Showing posts with label starbucks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label starbucks. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Wacky Wednesday


Happy Wednesday, y’all!

I’m quite a fan of Wednesdays, it means we are halfway through the week and almost to the weekend! {Applause, applause..} I am particularly excited about this Wednesday because it is a long overdue LADIES NIGHT! I can’t even tell you how needed this week. When 3’o clock {aka, quitting time for this lady} rolls around, I’ll be headed to buy a nice bottle of wine and some snacks for my best gal pals! If you don’t have a ground of ladies that you enjoy ladies nights with periodically, I recommend you go befriend some girls right this second and start a monthly girls night!

This is going to be another spontaneous, no themed post. I have so much to share! {Deep breath}

As I mentioned in my last post, I was looking for an inexpensive yet good quality website to make our family Christmas cards. If not by pure dumb luck, I would never have found out that VistaPrint has holiday cards, and {once again, like clockwork} I opened my email this morning to find a bright and shiny coupon for VistaPrint. You better believe I went to their site right then and there and created the CUTEST holiday cards for friends and family. I got 30 of these cards, with extra envelopes {I’m kind of totally accident prone} for $30. I cannot wait! Check these out {they have a plethora of designs to choose from, or you can create your own}:

"Married and Bright"...how punny for us Newlyweds? <3

 

A.dor.a.ble.  Plain and simple. Check out vistaprint now, while the discount is still good!

I’m not sure about you all, but Monday completely did me in! Since Starbucks is right down the street from my office, I decided to get myself a little Monday afternoon pick me up! Behold the Captain Crunch frapp from the Starbucks “Secret Menu.’’ It turned my day around! It tastes more similar to crunch berries than the actual Captain Crunch, but it is just the most perfect cold pick me up.
 

Then it was off to get some new dog food for the babies. I decided to try out the Rachael Ray dog food, and WOW, I have two happy happy babies on my hands! The fur babies are absolutely loving the food. I think this one will stick with us for a while. If you haven’t tried the Rachael Ray dog food and your pup is getting sick of their current food, check it out! I purchased it at Wal-Mart for around $15 dollars for a big bag. Your babies will thank you =) Charles is still baffled by the fact that Rachael Ray has dog food, he just can’t get over it! Males, I swear. Sometimes they just don’t get it.
 

Tuesday was once again a hectic day all around. On top of the work craziness, I ran out of astringent, so I had to make a trip to the store just for one item! I hate that. Instead of going into Wal-Mart and braving the crowds {not to mention driving around aimlessly for a parking spot}, I decided to go to Walgreens. Mistake? For my wallet, probably. But man oh man, I sure found some treasure! Here are my Walgreens finds:
 

{Sea Breeze Clear-Pore Astringent} Ahh, the only thing I went to Walgreens for! I should have known I would have ended up with more products! Ok, this stuff may not have the most pleasant smell in the world, but it gets the job done, and well I might add. The smell doesn’t linger, so to me it’s not an issue. There is a hint of grittiness to this astringent, which means it adds some exfoliation, and I’m a fan! Only runs about $5 and you get more product than the Clean and Clear astringents!

{Revlon Colorburst Lip Gloss}   I picked up two of these off of a recommendation from Katie {check her out! www.gloriouslyreallifexo.blogspot.com} I got the colors “Rose Pearl” and “Sun baked bronze.” The only word that comes to mind when describing this lip gloss is fantastic! They aren’t sticky or too gooey, they go on smoothly, the applicator is a sponge tip {which I appreciate}, and the color pigmentation is wonderful. They have gorgeous fall colors, I truly recommend checking them out! As an added bonus, they are BOGO half at Walgreens right now! Walk run to Walgreens! Now! I’m not a big fan of most lip products, I prefer a more natural lip, but this product provides the look I’m going for. Trust me. If I spend this much time and energy talking about a lip gloss, you probably need it.

{Milani Baked Blush in Red Vino and eye shadow in Beach Sand}   I picked these up through recommendations I have heard from other bloggers. I picked up the Red Vino blush for two reasons: First, the most raved over Milani baked blush is the color Luminoso, which my local Walgreens was out of. Secondly, I was drawn to Red Vino because it looked like a good transitional fall blush, and all of my blushes now are a coral, summer color. I am LOVING Red Vino, although I was surprised when I applied to my cheeks and I saw how pigmented it was. I don’t have to use near as much product as most blushes. It’s a steal at only about $7. I picked up their eye shadow in Beach Sand as well, and although I haven’t experimented with this eye shadow much, it is a neutral and it is sparkly. I’m quite sure I’ll adore it!

{Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask}  We all know that we were drawn to face masks when we saw the old movies of girls at sleepovers, in their cute pajama sets with face masks on and cucumbers over their eyes, painting their nails, and having a blast! Or maybe it was just me. It just is the epitome of being a girl. Who wouldn’t love a good sleepover with your gal pals, pampering each other, telling stories, and drinking a nice glass of wine. Sign me up! This mask is the same mint green color {hence the name..mint} that the masks you saw in the movies were. It smells DIVINE, which is rare for a mask, and makes your skin feel like a baby. I’m afraid that I have a mask addiction now, but at least the bottle only runs $4 at Walgreens! Thank YOU, Queen Helene.

{Neutrogena anti-residue shampoo} This was another recommendation from Katie, that I haven’t gotten to use yet! Stay tuned…I’ve heard it is the closest thing to a miracle in a bottle for your hair that you can get in Walgreens. Only $6!

{Dove Go Fresh body wash in Plum} As much as I love my Olay body wash in Sunflower Oil, it is too much of a summer scent for me to appreciate in the fall. This plum smell is “plum fantastic”..pardon my pun. I can’t stop smelling this. It’s a bit on the pricey side at $6 a bottle, but look how humongous that bottle is? I can totally justify that for something that will last me ALL fall and keep me smelling fantastic and keeping my skin soft and supple without that white buildup on your skin that the lower end body washes and soap bars tend to leave behind.

I also saved about $20 dollars on these products with my Walgreens loyalty card, so if you don’t have one, GO GET ONE! You won’t be sorry, it’s no cost to you, and you save money! It’s a win-win if I’ve ever seen one.

Not that you really care to see this, but I got my name plate with my new name on it at work today! Warms my little heart. It’s like I’m becoming a new person! I’m such a nut.
 

Tuesday was also “just because I love you” day in the Alley household, and I was blessed with this fabulous present from my even more fabulous husband! What. A. Keeper! My goodness. Look at the cranberry detailing on this bag, what a fantastic day Tuesday was! Charles, if you’re reading this {I know you aren’t, but still}, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! You’re just the greatest, wabers.
 

Ok guys, it’s almost quitting time, and I’ve got a girls night to prep for! Be a blessing today!
{P.S. Sorry for the sideways pictures! My blogger / computer is not cooperating today and doesn't want to let me rotate!}

Michele Alley

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Tales of a Grown Up


Well the Labor Day holiday has passed and it is time to start prepping for fall (MY FAVORITE, in case you couldn’t have guessed by all of my other fall themed posts.) I have all of my fall candles / scents out and I fully anticipate putting out my fall decorations this week! It’s just a wonderful time of year. Starbucks has their Pumpkin Spice Latte’s back (granted I have never tried one, mental note to at least try one of these things that everyone talks about like it’s nectar from God...), the sun goes down earlier, and the weather cools off!

This fall is particularly special. The wedding is just 17 days away, y’all!!! Not to mention, September 1st is when Charles and I celebrate our 5 year anniversary as a couple. I am embarrassed to say that we both forgot our anniversary this year (that makes two years in a row…I’m not old enough to start forgetting things, no excuses!)

Regardless of forgotten anniversaries and holiday weekends, we still managed to have a blast! Charles headed down to the lake Saturday morning, and I ventured down on Sunday morning. Saturday, I spent doing some shopping (Charles wasn’t home to keep me from shopping, I’m weak, what can I say?) and watched the Arkansas Razorback football game with my parents!  I snagged this ADORABLE razorback cooler from one of my favorite local shops in town, Inscriptions. Isn’t it fabulous? What have I told you guys about shopping local?

Is the not THE cutest cooler? It even incorporates chevron, which Charles so thoughtfully pointed out!
 I then sang at an old friend’s wedding, and she was an absolute stunning bride. Sunday was spent catching up on the lake with old friends and enjoying some fun in the sun, because we won’t be able to go back down for about a month due to wedding activities and things of that nature. I then spent all day Sunday relaxing, looking through some wedding ideas, and watching old movies (thank you ABC Family for playing The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles, y’all made my day.)

Now I’m in major wedding GO mode. Guests arrive in two weeks, I still have a million tiny little details and things I need to get done. I have some craft projects that I have to work on (super excited about them, I’ll have to show you everything I make in the next few days) as well as finish putting together Thank You gifts for the bridesmaids, groomsmen, groom, parents, flower girls / ring bearers / ushers / etc. , get with the caterers and bakery / make props for the photo booth / purchase alcohol / pack for honeymoon / clean our house from top to bottom (because face it ladies, you don’t want to go into the week of your wedding with a messy house…you should be relaxed and getting PAMPERED. It is all about you right? Oh yeah...and the groom. It’s about the groom, too… =) You also don’t want to come home from your honeymoon to a messy house. I fully intend to start cleaning my house from top to bottom this week, and KEEPING it clean (that will be the hard part…).

I’m not sure about all of you, but it seems to me that when I have an overload of things to do, I do some of my best work! I get everything I need to get done completed if I have a lot to do; my time management skills are off the charts. I’m not exactly sure why I’m backwards like this, but if you’re the same way, let me know, so I don’t feel like a complete loner with these insanely backwards skills.

Now. The fun stuff. I’m searching for some new, products to bring to Mexico with me on the honeymoon. I want things that will allow me to pack light, yet still not have to suffer from the awful hotel shampoo / body wash experiences that I might otherwise have to endure.  I’ve been most concerned about my makeup. I don’t like to travel with my full set of more high-end makeup because so many things can go wrong! You can lose the makeup or drop it and break it, and not to mention it takes up a lot of room. I’ve been browsing around, looking for some small pallets to carry with me that don’t take up a lot of room, but will last me 5 days in Mexico.

One product I was most devastated about leaving behind is my Urban Decay “Naked” eye shadow pallet! I use this pallet daily, but it takes up room, and I would hate to lose it. I was thrilled when I went to Sephora and found this cute pallet by Urban Decay called the “Naked Basics” pallet. I was intrigued, so I picked it up and was even MORE thrilled when I saw that it was extremely compact (the perfect travel size) and it is a MATTE eye shadow pallet. I repeat, a MATTE eye shadow pallet. It seems as though every eye shadow I find as of late is shimmer based and makes me look shiny and oily. It only has a few of your more neutral, every day color, which is fine by me, I don’t anticipate needing any pink or blue eye shadow in Mexico (or ever, for that matter.) Think you’re sold on this product? Well let me sell you even more. Hold the applause..it is only $27! Shut the front door. I’m in love. If you’re thinking of traveling and need some new products, try this one out for size.

In her glory, here is the Urban Decay Naked Basics pallet. So compact and all the colors I need for a short trip
 
I’ll also be bringing my compact NARS blush / bronzer duo, which includes the Laguna bronzer and the Orgasm blush. I’m obsessed with this pallet on a day to day basis, and it is small enough for travel, so I think I’ll just bring it along. If you’re not feeling up to spending the money for this pallet for a travel blush / bronzer duo, try the ELF bronzer / blush dup (found at Target.) It is only $3 and it is so comparable it is scary. If you break this or lose this when travelling, I don’t think you’re going to beat yourself up over it, since it’s so budget friendly!


{Top} NARS laguna / orgasm duo
{Bottom} ELF duo
You can see how similar they are!!
 
As far as travel shampoos go, I really like the Ojon shampoo and conditioners, especially to go sized. They last a while, and they really help your hair settle down and feel silky smooth (with a pleasant scent..I can’t have my hair smell like over processed formula or like a foot..

Perfect travel sized shampoo / conditioner that will keep your hair feeling smooth and silky

I’ll be on the hunt the next few weeks for some new products to take with me and Charles on the honeymoon. If you have travel essentials, let me know in the comments! I’m always curious to see what everyone must have on a vacation, it’s how I find out about new products! I’ll be making a trip within the next few days to Ulta / Walgreens / Walmart to peruse through their new products.

I hope you all have fabulous plans for the week! I’ll keep you updated on the on-going madness that is my life for the next month.

Here’s a quote of the day for you! It is dedicated to Charles for the month of our wedding. “As soon as I saw you, I knew an adventure was going to happen” –Winnie the Pooh.
Until next time,
Michele