Through Hubert's Eyes #2

As long as I can remember, I've always looked forward to decorating the Christmas tree.  This year was no different.  Here's one of my favorite ornaments :)

As long as I'm on here...

wow...it has been quite a while since my last post...tsk tsk tsk...

I happen to actually be on the computer, so I figured, why not post something.  I'm on the computer right now because once again, I've procrastinated and am just ordering Christmas cards from Shutterfly right now.  Yes, right now.  I am praying they don't take too long to ship back to me so that I can get them out in time for Christmas.  If not, here's at least proof that I did them!

*update* 

I got them in the mail already! I love that shipping was so quick! Woo hoo! There's hope for me yet...Now I just have to get them in the mail!

Simply Scarlet Snowflake Christmas

Make a statement with Shutterfly Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Through Hubert's eyes

Technically, I guess it's Hubert's "lens", but I had to think of something semi-creative for this series of posts.  I decided to periodically post some pictures taken with my Nikon D40, a.k.a. Hubert.  I've really been neglecting him lately and need to get back into the swing of things, so I thought this would be a nice motivation.

Like I said, I've been neglecting Hubert lately, so all I have to offer for now is an old picture.  This one was taken last winter at the MN Landscape Arboretum, one of my favorite places to take pictures and walk hand in hand with my hubby.  We had our first snowfall here this past Saturday, so I thought this was a good way to begin.  Hope you enjoy :)

Song of the Day

That time of the month must be approaching because I'm in a melancholy/wallowing in sadness mood today. Weird because it's almost 70 degrees out in November...in MN -- I should be ecstatic! So I have my monthly guest to blame I think lol.

Anyways, due to my mood, I've been listening to my playlist of love and heartache songs, including "Jar of Hearts" by Christina Perri. I just love the intensity and passion in her voice. I think every girl (and boy) can relate to this song if they ever had their heart broken. The lines, "who do you think you are?", "You don't get to get me back", and "Don't come back for me, don't come back at all" are some things a lot of us have probably said or thought about the other person. What I love about this song the most is that it's about heartbreak, but also, strength.  Overcoming that heartbreak and knowing when to say that's enough and knowing that there is someone better for you is a wonderful message.

I also really like the music video to this song. I love how it's like an interpretive dance of the song's lyrics.  If you have time to check it out or if by some miracle MTV or VH1 actually plays a music video, definitely check it out!

Lyrics and video (not the music video though, just the song with Christina's picture on YouTube) provided by lyricsmode.com:

Lyrics | Christina Perri lyrics - Jar Of Hearts lyrics

My New Baby

I have been meaning to post something about my new baby, but like I said in my previous post, it's been a little hectic lately.

I decided to take advantage of the Sephora Friends & Family sale and finally took the plunge and bought myself a new flat iron!  There is nothing wrong with my old one (that's part of my predicament, lol).  I bought it a few years ago and it still works fine, which is good because I did spend around $100 on it.  At the same time, I've been wanting a new flat iron, but haven't bought one because my old one is perfectly fine.  I've been eyeing a certain one and doing lots of research on it and reading about lots of great reviews on it for at least a year.  However, it was quite a bit more than I spent on my old one so I've been putting it off.  I decided, why not just go for it?  I prefer to wear my naturally curly and thick hair (read between the lines -- a big mess) straight, so I don't see a problem with making an investment on a really good flat iron.  Like I've mentioned in the past though, it's hard for me to part with a lot of money.  I did find a great deal though on Sephora that had the professional GHD, a travel hair dryer, and a heat safe carrying case for not much more than just buying the GHD by itself.  I finally said screw it, I'm just gonna buy it.  And I'm so glad I did!

So...here she is, my new GHD flat iron!  I LOVE her!  And yes, I named her, lol.  Her name is Crystal Gayle, "CG, my GHD" for short, lol...omg why do I admit these things...

The unveiling....

... cue angels singing ...

... wait for it ....

... aaaaaahhhh!!! ....(that was supposed to be angels singing)

isn't she pretty?

AND this travel blow-dryer is awesome!

So, here is my review of the GHD...

Obviously, I love it.  I've been using it for the past couple of weeks and from the first time I used it I noticed a huge difference in use and results.  Like I said, I didn't think anything was wrong with my last flat iron.  BUT when I used the GHD, that's when I noticed that there were some differences.  The first major difference was the time it took to heat up.  I never thought my old one took that long to heat up because I would turn it on and put heat protectant in my hair and by the time I was done, the flat iron would be ready.  With the GHD, I turned it on for the first time and I was literally just combing my hair and about to put my heat protectant in and then it beeped saying it was ready to go already! Crazy.  Another big difference I noticed was how smooth it went through my hair.  My old one worked fine, but sometimes a hair would get stuck, but really it was not big deal...with the GHD it just glides through my hair, amazing.  Another thing I should note is that the GHD doesn't have a heat setting, you just turn it on and it's technology somehow reads your hair texture needs and adjusts itself accordingly to straighten your hair.  I was pretty suspicious about this feature because my hair is SO thick and SO curly that I was like, "how would this thing know??".  But she does, she does know, lol.  I don't know how, but she knows.  My hair straightens faster and in my opinion is a little shinier and not so flat.  I know that sounds weird to say because I do want my hair to be straight and it IS a "flat" iron, but it's hard to describe...my hair still has some volume even though I'm straightening it.  I also really like that I can flip my hair out or under and also use the GHD to curl my hair.  

Anyways...I love it and would definitely recommend it if you are a person who straightens your hair a lot and if you don't mind making an investment on a flat iron.  If you're perfectly happy with your current flat iron and you don't straighten your hair often, then I wouldn't recommend it because it is an investment.  My only real gripe about this purchase is the carrying case that the GHD came in.  I knew from the picture that it was sparkly, but in person it's much more sparkly than I thought and even had some glitter fallout, annoying!  So, I'm not sure if I'll be using the carrying case, but that's a pretty minor gripe I guess.  The travel blow-dryer that came with the set though is awesome and works just as well as my regular hair dryer.  

If you're wondering how I came up with her name, Crystal Gayle, it's because my co-worker teases me about wanting to have mermaid long, straight hair.  She teases sometimes and says, "so do you want to be Crystal Gayle?" (For those of you that don't know, Crystal Gayle is a country singer from the 70s who has extremely long, black, straight hair.)  Hence, the name CG.  I don't want my hair that long though, maybe just a few more inches ;)

I heart CG  :)

A Day Off

I had a really hectic week last week.  Work was really busy, I had friends in town, met the newest little addition to my family of friends, and helped plan and co-host a bridal shower.  On top of that, we've also been doing a lot of painting and decorating around the house.  Needless to say, I needed a day off...and here it is! Ahhhh....

I started today with breakfast with my hubby before he headed to work and tried not to rub in that I didn't have to work today.  Then, I finished up my cup of coffee and caught up on some YouTube videos.  Because of the YouTube videos, I decided to practice my "bridesmaid" makeup and I'm not really sure how it turned out...I think it's too much makeup lol.  I love hanging out at home and doing random things.

And, of course, I thought I'd take my first opportunity to catch up on blogging today :)

I think the bridal shower yesterday was a success.  It was for my brother-in-law's fiance, hosted by my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and I.  I really hope that the bride-to-be had a great time!  The shower was held at my house and it was the first time that I decorated/prepped for games, etc, by myself for a shower so I was kind of nervous.  Luckily, I have been to many bridal/baby showers and have creative friends that have taught me well.  I kept it pretty simple since I knew there would be a lot of people and not much space in my house, so I had a mixture of various shades of purple flowers around the house, some balloons, and a small table with a wedding gown centerpiece, favors (Hershey's kisses in dark chocolate, the bride's favorite kind of chocolate), and a guest book/keepsake for the bride that I added some personal touches to.  I have to admit, I was pretty proud of myself.  :)

Here are some decoration pics from the shower:

 

Hmmm...what else to do today?  Maybe another blog (or 2? lol)...I have to catch up from last week!

Sunday Fun-day

I always look forward to the weekend...one, because it means I don't have to work and two, because it usually means I get some good food!  Lately I've been trying to eat healthier during the week and then let myself indulge more either on Saturday or Sunday...ok, usually Saturday AND Sunday, haha. Little steps, I guess.

Today, Ryan decided to cook some burgers for the football game.  Even though the Vikings lost (again..boo), we had an awesome lunch, thanks to the now named, "Snorky's Megaburger".  I have to say, it was really good.  I definitely will be working out extra hard tomorrow, thank goodness I didn't eat the entire thing!

So here it is..."Snorky's Megaburger" in all it's glory: an all beef patty with cheddar cheese in the middle (like a Juicy Lucy), with an egg, another layer of cheese, hot sauce, and bacon on top, in a toasted whole wheat bun (the healthy part, lol).

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!