bits & pieces

the weather hasn't been cooperating lately, and mother nature granted me a three day weekend off from work and the outside world. snow has taken over, so i was forced to eat lots of food and watch movies all weekend. it was bittersweet. 

so i am back again for my weekly round-up, and i just have to start with last night!

* the Grammys turned out to be a great show with the young generation taking away the largest awards of the evening. Mumford and Sons, Fun., and Gotye wrapped up the most awards! Fun. (my personal favorite) pulled out the win for two awards: Song of the Year and Best New Artist. i have adored these guys ever since first hearing "We Are Young" on the radio. their album is on constant repeat in my car and i even ventured to East Stroudsburg University to see them for a mere $25. in concert just a few months ago. they are great live and pull out a fabulous show full of energy! i adored Nate Ruess' jegging petal pushers last night, the rainshower that fell upon them, and their unique sound. now let's not overshadow any other winners either! Mumford and Sons stole the most prized award of all, Album of the Year. they also pulled away with 5 other awards. i can't help but just adore Marcus Mumford, his silly little quirks, and facial expressions. he is simply adorable. he is that boyfriend that you have that you just want to cuddle all the time and pinch his cute little cheeks. too much? haha but in all reality, Mumford has an amazing sound that i could just listen to all day long. i'm so happy for them to obtain such a great accomplishment! here's some pics from the night :)

* speaking of Mumford & Sons, i first really fell in love with them after seeing a live video of them performing "The Cave" at Bonnaroo 2011. LOVE.

*on saturday night, i had the pleasure of seeing Silver Linings Playbook... and it was fabulous. i felt that there were times in the movie where i thought "why are they acting this way? he/she would think they are crazy!" but then it all made sense, because in the movie bradley cooper and jennifer lawrence were supposed to be crazy. overall, great movie. go check it out!

* Drew Barrymore has come out with a new makeup line. yeah, kinda weird since i never pegged her as the "i'm gonna start a makeup line" type, but she's gone ahead and done it. lucky for me, i happened across it at my local Walmart and spent a solid 15 minutes deciding what i should buy. there was so much i wanted, the packaging was pretty, and luminescent lights make everything sparkle so nice! since my salary doesn't allow for a fortune spent on makeup, i settled with a few items. expect a new blog post with my swatches and reviews coming shortly. for now, check out a little more about it here. 

...props to kraft mac & cheese for being there for me when i haven't a clue what to eat for dinner...finishing up my taxes...spending the weekend trying out my arsenal of new MAC and Drew Barrymore makeup products...watching the snow fall and admiring its beauty...

well thats all for now, loves!

i adore baublebar

i have a serious love for BaubleBar. like, i legitimately order from them at least once a month. if you haven't heard of it, its a fabulous website that sells jewelry. absolutely adorable, affordable, women's jewelry. i have bought many items throughout the year, and will review 4 items i just received in the mail!

don't worry, there is no monthly fees or services or anything associated with BaubleBar, so let me explain to you why i love it so much:

- you earn "vault points"... the more you buy, the more points you earn. 

  10 points = $1. in BaubleBar credit

- they run discounts all the time! i was able to just use a 20% off coupon :)

- on Mondays and Fridays, they have "hidden baubles" where they discount a certain jewelry item down 

  to $10 and $20, respectively.

- did i mention the jewelry is amazing???!!

would you like to check it out? here is a personal invite from me to you, and in signing up, you get $10. off your first purchase!! here's the link: BaubleBar and if that doesn't work, here is my personal # to input at checkout: 10529827

now onto the best part... the stunning jewelry! (to view the pics without distortion, click on them)

each item comes packaged in a velour bag

 the "Spike Mosiac Bib" was a Hidden Bauble, so it got this for $20! what a steal ;)

this beauty is the "Rose Dew Drop Bib".. rose gold is very in right now and this necklace is to die for!! pictures don't do this justice!

i needed a simple gold necklace, so opted for this stunner called the "Crescent Crystal Pendant"

a classic twist on the girly bow bracelet is the chunky links in this beautiful bracelet simply called "Gold Bow Bracelet"

have i convinced you yet how great their jewelry is? i hope so! don't forget to click through my invite link above to sign-up and start shopping away!! 

oh and not only do i love BaubleBar, but apparently so does my kitty, Annabelle :)

::hugs::

its only one week away...♥

february 14th is a mere 7 days from today, so what are you getting your love? no fear, i am here to help with some great ideas for that special someone in your life. whether you have a crush, went on a few dates, or are married with kids, there is something for everyone.

* finding a small, but important, gift for your crush can be harder than if they were your boyfriend or girlfriend. in many cases, you don't know them well enough to know what they would enjoy getting. my rule of thumb? do not spend a lot of money. keep it simple. you don't want to jump the gun on outrageous gifts for someone whom you merely are only crushing on. you want to let them know you care for them, but you don't want to lavish them with gifts and scare them away! some great ideas: a card with a piece of candy or a simple rose

* when you have been dating someone, and only seeing each other, you can amp up the gift giving a little more. but not much. again, we aren't concentrating on money here. some great ideas: a stuffed animal with a card, small gift basket with some of their favorite things, homemade cookies packaged in a cute jar, a book you think might interest them

* when you have a boyfriend/girlfriend, you can consider dishing out a few more bucks on something personal for them. some great ideas: a dozen roses (switch it up by choosing a variety of rose colors, like pink and white), a romantic dinner out somewhere really nice, her favorite wine or champagne to celebrate the night, tickets to a movie or show, a romantic love letter, any sort of jewelry will blow her socks off (this is a good time for a promise ring or a special necklace), lingerie, a specially made coupon book (one massage, cooking dinner, running an errand...)

*when you have both been together for the long haul, you have spent years being unique and creative, so you may be at a loss for ideas. consider tickets to a broadway show, flowers sent to her work, a shaving kit for that special guy, a watch, ray ban sunglasses are really hot right now, his favorite cologne or her favorite fragrance

gift giving tips: 

*pay special attention when your potential or current love talks, that way you may get some great ideas for what they truly want!

*when you are simply crushing or just starting to date someone, keep it reasonable. don't worry about the money.

* personal or handmade gifts are great options. think handmade cards, "25 reasons i love you" list, special letters hidden in the house, your favorite picture of the two of you in a personalized frame... 

some great gifts:

...for the man in your life who loves his beer, the Microbrew Beer Bucket Gift Set is perfect!

...its cold out there, so what man wouldn't want the Beardo Hat to keep him looking manly, and warm?? he will love that you have a sense of humor too :)

... if you are looking for some of the best gifts around (for any holiday), look no further than the fabulous website Red Envelope. you will love the thoughtful and unique ideas, not to mention a terrific website layout to make your experience easier. Personalized Tree Initials Wall Art is the cutest idea ever, the Love Letter Necklace is perfect for proposing or simply telling her how you feel, for the meticulous man in your life Jack Black's First Class Five (not that Jack Black) set is perfect and highly rated, the Personalized Couples Key Dates Wall Art is an adorable idea if you can remember all the key dates in your relationship. *bonus* Red Envelope is currently offering 20% off for all customers. go now!!

... if you are the type of person that simply cannot remember special dates, Thoughtful Guy is a free website that you input a few questions about that special woman in your life, and it generates gift ideas for you, via email, near that special date! 

...flowers are a given, so don't hesitate to search the 'net for some great discounts! GroupOn is running a special right now for $20 you can get $40 worth of Valentine's Day gifts or flowers! but hurry, its bound to sell out soon!

all in all, just love the one you've got. life is too short to not just go ahead and do what you feel in your heart. best wishes for a romantic and loving Valentine's Day!

bits & pieces

so here i am, back again for another bits & pieces post! i feel like i literally just did this! but all is well, because i find things i love all the time! let's begin...

* i currently have been insanely in love with girls who have full on bangs, and part them in the center, a'la Zooey Deschanel and Sienna Miller (circa 2004). Glamour magazine wrote an article about the center-part coming back, check it out here: When Did Center-Parted Bangs Get So Chic? i wish i had the nerve to do such a thing for myself. ugh, so adorbs...

  

Sienna Miller

 

Zooey Deschanel

 

Felicity Jones

* valentine's day is coming up & i have an intense love for nail polish, so i found The Beauty Department's tape glitter heart manicure to be sweet & simple. i will definitely be trying this out come next week :)

* last week's episode of New Girl made my week. not only did Jess and Nick kiss, but everyone was at their prime. i even got a nice dose of Winston to supplement my fear that he was on a dreadful comedic decline. the episode was comprised of awkward singing, Nick's fabulous trench coat, Jess in a bra, and intimate moments all-around. overall, a successful episode; such a good show. in case you missed it, here is the kiss

* did anyone watch Glee last week? well, i am madly in love with Jake and Marley's rendition of Christina Perri's "A Thousand Years." i don't think i truly noticed this song until they sang it. check it out HERE.

 • so i may lose you all to this, but we all have guilty pleasures, right? welllllll... mine happens to be the tv show The Bachelor. yeah, i know its corny, its staged, its not real, its dramatic. but i happen to believe in all that mushy romance stuff. plus, its kinda fun to watch and see who he picks and what all the ladies wear. personally, i have a few favorites: Desiree and Lindsay. for now. it just happens to be on tonight, so tune in to ABC @ 8pm! 

things i loved this week...

my renewed love for wise white cheddar popcorn occurred this week • bio oil for keeping my skin from drying up entirely • starting a new John Green book because i love him so much • fresh, clean sheets on my bed • ordering some new spring makeup • Annabelle's evening nap on my lap 

that's all for now, talk to you guys soon!

my love for colin kaepernick

soo i'm a bit bummed out that the 49ers didn't pull off the win yesterday. i may not have been a fan of either team, but i spent some time researching both quarterbacks, as well as teammates, and came to my own personal conclusion that i wanted the 49ers. don't get me wrong, its great Joe Flacco got his first Super Bowl win, i just wanted Colin Kaepernick to run away with the win. In case you didn't know the amazing story behind Kaepernick's child hood, he was adopted at a young age, having never known his parents. When asked if he wanted to meet his birth mother, who has been adamantly trying to get in touch with him, he says no, stating, "It's not really a respect thing. It's just -- that's my family. That's it....it's treasonous." He stands firm with the family that raised him. You can read the story here: Colin Kaepernick's Birth Mom 

i love underdog stories. and, let's admit it, who doesn't? Kaepernick came out of nowhere, played for the University of Nevada-Reno (not exactly a prime area for NFL stars), has replaced starting quarterback Alex Smith, and has taken the NFL by storm. he has turned a, once defunct, team around and into the Super Bowl. what is even more appealing to him is that he doesn't look quite like a typical NFL quarterback (think Tom Brady or Peyton Manning), with his entire upper body covered in tattoos (see his ink here) and his innate ability to not only throw a bomber for 80 yards, but then run in his own ball for another 40. he does it all; a quarterback who isn't afraid to get dirty. and in my mind, that is what make a true NFL star.

maybe the 49ers didn't win the Super Bowl, but Colin Kaepernick should be proud of what he has accomplished. getting as far as he did, with the help of some great teammates, has made him my favorite new NFL player.



some tunes to make you think...

over the past few months, i've found myself enjoying some great new music. one particular band that comes to mind is Of Monsters and Men. from Iceland, they immediately captured me with their hit song, "Small Talks."  i nabbed their cd from the library (i know, i'm a nerd) and, although it has taken me a while to appreciate the entire cd, i have fallen madly in love with the song "King and Lionheart." many people have their own interpretations of the song, but i have an entire story played out in my head.

their debut album, released in 2011

*Lionheart- possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

to help you better understand where my interpretation comes from, here are the lyrics to the song: King and Lionheart. here's what i thought before having even watched the video: i draw up a story with a king and his wife. his wife, however, is just as powerful and just as tough as her husband. their kingdom is being attacked and, yet, she has a level-head to calm him down. she is his lionheart. they are constantly haunted by ghosts and demons, so they decide to leave. they set sail but cannot seem to escape the creatures, knocking and chasing the boat. in fear, they grab hold of one another's hands, vowing never to leave the world without one another. in my mind, they die, hand-in-hand, as one.

now to imagine the story in a more realistic way, think of two lovers whom have always been there for one another. they have been each other's rock; him the king and her as his lionheart. she has taught him how to be strong, how to have faith in himself, and how to stay tough during hardship. she vows to never run away from him and will stay by his side. people will desert them but no matter what comes for them (ghosts, fear, the black sea, creatures) they will conquer them together, side by side.

they recently released a video for the song, which is fabulous. take a looksie here:

 

...pretty captivating, right? are they siblings...?? does she not make it???????

fun fact: Nanna, lead vocalist (top row, center) started out as a solo act but then met Raggi (bottom row, far left) and loved the way their voices sounded together, so they started Of Monsters and Men & found the others to complete the group.

not too fun fact: Arni, percussionist/keyboardist and backup vocals, (top row, far left) has recently left the band to obtain a college education.

i love music that makes you think and that can evoke some emotion and feeling. its what makes me not just like a song, but fall in love with it.

   

meow.

yeah, so i love cats. i love my cats and i love pictures of kittens stuffed into little cups and kittens sleeping on their backs. don't get me wrong, dogs are fabulous. a little golden retriever is still going to roam my future house, but with a kitten in tow. to celebrate my love for these tiny little creatures, here is a weekly round-up of my cat lemmings:

adorbs!

what's better than recreating classic album covers with kittens in place of rock stars? look no further than Alfra Martini's theraflu-induced idea: The Kitten Covers

sooooo this is really hilarious, read the whole thing! Missing Missy

bahahaha wutttt

remember that video i posted "8 signs your cat is actually a dog"? if you liked that, here is another video from the same guy! this time its How to Walk Your Human .....LOVE it :)

hahahaha this is rather funny, some of you may appreciate the humor behind I'm a Stupid Cat!

omg, i love polydactyl kitties.

how can you not enjoy the hilarious throwback video of the Floating Cat???

 

apparently this guy wants everyone to get down.

oh & just thought i'd post a pic of annabelle, my maine coon kitty, who enjoys hanging out with me everywhere i go :)

ermahgosh, is that a bug?!?!

enjoy the weekend!