Top 5 Tuesday: January Favorites

Hey y'all! Hope everyone is having a great week so far!

This week I'm linking up once again with Rachel for Top 5 Tuesday, and this past week I've tried a few new products that, so far, I'm loving! So I thought I would share!

1. Maybelline Baby Lips- I got Pink Punch and Quenched. I'm actually not a fan of the Pink Punch color (on my lips) it's a bright pink, but I love Quenched, which is clear. Although I'm not crazy about the pink, the product it's self works great! It's not too thick and not sticky. And it smells fabulous! After I wore it for a day, I actually noticed a difference. My lips were really soft!

2. Wet-n-Wild Mega Volume Mascara- I've been using CG Lash Blast Fusion, but when I ran out, I picked this guy up. I have to say, it's not as good as CG, but it's a close second in my book. It's a steal well worth $3.

3. Pantene 2 in 1 Dry to Moisturized Shampoo- I bought this when I ran out of my usual shampoo. My hair gets used to shampoos if I use them a long time, and this one smelled great, so I got it!  My hair is extremely thick and has a slight wave to it when I don't blow dry and always has a hint of frizz. This shampoo is Ahhh-mazing! My hair is so much softer and the frizz is virtually gone in 1 use!

4. Sinful Colors in Folly- I got this nail polish for Christmas and I love it. It has to be one of my favorite polish colors. I'm a big fan of Sinful Colors polishes because they are not terribly expensive and last a long time.

Do you use any of these products? Do you have any recommendations on what I should try next?

 

xo Julia

Monday Motivation

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Since it's Monday, that means it's time for my Monday Motivation!

We all have things that motivate us to loose weight and/or stay in shape and this is one of my biggest motivators! When I see people that I haven't seen in a while, I want them to talk about how good I look instead of how bad. (Don't we all!?)

NMC and I are going to a wedding in June where I'll meet some of his family that I've never met before. And, needless to say, I want to make a good impression! So, this quote really motivates me to keep working hard!

Oh, and by the way, in case you're wondering, I've been trying to stick really closely with eating fresh foods and drinking mostly water. That, combined with a walk everyday, really has me feeling great! If I keep this up (which I will!) I'll look amazing come June!

What motivates you?

xo Julia

Monday Motivation

Hey y'all! I hope everyone had a great weekend!

One of my good blog friends, Kelly, always does a Monday Motivation post, and I thought what better way to start off the week!

How true!

On Another Note:

I have to say that since I posted about trying to stick with a diet, I've actually done pretty well! But staying motivated is hard sometimes! Here's what's been going on with me as far as dieting:

• I've found loads of great, healthy recipes and have had a lot of fun trying them out
• I am about to make Jackie's baked oatmeal to have as a quick and healthy breakfast for NMC and I to grab in the mornings
• As soon as I get done writing this post, I'm going for a mile (2 mile round trip) walk down the driveway
• The diet I'm following has a recipe for peanut butter and banana toast, but I replaced the bread with an English muffin to save on some calories, and it tastes even better!
• I've had a hard time with the "no sweets" thing, but I'm actually doing OK.
• We've discovered Clif Bars...they are pretty good, and I don't know why I've never bought one before!

Anyone have a favorite healthy recipe they would like to share? Do you have a hard time getting motivated sometimes?

P.S. Make sure to check out Ashley's giveaway for a Smathers and Branson Key fob! And Katie's giveaway for a Marley Lilly monogrammed bag!

xo Julia

Oh, How Pinteresting!

Hey y'all! Today I'm linking up with Michelle at The Vintage Apple for another fabulous round of "Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday!"

Lately I have really been in the mood for Spring clothes, especially dresses! So here are some of my Spring inspired pins!

What was your Pinteresting Wednesday about?

xo Julia

I Got Tagged!

Ok, so I am a little behind on writing this post! I got tagged by 3 of my most favorite bloggers, so how can I refuse! Thanks to Allison, Jackie and Lindsey for tagging me! I decided not to tag any particular people. I want everyone to do it!

Rules of the Game

1. You must post the rules.

2. Post eleven fun facts about yourself.

3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create eleven new questions to ask the people you've tagged.

4. Tag eleven people and link them on your post.

5. Let them know you've tagged them!

 

My 11 Facts:

 

1. I love being part of a family business! We all get along great and it's like your around your best friends all day long!

2. I love all things nautical. My Granddaddy was a ship builder, so I've grown up around boats and the water my whole life.

3. My wedding dress was the first dress I ever tried on! I tried on several after that but I always went back to it.

4. I took interior design and drafting classes in high school and loved it. I was the top of my class and really thought that was my future career, but when I got to college, I changed my mind about 5 times.

5. I really like antiques, especially jewelry and furniture! My rings are an antique setting, and I couldn't be more in love with them!

6. I know some American Sign Language, but wouldn't trust my abilities in a conversation!

7. I've only been a bridesmaid once. It was for my cousins wedding and I loved my dress at first, but then HATED it when it came time to actually wear it.

8. I get anxious going places I never have before, especially out of town locations.

9. My aunt Jan and Uncle Don sail to the Bahamas all the time and always used to bring us this weird, yet delicious, carbonated juice and ever since then, I've been searching for some!

10. I carry hand sanitizer in my purse at all times and encourage everyone with me to use it.

11. When NMC and I went to Indy over the Holidays, I had by first Bison burger. Surprisingly, it was really good!

 

Questions from Allison:

 

1. If you could be on a reality show, what would you choose?

Cupcake Wars! I can make a mean cupcake!
2. What is your favorite workout song?
I don't have a favorite...basically anything with a fast beat

3. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Ok, unhealthy- cheesecake. Healthy- granola bars
4. What is your favorite book?

I loved What Would Jackie Do!
5. Who is your favorite sports team?

I am not really all that into sports, BUT if I had to choose, it is a tie between U of Alabama or the Florida Gators (I grew up rooting for them)
6. What is your favorite holiday other than Christmas?
Oh, Fourth of July! I love cookouts, fireworks and taking the boat out!

7. Why did you start blogging and what keeps you doing it?

I started blogging because, after reading other peoples blogs for a long time, I thought I would be pretty good at it too! 8. What was your favorite vacation?

Our honeymoon. I'll never forget it (duh!). We spent a whole week in St. Augustine...all by our selves! It was our first vacation without anyone else along.
9. If you could only shop at one store, what would it be?

Target I guess. You can buy everything there and their clothes aren't half bad!
10. Do you have any siblings? If yes, are they older or younger?
Yep! 3. All younger. Sister, SIL and Brother

11. If you could witness any event, past or present, what would you choose?

I have always been super interested in the Titanic. I thought I was going to grow up and discover it, but was devastated when I found out someone already had. I would love to be on the expedition when they found it.

 

Questions from Jackie:

 

1. Are you a PC or Mac?

PC, but I want to be a Mac!

2. If you are at a bar, what drink do you usually order?

Strawberry Margarita all the way!

3. What color is on your nails right now?

Bright Pink! A little too early for that? Maybe, but I don't care!

4. What are your top 3 beauty products?

Oil free moisturizer, Cover Girl bendable foundation and Cover Girl invisible concealer

5. What do you usually eat for lunch?

A sandwich

6. Heels or flats?

I'm a flats kind of girl. I do way to much during the day to wear heels! Although, more power to those of you who can do it!

7. Are you a coffee drinker? If so, what is your favorite?

I prefer french vanilla cappuccino, but I don't drink it regularly

8. Is there a fashion trend you wish you could pull off? If so, what is it?

Skinny Jeans. Why can't I pull them off!?

9. What is the first thing you notice about people?

Their smile or their shoes

10. Why were you given your name?

I was named Julia after my great aunt and my middle name is Jeannette after my Granddaddy's sister!

11. What did you start blogging?

I started blogging because, after reading other peoples blogs for a long time, I thought I would be pretty good at it too!

Questions from Lindsey:

1. What is your dream career?
Ocean Archaeologist2. What accessory can you not live without?
My pearl studs
3. What qualities do you look for in a significant other?
Sincere, good sense of humor, caring. Check, NMC, you have them all!4. What is one thing that really gets on your nerves?
Nagging I guess.
5. Why did you start blogging?
I started blogging because, after reading other peoples blogs for a long time, I thought I would be pretty good at it too!
6. What is your favorite way to spend a Saturday night?
With the hubs either watching our favorite shows or a night on the town7. Do you tend to plan ahead or do you just go with the flow?
I always plan ahead. Neil even makes fun of me sometimes for being over prepared...but I say it's better to be over prepared than under prepared!
8. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you choose?
I would really like to go to Rome or any where in Italy for that matter9. Do you color or highlight your hair?
No, I'm all natural
10. What is one movie you could watch again and again?
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It's the first movie I ever remember watching as a child
11. What is your go-to outfit?
A cardi, jeans and a scarf

 xo Julia

Friday Reflections

Hey ladies! Hope everyone is having a fantastic Friday!

Last night I was trying to figure out what I should post about today, and couldn't decide, so I guess this post will be a jumble of several things going on right now!

1. One of my resolutions, or goals, as I prefer to call them, was to loose weight. And, yes, I'm guilty of that being the prominent goal every year, but not sticking to it. But I am determined that this year WILL be different.
I found this meal plan on the Good Housekeeping website, and am headed to the grocery store later to pick up what I need. I want both NMC and I to be as healthy as possible, and while we don't eat a ton of junk, we don't eat extremely healthy either. Hopefully, the diet plan, combined with our exercise routine will help me shed pounds, but more importantly, just be healthier in general.

2. A couple weeks ago I got an email from my mom about what they did for New Years. In the email she told me she went on a date, and I'm a little confused about how to take that. Since dad past away, I knew that time would probably come, but I guess I wasn't quite ready yet.

Please don't get me wrong though, I want my mom to be happy. She always supports us in what we do, and I support her, I guess I get scared that she has started all over and will forget about dad. And not to mention, I'm scared some new guy will move his way into her life and it will be one of those things like you see in the movies...new guy comes to the family, becomes your step dad then turns your mom against you. I doubt that really happens though...right...? I know I am probably thinking way to much into it and over analyzing it (I do it with everything).

Have any of y'all gone through this situation? Any advice?

P.S. I wanted to say a big THANK YOU to all my followers! I'm having some trouble finding everyones blog though, so if you follow me, but I haven't followed you yet, please leave me a link to your blog!

xo Julia

My New Jewelry Additions and a Wonderful Charity!

Hey y'all! Hope everyone is having a great week!

I was looking through my jewelry box yesterday, and realized how many new pieces of jewelry I've added to it over the past month!  As many of you know, earrings are my favorite accessory, so here's all the new pairs I've acquired lately!

From Top Left:

1. Antique Me- Mary & Dyer

2. Triple Monograms- Swell Caroline

3. Two-tone Silver/Gold with Black center- ?

4. Gold Knots- ?

5. Elephants- Masquerade

6. Pearl Studs- Masquerade

7. Starfish- Masquerade

8. Colorful Danglers- Apparent Project

I love all my earrings, but the Apparent Project earrings really stand out. A lady my mom works with is a rep. for AP, so she got me these for Christmas.

The Apparent Projects mission is to keep families together. In Haiti, poverty rates are really high, so because of this, some families (mothers and fathers) are having to surrender their children to local orphanages. The Apparent Project was started to give these parents the chance to make money, and keep their family together.

How do they make that money? They make beads, and other crafts, to create jewelry (like my earrings)! The cool thing about these beads, are that they are made out of paper, such as propaganda papers. They roll the paper into beads, coat them in some kind of sealer and string them into necklaces, bracelets, earrings and more. Then, the Apparent Project, buys these crafts from the artisan and then sells them to people like you and me!

If you would like to find out more about The Apparent Project, please visit their website. Their handmade crafts would make a perfect gift for many occasions!

Have any of y'all heard of the Apparent Project? What's your favorite pair of earrings you own?

xo Julia

I wasn't paid or compensated in any way for writing this. I think this is a wonderful mission, and couldn't help but share it with all of you!

Holly Jolly Swap!

Hey y'all! Hope everyone is having a great week!

I was SO excited when Ashley, Crystal and Emily first started talking about this Secret Santa thing...I LOVE Secret Santa! So of course I signed up! I had so much fun shopping for my partner and reading new blogs!

I really enjoyed getting to know Heather from From Here To There during the process! I didn't take any pictures of what I sent her, but I sent a Lilly journal, photo book, a luggage/passport set and some of my favorite lip balm! I really hope she enjoys it! 

This is what I got!

Some ADORABLE note cards from Lemonseed & Co. She knows me so well because if I had a choice, this is what I would have chosen! The frame is more of a pinkish red than the picture shows.

So who was my Secret Santa??

The lovely Kate from Cocktails and Friendship!  I was so excited to see that it was Kate, because I read her blog everyday! Thanks Girl!

Did everyone else enjoy their gifts?

xo Julia

Our Christmas!

Hey y'all! Happy (day after) New Year!  I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Years Eve!  Sorry I've been a bad blogger :( Things have been so busy around here! But, now that things have calmed down, I've been reading your blogs and have loved finding out what you all got, so I thought it would be fun to share some highlights from our Christmas too!

For starters, Neil and I usually stick with opening presents on Christmas morning, because it's more exciting that way! But this year, our church was having a Christmas morning service at 9:30 am, so we decided it would be better if we all opened our gifts on Christmas Eve.

Kazy was ready to open gifts even before we were!

We had huge stockings this year! Partly because some gifts didn't get wrapped in time, so the perfect solution was a jumbo stocking!

Some of my Christmas goodies! Complete with a Nook Tablet (which I love!), some Lilly stationary, scarves (I think I got 7!), super cute jewelry including some Swell Caroline monogram earrings and a Star Fish jewelry set. When we went to my moms house (post coming soon!) we also got some great gifts, including about 10 kitchen appliances! More on that in a few days!

Neil's Christmas gifts included lots of clothes from L.L. Bean and Brooks Brothers, a new Fly Fishing rod, along with a new fly tying kit (which he put to good use right after he opened it!) and other fly fishing accessories. A leather man belt (he loves it!), accessories for his gun, several books, all of which I highly recommend and lots of other goodies here and there! Oh, and a R/C Helicopter, because, no matter how old they are, every boy needs a real toy on Christmas, or that's my opinion anyways!

P.S. The Christmas Story movie was playing the whole time we were opening gifts. Is that a tradition in your house too?

Now on to Christmas Day....

We all woke up early, earlier than we wanted to, but that's ok. It's like Neil told me, "Jesus did so much for us, the least we can do it wake up a little early and go to Church!" So, that's what we did!

The service was short and sweet, our Pastor told the Christmas Story, which I never get tired of hearing, and the man who usually plays guitar on Sunday mornings, got up and sang a beautiful version of "Mary Did You Know".  Overall, it was probably the Best, but also the only, Christmas morning church service I have been to!

After Church, we all went to our favorite Chinese restaurant! I had never done that before, but I had so much fun! When we got there, we were the only ones there so far. The Chef was standing at the door and welcomed us with a big "Merry Christmas".  The food was delicious and it totally beat standing in the Kitchen all day cooking!  That is Neil's cousin, Leah back there...I guess she thought something was scary..? And, yes, I tried eating with chop sticks but only made it about 3 minutes before I gave up.  

When we got home, Neil and Kazy went out side to try out his new rod. I couldn't tell who was enjoying it more! Oh, and don't worry, there was no hook on the line, just a bit of yarn!

I hope y'all had as good of a Christmas as we did! And I look forward to reading more about what you got! Did any of you get some of the same things I got? What was your favorite gift this year?

xo Julia