Thanks to the lovely Celia from Celia's Way -- I have the chance to give away any warmer of the winner's choice plus two bars!
Scentsy is way HIGH on my Christmas Wish List. They have full size warmers, mid sized warmers, and plug ins. I'd like one of each--a full size for the kitchen, a mid sized for the living room, and a plug in for the bathroom! That's not too much to ask -- is it? :-) On my Scentsy Wishlist:
We don't have our holiday stuff out and about yet -- our Christmas tree is still back at our old house! My husband brought home a poinsettia so at least we have SOMETHING. I have a few signs outside telling Santa to stop in... but that's about it.
It's so easy -- and fun -- to decorate for Christmas... Here are some my ideas and suggestions courtesy of Pinterest! Of course...
{This is one of our friends dressed up! Looks good -- right?!}
Silly Hats
Scientology Christmas Village Where we used to live -- Clearwater -- is like the Scientologists Mecca. Downtown Clearwater is where all their buildings are and every year they set up a Christmas village. I have been going as long as I can remember it being standing. Now, I don't want to get all religion-cult on you, but I don't know WHY they have a Christmas Village when Scientologists do not celebrate Christmas?! Anyway -- that's neither here nor there -- but they have a village with animals and creepy Stress Tests. If you don't know what a STRESS TEST is STAY FAR AWAY when you see one. That's my Holiday Tip for you. ;)
Oh, and lastly,
Beer. I love to gift crazy beers and cheap wines. It's easy and it's useful. One year I wrote a lame poem about beer to my husband and gave him 12 different beers that were relevant to the past year we spent together. I wonder if he saved that card?
What Else I Posted Today: Tubular Tuesdays -- Linkup Featuring My Current Favorite Songs
Another week with Jen & I! Since I mostly listen to music that is WAY old -- this week was kind of challenging. This week is current songs you're into! Come link up and let us know what we are missing!
Current!
Soooooo I like a lot of dance music. Call it techno, call it house, call it whatever you want. I am totally one of those weird fist pumpers that fist pumped before Jersey Shore made fist pumping popular. I also like a lot of dirty hip hop. Prepare yourself as you navigate my list.
"No Beef" Afrojack // Steve Aoki
This song makes me want to get drunk and fist pump. I can't get enough.
"We Found Love" Rihanna // Calvin Harris
Lil Wayne Feat. Drake - She Will
Big Sean - Dance (A$$) Remix ft. Nicki Minaj Do I hate this song? Or do I love it? I can't stop listening when it's on. It is mesmerizing.
"Invisible" {Kaskade Remix} Skylar Grey I actually got to meet her a few months ago. While she was ... interesting ... I thought this song was beautiful. The dance remix is kind of awesome. Love.
"Ni**as In Paris" Jay-z & Kanye West
One more week left! TUESDAY December 6th *** Bonus Week: Soundtracks
{There's also still time to sign up to give and receive some holiday cards! Visit this page to learn more and sign up!}
My Infinity Line recently contacted me to review their candles and I'm so grateful these scents were in my home for the fall season! I was sent a 16oz candle, two 10oz candles, a soap and a body whip.
The 16oz candle was Apple Harvest. This candle has been burning the most and is still kicking! I leave it on while I'm cleaning and my house was smelling pretty good. The size is generous and the scent was strong. Apple is one of my favorite scents and I enjoyed this candle the most.
The two 10oz candles were Banana Nut Bread and Cinnamon Buns. These scents are perfect for the season right now! Banana Bread is sweet and long lasting while Cinnamon Buns was perfect for lighting in the kitchen while cooking.
I was impressed with the longevity of the scents and how the candles are still going strong and it's been over a month. I usually burn through candles very quickly because I like to light them frequently and for long periods of time (We have dogs and I'm sure you can guess what a house with three dogs can smell like sometimes..)
I also received body whip in Cake Batter. This one is really fun! I love the scent and it goes on smooth and makes my skin soft. I will say that I'm totally going to use this on my birthday -- December 7th -- just to make my day feel a little more special. I'll walk around smelling like yummo cake all day! Win.
I was very pleased with all the products and the best part is they are handmade and all natural. My skin is sensitive and the soap and the body whip did not have any negative effects.
Here is a VLOG review from another person who received these products:
Some of the scents that are on my "Wish List" are:
It's possible that with this blog challenge I might post a ridiculous amount of times a day... but you'll still be my friend, right? I can't *not* participate but I have a whole load of posts that I scheduled ready to go. :)
Today's Topic: Favorite Gift Received
I'm a pretty easy to please gift receiver! Perfumes, books, movies. I like it all. Wine, Beer, photo frames. It's hard to pick a "favorite" but I can pick a memorable.
Neely mentioned her Barbie Dream House and it got me thinking to when I was in about first grade and for Christmas I got Barbie's Corvette...
Power Wheels Style.
Not my picture, but this was what it looked like.
Oh. Yes. I remember I really liked it but I hated having to wait for it to charge.
As for gifts more recently, I really have enjoyed my diamond earrings from my now husband and I'm pretty sure I've worn them every day since I received them two Christmases ago.
7am: Went to McDonalds for free iced coffee with coupon they mailed to my house.
8am: After waiting outside World Market, go inside to be one of the first 100 customers to receive a movie ticket and an ornament. The movie ticket is for Rin Tin Tin. I didn't even know this was coming out. Think about returning tomorrow to receive another ornament in the Rin Tin Tin set along with another free movie ticket. Decide not to buy anything.
8:30am: Am Old Navy's first customer. I'm ready to use my Groupon which I got yesterday. Browse their jeans. Can't decide which style or color I want. Walk around. Return to the jeans. Still can't decide which style or color I want. Also refuse to believe I am one size larger than I used to be in Old Navy jeans. Walk around. Check out the clearance. Nothing. Walk around. Finally decide on a pair of jeans. Hastily grab a shirt because it felt nice and would hopefully look flattering. Check out using Groupon on my iPhone. I've never used a Groupon this way before. After my Groupon, I owe $3 making it just $13 after adding in the cost of the Groupon. Consider this a win.
9:30am: Where is Macy's in my new city? Google. Keep googling. Can't believe it's over 30 minutes away.
10:15am: Finally arrive at Macy's and am ready to use my $20 gift card to Klout. Also came armed with a $10 off clearance apparel coupon for purchases made before 1pm. Decide the juniors section has the cheapest clearance items and raid the $9.99 racks. This takes forever. Cannot find anything I want. Look through them again. And again. Finally find three dresses that will do. The total comes out to $20something and after my Klout card, I only owe $6. Consider this a major win. Once I got home I tried them on and really really like them. I don't like to try things on. I just guess and usually it works out. :)
11am: Home. Nap. Dream of being productive. Wake up. Here we are.
...is the kind of shopping you can do without spending any money. No, serious.
I raised CVS' Extra Bucks Deals yesterday. It's hard to explain if you don't go to CVS very often but there are several items that you purchase and you receive Extra Bucks back for the same amount you paid.... so I loaded up on all those and with the Extra Bucks I received I purchased some gifts. Here's a website that might be able to help you understand all that.
I did the same thing at Walgreens. They had 1.5L of (I'm sure it's not the best) wine... I think they were $6.50 and I got $5 back that I used to buy other little small gifts for people. One of my purchases was 49cents and I got some cute stuff that I can't share because some people might see.... And, no, I have no problem admitting that I used coupons to buy your Christmas gifts. :-P
I bought my husband a deeply discounted *something* at Amazon with my Crowdtap rewards...
This morning I saw that Plum District had $10 off your purchase happening and they had magazine subscriptions for $10... so I got one of those too. Ladies Home Journal. I'm an old lady. Apparently. Anyway, the deal is still going on now!
Tomorrow morning I plan on heading to World Market {apparently free ornament and movie ticket if you're one of the first people in line...} and using my Old Navy Groupon! Then -- heading to use my $20 Macy's Gift Card that I got from Klout!
Let's see how much money I won't spend this weekend... :) It's kind of a thrill! But -- I'd love to hear what you bought! I love seeing all the dealios out there!
to be super proud of my husband for getting an amazing feature story on the front page of the Sports section down here. This was why we moved -- so things like this could happen. Thankful for not only his job -- but mine as well.
to have woken up at 6:30am today to get the "Black Friday" dealios at CVS. I was not the only crazy there and some of the better items were dwindling! It was kind of a big deal because many items were "free" (you pay for the cost of the item and got it back in Extra Bucks). I bought some household essentials and used my Extra Bucks to buy Christmas gifts. Hooray!
to also admit that you went to 4 CVS' today. The deals! The deals!
to admit that you are not really a fan of turkey. It's OK... but it's not my favorite.
to be looking forward to having a little too much wine at dinner.
to have not made Thanksgiving treats yet... I will... I'm getting there! Procrastination at its finest.
to be a little sad that this is the first year you aren't watching the Thanksgiving Parade. Our TV is not set up except for Netflix!
First thing. Today is like a Friday. I'm really into having a four day weekend. I'm tired. My laundry is piling up. I want to finish unpacking and organizing.
November is almost over and I have some goals to accomplish! - Though I did manage to finish three quick projects that were on my November goals. I also finished a book and started another. I'm up to 26 books this year. Not as many as I would like -- but that's still a respectable number.
I'm loving how fast my Shutterfly cards shipped.
They were ordered on Sunday and should be here TODAY. That's service people.
I'm also loving the various other freebies coming my way... 15 cards from My Publisher
{Google for the deal, it might still be ongoing!} along with 25 free thank you cards from TinyPrints. You know I'm a stationary nerd, so these are fantastic.
I'm kind of loving (ok, completely addicted) to Hershey's Mint Truffle Kisses. I get them every year around this time and devour a bag. I can't help myself -- they're so yum.
I'm loving how I've already received a few cards for the holiday season in the mail from Swap-bot users.
But, I'm definitely loving all the feedback our Christmas Card Swap has been receiving. If you haven't signed up -- there's still time. Send and receive a few Christmas cards. :)
Hope everyone has a great DRUNKsgiving
{That's tonight -- the day before Thanksgiving -- it's a big party night!}.
It's crazy to think that the year 2000 was over 10 years ago. Where did the time go? Anyway -- we are winding down this music challenge so post up your favorite songs of the new millennium with Jen & I!
Ok -- I'm sorry -- but I have to start with *NSync. They were still kicking.
"The Two of Us" {2001}
And, then you know, Justin got famous. I didn't even like him the best, but at least he was still making music.
I'm pretty sure I listened to this song nonstop one day.
"Let's Take A Ride" {2002}
"Lovestoned" {2006}
Before Christina was tragic, I loved her. L.O.V.E. Her Stripped album was one of my favorites. Hard to pick just one song but how about some total cheese...
"Beautiful" {2002}
What I was mostly into in the early 2000s though was poppy "punk" music. Sum41, New Found Glory, Something Corporate, Blink182, The Ataris (!), Jimmy Eat World.... I could go on. It's hard to really pick a song or two from each but I will say that New Found Glory and Jimmy Eat World remain favorites even today.
If I had to pick a favorite album from the 2000s -- it would be "Bleed American" by Jimmy Eat World. I *still* love this. I can't even pick a favorite song off the album because I love them all. Well -- some more than others -- but I really do still enjoy it. I'll go with this one...
"Praise Chorus" {2001}
I have to include Lucky Boys Confusion here too... Totally obsessed. I went to a few of their concerts with Crystal (and I know she's writing about them today too!). I remember I was their "fan of the week" on their website and somehow -- I really don't know how -- we got free tickets to their concert. I was like 16.... I didn't know what being a groupie meant so I wasn't doing anything I wasn't supposed to. The lead singer, Stubhy, said they would be tickets waiting for us ... and there were!
"Fred Astaire" {2001}
I almost forgot BRAND NEW. They must be on this list. Must."Deja Entendu" was like my senior year of high school soundtrack.
"Sic Transit Gloria" {2004}
Other bands I was into in college...
The Format -- "Give It Up" {2003} *I still like them -- kind of. The lead singer of The Format is in Fun. I saw them last year for my birthday!*
I started listening to a lot of slow, sad songs by Damien Rice, Dashboard, and Death Cab for Cutie.
I also sarcastically still blared the Spice Girls and was into a lot of hip hop.
And then I turned 21. Things went a little different....
Club music. All the time.
Fatboy Scoop {2004} Kind of my favorite song of all time.
Tiesto -- "In the Dark" {2007}
I remember driving home from work at 6am and jamming out to this to keep me awake. Yes -- there was a time I worked overnights. Ick!
The 00s were the most fun since well, I was older and I worked in radio so I got to enjoy a lot of different kinds of music. I can't say I was really "obsessed" with anything once I was in college though. I enjoyed just a little bit of everything. I'm probably that annoying girl at a concert who doesn't know ALL the band's songs -- just a few. That's just how I listen to music now. I don't consume and repeat an album over and over anymore. I listen to a few songs here... and there. There's so much good music out not only from today but from decades past that I want to listen to it all. There's just not enough hours in the day! :-)
Songs that I can't forget about: "Cyclone" by Baby Bash {2007} [Total girls night get drunk in the club kind of song] "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz {2008} [Duh. Our wedding song!] "Just Dance" by Lady Gaga {2008} [I loved her before she went a little too looney]
Two weeks left!
TUESDAYS November 29th *** Current December 6th *** Bonus Week: Soundtracks
{There's also still time to sign up to give and receive some holiday cards! Visit this page to learn more and sign up!}
I got my Erin Condren address book in zee mail on Saturday. It's a great size, I love the colors and the cover choice I selected. It's not as bulky as the life planner {not that I mind my life planner but it is massive!} and it had the zippered pouch in the back with those spiral clips and some extra labels. Fun times!
This weekend my husband said he had found this wine and grocery store that was a liquidation type place... holy amazingness. The food looked a little sketch but the wine... the wine! A lot of bottles were just 3.99 and they were not gross. I found this bubbly that I had ordered at one of my favorite wine spots {The Grape} in Tampa months ago... I'm pretty sure I paid $7 a glass... The whole bottle was $8.99. Score.
The rest of Saturday was spent watching Arrested Development, cleaning, and napping.
On Sunday we were up early and headed to a food festival in the downtown area. I didn't take any pictures of the food but I assure you I ate the best BLT ever. It was served on a cheddar biscuit. Hello fat kid.
This wine company was holding a tasting there... they gave us free bags. They were actually CUTE and the wine was tasty. I recommend the moscato!
This picture is of the area next to the park in our small downtown area. It's apparently a tacky tourist little place. Looks creepy? Does this represent Florida enough to you? Creepy river, weird trees, tacky tourist spot?
Other highlights of this past week:
Puppy love.
The view from where I work. Trees. It's pretty though.
When I sit on the couch and watch TV, our dog Denali posts up right here... far enough away but he positions himself so he can stare at me!
Next up on my To Read List:
Not a picture from my phone but a cute one from yesterday...
Kaze is so cute!
We took some holiday pictures yesterday.... just us, a tripod, and husband's slr. They're interesting. Those who get a photo card might laugh or call us lame. I'm not sure.
This week's Cuptake: {Cuptake is a background app for your iPhone}
And, just for the record, I finished watching all of Arrested Development last night... I watched 53 episodes in about a week and a half. Crazy pants. It was hilarious. I loved it! I can't believe I hadn't watched it before. :)
