My Weekend via Instagram

Like I tweeted this morning ....

I mean, is there anything worse than a Monday?  Yes, actually there are a lot of things that are much worse, but Mondays are certainly not on the top of my list of favorite things and if I could, I'd wear this shirt to work every Monday.  Unfortunately, I think I'd be sent home immediately. 

I stole this pic from my girl K_Stets from Only In Vegas 

If you follow me on Instagram (@TheBargainBlonde), then sorry for the replay because I pretty much post my every move on there.  I actually think I've developed a bit of an Instagram addiction and I am seriously considering starting a Insta-detox.  In fact, my friend Beth tweeted me this picture below last week and I could not stop laughing. This is so me. 

Except insert Bear in place of the cat.

Exhibit A: 

Bear and my Subway sandwich Friday night. 

Friday night I actually did nothing. Well, I fell asleep after work and slept until 10 p.m. if that counts as something. Those "you can sleep when your dead" folks have never had a good nap. I love me some naps.

Saturday I woke up refreshed and a Stella and Dot delivery was sitting on my porch. 

Left to right: Leona Pendant (on sale)  /  Signature Clover Necklace (as seen in Cosmopolitan)  /  Capri Chandelier Earrings (as seen on Emily Maynard)  /  Foundation Bracelet Red  /  Foundation Bracelet Turquoise  

Saturday morning I took Bear to the dog park and then cleaned my house.  Here he is passed out after running around in 100 degree temps / My Emi-Jay Hair tie, which def works and did not leave creases in my hair.

Saturday I went to dinner at an Italian restaurant called Patrizios with a few girls.  I wore my new clover necklace and definitely splurged and had Eggplant Parm, my fave. 

Sunday my friend Kathryn and her husband had a BBQ at their house, so I made cupcakes to bring.  Her favorite colors are orange and green, so orange and green cupcakes she received. 

Snaps from the BBQ:

They smoked ribs and brisket. Oh my word, the meat was sooo good.  They season their meat with a dry rub that they created and now sell.  It's called Chimy's Rub that they named after their pup.  All of our friends are addicted to it, and if you want to try it out, just use the "contact us" link on their Web site and e-mail Kathryn telling her The Bargain Blonde told you to try their rub. She can give you pricing. 

That about sums up my weekend.  How was yours?  

p.s. Tomorrow I'm posting the DIY video that you voted on a few weeks ago! Get excited.

p.p.s. Linking up with the ladies of Weekend Update!

My weekend and the curious case of the stanky dress

Before I get into my weekend happenings, I need to talk to you about what I'm deeming the "curious case of the stanky dress".  Y'all.  Please consider this a PSA.  I went to Target yesterday to pick up my Tone It Up groceries for the week and naturally, I also bought some shiz I didn't need.   One item I purchased was a dress on clearance.  This morning I was running late per usual so I threw my new dress on and ran out the door.

About 30 seconds into my drive to work I notice this horrendous B.O. smell and sniff the dress. Legit, I could have thrown up right then and there.  I'm almost positive green fumes were and still are permeating off this dress.  And as I type this post, I am engulfed in the stench of stale B.O. to the point of nausea.  Clearly some dirty beezie wore this dress sans deodorant in 100 degree Texas weather, returned it to Target and I was the lucky shopper who bought it.

I don't know if I'm more mad at Target for selling this, the girl for not wearing deodorant or myself for NOT WASHING IT before I wore it.  Let this be a lesson ladies: sniff your clothing before buying.

In happier news, I spent my weekend hawking jewels!  You know, those Stella and Dot ones I sell.

Friday the Fall Stella and Dot line debuted, which I'm sure you saw me tweeting and instagramming about to the point of annoyance.  Sorry friends, but I was excited. I LOVE the new line and will be blogging about what I ordered at some point this week.

My Stella and Dot party Saturday was at my best guy friend's sister's house (say that fast 3 times) who was also having a post-fourth of july BBQ. There was lots of good food and backyards fireworks!  Pics below.

My S&D arm candy at the party.  Belo bangle, devi bangles and renegade cluster + stackable gem ring

I guess since I'm a "city girl", I have never seen legit fireworks set off anywhere but at a city fireworks show.  Who knew you could make your own fireworks show in your backyard if you live in the country?

Kaboom!

Pinterest inspired patriotic strawberries

Roasted marshmallows in the fire pit to make s'mores. So yummy. #toneitupfail

In between the BBQ I consumed on the actual 4th of July and the food I put in my belly at the post-4th of July party, I fell off the Tone It Up wagon last week.  However, I am back on track today. I'm currently snacking on my Greek yogurt and blueberries.

Linking up with Leeann, Sami and Dana again for weekend update!  Click the button below to participate.

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. 

My Weekend via Instagram (Baked Veggie Egg White Recipe included)

I honestly don't ever use my real camera anymore. The only photos I take are on my iPhone and then 99% of the time, they get Instagramed. BTW - I have over 1,000 Instagram followers. How did this happen?  I have no Earthly idea, but it excites me.

Friday night I saw the magical Magic Mike movie.  It was everything I dreamed about and more.  Our theater was so crazy. We were slow clapping, cheering and screaming. I loved it and felt like I was back at Thunder From Down Under.  If you haven't seen it yet, grab your besties and go immed.

The theater now sells booze and I'm not complaining. 

My BFF Liz and my gubby came with!  And my bros gf but she missed the photo sesh before the movie started.

Saturday morning my college gf Amber hosted a Stella and Dot party for me.  She has the cutest studio apartment I've ever seen. I wish I could take y'all for a tour.

Saturday evening I went to HomeGoods (exciting life) and got a new centerpiece for my dining room table. It was a Cynthia Rowley vase I found on clearance for only $10. The arrangement I put in it was also on clearance for only $10.  All in all, I thought my $20 centerpiece looked pretty good.

Then Sunday morning, Bear did this:

Y'all. I was so mad I could have killed him. I took him by the collar and put him outside for punishment.  He knew he was in trouble!  I swear I am living the real life Marley and Me with this dog.  He is so wild.

After my anger subsided, I took him to the pool with me and let him swim while I drank my coffee and caught up on my mags.

Saturday before I went shopping, I stopped at Which Wich for dinner.  To my surprise, they now have bowls aka salads and I got the Mediterranean Turkey Bowl.  It was so good. Yes, the lady went overkill on my pepper.  I love pepper though so I didn't mind.  And can we talk about banana peppers?  They may be my new favorite thing.

I loved it so much, I made my own version of a Greek salad for lunch Sunday. Spring lettuce, cucumbers (how cute are my flower cucumbers?), grape tomatoes, turkey, Kalamata olives (I die), a little bit of crumbled Feta and Parmesan garlic dressing.

I also made this deelish egg white bake on Sunday for breakfast.  I loved it so much that I'm sharing the recipe. I paired it with a toasted piece of 45 cal Sara Lee 100% whole wheat bread and 1/2 C of watermelon. Now that's what I call brunch.

I adapted a recipe I found on SkinnyTaste and here is how I made it.  It's super easy.

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Chop about 1/8 C of green and white onion. Spray a small skillet with non-fat cooking spray and heat the onions over med-low heat for a few minutes.

3. Add 1/2 C of baby spinach (large stems removed) to skillet and cook until the spinach wilts. 

4. Spray a small glass baking dish or a skillet with non-fat cooking spray (my preference is the olive oil version) and put the spinach/onion mixture on the bottom.  Next crack 3 eggs whites on top of the spinach and onion.  Add a few tomatoes to the top and salt and pepper.  


5. Bake for 17 minutes and you are done!  A  clean, all-natural and delicious breakfast. Vegetarian friendly, too!

P.S. I'm linking up with S, D and L!

Friday Faves!!!!!!!!!! [link-up bargainistas!]

Didn't we just have a lovely little health kick on The Bargain Blonde this week?  I've been loving all the feedback and support.  We can do this ladies!


In other news, it's Friday Faves timeeeeee!  I was out of town last week so there was no FFs ... sad face.  If you posted anyway, grab the button bellow and link your post from last week up in this post!  

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It pretty much goes without saying that the first thing on my list today is the fact that the movie Magic mother freaking Mike opens today!  Yes, I purchased tickets earlier this week and at 10:20 p.m. tonight, I will be in Channing Tatum ab-a-licious heaven.  I have not been this excited for a movie .... ever.  No shame in my game girls.  Bring on the thrusting!

Next up we have TV shows.  Anyone that knows me in real life knows that my obsession with gypsies runs deep.  I won't get into how bad my obsession is because quite frankly, you'd think I was a complete whack job.  So I will just tell you that after Magic Mike premiering today, the thing I'm looking forward to most this weekend is the premiere of The Stanley Sisters on TLC. 

If you've caught an episode of My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding, then I'm sure you've seen Mellie Stanley (the wild one of the fam & my personal fave) and the gang.  Mellie and her sisters got their own spin-off show and there is a 2 hour premiere this Sunday.  Can. Not. Wait.

I don't remember how I stumbled across the blog "Moment Junkie", but it's a new favorite of mine.  The blogger posts pictures of you guessed it, moments caught at weddings.  They will melt your heart or make you laugh!  You have to check his blog out.

Photo credit: Sara K Byrne via Moment Junkie

Photo credit: J Wiley Photography via Moment Junkie

Below are 12 of my favorite Stella and Dot bargains from the week.  Right now we have a 4th of July sale and some of our jewels are an extra 20% off!

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12

This is my favorite nail art from the week c/o Pinterest. Do you not love the coral and gold together?  It's my mission to attempt this look.  Wish me luck.

Someecards make my life and I can't get enough of them. I wanted to put all my faves in this post, but I narrowed it down to two that were appropriate for this week considering I've blogged all about health and fitness.

True story 

True Story #2

That's alllll folks!  Every one better see Magic Mike this weekend so we can discuss on Monday!  Please and thank you.  Link-up below.

2 Giveaway Reminders

!. If you have not entered my BlogHer sponsored $100 Target Gift Card giveaway I posted yesterday, you better not miss out!  All you have to do is leave a comment on this post telling me what you think is TOO much to spend on lipstick.  It's that easy, peasy!


Moving right along ...


2. LAST CALL! You have until 7 p.m. CST TONIGHT to purchase from my Stella and Dot Trunk Show before my launch closes.  For every $25 you spend, I will put your name in a drawing to win these best-selling Serenity Small Stone Drop earrings in your color choice.

To shop my trunk show, go here:  Shop The Bargain Blonde's Trunk Show and select "Lindsey Riggs" at check-out. I'll announce the winner of my Stella and Dot giveaway tomorrow, June 6.

Friday Favorites! My "Style for a Steal" edition!

TGIF.  It's been a busy week for me and I have a feeling I won't be slowing down anytime soon.  To get this weekend kicked off right, I present to you my "Style for a Steal" edition of Friday Favorites.

Since my Stella and Dot Launch Online Trunk Show closes this Monday at midnight, which means your shopping window is closing, I thought I'd pick out some of my favorite Stella and Dot pieces that are all a steal for under $50 each.

Remember that for every $25 you spend shopping my current online trunk show, you will be entered for a chance to win a free pair of the serenity small stone drop earrings (you get to pick your color!)!  i.e. spend $50 = 2 entries / spend $100 = 4 entries, etc. Just be sure to select "Lindsey Riggs" at check out.


A little insider information: I've only had three purchases so far, so your chances of winning are high.

Pearl Ring / Goddess Teardrop Earrings / CoCo Pearl Necklace / Stackable Bracelets

Sprial Silver Bracelet / Silver Clover Chandeliers

Lindsay Bangles / Charlize Tear Drop Earrings / Callie Bracelet 

Deco Drop Earrings / Stackable Deco Rings

To view all items under $50, click here.  All orders arrive within a week and throughout the entire month of May, there is a $5.95 flat rate shipping special!

I know this week I've talked Stella and Dot a lot, so I thought I'd clarify that my blog is not going to turn into Stella & Dot central.  Nothing is going to change at all,  I just want to make sure y'all are a part of my launch with Stella and Dot!  After Monday, it's back to business as usual.

In other news, who is excited for The Bachelorette Premiere on Monday?  I can't wait for my viewing party! I have some fun stuff planned that I can't wait to blog about.  And more than anything, I absolutely cannot wait to see what Emily wears this season.  I would give up my first born for her body and style.  Other than Miranda Lambert, she is my #1 girl crush!   Do y'all love her as much as I do?  It doesn't hurt that she is a huge fan of Stella and Dot too!

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