Five on Friday

Happy Friday! I'm going to jump right in to talk about some of the things I'm loving this week.

1. Wholly Guacamole 100 calorie packs/Vitamin Water Zero Lemondae. I'm always looking for some new afternoon snacks, and when I heard there were 100 calorie packs of wholly guacamole - I literally went to the store on my lunch hour.

I like that there is no junk - just a few simple ingredients. Nevermind that it's slightly disheartning how much 100 calories of guacamole really is - and how much I pile on at the local mexican joint.

I also think I'm the last one to the Vitamin Water Zero party, but the lemonade flavor floats my boat.

2. ELF Eyelid Primer and All Over Color Stick. I know I've blogged about these recently, but after weeks of wear, I figured they deserved their due praises. If I liked them at first, I love them now. The primer works awesome, and I've started to use the all over color stick in the afternoons to touch up the blush. I love the pink lemonade color - granted, it's the only one I've tried, but it's just right for this goldilocks. It's also worth mentioning again, they are dirt cheap.

3. Aussie 3 Minute Miracle. After battling some major summer hair issues, I remembered how much I used to love Aussie's 3 minute miracle and went and picked some up. Confession - I had MS pick it up on his lunch hour since he's closer to Target. So this is his "is this the right stuff?" picture message. The only thing I don't like is that you only use it once or twice a week. It works so well and smells so good, I want to use it every day. First. World. Problems.

4. Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer.  In appreciation for logging in all my Real Housewives and Golden Girls watching, Nielsen bestowed upon me quite a few Amazon gift cards. (If you get an opportunity to do Nielsen, the survey/app version is the way to go). I decided to use it to buy this Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer that I've seen in every beauty magazines top beauty products since I was old enough to read. Where has this stuff been all my life???

Between this and the ELF High Definition Loose Face Powder, I'm fighting the good fight against the southern summer humidity - and we all know every win in that war is worth celebrating.

5. Batiste Dry Shampoo - Light and Blonde. I've long been a fan of dry shampoo, since I got off the daily hair washing bandwagon. I think I saw this in the Ulta sale magazine and decided to pick some up there with the coupon. This is the first dry shampoo I've tried with a hint of color, and it's wonderful! Especially for those weeks when you are oh-so-close to getting your color done but have a few stray (brown) roots. Covers them right up. It got high marks among magazines and users alike - you know I read the reviews.

There is also a brown version, and several different regular with no color, just different scents. A little tip - I noticed last time I was in TJ Maxx, they also carried this line for a few bucks cheaper. Which is why it's one of my favorite stores!

There you have it - everything I'm using to stay primed, hydrated and root free this week. Hope you find something you like from these favorites! Cheers to the weekend!

Friday Favorites - Budget Beauty Edition

Last Friday I took a lunchtime stroll around Target and ran across the ELF display and found myself fascinated at all the goodies. I remember when ELF (eyes, lips, face) came on the market several years ago, and there was a lot of buzz about the products and the prices, but haven't thought much about it since.

I'm big on reading the reveiws of just about everything. So I was pumped to read this, this, and this review.

All Over Color Stick - I got this in Pink Lemonade. I've never used a cream blush - and that's what I use it for. It says you can use on eyes and lips (hence the all over verbiage), but I cannot imagine the atrocity of me having pink lemonade on my lids. And I prefer a gloss for my lips. It's worked great thrown in my makeup bag to touch up blush during the day.

Eyelid Primer - I bought the Urban Decay Naked Basics pallete a few weeks ago. I've loved playing around with all the colors, but didn't love the look of it sliding off my eyes by  2 p.m. This stuff has worked wonderfully and made my shadow last all the live long day.

HD Powder - I was running low on my Bare Minerals Mineral Veil, and read on the reviews this was a good replacement. I think it gives a nice soft focus finish - if you know what that means, you're a product junkie like me. Or a photographer.

The best part? I think my grand total was under $10 for all three products at my local Target. A steal. If you hate it, you're barely out your lunch money. As if you needed an excuse to go to Target.

The weather forecast is looking beautiful for the weekend - so we are looking forward to breaking in the neighborhood pool and getting in some time with friends. Hope your weekend is full of much of the same!

PSA

I usually employ this space to talk about products I love. But I feel its my due diligence to warn others.

I found these at Target a few weeks ago. Specifally, the tan pair. My tan wedges are slowly falling apart, and hey! These were super cute and $30! I rung them up and went on my merry way.

And then I wore them and the merriment ended.

Insert tears and me dragging around what felt like bloody stumps of feet the majority of the evening. Bloody stumps is an exxageration. Blood is not. That cute little 'leather' backing literally cut tears in the back of my achiles tendon. Which got reopened on every run. I probably shed a tear or two as I waddled down 20th street.

Which brings me to these. They are heavenly, if this happens to you. Which hopefully, this PSA will prevent.

Despite being worn, I had no shame in taking these back to Target. I even was willing to show them my bloody feet, if it came to that. Fortunately, we didn't have to stoop to that level.
ETA: I've bought lots of wedges from Target with no problems whatsoever. So I don't think this is a get what you pay for lesson. I don't know that there's any lesson here except pain. And the importance of keeping your receipts.

Friday Favorites - Christmas Edition

I could get used to this three day work week. Next week will be brutal, but fortunately, I have a few Christmas goodies to share to make every week better.

1. Olay Pro-X Facial Brush

My mom put this on her Christmas list. I've been eyeing the Clarisonic for some time, but just couldn't bring myself to spring for a $150 facial brush. I thought I would do the 'one for you, one for me' gift game and got one for myself as well. Plus, it was $20 with free shipping. Add to cart, proceed to checkout please.

I clean my face at night with facial wipes, but there's always a little makeup left behind. This gets the last of it off and does a great job exfoliating. I started using it Christmas Eve, and can tell a difference in my skin already. It really has helped my products and moisturizers to work better as well, and my makeup goes on a lot smoother. The reviews on Amazon are great, if you don't believe me. Plus, it's just fun to use.

2. The Kennedys

Last year over Christmas break, we watched the entire first season of Homeland (another favorite. If you aren't watching, you are seriously missing out.) This miniseries was on over Thanksgiving, and it caught my eye. We added it to Netflix for Christmas break. We are three episodes in and are loving it. I would not have guessed Greg Kinnear to be such a great JFK....love him or hate him (JFK, not Greg. I don't think anyone has strong feelings about Greg Kinnear). Great way to pass the grey month of January. After all, it's an EPIC movie EVENT.

3.  Gone Girl

A few people recommended this book, so I was excited to start it over Christmas.

I read it in one day. It was that good. Pick it up at your bookstore, library or via iBooks. However it is you roll, this one is worth the read. Even better if you have some Christmas Blend coffee to go with.

Happy Friday, folks. Hope you have a great weekend mentally preparing for FIVE DAYS OF ALARM CLOCK WAKE UPS. Sigh.

Friday Favorites

Do you like clean hair? Do you like a refreshing beverage? This edition of Friday Favorites might just be up your ally.

 Kirkland Signature Shampoo
I saw this and was tempted to try it, but was nervous to buy a liter of shampoo that I had never tried. God forbid I try anything without reading 34 reviews online. So I did. And I was pleased with what I found. As a summary, people were all, "RUN RIGHT NOW AND GO BUY THIS SHAMPOO AND IF THEY EVER STOP MAKING IT I WILL DIE." People aren't dramatic at all.

I really like it. It lathers really well, it has a good smell, but not too strong, and it makes my hair behave. Not to mention I don't have to buy shampoo until St. Patrick's Day.

Bonus: It's sulfate free. Read: Really good for your color treated hair.
Double bonus: The liter is $9.99. Read: Really good to pay for said color treated hair.

Word on the street is this is made by Pureology. I cannot confirm or deny this rumor.

Kirkland Signature House Blend
MS is a little bit of a coffee snob. A drop of Folgers has never entered our house. There's a lot of mocking when the "Best Part of Waking Up" commercials come on. All that to say, I was surprised when he wanted to try the store brand.

It is good. Very good. And, if you feel like going through the extra effort and grinding the whole beans, it's very, very good.

Now that is the best part of waking up.

Bud Light Lime A Rita

I grabbed this last weekend wanting something different to sip on during the game. Don't be alarmed if you google it and it says its a "lime flavored malt beverage." Though disheartening in description, it really tastes like a beergarita to me. And you know how much we like those at our house.

Maybe these are the best part of waking up? At least on game day.

Have a drink, wash your hair and be glad it's Friday!

Friday Favorites

While I prepare to sign my life away, (God willing. Why are closings tentative until the last possible second?), I thought you could enjoy a few of this week's favorites that don't involve pictures of my house or Namath's nasty scar. Everyone breathes a sigh of relief.

I've talked before about my love of Bare Minerals. Recently, I ran out of the mineral veil, I headed online to scope out the word from the street internet. I hardly buy a pack of gum without reading reviews online. Bare minerals now makes a pressed mineral veil, so you can just carry it right around with you. Perfect for those balmy 102 degree days. Reviewers raved about it, and since people on the internet know everything, I went out and bought myself a Friday treat.

I bought the tinted version, to complement the tan I've gotten thus far in my dimly lit gray cube.

At the end of the day, when it's time to remove that makeup, I've returned to an oldie but a goody.I don't know why I keep straying from the tried and true.

There's something about the breeze of the sea that seems to help in the summer months. Maybe it's all in my head, but I think it helps smooth my skin, but I'm sure any astringent would work.

I've been wanting to try Maybelline's Falsies mascara for quite a while. In the spirit of saving, I wanted to wait until I could get a good deal at CVS and I was out of my current tube. Mission accomplished. I'm really liking it so far, and I think it just about lives up to its name.

There's no reason to have a shiny face and lackluster lashes while signing yourself into massive debt. That's what I've always said, anyways.

It's Friday. It's Payday.

That's about how I feel about this week. Or two. Work has been busy. We're supposed to be training for a half marathon. And let's not forget about the pile of dirt.

Now moving on from our first world pains section of this post, let's talk about my new favorite.

I put this on my Christmas list, and purchased it for myself. From MS. He can do a lot of things, but picking out makeup might push the limit a little. Plus I got a great deal on ebates.

At first I wasnt really sure that I liked it at all. You know when everyone raves about something and you want to love it, but you don't feel the love? That was how I felt the first week or so. Now I'm SOLD.

I don't know if my skin just took time to get use to it, or I got better at the application, but either way I came around. I barely have to touch up during the day- it's great at controlling shine. And, if you do, it doesnt cake when you reapply.

The starter kit is an awesome deal - you get everything you see above for right around $60. Two different foundation shades, a mineral veil (finishing powder), bronzer and a primer. Considering the brushes alone are $24 each, I don't think you can go wrong.

I think I speak for everyone when I say TGIF. Have a great weekend!

Friday Favorites - Road Edition

I spent some time on the road this summer - also called the summer of facing my fears (i.e. dams and public speaking. Once I gave a speech at a dam. How's that for multi-tasking?).

In order for it to not be the summer I gained 10 lbs, I turned to these trusty standbys.

Sorry, Jared, but I've never been a Subway fan. I don't like paying for a sandwich that is no better than I can make at home. Until the crispy chicken was unveiled. And I was stuck in smalltown, USA. Seal of approval.

Welcome to Moe's! Love the Close Talker salad with lots of salsa verde as dressing.

Gold star if you can look past the munchkins to the egg white and veggie flatbread from Dunkin Donuts. It really is one of my favorite breakfasts on the go. The coffee isn't too shabby either.

I always take a few Clif bars so as not to get stuck with hashbrown casserole and questionable gravy. The blueberry crisp is amazing. Even if you aren't going rock climbing that day.


There you have it - some dam good road food.

Friday and Some Favorites

It's Friday, and although I plan to celebrate later with a glass of cab, I'll celebrate this morning by passing on a few of my newest favorite things.

I let liquid liner intimidate me for far too long. It's a little tricky, but I like the look of it so much more than the pencils I was using that faded by lunch time.

I love how easy this one is to apply. Some mornings go better than others, but you can't beat the consistency, or the price for that matter.

I'm a BIG fan of self tanner/bronzer, since I use 45 spf at the pool. Unfortunately, I strayed from my favorite brand, and the replacement just wasn't cutting it this summer. I won't name any names. After searching at drugstores all over Birmingham, I was forced to order this classic on Amazon. Totally worth it.

The first time I saw a running skirt, I gave it a big eye roll. "Do we really have to wear skirts to work out in now?!" This had nothing to do with their looks and everything to do with my K-4 to 12th grade dress code that required skirts "no shorter than 2 inches above the knee sitting or standing."

Well, sorry Mrs. Margene, this skirt is neither, but it is so comfortable to run in and looks cute at the grocery store after a run. (Don't you want to hang out with me on Saturdays??)

I'm not a blush person at all. But, like anyone else who has read a beauty magazine since 1998, I'm sure you've heard of NARS Orgasm. Scandalous, I know. MS had a field day with this one. On my recent trip to Atlanta, I tried the multiple orgasm, (I know, the hits keep coming), and I was sold on the color.

And if you've never really worn blush and don't have a blush brush, I highly recommend CVS. Not only does it come with this awesome 80's style sketch- bonus points if you can name that song...
It shows you exactly where to apply blush and comes with this tip from, I assume, a top makeup artist, "Use a blush color that complements your skin tone and lipstick choice."

What have we learned today? It's good to branch out, except when it comes to self tanner, and don't try to explain to your husband things only girls understand, like why blush colors have funky and sometimes inappropriate names.

Live and learn and have a great weekend!

Summer Reading

I think I mentioned the obscene amount of books I lugged around on our vacation. (I think I'm the last person in the world without a Kindle).

I was always a big fan of the summer reading program at the library and with the pool sitting and car rides that summer brings (yes, I lead a hard life), a book close by is always a good thing.

In no particular order -

Confession time. I haven't finished this one. The first two in the series were great, but this one lost me. Its a lot of swedish names. A lot. They really started running together. I'm debating with my inner nerd on just spoiling the ending on wikipedia so I can watch the movies when they come out.

That being said, the first two are great, and maybe you'll have better luck. I did enjoy the 23 names MS came up for this one. "How's the Girl Who Burned Her Arm?" "Where's the Girl Who Fell in a Quarry?" I'm easily amused.

I grossly underestimated the amount of travel time I would have. Once I started making it through my stash of books, I had to jank one from the hotel library. That's what they're there for, right? I'll consider this the Greek thank you for doing my part to strengthen their economy. Clearly I wasn't that helpful. I digress.

I remembered this title from a Lifetime movie, and that was familiar enough for me. It was awesome. The book, I can't speak for the movie. Although I will be hunting it down On Demand soon.

While I was doing all this reading, I figured I might as well read something beneficial. I really enjoyed this one. The first few chapters get repetitive, but it gets better towards the end. Some of the examples are cheesy, but isn't every relationship book? Or maybe I'm just reading the cheesy ones. It basically drives the point home that men and women have different needs. I won't spoil the rest.

Just to make sure I felt like a total failure on vacation, I picked up the Dean Karnzes 50 in 50. I was dissapointed to read the whole book and got not one shaving tip. Don't his legs look silky smooth?

I really enjoyed this one - MS even read it! It is unbelievable what he is able to do. He spends a lot of time trying to convince you that, yes, you too can run 394 miles at a time, and that he is just another below average runner. Color me unconvinced, but entertained.

Nicholas Sparks. Need I say more? Cheesy. Unrealistic. Made the time pass quickly. Also stolen from the hotel library.

This was a recommendation from the in-laws. His books all seem to run together for me, but then again, I've never read one I didn't like. This particular one did make me think Grisham is a Christian - which would be new info for me.

So closes the chapter (haha) of Summer Reading part one. I'm trying to read more and watch less Housewives of _______, but I'm always out of the literary loop.

What are you reading?