Detox

It finally happened.

I bought the Drybar Detox dry shampoo.

And it was EVERYTHING I hoped it would be. You guys, Drybar rocks. Their products are amazing. The smell is unbeatable. I am stretching my washes further than I ever have.

I should probably consider changing the name of this blog to "We mostly talk about dry shampoo." That would be a little lengthy... and not entirely true... but I realize my obsession with finding the perfect one has gotten out of control in the past year.

But now... I can't honestly say that I think we've landed. For me anyways. I know smell is a personal thing and what I may see as amazing...someone else may see as mediocre. So there's that. But speaking for quality, this product is NOT lacking.

 

Here is the breakdown:

 

Pros

Extreme volume

Absorbs oil

Smells amazing

Smell lasts throughout day/night

 

Cons

$20-23 depending on where  you purchase

...that's it.

 

 

I have mentioned before that I feel like $20 and up seems to be a lot to spend on a product that you are using practically every day (and that may only last about a month), but I have to retract that statement for THIS product. It is worth every penny of not having to wash, blow dry and style my hair everyday. And THE SMELL. Yes please.

 

I have no idea why I waited so long. Don't make the same mistake I do.... get out there and buy this miracle spray, stat!

 

 

 

 

Friday Five: Perfume Edition

You guys, Winter is HARD!

During this depressed and frigid season, I rely on the small things to get me through! Not to say that every day doesn't have it's own greatness, but I have a few little routines to brighten my day.

One of the ways I keep morale up is with perfume. Weird, right? But seriously. Smell is very important to me and sometimes having a sweet or floral scent whirling around me during the day makes me cheerful. Call me crazy, but the days I forget to wear perfume are sort of disappointing.

I am pretty sure my husband will also vouch for the fact that I am big into the smell-good. The days that he wears cologne I am like an annoying mosquito who can't stop sniffing him. It's just SO GOOD!

Anyways, I always used to want to be one of those people who wore ONE perfume. And had one "signature scent" if you will. My mom has literally worn the same perfume for 25+ years. Their whole house smells like it. I love that smell because it reminds me of my Mom. But... that just can't be me. There are too many amazing perfumes out there these days and I like to match my perfume to various moods and seasons. (I can't be the only one, right?)

So today I compiled my top 5 perfumes (as of current!). Some of these perfumes I have been wearing for over 5 years....some are newer to the mix. I do not discriminate, and I love adding something to the collection here and there.

 

1. Burberry Brit

Mmmmm. Old faithful. I have been wearing this perfume since the beginning of college, maybe high school! It has a sweet, musky vanilla smell that I love. It reminds me of Winter. I especially like to wear it when it's super cold out. I don't know why. I don't have reasons for everything weird I do.

 

2. Kat Von D "Saint"

This was something I stumbled on to at Sephora about 5 years ago. I generally try perfume based on how they look (marketing people must love me!) but this perfume was just an accident. An AMAZING accident. But this stuff smells so sweet... I have no other words for it. It's just like sugar for your body.

 

3. Dolce by D & G

This is my newest purchase. Last year I sprayed it on while I was browsing through Sephora. At first, I wasn't even impressed. But that night I kept thinking "what is that smell?" And not in a bad way.  I finally realized it was ME! This stuff smells so good. It's so light, fresh and almost POWDERY.

*It's safe to say I will not be hired to describe perfume scents anytime soon*

 

4. Viva La Juicy by Juicy Couture

I love decorative bottles, in case you haven't noticed. They look so pretty sitting there. This perfume is going to be a permanent fixture in my collection, probably forever. It is probably my most worn perfume and also makes me the most happy. Whoever named it is a genius. It is truly juicy. I don't even know what that means, but it best describes the scent. It is like a BURST of amazing sweet and fruity things. YUM. That's all.

 

5. Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf

I purchased this perfume about 5 years ago because the friendly man at the perfume counter was VERY persuasive. He convinced me that NO perfume lasts longer than this stuff. And in not so many words, he told me that every guy loves this perfume. Well played, perfume counter dude. I bought it that day. Flowerbomb was out of my scent comfort zone. Like my Mother, I tend to linger around sweet, vanilla like fragrances. But Flowerbomb (true to it's name) is literally just a flower explosion in your nose. Personally, I think it smells better after a few hours then it does initially. But that's just me.

 

 

Okay ladies (and gentleman), if you are in the market for a new scent - perhaps I have convinced you with my poetic descriptions of these lovely scents.

 

Seriously though, you cannot go wrong with any of these. If you are looking to add a new perfume in the rotation, or (perhaps!) a Valentines Day treat for you or a loved one.... give these a shot!

 

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

xoxox

What's Up Wednesday!

Hi everyone!

This week cannot get over soon enough, to be honest. I already feel like it's been an entire week! And that's never a good sign. But enough of the negative Nancy-isms...

Today we are linking up with Shay for What's Up Wednesday!  And that is always fun!

1. What We're Eating This Week:

The usual. Chicken and veggies. Turkey bowls. Pizza on Mondays. :)

But we are also eating this recipe I mentioned yesterday. Delish!

 

2. What I'm Reminiscing About:

I am a big time reminiscer  ... for some reason the other day I was talking about the day I met Clay, our first date, etc. Clay probably cringes when he hears me "remember when...?" But it's probably because we co-blogged about it a few weeks ago! :) You can read about how we met from my and Clay's perspective here and here! I love LOVE!

 

3. What I'm Loving:

These Sorel boots I mentioned last week. And... this week I found this pair and they are on sale! So... it's happening! I can't wait for my feet to stay dry in all of this snow!

 

4. What We've Been Up To:

We have both been working our normal day jobs and being a boring married couple! And I am not at all upset about it! In addition, we have been planning and dreaming about house projects. None of these are pressing, but there is a list going :) And my Pinterest board is overflowing with ideas!

 

5. What I Am Dreading:

More snow. Does it ever end? I heard yesterday that we are supposed to get a big snowstorm  next week. I. Am. Over. It.

6. What I'm Working On:

Still working on wedding thank yous. All that to say we are incredibly blessed to have so many friends and family gift us so many wonderful things on our wedding day! I mentioned a few weeks ago that this WILL be done by mid February.

 

7. What I'm Excited About:

We are planning a few potential get aways for the coming year. I love planning. And dreaming about things we may or may not do. Either way, it's exciting. We are discussing Nashville - neither of us have been. Thoughts?

 

8. What I'm Watching/Reading:

I'm currently not reading anything due to the fact that I read every book I had on my list over our honeymoon. But I am now watching the latest Netflix season of New Girl. I cannot get enough of that show. Constant LOLs.

 

And of course Ben. This season.... eye roll. I do like Ben though.

 

9. What I'm Listening To:

Clay was playing some Americana Pandora station the other day and now I'm hooked on a few songs. I love hearing new artists!

 

10. What I'm Wearing:

Anything warm. I feel like my everyday fashion is boots, the warmest sweater I can find, and a scarf. And not solely for fashion purposes. I really am just THAT cold.

 

11. What I'm Doing This Weekend:

Nothing major! Catching up on laundry and cleaning, per usual. And that is fine by me! I love low key weekends.

 

 

12. What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month:

Clay and I are going to San Diego! I am SO EXCITED. I have never been to San Diego and have really always wanted to go. We will be spending a long weekend there and taking in the sights... as well as a day of skiing at Big Bear. We are still negotiating on if I will actually be skiing or not... either way... cannot wait!  

 

 

13. What Else Is New?

Aside from everything just discussed? Nothing really. We are kind of in chill mode... so is Brick. ;)

 

 

 

Happy Wednesday! Here's to the rest of the week flying by!

xoxox

Last Minute Supper Saver- Bow Tie Lasagna

Does anyone else say supper?

It's neither here nor there.

If you are like me you sometimes find yourself frantically googling a quick and easy recipe that you can eat… like RIGHT NOW. And something that is easy to find at the grocery store.

Listen… I got your back.

I found this recipe last week while doing that very thing and let me tell you… household HIT!

I loved it. Clay loved it. I mostly loved that from the time I started browning the hamburger until it was going into my mouth... was about 35 minutes. YES!

I love lasagna, but sometimes it just takes TOO damn long to make. Enter… Bow Tie Lasagna! Recipe below.

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You will need:

• 1 pound Ground Chuck

• 5 cups Bow Tie Noodles

• 3 cups Spaghetti Sauce (or Pizza Sauce, Whatever You Prefer)

• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

• 1 teaspoon Salt

• ½ teaspoons Garlic Powder

• 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning (or More, Make It To Your Taste)

• ½ cups Mozzarella Cheese

• ½ cups Sour Cream
• 
  
• Preparation

Fry ground chuck in small pan. Meanwhile, cook noodles according to package directions.

After noodles are cooked, drain and drizzle with olive oil. Mix in your spaghetti sauce. (I can’t guarantee your results on this, because I’m spoiled; I am a “home canner” and have the BEST sauce on my shelf, a home canned marinara sauce that I use for lots of stuff—pizza, spaghetti, and of course, THIS.)

Add your fried hamburger, seasonings, cheese, and sour cream. Fold together and allow it all to combine and melt together, over low heat, for about 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

**These are the recipe providers prep instructions. 

I would like to include that I pour, don't measure. And I add extras. Extra hamburger. Extra cheese. Extra seasoning. Fresh garlic. Maybe some mushrooms. Maybe some spinach! Get creative. You can't mess this stuff up. And in the end, it might look like a blob, but it is a delicious blob, I swear. 

ENJOY! 

Second Hand Embarrassment Part III

Hi and welcome back to the work week!  If this is your first time with Sweet and Modern, feel free to also check out Part I and Part II. The opportunities for embarrassment are endless with these old notebooks. Lets just say that every time I read my journal, I thank the lord that social media wasn't a thing when I was in 6th grade.

As a side note, this was not an excerpt from my personal diary. My sixth grade teacher had us keep an ongoing writing notebook in which she responded to our entries. This is why in some of the entries you will see responses on the side. Bless her heart for even responding... I would have told myself to get a life.

Without further ado, Second Hand Embarrassment Part  III is brought  to you from 10-19-99.

 

 

If you could be another person for 30 days, who would it be?

Oh my word. This is hard. I guess I would want to be somebody famous. Ok, Rachael Lee Cook, She's All That. She is such an awesome person. So cute, and such a good actress. Plus, she got to act with Freddie Prinze Jr. That would be fine by me. I really would like to stay myself, but she's pretty cool. I really don't know much about her background, so maybe I don't want to be her. So... I'm pretty happy being me.

By

Gina

SO hard. Like, oh my word hard.
Obvious choice young Gina. RLC is amazing.  You're right, she is cute. Best actress? Well... you're in 6th grade. Luckily you will eventually see better movies than She's All That.  Also, Freddie Prinze? I mean...he's okay.

And way to completely back out of your original claim. I actually don't know much about her. Actually maybe I don't want to be her. Actually I want to be me!
But that wasn't the assignment...

F.

By: Gina
Bye! Gina
Bye, Gina

?

We will never know.

And yet another hats off to my 6th grade teacher for responding so positively. I am most certain I would have accidentally burned this thing.


Happy Monday!

{Friday Confessional}

I am SO thankful for Friday! Some weeks take a little extra effort to get through, but we are here, and it's time to confess....


{1} I confess that  my sweet tooth got the best of me this week.
I had a craving for brown butter cookies and ended up making TWO different batches this week. If you  haven't ever made brown butter cookies, you are truly missing out. My favorite recipes are HERE and HERE.

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{2} I confess that we still don't have our wedding thank yous done!
This is a massive undertaking that I was not prepared for! Luckily my husband did not pawn the task off on me and we have been knocking them out together. In waves. Hoping to be wrapping this task up before the second week of February. Goals.


{3} I confess that my carry on is STILL not unpacked from our honeymoon.
Every night I stare at it and wish it would unpack itself.  It's not that hard, but for some reason this continues on. 10  days and counting...



{4} I confess that I restarted the dryer TWICE to avoid folding my clothes.
I then ambitiously took them out and threw them on the couch. And now they have been there for 4 days. Does anyone else struggle with this?! UGH!

Isn't this picture sad? We've all been there.

and lastly...

{5} I confess that I have had my eye on these boots for close to 6 months now and STILL have not bit the bullet.
And not because I don't want them, if anything, I want them more than ever! Now that I've decided it's time, I cannot pick a color! Does anyone  have any input? Or something similar/better? These are a must! Let's face it, the ol' Uggs can't keep up with the snow. And my husband had his own confessional when he told me that Uggs actually make people's legs look like "cartoon characters." And that's that.

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Thanks for joining me today! Have the BEST weekend!

xoxox

Review: Tarte Smooth Operator Clay Finishing Powder

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I have to be honest, I have never even tried to seek out another finishing powder. When I started using Bare Minerals, I did not stray. And as most Bare Minerals users know, the award winning Mineral Veil really is a fantastic product. It promises a "translucent finish, oil absorption, line minimization and airbrushed perfection." If that doesn't sell you, I don't know what will. But seriously, it does the job. I rarely put on foundation without finishing it off with Mineral Powder. For me, it completes the look  and pulls everything together. And in the Summer, when oily skin starts to peek through, it is a must!

Last month, my Ipsy Glam Bag sent me a small sample of Tarte Smooth Operator Clay Finishing Powder. I almost threw it in the back of my make up drawer, but instead I decided to take it along on our trip to Jamaica (travel size!). And I have to hand it to Tarte, this product is fantastic!

Per Tarte:



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"A translucent, silky finishing powder with Amazonian clay that keeps makeup in place and diffuses imperfections.

 

This translucent, silky finishing powder keeps makeup in place without ever appearing chalky. It mattifies skin by removing excess surface oil. This powder can even be used alone as a treatment to reap all the benefits of Amazonian clay."

First of all, can anyone tell me what the benefits of Amazonian clay are, exactly? Just wondering.
Per my usual deciding factor, I present to you the pros and cons list.













Pros:

• Gives an excellent matte finish
• Makes your skin feel silky smooth
• (I have found personally) Works amazingly well for setting under eye concealer

Cons:

• Doesn't have the "luminosity" factor. Some may actually consider this a pro.
• Price tag. Ouch.

This little Amazonian clay number will run you around $33 dollars. That's $11 dollars more than Bare Minerals Mineral Veil. And that's $11 you could use for ANYTHING else. For me, the $22 I spend on Bare Minerals veil goes a LONG way. It's not a product I replace frequently (MAYBE every 6 months). 

And for my extra frugal gals, here's a little tip: cornstarch.

I know, it makes your cookies a little more chewy and thickens up your soup.
But if you are looking for setting and mattifying, a little cornstarch over the top of your foundation will do the trick.

Sidenote: Cornstarch can also be a great dry shampoo. I talk about that here.

So, in conclusion: if you have $33 dollars just hanging out and want to invest in a quality product, Tarte finishing powder may very well be the right thing for you. It's absolutely worth trying!

Happy Friday Eve!