High Five for Friday!

Hello Everyone! Happy Friday!
Today I'm linking up with Lauren for High Five for Friday!

This week in highlights..and no particular order....

1.) Starbucks Peppermint Mocha 

On Tuesday I had my first Peppermint Mocha of the season, and let me tell you, it was delightful. It was dreary and freezing cold here in Nebraska, and my Skinny P.M., coupled with a heartfelt conversation with one of my favorite people, made Tuesday a wonderful day! 

NOTE: on Wednesday I turned around and had an ICED P.M. Hey 60 degrees! Nice to see you!

2.) Morning Drives. 

This is literally the worst picture ever. Do these ever turn out ? Especially on a phone? Some of the sunrises this week were breathtaking! (Or maybe I was just tired. Either way.) 

3. Experimental Baking

Last night was a "bake night." I always have the baking itch, but I can't do it every week...for a few different reasons. The primary being that I will taste test. Frequently. And I will taste test the finished product until it is GONE. So, I have to have a destination for the goods in mind, or I'm not making anything! Last night I experimented with a from-scratch vanilla cupcake and a delicious frosting that I ended up putting lots of random things in (molasses? peanut butter? almond extract?...why not.) 

I wasn't satisfied. These will be attempted again. 

Hope everyone had a GREAT week.. and a wonderful upcoming weekend! 

Weekly Favorites

It's time for some weekly favorites. 

Let's dive in. 

1.

Dark Chocolate Almond milk. I have a problem. I HAVE to have something sweet after I eat a meal. Have is a term I use loosely, but seriously. It doesn't matter if I am completely full. Just something. Like a piece of chocolate or candy. Or peanut butter. Anyways, this stuff is delicious. And it's a pretty healthy alternative to a bowl of ice-cream. 

2. 

Kale. How is this so good? It is. During the week I basically eat three things... scrambled eggs, cereal, and chicken breasts. It's the easiest and quickest things I can prepare for myself. Chicken gets boring on its own, and kale is the perfect side dish. I toss it around in a skillet with some olive oil and garlic for like TWO minutes. Seriously, so fast. And it is SO GOOD. 

3.

Target's Cartwheel app

One of my friends told me about this a few months ago, and I love it. As if I needed another reason to love or go to Target ( I don't), but this is an added bonus! Target basically rotates around different items (everything..shoes to grocery) and they put a discount on the item. And then during check out, the cashier scans your app bar (my favorite part). Plus, it makes it all the more fun and exciting when something you need is discounted. It's like a scavenger hunt. Actually, not at all, but I can't think of a better comparison right now. Sometimes the savings is very minimal, and sometimes it is actually a great deal! Either way, I'll take it. Reality is, I'm buying it either way, so, sure I'll take the 50 cent discount. Thanks Cartwheel!

Side note: I am not going to explain how this app works. If you don't have it and claim to love Target, you need this app. Download it and figure it out. 

Blow Dry Madness

So, Thursday I was on a routine visit to Beauty First. I had a coupon that also certified that I got a free gift with any purchase. Always exciting in my book.  Anyways, the free gift ended up being this...

Kenra Blow-Dry spray. 

Well, let me just say, I have been missing out! The first thing that got me was how amazing it smells. I wanted to pour it all over my body (too far?)  but.. seriously. Anyways, the product does claim to blow dry your hair 50% faster. Well, I don't know about 50% faster (I already have an amazing hair dryer...) but I could tell a noticeable difference in the dry time. 

However, the MOST fabulous part of this stuff, was the way my hair looked and felt after blow drying. Sometimes after I get done with a full blown dry, my hair is a HOT MESS. I am talking frizzy, tangles...the whole nine yards. Anyways, not anymore! My hair was really soft and smooth..and as previously mentioned...smelled really good. 

YES! It's the little things. I know in the scheme of life, a blow dry spray simply just doesn't matter, but hey, it still was a nice little pick me up! 

My little free gift-sized bottle isn't going to last very long, I can already tell you that much. This will be a product I will purchase. 

Way to go Beauty First, your marketing technique certainly worked on me! 

Fall

It's September 30th. That means it has been OVER a month since my last post. And here I was, thinking I've been on top of it lately!

I have no legit excuses for my absence, except that work is CRAZY. And tiring. And I love it all the same. But still. When I get home, I am typically physically and, more so, mentally exhausted. I usually need to immediately work out or immediately do NOTHING. You can see where that would cause a problem with posting a blog.

I don't have any special products to post, or any cute outfits to review today. Today, I am realizing we are coming up on a new season. Today is the last day of September, and before I can blink, I will be scraping ice off of my windows in the morning.

But the real reason I am thinking about Fall isn't because of the weather or the clothing, but because of what it means to be in this season again. I remember last year at this time was a difficult time period for me. I was full of hurt and pain and disappointment. I didn't feel like me, and I wondered if I would ever feel like me again. I recently reflected over the last year, and even read some journal entries from last year around this time. It was hard to remember who that person was, but I could feel the emptiness in my words and the pain that seemed so evident.

I am in no way looking for pity...or even searching for an encouraging word. The truth is, I am thinking about these times because it makes me all the MORE thankful for where and who I am today. Truth be told, no matter how much I was hurting, I wouldn't trade that season. 2 Corinthians 4:6 says "For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness, made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ. "

And...that is how I feel. Out of an extremely dark place, I feel God changed me, molded me, and brought me into a new place of thankfulness, happiness and ... light.

So, moving into this NEW Fall season, I am incredibly thankful. Everyday presents it's own struggles, but everyday also presents a new opportunity for us to truly thank God for the light that He shines into us.

Tuesday Favorites

Does everyone just have a thing they "favor" at any given moment? I definitely go in stages. Of all different things. Food, products, clothing, jewelry, people (kidding! kind of)... anyways.. so here is my completely random and irrelevant current favorites list.

1. Essie "Watermelon"
As summer is winding down (sad) I am clawing at the chance to wear summer colors. I know that Fall is right around the corner, and soon, very soon, I may look ridiculous with my various shades of hot pink everywhere. I bought this color the other day in an attempt to change up my summer colors, and could NOT STOP obsessing over it! Seriously. Such a fun color!

2. Benefit the "POREfessional"
As I was in search of a new primer, the sweet girl at Sephora recommended using this product. I don't know exactly how well it works as a primer (though I have been using it as one!), but as a product it is fantastic! As always, Benefit's packaging just gets me. Why! WHY! So cute. I can't pass it up. But aside from that, this stuff is legit. Pores be gone!

3. Steamed broccoli 
Do I really need a picture? I think you get the idea. My grandma tends to give us random gifts, and last Christmas she was handing out these steamer bowl things that you can steam rice and veggies in the microwave with. I had never really used mine, and then I decided to a few weeks ago. And now I can't stop. Steamed broccoli is the side to every meal I eat now, basically (or Oreos). Everyone should get one of these bowls. It makes it SO EASY. I pour a little olive oil and a tiny bit of salt and.... YUM!


4. Boots
OOPS. Too soon? I can't help it. Every August, I get the "Fall itch." For me, this typically (naturally) reflects in the form of shoes. I LOVE BOOT SEASON! I CAN'T WAIT! THAT'S WHY I AM TYPING IN ALL CAPS! AHHHH. Okay. Time to settle down. I have already been guilty of trying on my boots with various "Fall" outfits in my closet. Meanwhile, its 105 degrees outside and if I were to actually consider said outfit, I would die of a heat stroke in short order. That's okay though. As we Nebraskan's know, that could change. REAL quick! I LOVE a tall boot.. but seriously.. these are so cute. These are from the Fall line at beYourself in Lincoln. Yes please!

Thanks for tuning in to my Tuesday Favorites!

I will be doing an update, SOON, on my LiLash progress.

Love,

LiLash Fail

No, I am not saying LiLash failed. Just me. I have done an awful job keeping track of my progress. But, in case anyone cares, I can definitely tell a difference! There is a little more length there than I have ever had. I took this picture about a week and a half ago...which would make it approximately week 4 (5?) since I have started.

I apologize for the very poor quality, I took the picture with my phone and just wanted to have some sort of documentation on this lash journey (that's what we are calling it now).

In the mean time, you guys have to try this stuff..

It is weird. The white tube is a nylon extension that you apply and it looks weird and cottony. Not a good description, I know, but this is definitely better (and easier) than using false lashes. I used this the other day (in addition to my growing Lilash lashes) and couldn't believe the length! If you have every used any sort of mascara where you apply the white primer first for extension, it is a similar concept. However, this is like 5000x better. You will get some SERIOUS length out of this.

If you have a special occasion coming up and aren't feeling the fake lashes... I would try this. It's a little bit pricey (around $30)... but worth it depending on your occasion!

LiLash Update!

I apologize to anyone who was anxiously awaiting the growth of my eyelashes. I have been going non stop between work and regular life and simply could not find the time to post my pictures.

I still can't decide what is the best way to track my lash growth (or lack of?)... with mascara, or without? So, I kind of did both. I feel like right now the progress is minimal, but I think there is a small change. And I mainly notice it just when I am putting on my mascara.

Still, I haven't talked to anyone who didn't have extreme success with this product, so I am anxious to see the upcoming results.

L-R July 7th (approx one week in) and July 18th (approx two weeks in)

L-R July 18th (with mascara) and July 22nd (with mascara)

So... there you have it. I don't know! I think there is a tiny bit of difference in length. So far, no negative side effects that I can think of. Sometimes it burns a little if I get carried away when I am putting in on, but other than that, no issues!

It will be interesting to see if there are any noticeable changes in the next few weeks. Stay tuned!