What I'm Loving Lately.

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1. House of Cards.  This show (on Netflix-- we finally joined the modern world and have Netflix!), is IN.TENSE.  I'm usually a Keeping up with the Kardashian's, Real Housewives, Bachelor, Ellen.... you get the picture, kind of TV-watcher.  We watched the entire first season in about one week, and that was pacing ourselves.  Second season is due to come out on Feb. 14th.

2. Starbucks Chai Latte. I know, I know, I'm late in the game for this one. And I am embarrassed to admit, but I'm becoming a Starbucks junkie.  Also, this adds one more reason as to why I love Target.

3. Trader Joe's Cowboy Bark. An impulse buy, and so super delicious.  All my friends that are giving up sweets-- put this on your lists for later! It's dark chocolate with pieces of toffee, peanuts, almonds, jo-jo cookies, and pretzels, sprinkled with salt.  Yum.

4. Cartwheel app for Target.  If you shop at Target, you need this app! You search for items by category or name, then add coupons to your basket.  Some coupons last a few weeks, and others are for one day only.  After the cashier scans all of your items, have them scan the barcode on the app to receive the discount.  I tried to do this at self-checkout and it was a disaster-- just a warning. :)

5. Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil.  My face has been SO dry this winter.  I got a sample of this oil in a Black Friday purchase and have been using it ever since.  It takes just a TINY drop to do the job.  I usually put it on after a light moisturizer, and before foundation (if I'm wearing makeup that day...).  I think my sample will last a few months, which is good because the full size is not cheap! Good stuff.

6. This haircut. Do I take the plunge and chop my hair?!

My favorite online shops!

Wednesday, September 11th: Share links to your favorite online shops, preferably with a few photos of your favorite items in each shop.

One of my very favorite stores, both online and in-store, is JCrew Factory. They often have amazing promos where you can score additional sales and free shipping. And the quality is great, I find stuff for both me and my husband all the time. If I could fit into normal clothes, these are a few things that would be hanging out in y shopping cart:

Another online favorite is Sephora. I don't shop here often, but if I need anything, I usually buy it online. Why?! Free samples and bonus freebies!  Here are a few of my frequent purchases:

1. Smashbox Liquid Foundation.

2. Mens Fragrance Sampler.
3. Philosophy Purity Facial Cleanser.

Birchbox Favorites.

Here I go again, raving about products I love.  As I mentioned before on this blog, I'm a subscriber of Birchbox, which means for $10 I am mailed 5 samples of new products each month.  It might be the most exciting mail I get each month, and it usually contains at least a couple things that I really like.  It's been a great way to try out new products, without having to commit to the whole thing.  Also, a lot of times the sample will last a VERY long time and they are great for travel.

Below are the products over the past year or so that are my absolute favorites.  If I haven't bought a full size of each of the product below, I've definitely kept it on my mind to do so in the future.

1. Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo. This stuff lasted me about 2 months, using it about 3 times a week.  It's only $18 for a full size, and it WORKS!

2. theBalm Stainiac Lip Stain. The sample lasted me about 3-6 months, wearing it a few times a week.  I bought the full size (I think about $15) with my birchbox credit and it has lasted me another 6 months, and I'm thinking it'll be around for a while still.  It's not a lipstick, not a chapstick, but literally a lip STAIN.  It lasts all day, and it just gives a little bit of color without the goopy feeling of gloss.  I usually wear it under a more nude gloss so that I still have some color after the gloss wears off throughout the day.

3. Stila Smudge Stick waterproof eyeliner. This came as a full size in my box and lasted me more than 6 months.  You only need a TINY bit, and it lasts all day and does not smudge.  I have the purple and brown.

4. Jouer Matte Moisture Tint. I got a teeny-tiny sample of this in my box and threw it in my bag for our cruise over spring break.  I couldn't believe that I wore it all seven days were were gone.  It's great because it has SPF 20 and it literally stayed on all day long swimming in the ocean, walking waterfalls, snorkeling, etc.  I only had to use a tiny bit. A summer vacation MUST HAVE.  Full size is $30.  I haven't splurged, but I really want to.

5. Lulu Organics Jamsine Hair Powder. Basically another awesome, yummy-smelling dry shampoo, but this one is a powder, not a spray.  They accidentally gave this sample to me twice, so they gave me a $10 credit to the shop.  I was not a bit disappointed to see it in my box again.

6. Nail Polish. This is always fun to find in my box.  It lasts forever, no need for a full size.

7. Beauty Blender and Cleanser. The beauty cleanser came in my box and I used it for about 3 months to clean my make-up brushes.  It's amazing and works in about 3 seconds.  I went ahead and got the Beauty Blender from Sephora after all its hype, and it has also not disappointed.  You wet the sponge and then use it to blend in foundation.

8. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. This came in my box a long time ago, and I still haven't forgotten about it.  It's pricey full size, I think around $50.  I haven't splurged, but again, I think about it.  I used the for a LONG time.  It's a sand-like powder that you use on your wet face to exfoliate.  My face felt so smooth and clean. Love this one.

At the Moment.

:: Obsessing over...

spring accessories. 

Scarf and Sandals: Gap.

Essie Spring 2013.

:: Working on... 

I need to get back into taking daily Instagram pictures.  I got out of it when we went on vacation and have dropped the ball since then.  The pictures aren't always exciting, but I don't take ANY pictures without that motivation.  I really do enjoy having some photos to look back on. Goal this week- participate in FMSPhotoaDay.  

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:: Thinking about...

what colors to paint our new place. I'm thinking soft airy whites, grays and maybe that silver sage in the bathroom.  

Restoration Hardware Silver Sage. via

Restoration Hardware White Collection. via

Martha Stewart Fossil.

If only I could copy and paste my "For the Home" Pinterest Board into my new place!

:: Anticipating...

my birthday! Not that I have any plans, but still. And, MOVING!

:: Listening to...

silence.  It's amazing.  I'm hoping it starts raining soon so I have an excuse to spend this a good part of this day locked up reading some good books too.

:: Munching on... 

Planning to make these blueberry muffins today.  They're made with greek yogurt.  Crossing my fingers they hit the spot!

:: Thankful for...

oh gee, just everything. And, I love spring.

What's in my {hair} bag?

1. Lulu Organics Hair Powder.  This came in my Birchbox about a year ago, and I'm still using the sample.  You only need about a dime sized amount to spruce up day-old hair. Smells so fresh and clean!
2. Biolage Shampoo and Conditioner for color-treated hair.  I've tried many shampoos but this one is my new favorite.  I stock up when Ulta or Beauty Brands has their liter sale.
3. A shower cap.  A must have.
4. Big Sexy Hair Root Pump. Just a little pump or two before blow-drying and my hair has so much more volume!
5. Matrix Hair Oil.  This was a free sample from Beauty Brands and I've used it every day since! I just use about two pumps worth after drying my hair to protect it from the curling/flat iron and to add some shine.
6. Hot Tools 1.5 Inch Curling Iron.  The larger size gives more of a soft wave than a full curl.  Plus, it takes less time in the morning :)

What are your favorite hair products?

-m

What I'm Loving Lately.

1. Olay Regenerist Microdermabrasion Peel System.  I was surprised how much I saved by purchasing this through Amazon!  This stuff makes my skin feel so smooth-- definitely using this weekly.

2. Stila Lip Glaze Set.  Last Christmas I received a Stila lip gloss in a gift set that I've been using on and off ever since.  I love how many different colors you get to try for the price, and that it's not sticky or gooey.

3. AE Courdory Jeggings.  I have these in "purple", which is more of a burgundy and know that I will be wearing them all winter long.  It's like wearing thick, warm leggings-- super comfy.  I only wish they had more dark colors.

4. Pro-FX Nail Ridge Filler.  This stuff makes my manicure last a full 7 days without any chipping.  Found it at Walmart!

5. This article.  Makes me even more thankful I've kicked my Diet Coke habit.  Now if only I could find a way to kick all of my other bad habits :)

6. IKEA! They've announced that an IKEA will be opening up here in 2014.  It's a while a way, but worth the wait, I hope!  Aren't those chairs dreamy?!

What have you been loving lately?

-m

April Birchbox.

This month's Birchbox came full of Earth-friendly products.  Good stuff!

What I'm Loving Lately.

1. Mint Jeans.  I don't have any, but I kinda want some :) 

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2. This blog.  It's full of wonderful "pick-me-ups" during the week.

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3. These earphone clips.  How genius is this?  Clips for the iPhone earbuds... and they actually work!  I can finally say goodbye to my gigantic mega earphones I've been sporting when running.  It's bad when even my student's comment on how giant my earphones are...  "Hey, Mrs. G! I saw you running... You have huge earphones!"... yeah, kid... i know.  No more!

4. This chapstick.  It's cute, tasty, and has SPF.  Bonus points for not having to stick your finger in the sticky pot.

5.  Hydrangeas.  All flowers, really.  I have yet to buy a bouquet, but now that I'm thinking about it, I think it's worth the splurge.  How nice would it be to smell flowers at work when I never see the sunlight!  I'm thinking about making a hydrangea wreath for spring, too.  We'll see if that ever happens.

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Anything you've been loving lately?

-m

Fun Finds.

I love it when I try out something new, and I end up loving it!  Doesn't always work out that way... here are a few things I'm loving lately.

:: Garnier Fructise BB Cream.  It's basically a tinted moisturizer with SPF and a little more coverage.

:: Trader Joe's Greek Yogurt Spinach and Kale Dip.  Like spinach dip, but not.

:: Revlon Lip Butter.  I have but want to try all the colors!
This gal tried out all the colors- helpful!

Enjoy! 

-m

Winning!

Life's a Journal is a blog I starting following after pinning some amazing fashion design boards on Pinterest from her blog.  This gal has an amazing sense of style, and is great at updating her blog!  I hardly ever enter giveaways, but when I saw this one for a $50 gift card to Sephora, I couldn't pass it up.  Good thing, cuz I won!  Below are just a few ideas of how I might spend the card-- if you know of any great products that you would recommend, please let me know!! Thank you, Life's a Journal!

Bare Minerals Clear Radiance: all over face powder.

Urban Decay Naked Pallete: eye-shadow palette.

-m

Sparkles.

My husband tells me this mani makes me look thirteen.  While he very well might be right on target there, the sparkles are making me smile this weekend.  :)

-m

February Birchbox.

My February Birchbox came last week, and as usual, it was super fun opening the box of surprises!  I must say, I'm not super excited about any particular item in this box, but I will still use each one.  

1. Daily Microfoliant Powder

2. Eye Rock Eye Liner

3. Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint (Favorite item!)

4. Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing Serum

5. Supersmile Mouthrise

-m

ps.  maybe i should invest in a real camera... sorry for the grainy photos. instagram will have to do for now. and, really, you can't beat the convenience!

Nail Candy

Painting my nails, although super time consuming, has become one of my favorite weekly routines.  I just love having a fun new color to try out, and life's about the small pleasures, right?  This is mine. My students have even caught on... and now will question me if I don't have a new color on at the start of the new week.  I think I have too much time on my hands... or have just found a good way of wasting it :)

I'm obsessed with Essie polish.  Although it's pricier than I would prefer to pay, I think its the easiest polish to put on yourself, and still have it come out looking decent.  It's the only poilish I've found that does not get goopy (is that a real word?) after one use.  Plus, the packaging is cute, so I fell for that.  One of my favorite things to buy is a new color, so I have TONS of this polish!  I just picked up these two new shades, and can't wait to try them out:

"Chubby Cheeks"  (not kidding. this was made for me!)

"Funny Faces"

I usually use this top coat that I found for 25 cents at a garage sale.  It is amazing, and makes the polish dry in minutes! I looked it up online, and it's avaliable at Sally Beauty Supply, and on Amazon.

Via

Hope you are enjoying the start of Spring!  Here, ours is well... cold.  So here's to Spring nails for Spring in Spirit. I'm off to bed.

-m