Glossy Blonde

What's In My Bag (Update)

2013-05-22T00:01:00.000-04:00

I wanted to do an updated What's In My Bag post since it's been awhile since my last one, besides the fact that I've changed bags numerous times since then! And I thought it would be fun to do this as a video on my YouTube Channel, that way you get a good look and explanation rather than just the photos.

I hope you enjoy! And if you do, please support my channel by clicking the "thumbs up" on the video, and subscribing!

Some of the items mentioned in this video:

Cambridge Satchel Pastel Satchel in Rose

Coach Leather Card Case (similar)
Bath & Body Works Antibacterial PocketBac

Sephora Mirror

Rosebud Perfume Co. Rosebud Salve

L'Oreal Color LeGloss in Watermelon Crush

Philosophy Melon Daiquiri Lip Shine
Buxom Lip Polish in Dani
NYX MegaShine Lip Glossin Sugar Pie (on sale!)
L'Occitane Hand Cream

J.R. Watkins Hand & Cuticle Salve

Heart you!

Styled: The White Tee

2013-05-21T00:01:00.002-04:00

I was really excited to be invited by Amber to be part of a style collaboration featuring the white tee. Since this is one of my favorite pieces in my closet, and probably the item that I wear the most, I felt that this collaboration was really true to my personality and my style!

~ Outfit ~

Threads 4 Thought Tee (similar) // J.Crew Jeans // J.Crew Denim Jacket // Zara Heels

Classy With A Kick Necklace (c/o) // Coach, Kate Spade & Classy With A Kick (c/o) Bracelets

INPINK Ring (c/o)

The weather has been absolutely amazing lately, and in the spirit of warm, summer days, I decided to go all-white, with just a few pops of color in my accessories. These white jeans have been a staple for me this spring, and I'm actually surprised they haven't gotten coffee, lipstick, dirt or anything else on them (yet) - I am not exactly known for my graceful demeanor. So, I was a bit nervous about wearing white on white all day, but I got through it unscathed! I call that a good day!

Don't forget to link up with us this Friday, May 24th on Real Girl Glam and show us how you style the white tee!

Byeeeee.

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Transatlantic Blonde, Real Girl Glam, Stylelixir, Get Your Pretty On and Fashion & Beauty Finds

Nailed It: Essie Mochacino (Nude Nail Obsession!)

2013-05-20T00:01:00.001-04:00

Nude nails are like nude pumps - a fabulous accessory for a clean, sophisticated look. Nude polish does not compete with an outfit, and it also gives the appearance of longer, more graceful hands.

Essie Mochacino is one of my favorite neutral polishes. This is a creamy taupe shade with a gorgeous silvery shimmer. The shimmer is what first caught my eye - it adds a bit of life to the polish that makes it perfect for day or night. I'm obsessed.

Here's some more nude nail polish I've been loving lately!

Nails, Inc. polish in Basil Street is one of my absolute favorites. My bottle is down to a quarter full because I use it so much (those are my nails in #3). The Ciate Cream Tea polish, a gorgeous mushroom shade with gold shimmer, is also near and dear to my heart.

And of course, we can't forget Urban Decay and all of their glorious Naked-ness. Yessiree, there's a Naked Nail Set in addition to the ever-so-popular Naked eye palettes, foundation, BB Cream and cheek palette (etcetera, etcetera). Awesome.

How do you feel about nude polish?

Images: 1. Glamour.com, 2. Allure.com, 3. My Own, 4. Glamour.com

Linking up with Molly, Heather and Tara!

Link Love: 5.17.13

2013-05-17T00:01:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday! This was a long week for me. I hadn't been feeling so great early on, but I was thinking it was just allergies until BAM... I'm sick. Blahhhh.

If I can muster up some energy, I plan on doing some yardwork this weekend - getting rid of some dead bushes and plants and hopefully adding some curb appeal to our new home. I have to say, the previous homeowners did a lot of work planting flowers and trees and I feel so lucky! We have a cherry blossom tree, a couple of gorgeous hydrangea bushes (white hydrangeas with a little bit of pink speckle - so pretty!), a sprinkling of little purple lilies (I think???) and yellow and red tulips, among other things! If we just trim down a few plants and get rid of the dead ones, I think we can make our yard pretty great!

The Hubs and I have been talking about signing up for a Home Depot workshop to learn how to revamp our deck and patio, and keep our plants in tip top shape. Have any of you ever done one of the workshops with Home Depot? I'd love to know what you thought of it!

And now for this week's link love!

~ Graduating? Check out this style guide for the big day!

~ A yummy dessert made into a drink. I can definitely get behind this.

~ This would be so much fun to make for a birthday party... or a cookout... or just because. :)

~ I love the look of braided hair, especially in the summer, so I'm always on the hunt for great new looks to try!

~ A few reminders to keep your skin looking beautiful.

~ I am starving now after seeing this perfect warm-weather dinner recipe.

~ And finally, I am participating in a fun style collab next Friday, May 24th! And you're welcome to join, too!

Have a fabulous weekend!

Workout Essentials (And A Giveaway)

2013-05-16T00:01:00.000-04:00

I created a list of workout essentials to help myself get my butt back in gear. Especially now that my office building has a gym in it (and it's free). Not to mention the fact that the weather is finally getting nice and I live in a quiet neighborhood that's perfect for runs or walks with the dogs. Seriously, at this point, I have no more excuses.

Sports Bra / iPod Shuffle / Sneakers / Gym Bag / Water Bottle / Headband

I think it's more fun to think about working out when I have cool stuff to look forward to using. That, and I get to go shopping for cool stuff to look forward to using. Win-win.

What are your workout essentials???

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today I'd like you to meet Jessica! Jessica blogs over at Love and Loyally, and she's been a long time blog friend of mine! Jessica is generously giving away a $20 Target Gift Card!

Blog / Bloglovin / Instagram / Twitter

Love & Loyally is a blog about life, style, & southern charm. You'll find outfit inspirations, beauty favorites, and tidbits about my life. There's also a good chance you'll see pictures of my adorable dogs. So come visit me; I'd just love to have you!

Enter to win via the Rafflecopter widget below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

Origami Owl Giveaway

2013-05-15T00:01:00.000-04:00

I am in love with my necklace from Origami Owl!

(If you follow me on Instagram, you may have already seen the photo above!)

Vanessa Klotz, an Independent Designer for the company, recently contacted me and offered to send me a necklace and living locket of my choosing to review. I checked out her website and was thrilled at the selection of metals (silver, gold and rose gold - my current favorite) and charms. I chose a long, rose-gold chain and the "Faith" plates for my living locket; and to offset the rose gold, I went with a silver locket that included crystals. You know I love to sparkle! For charms, I chose my first initial ("N") and of course, a dog bone.

Are you shocked? Really??

The necklace came in a Chinese-food take-out-like container with the Origami Owl logo and owl. It was too cute! Inside the container were separate bags containing each of the items that went along with my necklace, along with an little keepsake box.

I have been wearing this necklace every single day since I took it out of the package, and I am not just saying that because the company sent it to me. My boss and every one of my coworkers can vouch for this. And that's a lot to say, because I love jewelry and rarely wear the same necklace twice in a row, rather than every day for a week! I love it!!!

And one lucky reader will win a living locket from Vanessa! Your locket will be customized to your preferences and will include the following:

~ Silver ball station chain ~

~ Large silver locket with crystals ~

~ 4 charms of the winner's choice ~

~ One dangle ~

Enter via the Rafflecopter widget below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What would your story be???

Every jewelry creation serves as a reminder of who you are, where you have been, where you are going and the dreams you carry in your heart. So, look inside yourself to create fun, fashionable, meaningful jewelry that is as unique as you are.

Legal Stuff:

Giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only. Each entry will be verified and all entries for an individual will be void if any one of the entries is non-complaint. Glossy Blonde is not responsible for the delivery or execution of prizes. This giveaway is void where prohibited.

Good luck!

Peanut Butter And Jelly Cookies

2013-05-14T00:01:00.000-04:00

I made these peanut butter and jelly cookies a couple of years ago, inspired by a visit to Stonewall Kitchen. My husband is a huge peanut butter and jelly fan, and has since requested that I make them every birthday for the rest of his life. This year, his birthday fell soon after our move into our new house and at a time when we were in the middle of construction in the kitchen. Since I didn't get the chance to make the cookies for his birthday, I jumped at the opportunity the moment the construction was completed and our kitchen was (finally) unpacked.

Ingredients
(adapted from Stonewall Kitchen)

3/4 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup plus 3 tbsp granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 jar jam or fruit preserves (I used Stonewall Kitchen Strawberry Jam)

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in a separate mixing bowl and set aside.

3. Beat together the peanut butter and butter until blended and fluffy.

4. Add 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar, and cream until smooth.

5. Beat in the egg and vanilla.

6. Sift the flour mixture slowly into the peanut butter mixture and combine until the mixture is completely blended and smooth.

7. Roll small pieces of dough into 1-inch balls and place on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet approximately 2 inches apart.

8. Make an indentation on each cookie with the back of a teaspoon and fill the indentation with approximately 1/4 teaspoon of the jam or preserves.

9. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown on the edges. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to let cool completely.

Enjoy!

Safe Sun: Tan Towel Self-Tanning Towelettes

2013-05-13T00:01:00.001-04:00

As the statistics (and my own personal fear) for skin cancer are on the rise, now is a better time than ever to start self-tanning. After a slew of bad experiences (streaking, missed spots, glow-in-the-dark orange skin...), I vowed never to self-tan again. I tried Mystic Tan a few years after I got over the initial terror, since it seemed pretty fool proof, but it didn't live up to my high expectations.

Enter Tan Towel.

Tan Towels are thin, cloth-like towelettes (somewhat like your typical Wet Wipes) that are pre-moistened with self-tanner. They come in two sizes: Full Body (9" x 12" sheet) and Half Body (9" by 7" sheet); and two formulas: Classic (for fair-to-medium skin tones) and Plus (for medium-to-dark skin tones).

Tan Towel offers numerous other products as well, such as exfoliator towelettes, moisturizer, bronzer, and various kits. However, I am only going to focus on the actual Tan Towel today, as this is the only item I purchased from the brand.

(via)

I purchased the Classic Tan Towel in the Full Body size. So, prior to applying, I showered and exfoliated with a scrub specifically purposed for prepping for a self-tan (Tan Towel recommends that you avoid washing with any soaps or body washes that contain oils or creams, as they can inhibit the development of the color on your skin). I exfoliated my entire body, focusing on areas that can become a bit more dry - elbows, knees, etc.

Post-shower, I dried off completely and opened the package. The first time I did this, I was surprised at the size of the towelette and unfolded the entire thing right away. It was a little awkward to apply completely unfolded - it kept bunching up, and towards the end, much of the self-tanner that was left was around the edges. So, I recommend you keep the towelette folded, and focus on one area at a time, applying the self-tanner in circular motions, then re-folding the towelette to a more moistened area as needed. This way worked much better for me.

I also recommend you take enough time to ensure each area is completely covered, but still move quickly enough to ensure that the towelette does not dry out.

I was happy to see that the formula dried very quickly - almost right away. There was no awkward waiting in the bathroom, afraid to move a certain way and risk botching the process.

The instructions recommended that I follow with Tan Towel's "On The Glow" moisturizer. I didn't buy this, but I did follow with my own moisturizer (this is one of the best, and SO inexpensive!) since it is always a good idea to keep your skin moisturized when self-tanning. Well-hydrated skin helps to keep the color even, and will extend the life of your tan.

The great thing about Tan Towel is that you can never apply too much self-tanner with this product. You can go over an area a million times and it will not become a million times darker than another area. As long as you hit every area of your body with the self-tanner, you will be left with a completely even tan. It's great, especially for those who fear self-tanning as much as I do did.

After just 2 hours, I looked like I just got back from the beach! And I was pretty freaking pale prior to using these. I started to notice fading after about 5 days, which is really great, considering the length of many self-tanning products is only a few days (Note: I did moisturize every single day!). I could have waited a full week before re-applying, but I wanted to keep the color consistent so I re-applied on the 5-day mark.

So, end result, I am thrilled with Tan Towel. My tan is tan (not orange), even (not streaky), and most importantly, I'm not damaging my skin or my health.

Tan Towel gets the Glossy Blonde Stamp Of Approval!

I highly recommend it!

*I bought my Tan Towels with my own money, and was in no way contacted or compensated by Tan Towel to write this post.

A Little Craft Beer & Some Link Love: 5.10.13

2013-05-10T00:01:00.000-04:00

I am a huge fan of craft beer. I have my favorites, but I also love to explore and find delicious new brews. My friend Kristin has been reviewing craft beers on her Food & Beer Fridays posts for as long as I can remember discovering her blog; and every week I head on over to find out what new beers she's tried so I can take notes and check them out.

Today, I decided to join Kristin in Food & Beer Fridays with one of my rediscoveries (and new favorites)! I love Founders Brewing Co., so while scoping out the beer selection at my liquor store recently I decided to pick up a package of the Founders Dirty Bastard. I haven't had this beer in years, but I remembered loving it so it deserved the rediscovery!

Dirty Bastard is a scotch ale (one of my favorite types of beer). The beer color is a deep amber with a creamy, thin head. The flavor is malty with a slight bitterness, but it goes down silky smooth with a notes of coffee and caramel. And I love that although this beer is full of depth and complexity, the flavors don't muddle or fight for attention, making it extremely drinkable. If it didn't have 8.5% alcohol, I'd have another immediately!

Now for some link love (I'm thirsty).

~ The Mean Girls of Fashion. This stuff happens alllll the time and this post is definitely worth a read (especially for brand reps, sales reps and yes, even bloggers).

~ Eeek! Does your favorite lipstick contain lead???

~ Abuse happens far more often than we would like to think, and many women don't know how to leave. Please share this post on how to remove yourself from an abusive relationship.

~ I just got way too excited about this, but I love Nutter Butters and never thought to make my own.

~ A gorgeously summery, fresh take on the smoky eye.

~ We all deal with death at one point or another, and Katie gives some great advice on how to support a loved one who is grieving. This is good for all of us to know.

~ Sometimes sunburns happen, even when we're careful. These are great tips for caring for a sunburn if it happens (but try not to let it).

Have a great weekend!! xo

Amarte Skincare ~ Heart & Seoul Collection

2013-05-09T00:01:00.000-04:00

(via)

I was recently sent the Amarte Heart & Seoul Collection, along with a full size Natural Finish BB Cream for review. This collection is a luxurious, and spa-like skincare system meant to cleanse, hydrate, protect and rejuvinate the skin. The Amarte brand uses Eastern holistic minerals with Western innovative medicine for the perfect marriage of East and West.

Amarte, in Korean, directly translates to " to love you," which works quite nicely with Amarte's motto:

Love yourself. Love your skin.

Can we just stop for a moment and admire how absolutely gorgeous the packaging is?!

I know it's just packaging, but the branding and presentation is what you see prior to actually using this product. The message I got from this packing was luxe, nourishing, and feminine. I couldn't wait to try everything out!

If we're being real here, I've always kind of hated my skin. It's dry - more dry than I'd like most of the time - and I have some scaring from the breakouts of my younger days. I also hate my nose, but the only thing that's going to fix that puppy is a scalpel so let's move on.

Amarte's Heart & Seoul Collection comes packaged with full size bottles of the Daily Wonder Cleansing Foam, AquaVeil Hydrator, HydroLift Cream, and Eyeconic Eye Cream; and it also includes two generous samples of the Natural Finish BB Cream in the shades Light and Natural.

(via)

The bottles all contain pumps, which I love for sanitary reasons, as well as for product control. I was surprised to see such a small amount of product released from the pump; however I learned quickly that a little goes a long way with this brand.

The Daily Wonder Cleansing Foam terrified me at first. Foaming face washes tend to dry me out like crazy. But I was happy to see that this actually created a rich, creamy lather. My skin felt extraordinarily clean after washing. I found that I did need two pumps of product on days I wore more makeup versus days that I went more natural, but nonetheless, the product always removed all of my makeup and left my skin feeling fresh.

I followed with the HydraVeil Hydrator, a light gel that tones and prepares skin for moisture absorption and retention. The gel feels great going on (it is infused with cucumber, which makes it quite refreshing) and assists in hydrating without becoming greasy.

Next I applied the HydroLift Cream, which is a creamy, silky moisturizer containing retinol for smoothing lines and wrinkles. I don't really have wrinkles, but I have been freaking out about some fine lines that I've noticed around my eye area, so I am thankful for the retinol! This product has been perfect for me, leaving my skin completely hydrated throughout the day, but I believe it may be too heavy for oily skin types.

The Eyeconic Eye Cream is quite emollient, almost a bit heavy if you apply too much, but it leaves the skin under the eyes super smooth and super silky. It also contains retinol (score)! I absolutely love it, but I should mention that the tiniest amount really does go a long way with this product. It takes a bit of to absorb and can get a little greasy if too much is applied. Nonetheless, I have never used an eye cream this good. I swear I already see a difference in the lines around my eyes after using this morning and night for a few weeks. Incredible.

Finally, let's discuss the Natural Finish BB Cream. I tried both shades, and the shade Natural fits me best since I have been self-tanning. Unfortunately, the full size product I received was the Light shade, but I'll definitely hold on to it for my paler days! It's a little disappointing that this BB Cream doesn't come in a deeper shade to match darker skin tones - this seems to be a problem with many BB Creams.

The Natural Finish BB Cream blended seamlessly into my skin, and I was surprised at the level of coverage. The cream covered my imperfections better than most BB Creams I've tried - the tint definitely provides a solid medium coverage. My skin felt moisturized all day, and looked completely natural. Plus, it contains SPF 35+, so there is no need to worry about layering with another sunscreen after use.

(via)

My takeaway from the experience I've had with this skincare line is that it is probably a bit heavy for those with oily skin. I even got a touch of oil in my T-zone on particularly hot days. However, the products are super luxurious smell amazing, and seem to do a great job of cleaning and moisturizing skin, and minimizing the appearance of aging. I will definitely be purchasing the Amarte Eyeconic Eye Cream and Natural Finish BB Cream in the future!

Check out the Amarte Skin Care website for more information or to purchase, and be sure to follow them on Twitter and Instagram as well!

Have a great day!

This post was sponsored by Amarte Skin Care; however all opinions are 100% my own.

Inside My April Glossybox (And A Giveaway)

2013-05-07T00:01:00.002-04:00

My April Glossybox has been unboxed! Have I mentioned how much I love Glossybox? Just in case I haven't, I LOVE Glossybox. Never a bad box. Seriously!

But oh my gosh, you guys! I had some serious technical difficulties with this post. Most of it was user error, and I am kicking myself for it! I happily filmed my unboxing video for my April Glossybox, watched it play through the viewfinder to ensure that it filmed, then plugged the camera in to my computer to upload the video and went on with my day (it takes awhile to upload these videos). What I didn't realize was that my camera battery was super low, and halfway through uploading, the battery died and the upload failed. I tend to delete all of my previous photos from my camera after they're uploaded, so when I went to take photos for another upcoming post, I deleted the video without realizing it was never uploaded!

FAIL.

Anyway, I've got no fun unboxing video for you BUT I do have photos of this month's box and it's contents! So let's take a look at my April Glossybox! It was awesome!

April's box was dedicated to feel good products that invigorate and inspire us to work our natural beauty!

Inside the boxaroo:

~ Alterna Bamboo Style Boho Waves Tousled Texture Mist ~

~ Bvlgari Eau Parfumee au the Blanc Tea Bag for Bath ~

~ The Honest Company Honest Organic Lip Balm ~

~ TIGI Cosmetics Glow Blush ~

~ Wash With Joe Coffeemint Invigorating Body Wash ~

~ Le Metier De Beaute Replenishing Daily Solution (with Glossybox member exclusive!) ~

Alterna Bamboo Style Boho Waves Tousled Texture Mist

$22.00 / 4.2 oz. Full Size

I love Alterna Bamboo products and I am also a huge fan of salt sprays in the summer! This spray is meant to give beachy, boho-chic texture while adding volume and healthy shine and it contains "organic bamboo and blue yucca root for sustainable style" - very cool. Heart it! The spray can be used on both damp or dry hair, and it adds just enough texture to up the wave factor without making my hair sticky - it actually leaves my hair shiny and quite touchable, which is rare for these kinds of sprays. And it smells amazing. I've tried a lot of salt sprays and this one is my new favorite. Snap this one up girlies - it's GOOD.

Bvlgari Eau Parfumee au the Blanc Tea Bag for Bath

$9.50 / .50 oz. Full Size (Full Size Received)

Ohhhh my gosh, this scent. While I haven't yet used the tea bag in a bath (our master bath is in the middle of a remodel and it's half-painted), I can absolutely see myself completely relaxing in a bath with this product. The scent is hard to describe, besides amazing, but I'll try. There's an herbal tea element to it, mixed with a powdery, enveloping muskiness. I can't wait to soak in a bath with this tea bag on a Friday after a long work week!

The Honest Company Honest Organic Lip Balm

$10.95 / 3 Pack (.15 oz)

This was possibly the best part of the video I had filmed - when I unboxed this lip balm, I kind of flipped out. The sweet orange vanilla flavor is reminiscent of Orange Julius for me. Have you heard of Orange Julius? Every time my Dad and I would go to the mall growing up, he would stop and get us an Orange Julius. Every single time. I loved them! And I love this lip balm! It's super softening and emollient without being too balmy. It's perfect for wearing under lipstick or alone, and it doesn't provide much shine - just tons of softness - so my husband can use it too.

TIGI Cosmetics Glow Blush
$22.00 / 0.7 oz. Full Size (Full Size Received)

The color I received was Haute, a gorgeous, shimmery almost brick-y shade with rose gold tones. Nice description, huh?! But seriously, gorgeous is the best way to describe it. I've recently started self-tanning and this blush looks SO good on my tanned skin. It enhances the glow and leaves a pretty, almost candle-lit glow. Love this blush!

Wash With Joe Coffeemint Invigorating Body Wash
$28.00 / 16 oz. Full Size

I hate to bring down the love-fest, but I'm not sure about this one. I can't decide if I like the scent or hate it. It's definitely different - a true mix of coffee and mint. I gave it to my husband, because I could see him really liking it, and he didn't love the smell either. So, not my favorite, but what can you do? The rest of the box definitely made up for it.

Le Metier De Beaute Replenishing Daily Solution
$225.00 / 1.7 oz. Full Size ($150 with the Glossybox Member Exclusive!)

I know that sounds crazy - on sale for only $150 for Glossybox members! But if you tried this stuff, you would be excited for the $75.00 off the original price, too. It's so smoothing, and I definitely see a difference in the appearance of my skin after using it. This is a miracle cream.

If you're interested in learning more about Glossybox, or to subscribe to receive your own box of goodies in the mail each month, check out the Glossybox website!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Have you met Jenn? Jenn blogs over at The Wannabe Housewife and, like me, she is quite the lover of beauty products! She's also a mom to two adorable kids! Jenn loves to share her beauty tips and tricks, great recipes, and of course, her love for her family, so be sure to check out her blog!

Hello, Loves! I'm Jenn and I blog over at The Wannabe Housewife where you will read all about my love for my little family, my obsession for beauty products, and of course my taste for delicious foods. I believe in bringing back old fashioned values with new generation sass!

And Jenn is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card, along with 3 months of ad space on her blog! Enter via the Rafflecopter widget below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

BlogGo - Blogging On The Go Made Easy

2013-05-06T00:01:00.000-04:00

(via)

This post is for all of the Blogger users out there - do you use the BlogGo app??? If not, you've got to check it out! When Dana at Wonder Forest contacted me to review the app, I was excited to tell her that I had already downloaded and been using it!

(via)

BlogGo is super easy to use and allows you to write, edit and publish your posts to Blogger on the go (get it - BlogGo). And it's MUCH better than the Blogger app. Let's not even go there.

With BlogGo, you have pretty much all of the formatting options that you do in the desktop version of Blogger. You can schedule and save your posts, upload photos (and choose the size as necessary!), and you can even draft and edit posts using either the Compose or HTML mode!

BlogGo also contains a toolbar for easy formatting, with embedded spellcheck and autocorrect functions to make life so much easier.

I drafted a sample post to show you the ease of creating and formatting a blog post using BlogGo:

BlogGo has baby goat's approval!

Aaaand, BlogGo even has options for editing or publishing existing posts, moderating comments, and even gives you a platform for keeping up with your GFC and RSS subscriptions:

And, it's a great deal, too! Only $2.99 for all of this awesomeness. That's less than a Starbucks Latte. Holla.

Go snap it up - it's available in the App Store!

You'll be glad you did.

*This post was sponsored by BlogGo, but all opinions are 100% my own.\

Linking up with Molly and Carly

Link Love: 5.3.13

2013-05-03T00:01:00.000-04:00

I cannot believe how quickly this year is flying by! I'm so glad it's May and the weather has finally gotten beautiful! I can't wait for all the Red Sox games, barbecues, al fresco dining, hammock naps and beach days to come!

I know many of you are waiting on a house tour and photos, but we are still working away! We've still got quite a bit of painting to do and a few pieces of furniture to buy for the house. Once that is complete I promise promise promise I will share some photos of our home!

And on another note, I'm making the switch to a healthier, all-natural diet. Attempted switch, I should say (I did eat a peanut butter Rice Krispies treat from Whole Foods and it was amazing). As part of this, I switched from espresso to tea. And I started off with a couple of decaf teas at that. After a few migraines and one particularly nasty mood, I feel so much better in the mornings and throughout the day!

Read on for this week's link love!

~ I'm a pretty high strung human, so admittedly, I stress a lot. I also like to eat (a lot) so I was happy to come across this post. Apparently I need to eat a lot more strawberries.

~ Speaking of food, I can definitely see myself baking these for an al fresco weekend breakfast with the Hubby.

~ This outfit is so chic, and I love the unexpected pop of color!

~ I am just starting to learn how to make jewelry, so this guide to jewelry pliers was definitely helpful!

~ These would be SO much fun to make for a party - or any time, really (in my world, at least)!

~ I love mojitos in the warm weather months, and I can't wait to try this mojito recipe! Every time I say mojito I think of Brian on Family Guy... "moooo-JI-to."

~ Great ideas on what to do with old clothes when you clean out your closet.

April Beauty Favorites

2013-05-02T00:01:00.000-04:00

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7

Julep Essential Cuticle Oil - I like to keep my cuticles constantly moisturized, it makes my manicures last longer and I feel that my hands just look better in general when my cuticles are well groomed. This cuticle oil is the best I've used so far. The hydration it provides seems to last quite awhile, and my cuticles look better than ever!

I have been using Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow for years. YEARS. Before I knew that Benefit was re-releasing these, I ran out and freaked out because I thought they were being discontinued. Thank goodness they were not. I would have been beside myself. I have almost every shade, but my consistent go-to is RSVP, a shimmery champagne. These eyesahdows last for hours without fading or creasing. And they're beyond gorgeous!

Sephora Nano Eyeliner is a cheapie but a goodie! I buy these in bulk because they're such great pencils. The pencil is creamy and glides on, and the color blends easily. And they are long lasting, yet easy to remove at night. A fave for sure!

L'Oreal Ellnett Strong Hold Hairspray has such a fine mist, my hair never gets hard or sticky. Plus I can use a generous amount without getting helmet head. My hair is still touchable and soft, and it moves like there's nothing in it, yet at the same time, my flyaways and little bang hairs stay put.

I've been wearing the Revlon Nearly Naked Makeup every single day since I got it. And when I run out, I'm buying more. I may actually go and stock up before I run out, just because I'm all crazy like that. You can read my full review here.

And... I always apply my Nearly Naked Makeup with my beautyblender! Always always always. Since I started using the beautyblender sponges, I can't live without them! I've found that these are highly superior to any makeup brushes, sponges, and my little ole' fingers when applying foundation. If you haven't tried beautyblender yet, I highly, HIGHLY recommend it! Your life will never be the same. No seriously though.

100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Blush in Strawberry - This blush is AMAZING. Not only is it all natural (hence the brand name: 100% Pure), but the color (Strawberry) gives me a gorgeous, healthy flush, and I don't even need to use a bronzer with it. It's such great quality and it's incredibly pigmented - a little goes a long way and although I've been using it every day for at least a month now, I've barely made a dent in the compact.

Want to see a more in-depth review and discussion about why I love these products so much???

Click on over to my YouTube Channel (or below) and watch my "April Beauty Favorites" video!

{Necklace - Classy with a Kick / Top - Banana Republic}

Yes, yes. Another YouTube video! Twice in one week... cray.

If you like this video, please support my YouTube Channel by subscribing and clicking the "thumbs up"!

What beauty products have you been loving lately?

Misikko HANAair Hair Dryer

2013-05-01T00:01:00.002-04:00

I have been seriously swooning over the HANAair hairdryer, so I was obviously ecstatic when Misikko contacted me to review one!

The HANAair Professional Hair Dryer is a ceramic, 2300 watt hairdryer that contains tourmaline crystals (to add shine and promote healthy hair) and silver nanotechnology (to provide antibacterial protection), and it's said to have the longest motor life in the industry! This is Misikko's premiere hairdryer and their best selling model.

Not only did I receive this incredible hairdryer from the company, but Misikko sent me a whole bunch of goodies to go along with it! I got a stuffed teddy bear (love!), chocolates which were quickly devoured, a hair brush, eyelash curler, nail files, hand sanitizer (they must know me...), and a heat pad. Holy moly!

Back to the dryer.

Up until now, I've had two hairdryers - a $200 T3 one and a $16 Conair one. The $16 one is o-kay, it does the job (albeit my hair is left a little frizzy sometimes), and, well, I'm just going to say it - I hate the $200 one. It takes forever to dry my hair and doesn't apply enough heat to smooth or straighten well. And I don't even have particularly tough hair to straighten. Although it's dense (meaning I have a lot of hair), the texture is fine and somewhat wavy.

So that said, I've been jaded and a bit hesitant to drop my hard earned cash on another expensive dryer. But I'll tell you, I've been using this dryer for a few weeks now and it's WORTH IT. It's actually pretty amazing!

The HANAair dryer feels strong in my grip, it's easy to hold and doesn't move around too much while I'm drying. There are two speed settings and both settings KICK (in a really, really good way). The "high" setting is what I usually use to get my hair dry super fast, but the medium setting is great and still dries my hair quickly. My long hair usually takes forever to dry, but this dryer has consistently worked to dry my hair in about half the time I normally spend on it. Obviously, I am thrilled because this leaves me with extra time in the morning to take photos of my fat kitty mowing his food the second I put it down, and other productive things like that.

As far as heat is concerned, there's no problem there either. The "hot" setting stands up to its name and works it's magic quickly; and the "warm" setting is a bit more gentle, yet still hot enough to get the wave out of my hair..I find that I actually prefer the warm setting, just because after awhile the hot did feel quite hot. But nonetheless, my hair is left smooth, soft and shiny time after time, and it feels soooo healthy.

There is also a cool shot button that I use mainly for finishing purposes, to smooth the hair shaft and increase shine. The cool shot worked very well, but the only caveat I have is that it's hard to tell from the dryer whether the button has been pressed (until, obviously, you feel cool air). Luckily, my body contains nerve endings that know the difference.

Last but not least, there is a nozzle attachment included, which is great for drying in sections. I've had trouble with nozzles that are too large or too rounded in the past, but this one is appropriately sized and flat, which makes it much easier to direct the airflow to each sectioned piece of hair.

If you're interested in purchasing your own HANAair Professional Hair Dryer, or checking out the rest of Misikko's fabulous selection of salon quality hairdryers and flat irons, head on over to their website or Facebook page!

This post was sponsored by Misikko, but all opinions are 100% my own.

Want vs. Will (And A Giveaway)

2013-04-30T00:01:00.000-04:00

It's no secret that I have been obsessing over the wonderfully neon Kate Spade "Licorice" Pumps lately. But the Hubbs has got me on a pretty tight leash spending-wise lately (and rightfully so - we still have a lot of furniture to buy for our house)!

I am thrilled to have found a similar heel in the Sole Society "Fergie" Pump! And for 1/6th the price. You really can't beat that deal!

Is there something you're absolutely craving lately???

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Have you met Lindsay? I love this girl! She blogs over at Pursuit of Pink and today, she's giving away a $25 Loft Gift Card!!!

Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter

Hi everyone! I’m Lindsay and I blog over at Pursuit of Pink, which is my little place of happiness on the internet. I blog about all things that make me happy: beauty, personal style, home décor, recipes, organization and more. And yes, my favorite color is pink, so there is plenty of that great color all over my blog. I am a person who tries hard to stay positive and I certainly hope my blog is uplifting to each of my readers. I'd love for you to stop by and say hello!

Enter via the Rafflecopter widget below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

April Birchbox

2013-04-29T00:01:00.000-04:00

I present to you my April Birchbox! This Birchbox was quite possibly the best one yet!

Check out my unboxing video below, complete with video bombs of my cat and my dog's tail... Next time I think I will close the door before I start filming!

(via my YouTube Channel ~ youtube.com/glossyblondeblog)

Here's what was in the box:

J.R. Watkins Hand & Cuticle Salve
$8.99 / 2.1 oz.

I received the lavender scent, which is one of my favorite scents. I threw this in my bag to use on my cuticles throughout the day, and it's also been great for smoothing dry spots on my hands on colder days. I even used a little to sooth my skin during a rough eczema outbreak (don't ever get eczema, it sucks) and it held me over well until I got home and could use my prescription cream. I'm kind of obsessed. Did I mention I love the scent?

Kiehl's Powerful Strength Line Reducing Concentrate
$58.00 / 1.7 oz.

I haven't been using this long enough to give you a detailed review, but let me know if you'd like to see a full review of this product down the road. This serum is meant to be used twice a day and is said to reduce wrinkles and fine lines while revitalizing the complexion. Over the last couple of days I do feel like my skin is glowing and a lot more healthy looking, and I hope and pray it really does start to reduce the fine lines around my eyes. Now that I noticed them, they're all I see!

Nexxus Youth Renewal Rejuvenating Elixir
$20.99 / 28 ml.

I love this stuff, and I said in the video that I knew I would! It smells soooo good, leaves my hair really healthy looking. I only use a tiny amount because I'm nervous about the product weighing down my fine hair but even so, it's all I need to use to smooth my hair after washing and conditioning.

Mirenesse Glossy Kiss
$26.55 / 4 g.

This product is awesome! You can use it on lips or cheeks, and it gives a different effect depending on application (i.e. you blot the product after applying for a more matte/stainlike effect). Very cool.

Simple Revitalizing Eye Roll On
$10.99 / 0.5 oz.

This was the only product I received that was just o-kay, but it's more because I don't really get bags or dark circles under my eyes. I do love the silkiness of the product and I like to keep it in the refrigerator so that the roll-on applicator is cool to the touch (it's more soothing). However, I haven't been able to make an accurate assessment of it's effect on dark circles or bags.

If you are interested in learning more about Birchbox, or subscribing to receive your own box of fun beauty samples in the mail each month, click on over to the Birchbox website!

AND... if you liked my video, please support my YouTube Channel by subscribing and giving the "thumbs up!"

Linking up with still being [molly]!

Link Love: 4.26.13

2013-04-26T00:01:00.000-04:00

I finally got my Massachusetts license and registration taken care of! It only took me a little less than two months of being a Massachusetts resident! Woo hoo!

It's kind of a relief, because people were SO mean to me on the road when I had New Jersey plates. I'm dead serious. The same thing happened when I first moved to New Jersey and still had Massachusetts plates on my car. A couple of weeks ago, one guy cut me off in a parking lot then yelled, "This isn't Jersey!" and gave me the finger. That was awesome, since I'm from Massachusetts.

All in all, it's given me a much greater respect for drivers with out-of-state plates. Especially New York and/or New Jersey plates. Let's all be friends.

Just don't cut me off / drive too slow / drink and drive / swerve / talk or text while driving / or live anywhere near the vicinity of douche-land. Because, I am still a Massachusetts driver.

And now for this week's link love!

~ It has always been important for brands to act ethically; however in this day and age, it's even more so. Do you know how ethical your favorite brand is?

~ It's self-tanner time! You can find a list of great self-tanners and tips for getting an even (and lasting) application here.

~ We all deserve to feel more beautiful every day, and here are some suggestions on how to do just that.

~ A few great tips to have on hand - you never know when you might need them!

~ This is making me so hungry. Yes, yes, I see any type of food and it usually makes me hungry. But especially now (and it's so easy)!

~ I definitely take after my grandmother, who is in her 90s and still rocks heels on a consistent basis, so I appreciate these tips for keeping high heels comfy and lessening the risk of injury.

~ How to get what you want (and more!) by using and decoding body language.

~ Some Do's and Don'ts for your next haircut.

~ Last but not least, t's spring!!! Finally. Get out there and enjoy it. :)

Nailed It: OPI Elephantastic Pink

2013-04-25T00:01:00.001-04:00

As the weather is slowly getting warmer, I've been gravitating towards bright, happy colors for my nails. OPI Elephantastic Pink is one of those shades that continues to remain a favorite year after year. In my opinion, it's the perfect pink!

Elephantastic Pink is an opaque, creamy pink polish from OPI's India Collection. The polish is a bit thicker than some, and take a few minutes longer to dry, but the result is pretty, evenly polished nails. OPI polishes are generally strong and long lasting, and this one is no exception.

I've been using this polish for years, and I know I'll continue for years to come! It's just that great of a shade (and polish)!

What colors are on your nails lately???

Linking up with Heather and Tara!

Introducing Chippmunk!

2013-04-24T00:01:00.001-04:00

Allow me to introduce you to my new favorite way to shop... Chippmunk.com!

Chippmunk is a coupon search engine designed to give you a smarter, easier and all-around better way to shop online (and save!), and it's super easy to use! I will never shop the old way again. Seriously.

Not only is it easy to find great deals for the stores you love, but it's a great way to discover new stores! And Chippmunk is always willing to add new merchants to the ever-expanding list, so you never have to be afraid to reach out if there's a store you'd like to see!

Here's how to use this awesome site:

First, you set your budget and choose the category or categories for your search (i.e. accessories, beauty, gifts, home, jewelry, etc. etc...). In the example below, I am setting a $150 budget and searching only within Clothing.

After clicking Search you will be redirected to a page displaying all of the coupon results that are within your budget for your specified department(s). Here, you can scroll through and compare deals to find the best one for you. The top of the page contains a quick reference guide where you can compare the top offers in the specified category without having to scroll down the page. Otherwise, offers are displayed by store, beginning with the best deal.

Once you decide where you'd like to begin, click on the store. Here, I chose J.Crew because I am a bit of a J.Crew fanatic and I was in the mood to spend some moolah there anyway. You will be redirected to a new page displaying all of the current coupon codes and offers available for your selected store.

In this view, Chippmunk has included a reference point on the upper left-hand side of the page which displays the best deals from competitors of the store you are currently viewing. On the right-hand side of the page, you will find a list of curated favorites from that particular shop (and the option to "pin" any of the items to Pinterest).

Decide which discount you'd like to use (here, I went with "30% off sale items" because, well, heck yes...), and click on Click for code. The coupon code will then be revealed to you with instructions, and the store website will pop up in a new window!

You can always update your budget using the menu displayed on the left-hand side of the page, or the one at the bottom of the brand or store display.

Easy peasy, right?! I'm OBSESSED.

~~And because they are amazingly generous, Chippmunk is giving away a $50 Amazon.com Gift Card to one of my lucky readers!~~

~~PLEASE LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY~~

~~Mandatory Entries (one entry point each):~~

~~1. You must be a follower of Glossy Blonde to enter and leave a comment with your email address and letting me know how you follow.~~

~~2. Follow Chippmunk on Twitter and Pinterest.~~

~~Additional Entries (optional, worth one entry point each):~~

~~3. Tweet about the giveaway and link back to this page. Be sure to tag @nikmariec and @shopchippmunk in your tweet!~~

~~4. "Like" Chippmunk on Facebook.~~

~~5. Subscribe to the Chippmunk.com mailing list (at the bottom of the page).~~

~~6. Follow Glossy Blonde via Bloglovin, Twitter, Pinterest, and/or Instagram.~~

Giveaway closes at 11:59 PM on Tuesday, April 30, 2013. One winner will be chosen. Winner will be notified via email and may be announced publicly. Glossy Blonde is not responsible for the delivery or execution of prizes. If winner is found to have any false, misrepresented or otherwise inaccurate entries, all entries for winner will be invalidated and a new winner will be chosen.

Congratulations to Kelly on winning the $50 Amazon Gift Card!!!! I sent you an email. :)

Kelly D Saver 8 days ago

I Follow Chippmunk on Twitter and Pinterest

This post was sponsored by Chippmunk.com; however all opinions are 100% my own!

Citrus Brights And Chambray

2013-04-23T00:01:00.000-04:00

I love to wear my chambray with pretty much everything, so on a relaxed weekend day during a bout of warm weather (that lasted about four hours, but whatev), I decided to throw on my bright yellow skinnies, which I purchased a size larger for a looser, more comfortable fit, and my favorite orange necklace and head out for the day. I call these my "happy jeans" because the color makes me instantly happy, and even if it's not warm out, I can pretend that it is.

~ Outfit ~

Target Chambray (on sale!) // J.Crew Factory Skinny Jeans // Target Flats (similar)

Kate Spade Bag // Tom Ford Sunglasses

Classy With A Kick Necklace (c/o) // Coach Watch // Gifted Ring (similar)

As I get older, I'm starting to realize that I'm becoming more and more like my Yaya, who loved all things sparkly. When I threw on these flats and started out the door, my wonderful and always discerning husband gave me a cockeyed look and mumbled something to the effect that my favorite flats were "not appropriate" with this outfit. I beg to differ. Who says we can't have a little sparkle during daylight hours?!

Not me!

Have a fabulous day!!

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Transatlantic Blonde, Real Girl Glam and Stylelixir!

When Is Too Much Shopping "Too Much"?

2013-04-22T00:01:00.002-04:00

So... let's talk.

I received a comment on one of my blog posts awhile back that still resonates with me. One of my readers has a family member who loved bags and shoes so much, and lived so far outside of her means, that she actually lost her house. As a beauty and fashion blogger, where I am constantly highlighting great products and finds, it would be wrong of me not to take a moment to talk about financial responsibility.

I joke a lot about my habitual shopping and failed spending freezes, but at the end of the day, I always know what I can and can't afford, what I should and shouldn't spend money on, what I need to save for rather than impulsively splurge on, etc. I think it's so, SO important to always know how much money you're able to spend, and stop at that. If you love to shop like I do, go in with a plan. And if you're absolutely coveting something, DYING for it, save up for it until you can actually afford it.

I can't tell you how many times I have started saving up for a splurge and lost interest in it halfway through. That's the point - if you're going to spend big money on something, it should be something that you're going to love for a long, long time.

Now, of course, big money means different things to different people. It all comes down to your budget.

Maybe you have a budget that doesn't allow you much room to shop - then shop your closet. Believe me, it's fun, and you will end up putting together outfits you never thought you even had. Need inspiration? Try a 30 for 30 challenge like Kendi Everyday's 30 for 30 Remix.

Maybe you have champagne taste on a beer (or even a Mad Dog 20/20) budget. Save for the splurges that you really want and can't live without. Go shopping in stores you know you can afford, with a spending budget in mind (and stick to it). Try not to use credit cards because it's too easy to get into the "buy now, pay later" routine. Better yet, go to the bank and take out exactly what you want to spend in cash. Once the cash is gone, you can't spend anymore.

Most of all, DON'T COMPARE. This is what seems to get people in trouble time and time again. There's always going to be a bigger diamond, a more expensive bag, a prettier girl. Sorry, but not really, because it's true. The thing is, don't let that get you down. Do you know how many people there are in the world? I don't either, but it's a lot. And no one person is better than any other. Remember that.

You may not be able to afford an Hermes Birkin Bag, but darn it if you can't style the shiz out of a Forever 21 outfit. We may be lacking in some areas (and everyone is!), but we shine in others. It's all about finding where YOU shine. And embracing it. And being proud of it!!! Not wanting for the areas that aren't quite as sparkly.

I want us all to appreciate the things we do have - and I'm not just talking material things, because money can't buy the truly beautiful things in life. And I want everyone to be able to go to sleep every night knowing that everything will be alright tomorrow, and the next day, and the next...

I feel so blessed every single day for everything that I have. And you should too.

So, that's my Public Service Announcement. Live within your means. Be smart, and be responsible. Because you never know what could happen.

Got it? Good.

Boston STRONG

2013-04-20T09:53:00.000-04:00

(via)

I have never been more proud to be a Bostonian than I am right now.

Boston Strong.

A HUGE Thank You & Link Love: 4.19.13

2013-04-19T00:01:00.000-04:00

With the events this week I somehow overlooked the fact that my blog turned 1 year old on Tuesday! Happy 1st Birthday to Glossy Blonde!

I want to thank each and every one of you for your ongoing readership and your wonderful comments time and time again. I started blogging to share my favorite beauty products, outfit styling ideas and baking recipes, and I could not ever have imagined that this little blog would reach over 35,000 page views a month (and growing)!

And I owe it all to YOU, my readers and friends.

I am so very grateful to you for taking the time to click on over and read my blog. And I love the daily interaction I receive from many of you, sharing your comments and your own stories and advice. It's wonderful to have the chance to learn more about my readers! But even if you aren't the commenting type, I appreciate you so much for just being here and reading.

So, thank you. To my newer readers and the ones who have been here all along. You make blogging GREAT.

Oh, and one last thing. What was I thinking naming a post Shoe Porn??? In the last week I have received numerous hits from searches relating to porn and shoes. Gross.

Speaking of searches (and not porny ones), we can now move on to this week's Link Love!

~ How to look like you've got your shit together (even if you don't).

~ Some things to look for when you're apartment hunting.

~ Love the dress, love the accessories, and love the advice.

~ Nom nom nom. Nom.

~ A few tips from the girls of Lover.ly on how to throw an incredible bachelorette party.

~ 19 Things To Stop Doing In Your 20s.

~ Adorbs desktop wallpapers (in great color combos... and freee)!

~ Such an easy breezy outfit.

~ And most importantly... you can help victims of the Boston marathon bombings by donating to One Fund Boston!

Have a great weekend!!! xo

The Truth About Me

2013-04-18T00:01:00.001-04:00

Let's just start here: Nobody is perfect. Including me, and I will never, ever pretend to be. I embrace the things about myself that I consider imperfect, and I'm working on the things that I can change.

truth: i sometimes enjoy day drinking

My BBFF Erin (Blog BFF - yes, I know it sounds weird to my readers who are not bloggers, but it exists!) recently posted Truth, inspired by another good blog friend of mine, also named Erin, and I thought this would be a good opportunity to share mine as well. Thanks Erins!

The Good

1. I'm happy, positive and optimistic. I like try and find the good in every situation, and focus on the positive aspects of life. Life is too short not to be happy!

2. I don't take myself too seriously. I am lighthearted and I'm able to make fun of myself and the ridiculous things that I do (case in point). I love to have fun and be silly!

3. I'm a really good-hearted, compassionate person. I believe in being nice to everyone because you never know what someone might be going through. I hate to see people or animals sad or hurt. It makes me sad.

4. I'm honest. It's something that's really important to me.

5. I never pretend to be something I'm not. I'm not innocent, I'm not nice and sweet 100% of the time, and I'm not without flaws. But I own every single one of my actions, even those that I'm not proud of.

6. I love makeup and beauty products, but I am actually very relaxed with my day-to-day look. I rarely do my hair, and most days I'll thrown on a tinted moisturizer and mascara and head out. I feel very comfortable with messy hair and minimal makeup (and I actually think it can be very pretty)! Of course, I love getting all prettified and done up, but I don't do it as often as you may think.

7. I'm a pretty smart cookie.

truth: my dog does more yoga than i do... sun salutation!

The Bad

1. I am a perfectionist, through and through, but I filed this under "The Bad" because I take it to a whole new level. I like to do everything myself - I don't trust others to do things for me, although I'm getting better with that - and I get all anxious and crazy if something is not "right".

2. I can be a cranky little bitch when I haven't eaten, haven't slept, have to sit in traffic, don't feel good, or if it's raining out. Among other things.

3. I have a potty mouth. My mom made me write that in my college application essay. I "have the mouth of a trucker" - her words. I still got accepted. True story.

4. I'm loud. I try to be quiet sometimes, but then I get loud again. I have a lot of energy and I'm very enthusiastic!

5. I'm sensitive and anxious. I ruminate and worry about what others think of me.

6. I'm not good at calling people. I also sometimes look at a text, then get distracted, and it's days before I remember to respond. Same with my personal email. And don't even get me started with Facebook. I never get half of my notifications so who knows how many posts, messages, etc. I haven't responded to! I'm trying to be better with all of these!!!

The Ugly

1. It takes a lot to make me angry, but when I get to that place, I flip the eff out.

2. If a friend wrongs me (and I'm not talking about petty things, I mean really wrongs me), they don't get a second chance. I'm over it.

3. I never sleep. Like, ever. I have no trouble falling asleep, but come midnight or 1:00 AM, I'm up for the rest of the night, tossing and turning. I have Ambien but I don't like to take it a lot, so sometimes I take NyQuil or Benadryl, even if I'm not sick. And they still don't help me sleep through the night. I've taken Melatonin supplements, I've followed all of the guidelines (don't eat or drink late, don't watch tv before bed, etc. etc.) and nothing works.

4. I tanned regularly for years, up until last year actually. I've since stopped because I'm terrified of getting skin cancer, and I am really happy with how healthy my skin looks now. Except, I still think about going tanning. Pretty much every day. I just bought a couple of packages of Tan Towels, so I'm hoping to stay on the safe train with those!

truth: i still have a lot of "kid" in me

So, that's me in a nutshell! Can we still be friends?

Linking up with Shanna!