Life Update

So little ladies, I have been MIA for quite some time, I know. BUT, this is actually a good thing! I have been very busy doing lots of fun things! Also, I have been getting more hours at work and that is something that I am unbelievably grateful for. Between those two things, blogging has obvs taken a back seat. But here I am now to share with you what has been going on in my stressful, crazy, sometimes overwhelming, wonderful life!

First, as I said, I have been getting more hours at work which makes me a very happy girl! I am making some good sales and really feeling like an essential part of the team! I am the newest employee but I finally don't feel that way anymore! (Thank goodness because it has been 8 months!)

Second, I am looking for a second job to work this summer. Our little store depends on the local college a lot so we don't get to work as often when the students go home. This stresses me out a little but it does give me an opportunity to find something I could make a career out of.

On that note, I am applying to a MAC cosmetics counter! I have absolutely no experience in makeup, but (thanks to my current job) I do have sales experience. I recently learned that you do not have to have a cosmetology license to work at a MAC counter, that they will send you to train for a week and then back every few months to update your skills and familiarity with new products. I am hoping that, although I don't have a license or experience, my excitement and personality will help me to get the job. I would absolutely need that experience to get another job in that field somewhere else and hopefully make a career of it. (Keep your fingers crossed for me! Taking my application this week!)

Went out with some friends the other weekend to see the band that our monogrammer plays in. It was the first time I had seem them and they were amazing! It was a lot of fun and good to get out and let loose! Finally acting like a 22 year old! Will definitely be doing this again!

Also saw the Red Hot Chili Peppers and OF COURSE they were amazing! One of the best concerts I have ever been to! The music was unbelievable and the lights were awesome! Makes me super pumped to see the Dave Matthews Band next month!

Friday night my sweet, sweet boyfriend and I went on a much needed date! We had tons of Japanese food and went to see Titanic! It was amazing and we had a lot of fun! He makes me laugh so much and I am so thankful for him and for the time we get to spend together.

Lastly, I went to The Mart in Atlanta for the first time Saturday and spent more money than I should have but LOVE everything I got! It was so crazy in there, so big, so many things, and so many people! I hope to go back soon and hopefully have more money to spend! Glad Ashley at Little Miss One Big Mess convinced me that I needed some girl time!

So, that has been my life lately! What has been going on with you? Hope you have been having as much fun as me!

Love and Happy Blogging,
Hannah

Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday: Misc.

Hello Lovelies! This beautiful weather (and the fact that I tanned in a turbo bed this afternoon) has me pretty chipper! Unfortunately I cant say that for the entire day... I have been putting off blogging to spend time with my sweet boyfriend, he has been feeling neglected lately since I have been walking on occasion with Ashley, going to the tanning bed, and reading The Hunger Games trilogy (book 3! what what!). However, now he is watching the Braves play so I have some time to do my thing!
Before I get started with Pintersting Wednesday I just have to ask ya'll something... Is there anything in particular that makes you feel like spring (or summer down here in Georgia) has really begun? For me it is something a little odd: First, and this part is normal, when I am able to open my sunroof and let down my windows. Second, when I feel like I need to listen to some good ol classic rock. This week I have been listening to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and they always remind me of summer. Windows down and music up always makes me long for days spent tanning on a dock at the lake!
Now on to the reason for this cute little link up! This week I decided not to have a theme but to just choose some of my favorites and share them with you! Enjoy!

This smoothie sounds AMAZING! From the previous Pinner: 1 1/2 cups diced pineapple, 1 banana, 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, 1/2 cup ice, & 1/2 cup pineapple juice. 

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Funny and true.

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I know this look is intensely hippie but I love it. If I could dress this way always, I think I would.

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This bag is so cute and versatile! Would definitely use this for an everyday purse!

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This bunny cake is just too sweet! Easter isn't too far away! Maybe I will feel a little crazy and attempt this cuteness?

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What have you ladies been pinning this week? Link up with Michelle at The Vintage Apple and check out her pins while you're there! Happy Hump Day girls!

Love and Happy Blogging, 

Hannah

DIY Wednesday

I really dig messy hair and luckily, I can pull it off. One of my favorite summer trends is beachy waves. So not willing to spend money on whats basically salt water, I decided to look into a do-it-yourself beach spray. Here is the recipe I used. I got it on Glamour.com and after my first use was feeling that it was more of a DIWhydidIdothis type thing. But, as I tweaked not only the amount of ingredients but also the way I applied it, I realized this was a pretty good little spray. So far what I've done is combine water, sea salt, conditioner and gel in a bottle. After my first try, my hair was a little frizzy so I decided to add some more hair gel. (I must admit that I didn't really do any measuring when mixing my ingredients.) After adding additional gel, I found that my hair was less frizzy but still very natural looking. I have put this salty concoction on wet hair, dry hair, damp hair... But what I noticed is that my hair tends to be flat at the root, which I definitely do not like! I did notice that the next day, however, my hair had much more body. Next time I long for beachy waves while living in middle Georgia, I'll apply the salt spray to damp hair the day before and hopefully the next day I'll look like a beach goddess! I do suggest applying a good hairspray as well just to give your waves some hold. If you are anything like me, meaning if you have enough hair on your head for TWO people, your hair will be very heavy and pull the wave and body out as the day goes on.

*Also, if you are in a hurry and need to blow dry your hair rather than let it air dry ABSOLUTELY use a diffuser! This will prevent any excess frizz. I suggest using a Hot Sock because it fits any blow dryer you may be using. Good luck Bloggers!

Love and Happy Blogging,
Hannah

Busy Bee

So, for the next little while I am going to be a busy little bee! The country's favorite holiday is coming up very quickly and I am so thankful that I get to spend it at the lake. Oh yeah! Soakin' up the sun, eating grilled hamburgers, drinking ice cold Diet Coke from a cooler that would be a choice penguin habitat (maybe not my best idea), listening to some good music and spending time with the boyfriend! Oh, glorious day: The 4th of July! So what if my hair will be wind-blown and my freckles will be the most prominent feature on my face? So what if comfort trumps cuteness? So what if flavor outweighs calories? Its the fourth people! A time to celebrate! Celebrate that we have the choice to have messy hair, freckles and be FAT! This is gonna be my kind of weekend! Okay, so maybe I have to sleep in a hot bedroom in a small cabin in the middle of nowhere... And maybe we play clown for a few days and pack in as many people as possible... And maybe the dogs are a little wild... But, that sounds like a good time to me! Don't let me down Lake Sinclair!

So, after a fantastic fourth we come to the country's next favorite holiday... MY BIRTHDAY! Wishful thinking? Maybe... But hey, its my favorite day! Being that I was born right after the 4th (thanks mom) my birthday has generally fallen by the wayside... Vacations always seemed to get in the way. But not anymore! Now, there is someone whose goal in life is to make me happy. To make me feel special. And to make this birthday as important as any other. That said, my amazing boyfriend has planned a FABULOUS birthday for me that includes my very most favorite thing, animals, and one of my favorite summer activities, Braves game! That's right people! I get both! A day of pure happiness! Atlanta Zoo and Turner Field haven't seen happy til they've seen me!

So, I'll update you after the July extravaganza (not a real event by the way) has come to a close...

Happy Blogging!

Instant Pick-Me-Up

Okay, so I decided to go ahead and do a quick post about my new love-- nail polish! I am not working or in school right now (LONG story) so I don't really have to look... well, presentable very often which can wear on the old self esteem. Ladies, you know what I'm talking about. So, when I need a pick me up I look to my nail care bag. I pick out a funky color, since it is summer! Then comes the tough stuff... Scrub a dub dub the old polish away with a cotton round. (Toilet paper, tissue or paper towels tend to break, leave behind residue and become a disastrous mess so I only suggest using in major emergencies.) At this point, I usually clip my nails, rather short (its much more chic) and file the ends to a smooth squircle. Maybe I just made up that word, but you get the idea. The nail polish remover should soften the cuticles but if you take a while cleaning up the nail and the cuticles have dried just soak them in warm soapy water for a few minutes and they'll be much easier to work with. Next find a good cuticle pusher. I recommend a metal Revlon pusher which should be quite easy to find. Scored mine at Walmart. Very carefully push back the cuticle overgrowth that makes a home on your nails. This will make for a much smoother surface and also make your nails look longer. If you do this on a regular basis going to the salon won't be a necessity. After pushing back the cuticle use a cuticle clipper/nipper-- whatever you want to call it-- or as I do, a sharp pair of nail clippers and trim the excess. But BE CAREFUL! It is easy to cut too short and cause bleeding. Once you have done this use a buffer to smooth the nail. Only run over the nail a few times, they will become thin if you over-do this. This should remove any ripples and make for a nice "canvas" to paint on. I am not a big fan of waiting on nails to dry so I try to use a good polish that covers well, which will make for fewer coats, and has a good shine once dried so a top coat is not necessary. I am currently using Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear. Give the nails 2 good coats and then, ugh... The hard part... Pray for patience. But, Xtreme Wear dries in about 15 minutes, which from my experience is not bad at all. My nails grow quickly and since I have some time on my hands, no pun intended, I am able to repeat this process within 10 to 14 days. The nails chip very little so 2 weeks is possible with this particular polish. Okay, so I hope you girls have learned something! Good luck and remember to be patient when waiting on them to dry. Its totally worth it and you'll feel a little more glamorous at work, out at night or even in jammies!

Happy Blogging,
Hannah