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.

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.

Sonia Kashuk Satin Luxe Lip Color Review + $100 Target Gift Card giveaway

If there is one thing you know about me, you know I love affordable, great-quality make-up, and more importantly, I love sharing my latest and greatest bargain beauty products with all of you bargainistas. When I recently received the new Sonia Kashuk Satin Luxe Lip Color from Target to test out in Classic Red and Pink Punch for free, I couldn't wait to share with you ladies.

However, if I'm being completely honest, I was slightly terrified thinking about how I was going pull this look off when I saw how vibrant the hues were. I typically stick to light pink glosses because of my fair skin, but I have to tell you, I'm so glad I had the opportunity to test these bold colors because wow, did they make me feel glamorous! If I can pull these colors off, I know they will flatter anyone with any skin shade. Hello red lips...

How playful is this hot pink lip with wavy hair for a fun summer look?

Now, let me dish on the deets.

Maybe you are feeling spicy and want to wear a hot pink or a classic red like me, but maybe you want something more low-key for the office. You're in luck, because the Satin Luxe Lip Color comes in 14 shades and is only $9.99! Ladies, that is a steal and you better believe I'm planning on adding more to my already out-of-control make-up collection. Yes, I am a make-up hoarder, and no, I don't care.

So not only does this lipstick soften and hydrate your lips, it will protect them from the sun with built-in SPF 16. Sun safety helps with anti-aging, and the nourishing ingredients plump up lips for added firmness.

Speaking of ingredients, any of you care to know what you are putting on your lips? This Satin Luxe Lip Color is paraben- and fragrance-free and contains Brown Seaweed Extract to preserve skin elasticity as well as Ceramide 2 and Palmitoyl Peptide to visibly reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Other than the incredibly pigmented color, which you can see in the pictures of me above, the best thing about Sonia’s line of lipsticks is the way they wear. When first applied, they are smooth with a silky glide, but within about an hour they change and behave more like a stain, but with a satin finish. After about 3 hours, I reapplied and my lips looked fantastic.

Oh, oh, oh! I almost forgot. I know this may seem silly, but packaging on products is important to me. I LOVED the new black packaging with its color button to make finding the right tube easier when digging through my stash.

How exciting is this? BlogHer is offering all of my readers an opportunity to enter a sweepstakes to win a $100 Target GiftCard to buy some of Sonia Kashuk Satin Luxe Lip Color for yourself! All you have to do is leave me a comment answering the following question:

Rules:
No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 6/4 to 6/30.
Be sure to visit the sponsor's brand page on BlogHer.com, where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

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!

The Target Curse

Last night I went to Target to stock up on my beloved Purpose face wash and this may or may not be my receipt from that little excursion:

Excuse?  What is it with Target?  I've decided there must be a "Target Curse" because this happens to my checking account every. single. time.  I know I'm not the only one.  Maybe I should just ban myself from going there. Hahahahaha ... yah right.  You know, it's times like these I'm glad I don't have a husband who monitors my spending.  I'd be in T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

I had the best of intentions.  I was going to run in, get my face wash and go home.  As usual, the Target Curse got the best of me.  Next thing you know I'm rummaging through the Dollar Spot, perusing the beauty rows, stopping by the doggy aisle (a new stop for me), picking out Easter candy for my nephew, checking out the home decor and I knew it would be a bad idea, but can you really go to Target and not take a peek at the clothes?

I found so many cute dresses and tops, but I resisted purchasing any clothing items since my cart was already full of $130 worth of who knows what.  That's not to say I don't want to go back and scoop some stuff up.  Specifically, all of these flirty Spring combos, which are less than $75 each:

Do you love?  I love. If I didn't have a little thing called bills to pay for, I'd buy all of these outfits.


Speaking of outfits.  May I direct attention to this little Bargain Blonde adorned in what looks like a puff paint t-shirt, white ruffle socks and pink Keds?  God bless the fashion of the 90s.  We've come a long way kiddos.  

Everyone have a Happy Passover or a Happy Good Friday/Easter!  May you resist this Target Curse this weekend.