Thursday, April 29

I'm a guest blogger!


I am guest posting on my sweet friend Oxana's blog tonight! Check it out!

Tuesday, April 27

Wanted: Life Coach

Would anyone like to come in and make decisions for me? Like, life-changing decisions?

I would like someone who could do a lot of research, give me a bangin' presentation and tell me what my options are and what path I should choose.

Thanks.

Tuesday, April 20

Yes Please!

I will be seeing my baby daddy again July 16th in Charlotte on the EIGHTEENTH Row!

Cooper River Bridge Run Official Picture

So I don't have a scanner and I know this is pretty ghetto but I wanted to show you guys!

Super fun!

I can't wait for next year!

Monday, April 19

I love shopping!

Ya'll know there is no better cure for a bad day than retail therapy! (Not that I've had a bad, I'm just sayin')

I've been meaning to post about my one find days ago, but honestly, I've been kinda busy :o) Please forgive!

Okay, first thing first. Last Tuesday I went to Sally's to get that purple shampoo stuff. Ashlyn needed to go to Wal-Mart and asked if I'd walk down there with her. "Of course", I say! So on our way to Wally World, we pass a Shoe Show.

I see these beauties in the window and ask Ashlyn if we can pop in there for a sec.

Look familiar? Like a pair of terribly uncomfortable Jack Rogers?

I start going through the boxes like a mad woman and successfully find all four colors in my size! Gold, Silver, Black & White! Here's the best part... they are on sale. For $16.98.

Wait, it get's better.

They are buy one, get one 1/2 off.

I got four pairs of faux Jack's for around $50. FOUR PAIR for the HALF the price of ONE Jack Rogers.

I don't think I've worn a different shoe since last Tuesday.

On to my second retail therapy...not as exciting, but still awesome!

Today, Antonella & I went to the outlets to pick up some $10 shorts from Gap. She ended up scoring a TON of stuff! I picked up two more night gowns, a denim skirt, and a pair of shorts.

I really hit the jackpot at Banana Republic though. I must've tried on about a thousand things, and ended up getting:
  • A super cute black shrug/cardigan thing
  • Two tanks (on sale for $4.99!)
  • A cute cute cute graphic T
  • My favorite color coral short-sleeved cardigan
  • A gold chain necklace with turquoise-ish stones
Lastly, we hit up J. Crew. I wish it were apart of Gap, Inc. so we could've gotten our discount there too! I only got two shirts here, but still SUPER cute.

Sunday, April 18

Ulta Rant

::Disclaimer-This is going to be a complaint post.::

People. You all know how much I love Ulta and how frequently I shop there. They send me email and snail mail coupons all the time and I constantly use them.

They sent me their current ad last Thursday. I see some nail polishes on the back that I definitely want to buy. Much to my surprise, they are also running a special-Buy 2, Get one free!

I go in on Friday to find Essie's new Turquoise and Caicos unsuccessfully. It takes me a while to find anyone willing to help me, and when I finally ask a sales clerk she tells me that isn't going to be released until Sunday and walks away. Doesn't really offer any other suggestions, just leaves me there feeling pretty bummed that I'm not going to be able to get a polish I was planning on using later that day. Looking closer at the coupon, I realize the $3.50 off any $10 purchase isn't even good until today, Sunday, April 18th. Ugh.

Here's the thing, I work in retail. I know how you have special release dates for certain things. But you know good and well they had that polish sitting in the back.* Anyway, I leave Ulta empty-handed that day with a bad taste in my mouth.

I begrudgingly go back today to get that dumb nail polish and use my coupon. I pick three Essie polishes up and make my way to the counter. When I get there, I realize I don't have the coupon that starts today. It's still attached to the rest of the ad. I do, however, have one that expired YESTERDAY. I ask the girl working very politely, if she could please please please honor the coupon that expired YESTERDAY. She tells me their computers won't scan them if they are outdated. Doesn't offer any other solution except to hold the polishes for me. Really? You don't have an extra ad lying around back there that you could help me out? (They have done this before for me when I've pulled up an e-mail on my phone with the SAME exact print coupon.) I know this is dumb and it's just nail polish but here's the thing- I work in a retail environment. What do you think brings money into your store? Loyalty. So far this week Ulta has really pushed my buttons. "Hello, hi, I'm standing here wanting to spend money in your overpriced drugstore-take my money!" Or at least try to help me instead of blowing me off.

So I don't know if I'm going to go back there with my coupon or not. I may just pay full price online somewhere so I don't have to deal with Ulta, even though buying it at the store would be much more convenient for me since I work at the mall.

*I was at Bath & Body Works on Friday morning as well. Michael, the store manager let me purchase two different products that they weren't releasing until Sunday either. Here's the deal, I'm going to tell everyone I know how great the customer service is there. I'm going to go above and beyond to get the word out about a store that actually wants my money. I understand not being able to put the product out on the sales floor, but if a customer asks for it specifically, why not help them out? In the end, you're the one who is benefiting by making your store money.

Weekend Wrap-Up

So I know the weekend isn't quite over yet, but I figured I'd do a mid-week & weekend wrap up post in one!

Thanks for the recommendations on travel plans, too! I'm definitely going to be doing some stalking of cheap flights!

Earlier this week I went to Best Buy to lick play with the iPad.

Guys- have you gotten the chance to play with it yet? I am still desperately trying to think of an actual need for this device. It's SO cool. I've talked myself out of it though and I'm saving up for a new iPhone coming out hopefully this June!

I also got my hair done this week. Have ya'll heard of a shampoo called Shimmer Lights?

It's for blondes. Ashlyn suggested I try it since I've been feeling like my hair is getting brassy. It's the coolest stuff. It's purple. Like straight up, "Should I be putting this dark deep purple in my hair?" purple.

Anyway, I think it's working. I only do it twice a week, but I think I'm gonna love it.

Friday, I met up with some of my bible study girls from Columbia! They are in town for my college church's spring retreat! It was awesome getting to see them.

Friday night was Relay for Life at Coastal Carolina. I had never done a Relay before but I am super glad I went. There were a ton of people there! They raised over $60,000 for the American Cancer Society! Here's a few pics from the evening:





Here's to hoping the rest of my weekend is just as awesome!

Wednesday, April 14

Help!


Hey friends, quick question--what travel service do you guys use when booking flights? Any suggestions you could give would be great!

I want to find a CHEAP flight and I know people do it all the time-let me in on the secret!

Sunday, April 11

Weekend Wrap-Up

Happy Sunday evening!

I had the whole, entire weekend off and it was GLORIOUS! I didn't even do anything remarkable, but it was just nice to know that I was off.

Saturday I went for a run with Gus. It is SO nice outside! I took some shots of the pretty flowers in bloom...


My shins are still pretty sore after I run... resulting in these awesome pictures :o)


After a nice nap, Emma & I picked up sushi to-go and then watched New Moon. A perfect Saturday? I think so!

Today, we hit up Target! Let me show you my finds:

First, I found this super cute picture frame! I need to print some recent pictures to display in my room!


I got a set of dumbbells. I am pretty self-conscious of my arms and I really want to do something about it. Do any of ya'll have any arm workouts you'd like to pass along?

I got this bin that I'm going to put on my dresser...it's the same Liberty of London pattern as my bedspread!

Isn't this the cutest night gown you've ever seen? Once again, Liberty of London is rockin' my socks off!





We had a yummy lunch of chips and salsa at Abeulo's afterward.

When I got home, Dad & I watched the final round of The Masters. When I was little, I went to a practice round with him. It was something I remember pretty vividly today. It was good to see Phil Mickelson win. He has such a great story, it's hard not to cheer for him! This is his 3rd Masters' title! Crazy!

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Wednesday, April 7

Spring Shells & Cheese

This past Monday Emma & I decided to try out Food Network's Spring Shells & Cheese recipe.

It looked amazing and it tasted even better!

We met at Lowe's to pick up the ingredients. When it came to the milk, apparently we got confused. We were trying to figure out cups into quarts and so forth.

Anyway, we figured it out and got to cookin'!

By the time we got it in the oven the kitchen smelled fantastic.

Let me tell you guys, I love mac-n-cheese. Love it. This was a grown-up version that I will surely make time and time again!

New Bloggie Friend

Ok blog friends... it's time to welcome a college friend to the blogging world!

She is going to be writing about how she saves a TON of money by using coupons, and being a good steward of God's riches! She seriously is a coupon pro. No lies.

So if you want to get some tips on saving money and glorifying the Lord, head over to her blog and become a follower!

Tuesday, April 6

Tuesday Tidbits

First off- thank you all so much for your sweet comments about my race! Is it weird that I kind of miss it? Well, not the upset tummy, but EVERYTHING else.

Second- I hope you all had an amazing Easter! Growing up Easter was always a fun, candy-filled holiday for me. I never really grasped the significance of it until college. I am so thankful to know and love a Savior who died for me. My family and I went to Emma's for Easter brunch. It was fantastic. We always have a great time during the holidays with each other.

The Delicious Easter Spread

Me & Emma

Dad & Me

Emma's Mom & My Mom

Thirdly- Thank you all for your prayers for my Mom. She is having her 3rd chemo treatment this Friday. This past Monday, she had surgery for a port to be put in. She's doing okay... some good days, some bad. She told me it's better this time than three years ago, so I guess that's good. I would love for her to wake up one day and say "I feel GREAT today!". Hopefully soon.

Today at work we got a TON of new summer stuff in; lots of shorts, polos, summer tops, dresses, etc. I'm looking forward to trying it all on! Speaking of Gap... if any of ya'll can make it out tomorrow, we're offering 40% off one full-priced item! Here's the coupon :o)