Friday Favorites!

And the worst blogger award goes to ....


me.


Snooki waaaah!  I sucked this week at blogging.  I don't know what to tell ya, though.  Some weeks you're on your game, some weeks you're not.  This week was not my week.  However, I do think I have a pretty good Friday Faves coming atcha right now.  Maybe this will make-up for my sub-par blogging this week?  And that announcement?  It's coming THIS MONDAY.  I swear on all that is holy.  

Favorite Coffee Mug

Homegrown Monogram Mug - $8, Anthropologie

I did a little in-store Anthro browsing on Monday, and this mug caught my eye so I snapped a pic. I didn't buy it, but I've been dreaming about it ever since.  It's my mission to purchase it today and I've also decided I'm going to start collecting coffee mugs.  That is going to be "my thing".  I collect nothing and I'm obsessed with cute coffee mug, so coffee mug collection it is.  Anyone out there wanna support this new habit of mine and send me some to die for mugs??  I will not object.  

Favorite Beauty Buy

Sephora's Sun Safety Kit, $30 (out of stock online)

I'm a HUGE advocate for safe sun practices, so when a Sephora e-mail arrived in my inbox last weekend advertising this 17-piece collection of SPF essentials and safe self-tanners for only $30, I knew I had to have it.  And have it I do!  I called my local Sephora on Monday to see if they had any left, and to my delight they had 9!  I promptly asked them to put one on hold for me and I immediately took my badonk up to Sephora to purchase this sun safety goodness.  Review to follow.  

Favorite Wine(s)

Loredona Riesling [5 Stars in Restaurant Wine Magazine]
 and 
HandCraft Chardonnay [89 pts and Gold in Consumer Choice Awards]

One of my BFF's hubs works for the winery that distributes these wines, so he recently sent me home with two bottles to try.  BTW, distributing wine = dream job.  They have so much wine in their house, it is not fair.  

So last night I had a glass of the Handcraft Chardonnay (citrus, peach, honey, pear and creamy marshmallow flavors), and I had a glass of the Loredona Monterey Riesling (nectarine, lime, honeydew melon and candied orange peel flavors).  It's officia!  These are going to be my staple summer wines.  The fruity flavors are so smooth and the wines are not TOO sweet, which I hate.  One word: DEE-LISH.  And by the way, when I say glass I mean glasses.  Duh. 

Favorite Non-Reality TV Show

GCB on ABC Sunday's night @ 9 p.m. CST 

I've got to tell you ladies, I did not want to like this show because I was convinced it was going to make Dallas look absolutely ridiculous and po-dunk like 99.9% of the shows out there.  While this show is certainly over-the-top, I find it to be hysterical and can't get enough.  

GCB is based on the "semi-autobiographical" novel Good Christian Bitches by Kim Gatlin, and the series centers on Amanda Vaughn, a recently widowed woman, who moves her family back to the upscale Dallas neighborhood where she grew up.  Go here to read more about the premise of GCB.  

Oh and did I mention this fine specimen is on the show?  Easy on the eyes in an understatement.  Hello Eric Winter!  I am not happy you are married and with child.  Le sigh.

Favorite Reality TV Show

Yes, these two sisters voluntarily wore these elegant ensembles as bridesmaid dresses. 

Season 2 of My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, TLC

I realize this is not normal, but I'm fascinated with gypsies.  I blogged about them last year when the series first came out and have been obsessed ever since.  Ask anyone who knows me IRL.  If you get me started on the topic of gypsies, I will spout out facts like I'm a walking wikipedia.  Like the fact that the second largest U.S. population of gypsies is in White Settlement, TX, which is relatively close to where I live. 


Mark my words: I will meet a gypsy and I will die a happy lady.  Oh um, and My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding (a spin off of the original series) started last week.  Jesus loves me.  

Favorite Necklace

J Crew Bubble Necklace dupe, ebay $14.50 (shipping included)

The iconic J Crew bubble necklace retails for $150 and I'm sure you have seen it ALL OVER the blog-o-sphere.  It seriously is a sensation.  Well, what's even more sensational is the fact that there is a ebay seller in Hong Kong who sells an identical dupe for only $14.50.  Yah, I said Hong Kong.  Stay with me now because this seller is legit.  I ordered one and it arrived this week and I got SO many compliments on it within the first 5 minutes after stepping into the office.  EVEN FROM MEN.  Like, what?  Anywho, I ordered another one in red so I can wear it with black for Texas Tech games.  

I was skeptical about a seller in Hong Kong sending me a "dupe" (aka knock-off) but the quality is amazing. I highly recommend you order one. I'm tempted to order even more. Tell me no! Click here for the seller, just be prepared to wait a few weeks (to a month) to get it.  Patience is a virtue ladies.  I promise, it is worth the wait.  

Favorite Movie Trailer 

Anddddd ... you. are. welcome. Is it hot in here or is just me? Raise your hand if you'll be there opening night.  *HAND RAISED*

7 Summer Beach Bag Essentials $25 and under

Since the Summer temps are almost upon us, and I just got back from a tropical Hawaii vacation, I thought I'd share some of my must-have beach bag finds all for $25 and under!

1 / 2 / 3 / 4a / 4b / 5 / 6 / 7 

1. Fekkai "Summer Hair" Beach Waves Spray - $25
This tropical smelling spray gives your locks the perfect tousled, "spent all day in the ocean" look. Fekkai has never let me down. 

2. Maybelline Baby Lips w/ SPF 20 - $2.99
I've already touted about my love for this lip balm here and I'm back again to swear it is a "must have".

3. Clinique Lash Power Mascara - $15
Clinique makes one of my favorite mascaras and this version "lasts through rain, sweat, humidity, tears".  My blonde lashes need this in their lives.

4a. Neutrogena Ultra-Dry Sheer Touch Sunblock - $9.99
This dry-touch sheer formula is perfect for your facebecause it's not overly greasy.  I never wear anything else on my face!

4b. Fresh Cooling Body Mist Sunblock - $8.99
It gets HOTTTTTTT in Texas and I mean hot. I love that this sunblock cools as it protects.

5. Xhilaration Pink Wayfarer Sunglasses - $12.99
I got a pair of pink sunglasses identical to these, but from Francesca's a few weeks ago. Every time I put them on, I am automatically in a better mood.  Put on a pair of pink sunnies and tell me you don't instantly feel summery

6. Merona Woven Black Floppy Hat - $14.99
I wore this to float the river last year and after I had a slight tumble down a mini water fall, it had a sad death. I immediately went to Target and got a new one. I can't layout without this floppy hat shielding my face from the harmful sun.

7. Marley Lilly Monogram Wine Koozie - $19.99
I don't own this, but I need to.  How cute is this?  And monogrammed?  I spy a birthday gift.

And that makes seven. What are your summer beach bag essentials?  Tell me in the comments!

My skin story and pre-makeup skincare routine

Every time I receive a compliment on my skin, I think to myself, "if only you knew."  Then it hit me. You would know if I shared my skin story, so here we are.

Even to this day, my skin is FAR from perfect, but with a little self-tanner and make-up, it won't haunt you in your sleep.  However, there was a period of time when it might have.  Not really. I'm being dramatic.  But there was a time when I was REALLY self conscience about my skin.  Ahhh, the middle school awkward years, I don't miss you at all.

In case you are wondering, yes, that is a jean skort.

I started seeing a dermatologist on the reg at around 10-years-old.  I have been on almost every antibiotic pill there is for your skin, used every topical treatment, tried Proactive, given over the counter products a whirl and finally, my most extreme measure was going on Accutane in the 9th grade.

Prior to going on Accutane, I had several sessions of "acne surgery".  Basically this witch of a woman aka my dermatologist would clean my skin with this horrific tool.  I had tears streaming down my face the entire time because it hurt so bad and she would snarl, "Calm down, I didn't tell you this wasn't going to hurt."  OK mam, but I'm allowed to cry if it feels like someone is taking an ice pick to my face.  I hated her and switched dermatologists shortly after.

Accutane has some severe side effects, but it was the final measure after exhausting all other options and I was willing to do whatever it took. Accutane worked, but the results didn't last forever. I still suffered from breakouts all throughout college and almost went on Accutane again. I discontinued using prescription medicine for my skin a few years ago because it seems as though I've finally outgrown my acne days.  Knock on wood.

Don't get my wrong, I get breakouts from time to time.  However, I have to be very dillgent about how I care for my skin, and this is what I swear by. 

I've mentioned this before, but I use Johnson & Johnson's Purpose Cleansing Wash to wash my face every day and night without exception NO MATTER HOW TIRED I AM.  I force myself.

I love it because it is soap-free so it does not dry your face and it won't ever sting your eyes, so it's ideal for removing your eye make-up. I rarely ever have to use eye make-up remover.  Seriously, I have not used any other face wash since middle school and I refuse to waiver.  You can find it at Wal-Mart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, etc.

I don't religiously use toner, and I definitely try to lay off of it in the winter.  When I do use it, I love Clinique Clarifying Lotion in Level 4 for very oily skin or Level 3 for oily skin.  I use Level 4 during the day because it's stronger and helps control oil longer.  My skin is VERY oily so I like toner for helping to control the shine.  I really don't think toner is a skincare necessity, but I'm no expert.  Just my opinion.

For the longest I used Purpose Lotion too, but it was too heavy and greasy for my skin, so about a year ago I made the switch to Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel and I've never looked back.  This stuff is amazing.

This gel is designed to balance moisture in the cheeks but control oil in the t-zone.  The only downfall to this lotion is that it contains no SPF, but I use foundation with SPF instead.

If I know I'm going to be out in the sun for any prolonged period of time, I apply sunscreen because my skin is so, so, so fair.  During the summer I am psychotic about staying in the shade if I'm ever by a pool and I always wear a big floppy hat and a towel over my face if there is no shade available.  

I swear I've been burnt through a car window on a car trip before, but people tell me that's impossible.  I see your side-eye too, but I promise it happened!

My favorite sunscreen for the face is Neutrogena's Age Shield Face Sunblock in 110 SPF.  Yes, 110.  I am petrified of wrinkles and skin cancer.  I've found this sunscreen is the most lightweight formula with the best protection.    

That is my pre-makeup skin routine!  All the products I use are very affordable and my skin stays in fairly decent shape.  Please let me know if you have any questions or skin care secrets that you swear by.

I will share my face make-up and nightly skin care routine in upcoming posts.