Diary of a Simple Life

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

I'M BACK + MY CHRISTMAS WISHLIST

So I'm officially back in the blogging game. These past few weeks have been so hectic. Husband and I went to Vegas all last week. We had a great time. But I'll be honest... We were exhausted and ready to come back home by the end of the trip. Once I get some free time I'll post some outfits pictures from the trip.
We booked and paid for the trip 6 months ago. At that time I had no idea I would be leaving right smack in the middle of my biggest work project of the year, health insurance open enrollment. Normally, we do it in May. But we've changed things up this year so we're in a huge time crunch to get it all under way before the first of next year. So it's been a little stressful returning to work.
I've been noticing everyone posting their Christmas wish lists so I wanted to show you guys mine! This year I'm only asking for a 2 bigger items.


from Target.com

Vanity Set: I really want to re-do our guest bedroom as a "vanity" room for me. I want to put a vanity with some storage bins and shelves. I was inspired by this Pink Lou Lou post. I will use that room to put my makeup on and do my hair. Husband leaves for work way later than me so putting it in our bedroom is not really an option because he's still asleep. Right now I don't have much space in our bathroom, and since he's still asleep I usually blow-dry my hair in the guest bathroom anyway. We NEVER have company so that won't be an issue. I just have to find the right furniture to go in there, and figure out a way to rearrange everything to fit.

Professional hair dryer: This one runs $194 which seems a little crazy for me. But I think with my flat hair it would make a difference. I just have to research the best one.

I'm sure I'll think of more. What all are you wishing for this year?

XO-Heather

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Tasty Tuesday: Black Eyed Peas & Ham

Today I'm just going to share a link to one of my favorite crock pot recipes. Black Eye Peas are a Southern staple. I love them, especially with sausage or ham. Its also no secret that I love my crock pot, and Gina's skinny recipes. I have yet to make something that disappoints from that site!

So here's the link! Everyone go make these! They are delish! I make them pretty regularly.

source

Slow Cooked Black Eyed Peas with Ham
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 8 • Serving Size: 1 cup • Old Points: 3 pts • Points+: 4 pts
Calories: 161.4 • Fat: 1.6 g • Protein: 9.3 g • Carb: 29.2 g • Fiber: 6.7 g

Have a great day everyone!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Wardrobe Wednesday: OOTD

Happy Wednesday!
Today I'm wearing what's as close to PJ's to work as possible. I think I may have injured my knee in the gym yesterday, doing lunges. Something popped, but it didn't hurt. So I finished my entire routine. Then later in the day it kept popping and feels like something is pulling whenever I straighten it. I've been wearing flats for 2 days, and I have to take the elevator in my building. I'm so mad because I feel like I just found my groove. I had a good routine down that I really liked. Now this happens!!! Hopefully it's nothing serious. But its still bothering me this morning.

Anyway, I'm wearing my Daisy Fuentes skinnies that I posted about in my recent purchases post Monday.

Shirt- Gap $12
Skinnes- Daisy Fuentes via Kohl's $23
shoes- Steve Madden via Plato's Closet $9.99
These pants feel like a really thick legging. They have an elastic waist. So you just pull them on. But they're not tight like leggings. They are looser like a regular pant, and they have pockets in the back so it looks like pants. I probably wouldn't wear them with anything other than a looser shirt though.
I picked up this shirt of the clearance rack at Gap a while back. This is my first time wearing it. I really like the back of it!!

Monday, October 31, 2011

Mixed Up Monday: Recent Purchases

Happy Halloween! I'm lazy and boring and didn't do anything for Halloween nor am I dressing up. Husband has too much studying to do to break away. And I just hate to spend money on a costume, and I'm too lazy to make one.

Saturday I had a facial from my best friend. She's an Esthetician, and owns a spa in our hometown. My skin has been looking so dull lately no matter how many times I exfoliate. Plus, it has been a year since I had one.

Then afterward I tagged along with a friend while she shopped and we ate sushi for lunch. We spent 6 hours shopping! It was so fun though. By the time I came home at 7 that night I was exhausted.

I did pick up a few things on Saturday. I really wanted to take advantage of the 20% off coupon from Ulta since there were no exclusions. There were some things I knew I would buy eventually. So why not stock up when you can get it on sale? I also went to Loft because they were having a 40% off everything sale.

So here's what I picked up:

LOFT: 40% OFF ENTIRE STORE

Loft skinny patent belt

Loft Boatneck Cable Poncho

Loft Striped Long Sleeve Scoop Neck Tee

ULTA: USED 20% OFF ENTIRE ORDER COUPON
A lot of these items were things I wouldn't normally buy all at once being the frugal person that I am. But they were all things I've had on my wish list for a long time. And since the Ulta coupon was a one-time thing, and you can normally not use their coupons on any of this stuff... I figured this was the best time to buy everything- while I can get it cheaper. I can either buy things later when I need them or buy things before I need them at a discount. I follow the same rule for my groceries and household products... "Buy at the lowest price possible if you are going to use it."

Philosophy Microdelivery & Philosophy Great Skin Is In Kit

I've been needing and wanting a new skin care set lately. Normally I use a drugstore brand, usually Olay because I always have coupons. But some of the drugstore brands can be pretty pricey when you add up an entire line of products. Since I really needed everything I figured I'd give this kit a try, and I added in the microdermabrasion cleanser also . I wouldn't have normally bought it or paid full price for it. I really just tried it because of the coupon. But I've been using it since Saturday night and I love it. But I also just had a facial so we'll see how long that lasts.

Benefit High Beam

I've been dying to try this for a while. I tried ELF's version, the shimmering facial whip in lilac petal. But I really didn't care for the consistency of it. It was EXTREMELY runny. I made a mess every time I used it. Since ELF's is only $1 I bought 2 different bottles of it. Because I thought maybe the first one I bought was old. But they both did it. I think that's the first ELF product I didn't really like!

Benefit They're Real Mascara

This stuff is AH-Mazing! I've been on a crazy mascara kick lately. My sister actually bought this stuff and I tried it. I had to have it. I was going to wait until I ran out of ELF Mineral Infused Mascara to buy some more. But I figured I could either buy it in a month or two or buy it now for 20% less.

Naked Palette

I already have one of these and I'm completely obsessed. But I picked this one up for my mom. She tried mine a few weeks ago and fell in love. Is there anyone out there that doesn't like this thing?!

KOHL'S

I've been dying for some skinny black pants that I can wear to work. I have black jeans, but I can't wear jeans. And I'm funny about leggings so I won't wear leggings to work. I found these at Kohl's. They are the material of sleeping pants. But they aren't too tight and have pockets in the back. So they look like regular pants. They are great quality. These were originally $48. But the Daisy Fuentes brand was 40% off and I had a 15% off coupon I printed. So I think I paid about $26 with tax.

Daisy Fuentes Skinny Ponte Pants