Forever Cheap

This weekend, we went on a shopping spree! And for the first time in a long time, we did not go to the thrift store. There's this small shop the next town over that sell super cheap clothes. And the great thing is that their clothes are actually things from stores like Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, and other pricier stores. We bought 3 items, a dress, a skirt, and a top and all for under 10 bucks!

 The dress I bought I very cute, starting with it's very simply but very unique print--elephants! I love the feel of this fabric, it's not very breathable, but boy...I forget that because it feels to silky smooth. The color, a orange-copper blend, is utterly beautiful, which only adds to the cut of the dress. On the hanger at the store, I was hesitant to pick this dress because it looked pretty shapeless, and I need something that will shape me. But I tried it on (because of the fabric color, print, and feel <3 ) and it looked good. I like the length, which is not too short, just short enough. I always love sleeve because my arms are not the most toned, and these sleeves with a scrunched cuff is always on my list of things to love. If the sheer beauty of the dress was not enough, the price will definitely win you over, as it did me.

Price breakdown:

Forever 21 dress: $3.99

Pearls and Gems statement necklace: $5.00

Nude heels: $22.00

Total: $30.99

Target Free Goodie Bag

If you're anything like me, free stuff always wonderful. Recently we received a wonderful surprise in the mail and that surprise was a free Target goodie bag. We actually signed up for this free goodie bag a few weeks (months) back, that we forgot what it was. But what's great is that it came. This free bag is packed full of sample-sized products, products that we can really use and that's an extra bonus.

So what's in our goodie bag?

The bag itself, which is a zippered pouch with has a very pretty print and made of very sturdy fabric.
Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer Sunblock
Tresemme Split Remedy Shampoo and Coditioner
Aveeno Daily Detoxifying Scrub
Garnier Fructis Color Shield Shampoo and Conditioner
Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter
Target beauty product coupon book

We use sunblock on a daily basis and this Neutrogena sunblock is perfect, especially for the face. This sunblock is very light and does not leave an oily feel at all and that's always great. I have yet to use the other products, but when I do I will make sure to update this post and let y'all know how they are.

July Fourth Barbecue

Happy Fourth of July (again)!!!

This is a much fitting post for the big 7/4 because it actually showcases what we cooked and ate today. I am posting this a few days late, so use your very creative imagination and take yourself back in time for a little bit.

So, today, we were in really good company (minus one mister who I thought travelled a long ways to join us, but BAILED). We started the day off slow but eventually ended up in the pool by the middle of the afternoon. The greatest part of the swim was little Landon,  who has never been in a pool before and found it quite odd that we were all "showering" together. As I was stepping into the pool, he looked at me, looked at his mommy, and said, "Auntie shower too?" It was just too much for me.

We finally got out of the pool and started our barbecue grill. As mandated by this national holiday, we had a backyard barbecue, and as it always seems to happen when we grill anything, our meats came out a bit more charred and a bit more done than we wanted.

Fourth of July Barbecue Menu
Rice
Pork/beef sausage
Chicken wings

Chicken drumsticks
Steak
Corn on the cob
Pepper sauce with lots of cilantro
Wine cocktails

rice, because we have a lady who just cannot eat without rice (even during her low carb diet)

Protein: chicken, beef, and pork
next year: fish

Vegetables: corn, pepper sauce, wine cocktail
(grape is more of a fruit, but it's just as healthy as a vegetable, especially in its liquid, fermented form)

After stuffing ourselves, we walked outside and watched the firework show. It's always a good thing that we live so close to where the fireworks are fired off, we were able to sit across the street from the apartment and enjoy a light show. Some of the better pictures that I was able to capture when I was not moving from the all the excitement.

The shooting stars, which was very fitting tonight because of the giant moon.

The light show that made the night AWESOME!

The GRAND FINALE
We like to end with a big BANG and that happens most successfully when you shoot multiple fireworks at once.

This year may not have been the greatest year from some of us, but tonight definitely made me forget some of the $4!+ that the wonderful year of the dragon has brought. So, may the rest of the year be like tonight's firework show, starting with the malfunctioning test runs that don't make it to the sky and fall back to the ground, followed by beautiful explosions of colorful lights that remind us to celebrate the blessings around us and ending with so such grandeur, it's more than was anticipated at the beginning.

Happy Independence Day!