Drug Store Faves!

Looking good doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg! Drug store make has come a LONG way since the 90s. Here are some products I use and love that won’t break the bank! All products listed are less than $15 each! Enjoy and please share your favorite frugal beauty finds in the comments below! 

Airspun Loose Face Powder

Covergirl Trunaked Eyeshadow Pallete in Roses

L'Oreal Paris Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Waterproof Mascara

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation

Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer

Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner

Milani Prime Perfection

Milani Stay Put Brow Color

   

NYX Butter Gloss

NYX Makeup Setting Spray – Matte Finish

Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer Murumuru

Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner, Nude

Wet n Wild MegaGlo Illuminating Powder

9-15-16 Update

I haven’t given a health update in a while so I figured I’d catch you up! I never published an update like I promised from the last appointment with my pain specialist I talked about. Well, it turns out I saw the assistant, who couldn’t give me a referral, but gave me a new medication and told me to come back in a few weeks. The new medication made me high as a kite! My pain wasn’t controlled at all, but I was just too messed up to care. Needless to say that was not an acceptable fix.  In the mean time I got a recommendation for a Rheumatologist and I made an appointment for a month later. When I went back for my follow up at the pain specialist I told her that the pills were too strong and I couldn’t live like that. Her solution was to offer me morphine. WTF? Morphine? Really? I think I literally laughed out loud. I asked if she could just up the dose on my patch and give me some tramadol until I went to see the Rheumatologist. She still had no idea what was wrong with me and literally said “Hopefully it’ll just go away.” I’m pretty sure that was my LAST visit with her. She was more interested in being my drug dealer than being a responsible doctor.  

Last Wednesday I went with my mom to see the new Rheumatologist. We didn’t have to wait hardly at all before seeing the doctor and she actually sat there and talked to us about my symptoms and my complete medical history for 2 whole hours! I used to take Prozac to help with my OCD and anxiety, but my OB-GYN took me off of it when my husband and I started trying for a baby. About a year later is when my symptoms started. It turns out, my Dr. thinks that the Prozac could have been controlling my fibromyalgia without me ever knowing I had it. There is still a possibility of Lupus, Psoriatic Arthritis, or a few more things I can’t remember; so after our discussion she did her exam and sent me for bloodwork and x-rays. She also wrote me a prescription for Prozac to see if that helps control my symptoms. I go back to see her at the beginning of November. I left her office feeling of hope for the first time in a long time. She really seemed to care and determined to help me.

Well, it’s been a week and I can already feel a difference. My pain levels are lower and there have been a few days where I haven’t even had to take a pain pill! That is big news for me! I even decided to come to San Antonio all week with my husband. He is here on business and while he works I am relaxing by the pool and catching up on my reading. It’s been amazing! I am starting to look forward to the future again.  

3 Free Date Night Ideas For Each Season!

In any marriage or long term relationship it’s important to never stop dating each other. My husband and I have really been slacking in this department lately. We usually use the excuse that we are too broke to go out all the time, but that was just that… an excuse. And a bad one at that. Not every “date” has to cost an arm and a leg. Heck, it doesn’t even have to cost anything at all! Here are 3 date ideas for each season that won’t cost you a dime.  

FALL:

1. Check out the local pumpkin patch! And while you're there have fun with a cute photo session. No professional camera needed! Just grab you phone and click away.

2. Pitch a tent! If you already have the gear this is a fun way to enjoy the great outdoors without spending a dime. Whether you chose a secluded spot in the woods or in your own back yard by the fire pit, it's sure to be a romantic evening all snuggled up watching the sunset and admiring the stars.

3. Be thankful and volunteer together. It might not be the most glamorous date, but you will feel wonderful for helping those in need. Not to mention, charity work is a great way to bond and grow closer.

WINTER:

1. Go to a local festival! Most towns (especially the small ones) host annual winter or holiday festivals.

2. Light show! Drive around on Christmas Eve looking at all of the beautiful Christmas lights. This would make a wonderful tradition and you can even hit different areas each year to change it up!

3. Cuddle up by the fire and drink spiked hot cocoa. Sometimes when it's cold outside you just want to stay in and keep warm. Maybe even throw in a game or two.

SPRING:

1. Have a photo shoot with your spouse. You can dress up in silly costumes/clothes, use photo booth props, or even have a sexy boudoir shoot.

2. Picnic in the park. No, you aren't part of a cheesy chick flick on Lifetime, but that doesn't mean it won't be romantic. Pack up some sandwiches, snacks, and a nice bottle of wine if you have one on hand. Spread you blanket out at your favorite park and enjoy!

3. Visit the local Farmer's Market and try lots of samples! Make a game of it and try to find something for each letter of the alphabet.

SUMMER:

1. Take some old free pallets and build something together. It's a great way to work on being a team and a fun bonding experience. As long as you own the project piece you’ll think back on how much fun you had making together every time you see it.

2. Get in a water balloon fight using left over balloons from your last party. Sometimes the best dates are the ones where you both cut loose and act likes kids again.  

3. Chopped – Home Edition. Compete to see who can cook (or bake) the better dish using just the ingredients you already have at home. Get creative with the prize. Make a paper trophy or let the winner chose what to do for your next date night. Help each other do the dishes after so one person isn’t left with the whole mess and try (not) to get in a water fight while you’re at it.  

Comment below with any free date night ideas that you might have. I’d love to hear from you!

Let’s Get Real

Well, it’s been a long nine months. As my life has seemed to fall apart, you have made yourself more and more sparse. A bestie is supposed to be someone you can count on. She's supposed to be there for me whether it’s for a bad fight with my crazy mother, losing a loved one, or just having a rough time adjusting to my newly drab and lonely life. Where have you been? Why should it always be up to me to pick up the phone and call or send simple text?

I will not apologize for my illness. When I tell you that I can’t plan too far in advance, or I cancel our plans last minute, it’s not because I’m a flake. And even if I say no 99% of the time, I still want to be invited. I’m sorry if you are sick of it and think I am just full of excuses, but please try to understand that even though I have an illness you can’t literally see, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. I’m still a human being and supposedly your friend.

Do you think it’s all in my head? Do you think I’m lazy or just want pity? Do you really think that I enjoy missing out on having a life? Constantly going to doctor after doctor, taking 9 pills a day, and wearing a pain patch that literally eats my skin. I got laid off from my work at home job so now I have to worry about trying to find a job that will accept my calling in all the time, being late, and lack of physical ability. Sound fun? Do you think that I enjoy the stress this puts on my marriage?

I don’t want your, or anyone else’s sympathy. I want understanding. And I want my best friend. So I can’t come out on a regular basis, why not bring a bottle of wine to me for an impromptu girls night? I mean, I’ve offered girls night plenty of times… doesn’t ever happen though. The only time we ever talk is if I call or text you. I am so lonely, but you wouldn’t know that, would you? You have officially disappeared from my life. Some best friend.

I’m so hurt and I miss you. Well, the you that used to care about me. We used to talk constantly. I never thought the day would come when my daily texts would not include you. I have no idea what is going on in your life anymore. Are you happy? How are the kids?”. I just assumed you would always be with me through this roller coaster of trying to figure out a diagnosis. I guess it’s obvious we aren’t bffs anymore and I have to accept that. It’s fine really, I understand. It is hard to have a bestie with “baggage”.

So I guess I’ll say goodbye now. I do still love you and I always will. I wish all the luck and happiness in the world. Thank you for the good times we had. I will always cherish those memories.

“Strangers can become best friends just as easy as best friends can become strangers.” - Unknown

6 Things Your Husband Needs To Hear From You

We know what we need from our husbands, and as women, that list can be quite long. We expect them to tell us how beautiful we are or notice when we have done something new to our hair, but how good are we about telling them what it is they need to hear?

I am far from perfect, but I really to try to be sensitive to his needs instead of just getting upset when he doesn’t meet mine. Below is a list of 6 things you should be expressing to your man whenever possible. This isn’t an all-inclusive list, but I believe it hits some of the high points.

1. No matter what is going on in your marriage that day, let him know you love him. Being angry with each other is no excuse to let this one slide. Not only that, but you need to let him know that you admire him for all he does for you and your family and you still want him. Tell him how happy you are that you chose to marry him and nothing is going to change that.

2. Let him know that you have his back. He needs to know that you support him and really believe in him. Men love to know that you trust in their ability to lead their family and that you are going to stand beside him through it all.

3. Don’t forget to commend him for a job well done. Just because he is the man of the house, doesn’t mean it’s his duty to “bring home the bacon”. Tell him how proud you are of all the hard work, travel, and long days he puts in. Or how amazing the raised garden bed he built you turned out. Just like you want to be acknowledged for all that you do, so does your husband.

4. Whether he has just returned home from work, or a day out running errands, make sure to ask him how his day was/is going. Show an interest in his life apart from you.

5. Ok ladies, this is a tough one… ADMIT FAULT! When you are wrong, tell him you are sorry and that you are wrong. No one is right all the time (just most of itJ). This is a really big deal and it shows him that you take your marriage and his feelings seriously.

6. Just say thank you. So what if it’s “his job” to take out the trash, mow the lawn, wash the cars, etc. When he does it tell him thank you. Don’t be ungrateful or take him for granted. Everyone needs to know that their efforts don’t go unnoticed or unappreciated.

Crock Pot Queso

Crock Pot Queso

Looking for the perfect queso to make for Monday night football? Look no further! This dip is sure to be a winner in your house or anyone else’s for that matter. And since you are making it in the crock pot, you can always bake some hot wings at the same time.

Ingredients:

·        1 lb. ground beef (or turkey)

·        1 packet 1 package McCormick® Taco Seasoning Mix

·        3/4 cup water

·        2 cans (10 oz each) Ro*Tel® Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, undrained

·        1 lb. (16 oz.) VELVEETA®

Directions:

Brown ground beef on medium heat in a medium saucepan. Once cooked through drain fat. Add water and taco seasoning to meat and simmer for 4 minutes.

While meat is simmering, cut Velveeta into 1/2” cubes. Add cheese, Rotel, and finished taco meat to crockpot.  Cook on Low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.

For more easy and delicious game day recipes, check out my posts for Hot Wings and Buffalo Chicken Dip! (pictured below)

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Buffalo Chicken Dip

There are many different recipes out there for buffalo chicken dip and I have tried quite a few of them. As good as they were I just wasn’t super crazy about it so I decided to come up with my own.

This dip is always a crowd pleaser and perfect for eating in front of the TV with the game on! Perfect for serving with tortilla chips, crackers, or even veggies!

Ingredients:

·        3 cups shredded cooked chicken

·        1 (8 oz. pkg.) cream cheese, softened

·        1 cup Louisiana Hot Sauce

·        1 cup ranch dressing

·        1 cup Fiesta Blend shredded cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Mix together ranch, hot sauce, and softened cream cheese in a medium bowl. Once combined, stir in shredded chicken and shredded cheese. Spoon into shallow 1 quart baking dish.

Bake for 20 minutes or until heated through. Stir and serve hot.  

For more easy and delicious game day recipes, check out my posts for Hot Wings (pictured above with dip) and my infamous Queso! 

Perfect Game Day Hot Wings

Perfect Game Day Hot Wings

It’s football season again at last!!! I just love getting together with friends to watch the game and have a few drinks. But what football gathering is complete without wings?

These wings are a legend in my family, as well with some of my closest friends, but they are not for the faint at heart. We like our wings to be hot, not just have a little kick. I am warning you though… these hot wings are addicting.  

Ingredients:

·        3lbs Bone-in chicken wings and drums

·        1 ½ cups Italian Dressing

·        1 (32 fl oz) Bottle Louisiana Hot Sauce, divided

·        ½ (2 fl oz) Bottle Tabasco Original

Directions:

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the ¾ bottle of Louisiana hot sauce and the Tabasco. Set aside.

In a large container with a lid, lightly coat wings with the Italian dressing. This coating allows the hot sauce to better adhere to the wings. Next, pour the hot sauce mixture over the wings and seal with the lid. Shake the container well to ensure and even coating. Allow the wings to marinate for at least two hours. *** For best results (and spicier wings), I recommend marinating in the refrigerator overnight. ***

Once wings have been marinated for the desired amount of time, preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Remove wings from marinade and place in a greased 9x13” glass baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes then turn wings over. Brush with remaining Louisiana hot sauce and continue baking for another 30-40 minutes. 

For more easy and delicious game day recipes, check out my posts for Buffalo Chicken Dip (pictured above with wings) and my infamous Queso!