Five on Friday: My Heart Is So Happy

This Friday is such a good one.  It has been the best week, and the weather is going to be perfect this weekend!  What are y'all up?  Here's my week:

1 ||| Halloween - My favorite holiday!  I hosted a Halloween party for my girls at work, like I do every year (I even wore the same costume as two years ago - whoops! Sidenote: apparently kids don't read Waldo books anymore, about half of them had no idea who I was...disappointing.).  Then, for real Halloween, Mike and I hung out on our porch, played cribbage, listened to Halloween Pandora, and passed out candy.  Since we didn't dress up last year, we decided to give it a run this year and came up with the BEST last-minute costume.  Can anyone guess it?  Here's your clue.  Any questions?

David Pumpkins! ...and the skeleton who's PART OF IT!

2 ||| CUBS - Even people who live under rocks probably know about this by now: the Cubs WON THE WORLD SERIES.  It had been 108 years, and they did it in probably the best Game 7 of a World Series ever.  Of course, it was the most stressful Game 7 ever, and boy, did Cleveland hang in there.  As I've said before, I've been a Cubs fan my whole life.  Mike is one now, too, and we've totally rocked Cubs gear all the way in San Fran!  You know I'll be ordering some World Series Champions gear tonight!

my shirt ||| Mike's (similar)

3 ||| Influenster & VIB - It's been forever since I reviewed anything from Influenster, but I was pretty excited to receive the Real Techniques VoxBox with the "Your Picks" brush set, a makeup sponge, and this setting brush.  While the sponge and setter have been around for a while, the brush set is pretty new.  It's a combination of all the favorite brushes voted on by fans.  As silly as it sounds, I love the weight of these brushes.  They are a little on the heavier side, and I feel like that really helps me control where my makeup is going.  While I have yet to try the setting brush (don't wear a lot of setting powder), I do like the sponge for both makeup blending and covering blemishes.  It's versatile and my makeup stays on evenly.  It'll be even more fun with some goodies from next weekend's VIB sale shopping (I have my eye on this and this).  I'll live vicariously through all the VIB Rouge members this weekend!

4 ||| Vote - THIS TUESDAY!  This election is so important, not just for the presidency but also those down ballot races for control of Congress.  I don't talk politics at all typically on this blog, but this election is different: progress is on the ballot.  You can find your polling place by clicking here.

5 ||| The Mac Off - My favorite event of the year is this weekend, and I am so excited to be partnering with them and to judge on the Critic's Choice panel.  This year, not only has it been expanded to two year, but they're even going to have a test kitchen - I cannot wait to sample the cheese and beer pairings!  You'll definitely find me snapchatting (megatronnn27) about this one all day tomorrow with their new snapchat filter!  If you're in the Charleston area, you should definitely add this to your weekend plans!  You can purchase tickets by clicking here.

Linking up for Oh hey, Friday, Five on Friday, High Five for Friday, and two doses of Friday Favorites

Can't Live Without It

Happy Friday!  My week wasn't exactly too eventful, so I couldn't find 5 things to share with you - haha.  Instead, I'm linking up with Cait, Laura, and Stephanie to share three of my current favorite things before the weekend!

Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Makeup Remover Cleansing Wipes*: For Earth Day, I received these wipes from Influenster.  Neutrogena Naturals is partnering with The Nature Conservancy to create the #WipeforWater campaign.  Did you know that you can waste up to 5 gallons of water a day by washing your face?  I like to wash my face at the end of the day, just as much as the next girl, but I still figured I'd give it a try and try to save some water.  I usually use Neutrogena's Makeup Removing Cleansing Towelettes, and they leave my face with an oily residue that I need to wash off.  I tried the Naturals wipes against my usual wipes (one on each eye/side of my face).  The natural wipes removed the makeup just as well, smelled great (like pear and green apple), did not leave the normal greasy feeling, but I did feel a slight burning sensation under my eye.  So, in the long run, I did need to wash my face to get rid of that feeling.  However, if I was just removing eye makeup, I wouldn't need to wash my face.

Schick Hydro Silk Trimstyle^: Let's be honest, I usually use a men's razor.  They're sharper and seem to last longer for me.  However, I really like this razor so far.  I've been using it for a week or so now, and it's still sharp.  The cost of the razor is pretty good, too (less than $20) and it's only about $3 a piece for replacement cartridges. 

Barefoot Bubbly - Moscato Spumante: This is definitely a go-to for me.  I love the apricot and peachy flavors, and it's great added to one of my favorite cocktails (here) to give a little esservesents (anyone? anyone?).  And let's be real, I definitely just put it in the mason jars for this photo opp - Mike and I are known for splitting a bottle of champagne, straight out of the bottle a couple times per week.

* I received this product complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. #WipeforWater #contest

^ I received this product complimentary from BzzAgent for testing purposes.

I'm Gonna Be a #FitWife {#VSSportBra}

When we got home to Charleston from the wedding two weeks ago, I sat on the couch with a beer and snapchatted a selfie to my friends with the caption "Wedding diet over!"  Well, it got me thinking; I did so well for 4 months and lost 10 pounds.  I'm only 5 feet tall, so that 10 pounds made a big difference for me, and I'd love to keep it off and have more energy.  Living in Charleston, I can run outside almost all year and don't have to dress like this.  Plus, when it is cold out, we have a 24 hour fitness center in our clubhouse so I really have no excuses.  
The next morning I checked my mail and the Victoria's Secret Sport VoxBox was waiting for me.  If this wasn't a sign, I don't know what is.  I received a Victoria's Secret Sport Bra and Victoria's Secret crop pants.  

I was going to "strike a pose," but all I kept thinking about was this... lolll

You can watch one of my favorite Goofy sports movies here.  
Alright guys, so: I'm going to do it try.  I'm not looking for weight loss, but a little muscle gain and a few extra yards on my driver might be nice!  And this Victoria's Secret VoxBox will definitely help keep me on the right track - who doesn't love pretty workout clothes?!  The bra is so colorful and the crop pants are great because I'm short so they aren't too long!  I've been wearing both pieces on and off for two weeks now and am very impressed with the quality of the fabrics and how well they wash. 
I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Wedding Wednesday: Vow VoxBox

I was so excited to be chosen for the "Vow VoxBox."  I'm getting so close to my wedding - 2 months - and these added a bit of extra fun to my preparation!

Here's what it contained: Olay Regenerist Tone Perfecting Cream EcoTools Pure Complexion Facial Sponge Tide To Go Pure Silk Shave Cream in Raspberry Mist Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Barracuda Riley & Grey website-creator 50% off coupon
Check out my reviews below and closer looks at the products:
I just love the Olay Tone Perfecting Cream.  It smells amazing with a very light fragrance and makes my skin feel so smooth.  To be honest, I don't really see it "perfecting" my tone and I probably wouldn't buy it again for $30 a jar, but if someone bought it for me as a present, I'd love them forever.  Luckily, it seems like this jar will last a pretty long time.
The EcoTools Sponge fits so perfectly in my hand and it's really fun to use.  However, if I've been out in the sun and need to scrub off sunscreen or sweat, it doesn't quite have enough scrubbing power for me.  I can definitely see myself using it in the winter when my skin is sensitive and I won't be scrubbing as much.  I've been using it each day in the shower for a couple of weeks and it doesn't appear to be disintegrating yet.
Tide: I've always heard that people bring chalk to weddings to cover up stains on white dresses, but this definitely does more than just cover up!  I've always loved Tide to Go pens and if you don't keep one in your purse on a daily basis, you should start!
I love the raspberry scent of the Pure Silk Shave Cream, but I've always wondered if I do something wrong when I use shaving cream: it only lasts me a couple of weeks!  It leaves my legs feeling so smooth, even more than with shower gel and a loofa, but like I said, two weeks later and it's already gone!
I really like Sally Hansen polish colors, but I've always found that they chip pretty easily without a top coat [which I'm usually too much in a rush to do].  However, this "Complete Salon Manicure" is fantastic and lasted for 3 days on one occasion and 4 days on another on my nails.  I'm pretty rough with my nails, so just trust me that 3 and 4 days is a big deal!  I just for a CVS coupon for a couple dollars off a Sally Hansen product, so I will definitely be heading out this weekend to buy a couple more colors.
Riley & Grey was the one product I did not use as Mike and I already have a simple, free wedding website through The Knot.  Nonetheless, after looking through the Riley & Grey website, it does look like a great company! 

I received all of these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.
Linking up for a couple of Wedding Wednesdays with Mary and Meredith&Jordon!

Meatball Grinders with Sargento Ultra Thin Slices

We love cheese in our house - like seriously.  We don't discriminate: American, cheddar, Muenster, mozzarella, sliced, blocks, shredded, anything - we love it.  Have you heard of Sargento's new Ultra Thin Slices?  

They come in nine delicious flavors, and they're great for everything: breakfast, taco night, burgers, sneaking out of the fridge, and, of course, sandwiches!  One of our favorite dinner sandwiches are meatball grinders [after all, I am Italian!].  

Meatball Grinders Recipe: To start, here is the recipe for my mom's amazing meatballs.  After you have the meatballs made, all you need are the meatballs, grinder rolls, and a package of Sargento Ultra Thin Provolone slices. 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Slice grinder rolls in half.  "Double cheese" grinders are a must in our house: the grinder stays nice and toasty and the whole grinder stays together better, so place 2 Ultra Thin Slices inside the grinder roll, before anything else.   2. Slice warm meatballs in half and place in cheese.   3. Cover each grinder with extra sauce and 2 more Ultra Thin Slices.   4. Bake in the oven for 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the outside of the bread is crunchy.

I'm not the only one that liked them, apparently...

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

J'Adore VoxBox: Review

I was selected for the J'Adore VoxBox through Influenster.  If you haven't heard of Influenster, it's a free-to-join program where "Influensters" like me learn about new products as well as review products in our day-to-day lives.  If you are interested in joining, leave me a comment and I'll be happy to email you an invitation!
Here's what Influenster had to say about the J'Adore VoxBox: "A little Valentine from us to you, mon cherie!  Filled with trinkets, joy, and a certain je ne sais quoi, the J'Adore VoxBox will have you head over hells and whispering sweet nothings: J'adore, I adore, we adore..."

Seriously, this VoxBox was fantastic.  I really enjoyed the products, especially because they are definitely not things I'd ever thought to purchase on my own before getting this box.  I guess that's the point, right?
Here's what I received:
Hershey's Kisses Milk Chocolate: While taking this VoxBox pre-survey, I was SO excited when Influenster started asking about what chocolate brands I've purchased/enjoyed.  Obviously, I checked off almost every one.  I was happy to see a Family Size bag of Hershey's Kisses in the VoxBox!  Obviously, I ate a bunch, but I also love how you can go on the Hershey's Kisses website and find tons of Kisses recipes!  I decided to make Kisses Brownie Cookies.  Mike and I shared them with our coworkers and they were gone in a day!  I think they'd definitely agree that Kisses are a 10/10.

Boots Botanics Shine Away Ionic Clay Mask: Mike and I tried this one together.  It was a little thinner than expected, but went on really smooth.  It goes on darker green and dries lighter [that's why I look like I'm wearing camo face paint in the photo below...].  We kept it on for 10 minutes, and you could definitely feel and see it pulling junk out of your pores.  It washed off really easily, too, with just a little water.  Afterwards, we both said out skin felt really soft and smooth.  I would definitely buy this again for Mike and me and give it a 9/10.

Kiss "Looks So Natural" Lashes: I have wicked long eyelashes.  I usually don't wear mascara and have never purchased fake lashes before.  I would have to say this first experience with fake lashes was kind of a disaster.  I couldn't get them to sit right on my lid line, my eye lids kept sticking together because of the glue, and I seriously just looked like one of those cars with eyelashes.   The funny part was, the fakes were just about as long as my real lashes.  Don't get me wrong, these lashes by Kiss seem great; they were soft and full, but it's just not a product for me!  I give these lashes a 3/10.

John Freida Frizz Ease 3-Day Straight Flat Iron Spray: You might remember that I chopped my hair off [14 inches of it] last summer, and to be honest, I haven't had a haircut since...whoops!  Even with that, my hair is still pretty short but wavy!!  On day one, I started my normal routine with showering, but before I blow dried my hair, I applied about 15 sprays of the Flat Iron Spray into my hair.  I did not touch my hair for the next 3 days, and it worked alright.  On the second day, my hair had lost most of its volume [as expected] but was still straight and felt great.  By day 3, it was pretty staticy [check out that bottom photo - holy static], greasy, and starting to curl at the ends.  I think for me this is a two-day spray and I give it a 7/10. 

Red Rose Simply Indulgent Teas: I love tea!  I'm not much of a coffee drinker but love the taste of different teas as well as the caffeine boost.  First, I tried the Creme Caramel.  Even after steeping for the full 5 minutes, it wasn't an overly strong tea and I drank it black.  It has a fantastic caramel aroma and taste and was delicious.  I also received a Lemon Chiffon decaffeinated tea bag.  It was your typical lemon tea with a little added sweetness.  I also drank it black.  I'm interested in trying their variety of other flavors [specifically the Cinnamon Bun], but would give Creme Caramel an 8/10 and Lemon Chiffon a 6/10.

Previous VoxBoxes: Sweetheart VoxBox 2013 Dasani DROPS VoxBox Violet VoxBox
I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Holiday Gift Giving: Stocking Stuffers from Influenster

Ever since I was little, stockings have been one of my absolute favorite parts of Christmas.  What I enjoy most about them is that they're a mix of useful things in your life as well as a little fun.  Growing up, I always had a few traditional things in my stocking: underwear, L'eggs, tissues, hair bands and bows, lottery tickets, a box of chocolate covered cherries, and mixed in were fun surprises I could really use but I might not always buy for myself.
Over the last few years living with Mike, I was always in charge of the stockings.  I tried to keep the same theme of usefulness, but also with some fun [mainly, nips].  
What I love about Influenster is that many of their products share the same theme as my stocking, useful, but not always something I'd purchase for myself.  A lot of the time, I stray from buying new things that I'm not sure if I'd like in fear of not liking it, but after trying many new products from Influenster, I've purchased my own to use AND even give as gifts!
Last week, I received my third VoxBox: the Violet VoxBox.  

Everything I was sent in the VoxBox would definitely make a great stocking stuffer!  Here's the breakdown:
1. Goody Athletique Headband: I've used this while on my elliptical and it seems to hold in place really well.  I also like the neutral color and adjustable velcro; I always tend to stretch out running headbands, then can't wear them, so this one solves that problem.  My only gripe with it is that it's a bit big.  In my photo here on Twitter you can see on the right how much extra band there is... and trust me, I have a big head. (8/10)  
2. Goody Quikstyle Paddle Brush: Funny story, Mike and I saw this when we were shopping on Black Friday and almost bought it.  It's such a cool idea to have microfiber bristles intertwined in the brush for easy drying and styling!  I don't see a huge difference in drying time, but it feels really nice (here's a photo I tweeted of the microfiber bristles that make the brush so great).  (7/10)
3. Sally Hansen Triple Shine Nail Polish in Vanity Flare: I really like Sally Hansen polish, this color, and the way it brushes on.  It has a curved brush, instead of a regular, straight one, so it makes painting easier as it contour to your nail better.  In real life, it's more of a red-purple than a blue-purple like you see above.  This could definitely be my Christmas color this year (check out my instagram video)! (9/10)
4. SoyJoy Bar in Banana: I really like the idea of these bars, and the banana smelled good, but it was very dry and did not have a lot of taste.  I would definitely give these a second try, but in either dark chocolate cherry or mango coconut (here's a photo of my SoyJoy bar ). (4/10)
I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. 
Other stocking stuffer ideas courtesy of Influenster: - Not Your Mother's Hair Products - Olay Fresh Effects - Dasani Drops [I'd love the next two, but just make sure you don't send the wrong message...] - Skinnygirl Bars  - Secret Clinical Strength
If you would like me to send you an Influenster invitation, just comment below to start reviewing products for yourself!

2013 Holiday Gift Giving:

Ebates

Hairbands and bows

American Girl Doll Gifts

Diamond Candles

My wish list

InstaFriday: Lake Style

As I told you after last weekend, I've been spending tons of family time lately, and it's been so relaxing.  Here are a few photos of my week.  Thank you all for your kind comments and messages this week.

We hit golf balls into the lake and saw how far they bounced to try and estimate the width of the lake.  We were within 25 yards of the actual number!

 

Beautiful cabin, always a bowl of fresh fruit in the kitchen, and of course tons of crazy gin [anyone ever played that game? SO FUN]

While at the lake, I also finished up my Dasani Drops brand challenge from Influenster.  Check out my fun drops-inspired mani and click here to see my new favorite thing to add Drops to!

 
P.S. I literally haven't read a single blog post since Monday, please link me to anything fun you had to say this week [I always say this, and no one does, but I mean it!!].

DASANI DROPS VoxBox Review

A couple of weeks ago, I received Influenster's DASANI DROPS VoxBox.  In the VoxBox, I received: - a bottle of Dasani water - two bottles of DASANI DROPS - and coupons for future DASANI DROPS purchases

First of all, I have to say, this is definitely my favorite VoxBox packaging ever.  Seriously, how cute is this box?

The two flavors of DASANI DROPS I received were grape and strawberry kiwi.  While I enjoy the grape, the strawberry kiwi is to die for.  I love that I can squeeze as little or as much as I want into my Dasani water and enjoy all types of different drink flavors. 

  As many of you have read, right now I'm in the middle of 7 weeks of summer camp.  At my organization, we are all about teaching the kids our Nine Healthy Habits.  Because of this, we've taken sugary sports drinks out of the regiment, but let me tell you, after a couple of weeks, I'm very tired of just drinking water every single day.  I brought the drops to work and my staff LOVE them!  And bonus, they are zero calories, so I am still being healthy in front of the kids!

To learn more about DASANI DROPS, visit their Facebook page, Twitter page, or Influenster review page.  
I received this product complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.