It's Monday, Monday, Monday ....

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend. My weekend was fairly low key.  I spent it with these two ladies because Stefanie (far right) is moving to NYC and so this was our last weekend with her.  BOO!

We basically did it up slumber party style.  We watched this honey boo boo child on Toddlers & Tiaras.

Get More: TV Shows, Full Episode Video, Reality TV Shows

And then we watched Bad Teacher aka how I would be as a teacher:

And after some wine and several Mexican Martinis, a late night lyrical dance party to Adele happened. Pretty sure I pulled several muscles.

Liz and I circa 2001.  You're welcome. 

I spent yesterday recovering from our above shenans and doing laundry.  You can find me today over at Confessions of a Single Mommy revealing five reasons I think being single has its advantages.  Go check my post out and leave me some love.

Last day to vote for me!

Last month I told y'all that I was nominated for the Dallas A-List, which is a contest featuring local Dallas businesses competing to be named the best.  YOUR votes determine the outcome and voting ends today.


The Bargain Blonde is in the running for "Best Blogger" in the Local Media category.  Like I stated in my original post, you do have to sign-up to vote, which I know is annoying but I swear (would I lie?) this sign-up is super hassle free. You just go to the Dallas A-List Web site, complete the form exactly like the one below and then you are logged in. There was no e-mail confirmation required or anything, so it took me about a minute. 

 Orrrrr, you can just click the pink button below to vote too!

I would really appreciate any votes because who likes to lose?  Not me. I'd also like to give a HUGE thank you to every one who has already voted.  XOXO

In other news, I'm over HERE blogging about 25 things you didn't know about me.  Or maybe you did, but either way, go check them out. TGIF y'all.  

Confess Sesh: Yes, I'm single. No, I don't cry myself to sleep at night.

According to my calculations, it's been over two months since my last confession and the amount of fan mail pouring in (none) begging for its return is just getting ridiculous.  So here i am skanks; it's confession time.

I confess that if one more friend tells me to get on match.com, I will cut them.  If I wanted to be on Match, eharmony, plenty of fish, etc., I'd be on it.

One of my married friends has even insisted on more than one occasion that I should join Events and Adventures aka the self proclaimed "Single Events Club".  Her text message went a little something like so:

"I'm going to sign you up for Events and Adventures, but I'll do it with you.  They do cool stuff like field trips to wine tastings and rock climbing."  

Do I look like I rock climb?  She may have had me at wine tasting, but she killed it with "field trip".  I didn't know adults went on field trips unless they were chaperoning as part of their PTA obligations.

Furthermore, at Oktoberfest this year I saw this lonely man holding up a yardstick with a "Dallas Singles Meet-Up" computer print off stapled to it. No offense, but I'd rather die alone before I'm seen huddling around a "Dallas Singles Meet-Up" sign in a public place. Seriously? That has to be a joke.

I know all you "relationship people" don't understand us "single people" and that's perfectly fine.  I don't try to understand you.  I also know that being 27 and single in the South is the equivalent of having a third leg, but if I'm OK with it, then you should be too.

I'm 99 percent kidding about this, so my dear friends, let's not get all up in arms.  I still have a few more years before my ovaries completely dry up.  Until then, let me drink too much and make bad decisions.

I know this entire post contradicts what I'm about to say, but I honestly have no issue with online dating.  I have friends who have met their spouses on it. I personally just don't want to be on it right now.  Namely because I need to do all three of these things:

End rant.

Stripes for Spring all under $30

I can count on one hand how many times I've had to put a legit coat on this winter and it puts a frown on my face to know those Hunter wellies I was so excited about wearing are perched in my closet with the tags still attached.

For the longest I've kept hope alive that a mini snow storm or even a cold front was going to blow in so that my winter attire could come out to play this year, but alas, I've accepted that Spring is on the horizon and winter weather has boycotted Texas.  Although I'm not happy about this reality, I am happy about one Spring fashion trend in particular: stripes.  Below are some affordable stripes all under $30 from two of my favorite Bargain Blonde approved stores: Old Navy and H&M.

$14.95 - BUY

Tank: $16.00  / Sweetheart Skinny Jeans: $29.50

via Spring Lookbook

Shirt - $19.50 / The Flirt Wide Leg Trouser Jean - $15.97

Blue & White Shirt - $26. 50 / Khaki Shorts - $19.94
Side-toe top: $26.94 / Denim Shorts - $24.94

What do you think about stripes for Spring?  And more importantly, what's your favorite Spring trend so far?

Easiest slow cooker BBQ pulled pork recipe ever

OK party people.  I am about to change your life by introducing you to the best barbecue pulled pork recipe ever.  It's seriously so easy you won't believe that this could possibly be the extent of the ingredients and instructions.

Once your masterpiece is done slow cooking, you are ready for the next steps.

I mean, easy peasy or what?  I served mine with Alexia Spicy Sweet Potato Julienne Fries.

Alison from Moments Like This turned me onto this recipe and you need to check out the giveaway she's currently hosting to celebrate reaching 100 followers.   She's got a Mary Kay Satin Hands set, Lily Pulitzer koozie, mini mineral eye makeup quad, $5 Starbucks card and EOS lip balm.  Wow, I know.

Courtney got hitched!

What.

A.

Weekend.

It was a busy 3 days, but all of it was worth it because this lady is now a "Mrs"!

We kicked the wedding weekend off with a perfectly girly luncheon at Into My Garden Tea Room in downtown Plano.  I've lived most of my life in Plano, and yet I had never been here. The food was phenom. I will be back.

After lunch, we all got pedicures and then walked to the rehearsal at Old Red Museum, which is where the wedding and reception was held.

The rehearsal dinner was at Texas Land and Cattle and after the dinner we all went out to a local bar for some drinks and what eventually turned into a dance party:

Thanking every body for coming.

Shots and later, a dance party

The day of the wedding was hectic and before we knew it, it was time to get Courtney in her dress.

That's my head poking out behind her

All of us with Courtney before we put her in the dress.  I guess this picture is out of order. 

Right before the ceremony, they exchanged cards and held hands while hiding behind the wall. Presh!

The wedding was beautiful and the reception was so much fun.  Proof:

The cake:

side note: if my future husband tries to smash cake in my face, divorce papers will be drawn immed.  I will kill him. 

And the newlyweds rode off in their carriage:

I had some pictures I took on my phone after I did her make-up for her bridal portrait session a few months ago.  I couldn't show you before, but here they are:

She truly was a stunning bride and was glowing all weekend.  I hope my wedding (when I'm 80) is just as fabulous.

Now I have exactly 31 days until I fly to Vegas for Kristina's vows.  After her wedding, I better be on a wedding hiatus, so none of my best bishes better get engaged any time soon.  I'm not kidding.

The No Brainer Wardrobe

As I mentioned earlier this week in this gem of a post, I get pitched some pretty ridiculous products to review on this here blog of mine. Well, we're all in luck because for once, this wasn't one of them.  Y'all know I "keep it real" and I certainly would not be talking about this if I did not think this was perfect for you bargainistas. 

The "No Brainer Wardrobe" is an 80 page ebook writted by Hayley at the blog Tiny Twig and she had me at, "I noticed that my friends were spending a lot of money on clothes and never had anything to wear."

 .... uh, me.  

In Hayley's words, "The book was designed to to help women learn to love the clothes they have, lose the clothes they hate, and shop for items to fill the gaps."  

If 80 pages sounds daunting, don't worry your pretty little faces.  It was such an easy read and I'm not exactly what you'd call a book worm.  Reality TV addiction anyone?  You honestly don't feel like you're reading a book, but instead an article in Cosmo or on one of your favorite blogs (ahem ... mine?).  

The first thing The No Brainer Wardrobe tells you to do is discern your style suggesting the use of Pinterest as a tool.  Duh, why didn't I think of that?  Who isn't addicted to Pinterest these days?

Look at all of your fashion pins and look for patterns.  What do you consistently pin over and over again?   Below are 10 of my fashion pins and I've already noticed some patterns: cardigans, pink, layers, and ruffles.

The "tough" part comes after you figure out your style preference: purging your closet.  EEEP!  If you are like me, you hate to get rid of a single thing because you tell yourself, "what if I want to wear that one day?"

Listen up ladies.  At this same exact time last year I purged my closet and I can tell you that without a doubt that there is not ONE SINGLE THING that I gave to Goodwill that I have ever given a second thought to.  If you don't wear it, get rid of it.  It's just taking up space in your closet and cluttering your head when you try to get dressed.  The book gives you step-by-step instructions for "deleting" things you feel fat in, that don't fit, make you feel uncomfortable, etc.


After you purge, you get to the fun stuff.  Now you build your wardrobe with clothes you feel great in, look great in, will last you and are a great value.  She honestly covers it all by teaching you how-to:

• Group your wardrobe into 3 apparel sections. First is the "Essentials", then the "Additions" and finally the "Finishers",
• Shop at a value store (my specialty),
• Thrift,
• Figure out your body type and dress for it,
• Dress professionally,
• Make jeans and a t-shirt an outfit, 
• Dress your age, 
• Shop when you're preggers (she's a mom), etc. 

The book is regularly $7.99, but Hayley is offering all of of you bargainistas 50 percent off a copy of The No Brainer Wardrobe.   Just enter the code "blonde" at check-out and you, my friends, only pay $4.  Cheaper than a cup of Starbucks.  You can't beat that.   If you order it, I want to know what you think.

That's all folks.  Have a fabulous weekend!


Disclaimer: My copy of this ebook was provided to me free of cost, but I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own.  As most of you know, the only other product I've ever promoted on my blog was e.l.f. because it is a product I believe very strongly in.   I have been contacted by countless companies to review products that I have turned down because I feel very strongly in only reviewing products I feel pertain to my readers and are in line with my bargain philosophy.  That will never, ever change!  

Let's talk wedding hair and make-up

I can't believe it, but tomorrow we kick-off Courtney's wedding weekend extravaganza with the bridesmaid luncheon, rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.  It's going to be a busy day! Considering I've practically had the exact same look in every wedding I've been a part of, I took to Pinterest last night for some wedding beauty inspiration.

But first, won't you come with me for a trip down wedding memory lane?

Curled and half-up for my friend Liz's nuptials:

Curled and half-up for my friend Kathryn's:

And would you look at this?  Curled and half up for my friend Christina's I do's:

I really went out on a limb here and left all my hair down for my friend Megan's:

There is definitely a pattern so I was hoping to find some looks that would mix it up bit.  However, you'll see that I'm proof a leopard can't change its spots.  Below are my top four contenders, and I need your help picking a finalist.  

Can you take a wild guess as to who turned this next haute hair option out??  Number four is from the hands of our girl Miss Pink Lou Lou herself!

There is no way I could do this next one myself (unless of course I could persuade PLL to hop on a plane to Dallas for the weekend to do it for me), but it gets honorable mention because it is just a fab up-do. Am I right or am I right?

That concludes my hair options, so now let's talk ...

Our bridesmaid dresses are a dark grey, so I'll be creating a smokey eye like so. Approve?

Would you believe Courtney is trusting me to do her make-up for her big day? We did a trial-run a few months ago, and this is the finished product. It's a deep brown smokey eye with a neutral lip:

I've seen her in the dress with full hair and make-up, and she's going to be a gorgeous bride.   I just need to make sure I look half as good standing up next to her.  So help a girl out!  Which hair style should I go with?


*All hair pics can be found on my Pinterest haute hair board and make-up looks can be found here.