My heart is racing ... 56 days!!

Must add to your 'favorites' file ...

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

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 ...

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 ...

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

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 ...

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!

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

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

Dress ... Juicy Couture

Arm candy ... my hubby

Have a great weekend, peeps!!

xoxo

New Boots = Excited for Fall!

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

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!!

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

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

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 ...

Turn It Up Tuesday ... My Girl Crush

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

Ciao, Bella!!

Well, hello Kristin Stewart!! Simply stunning!

Cheers to the Freakin' Weekend!

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 ...

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!!

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!