GOLD GLITTER

If you can't tell by my choice in jewelry & blog design... I'm a golden kinda gal.

 

I love gold everything. And I have for years and years.

 

Back before gold was "in style" (psshh) I had an oversized gold watch... what we now refer to as a "boyfriend watch." My dad referred to be as Mr. T. Who's Mr. T? I didn't know either... we have two things in common: big muscles & gold jewelry.

 

 

There's only one thing that outdoes gold & that is...

 

GOLD GLITTER.

 

So, here's a special little treat for you. The Sephora Collection makes a gel-liner that is gold glitter. Sounds a little sketch... but I promise it's a hidden jewel.

 

Find it here. $12 NOW it's $7

Use this stuff on top of your eyeshadow and holy moly - it's gorgeous. If you use it as a liner it has potential to burn your eyes/skin. So I prefer it as a shadow. Wear it over Urban Decay's Half Baked for a STUNNING look. Even the gals in Sephora do this! I'm talking everyone and their dog will ask what kind of eye shadow you wear. ;)

 

Or...

 

And to top it off, Sephora seems to be discontinuing it, therefore it's on CLEARANCE. Now's the time to buy. I ordered 2 bottle Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning it was sold out. BUT, I noticed that they added more to the site. So... this Holiday season - glam up a little - & put some sparkle on top of your eyes!

PS! Have you ENTERED TO WIN A FIRMOO GIFT VOUCHER? If you haven't - do it NOW. 25 people will be chosen. NEW GLASSES FOR YOU!:) Click here to enter.

J. Crew Sample Sale Details

Since I've been gettings lots of questions on the J. Crew Sample Sale I have been bragging talking about I figured I'd give you the low down.

 

We live a couple of hours from Asheville, NC. I very cool little town - lots of hipsters and stuff.

 

One of their main attractions is the J. Crew Warehouse. (there's also one in Lynchburg, VA)

 

A few weeks back, John & I were making our first trip to Asheville - mainly to enjoy the nice fall weather. We googled J. Crew and found out that there was a Factory Store so we ventured out to it and noticed it looked more like a Warehouse than a store. When I got to the door - I found out that the Warehouse had been opened that day and had closed just 5 minutes prior to our arrival. Que the tears... I was heartbroken. Fortunatly, the outlet was still opened so we went inside to browse and get John a tie.

 

I inquired about how often the Warehouse sale happened and the little girl working informed me that it's only open on occasion - and that the next time it would be open would be for Black Friday.

 

So the Wednesday before Black Friday I got this e-mail...

I had to work Black Friday/Saturday so I didn't plan on going... until my friend Morgan asked me on Sunday... we figured we wouldn't find much since it was the last day... boy,were we wrong!

Evidently - they replenish the inventory on Sunday!

So here's what it actually looks like. It's not glamourous - at all.

 

When you walk in - you are given a piece of paper that lists all the prices and a clear trash bag.

The paper just lists products like...

 

"Dresses: $20"

"Shorts: $8"

"Denim: $10"

I could write a novel on tips for surviving a sample sale. Like, what to wear, who to take with you, etc.

 

Fortunatly - I had on the right clothing. You can't try clothes on - so you have to slip clothing on over your own garments. When Morgan & I walked in - we were overwhelmed. We split up immediatly and since we work together - we already knew what size each other wore. Thus, if I found something I loved - I would look for a second one in the same size for her. We ended up with a couple of the same things.

 

It's very warm in there - and it's a little tiring because you are throwing everything you might possibly like into your bag.... making you feel a little like Santa.

I tried to avoid any actual "Sample" items - a lot of times you can see the black marker through the other side of the garment.

 

For the most part - everything we bought was perfectly find - no writing or damages.

 I bought 5 items... I spent a total of $46.00 on product. In a second I will break down what the actual cost really is... it'll blow your mind. I was bummed because I saw TONS of Chino shorts - in my size - that I already own...

 

Morgan spent $120 - she bought 8 things. One of which was a Blazer that's on J. Crew's website for... $220.00. She got it for $10? I think.  

When you check out they tally up what you purchased... so the hot pink dress I am wearing today - was supposed to be $20.00 but he called it a "Women's Top" which was only $10.00 We really liked our guy!

All smiles on our way back home! We felt like champs - even my dad can't get that good of a deal!





Here's a breakdown of the money I saved:

Pink Dress: $10

Madewell "Wideleggers": $10

J. Crew Bubble Necklace: $8

Green Skirt: $10

Gold/Cream Trouser Short: $8

How we styled our bargains :)

My dress.

Morgan's AWESOME deal - her black/white maxi dress is STUNNING! Of course I love it with the blazer!

 *Sidenote - please, please, please - enter to win the Firmoo voucher - the contest ENDS on next Monday! You'be got 6 days and the chances of YOU winning are very likely - 25 winners will be chosen! Just think... FREE glasses! * It's the previous post!



I've got a SURPRISE for you!

Following my "Dork Is The New Cool" post - I received several Facebook messages/e-mails/texts from viewers telling me that they were ordering glasses from Firmoo. Of course, I was thrilled bc I love sharing fun, unique, affordable finds with all my friends!

Because this is the season for giving, it's not the best time to be spending money on ourselves. Therefore I have a special treat for you from FIRMOO!

I am giving away $20 gift vouchers to Firmoo to 25 readers.

This means you have to enter - the likelihood of YOU winning is super high!

**this does exclude their designer eyewear**

Why should you enter?

1. Like a Louis Vuitton (ha!) or pave link bracelet, glasses are a NECESSARY accessory.

2. Tis the season to give... use it as a Christmas gift. Just imagine how excited your mom or grandmother would be for u to help them select and buy their spectacles!

3. You need an extra pair of glasses!

(My dad often wears one around his neck and one on top of his head:/)

4. Glasses make ya look smart. So, get your intellect on! You will attract a smart boy? Worked for me, anyway ;)

5. Prescription SUNGLASSES, anyone?

6. Finally, new glasses will make it easier to read my blog.

Here are my top picks:

These.

And deez.

Of course, these. (Mine, "amber")

Oh! And these also!

Enter by using the Rafflecopter tool!
Winner will be chosen on MONDAY, DECEMBER 3rd!
(I will e-mail a gift voucher to you and you can use it before Christmas!)

TWENTY-FIVE READERS WILL BE CHOSEN AT RANDOM.

Dork Is The New Cool.

Bear with me as I channel my inner nerd. 

Okay, truth be told, I may not be a nerd, but I have a thing for nerds. I love when John wears his glasses while he studies! It's kind of hot ;)

A few weeks ago I was contacted by Firmoo, the world's most popular online eyeglass store. 

They asked if I was interested in receiving a free pair of prescription (or non-prescription) glasses or sunglasses. Of course, I was thrilled because glasses are such a fun, unique accessory... and they are functional as well.

Anyway, I went on to their site and found an array of styles with an array of prices... I always like to have options!

I don't know about you, but I wouldn't mind having more than one, or two pair of glasses. When John and I sit down to watch a movie, I immediately go wondering around our place searching for them.  

I do already have a pair of prescription glasses but they are rather simple & plain - I don't wear them out in public ever. So, the idea of having a more fashion forward pair of glasses thrilled me! I also like the idea of having a pair to keep in my handbag while another pair sits on my nightstand.

Many people have been wearing the thicker framed glasses - that I refer to as "nerd" glasses. Honestly, I really love the way they look on some people so I gave these a shot! 

Ahem, reading up on what happens to those who eat too many salt bagels ;) 

Here's the scoop on my glasses... they come in tortoise shell or black and they retail for...

$8.00

I kid you not!

AND, Firmoo has a program where you get your first pair of glasses for FREE! 
You only pay for the price of shipping! 

Hello... how could you not jump all over that!

The order process is very easy. I have a very, very small pupil distance so I used their descriptions to find a pair that would fit. They also allow you you upload a photo and see what the glasses would look like on you.

When I'm asked to review products - I try to only review ones that I really love or really don't love. 
Firmoo is a total L-O-V-E! 

Here's my what mine look like off.

Click here to order them.

A soft case, a hard case, a wipe, & a mini screwdriver/set of screws come with you glasses.

I highly recommend Firmoo to you if you already know your prescription and are looking for an extra pair of reading glasses or sunglasses. Or if you are looking for a new way to accessorize! The dork look is totally cool for me!

xx.

Confessional Friday

It's been a while since I linked up with Leslie at Blonde Ambition for Confessional Friday but I miss doing it... so here goes:

1. I confess that vlogs make me very uncomfortable. I'm not sure why - seems too personal.

If you saw my previous post containing my Everyday Makeup Tutorial you will enjoy this conversation between John & me.

Me: "Hey John, don't lie - do I look better with or without make up?"

John: "Without."

Me: "Now John, be honest. We both know the truth..."

John: "Okay, ya you are cuter with makeup on. But you look good without, too." (riiight.)

Me: "That's what I thought. Well I just posted that video to the internet so if anything every happens to me you know exactly how to do my makeup, okay?"

John: "uhhh.." {leaves the room.}

2. I confess that I am not, and I repeat NOT obsessive compulsive. I have a few quirks... i.e. I won't get ready in the morning until our beds are made, dishes are put away, etc.

I'll be honest - I am tempted to be a little OCD at times but let's face it, spending time with my husband and making memories with him is much more important than scrubbing baseboards.

If you read the four months of marriage post... this is what 2000s R&B Kitchen Party looks like.

3. I confess that one thing has gotten me through this week:

my best friend from college, Paige, who is in law school in Alabama is driving through!

John & I are doing breakfast with she and her boyfriend Sunday morning.

John, me, & Paige.
Paige lived in Nashville which was the middle for John & me when we were dating.
I'm forever indebted to Paige for her wisdom & kindess - she helped in getting John & I together.

 

Spring... 2011?

 

Here's a little TBT for ya... or TBF.
Paige & I played on the Kojie D(ream) Team (basketball)...
Circa 2007?

4. I confess that I am starting to watch what I eat... but only for one reason:

Mom's Fudge at Christmas.

Bam!

These two always partake of fudge with me...

And then we get a little silly...

....the year before...

 



5. I confess that I already have my 2013 planner.

 And I'm already writing in it. {& we may be back in the 479 in 2013}

 

6. I confess that new specs have been shipped.

My aunt said that "dork" is the new "cool"... thanks to Steve Jobs.

I'm excited to share the story on these with you next week!

 

7. I confess that I miss these girls.

 



Bridesmaids, except my sis!



I think I'll end on 7 which is normal for The Sweetest Thing.

 

Anyway, I'm a little nostalgic lately... Christmas time makes me this way. I'm just anxious to see all my friends and family!

 

 

Wanna see my true face??

As opposed to my false face... ya know.

My grandmother used to say, "got your false face on?" because I insisted on putting my makeup on before we all went  somewhere. Judge not...

In my defense, I am an Indian so I have to be prepared and always have on my "war paint." 

(that term belongs to my father... he loathes makeup.)

Well, you asked and you shall receive... the link below is to my Everyday Makeup Tutorial. 

I'm not a make-up artist... in fact, I am far from it. But peeps keep asking for a tutorial so I'm bringin' it! You may get more laughs out of it than any learning. Either way... enjoy!

Click here to watch The Sweetest Thing Everyday Makeup Tutorial.

**EDIT**
I've been asked to share my brushes with you all! I actually told you what they were in the video but I was a little boring & chatty so I cut out my chit-chat!

Here's a list:
Foundation Brush: Sigma's Flat Kabuki (F80) {worth it.}
 Concealer Brush: Sigma's Angled Kabuki (F84) {worth it.}
Powder Brush: Ulta's realTechniques {has orange base}
Bronzer Brush: Napoleon 23S (stifling)
Blush Brush: MAC 167SE {came in holiday gift set last Christmas.. that's a fantastic buy, btw.}
Eyeliner: WalMart - cheap but has lasted ages.
Eyeshadow Brushes: E.L.F. cheap but good!

Brushes are ex.pen.sive. I've allowed myself to a "nice" one on special occasions for the last few years so I've collected a few good brushes... I'd be in TEARS if someone stole my makeup bag... sad, right?
When it comes to applying foundation & powder, however, I wanted something that would last forever & would make my skin appear more flawless. After many hours of research and several cheap, broken brushes... I learned that Sigma is worth every cent. Look for free shipping coupons before purchasing. 

Say My Name, Say My Name...

Or... my initials. 

Yes, I am guilty of being a bit monogram crazy. But who can blame me, I've got a new set of initials and I'm proud to sport them!

In early September, GroopDealz had a promotion for these 3 inch vinyl monograms for $1.00. I ordered several of them - some with our initials, some with mine, and then some as gifts.

I finally got a little creative with them. 

Voila! New make-up brush holder!

Can also be used in your office to hold pens.

On a soap bottle in your kitchen/bathroom.

Etc.

 

Find Vinyl Concepts here.

Find the tumbler here.

On our lamp...

 Lampshade from Target here.

Meet Morgan... {instagram: @morganfarris}

She got the new iPhone and couldn't find a cute case so she bought a clear case at the Apple store and then had this little monogram made at a kiosk in the mall. Easy peezy & super cute!

Find case here.

 

Real quick- photo from last night's dinner!

Beyond thankful for this guy.

Have a good weekend!

4 months of Marriage...

My little blog here was actually created to be more like that of a journal or diary. A place to record the things that John and I are up to, not only for us, but for our friends and families to view. If you are new, I should inform you that I am a born & raised Arkansan. I never planned on leaving that state simply because my family means more to me than anything.

Insert John...

As I was saying, my blog has changed a lot in the last 10 months. I've made many friends and have been presented with many cool opportunities. However, I think it's time for a post dedicated to The Sweetest Thing's originality.

I'm always asked "how's marriage?"

I decided that 4 months is long enough to know exactly "how" marriage is...

1. Marriage is living with your best friend.

 I like to refer to marriage as one big slumber party.

Most every evening, we cook dinner together with the 2000s R&B Pandora station playing loudly.

We RedBox movies. Bake cookies. Go out for walks. Dance. Watch YouTube videos. And just sit together chatting about our day and laughing.

2. Marriage is having a built-in Doctor/Caretaker. (no, really.)

Growing up, if I were sick, my mom would say, "oh I wish it were me in pain and not you." I never understood why she wanted my pain! But, I get it now. John doesn't get sick often, but when he does I wish it could be me instead. I hate seeing him feel badly.

On the other side of that, if I wake up in the middle of the night feeling badly, he gets up too. He gets medicine, water, etc. and talks with me until I fall back asleep. He's always serving others, something that made me fall in love with him in the first place.

3. Marriage is give & take.

No longer are the days that I watch whatever I want, eat whatever I want, spend money on whatever I want. Indeed, those days are great, but they came to a short end when we got married. Of course, its 100% worth it.

John & I have to compromise on a lot. I want to watch Pretty Little Liars, he wants to watch some silly, "important" game. I want to eat sushi, he wants pizza. You get the point.

4. Marriage is family.

I had a friend once tell me that you marry the person - not their family. But, the truth is you do marry their family, and it's a beautiful thing! Not only do we each have an extra set of parents, we have an extra set of siblings. And for John & me, our lives are more diversified - his family has a huge medical background and mine, education. We just need a good dentist in the family now!

John refers to my brother & sister's kids as "our" nieces & nephews. In fact, he refused to download Instagram - so I downloaded it while he wasn't looking. Now, everytime I see him staring at his phone he's stalking my sister & sister-in-law's Instagrams to see photos of the kids.

5. {our} Marriage is God-centered.

Before marriage, we did a study called Real Marriage by Mark Driscoll. I highly recommend the book to everyone - especially those who are single (yes, I said that. It will help you determine what is really important in finding a spouse.) We both love God more than we love one another, something that helps our love grow larger and larger every. single. day.
John is a very bright guy, I am always learning from him. I love studying the Bible with him because he sees stories/verses from the Bible in a whole different way than myself, thus I'm challenged and continuously learning.

6. Marriage is making life sweeter.
If you follow me on Instagram, you'll know that John leaves me a cheesy/sweet note each morning. He always has an inside joke or something really funny or really sweet in the note just to make me laugh or smile when I wake up
Likewise, John is a man with a sweet tooth like no other. If I bring a PB Twix home he's the happiest guy on the planet.
One thing I've learned about being married, is that we both are happier if we are making each other happier. Neither of us are too creative but we've both figured out ways to make each other smile!

7. Marriage is"work".
Many of my girlfriends in college wanted to get an M.R.S. degree. They wanted to meet the one and play wife. For some reason, I never wanted that... I had career goals that I had set my sights on. But, as I've learned... I plan my life and God laughs and does something way better than my plans! 
When John and I were only friends he told me, "I will not date until after medical school!"... HA! That worked out well for him;)!  When I decided to move off and "follow" John as he ventured through his medical school journey - I knew I was putting my career goals on hold.
Marriage is work... life dreams are put on hold/changed. Laundry has to be done...but for two. Dinner for two must be cooked... and cannot be too healthy or someone won't touch it. The list could go on...
As for John, I know his patience has grown even more than ever after the last four months of WAITING on me... he hates being late. I'm always late. You see the pattern?
It's not all butterflies and hearts - but goodness, it's not far from it considering we don't mind the "work" that is involved. 


I will end on 7 since the number holds so much significance.

And for humor's sake... let me share with you a note left by John this morning. As I said on Instagram... spelling is not his strong suit!





Get Your Fur On!

Happy Sunday!

I love Sundays for two reasons:

1. Although we have not found a church home, I still love worshipping with unknown friends and meeting Christian brothers & sisters in our "new" town.

2. REVENGE! 

{I realize these two are very contrasting but I can't get enough of that show.}

I spent the last two winters on the prowl (oops..) for the perfect fur vest. I had specific requirements regarding the color, cut, length, feel, & print.

Well, the hunt ended last Tuesday when I spotted THE vest and pulled the trigger.

Cold weather warms my heart, but I am not fond of wearing lots of layers so wearing a vest is perfect fur me. Trust me, this little faux rabbit is warm & cozy!

On Sundays, John & I are both off from work so we always go "adventuring" after church. We live in an old city - some call it "the Nashville before Nashville." Bristol is the birthplace of country music. There is so much history here but the town itself has died down very much.

Here are a few photos from today's adventures featuring the vest! 

Shirt // Vest // Pants (I caught them on sale.) // Boots // Bracelet // Lipstick

Let me brag a little on my outfit:

1. The boots are from a local store called Beaty's. They have department store shoes that were worn on the runway and then sold at very affordable prices. My boots are Antonio Melani (Dillard's) that retail for $149.99 and I got for $39.99.

2. My J. Crew inspired bracelet is from Glam Grab Accessory Auction. If you remember, they did a giveaway here at The Sweetest Thing a few weeks ago. The J. Crew bracelet retails for $120 and they sell theirs for $42. 

Have a good night!