Fantastic Friday - My Swag Bag

I'm linking up with Kelly today for Show Us Your Life - Beauty Secrets. I have virtually zero authority on this subject, but it's Friday, I'm working with unflavored coffee creamer and a high in the 40s, so I'm throwing caution to the freezing wind and joining in the fun.

I picked up some new favorites last time she did this, so in true philanthropic spirit, I'm attempting to pay it forward.

I don't have many secrets, per se, but I do love some beauty products. I could roam the aisles of Sephora, or heck, CVS for well, a while. Read: this post could be slightly lengthy.

I love a fairly consistent skin care routine. LOVE this stuff. I think I've used it since high school. Wash, tone, moisturize. Love that it has sunscreen as well.

Now, on to the more fun stuff.

I think I've talked about this before, but since I've kept it around, I think it deserves another shout out. I hear rumours there is a body scrub. Perfect when it's time to trade the turtlenecks for tank tops. If you don't believe me, look...it was vetted and deemed worthy by the Glammie committee. Which I'm sure is an arduous process.

While we're in the shower phase of this post, lets move to a great product I discovered last Show Us Your Life. It claims to "shampoo away yellow, and refresh faded highlights." It does a great job. Not to mention, who doesn't love a bright purple shampoo? And it is PURPLE.

Post rinsing out all the purple shampoo and pre-blow drying, this is a must. My hair isn't super frizzy, but it leaves it really smooth. Bonus points for thermal protection.

In an effort to keep it summer all year while simultaneously avoiding skin cancer, which is no fun for anyone, this has a permanent spot in my makeup bag. It works great on mornings with the St. Ives.

I've had a good relationship with bronzers since college. I prefer it to blush, but I don't think I've bought the same kind twice. Physicans Formula has a great line, and I usually end up back there. In the winter, this has also become a favorite for weekends, since it has a little sparkle that I think my workplace would frown upon. Much like Martha Stewarts egg nog, you need just a little.

An old trick I've been re-introduced to is using your blow dryer to heat up the lash curler. I had forgotten what a difference it makes. Caution - it only takes a second. I don't think the burned eyelid look is the one anyone is going for.

Always fun to try new stuff. Just in time for this post, Rossi blogged about my wedding day makekup. She did a great job and I loved seeing all her products and brushes. Still trying to muster up the courage to try these lashes by myself!

Happy Friday!

The Wife Chop

It seems to be an inevitable trend that soon after the wedding, after months of only trimming off just a little bit, the hair gets chopped off. I like my hair short.

See exhibit A.

But, after all the months of growing it out, I've convinced myself it isnt that much more difficult to fix and maybe I should run with it long for just a little bit...well, longer.

So begins the dance of googling medium hairstyles, finding pictures of Jessica Simpson and Nicole Richie's hair, thinking I love it, taking it to the hairdresser, then getting home and realizing Ken Paves is not my best friend, therefore that big google image search was a huge waste of valuable eggnog drinking time.

Join me, won't you?

I really like the sideswept bangs. Truth be told, they will probably drive me nuts. But sometimes, a girl needs a new style

On the other hand, I did like Tori Spellings cute bob. My fine hair needs a few layers to surivive though.

Decisions, decisions. If nothing else, this blonde will be fresh for the holidays.

Wrapping Up

This busy week has quickly come to an end. Wedding planning is also coming to an end very soon. I really dreaded this process with every bone in my body, but suprisingly, it was so fun, stress free (for the most part) and filled with wonderful memories. Just goes to show, the things we worry about often never even happen.

Since I function in list form these days, here goes.

1. It has been so fun getting packages in the mail from my recently documented shopping spree (which will be coming to an end soon. I promise.) Last night, I got my first ever bathing suit from Victoria's Secret. The bottoms might have fit my 3 year old niece. Any suggestions on sizing? Don't be shy.

2. We had our last counseling session. It was mainly to go through the order of worship for the ceremony, but we did review some of the things we had discussed in previous sessions. One of my favorite take aways was the 80/20 rule. No one is perfect. Therefore, no relationship is perfect. No marriage is perfect. But if your partner is consistent 80% of the time, focus on that. It's when you start focusing on the 20% that we can become resentful and dissatisfied - which is so dangerous. That's not to say you should sweep your problems under the rug, but I'm slowly learning to focus on the positive, so this hit home for me. He closed with a time of prayer for our new family. It was such a special time and really helped me refocus amidst the chaos of the week.

3. We're making a list for songs during the band break. Favorite dancing songs? Taking recommendations in the comment section.

4. Check out this Fall paradise. I will miss the roommates mutual love for all things OPI. I don't know if I've gone into great detail about my Thursday night routine of Greys, nails and red wine, but it is one of my very favorite things. I was happy as a clam last night.

I'm so close to the end (?!?!) of my to do list I can almost taste it. You know, besides moving. But right now, it's the freakin' weekend baby and I'm gonna have me some fun....