Link-up: Friday Favorites!

So we meet again! What a week it has been. Work has been busy for me and as I type that I am reminded of a link-up idea I have been tossing around in my head so I think now is as good of time as any to bounce my idea off of y'all.

While bloggers typically blog about anything and everything under the sun, we rarely talk about what we do to to fund our lavish lifestyles.  In my case, I'm clearly joking about the "lavish" part.

What do we think about a "How I make my money honey" linkup? And I'm not talking about disclosing company names or addresses. I'm certainly not trying to get fired or worse, assaulted in my work parking lot by a wanna be Ted Bundy. But we could totally talk about our line of work without revealing any incriminating or potentially dangerous information.

Let me know if the comments if this is something that would interest you and I'll host a link-up.  I for one would LOVE to know what everyone does for their "real job" because I can probably count on one hand the number of bloggers I actually know what they do for a living.  Plus, I'm nosy.

Without further adieu, here are my Friday Faves for the week!

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I mentioned this Garnier Nutritioniste Ultra Lift Anti-Wrinkle Eye Roller when I blogged about the 3 hair products I can't believe I ever lived without.  I said I'd tell you about at a later date and today is that day.  I have been using this at night under my eyes before putting a serum all-over my face and it's phenom.  My favorite thing about it is the cooling sensation you get from the metal roller ball, which is super relaxing for the end of your day. 
I'm deathly afraid of wrinkles on my face especially around the eye area so I love that this protects the most sensitive part of your face with pro-retinol.  I bought mine at Target and it was around $11. 

Champneys is a U.K. spa that launched their luxury spa line in March 2012 at Target stores in the U.S.  I had never heard of Champneys so I checked their line out while at Target recently.  I smelled this bubble bath and I had to have it.



This "Exotic Retreat Bubble Heaven" is just that — heavenly. Not only does it smell delicious, but is so thick and moisturizing.  All of the Champneys products range from $7.99 to $12.99 and you can find them at Target.  They have several products, but what I want to try next is their Shimmering Body Oil, which is a dry body oil that claims to condition your skin and leave you with a subtle gold shimmer. Yes, please.  Hopefully it will bring all the boys to the yard.  

Some of you know this about me and some of you don't, but Big Brother is my favorite TV show in the history of ever.  I anxiously countdown until it's return every Summer and yesterday all of the new houseguests' pics and interviews were released.  Next Thursday, season 14 premieres and I could pee my pants with excitement already.  I've already bought my live feeds, so it's go time people. 



If you are a BB fanatic like me, then check out all the new houseguest info here on BBDish! (my favorite and the ONLY Big Brother blog I'll read).  Also, if you want the live feeds, buy them through the link at the top of her blog! 

Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte, where have you been all my life?  Cinnamon, butter and brown sugar flavors. Need I say more?  I've always stuck to my usual vanilla latte at Starbucks but I've seriously been missing out.  I just tried the Cinnamon Dolce Latte for the first time yesterday and it's love at first sip.  Just order it non fat and skip out on the whip cream/sugar topping to save cals. 

This week on The Bachelorette we saw Emily visit her boys in their hometowns.  While in Dallas (holl-er!) at Sean's parents, Emily was wearing the Rebel Pendent Necklace by Stella & Dot.  



Click HERE to purchase your own celebrity coveted Stella and Dot style from your personal stylist a.k.a. me. The rebel pendent has also been spotted on Tiffani Theissan, Kelly Clarkson and Selena Gomez. I lurve it. 
P.S. The Fall Stella and Dot line DEBUTS TODAY!!! So excited!!! Get a sneak peek here! 
P.P.S. I'll be posting pics of the new line as they become available on my Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  Make sure you follow me!


Grab my button at the top of this post and link-up to share your favorites from the week!  And if you're interested in the link-up I mentioned at the beginning of this post, let me know in the comments.  TGIF. 

Quick Easter Weekend Recap

I hope you all had a great weekend however you spent it.  It's Monday and I have not had my coffee yet, so I'm going to let the pictures do the talking. Everybody OK with that?  Good. 

Friday evening I dyed Easter eggs with my nephew, Reese.   I probably have not done this since I was a kid and I have to admit I was pretty excited about dyeing the eggs.  Maybe more than him. 

Saturday morning he got his Easter baskets before an egg hunt by the pool.

For inquiring minds: My brother and I live together and Reese is with my brother half the week and half the week with his Mom, so we had Easter on Saturday with him.  Sunday he is with his momma bear.

Easter Sunday egg hunt @ church. Go Reesey Go!

Reese and his Mommy.  I know, I know.  She's gorgeous.  

Sunday I woke up and decided to treat myself with Starbucks and Einstein Bagels. It was a good call.

I probably had not had these bagels in over a year.  I forgot how good they are.

I was about 50 pages into The Hunger Games, so my goal was to finish the book on Sunday so I could see the movie.  Finish it I did.  If you have not read The Hunger Games yet: DO IT.  You will not be able to put the book down, I promise.

I may be slightly insane, but after I finished the book around 6 p.m., I went and saw the movie immediately at 7 p.m.  The movie was amazing!  And um ... Liam Hemsworth (plays Gale) = HOT

Then, I came home and started reading Catching Fire (book 2 of the trilogy) until I fell asleep. Normal.

I have a feeling this book may be finished before Tuesday rolls around.  It's that good.

Stella & Dot Giveaway! You are going to love it!

Remember that ridiculously cute couples shower I attended recently?  The one that was legit straight out of a Pinterest album?  Everywhere I looked in Kelly's house (the hostess), I was blown more and more away by her perfect home decor style.

This is Kelly by the way and her sister was my roomie freshman year in the dorms.  Not only does Kelly have enviable decor style, but she has the best jewelry accessorizing her outfit every time I see her.  And it's always Stella and Dot!

I'm sure you've seen the Stella and Dot jewelry line popping up in the media everywhere especially on our favorite Bachelor contestants.  Well, today is your lucky day because Kelly is giving away to one of you girls this perfect necklace to give you a pop of color for spring.  This serenity stone pendant to be exact:

Look! Even Lara Spencer was spotted wearing this exact necklace on Good Morning America recently!

To enter this giveaway, you have to follow one itty-bitty rule: Leave me ONLY ONE COMMENT after you have done the following (mandatory):

1. Like Kelly's Stella & Dot Facebook Page 

2. Like The Bargain Blonde Facebook Page

Once you have liked both of our Facebook pages, leave ONE comment telling me you have done so and you'll be entered!  Easy as pie, right?  

You have 24 hours to enter and the giveaway closes tomorrow, March 7 at 7 a.m. CST.  

Open to U.S. residents only (sorry International loves).

Good luck ladies.

27 facts.

I've got a serious case of bloggers block today, so I thought I'd answer some of those questions floating around the blog-o-sphere lately.  Enjoy these 27 facts about me.  Why 27?  One for each year of my life.  I'm so clever.

1. What is your all time favorite movie?

Father of the Bride

2. One reason why you blog?

My blog is my creative outlet. I love to write.

3. If you could be besties with any celebrity, who would it be?

Tori Spelling. She is a party planning Goddess.  Her attention to detail at every party she throws blows me away and I absolutely love her vintage decor style.  

4. If you could take any trip in the world where would you go? 

Hawaii!  I've always wanted to go and I don't know anyone who has been and didn't love it. Maybe one day. Sigh.  

5. What's one piece of make up you can't live without ? 

Black eye liner

6. What's one accessory (jewelry, scarf, handbag, etc) that you don't leave the house without? 

I didn't want your typical college ring when I graduated, so I had a ring custom designed and engraved with my name and class year.  I wear it every day and feel so naked with out it.  

7. What is your dream job? 

Getting paid the big bucks to stay at home and blog full-time because a dolla makes me holla honey boo boo child.

8. Sausage or bacon?

Bacon.  As if there is any other choice. 

9. What's the best advice you've ever received and who gave it to you? 

All I know I learned on the Oprah and Dr. Phil shows.  "The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior" is some Dr. Phil advice that sticks out in particular.  

10. What's your guilty pleasure? (tv show, movie, food, etc.) 

I think we all know it's TV.  If you don't, then allow me to direct you to this post.  

11. What's your typical Starbucks order? 

Grande, non-fat, no foam, vanilla latte.

12.  If you could raid any celebrity's closet, who would it be and why?

Lauren Conrad aka my twin sista from another mista.  She's just perfection is why.  

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13.  If you were a shoe, what would you look like?

Platform hot pink stiletto

14. What is your biggest pet peeve?

I have a lot, but girls who think it's cute to be dumb really irritate me.  

15. Favorite song of all-time?

I don't really have one, but I have a ton of faves.  I'm that girl that says "omg, that's my jam" to a lot of songs.

16. Are you a dog person or a cat person? And why? 

Meowwww.  I've been a cat person my entire life and NEVER a dog person for many reasons.  However, I must admit that this little rascal is starting to win me over:

17. You're queen for a day. How do you spend your royal 24 hours?

I'd just have people wait on me all day and not lift a finger. 

18. What's the most delicious thing you've ever eaten?

A shrimp mushroom pasta dish at Emeril's in New Orleans.

19. What scares you the most? 

Ending up on Dateline.

20. Which celebrity do you wish would drift off into obscurity?

Willow and Jaden Smith can just stop with their cocky attitudes, but I blame their whack job parents for that. Since they are kids, I have to pick Kim Kardashian.  Lay off the botox, "doll". 

For more of these Kim K gems, go here.

21. You're 16 years old again. What advice would you give your younger self? 

Boys will tell you anything to try to get in your pants.  Don't believe a word.  

22. What magazines do you subscribe to?

Us Weekly and Cosmo

23. What are you listening to right now on your MP3 player [or in your CD player]? 

This amazing band fellow blogger PinkLouLou introduced me to that does acoustic covers.  Their version of "Last Kiss" by Tay Swift has been on repeat for two days now.  

24. What is your one comfort food?

Chicken and Rice Casserole

25. Favorite TV show? Old or new.

Parenthood. If you don't watch it, you need to. 

26.  One thing you don't like about blogging?

Girls who get big heads after they get "blog famous"  

27. One song you could listen to over and over again?

"Learning to Live Again" by Garth Brooks

Victoria's Secret fashion show has convinced me I need a boyfriend (and lipo)

Did you watch last night? Please tell me you did.  I love me some VS fashion show.  The lights, the perfect hair and make-up on the perfect bodies I could never dream of having, the exciting performances, did I mention their BODIES? I. love. it. all. 

But when Adam Levine took the hand of his Angel girlfriend Anne Vyalitsina and walked her down the runway during his performance ...

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and then gave her a sweet kiss on the cheek at the end of the catwalk, my heart literally melted.  So, so, so sweet. 

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Do you not die? They are beyond presh.

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If you saw my thighs you'd know there is no hope for me to ever become a Victoria Secret Angel, but I've decided I want what they have.  He was so proud and supportive of her. I mean, wouldn't you be if your gf looked like that? 

Truthfully we don't know what goes on behind closed doors but I am choosing to believe they adore each other IRL. 

"I'm looking for love. Real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming,
can't-live-without-each-other love."

-Carrie Bradshaw

And while I'm out there looking for love, I'm also going to make an appointment at Lipo Xpress.  That's my only hope.  You better believe my ass will be at boot camp tonight. I need me some Adam Levine and Anna the Angel type love.


Be still my heart.

Can't stop listening: Elenowen

Y'all!  I've been so obsessed with Elenowen since I heard them on NBC's The Voice.  I remember sitting on the couch (no doubt goblet of wine in hand) typing away on the ole bloggity blog when I heard their amazing voices.  I immediately paused, rewound and listened to this husband-and-wife duo sing this song soooo many times that night. 

Now I sit at my desk at work and hit replay on this youtube video all day:


That was until I discovered Honey Come Home, which is their latest song I have on repeat.


Apparently I had not stalked them properly because until last night I had no idea they released their debut album this January titled 'Pulling Back the Veil'.  I mean, no big deal or anything, but @elenowen tweeted me last night sending me the link to their album on itunes and the link to their current single, Honey Come Home.  Holla.

Mark my words: Elenowen will be blowing up the CMA stage sometime in the near future and I'll be on the couch with my goblet of wine saying "told you so".  I'm rooting for this pair because they are one word: AHH-mazing.  Just thought I would share. Toodles.

e.l.f. haul: The Conclusion

Hello friends, another week is upon us!  So many of you have contacted me telling me how much you're now loving e.l.f. and that makes my heart super happy.  I've enjoyed being able to share the wealth, and I hope you will be inspired to try even more new products after this post. 

Now, let's get to the conclusion of my haul sent to me by e.l.f. last month for free or what I like to call "Christmas in July".  Check marked goodies in the pic below are what I've covered already HERE and those labeled 1 to 6 are what I'm covering in this post.

 1. e.l.f. Essential Hypershine Gloss Box Set

$5 - Color: Summer Ready [BUY]


I have an issue with my lip gloss always vanishing.   I swear there is some lip gloss leprechaun who goes around janking gloss from girls.  As you can imagine, I don't like to fork over a lot of money for gloss since it's always disappearing (I'm looking at you leprechaun). 

This set is the perfect price at only $1 a stick, plus, I really love their light shimmery shade on me because I normally wear pretty heavy eyes.  The last thing you want is to look like a lady of the night with heavy make-up on your eyes and lips. 

My hands down, all-time fave lip gloss is MAC's lipglass, but e.l.f.'s hypershine gloss comes in at second place thanks to the pretty color and perfect price.  It's not as long lasting as MAC lipglass, but definitely gets the job done and looks very similar. 

2. e.l.f. Essential Waterproof Eyeliner Pen

$1 in black - [BUY]

I don't EVER waiver from my tried and true, one and only make-up addiction, Ulta Automatic Eye Liner in black.  When I say ever, I mean ever.  Well, except this one time. 
 
I feel like I'm cheating on my imaginary boyfriend when I type this sentence, but I actually liked e.l.f.'s eyeliner pen.  I'm not saying I like it better because it's differen't since it's more of a liquid, but I do like it a lot.  The pen is very hard to apply to your lower lashline but it is GREAT for winging out eyeliner à la Lauren Conrad style. 

Watch this video to see how to achieve the winged look.  It's very easy to do, I've been rockin' this look for years:

 3. e.l.f. Mineral Eyeshadow Primer

$3 in sheer - [BUY]

I was pleasantly surprised that this primer actually works.  As you have probably heard me say before, my skin is extremely oily. This primer helps keeps my shadow creaseless all day even in these miserable Texas summer temps.

I dab a little bit on each eyelid and use my finger to blend.  It goes on completely sheer and gives you a nice smooth pallette to work with.  It's now a staple in my make-up routine.

4. e.l.f. Professional Studio Matte Eyeshadow

$3 in Charcoal - [BUY]

I have only used this shadow once because I havn't had a reason to go too heavy on the eyes.  I have a lot of social stuff coming up, so I know I will get more use out of it when I have a reason to wear a smoky eye.  However, when I did wear this color, I was very happy with the rich pigment of it.  It definitely gives a dark, vibrant hue.  I bet it would work well as an eyeliner too.  

5. e.l.f. Essential Eye Makeup Remover Pads

$1 - [BUY]

For $1, they are a good investment for travel or to keep in your purse.  The pros: Non-greasy and effective at removing make-up.  The cons: The solution stings my eyes a little.  I'll stick to my less than $2 eye make-up remover for everyday use.

 6. e.l.f. Essential Brightening Eye Color

$1 - [BUY]

The only thing I got in my haul that I would probably never buy again.  The compact is extremely small and literally I've used the lightest all-over base color less than a handful of times and it's practically gone. 

The browns were pretty colors and they do stay fairly long, but I would much rather prefer spending $3 on their professional studio single eyeshadow, which I LOVE and am definitely buying in more colors. 

So there you go bargainistas, the conclusion of my e.l.f. haul.  "But wait, there's more!" ...

I had to order some bridesmaids pumps via Target online on Friday, and you get free shipping when you spend $50.  Naturally, I threw some more e.l.f. merch into the ole online shopping cart. 

The following products will be reviewed soon, so hold onto your panties:

elf Studio Glitter Gloss in Glam Guava - $3

(recommended by my fellow cat lady, Carol)

e.l.f Lilac Petal Shimmering Facial Whip - $1 

e.l.f. Studio Under Eye Concealer & Highlighter in light - $3

e.l.f. Essential Beauty School Beauty Book in Smoky - $5

At the rate I'm going, I'm going to run out of e.l.f. merchandise to try, but I hope that day never comes. 

Is there any e.l.f. product I have yet to cover that you love? 

Obviously I love me some e.l.f. and have a slight addiction.  HELP.

Jealous much? Um, yes. Best wedding video ever!

Oh. Em. Gee. I literally just watched this and I immediately had to share with y'all Dallas, Texas' very own Candice Crawford and Tony Romo's amazing wedding video.  Ridic!  I mean, really, the word amazing doesn't even do justice. I was content being single until I watched this. It made me want to be in love and marry a NFL quarterback so I can have my dream wedding. FML. Just poured myself another glass of red.


UPDATE: the video's been removed, MAJOR BOOOOOOO! The company that made their video (Joe Simon Wedding Films) has similar wedding videos on their blog and  they are all BEYOND!  Like, I'm spending my weekend watching them. 

If I have to sell A kidney to get a video like this when I get married, I will.  Hopefully this guy will still be around in year 2050. 

This is my favorite of his videos so far.  It's long, but worth it. Grab a box of tissues:



Jenna & Travis's Wedding Film - Austin, Texas from Joe Simon Films on Vimeo.

DIY Skin Salt Scrub!

A few days ago I was perusing Lauren Conrad's new beauty Web site that covers all kinds of "hair+makeup how-to’s, nail trends, skin issues, tools, current obsessions & inspirations, as well as countless quick tips" and I came across an easy, homemade salt scrub that claimed to bring your dull skin back to life.

What really got my attention was that the scrub ingredients were common items you probably already have in your kitchen.  Easy + cheap = you got me Lauren.  I had to give it a try & I am LOVING how soft and exfoliated my skin feels.   Obviously, I had to share with you girls immediately.  The whole scrub cost me only about $1.25, so you better believe this is going to become a weekly or monthly ritual.

All you need are these 3 ingredients:

• 5 tbsps sea salt

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• one lemon

Time to "mix and mash":

Measure 5 tbsp of sea salt and pour into a cereal sized bowl.

Add 1 tbsp oil to the salt.  Once the salt gets coated by the oil, the lemon won’t dissolve it.

Mix together.

Squeeze the juice of one lemon.  Remove any seeds that get in the scrub mix.

Ta-Da!  Here's how it looks when you're done.

Scrub away (except not your face)!

Seriously, I'm really impressed.  Now I want to find homemade face masks and hair treatments.  I'll keep you posted if I find any other cheap DIY beauty treatments worth sharing.

Enjoy your silky summer ready skin!