Monday Randoms

So I didn't even remember doing a Monday Randoms series, but apparently I did. About a year ago. And I'm bringing it back because it's Monday and I have only random things to blog about. 

Like the fact that I met a California newt this weekend. 

I know, I know. Try to contain your jealousy. 

And for those of you who are squirming at that middle picture, no, I did not actually kiss the newt. 

It was tempting though. 

I also have to share the above pics from Instagram (@sweethomesb), because these are two accessories places that you just have to know about. 

You may have already heard about Francesca's, and if not then allow me to introduce you to your new favorite jewlery store. 

Here's just a taste of the amazing-ness that you will find over there:

JC Arm Candy is a new site that was started by a friend of a friend. I love that she has jewlery that reminds you of Christ whenever you look down at it! 

And she added some super cute watches to her selection, as well! Check it out, would love for you to support her as she's just getting started :)

And there you have it folks, 2 must-check-out accessory sites, and one adorable California newt. 

Random enough for ya?

Happy Monday!

Why Hello There Monday

It's almost midnight, and I literally just got home from San Diego. 

It was a great weekend with family and friends. 

And I took basically no pictures. 

I know, I've been sucking at that lately. I'll start documenting again asap.

A few random things: 

1. Loving this book:

I just got to a really good part in the plot, so it's really freaking difficult to put the book down. If it was possible to read and drive at the same time, I would have done it. 

2. A What We Had For Dinner post coming this week. It's been way too long, if I do say so myself. 

3. Ready or not, here comes an Instagram dump:

Can't wait for this game!

One of the only pics from this weekend.

Cereal bar for dinner... YUM.

One of my absolute favorite quotes.

Aaand pretty sure that's all I have for today. 

How was your weekend?

Monday Randoms

This weekend, I rode in a limo:

and went on a boat:

{Look Gabe, you made it on the blog!}

And on that boat, I saw these animals:

And yes, I did find those pictures on Google. Because I'm a bad blogger and didn't get any pictures of the actual animals that we saw. 

I also saw this movie:

And tonight, I'm seeing this movie:

With this girl:

For a much needed GNO. 

Hope you had a great weekend! And are making it through your Monday :)

Monday Randoms

1. Summer is officially here:

And I'm pretty stoked about it. I plan to be spending plentyyy of time at that there beach in the next few months. 

2. This is my last week of being 22. And you know what? I'm pretty excited about it. This year has been so, so amazing. Hands down one of my best years, ever. 

And I have a good feeling 23 is only going to be better. 

3. I started this book over the weekend: 

I'm about half way through, and I love it! Can you tell that I'm really easily pleased when it comes to books? It's totally different than Tina Fey's Bossypants, but I just find memoirs so interesting. I would definitely recommend it so far. 

4. I think I'm going to be reading this next: 

Yupp, gonna hop on that train. Any fans out there? 

5. I recorded my very first vlog this weekend. It's for 5ohwifey's Girl Behind The Blog link up:

The link up is Wednesday, so get your vlogs ready and join the party!

6. Still kind of obsessed with Instagram. Here are some recent favs:

Follow me here!

7. I bought my first maxi dress yesterday (among a bunch of other things) and I think I'll be sporting it to my roomie birthday dinner tonight. Expect some pics!

That's all for today, folks. Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, and is enjoying the sun!

XO

Monday Randoms - Birchbox Edition

So today marks the first Sunday in so long where I have been in Santa Barbara for the whole day.

It's. Been. So. Nice. 

Counting down the days until next weekend, which will be the first weekend in over 2 months where I will be in SB all weekend. 

Can't wait!!

Anywho, let's discuss Birchbox now, shall we?

Not a Fan:

This is the third month in a row where there hasn't been anything that I don't like. You go Birchbox!

Indifferent: 

I was indifferent towards most of the things in May's box. First, I was indifferent towards #2, SHU UEMURA Cleansing Oil Shampoo. It was fun having a shampoo sample, but not sure I noticed enough of a difference to spend $55. 

I felt pretty similarly towards #3, Dior Miss Dior Eau de Parfum. Loved the scent, not so much the price {$62}. You might be noticing a similar pattern with these Birchbox reviews.

I was also indifferent towards the not pictured, Birchbox Notecard. I will say that it made for a cute Mother's Day card, though!

I liked: 

I liked #1, stila Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner. I'll admit, I meant to get a picture of this one, but I just totally Blogger Failed and didn't get around to it. {Mah bad} I can say, though, that I loved the way this looked. It looks great on it's own, or on top of some black eyeliner to add just a bit of extra flare. The one reason why I wouldn't say I loved it, is because it was so hard to get off. I guess I should have predicted that one with the "Waterproof" part, huh?

I also liked the #4, Miracle Skin Transformer Body SPF 20 in Glow. I loved the way this made my legs look, considering they're a bit pale these days, the tint was a big plus. Just not sure I'm gonna run out and buy the product, hence why it's not in the I loved category. 

I loved: 

I can't say that there was anything that I loved in May's Birchbox. But that's okay, because I was stoked to see what was in June's box:

1. theBalm cosmetics Stainiac

2. Likewise Facial Moisturizer + Sun Protectant SPF 50

3. tili Bags

4. Comodynes Self-Tanning Intensive

5. Eyeko Fat Eye Stick

6. John Varvatos Star U.S.A {For men!}

Big fan of this box already, and it could not have been more perfectly themed for me. Even though I will be enjoying some jet-setting free months in the near future!

And in Non-Birchbox related items, here are a few pics from this weekend:

Full weekend recap coming this week! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, and a fabulous Father's Day!

Monday Randoms

Back for round 2 of Monday randoms. 

Ready, go:

1. I just got back from a Sac town reunion with these girls:

And I got to meet this gorgeous baby:

It was a great weekend, and there will definitely be a photo dump sometime this week. 

2. As of yesterday, I am officially a published writer!

That's right, an article of mine made it's way to the inter-web. I submitted an article for a Life After College series. Check it out here at LAfamily.com, and let me know what you think!

3. We've got two birthdays at our house this week, so we'll be celebrating these two:

Get ready for some birthday-lovin' posts this week. 

4. This guy graduates on Friday:

So I've got myself another short work week. Pretty excited about it. But pretty not excited about my first 5 day work week in a month next week. 

5. I am ex-haus-ted from today's traveling, so I'm off to bed folks. 

How was your weekend?

Monday Randoms

So, in case you haven't noticed, a lot of my past Monday posts have been drop in posts. 

Here's 1 or 2 pics from my weekend, and I'll be back for a real recap tomorrow posts. 

Mainly, that's because I've been traveling a lot these past few months, so I'm usually not getting home until super late on Sunday night. But, I've missed blogging so much over the weekend, that I just have to stop in for a quick post. 

Which is exactly what's happening right now, at 12:31AM Monday morning. 

So, I'm starting a Monday Randoms series. Maybe I'll stick with it, maybe I won't. But here goes nothing:

1. I finished this book this weekend:

Loved it. I'll be honest, it was a bit intense. One of the most emotionally-riveting (there's a possibility I just made that word/phrase up) books I've ever read, and knowing it was a true story made it all the more intense. 

But I couldn't put it down. The story really got to me. It amazed me to see just how much we, as humans, can endure. And it also made me realize how blessed I am, and how sheltered. 

Could I have lived through what this man lived through? 

Fortunately, I will probably never know the answer to that question. But it makes you think. 

I also loved the portion of the book that was about faith. The transforming love of Christ was definitely glorified through this story. 

Amen to that. 

To see more books that I've read this year, go here.

2. So I mentioned that I just got home from another weekend adventure. This one not as crazy as the last one, which is great because the relaxation was much needed. I went home to San Diego for the weekend, and I've got plenty of pics to share. 

We celebrated the anniversary of a pretty important day for our fam. I'll let you take a guess. 

3. I have another short work week ahead of me (actually, 2 more). 

You guessed it, more travelling. 

I swear, after these next 2 weekends, I will be chaining myself to my bed for some serious Santa Barbara time. 

But before that, I have a long-awaited reunion planned with these two:

And I'll be meeting a 6 month old baby that I can't believe I haven't met yet. You can bet that I'll be taking lots of pics to add some baby cute-ness to this blog of mine. 

4. So far, I'm 3/3 on the Photo A Day June challenge. Score. 

5. It is now 12:58AM, and how it took me almost 30 minutes to write these 5 random things, I have no idea. 

Good night friends!