Shop With Me: Winter Solstice Edition

There is no rhyme or reason to my selections, other than they are all awesome and pretty and I want them!  And if you see anything you want, just click on the picture and it will take you right where you need to go. Plus, if you scroll over the picture it will tell you how much it's currently selling for! I try to make it super easy for you to shop with me! Enjoy!

Bath and Body Works' Love Love Love AKA: Today's Smell Good

Y'all know I love fragrance! I'm constantly using something different because so many different things smell so good to me and I tend to choose scents according to my mood. Today I selected Love Love Love from Bath and Body Works and am utterly intoxicated with its sweet effervescence! The first time I used it, I was sort of overwhelmed by how much it smelled like grape Jolly Ranchers, and I contemplated exchanging it (gotta love the 100% satisfaction guarantee that BBW has), but I'm SO GLAD I gave it another shot. This stuff is GOOD! And how much do you love the labels?!?! They're like a beautiful Monet!

Anyway, BBW describes the scent as "a lovely trio of white plum, peony petals and glittering vanilla musk." The top notes are succlulent berries, white plum, and juicy pear (which I suppose accounts for my thoughts of grape flavored hard candies), with mid notes of peony petals, lily of the valley, and freesia (and I am all about some freesia). All I know is, regardless of the description, my nose says it smells so so good! Bright and fruity/floral; just an uber feminine and unique fragrance. This is the perfect little fragrant pick me up to help you brighten up any gray day.

Have you tried Love Love Love yet? What's your favorite BBW scent? What fragrance to you turn to to uplift your mood? My inquiring mind wants to know! Leave a comment below and let me know what you think! Until next time...

Gifts for the Tips! AKA: A Gift Guide feat. NCLA, Julep, and Sally Hansen

Once again, no preamble, just the goods! Here are a few awesome gifts for the nail polish addict in your life...

Give the Gift of Good Skin!

I'm going to skip the ceremony, because by now you lovelies know that if I'm sharing it, I'm loving it! Here are a few of my favorite body products right now, and if you're into the holidays and giving gifts and all, these are perfect for sharing!

I Started an Obsession! AKA: Gifts For Guys from The Art of Shaving

Remember the Gift Guide a did a few days back geared towards the fellas? Well, I really started some what of an obsession for my father with that! I gave him the Art of Shaving Kit I featured in that post...

Bring Local Flavors to the Table with Winn-Dixie!

My family doesn’t partake in the traditional celebrations of holidays, but I can honestly say that I do enjoy the “holiday season.” I see it as an opportunity to take advantage of awesome sales and most importantly, enjoy some much needed, extended family time. My home does not feel complete to me until my hubby walks in the door, so I love when he has the day off to spend with us. Not to mention that if he has a few consecutive days off, we often trek down to see my parents and spend quality time with them as well. Of course, cooking (and sometimes baking) comes in to play on these occasions. My father and I share a deep love for baked goods and confections and though I don’t bake often, when I do, I try to make it something special, which doesn’t mean fancy, just delicious!

I’ve been cooking since I was about 12 years old; I’m the oldest of three and my mother and father worked outside of the house. Preparing dinner started as a way for me to help fill a need for my family and help out my mother. I soon discovered that I have a knack for it. I’ve never been one to follow recipes per say. I have found that when I cook off the cuff, I tend to prepare the best dishes. Now that I’m married and have a family of my own, cooking has taken on an even bigger role in my daily duties-as a SAHM, I find myself cooking 2-3 meals a day, at least 5 days a week. I see it as an act of love and care for my family and I can’t describe the joy I feel when one them tells me that what I prepared tastes good!

I love to cook. In fact, my family knows that there must be something wrong with me if I ever utter the phrase “I don’t feel like cooking.” There is something very relaxing to me about the process of preparing a meal or dish and the satisfaction I feel, knowing that I am doing something necessary for my loved ones, that they will really enjoy, really speaks to something within my soul. It’s part of my nurturing nature that connects with the whole act of cooking-not to mention the fact that I love to eat!

I was born and raised in the South, and reside in the South still, with my family. There are certain dishes that are staples to Southern culture when it comes to big occasions or family gatherings: collard greens (we prefer ours spiked with red pepper flakes and with a smoked turkey leg), sweet potato casserole (with the requisite mini marshmallow blanket), copious amounts of stuffing/dressing (my dad uses a recipe that’s been passed down for generations), deep fried turkey (or some other form of delectable poultry as my father does not partake of pork or red meat), and often times a candy glazed ham (to appease the rest of us with less strict dietary requirements). My contribution to this feast is dessert-pound cake!