Fantastic Friday Four

Happy Friday!  It's like spring up in here in Jersey, which I'm going to guess is the reason for this lovely head cold I have.  But, even with the stuffiness, I have a few things that I'm loving this week!

Thanks to mom and dad, I now officially feel like a Jetson.  I am loving my Amazon Echo!  I can play my Spotify playlists or just my Amazon music, create a shopping list that goes on my phone (like literally, I notice I'm out of something and just call Alexa!), get the weather, news, and I'm sure so much more I haven't even figured out yet.  Oh, the best thing?  Asking Alexa for cooking conversions while I'm cooking - no more using flour dusted fingers on the iPad!

And thanks to my brother, I'm now officially obsessed with Hamilton, which is a tad unfortunate since I likely won't be able to score tickets until 2030.  I saw a kid at school today with a shirt that said "I had a life and then I discovered Hamilton".  Accurate.

And thanks to my other brother and his girlfriend, these adorable "Cat Nap" pillowcases, which in addition to being precious are super soft and comfy.  Charlie likes them too :)

You guys, this candle literally smells like a fraternity party full of cute guys (like when you first arrive and before the red Solo cups of beer get spilled all over the place) and I am not mad about it.  Have this lit takes me back to my URI days and it is glorious.


What is making you smile this week?

Fantastic Friday Four - Holiday Edition!

I'm a sucker for this time of year.  So, with that in mind, these are some of the holiday things that I'm loving this week!

First has to be my tree right?  I had a tree trimming party the other night and the elves did a great job. This time of of year, the first thing I do when I get up in the morning?  Turn on the tree.  First thing after work?  Turn on the tree.  There is little I enjoy more than sitting in front of the tree with no lights on but that. 

Come on, you all know you are as obsessed with The Christmas Story as I am.  A few years ago, my parents gave my brothers and I these for Christmas, and it's one of the first decorations I put up.  It's a major award!

I'm a self-professed candle freak, no lie.  And I have a lot of favorite holiday scents but this one has to be my favorite.  I really don't know why, but just smelling it reminds me of Christmas!  Also, love this winter candle holder, because it isn't specific to Christmas so it will stay out past that time.  Gotta love Bath and Body Works!

Literally, every night.  Seriously, this is like the cheapest wine ($6!!!) but so good!  Pour some into a measuring cup, heat for about 30 - 40 seconds, pour into a wine glass.  It is the perfect remedy to a cold winter day, and absolutely a must for sitting in front of the tree!

What are your favorite holiday things?

Fantastic Friday Four: Skin Care Faves!

I may have mentioned recently that I'm a makeup junkie.

FYI, that also applies to skin care. 

I LOVE trying new stuff out.  I have super dry skin, particularly in the winter, so anything moisturizing is my jam.

So I thought I'd share four of my current favorite skincare products!  Happy Friday!

Soap & Glory Beauty Sleep Accelerator

Given that I'm OBSESSED with Soap & Glory's body butter, when I saw the night cream I knew I had to try it.  It's super thick and creamy but doesn't feel greasy. 

Lush Popcorn Lip Scrub

You guys, this literally tastes like kettle corn.  And the instructions are to literally rub it into your lips and lick it off!  Lush products are completely natural so it's safe!  It's like a snack, but it's also a really good lip exfoliator for anyone like me who gets very dry lips.

Algenist Eye Renewal Balm

Remember the whole dry skin thing?  That goes double for the under eyes.  This cream is AMAZING.  I actually got it as a sample at Sephora and it's lasted me over a month.  A little bit goes a LONG way.  And that's using it both morning and night!

Fresh Rose Floral Toner

I'm a sucker for rose scents, and this one isn't overpowering.  This toner is super refreshing. I spray it on after a shower or when I get up in the morning.  Also love to just mist it on to freshen up my makeup during the day.

What are your favorite skincare items?

**This post contains affiliate links**

Fantastic Friday Four: YouTube Made Me Buy It!

So.  I like makeup.

I kinda have a problem.  Keep in mind that's only my top shelf.  The drawers beneath it and the vanity table is stocked, too!

As such, I have developed quite a habit of watching YouTube beauty related videos.  A few of my favorites are:

Carly Cristman
Jaclyn Hill
Casey Holmes
Kathleen Lights
Allana Davidson
Beauty Broadcast

Saturday mornings can kind of get away from me, as you can see by the above list (which is abbreviated, I assure you!).

One of the videos I watched was a YouTube made me buy it one, and I got to thinking that there are MANY items that I bought because of a YouTuber's review.   So I thought that might be a fun Fantastic Friday Four post!  Below, see the four of the hundreds of things that YouTube made me buy!  (FYI - none of these were bought with anything but my own money :))

1.  TooFaced Chocolate Bar Palette

Kathleen Lights does so many great tutorials with this.  First of all?  It legit smells like chocolate.  But more than that, it's so pretty.  I love the golden sparkly shade on the bottom and the plummy shade on top.  It's not over the top, you can get a lot of pretty and neutral looks from this.  And did I mention it smells like chocolate?

2.  Too Faced Melted Lipstick 
Are you getting that I love Too Faced?  This lipstick is very different in that it has a spongy type applicator.  I love this color - it's VERY nude but it is a perfect base for a colorful lip gloss!

3. Nars Audacious Lipstick in Anna
This one was talked about on literally every YouTube channel I watch.  As such, I couldn't find it anywhere until about a year after I heard about it!  It's SUCH a pretty color.  Perfect for everyday!

4.  Mac Blush in Melba

I remember Jaclyn Hill talking about this blush and saying it was perfect for people with fair skin.  That would be me.  Also, the peachy color is subtle making it great for everyday wear!


Any other makeup fans out there?  What are your favorites?




**This post contains affiliate links**

Fantastic Friday Four - September 30

TGIF y'all!

Is it me, or has September been a MILLION years long?  I'm getting a 4 day weekend this weekend so hooray for that.

Here are some other things making me smile this week!

I hosted a family brunch this past weekend, and the Mimosa Bar was a hit!  I had some raspberries and strawberries, champagne (obvs), and three different juices - orange, tropical, and mixed berry.  YUM.  Also, LOVE this chalkboard that I got on clearance on Michael's!

I am OBSESSED with this Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Night Cap.  I got a sample in my Sephora Play box and have been using it all week.  I use it after showering on wet hair, and I also have put it on before bed on dry hair (it's pillow safe!).  It smells amazing and my hair is sooooo soft. 

Because it's fall, and all things are pumpkin in my world, I made a batch of these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Energy Balls from Clean Food Crush.  Super easy and sooooo delish.  I subbed in pumpkin seeds for the nuts, but everything else was the same.  It made a huge batch as well!  I have 2 to 3 as mid-afternoon / pre-workout snack and they are a perfect boost.  Also, they keep great in the fridge!

Because it's Friday.  And also, accurate.















What are you loving this week?

Fantastic Friday Four

A few things that are making me smile this week!

I got to see Bruce Springsteen at Met Life on Tuesday and it was EPIC.  Also, he played Jersey Girl, so score!

Seriously (and I'm biased because I'm a HUGE fan), if you haven't had the chance to see Springsteen, DO IT.

Let's just call this my transition to fall bag.  Love the color, and of course it has to be giant enough to fit my immense planner.  Got it at New York and Company!

Ummmm, yes.  ALL THE PUMPKIN.  And these are delicious!

And speaking of pumpkin...

I feel like this came out extra early this year, but I ain't mad. 

What's making you smile this week??

Friday Fantastic Four: Good Reads!

Let's talk books, shall we?

Now that I'm finished with grad school (YAY!), I finally have time to read for fun!  Not something that happened a lot in the past year.

I can't say that I have a particular favorite type of book?  Honestly, it mostly depends on my mood.  But I thought I'd share a few of my faves from the past few months!  Mostly fiction with a nonfiction thrown in.  I will also throw in links if anyone is interested!

Rich and Pretty: A Novel
I literally finished this one in 2 days on my cruise.  The premise is pretty simple - 2 longtime friends - who don't seem to have a whole lot in common - in the city, and how their relationship changes throughout the years.  The writing style itself is witty, a real easy yet fascinating read.  I totally got invested in this friendship!

Attachments
This one was a gift from friends and I fell in love.  A lonely guy whose job it is to keep an eye on the company email for anyone not using it appropriately.  And, of course, 2 girls who are allllll about the personal emails.  It was one I couldn't put down because I couldn't wait to see what happened.  All the characters are really likable and it's a quick moving story!

Beauty Queens
Picture it.  A plane full of teen beauty pageant contestants crashes.  A pageant sponsored by the biggest corporation in America.  What are the stranded teen beauty queens to do?  A satirical look at media and its power, this one also has some terrific characters and is hilarious.

And I Don't Want to Live This Life
You may have heard the tragic story of punk rock star Sid Vicious and his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen.  This book is written by Nancy's mother, and details her troubled childhood, her psychological problems, and the pain of raising an extremely troubled daughter that would go on to have her murder splashed all over the papers.  A really gripping and intense story.

What books are you loving?

Fantastic Friday Four

Here are a few things making smile during this heat!

This sign is life.  As someone who has never passed up a tailgating opportunity (and as we get closer to football season!), I had to get this one!

I have a big pile of summer reading, in the middle of this one and loving it.  If you love recent history, and getting some really interesting details about the lives of some very famous people, this is a great read.

I have always wanted a fluffy white comforter.  However, my adorable cat Charlie is black and sheds like you wouldn't believe.  But I finally bit the bullet and got one.  The compromise is the burgundy throw where he actually does most of his sitting (though I do still have to brush off the bed with a lint remover pretty much everyday!)

I'm a sucker for all things rose scented, and this moisturizer from Korres is no exception.  The rose scent isn't super overpowering, so it won't linger with you all day.  The cream itself is really moisturizing and leaves my skin feeling really soft.  I also have the overnight mask in this same formula and it's another favorite!

What is making you smile this week?

Fantastic Friday Four

Just a few things making me smile this week!

This new pillow that I picked up Target is my new favorite :)

Discovered this new app, Watercheck, and it's my new jam.  Sends me reminders to drink water and I can track my water all day!

Still setting up my new office and going through stuff from my classroom, and found this from my second grade class of 2008.  <3

Drizzle Me Skinny, who has a fantastic blog, posted this #200milestosummer challenge on Instagram.  Exactly the motivation I need!


Hope you have found something to make you smile this week!

Fantastic Friday Four - March 11, 2016

Spring has sprung! LOVE LOVE being able to run outside and not on the treadmill!

One of the many things making me smile this week, along with....

Because I can't go into the Container Store without a chaperone.  But I have had this before and I love it.  It helps me know what I have and what I don't.

Upgrade to the FitBit Charge HR!  In my new location, there are stairs.  I want to know how many I climb a day!

This may actually be rivaling my love of pumpkin coffee. OH MY GOD it's so good.  It smells and tastes like salted caramel and it is heaven.

And it's FRIDAY!  Bought at Kohl's (another place I can't go without a chaperone!).

What's making you smile this week!

Fantastic Friday Four

A glimpse of what is making me smile this week!

This is Charlie.  This is my iRobot.  Charlie is not a fan.  He's on guard.

I saw this on Facebook and it's basically everything I've ever wanted.  I need to test this out obviously.

I found these on my trip to Burlington, Vermont and let me tell you, I don't know why I didn't think of it.  Genius.  And yes, I bought some!

Thanks to a gift card from Mom and Dad, I downloaded Inspiralized on my iPad.  Cannot WAIT to try out some of these recipes!

Happy Friday!

Fantastic Friday Four - February 5th, 2016

Happy Friday!

Here is what is making me smile this week (other than the fact that it's FRIDAY!!!)

I moved into my new apartment in July and have slowly been adding decor.  The walls in my bedroom are a really dark gray, so I've been adding white accents.  LOVE this one from Bed, Bath, and Beyond.  Also, it's a nice saying to wake up to on those tougher mornings.

In case it isn't obvious I have a serious coffee obsession.  And YAY Dunkin' Donuts have their travel mugs back with the $1.69 refill (and it's like an extra large mug) until April 30!

I can't really be allowed in Bath and Body Works without supervision because I have a serious candle addiction.  I have always loved these plug-ins too, but never really had a good outlet for them in my old apartment.  This apartment has a bigger bathroom and a perfect place for it!  I'm, of course, seasonal, so it's a snowflake (pumpkin is for fall, naturally).  The scent I have in now is brown sugar allspice and it makes me crave oatmeal everytime I walk in there.

Always been a big fan of PB2, and for the first time recently, I tried the chocolate.  OMG.  Seriously, though.   It is by far my new favorite - great to add to smoothies!  And only 1 Smartpoint for 2 TBSP.


What's making you smile this week?

Fantastic Friday Four!

Getting back to this series - a few things that are making me happy this week!

I used to know how to knit, but have long been out of practice - trying to get back into the swing of it with Stitch 'n Bitch!!  Let's be honest, I really just like the name.

Coffee!  Well this particular coffee.  I'm a tried and true caramel macchiato girl - but that sucker went up in points and while it will definitely still be a treat once in a while?  It's no longer on my weekly to do list.  I gave the Cafe Americano a try - definitely NOT sweet (it's just espresso and water!), but I really really like it.  And only 1 Smartpoint for a venti!  (Though someone is going to have to explain to me why given that it's coffee and water - shouldn't it be 0?)

A few weeks ago, in the throes of illness as I later discovered that evening, I headed to Pinot's Palette with mom and some friends.  SUCH a great time.  It's BYOB, and if you are looking for a fun night with great music, wine, and painting that takes on some hilarity when the only artist in the room is the instructor, definitely check it out!

Officially less than 200 days until my cruise!  Talk about motivation for the gym!

What's making you smile this week??