high five for friday

A week of glorious picture-taking? BIG FAT FAIL. So I'll be changing up my high five for friday post with my five favorite things this week.

numero uno | side-braid

I've been trying to pull out this look at every outing. Hopefully I'm not wearing it out too much because I really love it. I was inspired to try it after seeing this look.

numero dos | ankle boots

Yes, I've said it in previous h54f posts, but I am seriously loving these ankle boots I got at Target. They go with every single piece of clothing in my closet. The best part is that all women's shoes are BOGO 50% off until Saturday. Should I go back and get another pair? Decisions, decisions.

numero tres | orange lipstick

I didn't really know this but apparently orange lipstick is IN for Fall. I think I have found the perfect shade. It's that amazing orange-ish red-ish, matte, long-lasting lipstick. I would wear it every time I wore makeup if I could. I mean, I guess I could if I really wanted. My sister is more fair-skinned than me and it's just as beautiful when she wears it. If anyone is interested, it's Kate Moss by Rimmel Matte Lipstick no. 109.

numero quatro | counting calories

I've jumped back on the bandwagon and began counting my calories again. I don't really have a set date of when I want to lose xx amount of weight. Just whenever it happens, it happens. I'm eating a low amount of calories right now and then after I'm down to my ideal weight, I'll bump it up but continue to work out so I can maintain that weight. Yay for healthy initiatives!

numero cinco | halloween makeup

I have been on the HUNT for killer makeup to go with my Halloween outfit. The problem? I can't make up my freakin' mind on what I want to be. I've been pinning the images like a mad woman so I can remember all of the options. So which one do you think I should go with??? Comment and help a sister out!

            

                    

 

I'm linking up with Lauren Elizabeth for H54F. Visit her page to find out how you can do it too!

The reason I've been so absent

In the beginning of this blogging journey I told myself that I would try to write a post every single day--maybe not so much on the weekends but at least during the week. I feel like I kept up my part of the deal up until the last couple of weeks. If you remember, Jerry and I have been having infertility issues. I'm the type of person that when I get mad or upset, I am drowning in those emotions for a day and then my mind allows me to go back to "normal" if you want to call it that. So when we found out that Jerry couldn't produce sperm, we were devastated but then quickly went back to life. We didn't talk about it much because we had not decided what to do for the future.

Random thought but I promise it's related...Season 5 of Parenthood premiers tonight and over the weekend I just happened to remember that I was not caught up yet with the previous season. When I pulled up where I left off last, I still had ten episodes to go. I literally spent my entire Sunday afternoon and evening watching them all but one. With all that being said, if you've ever watched the show, you would know that ALL EPISODES are tear-jerkers. A lot of sad tears, some happy tears. But none the less, I found myself crying all the time. And they were all related to my life somehow. The sibling I could most relate to was Julia and her husband Joel. They had been trying to have a second child but found out that she could not have another due to scarring from her first pregnancy. So it was a little rough because I could feel her pain. They ended up adopting a little boy on the last episode but it got me thinking about our situation.

Monday night Jerry and I were talking in bed about what we should do for the future of our family. I keep going back and forth with the whole thing. Yes, I want to experience pregnancy but at the same time I think I'd be okay if we didn't have kids. But then I feel like we might regret it once we're 70 and still living with just the two of us. By then, I'm sure we'd have at least twelve cats. Then say if we decide we do want kids and we just adopt, would I regret not trying to get pregnant by other means? I change my mind every 0.5 seconds so I don't know what to do. Jerry keeps telling me to do what I want, but what if what I really want is to have a sperm donor? He does NOT want a donor so he'd probably hate me forever. And I don't want to do that to our marriage.

I guess I could always try being a surrogate mother. I could experience pregnancy, get paid to do it, and then be able to afford adoption, right? No. That's a horrible idea. I don't know how women handle being a surrogate mother. I know I would be under legal contract, but I just don't know how I would be able to give up that baby. Too much bonding in those nine months. Even if you were the emotionally strongest person in the world, giving up that surrogate child probably turns you into a depressed person!

Does anyone have suggestions on what we should do? I feel like we are leaning more towards adoption but we don't have the money to do it. Does someone have connections for making things go smoother in the process of adoption? I'd love to hear from you if you've been through this experience. I feel like trying to talk to a woman who has been blessed with children is hard to do because they've never been through this kind of heartache, you know?

So THIS has been the reason for me being so absent on the blog lately. TOO much thinking going on ;)

I promise that starting this weekend I will be doing more beauty-related posts. So get ready!

One last Summer fling

Yes I know Summer is over--blah blah blah--and that everyone's Fall decorations have long been draped from the mantles and hung from the front door. But I refuse to let go. I refuse to let go of the warm days with my windows rolled down and the wind blowing through my hair. I needed to bring some sun back in my life today so I decided to have one last fling.

I had plans to take pictures right after work today but we had groceries to buy so it was pushed out until later after the sun had already gone down. My apologies in advance for the crappy shots.

Another reason I'm a bad blogger tonight? I won't have any links for any of the items in the above pictures. I can tell you where they were purchased though.  All hope is not lost!

Nude wedges: Target
Gray skirt: originally Banana Republic; bought at Southern Thrift
Chambray shirt: Forever 21
Yellow sweater: J. Crew
Navy studded belt: Francesca's
Silver multi-chain necklace: Francesca's
Bag: H&M

You might could still find the chambray shirt, yellow sweater, and bag in stores because they were bought this year. But the rest were not. Good luck and happy hunting!!

Happy Friday!!

It's been one of those weeks where I am beyond thrilled that it's Friday. One of those Fridays where all I want to do is drown my misery in a cranberry&vodka. Why can't workplaces observe at least one holiday a month? I think then I might be more refreshed and enthused to be working.

Anywho, here's what I've been up to this week. This is my HIGH FIVE!

one

Jerry, Brant, and I went to Burger Up last Friday night and it's got to be one of the cutest places ever! It's a little more than I wanted to pay for a burger, but the atmosphere was very "hipster" if that makes sense.

two

I don't know if I've introduced this stud muffin yet but my nephew, Pace Anders, was born a few weeks ago down in Alabama. My sister-in-law's dad took these pictures and I can't help but just stare. He is one gorgeous baby.

three

I'm pumped that Fall weather is finally showing its' face. It's my most favorite season of the year. Time when you need a sweater at night but still warm enough for sandals during the day. Or time when you can still eat a snow cone as a treat after lunch but you can be fine with a coffee or something later.

four

In case you missed my #ootd post yesterday, here's my selfie for the day at work. This skulls-on-the-elbows cardigan is probably my favorite item in my closet right now.

five

Lastly, I wanted to leave everyone with a little quote. Too many times I see people making fun of those who are homeless or who have some sort of life situation and rather than just help them, they just keep walking and laugh. I encourage everyone to step outside of their comfort zones, even if just a little, and help those in your community. And if you have nothing to give, you CAN give a hug.

I hope everyone has a brilliant Friday and the rest of the weekend!! I'm linking up with Lauren Elizabeth for H54F. Visit her site to find out how to do the same!

Braids, skulls & polka dots

My shopping budget diminished to nothing in 0.25 seconds the moment I walked into Target the other night. I love the items I bought but I still wince a little when I think how easy it is to blow money in that place. They need to have an AA for Target. I'm not even kidding. And I know there are plenty of girls out there who agree with me.

I walked away with five things.

And here's how I brought them into my outfit today.

YES. THOSE ARE SKULLS ON MY ELBOWS. It's SO me.

Polka Dot Button-Up (similar) | Green Skull Cardigan | Purple Skinny Jeans (similar) | Taupe Booties | Orange Lipstick no.109 (because it's my fave right now)

September IPSY bag

September's IPSY bag was all about Classic Beauty. When I think about classic or timeless beauty, I think of Audrey or Marilyn so I was expecting some red lipstick, maybe a little black liner. And although I didn't get any lipstick, I did get some pretty sweet kohl liner.

My glam bag online showed me I was going to get some tinted lip balm, the kohl liner, mascara, gray eye shadow, and nail polish. Three out of five ain't bad, right? These are my goodies.

Sorry the bag is kind of dark. I'll show a better picture below.

EM Cosmetics by Michelle Phan Life Palette | $75.00

This LIFE palette features a palette with four different looks including 36 eye, cheek, and lip colors. Look 1 is called "Power Suit" and it has neutrals, blacks/grays, and maroons. Look 2 is called "Girl in Charge" and it has mauves and purples. Look 3 is called "Out to Lunch" and it has neutrals, taupes, and pinks. Lastly, look 4 is called "Natural Talent" and it has neutrals, browns, and darker pinks. The sample I got below in the above picture was from the last look. I'm kind of bummed that they chose the most neutral samples because most all girls have these colors already in their makeup bags. But, I'm willing to try it! Holy moly! Can I just mention that price?! I would NEVER pay that much for a palette no matter how many colors there were.

John Frieda Full Repair Shampoo | $6.59

John Frieda Full Repair Conditioner | $6.59

This set of hair products was something that most all girls online were disappointed in. I think it's just because it's a brand we all have already been using. John Frieda sent me this Full Body Shampoo & Conditioner for "reviving your overworked hair". It smells very salon-y. It's not that I'm trying to dis the set, it's just that I'm pretty satisfied with my current hair products. I'll definitely be keeping this for travel though.

NYX Single Eye Shadow in "Sparkle White" | $4.50

I'm beginning to fall in love with NYX products. I don't particularly like that I was packed this "Sparkle White" color but I know it will be beautiful for highlighting. I know this brand is pretty cheap in the stores so I don't feel so bad buying it all when I need something new to experiment with.

Elizabeth Mott It's So Big volumizing mascara | $20.00

STARLOOKS Kohl Eye Pencil in "Obsidian" | $12.00

More mascara, yayyy. Okay, so I'm being sarcastic there. On the one hand, I love trying out new mascara like every other girl, but I don't like it when it's every single month in every single Ipsy bag. I'd love to kick it out and replace it with another beauty product that I don't get so often. While I've never heard of this brand before, it claims to be volumizing and what girl doesn't want fuller lashes?!

I love me a good kohl liner. They go on so smooth and creamy and it makes me want to use it as my only eye liner. I could never get rid of my liquids though. None the less, it'll be fun to pull it out for girls night and such. This is another brand that I have never heard of but I'm willing to give it a shot.

Have I convinced you the last few months to get a subscription to Ipsy? I'd HIGHLY recommend this one over Birchbox. Just my personal opinion though. I am still happier with this bag but we'll see in a year if my mind changes or not.

Libraries & Up-do's

The JerBear and I decided to go to the library last week and, of course, I asked him to take pictures of me. I rarely wear this cream blazer because it's so "lab-like" but I've been thinking about adding some buttons to the sleeves and one button to the middle for closure. It should give it more structure, thus not making me look so huge. Not that I consider myself "huge" but you get what I'm trying to say. I also might add an inside liner to it because the material by itself is quite see-through. We'll see.

I get ready in the mornings, pulling my hair back all loose and wispy into a cute low bun, and by the end of the day I realize that I look much cuter with (side)bangs. I need to make an appointment. Lol. 

I got the creme blazer from Forever 21 two Summers ago but I know they have similar styles in stores now. I got the creme lace-front top from Francesca's but it was one of my very first purchases from them in 2009. I might have been skipping class that day. Shh. The red jeggings are from American Eagle last Summer and were on sale for $15! And the brown wedges are from Target, but they were purchased on sale for $7 last year. I wish I could link up with everything, but unfortunately it's all old. But happy hunting! :-)

I love seeing outfit posts on other blogs and that's what has inspired me to do more on my blog. If you check out some of the blogs above in my Blogroll, you can see some of their #ootd posts as well!

hi 5 4 friday

This week has felt like the longest week ever. No, I'm for real. Now that I think about it, it's probably because we were out for Labor Day last Monday and then I was out Wednesday for doctors appointments. So a three day work week versus a five day work week? Now you see why this week sucked balls.

With that aside, let's recap from our last recapment ;)

one

We went to a concert last Friday night! Cage the Elephant was the opening act and then Muse was the headliner. Other than the stoned couple dancing all up on my grill the entire night (I wish I were making that up), it was probably my favorite rock concert that I've attended. Muse is AMAZING live. Amaze-balls, I tell you!

two

Before the concert, we went to Rock Bottom for dinner. It used to be Big River Brewery but I think it got bought by this franchised company. But I think it's my new favorite date place downtown Nashville. Why, you might ask? Because they have bacon macaroni and cheese...AS AN ENTREE! And it was definitely o-worthy. Mac 'n' cheese is one of those things that I'd take with me if I were ever stranded on a dessert island. We also got their pretzel sticks as an appetizer and they were just as yummy!

three

Cat pictures, yay! Asher found this nuzzled spot between my arm and boob. He was snuggled in my armpit like a "bug in a rug". He just happened to look very odd when I snapped the picture. Haha.

four

Annnd one more time. Sophie's favorite sleeping place in the entire house is under our bed but on top of Jerry's suitcase. Don't know why, it's just her thang. What I should've done is take a picture of the carry-on and you can see it because it's completely covered in her hair. Gross. While Jerry was busy with the boys last Saturday, she found a new sleeping spot...on top of my canvas bag. She was too cute not to take a picture!

five

And last but not least...Saturday night I went to a friend's house for a candle party? What is a candle party? I'm glad you asked. My friend, Rachel, was hosting a Partylite "party" where a consultant came to her house and showed us all of her products. The company also just recently started selling food. Iiiii ended up spending over $100--don't ask me how that happened; I'm still unsure myself. BUT! I was able to take this guy home with me. Do you see the kitty hiding on the mantle with my other Fall stuff? He holds a tea light and I thought it was just adorable with my turkeys and pumpkins. Yay Fall decor!

How have your weeks been? Do you have any fun plans for this weekend?


I'm linking up with Lauren Elizabeth for H54F! Visit her page and find out how you can do the same.