Be Fearless

Tomorrow I'm having eye surgery!! eeeeek! So, sadly, I won't be able to do many posts over the next week or so. I'm a little nervous about the whole surgery thing. I mean I have had one eye operated on already but still...eye surgery makes me nervous. But I'm trying to stay calm and be FEARLESS! I keep telling myself that I can do this and that I'll have my family and Brock around to take care of me post-surgery. Overall its a fairly simple procedure, so I'm hoping all will go as planned. Plus, I know there are many people out there dealing with much more intensive surgeries everyday and that they are being brave.

So for all those fears we deal with on a daily basis and for the big, scary ones that give us more concern...remember that each of us is strong and fearless. We can and will make it through!!

COACH

I LLOOVVEEE Coach handbags...I think its safe to say I'm obsessed. haha! But the thing is...I refuse to pay full retail price when you can get great deals at an outlet (I mean some serious savings here!!). So I save my money and then go crazy at the outlets! For those of yall that haven't yet seen the beauty of outlets...you can find the closest Coach Factory Outlet now.

HAPPY SHOPPING!!!

Helllooo Dirtbikes!

Last summer, Brock and I got dirtbikes...I'd never ridden one before and it was a whole new adventure for the both of us. And let me tell ya..I had no idea I'd LOVE it this much!

In the beginning, I had my fair share of falls and it took a little while for me to get the hang of shifting on a dirtbike. I drove a stick-shift Jeep all through high school but shifting on a bike feels wwaayyy different (atleast to me anyway). But now, shifting is a breeze and I'm feeling pretty confident when I kick start my bike and go for a ride!

I'm getting more and more adventurous everytime we ride (I go a little faster and try little jumps) haha! Brock's already a pro at riding...did I mention he can do pop-a-wheelies?! We have a blast riding together plus its always fun to find something new that turns into a passion.

[Hopefully this will be me someday!]

I'll be sure to post pics when I do my first BIG JUMP! Vroom Vroom!!

Life in the Fast Lane

Okay, so maybe its more like life in the fun lane. Hoping this adds a little fun to your day and kicks off your weekend right!!



If only there were more slides in this world!! How crazy fun would that be?!?!

Sing it, Mike!

Last night....I went to Michael Buble!! I really didn't know much about him or what kind of songs he sings. Turns out...HE IS HILARIOUS!!!! I had such a good time!! He took time in between songs to tell some funny stories and interact with the audience. It was a blast! Not to mention, he really does have a great voice. One of my fav parts was him singing a bit of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean"...dance moves included!

If you missed him on SNL, check it out! He's with Jon Hamm in this skit. SOO FUNNY!!

Look no further for pork dishes and fine champagne.

All in all, he's made a fan out of me and I would love to go to another one of his concerts!

It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me and I'm Feelin' Good!

USA! USA! USA!

YAAAYYYY!!! USA CONTINUES ON IN THE WORLD CUP!!! I starting watching the USA v. Algeria game this morning when it was already 70-some minutes in. After seeing many 'oh-so-close' goal attempts from USA...finally in the last 4 minutes of the game...GGGGOOOAAAALLLL!!!!

USA beats Algeria 1-0!! Get it USA!!!

 

Now I'm not much of a soccer fan...played in junior high and had a blast with my friends but never got hooked on watching soccer...EXCEPT when the World Cup comes around!!! I love watching all the countries compete!!

Plus when the cameras pan across the crowds...the fans look AWESOME! I've never seen so many really enthusiastic fans in one place! Painted faces/bodies, flags from every country, and the noise from the vuvuzelas (aka horns everyone in the crowd has).

WAY TO GO TEAM USA!!!

I'm Julia Child...Bon Appetit!

When Julie and Julia came out a couple years ago I could not get enough of it! Finally, a movie about one of my favorite topics...FOOD!!! The movie is so fun and definitely inspired me to cook more (aka learn to cook more than mac and cheese). And I have! I took a series of cooking classes with my mom and we learned so many great recipes and tips.

Last Christmas, my mom gave me Julie and Julia on DVD and Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking cookbook. I would love to cook my way through her book...goal time!

For me, the best part of the whole movie is the idea that even if you're in a job you hate, you can still find joy in something you love...its never too late to change your life!

Bon Appetit!

Giddy On Up!

Love this cowgirly song by Laura Bell Bundy! She's a great singer (hellloo Broadway!) and the music video is so fun! I mean she played Elle Woods in Legally Blonde - The Musical...how awesome is that!! And now she's gone country! YEEHAW!!

Giddy on up, giddy on out!

Corn Salsa

This is a favorite around our house and it's so easy to make. Plus it's a healthy alternative to making queso! All you need is...

1 can Rotel - partially drained
1 can black beans - drained
1 can shoepeg corn - drained
1 lime
2-3 green onions - chopped
garlic salt

Mix all ingredients together. Squeeze the juice out of lime and add garlic salt to taste. Serve with tortilla chips (especially good with Tostitos Scoops). And enjoy!


Yummy!!!

XOXO MAC

I la-la-la-la-LOVE MAC Cosmetics. Its shiny, bright, girly, funky, fresh, and always fun. I love that they sell 54,839,048,340,328 colors of eyeshadow (okay maybe a little less). haha! I just love to stop by the MAC counter and play! So I thought I'd share some of my favorite MAC products with you all!

Lips - I really love the Lady Gaga lipstick color for their Viva Glam collection. Check out this post for more details about that. Also Fresh Buzz (frosty pinky) and Craving (bright look-at-me magenta) are so pretty! Lipglass is also great from MAC. Nymphette and Pink Poodle are my favs!

Creme Colour Base - I have this in Shell and its great for highlighting your cheek/brow bones and nose. Give you a fresh, young, dewy look.

Blush - Sheertone Blush in Tenderling is a really flattering nude/pink color. I've been using it for a llooonnggg time now and its great!

Eyeshadow - AAAALLLL the eyeshadow colors are fabulous!! They are all out on the MAC counter ready to be played with! If you can't go to the counter, you can chat with someone about colors at MAC.com (they are really great. I've never been disappointed in their color suggestions). My favs right now are Sketch, Shroom, Satin Taupe, Purple Haze, and Crystal.

Eyeliner - There are two amazing kinds of eyeliner that I love for different reasons: Kohl Power Eye Pencil (in Feline and Raven). Feline is a really inky black thats great for a smokey eye look. Raven is a red/black shimmer that is flattering for lighter skin tones or if you don't have to have as 'harsh' of a liner look. Penultimate Eye Liner (in Rapidblack). This is really 'slick' looking and good for a really defined line...perfect for the winged cat-eye look. It actually is like a felt-tip pen, so its super easy to use.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

Cool Evening + Baseball = PERFECTION!

There's nothing more relaxing then spending a cool summer night at a baseball game...A couple nights ago, Brock and I went to watch our friend, Brandon, umpire....couldn't have asked for a more perfect evening! The sun went down and the weather (finally) cooled off. Plus, it was a double header! Super bonus, extra innings!! All in all we got to watch almost 6 hours of baseball on a lovely summer evening. LOVED IT! For some this may seem like too much baseball...but I could have stayed wwaayyy longer and I know Brock was loving every minute of it!

How do you all like to spend a perfect summer evening?? I'd LOVE to know!!

Zumba! Zumba!

I am always looking for news ways to workout and get myself in shape. I found one a fews years ago that I really enjoy and have stuck with!

ZUMBA!!!

A friend of mine talked me into going to a class at the rec. center my freshman year of college. After one class...I was totally hooked! I loved it so much, I thought about becoming an instructor! Zumba is a mix of latin and hiphop music and non-stop dancing. Not like partner dancing...but individual 'shake what your mama gave ya' dancing! Its a great stress reliever and good way to cut loose and have fun. Perfect excuse to work out and get together for some fun with the girls.

I recently bought Zumba DVDs and they're awesome too. Beto, the creator of Zumba (in the photo), is funny and leads some of the DVD routines. But, nothing beats a live class! I've been to a few different ones (health centers, etc..) but the craziest and most fun ones I've been to are on college campuses. Also, each class is different depending on the instructor. But I definitely recommend checking out a Zumba class in your area!!! You won't regret it!!

Mingle Monday

Hellllo fellow bloggers!! My friend, Megan, hosts a "Mingle Party" every Monday on her blog - Megnificent Life. What is a Mingle Party??? Well, its a great way to get your blog out there and get more readers!

This is how it works....Megan starts a crazy story on her blog and leaves it hanging...then you pick it up and write a few more lines. You also post your own blog address. Then you visit the person's blog that posted above you and leave a comment. Sooo easy!

More details are on Meg's blog and here's the link to Mingle Monday!!!

The Future...

Run, Forrest, Run!

*This product makes me want to run!!* haha! The Nike+ running sensor has been amazing for helping me track my runs and keep me motivated. I just started running (literally, just started 3 days ago) and I already really like this little gadget! Its a small sensor that fits in your shoe under the sole insert (for Nike+ shoes). 

It syncs with my iPod, so when I'm working out it tells me in minutes how long I've been running, the distance, and my pace. You can even program a "power song" when you need an extra boost during your workout. Then after your workout, you can plug your iPod into your computer and send your stats to the Nike website. There you can see your running history, set goals, challenge friends, and lots of other motivating fun stuff.

I have an iPod nano so I had to buy the Nike+ sensor and receiver combo. Different iPod versions don't need the receiver. And if you don't have an iPod, you can buy the wristband that shows your stats digitally. Pretty sweet!

If anyone has one of these Nike+ sensors, I'd love to hear what you think of it!! So far, I'm a big fan!

Weekend Must Haves!

Here is a list of my Must-Haves for the Weekend!!!!

1) Tank Tops - Its summer time...tanks are amazing!! Keep you cool under the sun! My favs are from Victoria's Secret Pink Collection...They're super loose, baggy, and cute!

2) Flip Flops - I always get mine at Old Navy (can't beat $4)!!! They last for a year or so and super easy to replace.

3) Duffle Bag - I use a Vera Bradley one that perfect for the weekend. They come is soooo many different pretty patterns!

4) Sunscreen - Neutrogena Ultimate Sport Spray allll the way! Super light, Hugh SPFs, great stuff!

5) Gold Aviators - I got a really cheap pair that I LOVE! (Dustee's around $10)

She's Country!

"She's Country" -Jason Aldean

"You boys ever met a real country girl?

Talkin, true blue, out in the woods, down home, country

She's a hot little number in her pick-up truck

Daddy's sweet money done jacked it up

She's a party-all-nighter from South Carolina, a bad mamajama from down in Alabama

She's a raging cagin, a lunatic from Brunswick, juicy Georgia peach

With a thick southern drawl, sexy swing and walk, brother she's all

Country from her cowboy boots to her down home roots

She's country, from the songs she plays to the prayers she prays,

That's the way she was born and raised, she ain't afraid to stay, country

Brother she's country

A hell raisin sugar when the sun goes down,

mama taught her how to rip up a town

Honey dripping honey from the hollerin Kentucky, getcha flippin kinda trippie like a Mississippi hippie,

She's a Kansas Princess, crazy mother trucker, undercover lover

Thick southern drawl, sexy swing and walk,

Brother she's all

Country from her cowboy boots to her down home roots

She's country, from the songs she plays to the prayers she prays,

That's the way she was born and raised, she ain't afraid to stay,

country

Nothin but country"

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

• FHI Flat Iron - I bought this flat iron after my chi iron stopped working. It was recommeded by a girl at a beauty supply store. Turns out that a lot of chi irons have just stopped working (they're not as high quality as they used to be). So she told me I should try out the FHI....GREAT PRODUCT! I like it better than my old chi and it was cheaper! Its still a little pricey but well worth it. I have the "water edition" FHI flat iron, so FHI donates some of the proceeds to a charity group that helps build new wells in rural africa to provide clean water. Pretty cool huh!

• Clarisonic - Amazing skin care system! It's a small battery powered face cleanser. It massages your face and gets it super clean (waayy less break outs!). This is something that I'd heard about but couldn't bring myself to spend the money on (prrriiccceeeyyy) but luckily I had some rewards points built up on my credit card so I got it for freeeeee!!

• Garnier Fructis Wonder Waves Spray - This stuff gives you really great beachy hair and it smells soooo good! I use it to give my hair a more messy and textured look after I curl it. Great buy!! Perfect for getting Kate Hudson hair!

• MAC Creme Colour Base in Shell - I bought this after I saw a video about it on Kandee Johnson's blog. It's superb for highlighting and adding a little shimmer to your cheek/brow bones and nose. It makes your skin look fresh and dewey!!

• OPI Nail Lacquer - By far the best nail polish out there! It's more expensive than drug store brands but lasts a long time with chipping. And they have the coolest colors!! OPI just came out with Shrek themed colors!!! AWESOME!!!