Loving Right Now

I haven't done one of these in awhile and figured it was high time I remedied that!

.1.

Dancing With The Stars

I have a confession: I am obsessed with Meryl and Maks. I know the show ended on Tuesday (spoiler: they won!), but I'm nursing a DWTS hangover two days later. I'm not generally a reality television viewer and I never watch one from the beginning. I sometimes get roped in near the end when it gets down to a few contestants. I was more interested in DWTS this year because Meryl Davis and Charlie White were part of the cast. I loved watching them win gold at the Olympics in February and figured they'd both be great in the ballroom. I'd watch their dances on YouTube until my DVR schedule cleared up enough to allow me to record it. The problem? They're still on my DVR and I'm not sure when I'll delete them. I still watch them (more than I should admit). Why am I so weird??

First, they're both incredibly good looking. Second, their freestyle from the Finals (see below) was insane.

.2.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation

I'm a big fan of Tarte Cosmetics. I love their BB Tinted Treatment and blushes. Their eye shadows are awesome as well. I bit the bullet and forked over the cash to try out this powder foundation after reading a glowing review of it somewhere. Now, once summer really gets rolling, I'm not sure how much I'll actually be putting it on, but it's pretty awesome. The biggest thing I have noticed is how my face still looks perfect after a long day at work. The BB cream I used to wear alone (now I wear it as a primer) would sorta wear off throughout the day. If you have money to burn and want to try a new foundation, I recommend this one.

.3.

Quaker Warm and Crunchy Granola

This is the best fast breakfast! Add a little bit of milk and microwave for a whopping 25 seconds and you have a yummy filling breakfast! I have loved it after my early morning workouts!

.4.

Bumble and Bumble Hair Styling Lotion

My hair used to have a terrible time holding a curl. So, obviously, I just avoided curling it. My hair was straight for yeeeaarrsss! On a whim I bought the travel size of this styling lotion -- I have no idea why! At first I wasn't totally sure the best way to use it. When I tried to use it as a leave-in conditioner (spraying it in before blow-drying), it would leave my hair feeling sticky and gross. I hate drying my hair when I can feel product in it! But, when I used it as a heat protectant spray right before curling, magic happened! This stuff allows my hair to hold a curl FOREVER (until I wash it out!) without a single drop of hairspray. It is amazing. It may not work this way for everyone, but it was life-changing for me!

.5.

Fitness Blender

Tomorrow completes three weeks of my eight-week work out commitment. In those three weeks I haven't set foot in a gym. Every workout has happened in my living room. I somehow found this website that offers over 100 free workout videos all put together by a husband-wife duo. They aren't obnoxious, the workouts are diverse and doable, and they're free! It is so much easier to exercise when I just have to stumble downstairs!

Loving Right Now

.1.

Tarte BB Tinted Treatment

My skin has been noticeably better lately and I attribute it mostly to this BB cream. It has replaced my old primer and foundation and takes seconds to apply with my fingers. Love it!

.2.

Night of Olay Firming Cream

Y'all. This stuff rocks. I have tried so many expensive skin care items and moisturizers. For awhile I was trying to use straight up oils (olive, mineral, tea tree) to moisturize, and it was NOT cutting it. This night cream was an impulse buy and I am so so glad I grabbed it. My skin tends to be dry, and this is perfect for me. It's nice and thick, soaks in quickly, and leaves my skin feeling extremely soft. My skin always looks (relatively) fabulous in the morning. Best part? This stuff is less than $7.

.3.

Nine West Luxeo Sandals

I got these last weekend at the outlet mall in OKC. They were cheaper than listed on their site plus there was a sale, so they were a total steal. I love that they are flip flops, but don't look like flip flops. The bright orange (brighter than in the picture) is a fun summery pop of color, too.

.4.

Canvas print from Canvas4life.com

I took an iPhone photo that my brother took while I was visiting him in March and had it printed on a 24"x36" canvas to hang over our TV in the living room. The big blank space up there had been stressing me out since I took Christmas decorations down. Canvas4life was great (found then through a simple Google search). It was easy to upload the photo and go through the step-by-step printing options. It arrived quickly (about a week) and it was packaged very very well (there was a lot of bubble wrap involved for those of you who are bubble wrap addicts). If you click the link above it will take you to the canvas4life website and offer you 10% off since I "referred" you. My canvas cost right around $100, by the way -- very affordable! 

.5.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

It's no secret I love YA fiction these days. I finished this one up a few days ago. I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy such a sci-fi futuristic story, so it took me a few chapters to get into it, but by the time I got to the final third of the book, I couldn't put it down. In fact, I read for 90 minutes straight to finish it on Friday afternoon. Check it out if you are looking for something to read!

Hello world! I am, indeed, alive! I've just been living, I suppose. I talk to Brian on more days than I don't. We're finally halfway through this stupid deployment. Work is great. I can say that since I only have three weeks left until summer vacation officially starts! Really, though, I love working. I love using my brain and contributing to our family. It's also great to meet new people and (finally) make a couple friends. The extra money is pretty nice, too. Case in point: I ordered an iPad Mini a few days ago. I rationalized it would be used for vacation this summer, but really, I mostly just wanted one. :) Speaking of vacation, I had the wonderful privilege of spending a few action-packed day in NYC with my brother over spring break. It was fantastic. We saw Avenue Q, visited a couple amazing museums, and ate phenomenal food. It was over too quickly, but I'll see him again in June. Those are the highlights. No promises on when I'll pop back on here again.

Loving Right Now

.1.

The weather this weekend.

Goooooodbye 100-degree weather!

.2.

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

So so so so good. Loved it.

.3.

This new Downton Abbey promo.

I can't wait until January!!

.4.

Football season.

.5.

Some Nights by fun.

I turned this up and jammed out in my car today.

In other news, work is kicking my butt. Working all day, cooking dinner, and keeping up with the house generally takes up every waking hour. The good news is that my weeks go by relatively fast. We went home for 4 days last weekend which was much needed and super fun. I kicked off high school football season with my parents (with a win!). It's still too dang hot, but I know it'll be freezing in a couple months. This weekend we're staying in town. I need to run some errands and clean the house. Brian wants to take the boat out. Hopefully she (the boat) is cooperative. I guess that's about it. Pretty boring, but I wanted to check in.

Loving Right Now: Music Edition #4

.1.

"I Won't Give Up" by Jason Mraz

We had to learn

how to bend

without the world

caving in.

I had to learn

what I've got

and what I'm not

and who I am.

.2.

"What Makes You Beautiful" by One Direction

If only you saw what I can see

You'd understand why I want you so desperately.

.3.

"Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepson

Before you came into my life

I missed you so bad.

.4.

"Springsteen" by Eric Church

Funny how a melody sounds like a memory.

.5.

"Ours" by Taylor Swift

Your hands are tough

but they are where mine belong.

Loving Right Now

.1.

The Pippa Flower Sandal from Payless

(on sale for $16.99 right now!)

.2.

The "Paradise by the Dashboard Lights" performance from Glee last week

.3.

Game of Thrones

(particularly those two dudes at the bottom!)

.4.

Old Navy Striped Scoop-Neck Slub Tank

.5.

Papermate InkJoy Pens

Loving Right Now: High School Music Edition

When I think about high school, I think about these songs. Some remind me of specific people and some remind me of long drives in my car with the top down. I still know every single word to some of them. I had so much fun putting this together!


.1.

"Konstantine" by Something Corporate

...the present's just a pleasant interruption to the past

And I had dreams, in them I learned to play guitar

Maybe cross the country, become a rock star

This is because I can spell confusion with  'K' and I can like it

It's to dying in another's arms and why I had to try it

It's to Jimmy Eat World and those nights in my car

When the first star you see may not be a star

I always catch the clock, it's 11:11 and you wanna talk

You spin around me like a dream

We played out on this movie screen

And I said, Did you know I missed you?

.2.

"Wherever You Will Go" by The Calling

I know now, just quite how

My life and love might still go on

In your heart, in your mind

I'll stay with you for all time

.3.

"Not Enough" by Our Lady Peace

When they say you're not that strong

You're not that weak

It's not your fault

And when you climb up to your hill

Up to your place

I hope you're well

.4.

"Everything" by Lifehouse

You are the strength that keeps me walking

You are the hope that keeps me trusting

You are the life to my soul

You are my purpose

You're everything

.5.

"Sadie Hawkins Dance" by Relient K

Scan the cafeteria for some good seating

I found a good spot by the cheerleaders eating

The quarterback asked me if I'd like a beating

I said that one thing I won't be needing

And since I'm rather smart and cunning

I took off down the next hall running

Only to get stopped by a girl so stunning

Loving Right Now

.1.

Lucky Brand Hibiscus Leather Riding Boots

.2.

One Tree Hill - Season 9!

.3.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver (sucked me right in!)

.4.

Vanilla Verbena Stress Relief lotion from B&BW

.5.

A warm Saturday afternoon spent at Hodges Gardens State Park

Loving Right Now: Music Edition #3

.1.

"Colder Weather" by Zac Brown Band

And when I close my eyes I see you

No matter where I am

.2.

"Set the Fire to the Third Bar" by Snow Patrol


I pray that something picks me up
And sets me down in your warm arms







.3.
"Just A Kiss" by Lady Antebellum


Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight
Just a touch of the fire burnin' so bright







.4.
"Arms" by Christina Perri


You put your arms around me and I'm home







.5.
"I Won't Let Go" by Rascal Flatts


I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you've done all you can do
And you can't cope
I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
And I won't let go

Loving Right Now

.1.

ULTA Shower Smoothie Hand & Body Cream in Buttercream Cupcake

.2.

Victoria's Secret Bikini in Neon Watermelon

.3.

Old Navy Knotted Racerback Tank

.4.

Friday Night Lights -- the final season! :(

.5.

Derek Jeter's quest for 3,000 hits.

Loving Right Now

.1.

Charlie Hunnam in Sons of Anarchy.

.2.

The weather forecast for the next 5 days.

.3.

Bath & Body Works Self-Tanning Lotion

.4.

Old Navy Faux-Leather Flip Flops

.5.

Baseball is back.

Loving Right Now: NYC Edition

.1.

Taking pictures of/with famous and recognizable places.

Washington Square Park

Lincoln Center

Boathouse in Central Park

Bethesda Fountain in Central Park

World Trade Center Globe sculpture in Battery Park

Radio City Music Hall

Prometheus statue in Rockefeller Center

Times Square

.2.

Water with views.

Pier 45 on a 75 degree day.

The Verrazano Bridge.

.3.

The Jane Hotel.

My 50 sqft room

Lobby

More lobby

Communal bathroom

My room

.4.

Food & Shows.

John's Pizza

Magnolia Bakery cupcake

Raffetto's Pasta

Starbucks coffee & panini

Shakespeare's A Comedy of Errors at BAM Harvey Theater in Brooklyn - FANTASTIC!

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert at the Palace Theatre - SO FUN!

Palace Theater

.5.

Spending a whole week with my brother.

In Central Park

On Pier 45

I had the BEST time in NYC.

I flew in a plane (alone!), rode a train, took a cab (twice!), rode the subway a million times (alone a few times, too!), took the ferry, and walked hundreds of blocks.

I took in the city from a roof, a terrace, a pier and a boat.

I shared a bathroom with strangers and survived St. Patrick's Day in the city (it's a BIG deal there).

I cannot wait to do it all again sometime.