Instagram Secret Santa Swap 2015

I love participating in the Secret Santa collaborations floating around Instagram. You get to meet new people, give gifts and get gifts.  

I participated in one this year and had the cutest Secret Santa!  

Check out her blog: Prep For A Day

She wrapped it all up in a pretty glittery bag! 

She did awesome!  I got the Essie gel setter polish, Essie polish in eternal optimist and the prettiest Starbucks tumbler with gold letters!! 

Absolutely in love!!! 

Thanks Tori!! 

Merry Christmas everyone!!! 

Christmas Must-Haves

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year.  I love the decorations, time with family, movies, just the feel of everything.  

Here are my must-haves for Christmas celebrating:

Holiday pajamas- Can you really celebrate Christmas without your Christmas Jammies??  I just love putting on mine with some cozy socks or slippers and fixing a glass of eggnog or a mug of hot chocolate and watching a Christmas movie.  

Christmas candles- There is just something about burning a candle in the fall and winter season that instantly makes your house more cozy.  Bath and Bodyworks is my favorite place to pick up candles.  

Christmas Sweater- spread some Holiday cheer with a cute Christmas sweater.  I love to wear crazy ones on the days leading up till Christmas just to feel festive.  I love the one from Aeropostale that I picked up last year on super clearance.  

Fuzzy Slippers- I hate having cold feet so these slippers are perfect. Mine are American Eagle and they are super fuzzy, sparkly, and have a big bow!   

Christmas Movies- It just isn't Christmas until you have watched your favorite Christmas movies.  My absolute must see movies are The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Santa Clause and Home Alone.  If you want to see my other favorites check out my post here.  

Christmas Socks- Feeling festive down to your toes.  Seriously how cute are the socks from Target this year??

Christmas Mugs- I am a mug hoarder...it's so bad.  Christmas mugs are a favorite of mine.  I love warm drinks (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cider, etc) and sipping them out of a Christmas mug just feels so festive and fun. I am in love with these reindeer mugs.  Each one has a different reindeer and they are just adorable.  

Stocking Stuffers for Girls

Can you believe that Christmas is next week???  Where did the month go?  I though I would share some stocking stuffer ideas in case you need inspiration for your friends, daughters, wives, whoever it may be.  These are some items I would personally love to find in my stocking...hint hint.  

Gift cards: these are perfect for stocking stuffers as they are small and cute.  This one is a Starbucks which I love but you could get anything that suits them. 

Sunglasses: I am not an expensive sunglasses girl.  Sure I would love to have a pair of designer sunglasses but I would probably never wear them for fear of breaking them.  For me cheap sunglasses are the way to go.  This pair from forever21 is on trend and so cute.  

Coffee mugs: I am a coffee mug hoarder. We have a cabinet full of them and I still find myself looking for more.  There is just something about drinking your cup of coffee from a cute special mug.  Just think whenever they have heir coffee they will think of you and your sweet gift.  This one from Kohls is adorable and has a top so it's travel friendly.  

Cute compact:  I love getting cute little items in my stocking.  Compacts are great because somehow mine always end up broken or lost.  This one from forever21 is adorable!  

Socks:  Socks may seem boring but I love getting fun ones in my stocking.  Bonus if they are Christmas themed.  I am absolutely obsessed with the cabin socks from the sporting goods stores.  Hey are the softest socks you have ever felt I guarantee it.  Go feel them, seriously you will want to curl up in them. 

Nail polish: This is always fun to find in your stocking.  I am a nail polish addict and I have no shame.  Essie and OPI are my favorites and this seche fast dry top coat is something new I want to try.  

Candy: if you don't get candy in your stocking is it even Christmas??  Some of my favorites are Reese's, Milky Ways, chocolate coins and these Hershey Candy Cane bars (they taste like a big version of candy cane kisses and are so very dangerous!) 

Jewelry: Perfect stocking stuffers, you can find inexpensive pieces at Walmart, Target, and Forever21.  What girl wouldn't want to get jewelry in her stocking?? 

Makeup: Beauty items are great stocking stuffers because they are small and relatively inexpensive.  This is a new palette from e.l.f. that's on my wish list.  It's the clay eyeshadow palette.  e.l.f. Is one of my favorite brands, it's super affordable yet still high quality.  You can find them at Target, CVS, Walmart and their own website.  If you are unsure of what colors to get stuck with more basic nudes, flattering on everyone.  

Also this Maybelline Age Rewind concealer is one of my favorite products and super easy to use.  I always get the lightest shade since I'm super pale, pick them up at Walmart.  

Travel size products: These are the perfect size for a stocking and are so useful.  I love little mini products to throw in a bag or keep for easy travel. I spotted these Not Your Mother's Dry Shampoo travel sets at Target. This is one of my favorite dry shampoos.  

What are you hoping to find in your stocking?

Influenster Try Dry VoxBox

I ended up getting the influenster Try Dry VoxBox in the mail the other day.  I love Influenster, you answer surveys and rate products to get free products.  All you have to do to keep getting free products is review and tell them what you think.  Easy peasy.  

So this box consisted of the Dove dry spry deodorant in a fresh cucumber scent.   

I have tried spray deodorant before and wasn't a huge fan of it.  This one was ok, I still prefer a stick but this wasn't hard to use, dried fast and worked great.  

If you like spray deodorant I say check it out! 

PSA (Public Savings Announcement) Lipstick Deal

Y'all know I love a good deal and I love some makeup.  Rite Aid just put those two together and it's awesome.  Until Sunday you can get the Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick (or gloss) for $2.99!!!  This is a great deal considering it's normally almost $9!!!  Plus if you spend $15 you get $3 back to spend at Rite Aid. 

I love these lippies and now have three.  

I got all of the Mauvy colors they had...

This one is Mauvy Night and I love it.  

Here's a glimpse of what it looks like on, it's one of my new favorites.  

Up to 80% off Christmas Gifts!!

Up to 80% off journey five boutique at Groopdealz!

Here are a few of my favorite products from the event:

Holiday 3/4 Sleeve - 2 Colors—$19.99

Oversized Pocket Sweatshirts - 3 Colors!—$19.99

Christmas Yuletide Tunic—$19.99

Maxi Sequin Skirt - 2 Colors! —$39.99

Cowl Neck Pocket Tunics - 3 Colors!—$22.99

These are perfect for Christmas gifts, or just a gift to yourself...no judgement here :)

What I read in November

Again busy month and again just one book was finished.  I think I'm in a little bit of a book slump.  I have been really busy for one and then the books I'm starting I have a hard time getting into them.  I'm trying to weed out my huge stack of books.  If I'm not excited about a book I have a hard time turning to them to read instead of Netflix or YouTube.  I guess I just need to find better books.  

Anyway the book I read this month I picked up at Dirt Cheap for (dirt) cheap.  It is one of the Gossip Girl series.  I started these in high school and thought they were decent, love the show more but the books are ok.  

You Just Can't Get Enough by: Cecily Von Ziegesar

This one is after the first Gossip Girl books with a new set of characters.  Storyline is similar rich kids, relationships, fashion, parties, etc.  It was fine to read and not have to concentrate too hard or think abut it, easy read but I think I'm going to search for better more collocates reads in the future.  

What have you been reading?

Beauty and jewelry deal finds

So I woke up super early one morning and decided to go to Walmart to pick up some groceries...and stopped by the jewelry section.  Lo and Behold they had a whole section of clearance jewelry.  Ahhh clearance my favorite word.  

All of these necklaces and earrings were $1!!! 

I fell in love with these necklaces they are a three in one.  You can wear them all together or separate.  These were a little more expensive...at $2.  I have already worn these a crazy amount.  

I also stopped by CVS and picked up some makeup items.  I had a couple coupons from the CVS machine and they had some good deals on makeup.  I picked up 2 lippies from Revlon.  I am obsessed with the Revlon Colorburst lip balm/stain in Honey.  I also picked up two stain crayons from Wet N' Wild and two Almay liners for blue eyes.  Pretty sure I picked up all this for less than $12.    

Walmart beauty box unboxing fall 2015

I got my Wal-Mart Beauty Box in the mail and thought I would share the inside with y'all:

Aussie Mega hairspray (1.5 oz)

Aveeno Positively Radiant daily mouisturizer (.3 fl oz)

Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick in 875 Gladiolus (full size)

ACT Advanced Care Plaque Guard mouthwash (1 fl oz)

Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair Lotion (2 fl oz)

Nivea Extended Moisture Body Lotion (foil packet .14 fl oz)

3D Crest White Brilliance Toothpaste and Finisher (foil packets)

Jennifer Aniston fragrance (foil packet)

L'oreal Paris Revitalift Miricale Blur finishing cream (foil packet)

L'oreal Paris Age Perfect facial oil (foil packet)

As you can see they gave a pretty good amount of products.  Now most of them were foil packets or really small samples but I like the variety.  

These boxes are seasonal and run $5 a box.  So for the products I feel like its a good deal.  I'm not crazy about the lipstick, the color is too dark for me but everything else is good to go!  

Hair for days: irresistible me hair extensions review

I was contacted by Irresistable Me a hair extension company to review their products.  100% natural Remy clip-in hair extensions, hair accessories and hair tools.  I have never really been one to be all gung-ho about hair extensions but have heard a lot of people rave about theirs and thought I would give it a go.  

They come in a cute little box and make sure you read the package!! 

The package has two sides. The smaller side is the tester. You can look, feel and check out the color to see what you think.  Don't open the big part until you know you want to keep it.  If you don't like the product based on the sample piece you can send it back, you are stuck with it if you open the whole thing.  

The hair pieces have little combs and grippers that you place in your hair.  I have never used extensions before so I had a little trouble getting them in my hair.  My hair is pretty slick so things tend to fall out (bobby pins, clips, curls, etc) 

I am still learning how to use them but the color is pretty close (which is a hard thing for a redhead).

They are super soft and feel like my real hair.  I am going to have to work on getting them to stay in my hair and styling with them.  

Latest deal finds

Another day, another Dirt Cheap haul....this was a good haul day, most everything was 90% off! 

These lamp shades I picked up for $1.40!  They are a burlap material and are perfect for our bedroom. 

You can never have too much tissue paper and for 80 cents each they were perfect to stock up.  

These little banners were too cute to pass up on.  I am stashing them away for any parties in the future.  Oh and they were 40 cents, can't beat it. 

This set was missing one of the labels (set of 2 instead of 3) but for 70 cents they were perfect for dressing up a crate or basket. 

These soap scrubbers were 90% off as well and were less than $1 for both. 

I picked up this workout band set for less than $2 and it was missing the light band but for that price I can deal.  

What deals have you been finding lately?

What I read in October

Alright another month is over and I slacked on my reading yet again...I read 2 books.  

Fame Firstborn Series #1 by Karen Kingsbury: Karen Kingsbury is the epitome of Christian chick lit.  She has soooo many books I can't keep track.  I get the cast offs from my grandma.  This one is in the Firstborn series continuing with the Baxter family.  This one follows D, who is a Hollywood star and he has been given up for adoption by the Baxters themselves.  The story also adds in a little romance with a small town Katie being brought to Hollywood to act alongside D.  The storyline was good and even had some mystery added in with a psycho fan.  If you are looking for a good Christian read check it out.  

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld: This was one of those dystopian books.  It's was an interesting idea in that when you turn 16 you undergo a surgery that makes you beautiful.  Then you go off and live with other beautiful people and just have a beautiful life.  The idea was to make everyone pretty so no one feels ugly or left out, basically everyone feels good. Like all the other dystopian books there is a hidden dark secret to this seemingly good fix.  The main character (I can't remember her name) makes a friend who shows her a different path for her life   

Overall not crazy impressive but decent books for October.  

What did you read in October?

Fall Essentials

Leather Riding Boots: I love to throw on a pair of riding boots over leggings, skinnies, tights, pretty much anything and I feel like it dresses up my outfit just a little bit.  These are my favorite from Target.

Cozy Oversized Sweater: I love throwing on an oversized sweater over leggings pairing some riding boots with it and you're cute and out the door.  Plus it's comfy, cozy and it hides that extra holiday weight...you know what I'm talking about.

Warm Cozy Perfume: When it gets colder I like to switch out my perfume to warmer, cozier scents.  I just feel like it fits the season and makes me feel warmer when I smell it.  This one is one of my favorites from Avon.

Quilted Vest: I love a good vest, I probably have 5 in my closet and I am always looking for more.  This one came from Groopdealz last year and it is a perfect dupe for the coveted J.Crew Excursion Vest.  I feel like this one just dresses up your outfit and makes you look a little classier.

Fall Nail Polish:  I love switching up my nails to more fall colors.  Some of my favorites are Essie Raspberry, OPI Peace, Love and OPI (this is such a pretty duchrome), essie warm and toasty turtleneck, and not pictured but my new favorite is Sally Hansen Expresso.

Fall Tote: I have always been a big purse girl and in the fall I love to switch out my purses to a big sturdy fall looking tote.  This one is old from the Phillip Lim for Target line but it is one of my favorites.

Starbucks: Typical white girl status but really Starbucks just helps to ring in fall.  Plus how cute are their fall cups this year??  I did try the new revamped Pumpkin Spice Latte and wasn't as much of a fan...guess I like fake pumpkin better??

Flannel: A good flannel shirt just screams fall.  It's cozy, warm, and just looks like Fall.  I love to layer mine under a vest.  If you are looking for some Target has some cute ones.

Leggings: Yes I am basic, but if wearing leggings makes me basic then bring it on.  I love to throw on a pair of leggings and an oversized sweater or shirt, some riding boots and I'm out the door.  Or if I'm in the house just  sweatshirt, leggings and some slippers or long socks.  They are so comfortable and really who wants to wear jeans when you can wear leggings???

Tights: I am a dress lover, even in the winter.  I just throw on a pair of tights and some boots and it's a cute outfit yet still cozy and warm.  I have especially been loving some tights with texture.  Target always has some cute ones.  

Patagonia: I got my Patagonia fleece last year for my birthday and I am absolutely in love.  It is so soft and warm.  I wear it around the house, out running errands, to walk the dog, traveling, pretty much anywhere I want to be comfy, warm and still look cute.  They are a little on the pricey side but I highly recommend mine.  I wear it all the time, have washed it and it still looks brand new.

Leopard flats: Leopard is a neutral right???  I sure wear my flats like they are.  I love to mix prints and have been wearing my leopard with plaid and other patterns this fall.  These came from Walmart believe it or not.

Lipstick: I am a lipstick wimp...I am scared of dark colors on my lips.  I have been trying to branch out and go a little darker.  The color I have been loving is an Avon shade in a mauvey tint

Scarf: I love to throw a scarf over a sweater, a dress, a t-shirt, anything I want to add a little comfort and warmth to.  These scarves from Kohls are super soft and cozy and under $10!

Cozy Cardigan: These are perfect for trowing over a t-shirt, tank top, dress whatever to add a little warmth and coziness to your outfit.

Booties: I just got my first pair of booties this year and man was I missing out before!  These are perfect for dressing up your outfit.  I love to throw it on with a dress, leggings, or skinny jeans.  All of mine came from Target.  

My obsession with gallery walls

So as you know we moved and I had so many blank walls to fill up.  I have always loved the gallery walls and in our house we have 3: 

This one is in our living room with wedding pictures, engagement pictures and just things we like.  

This is the kitchen gallery wall.  I wanted a farm fresh vibe (is that a thing?) 

And here is the gallery wall in my office/guest room.  It takes up this whole wall and yes it is probably a little overwhelming but it's me in a wall.

I like big books and I cannot lie

Ya'll I picked up this HUGE stack of books at Dirt Cheap for $2 and some change.  Seriously they were 95% off!!!   I bought some for me and some for gifts.  Love a good book deal!  

Southern Women's show, bass pro and Jessa Duggar Sewald

I don't know about y'all but our weekends tend to be a lot of relaxing around the house and not much going on.  I'm not complaining I love a good relaxing day (can you say messy hair,sweatpants and no makeup?) but every once in a while I do like to go out and have a little adventure.  

My husband is pretty much the sweetest thing and he agreed to go with me to the Southern Women's Show in Birmingham.  Not gonna lie I wanted to go because Jessa Duggar Sewald was going to speak.  We had a great time, walked around, had a little date night dinner and did some shopping.  It's good to go out every once in a while :)

They are so sweet! 

And we just might be on TLC ;)

We got to meet the Sewalds.  

I brought my book for them to sign because I'm cool like that ;)

Some of the booths at the show:

And to thank my husband for an estrogen filled day we stopped at the Bass Pro shop for a little testosterone.  This one is really neat since the drive in you go through the woods and past a few ponds. It's one of the prettiest bass pros I have been at.