TMI: Birth Control

Well Sunday of this week, as in 5 days ago, I officially got back on "the pill", after 2.5 years of absence!  Not entirely by choice, but when I was newly married, I had to go OFF the pill because I didn't have health insurance.  So for 2.5 years the hubs and I have been doing it old school... wrappin' it up if you catch my drift.  YES, every time, ALL the time.  We were extreeeeeemely careful.  More careful in fact then we did pre-marriage.  Probably more careful then I had been in my entire life!  Anyway, now that I have health insurance I figured I might as well go back on the pill...for selfish reasons:  (Clear skin, weight loss, boob gain, & and the option to skip your period all together, joy!)  So anyway, back to present day, or, er, last Sunday.  It was time to start my brand new pack of pills and a teensy part of me felt really sad, just knowing there is no possible way that we will accidentally get knocked up.. (after all, if it would have happened in the last 2.5 years it would of been a BIG surprise, but we would've rolled w/ it.)   Anyway, I started the pack and just figured we'll be ready in the future, and this would buy me another 12 months of selfish fun. 

So last night... we umm.. didn't use a back up form of BC since I've been on the pill for a whopping 4 days and didn't think much about it.  Then this morning as I woke up, it hit me that I vaguely remember the Dr. telling me that I needed to use a back up method for the first 10 days.  um, whoops?!  I then pulled out my ovulation tracker and wouldn't you know it... last night was one of my 'high fertility' days.  Holy. Shit.  I swear I felt what could only be described as A BABY SWIMMING AROUND MY UTERUS and I decided that I needed to get the morning after pill, or plan B as its called - ASAP.  All of the sudden the prospect of accidentally getting pregnant didn't seem so sweet.  It seemed... REAL.

This afternoon I popped on into CVS to pick up the $50-but-cheaper-than-having-a-baby Plan B.  Is it weird that I was totally embarrassed, and felt like an under aged sloot?  It didn't help matters that when I approached the counter the lady helping me yelled across to the other pharmacist "Hey Sue, that girl [points to me] needs Plan B.  Where is it?"  At which point every person behind the counter looks right at me.  And then every person in the store.  Um yeah, thanks for the privacy CVS Pharmacy! 

I'm probably, hopefully overreacting.  In any event, I've taken my pills and I'm desperately hoping they WORK!  Pray for me??

New Shoes + Bad Dogs Don't Mix

I am happy to report that Tuesday night I treated myself to two fab new pairs of shoes @ DSW.  (The overwhelming shoe kingdom)  I bought some black boots on CLEARANCE (yes m'aam, $27, booyah!) and some camel-colored flats...not on clearance.  Got home, tried both pairs on and was feeling really good about my purchase. 

I'm not so happy to report that as I stepped out of the shower that night, I found Buddy chewing up my brand new 2 hour old flats!!!!!!  They were destroyed.  I may have even shed tears!  Why couldn't it have atleast been the clearance shoes?  Buddy has been so good lately (okay, SEMI good) but still... ???  I spanked him w/ what was left of one of the flats (not hard, don't go calling the doggie equivalent to CPS) and not two minutes later he had the shoe in his mouth AGAIN.  Clearly the whoopin' was ineffective. 

I tried to figure out how/why such a terrible thing would happen, and I came up with a few reasons:

1.) Its Christmas and I am being punished for selfishly buying myself something when 'tis the season of giving.
2.) Buddy decided that I have enough shoes and didn't need 2 new pairs.
3.) Buddy was hungry. For leather.
4.) Buddy needs more exercise.
5.) I should have put the shoes UP instead of leaving them on the floor.

Hmm - nope, can't find any seemingly good explanations!

My 2010 Beauty Besties

These are my top-rated MUST haves of 2010!  My..."beauty besties" of the year! 

Best Tinted Moisturizer:

I like Laura Mercier's Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer.  It's got SPF which is ALWAYS a must year round, and it's easy to apply w/ your fingertips.  It gives great coverage (more than your typical moisturizer for sure) and also stays put even in those hot summer months.  It's a little on the expensive side at $42 a pop, but a tube will last you forever--seriously like the whole year.  All you need for full-face coverage is a pea sized amount. [btw they have another version that's not oil free]

 

Best Drugstore Foundation

Lumene Double Stay.  This stuff is cheap - the coverage is great, and it really does last all day.  The texture is super smooth, light and doesn't give you that caked-on foundation look.  I get a lot of compliments when I wear this stuff!  It makes your skin look dewy and fresh, and MOST importantly, natural!  I apply with my fingertips, no primer needed, which I think is great + fast and easy.  This is a must-have, especially for the price.

Best Luxury Mascara:

DiorShow.  Its top-rated by many, and with good reason.  This mascara makes all lashes (long, short, sparse, whatever), look full, long and lovely!  The downside is that it IS a little pricey (around $30), and dries out semi quick, making it not work as well.  Don't mess up like I did and get the DiorShow Iconic <-- that mascara sucks big time and leaves you racoonlike in under an hour of use.  If you're going to spurge be SURE to stick with the regular Diorshow - you won't be disappointed!

Best Drugstore Mascara(s):

This one is a tie for me between L'oreal's Original Voluminous mascara and Covergirl's new Lash Blast Fusion.  They both work wonders, probably as good as the Diorshow.  I hate to spend a ton of money on mascara ALL the time, because you actually AREN'T supposed to use them longer then a few months.  So, when you're feelin' cheapy but want those to-die-for lashes, snatch up one of these mascaras.  Neither budges all day, and both give you long, thick and volumous lashes!

Best Shampoo and Conditioner:

MoroccanOil.  This Shampoo and Conditioner is good for all hair types but especially those with dry hair.  It's very moisturizing and has an awesome fresh and almost summer-y scent.  A couple of my fave things about this combo is the fact that its sulfate free and color safe.  Typically this set is around $40 for the set - but your HAIR is something that you absolutely cannot cheap out on.  When you are using a high quality product it will last longer then the cheap stuff, and just be so much better for your hair. 

Best Hair Mask:

Frederic Fekkai Protein RX Anti-Breakage Treatment Mask is perfect if your hair is brittle, broken or weakened from coloring, relaxing, or heat styling.  I use it every 2 weeks and it makes a mega-difference in your hair.  Its shiny, healthy feeling/looking and the best part is that is smells like marshmallows...mmmmmmm. :)

Best Eye Primer:

So maybe everyone doesnt use Eye Primer, but i surrrrrrrrrrre can't go a day without it!  My lids are like little oil slicks and w/o a good primer, my shadow is creased in an hour or two.  A lot of people love Urban Decay's Primer Potion... it absolutely does NOT work for me.  My fave brand is Too Faced Shadow Insurance. ($18)  This primer makes my shadow really stick ALL day.  It also makes whatever shadow you use more vibrant and true to its color.  LOVE it, and can't go w/o it! 

Best Perfume:

Viktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb.  This perfume smells frickin' ah-maz-ingggg.  The top notes are tea and bergamot. Middle notes are sambac jasmine, orchid, freesia, rose. Base note is patchouli.  This perfume is very FRESH and classy smelling.  Can something smell classy?  Um, YES because it does!  I got a sample of this while checking out at Nordstrom one day, and seriously bought it that afternoon.  Instantly hooked.  @ $100 for the 1.7 oz and $150 for the 3.4 oz its a teensy bit pricey - but worth it. OH, SO, worth it!

Joy to the World!

My Christmas shopping is *almost* finished!  (With 9 whole days till Christmas, bam!) Today Husband and I hit up a million stores and picked up lotsa loot. (Correction: He napped in the car while I ran into each store).  AND I got the prettiest wrapping paper from Hobby Lobby!  ahh, I love that store. Usually gift wrapping is my fave thing ever, and I love getting all crafty and creative. WELL, not this year. whoops. Today I did some pretty basic stuff, but atleast the paper is fancy.  I can't believe Christmas is um, NEXT WEEK!  I am friggin exciiiiited because I have 5 whole days off work!  That probably seems like a teensy break for all you lucky folks who get a solid week or two off - but whatevs, I'll take whatever I can get! OoOooOhhh AND we get a Christmas BONUS!  I'm not gonna lie, its not very much compared to what I've gotten at previous jobs but whatevahh, free money is FREE MONEY!! Some people don't get anything at all so I can't complain.  But anyway, here's a pic of my very sparse ghetto Christmas tree, (I was lazy and didn't put any ornaments up-don't judge me!).  Oh and excuse the poor quality of the photo, cell phones are just easier/faster then bustin out the real camera these days.

 Hope everyone has a MERRY CHRISTMAS :)

TMI: Toilet Time



This toilet would have me all distracted.
Its scary.



One of my fave things about winter is warm toilet seats.

Um.. Perhaps I should explain???



Okay, SO, I love it when its cold outside and the heat is cranked up... And the potty seat gets alllllllll warm and toasty.  It feels really good, people, don't deny it!  Nothing is worse than an ice cold toilet.  Brrrrrrr~ Well, unless its a super hot day and you're AC is busted, then I suppose it could feel refreshing.  But anyway.....



I googled heated toilet seats because I am THAT serious about my love for them.  I found one on amazon.com for $90 - SCORE!  Its decribed as "an unexpected pleasure that you will enjoy everyday" and it also claims "you will never want to sit on another seat again." 

S-O-L-D!

Meet My Husband, Mr. Right

Today Jake and I have been married for EXACTLY 2.5 years.  I can't believe it, it seems like we were walking the aisle just yesterday! 

So, what makes my Mr. Right Mr. Right?   Well..... he may not be absolutely perfect but he's absolutely perfect for me.  We share the same thoughts and values and sentiments and morals and goals.  Hello there run-on sentence.  I love that I can vent about anything (work drama, friend drama, dogpoop drama) - he's an excellent listener and he always has my back.  He's sooo freaking handsome, and I SWEAR he gets even better looking with age. (ugh, jealous). He's funny, and I love his sense of humor.  He practically never gets mad at me...which is partially because I don't ever do anything wrong, DUH!   He makes our marriage his numba 1 priority allllllllllll the time.  

Jake is sweet and thoughtful w/ the smallest, most random things.  Like carrying the big bag of dogfood in (I always carry it from the store to my car, and CAN pick it up, but he knows I pretend the bag has magically gained weight on the ride home).  Or stocking the fridge up w/ my faveee pre-sliced seedless watermelon just because. (Even though when new things pop up in the fridge i assume i MUST have bought them a long time ago, and they MUST be old and then i toss them).(This has happened twice in the last month, wtf?!)  My hubs is the bestttt daddy to our two doggie-childrens.  

ughh, I could honestly go on and on about my wonderful, amazing, perfect for me husband, but I won't.  I just want to point out that I'm VERY fortunate, and veryyyyyyyyy happy to have found (and married) my Mr. Right. 

New Years Resolutions

Well, with 2011 right around the corner, its time (for me anyway) to start thinking about my new year's rezzy!  Usually mine is alwayssss the same:  To be nicer to homeless people.  Its not that I'm ever NOT nice to them, but I like to make a point to do more for the less fortunate.  It's a resolution I've always kept, so it works out well.  This year, I have a WHOLE NEW agenda. 

Our first rez is probably gonna be a toughy!  The hubs and I have made up a very teensy meager budget so we can pay off Jake's student loans in just ONE year!  It does make me slightly sickkkkk to think that we'll be paying more on students loans then our friggin mortgage, BUT im looking at the bigger picture here.  When this debt is gone, I will no longer NEED my job!  AHHH!   I don't plan on not working but I think there is something NICE about working for fun rather than neccessity!   I think living on an itsy bitsy budget will be a good way for us to learn to get back on track and not overspend in the future.  Lets put it this way... our, ahem, MY spending in this past year has gotten a littttttttle out of hand.  Jake and I are savers, so we always put back quite a bit each month, but then everything else, um... goes. And on a bunch of frivolous 'wants' instead of 'needs' at that.  Not good my friend.  This year will be hard but I know we can do it!   And to Nordstrom & JCrew: I will miss you dearly.  See you in Jan 2012! 

The next res. is to go to church more.  Wait, let me correct that, to go to church, period!  I  used to be really involved in my church, but after Jake and I got together, unfortunately life got in the way and church fell way down the list of

priorities.  Somehow 4+ years has gone by, embarrassingly enough.  Ever since we settled into our new home we've talked about church hunting and trying to find a good place to become members, but its just so hard to find the time to go.  Jake's works EVERY Sunday, plus every other Saturday night.  The only days church is an option is the 2 Sundays a month that Jake doesn't work the night before.  And since those nights are our nights off together we always end up having date night out to dinner or late night movie watching, then come Sunday morning we want to sleep in.  Excuses, excuses, excuses.  None of them good!  But anyway, in the new year we WILL make a conscious effort to get things together!  Faith is a very important part of family, and we could use a little more Jesus in out lives!  ~~ sidebar though -- don't expect me to become some 'bible beater' as they say... I believe in God, Jesus, living a moral life w/ minimal sin ***BUT*** I also don't want to be hypocritical - preachy preachy or judgemental, like a lot of Christians are.  I believe you can be spritual and religious without being SHOWY about it.  It's my opinion that your walk with the Lord can be a personal one, it shouldn't be one of those things that you are thowing in peoples faces for the sake of TRYING to look like a good Christian person when... You're not.

Those are our resolutions!  I hope everyone else has some great (achievable) resolutions!  And....as always, I'll continue to be nicer to homeless people. :)