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Sunday, February 19, 2012

Chevron

Chevron is huge right now.  I love it and am looking for ways to incorporate it into my home.  You can definitely go overboard with all that's out there right now, but in moderation, this is such a classic, but fun print. 








Source: etsy.com via Chelsea on Pinterest



Source: etsy.com via Chelsea on Pinterest
















Tuesday, February 14, 2012

February Birchbox Review

I jumped on the bandwagon and signed up for a Birchbox subscription.  I couldn't resist at $10 a month! (I told myself I would eat out less at lunch to make for this cost) 

My first Birchbox arrived yesterday...a nice little Valentine's gift.  I also learned that not all Birchbox's each month are the same for every subscriber...there are several versions you can receive.  Before I received my Birchbox, I read on The Stylish Housewife's blog about her February box and was excited to receive several of the items she did...specifically the teeth whitener and Dermalogica scrub.  My box was totally different...but I was still very happy with my products.

A little happy waiting in your mailbox after a long day at work is so worth $10/month!



My box included:

- colorscience pro Glow and Go Travel Puff
Use these handy, powder-filled puffs to keep your skin shine-free and luminous while you're out on the town.  Full size compact, $50

-  Eye Rock Designer Liner
Stop wrestling with the liquid liner and achieve a perfect cat eye with these single-use stick-on liner strips.  2 packs of 4, $13

-  Jouer Moisturizing Lip Gloss in Birchbox Pink
We teamed up with Jouer to create this custom fuchsia shade.  Wear one coat for semi-sheer pigment or layer it for a bright pink pucker.  Full size, $20 or Mid size, $8

-  Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy
This scent will bring out your inner girly girl.  Wild berries flirt with mandarin and soft floral notes to create a fragrance that's fun and happy.  Full size, $69-$89

-  Showstoppers Designer Fashion Tape
Celeb stylists swear by these double-sided tape strips, which will ensure that your attire stays perfectly in place.  Full size, $9.99

-  Digital Download of 6 free tunes from Green River Ordinance
An indie rock band poised to hit the spotlight.

My favorite item is the lipgloss.  The color is beautiful and it isn't sticky at all.  It feels more like chapstick or a creamy lipstick.  I would purchase this item, especially since you can get the mid-size for $8.  The fashion tape is great and will definitely get used on some summer tops and dresses I own.  I like that they gave me both nude and black samples.  The third favorite item is the Juicy perfume.  I wore it today and really like it. 

I can't wait to try the eyeliner stickers.  Don't worry, I don't plan to rock them in public!  Just for silly fun and it should make an excellent blog post. 

If you don't know about Birchbox yet, sign up here.  For $10/month, you will receive a monthly package that includes 4-5 beauty samples.  The samples can be purchased through their website and you can earn points toward those purchases.  You don't pay shipping and can cancel anytime. 

Monday, February 13, 2012

Valentine's Decorating

I have no idea why, but I got the decorating itch for Valentine's Day this year.  I can't believe this "glass is half empty girl" has red and pink hearts in her living room and kitchen...hell just froze over.

If only that iPod was pink!

I found this free printable in multiple colors and just added a cheap 8x10 frame from Michael's.  While I was picking up the frame, I found this "Be Mine" giant clothespin in the dollar bin!  Jason and I have been having fun writing messages to each other everyday.  I think I will leave this up all year, just not the pink version.


These jars are my favorite!  Made by Ribbons & Rick Rack, these black jars can be decorated for any holiday.  I have bows for Christmas, Valentine's Fourth of July, Halloween (all made by Ribbons & Rick Rack...the skies the limit!  Note to self for next time though: do not fill with M&M's..although very cute and easy, you will eat a handful daily! 

Because everyone needs a bowl filled with hearts on the kitchen table...


What are your Valentine's Day Plans?



Sunday, February 12, 2012

I Heart Junior Mints





I'm happy to report the new heart shaped, red filling junior mints taste just like the original. The same can not be said for the pastel Easter edition from last year.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Favorite Things


I am in love with this mug from Anthropologie that I got for Christmas from Nicole!  I'm enjoying a cup of afternoon coffee right now while catching up on blogging...perfect Saturday afternoon.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

The Story of Us: Link Up with From Mrs. to Mama

I'm linking up today with From Mrs. to Mama to answer the cute questions she posted on her blog in honor of Valentine's Day!  Enjoy.

1. How long have you and your significant other been together?

Jason and I will have been together for 5 years in just a few weeks on February 23.  We get two fun days to celebrate in February!


2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?}
Jason and I met at the Houston Rodeo Cookoff.  I was with my friend Sheryl and Jason was with his friends from Corsicana.  After seeing each other from across the room, he walked over and introduced himself.  We instantly hit it off.  There was something about his smile that I immediately trusted and was drawn to.  He called me the next day and we went on our first official date just a few days later. 

3. If married, how long have you been married? If not, is this the guy you hope to marry? {do tell}
We have been married for 2.5 years.  It has flown by!

4. If you are married, where did you get married at? Big or small wedding? If not, where would you like to get married? And will it be big or small?
We were married on May 23, 2009 at Vargo's, a restaurant with the most amazing gardens (and peacocks) in Houston.  Although this is a popular place for weddings, it was extra special to us because at the time we were engaged, I lived across the street so we often went for walks in the gardens to visit the peacocks.  It was a medium sized wedding and it was everything we wanted: family, friends, good food, dancing, and peacocks! 


5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? Do share!
Besides the usual babe and baby that we often call each other, Jason calls me Beans and I call him Bobby.  As I'm sitting here in bed typing this post, I have no idea why we started calling each other these names.  Jason can't remember either...how sad is that!  I don't care though.  I love our silly names.  We both love to be silly and can make each other laugh like no one else can!

6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey.
His heart, his humor and his integrity.  I could go on and on though. 

7. Tell us how he proposed? Or your ideal proposal?
Jason proposed on the beach in Matagorda where we often go on the weekends in the summer.  It was just us, on a walk in the afternoon, my favorite thing to do!  Afterwards we celebrated at dinner with my mom and step-dad who were in on it the whole weekend! 



8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals?
I'm so spoiled!  Jason does it all!  He sent me "just because" flowers just the other day.  We both do a good job of taking time out of our busy life to celebrate anniversaries and milestones with each other. 

9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?
BOTH!  Let's have a sunset dinner on the beach followed by a movie on the couch.

10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere?
There are so many things that I hope Jason and I get to do in the future.  Although we have already traveled a lot, both together and on our own, I would love to visit Europe with Jason.  We have both been there, but not together.

11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day.
Not sure.  We will probably splurge on an extra special dinner!

12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day?
No.  Since we are thinking about buying a house and moving soon, that is present enough.  We actually don't normally do much in the way of Valentine's gifts.  Instead we celebrate our "meeting" anniversary just a week later. 

13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love.
Communicate - Communicate - Communicate...and Laugh!

14. Show us a picture of what love means to you.
Being able to be your absolute self with your partner.  However stupid that is.

Book Giveaway Winner



















Congratulations to Ashley!  You won a copy of MWF Seeking BFF.  I'll send you an email to get your mailing address.  Hope you enjoy!

...Thanks to everyone who entered the contest!  Hope you are having a great week. 

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

King of the Castle

Tucker is so spoiled. He even plays with my iPad and watches TV. Pathetic.




Smash

Who watched Smash last night? 


I did and loved it.  Add yet another one to my growing DVR list! 
Mondays @ 10/9C on NBC if you want to catch it.

Weekend Recap

Boy did we have a packed weekend!  Friends, family and football fun.

Friday
All of the junior league girls and hubbies (minus mine who was working, boo) celebrated Erin's birthday with dinner at The Capitol at St. Germain.  The atmosphere was so cool...way too hip for me, and the food was WONDERFUL!  Happy Birthday Erin!!!  What a fun night.

One of my fave pictures of Birthday Girl Erin at her baby shower a few weeks ago.  Looks like a natural mother to me! 
 Saturday - Round One
My step-sister Nicole is getting married in March, so we hosted a bridal shower for her!  We went with a pink and brown theme and ate lots of Crave Cupcakes.  The "Celebrity Engagement Ring" game I created was a hit too!








Saturday - Round Two
After getting my second wind and "westerning it up" Jason and I headed to the Houston Farm and Ranch Club for a fundraiser that Jason's hotel was involved with.  We were hosting clients, so technically it was a work event, but it was so much fun.  We truly enjoyed the company of everyone at our table and who can beat an intimate concert with Pat Green!





Touching the stage!
 
This puppy was up for auction!  I wanted him, but Jason said no.  Probably for the best since he ended up going for $8,000!
 Sunday
Lots of cleaning and a little bit of resting followed by a Super Bowl Party at a friend's house. 

I ate way too much food cake this weekend and need to rehab! 
Friday = birthday cake
Saturday = cupcakes at shower and cake balls at fundraiser
Sunday = cake balls at super bowl party

You can start calling me Marie Antoinette...Let Them Eat Cake!

Don't forget to enter the book giveaway HERE (or just scroll to the post below).  I'm drawing a winner tomorrow evening! 

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Book Review + Giveaway



I just finished reading MWF Seeking BFF: My Yearlong Search For a New Best Friend by Rachel Bertsche.  The author is a MWF (married white female) who after moving to Chicago with her husband, realizes that she is lacking in the friend department and feels a major void in her otherwise happy life.  She isn't some introverted, friendless loser. She has best friends from her hometown in New York plus work and other casual acquaintances, just no one to call on for an afternoon pedicure or go-to shopping buddy. 

She challenged herself to go on 52 "girl dates" in one year in hopes of finding a few women to fill this void.

I found the book hilarious...she is very honest and self-deprecating.  The book has a great mix of facts about friendship and how it affects the modern day woman, marriage stories (she was in her first year of marriage at the time of this friend experiment, and all the details - the good, the bad and the ugly - of her 52 girl dates.  Even though it's non-fiction, the book reads like your favorite fictional chick-lit book. 

I could definitely relate at times.  Even though I live in the city where I grew up, I've lost touch with childhood friends and don't live close to most of my college friends.  It's hard making good girlfriends! 

Luckily, I haven't had to go as far as the author Rachel did (at one point she even paid an online matching service for girlfriends and tried girlfriend speed dating).  Last year I did a lot of "friending".  Going outside of my comfort zone in hopes of making some new connections.  I struck gold with the people that I've met along the way and am so appreciative.

In the spirit of making new friends and appreciating our existing girlfriend relationships, I want to giveaway a copy of MWF Seeking BFF.  All you have to do to enter is leave a comment saying hi and if you want, add where you have met your closest girlfriends!  Don't forget to include your email address so I can contact you if you win!  I will pull a winner a week from today on Wednesday, 2/7! 

(Your odds of winning should be really good on this little blog, lol)

 
Friends I've met by getting involved in my sororities local alumni club
Ladies I met while volunteering at the Junior League last year

Ashley, my co-worker turned BFF

Jenni, another ex-co-worker, turned friend (and wife to my husband's BFF)

Lauryn, high school friend turned college roomate, turned long-distance friend, and now back to local friend!

And last but not least, my mom, Shelley, who will always be my BFF and best shopping buddy out there (she also wears the hats of wedding planner, wardrobe consultant, problem solver, and interior decorator just to name a few)
 

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