The Bachelorette Week 8 {Hometowns}

Morning everyone! I wasn't able to do the linky link last week because I caught the episode so late, but last night I watched the episode because it is one of my favorites {after the first night & proposal}. So I am linking up with {Anne} for some dish, here are my thoughts!



Crybaby Chris' Hometown:Chris still seems awkward being "in his element." At least he realized he was being a big baby last week. It was cool that they were in Hanover Park, IL which is so close to where I live, how cool?! His sister, Renee(sp?) was so skeptical of Emily even liking Chris telling her to end things before he got his heart broken. Chris is a big boy (sort of) and he should know how this show works. I did, however, think the end of the hometown date was pretty cute, but there was nothing spectacular about it, glad it was the first one.

Jef's Hometown:I really like Jef more and more after last week's date. Can we talk about Emily's outfit, I loved it on her! When she asked Jef's sisters about the wanting kids thing, they had a super awkward long pause, are they skeptical about if he wants an instant family?? OH EM GEE! Jef's letter that he wrote for Emily gave me goosepimples/chills and made my heart literally melt!!! Like if everyone didn't already love Jef, you had to after that moment!

Arie's Hometown:Of course Arie would take Emily racing and it's cute she went along with it. When Arie's mom starting speaking in Dutch, it was super awkward and weird. Honestly his mom is kind of a biotch, how could you not love Emily?!? She did kind of warm up that cold cold heart of hers a little bit after talking to Emily, but she still seemed standoffish. I really do see Arie ending up with Emily at the end.

Sean's Hometown:Oh they did save the best for last didn't they! Ok let's start off by talking about Emily's outfit, that hi-low dress was gorgeous!!! Moving on, how precious is Sean's nieces' house, "Kensington Cottage." I think Emily didn't take the news too well about living at home. Holy messy room Sean. Why did you have to kill your perfect image you could never do that. Thank god Sean doesn't really live at home, you could see the relief in Emily. Emily and Sean are like seriously perfect and if he doesn't win I sure as hell hope ABC is smart enough to bring him back as the Bachelor because I sure won't mind seeing his pretty self for an entire season! 

Rose Ceremony:Love Emily's dress, again! Anyway, moving on, I honestly think there was an "obvious" choice to send home. Chris should have gone home last week when he was off crying like a baby, but oh wells, he is long gone now. Not a classy way to leave Chris. I don't like all these guys making Emily second guess her decisions, you knew coming into this, you either have a connection or you don't. Chris, your "10x the man" your only 25, grow the hell up, you having to say that proves your clearly NOT! 

So anyone else here the rumors about Emily and Chris Harrison (the host of the Bachelor/Bachelorette) rumored to be hooking up? He claims that Emily is by far the most beautiful woman he has ever laid eyes on, yada yada, I highly doubt Emily would go for him, and if she does, shit will hit the fan with this franchise. Maybe it's time they get another host, maybe one that won't hit on the Bachelorette?!

Ahh, I cannot believe it's already down to the final 3 and it's the 3 that I predicted from the very beginning. I can't wait for next week. What are your thoughts on this week's episode, go link-up and share your thoughts! 

Photo Dump Monday!

Happy Monday everyone! I'm super excited because my holiday started today and lasts until Thursday! So today I wanted to do another fun link-up that I've seen around and since I take an obscene amount of pictures on my phone (according to my sister) I decided this would be a fun way to share them, if you already follow me on Twitter, some of these are a repeat and I apologize, but I love you!! So here is my photo dump for the week!

homemade taco salad

favorite new summer dress!

addicted to this song

View from the Sears Tower {103 stories high!}

my very first churro!

Saturday night outfit

love playing the logo quiz & having the Bulls logo come up!

love me some California Pizza Kitchen

nails this week

My busy month of July already

I hope to keep up again this month!

nurse at work can't spell oreos, how did you pass nursing school?!

my Saturday night

So did you have fun going through my week/weekend, join in the link-up and post up your pictures from the past week or so! I'll be back for another link-up tomorrow to dish about tonight's episode of The Bachelorette!! 

Sunday Social Week {4}

It's that time again for the awesome link-up that is Sunday Social. If you don't already know what this is or wanna hop on this link-up visit these two lovely ladies {Neely} or {Ashley} for more info!! This week's questions are all fashion related and I had a fun time answering these, and somehow found them much easier to answer than the previous weeks. So let's get this link-up party started!!!






What is your favorite store to shop at?Hands down, Tar-Jay!! I absolutely love shopping here and find everything I need there! 

If you could afford anything & everything, which designer brand would you covet?

I love anything and everything by Michael Kors (shoes, handbags, clothes, jewelry!)

Must have closet staple(s)?

Little black dress, skinny jeans, boyfriend v-neck tees, best fitting yoga pants!

I'll take her body too, thanks!

Favorite kind of shoes (brand or type)?

Type: nude peep toe pumps

Brand: Michael Kors & if I could afford it Christian Louboutins

Best clothing deal you've ever gotten (sale/amazing find)?

When I was in Houston last summer I found a beautiful (expensive) dress that was almost 75% off!!!

Style you'd love to try?

I would love to try the boho chic look. It looks effortless, but I don't think I can pull off the look.

Alright bloggers, how would you answer these questions?! Go and link up!!!!

June Beauty Favorites

Hey everyone! Hope everyone's weekends are going fantastic! Since it is the last day of the month I figured I would do my beauty favorites of the month. Along with some awesome beauty finds, I have some misc items in the mix as well, so here they are! 


So first is a hair product that I use almost everyday and I absolutely love! 

It's from TRESemme and it's the salon silk no frizz serum. I use a couple pumps everyday for silky, shiny looking hair. This stuff is great and really affordable. My big draw to this product was the argan oil in it. This product is only $3.99 at Target and that's an awesome deal compared to other brands with the same type of product.

Next up is another hair product that I discovered and am loving so far. This I don't use everyday, but if I am going out I will use it. 

So this is John Frieda full repair touch-up flyaway tamer. If you aren't sure what a flyaway is, those tiny hairs that stick up after you style your hair (typically at the top by your roots), those are flyaways. They are somehow so darn stubborn and with this product (which has a mascara brush) I found them to be minimized. Now they don't all go away forever, but they do help tame them and add a little shine to that area without making it greasy. I found this product at Ulta for about $8.99 so it's not too bad and it's a pretty big bottle for the price!

Next are some face wipes that I found to be the best working ones so far. They are from Neutrogena and they promise to take off even the stubborn waterproof eye makeup, which it truly does do!

not sure why it isn't rotating :(

So these makeup remover towelettes are super duty and like I mentioned above, they take off even the stubborn waterproof makeup. It is gentle on your skin and doesn't dry it out either. Great product and I used a $2 off coupon and scored this for less than $5 at Target!!

The next product I had for a few months, but really didn't start using it til this month, so that's why I'm including it. 

I got this from a recommendation by the lady who works at my Ulta to use as a makeup brush cleaner. It's made by Philosophy and it's the purity made simple one-step facial cleanser. This product is really great for cleaning brushes and you don't need to use a big amount to get the gunk off your brushes either. This is the travel size I got for $10 at Ulta and it has lasted me quite some time already. I occasionally use it on my face and it is really gentle, my only issue is the smell, I'm not loving it, but for a brush cleaner I don't mind it.

So another face product I've had for a long time, but haven't used in a while is made from Avon.

As you see in the lovely picture above, I showed you the product on my face, and it applies super thick and I only needed one coat. So the name is True Pore-Fection skin refining mask by Avon Solutions and since I got it a long time ago, they unfortunately don't sell it online anymore, but they do have similar products which I am sure work just as effectively. This is again super affordable and this particular one is used for oily skin (which I tend to have especially in the summatime). Once it dries it creates a crackle effect on your face and then you know to take it off and you literally feel like you got a professional facial afterwards. 

The final face product I have for you guys is Freeman feeling beautiful pink grapefruit facial scrub. 

Walmart sells these little guys for less than $2 and they come in a variety of scents. They are actually good for a few uses because the quantity in the packet is quite a bit. I particularly like the pink grapefruit because of the smell and because of summer it is a great summertime scent. They have some other great ones like chocolate/strawberry, creamy apricot, and mint/lemon to name a few. You should definitely try a few of these out and find your favorite!

The next item is one of those misc items. I got this for my mom for her birthday because she loves candles and I am so in love with the smell I had to get one for myself.

It's a natural soy candle in coconut creme and it smells so good I could burn this scent all the time. This candle is fairly lightweight and super affordable, I think I got it from TJ Maxx or HomeGoods for $4-$5!! My mom is also in love with this smell it is reminiscent of the beach and that is always a great smell!

The final product for my beauty/misc favorite is my journal that I got from Target earlier this month.

I was looking for a new journal since my last one was nearing the end and I knew I didn't want to spend a small fortune either. Target had so many cute ones to choose from, some more expensive than others, and then I came across this gem which I believe was only $2.99 or something. It is plain and simple with an adorable quote on the cover that reads "She's a dreamer, a doer, a thinker, she sees possibility everywhere." I also love that it is environmentally friendly being printed with soy ink. Even writing on the paper is so smooth I just love it.

What are some of your favorite items (beauty or otherwise) for the month of June?

Post your comments below!!

Nail Files {6/29/12}

Yay it's Friday!! So today I am linking up once again with the wonderful {Tara} and {Vicki} for Nail Files. If you haven't joined this link up you need it! It encourages you to paint your nails and make them look pretty every week!! This week I went bright, again. 



So I am not sure why the color looks red, but it is hot pink. Once I painted my nails I put a top coat of my new Sally Hansen insta dry/no chip and I absolutely LOVE how my nails look with it. They looked like I got them professionally done and having painted them 3 days ago, I still think my nails look pretty perfect.

So this is Sally Hansen salon nail lacquer in Orange You Cute? I absolutely loved how well this color looks and it was easy to apply. The brush is a little thinner and it makes it easier to get it in those tight areas. 

Do you have a cute polish on? Have you linked up? If not you should!!

It's 'OK' Thursday

Happy Thursday (I know I need to come up with something else, this is getting old even for me). So today I am linking up with {Neely} and {Amber} for it's 'OK' Thursday. 

...it's ok that I'm calling in 'sick' at work today to enjoy the zoo with my fave niece

...it's ok that I didn't win employee of the quarter at work (I promise I'm a good employee & don't call in, like ever), the nomination was good enough for me winning would have been cooler.

...it's ok that as much as I tell myself to save $$ for Vegas, I still managed to spend over $150 in 2 days!!!

...it's ok that UPS totally jipped me by charging me $15 to ship a package that definitely weighed less than 2 lbs.

...it's ok that I watch crappy reality TV, it's entertaining and sometimes makes me feel better about my life.

...it's ok that I painted my nails yesterday, but won't post pictures up until the Nail Files link-up!

...it's ok that I've already won 2 amazing giveaways, but I'm being greedy and hoping my luck continues for a few more giveaways :).

...it's ok that I just learned how to schedule posts, oh well, problems of a new blogger, I'm still learning new things everyday!

So what's OK with you all today, go and link-up!!

Kavalena {Look Good + Do Good}

Happy Wednesday everyone! This post is dedicated to the small start-up Kavalena. It is a clothing company based in Chicago, IL and they contacted me a few weeks ago to help them get their name out there. Kavalena's goal is to meet the biggest needs in the world. They partner with non-profit organizations to provide clean water, healthy meals, access to education, health care, and freedom from slavery of all kinds. The need for these basic human necessities are huge in our world today.


Kavalena is designed to be a way for everyone to have an opportunity to make a lasting and life changing impact in the world. With affordable and competitive pricing, quality products, and a giving plan that is designed to do the most good possible, everyone now has a chance to make their own little dent in the issue of global poverty. Together we can change the future for those currently living in poverty. Children do not have to die from preventable diseases, be forced into slavery, wither from lack of nourishing food, and drop out of school because they can't afford school fee's.

Kavalena partners with non-profit organizations who use 100% of the donations to meet these needs, they partner with: 

A Bright Connection

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A Better Life For Kids

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charity: water

With each purchase, the following is provided:

3 meals for a child and their family

1 hour's worth of clean water for a village

1 hour of aftercare for an individual freed from slavery

1 day of school for a child in Ghana, Africa

1 hour of therapy for orphans with cerebral palsy and autism

When the PR team at Kavalena contacted me to help them get their name out there, I was so glad to help them any way I could. They said they would send me a product to show me how wonderful it is. The tank they sent me is super soft and looks so great on me! Plus the packaging they sent it all in was so awesome, they really take the time out to make sure it looks presentable with a pretty bow and everything. 

I've already signed up to help package meals for children in need in August since it is real close to my house. I am excited to get my hands dirty and help make some sort of difference. For a way to help out you should most definitely visit the website Kavalena.com and help in any way that you can! For more information on Kavalena or their partnered organizations you can contact them via email at info@kavalena.com!

All opinions are my own and information was gathered from the Kavalena press kit given to me. I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post, just a free tank.