what I am lovin in spring

It's been ages since I did one of of my favorites posts and I really do miss them. My life has been a ball of chaos lately and I wish I had a better excuse for my lack of posts. It seems like everything else is take a priority in my like and my blog has taken a back seat for the past few months. Well, no more! I have lots of exciting events coming up in my life and I can't wait to share them with you. The first of those events was a family vacation that I just got back from to Green Bay/Door County, so I will be sharing pictures soon.

For today, I just felt like sharing some of my latest obsessions from this past spring.

Lush's Solid Shampoo Bar in Jumping Juniper
Travel is a major part of my summer life. This is great for airplanes so you don't have to fill up your liquids bag with a whole bottle of shampoo. This bar lathers up into an very cleansing foam that keeps your hair feeling fresh all day.
Photo source: here

Beatles
My cousin can attest to this on our summer vacation last week: I have had Beatles fever lately! It seems like every time I start humming a tune or dancing to a beat it's to the Beatles, one of my all time favorite bands.
Photo source: here

Breyers Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
I have a love affair with ice cream. It's my favorite food and while I will eat it any time of year, summer is when it hardly stayed in the freezer for 2 days when Brian and I are together.
Photo source: here

Revlon Color Stay Nail Polish, Top & Base Coat
I have a new base & top coat and it's these babies. If you want a strengthening base and a glossy finish that keep you nail polish in place, then these will do the trick!
Photo source: my own photo

Hawaiian Tropic Tanning Dry Oil
While this isn't really a tanning oil, it's a great way to protect your sun while still getting a little bit of color. And the best part: it smells like coconut & Mexico. Amazing!
Photo Source: here

Cherries
Whether we eat them in a pie, have spitting contests to see who can propel them the farthest, or we enjoy them covered in chocolate, cherries are a staple food in the summer.
Photo source: my own photo

My Brothers Sewing Machine
This sewing machine was graciously gifted to me by my "3rd grandma" and we like to call her. I've been loving experimenting with the sewing machine that I always dreamed of having.
Photo source: here

Flip Flops
It seems like 96% of the summer I spend my days in flip-flops. While they may not be the most supportive shoes, they are the most convenient and the cutest {since I have a pair in every color of the rainbow}
Photo source: my own photo

Maybelline Mineral Powder Foundation
This summer is a hot one. It's full of humidity and with that comes oily skin. This powder is an amazing finishing powder to keep you makeup in place.
Photo source: here

what I am lovin in december

By now, you probably know what these are all about, if not you can check out my previous 'what I am lovin in {enter month here}'. December was one of those totally crazy months that flew by, and so much happened. I haven't been blogging as much as I've wanted to as of late, but a goal for this year is to focus more on my blog and branch out in new directions with it.

Seasonal Christmas Celebrations
This month everything from wrapping Christmas presents to decorating the house in festive decor, this month had a very distinct theme. In this picture, our cute little kitty tried to help me wrap presents while I sprawled my Christmas tools all over the family room coffee table.
Photo source: my own photo

Revlon Lip Butter
These have been a recent necessity of mine. I am not normally a fan of lipstick so these are perfect for me. They provide plenty of moisture while giving a wash of color.
Photo source: here

Christmas music
There is nothing better than the wonderful sound of Christmas carols during these winter months. I resisted this year to wait till after Thanksgiving to start the music and treasured each day that artists like Amy Grant rang through our house.
Photo source: here

Neutrogena Natural Face & Body Bar
If your are like me, then you like a very clean feeling when it comes to washing my face. I love that squeaky feeling of a clean face and that's what this Neutrogena bar soap does. The original Neutrogena bar {that is supposedly 'fragrance free'} smells terrible but the natural version is amazing.
Photo source: here

Modern Family
Yes, I have another favorite show this month and this one was introduced my my sister. If you want a show that keeps you laughing and entertained, try this one out. My sister graciously gave me the 1st season as a Christmas gift and I've watched almost all of them already.
Photo source: here

Carmel Filled Chocolates
Chocolate has been pretty abundant during this time of year and this season was no different.
Photo source: here

Snow
We certainly haven't had much but when the weather permits, I have really enjoyed the beautiful wonderland that snow emits. Even though the weather hasn't dipped below about 20 and we've broken new records for the heat I still wish we could have a little more snow.
Photo source: here


Peppermint Mocha Coffee Creamer
Coffee is always a necessity in my day, but the Christmas season always has the best coffee creamer flavors. I always joke about stocking up for the new year, maybe I'll actually do that this season.
Photo source: here

Oreo Truffles
I have made at least 6 dozen of these amazing truffles. They are the easiest desserts to make {with only 3 ingredients} and they are one of my favorites. I took a few dozen to work and 4 people asked for the recipe. That is a good sign that they are a recipe to keep.
Photo source: my own photo

what I am lovin in november

Football
Whether it's watching the 49ers {on the very rare occasion that I actually get to} or the Packers with Brin, we watch it whenever we get the chance. It's even become a routine for B and I, Sundays consist of: church, a quick stop at the grocery store, making a big meal, and relaxing with football. What will we do when the season is over?
Picture source: here

OPI nail polish in Babble Bath
Neutrals have been my theme lately {due to work and the changing of the seasons} and this is the sweetest baby pink that looks so effortless and put together. It's my fall back whenever I'm not sure to do next.
Picture source: here

Lush
I have heard so much hype about the store Lush and in these past few months I have tried out a few of the products. If you don't know Lush is sort of a more sophisticated, more organic and natural Bath & Body Works type of store and it's amazing. One of my favorites is the Buffy Body Bar {I got the 3 oz bar as a gift and totally love it}
Picture source: here

Goldfish
I have been totally obsessed with these this month. I love to have foods that I can snack on at work and these are perfect, plus they don't get your hands all cheesy dirty.
Picture source: here

New Girl
Once I heard that Zooey Deschanel was going to be in a new tv show I was instantly hooked, she is one of my favorite actresses. I just love how natural she is and isn't afraid to be herself, how can you not love her. Also she has an amazing very different voice.
Picture source: here

Matrix Biolage
I recently got my hair highlighted and cut a few inches off. With the winter drying months upon us I wanted a shampoo/conditioner that would not only be very moisturizing and good for my hair but also purchase one that smells amazing. This is my all time favorite line of hair products, just take one smell and you will see what I mean. In regular stores it is very expensive, but can be found at salons and in gift sets for a discounted price, which is how I got mine.
Picture source: here

Baking
Whether it's pies for Thanksgiving or dishes for Sunday afternoons, I have been all about baking this month. For my winter is the time for soups, casseroles, chillis, and just warming up your body with tasty foods.
Picture source: my own photo

New Samsung Gravity
So to make a long story short, I have dropped my phone at least 2 dozen times in the past 3 years that I have had it. Many of those times it has broken into 4 pieces and all I have to do is put them back together and turn it back on. Well, last month I dropped it from a little bit of a higher places then the normal 4 or so feet. This time it was about 250 feet that I dropped it from and this was the last plunge that it ever made. I almost cried but instead couldn't help but just laugh, because when I got off the ride I saw the sad scene and thought "what 'idiot' would be silly enough to drop their phone from such a height?"..... then I realized that idiot was me. The next day I got the new version of the same phone I had just put to rest the day before. It has taken a little getting used to but it serves its purpose and I am liking it, even thought I still miss my old phone :(
Picture source: here

Gingerbread Latte
There is nothing like a hot beverage to warm you up on a cold winter day and my favorite lately has been gingerbread lattes. Whether it's from Dunn Brothers, Caribou, Starbucks, or even the gingerbread coffee creamer I love them all.
Picture source: here

what I am lovin in september

It's a few days late but here are a few either old or new things I've gotten to try this month and fallin in love with.

Essie Nail Polish in Big Splender
This is a perfect color for the season and right on with the trends for fall. It's a pretty raspberry dark pink, too bad I can't wear nail polish to work.
photo source: here

Cinnamon Toast Crunch
I don't think I could pick a favorite cereal, but this is definitely on my top list. There's nothing better then a nice big bowl of this amazing cereal while watching the sun rise and light up the sky.
photo source: here

Bath & Body Works Candle in Leaves
Fall is full of delightful scents, and you wanna know my new favorite? You guessed it, the Leaves candle by B&B. It may smell good in the jar, but it's even better when the scent fills up your house with ingredients like: toasted cinnamon, golden nectar, mulled cider, freshly harvested berries.
photo source: here

Cortland Apples
Never thought that I'd like any apple better then honey crisp, but one of my girlfriends led me to the discovery of Cortlands which are crisp and tart at a apple orchard we visited on Friday. I've made applesauce, apple crisp, apple cider, what else can I make with all these apples?
photo source: my photo

Maurices Dark Brown Moccasins
A few years ago when these became popular I vowed that I would never buy them. Not really sure why, but I was convinced they weren't for me. It wasn't until a few weeks ago that I found them at Maurices and I changed my mind once I felt jsut how comfortable they really are.
photo source: here

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte
I know I've said this many times before, but it really doesn't get any better than this. If you are fans like me, give the new Salted Carmel Mocha a try, you will never be the same!
photo source: here

Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush in Soft Plum
Another amazing product by Marbelline strikes my favorite list. It's the perfect fall plum color.
photo source: here

The O.C.
It's so Brian's fault for this one. He got me hooked and now I cant' give it up. It just brings back so many good memories. And I got season 1 & 2 for 1/2 the normal price and they shipped them straight to my house.
photo source: here

Sally Hansen's Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat
There's a reason why I've never put a top nail polish coat on here before: they weren't ever any good until I discovered this one. I tend to paint my nails and then realize that there are about 10 things on my 'to-do list' so this is perfect for me. It dries your existing paint and makes it nice and shinny, seriously Sally Hansen how do you do it?
photo source: here

what I am lovin in august

These past few months have flown by and with them, have my time to fit in one of my favorite parts of the blogging month. I truly enjoy sharing some of my most frequent items of the month, so here I am again to share a little more about my life.

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder
I discovered this through a friend and have used nothing else since. I have tried out quite a few different powders, but if you also suffer from oily skin with that hot summer weather you might what to give this a try.

Stethoscope
I am at the end of my internship {only 4 more days, but who's counting} and I have used this each and every day. It has become second nature to me and even feels strange when it is not around my neck.

Popsicles
If you know me at all, you know that I am totally obsessed with popsicle. Just about any popsicle will do {except grape} but my favorite are the real fruit ones with the real chunks of juicy fruit inside. It will be sad to see the cold weather come because I normally loose the desire for this particular summer treat.

Febreze
I like things to smell fresh and clean, and febreze is something that I am never without. I use it all over the house love nothing more than finishing a clean room with a few sprays of freshening febreze.

LOVE
Love has been in the air this month, in more then one way. This month alone I have gone to 4 weddings and know of quite a few other couples who will be tying the knot soon.

Fans
At this moment I have 4 fans, one in each of the rooms that I commonly use. I have to say that my favorite is my new little mini fan, on my desk, that keeps me cool in my new craft room.

Ice Cream
I sometimes feel that I consume more ice cream then anyone around me {well except for my dad and friend Katie}. I ate my share over the summer and I always am craving it, even in the bitterly cold winter months.

Maybelline EyeStudio Gel Eyeliner
Don't worry I am not getting paid my maybelline or anything, I just like many of their products this one in particular. I have been really into the gel eyeliners and this is my favorite one with a respectable price. Glides on like a dream and stays all day.

Iced Coffee
I have been drinking coffee like it's going out of style. I mean it, I can't remember the last time I relied this heavily on caffeine. It probably doesn't help that there is a Coffee Ground in my clinic, feeding my addiction but I don't care. It's only for 1 more week, then the job hunting really kicks into action. With the changing of the seasons, my new addiction pretty soon will be pumpkin spice lattes. Have you ever tried one? If not you must, they are heaven in a cup!

what I'm lovin in may

Summer is the theme for this month. Even though it's not officially here, it sure feels like it and it shows in what I've loved this month!
Slatkin & Company Peach Bellini Candle
This candle is the perfect summer fragrance. I normally don't go for peach but the description {a light, delicate blend of white peach, sweet orange peel and yellow mandarin, finished with jasmine and sweet black currant } doesn't do it justice.

Powder Palette Multi-Colored Bronzer
This is my new favorite bronzer. Any sort of bronzers/blushes that have the multi-colored combination instantly grabs my interest. This also has a matte finish, so it's great for contouring the face.

Essie Nail Polish
I have heard some pretty positive comments about this particular nail polish but it wasn't until this month that I tried out my first bottle. I must say that I am a new fan. The color glided on like a dream with hardly and streaks, dried fast, and hasn't shipped yet.

Johnson's Baby Shampoo
Let me just say that I love the smell of this stuff. I have bought a few bottles of this shampoo and I never get sick of the smell. This is the most gentle shampoo ever and it's perfect for cleaning make-up brushes as well.

American Idol
Yes, I have been rather addicted to this show this month. It had me hooked when they made the top 20. Thsi season seemed to be much better than last year, maybe it's because I had a little more time to watch it and not so worried about Medical Terminology or A & P classes.

Quaker Oatmeal Square Cereal
One of my all time favorites! I saw it at target and I just couldn't pass it up.

Country Music
Ever time the seasons change I seem to be listening to a different type of music. For my summer is the time for rolling down my windows and listening to country music.

Sunflower Seeds
Baseball season is in full swing {did you catch that pun} and that means sunflower seeds. There are so many different types, but for me I just prefer the original.

Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer
Now that summer it here I can't wait to get a little tan. This is the perfect lotion to jump start that tan and give you an extra little glow.

what I'm lovin in april

So it's that time of the month again, time to reveal my monthly favorite, and I must say I am enjoying this new little project. Anyway, let's get right to it shall we?Jason Natural 98% Aloe Vera
At the beginning of this month I was covered in a reddish pink color from head to toe due to our Mexico trip. The previous month I had ordered some of this all natural almost pure aloe vera and I am so thankful that I did. While other aloe products will do fine, most of them have other added ingredients such as alcohol or extra scents. I am so in love with this product and sure I will be orderign it again. I say order because I haven't been able to find it in any stores around here, but if you know of a store that carries it let me know!

Off The Map
There are few shows that I will stick with and watch faithfully these days. If there is any sort of medical show I am instantly intrigue, but this one has other qualities that drew me it. It is set in the jungle of South America where a team of doctors practice tropical medicine in a 3rd world country. So good!

Aromatherapy Stress Relief Candle
If I am having a stressful day this is my go to relaxer along with my book of choice. I have the scent Eucalyptus Spearmint and while that may sound a little strange, it is amazing. This is included in a while stress relieving line from Bath and Body works.

Gilmore Girls
Now I know I have probably already mentioned this show a dozen times, but I have started watching this series again from the beginning for probably the 5th time. I have seen all of these episodes too many times to count but it never seems to get old. Every episode has me laughing out loud with a craving for coffee.

Yes to Carrots Body Butter
This brand is an all natural skin care line that has a full range of products for nourishing your skin. I heard about it from a few of the beauty Vlogs that I follow and ran out to target to try them. This body butter is a little bit on the pricey side, but in my opinion totally worth it. It not only nourishes your skin amazingly without leaving it greasy, but it smells like summer. With a fresh almost sun cream smell I am always looking forward to putting this on every day.

A Great and Terrible Beauty
I said in my last What I'm Lovin post that I might be putting this on the monthly favorite for April and I was right. I haven't had as much time as I would like to read book for pleasure but I am really enjoying it. And knowing that there are 2 more books to follow is exciting.

Whopper Robbin Eggs
These are it. Probably my favorite candy and are only around once a year. I limited myself to only one bag, but enjoyed them down to the last egg. Don't know it anyone else did this, but as a kid my and my friend used to rub the outside across our lips and use them as a sort of lipstick. Yes a little embarrassing, but we've all done things like that....I hope.

Apples
I have been obsessed with these this month. While pink lady apples are my favorite just about any apple will be {except the red delicious ones}. With a little almond butter they make the best snack!

Eco Tools
I love make-up as some of you may know and these are some of my favorite tools for using make-up. These tools are earth-friendly and known for the amazingly soft brushes. They are all natural and give 1% of the sales to For The Planet^®, a businesses committed to creating a healthier planet. I have really been into natural products as you can see by the other 2 products for this month and eco tools is no different!

what I'm lovin in march

So I have seen this done on a few different Vlogs {video-blogs} that I follow so I thought I would start this project on my blog. Each month the Vlogers that I follow video tape themselves with all their favorite products/songs/foods/books of the month. Since I don't really video too much, I will pick out a few favorites from the month and show you. I'm really excited for this new little project and can't wait to see where it takes me!! If you want to join in just link my to your post and make sure you let me know, because I would love to see other people try out this little project with me!

Since this was a month of crazy vacationing, spring coming, and many new experiences, there are so many to choose from. I think I will stick to 9 different things per month because that seems like a doable number, and I'll start in the upper right corner, working my way across and down.

Lypsyl Lip Moisturizer in HoneyBerry
My Grandma game me this product on our trip to Mexico, so I'm not sure where she got it, but it is amazing! It has a SPF of 15 in it and it's made with pure Swedish beeswax.

EOS Lip Balm in Summer Fruit
I love the packaging on this lip balm. It's so cute and it's so different from any other lip balm that I've ever used! Plus it not only makes you lips really soft, but it really does smell like refreshing summer fruit!

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri nail color in Grape Going
The moment I saw this color I knew I had to have it. It is an amazing purple color with blue shimmer in it. Depending on if you wear blue or purple I feel like it will sort of change color and I love that versatility. Another thing I love about this line is the tapered brush that is flat on one side and narrow on the other. Love those types of brushes!

Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush in Peach Satin
I found out about this product through a Vlog that I follow. It's my first stab at cream blushes and I am loving it. It's the perfect shade for my skin and great for the upcoming summer months!

Life As We Know It
I first saw the preview for this movie last year and I couldn't wait to see it. My sister and I watched it during the week before our vacation and I totally fell in love with it. It was only a 1 day rental, but I still managed to watch it 2 times. I love both the main actors in it: Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel and in my opinion it was very well done! Pretty clean for the most part and how could you resist that little baby girl, what a cutie!

Beach Boys Music
Ever since I started getting ready for my trip to the beach I have been listening to the Beach Boys. They are a band that I listened to religiously as a kid and love their up tempo summery music! I never get sick of them and they are a big part of my new summer playlist on my iPod.

Persuasion
Whether it's the movie {the 2007 version with the oh-so-yummy Rupert Penry-Jones} or the book I love everything about Persuasion. I am one of those girls who loves old romantic novels and I took this with my on my vacation last week. I finished it in Mexico and started a new one, so that might be in my next What I'm Lovin for April, we'll have to see.

Avocados
I have become sort of obsessed with Avocados lately. In Mexico they seemed to be in in every dish and I am planning on making an Avocado hair mask tomorrow because my hair is in need of a little TLC after being in the sun for so long. It also seems like any product that I seem to run across that has avocados in it, I can't resist at least giving it a closer look if not snatching it up! I can't wait for summer when these are more in season and much more accessible.

Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds
I seem to go through phases with cereal, and this month it was this one. I have always been a fan of this as a kid, but hadn't had it in quite a while. It's go go to cereal in the morning with ice cold 1% milk splashed over it. It's the perfect start to my day!