Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Shit Girlfriends Say

Let's be honest we always think that we're the best girlfriend and we never do anything annoying right? I mean when you see other couples and the girl is acting really annoying you always say to you're self or your boyfriend, "I'm so glad I'm not like that". However after watching this video YIKES there is a little bit of annoying girlfriend in everyone. 


Take a look at the video and see what habits you may have. 



So what I think is so funny is that there are still things I say and I'm married! What you ask, well first off when I'm out with the girls it's always, "I'm not drunk... I'm not drunk" when in all reality I'm 3 sheets to the wind. Or even now I ask my husband, "What would you do if I were pregnant?" 
If you read my blog you know how I'm always thankful that I am no longer in the dating world and this video yet again proves my point. It also raises another point- I'm so glad I'm not dating with Facebook being so popular. This may show my age a bit but I can remember when Facebook first started and you actually needed a college e-mail address to even have Facebook. Since those early days of Facebook it has now become a no bar hold time consuming media outlet and allows us to stalk other people's profiles. I mean if I were single now and with Facebook being as popular as it is I would be that crazy girlfriend trolling my boyfriends profile and seeing who writes on his wall. Thank god I missed that point! However I will share a similar story. . . before Facebook was so popular MySpace was on top. So of course I was on there and so was my boyfriend at the time. I would def creep on his page and see who was on his Top Friends and who was posting on his profile. I know creepy I will admit it now looking back on it however in the moment I knew it was wrong but couldn't help it. So when he broke up with me out of nowhere I of course went straight to his MySpace page. So when we were dating I was #3 on his Top Friends I now quickly slid to #8!!!!! I was devastated and when I mean devastated I mean ugly cry- snot running down my nose- didn't know what to do with myself. My cousin who was over at the time was looking at me like I had 5 heads because she couldn't believe how ridiculous I was acting. In the moment I felt like my actions were completely justifiable now 5 years later my cousin was right what was I doing?!?! 


Well thankfully I got married before I turned into the girl on the video but let's be honest there is a little of us in this video. Which thing described you?? 

Monday, February 27, 2012

Manni Monday

Gosh is it already Monday?? Where is time going these days? I can't believe that we are already going into March this week. Scary. But that means I'm getting closer and closer to VEGAS! But enough about that let's get to what really matters the nails. Last week I wrote about some recent nail polishes that I purchased and this week I used one of the colors on my nails. This week I chose to use Smokin Hot 

Now this is a very interesting color because it has a hint of plumb, mauve, and grey all mixed into one. I know you're probably thinking well that is such an odd color combo but it turns out to such a pretty and versatile color. Here's what it looks like on my nails. . . 




It is a hard color to photograph so I tried to get some different colors in different lights. I actually am loving this color so much that I'm even rocking it on my toes too. That is a rarity for me because I normally never match my toes & nails. I would highly recommend this color for anyone who is looking for a great transition into Spring. 

Friday, February 24, 2012

Favorite Things Follow Up

As I have mentioned I went to Favorite Things party that Chris was hosting. We all know my dilemma that I was in but I managed pulled through and pull out another favorite thing. Now I'm not going to lie I did get it on my lunch break on the day of the party but hey if I hadn't waited I might not have scored an amazing deal and great goodie bags. So when I went to the store to get my runner up favorite thing (I went to Bath & Body Works) and in the mall I work at that particular store is high traffic and high volume (as are most stores in that mall) so their corporate was there testing some ideas they want to roll out. So if I took a 10 minute survey then I got a $10 gift card. SCORE! Sign me up! I did it- the product kinda sucked so I breezed through the survey. So I got one of my favorite lotions and some adorable gift bags. Check it out. . . 

My favorite thing :) LOVE LOVE LOVE the smell 
How adorable are these gift bags? They SCREAM my personality

So now that I had my favorite thing in the bag- literally. I was all set to go to the party. I had my outfit in place and was ready to socialize with some new people that I had never met before. As soon as I entered Chris's house I was immediately greeted with some delicious food. 








Everything that I had was mouth watering! I've never been a sushi person so I skipped that dish but the other gals said it was yummy. So while the food liked the favorite thing because there was so much of it the actual favorite things table was also busting out. 




All these goodies! So with our bellies full and wine in our wine glasses we were ready to get this party started. So the way it worked was our names were put into a bowl 5 times and there were 8 girls so clearly not everyone was going to get everything everyone brought. Here are few of the ladies explaining their favorite thing. . .




So what did I get you ask? Well I got some AMAZING things. Kiehl's lip balm, Essie Nail Polish and a nail file, a spice mixture & a yummy recipe, a house cleaner, and a Old Navy crossbody. All things that I would use. Then Chris got everyone a swag bag. 


We got in our swag bag great tons of samples from Kiehl's, a full size Clinque lipstick (in a very wearable color), nail polish, and 3 free downloads for apps for either your iPhone or iPad. 
Overall what a great party and I had an amazing time and socialized and met with some other great woman. 

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Love Story

With my one year anniversary approaching I take a look back at this past year and first think WOW it's been a year already? I feel like it's just yesterday that I was unpacking our bags from getting married and now in less than a month we are going to be packing our bags to go back to where we got married. I reflect back on our first year of marriage and think what a blissful year it has been. Don't get me wrong there has been some rough patches but that's normal and healthy but overall it's been exciting and leaving me wanting more and more. If my first year of marriage is any indicator of what lies ahead in our marriage I can't wait to see what will happen. I know that through this journey of this thing they call marriage I have a best friend and a partner that will not stand in front of me, behind me, but rather by my side through this all- through the thick & thin of life and our lives.
  I came across this video that another blogger had posted and it was the most beautiful love story and really made me think what would my love story be?



(Side note: I start by laughing at the beginning of the video to turning into the most ugly cry because it just touches me in such a way)

In the story when Danny says, "When a guy is happily married no matter what happens at work or in the rest of your day there is a shelter when you get home." I find so much truth to that. The world could be against you and when you come home and you have your partner there everything else just doesn't matter anymore. That's love.


Also when he says that, "Being married is like having a colored television you never want to go back to black and white." WOW how true that is. After experiencing love with someone you feel is your soul mate you could never imagine your life without that person or with another person. After having a taste of what true love is I could never imagine going back to my life being black and white.


No one ever wants to talk about death or entertain the idea of death but at the end of the day it's going to happen to all of us, some sooner than others. Because I've experienced death in so many different fashions if I could have one wish it would be when the time comes that one of us does die it isn't sudden- we will have time to have closure and to talk about the finality of it all.


There are a lot of things in life that you want: a house, cars, vacations, nice things, good jobs, travel, the list could go on & on but the most basic thing and simplest thing is love. Finding love is the hardest journey but also the most rewarding. Love, true love can conquer all through the hard times and good times.


So even though it's only been a year here is my love story: Our story began in a dingy bar that I would normally never set foot in let alone ever expect I would find my future husband there. At the time he couldn't buy me anything I wanted but he could give me something that you can't buy and that's love. The same love that runs long and deep between us and through us that I know will last until the day we die. No one makes me laugh as hard, makes me get butterflies when he walks into the room, or gives me the one thing that no one can buy. Those are things that I will cherish my whole life and know as we go through this marriage I know there will be more things I will cherish and I can't wait to see what those are. 


So I ask what is your love story?? 

Monday, February 20, 2012

Manni Monday

I feel like I've won the lottery!! As soon as the Kardashian's announced that they would be teaming up with Nicole to introduce their own line of nail polish I was in heaven! I mean we are teaming up two of my current obsessions into one. Could it get any better?!? Plus they would be releasing the collection right before Christmas which was even better since I have the hardest time coming up with a Christmas list. Well myself and thousands of other people had the nail polish on their list. While I was able to get 5 of the colors (2 in which I returned because they were very similar to other colors that I already owned) I still hadn't gotten the one pink color that Kim had in her line. We searched high and low for that one pink color and came up empty handed. Fast forward to about two weeks ago . . . My husband needed some new work pants and new work shoes and since he works in the construction world he seems to always have good luck at Sears in finding work clothes. And let's be honest it's not like Sears is on top of my shopping list for myself but I was dragged along so I had to make this as bearable as possible. While he was sorting through racks of work pants (boring) I found myself looking at the Kardashian clothing line. Side note: I did find some cute things in their line however I was very very disappointed in the fit. Anyways with that being unsuccessful I found myself wandering over by there beauty section. Who knew that Sears had such a variety of beauty products. And then there it was. . . DUN DUN DUN the ENTIRE collection of the Kardashian nail polish!! I couldn't believe it. There was the one pink color that I was looking for! Kim-plenty in Love. With this great find I decided to keep looking at what else they had to offer and then I found a great stash of Essie nail polish and colors that I hadn't seen at other places that I get my Essie nail polish from. 


Here is what my finds were: 







I can't wait to try out all these colors! I'll be keeping you posted. Have you found any good nail polish colors lately?? 

Friday, February 17, 2012

Favorite Things Dilemma!

A couple of weeks ago I blogged about this amazing party that I got invited to which is called, "Favorite Things Party". To quickly brief you on the party the concept is that you bring 5 of the same items that are your favorite but has to be under the price point of $6. Seems pretty easy right?? Um... kind of but I was able to sift through my favorite things within that price point and finally came up with a favorite thing. Thank goodness! So what was my favorite thing I chose you ask? Well since I have a obsession with my iPhone (I mean honestly who doesn't?!) and I love anything with some bling why not get some fabulous phone covers?? I was able to snag some adorable glitter cell phone cases on Amazon so why not share the wealth?? Plus Chris told me that most people had iPhone's that was going to the party so it was perfect. These are the cell phone cases that I ordered for myself a couple of months ago. . . 


I know adorable right?! So I got right back on to Amazon to order my favorite things. I did hit a little snag because the seller that I purchased my cell phone cases from only sold the cases in sets of 4 and I needed 5 and I certainly didn't need extra bling bling cell phone cases. So I decided to go ahead and order them separately. So I selected my colors double checked my order and finally hit submit my order. I was all excited and was able to check off just another thing on my Bucket List for this month, I was feeling really good. So a couple days later I get an e-mail 


Do we not see the problem here?!? My party is February 18th and so the whole Delivery Estimate of March (now mind you it's not even a few days in March it pretty much spans the entire month of March) isn't going to work. I quickly logged onto my Amazon account to see where the hell these cell phone cases were coming from... the moon??? Well it mind as well said the moon because they were coming from HONG KONG! I mean really?? I did not notice this detail when I placed the order. So now I have 5 glitter iPhone cases coming to me (mind you I have 4 already) so I have no clue what I will be doing with these extra phone cases. Maybe a giveaway?? Only if you have an iPhone. Now I'm back at square one with trying to figure out a favorite thing- keep in mind my party I'm attending is Saturday. Any suggestions??? 

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Spring Clean Up & New Make Up

Who doesn't love to freshin up with some new make up?? While I could probably open up my own make up store I still feel the need to get some new colors every now and then. When I got my make up done for my 25th Birthday in Vegas at the MAC counter they used this quad eye shadow palette that I fell in love with and of course bought and has become one of my favorites (along with my Charolette Ronson palettes). So when MAC was debuting their Sping collection I was sure to get there the first day because they sell out of there stuff fast! Well first off let's talk about their packaging I mean can we say adorable?!? 




I wasn't sure if I was going to love anything but I had to at least check it out. I was instantly in love with this palette check it out. . . 




I mean every color is usable for both day and night and could be used with either a nude lip or a firece lip. Speaking of lip I then checked out their new lip colors for the spring line and WOW was I impressed. They have this new product called Kissable Lipcolor and it's not a lip stick but not a lip gloss its inbetween. It comes in a tube that looks like a lip gloss but has a thicker texture to it. I got the color called Woo Me but I must say all the colors were pretty fabulous and I wouldn't be surprised if I stop and  pick up a couple more! 


So I wore my new palette and WOW was it amazing and the mixture of looks I was able to create within these four colors and pairing up with my new Kissable Lip color it was a flawless look. This palette will become an instant one of my go to and favorite eye shadow colors. I'm sure I will find myself back at the MAC counter picking up a couple more Kissable Lip color. 

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Work Out Wednesday

Okay, let's be honest no work out is a good work out without some kick butt songs and amazing playlists. You can be motivated and ready to sweat your butt off but unless you got some jams to accompany that motivation it just isn't the same. I don't know if you're like me but if I should forget my iPod it just isn't the same work out for me. So for this weeks post I decided to focus on putting together a good playlist. Weather Pop, Rap, or Remixes get you pumped up for a good work out here is are some top songs to get you going on your next work out.

The Best Hip-Hop Songs

Sweat-worthy rap and R&B workout songs (75 to 139 beats per minute)
"Find Your Love" - Drake (95 BPMs)
"Got Your Back" - T.I., featuring Keri Hilson (75 BPMs)
"Check It Out" - will.i.am and Nicki Minaj (129 BPMs)
"2012 (It Ain't the End)" - Jay Sean, featuring Nicki Minaj (126 BPMs)
"Midnight Hour" - Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek, featuring Estelle (139 BPMs)
"In My Head" - Jason Derulo (108 BPMs)
"Who Dat" - J. Cole (90 BPMs)
"Club Can't Handle Me" - Flo Rida, featuring David Guetta (127 BPMs)
"Not Afraid" - Eminem (86 BPMs)
"DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love Again" - Usher, featuring Pitbull (118 BPMs)


The Best Power-Up Songs

Power workout songs to pick up the pace (76 to 163 beats per minute)
"Break Your Heart" - Taio Cruz, featuring Ludacris (122 BPMs)
"Hot Mess" - Cobra Starship (120 BPMs)
"Gettin' Over You" - David Guetta, featuring Fergie and LMFAO (130 BPMs)
"Double Vision (Wiz Khalifa Mix)" - 3OH!3 (120 BPMs)
"One Step at a Time" - Four Year Strong (163 BPMs)
"Power" - Kanye West (76 BPMs)
"I Like It" - Enrique Iglesias, featuring Pitbull (129 BPMs)
"Girls and Boys in School" - Neon Trees (120 BPMs)
"Hunted Down" - Soundgarden (83 BPMs)
"I Can Talk (French Horn Rebellion Remix)" - Two Door Cinema Club (163 BPMs)

The Best Dance Workout Songs

Bouncy beats that move your feet (115 to 130 beats per minute)
"California Gurls" - Katy Perry, featuring Snoop Dogg (125 BPMs)
"22nd Century" - Kelis (130 BPMs)
"Red Light" - Alina (115 BPMs)
"Morning After Dark" - Timbaland, featuring Nelly Furtado and SoShy (118 BPMs)
"Only Girl (in the World)" - Rihanna (126 BPMs)
"We No Speak Americano" - Yolanda Be Cool and DCUP (125 BPMs)
"Lovers n' Fighters (Original Mix)" - Kruse & Nuernberg (124 BPMs)
"Commander" - Kelly Rowland, featuring David Guetta (125 BPMs)
"Go Ape (Live from the Cherrytree House)" - Far East Movement (128 BPMs)
"Hey, Hey (Vandalism Remix)" - Dennis Ferrer (128 BPMs)

Motivating Workout Songs

Motivating lyrics that stoke your session (89 to 148 beats per minute)
"Stronger Than" - Pete Yorn (115 BPMs)
"King of Anything" - Sara Bareilles (118 BPMs)
"Impossible" - Shontelle (90 BPMs)
"Rockstar 101" - Rihanna (140 BPMs)
"Take My Breath Away" - Michael W. Smith (126 BPMs)
"Waves of Change (Kaskade Mix)" - Samantha James (128 BPMs)
"Sure Fire Winners" - Adam Lambert (89 BPMs)
"Secrets" - OneRepublic (148 BPMs)
"Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" - Shakira, featuring Freshlyground (126 BPMs)
"Forget You" - Cee Lo Green (128 BPMs)


The Best Songs for Strength Training

Tempos to help you crank out more reps (76 to 127 beats per minute)
"Misery" - Maroon 5 (103 BPMs)
"On the Sly" - The Bamboos, featuring Kylie Auldist (111 BPMs)
"Stereo Love" - Edward Maya and Vika Jigulina (127 BPMs)
"Love the Way You Lie" - Eminem, featuring Rihanna (87 BPMs)
"Ridin' Solo" - Jason Derulo (90 BPMs)
"Raise Your Glass" - Pink (122 BPMs)
"Where There's Gold" - Small Sins (113 BPMs)
"Holding You Down (Goin' in Circles)" - Jazmine Sullivan (95 BPMs)
"Liquor Store Blues" - Bruno Mars, featuring Damian Marley (76 BPMs)
"Whataya Want from Me" Adam Lambert (93 BPMs)

The Best Remixes

Music makeovers for any workout (100 to 152 beats per minute)
"Violet (Ospina and Oscar P Main Mix)" - Oscar P (124 BPMs)
"Try Me (RAC Mix)" - Anoraak (131 BPMs)
"Sweet Disposition (Axwell Remix)" - The Temper Trap (129 BPMs)
"All the Right Moves (Danger Remix)" - OneRepublic (152 BPMs)
"Bulletproof (Tiborg Remix)" - La Roux (126 BPMs)
"Dance Rock Shake Pop (Reydon Radio Remix)" - Jump Smokers (126 BPMs)
"Whole Lotta Love" - Santana, featuring Chris Cornell (100 BPMs)
"Telephone (DJ Dan Extended Vocal Remix)" - Lady Gaga and Beyonce (126 BPMs)
"Hard (Jody den Broeder Club Remix)" - Rihanna, featuring Jeezy (125 BPMs)
"Alejandro (Afrojack Remix)" - Lady Gaga (128 BPMs)

Best Country Workout Songs

For some giddyup and go (72 to 124 beats per minute)
"Need You Now" - Lady Antebellum (106 BPMs)
"I Got Your Country Right Here" - Gretchen Wilson (95 BPMs)
"Mine" - Taylor Swift (122 BPMs)
"Shine" - Matt Stillwell (124 BPMs)
"Undo It" - Carrie Underwood (75 BPMs)
"Turn On the Radio" - Reba McEntire (123 BPMs)
"Little White Church" - Little Big Town (107 BPMs)
"Hillbilly Bone" - Blake Shelton, featuring Trace Adkins (72 BPMs)
"Whistlin' Dixie" - Randy Houser (79 BPMs)
"Rain Is a Good Thing" - Luke Bryan (108 BPMs)

So I hope that these songs give you some inspiration to revamp your work out playlists and if you're curious on how to create an effective work out playlist I found this article interesting. 

Build the Perfect Workout Playlist

Skip the musical roulette.
Instead of setting your MP3 player on shuffle, proactively build playlists that provide the right energy all the way through your workout.
Keep it fresh.
Pick one weekend a month to see what's new on the iTunes charts by your favorite artists and in your favorite genres so your playlist never goes stale.
Get in rhythm.
Studies have shown that listening to music that syncs with your movements provides a better workout than exercising without tunes. See how to match your grooves to your moves below.
Beats per minute    Perfect for
160 and up    Running, jumping rope
140 to 160     Jogging, Spinning
125 to 140     Power walking, stair-climbing, elliptical
105 to 125     Walking, toning
60 to 115       Stretching, yoga, warming up

I hope that with all these helpful tools you revamp your playlist to kick some major butt in the gym. Are there any songs on your current playlist that get you going??




Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day!

Well today is a day that you either love or hate. I personally am indifferent now I have come to this conclusion this past year, if you would have asked me in the past I would have been all about this day. So why a change of heart you ask? Well considering that our anniversary falls a month and a day later (March 15th) and Christmas just past I don't see the point in putting so much pressure on a day that quite frankly is just another day. I would much rather make a big deal on our anniversary than on Valentine's Day. My husband is thrilled with this news because it means it's one less gift he needs to stress about getting me. I will be working on Valentine's Day because we will be very busy and there is something fun about working on a holiday like this helping guys pick out a gift for their wives or girlfriends. While I won't be able to get a work out in I have told my husband that I am ready for a warm fire, glass of wine, and the heart shaped pizza at Lou Malnati's to complete my V-day I find something completely romantic about the simplicity of it all. 


What are your Valentine's Day plans?? 


HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! 

Monday, February 13, 2012

Manni Monday

Normally I get my nails done every two weeks but my time I visited the nail salon I was less than satisfied with the how they did my nails (we all know that I am very particular about my nails, just like my coffee). So after about a week I just couldn't take it anymore and had to go get them redone. Plus I got two new Essie colors (next week's Manni Monday post) so I was dying to test out the colors! I thought I would try out a new nail salon for my nails (yes I am that crazy that I go to one nail salon for my pedicures and another for my nails). So I decided between my two new Essie colors for the one I was going to use for my nails and headed off to the new nail salon. Now I am that person that is crazy about how they are shaped I like them as square as can be and short so I thought this poor nail girl was up for in for a uphill battle. She however did not disappoint. She took each of my requests with kindness and willing to fulfill them to meet my expectations. So because we are in this crazy mid season where it's not officially Spring but not officially Winter- even though there is snow on the ground here in Chicago I am in denial that it will stick. So I have headed into the dark colors still because I can get away with it. The color I chose this week was by Essie (go figure) and it was called Armed & Ready. 



Here's what it looks like on 




Now I have to be honest I wasn't loving the color when the nail girl was putting it on my nails but after it dried and I was in love. I think this will defiantly become one of my favorites for sure. It's between a grey and a army green with a slight hint of gold metallic. Very pretty and very versatile. 

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Vegas Part Tres!

I can't believe that I'm saying this but we're going back to Vegas! We have literally gone back every 6 months however I had no intention of going back this time. Hard to believe but our 1 year anniversary is coming up (March 15) and while I was envisioning us laying on a beach somewhere tropical catching the hot sun rays and sipping a great cocktail my husband had a different vision. I had finally talked to him into going to Mexico with me (he was nervous because of the safety but some friends of ours had gone in the last year and said for the most part the coast was clear) so I thought that would be our next vacation. Well I did drop the ball a bit because we have to renew my passports and yes that was on my To Do List for my staycation I just didn't get around to it and it just seemed so complicated. So needless to say I shot myself in the foot because on this 1st anniversary we weren't going to be digging our feet into no Mexican sand, maybe Florida or California sand but now exactly what I had envisioned. My husband was making some subtle hints that what a perfect time to go back to Vegas, he tried to be cute and say it would be perfect because it was where we got married and why not spend our 1st anniversary there. Nice try babe but well okay it kind of worked. I told him if I could find a deal to good to be true he would get his wish. Well guess what luck must have been on his side because I found an amazing deal! We are staying at the Luxor (where we stayed when we got married) and so for 4 nights & 5 days in a deluxe room it's costing a whopping $200!!! How can I say no to that?!?! Plus we fly for free because of our miles. I couldn't book the trip fast enough. Even if I laid by the pool and soaked up some Las Vegas rays I was away and let's face it who doesn't love Vegas? Here is a look back at our last two Vegas trips 


Our Wedding! 
In the Valley of Fire
In the limo on the way back from getting married. Officially MR & MRS!
The hubs hanging out with Will Smith- okay it was the wax museum but fooled ya huh? 
Who doesn't love Joan Rivers?! 
Paris! 
2nd Trip for my 25th Birthday. This was my Birthday dinner 
View out of our room 

I really hope that for the 3rd time I look more decent in these pictures! haha. I always make my husband take all these pictures of us but then hate how I look in half of them. On the agenda so far for this trip is on Monday night we are going to see Carrot Top again (yes this will be our 3rd time) but he is hilarious and I secretly think that my husband was missing seeing his show so getting me to Vegas was another reason. Then for our anniversary we are going to go to the same restaurant that we went to when we first got married. Oh and how could I forget- Kardashian Khoas!!! It opened up in the Mirage and I mean how could I not go?? I'm such a fan of them. So maybe this was a secret motive I had in going to Vegas. Shh don't tell. But in between all that we are going to relax and walk the strip. So my March is already filling up.