I can't sleep so I'll blog about the time I got lost hiking

So it's Saturday night, well technically it is now Sunday at 12AM, and I cannot sleep. I can't be 100% sure, but it may have something to do with the 3 naps I took today on accident and a Starbucks energy drink I had at 8PM. Never mind the fact I am supposed to be up at 5:45AM for a 5K. Yah, I don't know who I am either. I don't run. Like at all.

Lately I've been obsessed with this workout class called Skyrobics. It's an hour long cardio and toning class at my local trampoline park and as an ex-gymnast, it is right up my ally and actually a workout I look forward to. Not to mention it is super low impact on my joints and we all know I don't have the best ankles. Last I left you guys, I was going to hike Red Rock Canyon here in Vegas.

By the way, if you want more regular updates on my life out here in the Wild, Wild West, then make sure you follow me on Instagram (@thebargainblonde). I certainly update that much more frequently than my blog these days.

Anyway, I survived hiking Red Rock but not without some hiccups. Our 1.5 mile hike turned into 8 miles. Yes, 8 miles. And no, that was not intentional. Trust. The trails aren't marked so somehow, someway, we ended up off course and 4 miles out from our starting point. That meant we had no choice but to hike the 4 miles back to our cars. I have never been so happy to see my car in my life. The views were gorgeous and I can't complain about the exercise, so I chalk it up as a successful outing getting lost and all.

Do you guys ever go hiking? Before moving here, i never realized how gorgeous the mountains are in Las Vegas. I never, ever get tired of looking at them every morning and every night. It's one of my favorite things about this city. See people, there is more to Vegas than The Strip. So there. I miss you guys (as usual).

 

January/February 2013 Recap via Instagram

It's been a long time since I filled you in on what I've been up to. I just realized I have not really done any sort of life update since my Christmas recap. With March (yes, March) upon us already, I thought I'd do a brief January/February recap. Not only for you, but I like to be able to look back on my blog and remember what I did and where I've been. But mainly for you, of course. Is anyone even still out there?? I feel like I completely fell out of the blogging universe.

January began with New Year's Eve. I swear I passed out before midnight. Yes, my first New Year's Eve in Vegas and I was in bed before midnight with Nyquil and Reese's teddy he left behind at Christmas.

If this isn't an attractive NYE look, I don't know what is

I've enjoyed my new owl coffee mugs from West Elm that I got for Christmas.

I've perfected at home soak off of gel nails without ruining your nails. Tutorial anyone?

essie marshmallow topped with sally hansen shall we dance

I think after 6 months of living here, I've officially learned how to navigate my way around the Las Vegas Strip.

stuck in morning traffic

It's been a while, but you may remember that since I moved here, I was using my coffee table as a TV stand, I finally bought a TV stand from Joss & Main a month of so ago and I was very proud of myself for putting the entire thing together all by my lonely.

Do we approve?

Have a few FaceTime sessions with the nephew:

Finally put pictures in picture frames in my room 3 months later.

Saw George Strait in concert at the MGM when an old college roomie was in town.

pre hair trim. Can't even fit my hair in the picture it was so long. #michelleduggarhair

Decided it was finally time to trim my hair. If you know me at all IRL, you know I am psycho when it comes to my hair. I've had several traumatic experiences throughout the years and finally found an amazing hair stylist who I've been going to for the past 6 years in Dallas. Well, I could not wait any longer, so I went to a new person here. I was not traumatized from new hair cut, but let's just say I'll be flying back to Dallas for my next one. No pics, sorry. Maybe soon. Don't love it. Actually, that experience could be it's own post.
I'm in the stages of planning a baby shower for my bestie who lives here. She's due very soon. I just sent invites out a few weeks ago. Here I am watching The Bachelor (don't love any of the girls this season) and addressing the invites:

Have come to the conclusion, no where is off limits for gambling or boozing in Vegas. When I was getting my prescription filled on Valentine's Day, I had to shake my head when I saw this while I waited to check out in line at my neighborhood CVS.

Only in Vegas

And most recently, I spent last weekend relaxing. I made an enormous omlette on accident, went to the grocery store, painted my nails and made my slow cooker beef stroganoff, which I've every night since Sunday except last night because we had a work dinner. (single girls who live alone problems)

Mushroom, onion and bacon omelette with a side of freah Whole Foods salsa

Essie Strawberry Shortcake

As much as I love this recipe, after 4 days in a row of it for dinner ... I'm ready for something else

That about sums up January and February. Like I said, it's not too exciting. I leave you with a pretty picture of the sunset from my balcony this past Sunday night. I love the mountain sunsets here. One thing you cannot get in Texas.

The pictures don't come close to doing justice

TGIF. Everyone have a great weekend! I'm going hiking at one of those gorgeous montains Saturday afternoon for the first time. Wish me luck, and please have the paramedics on standby. Thank you.

I'm sure I'll be the only one blogging about the Oscars

I feel like I just wasted 3 hours of my life watching the Oscars. And to erase that mess from my memory, I am now watching another mess of a show: Mob Wives. But gosh darn it, I love me some Mob Wives. That, and I have no shame when it comes to reality TV trash.

The majority of the Oscars were a total snooze fest, but I do have a few highlights:

1. Jen Lawrence winning then tripping on the stairs (bless her heart). I've been a fan of her since Hunger Games and to be quite honest, Silver Linings Playbook was THE only movie I saw that was nominated. I'm just bummed my boo, B Coop didn't win.
2. Ben Affleck's acceptance speech. I totes teared up when his wife was choking up as he thanked her. Presh.
3. Realizing Adele is the same age as Tay Swift. Let that sink in.
4. K Stew's arm bruise. I just don't understand how she can give so little of a care. No one forced you to be at the Oscars sweetie.

Legit, that's about all I took away from the Oscars. Oh yah, and these ladies, who are my top 5 best dressed:

 

Stacy Keibler giving us a flapper vibe in this Naeem Kahn dress (styled by the fabulous Brad Goreski #major)

J Law in Dior Haute Couture. Even though she tripped in this dress, I still love it. I loved her dainty necklace even more.

Naomi Watts in Armani. That cut out is fierce.

 

Sandy in a fully embroidered Elie Saab. She's fabulous and lives in Texas. Love her.

Jessica Chastain's Old Hollywood glamour Armani beaded gown. Not a color I'd think someone with fair skin could pulll off, but she totes did.

That's all folks. And that's 3 hours of my life I'll never get back. Who were your best (and worst) dressed??

A new favorite: Sonia Kashuk dual ended foundation brush

Happy Tuesday, y'all! Me again. Can you even believe it? Two posts two days in a row ... say it isn't so. You just wait. You're in for a treat this week.

Obviously I've been MIA since I moved to Vegas five months ago. I'd be lying if I told you I haven't thought about shutting the ole blog down more times than I can count. Ultimately, I just couldn't bring myself to do it and I didn't want to. I really do miss you guys and I miss this blogging community. I have definitely felt like something was missing from my life without it. So what I'm saying is I just can't quit you guys, OK? And since we basically have five months of catching up to do and I don't really know where to begin, I'll just start with a beauty review because who doesn't love a beauty review?

And I'll kick off the first of a few upcoming beauty reviews with the Sonia Kashuk Complexion Perfector dual sided foundation brush since it seemed to spark the most interest when I Instagrammed a picture of my bathroom counter after getting read a few weeks ago.

The brush looks like this upclose and I bought mine at Target, my home away from home.

$18.99 online

 

Before this brush, I used to apply foundation with the elf stipple brush which I've reviewed and then I blended with just a plain make up sponge wedge. I still love the elf stipple, but dare I say I love this Sonia Kashuk more? I dare.


If you're looking to switch things up in the foundation application department, I highly recommend giving this brush a whirl. What I do is put about a dime size amount of foundation on the back of my hand. Then, I take the brush end and dab a bit of the foundation and apply to one section of my face at a time until it's applied all over. Then, use the sponge end to blend to a flawless look.

Since I bought this brush, I have not switched back to any of my old foundaton brushes and i literally use it every day. I look creepy here - I manage to do that any time i try to take a "selfie" as I see they're calling it these days - but here is my skin after using the dual ended brush for applcation. Keep in mind I'm in natural light, "#nofilter" and absolutely zero self tanner. I think the brush does a fairly good job of covering imperfections. Because trust, my skin has plenty.

SIde note: That lip gloss sitch is just awful. Please disregard.

 

Has anyone tried this brush? What's your favorite application method for foundation?

 

My Valentine's Day @ Urgent Care

I know I said I'd be back to blogging regularly in the new year, but I'm obviously a liar. I'll believe it when I see it too, so since I've clearly failed at that New Years resolution, I'll just resolve to not make any more promises. How about that?

My Valentine, Mr. Reesey!

I hope y'all had a good Valentine's Day. As if being single isn't annoying enough of Valentine's Day, I spent my Valentines Day morning at Urgent Care which was an experience in itself. Mumbling dude behind me in line hacking? Check. Old grandpa rolling in with pj pants and a robe? Check. 2 month old baby screaming his head off? Check. All you would expect in an urgent care waiting room on Valentine's Day and more.

After not waiting too long in the waiting room, I was relieved to be taken back to a room to wait on a doctor. But it wasn't a doctor who came in to see me, but a medical student. Seemed legit. Sike. Then after she examined me, the real doctor came in who had on a SARS mask, sounded sicker than me and told me, "not to worry because she wouldn't breathe on me." Um ok. What. the. fuzz? There are some professions you should know when to stay home if you are sick. A DOCTOR is one of them.

So that happened. Don't worry, I survived. I just had a virus which you basically can't do anything for except rest, drink lots of fluids and take codeine cough syrup to ease the pain. I already feel a lot better after 2 days glued to my bed and DVR. Happy Valentine's Day to me!

The whole point of this story is that since I've had some down time, I've been able to write some blog posts and scheduled them. YAY! Have a great week friends. I miss y'all.

Coffee, cats, candy, cards and ... body wash? Single girl probs.