Thankful Thursday, 4.3.14

April flowers bring May showers...

Wow I can't believe it's April already - where is the time going?!


For the beginning of this beautiful April day, I am thankful for...

the great day V & I had celebrating our first year wedding anniversary :)

all of our family who celebrated with us!!

all of the family & friends who sent cards, messages, texts, etc. wishing us a happy anniversary - I felt like it was a whole new holiday we got to enjoy!

the whoopie pie cake that I made for family to eat while V & I indulged in our frozen cake topper ;)

that we are going on a cruise SOON!! ahh, so excited.

raspberry leaf tea. I was told it helps with (girly) cramps and so far - it does!! FINALLY something natural that works.

and I will end on this goofy note...my new pen! ;)

What are YOU thankful for this week??

One Year Since "I Do"

I can't believe that a year has gone by that I married my best friend...that I had the time of my life...that I celebrated our very special day with loved ones...that my life became complete. What a special day we had that neither of us will never forger.


We are ready and excited for what the upcoming years will bring! Every day I realize how blessed I am and how thankful I am to be loved by such an amazing man.

& now to reminisce just a tad... 

Natural Organic Body Product Review & Giveaway

As you know, I LOVE natural products and I LOVE make-up/girlie products. Mix them both together?? I’m one happy camper!!

I recently came across Natural Women Products. They have all kinds of super fun and organic products –makeup, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, etc. So many great things…ESPECIALLY because all products are 100% vegan and absolutely no animal testing. Again – how can someone not like these products?

Natural Organic Body sent me some goodies to review! Most importantly, I was blessed with being able to try out the Rapid Lash Eyelash & Eyebrow Enhancing Serum. (I will chat about some of the other goodies in other posts – I want to focus on this product right now.)

Rapid Lash says that within four weeks you will have thicker and longer eye lashes. (It is recommended to continue using the product to the eight week mark. It is perfectly safe to do that, too.) You only have to apply the product one time a day on a clean make-up free and cream free eye. It’s super easy to use! At first I wasn’t sure what it would be – but it’s almost like a mini paintbrush and the product is clear. There is also no smell to it, which is a bonus. All you have to do is “paint” the product from the inner corner of your eye outwards to the base of your eyelashes. It is recommended to use it before bed – which makes it easy to make sure you don’t forget to use it. I used it right after I brushed my teeth.

  

To be honest, I was very skeptical of the product before using it. After the first few days I expected some kind of miracle. (Which was silly of me. Nothing works like that.)

After just a couple of weeks, I noticed more of an increase in the length of my lashes than thickness. Once I got to week four, I noticed a slight change in thickness. (I’m bad with figuring out thick vs. thin lashes, I will admit.) It definition worked for the length of my lashes, though! (Do they make this for regular hair?! Because I need to get some if so.)

I didn’t have any bad reactions to the product, either. My skin is very sensitive so this is a huge plus, too.

Now Natural Organic Body gives YOU the opportunity to try out this product! They are giving out a product to one lucky winner….

a Rafflecopter giveaway Let me know how you like the product if you are able to try it out!

Disclaimer: I was provided a sample of the product to review and not compensated in any other way. All opinions are 100% my own and I stand behind my review.

Thankful Thursday, 3.27.14

My blogging career has had a rough patch. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I am blogging for multiple companies, multiple times during the week. So when/if I do have some free time, I browse Pinterest and relax instead of writing about ME.

I will try to change that because I really do miss blogging. I miss my interactions with you love ladies too!!

So - I am going to try to make a "comeback" with a Thankful Thursday post!

There are so many things to be thankful for. Lately I have been extra moody (V can attest to that!) and I'm not sure why. I think this list will help me focus on how great life really is and how the little things should not and do not matter.


I am thankful for...

My handsome & wonderful husband! We will be celebrating our first wedding anniversary this Sunday. My, oh my how this past year flew by. I cannot believe that just one year ago, I was marrying my best friend and spending time with loved ones & friends! It was such a memorable day that I always joke around that I want us to have another wedding. ;)

My fun pups! Even though they do drive me crazy and little Chance likes to wake up an hour before I need to be up and keep me up (probably the reason for a lot of my moodiness!) - I love him dearly. Chewy & Chance have a BLAST together. & Chance now has a very loving and fun home.

I cannot WAIT for our little cruise getaway to the Bahamas. I need some quality time with my hubby and some sun in my life!! 

I helped host/plan my cousin's bridal shower this past weekend. Her wedding is April 26 - coming up so soon! I am blessed enough to be a bridesmaid. It's so special to me that I get to be apart of her big day in such a special way.

Speaking of the bridal shower - I had such a fun time making all of the decorations! I LOVE crafting. I went with a mustache theme...mustache straws, toothpicks, banners, etc! The favors were candy shaped mustaches.

 
I have been doing SO good with working out 5 days a week. I am not sure if others can see a difference but I certainly feel a difference and that's all that matters! I feel like I am more toned & have some muscle instead of being "skin & bones" like people say all of the time. (Which isn't exactly the nicest thing to tell someone - by the way!!)

Coconut oil - I am so thankful for! I tried the whole "oil pulling" thing for a little while. It didn't last very long - it is time consuming. I have been using it on my scalp, though, and it feels wonderful. I have scalp issues...it is alleviating a lot of the itchiness.

I am thankful that I am getting off a tad bit early today so I can get my hair cut! It hasn't been cut since September and it is in DIRE need of a trim. I am debating throwing in some highlights...I told myself I wanted to stop dying my hair - it is now pretty much all one color...but I do love how my hair looks with them! Decisions, decisions.


What are YOU thankful for this week?

Two Dogs VS One Dog

With one dog, you can easily go out on a long walk & not have any issues.
With two dogs, walks (alone) are more challenging...picking up dog poop, controlling them trying to protect me against a barking dog, keeping them both from getting too distracted.

With one dog, you can pick out a new dog toy, no problem.
With two dogs, it's more difficult to pick out new dog toys. You have to make sure you get two of the same exact toys so there is no fighting (even though you know there still will be) over which toy is better. You also have to make sure that they will both like the same exact toy.

With one dog, you can get away with not having a candle on 24/7.
With two dogs, unless they are hypo-allergenic, it is a must to have candles going so you can smell something other than the "dog smell" all of the time.

With one dog, you can get away with not brushing them once a day.
With two dogs, unless you want to see dog hair. every. where. you. look. - you need to brush them once a day.

With one dog, you can let one dog out quickly to go pee.
With two dogs, you can never let them out separately and suddenly peeing becomes a big ordeal.

With one dog, you can comfortable fit the 3 (for you married folks) or 2 (for you single folks) of you in your bed.
With two dogs, fitting 4 or 3 of you in a bed is rather difficult to put it lightly. You will always wake up with someone's paw in your face.

With one dog, you can easily teach them new tricks.
With two dogs, teaching them tricks is a job in itself. You have to separate the dogs totally and then make sure that the dog you are trying to teach isn't too distracted with trying to figure out where their brother/sister is.

With one dog, when they're sick, you can tend to them somewhat hassle-free.
With two dogs, when one or both or sick - holy moly do you have an issue at hand. Especially if they become extra cuddly.

With one dog, you can easily have your nightly cuddle session.
With two dogs, it's tough to have a nightly cuddle session with become comfortable.

Please ignore my unattractive face. Ha!

Even though it truly is a lot of work...two dogs automatically mean more food, more poop to clean up, more vet bills, less quiet time, lots of playing...

MORE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE & 
MORE KISSES WHEN YOU COME HOME &
CUTENESS OVERLOAD <3

Friday Confessional, 2.21.14

My Confessions...

-What was I thinking about fostering a pup? Chance has a forever with us - tomorrow we will officially adopt him. I mean, really, how could we break up these two best buds:

-I am more excited than usual for the weekend - it has been a crazy, weird, hectic week at work. And I was to spend time with my wonderful family, naturally & partake in fun weekend plans - a birthday celebration, going-away dinner, and a jewelry party. Not much time to relax!

-I need to go clothes shopping badly. I don't think I've gone shopping (like real shopping and not just picking up a shirt or two) for at least two years.

-I cannot believe that it's almost our one year anniversary. Where has the time gone?!

-When I go on my walks with the pups, I have decided to give audiobooks a chance. I just bought The Shack...I've heard great things & so far, I'm enjoying it.

-I've felt SO good lately. I've been really sticking to going to the gym faithfully the past two months now. I feel great & I feel like you can see a difference. And even if you can't - I feel good & that's what matters.

-I am ready for a vacation. Or at least a long weekend.

Fostering A Puppy!!

We've had Chewy over a year now...my, my, has the year flew by! He's grown up so much.

We went to Petsmart over the weekend to get him some more toys. Besides a toy, what do we come back with? A PUPPY!

One of the local rescue groups had a ton of puppies. V came across a 4 month old black lab/shepard mix. His mom, brother & him were found in the Everglades less than a month ago. He's a little beat up - dandruff, horrible cough, lost hair, etc. There was a sign on his crate that said they were looking for foster homes for him and his family. (Ironically, V & I were talking about fostering earlier in the day.)

So...we are fostering a cutie patootie! The name the shelter gave him was "Carl" - but - we're not fond of that name...it's my uncle's name, so it's strange!

I think we are going to keep him. Chewy & him are getting along so well. V has already started calling him "Chance." We have until Saturday to decide...but...my heart says yes, Chewy's heart says yes & V says yes. We are all so in love. Chewy's being a great big brother!

And I know, Mom..."enough about the puppies - where are the grandkids?" :-P

Cami's Guinness Chili

Lately, a staple in my house has been the crockpot! During the cold months, chili is one of my favorite meals to make. (And one of the most requested, too - my turkey chili in particular!)

I decided to change things up this go-around and make some Guinness chili! I guess my taste buds of changed - Guinness isn't half bad. I remember when I first tried it - I was repulsed by it. Now, not only is it pretty tasty but it makes a delicious chili, too!!

I've made it in a "chili cook-off" with a friend and a unanimous decision was made - mine won. ;)


Ingredients:

• 1.5 lb ground turkey/chicken
• 1 bottle of Guinness beer
• 1 small onion
• 1 can red kidney beans - drained and rinsed
• 1 can white kidney beans - drained and rinsed
• 1 can black beans - drained and rinsed
• 1 large can of diced tomoatoes
• 1 small can of tomato sauce
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 tablespoon (at least) of chili powder
• 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
• a couple dashes of salt & pepper
• a dash of hot sauce

Directions:

1. Brown your ground turkey/chicken, diced onions, and garlic cloves together.

2. Once the ground meat is cooked and onion is translucent, drain the excess "juice" from your meat/onion/garlic mixture. Put the drained mixture into your crockpot.

3. Add the rest of your ingredients together - add the Guinness and hot sauce last.

 

4. Cook on high 4-6 hours or on low 8-10. (I opt for 8-10 - the longer, the better, I've found!)

 

5. Serve with cheese or sour cream on top - whatever you prefer! Most of all - enjoy!!

Is chili a staple in your house? If so, what's your favorite recipe? I always love trying new ones.

My Erin Condren Life Planner

After much internal debate, research, and encouragement from friends, I did it. I snagged an Erin Condren Life Planner.

It's expensive but for my Type-A personality, it's WELL worth it. The colors are great...the font is appealing...the graphic design makes my heart happy...I can't explain it. It just wants me to keep planning things.

It even comes in an adorably decorated box!

There's great inspirational quotes throughout the planner, as well.

My planner!

Everything is organized SO well - it has a view of the month and then a weekly view, too.
It has a space for birthdays & anniversaries. Because of it, I'm going to start getting all of the cards I need the first of the month - it's going to save me a lot of time!

There's lots of goodies it comes with, too...stickers with "birthday," "anniversary," etc. on it. There's also a folder and zip-lock container to save important things in. There's a place for notes.

I highly recommend splurging a bit and going Erin Condren. The way I look at it...for a year, it's an investment of about five bucks a month...you can't beat that! For your sanity...for your organizational skills...for your need for something pretty. ;)

Do you have one? If so, whatcha think?

Painting With a Twist: Castillo de San Marco Love

For Christmas, I decided to get my mom a gift certificate to Painting with a Twist in St. Augustine. I thought it would be a fun way for us to spend time together and something new and different that neither of us had done before.

I am happy to say - she LOVED it! We all (my sister joined us, too) can't wait to do it again!

If you're unfamiliar with this - it is basically a painting class. Everyone paints the same painting but the teacher goes step by step with how to do it AND she is there to help and support you throughout.

Our teacher was great - Jackie Rock. When we take another class, I definitely want her to be our teacher! She is not only very talented, but also very supportive and helpful throughout the whole process.

You can also bring any food and drinks (even wine!) you might want. You do not need to bring any glasses, plates, etc. - they have it all there for you! Genius concept!!

I will reveal to you how the painting was done. (I'm not sure if that is cheating and revealing secrets but I thought you might be interested to see the progress!) The title of our painting was "Castillo de San Marco Love" - the Castillo de San Marco is the local fort in St. Augustine. If you've been to St. Augustine, you've seen the fort.

And here...we...go...

Anxiously waiting to start!

My blank canvas!

Step 1 - YELLOW!

Step 2- orange & some shading

Step 3 - an orange/red mixture and more shading

Step 4 - night sky & some outlining

Step 5 - some palm trees, addition to the fort, windows, & more outlining

Step 6 - stars, the love birds, and initials

My masterpiece! ;) You can see in the back what it is "suppose" to look like.

All of our paintings!

I absolutely love that we are all painting the same thing and all of our paintings are slightly different. It makes your painting truly special and unique.

Like I said - I cannot wait to go again!!