NARS Deep Throat Blush

I hate to admit that I am one of the few people on this earth who do not absolutely love NARS Orgasm blush. I just wasn't wowed by it, plus I hit the pan pretty quickly which was even more disappointing. So, when I cashed in my 500 point reward at Sephora for the NARS Cults Favorite Pack I was excited to try out another shade and see if I'd have a better experience.

NARS Deep Throat Blush

I loved this blush so much more than Orgasm, because it's a softer subtle glow which is perfect for anytime.

*There's either too much or not enough light, I just can't get the lighting thing down*

What's your favorite blush?

NARS

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Cookie Dough Dip

Have you ever made a batch of cookies and had to restrain yourself from eating all the batter before ever baking the actual cookies? Yep.... me too....

If it wasn't for the raw eggs, I probably would come close... so when I came across an eggless cookie dough dip recipe I knew I had to try it!

Ingredients

1 package of reduced fat cream cheese, softened

1 stick of butter, softened

3/4 cup of brown sugar

1 cup of powdered sugar

2 tsp. of vanilla

1 cup of chocolate chips

Directions

Blend the cream cheese and butter until combined.

Add remaining ingredients and blend until combined.

Refrigerate for an hour.

Garnish with a handful of chocolate chips.

Serve with graham crackers, vanilla wafer cookies, pretzels, and apple wedges.

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1. Follow Emily and myself on GFC and Bloglovin

2. Link up your favorite recipes or food related posts

3. Grab our Recipe Swap button and link back to both of our blogs

4. Be sure to visit other blogs and find new recipes!

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Eat Cake for Breakfast

Another fun-filled weekend bites the dust....

Friday, I wandered into Ulta on my lunch and discovered the yummy smelling Viva La Juicy Gold Couture. I've loved all the other Viva scents (and embarrassed to admit I have them all....) so it's no surprise that I loved this one as well and of course the pretty packaging.

That evening, I met up with my best friend from high school for dinner. It had been almost 2 years since I've seen her so I was so excited she was in town on vacay.

Saturday, was a relaxing day that called for coffee and pancakes on the patio before an intense bike ride. Then it was pool time followed by grilling with some of my fav neighbors. 

Sunday, was my friend's gender reveal party and she went all out with the team pink and team blue decor. I brought a bottle of pink champs to celebrate with and a bottle of sparkling cider for the momma to be. 

Yayyyy for Team Blue!

Joining Leeann and Kimberlee for Monday Morning Gossip

and

Biana for Weekending

and

Lisa and Bella for Weekend Recap

Juicy Couture

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Purple & Sparkly Friday

I love how the work weeks have been flying by lately, but what I don't love is how the summer is also flying by. Sloooooooow down summer!

1.) Got a much needed pedicure and am now purple and sparkly for my birthday month.

2.) I've recently gotten on the Barre3 train, and let me tell you those classes are NO joke! I hate myself while I'm there, but am so happy I went when it's over. Amazing workout!

3.) Tried out a new chardonnay this week, and it was pretty good considering I'm usually more of a pinot girl.

4.) Purchased tickets to see my boys in pinstripes on my birthday in a few weeks when they come to Tampa. So sad to say farewell to Jeter, and gosh I hope he's playing that day and not sitting it out *fingers crossed*.

5.) My best friend from high school is in town this week, and I can't wait to catch up with her over dinner tonight.

*Summer 2011*

*Holding her baby boy for the 1st time*

Can't believe her little man is almost 3, I still picture him as a tiny little baby.

Linking up today with Lauren for High Five on Friday and Amanda for Friday Favorites. Hop on over and join us! Happy Friday!

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Sephora Birthday Loves

One of my favorite things about my birthday month is all the emails that flood my inbox for free stuff. Everything from a free *any size* drink at Starbucks, to a free hibachi dinner, to $10 off at VS, to $50 off at Tory Burch, to my highly anticipated birthday gift every year from Sephora. This year's gift is a free minis set from Make Up For Ever. I have a mascara obsession, and can never get enough and am excited to add a new mascara to my ever growing collection.

It may be time to look into my loves list in my Sephora account, and finally pull the trigger on a few items and place an order along with my complimentary b-day gift.

Current loves:

Benefit POREfessional Agent Zero Shine

Peter Thomas Roth Vitamin C Brightening Sleep Mask

Classic Crease Shadow Brush

Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo

Benefit Rockateur Cheek Powder

What's currently on your loves list at Sephora?

Sephora

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Frozen Whipped Grahams

I don't know about you, but I find myself rummaging around looking to satisfy my sweet tooth some nights. However, I'm usually hesitant because I don't want to un-do my entire day. So, I was excited to find a simple sweet snack to throw together when those cravings hit.

Ingredients

Chocolate graham crackers

Reduced fat peanut butter

Cool Whip Lite

Directions

Freeze a few slices of graham crackers

Spread peanut butter on one side, dollop on the cool whip, and sandwich it together with the other graham cracker.

Enjoy!

Satifies that sweet tooth without undoing your whole day, plus they can be thrown together in seconds.

*YUM*

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Link-up Rules:

1. Follow Emily and myself on GFC and Bloglovin

2. Link up your favorite recipes or food related posts

3. Grab our Recipe Swap button and link back to both of our blogs

4. Be sure to visit other blogs and find new recipes!

Recipe

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Summers are for Beach Weekends

Summer weekends are made for some beachy fun with friends, and what better reason to head to the beach than to celebrate a friend's b-day?

*Gorgeous Beach Day*

The birthday boy loves vodka, so what better gift than birthday cake flavored vodka? Of course I adorned it with a cute lil' bow.

I wore my new cover up from H&M, it was super comfy and light and airy for the beach.

I tried out the Coors Light Summer Brew and it wasn't good at first, but then I started kinda liking it. It's a light beer with a citrusy finish. Not bad considering I'm not a fan of Coors Light :-P

After the beach, we headed over to the port area for some dinner on the deck while watching the boats go by. I wish we had gotten there a little earlier to watch the cruises set sail. 

Joining Leeann and Kimberlee for Monday Morning Gossip

and

Biana for Weekending

and

Lisa and Bella for Weekend Recap

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Friday Favs

Happy Friday and 1st day of August which means it's officially my birthday month!

1.) My job had our summer party last night. Open bar, good food, and great peeps. And one of my co-workers is working on launching her own business of butters and ice cream which we all got to sample... YUM!

2.) Finally tried out a great lunch place near my work this week that I've been curious about and it was delish!

3.) Made another trip to the new Trader Joes this week, and tried out a red wine this time. Just as yummy! Of course I also picked up some new cookie butter and decided to try out the crunchy version.

4.) A new blow dry bar is opening up near by, I think it's time for me to start treating myself to some blowouts!

5.) Tickets are officially booked for my first Cubs game at Wrigley. Can't wait to conquer another baseball stadium with Emily during our 1st trip to Chi-town.

Linking up today with Lauren for High Five on Friday and Amanda for Friday Favorites. Hop on over and join us! Happy Friday!

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Polka Dots and Bright Colors

I am always a huge fan of bright colors especially when they come in the form of fun skirts that I can not only wear out and about, but also to work.

 Skirt - VS | Top - H&M | Heels - Target

What are some of your favorite bright colors to wear?

H&M OOTD Target Victorias Secret

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Recipe Swap Tuesday ~ Cheesy Zucchini

I've never been a huge fan of lasagna, but I stumbled upon this easy recipe for a healthier version and tweaked it a bit and ended up loving it.

Now, I'm not a fan of jar sauce and make a homemade pot of sauce almost every week. However, for a quick and easy recipe I decided to use jar sauce as I wasn't going to make a whole pot of sauce just for this recipe, and it worked great.

Ingredients

2 large squash/zucchini, chopped
Extra lean ground turkey
1 jar of sauce
1 bag of shredded reduced fat mozzarella cheese

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
Heat ground turkey on the stove top until fully cooked
Chop zucchini
Spray a casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray
Put a layer of the zucchini down in the dish, then pour the ground turkey on top, add the sauce and another layer of zucchini. Sprinkle the cheese on top and bake at 350 for about 1/2 an hour

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Link-up Rules:

1. Follow Emily and myself on GFC and Bloglovin

2. Link up your favorite recipes or food related posts

3. Grab our Recipe Swap button and link back to both of our blogs

4. Be sure to visit other blogs and find new recipes!

Recipe

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