Four Favorites - Valentine's Day!

As much as I love having my normal go to blog posts throughout the week I've been wanting to mix things up for a bit to prevent myself and my readers from getting bored with my content! Last week I was asked to join in this week's Link Up with Fancy Things and Let It Be Beautiful and I am quite excited! Each Week these ladies host a Link Up showing four of their favorite items pertaining to a certain category! This week is Valentine's day and these are my Four Favorites! 

I am drooling over the rustic yet classic valentine decor! I love the simplistic romantic feel and the silhouettes are an added bonus! You can't go wrong with a classic pale pink nail polish! I own several shades of pale pinks; mattes, shimmers, sparkles, you name it, I probably have it! Something about pale pink screams girly and Essie supplies many many girly pink shades! My next manicure will most definitely consist of pale pink in honor of Valentine's Day! Kate Spade is one of my all time favorite classic designers! All of her details are simple, clean, and concise and can be worn for years to come. I considered her pieces an investment! These Karolina Bow Pumps are to die for! They can be perfectly paired with a black pencil skirt or ivory slacks and can be worn year round! Lastly,  what gal doesn't love a bouquet of pink peonies?! I wouldn't mind coming home to a bundle of these for lovely ole Heart Day! *hint hint hunnie* 

 
Happy Hump Day my loves! I will be enjoying the 70 degree weather today and gearing up for the end of the week and an eventful weekend! XoXo!

A Little Natural OCM!

Back in October one of my girlfriends was telling me how individuals with oily skin should cleanse their face with, none other than, oil! I seriously laughed at her and told her that was OUT OF THE QUESTION! My face would be one grease slicked mess if I was to do such a thing so I continued scrubbing away with Proactive. When you are used to caring for your face with a certain routine, it's hard to give that up especially for OIL!

About six weeks later I started doing some research on cleansing with oil. Part of my interest was that there are no chemicals! I was tired of ruining towels with Proactiv as it was bleaching them! If that stuff is bleaching my face towels, what is it doing to my skin?! I'm not an all natural advocate but with the knowledge of already knowing I'd have to give up the Proactiv routine once I'm pregnant, I figured why not give it up now and try something new that I would be able to use once we decide to expand our family!

In comes the OCM - Oil Cleansing Method! According to Crunchy Betty, the OCM doesn't strip your face of it's sebum therefore your skin doesn't work in overdrive to produce more oil! That overdrive work leads to clogged pores, blackheads, acne, and overall irritation! Who knew?!

Regardless of your skin type you have to start with the base oil, which is Cold Pressed Castor Oil. I found mine at The Vitamin Shoppe! And YES there is a difference between Cold Pressed and regular! Cold Pressed Castor Oil is a drying oil and is highly antibacterial. Depending on your skin type you will use more or less! I use more since I have oily skin! You then add a second and third oil {third is optional} depending on your skin type. Here are a few options! I use jojoba oil which is best for acne prone and oily skin.

Once you figure out which oils will work best for your skin type you mix them together in ratios of thirds. You can see the ratios here as well! I use 2/3 Castor Oil and 1/3 Jojoba Oil! I bought a 3 oz bottle in the travel section at Target to store it! Lather your face with the oil and massage gently for about two minutes. The oil also works as a natural makeup remover so there is no need to prewash your face beforehand! Let the oil sit for 30 to 45 seconds once you are finished lathering it on. After your time is up, take a washcloth and run under hot water. Use the hot washcloth to steam your face for 15 to 30 seconds. Slowly wipe your face clean. Rinse the washcloth, Repeat. You should steam your face about 3 times! Once you've steamed and wiped your face completely clean, you're done!

I've been using this cleansing process for a month now and actually really like it! My face isn't a big grease ball, my breakouts dry up quickly if/when I get them, and my towels are staying the color I bought them! Seems like a win win all the way around!

If you have any questions about it please feel free to ask!!! Be sure to check out the links! Crunchy Betty has some great information on the OCM! I also have to thank my girlfriend for jump starting my questions on the process, for without her saying "Clean your face with OIL", I would have never found this!

I Never Told Y'all What I Gave Him!

I realized the other day {while day dreaming about my soon to be new set of wheels} that while I shared with you what the hubby gave me for our Anniversary {or should I say "is giving me"} I didn't tell y'all what I gave him!!! I kind of think it's a bit private, but the more I think about it and with how popular it is, it really isn't that private!

I really have your attention now don't I?! I wanted to give him something sentimental but yet "guy worthy" so I decided on... a... Boudoir book full of trashy yet classy photos of his wife... me! This was the ONLY gift I have ever kept a total surprise and secret from the hubs!

The day of the photo session, thank the good Lord above, he was going to a baseball game at a local University! He had asked me to go, but I told him I really wasn't feeling it! The week before, I had to secretly get his college baseball jersey from his mom's house without him knowing. Then about two days before the session, I had to hide ALL the lingerie and hooker heels in my car before he got home. Not to mention I had to pay for it with my separate credit card so he wouldn't notice any "missing money".  Lots and lots of sneaking around but the end result was well worth it!

The book! 

He literally had NO idea what his gift was. I wouldn't give him many hints and he couldn't figure it out! I decided to give it to him the evening before we left for our Annimoon trip to Charleston! I couldn't wait and I knew he was itching to see what was in the gift bag that I brought into the house! I also knew he wouldn't be able to ride in a car for 6 hours with it all wrapped up OR see it in the hotel room for two days before he could open it. I figured I'd put him out of his misery and suspense! His reaction made my heart jump for joy! He was completely floored, shocked, surprised, speechless in total awe! It's hard to "impress" or "shock"  him sometimes, so to see his mouth hit the floor and his eyes widen as far as they possibly could was confirmation enough that I gave him the most perfect gift!

I took photos of the book with my own camera and cropped them appropriately as to not show the whole blogging world what is really meant for my hubby! There were LOADS of more photos but I'm a lady in the streets, so we will keep this post classy! All original photos were taken by Rebecca Keeling Studios. 

Probably one of my favorites! 

Rocking his Hampden Sydney College Baseball Jersey! 

Photography: Rebecca Keeling Studios
Hair and Makeup: Kristal Lane Beauty

I seriously suggest doing this for your hubby if you haven't already!!! A lot of photographers will include it with your wedding package! Definitely look into it! You can keep the session as classy or trashy as you want, just make sure you are comfortable with the photographer you choose! Rebecca was awesome and made me feel very much at ease! I'm quite modest so even some of the "risque" photos made me feel uneasy but Rebecca made me feel so comfortable and the photos turned out perfect! It's definitely an outside of the box type gift, one your significant other will love, and one that will actually make you feel pretty darn good about yourself too!

Wishing ALL of you a fabulous weekend!!! Can't wait to see y'all Monday!!!!

XoXo,

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

Happy Hump Day beauties!!! I hope everyone has had a wonderful week so far!! I can't complain! I've had loads of energy and have felt quite productive this week!! Not to mention I have so much to love and appreciate! That always makes for a great week right?! Here's what I'm loving this week!

1. Going to see The Odd Life of Timothy Green with my momma and our family friend Nancy! Since seeing previews for this movie, I knew I REALLY wanted to see it, however, I also knew it would be hard to drag the hubby to the theater to watch it. Luckily, a local theater has $5.00 Tuesday Night Movies for the summer! Mom, myself, and my late grandfather's girlfriend Nancy, met last night to see it! Warning: You will cry! And if you are a hormonal mess as I am, you will cry from start to finish! It was an inspirational movie and you will leave the theater wanting to live better and be better. It also made me appreciate my quirks and accept them despite what the world and other people say about them! It was a feel good movie and I left feeling like the world could definitely be a better place, or I could at least try my hardest to make it a better place! I also really enjoyed spending time with my mom and Nancy!

2.  Out-the-Door top coat! I found this awesome top coat on another blog MONTHS ago and now I am mad at myself because I can't remember whose blog I found it on! I really wanted to give them credit! It is by far the best top coat EVER and I have even turned some ladies on at work to it! I painted my toes 3 weeks ago and they have YET to chip... with a beach visit in the sand and shoes that typically scratch off the paint. It also makes my manicures last much longer... about 5 days as opposed to a day or two! You can find it at Sally's for around $6.00! Go out now and get some and you're very welcome in advance!!

3. My Best Friend coming to visit! I met Lauren when I attended George Mason some 9 years ago and have been friends ever since! We don't see each other nearly enough and phone conversations are few and far, but when we talk it's like we talk everyday! Well, I am estatic to say, that she is coming into town this weekend for a much needed visit!!! Can't wait for a wine night and lots of catching up!!! Love to my L-squared!

4. Making it to Zumba three nights this month! This is pretty awesome right?! I've been extremely proud of myself for going the last three Monday nights! I've been able to keep up during the hour class, however, looking like I have it together? Not so much! Haha I never realized how uncordinated I really am until taking this class! It is so much fun though and I feel so great after I am finished! It's a stellar feeling leaving feeling refreshed and worn out all at the same time!

5. This quote that I saw on Philosophy's Facebook page! No explanation needed!

What are all of you loving this week?!

XoXo,

It's OK Thursday - Link Up!

I always participate in It's Okay Thursday when I am completely out of thoughts and ideas for a post! Sorry in advance for the lack of creativity! I've checked out for the evening! Enjoy!

It's OK to...

Send belated cards for any occasion, it's better than sending none at all!

Cry, knowing you are leaving your furrbaby for the weekend! 

To be irritated when your favorite shows {White Collar} latest episode {that you missed} is not showing up in the Primetime On Demand que! 

To be patient when buying a new car... so you can make sure you get the perfect one at the perfect price!

To not wear any makeup to work except for mascara!

To be a nosey neighbor when you notice an ambulance and fire truck in front of your house!

To actually love and appreciate your managers!

To be completely excited for the Fall season!

To wear your husbands deodorant when you run out of your own! 

To love the new Old Navy commercial featuring Jennie Garth, Luke Perry, and Jason Priestley! 

That's all I've got for this evening!!!! Wishing you all a glorious Friday!!! We will be on our way to Emerald Isle around noon tomorrow but I hope to leave y'all with a wee little post before we do!!! 

XoXo,

Color Obsession of the Moment!

Just wanted to thank you all for your kind words yesterday!!! I know those families will appreciate the needed prayers!!!

Enjoy my color obsession for the moment!!! I Need that phone case ASAP!!!

Untitled #5 by lhharrell0611 featuring a shimmer blush

Happy Friday Loves!!!

XoXo,

My First Blogger's Award!

I know that I told you yesterday to stop by because I would be recapping more of our Annimoon trip... well I told a little white lie! I think breaking it up may be more fun and it will give me plenty of time to write more about our get-a-way! Sorry to have disappointed anyone {wink wink}.

One of the main reasons I decided to break up the recaps was because last Thursday I was awarded with my very first Blogger's Award, The Laine Blogger Award! Mrs. Meghan over at More from Meg nominated me and I feel incredibly honored! She is such a fun loving sweet gal and we've already discussed how we know we'd be the best of friends if we lived close to one another! My thoughts? We could still be besties regardless of the distance!! I can't thank her enough for thinking so highly of me and I am excited to answer the questions attached to the award!!! Before I get started though, I just want to thank all of my readers for reading my daily life rambles and for your sweet, supportive, and inspirational comments! Y'all make up a huge reason of why I keep coming back everyday to write!! I wish I could give each of you BIG hugs and smooches!!

Without further adieu, here are the questions and answers...


1. What is your current beauty obsession?
I think I am going to have to go with Nude lipstick and glosses! I have never been a huge lip color gal and as much as I love the new trend of a red lip I just don't think I pull it off well! My go to and absolute fave is a Nude lip! I use Palladio Lip Color in Nude and I am a huge fan of Bare Minerals lip gloss in Sugar Cookie!

2. What is one beauty item you wished you owned?
Really good hair extensions! I have long hair yes but I think adding extensions and making it longer would be a blast! I've never bought any because I change my hair color too often and feel like it would be a huge waste of money if I bought them in one color and a month later changed my own to something else!


3. What kind of posts are your favorite to read and write?
My favorite posts to read are honest posts. Posts where you know the writer put their heart and soul into it, almost like they were writing in their own personal journal! I also like to read posts where you learn more about the writer and their personality! It gives the reader something to connect to which I love. I don't have a favorite type of post that I like to write. I like sharing my highs and lows with my readers and maybe bragging about my sweet puppy, Baby Reef!


4. What inspired you to become a blogger? 
Honestly, my friend AND old roomie Kelly over at Mrs. In Training. She started blogging at least 3 years ago and I did in fact hop on the blogging train back then because of her, but never invested time into doing it frequently. Several months ago I started reading more blogs and just thought so many of them I came across were so fun and I wanted to be a part of that fun! So I started back up and haven't stopped and I've met some incredible ladies along the way!

5. What color nail polish are you wearing right now?
I am still rocking my French Shellac Manicure that I got when we were in Charleston two weeks ago! Looks a little heinous up close but I'm still impressed with how long it has lasted and how good it does still look, from a distance at least!

Now I get to choose 5 really stellar ladies to nominate for the Laine Blogger Award! This is crazy hard and I hate having to choose but here goes...

And the Nominee's Are...

Kelly @ Mrs. In Training 
Tyah @ Humble Haro Abode
Shannon @ Sincerely Shannon
Lori @ A Crazy Walk on the Safe Side
Rachael @ All Things Beautiful 

Hope you lovely ladies are having a lovely Tuesday!!! Now that I am in my new position at work I can't blog stalk as often! I am trying to a free moments in my day but I hate trying to comment on a post on my phone! I promise to stop by and visit everyone when I can! If it seems I'm not loving y'all much don't take it personally! I think my first post new job celebratory gift will be an IPad so I can blog stalk all night in bed and still be spending time with the hubby!!

XoXo,

It's Friday Friday, Gotta Get Down on Friday!

Now y'all have that Rebecca Black song in your heads don't you?! haha You are very welcome! Actually I now have it repeating in my head and I may want to or not want to blow my brains out now!

I want to say thank you for all the sweet supportive comments y'all left me on yesterday's post!!! It's comforting knowing I am not the only one who suffers from these kinds of fears! Y'all made me feel so much better about my own insecurities! I promise it is something I will continuously be working on and through!

Anywho I have to share this amazingly awesome news with y'all!!! One of my very own real life best buddies has decided to join the blogging community! I read her first post last night and literally thought "Tat you are brilliant"!  She, hands down, has one of the sweetest souls ever! You will definitely see this in her posts as her whole blogging purpose is to share her experience with thirty days of performing random acts of kindness! I swear you are not going to want to miss a day of it, so hop on over to Lipstick and Sippy Cups and leave Tatiana some love!!!

Yesterday I was tagged by Miss Kenj over at Silkybowties to answer {quite a few} questions about myself and share some things y'all may not know about me! I'll keep the fears at bay today and share happy thoughts!

11 Things You May Not Know About Me

 {I already can tell this is going to be harder than I thought}

1. I graduated from high school 33rd in a class of about three hundred and seventy some people, but I wasn't accepted to Virginia Tech! 

2. I am completely and utterly computer challenged! You've seen my blog page right!? Maybe if I hadn't paid a guy on my floor freshmen year with a case of beer to do my IT 101 HTML website, I may know more on how to fix my god awful page! Ooops! 

3. I am allergic to mosquitoes. Yes, I know everyone is, but what I mean is when they bite, five minutes later I have welps the size of silver dollars where they bit me! I literally swell up! And you best believe if I am in a group of people I WILL BE THE ONLY person to get attacked by those bloodsuckers! 

4. I perform my face wash routine EVERY morning and night. No matter how severely inebriated I have been at night or how rushed I am in the morning, I wash, tone, and moisturize, even if I am sitting on the bathroom floor! 

5. I may or may not have made out with my husband the first night we ever met at a high school party almost 10 years ago! {Sorry Mom and Mother in law!}

6. I rode and jumped horses competitively for almost 11 years. I miss it terribly!

7. You may have read this on my guest post at Blabbering Thoughts, but my first waitressing job, I was in fact, a Hooter's Girl.

8. Mrs. In Training and I not only went to GMU together, we worked together at Buffalo Wing University, AND best of all, we used to be roommates! I still remember when she first got lil Miss Holly who is now a big sister to Chi and Kelly's sweet daughter, Guinevere.

9.  I love the water but I really am not the strongest of swimmers.

10. I have never broken a bone in my body! Does this mean I don't live an adventurous enough life?! I beg to differ!

11. I seriously DO NOT LIKE beer. I never have and as hard as I have tried I never will. Bring on the bourbon!

Now - 11 Questions

1. What is your profession?

Funny you should ask! I'm spending all day today moving into my new office with my Manager and Assistant manager! {An office with a window, mind you} I am now the Post Closing Executive Assistant for the Mortgage Company I work for. I still don't know ALL of what I will be doing but the majority will be relieving both managers of their work load so they can do more managing and leading than the busy tedious work that has been taking up countless hours of their time! I do know I will be endorsing Loan Notes which is a huge deal! I have like 17 REALLY important stamps and a giant ink pad that give me a WHOLE lot of power! Apparently... that is what they told me yesterday! 

2. How would you describe your style?

FRUMPY! Haha that's how I feel when I don't have a lot of new items being added to my closet. HOWEVER when they are added it is a mix between Preppy/Trendy/Classic. I tend to wear lots of black but have been trying to get colorful with jewelry and fun tops. I like pearls, lace, ribbon, bows and the color pink! I love pointy toe pumps even though the new fad of "hooker heels" {as I like to call them} has found its way into my shoe wardrobe. 

3. What one make-up product can you not live without? 

Ummmm this is a trick question, because I CAN NOT LIVE with just ONE! Nope Nope! Not happening! However, if you want to see ALL of what I can not live with out, check it out here! 

4. If you could be besties with one celebrity, who would it be?

Easy. Matt Bomer. He is the hottest of hot, BUT he is the gayest of gay! Total best of both worlds! Be friends with the most hottest man on the planet, {next to my sexy hubby of course}, have an ultimate shopping pal and share major bitch sessions, all the while knowing NO OTHER WOMAN can have him? Sign me up! 

5. What is your dream vacation? 

What isn't my dream vacation? Definitely anywhere cold! I'm not down with lots of snow or ice or freezing temps. I can deal with an occasional snowboarding trip, but nothing more. Gimmie a beach, crystal clear water, and a cocktail with a straw and I'm golden! 

6. What magazines do you subscribe to?

None. Well unless you count the Essence magazine that comes to my mailbox monthly. Not even sure how that happened. I just take it to work the next day for my co-workers to read who can relate a bit more to it! 

7. If you could have any special talent {that you don't currently have}, what would it be?

I really wish I could sing! I'd love to be able to sing lullabies and sweet songs to my babies/children {if I ever get over the fear of having kids}. Hell, I wouldn't mind just blowing people away with an amazing voice at Karaoke. 

8. What is your favorite breakfast food?

Biscuits and Gravy, hands down. I'm a southern girl! Add some grits in there and I'm set! 

9. If you could do anything, what is your dream job?

Seriously? Erin Andrews job! If you need the back story check it out here as to WHY I don't have her job!

10. What is your guilty pleasure?

Ice cream. I love it. I can't even keep it in the house because it would be gone in one sitting. Not to mention making a decision at the grocery store on what kind to even buy stresses me out. I can't make decisions like that under such pressure! 

Onto Tagging 11 people! 

{You ladies better do this or else... or else nothing, who am I kidding?}

Nikki @ The Pink Growl 

Callie @ The Good Life

Brandi @ Pigtails & Pacifiers

Stephanie @ Bourbon & Glitter

Ellen @ This Hive. 

Brie @ Sophistifunk

Meghan @ More from Meg

Shannon @ Anchors Aweigh

Emily @ Paging Dr. Grace 

Carley @ Suburban Sweets

Breanna @ My Beautiful Crazy Life

Hope everyone has a fabulous FRIDAY!!! It's basically a free day for me at work considering the office move, lunch with some co workers, and a Sweet Treat Office Party this afternoon! Maybe this place isn't that bad afterall ~ until next month of course ha!

XoXo,

Our Wedding Day - Getting Ready!

Happy Tuesday love bugs! I am so excited this morning as today's post is all about the "getting ready" process of our wedding day!

All of my bridesmaids, myself, and my mom headed out to Remedies Salon and Spa bright and early on the morning of the wedding! My stepmother is a lead stylist there and graciously offered for the salon to host a light brunch for us and to do ALL of our hair! Once we left the salon we ventured back to the wedding site {also my childhood home} to continue getting ready! I was lucky enough to have a bridesmaid who is also a stellar makeup artist {check out Sarah from Kiss and Makeup here}. She made me feel absolutely beautiful and I can't thank her enough for sharing her talent with me! The boys spent the day swimming and lounging out at my mom's best friend's house, which happened to be a mile down the road! Needless to say they had a less stressful getting ready process than us gals! Guys have it sooooo easy!!

Vendors showcased in this post:
Wedding Gown: David's Bridal
Bridesmaid Dresses: Maya Couture ~ Alfred Sung of The Dessy Group
Groomsmen suits: Maya Couture 
Groomsmen ties: The Dessy Group
Hair: Remedies Salon and Spa
Makeup: Sarah Smith with Kiss & Makeup
Photographer: Dana Duncan Photography

Make sure you stop by tomorrow to see the ceremony!!! Have a terrific Tuesday!!! Don't forget to enter the Target Gift Card Give Away!

XoXo,