Kali Now Living

Happy Halloween!

2013-10-31T15:15:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween My Loves!

I had no idea what I wanted to be this year, and didn't really care. Then I spotted a gorgeous cheetah print dress at Target for $6! The only one there...and just my size. That's what I call "meant to be."

Then there was the great hunt for cat ears. Well, when you wait until the day before Halloween, pickings are really slim. So...DIY time. I think my "ears" look pretty good :)

So, once more, HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Be safe and have fun!

Bride of Frankenstein Mani

2013-10-16T12:52:00.003-07:00

Hey there Darlings!

I lost my blogging spunk for a while but I'm back and I brought some Halloween Spirit with me.

I hate to see Summer go - along with my tan - but bring on the Pumpkin Spice Lattes, cool weather and fun Halloween manis.

This one is dedicated to the Bride of Frankenstein. I hope you caught that already, and if not, just pretend and I'll be ok.

BTW, check me out on IG: Katnowliving.

That's all for now folks :)

Summer, Summer, Summer Time Giveaway!

2013-08-09T07:57:00.002-07:00

Ok, so I know an explanation is due for my hiatus...

but it's Friday, and I have an awesome giveaway to share so I'll just skip the boring part and say that I am alive, and well, and REJOICING in the fact that it's FRIDAY Darlings!

Can I get a "What What!"? ;)

So I have paired up with some of my favorite people to bring you this awesome giveaway. There will be 8 winners! Enjoy! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway: Win 6,000 Twitter Followers!

2013-06-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

One lucky winner will gain 6,000 new twitter followers!!

How amazing is that?

*still scratching your head? keep reading...

I want everyone to scream for joy and enter the giveaway below!!!

You can check out each blog by clicking on their name below the picture, and enter the giveaway by using the Rafflecopter below.

Please take a moment to show these women some love!

Ady // Yesi // Marquis // Jennifer // Emily

Misty // Sarah // Jackie // Krystal // Rebecca

Cassie // Chelsee // Brooke // Pakize // Breanna

Sarah-Louise // Dara // Gayle // Sarah // Pamela

Can Vir Ries // Leisure // Alex // Chloe // Amanda

Erin // Merchon // Jessica & Hilary // Lyndi // Hollie

Mandi // Shane // Lo // Kali // Taber

Want to SWAP? Head on over and grab a spot!

Thank you to all the wonderful people that take the time out of their day to read my blog!

I love all my new blog friends!

----------------

So for those of you wondering... How do you giveaway 6,000 followers???

Well I'll tell you...

it's primarily something businesses use to increase their online presence, gain credibility, and look more established. A social media company is hired to help them get their business out there to their audience via targeted ad campaigns, email blasts, and to their own network of followers via incentive based promotions etc... directly to their specific target market.

Say you're current twitter followers are at 25... it will be increased to 6,025!

The hired social media company will find and peak relevant followers interested in following you - not robots.

Disclaimer: These are real live followers provided by a legit social media company not 1 cent robot fakes

*this is no different than advertisers buying ads in magazines trying to get their brand out there.*

**This is not a scam**

Now this is going to be an aggressive contest! I mean how could I say no to all those beautiful ladies above? I couldn't. So now's your chance to rack up all the entries humanly possible!Remember the more entries the have the more your odds of winning increase!READY. SET. GO!
*The winner of this sweepstakes will not be published. I will screenshot the rafflecopter random winner and contact you personally as to how you would like to move forward.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Trend Of The Month Link-Up: Maxi Time!

2013-06-19T07:47:00.000-07:00

Good Morning and Happy Wednesday, My Dears!

My fashion posts are few and far between - still working on the courage thing ;) Kudos to fashion bloggers who put themselves front and center everyday, like my girl Cayli @ Nightchayde. Work it!

It's been a few months since I've linked up with Marion @ Marionberry Style for a trend of the month challenge and I've really missed it. This month's trend is the oh-so-comfy maxi and wouldn't you know it, I had one hanging in the closet :) And it just to happened so look great with my new Wild Butterfly Boutique necklace I won from Nikki @ Style Me Nikki!

Have a great week and see you Friday :)

NOTD: Lookin' Good and Smellin' Good

2013-06-14T08:57:00.001-07:00

Happy Friday!

This week actually went by quickly for me but I'm ready for the weekend. My love tweaked his back pretty good this week so I've been playing masseuse. My thumbs went on strike after the second day. Cramps. Any tips for working out a knot?

Speaking of my love, he bought me some nail polish goodies for our anniversary a few weeks ago, including this purple gem "Grape Icy" - one of Revlon's scented polishes. WARNING: Don't sniff the polish straight from the bottle thinking it's going to smell lovely. It doesn't. I know you might be tempted but trust me, don't do it! I think I singed a few nose hairs...lol. The awesome smell comes after it's fully dry on your nails.

I haven't been in the polish mood lately because I ran out of my secret weapon: Poshe Super Fast Dry Top Coat. I used an old SH top coat and just as I knew it would happen, I RUINED this mani about two hours after I took these pictures. Yes girls, it was still 'wet' two hours later. WTF. Anyway, is it me or does this mani look a bit bridal to you?

By the way, last week's Jasmine mani is being featured on Simple Easy Style as one of Friday's Five Faves. Yay!

Base Coat, 3 Coats of polish, glitter and top coat

Linking Up With:

Tara @ Fabulous But Evil

Have a great weekend!

Disney Princess Collaboration: Jasmine

2013-06-07T07:50:00.003-07:00

Good Morning and woohoo it's Friday!

I'm teaming up with several lovely ladies for a Disney Princess Collaboration and I'm excited to show you my Princess Jasmine inspired mani. This is one of my favorites to date and I hope you enjoy it.

I'm not shy about the fact that I have terrible hand-coordination skills (hence why I was only good at Soccer lol) so when I manage to pull off something pretty in a really simple way, I'm glad to share with others. See my easy peasy pic tutorial below.

L.A. Colors "Seafoam", SH Xtreme Wear "Golden-I", Milani Texture "Aqua Splash", Wet N' Wild Fergie "Glamorous"

Please don't forget to check out the other ladies/princesses :)

Nightchayde /Ariel

Love Me Dani Marie / Aurora

Lil Red Runner / Belle

Me Undeniably / Rapunzel

Style Me Nikki / Pocahantas

Immersed in Glitter / Snow White

Lover of Clothes / Cinderella

Cup of Ting / Mulan

Linking Up With:

Tara @ Fabulous But Evil

& Simple.Easy. Style

Have a great weekend!

Conscious Box Review

2013-05-30T11:29:00.001-07:00

Hi Ladies,

I was really excited when Conscious Box reached out to me a few weeks ago to giveaway a free subscription box (congrats Shanta!) and I'm even more excited to share my first conscious box with you. It was chock full o' goodies and was actually pretty heavy! I'm frankly surprised at how much they were able to fit in there! I discovered some products I LOVE and some..not so much!

***Orgain Healthy Kids Organic Nutritional Shake: Made with organic fruits & veggies, packed with protein, & free of GMOs, corn syrup, or artificial junk. This was actually REALLY delicious! Before I knew it, I was sucking up air and wanting more! If you don't mind the taste of soy, this is up your alley and I will definitely be on the lookout for these :)

Somersaults Cinnamon Crunch: Somersaults Snacks have created a deliciously nut-free blend of crunchy nuggets baked to perfection. All natural & made with simple ingredients, these snacks are packed with protein while being lower in fat than traditional alternatives. These snacks weren't overly sweet but did have that cardboard taste I somewhat expected. I won't be purchasing these in the future.

A. Vogel Herbamre Original: Sea salt combined with 12 freshly harvested, organically grown herbs and vegetables. Made with simple ingredients like sea salt, chives, garlic, basil, rosemary, and thyme, each dash of Herbamare will add spunk to any culinary creation! I rubbed this on a chicken breast and was pleased with it's light and very mild flavor.

BIJA Gentle Senna Tea: The Senna bush's leaves help stimulate healthy digestive movement & encourages the body's natural ability to eliminate the unnecessary. Hints of licorice, peppermint, flax, & other herbs make this a delightful experience for all tea drinkers. I'm not a big tea drinker so I honestly haven't tried this yet.

Earthpaste Amazingly Natural Toothpaste: Breaking the trend of pseudo-natural toothpaste, Earthpaste Amazingly Natural Toothpaste is truly safe, made without glycerin, fluoride, artificial coloring, & foaming agents. So healthy you can eat it- but only if you want to. I got a full size cinnamon tube a sample of their wintergreen, and totally wish it was the other way around. The Cinnamon flavor is not pleasant at all! This toothpaste does not foam up, has a gritty texture, and seems to dissolve before I've brushed my entire mouth. I'm not sure I'll be finishing the cinnamon paste, but didn't mind the wintergreen so much.

****Healthy HooHoo Gentle Feminine Cleanser: PH balanced, fragrance free, paraben free, & free of harsh chemicals or additives, Healthy Hoohoo is made to naturally cleanse girlie parts without removing all the goodness Mother Nature put down there. Made with simple ingredients like Aloe, green tea, cucumber, & pomegranate extract. I LOVE this stuff and wish I had gotten a full size bottle of this product. It is lightweight and have a nice lather. It is also fragrance free and one of my new favorites. In two words: clean and pure.

**Yes to Cucumbers Natural Suncreen: Easily absorbed for maximum skin protection, Yes to Cucumbers natural sunscreen is made with organic cucumber seed extract and natural ingredients to offer a healthier alternative to chemical based sunscreens and sprays. I used this sunscreen for my beach trip and safe to say, I have no ugly tan lines from my water shoes or shorts :) It has a pleasant smell and cooling effect. This is a thumbs up for me.

*Dream Water Sleep and Relaxation Shot: After a long day's work, energy drinks can leave you feeling fried. Bring relaxation back to your body with Dream Water Sleep and Relaxation Shots. Made with all natural ingredients, Dream Water makes it easy to deal with the stresses of every day life. Let the snoozing begin! I decided to use this shot after a long day of work which left me in a crappy mood. I was tired, cranky, and too irritatated to rest. I popped a shot and within 20 minutes I started to sink into a deep relaxation and before I knew it I was yawning and then BAM! I was out. I can't say it kept me asleep because I did toss and turn, but it sure did help me fall asleep - and when a million thoughts are running through my mind - sometimes that's all I need. I've finished both bottles, would definitely purchase this, and I actually saw them at target for about $3 for a 2-pack. BUT be warned - this has a strong medicinal taste.

Ultima Replenisher Everyday Healthy Drink: Made with real fruit, Ultima Replenisher is the ideal daily health booster for anyone on the go. Plant-based, naturally sweet, & without worry of artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners. Oh, did we mention it's also vegan & non-GMO. I haven't tried this and I don't know why because I could really use a boost sometimes. My brain and body generally don't clock in until after noon :(

MRM Relax-All with Phenibut: Formulated with nature in mind, MRM Relax-All is the perfect aid for relaxation & heightened mental tranquility. Made with natural herbal extracts & nutritional compounds, MRM Relax-All works with your body to reduce stress & bring you back to balance. Since I used up all the dream shots, I'm saving this one for later use ;)

Ecover Automatic Dishwasher Tablets (not pictured): These completely biodegradable, phosphate-free dishwasher tablets from Ecover are the safe, natural solution for getting your dishes done without worry of exposing them to harsh chemicals or cleansers. If any one has a spare dishwasher, please let me know. Until I will pass these along to a friend ;)

Overall, I was really impressed. Safe to say this is a

Want to try your own Conscious Box? Use Promo Code "FIRSTBOXFREE" for a FREE FIRST BOX for a monthly subscription (just pay $7.95 shipping).

Let me know what you think :)

*I received the Conscious Box for free but all opinions (in bold) are my own.

BeYOUtiful You Giveaway Winners!

2013-05-30T10:11:00.004-07:00

"Almost There" Thursday!

Three-day weekends are twice as good beacuse it means your work week is shorter ;)

Thank you to all the ladies who participated in the 20-winner giveaway, and a special congratulations to Pamela Bakers who won my summer nail polish set. Can't wait for you to see it!

Please email dani AT lovemedanimarie DOT com within 48 hours to claim your prize or a new winner will be chosen. Please place your prize as the subject line.

Justine B.: AD space on Love Caroline

Amanda Deserres: Bow Necklace and Earrings set

Samantha Bower: Hello Sign

Sara and Sel Camarillo: Leaf Earrings

Alicia John: Turban Headband

Brittany Christensen: Honee Bee AD space and OPI Nail Polish

Ana Wang: $10.00 credit to The Glitter Revival

Cara Howard: Bracelet from fl{h}air

Riley White: Ultimate Hairstyle Handbook

Heather Black: Ultimate Hairstyle Handbook

Shelby Close: $10 PayPal Credit

Sarah Collier: $15.00 Michaels Gift Card

Kailey Varble: Flower Clip/Broach

Amberly Lambertsen: $10.00 Amazon Gift Card

Elaina Johnson: Necklace and Earring Set

Catherine Chamberlin: Micky London Bangle Bracelet

Zoe Diaz: High Heels and Training Wheels AD space

Cari Shakespear: Proclamation

Paige Phillips: Essie Nail Polish

Madisen Langeveld: Red Bubble Necklace

Pamela Bakers: Nail Polish Set

Memorial Day/Anniversary Weekend

2013-05-28T14:09:00.000-07:00

Hi Ladies, I hope you all had a great Memorial Day Weekend and took a second to honor our service members who have perished :)

This weekend was really special for me as my Love and I celebrated our 6th Anniversary. We had plans to go to San Antonio but it flooded terribly so we headed to Galveston Island instead. The weather was gorgeous and we had a great time walking down the beach, swimming, riding bikes and soaking in the sun. We ended our day with a delicious dinner at Fish Tales. If any local ladies are nearby, I HIGHLY recommend the Coconut Shrimp :)

BeYOUtiful You Giveaway!

2013-05-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

Hi girls! Oh how I am so excited about the beYOUtiful you giveaway. I am pairing up with the amazing girls below to bring you the greatest giveaway ever!

20 prizes, 20 winners!!

This is a giveaway you want to make sure to enter.

Love Me, Dani Marie Chloe Reese Electric Eel

Fl{h}air High Heels and Training Wheels Honee Bee

Life as a Bird Micky London The Polished Monkey

We and Serendipity Hoodwinked All Things Unpredictable and Chic

Anci Decor Night Chayde The Glitter Revival

Love Caroline Blog Twist Me Pretty A Mommys Life with A Touch Of Yellow

Kali Now Living Haircut and General Attitude

The prizes!

Not Pictured:

$15.00 to Michaels

1 Lage Ad Space on Honee Bee and OPI Nail Polish

1 200x200 Ad Space on High Heels and Training Wheels

$10.00 Shop Credit on The Glitter Revival

1 Essie Nail Polish

$10.00 Gift Card to Amazon

1 Large Ad Space on Love Caroline Blog with Introduction Post

1 Hello Wood Cut Finished Word

Red Bubble Necklace

Summer Nail Polish Set

$10.00 PayPal Cash

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Just Aqua Splashin' Around

2013-05-20T10:21:00.000-07:00

Good Morning, Monday rolls back around too quickly!

Summer is still a month away but I'm already craving fun summer nail polish colors. Bring out the brights, corals, aquas, etc!

My gal pals already know how much I love texture polishes, so imagine my 'kid in a candy store' face when I came across Milani's Texture polish in Aqua Splash!! I was dazed & confused for a second because I've heard that they were only sold online but there it was...in my hands..and for a dollar less than the $4.99 retail price. (Cue the Jersey accent) You're pulling my leg heeere!

I'm super stoked that I found this polish just in time for my Memorial Weekend getaway! I'm going to be splashing around in natural springs and a river. And yes, I'm a cheeseball so pun intended ;)

I love, love, LOVE this cream color and the texture. It's a bit grainier than OPI's Liquid Sand polishes but not in an unpleasant way. The pictures below consist of Ulta's Base Coat, and two coats of Aqua Splash. Top coat doesn't work so well on these..and it defeats the point of textured polishes.

These polishes are limited edition so grab them while you can!

Don't forget your base coat! They extend the life of your manicure by days.

Linking Up With Maria-Isabel for Make Up Monday

What You Need to Know About Parabens

2013-05-15T08:32:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Ladies! We are almost through the week so let's keep pushing.

Yeah, right. I barely had the strength to make coffee this morning and I'm a total zombie right now.

Moving on...

The celebrity 'hot topic' of the moment is Angelina Jolie's double mastectomy:

"My doctors estimated that I had an 87% risk of breast cancer. Once I knew that this was my reality, I decided to be proactive and to minimize the risk as much as I could. I made a decision to have a preventive double mastectomy."

Breast cancer runs in my family and I also face the reality that I have a good chance of developing it. While I wouldn't go to the measures Angelina did (and I'm not judging her decision) there are ways I can protect myself now to reduce my chances in the future.

One of the ways I choose to protect myself is to transition into a paraben-free lifestyle.

What You Need To Know About Parabens

1. Parabens are synthetic chemicals commonly used by the cosmetic & pharmaceutical industries to preserve the shelf life of products.

2. What kinds of products contain parabens? Shampoos, moisturizers, hand and body soaps, facial masks, deodorant, sunscreen, shaving gels, personal lubricants, make up, toothpaste, perfumes/colognes, etc.

3. The most common forms of parabens found in these products are are methlyparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben.

4. Scientific research has found that parabens are associated with occurrences of breast cancer. Parabens have been found breast cancer tumors, yet cosmetic companies continue to deny that parabens are absorbed into our bodies through our skin.

5. Parabens also mimic estrogen and are a contributing factor of the increasing prevalence of early puberty among girls.

6. Cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies can use alternative preservatives but insist on using parabens because they are easier to obtain and less expensive to process.

7. Opting for Paraben free products is especially important for those who have a family history of breast cancer.

8. Many companies are now offering paraben-free products, such as Neutrogena Naturals, Tom's of Maine and Burt's Bees.

Be safe.

Last Day to Enter

2013-05-14T13:20:00.002-07:00

Hi Folks,

Just a quick reminder that today is the last day to enter the Conscious Box Giveaway. Good luck :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

OPI Oz Mini Set, Part 1

2013-05-10T08:42:00.000-07:00

I picked up a cold that totally knocked me on my butt all week and that's pretty much where I still am.

My gal pal Jessica at You Are My Color is coming back today from a week-long work trip...in Las Vegas. No, her company is not hiring - I already asked her ;) Jessica was gracious enough to let me guest post for the Nail Files, so head on over there to check out my tri-color mani tutorial!

A few months ago Holly at Wicked Chaos generously gave away an OPI Oz the Great and Powerful mini polish set. I crossed my fingers, toes and eyeballs because I really wanted to win this one, not to mention I loved the movie. Wish granted!

The set came with a liquid sand polish and I admit that before trying What Wizardy Is This?, I wasn't a fan of textured polish. I have seen the light and now I LOVE them! Not to mention chips are easily covered and non-noticeable. I love this particular color and the gold undertones, although my Lover said it looked like baby diarrhea. Alriiighty then!

Glints of Glinda (pictured below) looked like a pretty nude in the bottle but it didn't look so great on me. It blended with my skin tone too well and was super sheer. I added some glitter to make it pop but this one just fell flat. What do you think?

Linking Up With:

Tara @ Fabulous But Evil Jean @ What Jean Loves Andrea @ Glam Hungry Mom

Have a great weekend!

Coupon Connect with Nightchadye

2013-05-02T07:14:00.001-07:00

Happy Thursday Morning. My best buddy Friday is just around the corner!

I'm joining forces with Cayli at Nightchayde to bring our friends some awesome deals via Coupons and Coupon Codes. Who couldn't use more cash in their stylish wallets? Or freebies in the pantry?

I have a few coupons and freebies to share, and Cayli has some awesome coupon codes that make for great online shopping deals so head on over there too. And while you're there, give her a shout out for coming up with this great idea!

Coupons via Coupons.com

Clip this coupon directly here

$0.50 Flip Flops at Target!

Just in time for summer temps and beach outings!

Head on over here, and click on "Apparel and Accessories" (left hand side) to locate the coupon below. Just print it out and take it with you to your next target outing to score an awesome deal!

(Photo credit: Addicted2Deals)

*Valid in store only. Coupon for use by original recipient only. Limit one coupon or offer per guest.

Free Folgers Instant Coffee Sticks

This is one of those great deals where the value of the coupon exceeds the item price, which equals FREE! Click here to print out a coupon for $1.50 off ANY (that's the key word here, folks) Folgers product, and visit Walmart or Target where they sell Folgers coffee sticks for just $1.00. You can print two coupons per printer. You're welcome :)

(Photo Credit: I Heart the Mart)

*Limit one coupon per purchase

Free 2-Year Subscription To Shape Magazine!

Rewards Gold is offering a free 2-year subscription to Shape Magazine. Head on over here, and simply fill out a two minute survey and your mailing address and viola! Great tips and recipes at your doorstep :)

*Allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery

Don't forget to check out Nightchayde for great coupon code discounts on online shopping.

Conscious Box Giveaway!

2013-05-01T12:51:00.000-07:00

What could be better than Hump Day Wednesday?

(don't say Saturday or you'll ruin my momento ;)

How about a giveaway on Hump Day Wednesday?! Conscious Box recently reached out to giveaway a free month of their eco-friendly subscription boxes to one of my lucky gal pals. And I do mean lucky because these boxes look pretty darn good!

So what is Conscious Box?

"Conscious Box is a monthly service and ecommerce platform that seeks to introduce subscribers to the best products on the planet. Each month, we curate our boxes with products that support healthy living, sustainability, social responsibility, and more conscious living. We connect our subscribers with businesses of all sizes that are working to make a much-needed difference in the world. By choosing products that are made by responsible companies, we can all use our purchasing power to change the world!"

I have not received or reviewed a Conscious Box, but you can check out another blogger's review here. So why am I sharing something I've never tried, you ask? Because I believe in their mission to spread the word about healthier and environmentally friendly products, and because blogging is about sharing our experiences and I'd love to hear the lucky winner's feedback/review so I hope you share :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Surf's Up at Surfside Beach

2013-04-29T13:02:00.002-07:00

I'd like to wish you a Happy Monday..but I don't think they exist.

Check out my "Sandicure" and that not so cute sandal tan. That can only mean one thing...BEACH TIME!

This weekend I hung out with family at Surfside Beach. I accomplished one of my 2013 goals: to visit the Gulf Coast as part of my American Coast tour. That only leaves the East Coast...and with some luck (and lottery money), I'll hopefully get that tackled next year. Are you sticking by any of your resolutions?

By the way, I thought I was a genius for coming up with the 'sandicure' moniker...and then felt like a total dork when someone asked me if I was really taking a picture of my foot. Um, yes - and thank you for that awkward moment.

Prior to this weekend I heard terrible stories about how ugly, murky and muddy the beaches near Houston are, but it was absolutely gorgeous and the water temperate was pretty mild. It was interesting to see that the water here has a green tint to it whereas the Southern California beaches have a blue hue.

When times are tough and stressful, take time out to relax and recharge your battery...even if it's only a day at the beach :)

A washed-up jellyfish

FYI: I'm Not Perfect

2013-04-26T09:37:00.001-07:00

I'm so happy it's Friday I could do a backflip right now!

Ok, so I'm exaggerating but I could do the Carlton Dance.

Every Friday I link up with Tara for The Nail Files. My weapon of choice today is Blazed by Wet N' Wild (find it here). This was a gift from my sister and she sure knows how to pick 'em! Its a gorgeous hot coral/peach jelly. Help! I have fallen in love and I can't get up.

My favorite part of the Link Up is checking out what every one is sharing. My second favorite part is receiving feedback. I appreciate compliments and work pretty hard at having salon worthy manicures...

BUT...

I'M NOT PERFECT. In fact, I'm pretty bad at coloring between the lines. Your elementary school child could probably do better. I just do a pretty darn good job at cleaning up my mess. I might not know how to cook very well, but Mr. Clean can take a few lessons from me.

There may be many bloggers out there who 'perfect,' but I like to show that I'm as real as you are, my dears. Enjoy the sloppy "before" pic below and have an awesome weekend.

P.S. Essie sent out samples of their Apricot Cuticle Oil as a tear out in Allure Magazine. It has a light, sweet scent and leaves cuticles and skin feeling very soft and hydrated. I definite like for me.

Linking Up With:

Tara @ Fabulous But Evil Jean @ What Jean Loves Andrea @ Glam Hungry Mom

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly!

2013-04-24T12:00:00.001-07:00

Hey there! Long time no "see."

I've had my ups and downs lately, and I needed to recharge my battery but ~~Backstreet's Back Alright~~ I'm back (seriously...those three words are stuck in my head!). I'm sure you didn't mind looking at gorgeous Cayli on my blog this past week.

The Good

I received a sweet little care package last week from my sister in California. She pretty much knows I'm a budding nail polish hoarder, knows all too well that I love chocolate (by the way, I already finished it..like days ago), knows my short eyelashes need lots of mascara help, knows my compact mirrors always break, and apparently she can see my big pores all the way from Cali. Thanks sis!

On Monday, a very grateful client treated our team to lunch, and that was super awesome because I was going to eat cereal for lunch (you think I'm kidding, don't you?). On Tuesday, another sweet client thanked us with trays of yummy rice and salad, and again, I dodged a bowl of cereal. I had another serving of this yummy food for lunch today, along with some chicken I cooked last night. See "The Bad" below...

The Bad

Look at that delicious chicken on the cover of the new Kraft Fresh Take cheese & breadcrumb mix. It's gotta be easy....all you do is shake and bake..shake and bake...

This is what happens when I cook for myself. Let me re-phrase that - this is what happens when my boyfriend can't supervise my cooking because he is out of town #FAIL

The Ugly

Two weeks ago I broke my finger - the bird-flipper. On which hand, you ask? Oh you know..just the hand that I happen to use for everything! We are going to have a very REAL moment here, so prepare yourself: learning to wipe the "parts" with your opposite hand is as awkward as wearing your shoes on opposite feet. Just wrong...

The bright side is that my broken finger comes with a new accessory ;)

P.s. What do you think of the re-vamped layout?

Get Your Freebie On!

2013-04-15T09:16:00.000-07:00

"It's just another Manic Monday...wish it was Sunday!"

Manic is truly the word! Lots to do today so I'll leave you with a freebie & giveaways c/o Cayli @ Night Chayde.

FREE Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil Sample

Quantities are limited so HURRY! Copy & paste this link into your browser:

https://secure.startsampling.com/sm/eisse/

Fill out the form to request a free sample. Delivery takes 6-8 weeks.

*By mail. While supplies last. Limit (1) sample per household. Only available to consumers in U.S.

THREE Giveaways courtesy of Cayli @ Night Chayde

Yes, I said THREE giveaways. She is just that generous :)

Spring Makeup Giveaway here (ends Friday)

Blog Hop Olive Garden Giveaway here

FlHair Head Scarf Giveaway here

Good luck to all my ladies!

"A Night Out" and Giveaway Winner!

2013-04-12T08:43:00.000-07:00

TGIF!

I have a bum finger so I don't have any plans for tonight, except maybe a redbox date with Lover..and I'm pretty sure I'm going to veto all his choices so I can finally watch Skyfall ;)

Do you have any plans to go out? If so, Cayli Sue @ NightChayde, myself, and Lyssa @ Red Runner have some inspiration for you. We've joined forces for "A Night Out" themed bloghop. Cayli has a casual-chic outfit you MUST check out, and Lyssa has date night tips you NEED to know. Cayli is also hosting a great dinner date giveaway. Check it out!

And me? Well some attention-grabbing nails of course. Girl, I got this ;) My tools: Sally Hansen Hard As Nails in "Black Heart" and SATION in "Videogame Vixen." Nothing draws your eye more then city/neon lights glistening off pretty glitter finger tips (in every picture below you can see my nails catching light). Black is an awesome backdrop for your favorite glittter polish, and is also a great statement color on its own. Now I know you may be thinking that black is a little gothic, or may be too strong for fair skin. Don't worry, it's not :) Take a look at gorgeous celebs gracefully sporting their own black manicures in the pics below.

And now it's time to announce the Pay It Forward Giveaway winner. Drum roll please...

Congratulations to Jeralee!

Please check your inbox for my email.

A sincere thank you to everyone else who entered and wish you all a great weekend :)

Linking Up With:

Tara @ Fabulous But Evil Jean @ What Jean Loves Andrea @ Glam Hungry Mom

Liebster Q&A

2013-04-10T13:24:00.002-07:00

Happy Hump Day!

As in Wednesday, not Valentines Day...silly ;)

My dearest blogosphere friend Cayli @ Night Chayde, tagged me in her Liebster award. While it isn't an actually award, it's an opportunity to learn more about the women behind some great up-and-coming blogs.

11 Facts about Kali:

* I was born/raised in Southern California, & moved to my Lover's home state of Texas just over a year ago.

* I speak Spanish but wouldn't exactly call myself fluent.

* I'm an August baby and a Leo.

* Dumb and Dumber never fails to make me laugh and is therefore my favorite movie.

* I studied History in college, with my concentration being in Ancient History.

* I REALLY love traveling and hope to visit London, and Egypt to see the great pyramids someday.

* I'm a cat whisperer lol. Seriously, I can call cats right up to me.

* I'm a bad cook - sad, but true.

* The alien movie "Fire in the Sky" pretty much traumatized me for life. Aliens scare me...really.

* I've experienced a big earthquake...the 6.7 Northridge Earthquake in 1994.

* I believe Jesus is my Savior.

Q&A

1. How long have you been blogging for?

I’ve been blogging since November 2012 so I’m a newbie here.

2. What blog inspired you to start your own blog?
A need for change in my life is what inspired my blog. I needed an outlet, an audience, a community to share myself with.

3. What clothing item do you own multiples of?

Cardigans! I’m trying to limit how much I wear cardigans because I don’t want to be so predictable.

4. Favorite brand of makeup?

When it comes to make-up, I really don’t have a favorite brand. My make-up bag is a hodge-podge of different brands – mostly drug store. HOWEVER, I am loyal to MAC for my studio fix foundation.

5. If you had to be left on an island with one small bag what would you cram into it?

Definitely a moisturizer with spf, lip balm….ok, I don’t know if this is just a beauty-related question but if we are talking survival, I’m going to get real – a swiss knife LOL, matches, lighter fluid, duct tape, a flare, and a picture of my babe if he wasn’t with me.

6. If you had one store to sponsor you who would it be?
I know JC Penney isn’t at the top of the most desirable department stores but they offer great clothing, shoes, accessories, handbags, house ware, etc. They even had a Jenny Packham line of accessories during the holidays. Target is awesome too!

7. Which celeb do you think you look most like?

I don’t think I look like any celebrity – at all. When I was younger I was told that I looked like Curly Sue.

8. Favorite food to eat?

Sushi is great and I love Italian. I am also really starting to enjoy Tex Mex, although since that’s pretty much all they offer in Texas I don’t really have a choice.

9. What kind of car to you drive?

Here’s my hint: I blaze trails.

10. If you could own any animal in the world what would you own?

The first ones that come to mind are the ones that would eat me…ya know, tigers, lions. I’ll stick with man’s best friend – a dog. I think animals are most beautiful in their natural habitat and not in a cage.

11. Do you have a job outside of blogging?

Yes, I work for a law firm where I daydream about being a housewife.

Tag, you're it! I'm nominating these blogs:

Holly @ Wicked Chaos
D'ana @ Collections and Volumes
Jaz @ Le Haute Jaz
Lulebelle @ Bon Vivant Beauty
Rachael @ The Growing Tree
Ms. Smitten @ Subliminally Smitten
Kasey @ Long on Love
Mandy @ Nails & Threads
Aishah @ Sincerely, Aishah
Emily @ Simple Suburbia
Aanchal @ Rebel Damsel

I'd love to learn more about these ladies with the following questions:

1. What’s the story behind your blog’s name?

2. What do you hope to gain from blogging?

3. What place in this world do you want to visit the most?

4. If you could go back in time, which era/decade would you go back to?

5. What is your favorite movie and why?

6. Do you leave comments on blogs or are you a silent reader?

7. Is your significant other involved with your blog?

8. Who, from the present or past, has influenced your personal style?

9. What do you look for in a blog (as in following a blog)?

10. What is your ultimate dream?

RULES

1. Link back to the person who nominated you.
2. Write 11 facts about yourself once nominated
3. Answer the 11 questions from the person who nominate you.
4. Nominate 11 blogs with 200 or less followers
5. Create 11 questions for those bloggers to answer.

Thanks again Cayli, you are awesome!

Yummy Potluck Idea: Choc-berries!

2013-04-09T13:15:00.003-07:00

Hi ladies, hope everyone had a great weekend!

I was having an awesome weekend on my mini vacation until I broke a finger on my right hand :( My mom thought it was hysterical that it happened to be my middle finger which, by the way, is constantly in F-mode thanks to my new splint. Oh the things we take for granted...especially being able to wipe your bottom easily. I dread bowel movements...yes, I went there. Let's be real lol.

Now that Spring and good weather are here (sorry mid-west) barbecues and family get-togethers are popping up left and right. A few weeks ago we had a big birthday bash with the in-laws, and while I wasn't asked to bring anything, I decided it was the courteous thing to do. I spent days racking my brain trying to figure out what to bring. Intimidation factor 1: I don't cook well. Intimidation factor 2: These ladies cook VERY well. Can you relate to a similar situation?

If I'm not the only one who is challenged in the culinary arts, I have a simple solution for you: Chocolate-covered strawberries! Tasty? Yes. Finger-lickin' good? Yes. Skill required? No! It's also pretty inexpensive and you can mix and match fruit and chocolate.

Here's what I used and my cost:

1 32.0 oz Case of Strawberries ($1.98)

2 Vases (free if you have at home. Bought mine for 99 cents ea. = $1.98)

1 3.0 oz Bag of Hershey's Sugar Free Chocolate ($1.99)

1 3.5 oz Milka White Cholocate Bar ($1 post v-day clearance)

1 3.5 oz Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Bar ($1 post v-day clearance)

1 100 ct Bag of Bamboo Skewers ($1.59)

1 Bag of Glass Stones (already had)

Total cost: $9.54

Rinse the strawberries, remove the leaves and and set them to dry. Break up the chocolate and place in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat up the chocolate for 1 minute in 20 second increments and remember to stir in between (otherwise it will burn). You want the consistency to be a little thick to reduce the dripping. Coat the dry strawberries in chocolate and set to dry. Place in the freezer for 15 minutes and then refrigerate for an hour.

Place the glass stones in the vase as they will help anchor and keep the skewers in place. Cut the skewers in varying lengths and pierce through the center of the strawberry. Arrange as desired and enjoy :)

P.S. Don't forget to enter my Pay It Forward spring giveaway here.

Nail Files: April Autism Awareness

2013-04-05T10:48:00.002-07:00

Happy FRIDAY! Is it me, or did this week fly by?

Or maybe it's because I'm taking a mini vacation tomorrow and I'm super excited :)

April is Autism Awareness Month and the world is showing support with a "Light It Up Blue" movement. The number of children born with Autism is increasing at a fast rate and it's important to bring attention to this cause. In support thereof, I'm flashing blue finger tips today :)

My Julep Intro box included a gorgeous blue glitter pot and "Michelle" - my favorite color to date. Seriously, the formula is AMAZING. This is a one-coater and has that rich quality you expect from a higher priced product.

P.S. Giveaway reminder below...

Don't forget to enter my Pay It Forward spring giveaway here.

Good luck :)

Linking Up With:

Tara @ Fabulous But Evil Jean @ What Jean Loves Andrea @ Glam Hungry Mom