Five on Friday

Well, it's the end of the week and I feel like I have so much to say today. I've been working on this stupid 16 page final paper for a class all week and it feels nice to write about something other than child development. Here are some things going on. 

1| Pinterest wins - I made two recipes and both were very successful. I made this oven baked fried chicken, and it was so successful and delicious. Then I just went ahead and dug deep into my housewife abilities and made what Pinterest calls the best chocolate chip cookies and boy were they right. I plan on making these way too many times. P.S - make sure to chill the dough.

2| Today marks the last day of classes for the semester, which means I get a whole month off from anything school related. This makes me so happy. I worked and had school all throughout the wedding planning process and the wedding itself, so this is a much needed break. Plus it means I can focus on this little blog.  

3| I still haven't started Christmas shopping, and we are officially less than two weeks away. Joe cannot think of anything that he wants this year, and I am usually a great gift giver but this year I am drawing blanks. Someone give me good ideas, I need them.

4| Next Friday is Joe's company Christmas party, and I am once again not prepared at all. Today is going to be spent attempting to find an outfit. Joe gets to wear a tux provided by the company, so he just lucks out in the outfit department. A haircut, a shave, and he's good to go. So lucky.

5| I made an appointment to cut off some of this hair next week. I always chop a lot of my hair off at least once a year and I had to wait extra long this year because I wanted to grow it out for the wedding. Now that it's over, I am so ready. 

Have a blast this weekend for me guys, I'll be at work all weekend. Blah. 

Black Friday 2013

Hi everyone!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with the people you love! I know mine was great. With Thanksgiving comes probably the biggest shopping day of the entire year. Black Friday is something that I love participating in not only for the deals but for me it is really fun to go out with everyone for the experience also. I am super excited to say that I think this is my most successful Black Friday yet...I had somewhat of a list of things that I knew I wanted to pick up for sure and then something's were honestly impulse buys. So here is a breakdown of my night / morning!

I did go to Target on Thanksgiving night when they opened at 8pm, and honestly it did not interfere with my family plans whatsoever. We do everything in the morning and afternoon and my family really didn't mind us going that night when we were finished. We stood in line with our Starbucks for about 1.5 hours before the store opened and it was really fun we talked to a ton of people and made it a good time!

Target:

A new vacuum on sale for $25.00 I was way too excited for this, our vacuum recently just broke and this girl needs a vacuum!

Towels on sale for $2.00 each

Justin Bieber Christmas CD (don't judge me) on sale for $5.00

Black Riding boots on sale for $18.00 normally $40.00

Two pairs of gloves buy one get one free at $3.00 (my hands and feet are always freezing) and they're touchscreen compatible.

After Target, we went home and slept until 4:00am when we got up and went to the mall. The Victoria's Secret PINK didn't open until 6:00am so I first off went to Bath and Body Works..

I purchased:

2 Winter Candy Apple Wallflowers on sale for $5.00 for a two pack. Normally $12.50!

At Victoria's Secret / PINK I purchased:

A pair of yoga leggings on sale for $25.00

Two gift sets on sale 2 for $25.00

Two other gift sets each for $15.00

I also got a really cute free tote back with my purchase because I spent over $70.00 inside it also came with a sampler of their popular fragrances too!

I also got two secret reward cards that I cannot wait to use, I always hope for a high amount but I usually only get the 5 or 10 dollar ones!

I did some shopping online at American Eagle because they were having a killer deal and I love their jeans!

I bought my boyfriend several things from there online but cant say because he may read this!

Everything was 50% off and free shipping so I bought myself a pair of jeggings for $20.00 and they're normally $40.00 plus free shipping.

I plan on keeping my eye out on Monday for the Cyber Monday deals as well!

If you did shopping, let me know what you got and what stores will be having good Cyber Monday sales!!

Our Thanksgiving picture!

XO, Vivian

Holiday Gift Guide #1 - Beauty Junkie

Hi everyone!

I am so excited for the holiday season, because I love picking out the perfect gifts for the people I care about. I know that every person, no matter who you are knows someone or may be someone who is a beauty junkie. I know I am! So this post is for you! Whether you are searching for the perfect gift for a loved one, or you're looking for gifts to put on your wish list this year then you're in the right place!

I will be doing more holiday gift guides similar to this for guys, and other items besides just beauty products. I hope you enjoy, and lets get started!

1: Fragrance gift sets are something you can never go wrong with, unless you aren't quite sure of her personal favorite scent. This is the gift you really can't go wrong with. A fragrance sampler set is great because she can try out all of the different high end scents, and then for future reference you'll then know what her favorite was and what she would want for her birthday and anniversary! They have a ton of other fragrance sampler sets that are more or less expensive that will work with any budget!

 Fragrance Sampler For Her by Sephora - $65.00

2: Any bath or body gift sets are always loved in my book. I love getting new lotion's and new things to try out that smell amazing! There are a ton of these type of products out there but one of my favorite brands is Soap and Glory, their products make your skin feel so smooth and smell awesome! Sephora has a great beginners set.

Soap & Glory Beginner's Luxe Set by Sephora - $30.00


3: Makeup: Women of all ages will most likely want something makeup wise for the holidays that they normally wouldn't splurge on. Ulta.com has great makeup sets from all prices to help you in your search. My favorite that I am seeing at the moment is the Benefit gift sets!

Benefit Cosmetics - Little Love Potions    by Ulta.com - $36.00


4: Nail polish is a great gift because a girl can never have to much nail polish! Essie is my personal favorite brand because they always come out with different sets for the different seasons. They make great stocking stuffers as well as a sweet gift. I love each and every color from the winter 2013 collection and they have a mini gift set at Ulta!

Essie 2013 Winter Collection Cube  by Ulta.com - $17.00


5: This is something that is on my personal wish list for this year; Urban Decay Palette. I know that they are coming out with the brand new Naked 3 palette just in time for the holidays. I just know if you surprised a beauty junkie with that she would love you forever! Although it's not for sale just yet, it will be soon! I love that also on ulta.com they do free gifts with purchases like this so you'll always get free samples and something else special.

Urban Decay - Naked Palette  by ulta.com - $52.00


So I hope this is useful to anyone with a beauty lover in their life! More will be coming with the holiday gift guides!

xo, Vivian

31 things to do before December 31st!

 

 

 

Hey everyone!!

 

 

 

So today I was browsing on pinterest, as usual and I came across a picture from Kate Spade on 31 things to do before December 31st. I thought this was a great idea and I had to make my list right after reading it! The fall and winter months for me are a time with family and to do new exciting things. I hope you enjoy my list!

 

 

1. Take longer walks with Joe and our puppy.

2. Bake a pie from scratch.

3. Do black Friday shopping.

4. Buy gifts for children who need them.

5. Send out Christmas cards.

6. Hand make Christmas decorations.

7. Watch ABC Family Christmas movies.

8. Buy someone coffee at Starbucks.

9. Go to our local museum and zoo for their Christmas festivals.

10. Try a bold lip.

11. Drink hot cocoa - a lot.

12. Make my Aunt Kim's fudge.

13. Go ice skating.

14. Decorate our house for Christmas.

15. Drive around and look at Christmas lights.

16. Kiss my love under the mistle toe.

17. Make my new years resolutions.

18. keep working toward my goals and future.

19. Celebrate mine and Joe's four year anniversary.

20. Put effort into picking out thoughtful gifts.

21. Bake cookies.

22. Build a gingerbread house.

23. Listen to a ton of Christmas music.

24. Take a ton of pictures.

25. Buy my dog a cute winter sweater.

26. Donate clothes and blankets to a shelter.

27. Be kinder to people, even when they may not be kind in return.

28. Make homemade soups.

29. Try egg nog for the first time.

30. Spend the holidays with my favorite people.

31. Make a ton of new memories.

 

Let me know some of your things you would like to do before the end of 2013!

 

~Vivian~