Fabulous February Favorites

Since I'm cooped up in my house all alone, might as well let you all know about my favorite things right now. Last month I was a little more focused on beauty, so I went more Kirby-intellectual this month :)

The Knot, Spring Edition or theknot.com

I know this is pretty predictable, but with 143 days until the wedding, I'm focusing more now on all the little details that will make our wedding unique. The main stuff is done, and now I am trying to be as original as I can... if I can actually accomplish that, we'll just have to see. The spring edition took me a few sittings to get through and has great ideas for hair, accessories, and dresses (if I was still looking for one).

Style, Lauren Conrad

You might have seen me post this to my facebook, but I have had this since October and just now got a chance to read through it. Snow days can be frustrating but equal lots of reading time! This book is great because she focuses on not only what has worked for her, but what can work for anyone. Great tips on not just clothing but also beauty and lifestyle. I honestly thought I would just skim this, but I ended up reading the whole thing!

Hungry Girl, 200 Under 200

I had heard about Hungry Girl before but had totally underestimated her power! She has put together recipes for easy, yummy meals that both Hugh and I find satisfying. Hugh's favorite of the month was the Big Bad Burger Wrap, and I also enjoyed the Cheesy Beefy Quesadilla. I'm looking forward to making the Buffalo Chicken wrap this week. And YES, they are all under 200 calories... amazing! The important thing I am really trying to focus on right now is to not get bored with eating healthy and to try to rack up a new arsenal of recipes to cook from. I'm doing pretty well this month with trying new recipes (I have made about two new recipes a week).

Sugar and Spice: An LA Candy Novel, Lauren Conrad

It's been a Lauren Conrad month! This also came out in October, and this month I finally got myself into a reading routine again. I'm trying to read about 15-20 minutes every night before bed. I loved the first two books of this series, and the third one was still a fun read. I remember I LOVED the first one, thought the second one was probably my least favorite (it took me awhile to get through), and in this book I think Lauren is really finding her writing style. I hope see more books from her in the future!

The Social Network

With this coming out on DVD recently, I had a chance to be mesmerized by it all over again. This is one of those movies where you seriously don't want to talk or step away from it from the opening scene in the bar to the last moments where Mark is checking his fb to see if the girl he is still obsessed with will be his "friend." The screenplay and an exceptional cast help make this movie my favorite of the year.

Trapp Candle, Guava Mango

Though I pictured a Sweet Honeysuckle box (because I am burning my last Guava Mango right now), Guava Mango is my favorite scent of all time. Seriously. Yankee's Harvest is a close second. All Trapp candles are amazing, especially Mediterranean Fig, but the Guava Mango makes me feel carefree and happy. Probably because it's my favorite summer scent. Tropical paradise without being overwhelming. If you ever feel like you have no idea what gift to give me, this is the perfect one always :)

Winter Favorites 2011

I know it's been awhile since I wrote (July!) but I thought I would start letting you know what things I have been loving lately. (This might have something to do with all the youtube viewing I have been doing lately about beauty recommendations, but I think it's great to know what the good products are out there).

TurboFire

Those who know me well know I have always been a fan of TurboJam, but Chalene just came out with a new set of DVDs. I would describe it as high intensity kickboxing and dance all choreographed to music. This is seriously hardcore. It focuses on HITT (High Intensity Interval Training) and comes with a 20 week program to follow if you want. I am finishing up with week two and have already seen great results. You can buy it on beachbody.com and I got the one that comes with 13 DVDs packed with every kind of workout you could ever want for what time you have.

Real Housewives of New York, Beverly Hills, Atlanta

I pictured New York because it was within arms reach, but seriously this is one of the most addicting shows I have ever watched. Right now Beverly Hills and Atlanta is on (Sundays and Thursdays on Bravo) and I crave those nights to see what Camille, NeNe, or Kim is going to say next. New York is my ultimate favorite (because of my huge obsession with Bethenny Frankel) and it's coming back in February. Bethenny has left the show to do her own spin off (Bethenny Getting Married/Ever After) and it's starting this spring as well.

Michael Kors, Very Hollywood

I have had this scent since last spring, but it is my go-to scent for everyday. It's light but still stands out, and I get compliments on it often (many from Hugh though he doesn't realize it's usually when I'm wearing this). Love, love, LOVE this.

MAC Pro Palette

I have accumulated a lot of MAC eyeshadows over the years. Eye shadow doesn't expire, but I had gotten into the habit of just using the shades on top. Then I started watching youtube videos and found out you can get these palettes empty for $15 online or at MAC stores and fill them with all of your shades you already have. You just have to de-pot your shades. I'll attach a link at the end of this post explaining how if you are interested. You can also just buy the pans which are three dollars cheaper (and you can still Back to MAC them) at MAC Stores. I had enough shades for two palettes: natural colors and brights. The natural palette is pictured.

Favorite natural shades: brule, shroom, woodwinked, patina, soft brown, mylar, grain, satin taupe, wedge

MAC Eye Kohl- Fascinating

This is a great color for the inner corner of your eyes or your lower lid.

MAC Viva Glam Lipglass- Gaga

I love all of the Viva Glam lipglasses, but this one is so much fun. It's a great bubble gum opaque pink and will be great for spring/summer when you are a little sun-kissed.

Essie Nail Polish- Merino Cool

I have used this as a softer alternative to OPI's You Don't Know Jacque. It is gray at first glance but then has purple undertones. I have used this for both nail and toes since the fall. No question, my favorite nail polish this year.

Seche Vite- Dry Fast Top Coat

For years I have been trying to find the best top coat. I was wanting one that made my nail polish last but also dried quick. This accomplishes both awesomely.Ten minutes after I polish, I can start doing things and my polish lasts for at least a week. I. love. it. I will never use anything else again.

YouTube Channel- Makeup by Tiffany D

I have been getting into watching youtube lately, and this is the best channel out there for beauty tips, recommendations, and actual videos on how to apply makeup in certain ways. The next thing i am going to try from there is the Lauren Conrad eyes. Tiffany is awesome and I love her!

http://www.youtube.com/user/makeupbytiffanyd?blend=2&ob=4

Hope you liked my winter favorites! Next time, I will have something more thought provoking to say, I promise!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcpYTaF--m8

New guest bathroom, new guests

Last weekend you probably remember my good friend Rachel came in town and we had our winery adventures. This weekend I'm awaiting a fun-filled weekend with my high school friends Erin and Lindsay. They are staying with me as well which makes a lot of house guests for the past two weekends.

Just my cup of tea since I love playing hostess, but I felt like my guest bathroom was desperately needing a makeover. It was a pattern I'd picked out when I was 18 so my tastes have changed a little from a Parisian purse and shoe theme. Plus, I thought it didn't really reflect Hugh's taste that much, ha.

So, here is the new theme, complete with pics of Hugh and me on the wall :)

Comfort meal with a bestie

On Wednesday night, Katie and I decided to make dinner at my house to save a little money and we also thought it would be a fun change. We usually have the Chili's, Barnes and Noble, and movies routine when we hang out (which isn't enough if you ask me!)... that quickly adds up to a lot of moola!

On the menu was stuffed pork chops, mashed potato casserole, green beans, and beer bread. After a few mishaps (gluten-free instant potatoes and not using self-rising flour, haha), it ended up being a great meal that left us in the proper food coma this meal usually brings.

A welcome addition to the meal was our good friend Chris who contributed dessert (cookie dough ice cream) and good company.

I love nights like this where we can spend hours from start to finish preparing a meal, enjoying it, and cleaning up after it in the summer. August 2 I will be starting to visit my new classroom at least a few hours a day... I feel like school just got out!

Wherever the road takes us...

This weekend, I had the pleasure of having one of my dear friends (and future bridesmaid), Rachel come into town from St. Louis. We are sorority sisters from college and always have kept in touch well over the years with visits and phone calls. She is so much fun to be with because she brings out my spontaneous nature that needs to come out more often.

Case in point, yesterday afternoon. My sister loves New Oak Winery outside of Odessa, so we decided to drive out there among the corn, open road, and blue skies. While tasting different wines (I just took small sips since I was the driver), we discovered that Lafayette County is apparently a wine county. We decided to go to another winery about 25 minutes farther away from home, in Dover. This winery, Baltimore Bend, had a lot sweeter wines. I'm not a fan of dry wines, so this winery was my favorite of the two. I actually really liked a red wine and bought a bottle, which is saying something! We sat outside after the tasting at Baltimore Bend and looked at acres of corn. However, it was about 90 degrees in the shade, so that didn't last too long!

Rachel kept sharing all day that she has an urge to grow things, and one day would love to have a small sod farm. Hugh has always wanted to have a farm too, so I knew later that night when we went to dinner, that would be a fun topic of conversation. Hugh and I might eventually live just outside of the city limits in a few acres, but I think that's all I can do!

While we drove to the wineries, we decided- well I decided- that I wanted fruit and apple butter. So, we stopped at orchards along the way and an antique store too. We ended up with some awesome loot when the day was said and done. I am particularly excited about okra, which I am going to try and fry like Lambert's.

I haven't had an afternoon like that in a long time. It was a nice little day trip driving around the countryside and having good talks with a good friend.

However, by the time we got back to I-70 four hours later, I was ready to stop seeing mazes of corn and driving on windy roads :)

Another attempt at being a domestic goddess...

Every couple weeks, I try to be like Martha Stewart. Whether it's scrapbooking with my cricut, making elaborate from-scratch meals, or last week's candle making, there's always something new I want to attempt to prove I can do it all. I've found that I always take it a bit farther than I should (did I really need to buy four boxes of Mason jars and go to three Hobby Lobby's?!)... so it isn't until I have a few days to reflect on the project/meal that I realize that I really enjoyed it.

The candle making was an attempt to prove that making candles would be saving me money in the long run and that they would be personalized. The Mason jar candle also has a vintage feel that I love.

I decided on using white soy wax and just used the directions on the wax, wicks, and a DIY blog that my best friend Gwen wrote a couple years ago when she worked for KC Star. Here's a link to that: http://www.kcweddings.com/blogs/topic.php?t=6

I decided to make some of the candles with coffee beans in them, but decided I may have dumped too many beans in them (something I'll perfect if I make these again) for them to burn without crackling. I used mostly vanilla scent but a few have guava mango or a pina colada scent.

Overall, the project was fun, but I honestly don't know if I'll be dying to do it again. I will eventually need to do another session to use up the extra wicks. It ended up being more money than I thought, and I have a lot of Mason jars left. Putting in only the recommended amount of scent isn't enough if you are used to very fragrant candles like I am. They are really cute though, and they are making good gifts for friends staying with me the next couple weekends or hostess gifts when people have me over. It's a homemade gift that people can actually use. I bought two big bags of soy wax and it made about 15 candles (in four different sizes). The plus of soy wax is that it will burn for a very long time, so I made high quality candles. I'm sure I could make them cheaper next time!

I would recommend making the candles if you already have the jars or if you are just wanting to make a handful of candles. Also, if you like fragrant candles that reach an entire room, put in double the recommended amount of frangrance.

I'm engaged! And here's the story...

Over the past two days, I have been asked about the “proposal story” many times… I love telling it, but for the technology-driven and detail-oriented people out there who want to know it before they see Hugh or me next, here it is:

[Before I dive right in, it’s important to know something about our story. Hugh has told me since we got together last year that he has admired me from afar for many years (since 2003 to be exact). When I was in my high school production of Oklahoma, Hugh came to see the musical and fell in love with my voice and formed an admiration for me. When we went on our first date (or maybe in emails/phone calls before), Hugh told me about his crush he had had for so many years.]

On Wednesday afternoon(which was my parent’s anniversary), Hugh picked me up and drove me around blindfolded for 40 minutes. For those of you who know me well, this was torture, as I like to always be in control of everything, especially my hair and makeup. Ha.

Then Hugh told me we had arrived at the destination (I pretty much knew what was going down), but he told me I had to keep the blindfold on until I was in the exact place he wanted me. After tripping a few times (thanks, hun!), we went in a set of doors that sounded like either school doors or theater doors. Then I told him I smelled paint (at this point I had the location down to two different spots in my mind), and I told him it smelled like the paint in the theater from high school. “Oh really? Hmm,” was his response. He was really good about not giving anything away!

Then we went through another set of doors, and I started hearing someone singing over the sound system. Then I realized it was a song from Oklahoma, and it was MY voice from so many years ago! After walking up a set of steps and Hugh having me sit in a chair, I asked if I could take the blindfold off- he said not quite yet. He told me something along the lines of “The voice you just heard was the voice of the most creative, beautiful, and kind person I’ve ever met.” Then he took off my blindfold, and I realized I was on my high school theater’s stage, complete with beautiful lighting and a street lamp. He got down on his knee and asked me to marry him… I of course said yes immediately!

It was the perfect proposal, and it was all caught on camera by our good friend Zach Cobb- there will be pictures of this soon!