Save on Christmas Shopping!

Ok, so I've spent the past month researching potential Christmas gifts, yes, researching. I'm the type of person who, not only has a slight shopping addiction, but who is all about bargains. Send me a 20% off email and I'm there! So this season I've got a lot of things to buy, but I don't want to start off the New Year broke. Here's some great tips and websites I've come across, hope it helps!

Ebates

This is awesome, especially if you are an online shopaholic. Create an account with this website (free) and it will connect you to any shopping website and when you make your purchase online you get cash back! I swear they have EVERY store (Apple, Express, Groupon, Sephora, etc) and the cash back percentages range from 1%-20%. Online shopping can be a hassle, but if you know what you need then it's a great way to get money back! The only time I think this website is not worth using is when stores won't give you free shipping, because you'll only get a dollar or two cash back when you ended up spending an extra $8, it's better to go into the actual store. Click here for Ebates.com

 Plastic Jungle <<click me

On this website you can exchange, buy or sell gift cards.  Sell your gift cards you never use for some extra cash or buy gifts card to use or gift for a discounted price! They only have the stores of which people are selling their cards for...but if you can find the store you need, you end up getting a $100 card for $87. Scope it out!

Amazon/Ebay 

Normally I don't like to buy from Amazon or Ebay, but recently I have come across some killer deals! For example, a printer I want is sold by Apple for $99...I found it on Amazon for $59, brand new! Yes for some items you may have to pay shipping, but some are free shipping, so either way it will end up being cheaper...and it will save you that parking nightmare at the mall! Ebay also has some great steals right before the holidays since every one is trying to make some quick cash. So if you have the patience, check it out!

Think in Bulk

Nothing racks up the receipts like having 20 family members or 50 best friends. So buy in bulk! Find those deals that give you 5 for $25 or 3 for $30, i.e. Victoria's Secret panties, Costco, makeup deals, bath and body works. That way you can give a nice, decent gift to each person without spending a fortune.

DIY

Now we all know the new craze is Pinterest, so don't be surprised if you get a few things for Xmas that you pinned on your craft board. But who cares because there is so much freaking cute stuff!!! Get creative and make some ornaments, or get your betty crocker on and bake some goods!
Handmade Gifts
Neighbor Gift Ideas

Black Friday/Cyber Monday 

Yes yes..we are all familiar with the crazy shenanigans of going to Walmart at 4am or the mall at midnight. Well, before you go, do your research...it could be worth it. Stores like Walmart, Target and other online websites have their deals posted so check it out. If you need a new flat screen TV or DVDs, then these door buster deals are right up your alley. But, keep in mind that Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year, not the biggest deals day of the year. Stores are probably going to have greater discounts a few weeks before Christmas. Also, if you're not a fan of long lines or crazy "ultimate bargain shoppers" then shop ONLINE! Tons of websites have the same deals, if not better, with free shipping included! Research, research, research.
WalMart Black Friday Deals
Target Black Friday Deals
Amazon Black Friday
Black Friday Ads Website 

 Emails and Rewards Programs

Every day I get around 20 emails, yes this is a little overwhelming but I don't mind because I get sent coupon codes constantly. I also have practically every punch card or store rewards card you can think of, takes up most of my wallet but if I shop there often I end up getting free gifts or coupons, totally worth it! If you aren't much of an online researcher, sign up for store emails and let them send the deals to you!

I hope you check these options and websites out, they're pretty great! And join Pinterest, you can find anything and everything on there! Hope this helps save you some money this holiday season!! xoxo

Our Weekends with Newlyweds

So Greg pointed out that we only hang out with married couples...this is true. I'm not sure how it happened, I think every one just got married so that's who we hang out with! But, i'm definitely not complaining :) We always have a good time!

Last weekend we took a trip up to Provo to hang out with my cute girl Tay Tay and her hubby Mike, we went up to Sundance and it was super fun, love them, they are the nicest people I've ever known. Not to mention, Greg and Mike talked about cars for hours...typical.

Taylor and Mike

We also spend a lot of time with Greg's sister, Amy and her awesome husband Taylor. Last weekend it was Taylor's birthday, we went to dinner at Trio which is super yummy! No pics sorry, but we're with them practically every weekend so I'll be sure to get a picture of them!

And this weekend we were lucky enough to be invited by Brad and Katie go to the Utah v. UCLA game! FYI, Utah killed em 31-6 :) Brad and Katie who are a hoot! We always have a good time with them!

Car pics, Greg is a good sport haha

It was a little chilly

Brad and Katie!

Can't wait for next weekend! But hope every one has a happy monday!!! xoxo

Eyelashes; Latisse, Lash Extensions, Fakies and more

I have been so excited to do this post because when I was experimenting with my eyelashes I searched everywhere for advice and couldn't seem to find what I needed. But here it is! A post about all things lashes! Disclaimer: Some of these pics aren't super appealing...taking pictures of your eyelashes is somewhat awkward :)

For those of you who know me, I have always been self conscious when it comes to my eyelashes. They were short and straight. I would constantly curl them and load on the mascara which eventually resulted in bald spots along my lash line. I tried to perm my lashes, wear fake ones, had eyelash extensions and at the end I tried Latisse. So here is my review of all four, hope this helps!! 

I've listed my rating next to each option, on a scale from 1-5;

* being the lowest, ***** being the best.

Eyelash Perm*

If some of you haven't heard of this, it is basically a procedure where a perming solution (same as the one they put in your hair) is put on your eyelashes causing them to be permanently curled. This didn't really work for me.

Cons: The lady who did mine left the solution on too long so one of my eyes had really curled lashes. I couldn't put mascara on them or anything because they were too curled. Plus, my eyelashes were short to begin with so there wasn't much of a difference. Ladies with longer lashes may have a better experience, just be sure to ask for a shorter perming time.

Pros: If it works, it's great. It's not too expensive, just about $20-$30 and lasts 2-3 months.

yes my lashes were "permed" in this picture...obviously no difference

Fake Eyelashes***

I am the queen of applying fake eyelashes, not only for myself but for all of my friends too. I have mastered the art after watching numerous YouTube videos. I would buy my lashes at Sally's Beauty Supply and use the DUO adhesive that comes in black (turns black when it dries).

Cons: A set of lashes can only be reused about 5-7 times if you take good care of them. Mastering the application technique takes practice and also takes extra time in the morning. I did mine so much that I got used to the routine and it didn't take up much time. But you constantly have to make sure they stay on, if you're keeping them on overnight, chances are you may wake up with one slightly hanging off...not attractive, always have to carry glue with you.

Pros: If you can do them right, they look nice, long and luscious! Not too expensive, about $20 a month. Plus it's not permanent, you can go natural when you need to.

*TIP: Use a safety pin to put the glue onto the eyelashes and let the glue dry a little before applying.

Eyelash Extensions ***3/4

These are all the rage right now! Individual false eyelashes are glued to your real lashes making them look fuller and longer. I had mine for about four months and I enjoyed them!

Cons: They are somewhat high maintenance. You need to get them re-done about every four weeks which takes about 1-2 hours each time. I tried to make them last longer than four weeks but they start to look pretty bad. The cost is high, $75-$120 for the first set and then $30-45 to get them filled each time (every four weeks). Extensions also have the tendency to look fake if they are done wrong. The problem I had with them was when I was in Lake Powell and didn't wear make up, they looked unnatural. Plus, when your eyelashes grow out the extensions grow out with them, causing them to become even longer and they begin to droop off the middle of your lash and hang off.

Pros: Even though they are high maintenance they are low maintenance at the same time. My favorite part about having these was not having to curl my lashes or apply mascara. It cut down my getting ready time and I never had to worry about them. 

They don't look too bad, but see what I mean by unnatural?

Latisse *****

This is literally a blessing in a bottle. Latisse is a prescription that prolongs your eyelash growth cycle, allowing your lashes to become longer, darker and thicker. Out of all of my eyelash experimenting, this is the winner!

Cons: It takes 16 weeks to see the complete results but my eyelashes were noticeably longer after only 6 weeks and now it hasn't even been 16 weeks and they are beyond long! The only other con I can think of is the price. One bottle costs $120 (target) but my first bottle has lasted me three months because I use one drop for both eyes by using an eyeliner brush. The cost actually comes to be about the same price each month as eyelash extensions. Another con would be side effects, if you got any, but I never had any problems. Plus you need to always use Latisse or else your lashes will go back to the way they were, but I think spending $120 every 6-8 months is worth it.

Pros: They are your real lashes! Au Naturale! Low-maintenance, you just apply one drop at night and that's all. Plus, once your lashes have gotten long enough, you don't even have to curl them, just apply mascara. Getting a prescription is really easy, especially from an eye doctor. I was worried it could discolor my eyes since I have blue eyes, but it didn't. I also had no side effects. I would recommend Latisse to everyone! I also know that Revitalash works, but that I would recommend using after you've used Latisse for the 16 weeks.

*TIP: Don't use the brushes it comes with, use an eyeliner brush and one drop for both eyes. Also once you've reached a point where you like the length of your lashes, apply Latisse every 2 or 3 days to make the bottle last longer.

The day I got my extensions taken off
and started Latisse>>>>

My lashes were half their original size because of the extensions.

After four weeks I had already notice my eyelashes grow back to normal (week 3)

Week 6

Week 8

Week 8

Week 12

Week 12

Week 13

Eyelashes have always been a statement of beauty and I envy those people who have naturally long lashes (my boyfriend even had longer ones than me, unfair). I've obviously have reached my goal of having the lashes I've always wanted, so I hope that these reviews can save you some time if you decide to embark on your own journey to longer lashes :)

Happy Halloween!!

Whoot whoot Halloween!! This year it was harder to get into the Halloween spirit since I'm not in college anymore it seems harder to find things to do. But I got to dress up on Saturday as Kate Middleton, and I had my lovely Prince, William by my side :)

After several people telling us we look like them...we had to make the comparison ourselves :)

I was pretty disappointed that Halloween fell on a Monday but it sure helped the work day go by fast! Each year my work does a Halloween day where everyone dresses up and we get yummy food! I was a nerd which is kind of a cop out but at least I dressed up! We ate chili bread bowls, salad and dessert mmmmm! Everyone was so creative in dressing up, made the day go by super fast :) We had a cross dresser, bay watch babe, oompa loompa, the NBA lockout,  a gift from God (pic below) and Pee Wee Herman.

My crazy co-workers, awesome costumes!

Later that night Greg and I met up with our friends Brad and Katie. We all dressed up and went to a haunted house, it was really fun :) I think Greg and I got a little too into our costumes because we were talking like nerds, walking like nerds and having conversations like scientific mathematically genius nerds haha best time ever!

Two Nerds,  Jim Morrison and a Fox= Best Night

I love Halloween! Next year I think I want to be a little more creative because I saw some great costumes this year! Hope ya'll had a good one too :)

Where I've Been

Wow! I haven't blogged for almost a 2 months!! Sorry. I promise I will be better :) I'm not sure whether to blame my lack of blogging on my recently boring life or my sometimes boring but mostly busy life. Total paradox, I know. Anywho these are some of the things I have been doing, when I've been doing something.

My darling sweet Alexa's Wedding :)

Pi Phi Ladies :)

Been doing some planking...

...with my bestie Kelly

Enjoying the Fall colors!

Making a trip to Provo to hang with my girls!

Being a grown up and working...

Or maybe not really working...

...but more of wishing I could spend more time....

And spending time with my mommy, outside, before Utah freezes over.