My favorite new dress

I haven't shopped at GAP much recently but I popped in a few weekends ago and found what is my new favorite dress.  Is this cute or what?!
It works great for my shape.  I love a fitted bodice with nipped waist and a-line shaped skirt.  It also just went on sale so it is a steal.  I got the black and white version but it's also available in a peach stripe.
It is a touch shorter than I hoped for so I will keep it as an after-hours choice, maybe even a fun cocktail occasion if I can find a sparkly skinny belt and some accessories.  It also has pockets, which I happen to
L-O-V-E!

I am normally a size six but the online reviews said it ran a little large so I went a size down and it was perfect.  Check it out!

Best shampoo to avoid brassy blonde

This summer I finally found a way to beat the brassy red and gold tones away...by going blonde.  My hair is medium-dark brown hair naturally and with all of my outdoor activities, that brown hair loves to flash gold tones.  My stylist recommended going super chunky blonde this summer and it has been so much better for me.  I used to last about two weeks before the "gold/red" paranoia set in and going blonde has given me peace of mind.  (That sounds so dramatic but trust me, if you have the same prob, you can feel my pain)

At my last haircut I felt like I needed to do "something" to my hair but I wasn't sure what to do.  I think it was mostly out of habit to get my hair colored so I did a quick consult and the only thing recommended was a clarifying shampoo followed by using this awesome shampoo to brighten the blonde and get rid of brassiness.  It's made by Global Keratin and is called silver (Versus violet, which is more common).

You can get this on many online sites and mine was about $25.00.  It is recommended that you clarify shampoo and follow up with this Silver shampoo afterwards.  It can feel a little drying, probably due to the combo of the clarifying right before so be sure to condition.  It also doesn't bother the dark shades.  (I was worried it would make the dark hair lighter but no....no issue at all)

If you have blonde, this is a good step, especially if you are outside a lot and/or have done lots of swimming in the pool and can use some brightening without drastic measures.  Trust me, ladies....you'll love it!

Weekend Rewind: Racing & Relaxing + BFF in town

I don't know about you but I was not ready for the weekend to end.  I had an action-packed two days off.
Friday night, my Dad, my niece and I went to Auburndale (between Tampa and Orlando) to race.  We don't often race on Friday nights but since my Dad was already in Orlando, he wanted to cruise over.

I grabbed my niece after work and off we went.  She has only raced at a couple tracks and this would be her first time here.  She did pretty good on the drive over and was okay when we got there but all of a sudden, she got nervous and said she didn't want to race.  Being an aunt, without children of my own, it is sometimes hard for me to know the right thing to do.  Do I let her sit out or push her to go ahead....even though she says she doesn't want to.  Well, I was able to talk her into racing and she did great, in fact, she won.  The first two races she stayed in the back and all of a sudden in her last race, she zipped right up to the front.  So proud!  My Dad also won and I finished second (to my Dad).

 

We finally got back home a little after 1:00am and were back up at 6:30am for Payton's first 5k.  She ran with some girls from our soccer team and completed it in just over 31 minutes.  

Once the run was over, we had soccer practice at 10:00am in Cocoa Beach.  My co-coach wanted to mix it up and try a new location.  The girls played in just socks and they loved it.  They all wore swimming suits and would take short breaks to cool off in the water.  I was exhausted so I mostly watched but the girls had a blast.

After soccer, I was on the run again to get showered and go to a birthday party.  Our good friends Kassie and Brian's son Dylan turned one.  He is sooooo cute.  My sister and a niece came along too.

When I finally made it back home, my husband Simon's best friend (and best man in our wedding) came over.  He lives in Atlanta but was in Jacksonville visiting his mom so he came down for the weekend.  We went to one of my favorite restaurants, Taverna Opa and enjoyed some delish greek food and had so much fun!

Sunday we relaxed by the pool (I failed to get any pictures) and we had some friends over.  We called it a day about 6:00 and went to Grills restaurant on the river.  Check out these amazing views!  They have some nicer seating inside but there was a touch of a breeze so we decided to sit outside.  

And, that's a wrap!  I am ready to put in a solid week at work and do it all over again.  Happy Monday y'all!

The easiest pie you will ever make. Seriously

Praise the lord!  My first ever pie was the bomb!  I found this delicious, super simple recipe on Pinterest and it was a success.  It is a no-bake style so don't sweat about heating up the kitchen.

It's a coconut cream pie and only has a few ingredients, which I love.

what you need

2 pkg.  (3.4 oz. each) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding

2 cups  cold milk

2 cups  thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, divided

1 cup  BAKER'S ANGEL FLAKE Coconut, divided  (I used sweetened flavor)

1  ready-to-use graham cracker crumb crust (6 oz.)

make it

BEAT pudding mixes and milk in large bowl with whisk 2 min. Stir in 1 cup COOL WHIP and 3/4 cup coconut; pour into crust.  (The consistency is much thicker than regular pudding when you first mix.  I needed a spatula to get mine in the pie crust)  

REFRIGERATE 4 hours or until firm. Meanwhile, toast remaining coconut.

TOP pie with remaining COOL WHIP; sprinkle with toasted coconut.

details

30 calories and 4g of fat, including 1g of sat fat, per serving by preparing with fat-free milk, COOL WHIP LITE Whipped Topping and a ready-to-use reduced-fat graham cracker crumb crust.

toast the coconut

Heat oven to 350°F. Spread coconut onto bottom of shallow pan. Bake 7 to 10 min. or until lightly browned, stirring frequently.  (I toasted mine about 5 or 6 minutes, they were getting dark really quickly in the oven)

Follow more of my favorite sweets on my Pinterest board here.  Happy Monday y'all!

What I Thought About What I Bought: Contouring Powders

Hello my fellow cosmetics lovers!  Today, I am giving you a review on my first contouring powders.  I am pretty basic when it comes to make-up.  I have oily skin and too much make-up is not a good mix.

I have long read the benefits of using contouring and highlighting shadows but never tried them, until recently. So far, I have tried two.  One works great for me and one, not so much.  Kim Kardashian made Ben Nye Banana Powder famous.  Everyone has probably seen these before and after photos and she makes it look so easy.

I ordered some online and tried a few times but couldn't get this powder to be as great on me.  I tried applying it with a medium sized kinda firm brush but made more of a mess than anything.  I took a couple day break and tried again using a flat, foundation brush.  It went on much better and didn't make a mess at all.  I waited a few minutes (as recommended online) and blended with a beauty blender.  Unfortunately, I just never got a look I loved and I ended up breaking out on my forehead.  I am not sure what triggered it, but since I stopped I haven't had any issues.  

I did a little more research and found this SMASHBOX combo set online at Sephora and decided to order. It cost much more than the banana powder did but Sephora is so great about returns, I thought...what the heck and splurged for it.

I opened the package and found that it had complete, super simple instructions plus a brush (shown).

 

I was initially concerned that the brush was so soft and fluffy that it may not work well but it is great!  There are instructions right on the mirror and the powder goes on so smooth.  There are no instructions on blending but I am using a kabuki brush (there are so many choices) and blending in after I finish the contour/highlight steps.  I top with a touch of blush.  (I love NARS)  

This is a little work for everyday (although the process is fairly simple) but I will definitely take the extra steps for a night out and maybe some big meetings at work.    

Have you tried contouring and highlighting?  Tell me what you think.      

 

5 fave (Pinterest) pins for August

Well, hey y'all!  Here are 5 of my favorite pins of late.  A little food, fashion, hair, house and a closing thought.

I love to eat but am not the most skilled cook in the kitchen so I hold it down with apps and desserts.  Duh, these are the favorite parts of the meal! :)
I haven't tried this dip but it sounds tasty and super easy to throw together.
Dorito dip, does it get any better?  Have you heard of it?

It's almost sweater weather!  Luckily, the season of fashion forgiveness.  After some tasty Dorito dip, this outfit would still let you breathe.  I will often wear a similar look but these colors together would definitely push me a little out of my comfort zone.  The bright pink + leo flats look so cute.  I have to gather up in the bravery department and try it out. 

This look is my current hair situation. I have long fought with my brown hair flashing gold tones and always was paranoid of "the red".  A couple months ago I went way opposite and added heavy blonde highlights.  I even skipped the touch-up last month and went for the "rooted" look.  I thought it would drive me cra cra but it hasn't at all.  I feel like I want to add some lowlights but I am just get a trim to tidy up the ends and see what happens.   

I am totally crushing on this home.  We recently started searching for a lot to build a new home and my taste is all over the place for architecture.  It's summer and we use our pool so much so this would be so nice.

Often times, new homes don't have much for landscaping because anything near the slab/construction is likely to be disturbed and die and it's really expensive to remove after the fact.  This lush backyard isn't realistic initially but wow, would it be gorg!     

To get this crib, I definitely gotta stick to the plan.  I am super goal-oriented and am constantly working my plan to do my best to continue self improvement.  Goal-digging in full effect!

Secrets of white teeth and soft soles

Random post today!  I have a few new discoveries that are share-worthy.  I loves great products and how things are always evolving and improving.  Ways to make everyday life more convenient are always welcome in my book.  

First up: tootsies.  I paint my own nails but treat myself to a pedi every 2-3 weeks.  I cannot stand to have rough heels and every morning as I moisturize, I notice if my heels are smooth or need a touch-up in between appointments.  The razor is the old-school heel tool but the tool below is not only a little safer to use, it's super cheap and highly effective.  It looks a lot like a cheese grater and does great with keeping those heels soft and sandal ready.  I keep mine in the shower so I can rinse off right afterwards.  It's lightweight and is perfect.  It's similar to a Ped-Egg if you've tried that but much, much better and less abrasive.  

I ordered mine on Amazon here.      

Next up: Bright, white teeth.  I have a few tips on this.  Back when I was married (2001), I first learned of Crest Whitestrips.  I used a set then and have been hooked since.  Now, I only do one strip every month or two and it helps keep stains away.  If you try to use the entire set at once, which is good to do once (then maintain)...your teeth can get sensitive.  Sensodyne toothpaste is great to use while you use the set.  If you do them one at a time, spread out, you shouldn't feel the discomfort.

For day-to-day, prevention is key.  I drink nearly everything (except clear beverages) from a straw.  I don't smoke and don't drink coffee but I am a southern gal so sweet tea is the norm.  Straws play a big key is prevention.  If straws are not available I usually choose a clear drink.  If that isn't possible, I have found that if must must sip a dark drink, follow with water before the stains set in.

I love trying toothpaste and this is my current fave.  It's minty with some whitening.  I have tried nearly every brand available and will hop around some but this one is good.  

What are your beauty secrets when it comes to white teeth and soft feet?  I love trying new techniques and products so please share.

Secret Family Recipe

Green Derby...have you ever heard of it?  My great aunt, Aunt June introduced us to this tasty mix at a young age.  Everyone that we make it for loves it.  I am not certain how it was introduced into the family but my aunt loved dining at fancy restaurants and loved a good steak so it is likely that she sweet-talked someone into sharing the recipe.

I will tell you how to make the mix (mix lasts months and months)...and my favorite ways to combine the mix with food.

First, the recipe for the mix:

1 small jar of Accent seasoning

1 small (.5 oz or so) jar of Oregano seasoning

1/2 cup salt

1/4 cup ground pepper

Put all ingredients in a sealed jar and mix well.  My aunt told me I should turn the jar everyday for a week.

Once you are ready to mix some up you will need:

1 tablespoon of rice vinegar

2 tablespoons of olive oil

One tablespoon of mix

For a quick mix you can simply add one diced tomato.  I also love to add cucumber and green onion if we have them on hand. Stick the mix in the fridge for 20 minutes or so and you are ready to serve.  If you like green peppers, they are a good addition as well. Really, any veggies that can soak up flavors would probably be great.

For a salad mix, which is SO DELISH, don't add the lettuce until you are ready to serve so it stays crisp.

This marinated magic dish can be served by themselves as a side dish.  They are also great as part of a fresh tomato bruschetta.

  

Summer vacation photo book

I took some time Sunday afternoon to create a photo book for the kids from our trip.  It came out pretty cute and I think they will enjoy flipping thru it to remember our stay for years to come.  See what you think.

Click here to view this photo book larger

You'll love Shutterfly's award-winning photo books. Try it today.

What are your favorite ways to remember your vacations?

River Ranch Wrap Up

We made it back!  What a trip.  In case you missed it in my post earlier this week, I loaded up three 5-year olds and a 4-year old and went on an overnight stay at Westgate River Ranch.  All in all, the trip was great.
I picked up the kids about 10:00am Wednesday and we headed to Vero Beach, about half way to our spot. There is a huge outlet mall there and we hit up Children's Place for some new clothes.  The kids were exceptionally well behaved and were treated to lots of new clothes plus new sunnies.

A quick bathroom break, some shopping and we were back on the road to River Ranch.  Official check-in is at 4:00pm but we got there early (about 1:30pm) and they let us right in.  We had "glamping" reservations so we immediately checked out the digs and started our adventure.  The pictures online were a perfect representation of the rooms and the resort.  The place is HUGE so we quickly decided to upgrade and get a 24-hour golf cart rental ($65).  Definitely worth the money!

 

 

We hit the petting farm, the kids each rode a pony, we also visited the playground and pool, all before dinner.  The kids all wore flip-flops (we should have packed baby wipes to clean their feet).  The pool had towels so we were good there but the kids would have enjoyed a couple pool toys.  They also had a rock wall and putt-putt golf on site.  

Additionally, they have a full-service marina and a small restaurant where we grabbed some dinner (and sat in the cool AC).  The kids loved the General Store, where they had cold drinks, ice cream, pizza and lots of touristy goodies for sale.  

 

 

 

After dinner we headed back to the glamping site and had some fun dancing and playing cards (NO TV in the glamping area--didn't know that when we booked) but the kids were great.  If we were staying longer, I would prob have moved to the hotel side of the resort so the kids didn't get too antsy.  

The night came to an end when "a real live cowboy" came and started the fire pit so we could have s'mores. The kids loved him and thought he was the greatest ever.  Check out our giant s'mores kit we got at check-in.

 

Thursday morning we woke up and had breakfast delivered right to our front porch.  We got cinnamon rolls, fruit and juice.  After that we packed up and headed home for a little afternoon pool party  and a quick stop for snow-cones before going back to mom and dad.  

 

The kids had a blast and I even got some tears when they had to go back to their parents.  I got enough pictures to make a little memory book for them and on our drive home they were already planning our next trip.  Hope you had a great week!  Dad and I head out at 5:15am Saturday morning for some racing.  Happy weekend y'all!