Random Friday

This has been the longest week, I feel.  It's been really hot, too.  I say that and we haven't even reached triple digits, yet.  Yeah.  I think I'm over Texas summers.  Let's get on to the random.

1. Summer TV sucks.  Well, most of it.  I do like to watch Franklin & Bash, because I have a deep love for Zach Morris and Travis the stoner.  Other than that, summer TV sucks.

2. On a serious note for a moment, I am very sad that James Gandolfini passed away this week.  I know he was so much more than The Sopranos, but gosh did I love The Sopranos.  I know I don't talk much about celebrity mumbo jumbo on this blog, but this was very sad news.  Other celebrity mumbo jumbo?  The baby that shall not be named (because she doesn't have a name?).  I didn't even know that KK knew what privacy meant.

3. If you are friends with me on Facebook, then you have already seen the next random.  My husband sent me this text this week.  I love auto correct.  (Lola was safe.)

4. Proof Lola is fine:

5. So, if you are a regular reader, then you know I participate in BzzAgent Campaigns.  BzzAgent is a WOM (word of mouth) marketing company.  They send me products or coupons (free or discounted) and I try out the product and provide feedback.  The current campaign I am doing is for Kroger.  I received coupons to try their Deli Fried Chicken.  They threw in a bag of chips and a Sprite to make it a meal.  It tastes very similar to KFC.  It was good, but a little greasy and definitely not a healthy option.  That being said, the chicken was moist and I had several pieces.  It's something we would probably try again.  Kroger is within walking distance from our loft, so it's super convenient.

How's that for random?  We will be catching some rays at a pool party this weekend.  I hope you have a great weekend, as well.

Recipe: Peach Salad

I'm still on my salad kick and the rising temperature only makes me crave them more.  Plus, it's so easy to throw the ingredients together after a long day at work.  I came across the recipe for this Peach Salad in my Instyle magazine.  I also found the pin on Pinterest.  This salad includes peaches and cherries, which makes this the perfect time of year for this salad since both are currently in season.

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The recipe can be found HERE.

Cherries and Peaches

It can be a bit tedious to cut up the peach and taking the pits out of the cherries.

Almonds and Stilton Cheese

You can buy almonds that are already chopped up or you can chop them up yourself.

Slightly Sad Thyme

Don't forget to add some herbs.

Grilled Chicken

You can chop the chicken up and toss it with the salad or serve the salad on the chicken.  It's easier for us to go ahead and chop it up and throw it in with everything.

Lemon and Orange Juice

This is such a simple dressing, yet it's so good.

Do you have any summer staples?

Popsugar: June

I cannot tell you how much I really, truly love the box I received this month.  What is the Popsugar Must have box?  It's a monthly subscription box that is $35/mo.  Get more details HERE.

Gorjana & Griffin Zuma Scarf
Description:  It's a lightweight scarf that is super versatile.  It can be used as a traditional scarf, a head scarf or as a sarong to cover up at the pool.
Price: $62.00
Review: It really is a very versatile scarf.  I love that it's classic nautical stripe and the pop of neon is on trend.  I would never have spent the money to buy this at full-price, but I am very excited to add it to my wardrobe.  It's very pretty and soft.

Juice Beauty Stem Cell Repair Moisturizer
Description: This moisturizer is made with organic ingredients that aim to reduce fine lines and fight signs of aging.
Price: $65.00
Review: I was first introduced to this brand through Birchbox and have loved it since then.  I would honestly buy more of this line if it wasn't so expensive.  However, providing me with a full-size product is a good way to get me hooked.  It is gentle enough for my crazy sensitive skin, but actually has a nice smell.
Bonus: Popsugar threw in two samples of the Juice Beauty CC Cream.  They included two samples to ensure that at least one sample was a match for my skin tone.  I think that's pretty awesome.

Hard Candy Fitness DVD - Addicted to Sweat 4
Description: This workout routine uses a chair to sculpt, tone and tighten the entire body.
Price: $19.99
Review:  Well we all know how I like a good workout DVD.  This particular version works on the lower half of the body.  I will say that I sweat more when I do my 30DS, but seriously this workout is tough.  It does involve a chair.  If you find that your chair is not sturdy enough, try placing it on a yoga mat - it worked for me.  My legs burned after this workout.  I will add it in at least once a week, because it's a good break from working my upper body.  I do not have a very strong upper body and sometimes I feel like my workouts would be a lot better if my upper body was stronger.  That being said after a vigorous workout I have to do some extra upper body stretches to keep injuries at bay.  This DVD will be great to give my upper body a day of rest.  It also provides an excellent ab workout (which technically isn't lower body, I guess).

Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns by Lauren Weisberger
Description: This is a sequel to The Devil Wears Prada.
Price: $25.99
Review:  I really enjoyed the first book (and movie).  I really enjoy reading and this is definitely going on vacation with me next month.

Project 7 Quench the Thirsty Wintergreen Mints
Description: Project 7 is a company that gives back to a variety of charities in America and abroad.  This particular product's sales benefit a project to bring clean drinking water to communities around the world.
Price: $21.48 for 12, so about $1.79/ea.
Review:  It tastes like a mint.  Seriously.

Popcorn, Indiana Fit Popcorn
Description: It's all natural, gluten-free and only 40 calories a cup, with zero trans fat.
Price: $34.95 for 6, so $5.83/ea.
Review:  I received the parmesan and herb flavor and the husband and I ate the entire bag while watching a movie.  That's definitely over the serving size, but it was so delicious.  I will be purchasing this in the future and I will be pouring it in a bowl to control my serving size.  Eating out of a bag can be dangerous.

Bonus:  $25 off of a purchase at gorjana-griffin.com.

Like I said, this was an awesome box.  This is the third box I've received and I have to say I am very happy with this subscription.  Interested in signing up?  Sign up HERE. (Yes, I get credit)

P.S. Happy Birthday, Tiffany!

Beauty Spotlight: DD Creme

In my June Julep Box selection, I changed my profile from 'Classic' to 'Beauty', which means that I get two beauty products instead of nail polish.  Read more about Julep HERE.  So, this month I received the new DD creme and the DD concealer.  What is DD Creme?  It's the new thing in the line of BB and CC Cremes.  I have no idea if someone will eventually make an EE Creme, but my guess is yes.  So, basically it's a tinted moisturizer that provides other benefits such as it also primes, perfects and protects.  One thing I love about it is that it has SPF 25.  It also contains anti-aging ingredients to help 'perfect' over time.  My absolute favorite thing about it is that it provides buildable coverage.  Let me be frank.  I don't have perfect skin.  I'm 30 and I still break out frequently.  There's no way I would feel comfortable wearing a tinted moisturizer for every day wear.  However, I  use this as the first step in my beauty routine (well, after I moisturize).  It primes my skin, so my foundation lasts longer, it provides that much needed and coveted sun protection that is not included in my moisturizer, and the anti-aging benefits are just a bonus.  Personally, I would not use this product alone, but if you don't need much coverage it honestly may replace several beauty products for you.

The concealer is pretty good.  The packaging makes it hard to get the product out, but other than that it works well.  I use it to conceal blemishes.

Would you try the new DD Creme?

Random Friday

Today's randoms are mostly about food, although I did not really mean for that to happen.  Here we go.
1.

I have just discovered the greatness that is a Grilled Chicken Salad from Chik-fil-a.  Seriously.  I'm on this salad kick right now, which I guess is pretty good.  It could be worse.  This salad is delicious.  The dressing I chose is the Berry Balsamic Vinaigrette.  It's a little sweet, but paired with the fruit and the crunch of the nuts - it's perfect.  Here I thought I didn't even like blueberries.

2 & 3.  My workout routine is finally, well, routine.  I alternate between 30 Day Shred and Yoga.  I do this because 30DS leaves me completely drenched.  That includes my hair and I wash my hair every other day.  So, on non-wash days I do yoga.  Don't let that fool you, though.  Yoga is a good kick in the behind, as well.  Also, I realize I'm doing the 30DS wrong.  I don't do each level for 10 days.  I did the first level until I got tired of it and now I'm on level 2.  I really like level 2, so I don't know how long I will wait until level 3.  I'm also only on level 1 of Yoga.  Yeah, it kicks my butt.

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4.  So with all this salad and workout talk, you might think, "Oh that Lacey is really whipping herself into shape.  She has so much self control."  Yeah.  Allow me to laugh out loud at that.  I have a serious sweet tooth that cannot be tamed.  So, I eat salads, workout and then eat this:

What's worse?  I had just eaten a salad before I ate this.  Technically I only ate one of those, but had the husband looked away or *gasp* went to the restroom, I would have eaten his, too.

This brings me to more food.
5.  Sushi.  I have a nice, little story about sushi.  About two and a half years ago, the husband and I went out on a Valentine's date to a sushi restaurant.  It was fun and the food was good.  Well, that evening my husband contracted a stomach virus.  He ran fever so high that at one point I contemplated taking him to the emergency room.  We haven't had sushi since.  Well, until last week.  I'm so excited that the husband is finally over his sushi hiatus.  Oh and yes, I realize I could have had sushi without him.  Don't think I did it just to be nice to him, the opportunity just never presented itself.

Have a great weekend!

Weekender Bag

The husband and I have finally set the dates for our vacation time this summer.  We have even settled on a location - kinda.  Spoiler Alert - it's not the beach.  I'm completely okay with that and I'm very much looking forward to our time off.  We don't actually have very good luggage, since we don't travel that often.  For this extended weekend vacation, I would really like to have a 'weekender bag'.  I don't need to pack a lot and I don't want a big bulky bag.  I scoured the internets for some options.

First Row: 1 // 2 // 3
Second Row: 1 // 2 // 3
Third Row: 1 // 2 // 3

I definitely have my eye on the bag from Everlane.  I definitely need to put in an order soon, so it arrives before our trip.  Do you have any summer vacation plans?

Classic: Denim Jacket

A denim jacket is a classic.  It may seem really trendy right now, since it seems everyone is breaking their's out or buying a new one.  However, this is a piece that we will all continue to see pop up in fashion magazines and on fashion blogs.  It is denim, after all.  I wear a denim jacket like I wear chambray.  It goes with everything.

Classic: Denim Jacket
Outfit 1: dress // fedora // earrings // ring // sandals
Outfit 2: top // pants (J. Crew - 20% off with code: summer) // earrings // necklace // sunnies // oxfords

Save // Spend // Splurge

Do you own a denim jacket?