April 30, 2013

**What I'm Loving Lately, Part 1: Skincare**

I love when other bloggers talk about their favorite skincare/ beauty products because I'm not the most adventurous person when it comes to buying new things. I love hearing reviews of new products that I probably would have never heard of otherwise (I also have Birchbox to thank for introducing me to new products :)

On that note, I decided to share some of my favorite products that I use on the daily.

My skincare regimen is fairy simple. I don't really wear makeup for the most part (usually only on special occasions), but I like that because it's a little something special for times like date nights, balls, weddings, etc. that I normally don't use otherwise. S says that when I wear makeup, it's like the icing on the cupcake (he knows me well, I love cupcakes!)

Step 1:

 When I'm on a budget, like right now, I tend to stick to using a inexpensive yet quality facewash. Currently I'm using Clean & Clear Morning Burst Fruit Infusions Hydrating Cleanser in Pineapple (yum!) I tend to change cleansers pretty frequently so since I'm almost out, it will probably be something different next time!

Steal


Splurge


I'm not a fan of facial cleansers that don't foam up because I don't feel like my face is getting as clean (I know, weird..) This foaming facial cleanser from Clinique is perfect, but a little more pricey.

 
Another "splurge" product that I love is the Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub by Kiehls. This scrub is pretty gentle, however, I would normally only use it 2-3 times per week.


Step 2:
When it comes to the next couple steps, I tend to splurge every.single.time. I don't feel like I need to justify my purchases here. I wasn't always a believer of toner until I got a sample of this a while back with a Clinique gift set. I was nervous that it would dry out my skin, which was already on the dry side.

I actually found that this clarifying lotion (aka toner) worked wonders on my skin! It helps remove any extra dirt/ oil/ flakiness from your face after washing, but before moisturizing. I couldn't believe how much smoother and softer my skin felt after using this product.

Step 3:


I don't use this product every day, but if I'm feeling particularly tired or have some puffiness/ dark circles under my eyes, this is my best weapon. Another item that I received a sample of with a gift set that I have grown to love.


Step 4:

I would have put this product first because it is my number one favorite beauty product ever, however, I wanted to try and stay in order. I don't care whether I'm on a budget or not, I always splurge for Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion.




I'm not trying to toot my own horn here, but people often tell me that I do not look my age. I am proud to say that I am 31 and don't look a day over 25/26? Lol I owe it to Clinique. I honestly think that the most effective way to stay looking young besides good genes is to use a really good moisturizer. My skin is mostly normal to dry, however, I do experience some oiliness on occasion. For those who have oily skin, Clinique also makes this same product in a moisturizing gel to help control the oil factor.


This is normally where I stop, however, if I'm headed out for a night on the town or feeling extra girly, the next few products are more of my faves.

For the perfect smokey eye:
Starry-Eyed Baked Eyeshadow Trio by Lorac in Evening Star or Superstar


For a bit of sparkle..
bareMinerals Glimmer in Nude Beach

Steal

Cover Girl Lash Blast in Very Black

Splurge
Clinique High Impact Mascara in Brightening Black

And last, but not least, if you haven't figured it out already..... another Clnique product!
Clnique's Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss


So, there you have it! I will save hair products for another day ;)

There are a couple products that I am dying to try and would love to hear if anyone has experience with them. First, pretty much any skincare products by Philosophy (Hope in a Jar, Purity, etc.) I've tried their body washes and loved them, of course, who doesn't?!

The second product is...

Phenomen'Eyes Mascara by Givenchy.

I've heard great things and I am so intrigued by that little round brush!


What are some of your favorite beauty/ skincare finds??? Any recommendations?




PS - I'm leaving today after work for Florida until the weekend, but I have some really great guest posts lined up. Hope you all have a great week!

 

April 29, 2013

**Weekend Update!**

Happy Monday, y'all! Hope you all had a great weekend. Ours was pretty low key, which was nice after all the stress of moving. S had duty all day on Saturday so it gave me a chance to do some girly things like get my hair cut and do a little shopping. 

In the morning, after S left for work, Gunner and I snugged in bed and slept a little while longer. This is the only time he's allowed in our bed and he lovessss every minute of it.



New haircut.. Sorry for the bad iPhone pic, but that's all I got and I don't have a before pic, oops! I actually cut about 2 inches off and while it doesn't look like much of a difference, my hair feels so much healthier now!


After my haircut, I made an unexpected trip to Loft as they were having 40% off the entire store this weekend. I'm such a sucker for a good sale! I picked up some cute items for my trip to Florida -

Florida Vacay



Later in afternoon, I hit the pavement for a 30 minute run. I was really happy with my time, much better than my last couple runs!


On Sunday, once S got home from duty and we had breakfast, we went over to the old apartment and did some last minute cleaning. I'm so glad that I never have to go back there again!

Last night, we just hung out at the house, made some din (a bowl of cheerios and a homemade berry smoothie) and caught up on Wicked Tuna.


I will be around tomorrow, but am leaving for Florida right after work to spend a few days with the fam. Look out for a few guest posts over the days that I'm away from a few really great ladies :) Have a great week!



April 26, 2013

**Fitness Friday, Week #21!**

TGIF! I'm so happy for the weekend and although S has duty tomorrow (boooo) I am looking forward to some bright, sunshiney, warm weather today and tomorrow. Maybe I'll actually have a chance to work on my tan. I'm also getting a haircut tomorrow, which I'm super excited for because I haven't had my hair cut since December, before Christmas!

Feel free to join me and Lindsay and linkup for Fitness Friday and/ or 50 Miles in 30 Days!


Honor Courage Commitment

Honor Courage Commitment



This week, I got a 1.6 mile walk in on Wednesday as well as a 3.64 mile run for a total of 5.24 miles this week. Still behind, but I haven't given up!

I also just signed up for the Tone it Up Girls' Bikini Series. It's an 8-week program that will whip your butt into shape just in time for Summer. It's not too late to sign up!





Hope you all have had a great week. Any special plans for the weekend???


Related Posts:
  1. **FItness Friday, Week #20!**
  2. **Fitness Friday, Week #19!!** 
  3. **Fitness Friday, Week 18!!** 
  4. **Fitness Friday, Week #17!! & Giveaway Winner**

April 25, 2013

**Curried Rice & Shrimp Recipe**

My mom loves getting me cookbooks for Christmas because she knows how much I love to cook and bake. I was on a huge Rachel Ray kick a few years ago and she bought me like five of her cookbooks lol, too bad I hardly ever open those anymore. More recently though she bought me a Southern Living cookbook and over the weekend, as I was planning our meals for the week, I decided to break it out and see if there was anything in there that sounded good for dinner.


I came across the recipe below and since S and I LOVE Indian food, this curry dish sounded right up our alley :)


Curried Rice & Shrimp



Ingredients:
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 large onion
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 large russet potatoes (I used 6 small golden potatoes, skin-on)
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 cloves garlic,chopped
2 tsp curry powder
1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked 
(I used basmati brown rice that I found at Trader Joe's)
kosher salt and black pepper
1 lb peeled and deveined medium shrimp
1/2 fresh basil

Directions:
1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and potato and cook until they start to soften, about 6-8 minutes. If vegetables start to stick, splash a little chicken broth in the pan.
2. Add the garlic and curry powder and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
3. Add the rice, 2 1/2 cups chicken broth, and 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper and bring to a boil. reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes.
4. Season the shrimp with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 pepper. Nestle them in the partially cooked rice. Cover and cook until the shrimp are opaque throughout and rice is tender, about 4-5 minutes. Fold in the basil.
5. Enjoy!


S LOVED this recipe and even though it made 4 servings, there wasn't much left by the time he was done eating. If you like curry, this is a great, slightly healthier, dish to turn to.


 Also, don't forget to link up tomorrow for Fitness Friday and 50 in 30!

Honor Courage Commitment

Honor Courage Commitment


Related Posts:

April 24, 2013

**Oh, How Pinteresting!**

The weather in Charleston has been all over the place with temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to 80 degrees. The warmer weather is a tease during the week when it has yet to be warm enough to go to the beach on the weekends. My fingers are crossed for beach days to come soon, but for now, I guess I'll just have to visit my parents in Florida for my beach fix and a tan. Can't wait to head back down next week to see them!























Hope you are all having a great week! Here is a little summery tune to get you through :)

Get Your Shine On by Florida Georgia Line on Grooveshark





April 23, 2013

Suri's Burn Book

Have any of y'all heard of it?? 

If not, you can find it here!

Suri, as you might now, is the daughter of Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise. This blog clearly was not made up by her, but there is an author behind it. Some of the posts seriously crack me up. She, as in "Suri", is always commenting on other celeb children's style and whatnot. Some of her faves to poke fun at are the Affleck children, the Beckhams, the Kardashians, her own parents, and especially the Jolie-Pitts.

Here are a few recent posts that I found pretty funny...

 

 
 

 

I know it's probably not all that right to make fun of kids, but it is pretty hilarious. Hope you all had a good laugh!





(All opinions are my own, I was not asked to do this post - I just really like the website!)


April 22, 2013

**Weekend Update & the Big Move!**

We are finally all moved into the new house! Woo hoo! This weekend went pretty smoothly and thank God for great friends who all volunteered to come help us. We still have a little bit of unpacking to do, but I couldn't be happier to be in our new place.

All packed up and ready to head out!

Some before pics of the house:

Gunner enjoying the new patio :)

Second bedroom...

Third bedroom...(haven't painted yet)

Guest bath


Master..
 

My closet, ohhh yeaaahhhh :)

As you can see, the owners loveee bright colors haha. I don't really mind them so much, it's better than having all white walls. I probably wouldn't have gone quite so dark on some of them, but whatever. The only room I really care about painting is that small third bedroom. I just cannot stand that red.

We are also slowly learning some quirks about the house; like the freezer makes a kind of howling noise that took me forever to figure out where it was coming from. It kind of sounds like a train whistle (Linds, you totally know what I'm talking about lol!!)

On Saturday, we moved all of our stuff over to the new house and yesterday, in addition to doing some unpacking, S and I went to Lowe's and bought a bunch of plants so we could start our garden!

I don't have any pictures of the garden yet, but here are some of the plants that we bought!

There are tomatoes (cherry, roma, heirloom), cucumbers, peppers (pimiento, jalapeno, habanero), squash, zucchini, watermelon, and onions. I also got some herbs to start an herb garden; mint, basil, oregano, cilantro, rosemary, and chives.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Related Posts:
  1. **Weekend Update & Sub Ball Re-cap!**
  2. **Weekend Update & a trip to Florida!**
  3. **Weekend Update, a "Blate" & Easter!**
  4. **Weekend Update & Color Me Rad!**


 
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