Hey friends and happy holidays! Sadly, the holidays are coming to an end but I can't wait for NYE! My Clemson Tigers will be playing in the playoffs and I'll be watching them from home on my cozy couch. We actually have tickets and are selling them because honestly, we've been traveling so much and nothing sounds better than drinks, apps and a beef tenderloin and watching the game in our pajamas with some of our best friends. 

Anyways, back to my makeup bag.

I don't travel lightly. Never have and honestly, probably never will. I'm not ashamed. It's who I am and I totally own it. 

When traveling during the holidays, I always bring items that can be used for any occasion. Whether it's going out with high school friends to get a drink, going on date night or Christmas dinner, I've got it covered. 

These are a slew of my favorite things…seriously, where do they come up with these things? It's genius. 

First off, the travel bag was originally $26 but is on sale for $15 with an additional 20% off using the code Extra20. You're welcome. 

Most of these items shouldn't come as a surprise to you, but they are my go-to, can't live without products that I grab for on a daily basis.

In the order that I apply the products, they are:

Moisturizer

Primer

First Aide Beauty Eye Duty 

Foundation

Concealer

Powder 

Bronzer

Eye Primer

Eyeshadow Palette

Eyeliner

Mac Blush, Becca Blush, Hourglass Blush 

Mascara

Setting Spray

Lipstick (not pictured)
Perfume 

See, I told you that I don't travel lightly. Now, what do you keep in your holiday travel bag? 

Gift Guide for the Beauty Lover

I was so honored when Evelina from Fortunate House emailed me asking if I'd guest blog for her while she went to New York for vacation! I was thrilled and of course said yes because she is one of my favorite bloggers. We started blogging at about the same time so I feel like we are going through this journey together and it's been so fun getting to know her.

 I find a lot of inspiration through other blogger's holiday gift guides and since some of my most favorite posts are beauty related, why not combine the two?

Have that difficult friend or relative that has absolutely everything and you never know what to get them? Well, I can guarantee you that they won't have a few items on this list since they are all new holiday editions.




1 |  2 |  3 |  4 |  5 |  6 |  7 |  8 |  9 |  10 |  11 |  12 |  13 |  14 |  15 

Just look how luxurious all of these are. I want it all. We're still shopping for others…not ourselves, right? 

So sit down, pour a hot cup of peppermint bark hot chocolate (it's been our go-to this holiday season) and write down all of these gift sets and products to go get for your loved ones!

Thanks again, Evelina for letting me guest blog for you while you are on vacation. I can only imagine the wonderful time you are having during the most beautiful and magical time of year!

Ladies, please head on over to her blog and check it out. I promise she won't disappoint you!!

Have a great weekend!

Our 2015 Christmas Card

I feel like I was super behind this season on sending out Christmas cards but hopefully by now, most of our friends and family have received them. I still have a few stragglers that are waiting on addresses or just waiting for a stamp to seal the deal. 

In the past years, I've used Minted, but this year I chose to use Shutterfly. I had a really good coupon and couldn't pass up the fantastic deal.

I was so impressed with their customer service and the quality of the card. I ordered them on a late Sunday night and they were in my hands the next Thursday morning. They shipped the very next day that they were ordered. That is basically 3 days. Ordered, printed and delivered. I was really, really impressed. 

I usually have a vision for our Christmas cards and this year was no exception. 

The first married year was a no brainer. Slap a professional wedding photo on the card and call it a day. The second and third year was a little more difficult to come up with an idea but we ended up attending attending black tie weddings both years around the holiday so we used that. 

We don't have children and don't have a dog (which I feel like most people usually use as a prop) so it's just the two of us in the card each year and that can sometimes be awkward.

But this year, I wanted something different. 

Our alma mater's football team, Clemson University, is the number one team in the nation, is the only undefeated team and just won the ACC Championship game. They are headed to Miami to play in the playoffs in hopes of making it to the National Championship. 

With that being said, we absolutely knew that we wanted our Christmas card to be themed around Clemson.

Drum rollll……

Yes, that would be Howard's Rock. The rock that every Clemson player and coach rubs before they run down the hill at a home game. A rock that is extremely important to the school and is a long standing tradition. 

 After the Tigers won the ACC Championship, Andrew and I took this picture and knew it had a special place on the back of our card!

Overall, I was extremely happy with the way our cards turned out this year and let's pray for a Tiger win!

Do you send out Christmas cards? If so, I'd love to see them!

Weekend Vibes and a Cookie Exchange Party

Since last weekend was so busy, it was nice to stay in town and relax this weekend! We went over to some friend's house on Friday evening to eat a delicious meal and hang out. On Saturday, I had to work but then came home and was in the kitchen for about 4 hours! That might not seem relaxing to some, but it is so therapeutic for me. I might have made the biggest mess ever, but it was so worth it. 

I prepared dough to make 64 cookies (yes, that's a lot!) and then cooked Andrew and I dinner. While I was cooking, I poured a glass of wine, turned on all of our Christmas tree and mantle lights and watched my first Christmas movie of the season. It was glorious. 

That's only about 16 pounds of cookie dough that consists of chocolate chips, Rolos and toffee bits! My mother in law and I have perfected the recipe and it even won at my company bake off last month! 

The best twice baked potatoes I've made to date, NY strip with caramelized onions and mushrooms and some broccoli…yuck. I always make a vegetable to make myself feel better but don't always end up eating all of it. It's the thought that counts, right?

Y'all, I hadn't purchased one single Christmas gift this season until Sunday. I have been so behind this year but made it a point to wake up early and go. Remember all of the cookies I prepped on Saturday? Well, I baked them on Sunday and took them (only 48 so Andrew could have a few) to a cookie exchange party on Sunday and shared them all with some girl friends. It was so much fun and good to see some of my girlfriends that I haven't seen in a while. Not to mention, I brought a ton of different cookies home that everyone else made and actually dropped some of them off at multiple friend's houses on the way home because I didn't think it was smart to keep allll of those cookies in the house. Bad decision? Thanks for hosting, Ashley and Casey!! 

The finished product. 

Veuve at 2:00 in the afternoon? Sure, it's a party! And the holidays.

Cookies on cookies.

Another table of desserts...

My dear friend Leslie and me.

The "exchanged" cookies. It was so fun to see what everyone else brought. 

I'm looking forward to this week…multiple Christmas parties and y'all, is next week actually Christmas? It still hasn't hit me yet and I am so not ready, but we'll get there. And then New Years will be here before we know it.  

Linking up with Biana for Weekending! Check out her blog. You won't be disappointed! 

100 Posts!

Hundreds of comments.

Thousands of page views.
Hours on hours reading and commenting on other's blogs.
Hundreds of hours creating posts.

100 Posts.

Thank you for encouraging, reading, commenting and most importantly, coming to my little space each day. 

I wouldn't be here if it weren't for y'all and it would be much, much harder for me to write and put my life out there if it weren't for my readers. I write a blog for myself, but it is a wonderful feeling that people actually enjoy following along.

I know I've taken a back seat to blogging lately due to a lot of personal things going on but 2016, I'm comin' for ya!

So, thank you for your support and let's hope I can get to the next 100!

xoxo,
Ashley

Linking up with Annie for Thoughts for Thursday 

Christmas Parties and ACC Championship

The first weekend in December was one for the books. We crammed a lot into just one weekend and we visited multiple cities all in a few days, but it was memorable. 

We headed to one of our favorite places on earth to take our Christmas card photos. I can't tell you where yet but you will find out once I share our final card with you! 

After that, we headed to Atlanta for Andrew's Christmas party at Sweetwater Brewery. Our work Christmas parties happened to be on the same weekend but since we lived in Atlanta and don't get to see a lot of our friends that often, we chose to head there. It was so much fun and we were so excited to spend time with friends that don't live close by. 

We brunched in Atlanta and then headed to Charlotte for the ACC Championship. Our #1 Clemson Tigers took on the UNC Tar Heels and we ended up on top. I'm not going to lie, I was a nervous wreck the entire game but it ended the way we wanted it to. 

Oh, and then there was that one time that Tajh Boyd showed up to our tailgate! He is one of my all-time favorite Clemson quarterbacks. 

Clemson will now head to Miami to play Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl on New Years Eve. 

    

Sunday brunch at Mert's in Charlotte was epic, as it always is. Soul food at its finest. 

We headed home, unpacked, cleaned and did loads of laundry then finally decorated the house for Christmas. The tree is up and decorated and A and I enjoyed Williams Sonoma's peppermint bark hot chocolate and listened to Christmas music while we decorated. That is always one of my favorite memories with him.  Oh, and I was finally able to get our Christmas cards ordered. 

I hope y'all enjoyed your weekend and hope you have a fabulous week!

Linking up with Biana for Weekending.

November Favorites

Can someone please tell me where did the entire month of November went? 

Life has been super busy with traveling, weddings, hospital visits and the holidays. I didn't even take one picture at Thanksgiving. We spent the majority of the holiday in the hospital and I just couldn't force myself to pretend to be happy so that means there is no documentation. 

The month of November was not a favorite and it was probably the hardest month we've had yet, but I still managed to collect a few goodies over the past month to share with you.

Yes, I am well aware that some of these are completely random but hey…they don't always have to be beauty related!

Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder // This has transitioned into my every day setting powder. I love that it doesn't add any color but does mattify and "set" my foundation. 

Sigma Highlight Brush // I use this to set my under eyes and it does a great job of fitting in all of the crevices of my puffy and dark circled eyes. 

First Aide Beauty Eye Duty Triple Remedy // For the above reasons (puffy and dark circles), this helps reduce the amount of puffiness and color corrects to help brighten.

Ricola Dual Action Cough Drops // So random but I've gotten addicted to these and I'm not proud. I pop them in my mouth like they are candy. My current favorite flavors are cherry and mint. They are filled with a liquid that is actually really strong since it's medicated but leaves your mouth feeling so clean! Oh, and I guess it does a good job of helping with a sore throat but clearly that isn't why I've been eating them. 

Rewind Candle in Merlot // Wine in a candle? Yes please. You know these candles are some of my favorites but as I go through one after another, I can't help but share. Merlot is my favorite scent for fall but I smelt the Rose the other day and that's on my Christmas list. Oh, and did you know that they now make a 3 wick candle so it's extra big? 

Adele "Hello" // I know this song has been so overplayed but I can't stop belting out to it every time it comes on in the car! And did you know that the album "25" does not signify her current age but actually the age she was when she went through the events that her lyrics are based on?

Thai Massaman Curry // The first few days we were in the hospital with Andrew's dad, one of his friends brought us a bunch of Thai dishes and this Massaman dish was called "Amazing!" on the menu. We had no idea what it was but let me tell you…the name of it was accurate! After researching "Thai peanut curry sauce," we found out that it was called Massaman. Well, have you know it…it is a common curry dish at our local Thai restaurant and it's been on repeat. Sorry not sorry.

iPhone 6s // I am kind of jumping the gun on this one but I have a feeling it'll definitely be a favorite. I bought this tonight so I really don't have many reviews yet but I can already tell that I'm going to love it more than my iPhone 5s. More storage, 3D and better camera? I'm in. Please leave any recommendations for cell phone cases!! Mine is still naked and need one ASAP. Would love to find a local shop if possible!

Clemson Tigers // I saved the best for last. My Tigers have been ranked #1 in the country all month long and I am so incredibly proud. We haven't won a National Championship since 1981 and this is the closest we've gotten since then! We are heading to Charlotte for the ACC Championship game this weekend against UNC and I pray we win! (Sorry, Evelina!) They have worked so hard to get where they are and I can't wait to hopefully support them in AZ in January! 

We will be going to get our Christmas tree tomorrow and I will finally start decorating for my favorite holiday! I feel like we are probably the last people on earth to be getting a tree, but better late than never? Oh, and then I have to send out my Christmas cards.

Linking up with Annie and Natalie for Thoughts for Thursday! 

VIB Sephora Wish List

Hey friends, I sure have missed you! I just wanted to take a minute to thank you so much for all of the emails, comments and texts over the past three weeks. We've literally had the worst of times and the best  of times all at once, and it's been difficult to balance. I am hoping we start to see some sort of normalcy soon but we aren't quite there yet. 

Anyway, I am so excited about this coming weekend. It's that time of year again… Sephora VIB sale! If you are a VIB Rouge member, then you already celebrated last weekend but for the rest of us, we'll get our 20% off this coming Friday - Monday.

A few of these items will be re-purchases and some will be items that are new to me. For items that I know I will repurchase in the future, I go ahead and stock up so that I can save money.

| 1 |
Kat Von D Tattoo Liner

This is the eyeliner I grab for every single day. It will definitely be a repurchase. It is so black, easy to apply and doesn't budge all day long.

| 2 |
Makeup Forever Mat Velvet Foundation

This is a newer item for me and I actually already bought it last week and have been using it all week but wanted to share it with you because I love it! I will be doing a full review on it later but I got color matched for the first time at Sephora and for my normal to oily skin type, they recommended this matte foundation. Love it so much and it makes my skin look so much smoother.

| 3 |
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer

Are you shocked I actually have never tried this until last week? I bought it at the same time as the foundation for my sister's wedding and have been enjoying it. I have super dark circles under my eyes and I think it does a great job at covering, but I will admit that I can still see darkness. But, for the normal person who doesn't have bad circles, definitely try this!

| 4 |
First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Triple Remedy 

I have never purchased this but I used my sister's on her wedding day, and I will definitely be purchasing this. With the addition to my dark circles under my eyes, I was blessed with puffy bags too. Ugh, genetics. Anyways, I am excited to try this salmon color corrector to see if this helps.

| 5 |
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

Again, something I tried last week when getting my color matched at Sephora, but I didn't buy it. Yet. I loved the airbrush finish this gave my skin. It worked beautifully over my Makeup Forever foundation and think it will be a great setting powder.

| 6 |
Beauty Blender

This is definitely a repurchase. I don't know about you, but how often do you have to buy your beauty blenders? Mine definitely get a few months out of it so I guess that is okay. I have tried dupes and other brands but nothing compares to this simple sponge. Who would have ever thought that a sponge like this would make your makeup look so flawless? Not me, but in my cart it will go.

| 7 |
Travel Makeup Bag

I think these are the cutest makeup bags and I can't wait to use it for travel. I have a huge acrylic storage unit that I keep my make up in (make up and storage collection coming soon), but need a new travel bag. I am currently using one of the Tarte hanging holiday travel cases. I do like it but I'm just ready for something different.

| 8 |
Bite Beauty Best Bite Rewind 

I have always been a big fan of Bite Beauty. It is paraben and sulfate free and is edible and actually tastes pretty good. I mean, I haven't tried it or anything? I have used their cream lipsticks and lipgloss but am excited to try out these lip crayons. And, I'm loving the color options.

| 9 |
Olivia Palermo by Ciate Nail Set 

You know I love a good nail polish and manicure. I haven't tried Ciate but if you follow Olivia Palermo on IG, you will fall in love with the brand! These colors are perfect for the holidays and I hear the formula is amaaaazing.

| 10 |
Sephora Triple Action Cleansing Water

Another item I tried last week while in the store, but didn't purchase at the time. This cleansing water smells so clean (no pun intended) and does a great job of removing all of the dirt and oils from your face. By habit, I will probably continue to use my clarisonic or face wipes and then use this as a secondary cleanser, but I'll let you know how it goes.

| 11 |
Nars Blush in Lovejoy

I feel like a broken record tonight. Tried this last week at Sephora…didn't buy it but really love the natural color. The online swatch is terrible so you will just have to go see it for yourself in real life. It is a browny pink (it's a lot prettier than it sounds, I promise). Just go try it.

Now, if I can only wait another day until I can get my hands on these!! I can tend to be an impulse buyer so I will probably go in the store and get the majority of it because I am so patient…not. And then I will probably go home and buy something online because I forgot to get it in the store.

And, after this purchase/purchases, I should be able to keep my status of VIB for next year so that's a win, too!

I'd love to hear what you are wanting to purchase!

Happy Shopping!

Linking up with Annie for Thoughts for Thursday! 

Baby Sister Says "I Do"

Y'all, my baby sister is no longer a baby! She is a grown married woman now! And, I've gained a wonderful brother in law. They are off honeymooning and I'm extremely jealous because it is finally starting to get cold around here and I would much rather be on a tropical vacation.

The wedding was beautiful. Absolutely perfection.

We danced, we ate, and drank the night away.

I am extremely happy for the two of them and wish them the same happiness that I have found in my marriage.

Wedding nerves right before walking down the aisle? Nah.

Congratulations, Kristin and Mikey! 

PS. I will be doing a full recap of the weekend once I am able to get better pictures other than my iPhone! 

The Ugliest Word of All: Cancer

Well, hello there! I've been a little MIA lately and I apologize for my absence on this little space of mine. I have been meaning to get on here each day and just talk to you and express how I've been feeling for the past few weeks but I've just needed time. 

Twelve days ago, my father in law was diagnosed with brain cancer. 

Cancer. 

That is a word I'd never dreamed of typing on here. But, it is reality and I'm going to talk about it. Maybe not today because let's be real, I'm drained. But, I think it is important to talk about the good, bad and the very, very ugly.  

In the past eleven days, I've driven over 1500 miles from Greenville to Columbia, back to Greenville, back to Columbia. Then we made our journey to Duke University Hospital. Back to Greenville. Back to Durham. Then to Columbia, then back to Greenville today. I'm exhausted just thinking about it. 

I know that he is being provided the best care in the country at Duke so I have faith that we will overcome this.

So, please excuse me while I take a little blogging break to spend time with my family. 

Oh and did I mention that this weekend my baby sister is getting married?! I absolutely can. not. wait to stand by her side and watch her marry the love of her life. 

Please send happy thoughts our way! 

xoxo

Glominerals Highlight and Contour Kit

Glominerals is a brand that is newer to me, but so far, I'm loving it. Glominerals is a mineral based makeup line that promises to cover, correct and protect. The innovative technology is used to transform the skin to rejuvenate and refine your skin tone and texture.  

The Contour and Highlight Kit is a palette that I grab for every day. I have the fair to light kit but was really torn between that and the medium to dark kit but I figured mine was a safer bet for my paleish/ivory skin town. Oxymoron? I can get pretty dark in the summer but it definitely fades come fall and winter. The kit is definitely a buildable product and doesn't take a lot. It applies smoothly and isn't blotchy at all. 

I am also obsessed with the double ended contour/highlight brush. The highlight end fits perfectly under my puffy and dark circled eyes. I use the far left shade to "set" my concealer and it does a great job of brightening the under eye. The far right shade is more of a shimmer and looks beautiful on the top of my cheekbones. 

The top right shade is what I mainly use to contour. It is a warm but cool shade so it does a great job of creating a shadow to make my face look thinner. I will occasionally use the warmer/more red shade to enhance the contour. 

This informational sheet is exceptionally handy and sits right inside the palette for guidance. Tip: Apply with a light hand because you can always add more, but you can't take it away!

If you are local to Greenville, you can purchase this kit at Advanced Cosmetic Surgery. Be sure to check out their website and see all of the services they offer. Hair removal? That is calling my name. Double Chin removal? Yes please. 

Also, on November 10, they will be hosting a contour event so be sure to sign up! They are offering 30 minute sessions to teach you how to properly contour and highlight using this kit, and you actually get to take home your own contour/highlight kit and brush, too. Spots are filling up fast. Exciting news if you attend! One of Bobbi Brown's former makeup artists will be in attendance and may be showing some of her own tricks!

** I won this kit and brush though an Instagram giveaway via @advancedcosmeticsurgery and therefore was provided the products. However, all thoughts are my own.

Linking up with Annie for Thoughts for Thursday!

Fall Crockpot Recipes

Do you ever get in a rut and run out of dinner ideas? Me too. You all know I really enjoy cooking, but sometimes it can be difficult to come up with new and exciting meal options. My requirements of a week-night meal include something that is easy, somewhat healthy and affordable. I look to my favorite chefs for inspiration but when all else fails and you just don't feel like buying a thousand and one ingredients to make a dish that will be gone in .2 seconds, I resort to Pinterest. 

Have I had success with every dish I've made from Pinterest? Not exactly. But, I will say that they haven't been the worst either.  I've definitely had more success dinners than not, so that's a win in my book. 

When I was searching Pinterest and saw the link for Fall Crockpot Recipes, I thought "winner." This can get me through the fall without having to struggle with finding recipes that will make my husband and myself happy. 

| Over the Big Moon | 

From soups to chicken to side dishes to dips to desserts, the crockpot is a wonderful thing. If you are like me and totally not a morning person, then prep the night before. Wake up, turn the crock pot on, come home and dinner is ready. How easy is that? 

| the frugal girls | 

I can't wait to try these recipes out and will let you know how they turn out! 

What are your favorite fall dishes…any crockpot ones you are willing to share?!

Weekending

We did weekending at its finest. 

I like to call it the 3 "F's." 

Food, Friends, Football. 

The majority of our fall weekends consist of exactly those three things, but I don't mind the repeat. At all. 

This weekend was extra special because one of my best friends and bridesmaids came into town from Charleston to stay the weekend with us and I was able to meet her sweet, sweet baby for the first time. I really enjoyed getting to spend time with them and seeing her daughter at her first Clemson game!

#5 ranked Clemson played Boston College and won 34-17. This exact time last year, we enjoyed playing BC in Boston…one of our most favorite trips and we will most definitely go back!

Tailgating is our favorite.

Love spending my Saturdays with these girls! 

Since we had a night game, the fans decided to try something new. All of a sudden the entire stadium had their flashlights on their cameras on and it turned out pretty cool! 

Brunch is my favorite and Tupelo Honey is a restaurant we always enjoy taking out of town guests. Can you see why?

Linking up with Biana for Weekending so be sure to check out her blog!