Showing posts with label This and That. Show all posts
Showing posts with label This and That. Show all posts

Friday, December 2, 2011

FAVES

Just a little post about my favorite things right now as a follow-up to my last posting (so long ago!).

1.  OPI's The Muppets Collection (Part 1 & Part 2)
Oh.my.goodness.  Just in time for the holidays, OPI releases these pretty little numbers in all their glitter-glory!  I seriously love just about every color in this collection!  I purchased "Meep, Meep, Meep" and got a mani/pedi yesterday that I just love!  Next on my list is "Designer…De Better!"



2.  Loving my new ULTA Tinted Lip Balm in "Bloom".  It is the perfect daily color for a quick touch-up.  Love it!



3.  Since it has been so long since my last "favorite things" post, I have since gotten new gym shoes and love these even more than the last pair - light as a feather! 

(*Note: I do not recommed me these for running as there is very little ankle support,
but great gym show overall)


4.  My Erin Condren Life Planner!  I am really hoping I can put this to good use in 2012. :)



5.  Love, love, love cropped skinny jeans right now.  Want them in every color! 



Yay for faves!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Wine Bottle Flowers

I really wish I remembered where I saw this idea so that I could give credit, but honestly I've been saving these wine bottles since before my wedding (thinking I might use them as decor on our picture table) so I just cannot remember.  Regardless, here is my pretty little wine bottle flower arrangement for the holidays.


The flowers can be easily changed out for the season.  Cute idea! :)
Happy almost December!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

What Are You Doing Today?

Well today, I am leaving Rio de Janeiro - Brazil to go back home to Texas, my husband and my sweet pup.  I cannot wait to see them and be home.  Ahhh, home - I love it.

Before I leave Brazil this evening, I will be visiting Cristo Redentor (in English, Christ the Redeemer) atop Corcovado mountain; one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.  This truly is a once in a lifetime experience that I feel so honored to have the chance to do.  I mean, just look at all the beauty in this photo...I can hardly contain my excitement, thankfulness and a little bit of sadness that Jeff can't be here to experience this with me:

Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia

I will be blogging in more detail about my trips here to Brazil so stay tuned.
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Another thing on my mind today as I wrap up my work here is a bit of reflection on my time here, time at home, and everything that I've been blessed with thus far in my life.  Do you have those moments?  Where you just sit back and think, 'wow - I really have so much to be thankful for'...I try to think about this as often as possible so I can be sure to be glad in it all.  It brings me a lot of peace to think like this and choose to take time out ot acknowledge my blessings.  And with that, I wanted to share this quote with you all:

When asked “What thing about humanity surprises you the most?", the Dalai Lama answered:
“Man.  Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money.  Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.  And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.” -Dalai Lama XIV

*Warning - getting a bit preachy...* I am in support of avoiding this cycle and this quote encompasses many of my views on life in a few short sentences.  Don't let this happen to you - take care of yourself, your health, your family.  Do not be anxious, but be thankful and happy (happiness, many times, is a choice & you can control your thoughts), look to the future with hope & peaceful curiousity (do not fear or have doubt in a future that has yet to come), but enjoy the present and count your blessings.

Off my soapbox now...off to meet Christ the Redeemer!
Lots of love,
Rani

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Pinterest


I don't know about you, but I love this site!  A virtual pinboard/scrapbook (whatever you want to call it) where you can save all the things you love is brilliant.  And talk about a great way to find a good idea, tip, fashion source, etc...it is all there and I just can't get enough!  Check it out!

If you haven't signed up, you need to get someone to invite you who has already signed up; certainly let me know here by leaving a comment with your email address and I'll send an invite your way!

Pinterst = love for me right now! :)

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Dandy Idea...

Just giving a little love to Danielle over at Just Dandy (love her blog!) and her super cute ideas for storage.  Love the candlesticks for bracelets as well as the toothbrush/silver cups for make-up brushes, etc. 

Wanted to pass this cute idea and blog along...
Just Dandy

Well, Hello!

...that is if I still have any readers... ;)

It is obvious that I am truly a terrible blogger.  As much as I love the idea of blogging and enjoy reading blogs, I just can't seem to make time post on my own blog!  I have no excuses really beyond the fact that our lives are very busy with work, family and fun and honestly when I have down time, the computer is the usually the last place I want to be. 

That being said, I do not want to say goodbye to my blog.  I am going to attempt to continue to blog about things I enjoy, places we go and give small updates on what is going on in our lives.  I even gave my page a refreshed "look" in hopes that will inspire me to post more often.   We shall see...

And with that...here is one of the photos I love from our photosoot with Ashley at Countrygrown Images.  We did this session for some updated photos of Jeff and I (and our new puppy Max).  I also plan to use one of the photos for our Christmas card (love the holidays!).  A couple of them are so great, we may blow one up and hang in our stairway (I've got several decor projects in stow that I hope to share). :)


Friday, February 25, 2011

San Tan-tonio!

Just a follow-up on my OPI Nail Polish Swap post...

Here is a pic of the awesome San Tan-tonio polish on.  I think it'll look a little better once I have a nice tan, but I do love the dark camel color! :)



All this talk about Texas and today is a special day here in the lonestar state and Houston...
Happy Go Texan Day y'all!  Yee haw ;)
(this day signify's the start of the Houston Rodeo, cook-off and trail riders!  You can read more about it here. It's a big deal 'round these parts (said in my best Texan accent). ;)

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Favorite Things Right Now

I don't know about you, but I just LOVE getting tips and recommendations on things that other people love.  It is such a great way to share awesome finds, advice, and really anything you love that you think others might love!

So here is my current list of favorite things I am loving right now:

1.  My Nike Lunarfly cross-training gym shoes.  
Story behind this is that I wanted a shoe for the gym when I wasn't running - so for anything else I might be doing at the gym: elliptical, stairs, spin, weights, classes, etc.  I wear the heck out of my running shoes and want to use them for just that...running only (plus they are pretty dirty and ugly after so many miles on the trail).  Nothing a like a cute pair of gym shoes to get you motivated!


2.  Maybelline's new FIT me foundations (my shade right now is 220)

I seem to buy my make-up in cycles...where I go from purchasing high end make-up then reverting back to buying the oh-so-convenient and sometimes surprisingly great drug store make up brands.  This, on my skin at least, is a jewel!  I love the color, it lasts most of the day with no reapplication, not too thick (no cakeiness here) but provides good, even coverage, and looks great in photos!  Cheap as can be and so many shades to pick from!

3.  Paul Mitchell's Extra-Body Sculpting Foam

  
Okay, so I know this isn't a new product or anything, but for me it is.  I am a shampoo and conditioner only type of gal and that is literally all I use in my hair on a regular basis.  I have never been great with styling products, but picked up a little sample bottle of this the other day to attempt for more volume on some of my curling iron styles...and my verdict is A+!  I got the extra body and my hair held the curl for two days (to clarify that statement, I styled my hair on a Sunday evening and it held through Tuesday evening until I went running)!  I also liked it because my hair was still so soft and brushable which is very important to me.

4. Benefit's One Hot Minute "sexy in seconds" face powder

I wouldn't describe this as a bronzer, but more of a finishing powder.  Once I've finished my make-up, I sweep this awesome little number all over my face lightly and focus on the cheeks, nose and forehead.  Basically it gives you that "glow" and I just love it.

5. Eucerin's Calming Body Wash

 Great for that dry, winter weather skin, without an oily residue and without clogging pores (at least in my case).  I have pretty sensitive skin when it comes to lotions and soaps and I love this one (and all their lotions are just as great)!  It actually lathers up as well which is nice. 

6. Twitter!
 Yes, I am loving me some twitter right now!  I love being connected to people of my choosing and being able to post my random thoughts, ideas, and day to day randomness in short little blurbs; additionally I can reply to specific people (almost like tagging them in my blurb) or respond to a group blurb - I think it is pretty cool!  Previously I had been a pretty active user of facebook, but at this point feel like it's a little too much now and have been slowly not using it quite as much.  Twitter really is only fun if you have other friends on it to communicate with - that is what makes it interesting and worth tweeting for! ;)

And those are my favorite things right now!  I'd love to hear yours!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

2011 OPI Nail Polish Swap!

Meredith over at the Sweet T Family Blog hosted an OPI Nail Polish Swap for Spring 2011!
I thought it was such a great idea and really loved being a part of it!

I was partnered with her sweet sister Megan and sent her my favorite pink right now, Strawberry Margarita!  It isn't too "neon" but still bright and pretty - I love it!  
(It is what I wore on my toes for our wedding/honeymoon because Jeff loves pink on my toes/nails (yes, he does actually have an opinion about those things, haha.  Love him and his eye for detail!)


Photo courtesy Amazon

And Megan sent me an awesome new color from the OPI Texas Edition
San Tan-tonio!  I love it!  An awesome darker tan color, plus I can rep my man's hometown!



Looks like my current manicure needs an update...think I'll know which color I'll be using! :)