Archives for October 2017

MONDAY MOTIVATION & BLOG UPDATE

Good morning friends and Happy Monday! I hope you all had a great weekend and are ready for the week ahead! Did any of you attend or throw a Halloween party over the weekend?! The weather was cold and rainy here in Atlanta so I stayed inside as much as I could and bundled up, lit my Pumpkin Cupcake candle (seriously, it’s DIVINE) and watched a whole lotta TV! No matter where you were or what you did, I hope you made some wonderful memories and had an awesome weekend! As I said last week, Mondays are hard, but with a new week comes new opportunities to go out and chase your dreams (cheesy, I know). My wish for you is that you are able to see what you want and take the steps (no matter how small they may be) necessary to achieve your goals; it’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it!

I know we have a couple more days of Halloween festivities ahead of us, days that I plan to thoroughly enjoy, but starting Wednesday my Christmas themed blogs will be coming in HOT! I have a number of things planned for you all; recipes, décor, DIYs, etc., but the first thing I’m rolling out is my Holiday Gift-Guide Series! Throughout the month of November I will be sharing some awesome gift ideas for those special people in your life! With that being said, I want to know what YOU want to see. When it comes to gift giving, who’s the hardest person you have to shop for? Brother-in-law? Co-worker? Husband/S.O? Mom? Dad? Are there any retailers you’d love to shop but they’re too overwhelming for you to even get started (Etsy, Forever 21, etc.,)? Let me down below, I’d love to help make this gift-giving season as easy as possible! Feel free to leave other holiday post suggestions as well, as the Queen of Christmas I’m always looking for fun, festive holiday blog ideas, so send em’ my way!

I hope you guys have a great Monday and are excited for the upcoming holiday blogs, I know I am! I also want to take a moment to wish my sweet mama a very happy birthday! Love you guys and see you Wednesday!

-B

OCTOBER FAVORITES

Happy Friday friends and welcome back! Are you guys ready for the weekend? Do you have anything fun planned? My weekend will look the same as it always does…football, How I Met Your Mother and more football! Today I am bringing you my October Favorites and as always, I have listed and linked everything down below so let’s just go ahead and get started!

BEAUTY/SKINCARE

* 1. Soap & Glory Flake Away Body Polish – $15: I absolutely love this body scrub by Soap & Glory; It’s sweet, citrusy and does a great job of gently exfoliating my skin! If you’re in the market for a new body polish, head to your nearest Ulta or Target and pick this bad boy up!

* 2. Kenra Platinum Finishing Spray 26 – $22: I finally caved and picked this up towards the end of September and I’ve been obsessed ever since! It’s humidity resistant (thank goodness), gives ultimate shine and doesn’t flake or dry out your hair! It’s the perfect finishing spray when I want/need my curls to last all day and while I know it’s a little pricey, if you’re looking for something that really works, check it out!

* 3. Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Lip Color – $9.49: I’ve talked about this plenty of times before. It’s one of my favorite matte lip products and the color is perfect for this time of year! NOTE: The color shown above is LOVER.

* 4. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector – $38: I finally hit pan on my Tarte highlighter and decided to whip this bad boy out again. Becca’s highlights are always so beautiful on the skin and never cease to amaze me. NOTE: The color shown above is Moonstone.

* 5. It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Pressed Powder – $29: After finishing my Too Faced Primed & Poreless powder last month I went back to this oldie but goodie! It’s silky smooth, creates an airbrushed canvas and minimizes my pores…so basically it does everything I need it to!

* 6. Clinique Turnaround Revitalizing Serum – $44.50: I haven’t used a ton of products from Clinique’s skincare line but everything I’ve tried, I’ve loved! This serum is lightweight and has helped even out my skintone and bring some much needed hydration back into my face! If you’re in the market for a new serum, give this one a try, you won’t regret it!

* 7. Tarte Pack Your Bags Undereye Patches – $22: These. Are. Amazing! I have been on the hunt for a good eye patch and what do you know, Tarte came through (shocker)! If you struggle with puffiness, dryness or dark circles, give these a try; they are soothing and do a great job of staying in place! Pro Tip: Put them in the refrigerator for an even more relaxing experience!

* 8. It Cosmetics CC+ Cream – $38: I have been using this foundation non-stop this month; I know it’s not for everyone, but I really love it. The coverage is amazing, it lasts a long time and is insanely comfortable on the skin! If you’ve always wanted to try it but haven’t pulled the trigger, head to Ulta and give it a try!

* 9. Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter – $15: GUYS! This stuff smells AMAZING! It compliments the Flake Away Body Polish incredibly well and leaves my skin feeling moisturized for hours!

FASHION

* 1. David & Young Contrast Plaid Square Scarf – $25: Another scarf, no surprise here! I’m a sucker for anything plaid and with the weather finally starting to feel like fall, I couldn’t resist busting out this ultra cozy scarf!

* 2. Sole Society Lyriq Ankle Bootie – $99.95: These are super comfortable and perfect for this time of year! They come in 3 colors: Navy, Coffee and Taupe and I don’t think you could go wrong with any of them! NOTE: I always go up a 1/2 size in boots to account for thicker socks!

* 3. Lace Up Long Sleeve Sweater – $39: This sweater is beyond comfortable. Full disclosure, my mom ordered it first and I thought it was so cute that I followed her lead (good find, Mama)! The color shown above is “tan” and while I agree that it has a tanish hue, to me there is a hint of blush in there as well. But either way, blush or tan, it’s super cute! NOTE: It also comes in grey.

* 4. Lucky Brand Stacked Turquoise Stacked Ring – $35: Sometimes you just need a little something extra to help pull an outfit together. For me it’s usually a watch (shown above) and/or a set of stackable rings! This set from Lucky is simple, chic, and goes with everything!

* 5. 90 Degree by Reflex High Waist Power Flex Legging – $22.99: I know I’ve talked about these leggings before but they are so great that I felt the need to talk about them again! I have been going to yoga pretty regularly and have been loving wearing these to class; they are durable, comfortable, and incredibly affordable. There are a variety of colors to choose from, they are squat proof (at least the colors I have) and come in both full-length and cropped versions! If you’re in the market for some new workout tights, please, please, please check these out, you won’t be sorry!

* 6. Caravelle New York Rose-Gold Bracelet Watch – $150: My mom bought this for me a few years ago for my birthday and I still love it! It’s chic and goes with everything! $150 dollars well spent, mama!

* 7. Michael Kors Studio Mercer Large Tote – $298: With cooler temperatures finally making an appearance here in the A, it was time to bust out my beloved MK Mercer tote. The navy color is divine and it’s roomy enough for all of my essentials and then some! They have a ton of different colors and are 150% worth the money!

LIFESTYLE

* 1. Erin Condren Snap-In Stylized Sticky Notes – $10: As many of you know, I have the Erin Condren Life Planner (thanks cousin!) and absolutely love it. These Snap-in sticky notes are a great way to add fun and trendy styles to an already stellar planner! At just $10 dollars you really can’t go wrong!

* 2. Bath & Body Works Hand Soap – $6.50: You guys know how much I love Bath & Body works and their soaps are no exception. With fall-like temperatures comes my desire for a more “warm” scent…enter Pumpkin Cupcake! Guys! If you love pumpkin and vanilla go grab this right now, you won’t be sorry! Also, the Pumpkin Cupcake candle might be my new favorite; if you’re a fan of pumpkin candles, GET THIS STAT!

* 3. Erin Condren Compliment Cards – $5: How cute are these?!?! Erin Condren for the win…again! I love to keep these on hand to put in my thank you cards or to include in my giveaway boxes when I ship them out. They are cute, affordable and perfect for when you want to go the extra mile.

* 4. Bath & Body Works Pumpkin Apple 3-Wick Candle – $22.50: This is the perfect scent for fall; it has just the right amount of pumpkin, apple and spice and does a great job of adding warmth to any space!

* 5. Young Living Peppermint & Panaway Essential Oils: As many of you know, I have recently joined the Young Living community and have been loving it so far! I use Peppermint and Panaway to support my body when a migraine rears its ugly head and so far, it has really been helping. I have also found that this combination works great to help support sore muscles after a workout (I’m looking at you Yoga)! If you are at all interested in Young Living or essential oils, check out my post HERE and reach out to me with any questions you might have! I’d love to help you get started on your own oily journey!

* 6. InnoGear 500ml Essential Oil Diffuser – $25.99: Despite receiving a diffuser in my Young Living Starter Kit, I needed a second one for my living area…enter Amazon Prime. I know I could have just purchased another diffuser from Young Living, but honestly at that point I wasn’t even sure that I was going to continue buying oils (it was early on). So I decided to just go on Amazon and pick this one up for considerably less money…and you know what? So far, so good!

TV/MOVIES/MUSIC

* How I Met Your Mother: As many of you know, David and I have been slowly swiftly making our way through HIMYM and so far, I love it! We are almost done with season 8 (Janette just threw all of Ted’s belongings out the window & Barney & Robin are about to get married) and all I can say is that the Ted/Barney/Robin triangle is cute, frustrating and leaves me questioning what I really want for those characters. I love the humanistic element that Robin brings out of Barney but I also think that Ted & Robin are better together…gaaahhh, so confusing! Lily is a great friend (cue her roof scene with Ted after Barney & Robin get engaged) and Marshall is the BEST. PERSON. EVER! If you’ve somehow never seen the show (I know, I’m late) and are interested in starting something new, give it a try!

* Last Chance U: Guys…this show is amazing and a complete mess. It’s funny, frustrating, sad…basically it’s all the things. If you’ve never heard of it before, it basically follows a community college football program in Scooba, Mississippi as these athletes have one last chance to get their grades up, correct their behavior, and clean up their legal records in order to receive a scholarship offer to play Division I football. Obviously this show isn’t for everyone, but if you think you MIGHT like it, give it a try, I think you’ll really settle in! Be warned, the coach is a deplorable human being (IMO) but the rest of the coaches and the academic counselor (she’s my hero) make up for it! Many of these kids come from incredibly difficult circumstances and just want an opportunity to “make it.” To see if they take advantage of their last chance, tune in on Netflix and watch the drama unfold!

* The Big Sick: Can you believe I willingly watched a movie? I know, I was surprised too! David had been wanting to see this so we settled in and watched it over the weekend…and I loved it! It follows an interracial couple that has to deal with incredible cultural differences and is loosely based on the real-life romance between the main character, Kumail Nanjiani and the director, Emily V. Gordon. It’s a quirky, sweet love story that is every bit worth watching! If you’re in the mood for a romantic comedy, check this one out!

* October Music Favorites: As you can see my music favorites are all over the place..shocker! It’s been a month filled with MC Hammer & Celine throwbacks and I feel no shame! BSB always makes the list, JT is performing at the Super Bowl (eeekkkkkkkk) and I finally broke down and listened to some good ol’ Christmas music (don’t judge me, it had been too long); basically it’s been a good music month for me!

____________________________________________________________

So that wraps up my October Favorites! I hope you guys enjoyed this post and I hope you all had a wonderful month. What products/tv shows/movies/music were you loving this month? Leave a comment down below and let me know!

-B

LAST MINUTE HALLOWEEN FINDS

Happy hump day, friends! With Halloween right around the corner I thought I would put together a list of some of my favorite last minute Halloween finds! If you celebrate and have yet to put out any decorations or you’re hosting a last minute Halloween party, then this post is for you! With time dwindling down I scoured the internet and found some great pieces that can be delivered before the big day! I was able to find most of the items on the Target and Amazon websites (thank you Prime shipping)! As always I will list and link everything down below; so without further ado, let’s jump right in!

* 1. Halloween Skeleton Ghoul – $20: This is perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. You can hang it from a tree in your front yard to add a little extra spook or place it in the corner of your house during a party; no matter the location, this ghoul is sure to set the mood! NOTE: The arms are bendable and able to be posed!

* 2. Lace Cobweb Fireplace Mantle Cover – $7.99: I know a lot of people would just opt for a banner to hang across their mantle, and while I love that look, I thought this was too cute to pass up! It adds a little something extra and is perfect for a party or the Halloween lover in your life (I’m looking at you mom)! At only $7.99 this is 100% worth grabbing!

* 3. Life Size Posable Skeleton – $40: This skeleton is the perfect addition to your front porch steps or outdoor patio furniture. It is available at Target and comes in different sizes. NOTE: The smaller version is only $15 dollars and would work great for indoor decorations!

* 4. LED Halloween Paper Lanterns (set of 4) – $6.93: You can never go wrong with paper lanterns, especially Halloween themed ones! These are great for indoor or outdoor use and at just under $7 dollars, these are a steal!

* 5. Spider Tombstone – $20: If you’re looking for a festive front porch decoration, this is perfect! It’s available at Target and can be delivered by Friday (in most cases).

* 6. Shatterproof Halloween Wreath – $20: If you’re looking for a non-spooky yet festive holiday wreath, look no further; this shatterproof gem from Target is perfection. It’s perfect for people who have small children as it’s cute and festive without being scary, and is literally unbreakable! I’m telling you, it’s a win-win!

* 7. Halloween Zombie Hands – $9.99: Guys, I’m obsessed with these. They’re great because they can be used just about anywhere; front yard, dining room table, bathroom…you name it, they would work!

* 8. 42pc Bloody Footprints – $11.99: These are perfect for your upcoming Halloween party; just place a couple on your back porch and leave a trail wherever you go!

* 1. Halloween Crow Feet Candy Bowl – $12.75: If you’re looking for something a little more festive than your average bowl, check this one out! This would be perfect sitting on a small table beside your front door or even on your dining room table during a party! It’s small, but not too small and for just under $13 dollars, I think you could do worse! NOTE: There is a smaller version that retails for $10.20.

* 2. Nocturne Beverage Napkins (16ct) – $2.25: How cute are these napkins?!? If you’re having friends over to celebrate the holiday, be sure and snag some festive dinnerware to keep everything in theme! I’m not even having a party and I want to pick up some of these!

* 3. Life Size Human Skull Head – $13.99: What is October 31st without a replica human skull? I would pick up a couple of these and put them in various places in and around my house; after all, it’s Halloween, you can never have TOO many human skulls…#amirite?

* 4. Harvest Pumpkin Filler (Glitter) – $5: These are great because they can be used throughout the entire fall season! They would look great turned into a dining room table centerpiece or as an addition to a fall themed lantern that sits next to your fireplace! No matter where they end up, at only $5 dollars a bag, I’d grab a couple because they are too good to pass up!

* 5. Large White Studded Pumpkin – $7.65: This is another piece that would be perfect for the entire fall season! They come in both white and black & feature an edgy stud detail. If you’re looking for something with a little more umph this Halloween, look no further. NOTE: There is also a smaller version that retails for $5.10.

* 6. Skeleton Candy Dish – $21.25: I know I already listed and linked a candy bowl up above but I thought this would be great for serving appetizers at a party! Think mini sandwiches, meatballs, festive deserts, etc.!

* 7. Nocturne Skull Halloween Plates (8ct)- $2.55: Like I mentioned above, if you’re going through all the trouble to host a Halloween party, make sure your dinnerware is as festive as it can be! While I certainly don’t think it’s a necessity to have ghostly plates and napkins, at just under $3 dollars, I think it’s worth picking up a couple packs to keep the theme going strong!

* 8. Spider Web Lace Table Runner – $8.50: I love, love, love this! It’s simple, festive and makes a statement. For just under $10 dollars, I don’t think you can go wrong!

* 9. Halloween Beverage Tub – $6.80: This is such a cute and festive way to store ice and drinks for your party; I mean come on, this is way cuter than your average cooler! Despite not throwing a party of my own, I think I will be ordering this bad boy, I just can’t resist!

* 10. LED 12″ Metal Lanterns – $18: With festive designs and a bright orange hue, these are great for the front porch or next to your fireplace! NOTE: The item shown above is the smaller version; the larger lanterns showcase a different design and retail for $25 dollars.

____________________________________________________

If you celebrate Halloween but have yet to decorate, I hope you were able to get some inspiration from these last minute finds! Everything listed can be shipped and delivered before the 31st and most of the items can be received in enough time for a last-minute weekend shindig! Let me know down below how you plan on celebrating the holiday!! Happy Halloween and stay safe!

-B

MONDAY MOTIVATION

Good morning friends, happy Monday and welcome back! Admittedly Monday is my least favorite day of the week (am I the only one?); that whole having to get up and make yourself presentable for work (when you still have a migraine) thing is no fun. Despite the doom and gloom weather Atlanta is experiencing this morning, I’m putting my best foot forward and trying to look at Monday a little differently. While I may not want to be at the office on this rainy day, I have a lot to be grateful for. I’m wearing the cutest lace-up neck sweater (thanks mom), Georgia Tech & Auburn both won this weekend, I have a job to go to (hallelujah), I have a weekly standing yoga appointment after work AND I’ve started planning my Christmas blogs (Yaassssssss)! To finish out the year on a positive note, I am going to commit to working out 3-4 days a week, increase my self-care, implement a better sleep schedule and vow to start cooking more homemade meals (pray for me guys). With all of that being said, despite it being Monday, I hope you are able to look at today with a glass half-full attitude and slay the day! Be kind to everyone you meet and always remember to inspire those around you to be their best self! Life is hard, the more support we give, the more support we’ll get…and I don’t know about you but Lord knows I could use all the help I can get! Thank you guys for coming on this journey with me, your love and support mean the world to me and is never overlooked!

What are some things that you are going to do to ensure a successful rest of the year? Working out more? More time with your family? Increase your self-care? Leave me a comment below and let me know!

-B

50 THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

Happy hump day friends, I hope your week has gotten off to a great start! Guys, can I be real for a second? Every time I turn on the TV, despite the channel, the conversation is often nasty and political; I can’t even watch ESPN without getting a heavy dose of argumentative nonsense. I mean I get it, the division and hatred in our country spreads far and wide and while I recognize and believe that many of these matters deserve a spotlight and a conversation, I’m sick of constantly reading/hearing bad news. I just want to see cute pictures of puppies and fall décor fill my timeline…am I asking too much?! With that being said, I thought I would change the narrative today and share 50 things that make me happy! In a world where people are losing hope and feeling incredibly helpless, I hope you are able to identify some things (big or small) that make your soul happy by the end of this post!

_____________________________________________________________________

  1. My family! My mama is crazy (in the best way), Thelma and Big H are a hoot and Grandpa is a gem.
  2. David (and his family <3).
  3. Backstreet Boys…don’t judge me, they are the best!
  4. Sports. All of them.
  5. New makeup!
  6. My cat, Ginge!
  7. Alpacas…come on, they are ADORABLE!
  8. Mac & Cheese.
  9. Sporcle. If you haven’t played, give it a whirl, you might like it!
  10. Concerts!

  1. Christmas…seriously, I’m obsessed! Come on December.
  2. Fall weather.
  3. Atlanta. #FILA
  4. The Holiday. Jude Law is swoon-worthy…#amirite?!
  5. Ameera. She just gets me.
  6. Fall scented candles.
  7. Bestie. 20+ years and still going strong.
  8. Glowsticks.
  9. Naps…they are simply the best!
  10. Gilmore Girls. #TeamLogan

  1. French Onion Dip. No football season is complete without it.
  2. Bubble Baths.
  3. Dancing.
  4. Stationary…seriously, I’m obsessed!
  5. Shopping…duh!
  6. Skating, specifically roller skating!
  7. Summer nights; there’s nothing quite like them.
  8. The smell of freshly cut grass.
  9. Chicago. If you’ve never been, GO!
  10. Fireworks!

  1. Country Music. It always makes me smile.
  2. “Old school” R&B music. Throw on a little Whitney and dance with somebody!
  3. Seeing my friends happy.
  4. Giving. Seriously, there’s no better feeling.
  5. Blogging!
  6. Ugly (but oh so cute) Christmas sweaters!
  7. Justin Timberlake.
  8. Little Brother. Technically he’s Bestie’s little brother…but it still counts!
  9. Karaoke. It’s my favorite!
  10. Jesus. <3

  1. The day I met Chris Daughtry.
  2. Orangutans. Seriously, look at him, isn’t he cute?!
  3. The Braves…despite the heartbreak they cause.
  4. Pineapple, it’s easily my favorite fruit.
  5. Board games. I know, I’m a nerd.
  6. Homemade hot cocoa. My moms is the best!
  7. Road trips.
  8. Pamper nights. Think mani/pedi, face mask, massage, etc.
  9. Long nights with friends.
  10. A new handbag…guys, I might have a problem!

_____________________________________________________________________

I hope you guys enjoyed this fun, light-hearted post and were able to think of some things that fill your soul with happiness! Remember, the world is cruel and life is hard, be kind to everyone you meet, you never know what they may be going through!

-B