The trip to Sephora.

I think I am in a blogging funk. Too exhausted to say anything worthwhile. Some of you have asked about my Sephora buys last week. Well ladies, here they are! ;) 

Decided to take the plunge and try the HD foundation. So far. Thumbs up. Loooove the feel of it. 

Love the powder too, creates a matte finish without changing the color of your foundation. Almost airbrush looking. 

I was out of this miracle product so I had to get more. Did you know this is the best stuff ever made? Fact.

Some more colors of this fantastic eyeliner... bourbon has sparkles in it. Ooh la la!

\

And THIS mascara. Tarte... it is amaze. You must try it. I'm quite picky about mascaras but I think I have a new favorite. 

If you were to invest in ONE product from this post, I would tell you you must have this. Best eyelash curler I have ever bought. It is amazing! It doesn't pull, and is just so comfy. And mine doesn't even have the bling, so you KNOW that is not why I like it... HA. (Tarte, also)

Sephora gloss in golden shimmer. 

And just for fun, my sis and mom made fun of me for the following. This all came with me for ONE NIGHT. It was just easier to grab everything!

;)

I plan to get back to normal soon. Just been so BUSY!!!! Weekends should be four days. 

The one where I pass out in pure barre...

Hello ladies. So this is a funny story. 

While on my quest for a better me, and body, I have taken up a little pure barre. I am by no means 'ahead of the trend' here as apparently everyone and their mom has been doing pure barre forEVAH. It really is fantastic, and I have already become addicted.  If you aren't familiar with pure barre, check out the website as it will do way better justice at explaining than I will telling you about it. Here are some PB girls just getting' after it. I'll take one long, lean toned body- kthanks. 

I really enjoy it because I am on the fence about traditional working out. Yeah, I'll do it. I've spent hundreds of dollars on trainers before, but if you tell me to go run 5 miles I will tell you that you are outta your mind. So pure barre is perfect for the LouLou! Don't get me wrong, it is not easy by any means, just a totally different workout than your traditional workouts. And I loooves it. 

So last night, I worked late, and off I went to my pure barre class, taught by my good friend Catherine. I had been so busy all day with work, a blonde appointment, trying to get everything ready to be out of town etc. that I didn't exactly eat much. I had lunch, but that was it, I just didn't really think about it. (stupid)

{So this is cute too by the way} I walk in the PB studio and there is a precious blonde, tight and toned little pure barre baby working the front desk and she looks at me and goes, "it's PInkLouLou!" It was so cute! She has read my blog, and it was just adorable how she called me PinkLouLou. So I am feeling like a celeb you know {HA!} , ready to go kick some pure barre taill.

So class begins, and I am surrounded by 25 gorgeously toned, lululemon wearing pure barre hotties. 

(Note to self: must buy lululemon. Makes the tail and the tata's look incredible!) 

My cousin's sister in law (wow, follow me here) is right beside me. She has had two kids, and is like a pure barre goddess- putting my NO-kids-younger-than-you-26 body to SHAME. She looks like a ballerina. Anyhoo- may I remind you that it is 500 degrees in this room, and I started sweating like seriously, during the warm up. It was a sauna in there. It wasn't until thigh work that I started feeling dizzy. I don't know if it was the up and down, the pulsing, the lifting, toning, squeezing, and burning or what, but I knew something wasn't right. I thought oh no… you are gonna pass out in the middle of pure barre my friend. I fought through it for a second, when girlfrand next to me (cousins's sister in law) and my friend Catherine (instructor) said to me are you ok? Apparently I was as white as a freaking ghost. That's when the stars came and everything went black. Sweet Laura (remember the cutey patooty front desk girl, who knew I was LouLou) grabbed my arm and took me into the lobby, and fed me a luna bar. I.was.mortified. Here I was close to death (ok slight exaggeration) being fed a luna bar in the lobby of pure barre, by the sweet college girl who reads my blog. Awesome. This is AWESOME. Bless her heart she was so sweet, and promised me that it happens all the time. le sigh. 

I ate my little luna bar, immediately felt normal again, and went back in to finish class. I just had to prove to myself and everyone else, that duh, I can do this, I just gotta EAT! haha. And I rocked it ;) 

So in conclusion: must eat something, anything, before pure barre! That shizz aint for the birds, its hard core and your body is workin'! 

Catherine, you are a phenom teacher! I promise I am going to be packin a snack next class, ha!

Laura, you are too sweet, thanks for nursing me back to health. And I hope you still read the blog, even though I am now totally "a pure barre passer-outer"

Until, next time… 

Just a quick note.

Thank you to all of, each one of you who read this and support me. THANK YOU! You have no idea how much each and every little comment, email, tweet etc. means. I have been overwhelmed recently with all of the sweet emails I have gotten. It is so humbling that anyone would be interested in anything I have to say, ha! I started this blog for me, to just write and get my mind off some tough things I was going through, and it has turned into so much more than that! I talk to so many of you on a normal basis, and those of you who are reading silently, I love you too! So THANK YOU!

My Aunt passed away this past weekend. Well my mom's cousin really but she was always "Aunt Lisa" to me. She had the most vibrant spirit, and she will be missed greatly. I am just thankful she is no longer in pain. I  have just been praying for her sweet kids, {my cousins}. Thanks for all of your sweet prayers via twitter! I will be out of town this week, so probably MIA from le bloggy. Aunt Lisa, I love you and I know you are already up there with Aunt Debbie, just having a ball! Jordan, Jessica and Matt- your momma was so incredibly special, and just always ALWAYS made me laugh and feel loved. I know you will miss her greatly. I love you three tons!

{how cute is she!}

My sweet cousins and Aunt Lisa

Touch base soon. xo

Something Borrowed: Le Movie

One of my all time favorite books. I remember reading this in the hallways at UK between classes, probably amidst a devastating breakup. And then again that following summer, still nursing same breakup. (darn you Reed) Ha. I had heard it was becoming a movie featuring MY FAVORITE...

and little miss Ginnifer Goodwin! PS how pretty does she look?? SO much better with this hair. 

Anyways,  I had no idea the movie was going to be this good! The trailer looks fabulous, and I cannot WAIT to see this! Definitely gonna be a girls wine and movie night. 

FACT: did you know you that inside the speedy 35 you can fit a whole bottle of wine ;) ... and then just ask for water cups at the concession counter... I'm just sayin'.{shout out to Amber!}

You have to watch this! EEK! John K is dreamy... I get goosebumps! And yes I realize I am a loser. 

You are WELCOME. ;) 

Have a great weekend ladies!!

I got a pocket, got a pocket full o sunshine...

This song is STUCK IN MY HEAD! Help!

I think because it is nearly 70 degrees outside and I am in a great mood, besides the fact I cannot hear, or breath.

I have just been a little under the weather this week! I had to have blood taken Monday {there is not much I despise more} and I left work yesterday because I thought my head was going to explode. Just a little sick girl. Good news? feeling much better today. I literally woke up at 8, and was out the door at 8:20. Sadie looked at me like I was a loon. Look how cute she is snuggled up in my mountains of fluff. 

Loves the Sadie girl!

Anyhoo I don't have much of anything useful to say today so I thought I would just show ya my outfit of the day! 

Bam. There it is. 

Things to note: 

1. I love my true religion jeans. I love them even more that they are now too big and I must wash AND DRY them in order for them to fit, and then they are still big after. YAYYY says the girl who is trying to lose weight! 
2.  Don't you judge me that I am wearing Clinique Happy {circa '97} I found a baby bottle of it the other day and something about it just said "welcome spring" to me. Ha! I do have a slight perfume obsession.  See here if you don't believe me. (collection has expanded since post, must update with recent finds.)
3. Sadie snuck in the OOTD. She just wants to be included.
4. That would be OPI Mimosas for Mr. and Mrs. on my hands (still rocking teenage dream on my tootsies)
5. My DY ring that I have on is actually the light purple, but I couldn't find a pic.
6. I love cardigans and fitted super soft v neck T's. Throw in some sexy heels and bling and I feel oh so "J.Crew meets Elle Woods".  ;) haha

And here is the necklace I have on, thanks to Leigh Ashley! 

And a pic of my unwashed hair. The messy bun thing is always a fantastic quick fix for the gal who likes to sleep in.  ;)

I've got dinner with my girlfriends tonight {weekly Thursday tradition!} so that is good. Thinking about swinging by best buy for a camera charger beforehand, so y'all can finally have REAL pics from me, instead of iphone ones!

AAAAND look what I treated myself to at lunch today. 

 Oh heavens how this makes me want to just write a big ole to-do list. 

Love love. heart heart. 

This is not a Valentines Post.

Because I have decided I am skipping v-day this year. I do fully intend to drink an entire bottle of wine with my single girlfriends tonight. And I am 100% ok with that. 

{Alright that might be a lie... but regardless we will have a blast.}

1. I went to Med School prom this past weekend, and fell in love. No not with a TD&H (tall dark handsome) swoon worthy MD, but with a bottle of tequila. Umm I realize that I am late on the Bethany Frankel train, but holy lime juice this is hands down my new favorite cocktail. Bonus? 37 calories in each 1 1/2 oz. 

2. I have been getting my ass kicked, and handed to me at Pure Barre. I love it, but I'm feeling it. Next on the list? Must buy lululemon outfit to help create the illusion that I know what I am doing. But then I will be that girl who wears the same thing to every class... alright must buy two.

3. Grammy's last night. 

a.) Where was Carrie?

b.) not even going to mention Gaga.

3.) Eminem sets ma loins ablaze, and blush in all shades of pink. Have huge bad boy crush. 

4.) I heart Katy Perry. Seriously, how pretty is she. Her skin be flawless. And her bling bra is pretty awesome. 

4. I had a random Carrie Underwood "look alike" comment this weekend from an old man in a bar (somewhat creepy) which got me thinking of my favorite time I have ever been told I resemble her. And in case you didn't read le bloggy then, you should read it here. It just makes me laugh from sheer awkward embarrassment. 

pause. 

hahahahahahaha. Oh that one get's me everytime. 

Anyways, I'm not totally cynical of this day, so have a Happy Valentines day girlies! Love on that man of yours, and make me proud!

no thanks Pam Anderson, no thanks.

Do you ever lust over something, and then finally order it only to have it come in and be COMPLETELY wrong. Well that happened. Not to me, but to my sissy Becky, which basically means that it happened to me because we a. live vicariously through each other and b.  steal each others clothes all.the.time.  

Exhibit A: Becky- my sissy.

 {it's fab having a sis you can share clothes with. The baby sis is soo tiny, I can only steal some of her things. If it's moo moo-esque.}

Exhibit B: Hannah- Baby sis. 

I just had to include two of her Halloween costumes from this past year (te he). I give you "Rose from Titanic" and "Toddlers and Tiara's". You're welcome. And yes, she is this hysterical all the time. 

So back to the story. Baby sis had ordered a Vickie's bombshell bathing suit. Sweet precious is so tiny, that she of course, had to get a smaller size top than say Becky or I would. It looked great, fabulous, so of course Becky and I must have this top as well. I told myself I wasn't buying it until after I hit my goal weight (if you remember from here) but Becky decided to go ahead and order one. 

We were both so excited when it came in, I just had to see how awesome it looked, so that I could look forward to ordering mine as well.  

Omaword y'all. 

Holy mother of padding. This thing could keep a grown man afloat. I guess with the increased cup size  they increase the padding amount as well. I kid you not, the span of my boobs whilst sporting this porn star top, out sized my hips. And that my friends, is no easy task. 

Sadie was even terrified, I mean look at that face. Sheer horror is what that is. 

I don't know what Victoria's Secret was thinking, but you gotta be outta your mind if you think that is OK. I mean maybe there is a market out there for this top. The Jenna Jamison wanna-be market. Shew, needless to say I will not be ordering this devil device, and sissy will be returning hers. 

So in conclusion, if you have been contemplating purchasing the bombshell bathing suit top, and are of the chestier variety, you might want to think twice. I am still so upset over how good it looks on baby sis, and how drop dead ridiculous it looked on me and Becky. Whatever, can't win em all. 

Consider yourself warned. 

Don't be a fool… enter this giveaway!

I have been LUSTING over a Clarisonic for some time now. They use to be one of my advertisers at work, but I guess they never loved me enough to send me one to try. Bogus. Anyway, guess what, the beautiful Miss Shasta is giving one away. AHH! I must have this! As my conquest for fabulous movie star, or country music star (ahem, C.Underwood) skin continues, I find myself needing this item! Apparently all the who's who have a Clarisonic, my aunt swears by hers, and I think it is time for me to have one. Bonus? It comes in pink. 

This is straight from the Clarisonic website:

"Used and recommended by spas and dermatologists, Clarisonic Sonic Skin Cleansing Systems use a patented sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to gently, yet thoroughly remove 6X more makeup and 2X more dirt and oil than cleansing with your hands alone. Cleaner skin is the first step toward healthier skin. And healthier skin is smoother, more radiant and more beautiful."

• Removes 6X more makeup than manual cleansing
• Leaves skin feeling and looking smoother
• Removes impurities that keep creams and serums from working their best
• Gentle enough to use twice a day
• Reduces oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes
• Minimizes the appearance of visible pores   {this is what gets me… Pores be GONE!}

So don't be a fool, hop on over to Shasta's blog and enter the giveaway. By the way is she not precious? Quite possibly the hottest momma evah! Who manages to have three kids and maintain those teeny legs?? This girl. {not this girl, but this girl… You know what I mean}

On an unrelated note: Congratulations to my best friend at work MB on her tiny baby nephew who was born yesterday! I have already cried twice at work listening to the amazingly sweet story of his arrival. Truly orchestrated by God, and so so precious. Can't wait to spoil this baby right along with her. Love you MB!

Have a great day lovelies, and don't forget to enter Shasta's Clarisonic giveaway!

I heart Jim and Pam.

It's no secret that I love Jim Halpert. Those of you fellow Office junkies out there, he's a gem am I right? I strangely enough have to often remind myself that he is in fact, not a real person, and that his romance with Pam is fictional, but whatever.

Anyhoo, last night as I was laying in bed, in my silky lacey jams, freshly showered and exhausted after my Pure Barre class, I was reminded just how much I love these two, and how oddly jealous I am of Pam Beasley. Sure she wears a lot of cardigans, sure she could benefit from some LouLou hair instruction, but she is just precious in her own little way. And Jim, shew don't even get me started on what I would do to Jim. *le sigh*

Their wedding episode was on TBS, and I literally strained my stomach muscles leaning for the remote to turn it up (I'm a Pure Barre newbie, and let's just say I can FEEL it). I laid there with my trusty pug child sidekick and watched the whole episode. There may have been tears. Just sayin. 

The nerd in me of course googled some Jim and Pam videos. You're welcome Office lovers. 

Video one will NOT let me embed it (dumb)!! so Click HERE to watch it. A little Jim and Pam 'top 10' if you will. Bonus: you get to see the best kiss ever.

Their love is just so precious, and innocent, and steamy and romantic all at the same time. I DIE when Jim kisses Pam after Casino night. I want to be kissed like that dammit. I want a Jim Halpert!

And then of course, here is the wedding. I seriously cry when Jim cuts his tie. omaword. 

ahh. now wasn't that just precious. Jim and Pam remind me that I am NOT settling. My Jim is out there. And of course, there is always plan B. Take out Emily Blunt (she doesn't deserve him anyway!) and go for John K. 

;) 

Sooo how was your weekend...?

Well I am glad you asked, because my weekend was pretty uneventful (thank goodness!) wait a minute, scratch that. It was very eventful. I got surprised with Adobe CS5 {I am such a nerd}, we found Leah a wedding dress {but I can't post pics!!} and I was victim to a hit and run! More on that later, its a ridiculous story which ends in the cops coming to my house. But no worries, everything is fine!

Anyways, so I came home from work Friday to a package from my Aunt Lucy. Aunt Lucy (along with my Aunt Debbie, from yesterday) are my mom's two sisters. You might remember my Aunt Lucy from here when she took me and all of my cousins on a girly spa weekend!  I opened the box and just started crying (sidenote what is WITH me crying all the time! Ha). She had sent me this note, along with the design software I have been wanting! It is pricey, so it just hasn't been priority numero uno for this single gal.  

I use this at work, but it is so hard to find the time to be in the office after hours to use it for blog design, stationary etc. etc. so having it at home will be amazing! Aunt Lucy thank you so much for being so thoughtful. It means so much to me!

Friday night was pretty low key, I got some cocktails with a mystery boy you may remember from here and sported a messy poofy pony.  Saturday consisted of 8 of my girlfriends and I just making a scene (standard) in the Bridal district of Cincinnati. I cried three times. Damn emotions, ha but Leah just looked so beautiful, and I am so incredibly happy for my sweet friend. We had a great time being girly and having cocktails,  a MUCH needed girls day for yours truly.  We shopped all day and I am delighted embarrassed to say I was asleep by 9. You try shopping all day after a week of single mommy-in it and see how you feel! ;) the most productive thing I did all evening was organize my nail polish. 

So there is my weekend in a nutshell. Exciting right? ;)

In other news, I got the following from Miss Christine the other day (sidenote- I find it not only hysterical, but absolutely precious that you all think of me and scan me Carrie info from magazines!!) I guess it's not exactly a secret that I like her. So keep the info coming. But anyways I almost DIED because please note exhibit A. I, PinkLouLou, blogged about that lip gloss last week. Great minds absolutely think alike. ;)

Also, DON posted some pics yesterday that negate our preggo eggo suspicions. Oh well. 

Anyways, have a great Tuesday ladies, and thank you for your sweet comments yesterday. 

PS Kristen if you could refrain from blogging about you cruise while I am stuck in this blizzard that would be fantastic. Kthanks. HA. Love you!

My Guardian Angel

I have no doubt in my mind that my Aunt Debbie is my guardian angel. A year ago today, my aunt passed away unexpectedly, and it devastated my family.  I remember exactly where I was when my sister called me. I immediately just cried, and all I could think about were my cousins, my mother, my uncle Don, and my grandpa. My cousins lost their mother, my mother-her sister, my uncle-his wife, and my papa-his daughter. It was a wave of emotions I had never felt. I was so overwhelmed and my mind immediately went back to the last conversation I had with her. She had called to congratulate me on my engagement. She was so happy for me, and we talked for over an hour. She was so excited to make my wedding cake (she makes the BEST cakes ever!).  My Aunt Debbie and I were always very close. She was an adpi (along with all of my aunts!) and Debbie and I just clicked. She taught me everything I know about hair, and once even gave me a rockin' upside down french braid (yes, this is possible) circa 1997. I also like to credit my Aunt Debbie for my love of pugs, and Louis Vuitton. She always made me smile, and I always looked forward to seeing her. I have told you all before (here) that she comes to me a lot in my dreams, and it is really the coolest thing. I know that her three children, and her husband miss her everyday. 

Ginny, JD, and Lucy, Debbie's beautiful children!

Debbie, and Lucy at Lucy's wedding. I love this picture. 

My two beautiful cousins, who mean the world to me! And their pug children of course. 

Aunt Debbie, I just want you to know how much you are missed and loved. Thank you for your girls, they are so precious to me, and I am keeping an eye out for both of them. Please continue to guide me, and fill me in on little secrets about life. I miss you all the time, and know that you are watching down on us everyday. 

Lucy, Ginny, and JD- I am so thankful that God gave me you three as cousins. I am always here whenever you need anything. I love you!!

"For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down, we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands" 2 Corinthians 5:1