23 fun facts.

last thing you splurged on? Trip to Las Vegas for New Year's Eve.

favorite Beyonce song? "Love on Top"

favorite smell? burning leaves / firewood.

must have accessory? a really, good handbag.

spirit animal? unicorn.

what city were you born in? baton rouge, louisiana

favorite city? charleston, sc

place you want to visit? greece.

greatest invention? the internet.

first car? red '97 pontiac sunfire.

first kiss? when I was 15...he now has 3 kids with another on the way.

3 traits you look for in a person? sense of humor, loyal, kindness

last person you called? uber

last person that text you? sandi

song that makes you cry? "Only One" by Kanye West

favorite season? toss up between fall and spring.

staycation or african safari? african safari. 


first crush? jordan knight from new kids on the block.

worst pick-up line you've ever heard? "Is that your natural hair color? I've heard redheads are going extinct."

favorite piece of jewelry? TB gold studs...wear them 98% of the time.

how long does it take you to get ready in the morning? 30 minutes. (that's only if I wash/dry my hair the night before)

i'm really bad at ______ ? budgeting.

i'm really good at ______? remembering random useless facts, fun memories, etc.

wordless wednesday

remember when wordless wednesday was a thing?  let's bring it back.

favorite skincare/beauty products.

testing...testing...is this thing on?  

I don't know if anyone still reads this ol' blog, but just in case I wanted to share some of my current favorite skincare and beauty products with you.

(from top left to right)

1. NYX HD Eye Shadow Base.

I never really gave much thought to an eye shadow primer / base until about 8 months ago and it's been life changing.  It helps bring out the pigment of your eye shadow so much.  I can totally tell a difference if I don't use it, because I can't see my eye shadow at all if I don't use it prior to applying my eye shadow.  It's also great to prevent eye liner creasing.  I had a big issue with that always happening because of my oily lids, but with this I can say it rarely (if ever) happens.

Honorable Mention: Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer...it works well too, but the price point isn't that ideal for budget ballers like myself.  And I feel like it doesn't dry as quickly as NYX.

2. Burt's Bees Herbal Blemish Stick

I'm not going to say this works instantly, but it definitely stops stubborn zits in their tracks.  I can totally tell a difference when I dab this on at night and in the morning it's smaller in size and less red. It doesn't smell great, but it's not an overwhelming odor at all.  And it's better than dabbing a thick cream and worrying about it getting on your pillows/clothes/etc.  

3. Rimmel London Lasting Finish Primer

This primer is water based which I like b/c it goes well with my water based BB cream.  I do like that silicone based primers fill in fine lines and wrinkles (ie Maybelline and Smashbox), but I love that this goes on smooth and makes my make-up stay in place and perfect ALL DAY LONG.  legit.

4. Nip + Fab No Needle Fix Serum

2016 is the year I've become obsessed with wrinkles (and eyebrows...will have to do separate post about those things).  I legit find myself staring at peoples faces in person or on TV and seeing if they have the same wrinkles I do, etc.  So I've been on the hunt for great anti-aging products.  I really like this serum so far.  It smells great and goes on so smooth and I can definitely tell that it brightens my skin and fills in lines and wrinkles.  I use it before I go to bed and in the morning after I wash my face and before my moisturizer.  I wouldn't say it's preventing wrinkles or taking them away, but it's good to fill them in before I start my makeup routine.  

I'm EXTEMELY open for suggestions on what you use for preventing wrinkles or getting rid of them all together.  Next on my list to try is ROC products to see if those work.

thankful.

we should be thankful all year round, but sometimes we don't get that kick in the butt to remind us until thanksgiving is here.  I feel like every year we forget a little bit more that thanksgiving is even a real holiday.  

I admit that I've already started my christmas shopping and pulled out my decorations from storage. but i'm still excited for thanksgiving.  there is so much to be thankful for this year.

1. health

2. home

3. family

4. friends

5. food

6. job

7. new babies

this may not have been the best year for me (or for others), but looking back some amazing things have happened.  yes, there has been tragedy and heart break...but it's nice to reflect on the stuff we have...while it's still here to celebrate.

my year has been nothing like some of the other blogs I read or like my friends, but it hasn't been the easiest either.  and currently it's still a struggle.  but I just hope that we ALL remember to count our blessings, be kind, give, and have a sense of humor through it all. :) 

mexican wedding: day tres

day 3 of our mexico trip was the wedding day!

we woke up bright and early on saturday...again (that's what going to bed at 8pm will do to you) and set out for a quick breakfast and then straight to the beach.  

there was an abandoned hotel right on the other side of our resort so we ventured over to check it out.  which then resulted in us walking all the way down the beach to "explore."  

we saw a local man "rescuing" baby sea turtles from a nest. 

further down the beach we saw an open beach mansion with no one home (I almost took a dip in their pool), 2 other resorts, and at the end another abandoned resort with a man sitting quietly in the shade. 

luckily, we spotted him and quickly exited.  otherwise, you might hear about my story on a future dateline episode with keith morrison.

then after lunch, another pool hangout, and some heavy rain...it was time to get ready for the wedding.

the ceremony was beautiful.  right on the beach.  

all of the other resort patrons were lined up in beach chairs like spectators.  it felt awkward and weird.  but during the ceremony you could see couples (mostly from different countries) hugging and taking in the whole "love fest."  it was nice to see them all enjoying it.  especially for people they didn't even know.  and they all gave a big round of applause when the ceremony was over.

you can see them behind us in the picture.  more turned up after this was taken.

the reception was just as heartwarming.  

while everyone ate dinner and drank, they ran a slideshow of old photos and videos from friends that couldn't make it to mexico.  

then came the speeches.  so many speeches from friends and family.  but they were all so touching and I might have shed a tear (or 100).  it was overwhelming to hear all of the love and support for tripp and adam.  I wasn't expecting that and I was so touched by it all.

then it was time to PAR-TAY.  the resort "discotheque" didn't open until 11pm so we had some time to kill at the resort bar.  

then we headed to the "disco" and I literally danced my ass off until 3AM.  I have never sweat so much or danced so hard in my life.  luckily, there are no photos because I was legit a HOT MESS!

then, we woke up at 6:30AM to catch our 7:50AM bus to the airport and spend the rest of my day in airports.

p.s. if you ever stay at the Catalonia Royal Tulum in Riviera Maya, you'll get used to seeing these f*ckers every where.  they freaked me out every time.  I was one of the select few that was disgusted by them.  there were just so many and they were little ass stalkers.