Where my girls at? **CLOSED**

Giveaway is now closed ... thanks!!
I promised a fun girly giveaway when I reached 200 Followers, and now I have over 200!! Yay!! I absolutely adore my friends and fans. You girls are the reason I keep blogging ... the comments and the love makes me feel so special. THANK YOU for all the sweetness you all show to me!
I wish I could send each one of you some goodies (that can only happen if I win the lottery), but I put together a little gift package for one lucky girl! Check out the swag ...

Fabulous wrist straps from Shabby Straps! I have one of these on my keys and one on my point-n-shoot camera ... love them!!

Rimmel London 60 Seconds Nail Polish in Pulsating

Set of 3 Juicy Couture Hair Bands

E.L.F. Smoky Eye Shadow kit in Drama, E.L.F. eye shadow brush, Ms. Manicure set, Max Factor mascara, and NYC Mint Flavored Kiss Gloss (perfect to go over your fave lip color)

Crest Pro Whitening Spin Brush (yes, it is that cool)

Canvas bag from Nordstrom to hold on your goodies!

So here's how to enter:

♥ Follow Me! Hubby already put a ring on it, but you can show your love by putting your cute self in that awesome box in my sidebar!

♥ Flatter Me! Tell me one of your fave things about dot...dot...dot...

♥ Spread the word! I love meeting new friends, so please share the news of my girly giveaway! Facebook, Twitter and blog re-posts earn you extra brownie points!

Giveaway ends in a week!

xoxo

Starbucks, who?

My 2010 is all about spending less, being wiser with my money, and controlling my spending urges. That being said, I am proud to admit that I have not spent one dime at Starbucks so far this year. Instead, when I need a coffee fix, I make a cup at home and add flavored creamers. My current faves are these two ... Vanilla Caramel and Italian Sweet Cream. Yum

Stand By Your Man

The Real Housewives of Orange County ... very entertaining, full o'drama, and definitely on my dvr list. After watching the latest episode though, I couldn't help but feel sick to my stomach. Sure, the ladies don't always show their classy sides and seem to be pretty naive about the world around them, but one particular trait is irking me like no other.
Lynne, Vicki, and Tamra show absolutely zero respect for their husbands. The way they talk to them, the way they talk about them, the amount of disrespect they show for the men they committed their lives to, is absolutely shameful.
My husband is my everything. He is my rock, my protector, my heart. He is me, we are one. Where he leads, I will follow. If he fails, I fail. I support him, and love him, and care for him. I show him the utmost highest respect whether behind closed doors or out in public. I do not bash him, I do not ever speak badly of him. I am submissive and more loyal than a golden retriever. My man works hard to provide us everything we need or want, and he is an amazing daddy to our boys. He treats me like a princess and shows me the same love and respect in return.

Watching Lynne bash Frank for his financial failures (as she is out on mini-vacays, 5-star dining and shopping sprees with the girls) is unacceptable. Tamra choosing to keep a relationship with someone who interferes and causes problems in her marriage is so very disrespectful (no wonder Simon filed for divorce). And Vicki, who regardless of being a very smart and successful woman, talking down and belittling her husband is so very sad.

Now I know I only see what the cameras show on TV, and honestly I do not judge these women for the lives that they lead. I am simply a girl who values her hubby and adores him with everything. It would absolutely devastate me to treat my husband in such a nasty manner. When their show comes to an end and they can no longer afford plastic surgery (which btw - what is up with all the sagging wrinkling skin on Lynne??), who do they think is going to be there for them?

Fashion Friday

This outfit is full of good deals! I am being more frugal with my shopping this year, and so thrilled when I score amazing finds!

~

Black cami: Old Navy, $5

Grey 3/4 sleeve top: Old Navy, $4.99

Jeans: 7 for All Mankind, Costco, $89

Shoes: Rite-Aid Pharmacy, $4

Necklace: had a while, forget where I got it

Bracelet: Love Culture, set of 3 for $4.50
~

Make-up:

Eyes: E.L.F. Drama set, $2

Lips: MAC Angel

What are some of the most incredibles deals you have found? Where are your fave places to shop? Happy Friday, Girls!!

Fashion Fridays brought to you by Summer!

♥

Flippin' cell phone law!

January 2010 marked a new traffic law in Oregon that is driving me cuh.ray.zee! No more cell phones while driving, must use a hands-free device. WTF? I totally understand and support the ban on texting while driving ... big no-no in my book! You won't evah find me texting while my car is in motion, but this 'no talking with your cell phone to your ear' is driving me insane! I even think it is more dangerous for me to be fumbling around with these micro-mini gadgets, trying to get it in my ear, set up the bluetooth to my cell phone, and hope that when someone calls, I can answer the dumb thing! Talk about a distraction! Ugh. I don't think people are anymore distracted by talking on the phone than they are listening to the radio or chatting it up with their passengers. Texing, again, is a full distraction and can kill people! Holding our phones to our ears should not interfere. I mean, how many people do you know that regularly drive with both hands on the wheel ... you know, 10 and 2? Yeah, nobody I know. What's next? Drinking Starbucks in the car will be unacceptable? Sigh. I am so annoyed with this dumb new law. How about your state? Any crazy laws that erk you?

And the winner is ....

Thank you so very much to Lynsee and The Pretty Poppy for offering such a sweet necklace! The winner of the He Loves Me pendant and chain is .............

Jenni said...
all of her work is gorgeous!!!!! But, I do have to say that that pendant is my absolute fav! I used to play the "he loves me, he loves me not" game all the time!

Congrats, Jenni! Please contact me within 24 hours with your shipping address so I can pass your info along to The Prett Poppy. aprilbaker23@yahoo.com

And thank you so very much to all my wonderful friends and devoted readers who visit each day and share my giveaway news!

As promised, my Girly Giveaway starts NEXT WEEK!!

♥

Spam ... and not from the can!

Ugh. So annoying! I have been blogging since 2008, and never have I had this many spam comments! I have removed the option to leave anonymous comments due to this. Has anyone else been having issues?
Today is your last chance to get your entries in for my oh-so-cute giveaway ... I will give 10 extra points to those who post on Facebook today (even if you have previously posted). Just leave a comment letting me know you did so!! xoxo

Fake or Bake?

I am an Italian girl with light olive skin. I tan really well and look fabulous with a bronzed glow, but skin cancer concerns are always on my mind when it comes to soaking up the UV rays.
Back in high school, I would hit up the tanning bed once or twice a week. When I laid out in the sun, I would use a dark tanning oil with no SPF. I was tan, and always got lots of compliments.
I crave the sun, the warmth, the vitamin D and the gorgeous glow. After having kids though, my mindset has changed. I do not want to get skin cancer and risk dying, leaving my boys without a momma, all for vanity's sake.
I have spray tanned once. It was a $35 session and I was slighly darker (just enough to even out the skin tone) for just a few days. So not the same. I have also tried a couple random tan-in-a-can products with no such luck.
So help me out girls! What are your views and opinions on tanning? What is your method of getting some color? What products do you use (no matter what tanning method you prefer) to achieve your desired look?

What your momma say ...

Heard this song for the first time in Zumba last week ... dancin' around the house to it today! Go ahead now ... you know you wanna dance, too!

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Be sure to enter my current giveaway ... spread the word and get extra kudos!! xoxo

Fashion Friday

Gotta love casual Fridays ... wait, who am I kidding? I dress like this 98% of the time. One of the many perks of being a stay-at-home momma!
~

Purple Crewneck Long Sleeve Tee: B.P. Nordstrom

Brown Terry Hoodie: Juicy Couture

Jeans: GAP Long and Lean

Ugg Boots in Chocolate

Fashion Fridays are brought to you by Summer ... ♥ her!

Have you checked out my latest giveaway? Scroll on down to enter! Have a wonderful weekend!!

It's Giveaway Time!

A friend of mine just recently opened up an adorable Etsy shop with hand-crafted jewelry, and just in time for Valentine's Day, Lynsee is offering up this oh-so-sweet He Loves Me pendant and chain.
Remember back to those childhood days of picking your favorite flower and wondering if he loves you? He loves me...He loves me not...He loves me!
The perfect Valentine gift! One handcrafted and carved 3/4 inch tag with a pretty little flower missing petals. The words, He loves me, are handstamped into the silver piece. This pendant comes with a sterling silver 16 in chain.
Each item arrives with a polishing pad and is packaged and ready to gift.

So here's how to enter ... you must be a follower of my blog. Add yo' self to that awesome lil' box in the sidebar.
Next up, please visit The Pretty Poppy and check out all the fabulous designs they create. Come back here and tell me what your fave piece is. Simple as that!
I give extra kudos when you spread the word ... Facebook, Twitter, re-post on your blog, send out an email announcement to friends and family (when they drop your name in their comment, double points for you!!), so please share the news of this giveaway! Thanks so much!!
Giveaway ends Wednesday night 2/10 at 8pm (pst), and the winner will be announced by 10pm. Please check back in asap to claim your gift, so that it can be shipped pronto.

A Little Bit of This and That

Tonight I will be hittin' the gym for the evah-so-popular Zumba class. I have heard so much about how fun this class is, and how it burns like 700 calories (suh-weet!). I took the hip hop class on Monday night, and while I am definitely no J-Lo in the mad skillz department, I still had fun and busted out like I was Shawty in da club. Yo.

Has anyone been watching the new series, Life Unexpected on CW? It is filmed here in P-Town (that's Portland, OR), and I am luvin' it! They advertise it as a 'Juno meets Gilmore Girls' kinda show (no need to tell ya'll again about my obsession with the Girls), so this show is def my style. With my luck though, it will get cancelled. I knocked on wood, so no jinxing from here, but I'm just sayin'. It always happens to the ones I love. The new series just started, and you are only a couple episodes behind if you haven't been watching. Check it out Mondays at 9pm.

And here is a sneak peek at what Miss Kim Kardashian is sending me in the mail ... you know, through her oh-so-fab shoe society! I can't wait to see them in person, cuz the description says they are a 'regal jewel-tone of amethyst' (they look kinda brown to me in the pic). I heart just about anything purple (well, except for Barney and I have never tried eggplant ... it is my fave color though), so my heart is pitter-pattering with the thoughts of a purple pump. How many of you belong to Shoe Dazzle?

So that is all for today ... some random thoughts for ya. Hope you are all having a fabulous week!! xoxo

How to Love the Gym

Tip #1 .. Get cute gym clothes, and yes, wear a little make-up! There is nothing cute about sweating and nearly passing out, so dress it up a bit, girls. I found awesome cropped yoga pants at the GAP Outlet ... I snagged them in grey and in black. They are super comfy, and I feel cute wearing them (ahem, my ass looks good in these pants).

Tip #2 .. Hydrate yourself so you don't pass out. So embarrassing! I personally have not had this happen, but felt like I have come close. So accessorize with a cute water bottle of sorts with your fave electrolytes and throw a power bar in your bag.

Tip #3 .. Get your own yoga mat. Seriously. You do not want to be sharing random mats with other sweaty peeps. Eww.

Tip #4 .. Go at your own pace. I have learned that if I try to keep up with the instructor who does this job for a living, I will trip and fall in the middle of the class for all to see. Yeah. I don't want to be that girl. So, I use weights I am comfortable with and don't always use the step in class. My pace, my level, don't care who is watching.

And Tip #5 ... Mix it Up! Have fun! And go with a friend! Try new classes and grab your gilfrends to go along. If the class is a little over your head, at least you have someone to laugh with! I love hittin' the gym with my sis-in-law. She is definitely more advanced than I, but we have a great time!

I am definitely loving the new lifestyle change I have goin' on. I honestly didn't think that this resolution would last this long and be so life-altering. I am hoping this momentum continues. I feel great, my body is looking great, my stamina and energy levels are awesome, and I am so less crabby! We will see where I am at in another couple months, but I am loving the new me right now.
How are your goals coming along? What is keeping you on track? Have you already lost a few goals along the way?

Motivation ...

Hubby is in vacation planning mode (woot!) and I am still hittin' the gym every week. I lost a few more pounds this last week - which was awesome to see on the scale, being I had my oh-so-fabulous Aunt Flow visit for almost 2 whole weeks! Ugh. Bloating sucks. But you already knew that!
I have been bookmarking my favorite bikini finds, because I am determined to reach my goals by my birthday in April. Most of these are Victoria's Secret. Anyone have any online sites with cute swimsuits? I need to know what all my options are .. ha ha! Happy Monday, Girls!!