Loving Lately

Sooo it's been awhile yet again since I've blogged, but I think that's just how it's going to be: I'll blog when I'm inspired, and apparently I must be inspired this week because I've got 3 posts coming at ya over the next week. I've done this kind of post a few times over the past almost 3 years and since I love reading about the stuff people love, I assume other people do, too. So here are a bunch of things I've been loving lately, besides the fact that I'm getting my first pedicure in over 6 months today, woop woop #footandanklesurgeryproblems Oh and these are not affiliate links or anything, I just really like this stuff.

Tarte confidence creamy powder foundation. You guys already know I love Tarte. I mean, I have their BB primer, palette, mascara (the gifted Amazonian clay smart mascara is my longtime favorite, and I also like the lights, camera, flashes mascara), concealer, bronzer, etc. etc. and I really like them all. I got this foundation when Tarte was having their 30% off sale kind of recently, and I love the stuff. It's definitely my favorite powder foundation I've ever used. I will definitely repurchase this. I also got the Tarte water foundation during the sale, and I like that a lot too, especially because my skin is still drier since it's chilly here.

Benefit boi-ing full coverage concealer. I totally had forgotten about this concealer because I lost it in the bottom of one of my bags like awhile ago, but I recently found it and am so glad I did (I should probably get a new one...). I really like this concealer for under eyes and for dabbing on spots. I still use my Tarte maracuja creaseless concealer and Mary Kay concealer depending on the day, but I think the boi-ing is my favorite usually. Plus it has the best name ever, because it reminds me of one of my favorite movies ever, Troop Beverly Hills (watch this 12 second video to see what I'm talking about, bahaha).

Philosophy take a deep breath eye cream. This is my new favorite eye cream. I have super sensitive skin and eyes and this doesn't burn at all! That's a winner in my book. Has anyone used the take a deep breath moisturizer? I'm tempted to try it because of how much I like this eye cream. 

S'ip by S'well Stainless Steel Water Bottle. I have the dachshund one (duh) but they have lots of cool prints and they're easy to find at Target and it really keeps drinks COLD for a long time. Totally worth the money. I use it all day, everyday. 

Kate Spade glitter square studs. I wear these all the time. They come in all different colors and though the multicolored glitter are the only pair I own right now, I totally want more. They look so much prettier in real life, and I think they are reasonably priced too, especially when Kate Spade has a 25 % off sale and you can get the gold glitter pair for your sister as a graduation present! I also love my Mrs. pair, they're adorable. 

LulaRoe. I've mentioned this before, but yea, I really like this company. I have 3 pairs of leggings, 3 classic tees, and a maxi skirt. It's all so soft, especially the leggings, and is sold by independent distributors who either sell in Facebook groups or pop-up shops. They only make a limited amount of each pattern, and some are really funky, so that's fun. 

Ivory Ella tees. These tees are cute, super soft and comfy, and the company donates 10% of their net profits to Save the Elephants and other causes. Seriously, get some. They also sell some other stuff, so check it out! 

Well that's all the stuff I can think of right now that I've been loving lately. Oh and moscow mules, but I think I'm like 2+ years late to that train. But seriously, they are so refreshing! What having you been loving lately?

March Books

So apparently I haven't been reading all that much, since I only read 3 books in all of March. Anyway, I can't wait to see what everyone has been reading lately! I have a few books on my waiting list on OverDrive, so hopefully I get to read those soon!

4 stars

From the author's website:

Anna Emerson is a thirty-year-old English teacher desperately in need of adventure. Worn down by the cold Chicago winters and a relationship that’s going nowhere, she jumps at the chance to spend the summer on a tropical island tutoring sixteen-year-old T.J.

T.J. Callahan has no desire to go anywhere. His cancer is in remission and he wants to get back to his normal life. But his parents are insisting he spend the summer in the Maldives catching up on all the school he missed last year.

Anna and T.J. board a private plane headed to the Callahan’s summer home, and as they fly over the Maldives’ twelve hundred islands, the unthinkable happens. Their plane crashes in shark-infested waters. They make it to shore, but soon discover that they’re stranded on an uninhabited island.

At first, their only thought is survival. But as the days turn to weeks, and then months, the castaways encounter plenty of other obstacles, including violent tropical storms, the many dangers lurking in the sea, and the possibility that T.J.’s cancer could return. As T.J. celebrates yet another birthday on the island, Anna begins to wonder if the biggest challenge of all might be living with a boy who is gradually becoming a man.

What I thought: Ok I know, this book sounds creepy. But it's somehow not. I think the last sentence of the description just makes it sound weird. I could barely put it down, I needed to know what happened next, and I kept putting myself in Anna's position and trying to imagine how it'd feel to know I may be stuck on a deserted island forever. It's a quick and easy read and I recommend it.

3 stars

From the publisher's website:

Anna Forster is only thirty-eight years old, but her mind is slowly slipping away from her. Armed only with her keen wit and sharp-eyed determination, she knows that her family is doing what they believe to be best when they take her to Rosalind House, an assisted living facility. But Anna has a secret: she does not plan on staying. She also knows there's just one another resident who is her age, Luke. What she does not expect is the love that blossoms between her and Luke even as she resists her new life. As her disease steals more and more of her memory, Anna fights to hold on to what she knows, including her relationship with Luke.

Eve Bennett, suddenly thrust into the role of single mother to her bright and vivacious seven-year-old daugher, finds herself putting her culinary training to use at Rosalind house. When she meets Anna and Luke, she is moved by the bond the pair has forged. But when a tragic incident leads Anna's and Luke's families to separate them, Eve finds herself questioning what she is willing to risk to help them. Eve has her own secrets, and her own desperate circumstances that raise the stakes even higher.

With huge heart, humor, and a compassionate understanding of human nature, Sally Hepworth delivers a page-turning novel about the power of love to grow and endure even when faced with the most devastating of obstacles. You won’t forget this book.

What I thought: Well, another book with a main character named Anna, but it's completely different. I liked this book generally, but it was kind of confusing and the story just wasn't as good as I expected. Plus, I don't know what "humor" the description is talking about. ***I definitely think that the book Still Alice by Lisa Genova is a much better early dementia/early Alzheimer's read because it seemed more realistic, gave more character development and background, and was just better writing overall. So yea, I'd say skip this book and read Still Alice, since I'd give that 5 stars (I read it like a year ago before I started doing these posts).***

4 stars

From the author's website:

“Bono met his wife in high school,” Park says.
“So did Jerry Lee Lewis,” Eleanor answers.
“I’m not kidding,” he says.
“You should be,” she says, “we’re 16.”
“What about Romeo and Juliet?”
“Shallow, confused, then dead.”
“I love you,” Park says.
“Wherefore art thou,” Eleanor answers.
“I’m not kidding,” he says.
“You should be.”

Set over one school year in 1986, Eleanor & Park is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. 

What I thought: This book was really cute, about two teenagers with completely different home lives who fall in love under difficult circumstances. The only reason I took off a star was because the ending wasn't very clear/definite, and I like crystal clear endings to the books I read. #highmaintenance

Friday Five

One. I am getting so impatient for the Gilmore Girls: Seasons revival. I'm assuming it's going to come out sometime this year, and I keep debating having a viewing party when it comes on. I think I probably won't though since I want to be free to cry alone in my living room, because embarrassingly enough I know I will. I mean, I cried when it was first announced and teared up last night when I heard they FINALLY got Melissa McCarthy locked in to play Sookie, so obviously I will be an emotional wreck since I already am one.

Two. I may or may not be paying my younger sister to clean my bathrooms this weekend. Brian is currently away at the Frozen Four (college hockey finals) in Tampa. I hate when he is away, I don't enjoy being here all alone, and I also don't enjoy cleaning bathrooms, especially with bum ankles/feet, so I don't feel guilty paying my sister to do it!

Three. I am excited that it's supposed to snow all day tomorrow. Long live winter!

Four. I have developed an obsession with LulaRoe leggings. About two weeks ago at physical therapy, I saw this woman wearing really cute leggings and so naturally I asked her where she got them. She explained she had gone to a LulaRoe party and told me how soft they were, so I went home and found some LulaRoe seller groups on Facebook (they are sold like how Scentsy or Mary Kay are, through an independent consultant). I already bought two pairs of leggings and I just ordered a maxi skirt and a shirt. Some of the patterns are way too funky for me, but they are all so cute and comfortable! Now I need to hide my wallet though before I go broke.

Five. Miracles are real! Our family friends' daughter's dog ran away from her dog walker almost two weeks ago, and they did everything they could to find the dog, like Dogs Finding Dogs (I might have the name of the group wrong but you get the point), flyers, posts in Facebook groups, calls to all area shelters and vets, searching everywhere, and putting out food, toys, beds, etc. Well, early Thursday morning at 4:30am the dog randomly came home and was barking at her front door! After 12 days! I never met the dog and I haven't seen the girl in years, but I am always terrified of losing my dogs, so I was so happy to hear some good news!

Have a great weekend guys!

Life Update

So I took a 2+ week break from this space. Honestly, I haven't had a ton going on, because when you don't leave the house very often, your life is pretty boring. Buuuut, good news, I can drive now! And walk! So pretty much I can do whatever I want now, with just some restrictions because of pain but that's about it. It's such a relief. Especially since Brian is going to the Frozen Four soon and that would have sucked to be stranded in the house alone for 5 days.

Also, I dyed my hair. It's strawberry blonde now. I don't have any pictures at the moment and I'm not 100% sure how I feel about it, but if we're snapchat friends you may eventually get a picture of it. Or mayyyybe one on Instagram if I actually put on some makeup one of these days. Oh, and this is not an April Fools joke, but I wish I had something funny to trick people with this year, unfortunately I'm not that creative!

I'm all caught up on Grey's Anatomy. I seriously love this show, no matter how unrealistic it is. Anybody else hooked? I know, I'm like 11 years late.

I can't believe Easter was 5 days ago already, spring is going to fly by! My nephew was adorable on Easter by the way. I mean, look at that bowtie, those suspenders, and the Sperrys! It's too much cute.

Alright, that's pretty much all I've got for today, I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Tuesday Ramblings

Do I have the cutest nephew or what? If you follow me on snapchat you probably saw all the videos Friday of him pointing at candy and snacks at Home Goods saying "can-ee, can-ee" and "num num num num num." Plus the kid loves to dance! I can't take it, he's too stinking adorable!

Did you watch the Bachelor finale last night? What did you think? I mean obviously boring but beautiful Lauren B. was going to win, but did Ben have to let JoJo keep talking on and on about how much she loves him right before he dumped her? Ugh it seemed so heartless! So happy JoJo is the Bachelorette though, if it had been Caila I would have been bored to tears.

Brian's parents came to visit this weekend and brought us this beautiful piece of furniture that Brian's dad built for us. Sorry this picture I took isn't great, the weather has been so cloudy for days so I don't have any good light to take a nice picture. It is so pretty though and perfect for storing all of our wine and liquor, as well as wine glasses, etc. I've added more stuff to it since I took this picture actually. The glass in the doors up top is over 100 years old which is really neat, and the middle part has a granite inlay. We love it!

I am sick of lunch! I hate making it, eating it, everything about it. I am not a big sandwich person, and having a salad everyday upsets my stomach. Got any fresh lunch ideas?

I don't know if I've mentioned it but I am walking! I'm still in the big boot but I no longer need crutches or the scooter! Fingers crossed that at my appointment next Friday the doctor tells me when I can drive again, I feel like I'm in middle school the way I keep having to ask for rides everywhere.

Have a good Tuesday! It's PLL season finale night! Who do you think has the "twin?" I think Ali's mom, but who knows?!

So What If

So what if.. I don't really like going out to eat (or to the mall, or the movies) on the weekends anymore, mainly because of all the crowds! I am not a people person, can you tell? haha

So what if.. I forgot how to drive in the past three months that I've been off my feet. No seriously, can you forget how to drive? I'm excited to have some freedom again (whenever that is.. hopefully in the next few weeks) but I'm definitely a little nervous.

So what if.. I don't watch any zombie tv shows. I feel like the only person who doesn't, are they really that good? I need to know if I am missing out.

So what if.. I don't look forward to spring and summer. I had extensive sinus surgery last winter, and my ENT said yesterday that my sinuses are still all inflamed from allergies, and I just got off antibiotics from yet another sinus infection. That's with the twice daily nasal saline rinsing, the 2 daily allergy/asthma pills, the nasal steroids, and the sublingual immunotherapy (allergy drops). I'm allergic to like a million things, and spring definitely isn't a great time for allergies. Plus booo I hate heat, give me 50 degrees or below everyday and I'd be happy.

So what if.. I go into crazy cleaning mode whenever I know someone is about to come over. Those vases are crooked! Those bills on the counter? They need to go! It's a good opportunity to declutter, at least that's how I see it.

So what if.. I don't think it's okay to bash people's political opinions all over social media. I mean, it's a free country and you can do/say whatever you want, but that doesn't mean I have to like it or read it or follow you. Can't we all just get along and respect each other's opinions without resorting to name-calling or belittling? *stepping off the soap box*

5, 4, 3, 2, 1

So I did a somewhat similar post to this a few years back that I got from someone else (their post has since been deleted or else I'd link to it) so I thought since I'm inspiration-less, I'd give it another whirl.

Five things I did over the weekend:
1. Burned the crap out of my mouth on my breakfast. Ouch!  
2. Physical therapy exercises. Fun.. and also ouch.
3. Watched Grey's Anatomy. Of course. 
4. Went to lunch at our wedding venue. It's the first time we've been back since the wedding. I miss our wedding, wah! 
5. Celebrated my Dad's and Brian's birthdays. We surprised Brian with the new Xbox, he was excited!

Four items I recently purchased:
1. Some shirts on sale from American Eagle. I needed some new short sleeve shirts for spring and summer and they had a super deal so I couldn't resist. 
2. A Real Techniques makeup sponge. Finally.  
3. White eyeliner. I heard it's the new thing to brighten up your eyes.
4. Some soaps and a candle from Bath and Body Works. I can't resist.  

Three shows I'm glad just came back/are coming back this week:
1. Once Upon a Time.
2. Quantico. 
3. The Family. Technically this is just coming on, not coming back, since it's new, but I like it so far! 

Two reasons I'm excited for spring:
1. The decorations. We just put up our spring decor this weekend and I love the pretty colors! 
2. Earth Day. My dad organizes a festival every year for the last 15 or so years and it's super fun; we all volunteer every year and Brian and I run the prize table. 

One thing that's annoying me:
1. Reagan on New Girl. She is not funny. Thank goodness Jess is supposed to be back this week.