[link-up] Friday Faves: Reality TV edition!

First of all,  I want to apologize again for not being able to get Friday Faves posted last week when I was on vacation.  I should have just scheduled the post before I left because the Internet Explorer browsers on the computers in the hotel business center were an old version and didn't support blogger.  With that being said, feel free to link-up your Fri Faves from last week in this post as well.

Moving right along ....

I have a few vices, one of which is reality TV, so this week I decided to "theme" my Friday Faves post and highlight some of my favorite reality TV moments, shows, characters, etc.  I'm only going going to discuss shows currently in season by the way.  Your Friday Faves does not have to be reality themed (obviously), but link-up at the bottom of this post!

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The final season of the original (OG) Teen Mom cast premiered this week and it was 2 hours of heart string pulling TV.  Yes, I'm 27 years old and shed several tears listening to Farrah read her letter to Derek's grave, Catelynn and Tyler have their 2-year visitation with Carly and then Tyler admit he wished sometimes that Carly called him, "Daddy."  WAAAH!  I was a mess.
Million Dollar Listing LA is back!  I love me some MDL.  The boys are hot (even though 2 play for the other team) and the drama this season looks fierce. I can't wait to see the feud between Heather and Madison unfold. And while there is something about Josh Altman's cocky attitude that attracts me, I am #TeamMadison all the way. 

The bad bitches of Mob Wives Chicago on VH1.  I got hooked on the Mob Wives from NY/NJ and this spin-off is filling my void  since season 2 of the original wives just ended.  Their lifestyle fascinates me and quotes like, "Do you want me to stab you now, or do you want me to stab you later?"  make me laugh out loud.  Because these crays are serious.  They will stab a hoe.

I don't even want to waste my time talking about these two.  Just know I harbor a lot of disdain for them and they both make my skin crawl.

Emily's season of The Bachelorette is starting to bore me except when she told Kalon he could get the f@*% out!  That, I loved.  I'm hoping this season starts to pick up, but I'm not holding my breath.

Heather Dubrow from Real Housewives Orange County.  Home girl was on Love Connection back in the day ... Need I say more?  And have you seen her house? I die. I thought she was going to be super pretentious, but I love her delivery and every thing that comes out of her mouth about Alexis.  I can't get enough of her and her hubs, Terry.

Another RHOC lady makes the list: Gretchen Rossi for best hair and make-up.  I was lusting over this look above in this week's episode.  Seriously, I need my hair and make-up to look like this every day.  Gretchen, come be my bestie and teach me your ways.  

OK, I could go on and on and on picking reality TV faves, but I must stop for today.  I might do a part 2 of this next week.  You're turn ... link-up your Friday Favorites below.  
What would you pick as your selections for my favorite categories this week?

Christmas Eve, Eve at Casa de Bargain Blonde

Merry Chirstmas Eve, Eve y'all!  Some snaps from Casa de Bargain Blonde two days before Christmas.

Because I know you care:

That sexy beast on the left went to Starbucks like that this morning.  Judge away.  PLL already has. 

I've been enjoying my day off work by sipping on some Starbucks wrapped up on the couch with a blanket and watching Shrek with the neph.  I guess since it is noon I should pull myself together and get this day started.  I've got some errands to run!  Enjoy your Friday!

It's the 11th day of Christmas over at Sabrina Says ... Go ENTER!! It's the Ultimate Bakers Giveaway.  Hint:

You know you want this.

Confession Session: Yes biz, you're crazy!

TGIF Bs.  I have a semi-fuzzy head from one too many of my Crystal Light Skinny Girl Margaritas last night.  And by the way, I finally perfected the recipe.  Try it out this weekend, it'll be yum in your tum. Promise.

• 3 shots Crystal Light Margarita
• 1 shot clear tequila
• generous splash of cointreau
• squeeze of fresh lemon or lime

All right, now on to more important things.  Like a confession session. Before I confess though, let's discuss.  HOW EFFING CRAZY this woman is.  SHE EATS HER DEAD HUSBAND'S ASHES.  I can't.

I confess that I've seen a lot of crazy things in my day, but this one takes the cake. Yes honey, you're crazy and you need be to committed to a mental institution immediately. I only have one question for her, what are you going to do when those ashes are gone?  Oh and how many Weight Watchers Points do you those ashes are?  Too much? K, moving on before I vom ...

I confess that I'm ridiculously obsessed & fascinated with gypsies and my life mission is to meet a real life one to interview.  Thank you TLC's My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding for introducing me to the elegant Irish Travellers.   Coincidence or fate that the 2nd largest U.S. gypsy community is right outside Dallas?  Obviously fate.

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I confess that I have a HUGE pile of clean clothes wadded up on my bedroom floor.  This is not the first time this has happened.  Paging Niecy Nash. 

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I confess that I know what Hell must feel like.  I'm pretty sure I get third degree burns on my hands every single time I open my car door or touch my steering wheel after it's been sitting in my work parking lot all day.  We get it sun, you're trying to kill Texans.  Today is Dallas' 35th day in a row over 100 degrees.  Yep, it's a scorcher.  I feel ya pup:

 
I confess that I want more questions for Beth and I's joint vlog.  It's my birthday wish! Come on y'all ... make this bargain blonde's dreams come true.  Ask me anything you want by commenting HERE.

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That's it for now, over and out!   What do you confess?

p.s. Don't forget to enter my "giveaway for a good cause" before next Friday.

p.p.s. Oh and I got a facebook page.  Won't you "like" me?

If I die from a heat stroke, tell Bradley Cooper I love him ...

I decided to check out weather dot com this morning to see what temps I was working with for the weekend, and I started sweating just reading our 10 day forecast:

Excuse me, 104 today?  Not cool.  Literally.  And these are just the temps before you factor in the heat index.  I've lived in Texas basically my entire life, so I'm used to this.  It doesn't mean I like it. 

I always wonder how people in the North survive the winters and blizzards, but I'm sure y'all wonder how we survive our sizzilin summers.  You just stay inside as much as possible and accept that you may pass out from a heat stroke at any time. 

In case you don't want to take out a loan to pay your summer electric bill, here are 5 ways to avoid a heat stroke on the cheap:

1. Cool your pulse. Wrap an ice cube in a towel and apply it to any of your body’s major pulse points (wrists, behind the knees and inside elbows) for a minute, then remove it for a minute—repeat until you feel sufficiently cool.  Pulse points are areas with the best circulation, so lowering your blood temperature in those spots will carry the cooling effect throughout the entire body.

How cute are heart shaped ice cubes?  I found this heart ice cube tray on Amazon for $6.99:

[BUY]

 2. Try a hint of mint. The menthol that's in mint creates a cooling effect. Chewing a piece of gum that contains menthol will trigger cold-sensitive nerves in your mouth, making a glass of water taste colder than it normally would.  Similarly, lotions and soaps that contain mint or menthol will lend your skin an icy sensation.

Bath & Body Works carries a Mentha Body Vitamin Body Lotion for $14:

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or Target has a Mint Mojito lotion for $5.99:

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3. Go downstairs. It's true that heat rises: warm air is less dense, so it floats upwards. If you're in a house, head to the first floor or the basement to enjoy chillier temperatures. A good way to rid upstairs rooms of hot air is to place a fan in a window to suck the warm air out.

4. Slice up a cucumber or watermelon. On a hot day, eating fruits and vegetables with high water content will not only help keep you hydrated, the added fluids allow your body to release heat by thinning the blood.

Watermelon is so good in the summer!  I can't get enough of it.

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5. Sit still. Though it's tempting to create a breeze by fanning yourself, excreting energy by moving around in the heat will actually end up making you feel even warmer. So stay calm—and stay put—to avoid raising your own body temperature.

Get a personalized fan instead like this pink personal air circulator for $19.99 from Target:

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Stay cool this weekend bargainistas!  If you need me, I'll be in my apartment slathering on mint lotion, inhaling watermelon and taping ice cubes to my wrists.  TGIF.

Confession Session

Hello friends!  Deep breath, it's Friday ... thank you sweet geezus.  It's been a rough week and I'm in desperate need of a few days off.  I feel that some blog therapy is in order, so a confession session it is.

Forgive me blog world for I have sinned ...

I confess that I am not adventurous at all when it comes to trying new food and drinks.  However, last night the waitress convinced me to try the "Guava Gimlet", which was an elixcer of sobieski vodka, lime juice, simple syrup, guava puree and pineapple juice.  Two thumbs up and the perfect drink for a hot summer day. I should try new things more often.  Maybe.

The Guava Gimlet aka heaven in my mouth.

I confess that I want to move to the UK and become a Gypsy so I can have my very own Big Fat Gypsy Wedding.  Have y'all seen this show on TLC?  One word: amazing.  If having neon green and blue bridesmaid dresses at your wedding is wrong, then I don't want to be right:

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I confess that I use my car as a second closet.  My mother's reaction upon seeing the contents of my trunk was and I quote, "You have more shoes in your car than most people have in their closet.  That's not normal."   It's not normal to have 13 pairs of shoes in your car?  I don't see what the problem is here.

I confess that although I'm a bargain shopper, I hate the smell of Goodwill and it literally makes my stomach hurt. The only thing I've ever purchased there were movies for my nephew.  They have quite the collection of old school Disney VHS for only a $1 a movie.   I know what you are thinking ....  yes, I still watch VHS.  Please be kind, rewind. 

I confess I'm going to an 80s Party tonight and I have absolutely no idea what I'm wearing.  Where do I find 80s attire?  I'm thinking of hitting up Plato's Closet (another smelly store that makes my stomach hurt).   All I know is I wish the teasing queen PinkLouLou lived by me so she could poof this Bargain Blonde some 80s hair because when I attempt to tease, this is what happens:

All right my little bargainistas ... Don't be shy, what do you confess?  I don't judge.

Today is not my day.

I cannot say TGIF yet because today has proven to be a disaster thus far.  

A woman backed into my car in the Starbucks parking lot this morning. I NEVER go to Starbucks during the week. I think it was God's way of telling me I shouldn't be buying overpriced (but deelish) coffee when I have coffee at work for free.  Disgusting coffee, but free nonetheless.

Fortunately, the damage to my car is very minimal.  We mostly just exchanged paint, but still ... not how you want to start your Friday off.  

(Mom ... don't call me freaking out,  I will call you.)

I am, however, happy to report I learned a very valuable skill this week courtesy of my girl Miss Lou Lou herself.  A DIY French Mani!  She did laugh at me when I showed her what paint brush I purchased, but it was the cheapest one!  Hello, a girl has to save a penny when she can.  Plus, my nephew can totally use the water colors.  It's a win-win, DUH! 

The acetone (Target brand), clear & french white polish (NYC brand) were each under a dollar.  The paint set (ha!) was less than $1.50.

Lastly, I was shopping at a store to remain nameless this week when I came across this HEINOUS (Beth's fave word) jeans. LEG WARMERS SEWED ONTO THE JEANS! What in the dickens? Who in their right mind? Don't even get me started. The sad part is someone probably bought these.

All right ladies, that's all I got for today.  Random post, I know.

Except wait!  I want to say HELLO to all my new bargainistas!  I haven't had a chance to stalk all of your blogs yet, but I promise I will ASAP.  Your sweet comments mean so much to me, thank you so much for following along!

Have a wonderful Friday, hopefully yours has been better than mine so far!

These are my confessions ...

I haven't confessed in a while, so this should be good.  Well, we'll see.  I haven't really thought about what I'm going to confess so it could be really lame. 

Forgive me blog world, for I have sinned ...

I confess that I love compliments especially when they involve people telling me how much they love my hair like 3 times already this morning.  I'm totally kidding, but not really.  As y'all know I got my hair cut yesterday (LOVE it) and I'm sure everyone thinks they have the best hair stylist ever, but I really do.  I mean, he is the hair stylist for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.  Enough said. 

Too bad I don't walk out of the salon with their bodies too.  If you live in Dallas and want the best hair ever, let me know and I'll give you his information. 

All right, so I tried to take this really quick this morning in the work restroom.  So SKEEZEY, I know.  I didn't want anyone popping in on me as I took a self-portrait, so this is the best I could do.  Ugh, why am I so creepy?  I look weird, like a major chester.  p.s. this is slept on hair.

I confess that I always use handicap restrooms and handicap changing rooms because I like that they are roomier.  So rude, I know.

I confess that I'm secretly nervous a crew from Hoarders is going to bust into my apartment any day now.  I am living in squalor, and I have to clean my apartment this weekend if it's the last thing I do.  Yes, that's a Miller Lite can on my bathroom counter. 


Grandma and Mom, I swear this is not normal.

 I confess that I have wanted a gay husband for the longest and I FINALLY found mine.  His name is Robert (hi, Robert), he's amazing and we met the night of my friend Kristi's bachelorette party.  My BFF Liz is so jealous it's not even funny.  Any available gay hubs out there?  She's taking applications. 

I confess that as a child, I was an aspiring cat mystery writer.  My mom dug these up for me and I'm pretty sure you're going to want to order copies of both ASAP.

I confess that I am not Betty Crocker.  I had a slight issue baking a Memorial Day cake for the river.  Who can't properly bake a boxed cake?  Apparently me. I think the issue was that I tried to take it out of the pan before it had cooled off all the way.  It was nothing a little icing and sprinkles couldn't fix:

All right ladies, I confessed and now it's your turn. What secrets are you keeping? Spill.

Friday's Fancies: Bachelorette Party Outfit!

I'm pumped for the weekend because tomorrow is one of my girlfriends from college Bachelorette Party and I of course, "have nothing to wear".  I mean, an entire side of my closet is strictly dresses, but of course, those won't do because they've all been worn before.

You see, like my my homie Beth said in her post today, once I've been photographed in something and it's made it's Facebook debut, I can't possibly be photographed in it again. The horror! My mom totally doesn't get this phenomenon, but I'm sure all of you ladies understand. Right?

Anyway, last night I went shopping after work, but came up empty handed (boo!). I am going to try one more time tonight, but in the meantime I thought it would be fun to put together an outfit I would buy if I actually had that sugar daddy I've been looking for.  

I love this idea that Av over at Long Distance Loving has to create outfits that satisfy your shopping needs without spending a penny!  Never in my wildest dreams would I throw down this kinda cash for one evening on the town.  I don't care if it was even for my own Bachelorette Party.  But, since the point of this link-up is to dream big, this is how big I would dream:

[click the thumbnail photos for details on each]

1. Dress - $546 - Herve Leger
2. Shoes - $995 - Christian Louboutin
3. Clutch - $1,350 Bottega Vaneta
4. Bracelet - $463 - Isaac Mizrahi
5. Vintage Earrings - $275

What would you wear to your besties' Bachelorette Party if you had a sugar daddy?

Friday Confessional

I've wanted to do one of these posts for forever, and today is finally the day!  I'm linking up with Glamazon Mom and Mammarazzi for my first ever blog confessional. 

Forgive me blog world, for I have sinned ...

I confess that I know I promised you the second half of the wedding weekend recap today, but quite frankly, I'm too lazy to post that many pictures.  That will just have to wait until Monday.

I confess I was over the royal wedding before it even started.  Now that I've seen the dress and a few of the crazy hats, I'm going to need the media coverage to just stop.  And every one at work to stop talking about it.

I confess I drank too many beers at Happy Hour last night and really need some Aleve. 

I confess that sometimes I buy maternity dresses at Target if they are on sale because you really can't tell the difference if you just buy a size smaller than what you'd normally wear.  OMG, don't judge me.

I confess that I took a week hiatus from the gym this week, and I feel really guilty about it. 

I confess I lost my favorite sleep mask in Arizona and I'm very upset.  I just ordered a new replacement, but I don't know how I'm going to wait 7 days for it to be shipped to me.

I confess that I cried all the way home from work Monday and it felt good.  You know one of those days where every thing seems like it's going wrong?  Then something sends you over the edge, the tears start coming and you can't stop them?  Me.

I confess that sometimes I text and drive.  I know.  Don't even tell me.

I confess that I still haven't unpacked my suitcase.  Instead, I've just been using it as a second closet.

What do you confess?

The weekend has finally arrived!

This week has been crazy busy for me, which is why I've been MIA on the blog front. How much did you miss me? I've literally had something to do every single day after work this week, which I typically try to avoid at all costs. I am the complete opposite of someone who has to be "on-the-go", and most of my friends just don't understand how I'm so content staying at home on my couch. I love my mindless TV, what can I say?

Unfortunately, my DVRs have gotten ridiculously backed up this week, which means I have a lot of catching up to do this weekend. The one show I did catch was the premiere of the new Bachelor on Monday. If you watched too, you know what I'm talking about when I refer to Madison, the girl with fangs?? Are we serious? How people like this exist let alone get on a national reality dating show and then get picked for the next round is beyond me. But I'm not complaining, it makes for some great entertainment!

Anyway, I am babysitting the little guy below tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. so the madness doesn't stop quite yet. I can't wait for Sunday to just relax and hopefully get caught up on blogging.
Have a fabulous weekend. ♥