What's the Deal?

Alright guys I've been gone for a little while and I didn't do a Friday post (first time this year) and I've had a lot of things going on.

For starters my etsy shop has been getting a little more attention!  I just started a monogram store on etsy and I've started to get some order in which is really exciting :)

My husband is preparing to graduate with his Master's degree in 2 weeks!  So proud of him!  He has been swamped with schoolwork and finding a summer job so I've been doing a lot of the housework to give him a break.

Along with that we are moving...to Alabama.  My husband will be starting his PHD there so we were in Alabama this past weekend looking for houses to rent and we found one!  It was such a tiring weekend, with driving 12 of the 24 hours we spent there along with a time change and moving things to a storage unit....but it was successful and I think we are going to be happy there :)

As far as the Five Things Friday I loved it when I first started but then started to feel like a slave to coming up with things every week so it probably won't be a constant thing but I will throw it in every now and then.

Anyway that's an update on my life and things going on...I can't guarantee I'll blog all the time since things are only going to get crazier but I will try!

Target beauty box unboxing spring 2015

Alright guys I got my hands on the Target Beauty Box, this is my first box from Target and I love it!  

I don't really know the system of when Target puts these boxes out, but when they do they go fast.  They are already sold out, so if you didn't get your hands on this one keep your eyes out for the next one! 

Alright so I got:

- SheaMoisture Superfruit Complex 10-in-1 Renewal System Shampoo: This is such a cute bottle and it smells great!  I have never tried anything by this brand so I was so excited to get this.  Love the shampoo and it is perfect for travel! (full size is $10)

- Maybelline Color Elixir by Color Sensational Lip Color (Full Size): I got mine in the color Rose Redefined which is a beautiful rosey pink mauve color.  I am always worried when I get lip products because I am a chicken when it comes to color on my lips but this one is really pretty.  It's just slightly pinker than my normal lip color.  The packaging is really cute, the brush is awesome and it smells delicious!  It is a gloss lipstick so you get the lipstick moisturizer and glossy finish and then it fades into a pretty stain, I've been wearing it all week.  (full size is $6)

- TRESemme TRES Two Extra Hold Hairspray: I have tried TreSemme before and it's a great product for a great price.  This one is perfect for keeping in your purse or for travel.  This hairspray feels great, keeps my hair in place and doesn't make it stiff or sticky and it smells great!  (full size $4)

- L'Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray and Set: Oh my goodness I was so excited to try this!  I have only tried a setting spray once for my friend's wedding and I was very impressed with how it made my makeup stay.  This one is awesome, works great and makes my makeup stay all day! This was a really generous sample size and to be honest I think I prefer this size to the larger one as it is easier to use and can travel.  (full size $14)

I was also supposed to get the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream but unfortunately my box was missing it :( Target had excellent customer service and after I let them know they credited my account to cover the missing product.  

This was such a great box, valued at $38 (even without the gel cream maybe $30) and I paid $5!  You can't even get the lipstick for that! 

Did you guys end up getting this one?

DIY Kate Spade inspired earrings

Guys these are quite possibly the easiest DIY project ever.  Seriously you only need two things and no skill.  My earrings were an old pair but I have seen a lot of projects using some from Walmart that are less than $3.  

What you need:

• glitter nail polish 
• earrings (mine are not J.Crew...that was the only earring card I had)

What you do:

1. Take your earrings and paint with your choice of glitter polish.  You might have to do a few coats...just paint it until you like it.  

2. Let it dry and there you go :)

For these I used essie in Shine of the Times and I absolutely love the iridescent look of these.  So dainty and classic!

I also made another pair with OPI Nicole in Confetti Fun which is a rainbow glitter, they are like a party!  (these did take like 7 coats or so...I wanted them to be really glittery!)


Let me know if you guys try this!

Latest deal finds (thrifting, T.J. Maxx, Walmart)

Oh man I went shopping again and found some deals...check them out

Thrifting is such a hobby for me, I love the hunt.  

I love this adorable duck sweater originally from Target I got for $3.75, perfect for winter/fall with leggings and I think it will look adorable with my herringbone vest....too bad I'll have to save it for next fall...

I finally got a hold of this monogram mug that I missed at Target when they were in store.  They had a handful of letters at this Goodwill and I happened to find an E (pretty sure I squealed a little...)  Picked mine up for $2.  

I loved the jewel tone of this button down chiffon shirt from Forever 21 and the studded collar was too pretty to pass up.  I love the tough but chic vibe.  Again shirts are $3.75

Ever since I saw the movie Julie & Julia I fell in love with Julia Child so when I saw this book at Goodwill for $2 I couldn't pass it up.  Now if I ever feel adventurous I can try to master one of her recipes.  

This was another Target find at Goodwill, This adorable coin purse with lime green hello scribbled all over was just too adorable to pass up.  

I had to stop in Walmart and pick up some oil for my car (so exciting) and happened to pass by a clearance display of shoes.  These leopard ones pretty much jumped up and into my cart...I mean they were my size and only $5.  I have been looking for a pair of leopard flats forever and these are so comfortable! 

While grocery shopping I sometimes tend to wander over into the clothing section to check out the clearance options...this trip I came back with two scarves for $1 each!  I am obsessed with them.  I love a leopard accent and this scarf is so cozy.  The black one has a great chunky texture and it is super cozy...too bad I have to wait till winter rolls around again to wear them (wait a second did I just say that?)

Alright so my shopping options in my town are a little limited (we have a Walmart and that's about it) so when we travel somewhere I like to stop at Target or T.J. Maxx (or both) and get my fix. 

This particular trip I picked up 2 essie nail polishes for $3.99 each.  They had so many essie options I had such a hard time picking just two.  I ended up with Spaghetti strap which is a pretty pale pink and Time for Me Time which is a perfect nude but with a slight shimmer.  

I always check out the clearance section at T.J. Maxx and this time I scored on my favorite Betsey Johnson perfume for $7!!  I bought this first from T.J. Maxx on clearance on a whim and I absolutely love it.  I get so many compliments on it and I bought this one as a backup when I use up the other one.  

What good deals have you guys gotten lately?

Five Things Friday

1. Justin Bieber Someday : Alright ya'll try and look past the fact that this perfume is by Justin Beiber...yes yes I know.  I bought this on super sale after Christmas last year and it smells so good!  Seriously it has a grown up but sweet and beautiful scent that stays all day.  It's a cute bottle nobody has to know who made it...and you can probably find it on pretty good clearance now...poor Justin.  

2. Smashbox Full Exposure Travel Palette: My father -in-law got this for me for my birthday and I am in love!  It really is tiny (think credit card sized) so it is perfect for travel or to throw in your purse.  The colors are beautiful and you get matte and shimmer all in one perfectly portable adorable package.  

3. Maybelline Color Show in Mint Mist : I picked this nail polish up at the Dollar Tree on a whim and I am so glad I did.  This is the perfect mint color for spring!  I have been wearing it pretty much since I picked it up a month ago.  It's not too pale and not too bright just the perfect pastel.  

4. Eli Young's Turn It On EP : Eli Young is probably my favorite band ever.  I found them in high school and then kept up with them through college.  I absolutely fell in love with their Life at Best album and my husband (then boyfriend) did as well...I have such great memories of listening to them at the start of our relationship.  I also won concert tickets to see them last summer and we went together, such a great experience.  This is their new EP album and I love it.  I can't wait for their full album! 

5. Starbucks Iced Espresso Classics : I had a coupon for this and thought I would try it because this stuff is expensive and you better believe I'm not paying full price.  It is delicious and only 70 calories!  Seriously it tastes just like a vanilla latte from Starbucks except cheaper and you can make it in your pajamas on your couch...I had 2 coupons so I'm going to try the caramel macchiato next.  

What have you guys been loving? 

Designer Inspired Finds from Target

Guys I love handbags...seriously I have an obsession.  I love designer bags but could never dish out that much money, luckily there are so many designer inspired options out there for a fraction of the cost.  These beauties are from Target...yes Target (oh how I love you) 

1. Bow Satchel Handbag $34.99: How adorable is that little bow!!  Bows always remind me of Kate Spade.  This one comes in a few different colors but I love this beige combo.  

2. Quilted Black Satchel $36.99: Quilted handbag can you say Channel look alike??  

3. Colorblock Tote $39.99: I love this beige colorblock Celine look a like.  

4. Large Bow Zipper Tote $34.99: Another bow and looks like Kate Spade :) 

5. Crocodile Print Blue Satchel $27.98: This one is such a beautiful color and I love the crocodile detailing.  The shape reminds me of Phillip Lim.  

Ahh I want all of these!  Let me know if you guys find any cheap look a likes! 

My latest deal finds (Belk, Kmart, Dollar Tree and Target)

All right ya'll I went shopping and found some stuff on clearance (seriously this is my favorite word), here's the lowdown:

I spotted this pillow online at Belk and fell in love, my store just so happened to have it in stock and I got the last one for $6!  

I rarely ever shop at Kmart but I have been going by this one because they have a really good beauty clearance section, here are some of my finds:

Revlon Photo Ready Primer $3.12, I have never tried this but I have tried the photo ready brand line and love it, $3 is such an amazing deal since this stuff is usually around $10 or more.  

Another Photo Ready product this time foundation, $3.62.  This is the foundation I used for my wedding and I loved it! 

I found this Revlon Colorburst lip butter in Peach Parfait for $1.99, couldn't pass on that deal!  This color is a perfect pinky nude.  

I also picked up these on a whim...come on they were 25 cents!  These are great for braids or other hair details when I need a small elastic.  

I stopped by the Dollar Tree and scored on these Revlon nail art stickers...seriously $1!!!  I love to check out the Dollar Tree they get products from other stores (that are worth way more) and you get a major deal on them.  Check them out regularly! 

We don't live near a Target (closest one is an hour away) so when we visit the in-laws I try to convince my husband to stop by Target just for a quick clearance run...well I found these jewels on my last run:

Sonia Kashuk large cosmetic bag on clearance for $5.68, I have the small one that I use in my purse and am obsessed with it so I had to have the large one for my travel bag.  

I also found this Sonia Kashuk blush on clearance for $3.88.  This blush is beautiful!  I love a good bronzer/blush duo.  The color is so pretty and it does a great job adding some color and warming up my pale face.  

Have you guys found any good deals lately?  

Five Things Friday

1. Blue Diamond Breeze Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk : To say we are obsessed with this stuff in our house would be an understatement...this stuff is delicious!  Seriously my husband and I fight over who gets the last cup.  It is unsweetened but you can't tell at all, so smooth and absolutely the best almond milk.  We had been getting the store brand or the Silk brand on occasion and weren't crazy about it but I had a coupon for this brand and thank goodness I did because this stuff is AMAZING!!  You might still be able to find the coupon here.  

2. Monogrammed Mug: My father in law got this for me for my birthday and I am in love wit it.  It is a really sturdy mug that just feels good and looks good.  That might be crazy to say about a mug but my mug lovers get me.  

3. Merona Madeline Flats in Sand: I got these last year at Target and I am so glad I did...seriously I should have gotten two pairs.  These are the most versatile flats ever, I wear them with everything.  They are also super comfortable.  

4. My New Business Cards: for those of you who don't know I recently started an etsy shop, Glitter and Grits.  I am really working on this and and so excited to see where things go.  I got my business cards in this week and I am in love with them!  Seriously I feel so official.  I got mine from Vistaprint and they are amazing and the cheapest ones around...you know I was going to get a deal on them :)

5. Thomas Rhett's Crash and Burn: It's been a while since I have had a favorite song of the week...this week I found so many new songs that recently came out and I have been listening to them non-stop.  This guy's has been at the top of the list.  It's really upbeat and fun, I heard it on the radio for the first time and was like wow I really like this one.

What have you been loving this week?

What I read in March

Alright guys another month is over and I managed to read 5 books this month!  My goal is to read at least 3 a month...so score for March!  

I really have been trying to fit more reading into my schedule, I love to read but sometimes I just don't reach for a book.  I have SO many books that I need to read and since we are moving in a couple of months I want to finish as many as I can so I don't have to move them.  

Anyway here are the books I read this month:

Reached by Ally Condie: I finally finished the Matched series!  Honestly I was really not too excited about this one.  I loved the first one and the second one was just ok, this one was good but not terribly crazy about this series.  It is a dystopian romance series sot if you are into that check it out it's worth reading.  

Gone Girl by: Gillian Flynn: After hearing so much about this book I got on the bandwagon and read it.  It is crazy...seriously crazy.  It's about a marriage that is having problems, a wife that goes missing and a husband who is in the hot seat for murder...did he kill her or not?  I won't spoil anything in case you haven't read it yet.  The language was a little "R" for me...I just don't think it's necessary for all those words (sorry).  The story was really interesting though.  My husband and I rented the movie the other night and it was a little hard for me to watch in some places (just not my thing, I'm a baby) and a little rough but it is a movie/book that messes with your mind.  That is right up my husband's alley since he is about to graduate with his masters in Psychology...

The Luxe by: Anna Godbersen : I have been wanting to read this book for years and I found it at the Goodwill a couple of weeks ago.  Ok so mainly I wanted to read it because the cover was so pretty but hey it was actually a good book.  Picture Gossip Girl but in Victorian times...seriously what could be bad?  There is murder, mystery, fashion and of course romance.  I really liked it and it's a series so I'll have to keep my eyes open for more while thrifting.  

The List by: Siobhan Vivian : This one I borrowed from my sister, I love having a little sister with good taste in books.  This one was just ok.  It was a story about high school girls and the pressure to look pretty and the toll it can take on girls.  It was interesting and definitely true.  Girls struggle with body images and put a lot of pressure on each other to be "perfect".  I thought this book did a good job bringing that to the surface.  I wasn't crazy about the ending I felt like it just stopped and left you hanging a little.  Still a good read, not great but good.  

Fallen Angel by: Don J. Snyder : This was another shared book, I love sharing books...I rarely EVER buy a book at full price (seriously I borrow them, find them at the thrift store or if I have to have it I get it from half.com).  This one was a hand-me-down from my mom who said it was really good.  It was a little cheesy Hallmark moviey (it's actually been made into a Hallmark movie) but it was a light easy read.  The story was good, it was a bout a man who connected with a young girl and her father when he was little but something happened that changed their lives.  Later down the road his father dies and he comes back to where he grew up and reconnects with the girl who is now a woman.  You can figure out the rest but it was a sweet book.    

What have you all been reading lately? 

DIY anthro inspired mug

I got this adorable mug at the Goodwill and knew I had to do something to it.  

What you need:

• mug that needs some sprucing 
• spray paint
• plastic bag
• tape

What you do:

1. Cut a small hole in your plastic bag and push the handle through the hole.  Tape all around the handle covering any openings.  Make sure you do this really well as the paint seems to seem through easily.  

2. Spray paint the handle whatever color you want.  

3. Once the paint has dried take off the bag.  If you have any paint mistakes a Q-tip dipped in nail polish remover works really well.  

I haven't tested this in the dishwasher yet (since we don't have one) but I did cover it in clear sealant for an extra seal.