Random

It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these, hasn’t it? I sort of miss doing these on a weekly basis. 🙂

1. I’m head over heels in love with this foundation. I got it for Christmas last year, and sparingly used it, because it was so pricey. Whatever…I’m now using this every single day. I love it…I use it with a makeup primer and I hardly have oily skin anymore. It’s awesome!

2. The cooler it gets, the more Millie wants to jump on the sofa and cuddle with me. This pose especially melts my heart….she rests her chin on my leg? Ugh…I can’t help but smile and move my laptop over for her.

3.  I love our front yard garden right now. Just love it…I’m proud to say I haven’t killed anything yet. Perhaps my thumb is taking on a more green hue?

4. This made me laugh so hard today. I think #26 would go perfectly with those gross Harry Potter earwax-y Jelly Bellys (anyone remember when they came out with those?) for a Halloween party.

5. I hate to say it, but I think I finally gave up on Grey’s Anatomy. I’ve been watching that show since the college days, and it was SO great back then. The show is just so boring lately, and I think it’s because Shonda is rocking the something out of Scandal. She can only really write one good show at a time.

6. This arrived in our mailbox the other day. Y’all…it’s SO close to the holiday season! Eep!

7. I’m doing a DietBet right now, and I’m so happy to see great results again. 4.4 lbs. down so far, which I’m probably ruining with the Gobstoppers that I’m snacking on. Darn you, Halloween candy!

8. Here’s our annual picture of Millie with her “pupcake”. Yes, I’m that puppy mom who drove to a cupcake bakery just to buy a pupcake. Isn’t she just the sweetest? I love that dog.

9. Our local Trader Joe’s opens today. I’m SO excited. While I won’t be going there for at least another week (crowds), it’s exciting that good ol’ Baton Rouge is getting some cool franchises. I also read our first Costco is opening in April! Whee!

10. I know it’s not anywhere close to Christmas yet, but I like to mess with my coworkers. I’ve been putting up a new Christmas decoration each week. We, as a team, had a nice tree in past years, but since the coworker who owned that tree retired (and took the tree with her), I thought it would be fitting to put up a pathetic Charlie Brown tree. All it needs is Linus’ blanket. 🙂

Hope everyone has a great Halloween!

It feels good to get back into blogging again. While things have been going a bit crazy around the house, we still try to find some normal moments to feel a little more at home.

1. I’ve been knitting like crazy lately. It’s not cold yet, but all I want to do is knit. It’s so comforting and fun to be starting on holiday gifts this early. Here’s two (tiny) hats that I threw together in the past week. I used the duplicate stitch to add in their names right after to make them a little more personal. 🙂 Also, how fun is it to knit baby things in pastel college colors? I love it.

2. Like I mentioned in my post yesterday, we’re well prepared for the fall. We have candles like crazy in the house…hope it’s enough to last us the whole season. 🙂

3. It was National Dog Day this week. I told Millie to SMILE PRETTY for a National Dog Day picture, and this is the face I got. She was definitely in a leave me alone mood.

4. Big Bang Theory Fans…I give you the best BuzzFeed of the week! I can’t stop laughing at these…I love that show! So glad my husband introduced me to it.

5. Dear Target, why are you selling this? In Louisiana….10 minutes away from LSU. There’s a reason this is on massive clearance..it’ll only sell as a gag gift.

 

Another week bites the dust! I’m excited about this weekend, because IT’S FOOTBALL SEASON!

1. Weight loss is so crazy. My body is changing before my eyes, and I find that I’m getting so much stronger with every work-out. I just finished Week 2 of Jamie Eason’s Live Fit Trainer, and it’s amazing to see baby muscles. I’m seriously addicted to taking “gun show” pictures, like the one above. Can we talk about how much some of the moves suck? Narrow push-ups and preacher curls, especially. OMG, the burn!

2. Another funny with weight loss. I hope this isn’t too personal. I’ve been switching out clothes like crazy the past 70ish lbs. However, one thing that I realized is that I have yet to get a smaller size of are my sports bras. Oops. WORLD of a difference… the smaller size definitely supports me better. Ladies: Target has their C9 bras for $12/pair until Saturday (regularly $16.99). I stocked up. I should be good for another 70 lbs. (haha….just kidding).

3. I’m looking to purchase a larger camera bag, since I really only use mine when traveling and I’d like more room for a computer or iPad. So, I’m selling this one, since it’s kind of crazy for me to have two camera bags (as a hobbyist). This is a Kelly Moore Posey bag (first edition) in muted teal…purchased in 2011. I’ve only used it a handful of times, but it’s still in very good condition (there’s a couple of spots that are slightly worn in the faux leather but other than that, great condition). I’m hoping to sell it for $90 (paid $159), but I’m willing to take a reasonable offer too. Email me at niftyfoodie at gmail.com if you’re interested. 🙂

4. Goodness. I need Kate Spade to stop having major online sales. Every single time there is one, I see a bag (or 2) that I want, and I have to tell myself no. Not until Onederland. 30ish lbs. to go! :-

5. Yes, indeed.

I haven’t written one of these posts in a while, but I’ve taken quite a few photos on my phone since then. 🙂

1. You know you’re an adult when this is on your Christmas wish list. Hello pretty pantry storage! My husband thinks I’m a weirdo for wanting this set as a gift, but oh man, I really really do!

2. This is truly a random, but one of my favorite things about SNL is when the actors break down and laugh. It just makes them seem more normal. 🙂

3. I REALLY lucked out a couple of weeks ago, and won a giveaway for a Masterbuilt smoker from NWA Foodie’s blog. I seriously still can’t believe it, but we spent last weekend cleaning out our patio area and finding a place for it. We pre-seasoned the smoker as well, so it’s now ready for us to break it in! What should I make first? I’m seriously eye-ing some brisket right now. 🙂

4. This never gets old. The green top was something I got for my trip last year to San Diego, and it’s just way too big now. I know I take pictures like this a lot, but it seriously doesn’t get old. Sorry.

5. Now that I’m fitting in regular sized clothing, I’m constantly surprised by the choices I have. I’m also learning what shapes flatter my body. Dress on the left…no. Dress on the right? Heck yes. I promise you these were taken on the same night in the same fitting room (Kohl’s).

6. In case you don’t follow me on Instagram, you probably have no idea what this is. Back when I was losing weight for the wedding (on Weight Watchers), I learned about a great motivation idea to make a paper clip chain. Add a paper clip for every pound, and it’s a constant reminder of how far you’ve come. My coworkers just think it’s paper clip bunting….to me, it’s so much more. I hope I’m never asked to take this down.

7. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway for a chocolate collection from Sucré!

Have a great weekend, y’all!

1. It’s been a few years since the last Harry Potter came out, and we finally watched it. Holy cannoli. Um…yeah. Didn’t see any of that coming at all. No spoilers, because I’m sure there are people out there who haven’t seen the end. However, I think I’m gonna finally take the plunge and read the books. After reading the Hunger Games trilogy, I can see where people are coming from when they say “It makes much more sense in the books…”. If you watched the movies, this Buzzfeed post is really gonna put a smile on your face. So much awesome.

2. I got a fun Influenster box in the mail from Mary Kay. I’m always worried about free make-up, because I’m super fair-skinned and usually the shades just don’t work for me. However, I’ve tried the cream eyeshadow and lipstick yesterday. I was stunned at how neutral the eyeshadow was…in the pan, it’s a purple shade, but on my eyes, it was a purple-ish brown. Very pretty. The lipstick looked like a highlighter pink, but on me, it was a good neutral with a hint of pink. Not too harsh at all! It also included mascara, and mascara is always a challenge for me. As a blonde, I wasn’t blessed with gorgeous Snuffleupagus eyelashes. Instead, I have a few, short blonde eyelashes, and mascara usually just makes them look like spider legs (I’m talking to you, Benefit’s They’re Real mascara…OMG talk about spider legs mascara…glad it was a free sample!). Anyway, this mascara actually made my lashes look great and defined! I’m definitely using these products every day now. 🙂 I’m glad the colors worked out.

Disclosure: I received those products in the mail for free, from Influenster and Mary Kay. All opinions/reviews are my own, however.

3. I’m on Day 9 of the Plank a Day challenge. I had to do a minute today. It blows my mind how much your body adjusts to challenges like this. I won’t lie…I still dread planks, but I’m loving how much stronger I feel!

4. Someone posted that a couple days ago marked 6 months until Christmas. What? Oh man…I know it’s early, but around this time, I start brain-storming ideas for handmade gifts. I will admit that I was completely thrown off when Hobby Lobby already had ornaments out. I completely understand having Christmas fabrics out early, but ready-made decor? C’mon now!

5. Another DietBet bites the dust tomorrow. I ::think:: I’ll make it for this one. I can’t explain how wonderful it is to be “back”. When I got off-track in May, I really felt like I couldn’t control myself. My cravings for junk were out of control, and the constant excuses for work-outs scared me. It’s easier said than done to get rid of those cravings, and to just get out there and work-out, but I’m just glad to be back into a routine and see those numbers going down again. 🙂

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! It’ll be Monday before we know it. 😛

 

 

This week kind of flew by for me, which is rare. I just hope that doesn’t mean the weekend will go by even faster. Sadly, I have to do some major garden maintenance, which means I either wake up early and do it at 7am or wait until 7pm and swat mosquitos at the same time. Ahh….summer.

1. I took a good portion of the last weekend to clean up the disaster that is my craft room/guest room. Oh man…it feels good to have those shelves clean and organized! I have to admit, I haven’t gone on a fabric spree in a long time, and it just blows my mind how much fabric I still have. I guess I should get to sewing. The yarn shelves…eh…went a little crazy at KnitPicks at the end of last year. 😛

2. I have an unsafe obsession with all things scented wax related. I love our little wax burner so much that I purchased one for my Mom & Memaw for Christmas last year. It’s nice to know that I can leave these on, and not worry as much about it being a fire hazard (that is, unless the light bulb causes a fire or something…but yeah, the risk is WAY less)!

3. I have a slight sprinkles and cupcake liners problem. Earlier this year, we purchased a kitchen cart for a few of the larger kitchen tools that we have, and I just felt that I HAD to add some fun kitchen-y decor to it. I purchased some large jars at TJMaxx, and filled them with 1 lb. bags of non-pareils and jimmies. It’s SO much cheaper to buy them in these bulk bags, and I feel like I go through these regular rainbow ones so quickly…especially when I’m on a funfetti kick! I also purchased a larger jar and put my cupcake liner collection in it. It’s just so pretty & functional. Love it!

4. Liz of The Lemon Bowl recently posted a 30 Day Plank Challenge. I decided to join in on this one to see how strong I could get. I would be 110% surprised if I can do 5 minutes of planking by the time this is over. I’m on Day 3 right now and just plugging along, while my arms violently shake and my stomach screams.

5. Here’s a cute picture of Millie just for kicks. 🙂

Hope y’all have a good weekend!

 

 

 

Another work week bites the dust, y’all! 🙂 It’s kind of awesome to be home all weekend. After Food Blog Forum, our mini-anniversary trip and an impromptu drive down to New Orleans, it’s strange to have a calm, quiet weekend.

 

As you may know, I’m an introvert. Food Blog Forum drained me (I’m totally OK with it, though!):-P. While I had a blast meeting people, I definitely appreciated the little me time I had in the evenings before I fell asleep. If you feel the same way, this is gonna make you nod your head until you feel like a bobble head. Especially 8, 17 & 19. Definitely me.

In our veggie garden adventures, I have learned something interesting about pumpkins. Usually, veggies flower and make fruit. It’s easy.

Nope! Not always!

With pumpkins, there are male flowers and female flowers. So, you may have a pumpkin vine full of happy flowers, but if they’re all male flowers, you get no pumpkins. This was something I learned last year, and I thought it was because I’m a rotten gardener. After some googling, I learned that if you don’t have bees doing the pollinating for you, you have to do it yourself. Maybe my mind is in the gutter, but man…that’s…um…awkward. Hand pollination = flower sexy time essentially. So yeah…we’ll see how that works out. I just want some darn Jack O’ Lanterns for our front yard decor in October. If I have to do the pollination myself, then I guess that’s what I’ll have to do. Will some Marvin Gaye help in this situation LOL? (Sorry…I’m not sorry.)

 

 

This treat is gonna be my best friend this summer. I just know it. Holy humidity….we get used to this stuff every year? Yuck.

 

I miss The Office. I thought the finale was perfection. The writers wrapped it up beautifully…I’m just so bummed to see it go.

“I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.” ::tears::

 

A while back, I joined a BzzAgent campaign for CoverGirl Outlast 3 in 1 Foundation. I was skeptical, because I’ve never had luck with CoverGirl’s shades. I’m pale as heck, and their palest color was still too dark (this was back in college). I joined the campaign though, because I’ve heard wonderful things about this foundation. I picked up “Classic Ivory”…”Ivory” is too pink for my skin), and applied it. I set my foundation with silica powder spheres (as recommended in this seriously AMAZING make-up tutorial by Mrs. Rainbow, who now blogs here). That was it. No primer…no added moisturizer…I tested it as a true 3 in 1 foundation. I think I’m in love with this stuff….it’s less than $15/bottle (which is CHEAP considering I pay $40 for my normal foundation) and lasted pretty well throughout the day. Here’s the comparison from 6am to 4pm on an average work day….while it all didn’t stay put, I’m surprised by how much did!

Disclaimer: I was sent a coupon for a bottle of the CoverGirl foundation for free through BzzAgent for a fair and honest review. I received no further compensation.

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

It’s been a rough past few weeks, diet-wise. Between Food Blog Forum, an anniversary mini-vacation to Houston and well, just not working out at all….I’ve gained some weight. I’m back on track, though. After a lot of thinking, I decided to get back into the DietBet swing of things.

Would any of you like to join me? It ends just before the 4th of July festivities should be happening!

This made me laugh today.

On another weight loss note, I have to thank Sara, of Fit for a Bride blog, for interviewing me on her blog last week. Beyond flattered!

When given the choice between a Le Creuset braiser and a Kate Spade purse, I’m pretty sure I’m one of the few gals who would go for the braiser. The cool thing is it was almost 50% off, and the only reason for that is that the color (midnight blue) was a limited edition. I really don’t care what color my cookware is, but it kind of worked out in my favor, because this piece is very cool since it has a sparkly finish. I’m in love with it!

As I mentioned, my husband and I took a mini-vacation to Houston this past weekend. We aren’t picky when it comes to hotels, so we usually use hotel points for trips like this and we don’t really expect much out of it. However, this time, we stayed at Hotel Indigo near the Galleria. We were blown away. The rooms were gorgeous (seriously want to steal that duvet cover), and the staff there were super friendly. You may notice the cookie bouquet in the picture, which I bought to surprise my husband. They made sure it was delivered to our hotel room before check-in, which was a sweet touch. I thought they’d just hand it to us at check-in or something. It was the first time (EVER) that I surprised my husband. SUCCESS!

I can’t believe that it’s been 4 years since my husband and I got married. A lot has happened since then, but I think the biggest accomplishment has been our weight loss journey. Between the both of us, we’ve lost 185 lbs., and our journeys aren’t even over yet. I know I have at least 50-60 lbs. left to go. 185 lbs. is a person…18.5 sacks of potatoes…37 bags of flour…3 Millies…I could go on and on. I’m pretty proud of us, darnit!

I love this article so much….while my siblings can get on my nerves from time to time (What? Don’t act like it’s just me!), they truly are great. I’m a pretty lucky gal.

Back in the college days, I majored in Geography. As a geography geek, this game is perfection. Even if you aren’t a geography geek, I have a feeling you’ll get hooked on this game, too!

Hope y’all have a great weekend!

• If you stepped outside in Louisiana today, you’d have no idea it was May. February? Sure. March? A stretch…..but May? It’s chilly outside…my poor flowers are crying for consistency, Mother Nature. Hot and humid consistency!

 

• I love Diet Coke. I know it’s full of chemicals that eat away at metal or something, but I love it. I need one every morning. Preferably fountain. Judge away, but this is just how I feel!

 

• You know you like to bake when butter goes on sale, and you feel the need to buy 5 or more boxes at a time when that happens. I also like to confuse the cashier with said butter purchases. 6 boxes of butter, a bunch of cilantro, four limes and a box of eggs were in my cart. I don’t know about you, but when I used to be a cashier in high school, I had fun figuring out what people were cooking up based on their grocery cart. Beer, potatoes, lemons, onions, and frozen corn on the cob = seafood boil. 10 packs of hot dogs, 10 lbs.of ground beef, buns, chips and soda = cook out. I’m sure butter, cilantro, limes and eggs were a real head-scratcher, if my cashier that day was anything like me. 😛

 

• I’m gonna brag on my sister today. She’s a music performance major, and every time I go to her performances, I’m blown away by her improvement. On the way to see said performance on Thursday, I had Phantom of the Opera blasting in my car (in stand-still traffic), and I was seriously jamming (rather off-key) to it. Yeah, I jam to musicals..so what? Didn’t realize guy in the car in the next lane was listening in on my off-key antics and giving me major side-eye. Oh well…enjoy? I so don’t have the vocal talent in my family (my two sisters both sing beautifully). Embedding the video below…you have to fast forward to 23:45 on it, if you’re interested. 🙂

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• Have any of y’all been keeping up with the 52 Week Savings Plan? I’ve been doing it religiously every week, being sure to pay myself in a little savings account using my personal $ (what my husband and I call fun money). I know a lot of people say it’s a terrible idea, but it’s not my husband and I’s way of saving $$, I promise..it’s more a personal savings account for me to splurge when I hit my weight loss goal. I’m sure I’ll have a bunch leftover after that, but knowing that I could potentially have $1300 saved up for a new closet is pretty fantastic, don’t you think?

 

• Need some weight loss motivation? I love reading Runs for Cookies blog, especially since she started her Motivational Monday posts. This is where readers post about their weight loss victories and she shares them. I look forward to it every week! I just love reading about people who are going through the same things I am on their weight loss journeys. It’s so relatable, and helps me step away from the junk food cravings.

Have a great weekend y’all!