Bath & Body Works Haul

February 5, 20184 Comments

Hello little dingo babies!

I don’t know about you, but I feel there are few greater things than a good sale. You see, I was raised in a household where we never even looked at regular priced items. The front of any store was basically off limits except for Goodwill. In adulthood I have realized that some things must be purchased at the regular price, but most things are attainable for less. Enter: BBW. One of my all-time favorites. Candles, triple-moisture body cream, wallflowers? I love them all. And a few times a year, they mark down all their sh*t. It is a lovely time of year known as the semi-annual sale.

The semi-annnual sale or SAS to any BBW aficionado is a great time indeed. We all race in, dig through giant bins of $3 hand soap, lotion and shower gel! Everything is coated in a thin layer of something that leaked at the bottom of the barrel but WE DON’T CARE. Give us that last, pumpkin cupcake room spray or GIVE US DEATH.

I digress.

Last year, my lovely betrothed gave me a $25 gift card to BBW for Christmas thinking I’d probably come home with a couple of candles, maybe a new fragrance set. HA. Little did he know just how far I can stretch a dollar at the SAS. FEAST YER EYES on this smorgesbord you guys. ALL purchased for just 30 bucks.

Proof:

I attribute a haul of this size and magnitude to sticking almost soley to items 75% off.

This made the wallflowers I bought just about $1.60 each. Aw yiss. In addition to the lovely spring scents below, I also got Marshmallow Fireside which is currently plugged in!

They also had wallflower plugs on sale for 75% off!

These came out to about $3 each and the bronzy one is also a nightlight!

Next – hand soaps. And BBW’s are the best. They smell good, they clean your hands and I also use them to clean my beauty sponges. I got a couple for the end of the year and a couple to enjoy now.

The fall/winter scents were 75% off, coming out to only $1.60 per bottle and the other two were $3 apiece.

I also found this cute honey handsoap which I’ll probably save for winter as well. It was in the $2 range :).

Next they had a wall of random small, one-wick candles for 75% off as well. They ended up coming out to being just a couple of dollars. Some of them were a little bit mucked up but I found three that smell amazing! Beach Cabana is one of my all-time favorite scents from BBW, I would have bought all them if they had more.

I also grabbed one of their wax melts to try in my Yankee warmer. This cost just cents.

I did walk out with a couple body care items for 75% off as well. I knew I was getting the marshmallow body wash because HELLO and when I saw this ROSE scented mousse-to-oil I was like aw yiss.

Using my $25 gift card meant that I left BBW only paying $5 out of pocket. Not bad for a lunchbreak’s work.

And check out the length of this receipt!

Happenings

June 21, 20143 Comments

Bryan was in San Francisco for 3 days this week. While he was gone, here is what I did:

Woke up super early in the morning and immediately made the bed.
Painted my nails purple (which is NOT an approved color around here. ~~HUSKIES~~) And let it be said that Zoya might be my new favorite brand of polish.

Watched Orange is the New Black Season 2. V scares the BEJESUS outta me and wtf was the part with her and her son? Like, no V. I definitely DO NOT want to see your sweaty boobs.
Ate an entire box of Fruity Cheerios.
Did one 20 minute elliptical sesh.

mmm

WINNING at life.

While OITNB fed my appetite for racy, over-the-top sensationalized television, I still needed something to wet my wholesome-TV whistle. Enter, The Paradise. Has anyone seen this? It takes place in a period I like to generalize as, the olden days and focuses on a cast of characters whom all work at the “first ever department store”, The Paradise. Basically it’s amazing and the main character looks kinda like Legolas. It’s BBC and is getting me through the weeks until PLL is on. DON’T judge.

We receive wedding gifts to our home what feels like on the daily. Beautiful things are unwrapped, squealed over and then sadly, tucked back into tissue paper and stored for later use #threekitchencupboardsproblems.

I am going through candles like cray ~~kinda like m’programs.~~ Therefore, I visited my BBW during the semi-annual to stock the F up. No such luck. 50% off. 50% percent off!? Like, no! I want $6 3-wicks. $5 3-wicks. I want foaming handsoaps for $2.50 and wallflowers for $5. Maybe I missed the opening days and good deals, because mama wasn’t happy.

My gal Lacey and I went out for lunch to La Provence and had the best time chatting over salads and of course Diet Cokes. The place was adorbs and I kind of wanted to move in. We both got stuff from the pastry cake on our way out because really, how could we not!?

Lemon, Chocolate and Almond Macarons

I FINALLY got the throw from Pottery Barn I have been DYING OVER for like 2 years. It only comes out on the floor during the winter months and rarely does it go on sale. We had a couple of gift cards and decided it was time to take the plunge. Yes, $129 is a lot for a throw but it is worth EVERY PENNY.

May Favorites

June 3, 20144 Comments

June is busting out all over!

I am a huge fan of the musical Carousel and that song always makes me giddy for summer. WELL, here we are guys. Here is what I’ve been loving lately:

Makeup

Bye Bye Undereye by It Cosmetics in Light

Gotta give a shout out to a new member of my vanity, Bye Bye Undereye concealer by It Cosmetics. Bye Bye is no joke. It is thick, FULL-ON coverage, brightening and simply lovely. It is anti-ageing, contains collagen and has vitamin C. I love this stuff and you guys KNOW I have tried about 40,589 under-eye concealers.

Naked 3 Palette

NOW. I don’t own 1 or 2, (I know the original is amazing too) but I have seriously been loving this palette for spring-time makeup. A rose-gold junkie at heart, these blush-colored hues are buttery rich and perfectly compliment my baby blues.

Lancôme Gloss in Love in Peach Snow

I’ve talked about this product before, but lemme just take a mome and explain to you all why this lipgloss is SO lovely. First, the packaging (obvs). It is SO pretty and the wand clicks into place, rather than twists. The color payoff is amazing and the texture is nice. Not sticky like Mac glosses, yet just as glossy. Go swatch this and get back to me!

Beauty

Pink Chiffon Triple Moisture Body Cream from BBW

For me, this stuff punctuates the spring weather, sights and smells SO perfectly. I love the formula of the triple moisture line and I am just obsessed with this scent!

Secret Deoderant in Paris Romantic Rose

Can I get an amen for deoderants that smell like perfume?! Seriously. When Degree discontinued their “perfumed” line of deos I thought my life was over. Discovering this feminine, florally scent for under my arms is like finding a fun size pack of M&M’s stuffed waaaay back in the cupboard from Halloween. It’s not expected but can be a complete day-changer.

OPI Mod About You Nail Polish

The perfect pastel pink. Almost completely opaque with one coat and lurrrve OPI’s formula. Certainly a staple for any gal.

Hair

Pureology 21 Benefits

This spray has made such a difference in my hair after only a few uses. It COMPLETELY de-tangles wet hair, leaves it feeling smooth and shiny and I love the smell. My stylist used it on me every time I had my hair done and my blow outs were always top notch.

Misc.

FROZEN

You guys already know. I am OBSESSED, like crazy-person-who-dresses-up-for-the-premier obsessed with this film. Bryan is SO sick of all the songs because I sing them nonstop everywhere I go. I even hum the tunes when I am shopping at places like Target. I want to be Elsa for Halloween so badly but I know it’s going to be the no.1 costume this year which means I’m already at a disadvantage.

Miranda Sings

This girl. She is SO funny. She has two “aliases” on YouTube, Miranda Sings and Psycho Soprano. She can REALLY sing (lots of Frozen stuff, too!) but Miranda Sings might just take the cake. I laugh so hard at her mouth noises, dance moves and music videos. DIE.

The Black Friday that Wasn’t

December 4, 2013Leave a comment

Happy December!

And how about them Hawks?!

Here’s the haps:

We joined a gym, yet again. And now we are privy to a multitude of exercise classes, ~~torture~~ cardio devices and weights. Surprisingly, I have made my way in there a handful of times and re-discovered my love/hate relationship with the stair-stepper.

Thanksgiving break! Bry and I made the pilgrimage (haha get it) over to Kennewick on Thursday morning with just enough time to help my mom prepare WAY too much food, adorn the table with sparkly pumpkins and drink a few bottles of wine. Dinner was fantastic, but the ensuing game of salad bowl was even better.

The next morning, per tradition, Megan, my Mom and I hit the Black Friday sales with high hopes of scoring dirt cheap toasters, half priced socks and the freetothefirst50customers SNOW GLOBE. I guzzled down my Starbucks misto and hitched up my gingerbread socks as we pulled into the parking lot at Target around 9 am.

Oh and a Cranberry Bliss Bar OMG

And…crickets. I swear a tumbleweed rolled through the parking lot.

Ok this is not my picture. It’s this guy’s. But it looked practically the same.

Where were the hoards of people? The crazy ladies with blue eyeliner, teased bangs and Snoopy Christmas sweatshirts with matching turtlenecks? As soon as we began our “doorbusting” at Target we figured out why: the sales were absolute flaming bags of crap.

Nothing Will Crush Nan’s Spirits

No $5 toasters. No $3 copies of The Christmas Story. Not even a lowly 10% off Christmas tree skirts.

We retreated to the car reluctantly, clutching our measly %40 off sweaters and dollar section items.

I would like to say that this trend did not carry over to our other Black Friday haunts, but sadly…it did. Black Friday was simply kicking our butts. Our cute, kinda round, but nonetheless charming butts.

We missed the $2.50 hand soaps at BBW by 10 minutes. 10 MINUTES.

Waaaaaaaaa!!

The sweater I wanted at the Gap was only available in XL.

So, we did what any good-hearted Amurican Black Friday enthusiasts would do in such a situation. We went to TJ Maxx where everyday is Black Friday! And I found this adorable Christmas decoration at Pier 1, which I might add was FULL PRICE. WTF Black Friday? wtf.

We then met “the boys” at the Sports Page to watch the Apple Cup and eat nachos. It helped a little. After we had our fill of cheese, grease and ranch dressing we headed to some antique/thrift stores to stare at other people’s crap. This is always a sure-fire way to cheer us Danielson gals up.

closed mouth smiles are the best smiles

We found a few treasures and hauled them home. Then we put up the Christmas tree and there was peace on earth. The evening was capped off by a viewing of the world’s most underrated Christmas movie: Holiday in Handcuffs.

This little gem stars Melissa Joan Hart or MJH to those who know her, and Mario Lopez or A.C Slater. The writing, the acting, the all-star cast #oscarbuzz. Then Megan, Amy, Bryan and I stayed up to late watching Marbles Harsgrove.

The rest of the weekend was spent attending Hanukkah parties, seeing old friends and gearing up for Monday Night Football. Next weekend we are getting our TREE and maybe having a tinsel fight. I don’t know.

xoxo

Natalie

August Empties

August 29, 201311 Comments

Happy Thursday Tootsies!

As the title suggests, prepare yourselves to discover what I have been loving and maybe not-so loving over the past few months. As a “waste not, want not” kind-of gal, I have to truly despise a product to cease and desist it’s use.

Much like Miley Cyrus’ relationship with clothing.

So – in no certain order, I give you the products I have conquered:

1. Tresseme Dry Shampoo

I have already shared my lukewarm feelings for this brand of dry shampoo. However, in a pinch at $3.99 I succumbed and as a result, have dealt with ashy color and the unpleasant texture this leaves behind.

2. L’oreal Collagen Mascara

I have now gone through 2 or 3 tubes of this mascara and lemmejustsay, I am in love. I began to include this product in my “mascara lineup” and have reaped the benefits of the large, bristley, almost goopy wand. When paired with respective separating and lengthening formulas – this mascara teams up to knock your lashes outta the park.

Apologies for the sports analogy.

3. Secret Outlast Deodorant

Apparently I am going there…and this one was just aight. I recently became OBSESSED with this old Secret deodorant I discovered in my Mom’s bathroom drawer. As a result, I checked each and every store for the past 2 months to find it with no avail. Damn limited editions! Then, the other day whilst contemplating jet black vs. carbon black eyeliner at Bartell’s I decided to check the deo section. And there it stood in all it’s radiant glory. I bought two and immediately called Bryan, letting him know, “I found the good deodorant!” He was not as thrilled.

4. Revlon Lip Butter in Cupcake

These lip butters have a serious cult following and for good reason. The formula combines the moisturizing elements of a lip butter with buildable, lovely pigmentation and delivers an effortless look with just the right amount of color. I have the colors creme brulee, red velvet and cupcake (well, I had cupcake) and now I am realizing that these are all foods #innerfatkid.

5. Bath and Body Work Body Spray in Pink Chiffon

I still have a few spritzes left of this spray my sister Megan introduced me to. I love SO many scents from B&BW but Pink Chiffon is truly amazing. It is feminine, fresh and sweet – what could be better?!

6. Nivea Smooth Sensation Body Lotion

I buy this lotion because I like the way Nivea products smell and Bry will use it because the packaging is blue. ‘Nuff said.

7. K-Pak Intense Hydrator

I picked up a travel-size of this during Christmas of last year. I like to combine this product with the K-Pak Deep-Penetrating Re-constructor, which is more of a protein treatment. When combined, they make quite the hydrating/strengthening duo! Out to banish my split ends and conquer the world.

8. Essie Topless and Barefoot

Pet Peeve: The moment your nail polish brush can no longer dip easily into the nail color. Thus is the case with my all-time favorite nude polish. IknowIknow, I could add some nail-polish thinner but I don’t have any…which is a good excuse :)! I will re-purchase this color for it’s wearability (even though Essie polish is not my favorite formula) and because it looks so fab with chunky glitter over the top.

9. Bath and Body Works Pillow Mist

I have had this since college. College. What was once used to remedy stressed out nerves before a big exam was most recently used to spruce up extra sheets for our guest bedroom when friends came to stay. I’m a big kid now.

10. Neutrogena Make-Up Wipes

Full Discolsure: I rarely wash my face before bed. When I have the time, I like to lather up my mug – but 90% of the time, I am haphazardly dragging a makeup-removing wipe across my face as I watch Jenna Marbles and eat popsicles. I go through so many in fact, that I saddled up for the Costco pack and have just recently gone through them all. My skin has yet to rebel against me and let it be known that I do use eye creme ~~every night~~ sometimes and I exfoliate bi-weekly in the shower. So there.

11. Meyer’s Countertop Spray in Basil

Not a beauty product. However, I feel this is worth a mention if for nothing else than it’s a-mazing scent. I have become completely addicted to the smell of this spray and find myslef wiping down our counters more often just to fill the room with this fresh aroma. So win-win.

Oh! And a couple other rando beauty faves as of late:

Essie’s “Lady Like” and “Raise Awareness”

Sephora Lipstick in “The Red”

Shameless and dweeby selfie courtesy of yours truly.

What have you used up lately?