Much needed "Nothing" Weekend

So this weekend I did pretty much Nothing and it was fabulous.  I've been so tired and worn out and to boot it was a rough week.  We caught an employee stealing and it had been going on for quite awhile.  So needless to say my week was turned upside down with having all locks/codes changed, researching the incidents and meeting with the authorities....Glad last week is over!

So I did do a little cooking this weekend but beyond that I simply relaxed, watched some tv and played some WII with my husband.  It was so wonderful to not have to do anything and just have a lazy weekend at home!  Sometimes it is really nice to regroup and start fresh.  Hope you all had a lovely weekend as well.

Got another little giveaway to share!

So I have a little giveaway to share with you guys.  I have a little goody bag full of treats....Clinique 3 step sample- Cleanser, Toner & Moisturizer, Stila- Tinted Moisturizer- Illuminating and sheer color samples, Too Faced Shadow Insurance sample, Fresh- Soy Face Cleanser Sample, Smashbox- Photo Finish Foundation Primer Sample, Avon- Foot Works- Deep Moisture Cream Sample, Urban Decay- Stardust Eyeshadow sample in Retrograde & Space Cowboy, Urban Decay mini nail polish in Xanadu (purple with glitter), Smashbox- Limitless eyeliner in Onyx- deluxe sample, Smashbox- Full Exposure Mascara-Jet Black- Deluxe Sample, Bath & Body Works mini hand sanitizer- Blue Raspberry, Full size Sephora lip gloss in Flushed, Full size Maybelline Quad Eyeshadow- Velvet Crush, Full size Physician's Formula Mascara- Midnight Black. This giveaway will run until Jan. 31st (Tuesday).  I won't have another giveaway until Valentine's Week!  So in order to be entered into this giveaway I need you to comment below- tell me your favorite foundation and any of your other favorite beauty products you'd like to share.

Check out some of my Favorites.....

Just wanted to share some of my current favorite makeup items some are ones I've shared before and a few are new.  Starting on the left and working right- Mary-Lou Manizer (The Luminizer) by The Balm- I love this product it adds a nice hint of highlight on your cheeks- it can be used as an eyeshadow as well- but I absolutely love it.  Next is a repeat favorite- Spackle by Laura Gellar- it's a tinted primer I use the shade Champagne- it adds just a little bit of shimmer and helps your make-up last all day long, not to mention a bottle of this stuff lasts a very long time- I've been using the bottle above for several months and it's still way over half full. Define-A-Lash by Maybelline , this is my all time favorite mascara, I have very long and full lashes and it doesn't clump at all, I love everything about it and it lasts- mascara is definitely something I never leave home without it on.  Bright Eyed by Coastal Scents in Light- this is great as an under eye concealer if you like me have dark circles to hide.  You really don't need much it works great and lasts all day and it's very inexpensive to boot.  Life on the A List by Benefit, this lip gloss is a very neutral pink I love the way it lasts and you can use it over just about any lipstick it's not sticky just gives a nice glossy look.  The It Girl Palette by Stila, Eve, Kitten and Americano are the shades, they are very neutral and great for everyday wear, I love that they have a matte in the mix so it's not all shimmer- I pretty much wear these colors on a daily basis they are easy and very pretty.  I've been trying alot of new products lately, I've been trying to find a new foundation that is really great- haven't found it yet but I've found lots that I don't care for- I'm curious what foundation everyone else loves.....I'd love to hear if you have some products you absolutely love as well.

YouTube is AMAZING!!!

Okay I know YouTube has been around for quite awhile but just recently I discovered you can learn how to do almost anything by watching youtube.  So my friend Marisa, got me interested in Crocheting on Pinterest- I've been wanting to learn how to do it for years.  My Grandma, always tried to teach me but one thing I'm left handed and it's near impossible to learn from someone right handed and the instruction books are never helpful.  So I was determined I was going to learn.  So I found a few videos of left handed people showing you how to crochet and it finally just clicked.  So a little background I did know how to make a chain, girl I could make a chain from here to China but that was the extent of my experience.  So last saturday I watched several videos and was able to get it but wasn't super confident, so I put it down and went about my day.  I picked it back up on Sunday and I went to town between Sunday and Monday I had completed my very first scarf.  I was so proud of myself and I wore that scarf proudly all week to work!  I felt like a kid bringing home my art project that I'd worked so hard on.  So here is the award winning scarf.  So what have you learned to do on YouTube?

   

Lord help me to be patient today!

I don't dare pray for patience- as I know how God teaches us patience :)  Sometimes I can be so patient and other times I seem to pop my lid.  How does that happen, how do I let some people push all my buttons?  How do I let someone have that much control over me?  I know I am not alone- I need to learn to just walk away and come back later.  Not a great start to a new year that I want to make fabulous :)  Well the day is still young!

The Winner of my Giveaway...

Carolin- Congrats.  Please email me your address (scrappin4real@yahoo.com).  I'll get that out in the mail to you on Tuesday.  Be on the lookout for another giveaway very soon- I have picked up alot of great things to share with you all.  Thank you all that entered, be sure to check back for upcoming giveaways.

I am in love with my Keurig

So my parents bought us one for our Anniv. in September.  And we love this thing.  How did we ever live without it?  If you have one you know what I mean if you don't have one you probably think I'm crazy.  But I do love this little machine.  I use it every day- I was never much of a coffee drinker but now I do drink coffee much more often but I also drink alot of hot tea, apple cider and hot chocolate.  It is always a perfect cup of whatever!  My favorites right now are...Kahlua, French Vanilla- Cappuccino, Apple Cider, English Breakfast tea. 

What are your favorite flavors?

Giveaway...better late than never!

Sorry- computer issues all week.  So I want to do a giveaway- I'm going to run it until Friday.  All you have to do to enter is comment below and tell me your favorite holiday memory from this Christmas.  So you'll be getting a little goodie bag- I have a Paula Deen Cookbook binder (forgot to snap a pic of it- but it's very cute), Garnier Fructis- Color Shield Sample Shampoo & Conditioner, 2 different samples of Stila's tinted moisturizer, Sephora lip gloss in Sweet Candy, Benefit- sample packet- That gal- face primer, Porefessional- minimizes pores, Stay don't stray- eye primer, Small eye palette kit- Very pretty smokey colors with 2 eyeliner colors as well, 3 pack of nail polishes by Sephora (City Amazon, Military Jacket and Jungle Playground).  So a cute little goodie bag!  Hope everyone is having a good start to the New Year!  This is going to be a great year I can feel it.

So glad the holidays are OVER!

It was a rough month for me- so glad it's over.  I'm ready to start off the new year with a bang!  So a new year has begun and this year will be much better than last year.  I enjoyed a nice weekend with my family over Christmas and New Year's.  That's me and my mom in the picture above at New Year's.  So to celebrate the new year- I want to give something away!  I will post tomorrow about the giveaway and post a picture of what you'll be getting!  Happy New Year everyone.

Check out my new shoes....

I almost forgot to show my new shoes (ignore the mess on my desk behind it) that I'm in love with- they are red patent leather and are so comfy and cute!

Can't seem to remember ANYTHING...

Have you every had those episodes?  Well I've been having them for weeks- forgetting simple things.  I don't even have mommy brain to blame.  All I can blame is work- I've been over-whelmed for sure and I'm hoping that explains it all.  Well I've joined a new site recommended by my friend Marisa, thank you very much my friend.  Loseit.com- it helps you log your meals and your weight loss and exercise- it's the best site ever so far and I can access from my phone so it's wonderful.  It's really helping me make better decisions.  Now if I could just get in a regular exercise routine I'd be doing great! 

So I totally forgot about the giveaway last week so I'll do one next week- so be looking for it :)  Hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

What I'm Thankful for this Thanksgiving....

I have so many things to be thankful for I feel truly blessed.  Here is my list of the 10 ten things on my mind that I'm Thankful for....

1. My wonderful husband.
2.  My loving family.
3.  That we are all healthy and safe
4.  Our jobs
5.  A beautiful home
6.  Precious friends
7.  Salvation (God's Promise)
8.  A vacation home
9.  Chocolate
10.  Chicken BLT's on Pretzel rolls :) 

Okay to explain the last one....I had to most amazingly delicious sandwich yesterday at a little diner in West Ocean City, MD.  It was a chicken BLT, served on a pretzel roll with a red pepper mayo.  It was the most delicious sandwich ever.  The pretzel roll was amazing, wish I knew where you could buy those so I could make them at home. Seriously it was amazing!!!! 

It's important to remember to be thankful for all you have.  Even though we may not have everything we desire, whether it be a new washing machine, a spouse or even a baby.  Although it is not always easy to understand it's important to still show our gratitude for what we have been given.  Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Btw...I loved Breaking Dawn!

It's been awhile....

This is a project I've been trying to do for a year now.  No that is not my stuff it's the concept I want to borrow.  I have all the materials just haven't had the time.  I want to hang my alphabet stickers in my scrapbooking room to look like that, it lookd nice and it's organized.  So I plan on tackling this project this winter.  How is it that life gets so busy just when you think things will slow down?  I'm getting ready for my parents coming to visit, very excited!  Wondering how in the world I'll get everything done.

I do want to mention I will be having a giveaway coming up next week in Celebration of Thanksgiving.  I've decided to put together a little box of goodies for some wonderful person to win. I'll post of picture of what the winner will be receiving on Monday or Tuesday.  Btw....I still haven't received your address Jaime for winning the giveaway a few weeks back.

Did Thanksgiving sneak up on anyone else besides me?  I looked up at the calendar yesterday and realized it was a week from today!!!  How did that happen?  So my husband and I have always done the traditional Thanksgiving just the two of us since he usually works the day after.  But last year we decided to do something different...we decided to go out to eat and watch a movie.  Little did we know that NOTHING was open in Annapolis except Johnny Rockets, so we dined on burgers and fries and watched the latest Twilight movie.  We are thinking of doing the same thing this year and I'm really excited!

Favorite Makeup Products

So I wanted to share some of my favorite products that I've been using for the month of October. 

Anywho...

First favorite is  Spackle by Laura Geller (Tinted Under Make-up Primer) in Champagne.  I love, love this product, I received a nice sample in my birchbox awhile back and I had enough points with birchbox I got it for free.  It is so lightweight and has a little shimmer to it.  I think it sells for $25 but I totally think it's worth it and it lasts forever.  I've been using it everyday for weeks and I can barely tell any is missing from the bottle, it comes in a nice squirt type bottle.

Next favorite is....  Urban Decay's- Baked Bronzer in Gilded....it is so very pretty, it's actually very light with specs of gold in it.  It's a really nice bronzer and bonus it's on sale at Urban Decay- normally sells for $24- currently on sale for $8.  Love this product.  Here is the link for Urban Decays sale- they have some great buys.  Urban Decay Sale

My next favorite is also an Urban Decay product- Cream Shadows- They are normally $17/each but are on sale for $2/each- Great deal and I love them.   Urban Decay Sale   I've never been a huge fan of the cream shadows but these go on great, have great pigment and don't crease.  The colors are very fun colors, some bold and some for everyday wear.  My absolute favorites are Sphinx and Midnight Rodeo- both pink shades.  I would highly recommend you pick some up- great addition to your make-up collection and you can't beat the price.  I've picked up several extras for myself and some for some giveaways this Holiday season.

My last favorite I'm giving you a review on is my Benefit- Lip Gloss in Life on the A List- that's not the color shown in the picture- my shade is more of a nude color with a hint of pink- I love the feel of this lip gloss and the fact that it's not sticky.  It does last quite a long time also.  I've never been a fan of lip gloss because they are usually so sticky but this one is great.  I've never purchased it as the one I have was a gift but I think it sells for $18 which is actually quite pricey but if you can catch it on sale it's a must have.

I do want to add 2 products that I've not had not alot of luck with recently....one product I recently raved about and I do love it but it breaks my face out- that is the Revlon colorstay foundation- it has a nice finish and coverage but it was causing me to have unusual breakouts for my age.  So that is one I've had to stop using.  The other is a Mark product by Avon- Min-A-Real in Natural- Cream to Powder foundation I thought I'd really like this product but it doesn't last and it flakes on me.

So anyway I hope my reviews have been helpful and I hope some of you get some great deals :)

My new car....

My beautiful new car!  I feel like it's Christmas.  I love everything about this car- I had no idea technology had gotten so advanced in cars.  I'll tell you my #1 favorite thing about this car is the blindspot mirror.  That is absolutely hands down the best invention ever.  No more twisting your neck to see if someone is beside you- it's amazing!  I love being able to use my phone through the car speakers hands-free and being able to play my I-pod through the speakers.  Now I just pray this car lasts me 10 years plus like the last!

Btw...this weekend I'll be putting together a post showing some of my current favorite products.   I've tried some great stuff lately that I absolutely love!

My Car Search Experience

I had no idea how exhausting it can be to buy a new car, that is if you do your research.  My husband and I went to look at cars for the 1st time 2 weeks ago.  We found one we liked but we weren't going to buy the 1st one we saw.  Besides I wanted to clean my car up and see what I could get for a trade-in.  Although my car is a 2001, it is a Mustang convertible in black and perfect condition.  It still runs great!  Honestly, I hate to part with her, she's been very good to me.  So anyway, I started contacting dealerships close by our home trying to find what we were looking for and trying to get quotes.  So I spent a week on this going back and forth comparing cars and deals.  I made another appointment to visit a dealership, drive another car and see what they'd offer for the trade-in.

I am a very bottom line type of gal, I walked in told the salesman- #1 I am going to buy this car, whether it's from you or someone else I really don't care- I just want the best deal.  #2- I'm paying cash, #3- I am going to trade-in my car and want the best deal for that, #4- we will be buying a 2nd car next year so keep that in mind when making me a deal.  So I laid all my cards on the table.  So he was nice enough but knew NOTHING about the car, in fact I knew more about it and that frustrated me.  He kept telling me he'd have to look it up, well shoot I can look it up, what do I need you for?

So I spent over an hour test driving and talking numbers- so he finally says let's see what we can give you for your car.  He came back and gave me a number that was so insulting I couldn't even believe it.  Then he told me I should take my car to Carmax.  Really?  I'm doing a deal with you not Carmax.  So I thanked him for his time and left.

I was so angry that they totally insulted me, I would have rather had them come back to me and say I don't think we can make you an offer.  So needless to say I did not buy a car from them.  In fact I sent them an email and copied the owner/manager of the dealership and let them know why I wasn't buying a car from them.  Not only did their salesman that said he'd been there for 15 yrs, said this vehicle is their most sold vehicle and said he owned one himself knew NOTHING about the vehicle, but they insulted me on top of that.  I got not 1, not 2, but 6 phone calls from the dealership.  One call from the Owner but I decided to be done with them, I had spoken my piece, oh and I told them to prove that I was a serious buyer I had already secured a car at another dealership.

So we ended up going back to the 1st dealership and getting a great deal for a great car.  So I've been driving it for 3 days and I love it!!!!  But it sure was alot of work to get here :)  Certainly not looking forward to going through that again anytime soon!

We have a winner!

So the winner of the 3 month subscription to Birchbox is Marisa!  Congrats!!!  I also decided to do a 2nd place prize of a goody bag and that winner was Jaime!!!  Congrats ladies.  I hope both of you enjoy your gifts.  Marisa be sure to report back and let us know what you get in your boxes and how you like the products.  I hope you all will check back often as I plan on doing several giveaways during the holidays.

So today is Friday- my favorite day of the week.  I can't believe they are calling for snow in the DC area in October- what is up with that?  I'm not ready for snow.  Today is also my Dad's 60th birthday!!!  Happy Birthday Dad!  I'm going to surprise him tomorrow by going to visit.  Oh btw, my dad already sold my car- in 1 day!  I asked him if he would sell it for me as we are buying another vehicle, he called me the next day and said he'd sold it already- how about that!

I have reached 12 Followers....woohoo!

Thanks everyone for following....I'm so excited this evening I'll be using my hat program to choose a random winner for the 3 month subscription of birchbox!  I'm also thinking of doing a 2nd place winner on a prize not yet determined!  So check back for the winners- I just ask that the winner report back on the products and let us know how they like them!  I LOVE Birchbox!!!! 

On another note, come Monday I will be the proud owner of a brand new Ford Escape, I feel like it's my birthday!  I can't wait- my husband will be bringing it home Monday evening- I'll be sure to take a picture to share my new addition :) 

Only 1 more Follower to go...

So I still need 1 more follower to do the giveaway.  I'm anxious to give someone the wonderful gift of Birchbox- I love this service and I think you will too!

So the search for a new car has begun.  I've decided on a Ford Escape- just the right size and they are so cute- I'm getting very excited as this is only the 3rd car I've ever owned- I figure a new car every 10 years is quite thrifty :)  So this evening I'm taking my 11 yr old mustang that I love in to see how much they'll give me for a trade-in, I'll never get what I think she's worth but I'm praying for a miracle!

It's Friday...and only 65 days till Christmas!

Oh the wonderful things I could say about Friday!  So Autumn is finally here.  The leaves changing outside is absolutely beautiful..my favorite season!  So getting ready for the weekend- I believe we are going to visit the inlaws this weekend.  I am very blessed that I have great inlaws.  We plan on doing some car shopping this weekend- unfortunately my baby- my Mustang has seen better days.  She is 11 yrs old but it's time for an upgrade-as sad as it makes me.  We are thinking about a small SUV as of right now we don't have anything to haul anything with, so it might be a practical choice for us.  I'll let you know what we decide on- hope to have a new car before Christmas...woohoo. 

So is everyone ready for Christmas- I'm not but I have a good head start.  I like to have my Christmas shopping done by Thanksgiving so we'll see how it goes.  I have lots of stuff for people but I need to log it all into my spreadsheet so I know what I have, I've also picked up some great items for giveaways!!!