Newest Website Addiction!!

I like to pride myself on being pretty up on things but I am not sure what rock I have been living under to just now discover Brit & Co!  This website is AH-MAZING... SO well laid out and just down right pretty!

SERIOUSLY.  Click over immediately.  You'll thank you me =)

But just in case you need a little more convincing,

these are a few of my favorite finds so far....

I seriously had to cut myself off or this would have been the longest. post. ever.

How to Make a Triangular Wall Storage System

Homemade Pop Tarts

9 Ways to Hack Your Hoop Earrings

40 Brilliant DIY Organization Hacks

Don't even get me started on the techy section which is FUUUULL of products that I never knew I needed...Such as:

A vest that hugs you when you get a like on Facebook!

(Would anyone else be tempted to just LIKE, LIKE, LIKE everything on a friends page if you knew they had this on? )

A bracelet that lets you know when you've gotten enough sun

(Can we say adios sun spots??)

And a collection of some of the most chic water bottles I have EVER seen!

Are there any other fabulous websites I am missing out on? Are you a fan of Brit & Co?

Miscellany Monday - Where Cosmetics, Football, & Mr. Rogers Collide =)

Happy Monday friends!! I hope you all enjoyed a little break from my neurosis last week =) because I have LOTS to say and share this week!

* I've found a new love....Glossybox.  I think that my new found cosmetic subscription service obsession deserves a post all its own BUT in case this week gets nuts - and by that I mean I get distracted by something shiny - let me go ahead and say - its all name brand products in awesomely generous sample sizes :) I'm. In. love.

*  I think it's pretty clear that I have a full on fanatical love for all things football.  So, it should come as no surprise that I soaked up every nano second of the NFL Draft :)

Truth.

 It's like all my favorite things colliding into one event of total perfection...

I mean - there's a RED CARPET!

And my precious Gamecocks did A-MAZING and all found NFL homes...

I can't wait to see Mr. Lattimore in that 49ers uniform =)

* I am the lucky lady who is married to this rock star:

Why yes...yes, that's my man strutting his mega talented stuff a week or so ago on Broadway :)

 I'm keeping him.

* Two years ago today thiiiis happened...

*sigh*

My pretend BFF is so beautiful....

* I'll leave you with a great quote from the one and only Mr. Rogers because:

a) I think it's awesome and true.

b) I like to try and cover the most random array of subjects possible in a fifteen minutes time span.
c ) It's Mr. Rogers... what other reason do we need =)

Your turn....Rock my socks off with randomness!
 Link up below =)

Insta-Kristi Photo Dump

I, along with the rest of the free world, have a compete crush on all things Instagram! To be fair, I'm a little obsessed with all things social media and go though phases where I use The Tweeter

 like I'm getting paid for it! 

(To be clear.... I am not, in fact, getting paid for it)

(Also, yes, I know it's called Twitter but I like calling it The Tweeter...sorry for the fact that I'm sure that's annoying...)

I loooove reading other peoples Instagram photo dump posts and thought -

"Hey. Kristi. You should copy that idea!"

Soooooooo..... Here ya go! Some Instagram highlights from recent days =)

If you want to follow my hijinks in real time you can find the link to my Instagram on the right!

As I mentioned Monday, I'm a liiiiitle bit of a crazy football fangirl and so getting a new Carolina sticker for my car put me on cloud nine.... Or maybe I should say cloud 21 since that is the jersey number of my fav Gamecock =)

(Gooooo Marcus!)

The Lord hasn't brought any babies our way yet but he's given me the privilege of having a precious little one to practice on :) I like to put her in giant hairbows because - say it with me southern ladies - the bigger the bow the closer to God. ( Fairly sure that's not in the Bible but am positive its implied)

Sometimes I get bored in the car. This is the result. Jonathan loves it.

Finding the joy people....finding the joy... A sweet gift from a friend helps remind me :)

I. Miss. The. Water. Sometime around last August I reached the point where, if one more person told me the lake was the same as the ocean, I was going to have a full on Real Housewives of Somewhere level meltdown. The lake and I are working on our relationship though and I think, by this summer, I might be willing to even to dip my toes in the water without rolling my eyes.

Hushpuppies are my love language. End of story :)

Do you love Instagram? The Tweeter? Give me a follow so I can follow back!

Thoughtful Thursday - Change of Plans...

So.
I had big plans today to share with y'all some of the awesome goodness that I felt like I walked away from the weekend away with.

Well.

Apparently my camera and computer are giving each other the silent treatment and are not supportive of said plan as they are giving me a FIT trying to upload my photos! Sooooo, that post is now on the back burner until at least tomorrow when I will have hopefully been able to reason with the electronics in my life.

(Don't hold your breath as I am fairly convinced that trying to reason with electronics takes the same level of skill as hostage negation....)

In lieu of telling you about my QT with Jesus this weekend, I'm going to rattle on for a sec about this book:

 Oh gracious... It has been a looooong time since a devotional style book has impacted me the way this one has. (Shout out to Elly for turning me on to this gem!)   As someone who believes whole heartily in the super relational aspect of God's heart, I am beyond touched and ministered too by the first person way this book is written.  

(Side note... the story behind it is PHENOMENAL! Get your google on...)

 I can't even begin to tell you how many time I've sat, slack jawed, in complete shock by how closely the day's message applies to me in that. very. second.

I mean... if I didn't know better I'd just about swear that Sarah was following me around =)

I really urge you to check it out if you can... 

Tuesday, was yet another of those days where I opened up the book and sat in shocked awe as the conviction of the words soaked into my heart...

The phrase "Secret things belong to the Lord, and future things are secret things" about knocked me to my knees.  While it is right to listen and seek the Lord on your next season in life, that line can become fuzzy when we suddenly can't settle into His peace without knowing it ALL.  

Those things aren't always ours to know but He is always ours to trust.

 Oh, how often I have missed the journey and doubted His promise to care for me... My words may say YES but my actions and the fear and anxiety in my heart can speak so differently...

Do you read Jesus Calling? Have you been impacted by a book lately that we should know about?

Current Cosmetic Obsessions - February

About a month ago I shared some of my current cosmetic obsessions and thought, since the word 'current' implies 'up to date', now might be a good time to share some NEW make up obsessions =)  

I am still completely enamored by the goodies I jabbered about a few weeks ago but have added a couple new lovelies to my stash!

Now. 

Before I begin...

 ( I know.... longest. lead in. to a blog post. EVER.)

It is important to note that my move to Nashville has left a void in my life called - Ulta.  Granted, there are Sephora's and Cosmetic Market's abound but no Ulta's.  The only one is about an hour away...

Well, because Jesus loves me a whoooole lot my route to Monteagle took me right by said Ulta =)

Cue the Hallelujah chorus =)

I was very focused though and was in an out in a timely manner... I sort of had an idea of the things I needed wanted and knew better than to let myself get sucked into the aisles and aisles and AISLES of fabulous cosmestic goodies.  So, without further adieu, here are the things that followed me home:

*  Ulta Fabulous Face Pressed Powder in Light - Medium

I LOVE this product... the coverage is fabulous and rivals the Pur Minerals products I used to be obsessed with!

* Ulta Baked Bronzer *

Not to sound dramatic (cause that would be sooo out of character) but this may be the most perfect bronzer I have ever found.  I felt like I looked like I just wandered in off the beach....minus the fabulous wind swept hair and bag of gossip magazines.

* Ulta Mineral Blush in Peony *

I'm not usually a big blush wearer and, honestly, before I discovered the wonder that is Hot Mama by The Balm, I was always really uninterested.  Well.  This is a close rival to Hot Mama... I. LOOOVE. IT. Gives the perfect flushed appearance that I was looking for without making me look like I just got popped on the cheeks by someone hostile =)

* Ulta Nail Polish in Boogie Nights *

I can't even express how much I adore this product.... It is a glittery nail polish with a super fun name... that is about all I require =) Seriously though, the coverage is super and it dries uber fast!

*  Sally Hansen Lip Inflation in Sheer Buff *

Ok... I was obsessed with trying this product because a) I love lip plumper and b) I think that Sally Hansen can do no wrong =)  Weeeeeelllllllll..... I am glad I tried it but not sure I can buy it again until they change the brush =) I LOVE the color and the plumping action but the little application brush makes me batty.  Can someone explain to me why they thought that teeny tiny brush was a good idea?

Ok... your turn... what can you not live without?? Don't hold out on me people... I need the info =)

Friday Favs

Happy Friday friends!!  

We made it through the week and oh my what a week it was!! Kate's little public appreance was my highlight  because, obviously, I have a problem.  

In honor of Friday, here are a few of my favorite things that I think you should know about =)

*  I recently discovered this amazing jewel of a website - Temptalia...

Ohmygoodness. This site has more information than my brain could even BEGIN to handle.  There are make-up reviews, tutorials and countless other amounts of amazing-ness.  Seriously. This is by far the most amazing website of its kind I've found.

Best part?

I hope you're sitting down.

There is a whole section that is make-up dupes! You can put in brands, colors, or even TYPES of pretties and they are cross referenced for you.  Super useful for finding affordable versions of high end products! 

*  Please. Watch this video... Shout out to a spirit of fearlessness and courage that I hope I can one day embody just a smidge of...Dance like no ones watching people cause this girl.... THIS girl gets her boogie on.

*  This.
Gives me chills.

* And this.
Makes me giggle....
and feel slightly better about the fact that I am often sliiiightly behind schedule - which is a nice way of saying I'm late a lot.

Excuse me while I go and plan out a dance number for the Walmart.

What are some favs that you should share? Don't leave me out of the loop =)

February Birchbox Review

I can't even begin to express how much I LOVE Birchbox - A monthly delivery of cosmetics?? Yes please! Getting that pink box in the mail is like Christmas!  If you are unfamiliar with Birchbox, let me fill you in on this wonder of the cosmetic world =)  If you know what I'm jabbering about, feel free to skip on to the review of this months products.

 For $10 , you receive a set of samples in the mail every month!  Usually I get between 4 - 6 moderately sized samples and they are almost always product lines I've never tried.  You can even go on and review the products you've received and earn points that can be spent like cash on full sized products. Recently, I know Birchbox has caught a little flack for always sending "perfumes" and "measly sizes"and, to that, I have to say, while I do tend to get lots of perfume and moisturizer samples, I find the products they send to be great!  Not to mention that their customer service is stellar and I think that counts for alot =)  They products even come in the most fabulous brown boxes that are super reusable!

Okey dokey... this month's box was RIIIIGHT up my alley as it was themed on - drum roll please - 

preparing for your own personal red carpet =) Perfect huh? Ok, here we go....

Color Club Fiesta Collection in Wild Cactus

We all know that I have an obsession with nail polish so I am pumped for this little beauty! It is a gorgeous bright green and I actually don't have anything like it!  I sampled it on my thumb just to see how many coats it needed and found that I got a great, opaque color after two solid coats.  I've used Color Club before and found it to be a great line overall!

Dr. Jart Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm

This little wonder is a multi functional Beauty Balm that uses its SPF 25 to protect skin and, at the same time, covers blemishes and corrects uneven skin tone.  It contains all sorts of magical wonder chemicals that are supposed to improve your skin with use!  Beauty Balms are becoming alllll the rage so I'm stoked for this one!

Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle

First, let's give a shout out to the pretty black & red bottle shall we? Pretty packaging goes far with me =) This little wonder may be my favorite thing in the package this month! It is a leave in mist that conditions, protects hair from heat and sun, AND detangles.  AND the bottle is pretty. What else do ya need?

Juicy Couture La La Fragrance

Okey dokey....In the spirit of full disclosure, I should share that I am not usually a huge fan of anything Juicy Couture - especially not their clothes.  They are a little flashy for my taste BUT this was ok.  I love that it comes in its own little atomizer!  I don't think I'd buy this particular fragrance (its a smidge too floral) but I'll use the sample =)

Bonus!  This month included a yummy treat....

Ghirardelli Milk & Caramel Squares!

Do you get Birchbox or do you use another monthly beauty sample club? I'd love to hear from you!

Current Cosmetic Obsessions - January

I looove me some cosmetics.  Unleash me in an Ulta, Sephora, or really anywhere with more than a couple bottles of nail polish for sale and I am going to be a happy (and possibly broke ) girl.  While I tend to have a more casual day to day look, I like to keep my make-up arsenal well stocked and majorly enjoy this perk of being a girl =)  (Keep this fact in mind because if we ever meet in person the chance of me being in a hat or with possibly with chipped nails is high....)  Here are a few of my current favorite obsessions...

* Bobbi Brown Concealer & Corrector *

Oh sweet Bobbi Brown... If I ever find myself in the same room with her I will hug her neck and thank her for this little miracle in compact form! Thanks to the genius of Ms. Brown, I can convince the world around me that I am well rested and take my make-up off every night due to my faaaabulous complexion =) Seriously. This corrector and concealer combo is A-MAZING and worth every penny.

* Hot Mama! by The Balm *

So, I have seen this brand around before but never jumped in. Then a small sample appeared in last months Birchbox (more on that wonder of the world later) and I. Was. HOOKED. I was the kind of hooked where you repent for every day you didn't know this amazing gem existed.  This is a highlighter/ eye shadow/ blush super cosmetic with the most perfect shimmery hue ever! 

* Too Faced Natural Eye Palate *

Please join me in a moment of silence for the most perfect eye palate I have ever discovered.  I LOOOVE these eye shadows!  I was a little late to the party on this one and finally bought my own after mooching off of a friend's forever =) I tend to mainly use the "Everyday" trio and was recently uber sad to discover you can't buy any of those shades solo.... You have to replace the whole thing! Way to go Too Faced.... that's quiet a little gimmick you have goin'. I mean -  I'll do it but I still think it's shady.

Ok... your turn... what are some of your current favs?? Don't hold out on me - I NEED to know =)

Things I Love....

My brain works in spurts and bulletpoints. I don't know what I would do if it actually began to think in coherent waves and complete sentences. As I tried to think of something remotely interesting to blog about, my mind went right into making a bullet list of thing that I am currently obsessed with =) Buckly up people - Heeeeere she goes......

1) Pretzel M&M's - If you have not encountered the wonder that is Pretzel M & M's, you should consider yourself to be massively deprived.

Or very lucky - I'm not sure I'll have any jeans to fit into by the time fall decides to show up.

2) The Rachel Zoe Project - I'll give you a second to judge me....k....done? great. I totally LOVE this show. I love just about every random phrase that flies out of her mouth and I love the level of drama!! I want to be her friend!! Everytime an episode ends I feel an overwhelming desire to rush to my closet and put on heels and fur. (As a side note, I don't actually own fur and Rachel is very careful to always wear fakes...I felt compelled to point that out in our defense)

3) Sally Hansen "Commander in Chic" Nail Polish

I totally fell in love with this greyish, purplish color several months ago. The time frame of my discovery is important for one reason: I saw that it was listed as an "it" color for fall in my last In Style. Since then, I have felt compelled to point out to everyone that likes it that I have been wearing since waaaay before In Style FINALLY caught up =)

I think that if you have made it to the end of this post you deserve a total standing ovation =) I'll stop while I am ahead and may still have one reader left....I'm off to put on sky high heals and hunt down some M&M's =)