Walmart beauty box unboxing spring 2015

I went to the post office yesterday and was delightfully surprised to find my Walmart Beauty Box.  I had forgotten all about it.  This subscription is a seasonal occurrence (spring, summer, fall and winter) and is $5 to cover the shipping.  Here's what was in my spring box:

-Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara (full size)

-Schwarzkopf Essence Ultimate Omega Repair and Moisture Shampoo and Conditoner (travel size and coupon)

-Neutrogena Healthy Skin Boosters Cleanser (travel size)

-Dove Go Fresh Revitalizing Body Wash, Mandarin and Tiare Flower (travel size)

-Lady Gaga Fame Black Fluid By Lady Gaga Eau De Parfum (.04 oz sample)

-Garnier Skin Ultra-Lift Miracle Sleeping Cream Anti-Age Plus Anti-Fatigue Night Cream (foil packet and coupon)

-Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte Plus Poreless Foundation Makeup (foil packet and coupon)

-Nivea Body In-Shower Nourishing Body Lotion (foil packet and coupon)

-Loreal and Covergirl coupons

This was a pretty good box.  I am super excited about the mascara, I love trying out new mascaras and I have never tried Rimmels. The mascara makes up for the entire price of the box.  The shampoo and conditioner is great for travel and I have never tried the brand.  I have tried the Lady Gaga perfume before and I'm not crazy about it and the foil packets are a little bit of an annoyance but they are good size.  

  

Introducing Glitter & Grits!

Alright guys I have some exciting news...I now have an etsy shop!!    

Right now it is small as I am just starting out and deciding what items I want to sell.  I am hoping to add lots more monogrammed items as well as some handmade decorations and accessories.  I wanted to share my love of monogrammed items and DIY projects with everyone!  Here are some of the items in my shop:

 Monogrammed Chevron Backpack

Monogrammed Flannel Pajama Pants

Monogrammed Chevron Cosmetic Case

Monogrammed Sun Hat

Check them out!  I will be adding new things soon.  Let me know if you have any recommendations or ideas! 

Five Things Friday

1. Cinderella: Ahh guys I had the chance to go back to my parents house last week and spend some time with my family.  While I was there I went to the movies with my mom and sister to see Cinderella.  This movie was absolutely wonderful.  It was such a beautiful movie in the scenery and the characters and ahhh everything was magical.  I absolutely loved Lily James as Cinderella and thought she was beautiful and perfect.  If you haven't seen it go, it is the best Cinderella I have seen by far!  I'm hoping I can talk my husband into going with me to see it again...

2. Kellogg's Special K Special Protein Cereal - Cinnamon Brown Sugar Crunch : I got this cereal to try and it is one of my new favorite snacks...seriously I like it better dry than with milk.  I'll eat it right out of the box like popcorn or put it in a bag and take it to work.  It is perfectly sweet and the texture is great, super crunchy.  

3. Leopard flats: I picked these up recently on a trip to Walmart to pick up oil for my car...somehow I wound up with shoes too.  Seriously these were $5 on clearance and they are some of the most comfortable flats I own. 

4. Hoofers Choice Top Coat: I saw this on instagram a few months ago and finally got around to picking it up at Sally's.  This is the best top coat around!  It is less than $5 and it is absolutely amazing!  This stuff dries fast and lasts.  I put it on over one of my regular cheaper nail polishes and it lasted a week.  Yes it says it's for horses hooves but hey if it works it works.  

5. Batter Dispenser: I have had this for a few months now and I am obsessed with it.  I really don't know how I ever baked without it.  Seriously it makes things SO much easier, you just pour your batter into the dispenser and then you are able to easily and evenly distribute the batter.  I love making pancakes with it!  

What have you guys been loving this week?

Favorite Deal Websites

Ya'll I love a good deal and here are my favorite sites to get a good deal:

- All Cosmetics Wholesale: This website features brand name cosmetics at a low low price.  The cosmetics are discontinued or some of them might have been opened but never used.  I love to check out the sale page where things are ridiculously cheap, sign up for their emails for a 10% coupon and updates on their extra 40% off sale.  

- Retail Me Not: This website is my favorite site to check before I buy anything.  They have almost every website on here with up to date coupons and deals.  Check them before you buy anything online to save some money.  

- LTD Commodities:  This is my absolute favorite store to shop for Christmas gifts.  They have an abundance of items that you would never find anywhere else and never even think of but they are amazing!  The prices are good and somehow cheaper than anywhere else.  I have searched Amazon for the same items and are so much cheaper!  

- Pick Your Plum: This website has new deals everyday at 9.  They have everything from craft supplies to home decor to clothing all for super discounted prices.  

- GroopDealz: Another deal a day website, this one has so many deals for CHEAP!!  They are like etsy but on super clearance.  Seriously sign up and check them out!! 

- White Plum: I just recently discovered this one and oh I am in love.  They typically have items on a reduced price weekly and they also have a really great sale section...just last month they had an extra 70% off clearance sale!  Oh the deals!  

What are your favorite deal sites?  

Thrifting finds

Guys you know my love for thrifting, I love the thrill of hunting for treasures and discovering something amazing for a great price.  Unfortunately the closest Goodwill is 30 minutes away so I don't get to go very often but sometimes I just have to satisfy my thrifting urges.

Check out some of my recent finds:  

I love getting books at Goodwill (books are expensive ya'll).  The Luxe has been on my to read list for a long time so I was really excited to find it!  I have heard ravings about 90 Minutes in Heaven and just never got around to reading it.  

I also found a set of four of these beautiful blue and white ceramic plates.  I love the crisp clean look of blue and white on plates.  I love picking up china and ceramic ware from Goodwill as they are 25-50 cents each.  I have been stocking up on mismatched china sets so I can one day display and use a quirky eclectic mismatched china tea set.  Plus I am creating a little collection of blue and white plates so I can mismatch them beautifully (I just love the chic eclectic look of mismatched plates). 

I also found the movie Silverado on DVD for my brother.  My family has a thing for westerns and this was one they always used to watch and we only had it on VHS.  For $2 it's not a bad deal.  

I can't remember the brand of this shirt but the fit was great, it covered my butt and I loved the stripes. 

I have a booty and with that finding shorts (really any pants) can be a challenge.  These Old Navy ones fit really well, I loved the distressed look and for $4 I felt like they would be perfect for this summer.  

I found this mixed in with the pajama section and thought it would be perfect as a dress extender. Just think of the ruffles on the bottom peeking out under a dress and making it just a little bit longer.  I have been eyeing extenders for upwards of $20 and I got this one for $3.    

How adorable is this dress?  I absolutely fell in love with the pattern and it was new with tags!  Seriously it doesn't get any better...$5!!! 

Five Things Friday

1. Fruit Vines Cherry Bites  : These little guys were on sale at RiteAid last week and oh my goodness I'm surprised they have lasted this long.  I bought two bags and we are down to the bottom of the second.  They are sooo good!  They are such a great flavor and just perfectly chewy.  Ya'll these are better than twizzlers 100 times.

2. Coffee-mate Coffee Creamer Hazelnut : I have gotten on the coffee kick lately.  I was stuck on my chai tea in the mornings but now I have been going with some good coffee and my hazelnut creamer...it just makes my morning.  Anybody go to bed and look forward to waking up because you get coffee...isn't that the only good thing about waking up?

3. Sonia Kashuk Bronzer/Blush Duo in Glimmer: I found this blush on clearnace at Target for $3 and scooped it up.  The color is beautiful and I love a good bronzer/blush duo.  I am so pale anytime I can get a little bit of color on my skin just to look a little more "sunned" I will take it.  I love this one so much I just wish I had found more on clearance.   

4. NutriBullet : My husband got this before we were married and I was so excited to start using it.  I have been making smoothies for breakfast and lunch and have been really happy with my results.  I love how easy it is to throw some fruit, veggies, juice or almond milk, some protein powder and I'm good to go.  

5. Patagonia Pullover: I haven't had this for very long but I am already obsessed with it!  It is soooo soft and cozy, now I want it to be a little (just a little) chilly so I can wear it more.  My sweet in-laws got this for me for my birthday and I could not be more excited.  I have wanted one for so long.  Ya'll if you have been on the fence about getting one go get one now!  There are so many colors and they are all so pretty!  Keep in mind they are slim fit.  (for sizing reference I got a small and its perfect, not too tight that you can't layer)

What have ya'll been loving this week?

What's In My Purse

Alright guys, so I love to look at the article in US Weekly about what's in the star's handbag and I the what's in my bag videos are one of my favorites on youtube...so I thought I would do a post on what's in my purse here.  First of all my purse is the New Directions Willa Hobo from Belk, I talk about it in my Five Things Friday.
So for all you nosy people like me...here's what's in my purse:

• wallet, mine is Kenneth Cole.  I think I got it at Ross.  I actually have two of the same style in different colors because I love the layout so much.  I looked it up and it's the Urban Organizer Clutch Wallet 
• planner- picked this one up from Target on sale for like $2 and put a monogram sticker on it.  I have a planner on my phone but there is just something about writing down my plans and things going on 
• Bath and Bodyworks mini lotion in Charmed Life, this scent is actually discontinued :(
• a pen...because I always need one
• card organizer wallet from Target, I have so many gift cards, rewards cards and id cards so I got this little mini wallet to organize them
• Life Choice White Chocolate Pretzel Meal Bar, I like to keep bars in my purse in case I'm starving at work, forget breakfast or need a meal on the go.  These are pretty good for a meal bar.  
• a hair tie
• not one but two packs of gum..and I did have three this morning until my husband stole one.  I have the Extra Dessert Delights in Mint Chocolate Chip, Stride Sour Patch Kids Redberry, my absolute favorite gum is the Orbit Sweet Mint (which my husband has...) 
• mini tissue pack with Disney Princesses on it...I got them from the Dollar Tree and thought they were adorable (funny story my husband had a cold and needed to take tissues to work one day and the only ones we had were the Disney Princesses...he's adorable btw)
• I also have two pouches...I am a firm believer in the purse inside a purse thing:
• leopard print: This one is my tech case.  I have my headphones, chargers and other electrical things (very exciting)
• the red bag is my absolute favorite pouch from Sonia Kashuk for Target.  This one has two separate pouches and so much organization potential.  I keep all my beauty supplies in here (lippies, mascara, nail clippers, medicine...whatever else a girl may need 

So that's what's in my purse...plus or minus some trash and receipts.  What do you guys keep in your purse?

Five Things Friday

1. LypSyl LypMoisturizer Lip Balm, Intense Protection, Honeyberry:  I picked these up this week at Rite Aid because there was a SUPER sale.  Seriously they were 2 for $2 which is already awesome plus you get $1 UP rewards on two and on top of that I had three $1 off coupons so I got 4 of them for 27 cents!!!  These are absolutely amazing!  They smell so good, feel wonderful on my lips and the packaging is absolutely adorable!  This deal is still on unfortunately the coupons are no longer available but you can still get them for $1 apiece at RiteAid.  

2. Peanut Butter and Co White Chocolate Wonderful: Oh my goodness guys this stuff is pretty amazing!  My husband and I have been eyeing this forever and we finally broke down and bought it.  It is not overwhelmingly sweet so it still tastes peanut buttery yet deliciously creamy and white chocolatey!  I love this in oatmeal, on pretzels, bananas, and sometimes...right out of the jar.

3. REVLON Colorburst Lip Butter, Peach Parfait: This was another deal find this week.  I picked this up for $1.99 at Kmart.  It is so smooth and moisturizing and the color is so pretty.  I am such a baby when it comes to color on my lips so I typically pick fainter colors.  This one is perfect its one of those my lips but better color with just a slight sheen.

4. Simple Hydrating Light Moisturizer: I have had this moisturizer for months and just now thought to add it to my favorites.  I love a moisturizer, I use one everyday.  This one is great it doesn't have a scent, makes my skin feel so soft, and has sunscreen which for a ghost like me is super important.  

5. MakeupbyKim: Alright if you haven't discovered the fashion/beauty side of youtube you should check out this girl.  She is absolutely adorable and so sweet and I seriously love everything she recommends.  She is the one who recommended the lypsyl (thanks!).  I get excited when I see Kim has posted a new video.  Seriously she is adorable and I feel like we would be best friends haha :)  She also has a vlog channel where she posts her day to day goings on...is it weird to be so excited to watch what other people do??  Check her out guys and tell her I sent you!  

What have you guys been loving this week?

Beauty Deals Under $5

I love makeup but I hate how much it costs.  Ya'll know I am all about a good deal.  Here are some of my favorite makeup items that are less than $5 but work like they cost so much more! 

1. Jordana Fabuliner Liquid Eyeliner $2.99 This eyeliner is such a great find.  It is so cheap but you can sometimes catch it on sale at the drugstore.  It goes on smooth and is really easy to apply.  

2. e.l.f. Studio Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder in St. Lucia $3.00 This is one of my favorite blushes.  I use the bronzer to contour and the blush is the prettiest natural flush color.  This one is also a dupe for Nars Orgasm...for $3 you can't beat that! 

3. Wet N' Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Trio in Walking On Eggshells $2.99 This one also goes on sale all the time at the drugstore and is such a great buy.  Wet N' Wild has some really great products for CHEAP!!  This eyeshadow palette is beautiful and one that I reach for often.  They are so pigmented and look beautiful.  

4. Sinful Colors Nail Polish $1.99 Another drugstore sale options!  They are such a great nail polish, so many colors, the application is great and they last pretty close to essie.  

5. e.l.f. Studio Eyebrow Kit $3.00 I have only in the past couple of years learned how important it is to fill in your eyebrows.  They shape your whole face.  This kit is a good dupe for the Anastasia Brow Kit ($40) and so much cheaper!  It has wax to hold it in place and shades to color your eyebrows.  This is perfect for me because my eyebrows are very light compared to my hair and I like to fill them in to match.  

6. NYX Butter Gloss in Cream Brulee $5.00 This gloss smells like cake batter, no joke!  It glides on so smoothly and gives your lips the most beautiful color.  

7. e.l.f. Essential Eyelid Primer $1.00 This primer is amazing for $1!!!  It rivals much higher priced primers and makes my eyeshadow last all day! 

8. e.l.f. Mineral Moisturizing Lip Tint $3.00 If you haven't gathered it elf is one of my favorite low priced makeup brands.  This lip tint is great, beautiful color payoff and so moisturizing.  Great to throw in your purse and apply easily.    

What are your favorite beauty steals?  Have yo tried these?  I'm always looking for new products and I love a good cheap makeup product.  

How to Make Cake Balls

Oh my goodness these guys are little balls of deliciousness covered in chocolate and filled with sweet cake goodness.

They are SO easy to make, check them out:

You need:
- box of cake mix (any flavor you want)
- ingredients for the cake mix via the box
- jar of icing (any flavor)
- melting chocolate (any flavor)

What you do:

1. Make the cake according to the directions on the box, let cool.

2. Once cool take cake by pieces and crumble up into a bowl.

3. Scoop 1/2 of the container of icing into the bowl of cake crumbles.  Mix them up until moistened.  Put in the fridge for a few hours or the freezer for about 15 minutes if you are in a hurry.

4. Roll the cake mixture into balls and place on waxed paper.  

5. Melt the chocolate according to the directions on the bag (usually about 30 seconds at a time) and stir.

6. Take the cake balls and dip them in the melted chocolate.  This can be really messy.  It is easiest if you use a fork, spoon or stick so you don't get completely sticky and messy.

7. Place on wrap paper and let harden.  If you are in a hurry you can place in the fridge to speed up this process.

8. Enjoy!

Tip: You can decorate with sprinkles or other things before the chocolate hardens

Five Things Friday

1. J. Crew Factory Quilted Jacket: Oh my goodness I got this jacket for my birthday and am absolutely in love!  My friend has this exact same one and I borrowed it on her bachelorette weekend and it was perfect.  It is so soft, very warm yet lightweight and slim fitting.  It keeps you warm without being puffy.  I love love love the classic look of it!  

2. Ghirardelli Chocolate Intense Dark Sea Salt Soiree:  I got a box of these for Christmas from a coworker and they got stuffed in the closet, well I recently discovered them while organizing and oh my goodness what a mistake.  These are such a perfect smooth dark chocolate with just a hit of sea salt and the perfect amount of almonds.  These probably won't be around for next week...

3. New Directions Willa Hobo: This was a Christmas present that my grandparents-in-law got for me.  It was on a great deal on Black Friday and my husband helped them pick it out.  I just got around to using it because my monogram handbag broke.  This is the perfect size, holds everything but isn't heavy.  It has my favorite purse organization system of the large zipper pocket in the middle and two big pockets on either side.  I'm planning to do a what's in my purse post soon, make sure you come back and check it out! 

4. Elizabeth and James Nirvana Mini Rollerball Set: I have been wanting this set for months and my sweet husband bought it for me for Valentine's Day.  I love them both but I really like to layer them together for a unique scent.  I don't know what it is about them both together but they blend really well with my skin chemistry....is that weird?  

5. L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Butterfly Mascara: I got this mascara with a coupon (probably the only way I buy makeup) a couple of months ago and finally got around to using it.  This is such a great mascara.  It lengthens your lashes and adds volume.  Seriously it rivals my They're Real mascara by Benefit.

What have you been loving this week? 

What I read in February

All right guys here are the books I read in February:

The Selection by: Kierra Cass: This month I read the whole of The Selection series.  They are like a cross between The Hunger Games and The Bachelor.  The story is a distopian society in the future where everyone is divided into castes that depict their jobs.  The main character America is a girl in one of the lower castes and she reluctantly enters into the "dating" competition to marry the prince.  She is in love with a boy from her hometown and is not interested in the prince but her family receives money while she stays there.  I really enjoyed this one, neat idea and the characters are great.

The Elite by: Kierra Cass: Continuing the story of America, she is still in the competition (spoiler) and has developed feelings for the prince but still has feelings for Aspen (her friend from her hometown) so there is this crazy love triangle that I feel like is drawn out a little too much but still an interesting story.

The One by: Kierra Cass: The conclusion of America's story.  The love triangle is still going on...as well as the crazy society problems and the King's temper.  I feel like they leave a lot of things unanswered about the society and their problems are solved pretty easily in one swipe but still a good ending to the story.

The Selection Stories: The Prince & The Guard (The Selection Novellas) by: Kierra Cass: This book was just a collection of two short stories that are like a behind the scenes of The Selection series.  They are a look at what the prince and Aspen were thinking during a few parts of the books.  I thought it was interesting to see inside the main men's thoughts, but they were so short they didn't cover parts I would have liked to have seen their thought processes.

The Women of Duck Commander: Surprising Insights from the Women Behind the Beards About What Makes This Family Work: I love Duck Dynasty and am such a fan of their family and how they live by their faith.  This book was told from all the women of Duck Dynasty and discussed their experiences growing up, important events in their life and their experiences on Duck Dynasty.  I thought it was really interesting to see what shaped these women and how they are living for the Lord everyday.

What have you all been reading lately?