Thursday Things to Love

Hi - remember me? Yeah I know I've been a bad little blogger this week, but I promise you I have a good excuse. Work has been kicking my ass, and while it's definitely good to be busy but I've been coming in early and working late and it has really interfered with my posting. So sorry - sometimes I have to put work first because it pays the bills and all. I will get around to catching up on my blog readings and commenting very soon.

Here we go with Thursday Things to Love this week...beauty edition.

• Moroccan Miracle Oil for my hair - have y'all ever used this? If you haven't, you need to rush out today and buy some because it's AM-AZ-ING! I've had this bottle for about 3 1/2 years, and since you only need a little drop each time it's really lasted me. A little pricey - I think this bottle was $45, but like I said I've had it for a while. I don't use it everyday, but I 100% notice a difference in the smoothness of my hair when I do use it. My hair is super fine, and lately I've been experiencing lots of breakage - remember I told ya all about that? I highly recommend it. Plus, it has a really nice smell. But remember you only need a little bit, not even dime size amount. If you have fine/oily hair like I do, then using more than you need will make you look like you didn't shower.

• Olay - Night of Olay Firming Cream - My aunt swears by this stuff, and even though it's not the super expensive brand, I have to believe it's working for her because she's 43 and looks fabulous. I haven't been using it long enough yet to see results, but I definitely don't want my age to ever show in my face so I took my aunt's advice and got some. I have a hard time remembering to dab the cream vs. smear it, but I'm sure the dabbing pays off. Do you use any night creams? I'm really starting to get into a preventative beauty regimen so I need advice!

• Estee Lauder - Idealist Skin Refresher. I love love love this product - cannot say enough good things about it. Again, my age conscious aunt got me turned onto this maybe 4-5 years ago. Like my hair, my face tends to get oily (especially in the T-zone) so I'm constantly searching for a moisturizer that is oil-free and keeps me looking fresh all day without too many powder touch ups. BINGO - found it here! Again, it's pricey but well worth it. It doesn't take much for your entire face/neck area, and it leave my face feeling smooth and silky but never greasy.

• Lastly, not beauty related at all, but I'm so excited that the temperature is supposed to get to actual winter norms this weekend! We are hoping to make a quick trip to NC to go snowboarding hopefully Saturday. Plus, Skye is all off all weekend - our first weekend off together in 3 weeks- so we are doing our Valentine's day celebrations over the weekend.

So tell me about your daily/nightly preventative beauty routines. I want to know what works for you and what doesn't, and what products you absolutely couldn't live without.

7 x 7 Blog Award

7x7 Blog Award!
Number 1.  Thank the person who nominated you.  
Vanessa over at Vanessa Schrotenboer - THANK YOU! I found Vanessa through the SITS GIRLS 31 days to a Better Blog Challenge. She is so cute and sweet, and I've really enjoyed getting to know her! Check out her blog!

Number 2.  Share 7 things about yourself. 
1. I am obsessed with the Real Housewives franchise on Bravo. I watch all the seasons. I met Gretchen Rossi last year from RH of Orange County and I have shopped at Kandi from RH of Atlanta's Store. I'm tracking them down - one season at a time!

Me with Gretchen from RH Orange County (PS - this is the shirt I bought below at Kandi's store)
Disregard my chubbiness - this was pre-weight loss

Me with a bag from Tags, ATL boutique owned by Kandi from RH of Atlanta

2. My boyfriend and I have been dating for a little over 7 years. One of these days we will make it official! He gave me a "promise ring" after 6 months, we just haven't upgraded it yet.

3. I come from a family of police officers and firefighters. Two firefighters and Six police officers.
4. I tried out for the MTV reality show The Real World in Nashville with my best friend when we were 18.
5. I treat my dog, Tilly, like a child.

6. All three of the cars I've owned have been green. I don't even love the color green...
7. I'm a girly girl, but I'm also one of the guys. I know this sounds like an oxymoron, but it's true for me. I love pink and glitter, and beer and dirtbikes.

Number 3.  Share 7 of your blog posts that fit into the following categories…
Most beautiful: Beauty = healthy and I'm on a healthy kick this year.
Most Helpful:  Sort of a funny, but this is helpful to me when I'm feeling left behind by everyone else my age.
Most Popular: Recent Post about my crazy alfalfa hair situation.
Most Controversial:  Hands Down. Craziest thing that has ever happened to me!
Most Surprisingly Successful: Gel Blush Post. I love my girly girl readers! :)

Most Underrated: Justice for Henry. Henry was a boy from my town who died tragically, I have been very attracted to his Mama's posts about him - even though I can't explain why. Dateline is currently filming his story to air. If you have known anyone who has fallen to a struggle with drugs, Henry's Story is one to check out.

Most Pride Worthy: Proud of Him - Skye's new job makes me beyond proud that he will one day be a part of my family's traditions.

Number 4. Nominate 7 other bloggers.  

(I tried to think of different girls that the ones I've seen already given shout-outs)

1. Cami at First Day of My Life

2. Taylor at Goings On In Texas 

3. Holly at Precisely Holly

4. Erin at The Life & Times of E1

5. Ashley at First Home Dreams

6. Briana at Sweet Carolina Grace

7. Whitney at Just A Country Girl

5 Question Friday/Fur Baby Friday!

Today I am trying something new and doing a double link up! So I hope this doesn't feel too cluttered.

First off, I'm linking up with the fabulous Mrs. Monologues for the VERY FIRST Fur Baby Friday! I absolutely love this idea and of course, I love to show off my pretty girls.

My precious Tilly  has a new favorite toy this week. A random ping pong ball that she found in our garage. She's been playing with this ball like crazy and she loves to pounce on it when it goes bouncing across our hardwood floors.

Per usual on Fridays, next up is 5 Question Friday! Hosted by Mama M.

 

1. What have you done recently that you are proud of?

I've managed to lose about 6-7lbs. in the past 2 1/2 weeks! This gets me closer to my ideal weight goal! I'm not sure how in the world I've managed to accomplish this because I've been a major slacker in the workout department. I'm giving all the credit here to my diet. My original "2012 goal" was to lose about 10 more pounds, but now that I'm down 6.5, I feel like maybe I should have aimed for 15 total lbs. Maybe I'm becoming obsessed? It's so easy to get obsessed with losing weight!

Now I need to get back in the gym hardcore because summer is just around the corner!

2. What is your favorite way to work out? Or if you don't workout, what are you wanting to try?

I love Zumba, it's so fun and one of the best cardio workouts I've done. Other than that, I like running outside when the weather allows. I did a bootcamp at my gym last summer that was AMAZING, and it totally kicked my ass.

I like trying new things all the time. I'm not a run on the treadmill for hours kind of girl.

3. If you knew you best friend was cheating on spouse would you tell?

I want to say no. Skye always tells me to mind my own business when it comes to peoples relationships because I'm always curious about what's going on. I want to think I would be able to mind my own business, especially if the cheat-er was my best friend. Maybe I would just offer advice to her? Never been in this situation so I can't say for sure.

4. If you could afford a live-in maid or nanny, would you have one?

HELL YES! I would have a live-in maid, no need for a nanny around here.

5. Do you stress out about birthdays (specifically the age) or do you enjoy them?

Both. My last birthday was probably the first (of many) that I will be a little shy about telling people how old I am. As I get closer to 30, I'm sure it will only get worse. But in the end, my birthday is my favorite holiday so you have to enjoy it!

Bonus: Lights off or on?

Depends...It doesn't bother me with lights on, but sometimes it's not the right mood.

 

So come on over and link up with me in both places! It's fun!

 

PS - I got my hair done tonight...and I got a little advice on how to fix my alfalfa hair. Plus, I got a wild hair and added a little red this go around. I've had my hair exactly like this before, with the blonde, red and low lights, but it's been years. Kinda hard to tell in this picture, but gives you an idea.

 

Hairy Business

I have a hair appointment on Friday and I am oh so excited about it! I so look forward to getting my hair done. It’s almost as good as getting a pedicure or a massage.

One of the main reasons I’m looking forward to going this time (not to mention the fact that it’s been 8 weeks so my roots are out of control) is because I’ve developed these little Alfalfa like hairs over the past 8 weeks.

I’ve done a little research on this and the trusty Internet tells me often these breakages are caused by blow dryers, flat irons and other heat sources. I have purchased a new flat iron since then, but one of the reasons I got a new flat iron was because these little rascals popped up. (haha get it? Little Rascals? Alfalfa? At least I can laugh at myself.) But y’all seriously, it looks insane! It’s not just one or two little hairs, it’s a whole chunk of hair right at the front of my part. It almost looks like I have tried to cut this section of hair, but I haven’t I promise. In the past, I have been known to dabble in trimming my own bangs between hair appointments, but not this time.

I use product and hairspray and all kinds of gunk but they won’t stay down! I’m hoping that my wonderful hair stylist can fix it or semi-fix it even. I swear to you it seems like they have just developed since the last time I had my hair done. It’s a little embarrassing and I feel like people stare all the time. I hope there’s a cure and I hope we find that cure on Friday.

Have you ever had this happen? Leave it up to me to have strange things happen, even with my hair!