (all over color) black every 5-6 weeks. It is not my natural hair color, but I prefer the richer color with my skin tones. Grow-out can be annoying, but because I get my color at a local beauty supply shop, the cost is low to maintain. When I had my purple extensions put in, the stylist recommended Pureology products to keep my color from fading and to better nourish my hair. I had used this line in the past, but quit using it due to the cost - the shampoo and conditioner runs $20 - $30 for standard size bottles. Being I am doing so much to my hair right now, and because my extensions require a flat iron daily, I opted to go back to Pureology for a while.
I do not use any styling products after I wash and condition, so I am not sure how this brand's other products line up, but I do like the Pureology formulas. Antioxidents and natural ingredients make this line stand out above the rest. The SuperSmooth formula I currently use is made up of Camellia and Sesame Oils, organic Shea Butter and Geranium, all aiding in keeping my hair frizz-free and shiny while maintaining the moisture.

I am loving my new extensions! The purple ones are bonded to my own hair with a glue and my 2 feathers (white and teal) are attached with a bead. When my hair is down, the purple is very subtle and peeks through. Pulling my hair half up reveals more color and allows the feathers to be seen. The extensions should last about 5 months, or until they grow out enough for me to want to remove them.

...What are your favorite hair care products?...

Celebrating 30 on 30!!

2011-05-02T07:04:00.000-07:00

Not sure why turning thirty is supposed to be dirty, but one thing I do know is how to celebrate it!! My big 3-0h! was on April 25th, but hubby and I partied it up this weekend with a group of our besties! The night started with a little house partay then we headed downtown to tear the club up! So much fun!!

(If we are friends on Facebook, the rest of the pics are posted there.)

Ain't no shame!
Top ... Frederick's of Hollywood
Shorts ... Forever 21
Wedges ... DSW

My ♥
Here's to my fun and flirty, fabulous thirties!!

Muah!

xoxo

I tried it ... Too Faced Lip Injection & Giveaway!

2011-04-28T09:54:00.000-07:00

I read several blog reviews about a fabulous lip plumper by Too Faced called Lip Injection. Being I have a small upper lip, I thought I'd give this product a try ... retailing for $19, it seemed reasonable enough for a product review.

My before pic ... naked lips, nothing on them

5 minutes after application of Lip Injection ...
Holy Fire, Batman! My lips are BURNING! Red, tingling, like i just poured hot sauce on an open wound! NOT liking the pain, but powering through. I am a blogger with a review to write!

12 minutes after application ...

I can smile again because the fire ants quit biting. The outlines of my lips are a lovely hue of blood red, and while I was not actually bleeding, my lips were throbbing a bit. And they were not that noticeably plumper. With what I had just experienced, I should have had Angelina Jolie results!

So my review is not that fabulous. In fact, it is probably pretty scary to some of you. I did not like this product, nor did my lips.

However, Too Faced Lip Injection gets high marks in the beauty world and is adored by many! Wanna try it for yourself??

I snagged up an extra Lip Injection for one of my ~~brave~~ awesome readers to try!

Be sure you are a follower to enter ... just leave a comment here on this post as to why you wanna win! Extra entries when you share my blog link with others! Giveaway will end next week and the winner will be announced here on dot...dot...dot... on Friday, May 6th!

What I wore ... for Easter!

2011-04-27T07:42:00.000-07:00

First pic a little blurry, but my fabulous photographer is 7 years old!
Grey sweater ... Ross
(I tied it in the middle to prevent it from looking like a parachute over the fluffy dress)
Skinny Jeans ... Beth & Maggie (a local boutique)

Dress turned into a top (I simply folded the top part of the dress inside to shorten the length for the look) because it was way too cold to wear a dress on this day.
Where did it come from??
The TV show Gilmore Girls!!
Back in the day, I was obsessed with the beloved show and for Christmas years ago, hubby found a website that sold off wardrobe items from the studio sets that filmed Gilmore Girls! This particular dress was worn by Rory (Alexis Bledel) herself! It came complete with a certificate of authenticity and a note as to which episode she wore it in (but of course, I can't find it at the moment to share with y'all). My man rocks at giving gifts!!

Earrings ... Charlotte Russe (and clearanced for $1.99!)
Lace and tulle ... very sweet and romantic!
Gladiator sandals ... Nordstrom Rack ... by Mia

Has it been that long?

2011-04-26T08:04:00.000-07:00

Whoa! I have been gone for a couple weeks! In the history of my blogging hobby, I have never gone more than a few days without posting ... life has not allowed for any down time lately! The laundry has piled up (my never-ending-battle!!), the house could use a scrub-down and an organizational guru, and I would love to just stay in bed for 24 hours and get as much sleep as my body would allow. But on to bigger and better things ...

I turned 30 yesterday, peeps!!

Oh yes I did ... and I am smiling about it, too! I had a fabulous weekend celebrating with a girls day out, getting my hair done, date night with my hubby, a movie date with my boys ... I am definitely one spoiled girl! Plus, it was Easter weekend!! Can y'all see why I have had zero time to catch up??

Birthday lunch with the girls at The Cheesecake Factory ... yum!! My sis-in-law surprised me by inviting 2 of my fave girlfriends to come along ... those sneaky girls are good at keeping secrets! The day before our girls day out, I got my hair done - I finally put in the purple extensions I had been wanting for years! I also cut 4 inches off, layered and thinned it out a bit, too. I will post some other pics soon of more details, and show you all the 2 feathers I also got ... you can kinda see them in the pic below (one is teal and one is white). Representing with the Oregon Duck!! He was chillin' at the mall we were shopping at, so we had to get a pic with him. The pedicure I got before lunch with the girls ... love the spring-y colored green! And I was so happy to be wearing sandals! We had a gorgeous day on Saturday before the rain came back. Me yesterday morning rockin' my new American Eagle sweater. It was just an ordinary Monday, except that my cell phone was blowing up all day!! All the birthday shout-outs on Facebook and by text were so awesome and drained my phone's battery! I definitely felt the love!

Homemade strawberry shortcake cupcakes made by my co-worker. She is uh.maze.ing and has mad baking skills!!
This next weekend, we will be partying with friends to celebrate my big 3-0!! I have the cutest outfit to show you all! Tomorrow I will show you what I wore for Easter ... Gilmore Girls fans will be a tad jealous!
Happy Tuesday - it feels good to be back!!

Blog Break ...

2011-04-14T09:41:00.000-07:00

Hey Peeps! I am so very sorry for the lack of posts this week ... I picked up some extra hours at work this week for co-workers who needed time off. Needless to say, I am one exhausted chica being a mommy by day, and working 40 hours by night this week. My brain isn't quite functioning the way it should be, so I thought I'd spare y'all my ramblings. Hang in there ... I will be back on Monday!! Hope everyone is having a great week ... and hello to my new followers!! I am so happy to have you all here!!

Muah!! xoxo

Rain, rain go away ...

2011-04-11T00:10:00.000-07:00

Lovely.

{Insert tears.}

Fashion Friday

2011-04-08T09:22:00.000-07:00

Shirt Dress ... Old Navy

Long Sleeve Tee ... Target Cable Knit Leggings ... Target

Necklace ... American Eagle

(although, it was attached to another chain for a layered look, but I didn't like it, so I cut them apart, saving my favorite piece.) Boots ... Nordstrom Rack

(and a killer deal with my Groupon certificate!)

Happy Friday!!

Banana-rama

2011-04-07T07:31:00.000-07:00

Bananas ... one of my favorite fruits and scents! Apparently, these little yellow cuties are packed with a moisturizing amino acid called tryptophan and combined with potassium (a powerful softening agent), they are perfect for nourishing winter-ravaged skin, hair and lips! Burt's Bees makes a beeswax and banana hand cream that I love to use on my feet, Ulta has a Banana Bliss Shower Smoothie, LUSH makes a banana body cream, and The Body Shop sells banana shampoo and conditioner. All of those sound so yummy and I can't wait to try them! I found a recipe for a DIY Moisturizing Banana Hair Mask ... it claims to repair dry or damaged locks! I am going to give it a try and I will let y'all know if it works ... feel free to try it yourself at home and let me know what you think!

In a bowl, mash 1 ripe banana.

Add 1 tbsp. honey and 1tbsp. olive oil; whip until smooth.

Massage into damp hair.

Cover hair in plastic wrap and leave-in for 30 to 60 minutes.

Rinse well.

Love Potion

2011-04-06T10:05:00.000-07:00

I love the sun. I love to be tan. I do not love the possible chance of getting skin cancer. I was absolutely thrilled to have found this SPF 15 sunscreen that actually allows tanning while protecting me from harmful rays! I was on vacation in Palm Desert, California a couple years ago and was burning more than I was tanning in the hot desert sun. I popped into the convenience store located outside of the resort's pool to grab a lotion that had the lowest SPF. Ocean Potion was the most appealing bottle they had, so I bought it and headed back out to the pool. The smell was actually quite pleasant ... very light and clean. It absorbed nicely and wasn't greasy. So far, so good! I laid out for a few hours, jumping in and out of the pool, and soaking up the heat. At the end of the day, I had an amazing TAN!! Paraben free, Vitamin D fortified, and for all skin types. Another fall-in-love bonus is that the formula is enriched with Seaplant Extracts, and antioxident-rich Vitamins A, C and E ... all anti-aging agents! Woot! This lotion also does great in the tanning beds. Ain't no shame - here in the rainy, dark and grey Pacific Northwest, a girl who needs the sun has to get some rays in somehow! I actually have to order this lotion online because I can't seem to find it here in Oregon (go figure - see above description of where I live), and drugstore.com has some great prices, especially when you go through ebates!

I tried it ... L'Oreal Paris Review

2011-04-04T10:53:00.000-07:00

I am a BzzAgent, which means I take surveys, give my opinions, and get to participate in product reviews for some fabulous companies. I was selected to participate in a campaign for L'Oreal Paris. I was sent two of their newest products for review, the One Sweep Eye Shadow and Double Extend Eye Illuminator Mascara, both formulated for brown eyes.

To be honest, I was pretty skeptical of the One Sweep Eyeshadow. Three layers of color that go on all at once and look fabulous in one quick step. Hmm ... really? Let's try it out. First of all, I thought the applicator sponge was going to be too big for my eye area. I held it up to my eye without any shadow on it to see what the coverage area was going to be. It looked alright, so I pressed the applicator firmly onto the 3 layers of shadow (which are really pretty tones of purple and pink), then lined it up on top of my eye lid and pressed firmly again. Being the applicator was bigger, it didn't leave any room for 'sweeping', so I kinda stamped on the shadow. I repeated the same process with my other eye.To my surprise, it actually worked!! Three layers of color, applied evenly, and looking like I spent more that the 30 seconds I did to apply it! Sweet!! And another bonus ... the color lasted all day! Not too shabby!!Next up, I used the Double Extend Mascara ... there are two ends to this tube. One end is the mascara (black, in my case) and the other end is the illuminating top coat which, for brown eyes, is a copper-bronze color. I already am a fan of L'Oreal's mascara formulas - they are rich and can be layered. This one is no different and went on great for a first application. I always prefer mascara after a few weeks of opening it ... it tends to get a little thicker the more you use it. After applying the mascara, the directions said to immediately apply the illuminator without dry time between the two. So I did. And didn't notice anything right away. Throughout the day though, I would see little glimmers if the light hit my eyes right. Sometimes that was annoying ... almost like seeing little tracers out of the corner of your eye, and it wasn't very noticeable in my opinion. Maybe I needed to add a little more, but I like my lashes to look rich and dark and full. Adding a lighter color on top of them made me shy away a bit. Overall, I loved the shadow ... the application was quick and easy, with very little touch up needed. The pigments were pretty and it lasted all day. The illuminating mascara concept is not my favorite, but again, I love the general formula of L'Oreal's mascaras. So, while I wouldn't recommend this particular mascara based on my own personal desired look, it is still a great quality brand. The shadows retail for around $9.95 each and come in a few other palettes. The mascara retails for around $10.95.

Fashion Friday

2011-04-01T07:45:00.000-07:00

(Notice the hole in my jeans? I talked about it here.) Striped Top ... Wet Seal

Long Sleeve Tee ... Nordstrom B.P.

Necklace ... Forever 21

Bracelet ... Sublime (a local boutique)

Ring ... Nelle & Lizzy

Nail Polish ... Sinful Colors in Tokyo Pearl My fave AG jeans.

Hoop earrings ... Forever 21

Learn how to achieve this hairstyle with my vlog!

Happy Friday!!

♥

Rain Check

2011-03-31T10:30:00.000-07:00

Wet N Wild Wild Shine in Rain Check (2 coats)

with Essie base coat, Fill The Gap (perfect for filling ridges),

Essie Top Coat, Good To Go (the fastest drying and toughest top coat around!)

Love most shades of blue nail polish, including this one!

Hot Deal Alert ... Nelle & Lizzy

2011-03-30T08:36:00.000-07:00

Who remembers when I finally purchased my Nelle & Lizzy ring back in 2009 after drooling over it forever? My blog receives lots of hits in search of Nelle & Lizzy promo codes (according to my trusty Google Analytics reports), and I am happy to share an amazing deal that is only being offered for the next 12 hours!

Nelle & Lizzy creates hand-stamped, high quality jewelry that even the celebrities adore! I wear my ring every.single.day. I sleep and shower in it, too. The stamping has not worn down in the slightest, and I always get lots of compliments on it.

^^ My ring the day it was delivered ^^

Nelle & Lizzy offers custom rings, necklaces, bracelets and one-of-a-kind gifts for men and women! Perfect ideas for Mother's Day coming up, or any other special occasion!

So here is the killer deal ... a new Groupon-style site just launched this month called Social Dish. This site stands out among the many similar to it with the fact that they offer you money to get people and businesses signed up with them! Yep! A potential to earn money and save money all in one spot! It's free to sign-up, you get a daily deal emailed to you, and you'll earn a percentage of your referral's purchases! Sounds great, right? Sign-up now so you can take advantage of the limited time offer for Nelle & Lizzy, and spread the word to all your friends and family so you can start earning some $$!!

Saving My Favorite Jeans ...

2011-03-29T09:20:00.000-07:00

I was mixing hair dye one night and got a glob of the dye on my favorite jeans. I just about had a heart attack. After pre-treating them and washing them, it was obvious that black hair dye was not going to come out. Instead of tossing them, I decided I was going to distress them. What did I have to lose, right? Here's how I did it and how they turned out ...

First up, I had to try to lighten the stain, so I used a Clorox Bleach pen and layered on the bleach gel. I let the bleach sit for about 20 minutes, then washed and dried as usual.

Next up, I went into our garage to find some sandpaper. No such luck, but I came across this steel-bristled brush. This was definitely rough enough to tear into denim. I then slid a small cutting board into the pant leg of my jeans (to prevent distressing of the back side of the pants), and went to town grinding and rubbing the steel brush on top of the now bleached stain. This took a little while ... apparently denim is actually a tough fabric. Ha ha!

Eventually, I rubbed a couple holes into my jeans and seperated the fabric enough to achieve the desired look. This look was great for the first few times I wore my jeans. Unfortunately, the holes I created stretched and merged, so now I have one big hole ... too big for my liking (you'll see it in Friday's fashion post). So, I think I am going to get a patch to put under the hole. If I ever distress jeans again, I will be sure to create only 1 small hole, so that the ripping and shredding will happen more gradual. Bottom line, I am glad I saved my jeans from being sent to Goodwill.

Monday, Monday ...

2011-03-28T09:35:00.000-07:00

I am detoxing for 48 hours, starting this morning. I am jump-starting my metabolism and re-directing my brain to quit craving the comfort foods I enjoy so darn much. I gotta get bikini ready real quick, cuz hubby and I have our plane tickets booked ...

... to Las Vegas, Baby!! I am turning 30 this year (woot!!) and hubby and I are also celebrating our 10 year anniversary (double woot!!), so we are going to go play without the kids for a week in one of our favorite vacation spots! I am so very excited ... we leave May 15th!!

The weather man keeps getting my hopes up for sunny and WARM weather by the end of the week, but of course Oregon weather-people can never get things right. They change their forecast predictions almost hourly. Let's hope we see some beautiful spring weather this week!

I guess I shouldn't be complaining too much though ... they predicted rain on the coast this last weekend, and we got gorgeous sunshine for 2 of the 3 days we were there. It was cold, but I ain't complaining! We BBQ'd and had a great time with friends!

Spring Break is officially over ... while my 7-year-old is bummed he has to get up at the crack of dawn (yeah, I am hating that part, too), I am glad to be back on a normal schedule again. Maddox has to be at school at 7:30am, but its always nice that I can go back home and sleep a little longer until my 4-year-old is ready to start his day.

Happy Monday!!

Fashion Friday ... Date Night with My Man!!

2011-03-25T09:09:00.000-07:00

Sheer Top ... Forever 21

Tank Top ... American Eagle

Skinny Jeans ... Flying Monkey

Booties ... Charlotte Russe

Earrings ... Target (and a gift from my 4-year-old)

Necklace ... Forever 21

♥

Make-Up

Erase Paste Concealer in Medium

Lancome Star Bronzer over concealer to blend

MAC Black Eyeliner

MAC Painterly Shadow Base

e.l.f. Drama shadows (grey, silver and black)

Avon SuperShock Mascara in Black

MAC Angel on lips

Casting Call

2011-03-24T10:23:00.000-07:00

I was recently contacted by RJ Larese, a Casting Producer for TLC, and was asked to share this exciting announcement! TLC is currently looking for families to interview for the upcoming Season 2 series of "Outrageous Kid Parties". If you are planning a big event, TLC wants to be there! If you mention that you saw this announcement here on dot...dot...dot..., I am told that you will receive a priority interview! Interviews are currently being held all over the country via SKYPE. The details are in the flyer below, please click on it to enlarge.